The 2014 Mock draft Thread.

[kennyb]

Do You expect the Pats to franchise Talib?

I don't think he'll be here next year. Or wilfork or Spikes.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I don't think he'll be here next year. Or wilfork or Spikes.

Hopefully Spikes will be the odd man out, the other are far more effective than him.

 

[meatface]

I don't think he'll be here next year. Or wilfork or Spikes.

Idk Franchising Talib just seems to make too much sense to not do it. But yeah Wilfork will probably be a cap casualty

 

[kennyb]

Idk Franchising Talib just seems to make too much sense to not do it. But yeah Wilfork will probably be a cap casualty

Wilfork will probably cost too much unless he's 100% back and that's iffy given his age and weight. I think Spikes just signs somewhere else, we need more speed anyway at the position.

Talib I don't know, they might franchise him but it's expensive and he's been injured a good bit. They might not want to gamble on the tag and trade and just take a 3rd round compensatory. Or they might get lucky and sign him for 5M like they did this year.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Idk Franchising Talib just seems to make too much sense to not do it. But yeah Wilfork will probably be a cap casualty

Wilfork will probably cost too much unless he's 100% back and that's iffy given his age and weight.

People seem to think Belichick is some heartless bastard with no soul at all, who focuses solely on the bottom line. I don't think that's true. He focuses on the bottom line more than most coaches, but he cares for the legacy of the players who are leaders and embody the team-first attitude and selflessness he desires in his players. Look at the Bruschi situation for an example of this.

All that is a long way of saying that, IMHO, there is a 0% chance that Wilfork will not be with the team next year. He has done too much for the franchise, is a major team leader, has the complete respect of Belichick, and still has a chance of performing at a high level in the future. The Pats obviously won't want him at his current cap charge, but Wilfork isn't stupid -- he already got paid, and he is coming off a major injury, and he wants to be here. I believe that an extension will be worked out that lowers the 2014 cap charge by $4 - $4.5M, that will give Wilfork some up front money in bonuses, but whose salaries aren't guaranteed to protect the Pats in case Wilfork can't come all the way back from injury.

 

[kennyb]

Ordinarily I'd agree about wilfork but his salary is 7.5m next year and his unamortized signing bonus 3.6. Total cap hit 11.6m for 33 year old guy with a busted Achilles. I don't know if they want to keep that. Even if they extend then it's pushing the can down the road unless he agrees to very low salaries. If they cit him it costs them 3.6m. His salary is too fat a target. Those out years aren't legit anyway on most contracts.

Mankins has a salary of 6.5m. Costs 4m to cut him. His head should be on the chopping block too.

But who knows maybe wilfork agrees to cut his salary or make it incentive based.

If they stretch his contract out and guarantee his 7.5m contract then that's giving a guy who may never play again a guaranteed 7.5 m. Not a good way to protect themselves.

 

[BritPat]

I'd put good money on Vince re-structuring his deal. Mankins however, is a different story.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I'd put good money on Vince re-structuring his deal. Mankins however, is a different story.

I agree, I think it makes sense on both sides to probably extend his deal. Reduce his cap hit from $11mil in 2014 and spread it out over another 2 years or so. Even if he only gets a low base salary in those years and only makes another $12-15mil or between 2014-16, that is still better than being cut and looking for a contract with a new team. An extension would guarantee Vince more money, lower the risk and lower his cap hit for 2014.

Mankins I think is only here for 1 more year. With $8mil in dead cap in 2014 I think he is safe. The way I look at it is can we either match or upgrade his production for the $2.5mil we would save by cutting him in 2014? I don't think so. In 2015 when he has an $11mil cap hit and we can save $7mil then I think he is certainly gone. I'm not a fan of trying to extend Mankins because its guaranteeing too much money when I think his performance will decline.

 

[meatface]

I'd put good money on Vince re-structuring his deal. Mankins however, is a different story.

Its pretty much restructure or get cut for Wilfork. He is just owed too much money next year coming off the torn Achilles, an extra year extension could work too. I'm just afraid that in order for it to work Wilfork will have to take too big of a pay cut for him to accept, Kelly signed a two year $5 million deal and Wilfork is coming off a major injury and a year older. Mankins will probably be approached about restructuring but they cant really afford to cut him with how horrible the interior of the O-line has played

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I agree, I think it makes sense on both sides to probably extend his deal. Reduce his cap hit from $11mil in 2014 and spread it out over another 2 years or so. Even if he only gets a low base salary in those years and only makes another $12-15mil or between 2014-16, that is still better than being cut and looking for a contract with a new team. An extension would guarantee Vince more money, lower the risk and lower his cap hit for 2014.

Mankins I think is only here for 1 more year. With $8mil in dead cap in 2014 I think he is safe. The way I look at it is can we either match or upgrade his production for the $2.5mil we would save by cutting him in 2014? I don't think so. In 2015 when he has an $11mil cap hit and we can save $7mil then I think he is certainly gone. I'm not a fan of trying to extend Mankins because its guaranteeing too much money when I think his performance will decline.

I agree on Mankins with the caveat that I think he's still a candidate to be restructured for 2014. The Pats are tight up against the 2014 cap because of Hernandez, even factoring in a Wilfork extension. There is currently no bonus amortization in 2016, the last year of his deal. I think the Patriots may be willing to take an extra $1.8M cap hit in 2015 and 2016 if it means they have access to that money in 2014. And if Mankins really is hurting, and he performs well in 2014 again, there is plenty room for another restructuring in 2015.

 

[kennyb]

I agree, I think it makes sense on both sides to probably extend his deal. Reduce his cap hit from $11mil in 2014 and spread it out over another 2 years or so. Even if he only gets a low base salary in those years and only makes another $12-15mil or between 2014-16, that is still better than being cut and looking for a contract with a new team. An extension would guarantee Vince more money, lower the risk and lower his cap hit for 2014.

Mankins I think is only here for 1 more year. With $8mil in dead cap in 2014 I think he is safe. The way I look at it is can we either match or upgrade his production for the $2.5mil we would save by cutting him in 2014? I don't think so. In 2015 when he has an $11mil cap hit and we can save $7mil then I think he is certainly gone. I'm not a fan of trying to extend Mankins because its guaranteeing too much money when I think his performance will decline.

If you "spread out next year's salary" into 2015 and 2016 cap hit wise and then you have to cut him because of his injury, then you've just cost yourself 7.5M unnecessarily. So that is a huge risk for the Pats. I think they wouldn't want to just "guarantee" that much money. I don't think it makes sense.

You spread the cap hits but you actually up the risk. It'd be better to have him take a huge cut in salary and put it into incentives. If he comes back 100%, he can earn it. If he's 50% he earns a lot less and if he's cut he earns zero. That's fair. BB isn't a sentimental guy. Cutting someone doesn't mean the Pats don't still love him.

I thought Mankins was a 4M cap hit if cut next year, but it's 8M for 2014 and 2015. Unbelievable how much money that guy gets. He complained about them being cheap and they really backed up the truck. So I guess he won't get cut in 2014.

 

[kennyb]

Yet another draft



1. ASJ - TE Washington or Eric Ebron TE NC
2. Darqueze Dennard - CB
3. Donte Moncrief - WR could play H back as well
4. Morgan Moses - T Virginia
5. Gabe Ikard - C /G Oklahoma
6. Jacob Pedersen - TE Wisconsin
6. Carrington Bynum - CB Texas
6. Trey Millard - FB Oklahoma

 

[manxman2601]

Haven't done one for a few weeks.


Rnd One


Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State



Starting to think that Talib's recurring injury issues might not make him worth re-signing. Gilbert has excellent length, excellent ball skills (two interceptions yesterday) and is one of the most athletic corners in this draft. Also helps out as a kick returner. More importantly, I don't think Gilbert is close to fulfilling his potential just yet. I do think he goes higher than this on draft day however.


Rnd Two


Travis Swanson, OC, Arkansas





Ugh. Currently ranked #40 at CBS and now Rob Rang has him at #23 on his big board.

Big Board: Skov, Borland lead resurgence of inside LBs - NFL, NFLDRAFT - CBSSports.com

Just have to hope that being a center drops him on draft day and that picking him in the 2nd doesn't start to look wholly unrealistic.


Rnd 3


Marcel Jensen, TE, Fresno State




I've been watching a fair bit of Derek Carr of late and Jensen looks pretty good. He's got excellent size at 6'5" and 258 lbs and whilst he doesn't have elite NFL athleticism, he's no slouch for his size. Also is a good blocker with excellent hands.


Rnd 4


Ryan Carrethers, DT, Arkansas State





Kelly, Jones, Vellano and Armstead are all 3-tech types and if Wilfork's position next year is questionable, the Patriots could be looking for a double-team swallowing NT. Carrethers needs to do a better job of disengaging from blockers but he is the closest thing to the immovable object in this draft.


Rnd 6a (from Eagles)


Rob Blanchflower, TE, UMass





Double dipping at the TE spot. I don't mind Hoomanawanui as a back of roster guy but there's no doubting he's replaceable. And as for Mr Mulligan, well. "Gronkflower" is either going to be a good HB/TE replacement for Hooman or a Gronkowski-lite. Having Jensen and Blanchflower doesn't get us back to the days of the double TE attack but it's certainly an improvement on where we are now.


Rnd 6b

Billy Turner, OL, North Dakota State





I mentioned him in the prospect thread. Currently plays LT but I envisage him at OG in the future. Has tremendous feet at the second level and I like his fit in our system.


Rnd 6c (comp)


Nickoe Whitley, S, Mississippi State






The hardest hitting safety in this draft? I like someone who can light up a pulling Guard and still make the tackle. Would be an awesome addition to special teams.


Rnd 7


Kenny Guiton, QB, Ohio State





He has plus athleticism, a big arm and is supposedly so smart that he could go back to Ohio State as a coach. That's not bad for a clipboard holder now is it?

 

[stelfans]

Love the Gilbert and Turner picks, though i think if talib leaves we need 2 corners.
The Jensen one..not so much. And i wouldnt double dip at TE, not with this class.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Love the Gilbert and Turner picks, though i think if talib leaves we need 2 corners.
The Jensen one..not so much. And i wouldnt double dip at TE, not with this class.

I think BB needs to double dip at DT and CB in this draft. But because the top of the draft is weak at DT, I could see us having to bring in a veteran retread FA DT instead of double dipping.

 

[manxman2601]

Love the Gilbert and Turner picks, though i think if talib leaves we need 2 corners.
The Jensen one..not so much. And i wouldnt double dip at TE, not with this class.

I think BB needs to double dip at DT and CB in this draft. But because the top of the draft is weak at DT, I could see us having to bring in a veteran retread FA DT instead of double dipping.

Unless Dennard's going to prison, I really don't see the need for 2 corners. Who's the second one replacing? Marquice Cole? He barely sees the field. And I think BB likes him for his special teams anyway.

 

[stelfans]

The pre-christmas mock

1 - Eric Ebron TE
2 - Darqueeze Dennard CB
3 - Weston Richburg OL
4 - Johnathan Brown LB
6a - Trey Millard FB
6b - Billy Turner OL
6c - Zack Kerr DL
7 - Jimmie Ward S

 

[JerseyShore99]

The pre-christmas mock

1 - Eric Ebron TE
2 - Darqueeze Dennard CB
3 - Weston Richburg OL
4 - Johnathan Brown LB
6a - Trey Millard FB
6b - Billy Turner OL
6c - Zack Kerr DL
7 - Jimmie Ward S

Sorta like this, Ebron is great but I personally prefer Amaro over him that early, otherwise I like taking Lynch or Pedersen later on in day 3. I love taking Dennard in round 2, great value and could obviously help this secondary. Not a huge fan of Richburg or taking an OL so early, both considering their is value later on (Urschel) and that we have Braxston Cave playing center and LSing next year. Johnathan Brown looks like an interesting pick but I'd rather have a good coverage LB or hard hitting MLB if Spikes leaves. Love Millard in the 6th, could be Vereen 2.0. Not a huge fan of Kerr or Turner but I also llike Jimmie Ward, provides playmaking abilities, leadership, communication skills, and is an excellent tackler, could be a steal and serve well on special teams

 

[JerseyShore99]

Thanksgiving Week Mock:
1. Louis Nix, DT, ND
2. Darqueze Dennard, CB, MSU
3. Marcus Roberson, CB, UF
4. Arthur Lynch, TE, UGA
6. Aaron Murray, QB, UGA
6. Trey Millard, FB, Oklahoma
6. Jacob Pedersen, TE, Wisconsin
6. John Urschel, G, PSU
7. Ben Malena, RB, TAMU

 

[manxman2601]

Thanksgiving Week Mock:
1. Louis Nix, DT, ND
2. Darqueze Dennard, CB, MSU
3. Marcus Roberson, CB, UF
4. Arthur Lynch, TE, UGA
6. Aaron Murray, QB, UGA
6. Trey Millard, FB, Oklahoma
6. Jacob Pedersen, TE, Wisconsin
6. John Urschel, G, PSU
7. Ben Malena, RB, TAMU

I'm not a great fan of Lynch, but this mock 'feels' right. Nice.