The 2014 Mock draft Thread.

[jsull87]

Like the effort, and many of the picks, but adding Scott Chandler - and only Chandler -
isn't nearly enough help at TE. Gronk will not be ready until at least week 7, and drafting
a Move TE of the future is an absolute, inarguable must.

Gronk is the TE for the future and arguably Chandler as well. I appreciate your difference of opinion but going into the season with chandler as our 1 then number 2 TE is pretty solid IMO.

I just chose to address the need via a proven vet rather than a draft pick. Mulligan and Hooman will do as 3rd and 4th TE options for now. IMO Chandler will go some ways to replacing the murderer now and for the next 3-4 years. But if TE is to work Gronk needs to be fit.

 

[AzorianPats]

I see Chandler gets a lot of love around here, but I really, really like Garrett Graham from the Texans as the Joker TE. Kids got game, and he's young.

 

[Wilfork#75]

Gronk is the TE for the future and arguably Chandler as well. I appreciate your difference of opinion but going into the season with chandler as our 1 then number 2 TE is pretty solid IMO.

I just chose to address the need via a proven vet rather than a draft pick. Mulligan and Hooman will do as 3rd and 4th TE options for now. IMO Chandler will go some ways to replacing the murderer now and for the next 3-4 years. But if TE is to work Gronk needs to be fit.

While I believe TE is one of our biggest needs, for me its not something I think we need elite talent at to improve. Unlike a position like DT or DE where I think we need high end talent to make an impact, for TE I think we just need some solid, reliable guys. I agree that adding a solid vet like Chandler as a #2 TE would be a good option to help improve the team that wont require a lot of resources. Maybe add a mid/late round pick and convert Harrison to TE and we have the makings of a solid group. If the opportunity is there in the draft to grab a TE that is good value like ASJ late in the 2nd or Troy Niklas in the 3rd I would jump all over it, but I have absolutely no interest in Ebron or Amaro in the 1st. Fill the need in FA (I also really like Pettigrew and am holding out some hope that the new coach in Detroit doesn't want a blocking TE and cuts Michael Williams) so we aren't forced to take anyone in the draft, but leave ourselves a chance to take any opportunities.

 

[mayoclinic]

While I believe TE is one of our biggest needs, for me its not something I think we need elite talent at to improve. Unlike a position like DT or DE where I think we need high end talent to make an impact, for TE I think we just need some solid, reliable guys. I agree that adding a solid vet like Chandler as a #2 TE would be a good option to help improve the team that wont require a lot of resources. Maybe add a mid/late round pick and convert Harrison to TE and we have the makings of a solid group. If the opportunity is there in the draft to grab a TE that is good value like ASJ late in the 2nd or Troy Niklas in the 3rd I would jump all over it, but I have absolutely no interest in Ebron or Amaro in the 1st. Fill the need in FA (I also really like Pettigrew and am holding out some hope that the new coach in Detroit doesn't want a blocking TE and cuts Michael Williams) so we aren't forced to take anyone in the draft, but leave ourselves a chance to take any opportunities.

I agree with most of what you said. I'd take Pettigrew over Chandler as a UFA signing if possible. I wouldn't touch Amaro or ASJ before the mid 2nd round at the earliest (and Amaro at least will be long gone by then). I think Ebron is a special talent and worth the #29 pick, but I'd probably prefer other options depending on who is on the board. Right now Richard Rodgers, Xavier Grimble and Arthur Lynch look like they will probably go day 3.

 

[JerseyShore99]

I see Chandler gets a lot of love around here, but I really, really like Garrett Graham from the Texans as the Joker TE. Kids got game, and he's young.

Graham actually went to my exact high school in Jersey, he still comes back every now and again and is a great individual, I hope that he gets to cash in on a pay-raise this off-season, just not with NE. He'll be 27 and has only had a solid game or two, he does have potential, especially in NE, but I'd MUCH rather target Amaro in the first (future starter) and either ASJ or Arty Lynch on early day 2 or early day 3 respectively. Would love to have TE depth of Gronk, Amaro, Lynch, and Hooman. IF BB does look to find a TE in FA, I would like either Chandler or Quarless, another interesting name that could be cheaper but placed on IR is Jermichael Finley if NE still thinks he can play productively. Look for Graham to either stay in Houston or sign in either Baltimore (Kubiak connection) or NYJ (need for TE, right near family)

 

[Patriot Missile]

Quick bump, no time for detailed analysis.

- Trade Mallett for #33.
- Cut Wilfork, sign Linval Joseph
- Resign Talib and Blount
- Sign Brandon Pettigrew
- Edelman walks, sign Riley Cooper/Jeremy Maclin
- Sign UFA lineman at reasonable price (Jon Asamoah/Rodger Safold)
- Connolly restructures and moves to center
- Wait to sign a UDFA QB and a veteran when teams cut down in June
- Gregory and Kelly end up getting cut after June 1

29. Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
- Trade 33 to Jacksonville for 39 and 102. Gus Bradley moves up if Dee Ford is still on the board.
39. Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford.
- Trade 62 to Cleveland for 69 and their 5th round pick.
69. Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville.
93. Billy Turner, OL, North Dakota St.
102. Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida St.
128. Christian Jones, LB, Florida St.
5 (from Cleveland). Richard Rodgers, move TE, Cal.
6a. Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma.
6b. Antone Exum, DB, Virginia Tech. Will probably play safety opposite McCourty.
6 (comp). Jonathan Dowling, DB, Western Kentucky.
6 (comp). Trey Millard, FB/H-back, Oklahoma.
7. Colt Lyerla, TE, Oregon. Moon shot.

The Roster:

QB: Brady + someone else. Risky for now.
RB: Blount, Ridley, Vereen, Freeman. Awesome.
FB: Develin, Millard. Awesome.
WR: Amendola, Cooper/Maclin, Dobson, Thompkins, Boyce, Harrison. No #1, but very deep.
TE: Gronk, Pettigrew, Rodgers, Lyerla/Harrison. Awesome.
OT: Solder, Vollmer, Cannon. Turner and Saffold (if signed) can also play tackle.
OG/C: Mankins, Connolly, Asamoah/Saffold, Turner, Kline. Need a backup center.

DT: Joseph, Jernigan, Armstead, Siliga, Chr. Jones. Awesome, and young.
DE: Cha. Jones, Ninkovich, Murphy, Buchanan. Solid. Hightower, Collins, Smith and Armstead can also play DE.
LB: Mayo, Hightower, Collins, Smith, Christian Jones. Amazing group.
S: McCourty, Harmon, Exum, Wilson/Dowling, Ebner
CB: Talib, Dennard, Ryan, Arrington, Colvin(could start on PUP)/Dowling

ST: Gostkowski, Allen, Aiken/UDFA, Slater

I absolutely love those first 3 picks and the addition of Joseph. Those are the kind of guys this team needs to get to the next level. The Tight End additions puts the te's back to an elite group with a healthy Gronkowski and at worse Pettigrew and Rodgers paired by themselves are at least a threat and a adequate combination hopefully. I'm not really worried about the offense as some. When Gronkowski was in the lineup for those 6 games the Pats were the number 1 offense in the NFL during that span. Defense is where it is at for me in this draft. Get after the passer, don't give qbs all day to throw on third down. Give the ball back to Brady and the offense.

 

[Big-T]

Mock Version 4...or 5, can't remember

Players picked within 5 spots higher or a "realistic" amount lower than CBS rankings.

Free Agency
Vince Wilfork: cut
Isaac Sopoaga: cut
Steve Gregory: cut
Adrian Wilson: cut
Jake Bequette: cut
Logan Mankins: restructured
Stephen Gostkowski: extended
Devin McCourty: extended

= ~$17.5m freed up cap space + ~$10m free space for...

Julian Edelman - FA WR - re-signed
Aqib Talib - FA CB - re-signed
Alex Mack - FA C - signed
Arthur Jones - FA DT/DE - signed

Leaving ~$7.5m (probably somewhat generous)

Onto the draft...

Trades
Ryan Mallett > Houston Texans, #33
#29 & #93 > Jacksonville Jaguars, #39, #70, #167
#125, #167 > Chicago Bears, 113

Picks
(2) 33. Kyle Van Noy - LB - BYU
(2) 39. Austin Seferian-Jenkins - TE - Washington
(2) 61. Jimmy Garoppolo - QB - Eastern Illinois
(3) 70. Loucheiz Purifoy - CB - Florida
(4) 113. CJ Fiedorowicz - TE - Iowa
(6) 182. Ryan Carrethers - DT - Arkansas State
(6) 189. Brent Urban - DE/DT - Virginia
(6) COMP. Aaron Lynch - DE - South Florida
(6) COMP. De'Anthony Thomas - RB - Oregon
(7) 221. Trey Millard - FB - Oklahoma

QB: 1
RB: 1
FB: 1
TE: 2
DT: 1
DE: 1
DT/DE: 1
LB: 1
CB: 1

 

[mayoclinic]

I absolutely love those first 3 picks and the addition of Joseph. Those are the kind of guys this team needs to get to the next level. The Tight End additions puts the te's back to an elite group with a healthy Gronkowski and at worse Pettigrew and Rodgers paired by themselves are at least a threat and a adequate combination hopefully. I'm not really worried about the offense as some. When Gronkowski was in the lineup for those 6 games the Pats were the number 1 offense in the NFL during that span. Defense is where it is at for me in this draft. Get after the passer, don't give qbs all day to throw on third down. Give the ball back to Brady and the offense.

I agree with everything you said, but there are obviously different opinions than ours.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

While I believe TE is one of our biggest needs, for me its not something I think we need elite talent at to improve. Unlike a position like DT or DE where I think we need high end talent to make an impact, for TE I think we just need some solid, reliable guys.

You don't need elite talent to improve over the 2013 TE position. Elite talent at TE, though, can be a game-changing proposition.

 

[mayoclinic]

You don't need elite talent to improve over the 2013 TE position. Elite talent at TE, though, can be a game-changing proposition.

The same could be said of DT. Look at how the development of #1 draft pick Sylvester Williams and the evolution of Terrance Knighton changed things between the two games against Denver.

 

[manxman2601]

The same could be said of DT. Look at how the development of #1 draft pick Sylvester Williams and the evolution of Terrance Knighton changed things between the two games against Denver.

Terrance Knighton was a cheap FA. And Brady not having reliable big athletic weapons was as much responsible for the loss as anything on the D Lines. Defensive tackles can be found anywhere in the draft.

 

[mayoclinic]

Terrance Knighton was a cheap FA. And Brady not having reliable big athletic weapons was as much responsible for the loss as anything on the D Lines. Defensive tackles can be found anywhere in the draft.

As can TEs. This sounds a bit familiar to me.

I understand that Knighton was a cheap FA pickup, but he's played at an elite level down the stretch. Sylvester Williams was a #1 draft pick, and he's had a significant impact on their interior defense since stepping in for Kevin Vickerson when was injured against the Pats. The result has been that Denver's interior defense and run defense have improved dramatically, which had a huge impact on the Pats' offense in the AFCCG. I never said it was the only factor in the loss.

I'm more than happy to pick up an elite presence at DT on the cheap, if you can figure out a way to do so. Denver lucked into Knighton because of the Jack Del Rio connection, but that's fairly exceptional.

Carolina invested the #14 pick in Star Lotulelei, and it had a huge impact on their defense. New York invested the #11 pick in Sheldon Richardson, and he helped make their DL elite.

I have no problem picking up a NT on day 3, as I think a 2-dimensional run stopper doesn't justify a 1st round pick. Damon Harrison played at an elite level in 2013. For that reason, I've never had Louis Nix in my mocks.

 

[mayoclinic]

Just to be clear, I believe in taking a player worthy of a 1st round pick at 29, at a position of need. Guys who I currently consider to meet those criteria include (in no particular order):

TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina

Questionable: David Yankey, Zach Martin.

DE Trent Murphy, Stanford
DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida St.
S Calvin Pryor, Louisville
CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma (only if Talib or a #1 CB alternative is not signed)
CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan St. (as with Gilbert)

Questionable: Louis Nix, Stephon Tuitt. Not sure Tuitt is a #1 caliber talent. Nix is, but not sure I would spend it on an NT.

It's a fairly short list. I have my preferences, but I'd be reasonably happy with any of those picks. I see many more options on defense than on offense in this draft worthy of a #1 pick in our range (I wouldn't take a WR or an OT), but I'm not averse to the options on offense. I don't consider Jace Amaro or ASJ worthy of a #1 pick, but that's just me.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Mock Version 4...or 5, can't remember

Players picked within 5 spots higher or a "realistic" amount lower than CBS rankings.

Free Agency
Vince Wilfork: cut
Isaac Sopoaga: cut
Steve Gregory: cut
Adrian Wilson: cut
Jake Bequette: cut
Logan Mankins: restructured
Stephen Gostkowski: extended
Devin McCourty: extended

= ~$17.5m freed up cap space + ~$10m free space for...

Julian Edelman - FA WR - re-signed
Aqib Talib - FA CB - re-signed
Alex Mack - FA C - signed
Arthur Jones - FA DT/DE - signed

Leaving ~$7.5m (probably somewhat generous)

Onto the draft...

Trades
Ryan Mallett > Houston Texans, #33
#29 & #93 > Jacksonville Jaguars, #39, #70, #167
#125, #167 > Chicago Bears, 113

Picks
(2) 33. Kyle Van Noy - LB - BYU
(2) 39. Austin Seferian-Jenkins - TE - Washington
(2) 61. Jimmy Garoppolo - QB - Eastern Illinois
(3) 70. Loucheiz Purifoy - CB - Florida
(4) 113. CJ Fiedorowicz - TE - Iowa
(6) 182. Ryan Carrethers - DT - Arkansas State
(6) 189. Brent Urban - DE/DT - Virginia
(6) COMP. Aaron Lynch - DE - South Florida
(6) COMP. De'Anthony Thomas - RB - Oregon
(7) 221. Trey Millard - FB - Oklahoma

QB: 1
RB: 1
FB: 1
TE: 2
DT: 1
DE: 1
DT/DE: 1
LB: 1
CB: 1

I like this a lot. Mack and Jones make a big difference to our lines, and I love drafting 2 TEs and Van Noy. I really don't see De'Anthony Thomas lasting to the 6th round, but he certainly would add breakaway speed to our RB corp.

 

[manxman2601]

As can TEs. This sounds a bit familiar to me.

I understand that Knighton was a cheap FA pickup, but he's played at an elite level down the stretch. Sylvester Williams was a #1 draft pick, and he's had a significant impact on their interior defense since stepping in for Kevin Vickerson when was injured against the Pats. The result has been that Denver's interior defense and run defense have improved dramatically, which had a huge impact on the Pats' offense in the AFCCG. I never said it was the only factor in the loss.

I'm more than happy to pick up an elite presence at DT on the cheap, if you can figure out a way to do so. Denver lucked into Knighton because of the Jack Del Rio connection, but that's fairly exceptional.

Carolina invested the #14 pick in Star Lotulelei, and it had a huge impact on their defense. New York invested the #11 pick in Sheldon Richardson, and he helped make their DL elite.

I have no problem picking up a NT on day 3, as I think a 2-dimensional run stopper doesn't justify a 1st round pick. Damon Harrison played at an elite level in 2013. For that reason, I've never had Louis Nix in my mocks.

And when we have the #14 or #11 pick then we can talk. But I don't believe that there's any empirical evidence to support the fact that a team is better off drafting aDT at the bottom of the first as there drafting one in the 3rd and 4th.

But this largely an irrelevant theoretical discussion but it fails to factor in who's available at the spot we are actually picking. I think Tuitt, Hageman and Donald are ones I like but I don't think Hageman will be there and Donald isn't really a BB fit. That narrows the options. On the other hand, there are still likely to be two to three top TEs available for either our first or second round pick. Just from a basic practical sense the TE pick has more going for it.

 

[mayoclinic]

Just from a basic practical sense the TE pick has more going for it.

I love a tight end as much as the next man, but I'm not sure how that helps our team.

 

[Boston Boxer]

all i know is that we NEED to get pressure on the QB from our front 4. We need another pass rusher opposite Jones. Denver didn't even bother doubling Jones in the playoffs as far as i could tell, so he needs to continue to improve. Pitts DL Aaron Donald is my favorite right now and worthy of our first round pick. People say he is undersized but BB needs to move away from the idea that his front 7 need to be huge people. The NFL is changing and i think BB needs to change his thinking as well. I would take Donald in the first and follow that up with DT then OLINE

 

[manxman2601]

all i know is that we NEED to get pressure on the QB from our front 4. We need another pass rusher opposite Jones. Denver didn't even bother doubling Jones in the playoffs as far as i could tell, so he needs to continue to improve. Pitts DL Aaron Donald is my favorite right now and worthy of our first round pick. People say he is undersized but BB needs to move away from the idea that his front 7 need to be huge people. The NFL is changing and i think BB needs to change his thinking as well. I would take Donald in the first and follow that up with DT then OLINE

The thing is, we did get interior pressure on the QB until our line was decimated with injuries, particularly from Tommy Kelly. Hopefully he'll be returning next season and by all accounts BB is very high on Armstead. Right there, the problem is potentially solved. Add in Chris Jones and that's three DTs that can threaten the QB.

 

[mayoclinic]

The thing is, we did get interior pressure on the QB until our line was decimated with injuries, particularly from Tommy Kelly. Hopefully he'll be returning next season and by all accounts BB is very high on Armstead. Right there, the problem is potentially solved. Add in Chris Jones and that's three DTs that can threaten the QB.

I agree with you to a large extent. Potentially, as you note.

I think that the Pats need to sort out Wilfork's situation, and if he's not likely to be able to come back to an adequate level in 2014 they need to find a 0/1 tech capable of being a run stuff, pushing the pocket, and occasionally penetrating and making plays. I like Sealver Siliga and want him to be a long term part of the plan, but I'm not comfortable banking on him as a long term starter at this point. The guy in FA who I think fits the best is Linval Joseph. The only guy in the draft who clearly fits is Louis Nix. There are a number of day 3 guys with the potential to do some of that - Justin Ellis, Zach Kerr, DeAndre Coleman, Beau Allen. I'm not sure that the falloff from Nix to those guys is enough to warrant using a 1st round pick on Nix, even if he is available.

The 3-tech position is one that I see being more of opportunity than immediate need. We have Kelly, Armstead and Jones under contract, but 2 of those guys are coming off of IR, and Kelly is 33. My guess is we'll be ok for 2014 with those 3 guys, but unless Armstead truly materializes there is plenty of room for a long term solution. If Ra'Shede Hageman or Timmy Jernigan (or possibly Aaron Donald, depending on your perspective) is available, that is a great opportunity to address a key position for the long term. And if that scenario plays out, I hope the Pats will give it serious consideration vis-a-vis the other options on the board at that time.

I personally don't believe in reaching to fill a need. If a player worthy of 29 is on the board, regardless of position, I hope he gets serious consideration. Need factors in secondarily. If the player isn't worthy of a pick at that level, I hope the Pats wouldn't reach because of a need. And need doesn't always have to be immediate - the Pats felt worthy of taking Jamie Collins as their first player selected last year, despite what was perceived as larger needs. The same was true with Devin McCourty in 2010 and Nate Solder in 2011.

 

[jsull87]

I agree with you to a large extent. Potentially, as you note.

I think that the Pats need to sort out Wilfork's situation, and if he's not likely to be able to come back to an adequate level in 2014 they need to find a 0/1 tech capable of being a run stuff, pushing the pocket, and occasionally penetrating and making plays. I like Sealver Siliga and want him to be a long term part of the plan, but I'm not comfortable banking on him as a long term starter at this point. The guy in FA who I think fits the best is Linval Joseph. The only guy in the draft who clearly fits is Louis Nix. There are a number of day 3 guys with the potential to do some of that - Justin Ellis, Zach Kerr, DeAndre Coleman, Beau Allen. I'm not sure that the falloff from Nix to those guys is enough to warrant using a 1st round pick on Nix, even if he is available.

The 3-tech position is one that I see being more of opportunity than immediate need. We have Kelly, Armstead and Jones under contract, but 2 of those guys are coming off of IR, and Kelly is 33. My guess is we'll be ok for 2014 with those 3 guys, but unless Armstead truly materializes there is plenty of room for a long term solution. If Ra'Shede Hageman or Timmy Jernigan (or possibly Aaron Donald, depending on your perspective) is available, that is a great opportunity to address a key position for the long term. And if that scenario plays out, I hope the Pats will give it serious consideration vis-a-vis the other options on the board at that time.

I personally don't believe in reaching to fill a need. If a player worthy of 29 is on the board, regardless of position, I hope he gets serious consideration. Need factors in secondarily. If the player isn't worthy of a pick at that level, I hope the Pats wouldn't reach because of a need. And need doesn't always have to be immediate - the Pats felt worthy of taking Jamie Collins as their first player selected last year, despite what was perceived as larger needs. The same was true with Devin McCourty in 2010 and Nate Solder in 2011.

IMO that's why I have mocked Aaron Donald in the 1st. If he is there I believe that talent at that position would have the most impact even tho I wouldn't consider it a need.

If Vince/Siliga can hold down the NT position having a legit inside threat nexto Jones has the potential to have a similar impact that you see in the pass rush of SF with Smith and Smith. Which is what I would be looking to create.

The example you used of Richardson is a good one. I think that was a spectacular pick by the Jets. That kid can definitely play. That type of penetrating impact up front next to Jones, with the way our secondary and LB's have now shaped up would IMO let this D take the leap.

I think it also fits the bill of a 4 down player, especially impacting the area of nickel/3rd down D.