Bracie Smathers March 2nd mock (1 Viewer)

[Bracie Smathers]

I am sure Fish hasn't said a thing about many things he'd like to do but any NFL coach would love the option to be able to run two-TE sets like BB. It creates mismatches and puts pressure on LBers all over the field.

The NFL is a copycat league. Nobody has copied the two TE set like NE does. I think there's more to running two TE's. I think the fact that they have Gronk and Hernandez has a lot to do with it. Either way, nobody else is doing the same offense the Pats are running. Why is that? To say that Fisher is hoping to do that as justification for taking a TE is off base. The Rams have a deep threat at WR, a Welker type who can't stay healthy and wants to get a big paycheck, and may not have a RB that can carry load once FA starts in a week. They also have holes at the OLine, secondary, WR, to name a few. Taking a TE to run NE's offense seems like a luxury to me that they just don't have...

NFL teams run two-tights all the time but no other teams are running it the way NE is because they don't have two talented TEs like they do hence you have to have TWO TALENTED TEs to run it the way NE does.St. Louis has Kendricks, one talented TE. IF Eifert falls to them as in my mock where he's BPA THEN Fisher could bypass BPA and go to your scenario where he fills need or he can see the opportunity.To say Fisher is hoping for Eifert to run two-tights ALA NE just to dismiss what I did say which was an IF - THEN scenario, i.e., IF the opportunity is there THEN what is the most reasonable option? That is how I did my mock, I didn't come in with a fan bias as some do. I drafted based on team needs and on BPA. If the top TE is on the board and he's BPA I took a look at their team and in the case of St. Louis I took a look at their wideouts and saw they took a couple rookies last year. I love Chris Givens and they took Brian Quick high in the second round so I think they would want to give both of those guys more time before using a first round pick on yet another WR to cloud the picture or take away reps. They haven't emerged yet so the Rams still could use receiver help and the top TE is sitting there and he's BPA. I saw a great fit, you don't so let me ask you a question.IF the opportunity is there, and quite frankly I think its very likely that the Rams address O-Line with their first pick and Eifert is there and in my mock he's the BPA when they pick, what do you think Fisher does?

 

[TheFanatic]

I am sure Fish hasn't said a thing about many things he'd like to do but any NFL coach would love the option to be able to run two-TE sets like BB. It creates mismatches and puts pressure on LBers all over the field.

The NFL is a copycat league. Nobody has copied the two TE set like NE does. I think there's more to running two TE's. I think the fact that they have Gronk and Hernandez has a lot to do with it. Either way, nobody else is doing the same offense the Pats are running. Why is that? To say that Fisher is hoping to do that as justification for taking a TE is off base. The Rams have a deep threat at WR, a Welker type who can't stay healthy and wants to get a big paycheck, and may not have a RB that can carry load once FA starts in a week. They also have holes at the OLine, secondary, WR, to name a few. Taking a TE to run NE's offense seems like a luxury to me that they just don't have...

NFL teams run two-tights all the time but no other teams are running it the way NE is because they don't have two talented TEs like they do hence you have to have TWO TALENTED TEs to run it the way NE does.St. Louis has Kendricks, one talented TE. IF Eifert falls to them as in my mock where he's BPA THEN Fisher could bypass BPA and go to your scenario where he fills need or he can see the opportunity.To say Fisher is hoping for Eifert to run two-tights ALA NE just to dismiss what I did say which was an IF - THEN scenario, i.e., IF the opportunity is there THEN what is the most reasonable option? That is how I did my mock, I didn't come in with a fan bias as some do. I drafted based on team needs and on BPA. If the top TE is on the board and he's BPA I took a look at their team and in the case of St. Louis I took a look at their wideouts and saw they took a couple rookies last year. I love Chris Givens and they took Brian Quick high in the second round so I think they would want to give both of those guys more time before using a first round pick on yet another WR to cloud the picture or take away reps. They haven't emerged yet so the Rams still could use receiver help and the top TE is sitting there and he's BPA. I saw a great fit, you don't so let me ask you a question.IF the opportunity is there, and quite frankly I think its very likely that the Rams address O-Line with their first pick and Eifert is there and in my mock he's the BPA when they pick, what do you think Fisher does?

I think Fisher goes O-Line and secondary in the first. I wouldn't be that upset if they went with Eifert. I just think they have so many holes to fill that a TE in the first seems like a luxury. BPA is more of an ideal world thing that what happens in reality all the time. The Rams have so many holes still. And if SJax doesn't resign, they have a RB crew consisting IPead and DRich. That's not good and adds another hole. I also think that this draft has a lot of WR's and could see them going there in the 2nd after secondary and OL in the first. Not sure they will take advatnage of all WR's in this draft if they take a TE in the first. My point about TE's and the NE offense, is they have been doing now for a couple years, but I don't see anyone trying to emulate it. Lots of teams have a single pass catching TE, but nobody is drafting that second guy to go with that offense. I don't know if anyone is really all that enamored with it. It's basically two TE's and a possession WR. It works for the Patriots, but nobody else seems to be adopting it. If they draft a TE, I sort of think it's because they think Kendrick's doesn't have it more so than trying to go with a 2 TE set like NE.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

If any NFL team has landed in a tub of butter where they can afford luxury picks, its the St. Louis Rams.

They already have their franchise QB. They've been loading up the D-Line. They snagged two studs after the first round last year in, CB Janoris Jenkins and WR Givens. They not only have two first round draft picks this year they alos have two first round draft picks next year. WHAT THE HECK DO YOU MEAN THEY CAN'T AFFORD A LUXURY PICK?

Come on.

If anything I think the Rams really do need to address OLT and with two first round draft picks they are in prime position to move up for one of the top three OLTs. At least one will go off the board before Arizona picks and Zona will definitely be leaning hard at the OLT position especially since they are in perfect position to land one. Then San Diego is praying and hoping the last one falls to them.

I think the Rams 'should' do everything they possibly can to try and move up for an OLT. If they won't pay both of those first rounders then I think they should try like heckt to move up to get that blind side protector because Bradford had been beaten from pillar-to-post behind that offensive line.

I didn't attempt to try and project trades but I feel very strongly that the Rams, a team who traded out of the chance to land stud rookie OLT Matt Kahlil last year, should try to land one of the top-three OLTs this year.

Just my opinion but the Rams are about the only team who can afford luxury picks IMHO.

 

[Ridgelake]

I see the Steelers taking Kenny Vaccaro at the #17 spot because of value. This kid is a top10 talent and him dropping down later will really help. I love this kid and would be absolutely giddy if he went to Pittsburgh. This seems a lot more likely than taking a WR in the 1st IMO.

If either Vaccaro or Jarvis Jones drops to 17 that would be ideal for the Steelers I think. Now if both of them aren't there I still don't see a WR that would we would take unless Patterson is available, but even then its questionable.

I think the Rams take him at 16 and take an OG at 22. I think Kendricks showed enough late last year that they don't draft a TE in the first.... And yes, Vaccaro is legit...

I can very easily see Dallas taking Vacaro at 18. They need safeties after releasing Sensabaugh, leaving only guys coming off serious injury and/or street FA level guys on the roster. And the Tampa 2 requires strong safety play to be effective.

Kenny Vacaro isn't Mark Barron - Safety - 6'2" 215 lbs - 40 Time: 4.56 Barron didn't run at the combine last year because he had surgery from a sports hernia so at his pro day when he was still only at 80% and still recovering from his surgery he posted better times than Vacaro.Still recovering from double hernia surgery performed in January, Barron reported ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.53- to 4.57-second range.

Kenny Vacaro was healthy at Indy but didn't run great at the combine so he'll have to do better at his pro day.

My link

Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro ran a 4.63 40-yard dash at this week’s NFL Combine, the 12th fastest at his position according to NFL.com.

Vacaro isn't at the same level of Cooper.

Lets be clear, as a Cowboy fan, I think Cooper to Dallas would be a very good thing. The OL is the position group that has held this team hostage for several years. They will never advance in the playoffs unless/until it is materially improved. So that is a great pick in my view and I'd be fully in favor of it.I am not stating that Vacaro is in the same class as Barron. I am stating that he's been rated as the top safety in this draft and that Dallas badly needs a safety, a need magnified by the defense switch and the release of its one healthy vet safety.

That stated, there was chatter that Dallas did like Barron and may have moved up some to get him, though not all the way to 6 like they did for Claiborne. Further, Dallas was on record of saying they highly rated 4 players in the draft before that, Dez Bryant, Iupati, Pouncey, and Earl Thomas. They obviously got Bryant. And Cooper would scratch the itch that was there for Iupati and Pouncey. Safety Earl Thomas hasn't been addressed. I'm not going to rule out the possibility that Vacaro is that guy.

 

[TheFanatic]

If any NFL team has landed in a tub of butter where they can afford luxury picks, its the St. Louis Rams.They already have their franchise QB. They've been loading up the D-Line. They snagged two studs after the first round last year in, CB Janoris Jenkins and WR Givens. They not only have two first round draft picks this year they alos have two first round draft picks next year. WHAT THE HECK DO YOU MEAN THEY CAN'T AFFORD A LUXURY PICK?Come on.If anything I think the Rams really do need to address OLT and with two first round draft picks they are in prime position to move up for one of the top three OLTs. At least one will go off the board before Arizona picks and Zona will definitely be leaning hard at the OLT position especially since they are in perfect position to land one. Then San Diego is praying and hoping the last one falls to them.I think the Rams 'should' do everything they possibly can to try and move up for an OLT. If they won't pay both of those first rounders then I think they should try like heckt to move up to get that blind side protector because Bradford had been beaten from pillar-to-post behind that offensive line. I didn't attempt to try and project trades but I feel very strongly that the Rams, a team who traded out of the chance to land stud rookie OLT Matt Kahlil last year, should try to land one of the top-three OLTs this year. Just my opinion but the Rams are about the only team who can afford luxury picks IMHO.

They are a team that finished second to last a year ago and got lucky enough that RGIII was there behind Luck. The reason they were there in the first place is they sucked hard. They improved this year, but still have a ton of holes to fill and don't have the luxury of snagging the top FA's as other franchises can due to their location and recent history if suckatude. A team like the Rams can't afford to toss a first round pick at luxury like a second TE when they have no first WR. Givens is a deep threat, Amendola is Welker type who can't stay healthy and wants a big contract, but neither is a WR1. Their current TE has show some improvement, but no where near the hype he garnered after he was drafted and has not lived up to. Their O-Line has been decimated by injuries for years. Yes, they have a good D-line and a rock solid ILB. And Janoris Jenkins might've gotten a lot of picks, but he also got burned, a lot. But he should get better, hopefully. They need have no safeties, Saffold can't stay healthy on the line, they need some depth at LB and they probably need a RB. And realistically, they probably only have four realistic picks to get starters for those positions.We as Fantasy football players, can toss around 1st round picks like they are toys, but in the NFL it's a much bigger story. If the Rams miss on the two first rounders for RGIII, where are they? Right where they are now, stuck in the middle of the pack before they drop back down to picking in the top 5 again. No team, other than the perennial winners, can go with a luxury player in the first, but even the perennial winners would say that they don't draft luxury players in the first. This is one of those times the line between the NFL and fantasy football is blurred and us as Fantasy players need to step back and realize to us this is a hobby, but to the guys making the decisions in April, jobs and millions of dollars are on the line.BTW, Fisher was quoted recently as saying the only players that are safe on the team are the kicker and the punter. It was tongue in cheek as we all know Bradford, Laurinatis, and Jenkins are safe as probably the DLineman we selected last year and maybe Chris Long. But he was trying to prove a point that the Rams need players, lots of them.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

They are a team that finished second to last a year ago and got lucky enough that RGIII was there behind Luck. The reason they were there in the first place is they sucked hard. They improved this year, but still have a ton of holes to fill and don't have the luxury of snagging the top FA's as other franchises can due to their location and recent history if suckatude. A team like the Rams can't afford to toss a first round pick at luxury like a second TE when they have no first WR. Givens is a deep threat, Amendola is Welker type who can't stay healthy and wants a big contract, but neither is a WR1. Their current TE has show some improvement, but no where near the hype he garnered after he was drafted and has not lived up to. Their O-Line has been decimated by injuries for years. Yes, they have a good D-line and a rock solid ILB. And Janoris Jenkins might've gotten a lot of picks, but he also got burned, a lot. But he should get better, hopefully. They need have no safeties, Saffold can't stay healthy on the line, they need some depth at LB and they probably need a RB. And realistically, they probably only have four realistic picks to get starters for those positions.We as Fantasy football players, can toss around 1st round picks like they are toys, but in the NFL it's a much bigger story. If the Rams miss on the two first rounders for RGIII, where are they? Right where they are now, stuck in the middle of the pack before they drop back down to picking in the top 5 again. No team, other than the perennial winners, can go with a luxury player in the first, but even the perennial winners would say that they don't draft luxury players in the first. This is one of those times the line between the NFL and fantasy football is blurred and us as Fantasy players need to step back and realize to us this is a hobby, but to the guys making the decisions in April, jobs and millions of dollars are on the line.BTW, Fisher was quoted recently as saying the only players that are safe on the team are the kicker and the punter. It was tongue in cheek as we all know Bradford, Laurinatis, and Jenkins are safe as probably the DLineman we selected last year and maybe Chris Long. But he was trying to prove a point that the Rams need players, lots of them.

- You can say the Rams finished second to last but I follow the sport and they finished with a W/L record of 7-8-1 so they significantly improved over the year before. Add they are in a division that boasts the Super Bowl runner-up and a team that went deep into divisional playoff territory so they would very likely have a better record in any other division in the NFL so I see them as an above 500 team.- No team is using free agency to build their team, see Philly and the dream-team.- No team wins a Super Bowl without taking risks. Last year both Super Bowl teams made bold/risky moves so you can't say a team can't afford to take a risk on what you see as a luxury pick. No team would say Seattle would go deep into the playoffs with an undersized/scrambling/rookie QB. No team would suggest Kaepernick and that offense would go to a Super Bowl. No team would suggest that a team should go without a #1WR but instead draft two-TEs and go with a two-tight offense like New England but they took that to a Super Bowl. A team hovering around the 500 mark with a young franchise QB and with four first round draft picks in the next two years CAN afford to take risks to push it over the top.- Bradford is without question the chosen franchise QB for the Rams and Fisher said as much last year when he had an offer on the table with Cleveland for Sam where they would have gotten RG III and they would have the 4th pick and probably the 22nd pick of last year's first round but he turned it down flat. He said it with his actions and he couldn't have said it any louder or stronger. You have a young franchise QB, you just have to protect him.In my mock I would stay with the way I had it but I'm sure free agency and leaked reports will change it before April and we will certainly have some trades and one area that I believe teams will try to move up for will be those OLTs and the Rams have a dire need and they have the ammmo.Wouldn't suprise me in the least if they move up for one of them but if they stay put and if the draft goes as or even near how my mock is today then Eifert makes a heck of a lot of sense to me.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

good stuff. nothing too out of line and you've definitely been paying attention lately. allen should be in play for steelers if they are looking for a big WR. hearing more murmurs about hunt getting into first.

Hey Sig,The one guy I see more in than others is DT Sharrif Floyd or you'd say, 'I'd put it on my Momma' pound the table for pick.

My comparison is a 3-tech gap-shooter like Michael-Dean Perry.

We've seen how much of a problem Geno Atkins is but Sharrif seems even quicker and more disruptive.

I see the Jags taking him second overall.

What's your take on Sharrif and how do you view my take on him?

yeah he's going to be a handful as a 3tech. great first step, strength, and just a bad attitude towards his opponent. great stamina and makes life hard on an offense, lives in the backfield. high character kid who came up thru school of hard knocks. feels like a top 5 pick, top 10 in any scenario.

I've gone back to watch some more Sharrif and he does have some nasty but the thing that stands out to me is his football smarts.Oh and just saw this.

Matt Miller of NFLDRAFTSCOUT has updated his top five and he has Sharrif Floyd going to the Jags with the second overall pick as of yesterday.

My link

Matt MillerVerified account‏@nfldraftscout

Updated top 5: 1KC - Dee Milliner 2JAX - Sharrif Floyd 3OAK - Geno Smith 4PHI - OLB Dion Jordan 5DET - Luke Joeckel

Jaguars Blog‏@JaguarsBlog

@nfldraftscout I am curious why you feel Sharrif Floyd is a better fit for Jacksonville than Jordan, Geno, Ansah, Mingo, Star, Richardson

Matt MillerVerified account‏@nfldraftscout

@JaguarsBlog I feel that he's the better overall player, so when faced with all possible DL, he'd be my pick.

Jaguars Blog‏@JaguarsBlog

@nfldraftscout Does he fit a need better than the pass-rushers? Caldwell has said he is a "needs-based drafter"

Matt MillerVerified account‏@nfldraftscout

@JaguarsBlog I think Floyd is a pass rusher. And an interior pass rush is key to stopping mobile QBs.

Jaguars Blog‏@JaguarsBlog

@nfldraftscout Would Floyd's role in Jacksonville be 3-tech DT or 5-tech DE? Or both? Just trying to learn

Matt MillerVerified account‏@nfldraftscout

@JaguarsBlog he would be a three-tech pass rusher.

Christopher Hansen‏@ChrisHansenNFL

@JaguarsBlog @nfldraftscout I think Floyd can be used as a 3-tech or 5-tech which will make him appealing to hybrid defenses.

-------

Floyd actually was playing some 3-4 DE and he plays smart, he reads and reaacts quickly.

Well I probably have him one pick lower than where he will go in the NFL draft.With the first pick of the 2013 National Football League draft the Kansas City Chiefs select:

My link

Sharrif Floyd gains momentum as potential top pick

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 7, 2013, 9:46 AM EST

Discussions of the Chiefs’ choice with the first overall pick in the NFL draft haven’t usually included Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd. But that may be changing.

Greg Cosell of NFL Films said on NFL Network on Wednesday that he thinks Floyd is “without question” a player the Chiefs could take first overall.

“I think Sharrif Floyd is going to be an All-Pro type player right from Day One. I’ve spoken to people in the SEC who say he’s as good a kid as he is a player, and that’s really important when you draft someone No. 1,” Cosell said.

Cosell even compared Floyd to Houston’s J.J. Watt, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

“He’s my favorite player that I’ve seen on tape, and I’ve seen an awful lot of players. He’s an explosive athlete playing defensive tackle. He has really light feet,” Cosell said. “He’s so gifted physically that he can play anywhere on the line, and I think he will become, like J.J. Watt, a much better pass rusher in the NFL than he was in college football.”

Chris Mortensen also said on ESPN Radio on Thursday that Floyd could be the Chiefs’ first overall pick, although Mortensen called that an “outside chance” and said that the Chiefs cutting offensive tackle Eric Winston makes it much more likely that they will draft one of the top two offensive tackles, Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M or Eric Fisher of Central Michigan. But even if the Chiefs do take an offensive tackle first overall, Floyd won’t be available for long. Floyd’s name will be one of the first that Roger Goodell calls on April 25.

I really like this kid and I think that is why KC made the moves they made, trading for QB Alex Smith, resigning OLT Brandon Albert, resigning WR Bowe.I think they made their minds up.

Its DT/NT/DE Sharrif Floyd with the first pick.

 

[Kenny Powers]

No way the Steelers take Allen. Ive started to love the thoughts of Cordarrelle Patterson as our pick in theory, but if he's still available, I still think they will go defense. Meaning, I doubt they take the best WR at 17, let alone the arguably 2nd best WR.They have much bigger needs at multiple positions that could/should be there at 17: OLB, NT, S, possibly CB. If Keenan Lewis leaves, Rhodes who you have going after the Steelers pick makes much more sense and is the type of CB they draft in the first few rounds. ILB is also a need, but Im guessing Ogletree is off their board bc of off-field issues, and I absolutely do not want Teo.

1. I don't see any OLBers worth the pick in my version of the mock.

I have a feeling one of the pass rushers will be there at 17, but with your mock true.

Steelers got Jarvis Jones in the 1st. Bracie, hi

 

[Kenny Powers]

No way the Steelers take Allen. Ive started to love the thoughts of Cordarrelle Patterson as our pick in theory, but if he's still available, I still think they will go defense. Meaning, I doubt they take the best WR at 17, let alone the arguably 2nd best WR.They have much bigger needs at multiple positions that could/should be there at 17: OLB, NT, S, possibly CB. If Keenan Lewis leaves, Rhodes who you have going after the Steelers pick makes much more sense and is the type of CB they draft in the first few rounds. ILB is also a need, but Im guessing Ogletree is off their board bc of off-field issues, and I absolutely do not want Teo.

3. The Steelers haven't taken an OLB in the first round since 1991, Huey Richardson. I even know the Steelers MO on taking OLBers in the first round, shocked you don't. They simply DO NOT take OLBers in the first round, they wait for value later and that is how they have gained their competitive advantage in the league.

You can update your list to 2013. I know the Steelers history, I also know the current state of the team. Shocked you don't