Mock Draft 3/20 (1 Viewer)

[eakfootball]

1 Panthers-Blaine Gabbert-QB

2 Broncos-DaQuan Bowers-DE

3 Bills-Cam Newton-QB

4 Bengals-AJ Green-WR

5 Cardinals-Von Miller-OLB

6 Browns-Nick Fairly-DT

7 49ers-Patrick Peterson-CB

8 Titans-Marcell Dareus-DT

9 Cowboys-Prince Amukamara-CB

10 Redskins-Julio Jones-WR

11 Texans-Robert Quinn-OLB

12 Vikings-Aldon Smith-DE

13 Lions-Tyron Smith-OT

14 Rams-Cory Liuget-DT

15 Dolphins-Mark Ingram-RB

16 Jaguars-Ryan Kerrigan-DE

17 Patriots-JJ Watt-DE

18 Chargers-Cameron Jordan-DE

19 Giants-Muhammed Wilkerson-DT

20 Buceneers-Jabaal Sherrod-DE

21 Cheifs-Nate Solder-OT

22 Colts-Anthony Costanzo-OT

23 Eagles-Jimmy Smith-CB

24 Saints-Akeem Ayers-OLB

25 Seahawks-Ryan Mallett-QB

26 Ravens-Brandon Harris-CB

27 Falcons-Justin Houston-DE

28 Patriots-Mikel Leshoure-RB

29 Bears-Derek Sherrod-OT

30 Jets-Brooks Reed-OLB

31 Steelers-Gabe Carimi-OT

32 Packers-Aaron Williams-CB

 

[Donnybrook]

12 Vikings-Aldon Smith-DE

Wrong Smith IMO. Aldon Smith projects to be a 34 outside LB and the Vikings have always played in a 43. Also found this tidbit from NFL draft insiders blog:

Where will Tyron Smith/OT/USC end up in the draft? It looks more and more like he won't get out of the top twenty picks. Sources have told us the Minnesota Vikings are seriously considering the athletic tackle with the 12th selection if they can't come away with a quarterback. The other team that ranks Smith high on their board are the New York Giants.

 

[Yenrub]

Pouncy falls out of the 1st?

 

[treat88]

12 Vikings-Aldon Smith-DE

Wrong Smith IMO. Aldon Smith projects to be a 34 outside LB and the Vikings have always played in a 43. Also found this tidbit from NFL draft insiders blog:

Where will Tyron Smith/OT/USC end up in the draft? It looks more and more like he won't get out of the top twenty picks. Sources have told us the Minnesota Vikings are seriously considering the athletic tackle with the 12th selection if they can't come away with a quarterback. The other team that ranks Smith high on their board are the New York Giants.

Not saying Aldon will be the pick at 12, but I don't think he projects as an OLB in any way shape or form. 100% 4-3 end.

 

[Donnybrook]

Not saying Aldon will be the pick at 12, but I don't think he projects as an OLB in any way shape or form. 100% 4-3 end.

He almost the exact same size as Demarcus Ware and Brian Orakpo - 6'4" 258. I was assuming that a team would attempt to convert him to LB. He would need to play heavier as a 43 end. The extra weight would not help his speed any.

 

[eakfootball]

12 Vikings-Aldon Smith-DE

Wrong Smith IMO. Aldon Smith projects to be a 34 outside LB and the Vikings have always played in a 43. Also found this tidbit from NFL draft insiders blog:

Where will Tyron Smith/OT/USC end up in the draft? It looks more and more like he won't get out of the top twenty picks. Sources have told us the Minnesota Vikings are seriously considering the athletic tackle with the 12th selection if they can't come away with a quarterback. The other team that ranks Smith high on their board are the New York Giants.

At 262 pounds Smith could easily play either position. If needed he could bulk up to 270+.

 

[CompetitiveEdgeFootball]

There's no way the pats select Mikel Leshoure at 28. Firstly, the guy isn't even receiving a first round grade. Secondly, with eroding OL and DL, no pash rush and a defense that ranked in the bottom 1/3 of the league last year in most statistical categories, it's almost a given they'll address team needs. Their offense was statistically the best in the league last year (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamoff) and their running game was clearly in no way a weakness with their stable of backs providing a surprisingly effective though unspectacular effort, good for a statistical 2nd in the league (see above link.)

It is very possible the pats bring in a young back to develop in this years draft, but we won't see him until the later rounds. Keep your ears open about small school backs, or backs that had been highly regarded whose performance suffered because of injuries, bringing their draft status down. These typical patriots RB selections.

Also, with many good veteran RBs hitting the market through free agency, including Ronnie Brown, DeAngelo Williams, possibly Michael Bush... they may address their need with a proven veteran.

 

[daveR]

Glad to finally see someone other than AJ Green for the Browns!

I know they have that need, and he (usually) falls to them nicely, but they will almost certainly take a DE. Personally, if Peterson falls that far, I take him in a heartbeat.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I don't think the Panthers take a QB, but if they do, it will be Newton.

The Steelers will take Pouncey if he is there.

 

[Tackling Dummies]

There's no way the pats select Mikel Leshoure at 28. Firstly, the guy isn't even receiving a first round grade. Secondly, with eroding OL and DL, no pash rush and a defense that ranked in the bottom 1/3 of the league last year in most statistical categories, it's almost a given they'll address team needs. Their offense was statistically the best in the league last year (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamoff) and their running game was clearly in no way a weakness with their stable of backs providing a surprisingly effective though unspectacular effort, good for a statistical 2nd in the league (see above link.)

It is very possible the pats bring in a young back to develop in this years draft, but we won't see him until the later rounds. Keep your ears open about small school backs, or backs that had been highly regarded whose performance suffered because of injuries, bringing their draft status down. These typical patriots RB selections.

Also, with many good veteran RBs hitting the market through free agency, including Ronnie Brown, DeAngelo Williams, possibly Michael Bush... they may address their need with a proven veteran.

Could not have said it better and the Patriots-drafting-a-RB-or-WR is most likely thinking with a FF focus. Agree w/ the Watt pick at 17 and to add a wrinkle, they package the 28 & 33 to move up in the first.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

There's no way the pats select Mikel Leshoure at 28.

I can't stand when people do this. How many times in every draft do we get a pick where no one saw it coming or it was not a "need" pick or a "typical" pick by a team. Happens every year. In fact, I used to say things like that myself so I'm not trying to get at you in particular.What I will say however about the team I follow... No way do the Bills not select Dareus if he's available! Kidding. I do think that the Bills would have a hard time passing on Dareus. He's a perfect fit with our hybrid 3-4/4-3 D. I know we need a QB but I'm hoping the Bills stay far away from Newton. Perfect scenario for me is that the Panthers take him at 1 and the Bills don't even have the option to take him. I don't even care if the guy is gonna go to multiple probowls. I don't want to take that chance and I don't want a guy like him on my team.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Patriots took Maroney when they already had Corey Dillon.

 

[FavreCo]

I don't think the Panthers take a QB, but if they do, it will be Newton. The Steelers will take Pouncey if he is there.

If there was no salary cap, I would bet they pass at QB. With a rookie cap, they would be foolish to pass on Gabbert. It won't cost them a ton now and they will be able to throw him right in there and see what he has. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon in that division anyway.Newton, however, would be a waste of time and money cap or no cap. He has no skills as an NFL QB. The Panthers already have a full stable of guys that run the ball.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I don't think the Panthers take a QB, but if they do, it will be Newton. The Steelers will take Pouncey if he is there.

If there was no salary cap, I would bet they pass at QB. With a rookie cap, they would be foolish to pass on Gabbert. It won't cost them a ton now and they will be able to throw him right in there and see what he has. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon in that division anyway.Newton, however, would be a waste of time and money cap or no cap. He has no skills as an NFL QB. The Panthers already have a full stable of guys that run the ball.

With a rookie cap, all of the sudden the #1 overall pick is a tradeable commodity. They'd be foolish not to trade out of the spot and accumulate picks. They already do not have a 2nd round pick and they have far more needs than just at QB. They need a pass catching TE, help along both lines and a top DB...and this is assuming some of their young WRs mature...otherwise, they need a WR too. Just because you don't risk a huge financial loss with Gabbert doesn't mean it isn't a big risk. Swinging and missing with the #1 here when they have no #2 and so many other needs is going to dead-end this team for a long time.That said, from what is coming out of Carolina, IF they go QB at #1, they are definitely leaning Newton. They consider him to have maybe some more risk, but far more upside than Gabbert.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

With a rookie cap, all of the sudden the #1 overall pick is a tradeable commodity.

As a corollary, if there is a rookie cap, taking the best player in the draft - Patrick Peterson - isn't a stupid move as you're not paying "old system" #1 overall money for a corner.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

With a rookie cap, all of the sudden the #1 overall pick is a tradeable commodity.

As a corollary, if there is a rookie cap, taking the best player in the draft - Patrick Peterson - isn't a stupid move as you're not paying "old system" #1 overall money for a corner.

Agreed. If the Panthers can't trade the pick and there is a rookie cap...this is the pick, imo.

 

[eakfootball]

The Steelers will take Pouncey if he is there.

I dont think the steelers will take Pouncey. The only reason everyone is mocking the pick there is cause of his brother. The steelers are smart enough not to care. Pouncey is not the player his brother is, and tackle is a bigger need.

 

[David Yudkin]

Patriots took Maroney when they already had Corey Dillon.

Dillon was 31 and turned 32 in Maroney's rookie season. It's not like Dillon was in his 20s.I don't think the Pats will burn a first round pick on a RB given the fact that they could be losing two starters on the offensive line and their pass rush is mostly non-existent.I do think they will end up with another RB either later in the draft or through free agency.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Patriots took Maroney when they already had Corey Dillon.

Dillon was 31 and turned 32 in Maroney's rookie season. It's not like Dillon was in his 20s.I don't think the Pats will burn a first round pick on a RB given the fact that they could be losing two starters on the offensive line and their pass rush is mostly non-existent.I do think they will end up with another RB either later in the draft or through free agency.

I'm just saying never say never.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Patriots took Maroney when they already had Corey Dillon.

Dillon was 31 and turned 32 in Maroney's rookie season. It's not like Dillon was in his 20s.I don't think the Pats will burn a first round pick on a RB given the fact that they could be losing two starters on the offensive line and their pass rush is mostly non-existent.I do think they will end up with another RB either later in the draft or through free agency.

I'm just saying never say never.

Thanks Justin.

 

[Cassius]

Patriots took Maroney when they already had Corey Dillon.

Dillon was 31 and turned 32 in Maroney's rookie season. It's not like Dillon was in his 20s.I don't think the Pats will burn a first round pick on a RB given the fact that they could be losing two starters on the offensive line and their pass rush is mostly non-existent.I do think they will end up with another RB either later in the draft or through free agency.

Yes, and we all know that the Patriots draft strictly based on positional need.

 

[CompetitiveEdgeFootball]

There's no way the pats select Mikel Leshoure at 28.

I can't stand when people do this. How many times in every draft do we get a pick where no one saw it coming or it was not a "need" pick or a "typical" pick by a team. Happens every year. In fact, I used to say things like that myself so I'm not trying to get at you in particular.

I can't stand how the patriots draft. We "people" that are patriots fans wait every year for the pats to make a "sexy" first round pick on some game breaking talent, but it almost always never happens. I have to watch all these drafts don't forget.As far as the year they drafted Maroney, chances are there was nothing available in FA that they were really attracted to, and he was going to be part of a RBBC for a couple years with Dillon. Dillon was the last "workhorse" type back they had, and I tend to believe it'll be the last for a long time. Also, consider how good their defense was in the year leading up to that pick. The Maroney pick was a luxury pick because they could afford to take a flier on a first round back who had great measurables. He was not drafted to be a "stud" back. He was part of a RBBC at Minnesota. It's not fun how they draft, but it's proven to be somewhat effective (with the exception of the Maroneys, Chad Jacksons, Bethel Johnsons of the world...).

That being said I understand the "anything is possible on draft day" thing you're getting at here, but I've made a very compelling case why it's extremely unlikely. Whether or not you like when I do it

 

[Sinrman]

Agreed about the Pats not burning a 1st on a RB. I could see them burning one of their 2nds on one, however... and Leshoure and others will likely be available.