Soulfly Mock 1.0 - Post Combine (1 Viewer)

[Soulfly3]

I suck at a lot of things. Educated guesses based on what I hear, what I know and more importantly what I see, is something I do not suck at.

Parts of this mock will make "sense" while some will be less so - due to my very low grading of some "high end players"... which I have kept no secret of in multiple threads... This QB class smells.

Feel free to mock me. Agree. Disagree. Challenge. I'm all ears.

(I will assume no trades made in the 1st, for simplicity)

First 10 picks now... rest to follow (fairly busy)

1. Houston - Blake Bortles - If Houston wants to be taken seriously, they need a QB. Bortles (nor any QB in this draft) is worth a top 5 pick, but they are in need, and Bortles is the best of the "cream" in this draft.

2. Rams - Greg Robinson - Stacy needs some holes opened up. They also need whoever is under center (Bradford?) to stay upright and have time to make plays. Robinson is arguably the best player in the draft, and the Rams hesitate for not a second on this pick.

3. Jacksonville - Teddy Bridgewater - Mockers are getting "cute" with Mack at this spot. No. They can't. They take one of their many positions of need, and they take a guy who just a month or two ago was the undoubted stud QB of the draft.

4. Cleveland Browns - Jadeveon Clowney - Sitting at the 4 spot, JC was expected to be on a flight to his new home. Wrong. Clowney's "dropping stock" leaves him sitting at 4 and the Browns, who anticipated to take Matthews or Watkins, go over the top in creating one of the leagues true elite defenses.

5. Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins - The Raiders have as many weapons as a Canadian household. The Raiders, for once, use their heads and realize the QBs left are not a serious upgrade on what they have now and opt for smeone who can make a play to put points on the board.

6. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Matthews - Keep. Ryan. Upright.

7. Tampa Bay Bucs - Khalil Mack - If there is such thing as a steal at 7, he could be it. Tampa has a pretty young, rocking defense - and it gets even better here.

8. Minnesota Vikings - Anthony Barr - What? Another QB needy team passes on a QB? YES. Tired of teams (especially divisional) having a field day with their QBs picking them apart, they go for the major disruption factor.

9. Buffalo Bills - Mike Evans - Ok... this was a tough one as I flip flopped between Evans and Ebron.. Both can be seen as needs, but the Bills go for the homerun - and who can blame them? Evans is a monster and his upside is enough to make the Bills relevant again.

10. Detroit Lions - Justin Gilbert - no surprises here. they need a corner with elite potential, like now. The vikes and lions make a statement as to the offensive dangers of their division

**** If you're keeping track... YES, that's only TWO QBs in the top 10 ****

 

[Blackjacks]

Looks good. I don't see Manziel getting past Minnesota but if you don't care for the QB's (as you clearly don't) you gotta stick to your guns!

I wonder how far you will have Manziel falling?????

 

[Archer]

Why are you cursing Watkins fans. Please don't. Just please don't.

 

[deadlyrange0321]

I suck at a lot of things. Educated guesses based on what I hear, what I know and more importantly what I see, is something I do not suck at.

Parts of this mock will make "sense" while some will be less so - due to my very low grading of some "high end players"... which I have kept no secret of in multiple threads... This QB class smells.

Feel free to mock me. Agree. Disagree. Challenge. I'm all ears.

(I will assume no trades made in the 1st, for simplicity)

First 10 picks now... rest to follow (fairly busy)

1. Houston - Blake Bortles - If Houston wants to be taken seriously, they need a QB. Bortles (nor any QB in this draft) is worth a top 5 pick, but they are in need, and Bortles is the best of the "cream" in this draft.

2. Rams - Greg Robinson - Stacy needs some holes opened up. They also need whoever is under center (Bradford?) to stay upright and have time to make plays. Robinson is arguably the best player in the draft, and the Rams hesitate for not a second on this pick.

3. Jacksonville - Teddy Bridgewater - Mockers are getting "cute" with Mack at this spot. No. They can't. They take one of their many positions of need, and they take a guy who just a month or two ago was the undoubted stud QB of the draft.

4. Cleveland Browns - Jadeveon Clowney - Sitting at the 4 spot, JC was expected to be on a flight to his new home. Wrong. Clowney's "dropping stock" leaves him sitting at 4 and the Browns, who anticipated to take Matthews or Watkins, go over the top in creating one of the leagues true elite defenses.

5. Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins - The Raiders have as many weapons as a Canadian household. The Raiders, for once, use their heads and realize the QBs left are not a serious upgrade on what they have now and opt for smeone who can make a play to put points on the board.

6. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Matthews - Keep. Ryan. Upright.

7. Tampa Bay Bucs - Khalil Mack - If there is such thing as a steal at 7, he could be it. Tampa has a pretty young, rocking defense - and it gets even better here.

8. Minnesota Vikings - Anthony Barr - What? Another QB needy team passes on a QB? YES. Tired of teams (especially divisional) having a field day with their QBs picking them apart, they go for the major disruption factor.

9. Buffalo Bills - Mike Evans - Ok... this was a tough one as I flip flopped between Evans and Ebron.. Both can be seen as needs, but the Bills go for the homerun - and who can blame them? Evans is a monster and his upside is enough to make the Bills relevant again.

10. Detroit Lions - Justin Gilbert - no surprises here. they need a corner with elite potential, like now. The vikes and lions make a statement as to the offensive dangers of their division

**** If you're keeping track... YES, that's only TWO QBs in the top 10 ****

Really feel like Anthony Barr would be heavily overdrafted at 8th overall. Feel like he will be a major disappointment picked that high.

Other than that, I think Buffalo takes Ebron and then Detroit takes Mike Evans, but I can definitely see it going your way. Gilbert has been picking up momentum.

 

[Soulfly3]

Why are you cursing Watkins fans. Please don't. Just please don't.

haha. Ya, Ive always maintained that Watkins would likely end up in Cleveland, but w Clowney sitting there, I think they'd go that route

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Feel free to mock me. Agree. Disagree. Challenge. I'm all ears.

**** If you're keeping track... YES, that's only TWO QBs in the top 10 ****

This is a top-ten mock so I challenge you to complete it and do the full first round.

I agree with D-ranger that Barr could drop out of the top-ten and I like Gilbert but I don't think he's going top-ten in this draft and I don't think he's the top CB.

Link to many post-combine mocks:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=704387

 

[Soulfly3]

11-20

11. Tennessee Titans - Taylor Lewan - Giants heart break - temporarily - as Lewan heads down to Tennessee.

12. NY Giants - Zack Martin - As mentioned above, temporary heartbreak. Martin is a very solid OT, but he isn't Lewan.. for now. Giants 'reach' a bit for Martin, but he's a position of need.. so is it a reach?

13. St Louis Rams - Darqueze Dennard - Gritty. Nasty. Press coverage. Rams make a beauty pick on the defensive side of the ball

14. Chicago Bears - Tim Jernigan - Going with the consensus here... Bears need him. He's there. He's great. He's a bear

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Calvin Pryor - Again, position of need and an elite prospect. I like him slightly more than Ha-Ha, so he goes first

16. Dallas Cowboys - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix - back to Back Safeties. Donald is the "sexy" and, well... Logical pick here. But I think they buck logic and go Ha Ha.

17. Baltimore Ravens - CJ Mosely - I can't see any fathomable way the Ravens go WR with this pick... They're not lacking at the position, though admittedly not elite. Plus with Evans gone, it makes the decision easier.

18. NY Jets - Odell Beckham - needs no explanation, though Ebron, once again a solid choice here as well.

19. Miami Dolphins - Cyrus Kouandjio - Loved this kid not too long ago... that feeling has cooled, but the Dolphins need him and reach for him... because they're the Dolphins.

20. Arizona Cardinals - Eric Ebron - TE finally comes off the board. Speed. Power. Size. Fitz finally gets his "Q" type receiver to take the pressure off.

 

[Terpman22]

No way cardinals take a tight end in round 1.

 

[Soulfly3]

No way cardinals take a tight end in round 1.

I can see why you would say that - But can I say something?

On my board, it was between Ebron and Manziel/Carr. Seriously

 

[karmarooster]

Yeah why would the Cards take a TE when the coach has specifically stated "That position is for Blocking, WRs are for catching"?

 

[Soulfly3]

Yeah why would the Cards take a TE when the coach has specifically stated "That position is for Blocking, WRs are for catching"?

That's been working great for them. <_<

I'm going with my gut - I welcome the criticism, but Im going with what I see as needs/who should be taken/skill level/ availability. I see what youre saying 110%

 

[JetMaxx]

Not sure where your going with 21-32 but Manziel isn't getting past 22. Either the Eagles pick him or they trade the pick to someone else who does.

 

[cstu]

1. Houston - Blake Bortles - If Houston wants to be taken seriously, they need a QB. Bortles (nor any QB in this draft) is worth a top 5 pick, but they are in need, and Bortles is the best of the "cream" in this draft.

Why?

 

[cstu]

No way cardinals take a tight end in round 1.

I can see why you would say that - But can I say something?

On my board, it was between Ebron and Manziel/Carr. Seriously

I expect it to be a QB.

 

[Soulfly3]

Not sure where your going with 21-32 but Manziel isn't getting past 22. Either the Eagles pick him or they trade the pick to someone else who does.

Ya, I said in the OP, Im not going to project trades - which means my mock will be off a bit, but Im not in the game of projecting trades. I expect teams to move up around this point to grab the QBs that remain, but I wont project it

No way cardinals take a tight end in round 1.

I can see why you would say that - But can I say something?

On my board, it was between Ebron and Manziel/Carr. Seriously

I expect it to be a QB.

Wouldnt be shocked at all... the ARI pick was a lot harder for me to project, but I went with Ebron, because they REALLY need a TE like him who can help put up points, take pressure off Fitz , the QB and the run.

QB a definite possibility, and I expect it to be Manziel/Carr if they dont go TE (which many say they wont)

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Twenty picks but you don't think this guy will get taken.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap2000000328912/Aaron-Donald-dominates-combine

Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald dominates combine 14

Published: Feb. 24, 2014 at 05:48 p.m. | 73,704 Views

00:44 – University of Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald turned heads with his amazing combine performance. Check out the star prospects' workout.

 

[msommer]

I know you don't want to project trades but if Clowney is available at #2 then the phones in STL's warroom are going to be ringing off the hook

 

[Soulfly3]

Twenty picks but you don't think this guy will get taken.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/0ap2000000328912/Aaron-Donald-dominates-combine

Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald dominates combine 14

Published: Feb. 24, 2014 at 05:48 p.m. | 73,704 Views

00:44 – University of Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald turned heads with his amazing combine performance. Check out the star prospects' workout.

I did mention that Dallas SHOULD take him, but wont....

He'll come off the board as a late steal. Dont worry.

 

[Soulfly3]

I know you don't want to project trades but if Clowney is available at #2 then the phones in STL's warroom are going to be ringing off the hook

If STL misses out on Robinson, there will be hell to pay, imo.

Dont know if there will be an offer good enough/close enough to ensure they get Robinson if they move down

 

[cstu]

I know you don't want to project trades but if Clowney is available at #2 then the phones in STL's warroom are going to be ringing off the hook

If STL misses out on Robinson, there will be hell to pay, imo.

Dont know if there will be an offer good enough/close enough to ensure they get Robinson if they move down

If they can pick up another 1st++ and still get Lewan then they should do it.

 

[msommer]

I know you don't want to project trades but if Clowney is available at #2 then the phones in STL's warroom are going to be ringing off the hook

If STL misses out on Robinson, there will be hell to pay, imo.

Dont know if there will be an offer good enough/close enough to ensure they get Robinson if they move down

I think they would like to get Robinson, sure. And I don't think they want to trade out of the top 6, which means they might have to 'settle' for Matthews if they are unlucky (not to forget pocketing an extra pick).

 

[Soulfly3]

I know you don't want to project trades but if Clowney is available at #2 then the phones in STL's warroom are going to be ringing off the hook

If STL misses out on Robinson, there will be hell to pay, imo.

Dont know if there will be an offer good enough/close enough to ensure they get Robinson if they move down

If they can pick up another 1st++ and still get Lewan then they should do it.

ha. ya... this is why I dont want to predict trades, they are so complex. Rams NEED o-line help, and Robinson is being hailed as the next coming of Christ... so if they do wanna take a "pass" to get more picks and Lewan, they better be DAMN sure that he'll be there when they pick again...

I have Lewan going at 11, and that might be too low when the Draft rolls around.

 

[msommer]

I like Lewan at 11 btw

 

[Bob Magaw]

I know you don't want to project trades but if Clowney is available at #2 then the phones in STL's warroom are going to be ringing off the hook

If STL misses out on Robinson, there will be hell to pay, imo.

Dont know if there will be an offer good enough/close enough to ensure they get Robinson if they move down

I think they would like to get Robinson, sure. And I don't think they want to trade out of the top 6, which means they might have to 'settle' for Matthews if they are unlucky (not to forget pocketing an extra pick).

We don't know if they have narrowed it down to Robinson, Matthews or Watkins, or if they have a strong preference for one.Initially I liked Robinson a lot more, but I have come around to appreciating Matthews similarly (I realize some prefer Matthews).

* I agree hard to see Donald getting past CHI and DAL. He is getting compared to Atkins, Randle and Glover, won every possible award, dominated the senior bowl and combine. I wouldn't take him ahead of Mack, but maybe Barr. I don't know if he will be in the top 10 conversation by the draft, but IMO he should be based on his rare talent and body of work.

 

[Soulfly3]

I know you don't want to project trades but if Clowney is available at #2 then the phones in STL's warroom are going to be ringing off the hook

If STL misses out on Robinson, there will be hell to pay, imo.

Dont know if there will be an offer good enough/close enough to ensure they get Robinson if they move down

I think they would like to get Robinson, sure. And I don't think they want to trade out of the top 6, which means they might have to 'settle' for Matthews if they are unlucky (not to forget pocketing an extra pick).

We don't know if they have narrowed it down to Robinson, Matthews or Watkins, or if they have a strong preference for one.

Initially I liked Robinson a lot more, but I have come around to appreciating Matthews similarly (I realize some prefer Matthews).

Love Matthews,personally... Would be more than happy if the Browns took him.

But if I had free choice, Id take Robinson without blinking.

 

[Biabreakable]

Interesting read so far.

Not to pile on but I have seen others mocking the Vikings with the Barr pick at 8 before so I looked into him naturally the Vikings being my favorite team I like to know about players being suggested as good enough to be taken with the 8th overall pick.

I do not think Barr qualifies. But I would like to hear more about why you do?

Aaron Donald on the other hand seems like a special player the Vikings might be interested in if they do not like the QBs (Manziel and Carr here) available. Or a corner back which is a huge need as well.

If the Vikings do not like the QBs at pick 8 I expect them to trade down. Not sure teams would trade up for Barr? The Vikings will sign either Griffen or a free agent DE or both before going into the draft so outside pass rusher should not be as much of a need as someone to replace Kevin Williams is.

The Vikings need a NT as well. The Vikings do have Floyd but they still need another defensive tackle even if Floyd does pan out to be good. I see that or corner being the most likely non QB picks at 8 although I could see a team trading up for a WR perhaps too?

CJ Mosley would likely be a better fit than outside pass rusher for the Vikings. I like Shazier as well. The Vikings need to find a LB who can cover much more than a guy who can pass rush. The main price of trading up for Patterson in the 2013 draft was that the Vikings did not have the 2nd and 3rd round picks to use on a LB. The position cannot be ignored again. Mosley would call the plays and bring leadership to the defense. I had buyers remorse seeing him and Dennard drafted after Barr.

 

[Soulfly3]

Doing research on Barr, it was mindblowing that he converted to linebacker only 2-3 years ago from Running Back.

Every player at this stage has tons to learn, but Barr showing his potential at such an early stage of his positional career is very impressive to me. Always caught my eye in games, and what I read from draftniks, I came out with a very good impression overall.

He didnt have the greatest combines, but is very fast and did well in the cones... I just think his upside is very high and as he gets more comfortable in his position he'll blow some minds.

I guess Im higher on Barr than most.

 

[Bob Magaw]

I know you don't want to project trades but if Clowney is available at #2 then the phones in STL's warroom are going to be ringing off the hook

If STL misses out on Robinson, there will be hell to pay, imo.

Dont know if there will be an offer good enough/close enough to ensure they get Robinson if they move down

I think they would like to get Robinson, sure. And I don't think they want to trade out of the top 6, which means they might have to 'settle' for Matthews if they are unlucky (not to forget pocketing an extra pick).

We don't know if they have narrowed it down to Robinson, Matthews or Watkins, or if they have a strong preference for one.Initially I liked Robinson a lot more, but I have come around to appreciating Matthews similarly (I realize some prefer Matthews).

Love Matthews,personally... Would be more than happy if the Browns took him.

But if I had free choice, Id take Robinson without blinking.

Just speaking for myself, I'll defer to professionals better equipped to project Robinson in pass protection in the future. Matthews bullet proof there, he might enter the league as one of the best technicians. He also could have very high upside himeself (like Joe Thomas).The tricky part is if they could get a few day two picks, is the DIFFERENCE between Robinson and Matthews worth what could turn into a few additional starters or key reserves (guys like Joyner, Van Noy, Tre Mason, Aaron Murray, etc.).

But agreed, Robinson is getting Larry Allen comparisons. He could do a standing backflip as a 315 lb. freshman at Auburn. That combo of monstrous power and freakish athleticism should be illegal (I don't think Robinson can bench 700 lbs., but Allen isn't doing too many backflips. ).

* Good job through the first 20 picks completed so far on a non-groupthink mock, that largely fits BPA with team need. I tend to agree ARI probably goes in a different direction, it is possible to underestimate how stubbornly medieval some coaches (like Martz) seem to be about TEs.

Like the Dennard pick, might be better BPA value than Pryor, and need could be approx. the same.

 

[Biabreakable]

Doing research on Barr, it was mindblowing that he converted to linebacker only 2-3 years ago from Running Back.

Every player at this stage has tons to learn, but Barr showing his potential at such an early stage of his positional career is very impressive to me. Always caught my eye in games, and what I read from draftniks, I came out with a very good impression overall.

He didnt have the greatest combines, but is very fast and did well in the cones... I just think his upside is very high and as he gets more comfortable in his position he'll blow some minds.

I guess Im higher on Barr than most.

Thanks for your opinion. I guess I see Barr as wide 9 and not really fitting the Vikings defense that well as more what I have not liked about that idea of him going to them moreso than the talent level of Barr who should be a great player in a 3-4 in need of an outside LB.

 

[The Hank]

I prefer Clinton-Dix to Pryor for Steelers but nice effort Soulfly

 

[Soulfly3]

21-32

21. Green Bay - Louis Nix - Booooring... Sorry guys, but I cant predict anything but Nix here.... Some say ASJ, I say no way. Im sure GB wouldve liked one of the safeties that went earlier, but they missed out and go with what they need.

22. Philadelphia Eagles - Bradley Roby - Like GB above, wouldve loved of of the 2 elite Safeties to have falen, but no such luck... But they do need something else, and they take him here.

23. Kansas City - Aaron Donald - Ooo lawd. The steal of the draft goes to the Chiefs. Was going to lean towards ASJ here, but I like Kelce, a lot, and think he will turn out to be quite a good TE for the Chiefs - So they do the smart thing here.

24. Cincinnati Bengals - Kyle Fuller - Gonna go with a bit of a "shocker" here and another CB comes off the board. CIN rolls hard with Kyle Fuller. A lot of talking heads go with a DE for CIN in this spot, but I think this is a bigger need and Fuller is being very undervalued right now

25. San Diego Chargers - Dee Ford - He's not Clowney, but he is very good. Chargers can't go wrong with this pick, though some Bolts friends of mine see them looking elsewhere.

26. Cleveland Browns - Ryan Shazier - As a Browns fan, Im going to leave this pick up for discussion... but bye bye to D'Qwell tells me this will be addressed

27. New Orleans Saints - Kony Ealy - The boy bounces around like Flubber. Needs some coaching and some learning but think he has what it takes, and will do so with the Saints

28. Carolina Panthers - Brandin Cooks - The Panthers will have their pick of a decent crop of WRs, but I like the fit of Cooks here. Newton needs some weapons with an aging Smith and an only decent LaFell

29. New England Patriots - Jace Amaro - Feel like a chump making this call, but NE looked so disgustingly good w 2 stud TEs and Brady...

30. San Francisco - Ra'Shede Hageman - Id eat my undies if this guy went to day 2. Just can't see it happening. 49s keep that Defense filthy

31. Denver Broncos - Jason Verrett - Denver, imo, hits a homerun with this pick. The value on Verrett at 31 is incredible. The guy can ball

32. Seattle Seahawks - David Yankey - Discussed this boy before... Love him. Monsterous. Undervalued and will sit pretty infront of Wilson. very pretty (eta: a WR a very very strong possibility here)

**** That concludes my draft****

some notable names fell out of the first, but this is just how I see it... as stated, this mock is going to be "off" as I dont project trades, which will obviously happen.

Thanks for the discussion, boys.

 

[saintfool]

27. New Orleans Saints - Kony Ealy - The boy bounces around like Flubber. Needs some coaching and some learning but think he has what it takes, and will do so with the Saints.

Dunno about that one, guy. Ealy is not an ideal fit as the 3-4 DE. I don't think the Saints will look at him as necessarily an upgrade at OLB either. Galette had 12 sacks in his first season playing OLB after all.

I see the Saints looking for CB because there is only one confirmed starter there. *Maybe* DT at 26 because Bunkley is meh but Jenkins is a diamond in the rough. If Hageman is there then I could see them making a play. There won't be an OT there. I'd love for them to snag Amaro to push Graham a bit and open the offense in the process.

 

[Soulfly3]

27. New Orleans Saints - Kony Ealy - The boy bounces around like Flubber. Needs some coaching and some learning but think he has what it takes, and will do so with the Saints.

Dunno about that one, guy. Ealy is not an ideal fit as the 3-4 DE. I don't think the Saints will look at him as necessarily an upgrade at OLB either. Galette had 12 sacks in his first season playing OLB after all.

I see the Saints looking for CB because there is only one confirmed starter there. *Maybe* DT at 26 because Bunkley is meh but Jenkins is a diamond in the rough. If Hageman is there then I could see them making a play. There won't be an OT there. I'd love for them to snag Amaro to push Graham a bit and open the offense in the process.

Another well known mockhead put Ealy at NO as well just today...While I dont disagree w your points, I think they can make him work

 

[Snotbubbles]

If both safeties are off the board, I see Philly going for a pass rushing OLB. In your draft that would probably be Dee Ford.

 

[jumper]

I don't think the Cowboys will pick a Safety even though that's clearly a supreme position of need. Heck, they've only ever picked a safety in the 1st once in team history (Roy Williams in 2002). They'll go for the big, flashy DE or pass rushing OLB even if the value isn't as good because that's Jerry Jones' style. Ditto on Detroit and a CB, they've not picked one in the 1st since the 1990s even though it would clearly benefit them to do so.