Jawnyblaze Pre-Combine Mock

[JawnyBlaze]

Mocks are fun, here's my first take at it before the combine overhypes a lot of players that don't deserve it.

 

1st.  La'el Collins, OT, LSU

 

Best OT available, for the most part.  There are a lot of lower 1st round quality OTs in this draft.  Some think Collins will go higher in the 1st, some think lower.  If he's not available we could grab someone like Flowers, Clemmings or Sambrailo.

 

2nd. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

 

WHAT?!  A RB in the 2nd?!  Abdullah is going to be elite.  His shiftiness, change of direction and balance is elite.  His speed is very good.  Getting Abdullah would let us get rid of Deangelo's $$$, maintain our two back system, and be the guy to take over if/when Stewart loses a step/gets injured.  Til then, Abdullah will be the lightning to Stewart's thunder.  Other options would be Gordon or Gurley if either fall this far.

 

3rd. Justin Hardy, WR, ECU

 

Hardy's a prospect I've been high on for a while now.  Some people said he had a bad Senior Bowl or something, doesn't bother me.  All the videos I've watched of him make him look like he's going to be a stud.  Elite hands, great routes, good shiftiness and burst.  He's a little undersized, but other than that he looks to me like the total package.

 

4th. Durell Eskridge, S, Syracuse

 

Starting here I admittedly know much less about the prospects.  A mid-round Safety could be looked at, an OL, who knows.  Need someone to take over for Harper and Eskridge has good size and athleticism from what I read. 

 

5th. Za'darius Smith, DE, Kentucky

 

Could always use another pass rusher or two to develop.  Smith looks pretty good from what I've seen.  Could go higher than this, might swap this pick with the pick above it if is deemed necessary.

 

6th. B.J. Finney, C, Kansas State

 

I'm just picking names at positions at this point.  Need someone to groom to take Kalil's place eventually.  Could be a utility player for a while.  And if the above picture ain't the definition of Big Ugly or Hog Molly, I don't know what is.

 

7th. Derrick Malone, OLB, Oregon

 

He's small for an OLB but he's fast.  Might turn into a TD replacement eventually.  Who knows.  Fast enough for ST anyway.

 

 

edit: to add back in some pics while I sorted out which one was an extension that "isn't allowed in this community"

[WOW!!]

You were doing so well until you wasted a 2nd round pick on RB depth. .

That dude isn't even a full time RB. .

We can get rid of Deanglo anyway and replace him with....Fozzy Whitaker.. who's already on the roster. .

[CatalystNX]

I think RB would be a great pick in the 2nd, but I'd rather have Tevin Coleman.

[WOW!!]

I think RB would be a great pick in the 2nd, but I'd rather have Tevin Coleman.

Why don't we have Stewart, Whitaker, and Tolbert. ..Why is a good idea to use a high pick on a devalued position that we don't need a starter for..

[Mol3m4n]

Why don't we have Stewart, Whitaker, and Tolbert. ..Why is a good idea to use a high pick on a devalued position that we don't need a starter for..

We go over this every time.

A RB in the second is a good pick.

[WOW!!]

We go over this every time.

A RB in the second is a good pick.

I'll be honest you will never convince me that picking a non starter at a devalued position in the 2nd round is a good pick..

What is it with you guys and your love for high round drafted RB's..

[WOW!!]

Build a good oline and you can put my grandma back there and have a good running game. .

[WOW!!]

Actually i'd rather have Buck Allen, Kenny Langford, or Josh Robinson in the 4th..

[Frank Hollywood]

I'll be honest you will never convince me that picking a non starter at a devalued position in the 2nd round is a good pick..

What is it with you guys and your love for high round drafted RB's..

Stewart has been injury prone and is pushing 30. Fizzy is decent and Tolbert wasn't exceptional last year. A young future starter would be great. He'd probably go in the first round most years.

[WOW!!]

Stewart has been injury prone and is pushing 30. Fizzy is decent and Tolbert wasn't exceptional last year. A young future starter would be great. He'd probably go in the first round most years.

Stew is 27 and we are paying him too much money in the next 2 years to cut him..So no matter the injury concerns he will be the starter if healthy. . And like I said we don't need to draft a future starter in the 1st 3 rounds.. RB position can be filled by later round picks... and it's the easiest position to come in and make a impact 1st year..

[Frank Hollywood]

Stew is 27 and we are paying him too much money in the next 2 years to cut him..So no matter the injury concerns he will be the starter if healthy. . And like I said we don't need to draft a future starter in the 1st 3 rounds.. RB position can be filled by later round picks... and it's the easiest position to come in and make a impact 1st year..

Two problems with the logic in your statement.

1. Just because someone is paid too much doesn't mean they start. If the rookie were to outperform, you bench your overpriced veteran. I actually think Stew I'd still one of the best when healthy, however that seems to be quite rare lately. Also history dictates a dropoff in performance from a RB stew's age soon.

Furthermore, he could be cut next year if needed, although I think his performance won't warrant it. If the rookie is the real deal, make him the backup this year and split the snaps next year to keep stew fresh.

2. This common theme that you don't draft a RB in the first three rounds is nonsense. If it were true, none of the 32 teams would draft a running back before round 3. Are there gems in round 4+? Absolutely, but for every gem, how many busts or simple backups? What about the ratio for running backs taken early?

[WOW!!]

Two problems with the logic in your statement.

1. Just because someone is paid too much doesn't mean they start. If the rookie were to outperform, you bench your overpriced veteran. I actually think Stew I'd still one of the best when healthy, however that seems to be quite rare lately. Also history dictates a dropoff in performance from a RB stew's age soon.

Furthermore, he could be cut next year if needed, although I think his performance won't warrant it. If the rookie is the real deal, make him the backup this year and split the snaps next year to keep stew fresh.

2. This common theme that you don't draft a RB in the first three rounds is nonsense. If it were true, none of the 32 teams would draft a running back before round 3. Are there gems in round 4+? Absolutely, but for every gem, how many busts or simple backups? What about the ratio for running backs taken early?

A healthy Stew is one of the better backs in the league and his dead money is outrageous the next 2 season. . So yes cutting him any sooner will hurt bad..

A lot of teams are devaluing the RB position. . We are now on a watch to see if one will be drafted in the 1st round every year now..

I just don't want to put resources into a devalued position. . All the new rules are to help the passing game.. We need to be able to take advantage of that..

Last if you build a good oline you can get a Blount off the trash heep and win..

[Frank Hollywood]

A healthy Stew is one of the better backs in the league and his dead money is outrageous the next 2 season. . So yes cutting him any sooner will hurt bad..

A lot of teams are devaluing the RB position. . We are now on a watch to see if one will be drafted in the 1st round every year now..

I just don't want to put resources into a devalued position. . All the new rules are to help the passing game.. We need to be able to take advantage of that..

Last if you build a good oline you can get a Blount off the trash heep and win..

I agree the passing game is a bigger need. I wouldn't advocate taking a RB in the first unless it was a can't miss player. But them again, we saw how that turned out with Trent richardson. However, I trust gettle and if he had this guy as his BPA at the end of round two I wouldn't hate the pick at all.

[ZackAttack23]

I'm okay with this, but not crazy about Eskridge. He's more of a FS than SS. We need a SS. I'd hope Coleman, Artis-Payne, Davis, Gurley, or Gordon is there in the 2nd. First three are more likely. We need to get at OT in first 2 picks.