Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Mel Kiper Mock Draft 2.0


nctarheel0619

Recommended Posts

30. Carolina Panthers

**Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

The Panthers were creative with their personnel at cornerback this past season; they reached the Super Bowl even with a number of injuries diminishing the secondary. Alexander needs coaching but, like Josh Norman, is a ferocious competitor with the potential for greatness. Repeat after me: Great teams can't have enough good cornerbacks.

Picks from NFC South Teams

17. Atlanta Falcons

*Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

While Vic Beasley flashed potential as a rookie, he wasn't a force consistently, and the Falcons can't go wrong adding more to the pass rush. Lawson is well-coached and has more size to stay on the field and hold up as a three-down defender in either a 3-4 or 4-3 look, thanks to a versatile skill set.

12. New Orleans Saints

Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville

The Saints are in the midst of a rebuild on the defensive side of the ball, and Rankins can be unblockable when he's at his best, with exceptional quickness and the ability to make plays in the backfield from the interior. A stellar week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl secured his place in the top half of Round 1.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

*Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

The best pure cover corner in the draft would benefit anyone, and the Bucs are in a division where they have to face Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton six times a season. Tampa Bay needs a talent infusion at cornerback, and Hargreaves is going to grade out as a player who is ready to be on the field in Week 1.

Picks of note

1. Tennessee Titans

*Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss

The No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL draft could end up being directly tied to the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL draft. In short: The Titans have no choice but to improve their offensive line and do whatever they can to make sure Marcus Mariota is on the field for more than the 12 games he played as a rookie. Getting the offensive lineman with the highest upside in the draft is a good place to start.


2. Cleveland Browns

Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State

We still have a couple of months to debate whether this will be Wentz or Jared Goff. But remember there's also the distinct possibility that Hue Jackson and the new front office aggressively pursue another QB in the trade market. I note that because regardless of whether the Browns draft a QB in this spot, it's almost certainly not their preference to start him in Week 1.

4. Dallas Cowboys

*Jared Goff, QB, California

This is going to be a fascinating situation. On one hand, the Dallas front office isn't the least bit delusional if they look at the roster with a healthy Tony Romo and believe they can compete for a playoff spot, which makes it harder to take a QB who might not see the field for a couple of years. But ... let's not forget that they need to upgrade the backup QB situation, period. That's what derailed them last season when Romo was out. Tough call, especially if Goff is the top QB on their board and he's available here.

26. Seattle Seahawks

*Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss

If a player like Cody Whitehair is still available at this point, you could see the Seahawks looking to address an immediate need on the offensive line. If not, Nkemdiche is more than a consolation prize if he can stay focused and put major off-field questions to rest. He's a top-10 talent but could see his stock slip if teams don't trust him, especially in a draft that is loaded with future impact starters on the defensive line.
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, cbarrier90 said:

I like Alexander alot but being that close only to lose out on Nkemdiche would sting.

As I just said in another thread the going rate to get above the Hawks to the Steelers pick is 2 5ths, based on last year's Broncos/Lions trade.  

If Nkemdiche makes it that far he's truly a knucklehead, but appears on the outside to be a very Seahawky pick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

(Big Ole Miss fan here)

Nkemdiche falling that fall but not landing to us would really suck. Dude is a beast and has been for 3 years, but wow talk about poor decision making skills. He and his brother (starting senior linebacker at Ole Miss) both got into "spice"....synthetic marijuana and it messed his brother up real bad and caused Robert to jump out of a 4th story hotel window in Atlanta. 

It easily cost Robert millions of dollars as a top 10 pick.

Spice is bad, kids! Don't do it...just smoke the REAL stuff instead if you have to get high.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Daniel Jeremiah has us taking Eli Apple.

One thing to remember when looking at any mock draft, analysts have a tendency to draft based on need rather than BPA.

 

DJ's different - he incorporates what he's hearing from sources around the league into his mocks. Of course, at this early juncture, it's all need-based.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read somewhere that Alexander was projected to be a 3-4 round pick.  Maybe that was wrong.  I agree he would be a good pickup but would rather get him at the end of the second  Guess a lot of where he goes will be determined by how well he runs at the combine/pro day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, SCP said:

Sucks ass having to wait so long for the draft.  

Yep, but for my work purposes, the last week in April will come all too soon (as in work load increasing), so I find myself conflicted, depending on whether I'm wearing my work clothes, or my Panther hat.

 

7 minutes ago, tondi said:

I read somewhere that Alexander was projected to be a 3-4 round pick.  Maybe that was wrong. 

I've seen him rated as high as the # 1 CB (CBS), and an "exceptional talent" (SB Nation), and as low as the 4th round, so who knows?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • In my view, the realistic expectation for this team to compete will start 2027.  At that time, I think we could be looking at the following (this is HIGHLY speculative):   QB:  You know, Bryce.  I am not a fan, but they don't ask me.  But there is reason for hope--and here it is.  Bryce will be entering his prime.  Since we are likely to pay him, there will be changes that I include throughout this exercise--I realistically speculate on what they are going to do with Bryce and then I realistically speculate on what means in terms of the cap and other positions. Bryce HAS IMPROVED.  The idea is that if you give him more weapons and protection, that will continue.  His career:   At this rate, if his growth continues, by 2027 we should expect nearly 30 TDs and about 12 Interceptions and a Rating of about 98.  His completion percentage should settle at 65-66% or so.  If that happens, you can win with it. The following stats demonstrate how the Panthers will be able to afford it (and re-sign Ickey) My guess is they will require about $60m per year. This is why rookies who can play are important.  It also helps us see the blueprint.  You may disagree, but this is the cruel realities of the salary cap. Robert Hunt:  Cut post June 1 and save $19m.  Who do you replace him with?  Ickey. Tershawn Wharton:  Cutting him saves nearly $15m.  We should all hope to see Aaron Hall (UDFA) make the roster and play well.  Regardless, this is a position we would likely have to address in the next draft. Trevin Moehrig:  Cutting Moehrig as the starting SS saves this team $16.5m.   Ransom will be on year 3 of a cheap rookie deal and should be more than ready to take the reins.  their styles are similar.  Furthermore, FS Wheatley (R, 4th round) will be starting. Taylor Moton:  So much depends on his knee, but I have an idea that he can play another 3 years.  extending him could save the team about $5m per year.  Cutting him outright would save the team about $21m. In the most drastic situation, we have to cut Moton and the other three players mentioned.   We would need (in all likelihood) a starting DT and RT.  It is possible that the DE would be addressed, but Wharton's production (so far) could be equaled by a rookie.  Look for a cut free agent and a 2027 draft pick here.  If you cut Moton, you save $21m, and that would be the only big hole to fill.  Having Ickey at RG gives you some depth at T, and Ickey could be the guy.  T could be pick in the 2027 draft (first round), fwiw.  It saves you $21m while costing you $5m, for example. We get younger, creating a core of Freeling, Hecht, and the RT first rounder in 2027) along with Ekownu (second contract in the $15m range, and Lewis, whose contract would be in the $16m range if not extended.)  The OL cuts (Hunt, Moton) would save $40m.  The OL would get younger and still solid with veterans at G.   By cutting Wharton (no brainer if his play stays the same) and Moehrig (good player--but we have Ransom on a rookie contract who would not be that much of a drop off--if any) in addition to Hunt and Moton, we would save over $70m in cap room. We would be able to give Bryce bag  and we would have enough to re-sign Ickey (if the knee is not too risky) to a Guard contract (probably at a discount, coming off that injury).  Furthermore, we could add a RT in the draft (or a RG if Ickey moves to RT) and that would be the only large hole to fill. Correct my logic if you see issues-- On defense, in addition to the aforementioned, Scott ($2m contract) is out, replaced by a 4th round rookie contract. CB Jackson's contract ($7.8m) expires and he is (possibly) replaced by a rookie contract.  At Edge, patrick Jones II's $10m contract expires and he is likely a reserve, and his role is absorbed by Phillips, Scourton, Princely, and possible an UDFA like Isaiah Smith or a 2027 draft pick.   These productive developmental players over the past 2 drafts will pay huge dividends.  On paper, I see the team getting much younger and possibly better while cutting nearly $100m and reallocating that money to get more production.          
    • If everything played out and that last thing happened, I probably just quit. 
×
×
  • Create New...