cowboyjoe
12-24-2010, 10:55 AM
Uncanny Mock – Holiday edition (12/24/10)!!!
24
http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=3703
Dec
Note, I put the top 15 picks or so, just in case cowboys win last 2 games and down in draft to about 12th to 17th pick or so.
Mocking the system
Draft Insider’s small attempt at a Holiday present for its readers…a Christmas mock!
Read on as Head Scout Brent Sobleski provides fodder for discussion during this merry season.
And may everyone have a safe and wonderful time this weekend!
Round 1
# Team Selection Position/College
1 Carolina Andrew Luck* QB/Stanford
Analysis: Jimmy Clausen may have been a top rated quarterback by some and a potential first round selection entering last year’s draft; but his subsequent slide and lackluster play should not prevent Carolina (or any team with quarterback issues) from selecting Andrew Luck number one overall. He is the top prospect to come into the National Football League at his position since Peyton Manning in 1998.
2 Denver Nick Fairley* DT/Auburn
(+4) Analysis: What direction will the Bronco’s transition defensively with a new coach hire on the horizon? Josh McDaniels’ termination does not guarantee a stay within the 34 at his successor’s preference. Whether the team does use a three or four man front is inconsequential simply because of the age and lack of playmaking ability currently along Denver’s defensive line. Fairley has been a monster this season for Auburn. His first step explosion is second to none, and he can dominate a game from the interior.
3 Cincinnati A.J. Green* WR/Georgia
Analysis: The T.O.chocinqo experiment has failed. Neither may be on the team next season, as well as its current coach or running back. It is time to move in a new direction with a different focal point added to the offense. Green is as explosive a weapon as any will scout in recent memory.
4 Arizona Patrick Peterson* CB/LSU
(+1) Analysis: Peterson is a tremendously talented prospect. As a cover man Peterson is exceptional in a straight line, but his hip flexibility may not be quite on the same level as Prince Amukamara. Despite the argument, Arizona still lands a top prospect at a position requiring more demand each and every year in the ever evolving pass heavy Nation Football League. Peterson will teams with his bookend, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, to form a new dynamic duo.
5 Detroit Prince Amukamara CB/Nebraska
(-2) Analysis: Detroit simply cannot continue to trot out the likes of Alphonso Smith, Nathan Vasher, Chris Houston, or whatever retread they found during the week as its starters out on the island. New talent along the secondary added to an already improved defensive line should make Detroit’s young defense one of the most improved in the league entering 2011.
6 Buffalo Marcell Dareus* DE/Alabama
(-4) Analysis: The Bills have been able to stay in and even win a couple games due to an improving offense. Defensively, the transition to the 34 has been painful. They are currently last in the NFL against the run. The parts are simply not in place. Their secondary has plenty of talent, but the front seven is undermanned. Dareus will make a seamless transition into the teams front three after playing in Nick Saban’s version at Alabama.
7 San Francisco Ryan Mallett* QB/Arkansas
(+17) Analysis: Mallett has his issues as a prospect, but no one can deny his raw ability to throw the pigskin. As other quarterback prospects fall by the wayside, the Arkansas product continues to produce keeping him in the early to mid first round consideration. Now the question which needs answered is whether coach Mike Singletary will be in place long enough to tutor the teams newest protege behind center.
8 Dallas Tyron Smith* OT/USC
(+8) Analysis: The preference for massive unathletic offensive linemen established by Bill Parcells during his reign in Big D should and has nearly come to a close. The offense has become more of an established high flying and potent unit under the full guidance of Jason Garrett. Doug Free has held his own, but simply does not have near the athleticism Tyron Smith presents. Despite not possessing prototype girth, there are few blockers in the nation who loves to finish their blocks more.
9 Washington Justin Blackmon* WR/Oklahoma State
(+5) Analysis: The franchise owned by Daniel Snyder and ran by Mike Shanahan is a mess at every stage of the process. What directions the team could decide to move during the draft are numerous. A team which attempted to rely on the 40-year old Joey Galloway to the enter the season has major concerns at the position. Blackmon is a fantastic talent, but can Rex Grossman get him the ball?
10 Houston Janoris Jenkins* CB/Florida
(+2) Analysis: Houston has been outgunned all season due to major holes in its defense. Injuries to Demeco Ryans and Mario Williams slowed production, and the secondary may be the worst in the NFL. Drafting Kareem Jackson in the first round of the 2010 draft was a step in the right direction, but he alone cannot hold down the fort. Jenkins can provide a wonderful bookend and is a better athlete at the position than the aforementioned top selection.
11 Minnesota Da’Quan Bowers* DE/Clemson
(+7) Analysis: Many will be mesmerized by Bowers’ nation leading sack total and his prototype size at the position. Watching the end closely throughout the year, it’s maddening to see him disappear for long stretches of games. Quarterback may be the team’s largest looming concern in 2011, but one can question if the talent is available at this juncture to warrant a selection. Bowers paired with Allen is scary concoction along one of the best lines in the league. The pick makes even more sense if Ray Edwards decides to cash in during free agency.
12 Cleveland Jonathan Baldwin* WR/Pittsburgh
(+16) Analysis: Cleveland’s receiving corps is the worst in the NFL. Baldwin may have ripped his team and his coaches on twitter while declaring for the draft, one cannot overlook the fact that he is an Academic All Big East performer as well as someone who is likely trying to lay blame after a lackluster season. Whatever the case, 6′5″ 225 pound receivers do not grow on trees, especially ones who can prove to be legitimate down field threats. Baldwin is expected to test out of the waters and become a highly sought after prospect.
13 Seattle Robert Quinn* DE/North Carolina
(-5) Analysis: It’s quite hard to determine exactly where a talent of this caliber will land after sitting out an entire season due to a nonchalant attitude towards his collegiate eligibility. Make no mistake, if Quinn had played this year, he would have been a legit top five talent. Now he will slide. To what degree, that is the question. Seattle’s coach, Pete Caroll, loves to have as much talent as possible along his defensive front line. Quinn can be a monster playing for the team in the great northwest.
14 Tennessee Cam Newton* QB/Auburn
(N/A) Analysis: The current quarterback situation in Tennessee is, in a word, a mess. Cam Newton is an amazing talent physically but has plenty of issues learning his craft. His talent is very similar to a beloved (at least by his owner) player for the Titans, Vince Young. Bud Adams has a choice to make between the current quarterback and his entrenched head coach. Pick the head coach Bud, and try and land a new talent behind center.
15 New England (from Oakland) Julio Jones* WR/Alabama
(-6) Analysis: Tom Brady and his Patriots have flourished after Randy Moss was dealt from the squad. It would be a mistake to argue the team is better than when they had a legit down field threat despite their recent winning ways. Jones may have some diva in him but not to the level of Moss. And Jones has the natural physical ability Coach Belichick should be able to develop into a dominant offensive weapon.
16 Miami
Mark Ingram* RB/Alabama
(-3) Analysis: A team which prides itself on its toughness and ability to run the football has dropped 17 slots (4th to 21st) statistically when comparing its 2009 to 2010 rushing statistics. Ricky Williams has stated he will not be returning. Ronnie Brown may not return. The situation needs upgraded as both players have been either injury prone or aging. Bill Parcells has a history with Ingram’s father, and the talented back can become the team’s workhorse in 2011.
24
http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=3703
Dec
Note, I put the top 15 picks or so, just in case cowboys win last 2 games and down in draft to about 12th to 17th pick or so.
Mocking the system
Draft Insider’s small attempt at a Holiday present for its readers…a Christmas mock!
Read on as Head Scout Brent Sobleski provides fodder for discussion during this merry season.
And may everyone have a safe and wonderful time this weekend!
Round 1
# Team Selection Position/College
1 Carolina Andrew Luck* QB/Stanford
Analysis: Jimmy Clausen may have been a top rated quarterback by some and a potential first round selection entering last year’s draft; but his subsequent slide and lackluster play should not prevent Carolina (or any team with quarterback issues) from selecting Andrew Luck number one overall. He is the top prospect to come into the National Football League at his position since Peyton Manning in 1998.
2 Denver Nick Fairley* DT/Auburn
(+4) Analysis: What direction will the Bronco’s transition defensively with a new coach hire on the horizon? Josh McDaniels’ termination does not guarantee a stay within the 34 at his successor’s preference. Whether the team does use a three or four man front is inconsequential simply because of the age and lack of playmaking ability currently along Denver’s defensive line. Fairley has been a monster this season for Auburn. His first step explosion is second to none, and he can dominate a game from the interior.
3 Cincinnati A.J. Green* WR/Georgia
Analysis: The T.O.chocinqo experiment has failed. Neither may be on the team next season, as well as its current coach or running back. It is time to move in a new direction with a different focal point added to the offense. Green is as explosive a weapon as any will scout in recent memory.
4 Arizona Patrick Peterson* CB/LSU
(+1) Analysis: Peterson is a tremendously talented prospect. As a cover man Peterson is exceptional in a straight line, but his hip flexibility may not be quite on the same level as Prince Amukamara. Despite the argument, Arizona still lands a top prospect at a position requiring more demand each and every year in the ever evolving pass heavy Nation Football League. Peterson will teams with his bookend, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, to form a new dynamic duo.
5 Detroit Prince Amukamara CB/Nebraska
(-2) Analysis: Detroit simply cannot continue to trot out the likes of Alphonso Smith, Nathan Vasher, Chris Houston, or whatever retread they found during the week as its starters out on the island. New talent along the secondary added to an already improved defensive line should make Detroit’s young defense one of the most improved in the league entering 2011.
6 Buffalo Marcell Dareus* DE/Alabama
(-4) Analysis: The Bills have been able to stay in and even win a couple games due to an improving offense. Defensively, the transition to the 34 has been painful. They are currently last in the NFL against the run. The parts are simply not in place. Their secondary has plenty of talent, but the front seven is undermanned. Dareus will make a seamless transition into the teams front three after playing in Nick Saban’s version at Alabama.
7 San Francisco Ryan Mallett* QB/Arkansas
(+17) Analysis: Mallett has his issues as a prospect, but no one can deny his raw ability to throw the pigskin. As other quarterback prospects fall by the wayside, the Arkansas product continues to produce keeping him in the early to mid first round consideration. Now the question which needs answered is whether coach Mike Singletary will be in place long enough to tutor the teams newest protege behind center.
8 Dallas Tyron Smith* OT/USC
(+8) Analysis: The preference for massive unathletic offensive linemen established by Bill Parcells during his reign in Big D should and has nearly come to a close. The offense has become more of an established high flying and potent unit under the full guidance of Jason Garrett. Doug Free has held his own, but simply does not have near the athleticism Tyron Smith presents. Despite not possessing prototype girth, there are few blockers in the nation who loves to finish their blocks more.
9 Washington Justin Blackmon* WR/Oklahoma State
(+5) Analysis: The franchise owned by Daniel Snyder and ran by Mike Shanahan is a mess at every stage of the process. What directions the team could decide to move during the draft are numerous. A team which attempted to rely on the 40-year old Joey Galloway to the enter the season has major concerns at the position. Blackmon is a fantastic talent, but can Rex Grossman get him the ball?
10 Houston Janoris Jenkins* CB/Florida
(+2) Analysis: Houston has been outgunned all season due to major holes in its defense. Injuries to Demeco Ryans and Mario Williams slowed production, and the secondary may be the worst in the NFL. Drafting Kareem Jackson in the first round of the 2010 draft was a step in the right direction, but he alone cannot hold down the fort. Jenkins can provide a wonderful bookend and is a better athlete at the position than the aforementioned top selection.
11 Minnesota Da’Quan Bowers* DE/Clemson
(+7) Analysis: Many will be mesmerized by Bowers’ nation leading sack total and his prototype size at the position. Watching the end closely throughout the year, it’s maddening to see him disappear for long stretches of games. Quarterback may be the team’s largest looming concern in 2011, but one can question if the talent is available at this juncture to warrant a selection. Bowers paired with Allen is scary concoction along one of the best lines in the league. The pick makes even more sense if Ray Edwards decides to cash in during free agency.
12 Cleveland Jonathan Baldwin* WR/Pittsburgh
(+16) Analysis: Cleveland’s receiving corps is the worst in the NFL. Baldwin may have ripped his team and his coaches on twitter while declaring for the draft, one cannot overlook the fact that he is an Academic All Big East performer as well as someone who is likely trying to lay blame after a lackluster season. Whatever the case, 6′5″ 225 pound receivers do not grow on trees, especially ones who can prove to be legitimate down field threats. Baldwin is expected to test out of the waters and become a highly sought after prospect.
13 Seattle Robert Quinn* DE/North Carolina
(-5) Analysis: It’s quite hard to determine exactly where a talent of this caliber will land after sitting out an entire season due to a nonchalant attitude towards his collegiate eligibility. Make no mistake, if Quinn had played this year, he would have been a legit top five talent. Now he will slide. To what degree, that is the question. Seattle’s coach, Pete Caroll, loves to have as much talent as possible along his defensive front line. Quinn can be a monster playing for the team in the great northwest.
14 Tennessee Cam Newton* QB/Auburn
(N/A) Analysis: The current quarterback situation in Tennessee is, in a word, a mess. Cam Newton is an amazing talent physically but has plenty of issues learning his craft. His talent is very similar to a beloved (at least by his owner) player for the Titans, Vince Young. Bud Adams has a choice to make between the current quarterback and his entrenched head coach. Pick the head coach Bud, and try and land a new talent behind center.
15 New England (from Oakland) Julio Jones* WR/Alabama
(-6) Analysis: Tom Brady and his Patriots have flourished after Randy Moss was dealt from the squad. It would be a mistake to argue the team is better than when they had a legit down field threat despite their recent winning ways. Jones may have some diva in him but not to the level of Moss. And Jones has the natural physical ability Coach Belichick should be able to develop into a dominant offensive weapon.
16 Miami
Mark Ingram* RB/Alabama
(-3) Analysis: A team which prides itself on its toughness and ability to run the football has dropped 17 slots (4th to 21st) statistically when comparing its 2009 to 2010 rushing statistics. Ricky Williams has stated he will not be returning. Ronnie Brown may not return. The situation needs upgraded as both players have been either injury prone or aging. Bill Parcells has a history with Ingram’s father, and the talented back can become the team’s workhorse in 2011.