1-2-3 Mock

[sureletsrace]

See what I did there?

I'm hoping you enjoy my mock. I've been working on this for a few days now; please don't be too harsh.

I'm incorporating a trade of a player (a very realistic one).
This assumes we keep Spencer.

DAL trades Miles Austin to the Detroit Lions for their 4th round pick (99 overall).

18 | Jonathan Cooper | OG | Tarheels | 6'3" 310lb


What the experts say: Cooper is a smooth, coordinated athlete with fluid footwork and outstanding balance, blocking well on the move and constantly getting to the second level. Cooper lacks overpowering strength and needs to cut down on the penalties, but is an extremely effortless mover with explosive quickness in tight quarters. With an impressive senior season, Cooper, who is almost fully recovered from January shoulder surgery, could be the first offensive lineman out of North Carolina to be drafted in the first round since 1987 (Harris Barton).

47 | Kawann Short | DT | Boilermakers | 6'3" 308lb


What the experts say: Short is a large human being with a huge wingspan, using his long arms to bat down passes (11 pass break-ups) and make plays on special teams (4 blocked kicks). Short can be an immovable object in the middle of the field when he plays disciplined and generates power from his lower body. However, he too often gives streaky effort and doesn't consistently play with leverage. Short sees a lot of double-teams, but scouts want to see more of a mean streak and less passiveness. He has been productive over his first three seasons in West Lafayette, but there is also some negative game tape out there on him. And while Short will still be an attractive pro prospect because of his natural size and tools, he needs to prove he can be consistently more than just a plugging space-eater to cement his top-50 status.

80 | Stedman Bailey | WR | Mountaineers | 5'10" 195lb


What the experts say: STRENGTHS: Bailey tracks the ball very well and shows outstanding body control and timing on deep passes. He has excellent hand/eye coordination and is a natural hands-catcher, snatching it away from his body with strong hands and making tough catches look easy. Bailey is a balanced athlete with quick feet in/out of his breaks and the agility in the open field to make defenders miss. He is a smart route-runner and knows how to bait defenders and attract defensive pass interference penalties. Bailey shows excellent patience and burst in his routes with good stop-and-go motions to release at the line of scrimmage and gain a step or work back to the ball. He does a nice job gaining inside position and uses his body well, doing a nice job catching the ball in stride. Bailey has a RB-like build with a little bit of power for the position and strength to pick up yards after contact. He has some wiggle after the catch and is not always easy to bring down with his slippery run style.
Bailey was extremely productive over his career, setting several school records including career touchdown catches (39). He has good starting experience with 35 career starts the past three seasons, lining up all over the offense.
WEAKNESSES: Bailey lacks ideal height, length and leaping ability, lacking the large catching radius of other receivers. He doesn't have great explosiveness to beat defenders with speed alone, lacking the same suddenness as his teammate Tavon Austin. Bailey doesn't always appear invested in the play when it isn't designed to go his way. He has limited experience and production on special teams (11 career kick returns). He needs to play smarter, drawing a celebration penalty after a touchdown against Baylor (2012). He battled a gimpy left ankle much of the 2012 season and has some minor durability concerns. Bailey has some character concerns after he was cited for stealing over-the-counter cold medication in Jan. 2012.NFL Comparison: Mix of Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers and Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks - Bailey has the build and athleticism of Tate, but shows the toughness and downfield playmaking ability of Smith

99 | TJ McDonald | FS | Trojans | 6'2" 211lb


What the experts say: The physical and mental traits necessary to make those gains appear to be in place for McDonald to make that ascension in 2012. He certainly boasts the combination of size, speed, overall athleticism, hitting ability and ball skills that every NFL team is looking for. Because of his imposing frame and hitting ability, McDonald has often been compared to the highly touted safety he replaced at USC ? Taylor Mays. While McDonald is not the elite straight-line speed athlete that Mays is, nor is he as stiff in coverage, which is among the reasons why he'll ultimately earn a higher pick in the NFL draft than his former teammate.

111 | Khaled Holmes | C | Trojans | 6'3" 305lb


What the experts say: The wide-bodied Holmes projects nicely at any of the three interior positions in the NFL. He's quick off the snap, demonstrating the burst and agility to handle combo blocking, though he can be beaten to the point when asked to pull. He is powerful at the point of attack, showing good upper and lower body strength to get push in short yardage situations, making him an ideal candidate for a power-based scheme.

144 | Johnathan Franklin | RB | Bruins | 5'10" 201lb


What the experts say: Franklin boasts NFL-caliber speed and the ability to make defenders miss in tight quarters. He attacks the line of scrimmage and can squirt through in a blink, consistently giving the Bruins a big-play option from the running game. He's affectionately been nicknamed "Jetski" by some on the team due to his ability to leave defenders in his wake. The catchy nickname is fun, but I have concerns about how well he'll transition to the NFL. Franklin lacks the bulk of an NFL lead back so he'd likely have to make a roster as a third-down specialist. The problem is he hasn't demonstrated the reliable hands out of the backfield (25 career catches for just 194 yards and one score) nor is he a stout blocker in pass protection -- two traits normally associated with the speedy change-of-pace options NFL teams are increasingly employing in this era of specialization. Perhaps most alarming is that Franklin has struggled with ball security. He fumbled three times in a five game stretch last year and it has been a sporadic problem going back earlier in his career.

175 | Nick Kasa | TE | Buffaloes | 6'6" 271lb


What the experts say:
STRENGTHS: Thick, broad-shouldered athlete who physically looks the part. Possesses surprising straight-line speed and good mobility and balance, overall. Physical, competitive run-blocker. Strong hands to turn and seal defenders from the ball-carrier and has an idea of what his opponent is trying to accomplish based on his previous experience playing on the defensive line.Developing pass-catcher who routinely finished practices during his senior season catching 100 passes from the JUGS machine. Has the size/speed combination to be an effective special teams performer early in his career. Possesses clear untapped potential and could be an ascending player and matchup headache for defenses at tight end.
WEAKNESSES: Raw. Lacks awareness as a route-runner and too often fights the ball as pass-catcher. Plays a bit tight and bulky. Faster than he is quick and needs to show greater flexibility and explosiveness to generate separation. Has struggled with various bumps and bruises throughout his career, though none of the injuries caused him to miss considerable time, raising concerns about his toughness. Was knocked out of the Arizona game (2012) with concussion-like symptoms.
COMPARES TO: Kevin Boss, TE, New York Giants -- Like Boss (who hailed from Western Oregon), Kasa is a potential diamond in the rough who, with a little polishing, has the size and speed to develop into a potential NFL starter.



------------------------
Overview:


1 (18) Jonathan Cooper, OG
2 (47) Kawann Short, DT
3 (80) Stedman Bailey, WR
3 (99) TJ McDonald, S
4 (111) Khaled Holmes, C
5 (144) Johnathan Franklin, RB
6 (175) Nick Kasa, TE

[sureletsrace]

Before it gets ripped, I'd personally take Swearinger over McDonald.

I'm just going with McDonald based on a) Kiffin being in Dallas b) Dallas' fixation with height c) his knowledge of the system for an easy transition.

[Rack Bauer]

TJ at the 99th pick isn't a bad pick IMO.


I'd love this draft, but I don't see a couple of those guys falling that far.

[sureletsrace]

Originally Posted by Rack Bauer

TJ at the 99th pick isn't a bad pick IMO.


I'd love this draft, but I don't see a couple of those guys falling that far.

Thank you for your input.

I agree; however we both know there are risers and fallers in the draft. I used CBS Sports Prospect Rankings and went from there. I didn't reach based on their current rankings. It'd be a great draft, IMO. (Of course I'm a little biased.)

[DFWJC]

Originally Posted by sureletsrace

Before it gets ripped, I'd personally take Swearinger over McDonald.

I'm just going with McDonald based on a) Kiffin being in Dallas b) Dallas' fixation with height c) his knowledge of the system for an easy transition.

Love Swearinger, but he's not an option in the 4th and maybe not in 3rd--which is where I'd take if he was there in your draft(instead of the WR)

Like almost all of the OPs picks!

[Zordon]

love the rb from ucla.

[mickswag]

Good mock. I really like the Holmes pick, but I don't think he's going to make it to the third. Some team will take him before that, likely in the third. Don't think Bailey makes it to the third either but we'll see. Franklin would be a good get in the 5th.

[VACowboy]

Love Cooper, Bailey and Franklin.

[Boys122]

Good effort. I'd love this draft although I'm a bigger fan of Williams and Logan. T.J. Mcdonald there would be sweet.


Same with Holmes. If this were our draft I'd be thrilled.

[jterrell]

Very solid effort.

You didn't give us massive reaches or draft guys 5 rounds after they'll likely go.


I do think Dallas might take a chance on McDonald because he knows the scheme already. And his draft stock is r4-6 right now.

Only issue I see is I believe Franklin goes higher. He is a very complete back and at least as good as Tashard Choice who went in r4(as a considered steal).

From a personal standpoint I'd hate that we were so heavy defense again. Stedman is nice but losing Austin will require more than a mid-round rookie repalcement IMHO. We are thin at WR.

Short at 47 is a pick I really like. He'd be rotated in and out so motor is less a concern for me than it will be for others.

[IrishAnto]

Good effort!
I like it.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by sureletsrace

See what I did there?

I'm hoping you enjoy my mock. I've been working on this for a few days now; please don't be too harsh.

I'm incorporating a trade of a player (a very realistic one).
This assumes we keep Spencer.

DAL trades Miles Austin to the Detroit Lions for their 4th round pick (99 overall).

1 (18) Jonathan Cooper, OG
He is in the top 10 of the draft talent wise. He just drops due to position value.

2 (47) Kawann Short, DT
He might be the most talented DT, but he has character/work-ethic issues. He is even reported to be taking plays off in the Senior Bowl practices.

3 (80) Stedman Bailey, WR
He is a good WR. The idea of trading Austin could free up cap space to pursue a Lineman or Safety that most people might want at this pick.

3 (99) TJ McDonald, S
I don't like this pick. I have him as a 4th rounder at best. I would much much prefer Swearinger or multiple other Safeties.

4 (111) Khaled Holmes, C
I'm a huge fan of this player. Very underrated. Also, Center is almost a must-have for the Cowboys in this draft. You just can't get a good one in Free Agency.

5 (144) Johnathan Franklin, RB
Very good pick.

6 (175) Nick Kasa, TE
Very good pick.

[sureletsrace]

Originally Posted by xwalker

1 (18) Jonathan Cooper, OG
He is in the top 10 of the draft talent wise. He just drops due to position value.

2 (47) Kawann Short, DT
He might be the most talented DT, but he has character/work-ethic issues. He is even reported to be taking plays off in the Senior Bowl practices.

3 (80) Stedman Bailey, WR
He is a good WR. The idea of trading Austin could free up cap space to pursue a Lineman or Safety that most people might want at this pick.

3 (99) TJ McDonald, S
I don't like this pick. I have him as a 4th rounder at best. I would much much prefer Swearinger or multiple other Safeties.

4 (111) Khaled Holmes, C
I'm a huge fan of this player. Very underrated. Also, Center is almost a must-have for the Cowboys in this draft. You just can't get a good one in Free Agency.

5 (144) Johnathan Franklin, RB
Very good pick.

6 (175) Nick Kasa, TE
Very good pick.

Thanks xwalker. Always appreciated.

[JDSTAR]

Love it!! If we took Swearinger over McDonald, it would be perfect. Love the work you put into it. The trade seems fair as well.

[IAmLegend]

This would be an incredible draft but I really don't see Bailey or Franklin falling that far. Franklin's had a great showing at the Senior Bowl from what I've been reading and Bailey will run great at the combine and show off his impressive separation skills and great hands.

I'd rather have Jefferson or Rambo over TJ McDonald in terms of coverage ability but I agree that Kiffin will want him. I really like Swearinger in the 3rd but he's not a Jason Garrett kind of guy so I'd be really surprised if we picked him. He'd certainly add some much needed toughness and a "mean streak" to our D though.

Overall really good mock. Here's to hoping.