Kiper Invitational chatter

[Floatyworm]

Brian O'neill was an absolute steal at the bottom of the 3rd...he had a 2nd Rd grade.

I was tempted but seems like a waste to put him at OG....titans are set for next decade at OT w/ Conklin and Lewman.

meh....he was getting abused @ the Sr Bowl.

 

[cowboyec]

I didn't get to see it but I heard he had a rough week.
He was one of my candidates to be a possible swing Tackle for our Cowboys.

I really like Will Richardson,NC St...he could move inside to OG...nice get in 4th if he's there.

 

[tm1119]

Shout out to @Risen for getting this done in 1 night. 1 of the smoothest drafts we’ve ever had so everyone did a good job really

 

[Pape]

Thanks Risen. I had a lot of fun, and learned a bit as well. Been a very long time since I have done a mock like this.

And thanks to all the gm's out there who were willing to work trades / listen to proposals.

Hopefully y'all will have me back next year.

 

[Risen Star]

My favorite pick per round, not including my own....

1st - Vita Vea 14th to Green Bay

2nd - Dallas Goedert 60th to Pittsburgh

3rd - Geron Christian 95th to New England

4th - Mark Walton 137th to Dallas

I took Penny at 88. I almost took Walton there.

 

[tm1119]

Are we doing a separate thread for posting our draft thoughts? Or just do it all here. I actually like reading people’s thought process on what they did/didn’t do in the draft.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Lol-When I think of who he was soooo excited about it makes me laugh harder.

 

[Risen Star]

Are we doing a separate thread for posting our draft thoughts? Or just do it all here. I actually like reading people’s thought process on what they did/didn’t do in the draft.

Yeah just do it here. We don't want to clutter this zone any more than we have.

 

[tm1119]

Yeah just do it here. We don't want to clutter this zone any more than we have.

Oops, too late lol. If a mod wants to move the thread I just created that’s fine.

 

[Pape]

I have about half the draft grades so far, will send pm when done. Pick I really liked was a Cowboy Zone pick - Houston getting Justin Reid in the 3rd was killer.

As for the New England Draft, I really wanted to address three areas - CB, OT and D-Line/Linebacker.

Josh Jackson I am high on, and felt the move was worth it. Besides, BB hardly ever does it, so I wanted to experience the "thrill" of moving up in the draft, lol. In retrospect, I should have been paying better attention - Furboy stole Josh Allen at 17. Bradys successor all lined up and I swung and missed that one.

will add some thoughts on the other NE picks later on.

 

[DFWJC]

CAROLINA PANTHER draft

Needs to be addressed via draft or free agency:

• Wide receiver—this is a critical need
  
• Secondary---need to continue to upgrade these groups
  
• Defensive End—they just cut Charles Johnson and Peppers is old
  
• Defensive tackle depth or starter—they expect to lose a starter in FA here
  
• Interior oline depth—they get guys back from injury but could use depth or even a starter here
• TE if Olsen can't get healthy

Starting picks: 24, 55, 85, 88

After two trades, I ended up with picks: 24, 49, 85, 114, 133


Round 1 pick 24:

Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

Very talented, smooth, physical and aggressive cover corner. A true "press" corner.
I think he still needs some polishing, but liked the value enough here to take him at 24.

This also fills a team need.


Round 2, pick 49:

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma St

Vertical talent with great ball tracking skills and acceleration.
He should complement the tall, rangy Devin Funchess well and may end up the team's #1.

A huge need pick with value as well. Many mocks I looked at had the Panthers taking him in the first round, so getting him a full round later was nice.


Round 3, pick 85

Hayden Hurst, TE, S. Carolina

Not too many weaknesses in this guy's game. Very good at separating and making the catch in or out of traffic. A willing and physical blocker and strong runner after the catch.

Will not be surprised if Hurst goes late in the 1st round and almost certainly no later than the 2nd. With Olsen having a very hard time staying on the field the last two years, and with Carolina not afraid of using two TEs a times, Hurst will see the field a lot this year . I considered taking Austin Corbett here but just couldn't pass up this perceived value.

Round 4, pick 114

Chad Thomas, DE, Miami

This guy has everything physically and talent-wise to be a star. 6'6", 275, with power and agility. So athletic he can go from speed or power rush to coverage with that size.

A negative is that some do wonder if his heart is fully in because he's supposedly an extremely talented musician. He claims it's no problem at all, and getting a freak like this at pick 114 is worth that risk for me. He is projected my most for the 2nd or 3rd round..usually in the 60s.

DE is a very big need for Carolina, so this fit for me both for need and value.


Round 4, pick 133

RJ McIntosh, DT, Miami

6'4" 293. "Rocky" the explosion and power to penetrate gaps from the inside and agility to bend off the edge. The Panthers need some depth and versatility on the defensive interior, so I like McIntosh this late in the draft. I consider taking either Chad Thomas (who I took), McIntosh or Desean Elliott at 114. So I was happy that McIntosh was still there at 133.

 

[KingintheNorth]

Oakland Raiders
1(31) Derrius Guice RB LSU
2(41) Ronnie Harrison S Alabama
2(43) Malik Jefferson OLB Texas
2(47) D.J. Moore WR Maryland
3(74) Rashaan Gaulden CB Tennessee



I went into this draft wanting to add some weapons for Chucky and fill a few holes on defense. The opportunity to trade down twice allowed me to add additional players, who I feel will have both an immediate and long-term effect on the Raiders’ success. Once I realized the price to move up and get Saquan Barkley was more than I wanted to pay, I focused on Derrius Guice and where I felt he would go in the draft. Guice is a home run threat and will form a great 1-2 punch with Marshawn Lynch, before eventually settling in as the feature back. Ronnie Harrison was incredible value at 41 and teams with Karl Joseph to give Oakland two, talented young safeties. What would a Raiders draft be without an athletic freak and Malik Jefferson definitely fits that bill. He will compete for the Mike linebacker job and should benefit from the Raiders talented pass rush. D.J. Moore gives the offense a dangerous playmaker. The Steve Smith-clone will replace Michael Crabtree. Nickelback Rashaan Golden has that Raider swagger and will be a valuable member of the secondary.

 

[tm1119]

Started a thread but a mod should probably just delete it...

1st- Josh Rosen QB UCLA- The way I saw it from the Bills perspective was to either make a bold move or overpay a QB like Tyrod Taylor and whittle away in mediocrity. Obviously I chose the former and made the trade up. Looking back, I probably should have held out and at least kept my 3rd round pick this year, but wasn’t going to let that get in the way of a trade for a potential franchise QB. The Bills scouting department also didn’t love the depth in the 1st round of this draft, we were afraid to end up with very uninspiring franchise building blocks like what the Giants got in Lamar Jackson and Connor Williams (shots fired!). Rosen brings hope to a Bills franchise that hasn’t had any in a long time.

2nd- Equanimeous St Brown WR Notre Dame- Kid is an absolute freak, personally I see him going much higher than this after the combine. The QB play was so bad at ND that his skills couldn’t be showcased, with his raw ability and size I see a potential #1 WR. Should matchup great with Rosen’s big arm for years to come.
-Tim Settle was going to be the pick here before he was snatched up 1 pick ahead of me. Harrison Phillips was also in strong consideration but went with a WR to pair with the new QB instead.

4th- Nick Nelson CB Wisconsin- Very underrated player. The biggest knock on him is his lack of INT’s, but consistently made plays on the ball covering the opposing teams #1. I see a solid overall player who should contribute early and shows the ability to develop into a good #2 CB.

4th- Breeland Speaks DT Ole Miss- Traded for this pick knowing the Bills need a lot of help at DL this year Dareus gone and Williams being an old UFA.

Not a lot of talk about him but I think there will be a lot of people surprised when they see this 280+ lb man move. Came out a year earlier than he should have and played out of position at Ole Miss but I really like his potential playing inside at the NFL level. Quick 1st step and uses his hands really well, if he can add weight and strength he could be a very good DT in a couple of years. Subpackage pass rusher early in his career.
-I had a heavy debate of RJ McIntosh vs Speaks for this pick but McIntosh went right before me again making it an easy decision

 

[Alexander]

My thought process going in for the Browns was to address as many open holes on the roster as I could, but while at the same time, understanding that this is still an 0-16 team and nobody is a sacred cow. Looking at the Browns' current roster, it is not as bad as you would think for a winless team though. They have a stud left tackle, decent OL and DL, some TEs, a budding star in Myles Garrett, solid linebackers.

My priorities were in order: QB, RB, FS, WR, nickel back, OL depth and any extra pass rushers I could get. My goal was that I wanted to come out of the first three rounds getting four needs filled with the picks I had and look for value along the way..

The start off with, the first pick was definitely going to be a QB. They have to find one and if it means throwing another first at it so be it. The decision came down to Rosen and Darnold only. Darnold's upside was a little more attractive and there is something about Rosen's build that makes me thing he will get injured a good bit. This was not that difficult of a decision as I anticipate the Browns will sign a veteran in free agency and Darnold can develop.

I was completely prepared to use the 4th pick initially.

1. I could draft Barkley to have a 1-2 duo to jumpstart the franchise.
2. I could take Minkah Fitzpatrick or Derwin James to play FS so I could move Jabrill Peppers back into a box safety where he did not have to line up 20 yards downfield. It was a tough debate between the two. Both are conversion-candidates so that did not make things easier. I ended up preferring James. The only thing holding me back was his poor final season.

I had several trade offers on the table that became attractive the more I considered them. After some thought, and weighing the pros and cons, I elected to take a trade down to the 12th pick and adding multiple thirds in a fourth. The main thought process here is after all, this is an 0-16 team and I needed to kill it with talent since Hue Jackson is the worst head coach in the league. I figured if I doubled down in the third, I could capitalize on the meat of this draft.

When the 12th pick rolled around, I was very happy to take Denzel Ward. There was only one other player I really wanted there and that was Calvin Ridley. He is an instant sticky corner who could start right away and push either Jason McCourty or Brien Boddy-Calhoun to the slot duty. If Ward was gone, I probably would have bailed on that pick as well as this was about the cut off point in the top tier of prospects I would consider for the Browns.

The second round started off with the Christian Kirk selection. This was another situation where it was a perfect fit between target and opportunity since I was sweating it out as the first round concluded. I wanted a slot receiver and he is just one of the best at the role. Kirk could start off there and be insurance for Gordon flaking out again. I also don't think Ricardo Lewis or Rashard Higgins are that great. As far as other considerations here, I also liked Derrius Guice a lot, but he went a pick ahead of me.

Pick 35 was one I had to go over in my mind the most. I elected to go with Sony Michel there. I know I like him more than a lot of people. But I think he has a great chance to be a spark plug and a steal in the second much like Dalvin Cook was briefly for the Vikings last year. He just has to get a grip on the fumbles, but everything else is there. I thought about taking my shot at interior DL or pass rusher here but elected to go with the scoring threat.

As the second round progressed, I was shocked to see that three players I thought about taking earlier were still floating around in Da'Shawn Hand, Tavan Bryan, Justin Reid and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. It was about to come down a tough decision but Minnesota snatched Hand. That still left me with two of those at the top of my board still left. I could not send the PM fast enough. Bryan could immediately function as the penetrating interior lineman to pair with big Danny Shelton. The Browns have a good partner now with Travon Coley and it was not a real "need". Bryan was a huge value to me. Okoronkwo was another player I didn't need since the Browns already have Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah. When I thought of how they could slide Ogbah inside put Oko and and turn loose holy hell, it was an easy pickup. Gregg Williams will have a lot of fun with these two. The only drawback is that I really wanted Justin Reid too but I always value pass rush over secondary.

The third round started and I wanted to come out of it with the FS need put to bed and getting the tackle depth I wanted to push Shon Coleman at RT and maybe work at LT if Joe Thomas retires soon. It looked for a minute that I would have Reid fall into my lap, but he ended up going to the Texans. My board at this stage had Hayden Hurst, Tyrell Crosby, Jamarco Jones, Kyzer White, Brian O'Neill, Hercules Matafaa and Geron Christian in that order. Hurst was a strong consideration just due to the value alone. But the Browns just spent a prime pick on Njoku last year and also have Seth DeValve. I had to then decide which of the tackles were the best. I liked White, but he really does not have the centerfield mentality. Matafaa was a little bit of greed, but Williams having a toy that can rush like he can was very appealing and he was a great value, like Hurst. I went with Crosby as he could play either tackle spot and push to start at right tackle. As the third round progressed, the same thing that happened in the second started happening again. Several of the WRs like Simmie Cobbs, Daeshaun Hamilton and Deon Cain kept slipping. I actually forgot about Pettis and had to double check to see if I missed him getting taken. He was another quick pick and then I got to take Matafaa for the value. Pettis can step in as the returner taking that off of Peppers plate. Matafaa could convert to be linebacker depth. But for now, he could be a wildcard toy for Williams to use situationally.

The fourth round was basically just looking for value, but the FS need was still lingering. This is a bad draft for safeties with range to begin with, so I gambled Kameron Kelly would make it to me and he did. He can play CB or S and could compete as there is nothing on the roster in terms of FS to compete with Kai Nacua.

Overall, I was very happy with who I had a shot at with the only regret being missing out on getting the FS starter I wanted.

This was a lot of picks to take and maybe I got a little greedy with the trade down. Ultimately though, until they get a new head coach, they are going to have to out talent their opponents to even win a football game.

 

[Risen Star]

I expected Cleveland's draft class wrap up to be available in paperback.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (BrainPaint)
1(7) Derwin James S Florida St.
2(38) Kolton Miller T UCLA
3(69) Duke Ejiofor DE Wake Forest
4(108) JC Jackson CB Maryland


This was what I call a meat and tater draft.

I went into this draft hoping to address 3-4 areas but at the same time trying to get BPA plus need in each area.

I wanted to address

1. Oline OT and/or OG if possible for the QB.
2. DE for the Defense
3. Secondary with a S and a CB if possible.
4. RB since it looks like Martin will be gone

In the first round I was two picks away from the best DE coming to my selection in Bradley. But someone finally came to their senses and grabbed him at 5.
Risen's NY team took my next wish in Minkah.
So it came down to a local product for the S position in Derwin James.

In the Second round Two teams snatched the to RBs I wanted there in Jones and Michel and again just one pick before me Risen's NY team took the next player I wanted in C/OG James Daniels from Iowa.
Damn you Risen lol. So I took a OT that Mel Kiper has rated in the top 15 of his last mock.

In the third I was debating between K. Johnson RB Auburn or DE D.Ejifor from Wake Forest. I made the decision to gamble on K.J falling more or another RB I liked falling and thought it more likely than Duke falling.
The VERY NEXT pick someone took RB K. Johnson.

In the Fourth round I was going back and fourth with RB Freeman from Oregon and JC Jackson from Maryland. Even had Freemans name listed in a PM to go to Risen and at the last few minutes I changed my mind.
I had to decide who I rated higher and for various reasons. Both had warts but both had high upsides IMO. Freeman has had some injury issues, Jackson has off the field issues. I think I could still get a good RB down the draft so I went with a player that I felt has a great upside and at one time was at Florida. So I went with the CB to help their secondary a good deal. They got a QB already, they got some talented WRs and a Talented TE. I think I could get another RB later in the draft like Akrum Wadley from Iowa, John Kelly from Tennessee, Josh Adams from ND, Roc Thomas from Jacksonville state, Darrell Williams LSU, Ralf Webb Vandy or Phillip Lindsey from Colorado. So I had plenty of RBs I could have went with in the later rounds.

So I don't see mine as being a super draft, but a good meat and taters draft that should help the Buccaneers going forward.

 

[Oh_Canada]

CAROLINA PANTHER draft

Needs to be addressed via draft or free agency:

• Wide receiver—this is a critical need
  
• Secondary---need to continue to upgrade these groups
  
• Defensive End—they just cut Charles Johnson and Peppers is old
  
• Defensive tackle depth or starter—they expect to lose a starter in FA here
  
• Interior oline depth—they get guys back from injury but could use depth or even a starter here
• TE if Olsen can't get healthy

Starting picks: 24, 55, 85, 88

After two trades, I ended up with picks: 24, 49, 85, 114, 133


Round 1 pick 24:

Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

Very talented, smooth, physical and aggressive cover corner. A true "press" corner.
I think he still needs some polishing, but liked the value enough here to take him at 24.

This also fills a team need.


Round 2, pick 49:

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma St

Vertical talent with great ball tracking skills and acceleration.
He should complement the tall, rangy Devin Funchess well and may end up the team's #1.

A huge need pick with value as well. Many mocks I looked at had the Panthers taking him in the first round, so getting him a full round later was nice.


Round 3, pick 85

Hayden Hurst, TE, S. Carolina

Not too many weaknesses in this guy's game. Very good at separating and making the catch in or out of traffic. A willing and physical blocker and strong runner after the catch.

Will not be surprised if Hurst goes late in the 1st round and almost certainly no later than the 2nd. With Olsen having a very hard time staying on the field the last two years, and with Carolina not afraid of using two TEs a times, Hurst will see the field a lot this year . I considered taking Austin Corbett here but just couldn't pass up this perceived value.

Round 4, pick 114

Chad Thomas, DE, Miami

This guy has everything physically and talent-wise to be a star. 6'6", 275, with power and agility. So athletic he can go from speed or power rush to coverage with that size.

A negative is that some do wonder if his heart is fully in because he's supposedly an extremely talented musician. He claims it's no problem at all, and getting a freak like this at pick 114 is worth that risk for me. He is projected my most for the 2nd or 3rd round..usually in the 60s.

DE is a very big need for Carolina, so this fit for me both for need and value.


Round 4, pick 133

RJ McIntosh, DT, Miami

6'4" 293. "Rocky" the explosion and power to penetrate gaps from the inside and agility to bend off the edge. The Panthers need some depth and versatility on the defensive interior, so I like McIntosh this late in the draft. I consider taking either Chad Thomas (who I took), McIntosh or Desean Elliott at 114. So I was happy that McIntosh was still there at 133.

You're hired!!

 

[KingintheNorth]

I also liked Derrius Guice a lot, but he went a pick ahead of me.

Yeah he did.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Arizona Draft

1.Baker Mayfield--moved up from fifteen to nine by giving up my second and picking up an additional fourth. For me, Mayfield is the best QB in the class, I was gambling he would go a little later after Darnold and Rosen and luckily got it right. Can proudly say I drafted Garoppolo in the second and Prescott in the third in Risen's mocks so hoping to catch lightning in a bottle again.

3.Kemoko Turay, DE-I think the Cardinals need dline help after Jones and maybe Corey Peters there isn't much else there....new coach is not committing to any one alignment and Turay is the type of athlete that could be a rush end in a 4-3 or play OLB in the 3-4. His upside is too good to pass up here.

3b.Wyatt Teller, OG-Admittedly this wasn't my first choice as I wanted Pettis but there was a mix up when sending in the pick. Teller is probably a bit of a reach for professional mockers, but he has all the tools to be very good and was in 2016....his play seriously dropped off in '17 not sure why.

4.Trey Quinn, WR-Just a hunch, but I think this guy rises up boards after the combine. He has all the tools and was very highly regarded out of H.S. Huge 2017 really raised his profile and would be a nice target for Mayfield inside or even as an outside receiver.

4b.Justin Jones-DT-Truthfully was hoping Shepard would drop here, I do like Jones as a stout, very tough one-tech for this defense. He was terrific during Senior Bowl week.

 

[Avery]

Lord Mara has sent me to trumpet the success of his organization prior to his monthly pilgrimage to Hades.

What he doesn't want you to know is that this team needs a lot of help. The OL is a complete mess, Eli's eyeing the couch and only one of out their four top LB's are under contract for the upcoming season. The DL is talented though a bit long in the tooth and the secondary, albeit talented on paper, hates each other. We need to get some RKG's into the fold but weigh current talent along the way.

That starts with turning the #2 pick into multiple picks to address all the holes. We also picked up an additional 3rd rounder in 2019 from Buffalo and hope the worst for them this year.

1(21) Lamar Jackson QB Louisville

Is he a franchise QB? His athleticism at the position is elite and not seen since Michael Vick. His accuracy and footwork will be honed while the offense will be geared towards his talent with additional pass/run options worked into the playbook. Even if we find he's not a QB, he's a special athlete and we can always find a way to use him to our advantage.

1(22) Connor Williams T Texas

Flowers is an awful LT. Williams struggled with injuries this last year, but he's the best hope for a replacement and checks all the boxes on what you look for in a franchise tackle. He's scheme-diverse and can kick over to the opposing tackle side or inside if he struggles with the speed, but we think he'll do just fine.

2(34) Ronald Jones RB USC

Lightning in a bottle. Hopefully this year's version of Alvin Kamara. He's a 10-15 carry kind of guy who we will work extensively to hone in the passing game as he should be able to excel in it, but wasn't required to at USC. Will pair in the backfield as a change of pace guy.

2(53) Frank Ragnow C Arkansas

Arguably the best center in the draft. No-nonsense guy with good character who will fit in with the lunch-pail mentality we're looking to build into the team.

3(66) Josey Jewell ILB Iowa

A vocal leader who just makes tackles. Not an athletic specimen but just seems to be in the right space at the right time. Your Mike starter day one and learn through the growing pains.

3(96) Lorenzo Carter OLB Georgia

Freak athlete who hasn't produced as much as his triangle numbers say he should. Will likely shoot up boards after the combine. Will be a situational pass rusher at first and can hopefully be a good Will with the size and speed to match up with TE's.

4(102) Tegray Scales ILB Indiana

Did nothing but make tackles in the Big Ten. Great character, won't wow you with measurables, but like Jewell, was always in the right place at the right time. With hope, will command the SLB and give us our future LB corps with Jewell/Carter.

4(135) Brendan Mahon G Penn St.

Blocked the way at tackle for the best player in the draft in Barkley. Will kick inside for us and command an OG spot as his run-blocking is on point, but pass protection and handling the speed is why he's available this late.