FA needs-based mock

[gimmesix]

I expect these needs to change some before the draft, but right now, we have to have these players to fill out the roster:

Two DEs, two RBs, 1 FB, 1 backup QB, 1 interior linemen, possibly at least one CB and/or S

So here's a mock based on that (using Scout, Inc. rankings):

1 (4) — Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (or Oregon DE DeForest Buckner)

2 (34) — Alabama RB Derrick Henry (or Michigan State QB Connor Cook)

3 (67) — Penn State DE Carl Nassib (or North Carolina State QB Jacoby Brissett or Indiana RB Jordan Howard)

4 (101) — Louisiana Tech RB Kenneth Dixon (or Grand Valley State DE Matt Judon)

4 (155) — Stanford QB Kevin Hogan (or Iowa C Austin Blythe)

6 (189) — UCLA G Alex Raymond (or Notre Dame S Alex Shumate)

6 (212) — Ole Miss S Trae Elston (or Northwestern CB Nick Vanhoose)

6 (216) — San Jose State CB Cleveland Wallace (or Northwestern FB Dan Vitale)

6 (217) Northwestern FB Dan Vitale (Arkansas RB Jonathan Williams)

So draft A is: DE Joey Bosa, RB Derrick Henry, DE Carl Nassib, RB Kenneth Dixon, QB Kevin Hogan, G Alex Raymond, S Trae Elston, CB Cleveland Wallace and FB Dan Vitale

Draft B is: DE DeForest Buckner, QB Connor Cook, RB Jordan Howard, DE Matt Judon, C Austin Blythe, S Alex Shmate, CB Nick Vanhoose, FB Dan Vitale, RB Jonathan Williams

 

[AKATheRake]

All makes sense.

I'll take Buckner over Bosa please.

 

[gimmesix]

With Dunbar re-signing, our need for running backs is reduced to one

So here's the updated mock (with one non-needs choice):

1 (4) — Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (or Oregon DE DeForest Buckner)

2 (34) — Mississippi State DT Robert Nkemdiche (or Alabama RB Derrick Henry)

3 (67) — Indiana RB Jordan Howard (or Penn State DE Carl Nassib)

4 (101) — Grand Valley State DE Matt Judon (or Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott)

4 (155) — Stanford QB Kevin Hogan (or Iowa C Austin Blythe)

6 (189) — UCLA G Alex Raymond (or Notre Dame S Alex Shumate)

6 (212) — Ole Miss S Trae Elston (or Northwestern CB Nick Vanhoose)

6 (216) — San Jose State CB Cleveland Wallace (or Northwestern FB Dan Vitale)

6 (217) — Northwestern FB Dan Vitale (or Southeastern Missouri State WR Paul McRoberts)

 

[egn22]

Think this is really accurate

 

[Aven8]

With Dunbar re-signing, our need for running backs is reduced to one

So here's the updated mock (with one non-needs choice):

1 (4) — Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (or Oregon DE DeForest Buckner)

2 (34) — Mississippi State DT Robert Nkemdiche (or Alabama RB Derrick Henry)

3 (67) — Indiana RB Jordan Howard (or Penn State DE Carl Nassib)

4 (101) — Grand Valley State DE Matt Judon (or Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott)

4 (155) — Stanford QB Kevin Hogan (or Iowa C Austin Blythe)

6 (189) — UCLA G Alex Raymond (or Notre Dame S Alex Shumate)

6 (212) — Ole Miss S Trae Elston (or Northwestern CB Nick Vanhoose)

6 (216) — San Jose State CB Cleveland Wallace (or Northwestern FB Dan Vitale)

6 (217) — Northwestern FB Dan Vitale (or Southeastern Missouri State WR Paul McRoberts)

The Dunbar signing changed your mock?? Lol

 

[gimmesix]

The Dunbar signing changed your mock?? Lol

This mock is based on needs, hence "needs-based mock."

As I explained in the first post, we were in need of two running backs because the only one we had (before Dunbar's signing) who was going to make the team was McFadden. Therefore, I had two running backs in the first mock.

Since Dunbar has re-signed, we only "need" one running back, so therefore the mock was changed ... which I was happy to do because I want to take advantage of this deep DT class. In the first mock, we had as many holes in the 53-man roster as picks.

 

[gimmesix]

OK, a couple of moves change the needs-based draft: Picking up RB Albert Morris and Oakland not matching the offer for DE Benson Mayowa. (I'm going to wait on the Patrick Robinson signing because I want to see how that affects Carr's position on the team.)

I don't see the Mayowa signing as removing our need for a starting DE, and I believe the Morris signing lowers our RB need but doesn't remove it because McFadden and Dunbar are essentially on one-year deals with Dunbar coming off a major injury.

Again, I'm using Scout Inc's rankings.


1 (4) — Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (or Oregon DE DeForest Buckner)

2 (34) — Mississippi State DT Robert Nkemdiche (or Michigan State QB Connor Cook)

3 (67) — North Carolina State QB Jacoby Brissett (or Penn State DE Carl Nassib)

4 (101) — Grand Valley State DE Matt Judon (or Louisiana Tech RB Kenneth Dixon)

4 (155) — Iowa C Austin Blythe (or Maryland DT Quinton Jefferson)

6 (189) — Notre Dame RB C.J. Prossise (or UCLA G Alex Raymond)

6 (212) — Ole Miss S Trae Elston (or Northwestern CB Nick Vanhoose)

6 (216) — San Jose State CB Cleveland Wallace (or Northwestern FB Dan Vitale)

6 (217) — Northwestern FB Dan Vitale (or Iowa S Jordan Lomax)

The predominant needs left are starting DE, backup QB and starting FB. We also need another interior OL backup and depth at S and CB. We don't necessarily have to have another DT, a second DE or an RB in this draft, but there is depth that can be upgraded at those spots.

 

[gimmesix]

With Dallas signing Joe Looney, it eliminates the need for an interior lineman (unless Dallas does something like trading Leary). There's still the possibility Dallas could draft a backup (especially at tackle to battle for a roster spot with Charles Brown), but the Cowboys essentially have the nine OL they will probably take into the season.

So, in this update, I'm eliminating players who would have been drafted to fill that backup need.

Again, I'm using Scout Inc's rankings.


1 (4) — Ohio State DE Joey Bosa (or CB/S Jalen Ramsey)

2 (34) — Virginia Tech CB Kendall Fuller (or Michigan State QB Connor Cook)

3 (67) — Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott (or Penn State DE Carl Nassib)

4 (101) — Grand Valley State DE Matt Judon (or Louisiana Tech RB Kenneth Dixon)

4 (155) — Virgina Tech ILB Nick Vigil (or Maryland DT Quinton Jefferson)

6 (189) — Notre Dame RB C.J. Prossise (or Stanford DE Aziz Shittu)

6 (212) — Ole Miss S Trae Elston (or Northwestern CB Nick Vanhoose)

6 (216) — North Dakota State OT Joe Haeg (or Northwestern FB Dan Vitale)

6 (217) — Northwestern FB Dan Vitale (or North Dakota State OT Joe Haeg)

Based on our FA search, it appears that the two major areas we're still trying to address are DE and CB. It also appears the we're going more for able bodies than for studs, which makes me believe DE will be a top consideration at No. 4, along with CB and QB.

I would have preferred taking one of the DTs in the second round, but I think the need at QB and CB prevail. (If QB or CB/S is addressed in the first round, I also will not be surprised to see a DE like Clemson's Kevin Dodd taken in the second.)

Despite Dak Prescott being rated by Scout Inc. as a fourth-round pick, Dallas' interest in him makes me believe that they value him more than that.

Outside of the first three picks and FB, most of the others are to take care of depth needs at DE (we need five because of Gregory's suspension and have two); CB (we have three we can depend on); RB (we have enough depth there but need youth); S (we need to at least replace McCray); and OT (possibly to replace Brown).

The ILB and DT picks in the fourth are not necessary for depth since we don't need to replace any of the linebackers or remaining DTs, but can at least provide competition for those roster spots. Based on who's available valuewise at that pick, though, we could up the competition at WR with someone like Jalin Marshall or TE with Bryce Williams instead.