I ran that fanspeak mockulator about a dozen times, what it does for me that is most interesting (although highly speculatory at this point of course) is that it gives a rough idea of what players may be available when we pick. Pair that with what we need and as much as we know about our war room thinking (plus my bias) and several names really stick out to me, barring trades of course.
Rd 1: Doesn't sound like we are likely to take a DT in RD 1, we don't value them there and we have a decently deep rotation now, although we could use another rotation body. I think for us this pick seems to boil down to two positions: Pass-rushing DE and CB (depending on what we do here in the offseason, i.e. Brandon Carr namely). Looks like the bigger names in pass rushing that may be available here are Dante Fowler (UF), Shilique Calhoun (Mich St), and Nate Orchard (Utah). I think Fowler and Orchard are the more gifted pass-rushers but Calhoun looks like the safer pick and looks like he could replace Spencer pretty well, i.e. set the edge well and modestly rush the passer. On the CB side, Trae Waynes (Mich St) and PJ Williams (FSU) look like the best two CBs for us. My gut tells me one of the DEs is our pick here though.
Rd 2: If we go DE in Rd 1, Rds 2-4 become quite interesting. CB, DT, OL, with dark horses at RB, QB, and S become interesting. At CB, its possible that Darby (FSU) and Wayne Lyons are available which would be meh in Rd 2. The intriguing picks that sometimes surprisingly slip are RB Gurley (due to injury no doubt), RB Tevin Coleman (Indiana), DT Bennett (Ohio St), DT Malcolm Brown (UT), and S Gerod Holliman. I think DT Brown is intriguing but seems a lot like Josh Brent. Bennett seems like he could be more disruptive. Holliman is an interception machine and Gurley is a game changer if he comes back 100%. I tend to think our coaches like Church and Wilcox a lot more than I do and thus pass on Holliman. I think RB Coleman would be a good fit for us, but I also have a sneaking suspicion that we go out and get Adrian Peterson in the offseason which negates Gurley or Coleman as the selection here. There are also some good OTs/OGs available here (like Collins (OT LSU) or Matias/Jackson Gs FSU), but our interest will probably only begin if we ditch Free. I tend to believe that the front office will be hesitant to mess with the chemistry of its most cherished unit, the OL. Therefore, and based on value at pick, which the DTs represent over the CBs, I'd have to guess one of the DTs are the pick here.
Rd 3: This rd offers quite possibly a wide variety of ways to go. If we go DE and DT in Rds 1-2, keep Free, Ro McCLain, Dez, Beasely, Durant, and have the RB situation covered…, there could be a surprise here. Pending a FA CB signing, CB would appear to be the most dire need here but none available appear to be good value. There are one, possibly two QBs that I think will interest us; Bryce Petty and Shane Carden. OT Jake Fisher (Oregon) could help us with depth unless Free sticks and Parnell remains the backup. WRs Stephon Diggs (UM) has speed we could use and Tyler Lockett (KSU) could be a solid. However, we already have Twill at #2, Beasely, and drafted Street last year in the 4th or 5th. Diggs would have offer something pretty special in the KR game (although I think Dwayne Harris is allowed to walk). I think DE Odighizuwa (UCLA) is interesting here but at this point we would've used a first and a 2014 2nd and 3rd rounder on two DEs. Based on Jerry's need for flash, his near drafting of JFB last year, and Romo's perpetually questionable health, I think we may end up with QB Petty here. Diggs would be my #2 guess.
RD 4: This one seems more wide open. At this point a CB would make the most sense and could be the pick. No one on the board really stands out however.
