First Mock, New Coaches/Approach

[Future]

Offense: McCarthy should be a lot more focused on getting players in space - screens, quick passes. Need some more athleticism to do that, but don't expect nearly as much ground and pound. Little need for a blocking TE, as they should be spread a lot more.

Defense: Nolan means we should expect a lot more blitzing, varying looks, and disguised coverage. Should play downhill a lot more, looking to make big plays, but that requires more athleticism and guys with some more position flex.

Re-sign: Dak, Cooper, Byron, Jarwin, M. Collins, A Woods, J Heath, R Quinn, M Bennett
FA Adds: M. Mariota, Spencer Ware, CJ Ham, Kevin Johnson, T Karras
Trade: David Njoku (post-draft)

1. 17 - Isaiah Simmons, S/LB, Clemson Gives you a ton of flex for different looks out of the nickel. Allows you go to with a bigger 4-2 or a dynamic 3-3-5 with Jaylon and LVE. In base sets, he can play either spot, and covers well enough that you're not hugely disadvantaged in base against passing personnel (11). Can exploit offensive weaknesses.
2. 51 - Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU Feel like he's being slept on, but is a dynamic player. Tyreek Hill clone. Fits well with McCarthy, b/c he can make a guy miss and is a good enough route runner that he's difficult to cover both in the slot or on deep routes. More than just a burner, gives you the best WR corps in the game.

3. 82 - Leki Fotu, DT, Utah Spells Woods in base packages right away without much of a dropoff. Doesn't have 3-down upside, but is forceful against the run and athletic enough to be more than just a space eater.

4. 113 - Malik Harrison, MLB, Ohio State Day 1 starter at Mike in base sets. Outstanding physicality at the POA and immediately helps your run defense - doesn't depend on running free to make a tackle. Stack and shed is NFL ready, and plays with smart leverage. Not a good enough athlete to play in the nickel or be effective in pass coverage, but a grinder in the middle. Doesn't miss tackles. Rashaan Evans type. Changes the complexion of the defense.

5. 156 - Damon Hamlin, S, Pitt Like Harrison, good but not great athlete but plays physical and aggressive. Probably projects more as a backup than a starting safety, but is smart and strong. Good instincts in the passing game and a good tackler. Well balanced player, brings some juice. Not really a great play, but I like the attitude here:

7. 233 - Javon Leake, RB, Maryland Probably left before he should, but has more upside than a Mike Weber. Won't make the day 1 roster, but can be an effective third-down/spell back eventually. Doesn't break many tackles, but has good vision and can fly. A lot like Raheem Mostert, I think.


Roster:

QB - Dak, Mariota
RB - Zeke, Pollard, S. Ware, CJ Ham
WR - Cooper, Gallup, Reagor, Devin Smith, Jon'vea Johnson, Cedrick Wilson
TE - Jarwin, Njoku, Schultz
T - Tyron, Collins, Wyatt Miller, Brandon Knight
G - Martin, Williams, McGovern
C - Frederick, T Karras

DE - DLaw, R Quinn, D Armstrong, Joe Jackson, J Jelks, M Bennett
DT - M Collins, T Hill, A Woods, L Fotu, D Ross
LB - Jaylon, LVE, I Simmons, L Gifford, M Harrison, J March
CB - Byron, Chido, Lewis, K Johnson, C Westry
S - X Woods, J Heath, D Wilson, D Hamlin

I can be convinced into a lot of changes in the bottom of the roster, I went a bit on the assumption that some younger guys made a jump. Draft rankings will likely change too.

Have at it.

 

[Sydla]

I like Hamlin as a late round guy. I seem to recall last year he was viewed as a guy much higher in the pecking order but seems to have slipped a bit. I like Fotu a lot too. Finally some real bulk in the middle.

I like Simmons but he seems like a real niche, specialty player. We won't be in our base D a lot, but enough that I wonder if you get value in taking him at 17. In other words, if we play base defense say 30% of the time and you say Harrison starts at MIKE, I assume that means Smith and LVE are at the SAM and WILL spots. Where is Simmons playing? SS?

 

[Future]

I like Hamlin as a late round guy. I seem to recall last year he was viewed as a guy much higher in the pecking order but seems to have slipped a bit. I like Fotu a lot too. Finally some real bulk in the middle.

If Harrison starts at the MIKE in base sets, is Smith playing the SAM with LVE at WILL? Where is Simmons then playing? Is he starting at SS? You can't have your #1 pick not be on the field a lot so with LVE and Smith already in place and you say Harrison is the Day 1 starter at MIKE in the base D, I can only assume Simmons starts at the SS spot?

I like Simmons but he seems like a real niche, specialty player and if he's not starting here I am not sure I see the value in using your #1 pick on that guy.

Yes, Simmons at SS. They're in nickel like 65% of the time, so "base" is really only like 1/3 of the plays. I didn't say it well, but I think that starting Day 1 is more what Harrison is capable of, rather than what will happen.

I go back and forth on Simmons - he is a niche guy and there's no way I would have taken him with the previous regime. I just think he's a guy worth carving one out for, especially when there's a lot of talent already in place.

 

[Hardline]

Simmons will be a top 10 pick.

Reagor is a real possibility of going in the bottom of round 1

Zero chance of getting either one.

 

[Future]

Simmons will be a top 10 pick.

Reagor is a real possibility of going in the bottom of round 1

Zero chance of getting either one.

Not true at all. Brugler had Simmons at 18 - Derwin James was basically the same player and went 17. Reagor could go round 1, he could also be the 8th WR off the board.

Likely, not really. But it's not far-fetched.

 

[texbumthelife]

Not true at all. Brugler had Simmons at 18 - Derwin James was basically the same player and went 17. Reagor could go round 1, he could also be the 8th WR off the board.

Likely, not really. But it's not far-fetched.

I dont think Simmons is near James' athleticism, so Simmons slipping in a strong defensive draft wouldn't surprise me.

If Simmons and Delpit are there, would you go Simmons?

 

[Hardline]

Not true at all. Brugler had Simmons at 18 - Derwin James was basically the same player and went 17. Reagor could go round 1, he could also be the 8th WR off the board.

Likely, not really. But it's not far-fetched.

Simmons is already flying up mock draft boards.
I've seen one where he goes top 5.
Once his freakish athletic skills show out at the combine he will be out of our range for sure.

 

[TwelfthStar]

What position would Simmons play in the NFL? Doubt he falls to us, but I'm not even sure if he's a LB or S in the NFL? Played a lot of both at Clemson.

 

[LatinMind]

I dont think Simmons is near James' athleticism, so Simmons slipping in a strong defensive draft wouldn't surprise me.

If Simmons and Delpit are there, would you go Simmons?

Simmons will go top of the draft after his workouts

 

[texbumthelife]

Simmons will go top of the draft after his workouts

Then another defender slips. Works for me.

I can see Simmons slipping to the teens, even high teens though. He doesn't have a natural position in the NFL. I don't think he'll make it to us, but it wouldn't be all that crazy.

 

[BigTimeBlues]

Love the idea of retaining Byron, plus the addition of Ware and Njoku.

That kid from TCU looks really good, thanks for that.

I'd love for us to get Simmons.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Big draft day rule this year - DO NOT TRADE UP.

In fact, I'd consider a slight trade down if a pool of 3-4 equal graded players are there when we are on the clock.

I'd LOVE 3 picks on day 2.

 

[Parcells4Life]

I’d LOVE Reagor but the value of Cobb on this team is too valuable. Need him to teach other guys McCarthys culture. Plus he’s still a good player.

 

[pacboyX]

Big draft day rule this year - DO NOT TRADE UP.

In fact, I'd consider a slight trade down if a pool of 3-4 equal graded players are there when we are on the clock.

I'd LOVE 3 picks on day 2.

Stay where we’re at get Mckinney or Delprit. After that they can do anything they want to do

 

[Future]

I dont think Simmons is near James' athleticism, so Simmons slipping in a strong defensive draft wouldn't surprise me.

If Simmons and Delpit are there, would you go Simmons?

I don't think I really agree that Simmons is less of an athlete than James, but regardless, I'd go Simmons over Delpit.

I like Simmons b/c he can give you safety play AND be effective around the LOS, including blitzing. That flexibility allows you to really disguise what you're going to do, and helps accomplish what I think Nolan is going to try to do.

 

[Future]

I’d LOVE Reagor but the value of Cobb on this team is too valuable. Need him to teach other guys McCarthys culture. Plus he’s still a good player.

I think Cobb sucks, but I don't hate the idea of keeping him. I just wouldn't allow Cobb to influence what we do in the draft.

 

[Future]

What position would Simmons play in the NFL? Doubt he falls to us, but I'm not even sure if he's a LB or S in the NFL? Played a lot of both at Clemson.

I'd use him like Troy Polamalu.

You're not going to get the most out of him if you're asking him to be an over-the-top safety. But he should be devastating as kind of a freelancer, especially if you have Jaylon playing downhill as well.

 

[Sydla]

I think Cobb sucks, but I don't hate the idea of keeping him. I just wouldn't allow Cobb to influence what we do in the draft.

I can't remember.............. were you the guy that argued Hurns was a better option than Cobb?

 

[Future]

I can't remember.............. were you the guy that argued Hurns was a better option than Cobb?

No. I said I'd rather keep Hurns than Tavon, basically.

 

[Sandyf]

Nice thing about mocks is they are mocks. QBs will ultimately determine who is there when we draft. Guys will move up and down the draft boards for one reason or another and we all know some guys will fall and some will move up when the draft happens. Also there will be guys that aren't drafted anywhere near where we think they will so saying this, the mock is as good as any other there are or will be.

Frankly in free agency I would like to see us go big for once at TE if Hunter Henry is available but based on what we have done the last six or so years, that ain't going to happen.