Gimme's early April mock

[gimmesix]

I'm going with all of the early defenders being gone when we pick (Reese, Bailey, Bain, Styles, Downs, Mansoor and McCoy).

12. (Trade down with Pittsburgh for 21 and 53; Steelers want to jump other teams for QB Ty Simpson)

20. (Trade down with Miami for 30 and LB Jordyn Brooks, with Dallas also giving the Dolphins a fifth-round pick; Miami wants a receiver after going defense with its first pick)

21. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson (can immediately upgrade slot and play outside if needed; I know his slow 40 with the hamstring injury will worry some, but this player is built for the slot)

30. DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (some have him going earlier than this, but I've seen him rated at 30 or slightly lower because he doesn't offer much as a pass rusher)

53. OLB/DE Malachi Lawrence, UCF (I think he's going to be a riser because of his 4.52 speed and explosiveness and this may be too late to get him)

92. LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU (double-dipping at the position despite getting Brooks; Perkins may need some time to add weight to his body and adapt to the NFL game, but he's got speed that you can't teach)

112. OLB/DE Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan (tied for lead in FBS with 14.5 sacks last year)

152. S VJ Payne, Kansas State (might go earlier because he's 6-3 and runs a 4.4)

177. DT Renee Konga, Louisville (has been getting some buzz so he might go earlier, too)

180. (Included in trade with Miami)

218. RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest (one of the fastest backs in this class but has work to do on a lot of areas -- pass protection, catching the ball better and fumbling, which is the only reason he's available in the seventh round)

So there's my class:
21. CB Aveion Terrell
30. LB Jordyn Brooks
30. DT/DE Kayden McDonald
53. OLB/DE Malachi Lawrence
92. LB Harold Perkins Jr.
112. OLB/DE Nadame Tucker
152. S VJ Payne
177. DT/DE Renee Konga
218. RB Demond Claiborne

If I had to do one with no trades and how I expect the draft to go (none of the top defensive players available at 12), I would take:

12. S Dillon Thienemen, Oregon
20. ILB C.J. Allen, Georgia
92. CB Keionte Scott, Miami (or CB Daylen Everette, Georgia, if Scott is gone)
112. OLB/DE Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
152. OLB/DE Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico
177. DT/DE Renee Konga, Louisville
218. RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest

 

[gimmesix]

My 53:

OFFENSE (25)

QB (3): Dak Prescott, Sam Howell, Joe Milton III
RB (3): Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Demond Claiborne
FB (1): Hunter Luepke
WR (5): CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo
TE (3): Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
OL (10): Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terrence Steele, T.J. Bass, Nathan Thomas, Matt Henessey, Ajani Cornelius, Trevor Keegan

DEFENSE (25)

DE/OLB (5): Donovan Ezeiruaku, Rashan Gary, James Houston, Malachi Lawrence, Nadame Tucker
DT (6): Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Kayden McDonald, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, Renee Konga
ILB (4): DeMarvion Overshown, Jordyn Brooks, Harold Perkins Jr., Shemar James
CB (5): DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Aveion Terrell, Cobie Durant, Zion Childress
S (5): Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, P.J. Locke, V.J. Payne

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
K (1): Brandon Aubrey
P (1): Bryan Anger
LS (1): Trent Sieg

 

[reddyuta]

I can live with this for sure.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Not the pick McDonald we need to see if we can get someone that actually offers a pass rush maybe even messidore with that pick. We just signed bullard to do all of this

 

[CWR]

Not the pick McDonald we need to see if we can get someone that actually offers a pass rush maybe even messidore with that pick. We just signed bullard to do all of this

Bullard isnt an elite run stopping NT.

I think a guy like McDonald could play run defense and collapse the pocket for years. Everyone seems to believe those guys are easy to find, yet I see very few of them in the league, and a lot of the great defenses had one.

 

[Acceptablename]

Not the pick McDonald we need to see if we can get someone that actually offers a pass rush maybe even messidore with that pick. We just signed bullard to do all of this

McDonald is a bad man. We do need pass rush

 

[Acceptablename]

I'm going with all of the early defenders being gone when we pick (Reese, Bailey, Bain, Styles, Downs, Mansoor and McCoy).

12. (Trade down with Pittsburgh for 21 and 53; Steelers want to jump other teams for QB Ty Simpson)

20. (Trade down with Miami for 30 and LB Jordyn Brooks, with Dallas also giving the Dolphins a fifth-round pick; Miami wants a receiver after going defense with its first pick)

21. CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson (can immediately upgrade slot and play outside if needed; I know his slow 40 with the hamstring injury will worry some, but this player is built for the slot)

30. DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (some have him going earlier than this, but I've seen him rated at 30 or slightly lower because he doesn't offer much as a pass rusher)

53. OLB/DE Malachi Lawrence, UCF (I think he's going to be a riser because of his 4.52 speed and explosiveness and this may be too late to get him)

92. LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU (double-dipping at the position despite getting Brooks; Perkins may need some time to add weight to his body and adapt to the NFL game, but he's got speed that you can't teach)

112. OLB/DE Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan (tied for lead in FBS with 14.5 sacks last year)

152. S VJ Payne, Kansas State (might go earlier because he's 6-3 and runs a 4.4)

177. DT Renee Konga, Louisville (has been getting some buzz so he might go earlier, too)

180. (Included in trade with Miami)

218. RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest (one of the fastest backs in this class but has work to do on a lot of areas -- pass protection, catching the ball better and fumbling, which is the only reason he's available in the seventh round)

So there's my class:
21. CB Aveion Terrell
30. LB Jordyn Brooks
30. DT/DE Kayden McDonald
53. OLB/DE Malachi Lawrence
92. LB Harold Perkins Jr.
112. OLB/DE Nadame Tucker
152. S VJ Payne
177. DT/DE Renee Konga
218. RB Demond Claiborne

If I had to do one with no trades and how I expect the draft to go (none of the top defensive players available at 12), I would take:

12. S Dillon Thienemen, Oregon
20. ILB C.J. Allen, Georgia
92. CB Keionte Scott, Miami (or CB Daylen Everette, Georgia, if Scott is gone)
112. OLB/DE Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
152. OLB/DE Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico
177. DT/DE Renee Konga, Louisville
218. RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest

I like what you did @ 30 and 53

 

[ScotsCowboy]

I'm going with all of the early defenders being gone when we pick (Reese, Bailey, Bain, Styles, Downs, Mansoor and McCoy).

12. (Trade down with Pittsburgh for 21 and 53; Steelers want to jump other teams for QB Ty Simpson)

20. (Trade down with Miami for 30 and LB Jordyn Brooks, with Dallas also giving the Dolphins a fifth-round pick; Miami wants a receiver after going defense with its first pick)

I would totally make these trades too. It’s almost precisely what I’ve been thinking for weeks.

Only slight difference would be, instead of 21 and 53, I would ask Pitt for 21, Nick Herbig and one of their 3rd rounders (they have three of them). If they think Herbig is the future, I’d ask for Highsmith and their highest 3rd (76 - the one we gave them in the Pickens trade).

Terrell is a good take at 21, imo. I would go for Jacob Rodriguez at 30 though, and then try to package up my two 3rds to get back into the 2nd and take Keionte Scott (or could cut out the middle man when trading for Herbig, and throw in 92 and 180 in order to get 53 thrown into the deal, and select Scott there).

Between those picks, and the trades for Brooks and Herbig, that’s four new starters:

Edge/OLB (Herbig)
Mike ILB (Brooks)
Outside CB (Terrell)
Nickel (Scott)

…and in Rodriguez, competition for both ILB places, potentially becoming a starter ahead of Overshown at the Will spot.

Add a Day 3 DT, and this defense is potentially rebuilt in one off-season.

 

[gimmesix]

Not the pick McDonald we need to see if we can get someone that actually offers a pass rush maybe even messidore with that pick. We just signed bullard to do all of this

Bullard is a backup defensive tackle. What we signed him for (one year, $1.42 million) tells us this. Same with Ogbonnia. McDonald is a first-round defensive tackle. That means that he is expected to be a player who beats one-on-one matchups and makes it easier for the other DL and linebackers to make plays.

Also, from what I've seen, Mesidore will be gone before 30.

 

[gimmesix]

I can live with this for sure.

Almost all defense, so I'll be surprised if we don't throw one or two offensive players in there just because. I wouldn't because I think the offense is in good enough shape outside of the unknown at backup running back.

 

[jazzcat22]

I would totally make these trades too. It’s almost precisely what I’ve been thinking for weeks.

Only slight difference would be, instead of 21 and 53, I would ask Pitt for 21, Nick Herbig and one of their 3rd rounders (they have three of them). If they think Herbig is the future, I’d ask for Highsmith and their highest 3rd (76 - the one we gave them in the Pickens trade).

Terrell is a good take at 21, imo. I would go for Jacob Rodriguez at 30 though, and then try to package up my two 3rds to get back into the 2nd and take Keionte Scott (or could cut out the middle man when trading for Herbig, and throw in 92 and 180 in order to get 53 thrown into the deal, and select Scott there).

Between those picks, and the trades for Brooks and Herbig, that’s four new starters:

Edge/OLB (Herbig)
Mike ILB (Brooks)
Outside CB (Terrell)
Nickel (Scott)

…and in Rodriguez, competition for both ILB places, potentially becoming a starter ahead of Overshown at the Will spot.

Add a Day 3 DT, and this defense is potentially rebuilt in one off-season.

One of the Steelers 3rd round pick, is the one we gave them for Pickens. How ironic would that be to get that pick back in a trade.

 

[gimmesix]

I would totally make these trades too. It’s almost precisely what I’ve been thinking for weeks.

Only slight difference would be, instead of 21 and 53, I would ask Pitt for 21, Nick Herbig and one of their 3rd rounders (they have three of them). If they think Herbig is the future, I’d ask for Highsmith and their highest 3rd (76 - the one we gave them in the Pickens trade).

Terrell is a good take at 21, imo. I would go for Jacob Rodriguez at 30 though, and then try to package up my two 3rds to get back into the 2nd and take Keionte Scott (or could cut out the middle man when trading for Herbig, and throw in 92 and 180 in order to get 53 thrown into the deal, and select Scott there).

Between those picks, and the trades for Brooks and Herbig, that’s four new starters:

Edge/OLB (Herbig)
Mike ILB (Brooks)
Outside CB (Terrell)
Nickel (Scott)

…and in Rodriguez, competition for both ILB places, potentially becoming a starter ahead of Overshown at the Will spot.

Add a Day 3 DT, and this defense is potentially rebuilt in one off-season.

I'd have no real problem with that. I don't know if we could get Herbig and a third, but I do know that the way for us to get proven, quality veterans is through trades. I think you are going overkill at LB and CB with the Rodriguez and Scott picks, but we do need to fix those positions. I just think we also could use the DT upgrade over Ogbonnia and Bullard. I'd probably stick with McDonald and Perkins if we got Herbig and Brooks. We'd have added a CB (Terrell), DT/DE (McDonald), two ILBs (Brooks, Perkins) and a OLB/DE (Herbig) in the first three rounds.

 

[gimmesix]

21. CB Aveion Terrell
30. LB Jordyn Brooks
30. DT/DE Kayden McDonald
53. OLB/DE Malachi Lawrence
92. LB Harold Perkins Jr.
112. OLB/DE Nadame Tucker
152. S VJ Payne
177. DT/DE Renee Konga
218. RB Demond Claiborne

After reading about raw Nigerian DT Uar Bernard, I kind of want him with one of those last couple of picks. Maybe go with a running back at 177 and Bernard at 218. Runs a 4.66 at 306 pounds. 6 percent body fat. A 39-inch vertical jump and 10-10 broad jump.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Bullard is a backup defensive tackle. What we signed him for (one year, $1.42 million) tells us this. Same with Ogbonnia. McDonald is a first-round defensive tackle. That means that he is expected to be a player who beats one-on-one matchups and makes it easier for the other DL and linebackers to make plays.

Also, from what I've seen, Mesidore will be gone before 30.

He's not a DT he's a 3-4 DE, you don't want someone 289LBS playing DT you send guys those size to SF

 

[Coogiguy03]

Bullard isnt an elite run stopping NT.

I think a guy like McDonald could play run defense and collapse the pocket for years. Everyone seems to believe those guys are easy to find, yet I see very few of them in the league, and a lot of the great defenses had one.

He's a DE

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

My 53:

OFFENSE (25)

QB (3): Dak Prescott, Sam Howell, Joe Milton III
RB (3): Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Demond Claiborne
FB (1): Hunter Luepke
WR (5): CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo
TE (3): Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
OL (10): Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terrence Steele, T.J. Bass, Nathan Thomas, Matt Henessey, Ajani Cornelius, Trevor Keegan

DEFENSE (25)

DE/OLB (5): Donovan Ezeiruaku, Rashan Gary, James Houston, Malachi Lawrence, Nadame Tucker
DT (6): Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Kayden McDonald, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, Renee Konga
ILB (4): DeMarvion Overshown, Jordyn Brooks, Harold Perkins Jr., Shemar James
CB (5): DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Aveion Terrell, Cobie Durant, Zion Childress
S (5): Jalen Thompson, Malik Hooker, Markquese Bell, P.J. Locke, V.J. Payne

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
K (1): Brandon Aubrey
P (1): Bryan Anger
LS (1): Trent Sieg

Looks like a much improved roster to me

 

[ScotsCowboy]

After reading about raw Nigerian DT Uar Bernard, I kind of want him with one of those last couple of picks. Maybe go with a running back at 177 and Bernard at 218. Runs a 4.66 at 306 pounds. 6 percent body fat. A 39-inch vertical jump and 10-10 broad jump.

Yup. Like I said becore, Day 3 is where I would take DT. There are some very promising ones: Bernard that you mentioned, Tim Keenan III, Rayshaun Benny, and quite a few others.

 

[CWR]

He's a DE

I know, that's my poin. Bullard isnt McDonald. He may have been brought in to help stop the run, but hes not the big body im talking about.

 

[gimmesix]

Yup. Like I said becore, Day 3 is where I would take DT. There are some very promising ones: Bernard that you mentioned, Tim Keenan III, Rayshaun Benny, and quite a few others.

Yeah, I don't really count on Day 3 players. Too many fans do when it is tough enough hitting on early-round players. I think Day 3 is when you take some swings for the fences knowing that you are more likely to strike out. The hit rate is easily below 50 percent.

 

[gimmesix]

He's not a DT he's a 3-4 DE, you don't want someone 289LBS playing DT you send guys those size to SF

Who's not a DT? MacDonald? He's over 300 pounds. Bullard? Yes, he's a 3-4 DE. All of our DTs, except the ones playing NT are also 3-4 DEs. I expect Bullard to rotate in some, though, primarily when we are in the 3-4 front. Same with Ogbonnia. My preference, though, would be to put someone out there who is more of a threat against one-on-one blocking so teams can't be inclined to double Quinnen without paying for it. Right now, any offense's plan is to take Quinnen away and make our other front four or five show they can consistently win. Also, right now, I'm not sure that we have any who can.