Sasquatch
Lost in the Woods
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I originally called this a "contrarian" draft because so many people had us taking a WR with the first pick. I'm not sure how contrarian my draft is any more, as the picks are beginning to resemble others that have been posted around here.
I concede that I haven't the faintest idea of how this is all going to play out, and had particular difficulty selecting the second pick, but I do think that signs are pointing to FS in the first. As for the other top 2 picks, I think we want to take advantage of the draft's depth at CB and WR. The top three picks will improve overall team speed which Jerry has emphasized in recent public statements.
The only difference from my last draft is the second pick and the little commentaries.
1. Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami, 5'11, 195, 4.47 -- Many of us are concerned with his "character" issues (a polite euphemism for stomping on someone's head and shooting at people) or just have a bias against boorish players from the "U", but if he passes the scrutiny of the brain trust there's no denying the talent and our need for a playmaker at a perennially weak position on our defense. If there are lingering concerns about Merriweather's ability to stay out of trouble, though, I wouldn't put it past our flamboyant owner to trade up in the hopes of securing Reggie Nelson, S, Florida who by all accounts is extremely personable even if his intelligence has been called into question by some. JuJo and our first to Green Bay in order to leapfrog Jacksonville?
2. Jonathan Wade, DB, Tennessee, 5'10, 195, 4.36 -- This was an extremely difficult pick to make. I do think we want to come out of the first day with a viable CB, though, and Wade will certainly improve our defense's speed on the perimeter. There are concerns about his willingness to mix it up, with some claiming that he is a track star more than a football player, but I think McCauley will be off the board, am concerned about Wilson's size and ability to play the ball, and am hesitant to draft another character risk in Wright. Wade doesn't have to start right away, so with some coaching perhaps in a year's time his natural physical gifts can be molded in a way that he will become a solid NFL CB.
3. Audrae Allison, WR, East Carolina, 6'0, 198, 4.39 -- What I like about Allison, compared to some of the other WR prospects that will be available at this slot, is his combination of speed, elusiveness, and great hands. Many of the top guys seem to catch with their bodies but I've seen Allison make several difficult catches, arms extended, with a man right on him. This is a good spot to pick up a talented receiver who has could become a starter in the near future.
4. Allen Barbre, OT, Missouri Southern State, 6'4, 300 -- I'm a firm believer that team success begins in the trenches. Arguably, our OL has been the most inconsistent and frustrating unit on our team for the past several years. False starts, holding penalties, and poor blocking at critical moments has plagued this unit despite annual promises of improvement. Flo is not worth the mega-bucks his contract will require, in my opinion, so it's time to start grooming potential replacements. Barber is athletic, passionate, can put on more weight without sacrificing mobility, and is hard working. I like him here.
5. Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska, 5'10, 210, 4.54 -- I like Jujo but the rumors that have been hovering around him the past two years make me think that his time in Dallas may be coming to an end (plus he's my bait in the Green Bay trade for Nelson). Jackson is a good runner between the tackles, has adequate moves, and is a decent receiver out of the backfield. He would make a nice compliment to Barber should we move Jones.
6. Robert Turner, OG, New Mexico, 6'4, 318 -- Have I mentioned how frustrating the OL has been over the past few years and how obsessed I am with rebuilding a physically dominant OL? Kosier made some beautiful blocks last year, especially when pulling, but he is not really the kind of guy you want manning the position if you're installing a power-running game. Turner is experienced, durable, versatile (played OG/OT), and is known as a fierce run blocker. I'll repeat that, because it sounds so good--a fierce run blocker.
6. Jared Zabransky, QB, Boise State, 6'2, 219 -- Is Zabransky a better prospect than some of the UDFA QBs that will be available? I don't know but I like the fact that he has experienced success against decent competition, has respectable stats, and is a gamer. We should bring in QBs every year, in my opinion, because the position is just too critical to a team's long-term success.
7. Matt Muncy, ILB, Ohio, 6'1, 242, 4.58 --At this point in the draft we are looking for backups and contributors to special teams. Muncy is from a small school but has good speed, solid strength, and possesses the kind of determination that might allow him to succeed at the next level. He's the kind of guy that you take a chance on at this point in the draft who might surprise just like McQ last year. Did someone say, Rudy?
7. Chris White, C, South Carolina, 6'3, 319 -- I like OL prospects who are big and strong (moreso than nimble and athletic), have lots of experience, and who do not have a history of injury. White played several years in a pro-style offense and could turn out to be an adequate backup for Gurode (should he go down or regress to his previous inconsistencies), which we lack at this point. I would like to come out of this draft with a potential backup C.
7. Luis Leonard, DT, Fresno, 6'4, 315 -- Good NT prospects are hard to come by, as many tend to fall into the mold of being oversized and undermotivated, so I think this is a good slot to take a risk on a big, strong guy who may or may not have the motivation to succeed in the pros in the most unglamorous but essential position.
Mock v. 2.0:
1. Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami
2. Tim Crowder, DE/OLB, Texas
3. Audrae Allison, WR, East Carolina
4. Allen Barbre, OT, Missouri Southern State
5. Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska
6. Robert Turner, OG, New Mexico
6. Jared Zabransky, QB, Boise State
7. Matt Muncy, ILB, Ohio, 6'1
7. Chris White, C, South Carolina
7. Luis Leonard, DT, Fresno, 6'4, 315
Mock v. 1.0:
1. Justin Blalock, OG, Texas
2. DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler, DT, NC State
3. Victor Abimiri, DE, Notre Dame
4. Johnny Lee Higgins, WR, UTEP
5. CJ Gaddis, CB, Clemson
I concede that I haven't the faintest idea of how this is all going to play out, and had particular difficulty selecting the second pick, but I do think that signs are pointing to FS in the first. As for the other top 2 picks, I think we want to take advantage of the draft's depth at CB and WR. The top three picks will improve overall team speed which Jerry has emphasized in recent public statements.
The only difference from my last draft is the second pick and the little commentaries.
1. Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami, 5'11, 195, 4.47 -- Many of us are concerned with his "character" issues (a polite euphemism for stomping on someone's head and shooting at people) or just have a bias against boorish players from the "U", but if he passes the scrutiny of the brain trust there's no denying the talent and our need for a playmaker at a perennially weak position on our defense. If there are lingering concerns about Merriweather's ability to stay out of trouble, though, I wouldn't put it past our flamboyant owner to trade up in the hopes of securing Reggie Nelson, S, Florida who by all accounts is extremely personable even if his intelligence has been called into question by some. JuJo and our first to Green Bay in order to leapfrog Jacksonville?
2. Jonathan Wade, DB, Tennessee, 5'10, 195, 4.36 -- This was an extremely difficult pick to make. I do think we want to come out of the first day with a viable CB, though, and Wade will certainly improve our defense's speed on the perimeter. There are concerns about his willingness to mix it up, with some claiming that he is a track star more than a football player, but I think McCauley will be off the board, am concerned about Wilson's size and ability to play the ball, and am hesitant to draft another character risk in Wright. Wade doesn't have to start right away, so with some coaching perhaps in a year's time his natural physical gifts can be molded in a way that he will become a solid NFL CB.
3. Audrae Allison, WR, East Carolina, 6'0, 198, 4.39 -- What I like about Allison, compared to some of the other WR prospects that will be available at this slot, is his combination of speed, elusiveness, and great hands. Many of the top guys seem to catch with their bodies but I've seen Allison make several difficult catches, arms extended, with a man right on him. This is a good spot to pick up a talented receiver who has could become a starter in the near future.
4. Allen Barbre, OT, Missouri Southern State, 6'4, 300 -- I'm a firm believer that team success begins in the trenches. Arguably, our OL has been the most inconsistent and frustrating unit on our team for the past several years. False starts, holding penalties, and poor blocking at critical moments has plagued this unit despite annual promises of improvement. Flo is not worth the mega-bucks his contract will require, in my opinion, so it's time to start grooming potential replacements. Barber is athletic, passionate, can put on more weight without sacrificing mobility, and is hard working. I like him here.
5. Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska, 5'10, 210, 4.54 -- I like Jujo but the rumors that have been hovering around him the past two years make me think that his time in Dallas may be coming to an end (plus he's my bait in the Green Bay trade for Nelson). Jackson is a good runner between the tackles, has adequate moves, and is a decent receiver out of the backfield. He would make a nice compliment to Barber should we move Jones.
6. Robert Turner, OG, New Mexico, 6'4, 318 -- Have I mentioned how frustrating the OL has been over the past few years and how obsessed I am with rebuilding a physically dominant OL? Kosier made some beautiful blocks last year, especially when pulling, but he is not really the kind of guy you want manning the position if you're installing a power-running game. Turner is experienced, durable, versatile (played OG/OT), and is known as a fierce run blocker. I'll repeat that, because it sounds so good--a fierce run blocker.
6. Jared Zabransky, QB, Boise State, 6'2, 219 -- Is Zabransky a better prospect than some of the UDFA QBs that will be available? I don't know but I like the fact that he has experienced success against decent competition, has respectable stats, and is a gamer. We should bring in QBs every year, in my opinion, because the position is just too critical to a team's long-term success.
7. Matt Muncy, ILB, Ohio, 6'1, 242, 4.58 --At this point in the draft we are looking for backups and contributors to special teams. Muncy is from a small school but has good speed, solid strength, and possesses the kind of determination that might allow him to succeed at the next level. He's the kind of guy that you take a chance on at this point in the draft who might surprise just like McQ last year. Did someone say, Rudy?
7. Chris White, C, South Carolina, 6'3, 319 -- I like OL prospects who are big and strong (moreso than nimble and athletic), have lots of experience, and who do not have a history of injury. White played several years in a pro-style offense and could turn out to be an adequate backup for Gurode (should he go down or regress to his previous inconsistencies), which we lack at this point. I would like to come out of this draft with a potential backup C.
7. Luis Leonard, DT, Fresno, 6'4, 315 -- Good NT prospects are hard to come by, as many tend to fall into the mold of being oversized and undermotivated, so I think this is a good slot to take a risk on a big, strong guy who may or may not have the motivation to succeed in the pros in the most unglamorous but essential position.
Mock v. 2.0:
1. Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami
2. Tim Crowder, DE/OLB, Texas
3. Audrae Allison, WR, East Carolina
4. Allen Barbre, OT, Missouri Southern State
5. Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska
6. Robert Turner, OG, New Mexico
6. Jared Zabransky, QB, Boise State
7. Matt Muncy, ILB, Ohio, 6'1
7. Chris White, C, South Carolina
7. Luis Leonard, DT, Fresno, 6'4, 315
Mock v. 1.0:
1. Justin Blalock, OG, Texas
2. DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler, DT, NC State
3. Victor Abimiri, DE, Notre Dame
4. Johnny Lee Higgins, WR, UTEP
5. CJ Gaddis, CB, Clemson