My Post-Combine, Pre-Free Agency, Mock Draft

[TheCount]

My Previous Draft
1a. Leodis McKelvin, CB / Mike Jenkins, CB / Jeff Otah, OT
1b. James Hardy, WR / Early Doucet, WR / Antoine Cason, CB
2. Ray Rice, RB / Chris Johnson, RB / Jamaal Charles, RB
3. Philip Wheeler, ILB / Tavares Gooden, ILB / Jordy Nelson, WR
4. Owen Schmitt, FB / Frank Okam, DT / Donald Thomas, OG

1a. Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB)

What's left to be said about him at this point? I still like McKelvin as the best rounded corner in this draft, and Jenkins as well. I would be absolutely thrilled with either of the three. Limas Sweed would also be nice here, he has decent speed, great size and is a natural receiver.

ALT: Leodis McKelvin (CB), Limas Sweed (WR)

1b. James Hardy (WR)

If we can't get Limas, Hardy is the next best thing. Big guy that ranked near the top in every drill he participated in at the draft. He'll be a work in progress, and from his interviews he is well aware of his weaknesses such as needing to run better routes. He is, however, an IMMEDIATE redzone threat, and you can't knock that.

ALT: Aqib Talib (CB), Jeff Otah, (OT/G)

2. Chris Johnson (RB)

We may have to make a move to make this happen, I don't think he's there at our natural 2nd round position, but Jamaal Charles just might be if we choose to stay put and I think Charles brings a lot of what Johnson brings to the table. He's got great speed, not Chris Johnson speed, but 4.38 is nothing to laugh at. He's also bigger than Chris and has solid hands out of the backfield.

ALT: Jamaal Charles (RB), Ray Rice (RB)

3. Ahtyba Rubin (DT)

With Fergy coming off an injury, and with Ratliff possibly making the switch to DE at some point, we'll be in need of a true NT (Tank certainly ain't one) and Rubin fits the bill. At 320 lbs and 35 reps in the benching drill at the combine, he could definitely clog lanes and take on double teams.

ALT: Jordy Nelson (WR), Cliff Avril (DE/OLB/ILB)

4. Josh Barrett (FS/SS)

A guy that has a history of injuries, but after coming into the draft and blazing a 4.35 at 225 lbs, I think a lot of teams will be taking a closer look at him. He's got a great build, and doesn't hesitate to support the run. He also made plays on the ball when he was able to stay on the field. We've got to prepare ourselves in case Roy doesn't improve, Barrett can come in and play special teams before eventually steeping into place as a starter in a few years. Having elite speed at the safety spot is a luxury most teams don't have.

ALT: Tom Zbikowski (SS,PR), Donald Thomas (OG), Owen Schmitt, FB

5. Dexter Jackson (WR/ST)

Burner. Could be a menace in the slot, with good hands and step into special teams immediately.

ALT: Curtis Johnson (OLB), Owen Schmitt, FB

6. Matt Flynn (QB)

There are a couple of project QB's in this draft. We need another Matt Moore type that we'd be willing to keep on the roster and groom, I think searching in this area of the draft would be a good idea. You can always cut ties if it's not panning out without much financial risk.

ALT: Kevin O’Connell (QB)

7. Chad Simpson (RB)

Special teams/change up prospect. Ran the 5th fastest 40 at the combine at 4.42 or I probably wouldn't even know who he was. From what I've read, he's a shifty guy but his hands are very suspect.



starspin:starspin
Comments, arguments, and tips are always welcome. That's the fun part!

 

[starfrombirth]

5. Dexter Jackson (WR/ST)

Burner. Could be a menace in the slot, with good hands and step into special teams immediately.

ALT: Curtis Johnson (OLB), Owen Schmitt, FB

You do realize, there isn't a chance in heck he'll be there by this pick right?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

You do realize, there isn't a chance in heck he'll be there by this pick right?

We can only hope...would LOVE him if he was there at that point...don't think he will be but as I said, we can only hope.

 

[TVMan]

1a. Will be gone
1b. Overrated IMO.
2. Will probably be gone
3. I like.
4. I like.
5. He will be gone in 2. 3 at the latest.
6. I like
7. Don't see the need to draft two RBs. Another FB would be good.
We need more LB/OLB Depth as well as Oline Depth.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

CJ DRC love it

 

[TheCount]

1a. Will be gone
1b. Overrated IMO.
2. Will probably be gone
3. I like.
4. I like.
5. He will be gone in 2. 3 at the latest.
6. I like
7. Don't see the need to draft two RBs. Another FB would be good.
We need more LB/OLB Depth as well as Oline Depth.

This is why there are alternate picks in every round and the chances of anyone drafted in the 7th making this particular team are slim, Simpson would end up on the practice squad or cut unless he showed a lot in camp.

Also if we don't get Owen ( and I wouldn't take a fb earlier than the 4th or 5th) there's no point taking one, Deon is just as versitile as Hillis and has a year in the nfl under his belt.

 

[TVMan]

Deon is just as versitile as Hillis and has a year in the nfl under his belt.

Can he return punts? Uhhh, no.

 

[TheCount]

You do realize, there isn't a chance in heck he'll be there by this pick right?

I doubt he goes before the 4th round, late in the 3rd at the earliest, this is a good crop of WR's. The fact that he ran well at the combine doesn't mean all of a sudden he's a 1st day pick.

We may have to move up in the 5th to get him, but I think there's more of a chance he's there in the 5th than some may like to think. If by chance he's not there, just on to one of the alts. I'd gladly take Owen in that round of Curtis Johnson at OLB.

Can he return punts? Uhhh, no.

Is that the determining factor now in whether or not you draft a guy? We've got Stanbach still. And if all else fails, just put Patrick "Fair Catch" Crayton back there.

If I could make one change, it'd be subbing Cason for Talib as an alternate for that 1b pick.

 

[TVMan]

I doubt he goes before the 4th round, late in the 3rd at the earliest, this is a good crop of WR's. The fact that he ran well at the combine doesn't mean all of a sudden he's a 1st day pick.

We may have to move up in the 5th to get him, but I think there's more of a chance he's there in the 5th than some may like to think.

Cough. Cough.

After grabbing the NFL's attention with an outstanding showing at the East-West Shrine Game, Appalachian State WR Dexter Jackson helped himself a ton today by running the fastest 40 so far -- in the high-4.2/low-4.3 range, depending on which scout you spoke to. Many viewed Jackson as a quick, rather than fast, receiver, but with his 40 time and the burst and explosiveness he showed in routes, he has people rethinking that statement. He has moved up from being a late-round consideration at the start of the predraft process to a possible second- or third-rounder. ...

LINK

 

[TVMan]

Is that the determining factor now in whether or not you draft a guy? We've got Stanbach still. And if all else fails, just put Patrick "Fair Catch" Crayton back there.

No, but you claim Deon is more versatile. Me thinks not.

Hillis>Deon.

Does eating a cricket make Deon more versatile?

 

[TheCount]

No, but you claim Deon is more versatile. Me thinks not.

Hillis>Deon.

Does eating a cricket make Deon more versatile?

Actually I said he's "just as" versitile, and I don't think Hillis will be doing much punt returning in the NFL anyway.

 

[TVMan]

Actually I said he's "just as" versitile, and I don't think Hillis will be doing much punt returning in the NFL anyway.

Technicality.

 

[theogt]

Ray Rice >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Chris Johnson

 

[ayjackson]

Ray Rice >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Chris Johnson

I think Ray Rice is more of a feature back, whereas CJ is a scatback/return specialist - and maybe a special one. I don't think anybody has the luxury of selecting him prior to our third pick of day one. He should be there.

 

[TheCount]

Ray Rice >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Chris Johnson

I'd rather see us draft Jamaal Charles there myself, but I would be completely content with either CJ, RR or JC at that spot.

Of course, we'll probably take a punter or something else no one saw coming, but it's a good crop of RB's, no sense arguing over which guy it'll be. As long as we don't reach, I'll be fine.

 

[theogt]

I think Ray Rice is more of a feature back, whereas CJ is a scatback/return specialist - and maybe a special one. I don't think anybody has the luxury of selecting him prior to our third pick of day one. He should be there.

I just don't understand the mentality of drafting limited/role players that high.

 

[TheCount]

I just don't understand the mentality of drafting limited/role players that high.

Generally, I agree. But you know Jerry's a gambler and likes flash.