Mock Draft v1.1, put up 10.20.08

[Icness]

http://www.realgmfootball.com/src_featu ... n_edition/

The top 10:
1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

Whomever takes over running this team needs to quickly establish an identity, and choosing a franchise QB is a great place to start. With the WR and RB positions already in place, Stafford walks into a similar situation to Matt Ryan in Atlanta.

2. Cincinnati Bengals: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State

Forget that the Bengals chose LB Keith Rivers with their first pick last year; Mike Brown is keenly aware his team needs both toughness and a marquee attraction. Playing for Ohio State up I-71 builds in appeal for a LB who has perennial Pro Bowl potential. If Marvin Lewis hasn’t quit already, he will love this pick.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: George Selvie, DE/OLB, South Florida

Forget his meager stats this season, as he has played hurt and faced double (sometimes triple) teams on every snap. Selvie is an explosive, athletic edge rusher who can fill the giant hole left by the Jared Allen trade.

4. St. Louis Rams: Michael Oher, T, Mississippi

The “Blind Side” boy has finally started to meet all the outrageous hype, improving his footwork and tenacity in his senior season. He can either learn for a year under Orlando Pace, perhaps while playing guard, or step in and take over as the key part of the offensive rebuild.

5. Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

Any team that signs Ashley Lelie and actually plays him extensively is desperate for WR help. Crabtree has outstanding size, exceptional hands, and does all the little things that nobody currently on the Raiders except Ron Curry is aware needs to be done. Compares well with Calvin Johnson, though not quite as tall or fast.

6. Houston Texans: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The Texans desperately need someone in the defensive backfield who does more than occupy space. Jenkins will leave Cornerback U. with a better overall rating than Antoine Winfield or Nate Clements, and his playmaking knack will be a huge boost for what is consistently the least talented secondary in the league.

7. Seattle Seahawks: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

Dynamic game-changer with size, speed, hands, and confidence. In short, precisely what the Seahawks need most on offense. Would be my favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year if this actually happens.

8. Cleveland Browns: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State

The Browns cannot rely on Jamal Lewis beyond 2009, and Beanie is every bit as naturally gifted as Adrian Peterson or Darren McFadden. Putting Wells behind that exceptional OL is a defensive coordinator’s nightmare, and with Lewis still around Wells won’t face inordinate pressure to dominate from Day One.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Smith, T, Alabama

Smith might be the most improved top-shelf player in America, showing better base strength, footwork, and ability to find defenders in space. The Niners sorely need OL help if they want any chance of effectively running Mike Martz’s offense, and Smith could bookend with Joe Staley to provide a very talented pair of tackles.

10. Miami Dolphins: SenDerrick Marks, DT, Auburn

Marks has emerged as a dynamic presence with an outstanding blend of strength and quickness, leading the nation in tackles for loss. He has the bulk to man the edge in a 3-4 front, and he would give the Dolphins a bevy of young talent up front.

Pretty much the juniors you expect to see but aren't there are left off for one of two reasons:
1. I don't think they're declaring for the draft
2. Other players fit better at the places I considered

Edited out the awful green font

[WAYSA]

I refuse to believe that Maclin is worthy of going in the top 10.

What exactly does Maclin give you at receiver? He runs go routes and that's about it. He needs help to get open running any other route. I have watched a bunch of Missouri games over the past 2 seasons and it is the same thing every time. He gets open off screens & set picks. Thats it.

I like the Bears taking Harvin.. I actually think Harvin is getting under valued.. I have a feeling he could fall ala DeSean Jackson after all the character stuff comes out.. He has sucker punched a few teammates during his time at Florida.

However, I am not sure about the Cushing pick in the second.. Great value, but the Bears have way too many needs to be selecting a 3rd LB right now.

Icness - I want to hear your thoughts on the Rejus Benn I made a thread.

Oh, and kill the green font.. My god man.

[Rafael122]

Yeah, green font needs to go.

Quickly, the Redskins, IIRC traded their 2nd round pick to the Dolphins for Jason Taylor. I believe its a 2nd and a 6th.

If the Skins can get that LB from USC, that'd be a steal IMO. He was supposedly a top 5 pick before the season began and the 2nd best linebacker behind James Laurinitis. Putting him in there with Rocky McIntosh and we have 2/3 of our linebacking corp for at least the next 5 years.

[A.J.]

I have no problem with taking Jenkins, I would like to get a safety in round one, but Taylor Mays would be a reach in the top 10 IMO. And Im not sold on Jenkins playing safety in the NFL. Or we can always draft a runningback to help out Slaton in round 1 and get a CB in round 2.

[MoGrAdY]

Id much rather see the Lions take Oher, much bigger need then a QB IMO.

[GS Warriors 1]

I think I went blind.

Niners could definitely use an OT.

[revprodeji]

Unless MN has a deal set up for Mt.Mckinnie, and if they have other plans to address the Qb and TE spot, I highly, highly doubt we grab a LT in the first.

Also, can you explain your TE ranking, when it seems to change a bit.

[Icness]

The font was supposed to be purple, fixing it ASAP. No I am not colorblind.

Maclin is a bigger, faster, stronger version of Percy Harvin. He runs a lot of delay and option routes and runs them well. Their passing attack is similar to what the Packers, Seahawks, and Eagles all run. And just because a guy hasn't done it doesn't mean he can't do it--that's what coaches get paid to do. He's got a strong football IQ so I don't see a problem. Probably will need some adjustment period, though.

Re: TE rankings--what I think is going to be their draft order and what I think should be their draft order are two very different lists. Keep in mind I believe TE is the least important position on the field and that having a great TE is a huge asset only when you have a crappy QB or a mobile QB.


Re: Bears LB--Their LB play other than occasional flashes by Briggs and the handful of highlight hits by Urlacher this year has been awful. Hillenmeyer is very good in coverage but gets pancaked against the run far too easy. They have zero depth and it's a position that requires them to have capable backups. Allegedly Cushing can play some SS in a pinch too, though I refuse to buy into that.

[NO-KG-AI]

Is Alex Mack really that good? Faine was terrible last year, so if he is another Faine, that is a blown pick to me

How is he in the run game? That's where we need most help, though our pass protection could get better.

Think we could trade down and grab him, and maybe Duke Robinson too? I'd orgasm.

What happened to William Moore? I don't see him in the mock.

[Icness]

Players currently under contract that I expect to change uniforms this summer:
Kellen Winslow, who will either get traded or sit out. you heard it here first.
Derek Anderson, who will get a shot to start somewhere (MIN? KC?)
Chad Ocho Cinco and/or TJ Houshmandzadeh
Alex Smith, perhaps several 49ers who have not met expectations
Larry Johnson
Laurence Maroney
plus all the other potential free agents
The Cards have some interesting choices to make in terms of who to pay, including Matt Leinart

[Icness]

Is Alex Mack really that good? Faine was terrible last year, so if he is another Faine, that is a blown pick to me

How is he in the run game? That's where we need most help, though our pass protection could get better.

Think we could trade down and grab him, and maybe Duke Robinson too? I'd orgasm.

What happened to William Moore? I don't see him in the mock.

Mack is like Faine in terms of being agile and nasty. Mack is stronger and smarter. If you get a chance to watch Cal, ignore everyone else on the field and watch Mack play and you'll love him.

Will Moore fell out on a couple of tips and on what I saw in the last two games. I saw a kid who isn't near as good as he thinks he is with awful tackling form and no feel for over-the-top cover help. A scout who knows Mizzou well told me his teammates are sick of him in the way Michigan players felt about Manningham last year. That's not a good sign. He might resurface if he checks himself and gets back to playing sound football because his athletic ability is awesome.

[NO-KG-AI]

Interesting stuff, he was an absolute beast last year, I'd love to take a flier on him if no one else will for sure.

[WAYSA]

Which was the better William Moore highlight last Saturday?

Moore getting knocked back & dragged 5 yards by a running back on a rush right up the middle..

Or

A long TD pass going right above his head and through his hands.

Moore is awful & I was shocked to hear people were proclaiming him to be a top 15ish prospect.

[NO-KG-AI]

It must have been luck getting 117 tackles and 8 INTs in 14 games.

[Da Schwab]

Ic, you have CJ Spiller going at #30 to the Iggles, and then again at #34 to the Bengals. Who did you really mean to put at #34?

[MoGrAdY]

I dont really feel like the Lions address any of their main needs with your mock. A TE in the 1st round? When they cant pressure the QB or block for their own? I really think they HAVE to go OL an DL/LB with both of their first rounders.

[Icness]

Ic, you have CJ Spiller going at #30 to the Iggles, and then again at #34 to the Bengals. Who did you really mean to put at #34?

I even edited it to fix that but for some reason it didn't change. I have Spiller going #34 to Cincy, with Myron Rolle going to Philly at #30. I'm doing another update within the next couple of weeks and that will be resolved then. The next one will also feature Tim Tebow, who most folks now expect to declare. Nobody I've talked to believes Sam Bradford is coming out. Yet.

FYI--Kevin Barnes CB Maryland, who I have going #40 to the Browns, suffered a severe shoulder injury and is probably going to miss all pre-draft workout activities. Too bad because he really played his way up to that status and now his stock is likely to go on a sharp decline, a la Zack Bowman.

[Pats19andO]

Ic, why will Maroney go?

[ChronicKerr]

Ic, originally you had Ringer in the first round now you drop him out of the top 2 rounds. What have you seen to warrant such a fall? I know his numbers this year are inflated due to having so many carries but you can't deny the numbers. Where do you see him going now?

[Da Schwab]

Ic, I know you've said in the past that Travis Beckum's stock was falling because if his horrible blocking ability, so now with this broken tibula situation, how far do you see him falling?