Mock Draft 2.0 is up, 11/4

[Icness]

http://football.realgm.com/src_feature_ ... erison_20/

The first 15 picks:
Round One
1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2. Cincinnati Bengals: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Andre Smith, T, Alabama
4. San Francisco 49ers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
5. Oakland Raiders: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
6. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
7. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia
8. San Diego Chargers: Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama
9. Cleveland Browns: Vontae Davis, DB, Illinois
10. Houston Texans: Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida
11. Jacksonville Jaguars: SenDerrick Marks, DT, Auburn
12. Minnesota Vikings: Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss
13. Miami Dolphins: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
14. New Orleans Saints: Alex Mack, C, California
15. Green Bay Packers: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas

Much more on the "whys" once my 2-month old daughter strings together more than 2 straight hours of sleep and I get caught up on watching about 15 games from the last two weeks.

[studcrackers]

u really like to overrate beanie and though stafford may go #1 im not impressed by him either

[Rafael122]

I did a search for that DE from Florida State, last name Brown and he doesn't show up on the radar on NFLDraftCountdown and they are usually pretty good. Not even ranked amongst the top defensive ends.

[NoSkyy]

I did a search for that DE from Florida State, last name Brown and he doesn't show up on the radar on NFLDraftCountdown and they are usually pretty good. Not even ranked amongst the top defensive ends.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/ds ... &genpos=DE

Not quite sure how you missed that but okay.

[Rafael122]

Well, figures. That says 2010 NFL Draft. The website I went to was focusing on next year. Take a look: http://www.draftcountdown.com/rankings/de.php

[NoSkyy]

Well to be honest, I wouldn't trust any of the sites this early anyway...

[Icness]

I know one of the guys at NFLDraftScout well. He's a longtime NFL road scout and talent evaluator, absolutely knows what he's talking about. He does have a bit of an SEC bias though. When I'm looking for info on players I don't know well, that's one of the places I turn. I find the site hard to get around unfortunately.

Hope you all caught a little of Nate Davis QB Ball State last night. I was there in person and I sat with scouts from the Broncos, Cowboys, Saints, Vikings, and Bears watching Davis, TE Darius Hill, and NIU DE Larry English. All 3 look like they will be gone by the middle of the 3rd round. The Broncos scout loves Darius Hill, and the Vikings and Cowboys were both checking out Davis real hard.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

Icness, how would you rank the centers and tackles in this offensive line class?

I ask because I find it hard to believe that Michael Oher and (WARNING: BIAS ALERT) Max Unger have slipped as far as they have. I've seen people put Unger in the running with Mack for the first center taken, and Michael Oher is, well, Michael Oher. I find it hard to believe that Eugene Monroe has surpassed him even as Virginia has started winning.

Another thing I've been kicking around (as I do anytime I hear about a draft in any sport) is the possibility of the Bengals trading down. Given the fluidity of talent I see, I'd have to think that, for a team with as many holes as the Bengals do, this is an increasingly viable option.

[Icness]

Icness, how would you rank the centers and tackles in this offensive line class?

I ask because I find it hard to believe that Michael Oher and (WARNING: BIAS ALERT) Max Unger have slipped as far as they have. I've seen people put Unger in the running with Mack for the first center taken, and Michael Oher is, well, Michael Oher. I find it hard to believe that Eugene Monroe has surpassed him even as Virginia has started winning.

Another thing I've been kicking around (as I do anytime I hear about a draft in any sport) is the possibility of the Bengals trading down. Given the fluidity of talent I see, I'd have to think that, for a team with as many holes as the Bengals do, this is an increasingly viable option.

Best center class since I've been actively following the draft. Mack, Luigs, Caldwell, Wood are all legit 1st-2nd round talents and the next grouping below them is solid too.

Most things I've heard about Unger are that he's an NFL guard or right tackle. He's certainly in the mix for the 2nd round, maybe the first half of that round if he shows well in postseason. He doesn't demonstrate good lower body strength or balance, and he's too tall to play center. I would take Fenuki Tupou off that line before Unger.

Oher is a toughie, because he has such outstanding potential. But he has graded out as Ole Miss' best linemen only once this season, and the rest of that line isn't anything special. The right tackle Miller looked a lot better than him in the Alabama game. In the 2 Ole Miss games I've watched he has shown flashes of greatness in pass protection but has not locked up his man in the run game, and he leans too much, doesn't move his feet very well. He needs to go to a team with a dominating persona as an OL coach, like an Ed Orgeron in New Orleans or Mike Maser in Miami, to whip the lazy feet and iffy hand technique out of him. If guys were being drafted strictly on potential he's the #1 pick in the draft. But he hasn't shown that elite talent very often. Eugene Monroe has played better more consistently and has a good history against NFL talent. Eben Britton and Ciron Black are rising quickly, though I don't get Black at all, he's done little to impress me thus far.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

Most things I've heard about Unger are that he's an NFL guard or right tackle. He's certainly in the mix for the 2nd round, maybe the first half of that round if he shows well in postseason. He doesn't demonstrate good lower body strength or balance, and he's too tall to play center. I would take Fenuki Tupou off that line before Unger.

You mind explaining why? I definitely see the potential aspect in Fenuki, and he's been pretty good about not allowing sacks; that said, he's a bit prone to penalties and maybe not as strong against smaller rushers. Unger, meanwhile, can play every single position on the line. Even if you don't draft him as a center, he can back up there in a pinch; Oregon moved him from center to left tackle for a game earlier this year.

[UrbanLegendMD]

Tebow in the second round? There is at least one GM out there who is willing to take the risk on his passing skills in the first.

[A.J.]

Im not sold on Brandon Spikes for us. I think we are set at linebacker with Diles, Ryans, and Greenwood.
Do you think somehow Knowshon Moreno will improve his draft stock?

[TyCobb]

I can't see a defensive player being picked before Taylor Mays.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

I can. Taylor Mays is not a football player.

He's a physical freak who can't cover anybody if left one-on-one with them. His instincts are lacking. He hits hard, but he doesn't tackle and that costs his team plenty of yards. He's not bad in zone coverage because he's fast and he has long arms, but outside of that he's near worthless as an NFL safety. He wouldn't start from Day One. I tried to come into the season with an open mind about him, but after watching the Oregon State game, anyone who tries to draft him with a first round pick will be making a Justin Harrell-like mistake. (Hey Packers fans, how's that one working out for you?)

I wouldn't draft him before a fourth-round compensatory selection if he wasn't 6-3, 240 with 4.4 speed. But I think a team with a 3-4 defense could get away with selecting him in the third round, converting him to LB and teaching him all four linebacking spots on the field. He might make a decent ILB since the ability to cover is one that pays well. But I'd give up on any notion of him as a starting safety. Receivers are too smart for him in the NFL and he can't get by with just physical tools against NFL QBs.

[TyCobb]

LOL. You're hate towards USC is almost comparable to Lakeshow's homerism. I have watched every snap of this kid in college. His insticts are lacking? This guy is a ball freaking hawk. He has some of the best closing speed in the country. He's all over the field, if a corner gets beat and the receiver gets thrown to, you can chalk it up as an incomplete pass because this guy knock his lights out as soon as he touches the ball.

I don't know too much about who covers who in man-to-man, but I have not seen Mays, a FS and not a corner, line up against a WR...usually he just plays all over the field like Sean Taylor did at Miami. He's got a lot of freedom because he's got a lot talent.

Like I said, I've watched every USC game for the past 5 or 6 years. Taylor Mays is the best defensive player on this team. Yes, he's better than Rey. Hell, to be honest, I think Cushing is better than Rey.

[TyCobb]

SEAN TAYLOR
Sean Taylor - S Position: S
Class: Underclassman
School: Miami (FL)
Conference: Big East
Ht., Wt.: 6'2½, 230
40 Time: 4.51
Grade: 5.03

Selected by Washington Redskins
Round 1, pick 5 (5 overall)
BIO: Big East Defensive Player of the Year in ‘03 after totaling 77/10/13. All-conference selection as a sophomore after 53/4/15.

POSITIVES: Big, game-changing safety who could be used at a variety of positions. Intelligent, immediately recognizes the action and quick to key the ball carrier. Efficient, plays under control and takes correct angles to the action. Remains focused, and though fierce in run defense, does not get caught out of position on pass plays. Fires up the field, displays a burst of speed but also plays sideline-to-sideline and covers a good amount of area. Hard-hitting and forces the action. Outstanding special teams player that impacts the game on coverage units.

NEGATIVES: Better facing the quarterback and slow to locate in man-to-man coverage. Lacks top hands for the interception and, as a result, defends more throws than he actually picks off.

ANALYSIS: A freak of nature with rare athletic abilities, Taylor can be a force at either safety position in the NFL. He has the physical skills, tenacity and mental attitude to immediately produce as a rookie and should quickly move into a starting lineup next season.

PROJECTION: Early First Round

Okay, so the only difference is Mays isn't an outstanding special teams player because he doesn't play special teams. However, he is bigger and faster and stronger. Sean Taylor went 5th overall.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

SEAN TAYLOR
Sean Taylor - S Position: S
Class: Underclassman
School: Miami (FL)
Conference: Big East
Ht., Wt.: 6'2½, 230
40 Time: 4.51
Grade: 5.03

Selected by Washington Redskins
Round 1, pick 5 (5 overall)
BIO: Big East Defensive Player of the Year in ‘03 after totaling 77/10/13. All-conference selection as a sophomore after 53/4/15.

POSITIVES: Big, game-changing safety who could be used at a variety of positions. Intelligent, immediately recognizes the action and quick to key the ball carrier. Efficient, plays under control and takes correct angles to the action. Remains focused, and though fierce in run defense, does not get caught out of position on pass plays. Fires up the field, displays a burst of speed but also plays sideline-to-sideline and covers a good amount of area. Hard-hitting and forces the action. Outstanding special teams player that impacts the game on coverage units.

NEGATIVES: Better facing the quarterback and slow to locate in man-to-man coverage. Lacks top hands for the interception and, as a result, defends more throws than he actually picks off.

ANALYSIS: A freak of nature with rare athletic abilities, Taylor can be a force at either safety position in the NFL. He has the physical skills, tenacity and mental attitude to immediately produce as a rookie and should quickly move into a starting lineup next season.

PROJECTION: Early First Round

Okay, so the only difference is Mays isn't an outstanding special teams player because he doesn't play special teams. However, he is bigger and faster and stronger. Sean Taylor went 5th overall.

Everything I just bolded is what Sean Taylor did so much better than Taylor Mays does. My memories of Taylor in college are fading but he was more fierce than I've ever seen Mays be from the safety position.

(I don't necessarily agree with it, but well done with the comparison.)

[TyCobb]

Out of the bold, the only thing I would agree Sean Taylor did better was not being caught out of position on pass plays. I've seen the SC corners get burnt quite a bit and the receiver was open for the catch. But as far as hard hitting, well, that's Mays' specialty. That's probably his best attribute, besides his speed (which he uses perfectly since he doesn't wrap up tacklers, he throws his whole body into them which is plenty enough to knock them down since he's doing it at full speed). I do actually think he is really fast and quick to finding who has the ball, I nearly see him in on every tackle and play. It's like there are four No. 2's out there (not including Gable). And what mistakes he does make out of man and being out of position on pass plays, he makes a great amount of it up with his great size and speed.

[CJ_18]

If Sean Taylor never entered the NFL, people would think that Taylor Mays is an absolute GOD with his combination of size and skill set. Sean set the precedent for athletic beasts playing the free safety position. And honestly Ty, I don't see how you can say Mays is bigger, faster and stronger. Bigger? BARELY..Mays has 1/2 inch and 0 pounds on Taylor. Faster? Yes Mays' 40 time is better, but Sean's straight-line speed of 4.5 didn't properly indicate how fast he played. His quickness was amazing for his size, and his range/closing speed was un-manly, and better than Mays'. Stronger? that might be true, as Sean put up 11 at 225 at the combine. But the power with which he tackled and smashed people with was obviously un-paralleled. Sean was a harder hitter, better in coverage and smarter/more instinctive.

[TyCobb]

I was a huge fan of Sean Taylor in college, watched alot of his games, same when he was in the NFL, but has anyone here seen Mays hit? Ask the receivers and running backs he knocks out how hard he hits. He knocked the Arizona running back out of the game, just from one hit. Here are some vids:

Last game vs. Cal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=augIi76eJ8w

Knocking out AZ RB out of the game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsex0ceiDtk

Some more vs. Cal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l6sQh5bGyg

That's all that's really on him on YouTube. But yeah, he is a beast at hitting..