Seminole's first 2014 Mock Draft

I am assuming no trades, with one 5th round compensatory pick. I would target a right tackle and linebacker, both inside and outside, help in FA. I would also resign Antonio Smith.

Round 1: Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame

I’d like to get Barr here, but I don’t think we will have a shot at him. I think we will probably be in the 6-10 range. I like Nix a lot and feel that he could help us immensely both in pass rush and run defense.

Round 2: Christian Jones, ILB, FSU

He’s a physical freak that has played both inside and outside linebacker. I think that once you get him in your defense, you aren’t going to want to take him off the field.

Round 3: Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia

I like Murray a lot. He fights hard, makes quick enough decisions, is a four-year starter, and takes shots down the field with accuracy.

Round 4: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia

This guy is kind of a sleeper. He may not move up, because I don’t think he can be a premier left tackle, but he is a nice right tackle prospect.

Round 5: James Gayle, OLB, Virginia Tech

Nice pass rusher, but may not standout at combine.

Round 5: Terrance Brooks, S, Florida State

Versatile safety with a lot of experience. He needs to work on his tackling.

Round 6: James Wilder, RB, Florida State

Big running back that never stops churning his legs. I think he will come out this year, because a) he isn’t the starter this year, nor will be next year and b) Karlos Williams is going to take a lot of his carries next year.

Round 7: Chris Boswell, K, Rice

This guy has a big leg. He is the active NCAA career leader in field goals of 50 yards or longer.

I’m a bit behind in my draft scouting, but this was my best attempt at an early mock. I’d like to address both RT and OLB earlier, while better addressing the secondary, but this is how it fell for me.

My feedback -

Is Nix Texan worthy? Could ask same question about Manziel to be fair. His character & background check will be critical as is his knee & health to his final draft grade. Right now I can't see him being any more than a two down linemen, taken out in pass rushing situations, as a rule. IMO his motor doesn't support a three down player. Still this is a premium player for position & brings a new mouth to the table. I both love & hate this pick.

Second round seems about right to address ILB need. You've obviously watched more of Jones than anyone on this board so got to sign off on this one & hope your right. It does trouble me that he doesn't lead his team in tackles from MLB position or that he has only two sacks & 4.5 TFL.

Love Aaron Murray. Reminds me of Brees. You think he lasts into 3rd rd? Anyway kinda back-ed off him when Case started, was looking for a more athletic counterpart or bigger, strong armed signal caller. Still no arguing his numbers think he is a winner & Texan worthy too!

Virginia produces a lot of quality OL with excellent coaching & tradition. Like I've stated in my own work is a return to a classic ZBS system so doesn't really fit that profile, kinda lumbering, massive, slower OT.

Can you compare Gayle to Trevardo Williams. I would like to see a higher priority placed on OLB unless you feel Christian Jones kicks outside? The thing I see in a lot of mocks is Texans addressed positions, OT, OG, OLB in last years draft but for one reason or another they all got injured & IR'd for season. I guess it depends on if Rick & Gary come back for next season, if gone then alot of positions/players could/will change.

FSU, FSU go figure! Both athletic solid football players who add depth to positions.

Really like kicker in 7th or undrafted free agency. Got to bring in someone next offseason, suppose its too late now to change our Bullock so hope he turns it around.

A very good effort with FSU bias. Please share more detailed information on your players on weekly basis to support your picks. For instance I also tabbed James Wilder, but in the 4th because of need to add prototypical sized ZBS runner who is a bell cow, pound the rock option behind Foster.

I have a hard time mocking guys that I haven't seen play and I am behind in my scouting, as I said, so it's no surprise that I have 3 Seminoles on the list.

With Nix, I definitely think he could be an every down player. I don't see why not. He adds value in that he collapses the pocket, especially with running QBs that often step up to evade and then take off. He makes everyone else's job easier. We need somebody that can open things up for others.

In regards to Jones not leading his team in tackles, there are a couple reasons for that. He was second on the team in 2011 and first in 2012. This year, they've moved him to OLB, so he is no longer the MLB of the team. He can play multiple positions and they needed an athletic pass rusher. The two DE's they have starting are more like 3-4 ends. The backups are in the same mold. He moved to that spot out of necessity. Also, the backups have been playing almost as much as the starters. Jimbo Fisher and Jeremy Pruitt have no problem subbing out an entire unit for a full half. He's done it several times this year. You'll notice all of the FSU defenders have subpar stats. They just don't play in close games, thus don't play a lot. That may actually hurt them, as people may question their conditioning.

I'm not sure where Murray lands. I'd take him in the second and change out Jones in 2nd for Skov in 3rd if necessary, but it doesn't seem necessary from my research thus far.

Moses is a big dude, but he's got some good feet. I don't know if you have had a chance to watch him, but he's no lumberer.

I really wanted to address OLB earlier. I do think Jones can kick outside in some circumstances, but I agree in that we need better options on an every down basis. In this circumstance, our third down unit would include Watt/Nix/Smith with Mercy/Cushing/Jones moving around and rushing from different angles. You could probably stand Watt up and move him around as well, which we have already started doing a little bit. This plays into what I said earlier in that I think Nix can be a three down player. He just needs to eat guys up and push them into the QBs lap. The other guys can stay clean and mop up with their speed.

Gayle is not really like Williams. He isn't as athetlic. His projected 40 time is inflated from what I can see. He's a good rusher though and he is well coached. I add him for depth.

It is interesting that a lot of mocks have us taking positions that we drafted last year, but we don't know what these guys from last year are going to bring to the table. In addition, we just need depth at those positions. Not only do we need to replace Newton as a starting RT, but I don't want him as a backup either. As far as I am concerned, he needs to be replaced entirely.

Terrance Brooks is kind of up and down. He flashes great ability, but then has another play where he just looks bad, both in pass defense and run defense. I've seen him man up on slot guys and shut them down for a full game. I've seen him stop the run consistently during games. I've also seen him misjudge multiple balls within a game, or miss "must make" tackles, and you almost wish he'd get taken out. He's a great athlete for a 5th rounder, so it's taking a shot a little bit.

You're probably right that Wilder goes higher than the 6th round, but I don't see him as a 3rd or 4th rounder. He hasn't shown the ability to be a great pass catcher out of the backfield and honestly doesn't pass protect all that often. I think his lack of playing time, especially in certain circumstances, will keep teams from falling too much in love with him. He just comes off as raw when you watch him. He's a fantastic goal-line back.

Thanks for the feedback/post.

I agree with most of what BL says and have moved Nix off my board more so to his injury and future surgery than his motor. I watch the guy and for his size he constantly eats up blocks and either gets into pocket or slides with flow of play. He chases to sidelines whether he has chance or not rather than resting if play goes away from him.

I prefer Smallwood but tip my hat to your view. Smallwood could be there in third which opens second for another priority. Although I have Matthews in my first, I am watching to see if Ogbuehi gets a first round grade and comes out. If he was there say #37, I'd take him and look elsewhere in first. I'd like to trade out in first but I do not see Browns doing that now and SF is too far to drop, probably.

2. OT Ogbuehi 3. Smallwood or even Skov 4. NT Carrethers and I am in heaven. I don't see Smith using high pick on OLB with Trevardo back and Reed under contract 2014.

I really like Murray and would love to get him in the 3rd.

I wouldn't complain about this draft much .... would rather swap NT and RT pick positions tho. No matter who's playing QB , we have to protect him.
Several players I think are better value than Nix in the 3rd or 4th rounds including Danny Shelton , Ryan Carrethers & Daniel McCullers , tho McCullers is a bit long for the position , I worry about leverage.




Think I've seen 4 mocks since I posted mine all with Christian Jones in the second round. Again , he could go earlier ..... but we've been over that. Great pick.


I've got Murray as a 2nd rounder right now with McCarron falling into the third.

Corrosion said:

I wouldn't complain about this draft much .... would rather swap NT and RT pick positions tho. No matter who's playing QB , we have to protect him.
Several players I think are better value than Nix in the 3rd or 4th rounds including Danny Shelton , Ryan Carrethers & Daniel McCullers , tho McCullers is a bit long for the position , I worry about leverage.




Think I've seen 4 mocks since I posted mine all with Christian Jones in the second round. Again , he could go earlier ..... but we've been over that. Great pick.


I've got Murray as a 2nd rounder right now with McCarron falling into the third.

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I agree with all of this except for your NTs in later rounds. It's not so much that I disagree, I just don't know enough/haven't seen enough to have an opinion at all. I considered Alabama's OT in first and looked for a later round NT, but my lack of knowledge of those guys kept me from going that route.

Trade down and take Nix mid 1st for better value and extra picks and this could be a homerun. I have doubts that Murray or Brooks are still available in these rounds but if so they're great value as well as very good players. Overall I really like this draft.

The more I look at this mock the more I like it, almost as much as my own.

TexansSeminole said:

I agree with all of this except for your NTs in later rounds. It's not so much that I disagree, I just don't know enough/haven't seen enough to have an opinion at all. I considered Alabama's OT in first and looked for a later round NT, but my lack of knowledge of those guys kept me from going that route.

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Find some time to watch those NT's .... all of them have NFL potential.

McCullers probably needs to go to a 4-3 team .... but the other two are both prototypical 3-4 NT's.
Shelton and Carrethers both have the potential to be 3 down guy's. I prefer Shelton myself as he's a bit younger and a little more explosive tho I dont think you could go wrong drafting either in rounds 3-4 .... which frees up that #1 pick for an RT or QB if it comes to that.

Love nix. Might even take him over clowney.

I think nix is a full time player and has a great motor. I think he is a real stud.

Rey said:

Love nix. Might even take him over clowney.

I think nix is a full time player and has a great motor. I think he is a real stud.

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Agreed

But, with Nix needing surgery this pick worries me. The thought of Nix/Watt on the same line immediately improves the defense.