WolverineFan
Hall of Fame
This mock is done under the impression that we return Mallett next year on a short term deal. Under that circumstance, I don't see much reason in drafting a QB next year when you're giving Mallett a shot and you already have Savage developing on the bench. I'm focused on improving the team around those guys instead.
1) Ronnie Stanley OT, Notre Dame* (6-5, 315)
- I see OT as a huge need for us going forward. Newton is not progressing and Brown doesnt appear to be the dominant player he once was. I address that with this pick. Stanley is a prototype. Has everything you want for the position when looking for a franchise OT. Was Zack Martins backup at LT as a true freshman and started all 13 games at RT as a sophomore. Has started every game at LT this season and surrendered zero pressures in big games against Stanford, Arizona State, and Florida State and was very impressive against USC. Its a crime that hes going so under the radar while a guy like Ogbuehi is getting top-20 hype. Only issue is if he comes out this year. Notre Dame tends to return a lot of players and not send a lot of underclassmen into the draft. I hope he comes out because I have him as the #2 OT behind only Andrus Peat.
2) Derron Smith S, Fresno State (5-11, 197)
- The Safety position is becoming a very valuable position in the current NFL and teams are utilizing more 3-Safety sets in Nickel packages to combat the spread offense. We really need to upgrade here as we have no depth behind Lewis/Swearinger and Swag is already a liability in coverage. Smith is a 2-time all-conference player (soon to be 3-time) and was the conference DPOY last year as a junior. He has 14 INTs, 21 PBUs, and 11.5 TFL over the last 3 seasons. I liken him to a poor mans Earl Thomas because of his versatility and combination of coverage ability, ball skills, and ability in run support.
3) Senquez Golson CB, Ole Miss (5-9, 175)
- Our depth at CB has been improved, but this is still a need position and we need to upgrade the overall talent. Some may not be excited about a slot CB so early, but Im looking for playmakers. Also, adding a guy like Golson would allow Jackson to move back outside in Nickel packages and solidify the pass coverage across the field. Golson may be undersized, but hes a great athlete with top notch instincts and ball skills. He has 14 INTs, 16 PBUs, and 6 TFL over the last 3 seasons.
4) Taiwan Jones ILB, Michigan State (6-2, 252)
- ILB is our biggest need on defense and we all would probably like to see it addressed before this, but I aimed for playmakers in the secondary first. However, Jones is no consolation prize. Hes a freak athlete with a great frame. I said last year that I thought he would be a better pro than teammate Max Bullough and I stick to that. Bullough was a great run stuffing LB but he was limited outside of the box (not unlike the current incarnation of Cushing). Jones, however, can make plays all over the field and is great in space. Hes good in coverage and is improving against the run. He has 119 Tackles, 18 TFL, 4 Sacks, and 1 INT over the last 2 years.
1) Ronnie Stanley OT, Notre Dame* (6-5, 315)
- I see OT as a huge need for us going forward. Newton is not progressing and Brown doesnt appear to be the dominant player he once was. I address that with this pick. Stanley is a prototype. Has everything you want for the position when looking for a franchise OT. Was Zack Martins backup at LT as a true freshman and started all 13 games at RT as a sophomore. Has started every game at LT this season and surrendered zero pressures in big games against Stanford, Arizona State, and Florida State and was very impressive against USC. Its a crime that hes going so under the radar while a guy like Ogbuehi is getting top-20 hype. Only issue is if he comes out this year. Notre Dame tends to return a lot of players and not send a lot of underclassmen into the draft. I hope he comes out because I have him as the #2 OT behind only Andrus Peat.
2) Derron Smith S, Fresno State (5-11, 197)
- The Safety position is becoming a very valuable position in the current NFL and teams are utilizing more 3-Safety sets in Nickel packages to combat the spread offense. We really need to upgrade here as we have no depth behind Lewis/Swearinger and Swag is already a liability in coverage. Smith is a 2-time all-conference player (soon to be 3-time) and was the conference DPOY last year as a junior. He has 14 INTs, 21 PBUs, and 11.5 TFL over the last 3 seasons. I liken him to a poor mans Earl Thomas because of his versatility and combination of coverage ability, ball skills, and ability in run support.
3) Senquez Golson CB, Ole Miss (5-9, 175)
- Our depth at CB has been improved, but this is still a need position and we need to upgrade the overall talent. Some may not be excited about a slot CB so early, but Im looking for playmakers. Also, adding a guy like Golson would allow Jackson to move back outside in Nickel packages and solidify the pass coverage across the field. Golson may be undersized, but hes a great athlete with top notch instincts and ball skills. He has 14 INTs, 16 PBUs, and 6 TFL over the last 3 seasons.
4) Taiwan Jones ILB, Michigan State (6-2, 252)
- ILB is our biggest need on defense and we all would probably like to see it addressed before this, but I aimed for playmakers in the secondary first. However, Jones is no consolation prize. Hes a freak athlete with a great frame. I said last year that I thought he would be a better pro than teammate Max Bullough and I stick to that. Bullough was a great run stuffing LB but he was limited outside of the box (not unlike the current incarnation of Cushing). Jones, however, can make plays all over the field and is great in space. Hes good in coverage and is improving against the run. He has 119 Tackles, 18 TFL, 4 Sacks, and 1 INT over the last 2 years.