Hottoddie
Veteran
Well, this is the last time this year that I'll put you through any more of my mock drafts. No, really, this is the last time. 
We all know that the defense needs the most help & this year's draft is going to most likely be dedicated to the defensive side of the ball. In my opinion, the most glaring positions we need a starter at are CB, FS, SS, OLB & NT. With free agency on hold for the time being & not knowing how it'll look after the CBA is worked out, I'm going to focus on BPA at positions of need. So, that eliminates WR in the first round. While AJ Green & JJ would be upgrades opposite AJ, they are a luxury we can't afford this year. Unless of course, you want to miss the playoffs & be picking in the top 11 again next year.
My plan is to come out of this draft with 3 starters (1 CB or safety, 1 OLB & 1 NT/DT) & a chance at it being 4-5 starters, along with adding depth. While we don't know how free agency will shake out, I plan on going hard after a veteran CB or safety as well as upgrading our O'line in free agency. And yes, we will pay the price it takes to land the right veteran CB not named Asomugha or safety depending upon which we need after the draft. I'll even entertain trading for a CB with future draft picks if the right deal & player is offered once the CBA is worked out.
It's my opinion that the 3 players capable of starting immediately & with a chance of at least one of them being on the board at #11 will be Amukamara, Quinn or JJ Watt. So, I'm proposing 3 different mocks depending upon which of these 3 players we select at #11. The mocks are listed in the order of priority I believe the team needs the most & involve no trades.
SCENARIO #1
1) Prince Amukamara (CB) Has all the markings of a shutdown corner. He starts day one at CB & allows us to move Quin to FS.
2) Stephen Paea (NT) Not as big as you typically see in a 3-4 NT, but hes incredibly strong & should be perfect for Wades hybrid 3-4.
3) Chris Carter (OLB) He brings great value in the 3rd. Hes a little undersized, but possesses all the skills you look for in a rush linebacker in the 3-4.
4) Chris Culliver (CB/FS/KR) This kid offers a great deal of versatility by being able to play 3 positions. Hes got great size & speed (4.36) & has been very successful as both a FS & KR in college.
5) Mario Harvey (ILB) This could be the steal of the draft & gives us great depth at the linebacking position.
6) Tori Gurley (WR) Big, strong kid that is tough to bring down after the catch. He has reliable hands & is a very adequate blocker down field. Doesnt have blazing speed, but speed (4.56) is more than adequate. He projects as a slot receiver & offers insurance if Walters continues the disappearing act he had last year.
7a) Allen Bradford (RB/FB) Strong short yardage RB that could play FB if we lose Vonta Leech. Otherwise, he adds depth at the RB position & makes Slaton expendable.
7b) D'Aundre Reed (OLB) Reed played behind Brooks Reed & Ricky Elmore at Arizona. Hes very athletic, has long arms & a quick first step. His biggest question mark is his lateness off the snap. That should be something that can be coached up. Great value if hes still on the board at this pick.
Free Agency Targets Starting SS, Oline depth & Dline depth
SCENARIO #2
1) Robert Quinn (OLB) Do I really need to say anything? Along with Barwin, DeMeco & Cushing, Quinn would give us one of the best linebacking groups in the NFL.
2) Quinton Carter (SS/FS) Ive gone back & forth on whether we should take Carter or House here. I believe Carter offers us the most bang for the buck due to his ability to play FS, SS & fill in at CB during certain blitze packages. Hes got great hands, excellent speed & brings the wood. Moving Quin to FS & putting Carter in at SS would give us two ballhawking safeties with great range. That would be something this team has never had. Add a veteran CB & this teams secondary should show a huge improvement next year.
3) Kenrick Ellis (NT) He has some off field issues, but if the team believes those are behind him Ellis could be the answer we need at the NT position. Hes extremely strong, can handle the double team & is very agile for a man this size.
4) Chris Culliver (CB/FS/KR) - This kid offers a great deal of versatility by being able to play 3 positions. Hes got great size & speed (4.36) & has been very successful as both a FS & KR in college.
5) Mario Harvey (ILB) - This could be the steal of the draft & gives us great depth at the linebacking position.
6) Tori Gurley (WR) - Big, strong kid that is tough to bring down after the catch. He has reliable hands & is a very adequate blocker down field. Doesnt have blazing speed, but speed (4.56) is more than adequate. He projects as a slot receiver & offers insurance if Walters continues the disappearing act he had last year.
7a) Allen Bradford (RB/FB) - Strong short yardage RB that could play FB if we lose Vonta Leech. Otherwise, he adds depth at the RB position & makes Slaton expendable.
7b) D'Aundre Reed (OLB) Reed played behind Brooks Reed & Ricky Elmore at Arizona. Hes very athletic, has long arms & a quick first step. His biggest question mark is his lateness off the snap. That should be something that can be coached up. Great value if hes still on the board at this pick.
Free Agency Targets Starting CB, Oline depth & Dline depth
SCENARIO #3
1) JJ Watt (DE) Taking Watt would give us one of the best & most athletic front lines in the NFL. I could see Wade playing Mario, Watt & Smith at the same time & sending all of them after the QB on 3rd & long. Watt is very athletic, strong & has a non stop motor.
2) Quinton Carter (SS/FS) - Ive gone back & forth on whether we should take Carter or House here. I believe Carter offers us the most bang for the buck due to his ability to play FS, SS & fill in at CB during certain blitze packages. Hes got great hands, excellent speed & brings the wood. Moving Quin to FS & putting Carter in at SS would give us two ballhawking safeties with great range. That would be something this team has never had. Add a veteran CB & this teams secondary should show a huge improvement next year.
3) Chris Carter (OLB) - He brings great value in the 3rd. Hes a little undersized, but possesses all the skills you look for in a rush linebacker in the 3-4.
4) Chris Culliver (CB/FS/KR) - This kid offers a great deal of versatility by being able to play 3 positions. Hes got great size & speed (4.36) & has been very successful as both a FS & KR in college.
5) Mario Harvey (ILB) - This could be the steal of the draft & gives us great depth at the linebacking position.
6) Tori Gurley (WR) - Big, strong kid that is tough to bring down after the catch. He has reliable hands & is a very adequate blocker down field. Doesnt have blazing speed, but speed (4.56) is more than adequate. He projects as a slot receiver & offers insurance if Walters continues the disappearing act he had last year.
7a) Allen Bradford (RB/FB) - Strong short yardage RB that could play FB if we lose Vonta Leech. Otherwise, he adds depth at the RB position & makes Slaton expendable.
7b) D'Aundre Reed (OLB) Reed played behind Brooks Reed & Ricky Elmore at Arizona. Hes very athletic, has long arms & a quick first step. His biggest question mark is his lateness off the snap. That should be something that can be coached up. Great value if hes still on the board at this pick.
Free Agency Targets Starting CB, Oline depth & Dline depth
Well, that's it. Could you live with one of these drafts or am I full of it? Fire away.
We all know that the defense needs the most help & this year's draft is going to most likely be dedicated to the defensive side of the ball. In my opinion, the most glaring positions we need a starter at are CB, FS, SS, OLB & NT. With free agency on hold for the time being & not knowing how it'll look after the CBA is worked out, I'm going to focus on BPA at positions of need. So, that eliminates WR in the first round. While AJ Green & JJ would be upgrades opposite AJ, they are a luxury we can't afford this year. Unless of course, you want to miss the playoffs & be picking in the top 11 again next year.
My plan is to come out of this draft with 3 starters (1 CB or safety, 1 OLB & 1 NT/DT) & a chance at it being 4-5 starters, along with adding depth. While we don't know how free agency will shake out, I plan on going hard after a veteran CB or safety as well as upgrading our O'line in free agency. And yes, we will pay the price it takes to land the right veteran CB not named Asomugha or safety depending upon which we need after the draft. I'll even entertain trading for a CB with future draft picks if the right deal & player is offered once the CBA is worked out.
It's my opinion that the 3 players capable of starting immediately & with a chance of at least one of them being on the board at #11 will be Amukamara, Quinn or JJ Watt. So, I'm proposing 3 different mocks depending upon which of these 3 players we select at #11. The mocks are listed in the order of priority I believe the team needs the most & involve no trades.
SCENARIO #1
1) Prince Amukamara (CB) Has all the markings of a shutdown corner. He starts day one at CB & allows us to move Quin to FS.
2) Stephen Paea (NT) Not as big as you typically see in a 3-4 NT, but hes incredibly strong & should be perfect for Wades hybrid 3-4.
3) Chris Carter (OLB) He brings great value in the 3rd. Hes a little undersized, but possesses all the skills you look for in a rush linebacker in the 3-4.
4) Chris Culliver (CB/FS/KR) This kid offers a great deal of versatility by being able to play 3 positions. Hes got great size & speed (4.36) & has been very successful as both a FS & KR in college.
5) Mario Harvey (ILB) This could be the steal of the draft & gives us great depth at the linebacking position.
6) Tori Gurley (WR) Big, strong kid that is tough to bring down after the catch. He has reliable hands & is a very adequate blocker down field. Doesnt have blazing speed, but speed (4.56) is more than adequate. He projects as a slot receiver & offers insurance if Walters continues the disappearing act he had last year.
7a) Allen Bradford (RB/FB) Strong short yardage RB that could play FB if we lose Vonta Leech. Otherwise, he adds depth at the RB position & makes Slaton expendable.
7b) D'Aundre Reed (OLB) Reed played behind Brooks Reed & Ricky Elmore at Arizona. Hes very athletic, has long arms & a quick first step. His biggest question mark is his lateness off the snap. That should be something that can be coached up. Great value if hes still on the board at this pick.
Free Agency Targets Starting SS, Oline depth & Dline depth
SCENARIO #2
1) Robert Quinn (OLB) Do I really need to say anything? Along with Barwin, DeMeco & Cushing, Quinn would give us one of the best linebacking groups in the NFL.
2) Quinton Carter (SS/FS) Ive gone back & forth on whether we should take Carter or House here. I believe Carter offers us the most bang for the buck due to his ability to play FS, SS & fill in at CB during certain blitze packages. Hes got great hands, excellent speed & brings the wood. Moving Quin to FS & putting Carter in at SS would give us two ballhawking safeties with great range. That would be something this team has never had. Add a veteran CB & this teams secondary should show a huge improvement next year.
3) Kenrick Ellis (NT) He has some off field issues, but if the team believes those are behind him Ellis could be the answer we need at the NT position. Hes extremely strong, can handle the double team & is very agile for a man this size.
4) Chris Culliver (CB/FS/KR) - This kid offers a great deal of versatility by being able to play 3 positions. Hes got great size & speed (4.36) & has been very successful as both a FS & KR in college.
5) Mario Harvey (ILB) - This could be the steal of the draft & gives us great depth at the linebacking position.
6) Tori Gurley (WR) - Big, strong kid that is tough to bring down after the catch. He has reliable hands & is a very adequate blocker down field. Doesnt have blazing speed, but speed (4.56) is more than adequate. He projects as a slot receiver & offers insurance if Walters continues the disappearing act he had last year.
7a) Allen Bradford (RB/FB) - Strong short yardage RB that could play FB if we lose Vonta Leech. Otherwise, he adds depth at the RB position & makes Slaton expendable.
7b) D'Aundre Reed (OLB) Reed played behind Brooks Reed & Ricky Elmore at Arizona. Hes very athletic, has long arms & a quick first step. His biggest question mark is his lateness off the snap. That should be something that can be coached up. Great value if hes still on the board at this pick.
Free Agency Targets Starting CB, Oline depth & Dline depth
SCENARIO #3
1) JJ Watt (DE) Taking Watt would give us one of the best & most athletic front lines in the NFL. I could see Wade playing Mario, Watt & Smith at the same time & sending all of them after the QB on 3rd & long. Watt is very athletic, strong & has a non stop motor.
2) Quinton Carter (SS/FS) - Ive gone back & forth on whether we should take Carter or House here. I believe Carter offers us the most bang for the buck due to his ability to play FS, SS & fill in at CB during certain blitze packages. Hes got great hands, excellent speed & brings the wood. Moving Quin to FS & putting Carter in at SS would give us two ballhawking safeties with great range. That would be something this team has never had. Add a veteran CB & this teams secondary should show a huge improvement next year.
3) Chris Carter (OLB) - He brings great value in the 3rd. Hes a little undersized, but possesses all the skills you look for in a rush linebacker in the 3-4.
4) Chris Culliver (CB/FS/KR) - This kid offers a great deal of versatility by being able to play 3 positions. Hes got great size & speed (4.36) & has been very successful as both a FS & KR in college.
5) Mario Harvey (ILB) - This could be the steal of the draft & gives us great depth at the linebacking position.
6) Tori Gurley (WR) - Big, strong kid that is tough to bring down after the catch. He has reliable hands & is a very adequate blocker down field. Doesnt have blazing speed, but speed (4.56) is more than adequate. He projects as a slot receiver & offers insurance if Walters continues the disappearing act he had last year.
7a) Allen Bradford (RB/FB) - Strong short yardage RB that could play FB if we lose Vonta Leech. Otherwise, he adds depth at the RB position & makes Slaton expendable.
7b) D'Aundre Reed (OLB) Reed played behind Brooks Reed & Ricky Elmore at Arizona. Hes very athletic, has long arms & a quick first step. His biggest question mark is his lateness off the snap. That should be something that can be coached up. Great value if hes still on the board at this pick.
Free Agency Targets Starting CB, Oline depth & Dline depth
Well, that's it. Could you live with one of these drafts or am I full of it? Fire away.
