AngryNateFTW
Veteran
Only going to do the first 4 rounds, (because we have multiple picks in 5-7) but will finish the entire draft with position needs and possible suggestions. Now, according to "draft value" these players are probably players that in reality will go later than when they are drafted in this mock draft. Basing it on who I think will be a gamer in the NFL. If we re-did the 2011 draft there's no way JJ Watt makes it out of the top 3. 10 others teams are kicking themselves for letting him get to us at #11.
1. Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Would prefer to trade down out of the top 5 and draft him but if there are no takers, we'd stay put at 1.1. (You heard that right)
Quick off the snap. Natural leverage. Gets under pads and into gaps. Good foot athlete -- redirects well and can work the edges and loop and stunt. Flexible enough to zone drop in short area. Plays with awareness and consistently locates the ball. Closes hard and fast. Keeps working to the ball. Disruptive penetrating ability. Outstanding career production -- 63 TFL and 27.5 sacks the last three seasons. Tough and competitive. Team captain with terrific personal and football character. 43 hurries in his career at Pitt, no other defensive player in this draft is even close. If he ends up being a 12-15 sack guy every season with multiple TFL's just like JJ, he's EASILY worth 1.1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMmpIKvvnV4
2. Marcus Smith DE/OLB Louisville
Nice bend, balance and body control. Good pass-rush ability and potential. Quick first step. Coordinated hands and feet. Athletic and agile -- can stunt and loop. Flashes a spin move. Shows burst to close and get home. Moves well laterally. Gives effort in pursuit and ranges all over the field. Operated from 2- and 3-point stance. Solid character. Is coachable and has improved steadily.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfBbKM2LfXw
3. Aaron Murray QB Georgia
One of the most complete QBs of his class, Murray simply wins. Lacks the size of a true pocket passer but understands positioning within the pocket and has uncanny awareness. Has excellent feet and can slide to open throwing lanes, thus negating the height issue. Makes great decisions and cuts zones to pieces. Has very good arm strength and unbelievable touch.
Going into 2013, Murray’s biggest knock was that he couldn’t win the big game. He blew that myth out of the water this season. Murray was lights out in September victories over top 10 SEC foes South Carolina (309 yards passing, 4 TD) and LSU (298 yards, 4 Passing TD, 1 Rushing TD, 1 INT). And if not for a missed chip shot field goal against Clemson (323 yards, 0 Passing TD, 1 Rushing TD, 1 INT) and a literal miracle in Auburn (415 yards Passing, 2 Passing TD, 37 yards Rushing, 2 Rushing TD, 1 Int) he could’ve been 4-0 against top 10 teams this season. And then you hear about Murray off the field. His leadership ability. His high football IQ and ability to make pre-snap reads (offensive coordinator Mike Bobo estimated to Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he makes the correct call 90% of the time at the line). That he’s a film junkie…so much so that he went back to study his game against Kentucky (where he tore his ACL) immediately after being released from the Hospital.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piAUVTjOIgU
4. Aaron Colvin CB Oklahoma
Looks the part -- good size, body length and athletic ability. (5'11, 180, would be our slot CB.) Fine technician. Smart and instinctive -- can sort out combo routes. Matches up well with taller receivers and can carry them vertically downfield. Functional tackler. Hardworking, respected team leader who will hold teammates accountable. Experienced, three-year starter. Will grow on evaluators the more they watch him and has the instincts to eventually compete for a starting job. Was dominating at the Senior Bowl till he tore his ACL. Drafting him in the 4th to make sure we get him. Can have him heal up and contribute later on in the season when he's back into football shape. (Kind of like what the Cowboys did with Bruce Carter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYw-Q4pgyWQ
5. NT - Zack Kerr Delaware?
5. RT - Michael Schofield Michigan
6. RB - David Fluellen Toledo?(Almost similar play-style to Arian) De'Anthony Thomas Oregon? Henry Josey Mizzou? (last 2 possible scat backs)
6. FB - Nikita Whitlock Wake Forest (Interesting story here.)
7. Brendan Kelly OLB Wisconsin (6'6, 255, Raw, but all potential)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DECC5K159AY
7. Justin Jones TE East Carolina (6'8, 255-277, different sites vary on his weight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7t0fFyBVy0
Sorry guys, got a little carried away at the end. Anyways, this draft is why i'm NOT the GM, but the first 4 picks I think will end up being great players in the NFL.
(Disclaimer: Had a tough time deciding between Donald or possible Darqueze Dennard at 1.1 or our 1st pick, anyway)
Hope you all enjoy!
1. Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Would prefer to trade down out of the top 5 and draft him but if there are no takers, we'd stay put at 1.1. (You heard that right)
Quick off the snap. Natural leverage. Gets under pads and into gaps. Good foot athlete -- redirects well and can work the edges and loop and stunt. Flexible enough to zone drop in short area. Plays with awareness and consistently locates the ball. Closes hard and fast. Keeps working to the ball. Disruptive penetrating ability. Outstanding career production -- 63 TFL and 27.5 sacks the last three seasons. Tough and competitive. Team captain with terrific personal and football character. 43 hurries in his career at Pitt, no other defensive player in this draft is even close. If he ends up being a 12-15 sack guy every season with multiple TFL's just like JJ, he's EASILY worth 1.1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMmpIKvvnV4
2. Marcus Smith DE/OLB Louisville
Nice bend, balance and body control. Good pass-rush ability and potential. Quick first step. Coordinated hands and feet. Athletic and agile -- can stunt and loop. Flashes a spin move. Shows burst to close and get home. Moves well laterally. Gives effort in pursuit and ranges all over the field. Operated from 2- and 3-point stance. Solid character. Is coachable and has improved steadily.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfBbKM2LfXw
3. Aaron Murray QB Georgia
One of the most complete QBs of his class, Murray simply wins. Lacks the size of a true pocket passer but understands positioning within the pocket and has uncanny awareness. Has excellent feet and can slide to open throwing lanes, thus negating the height issue. Makes great decisions and cuts zones to pieces. Has very good arm strength and unbelievable touch.
Going into 2013, Murray’s biggest knock was that he couldn’t win the big game. He blew that myth out of the water this season. Murray was lights out in September victories over top 10 SEC foes South Carolina (309 yards passing, 4 TD) and LSU (298 yards, 4 Passing TD, 1 Rushing TD, 1 INT). And if not for a missed chip shot field goal against Clemson (323 yards, 0 Passing TD, 1 Rushing TD, 1 INT) and a literal miracle in Auburn (415 yards Passing, 2 Passing TD, 37 yards Rushing, 2 Rushing TD, 1 Int) he could’ve been 4-0 against top 10 teams this season. And then you hear about Murray off the field. His leadership ability. His high football IQ and ability to make pre-snap reads (offensive coordinator Mike Bobo estimated to Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he makes the correct call 90% of the time at the line). That he’s a film junkie…so much so that he went back to study his game against Kentucky (where he tore his ACL) immediately after being released from the Hospital.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piAUVTjOIgU
4. Aaron Colvin CB Oklahoma
Looks the part -- good size, body length and athletic ability. (5'11, 180, would be our slot CB.) Fine technician. Smart and instinctive -- can sort out combo routes. Matches up well with taller receivers and can carry them vertically downfield. Functional tackler. Hardworking, respected team leader who will hold teammates accountable. Experienced, three-year starter. Will grow on evaluators the more they watch him and has the instincts to eventually compete for a starting job. Was dominating at the Senior Bowl till he tore his ACL. Drafting him in the 4th to make sure we get him. Can have him heal up and contribute later on in the season when he's back into football shape. (Kind of like what the Cowboys did with Bruce Carter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYw-Q4pgyWQ
5. NT - Zack Kerr Delaware?
5. RT - Michael Schofield Michigan
6. RB - David Fluellen Toledo?(Almost similar play-style to Arian) De'Anthony Thomas Oregon? Henry Josey Mizzou? (last 2 possible scat backs)
6. FB - Nikita Whitlock Wake Forest (Interesting story here.)
7. Brendan Kelly OLB Wisconsin (6'6, 255, Raw, but all potential)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DECC5K159AY
7. Justin Jones TE East Carolina (6'8, 255-277, different sites vary on his weight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7t0fFyBVy0
Sorry guys, got a little carried away at the end. Anyways, this draft is why i'm NOT the GM, but the first 4 picks I think will end up being great players in the NFL.
(Disclaimer: Had a tough time deciding between Donald or possible Darqueze Dennard at 1.1 or our 1st pick, anyway)
Hope you all enjoy!
