The Superbowl is done, and the draft order is decided. Congratulations to the Bucs and All their fans ! The last couple of weeks I have spent most of my time watching WR's , QB's , DT's , and O-Lineman. Then I started digging into character or injury worries . So some changes will be reflected here .As of right now I have done at least 3 games on exactly 255 prospects , and 6 or more on 85 . So I have been grinding tape , although I am sure there are some good guys I haven't even started on yet . With all the NON-SENIOR BOWL All Star games cancelled a lot of lesser known players may not get a chance to show the extent of their talents to the world. Every year the Senior Bowl week not only separates some I have already watched , but also shows me some players I haven't even heard of until then like Quinn Meinerz , David Moore , D'wayne Eskridge , and Cade Johnson . Plus their were some poor personal choices made , like Devonta Smith refusing to be weighed & measured , and way too many guys opting out of the game itself . This year will was even more illuminating because there were some players that I was high on coming into the season that opted out, and this was our first chance that all of us got to see them suit up this year . Right now I am still favoring the guys who played this year over the players who sat out (all or a lot )of this season whenever it's close . If the combine stays cancelled then there will be even less information available out there about those missing players . That means that the Senior Bowl might have been our best chance to get precise measurements on a lot of players .Also , remember that just because they are in my first round doesn't mean I have a first round grade on them , and that this is what I think teams will do, and not necessarily what I would do . .So here is my Post Superbowl mock. Also, keep in mind this how I think teams will draft , and not my personal rankings . Agreeing or disagreeing is welcome, but please do it intelligently and respectfully. If you can't, or resort to personal attacks, I just won't post it. So here it is. Enjoy.
# Is for a player for with reported character or maturity concerns .
** Is for a player with reported injury concerns .
1.JACKSONVILLE - TREVOR LAWRENCE - QB - CLEMSONNFL PLAYER
As attractive as an elusive wide receiver pick for Green Bay appears to be, I just don't see it happening. First, the Packers just don't take a WR in Round One. Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson were second rounders. Second, Gutekunst like big guys to catch the ball. And third, Kadarius is a character risk, and that is a big NO-NO for Packer Nation. My guess is they go cornerback (Tyson Campbell) or o-line (Jaylen Mayfield). We'll see....
ReplyDeleteYou could be right , and a corner or a O-lineman both make sense with King, Taylor , and Linsley all free agents this off season . I will tell you why I disagree though . After they dissed Rodgers last off season by not only taking a QB in round one, but also not drafting any WR's in the best receiver class I can remember , I expected him to cause trouble . Not only did he not do that , but he also won the MVP , and then made some cryptic comments about his future . Yes , I know both Rodgers and the team tried to make it seem like it nothing pretty quickly , but the Genie was already out of the bottle . Could it be a veiled shot about wanting his contract re-done . Yes , but I think that after the year he just had , after they dissed him they should try to make nice and get him a receiver, and it needs to be one with speed . Somebody who can stretch the field , pull a safety with him so the coverage would have to be less focused on Adams , and get open easily . It doesn't have to be Toney . There are multiple players who fit that bill that will be available at pick #29 . Elijah Moore and Rondale Moore come to mind, but I don't have first on either , and the Packers are team that likes value . I expect them to want to take a player with a first round grade with their first rounder . If Toney didn't have character issues I think he would be a potential top 10 pick . The only other player I had left with a 1rst round grade in this mock was Najee Harris . Yes, it would be worth it, but even with Jones and Williams hitting free agency I don't see a value team taking a RB in the first when very few teams even believe in taking running backs in the first round anymore . I guess we will find out soon enough . Take care .
DeleteGreat Packers conversation, and really difficult to have a mock draft be accurate before FA. It is true GB has consistently not seen WR or RB as early priority and Toney has skills but I agree character will prevent GB from picking. Also GB typically picks WR's that see cold weather Jordy-KSU, GJ-WMU, DA they had good pipeline info so Florida seems a non-preferred site. OT really deep this year. I see CB, DL, hybrid S-LB. Thanks
DeleteValid arguments . I especially like the point about cold weather WR's. Yes Davante Adams played at Fresno ST., but that was the old regime too. MVS at S. Florida was only a 5th and at that point it's usually just best player available. Most of the rest of their recent drafted or PFA receivers were cold weather guys - Lazard , St. Brown , Cobb , J'Mon Moore, and Malik Taylor was from a small Michigan school too. I will take that into account in the future . My next mock will be out Friday morning. It will be my first fully detailed one of the year , and they will be out weekly after that .I'm giving them a LB in that one . Nice chatting with ya, Take care .
DeleteCardinals going CB makes a lot of sense. It's their biggest need, by far. As a Cards fan I'd like to see them use 2 of their first 3 picks at CB, since this is such a deep draft for them. Sounds like Larry Fitz is coming back, but finding a No. 2 WR is still the 2nd biggest need. Smart teams always take best player available - hope the Cardinals are evolved enough to be in that boat.
ReplyDeleteDraft is always a crap shoot, but this year, it's probably an even bigger one that normal, what with all the COVID restrictions.
I definitely agree with this " Draft is always a crap shoot, but this year, it's probably an even bigger one that normal, what with all the COVID restrictions." I also I agree that a # 2 WR is a big need, but I think corner is an even bigger one , even if Peterson returns , and that's not a sure thing . He's going to a 31 year old FA, and they don't often get paid what they want . Plus , Patrick has started to slow down some, and he may take less money to chase a ring somewhere else . Even a future HOFer like Peterson isn't immune to father time ,and he has already made a lot of money . So it may not be as a big a factor as it would be if he was 26 ,and seeking that big 2nd contract . BPA works, but if the grade is close most teams tend to side with a position of need in those situations . Although if someone like Jaylen waddle or , even Devonta Smith (who could fall some once he is weighed , measured, and runs his 40 time ) slides to them I think they will jump at it . For me the first CB tier is very clear this season right now . It's Farley , Surtain and Horn . Then a big gap . So if they do want one of the top corners , and it's possible they might all be gone at #16 , I think takes precedent over all but a top 3 WR falling into their laps . Take care .
DeletePatrick could play for another 4 years if they slide him over to FS, where the skill set could get him back in the Pro Bowl as a single high, playing next to Budda Baker, who could stay closer to the LOS. For about 10 years now, not since Kerry Rhodes left, opposing QBs have made countless big plays on 3rd down and long, which plays demoralize a defense. Those QBs could afford to make dangerous throws where they put the ball up for grabs, because AZ's FS were completely devoid of the requisite speed, ball skills and instincts to penalize them for such throws. Patrick has elite hands, evidence how he's been used as a punt returner, which means he has the tools to either: (1) make a lot of plays in the back at best; or (2) drastically reduce the number of chances QBs take. Patrick at FS, would bring a synergistic effect. Ideally Arizona would love has the tools to bring pressure, and force turnovers from that pressure, either in the backfield or downfield. When a team has such a threat at FS like PP, they force opposing CBs to check it down, rather than risking going for a big plays. Those same skills would make PP really effective doubling WRs with either CBs. This draft is about 30 CBs deep in guys who could be taken before the 4th round starts, guys who could start at both corners.
DeleteSeems like we're on the same page about WRs. I wouldn't be against AZ using their 15th pick to take a WR who falls, that they have really high on their board, especially either of the Alabama speedsters, Waddle or Smith, since that ability to "take the top-off" was sorely lacking this year. I have also heard that it's also a great year for WRs. Not as deep as at CB, still a lot of depth.
The other X-Factor in this draft, is the Salary Cap, and how many teams are way over it. That's going to force a whole lot of NFL teams to cut players they'd love to keep, and a whole lot more players to accept 1 year, make-it deals in order to stay on the roster.
At the end of the day, it's going to be all about how good your scouting is, how well an NFL team sets up their board. Hope the Cardinals do a great job, but more importantly, I hope they get lucky.
Dude . You have a lot of good points . Kind of embarrassed that I didn't think about the switch to safety myself . It prolonged the career of HOFers Rod Woodson and Charles Woodson . Both of them made the Pro bowl after the switch too . The cards are one of the teams under the cap by 18-19 million , and if Fitz does come back it will probably be at a significantly lower price tag . So they could be one of the teams bargain shopping for veterans . However, keep in mind that in addition to Peterson you have guys who play a lot of snaps also hitting free agency . Kenyan Drake, JR Sweezy , Markus Golden, Dre Kirkpatrick, and especially Hassan Reddick after he broke out this year . One thing I differ with you on is this CB class . While I do agree that CB( along with edge rusher )are the only 2 deep positions on defense in this draft , it's a offense heavy draft in my eyes. I think WR is the deepest position again, and we could see another 6 in the first , and another 7 in the 2nd just like last year . I think OT is deeper than corner as well , although some of those OT's will be guards on many teams boards . I also have only 14 corners with a shot to go in the first 3 rounds at present , although there could be some small school guys out there I haven't gotten too yet . Last year 6 corners went in the first and 11 total came off the board in the first 3 rounds .At least there are some clear cut guys at the top at corner. Edge rusher top 10's could be completely different on every teams board in a weird year like this, especially since teams tend to draft for their teams specific scheme .Luck also plays a big part . My little brother is a Cowboys fan , and I couldn't believe it when CeeDee Lamb , who was not only my top WR last year, but #6 on my overall board fell to them at #17 . Sometimes luck , and the mistakes of other teams are your best friend . Talk to ya later .
DeleteThere has got to be better options for the Browns @26 than Nick Bolton.
ReplyDeleteIf you had suggested some I would have happily discussed it with you, but since you didn't I will tell you why I chose him . First ,I have first round grade on him , and most teams like to get a player with a first round grade when they fall to you . At #26 that's not a usual thing . Second , I see it as your biggest need . I was fan of Takitaki coming out , but he hasn't shown much consistency in the NFL, especially in coverage .Mack Wilson might have already lost his job to Phillips as well, and he played so bad that they made a healthy inactive once , although his knee could have been part of the problem. Plus veteran BJ Goodson is a free agent too , and he started some games for you . Maybe you could fill that hole with a different veteran . The best free agent off the ball LB I can think of is Lavonte David, and while a player of his caliber could leave for big dollars 9 (even at age 31) , I think its more likely that he returns to Tampa. It's the only team he has known, he is probably going to have his number retired there some day, and he also should logically think he has a better shot at another Lombardi their next season . Still, it is hard to keep a championship team together , because everyone wants a raise . Sometimes guys do chase the biggest paycheck, especially after they already have a ring .
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