Bye week Mock

[Cbus cardsfan]

With the Cards on a bye week, I thought it be good to look at what's out there for next year's draft.


1. Myles Jack, ILB, UCLA: the defense adds another playmaker at a position that needs serious upgrading. DWash's replacement without the baggage. He should be ready to go next year after recovering from knee surgery.

2. Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee: fluid CB that is very good in coverage but is not going to give a whole lot in run support. That's fine with me because I want DB's that can cover first.

3. Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky: Honey Badger part 2. He's a good kid that got caught up with having too much fun while at OSU. He's a top 10-20 pick if he didn't have any issues. Much like HB being put in a good position and thriving, I think the same will be the case with Spence.

4. Carson Wentz, QB, ND St.: Why not have Carson mentor Carson? He has prototypical size and arm strength for the NFL. And, unlike Logan Thomas, can actually play the Qb position. I was told about him all the way back at last Christmas that he has very good NFL potential.

5. Mike Matthews, C, Tex A&M: The Cards need to upgrade the center position so why not go with another in a long line of successful Matthews's. He's a 3 year starter and could probably step in early on and take over the C position.

6. Jonathon Williams, RB, Arkansas: He was one of my favorite RB's last year. He injured his foot and is missing this year and that's why he'll likely fall in the draft. If he's there in round 6, he has too much talent to pass on him. He has the size, speed, and elusiveness to be a very good pro.

 

[Buckybird]

Each time I watch Jack, I just don't see it. IMO he doesn't play the game with passion & wreckless abandon which is what I look for in a LB.

Luv the SD QB though!!! If I were Steve Keim I do everything & anything to get OLB Jordan Jenkins, this dude is plain nasty & can get to the QB!!!

 

[NJCardFan]

No DE or edge rusher?

 

[Russ Smith]

Each time I watch Jack, I just don't see it. IMO he doesn't play the game with passion & wreckless abandon which is what I look for in a LB.

Luv the SD QB though!!! If I were Steve Keim I do everything & anything to get OLB Jordan Jenkins, this dude is plain nasty & can get to the QB!!!

He's a good player but I still say he's a better prospect at RB than LB. I know length of career says play LB not RB so I fully get why he's playing LB but I think RB is his best position.

Jack is a good coverage guy, I think he's a bit undersized and is a run around the block type of player but I think he'll be a good NFL player but I don't think he'll be a great one. A big part of the hype around him at UCLA was playing both ways and he won't do that in the NFL.

Good kid, still a bit disappointed the mom was sort of dropping hints that he wasn't really out for the year and would come back this year at UCLA, posting hints like that on UCLA message boards. Then he dropped out of school to rehab. Don't blame him for the rehab part but felt it was a bit annoying that his mom did that if he was actually going to quit school. But that was his mom not him.

 

[stretchthefield]

Calhoun from Michigan State is my first round target for now...in six months we will find out

 

[Russ Smith]

We need LB's badly I think Leonard Floyd, Jaylon Smith those types will be gone by when we pick.

I like Ragland at Alabama but again probably will have to trade up to get him.

SD Union Tribune has a mock that has us taking Oregon's DeForest Buckner in the first round. He's a big tall guy with a frame that can hold more than 290 but I'm not sure he's explosive enough to be a high level pass rusher in the NFL.

 

[Ohcrap75]

I'm a big fan of Jack too. Here are a few guys that have impressed me this year:

OSU LB Darron Lee is one of my favorites. Very good in coverage and blitzing.

Miami CB Artie Burns is a player that could be around in the second round. He has to work a little on technique, but he has good size with great speed and ball skills (5 Int's this year)

Florida LB Antonio Morrison is a sleeper. He's a playmaker but has injury prone

Kemoko Turay from Rutgers is a draft eligible Soph that has elite pass rush potential.

 

[Buckybird]

He's a good player but I still say he's a better prospect at RB than LB. I know length of career says play LB not RB so I fully get why he's playing LB but I think RB is his best position.

Jack is a good coverage guy, I think he's a bit undersized and is a run around the block type of player but I think he'll be a good NFL player but I don't think he'll be a great one. A big part of the hype around him at UCLA was playing both ways and he won't do that in the NFL.

Good kid, still a bit disappointed the mom was sort of dropping hints that he wasn't really out for the year and would come back this year at UCLA, posting hints like that on UCLA message boards. Then he dropped out of school to rehab. Don't blame him for the rehab part but felt it was a bit annoying that his mom did that if he was actually going to quit school. But that was his mom not him.

I'll agree with your post. I guess what I meant was if he's a 1st round pick, whomever drafts him is gonna be disappointed. If I'm a GM my philosophy is don't be trying to draft a good player, you better have your sights set on stardom in Rd 1. I just don't think this kid has that potential.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'll agree with your post. I guess what I meant was if he's a 1st round pick, whomever drafts him is gonna be disappointed. If I'm a GM my philosophy is don't be trying to draft a good player, you better have your sights set on stardom in Rd 1. I just don't think this kid has that potential.

I think it depends where you pick in the round too. If you're picking late in the round like we hopefully are, you're not getting a sure thing as easily so you then look for someone that's less likely to be a bust. I don't think Jack will be a bust, I just don't think he's going to be a great player.

To be fair, the way UCLA used him was tough, not only playing both ways his first 2 years but in coverage so much that you see critics say not enough sacks, not a big hitter etc, that may be true but much of it is because he's in coverage so often. There are UCLA fans who think he's more a Safety than a LB although I don't agree with that.

 

[football karma]

With the Cards on a bye week, I thought it be good to look at what's out there for next year's draft.


1. Myles Jack, ILB, UCLA: the defense adds another playmaker at a position that needs serious upgrading. DWash's replacement without the baggage. He should be ready to go next year after recovering from knee surgery.

2. Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee: fluid CB that is very good in coverage but is not going to give a whole lot in run support. That's fine with me because I want DB's that can cover first.

3. Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky: Honey Badger part 2. He's a good kid that got caught up with having too much fun while at OSU. He's a top 10-20 pick if he didn't have any issues. Much like HB being put in a good position and thriving, I think the same will be the case with Spence.

4. Carson Wentz, QB, ND St.: Why not have Carson mentor Carson? He has prototypical size and arm strength for the NFL. And, unlike Logan Thomas, can actually play the Qb position. I was told about him all the way back at last Christmas that he has very good NFL potential.

5. Mike Matthews, C, Tex A&M: The Cards need to upgrade the center position so why not go with another in a long line of successful Matthews's. He's a 3 year starter and could probably step in early on and take over the C position.

6. Jonathon Williams, RB, Arkansas: He was one of my favorite RB's last year. He injured his foot and is missing this year and that's why he'll likely fall in the draft. If he's there in round 6, he has too much talent to pass on him. He has the size, speed, and elusiveness to be a very good pro.

CBus: how about Darron Lee, OLB, Oh St. in round 1? Speed, athleticism and can cover --

 

[Buckybird]

I think it depends where you pick in the round too. If you're picking late in the round like we hopefully are, you're not getting a sure thing as easily so you then look for someone that's less likely to be a bust. I don't think Jack will be a bust, I just don't think he's going to be a great player.

To be fair, the way UCLA used him was tough, not only playing both ways his first 2 years but in coverage so much that you see critics say not enough sacks, not a big hitter etc, that may be true but much of it is because he's in coverage so often. There are UCLA fans who think he's more a Safety than a LB although I don't agree with that.

Agree again. I think he will be good nothing great. Like I said if I'm Keim I'm trading up & going after Jordan Jenkins, that's the guy this team desperately needs!!!

 

[splitsecond]

I have a feeling Scooby Wright will come out, and we would be foolish not to take him if that's the case.

 

[overseascardfan]

Round 1 - OLB Shalique Calhoun - Ideal size for a pass rushing OLB (6'5 250) who can get to the QB.

Round 2 - CB Cameron Sutton - Tall cover CB who could start as a rookie.

Round 3 - OLB Noah Spence - Can never have enough pass rushers. This kid is a first round talent but like CBus said made some mistakes.

Round 4 - ILB Cassanova McKinzy - Nice size for the ILB position (6'3 252) and has shown improved coverage skills this year.

Round 5 - C Mike Matthews - Excellent bloodlines, smart and athletic but a little on the small side (6'2 290).

Round 6 - ILB Kris Frost - ARZ will most likely part ways with Weatherspoon and Bucannon may have to go back to S if either Johnson or Jefferson do not return so that leaves Minter and a bunch of UDFA's left so they may want to grab another ILB. Frost is having a pretty solid SR year so far.

CBus and I are nearly on the same wavelength with our mocks.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

CBus: how about Darron Lee, OLB, Oh St. in round 1? Speed, athleticism and can cover --

He's a tremendous athlete, was a QB in high school, and can make plays all over the field. He has ideal size and speed too.

To me, I think he's a great college player but am not sure how he will be as a pro. Reason being, I don't know if he has that "nastiness" in him that is needed at the pro level. Guys like Ryan Shazier, you can see them playing with that nasty attitude. I don't see it with Lee. He just normally about the best athlete out there, thus is going to make a bunch of plays. That's not likely the case in the NFL.

He's definitely going to be a 1st round pick and I could be way off on him, but I'd take a wait and see approach as a pro. It wouldn't surprise me if he struggles.

I know one thing, if you don't like Ohio State, don't watch the draft next year because about 10 guys are going in the first 2 rounds, with 5-7 in round 1.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

No DE or edge rusher?

Noah Spence.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I have a feeling Scooby Wright will come out, and we would be foolish not to take him if that's the case.

That's a guy I have read about but really haven't seen him play much. I like what I've read. Is he the real deal?

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Round 1 - OLB Shalique Calhoun - Ideal size for a pass rushing OLB (6'5 250) who can get to the QB.

Round 2 - CB Cameron Sutton - Tall cover CB who could start as a rookie.

Round 3 - OLB Noah Spence - Can never have enough pass rushers. This kid is a first round talent but like CBus said made some mistakes.

Round 4 - ILB Cassanova McKinzy - Nice size for the ILB position (6'3 252) and has shown improved coverage skills this year.

Round 5 - C Mike Matthews - Excellent bloodlines, smart and athletic but a little on the small side (6'2 290).

Round 6 - ILB Kris Frost - ARZ will most likely part ways with Weatherspoon and Bucannon may have to go back to S if either Johnson or Jefferson do not return so that leaves Minter and a bunch of UDFA's left so they may want to grab another ILB. Frost is having a pretty solid SR year so far.

CBus and I are nearly on the same wavelength with our mocks.

I like Calhoun as well and he has improved his pass rush this year, which wasn't bad before. I have a feeling he's going to go off the board much sooner than expected.

 

[Garthshort]

From a strictly a position viewpoint I like the draft.

 

[cardpa]

I think you are going to see QB Matt Johnson-Bowling Green fly up the charts after the Combines. Although he lacks ideal size he has the arm and the smarts and already plays in a Pro offense. Rated as the 17 best QB but I believe after the combines he floats up to a second round pick and could sneak into a late first.

 

[DVontel]

That's a guy I have read about but really haven't seen him play much. I like what I've read. Is he the real deal?

Highly overrated.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I think you are going to see QB Matt Johnson-Bowling Green fly up the charts after the Combines. Although he lacks ideal size he has the arm and the smarts and already plays in a Pro offense. Rated as the 17 best QB but I believe after the combines he floats up to a second round pick and could sneak into a late first.

I really like that QB from Ole Miss too. He's a junior and don't think he'll enter the draft but that guy has an arm on him and is playing well. Chad Kelly is his name.....I think.

If he enters the draft, I bet you he's rises up the charts too.

 

[Russ Smith]

Highly overrated.

hard to say he makes lots of tackles and he seems very fast but lots of guys are like that in college. He might be overrated I wouldn't say highly overrated.

Too bad for him he had an injury plagued year this year but he should be healthy by the draft if he comes out.

He was a more productive linebacker than Myles Jack was in college IMO. Jack's a better athlete but because of the schemes and playing offense too, Jack never did as much at LB as he could have IMO.

 

[overseascardfan]

I like Calhoun as well and he has improved his pass rush this year, which wasn't bad before. I have a feeling he's going to go off the board much sooner than expected.

That's what I'm afraid of. If he's gone I would be alright with Jack or Lee if he can play ILB. A lot depends on how we play the second half of the season and where we end up draft wise. Another intriguing guy I've been reading about is QB Paxton Lynch whose stock seems to be shooting up. Excellent size (6'6 240) and is having a monster year for undefeated Memphis (20 TD's 1 INT). Draft experts say he could be top QB in the draft if he comes out (only a JR). He's starting to get Heisman pub.

 

[Finito]

Highly overrated.

Yeah no. Listen I hate the U of A as much as anybody but credit where credit is due he's a monster.

153 tackles
29 tackles for loss
14 sacks

He pretty much won every single award a defensive player could win last year.

Unanimous All-American (2014)
Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
First-team All-Pac-12 (2014)
CBS Sports Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
SB Nation Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (2014)
Rotary Lombardi Award (2014)
Chuck Bednarik Award (2014)
Jack Lambert Award (2014)

That's insane. He's on the small side but in this defense a small linebacker works hell we are using a safety right now.

 

[pinetopred]

Scooby Wright is the best defensive player in the pac 12 when healthy imo plays with such a high motor and instincts. He may fall some in the draft because height weight bs but he is a game changer