MoeIsBetter
SPA Co-Commishioner
As you can see below, I try to be as realistic as possible. I do a mock draft up until our 1st round pick, and then rounds 2-7 I try to do a draft with guys I truly believe will be there. I know many people base who will be there differently than I do, but that's ok because this is not their mock drafts . Hope you enjoy.
Kansas City - Luke Joeckel OT, Texas A&M: Best player in the draft and gives them a LT for the future. I know Eric Fisher is the more athletic player, but when it comes to tape Luke Joeckel doesn't dissapoint. The more proven player.
Jacksonville - Dion Jordan DE/OLB, Oregon: Extremely athletic player. Drafted above his production value, but with what the league has seen in Aldon Smith, JPP, etc. then working with a guy like Dion Jordan may be worth the trouble. Fits exactly with what Jacksonville plans to do on D.
Oakland - Shariff Floyd DT, Florida: The Raiders need help just about everywhere, but when it comes to D-Line, they are about at the point where they are getting desperate. Desmond Bryant and Tommy Kelly are both gone, we signed Shaughnessy, and it doesn't look good for Richard Seymour to come back. Shariff Floyd gives them the best Defensive Tackle in the draft. Very confident with this pick.
Philadelphia - Eric Fisher OT, Central Michigan: Chip Kelly will not run the prototypical offense that we have come to see in the NFL. He believes you can win with multiple QB's, so Geno will not be going to Phili. Chip has to believe in keeping his QB's healthy though. So when a guy like Eric Fisher falls to you, you take yourself a premier LT. Eric Fisher does not fall past pick #4.
Detroit - Lane Johnson OT, Oklahoma: Many people around the league think Lane Johnson could be one of the best players in the entire draft. Detroit, even though they love Milliner, will take a tackle to protect Stafford. That offense is on the verge of being a premier offense in the league, they just need to keep Stafford healthy.
Cleveland - Dee Milliner CB, Alabama: Cleveland needs defensive talent and their top two choices at this spot are Ansah and Milliner. The difference is both players is Milliner has shown he can be a beast on the field. His tape is much better than Ansahs and Cleveland will know the importance of having DB's just based on their DC's views of having a strong secondary.
Arizona trades #7th (1st round: 1,500 points) and #219 (7th round from Raiders: 3.8 points) overall pick to Buffalo for #8th (1st round: 1,400 points), #105 (4th round: 84 points), and #168 (6th round: 24.2 points)
I know a lot of people hate trades in mocks, but this made sense for me on both sides of the trade. Arizona has the best QB in the draft gift wrapped to them. I don't think Geno is the QB they want, but clearly Buffalo is looking to aquire a QB and wouldn't have to give up an arm and a leg to do so. The difference in my trade points is 4.4 going to the Cardinals. I could see the Cardinals throwing in a future late round pick, but I don't think it needs to be done to get the trade done. Buffalo makes sure another team doesn't trade with the Cardinals and gets the QB they wanted all along.
Buffalo Bills - Geno Smith QB, West Virginia: Buffalo needs the QB more than they need a 4th round pick and as much as they wanted to keep their 6th, picking up a 7th round pick may be worth the QB.
Arizona Cardinals - Chance Warmack OG, Alabama: I still believe the Cardinals could trade back again (possibly with New York Jets at #9 or San Diego at #11 if one of them really wants Tavon Austin), but Tavon may not be worth as much on the market as a QB. So the Cardinals hold at the #8 spot and take the best player on the board that matches what they'd like to do on offense or defense.
2nd round (#38) - Eric Reid S, LSU: Prototypical FS. The Cardinals need quality safeties in the worst way possible. May even be our biggest need going into the draft. Eric Reid gives you stability and a playmaker.
3rd round (#69) - Christine Michael RB, Texas A&M: Cardinals need to solidify their backfield and Michael gives them a chance to do that. He's potentially the best RB in the draft and the Cardinals go from having a fairly weak RB core to an above average RB core. Position of need but could be BPA if taken there.
4th round (#103) - Barrett Jones T/G/C, Alabama: With Warmack in the 1st, the Cardinals have 3 players on the line locked to play next year (Levi, Massie, and Warmack). College and Snyder will fight for the other G spot while Sendlien and Snyder fight for the C spot. I do not believe Snyder is a guy they are all that thrilled in having locked up for such a substantial $$$, so they draft Barrett Jones and have him compete as well. He may not win out a starting job this year, but hopefully by next year he's ready to take over as either a G or a C.
4th round (from Buffalo #105) - Marquise Goodwin WR, Texas: What was that little blurb Bruce Arians said about wanting a guy with 4.2 speed? Well, Goodwin is your guy. Wanted to take a OLB at this spot, but nothing really sticks out to me as a guy that can be a difference maker as much as Goodwin can. The Cards get their "bubble screen" guy in the 4th.
5th round (#140) - Quanterus Smith OLB, Western Kentucky: Led the nation in sacks before his injury. Late round pick on a guy coming back from a bad injury. Sounds a lot like a guy we currently have on our roster in O'Brien Schofield, but much bigger. Schofield hasn't been a huge dissapointment, so I have no problem taking a chance on Smith (who I think may be the better pass rusher).
6th round (#174) - Dion Sims TE, Michigan State: Quick feet as a run blocker but also soft hands as a pass catcher. Isn't a guy that's going to burn you for a 50 yard TD, but is a guy that will get you the first down on 3rd and 6. Nice backup behind a devolping (hopefully) Housler. With us running a two TE set, makes the 2nd TE role more important. Sims can give us that in a competition with King.
6th round (from Buffalo #177) - Ray Ray Armstrong S, Faulkner: Did not play at all last season after being suspended for taking money from a Booster. 6'4, 220 lbs athlete. Big time hitter. Terrible at man coverage. Plays the run really well. Could end up being a replacement for Adrian Wilson, but needs some polishment first. Late round pick on a questionable player.
For those that want the quick version:
Traded picks #7 and #219 for picks #8, #105, and #168.
1st: G, Chance Warmack
2nd: S, Eric Reid
3rd: RB, Christine Michael
4th: T/G/C, Barrett Jones
4th: WR, Marquise Goodwin
5th: OLB, Quenterus Smith
6th: TE, Dion Sims
6th: S, Ray Ray Armstrong
Kansas City - Luke Joeckel OT, Texas A&M: Best player in the draft and gives them a LT for the future. I know Eric Fisher is the more athletic player, but when it comes to tape Luke Joeckel doesn't dissapoint. The more proven player.
Jacksonville - Dion Jordan DE/OLB, Oregon: Extremely athletic player. Drafted above his production value, but with what the league has seen in Aldon Smith, JPP, etc. then working with a guy like Dion Jordan may be worth the trouble. Fits exactly with what Jacksonville plans to do on D.
Oakland - Shariff Floyd DT, Florida: The Raiders need help just about everywhere, but when it comes to D-Line, they are about at the point where they are getting desperate. Desmond Bryant and Tommy Kelly are both gone, we signed Shaughnessy, and it doesn't look good for Richard Seymour to come back. Shariff Floyd gives them the best Defensive Tackle in the draft. Very confident with this pick.
Philadelphia - Eric Fisher OT, Central Michigan: Chip Kelly will not run the prototypical offense that we have come to see in the NFL. He believes you can win with multiple QB's, so Geno will not be going to Phili. Chip has to believe in keeping his QB's healthy though. So when a guy like Eric Fisher falls to you, you take yourself a premier LT. Eric Fisher does not fall past pick #4.
Detroit - Lane Johnson OT, Oklahoma: Many people around the league think Lane Johnson could be one of the best players in the entire draft. Detroit, even though they love Milliner, will take a tackle to protect Stafford. That offense is on the verge of being a premier offense in the league, they just need to keep Stafford healthy.
Cleveland - Dee Milliner CB, Alabama: Cleveland needs defensive talent and their top two choices at this spot are Ansah and Milliner. The difference is both players is Milliner has shown he can be a beast on the field. His tape is much better than Ansahs and Cleveland will know the importance of having DB's just based on their DC's views of having a strong secondary.
Arizona trades #7th (1st round: 1,500 points) and #219 (7th round from Raiders: 3.8 points) overall pick to Buffalo for #8th (1st round: 1,400 points), #105 (4th round: 84 points), and #168 (6th round: 24.2 points)
I know a lot of people hate trades in mocks, but this made sense for me on both sides of the trade. Arizona has the best QB in the draft gift wrapped to them. I don't think Geno is the QB they want, but clearly Buffalo is looking to aquire a QB and wouldn't have to give up an arm and a leg to do so. The difference in my trade points is 4.4 going to the Cardinals. I could see the Cardinals throwing in a future late round pick, but I don't think it needs to be done to get the trade done. Buffalo makes sure another team doesn't trade with the Cardinals and gets the QB they wanted all along.
Buffalo Bills - Geno Smith QB, West Virginia: Buffalo needs the QB more than they need a 4th round pick and as much as they wanted to keep their 6th, picking up a 7th round pick may be worth the QB.
Arizona Cardinals - Chance Warmack OG, Alabama: I still believe the Cardinals could trade back again (possibly with New York Jets at #9 or San Diego at #11 if one of them really wants Tavon Austin), but Tavon may not be worth as much on the market as a QB. So the Cardinals hold at the #8 spot and take the best player on the board that matches what they'd like to do on offense or defense.
2nd round (#38) - Eric Reid S, LSU: Prototypical FS. The Cardinals need quality safeties in the worst way possible. May even be our biggest need going into the draft. Eric Reid gives you stability and a playmaker.
3rd round (#69) - Christine Michael RB, Texas A&M: Cardinals need to solidify their backfield and Michael gives them a chance to do that. He's potentially the best RB in the draft and the Cardinals go from having a fairly weak RB core to an above average RB core. Position of need but could be BPA if taken there.
4th round (#103) - Barrett Jones T/G/C, Alabama: With Warmack in the 1st, the Cardinals have 3 players on the line locked to play next year (Levi, Massie, and Warmack). College and Snyder will fight for the other G spot while Sendlien and Snyder fight for the C spot. I do not believe Snyder is a guy they are all that thrilled in having locked up for such a substantial $$$, so they draft Barrett Jones and have him compete as well. He may not win out a starting job this year, but hopefully by next year he's ready to take over as either a G or a C.
4th round (from Buffalo #105) - Marquise Goodwin WR, Texas: What was that little blurb Bruce Arians said about wanting a guy with 4.2 speed? Well, Goodwin is your guy. Wanted to take a OLB at this spot, but nothing really sticks out to me as a guy that can be a difference maker as much as Goodwin can. The Cards get their "bubble screen" guy in the 4th.
5th round (#140) - Quanterus Smith OLB, Western Kentucky: Led the nation in sacks before his injury. Late round pick on a guy coming back from a bad injury. Sounds a lot like a guy we currently have on our roster in O'Brien Schofield, but much bigger. Schofield hasn't been a huge dissapointment, so I have no problem taking a chance on Smith (who I think may be the better pass rusher).
6th round (#174) - Dion Sims TE, Michigan State: Quick feet as a run blocker but also soft hands as a pass catcher. Isn't a guy that's going to burn you for a 50 yard TD, but is a guy that will get you the first down on 3rd and 6. Nice backup behind a devolping (hopefully) Housler. With us running a two TE set, makes the 2nd TE role more important. Sims can give us that in a competition with King.
6th round (from Buffalo #177) - Ray Ray Armstrong S, Faulkner: Did not play at all last season after being suspended for taking money from a Booster. 6'4, 220 lbs athlete. Big time hitter. Terrible at man coverage. Plays the run really well. Could end up being a replacement for Adrian Wilson, but needs some polishment first. Late round pick on a questionable player.
For those that want the quick version:
Traded picks #7 and #219 for picks #8, #105, and #168.
1st: G, Chance Warmack
2nd: S, Eric Reid
3rd: RB, Christine Michael
4th: T/G/C, Barrett Jones
4th: WR, Marquise Goodwin
5th: OLB, Quenterus Smith
6th: TE, Dion Sims
6th: S, Ray Ray Armstrong