OCTOBA' 2015 Mock! early as sin

[Bodha]

Never too early for a mock draft! Learn yourself something

1.Shane Ray - OLB/DE - Mizzou - Im calling it right now...Shane Ray will be the Aldon Smith of this draft. And I dont mean felon or 20 sack guy.
I mean he is a relatively 'outside' name who will rocket up draft boards come draft season because hes a Racehorse.

*EXPLOSIVE off the line
*Sideline to sideline speed
*Lives in backfield
*Dominant rip move
*Physical and strong
*Seems like an A+ Character guy

- needs to improve coverage
-needs to improve run D

Wish pick: Vic Beasley. He wont make it to us.


*Lastly Im mad because I just saw an article singing Rays praises and now I dont have documentation proving that I called it before everyone else jumped on the ray Train. So FYI.......I said Ray was going to skyrocket and possibly be an elite pick prior to anyone else. Be ready to see a ton of Ray hype as the 15 draft approaches.

2.Michael Bennett - DT- Ohio St - quick twitchy inside penetrating pass rusher. Very well spoken.

- Needs to improve Run D.


Wish List: Shane Ray- He wont make it to the 2nd

3. Bryce Petty- QB - Baylor - BAs ideal big, strong QB build + mobility. Phenomenal TD/INT ratio. And if we're taking QBs until we find a franchise guy, I think Petty is a good shot.

Cons - Fluke season? Needs to show consistency.

wish list: Daryl Williams -T - Feed the Line!

4. Eli Harold - OLB -Virginia - Strong and highly productive against top level competition.

Cons - Slower big man, kind of like Shannuagsy

wish list: Eli Harold

5. Austen Hill - WR- Arizona - Big, savvy route runner and play maker. Smaller Mike Floyd. Need to plan for Post-Fitz.

Cons - Coming off knee injury. But then again, thats the only reason he slides to 6.

6. Stephone Anthony - ILB -clemson - Explosive. Sideline to sideline speed. Really good in coverage

Cons - needs to improve run D.


7 Jamerson Love- CB- Miss State - Ultra competetive, speedy, tough little slot CB.

Cons - Got caught reefn. High value-low risk for a 7th.

+UDFA Priority: Devonte Fields - OLB - formerly TCU. Formerly early round OLB prospect. Current rap-sheet underachiever


notes:
- Glaring need: Pass rushers. Luckily Pass rushers are a'plenty in this draft. Id take several for sure.
- QB - Thomas is not the future. Keim said he wants to "take one every draft till you find The Guy". Petty is a good a shot as any.
- Feed the Line! Need a swing tackle capable of being a starter if Veldheer goes down, or Massie regresses. I Really like DW out of OK.
- WR - plan for Post Fitz. Mike and Jaron are our only big WRs. Hill comes at a discount because of his knee which may scare teams away. Hes a gamebreaker.
- ILB - Dont know if Wash is back. Foote isnt getting any younger. Clemson has given us great talent as of late, 'SA' looks like the speed ILB we need.
- DB -We need CBs. This is a WEAK CB class. I like Love. Hes an ultra competetive and twitchy slot DB. Small, but high value pick here.
-This mock has great balance. I take 3 near pure-pass rushers who need better run D, to add to a team where we have excellent run D,
but no pass rushing.
-Stephone Anthony is not a throw away 6th round pick. Hes an outstanding coverage backer. X factor for our ever persistent TE issue.
- When it comes to late rounders, its a grab bag, so if you find a guy you like, you lock in. I like all 3 of picks in rnds 5,6, and 7.

 

[gmabel830]

Wait, is this the annual Bodha "let's start losing on purpose for draft pick position" thread?

 

[Jetstream Green]

It is too EARLY for a mock draft

 

[MrYeahBut]

Alright by me Bodha, I read these things because I essentially know nothing about anything. Gives me a reason to pay attention to some college games since LSU stinks this year. They got no QB, sound familiar?

I agree with gmabel, I don't wanna hear no 'let's lose out' so we can draft so and so... Bad mojo, imo

.

 

[unseenaz]

Do you watch a ton of college football? Pretty impressive to know this much already

 

[Snakester]

Agree that Ray is the better of the two pass rushers at Missouri. Stronger and tougher. Not a quick twitch guy like Robert Quinn but more like a JJ Watt type. I agree he will most likely move into the first round if he stays healthy. Don't think he will be a top ten guy so we should have a shot at him.

 

[Gandhi]

Never too early for a mock draft! Learn yourself something

1.Shane Ray - OLB/DE - Mizzou - Im calling it right now...Shane Ray will be the Aldon Smith of this draft. And I dont mean felon or 20 sack guy.
I mean he is a relatively 'outside' name who will rocket up draft boards come draft season because hes a Racehorse.

*Lastly Im mad because I just saw an article singing Rays praises and now I dont have documentation proving that I called it before everyone else jumped on the ray Train. So FYI.......I said Ray was going to skyrocket and possibly be an elite pick prior to anyone else. Be ready to see a ton of Ray hype as the 15 draft approaches.

Bodha, really enjoyed reading your mock draft. It is NEVER too early. It's fun to talk about, and by no mean is it anywhere near an indication that the season are over. For example there is at the very most three to five players that we can be almost certain that the Cardinals won't have a shot to draft. Other than those, everyone is fair game.

I would, however, argue that you thought of Ray prior to anyone else. You said it first, but last season I was way higher on Ray than both Kony Ealy and Michael Sam. It doesn't matter who were on to him first, though, as long as his name is out there. I think he would be a tremendous pick and really hope he declares early. I buy into Chopper's premise on what an outside linebacker should be able to do in Bowles' scheme (can be seen here, http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb...-why-bucannon-might-be-the-answer-212861.html), and I think Ray fits that perfectly. He is a speed rusher with some tricks to his pass rush arsenal. On top of that he is big and strong enough to play with his hand in the dirt in nickel-packages. I also think he's athletic enough to drop into zones, at least the short ones. So to sum up, I don't have much doubt he would be an every-down player.

I like your choice of Michael Bennett. I have high hopes for at least Kareem Martin, and I highly doubt Dockett is gone by next season. Tommy Kelly and Frostee Rucker provides good depth, and what about Ed Stinson? Bennett is a huge talent, though, and could very well turn into a starter down the road. That said, I would look at another Buckeye, and that is Noah Spence. Probably not in the second round but if he's there in the third I would highly think about taking my chances, even if the first pick is spend on an edge rusher. Obviously he is suspended right now, and might not get on the field this season so maybe he decided to declare for the draft. Yes, he messed up big time but the guy is a two time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and an Academic All Big-Ten. He also has a great family. He is not a bad kid but he do have a problem. If he were to be had in the third round the loss wouldn't be too devastating even if it didn't work out.

I like your choice of inside linebacker. I think Stephone Anthony is underrated, maybe do to playing in the same front seven as Vic Beasley. I doubt he will last to the sixth round. I would look very close at Ramik Wilson from Georgia, though. I think he is a thumper, the way Arians and Bowles likes it, but also is a very good coverage linebacker. He plays with great intensity, sideline-to-sideline and he is simply just mean when laying the wood. To me, he might not be better than Alec Ogletree (who went in the first round) but he's definitely not far behind. If he should drop to the second round I would take a very hard and long look.

Austen Hill was a monster for Arizona last season before he got hurt. I haven't seen any of his games this season but I do think he would be a steal in the fifth round.

I don't have that good a feel for the rest of the players you selected so I won't comment on them. Really good job, though.

 

[Bodha]

Wait, is this the annual Bodha "let's start losing on purpose for draft pick position" thread?

The picks selected were chosen under the condition I expected we were picking in the 20's.

That fact is pretty clear upon a glance at the names, but if you dont watch college football, then its an understandable misunderstanding.

So, no. This is not a 'lose for picks' mock. This is a "these are the guys I like around pick #25-ish" mock

Do you watch a ton of college football? Pretty impressive to know this much already

Sure do

 

[Bodha]

B
I would, however, argue that you thought of Ray prior to anyone else. You said it first, but last season I was way higher on Ray than both Kony Ealy and Michael Sam. It doesn't matter who were on to him first, though, as long as his name is out there. I think he would be a tremendous pick and really hope he declares early. I buy into Chopper's premise on what an outside linebacker should be able to do in Bowles' scheme (can be seen here, http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/f4/the-bowles-defense-why-olbs-are-overrated-and-why-bucannon-might-be-the-answer-212861.html), and I think Ray fits that perfectly. He is a speed rusher with some tricks to his pass rush arsenal. On top of that he is big and strong enough to play with his hand in the dirt in nickel-packages. I also think he's athletic enough to drop into zones, at least the short ones. So to sum up, I don't have much doubt he would be an every-down player.

I really like Ray at this point. Which is a terrible thing because If I marry myself to a pick too early, then ill be destroyed on draft day when he gets snapped up by someone else.

case in point: Ryan Shazier.

I was pining for that guy for months leading up to the draft. So I was pretty distraught when the Steelers (of all teams) stole him.

I need to avoid that and be a little more distant from my picks. but I really, really like Ray right now.

I like your choice of Michael Bennett. I have high hopes for at least Kareem Martin, and I highly doubt Dockett is gone by next season. Tommy Kelly and Frostee Rucker provides good depth, and what about Ed Stinson? Bennett is a huge talent, though, and could very well turn into a starter down the road.

I have high hopes for Martin as well, but I see him strictly as a rotational guy with CC. Maybe eventually taking the starting job eventually.

I like Bennett to replace DD as a penetrating pass rusher on the inside. Stinson is just a plugger, hes no pass rusher. And I want pass rushers. another guy I like for this spot is Carl Davis, Iowa DT. Hes well balanced as both a rusher and stuffer, but I want rushers. Rusher, Rusher, Rusher. I really hope Bennett makes it to us in the 2nd.

That said, I would look at another Buckeye, and that is Noah Spence. Probably not in the second round but if he's there in the third I would highly think about taking my chances, even if the first pick is spend on an edge rusher. Obviously he is suspended right now, and might not get on the field this season so maybe he decided to declare for the draft. Yes, he messed up big time but the guy is a two time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and an Academic All Big-Ten. He also has a great family. He is not a bad kid but he do have a problem. If he were to be had in the third round the loss wouldn't be too devastating even if it didn't work out.

I have 2 problem guys in my mock, 7th rounder Love and priority UDFA Devonte Fields. But otherwise I tried to stay away from early rounders. I wouldnt be mad at the Spence pick, because rushers are rushers. I just prefer my 1-2 combo of Ray and Eli Harold later.

I like your choice of inside linebacker. I think Stephone Anthony is underrated, maybe do to playing in the same front seven as Vic Beasley. I doubt he will last to the sixth round. I would look very close at Ramik Wilson from Georgia, though. I think he is a thumper, the way Arians and Bowles likes it, but also is a very good coverage linebacker. He plays with great intensity, sideline-to-sideline and he is simply just mean when laying the wood. To me, he might not be better than Alec Ogletree (who went in the first round) but he's definitely not far behind. If he should drop to the second round I would take a very hard and long look.

The reason I chose ILB Anthony late, and I do hope he makes it to us, although I expect his combine to blow him up, and not an ILB early, is because I have no idea whats happening with Daryl. I would LOVE to take a guy like Denzel Perryman in the 2nd, or even 1st if need be (and it would probably need a 1st). The guy looks close to P Willis status. But what if somehow DWash is back? The guy would play day 1. And given we sunk a 2nd into Minter, hes not going anywhere. And in fact I like Minter. I think he gets undo criticsm. I think with a faster partner in the middle to handle coverage, Minter could do what he does - being a run plugger.

So I reserved the ILB pick for late. And by far my fav is Anthony. Hes so fast and good in coverage.

 

[Chopper0080]

I'm curious why you think Eli Harold is a slower, big guy...he is 6'4 235 on cbs and 6'4 250 on team page...truth is somewhere in between. That, and if you watch the games, he is an undersized DE, lean, and wins with speed.

 

[overseascardfan]

With the uncertainty of how the rest of the season will go because of all the key injuries ARZ could end up in the Top 10. So Calhoun, Beasley or Gregory could be options. If ARZ ends up in late 20's I hope it goes like:

1. Lorenzo Mauldin
2. Marcus Peters
3. John Theus
4. Best avaliable ILB
5. BPA
6. BPA
7. BPA

FA: Pass rushing OLB & DE.

 

[iRobot]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-missouri-de-shane-ray-shoots-up-draft-boards

 

[PDXChris]

Do you watch a ton of college football? Pretty impressive to know this much already

Yup, he called Geno Smith and Tajh Boyd can't miss prospects and wanted us to sign Geno Smith during the college footabll season in 2012, while Smith was still in school playing college football when Kolb went down.

 

[Bodha]

I'm curious why you think Eli Harold is a slower, big guy...he is 6'4 235 on cbs and 6'4 250 on team page...truth is somewhere in between. That, and if you watch the games, he is an undersized DE, lean, and wins with speed.

Eli is bigger than most OLBs in the draft (much closer to 250 than 235), and slower than most. Thats not to say hes a slow guy, but he doesnt have Vic, Gregory, Ray, Shaq speed.

Bigger, slower guy is accurate. It seems youre trying to make him out to be Eric Stryker

 

[MrYeahBut]

Todd Gurley suspended for NCAA violation per ESPN


Edit... stupid auto correct put Hurley not Gurley.


.

 

[GatorAZ]

Todd Hurley suspended for NCAA violation per ESPN

Less wear & tear for the team who drafts him (*Gurley).

 

[juza76]

Less wear & tear for the team who drafts him (*Gurley).

liz hurley he meant

 

[Bodha]

Speaking of Gurley, it goes against every draft rule I live by....but I would grab Melvin Gordon in the 2nd in a heartbeat.


But only in the 2nd. Im not sure if any RB is worth a 1st anymore. The next AP included.


RBs should never be selected in the early rounds. They are so disposable. But some guys are truly special. I really like Melvin Gordon.

 

[Finito]

Speaking of Gurley, it goes against every draft rule I live by....but I would grab Melvin Gordon in the 2nd in a heartbeat.


But only in the 2nd. Im not sure if any RB is worth a 1st anymore. The next AP included.


RBs should never be selected in the early rounds. They are so disposable. But some guys are truly special. I really like Melvin Gordon.

It's the system that produces those running backs at Wisconsin. They've had 11 running backs get at least a 1000 yards in the last 9 years. None of them have become stars and they have no problem at Wisconsin running those backs into the ground.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Speaking of Gurley, it goes against every draft rule I live by....but I would grab Melvin Gordon in the 2nd in a heartbeat.


But only in the 2nd. Im not sure if any RB is worth a 1st anymore. The next AP included.


RBs should never be selected in the early rounds. They are so disposable. But some guys are truly special. I really like Melvin Gordon.

I wouldn't take on in round 1 either. There are too many good one out there. Yeldon, Gurley, the Arkansas RB's look very good, Gordon, there's a ton of them and we haven't even included the lesser known talents.

I wanted Hyde this year in round 2, I want Yeldon next year in round 2.

 

[Chopper0080]

Eli is bigger than most OLBs in the draft (much closer to 250 than 235), and slower than most. Thats not to say hes a slow guy, but he doesnt have Vic, Gregory, Ray, Shaq speed.

Bigger, slower guy is accurate. It seems youre trying to make him out to be Eric Stryker

Yeah...we will get confirmation at the combine. I've watched Harold, and he isn't slow. How close he is to Ray, Shaq, Beasley, and Gregory, I guess we will see.

 

[Bodha]

Another week, and Shane Rays name just keeps getting hotter


Its really discouraging. I feel like Rocky in Rocky V. Here I am, I found a gem. And slowly the rest of the world start noticing him. And eventually Boom, he blows up, everybody loves him, and he gets stolen from me by George Washington Duke. And eventually I have to fight him to the death in the streets. I told myself "Never again!" but here we are.


I know I previously said Eric Striker is too small, and he still is, but that dude is ultra versatile. He is a good pass rusher considering his stature. And hes also good in pass D. If he were there in the 2nd round....Id take him (in addition to our 1st round pass rusher). Having a guy who doesnt have to come off the field is really valuable. We honestly dont have many of those on our roster in the LB corps.

Im hoping theres some gem CB out there in the 3rd+ rounds. This is a REALLY weak CB class. But theres always a few good ones in there. Im concerned about our depth there.

 

[Finito]

Everybody knew Ray was there most talented player. Last year at the draft they were saying how Ealy and Sam weren't the best lineman on the team he was. He has more raw talent then both of those guys. I seen the Georgia game last week and it was the wrong game to watch cause they destroyed that Tiger front 7.


I really like Striker but damn he's small. That was the knock on Dee Ford last year and Ford has two inches and 20lbs on him. I would still love to get him in round 2 the way we play defense he'd be perfect hell were playing our safety at LB pretty much