Stout's Mock Me? I'll Mock YOU! Mock Draft

[Stout]

Okay, so it sounded snarky, but it's really just a straightforward mock. Deal with it I'm hitting the first round, as well as all of the Card's picks.

1-Miami: Jake Long-T, Michigan
Traditional logic says that the #1 pick should be used on a left tackle or a quarterback, and Parcells does not break with tradition this year.

2-St. Louis: Chris Long-DE, Virginia
Glenn Dorsey is tempting, but the Rams can use the extra edge rush that Long will immediately provide.

3-Atlanta: Glenn Dorsey-DT, LSU
Gholston might have been tempting, but they have one end they gave up a lot to acquire and another drafted last year in the first round. They’re tempted by Matt Ryan but figure to get a quality quarterback in the 2nd round, or after trading back up into the 1st round.

4-Oakland: Darren McFadden-RB, Arkansas
The Raiders would have gone with the no-brainer pick of Chris Long, because it matches need and talent with bringing Howie’s son into the fold. Al Davis will gladly accept the best running back in the draft as a consolation prize.

5-Kansas City: Ryan Clady-T, Boise State
The Chiefs resist the temptation to take Matt Ryan and decide to give some help to young Croyle, who gets another shot.

6-New York Jets: Sedrick Ellis-DT, USC
With the addition of Pace, Gholston isn’t the priority he used to be. Ellis will be plugged into the middle of that 3-4 defense immediately.

7-New England: Leodis McKelvin-CB, Troy
The Patriots are desperate for corner back help, and though they need help at linebacker, they simply do not draft linebackers. Bellicheck prefers veteran linebackers more prepared to learn his complicated defensive schemes.

8-Baltimore: Matt Ryan-QB, Boston College
The Raven’s war room does a collective cartwheel to the podium to select Ryan.

9-Cincinnati: Vernon Gholston-DE, Ohio State
Cincinnati might have wanted Ellis, but they also desperately need an edge rusher. Gholston, an Ohio State product, falls into their laps.

10-New Orleans: Keith Rivers-LB, USC
The Saints take the best inside backer in the draft without thinking twice.

11-Buffalo: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-CB, Tennessee State
The Bills are sorely tempted to reach for a wideout, and though they are known for taking players higher than projected, they stick with a better value pick.

12-Denver: Chris Williams-T, Vanderbilt
Williams fits the Broncos mold of offensive lineman perfectly, much more so than the mauler Otah.

13-Carolina: Branden Albert-G, Virginia
The Panthers need help at other areas too, but decide to bolster their offensive line first with this draft riser.

14-Chicago: Jeff Otah-T, Pitt
Contrary to the situation in Denver, the Bears prefer more of a strong, straight-ahead blocker, and Otah is that man.

15-Detroit: Jerod Mayo-LB, Tennessee
Another draft riser, Mayo will be used inside and groomed for a move to the outside position.

16-Arizona: Rashard Mendenhall-RB, Illinois
The Cardinals get one of the players they wanted all along, and possibly the exact player they hoped to fall to them. Immediately compliments Edge and will take over as the feature back sooner rather than later.

17-Minnesota: Derrick Harvey-DE, Florida
The Vikings are thrilled that a top pass rusher is still on the board, as they desperately need one.

18-Houston: Jonathan Stewart-RB, Oregon
Not content with one injury-prone back, the Texans draft another. They need running back help, and have Stewart as the highest available player on their board.

19-Philadelphia: Devin Thomas-WR, Michigan State
The Eagles take arguably the best wideout prospect in the draft, a position they are desperate to upgrade.

20-Tampa Bay: Mike Jenkins-CB, South Florida
The Bucs are amazed that Jenkins lasted this long, and snap him up at once.

21-Washington: Calais Campbell-DE, Miami
Desperate for a pass rusher, the Redskins reach for Campbell.

22-Dallas: Felix Jones-RB, Arkansas
This is the back the Cowboys wanted, because they knew they neither McFadden or Mendenhall would possibly fall to them.

23-Pittsburgh: Dan Connor-LB, Penn State
The Steelers are always in search of great linebackers, and Connor will become a solid defensive leader in the Steeler 3-4.

24-Tennessee: Malcolm Kelley-WR, Oklahoma
The Titans need a wideout badly and are pleased Kelley is still on the board.

25-Seattle: DeSean Jackson-WR, Cal
The Seahawks are also thin at wideout and really wanted Kelley, but they settle for Jackson.

26-Jacksonville: Phillip Merling-DE, Clemson
Merling almost slides out of the first round because of his injury status and his stating that he entered the draft because his family needed the money. Despite these question marks, the Jags feel he can help continue the defensive stability on their line.

27-San Diego: Kenny Phillips-S, Miami
The Chargers have the luxury of not needing to patch too many glaring holes, and take an athlete in the secondary who they feel can really help their coverage packages.

28-Dallas: Brandon Flowers: CB-Virginia Tech
Once thought of as the top prospect at his position, Flowers has inexplicably fallen down many draft charts. He does not fall out of the first round. The Cowboys would love to solidify the corner back spot opposite Newman, and Flowers will do so.

29-San Francisco: Limas Sweed-WR, Texas
Another team needing a wideout, the 49ers ignore some other glaring needs to take the Texas standout.

30-Green Bay: Chad Henne-QB, Michigan
Surprising many, both because they select a quarterback and because they take Henne over Flacco and Brohm, the Packers are still not sold on Rodgers.

31-New England: Forfeited.

32-New York Giants: Gosder Cherilus-T, Boston College
The Giants are tempted to go for a play-making wideout or linebacker, but talent meets need and they try to patch up their offensive line instead.

Rest of Card’s Draft:
50-Justin King-CB, Penn State
81-Mike McGlynn-G, Pitt
116-Dexter Jackson-WR, Appalachian State
149-Andre Fluellen-DT, Florida State
185-Mike Dragosavich-P, North Dakota State
225-Jack Ikegwuonu-CB, Wisconsin

Also, here are some of my concerns that might throw my mock for a loop.

1-I’m worried that more CBs will be taken.

2-I think King will be taken by the Cowpukes, but I want him for us in the 2nd.

3-I fully realize I relied heavily on need and it might not play out that way.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Good work. Ellis would not be a NT in the 3-4 though, he is perfectly suited to be an end in that scheme. The more I think about it, the more I think the Cards will go either RB or OL in the first and CB in the second and maybe third as well.

 

[Stout]

Good work. Ellis would not be a NT in the 3-4 though, he is perfectly suited to be an end in that scheme. The more I think about it, the more I think the Cards will go either RB or OL in the first and CB in the second and maybe third as well.

IIRC, it depends on what kind of 3-4 scheme is run. Something tells me that he would be a NT in the Parcells-type system, but I may be wrong. Heck, NY may not even run that system. Dunno, but I think that's where he'll go.

 

[black]

Pretty good. I still think the Bills go with WR with the #11 pick.

 

[Stout]

Pretty good. I still think the Bills go with WR with the #11 pick.

Yeah, that was a tough call for me. I'm just banking on the fact that they aren't stupid enough to reach THAT far. I could be wrong...they could be WAY more stupid

 

[Billy Bob]

what if chicago takes mendenhall, and detroit does take Mayo.. We get, Otah.... I like that!

 

[Stout]

what if chicago takes mendenhall, and detroit does take Mayo.. We get, Otah.... I like that!

I don't see Chicago going with a RB. It may be what the fans want, but I think Angelos sticks with Benson another year.

 

[Shane]

Your mock sucks!

 

[DaisyCutter]

Rivers wouldn't play in the middle for the Saints, because the Saints already have a Pro Bowler at that position in Jonathan Vilma. He'll play the weak side, probably. But he might start on the strong.

Otherwise, I don't like Mendenhall as much as Stewart. I don't like King as much as Porter. I don't think that Jackson will last until the 4th round--though I would do backflips if he did.

 

[Garthshort]

Stout's Mock

For what it's worth, and I know it's not much, but here in NY, Jet fans are all over Matt Ryan. The three "usual suspects" for the Jets are McFadden, Gholsten, and Ryan, and Ryan seems to be leader, with a week to go. I have my fingers crossed that Mendenhall will fall to us, but feel it's too much to hope for. I now have Stewart as my second choice, and since the team has had him in for a physical, I think the doctors will determine if we take him at sixteen. If not, and Mendenhall is gone, as I expect he will, then I think Otah. CB will be addressed in the second round, with maybe another CB taken in the third or fourth round. Flowers, Cason and King seem to be the leading candidates for the 50th spot. Team might hope that the highly rated Flowers falls, due to height, speed and scheme, that he's best suited for. If the Draft works out as Stout predicts, I'd be happy.

 

[SuperSpck]

IIRC, it depends on what kind of 3-4 scheme is run. Something tells me that he would be a NT in the Parcells-type system, but I may be wrong. Heck, NY may not even run that system. Dunno, but I think that's where he'll go.

I think the difference to which you're thinking of is between Parcells' more traditional 3-4 vs a Wade Phillips 3-4. In the Parcells version, the defensive linemen work in a two gap system, taking up blockers. In this system bull-strong lineman would be important, but they won't get a lot of statistical glory. In the Phillips version the lineman act as penetrators, along with the linebackers, to create more disruption at the line and to pressure the QB. Smaller, quicker Dlineman could be used in place of larger, stronger guys. When the Cardinals are in the 3-4 I'm guessing, based on watching Dockett twitch and fire off the ball, that he's going for maximum disruption. I've got no idea what the other 3-4 teams do (I know the Steelers zone blitz a lot, but have no idea what the dline's general orders are). Sorry about how crampt the text is, no matter how many times I hit the "enter" key, my browser just ignores it.

 

[Stout]

Your mock sucks!

Mock me? I'll mock you!!! You...you...uh, mock mock mock mock mock! There!

 

[Stout]

For what it's worth, and I know it's not much, but here in NY, Jet fans are all over Matt Ryan. The three "usual suspects" for the Jets are McFadden, Gholsten, and Ryan, and Ryan seems to be leader, with a week to go. I have my fingers crossed that Mendenhall will fall to us, but feel it's too much to hope for. I now have Stewart as my second choice, and since the team has had him in for a physical, I think the doctors will determine if we take him at sixteen. If not, and Mendenhall is gone, as I expect he will, then I think Otah. CB will be addressed in the second round, with maybe another CB taken in the third or fourth round. Flowers, Cason and King seem to be the leading candidates for the 50th spot. Team might hope that the highly rated Flowers falls, due to height, speed and scheme, that he's best suited for. If the Draft works out as Stout predicts, I'd be happy.

You know, it'll be really interested to see what happens for the Bears and the Jets. With the Bears, the fans have been all about Mendenhall, but I don't think Angelos wants to take a RB in the 1st. With the Jets, I just found out through you that the fans want Ryan. I don't think the team wants to go QB in the 1st (I could easily be wrong), so that should make for an intriguing pick. Could be a looot of booing right there.

 

[Stout]

Rivers wouldn't play in the middle for the Saints, because the Saints already have a Pro Bowler at that position in Jonathan Vilma. He'll play the weak side, probably. But he might start on the strong.

Otherwise, I don't like Mendenhall as much as Stewart. I don't like King as much as Porter. I don't think that Jackson will last until the 4th round--though I would do backflips if he did.

Yeah, I think it's pretty obvious how I feel about Stewart as opposed to Mendenhall. If they both had the same health status, and Stewart didn't have that injury mileage on him, I'd agree with you. Reality sucks for Stewart, though, so I like Mendenhall better. You'll probably get your wish with Porter over King, too, because I have a suspicion the Cowgirls might take King in the first. And yes, I'd be pleased to take Jackson in the 4th too. I was simply using a prospect rankings chart for picks, and Jackson was ranked close to our 4th rounder.

 

[Stout]

I think the difference to which you're thinking of is between Parcells' more traditional 3-4 vs a Wade Phillips 3-4. In the Parcells version, the defensive linemen work in a two gap system, taking up blockers. In this system bull-strong lineman would be important, but they won't get a lot of statistical glory. In the Phillips version the lineman act as penetrators, along with the linebackers, to create more disruption at the line and to pressure the QB. Smaller, quicker Dlineman could be used in place of larger, stronger guys. When the Cardinals are in the 3-4 I'm guessing, based on watching Dockett twitch and fire off the ball, that he's going for maximum disruption. I've got no idea what the other 3-4 teams do (I know the Steelers zone blitz a lot, but have no idea what the dline's general orders are). Sorry about how crampt the text is, no matter how many times I hit the "enter" key, my browser just ignores it.

Thanks for that breakdown, SuperSpck! I wonder which one New York favors, then.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Yeah, that was a tough call for me. I'm just banking on the fact that they aren't stupid enough to reach THAT far. I could be wrong...they could be WAY more stupid

Everything out of Buffalo for the past month has been about the need for another wideout.

 

[Stout]

Everything out of Buffalo for the past month has been about the need for another wideout.

I know I shouldn't apply logic to Buffalo, because they have been known to reach quite badly in recent years, but I hope they came to their senses this time around. I know they need another wideout pretty badly. The problem for the Bills is that they pick way too high to make taking any of the WRs this year worth it. No wideout is really close to being the best player for them at their spot, and there will be much higher quality players at other positions of need, such as CB.

Of course, they may just be that desperate for a WR that they'll do it anyway. Like you said, Crazy Canuck, they seem to be screaming for wideout help up there. That's what's fun about this time of the year. You never can tell!

 

[Max]

Stout:

You feel Buffalo reaches but there is no evidence that this is true. In 2006 Whitner could have been at or near the top of their board.

He is considered a 'reach' because ESPN and other 'experts' said he was. He's been great in Buffalo though. Better than Huff who was rated higher...

Expanding on this a little.... The problem with BPA is it's subjective. The Bill's might have considered Whitner BPA but no one else did. One person's BPA is another man's reach...

 

[Stout]

Stout:

You feel Buffalo reaches but there is no evidence that this is true. In 2006 Whitner could have been at or near the top of their board.

He is considered a 'reach' because ESPN and other 'experts' said he was. He's been great in Buffalo though. Better than Huff who was rated higher...

Expanding on this a little.... The problem with BPA is it's subjective. The Bill's might have considered Whitner BPA but no one else did. One person's BPA is another man's reach...

Well, of course BPA is always a subjective idea. They have typically, in the last few years, 'reached', according to experts. Those experts are not nearly always right, I agree. I think you'd be hard pressed to find ANYONE, though, from experts to just about any of the other teams, that have a WR ranked that high.

 

[Max]

Stout:

Some though Whitner/McCargo was a reach in 2006. I don't recall other so called 'reaches'. I'll bet that 06 got them the label and its more perception than fact...

 

[Stout]

Stout:

Some though Whitner/McCargo was a reach in 2006. I don't recall other so called 'reaches'. I'll bet that 06 got them the label and its more perception than fact...

Maybe so. Let me do some research and see what the case is. McCargo was definitely a reach.

Edit: Yeah, McCargo...MASSIVE reach. Also, you are correct, Max. It looks like that 2006 draft is what got them the label. Good, I feel even better in my mock prediction for them. They don't have the real trend for reaching I thought they did. That reinforces my belief they won't reach so high for a WR.

 

[Skkorpion]

Interesting stuff. Very nice.

You might be proven right on Dan Conner. His reputed speed might make him a good fit in Pitt's 4-3.

Justin King for us? Why not?

RB and CB on the first day would please a need-filler drafter like me very much.

However, I'm with Max on Buffalo's drafting. They have been superb lately. Not caring what anybody else thinks, they identify the guys they want and go get them. To me, that's not reaching. Things might go bad for them now that Marv Levy quit.

I will say this about Jake Long and it's no knock on your choosing him first. (Obviously Parcels likes him.) I don't see what everyone raves about. I just don't. Watched a lot of Michigan games too.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Interesting stuff. Very nice.

You might be proven right on Dan Conner. His reputed speed might make him a good fit in Pitt's 4-3.

Justin King for us? Why not?

RB and CB on the first day would please a need-filler drafter like me very much.

However, I'm with Max on Buffalo's drafting. They have been superb lately. Not caring what anybody else thinks, they identify the guys they want and go get them. To me, that's not reaching. Things might go bad for them now that Marv Levy quit.

I will say this about Jake Long and it's no knock on your choosing him first. (Obviously Parcels likes him.) I don't see what everyone raves about. I just don't. Watched a lot of Michigan games too.

Pitt runs a 3 - 4

 

[Skkorpion]

Pitt runs a 3 - 4

Duh. I meant that and I swear I'm not drinking. Not yet.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Duh. I meant that and I swear I'm not drinking. Not yet.

I believe you. Well, at least... the drinking part...