BlackGhost
Banned
I don't buy Watkins at 4
I don't think he'll bust, just not sure he'll stay healthy
-
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NFL Offseason Thread 3 - Drowney for Clowney Mech, Drowney for Clowney.
- Thread starter DeaconKnowledge
- Start date
Grover Cleveland
Member
Squall ASF
Member
No problem, buddy! Let me know if you jump in and again, have any questions.
So are we officially on the Dolphins pick now?
Himynameischris
Member
So can we pick?
yankeehater
Member
Yes, make it good cause we need you guys to beat the Pats.
The_Darkest_Red
Member
Gotta be Mosley, right, Chris?
BaltimoreLarry
Member
You're probably right anyway. If I were GM, I'd take OBJ, but if I had to put money on who the Ravens are taking, it be Martin. Plus, we tend to do well with first round OL picks.
Himynameischris
Member
Yup dolphin gaf has it together unlike other fan bases:
While most people think the dolphins try to get Zack Martin to improve the right side of the oline, after giving up a record 58 sacks last season as a unit the Linebackers were by far the most disappointing going by salary paid. The Dolphins can finish improving the oline with someone like Joel Bitonio in the 3rd. After the genius that is Ireland traded two solid starters for Ellerbe and Wheeler to a combined 27 million in guarantees only to produce a combined 8 tackles for a loss. Miami could have made it into the playoffs if they had managed to do one of two things, stop the run or pass protect and they failed spectacularly in both of those areas. Having signed Albert to cover the left side, Martin would be a reach at 19 for a RT/RG with such a deep OL draft so having said that .
Miami will take CJ Mosley, MLB Alabama with the 19th pick in the draft. Mosley is an instinctive run-stopper that can cover sideline to sideline which will help cover RB/TEs, a giant weakness for the Dolphins last year. Mosley is an instant improvement in both run-stopping and coverage which makes it a no-brainer.
Mackenzie 92
Member
Agreed on both counts.
Lee was much better in 2012. He won't be a superstar but does everything well and should be a productive starter.
Still quite a few guys I'd take before him tho including Latimer, Robinson and Cooks and of course OBJ.
Grover Cleveland
Member
Guess we're waiting on the write-up from Jets-GAF on their pick, otherwise I think the Cards are on the clock
The_Darkest_Red
Member
Squall ASF
Member
In this scenario, with JFF AND Carr available, it's a complete and utter certainty we'd trade back but for the purpose of this mock:
The Arizona Cardinals draft Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State. The Cardinals have an already elite defense and are just a few pieces away from making it an unstoppable juggernaut. The Achilles heel of the Cards D last year was covering Tight Ends but with the top safeties off the board and the loss of Dansby's coverage skills in the off season along with the impending suspension of Washington, this pick a no brainer. Shazier is a freak athlete with blazing speed and great lateral movement skills making him an ideal candidate for both ILB and OLB duties. He has great instincts and tackling technique, recording over 300 in college. Shazier will be able to step right in to fill Dansby's shoes with pass coverage but with his elite speed and lateral movement, will be moved around and able to cover tight ends unlike the former player. With Peterson, Cromartie, and Honey Badger locking down the back field, Shazier will also have opportunities to use his speed for pass rushing off the edge in packages. The combination of Washington and Shazier will be a nightmare for offensive coordinators to work around.
The Arizona Cardinals draft Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State. The Cardinals have an already elite defense and are just a few pieces away from making it an unstoppable juggernaut. The Achilles heel of the Cards D last year was covering Tight Ends but with the top safeties off the board and the loss of Dansby's coverage skills in the off season along with the impending suspension of Washington, this pick a no brainer. Shazier is a freak athlete with blazing speed and great lateral movement skills making him an ideal candidate for both ILB and OLB duties. He has great instincts and tackling technique, recording over 300 in college. Shazier will be able to step right in to fill Dansby's shoes with pass coverage but with his elite speed and lateral movement, will be moved around and able to cover tight ends unlike the former player. With Peterson, Cromartie, and Honey Badger locking down the back field, Shazier will also have opportunities to use his speed for pass rushing off the edge in packages. The combination of Washington and Shazier will be a nightmare for offensive coordinators to work around.
Dutch Gronk
Banned
I kinda wanted Shazier.
You bastards.
You bastards.
Himynameischris
Member
Grover Cleveland
Member
This draft is so FUBAR
I blame the cat
I blame the cat
BaltimoreLarry
Member
BlackGhost
Banned
:jnc, shit was real for me that day.The reaction when the Browns picked Weeden, oh my.
It was the worst day of my life
Squall ASF
Member
No way JFF falls this far in the real draft so I'm pretty sure we'll have another great prospect or two to choose from. Shazier definitely isn't a bad pick at 20 though, there's a few guys I'd take over him if they fell, however. There's an argument to be made for Dennard as well if Keim thinks highly enough of him or considers him BPA. I don't see Cromartie staying after this year as he'll want to get paid and we're about to give Peterson big money so a CB still makes sense even after the signing.
On that note, fuck you Chickens and Broncos! Setting the CB market price so high
On that note, fuck you Chickens and Broncos! Setting the CB market price so high
Futurevoid
Member
Here's the draft order:
1. Houston Texans - Khalil Mack LB
In 2006 The Texans went against the "safe pick", Reggie Bush. Crennel wants fast and built options on his defense to keep up with these high powered offenses. While Clowney is a physical freak Mack is a more traditional 3-4 OLB and can make an immediate impact. This selection allows them to move Brooks Reed inside next to Cushing where he can be a run stuffing thumper. Mack will play on the same side as JJ Watt which will force offenses to severly overload on side and allows Mercilus and Swearinger, playing box safety, to get free runs at the QB.
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2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - Greg Robinson OT
If Texans drafted Mack, STL would take Clowney in 2 seconds. For purposes here I will just assume Mack=Clowney and let whichever team below that was targeting Mack grab Clowney.
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3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jadaveon Clowney DE
Jaguars will not be in this spot most likely(they'll trade down), but Jaguars select Jadeveon Clowney as the best pure defensive athlete in the draft. Gus Bradley knows how to motivate and how to coach up talent, so working with Clowney might be a dream. Plenty of vets on defense to keep pushing him and Clowney will devour poor little Locker and Luck. We'll get a QB in round 2.
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4. Cleveland Browns - Blake Bortles QB
With all the Qbs on the board i believe the Browns will take Blake Bortles. this is a who we think our team will take, not who we want to draft mock. Browns shouldn't play games with the QB position and hope one falls or waits for one, take the guy you like the most at 4 most, Remember what playing games with the qb position got you in WeedOn and Quinn. All the talk of no qb is worth a top pick is a little overblown. The qb position shouldn't be looked at as what can he do for us now, but what can he be for us in the long term. Finding a qb is hard, and you would hope your team isn't in a position to be picking this high in following years. take advantage of the high pick you have now. The teams ready to compete now, we just need a trigger man. and the young qb will hopefully be able to sit behind Hoyer.
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5. Oakland Raiders - Teddy Bridgewater QB
After passing on Rivers, Cutler and Rodgers in drafts over the past 10 years, and giving up a 1st, two 2nds, a 5th and a 6th in addition to using a 4th on Tyler Wilson over the last 4 years the new Reggie McKenzie led Raiders have said "fuck this" and decided to do the right thing and get their franchise QB of the future in the 1st round rather than wasting another pick on a scrub in the mid rounds who can't even beat out Matt fucking McGloin.
In Bridgewater, the Raiders get the hardest working, most accurate and intelligent QB in the draft. He will not be thrown into the fire right away and will be allowed to sit for at least one year while he puts on some weight, refines his deep ball and increases his throwing power before leading the Oakland Raiders to 3 Super Bowl victories over the next 10 years. BOOM!!!
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6. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Matthews OT
With the #6 pick, the Atlanta Falcons take Texas A&M Offensive Tackle Jake Matthews. Both Thomas Dmitroff and Mike Smith has promised over the offseason to focus on improving toughness across both trenches, and I fully expect the Falcons to take BLA (best lineman available), regardless of what side of the ball the player fits. I fully expect the top four of the team's draft board to be: Clowney, Mack, Robinson, Matthews.
Last season, the lack of depth on the Atlanta offensive line brought the team to its knees as raw Lamar Holmes, undrafted Ryan Schraeder, and Buccaneer castoff Jeremy Trueblood played musical chairs at left and right tackle after Sam Baker went down with his annual injury. It wasn't just the bookends that were at fault, as the interior of the line crumbled with Peter Konz being pulled in and out of the lineup, and the season coming to an ignominious and symbolic end with a botched snap.
As a result, Matt Ryan was beaten up and battered all season long, taking 44 sacks, the most in his career (the previous high being 28).
The Falcons let a weak position go largely unimproved since Ryan's rookie year, relying on improving castoffs like Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo over the years. Unsurprisingly, the Falcons are on their third offensive line coach in four years as noted high school girl creeper Mike Tice joins the staff to replace the west coast's favorite asshole Pat Hill.
The Falcons have lacked a franchise tackle for well over a decade - with Bob Whitfield the last to really deserve any accolade (Todd Weiner was okay.). Matthews immediately improves the line by plugging in at RT and inevitably taking over Baker's spot at LT. Most importantly, he shores up depth across the board.
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7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sammy Watkins WR
With the seventh pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers select Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
After an offseason overhaul that following the exile of he-who-shall-not-be-named, the Buccaneers retooled their defense, letting Darrelle Revis go and bringing in Alterraun Verner, Micheal Johnson, Clinton McDonald, among others. They also retooled the o-line, getting rid of Donald Penn, Davin Joseph, and Jeremy Zuttah and bringing in Anthony Collins and Evan Dietrich-Smith. Lovie Smith also brought in veteran QB Josh McCown.
Though the Bucs are in the market for a young QB since human/giraffe hybrid Mike Glennon, who did perform fairly well in his rookie year last season, is the product of the old regime, and one who Smith and Jeff Tedford don't seem to think is the guy going forward, after finishing dead last in offense last year and losing WRs Mike Williams and Tiquan Underwood, the Bucs clearly need more offensive firepower. And they add it by getting the bar none best receiver in one of the best classes for WRs ever. Putting him opposite Vincent Jackson, already coming off two very productive years with the Bucs, the Bucs shall officially make total bitches out of NFC South secondaries for the foreseeable future.
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8. Minnesota Vikings - Anthony Barr LB
The Vikings have not had a great linebacking core in a very long time and they need both an inside and outside linebacker. Yes they need other positions as well, most notably Cornerback, but this is a deep draft and I am a proponent of selecting the best possible player that fits into your needs. And yes I realize that the Vikings need a QB. I also realize that there isnt much of a difference between the "Top" QB's in this draft and 2nd round guys like McCarron and Garrapolo.
Barr will be able to fill a few different roles during his first year as a player. He will fit into Zimmers desire to rotate Defensive linemen and Linebackers with the ultimate goal of making Barr into a full time three down outside linebacker.
The guy is a great athlete and a fantastic playmaker. Something our defense is sorely missing. My hope is that with a pick like this and a handful more on the defensive side of the ball the Vikings will make a huge leap forward.
Lets not forget that the Vikings blew FIVE leads last year in the final minutes of games due to complete defensive collapses. Hopefully this will be a step toward fixing that problem.
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9. Buffalo Bills - Eric Ebron TE
With the 9th selection in the 2014 Draft, the Buffalo Bills select, TE Eric Ebron from UNC. This mock has always been about who the team will most likely take and not who the individual(s) making the selection would take. Given that, I see the Bills going Ebron. This org has played up the BIG/TALL WR in the past, and they've done shit about it. Year after year they talk about a physical receiver who's open when covered, year after year they ignore size.
In today's NFL, you win up the seam. TE is always a QBs best friend. They need to get EJ weapons, Ebron can take advantage of the middle of the field, an area of the field where young QBs do best.
I think they'd take ODB before Evans to be honest, they stressed separation and route running, two thing ODB does in spades. IF anyone can sneak into the top ten it's ODB to Buffalo, because they want shifty guys who can run routes.
With regards to OL, it's your typical OL Coach/HC scenario, where the HC thinks he can coach up lower round picks. Just look at the LG situation going into 2013, complete scrubs. Typical we'll coach em up situation, think they'll patch it up with middle round guys, Glenn's legit as the LT.
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10. Detroit Lions - Mike Evans WR
Detroit runs to the podium to take Evans if he's there at #10. As one of the most sure-handed receivers in the draft, he'll fit right in alongside Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate as a solid downfield option for Matt “Just Let Me Finish This Bucket of Chicken and I'll Be Right With You” Stafford. Detroit needs another receiver to replace Nate Burleson, while the injury-prone Ryan Broyles has yet to prove himself as reliable. This pick would keep Detroit's offense near the top of the league—hopefully high enough to make up for the terrible secondary.
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11. Tennessee Titans - Justin Gilbert CB
The Titans take the best CB on the board to make up for the departure of Alterraun Verner whom they lost in free agency. In Justin Gilbert they are getting an athletic cornerback with with patience, a willingness to tackle and the acceleration/fluidity to develop into an excellent NFL corner.
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12. New York Giants - Aaron Donald DT
With Mike Evans and Eric Ebron off the board (both the top two picks amongst Giants-Gaf), the options presented included going Safety with Will Hill all but being released after another upcoming drug suspension and the fact that this is Antrel Rolle's last year with the team. Haha Clinton-Dix was the most often mentioned named.
However, the name that appeared above him more consistently is Pitt's Aaron Donald. With the loss of Linval Joseph, the Giants are looking to Hankins to fill in the role of the run stopping space eater and will need to find an eventual replacement for the more pass rush oriented Cullen Jenkins who is reaching the finale of his career.
Donald's biggest knock is his size. Some view him as more of a 3-4 end in the NFL but I think he's too explosive, has too good a motor and is just too much of a monster for the Giants to pass up on him even if they use him in a situational rotation capacity in year 1. This guy is just damned disruptive and for a team that struggled to rush the passer and will be looking for an impact player along the defensive line after losing Justin Tuck - there's just no one else right now that provides the value and fills a NEED like Aaron Donald does.
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13. St. Louis Rams - Haha Clinton-Dix S
With the 13th pick the Rams put the final pieces in place for an elite D with Ha Ha Clinton Dix. Paired with the hard hitting MacDonald, and 3rd year players Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson entering breakout years, the Rams secondary will finally be robust enough to hold their own during Gregg Williams' agressive, blitz-heavy playcalling.
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14. Chicago Bears - Calvin Pryor S
The Bears cringe a bit as Donald and Haha go right before, but with their pick DA Bears select Calvin Pryor, safety. Last season Chicago fielded one of the worst defenses in history with some of the worst safety play ever witnessed thanks to Conte and Major Wright. Wright is off the team, Conte is recovering from surgery and will not be back until August. That leaves the current healthy Bears "starting" safeties being M.D. Jennings and Ryan Mundy. Pryor is a hard hitting safety who can bring back some of the classic Bears defense.
In retrospective though Emery will choose someone who graded out to be a mid 2nd to third round pick like his past two drafts.
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15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Taylor Lewan OT
With the 15th pick in the NFL-GAF 2014 Mock Draft of Drunken Excellence, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan.
For the first time in a very long time, the Steelers used free agency to shore up gaping holes across the board. Mike Mitchell to replace Ryan Clark, Brice McCain in the secondary as well, Arthur Moats to play ILB alongside Lawrence Timmons and Cam Thomas to play NT. Offensively they plucked LeGarrette Blount from the jaws of evil as a change of pace runner alongside Le'Veon Bell, and then went out and grabbed Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey at wide out.
This along with locking up Troy, Heath and Ike for the remainder of their careers. None of these moves screams home run, but collectively they close gaps the Steelers had across the board last season... and make them a younger, more talented, more promising team that will still likely end 8-8.
I honestly believe they're looking for someone like Ebron to come in and learn behind Heath and to provide a double TE threat, but Ebron is gone. I would assume given the Beard's status and age that Donald is also high on their radar, but he's gone. I suspect that Clinton-Dix could be a guy to learn behind Troy, but he's gone.
So it comes down to BPA, really. The choices here are Dennard (CB), Beckham (WR) or Lewan (OT). Lewan is BPA. His stock has fallen, and the Steelers won't like his off the field issues. However, they signed Plax last year and that guy is a walking issue. Ben is still on the team, with issues well documented. The Steelers have bent at times and made allowances, and I believe that if the draft goes this way, they will make one again. They promised Ben they'd do something on the offensive side of the ball. There's worse things you could do than protect his blind side with a 6'7", 300+ pound hulk.
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16. Dallas Cowboys - Kony Ealy DE
The Dallas Cowboys churned the barrel last year having over 20 players come in and play defensive line. It had disastrous results as the Cowboys defense set records for its poor performance. It is clear that defensive line is Dallas’ biggest need, without quality linemen Marinelli’s scheme suffers. Marinelli likes to call his defensive linemen “Rushman”. Marinelli looks for many traits in a rushman, but there are three that I think are his most important. The first trait is “Get-Off”, the ability to react quickly, generate speed and power up field. The second trait is technique discipline, can’t be sloppy, he wants players who are detailed and precise. The last trait is effort or motor, he needs players to finish every pass rush, get to the ball every play.
With the 16th pick the Dallas Cowboys select Kony Ealy out of Missouri. Ealy has good size at 6’4 and 273 lbs, long arms at 34.5 inches, and great athleticism. The most important trait I think Ealy exhibits is his quick twitch and ability to get off at the snap. Ealy has a range of pass rushing moves and has also shown the ability to dip his shoulders to get around tackles without losing speed and close with explosiveness. A con that can attributed to Ealy is that he is prone to being too upright at the snap of the ball and he is not as strong as traditional ends. Poor technique at the snap of the ball can be coached out, and Marinelli prefers speed over strength. Ealy may be a bit of a reach, but Will McClay (Assistant director of player personnel, also handling The Cowboys board) is a fan of Ealy. Ealy will be a great addition to the Cowboys and will be a step in the right direction to help rebuild the defensive line.
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17. Baltimore Ravens - Zach Martin OT
Yea Yea not a flashy pick but it is an Ozzie pick. After seeing the HORRID OL play last year and seeing Flacco on his back more than a ($120 mil) hooker. We finish upgrading our OL. Martin is a solid Technician with good feet and balance but has short arms. With this upgrade we have effectively have a starting RT ,back up G and LT. We could have possible the best oline we have had in years. Now if the the WRs can separate, get yac and can keep the D rested we maybe be seeing the playoffs for a good long while
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18. New York Jets - Marquise Lee WR
Much like the Jets organization, even this selection was half-assed.
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19. Miami Dolphins - CJ Mosely LB
While most people think the dolphins try to get Zack Martin to improve the right side of the oline, after giving up a record 58 sacks last season as a unit the Linebackers were by far the most disappointing going by salary paid. The Dolphins can finish improving the oline with someone like Joel Bitonio in the 3rd. After the genius that is Ireland traded two solid starters for Ellerbe and Wheeler to a combined 27 million in guarantees only to produce a combined 8 tackles for a loss. Miami could have made it into the playoffs if they had managed to do one of two things, stop the run or pass protect and they failed spectacularly in both of those areas. Having signed Albert to cover the left side, Martin would be a reach at 19 for a RT/RG with such a deep OL draft so having said that….
Miami will take CJ Mosley, MLB Alabama with the 19th pick in the draft. Mosley is an instinctive run-stopper that can cover sideline to sideline which will help cover RB/TEs, a giant weakness for the Dolphins last year. Mosley is an instant improvement in both run-stopping and coverage which makes it a no-brainer.
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20. Arizona Cardinals - Ryan Shazier LB
In this scenario, with JFF AND Carr available, it's a complete and utter certainty we'd trade back but for the purpose of this mock:
The Arizona Cardinals draft Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State. The Cardinals have an already elite defense and are just a few pieces away from making it an unstoppable juggernaut. The Achilles heel of the Cards D last year was covering Tight Ends but with the top safeties off the board and the loss of Dansby's coverage skills in the off season along with the impending suspension of Washington, this pick a no brainer. Shazier is a freak athlete with blazing speed and great lateral movement skills making him an ideal candidate for both ILB and OLB duties. He has great instincts and tackling technique, recording over 300 in college. Shazier will be able to step right in to fill Dansby's shoes with pass coverage but with his elite speed and lateral movement, will be moved around and able to cover tight ends unlike the former player. With Peterson, Cromartie, and Honey Badger locking down the back field, Shazier will also have opportunities to use his speed for pass rushing off the edge in packages. The combination of Washington and Shazier will be a nightmare for offensive coordinators to work around.
21. Green Bay Packers - ON THE CLOCK
22. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Kansas City Chiefs
24. Cincinnati Bengals
25. San Diego Chargers
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts)
27. New Orleans Saints
28. Carolina Panthers
29. New England Patriots
30. San Francisco 49ers
31. Denver Broncos
32. Seattle Seahawks
List of participants:
Packers are on the clock. They have until 10PM
I still need a write-up for the Jets.
1. Houston Texans - Khalil Mack LB
In 2006 The Texans went against the "safe pick", Reggie Bush. Crennel wants fast and built options on his defense to keep up with these high powered offenses. While Clowney is a physical freak Mack is a more traditional 3-4 OLB and can make an immediate impact. This selection allows them to move Brooks Reed inside next to Cushing where he can be a run stuffing thumper. Mack will play on the same side as JJ Watt which will force offenses to severly overload on side and allows Mercilus and Swearinger, playing box safety, to get free runs at the QB.
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2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - Greg Robinson OT
If Texans drafted Mack, STL would take Clowney in 2 seconds. For purposes here I will just assume Mack=Clowney and let whichever team below that was targeting Mack grab Clowney.
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3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jadaveon Clowney DE
Jaguars will not be in this spot most likely(they'll trade down), but Jaguars select Jadeveon Clowney as the best pure defensive athlete in the draft. Gus Bradley knows how to motivate and how to coach up talent, so working with Clowney might be a dream. Plenty of vets on defense to keep pushing him and Clowney will devour poor little Locker and Luck. We'll get a QB in round 2.
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4. Cleveland Browns - Blake Bortles QB
With all the Qbs on the board i believe the Browns will take Blake Bortles. this is a who we think our team will take, not who we want to draft mock. Browns shouldn't play games with the QB position and hope one falls or waits for one, take the guy you like the most at 4 most, Remember what playing games with the qb position got you in WeedOn and Quinn. All the talk of no qb is worth a top pick is a little overblown. The qb position shouldn't be looked at as what can he do for us now, but what can he be for us in the long term. Finding a qb is hard, and you would hope your team isn't in a position to be picking this high in following years. take advantage of the high pick you have now. The teams ready to compete now, we just need a trigger man. and the young qb will hopefully be able to sit behind Hoyer.
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5. Oakland Raiders - Teddy Bridgewater QB
After passing on Rivers, Cutler and Rodgers in drafts over the past 10 years, and giving up a 1st, two 2nds, a 5th and a 6th in addition to using a 4th on Tyler Wilson over the last 4 years the new Reggie McKenzie led Raiders have said "fuck this" and decided to do the right thing and get their franchise QB of the future in the 1st round rather than wasting another pick on a scrub in the mid rounds who can't even beat out Matt fucking McGloin.
In Bridgewater, the Raiders get the hardest working, most accurate and intelligent QB in the draft. He will not be thrown into the fire right away and will be allowed to sit for at least one year while he puts on some weight, refines his deep ball and increases his throwing power before leading the Oakland Raiders to 3 Super Bowl victories over the next 10 years. BOOM!!!
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6. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Matthews OT
With the #6 pick, the Atlanta Falcons take Texas A&M Offensive Tackle Jake Matthews. Both Thomas Dmitroff and Mike Smith has promised over the offseason to focus on improving toughness across both trenches, and I fully expect the Falcons to take BLA (best lineman available), regardless of what side of the ball the player fits. I fully expect the top four of the team's draft board to be: Clowney, Mack, Robinson, Matthews.
Last season, the lack of depth on the Atlanta offensive line brought the team to its knees as raw Lamar Holmes, undrafted Ryan Schraeder, and Buccaneer castoff Jeremy Trueblood played musical chairs at left and right tackle after Sam Baker went down with his annual injury. It wasn't just the bookends that were at fault, as the interior of the line crumbled with Peter Konz being pulled in and out of the lineup, and the season coming to an ignominious and symbolic end with a botched snap.
As a result, Matt Ryan was beaten up and battered all season long, taking 44 sacks, the most in his career (the previous high being 28).
The Falcons let a weak position go largely unimproved since Ryan's rookie year, relying on improving castoffs like Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo over the years. Unsurprisingly, the Falcons are on their third offensive line coach in four years as noted high school girl creeper Mike Tice joins the staff to replace the west coast's favorite asshole Pat Hill.
The Falcons have lacked a franchise tackle for well over a decade - with Bob Whitfield the last to really deserve any accolade (Todd Weiner was okay.). Matthews immediately improves the line by plugging in at RT and inevitably taking over Baker's spot at LT. Most importantly, he shores up depth across the board.
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7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sammy Watkins WR
With the seventh pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers select Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
After an offseason overhaul that following the exile of he-who-shall-not-be-named, the Buccaneers retooled their defense, letting Darrelle Revis go and bringing in Alterraun Verner, Micheal Johnson, Clinton McDonald, among others. They also retooled the o-line, getting rid of Donald Penn, Davin Joseph, and Jeremy Zuttah and bringing in Anthony Collins and Evan Dietrich-Smith. Lovie Smith also brought in veteran QB Josh McCown.
Though the Bucs are in the market for a young QB since human/giraffe hybrid Mike Glennon, who did perform fairly well in his rookie year last season, is the product of the old regime, and one who Smith and Jeff Tedford don't seem to think is the guy going forward, after finishing dead last in offense last year and losing WRs Mike Williams and Tiquan Underwood, the Bucs clearly need more offensive firepower. And they add it by getting the bar none best receiver in one of the best classes for WRs ever. Putting him opposite Vincent Jackson, already coming off two very productive years with the Bucs, the Bucs shall officially make total bitches out of NFC South secondaries for the foreseeable future.
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8. Minnesota Vikings - Anthony Barr LB
The Vikings have not had a great linebacking core in a very long time and they need both an inside and outside linebacker. Yes they need other positions as well, most notably Cornerback, but this is a deep draft and I am a proponent of selecting the best possible player that fits into your needs. And yes I realize that the Vikings need a QB. I also realize that there isnt much of a difference between the "Top" QB's in this draft and 2nd round guys like McCarron and Garrapolo.
Barr will be able to fill a few different roles during his first year as a player. He will fit into Zimmers desire to rotate Defensive linemen and Linebackers with the ultimate goal of making Barr into a full time three down outside linebacker.
The guy is a great athlete and a fantastic playmaker. Something our defense is sorely missing. My hope is that with a pick like this and a handful more on the defensive side of the ball the Vikings will make a huge leap forward.
Lets not forget that the Vikings blew FIVE leads last year in the final minutes of games due to complete defensive collapses. Hopefully this will be a step toward fixing that problem.
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9. Buffalo Bills - Eric Ebron TE
With the 9th selection in the 2014 Draft, the Buffalo Bills select, TE Eric Ebron from UNC. This mock has always been about who the team will most likely take and not who the individual(s) making the selection would take. Given that, I see the Bills going Ebron. This org has played up the BIG/TALL WR in the past, and they've done shit about it. Year after year they talk about a physical receiver who's open when covered, year after year they ignore size.
In today's NFL, you win up the seam. TE is always a QBs best friend. They need to get EJ weapons, Ebron can take advantage of the middle of the field, an area of the field where young QBs do best.
I think they'd take ODB before Evans to be honest, they stressed separation and route running, two thing ODB does in spades. IF anyone can sneak into the top ten it's ODB to Buffalo, because they want shifty guys who can run routes.
With regards to OL, it's your typical OL Coach/HC scenario, where the HC thinks he can coach up lower round picks. Just look at the LG situation going into 2013, complete scrubs. Typical we'll coach em up situation, think they'll patch it up with middle round guys, Glenn's legit as the LT.
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10. Detroit Lions - Mike Evans WR
Detroit runs to the podium to take Evans if he's there at #10. As one of the most sure-handed receivers in the draft, he'll fit right in alongside Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate as a solid downfield option for Matt “Just Let Me Finish This Bucket of Chicken and I'll Be Right With You” Stafford. Detroit needs another receiver to replace Nate Burleson, while the injury-prone Ryan Broyles has yet to prove himself as reliable. This pick would keep Detroit's offense near the top of the league—hopefully high enough to make up for the terrible secondary.
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11. Tennessee Titans - Justin Gilbert CB
The Titans take the best CB on the board to make up for the departure of Alterraun Verner whom they lost in free agency. In Justin Gilbert they are getting an athletic cornerback with with patience, a willingness to tackle and the acceleration/fluidity to develop into an excellent NFL corner.
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12. New York Giants - Aaron Donald DT
With Mike Evans and Eric Ebron off the board (both the top two picks amongst Giants-Gaf), the options presented included going Safety with Will Hill all but being released after another upcoming drug suspension and the fact that this is Antrel Rolle's last year with the team. Haha Clinton-Dix was the most often mentioned named.
However, the name that appeared above him more consistently is Pitt's Aaron Donald. With the loss of Linval Joseph, the Giants are looking to Hankins to fill in the role of the run stopping space eater and will need to find an eventual replacement for the more pass rush oriented Cullen Jenkins who is reaching the finale of his career.
Donald's biggest knock is his size. Some view him as more of a 3-4 end in the NFL but I think he's too explosive, has too good a motor and is just too much of a monster for the Giants to pass up on him even if they use him in a situational rotation capacity in year 1. This guy is just damned disruptive and for a team that struggled to rush the passer and will be looking for an impact player along the defensive line after losing Justin Tuck - there's just no one else right now that provides the value and fills a NEED like Aaron Donald does.
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13. St. Louis Rams - Haha Clinton-Dix S
With the 13th pick the Rams put the final pieces in place for an elite D with Ha Ha Clinton Dix. Paired with the hard hitting MacDonald, and 3rd year players Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson entering breakout years, the Rams secondary will finally be robust enough to hold their own during Gregg Williams' agressive, blitz-heavy playcalling.
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14. Chicago Bears - Calvin Pryor S
The Bears cringe a bit as Donald and Haha go right before, but with their pick DA Bears select Calvin Pryor, safety. Last season Chicago fielded one of the worst defenses in history with some of the worst safety play ever witnessed thanks to Conte and Major Wright. Wright is off the team, Conte is recovering from surgery and will not be back until August. That leaves the current healthy Bears "starting" safeties being M.D. Jennings and Ryan Mundy. Pryor is a hard hitting safety who can bring back some of the classic Bears defense.
In retrospective though Emery will choose someone who graded out to be a mid 2nd to third round pick like his past two drafts.
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15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Taylor Lewan OT
With the 15th pick in the NFL-GAF 2014 Mock Draft of Drunken Excellence, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan.
For the first time in a very long time, the Steelers used free agency to shore up gaping holes across the board. Mike Mitchell to replace Ryan Clark, Brice McCain in the secondary as well, Arthur Moats to play ILB alongside Lawrence Timmons and Cam Thomas to play NT. Offensively they plucked LeGarrette Blount from the jaws of evil as a change of pace runner alongside Le'Veon Bell, and then went out and grabbed Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey at wide out.
This along with locking up Troy, Heath and Ike for the remainder of their careers. None of these moves screams home run, but collectively they close gaps the Steelers had across the board last season... and make them a younger, more talented, more promising team that will still likely end 8-8.
I honestly believe they're looking for someone like Ebron to come in and learn behind Heath and to provide a double TE threat, but Ebron is gone. I would assume given the Beard's status and age that Donald is also high on their radar, but he's gone. I suspect that Clinton-Dix could be a guy to learn behind Troy, but he's gone.
So it comes down to BPA, really. The choices here are Dennard (CB), Beckham (WR) or Lewan (OT). Lewan is BPA. His stock has fallen, and the Steelers won't like his off the field issues. However, they signed Plax last year and that guy is a walking issue. Ben is still on the team, with issues well documented. The Steelers have bent at times and made allowances, and I believe that if the draft goes this way, they will make one again. They promised Ben they'd do something on the offensive side of the ball. There's worse things you could do than protect his blind side with a 6'7", 300+ pound hulk.
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16. Dallas Cowboys - Kony Ealy DE
The Dallas Cowboys churned the barrel last year having over 20 players come in and play defensive line. It had disastrous results as the Cowboys defense set records for its poor performance. It is clear that defensive line is Dallas’ biggest need, without quality linemen Marinelli’s scheme suffers. Marinelli likes to call his defensive linemen “Rushman”. Marinelli looks for many traits in a rushman, but there are three that I think are his most important. The first trait is “Get-Off”, the ability to react quickly, generate speed and power up field. The second trait is technique discipline, can’t be sloppy, he wants players who are detailed and precise. The last trait is effort or motor, he needs players to finish every pass rush, get to the ball every play.
With the 16th pick the Dallas Cowboys select Kony Ealy out of Missouri. Ealy has good size at 6’4 and 273 lbs, long arms at 34.5 inches, and great athleticism. The most important trait I think Ealy exhibits is his quick twitch and ability to get off at the snap. Ealy has a range of pass rushing moves and has also shown the ability to dip his shoulders to get around tackles without losing speed and close with explosiveness. A con that can attributed to Ealy is that he is prone to being too upright at the snap of the ball and he is not as strong as traditional ends. Poor technique at the snap of the ball can be coached out, and Marinelli prefers speed over strength. Ealy may be a bit of a reach, but Will McClay (Assistant director of player personnel, also handling The Cowboys board) is a fan of Ealy. Ealy will be a great addition to the Cowboys and will be a step in the right direction to help rebuild the defensive line.
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17. Baltimore Ravens - Zach Martin OT
Yea Yea not a flashy pick but it is an Ozzie pick. After seeing the HORRID OL play last year and seeing Flacco on his back more than a ($120 mil) hooker. We finish upgrading our OL. Martin is a solid Technician with good feet and balance but has short arms. With this upgrade we have effectively have a starting RT ,back up G and LT. We could have possible the best oline we have had in years. Now if the the WRs can separate, get yac and can keep the D rested we maybe be seeing the playoffs for a good long while
WR in the second
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18. New York Jets - Marquise Lee WR
Much like the Jets organization, even this selection was half-assed.
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19. Miami Dolphins - CJ Mosely LB
While most people think the dolphins try to get Zack Martin to improve the right side of the oline, after giving up a record 58 sacks last season as a unit the Linebackers were by far the most disappointing going by salary paid. The Dolphins can finish improving the oline with someone like Joel Bitonio in the 3rd. After the genius that is Ireland traded two solid starters for Ellerbe and Wheeler to a combined 27 million in guarantees only to produce a combined 8 tackles for a loss. Miami could have made it into the playoffs if they had managed to do one of two things, stop the run or pass protect and they failed spectacularly in both of those areas. Having signed Albert to cover the left side, Martin would be a reach at 19 for a RT/RG with such a deep OL draft so having said that….
Miami will take CJ Mosley, MLB Alabama with the 19th pick in the draft. Mosley is an instinctive run-stopper that can cover sideline to sideline which will help cover RB/TEs, a giant weakness for the Dolphins last year. Mosley is an instant improvement in both run-stopping and coverage which makes it a no-brainer.
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20. Arizona Cardinals - Ryan Shazier LB
In this scenario, with JFF AND Carr available, it's a complete and utter certainty we'd trade back but for the purpose of this mock:
The Arizona Cardinals draft Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State. The Cardinals have an already elite defense and are just a few pieces away from making it an unstoppable juggernaut. The Achilles heel of the Cards D last year was covering Tight Ends but with the top safeties off the board and the loss of Dansby's coverage skills in the off season along with the impending suspension of Washington, this pick a no brainer. Shazier is a freak athlete with blazing speed and great lateral movement skills making him an ideal candidate for both ILB and OLB duties. He has great instincts and tackling technique, recording over 300 in college. Shazier will be able to step right in to fill Dansby's shoes with pass coverage but with his elite speed and lateral movement, will be moved around and able to cover tight ends unlike the former player. With Peterson, Cromartie, and Honey Badger locking down the back field, Shazier will also have opportunities to use his speed for pass rushing off the edge in packages. The combination of Washington and Shazier will be a nightmare for offensive coordinators to work around.
21. Green Bay Packers - ON THE CLOCK
22. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Kansas City Chiefs
24. Cincinnati Bengals
25. San Diego Chargers
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts)
27. New Orleans Saints
28. Carolina Panthers
29. New England Patriots
30. San Francisco 49ers
31. Denver Broncos
32. Seattle Seahawks
List of participants:
Packers are on the clock. They have until 10PM
I still need a write-up for the Jets.
Squall ASF
Member
Has EZ commented on every pick? I'm curious what he's had to say for each of them.
Why is that? I see him mocked to the Eagles a lot.
Isn't he considered round 1 talent even though he had a down year for reasonable reasons this past season?
yankeehater
Member
I am sure that they would.
Is JFF still available? Ill pick him for you.
Lee Chaolan
Member
Sweet looks like we might make it to the browns pick tonight
Only if Tebow is off the board.
The guy is tiny and could barely survive in the NCAA. I know most NFL DBs don't know how to tackle, but they tackle harder than NCAA DBs.
Squall ASF
Member
He's actually primarily a ILB but is closer to Washington's skill set than I'd normally want for an SILB. Looking at how Bowles schemes worked last year and what was asked for at the position, I feel he fits well for replacing Dansby but thanks to the level of athleticism and speed, can do more than Dansby.
Dutch Gronk
Banned
Robert Woods broke the USC WR stigma. Woods looked great last season for the Bills and I wouldn't mind have to have the Pats take Lee.
I honestly thought Robert Woods was the better WR than Mariqise Lee. Woods got more double coverage than Lee did when he Lee went for 1700 yards. It was a pick your poison thing and teams thought Woods was more of a threat. Woods has also proven to be more durable.
I won't make a joke.
Alligatorjandro
Banned
Fuck hockey
:-(
:-(
Fight Kave.
Should have bandwagon'd the Bruins!
Grover Cleveland
Member
I agree with the reptile.
Yall can have ice soccer
Yall can have ice soccer
ActStriker
Member
unf unf unf
I had the Bolts beating the Habs in my bracket. Stupid Lindback
Alligatorjandro
Banned
ActStriker
Member
gata pls
I'm so offended right now.