I've critiqued and criticized plenty of Mock Drafts, now it's my turn

by shake n bake on Mar 16, 2009 2:03 AM EDT in NFL Draft

Now I'll put myself out there. Mock draft fever has swept Stampede Blue and I'm getting in on it. Check out Colts Homer and BlueVol03's very recent mocks as well. I used Mocking Dan's lastest mock for reference, suggestions, reminders and when I just wasn't sure.

Pick#	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Detroit	Jason Smith	OT	Baylor
2	St. Louis	Eugene Monroe	OT	Virginia
3	Kansas City	Aaron Curry	LB	Wake Forest
4	Seattle	Matt Stafford	QB	Georgia
5	Cleveland	Everette Brown	DE	Florida State
6	Cincinnati	B.J. Raji	DT	Boston College
7	Oakland	Micheal Crabtree	WR	Texas Tech
8	Jacksonville	Micheal Oher	OT	Mississippi
9	Green Bay	Malcolm Jenkins	CB	Ohio State
10	San Fransisco	Mark Sanchez	QB	Southern Cal
11	Buffalo	Brian Orakpo	DE	Texas
12	Denver	Rey Malualuga	ILB	Southern Cal
13	Washington	Andre Smith	OT	Alabama
14	New Orleans	Brian Cushing	LB	Southern Cal
15	Houston	Chris Wells	HB	Ohio State
16	San Diego	Tyson Jackson	DE	Louisiana St.
17	NY Jets	Jeremy Maclin	WR	Missouri
18	Chicago	Larry English	DE	Northern Illinois
19	Tampa Bay	Percy Harvin	WR	Florida
20	Detroit (from Dallas)	Vonte Davis	CB	Illinois
21	Philadelphia	Knowshon Moreno	RB	Georgia
22	Minnesota	Sean Smith	CB	Utah
23	New England	Clay Matthews	LB	Southern Cal
24	Atlanta	Brandon Pettigrew	TE	Oklahoma St.
25	Miami	D.J. Moore	CB	Vanderbilt
26	Baltimore	Darrius Heyward-Bey	WR	Maryland
27	Indianapolis	Peria Jerry	DT	Mississippi
28	Philadelphia (from Carolina)	Eben Britton	OT	Arizona
29	NY Giants	Hakeem Nicks	WR	North Carolina
30	Tennessee	Alphonso Smith	CB	Wake Forest
31	Arizona	"Shady" McCoy	RB	Pittsburgh
32	Pittsburgh	Alex Mack	C	California

Obviously I'm going to get Jerry to Indy. He's a perfect fit for the scheme and will give the Colts the big penetrating DT that they've been lacking since Ed Johnson got caught toking up. Nicks, Smith and Laurinatis are the other top options for Indy for that scenario in my mind.

Pick#	Team	Player	Position	School
33	Detroit	James Laurinatis	LB	Ohio State
34	New England (from KC)	Darrius Butler	CB	Connecticut
35	St. Louis	"Ziggy" Hood	DT	Missouri
36	Cleveland	Donald Brown	RB	Connecticut
37	Seattle	William Beatty	OT	Connecticut
38	Cincinnati	Max Unger	OC	Oregon
39	Jacksonville	Asher Allen	CB	Georgia
40	Oakland	Phil Loadholt	OT	Oklahoma
41	Green Bay	Ron Brace	DT	Boston College
42	Buffalo	Aaron Maybin	DE	Penn State
43	San Fransisco	Clint Sintim	OLB	Virgina
44	Miami (from WAS)	Kenny Britt	WR	Rudgers
45	NY Giants (from NO)	Louis Delmas	FS	Western Mich.
46	Houston	Micheal Johnson	DE	Georgia Tech
47	New England	Patrick Chung	SS	Oregon
48	Denver	Jarron Gilbert	DE	San Diego St.
49	Chicago	Duke Robinson	OG	Oklahoma
50	Cleveland (from TB)	Mike Mickens	CB	Cincinnati
51	Dallas	William Moore	S	Missouri
52	NY Jets	Josh Freeman	QB	Kansas State
53	Philadelphia	Chase Coffman	TE	Missouri
54	Minnesota	Juaquin Inglesias	CB	Oklahima
55	Atlanta	Jarrius Byrd	CB	Oregon
56	Miami	Conner Barwin	DE	Cincinnati
57	Baltimore	Victor Harris	CB	Virginia Tech
58	New England	Derrick Williams	WR	Penn State
59	Carolina	Fili Moala	DT	Southern Cal
60	NY Giants	Jamon Meredith	OT	South Carolina
61	Indianapolis	Brian Robiskie	WR	Ohio State
62	Tennessee	Robert Ayers	DE	Tennessee
63	Arizona	Paul Kruger	DE	Utah
64	Pittsburgh	Dorell Scott	DT	Clemson

With Marvin gone they could use a guy to fill Gonzalez’s role since Gonzo is stepping up to #2. Robiskie reminds me of Gonzo a lot. Really polished guy who probably doesn’t have the crazy ceiling, but will be able to step right in and be productive and could develop into a very good #2 WR.

That leaves LB, OT and RB to be addressed. If Rashad Jennings or Andre Brown are there in the 3rd Indy can check off that need. For the 4th-7th round they'll want a developmental OT, a LB or two to plug in down the road and some CB depth.

Tweet Comment 27 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

solid mock

And since it’s a solid mock, it’s worth interrogating. Tampa Bay, and Minnesota all scare me because in this mock they seem like they could be reaching or gambling. Especially since Tampa Bay and Minnesota (barring Starcaps exoneration) could use D-line help. But it’s true that TB needs a deep threat to replace Galloway and Minnesota is letting Darren Sharper walk, so this seems entirely within the realm of possibility. Are Larry English and Tyson Jackson first-rounders though? It seems like I’ve seen mocks with them at the bottom of the first/top second.

by CooperManningsNotTrying on Mar 16, 2009 4:20 AM EDT reply actions

Too bad Brian Robiskie...

…sucks. He’s a slower verison of Anothony Gonzalez, probably with worse hands. Thanks but no thanks.

PS. Peria Jerry will a. not make it to Indy, several teams in front need DTs and b. he’s perfect for the system is poor analysis and ignores a valid concern with curse of Simon lurking: Jerry’s already missed time with leg problems in the past. If Adrian Petterson can have “durability issues” stemming from a broken collarbone that he got from diving into the endzone, then what the hell do Jerry’s ankle and knee injuries add up to?

I’d like actual analysis in the form of:

1. Can Jerry play the one gap scheme and the technique required of him?

2. How many of his Tackles for Loss came against quality opponents? No one would think of Michael Jordon as the greatest NBA player if all he did was dunk over kids in wheelchairs.

3. Does he play with his head as much as his heart?

4. Is there ANY reason that he’d be any better than anyone we could later in the draft for cheaper? Charles Rogers was graded out higher than Andre Johnson according to some scouts. People thought Dwight Frenney was a reach. Tony Mandarich was supposed to revolutionize the sport, as was Michael Vick. Lawrence Maroney was supposed to be better than Joseph Addai. Peyton Manning was a bigger risk than Ryan Leaf. So tell me why, other than big and fat, explodes off the line and beats college offensive linemen who may or may not be impressive, and that he “fits the system”, that he should be taken over say, Hakeem Nicks/Kenny Britt/Percy Harvin? I’d LOVE to hear a legitimate reason for once FFS.

by Marik on Mar 16, 2009 7:16 AM EDT reply actions

So that is your criticism on Jerry.

The fact that there have been several busts in the past drafts, and that people have diagnosed improperly, like the Ryan Leaf’s and such, is your argument. Nice. Here’s an idea. You do a mock draft. Then I will tell you why it is stupid because there have been Ryan Leaf types in past drafts, and that people have missed on Tom Brady’s until late in the draft and such. I will remind you of guys like Charles Rogers to make my point as well. Brilliant.

This is someone’s opinion of a mock draft. It is as good as most I’ve seen. And it is way better than some crazy ones that I’ve seen. Of curse, that is all my opinion, so be sure to remind me that my draft opinion is flawed because experts have been wrong before as well, like with Leaf and Rogers. Goodness. Thankfully we have you here to set the simpletons straight.

Now do me a favor. Pony up your mock draft so I can analyze it. I’ll be looking. Be sure to include “actual analysis” with your selections. (I think that must mean analysis that I agree with.)

by coltsfanawalt on Mar 16, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

so some scouts have no idea who the good players are, but you definetely know?

They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"

by shake n bake on Mar 16, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

and really?

you complain about 1st round busts then advocate for a WR?

WRs bust out at a higher rate that any position

you says fit for the system is poor analysis because a bunch of other players in his spot for Indy have had crazy stuff happen to them. Fit for scheme=poor analysis Curses=Great Analysis

They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"

by shake n bake on Mar 16, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Fit for scheme=poor analysis Curses=Great Analysis

Awesome point!

by coltsfanawalt on Mar 16, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with marik on his entire post. I watched roboskie drop the ball where he was never touched on too many occasions. very ordinary reciever to me. I do NOT want this pick. and the last paragraph that marik commented on (with exception of wanting maybe the biggest bust in the draft, harvin) is so true.

all the reggie bush is a for sure thing is proof of the experts so called expertise. cant go wrong. well they were wrong

by kinnickcolt on Mar 16, 2009 8:45 AM EDT reply actions

Jerry would be a perfect fit

So would Laurinaitis. But you would rather have Nicks and Smith over Evander Hood? Some would say thats just filling a need, but I think hes starting to show how good he really is.

by ColtsPurdueFanFromKY on Mar 16, 2009 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

like what i see

it would be great if the first 2 rounds went that way for the Colts. Jerry is just what we need and although I can’t stand the Buckeyes, I think Robiskie would be great for us!

by dkloster3 on Mar 16, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

I agree Jerry would be a good fit for the Cotls

Laurinaitis, on the other hand, would not be a good fit, he is way to slow to play linebacker in a cover-2. The colts two starting D-tackles clocked a faster 40 time then Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis is a slower less talented version of Rob Morris – who was a top 15 pick and can’t miss selection at middle linebacker. Soon as the colts switched to cover-2 he was benched for Bracket who was more atheletic and faster. As long as the Colts run any version of the cover-2, Laurinaitis is not a good fit he is too slow and not atheletic enough.

For the past 5 years the Cots YAC – yards after catch- has been declining. If the colts go after a receiver at the top of the draft he needs to be able to stretch the field and help with those declining YAC numbers. Roboskie would be a possession receiver in the pro’s he’s not going to help those declining YAC numbers.

In all fairness, your ,mock is as good as any other Mocks I’ve seen out there.

Defense if more important then breathing.

by BetterD on Mar 16, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

Peyton's knee killed the deep ball last season

guys were getting open deep, the passes were off.

if you are dead set on a deep threat you’ll have to cross Nicks off too. He’s no burner.

Morris was the 28th pick and started 3 years into the Dungy era (they pulled him on 3rd downs for Brackett in years 2 and 3). Laurinaitis had a bad combine, but the scouts looking at the tape thought he moved well enough.

They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"

by shake n bake on Mar 16, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

YAC has been declining for the past 5 years, not just last year.

I think Gonzo starting full time will help the YAC, I just don’t see the reason to spend a 1st or 2nd pick on a reciver that doesn’t bring anything to the table that they don’t already have.

As far a Laurinaitis goes, you big10 homers have seen him play more then I have, so you may be right he may be a perfect fit, I’m just not sold on him, the numbers I’ve seen on him he just doens’t look like a true cover-2 LB. Although the film I have seen he does get pretty far back in his drops. Still not sold on him.

Defense if more important then breathing.

by BetterD on Mar 16, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Laurinaitis

Laurinaitis ran a 4.70 during his pro day, which is actually a little bit faster than Brackett. Not to mention he’s 3 inches taller and 10 lbs heavier. And uh, Laurinaitis is rated as the best Cover2 ILB in the entire draft. Not to mention;

"Strengths: Very good size and decent strength … Outstanding production: 366 tackles and 13 sacks in three years as starter … Solid athleticism … Great instincts; diagnoses run and pass quickly … Good gap discipline … Smart and not easily fooled by OL traps/misdirection … Great range when dropping into zone … Soft hands and body control to intercept passes … Potentially can play WILL … Makes clutch third-down tackles … Team captain … Clean off the field.

Weaknesses: Shies away from taking on blocks … Soft tackler who doesn’t explode through … Overaggressive and reckless when it comes to tackling technique … Needs to do a better job of containing on outside runs instead of going for the huge play … Too many arm tackles … I do not see scheme versatility in the 3-4.

Summary: Laurinaitis is a very smart and active linebacker, but he does not always bring the physical, mentally tough part of the game to the table, which is frustrating. The strength and athleticism is there to be a very productive player in the NFL, but some coaching might have to be done to get him there. As of now though, I see him as being a solid starter in a zone-based 4-3 defense.

Player Comparison: Gary Brackett. Brackett keys in and reacts quickly, is smart, has range, but does not have the most physical mindset. I see Laurinaitis putting up similar statistical production and bringing the same leadership to a defense in the NFL. "

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 16, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

You voted for Giordano and Rhodes? wtf?

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.
Oh and I write words and stuff for Stampede Blue.

by KingRichard on Mar 16, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe he didn't want them to be tempted to put Ratliff back returning punts

They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"

by shake n bake on Mar 16, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Meh

Rhodes unless Hart’s healthy, Giordano because he’s probably one of our better special teams players now especially with Reid gone. If we’re going to hold a roster spot for just a returner he’d better be like a Cribbs, Norwood, Manningham or Blackmon. Forsett was our best returner this year but we waived him. We signed Ratliff off waivers, cut him, signed him, cut him and then signed him when Marlin went down. If nobody picked him up, I think we’re ok. Besides, with Giordano at least we have the option of moving Bethea to being a fulltime CB with Bullit and Bob as the starters and still have experienced depth.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 16, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

i see

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.
Oh and I write words and stuff for Stampede Blue.

by KingRichard on Mar 16, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

And to be honest

With Keiaho and Hagler walking, although I’m not saying our needs have been answered at DT, I’d rate LB (specifically WILL) as our biggest need at the moment. There’s more depth at DT than LB in the draft.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Mar 16, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

You were able to find Bracket's time?

do have a link for that site with his 40 time?

Defense if more important then breathing.

by BetterD on Mar 16, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Clean off the field

BOOORRR-ing!! /jk

But weaknesses around tackling… ugh… we don’t need more of that!

by LovinBlue on Mar 16, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it should be noted that that 4.70 was on a fast track

I have liked Laurinaitis and still like him, as a guy who really appreciates the Buckeyes program (heart the sweater vest) and enjoys watching them play. But I am nonetheless doubting whether Laurinaitis is explosive and quick enough for the Colts to draft him in the 1st round. The late 1st round granted, but it’s going to have to take 1st round special nonetheless for the Colts to go LB in the 1st round. Especially if they continue to value the position as they have, considering the defense supposedly won’t be changing much.

In terms of value, I’ll play the part of a parrot and say again I think Scott McKillop of Pittsburgh, if not as good as Laurinaitis, is better value as a late 3rd round pick. I’ll steer that bandwagon, even if it rides of a cliff in flames! :D

McKillop may be slightly worse in pass coverage, but he’s better in the front seven imo. He was the best linebacker at the Senior Bowl on gameday and actually tested better than Laurinaitis in most of the physical tests at the Combine. The guy just plays well and is productive, plus he has great intelligence and character befitting a MLB/team captain. I’d love to see that guy where the horseshoe on his helmet on Sundays, it boggles my mind as to why he’s so underrated. He’s not as unatheletic as people think, but it’s as though they refuse to budge on what they had in mind. It’s not like size is an issue, he’s 6’ 1" and 244.

Although of course I would be happy if the Colts did draft Laurinaitis in the 1st, because that means (with their superior scouting) that they do think he can be a stud future MLB for them starting in 2010. Gary Brackett has one year left on his contract and will be 30 years old by next offseason, which means the Colts will likely be looking for his successor. Maybe they’ll try and chance it by waiting until next year’s Draft (Brandon Spikes probably won’t reach their pick), although asking a rookie to start at MLB is tough. Polian is more likely to prepare/protect himself, like he did with Tarik Glenn/Tony Ugoh and Jeff Saturday/Mike Pollak, I think.

by project geo on Mar 16, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

As an Eagles fan...

I’d be ecstatic if this is how it turned out!

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Mar 16, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions

return game needs help

It would be great if we could get a reciever/returner in the second or third round. maybe Derric Williiams. I am so tired of watching 3 yard punt returns for the colts and then giving up 18 yard returns. Now we lost Reid, definitely our best special teams player, we really need difference maker!

by dkloster3 on Mar 16, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

I'd love to get both Jerry and Robiskie with the first 2 picks

If that could somehow happen, both are ideal.

I think there’s a chance at Jerry in the 1st, although I’m not counting on it. I hope for it. Potential teams of interest that I peg for him are New Orleans, Houston, maybe Tampa Bay, definitely Detroit, and maybe Atlanta. And maybe Minnesota too, as a shot in the dark surprise. Luckily though, the rest of the teams are likely to pass on him, because he may not fit them.

Robiskie falling to the Colts’ 2nd round pick, I’d love to see it happen but that chance might be awfully slim. If not wishful thinking. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Colts drafted Robiskie in the late 1st round actually, assuming Jerry is off the board. He’s a perfect Colts receiver, plus would give Peyton a bigger receiver in the red zone.

My current Colts’ mock reflects that:

1st. Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State
2nd. Fili Moala, DT, Southern Cal
3rd. Scott McKillop, MLB, Pittsburgh
4th. Mark Parson, CB, Ohio

Again though, that’s assuming Jerry is off the board. Laurinaitis could be there, but he’s probably not quick and explosive enough. Moala might not be there in the 2nd for the Colts though, as occurred in your mock, shake n bake. That feels early for Alex Magee, but he probably won’t reach their late 3rd round pick. They might as well opt to wait a round or two and pick up a okay guy like Myron Pryor of Kentucky.

by project geo on Mar 16, 2009 5:45 PM EDT reply actions

Robiskie in the first would be a huge stretch.

This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.
Oh and I write words and stuff for Stampede Blue.

by KingRichard on Mar 16, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Now aren’t these just a pain in the butt? I didn’t care for Houston going running back in round one. They have other needs and Steve Slaton looked pretty good last year.

by Dan Kadar on Mar 16, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions

yeah, that's the pick I like the least.

it just struck me as a fit to pair with Slaton. They gave 100 carries to an Ahman Green/Ryan Moats combo last year and Slaton is a little back (5’9" 203). I doubt piling all the carries on him would end well for Slaton or the team.

They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"

by shake n bake on Mar 16, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions