Thursday, April 28, 2011

Scott Simon Draft Day Mock (2.0)

First Round:
1.     Carolina: Cam Newton – QB – Auburn
2.     Denver: Von Miller – LB – Texas A&M
3.     Buffalo: Marcell Dareus – DT – Alabama
4.     Cincinnati: AJ Green – WR - Georgia
5.   Arizona: Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU
6.     New England (from Cleveland): Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina
7.     San Francisco: Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri
8.     Tennessee: Nick Fairley – DT - Auburn
9.     Dallas: JJ Watt – DE – Wisconsin
10.  Atlanta (from Washington): Julio Jones – WR – Alabama
11.  Houston: Cameron Jordan  – DE – California
12.  Minnesota: Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College
13.  Detroit:  Tyron Smith – OT - USC
14.  St. Louis: Corey Liuget – DT – Illinois
15.  Miami: Mike Pouncey – G/C – Florida


16.  Jacksonville: Jake Locker – QB – Washington
17. Cleveland (via New England via Oakland): Gabe Carimi – OT - Wisconsin
18. San Diego: Muhammad Wilkerson – DE - Temple
19.New York Giants: Nate Solder – OT - Colorado
20.Tampa Bay: Prince Amukamara – CB - Nebraska
21. Kansas City: Ryan Kerrigan – DE – Purdue
22. Indianapolis: Derek Sherrod – OT – Mississippi State
23.  Philadelphia:  Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado
24.  New Orleans: Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson
25.  Seattle: Andy Dalton – QB – TCU
26.  Baltimore: Brandon Harris – CB – Miami
27. Washington: Mark Ingram – RB - Alabama
28. Cleveland (via New England): Cameron Heyward – DE – Ohio State
29. Chicago: Danny Watkins – G – Baylor
30. New York Jets: Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA
31.  Buffalo (from Pittsburgh): Christian Ponder – QB – Florida State
32.  Green Bay: Brooks Reed – OLB – Arizona

A few thoughts on this years draft…

Anarachy. I think it’s what we’re all rooting for (outside of our favorite team selecting Ted Ginn or Jamain Stephens) tonight. If the draft tonight mirrors what’s going on in the league, tonight should be anarchy with teams moving up and down and valuing their picks, their players, and next year’s picks differently based on several factors which include salary cap, the (truncated) 2010 season, and rookie wage scale. For example, if you’re a team who thinks this work stoppage (I can’t say “lock-out” now, can I?) is going to last well into the fall, you value next year’s draft class differently than this one. Your 2011 picks will not benefit from OTAs, training camp, preseason and a full slate of NFL games. You might be better off having two first-round picks next season versus one this year and one in 2012- especially if the rookie wage scale isn’t implemented for 2011! Some teams simply need a QB or OT and will make it happen here in 2011. It should be a fun few days, so tonight, I’m hoping for anarchy… and Mike Pouncey.

You’ll notice a few “runs” in my mock. Clearly offensive tackle and defensive linemen will be at a premium tonight. Some team is going to surprise us and select a QB like Locker or Dalton in the first round. I believe a run will start there too.

You’ll notice I included several trades. I’ve got teams with multiple needs (Cleveland, Washington) moving down, while aggressive front offices (New England, Atlanta) moving up.  

Risers (in no particular order): Dalton, Locker, Ponder, Reed, Sherrod, Jordan, Liuget, Quinn.

Fallers (in no particular order): Ingram, Heyward, Bowers, Clayborn, A. Williams.

It wouldn’t stun me to see these guys picked in round 1: Brooks Reed, James Carpenter, Christian Ponder, Jonathan Baldwin, Kyle Rudolph.

Enjoy the NFL Draft.

3 comments:

Dave Hendrie said...

I have been hoping we trade up for Quinn. Love it Scott!

John Hendrie said...

Every one is saying the Patriots don't like the Defensive front seven personnel and won't be trading up. I'm pretty sure this means we are!

Scott Simon said...

Thanks guys!
Enjoy the draft tonight. Hoping the Steelers move up too.
I loved Kevin Colbert's quote yesterday. He said "we will pick someone at 31 - if we have to!"