Grading the Mocking the Draft 7 Round Live Draft: NFC
We All like to play Arm Chair G.M. and mockingthedraft offered that chance to 32 people this past weekend as they were the G.M.s for their favorite teams. That is the fun part, but what about the flip side where draftniks who are sitting behind computers are criticizing them for their picks?
We’ll I’m giving those G.M.s the same opportunity the real pros are given: I’ve graded and added my thoughts to what these G.Ms did. For the most part I thought they did well. Some I didn’t agree with, others I think deserve a shot to be Real G.M.s with how well they did.
St. Louis Rams
1.6 Riely Reiff, OT, Iowa
2.7 Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
2.32 Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
3.22 David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
3.32 Marvin Jones, WR, California
4.1 Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
4.4 Sean Spence, OLB, Miami
6.1 Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
7.2 Rishaw Johnson, California (PA)
7.4 Duke Ichenao, SS, San Jose State
7.32 Aaron Corp, QB, Richmond
Also acquired:
2013 2nd/3rd Conditional pick from the Redskins
2013 4th round pick from the Giants
2013 5th round pick from the Falcons
The Rams were really busy trading all over the place, but still managed to get good players to fill many of their holes.
Picks I like:
David Wilson was the second running back that was picked in a row for the Rams, but the value there was absolutely terrific.
Sean Spence is a second round talent who feel in this draft for whatever reason and could be an absolute steal.
Mike Martin too. He has limitations, but that’s good value.
Really Solid picks:
Doug Martin. Steven Jackson is in the twilight of his career and Martin is comparable to Ray Rice. Will he become Ray Rice? Who knows, but he has ability.
Marvin Jones, WR, California
Jones was one of my favorite value picks when he was considered a fifth round pick early in the season, he’s really rising though and could end up in the mid second round if he runs as fast as he plans on running (4.4 reportedly).
Riley Reiff and Dontari Poe are solid value picks and good players who fit needs. Reiff might be a little bit of a reach, but Tackle is just one of those positions that you have to take earlier than your big board might indicate.
Poe is widely considered a 34 NT so it’s an interesting pick, but Phil Taylor was also widely considered a 34 NT and had a really good first year with the Browns.
All three picks in the 7th round are solid value picks. I don’t really get too excited or critical about 6th and 7th round picks unless the value is tremendous to my big board (like Da’rel Scott last year for one).
Cliff Harris is talented enough to warrant that selection, but character concerns are really important with him. It’s maybe a round early and if the Rams didn’t have so many picks I probably would have put this in the do not like file.
Draft Grade: A-
It’s not an “A” straight-up because the first two picks are not terrific values, but more importantly the Rams didn’t get enough in exchange for the Redskins to move up to select Griffin III. Really good job by the Rams representative other than the trade.
Minnesota Vikings:
3rd pick – Matt Kalil OT – The Real USC
35th pick – Stephon Gilmore CB – Wannabe USC
67th pick – Markelle Martin FS Oklahoma State
The Vikings make a trade with the Chiefs. The Vikings give pick #99 in exchange for picks #108 & #139.
108th pick – Joe Adams WR Arkansas
131st pick – Coryell Judie CB Texas A&M
139th pick – Emmanuel Acho LB Texas
163rd pick – Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M
195th pick – Chigbo Anunoby DT Morehouse
208th pick – Joe Long OT/OG Wayne State
Picks I like:
Matt Kalil is the ideal pick for the Vikings. Can’t argue with this one.
I’m a big fan of Stephon Gilmore and think that’s really good value there. Another good pick by the Rams.
Markelle Martin has range and should be a very solid safety in the N.F.L. Getting the second best safety in this class in the early part of the third round is good value.
Joe Adams isn’t the big physical down the field target the Vikings may need, but he’s a player who can do a lot of different things on the field (they have that kind of player already), but in a league where the tackling gets worse every year guys who can create yards after the catch are great to have and Adams can do that.
Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A & M-Good value here. The Vikings have a need at cornerback but after a draft like this with the young Chris Cook (if he can stay on the field and out of trouble) the Vikings will have plenty to work with in the defensive secondary.
Jeff Fuller has had an awful year, but at 163rd overall that’s terrific value. He’s talented and is the big bodied WR the Vikings are missing after the departure of Sydney Rice.
Solid picks:
Emmanuel Acho, Chigbo Anunoby DT Morehouse, and Joe Long OT/OG Wayne State are all solid value late round picks.
Grade A-
A franchise LT, a potential shut down corner (Gilmore has a good deal of upside), the best free safety in the class and two young receiving options for a young quarterback? Can’t do much better than this.
Tampa Bay
#5 Trent Richardson RB Alabama
#36 Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
#69 Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
#133 Tank Carder, LB, TCU
#164 Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State
#197 Jacory Harris, QB, Miami Hurricanes
The N.F.C. is knocking these picks out of the park.
Picks I like:
Trent Richardson-It’s rough to take RB top five when you have a productive running back already, but with the two QBs, Claiborne, and Kalil off the board the options are limited and this is the right pick to make.
Orson Charles-The Buccaneers need to add some receiving options on offense to get Josh Freeman back on track. They have talented WRs, who did not perform well last year. Charles is as high as #15 on some big boards out there (not ours) but the value is good there for the player routinely compared to Aaron Hernandez.
I’m a Brandon Boykin fan. Good value pick there. (Note to self. Missed Boykin on big board update that)
Solid picks:
Tank Carder is a solid pick there. What position suits Carder best? That’s a question that’ll need to be answered. I’m not sure what kind of defensive s a good system Schiano is running yet, I’ll have to dig deeper into that.
Jacory Harris. Most 6th and 7th round picks will fall into this area. How can you really knock a 6th or 7th round pick? These players are mostly special teamers with developmental upside-that’s exactly what Harris is. A developmental prospect as a backup quarterback.
Picks That are curious:
Dan Herron is an interesting pick. I wouldn’t say I don’t like the pick because clearly they thought the value was there., but now the team has Blount, Richardson, Herron and whomever else is on the roster at running back.
Grade B
Washington Redskins:
Rd 1. RG III QB, Baylor– traded this years 2nd, and a conditional 2nd/3rd in 2013
Rd 3. Bobby Massie OT, Mississippi
Rd 4. Dwight Jones WR, North Carolina
Rd 4. Dwight Bentley CB Louisiana-Lafayette
Rd 5 TY Hilton WR Florida International
Rd 7 Tony Bergstrom OG/OT Utah
Picks I love:
Giving up two 2nd round picks (and maybe only a 2nd and a third) in exchange to select Robert Griffin is absolutely fleecing the Rams. Redskins need to develop a quarterback with a consistent coach (not what Campbell went through) and if Griffin needs time the team can play Beck or Grossman until he’s ready.
Picks I like:
Bobby Massie could a riser at the combine. Good pick at the top of third round, especially since the Redskins need a RT. Full confidence that Massie can play RT.
Dwight Jones
This is an over-reaction pick from the Senior Bowl. I don’t love Dwight Jones, but 4th round too low.
T.Y. Hilton
A speedy player who can return kicks and punts and develop with Griffin III.
Solid picks:
Tony Bergrstrom offers some depth and versatility along the line for the Redskins
Dwight Bentley
Heard lots of good things about Bentley, but I’d be lying if I said I’ve seen him play enough to have full confidence in him at this spot.
Grade: A-
People have been talking about the Rams pick being worth 2 1st rounders and maybe a player or two. In this draft the Redskins get their QB of the future a bookend RT to pair with Trent Williams and two guys who can be effective NFL Wide receivers. Can’t ask for much more.
Carolina Panthers:
Pick #13 – Melvin Ingram DE
Pick #24 – Devon Still DT
pick #170- Terrell Manning, LB, North Carolina State
pick #201-Mcyhal Kendricks. LB, California
The Panthers lost their third rounder with the Greg Olson trade, and traded back into the first round to select Devon Still so they don’t have too many picks.
Solid Picks:
Melvin Ingram is a man without a true N.F.L. position and I think 13th overall is much too high for him, but he should be able to do something for the Panthers.
Devon Still is good value at 24th overall, but terrific value? Not convinced of that, which is the only way I’m trading up to get a player is if I think the value is terrific.
Terrell Manning and Mychal Kendricks are good values at the linebacker spot. Does Manning have enough size? He plays bigger than his listed size.
Grade:
B-/C+
I think all four players the Panthers got in this draft are good players, but I don’t know how much I’d give up to get a chance to move back into the first round to select Devon Still. I’m not sure Ingram is the best fit for the Panthers defense. Just a solid draft, nothing great to me.
Seattle Seahawks
1.Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
*Traded back in the second round and picked up two thirds from the Eagles.
2. Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
3. Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona St.
3. Shea McClelline, OLB, Boise St.
4. Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian St.
*Traded a 6th and 7th to move into the 5th round
5. Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M
7. Chase Ford, TE, Miami
Something I noticed in this mocking the draft community mock draft is the value of quarterbacks is much lower than they will be on draft day.
Picks I love:
Brock Osweiler in the third round. This is a guy I expect to make a push to get into the late first round during the pre-draft process. Getting him in the third is high-way robbery.
Picks I like:
Courtney Upshaw-Seattle runs a different kind of defense that relies on size all around. Big defensive ends, big cornerbacks, athletic safeties. Upshaw has value rushing the passer somewhere.
Brian Quick is good value even though it’s not a position of need.
Solid Picks:
Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse. Jones screams “workout warrior” at the combine. Jones could end up being good value here, but he’s not this high on my big board. He has a lot of raw untapped pass rush ability however.
Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A & M, Chase Ford TE. Solid picks.
Picks I don’t like:
Not a Shea Mclelline fan. That’s it really. I like the idea of Seattle really shoring up their pass rush. They have a good run defense, but could use more pass rushers.
Grade: B+
Love the Osweiler Pick. Like the thought process behind the picks, would have taken a few different players.
Arizona Cardinals
Traded up to grab Jonathan Martin
9th overall: Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford Cardinal
82nd overall: Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami Hurricanes
113th overall: Lucas Nix, OL, Pittsburgh
144th overall: Janzen Jackson, S, Mcnessee State
175th overall: Cordarro Law, OLB, Southern Mississippi
206th overall: Desmond Wynn, OL, Rutgers
Solid Picks:
Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford. Fills a need with a pretty good player, tough that they had to move up.
Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami Hurricanes- Streeter is a big target with a lot of speed and potential. A little reminiscent of Darrius Heyward Bey, to the type of players they are, Streeter will take awhile to adjust to the N.F.L. game.
Lucas Nix-not my favorite prospect, especially when he has been mocked into the second round, but at 113th overall it’s good solid value.
Cordarro Law and Desmond Wynn are fine late round picks. Law is coming from Souther Mississippi, but I think he can give solid reps this year as a pass rusher.
Picks I don’t like:
Janzen Jackson the former safety for the Tennessee Vols is as physically gifted as any safety in this class, but to say he has character concerns would be an understatement. Jackson was arrested for armed robbery. Christian Ballard fell to the fourth round and Justin Houston feel as well because they smoked weed. Armed Robbery? Jackson probably lasts until the 7th round.
Grade: C+
Not my favorite draft here. Streeter and Jackson in three years could be among the best at their position, but likewise they could reserve players who are one year away from being out of the league.
Dallas Cowboys
Round 1: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB.
Round 2: Alameda Ta’amu, NT.
Round 3: Brandon Brooks, RG.
Round 4: Casey Heyward, CB.
Round 5: David Molk, C.
Round 6: Malik Jackson, DE.
Round 7: Tony Dye, SS.
This is a really good solid draft.
Picks I love:
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. Dre Kirkpatrick is good value here and fills a position of need for the Cowboys. I’ll be surprised if Kirkpatrick falls to the Cowboys, but it’s possible as Prince Amukamara fell last year without the marijuana.
Picks I like:
David Molk-Another player that fills a need and also represents value.
Malik Jackson is a good player, but I’m not sure his best fit as a 34 Defensive end others do. He’s versatile and it’s good value in the 6th round.
Brandon Books-fits the Cowboys mold along their offensive line and is solid value.
Tony Dye- has some injury concerns and had a poor year in the 2011 College Football season, but is still pretty high on some boards.
Picks I question:
Alamaeda Ta’amu-His value is all over the place and his game film is inconsistent. People are not sure if he can play an effective nose tackle. If he can play a good nose tackle they can move Ratliff to DE. He’s a third rounder on our board. He’s not a third round talent, he’s just inconsistent so that’s where is grade ended up for us.
Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt-The only worry I have with this pick is how well Hayward would play in Ryan’s aggressive schemes when I consider him more of a Cover two type. Still the value is here and he could be a guy who gets his hands on a lot of passes for the Cowboys.
Draft Grade: B addressed many of the Cowboys needs at good values. I love the idea of getting another good value at cornerback in the fourth round, I’m just not sure how well Hayward fits with the Cowboys. And I also actually prefer Ta’amu as a 43 DT, not a NT.
Philadelphia Eagles:
Michael Brockers DT LSU
Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
Bobby Wagner LB Utah State
Ryan Steed CB Furman
Nigel Bradham LB Florida State
TJ Graham WR North Carolina State
Jerrell Young S USF
Robert Turbin RB Utah State
Picks I love:
Michael Floyd, Norte Dame-I’m a Michael Floyd fan and think the Eagles would be better off adding a player like Floyd who can be a red-zone target than another speedy WR like Kendall Wright. Maclin still adds that speed dimension, but a big problem for the Eagles the last two years is a reason they have underachieved.
Robert Turbin
The Eagles representative must have been a Utah State fan, but makes two smart decisions with Utah State players here getting value.
Bobby Wagner, Utah State
Good value and fills a need for the Philadelphia Eagles. I think they get better value doing it this way then they would taking Kuechly in the first round.
Picks I like:
The rest. I like all of the other picks. Brockers is really high-upside and fine value where they got him.
Ryan Steed does a terrific job of reading and reacting and could be a guy who gets a lot of interceptions in the Eagles system with that terrific pass rush.
Nigel Bradham is a guy who fits what the Eagles are looking for at linebacker. A terrific athlete who can really run.
T.J. Graham isn’t a necessary pick, but a solid one.
Grade: A
Steed is one of my “pet project” players that I love. Many would consider Brockers the best DT in the class. Floyd without the character concerns is my favorite WR in the class. Wagner and Turbin are really plus picks. Bradham has a lot of ability that just hasn’t been realized yet.
Chicago Bears
1. Mohamed Sanu WR
2. Jayron Hosley CB
3a. Matt McCants OT
3b. Mike Brewster OC
4. Danny Trevathan OLB
5. Gerell Robinson WR
6. J.K. Schaffer ILB
7. Terrance Ganaway FB/RB
Picks I love:
Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State
Brewster has taken a nose dive here since the beginning of the season, but is good value here. I still think he has enough ability to be a good N.F.L. starter. He could struggle with big, strong, nose tackles.
Terrance Ganaway-
I thought after his huge bowl game people would over-value him in the 2nd or third round, but that didn’t happen. In fact he lasted until the 7th round here, he’s a fourth round guy to me. Great value.
Picks I don’t like:
Mohamed Sanu I believe was taken ahead of Michael Floyd. Some have Sanu rated this highly, I don’t. I like Sanu, but not more than Floyd and not in the top 20.
Solid picks:
I was going to put Mcants is “don’t like” but he’s ok value. Maybe a little too early.
Danny Trevathan and Jayron Hosley are players that really fit what the Bears like to do on defense which is why I do like these picks, even Hosley who has seen his stock tumble. I don’t think he could go to a better situation than the Bears.
We like Gerrell Robinson more than most it seems so really a plus pick there.
J.K. Shcafer is a fine pick.
Grade B:
Don’t like the Sanu pick there and I’m a little iffy on Mcants, but I think the Hosley move is really smart as are the Ganaway and Brewster selections.
Atlanta Falcons
#66 Cam Johnson, DL, Virginia
#77 Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma
#150 Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri
#183 Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College
#214 Danny Coale, WR, VA Tech
The Falcons don’t have a lot of picks in this mock (or in the actual draft), but hopefully they can do what the Falcons did here.
Picks I love:
Jamell Fleming-terrific value. I won’t be surprised if he ends up as a late first or early second round pick. Insurance in case Grimes leaves.
Michael Egnew-The TE entered the season as the number one Tight End, but had a poor year. Still 150th overall is towards the latter part of the fifth round for a guy who could develop into a solid starting Tight end.
Picks I like:
Cam Johnson is a good pick.
Donnie Fletcher is routinely over-valued, but here he’s not. I believe the Falcons representative drafted him as a safety, which I can see happening.
Solid Picks:
Danny Coale. Not making too much of late round picks. It’s fine.
If I was a guy who graded based on needs filled this draft grade would have to be lower. The Falcons need a franchise LT, however, that’s not going to happen with the first pick being well into the second round.
Grade: B+
Detroit Lions:
#46 Alfronzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
#51 Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina
#54 Ben Jones, C, Georgia
#87 Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
#118 Ryan Miller, G, Colorado
#151 Matt Reynolds, T, BYU
#182 Omar Bodden, CB, Arizona State
#215 Blair Walsh, K, Georgia
This is an interesting draft to me. This is a draft I could see the Lions ending up with.
Picks I like
I’m not the biggest Dennard fan, but at 46 how do you argue?
Matt Reynolds- is good value at 151st overall though I don’t think he can play LT, which the Lions need more, hard to pass up on that value.
Ryan Miller at 118 is another solid value pick.
Picks I don’t like:
This is way too early for Allen for me.
Solid picks:
Blair Walsh was the only kicker drafted. Omar Bodden is a late round cornerback which they got here.
I have Ben Jones at #59 on my big board. He was drafted at #54.
Picks I’m Unsure of:
Brandon Weeden. I guess he comes in and is the backup who can spot start for Stafford, a player that has struggled to stay healthy. But I didn’t think Stanton was awful and if you want a spot starter in case of injury why not grab a veteran like Chad Henne or someone who you know can come in and win games? I understand the thought process of the pick, but I’m not sure I like it.
Grade: B
Did a Patriots like draft here trading out of the first round to end up with three second round picks was not a bad idea. The Values of the picks to me were not terrific, just solid and there were a couple of questionable picks. Others who value Dennard much higher would like this draft more.
New Orleans Saints:
1.27 No pick(Mark Ingram-
2.27 Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
Traded picks #91, #155, #219 and 2013 2nd and 4th rounders for #65 and #193.
3.1 Selected Jerel Worthy, DT, MSU-
4.27 Akiem Hicks, NT, University of Regina-
Traded picks #167 and #193 for #130
5.2 James Brown, OT, Troy
6.9 Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas-
Picks I love:
Jerel Worthy is better than a third round player. In fact he’s fringe first rounder on our board. I said on another draft “I don’t love trading up for a player unless he’s by far and away the best player on the board” We have Worthy at 35 right now. Getting him in third round is terrific.
Picks that are solid:
Lewis, is not terrific value there based on our board. Lewis production has gone down in three straight years that always worries me.
Akiem Hicks-I watch a lot of football, but I’m no liar. I have not seen Hicks play.
James Brown and Greg Childs. Childs is only available because he was hurt all year, but he can be considered injury concern. His medical checkout is important. Brown is a fine pick there, not great not bad.
Overall: B+
This is high because I liked Mark Ingram last year and I would have had Ingram higher than late first round in this mock so I still like that pick and the Worthy pick is terrific. He was banged up in 2011, but I still think he’ll be a very good player.
Green Bay Packers:
1.28 Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
2.43 Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson
4.124 Marcus Forston, DT/DE, Miami
5.156 Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn
6.188 Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
7.220 Emanuel Davis, DB, Eastern Carolina
First I should mention that Christine Michael is NOT in the 2012 NFL Draft. So toss that pick out.
Picks I love:
Peter Konz. The Packers might not need Konz, but I love the pick. He’s better than Mike Pouncey and has some Nick Mangold in his game, will he be that good? Not sure. Like him a lot though,
Solid picks:
I like Branch more as a 43 DE or this pick would be in picks I love.
Emanuel Davis is a good solid late round pick.
Forston and Mosley are solid.
San Francisco 49ers
I can’t find the trade details here which makes it more difficult to judge.
2. Rueben Randle
3. Senio Kelemete
3. Trumaine Johnson
3. Adrian Hamilton
4. Bernard Pierce
5. Logan Harrell
6. William Vlachos
7. Kellen Moore
Picks I like:
Rueben Randle is very high on some boards. He’s approaching first rounder on some boards. He’s not there for us yet. On my board he’s a “solid” pick, but I’ll recognize that others think much higher of him. But he has little production (due to the offense) and he’s not a ‘sure thing’ by any means.
Bernard Pierce-is a good pick in the fourth round. He’s got a lot of ability.
Solid Picks:
Vlachos is a really good college football player who might be an OK pro.
Senio Kelemete is a high upside offensive linemen
Logan Harrell is a fine pick.
Picks I don’t like:
Trumaine Johnson is talented, but was arrested earlier this year. When a player is coming from a small school and you have to project his talent when he steps up two leagues in talent that’s worry number one when you add in an arrest and questions about whether he is a cornerback or safety that’s too many questions for a third round pick to me.
Adrian Hamilton is an intriguing pass rusher, and a player we’re scheduled to interview soon, but this is a round or two early.
Kellen Moore-Just not a Kellen Moore fan. I guess this could be a solid pick. Moore is not a draftable prospect on our big board.
Grade: C
Too many chances here for my liking. The 49ers are not a team that has a million needs either so trading out of the first round to get 3rd round picks is meh. They aren’t going to have a lot of room on their roster for a million picks. They should consider taking a better player in round 1 and less developmental prospects.
New York Giants:
1) Dwayne Allen, TE Clemson
2) Lamar Miller, RB Miami
4) Josh Robinson, CB UCF
5) Donte Paige-Moss, DE UNC
6) B.J. Cunningham, WR MSU
First I’d like to say that I don’t think the Giants would trade from the end of round two up to round one to draft a running back but putting that aside let’s break it down.
Picks I love:
There are some teams who seem to get the most out of players in the draft that others have a lot of reservations about, the Giants are one of those teams. Moss has worlds of ability. In the fifth round the Giants could have a steal.
Picks I like:
Dwayne Allen- I like the Allen pick but it’s in the “solid” value range here. Full disclosure as a Giants fan here I would have most likely taken CB Stephon Gilmore. Allen fills a need for the Giants, but I think the Giants would hope for even more value with this pick.
Josh Robinson UCF. Robinson has a chance to raise his value even more than the end of the fourth round.
Solid picks:
B.J. Cunningham-Cunningham is a big bodied sure handed WR who fills out the Giants WR rotation. I think this is good value here. The Giants are so talented at WR though, that if they add a WR in free agency (like Steve Smith which would not surprise me at all) Cunningham might not even make the roster because he’s not special teams player.
Picks I question:
On my big board Miller is not worth trading all the way up for. The actual selection is not bad. Plus talking to the Giants representative I agree with the philosophy because Miller was so high on his personal big board.
Grade: B
Adding Miller and Allen would have to strike fear into opposing defenses for sure (assuming they can get RT position figured out), but they are not my own personal ideal picks.
Donte Paige Moss is risky, but if he’s going excel anywhere it’s with the Giants. His addition also could lessen the impact of the potential loss of Wosi (Tolleson’s nick name which means “white Osi”).
I like the Robinson pick the Giants need CB depth. Solid pick.
Overall solid work, not great. I think they gave up way too much to get Miller and has it turned out David Wilson would have been available at the end of round two had he just stayed there.
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