Updated NFL Head Coach Mock Draft: Raiders Swipe Former Foe
By Erik Lambert
Black Monday is less than 24 hours away and soon a fistful of NFL teams will be looking for new head coaches. Where will the top names land?
Oakland Raiders
The Pick: Jack Del Rio
Plucking talent from divisional foes is nothing new in pro football, and it’s not just limited to players. Coaches can do it to. Jack Del Rio has had a successful run as defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos. That coupled with his prior experience as a head coach in Jacksonville makes him a popular pick for the Oakland Raiders. He coaches hard but is a good motivator and is just what the doctor ordered for their young roster.
New York Jets
The Pick: Adam Gase
Is Geno Smith the guy? Impossible to say. Either way the New York Jets have to focus on fixing the quarterback position moving forward and the best way to do that is put an offensively gifted head coach in charge. Adam Gase is a hot name in many circles given his success in Denver and being able to mold so well with Peyton Manning. His work ethic is outstanding and he’s creative in his approach.
Atlanta Falcons
The Pick: Todd Bowles
This selection of course depends on if Mike Smith is hired. Word is the veteran Atlanta Falcons coach must not only make the playoffs but win a playoff game to save his job. No easy feat. If he is indeed gone, then a great replacement would be Todd Bowles. The reasons for that are considerable. Bowles is an experienced assistant who also went 2-1 as an interim head coach in Miami. He’s a defensive specialist with a reputation for turning around bad units, something the Falcons certainly need, and he’s African-American which would do well with majority black population in Atlanta.
San Francisco 49ers
The Pick: Jim Tomsula
There is always at least one team that has a bit of an anticlimax during a head coaching change. The one that could fill that role are the San Francisco 49ers. As they prepare for life without Jim Harbaugh, names have begun to pop up as possible replacements but there is a strong possibility that the team could instead choose to promote from within. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula has been with franchise for years and is very popular with the players. His lone chance as head coach came on an interim basis in 2010 when he led the team to a blowout win in the season finale.
Chicago Bears
The Pick: Mike Shanahan
At least early whispers out of Halas Hall indicate the Chicago Bears have grown tired of a hiring coaches with no prior experience at the head position. They may intend to seek out somebody who has held that job in the NFL before. Jim Harbaugh is certainly an option, but with him all but headed to Michigan, there are strong indications the job belongs to Mike Shanahan. The 62-year old coach has the advantage due to his experience but also his connection with quarterback Jay Cutler. The two share a common affection having spent three years together in Denver, during which Cutler went to his only Pro Bowl.