NB's Mock Draft

I did one earlier before I knew the exact comp picks. That mock can be found on the bottom. So I thought I would update it finally. I'll probably do one last one on the day of the draft. As always, let me know what you think: love it or hate it.

1. CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma St
2. WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
3. ILB Christian Jones, Florida St
4. TE Crockett Gilmore, Colorado St
5a. CB Ross Cockrell, Duke
5b. OLB Howard Jones, Shepherd
6a. OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, McGill (Canada)
6b. S Alden Darby, Arizona St
7. NT Beau Allen, Wisconsin

1. It is more than possible that Gilbert will be gone by the time #15 rolls around, however, I still think Dennard could be the first off the board. Obviously the buzz has been Gilbert going to the Lions at #10, but don't discount that Dennard could very well be that pick. Gilbert is probably the best athlete at the CB position and is probably the best playmaker. While his run support is lacking, Gilbert can run with any WR. He is exactly the type of CB that Steeler fans have been craving for a long time.

Other possibilities: ILB CJ Mosley, ILB Ryan Shazier, CB Darqueze Dennard


2. To me, WR in Round 2 just makes too much sense. If Jordan Matthews is there at #46, I will lose my mind. I think he is a 1st round talent, but the buzz is certainly lacking as Brandin Cooks & Odell Backham seem to be elevating their draft stock. Matthews played in the SEC, perhaps the best defensive conference in the NCAA. He was ultra productive and he has tested extremely well. He is the complete package.

Other possibilities: WR Jarvis Landry, WR Davante Adams, OLB Trent Murphy, OLB Kyle Van Noy


3. I am a big Christian Jones fan, although the buzz has faded a bit since his post-season workouts. I thought he would have tested better from what I saw on tape. Still, I think he is a great cover LB. He doesn't always trust his instincts and sometimes gets caught out of position. His athleticism usually allows him to get back into the play though. He reminds me of Lawrence Timmons a little bit, although Timmons plays a little more out of control from time to time. I think Jones is an immediate upgrade over Vince Williams. No one is sure of the long term health of Sean Spence. If the prognosis is not good, than ILB needs to be a high priority.

Other possibilities: CB Pierre Desir, ILB Shayne Skov, TE CJ Fiedorowicz


4. Gilmore really caught my eye at the East-West Shrine Game then again during the Senior Bowl. He looks like the exact type of TE that can exploit the seams. His blocking is certainly not to be desired, but if Spaeth is in our long term plans, than I can live with this 3 TE set. Gilmore plays with alot of passion and has a desire for the end zone. He had a great Senior Bowl with 5 catches and 1 TD.

Other possibilities: OT Michael Schofield, CB EJ Gaines, DE Josh Mauro, TE Arthur Lynch


5a. I'm not sure I like Cockrell's short arms, but he is impressive to watch on tape. I really liked him at the East-West game. He is productive and has great ball skills. Here's a video of Charles Davis & Mike Mayock gushing about him.

[video=youtube;hs0NB11auLw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs0NB11auLw[/video]

Other possibilities: CB Nevin Lawson, CB Walt Aikens, ILB Max Bullough


5b. Many may not be familiar with Howard Jones, but I think he is the exact type of small school pass rusher that we have found in the past. He had 35 career sacks and 70 TFL at Shepherd. He has the build we look for in a 3-4 OLB with 34" arms on his 6'2 235lb frame. He was a standout at the Combine. He is explosive with a big motor. A true diamond in the rough. Here's a little Combine footage of him:

[video=youtube;zSIZpwZ-EL0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSIZpwZ-EL0[/video]

Other possibilities: CB Shaq Richardson, OLB Prince Shembo, OLB Aaron Lynch


6a. Little bit of a homer pick here, but there certainly is a bit of a buzz building for the Canadian kid, after having talked with 20 NFL teams and numerous workouts. At 6'5 298lbs, he is on the small side (although he played at 315). He is highly athletic with good measurables. Tough kid. Quebec produces alot of good football players, would be good to see an athletic kid like this on the roster. Tremendous feet. Here's a little background info:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/spor...Tardif+works+organizations/9670661/story.html

Other possibilities: OT Austin Wentworth, OG Justin Britt, TE or OLB Larry Webster


6b. I was a HUGE fan of Terrence Brooks, but unfortunately the Mike Mitchell signing probably means we won't take a Safety too early. Darby really impressed me at the East-West game with 2 INTs. Not as athletic as Brooks, but he does have a nose for the football with 10 career INTs. Versatile, as he could play either FS or SS IMO.

Other possibilities: CB Aaron Colvin, WR Chandler Jones, RB De'Anthony Thomas, RB Marion Grice


7. Beau Allen is a space eater. A 2 gap NT. Certainly no wow factor in his game but he is someone I have watched alot of over the years. Bring him in and let him compete. Probably a practice squad player. Here's a little additional info on him:

http://www.packers.com/news-and-eve...-combine/65e786f5-ae76-44f0-860b-dae821bb9023

Other possibilities: DE Tim Jackson, RB Beau Blakenship, DE Jeoffrey Pagan


Previous Mock:
1. WR Mike Evans Texas A&M
2. LB Christian Jones Florida State
3. S Terrence Brooks Florida St
4a. CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste Nebraska
4b. LB Prince Shembo Notre Dame
5. OT Austin Wentworth Fresno St
6. RB Beau Blakenship Ohio
7. DE Tim Jackson North Carolina

 

They trade up for Evans and I'll make a voodoo doll of you for even suggesting that. :darkness:

 

I could live with it for Gilbert but dont think its necessary, even know I think he heads the CB class. There are others that are are pretty darn good without surrendering picks for.

Evans I think is overrated. The only thing appealing to me about him is he is used to running around for a scrambling QB, other then that, he runs poor routes, I think he will struggle going up against bigger stronger CB's then he is used to in college. Again, as is the case with CB's there are too many good receivers to surrender picks for one guy. I'd take Matthews over Evans given the choice.

 

Everyone and their dog seems to think Gilbert will go to the Lions at #10. I'm just not so sure.

Dennard is a great player, I just don't know if I like the fit for the Steelers. He may be good enough that it doesn't matter. That being said, Dennard played a t Michigan State and won the Thorpe award as the nation's top DB. I just don't see the Lions passing on him, which means Gilbert could flutter down to #15.

I love Evans and Gilbert, but I wouldn't trade up for either of them. Its probably going to cost you a 2nd round pick, and this draft is too deep to throw away picks.