The Straight Dope

Go Back   Straight Dope Message Board > Main > The Game Room

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #101  
Old 04-20-2012, 11:46 PM
It's Not Rocket Surgery! It's Not Rocket Surgery! is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omniscient View Post
That picks probably going to take a little heat, but there's always one in the draft that does so this year maybe it'll be the Jets. Who knows, it might even work out like Alualu did.

It's Not Rocket Surgery sent me some proxy picks for the Bengals a bit ago because he was expected to be out tomorrow but I'm hoping he's still around tonight to pull the trigger and share his logic himself. I'm heading to work in about 45 minutes and will put in the before before I leave but I'll give him a little while to jump in if he's still up tonight.
Still up - pick coming.
Reply With Quote
Advertisements  
  #102  
Old 04-20-2012, 11:56 PM
It's Not Rocket Surgery! It's Not Rocket Surgery! is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Fun fact: Not only are the Cincinnati Bengals the first playoff team with a draft pick, they actually have 2 draft picks before any playoff team gets to pick.

Although the Bengals surprised everyone by making the 2011 playoffs, they still have plenty of gaps to address in the draft. One of the big two priorities is to protect their young QB, Andy Dalton. And it just so happens that the best player available is a step in that direction, so...


17. Cincinnati Bengals -
David DeCastro, G,
Stanford

Last edited by It's Not Rocket Surgery!; 04-20-2012 at 11:57 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #103  
Old 04-20-2012, 11:57 PM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
Damn...was hoping he'd slide to the Bears.
Reply With Quote
  #104  
Old 04-21-2012, 12:11 AM
TheBoltEater TheBoltEater is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
The Chargers are on the clock.... Before I make a pick, there's a trade I want to look in to.
Reply With Quote
  #105  
Old 04-21-2012, 12:12 AM
Gray Ghost Gray Ghost is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Really surprised he slid that far. Isn't he thought to be a top-15 pick? I know, I know; it really depends on team need, and how the draft shakes out.

FWIW, our local guy's latest mock had him at 13 to the Cards, while Walter Football lists him as a top-20 pick. Adam Caplan had him going to the Panthers at 9 (?!)
Reply With Quote
  #106  
Old 04-21-2012, 12:43 AM
TheBoltEater TheBoltEater is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
By the way, does anyone really think that Tannehill won't have been taken by now? I honestly think he's going in the Top 10.
Reply With Quote
  #107  
Old 04-21-2012, 12:46 AM
garygnu garygnu is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
DeCastro would be a top-10 pick if not for his position. Pro Football Weekly's prospect value chart predicts a mid-1st selection. I have him tops on my board, but it's unlikely the 49ers would get him.
Reply With Quote
  #108  
Old 04-21-2012, 01:04 AM
TheBoltEater TheBoltEater is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Well it's been an hour since the last pick, so let's just assume that my 15 minutes on the clock are up and there will be no trade. With that in mind.....


18.San Diego Chargers
Nick Perry
DE/OLB USC



There are any number of directions the Chargers could go right here. They're almost certain to take defense, but it could be at any level. Everyone says it's gonna be an OLB, but what they need is a pass rush, which doesn't necessarily mean a new man on the outside. Could be a 3-4 DE, but there isn't one here. Barron would've been my first pick, actually, cause they certainly need an upgrade at strong safety as well. It could very well even be one of the corner backs - Kirkpatrick and Gilmore are both available, and while neither would step in and start right away, they'd both be valuable additions to a backfield that needs help.

In the end, though, I'm going with the conventional thinking. They really need help in the pass rush, and Perry can do that. He may not be ready to start right away, but they have the pieces in place in Shaun Phillips and the recently acquired Jarret Johnson to let him spend his first season in the league learning the defense and acting as a pass rush specialist only for the time being. And I just happen to like Perry better than Upshaw.

Last edited by TheBoltEater; 04-21-2012 at 01:06 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #109  
Old 04-21-2012, 05:30 AM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
19. Chicago Bears
Stephon Gilmore
CB, South Carolina


This is a player that wasn't on my draft board and CB wasn't a position very high on my list of needs. However I believe that he represents the BPA right now and he's slid to become a real value pick at a premium position. Theoretically the CB in a Tampa 2 scheme isn't required to be an elite talent, a big reason it's a popular scheme is because it allows you to avoid having to pay top dollar for secondary help. That said, the Bears aren't quite a pure Tampa 2 team any more and I suspect Emery is going to bring a less rigid mindset to the draft. Gilmore is simply ideal for what the Bears want to do, he tackles really well which is key for them and he's got prototypical size and speed for the position. In the Bears system size and durability are crucial and Gilmore fits that to a tee. On top of that, he's an A+ character and effort guy and could be a heir to Tillman's role as a captain. If the draft plays out anything like this I'd much rather see Gilmore taken here than a reach for one of the middling pass rushers or OTs left on the board.

Alternative options: Mercilus, Martin, Curry, Fleener, Glenn
Reply With Quote
  #110  
Old 04-21-2012, 05:38 AM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
Here's the roundup.


1. Indianapolis Colts - garygnu:
Andrew Luck QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins - DCnDC:
Robert Griffin III QB, Baylor

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Oakminster (from Minnesota)*:
Trent Richardson RB, Alabama

4. Cleveland Browns - SenorBeef:
Morris Claiborne CB, LSU

5. Minnesota Vikings - Hamlet (from Tampa Bay)*:
Matt Kalil OT, USC

6. St. Louis Rams - RetroVertigo:
Justin Blackmon WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - furt:
Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame

8. Miami Dolphins - Omniscient:
Melvin Ingram OLB, South Carolina

9. Carolina Panthers - Jules Andre:
Fletcher Cox DT, Mississippi St.

10. Buffalo Bills - Omniscient
Riley Reiff OT, Iowa

11. Kansas City Chiefs - SenorBeef
Dontari Poe DT, Memphis

12. Seattle Seahawks - Hamlet
Quinton Coples DE, North Carolina

13. Arizona Cardinals - RetroVertigo
Kendall Wright WR, Baylor

14. Dallas Cowboys - kidchameleon
Mark Barron S, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles - Jules Andre
Luke Kuechly LB, Boston College

16. New York Jets - Gray Ghost
Bobby Massie OT, Ole Miss

17. Cincinnati Bengals - It's Not Rocket Surgery!
David DeCastro, G, Stanford

18. San Diego Chargers - TheBoltEater
Nick Perry DE/OLB, USC

19. Chicago Bears - Omniscient
Stephon Gilmore CB, South Carolina

20. Tennessee Titans - Oakminster
21. Cincinnati Bengals - It's Not Rocket Surgery!
22. Cleveland Browns - SenorBeef
23. Detroit Lions - Gangster Octopus
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - furt
25. Denver Broncos - TheBoltEater
26. Houston Texans - Gray Ghost
27. New England Patriots - ShadowFacts
28. Green Bay Packers - Gangster Octopus
29. Baltimore Ravens - DCnDC
30. San Francisco 49ers - garygnu
31. New England Patriots - ShadowFacts
32. New York Giants - It's Not Rocket Surgery!

* Tampa trades their 2012 1st and 2nd round picks to the Vikings, in exchange for the Vikings 2012 1st and 6th.
Reply With Quote
  #111  
Old 04-21-2012, 06:14 AM
Oakminster Oakminster is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
The Titans trade the 20th overall pick to the Dolphins in exchange for the Dolphins 2nd round pick this year, and 1st round pick next year.

I wanted Gilmore, but the Bears got him. I think I can get at least one of the top three guys on my board with the Dolphins pick in the second round, and might get another with my own 2nd round pick.

Edit to add: It would be fun if we actually applied trades made in this mock draft to next year's version to the extent possible...but might be a pain to track.

Last edited by Oakminster; 04-21-2012 at 06:18 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #112  
Old 04-21-2012, 09:22 AM
Hamlet Hamlet is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBoltEater View Post
In the end, though, I'm going with the conventional thinking. They really need help in the pass rush, and Perry can do that. He may not be ready to start right away, but they have the pieces in place in Shaun Phillips and the recently acquired Jarret Johnson to let him spend his first season in the league learning the defense and acting as a pass rush specialist only for the time being. And I just happen to like Perry better than Upshaw.
There's a clump of guys who are, to me, situational pass rushers. Perry. Upshaw. Mercilus. And I don't see a huge dropoff to the next set of guys (Curry, Branch, Jones, Brown). It seems to me there are a lot of guys who might be fine if you say "go sack the QB", but are somewhat limited outside that role. And none of them impressed me any more than the others. I think it's a tough spot to have to decide which one of that group you want, because I don't see a huge difference between those kind of guys. I just don't know what to make of it.
Reply With Quote
  #113  
Old 04-21-2012, 09:30 AM
Hamlet Hamlet is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omniscient View Post
This is a player that wasn't on my draft board and CB wasn't a position very high on my list of needs. However I believe that he represents the BPA right now and he's slid to become a real value pick at a premium position.
He wasn't on my draft board either. Then the combine happened and teams saw his 40 time, his athleticism, and began to overlook his mistakes in coverage. It seems he's another one of those guys who makes a big move up after the games are played and they get in shorts.

That said, I think you're right that he's a great fit for the Bears. He's a good and willing tackler who can play zone well. He can be exposed in coverage and sometimes watches the QB too much and gets burned, but he can also blitz well. As longs as you don't put too much pressure on him, he should do fine. I wouldn't want him on the Packers, but for what the Bears ask their CB's to do, he's fine. I would worry that he may have problems fitting in outside of a defense like the Bears (say if Lovie gets fired). And I can't wait to see him bite on a pump fake on the slant and give up a 80 yard TD pass Rodgers to Jennings.

Plus any pick not used on that Bears O Line suits me just fine.

Last edited by Hamlet; 04-21-2012 at 09:32 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #114  
Old 04-21-2012, 11:44 AM
TheBoltEater TheBoltEater is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hamlet View Post
There's a clump of guys who are, to me, situational pass rushers. Perry. Upshaw. Mercilus. And I don't see a huge dropoff to the next set of guys (Curry, Branch, Jones, Brown). It seems to me there are a lot of guys who might be fine if you say "go sack the QB", but are somewhat limited outside that role. And none of them impressed me any more than the others. I think it's a tough spot to have to decide which one of that group you want, because I don't see a huge difference between those kind of guys. I just don't know what to make of it.
I agree 100%, and you didn't even include McClellin in that list who might very well end up in the first round. History seems to say that half of these guys will be great picks and the other half will be useless busts, but I'm happy to admit that I have no Earthly idea which is which.

There's an excellent trade opportunity at the 18th pick that I think the Chargers will be pushing hard to make if the board falls the way this one did. The Chargers pick at 18 and 49, and the Browns have 22 and 37 - which work out to exactly 1310 points each on the trade value chart, a rare perfect match. If the Browns saw someone they wanted to move up to get at 18, the Chargers would love to move up to the early second round; and dropping from 18 to 22, they'd either get Perry anyway or someone very much like him.
Reply With Quote
  #115  
Old 04-21-2012, 11:58 AM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
20. Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill
QB, Texas A&M


After passing on Tannehill at the top of the draft and watching him slide down into the 20s the Miami Dolphins pull the trigger anda Brady Quinn-esque trade to move back into the 1st round to get their QB of the future. The Dolphins are going to be OK with Moore starting this season allowing Tannehill time to learn and season and with his college coach calling the plays his transition should be as smooth as possible. Giving up a lot to get him will be a challenge but with the Browns coming up in a couple of picks they 'Phins brass decided it was worth doing. Tannehill represents the only QB with the potential to be a star, and while a guy like Weeden, Osweiler or Cousins could have been gotten in the 2nd round those guys don't represent an upgrade over Moore in the long term. Tannehill is high risk high reward and is just what the desperate Dolphins need to put asses in the seats.
Reply With Quote
  #116  
Old 04-21-2012, 12:11 PM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hamlet View Post
He wasn't on my draft board either. Then the combine happened and teams saw his 40 time, his athleticism, and began to overlook his mistakes in coverage. It seems he's another one of those guys who makes a big move up after the games are played and they get in shorts.
It think it's more than 40 time. When you compare him to Kirkpatrick and Jenkins his work ethic, smarts and leadership makes him seem too good to be true. This is a shabby class of CBs and Gilmore brings a lot to the table while the other guys take stuff off of it. Rumor has it that the Bears are bound and determined to get a pass rusher with this pick but I actually think this option has a chance of happening. Emery seems like a guy who values measurables and won't be caught reaching for need.
Reply With Quote
  #117  
Old 04-21-2012, 12:57 PM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
Proxy pick on behalf of It's Not Rocket Surgery!

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Dre Kirkpatrick
CB, Alabama


It's Not Rocket Surgery! sent me proxy picks for the Bengals because he was going to be AFK for long stretches of the day today. I PMed him about a half hour ago and haven't heard anything so I'm going to assume he's out of pocket for a while and go ahead and make the pick.

The Bengals try and replace the gap left by Jonathan Joseph by adding Alabama CB Kirkpatrick. Personally I think he's going to be a bust and he lacks instincts and that his collegiate success was almost wholly a by product of being on the backend of a excellent front 7 that forced a lot of mistakes from a group of terrible SEC passers.
Reply With Quote
  #118  
Old 04-21-2012, 01:20 PM
garygnu garygnu is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
I love a proxy pick that proceeds directly to bashing the pick.
Reply With Quote
  #119  
Old 04-21-2012, 02:02 PM
SenorBeef SenorBeef is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 20,689
22. Cleveland Browns
Cordy Glenn
G/T, Georgia


This one is actually a tough one for me. I want to pick Hill here, but the Browns have no right tackle - a UDFA backup is all that's on the roster. I'm not sure if Glenn is a schematic fit, but this will give the Browns 3 first rounders on their line and will solidify it with young talent for a decade.

Which means we can have a top 5 O-line, and still watch McCoy make his own sacks and have all the fans screaming "you can't judge McCoy until all 5 starters on the O-line are top 10 picks!"

With Mack and Thomas, and some promising young guards, the Browns have a chance to put in the final piece and potentially create an elite O-line unit. I'll have to snag WRs later. I can't believe I've spent 2 picks on players who aren't offensive playmakers though. I guess in part I've already written off the year - since we'll probably be getting the QB of the future next year, might as well write this year off and solidify some units.

Last edited by SenorBeef; 04-21-2012 at 02:04 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #120  
Old 04-21-2012, 02:14 PM
Gray Ghost Gray Ghost is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
I'm heading out the door, so when the Texans come up, just fire away with the next guy on my draft board. I'll supply the logic behind the choice when I get back.

I'm trusting we won't make it all the way around to the Jets 2nd rounder before I get back.
Reply With Quote
  #121  
Old 04-21-2012, 02:34 PM
Gangster Octopus Gangster Octopus is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Well I was hoping to draft a CB but the two I was targeti.ng are gone. So I am going four offensive line help, especially to twelve Chrlius whom is not really making it happen. So I am going for

23. Jonathan Main, OT, Stanford

P. S. Sorry about the improper format, I am out this afternoon, do o am doing this off my phone
Reply With Quote
  #122  
Old 04-21-2012, 03:15 PM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
Proxy pick on behalf of furt

24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Brockers
DT, LSU


furt said he'd be offline all afternoon today and he sent me a short draft board and Brockers was at the top of it. I think Brockers is a little overrated on most draft boards I've seen and I think he's a largely one-dimensional player without much chance to effect the passing game, but for the Steelers he's an absolute god send. They need to replace Hampton and Brockers fits that mold to a T.
Reply With Quote
  #123  
Old 04-21-2012, 03:33 PM
ShadowFacts ShadowFacts is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,683
I have to leave home in about an hour, so I'm hoping we can get to my first pick before then. If not, I'll be AFK for about 5-6 hours, but I'll check in before the end of the night.

Patriots are happy to entertain offers to trade down.
Reply With Quote
  #124  
Old 04-21-2012, 04:33 PM
TheBoltEater TheBoltEater is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
24. Denver Broncos
Devon Still
DT, Penn State


Well the Broncos have to be a little bummed that Brockers went just before them after falling pretty far down the board. Neverthless, the Broncos needs look something like this...

1. Defensive tackle.
2. Tackle, Defense
3. See Above.

Therefore, it's just a matter of seeing who's next in line on their draftboard, and I have the big boy out of Penn State heading their way.
Reply With Quote
  #125  
Old 04-21-2012, 04:43 PM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
Proxy pick on behalf of Grey Ghost

25. Houston Texans
Stephen Hill
WR, Georgia Tech


Grey Ghost is out and I have his draft board so we'll fire it off in hopes that ShadowFacts can get his in before heading out the door.

I am buying in on Stephen Hill. His college stats are mediocre at best and he'll be labeled a T-shirt and Shorts Superstar, but I think there's something to this GT trend of WRs coming out who are all cut from the same mold. Hill isn't the next Megatron, but I think he'll be better than Thomas. Lining up opposite Andre Johnson is a pretty excellent scenario for him and that offense could be truly scary with a more consistent performer. Hill may or not be consistent, but his upside is undeniable. The Texans may regret not focusing on the OL after some of the defections but no one has really slipped here to make it worth passing on what I consider to be the 3rd best WR prospect in the draft.
Reply With Quote
  #126  
Old 04-21-2012, 04:49 PM
Gangster Octopus Gangster Octopus is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Wow, my auto-correct totally messed up my pick.

23. Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford
Reply With Quote
  #127  
Old 04-21-2012, 05:46 PM
furt furt is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omniscient View Post
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Brockers
DT, LSU


furt said he'd be offline all afternoon today and he sent me a short draft board and Brockers was at the top of it. I think Brockers is a little overrated on most draft boards I've seen and I think he's a largely one-dimensional player without much chance to effect the passing game, but for the Steelers he's an absolute god send. They need to replace Hampton and Brockers fits that mold to a T.
Exactly so; alternatively, they could move Hood to NT and put Brockers at DE. Either way, he fits a 3-4 scheme well. I don't know where other boards have him, but the one I'm using has him in the teens.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Omniscient View Post
25. Houston Texans
Stephen Hill
WR, Georgia Tech


I am buying in on Stephen Hill.
Jacksonville is really, really wishing they had made more of an effort to trade down. Would have really, really preferred to get Hill and another pick in place of Michael Floyd at #7.
Reply With Quote
  #128  
Old 04-21-2012, 06:59 PM
TheBoltEater TheBoltEater is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangster Octopus View Post
Wow, my auto-correct totally messed up my pick.

23. Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford
Well, "Jonathan Main" is still a lot closer to Jonathan Martin than "twelve Chrlius" is to Gosder Cherilus.
Reply With Quote
  #129  
Old 04-21-2012, 07:20 PM
ShadowFacts ShadowFacts is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,683
OK, I am going to try to do this from my phone. Bear with me ...
Reply With Quote
  #130  
Old 04-21-2012, 07:20 PM
garygnu garygnu is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
I'm of two minds about Stephen Hill. I think he's the only potential bust I'd be OK with the 49ers taking at #30. His size and speed are too much to ignore, and we can afford to wait for him to develop. With Moss and Manningham, and a probable second WR later in the draft, they can teach him up and be patient.

There are others I'd pick over him, but I won't revolt if it ends up being Hill.

By the way, here is a great big board from DraftTek that lists the scheme-specific position a player would play, such as 3-4 or 4-3 defense, or if a WR is a "#1" or a slot guy.

Last edited by garygnu; 04-21-2012 at 07:23 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #131  
Old 04-21-2012, 07:57 PM
ShadowFacts ShadowFacts is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,683
Sorry, my phone is literally about to die, so I muat be quick & can't format...

27. NE Patriots
Whitney Mercilus
DE, Illinois

Probably early for him, but I'm out of time. More thoughts later.
Reply With Quote
  #132  
Old 04-21-2012, 08:05 PM
DCnDC DCnDC is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Numbering correction:

This:

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBoltEater
24. Denver Broncos
Devon Still
DT, Penn State
should be #25, and Stephen Hill to the Texans would be #26.

That was confusing and bothering me. Carry on.
Reply With Quote
  #133  
Old 04-21-2012, 10:20 PM
ShadowFacts ShadowFacts is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,683
OK, so now that I'm back to my computer and can expound a bit, I'll take the opportunity to put the pick in the proper format:

27. New England Patriots
Whitney Mercilus
DE/OLB, Illinois


As I mentioned in my previous post on this pick, it may be a little early for Mercilus here (though I've seen multiple mocks with him landing here). I would not be surprised for the real Patriots to trade down. He's really only had one good year in 2011, but it was a stellar year. From what I've read (haven't seen any film on him), he can be the kind of versatile player that Belichick loves, capable of playing in the 4-3 with his his hand down or in the 3-4 rushing from the linebacker spot. Pats definitely need some line help with Andre Carter uncertain to return and Gerard Warren gone.
Reply With Quote
  #134  
Old 04-21-2012, 11:34 PM
garygnu garygnu is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
FYI, I sent a trade offer to the Packers (Gangster Octopus). I'd like to make sure it's rejected or approved before his pick gets made.
Reply With Quote
  #135  
Old 04-22-2012, 12:29 AM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
I don't have any proxies from him so were probably fine.
__________________
"To my Man Omni. Whose vast knowledge of all things Football far exceeds the scope of his beer-reachin arm".
Reply With Quote
  #136  
Old 04-22-2012, 12:21 PM
Gray Ghost Gray Ghost is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omniscient View Post
25. Houston Texans
Stephen Hill
WR, Georgia Tech


I am buying in on Stephen Hill. His college stats are mediocre at best and he'll be labeled a T-shirt and Shorts Superstar, but I think there's something to this GT trend of WRs coming out who are all cut from the same mold. Hill isn't the next Megatron, but I think he'll be better than Thomas. Lining up opposite Andre Johnson is a pretty excellent scenario for him and that offense could be truly scary with a more consistent performer. Hill may or not be consistent, but his upside is undeniable. The Texans may regret not focusing on the OL after some of the defections but no one has really slipped here to make it worth passing on what I consider to be the 3rd best WR prospect in the draft.
They'll focus on the OL in later rounds. I really doubt they'll ignore it. As it is, other than Newton---who's still really raw, AIUI---they've no depth whatsoever.

Thrilled that Hill made it to 26. I know he's got a bad case of the dropsies, and he can't play PR/KR like Wright (and therefore make Jacoby Jones totally superfluous), but he's got fantastic speed and size. Also, he's a good run blocker, and that seems to be something this team prizes in its WRs. Perfectly happy with drafting him here. Plus, I haven't read any 16% stories or heard of any blown opportunities like Wright at the Combine 40. He hasn't given me reason to suspect his head isn't where it should be.

Really, I'd have been O.K. with any of the top three remaining guys on my draft board, as all of them fill areas of need and all seem like they'll be competent pros.

When do you all think we'll make it to 2nd round, 16th pick (the Jets)? Trying to figure out if I'll be back in time, or if I need to cobble together a board for Omni. Looking back at it, I probably could've drafted Mercilus at 16 and still been able to grab Massie in the 2nd. Oh well.

Love the Mercilus pick for NE, by the way. IIRC, he was next on my list, after Hill. If he can treat NFL tackles the way he treated many in the Big-10, he'll do O.K.
Reply With Quote
  #137  
Old 04-22-2012, 01:59 PM
Gangster Octopus Gangster Octopus is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
I;m working on it, give me 15 minutes. Mulling the trade.
Reply With Quote
  #138  
Old 04-22-2012, 02:25 PM
Gangster Octopus Gangster Octopus is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
By the end of the year the Packers were getting no pressure on the opposing quarterback. We really need to get Clay Matthews freed up on his side so I am going to get some help for him on the other side.

28. Green Bay Packers
Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama


His combine was not impressive, but in actual competition the guy just pops, he is a force. And he did it against SEC competition and at the Senior Bowl. I think he is perfect for the 3-4, but seems to be flexible enough to be standing or hand down. I had a trade offered by garygnu to move down two spots and considered it, but my philosophy is when the player you want is available you shouldn't try to be too clever.

Last edited by Gangster Octopus; 04-22-2012 at 02:26 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #139  
Old 04-22-2012, 02:51 PM
garygnu garygnu is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangster Octopus View Post
...
His combine was not impressive, but in actual competition the guy just pops, he is a force. And he did it against SEC competition and at the Senior Bowl. I think he is perfect for the 3-4, but seems to be flexible enough to be standing or hand down..
So you're saying you like Upshaw's upside?
Reply With Quote
  #140  
Old 04-22-2012, 02:59 PM
DCnDC DCnDC is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
29. Baltimore Ravens
Dont'a Hightower ILB, Alabama


I took a hard look at the remaining OL prospects and determined it's way too early to take Kevin Zeitler, Mike Adams, or Peter Konz to get them some help along an OL that's been depleted by the free agent departures of Ben Grubbs and Evan Mathis. They need to find young players to learn from and eventually take over for the great but declining Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, butLuke Kuechly and Mark Barron long gone, as well as the elite OL prospects.

I'm taking the "safe" pick here and taking a guy who could be a suitable protege for Ray Lewis. He's big and athletic. He's not great in coverage, much more of a run-stuffing/pass rushing ILB, but he has good instincts and high marks for intelligence and leadership. Will do very well in the Ravens' system.
Reply With Quote
  #141  
Old 04-22-2012, 03:10 PM
garygnu garygnu is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
30. San Francisco 49ers
Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford


Got the player I wanted when I offered the trade to the Packers, so no big loss there. It's not like the 49ers need a tight end, but with a team with the luxury of not having a glaring need anywhere, I can take both the best player available and a (IMHO) future star.

Jim Harbaugh loves him some multiple-tight end sets, and defenses would have to fear both Fleener and Davis as receivers, taking pressure off the wideouts.
Reply With Quote
  #142  
Old 04-22-2012, 04:15 PM
ShadowFacts ShadowFacts is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,683
Patriots are currently in negotiations regarding the #31 pick. Stay tuned.
Reply With Quote
  #143  
Old 04-22-2012, 05:25 PM
Hamlet Hamlet is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gray Ghost View Post
Thrilled that Hill made it to 26. I know he's got a bad case of the dropsies, and he can't play PR/KR like Wright (and therefore make Jacoby Jones totally superfluous), but he's got fantastic speed and size. Also, he's a good run blocker, and that seems to be something this team prizes in its WRs. Perfectly happy with drafting him here.
Calvin Johnson at Georgia Tech: 76 catches, 1202 yards, 15.8 ypc, 15 tds. ACC player of the year. Biletnikoff Award Winner.

Demaryius Thomas at Georgia Tech: 46 catches, 1154 yards, 25.1 ypc, 8 td's. 1st team ACC.

Stephen Hill at Georgia Tech: 28 catches, 820 yards, 29.3 ypc, 5 td's.

I noticed a tad bit of difference.

I understand that Hill has a great size/speed combination and plays at a run first school, but that run first school didn't stop Megatron or Demaryius Thomas from passing 1000 yards, or even more than 28 catches.

He's shown himself to have unreliable hands, and, while that ypc average is astonishing, he'll also drop an easy pass.

He's another one who has risen up the draft board not because of how he plays football, but how he test in shorts. He may very well develop, but he's raw, drops way too many passes, and has very little to show for all those measureables. He's , to me, another project who will be overdrafted.

Last edited by Hamlet; 04-22-2012 at 05:25 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #144  
Old 04-22-2012, 06:46 PM
Hamlet Hamlet is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangster Octopus View Post
By the end of the year the Packers were getting no pressure on the opposing quarterback. We really need to get Clay Matthews freed up on his side so I am going to get some help for him on the other side.
Or a DE who can pressure the QB. The Packers really missed Cullen Jenkins last year (Mike Neal could give a china doll a run for the money). Either a DE or a OLB should be their first pick. Or maybe a safety.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GansterOctopus
28. Green Bay Packers.
Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama[.
I'm completely lost on pass rushers this year. Price, Perry, Mercilus, David, McClellan, and the rest are all a big bunch of question marks to me at this point. Upshaw scares me (the domestic violence arrest and average production on a great team may mean he's the beneficiary, not the causer, of a great defense), though not any more than any other guy. I'm not as convinced that he can make the move to OLB, so I'd prefer actually waiting, but I really can't fault the pick at all.

A couple names I might have toyed with would have been Harrison Smith, Jerel Worthy/Jared Crick, or maybe even Brandon Wheedon. Unless someone drops, I'm not sure it's a good place to be.

Last edited by Hamlet; 04-22-2012 at 06:48 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #145  
Old 04-22-2012, 07:16 PM
ShadowFacts ShadowFacts is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,683
OK, well the Pats were unable to work out a trade, so they will continue to address the defensive front 7 with:

31. New England Patriots
Shea McCLellin
OLB/DE Boise St.


McClellin is a bit undersized, but definitely fits the Pats mold of being a versatile player. In college, he spent time at DE, OLB and ILB. The Pats use both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, so that versatility is useful. While he doesn't have superb athleticism, he's got a great motor and never stops, and is also a natural leader.

I also considered looking at the secondary here, which is a definite need, but I think better value can be had later in the draft.
Reply With Quote
  #146  
Old 04-22-2012, 07:21 PM
RetroVertigo RetroVertigo is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hamlet View Post
Calvin Johnson at Georgia Tech: 76 catches, 1202 yards, 15.8 ypc, 15 tds. ACC player of the year. Biletnikoff Award Winner.

Demaryius Thomas at Georgia Tech: 46 catches, 1154 yards, 25.1 ypc, 8 td's. 1st team ACC.

Stephen Hill at Georgia Tech: 28 catches, 820 yards, 29.3 ypc, 5 td's.

I noticed a tad bit of difference.

I understand that Hill has a great size/speed combination and plays at a run first school, but that run first school didn't stop Megatron or Demaryius Thomas from passing 1000 yards, or even more than 28 catches.

He's shown himself to have unreliable hands, and, while that ypc average is astonishing, he'll also drop an easy pass.

He's another one who has risen up the draft board not because of how he plays football, but how he test in shorts. He may very well develop, but he's raw, drops way too many passes, and has very little to show for all those measureables. He's , to me, another project who will be overdrafted.
Megatron was drafted in 2007. The current coach who runs the "Triple Option" offense wasn't hired until 2008. When you look at Thomas' stats to Hill, they are comparable.
Reply With Quote
  #147  
Old 04-22-2012, 07:38 PM
It's Not Rocket Surgery! It's Not Rocket Surgery! is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
And we close out the first round with the selection of:

32. New York Giants
Mike Adams
T, Ohio State


The Giants have plenty of areas of need, and OT is definitely one of those. Although the running game was fine in the playoffs, it stank most of the year. Their offensive line is in dire need of new blood. There were players they had rated higher on their board, but none in areas that had to be addressed right away. So Adams was the pick.
Reply With Quote
  #148  
Old 04-22-2012, 07:40 PM
Hamlet Hamlet is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Quote:
Originally Posted by RetroVertigo View Post
Megatron was drafted in 2007. The current coach who runs the "Triple Option" offense wasn't hired until 2008. When you look at Thomas' stats to Hill, they are comparable.
And Demaryius isn't exactly tearing up the NFL.

Hill has caught 3 more passes in his entire career than Thomas did in one year. Or, to put it more in perspective, Hill, in his entire career, had under half the total of catches than Justin Blackmon had in each of the last two years.

The little game tape I've seen of Hill (the North Carolina game), showed a guy who can make a big play when the defense focuses on stopping the triple option and aren't covering him. He made a very nice catch in traffic (a Wow moment), and then, later in the game, dropped an easy TD pass.

He certainly has upside, but as a crappy route runner who drops too many passes, he, to me, is a complete project who won't be starting for another 2 or 3 years. That's not what I'd want in a first round pick.

Last edited by Hamlet; 04-22-2012 at 07:41 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #149  
Old 04-22-2012, 07:57 PM
Omniscient Omniscient is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 15,781
First Round Recap

1. Indianapolis Colts - garygnu
Andrew Luck QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins - DCnDC
Robert Griffin III QB, Baylor

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Oakminster (from Minnesota) 1
Trent Richardson RB, Alabama

4. Cleveland Browns - SenorBeef
Morris Claiborne CB, LSU

5. Minnesota Vikings - Hamlet (from Tampa Bay) 1
Matt Kalil OT, USC

6. St. Louis Rams - RetroVertigo
Justin Blackmon WR, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - furt
Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame

8. Miami Dolphins - Omniscient
Melvin Ingram OLB, South Carolina

9. Carolina Panthers - Jules Andre
Fletcher Cox DT, Mississippi St.

10. Buffalo Bills - Omniscient
Riley Reiff OT, Iowa

11. Kansas City Chiefs - SenorBeef
Dontari Poe DT, Memphis

12. Seattle Seahawks - Hamlet
Quinton Coples DE, North Carolina

13. Arizona Cardinals - RetroVertigo
Kendall Wright WR, Baylor

14. Dallas Cowboys - kidchameleon
Mark Barron S, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles - Jules Andre
Luke Kuechly LB, Boston College

16. New York Jets - Gray Ghost
Bobby Massie OT, Ole Miss

17. Cincinnati Bengals - It's Not Rocket Surgery!
David DeCastro, G, Stanford

18. San Diego Chargers - TheBoltEater
Nick Perry DE/OLB, USC

19. Chicago Bears - Omniscient
Stephon Gilmore CB, South Carolina

20. Miami Dolphins - Omniscient (from Tennessee) 2
Ryan Tannehill QB, Texas A&M

21. Cincinnati Bengals - It's Not Rocket Surgery!
Dre Kirkpatrick CB, Alabama

22. Cleveland Browns - SenorBeef
Cordy Glenn G/T, Georgia

23. Detroit Lions - Gangster Octopus
Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - furt
Michael Brockers DT, LSU

25. Denver Broncos - TheBoltEater
Devon Still DT, Penn State

26. Houston Texans - Gray Ghost
Stephen Hill WR, Georgia Tech

27. New England Patriots - ShadowFacts
Whitney Mercilus DE/OLB, Illinois

28. Green Bay Packers - Gangster Octopus
Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

29. Baltimore Ravens - DCnDC
Dont'a Hightower ILB, Alabama

30. San Francisco 49ers - garygnu
Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

31. New England Patriots - ShadowFacts
Shea McCLellin OLB/DE Boise St.

32. New York Giants - It's Not Rocket Surgery!
Mike Adams T, Ohio State

1 Tampa trades their 2012 1st and 2nd round picks to Minnesota, in exchange for the Vikings 2012 1st and 6th round picks.

2 Tennessee trades their 2012 1st round pick to Miami, in exchange for the Dolphins 2012 2n round pick and their 2013 1st round pick.


It's Sunday evening, I suspect most everyone is around so lets power through round 2. I'll post the updated 2nd round draft order shortly.
Reply With Quote
  #150  
Old 04-22-2012, 08:09 PM
garygnu garygnu is online now
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Starting Round 2

1 (33). Indianapolis Colts
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin


The Colts have so many needs it's hard to pick one guy. Offensive playmaker for Luck? Help for the horrible defense? Ultimately I picked protection for Luck and a replacement for Jeff Saturday. I really like Konz; he happens to be next BPA on my board, and I think Luck's hand will be touching Konz's crotch for a decade (if you know what I mean).

I wouldn't mind the 49ers taking Konz at 30 in real life.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

Send questions for Cecil Adams to: cecil@chicagoreader.com

Send comments about this website to: webmaster@straightdope.com

Terms of Use / Privacy Policy

Advertise on the Straight Dope!
(Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks.)

Publishers - interested in subscribing to the Straight Dope?
Write to: sdsubscriptions@chicagoreader.com.

Copyright © 2013 Sun-Times Media, LLC.