Mock Draft- Off-Season

First, here's my predicted free agent signings..

- Chase Blackburn
OLB
Giants

- He's a steady tackler, not much of a pass rusher, but he's consistent all around otherwise. On top of things, he's got a good work ethic, and is familiar with a Spagnulo run defense. At 26, he's still got some upside yet.

- Leigh Bodden
CB
Patriots

- Bodden was New England's best DB in 2009, picking off 5 passes, while racking up 55 tackles and more importantly helping New England improve their pass defense, and was crucial in helping the Pats cut their allowed passing touchdown numbers.

- Charlie Whitehurst
QB
Chargers

Has a good arm with accuracy, good size for the position and has spent his first three seasons in the NFL learning behind one of the NFL's best young QB (Phillip Rivers) and a very good QB developer as Head Coach (Norv Turner).

Rivers has actually gone on record and said that Whitehurst is overdue for a starting QB opportunity, and stated when he gets the chance, some team will be glad they gave him that shot.

I view Whitehurst as a low risk, high reward pickup. He likely won't cost much, and if he develops, the Rams have their QB situation solved. If not, it was a low risk signing and they can focus their attentions to adding a QB in the first in next year's draft.

Re-sign

O.J. Atogwe
Alex Barron
Leonard Little

Lastly.. Bring back Bulger as a backup.

And.. The draft.

Round 1
- Ndamukong Suh
DT
Nebraska

Suh is just what the doctor ordered for this defense. I think they've already got some pieces in place for future success, Suh will be the addition that could make them that much stronger. Suh, Long and Laurinitis is a very solid core, and one that could be dangerous for years to come.

Traditionally, teams don't spend #1 overall picks, and the money associated with it on Defensive Tackles.. Then again, Suh isn't your traditional DT.

Round 2
- Brandon LaFell
WR
LSU

I think WR is the biggest weakness on the Rams offense. While I like Donnie Avery, they need more.

I think LaFell could quietly, when it's all said and done, become the best of this class. He has good route running skills and leaping ability; good size; good field vision and body control; has a competitive streak a mile long; is very productive and gets good YPC numbers because of his ability to break tackles and take hits. He's not going to ever win a foot race. He isn't slow by any means, but his timed sped won't ever wow you, however his other intangibles more than make up for the "lack of speed".

He reminds me a large amount of Dwayne Bowe (and not just because both went to LSU). Bowe has quietly had a very good start to his career in Kansas City, and I see LaFell being just as good.

Round 3
- Jerry Hughes
DE/OLB
Texas Christian

Hughes is a disruptive force who has a non-stop motor, and is capable of getting to the Quarterback each defensive snap.

He has good athletic skills, a quick burst, good range and has terrific range.

Hughes was a two time Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year and has had consecutive seasons with double digit sack totals. While his numbers slightly dropped in 2009, this was mainly in part due to double coverage, which allowed his teammates to get more looks. He was a crucial part in TCU's run to the unbeaten regular season.

Hughes reminds me a bit of a raw DeMarcus Ware.. It may take a year or two, where he'd be a work in progress, but he has the work ethic to quickly catch on and be another formidible force on the defensive side of the football.

Round 4
-John Jerry
OG
Mississippi

Jerry comes from a pretty good family pedigree. His brother, Peria, was the Falcons' 1st rounder in 2009. His cousins are Dwayne Rudd and Jamarca Sanford.

Jerry has some versitilty, as he's played both guard and right tackle in college, however he's more suited for the guard position on the next level. Picking him to play guard would be a huge (pun intended) upgrade, as he'd be a physically overpowering mauler at RG and would add another wrinkle to the offensive line.

Round 5
- Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
CB
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

While his name is one that may cause some to do serious research, Ansah is a bonafide sleeper and has all the tools of being a future shutdown CB on the NFL level.

He reads his receiver carefully, and has good instincts. He's got a good read on the QB and flexibility/transition. He's also got prototypical size to make the jump into the next level.

On the DIII level, teams generally did not throw in his direction. To me, as a CB this is the highest form of praise. He also does not give up much YPC after a completion is made.

He may never be a guy who racks up big interception numbers, but at his best, if he can adapt to the massive step forward in competition, he will be one of those Corners who is rarely thrown upon, which to me is the true definition of a shutdown CB.

He reminds me a bit of a Charles Tillman/Nmadi Asomaugh. The biggest challenge will be how he fares against the major step forward in competition, but if he shows ability to hold his own, this could be a diamond in the rough.

Round 5 #2 (From Philly)
- Dennis Pitta
TE
Brigham Young

Pitta has been a very productive pass catching Tight End at BYU. He's put up over 2,700 yards and 19 TD in three seasons as a starter for the Cougars.

His blocking is suspect, but his hands and productivity are both to be noticed. He'd be another receiving threat for the passing game and could be a productive one at that.

I'll do some more research and post Round 6 and 7 later.

Thoughts?

I like all the Fa picks, I am not opposed to giving Whitehurst a chance even though i have never seen him play. He can't be worse then Boller.

On to the draft, I like it for the most part. I am however wholeheartedly against pick another WR in the draft. We have a few young talented Wr's that are developing on our team(Avery, Robinson, Gibson, Burton) the last thing we need to add is inexperience. I would much rather take a CB or OLB in the second.


Edit: Spelling

Welcome!

Really solid post. I'm a big fan of everything you've done here, with one exception addressed below. Great pickup on Whitehurst, I've had my eye on him too, and you've done a good job addressing needs on defense with players who won't command a great deal of cash. Certainly they're toward the higher-end of the players who are projected to be available in FA, well done with these.

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that we're only really going to be able to afford two or three starting quality free agents free agents if we're going to keep money in the bank for draft picks and for next season, assuming a CBA is reached. I'd be really pleased if the free agent pool were to fall in this way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 01d 0rd3r

On to the draft, I like it for the most part. I am however wholeheartedly against pick another WR in the draft. We have a few young talented Wr's that are developing on our team(Avery, Robinson, Gibson, Burton) the last thing we need to add is inexperience. I would much rather take a CB or OLB in the second.


Edit: Spelling

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I'm with you on this one to a point. Clearly, if the best available talent available when we pick is at wide receiver, or if by some stretch of the imagination a Dez Bryant is to fall into trade-up range, then the Rams should by all means pull the trigger. Team mocks are difficult because you don't get to see who falls 'around' the Rams draft picks and who is consequentially still available. I'm looking for a DE or an OT here (it seems like I've been saying this about the first two rounds of every draft since about 2006) to solidify the trenches. Games are won and lost up front. Personally, I don't see Barron being retained as a RT, I think he'll command a little too much money. With that said, solid choice in round three, Hughes looks like a real boom/bust project, but worth the gamble IMO.

This looks good. I dont really like your second pick spent on a receiver. I agree totally on Charlie Whitehurst, great acquisition. High reward low risk.

u wana know something its good. Really good.

I like the Free Agent signings Bodden might be a little to old thou

Dont know much about Whitehurst u have forced me to look into him.

I dont like keeping Little and Barron thou. We are re-building and Little deserves to be on another team. Barron has no discipline and this team is building around discipline.

I disagree with those that say we have enough young WRs. Lafell fits our system and Spags 4 pillars and Billy Ds "getting bigger more physical." If we plan on having a good QB we need to find a pure possession receiver that our QB can trust on third down. We dont have a sure handed receiver. Laurant Robinson maybe. He needs to prove he can stay healthy. He wasnt healthy in Atlanta or St. Louis.

Hughes is fine.

John Jerry is not a 4-pillar player

DOnt know much about that CB

Pitta is good.