Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

[RockinRam]

My week 1 mock draft consisted of:

Round 1: Arrelious Benn [WR] Illinois 6'2, 215lbs.

Round 2: Everson Griffen [DE] USC 6'3, 265lbs.

Round 3: Boo Robinson [DT] Wake Forest 6'2, 326lbs.

Round 4: John Jerry [G] Mississippi 6'5, 350lbs.

Round 5: Brandon Carter [G] Texas Tech 6'7, 360lbs.

Round 6: Luther Brown [OLB] USC 6'2, 234lbs.

Round 7: David Gettis [WR] Baylor 6'4, 210lbs.



My week 7 mock draft is now in the shape of this:


Round 1: Jimmy Clausen [QB] Notre Dame 6'3, 218lbs.

Analysis: Clausen is a beast of a QB. As the current #1 QB in the 2010 NFL Draft, Clausen deserves it. This kid has a wicked arm, with incredible arm strength and accuracy. He plays very well under center, unlike other college QB's. He has great pocket presence, patience and awareness. He can outmanuever and outrun D-linemen. The new face of our franchise. He will give this team the winning mentality it deserves.

Round 2: Golden Tate [WR] Notre Dame 5'11, 196lbs.

Analysis: Two Notre Dame players in a row? You bet. Golden Tate, with the injury of Michael Floyd, has stepped up and shown what he can do. Clausen and Tate make a dynamic duo in college, and why not carry that into the NFL too? We need more playmakers at WR, and this guy brings it. Speedy, and elusive, this guy has lots of moves.

Round 3: Greg Romeus [DE] Pittsburgh 6'5, 265lbs.

Analysis: Should figure into Spag's DE rotation. Very productive DE, and should give us some much needed help pressuring the QB.

Round 4: John Jerry [OG/RT] Ole Miss 6'5, 350lbs.

Analysis: When Jason Smith is moved to left tackle next year, that leaves a void at right tackle. John Jerry is a massive lineman that is able to play guard and right tackle. Jerry is a punishing run blocker and good pass blocker, and at 6'5, 350lbs, he puts fear into opposing d-linemen.

Round 5: Brandon Carter [OG] Texas Tech 6'7, 363lbs.

Analysis: The 2008 Texas Tech o-linemen are seriously underrated. The Tech's o-line is filled with solid, hard-working and agressive mammoths, which was one of the main reasons Graham Harrell had such an amazing year passing the ball. Brandon Carter, despite his crazy face-paint, is a good character guy who is smart despite his outlandish look. He is an amazing worker and strives to be a great lineman. This guy is huge, and is an imposing figure on the line. He will pave enormous holes for Jackson to run through, along with fellow rookie John Jerry next to him, and our fellow meat slab at center Jason Brown. If we get Carter along with Jerry, Jackson will be so excited he'll never want to leave St.Louis...

Round 6: Andrew Quarless [TE] Penn State 6'5, 252lbs.

Analysis: Has 1st-2nd round talent, but due to his attitude for the past year, his stock dropped considerably. However, at the start of the 2009 season, he's gotten his act together, and it's paid huge dividends. He has matured, and if we do decide to get this guy, we will get a very talented TE. With McMichael probably gone next year, we need to get more talent for Clausen, and along with rookie Golden Tate, Quarless should give Clausen another talented target to throw to. Will also attract more attention from opposing defenses, which in turn, will open up more opportunities for the underrated Daniel Fells.

Round 7: Marlon Winn [OT] Texas Tech 6'6, 330lbs.

Analysis: As stated in Brandon Carter's analysis, the 2008 Texas Tech o-line is seriously underrated. Winn was thrusted into the starting line-up after the starting right tackle got injured, and he never looked back. If John Jerry does not work at right tackle, Jerry should be moved to left guard, and Winn should be inserted as our right tackle, who should be solid. This guy has impressive size and athleticism, and along with our other two rookie o-linemen, he has an imposing figure.


As you can see, 6 of the 7 picks are for offensive players. Why you ask? Because our defense is already solid, and it's only missing a few components, like defensive end, a veteran corner, and SLB. Defensive end is addressed in the draft, and we can always look for a SLB and corner in FA.

The main reason we are not winning games is due to our offense, and our lack of. Our wide receivers are not talented or experienced enough, our o-line is not consistent enough, and our tight ends are not consistent enough, which plays a huge part in our lackluster production.

With the addition of an amazing QB, a playmaking WR, three stud mammoth o-linemen, and a underrated talented tight end, our offense will be blazing and torching opposing defenses. This will also play a huge part in the production of our defense, who will actually get some rest when our offense don't commit three and outs every drive.

Depth chart for 2010:

QB: Jimmy Clausen
HB: Steven Jackson
FB: Mike Karney
WR: Golden Tate, Laurent Robinson, Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Danny Amendola
TE: Andrew Quarless, Daniel Fells, Billy Bajema
LT: Jason Smith
LG: John Jerry or Richie Incognito
C: Jason Brown
RG: Brandon Carter
RT: John Jerry or Marlon Winn

DE: Chris Long, Leonard Little, James Hall, Greg Romeus
DT: Adam Carriker, Cliff Ryan, LaJuan Ramsey, Gary Gibson, Darrell Scott
WLB: Will Witherspoon
MLB: James Lauranaitis
SLB: Paris Lenon or Larry Grant or TBD
CB: Ron Bartell, Johnathan Wade, Justin King, Bradley Fletcher
FS: O.J Atogwe
SS: James Butler

K: Josh Brown
P: Donnie Jones
LS: Chris Massey


If we are described as "heading in the right direction" as of right now, by the time the 2010 season comes along, we'll be at the destination.

[39thebeast]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

Is Carriker going to bounce back healthy and remain that way? Who knows, but we are going to have to have some insurance. Are we going to Start a 4th, 5th, and 6th rounder I don't think so. I do like Tate he looks like Steve Smith of the Giants I would rather have a bigger guy, but Tate could become a good nfl receiver.

[RockinRam]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

Is Carriker going to bounce back healthy and remain that way? Who knows, but we are going to have to have some insurance. Are we going to Start a 4th, 5th, and 6th rounder I don't think so. I do like Tate he looks like Steve Smith of the Giants I would rather have a bigger guy, but Tate could become a good nfl receiver.

If Carriker does not perform well next year, we always have a more experienced Darrell Scott, and Gary Gibson, and an always improving LaJuan Ramsey. We can always go FA if we want more experienced DT's.

IMO, both Jerry and Brandon Carter have the ability and talent to start. Quarless also has the talent to start too, as he could be picked as early as the first round...

[Varg6]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

I gotta say, I LOVE your draft. The only concern I have is your second pick. Not that I don't like Tate, I think he's a great player but I feel like we need to get a bigger and more physical WR, and also it depends on who's on and off the draft board at that point. I would be happy with Tate but I'm not sure if he's the best WR we can get in round 2.

Naturally, your draft really depends on what we do in free agency. If we address our defensive issues, by all means your draft is excellent.

[39thebeast]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

If Carriker does not perform well next year, we always have a more experienced Darrell Scott, and Gary Gibson, and an always improving LaJuan Ramsey. We can always go FA if we want more experienced DT's.

IMO, both Jerry and Brandon Carter have the ability and talent to start. Quarless also has the talent to start too, as he could be picked as early as the first round...

I don't know about that talent level at DT, we will see what guys like Ramsey and Douzable and Scott if he gets any time, they have been playing OK not great, but they are mostly guys of the street or someone elses practice squad. Definately could use some more talent there IMO.

Brandon Carter is not good in pass protection even with Texas Tech's huge splits helping him out. He has cinder blocks for feet, he isn't an upgrade over any of our current guys right now IMO. Jerry at RT great run blocker, but once again would be a liabilty in pass coverage as a rookie. Jerry vs. against a speedster like Dwight Freeney or Even Mathis and the QB is going to be in a world of trouble. IMO his run blocking and power make him a viable starting option, but 2 rookies Carter and Jerry next to each other would be really bad for our QB especially if you want to put the rookie QB in there early.

[RockinRam]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

I gotta say, I LOVE your draft. The only concern I have is your second pick. Not that I don't like Tate, I think he's a great player but I feel like we need to get a bigger and more physical WR, and also it depends on who's on and off the draft board at that point. I would be happy with Tate but I'm not sure if he's the best WR we can get in round 2.

Naturally, your draft really depends on what we do in free agency. If we address our defensive issues, by all means your draft is excellent.

In round 2, I think Tate is the best WR available, assuming Benn is picked in Round 1, which I think he is. The other receivers I think that can also be considered would be Marshawn Gilyard from Cincinnati. He's 6-1 and could become a good weapon. The other is Terrance Toliver from LSU, and he's 6-4, so he could give our QB a big target to throw to. I still think Tate is the best WR in round 2 as of right NOW, but that could probably change considering how the rest of the college football season goes.

[RockinRam]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

I don't know about that talent level at DT, we will see what guys like Ramsey and Douzable and Scott if he gets any time, they have been playing OK not great, but they are mostly guys of the street or someone elses practice squad. Definately could use some more talent there IMO.

Brandon Carter is not good in pass protection even with Texas Tech's huge splits helping him out. He has cinder blocks for feet, he isn't an upgrade over any of our current guys right now IMO. Jerry at RT great run blocker, but once again would be a liabilty in pass coverage as a rookie. Jerry vs. against a speedster like Dwight Freeney or Even Mathis and the QB is going to be in a world of trouble. IMO his run blocking and power make him a viable starting option, but 2 rookies Carter and Jerry next to each other would be really bad for our QB especially if you want to put the rookie QB in there early.

If the young guys at DT don't progress as much as expected, we can always go to the FA to find a vet. Also, if Terrance Cody out of Alabama somehow falls to us in the second round, we can also pick him up. If it was between Golden Tate or Cody, I would pick Cody.

I think Carter and Jerry would both be an upgrade over Bell at least. Bell has played very inconsistent this year, as like every other year, and he gives us no push up front when we want to run the ball. He's also a small guy, did he even get back up to 300lbs?

Carter, Jerry and Winn would probably have to be rotated in and out, but I'm hoping that their hard-working attitudes and aggressive demeanors will pay off for us.

You can always teach better blocking skills, but you can't teach size, aggressiveness, or fierceness.

[Bald_81]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

Round 1: Jimmy Clausen [QB] Notre Dame 6'3, 218lbs.

Analysis: Clausen is a beast of a QB. As the current #1 QB in the 2010 NFL Draft, Clausen deserves it. This kid has a wicked arm, with incredible arm strength and accuracy. He plays very well under center, unlike other college QB's. He has great pocket presence, patience and awareness. He can outmanuever and outrun D-linemen. The new face of our franchise. He will give this team the winning mentality it deserves.

I'm a fan of Clausen, but this is just untrue. His pocket presence is actually a part of his game that is really lacking. From the games I've seen (most recently USC), when defensive linemen get within two feet of him and he has extra time to step up and make throws he flushes from the pocket for no reason. Don't use the excuse that Everson Griffen was all over him because he was doing this early on in the game as well - hence his struggles in the first half. This is an area I would like to see Clausen improve because he simply gets happy feet when he still has more than enough time to maneuver and make a strong throw instead of running out of the pocket. Everything else you have said, however, is spot on. I'm excited about his accuracy, strong arm, and knowledge of a pro-style offense. All of those traits are going to get him noticed when the draft rolls around.

[Mooselini]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

Now with Witherspoon out of the picture, what would you do to fill that void?

[RockinRam]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

Now with Witherspoon out of the picture, what would you do to fill that void?

Good question, but is there really a void? Let's see how Lenon does at weakside, and Grant and Vobora at strongside before we make WLB a need again. Who knows, maybe Lenon does a solid job, then the Witherspoon trade wouldn't look so bad, and it wouldn't add another need for our off-season.

[BarronWade]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

NOOOOOOOOO!

Jimmy Clausen is fine

But Get John Jerry and move Jason Smith to LT?

WHY?

Alex Barron still hasnt allowed a sack this year and is playing LT more disciplined than recent years. I'd keep him.

I would keep Jason Smith at RT until he shows me he can stay healthy and cut cogs and get John Jerry to play RG as a run blocking guard

I still dont like taking Golden Tate in the 2nd. if it were in the 3rd i would B all right with it. I'd take Brandon Lafell instead of Tate in the early 2nd round Lafell is bigger and more physical which is Billy D's motto to re-building.

Also i dont care how underrated the Texas Tech O-line is why would be draft 3 O-linemen in a draft when we already have depth at OL.

We dont have depth at LB and CB why don't you address that?

And i'm fine with quarles as long as Spags and Billy D scout he maturity very well. And just remember the 4 pillers team 1st and character were part of it so i dont know about this guy.

Also without Spoon now i think we get 2 OLBs between the 3rd-6th round.

[BarronWade]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

NOOOOOOOOO!

Jimmy Clausen is fine

But Get John Jerry and move Jason Smith to LT?

WHY?

Alex Barron still hasnt allowed a sack this year and is playing LT more disciplined than recent years. I'd keep him.

I would keep Jason Smith at RT until he shows me he can stay healthy and cut cogs and get John Jerry to play RG as a run blocking guard

I still dont like taking Golden Tate in the 2nd. if it were in the 3rd i would B all right with it. I'd take Brandon Lafell instead of Tate in the early 2nd round Lafell is bigger and more physical which is Billy D's motto to re-building.

[RockinRam]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

Devaney has already stated that Smith is our LT of the future. Nuff said. With that being said, there's a void at RT.

How do you know Tate will be there in the third? How do you know LaFell won't go in the first?


The interior of our line is horrid, with the exception of Jason Brown. Bell gives us no push, instead, he gets pushed back, Incognito is never consistent, some days like the Jags game he looks pretty good, and some days, he just gets blown away.


And if you want to talk about Barron more, in the Jags game, he was bullied and pushed around all day. He was even pushed into the ground right onto his butt a couple of plays. He had a good game against Jared Allen, but can't produce against the Jags?

[BarronWade]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

Devaney has already stated that Smith is our LT of the future. Nuff said. With that being said, there's a void at RT.

Well so far has Jason Smith showed us that he can be a better LT than Barron. He hasn't even shown that he can be a better RT than Goldberg. I mean if we fully commit to jason smith he needs to get healthy. Cuz right now Alex Barron is our best Tackle and our 2nd best O-lineman next to Jason Brown. I'd stick with Barron until the 2010 trade deadline and see wat happens or trade him for a 3rd nothing less. Remember Barron has allowed 0 sacks.

How do you know Tate will be there in the third? How do you know LaFell won't go in the first?

well how does anyone know where any prospect will go? It's all about projections and Lafell is projected by a few sources as an early 2nd rounded if u want sources ask and il find them. As for Tate i think he will go mid-late 2nd round so if LaFell and Tate are there i think we should go LaFell and if we go elsewhere with the 2nd rounder then lets hope tate falls to us in the 3rd.

The interior of our line is horrid, with the exception of Jason Brown. Bell gives us no push, instead, he gets pushed back, Incognito is never consistent, some days like the Jags game he looks pretty good, and some days, he just gets blown away.

Well the thing is we have depth at O-line just not those good starters. So we shouldn't be taking so many O-linemen late. If we want starters address it in the first 3 rounds. But WE HAVE DEPTH at O-line (lol i didn cap to be rude just emphasize a point)

And if you want to talk about Barron more, in the Jags game, he was bullied and pushed around all day. He was even pushed into the ground right onto his butt a couple of plays. He had a good game against Jared Allen, but can't produce against the Jags?

Even on an off day he doesn't allow a sack but that type of performance cannot continue let's see what he can do vs. Dwight Freeney.


ALSO why are u not addressing our weakest position depth wise and talent wise? It is OLB. BOth OLB spots?

[RockinRam]

Re: Rockin's Mock Draft @ Week 7

ALSO why are u not addressing our weakest position depth wise and talent wise? It is OLB. BOth OLB spots?

Because I don't think OLB is our weakest position. Just because Witherspoon is gone now is no cry for concern. Indeed he was a good player for the past 2 years, but this season, he hasn't really done much. I'm waiting to see if Lenon and Grant can hold their own, and if they can't, by my next mock draft, I'll have changed some things around.



And for the interior o-line subject, you don't have to pick guards early for them to eventually be starters. Granted, it does give them a much higher chance, but I'm hoping that John Jerry and Brandon Carter can be rotated in and out, getting some NFL experience, and eventually develop into starters. They've already got the size and strength.