Porky's Mock Draft #3

[porky88]

http://www.fantasyfootballjungle.com...mock-draft.php

2 Rounds with explanations on each pick. A good paragraph on all the 1st rounders.

1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State
7. New England Patriots - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
8. Baltimore Ravens - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10 New Orleans Saints - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
11. Buffalo Bills - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
15. Detroit Lions - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
16. Arizona Cardinals - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
17. Minnesota Vikings - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
18. Houston Texans - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Branden Albert, OL, Virginia
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
21. Washington Redskins - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
22. Dallas Cowboys - DeSean Jackson, WR, California
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Gosder Cherilus, RT, Boston College
24. Tennessee Titans - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
25. Seattle Seahawks - Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
27. San Diego Chargers - Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
28. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
29. San Francisco 49ers - Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
30. Green Bay Packers - Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
31. New York Giants - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

If you want to read round 2 click the link and you'll be directed to the mock on the site as well as the explanations.

[cdobry1991]

I kinda think the Dolphins are going for Chris Long, but Jake isn't a bad pick either.

Unless/until Lamont Jordan is traded or cut, I can't see Oakland taking McFadden. Oakland has Jordan (possibly), Fargas (recently re-signed), and Michael Bush. Jordan not being on the team opens up a whole for McFadden.

Personally, I think Jenkins will go over Talib. There have been concerns over Talib apparently not passing drug tests, so that will probably slip him just behind Jenkins.

I'd switch Otah and Albert, who seems to be flying up the boards.

Interesting end to the round with Balmer, Mayo, Manningham, Lee, and Phillips. Just guys that I haven't really seen in the first round too much.

Good draft overall though porky.

[bowler533]

I have some concerns about Clady to Denver. Yes, he knows the zone blocking system very well, but with his 5.3 - 5.5 speed, will he be able to get up field to place his blocks and get into the open field to make blocks?

[cubuffsman78]

Jake Long looks like the guy Miami wants the most, which is a bit of a surprise to me. They're courting him and Vernon Gholston right now and I think Long is the real priority there.

I don't like Stewart in the top 20. Late first would be fine, but that injury is a big deal because teams don't know how long he's going to be out. Turf toe surgery can take anywhere from six weeks to six months to recover from. It's a deep RB class which makes him slip even further in my mind.

I don't believe Patrick Lee will even sniff the first round. A 4.41 40 time and good size doesn't put him there. He's stiff in coverage and marginal at best. Fourth round looks better.

I've said many times why I prefer Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles over Felix Jones. It's all about the ability to run through tackles. Jones doesn't have it.

[porky88]

Bowler,

When is the last time you saw an offensive lineman run 40 yards down field? It's all about his quickness and his ability to get to the next level and if he can get low. Clady can do that. I don't think you need to be concerned about his 40 time if Denver takes him especially at left tackle.

Cubbs,

Stewart is a top 20 pick without the injury. I have no doubt he won't be back until probably July. It's going to come down to what team doctors say about him. If they say he's going to be ready for camp I think he'll go high. I remember last year the Packers took Harrell whom was coming off a torn biceps and he missed the first few days of camp. Willis McGahee is the biggest example of a guy who was hurt and won't be ready and he was selected in round 1 too. Houston has shown a willingness to take guys who might need to develop. Okoye was only 19 and Mario Williams' presence obviously wasn't felt until this season. I think they'd take Stewart with the intentions of him being their guy some day. I think he could be that guy faster than what most think. The best case for them would be to move down and get him but I don't project trades.

Patrick Lee in the 4th round? You just don't like him very much then. I disagree all the way on that one. I think I'm going out on a limb by making him the 31st player in the Draft with Brandon Flowers on the board but he's a perfect fit for press man to man converage which he does very well. A team who plays a lot of zone won't take him but a team like Green Bay, who all they do is play man will. 2nd Round pick at the latest for me.

You prefer Johnson but does Jerry Jones? I just don't see Jerry Jones passing on Felix Jones in favor of either Johnson or Charles.

[bowler533]

I just dont see Clady and his size fitting in very well with Denver. I dont know how athletic a 5.4 40 guy can be, with weight at 300+. Im not saying its unlikely, I just dont like Clady.

I think OT Chris Williams is a better pick. Hes much much smarter, has chemistry with Cutler, and I see him as a more athletic OT.

[sommerSD]

I have one big issue with the board that no one has mentioned....Chargers taking Mayo....just wont happen. The only LB they MIGHT be considering is Dan Conner, but belive you me, AJ Smith is more than pleased with his ILBs and, well, who needs more on the outside if you're SD....In that pick, the Chargers are far more likely for Brandon Flowers, Justin King, Reggie Smith, Patrick Lee and even Brian Brohm as trade bait.

[porky88]

Originally Posted by sommerSD I have one big issue with the board that no one has mentioned....Chargers taking Mayo....just wont happen. The only LB they MIGHT be considering is Dan Conner, but belive you me, AJ Smith is more than pleased with his ILBs and, well, who needs more on the outside if you're SD....In that pick, the Chargers are far more likely for Brandon Flowers, Justin King, Reggie Smith, Patrick Lee and even Brian Brohm as trade bait.

Can I ask how you know A.J. Smith's draft plans? So far A.J. Smith has taken two prospects that I was extremely high on and I was outspoken on this board about. Antonio Cromartie and he traded up for Eric Weddle in early round 2.

He probably won't have that chance because Mayo seems to be gaining a ton of hype and the more I watch the more I think he'll go mid 1st. So why would Conner be the selection over Mayo? Is it because you like Conner better? If so then say that.

Your reasoning for Smith not taking Mayo can be applied to Dan Conner but they might take Conner but Mayo is absolutely off the Chargers draft board. Do you see Conner as a potential 3-4 OLB or strictly an inside linebacker?

Just looking for clarification.

I wonder what your reaction would've been if one year ago someone had Craig Davis going to San Diego in their mock......

[sommerSD]

Originally Posted by porky88 Can I ask how you know A.J. Smith's draft plans? So far A.J. Smith has taken two prospects that I was extremely high on and I was outspoken on this board about. Antonio Cromartie and he traded up for Eric Weddle in early round 2. He probably won't have that chance because Mayo seems to be gaining a ton of hype and the more I watch the more I think he'll go mid 1st. So why would Conner be the selection over Mayo? Is it because you like Conner better? If so then say that. Your reasoning for Smith not taking Mayo can be applied to Dan Conner but they might take Conner but Mayo is absolutely off the Chargers draft board. Do you see Conner as a potential 3-4 OLB or strictly an inside linebacker? Just looking for clarification. I wonder what your reaction would've been if one year ago someone had Craig Davis going to San Diego in their mock......

Firstly, you werent the only one high on Cromartie and Weddle...I was as well.

Secondly, yes, I do think Conner is better, especially when thinking through the minds of the better GMs who look at the game tape with far more reverance than the workouts. Mayo has been climbing, but looking at how each PLAYED in college, Conner is better.

Thirdly, I dont think LB is at all on Smith's mind. If Conner or Mayo is available, the only way Smith jumps is if the top 7 or 8 CBs, Jonathon Stewart, Brian Brohm, the top 6 or 7 OL, and Kentwan Balmer are all taken. That is an unlikely circumstance.

Really, do the Chargers need a LB? They have arguably the best OLB tandem in Merrimen and Phillips, along with solid backups Harris, Polk and Tucker. The ILB arent very sexy, but the depth is so great that there is no need for a ILB. The starters (Wilhelm and Cooper) were solid, especially after the embarrassment in Minny. the backups (Dobbins, Siler, Waters and Derek Smith) all showed themselves capable in various packages throughout the year.

So why don't YOU tell me why SD will go LB before any of the previously stated prospects?

Finally, if someone said Craig Davis last year, yes, i WOULD be questioning the choice. I admit it. I would be saying, 'hey, Steve Smith and Anthony Gonzalez are on the board, what are you doing? Eric Weddle wont last until the end of round 2, don't you think they should go safety before WR, because i wont predict that SD trades up in round 2 to get Weddle."

[porky88]

Originally Posted by sommerSD Firstly, you werent the only one high on Cromartie and Weddle...I was as well. Secondly, yes, I do think Conner is better, especially when thinking through the minds of the better GMs who look at the game tape with far more reverance than the workouts. Mayo has been climbing, but looking at how each PLAYED in college, Conner is better. Thirdly, I dont think LB is at all on Smith's mind. If Conner or Mayo is available, the only way Smith jumps is if the top 7 or 8 CBs, Jonathon Stewart, Brian Brohm, the top 6 or 7 OL, and Kentwan Balmer are all taken. That is an unlikely circumstance. Really, do the Chargers need a LB? They have arguably the best OLB tandem in Merrimen and Phillips, along with solid backups Harris, Polk and Tucker. The ILB arent very sexy, but the depth is so great that there is no need for a ILB. The starters (Wilhelm and Cooper) were solid, especially after the embarrassment in Minny. the backups (Dobbins, Siler, Waters and Derek Smith) all showed themselves capable in various packages throughout the year. So why don't YOU tell me why SD will go LB before any of the previously stated prospects? Finally, if someone said Craig Davis last year, yes, i WOULD be questioning the choice. I admit it. I would be saying, 'hey, Steve Smith and Anthony Gonzalez are on the board, what are you doing? Eric Weddle wont last until the end of round 2, don't you think they should go safety before WR, because i wont predict that SD trades up in round 2 to get Weddle."

Do you really know how Mayo played or are you just not as familiar with him? I mean I'm not familiar with every single player in the draft myself but everything you seem to imply on Mayo is just off. Such as thinking with the better GM's minds and they'd take the better football player over a guy with timed speed.

Mayo had 140 tackles, 2 sacks, and an INT last year. The year before he had over 80 tackles and 5 sacks. You were saying about how he played now? Conner's stat line was better but not by much. 143 tackles, 6 sacks, and an INT in the Big Ten vs. the SEC which isn't comparable any longer.

So I don't know you can go off on Mayo and be content with Conner. They're very similar. One is more versatile but the other is more athletic but lack of a production is not a weakness with either player. Maybe durability concerns with Mayo. I believe he was hurt at times.

Do you really think Antonio Cromartie was chosen by how he played? Cromartie was hurt coming into the draft and I think played a few snaps for Florida State. The Chargers took him based on his athleticism. He didn't go off of just game film on Cromartie. He couldn't of. He went off of other factors to like a lot of great GM's do.

Finally the big concern about the pick that you never mentioned was Mayo's ability to play a 3-4 defense and make that transition but again Conner would have to make that same one as well. As far as needs goes if you actually read my explanation for the pick you'd notice that I explained that San Diego doesn't have any glaring needs so they're in the position to take the best player on their board regardless of needs. No idea what Smith's board looks like but Mayo was the best left for me.