My Mock Draft after 1 Week of FA

[Archer]

I recognize that more moves are likely to be made (hopefully a veteran FS), but the odds of landing Mack are declining, IMHO.  Cleveland can probably match our offer, and would be wise to do so.  Still, the waiting is killing me, so here's what I would do with our draft selections:

 

2) Terrence Brooks, FS, FSU.  He's being undervalued by most draftniks, but he's very good in coverage (former CB), and he's aggressive against the run.  His size (5'11", 198) is what keeps him from being considered a great run defender, but big hits are on their way out in the NFL anyway.  He was the fastest S at the combine (4.42).

 

3) Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice.  He has elite quickness and movement skills, and is great in man-to-man coverage.  His tackling and run support need work.  Some think this is way too high for him, but a team just like the Colts will take him in the Top 100 due to his speed (4.34 at the Combine) and physical abilities.  We need a 3rd corner upgrade due to Toler's inability to stay on the field.

 

5) John Urschel, OG, Penn St.  I'd love to get a 3rd round guard, but I don't see a prospect worthy of the pick.  Dozier, Brandon Thomas, Gabe Jackson, and probably even Cyril Richardson will all be gone by our 3rd round pick.  We'd be reaching for Anthony Steen or John Halapio at that point.  However, Urschel seems like the kind that Grigson will covet.  Almost literally a rocket scientist (smart as heck), he was a 1st team All Big-12 selection with really good combine #s [6'3", 313 lbs, 5.31 forty, 4.47 short shuttle!!! (a miraculous figure at his size), 30 bench reps, 29" vertical].  All in all, he may be ready to play soon, and he isn't the type to be overwhelmed by any early reliance on him in the NFL.  Additional depth is needed at OG, and he would probably become the top back-up quickly.  His emergence could allow Donald Thomas to slide to C, in the event that Khaled Holmes, Thomas Austin, or Phil Costa doesn't seize the starting center role.

 

6) Alden Darcy, S, Arizona St.  Played SS in college, but looks more like a FS for the pros.  He's 5'10", 192 lbs., and he just ran a 4.46 forty at his Pro Day.  Had a lot of tackles and pass defenses as a senior.  There are really a lot of late-round safeties with talent.  Other possibilities include Brock Vereen (Minnesota), Marqueston Huff (Wyoming), Jemea Thomas (Georgia Tech), and Dontae Johnson (NC St.).  The important thing is that we add another possibilty to the roster.

 

7) Zack Kerr, NT, Delaware.  This would be a bigger need if Montori Hughes and Arthur Jones weren't capable of filling in at NT in the event of a Chapman injury.  I also think Jeris Pendleton may be a capable back-up.  However, I was a fan of adding a veteran NT to pair with Chapman, and it hasn't happened.  This is just another wide body with positive physical traits for the position...

 

 

[#BringBobBack]

i would love to get brooks in the 2nd overall a great mock draft

[BOTT]

I could live with that. Although some consider Urschel a 3rd rounder

[Jonathan24]

Nice Mock but I would like to see another offensive lineman at the 6th pick...

[Archer]

I could live with that. Although some consider Urschel a 3rd rounder

 

Well, if he has that kind of meteoric rise, maybe he's the 3rd rounder I was looking for.  I'm more comfortable with our CB depth right now than our OG depth...

[ztboiler]

Like it.  A lot. Very insightful commentary in the write-up also.

[Deathiltis]

I would be happy if the draft panned out like this.

[Defjamz26]

Could live with everything except the 3rd and 6th picks. At 3, I fill there are better options at CB that early who could be coached. McGill is 25 but he surprised with 4.4-4.51 speed. About the same speed Dennard ran. I like Gaines too but it doesn't make sense to overdraft him a full 3 or so rounds. Especially If you're talking about him as just a number 3 corner, and not an eventual starter opposite Davis.

 

And for the pick at 6, I don't agree with getting a 2nd FS with an already limited amount of picks. Better to go DL depth there. Or maybe OL back to back. Or maybe draft a guy like Colvin who will be forced to sit awhile but will be valuable down the line.

[Indi Warrior]

Seems cool to me. Gaines isnt my favorite corner for the 3rd round, but I could certainly live with it.

[BOTT]

Could live with everything except the 3rd and 6th picks. At 3, I fill there are better options at CB that early who could be coached. McGill is 25 but he surprised with 4.4-4.51 speed. About the same speed Dennard ran. I like Gaines too but it doesn't make sense to overdraft him a full 3 or so rounds. Especially If you're talking about him as just a number 3 corner, and not an eventual starter opposite Davis.

 

And for the pick at 6, I don't agree with getting a 2nd FS with an already limited amount of picks. Better to go DL depth there. Or maybe OL back to back. Or maybe draft a guy like Colvin who will be forced to sit awhile but will be valuable down the line.

Scouts Inc has Gaines as a 3rd rounder

[Defjamz26]

Scouts Inc has Gaines as a 3rd rounder

Wow, has his stock really risen that high already? Even with the solid combine performance, I thought the small school tag would be a major knock on him. Do people really like him over a guy like Baptiste or Breeland in the 3rd though?

[BOTT]

Wow, has his stock really risen that high already? Even with the solid combine performance, I thought the small school tag would be a major knock on him. Do people really like him over a guy like Baptiste or Breeland in the 3rd though?

I dunno, but scouts inc had both those guys rated higher than Phillips. They actually have Breeland as mid 2nd

[GoColts00]

Archer, i really like your draft. great picks.