Appearing: Paul Burmeister, Charlie
Casserly, Charles Davis, Tony Softli, Ted Sundquist
* Team news:
Eagles at 15: After
signing Demetress Bell to replace the injured Jason Peters, the
Eagles can use their first-round pick on defense, either defensive
tackle, where they're getting old, or safety. They traded for DeMeco
Ryans so they won't be picking Luke Kuechly.
Dolphins at 8: Miami
supposedly has a dozen players on their radar, in trade-up and
trade-down scenarios. Tannehill's obviously in the mix, but they need
wide receivers, pass rush, and offensive line, where they're
currently minus both starters on the right side.
Bills at 10: Pass
protection seems to be a lock for the Bills at #10. Radio announcer
thinks they'll look at Riley Reiff or – Mike Adams? Then he
mentions Jonathan Martin and says he's the one who might not be the
best value for the pick? Well, the Bills are often full of surprises
on draft day.
Jets at 16: Defense
really underachieved last season, and Adam Schein believes Courtney
Upshaw makes a lot of sense, and would be a no-brainer pick if he's
available. Safety is a consideration since they have to deal with the
two Patriot tight ends twice a year. Depth chart does dictate that
they consider Michael Floyd, and he could contribute right away.
Patriots at 27/31: Didn't
we just talk about the Patriots? Beat writer says he'll be surprised
if they don't trade at least one of the two first-round picks. They
could address the safety position; but the beat writer puts forward
the odd idea of Mark Barron slipping half the first round and doesn't
mention Harrison Smith at all. They're also looking for a hard-nosed
5-technique, and have their eye on Kendall Reyes.
Doing
a mock draft of picks 7-10 assuming the usual top six are drafted
1-6, Softli thinks Melvin Ingram, a natural pass rusher, should be
Jacksonville's pick. Thinks he'll be a fine 3-4 OLB, brings great
burst off the edge. Big playmaker, too, has scored TDs on defense and
special teams. Good fit for the Jagwire defense. Sundquist takes
Michael Floyd. Jags are already a good pass defense team, but they're
the worst pass offense in the league.
Sundquist
would even take Floyd over Ryan Tannehill with Miami's #8 pick,
proposing they take a QB in the second round. After saying he
wouldn't take Tannehill in the top ten last week, Softli says the
Dolphins should do it here. Tape shows he can make all the throws.
At #9
for Carolina, Softli's picking another player he said he wouldn't
draft in the top 10 last week, Dontari Poe. Compares him to Kris
Jenkins. Sundquist calls 3-cone drill the #1 indicator at the Combine
for DTs, and Poe was well behind his peers there. Likes Fletcher Cox
much better there.
Sundquist
likes Reiff for Buffalo at #10. Best athletic tackle available
despite shorter arms than teams prefer. Softli agrees after making a
huge hedge whether Reiff would be a LT or RT.
* Player news:
Despite
calling him the second-best player in the draft, Casserly also
considers Trent Richardson one of the riskiest picks. Since 2005,
Darren McFadden, Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams and Reggie Bush have
all been injured a lot and only delivered one 1,000-yard season
apiece. It's a position where there's a high probability for an
injury, and Richardson takes a lot of hits with his running style.
Not happy how much he's already hedged on Richardson, Casserly turns
back around and says he'll be a Pro Bowl player. My head is spinning
just listening to that.
Davis
picks Mike Adams. The measurables, size and footwork are there, but
he's very likely to get drafted well ahead of his talent level. He
didn't play a lot last year due to suspension and hasn't been
consistent on the field.
Other
players named as risky picks: Melvin Ingram and Courtney Upshaw.
They're both under 6'2” and don't have elite speed. There's a risk
that they won't match their college productivity because they won't
be fast enough off the edge. Davis finally gives the correct answer –
Ryan Tannehill. To me, the riskiest player is the player who benefits
from getting the biggest reach from a team that's drafting for need.
Discussing
the safest picks, (is there such a thing?) Casserly names Luke
Kuechly, because smart, instinctive linebackers last a long time in
the league, and Kuechly's an excellent athlete on top of all that.
Likens him to Jonathan Vilma, though I'd guess without the whole
bounty hunter mentality. Davis adds that he runs well, drops back
into coverage well, has it all and really loves the game. Davis
considers Don'ta Hightower the safest pick. Plays inside or outside,
can rush the passer and is extremely smart. Ran the Crimson Tide
defense.
Next,
Casserly considers Michael Brockers a safe pick at all, let alone one
of the safest? Praises his size and run defense. Shows great hustle
and good motor, really? I thought that was one of his criticisms.
Can't be knocked off the ball, can shed blockers and beat
double-teams. Smart, productive run defender. Will play a long time
in the football league, and Casserly apparently thinks he's going to
be a great pass rusher off the edge. My pick is Peter Konz, who will
be drafted comparatively late but has versatility, should contribute
right away and comes from an offensive line factory in Wisconsin. I
mean, anybody can answer Andrew Luck, right? Konz had 16 teams at his
workout on the 3rd.
He is coming off a dislocated ankle.
Janoris
Jenkins is a little on the small side but has all the movement skills
teams want in a corner and is comfortable in man or zone coverage.
He's better in man coverage than either Dre Kirkpatrick or Stephon
Gilmore. Can get muscled off the ball and gambles too much in
coverage. Davis says Jenkins is the
best
corner in this draft and is knocked down strictly on off-field
issues. Has been arrested three different times, making him a riskier
off-the-field pick than Jimmy Smith was last year, so he could slide
into the second round.
Casserly's
pick for second-best RB in the draft is Doug Martin. Similar in build
to Ray Rice, similar thick lower body and aggressive inside running
style. Physical runner, but with the quickness to bounce plays
outside and has excellent field vision. Also a good pass-catcher.
Tough and elusive and even contributed on special teams at Boise.
(Personally, I think the Rams really need to get this player.)
Burmeister
and Casserly talk about tight ends and the first pick in the 2nd
round with the mistaken belief that the Colts have it. (It's the
Rams.) Casserly says that's still too high to pick a TE, even Coby
Fleener. Adds that Fleener isn't the style of TE the Colts need
anyway (of course, that's assuming they're not changing offenses) and
that Dwayne Allen, though not even a 2nd-round value, would be a
better fit. Fleener's more of a “move” TE; Allen's more of a
traditional on-the-LOS TE.
Cordy
Glenn's best position in the pros will probably be RT. May not have
the quickness to handle athletic pass rushers, but it's not out of
the question because he is massive and has long arms. Likes Jonathan
Martin over Glenn because he's more athletic and would be effective
at LT more quickly.
Whitney
Mercilus – great motor, ok hand use and strength. A 4-3 team that
drafts him will need him to get bigger. A 3-4 team will stand him up,
which he did in college at times. Flashes quick moves, change of
direction and quick hands in pass rush, but doesn't have a consistent
upfield burst and doesn't win consistently off the edge. Ryan
Kerrigan and Anthony Spencer were both better prospects, which puts
Mercilus toward the end of the first round. Casserly does like
Mercilus over Courtney Upshaw because of his upside as a pass rusher.
Feels he will defend the run just as well.
-$-
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