Saturday, April 14, 2012

Path to the Draft, 4/4


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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