Saxfessions, Mock: #1-38 +Full Panthers Draft

[saX man]

Saxfessions, A Mock:

 

My consensus of things:

We can get a few long term building blocks in this draft.  Maybe 3 or 4 with a trade or two. This scenario involves teams holding off on certain WRs early given the depth. It opens things up for us.

 

Music for scrolling:

 

Mock:

1-CIN: Joe Burrow QB | Doi

2-WAS: Chase Young DE | After all the talk and posturing, the Skins stay put and take the best defensive player in the draft.  Ron should be welcoming Young with open arms. 

**3-MIA (from DET): Justin Herbert QB | There’s truth to the rumors and they trade up to secure Herbert.  

**4-LVR (from NYG): Isaiah Simmons LB | I think this is where we see fireworks.  The Raiders make a ridiculous move this draft for a player Mayock and Gruden seem to love.  This is my wildcard scenario that comes out of nowhere. Simmons is going to be sought after, especially if Detroit and New York are looking for trade partners.  

5-DET (from MIA): Jeff Okudah CB | They’ve added picks and get a guy that makes sense.  

6-LAC: Tua Tagovailoa QB | No one will trade up for him given the risk but the Chargers need something going on.  They take the gamble without giving anything up.  

7-CAR: Derrick Brown DT | Big need, big fella.  I wanted to be all unique, but this just makes too damn much sense and I think our staff is smitten with him.  Brown it is. And honestly, I kinda prefer him over Okudah at the end of the day.   

 

 

What makes this super impactful goes beyond just his position and talent: We’ve got a team captain and leader of the new defense.  The guy was apparently beloved by players and coaches in Auburn.  He'd be a huge win for this team Round 1. Generational in a stacked draft. He would be top-3 in quite a few 2010s drafts.

  

8-AZ: Ceedee Lamb WR | Reunion time.  Also--Imagine AZ stacking Hopkins along with Lamb.  Good lord this would be a pairing for the ages. Their OL is okay (have a need) but it’s not a Panthers-Cam type situation for Murray.  I love this idea for them.    

 

**9-ATL (from JAX): Javon Kinlaw DT | They trade up to ensure themselves one of the top 2 DTs.  They need a clog on D. 

 

10-CLE: Andrew Thomas OT | They desperately need a LT and the draft class has them for the taking here.  Could also see Wirfs. The ownership seems scared back into Baker protection mode with all their offensive weapons.

 

11-NYJ: Jerry Jeudy WR | What receivers are even on this team anymore? Jeudy slips a tad but this is a cool fit.

 

12-NYG (from LVR):  Tristan Wirfs OT | Gettleman gets a hog for Daniel Jones.  

 

13-SF: Justin Jefferson WR LSU | This is a bolder prediction.  Jefferson goes before Ruggs.

 

14-TB:Jedrick Wills OT | He’s really solid and I think teams are going to have a problem passing on him once it gets past pick 10ish.

 

15-DEN: Henry Ruggs III WR | Speedy McGee goes to Mile High

 

16-JAX (from ATL):  Mekhi Becton OT | Diluted piss be damned.

 

17-DAL: CJ Henderson CB Florida | I can see them getting cute but this seems clear if there.

 

18-MIA: AJ Terrell CB Clemson | A bit higher than expected but warranted IMO.  Stud. 

 

19-NYG (from LVR): Cesar Ruiz C/G | Gets another Hog to protect his handpicked QB in order to save his career.  

 

20-JAX: K’lavon Chaisson DE/EDGE | They add a defensive building block after the OT.

 

21-PHI: Denzel Mims WR | Word on the street is they’re skyping him like every day.  

 

22-MIN: Tee Higgins WR (very overlooked), big need along with CB for them. 

 

23-NE: Xavier McKinney S

 

24-NO: Patrick Queen LB

 

25-MIN: Jaylon Johnson CB | They have no one at CB and need an all around-er; but won’t draft Stefon’s brother

 

26-MIA: Josh Jones OT | Protection for their new guy.

 

27-SEA: Yetur Gross-Matos DE | He could help start to redefine that defense

 

28-BAL: AJ Epenesa DE | Fall for Epenesa, there’s just so much talent in this draft. Good fit here though. Could see it earlier.

 

29-TN: Austin Jackson OT | If you want Ryan-Henry to keep working, get an OL, they lost Conklin

 

30-GB: Kenneth Murray LB | I don’t see him slipping this far but I don’t know who’d I replaced ahead of this.  Lot’s of talent in this draft. 

 

31-SF: Ross Blacklock DT (Big need, they’ve hosted him, quite like this fit)

 

32-KC: JK Dobbins RB | Surprise here being the first RB off the board

 

R2:

33-CIN: Jeff Gladney CB | They have a pretty big void, Gladney could be a stud.  

34-IND: Jordan Love QB | Can see a late R1 trade up for Indy as well, I don't think he makes sense in NE for some reason.

35-DET: Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB LSU

36-NYG: Trevon Diggs CB 

37-LAC: Jordan Elliott DT

 

38...Round 2:

Kristian Fulton CB LSU

 

 

I have no idea how the CB is going to fall but in running through scenarios, think one of the top tier is likely to be here before a drop off.  I originally didn’t think there was much here this year but after looking close, think it’s a surprisingly deep class with a very good top tier. Terrell & Henderson are closer to Okudah than given credit for but Fulton, Gladney, Diggs, and Johnson aren’t far behind. 

 

Fulton is the one I can see slipping between the cracks with Johnson and Digg’s size/athleticism combos and Gladney’s all around awesomeness.

 

I really wanted to select Hamler or Reagor WR but don't think we go WR early.  Also--watch out for Winfield, Kyle Dugger or Jeremy Chinn at S here.  Brandon Aiyuk WR as well. Given what's available, we should consider a slight trade down if someone offers it.  Baun is available here but not a fit in our defense.

 

(Alternates: KJ Hamler WR, Jalen Reagor WR, **Trade Down, Lloyd Cushenberry III C/G, Terrell Lewis DE, Marlon Davidson DE/DT)

 

Round 3: Logan Wilson LB Wyoming 6’2 241 4.63 40

He may go a tad higher but this would be a great fit for us.  Good reflex and quickness to diagnosis. I don’t trust this cat we got from the Raiders doing much (Whitehead?).  This Wilson kid is a tackling machine and really quick for his size. Great for MIKE or SAM that could pair with Shaq super well.

 

AUTO PICK-(Top Mid-Round Target: James Lynch DT/DE Baylor 6’4 289 (*Using one of our 5ths+some other asset)

 

 

Not much more needs to be said, I think it’s clear we’ll look to land Lynch.  We may trade up, but he’s gone through a roller coaster projection wise because of his Rhule relationship.  Gives us a balanced rusher that has a good frame for a 4-3 DE but can play inside per college experience)  This ends the redundancy...

 

Round 4: Terrell Burgess S Utah 5’11 202

 

 

Utah produces NFL secondary talent and Burgess could be really effective.  He's one of my favorite sleepers in this draft class. Top notch talent, good all-around skills with an NFL ready floor which I love in the mid-rounds as much as the boom-or-busts. We still have a decent need back there and I really like Burgess. Could be very solid value if available come early round-4.  

 

 

Round 5: Saahdiq Charles LT/G LSU 6’4 303

 

 

I find him super interesting as a long term guard prospect with potential at tackle.  I actually noticed him when checking out videos of Marlon Davidson and he handled him pretty much that entire game without a problem.  Very underrated OT prospect from a big program+experience in Brady’s offense. I don’t think playing tackle in the NFL is out of question for him but he could start at LG if need be.  At the end of the day, we have the OC and I trust the guy who helped protect Burrow's blindside in the SEC.

 

Round 6: Isaiah Coulter “Big Play Zay” WR Rhode Island 6’2 188

 

 

We’re going to find good talent deep in this draft.  Why I like Coulter is his ability to shake press early and get the quick passes.  Get him a short pass and he’ll tack on the YAC. Also with big play potential. Seems like a Brady offense fit to me.    

 

Round 7: Grayland Arnold CB Baylor 5’9 186

 

 

Let’s add another CB into the equation beyond a high pick.  There’s some interesting talent in this draft and this guy was one of Rhule’s.  Had 6 picks for them and was their Punt Returner. Actually quite like him.  

 

UDFA ideas:

 

Jacob Knipp QB North Colorado 6’4 220 -- Hidden gem? Let’s take a stab at someone late.  Grier will be gone shortly, it’s such a crapshoot, never know. 

Antonio Gibson WR/RB Baylor -- Rhule stressed position versatility and Gibson brings just that coming from, well Rhule’s program, and could be a ST ace.  Kinda like him in that role. 

K’von Wallace S Clemson -- Good experience from a top program.  Has some limitations but could have a role on a team at Safety. (Late rounder? Maybe)
 

Roster Overview:

Offense:

 

QB

Teddy Bridgewater

PJ Walker

Will Grier

PS: Knipp QB

 

RB

Christian McCaffrey

Jordan Scarlett

Reggie Bonnafon

Antonio Gibson (designated RB but he’s basically a ST captain/coach’s pet)

 

WR

DJ Moore

Robby Anderson

Curtis Samuel

Isaiah Coulter

Seth Roberts

Pharoah Cooper

Keith Kirkwood

 

TE

Ian Thomas, Seth DeValve, Late-FA add

 

OL: Okung-Little-Paradis-Miller-Moton

 

Depth: Larsen, Charles, Daley, Reed

 

Defense:

 

DL: Burns-Brown-Short-Weatherly

Rotation: Kerr, Lynch, Miller

Depth: Haynes, Obada, Smith

 

LB: Wilson-Shaq-Whitehead

Depth: Carter Jr, Kunasyzk, Smith

 

CB: Kristian Fulton, Donte Jackson | NB: Cole Luke 

Depth: G. Arnold, Jamerson

 

S: Tre Boston, Juston Burris

Depth: Burgess, Wallace

 

[45catfan]

Very nice.  One critique, I don't think we've ever carried 7 WRs on the 53 man roster.  That means we trade or cut a veteran WR if we draft a guy and want him active on game days.

Also, I don't see Wallace going undrafted, but Arnold should be.  Those could be switched.

Overall it looks good and the time spent putting this together is appreciated! 

[WarPanthers89]

[bababoey]

You know we have 2 picks in the 5th not just 1

[Soul Rebel]

Solid.

I did enjoy listening to the greatest Pearl Jam song ever (can't tell ya the last time I heard the Unplugged version) while scrolling too. 

[jfra78]

9 minutes ago, Soul Rebel said:

Solid.

I did enjoy listening to the greatest Pearl Jam song ever (can't tell ya the last time I heard the Unplugged version) while scrolling too. 

Only good pearl jam song really

[saX man]

1 hour ago, bababoey said:

You know we have 2 picks in the 5th not just 1

I'm factoring in the Lynch pick with that.  Think of this like overall targets for each round. 

[saX man]

1 hour ago, 45catfan said:

Very nice.  One critique, I don't think we've ever carried 7 WRs on the 53 man roster.  That means we trade or cut a veteran WR if we draft a guy and want him active on game days.

Also, I don't see Wallace going undrafted, but Arnold should be.  Those could be switched.

Overall it looks good and the time spent putting this together is appreciated! 

Danke.

For the WR front, I think we may drop Armah in Brady's offense and load up the position if we're truly doing 4 WR sets.  Could make sense to carry 7 if we're going FB-less.

[saX man]

Sry to triple post but a few good little vids of Burgess.  Utah felt comfortable scooting him up to the line of scrimmage at times.  Really good against the run.

 

[nationsford]

I think tua gonna fall to us and we gonna take him unless a good trade comes out of it.

[45catfan]

55 minutes ago, saX man said:

Sry to triple post but a few good little vids of Burgess.  Utah felt comfortable scooting him up to the line of scrimmage at times.  Really good against the run.

 

Utahs DBs were really good last year...Johnson, Burgess and Blackmon.  

[saX man]

4 minutes ago, nationsford said:

I think tua gonna fall to us and we gonna take him unless a good trade comes out of it.

We have a guy in Jake Peetz on this team that worked hand-in-hand with him at Bama.  Regardless of what happens with Tua, we have a very good point of intel on him. 

[saX man]

5 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Utahs DBs were really good last year...Johnson, Burgess and Blackmon.  

Not to mention, Marquise Blair and Marcus Williams are also great Utes, now in the league.  Rowe has been average to above avg at times.  Williams may be better known for his famous miff against Diggs in the playoffs but he's honestly been great for the Saints.  Blair is going to be a stud for SEA.

[TheSpecialJuan]

This would be an exceptional draft.