Son of a Beach -- A Premature 2012 Mock Draft

[davos]

--End of Fall 6-pack Edition--

My current outlook has us going either 6-10 or 7-9...somewhere from 9-15 in the draft. With that in mind, it's almost too early to tell what will remotely happen so this is more about who I think are a strong fit and great target for us rather than a guy who may or may not be in a certain round. Again, you never know what will happen.

Pick 1:

Devon Still Penn St. DT

6-5 / 310 lbs

Two major things stick out for me: He's the undisputed leader of the Penn St. defense in many eyes and one powerful sumbitch. 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 12 games accounting for 113 yards of pushing the opposition in the other direction. His quickness is incredibly surprising for someone his size and

with Fua likely not doing anything for us and McClain doing ok/meh, this is still our biggest need. Ron Edwards and Kearse (maybe) I can see back but not Neblett. McClain, Kearse, and Edwards just don't do it for me. Get this mamma jamma.

**Trade down scenario: Chase Minnifield and grab some high picks to make up for the missing 3rd (Olsen trade).

Pick 2:

Casey Hayward Vanderbilt CB

5'11 / 188 lbs / ~4.43 40 time

We have to keep building this defense and I'll go out and say I feel pretty good about Gamble and Butler...but...in my opinion the first 2 rounds should go BDPA regardless. If we trade down in this draft like the mentioned scenario and get 3 picks from somewhere around pick 20-55, we could get a crop such as Zach Brown (LB UNC), Minnifield (CB UVA), & Ricky Wagner (OT Wisc). That would be awesome, but if not...Hayward would easily be my choice. Great in press coverage, great leaping ability, and extremely athletic being a former track, basketball, and football talent. There's too many offensive linemen, QBs, and WRs in the first that will cause some of these really strong CBs (Jenkins, Hosley, Minnifield, Hayward) to be our taking in round 2 considering other team's needs.

Pick 3:

Matt Reynolds BYU OT

6'6 / 325 lbs

Out of the second tier of tackles, I like Reynolds the most. We need to get o-line depth that's not overly developmental (a la Ziemba) but a guy who can help us rather quickly and come in if needed. He is very quick and doesn't let speedy defenders get to the outside of him. The gripe may be that he's not dominant but he's is extremely consistent and built for an eventual NFL starter role. He's no Ryan Kalil or Riley Reiff but I think it could work. I can see us grabbing another tackle in the FA so I don't see a huge need in the first if we can't get Kalil or Reiff. I don't know if he'll fall past the third, but I think we'll be making at least 1 move come draft day. Did I mention he's their team captain?

Pick 4:

Bobby Wagner OLB Utah State

6'1 / 230 lbs / ~4.66 40 times

I've passed on a lot of LBs which many won't like but I think it will all depend on if we make some draft day moves and what we decide to do in the FA. I just don't like many of the OLB prospects other than Brown & Lavonte David (who is undersized as it is). This guy has fantastic instincts and is the type that you never see coming on the screen and suddenly he makes a huge stop. With Beason, Anderson, Davis, Connor, Senn (who I really like), & Gaither, I think we're solid but need a really good ST contributor and a down the road starter. This is who I like.

Pick 5:

Joe Adams Arkansas WR/PR

5'11 / 190 lbs / ~4.31 40 time

Hands down the best punt returner in the nation and he's facing SEC opponents week in and week out. He has tremendous speed and would totally worth it. You don't have to convert him from another position, we can keep Smitty, Gettis, LaFell, Naane, Pilares...the rest of the guys...meh. He's worth a look by his ST skills alone and we desperately need that. Yeah Pilares and Edwards have looked good, but not remotely quick enough, especially for NFL returners. I'd like to see Pilares and Adams as our combo return guys. If he falls given the WR talent in this class, he would be a fantastic target.

Pick 6:

Chandler Harnish Northern Illinois QB

6'2 / 220 lbs

Developmental practice squad/QB prospect that runs a similar offense to what Cam did. He's gonna need time, but that's why Derek Anderson is behind Newton. Clausen is gone and I'd think it be fun for Chud to find a developmental QB to work with. In Harnish you have a mobile and gunslinger QB that runs the spread style.

exhale :chillpill:

[Matthias]

I think Devon Still is probably the best DT in this draft class. I know a lot of people like Thompson from Clemson, but I didn't see him do anything against South Carolina.:D I also like Casey. I'll give this draft a C+.

[Jangler]

aawwwwman...I thought this was about a new Son of the Beach show or movie. :(

[davos]

I think Devon Still is probably the best DT in this draft class. I know a lot of people like Thompson from Clemson, but I didn't see him do anything against South Carolina.:D I also like Casey. I'll give this draft a C+.

I agree

I just really like the crop of 4+ CBs behind Kirkpatrick & Claiborne: Hosley, Minnifield, Hayward, Dennard, etc.

If we're not in line at our 1st round pick to improve our defensive line, I say we should strongly consider trading down. Having 2 second rounders this year would be great when you look at the LB, OL, & CB talent that could be available. Names I'm thinking:

Wagner/Potter (OT) - Minnifield/Hosley/Hayward/Dennard (CB) - Lavonte David/Curry (OLB)

[Hoenheim]

We need a good DB, by GOD we do. Munnerlyn gets torched game after game.

[Jackofalltrades]

Don't need a DT right now with Edwards, Fua, McClain and all the new guys we have and you know some of those will stick. OLB and CB are the biggest needs and I wouldn't pass on Blackmon if, if he's on the board. Looks like we'll prob finish 5-11 or 6-10.

[JawnyBlaze]

In my opinion, top 5 of big board goes like this:

-Matt Kalil

-Justin Blackmon

-Morris Claiborne

-UNC OLB (on ESPN's scout board, Brown has actually fallen out of the top 32 and Reddick is 28. I'd be down for whichever Rivera and co. think is best around the 10 spot or lower)

-Alshon Jeffrey if they don't have concerns about his speed/separation/work ethic and if they do, BPA on defense that's not a DE and fits our scheme.

[Riverboat Ron]

In my opinion, top 5 of big board goes like this:

-Matt Kalil

-Justin Blackmon

-Morris Claiborne

-UNC OLB (on ESPN's scout board, Brown has actually fallen out of the top 32 and Reddick is 28. I'd be down for whichever Rivera and co. think is best around the 10 spot or lower)

-Alshon Jeffrey if they don't have concerns about his speed/separation/work ethic and if they do, BPA on defense that's not a DE and fits our scheme.

I don't think anyone knows where to put the UNC LB's right now. I've seen Zach Brown in person, and I think he looks fantastic at LB. That being said, I don't think there's a LB worthy of a top 10 pick.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea I'm not big on a 4-3 LB in the top half of the draft either, the value just isn't usually there, but I'd rather pick a stud player at an undervalued position than reach for a undertalented player at a more valued position. I'd be ok with an OLB around 10 or lower if the other guys are gone. I'd also prefer an OLB over Kirkpatrick (who is projected to go in that area and is an area of need for us). I just don't think he'll be a solid pro CB.

[KDawg004]

Most likely Zach Brown goes bottom of the 1st. Some of you rose colored UNC fans think he is a top 15 pick but he's not. Great talent but not happening.

[davos]

Don't need a DT right now with Edwards, Fua, McClain and all the new guys we have and you know some of those will stick. OLB and CB are the biggest needs and I wouldn't pass on Blackmon if, if he's on the board. Looks like we'll prob finish 5-11 or 6-10.

We need a DT...Fua and McClain aren't untouchable just because they're gonna be sophomores. DT, CB, and OT are our biggest needs from my view

I don't understand the desire not to go after a DT. if there's an obvious upgrade in Hurney/Rivera's eyes...we're getting a DT bottom line.

[Kuech the Sneak]

1st David decastro

2nd Casey Hayward

4th Harrison smith

5th keenan robinson

[Cat'sGrowl]

This is a pretty good draft Beach.

Hayward may be a round too high, however. Janoris Jenkins may be available when we pick in the second, and would be in the undisputable pick in this scenario.

But there are also a slew of other CB's projected above Hayward currently. Alfonso Dennard, Stephon Gilmore, Jayron Hosley, and Chase Minnifield are all guys who look to be above Hayward at this point.

Also think you should switch your last pick with one of the top kickers or punters

[davos]

This is a pretty good draft Beach.

Hayward may be a round too high, however. Janoris Jenkins may be available when we pick in the second, and would be in the undisputable pick in this scenario.

But there are also a slew of other CB's projected above Hayward currently. Alfonso Dennard, Stephon Gilmore, Jayron Hosley, and Chase Minnifield are all guys who look to be above Hayward at this point.

Also think you should switch your last pick with one of the top kickers or punters

Yep I would definitely think we'll be giving both kickers and linters a look for later in the draft. Haven't really checked out who's gonna be out there yet in that regard.

Dennard, Minnifield, & Hosley as I mentioned are on my target list. I would really love to see Jayron on our team :coolgleamA: