Ruff's Off-season + Mock Draft

[Ruff]

I haven't seen any Mock Drafts on here yet that addressed the needs of the team through Free Agency before heading into the season. I thought I'd like to guess at what the team will do in Free Agency, before heading into the Draft, which will shape up the Draft a little differently.

Off-Season

Sign: Antonio Garay - The Chargers have said they're not going to get into a bidding war for the aging Garay, who was the NT under Rivera. He immediately provides a decent starter for the DL, helps out Ron Edwards returning from injury, and allows Terrell McClain, who showed promise, to be a rotational guy along with Andre Neblett.

Re-sign: Jeremy Shockey - Jeremy Shockey proved that he can stay healthy and that he still has a lot of gas left in the tank. He gives Cam yet another option in the passing game, along with Smitty, LaFell, Olsen, and a returning Gettis, which could equal to be one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the NFL.

Re-sign: Derek Anderson - Derek Anderson provides QB depth, along with a friend, to Cam Newton. Hopefully we'll never see him on the field, but, he'll be more of an asset to Cam than any QB drafted in the late rounds will ever be.

Re-sign: Geoff Hangartner - Geoff had a solid year beside of Kalil, even moving over to center the few times that Kalil had to come out. He's as solid of a RG has you could ever want on your line, he's intelligent, and he can play center if need be.

Draft

1st Round - Jonathon Martin, LT, Stanford - Jonathon Martin is as highly of a rated LT that you could ever possibly want. He's a book-end tackle, and could sure up the offensive line for years to come. Move Gross back to RT, prolonging his career in a position he's familiar with, try to trade Otah for another pick, and place Martin at the LT position.

2nd Round - Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia - Chase Minnifield is a very good prospect, in a draft full of talent at the CB position. He has the ball-hawking skills of a guy that McDermott coached in Philly (Asante Samuel), and could really do wonders opposite of Gamble. Where Gamble is a shut-down corner, who doesn't always go for the interception, Minnifield is a guy that jumps routes, and goes for the big play. It'll be hard for opposing offenses to pass on these DBs.

4th Round - Terrell Manning, OLB, NCSU - Manning is an underclassman, so he still has some room to grow. If he would have waited another year to declare, his draft position could have gone up another round or so. He's fast, reportedly being able to run a 4.55 40. His speed could be a valuable asset in a blitzing defense like Sean McDermott's. He also has the hometown ties, and Hurney has never shied away from taking the hometown kid.

5th Round - Drew Butler, P, Georgia - If Quinn Sharp declares, which it doesn't seem like he will, he should automatically be the pick here. But, if Sharp doesn't come out, Drew Butler needs to be the pick. I know the 5th round seems high to take a Punter, but, we desperately need one. Baker had a very, very bad season, while also having more punts returned for TDs on him than any other active Punter. Alex Henery showed that a kicker can be taken quickly, so, Drew Butler falls right here.

6th Round - Stephfon Green, RB, Penn State - It has been reported that Rivera wants a scat back, that can help on the team on Special Teams and in the passing game, much like Darren Sproles, than this is the kid to look at. He has reportedly ran a < 4.4 40. This kid is blistering fast, and was a good RB on a good team.

7th Round - Barquell Rivers, ILB, Virgina Tech - Barquell Rivers is not as fast as you'd like for a MLB, but he can learn from the Beast himself. He gives depth at a position that we'll need it at, since Dan Connor will reportedly test the free agency market. Depth + spending a few years behind Beason can never hurt.

[Cat'sGrowl]

I can't for the life of me figure out why we would take players who aren't the best available at their respective positions with our first two picks.

[Ruff]

I can't for the life of me figure out why we would take players who aren't the best available at their respective positions with our first two picks.

Well, I think that Martin is the best player at his position. If not, he and Reiff are so close to each other, that it's a toss-up.

And when we take Minnifield, I think he'll be the best available. I think Jenkins may go before the 2nd round, even though he's a character issue guy. (i.e., like Jimmy Smith)

[Cat'sGrowl]

Reiff is contending in the minds of some as the best tackle in this class, period. Martin isn't even the best OL on his own team.

Minnifield is behind Jenkins, Gilmore, Dennard, maybe Hosley..

[carpanfan96]

Who do you see the team cutting or restructuring in the off season? The 2012 cap isn't expected to move up much at the moment (based off of NFL memo's) and the Panther's have 128 million already on the books. (8 million over last season).

They can move 1.5 of that up to next season, making it 6.5 million over. So the team is going to have to cut a few players and restructure a few others just to make room for the draft picks, much less resign or sign any free agents. (draft picks expected to cost 8 million)

So if next season's cap is 124-125, then the team will need to cut 12 million off of the payroll just to afford it's draft picks.

[carpanfan96]

Reiff is contending in the minds of some as the best tackle in this class, period. Martin isn't even the best OL on his own team.

Minnifield is behind Jenkins, Gilmore, Dennard, maybe Hosley..

Some consider Martin to be the best OT in draft and a better prospect then Kalil. Just depends on the scout you read/talk with. Most don't have a huge gap between the top three OT talent wise.

I personally like Minnifield a lot and think he'll end up being the second best CB from this draft after Claiborne.

[Lout]

I would love this draft. I like the Butler pick, but not sure about Round 5.

[Ruff]

@carpanfan

That's a good question.

For starters, I would look at moving Otah. He possibly could be traded easily, even though he's oft-hurt, there's a few teams, I'm sure, who would give up a 6th round pick or later for a RT that has the potential to be as dominating as Otah, and with as little salary as he has.

Then, I would move to Wharton. Reduce his contract substantially. Spread it out over the next few years. Maybe bump him down to ~4mil a year? Restructure Smitty's contract, especially since it's nearing it's end. Give him more bonus money to extend his contract. Smitty wants to win, I bet he'd be willing to mess with his deal.

Also, clear up Davis' contract before the Roster Bonus date, and free up his money. If he'd like to come back for a vet minimum contract, that'd be great. He could provide some depth, as well as some STs play.

I think they money's there to be moved, it would just take some working.

@Cat'sGrowl

I see it as Kalil as 1, and Reiff and Martin as 2/2a respectively. Maybe Martin isn't the best OL on his team, but, I guarantee he's the best tackle on his team. DeCastro is a guard.

Then, as far as Minnifield is concerned, I think that Claiborne and Kirkpatrick go in the Top 12. Dennard and Jenkins in the top 35. Then, we're left choosing between Hosley and Minnifield. And I think Minnifield is closer to Asante Samuel than Hosley, and could fit the blitzing defense a lot better.

[JawnyBlaze]

Reiff is contending in the minds of some as the best tackle in this class, period. Martin isn't even the best OL on his own team.

Minnifield is behind Jenkins, Gilmore, Dennard, maybe Hosley..

The only one of those guys ahead of Minnifield on most lists I see is Jenkins. And I think the Cowboys will take him in round 1.

[Cat'sGrowl]

I don't know what websites you guys are going to but I recommend you stop as soon as possible.

[carpanfan96]

I don't know what websites you guys are going to but I recommend you stop as soon as possible.

The information isn't directly related to sites, but to those that are/know NFL team scouts and a lot of them are high on Martin because of his athletic talent, he's the most athletic of the OT's in this draft. Which makes him an ideal LT in the NFL, however he's also got the most question marks of the three top OT's. I like Reiff more then either Kalil or Martin, but there's a chance he isn't there at 8/9.

If Reiff's there at 8/9 it gives the team a difficult decision. Take the OT that will solidify the line for 10 years or take the BPA on the defensive side of the ball.

[Mother Grabber]

I don't know what websites you guys are going to but I recommend you stop as soon as possible.

Because they don't agree with the ones that you go to?

[Jackofalltrades]

Pretty practical and while I'm not wild about OT in the first you could make an argument.

[catnip]

I agree with going with BPA with our first pick. If we go OL, I still keep Otah because he is in his last year of his contract and must perform to stay. He also gives us depth if Schwartz is slow to get healthy. I also agree to restructure Davis contract and if we lose Conner, we need depth on defense. Cut Clausen, use Edwards as backup 3rd QB and depth at wr and cut Naane, Pugh, and Martin.