MOCK with comments and trades

[MHS831]

Thought I would give it a shot. Cleveland and Dallas are interesting--enjoy.

1 Indianapolis—Andrew Luck QB. No brainer. Already started printing Luck Jerseys in Indiana.

2 St. Louis – Matt Kalil, OT. St. Louis really wants Kalil, and trading with Cleveland would give Kalil to Minnesota. Cleveland is not trading up, regardless of what they say. Washington, where anti-Manning sentiment is brewing, decides to call the Cleveland bluff. The Rams will not give the Skins a discount, and the difference between the second and third pick is huge, so the Skins trade with Minnesota.

3 TRADE Washington (from Minnesota) – Robert Griffin III, QB. Since Kalil is taken, Minnesota decides that #3 is too high for a top CB or WR. Figuring one of the two would be there at #6, they gladly drop three spots for a second and fourth rounder. Much cheaper for Washington, who would have spent a second and third and a second in 2013 to move up with St. Louis. Both sides win, Cleveland misses out on RGIII, but they did not want to trade a first rounder to move up 2 spots. Colt is not that bad.

4 Cleveland – Quinton Coples, DE. This is probably surprising, but the Browns can find a CB or WR later in the draft. Cleveland runs the 4-3, and the best DE in the draft with Coples’ measurables is hard for ANY 4-3 team to pass up.

5 Tampa Bay-Morris Claiborne, CB. Tampa gets lucky that the Browns go offense at #4.

6 Minnesota (from Washington)—Justin Blackmon, WR. The Vikings get one of the two players they wanted, Claiborne or Blackmon. They add a second and fourth rounder, great for a team with many needs.

7 TRADE Dallas (from Jacksonville)—Janoris Jenkins, CB . Dallas has already boasted that they will be aggressive in free agency. Since Coples and Blackmon were gone, the Jags were in no-man’s land. Jenkins is a shut down corner who will impress GMs at the combine during interviews. I really think he has grown up. JJones will fall in love with him. Although CB is deep in this draft, JJenkins is the only shut down CB left. JJ moves up for JJ—he moves ahead of Minnesota, Carolina, Arizona who might also want the talented QB. Jones gives up his second rounder; Jacksonville gives back a fifth rounder in change.

8. Miami-- Riley Reiff, OT. The fish get the best OT on the board not named Kalil. Bookend OTs will be helpful to protect new QB Peyton Manning. Heard it here first.

9. Carolina—Michael Brockers, DT. Like it or not, we will never threaten Drew Brees and the best team in the division until we find a few studs to challenge Evans and Nicks, New Orleans’ stud guards. Why are they so important? Because Brees is short. We do not have DTs on our roster right now who can threaten the middle. Brockers is the first step. Fua and McClain might develop into rotational players, but Shirley, Neblett, and Kearse were better—we are that bad at DT.

10. Buffalo-Courtney Upshaw, OLB. Buffalo has other needs and could go several directions, but Upshaw is a game changer.

11. Kansas City-Jonathan Martin, OT. Kansas City has multiple needs on the OL. Martin is possibly the last elite T on the board. Mike Adams is solid as well, and might fit the scheme better, but this is early for him.

12. Seattle—Ryan Tannehill, QB. Last season, QBs like Ponder and Locker were taken in the early middle of round 1. Seattle loses in the Manning Sweepstakes, and they have a need at QB. Tannehill has an impressive skill set. He is not this high on boards now, but he could be by April. Look for Seattle to use the rest of the draft to give him a bunch of protection and weapons.

13 Arizona— Luke Keuchley, MLB. A bit of a surprise because many expect Arizona to go OL, but the top 3 OTs are gone and G is deep. Luke Keuchley is a smart, tough, defensive QB on the field, and the best MLB in the draft.

14 Jacksonville, (from Dallas)-- Melvin Ingram, DE. The Jags get a versatile, top pass-rushing DE and a second rounder to boot, moving down to 14.

15 Philadelphia—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB. How the heck is CB a need for the Eagles? DeCastro makes sense here, but will the birds draft Gs in the first round in consecutive years? Maybe a LB like Brown, but Kirkpatrick is a good value here.

16 NY Jets—Kendall Wright, WR. If they lose out on Manning, they will need to keep Sanchez and get rid of Holmes. If the get Manning, Sanchez departs. I see Manning in Miami, where the warmth will keep his neck loose. Silly reason, but I eliminated cold and rainy Seattle for the same reason. Wright is a quality WR and would start immediately.

17 Cincinnati (from Oakland)—Trent Richardson, RB. Christmas in April for the Bengals, who just got scary on offense.

18 San Diego—Mike Adams, OT. Rivers was not protected well on the right side in 2011. After a solid SR bowl, Adams is a good value here.

19 Chicago—Michael Floyd, WR. Floyd is a perfect fit for da Bears and fills a huge need.

20 Tennessee—David DeCastro OG. Another no brainer, we are at the part of the draft where the value takes over. Fortunately for Tennessee, the best value is also at a high need position.

21 Cincinnati-- Cordy Glenn, OG. They really wanted DeCastro, but Glenn has more versatility.

22 Cleveland (from Atlanta)—Whitney Mercilus, DE. The Browns get the NCAA leading sacker .

23 Detroit—Donta Hightower, MLB. The Lions are the oldest team in the league—bet you didn’t know that. After years of focusing on the Offense, it is the defense’s turn. Start in the middle.

24 Pittsburgh—Dontari Poe, NT. A big body in the middle of that defense.

25 Denver—Devon Still, DT. Still should do well in the Fox 4-3. A good match, and the Broncos are excited.

26 Houston—Peter Konz, C. Houston really hoped a WR would be here, so they take the best C in the draft.

27 New England (from New Orleans)—Nick Perry, DE/OLB. A team like the Patriots will draft value over need, Perry is both.

28 Green Bay—Jerell Worthy, DE. Worthy has a good penetration but was inconsistent in college as a 43 DT. He was out of position.

29 Baltimore –Mark Barron, S. The Ravens need to start looking at the S spot. Barron is a stud and a ST ace.

30 San Francisco—Alphonso Dennard, CB. Like the Texans, SF wanted a WR here, but decide to take the CB.

31 New England—Fletcher Cox, DE. The Patriots defense needs a major tune up.

32 New York Giants—Lamar Miller, RB. Jacobs is done. If 265 lbs cannot get a yard every time, you either go to TE or go home.

Panther picks (by Round)

1st round-Michael Brockers, DT

2nd round-Lavonte David, OLB

4th round Cam Johnson DE

5th round Amini Silatolu G

6th round Jeff Fuller, WR

7th round Sean Louiseau, LB

[rayzor]

little early for jenkins, imo.

silatolu is getting a lot of talk of being taken in the 3rd, no later than 4th round. he and mitchell will probably be gone in the third round.

wondering what you see dallas giving up for that trade and what you see the panthers doing to address cb.

[koolkatluke]

Where is the CB? I have a problem with any Panther Mock that doesn't have a CB in the 1st 2 picks.

[panther4life]

My main thought:I would be sick if we don't take a cornerback without filling the need before the draft. Kudos on the first 6 picks, could see that happening.

You might want to fix these items to be taken more seriously(if you care that much)

Your comments on the Tampa pick make no sense, "Tampa gets lucky that the Browns go offense at #4. ", after you had Coples go number 4

at the end of your comments on pick 7 I believe you meant cb,not qb

Why do you have the eagles taking a cb??

[carolinarolls]

Is a hogan / munnerlyn battle enough to rely on this camp or are we still hung up on getting a 6'1" or taller Corner?

[MadHatter]

My main thought:I would be sick if we don't take a cornerback without filling the need before the draft. Kudos on the first 6 picks, could see that happening.

You might want to fix these items to be taken more seriously(if you care that much)

Your comments on the Tampa pick make no sense, "Tampa gets lucky that the Browns go offense at #4. ", after you had Coples go number 4

at the end of your comments on pick 7 I believe you meant cb,not qb

Why do you have the eagles taking a cb??

With Asante's pricetag, I could definitely see the Eagles letting him walk and replacing him with a much cheaper Kirkpatrick.

[MHS831]

little early for jenkins, imo.

silatolu is getting a lot of talk of being taken in the 3rd, no later than 4th round. he and mitchell will probably be gone in the third round.

wondering what you see dallas giving up for that trade and what you see the panthers doing to address cb.

I was thinking that Jenkins is going to climb after the combine. Dallas is desperate. I mean, if Jones thinks he is a Reavis-type cb, then he could go crazy and trade up. That and Coples are my reaches.

[MHS831]

About DBs--We have too many needs to expect the draft to satisfy them all. I mean, Hogan had a second round value last year. Is Minnefield or Hosley better? I personally think, if we improve the play on the DL, DB play improves.

At S, was Meeks the problem? I think we sign a free-agent Safety.

In my mind, we are cutting Wharton (or dramatically restructuring his deal). We are going to make several more cap-saving moves.

[MHS831]

Where is the CB? I have a problem with any Panther Mock that doesn't have a CB in the 1st 2 picks.

How good is Hogan? You do not know. He had a second round value last year, but fell due to the injury and off-field concerns. Well, he has kept his nose clean and he is healed. Hogan is your CB upgrade.

You have to let your existing talent develop. I suppose you think we can get by with a 4th rounder starting at OLB? At least we have experience at CB.

[panther4life]

With Asante's pricetag, I could definitely see the Eagles letting him walk and replacing him with a much cheaper Kirkpatrick.

Let him walk? He's not a free agent so I suppose you mean cut him. They already have a ton invested in CB with DRQ and Nnamdi Aso. They also already have a nickel corner in Joselio Hanson. Doubt they waste a first round pick on another CB.

[MHS831]

My main thought:I would be sick if we don't take a cornerback without filling the need before the draft. Kudos on the first 6 picks, could see that happening.

You might want to fix these items to be taken more seriously(if you care that much)

Your comments on the Tampa pick make no sense, "Tampa gets lucky that the Browns go offense at #4. ", after you had Coples go number 4

at the end of your comments on pick 7 I believe you meant cb,not qb

Why do you have the eagles taking a cb??

I honestly think HOGAN is our CB upgrade. I do not know why everyone is dismissing him. I think my failure to address S is a bigger problem

About the Eagles, they are not at all pleased with the CB play, and they will unload a contract. Kirkpatrick would be cheaper and an upgrade.

[carolinarolls]

A bad ass safety would be very nice provided Hogan is the man to take he start or push Captain into a higher level of efficiency. I have not even looked at the Safety options out there.

I completely agree with DL helping the DB's if we can get some rush or at least get a respected scheme that makes them think on the run instead of having us beat beffore the ball snaps.

[MHS831]

A bad ass safety would be very nice provided Hogan is the man to take he start or push Captain into a higher level of efficiency. I have not even looked at the Safety options out there.

I completely agree with DL helping the DB's if we can get some rush or at least get a respected scheme that makes them think on the run instead of having us beat beffore the ball snaps.

I think FS is a bigger need than CB, but I found the Meeks firing to be interesting. Martin seemed confused. Maybe they blame Meeks--I hope that was the problem. Either way, I agree--Bad Ass. Martin will never be that. Do they move him to CB and draft S?

Until we get a few free agents, we (all Huddlers) are never going to agree. When you have needs for starting players, you cannot count on the draft past the second round as a general rule. I see our biggest immediate needs as DT because I think we have 1 starter (edwards) and OLB because I think TD is going to be released. After that, FS is my next biggest concern.

[Marguide]

I think FS is a bigger need than CB, but I found the Meeks firing to be interesting. Martin seemed confused. Maybe they blame Meeks--I hope that was the problem. Either way, I agree--Bad Ass. Martin will never be that. Do they move him to CB and draft S?

Something that has stuck with me...on one of the Panther radio programs, Eugene Robinson was talking about a conversation he had with Martin in the parking lot post-game (don't remember which game). Martin was dejected, and told Eugene he was embarrassed, that he always thought tackling was one of his strengths, and now he found himself performing poorly in that area.

From the way the conversation was described, it was clear that Sherrod had lost a lot of confidence. That is something that may be fixable with coaching and competition.

It would be nice to see him get it together, because he has some talent. Time will tell.