SCP Mock Offseason + Mock Draft 4.0

[Catalyst]

RELEASES:

- Jason Baker

CONTRACT RESTRUCTURES:

- Thomas Davis

- Olindo Mare

- Travelle Wharton

- Jordan Gross

- DeAngelo Williams

RE-SIGNINGS:

- Jeremy Shockey (2 years)

- Jordan Senn (2 years)

- Antwan Applewhite (1 year)

- Derek Anderson (1 year)

FREE AGENCY:

Nothing major here, but a couple guys who can start in a pinch without being a complete disaster but, ideally, be depth/special teams players.

- Trevor Scott, DE, Raiders: A solid rotational DE who could start if injuries become a problem. Can also rush from the OLD position in 3-4 looks and would also come pretty cheap for his ability. Is a similar player to Antwan Applewhite; bring them both in and let them compete and push each other for a roster spot. Or if they both play well, keep 'em both.

- Brandon Johnson, OLB, Bengals: Insurance in case Thomas Davis suffers ACL tear #4 and in case we can't land an OLB in the draft that's capable of coming in and starting if worst comes to worst. Johnson isn't a big name player, but he's been a real solid reserve linebacker for Cincy and is also a solid special teams player. That sounds exactly like what we need.

TRADES:

- Attempt to get what we can out of Jimmy Clausen before the draft. If we can't get at least a 5th rounder keep him through camp and give him a lot of reps in preseason to try and up his value.

- As always, keep an eye out for any potential trades that can improve the team.

2012 NFL DRAFT:

1st: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The 'in' pick right now seems to be Michael Brockers. Just like the 'in' pick last February was Nick Fairley. Or Patrick Peterson. Or Marcell Dareus. A lot can change between now and late April, but as of right now, outside of Justin Blackmon/Riley Rieff/Morris Claiborne dropping to our pick I'm not sold on any of the DT prospects in the top-10. Nor do I care for Dre Kirkpatrick at 8/9. Kirkpatrick reminds me of Patrick Peterson, who I said last offseason was too stiff and not agile enough to be an effective cover corner in the NFL. It's early, but Peterson's play as a rookie suggests I was on the right track.

I wouldn't be upset with Brockers or Devon Still - or Kirkpatrick. I trust Hurney in the 1st round and I think Kirkpatrick would, if all else fails, make a good FS. But this is the top-10 and we BADLY need a cover corner opposite Chris Gamble and, IMO, Janoris Jenkins is easily the best cover man in this draft - and that includes Morris Claiborne. If not for his off-field issues in the past, Jenkins would be a slam-dunk top-5 pick. He has Revis potential and we can't pass on that. Way I see it, Rivera can keep the guy in line if need be; plus, we took a chance on Brandon Hogan's character issues and he also had a torn ACL. I don't think the off-field issues will scare us away; the talent is clearly there and if he lives up to his potential we'll have one of the best CB tandems in football.

2nd: Kendall Reyes, DE/DT, Connecticut

It's tough to predict who all will be available at this pick. It's entirely possible Zach Brown could fall to us in round 2, or that Dontari Poe could fall, in which case I like both players better than Reyes. That said, Reyes is a damn good prospect in his own right. He can play DT in a 4-3 and DE in a 3-4, which gives him the ability to switch depending on which formation we're in. He had a great week at the Senior Bowl and really gave the OL trouble in practice, He should be there when we pick in the 2nd, but if he's not there's a good chance the result will be one of the others I mentioned dropping as a result.

4th: Winston Guy, FS, Kentucky

Sherrod Martin needs replacing; If we get lucky enough to have a prospect like Winston Guy fall into the early 4th we have to take him. It's not a huge stretch to think he could fall as he's generally projected a 3rd-4th round player, so early 4th round is entirely possible. He's a solid run defender who is also good in coverage and can deliver the big hit.

5th: Ronnie Hillman, RB/KR, San Diego State

Rivera has said he wants a scat back. The popular pick is Chris Rainey, but it's beginning to look like he'll go earlier than we need to be taking a 3rd string RB. Hillman is another player in the Darren Sproles mold that could make an impact if used similarly in our offense.

6th: Shaun Powell, P, Florida State

Powell is, IMO, the best punter in the draft. Would actually not mind taking him in the 5th if need be, but we'll see. If not Powell, there are several other punters who look to be worth drafting so there should be someone available here to fill that void.

7th: Joe Halahuni, FB, Oregon State

I really like this guy's potential to be a do-it-all FB in our offense. Could be a much better version of Rich Brockel, IMO. Is more of an h-back than a FB.

7th: James Wilson, OG, Florida

A late round flyer on a guy who could develop into a solid player. If not, it's only a 7th rounder.

UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS:

- The usual suspects, but focus on bringing in some competition for Olindo Mare by signing the best available UDFA kicker.

- Also take a look at QB's with similar skillsets to Cam's. Big, strong-armed guys who can run that have some upside.

2012 ROSTER:

* = Rookie

# = Free agent

QB: Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Jimmy Clausen

RB: DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart, Ronnie Hillman*

FB: Rich Brockel

WR: Steve Smith, David Gettis, Armanti Edwards

WR: Brandon LaFell, Kealoha Pilares, Seyi Ajirotutu

TE: Greg Olsen/Jeremy Shockey, Gary Barnidge

LT: Jordan Gross, Lee Ziemba

LG: Travelle Wharton

OC: Ryan Kalil, Zack Williams

RG: Geoff Schwartz, Garry Williams

RT: Jeff Otah, Byron Bell

LE: Charles Johnson, Trevor Scott#

DT: Ron Edwards, Sione Fua, Andre Neblett

DT: Kendell Reyes*/Terrell McClain

RE: Greg Hardy, Antwan Applewhite, Thomas Keiser

SLB: James Anderson, Jordan Senn

MLB: Jon Beason, Thomas Williams

WLB: Thomas Davis, Brandon Johnson#

CB: Chris Gamble, Darius Butler

CB: Janoris Jenkins*, Captain Munnerlyn/Brandon Hogan

FS: Sherrod Martin, Winston Guy*

SS: Charles Godfrey, Jordan Pugh

K: Olindo Mare

P: Shaun Powell*

LS: J.J. Jansen

KR: Kealoha Pilares

PR: Ronnie Hillman

PRACTICE SQUAD:

- Frank Kearse, DT

- Developmental Rookie QB*

- Joe Halahuni, FB*

- Darvin Adams, WR

- James Wilson, OG*

- Josh Thomas, CB

- Jonathan Nelson, DB

- Josh Vaughan, RB

[chubs2496]

While everybody else has been on the brockers train I have been saying Jenkins. I love this guy. I'm even starting to think we shouldn't trade back bc I'm afraid he wouldn't be there. His talents demand a top 10 pick. It's just the off the field issues that have him going later. I would be Estatic if we drafted him. I definetely think we would have a shut down corner for years to come

[chknwing]

u seriously think Dwills gonna restructure his contract? He earned that contract. Carolina trys to give him less money, he will want out.

[SOJA]

Gamble much more likely to restructure than D-will but nonetheless I enjoyed it!

[jtnc]

u seriously think Dwills gonna restructure his contract? He earned that contract. Carolina trys to give him less money, he will want out.

Two 1,000 yard seasons. Meh. Don't care if we let him go.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I think Steve Smith will be restructured also. Mot sure about D Williams

[Catalyst]

Williams can restructure his deal and not lose any money. We're not asking him to take a pay cut, just to move some money around to free up cap space.

[SteveSmithTD89]

Like the mock. Would like to see us make a run at one pass rushing vet dt. Jason Jones, Tommie Harris, amobie okoye, etc (if we decide on jenkins) with all the restructuring we could do I don't see how it isn't plausible. Draft looks solid too. Not too big a fan of Reyes but see the potential.

Random side note.... I played high school football with Winston Guy. If we draft him it'll be so weird seeing him out there for the Panthers. He's a great guy tho. Class act. Whatever team gets him will get a stand up man

[d-run]

I don't know much about Guy. Tried to look into him and most places have him as a late round or undrafted player. Seems like he plays SS also. Do you have more info on him?

[Ivan The Awesome]

I actually like this off season/Mock. Not bad. Although I don't believe you can restructure Gross' contract, I thought that was done already?

[g5jamz]

If it happens to be Jenkins...hopefully we'd make a trade down move and get some picks.

[section543]

If it happens to be Jenkins...hopefully we'd make a trade down move and get some picks.

I agree, unless Jenkins' stock shoots up in the next couple months. Very thorough review. Though I like ditching Baker, I hate spending a pick on P, even if he's great- hard to believe he's so much better than some guy floating around or, someone else who doesn't get drafted. I'd prefer to take a flyer on ST depth, KR, or OL depth.

Otherwise great, thorough draft.

[SteveSmithTD89]

I don't know much about Guy. Tried to look into him and most places have him as a late round or undrafted player. Seems like he plays SS also. Do you have more info on him?

Hard hitter, even harder worker. Constantly stayed late after practice running sprints, catching with our qb, etc. His work ethic was awesome. Hes also a.very smart guy. Was a cerebral player as much as a physically gifted one.

As for football he played wide reciever too. Hes quick. Although you could tell he was much better suited at safety. Was a biiiiig part of our state championship. Its hard to list negatives or cons because we dominated in high school. Then he went to UK and was up against some of the greatest talent in college football on a shitty team. So I don't know what all was his fault.

I went to U of L so we kinda drifted apart but we still text time to time.

[Catalyst]

Tell him to tank all his interviews with every team but the Panthers...