Arsens mock 1.0

[Ja Rhule]

It's just my opinion so do not jump all over me.

Here's my reasoning for my choices.

DTs - we got 2 young talented DTs, what we lack is experience. Ron Edwards is a great addition but I believe we will address DT need in FA, probably with DT in his 30s. No need to stockpiling rookie DTs and hope few will pin out (look at bucs, it don't work like that). Let Fua and McClain learn behind vets for a season or two.

CB - I just don't see it happening. Hogan never got a fair chance plus before injury, Hogan had a 1st round grade. Captain is great #3 CB, drafting CB in 1st means we pretty much gave up on Hogan. I expect CB position to be addressed in FA. We will sign an average vet for cheap to add little competition.

LB - We will not cut Davis. If we cut Davis, we will have to eat up almost $8m this year. He will be starting at WLB unless his knee is completely screwed up. I expect Rivera to get a decent back-up in later rounds.

Safety - Will probably be addressed in FA. Martin will have an opportunity to reclaim his job. Rivera loves physical safties who efficient at blitzing. Martin is horrible at blitzing. Atlanta's Thomas DeCoud could be good choice and not too expensive.

Biggest need on D is a DE.

Our offense is in a very good shape. But, need to be better. Many teams adjusted in halftime against our offense and completely shut us down. Biggest issue... We need to spread the field. Teams kept playing zone coverage against us and it worked for them. We need more weapons.

OL - I expect Otah to play his ass off this year so LT-C-RT are golden. If Panthers decide to part ways with Wharton, I can see Byron Bell moving to OG position.

TE - Olsen, Shockey, Barnidge, Hartsock, and Brockel is also TE. We're packed.

QB - Need Vet back-up. Anderson will probably be resigned.

WR - Besides Smith (who's about to be 33), LaFell and Gettis we got nothing. Imaging if one of these WRs goes down. We screwed... Big WRs who will require constant double coverages is a must to open up our TEs and running game. We need to spread the field.

RB - Double trouble is a great RB duo but after watching how Saints used Sproles. You know you just gotta have it. 2WRs, 2TEs, and a scatback on 3rd down can be magical.

Finally,

Here's my mock...

1 - DE Quinton Coples/DE Melvin Ingram (Good chance Jags will select Blackmon and Couples will fall to us)

2 - WR Brian Quick (Some people will think its a reach but this dude is a terror to defend. Great rout running ability, 6'5 and 225lbs and runs mid 4.4, very long hands and not afraid of taking a hit. Reminds a lot of young Vincent Jackson)

4 - OLB Terrell Manning (good cover LB and great blitzer. Perfect back up in case TD goes down again)

5 - RB Chris Rainey (Good scatback. Projected to go in 4th but will probably drop due to size)

6 - P Bryan Anger (Baker is overpaid and below average. Time for cheaper, better replacement)

7 - LB Darius Fleming (Great special teammer. Very fast for a big guy.)

[Ivan The Awesome]

.... This is the first time I disagree with you.

[Ja Rhule]

.... This is the first time I disagree with you.

There's 1st time for everything :biggrinjester:

[Kuech the Sneak]

Every position on defense Is arguably a position of need

[Ja Rhule]

Every position on defense Is arguably a position of need

Doesn't mean we have to address it all in the draft.

[frash.exe]

LB - We will not cut Davis. If we cut Davis, we will have to eat up almost $8m this year. He will be starting at WLB unless his knee is completely screwed up. I expect Rivera to get a decent back-up in later rounds.

lol

[rayzor]

If we cut Davis, we will have to eat up almost $8m this year.

wrong. davis has an $8mil option. if we keep him under this same contract then he gets $8mil....but only if we keep him..... under that contract.

we have two options that don't include us paying him $8mil.

1) release him and we don't have to pay him $8mil

2) release him and then re-sign him to a smaller contract.

[Catalyst]

I disagree with some of that, but I see where you're going with this.

I also think Rivera/Hurney will want to give McClain and/or Fua a chance to develop before bringing in another rookie DT. Same goes at CB where Hogan didn't play nearly enough to give us any idea of how good he is/isn't. OLB I disagree with somewhat, but I do feel we shouldn't draft a LB in the 1st or 2nd and no OLB drafted in the 4th or later is likely to come in and be able to start as a rookie.

I think we should sign an OLB in free agency; Brandon Johnson from the Bengals is my choice. He's a cheap veteran option who can be a backup and great depth or a decent starter if forced into the lineup. That's what we need as insurance for Davis, not a 1st/2nd round draft choice who, if Davis returns to health and form, will be a luxury we cannot afford.

DT is a tough call. I saw flashes from McClain last year, but he's no run stuffer. Fua was worse, IMO, but they both have major issues to overcome. I generally preach patience with DT's as this is not a position that young players generally do well at early-on. So I think we may have found at least half the answer at DT between McClain/Fua. Ron Edwards will fill the other half for a year or two, but if we get a chance to add a top prospect at DT we probably shouldn't pass on it. I'm not completely sold on Brockers or Still, TBH, but if we picked one of them I could get behind the choice. My personal favorite DT is Dontari Poe, who is being touted as a 3-4 NT, but I actually think would make a much better 4-3 DT.

[Actionman0z]

I do not see DE as a huge area of need. If we can get by at end, that'd be great. If it's depth, I'm OK with that. Guys like JP, JTP, I don't know where the Thomas came from in his name or why dudes hyphenate, is my alternative to people who demand we get Coples, for instance. I think we're a better team with QC, but not so great that we replaced Hardy (who has deficiencies, more than flaws).

So the idea of another lower budget pick at end, maybe like Jovan Haye should've been, or Crick that sort of big end/small tackle tweener that can play some snaps at 5 tech, some at left end, some rushing inside? It doesn't take away from Hardy. It helps him. Quentin Coples doesn't help Greg Hardy, it replaces him. Which sucks.

That's where the draft works, you can't get a Coples in free agency for 4 years, $12 million (which is what Tyron Smith made at 9 last year).

[koolkatluke]

It's just my opinion so do not jump all over me.

Here's my reasoning for my choices.

DTs - we got 2 young talented DTs, what we lack is experience. Ron Edwards is a great addition but I believe we will address DT need in FA, probably with DT in his 30s. No need to stockpiling rookie DTs and hope few will pin out (look at bucs, it don't work like that). Let Fua and McClain learn behind vets for a season or two.

I still think we need a DT.

CB - I just don't see it happening. Hogan never got a fair chance plus before injury, Hogan had a 1st round grade. Captain is great #3 CB, drafting CB in 1st means we pretty much gave up on Hogan. I expect CB position to be addressed in FA. We will sign an average vet for cheap to add little competition.

Drafting a CB would not be giving up on Hogan (he still will get a chance to compete). Now giving up on Captain is somthing they should do.

LB - We will not cut Davis. If we cut Davis, we will have to eat up almost $8m this year. He will be starting at WLB unless his knee is completely screwed up. I expect Rivera to get a decent back-up in later rounds.

We need 2 LB in this draft a WLB that can start if Davis gets hurt again and A MLB to back-up Beast. Getting young depht in this draft is a good Idea. We have vets here we need more youth.

Safety - Will probably be addressed in FA. Martin will have an opportunity to reclaim his job. Rivera loves physical safties who efficient at blitzing. Martin is horrible at blitzing. Atlanta's Thomas DeCoud could be good choice and not too expensive.

I actually agree with this. This position needs more exp. to help the young guys.

Biggest need on D is a DE.

I would like to get a vet here as well. Not draft a rookie maybe in late rounds.

Our offense is in a very good shape. But, need to be better. Many teams adjusted in halftime against our offense and completely shut us down. Biggest issue... We need to spread the field. Teams kept playing zone coverage against us and it worked for them. We need more weapons.

OL - I expect Otah to play his ass off this year so LT-C-RT are golden. If Panthers decide to part ways with Wharton, I can see Byron Bell moving to OG position.

TE - Olsen, Shockey, Barnidge, Hartsock, and Brockel is also TE. We're packed.

QB - Need Vet back-up. Anderson will probably be resigned.

WR - Besides Smith (who's about to be 33), LaFell and Gettis we got nothing. Imaging if one of these WRs goes down. We screwed... Big WRs who will require constant double coverages is a must to open up our TEs and running game. We need to spread the field.

WE Don't need to spend a high pick on a wr. This getting a wr thing is really out of hand. Smith get 80=90 rec then you have Olson getting 50 rec Lafell and Gettis can get 40-45 rec each. Then the RB,Pilars, Shockey (if he comes back) and any other wr on the roster. That gives us more then enough pass catchers.

RB - Double trouble is a great RB duo but after watching how Saints used Sproles. You know you just gotta have it. 2WRs, 2TEs, and a scatback on 3rd down can be magical.

Finally,

Here's my mock...

1 - DE Quinton Coples/DE Melvin Ingram (Good chance Jags will select Blackmon and Couples will fall to us)

2 - WR Brian Quick (Some people will think its a reach but this dude is a terror to defend. Great rout running ability, 6'5 and 225lbs and runs mid 4.4, very long hands and not afraid of taking a hit. Reminds a lot of young Vincent Jackson)

4 - OLB Terrell Manning (good cover LB and great blitzer. Perfect back up in case TD goes down again)

5 - RB Chris Rainey (Good scatback. Projected to go in 4th but will probably drop due to size)

6 - P Bryan Anger (Baker is overpaid and below average. Time for cheaper, better replacement)

7 - LB Darius Fleming (Great special teammer. Very fast for a big guy.)

Not a fan of Coples, drafting a wr in the 1st 4 rounds, or useing a pick on a punter.

Everything else is ok I guess.

[Ja Rhule]

wrong. davis has an $8mil option. if we keep him under this same contract then he gets $8mil....but only if we keep him..... under that contract.

we have two options that don't include us paying him $8mil.

1) release him and we don't have to pay him $8mil

2) release him and then re-sign him to a smaller contract.

My bad. It's $6m and we cannot release him. If we release him and sign him again, he might cost us $10m this season alone.

Darin Gantt ‏ @daringantt

Many have asked about Thomas Davis' future. The deal will have to be restructured if he's staying. He won't be cut and re-signed.

Darin Gantt ‏ @daringantt

If the Panthers cut Davis, they take an immediate $5.6 million acceleration on this year's salary cap. That's moving the opposite direction.

[unicar15]

Coples gives us the most versatility along the line as a rush DE and a guy who could play inside on some nickel situations. He's a freak athlete and with the right coaching will be a beast. I'm pretty convinced that if he's there then he's the pick and I'd go so far as to say that if we get the feeling a team ahead of us wants him we will trade up.

I also like the Terrell Manning pick. I think he has a ton of ability but has had an injury problem in the past so thats the only thing that worries me with him. Other than that I actually think he's a better all-around LB than Zach Brown. There were situations where he played strongside, weakside, middle and also rushed the passer from the DE position with his hand in the dirt. Really versatile player.

[catnip]

I just don't see us taking another ASU player with a second round pick and I graduated from ASU. I like Quick, but only with a later round pick. We also need an 0-line player to replace Otah who is his last contract year and Hangartner who is a free agent. Wharton may get released due to his contract and Schwartz is coming off a hip injury. We have so many needs on defense, we can take the BPA on defense with our first pick.

I also like the idea of trading down for more picks as long as we stay in mid 1st round.

[Actionman0z]

It's just my opinion so do not jump all over me.

Here's my reasoning for my choices.

DTs - we got 2 young talented DTs, what we lack is experience. Ron Edwards is a great addition but I believe we will address DT need in FA, probably with DT in his 30s. No need to stockpiling rookie DTs and hope few will pin out (look at bucs, it don't work like that). Let Fua and McClain learn behind vets for a season or two.

Here's my mock...

1 - DE Quinton Coples/DE Melvin Ingram (Good chance Jags will select Blackmon and Couples will fall to us)

2 - WR Brian Quick (Some people will think its a reach but this dude is a terror to defend. Great rout running ability, 6'5 and 225lbs and runs mid 4.4, very long hands and not afraid of taking a hit. Reminds a lot of young Vincent Jackson)

4 - OLB Terrell Manning (good cover LB and great blitzer. Perfect back up in case TD goes down again)

5 - RB Chris Rainey (Good scatback. Projected to go in 4th but will probably drop due to size)

6 - P Bryan Anger (Baker is overpaid and below average. Time for cheaper, better replacement)

7 - LB Darius Fleming (Great special teammer. Very fast for a big guy.)

I would prefer Nigel Bradham over Manning but love the Darius Flemming pick.. I like Decastro in the 1st at #9, hes BPA when we draft. Couples will already be off the board.