Sooslow's 2013 Mock draft. Haters welcome!

[Frank Hollywood]

Our craft pick this year hasn't been decided yet, but it looks as though we will be picking around the middle of the pack, so I have us at the 15^th spot.

For our first pick, we trade back with a team that sees a player they can't afford to miss. Perhaps the Colts with the 25^th pick? We gain their 2^nd Rounder.

Round 1- (Pick #25) -Sheldon Richardson - Missouri -DT 6'3" 295 lbs

It's obvious that DT is our biggest need. We finally have the DT to go with Dwan Edwards to give our defensive line the edge we need.

Round 2- (Pick # 47) Matt Elam - Florida - Safety - 5'10" 202 lbs

An instant upgrade over Haruki Nakamura and a day one starter, Matt Elam will instantly upgrade our secondary.

Round 2-(Pick # 62) (from trade) Justin Hunter - Tennessee - WR - 6'4" 200 lbs

Due to a poor combine showing due to his knee not being fully healed, Justin Hunter falls to us in the second round and we can't pass him up. He may be the steal WR of the 2013 draft, although he won't reach his full potential coming off the injury in 2013, he will be an instant Number 2/3 receiver and eventually replace Steve Smith at number 1 in later years.

Round 4 - Gabe Jackson - Mississippi State - OG- 6'4" 320 lb

We need a Guard. Gabe is the best available on the board in Round 4. With Jordan Gross, Amini, Kalil, Gabe Jackson and Byron Bell as starters, our O-line looks a lot better heading into 2013.

Round 5 - Tyrann Mathieu - LSU - CB - 5'9" 178 lbs

Yes, he's had problems, no, Carolina doesn't like taking players with troubled history, but with a new GM, who knows? Bottom line is the Honey badger may very well be available in Round 5 and he's worth the chance.

We were able to trade Deangelo Williams in the offseason for a fifth rounder. Yes, his contract is large, but some team out there is willing to take it on to grab a proven running back. We trade with the Lions, who need him badly.

Round 5-Tanner Hawkinson - Kansas - OT - 6'5" 300 lbs

Tanner is a developmental prospect for RT. Best prospect still on the board. Could be a future starter.

Round 6- Caleb Sturgis - Florida - Kicker- 5'10" 185 lbs

I'm not big on drafting Kickers, but I don't think Gano will be the answer we are looking for. I'd rather draft the best kicker available, and keep him for years to come. Strong leg, good accuracy, he's our guy.

That wraps it up. Please feel free to leave feedback and let me know what you think.

[BigSyke]

i like some of it. dont know bout the trade....

[JawnyBlaze]

Uh, if it worked out that way I'd be happy enough. I'm not a huge fan of Richardson for us, we need a run stuffer not a UT, but if we're trading down like that I wouldn't hate it. I would rather get some other BPA (Warmack perhaps) and use our earliest of the two 2nds to get J Williams or some other NT. But overall yours is agreeable.

[Frank Hollywood]

i like some of it. dont know bout the trade....

It'd work.

1 Chris JohnsonatRunning Back $8,000,000 Adrian PetersonatRunning Back $8,000,000 3 Steven JacksonatRunning Back $7,000,000 4 Darren McFaddenatRunning Back $5,650,000 5 DeAngelo WilliamsatRunning Back $5,250,000 6 Michael TurneratRunning Back $5,000,000 Arian FosteratRunning Back $5,000,000 8 Reggie BushatRunning Back $4,500,000 9 Maurice Jones-DrewatRunning Back $4,450,000 10 Marshawn Lynchat

Running Back

$4,000,000

He's up there as far as salary, but here's why everyone would be happy.

1. Detroit needs him bad. Imagine if they had a solid running back to go with their receiving core? They'll pay big, but probably not his entire contract.

2. We have quality rookies waiting to be the next back up. D-Will is at that point where he will start declining soon. Get what we can from him now. Also, we clear up 8 million in cap space with this trade.

3. D-will will not only take this deal, he'll restructure his contract to make it work. 4-6 more years as a backup, or 4-6 more years as a starter. His entire career he's had to share carries, he'll get the full load here and show the world what he can really do.

Uh, if it worked out that way I'd be happy enough. I'm not a huge fan of Richardson for us, we need a run stuffer not a UT, but if we're trading down like that I wouldn't hate it. I would rather get some other BPA (Warmack perhaps) and use our earliest of the two 2nds to get J Williams or some other NT. But overall yours is agreeable.

Didn't someone mention in another thread that some teams play with two UT's? I'm not sure how he holds up against the run, but he's climbing draft boards quick. I believe this would help our pass rush immensely.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea some teams do, and they're usually poor against the run. Philly has been that way for a while.

[carolina-chuck]

I like it. Good draft.

I'm just not sure if it'll be easy to trade down. And Richardson will be gone in the top20, maybe even top15 to be exact. Dnt think he'll be sticking around there at pick 25.

[DaCityKats]

just a quick fyi the colts have already traded their 2nd round pick to the dolphins for Vonte Davis.

[BigSyke]

i wonder should tyrann change too saftey given that tall wr's are getting popular like calvin, idk see him matching up good with those guys.

maybe he could be something like a bob sanders(colts) type player????

[SCMunnerlyn1]

i wonder should tyrann change too saftey given that tall wr's are getting popular like calvin, idk see him matching up good with those guys.

maybe he could be something like a bob sanders(colts) type player????

He's a nickel back like Captain.

[Ken]

Elam and Hunter will almost certainly be gone, given where we pick in your mock, IMO.

[carolina-chuck]

i wonder should tyrann change too saftey given that tall wr's are getting popular like calvin, idk see him matching up good with those guys.

maybe he could be something like a bob sanders(colts) type player????

Mathieu is a nickle corner. He also is really bad in coverage. Often get beat most of the times. He only make plays by turnovers, which might not likely happen covering NFL receivers.

Hes also too small to play safety. You cant compare him to Sanders bro. C'mon. Sanders was a beast. The man was built like a beast and he was a 8 man in the box tackling Safety. Mathieu would die trying to hit RBs in the NFL. Sanders was a great Safety and it didnt took long before these running backs took him out of the league. Mathieu wouldnt last half a season.

[carolina-chuck]

Didn't someone mention in another thread that some teams play with two UT's? I'm not sure how he holds up against the run, but he's climbing draft boards quick. I believe this would help our pass rush immensely.

Yea that was me.

Teams like Tennessee, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Seattle, St. Louis, Detroit, Philly, Jacksonville, and Atlanta all runs "two UTs".

[Bwood]

Welcome to fantasy island!!

[BigSyke]

i wasnt saying he would be bob sanders just comparing because both of them are small. idk if tyraan. could play corner i see him as a pr guy in the nfl.n