Ruff's Dream Mock Draft

[Ruff]

I like to do two mock drafts before the Draft every year. One is detailing what I think is as close to reality as I can get (the link for the mock draft is here: ), which includes no trades or moving on the board and what I think we are very likely to do come time to pick. The second is a mock draft where I like to pick my dream scenario, trading picks, moving up and down, etc. This year, we're in a prime place to move, and here's how I hope it plays out.

 

FIRST ROUND

The Carolina Panthers have traded the #28 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the Jaguars' 2nd round pick (#39 overall), and both of their 4th round selections (#105 and #114 overall).

 

#28 overall = 660 points

TOTAL = 660 points

 

for

 

#39 overall = 510 points

#105 overall = 84 points

#114 overall = 66 points

TOTAL = 660 points

 

(Draft Value Chart)

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars select Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois #28 overall.

 

SECOND ROUND

 

#39 overall

JORDAN MATTHEWS, WR, VANDERBILT

Jordan Matthews has been described as a early 1990s receiver. He runs routes to precision, he catches the ball wherever while running the entire route tree, and he showed at the Combine that he has more speed than originally thought by running a sub-4.5 40 yard dash. He's tall (6'3) and he's bigger than most people imagine until they see him, allowing him to go up and  get the ball when he needs to. He's intelligent (doing very well academically at Vanderbilt), and he's NFL ready from the day that he steps onto the football field. I think that Jordan Matthews is the 4th best receiver in this Draft, behind only Watkins, Evans, and OBJ. I think he will be an instant success in the NFL.

 

#60 overall

CAMERON FLEMING, RT, STANFORD

There is the idea on this board that Fleming will be going in the 3rd-4th round, and that just isn't accurate. Fleming is rising up every board in the NFL, to the point where he is being considered at Top 50 prospect. But, the fact that he is only a RT is going to dissuade some NFL teams from backing off a bit. He's a massive human being (6'5 / 323lbs), fitting the term 'hog molly' to the letter. He also played college ball in a very run-based, control-oriented offense, much the same as Shula ran last season, meaning that Fleming, like Matthews, will be ready to step onto the field day one and contribute without a hiccup.

 

THIRD ROUND

 

#92 overall

JARVIS LANDRY, WR, LSU

Known as 'the other LSU WR', Landry hasn't gotten much love since a very poor Combine. However, the Combine workout and the on-the-field production (or, the eye-test) doesn't match-up. On game day, Landry looks like a streaking receiver, able to burn past CBs (SEC CBs, at that), or cut across the middle and take the big. Landry has always taken a backseat to the success of OBJ, letting the latter look like a human highlight reel, while being humble enough to take the lesser role. Also, Landry ran a complex, NFL-style offense operated by Cam Cameron, so he knows what it is like to run NFL routes. I think after a year of sitting behind a tutor like Avant, Landry could really shine in our system.

 

FOURTH ROUND

 

#105 overall

JAMES HURST, LT, UNC

After the trade with the Jaguars, it would put us in a scenario where we would be able to pick 3rd round talent guys at the beginning of the 4th round. James Hurst would be the perfect player to nab here. Sure, he broke his leg during workouts, but the guy can play, and everyone knows it. Also, it may be a severe injury that would cost months of rehab, but, the break was clean and there was no ligament damage, which is an easy repair for doctors to maintain. Hurst should be ready to come in and get into football shape in training camp, play the entire preseason, and take over day one for the LT position, giving us a future player in the very same mold as Jordan Gross.

 

#115 overall

BRENT URBAN, DE, VIRGINIA

Urban, like Hurst, could have been a 1st-2nd round pick, had he not suffered an injury, driving him back down the board. But, like Hurst, I fully expect Urban to look great once he gets back into the mix of things. Urban has played in both a 43 and a 34, showing versatility, but he still shows that he is a raw prospect with tremendous amount of upside. He comes off the snap high, which can be corrected, but he also comes off the snap fast, like a crazed man rushing the QB. Urban's first year will be spent getting healthy and learning how to be a NFL pass rusher, and then, next season, when one of our DE spots comes open, Urban could step in and fill those giant shoes.

 

#128 overall

BROCK VEREEN, SS, MINNESOTA

Not very big in comparison to other strong safetys in the NFL, but Vereen could be a very, very good player. He needs to get bigger, first and foremost, so that he can have the ability to play up close to the line of scrimmage. But, he has shown that he can tackle and that he can play in coverage (has played games as SS, FS, CB, and nickel), while also performing at an incredibly high level on the special teams side of the ball. I think Vereen (brother of Pats' RB, Shane), could learn from Roman Harper and develop into a quality safety.

 

FIFTH ROUND

 

#168 overall

WALT AIKENS, CB, LIBERTY

If big men let you win football games, we could be in good shape with Aikens. Measuring in at 6'1 / 203lbs, with 32 1/4" arms, he is not a small cornerback. Not only that, but Aikens played as a press corner in his role at college, meaning that he is ready to step into the NFL game and be as physical as possible with the receivers in the NFL. His aggressiveness, in fact, is part of his weaknesses. He tends to get a tad too aggressive, instead of trying to play in a zone, getting into the receiver and grabbing. There's also some character concerns. Aikens spent a couple of weeks in jail after pleading guilty to a charge of theft of a laptop. But, if he checks out, I think he could be a massive steal in the late rounds.

 

SIXTH ROUND

 

#204 overall

ISIAH CROWELL, RB, ALABAMA STATE

If you've ever seen Isiah Crowell play, then you know that he is the best RB in this class, bar-none. In fact, he's already drawing comparisons of LeSean McCoy. However, after a failed drug test and multiple felony weapons charges (which were later dropped and Crowell was cleared), Crowell was dismissed from Georgia (where he won Freshman of the Year over Clowney) and sent  to Alabama State. He has baggage, and lots of it. But he also has abilities that are eye-popping. Normally, I wouldn't mock a player like this to us, because I think that it would be a no-sell to JR. But, this is my dream mock...

 

SEVENTH ROUND

 

#225 overall

BRANDON THOMAS, OG/OT, CLEMSON

I think that we were going to draft Thomas in the 2nd or 3rd round before he got injured, and now that he has, I think we're still going to draft him, just much later than usual. Thomas suffered a bad ACL tear, which set him back at least a season in the NFL. But, that's fine, because now he'll be able to recover for a year (and a half, considering going to the next OTAs/Training Camp) and he'll have learned the offensive playbook by the time he gets onto the field. A flexible player who is capable of playing almost all positions (minus Center) on the offensive line, Thomas would be a steal in the 7th.

DEPTH CHART

QB: Newton/Anderson/Webb

RB: Williams/Stewart/Crowell[r]

FB: Tolbert

WR: Cotchery/Matthews[r]/Landry[r]/Avant/Underwood

TE: Olsen/Dickson/McNeil

LT: Hurst[r]/Bell

LG: Silatolu/Thomas[r][iR]

C: Kalil/Folkerts

RG: Chandler/Williams

RT: Fleming[r]/Bond

DE: Hardy/Alexander

DT: Star/Short/Edwards/Cole

DE: CJ/Urban[r]

OLB: Davis/Blackburn

MLB: Kuechly

OLB: Klein/Blackburn

CB: White/Thomas

SS: Harper/Vereen[r]

FS: DeCoud/Lester

CB: Cason/Aikens

Nickel: Aikens

[Its The Milk]

Barring one of the top prospects falling to us I would not be opposed to trading down. My only thought with this particular mock draft is that there are a lot of injured players. Big risk/reward stuff that I tend to shy away from.

[IamSoClutch]

Give me Brandon Coleman in the third over Landry and we need some lb depth in the later rounds

[XClown1986]

Give me Brandon Coleman in the third over Landry and we need some lb depth in the later rounds

 

Coleman over Landry? Are you serious? If Landry even makes it to the 3rd its a no brainer pick. Coleman could make it to the 4th or 5th. He is extremely raw. Landry could line up and play tomorrow.

[MedellinHeel]

landry is nothing more than a number 2 possession wr. coleman has the POTENTIAL to be a game changer. 

 

i like that RB. id def take a flyer on him late. 

[CamNewt1JuiceJ36]

Great mock, Great tradedown. IMO perfect players to fill our voids especially like the WR combo of Matthews and Landry ( Landry being the perfect reciever for Cotchery and Avant to mentor) and the tackles Fleming and Hurst.

[uscgamecocks]

Make it so.

[Panthers8969]

I don't like the 2 4ths. Change one to a 3rd and I'd be happy, but I just don't feel like the value is there for a second a third. That transitions to an extra starter and 2 possible impact players for me. When you trade down you're supposed to get more value for your pick. Just like when you trade up you get less value.

[IamSoClutch]

Coleman over Landry? Are you serious? If Landry even makes it to the 3rd its a no brainer pick. Coleman could make it to the 4th or 5th. He is extremely raw. Landry could line up and play tomorrow.

I don't think Landry is going to be as good as people think. But I may be wrong. The tight end c.j fed would be a better pick honestly

[Ruff]

I don't think Landry is going to be as good as people think. But I may be wrong. The tight end c.j fed would be a better pick honestly

Well, that's not saying much, because I believe CJ Fiedorowicz is going to be a star in the NFL. So, he's going to be a better pick than almost everyone. lol.

[SOJA]

ew no, if you are giving up a first rounder you better get more value than that