I know that the month leading up to the draft is all insanity and fake narrative, so I like to get this out of the way as soon as I'm done with Pro days. Then I get started on working on the individual rankings ...
Before I start, Deadpool's mock is more descriptive, and I'd be very happy with his. In fact, I wait until his comes out so I can challenge myself to build a list without including any of his players ... it's not easy. But, between the two of us, it should get everyone familiar with the players we've grown to like most over the year.
Also, I have to wait until it becomes en vogue for draft sites to do 4 round mocks so I get an idea of where guys are projected ... then I take my best guesses.
My style ... I draft "positions" and will give multiple options at each (except 1) spot.
I have players I liked that don't fit what we need or our scheme, and I'll try to at least mention them after.
Also, I'm trading the first pick. It's too likely and I believe we need the 4th rounder. If Q Johnston or Will McDonald are there I'd stay.
2) Edge
Isaiah Foskey/F-A-Uzomah/Tuli Tuipulotu Note: I liked Tuli enough in LB drills to mock him as a stand up rusher. And? He's a monster of a leader. When a meeting was called to see if they wanted to play a covid wrecked game in bad weather ... He walked in and was the first and last to speak ... saying simply "Get your sh-- on, we're playing."
3) CB
Julius Brents/Tyrique Stevenson/Clark Phillips we've met with Brents ... and his testing numbers are off the charts. The other two are physical football players that didn't test as well but I trust them at the position (Who on a normal year might be going in the first round).
3) WR
Andrei Iosevas/Marvin Mims/Rashee Rice One should make it to here. And I think we load up to replace Jefferson and Robinson in 2024 with a high ceiling player. The difference between Rice and Addison, Mims and Flowers, Iosevas and Johnston ... are minimal. Note: I know we have talked to Puka Nacua, who is likely also a possibility here. He's a plus route runner with a great work ethic and athleticism. He's our type. I have him off my draft board because of injuries. If we do draft him I'd rather it be later.
4) From trade ... OC
Oluwatimi. I don't have a backup for this pick. He's the Remington winner on the best O LIne in football. He's the 4th pure OC off the board.
5) S
Ji'ayir Brown/Brandon Hill/Daniel Scott One of these guys will be here, most likely Hill. Brown might go in the 3rd ... but I've seen him last as well. Daniel Scott and Hill are both plus athletes ... between the two I don't have a favorite.
5) TE
Payne Durham/Will Mallory/Luke Schoonmaker Payne ran a 4.87 or he'd be a second or 3rd rounder. He's old school. Brute, can block and catch in traffic or down the field. Mallory is an athlete ... 4.54 40. Schoonmaker is "most improved" ... to be on my list, they have to "run angry" so they all have that desire to punish tacklers. They'll all have a year to chill likely ...
5) Edge project
Lonnie Phelps/BJ Thompson/Yaya Diaby These guys may not get this far down. They are in mocks, but their physical traits are off the charts and we tend to take shots on that in this range. Thompson has an 11-1 broad at 6-5 239.
6) RB
Camrun Peoples/Chris Rodriguez/Evan Hull/Tiyon Evans I'm looking at backs drafted late enough to not upset Akers, but who are legitimate possibilities to take lead back duties next year if needed. Rodriguez would be first here, but he had fumbling issues he had to clean up.
6) CB2
Corey Trice/Darrell Luter/Cameron Mitchell Long athletic CBs that will likely get lost in a larger quality class and slide. This is where they're generally ending up in mocks, so I feel safe mocking them here. We met with Trice at Purdue's pro day, where he had incredible agility #s.
7) LB
Dee Winters/Ivan Pace/SirVocea Dennis/Charlie Thomas Undersized playmakers that can cover and make plays.
7) QB
Max Duggan/Clayton Tune/Bagent ... I hope Duggan and Tune last. DTR is an option here, but I don't think he can handle multiple games. I have Haener long gone.
I think we'll pick up DTs after the draft. Drafting a RB may not be necessary if we want a better shot at landing a better backup QB. There will be undrafted players coming here, regardless because of how many vacancies we have.
I'm eyeballing UDFA for OG
Jonathan Gwyn of SC, OG
Caleb Chandler of LOU, OG
Bainivalu of UW, and
Alex Forsyth of Oregon. In most lists these guys are out of the top 250.
I want
Nikko Remigio of Fresno State to return kicks and punts.
I like guys like Jarrod Clark and Quan Martin a lot, but don't think they're scheme fits. I also think Ronnie Bell is criminally underrated. Another note ... I don't know where Riley Moss goes, but Ive seen him around in the 5th round and that is criminal.
Okay, there we go. Questions and comments welcome.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2023 10:43AM by alyoshamucci.