Pre-Combine Divisional Mock- 2 Rounds Complete

Ok. Let's try and get this trade stuff on a page we all understand. Because I don't want to limit anyone's fun, but I don't want this to be all about trades either. The point of this is to do a mock draft, to see what players you would take given who is available at a particular spot. It's not a mock off season. So let's try and keep trades simple and realistic. Mostly only involving draft picks, because players, especially solid vets, very rarely get traded during the actual draft.

Also, while I'm fine with letting this last one go through, that is part of the issue with inter-divisional trades. It's an unfair leverage/fallback plan. "If I don't get the offer I like from someone else, I'll just trade with myself". That kind of defeats the purpose of engaging in negotiations with other GMs. You essentially have 3 backup GMs (you) that will accept any offer you deem reasonable.

To me, the KC trade was more realistic of what might be on the table during the real draft. I'm not saying it would happen, but generally if a team is going to give up a shot at BPA to move down even semi-signifcantly early in the first round, they want someone to overpay a bit for the privilege.

The reality may be that both teams pass because the price is too high, but that is probably more likely than a "fair" trade, especially to a divisional rival. Like I said, unless others strongly disagree, I am willing to let this one go through, but going forward I don't think we should trade within divisions we control unless you have no other options and it's an obviously fair trade.

And for the most part, I would encourage people to make picks instead of trades, because (at least to me) that is kind of the point of this exercise, so see who you would pick given who is actually available.

Edit: A couple other reasons I'm not a huge fan of lots of trades during these things is that often the picks that are traded are for later rounds, or future drafts that have no impact on this mock draft. So, people are willing to give up things that essentially mean nothing to them. "Sure I'll give up two 4th rounders and next year's second to move up 2 spots", because they will "win" this draft with no consequences to their team in terms of final results. Everything they gave up doesn't show up during this exercise.

Also, it just makes things more convoluted in regards to keeping track of who picks when.

So again, not against all trades. But let's keep them limited and realistic and focus more on making picks IMO.

Originally posted by TexasNiner:
So again, not against all trades. But let's keep them limited and realistic and focus more on making picks IMO.

I like this idea.


Btw, lets get the ball rolling,
C'mon guys!

ATL selects Dante Fowler Florida

awesome pick!!!

The NY Giants select...

OT Andrus Peat Stanford

Rams Select: OT, La'El Collins, LSU

Originally posted by TexasNiner:

Rams Select: OT, La'El Collins, LSU

Interesting pick.
I thought for sure you would go WR or linebacker

Originally posted by Quest4six:

Originally posted by TexasNiner:
Rams Select: OT, La'El Collins, LSU

Interesting pick.
I thought for sure you would go WR or linebacker

St. Louis' D is pretty stout. They could go LB, particularly ILB. But to me, there isn't a player worth the pick compared to their most glaring need which is their OL. I had really hoped that Scherff would fall, but when he didn't La'el was my target. He's rising and I think by the time the draft rolls around he will be a top 10-15 pick or better easily.

I guess they could go WR if they really think one is BPA, but to me, if they don't fix their OL, there is no point in them drafting WR, QB or any other skill position high in the draft because they won't be able to protect anyone well enough for it to matter.

WOWWWWW....

I guess Jake Long truly is done??

I was thinking how a complete of a defense the Rams would be if they land Landon Collins..

Originally posted by TexasNiner:

St. Louis' D is pretty stout. They could go LB, particularly ILB. But to me, there isn't a player worth the pick compared to their most glaring need which is their OL. I had really hoped that Scherff would fall, but when he didn't La'el was my target. He's rising and I think by the time the draft rolls around he will be a top 10-15 pick or better easily.

I guess they could go WR if they really think one is BPA, but to me, if they don't fix their OL, there is no point in them drafting WR, QB or any other skill position high in the draft because they won't be able to protect anyone well enough for it to matter.

They have Laurinaitis in the middle and are good at SAM with Ogletree. What they need at LB'er is an upgrade on the weakside.

That said, the OL pick was a great one.

Chicago selects: NT, Danny Shelton, Washington.

Vic Fangio gets a centerpiece for a new 3-4 defense. Not sure what they do with Paea who is a free agent - he doesn't have ideal length to play 3-4 DE, but he's a solid football player.

Originally posted by 9moon:
WOWWWWW....

I guess Jake Long truly is done??

I was thinking how a complete of a defense the Rams would be if they land Landon Collins..

Probably. But even if he's not, after two major injuries, there is no way to know if he will ever be the same and/or if he can stay healthy even if he recovers fully from this last injury. Combine that with the inability to keep Bradford healthy, and the Rams will never know what they have as a team unless they can solidify their OL and allow their skill players to at least have a chance to succeed.

Their D is already good enough that later round picks/FAs can supplement those needs, the drop off between what's available in the first round vs later rounds won't make or break their defense. It's already pretty good. But they need real talent on the OL that can hopefully stay healthy and be there long term (and keep their other offensive talent healthy and productive) if they are going to compete with the rest of the NFC West.

Even if Long can stage a comeback, they need help across the line and Collins could play guard as well until they need him at tackle.

Browns select Kevin White WR West Virginia

3 days in and on 10th pick?

Originally posted by stonecold590:
3 days in and on 10th pick?

We're picking up steam. I held it up a few hours with the 7th pick but we didn't really get started until yesterday. I changed my settings to alert me when I get a pm.