With that off my chest, it is what it is. I still was able to put together a really good mock, as usual
I think this draft needs to be heavy on the defense, given Chip's propensity to work a defense. This is an area that I think Chip is just gonna have to tweak his offence. This is not college where he had a near unlimited supply of talent with no roster limit. Chip is gonna have to accept that he has a 53 man roster of grown men, and he just can't pressure the defense like he does and expect long-term success. As normal, I don't predict trade. In fact, this year I'm not at all in favor of trading for picks, especially moving back. We've moved back enough in far too many drafts and the roster sorely reflects it. We have enough picks. I'm actually glad that Kaep will be on the roster this season. He can bridge the new QB and if he plays well, which will increase his trade value. Finally, no more injury Baalke specials and projects. This team has no more time to be waiting on "value" to pan out or spend a whole season healing. We need impact players who can come in and contribute now, not later.1.
QB - Jared Goff, Cal. 6-4, 210
(QB Carson Wentz, ILB Miles Jack, ILB ReOLB, Joey Bosa, DE DeForest Buckner)
This pick needs no explanation. I've been going back and forth on this though - Goff or Wentz. In the end I think Goff will be the better pick. If he and Wentz are gone I think we should go Miles Jack or Ragland. I know that Goff don't really have a history of injury's, but at this level he cannot play QB at 215 and expect to remain healthy. He's gonna have to put on at least 10-15, preferably 20lbs of muscle. Now, I think it will really be smart to sit Goff for a season and let Kaep bridge him in. (Get use to it folks, Kaep is here for this season.) And sitting out that year will allow him to get his body right for NFL usage.
2.
ILB - Kentrell Brothers, Missouri. 6-1, 249lbs
(QB, Paxton Lynch, DE Kevin Dodd, CB, William Jackson III)
Unlike most I think ILB is a real need for this defense. Ragland and Jack ar long gone by now. But Brothers was a real impact ILB for Mizzou, and will be in the NFL. The better 3-4 schemes have two studs in the middle, not one stud and some serviceable guy. I do want us to trade back up in the first and get Reggie Ragland. But Brothers would be a very good compliment along side Bowman, as his skill-set is very similar to his. Highly instinctive. Great in the open field. Aggressive, physical tackler. Diagnoses the run very well. But like most coming out he'll need to get better in coverage, but he is better than most ILB in coverage coming out. He's gonna have to learn to trust the scheme and not rely so much on his athleticism.
3.
CB - Xavien Howard, Baylor. 6-1, 200lbs, 4-44 at proday (CB, Maurice Canady; ILB, Scooby Wright)
I know that we have a lot of bodies at this position. What bothers me is that none of that talent is a real, true number one guy. It seems that all we have is just a collection of decent bodies, but not a true hands down starter. T. Brock isn't too durable and cannot be counted on for a complete season. D. Johnson, who I think it's criminal that he's not getting more playing time with the first team, should be starting. Xavien Howard is one disruptive kid and would come in and be a day one starter. Very willing and physical tackler. Was put on an island most of his time at Baylor, always put up against teams' best WR., so he has all kinds of shutdown ability.
4.
NG/DT - Hassan Ridgeway, 6-3, 303lbs, Texas
Definite Ian Williams insurance here. Ridgeway is very much in the mold of Williams. Strong, violant hands, holds his ground, will honor both A-gaps in the run game, and provide better than reasonable pocket pressure and disruption. Ridgeway will command a double team, in particular on run downs, which will protect our LB's and allow them to run free.
5.
OLB - Romeo Okwara, Notra Dame 6-5, 265lbs (DE convert).
I have to say I'm not really thrilled at the OLB coming out. Most of the top guys coming out are just too light for a 3-4 OLB. See Eli Harold. Would rather get a really good tweener DE and stand him up. Okwara is an ideal target for OLB conversion. Okwara is a high motor guy; plays all out on every play. Extremely athletic, of the Aron Lynch mold. Uses his hands very well to deal with blockers. Not a one-trick pony; has many tools to get to the QB. Will have to play with more discipline and learn to shed blockers better. But with Brooks and Lynch in front of him he'll have time to learn.
6.
WR - De'Runnya Wilson, Miss. State, 6-5, 224.
Not gonna burn anybody, but then we already have a few burners on the roster. This guy will be a match-up nightmare for CB's. Big and physical at the LOS. Very reliable catcher. GREAT LEAPER, witch is important at the goal line and perfect for not-so-accurate passers like Kaep. Has some character issues that dropped him. But like I said, we need impact players.
7.
CB - Daryl Worley, W. Virginia, 6-2, 204.
A real steal here, and will definitely push a CB off the roster. In the NFL size matters. Extremely productive. Worley is a big disruptive CB at the LOS that will re-roubt WR's forcing the QB to hold the ball a split second longer. Very good ball skills and fluidity for a CB his size. Very often can be found sniffing around the LOS for run support; one of the better run support CB's coming out.
http://www.patriots.com/video/2016/02/11/2016-draft-prospects-daryl-worley-cb-west-virginia
8.
OG - Pearce Slater, San Diego State, 6-7, 329 (OT convert).
A JUCO transfer. Large, powerful kid! Ideal swing tackle candidate. At OT he has a very good drop-step, and he's very hard for speed rushers to get around him. At OG he's a real mean mauler when run blocking. A real leader across the O-line (team captain) and very high character. This guy is a year two starter, day one starter on many teams. Need to fix his hand placement tech.
9.
DE/DT - Anthony Zettel, 6-4, 277lbs. Penn State.
Projects nicely as a 3-4 DE. Very high motor. Consistently pressures the pocket Great snap anticipation. Can play every technique inside the 6 Tech. Can get out of control at times. Will come right in and compete for a starting spot at the DE spot, especially given that Tank is being looked at to switch to OLB.
10.
OG/OT - Avery Young, Auburn, 6-5, 328.
Really like this kid. A Juco transfer to Auburn. Very athletic, light on his feet, which is good for our O-line scheme. Can play OG and OT, on both sides too, but likely OG mainly in the NFL. Will have to develop better point of attack techniques. But excellent, violent pulling OG.
11.
RB - Devon Johnson, 6-0, 238, Marshall.
Gotta get a look at this kids highlights. The thought that there are backs better than his is scary. This guy is everything we need in a RB. Extremely physical. WILL NOT be brought down by one guy or at first contact. North/south one cut runner that hits the hole really fast. Runs with serious anger and abusive power, and surprisingly fast for a guy his size. Can catch out the backfield (he's a former TE). Not a liability in the passing game. In fact, this kid would come in and be one of the better blocking backs on our roster. Great attitude and high character - will play multiple positions if need be, offense and defense (played LB too). The only issue with this kid is that he's battled injuries throughout his football career, but he's battled them quite well. The good thing is that if we draft him he won't be the featured back, so he won't get the ware-&-tear. Will have to learn to run at pad-level as he runs a little too high.
12.
OLB - Ian Seau, 6-2, 259lbs, Nevada
Worth a look here. The nephew of one Junior Seau. Kind of reminds me of Dan Skuta. Good speed off the edge, but will need to develop more moves to get around NFL OT's. Really gets around the edge fast. Is a real thumper: get to the QB with a little anger. The only one of this draft list that will take some "coaching up", but great ST option though.
All those picks are impact players that won't take a bunch of project and "coach'm up" time from the coaches, save for Ian Seau. And for a new coaching regime it important to hit the ground running, and if they can devote a bit more time on scheming our chances of turning this thing around sooner looks better. I know player development is important, but the right scheme/development balance must be found. If you have too many players that are projects that sucks a lot of time for scheming
Projected starters based on my mock:
Offence:
QB - Keap (Get use to it folks, he won't be traded and Gabbert isn't beating him out.)
LT - Staley
LG - Beadles
C - Kilgore
RG - Tiller
RT - A. Davis/T. Brown
TE - Celek
WR - Boldin
WR - Smith
RB - Hyde
FB - Miller
Defense:
DE - Zettel/Dial (if Tank is transistioned to OLB)
NG - Williams/Ridgeway/Dorsey
DE - Armstead (no way he don't start)
OLB - Brooks
OLB - Lynch
ILB - Bowman
ILB - Brothers
CB - Howard
CB - Johnson/Brock
FS - Reid
SS - Tartt
Don't know about you guys but that looks like a very good starting line up that should win, pending scheme. Thoughts?
Have you seen him in coverage? Besides, Mizzou's D scheme didn't ask him to drop back in coverage much. So to declare that he can't do something that he hasn't been asked to do much is ridiculous. Plus, most NFL rookie LB's don't cover NFL complicated passing schemes that well. To expect such is just unreasonable. Bottom line, Brothers has very similar to Bowman in that he diagnosis plays very well, and seldom is he caught out of position. So I have no doubt that with reps Brothers will win that ILB spot besides Bowman very easily.