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The focus of this draft, considering all our needs, will be players who represent excellent value. That means can mean the ability to serve dual roles, amazing physical potential, ability to start early, and/or long term return.
So without further ado, my Fins mock draft as of 3/15.
Note: I didn't include the Broncos 6th, as it is expected the Wilkinson trade will be voided after tomorrow.
Round 1, pick #9- Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State University
- What’s got two thumbs, and seems to be a big flip flopper? This guy! That’s right I have gone from wanting Brown, to Landry, to Branch, to Meachem, back to Brown, to Hall, and now to Ginn. Truth be told, I can’t imagine any scenario where I will be unhappy with who the fins draft at #9. Only player I don’t want to see us take, who people have speculated, is Olsen. Blah! Though I was very critical of Ginn during his time at OSU, finding almost any chance to slight him, I simply can’t deny how big a playmaker he is. Aside from Calvin Johnson, Ginn wows like no other. His speed, change of direction skills, and moves with the ball in his hands are simply stunning. I don’t know if I’ve watched someone get to their top speed faster. I know I don’t like the ankle injury, and would like to see him run before the draft, but he is so versatile. If the medical staff clears Ginn, then I would have no qualms about the pick. Ginn could play outside, allowing Chambers to move to the slot, and he can return punts. Though Ginn could return kicks, I’d prefer we sign someone like Hicks from the 49ers to do it, so that Ginn doesn’t take such a pounding. His routes are questionable, as well as his ability to play the jam, but truth be told he didn’t ever have to run disciplined routes and no one dared play him tight. I’m sure both of those things can be worked on, as we have a very good WRs coach. I really just can’t say enough about how psyched I am about pick #9 no matter who it is.
Round 2, pick #40- Aaron Sears, OL, University of Tennessee
- While I would prefer to see Blaylock, Grubbs, or Kalil here I just can’t foresee that happening. And while I personally like Zach Miller, from a value stand point Sears projects to help us more. Sears could play tackle or guard, though likely projects well to guard in the pros (and could move out to tackle in a pinch). Sears is big strong and seemingly fast enough to even pull on occasion. His ability to play two separate positions makes me choose him over Zack Miller. And if anyone still has ill feelings towards Tennessee players after last year, you may want to turn away now.
Round 2, pick #60- Jonathon Wade, CB, University of Tennessee
- With all the top corners off the board prior to pick 40, this spot provides ample opportunity to pick from the next best of the bunch. It really comes down to Wade and Fred Bennett who both put up awesome workouts. Both have everything you can look for from a physical standpoint and just have to put it together. But, the fact that I don’t believe Bennett will still be on the board at 60, and that I feel Wade is a much better tackler makes me give him the nod. Wade has tremendous speed, and that might be what draws me to him. We can certainly use that shut down guy, and I really feel like Wade could develop into that. Plus I bet he’d enjoy working in the same secondary with his former teammate. Maybe Allen could help Wade avoid some of the rookie mistakes that were apparent during his first times on the field.
Round 3, pick #71- Andy Alleman, OL, University of Akron
- Call this a homer pick, I don’t care. Alleman is a legit top 5 guard prospect and the fact he might have the potential to play center in the NFL makes him that much more appealing. Alleman put up great workouts, and played well above his competition level. Plus, we already know Houck has taken an interest in him, and that is enough for me to suspect that Alleman is a very likely candidate for our 3rd round pick.
Round 4, pick #104 - Jon Beck, QB, BYU
- Rookie quarterbacks. It is not something the fins have invested much into over the past decade. While Jon Beck is no Brady Quinn, he would be a great selection at the start of day 2. Put up crazy good numbers while directing BYU’s offense, and showed he could work well with the game on the line (recall his TD pass to Jonny Harline as time expired against Utah). Beck had an impressive combine as well, running reasonably well, and displaying a very strong arm. Beck is smart and very accurate. I think he could certainly develop into a very good quarterback, he just needs time, much like Delhomme and Hasselback (not saying he plays like either).
Round 6, pick #166 - Xzavie Jackson, DE/OLB, University of Missouri
- Not gonna lie, had CK not exposed me to this guy I would never have known he existed. This guy is extremely athletic though, and projects very well to play an OLB position in our defense. He can squat 728 lbs ( a Missouri record) and had very good production as a senior (especially compared to his junior season). Perhaps could be had in the 7th, but I’m picking him here just in case.
Round 7, pick #200 - Dane Uperesa, OL, University of Hawai’i
- Here’s another Houck guy on the OL. Extremely athletic once again, and much like Alabi could develop into an excellent player with a little bit of work. He has quick feet and good hands, as well as tremendous size (6’6†309lbs). While this may seem like a lot of OL to draft, we certainly need the depth, and the risk/reward on all the picks seems to certainly lean towards reward. And considering how hard it is to hit on a player late in the draft, you may as well pick someone you like that you are familiar with, and in this case it is Dane.
Round 7, pick #219 - Antonio Johnson, DT, Mississippi State University
- At 6’3†and 310lbs, Antonio is a big man. He has about everything you could look for physically even if the production isn’t there yet. With Traylor on the outs within the next year or two we can use the depth on the DL, and Johnson may just prove to be as valuable a 7th as Fred Evans. More likely, Johnson would spend a year on the practice squad at least, but he appears to be an upgrade over Vickerson in most areas. The ceiling for Johnson is really up to him which is the bad thing, if he can apply himself and work hard at getting the nuances of the position down, he could be something special in my opinion.
So without further ado, my Fins mock draft as of 3/15.
Note: I didn't include the Broncos 6th, as it is expected the Wilkinson trade will be voided after tomorrow.
Round 1, pick #9- Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State University
- What’s got two thumbs, and seems to be a big flip flopper? This guy! That’s right I have gone from wanting Brown, to Landry, to Branch, to Meachem, back to Brown, to Hall, and now to Ginn. Truth be told, I can’t imagine any scenario where I will be unhappy with who the fins draft at #9. Only player I don’t want to see us take, who people have speculated, is Olsen. Blah! Though I was very critical of Ginn during his time at OSU, finding almost any chance to slight him, I simply can’t deny how big a playmaker he is. Aside from Calvin Johnson, Ginn wows like no other. His speed, change of direction skills, and moves with the ball in his hands are simply stunning. I don’t know if I’ve watched someone get to their top speed faster. I know I don’t like the ankle injury, and would like to see him run before the draft, but he is so versatile. If the medical staff clears Ginn, then I would have no qualms about the pick. Ginn could play outside, allowing Chambers to move to the slot, and he can return punts. Though Ginn could return kicks, I’d prefer we sign someone like Hicks from the 49ers to do it, so that Ginn doesn’t take such a pounding. His routes are questionable, as well as his ability to play the jam, but truth be told he didn’t ever have to run disciplined routes and no one dared play him tight. I’m sure both of those things can be worked on, as we have a very good WRs coach. I really just can’t say enough about how psyched I am about pick #9 no matter who it is.
Round 2, pick #40- Aaron Sears, OL, University of Tennessee
- While I would prefer to see Blaylock, Grubbs, or Kalil here I just can’t foresee that happening. And while I personally like Zach Miller, from a value stand point Sears projects to help us more. Sears could play tackle or guard, though likely projects well to guard in the pros (and could move out to tackle in a pinch). Sears is big strong and seemingly fast enough to even pull on occasion. His ability to play two separate positions makes me choose him over Zack Miller. And if anyone still has ill feelings towards Tennessee players after last year, you may want to turn away now.
Round 2, pick #60- Jonathon Wade, CB, University of Tennessee
- With all the top corners off the board prior to pick 40, this spot provides ample opportunity to pick from the next best of the bunch. It really comes down to Wade and Fred Bennett who both put up awesome workouts. Both have everything you can look for from a physical standpoint and just have to put it together. But, the fact that I don’t believe Bennett will still be on the board at 60, and that I feel Wade is a much better tackler makes me give him the nod. Wade has tremendous speed, and that might be what draws me to him. We can certainly use that shut down guy, and I really feel like Wade could develop into that. Plus I bet he’d enjoy working in the same secondary with his former teammate. Maybe Allen could help Wade avoid some of the rookie mistakes that were apparent during his first times on the field.
Round 3, pick #71- Andy Alleman, OL, University of Akron
- Call this a homer pick, I don’t care. Alleman is a legit top 5 guard prospect and the fact he might have the potential to play center in the NFL makes him that much more appealing. Alleman put up great workouts, and played well above his competition level. Plus, we already know Houck has taken an interest in him, and that is enough for me to suspect that Alleman is a very likely candidate for our 3rd round pick.
Round 4, pick #104 - Jon Beck, QB, BYU
- Rookie quarterbacks. It is not something the fins have invested much into over the past decade. While Jon Beck is no Brady Quinn, he would be a great selection at the start of day 2. Put up crazy good numbers while directing BYU’s offense, and showed he could work well with the game on the line (recall his TD pass to Jonny Harline as time expired against Utah). Beck had an impressive combine as well, running reasonably well, and displaying a very strong arm. Beck is smart and very accurate. I think he could certainly develop into a very good quarterback, he just needs time, much like Delhomme and Hasselback (not saying he plays like either).
Round 6, pick #166 - Xzavie Jackson, DE/OLB, University of Missouri
- Not gonna lie, had CK not exposed me to this guy I would never have known he existed. This guy is extremely athletic though, and projects very well to play an OLB position in our defense. He can squat 728 lbs ( a Missouri record) and had very good production as a senior (especially compared to his junior season). Perhaps could be had in the 7th, but I’m picking him here just in case.
Round 7, pick #200 - Dane Uperesa, OL, University of Hawai’i
- Here’s another Houck guy on the OL. Extremely athletic once again, and much like Alabi could develop into an excellent player with a little bit of work. He has quick feet and good hands, as well as tremendous size (6’6†309lbs). While this may seem like a lot of OL to draft, we certainly need the depth, and the risk/reward on all the picks seems to certainly lean towards reward. And considering how hard it is to hit on a player late in the draft, you may as well pick someone you like that you are familiar with, and in this case it is Dane.
Round 7, pick #219 - Antonio Johnson, DT, Mississippi State University
- At 6’3†and 310lbs, Antonio is a big man. He has about everything you could look for physically even if the production isn’t there yet. With Traylor on the outs within the next year or two we can use the depth on the DL, and Johnson may just prove to be as valuable a 7th as Fred Evans. More likely, Johnson would spend a year on the practice squad at least, but he appears to be an upgrade over Vickerson in most areas. The ceiling for Johnson is really up to him which is the bad thing, if he can apply himself and work hard at getting the nuances of the position down, he could be something special in my opinion.
