B.Sebo
Certified HogPhin Trainer
I have been working on this for sometime, fine-tuning here and there. I was waiting for a lull in the rush of mock drafts to end before posting mine. I thought this was the time, but it looks like the always brilliant Nick has posted an updated version of his. Regardless, I feel the time is right for my mock. Hold on to your hats people.
1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan – First of all, let me make this perfectly clear, I love Chris Long as a player and think he will be a tremendous pro. I certainly would not be upset if we picked him; however, I rate Jake Long with the same grade as Chris Long and with the need at tackle being much greater than the need at OLB, Jake gets the nod. To me, Jake Long will be a top level LT and could also be a top level RT. Now to those who say that you don’t spend a top pick on a RT, I agree . . . but Jake has the ability to play on either side (as does Carey). The bottom line is that no matter how we go with either Long (or Gholston), we are spending the first pick on a possible RT or an OLB . . . neither of which are traditional first over picks.
2a. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona – A player that I personally grade as the best cornerback in the draft, and to get him at 32 is an amazing stroke of luck. Cason may not be the ideal pressure corner that Parcells may love (see Charles Godfrey from Iowa), but he is a straight-up player. A nose for the ball, extremely sound tackler, and rarely gets beat . . . but perhaps the thing that makes this guy stand out the most to me his is outstanding character on and off the field . . . he is a player you like to root for. The bottom line is that we need help at Cornerback, and although it would be agonizing for me to see Kenny Phillips there at 32 (I love me a good safety), Cason should be the pick.
2b. Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma – Will he last this long? Maybe not, but I cannot state how much I love this kid. I think the stigma against OU linebackers ends with him. Everyone knows how much I loved Zach Thomas, well I see Lofton as what could be a bigger, faster Zach Thomas. Again, top flight character while at OU. In my mind, Torber and Crowder represent a barely passable ILB duo, but I believe that with Lofton the unit as a whole gets a much needed upgrade. The bottom line is that Curtis Lofton could have a DeMeco Ryans type impact on our defense immediately, but his availability here will have a lot to do with where Dan Connor and Jarod Meyo go in the second round.
3. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State – Are you seeing a trend here with my picks? The are all hard working leaders with great character and intangibles. Roy Schuening is no exception. He was an anchor for the Beaver line while he was there. Schuening is a mauler who I have seen dominate in the few games I actually laid in bed watching Oregon State. He is honestly a new addition to my draft as for a few weeks I have had us going Tight End at this slot, but it now seems that one of the two guys I favored there will be available later. Now Schuening does have some to learn, but he should come in and start. The bottom line is that this pick would solidify our line for years to come with a starting line of Long, Smiley, Satele, Schuening, and Carey (plus a guy like Mormino for depth).
4. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame – Remember that guy I was talking about last pick, yeah that guy is John Carlson. Again, another guy that may not last ‘til the first pick in the fourth round, but if he is there you snatch him up. Carlson really stood out watching the Irish last year. He has daggum good hands and seems to be a good enough blocker. I never really saw him really take the game over, but as a Tight End that isn’t really an issue. The bottom line is that he will catch the ball when it is thrown his way and will block when needed. A definite upgrade over David Martin.
6a. Frank Okam, DT, Texas – One pick that I am very nervous about. There is a reason Frank Okam slips to the sixth round. He is amazing inconsistent and just plain doesn’t play up to the level he could all the time. Tremendous upside for a pick in the sixth. Definitely a project player, but that is okay since Ferguson should be more than satisfactory for a couple of years, by which time Okam should be ready to move into his slot. The bottom line is that this guy is a giant risk, but I say why not in take such a risk in the sixth round?
6b. Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa – So here it is, the quarterback pick. It is my believe that a pick any sooner than this is foolish. A quarterback in the second or third basically undercuts the pick of Beck last year and I personally believe that Beck is going to be a great pro. As for Paul Smith, he flourished last year in Gus Malzahn’s spread offense. He is a project that will likely never be a starter, but could be an amazing second stringer. The bottom line is that Smith is a good project to work as the third string quarterback the next couple of years behind the quarterbacks already on the roster.
7a. Wallace Gilberry, DE, Alabama – Gilberry will likely never be an elite defensive end in the NFL, but he could be a very good and serviceable player for us. He played very well against the top-flight competition of the SEC. Hard worker and has an unparalleled appetite for the game. The bottom line is that Gilberry represents a tremendous value for this point in the draft.
7b. Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas – How the heck Monk is projected to be a late round selection is beyond me. You want to talk about the steal of the draft, you talk about Marcus Monk in the seventh round. A big target with great hands and good enough speed. He was projected to be a second round pick before an injury sidelined him for most of his senior year. Horrendously underutilized by Houston Nutt during his career at Arkansas, but still set the record at Arkansas for most TD catches. Only had one good quarterback throw to him during his career (Mitch Mustain who is now starting at the good USC), otherwise had balls thrown to him by the likes of Robert Johnson, Alex Mortinson, and Casey Dick. The bottom line is this is amazing value at this slot and a receiver who could ultimately be a number two option in the NFL.
7c. J Leman, ILB, Illinois – Assuming we do get that extra pick at the end of the seventh round, J Leman should be the pick. He was projected as one of the top inside linebackers before last season began, but saw his stock plummet after a sub-par senior season. If Curtis Lofton is a taller, faster Zach Thomas then J Leman is Larry Izzo. Leman is likely too small to play effectively in our new scheme, but he looks like he could a special team star. The bottom line is that Leman is never going to be a starter in the NFL, but he could be a great piece to a Super Bowl puzzle.
So there you have it, the first and likely final version of my 2008 mock draft. At the end of the weekend, we have five immediate starters in Long, Cason, Lofton, Schuening, and Carlson. You also get five project players for which two of them could eventually be starters. In my mind it is balanced and grounded in reality. I might make an alternate version soon for a top pick Chris Long.
Comments and criticisms are welcome.
1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan – First of all, let me make this perfectly clear, I love Chris Long as a player and think he will be a tremendous pro. I certainly would not be upset if we picked him; however, I rate Jake Long with the same grade as Chris Long and with the need at tackle being much greater than the need at OLB, Jake gets the nod. To me, Jake Long will be a top level LT and could also be a top level RT. Now to those who say that you don’t spend a top pick on a RT, I agree . . . but Jake has the ability to play on either side (as does Carey). The bottom line is that no matter how we go with either Long (or Gholston), we are spending the first pick on a possible RT or an OLB . . . neither of which are traditional first over picks.
2a. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona – A player that I personally grade as the best cornerback in the draft, and to get him at 32 is an amazing stroke of luck. Cason may not be the ideal pressure corner that Parcells may love (see Charles Godfrey from Iowa), but he is a straight-up player. A nose for the ball, extremely sound tackler, and rarely gets beat . . . but perhaps the thing that makes this guy stand out the most to me his is outstanding character on and off the field . . . he is a player you like to root for. The bottom line is that we need help at Cornerback, and although it would be agonizing for me to see Kenny Phillips there at 32 (I love me a good safety), Cason should be the pick.
2b. Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma – Will he last this long? Maybe not, but I cannot state how much I love this kid. I think the stigma against OU linebackers ends with him. Everyone knows how much I loved Zach Thomas, well I see Lofton as what could be a bigger, faster Zach Thomas. Again, top flight character while at OU. In my mind, Torber and Crowder represent a barely passable ILB duo, but I believe that with Lofton the unit as a whole gets a much needed upgrade. The bottom line is that Curtis Lofton could have a DeMeco Ryans type impact on our defense immediately, but his availability here will have a lot to do with where Dan Connor and Jarod Meyo go in the second round.
3. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State – Are you seeing a trend here with my picks? The are all hard working leaders with great character and intangibles. Roy Schuening is no exception. He was an anchor for the Beaver line while he was there. Schuening is a mauler who I have seen dominate in the few games I actually laid in bed watching Oregon State. He is honestly a new addition to my draft as for a few weeks I have had us going Tight End at this slot, but it now seems that one of the two guys I favored there will be available later. Now Schuening does have some to learn, but he should come in and start. The bottom line is that this pick would solidify our line for years to come with a starting line of Long, Smiley, Satele, Schuening, and Carey (plus a guy like Mormino for depth).
4. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame – Remember that guy I was talking about last pick, yeah that guy is John Carlson. Again, another guy that may not last ‘til the first pick in the fourth round, but if he is there you snatch him up. Carlson really stood out watching the Irish last year. He has daggum good hands and seems to be a good enough blocker. I never really saw him really take the game over, but as a Tight End that isn’t really an issue. The bottom line is that he will catch the ball when it is thrown his way and will block when needed. A definite upgrade over David Martin.
6a. Frank Okam, DT, Texas – One pick that I am very nervous about. There is a reason Frank Okam slips to the sixth round. He is amazing inconsistent and just plain doesn’t play up to the level he could all the time. Tremendous upside for a pick in the sixth. Definitely a project player, but that is okay since Ferguson should be more than satisfactory for a couple of years, by which time Okam should be ready to move into his slot. The bottom line is that this guy is a giant risk, but I say why not in take such a risk in the sixth round?
6b. Paul Smith, QB, Tulsa – So here it is, the quarterback pick. It is my believe that a pick any sooner than this is foolish. A quarterback in the second or third basically undercuts the pick of Beck last year and I personally believe that Beck is going to be a great pro. As for Paul Smith, he flourished last year in Gus Malzahn’s spread offense. He is a project that will likely never be a starter, but could be an amazing second stringer. The bottom line is that Smith is a good project to work as the third string quarterback the next couple of years behind the quarterbacks already on the roster.
7a. Wallace Gilberry, DE, Alabama – Gilberry will likely never be an elite defensive end in the NFL, but he could be a very good and serviceable player for us. He played very well against the top-flight competition of the SEC. Hard worker and has an unparalleled appetite for the game. The bottom line is that Gilberry represents a tremendous value for this point in the draft.
7b. Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas – How the heck Monk is projected to be a late round selection is beyond me. You want to talk about the steal of the draft, you talk about Marcus Monk in the seventh round. A big target with great hands and good enough speed. He was projected to be a second round pick before an injury sidelined him for most of his senior year. Horrendously underutilized by Houston Nutt during his career at Arkansas, but still set the record at Arkansas for most TD catches. Only had one good quarterback throw to him during his career (Mitch Mustain who is now starting at the good USC), otherwise had balls thrown to him by the likes of Robert Johnson, Alex Mortinson, and Casey Dick. The bottom line is this is amazing value at this slot and a receiver who could ultimately be a number two option in the NFL.
7c. J Leman, ILB, Illinois – Assuming we do get that extra pick at the end of the seventh round, J Leman should be the pick. He was projected as one of the top inside linebackers before last season began, but saw his stock plummet after a sub-par senior season. If Curtis Lofton is a taller, faster Zach Thomas then J Leman is Larry Izzo. Leman is likely too small to play effectively in our new scheme, but he looks like he could a special team star. The bottom line is that Leman is never going to be a starter in the NFL, but he could be a great piece to a Super Bowl puzzle.
So there you have it, the first and likely final version of my 2008 mock draft. At the end of the weekend, we have five immediate starters in Long, Cason, Lofton, Schuening, and Carlson. You also get five project players for which two of them could eventually be starters. In my mind it is balanced and grounded in reality. I might make an alternate version soon for a top pick Chris Long.
Comments and criticisms are welcome.
