Draft Series: Episode 4 - One and only 'Big Board'

Case closed. This is the undisputed Big Board (w/o commentary). As always I have convictions in my assessments and often times will drift from media group-think. Rarely do I hedge a guy in my Big Board, if I did it would involve the social group-think element.

Caveats:

• As our new-world environment this episode does not include any of the good bits (skill positions). So you'll have to imagine all the T&A in this boring content.
• Just like all Big Boards, this does not equate to draft position. Even less so without offensive skill positions. Rather how I value each player relative to each other... and in some cases their value over typical draft classes.

Top 40 Big Board

1. EDGE | Shane Ray | Missouri
2. EDGE | Randy Gregory | Nebraska
3. 5T/43DE | Leonard Williams | USC
4. FS | Damarious Randall | Arizona State
5. 3T/1T | Malcom Brown | Texas
6. OG/OT | La'el Collins | LSU
7. 1T/NT | Carl Davis | Iowa
8. CB | Kevin Johnson | Wake Forest
9. OT | TJ Clemmings | Pittsburgh
10. EDGE | Dante Fowler | Florida
11. CB | Marcus Peters | Washington
12. OG/OT | Brandon Scherff | Iowa
13. ??? | Vic Beasley | Clemson
14. 43DE | Frank Clark | Michigan
15. OT | DJ Humphries | Florida
16. C/OG | Cameron Erving | Florida State
17. EDGE | Alvin Dupree | Kentucky
18. EDGE | Owamagbe Odighizuwa | UCLA
19. NT/1T | Danny Shelton | Washington
20. ILB/OLB | Eric Kendricks | UCLA
21. CB | Jalen Collins | LSU
22. EDGE | Preston Smith | Mississippi State
23. CB/FS | Byron Jones | Connecticut
24. 3T/5T | Marcus Hardison | Arizona State
25. 3T | Grady Jarrett | Clemson
26. FS/CB | Eric Rowe | Utah
27. 1T/NT | Tyeler Davison | Fresno State
28. EDGE | Shaquille Riddick | West Virginia
29. OT/OG | Ereck Flowers | Miami
30. 5T/3T | Henry Anderson | Stanford
31. 43DE | Trey Flowers | Arkansas
32. CB | Trae Waynes | Michigan State
33. OT | Cedric Ogbuehi | Texas A&M
34. OT/OG | Jake Fisher | Oregon
35. OG | AJ Cann | South Carolina
36. SS/FS | Jaquiski Tartt | Samford
37. ILB/OLB | Stephone Anthony | Clemson
38. OG | Laken Tomlinson | Duke
39. OT | Andrus Peat | Stanford
40. OG/C | Mitch Morse | Missouri

"Popular" names that did not make the top 40:

• CB | P.J. Williams | Florida State
• CB | Ronald Darby | Florida State
• FS | Quinten Rollins | Miami University
• SS | Landon Collins | Alabama
• 3T | Mario Edwards | Florida State
• 3T | Michael Bennett | Ohio State
• 5T/3T | Arik Armstead | Oregon
• 1T/NT | Jordan Phillips | Oklahoma
• 1T/NT | Eddie Goldman | Florida State
• EDGE | Eli Harold | Virginia
• ILB | Paul Dawson | TCU
• ILB | Denzel Perryman | Miami
• ILB/OLB | Benardrick McKinney | Mississippi State
• OLB | Kwon Alexander | LSU
• OLB/SS | Shaq Thompson | Washington
• OG/C | Ali Marpet | Hobart
• OT | Donovan Smith | Penn State

Draft Series: Episode 3 - Sans Wrinkles

The image says it all. Vomiting out my 2015 NFL Draft claims.


Deep Sleepers that could make their way into Round 1

Last year the selections of Ju'Wuan James, Dee Ford, and Marcus Smith sent a cross-country wave of furrowed brow reactions. The "Who the hell is that" or "Wow, that was a reach" comments spewed from mock draft neophytes. So this year I wanted to save you from additional wrinkles to your already weathered faces. The selection methodology here is the following [1] I've never seen them in any Round 1 mock draft; [2] I haven't even heard them being mentioned in the top 50 players on anyone's board. This is some pretty deep $#!+ folks.

[SS] Jaquiski Tartt | Samford

6'1"/221. Runs a 40 in 4.50, with a top tier 10 yard 1.50 second split. Measurables aside, he is a small school prospect has excellent range and is physical at the point of contact. All of this equates to a significant upside that scouts will equate to projected future production. While I'm at it... he is my #1 Strong Safety (#2 Safety) over Alabama's Landon Collins.

[OLB] Shaquille Riddick | West Virginia

6'6"/244. A graduate transfer to West Virginia from Gardner-Webb actually hurt his stock by playing for West Virginia. The unorthodox defense does not give scouts an easy reference point when projecting a front-seven defender into an NFL. But the tools that he presents are tantalizing. He is a quick twitch player, with flexibility and fluidity in his movement. Strength is a question, but motor and ability to engage the POA is not questioned.

[3T] Marcus Hardison | Arizona State

6'3"/305. Had it not been for a knee injury he would have performed better at the Combine and Pro Day. For a man his size he is a very quick twitch athlete. On top of that his arm length (33.5"), hand size, and strength are an added asset for an interior 3T that is asked to 'shoot the gap'. The one thing that will factor heavily is the fact that not may teams play the base 4-3 on a regular basis. 

[CB] Tray Walker | Texas Southern

6'3"/189. Thanks to the Seattle Seahawks height and length at the CB position has been en vogue for a few years now. There is obvious advantages in contested situations, as well as altering the WR/QB timing off the line. Even though Walker was not invited to the Combine his stock was not hurt. What makes him an exceptional candidate to sneak into the 1st round is his speed (4.4 - 40) and near elite agility (6.7 - 3 cone).

[1T/NT] Tyeler Davison | Fresno State

6'2"/316. Again interior linemen with long arms (34"), big active hands, explosive hops, and rare movement skills are prospects you would be silly not to consider high in the draft. Other guys that play the similar position, like Danny Shelton, Jordan Phillips, and Eddie Goldman are getting more pub in the e-papers lack his makeup. Tack on production and motor, he looks and sounds like a 1st rounder.

Draft Series: Episode 2 - The last episode???

Poor turnout on the last blog post was evident. Ned was the only one that replied, and I got the usual hate mail. That said, I'm not sure what I expected. You guys aren't as crazy into this as I am, and I didn't offer any free prizes.

So I'll change it up. Today I will participate in the great American past-time, called "Tearing down someone else's Mock Draft".

Step up to the chopping block, Mel Kiper. Released today. 

#1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - [QB] Jameis Winston

#2 Tennessee Titans - [QB] Marcus Mariota

• Mel reminds us that he doesn't project trades (in Mocks), yet he owns up to doing so here. Way to be a sheep following bored draftniks trying to create trade smoke.

#3 Jacksonville Jaguars - [DE] Leonard Williams

• Williams is a man-child. In this draft class he has as good of a chance as anyone to be special. But with the signing of Jared Odrick, who can play the 'long' 3-technique or 5-technique, the position depth in those areas seem to be good for 2-3 years. If I were the Jags I would look to add a LEO rush end. Chris Clemons is 33 (with little guaranteed money left) and Andre Branch is mediocre.

#4 Oakland Raiders - [WR] Amari Cooper

• Psyche... you get nothing from me.

#5 Washington Redskins - [DE] Dante Fowler

• Okay Mel, right position at least. Good to know the hair gel isn't damaging the neural cortex.

#6 New York Jets - [OT] Brandon Scherff

• Maybe it's cause Scherff is more of an OG than an OT (short alligator arms, and subpar pass protection), or maybe it's cause the dude only has one vowel in his 7 letter last name, but I don't think he is worthy of such a high pick. Options are a-plenty on a poor roster.

#7 Chicago Bears - [WR] Kevin White

#8 Atlanta Falcons - [OLB] Vic Beasley

• With Shane Ray, Randy Gregory, and Alvin 'Bud' Dupree still available, Kiper picking Beasley here is a clear sign of bandwagon allegiance.

#9 New York Giants - [OLB] Shane Ray

• You know I love me some Shane Ray, but Spagnola's defense has a history of bigger DEs. With Leonard Williams off the board, Bud Dupree would make more sense if they want a DE.

#10 Saint Louis Rams - [WR] Breshad Perriman

#11 Minnesota Vikings - [CB] Trae Waynes

• I like the idea of a CB to sow up the CB spot opposite Xavier Rhodes. Waynes is a press corner, but is grabby and in the intermediate areas his agility and quicks are suspect. Knowing Spielman he'll trade this pick up/down or next year... who knows.

#12 Cleveland Browns - [WR] DeVante Parker

• Personal opinion, but I don't think the Browns need a WR. The hoards of draftniks out there have WR and DT as the two most likely positions selected. I disagree and would prefer Randy Gregory or Bud Dupree here. I'm just uninspired by the rush OLBs that the Browns have now.

#13 New Orleans - [OLB] Randy Gregory

• This would be a great pick, and would elevate the defense greatly. But could use some secondary and O-line help too.

#14 Miami Dolphins - [DT] Danny Shelton

• Dominant 2-down run defender, but next to Ndamukong Suh? If the Dolphins can prevent the other team's offense from EVER throwing the ball... Yes, Mel's pick here is wise.

#15 San Francisco 49ers - [DE] Arik Armstead

• Word is that the Niners are finally trying to talk one of their star defenders out of retiring. As Mel points out, Justin Smith will retire... recently signed Darrell Dockett is 33 and coming off an ACL injury, Ray McDonald is gone. Yes, the Niners need to address the line early and often in this year's draft. But Armstead is a bust waiting to happen. I think he is one of the most over-rated guys this year.

#16 Houston Texans - [OLB] Bud Dupree

• Sorry, just because Jadeveon Clowney didn't produce year-one (due to injury) it does not mean you need another 1st round rush OLB. Whitney Mercilus and Clowney are young and talented. Add some youth and talent elsewhere Mel!

#17 San Diego Chargers - [DT] Malcom Brown

• Man Crush Alert! Malcom Brown is my guy, but is a waste in a 34 defense. I would suggest a Stud CB to push the 5'9" Jason Verrett into slot coverage, or maybe an offensive lineman to upgrade talent.

#18 Kansas City Chiefs - [WR] Jaelen Strong

• I find this hilarious. Alex Smith threw zero WR-touchdowns last year, so this year you go and get Jeremy Maclin and draft a WR in round one. Does Kiper expect their offensive identity to change this year?

#19 Cleveland Browns - [RB] Todd Gurley

#20 Philadelphia Eagles - [S] Landon Collins

#21 Cincinnati Bengals - [WR] Devin Funchess

#22 Pittsburgh Steelers - [CB] Kevin Johnson

• I'd hate it if my favorite CB went to the hated rivals of the Browns. But overall, outside of DE and ILB, the Steelers are in desperate need of quality defenders.

#23 Detroit Lions - [OT] La'el Collins

• This pick makes a ton of sense and is very safe, so before I give Mel too much credit I'll move on.

#24 Arizona Cardinals - [RB] Melvin Gordon

#25 Carolina Panthers - [OT] DJ Humphries

#26 Baltimore Ravens - [CB] Marcus Peters

#27 Dallas Cowboys - [CB] Byron Jones

• Last year the Cowboys coaching staff got a defensive roster to over-achieve. Kiper mentions in his analysis that the 'boys are in win-now mode. Jones is awfully tempting, so I'd understand the pick, but unfortunately at this stage Jones is developmental.

#28 Denver Broncos - [C] Cameron Erving

• Denver has a loaded roster and is in a great spot to draft the best player available. Erving is not an immediate need. If the Broncos want to move Manny Ramirez from C to LG, this pick would make sense.

#29 Indianapolis Colts - [OT] Andrus Peat

• Relative to most mocks, I think this would be a steal. I don't like Peat's game, but he has the requisite LT length and size so GMs will ask OL coaches to squeeze the talent out of a guy like Peat.

#30 Green Bay Packers - [CB] Jalen Collins

• Even though inside LB is not a premium position, Packer fans will be clamoring for such a pick. Collins could replace Tramon Williams who the packers should have resigned, but there is actually talented ILBs this year. It would be a good confluence of best available and need.

#31 New Orleans Saints - [WR] Nelson Agholor

#32 New England Patriots - [DT] Eddie Goldman