FanPost

Jack's Mock Draft 2.0, with trades! Rounds 1-4

Okay, this time I actually went through more players than my last mock draft, so although I would like this to be my "1.0" I don't think it would matter either way. So I'll just have it as 2.0.

Reasons why I'm doing rounds 1-4, is because I didn't lok at much people past round 4. Instead I believe our value will come in rounds 1-4, and whoever turns out great in rounds 6 and 7 for us will be gravy. I'll look at lower rounders after the season ends, because by then there will be more information on them.

And since many of you have been saying "we should just trade down anyways" I agree! So this is a mock draft with trades in them, that are realistic imo. So here are the trades/players that I have liked in these rounds. Doesn't fully mean that I REALLY want these guys to be drafted, but just guys that I liked watching video, and that I think would be good prospects.

Top 5 pick- TRADE

We'll trade this down for a mid-1st rounder, a 2nd, and a 3rd. Moving up in the top 5 is expensive, especially if your a team picking in the middle of the 1st round.

Mid-Round pick from Trade: Chase Thomas, OLB/ILB 6'4" 248 lbs.

Chase_thomas_medium

via static.predictionmachine.com

Chase looks very, very good.

Thomas? impact for Stanford?s defense is felt way past the box score with his constant disruption on the pocket and against the run.

In an overtime loss to Notre Dame in South Bend in October, he was extremely active with stunts and pressures, attacking from different angles and directions. Thomas showed strong hands and wrists to stack and shed quickly to keep blockers off balance.

He is tough to contain because of his energetic playing style and quick feet to avoid blockers, using arm-over technique to gain leverage and break through the line of scrimmage. Thomas plays disciplined with a high football IQ.

Although he isn?t naturally explosive or a quick-twitch pass rusher, he plays fast and hard with controlled aggression and goes at full speed any time he?s on the field.

--Dane Brugler

Here is another link (from walter football) that talks about him in more detail. http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2013cthomas.php

And an excerpt from their OLB rankings:

11/17/12: Thomas has 54 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and three sacks for Stanford this year. His sack against USC came at a critical time to help seal the Cardinal's upset win. He played really well against Notre Dame. The redshirt senior has a lot more pressure on the quarterback than the sack numbers indicate.

Though Thomas has the flexibility to play inside linebacker as well, he thrives blitzing off the edge and combines good physical skills with intelligence. Thomas has a knack for causing turnovers.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2013OLB.php


Some video:

Chase Thomas vs Notre Dame (2012) (via Adrian Ahufinger)

He reminds me a bit of Mike Vrabel.

2nd Round Pick from FIRST TRADE: TRADE DOWN

There is a method to my madness. We'll trade this pick for a 3rd rounder and..... a 1st rounder next year. Not only look to our future, but I have also looked and have seen that we could get good talent in the 3rd. You'll see who I'll be getting.

RAIDERS 3rd round pick: Daniel McCullers, NT Tennessee 6'8" 360 lbs.

19413767_bg1_display_image_medium

via cdn.bleacherreport.net

Yep. You saw those measureables, and I think we kind of need a NT. Now, I did not choose him solely because of his weight. The fact that he is 6'8" should be valued in terms of batting down balls at the line of scrimmage. Also looked at video of him and what not, ut before we get to the video, lets see some profiles here.

11/17/12: The mammoth McCullers has been a presence for Tennessee. He had a good game against Florida with three tackles and a tackle for a loss. McCullers also had some pass pressure versus the Gators. He's totaled 36 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, a pass broken up, a forced fumble and a blocked kick this season. McCullers is still raw, but he could turn into something special.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2013NT.php

I think I read somewhere that he can even be an every down player, but that could have been someone else. McCullers fits what a NT should be. A gap-plugging body who helps contain the run up the middle, and provides a little rush. In the video, there are times where you see him plow through OL as if he were charging for a midnight snack. he can help Dennis Allen implement his hybrid scheme of 4-3 and 3-4, and he can very well help the rest of our DL. Of course, I am sure he will need to work on technique and leverage, but a guy this big, and with a really good amount of potential is really worth looking at.

Oh, and here's some video:

Daniel McCullers vs Georgia 2012 (via JPDraftJedi)

3rd Round pick from FIRST TRADE: Leon McFadden, CB San Diego State 5'10" 190 lbs.

08_13_12_sports_football_az-300x200_medium

via www.thedailyaztec.com


McFadden, from the 12 minute highlight video that I watched a little bit of (hey I have been busy looking for other guys as well) looks like he has really good body control, solid hands, and has natural instincts you need in a CB. I know with the last name McFadden, that you guys automatically look the other way, but after reading a little bit of profile, and seeing his video, I hope you can see how good this guy looks to get in the 3rd round.

11/10/12: McFadden has totaled 48 tackles with 10 passes broken up and three interceptions this season. He is having the best year of his collegiate career so far in 2012. The former wide receiver has a reputation as a good cover corner. McFadden totaled 46 tackles, 15 passes broken up and two interceptions last year. He recorded 55 tackles, 12 passes broken up and two interceptions in 2010.

Nice. Very consistent in breaking up passes, a reputation as a cover corner, having his best year this year. So this is progress.

Some juicy video:

Leon McFadden Highlights (via Brian Murphy)

3rd Round pick FROM SECOND TRADE: Prentiss Waggner, S/CB Tennessee 6'2" 184 lbs.

Prentiss-waggnerjpg-ce1e7b6bd9139064_large_medium

via media.oregonlive.com

Some of you might be saying "Where the hell is Tyrann Mathieu?" Well I guess I have to explain why I chose Waggner over him. Firstly, Honey Badger has major off the field issues, and who knows what he'll do with an NFL pay check (remember when we were thinking of getting Chris Harris?). But second, and most of all, he relies too much on his own instincts, often free lancing, and looking at the QBs eyes. Yes, he has made plays, and he is exciting, but all you need is a QB to just look one way, and then the other to get him out of position. Also, he is a zone cover CB, and while we could use that, he is not as good in man coverage. He is susceptible to doble moves, and is a slot CB at best.

Waggner is a big dude, who can play safety and CB. I was thinking if we put him at Safety, and he has solid coverage skills to cover one on one, and has good vision to play in zone, and he has solid hands. imo he is more versatile for us, and we can do more with Waggner.

11/10/12: Overall, Waggner has played decently this season. He started strong against North Carolina State and held his own against Georgia. Waggner has 33 tackles, four passes broken up, one interception and one forced fumble at this point.

9/1/12: Waggner has played both cornerback and safety for Tennessee. He totaled 48 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and seven passes broken up last season. Waggner played safety for first six games but played cornerback for the final six. He will probably play corner as a senior.

Waggner had 57 tackles with five interceptions and three forced fumbles as a sophomore. He was selected as an All-SEC Second-Team pick for his 2010 season. Waggner played well as a center fielder in the Volunteers' defense and displayed good instincts. He could be a corner/safety tweener for the NFL.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2013CB.php

Some video for Waggner:

Prentiss Waggner Feature (via utsportstv)

Tennessee 3: Prentiss Waggner (via utsportstv)


RAIDERS 4th round pick: Andrew Jackson, MLB Western Kentucky 6'1" 265 lbs.

Hi-res-5695690_crop_650_medium

via cdn.bleacherreport.net

Jackson reminds me of Patriots Brandon Spikes. A guy who blows people up, is a force against the run game, and a really good blitzer. Though not known to cover very well, he establishes a presence in the middle of the field, and QBs will have to scheme runs away from him. Though Spikes is developing his coverage skills, so I can't see why Andrew jackson would not. We need a MLB, and Jackson has the starting talent to perform as one.

11/17/12: Jackson has totaled 97 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and four forced fumbles this season. He held his own against Alabama with seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss. Jackson had a huge game against Florida Atlantic with 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, a pass batted and a forced fumble that was returned 75 yards for a touchdown by teammate Quanterus Smith.

Jackson is one of the most physical football players in college football. He lays the hammer on linemen and ball-carriers.

8/31/12: The Lakeland, Fla. product Jackson grew up in Ray Lewis' hometown and has patterned his game after the future Hall of Famer. Jackson had 109 tackles with 17 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble in 2011. The sophomore played well against the better competition with 12 tackles and a sack against Kentucky and eight tackles and a sack against LSU.

Jackson is a thumper of a linebacker. He has good instincts and some quickness. Jackson is extremely physical and has real presence on the field with a big-time demeanor. It was his first season of playing time, so the junior has a lot of potential and a high ceiling to get better in 2012 and 2013.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2013ILB.php

Video you ask? Here you go:


So how would you grade this draft? We got a pass rusher, a NT, a MLB, and a CB. We went defensive heavy, and all seem like they can be starters for us, and make an impact. Also got a 1st round pick for next season, so next offseason we would have two first rounders for our team. Thoughts?