FanPost

Jerboat's Final Mock Draft


Alrighty, time for the last mock draft before the big show. This time around i'm not going to bother explaining why I like players (because who cares) and rather i'll just copy/paste a blurb from someone who knows better. Like last time all picks are based on the type of players RM/DA like (versatile/strong/can win 1 on 1 matchups) and aren't necessarily who I would take (because who cares) though they generally are players I like.

And away we go.

FIRST ROUND, PICK #5

Greg Robinson - OT - Auburn

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via sinfl.files.wordpress.com

Hard trying to pick out who'll fall to us but i'm guessing Robinson since I keep hearing STL like Matthews better than him. Guessing Jax take Mack since it makes too much sense and the Browns take Manziel, where the writing is on the wall.

Remarkable combination of size, power and body control. Owns a prototypical frame for playing offensive line in the NFL, including broad shoulders, long arms, a relatively trim waist, thick bubble and tree trunks for legs. Latches on and controls as a run-blocker with good hand placement, easy knee bend and awesome power to simply maul opponents, often driving them yards off the line of scrimmage. Keeps his legs driving, showing good spatial awareness and body control to keep his feet in traffic. Good quickness for the down block and shows surprisingly light feet to adjust to moving targets when asked to block at the second level. Developing pass blocker with all of the physical traits scouts look for in an NFL left tackle. Quick out of his stance, plays with good flexibility and has the long arms and strong hands to catch edge rushers and ride them out of the pocket. An exceptional talent just scratching the surface of his potential. - CBSSports

SECOND ROUND, PICK #4

Marcus Smith - DE/OLB - Louisville

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via walterfootball.com

I'm a huge fan. Extremely versatile and much more athletic and intelligent than a lot of people are reporting. People are going to say this is too high for him but i'm hearing more and more chatter about him. A couple mocks i've read have him going at the end of the first round.

Broad-shouldered, long-armed athlete. Good initial quickness out of the three-point stance, showing enough burst to cross the face of offensive tackles on the perimeter. Good club move to break free from pass blockers as well as the power to effectively push opponents into the pocket on the bull rush.

Alert defender who locates the ball quickly and shows good balance to pursue laterally and downfield. Shows vision and savvy as a walk-up blitzer, timing his rush with the snap nicely to penetrate his initial gap or when looping on stunts. Awareness and underrated athleticism evident when asked to cover tight ends and slot receivers on underneath routes. Gets an effective jam on his target and is athletic enough to handle coverage duties for a few yards.

Physical, reliable tackler who wraps his arms securely and arrives with a thud. Good strength to rip away at the ball while making the tackle. - CBSSports

THIRD ROUND, PICK #3

Troy Niklas- TE - Notre Dame

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via www.uhnd.com

My dude. Would immediately becoming the starting TE where he's a great receiver and powerful inline blocker. Rivera would be used as move TE where's he'd be more effective/not have to block as much. Niklas would elevate the receiving game but also the running game. A great TE is invaluable in the NFL in this day and age.

Prototypical build for today's matchup nightmare at tight end. Excellent height, long arms and a well-built frame. Experience on the defensive side of the ball is shown with his physical nature on the field.

Seems to enjoy blocking, rocking opponents with an impressive initial punch and latching on to control throughout the play. Keeps his legs driving through contact.

Uses his height and strength to get open against tight coverage, consistently winning the physical battle with opponents to create space. Good leaping ability, flashing the ability to extend and pluck.

Used in a variety of roles for the Irish, including as an inline blocker from both sides, split out wide and even used as an occasional H-back or as a third tackle in pass protection. Secures the football quickly and turns aggressively upfield, dragging would-be tacklers along the way.

Good bloodlines. Nephew of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews. - CBSSports

FOURTH ROUND, PICK # 7

Billy Turner - OT - North Dakota State

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via www.inforum.com

Just a hunch but I think this is the pick they trade down from. I'm not bothering mocking trades though because it's pretty impossible to guess what could happen. I think Turner's got a ton of potential and while he could probably start at RT right away he'll be groomed by Sparano for a year or so before he's a long term starter on the line. Would work out best that way anyways imho.

2014 NFL Draft Offensive Line: Billy Turner, North Dakota State, 6-5, 315, 5.16...While Turner's college experience may be devalued due to the level of play, his performance was first class. Turner played 57 games and started his final 56, including 44 straight when ND State won back-to-back-to-back FCS national championships. Although he needs to step up to prove himself, Turner has NFL lineage with a father (Maurice) who was a running back for Minnesota, Green Bay and the New York Jets and a brother, Brian Kehl, drafted in the fourth round (2008) by the New York Giants. Frankly: Not one FBS scholarship offer? Seriously? His size, athleticism and strong hands are a good start, but Turner certainly will be a project in the NFL. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange

SEVENTH ROUND, PICK # 4

Brett Smith - QB - Wyoming

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via carpenean.com

I honestly have no idea why Smith's stock is falling... unless it's a massive smoke screen. It seems he'll be a guy that'll go in the third round or undrafted. Really weird. Me, I really like him, and I think he fits exactly what Olson wants in a QB. He's mobile yet patient and has a really underrated arm.

If Smith played in the SEC or another major conference, he would be a much better known quarterback prospect.

A native of Salem, Oregon, he re-wrote the high school record books and was the 2010 Gatorade Oregon Football Player of the Year, but didn't receive much attention from Pac 12 schools. His only FBS-level offers were San Jose State and Wyoming, choosing the Cowboys and starting from day one as a freshman.

Smith leaves Wyoming with several school records, finishing his career with 76 touchdown passes and 97 scores overall. He set new career-bests in 2013 with 3,375 passing yards, a 62.7 completion percentage (293-for-467) and 29 passing touchdowns. On Nov. 23, Smith set a new Mountain West and Wyoming single-game record against Hawai'i with 640 yards of total offense (498 passing, 142 rushing) and eight total touchdowns (7 passing, 1 rushing).

Although Smith played well personally, the 2013 season was a disappointment as Wyoming finished 5-7, losing five of its final six games. Smith's announcement to enter the NFL Draft came just weeks after Craig Bohl was named the new head coach at Wyoming, taking over for Dave Christensen, who was fired Dec. 1 after five seasons in Laramie.

One of the 13 underclassmen who declared early and didn't receive a Combine invite, Smith doesn't have elite physical tools, but he's an athletic, confident and decisive passer who set numerous school and conference records in college. He needs to develop his decision-making, but is tough, gutsy and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Smith arrived at Wyoming as an underrated recruit and leaves Wyoming as an underrated NFL prospect. - CBSSports

ROUND 7, PICK #20

Dexter McDougle - CB - Maryland

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via www.blenderss.com

Read somewhere the Raiders were really interested in McDougle and that's basically what i'm basing this on. Had a bad injury but has really solid talent.

Scouts and front office types from 24 NFL franchises littered the Byrd Stadium turf on Tuesday afternoon for Maryland's Pro Day, determined to decipher whether or not any of the senior Terrapins have what it takes to play at the next level. Senior cornerback Dexter McDougle was the only Maryland football player to receive an invite to February's NFL combine, though his season-ending shoulder injury kept him on the sidelines in Indianapolis. For the first time since his final game as a Terp, McDougle was grateful he'd had seven months off to prepare.

"Once my injury happened, it was just tunnel vision from there," he said afterwards. "I've been preparing for this day. I saw most of the scouts at the combine. I wasn't really nervous. You know, you get the butterflies, but that wasn't really anything." While he was unable to participate in the bench press, McDougle pieced together an otherwise noteworthy performance in front of scouts on Tuesday. He ran an unofficial 40-yard-dash time of 4.47 - McDougle said he heard anywhere from 4.43 and 4.48 - and tallied a 122-inch output in the broad jump. - Alexander Lee, TerrapinSportsReport.com

ROUND 7, PICK #32

Isaiah Lewis - SS - Michigan State

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via cdn2-b.examiner.com

Another guy I read the Raiders were interested in. Definitely need some competition at SS.

Compact, well-built frame. Quick to read run, attacking the line of scrimmage and showing burst, agility and body control to adjust to make the effective open-field tackle. Takes out the legs of bigger ballcarriers, ripping through at the knees. A bit high in his backpedal but covers ground efficiently. Smooth turning motion and accelerates without downshifting. Plays the ball in the air with good timing on his leap and effective hand-eye coordination to knock the ball away from the receiver. - CBSSports

There it is. Can't wait till Thursday night for the real thing! Go Raiders!