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Thread: Annual PlanetSteelers Board Mock Draft (2014 official selection thread)

  1. #1
    Legend

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    Annual PlanetSteelers Board Mock Draft (2014 official selection thread)

    Please only post picks here (I'll also announce trades here if any come across my PM desk). Any trash talk or other commentary should be confined to the sister thread (also stickied for your convenience for the next week-and-a-half until the actual draft takes place).

    Here is the schedule. Try to follow it as closely as possible. You may make your picks early if everyone ahead of you has already picked, but please try not to pick late (because you can be leapfrogged twice Vikings-style before I ultimately must make the pick for you so that we can move forward. Thanks). Feel free to PM me your wishlists in advance if you will not be at your computer during your scheduled slot. I will clean out my PM inbox now (sorry SoD).

    Monday, April 28, 2014

    9:00-9:59 a.m. EST Houston *STEELEROFDEVILLE* DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
    10:00-10:59 a.m. EST St. Louis (from Washington) *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OT Greg Robinson, Auburn
    11:00-11:59 a.m. EST Jacksonville *FLIPPY* LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
    12:00-12:59 p.m. EST Cleveland *SQUIDKID* QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
    1:00-1:59 p.m. EST Oakland *FLIPPY* WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
    2:00-2:59 p.m. EST Atlanta *STEELBLOOD* OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
    3:00-3:59 p.m. EST Tampa Bay *STEELBLOOD* QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida
    4:00-4:59 p.m. EST Minnesota *RUTHLESSBURGHER* QB Derek Carr, Fresno State

    Tuesday, April 29, 2014

    9:00-9:59 a.m. EST Buffalo *STEELER_FAN_IN_T.O.* WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
    10:00-10:59 a.m. EST Detroit *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
    11:00-11:59 a.m. EST Tennessee *RUTHLESSBURGHER* LB Anthony Barr, UCLA
    12:00-12:59 p.m. EST New York Giants *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
    1:00-1:59 p.m. EST St. Louis *RUTHLESSBURGHER* FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
    2:00-2:59 p.m. EST Chicago *STEEL* DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
    3:00-3:59 p.m. EST Pittsburgh *GUS* CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
    4:00-4:59 p.m. EST Dallas *STEELEROFDEVILLE* FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville

    Wednesday, April 30, 2014

    9:00-9:59 a.m. EST New England (trade with Baltimore) *PFELIX73* TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
    10:00-10:59 a.m. EST New York Jets *GUS* WR Odell Beckham, Jr., LSU
    11:00-11:59 a.m. EST Miami *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OL Zack Martin, Notre Dame
    12:00-12:59 p.m. EST Arizona *GUS* LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama
    1:00-1:59 p.m. EST Green Bay *RUTHLESSBURGHER* LB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
    2:00-2:59 p.m. EST Philadelphia *STEEL* CB Jason Verrett, TCU
    3:00-3:59 p.m. EST Kansas City *RUTHLESSBURGHER* WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
    4:00-4:59 p.m. EST Cincinnati *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State

    Thursday, May 1, 2014

    9:00-9:59 a.m. EST San Diego *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
    10:00-10:59 a.m. EST San Francisco [trade with Cleveland (from Indianapolis)] *SQUIDKID* WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
    11:00-11:59 a.m. EST New Orleans *RUTHLESSBURGHER* DE/OLB Dee Ford, Auburn
    12:00-12:59 p.m. EST Carolina *RUTHLESSBURGHER* WR Marqise Lee, USC
    1:00-1:59 p.m. EST Baltimore (trade with New England) *PFELIX73* OT Morgan Moses, Virginia
    2:00-2:59 p.m. EST San Francisco *SQUIDKID* DT RaShede Hageman, Minnesota
    3:00-3:59 p.m. EST Denver *RUTHLESSBURGHER* DE Kony Ealy, Missouri
    4:00-4:59 p.m. EST Seattle *STEELER_FAN_IN_T.O.* OG Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA

    ROUND TWO:

    Friday, May 2, 2014

    9:00-9:29 a.m. EST Houston *STEELEROFDEVILLE* QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
    9:30-9:59 a.m. EST Washington *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
    10:00-10:29 a.m. EST Cleveland *SQUIDKID* WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
    10:30-10:59 a.m. EST Oakland *FLIPPY* DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
    11:00-11:29 a.m. EST Atlanta *STEELBLOOD* SS Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois
    11:30-10:59 a.m. EST Tampa Bay *STEELBLOOD* WR Allen Robinson, Penn State
    12:00-12:29 p.m. EST Jacksonville *FLIPPY* QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois
    12:30-12:59 p.m. EST Minnesota *RUTHLESSBURGHER* SS Deone Bucannon, Washington State
    1:00-1:29 p.m. EST Buffalo *STEELER_FAN_IN_T.O.* TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
    1:30-1:59 p.m. EST Tennessee *RUTHLESSBURGHER* RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio State
    2:00-2:29 p.m. EST New York Giants *RUTHLESSBURGHER* DT Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
    2:30-2:59 p.m. EST St. Louis *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OG Joel Bitonio, Nevada
    3:00-3:29 p.m. EST Detroit *RUTHLESSBURGHER* WR Cody Latimer, Indiana
    3:30-3:59 p.m. EST Pittsburgh *GUS* NT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
    4:00-4:29 p.m. EST Dallas *STEELEROFDEVILLE* DE Scott Crichton, Oregon State
    4:30-4:59 p.m. EST Baltimore *PFELIX73* OLB/DE Trent Murphy, Stanford

    Monday, May 5, 2014

    9:00-9:29 a.m. EST New York Jets *GUS* CB Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
    9:30-9:59 a.m. EST Miami *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OT Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee
    10:00-10:29 a.m. EST Chicago *STEEL* FS Terrence Brooks, Florida State
    10:30-10:59 a.m. EST Arizona *GUS* DE Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
    11:00-11:29 a.m. EST Green Bay *RUTHLESSBURGHER* TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
    11:30-10:59 a.m. EST Philadelphia *STEEL* WR Donte Moncrief, Mississippi
    12:00-12:29 p.m. EST Cincinnati *RUTHLESSBURGHER* C Marcus Martin, USC
    12:30-12:59 p.m. EST Cleveland [trade with San Francisco (from Kansas City)] *SQUIDKID* OLB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
    1:00-1:29 p.m. EST San Diego *RUTHLESSBURGHER* DT DaQuan Jones, Penn State
    1:30-1:59 p.m. EST New Orleans *RUTHLESSBURGHER* C Weston Richburg, Colorado State
    2:00-2:29 p.m. EST Indianapolis *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Phillip Gaines, Rice
    2:30-2:59 p.m. EST Carolina *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OT Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
    3:00-3:29 p.m. EST Cleveland (trade with San Francisco) *SQUIDKID* OG David Yankey, Stanford
    3:30-3:59 p.m. EST Baltimore (trade with New England) *PFELIX73* RB Bishop Sankey, Washington
    4:00-4:29 p.m. EST Denver *RUTHLESSBURGHER* ILB Chris Borland, Wisconsin
    4:30-4:59 p.m. EST Seattle *STEELER_FAN_IN_T.O.* WR Martavis Bryant, Clemson

    ROUND THREE:

    Tuesday, May 6, 2014

    9:00-9:29 a.m. EST Houston *STEELEROFDEVILLE* RB Tre Mason, Auburn
    9:30-9:59 a.m. EST Washington *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska
    10:00-10:29 a.m. EST Oakland *FLIPPY* QB A.J. McCarron, Alabama
    10:30-10:59 a.m. EST Atlanta *STEELBLOOD* DE Marcus Smith, Louisville
    11:00-11:29 a.m. EST Tampa Bay *STEELBLOOD* OG Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
    11:30-10:59 a.m. EST Jacksonville *FLIPPY* WR Bruce Ellington, South Carolina
    12:00-12:29 p.m. EST San Francisco (trade with Cleveland) *SQUIDKID* OLB Kyle Van Noy, BYU
    12:30-12:59 p.m. EST Minnesota *RUTHLESSBURGHER* RB Jeremy Hill, LSU
    1:00-1:29 p.m. EST Buffalo *STEELER_FAN_IN_T.O.* OT Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
    1:30-1:59 p.m. EST New York Giants *RUTHLESSBURGHER* TE Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
    2:00-2:29 p.m. EST St. Louis *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Keith McGill, Utah
    2:30-2:59 p.m. EST Detroit *RUTHLESSBURGHER* DE Kareem Martin, North Carolina
    3:00-3:29 p.m. EST Cleveland [trade with San Francisco (from Tennessee)] *SQUIDKID* CB Bashaud Breeland, Clemson
    3:30-3:59 p.m. EST Dallas *STEELEROFDEVILLE* DT Ego Ferguson, LSU
    4:00-4:29 p.m. EST Baltimore *PFELIX73* FS/CB Marqueston Huff, Wyoming
    4:30-4:59 p.m. EST New York Jets *GUS* DT Dominique Easley, Florida

    Wednesday, May 7, 2014

    9:00-9:29 a.m. EST Miami *RUTHLESSBURGHER* SS Brock Vereen, Minnesota
    9:30-9:59 a.m. EST Chicago *STEEL* CB Jaylen Watkins, Florida
    10:00-10:29 a.m. EST Cleveland (from Pittsburgh) *SQUIDKID* LB Shayne Skov, Stanford
    10:30-10:59 a.m. EST Arizona *GUS* QB Tom Savage, Pittsburgh
    11:00-11:29 a.m. EST Green Bay *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OLB Carl Bradford, Arizona State
    11:30-10:59 a.m. EST Philadelphia *STEEL* OLB Chris Smith, Arkansas
    12:00-12:29 p.m. EST Kansas City *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OT Cameron Fleming, Stanford
    12:30-12:59 p.m. EST Cincinnati *RUTHLESSBURGHER* DT Will Sutton, Arizona State
    1:00-1:29 p.m. EST San Diego *RUTHLESSBURGHER* WR Davante Adams, Fresno State
    1:30-1:59 p.m. EST Indianapolis *RUTHLESSBURGHER* OG Trai Turner, LSU
    2:00-2:29 p.m. EST New Orleans *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Pierre Desir, Lindenwood
    2:30-2:59 p.m. EST Carolina *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Marcus Roberson, Florida
    3:00-3:29 p.m. EST New England *PFELIX73* RB Charles Sims, West Virginia
    3:30-3:59 p.m. EST Cleveland (trade with San Francisco) *SQUIDKID* RB Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona
    4:00-4:29 p.m. EST Denver *RUTHLESSBURGHER* CB Rashaad Reynolds, Oregon State
    4:30-4:59 p.m. EST Minnesota (from Seattle) *RUTHLESSBURGHER* LB Telvin Smith, Florida State
    5:00-5:29 p.m. EST Pittsburgh (Compensatory Selection) *GUS* WR Paul Richardson, Colorado
    5:30-5:59 p.m. EST Green Bay (Compensatory Selection) *RUTHLESSBURGHER* FS Dion Bailey, USC
    6:00-6:29 p.m. EST Baltimore (Compensatory Selection) *PFELIX73* TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
    6:30-6:59 p.m. EST San Francisco (Compensatory Selection) *SQUIDKID* OG Dakota Dozier, Furman


    START OF ACTUAL DRAFT:

    Thursday, May 8, 2014
    Last edited by RuthlessBurgher; 05-08-2014 at 07:16 AM.
    Steeler teams featuring stat-driven, me-first, fantasy-football-darling diva types such as Antonio Brown & Le'Veon Bell won no championships.

    Super Bowl winning Steeler teams were built around a dynamic, in-your-face defense plus blue-collar, hard-hitting, no-nonsense football players on offense such as Hines Ward & Jerome Bettis.

    We don't want Juju & Conner to replace what we lost in Brown & Bell.

    We are counting on Juju & Conner to return us to the glory we once had with Hines & The Bus.

  2. #2
    Legend

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    Sorry gang... work bit me....

    With the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, the Texans select...

    Jadeveon Clowney




    Why Clowney
    Just as they did several years back when taking Mario Williams over the preferred, Reggie Bush, the Texans still believe the way to win this division is to beat the Colts passing attack. Clowney opposite JJ Watt would be an amazing pass rush tandem, one simply too good to pass on. As the team converts to a 3-4 defense under Romeo Crennel, JJ Watt will need to adjust his responsibilities and will likely have fewer sacks. Therefore, it is a MUST to find a player who can stand up and bring pressure off the edge. Clowney has the athleticism to do just that.


    Analysis (per NFL.com)
    Strengths
    Looks every bit the part with long arms (big wingspan) and large hands. Athletic marvel with raw explosive power and rare speed for his size. Is physically tough and will battle through injuries. Can collapse the corner with ease and rag-dolls blockers. Highly disruptive -- creates a lot of pressure and flushes production to his teammates. Can split the double team and closes in a hiccup. Plays with leverage and power in his hands -- converts speed into power and bulls blockers into the backfield. Disrupts a quarterback's vision with long arms and can bat down balls. Seldom leaves the field. Flashes playmaking ability and can produce athletic feats in a category with few others before him. Posted a 37 1/2-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-4 broad jump at the combine. Versatile -- lines up everywhere along the line and can win with strength, power, quickness and speed. Has the personality of a pleaser and does not like to disappoint coaches or teammates. Exceptional pro day positional workout, showing rare speed, athletic ability, bend and explosion for a man his size.

    Weaknesses
    Is more thinly built in the lower body. Inconsistent technician. Has a tendency to play tall. Down-to-down effort lacks consistency. Lacks discipline on and off the field and has had to be managed closely since he arrived on campus. Needs to learn what it means to be a pro. Plays in spurts and is too much of a flash player -- does not consistently dominate like he could. Is still immature and finding his way -- too much of a follower.

    Draft Projection Round 1 (top 10)

    Bottom Line
    A physical specimen with a rare size-speed combination, Clowney was not as impactful as a junior while playing through injuries and being forced to deal with opposing offenses that fully accounted for him with extra chip protection. Was a 20-year-old junior affected by turnover on the defensive coaching staff. Could benefit tremendously from a stable positional coach and strong, veteran mentor on the defensive line who will hold him accountable, show him the way and serve as a father figure. Is one of the most unique talents in the draft and could easily be a double-digit sack producer in the pros from either end. Is every bit worthy of the first overall pick and will immediately upgrade a defensive line and improve the production of those around him.
    Last edited by SteelerOfDeVille; 04-28-2014 at 11:24 AM.
    2013 MNF Executive Champion!

    DeVille's Early April Mock (In Progress)
    1.20 - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
    2.51 - Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan
    3.84 -Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia
    3.98 -<tbd>
    4.117 - Maason Smith, DT, LSU
    6.178 - Travis Glover, OT, Ga State
    6.195 - Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington


  3. #3
    Legend

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    There are many directions that the Rams could go with the #2 pick. In real life, they would like to trade down and still grab a prized prospect a few picks later, but that would likely require compensation from future drafts, and the trade stipulations of this mock are limited to draft picks from this year only, so it looks like they will have to stay put and make the pick.

    They could go for a WR like Sammy Watkins to give Bradford another weapon, but they traded up for a WR in the first last year to get Tavon Austin. They also drafted Austin's college teammate Stedman Bailey last year too, bring back several other young wideouts in Chris Givens, Austin Pettis, and Brian Quick, plus they signed Kenny Britt this offseason as well, who has a history with coach Jeff Fisher as well.

    They could go for a LB like Khalil Mack to fortify their front 7. With Robert Quinn and Chris Long rushing the passer from the DE spot, Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford (plus board-favorite Alex Carrington) to push the pocket at DT, and then James Laurinaitis at the mike, Alec Ogletree at the will, and Khalil Mack at the sam, that would be a solid front 7 overall. They could potentially use Mack the same way that the Broncos use Von Miller. Very tempting...

    However, they need to come away with a solid OT prospect in this draft, and there is no guarantee that one of the top 3 guys will still be available when they pick again at #13. Jake Long can be a stud LT when healthy, but he is aging and is oft-injured. They re-signed Rodger Saffold after the fiasco with the Raiders fell through, but they plan to use him at guard rather than tackle. They currently have Joseph Barksdale at RT, who is a decent placeholder but nothing special. They could start out the rookie OT at RT until Long gets hurt, declines in production, or is no longer with the team. Jeff Fisher is a guy who wants to pound the rock at heart, and this guy is a mauling run-blocker now who has the athleticism to also develop into a quality pass blocker in time.



    The St. Louis Rams are proud to select:

    Auburn OT Greg Robinson

    Height 6'5", Weight 332 lbs., 35" Arm Length, 10" Hands



    Overview

    Highly recruited out of Louisiana, where he was a state champion shot putter. Redshirted in 2011. Started 11-of-12 games played at left tackle in '12 -- was benched against Alabama A&M. In '13, started all 14 games at left tackle for the national runners-up. Has a right meniscus surgery on his medical record. Left school early to support his family -- his father passed away in April '13, his mother struggles to make ends meet and he has four siblings, two of which have been incarcerated for selling drugs.

    Analysis


    Strengths

    Has long arms and excellent overall body mass. Outstanding run blocker with the strength and power to wash down half of the line. Creates a surge and generates power from his lower body. Good get-off and body control. Excellent reach-blocking, chipping and releasing to the second level. Very good balance in his set and is quick to cut off the rush. Can maneuver his hips, shuffle, slide and mirror. Has a strong punch and replaces his hands. Very athletic in vertical sets.

    Weaknesses

    Could stand to refine his technique in pass protection and do a better job finishing blocks. At times will quit after contact and let defenders come underneath or get over the top -- handwork is too passive. Developing eyes and awareness vs. the blitz -- still learning how to adjust to overload pressure and could improve switching off blocks. Aggressively overextends and occasionally loses balance and falls off blocks.

    Draft Projection

    Round 1 (top 10)

    Bottom Line

    Big, strong, athletic, overpowering left tackle with the raw potential to become a premiere, franchise left tackle. Is only a third-year sophomore and two-year starter and still must improve his hand use, footwork and technique. However, he is undeniably gifted and capable of walking into a starting-left-tackle job in the pros and paving the way in the run game.
    Last edited by RuthlessBurgher; 04-28-2014 at 10:53 AM.
    Steeler teams featuring stat-driven, me-first, fantasy-football-darling diva types such as Antonio Brown & Le'Veon Bell won no championships.

    Super Bowl winning Steeler teams were built around a dynamic, in-your-face defense plus blue-collar, hard-hitting, no-nonsense football players on offense such as Hines Ward & Jerome Bettis.

    We don't want Juju & Conner to replace what we lost in Brown & Bell.

    We are counting on Juju & Conner to return us to the glory we once had with Hines & The Bus.

  4. #4
    Hall of Famer

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    The Atlanta Falcons Proudly select ……..

    Jake Matthews, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M.



    The Falcons need help protecting Matt Ryan. Matthews is a capable of playing either tackle. He is an excellent technician and a reliable pass protector. Additionally, Matthews is a strong run blocker with a touch of nastiness. He is very capable of moving large linemen and getting downfield to strike multiple targets. Matthews is the most polished offensive tackle in the draft. He is ready to contribute immediately.

    GM Thomas Demitroff says, “adding Jake Matthews makes our entire offense better today. Jake comes from a great football family and loves the game. We knew from the moment we met him that he was the player we wanted.”
    Even if Bill Belichick was getting an atomic wedgie, his face would look exactly the same.

  5. #5
    Legend

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    Sorry guys:

    Jax takes Khalil Mack
    Oakland takes Sammy Watkins

  6. #6
    Hall of Famer

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    Last edited by steelblood; 04-28-2014 at 02:41 PM.
    Even if Bill Belichick was getting an atomic wedgie, his face would look exactly the same.

  7. #7
    Legend

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    the browns select JOHNNY FOOTBALL
    steelers = 3 ring circus with tomlin being the head clown

  8. #8
    Hall of Famer

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    Tampa Bay selects…

    Beef O Brady’s Bowl Champion…



    Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Central Florida

    Lovie Smith says, “Ok. First of all, off the record, his girl is really hot. Jim, put up the slide. No, no it is fine, put it up.



    I really like the pictures I have seen. This make me feel really good. Sort of like this. Jim, show that second image, I sent this morning.”



    “So, you see my point. Now, on to Blake. I like him really too. But, in a different way, you know. He is a really good quarterback. He could help us a lot. His girlfriend is really pretty. Blake is more of a pocket passer than she is. She is a scrambler from what I hear (ahhh yeah!). But, he is big and strong, not short and cute. This gives him the edge over her in the quarterback race for this season.”
    Even if Bill Belichick was getting an atomic wedgie, his face would look exactly the same.

  9. #9
    Legend

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    The Vikings filled a lot of their obvious holes via free agency. They lost Jared Allen, but re-signed Everson Griffen and signed Corey Wootten, plus they still have Brian Robison as well. Anthony Barr was a consideration, but they felt like he was more of a linebacker than a full-time DE at this time. They lost Kevin Williams, but signed Linval Joseph to play next to Sharif Floyd, and still have veteran Fred Evans for depth. Aaron Donald was a consideration here as well. They also could have used a corner opposite Xavier Rhodes, but they signed Captain Munnerlyn and also Derek Cox for depth. They could use another safety opposite Harrison Smith as well as another linebacker or two to team up with Chad Greenway, so C.J. Mosley and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix/Calvin Pryor are in play, although it may be a bit of a reach for those guys at #8.

    On offense, they have their bookend tackles in Kalil and Loadholt (no interior OL are worth a top 10 pick in this draft), plus they have the most dominant physical speciman at RB in the NFL of this era, and at WR they have Cordarelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, and Jerome Simpson. Kyle Rudolph should greatly benefit from the presence of Norv Turner as the new O.C. in Minny. The one obvious hole on offense is at the most important position, quarterback. The Vikings were reportedly enamoured with Bortles to the point that they were even considering trading up for him, but he is now off the board. The QB that Johnny Manziel most closely resembles historically would be Fran Tarkenton, so you'd imagine that Minnesotans would love to get another Tarkenton on board, but alas he is gone as well. Now what? Bridgewater? Carr? Mosley? Clinton-Dix? Pryor?

    Well, you can get starting linebackers and safeties during the second day of the draft. If you don't have a QB you need to get one at all costs (and since all they have right now is Cassel and Ponder, they are easily a distant 4th in the division behind Rodgers, Cutler, and Stafford). Remember, the Vikings are playing the next 2 seasons outdoors at the Universirty of Minnesota, so they need a strong armed guy to cut through that cold winter air, not a guy who was throwing wobbly ducks in a climate controlled Pro Day setting. And once their new stadium is complete and they go back indoors, they could still use a strong armed QB to take advantage of Patterson's deep speed on the indoor turf track. The QB with the strongest arm in this draft is Derek Carr. Dude threw for over 5000 yards and had 50 touchdown passes just last season alone.



    The Minnesota Vikings select:

    QB Derek Carr, Fresno State

    Height 6'2", Weight 214 lbs., 31 1/2" Arm Length, 9 1/8" Hands



    Overview

    Married. His brother, quarterback David Carr, was the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2002. Finished his prep career in California after spending two years in Texas. Joined Fresno State in the spring of 2009 and saw limited action in five contests in the fall, completing 10 of 14 passes for 112 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Redshirted in '10. Led the WAC in passing yards after tossing 279-446-3,544-26-9 (62.6) in 13 starts in '11. Threw for 344-511-4,104-37-7 (67.3) in '12 while making all 13 starts. Was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year for a second straight season in '13 after a monster year, throwing 453-659-5,082-50-8 (68.7) in 13 starts. Became the fourth QB in FBS history to throw for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns and the first QB in Fresno State history with more than 3,000 yards three times. Three-time team captain with a 24-15 career record in 39 games as a starter.

    Analysis

    Strengths

    Athletic with very good feet -- can roll the pocket, evade the rush or escape when pocket crumbles. Terrific arm talent -- releases from the ear and can make all the throws. Quick-armed with wrist snap. Can alter his platform and throw on the move or off his back foot. Throws come out on time and accurately. Drills short-to-intermediate throws and flashes touch. Likes to play and it shows. Sells out to make a play. Record-breaking production. Adapted to coaching/system change and receiver turnover. Improved ball security -- fumbled only once as a senior compared to 12 times the previous two seasons. Desirable intangibles for the position -- advanced maturity, leadership and intelligence. Shows poise and moxie. On-field general who commands the huddle. Passionate about the game and works at his craft.

    Weaknesses

    Lacks ideal height and has relatively small hands. Bulk is just adequate. Could stand to improve as a deep passer. At times tries to do too much and forces some throws. Occasionally throws off balance unnecessarily and sails some throws. Operated out of the shotgun and pistol and made a lot short/lateral throws and half-field reads. Production is inflated by spread offense and porous Mountain West Conference defenses -- nine 2013 opponents (excluding an FCS opponent) ranked between 81st and 125th nationally in scoring defense and/or passing defense. Had his worst game in the Las Vegas Bowl against USC.

    Draft Projection

    Round 1

    Bottom Line

    Athletic, tough, instinctive, strong-armed, highly competitive quarterback who will impress in workouts, interviews and on the board, and improved his draft standing with those skills in the postseason. Elevated the Fresno State program and profiles like a gunslinger, though he’d be better served in the long run honing his game-management skills. Will be a starter sooner rather than later and the degree to which he’s able to make those around him better will determine his ceiling.
    Steeler teams featuring stat-driven, me-first, fantasy-football-darling diva types such as Antonio Brown & Le'Veon Bell won no championships.

    Super Bowl winning Steeler teams were built around a dynamic, in-your-face defense plus blue-collar, hard-hitting, no-nonsense football players on offense such as Hines Ward & Jerome Bettis.

    We don't want Juju & Conner to replace what we lost in Brown & Bell.

    We are counting on Juju & Conner to return us to the glory we once had with Hines & The Bus.

  10. #10
    Legend

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    The Toronto...err, Buffalo Bills are on the clock. We are open to trade discussions with teams looking to move up to try to land a top rated player - there are many still available. I will PM Ruthless with my pick, to be submitted at 9:59 AM Tuesday morning, if there is no deal out there to be made.

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