Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

[RuthlessBurgher]

And, believe it or not, the Steeler pick of Mount Cody at #18 wasn't even the worst part of it.

Jason Pierre-Paul 3rd overall?
Trent Williams 5th overall?
Sergio Kindle (#12) taken before both Eric Berry (#13) or Rolando McClain (#15)?
Navorro Bowman 19th overall?
Sam Bradford falling to #26?
Jimmy Clausen not in the first round at all?

Are you kidding me?
This guy gets paid...by the NFL itself, mind you...to be a draft analyst?

I'd rather take draft advice from Li'l Miss Jiga (she will almost certainly have a better mock than this).

Wow. Just wow.

[url]http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d8166b4a7&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true[/url]

Mock draft 2.0: Top overall pick could come down to McCoy, Suh
By Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
Analyst

The NFL Scouting Combine is on the horizon, and front office executives are feverishly putting the finishing touches on their preliminary draft boards based on the performance of a few highly touted prospects at all-star games.

Though the draft boards are sure to change when some prospects inevitably have spectacular showings during pre-draft workouts, the initial rankings serve as a solid basis for teams pinpointing available talent with picks.

With that premise in mind, let's take a look at my latest mock draft scenario:

1. St. Louis Rams
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The battle for the top spot could come down to Gerald McCoy and Suh, despite the team's quarterback woes. While McCoy has his fair share of supporters within the building, Suh's dominant run skills make him the Rams' choice.

2. Detroit Lions
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Landing a dominant interior rusher is not a bad consolation prize for the Lions.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Coach Raheem Morris is desperate to find a difference-maker along the defensive line, and he opts for the most dynamic pass rusher available in the draft to key the Buccaneers' defensive resurgence.

4. Washington Redskins
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
With Chris Samuels uncertain to return following his potential career-ending neck injury, Mike Shanahan tabs Okung to protect Jason Campbell's blindside.

5. Kansas City Chiefs
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Williams spent his senior season manning the left side of the Sooners' line, but if the Chiefs take him here, coach Todd Haley will return him to his natural right tackle position.

6. Seattle Seahawks
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Pete Carroll immediately addresses the Seahawks' anemic pass rush by taking a dominant edge player with the team's top pick.

7. Cleveland Browns
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
The Browns need to add star power in the back end of the secondary, and Haden gives them a top-flight corner to pair with CB Eric Wright.

8. Oakland Raiders
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
The ultra-athletic Davis answers the team's glaring weakness at offensive tackle.

9. Buffalo Bills
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Chan Gailey will think long and hard about taking QB Sam Bradford with this pick, but the team's woeful offensive line needs a franchise-caliber tackle on the left side.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
After registering only 14 sacks, the Jaguars turn to Dunlap to upgrade their non-existent pass rush.

11. Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
If the Broncos part ways with Brandon Marshall, it would create a huge void in the passing game, one that Bryant could fill.

12. Miami Dolphins
Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
Joey Porter's eventual release and Jason Taylor's uncertain status makes acquiring a top-edge rusher like Kindle a must for the Dolphins.

13. San Francisco 49ers
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Berry's ball-hawking skills are a welcome addition in the middle of the 49ers' emerging defense.

14. Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Spiller's speed and explosiveness gives the Seahawks a much-needed difference maker in the backfield to alleviate pressure on Matt Hasselbeck.

15. N.Y. Giants
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
The release of Antonio Pierce creates a huge hole in the middle of the Giants defense. However, McClain's playmaking ability and leadership skills should fill the void created by the loss of the former defensive captain.

16. San Francisco 49ers
Mike Iupati, OG/OT, Idaho
The former Vandal has shot up draft boards after dominating practices throughout the week at the Senior Bowl. With the versatility to move outside to right tackle, Iupati gives the 49ers a solid solution to their offensive line woes.

17. Tennessee Titans
Brian Price, DT, UCLA
After watching his defense decline dramatically after the loss of Albert Haynesworth, Jeff Fisher adds the hard-working Price to to fortify the unit.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Casey Hampton's impending free-agent status makes it imperative the Steelers find a replacement at nose tackle. While Cody's weight may concern some, there is no disputing his ability to control the point of attack in the middle.

19. Atlanta Falcons
Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State
Mike Smith needs a playmaker at the weak-side linebacker spot, and Bowman's athleticism makes him a perfect fit in the Falcons' scheme.

20. Houston Texans
Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Texans continue to add to an emerging defense by selecting Thomas with their top pick. The versatile ball hawk shows excellent range as a safety, but also possesses the athleticism to fill in at corner.

21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
The Bengals add the ultra-athletic Gresham to their lineup despite the former Oklahoma star missing all of his senior season with a knee injury. If his medical concerns check out, Gresham would give the Bengals a much-needed vertical threat in the middle of the field.

22. New England Patriots
Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
Graham lacks the athleticism to play as a conventional 3-4 outside linebacker, but his outstanding pass rush skills make him an intriguing addition to the Patriots' lineup.

23. Green Bay Packers
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
The Packers' woes in pass protection will result in the team grabbing Campbell with its top pick. Although the former Terrapin is raw in some aspects, his potential makes him an attractive option at this point.

24. Philadelphia Eagles
Everson Griffen, DE, Southern California
The Eagles defense is at its best when the pass rush is wreaking havoc on opponents. Griffen would give the team a young rusher with star potential to use opposite Trent Cole.

25. Baltimore Ravens
Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
The Ravens need more weapons in the passing game for Joe Flacco to fulfill his potential. Benn fits the bill with his dynamic receiving skills.

26. Arizona Cardinals
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Matt Leinart is penciled in as the team's starter, but Ken Whisenhunt will bring in Bradford to compete for the starting job. If the signal-caller isn't there, a pass-rushing threat such as Ricky Sapp would be a welcome addition.

27. Dallas Cowboys
Taylor Mays, S, Southern California
Jerry Jones finds it too difficult to pass on adding a talent like Mays to his defense.

28. San Diego Chargers
Jahvid Best, RB, California
The swift playmaker from Cal steps into the Chargers' starting lineup on Day 1 to ignite a dormant rush attack.

29. N.Y. Jets
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The instinctive corner has the savvy and athleticism to blossom in the Jets' aggressive scheme.

30. Minnesota Vikings
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Pat Williams is likely headed for retirement, so the Vikings opt for the rugged Dan Williams to fill his spot in the middle of the defense.

31. Indianapolis Colts
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
The hardworking Odrick is an ideal fit as an interior player in the Colts' scheme, and his presence will help shore up the team's woes against the run.

32. New Orleans Saints
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
The loquacious Weatherspoon adds speed and athleticism to the Saints' linebacker corps.

[Shawn]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

It wouldn't even raise my eyebrow if we took Cody at 18.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

It wouldn't even raise my eyebrow if we took Cody at 18.

But these things happening would raise more than an eyebrow, no?

Jason Pierre-Paul 3rd overall?
Trent Williams 5th overall?
Sergio Kindle (#12) taken before both Eric Berry (#13) or Rolando McClain (#15)?
Navorro Bowman 19th overall?
Sam Bradford falling to #26?
Jimmy Clausen not in the first round at all?

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

ruthless-

i must admit, from all the mocks i've seen, yours makes the most sense to me so far.

1) we don't get to pick 18th very often. draft a true left tackle (while you have a chance), groom him for a year then slide starks to right tackle (where he has played before and should be playing now) and that solves two positions with one pick. plus if starks gets hurt this year ben is screwed. we must protect our franchise QB. that is our true first priority, b/c without ben, nothing else matters.

2) i think center is currently the weakest position on our entire roster (and that's including CB). Hartwig sucks ass, both in the running game and pass protection. he just does not have the athletic ability to get a push on these pro-bowl DT's or keep them out of the backfield. we can't keep drafting 6th round centers and hope they develop. get pouncey and he instantly improves the passing game and very shortly will improve the running game. again, that helps multiple positions. and based on everything i've heard, we were targeting alex mack and eric wood last year in the first round so you know the FO is thinking along the same lines.

3) what is our next biggest need on defense?... probably CB (maybe safety). there is good value in the 3rd round for both positions. i personally don't believe myron rolle will last until the 5th so i might take him here but let's see the combine first.

4) we can get a very solid ILB in the 4th round. and we should. as much as farrior is slowing down he is still the one who makes the calls/adjustments and it will be very difficult to replace him with a rookie. i expect we will draft a 1-2 round iLB next year to be his permanent replacement but we still need depth.

the other rounds are just a gamble anyways, but your rounds 1-4 are on the money.

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

ruthless-

i must admit, from all the mocks i've seen, yours makes the most sense to me so far.

1) we don't get to pick 18th very often. draft a true left tackle (while you have a chance), groom him for a year then slide starks to right tackle (where he has played before and should be playing now) and that solves two positions with one pick. plus if starks gets hurt this year ben is screwed. we must protect our franchise QB. that is our true first priority, b/c without ben, nothing else matters.

2) i think center is currently the weakest position on our entire roster (and that's including CB). Hartwig sucks bad word, both in the running game and pass protection. he just does not have the athletic ability to get a push on these pro-bowl DT's or keep them out of the backfield. we can't keep drafting 6th round centers and hope they develop. get pouncey and he instantly improves the passing game and very shortly will improve the running game. again, that helps multiple positions. and based on everything i've heard, we were targeting alex mack and eric wood last year in the first round so you know the FO is thinking along the same lines.

3) what is our next biggest need on defense?... probably CB (maybe safety). there is good value in the 3rd round for both positions. i personally don't believe myron rolle will last until the 5th so i might take him here but let's see the combine first.

4) we can get a very solid ILB in the 4th round. and we should. as much as farrior is slowing down he is still the one who makes the calls/adjustments and it will be very difficult to replace him with a rookie. i expect we will draft a 1-2 round iLB next year to be his permanent replacement but we still need depth.

the other rounds are just a gamble anyways, but your rounds 1-4 are on the money.

This is the best first post I've seen from anyone, SSS.

*pats self on back*

[Shawn]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

SSS that might be the worst post I have ever seen. Agreeing with Ruthless??? Like that post wasn't bad enough without you double posting it.

[Iron Shiek]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

Haha shawn! I was gonna say, SSS followed up the best 1st post ever with the worst 2nd post ever! Batting .500.

Just kidding SSS...very insightful (far more draft knowledge than I'd ever be able to spew). Keep up the posting.

[Shawn]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

Haha shawn! I was gonna say, SSS followed up the best 1st post ever with the worst 2nd post ever! Batting .500.

Just kidding SSS...very insightful (far more draft knowledge than I'd ever be able to spew). Keep up the posting.

I'm actually brewing a theory. Someone agreeing with Ruthless is just too far fetched for me.

What I'm thinking...

Ruthless=SSS. Yep that makes more sense.

[Iron Shiek]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

That had crossed my mind Shawn...

[Shawn]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

That had crossed my mind Shawn...

We should go old school trib witch hunt style up in hur.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

Haha shawn! I was gonna say, SSS followed up the best 1st post ever with the worst 2nd post ever! Batting .500.

Just kidding SSS...very insightful (far more draft knowledge than I'd ever be able to spew). Keep up the posting.

I'm actually brewing a theory. Someone agreeing with Ruthless is just too far fetched for me.

What I'm thinking...

Ruthless=SSS. Yep that makes more sense.

I've already got 9k posts on my own. Do you think I have time to conjure up aliases? :P

[birtikidis]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

ruthless-

i must admit, from all the mocks i've seen, yours makes the most sense to me so far.

1) we don't get to pick 18th very often. draft a true left tackle (while you have a chance), groom him for a year then slide starks to right tackle (where he has played before and should be playing now) and that solves two positions with one pick. plus if starks gets hurt this year ben is screwed. we must protect our franchise QB. that is our true first priority, b/c without ben, nothing else matters.

2) i think center is currently the weakest position on our entire roster (and that's including CB). Hartwig sucks bad word, both in the running game and pass protection. he just does not have the athletic ability to get a push on these pro-bowl DT's or keep them out of the backfield. we can't keep drafting 6th round centers and hope they develop. get pouncey and he instantly improves the passing game and very shortly will improve the running game. again, that helps multiple positions. and based on everything i've heard, we were targeting alex mack and eric wood last year in the first round so you know the FO is thinking along the same lines.

3) what is our next biggest need on defense?... probably CB (maybe safety). there is good value in the 3rd round for both positions. i personally don't believe myron rolle will last until the 5th so i might take him here but let's see the combine first.

4) we can get a very solid ILB in the 4th round. and we should. as much as farrior is slowing down he is still the one who makes the calls/adjustments and it will be very difficult to replace him with a rookie. i expect we will draft a 1-2 round iLB next year to be his permanent replacement but we still need depth.

the other rounds are just a gamble anyways, but your rounds 1-4 are on the money.

Ok, I know ruthless likes this post, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
here's why:
1. we just signed max to a long term deal. he was LT at Florida and has been doing fairly well since he moved there. plus Colon graded out as a top 5 tackle last year. so why move him? plus having 3 players at different positions doesn't help the whole "continuity" thing.
2. ok I love Pouncey, and would love to have him in the second. this works for me. that is, if we didn't have a million needs coming up.
3. I don't think CB is as big as a "need" as some think. sure it's a question mark, BUT why add MORE 3rd round corners to a team that just drafted 2 last year? IMO if you can't add a true #1 corner then we should continue developing the young guys we have. since Haden wont be there, I think we should focus on Safety. so I focus on (in order) Berry (will be gone), Thomas, Mays, and then Wright or Rolle. the middle of our defense is actually our biggest weakness, unless troy is there.
4. we need to draft a LB now! why? because a rook isn't going to push farrior out of his spot, BUT when we need him we need him to be able to step in and be solid. Farrior doesn't have a lot of time left, and with the way our defensive rookies sit, drafting now will allow him to be ready for when farrior NEEDS to be replaced.

IMO we need to focus in this order: ILB, DT, DE, Safety

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

ruthless-

i must admit, from all the mocks i've seen, yours makes the most sense to me so far.

1) we don't get to pick 18th very often. draft a true left tackle (while you have a chance), groom him for a year then slide starks to right tackle (where he has played before and should be playing now) and that solves two positions with one pick. plus if starks gets hurt this year ben is screwed. we must protect our franchise QB. that is our true first priority, b/c without ben, nothing else matters.

2) i think center is currently the weakest position on our entire roster (and that's including CB). Hartwig sucks bad word, both in the running game and pass protection. he just does not have the athletic ability to get a push on these pro-bowl DT's or keep them out of the backfield. we can't keep drafting 6th round centers and hope they develop. get pouncey and he instantly improves the passing game and very shortly will improve the running game. again, that helps multiple positions. and based on everything i've heard, we were targeting alex mack and eric wood last year in the first round so you know the FO is thinking along the same lines.

3) what is our next biggest need on defense?... probably CB (maybe safety). there is good value in the 3rd round for both positions. i personally don't believe myron rolle will last until the 5th so i might take him here but let's see the combine first.

4) we can get a very solid ILB in the 4th round. and we should. as much as farrior is slowing down he is still the one who makes the calls/adjustments and it will be very difficult to replace him with a rookie. i expect we will draft a 1-2 round iLB next year to be his permanent replacement but we still need depth.

the other rounds are just a gamble anyways, but your rounds 1-4 are on the money.

Ok, I know ruthless likes this post, but it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
here's why:
1. we just signed max to a long term deal. he was LT at Florida and has been doing fairly well since he moved there. plus Colon graded out as a top 5 tackle last year. so why move him? plus having 3 players at different positions doesn't help the whole "continuity" thing.
2. ok I love Pouncey, and would love to have him in the second. this works for me. that is, if we didn't have a million needs coming up.
3. I don't think CB is as big as a "need" as some think. sure it's a question mark, BUT why add MORE 3rd round corners to a team that just drafted 2 last year? IMO if you can't add a true #1 corner then we should continue developing the young guys we have. since Haden wont be there, I think we should focus on Safety. so I focus on (in order) Berry (will be gone), Thomas, Mays, and then Wright or Rolle. the middle of our defense is actually our biggest weakness, unless troy is there.
4. we need to draft a LB now! why? because a rook isn't going to push farrior out of his spot, BUT when we need him we need him to be able to step in and be solid. Farrior doesn't have a lot of time left, and with the way our defensive rookies sit, drafting now will allow him to be ready for when farrior NEEDS to be replaced.

IMO we need to focus in this order: ILB, DT, DE, Safety

i understand your point of view. Let me clarify...

In my opinion (and apparently ruthless' opinion also) the top priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers is to protect Big Ben. I understand he needs to get rid of the ball sooner. But let's look at our O-line honestly... We do not have one single pro-bowl caliber O-lineman. Think about that for a minute. (D-Line we have 2, LB's we have 3, safety we have 1, WR/TE we have 2, O-Line = zero) How can you expect guys like Hartwig, Colon, and Starks to protect Ben against playoff caliber D-Linemen like Freeney, Ngata, Williams, etc.? They are not physically able to match up. Ben is not going to last much longer at this rate. That is unacceptable in my opinion. I believe that constitutes a need for immediate action. I believe the key to pass protection is the tackle positions. If you can get tackles who can handle their speed rushers one-on-one, your running back can pick up the blitzers much, much easier.

1) Starks is an average left tackle. He is not great. He will never be great. The only reason we signed him long term is because there was no better option. Don't confuse a desperate contract signing with talent. Why do you think we franchised him two straight years? We were looking for another option. There was no better option. We had him on the bench for part of one season. Starks is better suited for right tackle. The only reason he is playing left tackle is because Marvel got hurt and we had no other choice. His feet are too slow. He gives up too many sacks. He would be much better back on the right where his size is optimal and his foot speed is not a liability. Colon is a decent run blocker but his body frame and foot speed are also lacking for the tackle position. He will never be an elite pass protector. He would make a much better guard (plus he can serve as a back up right tackle). So follow me on this one...

Draft Campbell in round 1. As soon as he is ready, start him at left tackle. That improves the left tackle position. Move Starks to right tackle. That improves the right tackle position. Move Colon inside to guard. That improves the right guard position. Name me one other draft choice at 1.18 that can improve three positions at once? That is why Campbell makes the most sense.

2) Pouncey represents excellent value in the 2nd and could contribute/upgrade very quickly.

Those two draft choices could basically upgrade 4 out of our 5 O-line spots. That is huge return on investment. Not only protecting Big Ben but opening the field up for Mendy. You're correct that this scenario doesn't help continuity, but look at what continuity gained us last year. Not much. We have to sacrifice some continuity for talent.

3) You're right. We probably should go safety in the third (preferably one who could play corner in a pinch). There is excellent value there.

4) I would LOVE to draft McClain at 1.18. I just don't think he'll be there, and there's no other ILB that warrants a first round pick, in my opinion. You have to consider value along with need. I absolutely agree we need to find a replacement for Farrior, but I think the drop off at ILB from round 2 to 4 is not as drastic as other positions. For me, the only other possibility of early ILB would be Spikes in round 2. But I would rather have Pouncey/Micah Johnson than Spikes/Tennant.

As for the D-line, i guess i just disagree. In the 3-4 that LeBeau uses, the D linemen are mostly space pluggers. I can't see spending 'early' round picks there, especially when we should have a healthy Smith, Hampton, and Keisel with Ziggy backing them up. (and i did disagree with selecting Ziggy last year, but oh well). I can't see drafting early d-line as a priority this year.

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: Can NFL.com find somebody who knows football for their mock?

SSS that might be the worst post I have ever seen. Agreeing with Ruthless??? Like that post wasn't bad enough without you double posting it.

shawn-

the funny thing is I actually really like your mock. let me clarify... i like the 'players' you have listed. i would love to have every one of them on our team. i just disagree with the priorities.

i'd be willing to bet a taco bell 'box that rocks' that by draft day you will have changed your mock to include at least one more O-lineman somewhere, right?...