Official 2015 NFL Draft Thread

He actually talked a lot.  They only printed what was useful or actually had any information in it.

Did some reading this morning and have revised the lists of the players I'm expecting to the off the board at #30 and the next tier of players.

 

-Added WR-Breshad Perrriman as likely to be gone by #30.

 

-Removed DL-Eddie Goldman and DB-Jalen Collins from the likely to be gone by #30 and added them to the next tier of players.

 

-Added CB-Byron Jones to the next tier of players.

 

So of today I'd name the following 26 players as likely to be off the board when the Packers pick at #30.

 

QB-Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota

RB-Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon

WR-Amari Cooper, Kevin White, DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong, Breshad Perriman

OL-Brandon Scherff, Andrus Peat, D.J. Humphries, La'el Collins, Ereck Flowers

DL-Leonard Williams, Arik Armstead, Danny Shelton, Malcom Brown

LB-Dante Fowler Jr., Shane Ray, Vic Beasley, Randy Gregory, Bud Dupree

CB-Trae Waynes, Kevin Johnson

S-Landon Collins

 

I currently see the next tier as looking something like this:

 

TE-Maxx Williams, Clive Walford

OL-T.J. Clemmings, Cameron Erving

DL-Eddie Goldman, Jordan Phillips, Carl Davis, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Preston Smith, Mario Edwards Jr.

LB-Eli Harold, Benardrick McKinney, Eric Kendricks, Stephone Anthony

CB-Jalen Collins, Ronald Darby, Marcus Peters, P.J. Williams, Byron Jones

 

I'm not sold on Jalen Collins, but he's definitely the type that could get Ted to pass on taking an inside linebacker in round one.  He only had 10 starts in his college career, but he is top-end stuff when looking at a size/speed combo cornerback.

one of those running backs will be a second round pick

Cut, and paste.

PackerJoe sitting at the bar staring at pint of stout spinning a cocktail napkin turns to Mel Jr. and says,"I dunno. I just think you're undervaluing Harold is all"

 

Mel Jr."Can't figure it out. Do you want to be like me? Or do you want to be me?" 

I don't see Shaq Thompson in your top 45. He is sort of a "wildcard", who many question what position he will play, but most have him in the first or second tier 

pretty sure PJ is not a stout man

Stout Is like happy hour. Outstanding and divisive. 

http://www.nationalfootballpos...f-draft-preparation/

 

Good article from Greg Gabriel at NFP- talks about the post- combine prep for teams and how the coaches get involved in drafting decisions

 

 

Here's my new FanSpeak draft, dream from heaven:

 

Round 1, Pick 30 - Eric Kendricks/ILB/UCLA

There probably will be one ILB picked ahead of #30.  Ted would be content with Kendricks, Clemson inside backer Stephone Anthony or Mississippi State inside backer Benardrick McKinney at this spot.  Only a CB dropper will get Ted off ILB.  If Kendricks is off the board at #30, then plug in Clemson ILB-Stephone Anthony.

 

Round 2, Pick 62 - Eric Rowe/CB/Utah

The last time I did one of these Rowe was projected to Green Bay at the end of round four.  Rowe's stock has soared since then and he appears to be a solid top 75 player now.  When looking at this pick I narrowed the field to Clive Walford/TE/Miami, Fl, D'Juon Smith/CB/Florida Atlantic, Alex Carter/CB/Stanford, Eric Rowe/CB/Utah, Devin Funchess/TE/Michigan and Ty Sambrailo/OT/Colorado State.  D'Juon Smith was removed due to lack of height and my gut feeling tells me Ted would prefer Walford over Funchess (Walford is a more natural pass-catcher).  Carter vs. Rowe are near even, and when in doubt Ted takes athletes on defense.  Rowe's combine performance gives him the edge over Carter.  So it came down to Walford vs. Rowe vs. Sambrailo and I went Rowe because (1) the soonest Sambrailo would probably help the team would be in 2016 (2) the Packers just used a third round pick on Richard Rodgers last year and Ted probably still sees him as a plus tight end for the future.

 

*TRADE*

Disappointed that all of his favored offensive line targets have come off the board prior to 3-94, Ted looks to get out of this spot.  Houston is willing to trade up to take a quarterback, but are only willing to do it if Ted will give them a major bargain.  Ted agrees and only picks up a 5th round pick for a large 22-slot move down the draft board.

 

Round 4, Pick 116 (from Houston) - Jordan Hicks/ILB/Texas

Quite frankly, Ted isn't really thrilled by the players avaiable here and considers drafting MyCole Pruitt with this pick.  Instead he decides to take a project linebacker.  Hicks looks to be a solid prospect for a 4-3 defense but is a pretty big question mark for a 3-4 (he played weakside linebacker throughout his college career).  Size shouldn't be an issue (he's actually a bit bigger than Eric Kendricks), but if he'll play to his size is a different story.  Hicks is best known as a true student of the game and a plus-plus tackler.  Last year he totaled 147 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 pass breakups.  At the combine he measured in at 6-1 3/8, 236 pounds, ran the 40 in 4.68 seconds, posted a 38 inch vertical, benched 225 pounds a total of 20 times and did the 3-cone in 6.78 seconds. 

 

Round 4, Pick 129 - MyCole Pruitt/TE/Southern Illinois

In the last mock I projected him to Green Bay at the end of round five but his stock is rising.  Packer fans probably won't be thrilled with him because of his height (only 6-2 1/4), but he's got long arms and a plus vertical for a tight end so I think he can still be a solid red zone target for the Packers.  Quite frankly, I think he offers way more pass-catching upside than the other tight ends that will be available from this point on in the draft.

 

Round 5, Pick 152 (from Houston) - Tyeler Davison/DT/Fresno State

Last time I projected him to Green Bay at the end of round three, probably 2 to 2.5 rounds higher than where the experts projected him.  Nothing happened that would make me think Ted would have cooled on him, but rather Ted won't feel any urgency with the NG position now that both Raji and Guion are under contract.  So Ted grabs another ILB and TE first, and is delighted to grab a really under-rated nose guard with this pick.

 

Round 5, pick 166 - Mitch Morse/OT/Missouri

Typical Ted Thompson offensive lineman pick : tough, rugged, short-armed overachiever.  Played left tackle, right tackle and center during his stay at Missouri.  Combine numbers = 6-5 3/8, 305 pounds, 32 1/4 inch arms, 5.14 40 yard dash, 31 inch vertical, 36 reps at 225, 7.60 3-cone drill. 

 

Round 6, Pick 206 - Mark Weisman/FB/Iowa

The last time Ted took a fullback it was a pure blocking fullback and it ended up being a wasted pick.  Kuhn does a little bit of blocking, a little bit of running and a little bit of catching (until last year) so I'm expecting Ted to take a more versatile player to groom into a fullback.  Weisman probably needs no introduction to the people of Wisconsin.  He started his Iowa career at fullback and moved to running back when Iowa ran out of players at the position.  Weisman did so well that Iowa was never able to get him out of that role.  Weisman was not invited to the combine, but had an excellent pro day workout where he measured in a 6-0, 242 pounds, ran the 40 yard dash in 4.61 seconds, had a 36 inch vertical leap and did the 3-cone in 6.88 seconds.

 

Round 6, Pick 210 (compensatory selection) - John Crockett/RB/North Dakota State

Projected him to the Packers in the seventh round in the last mock draft.  Good size and athletic ability and proved that he can catch the ball during his final season at North Dakota State.

 

Round 6, pick 213 (compensatory selection) -Dean Marlowe/S/James Madison

Projected him to the Packers in round seven the last mock draft.  Solid size/speed candidate who was a three year starter at James Madison.

 

Round 7, Pick 247 - Darius Allen/OLB/Colorado State-Pueblo

Allen is from the same school at Mike Pennel.  He's listed at 6-3, 239 pounds on the school's website.  Played DE in college but fits best as a 3-4 OLB in the pros.  Completely one-dimensional speed rusher at this point in time.  Posted 132 tackles, 31 sacks and 46.5 tackles for loss during his final 2 college seasons.

I was going to say "disagree" , but then I saw the 40 times

quote:

Round 6, Pick 206 - Mark Weisman/FB/Iowa

You want Ted to draft another white fullback? 

I just did a FanSpeak going pure BPA, so don't mind my hot pants:

 

Not enough time has passed for me to be comfortable with a player with that many A's and J's in their name. 

 

Maybe 2020 but not yet. 

Fanspeak is fun. Takes about 15 minutes to create a mock draft that'll be as wrong as those that people spend days or weeks creating.

 

 

And it gave him 3 WR's through RD5.  Makes total sense.

Disagree

 

He'll either pick a player in his highest rated tier or trade for equal value, not get less.

 

Some people think Ted gave more value in the Clay Matthews trade. I've contended that was an under the table correction I.E. a show of good faith with Belichick & the Pats for the complete raping during the Chad Jackson / Greg Jennings trade. 

 

These front office people have to deal with each other yearly. Keeping a good working relationship with the other 31 30 teams (Maybe not the Vikings) is a solid way to develop trade scenarios & execute them come draft day.

Speaking of Greg Jennings. He's visiting Jacksonville today. His sister is going to love Bortles. 

 

Back to the draft. I have a feeling right about now Tampa's sphincter is starting to tighten up a bit over Jameis on the heels of Johnny Betty Ford Clinic.

 

It would suck to need a QB and having to choose between Jameis and Mariota at #1 with Leonard Williams, Fowler Jr, Cooper, White and co. all sitting there.  There is a crap load of talent on the board but Tampa is forced to pick a QB that might not even be a top 10 talent simply becasue they don't have one.  

 

Personally, I think Dante Fowler Jr is the best player in this draft. Reminds me of Derrick Thomas. 

I'm thinking more and more the Saints will make a move on a QB this year, maybe going to get Mariota if he slides a bit, or grabbing one of the second-tier guys. What BB and TT have done is not wait until they're desperate for a QB to go get one but rather make the move a couple of years earlier on a quality prospect and give him a bit of time to develop.

 

That's a lesson the Saints could (should) be taking to heart as not to go from feast to famine when Brees leaves, either next year (not a huge hit to part ways) or the year after (contract expires). Brees' contract/cap is too big to move on from this year and he's the guy for at least 2015.

You people© need to stop with the logical comments.

 

 

I agree with you Chili, taking Fowler would truly be their best option. They're going to suck anyway even if they draft a QB, so why not try and build up that defense.

If Phil Rivers is truly available then there's no reason why Tampa or any team in the top 3 shouldn't trade for him. Trade that 1st overall pick for Rivers, their 1st, and another pick and they will be much improved. Use that 1st rounder from San Diego to take the best defensive player available and boom they are competitive again in the NFC South race. That's assuming Rivers actually is available of course.

Seek therapy. Preferably from a professional.

 

What are you talking about? Nelson's getting older, Cobb will regress now that he has the big money, and Abbradumdum is no sure thing.

 

If I could, I would have traded down every single pick until I had no picks left for this season. 2016 is gonna be a gold mine!!!

Not that it's any of your damn business Rusty but I'm already seeing someone to deal with A's and J's. It's not helping. 

I think  they're going to draft a RB at some point, probably late and I'm  very interested to see what kind of RB they take. I guess it depends on how they view Rajion Neal, he showed some promise in the preseason and in camp, but I don't see them putting their eggs in the basket of a 2nd year UDFA...they seem to like to double down on positions of need. I wonder if they are going to look for a Darren Sproles-type who is more of a hybrid RB/WR that can be moved around like Cobb? Or will they look for a big bruiser so Lacy doesn't have to take on so many short yardage runs? Like I said I'm very interested to see how the #3 RB shakes out.

#3 RBs are a dime a dozen.

That having been said, it will be interesting to see in training camp which one is the odd one out.

Starks is gone after 2015, so they need to look for a solid contributor. Johnathan Franklin would have been that guy if it weren't for the ****ing **** vikings who injured him

 

I don't think they'll look for a sproles-type or even a traditional 3rd down back anymore. MM wants to go fast and he doesn't want to substitute. In 2014, Starks came in for an entire series, not just for a specific down. The next RB will have to be capable of playing all 3 downs - which means no dumdums like Adrian dumber-than-rocks Peterson.

Edgar Bennett is the OC now, maybe we get a real tough mudder.

 

Kuhn/Starks buys GB a year to develop the guy, but he's going to have to be a multifaceted  RB and this draft has quite a few of them

I could see a guy like Karlos Williams, David Johnson, John Crockett or Zach Zenner being the pick. All are bigger guys and kind of one-cut -and-go runners who are seen as fairly aggressive as pass blockers in college, and three are smaller school guys that TT seems to like to get.

Nolan Nawrocki

 

33.  Eric Kendricks/UCLA

43.  Benardrick McKinney/Mississippi State

60.  Stephone Anthony/Clemson

76.  Jake Ryan/Michigan

81.  Paul Dawson/Texas Christian

 

http://www.amazon.com/Draft-20...rocki/dp/1629370762/

 

Ourlads:

 

52.  Stephone Anthony/Clemson

72.  Eric Kendricks/UCLA

87.  Denzel Perryman/Miami, Fl

94.  Benardrick McKinney/Mississippi State

112.  Jake Ryan/Michigan

 

https://secure.ourlads.com/sec...print/subscribe.aspx

 

This is pretty amazing. 

 

Not the rankings. 

 

The fact someone is actually selling a draft preview guide on Amazon for $14.00. Who in the ever loving **** would actually pay for this??? Theres a review but that looks like Nolan posted that himself. Or Rick Spielman. 

 

If I find evidence someone actually PAID REAL MONEY for a draft guide it will completely rattle my hope for mankind. 

 

 

 

 

I think Kendricks is a really good LB, but something about him just screams not a 34 ILB. I actually think he would thrive in a Lance Briggs type role with a Tampa 2 D. I'm not convinced he's necessarily what GB needs if we want to get more physical and tackle better at the ILB position.  If I had to rank the 34 ILBs that fit what I think GB needs at ILB and where we would need to take them to get them:

1. Stephone Anthony/Clemson/Round 1
2. Denzel Perryman/Miami/Round 1
3. Paul Dawson/TCU/Round 2
4. Ben Heeney/Kansas/Round 3
5. Taiwan Jones/Michigan St./Round 4

Like I said those are who I believe are the best fits. That doesn't mean I think Kendricks or McKinney are bad players, both deserve to go late r1/early r2. I won't be disappointed if either were picked, Kendricks is a Butkus Award winner with a great attitude and McKinney has rare size and athleticism for the position, if GB picked them it tells me they think they can coach them up to be the players we need. It's a good draft for ILBs, several good football players in there, I'm confident we will find someone who will be a good player for us.

I never purchased a draft guide but I have read a few for free. I hope that's acceptable.

What is your opinion on 2 other guys: 1) Shaq Thompson. Most are projecting him as a safety. Big play potential, could you see Capers using him as an ILBer / Safety hybrid kind of like Steelers did with Troy P.? 2) Jake Ryan. His measurables are about in the middle of the pack, but seems like he knows how to play football.

From Packer Report article on "Rating the Top ILBers'

 

Now, we put it all together. Which inside linebackers have the best combination of testing numbers and on-field production in this year’s class?

Player	Performance	Measurables	Total
Eric Kendricks	30	42	72
Jordan Hicks	39	33	72
Stephone Anthony	53	26	79
Paul Dawson	14	75	89
Ben Heeney	46	45	91
Jake Ryan	39	55	94
Bryce Hager	42	54	96
Mike Hull	46	59	105
Denzel Perryman	48	60	108
Benardrick McKinney	61	53	114
Kwon Alexander	76	45	121
Edmond Robinson	75	48	123
Ramik Wilson	65	66	131
Taiwan Jones	63	70	133
Hayes Pullard	75	76	151

It’s no surprise that UCLA’s Kendricks, Clemson’s Anthony and TCU’s Dawson fared well. They’re among the top prospects at the position. However, Texas’ Hicks winds up tied with Kendricks for the top spot. Hicks isn’t at the top of draft boards, however, because he missed most of 2012 with a hip injury and most of 2013 with a torn Achilles.

McKinney and Alexander show up down the list, even though they are expected to be among the top inside linebackers selected. Why? They didn’t pile up a lot of total tackles or solo tackles. What isn’t reflected in our charts but is key in scouts’ minds is the percentage of a linebacker’s tackles that are solo. Scouts want that to be above 50 percent — preferably more than 60 percent — because they want their linebackers delivering the initial blow and not just jumping on piles.

What’s impressive is how Dawson placed fourth in the overall rankings after finishing one point out of the cellar athletically. He’s going to pose quite the dilemma for teams needing an inside linebacker. Can he match his eye-popping production — he finished first in four of seven categories and not worse than fourth — despite limited athleticism?

 

Shaq is an amazing athlete, but I don't think he's fast enough to play Safety or strong enough to play ILB. I think he's more in the mold of Clay Matthews, except not polished as a pass rusher...maybe closer to Bruce Irvin. He's a hybrid ILB/OLB whose best fit is probably as a WLB in a 43 or maaybe as an OLB in 34 (with some significant coaching). Like CM3 he's going to be able to play all over the field for teams, dropping back as ILB at times, rushing from the outside at times, putting his hand down at times. Like Bruce Irvin his roles will all have to be situational though. He just doesn't fit anywhere as a full time player.

Ryan reminds me actually of Hunter Hillenmeyer (maybe a little shorter). Looks like a SLB or a MLB in a 43. I see him as a late round player, but I've seen some places call him a mid-round prospect.

How about buying Popular Mechanics for the cool, mini submarine plans?

Saints had Randy Gregory in for a visit. Randy talked about his visit on Twitter:

 

Think outside the box of traditional roles. Most football is situational these days. Capers uses multiple packages and moves people around as needed. What exactly is a full time player these days ? So much evolution and specialization in the game today

 

Shaq is a movable chess piece and we saw what happened when Woodson moved around and again when Matthews moved around. No clue if the Packers like him or would use him, but I think you are being unnecessarily shackled by convention.

 

Never forget the Evolution Revolution....

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz7EGY-iHR8

Coming from a guy who played in flipping Nebraska?!?!?! What was his Wonderlic, -7?