According to Pat Kirwan, even though Free Agency isn’t a week old, the first phase of free agency has already passed. With that in mind, my second mock draft of the season will reflect the new landscape of the league as it appears after the initial rush of free agency. Unlike my last mock series, I will not go through the teams in as much detail, nor will I cover teams’ overall strengths and weaknesses. For those, you can refer to my Pre-Combine Mock. I also won’t include projected trades, because a mock draft already has enough speculation. I may comment on where I see a trade occurring, but this board is already overflowing with cockamamie schemes for teams to move up or down on day one. That said, here is my Post-Combine/Early Free Agency Mock Draft.
1. Houston-
The Texans have been very quiet in the past few weeks, and the talks of trading out have subsided considerably. With the Saints looking like a cheaper option for relocation in the draft, and the arrival of Jay Cutler in the top ten, the top pick is looking less appealing to teams wanting to move up. None of this should hurt the Texans’ feelings, they are going to do what they had planned to do all along, and take the LeBron James of the NFL, in terms of ability and marketability.
The Texans select Reggie Bush, RB, USC
2. New Orleans-
This is a very fluid situation right now, depending on which rumor you buy into. On one hand, the Brees deal appears heavy in guaranteed money in year one, meaning he could be a brief rental, or it could be protection in case the shoulder woes don’t improve. The other rumor is that the Saints are now dead set on acquiring Mario Williams. The final rumor is that the Saints move out of pick two and take a defensive player later. I buy into both rumors two and three. Despite having two quality ends now, they aren’t players THIS regime drafted, and Charles Grant under performed last season. The Saints may swap with the Jets and still bag, Mario Williams, but no swap here, and the pick is easy.
The Saints select Mario Williams, DE, NC State
3. Tennessee-
Oh the ties this team has to the quarterbacks. These guys could prove to be difficult to crack this early in the process. Which one out ways the other? Chow’s development of Leinart in college, or Young’s tutelage under McNair as youth, and their similarities in playing style? If Young had his druthers, there isn’t a better mentor for him in his first year in the league, and with his skill set, the Titans could transition smoothly between the former “Franchise” and the current one. But this isn’t Young’s decision. Matt Leinart may be the closest thing to a finished product in this draft, and with his understanding of Chow’s system and terminology, he could be ready to step in immediately. Young may need two years; Tennessee may not have two years for him before throwing him into the fire.
The Titans select Matt Leinart, QB, USC
4. New York (A)-
Another team that still has decisions to make leading up to the draft, the Jets have not impressed with their new management group thus far. While it would have been unlikely that the Jets could have been a major player in the Brees or Culpepper races, their interest in Ramsey seems odd for a team in certain rebuilding mode. New revelations today stating that the Jets refuse to budge from their stance regarding compensation for Ramsey is a positive sign, especially since Ramsey could flee New York after one season. They still must draft a quarterback fairly high, and I’ve heard that they actually may prefer Croyle to the other two, and should they acquire a late first rounder for Abraham, they may take Croyle there, with Ferguson taken here. At this point, that is just speculation, and this team must move towards the future at QB with this regime’s QB. Selection here is a matter of preference, not superiority.
The Jets select Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
5. Green Bay-
The best player available comes at one of the few positions Green Bay is strong at, left tackle. While Ferguson could still be taken here, Clifton is only 30, and is one of the top tackles in the league. Ferguson is a poor fit for the right side, and the team may consider moving Clifton to the right side (6’5 330) to make room for D’Brick. That’s just too much conjecture without substance at this point. With the potential loss of Grady Jackson and the need for improvement in run defense, Haloti Ngata has the rare size and athleticism to improve the run defense single handedly while pushing the pocket for both KGB and Kampman. Trade down candidate…
The Packers select Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
6. San Francisco-
This team appears to be the likely destination for Davis, Hawk and Huff in several mock drafts, but with Ferguson falling this far, coupled with the need to protect the “Franchise” and Jennings inability to do so (June 1st?), Ferguson makes a lot of sense here. There are no guarantees Huff can be a shutdown corner, and this draft is loaded with 3-4 edge rushers. They may consider one at the top of round two (Parys Haralson or Kamerion Wimbley?) Hard to overlook this Walter Jones clone.
The 49ers select D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
7. Oakland-
Two candidates appear to fit here, with the potential of a third in Hawk. The first is Vernon Davis, a blur of a tight end that could be the fastest tight end in the NFL after draft day. The second is the player with one of the highest ceilings in the draft, and possibly the most unpolished player rated this high. Upon adding a veteran QB to the mix, Young may not be needed for at least two years, especially with Walter already in house. He may appear to be the QB of the future (Walter), but we are talking about Al Davis…and the draft…Oakland goes for the higher ceiling, and the biggest gamble.
The Raiders select Vince Young, QB, Texas
8. Buffalo-
Taking hints from Marv Levy after the Triplett signing, this team is looking for more speed and upfield playmaking from its defense, which tailed off considerably after injuries took their toll, especially on Spikes. Takeo spends a lot of time on the strong side, and after Hawk falls to pick eight, not much is expected to change, save for the increase in team speed and playmaking ability. Winston Justice is also a possibility here, since the Bills are thin up front and lacking in pass protection.
The Bills select A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
1. Houston-
The Texans have been very quiet in the past few weeks, and the talks of trading out have subsided considerably. With the Saints looking like a cheaper option for relocation in the draft, and the arrival of Jay Cutler in the top ten, the top pick is looking less appealing to teams wanting to move up. None of this should hurt the Texans’ feelings, they are going to do what they had planned to do all along, and take the LeBron James of the NFL, in terms of ability and marketability.
The Texans select Reggie Bush, RB, USC
2. New Orleans-
This is a very fluid situation right now, depending on which rumor you buy into. On one hand, the Brees deal appears heavy in guaranteed money in year one, meaning he could be a brief rental, or it could be protection in case the shoulder woes don’t improve. The other rumor is that the Saints are now dead set on acquiring Mario Williams. The final rumor is that the Saints move out of pick two and take a defensive player later. I buy into both rumors two and three. Despite having two quality ends now, they aren’t players THIS regime drafted, and Charles Grant under performed last season. The Saints may swap with the Jets and still bag, Mario Williams, but no swap here, and the pick is easy.
The Saints select Mario Williams, DE, NC State
3. Tennessee-
Oh the ties this team has to the quarterbacks. These guys could prove to be difficult to crack this early in the process. Which one out ways the other? Chow’s development of Leinart in college, or Young’s tutelage under McNair as youth, and their similarities in playing style? If Young had his druthers, there isn’t a better mentor for him in his first year in the league, and with his skill set, the Titans could transition smoothly between the former “Franchise” and the current one. But this isn’t Young’s decision. Matt Leinart may be the closest thing to a finished product in this draft, and with his understanding of Chow’s system and terminology, he could be ready to step in immediately. Young may need two years; Tennessee may not have two years for him before throwing him into the fire.
The Titans select Matt Leinart, QB, USC
4. New York (A)-
Another team that still has decisions to make leading up to the draft, the Jets have not impressed with their new management group thus far. While it would have been unlikely that the Jets could have been a major player in the Brees or Culpepper races, their interest in Ramsey seems odd for a team in certain rebuilding mode. New revelations today stating that the Jets refuse to budge from their stance regarding compensation for Ramsey is a positive sign, especially since Ramsey could flee New York after one season. They still must draft a quarterback fairly high, and I’ve heard that they actually may prefer Croyle to the other two, and should they acquire a late first rounder for Abraham, they may take Croyle there, with Ferguson taken here. At this point, that is just speculation, and this team must move towards the future at QB with this regime’s QB. Selection here is a matter of preference, not superiority.
The Jets select Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
5. Green Bay-
The best player available comes at one of the few positions Green Bay is strong at, left tackle. While Ferguson could still be taken here, Clifton is only 30, and is one of the top tackles in the league. Ferguson is a poor fit for the right side, and the team may consider moving Clifton to the right side (6’5 330) to make room for D’Brick. That’s just too much conjecture without substance at this point. With the potential loss of Grady Jackson and the need for improvement in run defense, Haloti Ngata has the rare size and athleticism to improve the run defense single handedly while pushing the pocket for both KGB and Kampman. Trade down candidate…
The Packers select Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
6. San Francisco-
This team appears to be the likely destination for Davis, Hawk and Huff in several mock drafts, but with Ferguson falling this far, coupled with the need to protect the “Franchise” and Jennings inability to do so (June 1st?), Ferguson makes a lot of sense here. There are no guarantees Huff can be a shutdown corner, and this draft is loaded with 3-4 edge rushers. They may consider one at the top of round two (Parys Haralson or Kamerion Wimbley?) Hard to overlook this Walter Jones clone.
The 49ers select D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
7. Oakland-
Two candidates appear to fit here, with the potential of a third in Hawk. The first is Vernon Davis, a blur of a tight end that could be the fastest tight end in the NFL after draft day. The second is the player with one of the highest ceilings in the draft, and possibly the most unpolished player rated this high. Upon adding a veteran QB to the mix, Young may not be needed for at least two years, especially with Walter already in house. He may appear to be the QB of the future (Walter), but we are talking about Al Davis…and the draft…Oakland goes for the higher ceiling, and the biggest gamble.
The Raiders select Vince Young, QB, Texas
8. Buffalo-
Taking hints from Marv Levy after the Triplett signing, this team is looking for more speed and upfield playmaking from its defense, which tailed off considerably after injuries took their toll, especially on Spikes. Takeo spends a lot of time on the strong side, and after Hawk falls to pick eight, not much is expected to change, save for the increase in team speed and playmaking ability. Winston Justice is also a possibility here, since the Bills are thin up front and lacking in pass protection.
The Bills select A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
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