Final Pre-combine Mock

[elevation INC]

2008 final Pre-combine mock


Trade pick 12 to Tampa for 20/52 picks
Trade Fox to New Orleans for 4th rd Pick # 109


Pick 20
RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
Height: 5-11. Weight: 224.
40 Time: 4.43.
Projected Round: Top 25 Pick.

2007 stats
Rushed for 1742 yds, and 17 td’s, for an avg 129.3 yds per game, with a yds per carry of 6.4. Also had 34 catches for 318 yds and 2 td’s.

While most people think running back in the 1st is a waste, it is not unlikely, and there is no doubt someone like mendehall or even j stewart would give us tremendous power on offense. There are tons of needs for this team, but the top 3 RB’s are very strong in this class, regardless if we keep henry or not I would rather draft mendehall now while we have a chance than look for scraps in next years draft while henry could be on the way out. Adding someone like medenhall doesn’t hurt this team especially when Ellis is the only other worthwhile option in the 1st, and he will be gone.

PICK 44
OLB Erin Henderson, Maryland
Height: 6-3. Weight: 233.
40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round: 2.

2007 stats
133 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 INT, 4 FR, 1 FF

This guy is a beast, and has very good football ability, He is a perfect fit for slowiks scheme at OLB or SLB, and would be a perfect addition to our LB core regardless of whether he starts right away or not. With gold, Dj, and winborn all up in the air next year its time to build behind our current starters and prepare a future. and he easily has a shot at beating out both gold or Webster in camp.

PICK 52
OL John Greco, Toledo
Height: 6-5. Weight: 318.
40 Time: 5.20.
Projected Round: 2

2007 stats
N/A

Regardless of what anyone says we need O-line help, when graham went down our imperfections were exposed. I am unsure if harris is capable of filling the LT role, however a guy like Greco is versatile and can play Guard and Tackle at a high level so he would be a great addition to push our current starters and challenge for a guard or RT spot. Plus as injury plagued as are line was having a guy like Greco that can step into each position would help greatly. He is a pefect fit for zone blocking and is actually very agile, and has good technique.

PICK 104
S Jamar Adams, Michigan
Height: 6-2. Weight: 209.
40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round: 4

2007 stats
92 total tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 sack, 3 INT

This guy is a headhunter, and we have lacked that since atwater. Regardless if lynch comes back or not we need someone who can be a long term solution at SS and Abdullah is not that guy. I feel Abdullah is best suited for FS, while Adams could rip it up at SS. The guy is very aggressive and very good against the run as he was the leading tackler on his team last year.



PICK 109
OLB Jordon Dizon, Colorado
Height: 5-11. Weight: 231.
40 Time: 4.64.
Projected Round: 4

2007 Stats
160 total tackles, 7.5 for loss, 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1FF, 1 TD return

There were some issues about his size, but he showed up with more weight at the SB upping his draft stock. There is no doubt he is a player, and he is very aggressive and good against the run. He has a good knack at getting to the QB which is something slowiks scheme demands. He would be a great addition for depth and special teams.




PICK 114
DT James McClinton, Kansas
Height: 6-0. Weight: 290.
40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round: 4.

2007 stats
39 total tackles, 11 for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT

He is very underated and was big reason kansa had such a strong D last year. He is good at getting to the QB and would be a good fit in depth and in rotation with Harris, Mckinely, and Thomas.


PICK 132
Taj Smith, Syracuse
Height: 6-1. Weight: 192.
40 Time: 4.37.
Projected Round: 5

2007 stats
44 catches for 822 yds and 5td’s, Avg 18.9 per catch and 70 yds per game

He is a very fast guy and could have good potential as a Retruner. However with decent size and great speed he is actually a good deep threat number 2 guy to spell marshall. We need someone to stretch the filed and this guy does just that avg 18. 9 yds per catch.


PICK 140
Brandon McAnderson, Kansas
Height: 6-0. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.76.
Projected Round: 5-6

2007 stats
1125 yds rushing on 190 att, 16 td’s, avg 5.9 per carry and 86 yds per game. Also had 21 catches for 218 yds with no drops.


As much as I want a beast like owen Schmitt, shanny doesn’t like FB like that. He like Fb that can run, and catch, and block, and this guy does all three very well, and is more of a FB type that Denver likes. Also the guy rushed for 1000 yds as a FB, and was great in redzone situations. This could be very beneficial for us.


PICK 204 -
Terrell Vinson, Purdue
Height: 5-9. Weight: 183.
40 Time: 4.43.
Projected Round: 7.

2007 Stats
84 total tackles, 7 for loss, 3 sacks, 5 INT, 1 FF

He lead the team in tackles as a corner last year, he is aggressive and very good at bump and run coverage, he has tons of upside and had good production last year, the knock is his size however a year in the weight room could remedy that.


PICK 212
Jimmie Kaylor, Colorado State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 198.
Projected Round: 7.

2007 stats
2224 yds on 52 punts, Avg 43.5 yds per punt, long of 61, 19 punts inside the 20, and 15 over 50 yds.

Very good punter in cold and bad weather situations, with no set punter yet it is not a waste spending a seventh on a punter and bringing him to camp.





IN FA We will sign Bernard Berrian, Bryant Johnson, DJ Hackett, or Andre Davis a WR
And we will sign DT Corey Williams or Deal for Shaun Rodgers

[gyldenlove]

I don't like us not addressing DT at all. In my view that is our biggest need. Even if we sign or trade for 1 DT, we would still need to add youth in the draft.

Our run game was most successful with we had a good blocking TE, since Griffith. We have to get an actual lead blocker or we will keep getting stuck in the red zone and have to rely too much on the stretch play.

Unless Erin Henderson packs away 100 big macs he is only a good at WLB, he would need to bulk up to 245 minimum to have any impact at SLB.

I am not big on the Grecco pick, unless we can get a 1st round talent at OT, I don't think it makes sense to pick OT before round 4/5. We need to sign a veteran for depth anyway, there is a good chance we will pursue Justin Smiley from the 49ers who would free up Kuper to compete for the RT spot.

[mx_stiles13]

I don't like us not addressing DT at all. In my view that is our biggest need. Even if we sign or trade for 1 DT, we would still need to add youth in the draft.

Our run game was most successful with we had a good blocking TE, since Griffith. We have to get an actual lead blocker or we will keep getting stuck in the red zone and have to rely too much on the stretch play.

Unless Erin Henderson packs away 100 big macs he is only a good at WLB, he would need to bulk up to 245 minimum to have any impact at SLB.

I am not big on the Grecco pick, unless we can get a 1st round talent at OT, I don't think it makes sense to pick OT before round 4/5. We need to sign a veteran for depth anyway, there is a good chance we will pursue Justin Smiley from the 49ers who would free up Kuper to compete for the RT spot.

He has us taking James McClinton for DT.

[BroncosTX77]

Not too bad at all. I do look forward to your next Final Pre Combine mock next weekend.

Rashard Mendenhall-No Comment

I absolutely love the Erin Henderson pick. The more and more research I do, the more and more I am fascinated by this prospect.

I would switch Greco and Adams around. Greco in the second is a reach. If you want OT in 2nd then Sam Baker maybe available still, Anthony Collins-Kansas, and Gosder Cherilus-BC.

Jamar Adams should be gone in the 3rd. If he drops to the 4th then its a God-Send and we should jump all over him.

Can't argue with homer pick. I wish Denver would take Dizon. He honestly reminds me of a Zach Thomas. No one gave him a chance either and look at his great career. Reach at this spot in draft but I believe he will have a great combine to bump him up to 4th.

Denver does need another DT. Denver lacks depth. 4th round is a huge reach for McClinton though. He is the type of DT for Slowik's 'D' but he has a huge red flag on him atm. 2 seizures in a year span is nothing to scoff at and it may drop him to 6th or 7th round.

Taj Smith. Well don't know anything about him other than he is not listed on any sites as to being drafted. He is going to combine though, so maybe he can sneak into the 7th round. Just fyi I checked New Era Scouting, Draft Dog, Football Futures, NFL Draft Scout, and Draft Tek, none had him drafted. Only Walter had him being drafted.

I prefer Jacob Hester at this spot

Great job though. We are definitely on same wavelength for players, with an exception or 2. But thats why we are geniuses. They never think alike just share those brain pattern/wavelengths.

[elevation INC]

Not too bad at all. I do look forward to your next Final Pre Combine mock next weekend.

Rashard Mendenhall-No Comment

I absolutely love the Erin Henderson pick. The more and more research I do, the more and more I am fascinated by this prospect.

I would switch Greco and Adams around. Greco in the second is a reach. If you want OT in 2nd then Sam Baker maybe available still, Anthony Collins-Kansas, and Gosder Cherilus-BC.

Jamar Adams should be gone in the 3rd. If he drops to the 4th then its a God-Send and we should jump all over him.

Can't argue with homer pick. I wish Denver would take Dizon. He honestly reminds me of a Zach Thomas. No one gave him a chance either and look at his great career. Reach at this spot in draft but I believe he will have a great combine to bump him up to 4th.

Denver does need another DT. Denver lacks depth. 4th round is a huge reach for McClinton though. He is the type of DT for Slowik's 'D' but he has a huge red flag on him atm. 2 seizures in a year span is nothing to scoff at and it may drop him to 6th or 7th round.

Taj Smith. Well don't know anything about him other than he is not listed on any sites as to being drafted. He is going to combine though, so maybe he can sneak into the 7th round. Just fyi I checked New Era Scouting, Draft Dog, Football Futures, NFL Draft Scout, and Draft Tek, none had him drafted. Only Walter had him being drafted.

I prefer Jacob Hester at this spot

Great job though. We are definitely on same wavelength for players, with an exception or 2. But thats why we are geniuses. They never think alike just share those brain pattern/wavelengths.

thanks for the props

actaully mcclinton is an iffy pick but he has so much potential as a rushing DT on the opposite side of thomas, plus we will use a rotation again next year so i dont think any health issues will be a big issue, he is a possible risk, but he was huge last year for kansas, so i will take a chance. also i will bet my life he goes in the 4th rd. especially after the combine.

i though adams would be gone in the 3rd as well but he has dropped on some boards, right now he averages late 3rd early 4th so i took him pre combine.


we agree with henderson, its funny that some people think u have to be 245 lbs to play SLB, not neccesarily true. I would prefer him to take over for gold, but its not unlikely for him to be able to providee depth at SLB.


John greco is a 2-3rd pick currently he may be a bit of a reach right now, but i chose him as he is way more versatile than collins and cherilus, and with hamilton on his last year he would be able to instantly spell us at guard where as collins and cherilus couldn't, he would also have a year in our system and be set to start next year. he also could be a replacement for left tackle if harris struggles, and again he would have a year in our system. his ability to play Tackle and Guard with the same great abiltiy is waht makes me take him over collins and cherilus, however i wouldnt be upset if we drafted 1 of those other 2 guys.


As for taj smith.....he is my wild card, hip pocket guy most sites dont have him drafted and thats becuase he declared early, but i saw him 3 times this year against washington, louisville, and BC. And he is exactly what we need in a deep threat him spelling marshall as a number 2 or even a 3 guy would be outstanding he has great speed, and if it wasnt for syracuse having such a crappy season, and a horrible qb he would be in the 5th or 6th rd on everyones list, he is realtively unheard of because of the team he played on.


Also jacob hester will be gone as will hills and schmitt so i pick anderson and im sorry but the dude rushed for 16 td's and over 1000 yds as a FB and he weighs more than cecil sapp does

[elevation INC]

I don't like us not addressing DT at all. In my view that is our biggest need. Even if we sign or trade for 1 DT, we would still need to add youth in the draft.

Our run game was most successful with we had a good blocking TE, since Griffith. We have to get an actual lead blocker or we will keep getting stuck in the red zone and have to rely too much on the stretch play.

Unless Erin Henderson packs away 100 big macs he is only a good at WLB, he would need to bulk up to 245 minimum to have any impact at SLB.

I am not big on the Grecco pick, unless we can get a 1st round talent at OT, I don't think it makes sense to pick OT before round 4/5. We need to sign a veteran for depth anyway, there is a good chance we will pursue Justin Smiley from the 49ers who would free up Kuper to compete for the RT spot.

pick 114 and corey williams or shaun rodgers aint enough DT's for ya? i dont care if you dont like the pick at 114 but he has promise and picking up 1 DT in FA is actually what we need since Stephen harris, Mallard, and thomas are youth!

[elevation INC]

I don't like us not addressing DT at all. In my view that is our biggest need. Even if we sign or trade for 1 DT, we would still need to add youth in the draft.

Our run game was most successful with we had a good blocking TE, since Griffith. We have to get an actual lead blocker or we will keep getting stuck in the red zone and have to rely too much on the stretch play.

Unless Erin Henderson packs away 100 big macs he is only a good at WLB, he would need to bulk up to 245 minimum to have any impact at SLB.

I am not big on the Grecco pick, unless we can get a 1st round talent at OT, I don't think it makes sense to pick OT before round 4/5. We need to sign a veteran for depth anyway, there is a good chance we will pursue Justin Smiley from the 49ers who would free up Kuper to compete for the RT spot.

if we put kuper or pears at RT or LT i will jump off a cliff and hope i never have to watch the broncos again

[BroncoKazuki]

slight problem, Stewart and Mendenhall may end up in the top 15 so with this kind of draft we'll have to settle for Jones who may rise up to the high 20's (20-23) witch he's still not a bad back, probably better of his team mate McFadden.

so this is pretty decent but if Mendenhall somewhat botches the combine I can see him dropping to the top 20's 19-22nd where we can get him but look in the front of the teams who may want him as well.

[elevation INC]

slight problem, Stewart and Mendenhall may end up in the top 15 so with this kind of draft we'll have to settle for Jones who may rise up to the high 20's (20-23) witch he's still not a bad back, probably better of his team mate McFadden.

so this is pretty decent but if Mendenhall somewhat botches the combine I can see him dropping to the top 20's 19-22nd where we can get him but look in the front of the teams who may want him as well.

very true, and if it goes down like that my post combine mock will be different.... in any case i also have felix jones, and chris williams as options there in my hip pockets

[elevation INC]

I don't like us not addressing DT at all. In my view that is our biggest need. Even if we sign or trade for 1 DT, we would still need to add youth in the draft.

Our run game was most successful with we had a good blocking TE, since Griffith. We have to get an actual lead blocker or we will keep getting stuck in the red zone and have to rely too much on the stretch play.

Unless Erin Henderson packs away 100 big macs he is only a good at WLB, he would need to bulk up to 245 minimum to have any impact at SLB.

I am not big on the Grecco pick, unless we can get a 1st round talent at OT, I don't think it makes sense to pick OT before round 4/5. We need to sign a veteran for depth anyway, there is a good chance we will pursue Justin Smiley from the 49ers who would free up Kuper to compete for the RT spot.

its funny we have louie green as a back-up for webster at SLB and he only ways 237, i dont think 10 lbs really matters when it comes to just flat out playing. hell i guess you havent seen wesely woodard or jordan dizon destroy some lineman during senitor bowl week. guys that way 300 plus were getting schooled by a guy that weighs 233 and a guy that weighs 227. in the end if you have heart, and ability size doesnt always matter. see mallard and dumervil

[BroncoKazuki]

its funny we have louie green as a back-up for webster at SLB and he only ways 237, i dont think 10 lbs really matters when it comes to just flat out playing. hell i guess you havent seen wesely woodard or jordan dizon destroy some lineman during senitor bowl week. guys that way 300 plus were getting schooled by a guy that weighs 233 and a guy that weighs 227. in the end if you have heart, and ability size doesnt always matter. see mallard and dumervil

True but weight helps.

When I played the DT position i was considered small because i only weighed 230 while my senior counterpart weighted 245. The thing is during the Senior/Frosh Soph/Jr game we have every year. Me and him were pushing pushing the OG's around like rag dolls.

The way i moved as a DT was using explosiveness and quick acceleration to penetrate into the backfield. If you catch an OG off guard you throw them offbalance and it gives you the opportunity to use that against them.


the weight only comes in handy if your waiting on the run to hit the line so you can stop him. The idea should be to get into the backfield as fast as you can so you can disrupt the Run or Pass game. Thats why immovable objects are always better as run stop specialist because they can hold their ground. The big money is to stop the run and pass at the source and quick Fast DT's should give us that.