A different look mock

[Okeana]

Wanted to give the draft a bit of a different look and discuss reasons why certain players fit.  Please take time to comment and let me know why you like or dislike certain picks so we can get some discussions going about these guys.  

please note that round 6-7 guys I didn't put any comments on because their all guys who can be potential starters but can be role players on ST.  If you have a question about a guy or opinion feel free to comment.


TRADES


MINNESOTA VIKINGS


SENT:
ROUND: 1 PICK: 11

RECEIVED:
ROUND: 1 PICK: 18
ROUND: 2 PICK: 18





R1P18  

TE T.J. HOCKENSON

IOWA



Player Comp: Heath Miller 

A more athletic version of Heath Miller who I have as his player comp and the only offensive player I would take in round 1.  TJ is my #1 TE in this year's draft because of the entire package he brings to the table and his upside as a player.  He was a high school WR and Star Basketball player who only converted to TE when he moved to college.  He has probably the best hands of any receiver or tight end in this draft and he's one of the best blocking tight ends to come out in years.  Considering his progression in college and his ceiling I just couldn't pass him up after moving back in the draft.  Everyone is going to scream linebacker, but If I just watch tape on White, Bush, and Hockenson then ask myself who is the best potential vs risk player It lands me on Hockenson every day of the week.

R2P10  

S JOHNATHAN ABRAM

MISSISSIPPI STATE





Player Comp:  Keanu Neal 


Tough, angry, and tone-setter are just a few of the terms I would use to describe Jonathan Abrams.  He's a SS that would be mainly used in a 4-2-5 as a converted linebacker aka nickel safety.   Is he the best cover safety coming out? nope but he also doesn't get destroyed in coverage, but his true talent is blitz packages, run stoppage, and being a missile on the field.  I mean this guy lays it on dudes and he has the ceiling of being a Troy Polamalu level prospect, in fact, their measurables are pretty comparable.  One of the best players on the top rated college defense and a born team leader.


R2P18  

DL JEFFERY SIMMONS

MISSISSIPPI STATE





Player Comp: Ndamukong Suh

Let me start off by saying no one can guess where he will go in this draft considering he has a red flag similar to Mixon I'm putting him in this range.  Talent wise he's a top 10 pick and probably the 2nd best DT in the draft, but he was recorded stomping out a girl in his neighborhood when he was in high school.  When I look into the story and see interviews with him today I don't see the same kid who blasted a girl fighting with his mom.  I feel that just like Mixon he will be a better adult than he was a child and will not repeat the mistakes made.


What I like most about him is that he's a 3 down DT who will play mostly 1 tech but in a pinch can switch to 3 tech as well.  He has a great pass rush playing the B gap, but can also hold up as a smaller NT when needed.  Missippi State was the #1 defense in the nation last year and he was a big part of the reason this was the case.


R3P8  

LB BLAKE CASHMAN

MINNESOTA






[url=http://thebengalsboard.com/newthread.php?fid=31&processed=1#][/url]Player Comp: Sean Lee


From Sleeper to combine riser Cashman is making waves in the scouting community and for good reason.  First, this guy was a walk-on and eventually became the team captain at Minnesota.  Cashman has a very high football IQ and you see that in his ability to diagnose plays quickly on tape.  The next thing you will notice is his ability to fly to the football and on the field, speed matches his testing speed with a 4.5 at the combine.  The crazy thing is that as a prospect he is a better linebacker than Devin White, but White has such freaky athleticism that he has all-time great potential, but as a third-round pick, he's exactly what we need to replace Burfict at WILL.

btw don't be surprised if this guy goes late first or early second before all is said and done, this is a weak linebacker class and he's a rising star.


R4P8  

OT MAX SCHARPING

NORTHERN ILLINOIS



Player Comp: Ricky Wagner

Now, this pick is interchangeable between two guys(Max Scharping and Tytus Howard) and if either is available at the start of 4th I wouldn't hesitate to move up to secure them.  I actually prefer Max over Tytus simply because I feel like that his home will eventually be at RT and he will be a dominant rush tackle which fits into the run first scheme that we want with Mixon.  I don't feel like this OT class overall is great, but the more tape I watched the more I realized that some of the later guys may end up being better players than some over this overhyped prospects in the earlier rounds.  If you want to know more about Max just go watch his standout senior bowl tape and you will see this guy has the potential to be a long time starter in the NFL.  



R5P11  

OT CHUMA EDOGA

USC




Edoga is rising up them boards guys and for good reason, he has a lot of natural talent for the position.  PFF has begun the hype train on him last week when they listed him statistically as the best pass protecting tackle in the draft for pass protection.  Combine that with the fact that the guy is a nasty run blocker then you have to stand up and pay attention to the player.   To learn more watch some of his senior bowl footage and see why he was a standout.


R6P10  

CB COREY BALLENTINE

WASHBURN





R6P25  

RB DEXTER WILLIAMS

NOTRE DAME




R6P37  

WR DARIUS SLAYTON

AUBURN





R6P38  

LB JOE GILES-HARRIS

DUKE




R6P40  

LB SIONE TAKITAKI

BYU




R7P9  

OT MITCH HYATT

CLEMSON