SHRacerX Mock/SIM

[*SHRacerX*]

Before you kill me for not taking that awesome DE in Round 1 or that WR we all love in Round 2, remember this was a simulation and not a fantasy where every player I like just happens to be there in the round I predicted.

I keep running in to the same issue:  The Bengals don't pick early enough to get an impact DE in Round 1, and lose out on the the Top 50 WRs in Round 2.  They don't want to reach in Round 1 for the WR, so the talent of  the corner out of Houston had to come before the WR.  

There are a couple things that this situation keeps making me realize:  The Bengals may not just be able to let this draft fall to them.  With a clear abundance of compensatory selections coming next year, they may be able to offer their actual 3rd rounder for 2017 in a package of by itself, in order to move up this year.  

One situation I really liked was where (on a different sim), I was able to trade BACK in Round 1 with Carolina or Denver and pick up an additional later round selection.  Then, I took the WR I covet (Sterling Shehpard) in Round 1, and had options to move back up in Round 2 and select a DE who may fall (Noah Spence) or took the DE in Round 1 (Ogbah) and traded back up to early in the 2nd with the newly acquired pick for Shephard.  

Regardless of my big picture idea, here is what I got on the sim: (And I'm not an OSU homer, it just worked out that way....and I also know that there is another Michael Thomas, but this one is a steal this late)

VIEW EACH TEAM'S DRAFT

24: R1P24  
CB WILLIAM JACKSON III
HOUSTON
- Has the great ball-tracking abilities (28 passes defenses last season alone).  A bit raw, but I like his play-making ability much better than that of Dre K when he came out of college.  


55: R2P24  
WR BRAXTON MILLER
OHIO STATE
- I had other WRs ranked higher, but Miller provides the immediate help at slot receiver with the speed to help stretch the field if he moves outside.  He needs to improve his deep ball tracking ability, but I love his long term potential.  He also has the team-first mindset and maturity to make it in the NFL.

87: R3P24  
S VONN BELL
OHIO STATE
- A steal here.  A very complete safety coming out of OSU.  Has the toughness needed to keep this secondary strong.  

122: R4P24  
DT D.J. READER
CLEMSON
- Boom or bust pick that many might not like, but this is our immovable object to replace Peko down the road.  Could rotate in this season.  I think with the right environment, Reader could be an early round value and fits our defense perfectly.  

161: R5P22  
DE BRONSON KAUFUSI
BYU
- Not the biggest fan of his, but he was BPA in this round and fits at RDE with the potential to slide inside on passing downs.  Relentless motor might push Hunt and Clarke in what is likely already their last shot.  

199: R6P24  
WR MICHAEL THOMAS
SOUTHERN MISS
- A burner to develop out of Southern Miss.  Has outstanding YPC and ability to stretch the field.  If Miller stays in the slot, Thomas may be able to take Marvin's "X" receiver after being developed behind Lafell.

245: R7P24  
RB DEVON JOHNSON
MARSHALL
- Not my favorite back by any means, but I like the idea of a big, bruising back to finish games, move the chains, and catch the occasional dump pass.  A brute when healthy, and an outstanding blocker.