03-09-2018, 09:30 AM
Well I just completed my first draft on the First Pick Simulator and got to say if we had anything close to this I would pass out from excitement.
I will say that my 1st Round target was Mike McGlinchey. The way the draft simulator was falling I felt very safe that I could get him much later in the 1st. round so to the opportunity to trade back with Atlanta and acquire more selections in the second and third rounds. This is my draft:
Round 1 - Selection 26
Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame - Like most of the evaluators I feel with McGlinchey is a 10 year starter at LT. Much of his game reminds of Whitworth. He is a complete technician who's about as fundamentally as sound as you can get in a prospect. The key to our success has to start up front. While many still dislike Dalton he has proven when protected that he can win. He is here to stay let's protect him.
Round 2 - Selection 14
Ronnie Harrison SS Alabama - Our safeties have been underwhelming since the loss of Nelson. Fitzpatrick got the hype at Alabama but this kid is absolutely sound and a terrific athlete. He is a very complete safety who will immediately compete to start and excel.
Round 2 - Selection 19
James Daniels C Iowa - Even if we resign Bodine he will instantly be relegated to backup. Daniels will be a plug and play at the C position and dare I say his nasty streak reminds me a little of a guy by the name of Braham.
Round 2 - Selection 26
Rasheem Green DE USC - Michael Johnson, whom I have always been a fan of, is showing the wear of the game and has slowed visibly. Green has drawn comparisons to our very own Carlos Dunlap when coming out of college. He should be a welcome addition to help bolster this defensive front and should fit the attacking style of Austin.
Round 3 - Selection 13
Tim Settle DT Virginia Tech - Billings has not lived up to the billing...pun intended...be it injury or what his performance has not been there. Settle should help solidify the NT tackle position and be a formidable asset next to Atkins.
Round 3 - Selection 18
Quenton Meeks CB Stanford - A physical, smart, reliable CB that should be a welcome addition to our defensive backfield.
Round 3 - Selection 36
Jamarco Jones OT Ohio State - While I feel Jones played very well at LT in the collegiate ranks just not sure about the same at the NFL level however I feel he would be good fit at RT for this team. He is strong enough to handle power rushers while possessing the movement to take speed rushers. Let's be realistic even though Fisher has been medically cleared I have seen what I feared from him coming out of Oregon and that is a lack of physicality to be a RT at the NFL level. Jones IMO will be a much better fit and I see a 10 year tandem in him and McGlinchey. As well, I see Jones as a guy that as well has the ability to play OG.
Round 4 - Selection 12
Michael Dickson P Texas - Yep a punter in the 4th. Huber has served us well but his contract and performance are no longer a match. Dickson is straight up money! He is a game changer from a special teams perspective. Punters of this caliber do not come around very often.
Round 5 - Selection 14
Godwin Igwebuike FS Northwestern - A local product that was Mr. Football Ohio. Has some work to do in man to man matchups but has shown to be an intelligent and coachable football player. Instant special teams performer that could push for regular snaps in the line up as well.
Round 5 - Selection 33
Kyle Lauletta QB Richmond - A small school product that showed very good accuracy and leadership. Does he have the tools to develop as a backup or future starter? I seem his as a decent upside developmental player on the practice squad to start who could have a relatively decent ceiling.
Round 6 - Selection 13
Jaleel Scott WR New Mexico State - 6'5" 215lb receiver with good hands who ran a solid 4.5. Sure he has things to work on and develop as do most every prospect. I think this kid could be one of the steals of the draft who has an extremely high ceiling.
Round 7 - Selection 31
Chris Covington LB Indiana - Physical and aggressive especially given his size put up 27 reps at only 230 lbs. Plays sideline to sideline. Has the skills to become a very solid NFL level LB. Could be a real value immediately on special teams.
Round 7 - Selection 34
Ito Smith RB Southern Mississippi - Many say he has the best jump cut in the nation. He has long speed and has been highly productive. He is not a one trick back. He runs with power and elusiveness. His overall grade in 2016 was just slightly under that of Alvin Kamara and in 2015 was tied with Joe Mixon. If this kid is still here at this point it will be a miracle but if he is you take him.
Round 7 - Selection 35
Michael Bagley K Miami(FL) - At some point we have to find the performance you expect from the position. We could revisit Elliot but that is water under the bridge. Bagley has a strong leg and has hit rather consistently from beyond the 50 and has seemed to show ability in the clutch....something we have sorely missed.
So there it is. Yeah it is sweet to dream but if we could manufacture something close to this then I think this team moves to the next level. To be honest there would not be much we could do in free agency either that would really make me consider changing any selection.
I will say that my 1st Round target was Mike McGlinchey. The way the draft simulator was falling I felt very safe that I could get him much later in the 1st. round so to the opportunity to trade back with Atlanta and acquire more selections in the second and third rounds. This is my draft:
Round 1 - Selection 26
Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame - Like most of the evaluators I feel with McGlinchey is a 10 year starter at LT. Much of his game reminds of Whitworth. He is a complete technician who's about as fundamentally as sound as you can get in a prospect. The key to our success has to start up front. While many still dislike Dalton he has proven when protected that he can win. He is here to stay let's protect him.
Round 2 - Selection 14
Ronnie Harrison SS Alabama - Our safeties have been underwhelming since the loss of Nelson. Fitzpatrick got the hype at Alabama but this kid is absolutely sound and a terrific athlete. He is a very complete safety who will immediately compete to start and excel.
Round 2 - Selection 19
James Daniels C Iowa - Even if we resign Bodine he will instantly be relegated to backup. Daniels will be a plug and play at the C position and dare I say his nasty streak reminds me a little of a guy by the name of Braham.
Round 2 - Selection 26
Rasheem Green DE USC - Michael Johnson, whom I have always been a fan of, is showing the wear of the game and has slowed visibly. Green has drawn comparisons to our very own Carlos Dunlap when coming out of college. He should be a welcome addition to help bolster this defensive front and should fit the attacking style of Austin.
Round 3 - Selection 13
Tim Settle DT Virginia Tech - Billings has not lived up to the billing...pun intended...be it injury or what his performance has not been there. Settle should help solidify the NT tackle position and be a formidable asset next to Atkins.
Round 3 - Selection 18
Quenton Meeks CB Stanford - A physical, smart, reliable CB that should be a welcome addition to our defensive backfield.
Round 3 - Selection 36
Jamarco Jones OT Ohio State - While I feel Jones played very well at LT in the collegiate ranks just not sure about the same at the NFL level however I feel he would be good fit at RT for this team. He is strong enough to handle power rushers while possessing the movement to take speed rushers. Let's be realistic even though Fisher has been medically cleared I have seen what I feared from him coming out of Oregon and that is a lack of physicality to be a RT at the NFL level. Jones IMO will be a much better fit and I see a 10 year tandem in him and McGlinchey. As well, I see Jones as a guy that as well has the ability to play OG.
Round 4 - Selection 12
Michael Dickson P Texas - Yep a punter in the 4th. Huber has served us well but his contract and performance are no longer a match. Dickson is straight up money! He is a game changer from a special teams perspective. Punters of this caliber do not come around very often.
Round 5 - Selection 14
Godwin Igwebuike FS Northwestern - A local product that was Mr. Football Ohio. Has some work to do in man to man matchups but has shown to be an intelligent and coachable football player. Instant special teams performer that could push for regular snaps in the line up as well.
Round 5 - Selection 33
Kyle Lauletta QB Richmond - A small school product that showed very good accuracy and leadership. Does he have the tools to develop as a backup or future starter? I seem his as a decent upside developmental player on the practice squad to start who could have a relatively decent ceiling.
Round 6 - Selection 13
Jaleel Scott WR New Mexico State - 6'5" 215lb receiver with good hands who ran a solid 4.5. Sure he has things to work on and develop as do most every prospect. I think this kid could be one of the steals of the draft who has an extremely high ceiling.
Round 7 - Selection 31
Chris Covington LB Indiana - Physical and aggressive especially given his size put up 27 reps at only 230 lbs. Plays sideline to sideline. Has the skills to become a very solid NFL level LB. Could be a real value immediately on special teams.
Round 7 - Selection 34
Ito Smith RB Southern Mississippi - Many say he has the best jump cut in the nation. He has long speed and has been highly productive. He is not a one trick back. He runs with power and elusiveness. His overall grade in 2016 was just slightly under that of Alvin Kamara and in 2015 was tied with Joe Mixon. If this kid is still here at this point it will be a miracle but if he is you take him.
Round 7 - Selection 35
Michael Bagley K Miami(FL) - At some point we have to find the performance you expect from the position. We could revisit Elliot but that is water under the bridge. Bagley has a strong leg and has hit rather consistently from beyond the 50 and has seemed to show ability in the clutch....something we have sorely missed.
So there it is. Yeah it is sweet to dream but if we could manufacture something close to this then I think this team moves to the next level. To be honest there would not be much we could do in free agency either that would really make me consider changing any selection.
