NFP Mock Draft 4.0..............

**soulman** · 03-07-2012, 10:57 AM

Mock Draft 4.0

Our latest mock draft of the season brings lots of changes. Wes Bunting

March 07, 2012 Share
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Our newest mock draft of the season…

1. Indianapolis Colts: Stanford QB Andrew Luck
Seems like Luck to the Colts is all but a lock.

2. -TRADE- Washington Redskins via St. Louis Rams: Baylor QB Robert Griffin III
RG3 is the kind of athletic quarterback that would be an ideal fit in the Washington offense. He can make plays outside the pocket, throw on the run and create second lives with his legs.

ICONRichardson has the talent to go top five.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Southern Cal OT Matt Kalil
Quarterback Christian Ponder has shown flashes in year one, but he needs to stay healthy. Therefore, bringing in the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft who has a chance to mature into a Pro Bowl-caliber lineman seems like an easy selection at three.

4. Cleveland Browns: Alabama RB Trent Richardson
With the top two quarterback prospects off the board, the Browns could opt for the safest offensive threat in the draft. You have to be able to run the football in the AFC North to have a chance and Richardson gives Cleveland that workhorse-type back.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LSU CB Morris Claiborne
Tampa Bay has done a great job over the past two drafts improving the overall talent along its defensive line. Therefore, adding a playmaking corner who can capitalize on all the potential pressure is a must for this defense to take that next step.

6. –TRADE- St. Louis Rams via Washington Redskins: Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon
Getting a big-play receiver for quarterback Sam Bradford is almost a must at this point. Blackmon can line up all over the offense and has the skill set to produce as a rookie.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd
Is there a team in the NFL in more need of an upgrade at the wide receiver position than the Jaguars? This might be a bit high for Floyd. However, he’s got the talent to make plays on all levels of the field and fills a major need for the Jags at a position of major need.

8. Miami Dolphins: Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill
The Dolphins have received pretty average quarterback play over the past couple seasons and adding a talent like Tannehill who has the skill set to mature into a franchise QB could be too good to pass up at eight.

9. Carolina Panthers: Memphis DT Dontari Poe
The NFL Combine helped Poe as much as anyone. He’s a massive kid with an elite combination of power, explosion and upside. His tape isn’t great, but I think he’s now a lock for the top 15.

10. Buffalo Bills: South Carolina OLB/DE Melvin Ingram
Finding a pass rusher off the edge is the pressing need for the Bills and Ingram has the ability to reach the QB in a number of ways. He looks like a versatile pass rusher as well, capable of creating plays in both a 34 and 43 front, and seems like a good match for Buffalo.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Ohio State OT Mike Adams
You have to think after the struggles the Chiefs had at right tackle last season, drafting a guy like Adams who has the size and athleticism to handle powerful NFL pass rushers is an intriguing option at 11.

ICONCoples is the classic "boom" or "bust" type prospect.

12. Seattle Seahawks: North Carolina DL Quinton Coples
The Seahawks have a real unique blend of athletes on the defensive side of the ball and because of that it makes me think Coples would be able to fit right in and fill a number of roles at both DT and DE. Plus, Pete Carroll seems like the kind of coach that could get the most out of Coples’s talent.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Iowa OT Riley Reiff
The Cardinals have a lack of talent up front and adding a lineman like Reiff who can play a number of spots along the offensive line and win in both the run and pass game is a potential choice at 13.

14. Dallas Cowboys: LSU DT Michael Brockers
Brockers is as talented as any defensive lineman in the draft and is capable of maturing into a real game changer up front. He’s got the ability to play all over the Cowboys defensive line early and offers them a lot of versatility in their 34 front.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Alabama FS Dre Kirkpatrick
Some of the buzz coming out of the NFL Combine is that a number of NFL teams are now looking at Alabama DB Dre Kirkpatrick as the top safety prospect in the draft. The Eagles rarely select a linebacker high in the draft and Kirkpatrick could come in and improve the Eagles play at safety early on.

16. New York Jets: Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw
Upshaw is a thick, powerful kid who can line up all over the Jets 34 front and get after the passer. He’s got the power to win consistently on contact vs. both the run and pass game and would be the kind of “NFL ready” prospect the Jets would love to get in the middle of round one.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stanford OG David DeCastro
DeCastro has the ability to become one of the NFL’s best interior linemen and will instantly improve the Bengals offense in both the run and pass game.

ICONGlenn could play some tackle or guard for the Chargers.

18. San Diego Chargers: Georgia OL Cordy Glenn
Glenn is a powerful body who can maul defenders in the run game and more than hold his own inside vs. the pass. A potential Pro Bowl-caliber option at guard who could also project to tackle as well.

19. Chicago Bears: Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox
Cox is the kind of potential three-technique who can create behind the line of scrimmage and stop plays before they start. Is a good value here and an ideal fit from a schematic standpoint for Chicago.

20. Tennessee Titans: Penn State DT Devon Still
He’s not the most dynamic of pass rushers. However, he’s a big, long kid with a good get off, long arms and knows how to play the run. He’s a potential anchor inside who can push the pocket and eventually win on three downs.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins
Jenkins is a bit undersized and he does have some character concerns. However, he’s a fluid kid with a “plus” initial burst and when motivated he’s about as tough as any corner in the draft to separate from.

22. Cleveland Browns: Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill
Hill is going to need to become a more consistent route runner. However, at 6-5 he showcases some natural short-area quickness to his game and knows how to go up and get the football vertically. He’s one of the draft's elite size/speed combos at the receiver spot and his stock is on the rise.

23. Detroit Lions: Stanford OT Jonathan Martin
Getting a potential franchise left tackle at 23 has to be a thrill for the Lions. Martin is an athletic pass blocker who needs to get stronger, but has the talent to hold his own in space vs. the pass game.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Wisconsin OL Peter Konz
Konz has the ability to play both center and guard at the next level and gives the Steelers a real upgrade inside.

25. Denver Broncos: Miami RB Lamar Miller
Miller is the kind of big-play back that could really enhance the Denver offense. He’s a guy who can press the edge, be electric in space and take a lot of pressure off QB Tim Tebow from having to consistently run the football.

ICONMiller is a potential big-play threat for the Broncos offense.

26. Houston Texans: Baylor WR Kendall Wright
Wright might be the draft’s top vertical threat and has the ability to open up a lot of options for the Texans offense down the field. Plus, he now could fall late into round one due to his lacking 40-time at the NFL Combine.

27. New England Patriots: South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore
Getting a tall, physical defensive back who displays a natural feel in zone and can go get the football makes some sense for the Patriots at the back end of round one.

28. Green Bay Packers: Southern Cal DE/OLB Nick Perry
Finding a guy who can create pressure off the edge opposite Clay Matthews is a must. Perry has an explosive first step, is learning to use his hands to disengage and could end up being becoming of the better sack artists to come out of this year’s class.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly
A tackling machine with good size, natural instincts and above-average athleticism. Is the kind of talent the Ravens could use inside as an eventual replacement for Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stanford TE Coby Fleener
The 49ers need to add talent to the passing game, but if there isn’t a receiver on the board worthy of the pick, don’t be shocked to see them look at Fleener. Head coach Jim Harbaugh loves to run multiple tight end packages and Fleener has the ability to create a ton of mismatches in the pass game on all levels of the field.

31. New England Patriots: Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus
Age is creeping up on the Patriots at the defensive end position and Mercilus has worked out well all postseason and is a versatile 43 DE or 34 OLB prospect.

32. New York Giants: Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard
With free agency about to hit the Giants secondary hard, adding a versatile corner in Dennard who has the ability to play press man and line up both inside and out is a good value at the end of round one.

**soulman** · 03-07-2012, 11:05 AM

There's a lot of shifting of picks through the middle of the first round in this NFP Mock v4.0. Now they have the Bears drafting DT/DE Fletcher Cox as opposed to either Floyd or Adams both of whom have moved up significantly. Floyd to #7 and Adams to #11.

Here's the scouting report on Cox. He rates as the second highest DE in the draft but he seems built more for DT or a DE in a 3-4. If we don't re-sign Okoye, and I don't what were waiting for, then maybe a guy like Cox who can play inside or out would be the BPA when we pick. You can never pass up a good lineman.

FLETCHER COX DE, Mississippi State

2011 GRADE: 6.9 J D HT: 6-4 WT: 295
Overview

Mar 04

Possesses an athletic looking frame with a long set of arms, bubble butt, good girth through his lower half and has the frame to get even bigger. Doesn't do a great job sitting into his stance however off the football. Gets a bit upright off the ball in the run game and too often allows defenders to get under his pad level and create a push inside. Has the first step to cross the face of defenders consistently and threaten gaps off the ball inside. Is at his best stopping plays before they start by knifing his way into the backfield and fighting his way through contact. However, gets too upright off the ball allowing defenders to get under his frame and seal him from the action on trap blocks with too much ease. Isn't overly instinctive as well when asked to find the football and takes himself out of his fair share of plays. Also, needs to do a better job getting off the snap count on time.

Has experience both as a three and five technique. When asked to play the perimeter run game does a much better job extending his arms into contact and has the body control to simply fend off blocks and shed through the play. The more space he's in the better off he is because he can use his athleticism to shed. However, inside he tends to get washed up in the action too often vs. the run game. More of a one-gap guy in the pass game. Can cross the face of defenders inside and use his length to keep himself clean. However, he gets upright off the ball, which takes away from his power/balance when trying to fight through contact or slip laterally. Isn't a real sudden pass rusher despite his athleticism. Can side step blocks when stunting from the outside, but through contact his balance/quickness is taken away from him because of pad level. Also, his power on his bull rush is negated because he stands upright into contact, looking to simply lower his head at the point and doesn't keep his legs under him.

Impression: I think his best spot might be as a 34 five technique who is able to penetrate and make plays off the ball. He's raw and needs to learn to play with his pad level lower. However, as a potential five technique he's a guy who has the skill set to earn a starting role.

**Papa Bear** · 03-07-2012, 11:09 AM

Wow. Several players at complete opposite ends of the 1st round than most other mocks. I don't know if I really like the DT pick with Konz, Martin and Perry still on the board in this scenario.

**4DaBERS** · 03-07-2012, 11:10 AM

Wow, I don't see that pick for the Bears...unless Lovie is in charge of the selection. Hell, if Kuechley is still there (as he is in this mock) I would pick him as our future replacement for Urlacher before I would go DT. I like our young DT group as it stands.

**WindyCity** · 03-07-2012, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

Wow. Several players at complete opposite ends of the 1st round than most other mocks. I don't know if I really like the DT pick with Konz, Martin and Perry still on the board in this scenario.

If the Bears fill the WR need by signing Vincent Jackson do we look at LT?

If OT Jonathan Martin [Stanford] makes it to the 19th pick do the Bears need to pick him and replace J'Marcus Webb?

**short faced bear** · 03-07-2012, 11:26 AM

If DeCastro drops to 17 (no way he would imo) then the Bears should reach 2 spots to get him. Even w/a trade by the Skins I can't see Blackmon staying that long either. Floyd WAY too high.

**WindyCity** · 03-07-2012, 12:29 PM

I was thinking about it more today and I would like to see us move aggressively to fill the skills positions in free agency and then be aggressive in improving both lines in the draft.

Free Agency

WR Vincent Jackson
WR Eddie Royal
CB Richard Marshall
QB Josh Johnson

Draft

1[19] DE Nick Perry [USC]

*Trade* Chicago trades 2[50] and 3[74] to New England for 1[27]

1[27] C Peter Konz [Wisconsin]

Not only do we revamp our WR core, but we add 2 1st round talents to our lines.

**short faced bear** · 03-07-2012, 12:44 PM

I actually like that scenario Windy.

**MPBears68** · 03-07-2012, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by WindyCity

I was thinking about it more today and I would like to see us move aggressively to fill the skills positions in free agency and then be aggressive in improving both lines in the draft.

Free Agency

WR Vincent Jackson
WR Eddie Royal
CB Richard Marshall
QB Josh Johnson

Draft

1[19] DE Nick Perry [USC]

*Trade* Chicago trades 2[50] and 3[74] to New England for 1[27]

1[27] C Peter Konz [Wisconsin]

Not only do we revamp our WR core, but we add 2 1st round talents to our lines.

I can't argue with this scenario either except to say that it pretty much precludes drafting a WR like McNutt or Quick or Jones unless one of them falls to #80. This would certainly add to both lines but we would need somehow to add depth/developmentals to our secondary, LBs, and maybe another WR or an OT to fill OMG's spot.

If we are able to sign pass rush help (Mario or a "cheaper stopgap") and bolster the WR position in FA, I really like the thought of trading down in #1 to the mid-20s, netting another 3rd round pick for the above background needs, and taking Konz in the mid-20s. He would be our C of the next decade, could move Garza back to RG for the time he has left, have LL & EW be the backups, and release Spencer to free up more cap room. No need to keep Spencer if we have Konz + Garza. I was thinking something like:

Free Agency
Pass rush help vet
2nd tier WR(s)
Backup QB

Draft
1 [25] Konz (C)
2 [50] McNutt (WR)
3 [74] Josh Norman (CB)
3 [80] LB depth
3 [88] McCants/Potter/Mosely/Schwartz (OT depth)
4-7 DE, S, LB (BPAs)

**soulman** · 03-07-2012, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by WindyCity

I was thinking about it more today and I would like to see us move aggressively to fill the skills positions in free agency and then be aggressive in improving both lines in the draft.

Free Agency

WR Vincent Jackson
WR Eddie Royal
CB Richard Marshall
QB Josh Johnson

Draft

1[19] DE Nick Perry [USC]

*Trade* Chicago trades 2[50] and 3[74] to New England for 1[27]

1[27] C Peter Konz [Wisconsin]

Not only do we revamp our WR core, but we add 2 1st round talents to our lines.

I'll never be big on VJax until he gets here and proves himself in a Bears uni. I still think we'll may a lot of $$$ and get an underperformer just like we did with Moose. I was in favor of that signing when it happened but I've grown very wary of spending big time money on 30 ish WR's ever since. Word is SF is very interested in him and I think if he can still play in Cali he will.

I'd still do the Meachem/Royal thing and take a shot at MWill but that may not happen either if he decides to remain in Houston or the Bears just won't throw that much money into two DE's.

I'd take Perry before I'd take Cox as well unless we don't re-sign Okoye. If that's the case were short one 3t DT and that's a position Cox can play as well as moving out to DE and most likely more a LDE than an RDE.

I could live with the Knox thing but if it were me I'd keep the picks and draft Zeitler or the "Piano", Brandon Brooks (tough to move). Zeitler grades out almost as high as Konz but isn't as hyped. Same with Brooks.

And 4DaBers brought up Kuechley. That guy is probably the best LB in the draft by a long shot. Tough to pass him up either. The nicer thing though is that with some of these guys moving up (if that actually happens) it drops other back into our range and creates more and better choices than before.

I would not draft Martin in the first when I can get a similar guy like Nate Potter all the way down into the late 2nd or 3rd and if we do draft an Olineman that high I would draft an OT, not an OG or an OC.

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