C3 Mock 2.0

Due to popular demand we are putting out C3 Mock 2.0.  This version takes into account the first full week of Free Agency and there has been some movement.  Smokewagon is back making his picks along with me in the First Round.  We each give insight as to why we think each one makes sense.  And as usual, we look at some of these selections from a Panthers Fan point of view, but no matter who you are a fan of, take a look and let us know your thoughts.  You can follow me on twitter at @PanthersDrafter and you can follow Smokewagon at @SamSslater69 

Mel Mayock's Picks

Jameis seems to have become written in stone in Tampa.  Anyone else would be a shock.  He is the most pro-ready QB in the draft, but I would be hesitant as I’m not sure the maturity is there.  The bravado is yes, but I’m not sold on his stability.

Yes, the “like” Zach Mettenberger, but they are going to fall in love with Mariota.  Zach very well may be a good player but he had 8 TDs to 7 INTs in 7 games played.  That is not enough to make you pass on a potential star at QB.  The Titans were very well represented at Super Mario’s Pro Day and Coach Whisenhunt put him on the chalkboard.  Word is the coach was highly impressed and Mariota truly is everything you want in terms of representing your organization.  Mariota probably will not start the season as the starter, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t or shouldn’t be their future.  So from now until the draft, they will get to know him and I look for them to make him the next Titan QB.  

Jacksonville has been very active early and have added talent to their Defense and signed Julius Thomas.  The Jags could go a number of different ways here and Scherff is not the sexiest pick.  But the Jags gave up 71 sacks in 2014 and that was the worst by far.  If that isn’t fixed, then nothing else matters.  Scherff will most likely kick inside to Guard but has the tools and temperament to be an All-Pro.  

The Raiders finished 31st in offense last year and absolutely must give their promising young QB in Derek Carr a big play maker.  Kevin White or Amari Cooper will be the guy here, but how can the Raiders pass on a 4.35 guy?   And White is 6’3 / 210 lbs and had great production last year.  1447 yards to go with 10 TDs.  He looked like a man among boys at the Combine.  He is my personal favorite in the Draft and if the Panthers had the #1 Pick, he’d be mine.

The Redskins can use help all over their defense.  They did sign Chris Culliver so the glaring need at CB is not as dire.  So the Skins can take the best player in the draft.  They were at Williams’ Pro Day and after losing Orakpo, they need talent in their Front Seven.

In this mock, the Jets miss out on Mariotta as the new face of their Franchise.  If Super Mario is there, he is the pick.  But I have him going to Tennessee.  The Jets need playmakers and Amari is one badass-playmaker.  I see him as the total package and as the best route-runner in the draft.  This selection will make Geno (or whomever plays QB) a bit better.

This is the perfect John Fox pick.  Danny Shelton reminds me a lot of Kris Jenkins that Fox built his Defense around in Carolina.  Good strength (34 reps on the bench at the Combine) and is someone that will stay on the field.  He will bring teeth back to the Bears Defense that has lost it’s way over the past two years.

The Falcons have not had a pass-rush since the departure of John Abraham and their Defense desperately needs one.  Randy Gregory, Dante Fowler Jr., and Vic Beasley are all in play here, but Fowler gets the nod for his size.  At 6’2/ 265, he is the heaviest of the bunch and he will be able to set the edge and rush the passer.  He has the mentality that new coach Dan Quinn will build around.     

Smokewagon's Picks

This pick was always down to only two possible choices in Winston or Marcus Mariota for Tampa Bay. The organization decided to move on from the Josh McCown spinoff “Down and Out in Tampa Bay”, after it bottomed out in Nielsen ratings. Winston is the pick for a multitude of reasons, but more so for the simple fact that he is used to playing in a pro-style offense and is the most pro ready out of the gate.

With the news that Tennessee’s brass was gushing over Williams at USC’s pro day like Drake getting pictures taken with pro athletes, this looks like the logical pick for them at this point. Adding a talent like Williams to the defensive line will make Dick LeBeau not regret going into retirement after leaving Pittsburgh and his joining the Titans coaching staff well worth it. 

The Jaguars have been looking for that defining pass rusher since Gus Bradley took over the helm as the teams head coach two years ago. Jacksonville wanted to land Dee Ford during last years draft but that was not to be for Kansas City took him off the board with the 23rd overall pick before Bradley could snag his guy from the Senior Bowl with the teams early second round selection. This year Jacksonville will get a chance to rectify this situation by taking a player that has the traits to be a perennial pro bowler as a pass rusher in Vic Beasley. Beasley is the most complete package of any edge defender this year even more so over other highly coveted prospects in Shane Ray or Randy Gregory.

David Carr could use a WR to grow with for the future and currently the best WR on the roster is James Jones a true number three on most other rosters in the NFL. White is a specimen in every sense of the word at the WR position and has the game to match. Oakland has a not drafted a WR of White’s caliber since Tim Brown dawned the Silver and Black. Saying this is long overdue is an understatement.

The offensive line for Washington was just flat out abysmal during the 2014 season. If Jay Gruden ever wants to keep a quarterback upright for more than two games he is going to have to bring in some personal protectors on that side of the ball. Starting RB Alfred Morris rushing numbers also have been on the decline over the course of three straight seasons. This is in direct correlation with the o-line’s performance. La’el Collins can be the first step in the right direction in correcting both of these issues. Collins is a hoss in the run game with his pass pro skills above par for the NFL level. It has been stated many see Collins as an OG in the NFL, I for one can stick at OT in the NFL and succeed. 

The Todd Bowles era starts with the same old mantra, “New head coach, new QB.” The Jets will move away from the Geno Smith endeavour under the old Ryan/Idzik regime and try to find a face of the franchise (again.) The only person who could screw this pick up for the team is Woody Johnson, so for Jets fans the best course of action is to hope that someone tapes his mouth shut with Band-Aids from the company his family founded.

Chicago addressed the rush OLB in free agency in acquiring the services of one Pernell McPhee. This helped solidified both rush OLB spots for the 2015 season with Lamarr Houston manning the other side. The one key piece missing from the transition into the new 3-4 defense that Vic Fangio is installing in the midway is a space eating NT that commands the line of scrimmage. In comes Danny Shelton to make the switch complete.

New head coach Dan Quinn is tasked with rebuilding a stop unit that has been neglected with quality personnel over the last few season’s under Thomas Dimitroff’s watch. Atlanta has no pass rush to write home about and the first order of business for Quinn and company is to fix this. Lucky for them Shane Ray falls right into their laps here.