C3 Mock 2.0: Picks 17-24
/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 Smokewagon at @SamSslater96
Mel Mayock's Picks
Hard to pass on a WR or a CB here, but I look for the Chargers did not re-sign Mathews who went to the Eagles. Gordon or Gurley here, but Gordon gets the nod for his health. 206 yards in one game against Nebraska is all the GM will need to watch to know Gordon is the real deal. His size makes him a good at picking up the blitz as well. This pick will make so much sense, I’m afraid the won’t do it.
I originally had Jaelen Strong going here, and that could still happen. However, the Chiefs signed Jeremy Maclin. Though they will look to add more help at the WR spot after releasing Bowe and Avery, this is a deep WR draft and they don’t have to reach for one here.. They have to address the Offensive Line after losing Rodney Hudson to the Raiders. They did bring in Grubbs but desperately need a Center. Erving is the man for the job. I love Erving’s versatility. KC is the perfect fit. Jamaal Charles will love this pick and he moves up in my Fantasy ranking with this too.
I thought about Trae Waynes here, as he is the BPA and the Browns did miss on Gilbert in the Top 10 last year. But the recent signing of Tremaine Williams helps and they can once again try to get a QB. Johnny Football is in rehab and Josh McCown is not the answer. Hundley is vastly under rated and could be the steal of the draft. Could the Browns add a WR in Round 2 for him?
The Eagles are going to try to trade up and nab Mariota. But that didn’t work out in this mock and Brett Hundley is nabbed just prior to this pick. So Chip Kelly takes the BPA and grabs the top CB in the draft. Not a bad consolation prize.
The Bengals put less pressure on opposing QBs than any other team according to PFF. They did re-sign Michael Johnson after a one-year hiatus in Tampa, but they need more. Bud DuPree is shooting up draft boards and was First-Team All-SEC at DE last year. This would be a solid pickup for the Bengals.
The Steelers have lost some talent on the D, including the beard himself, Brett Kiesel. With Worilds retiring too, look for the Steelers to pick the best big man for their Front 7. Bud Dupree would have been the pick had the Bengals not nabbed him at Pick 21. But I like Armstead and his size can not be taught.
Losing both Suh and Fairley in the same year would normally set a franchise back. But luckily they replace those to with Haloti Ngata and now Malcom Brown. 6’1/ 319 and moves extremely well. Perfect pick at #23.
The Cards are going to miss both John Abraham and Darnell Dockett and they have to find an DE that can bring some heat. OO made a huge splash at the Combine and has good size and athleticism to come in and make a difference right away. I hope he gets after Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick on a regular basis.
Smokewagon's Picks
With the loss of Eddie Royal to FA and with an aging Malcom Floyd (33), Keenan Allen is the only viable threat on the roster going into 2015. If San Diego is to go all in with the little time they have left with Philip Rivers at the QB position, adding a weapon like Parker to the offense is a good bet at this spot. Pair Parker with Allen will go a long way into helping San Diego compete for a Super Bowl in the twilight of Rivers career.
The Chiefs offensive line took some hits prior the 2014 NFL season with the losses of Branden Albert (Miami Dolphins), Geoff Schwartz (New York Giants), and Jon Asamoah (Atlanta Falcons) with these three starters gone and the mediocre development of Eric Fisher Kansas City’s line suffered immensely in 2014. The Chiefs take another shot here on an OT that offers the upside few others do in this draft.
Cleveland had a formidable defense in 2014 but the pass rush could use an upgrade by all accounts. The team lost Jabaal Sheard to New England and will sorely miss his pass rushing ability. Barkevious Mingo the teams first round selection just a couple of seasons ago (2013) has been by many’s estimation a complete flop. If Cleveland can land Gregory here it will be a step in the right direction on making opposing QB’s uncomfortable in the AFC North.
Where do I begin with this pick. Philadelphia basically used this years free agency period to rebuild a whole new roster from the QB position down. Looking over the roster the one place that Chip Kelly could find a replacement for the future is in Jason Peters. Peters is 33 years of age and has had his share of injuries throughout his career. The Eagles have on young tackle in Lane Johnson who has shown he is the future at one of the tackle spots. Taking Fisher (another Oregon Duck) here allows Kelly to have an athletic tandem of tackles that are exactly what his offense calls for.
Cincinnati was able to resign Clint Boling to a five year contract during FA. This opens up their draft board to address the one area they need to greatly improve and that is rushing the QB. Cincinnati had no pass rush to speak of last season so adding Fowler a player that can play all across the defensive line while being able to rush the passer as well as standing up as a OLB brings a ton of versatility to any defense.
With Jason Worilds walking away from the game of football and James Harrison as old as the referees out there on the field, Pittsburgh needs at least some form of a pass rush for the future. Mike Tomlin and Co. were hard and heavy and Kentucky’s pro day and if the team could have signed Dupree then, they would have. Dupree is the most athletically gifted defender in this years draft class. He plays light’s out coming off the edge and in Pittsburgh’s scheme would have the ability to fully maximize his pass rushing abilities.
With Detroit possibly losing both of their starting DT’s in Suh and Fairley to FA. At this point in the draft Detroit get’s some good luck with a glaring position of need intersects with the BPA. Malcom Brown is an instant starter at the DT position and IMO an actual upgrade over what Fairley has brought to the position in his time with Detroit. Losing Suh will be a blow to Detroit, but taking Brown will help ease that pain just a little.
I had earlier slotted Todd Gurley III in this spot but he is long gone by now to Minnesota. The next best RB in the draft is Melvin Gordon III and Arizona still needs a “bell cow” back on their team for there is none at the moment. Andre Ellington is a nice spell back that has packages for his attributes, but to ask him to be the main rock toter is absolutely not acceptable if Arizona wants to continue to build on their success under Bruce Arians guidance.