PubTalk Community Mock Draft

[xgamr]

With the 23rd pick in the 2014 PubTalkForum NFL Mock Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select...



Brandin Cooks, WR., Oklahoma State

This pick was going to be Bekham Jr. and since he is off the board i went with Cooks. Cooks is someone who can help spread the ball out more for Alex smith and take some load off of Charles. With the inconsistency at wideout, someone like Cooks will improve them Cooks had 95 receptions for 2,881 yards (15.4-yard average) and 21 TDs in last two seasons. looking a the film, he has similar traits to Steve smith in how he runs routes and this will help Andy Reid's offense.

[The Legend]

Reviewing the last two picks. I really like Mosely to Green Bay to help bolster their defensive front and make them harder to score on this year.

I'm not seeing Benjamin to Philly though. Kelly covets speed more than he does size and he also likes having sure-handed guys that get the ball quickly in space and take off. Benjamin might be a little too butter-fingers for Chip Kelly's liking.

[The Horseman]

Agreed on Benjamin. I think Benjamin could have a long and productive NFL career. However, I don't see a team like the Eagles going after him. Benjamin projects to be(potentially) a solid possession receiver, with a knack for red zone targets. He's not a burner, which is the type of receiver Chip Kelly would be after. The legitimate questions on Benjamin's work ethic make it a done deal the Eagles wouldn't take him, as they will want players with high motors, ready to work and practice hard.

Out of the late round picks, my favorites are C.J. Mosely to the Packers, and Mike Evans to the Ravens. In the case of Evans, the only reason I don't see this happening, is I find it very hard to believe Evans would make it past 13. Mosely is exactly the type of defensive player Dom Capers covets.

[Everlong]

If anything, I think Benjamin is the kind of guy that the Chiefs would like to take. They don't have a real speed-oriented offense, and Alex Smith requires as many possession receivers around him as possible. But I do think the Eagles will at least look at wide receiver prospects who are available, especially with Desean being gone now.

I also don't think Mosley will be available by the time the Packers pick, but if he IS then they really should grab him up. I think it actually depends on what the Bears do with their pick. The Bears, like the Packers, could just as easily go safety as inside linebacker.

[The Horseman]

If anything, I think Benjamin is the kind of guy that the Chiefs would like to take. They don't have a real speed-oriented offense, and Alex Smith requires as many possession receivers around him as possible. But I do think the Eagles will at least look at wide receiver prospects who are available, especially with Desean being gone now.

I also don't think Mosley will be available by the time the Packers pick, but if he IS then they really should grab him up. I think it actually depends on what the Bears do with their pick. The Bears, like the Packers, could just as easily go safety as inside linebacker.

I think Bears GM Phil Emery stays true to the "best player available" philosophy, unlike his predecessor. With that being said, I could see a situation where(not likely, but if it does happen) Mike Evans is sitting there available at 14, with Clinton-Dix and Gilbert already off the board. He'd probably threaten the next few teams down the line that he'd take Evans, a non need(something that's never been the case in Chicago; having no WR need), trying to force a trade.

The main reason I see a scenario like that as a possibility, is Calvin Pryor looks reasonable to be available until at least 20.

As demonstrated with the Shea McClellin and Kyle Long picks however, it is clear that Phil Emery DOES take the best player available everytime...on HIS board.

[The Legend]

The Bengals pick at 24 has been posted. xgamr you are now on the clock with the Chargers pick.

[Everlong]

Lots of defensive backs going in the first round, which isn't particularly surprising -- it being a passing league these days, plus it being a particularly deep draft for DBs, I wouldn't be too surprised if this is the way it goes in the actual draft.

Good news for the Packers, we need all the help we can get

[CMPUNKFAN]

It also seems now in the real draft that a QB might not be taken to 7 now.

[The Legend]

It also seems now in the real draft that a QB might not be taken to 7 now.

I'll believe that when I see it. I could see Houston passing on a quarterback at #1, but to me there's no way that the Jaguars, Browns and Raiders all pass on a QB if their top choice at the position is available.

[Everlong]

It also seems now in the real draft that a QB might not be taken to 7 now.

I'll believe that when I see it. I could see Houston passing on a quarterback at #1, but to me there's no way that the Jaguars, Browns and Raiders all pass on a QB if their top choice at the position is available.

I don't foresee the Raiders taking a QB in the first round (although I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they did), because they've found a pretty good stopgap at the position in Schaub. But I'd be shocked if all three of the Jaguars, Browns and Texans decided to go no QB.

[The Legend]

It also seems now in the real draft that a QB might not be taken to 7 now.

I'll believe that when I see it. I could see Houston passing on a quarterback at #1, but to me there's no way that the Jaguars, Browns and Raiders all pass on a QB if their top choice at the position is available.

I don't foresee the Raiders taking a QB in the first round (although I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they did), because they've found a pretty good stopgap at the position in Schaub. But I'd be shocked if all three of the Jaguars, Browns and Texans decided to go no QB.

I don't necessarily think they will, but if NO QB's had been taken by the time they selected Oakland would be taking a QB and I fully believe that. And to say Schaub is a good stopgap is stretching it to me. Once a 30-something QB completely loses his confidence and ability to see the field like he did last year I don't see him getting it back.

[xgamr]

[center]With the 25th pick in the 2014 PubTalkForum NFL Mock Draft, the San Diego Chargers select...



Jason Verrett, CB TCU

The Chargers secondary needs to be upgraded to compete with Denver and other teams in their division. I would chose Fuller but hes gone. Verrett is the next best choice with how he has played and his work at the combine and should fit into the chargers defense.

another pick here would be Louis Nix as that is a need as well. But Cornerback is a oick they cant miss unless all of their choices are gone by this pick.[/center

[The Legend]

Picks 25 and 26 have now been posted.

Doug you are on the clock for the next two picks by the end of the weekend!

[Everlong]

I'll tag him to make sure he sees @The Horseman

[The Horseman]

Thanks Tim, I see we're a little ahead of schedule now!

This draft certainly hasn't gone as expected. However, that's what makes it probably the closest to what the actual draft will be like; once the first pick is made, the second guessing and fingernail biting begins throughout the team offices!

27. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints select:



Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State University

This team is in decent shape right now. They bounced back from their MNF slaughtering at the hands of the Seahawks up in Seattle, by putting on a much more respectable performance against the same, in the playoffs.

They have a few needs. And, at this point in the draft, needs tend to start getting focused on more than best player available in some front offices; the only exception being a "duh" player that your team has scouted, and is thrilled to see nobody else has caught onto.

Rob Ryan injected quite a bit of emotion and attitude into an overall talent deficient defensive unit last year. They have made strides in the secondary, with Kenny Vaccaro working out nicely, now being teamed up with new free agent signing Jairus Byrd.

They still have a need for help at CB, however after the recent beeline to grab CBs, the Saints are going to feel a little more comfortable relying on their elite safety unit. Additionally, their offensive line needs some reinforcement, but there's already been quite a blitz there too.

Ryan Shazier has come to them, and he's the type of plug and play linebacker that can come in right away, and make an impact. Rob Ryan will convince Sean Payton to take this kid, if he's available.



And...pick 28.

This one is obvious...The Carolina Panthers select:



Jerry Ricecake

Seriously now, what else can they do to save Cam Newton at this point?

[The Horseman]

In all seriousness, here's my ACTUAL Carolina Panthers pick:



Ja'wuan James, OT, Tennessee

I'm sure you expected receiver, right? Who wouldn't, when their offseason was so overwhelmingly terrible at the WR position.

Here's the deal though; they didn't just lose WRs to free agency. They lost star LT Jordan Gross(retired), and several key defensive pieces. This team SUCKS at handling success, which has been the case throughout their history.

If Marquis Lee had dropped to them, they probably would have gone and grabbed him. If Mike Evans actually fell as far as he did, the Panthers would be a potential trade suitor to go up and grab him. That's all gone at this point; the top WRs are indeed well off the board at this time.

So, I start thinking as the Panthers GM, about the situation I'm in. I've at least grabbed a few veteran WRs in the latter end of free agency. This is good because I need receivers right now, who can jump into an offense with some expertise. I need this, because Cam Newton is not going to get much practice time with them as it is, recovering from that knee surgery. Is now really the time to bring in a rookie WR, unless it's a sure thing?

On top of that, there are still a few veteran WRs out there, that are waiting to see how the draft pans out. I might as well stack the WR corp with those veterans instead, to make sure Cam has a WR depth chart filled with players who have...you know...caught a pass once or twice before.

What I still don't have addressed, is the hole Jordan Gross created at the critical LT spot. Ja'wuan James does project to be a potential starter rather quickly, and Cam is going to need someone watching his blind side there. Perhaps James ends up a cornerstone as Gross did for years? I'm willing to take that gamble, because I really don't have much of a choice.

[The Legend]

@ShaneOFan, you are up for our mock draft with the Patriots pick sometime by Tuesday.

Also, Tim, what do you think about giving rep points to people for actually getting picks right to the right team.

[The Horseman]

@ShaneOFan, you are up for our mock draft with the Patriots pick sometime by Tuesday.

Also, Tim, what do you think about giving rep points to people for actually getting picks right to the right team.

That's going to be incredibly hard in this draft(really any draft since the beginning of the rookie salary cap, making top picks much more appealing; teams are no longer required to fork out 50 million guaranteed to a kid who hasn't played in the NFL before), because of trades. It's the one unknown that ruins mock drafts, because you really can't take a trade that hasn't happened into account, in regards to the pick.

What about some kind of combination point system? Lets give everyone a week to make trade predictions, and combine that with the picks here(i.e. if you are predicting a trade, which team is trading up, and who are they taking?).

A proposed format from me would be this:

If your pick is correct from this mock draft(player only): 2 rep points

If you make a correct trade prediction(team only): 1 rep point

If you make a correct trade prediction(player only): 1 rep point

If you make a correct trade prediction(both team and player): 2 points

If you make a correct trade prediction, that is additionally the same player you accurately predicted in the mock, congratulations, you get all of the above: 6 points



Another option would be to have a competition with their own mock drafts, where you are free to predict trades, who picks who and where, etc. The reason I say that, is my picks of Clowney at 6 and Watkins at 7 are highly unlikely. However, other picks were made beforehand(that I don't agree with), that made the dominos fall that way.

[Everlong]

I'll still be in Europe during the actual draft, so if you do want to do rep points for that stuff, make sure you keep track of them and you can let me know what you want to give out when I'm back. Trade predictions could be pretty cool, I think Doug's system would work well.

Also, I'm currently out of rep points to give, but Doug you shall be getting more from me later

[The Legend]

ShaneOFan, your pick for the Patriots is due tomorrow. Just a friendly reminder.