Mock Draft

[hawkeye]

Round 1

DE Greg Romeus 6-5 268 Pitt

Possesses the ultimate combination for a defensive end - strength, length and speed...can cover a lot of ground with his quickness and long arms...athletic enough to rush the edge and physical enough to bull rush..incredibly, he is still learning the game.

Round 2

OT Marcus Gilbert 6-6 318 Florida

Tackle Marcus Gilbert is highly regarded by NFL scouts and it’s understandable why this is so. Big and very athletic, Gilbert is a right side player we think offers the footwork, agility and movement skills to be considered for the blind side. Gilbert makes good use of blocking angles, jolts defenders with terrific hand punch and controls opponents once engaged at the point.

Round 3

OLB K.J. Wright 6-3 245 Miss St.

Wright is fast out to the flanks and cuts off the corners from running backs. He plays with an aggressive style, displays a good amount of athleticism and does a solid job diagnosing the action. Wright occasionally plays over the slot receiver and holds his own.

Round 4

CB Chykie Brown 6-0 187 Texas

Fifth-year cornerback who has appeared in 38 career games, starting 20 ... notched 87 tackles (57 solo), two INTs, 17 PBU, three sacks, seven TFL and a forced fumble during his career ... appeared in all 14 games, including 12 starts, in 2009 ... compiled 48 tackles (31 solo), two INTs, eight PBU, two sacks, five TFL, a pressure and a forced fumble

Round 5

RB Baron Batch 5-9 200 Texas Tech

Batch's impressive 14 rushing touchdowns in 2009 were the league's most, and he also caught 57 passes for 395 yards. He's topped 750 yards in each of the past two seasons and should get more carries this year as one of the team's most talented players under a coach who loves to run the ball.

Round 6

SS/FS Jeron Johnson 5-11 195 Boise St.

Johnson was one of 41 players selected to the Lott Trophy watch list in late April. As a junior, he recorded 91 tackles, six pass breakups, four interceptions and 1.5 tackles for loss. Through three seasons with Boise State Johnson has tallied 243 tackles and seven interceptions. Johnson has also been named to the 2010 Jim Thorpe Awards watch list.(only problem is 1 arrest in 08 for not going to court for a ticket for drinking as a minor)

I hope TD can let that slide.

Round 7

PK Josh Jasper 5-10 170 LSU

Jasper is one of 30 players from across the country who have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2010 Lou Groza Award. The Lou Groza Award is given annually to the top placekicker in college football.

[gritzblitz]

You get to add another 7th rd pick Hawk as part of the Crisp Houston trade last year.

Hopefully will be adding another pick somewhere with the Ojinnaka trade as well.

Not that familiar with 3rd pick, OLB Wright but sounds like he is athletic. Although I think we have higher needs than OLB, how would you see our LB corp looking if we pick him in the 3rd? Not criticizing, just interested.

Edited August 24, 2010 by gritzblitz

[hawkeye]

You get to add another 7th rd pick Hawk as part of the Crisp Houston trade last year.

Hopefully will be adding another pick somewhere with the Ojinnaka trade as well.

Not that familiar with 3rd pick, OLB Wright but sounds like he is athletic. Although I think we have higher needs than OLB, how would you see our LB corp looking if we pick him in the 3rd? Not criticizing, just interested.

I think LB will be a need next year. Peterson and Wire will be FA's after the season. I don't think we will

re-sign them. Nicholas is a FA too but he should get re-signed. Robert James and Weston Johnson won't even make

the team this year. Our only backup will be Adkins and POSSIBLY Woods. So this is how I see it.

Spoon

Lofton

Nicholas

Adkins

Woods(maybe)

We will need another LB'er. It may not be Wright b/c he might be better as a 3-4 LB'er. But the 3 guys I really

like at LB'er are Ross Homan, Jeremiha Hunter, and Nate Irving.

[atljbo]

link

OT Marcus Gilbert: No. 76 (6-6, 316)

A large, strong offensive tackle prospect who possesses good base strength and is at his best when engaged. Displays a strong set of hands and decent footwork once he is able to lock on in the pass game. Shuffles his feet well through contact and displays the ability to stick to blocks off the edge. However, possesses only average natural flexibility off the snap and gets a bit upright into contact. Needs to do a better job getting off the snap count on time. Looks stiff in his lower half in space and possesses only average range toward the corner. Can’t afford to be late off the football as he gives up too much penetration this way. Doesn’t keep his hands in front of him consistently on his kick-slide, pumps his arms in order to try to create additional momentum toward the edge, which allows opposing defenders to get under his frame and really jolt him on contact. However, displayed above-average lateral quickness when asked to play inside at guard in 2008. Looks a lot more comfortable sitting into his stance, sliding his feet and extending his arms.

Isn’t a real explosive run blocker, doesn’t generate much explosion from his hips off the snap as an in-line guy and really seems to lumber into the open field. Lacks ideal instincts as well, struggles to quickly recognize his target and doesn’t consistently take proper angles toward his man. However, does have the kind of power and natural athleticism to get his feet around on the edge, lock onto his opponent and at least seal when engaged.

Impression: Is a big, strong body who can be effective when he gets his hands on you. However, lacks ideal range and awareness in the pass game and isn’t a real physical run blocker. Looks more like a utility offensive lineman who could help out at either right tackle or guard, but you don’t want him starting every week.

[hawkeye]

link

I don't trust too much of anything Wes Bunting has to say. I read his reports every day and he rarely has any

positive feedback in his "final impression" about players. If it was up to him a lot of players would not go

far in the league. It's a select few that he talks positive about. If you read carefully he contradicts himself

a lot too. He says one thing and then down the line he is saying the opposite. So I take his reports w/a grain of

salt. But I would be willing to bet Gilbert goes late 2nd rd. But he is definitely a RT or RG.