Mid Season Mock

[vel]

Off-Season:

Re-sign

Brent Grimes

Jason Snelling

Tyson Clabo

Michael Koenen

Free Agent:

Logan Mankins

2011 NFL Draft

Trade our 1st round pick for an early 2nd and 4th (same type of trade the Vikings did with Lions)

2. Demarco Murray, RB, OU, 6’1 215 4.45

The slashing back has been hindered by injuries throughout his Sooners career and will need to prove that he can stay healthy entering his senior season. While he does not project as a feature back at the next level, Murray does possess breakaway burst and ability to pick up yards after the catch as a receiver.

We are a run first team but obviously we need to give this offense to Ryan. With no top WR available and no 1st round DEs on the board either; Murray is one of the best playmakers available. Very electric running back capable of a home run everytime he touches the ball. Good receiver out of the backfield. Can return kicks. Great change of pace from the brutal running of Turner and Snelling. Taking him in the second doesn’t threaten Turner’s job security.

2. Austin Pettis, WR, BSU, 6’2 201 4.5

The acrobatic Pettis has flashed tremendous athleticism with his ability to go up and grab the football at its highest point. While he didn’t make an impact in the stat box, Pettis showed grit and toughness playing in the Fiesta Bowl with a fractured lower leg this past season. He projects as a bona fide possession receiver.

I don’t think Jenkins will be outright replaced by a first round pick not to mention the unlikelihood of one falling to us. Green, Jones, Floyd are top 20 picks. He was just resigned to a fairly large extension to just put him on the bench. Taking Pettis in the second doesn’t force us to play him early and he can be our 4th WR so Meier doesn’t need to rush back.

3. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue, 6’3 270 4.85

To be honest, I see Kerrigan being a solid second rounder right now but will fall to the third because he won’t have great combine numbers, doesn’t have ideal size, and doesn’t possess an elite burst to make up for his lacking. But the kid is just plain good and won’t make it passed the 3rd. He is a leader, has four years of experience and the infamous nonstop motor. (Sidenote: Kampman was a 5th round selection and Allen went in the 4th. Similar players)

4. Mason Foster, OLB, Washington, 6’2 240 4.7

Mason Foster was one of a few freshmen to see action for Washington in 2007. He ended up starting four games, mostly at outside linebacker. Foster tallied 25 tackles and five of those were for a loss. The following year Foster was a full-time starter and did a great job, leading the team with 105 tackles including 12.0 tackles-for-loss. Foster continued his success as an upperclassman and ended up tallying 85 tackles and three interceptions. Foster has been a staple in the middle of the defense for three years and is once again leading the way in 2010. Through seven games, Foster has tallied an impressive 82 tackles and continues to put pressure on the opposing quarterback. He has even forced two fumbles already this season. The Huskies' defense has struggled at times containing players like Nebraska's Taylor Martinez, but that is not entirely Foster's fault. Foster has flown under the radar for the most part despite his impressive collegiate career. The NFL will take notice though and it would be surprising if he fell past the third round. With some good workouts, Foster could be one of the top outside linebackers in this class and work his way into the first or second round.

4. Luke Stocker, TE, Tenn, 6’6 253 4.75

With his combination of size and athleticism, Stocker is able to create mismatches against opposing linebackers. He has the knack to sniff out open seams and will rumble for extra yardage after the catch. Stocker has seen three coaching changes over the past three seasons. He missed spring practice due to a shoulder ailment.

Don’t have much on him but I think this

will do

I decided to not go beyond the 4th because the college season is not over yet and football is only halfway through in the NFL. Too much still in flux. Major injuries can still happen to cause changes in team needs.

[Kennesaw77]

Pettis isn't a good player. Don't get the love with him.

no way in heck Kerrigan falls to round 3.

Stocker is the top TE i doubt he slips to round 4.

[KSFALCON]

Pettis isn't a good player. Don't get the love with him.

no way in heck Kerrigan falls to round 3.

Stocker is the top TE i doubt he slips to round 4.

agree completely...Pettis has some hands, but no great

[vel]

Weslye Saunders, DJ Williams, and Lance Kendricks are higher than Stocker and the lack of elite TEs makes it easier for him to fall to 4. I would even go so far as to say Cameron Graham will go higher. Where is he ranked the number one TE?

Pettis is a good player. Stop hating and look at the

. The kid can catch and even block. You're the only person I have seen on here say you aren't impressed with his hands yet every other draft "expert" is impressed with his impeccable catching ability. Pettis is a very good route runner and has good hands. You can't name me many flaws in his game outside of speed.

And it is very possible Kerrigan can fall to the 3rd. (Same was said about Sidbury and Griffen and they both fell to the 4th) He isn't a first round lock right now. The only first round lock DEs are Quinn, Clayborn, Dareus, and Heyward. Second round you have Bowers, Bailey, Sheard, and Beal.

Only 4 DEs went in the first (1 3-4 DE and three 4-3 DEs) last year. 5 went in the second. That is 9 in total. I gave you 8 names outside of Kerrigan showing he can go in the second but he could easily fall out. But if not Greg Romeus would be a nice consolation prize in my opinion.

Edited November 7, 2010 by vel

[Kennesaw77]

Weslye Saunders, DJ Williams, and Lance Kendricks are higher than Stocker and the lack of elite TEs makes it easier for him to fall to 4. I would even go so far as to say Cameron Graham will go higher. Where is he ranked the number one TE?

Pettis is a good player. Stop hating and look at the film. The kid can catch and even block. You're the only person I have seen on here say you aren't impressed with his hands yet every other draft "expert" is impressed with his impeccable catching ability. Pettis is a very good route runner and has good hands. You can't name me many flaws in his game outside of speed.

And it is very possible Kerrigan can fall to the 3rd. (Same was said about Sidbury and Griffen and they both fell to the 4th) He isn't a first round lock right now. The only first round lock DEs are Quinn, Clayborn, Dareus, and Heyward. Second round you have Bowers, Bailey, Sheard, and Beal.

Only 4 DEs went in the first (1 3-4 DE and three 4-3 DEs) last year. 5 went in the second. That is 9 in total. I gave you 8 names outside of Kerrigan showing he can go in the second but he could easily fall out. But if not Greg Romeus would be a nice consolation prize in my opinion.

Saunders hasn't played all year and got kicked off the team so his draft stock is in free fall.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2011_TE (he was ranked number 1 until last week, if Tenn. had a better QB he still would be)

I've looked at the film. I've watched him at least 3 games (VT, OR. St, and LA. Tech.) link to where draft experts love his hands? He has decent hands but I wasn't overly impressed. If you don't believe me check out the Tulsa game from last year and check out some of the games from this year. bahahhahahaha a good route runner? Are you serious? It sounds like you need to watch more film. The guy is lackadaisical with his route running, he doesn't run the full route tree, and is slow off the line. Shoot Pettis isn't even the best WR on his own team (Titus Young).

Almost all those guys you listed are 3-4 DE's. So more 4-3 DE's will need to be picked. Kerrigan would go sooner than Sheard imo.

[Kennesaw77]

btw I wouldn't suggest watching highlight films to get an opinion on a player.

[vel]

Pettis is the better WR. Young is the more explosive. But he is smaller and less capable of blocking which is a necessity of our WR. Douglas is an exception because he is heavily involved in the slot. Pettis has #2 potential. I watched the Tulsa game as well as the highlights. Highlights show you what the player is capable of. Pettis shows he isn't afraid of the hit. Will block. Go across the middle. RUNS THE FULL ROUTE TREE. 9's, deep posts, comebacks, drags, and digs. What else do you want? The Tulsa game he missed a high thrown ball on a comeback which I won't say makes his hands any inferior. He dropped a fade route that was defended great by the defender and the throw to the endzone where the QB squeezed it through 3 defenders would have been a tough catch as well with a defender draped on him. If his hands we any better he would be considered a top 25 pick easily if that's your only gripe with him.

I think you are more opinion based than anything else about Pettis. Everything is "I wasn't impressed. I don't think." And this isn't the first time I have seen you saying his hands are below average neither. The kid can play. He may not be AJ Green or Michael Floyd but name me a WR that is better than Pettis that will be a second rounder... (outside of Young since you clearly like him more)

[vel]

Austin Pettis- WR- Boise State

6-3 201lbs Senior

Stats:

2007- 46 receptions, 465 yards, 6 touchdowns

2008- 49 receptions, 567 yards, 9 touchdowns

2009- 63 receptions, 855 yards, 14 touchdowns

Pros:

Austin Pettis enters the 2011 season as one of the top senior wide receivers in college football. Pettis is a decent sized receiver with good speed. He has above average hands and has an uncanny ability to make catches in tight traffic. With Pettis’ speed he can also serve as a returner on special teams. In his junior season, Pettis managed to score 14 touchdowns in just 11 games. By all accounts, Pettis should thrive as an NFL receiver.

Cons:

Pettis’ junior season was shortened as a result of a lower leg fracture. Early in his senior season, he will need to demonstrate that he is fully recovered from the injury and that he does not have durability problems. Also, by virtue of playing for Boise State, he will be knocked for not playing against top-level competition. As the season progresses, and heading into the Senior Bowl, he will need to demonstrate that he can match up against top college talent on the other side of the ball. (Only knocks are his competition level and durability, not hands)

Thoughts:

Pettis has the size, speed, and ability to be a quality wide receiver in the NFL. He needs to have a strong senior season, from both statistical and durability standpoints. Pettis will get plenty of opportunities, in Chris Petersen’s offense, to pick up where he left off prior to last year’s untimely injury. Once the season is over, he will need to continue to have quality performances, during bowl season and leading up to the combine. Pettis is not currently on our 2011 NFL Draft Big Board, however, I predict he will flirt with making an appearance as the season progresses.

Projected Round:

Currently, Pettis is a fringe first round prospect, but could secure a first round grade with a good season. If he plays like he did last year, at worst he should be gone by the upper third of the second round.

Has been consistent and put up good numbers every year. What is the complaining for?

[Kennesaw77]

Pettis is the better WR. Young is the more explosive. But he is smaller and less capable of blocking which is a necessity of our WR. Douglas is an exception because he is heavily involved in the slot. Pettis has #2 potential. I watched the Tulsa game as well as the highlights. Highlights show you what the player is capable of. Pettis shows he isn't afraid of the hit. Will block. Go across the middle. RUNS THE FULL ROUTE TREE. 9's, deep posts, comebacks, drags, and digs. What else do you want? The Tulsa game he missed a high thrown ball on a comeback which I won't say makes his hands any inferior. He dropped a fade route that was defended great by the defender and the throw to the endzone where the QB squeezed it through 3 defenders would have been a tough catch as well with a defender draped on him. If his hands we any better he would be considered a top 25 pick easily if that's your only gripe with him.

I think you are more opinion based than anything else about Pettis. Everything is "I wasn't impressed. I don't think." And this isn't the first time I have seen you saying his hands are below average neither. The kid can play. He may not be AJ Green or Michael Floyd but name me a WR that is better than Pettis that will be a second rounder... (outside of Young since you clearly like him more)

I don't care if he can block amazingly well. That's a bonus. A WR's 1st job is to catch the ball. How does he run the full route tree? The guy runs like two or three routes haha. My problem with Pettis is he plays the game lazily. He doesn't run his routes hard or particularly well. His release off the line leaves ALOT to be desired.

I didn't say pettis hands were below average I said they were average. I've watched the guy and he didn't look good. Alot of other posters on here feel the same way i do.

Terrence Toliver is the only one I can say with absolute certainty other than Titus Young I would take because I haven't looked very in depth with most of the wr's yet but I'd rather have:

Ronald Johnson and Leonard Hankerson that are Sr's and that's not even including any JR's.

[Kennesaw77]

Has been consistent and put up good numbers every year. What is the complaining for?

Again I didn't say his hands were below average I said they were average.

I currently have Pettis with a 3rd round grade. His release is below average, route running below average, separation is average, hands average, jump ball average, and breaking tackles is above average.

[KSFALCON]

Someone said that Baldwin's #s are falling so much, he could fall into the 2nd...Green, Jones and Floyd going in the 1st, I'd trade up to get him in the 2nd and get an OT in the 1st...Just a thought

[Kennesaw77]

Someone said that Baldwin's #s are falling so much, he could fall into the 2nd...Green, Jones and Floyd going in the 1st, I'd trade up to get him in the 2nd and get an OT in the 1st...Just a thought

good point. I feel bad for baldwin that QB is killing his numbers.

All those listed are JR's and any could fall to the 2nd except Green.

[KSFALCON]

good point. I feel bad for baldwin that QB is killing his numbers.

All those listed are JR's and any could fall to the 2nd except Green.

Floyd has played fantastic, is a 1st round talent, Jones has great hands may fall to us...I would take him in the 1st

[Kennesaw77]

Floyd has played fantastic, is a 1st round talent, Jones has great hands may fall to us...I would take him in the 1st

haven't evaluated Floyd or Jones but from what I've seen both could easily go 1st round.

Jones has great hands but inconsistent at times. he suffers from the dropsies sometimes.

[vel]

Baldwin doesn't run routes nearly as crisp either but because of his size he gets a pass. Terrence Tolliver also comes from a school with a bad history of WRs. Say what you want but LaFell fell for a reason and he can barely even get on the field for a AWFUL Panthers team. Ronald Johnson was explained in another thread. Hankerson is athletic but inconsistent.

How can you honestly say his jump ball ability is below average? I honestly think you only watched the Tulsa game and not the highlights. The kid owns the comeback route, makes plays with the skinny post, and digs are childs play. Those are the staple routes. If you can run an in you can run an out. If you can run a skinny post you can run a deep post and corner route and everybody can run a 9 route. Only thing I will give you is release because I haven't seen him handle a jam. Everything you try and bring up are coachable (route running, lackadaisical running). His hands are there, size there, ability there. Not many have been more productive than he has. Period.

If his hands are average, I sure as he'll hope you aren't making Hankerson and Johnson's hands above average because they definitely are not. Outside of the consensus top WRs (Green, Jones, Floyd, Baldwin), not many if any have better hands than Pettis. He is averaging 5 catches, 70 yards, and a TD per game and is only playing one half the game most of the time. Most people in this nation can't do that in a game. Even if the competition level is low he had 6 catches for 73 yards and 2 TDs against top talent in VT on the big stage.

Edited November 8, 2010 by vel

[Kennesaw77]

Baldwin doesn't run routes nearly as crisp either but because of his size he gets a pass. Terrence Tolliver also comes from a school with a bad history of WRs. Say what you want but LaFell fell for a reason and he can barely even get on the field for a AWFUL Panthers team. Ronald Johnson was explained in another thread. Hankerson is athletic but inconsistent.

How can you honestly say his jump ball ability is below average? I honestly think you only watched the Tulsa game and not the highlights. The kid owns the comeback route, makes plays with the skinny post, and digs are childs play. Those are the staple routes. If you can run and in you can run and out. If you can run a skinny post you can run a deep post and corner route and everybody can run a 9 route. Only thing I will give you is release because I haven't seen him handle a jam. Everything you try and bring up are coachable (route running, lackadaisical running). His hands are there, size there, ability there. Not many have been more productive than he has. Period.

If his hands are average, I sure as he'll hope you aren't making Hankerson and Johnson's hands above average because they definitely are not. Outside of the consensus top WRs (Green, Jones, Floyd, Baldwin), not many if any have better hands than Pettis. He is averaging 5 catches, 70 yards, and a TD per game and is only playing one half the game most of the time. Most people in this nation can't do that in a game. Even if the competition level is low he had 6 catches for 73 yards and 2 TDs against top talent in VT on the big stage.

actually Lafell has been the Panthers best WR the past 3 weeks.

I've watched alot of games the last 2 years and haven't been impressed with his vertical ability.

it could take years to fix his plethora of problems and even then he still might not have fixed it. I'd much rather grab a WR much more polished. I also think his ceiling as a player is pretty limited as well.

I haven't watched Hankerson and Johnson yet so I haven't made them anything.

I don't really care what he does in terms of production. The guy plays against Joe Nobody from a garbage school. One game? meh big deal plus VT aren't known for great CB's this year.

[vel]

actually Lafell has been the Panthers best WR the past 3 weeks.

I've watched alot of games the last 2 years and haven't been impressed with his vertical ability.

it could take years to fix his plethora of problems and even then he still might not have fixed it. I'd much rather grab a WR much more polished. I also think his ceiling as a player is pretty limited as well.

I haven't watched Hankerson and Johnson yet so I haven't made them anything.

I don't really care what he does in terms of production. The guy plays against Joe Nobody from a garbage school. One game? meh big deal plus VT aren't known for great CB's this year.

Kyle Wilson went up against the same Joe Nobody yet went in the first. That isn't an argument anymore. Who can you get more polished where we are picking?

I never said he is a vertical threat. White, Jenkins, and Douglas currently are our deep threats.

[Kennesaw77]

Kyle Wilson went up against the same Joe Nobody yet went in the first. That isn't an argument anymore. Who can you get more polished where we are picking?

I never said he is a vertical threat. White, Jenkins, and Douglas currently are our deep threats.

Wilson hasn't exactly had a good season.

More polished:

Toliver, Johnson, Hankerson, etc...

[vel]

Wilson hasn't exactly had a good season.

More polished:

Toliver, Johnson, Hankerson, etc...

Ok Kennesaw... I will bow out on this one as arguing with you is pointless. Nothing factual just opinionated. You win. I lose.

/sarcasm

[Kennesaw77]

Nothing factual just opinionated. You win. I lose.

well it is all opinion based. I think all those guys are more polished and you don't.

All run better routes, are more explosive, etc.

[vel]

To me explosive means big plays. What plays are bigger than the ones that result in touchdowns?

Austin Pettis: 35 touchdowns

Leonard Hankerson: 19 TDs

Ronald Johnson: 20 TDs

And Pettis broke his leg and sat by halftime in most of the games he played. Stop equating speed to explosiveness. That isn't the only measure. Weems is fast but isn't explosive.

[Kennesaw77]

To me explosive means big plays. What plays are bigger than the ones that result in touchdowns?

Austin Pettis: 35 touchdowns

Leonard Hankerson: 19 TDs

Ronald Johnson: 20 TDs

And Pettis broke his leg and sat by halftime in most of the games he played. Stop equating speed to explosiveness. That isn't the only measure. Weems is fast but isn't explosive.

explosion off the line. Explosive after the catch. Separation ability

bahahha trust me I know the difference.

[vel]

explosion off the line. Explosive after the catch. Separation ability

bahahha trust me I know the difference.

Poor rebuttal.

[Kennesaw77]

Poor rebuttal.

haha what do you want me to explain the difference?