1st Round Mock - February

[kccrow]

Time to release my initial first round mock of the season... Input/Criticism welcome.

01. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB Jameis Winston - Florida State
02. Tennessee Titans - DL Leonard Williams - USC
03. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Shane Ray - Missouri
04. Oakland Raiders - WR Amari Cooper - Alabama
05. Washington Redskins - DE Dante Fowler - Florida
06. New York Jets - QB - Marcus Mariota - Oregon
07. Chicago Bears - DT - Danny Shelton - Washington
08. Atlanta Falcons - DE - Randy Gregory - Nebraska
09. New York Giants - SS - Landon Collins - Alabama
10. St. Louis Rams - OT - Andrus Peat - Stanford
11. Minnesota Vikings - WR - DeVante Parker - Louisville
12. Cleveland Browns - WR Kevin White - West Virginia
13. New Orleans Saints - DE Alvin Dupree - Kentucky
14. Miami Dolphins - DT - Malcolm Brown - Texas
15. San Francisco 49ers - DE - Arik Armstead - Oregon
16. Houston Texans - OT - Ereck Flowers - Miami
17. San Diego Chargers - RB Melvin Gordon - Wisconsin
18. Kansas City Chiefs - WR - Devin Smith - Ohio State
19. Cleveland Browns (f/BUF) - DT Eddie Goldman - Florida State
20. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Trae Waynes - Michigan State
21. Cincinnati Bengals - CB PJ Williams - Florida State
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - LB Vic Beasley - Clemson
23. Detroit Lions - OT Brandon Scherff - Iowa
24. Arizona Cardinals - LB Benardrick McKinney - Mississippi State
25. Carolina Panthers - OL - La'el Collins - LSU
26. Baltimore Ravens - CB Marcus Peters - Washington
27. Dallas Cowboys - DT Michael Bennett - Ohio State
28. Denver Broncos - OG A.J. Cann - South Carolina
29. Indianapolis Colts - DE Eli Harold - Virginia
30. Green Bay Packers - DT Jordan Phillips - Oklahoma
31. Seattle Seahawks - WR Jaelen Strong - Arizona State
32. New England Patriots - CB - Quinten Rollins - Miami (Ohio)

[Al Bundy]

I would rather the Bucs take Shane Ray than Winston. Winston just has something about him I don't like. Besides being too deliberate and having questionable footwork.

[kccrow]

Here's what I'm going to say about Devin Smith, and I'm not changing the mock to the Chiefs. He's going to be very high on Andy Reid's radar guaranteed, and the Chiefs already have been talking to the kid.

Probably time for you guys to stop reading scouting reports from season's past and start watching the tape on Devin Smith. He runs great routes, for starters. His drop issues went away and has been better focused. He has developed into a guy that is very difficult to press off the line. He was outstanding running routes during Senior Bowl week, something scouts attested to. He's not just a deep ball threat.

The problem in Columbus was more a product of how they targeted receivers. A lot of run and deep ball stuff and QBs that weren't very good at reading defenses and finding wide open receivers. They often used Devin Smith to his ultimate strength, playing deep. I can't fault a coach for going with something that torches a defense for a TD a game and usually at least one more big play a game. When you can essentially put 2 TDs a game on the board because of one guy's skill set, you use that to your advantage.

I will concede that he is an inconsistent to even bad blocker in the run game, but it isn't for effort. He just is not very good at it and could use more coaching on what angles to take to seal in the run game.

I have no idea what one guy was talking about in a scouting report I read when he said Smith was taken out often in "11 personnel." I don't think the guy knows what 11 personnel is. Smith was in the game most of the time, unless he just got done running a handful of 9's in a row. Three receiver set, damn straight he was a primary option.

This little article has a few videos. http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2...-wide-receiver

Watch that terrible hitch in the Wisconsin game at about the 1:50 mark in the video. Watch that terrible slant he ran at about 0:57 in the Illinois game. He also ran a terrible goal-line corner route at about the 1:53 mark in that Illinois game. He's so bad in the underneath game that the first few plays of that Michigan State tape were just horrendous.

Here also is a beautifully written piece that explains a bunch of this well that I don't have the time right now to similarly reproduce: http://seahawksdraftblog.com/ohio-st...-first-rounder

The bottom line is that people think Devin Smith can't run any other routes besides a 9 because they seen him make so many of those plays for the Buckeyes. The problem is they aren't watching the other plays, including plays he just didn't get the ball thrown to him. That doesn't mean Smith can't run any other routes. In fact, Smith runs pretty damn crisp routes and gets separation on pretty much every play. He isn't the greatest hands catcher ever, but he isn't a drop machine like he seems to be made out to be.

From a numbers perspective, you have a guy that is probably going to run about a 4.35 40-yard, 1.52 10-yard split, a 6.85 in the 3-cone and a 4.25 shuttle while likely jumping 40" in the vertical. Essentially, he should test exactly like Mike Wallace.

I have three receivers ranked legitimately ahead of Smith in Cooper, White, and Parker. After those three there is a little drop off to Smith, but Smith is better than several ranked closest to him. His current biography reads like Emmanuel Sanders' did.

Altogether, Smith is going to be a fairly high pick because he can abuse defensive backs. He's much like Mike Wallace. He's got the potential, and attitude, to be a great receiver. I'm aware not everyone will like Smith, but I don't doubt for a second that the Chiefs' brass will. If they think they can mould him into what he's capable of becoming, they won't hesitate.

What puzzles me is that people think he doesn't fit Andy Reid and Alex Smith. Fact is, he fits perfectly. He's not an easy cover on the routes Reid loves to run, and to think Reid doesn't call deep shots, then they only need to reference some of the routes Donnie Avery ran for KC.

Anyhow, that's what I have to say about that pick. I'm also focused on 31 other teams and what projects well to them in this mock scenario. I did update the OP to reflect some bonehead moves I did make to a couple of teams.

[CleveSteve]

If you like Devin Smith, you should love Nelson Agholor. Agholor is a first rounder to me.

[RunKC]

Fair point Crow. I just don't know what the hell we are going to do with this OL.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Fair point Crow. I just don't know what the hell we are going to do with this OL.

Free agency and the later rounds?

I'm starting to think I'd prefer them go something other than wr in round 1 unless white falls.

Too many good wrs later that really fit what the chiefs need

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by O.city

Free agency and the later rounds?

I'm starting to think I'd prefer them go something other than wr in round 1 unless white falls.

Too many good wrs later that really fit what the chiefs need

I would be looking to steal whatever RT the Cowboys don't bring back in Parnell/Free. Both did a solid job.

Not sure who else in FA at RT would be a good option? Bulaga is about to get $$$ so I doubt we go for him.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I would be looking to steal whatever RT the Cowboys don't bring back in Parnell/Free. Both did a solid job.

Not sure who else in FA at RT would be a good option? Bulaga is about to get $$$ so I doubt we go for him.

If they can resign hudson (or not kush can play) they for sure need a LG.

That's gotta be a must. A rt is close, but between stephenson and allen, you'd think they could get adequate play there.

There's also going to be guys available who can be atleast adequate at this spots foe cheap, which would be a huge upgrade to what they had

[RunKC]

If we do that plan, I'd love to draft one of Laken Tomlinson or AJ Cann.

Tomlinson was awesome at the Senior Bowl. Held Danny Shelton at bay in the 1v1's. Big fan of this kid.

[O.city]

I'd prefer they got a lg in free agency

[RunKC]

Well Jeff Allen had a decent preseason playing 99 snaps. He had a bad game vs Carolina though.

Hard to tell how he'll do at RT but he sure as hell has the frame for an OT at 6'4" 307 lbs (hopefully more strength this year) and 33 1/2 inch arm length.

I'd be all for Clint Boling begin signed. Still would draft a G in the mid rounds in that situation.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by kccrow

Here's what I'm going to say about Devin Smith, and I'm not changing the mock to the Chiefs. He's going to be very high on Andy Reid's radar guaranteed, and the Chiefs already have been talking to the kid.

Probably time for you guys to stop reading scouting reports from season's past and start watching the tape on Devin Smith. He runs great routes, for starters. His drop issues went away and has been better focused. He has developed into a guy that is very difficult to press off the line. He was outstanding running routes during Senior Bowl week, something scouts attested to. He's not just a deep ball threat.

The problem in Columbus was more a product of how they targeted receivers. A lot of run and deep ball stuff and QBs that weren't very good at reading defenses and finding wide open receivers. They often used Devin Smith to his ultimate strength, playing deep. I can't fault a coach for going with something that torches a defense for a TD a game and usually at least one more big play a game. When you can essentially put 2 TDs a game on the board because of one guy's skill set, you use that to your advantage.

I will concede that he is an inconsistent to even bad blocker in the run game, but it isn't for effort. He just is not very good at it and could use more coaching on what angles to take to seal in the run game.

I have no idea what one guy was talking about in a scouting report I read when he said Smith was taken out often in "11 personnel." I don't think the guy knows what 11 personnel is. Smith was in the game most of the time, unless he just got done running a handful of 9's in a row. Three receiver set, damn straight he was a primary option.

This little article has a few videos. http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2...-wide-receiver

Watch that terrible hitch in the Wisconsin game at about the 1:50 mark in the video. Watch that terrible slant he ran at about 0:57 in the Illinois game. He also ran a terrible goal-line corner route at about the 1:53 mark in that Illinois game. He's so bad in the underneath game that the first few plays of that Michigan State tape were just horrendous.

Here also is a beautifully written piece that explains a bunch of this well that I don't have the time right now to similarly reproduce: http://seahawksdraftblog.com/ohio-st...-first-rounder

The bottom line is that people think Devin Smith can't run any other routes besides a 9 because they seen him make so many of those plays for the Buckeyes. The problem is they aren't watching the other plays, including plays he just didn't get the ball thrown to him. That doesn't mean Smith can't run any other routes. In fact, Smith runs pretty damn crisp routes and gets separation on pretty much every play. He isn't the greatest hands catcher ever, but he isn't a drop machine like he seems to be made out to be.

From a numbers perspective, you have a guy that is probably going to run about a 4.35 40-yard, 1.52 10-yard split, a 6.85 in the 3-cone and a 4.25 shuttle while likely jumping 40" in the vertical. Essentially, he should test exactly like Mike Wallace.

I have three receivers ranked legitimately ahead of Smith in Cooper, White, and Parker. After those three there is a little drop off to Smith, but Smith is better than several ranked closest to him. His current biography reads like Emmanuel Sanders' did.

Altogether, Smith is going to be a fairly high pick because he can abuse defensive backs. He's much like Mike Wallace. He's got the potential, and attitude, to be a great receiver. I'm aware not everyone will like Smith, but I don't doubt for a second that the Chiefs' brass will. If they think they can mould him into what he's capable of becoming, they won't hesitate.

What puzzles me is that people think he doesn't fit Andy Reid and Alex Smith. Fact is, he fits perfectly. He's not an easy cover on the routes Reid loves to run, and to think Reid doesn't call deep shots, then they only need to reference some of the routes Donnie Avery ran for KC.

Anyhow, that's what I have to say about that pick. I'm also focused on 31 other teams and what projects well to them in this mock scenario. I did update the OP to reflect some bonehead moves I did make to a couple of teams.

Found some A-22. Should have some thoughts here in a few weeks or so.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by O.city

Free agency and the later rounds?

I'm starting to think I'd prefer them go something other than wr in round 1 unless white falls.

Too many good wrs later that really fit what the chiefs need

Vince Mayle is every bit as good as Kevin White.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by Sorter

Found some A-22. Should have some thoughts here in a few weeks or so.

If you have the ability to share, I'd love to see it. I'm going almost exclusively off of watching every Buckeyes' game his entire career. I haven't broken down an A-22, but I'd love to see more of what you can't always see on regular game angles.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Vince Mayle is every bit as good as Kevin White.

Uh no.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by O.city

Uh no.

Yeah he is.