My mock draft after day 1

[MightyGiants]

Wanted to get a sense of what I could get




Reports from NFL.com

Darius Alexander- Interior lineman with the size, length and physicality for consideration in odd or even fronts. Alexander is capable of destroying blocks, but he needs to do a better job of balancing his force to control the action at the point of attack. He can hold his ground when he's staying low, but the pad level is inconsistent and causes his gap constriction to be hit-or-miss. Alexander has above-average rush acumen. He does a nice job of utilizing his traits and crafting a plan of attack. His best football could be ahead of him, but for now, he projects as an average rotational player or backup.

Damien Martinez-  Productive three-year starter with an impressive blend of power, dexterity and decisiveness. First and foremost, Martinez is truly a "big back" who proves he can find yards after contact on most carries. He lacks speed to win outside but does a nice job creating alternate routes using vision and agility when it's congested inside. Despite a lack of breakaway speed, Martinez averaged 6.2 yards per carry on 514 career totes. He can catch passes here and there but could be best dialed in as a complementary banger capable of taking on the lion's share of the carries if needed.

Jack Nelson-  Durable four-year starter with Wisconsin football racing through his blood. He's a better run blocker than pass protector on tape, with the quickness and athleticism to find his landmarks on move blocks. He operates with good strain and technique on base and drive blocks but won't create much push. Nelson's pass sets can feel frantic with disheveled footwork, inconsistent body control and an anchor that could struggle to withstand NFL speed-to-power. He needs to get stronger, but his instincts and awareness in protection could pair with his range as a move blocker for consideration by zone-heavy teams.

Jeffrey Bassa-  Bassa is a weak-side linebacker prospect who played inside at Oregon to get the best athletes on the field. He's a little bit mechanical as a run defender and will flow downhill before properly diagnosing, but he keeps himself clean using his hands to separate. He needs to pursue with better leverage to prevent overflow, but he does what is needed to get involved with the play. He's capable on passing downs, with man-cover talent and an ability to attack the pocket as a blitzer. A move to Will linebacker would allow Bassa to play more run-and-hit football, which could bolster his chances as a good 'backer with the potential to develop into a starter.

Elijah Simmons-  Simmons has the build of a huge tree stump and is highly explosive off the snap. Despite seeing a limited snap count, there's plenty of evidence of centers and guards straining to survive the unique carnage he can create. He unleashes knock-back power at the point of attack and can disrupt move-blocking schemes. For all of the trouble he can cause early in the snap, the overall production is somewhat light. Simmons likely won't play on passing downs but should offer Day 3 value for a defense seeking a rotational one-technique who can muddy run lanes.

[Dumpster Dan]

Rich


You would take that right now wouldnt you??


Dan

[MightyGiants]

Rich


You would take that right now wouldnt you??


Dan

Absolutely!   I want to get a DT, a RB, and an O-lineman with the last 5 picks.  The only thing I had to "settle" on was that my O-linemen is unlikely to start year one.

[MrGap92]

I would love Alexander at 65

I just did one myself. I came away with

65. Tate Ratledge OG
105. Deone Walker DT
154. Raheim Sanders RB
219. Antwane Wells Jr WR
246. Nazir Stackhouse DT

[Philosophers]

I think Alexander will be gone before the 3rd round.  We need a Guard or OT IMHO in the 3rd or 4th round.  They met with Mbow from Purdue.  Got to think he's on radar for those rounds.

[MightyGiants]

I think Alexander will be gone before the 3rd round.  We need a Guard or OT IMHO in the 3rd or 4th round.  They met with Mbow from Purdue.  Got to think he's on radar for those rounds.

The simulator had MBow going late round 2.  Sort of makes sense considering the O-linemen have been going higher than expected

[Bob In PA]

Let's hope it works out that way. The guy from Toledo could be gone by then, but you never know. Bob

[MightyGiants]

Let's hope it works out that way. The guy from Toledo could be gone by then, but you never know. Bob

Here were the other DTs left on the board (on this mock draft)

Omarr Norman-Lott
DT
Tennessee

Alfred Collins
DT
Texas

Shemar Turner
DT
Texas A&M

[Bob In PA]

Here were the other DTs left on the board (on this mock draft)

Omarr Norman-Lott
DT
Tennessee

Alfred Collins
DT
Texas

Shemar Turner
DT
Texas A&M

You may have missed it in my post yesterday, but Collins is a guy I really like. Bob

[MightyGiants]

You may have missed it in my post yesterday, but Collins is a guy I really like. Bob

I would be happy to get him as at least the run defense issues and coverage for Dex when he rests would be solved

[Jclayton92]

Heard Alexander was considered in the 1st rd last night.

[Bob In PA]

I would be happy to get him as at least the run defense issues and coverage for Dex when he rests would be solved

Rich: At 65 it's unlikely a guy who can both stop the run and rush the passer at the NFL level will still be there. Since you missed my note yesterday, my hope is that a veteran with one or two gallons of gas left in the tank might be cut, either after June 1 or during cut-downs in late summer. Schoen has been good at finding last-minute fill-in guys in the DT department. Bob

[Philosophers]

Why are you guys not more concerned about OL?  We have no quality depth, need a starting RG and frankly are subpar at center and can use an upgrade at ORT.

[MightyGiants]

Why are you guys not more concerned about OL?  We have no quality depth, need a starting RG and frankly are subpar at center and can use an upgrade at ORT.

I tend to lean BPA, and O-line wasn't among the BPAs when I was picking

[Bob In PA]

Why are you guys not more concerned about OL?  We have no quality depth, need a starting RG and frankly are subpar at center and can use an upgrade at ORT.

Phil: OL has been a problem so long that I've grown weary talking about it. It's one of the reasons I would not have traded up into the first round for a QB. We lost two really good picks (34 and 99) one of which could have been used on OL. But Rich is right about best player available. When 65 rolls around, we'll be lucky if Tate Ratledge is still there. I wouldn't mind trading up from 65 to get him but it will cost us a pick from next year, and we already gave up next year's third-rounder as part of the Dart trade. Bob