Deciding which underclassmen to use in a mock

by Mocking Dan on Oct 4, 2009 5:49 PM EDT in Mock Draft Comment 45 comments

I've begun the process of putting together my first mock draft since the college football season started. After the jump, see who I have in the draft and who is staying in school.

At this point, I'm skewing toward more staying than not. No real reason. Yes, I'm aware more juniors enter than don't. But for the purpose of this mock, here is who we're going with:

IN THE MOCK DRAFT
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Jahvid Best, RB, Cal
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
Joe McKnight, RB, USC
Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Damian Williams, WR, USC
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Kris O'Dowd, C, USC
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
Rolando McClain, MLB, Alabama
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan
Eric Berry, SS, Tennessee
Morgan Burnett, SS, Georgia Tech
Reshad Jones, SS, Georgia

NOT IN THE MOCK DRAFT
Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Adam Weber, QB, Minnesota
DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
Evan Royster, RB, Penn State
Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State
Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Lee Ziemba, OT, Auburn
Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
Rodney Hudson, G, Florida State
Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh
Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Lawrence Marsh, DT, Florida
Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson
Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
Rennie Curran, OLB, Georgia
Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
Michael Morgan, OLB, USC
Greg Jones, MLB, Michigan State
Quan Sturdivant, MLB, North Carolina
Obi Ezeh, MLB, Michigan
Martez Wilson, MLB, Illinois
Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma
Major Wright, FS, Florida
Deunta Williams, FS, North Carolina
Chris Culliver, FS, South Carolina
Chad Jones, SS, LSU

0 recs | Comment 45 comments | Add comment

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Sub Bradford in for Clausen.Tate isnt ready for the pros either. He needs to polish his route running.

I dont think that a Center would go pro.

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 4, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Damien Woody entered the draft early as a center.

Draft guru in training.

by tj.hendricks on Oct 4, 2009 6:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Should be interesting...

I’m sure what’s happened to Bradford and Gresham and even LeGarrett Blount (he did snap…) is gonna make this year a year full of juniors.

Also, that whole lockout thing? I think the “out” list is a bit too short. There’s gonna be a flock of juniors in the draft this year, especially guys like Clausen and Best who are probably sure-fire first rounders.

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 4, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The lockout thing has me thinking I should add a bunch more after all. Maybe I will.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 4, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jake Locker

I like him but I think he’s more 2011 then 2010. I see Calusen, Bradford, McCoy and Tebow as the Top QB and Locker could be a top 5 pick in 2011

by Montell on Oct 4, 2009 6:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So far, the consensus has been leave Locker out. Hmm. He’s been getting a lot of pro scout buzz.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 4, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure Bulaga is coming out, particularly after missing a quarter of the season

Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.

by shake n bake on Oct 4, 2009 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually put some thought into that one! The reasoning was that you could argue that he’s still as good as or better than Russell Okung and Trent Williams.

And he might want to jump at an NFL payday while his thyroid issue is in check. Just speculation there, though.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 4, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bulaga

I think he is defiantly better than Trent Williams… Williams benefited from playing with Duke Robinson and Phil Loadholt last year. I was not impressed with him verse BYU or Miami. He looks slow and out of shape.

"It's almost like we play a kid's game for a king's ransom"
Sean Taylor

by MBoz126 on Oct 6, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

Don’t know why I didn’t think of it when I left that comment, but he’s been pretty bad all year. Eric Moncur lit him up.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 6, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good idea for an article. And I mostly agree with the list too.

I’m surprised to see Locker on there. I really like him as a pro prospect, but I think two years with Sarkisian would do great things for him and really improve his stock. Anytime a guy who isn’t a lock to go in the first could go top 5 the next season, they should go back to school.

Randomly, I feel like Ras-I Dowling will come out and at least one of the OTs (Carimi, Ziemba, Davis, Campbell) will go pro too.

I know he’s a senior, but Gresham could get a 5th season. Is he a lock to come out? Does it matter what Bradford does?

I signed up for Second Life about a year ago. Back then my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. In my Second Life I was also a paper salesman and I was also named Dwight. Absolutely everything was the same. Except I could fly. - Dwight Schrute

by kaisertown on Oct 4, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gresham announced he’s coming out.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 4, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gresham didnt apply for a medical redshirt

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 4, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the heads up guys.

by kaisertown on Oct 5, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait, in is for going IN the draft or staying IN school.

I thought IN was going in the draft, but then I saw Clausen and Locker. I think Locker stays another year. Could just be the UW fan in me, but it seems like he needs another year of polish. A top 10 promise could be too much to pass up though.

by LantermanC on Oct 4, 2009 11:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just noticed this comment, sorry. I clarified it more in the post.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 5, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate seeing Tate and Clausen in there.

"Brett Favre was a man who thought he was retired, but he knew it wouldn't last."

by Colts Homer on Oct 4, 2009 11:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dont think they’ll leave.

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 5, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just think if Clausen keeps on like he is, it’s hard to deny a probable top spot in the draft. And with Tate, his body is NFL ready. If Percy Harvin’s route running still gets him picked in the middle of round one, no reason Tate can’t come out. I’m looking at it from the perspective of someone who, while not a hater, isn’t a fan of Notre Dame. Meaning, I just don’t want the guys on my team to come back so my team remains good.

And if that has you wondering, my team is Akron. I know, I know.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 5, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im just saying that I think they will stay. ND hasnt had any great years and they have a chance to have one next year, and Clausen has said he wants to win a Championship

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 5, 2009 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Notre Dame is not going to win a Championship next year…If that is the biggest reason keeping Clausen from entering the draft, he’s not very intelligent.

If he is the number one QB on most boards he’s gone.

"It's almost like we play a kid's game for a king's ransom"
Sean Taylor

by MBoz126 on Oct 6, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leinart stayed in school when people thought he wouldnt.

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 6, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

And he had a realistic shot at a National Championship…Clausen doesn’t….I know you are a die hard Irish fan, but you need to realize you guys aren’t as close as you think.

"It's almost like we play a kid's game for a king's ransom"
Sean Taylor

by MBoz126 on Oct 6, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Clausen comes back...

like Leinart, if Charlie Weiss stays.

As for comparing his situation to Leinart, Leinart’s partying at USC was legendary. That’s why he didn’t leave.

Im sure Clausen does some of that too of course…but partying in South Bend =/= parting in Southern Cal.

..I think that next season ND may have a title shot, but they are really gonna have to shore up that defense. They’d be undefeated if they could stop mediocre offenses.

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 6, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know someone up at ND, and they said this over a year ago, but they said Clausen wasnt that social his freshman year.

And their D should be better next year, as they only lose 1 guy and Manti Teo will continue to show how much of a beast he is.

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 6, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And plus we get our second best player back(Floyd)

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 6, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the inside info

"It's almost like we play a kid's game for a king's ransom"
Sean Taylor

by MBoz126 on Oct 6, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is that sarcasm?

" Of course Steroids should be allowed! I wanna see 700 foot home runs and 90 yard field goals! I litterally want to see someone's d**k get shoved in the dirt!"

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Oct 6, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I think its funny you would even say that…I know people at MU, KU, Texas, and USC….They all think their QB is the best player in the nation too, but I’ve never heard one of them bring up his partying habits, mixed with his NFL draft stock.

I find your opinions about G Tate and Jimmy mind-blowing, hysterical, and in a weird way extremely Homerish….If none of us said anything about these guys getting drafted next year, you would be in a huge uproar, blasting all of us, telling us about how great they are….Instead we all think they’re good players, capable of being drafted during the first night of the 2010 draft…You are scared that your beloved Irish might lose their two best players…and now your throwing out inside info, hoping we are convinced that they comeback (because they don’t like to do beer bongs).

You are a very opinionated person, (which I respect), but you don’t back your posts up with any football knowledge or logic.

Ps…Do you still think there is no chance the Browns get the first overall pick???

"It's almost like we play a kid's game for a king's ransom"
Sean Taylor

by MBoz126 on Oct 7, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well you were saying stuff about partying in South Bend.

I think the Browns will probably have the 3rd pick.

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 8, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasnt using the Clausen stuff to talk about him going pro.

I was never intending on blasting anyone, just sharing my thoughts. I have been correct on most of the ones I remember(saying that Rudolph, Clausen, and Tate will be good).

But nevermind about all of that, I have no football knowledge apparently.

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 8, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the way, I remember you making fun of me for saying Kyle Rudolph would be a beast this year… take it back yet?

by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 5, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 5, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Locker could make a Sanchez type push into the top of this years draft. I think all underclassmen will look at the Sooner effect (Bradford/Gresham) and think how much they could lose by not coming out.

Draft guru in training.

by tj.hendricks on Oct 5, 2009 1:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Locker

I hope the Panthers get this kid in 2011 if he came out this year he’d be nutts. He had horrible numbers as a freshman then he got knocked out for a year with a wrist injury so this would be his only good season NFL teams are very apprehensive of one year wonders.

by chinchillas sword on Oct 5, 2009 8:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What are the odds

Bradford stays in School? Think about it:

What if Clausen and Locker remain on the runs there on? I mean, Locker, Clausen, Tebow, McCoy? I’m beginning to think he should stay for another year

by Montell on Oct 5, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That was my feeling. Out of the four top junior QBs, I only wanted to include two of them.

by Mocking Dan on Oct 5, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I think Calusen is the #1 QB right now. I honestly think Bradford can fall to like 4, 5,7th pick if Calusen and Locker can increase thier stock

by Montell on Oct 5, 2009 9:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

QB

I agree Clausen is the number 1 QB but why would Bradford stay in college and risk a Brady Quinn like fall in the 2011 draft. Bradford wouldn’t want to risk top ten money for more of a chance to go number 1 overall. Bradford doesn’t have to worry about Locker this year if he stays in school than it’s a different story.

by chinchillas sword on Oct 6, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reshad Jones

After watching the LSU game Saturday, I am certain Jones is going to be a first round pick. He is very physical and shows great range…Mays, Berry, and Jones will have a lot of attention at the combine. It’s going to be interesting watching those three for years to come.

"It's almost like we play a kid's game for a king's ransom"
Sean Taylor

by MBoz126 on Oct 6, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How about Morgan Burnett?

I’ve heard whispers of him being a first rounder.

by LantermanC on Oct 6, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been curious about Jones

by chinchillas sword on Oct 7, 2009 6:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what if Jones chooses baseball?

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 8, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve heard the same, but I wasn’t extremely impressed with him when I saw him…But I haven’t seen much.
I don’t think 4 safeties will go in the first, but I guess crazier things have happened

"It's almost like we play a kid's game for a king's ransom"
Sean Taylor

by MBoz126 on Oct 6, 2009 7:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

With the 2010 CBA

What if there is a rookie pay scale implemented? I think potentially that this year alot of players could leave early this could be your last chance to get the really big bucks for your rookie contract. With that in mind I wouldn’t be surprised to see many many underclassmen declare.

Draft guru in training.

by tj.hendricks on Oct 10, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs