Rock out with your mock draft out: Russ Lande, Sporting News

by Dan Kadar on Sep 30, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in Mock Draft

At long last, the streak is broken. Someone, in this case Russ Lande of Sporting News, has the guts to not have Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck going first overall in a mock draft.

Lande has the St. Louis Rams picking first overall. Because they have Sam Bradford, and he doesn't project trades, he has the Rams taking wide receiver Alshon Jeffery first.

Luck, of course goes second. He gives them to the Seattle Seahawks.

One of the picks that should gain more momentum is a wide receiver going to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lande has the Jaguars picking fifth and taking Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State. His first five picks are all offensive players.

The biggest area of disagreement I found with this mock is having USC's Matt Kalil not being picked until No. 15 by the Chicago Bears. He's the second tackle off the board after Stanford's Jonathan Martin. It's nearly impossible to see Kalil not going in the top 10.

The surprise player making the first round is Iowa cornerback Shaun Prater, who is projected to go 24th to the Detroit Lions.

Check out Lande's full mock draft here.

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Comments

It looks as though John Fox does not believe in Knowshon Moreno

Does he get that impression because Knowshon is hurt? While I agree RB is a need and Moreno could be replaced after this season, I don’t see how you can justify that little excerpt.

As for the pick… Love it. Not a big fan of drafting RBs in the first but Fox’s O needs a playmaker at RB and Richardson is that. One of the few RB’s in the past couple years worth a top 10 pick

Raiders suck
Chargers are whiny douches
Chiefs are meh

by DBroncs1414 on Sep 30, 2011 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

This seems dumb. STL could demand and get a kings ransom to a number of teams to move up to get Luck at #1 and still get their WR.

by HenryDawg on Sep 30, 2011 11:49 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

He did that because he does not project trades in his mock draft.

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by James_C on Sep 30, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that the Kalil pick seems a bit off. Its also strange to see a CB going to the Colts in the top 10. I would have definately mocked Kalil to them there. Their O-line is performing well for their experience level and might only need one more top tier piece to make it a top 5 unit in the NFL.
Castonzo-Reitz-(smart mid round technician center)-Ijalana-Kalil

I would put Castonzo on the left because he is likely close to Kalil in pass pro and Kalil would get a better run push on the strong side. No matter how you put them out there it would be a talented, athletic and big oline that would be very good in pass pro – something we will really need to keep Manning on the field.

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by bbxxj on Sep 30, 2011 11:49 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

CB is a need for Indy, Jacob Lacey is terrible

but I would def prefer Kalil to Kirkpatrick right now.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

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by shake n bake on Sep 30, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah we could use CB but it’s more of a need for more quality bodies sort of need and not a 1-2 round have to have it need.

Jason Heyward wins at baseball.

by bbxxj on Sep 30, 2011 1:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I agree with Shake.

Plus, I don’t see the Colts front office making that pick. But on the other hand, I would most certainly not cry if it happened; CB is at best average, at worst an open liability. Someone like Dre would be a great addition to the team, nevermind the fact that I don’t see such a pick occurring.

Oh well… a guy can dream, can’t he? :)

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by E.M.H. on Oct 1, 2011 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

don't buy Prater getting into round one

he has been caught looking into the backfield a lot this year.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." Upton Sinclair

by shake n bake on Sep 30, 2011 12:38 PM EDT reply actions

You can tell this guy hasn't watched any 49er football

Justin Smith is the best 3-4 end in the business and doesn’t look like he’s retiring or slowing down any time soon. We also signed one of our situation guys named Ray McDonald to lock down the other side for quite a bit of cash. That move confused most of NinersNation until the season started — he’s been dominant getting penetration into the backfield.

The ends and inside linebackers are the strength of our defense.

We have much bigger needs than 3-4 end — no matter how tempting Jared Crick looks.

by Ougadas on Sep 30, 2011 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

Adding

Not to say that I blame him — with the blocking and offensive scheme production we’ve seen so far I’ve had a hard time watching our games.

by Ougadas on Sep 30, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Justin Smith is the best 3-4 end

Haloti Ngata has something to say about that…

"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 30, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

No, Haloti Ngata is a DE/DT/NT.

He could also probably play LB, CB, and S too haha.

by RamblinWreck7 on Sep 30, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea, guess you are right.

"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 1, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

But I thought Ngata played NT mostly nowadays?

by RamblinWreck7 on Oct 1, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

He plays every DL position, literally. I would say though that is main position is RDE in the 3-4. Seen Ngata lineup in a LB position plenty of times, the guy drops in coverage as if he was an OLB.

"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 2, 2011 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions

pass rushing

If you read PFF much, you’ll know we’re pretty high on Justin Smith, and his 19 combined quarterback disruptions (two sacks, four hits, 13 pressures) lead all interior defensive linemen.

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by manraj7 on Sep 30, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Mr. Ngata

Should probably remain quiet on that one.

by Ougadas on Oct 1, 2011 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Alright, I LOVE Still

And having a PSU guy taken in the 1st by the Steelers would be great

But there’s no need for another 34 End. So I dont like the pick

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by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Sep 30, 2011 1:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Hard to argue with the Eagles pick. I would say that o-line isn’t really a 1st round need for the Eagles but Andy likes drafting linemen in the first round so it makes sense to me.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Sep 30, 2011 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Ravens

Please please please let this happen. Burfict would cause so much havoc for the league running behind Cody and Ngata

On Ed Reed:
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"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
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by AV23 on Sep 30, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

I just don’t see how 27 teams would pass on him. I can’t believe that temper would drop him that much, he is a top 10 pick. Guy is the best ILB to come out since Willis in my opinion. Of course he doesn’t have all the gifts that Willis has, but man he is a dangerous player. Love his fire.

"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 30, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Burfict

Needs a veteran to mentor him. Lewis would be the perfect fit. Burfict has great potential, but needs to show it on every play.

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Sep 30, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

God I hope you are right. He is the perfect player for us right now.

"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 1, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. I can’t see him falling that far, but he’s one of the players I wouldn’t mind moving up to get.We need a fiery intense MLB to take over Ray’s spot and from a prospect standpoint he is about as close as we can get to Ray and I’m sure our D can get the best out of him.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Oct 1, 2011 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Burfict to Baltimore!!!!!

"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda

by Mr MaLoR on Sep 30, 2011 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

Meh...

I think Blackmon’s a really good player and all, but I just don’t see him as “#5 overall” good. Would rather take Kirkpatrick or Coples there and address WR next round.

by SilentJag on Sep 30, 2011 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

The Bengals’ pass rush lacks consistency. Coples (6-6, 285 pounds) could upgrade their defensive front immediately.

It might lack consistency just slightly but I don’t think adding more young ends is going to improve it. However, I don’t know where to go with the pick if Richardson and Kirkpatrick are off the board at that point.

by Doc Scratch on Sep 30, 2011 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

Dunlap and Johnson are fantastic and just need experience.

Rucker and Fanene are great depth and can work wonders. Geathers is the only one who doesn’t rush particularly well but he has his moments and he plays the run quite well.

by Doc Scratch on Sep 30, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Bengals are overloaded with large DEs

And Moch is at the other end of the size spectrum. It seems that no one has any clue about the Bengals.

It looks like Odom’s career is over. Don’t think he got a look anywhere.

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Sep 30, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

#1

If The Rams have the #1 pick overall, it would make sense to trade out of that pick considering how many teams want Luck. Blackmon could still be available. Additional picks could be used to further upgrade the offense.WR Kendall Wright from Baylor,WR Stephen Hill Georgia Tech, and RB Lamar Miller from Miami are possibilities. I think that Burfict and The Ravens would be a great match. He has the attitude and killer instinct to be a geat NFL LB.

by ValdezY on Sep 30, 2011 5:44 PM EDT reply actions

If I was the colts,

I think waiting till round 2 or 3 to get one of the LSU CB’s would be smart. Morris Clayboirne has played really well. I think WR is a good pick for the colts in the first round to eventually replace Reggie Wayne.

by RamblinWreck7 on Sep 30, 2011 7:50 PM EDT reply actions

Who'd you have picked? Floyd?

I could see that, albeit somewhat tenuously. I know he’s got those alcohol related red flags, but Big Ed Johnson had pot issues, Rhodes apparently had a small problem resulting in a DUI himself… I don’t think the Colts players are quite as clean and straight as people would like to believe (although I’m not saying they’re anywhere near being gansta punk types either). As weird as this sounds, I could see the front office getting him despite those issues. He fills the other criteria: He’s a senior, he’s a skill player, etc. All he’d need to do is tighten up his route running, and he’d be a strong candidate.

You or anyone else have any thoughts? I really like Broyles too; according to this mock, he goes top 20, but I think it’s possible he falls to the second round, so the Colts could wait.

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by E.M.H. on Oct 1, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

No, no, no, lol.

I’m one of the few people who think the colts can turn the season around and make the playoffs. I think Jeff Fuller would be a great pick late in the 1st round, preferably at #32 haha.

by RamblinWreck7 on Oct 1, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions