Burner's Burning Questions: Free Agency, The Mock Drafts, 2015 (Continual Updates)

[DieselPwr44]

Scotty's presser from earlier today.

 

[DieselPwr44]

On interior Olinemen: "I will give up a little on athletic ability for just a consistent football player, who goes out there each day and you know exactly what you got."

Love it!

 

[Goaldeje]

And I have no idea why he would limit it to just Williams. Why not also mention the WRs?

Why tip any hand? He pretty much just verified that nothing is off the table during the draft. If you're gonna come to us with a trade, come big.

I ****in' love this guy.

 

[fansince62]

Yowza! What a great presser!

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Free Agency, The Mock Drafts, 2015 (Continual Updates)​

Here is our latest Redskins mock as we are now in draft week. Tomorrow we will feature a mock that contains multiple trades. On Thursday we will showcase two mocks - one that is BGO member centric and that contains the “most likely” scenario. Friday and Saturday will bring “updated mocks”.

Feel free to offer your own ideas about the draft, free agency, team cuts, and anything else related to these subjects. Too, we’d like to see your mocks if you are so inclined.

Without any further delays, let’s take a look at the latest mock for 2015.

Mock Draft, 2015​

Round One: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The Big 12 star has skills similar to Josh Gordon and Dez Bryant, but without the baggage. His upside is virtually unlimited and comes with tremendous speed and great size. The Mountaineer is always focused on the YAC and coming down with “jump” balls. Creates good separation on crossing routes and fly patterns. White is also very effective on hitch routes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpNVPq2XUKo
Other Possible Targets:
Leonard Williams, DE/DT, Southern Cal
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida

Round Two: Cameron Erving, OG/OT/C, Florida St.
The Redskins add to the offensive line with their second pick. Erving is versatile and can play several positions along the line, but is seen as a guard or center for his new team. The ACC product is one of the best-rounded offensive linemen in the draft and could start at guard or center.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J16AajIgEo
Other Possible Targets:
Other Possible Targets:
Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
Arik Armstead, DE/DT, Oregon
Eric Rowe, CB, Utah
Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
Benardrick McKinney, ILB/OLB, Mississippi St.

Round Three: Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
The first team All-ACC linebacker possesses great speed and sticks to tight ends with a consistently good coverage. He is quick from sideline to sideline. Occasionally called on to blitz and did so effectively. Anthony has a great attitude and is a hard worker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRcYu-RD68Q
Other Possible Targets:
Donovan Smith, OT, Penn St.
Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB, Louisville
Tre Jackson, OG, Florida St.
Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State

Round 4: Durell Eskridge, FS, Syracuse
The Redskins add a talented free safety/strong safety from the ACC in a surprising move. Eskridge played FS, but he can play SS in the NFL as well. He will have the luxury of spending a year learning the system with no pressure of starting, but he could force Dashon Goldson or Jeron Johnson to the bench as the season progresses. With the newfound depth at S via free agency and from the draft, the Redskins will have size, speed, strength, and needed talents at these two vital positions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69MqHJ8obWo
Other Possible Targets:
Other Possible Targets:
Kurtis Drummond, FS, Michigan St.
Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech
Jacoby Glenn, CB, Central Florida
Vince Mayle, WR, Washington St.
Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado

Round Five:
The Redskins trade down to the latter portion of round five and receive a sixth and seventh rounder.

Round Five: Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville
Blessed with a very wide and thick frame, this All-ACC player is vastly underrated. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of another Cardinals and Redskins legend – Joe Jacoby. He would initially be a backup to Xavier Nixon/Tom Compton (RT) and could push for a starting position quickly. Brown is quick out of his stance and is able to neutralize defenders on a regular basis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyz-VTUszDI
Other Possible Targets:
Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin
Robert Myers, G, Tennessee State
Kaleb Eulls, DE, Mississippi St.
Taiwan Jones, ILB, Michigan St.
Xzavier Dickson, OLB, Alabama

Round Six: Joey Mbu, DT, Houston
The Redskins had a private workout with Mbu and the interest in him is apparently very real. He has the size to shed blockers and often did so when excelling in the run defense. Not a pass rushing specialist, but was expected to occupy blockers and did so effectively against quality AAC competition. Could sub for Knighton at times when needed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuOeLtV4KZs
Other Possible Targets:
Jeremiah Poutasi, OG, Utah
Jarvis Harrison, OG, Texas A&M
Dominique Brown, RB, Louisville
B.J. Finney, C, Kansas St.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Southern Miss

Round Six: Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware
Boyle comes from the Colonial Athletic Conference and can snag his share of receptions, but blocking is his forte. In fact, his superior blocking skillset is better than that of Logan Paulsen’s. Boyle could easily end the stay of the UCLA product.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGfh1B-Mf5s
Other Possible Targets:
See Above

Round Seven: Connor Halliday, QB, Washington St.
Halliday would be rated higher, but suffered a grueling ankle injury last season. Only recently has he fully healed and was able to impress at his pro day. The Redskins GM was at the workout to see the PAC 12 record setter perform in cold, rainy, raw conditions. Some would say that Halliday has the “it” factor that McCloughan covets and could be an absolute steal at this point in the draft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yhFSt-xw4E
Other Possible Targets:
Dechane Durante, FS, Northern Illinois
A.J. Tarpley, ILB, Stanford
Tray Walker, CB, Texas Southern
Chris Bonner, QB, Colorado-Pueblo
Tyson Chandler, OG/OT, North Carolina St.

Round Seven: Julian Wilson, CB/FS, Oklahoma
Wilson has excellent speed and was able to more than hold his own in the pass-happy Big 12. He played both corner and free safety. Wilson figures to be drafted and installed as a free safety or as a nickel cornerback prospect. He has the size that McCloughan covets and could contribute immediately on special teams.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFJmvSjItF8
Other Possible Targets:
See Above

Prospects Contacted, Interviewed, Visited:
East-West Shrine game - EW
Senior Bowl - SB
Combine – NFLC
Team Pro Day – TPD
Team Visit – TV
Private Workout - PW

Derrick Lott, DT, Tennessee-Chattanooga EW
Zachary Zenner, FB, South Dakota St. EW
Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech EW
Justin Coleman, CB, Tennessee EW
Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville EW, PW, TV
Damian Parms, S, Florida Atlantic EW
Bobby McCain, CB, Memphis EW
Jordan Taylor, WR, Rice EW
Jake Ryan, LB, Michigan EW
Ryan Russell, DE, Purdue EW
DaVaris Daniels, WR, Notre Dame NFLC
Marcus Peters, CB, Washington NFLC
Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland NFLC
Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida TV, PW
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa NFLC, TPD
Carl Davis, DT, Iowa TPD
Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia NFLC, TPD
Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Southern Miss TPD
Arik Armstead, DE/DT, Oregon TPD
Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon TPD
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon TPD, TV
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin TPD
Shaquille Mason, OG, Georgia Tech TPD
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia TPD
A.J. Tarpley, ILB, Stanford TPD
Joey Mbu, DT, Houston PW
Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford TPD
Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida TPD
Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke TPD
Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri TPD
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama TPD, TV
Landon Collins, SS, Alabama TPD
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama TPD
Trey DePriest, ILB, Alabama TPD
Xzavier Dickson, OLB, Alabama TPD
Malcom Brown, DT, Texas TPD
Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal TPD, TV, PW
Cody Prewitt, FS, Mississippi TPD
Bo Wallace, QB, Mississippi TPD
Titus Davis, WR, Central Michigan TPD
Eric Rowe, CB, Utah TPD
Jeremiah Poutasi, OG, Utah TPD
Donovan Smith, OT, Penn St. TPD
Jacob Hagen, FS, Liberty TPD
Courtland Clavette, LS, Brown Univ. TPD
Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware TPD
Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA TPD
Malcolm Bunche, OT, UCLA TPD
Zachary Vigil, ILB, Utah St. TPD
Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson TPD
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson TPD, TV
Kaleb Eulls, DE, Mississippi St. TPD
Tavarus Dantzler, OLB, Bethune-Cookman TPD
Terrance West, RB, Towson TPD
Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary TPD
De'Vante Bausby, CB, Pittsburg St. (KS) TPD
Connor Halliday, QB, Washington St. TPD, TV
Colby Rademacher, PK, SMU TPD
Jake Cotton, OG, Nebraska TV
Andrew Hudson, OLB, Washington TV, PW
Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami TV
Ali Marpet, OG, Hobart PW
Jean Sifrin, TE, Massachusetts TPD
Dexter McDonald, CB, Kansas PW
Vince Mayle, WR, Washington St. PW
Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M PW
R.J. Harris, WR, New Hampshire TV
Todd Thomas, OLB, Pittsburgh TV
Darius Kilgo, DT, Maryland TV
Tavaris Barnes, DE, Clemson PW
Frank Clark, DE, Michigan PW
Tray Walker, CB, Texas Southern PW
Alvin DuPree, OLB, Kentucky TPD, PW
Jerry Lovelocke, QB, Prairie View A&M PW

There is your latest mock and an updated prospect list. The draft is two days away and we are here to cover it all.

Hail To The Redskins!

 

[Goaldeje]

I keep reading Jamon Brown as Jamaal Brown and am getting nervous tics...

 

[Burgundy Burner]

reasonable people can disagree! I think we can get an equally capable o-linemen + another value pick by trading down. Scherff will be good...but value at 5? not from what I have read.

Read my words again...

"Scherff ranks about a 5th to 9th overall pick. It would not be a reach to take him at the 5th overall pick".

Yes, you have seen him in mocks from sixth to ninth. If he was rated twentieth or lower, then you have a valid point. As mentioned a couple of days ago, I am keeping my personal wants and wishes out of these mocks and that has always been the policy.

Choosing a player that is ranked by most services at about fifth to ninth is not a reach at five. Too, be careful with mocks (including mine). Some have an agenda. Some don't. I tend to avoid those with any kind of agenda - that's difficult.

 

[Boone]

This is kinda funny because my impression from the presser was that he'd take bpa at five...that would mean Williams if available. I also took away that he didn't see any OLB that had the full package in this draft. He went into detail that some had 2 of the 3 things you need to see in those guys, but he didn't say any had all three.

Who's to say that McLovin thinks Williams is the BPA depending on who is available at #5? I don't think McLovin is carrying around Kiper's rankings on his clipboard, he's done his own assessments which might not jibe with 'conventional wisdom'. I think what McLovin clearly stated was that he's not going to trade down just to get more picks, that it would be dependent on the Skins still being able to get the guys they are targeting.

 

[Boone]

I continue to be blown away with the effort and energy you put into these mocks BB. There's not another Skins site out there that does a better job with this. So appreciate all of your hard work!!

 

[fansince62]

Read my words again...

"Scherff ranks about a 5th to 9th overall pick. It would not be a reach to take him at the 5th overall pick".

Yes, you have seen him in mocks from sixth to ninth. If he was rated twentieth or lower, then you have a valid point. As mentioned a couple of days ago, I am keeping my personal wants and wishes out of these mocks and that has always been the policy.

Choosing a player that is ranked by most services at about fifth to ninth is not a reach at five. Too, be careful with mocks (including mine). Some have an agenda. Some don't. I tend to avoid those with any kind of agenda - that's difficult.

got it BB. I probably haven't been clear enough in articulating my pov: I don't think Scherff is full value if picked at number 5. I believe the team derives more value trading down and selecting two players vice using a strategic pick like #5 on an o-lineman who...in any draft.....is not considered elite. just my perspective - when we draft at 5...I'm thinking talent at the Sean Taylor level....not the "really good" level. It's much more a strategic pick IMO.

when I look at those mocks...I don't see Scherff being drafted as a strategic/elite player. what I see are more need based picks.

 

[riggins44]

I continue to be blown away with the effort and energy you put into these mocks BB. There's not another Skins site out there that does a better job with this. So appreciate all of your hard work!!

I couldn't agree more. I am constantly checking this thread to read BB's latest. He just doesn't put down a name, but goes into more depth as to why, strengths, and weakness.

Many national pundits could learn from BB's mocks.

 

[Jimbo]

The more I hear from McLovin, there more I'd be surprised if we actually stay at #5. I also have a feeling that, if Mariota goes #2, the only way we get BOTH first round picks out of the Browns is if we include Cousins in that deal.

Geez, Thursday can't get here soon enough but until then, I'll just enjoy BB's Mocks. Thanks for all the hard work you put into it, brother! Obviously a labor of love.

 

[Goaldeje]

I continue to be blown away with the effort and energy you put into these mocks BB. There's not another Skins site out there that does a better job with this. So appreciate all of your hard work!!

Couldn't agree more. BB, your hard work reflects incredibly well on you and unbelievably poorly on the uneducated, hastily assembled mocks that are out there on the interwebz. I rarely bother clicking on a mock draft anymore on FB or anywhere else because I know your's are always better.

 

[Burgundy Burner]

Thanks for all the kind words. It's humbling and appreciated.

Yes, a lot of time goes into these mocks and I don't know if it is any better than other Redskins sites, but I try to give a certain perspective for each player. Some of it is easy. Other parts are difficult, but worth it.

Yesterday's presser was very helpful in some ways (informative as well) and a bit maddening. I have been spending most of my Saturdays over the last month working like a crazed dog - eleven hours, ten hours, fourteen hours, fourteen again, and so on. Each evening has brought an extra hour or two of research, looking at other mocks, gathering the latest news, etc. In one presser, the GM validated some of the work and blew the other parts out of the water.

So I spent yesterday and late last night with some reworks. I came to a subtle conclusion - I have little to no clue as to what McCloughan will actually do and that is a good thing. I could have some hits after the draft is completed. However, it would not surprise me in the least if I totally whiff on it. Bottom line is that he has a plan and it seems to be excellent thus far.

Lots to do in these next few days. I have a feeling that Scot McCloughan is going to blow our minds throughout this draft and we will come to understand why his methods work. That would be my ultimate message in these mocks - he has a method and we will sit back and watch.

Al, we are cool. Just letting you know where I was coming from.

 

[Ax]

I echo the sentiment and appreciation for all your efforts, BB.

So, have you done a complete 1st round NFL mock?

 

[Jimbo]

In the past, many of us were left scratching our heads and saying WTF during and after the draft. Based on results, I'd say our reactions were mostly warranted. That said, I have a feeling we won't be doing much of that this year. Not saying I totally trust our new GM, call me jaded, but after what we've seen thus far I'm willing to give him the benefit of doubt and see what unfolds.

 

[fansince62]

BB....I would never mock you!

You are da MAWK! (Man Armed With Knowledge)

I know why the mocking bird sings!

The Mockness Monster!

 

[Bulldog]

He's not quick to the outside so he's projecting to guard rather than tackle.

But here's the rub - with teams dialing up more inside pressure to get in the passers face, your interior linemen are more important than ever.

With three step drops, lots of shotgun, and running qbs, the outside rusher can be neutralized.

Perhaps 20 years ago you didn't take a guard or safety with a top 15 pick.

With the changes in the league, now you do.

 

[fansince62]

well.....

2014: 0 guards selected in top 15

2013: 2 guards selected in top 15

2012: 0 guards selected in top 15

2011: 0 guards selected in top 15

2010: 0 guards selected in top 15

2009: 0 guards selected in top 15

2008: 0 guards selected in top 15

your reasoning makes sense. the data suggests other positions still grab higher priority.

I'm thinking if McL is good as he seems to be...we don't need to burn the fifth pick in the draft on OL. that high is usually reserved for elite OTs....Left Tackles specifically.

if OL is the 1st rnd priority...we need to trade down IMO and get two guys McL projects as long-term starters!!!!

 

[Boone]

It doesn't matter if BD is 100% right - because drafting trends say (as fan points out) that you can get a guard later.