Burner’s Burning Questions – The Mock Drafts, 2014 (Continual Updates)
Like previous years, BBQ will do a series of mock drafts and will provide continual updates based on team needs, free agency additions/losses, and injuries. Another mock will posted in mid March (after free agency opens) and will be updated weekly at that juncture. The frequency of mocks will increase as we get closer to the draft and it will be a daily feature in the final week.
Feel free to add your own ideas and mocks as we go along.
Trying to get a feel for what a new coach will do in free agency and the draft is difficult. There is no track record, so BBQ is looking strictly at team needs and making educated guesses based on team/coach statements and what some insiders have said. Putting together a collection of talent from the college ranks by BBQ typically starts in October, but some of that research took a hit when the old regime was let go and a new coach was hired.
Hopefully we can do a good job with the mocks – your help is needed and the input from members at BGO will be incorporated in future mocks. Thanks for your help.
Team needs are OL, WR, DL, MLB, CB, FS, and ST. Some of these issues could be settled (somewhat) in free agency, but we will address those potential signings in future mocks. The format is a bit different than what we have seen in the past. In each round, other candidates for selection are featured. Let’s get this first mock in the books.
Round Two: Cyril Richardson, G, Baylor
Richardson is a big guard who can pull effectively and provide superb pass protection. Robert Griffin, III puts a good word in for his former teammate.
Other Possibilities:
Gabe Jackson, G, Mississippi State
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
Round Three: Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
The best pure route runner in the draft is a big bodied Badger who puts up large and consistent numbers. He would start sooner rather than later.
Other Possibilities:
Keith McGill, CB, Utah
Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas
Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State
Round Four: Justin Ellis, DT, Louisiana Tech
In other years, Ellis would grade out as a second rounder. The deepest draft ever has him dropping to the fourth round and Redskins get a steal at a vital position.
Other Possibilities:
Daniel McCullers, DT, Tennessee
Brent Urban, DE, Virginia
Kenny Ladler, S, Vanderbilt
Taylor Hart, DE, Oregon
Round Five: Max Bullough, ILB, Michigan State
Bullough grades much higher, but a deep draft and a couple of issues drops him to the fifth round. The issues are behind him and the Spartan looks to replace London Fletcher.
Other Possibilities:
Charles Leno, Jr., OT, Boise State
James Hurst, OT, North Carolina
Will Clarke, DE, West Virginia
Jordan Zumwalt, ILB/OLB, UCLA
Round Six: Spencer Long, G, Nebraska
Injury concerns lower his expectations, but the Redskins take with the idea that he needs a year to heal. Without the injuries, this Cornhusker goes in the early rounds.
Other Possibilities:
Jay Prosch, FB, Auburn
DeAndre Coleman, DE/DT, California
Tyler Larsen, C, Utah State
T.J. Jones, WR, Notre Dame
Round Seven: Jordan Najvar, TE, Baylor
He rarely got targeted by the Bears as they usually don't feature tight ends in the pass happy offense. When Najvar was targeted, he produced and put up good numbers. An excellent blocker and a superior special teamer is hard to pass up in the seventh round.
Other Possibilities:
Shaquil Barrett, OLB, Colorado State
Dontae Johnson, FS, N.C. State
Tim Flanders, RB, Sam Houston State
Glenn Carson, ILB, Penn State
UDFAs:
Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona
Keith Price, QB, Washington
Zack Kerr, DT, Delaware
Andrew Rodriguez, OG, Nebraska
Ricky Havili-Heimuli, DE/DT, Oregon
Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
Steele Divitto, ILB, Boston College
Jerome Smith, RB, Syracuse
Chris Whaley, DE, Texas
Zac Kerin, C, Toledo
Jonathan Dowling, FS, Western Kentucky
Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
Beau Allen, DT, Wisconsin
Alfred Blue, RB, LSU
Matt Hall, OT, Belhaven
BBQ would like to see the team trade down in the second and third rounds. Many of these players would still be available and other gems could be added. Future mocks will take a look at trades and who would be targeted for selection.
One final note: Most mocks have Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama) going in the first or second rounds. BBQ has been able to learn that there are serious injury concerns and he could not be drafted at all. Adding him as an UDFA could be a steal by placing him on IR this year and letting him compete in the future.
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