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A poster on another forum asked for this so I figured I'd post it here. The draft is nearly identical to my last mock. Didn't see a reason to change it up. DISCLAIMER: If the thought of Jameis Winston on the Rams rustles your jimmies, I'd stop here.
Released
Jake Long - $8 million in cap savings
Kendall Langford - $6 million in cap savings
Scott Wells - $3.8 million in cap savings
Eugene Sims - $1.9 million in cap savings
Isaiah Pead - $900,000 in cap savings
Total Cap Savings: $20.6 million
Total Cap Room: $27.1 million
Re-signed Players
Joe Barksdale - 5 years $30 million($5 million first year)
Kenny Britt - 3 years $15 million($5 million first year)
Lance Kendricks - 2 years $6 million($3 million first year)
Alex Carrington - 1 year $1.5 million
Shaun Hill - 1 year $1.5 million
Mike Person - 1 year $745,000
Cory Harkey - ERFA($645,000)
Tim Barnes - RFA($1.4 million - Original round)
Rodney McLeod - RFA($1.4 million - Original Round)
Total Cap Spent: $18.1 million
Total Cap Room: $9.0 million
Free Agency
C.J. Mosley DT
1 year $1.7 million
Rotational DT known for his run stuffing ability to replace Kendall Langford.
Trades
St. Louis trades HB Zac Stacy
Tennessee trades 6th round pick(#2)
St. Louis trades Pick #14, 3rd round(#14), 2016 1st
Oakland trades Pick #3
St. Louis trades QB Sam Bradford
Buffalo trades 3rd round(#20), Conditional 2016 4th(becomes a third if Bradford plays 75% of the offensive snaps and a 2nd if he plays 75% of the offensive snaps and the Bills make the playoffs)
We trade Stacy because he's fallen behind Cunningham and Mason but still has value and could be a good HB on another team. Tennessee wants to replace Shonn Greene and Stacy offers them a better version of Greene to pair with Sankey.
In this scenario, Tampa Bay takes Marcus Mariota and I believe Tennessee sticks with Mettenberger for another year. My opinion of Whisenhunt is that he'll want to build up the rest of the team based on his past rather than role with another rookie. I also think Tennessee might inquire about Bradford on draft day if this scenario happens. Oakland is sitting pretty at #3 with Winston on the board. They've brought in a new GM who decides to stick with Carr and build up the team around him like Les Snead did. They're willing to stockpile picks and drop down due to the depth of talent at DE/OLB and WR positions in this draft.
With the Rams moving up, the Bills come calling on draft day. They like Orton as a backup but don't want him to be their primary starter. They're willing to make an Alex Smith esque deal for Bradford. The Smith deal was for a 2nd and a conditional 3rd. They aren't willing to give that much up because of the time Bradford has missed. We are able to talk them into offering a pick one round lower in each year than what SF got for Alex Smith. Buffalo has the defense and weapons to contend but they need a QB with more ability than Orton. With Orton as a backup, they're willing to take the injury risk with Sam.
NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #3 - Jameis Winston QB Florida State
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qpu8tSwmrjk
Analysis: Some people will scoff at the comparison because it's such lofty praise but I think Jameis Winston compares most favorably to Brett Favre. When you watch him play, you see the same type of physical tools, playing style, leadership, and weaknesses on the field that Favre had. I also think Winston has a similar type of personality to Favre off of it. He's immature and doesn't really seem to exercise good judgement. That all said, it's hard to deny the skills Winston has. He has a cannon for an arm, good mobility, great instincts for improvising, impressive touch, feels pressure and moves well in the pocket, and is a real competitor that is known for his late game heroics. Winston also has shown the ability to make throws very few guys that play his position can make, he is very difficult to sack due to his size, strength, and quick feet, he throws with anticipation, he is able to throw guys open, and his ball placement is impressive for such a young QB. However, Winston also makes poor decisions off the field and on it. He is over-aggressive and can be impatient at times. Which leads him to forcing passes into coverage down the field. Winston also needs to do a better job of spotting and being mindful of defenders in zone coverage underneath. He needs to do a better job of hitting his check-down rather than forcing things down the field. Finally, Winston needs to improve on his lower body mechanics and core rotation as his footwork gets sloppy which can hinder his accuracy and he doesn't use his body when throwing like he could which would allow him to throw with even more velocity. Still, this is a kid who has out of this world physical talent, is a vocal leader who will get onto teammates when they don't do their job, and loves playing football. I can't evaluate his character so I'll leave that up to the professionals.
Round 2 Pick #14 - A.J. Cann OG South Carolina
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlwRR2-tr_w
Analysis: Cann is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. I think he's a very NFL ready prospect with the tools to be a very good NFL LG. I have compared him to Josh Sitton. Cann has very flexible hips and ankles with a good sized frame at 6'4" 320. He shows the power to get movement in the running game and consistently shoots off the ball low to the ground which allows him to win the leverage battle. Cann also shows a good understanding of position and angles because South Carolina, unfortunately, has him sealing, reaching, and hooking far more often than he should in their zone heavy scheme. Cann shows the ability to be devastating while down blocking and drive blocking. Still, I wish he had more of a mean steak as I don't think he finishes blocks like he should. He doesn't look to bury defenders at all time and doesn't play through the whistle like Scherff and Sambrailo do. As a pass protector, Cann has some flaws that he needs to improve upon. He's very comfortable mirroring in his stance although he does sometimes cheat on his position step. Cann shows impressive lateral agility, is smooth when forced to redirect, sits comfortably in his stance with great bend/flexibility in his hips and ankles, and Cann has outstanding balance. He also understands how to position himself to protect his QB and open up passing lanes. Cann's hand strength and grip are extraordinary. Once he gets his hands locked in on the chest, defenders rarely are able to disengage even when they seem to have him beat. However, Cann's biggest issues with his pass protection are related to his arm position while setting, his punch timing, and his hand placement. Cann doesn't keep his elbows tight when setting off the LOS and rarely ever lands the first punch. He often relies on counter-punching after the DL has gotten his hands on him. Cann also does not do a good job of targeting his punches inside the shoulders and is often sloppy with his placement. These are all issues that I think should be corrected with NFL level coaching but they are a problem right now. If he fixes the problem, though, due to his hand strength and grip, he'll be one hell of a pass protector.
Round 3 Pick #20 - Devontae Booker HB Utah
View: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11602362
Analysis: Booker is the definition of the word decisive and that's a great thing(it's what I said about Le'Veon Bell as a prospect). He doesn't dance in the back-field and he doesn't waste time. He gets the ball and he knows exactly where he's going. He does a really nice job of pressing the line of scrimmage before making his cut up-field. Even when forced to bounce it outside, Booker wastes no time in getting N-S. At 5'11" 205, he's not a power HB and shouldn't be mistaken for one. Booker has outstanding feet and explosive burst. He doesn't possess great long speed but in those first 5-10 yards, he's very fast. Booker uses his cuts well to setup defenders and blocks. He is shifty with quick feet and a nice jump cut. Booker also possesses impressive balance which makes him a slippery runner and tougher to knock off his feet than you'd expect. And probably the biggest thing for me with Booker is his ability to catch the football. He has outstanding hands and body control. He can adjust to poorly thrown balls and will make his mark in the NFL as a receiver out of the back-field. I love Booker's versatility and the urgency in his running style. He'll get the yards that are blocked and he can create some on his own with his cutting ability and slipperyness as a runner. Some scouts have compared him to Arian Foster.
Round 5 Pick #14 - A.J. Derby TE Arkansas
View: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11722579
Analysis: A.J. Derby was Arkansas's backup QB last year but moved to TE in the spring this year before his Senior year. While his stats don't seem elite, I think he's a kid who has a lot of upside to him. Derby is listed at 6'5" 255 and still has some weight to gain at the TE position. He shows off good athleticism as a receiver and has made some really nice circus catches this year. But most of all, despite being new to the position, Derby is a very willing blocker who shows a lot of promise in that department. Arkansas has used him all over the formation including at FB, in the slot, split out wide, and inline at TE. Derby is a high effort kid who plays through the whistle. His blocking and receiver skills all need polishing but this is a good kid to develop behind the TEs we have.
Round 6 Pick #2 - Ryan Russell DE Purdue
Analysis: With Owa flying up the charts, I needed a new developmental DE and I think I found one in Russell. He's been miscast the last two years as a 3-4 DE in Purdue's defense which has stifled his production but he definitely passes the eye test. I saw him chase down Everett Golson from behind. He showed some serious get-off and closing speed for a guy who is listed at 6'5" 275. Also showed the strength to get movement with a bullrush and a strong punch. Needs to improve his awareness and pass rush moves but he has a great motor and will chase plays down 10 yards down the field. I think this is definitely a good upside pick as this kid is athletic, has a NFL frame, and has had his production stifled by a system he doesn't fit. IMO, if he were on a better team in the 4-3, based on what I've seen of him so far, he could go 3 rounds higher than this.
Round 7 Pick #31 - J.J. Nelson WR/KR UAB
View: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11760552
Analysis: With this being the late 7th round, I usually look for a player that can fill a certain role for our team. J.J. Nelson returned FOUR kickoffs for TDs in 2014. He led the NCAA in average yards per kickoff return. Nelson is listed at 5'11" 160 but possesses breathtaking speed. I wouldn't be surprised if he flirts with a 4.2 40. I saw him run right by Phillip Gaines who ran in the mid 4.3s in a game. Nelson has rare speed, impressive cutting ability, and good balance which makes him a very dangerous returnman. However, the guy also actually has some WR skills that could allow him to challenge Givens's role as the situational deep threat. Even if he doesn't, this kid has potential to be a special teams dynamo. Bennie has done a great job on KRs this year but I'd love to get a guy who could take it to the house.
Starting Line-up
QB: Jameis Winston
HB: Tre Mason
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Brian Quick
ZWR: Kenny Britt
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Jared Cook
LT: Greg Robinson
LG: A.J. Cann
C: Barrett Jones
RG: Rodger Saffold
RT: Joe Barksdale
LDE: Chris Long
LDT: Aaron Donald
RDT: Michael Brockers
RDE: Robert Quinn
WLB: Alec Ogletree
MLB: James Laurinaitis
SPUR: Mark Barron
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
RCB: Janoris Jenkins
NCB: E.J. Gaines
FS: Rodney McLeod
SS: T.J. McDonald
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: J.J. Nelson
PR: Tavon Austin
Some will ask why I didn't spend any money in FA with Bradford being traded, the answer is because it was a draft day deal after we secured Winston.
Released
Jake Long - $8 million in cap savings
Kendall Langford - $6 million in cap savings
Scott Wells - $3.8 million in cap savings
Eugene Sims - $1.9 million in cap savings
Isaiah Pead - $900,000 in cap savings
Total Cap Savings: $20.6 million
Total Cap Room: $27.1 million
Re-signed Players
Joe Barksdale - 5 years $30 million($5 million first year)
Kenny Britt - 3 years $15 million($5 million first year)
Lance Kendricks - 2 years $6 million($3 million first year)
Alex Carrington - 1 year $1.5 million
Shaun Hill - 1 year $1.5 million
Mike Person - 1 year $745,000
Cory Harkey - ERFA($645,000)
Tim Barnes - RFA($1.4 million - Original round)
Rodney McLeod - RFA($1.4 million - Original Round)
Total Cap Spent: $18.1 million
Total Cap Room: $9.0 million
Free Agency
C.J. Mosley DT
1 year $1.7 million
Rotational DT known for his run stuffing ability to replace Kendall Langford.
Trades
St. Louis trades HB Zac Stacy
Tennessee trades 6th round pick(#2)
St. Louis trades Pick #14, 3rd round(#14), 2016 1st
Oakland trades Pick #3
St. Louis trades QB Sam Bradford
Buffalo trades 3rd round(#20), Conditional 2016 4th(becomes a third if Bradford plays 75% of the offensive snaps and a 2nd if he plays 75% of the offensive snaps and the Bills make the playoffs)
We trade Stacy because he's fallen behind Cunningham and Mason but still has value and could be a good HB on another team. Tennessee wants to replace Shonn Greene and Stacy offers them a better version of Greene to pair with Sankey.
In this scenario, Tampa Bay takes Marcus Mariota and I believe Tennessee sticks with Mettenberger for another year. My opinion of Whisenhunt is that he'll want to build up the rest of the team based on his past rather than role with another rookie. I also think Tennessee might inquire about Bradford on draft day if this scenario happens. Oakland is sitting pretty at #3 with Winston on the board. They've brought in a new GM who decides to stick with Carr and build up the team around him like Les Snead did. They're willing to stockpile picks and drop down due to the depth of talent at DE/OLB and WR positions in this draft.
With the Rams moving up, the Bills come calling on draft day. They like Orton as a backup but don't want him to be their primary starter. They're willing to make an Alex Smith esque deal for Bradford. The Smith deal was for a 2nd and a conditional 3rd. They aren't willing to give that much up because of the time Bradford has missed. We are able to talk them into offering a pick one round lower in each year than what SF got for Alex Smith. Buffalo has the defense and weapons to contend but they need a QB with more ability than Orton. With Orton as a backup, they're willing to take the injury risk with Sam.
NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #3 - Jameis Winston QB Florida State
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qpu8tSwmrjk
Analysis: Some people will scoff at the comparison because it's such lofty praise but I think Jameis Winston compares most favorably to Brett Favre. When you watch him play, you see the same type of physical tools, playing style, leadership, and weaknesses on the field that Favre had. I also think Winston has a similar type of personality to Favre off of it. He's immature and doesn't really seem to exercise good judgement. That all said, it's hard to deny the skills Winston has. He has a cannon for an arm, good mobility, great instincts for improvising, impressive touch, feels pressure and moves well in the pocket, and is a real competitor that is known for his late game heroics. Winston also has shown the ability to make throws very few guys that play his position can make, he is very difficult to sack due to his size, strength, and quick feet, he throws with anticipation, he is able to throw guys open, and his ball placement is impressive for such a young QB. However, Winston also makes poor decisions off the field and on it. He is over-aggressive and can be impatient at times. Which leads him to forcing passes into coverage down the field. Winston also needs to do a better job of spotting and being mindful of defenders in zone coverage underneath. He needs to do a better job of hitting his check-down rather than forcing things down the field. Finally, Winston needs to improve on his lower body mechanics and core rotation as his footwork gets sloppy which can hinder his accuracy and he doesn't use his body when throwing like he could which would allow him to throw with even more velocity. Still, this is a kid who has out of this world physical talent, is a vocal leader who will get onto teammates when they don't do their job, and loves playing football. I can't evaluate his character so I'll leave that up to the professionals.
Round 2 Pick #14 - A.J. Cann OG South Carolina
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlwRR2-tr_w
Analysis: Cann is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. I think he's a very NFL ready prospect with the tools to be a very good NFL LG. I have compared him to Josh Sitton. Cann has very flexible hips and ankles with a good sized frame at 6'4" 320. He shows the power to get movement in the running game and consistently shoots off the ball low to the ground which allows him to win the leverage battle. Cann also shows a good understanding of position and angles because South Carolina, unfortunately, has him sealing, reaching, and hooking far more often than he should in their zone heavy scheme. Cann shows the ability to be devastating while down blocking and drive blocking. Still, I wish he had more of a mean steak as I don't think he finishes blocks like he should. He doesn't look to bury defenders at all time and doesn't play through the whistle like Scherff and Sambrailo do. As a pass protector, Cann has some flaws that he needs to improve upon. He's very comfortable mirroring in his stance although he does sometimes cheat on his position step. Cann shows impressive lateral agility, is smooth when forced to redirect, sits comfortably in his stance with great bend/flexibility in his hips and ankles, and Cann has outstanding balance. He also understands how to position himself to protect his QB and open up passing lanes. Cann's hand strength and grip are extraordinary. Once he gets his hands locked in on the chest, defenders rarely are able to disengage even when they seem to have him beat. However, Cann's biggest issues with his pass protection are related to his arm position while setting, his punch timing, and his hand placement. Cann doesn't keep his elbows tight when setting off the LOS and rarely ever lands the first punch. He often relies on counter-punching after the DL has gotten his hands on him. Cann also does not do a good job of targeting his punches inside the shoulders and is often sloppy with his placement. These are all issues that I think should be corrected with NFL level coaching but they are a problem right now. If he fixes the problem, though, due to his hand strength and grip, he'll be one hell of a pass protector.
Round 3 Pick #20 - Devontae Booker HB Utah
View: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11602362
Analysis: Booker is the definition of the word decisive and that's a great thing(it's what I said about Le'Veon Bell as a prospect). He doesn't dance in the back-field and he doesn't waste time. He gets the ball and he knows exactly where he's going. He does a really nice job of pressing the line of scrimmage before making his cut up-field. Even when forced to bounce it outside, Booker wastes no time in getting N-S. At 5'11" 205, he's not a power HB and shouldn't be mistaken for one. Booker has outstanding feet and explosive burst. He doesn't possess great long speed but in those first 5-10 yards, he's very fast. Booker uses his cuts well to setup defenders and blocks. He is shifty with quick feet and a nice jump cut. Booker also possesses impressive balance which makes him a slippery runner and tougher to knock off his feet than you'd expect. And probably the biggest thing for me with Booker is his ability to catch the football. He has outstanding hands and body control. He can adjust to poorly thrown balls and will make his mark in the NFL as a receiver out of the back-field. I love Booker's versatility and the urgency in his running style. He'll get the yards that are blocked and he can create some on his own with his cutting ability and slipperyness as a runner. Some scouts have compared him to Arian Foster.
Round 5 Pick #14 - A.J. Derby TE Arkansas
View: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11722579
Analysis: A.J. Derby was Arkansas's backup QB last year but moved to TE in the spring this year before his Senior year. While his stats don't seem elite, I think he's a kid who has a lot of upside to him. Derby is listed at 6'5" 255 and still has some weight to gain at the TE position. He shows off good athleticism as a receiver and has made some really nice circus catches this year. But most of all, despite being new to the position, Derby is a very willing blocker who shows a lot of promise in that department. Arkansas has used him all over the formation including at FB, in the slot, split out wide, and inline at TE. Derby is a high effort kid who plays through the whistle. His blocking and receiver skills all need polishing but this is a good kid to develop behind the TEs we have.
Round 6 Pick #2 - Ryan Russell DE Purdue
Analysis: With Owa flying up the charts, I needed a new developmental DE and I think I found one in Russell. He's been miscast the last two years as a 3-4 DE in Purdue's defense which has stifled his production but he definitely passes the eye test. I saw him chase down Everett Golson from behind. He showed some serious get-off and closing speed for a guy who is listed at 6'5" 275. Also showed the strength to get movement with a bullrush and a strong punch. Needs to improve his awareness and pass rush moves but he has a great motor and will chase plays down 10 yards down the field. I think this is definitely a good upside pick as this kid is athletic, has a NFL frame, and has had his production stifled by a system he doesn't fit. IMO, if he were on a better team in the 4-3, based on what I've seen of him so far, he could go 3 rounds higher than this.
Round 7 Pick #31 - J.J. Nelson WR/KR UAB
View: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11760552
Analysis: With this being the late 7th round, I usually look for a player that can fill a certain role for our team. J.J. Nelson returned FOUR kickoffs for TDs in 2014. He led the NCAA in average yards per kickoff return. Nelson is listed at 5'11" 160 but possesses breathtaking speed. I wouldn't be surprised if he flirts with a 4.2 40. I saw him run right by Phillip Gaines who ran in the mid 4.3s in a game. Nelson has rare speed, impressive cutting ability, and good balance which makes him a very dangerous returnman. However, the guy also actually has some WR skills that could allow him to challenge Givens's role as the situational deep threat. Even if he doesn't, this kid has potential to be a special teams dynamo. Bennie has done a great job on KRs this year but I'd love to get a guy who could take it to the house.
Starting Line-up
QB: Jameis Winston
HB: Tre Mason
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Brian Quick
ZWR: Kenny Britt
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Jared Cook
LT: Greg Robinson
LG: A.J. Cann
C: Barrett Jones
RG: Rodger Saffold
RT: Joe Barksdale
LDE: Chris Long
LDT: Aaron Donald
RDT: Michael Brockers
RDE: Robert Quinn
WLB: Alec Ogletree
MLB: James Laurinaitis
SPUR: Mark Barron
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
RCB: Janoris Jenkins
NCB: E.J. Gaines
FS: Rodney McLeod
SS: T.J. McDonald
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: J.J. Nelson
PR: Tavon Austin
Some will ask why I didn't spend any money in FA with Bradford being traded, the answer is because it was a draft day deal after we secured Winston.
