Well, prior to the second or third rd of interviews: #15: Mark Ingram, ugh, like water running downhill it is just difficult to pass on him because the alternative players do not make as much football sense. #77: DJ Williams, a Receiving Te is something we have needed for 2 yrs now, he fills the bill, Luke Stocker would be the pick if we had a #2 #110 Rodney Hudson, I suspect they like his technical proficiency. #143 Jabaal Sheard: nice size, good athleticism, cannot have to many good linebackers. #174 Dion Lewis his 40 time will not wow anyone, but he has the build they look for in a Returner, and he could easily fillin at running back, Lewis's quickness is top notch. #207 Cortez Allen: Small college Db with great measurables, but the included rawness, Ireland is known for picking fast Db's late in drafts #208 Josh Portis: bounced around the NCAA before landing at a small college, he is as physically gifted as Cam Newton, but not the Qb prospect Newton is, to me he would make a fine Wildcat Qb prospect and be in the Returner mix ala Brad Smith. Have to admit my pet cat for this draft is Dontay Moch, I see him and think "Adalius Thomas Jr." but he is the 7th ranked OLB prospect and will be off of the board before we have a shot at him.
I'd be happy with your draft, though I really don't care for Portis, and I'm not sure we addressed the OL enough (I also question whether they'd like Hudson who is "small").
My theory for this one is they are likely to draft the players most ready to contribute the soonest instead of their usual "make a wish" players who need hours of coaching to produce anything and that is why I chose Hudson over say Marcus Cannon. I also think that when times get tough things get basic and they will go with what they know works for them, adding Portis would be the WC 2.0 which so far has been as adventerous as Sparano has dared to venture, though I did think about adding Pat Devlin in that slot, but a project Qb for a regime coaching for their lives makes no sense..they need more production than a practice squad Qb can offer.
By far, Mark Ingram, makes the most sense. -no Guards worth the #15 -do not need a Wr -do not really need a OLB -good Qb's will be off of the board, and Sparano is on the bubble making taking a Qb make even less sense. -no FS worth the #15 -loaded at DE already -no ILB worth the pick If you look at our needs, Ingram fits them, we need better offensive production, we need a ready to play running back, logically it is a good fit which is why mock drafts continue to have him coming to us, no one else is as good of a fit, that is to say a Running Back is a sound fit. Easy to see why Ireland would want to trade out of the #15, we can use LG/RB/Te.
As physically gifted as Newton? That is a reach...6'3", 211 lbs Would love to see Moch end up on Miami's roster. May not be the most instinctive, but how many LBs outside of Willis can run 40s in less than 4.4...will make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Also agree that Miami will take Ingram if he is on the board when they draft. Ireland and Sparano would be committing job-icide if they don't put together a solid running game this off season...Ricky, Ronnie, Cobb all FAs and coming off back to back 7-9 seasons in which team lost last 3 games of season both years (2 at home each year) Ireland/Sparano wouldn't be around long enough to see a QB taken in the 1st round develop. Overall, I would be happy with your mock.
40 time, long jump etc. That and Nolan had so much success with Thomas in Baltimore, and he would upgrade ST right off of the bat. Thanks, that is the way I see things ATM, also think they should make some moves to strengthen the Defense like adding a passrusher and maybe a FS prospect or Vet, and upgrade the ST unit, they have to do that as we lost 2 games largely due to poor ST play. I think if they make the right moves we can have a 2010 Bears like squad.
That is the way I feel every time I look at other Mocks ... what if we are stuck at 15 and have to pick? Do we stick with a BPA mantra and take a defensive player or take Ingram who will probably be the only offensive player outside of a Tackle who i could see us considering at 15? But I almost feel like we are being pigeonholed into Ingram being the pick. This is why I hope we find a trade down partner.
Same here, seems like a tough deal for Sparano/Ireland this time around, and it is not that I don't like Ingram, it is more he has no juice so to speak, this isn't Chris Johnson coming into the NFL with a 4.28 on his resume, this is sound running back who runs a 4.5..oh boy. My one real complaint about Ireland is he seems not to have the eye for Playmakers, he finds solid players who do their jobs, but not guys who are electric.
