Your 3 Round Mock Draft

Do most experts think Thomas will be available that late in the first round?

5. Tua QB
18. Mekhi Becton OT
26. Andrew Thomas OT
39. Grant Delpit S
56. D'Andre Swift RB
70. Cole Kmet TE

"The Guy wrote:

5. Tua QB
18. Mekhi Becton OT
26. Andrew Thomas OT
39. Grant Delpit S
56. D'Andre Swift RB
70. Cole Kmet TE

Do you think Swift will still be around at that point? A lot of mocks I've seen have him going in the first round.

"Rick 1966 wrote:

Do you think Swift will still be around at that point? A lot of mocks I've seen have him going in the first round.

I don't, but he was there as the site automatically offered players at those spots.

• 5 Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama

• 18 Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia

• 26 Xavier McKinney, S Alabama

• 39 Zack Baun, EDGE Wisconsin

• 56 Kyle Dugger, S Lenoir-Rhyne

• 70 Zack Moss, RB Utah

Tua for obvious reasons.

• 5 Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama

• 18 C.J. Henderson, CB Florida

• 26
  D'Andre Swift, RB
  Georgia

• 39 Zack Baun, EDGE Wisconsin

• 56 Trevon Diggs, CB Alabama

• 70 Tyler Biadasz, IOL Wisconsin

Sims are endlessly fun. Need to do a few to root out particular bias in the ranks - the Andrew Thomas one seems iffy based on other comments, for example. Surprised to see Diggs that far back as well. At least in this draft, the OTs seemed ranked quite low comparatively, but were drafted quickly. Wasn't a huge fan of Henderson (or Fulton, ranked similarly) but I didn't explore down board too heavily and just rolled with it. The biggest "regret" was Swift at that spot, but only because JK Dobbins lasted until 56 in my sim and would totally take him at that slot over Swift at 26, even if I feel Swift would be worth it.

The value at OL wasn't there for me, with players flying off the board. IRL, I desperately want to fix that problem. However, I would also be thrilled with the overall value that we would get from this lineup.

5. Isiah Simmons, LB Clemson
18. AJ Epenesa, DL Iowa
26. Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge Penn St
39. Grant Delpit, S LSU
56. JK Dobbins, RB Ohio St
70. Jake Fromm, QB Georgia

"Unlucky 13 wrote:

The value at OL wasn't there for me, with players flying off the board. IRL, I desperately want to fix that problem. However, I would also be thrilled with the overall value that we would get from this lineup.

5. Isiah Simmons, LB Clemson
18. AJ Epenesa, DL Iowa
26. Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge Penn St
39. Grant Delpit, S LSU
56. JK Dobbins, RB Ohio St
70. Jake Fromm, QB Georgia

This draft would transform our defense, but I would rather draft a long snapper than Fromm. He is the last qb in this draft I would take.

"Unlucky 13 wrote:

The value at OL wasn't there for me, with players flying off the board. IRL, I desperately want to fix that problem. However, I would also be thrilled with the overall value that we would get from this lineup.

5. Isiah Simmons, LB Clemson
18. AJ Epenesa, DL Iowa
26. Yetur Gross-Matos, Edge Penn St
39. Grant Delpit, S LSU
56. JK Dobbins, RB Ohio St
70. Jake Fromm, QB Georgia

Out of curiosity, did you skip both Tua and Herbert at 5? Or did your sim have one/both going before then? Other than that and selecting Fromm, that would be pretty killer. Delpit and Dobbins at those spots would be crazy good value.

"texanphinatic wrote:

Out of curiosity, did you skip both Tua and Herbert at 5? Or did your sim have one/both going before then? Other than that and selecting Fromm, that would be pretty killer. Delpit and Dobbins at those spots would be crazy good value.

I not only skipped Tago at 5, I skipped Herbert at 18 too.

"Rick 1966 wrote:

Do most experts think Thomas will be available that late in the first round?

Absolutely not. It would be a more stunning free-fall than Tunsil's. But this is the norm with most fan mocks; it's fun to pretend that 31 hungry NFL teams will pass on blue-chip talent so your team can scoop them up at a place they have no business being drafted.

A more realistic take looks something like this:

1A: Tua Tagovailoa, given the mutual interest and lengthy ties to each other, top-15 player
1B: K'Lavon Chaisson, given the scheme fit as a do-it-all linebacker/EDGE defender, 1st-2nd round player
1C: Lloyd Cushenberry, given the desired size & wingspan of Flores' linemen and glaring need at center, 1st-2nd round player
2A: Prince Tega Wanogho, given the desired size & wingspan of Flores' linemen and glaring need at tackle, 1st-2nd round player
2B: Ashtyn Davis, given the coaching ties and Flores' desire for a multitude of DB's, 2nd round player
3A: Thaddeus Moss, given his ability as and our need for an in-line blocking TE with versatility, 3rd round player

Gotta say I'm skeptical since this was my 1st mock run-thru; rooting for this one to happen-

• 5 Joe Burrow, QB LSU

• 18 Andrew Thomas, OT Georgia

• 26 D'Andre Swift, RB Georgia

• 39 Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL LSU

• 56 Trevon Diggs, CB Alabama

2nd pass I had almost the same draft with Tua at #5.

I haven't done much research, but so far I support those mocks who have Tua and Cushenberry (C). Obviously, we are going to take an OT also, so coming away with a QB, OT, and a C will help us a lot, IMO. My draft philosophy for this year is for us to have a targeted draft. By that, I mean for Grier to evaluate and rank the prospects as BPA according to our system fit, our prototype, etc.. and then go after them. Instead of letting the draft come to him, I want him to be aggressive and get guys who fit our system. IMO, we miss on guys because we settle.

Best case scenario.

"hitman8 wrote:

Best case scenario.

Say what??

Jones and Henderson after a trade down?

"hitman8 wrote:

Best case scenario.

Seems more worst case to me. Trade down, sure. Trade for a lower round? No. No need. We could trade 5 for another pick in the first and a couple of seconds and thirds.

"Rick 1966 wrote:

Seems more worst case to me. Trade down, sure. Trade for a lower round? No. No need. We could trade 5 for another pick in the first and a couple of seconds and thirds.

Traded our 5th overall for bucks 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Then traded down again with the cowboys for their 17th overall plus a 3rd, 4th and 5th rounder.

Selected Jones at 17, C.J. at 18 then traded our 26th overall with the colts in exchange for their 2nd, another 3rd, 4th and 5th rounder.

This is all about increasing value picks and filling more holes. With this kind of draft we could actually be competitive next year and contend for the SB in year 3 or 4.

That is not enough in return for the fifth overall pick.

"hitman8 wrote:

Traded our 5th overall for bucks 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Then traded down again with the cowboys for their 17th overall plus a 3rd, 4th and 5th rounder.

Selected Jones at 17, C.J. at 18 then traded our 26th overall with the colts in exchange for their 2nd, another 3rd, 4th and 5th rounder.

This is all about increasing value picks and filling more holes. With this kind of draft we could actually be competitive next year and contend for the SB in year 3 or 4.

Just too much trading and too many picks. You're gonna have a helluva cap issue in four years with that many picks in rounds 1-3 in a single year. More likely that some of those picks would be for 2021 (which also likely means they end up higher). Giving up the fifth and a premium player for a bunch of 2nd/3rd rounders just doesn't seem prudent. Who's our QB going to be? Will we have a better shot at a high-end prospect next year? I wouldn't think so personally, it's a big risk to pass.

"texanphinatic wrote:

Just too much trading and too many picks. You're gonna have a helluva cap issue in four years with that many picks in rounds 1-3 in a single year. More likely that some of those picks would be for 2021 (which also likely means they end up higher). Giving up the fifth and a premium player for a bunch of 2nd/3rd rounders just doesn't seem prudent. Who's our QB going to be? Will we have a better shot at a high-end prospect next year? I wouldn't think so personally, it's a big risk to pass.

Only if you try to sign them all.

"Dol-Fan Dupree wrote:

Only if you try to sign them all.

You likely wouldn't, but then it's a big talent drain at a single time.

Historically, a draft with that many picks and trades just doesn't seem to happen.

"texanphinatic wrote:

You likely wouldn't, but then it's a big talent drain at a single time.

Historically, a draft with that many picks and trades just doesn't seem to happen.

Then you have to continue to make good draft picks be prepared.

Then you would get compensatory picks

"Dol-Fan Dupree wrote:

Then you have to continue to make good draft picks be prepared.

Then you would get compensatory picks

I'm just sticking with reality - teams don't draft 30 players in a draft or a dozen in the first three rounds. You do your contrarian arguing for the sake of it thing.

"texanphinatic wrote:

I'm just sticking with reality - teams don't draft 30 players in a draft or a dozen in the first three rounds. You do your contrarian arguing for the sake of it thing.

I am sticking to reality. one reason I would never write something so fake as "30 players in a draft with a dozen or so in the first three rounds." Literally no one, in reality, is saying that.

There is no downside to too much young talent.

There is no contrarian arguing here. You are just being lazy to even make such an accusation.