On The Clock: 2016 RCF NFL Mock Draft

[Walter White]

Seems like we hit a wall....

It was moving well. But if @Snowblind hasn't been in here for even a day, he probably assumes we are on pick like 2 or 3 the way it was moving before

 

[Randolphkeys]

Snowblind was on the website about 4 1/2 hours ago. I'm assuming he knows who he wants and is away from a computer. So, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until bed time West Coast time. That way we can be sure to get moving again tomorrow morning at the latest.

 

[WellYouNeednt]

Man, this party died quicker than a frat party at a community college.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Man, this party died quicker than a frat party at a community college.

The lesson to be learned:

1. If someone above you offers a trade up and you know your team is... hypothetically... desperate for a left tackle, pull the trigger already.

2. If you log on at 11:42am West Coast time and see its your turn to post... just make the selection! Write 3-5 sentences and come back later to write your opus.

 

[Randolphkeys]

*EDIT*

To say I have better shit to do than moderate a pretend draft is an understatement. The 12 hour limit is real, make it happen next time. This isn't 2002, you all have smart phones.

 

[CosmoKramer]

I hate mustard, pickles, and generous time limits.

 

[Snowblind]

With the 10th pick of the 2016 RCF Mock Draft, the New York Giants select:


Darron Lee - LB, THE Ohio State University.

Reason for the pick: With the Giants having one of the better offenses in the league last year (the Giants finished with the sixth highest scoring offense in the league) and promoting their offensive coordinator to head coach, the offense shouldn't be a problem going into next year.

The Giants have spent big money and picks on their defense recently, but one of their top 3 needs is to fix the LB spot. When your safety is leading your defense in tackles, that should tell you that you need an upgrade to the line-backing corps.

They have lacked a true impact player at the position for years and Devon Kennard has talent and promise. The Giants also brought in J.T. Thomas and Jonathan Casillas in free agency last offseason, but the Giants still need an impact player at linebacker. In steps Darron Lee who is a perfect fit in the modern day NFL.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWw7-WZRrr4


STRENGTHS: Above-average range, speed and athleticism.

Explosive tackler and doesn't need a runway, striking low and leading with his shoulder. Performs with an instant reactor and diagnoses play speed well. Quick-minded, recognizing tendencies and play-calling trends.


Versatile experience as a blitzer, run defender and cover man - often lined up across from the slot receiver in coverage. Durable and started every game the past two seasons with consistent production. Will contribute right away on special teams.



WEAKNESSES: Leaner-than-ideal features for the position with a narrow torso and maxed out build. Physical mindset with pop in his hands, but lacks ideal play strength to consistently unglue himself from blocks. Stonewalled and engulfed by offensive linemen and needs to improve his take-on technique to stay clean and gain body position.


Overaggressive and will over-run angles. Needs to better come to balance and break down on the move. Needs to mix up his moves and show a better plan as a blitzer. Needs to eliminate the dumb, avoidable penalties (roughing, facemask, etc.).



Only two full seasons at the linebacker position and still learning different nuances of the position. Doesn't have an indestructible body type.



Overall: Lee is a fantastic athlete with long arms and aggressive hands, but needs to develop his functional strength to consistently stack and shed at the line of scrimmage and keep himself clean. Although he is still young in linebacker years, he is a high character competitor, playing with sky-high confidence and natural football instincts to pick things up quickly. In the mold of Ryan Shazier or Kwon Alexander, Lee is a versatile run-and-hit linebacker with an attacking mind-set that fits today's NFL.

Staff: Your pick stays since Cosmo didn't want Lee. Next time, remember that a 12 hour draft window is about ten years too generous. Pretend to take a dump at work, grunt, and type in your selection in the men's room stall. Why do I have to explain this?

 

[BimboColesHair]

10-11-10?

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

*EDIT*

To say I have better shit to do than moderate a pretend draft is an understatement. The 12 hour limit is real, make it happen next time. This isn't 2002, you all have smart phones.

Damn Keys I was having fun being the GM of the Eagles, why do you have to ruin my dreams

 

[CosmoKramer]

​

With the 11th pick in the 2016 RCF NFL Mock Draft the Chicago Bears select...

Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida​

HtWt: 5'10'' - 204
College: Florida

ESPN Rank: #7 - 92/100 grade
NFLN Rank: #7 - 6.6 grade
CBS Rank: #10​

My Take:
The Bears need help on every level of a defense that finished next to last in DVOA last season (and 28th the previous year). A couple edge rushers were debated, but adding an elite talent at cornerback greatly helps a ragged secondary. Apart from being well-versed in multiple different coverage schemes, Hargreaves' aggression in supporting the run will be a welcome addition to a cornerback unit that currently has no aggression in supporting the run.

Former first round pick Kyle Fuller regressed after a Pro Bowl-level rookie season, and journeyman Tracy Porter was inconsistent while battling a nagging ankle injury. When healthy both are above-average cover corners though, hopefully with the addition of Hargreaves the unit could look drastically different come fall.


Strengths:

• Smooth cover corner
• Excellent at running the route to prevent separation
• Can play off-man coverage
• Can play zone coverage
• Can play press-man coverage
• Great feet
• Ball skills
• Plays the ball extremely well
• Soft hands to make catches
• Recoverability (not a word)
• Instincts
• Smart
• Avoids penalties
• Strong run defender
• Tough tackler at times
• Special teams contributor: returner and cover
• High-character individual
• Good teammate; coach's son
• Instincts
• Upside

Weaknesses:

• Doesn't always play up to this size
• Gets beat on more 50-50 jump balls than he should
• Can give up separation deep to fast receivers
• Seemed to be protecting himself late in 2015

Summary:
Entering the 2015 season, Hargreaves looked like he could be a special cornerback prospect, and I thought he could be the best corner prospect since Patrick Peterson in the 2011 NFL Draft. Hargreaves was a star as a freshman and sophomore, and while his junior year wasn't bad, it looked like he was protecting himself and his NFL hopes. As a result, Hargreaves' play suffered, and late in the year, he really seemed to be slumping. That being said, Hargreaves still is an NFL-ready corner who could be a No. 1 corner as a pro.

As a true freshman in 2013, Hargreaves was Florida's best and most consistent cornerback. Considering the Gators had established veterans in Marcus Roberson and Louichez Purifoy, it said a lot that Hargreaves was on the field immediately. He recorded interceptions in his first three college games while totaling 11 pass breakups and 38 tackles for the year. In 2014, Hargreaves had his best season, totaling 50 tackles, three interceptions and 13 passes broken up. He went toe to toe with Amari Cooper and held his own in an impressive performance. Cooper had some wins, and so did Hargreaves. Overall, Hargreaves covered Cooper better than anybody else that season.

Hargreaves started his junior year well, but all season, he wasn't as physical in the ground game or taking on receivers as he seemed to be protecting himself from injury. Hargreaves had impressive performances against Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss though. He led the way to keep Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell in check. However, Hargreaves had poor performances against Alabama and Michigan to close out the year. It seemed like he shut it down in the bowl game. In 2015, Hargreaves recorded 33 tackles with four passes broken up and four interceptions.

For the NFL, Hargreaves is a well-balanced cornerback. He is a quick athlete with very good feet and agility. Hargreaves can run the route with receivers in the short to intermediate part of the field and prevent separation. The junior is not a limited corner in his technique as he has the ability to play off-man, press-man, or zone concepts. Hargreaves avoids penalties and plays the ball well. He has the ability to take passes away and came up with some clutch interceptions for the Gators. As soon as his rookie season, Hargreaves will be one of the better corners in the NFL in terms of ball skills.

There are some negatives to Hargreaves' game that put him below Patrick Peterson as a prospect. Sources say that Hargreaves has good size and is put together well, but he doesn't play up to it. He plays like he's 5-foot-9 at times. As a result, receivers could get the better of Hargreaves on 50-50 passes and he was beaten far too often on jump balls. Hargreaves isn't as physical with receivers as evaluators would like him to be. Hargreaves also can allow receivers to get deep on him as he is quick, but doesn't have the rare speed to run with burners. That lack of elite speed was given numerical evidence with a 4.50-second time in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Therefore, receivers can get steps on him running vertically. These are issues that Hargreaves will have to get coached up and improve on as a professional.

In speaking with scouts, they say those issues are minor in the grand scheme of Hargreaves as a player. They love his ability to run with receivers and keep them from getting open. They say that, immediately, Hargreaves is going to be better than the vast majority of cornerbacks in the NFL.

Sources say that Hargreaves gets high marks off the field. He is a good worker, teammate and high-character individual. For the 2016 NFL Draft, sources project Hargreaves to go in the first round. By the sound of it, they look at him as more of a top-20 prospect rather than a top five-pick like Peterson.

Player Comparison: Joe Haden

Hargreaves' style of play reminds me of Joe Haden as a cover corner. Hargreaves doesn't play as physically with receivers as Haden does despite Hargreaves being larger. Haden can give up some plays here and there, but overall, he has been dependable to run the route and prevent separation. Haden was a top 10-pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and Hargreaves should also go in the top 25.

http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2016vhargreaves.php#hZzY8FTL47vqWckl.99


@MoFlo and the New Orleans Saints are on the clock.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Damn Keys I was having fun being the GM of the Eagles, why do you have to ruin my dreams

Because this year, I am the GM of the New Jersey Generals, and therefore I'm Donald Trump. I'm going to use profuse praise and yet fire 75% of you. At the end of the whole thing, I'm declaring bankruptcy and pretending it never happened.

Vote for me.

 

[Walter White]

@Randolphkeys

 

[MoFlo]

With the 12 overall pick in the 2016 RCF Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints select....

Noah Spence, EDGE, Eastern Kentucky

From Matt Miller (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2617193-2016-nfl-draft-matt-millers-pre-combine-scouting-notebook):

Scouting Report: Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
Throughout the 2016 draft season, I'll highlight one draft prospect each week with a first-look scouting report.


6'2 ⅝", 254 pounds, 10" hands, 31" reach, 74" wingspan

A graduate redshirt junior from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Noah Spence was a Parade All-American, the No. 2 defensive end in the class (ESPNU) and a top-five prospect according to ESPN and MaxPreps.

Spence played in 24 games at Ohio State (starting 13) in his freshman and sophomore seasons before being dismissed from the program following two failed tests for Ecstasy. In his lone season as a starter at Ohio State, Spence was a first-team All-Big Ten player.

After being banned from the Big Ten, Spence spent the the fall of 2014 getting treatment for Ecstasy use and graduated from the program in October 2014. Spence then connected with Dean Hood, the head coach at Eastern Kentucky and a friend of Urban Meyer's, and transferred to the school he would eventually graduate from in December 2015.

Strengths

On the field, there is a lot to like. Spence has the quickness and flexibility off the edge to bend the corner and attack the backfield. He's agile enough to stick his toes in the dirt and change direction but shows the speed to close on the ball in a hurry. At 254 pounds, Spence has the strength to handle blockers when they get their hands on him, and he'll either swim away from the block or drop his anchor and bull rush.

Spence understands leverage and works to win with his pad height throughout the play. He's a high-motor, high-effort player who doesn't take plays off or wear down in the fourth quarter. Facing FCS competition, Spence posted 11.5 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss and 63 tackles in just 11 games in 2015.

As a natural pass-rusher, Spence shows fluid movement turning the corner on an offensive tackle, and has a very quick, tight hip rotation that lets him take the edge and expose the quarterback.

Positional versatility is a key for Spence, who will do both defensive line and linebacker drills at the combine. He's agile and fast enough to stand up and play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme but disciplined and powerful enough to play down as a defensive end in a 4-3.

Spence doesn't have elite length, but he compares physically to Von Miller or Khalil Mack coming out of college.

Weaknesses

There is obvious baggage off the field, but Spence's supporters will note that he was voluntarily drug tested at Ohio State and EKU after his second failed drug test and passed every one. Still yet, NFL teams must get comfortable with the player and the risk.

Spence needs to get stronger in his lower body to better take on the run and to better hold his ground when asked to set the edge as a run defender. Watching against better competition at the Senior Bowl, Spence showed that he'll often struggle in the run game if he's not breaking free from the block very early in the play. Better hand use will benefit him greatly.

As a pass-rusher, the biggest gap in his game at EKU was that he didn't always have a counter if his first move didn't work. Getting more flexibility in his ankles and developing that secondary pass-rush move will be keys for his success.

There may be an adjustment period for Spence getting back into the speed of elite competition, but there are few technical or athletic weaknesses to drive home here.

Pro Comparison: Joey Porter, former Pittsburgh Steeler

"There's a couple needs we wanted to address in this draft and, while this may not have been the biggest one, we felt we couldn't pass up on someone with Noah's abilities. He absolutely fills a need for us, a player of Noah's caliber is a need for every defense in this league, and was our best player available. It's not often it works out this well. We look forward to this tremendous addition to our defense."

@I'mWithDan and the Miami Dolphins are on the clock

 

[MirORich]

So 4 of the first 12 picks in the draft were recruited successfully by Urban Meyer. Pretty amazing. Too bad Spence couldn't stick at Ohio State.

Also, I hate myself for not getting in on this. Is there a waiting list for next year already? I would make all my picks within 20 minutes of being on the clock.

 

[Walter White]

So 4 of the first 12 picks in the draft were recruited successfully by Urban Meyer. Pretty amazing. Too bad Spence couldn't stick at Ohio State.

Also, I hate myself for not getting in on this. Is there a waiting list for next year already? I would make all my picks within 20 minutes of being on the clock.

There are multiple people with multiple teams. I'm sure you could have one of them.