I am well aware that it is way to early for any mock drafts but I couldn’t help it. With all of the GM movement this off-season ( I must applaud our Commissioner William Cook for coming up with the “hot seat” idea - I love it!!) there is a definite buzz around the league and I expect record breaking player movement (trades, cuts, match eligible free agency and unrestricted free agency). Make no mistake about it - this is a stacked draft class. it seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to dive a little deeper into the draft class itself as well as the needs of teams picking in the top 10. Full transparency - it became an interesting task once I acquired pick #1.7 from Indy. I will do an additional top 10 mock following pre-draft free agency so I am curious to see what picks are moved and how different the projected top 10 projected picks look like once free agency is complete.
Here we go:
1 - Indianapolis - WR Jonathan Baldwin (Pitt)
6’5”, 99 spd, 99 agi, 99 acc
This dude is a stud and would go 1.1 in pretty much any draft. If I was GM of the Colts - I would change Sanchez’s tendency to pocket passer and ride with Baldwin all the way to the top of the AFC South. Breck may trade the pick but if he stands pat at 1.1 this should be the pick.
2 - San Francisco - RB Daniel Thomas (Kansas State)
6’2”, 92 spd, 93 agi, 90 acc
For the first time in SFL history the “GM Save” was activated and Peter was given a 1 year extension as GM of the Niners. I think Peter has done a good job building this roster and just had some really bad luck. I think that he is going to lose RB Brandon Jackson in ME free agency. Some is going to make an offer that Peter decides not to match. There are a few ways I could see this pick going but RB makes most sense to me. I like Thomas and view him as best RB in class.
3 - Seattle - CB Ras-I Dowling (Virginia)
6’2”, 97 spd, 90 agi, 90 acc
This seems like such a classic Rock pick (or maybe he goes kicker which would not shock anyone). I think tall and fast CB’s in Seattle are a natural fit like vanilla ice cream and rainbow sprinkles! Rock is on the hot seat and needs 6 wins to keep his job. Picking Dowling here is a step in the right direction.
4 - Carolina - WR A.J Green (Georgia)
6’4” 98 spd, 95 agi, 97 acc
Phil gets lucky and sprints to the podium to make this pick. Green at 1.4 is a steal and should have Phil arrested for robbery. However, If I was GM in Carolina I may consider moving down and adding additional draft picks but I don’t think anyone would fault Phil for opting to keep the pick and use it to select Green.
5 - Miami - CB Richard Sherman (Stanford)
6’3”, 92 spd, 95 agi, 92 acc
Daren has 5 first round picks as of the writing if this article. I personally love the roster in place and thank a few additions would propel Miami into the favorite to win the AFC East. Sherman is an immediate starter in Miami and will make a difference from day one.
6 - Jacksonville - OLB Mason Foster (Washington)
6’0”, 85 spd, 85 agi, 87 acc, 82 tak
Foster all the tolls to become a pro bowl LB for years to come. I know some GM’s will point to his height (only 6’0”) but I personally don’t put that above the intangibles, all of which he has. Pairing Foster with current MLB Jordan Beck and OLB Sean Witherspoon should put fear in the hearts of AFC South GM’s. I think Oli is ecstatic when he sees Foster is still on the board.
7 - Arizona - DT Kendrick Ellis (South Carolina)
6’5”, 340 lbs, 80 spd, 75 str, 74 agi, 87 acc, 79 tak
I will start by saying thank you to Apollo for leaving such a stacked roster and sick draft capital. I do have a deal in place to acquire OT Jeremy Trueblood from Denver and I view him as my starting LT, and that is why I am leaning toward Ellis here. He is a freak of nature and should get to the QB often which is key in getting turnovers. Last year the Titans led the league in turnovers which I believe was key factor in getting to the super bowl. I am hoping I can replicate that this year in Arizona, and Bennet could become a key factor in helping Arizona achieve our goal of being top 5 in turnover ratio.
8 - Washington - OLB Aldon Smith (Missouri)
6’5”, 80 spd, 79 str, 85 agi, 85 acc, 80 tak
Smith is ready to start immediately. I would love to see his private workout and where he ends with his spd. I wish he was a little faster but I can overlook that since he has everything else. If I was GM in Washington I would work on adding 2 spd points via activity shop then sit back and enjoy him for the next 10 seasons.
9 - Denver - OT Anthony Costanzo (Boston College)
6’7”, 98 str, 76 agi, 85 acc, 86 pbk, 87 rbk
Costanzo is a STUD and the #1 offensive lineman in this draft (Tyron smith inches behind). Big Ben can’t seem to stay healthy so I think Tom will prioritize minimizing the hits he takes. Can’t go wrong with Costanzo here.
10 - Pittsburgh - OT Tyron Smith (Southern California)
6’6”, 97 str, 74 agi, 82 acc, 88 pbk, 86 rbk
Tim is on the hot seat and needs to win now. I think it would be very smart grabbing Smith here (depending on how the skews turn out, he may end up beating out Costanzo as best OL in this class). Chad Clifton is 35 and Pittsburg needs someone opposite James Marten to anchor the o-line and get Tim the 9 wins that he needs to keep his job.
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