Welp....needed a post-game pick me up, so decided to do a serious mock before February (was trying to wait).
Again, I'm operating under the assumption of the following: Offensive losses/cuts are as follows:
Cuts/Losses - Linsley, Jones and Wagner
Maybe gone - Lane Taylor, Funchess
DEFENSIVELY:
Cuts/Losses - Preston, Kirksey, Lowry, Burks, King
Maybe gone - Sullivan
Round 1 Pick 29 - Traded to Dallas for Pick 42 (2nd) and 99 (3rd) Dallas sitting on the 74th in the 3rd also makes them a prime candidate to move up if they desire.
*Round 2 Pick 42 - Paulsen Adebo - Stanford CB
The more I watch the more I love his fit for GB, and could easily see us picking him over the likes of Campbell or Newsome should Gute be confronted with that option as I was here. Paulsen will clearly be an outside only type guy, but that is fine by me as that is exactly what we need. He shows skillset to excel in Man or Zone schemes - which with Pettine maybe heading out, it is good to grab a guy with the tangibles and intangibles to do all. Let's get what I think could easily be a Day 1 upgrade over King. He isn't as tall as King, but at 6'1' he is plenty long enough and his hips and feet are better than King's IMO.
Round 2 Pick 61 - Darius Stills - West Virginia iDL
Two inches shorter than Clark at 6'1', but bout 30 lbs smaller as well at tick over 280. Stills is my type of interior lineman and can be the disruptive force we see Clark do at the pro level, the question is will Stills be able to do in the NFL as he did in college. The crucial blessing he will have is not being asked to be the #1, but I would fully expect some SERIOUS snapcount tallies if Stills joins our ranks. He is not quite as slight as Keke, and could stand up against the run more consistently than Keke. That's what I love about Stills, he offers a situational depth guy that shows chops to possibly do some of what Clark provides in earlier downs, and the push that Keke provides in passing downs.
Round 3 Pick 92 - Patrick Jones III - Pittsburgh Edge/DE
He is not an experienced standing edge guy having been more of a DE, so some may argue where does he fit - fair - but I see a talent too good to be overlooked here. I see the ability to be that standing/hand in the ground versatile guy which can be something special for us. Produces pressure and an edge which is incredibly attractive. Let's continue to put a front out there that QBs do NOT enjoy playing. Measurables are 6'5' 260lbs, has the frame work to me to EASILY go bigger or stay slighter.
*Round 3 Pick 99 - Baron Browning - Ohio State ILB
I love Browning and believe he has an insanely HIGH ceiling. He has the chops and the ability to turn hips and match a RB like Etienne step for step, attacks rushers violently and shows chops in coverage over the middle and flats. I know many feel he is a 4th round or later, but watch his tape, I think you will quickly understand why I am not waiting and honestly he could be gone here IMO.
Round 4 Pick 133 - Whop Philyor - Indiana WR
Offense wasn't the issue, but when it was an issue it was usually lack of playmakers. Whop is a guy that excelled in manufactured plays and has ZERO fear over the middle, which attacking that out of the slot is still something we need to be stronger in IMO. Whop is a poor mans' Toney or Moore, but I'd argue has more pure receiving chops than either - but definitely needs some growth. Easily can come in and be that motion/jet sweep guy, while also getting work at slot for us in this system.
Round 4 Pick 140 - Brady Christensen - BYU OT
Brady is a tackle prospect I'm stuck not quite sure what he will translate into. While he has held down the left side for years at BYU, I personally feel a switch to RT is more likely. At this point in the draft, getting a guy with RT starting potential, POSSIBLY LT in pinches if needed and definitely enough ability to go inside - I'll take it and like it.
Round 5 Pick 172 - Bryan Mills - North Carolina Central CB
Alright fellas, here is one you may not be aware of being an FCS guy. He has all the measurables and has excelled with what was placed in front him. Yes, the level of opponents is going to be higher, but if his skillset and hips and foot technique stay and he can be coached up or refined he is that Day 3 gem that begins to shine in 2022 for you. 6'2' and quite slender at only 170lbs - he however, does attack in run support, but just isn't the best tackler with his sleek frame.
Round 5 Pick 178 - Tommy Kraemer - Notre Dame iOL
This man is a beast, and could come in and play a guard spot for us Day 1 if needed. IF Wagner is cut and IF they desire to maybe focus Runyon outside Kraemer could be a serious contender at guard, and no joke he has the frame to possibly take a crack at RT - more of a power run blocker, I think in an RPO type system he could shine. Wagner cut most likely, Lane Taylor coming off severe injury and good candidate not to be resigned, plus throw in Linsley gone most likely...let's grab another guy with serious upside.
Round 6 Pick 209 - Jermar Jefferson Oregon State RB
Kareem Hunt type guy would be the ceiling I'd place upon him, but in all reality a solid contributor for a change of pace role RB I expect could complement Dillon and possibly also Williams for us in 2021. He can cut block in pass pro well, handles primary routes out of the backfield well and shows hands. Solid selection for a Day 3 option.
Round 6 - Pick 217 - Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina EDGE
6'2' 270lbs the dude is raw, but to me if he can carve into what he has there - sky is the limit. This is the one pick in this mock that I think some may say with merit is a reach to be available. However, Day 3 picks are tough to grade, and Edge is a position guys tend to go slightly higher than they should....however he was there and even though we already added Stills and Jones I'm throwing another guy into the mix to make our front 7 that much deeper and deadlier hopefully.
Round 7 - Pick 252 - DiCaprio Bootle Nebraska CB
5'10' 195lbs he is on the shorter and stockier side of things but this man has a ton of experience. I suspect he could battle for the Sullivan spot OR even possibly a S/CB hybrid role. Either way at this point in the draft I like the risk/reward here of a guy that could be something with experience. Very similar to Vernon Scott in what he is vs what he could be.
Worth Noting - Yes defensive focus, never was I pinned in towards that intentionally and really the only time I was truly weighing options and Defense won vs Offense on my board was Nico Collins at pick 42 and Elijah Moore at pick 61. Was bummed to come away without a TE project, but I don't believe the shelf is bare even if Lewis walks if we hang on to Tonyan - we still got Stern in a show us year and Deguara and Dafney both showing they can handle that H Back role.
