It’s time for a double header of Team Mocks as we are only days away from the 2016 NFL Draft. So let’s follow up the Sea Hawks with two teams from their Division who will be efforting to chase them all season: the resurgent CARDINALS franchise and the relocated wanna-be contender the L.A. RAMS.
CARDINALS
The CARDS have Super Bowl door pretty much since BRUCE ARians arrived from Indy. He and recently appointed GM STEVE KEIM have done a masterful job of flipping the roster and motivating the locker room in Glendale. The Draft is now their lifeblood and they will have to choose wisely with only 6 Picks this year.
Round 1, Pick 30 LEONARD FLOYD/ER/OLB/GEORGIA 6’6/244
The Thin Man looked like a new guy at the Combine, having packed on about 20 lbs. of muscle from his Bulldog days playing frame. Yet he posted a sizzling 4.62/40 in his new, more muscled frame. His arm length (33 1/4″) and hand size (10 1/8″) are considered to be major weapons in his edge-rushing ability. In 2015 he was credited with 10.5TFL and 4.5sacks. The expectation is that he will be even more productive as a pro. Just what the doctor ordered for the CARDS Defense. PP#31
Round 3, Pick 92 KEVIN HOGAN/QB/STANFORD 6’3/218
I would think this to be an ARIANS selection. They need a young QB to groom as a replacement for CARSON PALMER, in the not too distant future. At first blush I had them taking CARDALE JONES here, as a super project for QB Whisperer ARIANS. But HOGAN has been moving up the Draft Boards, and after the short lived LOGAN THOMAS experiment I’m not sure BRUCE wants to deal with the unknown again. HOGAN is a savvy QB from a pro system with a good arm and an even better head and temperament for the position. I expect this pick to work out nicely for the CARDS. PP#150
Round 4, Pick 128 ZACK SANCHEZ/CB/OKLAHOMA 5’11/185
He lacks the elite CB speed (4.55/40) which is the only reason he’s not a Top 100 Pick. But he is a pure ballhawk who has good recovery skills and a nose for the ball. He seems to read QB minds, not just their eyes. He had 7 INT in 2015 for the Sooners. I look for him to start in their Nickel spot and in sub-packages, but he’s likely to be a starter by mid-season. Good value Pick here on Saturday. PP#128
Round 5, Pick 167 KYLE MURPHY/OT/STANFORD 6’6/305
HOGAN’s LT on The Farm may not be flashy, but he is long and effective in both the run game and in pass-pro. His 5.25/40-time tells me he’s destined for RT as a pro. Was a team captain for the Cardinal. Uses his hands well in trying to compensate for average footwork and mobility. Not a special athlete, but a sound and dependable player. PP#164
Rund 6, Pick 170 DEVON CAJUSTE/WR/STANFORD 6’4/234
I didn’t realize until I looked back how heavily I had the team drafting players from Stanford. CAJUSTE almost has TE size, though he wants to remain a WR. Since the team doesn’t carry a FB, I can see CAJUSTE spending some time as an H-Back and in the slot. He has a rep as a very solid downfield blocker. He is a will good hands catcher presenting a large target area to his QB. PP#166
Round 7, Pick 205 MAX TUREK/OC/SOUTHERN CAL 6’5/298
If not for an injured knee as a senior TUERK clearly would have been ranked a lot higher than this. He’s versatile, but long term he could be their answer, and upgrade at OC, where they have shuffled in a lot of journeymen in recent seasons. Good value if truly healthy. PP#210
L.A. RAMS
This RAMS team has pretty much sacrificed their 2016 Draft to get themselves a Franchise QB. But because of Salary Cap vet cuts and VFA losses, they absolutely have to find some plug-in players with their Saturday work.
Round 1, Pick 1 JAROD GOFF/QB/CAL 6’4/215
This is probably the best QB choice for them since he’s a California kid and is likely to be ready sooner than WENTZ who is from a lower level of competition. He’ll gain a bit of weight and strength in heir Training Room. And the team will emphasize the running game to take the heat off of him. His biggest value as a Rookie is expected to be his ability to throw the deep ball to take the top off of defenses, and keep them honest up front. PP#8
Round 4, Pick 110 JUSTIN SIMMONS/FS/BOSTON COLLEGE 6’6/202
Really came on strong as a senior and improved his Draft status as the year went on. Blew up the Combine, ranking as the most athletic S there.His 4.56/40 is impressive and he plays that fast. He had 5INT as a senior, as well as 67 tackles. Has good field vision and high FBI. Will be a punishing tackler when he adds a few pounds of muscle to his frame. PP#109
Round 4, Pick 113 MARQUEZ NORTH/WR/TENNESSEE 6’3/223
Very athletic receiver, whose best football is clearly ahead of him. His 4.47/40 time is excellent for his size and build. Hands over 10″ and 33+” arms combined with his jumping ability make him an attractive candidate to win some jump balls on the sidelines and/or end zone. Will be a nice physical compliment to the RAMS small, quick receiver group. PP#113
Round 6, Pick 177 SCOOBY WRIGHT/ILB/ARIZONA 6’0/239
A college tackling machine is just what the doctor ordered to replace JAMES LAURINAITIS. WRIGHT has some teams spooked because of his pedestrian 40-clocking of 4.75. But the guy finds and gets to the ball. He’s an average athlete whose productivity far out distances his athleticism. Good pick for this team at this spot. PP#172
Round 7, Pick 190 STEVEN WEATHERLY/OLB/VANDERBILT 6’4/267
An interesting athlete who got overlooked on a poor collegiate football team. But take a look at his 4.56/40-time as well as his length (34 1/2″ arms/10 1/4″hands) and you can sense some serious potential in this guy. I think it’s an excellent projection pick in Round 7, and now RAMS coaches must define and refine his pro roles. PP#194
Good work securing some functional players who can contribute right away as the team returns home.
