GIANTS/STEELERS TEAM MOCKS

April 14, 2015

Time to move along with two of the most popular teams as the GBN Report website. Both have rosters in shake-up mode again, as they seek to get younger and back into serious Play-Off contention.

NEW YORK GIANTS
Round 1, Pick 9 LA’EL COLLINS/OT/LSU/6’4/305
Most feel COLLINS is the safest, most pro ready OL in the Draft. He’s slimmed down over the past year and is more mobile than early in his career. He has avery wide base and anchors well. He is also strong in his hands and can shock defenders with that first blow. His versatility should play well on a team that is still reshaping it’s front line. Plug and play prospect.

Round 2, Pick 40 MAXX WILLIAMS/TE/MINNESOTA/6’4/250
They drafted his dad in Round 1 a couple decades ago. MAXX came out early in a year when the TE group was mediocre to say the least. Reminds me of JASON WITTEN in style and size. He plucks the ball well with his 10+” hands and has arms over 33″ long. ELI will luv his target radius. Good player now with upside.

Round 3, Pick 74 ALEX CARTER/DB/STANFORD/6’0/196
The Giants secondary is being stirred up again this year and CARTER may be able to compete on the Corner or at S in Training Camp. Despite coming out a year early CARTER had 33 starts in Stanford’s pro style defense. Not a blazer, so perhaps the answer is to let him gain 5-10 lbs. and give a shot at S. He should start somewhere in an NFL secondary soon.

Round 4, Pick 108 KWON ALEXANDER/LB/LSU/6’1/227
An exceptional, young athlete who has been a star on Special Teams for the Bayou Bengals. He has great athleticism, running 4.55/40 at the Combine. May take a year or so to start in the NFL, but is clearly a talent upgrade for the GIANTS LB corps, which is solid with decent depth, but lacking in top tier athletes.

Round 5, PIck 144 STEVEN NELSON/CB/OREGON STATE/5’10/197
Don’t tell NELSON he’s kinda short, because he plays like a much bigger guy. ‘Mighty Mouse’ had an excellent week in Mobile in January. He is fearless in man-cover and shows excellent recovery quickness and instincts to the ball. He’s also tough as nails and a ready participant in run support. He may cover the slot immediately, but could also start outside with time. Ran a solid 4.49/40 at Combine.

Round 6, Pick 185 CHRIS CONLEY/WR/GEORGIA/6’2/213
Cartwheels around the Draft Room if this guy was still around. After blowing up the Combine with speed and explosion he’s rising quickly up Draft Boards. He is still a bit raw, but many teams feel they can mld him into at least a No. 3 wideout on an NFL roster. 4.35/40.

Round 7, Pick 227 JHON CROCKETT/RB/NORHT DAKOTA STATE/6’0/217
THis guy not only can pound the ball for yardage, but is a natural cheer leader for any locker room and sideline. He was a chatterbox of positivity at the Shrine venue. Will run between the tackles with some burst to the outside. Could become a Special Teams captain in time. great value in final round.

Round 7, Pick 245 TAVARIS BARNES/DE/CLEMSON/6’4/282
A late bloomer on a talented Clemson D. Got bigger and stronger every year in the program. Has some pass-rush in him, and now is strong enough to hold up against the run. Could be a solid part of a DL rotation in short order with good technique coaching.

This group would bring a nice mix of talent and solid character to the GIANTS organization, much like the group they brought in last Draft.

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PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Round 1, Pick 22 MARCUS PETERS/CB/WASHINGTON/6’0/197
Talent is not the question with PETERS, attitude is. Of note, since being booted out of the Huskies program PETERS owned up to his own immaturity with the new coaching staff, and said staff allowed him to compete at the school’s Pro Day. Most schools don’t allow that. He’s a good sized player who can produce in any coverage scheme. He has supreme confidence, but might be too cocky. STEELERS would appear to still have the locker room to reign him in. With his head on right he’s an NFL starting CB.

Round 2, Pick 56 NELSON AGHOLOR/WR/SOUTHERN CAL/6’0/198
Ran faster, 4.42/40, than most thought he would at the COMBINE. Sure handed and a nice route runner. Caught 104 balls in 2014 under new HC SARKISIAN and his pro style system. Very hard worker, who will fit in any locker room. Makes lots of yardage after the catch. Will work the middle of the field. Could help in the return game if he’s not too busy as a receiver. Will turn 22 after the Draft. One of the most pro-ready guys in the Draft.

Round 3, Pick 87 JESSE JAMES/TE/PENN STATE/6’7/260
Why not stay close to home and take the underclassman from Happy Valley?! Is still fairly lean for his height, with room to grow. Needs work on his inline blocking. He runs well for his size, though not a big deep threat. Another youngster at 21 years old. Is already good at coming back to his QB when plays break down, which could be huge working with Big Ben. He can learn from the consummate pro, in Heath Miller, as Heath winds down a fine career.

Round 4, Pick 121 DARYL WILLIAMS/OT/OKLAHOMA/6’5/327
A big athlete, who really put together a strong senior season for the Sooners. He’s a natural knee bender with 35″long arms. He has good hand use. Looks like a RT candidate. Really showed well at Senior Bowl in a very talented OL group. Has skills in both run and pass block already. Long but still strong. Clearly an eventual starter if he can accept coaching.

Round 5, Pick 160 JAKE RYAN/LB/MICHIGAN/6’2/240
Looked like he has recovered nicely from a 2013 knee injury. Flies around the field making more tackles than you might expect with his 4.65/40 time. Solid competitor who has played both inside and outside as a Wolverine. Can handle zone coverage pass defense. A team leader both on and off the field. Will provide solid value with his flexibility until he earns a starting spot.

Round 6, Pick 198 JAMES SAMPLE/S/LOUISVILLE/6’2/209
Tough and smart defender, whose play got lost at times with his S partner HOLLIMAN leading college football with 14 INT in 2014. But SAMPLE is the better all-around player and his game is more pro ready. Should start at SS soon. His 4.56/40-time is solid for his position and he is willing to lower his head and tackle the football. Special Teams will come natural to him. Looks like a potential starting SS to me.

Round 7, Pick 239 TAVARIS BARNES/DE/CLEMSON/6’4/282
Now that BARNES has filled out his frame he looks like a natural at a 5-technique spot in a 3-4 scheme like the STEELERS employ. May never be a starter, but he surely could fill a role in a rotational system. His 4.80/40 at the Combine clearly indicates he is fast enough to play at the pro level. Biggest project for him will be improving hand usage and strength.

Round 7, Pick 252 THOMAS RAWLS/RB/CENTRAL MICHIGAN/5’9/215
A good athlete who started at Michigan and was basically forced off the team because of off-field issues. Had a solid 2014 season, topping the 1000 yard rushing mark. He’s strong between the tackles and will gain yards after contact. Has good hands as a receiver. Tries in pass-pro, but will have to improve his technique and recognition. Once again a strong locker room, may be just what he needs. Can be a 3rd RB based on talent and production.

The Steelers can’t afford to waste any picks right now as their aging roster loses players like POLAMALU & IKE TAYLOR. Young talent is of the essence and this group would look like a good bet to provide a talent influx to the team. I think the first 6 Picks all have eventual NFL starting potential.