It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yes, that’s right, it’s mock draft season.
The only thing better than reading about mock drafts is participating in one. So the DLF IDP team got together for a four-round, IDP-only rookie mock.
Now, obviously we are very early on in the process, so these aren’t set in stone. The purpose is to give you an idea of some of the names out there and perhaps a preliminary order.
The six participants in this mock were Adam (Sticky) Tzikas, Brandon (Bee) Salamat, Tom Kislingbury, yours truly, Travis May, and Steve Schulz. The mock was 12 teams per round, so we all picked twice.
Round One
Nick Bosa, Edge Ohio State
Sticky declared this pick “ez pz” and for the most part, I think he’s right. Bosa is easily the most dominant player in this year’s draft. Some think he might even be better than his older brother, Joey. Traditionally, I believe that you take the best linebacker with the first IDP pick, but Bosa is an exception to that rule. Couple that with a weak linebacker class and Bosa should be the first IDP off the board in just about every IDP draft.
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Josh Allen, Edge Kentucky
Bee called him “a dominant pass rusher in college who can also drop back into coverage. Yes please.” Yes please is right. There is plenty to like about Allen’s game. He is fast, plays with power and as Bee points out, does a decent job in coverage. I think he’s more of a 3-4 OLB, but if he went to a 4-3 team, I don’t think that would hurt him either.
Clelin Ferrell, Edge Clemson
Ferrell is a classic 4-3 DE. You do not want him dropping into coverage. Clemson asked him to do it a couple of times and it was not pretty. His best trait is his ability to convert speed to power and get upfield.
Devin White, LB LSU
As I mentioned above, I like to pick the best linebacker with my first selection and White is the best in this class as a non-edge. As Mel Kiper pointed out recently on the First Draft podcast, White is now what a modern NFL LB is. He is a fast linebacker who excels in space with superior chase-and-tackle skills and can monitor the middle of the field.
Mack Wilson, LB Alabama
I thought this was a little high for Wilson, but Travis seems to be high on him. Another chase-and-tackle player, I would like to see him play with a better sense of urgency.
Devin Bush Jr., LB Michigan
I don’t think of Bush as a first-round draft pick. He’s this weird combination of a pass rusher who plays from the middle of the defense. I don’t find that he plays the pass very well or is a solid tackler.
Jachai Polite, Edge Florida
Typical of this class, Polite is a speed rusher. He played mostly as a 4-3 defensive end for the Gators, so if he’s drafted as a 3-4 OLB, his coverage skills will be suspect. You want him hunting quarterbacks.
Ed Oliver, DT Houston
His athleticism is ridiculous, but many feel he will be undersized at weigh-ins. He does spend a lot of time on the ground for someone as talented as he is. He may end up being a 3-4 DE at the next level, but talent is unmistakeable.
Rashan Gary, Edge Michigan
Gary is extremely polarizing in draft Twitter. I’ve seen him be mocked as high as fourth overall in the NFL Draft to the Oakland Raiders, and I’ve read some who think he’s no better than a third-round selection. His ability to get off blocks is unparalleled.
Charles Omenihu, DE Texas
His stock has been rising since the middle of the season. He plays with very good leverage and has a very good first step.
Montez Sweat, DE Texas A&M
He does a nice job of converting speed to power and had a nice week at the Senior Bowl.
Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama
If you play in a DT-required or a DT-heavy league, Williams will be much, much higher. He’s easily the second-best player in this draft behind Bosa and has everything you would want in a football player.
Round Two
Brian Burns, Edge Florida St.
There are reports that Burns’ weight has begun to creep back up (he moved from the interior prior to 2018). He’s still very slippery and a very good hand fighter.
Germaine Pratt, LB NC State
Kendall Joseph, LB Clemson
Otara Alaka, LB Texas A&M
Jeffery Simmons, DT Mississippi St.
He didn’t get a Combine invite because of a domestic violence issue from in the past, but according to reports, he’s a changed individual. It will be up to NFL teams to suss out if that is true or not. His play on the field is good enough to get drafted in the top half of the first round.
Oshane Ximines, DE Old Dominion
Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson
Deionte Thompson, S Alabama
Our first safety comes off the board thanks to Bee. This is a down year for safeties, so if you have one you like, make sure to grab them early.
Bobby Okereke, LB Stanford
Dre’Mont Jones, DT Ohio St.
T.J. Edwards, LB Wisconsin
Te’Von Coney, LB Notre Dame
Round Three
Khalil Hodge, LB Buffalo
He was a surprising non-invite to the NFL Combine. I wasn’t overly crazy about him, calling him a “toddler in a soccer game” in my notes.
Carl Granderson, DE Wyoming
This will no doubt be the highest you see Granderson as this mock was done before the news of his sexual assault came to light. I would be surprised if he was anything more than an undrafted free agent.
Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Duke
David Long, LB, West Virginia
Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia
Zach Allen, Edge, Boston College
Jalen Jelks, Edge, Oregon
Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
Anthony Nelson, DE, Iowa
Chase Winovich, DE, Michigan
Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Round Four
Ben Burr-Kirven, LB, Washington
Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU
Jaquon Johnson, S, Miami
Shareef Miller, DE, Penn St.
Vosean Joseph, LB, Florida
Tre Lemar, LB, Clemson
Joe Jackson, Edge, Miami
Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico St.
Isaiah Buggs, DE, Alabama
Kingsley Keke, DE, Texas A&M
Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
Deshaun Davis, LB, Auburn
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- Sunday Six Pack: Week Four - September 29, 2019
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This is great info, but I would love to see a mixed IDP and offensive rookie mock. It’s always good to see how the defensive rookies stack up against the offensive players.
Thanks!
