2014-15 NFC North/NFL Thread

[jesmu84]

Two updated (4/14) mock drafts: (yes, two guys, same site)

http://walterfootball.com/draft2014.php

Round 1
1. Texans - Clowney; 2. Rams - Mack; 3. Vikings (trade) - Bortles

Vikes: trade to #3 for Bortles, QB, UCF (Bridgewater, QB, Lousiville)
Lions: Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA (no change)
Bears: Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama (no change)
Pack: Mosley, ILB, Alabama (no change)

Round 2
Vikes: no pick - trade in 1st
Lions: Latimer, WR, IU (Fuller, CB, VT)
Bears: Roberson, CB, Florida (no change)
Pack: Reynolds, S, Stanford (no change)

Round 3
Vikes: Jackson, S, MSSt (no change)
Lions: Swanson, C, Arkansas (no change)
Bears: Johnson, DT, LSU (no change)
Pack: Abbrederis, WR, WI (Latimer, WR, IU)
Vikes: Smith, OLB, FSU (no change)
Pack: Mettenberger, QB, LSU (Clarke, DE/DT, WVU)


http://walterfootball.com/draft2014charlie.php
Round 1
1. Texans - Clowney; 2. Vikings (trade) - Bortles; 3. Jags - Mack

Vikes: trade to #2 - Bortles, QB, UCF (Manziel, QB, TxA&M)
Lions: Evans, WR, TxA&M (no change)
Bears: Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama (Jernigan, DT, FSU)
Pack: Pryor, S, Louis (Hageman, DE/DT, Minn)

Round 2
Vikes: Yankey, G, Stanford (no change)
Lions: Richburg, C, COSt (Smith, OLB)
Bears: Ferguson, DT, LSU (no change)
Pack: Niklas, TE, ND (no change)

Round 3
Vikes: Martin, DE, UNC (Lawrence, OLB)
Lions: Loston, S, LSU (no change)
Bears: Jean-Baptiste, CB, Neb (Gaines, CB)
Pack: Abbrederis, WR, Wis (no change)
Vikes: Carey, RB, Ariz (no change)
Pack: Savage, QB, Pitt (no change)

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

X-Factor for the Bears this year is going to be Shea McClellin. Looks like hes trimmed down a bunch and even if he can be Hunter Hillenmeyer successful that will mean good things for the Bears.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-trainer-shea-mcclellin-20140422,0,5492404.story

[jesmu84]

Two updated (5/1) mock drafts: (yes, two guys, same site)

http://walterfootball.com/draft2014.php

Round 1
1. Texans - Clowney; 2. Rams - Mack; 3. Jags - Watkins

Vikes: Bortles, QB, UCF (no change)
Lions: Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA (no change)
Bears: Fuller, CB/S, VT (Clinton-Dix) **Dolphins traded into Bears' 14th spot
Pack: Mosley, ILB, Alabama (no change)

Round 2
Vikes: Lawrence, DE/OLB, Boise (no change)
Lions: Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Wash (Latimer, WR, IU)
Bears: Martin, DE, UNC (Roberson, CB, Florida)
Pack: Amaro, TE, TT (no change)

Round 3
Vikes: Watkins, CB, UF (no change)
Lions: Jean-Baptiste, CB, Neb (no change)
Bears: Roberson, CB, UF (no change)
Bears: Uko, DT, USC **Trade from Dolphins
Pack: Brooks, S, FSU (no change)
Vikes: Loston, S, LSU (no change)
Pack: Abbrederis, WR, UW (no change)


http://walterfootball.com/draft2014charlie.php
Round 1
1. Texans - Clowney; 2. Rams - Mack; 3. Jags - Watkins

Vikes: Carr, QB, Fresno (no change)
Lions: Evans, WR, TxA&M (no change)
Bears: Pryor, S, L'ville (Clinton-Dix, S, Bama)
Pack: Hageman, DE/DT, Minn (no change)

Round 2
Vikes: Martin, DE, UNC (no change)
Lions: Richburg, C, COSt (no change)
Bears: Sutton, DT, ASU (Ferguson, DT, LSU)
Pack: Niklas, TE, ND (no change)

Round 3
Vikes: Richardson, G, Baylor (no change)
Lions: Dixon, S, Baylor (no change)
Bears: McCarron, QB, Bama (Jean-Baptiste, CB, Neb)
Pack: Jones, ILB, FSU (no change)
Vikes: Carey, RB, Ariz (no change)
Pack: Loston, S, LSU (Savage, QB, Pitt)

[DegenerateDish]

Here's what I have heard/know.

As I said on here back in Feb, there is no way Donald gets past the Bears. Now, there's no way he'll be there at 14, zero chance. He could go as early as six to the Falcons.

Either the 13th pick or 14th pick will be traded to a team trying to get Beckham (or Ebron if he falls to the teens). Either the Jets/Niners/Eagles will look to move to that spot.

Other random thoughts...

Texans clearly prefer Mack over Clowney. They won't get enough to trade down to take Mack. Will they pull the trigger on Mack at 1?

No QB will go top 10.

Rams would be silly to not take Watkins at 2, I believe they will.

No one has any idea what the Browns will do, including the Browns.

[Hards Alumni]

Here's what I have heard/know.

As I said on here back in Feb, there is no way Donald gets past the Bears. Now, there's no way he'll be there at 14, zero chance. He could go as early as six to the Falcons.

Either the 13th pick or 14th pick will be traded to a team trying to get Beckham (or Ebron if he falls to the teens). Either the Jets/Niners/Eagles will look to move to that spot.

Other random thoughts...

Texans clearly prefer Mack over Clowney. They won't get enough to trade down to take Mack. Will they pull the trigger on Mack at 1?

No QB will go top 10.

Rams would be silly to not take Watkins at 2, I believe they will.

No one has any idea what the Browns will do, including the Browns.

They'll take Manziel because that makes the least amount of sense.

They're the Browns.

[brandx]

Other random thoughts...

Texans clearly prefer Mack over Clowney. They won't get enough to trade down to take Mack. Will they pull the trigger on Mack at 1?

No QB will go top 10.

Teams demand way too much in a trade for their early picks. I think the rams got three 1sts and a 2nd from the Redskins just to move up 4 spots. I saw some graphs on this yesterday and the 1st pick at any position has only about a 54% chance to be better than the 2nd pick at the same position, 55% over the 3rd pick at the position, and 56^ over the 4th. Trading up at the current cost is the worst move to make.

I think no QB should go in the top 10, but......

[GGGG]

Teams demand way too much in a trade for their early picks. I think the rams got three 1sts and a 2nd from the Redskins just to move up 4 spots. I saw some graphs on this yesterday and the 1st pick at any position has only about a 54% chance to be better than the 2nd pick at the same position, 55% over the 3rd pick at the position, and 56^ over the 4th. Trading up at the current cost is the worst move to make.

I think no QB should go in the top 10, but......

Here is a real cool, and geeky, article saying that teams that draft down generally win more than those who trade up.

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/7/5683448/how-nfl-teams-ignore-basic-economics-and-draft-players-irrationally

[brandx]

Here is a real cool, and geeky, article saying that teams that draft down generally win more than those who trade up.

http://www.vox.com/2014/5/7/5683448/how-nfl-teams-ignore-basic-economics-and-draft-players-irrationally

That was the article I was referring to.

[brandx]

I see McGinn, who annually is one of the highest rated guessers, has the Bears trading down with the 49ers and taking Dix. He has GB taking Mosley

[JWags85]

While that would be fantastic and I've had my eye on Clinton-Dix for the Bears ever since it became apparent Donald wouldn't be around, I find it REALLY hard to believe he would be around in the 20s, much less the 30s.  The Eagles would take him at 22.

If the Bears could get a 2 and a 3 to trade down, cool.  Otherwise, I hope they stay put and get some much needed defensive help.

[swoopem]

From what I've been reading I think I'd rather take Calvin Pryor over Clinton-Dix. It seems like Pryor is more physical and better against the run. With Tillman and Jennings coming back that's huge for pass defense and if we can get a guy in the secondary that can actually make a play when a runner is coming at him rather than stand with his feet cemented to ground then I'm all for it.

[brandx]

While that would be fantastic and I've had my eye on Clinton-Dix for the Bears ever since it became apparent Donald wouldn't be around, I find it REALLY hard to believe he would be around in the 20s, much less the 30s.  The Eagles would take him at 22.

If the Bears could get a 2 and a 3 to trade down, cool.  Otherwise, I hope they stay put and get some much needed defensive help.

I think both guys will be available in the early to mid 20 range. If the Bears made a deal with SF, it might take another deal to move back up a couple spots.

[DegenerateDish]

Do you guys prefer ESPN or NFL Network's coverage? My ideal group would be Eisen, Mayock, McShay, Kiper.

[swoopem]

Do you guys prefer ESPN or NFL Network's coverage? My ideal group would be Eisen, Mayock, McShay, Kiper.

The only thing worse than Mel Kiper Jr is knowing there is a Mel Kiper Sr

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

The only thing worse than Mel Kiper Jr is knowing there is a Mel Kiper Sr

Whats wrong with Kiper?

[ATVSandKARATE]

Whats wrong with Kiper?

Where do I start?

Why is he yelling? I have volume control on my TV (thank God, because I can turn his nonsense down), he doesn't need to yell. Also, he has been accused of taking money from
agents to put certain players higher on his draft board.

He isn't that great at his job. I would take McShay any day.

Also, whats up with the hair?

The best part about the NFL draft is I won't have to see his squinty face for about 9 months.

[Hards Alumni]

Whats wrong with Kiper?

What isn't?  He is a know it all, that is wrong all the time.

[swoopem]

The guy is the most annoying person on ESPN (which says a lot) and on-top of that he isn't that good at his job. See below

http://deadspin.com/infographic-youre-better-off-guessing-than-listening-480958913/1573510998/+kylenw

[brandx]

Whats wrong with Kiper?

I notice some people are always anti-ESPN here. I would rate Kiper and McShay pretty equal to Mayock overall.

Mel can get annoying with his know-it-all attitude at times, but his rankings will stand up to anyone's, including GMs and scouts.

[brandx]

What isn't?  He is a know it all, that is wrong all the time.

GMs make wrong picks every single year so I guess I can say they are wrong all the time.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

The guy is the most annoying person on ESPN (which says a lot) and on-top of that he isn't that good at his job. See below

http://deadspin.com/infographic-youre-better-off-guessing-than-listening-480958913/1573510998/+kylenw

That chart is misleading. They took the actual performance of those players. Not what they were projected out of college. People are busts all the time. Btw, anybody else surprised that Lance Briggs is the best rated player from the 2003 class? I sure am.

[Spotcheck Billy]

how many actually watch the draft other than just to see who their teams select or the top picks? in other words, will you be glued to the coverage the next 3 nights or just tuning in to check the ticker for "made" selections?

personally I think the time each team gets in the 1st round is excessive and kills the viewing experience and the later rounds, forget it, to many times they'll talk during a selection and never discuss the player just selected because they're too busy discussing a previous choice 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

how many actually watch the draft other than just to see who their teams select or the top picks? in other words, will you be glued to the coverage the next 3 nights or just tuning in to check the ticker for "made" selections?

If I have time I will always sit down and watch the draft. Only draft I will do that for.

[brandx]

how many actually watch the draft other than just to see who their teams select or the top picks? in other words, will you be glued to the coverage the next 3 nights or just tuning in to check the ticker for "made" selections?

I try to watch the 1st couple nights. After that I check the ticker mostly.

[nyg]

I will watch NFL Network.  Only reason is the buffoon Chris Berman.  He is a total, over the top, blowhard.  Kiper and McShay are fine, as is Mayock.