Draft Tek mock 4/2/13

This will give all the Austin fans a warm fuzzy

"Gunner wrote:

This will give all the Austin fans a warm fuzzy

There's worse things that they could do than get the most explosive player in the draft. Smaller player granted, but much thicker/more muscular than I originally thought, more in line with Harvin than Ginn.

Lane Johnson makes sense if he's available, I like Watson in the 2nd rd if Martin goes to LT, and at #12 if Lotuleilei is available I don't think that you pass on him. although I really wouldn't want to use that pick on a DT. Maybe Xavier Rhodes, who knows. This just isn't a very strong top 15 draft, we'll have to make the best of it.

No way I could pass up Star for the next potential Dexter McCluster after signing three expensive Wrs. Especially with Starks and Soliai with a year remaining. DT is so important in Ireland's world, he's used the franchise pick twice there

"pocoloco wrote:

No way I could pass up Star for the next potential Dexter McCluster after signing three expensive Wrs. Especially with Starks and Soliai with a year remaining. DT is so important in Ireland's world, he's used the franchise pick twice there

Are you seriously comparing Tavon Austin to Dexter McCluster?

I would be "shocked " if Star were on the board and Miami passed on him (just as far as talent ranking) even though I love the Austin pick. But, I also doubt Star drops out of the top 10.

I really will be interested to see where Dion Jordan actually goes. Nearly every mock has him in the top 5 but I think he could easily fall to 20 or further.

Pretty believable mock through 12 imo, could see all of those easily. Tough choice between Tavon and Star, I don't think you can go wrong either way really, but hard to pass on that kind of playmaking potential. I think it is easier to find a DT elsewhere to replace a Soliai/Starks than add someone like Austin.

My top four for Miami all went in a cluster right around us - Austin, Star, Werner, Vaccaro. Interesting to see.

"KB21 wrote:

Are you seriously comparing Tavon Austin to Dexter McCluster?

Same size, electric college careers. Austin is faster. Both will be complementary (slot, return, scat back) pieces in the NFL.

Color me impressed with Austin is the best receiver on his own college team with better vertical ability and who can break a tackle.

A lot of guys are seeing once in a generation talent here. I see a guy who is only slightly better than Ryan Swope (round 2 or 3) for us

"pocoloco wrote:

Same size, electric college careers. Austin is faster. Both will be complementary (slot, return, scat back) pieces in the NFL.

Color me impressed with Austin is the best receiver on his own college team with better vertical ability and who can break a tackle.

A lot of guys are seeing once in a generation talent here. I see a guy who is only slightly better than Ryan Swope (round 2 or 3) for us

I don't know about once in a generation, but his speed, quicks, acceleration, change of direction, etc. are rare for sure. I like Swope, but he's not in the same zip code as per those things except speed.

As per McCluster, he's not as fast and not as explosive imo. I don't live and die by the combine #s, but he ran a 4.58. Just not the same player.

A small player (albeit relatively thick and muscular) is usually a hard sell, but he fits a need for us as per adding speed and the ability to win 1 on 1 matchups. If it were a stronger top 10-20 draft that would be great, but given the relative dearth of talent and the flawed pass rusher class, Austin stacks up pretty well imo. Personally I see him as less of a potential bust than Patterson, and although it would be nice if he were bigger, I'd be ok with Austin at #12- swapping him for Bess in the slot is a pretty big upgrade imo, huge increase in speed and explosiveness.

"Da 'Fins wrote:

I would be "shocked " if Star were on the board and Miami passed on him (just as far as talent ranking) even though I love the Austin pick. But, I also doubt Star drops out of the top 10.

I really will be interested to see where Dion Jordan actually goes. Nearly every mock has him in the top 5 but I think he could easily fall to 20 or further.

I personally think worst case for Jordan is the Saints at 15.

The only similarities between McCluster and Austin are size. That's it.

I'm often the counterpoint on this issue, but I do like Austin. It's not like I feel he is undraftable, But I value him as a late first rounder or early second rounder. Of the guys in the neighborhood we pick, there's no way I can pass up Star, Jarvin Jones, Milner, Lane Johnson, Rhodes or Werner for Tavon Austin.

For the Dolphins and the WCO, I have Patterson and Allen ahead of him, and Swope is practically a coin flip. The familiarity with Tannehill and the system is very attractive there.

I think if people go back and look at Ryan Swope and forget the likely draft position for a moment, you see an equal to better athlete with better size and vertical ability. Austin has better YAC ability and vision and shuttle.

Austin is a guy you throw short do, body catch it, and let him work. That's basically what he presents as a receiver. I think many of those holes and angles he saw in college will close up quick in the NFL.

"pocoloco wrote:

I'm often the counterpoint on this issue, but I do like Austin. It's not like I feel he is undraftable, But I value him as a late first rounder or early second rounder.

For the Dolphins and the WCO, I have Patterson and Allen ahead of him, and Swope is practically a coin flip. The familiarity with Tannehill and the system is very attractive there.

I think if people go back and look at Ryan Swope and forget the likely draft position for a moment, you see an equal to better athlete with better size and vertical ability. Austin has better YAC ability and vision and shuttle.

Austin is a guy you throw short do, body catch it, and let him work. That's basically what he presents as a receiver. I think many of those holes and angles he saw in college will close up quick in the NFL.

All interesting points, but in this post modern NFL with its emphasis on the passing game you have to win 1 on 1 matchups. We have been so lousy at that, and Wallace will certainly help, Austin will help even more.

In order to think of Tavon Austin as another Dexter McCluster you have to think Tavon has been primarily a tailback at the college level which, anyone that's watched him for four years, knows he wasn't until the Oklahoma game in 2012. Prior to that, he was a straight up slot receiver.

OH, and I love Ryan Swope's ability as a receiver. The history of concussions concern me. He's reportedly had at least four concussions. What kind of long term effects is this going to have on him, and will it cut his career short? No concussions, and I wouldn't hesitate to take Ryan Swope in the 2nd round.

His playing style is fearless though, and it's probably going to shorten his career. I do love the way he doesn't stop when he catches the football. He doesn't slow down. He runs through the catch whether he is about to take a big hit or if he has open field to roam.

"pocoloco wrote:

I'm often the counterpoint on this issue, but I do like Austin. It's not like I feel he is undraftable, But I value him as a late first rounder or early second rounder. Of the guys in the neighborhood we pick, there's no way I can pass up Star, Jarvin Jones, Milner, Lane Johnson, Rhodes or Werner for Tavon Austin.

For the Dolphins and the WCO, I have Patterson and Allen ahead of him, and Swope is practically a coin flip. The familiarity with Tannehill and the system is very attractive there.

I think if people go back and look at Ryan Swope and forget the likely draft position for a moment, you see an equal to better athlete with better size and vertical ability. Austin has better YAC ability and vision and shuttle.

Austin is a guy you throw short do, body catch it, and let him work. That's basically what he presents as a receiver. I think many of those holes and angles he saw in college will close up quick in the NFL.

Being the novice that I am on the draft, I really don't get this outlook. I have read, over and over, that the talent in this draft is a top 5 or MAYBE 10 and then the next 50 or so are about equal. If the next 50 or so are equal, how is Austin at 12 not.........VALUE? Under those conditions, he SHOULD be value from 11 to 55 or 60, even though he won't make it out of the first round. Every thing changed, VALUE WISE, when the rookie draft cap came in. The definition of VALUE has CHANGED. It used to be that you didn't draft an OG really high because of what you would have to pay them per their position. That isn't the case anymore. IF the OG is ranked in the top 15, chances are he will be drafted in the top 15, now.

I'm not as big a fan of Ryan Swope. Between the concussions, the fact that he doesn't play as fast as he times on the field, doesn't show explosiveness to me...I'd probably look elsewhere to get what I need.

Incidentally it's unfathomable to me why Draftek gets its own thread every time they run a new mock. It's been by far the absolute worst mock drafting site that I've seen throughout this entire draft season. Whenever they come up with one that is even mildly realistic, it's notable.

If we evaluate Austin as a receiver against his toughest six secondaries in their best year, and do the same for Swope, you get 100 yards and a TD from each. Swope has a higher per catch average in those contests, I imagine more of Austin's yards after the catch (I understand like 70% of his receiving yards came after the catch). I would love to see yards after contact for each guy, but have been unable to find that.

Anyway, my comfort with Swope is why I'm so cavalier about passing on Austin in round 1.

"ckparrothead wrote:

In order to think of Tavon Austin as another Dexter McCluster you have to think Tavon has been primarily a tailback at the college level which, anyone that's watched him for four years, knows he wasn't until the Oklahoma game in 2012. Prior to that, he was a straight up slot receiver.

IMHO, everyone is stretching to find a comparison to Austin and they are having trouble with it, except for Harvin. They don't want to compare them because Harvin has been successful. Harvin is a little bigger but Austin is probably a little faster AND quicker.

"ATLFINFAN wrote:

IMHO, everyone is stretching to find a comparison to Austin and they are having trouble with it, except for Harvin. They don't want to compare them because Harvin has been successful. Harvin is a little bigger but Austin is probably a little faster AND quicker.

I don't think this is fair. There has been as much over-hype as there has been under. Almost reminds me of when Reggie Bush came out.

As always, the truth lies somewhere between the 2 opinions.

"ckparrothead wrote:

Incidentally it's unfathomable to me why Draftek gets its own thread every time they run a new mock. It's been by far the absolute worst mock drafting site that I've seen throughout this entire draft season. Whenever they come up with one that is even mildly realistic, it's notable.

It's because they do the mocks so often, that's about it.

I think if Tavon Austin is not all that is promised he will very much resemble Dexter McCluster. But if he is, he'll resemble Percy Harvin.

"ATLFINFAN wrote:

IMHO, everyone is stretching to find a comparison to Austin and they are having trouble with it, except for Harvin. They don't want to compare them because Harvin has been successful. Harvin is a little bigger but Austin is probably a little faster AND quicker.

The key difference is Harvin can and does run the vertical routes to gain yardage. He's not just a slot guy. Austin is a guy you throw a 5-8 yard pass to and expect to get the next 50.

Problem with drafting Star L is he has no clear path to Ireland's 600 snaps out of a #1 pick.

Tackle and Cb does, Wr, not so much, Lb is a maybe.