My Mock

Trying to come up with a mock with this regime and its secretive ways is for lack of a better word difficult at best. Really this mock is based on what the regime looks for in a player, but also takes into account positions of need in the slot selected. Looking at the current roster many of us feel CB is our biggest need right now and what’s left of the FA class is unexciting at best. Also taking into account every team, unless it is a QB expects their 1st rounder to start or at least log a significant amount of playing time right off the bat.

Here goes.

1. Sean Smith CB Utah –Smith played in 39 games in 3 years and started in 23 of those games. Smith registered 9 interceptions, 16 pass defended and 80 total tackles. At the Utah pro day the 6’3” 210 lb. ran a 4.47 and 4.49 40 time which was a bit faster than his 4.52 time at the combine. Big frame and long arms for a CB, Smith has the skills to play CB effectively, but could also be converted to a Safety position. We need a solid CB across from Will Allan and could use a bigger corner to cover some of the big WRs in our division. Smith should be able to provide both.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9M2w9m320k"]YouTube - Sean Smith - LEGENDary interception[/ame]

2a. Clint Sintim OLB Virginia – Sintim is a 3 year starter at OLB with 37 game starts in the 3 – 4 defense the Cavaliers play. 30 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 4 fumbles caused, 27 QB hurries and 175 total tackles. AT 6’3” and 255 lbs. Sintim is very experienced, will not have to be converted from DE like most others in the draft and is productive across the board. Sintim can be added to the rotation at OLB and would be the eventual replacement for Matt Roth.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqqDuYX9gVM"]YouTube - LB Clint Sintim Highlights Virginia 2008[/ame]

2b. Jamon Meredith OT South Carolina – 39 game starter between RT and LT for the Gamecocks the 6’5” 310 lb Meredith has the size and experience at one of the last remaining needs the Dolphins have, backup swing tackle. Add in he was recruited by our new OL coach and Meredith is a natural fit.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb5NWAX-f1s"]YouTube - Jamon Meredith - Draft Video Profile[/ame]

3. Dorrell Scott NT Clemson – 39 game starter for the Tigers the 6’4” 315 lb Scott has the size and strength to plug the middle and produced a 4.95 40 time at the combine with 29 reps of 225 lbs. A former team mate of Phillip Merling and can be groomed to take over from Jason Ferguson in a year or two.

No video

4. Kevin Barnes CB Maryland – The 6’1” 190 lb Barnes played in 43 games for the Terps with 21 starts. Although he missed the last 5 games in 2008 with a shoulder injury Barnes finished with 6 interceptions, 15 pass defended, 5.5 tackles for loss, forced 2 fumbles and totaled 100 tackles in his stint at Maryland. His 4.52 40 time at the combine was a surprise since he is a former track standout but may run a faster time at his pro day. Barnes again adds size to the CB position and is not afraid to come up in run support and is a pretty good cover corner. He could very well be Will Allen's replacement in a year since he contract expires after next season.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWZ9LWiK7Uk"]YouTube - Big Hit By Kevin Barnes[/ame]

5. Jasper Brinkley MLB South Carolina – 40 game starter at MLB for the Gamecocks with 7 sacks, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 198 total tackles Brinkley surprised me with a 4.72 40 time. The 6’2” 252lb Brinkley threw up 26 reps of 225 lbs as well. Brinkley is considered to be more of a downhill thumper MLB in this draft, but his 4 career interceptions show he is not lost in coverage either. At the very least he makes some big plays which Crowder has not been known for since he has been here.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvKoyNvzg1k"]YouTube - Jasper Brinkley #52 South Carolina[/ame]

7a. Dominique Edison WR Stephen F. Austin – the 6’2” 205 lb Edison ran a 4.45 40 time at the combine and was a top performer in the 20 yard shuttle and the vertical jump. The 48 game starter for the Lumberjacks has amassed 179 receptions for 2,646 yards with 27 touchdowns.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQC--1lxMng"]YouTube - DOMINIQUE EDISON HIGHLIGHTS[/ame]

7b. Jamarko Simmons WR Western Michigan – The 6’2” 230 lb WR ran the 40 in 4.50 and 4.53 seconds, had a 33-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 11-inch long jump, 4.39 short shuttle, 7.09 three-cone drill, and 19 reps in the bench press at his recent pro day. Converted from RB to WR in 2006 the 22 game starter had career numbers of 260 receptions for 3,019 yards and 17 touchdowns.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrJp0D-mF04"]YouTube - Hiller to Simmons vs Akron 2007[/ame]

7c. Victor Butler OLB Oregon State – A bit of a late bloomer the 6’2” 248 lb Butler was used as a pass rush specialist as a Junior and only played full time DE as a Senior due to team needs. Butler has racked up 22 sacks in 2 seasons for the Beavers and Mayock has him as a sleeper pick for some team and with a 7th rounder why not?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eGhB0[/ame]


The premise for my mock was to consider which positions we still have needs at along with the experience and size the front office looks for in players. Of course there were too many players I had to pass up as there is either not enough picks or are not slated for the round I still had left open. I would be happy to have my mock completely blown out of the water by the front office trading down from #25 and acquiring more picks in round 2 and or 3 as I feel this is where the real meat of the draft is.

Thoughts and opinions are welcomed.

 

I fought long and hard with that one as well bro. In the end, with as much focus as we place now on the lines of both sides of the ball, Meredith just fits the bill almost to a T.

 

Give up Sintim for Barwin at #44 if he is gone and I am a happy camper. I really like that his game, he is a former basketball player and a very good special teams player to boot.