Wednesday 16 December 2009

Rob Rang's latest mock draft

I'll be updating my own mock draft this week. You can find a teaser on the right hand side bar (where you'll find my own top ten mock from now until draft day). The Seahawks pick is likely to change (currently Joe Haden, cornerback) so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out Rob Rang's latest offering. He has the Seahawks taking Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State) and Taylor Mays (FS, USC). I'm not a big fan of either prospect. I prefer Andre Davis (OT, Rutgers) and Charles Brown (OT, USC) to Okung, so if the Seahawks feel they have to address the position in a down year for left tackles, that is where I personally feel they'd be better looking. Mays will have some value later in round one because he has elite physical tools. However, he's consistently shown this year that the instincts, tackling and decision making don't match the speed and size. He relies too much on big hits - often risking pointless penalties.

13 comments:

neilchr said...

Bravo Rob for putting Haden in for Seattle at #8. With the receivers we face in the NFC West our secondary is sadly underpowered (and sized). Now if we could get Spiller with our other 1st round pick we'd be well on the way to rebuilding.

Anonymous said...

Please don't draft Taylor Mays! He is a linebacker!

Rob Staton said...

Haden has to be on Seattle's radar. He's athletic, physical, good recovery speed. Is he a lock down corner? Not necessarily. Is he going to be an effective NFL cornerback? Absolutely. You can never have too many good cornerbacks. Haden is the one guy at his position in 2010 who is worthy of a top 20 pick.

Savage said...

I think Haden is a good fall back pick if we are unable to get Suh, McCoy or Morgan where ever the pick ends up. I would prefer a player that can get to the QB because that would always makes corners look better. They are able to press the receivers, while only having to cover for a shorter period of time.

Outside of those 4 guys, no one else really excites me in the Top 10 and would prefer to trade down to the mid teens and get Spiller.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Savage. I'd much prefer someone who can pressure the QB, but Haden should be solid. This may sound strange, but I think just like there are guys who look great in college but don't translate to the NFL, there are also guys who don't look good in college but shine at the next level. Mays could be one of those guys. True, his ball skills and angles haven't been stellar and he's been caught out of position, but the NFL game is different. Less trickery, spread offenses and small lightning quick backs and receivers. I'd love to see what he could do against Boldin, Fitzgerald and Crabtree, and would welcome someone who could lay the wood and make them think twice about reaching for a ball over the middle.

Rob Staton said...

Some very valid points there annonymous. Mays clearly has value at a point in round one. I think the consensus has changed - earlier in the year he was being put in the top ten of a lot of mock drafts but when you watched the tape, the viewing wasn't all that good. He's never been a big playmaker in college, but he has got great closing speed and that ability to hit like a sledgehammer. He is a head hunter. Now, if you can use those physical qualities whilst turning him into a more rounded safety, you could have a very good player on your hands. You could put him on Fitzgerald watch and use that as a physical match up that's more even than you usually witness when Arizona face Seattle.

However, there are things he really needs to work on. Too many times for USC, he was late to react. He could be sold too easily with a pump fake or some clever eye work from the quarterback. When facing a deep threat, he seemed to locate the receiver and go for the hit instead of making a viable play for the ball. He also needs to cut out those unnecessary late hits which should've cost his team at least one game against Notre Dame.

The tools are there. Worthy of a late first rounder? Absolutely, to the right team. With Seattle owning two first rounders, they can (at the very least) consider Mays with the second pick. He'd also be a good fit for teams like Dallas - who need a safety but generally have a lot of pieces in place to at least be competitive. I'll be very surprised however if any team in the top twenty take that calculated gamble.

NFL draft said...

I agree with Savage. I'd much prefer someone who can pressure the QB, but Haden should be solid. This may sound strange, but I think just like there are guys who look great in college but don't translate to the NFL, there are also guys who don't look good in college but shine at the next level. Mays could be one of those guys. True, his ball skills and angles haven't been stellar and he's been caught out of position, but the NFL game is different. Less trickery, spread offenses and small lightning quick backs and receivers. I'd love to see what he could do against Boldin, Fitzgerald and Crabtree, and would welcome someone who could lay the wood and make them think twice about reaching for a ball over the middle.more
NFL Draft

Anonymous said...

If the Hawks go OL with the first pick I think it has to be C. Brown.

Anonymous said...

Ben Tate in the first round? I've got to think that's a mistake since Rang said he'd be used as a slot receiver. Does he mean McCluster?

Anyone else scratching their head on that one?

Anonymous said...

Since this team has so many needs, what do you think about the following players? We need a better pass rush, also need to start grooming a future QB, need an upgrade at RB and on the OL. Since we don't have 5 1st round picks, these guys could make a big impact, but won't necessarily be top picks (kind of like Elvis Dumervil)...

Jerry Hughes - DE TCU - speed rusher
George Selvie - DE UCF - another speed rusher
Kyle Wilson - CB Boise State
Joe McKnight - RB USC - a poor man's CJ Spiller?

Rob Staton said...

Hey annonymous,

Jerry Hughes - Not had a chance to scout TCU this year but all the reports say he's predominantly a 3-4 scheme fit.

George Selvie - wasn't really impressed. Doesn't have a great pass rush repetoire or all that much speed off the edge. Average really and a middle round pick at best.

Kyle Wilson - I saw Boise State in week one but remember little from the game, so can't offer much analysis on Wilson - apologies.

Joe McKnight - a prospect I like a lot. Capable of taking the hard yards. Good all rounder. Nowhere near as explosive as CJ Spiller but certainly capable of breaking off a big play. Can be used as a receiver or in pass protection - so fits any play call. Led a superb game winning drive against Ohio State this year, virtually winning the game for his team. Has had fumble problems in his career and not the biggest, but more durable than I expected. Production has been limited through a few minor issues and playing in a heavy rotation. Certainly worth consideration in rounds 2-3.

Anonymous said...

Getting Okung and Mays in the first round would be alright but I think getting a play maker(Spiller) or a top DE(Dunlap or Wootton) would be better for the first choice.

Going that route I'd take Charles Brown or best OT available with the second(Denver) pick.

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