Mock Drafts

I'm sure several will be posted so I thought lets put them all together in one thread

Kipers 1st has us taking Sheldon Richardson DT over Hankins
14Sheldon Richardson *Carolina Panthers (7-9)COLLEGE: Missouri AGE: 21 HT: 6-4 WT: 295 POS: DT
Analysis: The Panthers hit a home run with their first pick in 2012 when they landed Luke Kuechly, and Richardson brings a little bit of what Kuechly does at linebacker, but on the defensive line. Richardson made an unusually high number of tackles from the defensive tackle position because he has a quick burst off the snap, shows great strength in short-yardage situations and knows how to use his hands to get off blocks and make plays. The guy can even drop into coverage and will destroy screen plays. Carolina may need help at wide receiver, but the Panthers really need to strengthen the D-line as well.

PLAYER CARD
15 Johnathan Hankins *New Orleans Saints (7-9)COLLEGE: Ohio St.AGE: 21HT: 6-3WT: 335 POS: DT
Analysis: The Saints had a disappointing season, but the problem was mainly on defense. No team was easier to run against consistently than New Orleans, and they need a clogger up the middle, a player who can free up linebackers to make plays. Hankins ran a little hot and cold, and the tape doesn't show a player who will penetrate and use quickness to beat interior blockers, but he can eat up double-teams, move down the line well and make the players around him better. The Saints need help in several spots on defense, but they really need a player who can help deliver more third-and-long situations, and Hankins could be that guy.

Can Richardson get bigger? 295 seems small for a DT

 

295 isn't too small, but I worry about DTs with long legs. Richardson does a nice job engaging with his arms to keep blockers from getting into his pads, then uses his hands effectively to shed the block. The problem is that NFL interior linemen will be bigger, stronger, faster, and better able to get under his pads. He does tend to stand up out of his stance and trust in those arms to keep from getting engulfed, which may or may not work against the big boys. He's not as explosive or as great an athlete as you would like from a mid-first round DT, but he has a very good motor. I think Richardson has very little bust potential but also might struggle some at the point of attack and probably won't make any Pro Bowls. Contrast that with Hankins, who is all talent and athleticism but little in the way of technique or consistency. Of the two I would take Richardson.

 

How similar is Richardson to Fletcher Cox?

 

that'll depend somewhat on workouts. He's definitely the slightest of the top DTs, so he'll be athletic, but how athletic will matter.

My worry is more the suspensions and academic issues, which may have ended up being the same thing. Don't remember. He does seem to be very active for a DT, and that's nice. You like to see an active player, hustle guy. But it didn't amount to that many sacks, and you have to be good at that as well if you're going to be a mid 1st guy.

Given the way he reacts when he's able to get a guard to turn his shoulder and/or blow a gap, I wonder if he wouldn't be a better left end. That's not to say he can't, (edit) and clearly it'd be wrong to ascribe too much of Sean Gilbert in him.

 

Meh, Gilbert was pretty good for a while. With that type of build it really depends on what you ask them to do. I agree with you that he might make a better 5 tech, but I guess that's something the team doesn't need unless Johnson stands up (which I don't like).

 

Gee, I kinda like it when Johnson stands up

 

He needs to measure at 6-3 295 but he is an awesome talent. Moves like a LB...and if he is really that big I'd be happy with him.



Sheldon Richardson 2012 Highlights

Really like the Fla St CB Rhodes too but I am pipe dreaming him as our 2nd rounder. Doubt seriously he gets to us there...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICHinzH0DpY

 

Looks like he gets after the QB which is great from a DT, I just wonder how well he'll hold up against the run

 

Double teams would destroy him, and he'd struggle against more physical guards, but keeping blockers at arm's length and using his hands to control the block means that he'd be ok against the average guard. As noted, I don't like long-legged DTs precisely because it's hard to stay low and keep someone from getting under your pads.

 

If only. This guy from CBSSports has Star falling all the way to us