Post by rush27 on Jan 29, 2017 14:42:26 GMT -5
RED ZONE BLITZ 2022 MOCK DRAFT
by rush_27
Welcome fellow GM's to the 2022 Red Zone Blitz Mock Draft. Last year we saw two potentially great QB's coming off the board with the first two picks. Washington's Rico Fjelstad and Green Bay's Dan Puzzuoli endured tough seasons but the upside is clear for everyone to see. Twenty defensive players were picked in the first round last year, the most from any draft so far. Without further ado, let's get this years mock draft underway!
1.1 (Acquired through trade with Washington) - The likelihood is high on the Browns trading this pick and moving down the board but without the ability to see into the future, the best pick would be Oregon RB DeAndre Nordstrom. Full-on, grown man with outstanding definition throughout his body. Built like a linebacker with speed like a receiver. Click and go runner who hits his second gear faster than most big backs you'll ever see. Always the hammer and never the nail. Violent finisher looking to intimidate run-support safeties with crushing blows behind lower pads. Runs feet through any and all contact.
1.2 - The Bills would love to grab a receiving weapon for QB Wilson but this high up, they could take one of the best secondary players to come out of the draft in years. Minnesota S Frederick Goodson has everything you look for in a playmaking Safety. Natural-born leader of men. Well-built. Will not hesitate for one second as a hitter. Alert for misdirection keys from offense. Party crasher on screen plays. Can handle coverage responsibilities against tight ends.
1.3 (Acquired through trade with Green Bay) - The champion Steelers again find themselves with a pick at the top of the board and could plan early at the QB position by taking UCLA Bruin QB Harvey Dunnigan. Big quarterback with a big arm. Can make all of the throws. Has step and crank power to drive throws into the seams. Over the top delivery creates tight spirals. Has powerful grip allowing for aggressive pump fakes to move defense around. When he's comfortable, will tie feet with his eyes as he scans the field. Two-way threat in the red zone. Posted 18 rushing touchdowns over last two seasons.
1.4 - Another team in need of a receiving weapon but at this spot may look towards a big run stuffer in DT Ty Miller. The Vanderbilt alumni has a strong lower body so that he can stabilize his position. His athletic ability and quickness force the use of a double team, and he can wreak havoc around the ball. Miller uses his strong hands to keep defenders at bay and throw them around to create opportunities. He is a consistent defender who combines size, strength, athletic ability, and understanding.
1.5 - The Saints have a lot invested in QB Garrett Grayson so are unlikely to move on at this time. Look for them to strengthen the run game with RB Alexis Matthews out of small school Southern Methodist. Uses choppy feet and compact stride length downhill. Keeps feet under him and is able to make lateral cuts at a moment's notice. Darting style allows him to escape defenders who show gap commitment too soon. Plus vision. Quick to flow from first to second read on outside zone plays. Greedy redzone runner with ability to cash those checks.
1.6 - Carolina have an opportunity to grab a potential franchise QB in Pittsburg State's Mason Duff here. Tremendous leader and winner. Good pocket posture with quiet upper body. Good pocket mobility and doesn't show much panic when pocket gets noisy. Big, strong hands to pump fake and manipulate. Keeps ball tucked near his chest when scanning. Has compact, over-the-top release that uncorks a tight, pretty spiral. Throws with anticipation and touch.
1.7 - The newly homed LA Chargers have a few needs but will find it hard to pass up on Maryland LB Carson Biletnikoff here. Alpha mentality with ferocious hitting style that puts offensive skill positions on alert. Outstanding athlete with springy, reactive feet. Brings swagger to a linebacking corps. Never passive and always means it. Willing to take his shots downhill and into gaps. Lands strong warning blows on climbing guards early in the game. Coverage ability is an asset.
1.8 - The Ravens need to find a long term solution at QB but in the mean time, they could pick up the best receiver in the draft in TE Ramon Maticic. The former Oklahoma Sooner is an exceptionally gifted athlete. Has long arms and massive hands for his position. Tremendous acceleration into his routes. Has tools to torment defenses on second and third level. Easy separator who creates instant throwing windows when he hits the gas. Natural pass catcher who plucks it away from his body. Can adjust to poorly thrown balls and secure contested catches.
1.9 - Miami are lacking talent in the secondary so could grab Florida CB Roberto Glaros here. Uber-athlete. Parks under receiver’s chin at line of scrimmage. Uses disruptive inside hand to slow the release and can punch out of his pedal. Patient from his press, utilizing well-timed opening to match the receiver. Has twitch to drive hard toward the throw from his lateral shuffle. Plays with plus instincts. Works through blockers to get to both wide receiver screens and running plays. Wrap-up hitter who sees what he hits.
1.10 - New York find themselves with the chance to take East Carolina RB Jeff Uerling at 1.10. Smooth, controlled stride length with choppy feet for instant cuts and change of direction. Plus vision with above average anticipatory feel for opening creases. Hugs contours of the running lane and staggers and stutters his feet to maneuver in tight quarters. Has experience in one-back, two-back and offset formations. Excellent hands out of backfield and can be used from slot.
1.11 - The Jags are in need of a top Linebacker and may find one here in Tennessee LB Jalen Blaney. Steps into hole and will swap paint with lead blockers in order to constrict his gap. Instinctive linebacker who trusts his eyes and goes. Won't over-commit when flowing to ball carrier and almost always finds his run fits. Played with hand in ground as an edge rusher in some sub packages. Showed greater willingness to take chances downhill. Nasty hitter with above average play strength.
1.12 - The Broncos will look to give a boost to their pass rush and may find DE Percy Hoffman this far down. Chiseled physique with functional strength, and not just beach muscles. Bigger than people think. Uber-athlete with spring-loaded hips and elite explosiveness. Powerful legs allow him to fight through redirect blocks and corner the edge at a sharp angle. When he times the snap, tackles have almost no chance of catching him at the edge. Wicked, whirling, dervish inside spin move and outstanding rate as a tackle finisher with running backs and quarterbacks rarely escaping his clutches.
1.13 - Detroit may make a move on California CB Theodore Butler here. Patient footwork from press coverage. Consistent and effective in zone coverage. Plays with plus field awareness and overall intelligence in space. Solid in bail coverage with balancing eye work between receiver and quarterback and maintaining proper spacing. Diligent against play-action possibilities near goal line. Has hands to finish with the interception when opportunity arises.
1.14 - Houston could find themselves with an opportunity to grab Clemson WR Kent Tylke here. Sells vertical push to create an early hip turn from backpedaling cornerbacks. Uses hands to create late separation on vertical throws. Long arms and big hands can go get throws at their highest point, snatching 50/50 balls away from his in-air competitors. Ball tracking is impeccable. Able to track it inside, outside or over his shoulder. Hands catcher who plucks it away from his body. Has body control to dig out the low balls and contort to grab throws left behind him.
1.15 - Arizona can take another top back off the board here with Boston College's RB Marco Homan. Will open creases by varying pace of his runs. Burst to top speed is available at flip of a switch. Creates yardage with speed, wiggle and power. Twitchy and decisive. Strong lower body provides superior balance. Flexible and agile with ability to twist, spin and ricochet off of bodies and continue to gain yards after contact. Can play on all three downs. Improved in pass protection and squares up blitzers. Has lined up at slot receiver at times. Sure-handed pass catcher with excellent burst out of breaks to consistently uncover.
1.16 - The Cowboys need to give QB Clay Carpenter help in making the 'big play' and may look toward Illinois WR George Coles. Has home-run gear to yank the top off of defenses. Vertical speed demands respect and creates open throws underneath. Corners open hips early to turn and sprint, leaving his curl and dig routes unchallenged. Feet are fire. On verticals from the slot, sells the corner route and stems to the post with a burst for easy separation and a comfortable throwing window for the quarterback. Hands are generally solid. Found 'not guilty' of battery outside a Chicago nightclub.
1.17 - The Falcons have more need at linebacker than any other position so may take Syracuse LB Alejandro Thornton. Can twist and turn to slither into gaps. Plus acceleration to chase all over the field. Scouts say coaches are effusive in their praise of his leadership, work ethic and character. Wrap-up tackler with strong finishing rate. Improved his discipline pursuing to the sideline. Did a better job of leveraging running backs against the boundary. Forceful redirect of tight ends out of their routes.
1.18 - New England need help on the O-Line so may find Guard Rick Greene out of Rice. Can uproot defender and turn him out of hole as a drive blocker. Able to respond to power with power. Can work seamlessly from block to block in combos. Works and climbs to second level with controlled, stalking footwork. Has initial quickness to pull and land on defenders in space. Good length and gets adequate extension in his punch. Glass-eater who fights hard to the whistle.
1.19 - The Rams could roll the dice here on the wonderfully named WR Waldo Whetstone out of Missouri. Alpha attitude on the field and not afraid to take on the challenge of heavy target load. Excellent competitiveness. Focuses like a laser when ball is in the air. Tracks the deep ball as well as anyone in college and understands how to stack cornerbacks and keep them on his hip. Has second gear to run under the long ball. Excels in intermediate and deep parts of the field.
1.20 - Indy have need at linebacker and cornerback but may find it hard to pass up Center Lukas Thornton here. The former Boilermaker loves to play the game as physically as he can. Plays with a mean streak and then some. Finishes a block with authority if he gets the advantage. Showed ability to anchor and play with strengths against power across from him. Usually first into defender after snap. Team captain and unchallenged leader up front.
1.21 - Philly are in need of a new signal caller and may roll the dice here on Arkansas QB Blake Ruoff. Adequate height with good muscular definition. Built to withstand physical challenges of the position. Calm field general. Very good pocket mobility. Can slide around circumference of the pocket without having to drop his eyes from their task. Quick through his progressions and will double back to targets if his protection allows him time. Pocket mechanics and throwing motion are solid. Tough and competitive. Shows courage and poise in the pocket. Throws passes from balanced platforms and rarely defaults to an off-balance throw unnecessarily.
1.22 - Kansas City will hope to find Western Michigan Safety Lionel Henson here. Always probing quarterback's eyes for clues. Quick to process and is decisive in action. Flows hard to where his instincts lead him. Always active and in constant on-field search for optimal positioning. Hyper-aware of incoming targets to his area. Just as comfortable from "robber" spot as high safety. Mirrors quarterback’s eyes to challenge the passing lane. Very rarely takes a false step. Has loose hips for sudden stop-start to cover in space. Great ball skills.
1.23 - The Bengals could towards Notre Dame RB Marcus Joseph this far down. Patient runner but decisive when he sees the crease. Hits it through the crease with determination. Flashes above-average feel for the way running lanes shift and change, and he flows with it making the smart choices to avoid tacklers and extend runs. Features excellent vision. Doesnt get caught dancing very often and usually ends the run on his terms with low pads and forward lean
1.24 - The Niners need a focal point in the passing game so could nab Georgia wideout Tony Vanderkellen. Silky vertical routes with ability to make subtle shifts to get past corners waiting to put hands on him. Consistent in his play speed. Good accelerator off stutter-step release. Able to create late separation down the field with body lean and quiet hand usage. Hands are very strong helping him secure catches through contact. Has ability to make defenses pay after the catch.
1.25 - Minnesota would love to draft an outlet for new QB Conner Wisniewski and could find Eastern Michigan TE Toby Farley still on the board. Elite athlete and seam buster deluxe. Can stick a foot in the ground and break in either direction at a 90-degree angle in shorter routes. Tremendous acceleration out of breaks to separate and widen the window for quarterbacks. Opens the throttle in open field. When he catches it on the move, the YAC yards can become an avalanche.
1.26 (Acquired through trade with Pittsburgh) - The Cowboys with their second pick of the round could take Duke RB Myron Myers. Can be exhausting watching him because feet never stop moving -- ever. Able to elude defenders. Features second gear to burst through line and can string together moves in open field. Will press line of scrimmage effectively to set up his blocks. Legs keep churning through contact. Willing to aggressively finish runs. Will gain more yards post-contact than expected.
1.27 - Oakland will look to get stronger on defense and could grab Minnesota DE Ethan Tobias here. Hands are strong, fast, efficient and lethal. Punch-and-discard winner. As rusher, swats are well-timed discarding tackle's punch attempt. Attacks the edge with good forward lean and works hands and feet in harmony on road to the quarterback. Uses jab steps and lateral movement to search for the edge of the blocker. Has leverage and strength to play right through redirects.
1.28 (Acquired through trade with Seattle) - Buffalo need help in the receiving corps so may find North Carolina State WR Timothy Diefendorf this far down. Uses short, controlled strides into his routes for maximum balance and suddenness underneath. Will change routes speed to rock corners to sleep before climbing past them. Works to establish early leverage points against man coverage. Has elite acceleration to create easy separation vertically. Cornerbacks fear his speed giving him ample cushion.
1.29 - The Buccs need a big body up front and could find Delaware State DT Herman Binns here. Elite power with a weightlifting background. Generates booming power from hip explosion and when his leverage is on point, he can be menacing. Moved from offensive line to defensive line in college and is getting better by leaps and bounds each year. Drops his pad level even lower when splitting double teams and charging through gaps. Uses violent, powerful swats and slaps to free of opposing hand placement.
1.30 - Tennessee will look towards finding a new toy for QB Marcus Mariota here in WR Josh Myers out of Akron. Instant blur off the snap. Feet turn over at a blinding pace and he devours cushion before cornerbacks know what hit them. Able to get over the top of every corner he faced and demands safety help over the top. Works back to the ball. Explosive leaper with ability to climb ladder and win the 50/50 ball and body control to secure the acrobatic catch.
1.31 - The Bears may find an Illinois alumni here in RB Gabe Heney. Has every-down size for the position. Patient, gliding runner with a sense for when it's time to hit the gas and go. Has late cut ability to create new yards for himself. Has effective open-field spin move to elude and the play strength to power through lesser tackle attempts. Efficient runner between the tackles. Runs with desired pad level maintains balance through contact.
1.32 (Acquired through trade with Pittsburgh) - Carolina need help at a number of spots but will be happy to find Califonia Guard Stan Brewer at 1.32. Outstanding athleticism and movement skills. Is quick off the snap and able to beat defenders to the spot. Can get to difficult cross-face blocks using timing, technique and footwork. At his best when on the move. When pulling or climbing to second level, has a terrific connect rate against moving targets in space.