So the cat may have been let out of the bag and the 4-3 may be making it's way back to Denver. This makes things a bit clearer. With trading off limits until a new CBA is agreed upon, we're gonna have to go with the picks we have. Now there is a chance that we can trade picks for picks, but who is worthy of the #2? And who would trade up? I don't see any QBs worth it. Only guy worth moving up for would be Bowers, IMO. Then again, Quinn projects as well to many.
Also, I think we should be very limited in regards to FA additions. I wanna build from the draft. Maybe we grab some low cost guys to fill immediate needs, but I don't want to break the bank in a desperate attempt to "fix" this team. We need to be smart. So given all that, here is my 4-3 mock.
ROUND 1
MARCELL DAREUS, DT, Alabama
6'4" 306
Still my #1 guy here. Fairley is likely to be gone, but even if he isn't, Dareus is who I covet. Bigger than Fairley and just as explosive. Our need at DT is bigger than our immediate need at DE, where we have a number of options which include Ayers, Doom, Bannan and others. We have some big bodies we can rotate in at DT, but we need legit talent and explosiveness. Dareus fits this description. Played against top SEC competition for 3 years and was dominant.
ROUND 2A
JJ WATT, DE, Wisconsin
6'6" 292
With all of the DEs projected so high in this draft, Watt may very well slip to round 2. And if he doesn't, there are a handful of names at DE who I'd be happy with. But for now, it's Watt. Admittedly, Watt would be an insurance policy for Ayers. If Ayers performs well as a 4-3 DE, Watt would still be important to a rotation. Doom is very undersized for the scheme and, although he excels on pass downs, he is a liability vs the run. Watt tips the scales above 290 and could be scheme diverse if we do give a 3-4 look. Also would fit nice at DT on pass downs, ala NY Giants.
ROUND 2B
MARTEZ WILSON, ILB, Illinois
6'4" 250
I truly believe that Wilson will be the best 4-3 MLB in this class. Good size, speed, athleticism...and he makes plays. Adding Wilson would allow DJ to play the WILL while we fill the SAM with one of our other LBs. He fills a huge need for the future success of our defense.
ROUND 3
LUKE STOCKER, TE, Tennessee
6'6" 253
Yes, I am a UT homer, but Stocker is a complete TE. I think he drops to round 3 due to his lack of highlights. Trust me folks, it has all to do w/ UT's lack of QBs and nothing to do w/ Stocker. He blocks and catches equally well. A poor man's Witten...with the potential to be as productive.
ROUND 6
JAMIE HARPER, RB, Clemson
6'0" 235
I'm actually surprise Harper came out, but Clemson is goin thru some big changes. I don't have much research done on him, but when I saw him earlier this season, he clearly passed the eye test. I made it a point to watch Clemson games after that and he never disappointed...even when Clemson did. A bigger back with good athleticism and he caught the ball quite well. If were analogizing, I see him as a poor man's Jon Stewart and Knowshon is our DeAngelo Williams.
ROUND 7
CURTIS MARSH, CB, Utah State
6'1" 193
Project with good measurements. Played vs some good pass offenses and held his own.