NoSafetiesNeeded returns to the stage as fake GM of the Patriots. Probably to a chorus of boos. Unless you happen to be the agent for a TE, in which case you love the guy. NSN's latest swerve is just over yonder.
WIth the 31st pick in the draft, the New England Patriots are expected to take another tight end. WE AHH NAWT THAT PREDICTAHBLE!!! After evaluating the team's needs (a/k/a seeing who else was left on the board), I decided to just say screw it and throw darts at my big board. If I would have had my way, which I couldn't because NO ONE wanted to trade, I would have used this pick to acquire Matt Forte or Steven Jackson.
The Patriots have not had a great "traditional" running game in ages, and Forte or Jackson would have been a dramatic improvement. Now I know that running backs aren't valued like they once were, but those guys are really good at what they do and worth a number one pick to a team like the Patriots.
In my earlier pick, I ignored the defense because I thought some of the guys I liked would fall. They didn't, but I still have a kickass formation to put out on the field so hey, no hard feelings. (Those GMs before me can die in a fire. Maybe.) At this point, teams are trying to find value in the guys they pick. I don't know about you, but this isn't McDonald's, so screw value. We WANT AHHH SUPAHSTAH!!!!!
With the 31st overall pick, the New England Patriots select Tight End, just kidding, Lavonte David (OLB--Nebraska). We will let Walterfootball.com justify our pick for you:
"Quietly, David had a strong Combine to validate his stock. The most impressive aspect was that he added enough mass to weigh in in the 230s after being 225 at the Senior Bowl and throughout his collegiate career. David maintained his speed and movement skills in the field drills. It wouldn't be surprising if he goes higher than expected on draft day.
David played extremely well this season. He totaled 133 tackles with two interceptions, 12 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2011. David sparked the Cornhuskers' comeback win over the Buckeyes and made a series clutch plays to seal their win over the Nittany Lions. He was one of the few Nebraska players who played well against Wisconsin.
David finished the season with big games against Michigan and Iowa. If the senior were bigger, he would be a first-round pick. David had a quality week at the Senior Bowl."
Reaction? What's that? You're tired of all this mock drafting? Me too. Thankfully, we have reached, as Boyz II Men would melodiously sing, the end of the road. DaGoaT is now on the clock for the Giants.
It would be awesome if he got his pick in early so we could post it this weekend and enter next week with this mock neatly wrapped up, but we will not penalize him if he takes until 3 p.m. CDT on Sunday to e-mail his pick to MDC and me. We would, of course, appreciate it if he sent it in quicker than that, but rules are rules, so there will be no penalty if he doesn't. Except in my mind, where hate will quietly burn unabated.
Where we're at:
1. Indianapolis Colts--Andrew Luck (QB--Stanford)
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis)--Robert Griffin III (QB--Baylor)
3. Minnesota Vikings--Matt Kalil (OT--USC)
4. Cleveland Browns--Trent Richardson (RB--Alabama)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers--Dontari Poe (DT--Memphis)
6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)--Justin Blackmon (WR--Oklahoma State)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars--Morris Claiborne (CB--LSU)
8. Miami Dolphins--Ryan Tannehill (QB--Texas A&M)
9. Carolina Panthers--Quinton Coples (DE--North Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills--Luke Kuechly (LB--Boston College)
11. Kansas City Chiefs--David DeCastro (OG--Stanford)
12. Seattle Seahawks--Courtney Upshaw (LB--Alabama)
13. Arizona Cardinals--Michael Floyd (WR--Notre Dame)
14. Dallas Cowboys--Fletcher Cox (DE/DT--Mississippi State)
15. Philadelphia Eagles--Riley Reiff (OT--Iowa)
16. New York Jets--Melvin Ingram (LB-South Carolina)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)--Dre Kirkpatrick (CB-Alabama)
18. San Diego Chargers--Shea McClellin (LB-Boise State)
19. Chicago Bears--Cordy Glenn (OG/OT--Georgia)
20. Tennessee Titans--Stephen Hill (WR--Georgia Tech)
21. Cincinnati Bengals--Mark Barron (SS--Alabama)
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)--Mohamed Sanu (WR--Rutgers)
23. Detroit Lions--Stephon Gilmore (CB--South Carolina)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers--Jonathan Martin (OT--Stanford)
25. Denver Broncos--Peter Konz (C--Wisconsin)
26. Houston Texans--Nick Perry (OLB/DE--USC)
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)--Coby Fleener (TE--Stanford)
28. Green Bay Packers--Whitney Mercilus (OLB--Illinois)
29. Baltimore Ravens--Dont'a Hightower (LB--Alabama)
30.San Francisco 49ers--Janoris Jenkins (CB--North Alabama)
31. New England Patriots--Lavonte David (OLB--Nebraska)
32. New York Giants--DaGoaT