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View Full Version : Pre-Combine Mock for 3-4 and 4-3


Bengals Fan in Tucson
01-27-2008, 05:11 PM
As it's a boring Sunday afternoon with no football, I thought I would post some early draft thoughts for staying with the 4-3 or switching to the 3-4. This is very early, so be kind.

Let me start by saying that I think Sedrick Ellis would be great in either scheme, but his draft stock is going to continue to rise, so I am starting to think he will be gone by #9. If so, I would try to trade down around #20 and pick up an additional pick (based on the draft pick value chart, the #9 pick would approximately be worth pick #18 and #50 pick in the second round give or take. source: http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/pick_value_chart.htm )

4-3........................................ 3-4
18) Calais Cambell DE Miami I Quentin Groves DE Auburn

-Cambell would be a great value at this juncture replacing Justin Smith and I think Groves stock will rise fast during the combine. I could see him as an impact rush OLB to pair with Geathers in the 3-4 or a speed rushing end in the 4-3.

46) Xavier Adibi OLB VT I Curtis Lofton MLB OK

-In the 4-3, it would be great if Pat Sims or Kentwan Balmer fell to this point, but I don't see it happening. Shawn Crable would also be tempting at this point. Adibi is a playmaker that would be an upgrade at OLB in the 4-3, and Lofton would provide depth inside considering the question marks with Brooks and Odell.

50) Chris Williams OT Vandy I Joseph Bryant DT TX A&M

-If available, I think Erin Henderson would also be a good choice at this point for the 4-3 draft. Williams could be groomed to take over the RT spot for Willie. There are concerns about Bryant's motor at times but at 6'4 330, he is built like a solid NT for the 3-4.


Assuming a compensatory pick in the 3rd for losing Steinbach.

3rd-1) Trevor Laws DT ND
- I will admit to being an ND homer, but Laws was one of the few bright spots on an attrocious ND team last season. Would work well in either the 4-3 DT rotation, and can also play DE in the 3-4. Has a great motor, knocks down a ton of passes at the line, blocks kicks and is always penetrating the backfield.

3rd-2) John Carlson TE ND
-Jacob Tamme from UK would also be a good choice, but as I said, I am a homer and I think Carlson was another good player on a horrible team. He would be an immediate upgrade over Kelly as a receiving TE with very good hands, but can also hold his own as an inline blocker.


4) Dorien Bryant WR Purdue
- Would make an immediate impact as a return man and in the slot. Reminds me a lot of Wes Welker in making those plays over the middle to get the tough first downs.



I will leave off here as I haven't done the research necessary on the players available on the second day. Anyways, these are just some early ideas on the upcoming draft, I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts and I look forward to reading everyone elses opinions of were we should go in the draft.



:tiger:

MJB
01-27-2008, 05:33 PM
I don't think that Quentin Groves should warrant 1st round interest by us. If we have the 18th pick it should between Kentwan Balmer and Calais Campbell, also we should hold off and grab an athletic TE in the draft and not use it on a player that can't stretch the seam. However everything else looks great. I love the idea of Trevor Laws in the 3rd, he was a beast in the senior bowl.

Bengals Fan in Tucson
01-27-2008, 05:42 PM
It may be a bit early for Groves, but I was looking for someone to work the other OLB spot for the 3-4 (in case Pollack can't come back). I've read that Groves may run close to a 4.4 at the combine, if so, his draft stock will rise quickly. Another guy I like and forgot to mention is Bruce Davis from UCLA. Very good at blitzing, but also wouldn't warrant 1st round consideration.

As far as tight ends go, I also thought about Jermichael Finley from Texas. You could get him later, and he would be athletic enough to stretch the seam.


Thanks for your thoughts.

MJB
01-27-2008, 06:13 PM
Bruce Davis could be a nice late round steal. I don't think we will need that much help at outside linebacker if we move to the 3-4: Geather, Rashad Jeanty, and Eric Henderson all should be able to play that position nicely and Roy Manning could be a nice 4th guy. Johnson, Jones, Odell, Brooks, and Schlegal all would be solid guys to have in the middle. I think that we need a lot of help in the front 3 department as compared to our LBs.

I would like to see Calais Campbell in the first, Gosder Cherilus with the 46, Pat Sims/Marcus Harrison with the 50th. Trevor Laws in the 3rd, Terrell Thomas with the comp. Then Bruce Davis in the 4th and Jermichael Finley/Kellen Davis/Dustin Keller. That would give our defensive front looks like.

RDE-Jonathon Fanene/Frostee Rucker/Titus Adams
NG-Corey Williams(I have been saying sign him forver)/DoMata Peko/Pat Sims
LDE-Calais Campbell/Trevor Laws/Titus Adams
ROLB-Robert Geathers/Eric Henderson/Bruce Davis
RILB-Landon Johnson/Ahmad Brooks/Anthony Schlegal
LILB-Odell Thurman//Dhani Jones/Anthony Schlegal
LOLB-David Pollack/Rashad Jeanty/Bruce Davis
RCB-Jonathon Joseph/Deltha O'Neal/Blue Adams
LCB-Leon Hall/Terrell Thomas/Blue Adams
FS-Marvin White/Ethan Kilmer
SS-Chinedum Ndukwe/John Busing

That gives us 27 defensive players

franchise
01-27-2008, 06:20 PM
I'd prefer Derrick Harvey in a 34, he reminds me of a less athletic DeMarcus Ware