Vanguard's Video Mock Draft (Rounds 1-3)

[Steel Vanguard]

Trade out of the first round for a high second rounder and an additional third.



Round 2, Pick 1: Su'a Cravens

 

[Steel Vanguard]

Round 2 Pick 2: Bronson Kaufusi




Watch him bend the corner. Watch him drop into coverage. Two things we complain about Jarvis failing to do well.

 

[Steel Vanguard]

Round 3 Pick 1: William Jackson III



Size and speed prospect with great value at this position. May also return punts/kicks.

 

[Steel Vanguard]

Round 3, Pick 2: Cardale Jones



Yeah, I said it. 12 gauge. Has all the tools, but is raw. Could not have a better mentor than Ben.

 

[bmoritz]

I'd like it. I LOVE the idea of Cardale Jones in the 3rd or 4th round. I think he'd make a smooth transition from Ben in a few years.

 

[slashsteel]

I am not sure Su'a would be available two. If you want him that bad would it really be a reach to pick him 25?

 

[Steel Vanguard]

I am not sure Su'a would be available two. If you want him that bad would it really be a reach to pick him 25?

Quite a few mocks have him dropping out of the first, just because of other team needs.

Suisum. He's perfect trade bait. I didn't make this clear, but I'd be looking to trade HIGH in the second and third rounds. So we'd have a top ten pick in both of those rounds along with our existing late pics in those rounds. Giving up our first AND Suisum. would be plenty. If all four of these players is realistically available at these positions (and they'll have some idea by draft day), I think this is an excellent draft.

 

[Hines57]

I like the idea of trading out of the first for someone very early in round 2 willing to give up a 2nd and 3rd this year or maybe even their 2nd this year and something early next year.

If we don't resign Foster, I'm staring at the best OG available at pick 1.25 and not flinching off of it.

If we resign Foster, obviously CB and SS are priorities 1/2.

I think Villanueva is our LT, at least for another season. No reason to overspend on Beachum when he was an undersized LT to begin with and now he's coming off an ACL.

An extra pick early in round 3 is very compelling given that we are missing some picks this year. This could be a great year to trade out of our spot and accumulate more picks. It gives us a lot of cap flexibility if the players we draft develop and stay on the roster for 4 years.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

I would love Cardele in the 3rd.

 

[SteelerAl]

Quite a few mocks have him dropping out of the first, just because of other team needs.

Suisum. He's perfect trade bait. I didn't make this clear, but I'd be looking to trade HIGH in the second and third rounds. So we'd have a top ten pick in both of those rounds along with our existing late pics in those rounds. Giving up our first AND Suisum. would be plenty. If all four of these players is realistically available at these positions (and they'll have some idea by draft day), I think this is an excellent draft.

Suisham's trade value might be less than Scobee's (6th round pick) since both have high salaries and Suisham is coming off the ACL tear. I don't see how Suisham is a major part of any draft day maneuvering.

 

[ark steel]

rotoworld says:

25. Pittsburgh Steelers - EKU EDGE Noah Spence - I would not argue with anyone who ranks Spence as the second best edge rusher in this class. In fact, I likely agree. He combines explosion with power and is not afraid to work through his opponent or around them. Off field issues led to his dismissal at Ohio State, but what if those aren’t “issues” anymore?

I'd be pretty pissed.

 

[Steel Vanguard]

rotoworld says:

Noah Spence

I'd be pretty pissed.

No chance. We don't generally draft low character players. Way too high for a guy like that anyway. We may take someone in the first instead of trading down, but it won't be a pass rusher. If we reach, it'll be for a corner.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I don't know who the Steelers will draft, but I am pretty confident they won't be trading out of the first round. Instead, they'll be running to the podium to get their guy.

 

[ZACKB]

Spence is amazing and has his **** together now. Remember Jarvis gets zero sacks, and Harrison may retire. We need more pressure from the OLB spot, because we basically get none.

 

[steelerscotty]

I highly doubt we draft a QB on the first two days.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

I highly doubt we draft a QB on the first two days.

I hear you- but it certainly wouldn't be the dumbest decision...

You get 3 solid years out of Ben (God willing) while Cardele gets 3 years of mentoring. I suggest Cardele because he is soooo similar to Ben (arm strength, toughness) and he wouldnt require a 1st or 2nd round pick.

Honestly, now is the time we should be looking for the heir apparent and it certainly aint L.Jones

 

[SteelerAl]

Spence is amazing and has his **** together now. Remember Jarvis gets zero sacks, and Harrison may retire. We need more pressure from the OLB spot, because we basically get none.

Is this going to be a thing like that coke-head tight end that you loved or Randy Gregory? Why mess with team chemistry by bringing in a bunch of head cases...leave that to teams like the Cowboys who crumble in the face at adversity.

Separately, is Cardale really going to be there at the end of the 3rd round? That sounds enticing but it only takes one team to fall in love with him enough to grab him in the mid-2nd. This league is just starved for QBs right now...

 

[Steel Vanguard]

Is this going to be a thing like that coke-head tight end that you loved or Randy Gregory? Why mess with team chemistry by bringing in a bunch of head cases...leave that to teams like the Cowboys who crumble in the face at adversity.

Separately, is Cardale really going to be there at the end of the 3rd round? That sounds enticing but it only takes one team to fall in love with him enough to grab him in the mid-2nd. This league is just starved for QBs right now...

Stupid teams, I agree.

Cardale has all the tools to be great and all the weaknesses to become Tim Druckenmiller (he's often compared to Jamarcus Russell, but only because they're both tall and Black). Druck was a huge man, a real athlete, and had a massive arm. But he was thrown in too soon, and being so raw, he never caught up to the game. If Cardale gets the Aaron Rodgers treatment, I think he has time for his feet and head to catch up to his arm and legs.

But you're absolutely right. A team could draft him early, start him early, and ruin him.

 

[Steel Vanguard]

More on Kaufusi

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=38227535&nid=272&title=nfl-draft-evaluator-byus-bronson-kaufusi

Strengths

Size

Plain and simple, you can't teach size, and Kaufusi is huge. Coming in at 6-foot-8 and 280 pounds, he is big even for NFL standards. But he is not a flabby 280 pounds — rather, he is well proportioned and muscular. It's scary to think, but with his height and frame, he could very well add more muscle and become even more physically imposing.

The potential for Kaufusi to become a monster physically will not be lost on NFL scouts and coaches.

Athleticism

Kaufusi moves very well for his size. So well, in fact, that coaches toyed with playing him at the linebacker position in 2014. The Timpview alum quickly went back to defensive end by his senior year, but it speaks volumes about his athleticism.

Kaufusi's quickness often made it hard for offensive linemen to keep him in front of them. His strength and athleticism were on full display in his final game as a Cougar in the Las Vegas Bowl against Utah. Kaufusi embarrassed Ute blockers all game and finished with nine total tackles, including three for a loss. If he can continue to play at that level, he will be a very good NFL player.
BYU defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi (90)and other seniors are honored prior to the game against Fresno in Provo, Nov. 21, 2015. (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

Football IQ

Former BYU head coach and defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall employed one of the most complex and intricate defensive schemes at the college level in the nation. His blitz packages especially necessitated having players with high football IQs. Many physically gifted players did not make the field under Mendenhall due to their lack of ability to grasp the scheme.

Kaufusi was one of the players that thrived in Mendenhall's defense because he is an intelligent player. Kaufusi's high football IQ and versatility allowed Mendenhall to line him up in different places to give opponents myriad looks. This should translate well for Kaufusi when he plays at the next level as it will not be such a steep learning curve to understand an NFL team's complicated defensive scheme.

Weaknesses

Inconsistent effort

When Kaufusi went into beast mode for the Cougars, there were few college offensive linemen that could block him. Against the Utes, Kaufusi was particularly amped up and exerted his will as he pleased. There were numerous times throughout his career, however, when he played a little tentatively and didn't get the most out of his supernal abilities.

Fortunately, these incidences were far fewer in his senior season. He was stellar in almost every game in his final campaign and was particularly effective in the second half of the season.

Age

Every collegiate LDS player that has a chance to play professionally has a difficult decision about whether or not they will serve a two-year mission for their faith. Kaufusi decided that a mission was right for him and completed his two years. Missions can impact an athlete's career in a lot of ways both positively and negatively.

Positively, Kaufusi spent the time on his mission maturing and learning how to manage stress and adversity. Negatively, he was away from the game for two years and now is 2-4 years older than most of his peers. NFL scouts might look at Kaufusi's age and view it as a hindrance because he may have a shorter career or has tapped all his potential.

And one of his weaknesses is actually a strength: Maturity. Yeah, he's a bit older, but with his high football IQ and sense of duty, he'll also come along alot faster.

 

[Superman]

****...we take Kafusi and the board will be whining that we're drafting out of retirement homes.

 

[bermudasteel]

I hear you- but it certainly wouldn't be the dumbest decision...

You get 3 solid years out of Ben (God willing) while Cardele gets 3 years of mentoring. I suggest Cardele because he is soooo similar to Ben (arm strength, toughness) and he wouldnt require a 1st or 2nd round pick.

Honestly, now is the time we should be looking for the heir apparent and it certainly aint L.Jones

Jake Coker. My pick at QB if we take one by the fourth and he's there - GET HIM. He, IMO, already knows how to "throw the ball away" when he's in trouble; he has a toughness and leadership skills that just will his teammates to believe in him; and he has a big arm and can make all the NFL throws. Now, while we have less game day film on him, unlike AJ McCarron, the kid doesn't make bad decision and throw INT's for no reason.

 

[Steel Vanguard]

Don't like Coker. He looked good in the Championship game, but he looked alot like "Jake Choker" in the games leading up to it.

That defense and Henry bailed him out quite a bit this season. He's another AJ McCarron, and I wouldn't trust him with our future.

 

[SteelerAl]

Coker? That's a joke, right? It's great to love your team, Bermuda, but let's not ruin things by pretending Coker can even impersonate an NFL QB.

 

[bermudasteel]

Don't like Coker. He looked good in the Championship game, but he looked alot like "Jake Choker" in the games leading up to it.

That defense and Henry bailed him out quite a bit this season. He's another AJ McCarron, and I wouldn't trust him with our future.

Coker? That's a joke, right? It's great to love your team, Bermuda, but let's not ruin things by pretending Coker can even impersonate an NFL QB.

I'm not being a homer - really, I'm not.

Both McCarron and Coker will be better than you think. I'd probably wager that AJ could be in the starting QB battle in Cincy next year...

And Jake Coker is already better than Landry Jones. Yes, he is...I said it....

 

[Steel Vanguard]

I'm not being a homer - really, I'm not.

Both McCarron and Coker will be better than you think. I'd probably wager that AJ could be in the starting QB battle in Cincy next year...

And Jake Coker is already better than Landry Jones. Yes, he is...I said it....

Yeah, but that's not saying anything. You might as well say that lima beans are better than brussel sprouts. THEY'RE BOTH DISGUSTING.