It's mid-week, that means it's time to mock draft!
Threw in the max wrinkle in last week's edition.
Now back to normal and onto the new one
The A-topic this week is Jeff Gladney. The alleged details of what he did could not only end his Football career but also lead to serious time behind bars. Cynically, it's already crossed mind several times that he may get away with much less than that but even a plea deal could mean the end of his employment with Minnesota. Those are the potential consequences for him but once again makes cornerback a higher priority for the Purple.
Given the team's track-record, it shouldn't surprise anyone if they go that route in the first round again. Especially with the trending opinion that the picks ahead of Minnesota's will be very offensively focused. But I think that the logic that going after another slot corner in the first round would be a mistake, will win-out.
So it came down to offensive line. This simulation had Rashawn Slater going with the fifth pick but Christian Darrisaw & Alijah Vera-Tucker were still options at 14. I would like to think that Cleveland could move back to tackle and dominate that spot but it remains the fork in the road. I once again went down AV-T's path but information that comes forth over the next three weeks could flip it to the big man from Va. Tech..
As a testament to the unpredictability of the draft, a never-before-available player was still on the board at 78. From inside enemy territory, Wisconsin-Whitewater's Quinn Meinerz got a look just to learn a little about him. He doesn't have the pedigree of Ohio State's Josh Myers but seems like a potential bulldozer for the left side of the line. Coming from a D3 school he was too much of a project for me to tab him but perhaps the team will feel differently on Friday of the draft.
Pick 90 presented another oddity as all three of the next-three quarterbacks were still on the board. Davis Mills is starting to get buzz as the sixth one to go off the board but I don't have him clearly ahead of Kellen Mond or Kyle Trask. On the contrary, I still think that Mond can be a steal, especially if he lasts til that point of the event.
Several corners and OL were considered before the quarterback was settled-upon.
The same was true at 119, with DL added to the cauldron of thought as well. Cameron Sample, Dayo Odeyingbo & Marvin Wilson could all possibly help the defensive front in the future while Aaron Banks & Kendrick Green could do the same for the other side but the problem created by Gladney outweighed those other spots.
And it just so happened that there was a multi-dimensional DB from South Carolina to think about. Israel Mukuamu played all over the place and would provide the type of versatility to make up for the loss of investment. He is more of an outside corner with big-nickel potential but adding the next-man-up for Patrick Peterson could be even more important for the team in the long-run.
Only Sample was selected in the short time between picks so there was a lot to consider at 125. Another previously-unfamiliar name came to attention and again jumped those other guys. Louisiana State safety Jacoby Stevens got the nod to be the heir-apparent for Xavier Woods, and possibly Smith if he can really develop.
Then, in the absence of a sure-fire DL, attention went to the second level. Alabama's Dylan Moses could develop into the next Anthony Barr, without the stigma of being a top-10 pick. Just ahead of him on the field I went with Rashad Weaver from Pitt at 143 to help shore-up the DE depth. After that I doubled-down on pass-rushers with Chauncey Golston from Iowa.
I closed out the mock with a possible fit as the slot corner, again from Louisiana State, Kary Vincent Jr..
Had I been able to add the inevitable sixth and seventh round picks that Spielman will I would have made a couple moves for receivers. Cade Johnson continues to be one to be aware of as an answer for the return-woes of 2020.
A draft like this one would go a long way in smoothing over the potential loss of Gladney. The team is wisely waiting for the process to unfold before doing anything or even making more than a standard comment. The days that remain may not be enough for them to get much in the way of answers before they're on the clock but it's still the best course of action.