On Monday, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock held a conference call covering just about every aspect of the 2013 NFL Draft.
For more than two-and-a-half hours, the draft expert discussed a variety of topics ranging from what the Kansas City Chiefs should do with the No. 1 overall pick to his thoughts on how Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o should approach the combine.
One aspect of the call that stood out was Mayock’s take on the draft class as a whole.
“The top end of the draft, the top 10 picks, I don’t see the difference-makers like we’ve had the last several years,” Mayock said, noting that players like Von Miller aren’t available. “I think the quick snapshot of this draft is more depth.”
As far as where that depth is located, Mayock said it starts along the offensive line — center, guard and tackle.
“I’ve never seen two guards at the top end this good that could be top 10 picks,” he said. “Love them. I’ve got six tackles that I’ve given first round grades to. So the offensive line depth is really good.
To that point, Mayock said he considers four players worthy of the No. 1 overall pick, and they’re all on the offensive line — Alabama guard Chance Warmack, North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper, Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel and Central Michigan tackle Eric Fisher.
In addition, he called the depth at defensive tackle and safety “outstanding.”
Where the draft gets a little thinner, Mayock said, is at positions like cornerback, where it’s anyone’s guess who the second corner off the board will be after Alabama’s Dee Milliner.
Same with running back, where Mayock has an Alabama player listed as the top option.
“At the running back position I only have one guy in the first round, and that is (Alabama’s) Eddie Lacy,” he said. “I think can you get running backs in the second, third and fourth round. I really do.”
He said he’s also “concerned” about the quarterback position as well as the tight end group after a solid top three.
Still, Mayock’s overarching point was that there is talent spread throughout the draft, not just at the top of the first round.
“I think we probably have better depth than we’ve had in the last 10 years,” he said.
Tags: Mike Mayock, NFL Draft
Kevin Boss was the other and his career may be over due to concussions.
whats up guys ya i’m hoping to be back on regular within a month or so. things should be slowing down for me! i was thinking about turtles mock and if i had to pick one player from each round in it i’d do it like this:
1. jonathan hankins. an absolute beast on the line for years to come. would be a great pick. short wouldnt hurt my feelings one bit…
2. menelik watson. great upside and i think will be a dominant guard in the nfl. under the radar guy. i do not like warford.
3 stepfan taylor. i would love to get him here. i think he will go higher after stock rises at the combine. hunt has bust written all over him.
4. chris harper. the least favorite round of players to choose from but he is the only one of the group that i feel sure about as far as nfl potential. (not considering michael because of the taylor pick) other guys too much risk in round 4 imo.
5. kevin reddick. solid pick up in the 5th. probably wont be elite but a chance to be a good starter. at the least he’ll add good depth to the lb corps and contribute on special teams.
6. tyran matheir. theres definately risk here but the upside is huge. this guy just knows how to impact a football game. he has knacks that are not taught and you gotta put that on the field despite the risks and smallish size. round 6 makes the risk worth it to me.
7. michael williams. great pickup here. beast mode blocker and would pair quite well with our pass catching tight ends. goal line and running downs this guy would shine and maybe he can develop his pass catching. i would even say his stellar blocking ability is worthy of even a 4th round pick. would love to see him here. i honestly dont see shoelace making it in the nfl. could be wrong tho
on a side note i would take barret jones over watson if the choice was there. just barely tho.
jones may be around in the 3rd or 4th too. may skip on oline pick in the 2nd and hope for him later.
I personally would be very dissapointed if we went into the season with the same cast of RB’s. Sure they look good on paper, but games are not won on paper. Our complete inability to stay healthy at that position is a MAJOR concern. Hillman is the only one who should be definately brought back IMO, and he needs to put on some weight during the offseason. Any of the others being replced would not bother me one bit. We’ll see what we do, but I hope some [major] change is on the horizon at RB..
3rd and 7
chew on this a little bit…
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/02/20/ranking-the-2013-free-agents-interior-defenders/
I’m expecting the Broncos to release some players soon. Theres quite a few players who can easily be replaced by not only younger talented players but also the Broncos can get them at a cheaper pay rate. We all know who’s going.
I guess Peyton is wanting Freeny to come to Denver and after it was announced Colts wont be bringing him back Manning sent him a text saying “Dont worry just come join me in Denver”
Id keep Big Vick. Bannan is a tougher decision.
NE CB Dennard (A rookie last season) is guilty of assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. Most likely 6 years in prison heading his way.
Im sure many remember Dennard as there were a lot last year who wanted him in Denver before that happened.
A slight bit more depth on Clady. I don’t see him being dramatic about it at all.
http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2013/02/20/ryan-clady-denver-broncos-franchise-tag-free-agency-nfl-holdout/
Saw that one coming a mile away. Honestly speaking. Wolfe was drafted as a DT that spent most of his time playing DE except on 3rd down. We don’t really have another DL rusher opposite Doom. I mean we all know about VM but i mean on the line. I had thought about this one for a while. Just wasn’t sure where we would get the money. If they make a move and i assume they will as im sure PM has alot of pull and Freeney is still a formidable rusher and we are going for the gold …. It would be great but could also possible spell the end of DJ williams if he wasn’t already doomed. Also it will take a significant chunk out of our FA budget. But not a bad idea in my book.
TRB
As far as cost/benifit ratios go, Freeney isnt worth it and we have decent depth at the position. I dont see Denver making a move on Freeney. Im not saying he isnt/wasnt good, I just think we have better or equal on the roster already at a much cheaper price.
i HIGHLY dissagree. Who is better? Ayers … net even close. Hunter … EHN. Freenys numbers may not be as high as they used to be … especially last year but 1 .. he doesn’t have the same cast there as he will here … and 2 and most important .. he is a 4-3 DE not a 3-4 OLB … the transition just wasn’t working for him but over here … he could be fine. I think they will at least consider it … he isn’t asking for alot of money … was willing to take low money to stay with colts. Just a thought