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Our 2013 Community Mock Draft marches on! In this annual exercise we put the fates of all 32 teams in the hands of our community. This exercise accomplishes several things. For one, we often have a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to the NFL. We will get a glimpse into the needs of each of the franchises. It also helps us get familiar with each of the first-round prospects because like last year in a trade up for Morris Claiborne, you never quite know what the future holds for Dallas.
Every GM has been informed of their team's needs and is ready to roll. Let's see who will be selected with the 19thpick in the draft!
Draft Pick # [19]
Team Name: [New York Giants]
GM: [Invictus XI]
Selection: (OLB) [Barkevious Mingo, LSU]
Here's our GM with his explanation of the selection:
Why the pick: I would have never expected Mingo to last this long. He's being considered as a 3-4 OLB, and with good reason, that would be his natural position. However, he is such an incredible athlete that he can be a weapon for the (mostly) 4-3 NYG. His biggest strengths are his athleticism, relentless motor, and vision. He would be an every-down player for us. He could play as a wide-9 defensive end for the Giants in pass rushing sets. He has the requisite length and has probably the best first step of any pass rusher in the draft. The Giants also run 3-4 sets as well from time to time, so he'd certainly be a natural fit. In the base package and the nickel, he would be the starting SAM LB opposite Jacquian Williams at WILL.
He isn't the best run-defending LB out there, but his run and chase skills are off the charts and he is very good at shedding blocks. In these days, you need two OLBs that are athletic enough to not only set the edge, but also have the range in coverage to lock down the shallow zone. Mingo certainly fits that criteria while also providing a massive upgrade in the pass rushing department from a two-point stance. He can sink his hips and accelerate quickly after changing direction and the Giants need that sort of presence to keep up with the ever increasing speed of their division rivals. Stark contrast to the laterally challenged Mark Herzlich and Chase Blackburn, indeed.
All in all, he fits all of the criteria that Jerry Reese looks for in a 1st round pick:1) There is value here - he by most accounts is a top 15 pick.2) He is a passrusher3) Provides versatility in that he can be a movable chess piece that really opens up the playbook schematically for the defense4) 3 down player5) Athletic freak6) Fits a need - After every season, Reese has commented on a position of need must get addressed in the draft/FA. In 2009, it was a WR (Nicks), in 2012 it was a RB (Wilson), this year he has come out and said the Giants will "definitely look to upgrade LB corps"
So in conclusion, Barkevious Mingo is a prototypical NYG selection that follows BPAAPN (best player available at position of need) that will add a pass-rushing presence to a team that is in big need of it with Osi Umenyiora gone, and Justin Tuck becoming a free agent after the upcoming year. Other players that I considered included UNC G/C Jonathan Cooper and FSU DE Tank Carradine.
HIGH PRIORITY TEAM NEEDS (lower number indicates higher priority) according to Drafttek.com
-- Threat Level Red (priority 1-2): None
-- Threat Level Orange (priority 3-4): Cornerback, Free Safety, 4-3 MLB, 4-3 OLB, 4-3 Defensive End, 4-3 Defensive Tackle, Possession Receiver, Right Tackle, Guard, Tight End, Center, Left Tackle
-- Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6): Quarterback, Feature Running Back, COP Back, Slot Reciever,
-- Threat Level Green (priority 9): Feature Receiver
NFL.com Draft Grade: 92.8
-- Drafttek.com ranked #10 Overall, #3 at the position (34 OLB)
-- Russ Lande, National Football Post: #14 Overall, #2 at the position (OLB)
SUMMARY - One of the harder players I evaluated this year, Mingo required much more time than most elite prospects to get a good feel for as he handled a number of assignments and because of his responsibilities he was not as statistically productive or involved as a player with his talent usually is. Although he will never be a big, stout run defender who can consistently anchor and shed OL run blocks at the NFL level, his use of hands, quickness and instincts help him to stay free from and avoid blocks and explode to the ball to make the play. Overall, if my team played a 43 defense I would only use a first round pick on him if the coaches were going to tailor the defensive scheme around his talents as his lack of bulk/size would hinder his production if he lined up close to OT all the time. If used as a wide rusher in a 43 scheme or an outside linebacker in a 34 scheme then I would definitely draft him in the first round as I believe he can be a dynamic, play-maker who impacts games as a run defender and pass rusher. .
-- CBSSports.com ranked #11 overall, #2 at the position (OLB)
-- DraftInsider.Net ranked #3 overall, #1 at the position (OLB)
-- DraftCountdown ranked #12 overall, #2 at the position (OLB)
-- Scout.com ranked #11 overall, #2 at the position (DE)
-- Mike Mayock ranked #2 at the position (34 OLB)
-- NFLDraftScout.com profile (Rob Rang):
Strengths: Possesses a lean, athletic build with plenty of room for additional muscle mass. Has an explosive first step and the combination of flexibility and closing speed to exponentially add to his sack numbers in the more pass-happy NFL than he had while at LSU. Alert defender who will get his long arms into passing lanes when unable to get to the quarterback. More physical than his frame looks. Fights through blockers at the line of scrimmage to make plays in the running game and anchors surprisingly well given his lean lower half. Possesses as much upside as any prospect in the 2013 draft.
Weaknesses: Looks more like a small forward than an NFL defensive end and could be asked to make the transition to outside linebacker, a position he's never played. While possessing explosive straight-line speed, has very long legs, which make him less fluid when changing directions than ideal. Relies upon his burst upfield to beat pass blockers and simply hasn't developed the counter moves to complement his speed in three seasons of action, leading to some concerns that he won't.
Now On The Clock: Chicago Bears
Previous Picks: Chiefs: OT Luke Joeckel, Jaguars: CB Dee Milliner, Raiders: DE/OLB Jarvis Jones, Eagles: DE/OLB Dion Jordan, Lions: DE Ziggy Ansah, Browns: DE Sharrif Floyd, Cardinals: OT Eric Fisher, Bills: QB Geno Smith, Jets: DT Star Lotulelei, Titans: OG Chance Warmack, Chargers: OT Lane Johnson, Dolphins: CB Xavier Rhodes, Buccaneers: TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame, Panthers: DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri, Saints: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas, Rams: WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia, Steelers: WR Cordarelle Patterson, Tennessee