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Our 2013 Community Mock Draft mashes the gas! 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 24th pick in the draft!
Draft Pick # [24]
Team Name: [Indianapolis Colts]
GM: [Travlr]
Selection: (DE) [Datone Jones, UCLA]
Here's our GM with his explanation of the selection:
Why the pick: This mock was a good exercise in scouting another team that I only followed through one of my guys at work. Like most on BTB I spend 95% of my NFL time watching and reading about our ‘Boys and 5% on the rest of the league combined.
A fun part of this was finding out about their owner Jim Irsay. We all know the face time Jerry gets with the media and how his every slurred word is gleefully reported with breathless wonder. Now imagine what it would be like if the following were true of Jerry:
The owner tweeted a link to watch the live cheerleader tryouts.
He has over 8,200 tweets in a little over 2 years and routinely addresses team personnel moves before they are finalized. During the recent Owners meeting in Phoenix he was blasting out tweet after tweet about a "Wopper" (his spelling) WR FA deal. He tweeted he was personally working on a "SECRET" WR not linked to the Colts.
The fans and local media were going wild speculating about every WR from Victor Cruz to Larry Fitzgerald (it turned out to be Darrius Heyward Bey). Rumors were it would cost them their 1st round pick which was huge since they already traded away this year's 2nd and 5th round picks. He also got into a flame war on Twitter with local media and fans about this year's FA moves, after he was accused of paying back ups starter salaries.
He publically states every year that he holds veto rights for the Colt's 1st pick in each draft, no matter who the GM or HC is. So Jerry may get more press but things could always be more.......interesting, eh?
I picked Jones for two reasons, one is that the Colts spent 8 of 10 draft picks on the Offense last year and traded their 2013 5th rounder for WR TY Hilton. Their 2 biggest needs were WR and Pass Rusher (with OT in the mix but no way in the 1st), but in addition to the trade last year for a WR, they drafted WR, and now with the FA acquisition of DHB they must upgrade the defense this year in the draft. Especially since they do not pick again until #86.
The Colts signed 10 FA this year (6 on Defense, 4 on Offense) and managed to cover their holes by being at least 2 deep at every position with actual NFL caliber players. This allowed them to take the best Player Available, Datone Jones. It is a bonus that he plays a position that puts him in line to replace their biggest FA loss (Dwight Freeney). Before FA began fans on Stampede Blue were hoping to land Anthony Spencer! To fill the Freeney role.
Jones is the versatile talent the Colt's Defense needs and at 6'4" / 275 looks to fit their system well, he grew up in Compton and was described as a disruptive force playing both DE and DT during his collegiate career at hometown UCLA. He has a chance to step into a very young team and system and become a force for years to come.
HIGH PRIORITY TEAM NEEDS (lower number indicates higher priority) according to Drafttek.com
-- Threat Level Red (priority 1-2): 34 Defensive End
-- Threat Level Orange (priority 3-4): Right Tackle, Corner, 34 OLB
-- Threat Level Yellow (priority 5-6): Quarterback, Feature Back, Feature Receiver, COP Back, Possession Receiver, Guard, Tight End, Center, Left Tackle, 3-4 DT, 3-4 Sam ILB, 3-4 Will ILB, Free Safety, Strong Safety
-- Threat Level Green (priority 9): Slot Receiver
NFL.com Draft Grade: 85.6
-- Drafttek.com ranked #19 Overall, #1 at the position
-- Russ Lande, National Football Post: #24 Overall, #4 at the position
SUMMARY - Datone Jones was a frustrating player to evaluate at times because he has the physical gifts to be a dominant interior lineman against both the run and pass, but does not give consistent effort on every down. He displays excellent instincts off the snap, which allows him to penetrate interior gaps and wreak havoc into the backfield. He clearly possesses the natural strength to control and shed blockers at the LOS, but too often stands up at the snap and allows his man to get into his framework and dictate at the POA. His versatility will attract both 34 and 43 teams, but he is a natural fit at DE in a 34 and in a 43 could excel at LDE on run downs and slide inside to rush the passer on 3rd down. While his hot and cold motor is a concern, the reality is that he has the talent to be an impact player in the NFL, which is why I would use a first round pick to select him.
-- CBSSports.com ranked #20 overall, #3 at the position
-- DraftInsider.Net ranked #31 overall, #3 at the position
-- DraftCountdown ranked #43 overall, #6 at the position
-- Scout.com ranked #25 overall, #5 at the position
-- Mike Mayock ranked #3 at the position
-- NFLDraftScout.com profile (Rob Rang):
STRENGTHS: Well-built athlete with long arms and good strength, throughout. Flashes an explosive initial burst off the snap to penetrate gaps. Uses his hands well at the snap to rip free from blocks, showing a variety of pass rush techniques (swim, rip, club), as well as enough power to simply bull over offensive linemen into the backfield.
Keeps his head up and locates the football quickly, showing good awareness and effort in pursuit. Has the upper-body strength to lock-out opponents and seal the edge. Stout enough to slide inside to defensive tackle, especially on obvious pass rush downs. Enjoyed a breakout senior campaign and may be just scratching the surface of his potential.
WEAKNESSES: A classic 'tweener who until his senior season hadn't ever lived up to expectations. Lacks the sustained speed and flexibility to turn the corner as a traditional 4-3 defensive end. Lacks the bulk to handle full-time duties as a traditional defensive tackle. Has a tendency to stand up as he comes off the ball, losing out on the leverage battle. Uses his hands well initially but tires quickly and struggles to disengage once his opponent has locked on.
Now On The Clock: Minnesota Vikings
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, Giants: DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU, Bears: OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina, Bengals: LB Alex Ogletree, Georgia, Rams: RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama, Vikings: CB Desmond Trufant, Washington