It's mid-week, that means it's time to mock draft!
Here is last week's edition.
Now onto the new one
This week the simulator put in double-time, first with an automatically generated seven rounds and then a pick-by-pick breakdown of the Purple's options.
At pick 12 the system assigned Washington CB Trent McDuffie. 46 was a curveball with QB Sam Howell going into the spot. With the 77th Cincy LB Darrian Beavers got the nod. Defensive lineman Matt Henningsen (Wisconsin) was the next one pinned for the Purple then came another understudy for Harrison Smith in the form of Kentucky's Yusuf Corker. Picks 191 & 192 would add to the offensive line competition as Tulsa guard Chris Paul (go figure) & tackle Zach Tom (Wake Forest). The last choice added to the defensive line group, Amare Barno (VT).
That class would technically address several of the teams needs but is less than satisfying, confirming why computers should not be in charge!
Then came the re-do:
The first 11 picks included four edge rushers but Sauce Gardner still didn't make it to 12 so for those of you who are pining for the Cincinnati corner, the Purple would almost certainly have to trade up to get him. Without that option the choice came down to McDuffie & Clemson's Andrew Booth Jr.. The lean on this side continues to be toward ABJ though it's become closer and closer to a coin flip between the two.
Their second pick showed why it's valuable to keep repeating these simulations as a several new names were available near the top of the draft board among them safety Jalen Pitre (Baylor), DL DeMarvin Leal (T A&M) & four offensive lineman, including tackle Daniel Faalele (MN). With the team's investment into the tackle spot over the last couple of years the Minnesota Mountain is unlikely to continue playing here but it's not an impossibility.
As much emphasis as the first round gets across the draft-scape, Minnesota's second & third round picks have just as much weight on them because of the Herndon deal. Six different players were considered but with Pitre being the last of the highly-regarded safeties on the board this time he was the choice.
The consideration at 77 was also heavy with defense but Colorado St. TE Trey McBride did force his way into the conversation. With an offensive coach & questions surrounding Irv Smith Jr. the team will likely try to add an insurance policy through this draft. That was not enough to dissuade from adding another member for the defensive turnover - Connecticut defensive lineman Travis Jones.
So now, after two days & a long wait for their first pick Saturday, it was time to give KO a toy. With the top two receivers entrenched and KJ Osborn in the on-deck circle this is a great time to identify another high-upside WR who needs time to develop - Danny Gray (SMU) & Romeo Doubs (Nevada) both qualify. Doubs is said to have higher upside as a blocker, which could benefit him in his area of immediate impact - special teams. That was the deciding factor between the two.
When 184 rolled around it was time to address another area of need as the defense switches to the 3-4 base. Fortunately the top linebacker on the board is suited for the role outside despite being slightly undersized, David Anenih (HOU).
The first of their back-to-back picks also targeted depth for the defense and there were several corners to choose from. Matt Hankins (Iowa) & Isaac Taylor-Stuart (So Cal) were at the top of the list with IT-S have an edge with his physical abilities. Perhaps no one would mind if both players were taken just to get as much volume in the building as possible, however, it seemed more prudent to shift focus back to the offense and add another player to the OL group. As a coincidental overlap with the computer mock, Chris Paul was again in play alongside Tennessee's Cade Mays. Four-years of starting experience gave Mays the edge as the organization tries to avoid a rebuild.
Running back was given a long look for the last pick but even with Alexander Mattison set to be a free agent after the season RB wasn't deemed high enough of a priority. The guys who block for the backs still needed more additions, enter Utah's Nick Ford who had starts at all five positions during college, with most of his time coming in the interior of the line. That would give the coaches the opportunity to test him out everywhere, see which spot he does the best with and then have him do that all year on the practice squad.
With just over three weeks remaining until the draft, names are beginning to come into focus, as is the possible approach that KA-M will take during the real thing.
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