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As usual, this post will be a place to discuss all of the projections for pick #34 that I have rounded up, and also a place to post your own mock drafts to discuss. Fanspeak's Simulator is a great tool to allow you to build your own mock draft.
The Combine concluded on Wednesday, and there has been a lot of movement since then. Injuries were discovered during medical checks, players ran faster/slower than expected, and some measured inches shorter than their listed height. Rumors about team interviews and player's answers to questions have shaped some opinions among fans. The big name draft prognosticators will change their big boards and mock drafts, and much of the mock drafting community will shift their mocks accordingly.
This week there are two new names being projected to the Washington Redskins at Pick #34 in the 2nd Round of this year's draft. OG/OT Zack Martin is the highest rated player on the list this week at #12 overall and the 4th highest rated Offensive Tackle by CBS Sports. OLB Trent Murphy has also been mocked, and with Brian Orakpo not getting a new deal or receiving the franchise tag yet, this might become a more popular position for the Redskins in mocks.
Several players are no longer options, including the top safety in the draft, HaHa Clinton-Dix. LB Kyle Van Noy and Lamarcus Joyner are also no longer options at #34 this week. The usual suspects are still here with WR Allen Robinson, DE Stephon Tuitt, and LB Ryan Shazier being projected in more than one mock draft.
This week's options look very similar to last week's with two interesting options being added, and several defensive players being taken off the board. No new WRs were added this week, but Allen Robinson is still a solid option for the Redskins if they decide to go with that position early. This list is sure to change soon as the Combine fallout begins to appear in more mock drafts, and free agency starts in less than two weeks to sort out every team's needs. Who is the best option for the team, and who else do you think is an option in the draft? Last week's fan choice was Calvin Pryor with 24% of the vote, and he is still an option this week.
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Website |
Draft Pick |
Date |
CBS Sports Projection |
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Overall |
Position |
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Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame |
02/24/2014 |
12 |
4(OT) |
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Reasoning: "Jay Gruden, the Redskins' new Head Coach, will stick with the zone-blocking-scheme (ZBS) in the run game. However, Gruden prefers bigger-bodied linemen on the interior and the Redskins currently have smaller, quicker interior linemen. If the Redskins move LG Kory Lichtensteiger to center they would need a starter at left guard at the very least. Reportedly, Washington would also like to upgrade at RG and RT. Martin would be a perfect fit at either spot. He's listed as an OG prospect, but his quick feet might allow the 'Skins to slide him to RT. Height: 6' 4" Weight 308lbs Previous Pick: Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville |
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Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State |
02/27/2014 |
33 |
3(OLB) |
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CBS Sports Analysis: "ESPN loved talking up London Fletcher by saying he was still great this past season, but he could barely move. He was one of the reasons the Redskins were so inept on defense. He has announced his retirement anyway." Height: 6'1" Weight: 237lbs Previous Pick: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
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Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State |
02/24/2014 |
33 |
3(OLB) |
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Reasoning: "The Redskins need a long-term replacement for London Fletcher. Keenan Robinson hasn't been able to stay healthy to prove he is that guy. Height: 6' 1" Weight: 237lbs Previous Pick: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
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Allen Robinson, WR, PSU |
02/26/2014 |
34 |
6 |
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CBS Sports Analysis:
STRENGTHS: Fluid and flexible athlete for his larger frame with room to get stronger. Deceiving acceleration with sharp cuts to be a dangerous catch-and-go pass catcher. Physical ballcarrier with balance and body strength to shake off defenders and pick up chunks of yards after contact. Does a nice job working back to the ball and finding soft spots in zones. Works well in traffic and tight areas to fight for the ball and win jump-ball situations. Uses his hands to fight through the jam and create room to work. Tough and won't shy from contact. Large catching radius with a good vertical to attack the ball. Willing blocker in run support. Extremely productive the past two seasons, setting several single-season school and Big Ten records and finishing with a conference-best 97 catches and 1,432 yards in 2013. WEAKNESSES: Average vertical speed. Upright route-runner and needs to tighten his footwork in/out of his breaks - will tip off defenders to his intended path and needs to better sell and deceive his patterns. Plays rushed at times and needs to stay under control through the snap, catch and whistle. Focus will run hot/cold at times and needs to be more reliable finishing with his hands - bad habit of making unnecessary body catches. Room to improve his field and spatial awareness along the sideline. Maturity needs to be investigated after a first half suspension in the 2013 season opener for "disciplinary issues." COMPARES TO: Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers - Robinson doesn't have elite speed, but like Boldin he is a good-sized athlete with deceiving acceleration and strength at the catch point to be both a possession target and big play-threat. Height: 6'2" Weight: 220lbs |
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Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame |
02/24/2014 |
40 |
5(DT) |
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CBS Sports Analysis:
STRENGTHS: Tantalizing upside. Highly athletic frame despite massive size. Impressive combination of length, power and surprising quickness. Scheme versatility for the 3-4 and 4-3, possessing the size of most interior linemen while maintaining the quickness to provide a rush off the edge. WEAKNESSES: Arrived to 2013 fall came out of shape following hernia surgery and struggled to dominate as he had as a sophomore. Lack of consistency was a concern as a junior. Height: 6'5" Weight: 304lbs Note: Dan Kadar was asked for his Redskins pick due to this only being a 1 round mock draft.
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Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame |
02/18/2014 |
40 |
5 |
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Height: 6'5" Weight: 304lbs |
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David Yankey, OG, Stanford |
02/26/2014 |
31 |
1 |
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Reasoning: "Fixing right tackle is the ideal plan, but the OL needs help regardless. Tempted to snag Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller." CBS Sports Analysis:
STRENGTHS: Natural athlete on the move with very good body control and lower body explosion. Outstanding shuffle footwork and lateral movement skills. Active puller with good coordination to square up his target in motion. Sets up quickly and gets into position with good base width. Not easily redirected with good core strength and strong hands. Very good initial surge as a lead blocker through the hole. Highly intelligent with above average instincts and awareness. Hard worker in the weight room - has added 75 pounds to his frame since his junior year in high school. Strong resume as a two-year All-American and three-year starter with 40 career starts (26 left guard, 14 left tackle). WEAKNESSES: Will allow his pads to rise too much after first contact and needs to improve his knee bend. Bad habit of lowering his head at contact and needs to keep his eyes elevated through contact. Needs to better control his momentum on the move to break down and gain proper positioning. Room to improve his hand placement, struggling to properly latch-and-drive. Will stop his feet at contact and needs to better sustain. Needs to add more thunder to his initial punch. Would like to see more finishing toughness and consistent urgency through the whistle. COMPARES TO: Ben Grubbs, OG, New Orleans Saints - Yankey and Grubbs are comparable due to their natural abilities to open up holes in the run game and make it look easy with athleticism and strength. Height: 6'6" Weight: 315lbs |
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Allen Robinson, WR, PSU |
02/26/2014 |
34 |
6 |
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Reasoning: "Has been the Big-10's most dynamic receiver over the past two years. Robinson had to work for his catches this past fall because of a freshman quarterback. Rarely was the ball put where he could catch it in stride. But the good news is he demonstrated his ability to adjust to the ball. Plays split end where he has an advantage with his height, speed, and quickness package. Weaves through traffic after his catch. Adjusts well to a ball thrown behind him. Quick off the ball and in and out of cuts. A hand catcher who will cradle and body catch the ball at times.ARM: 32", HAND: 9 1/2""
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Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia |
02/26/2014 |
35 |
6 |
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CBS Sports Analysis: STRENGTHS: Ideal length and proportion throughout for an NFL offensive tackle. Does a good job of exhibiting patience off the snap as he routinely establishes width and good bend in his base to either absorb or mirror his opponent in pass protection. Makes good use of his long arms by extending and punching to keep defenders off his frame. Displays a fluid, consistent kick-slide when asked to track and dictate a speed rusher around the edge. Exhibits a strong first step and impressive burst for his size, when asked to fire through to the second level as a run blocker. Powerful hands to latch and steer against opponents of all sizes. Does a good job sustaining effort and contact to the whistle, and makes a concerted attempt to drive his opponent off the block rather than simply occupying him. Impressive lower-half flexibility and anchoring strength when absorbing a bull-rush. WEAKNESSES: Lacks the ability to stop and start with suddenness or redirect in a short area. Struggles to get low and snap into smaller opponents at the second level, and will over-pursue as a run-blocker. Isn't always decisive in space and lacks commitment at times as a lead blocker on outside runs. Collapses at the elbow or will simply drop his head and ram his target when on the run, leaving him susceptible to whiffing or losing his balance and toppling forward. Has struggled with weight fluctuations throughout his career. COMPARES TO: Ryan Clady, OT, Denver Broncos - Like Clady, Morgan enters the draft with plus movement skills for his size, but comes with many of the same questions that Clady did in terms of his ability to generate power enough to move defenders consistently as a run-blocker. If he can improve in this area, Moses has the upside to be a top-notch blind-side protector at the next level, as Clady has become. Height: 6'6" Weight: 314lbs |
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Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech |
02/20/2014 |
59 |
7 |
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CBS Sports Analysis:
"STRENGTHS: Physical demeanor with good length. Excellent toughness and energy -- plays like he's 25 pounds thicker. Good vertical leap and smooth hip action to flip-and-go. Good route recognition and outstanding read-and-react quickness to mirror or plant-and-drive to attack. Above-average anticipation and cover instincts. Studies receivers and does his homework to know what to look for without hesitation. Physical in run support and works hard to get off blocks. Closes in a flash with a fierce attitude. Heady and opportunistic player. Very good ball awareness and NFL ball skills. Good blitzer. Experience playing inside and outside and at safety, linebacker and special teams. WEAKNESSES: Very lean with limited muscle definition and overall growth potential. Overaggressive nature and he over-pursues in coverage and run support to compensate for lack of elite speed. Doesn't have gear to recover if he loses a step at the line. Too "hands on" and is susceptible to mental errors. Tends to freelance. Undisciplined making tackles in the open field. Strong durability concerns with his physical style and lean body type. Senior season ended prematurely due to hernia surgery in Nov. 2013. COMPARES TO: Jason McCourty, Titans - Fuller isn't an elite athlete, but he's agile and quick with the aggressive nature and reaction quickness to make plays against the pass and the run. Height: 6' Weight: 190lbs |
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Trent Murphy, OLB, Stanford |
02/25/2014 |
43 |
5(DE) |
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CBS Sports Analysis: STRENGTHS: Possesses a surprisingly lean, country-strong frame with broad shoulders, a trim middle and long limbs with plenty of room for additional muscle mass. Lined up the majority of the time out of the two-point stance, showing fair speed off the corner in this role. Has a high, choppy back-pedal but gains ground quickly due to his long legs and has surprisingly fluid hips to turn and run with potential receivers. Shows better burst off the ball out of the three-point stance, timing the snap well and showing natural explosiveness in his legs to spring forward. Uses his hands well, including a very effective club and shoulder dip to efficiently cross the face of pass-blockers. Possesses at least fair closing speed, as well as vision and anticipation to stalk the ball-carrier, often meeting them as they attempt to flee rather than missing them deeper in the backfield. Instinctive defender. Locates the ball and is a high-motor player. Functional flexibility. Recognizes cut-blocks and sprawls well, using his hands to knock down defenders and keeping his eyes up to react to the quick-throw. Plays with a degree of toughness and physicality that every coach will appreciate... A former steer-wrestler and plays with this mentality. WEAKNESSES: Will be viewed by many as a classic 'tweener. Does not possess the muscled-up frame teams are expecting as a defensive lineman nor the straight-line speed expected of a linebacker. Has been surrounded by other instinctive and physical players throughout his career at Stanford and Murphy's lack of ideal "juice" was evident against the better athletes at the Senior Bowl. COMPARES TO: Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings -- Through hard work, Allen (selected No. 126 overall by Kansas City) has made himself into a perennial Pro Bowler but I scouted him in person at the East-West Shrine Game in 2004 and it was far from a consensus that the Idaho State product would develop into this caliber of player, especially after he lifted 225 pounds just 13 times at the Combine. At a rangy 6-5, 252 pounds, Murphy doesn't necessarily project well to a classic 4-3 alignment or even the 3-4 scheme in which he starred for the Cardinal but like Allen (6-5, 260), he's one of the tougher, more ornery players I've come across. I think he'll ultimately out-play his draft selection, though not necessarily to the staggering degree as Allen. Height: 6'5" Weight: 250lbs |
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Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville |
02/25/2014 |
28 |
2 |
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CBS Sports Analysis: STRENGTHS: Prototype body type with good anticipation and explosive closing speed. Reliable open-field tackler and intimidating presence. Lowers his shoulder on impact to create collisions in run support and when protecting the middle of the field in coverage. Good vision and spatial awareness to slip amongst the mass of humanity near the line of scrimmage to locate the ball. Shows no desire for self-preservation when taking on blockers, dropping to take them out at the knees and often is able to take out the ballcarrier. Very good ball skills. Can extend and pluck outside of his frame and shows excellent awareness to get his feet inbounds. WEAKNESSES: Almost too physical in an era in which heavy hitters often draw penalty flags. Drops his shoulder into defenders but some of his hits could be interpreted as leading with the crown of his helmet. Wasn't asked to cover slot receivers in Louisville's scheme. A bit stiff when changing direction, allowing some separation by receivers, especially on double-moves. COMPARES TO: Antrel Rolle, Giants - Pryor is blessed with an exciting combination of size, explosiveness and ball skills to quickly become one of the most respected defensive backs in the league early in his career. Height: 5'11" Weight: 207lbs |
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