It's Mock Draft Season Y'all! 1st Mock of the Offseason
Welcome to Mock Draft Season where any scenario is possible! Today, we'll be looking to draft a number of big school prospects using The Draft Network's Mock Draft Simulator. All stats are from last season. If you have made one for the 2020 NFL Draft, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Now, let's get mocking!
Round 1 Pick 7: Isaiah Simmons LB, Clemson
Simmons is an athletic freak of nature, standing 6'4, 230 lbs. As an integral part of this championship-caliber Clemson defense his junior year, Simmons racked up a combined 104 tackles, 16.5 TFLs, 8 sacks, 3 picks, 8 PDs, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 FF. According to analyst Kyle Crabbs, Isaiah Simmons best trait is his versatility. This is something the coaches in Carolina favor as well. NFL analyst Jordan Reid recorded his snap count, and this is how it went:
"Isaiah Simmons position counter through 3 drives:
• Inside LB: 4
• Outside LB: 3
• Slot CB: 2
• Defensive End: 1
• Outside CB: 1
2 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QB pressure, 1 pass breakup. #11 is a unicorn. There is no comparison for him."
After the devastating loss of Pro Bowler and future HoF linebacker Luke Kuechly to retirement, Isaiah Simmons could provide a nice complement to Shaq Thompson and a boost to the linebacking corp. Here are some of his 2019 highlights:
Round 2 Pick 38: Raekwon Davis DL, Alabama
After passing on Derrick Brown, the Panthers are rewarded with a consolation prize from Alabama in Raekwon Davis. As a senior, he accumulated 47 tackles, 3 TFL, and .5 sacks. His sophomore season was his best, getting 69 tackles, 10 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 1 INT, and 1 FR. Kyle Crabbs and Benjamin Solak of The Draft Network note that "NFL teams will love Davis' fundamental play and athletic upside". Also Davis is seen as a "Developmental starter." He just may be the perfect player for Rhule and his staff to mold, with Rhule using athletic players with potential to his advantage. With concerns about his potential in the pass rush department, he might slip to the second round. Some of his tape against South Carolina is provided below:
Round 3 Pick 69: OL Tyler Biadasz
Stats: Allowed RB Jonathan Taylor to rush for 2000+ yds and 21 TD, as well as let QB Jack Coan pass for about 2300 yds and 18:5 TD-to-INT ratio. In the past three years at Wisconsin, the o-line has allowed only 65 sacks.
My Take:
While Biadasz is declaring as a center, I believe his best fit in Carolina would be at left guard to take over a solid, but replaceable player in Greg Van Roten. Even though I say that, Biadasz needs to work on his agility and get faster as guards have to pull a lot. He excels against run stoppers, but covering athletic freaks like Aaron Donald is not his forte. If Matt Paradis doesn't do better next season, we may move him back to center at his natural spot. I think Matt Rhule will see the potential and decide to take him to upgrade out o-line. Some of his tape is provided below.
Round 4 Pick 103: Bradlee Anae DE Utah
Stats: 41 tackles, 14 TFL, 13 sacks, and 1 FF
My Take:
Anae is a highly underrated pass rusher coming out of Utah, (just like another player we all know and love) who flashes double-digit sacks potential in the NFL. Slightly undersized at 6'3 265, Bradlee has shown plenty of flashes this week at the Senior Bowl, and his draft stock is currently rising. Anae would be a great young piece to add to new defensive coordinator Phil Snow's defense. There's a chance he may not be available at this pick in a few months at Las Vegas. Some of his highlights are below.
Round 5 Pick 134: Shyheim Carter CB/S hybrid Alabama
Stats: 43 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PD, and a FF
My Take: Getting Carter would be a steal here in the 5th round. Shyheim is a safety who would best fit in the box. He's someone who you don't want to get hit by because he is a hard-hitting safety like fellow Panthers safety Tre Boston. Nick Saban has been known to create many NFL-caliber players at Alabama, and Carter is no exception. His tape is below.
Round 6 Pick 164: Denzel Mims WR Baylor
Stats: 66 Rec, 1020 yds, and 12 TD
My take:
Denzel Mims is an intriguing prospect because of his size at 6'3 and his wide catch radius. Mims would add someone on our team who could be the jump ball specialist. The Panthers could be hopeful he bucks the Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess trend of big-bodied receivers in Carolina. It doesn't hurt that he has a Baylor connection with new head coach Matt Rhule and wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson, who were instrumental in his development.
Round 7 Pick 198: Levonta Taylor CB Florida State
Stats: 37 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, and 3 PD
My Take: Levonta Taylor could be someone who competes for the nickel spot with Javien Elliott, another former Florida State alumni. Taylor has ball skills, and has been able to take it to the house as well. Out of the 4 INT recorded at FSU, he returned two of the picks into the endzone. He may only receive a limited snap ount due to his small height (5'9-5'10) as more and more of offensive coordinators are seeing the success that bigger receivers have in the slot nowadays. He projects as good depth and some potential as a starting nickelback. His highlights are down below.
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