2016 NFL Mock Draft Part 1: Picks 20-32
By jonfox
Oct 17, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive end Shawn Oakman (2) during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat the Mountaineers 62-38. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
28. Green Bay Packers: Shawn Oakman, DE Baylor
Green Bay’s offense has weathered some major injuries and still has been pretty effective. The defense was counting on former 1st round pick Dantone Jones to contribute a lot at 5-tech and he’s just not getting it done. Oakman has some red flags about his personality(he’s been suspended multiple times by Baylor) but there’s no denying his physical talent.
Where A’Shawn Robinson is a solid prospect all around without freakish physical abilities, Oakman is the opposite. There’s questions about how much his draft stock has been reputation or actual quality, but there’s no denying that he has NFL level physical tools.
Oct 17, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) and linebacker Lorenzo Carter (7)] take down Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Missouri 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
27. Arizona Cardinals: Leonard Floyd, OLB UGA
The Cardinals have a defense that is predicated on disrupting the QB without blitzing heavily. That’s a fine system to run, even with 3 defensive linemen if those 3+an OLB can get to the QB consistently. The problem is that they’re just not doing that. No one on the defense has more than 2 sacks on the season. And they’re currently tied for 22nd in the NFL in defensive sacks.
This isn’t going to get the job done for them. Floyd is a guy who’s moved around a defense too much in Georgia’s desperate attempt to find some good defense somewhere. He does have the skill set for a starting OLB in a 3-4 defense. He has good size, speed and uses his hands very well. The question with him is why he was so inconsistent on the field.
Was it bad coaching?
Bad talent?
Teams figured him out?
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
26. Atlanta Falcons: Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB Michigan State
The Falcons spent a lot on Vic Beasley. Even drafting his fellow Clemson defender Grady Jarrett in the 3rd round, even though he’s not really a fit for their defense. A lot of scouts believed that Jarrett’s penetrations at Clemson were why Beasley did so well in his final season in Pickens county.
This, so far, hasn’t worked out well for the Falcons.
While Beasley is norminally the starter, he’s being platooned with a real run defender since Beasley has been a major liability against the run. Calhoun is a tweener: he’s somewhere between a 4-3 Weakside End and a 3-4 strongside OLB. In some ways, he’ll remind you of Preston Smith, the Redskins’ 2nd-round pick from a year ago.
This pick isn’t an indication that the Falcons could or should give up on Beasley but he needs help. And putting another young end on the other side of the defense can only help him out. Even if you platoon him and Calhoun, you could maximize their potential while you let them develop properly.
Jan 1, 2014; Tampa, Fl, USA; LSU Tigers offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins (65) and guard Trai Turner (56) against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. LSU Tigers defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
25. Minnesota Vikings: Jerald Hawkins, OL LSU
The Vikings are building themselves a nice, young defense. They also might have found something in Stephon Diggs and Teddy Bridgewater. They do have one issue that will be fatal to their move up to contender status in the NFL: their offensive line is just horrid.
Matt Kalil started his NFL career looking like the next coming of Tony Boselli. And after his 2nd season, it’s all started to fall apart. This isn’t say that Hawkins is a sure fire LT prospect, LSU OTs tend to be slower and too stiff to be a full time LT in the NFL (even La’el Collins).
However, if the Vikings can add line talent, even at RT or LG, then that gives you the stability to make work a trade involving Kalil and/or Loadholt and upgrade from Kalil.
Next: Picks 21-24