2015 Mocks

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

IIRC, Cushing had steroid allegations before the draft. I don't recall anything else.

Allegations, but never a confirmed failed test IIRC. Big difference IMO.

[Roy P]

When Cushing was suspended for Performance Enhancing violation, it was my understanding that it wasn't the first offense. He was already on double - secret probation. I surmised that his first violation was at the Combine.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Roy P

When Cushing was suspended for Performance Enhancing violation, it was my understanding that it wasn't the first offense. He was already on double - secret probation. I surmised that his first violation was at the Combine.

Players are suspended on the first positive test under the performance enhancing drug policy. At that time the first positive PED test brought a four game suspension and a second positive was eight games. Cushing got four games. You're thinking of recreational drugs.

[Roy P]

Was Luis Castillo suspended for 4 games his rookie season for testing positive at the Combine?

Regardless, I would not have drafted Castillo or Cushing and I would not want Gregory this year with my 1st round pick. Red Flag that isn't worth the risk.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Was Luis Castillo suspended for 4 games his rookie season for testing positive at the Combine?

Good point, a positive test at the combine doesn't result in a suspension. But I think it does get them on the double-secret probation you talked about so if Cushing had tested positive at the combine it wouldn't have been treated like a first offense when he failed the test a year leader. And when Castillo tested positive at the combine, it was one of the big stories of that draft. If Cushing had done that it would've gotten out and it would've been a big deal. There were rumors of him juicing at USC, but never anything substantiated.

As for Gregory, you have to really wonder about a guy who tests positive when he knew he was going to be tested and how much was riding on the combine. It raises a lot of questions about his commitment, focus, and general mental state.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Warren

As for Gregory, you have to really wonder about a guy who tests positive when he knew he was going to be tested and how much was riding on the combine. It raises a lot of questions about his commitment, focus, and general mental state.

That is exactly the reason why I would not draft him in the 1st round. There are other talented players who have not demonstrated that type of stupidity and immaturity. It tells me that he thought because he's talented that he can get away with it. Drafting him in the 1st round would only substantiate his belief of entitlement. It sends the wrong signal to the rest of the team in my opinion.

[HPF Bob]

Having the Walter Football board produced some unique challenges.

I started with my two favorite moves:

1) Traded 1-16 to Pittsburgh for 1-22 and 2-24.
2) Traded 4th, 5th and 6th to Green Bay for 3-30.

When I got to 22, however, all four of my favorite receivers were off the board and many of my defensive favorites too. CB Trae Waynes had slid to us but, personally, I think he could be both the best CB in the draft and somewhat overrated. Breshard Perriman is there as well as Arik Armstead, Randy Gregory, Cam Erving and Andrus Peat.

But I took the best LB left on the board, Eric Kendricks of UCLA who some project inside and others outside.

That then changed my normal pattern and the rest of the draft went like this. You should see the gobsmacked expression I had when OLB Hauoli Kikaha of Washington was still on the board. Most project him as a second or third. He was still there with a sixth round comp pick. In fact, I like the back of the draft almost better than the front part.

22 - R1P22 (from PIT): ILB ERIC KENDRICKS, UCLA
51 - R2P19: WR SAMMIE COATES, AUBURN
56 - R2P24 (from PIT): CB-FS ERIC ROWE, UTAH
82 - R3P18: G A.J. CANN, SOUTH CAROLINA
94 - R3P30 (from GB): DT GRADY JARRETT, CLEMSON
175 - R5P39 (comp): TE JESSE JAMES, PENN STATE
211 - R6P35 (comp): OLB HAUOLI KIKAHA, WASHINGTON
216 - R6P40 (comp): WR-KR ANTWAN GOODLEY, BAYLOR
235 - R7P18: CB DAMIAN SWANN, GEORGIA