Redskins restructure Josh Wilson's contract

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins and their top cornerback, Josh Wilson, have agreed to restructure Wilson's contract to create more flexibility for the team. This story was first reported by Zac Boyer of the Free-Lance Star. 

The Redskins have restructured the contracts of WR Santana Moss, SS Brandon Meriweather and DE Adam Carriker already this offseason. In those cases, the players had salary converted into performance incentives, essentially a pay cut with the chance to win the cut money back if they played well enough. Frequently, restructuring a contract involves cutting the player's salary for the upcoming year in return for a fat new signing bonus and extending the years on the contract to lower the immediate cap cost. 

Prior to this restructuring, Wilson had one of the larger cap hits on the roster for the 2013 season, at $5.3 million. Under this new deal, Wilson's salary was cut from $3.9 million to $2 million -- almost in half -- and he received no additional years on the contract. Wilson is scheduled to become a free agent in 2014, at the same time as DeAngelo Hall and EJ Biggers, the other two top corners on the team.

This method of reducing costs -- forcing players to take pay cuts rather than extending their contracts and pushing "dead money" into future years -- should pay off big dividends for the Redskins down the road. This is hardball negotiating, with the team, player and player's agent all understanding that the front office is holding all the cards right now. The Redskins may have threatened to cut Wilson and Wilson, seeing the tiny contracts other free agent cornerbacks have been getting -- decided it was better to stay put and take the deal. It's possible the recent visit of free agent CB Quentin Jammer to Redskins Park was part of a negotiating tactic to put pressure on Wilson.

Wilson put the best face on the situation, texting the media the following statement: 

 

The restructuring creates $2 million of additional cap space for the Redskins, giving them a total of $2.03 million in space. They will need that money, and more, to sign their draft picks -- once they have some. 

40th Annual Capital Classic On Sunday

Written by tomblaz on . Posted in College sports

 

Want to see tomorrow's basketball stars this weekend? The 40th annual Capital Classic All-Star games are Sunday at the beautifully renovated TC Williams High School in Alexandria.

2 pm District All-Stars vs. Suburban All-Stars
4 pm Capital All-Stars vs. US All-Stars

Lots of great players are Capital Classic alumni, including Lebron and Carmelo. Tickets are available at the door, or can be purchased online www.dcbasketball.com

 

Capital All-Stars: Coach Gary Hall (Herndon HS, VA)

Aquille Carr, Princeton Day
BeeJay Anya, DeMatha (NC State)
Josh Hart, Sidwell Friends (Villanova)
Ishmail Wainright, Montrose Christian (Baylor)
Marquis Wright, North Point (Loyola)
Nigel Johnson, Riverdale Baptist (Kansas State)
Junior Etou, Bishop O’Connell
Nick Griffin, Magruder (George Washington)
Will Ferguson
David Kadiri, Coolidge
Nate Britt, Oak Hill/Gonzaga (UNC)

U.S. All-Stars: Coach Jamie Ross (Vaux HS, PA)

Rysheed Jordan, Vaux Roberts, (St. John’s)
Brandon Austin, Imhotep, (Providence)
B.J. Johnson, Lower Merion, (Syracuse)
Moses Kingsley, Huntington Prep, (Arkansas)
Rodney Bullock, Kecoughtan, (Providence)
Mike Young, St. Benedict’s, (Pittsburgh)
Stanford Robinson, Findlay Prep, (Indiana)
Kameron Williams, Mt. St. Joe’s, (Ohio State)
Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Huntington Prep, (Florida State)

 

Rosters courtesy i95ballerz

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Nats find offense, down Reds 8-1

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals rediscovered offensive production last night, after slumping offensively the last two series.  The Nats pounded Reds pitching for 12 hits and 8 runs while Gio Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano combined for a 1 hitter. 

The big bat of the night when to Danny Espinosa.  Celebrating his twenty-sixth birthday yesterday, Espinosa went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run while driving in three of the Nats 8 runs.  Washington got on the board in the second inning with the Espinosa double that scored Ian Desmond.  Espinosa would then scored on an RBI single from Kurt Suzuki to give the Nats an early 2-0 lead. 

The Nats then put up a 4 run third inning on Brandon Arroyo.  The 4 run inning started with a solo home run by Bryce Harper.  The round tripper was the 8th of the season for Harper, who became the first Washington Nationals in franchise history to reach 8 home runs in the month of April.  Desmond then drove in Jayson Werth on a fielders choice to make it 4-0 Nats.  Later that inning, the Espinosa two run blast put the Nats up 6-0. 

Washington's final two runs came in the 8th inning on a two run triple by Denard Span.  Span had a solid night at the plate, going 3 for 5 with a triple and 3 RBI.  Harper and Desmond joined Espinosa with 2 hit evenings.  Harper's 2 for 3 night pushing his batting average back up to .364. 

While the Nats offense provided support, Gio Gonzalez, after two rough prior starts, handled the Reds easily, throwing 8 innings of 1 hit and 1 run baseball.  Gonzalez improved to 2-1 and lowered his bloated ERA to 4.50.  Soriano pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation. 

The Nats and Reds will face off tonight for game two of the series with Jordan Zimmerman facing Homer Bailey.  The win last night brough the Nats back to .500 at 11-11.

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NFL Draft Live Blogcast

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in NFL Draft

01. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Eric Fisher [Central Michigan]. Quite a ride up the draft board for Fisher. Who had this guy going first overall six months ago? Nobody. He's a terrific athlete with a nasty edge and smart, to boot. Should be a perennial all star candidate. Almost certainly a hit, very unlikely to be a bust. 

02. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Luke Joeckel [Texas A&M]. You know this is a passing league when left tackles go one and two in the NFL Draft. [Hasn't happened since 1968.] You also know that there are no great quarterbacks in this draft. Joeckel is excellent in pass protection, sustains his blocks, gets to the second level easily and destroys defenders when he arrives. Easily best left tackle in Jacksonville since the heyday of Tony Boselli, who was also drafted second overall, 18 years ago. Almost certainly a hit, very unlikely to be a bust. 

03. Miami Dolphins [from Oakland Raiders]: DE Dion Jordan [Oregon]. When the Dolphins traded up here I thought they were trying to get Lane Johnson, the third-best tackle in the Draft and filling a major need for Miami. Instead, they take the pass rusher. He's got great size and speed for a 3-4 outside linebacker. But can he play DE in the NFL? I think he will need to gain some weight and strength to do it. He missed a lot of plays and games in college so I wonder if he can hold up to the rigors of an NFL season. Terrific pass rushing potential and can run down quarterbacks and running backs. I see high bust potential here, though, and I still think the Dolphins need a left tackle for their young franchise quarterback. 

04. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Lane Johnson [Oklahoma]. So, 3 of the first 4 picks are left tackles. [Although Johnson can play right tackle equally well.] Terrific athlete with great speed and can really get to the second level. The Eagles have had injury problems at tackle and Johnson should immediately fix that problem and be one of the top tackles in the NFC. I don't see much of a difference in talent between Johnson, Joeckel and Fisher. Not a glamorous pick for the start of the Chip Kelly era in Philly, but a solid, sensible pick.

05. Detroit Lions: DE Ezekiel Ansah [BYU]. Has any football player ever come from so far to be a top 5 pick in the NFL Draft. Did nothing before this season, but has incredible athleticism and his potential as a pass-rusher is almost impossible to overstate. Has a great motor, will work hard and play anywhere he is told to play. Is extremely raw and knows nothing about how to play defense in the NFL. I love his character and work ethic so his chances of being a great player are better than they otherwise would be, but so much is unknown about Ansah due to his utter lack of experience that the chance of a bust here cannot be overlooked. This pick is all about athleticism and potential. If it works, he can be one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL for a decade. If it doesn't, the Lions will regret this pick for a long time. 

06. Cleveland Browns: DE Barkevious Mingo [LSU]. Will probably move from DE to OLB in Cleveland's 3-4 defense. Great athlete and speed and a very versatile player. Ran a 4.6 in the 40 at the Combine. Very productive for years on the best or second-best defense in college football for years. Very solid player for the Browns, but I wouldn't have taken Mingo this high. 

07. Arizona Cardinals: OG Jonathon Cooper [North Carolina]. Probably the right pick for the Cardinals. The top guard in this draft and also versatile enough to play center. Started 48 games in college and very productive. Has power and quickness and can pull at his size. Great upper-body strength. Very good run blocker, but even better in pass protection. Arizona had arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL last year. This doesn't solve their tackle problems, but does make the overall line much better immediately. 

08. St. Louis Rams: [from Buffalo Bills]. WR Tavon Austin [West Virginia]. Good pick by the Rams to move up and get the best wideout in the draft. Austin is incredibly quick, but very small. He should make a fine option in the passing game for Sam Bradford and with his speed on that fast track in the dome in St. Louis, he could prove to be very explosive. Austin had 214 catches in the last two seasons and can be used in the return game, as well. Rams should get the ball to him any way they can because he's so explosive. His size is a concern, but he's so quick it is difficult to get a good hit on him. In a league where defenders are barely allowed to touch receivers anymore, Austin's speed and elusiveness should prove very valuable for the Rams. 

09. New York Jets: CB Dee Milliner [Alabama]. I love this pick for the Jets. The trade of Revis leaves the Jets with a need at CB and Milliner is easily the best corner in this draft. He's a terrific cover corner, but can also force the run and tackle well. Tough, smart, athletic, he's got it all. He's not going to lead the NFL in interceptions because he's got poor hands, but he has everything else you want in a cornerback. This is a very solid addition to the NY defense.

10. Tennessee Titans: OG Chance Warmack [Alabama]. Back-to-back picks from the Crimson Tide. Also fifth offensive lineman taken in the top 10. Not a hugely fast man, but huge in every other way and he plays faster than he times. Enormously powerful and strong and a true road-grader in the running game. Not too shabby in the passing game either. Wasn't great at the Combine, but was great in his pro day and, most importantly, was great on game day in college. Will start immediately and play at a star level soon. Nice upgrade to an otherwise suspect offensive line. 

11. San Diego Chargers: OT DJ Fluker [Alabama]. Back-to-back-to-back picks from the Crimson Tide, including two in a row from the offensive line. He's 340 pounds and he played even heavier in college. He's a big upgrade to a poor offensive line. Dominated Barkevious Mingo and other top pass-rushers in college. Finishes plays, has a nasty streak and dominated the LSU defensive line. Can protect the QB well, but is truly devastating in the running game. Perhaps the Chargers are going to a more power-offense attack. Fluker is ideal for that. 

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The Redskins & the NFL Draft: Safety

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

 

This is the eighth in a series of articles analyzing the needs of the Washington Redskins and how they should be addressed in the 2013 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday. Previously published: Quarterbacks and Running Backs and Wide Receivers and Tight Ends and Right Tackle and Inside Linebacker and Cornerback. We did not cover the rest of the offensive line because, while the Redskins may select someone at those positions, they will probably not do so high or often. The same goes for the defensive line and outside linebacker. They are not areas of need at the moment. 

Next up: Safety

ON THE ROSTER NOW

Starters: Brandon Meriweather, ?

Top Reserves: DeJon Gomes, Reed Doughty, Jordan Bernstine, Jordan Pugh

Also on the Roster: Devin Holland

Draft Needs 

 This position was a disaster for the Redskins last year and still looks like one, which you can tell easily from the fact that the only starter I have listed is a guy who played about half a game in all of 2012 and is coming off a torn ACL. It would help immensely if Meriweather can be back and healthy by the start of the preseason. It would also help if he looks like the player he looked like in those 2+ quarters of play against the Philadelphia Eagles last season. That's the only regular season action Meriweather saw and he looked good. But that's it. 

The free safety position was supposed to be handled by Tanard Jackson, but he was lost for the season due to a drug suspension and it isn't clear when or if he will return. In any case, the Skins cannot count on him. Madieu Williams stepped into the starting lineup and he was not equal to the task. Arguably the worst starting free safety in the NFL, Williams was the weakest link in the weak link of a secondary. 

Reed Doughty is fine close to the line of scrimmage, but suffers badly in coverage. He's a solid special teamer, though, and his presence may be needed there more than ever now that Lorenzo Alexander is gone. The Skins like Jordan Bernstine, a late-round draft pick last year, but he was injured and hardly played. It's unclear what, if anything, he can offer Washington this season. Jordan Pugh is just a guy. DeJon Gomes is more athletic than Doughty, but lacks his instincts and makes too many mistakes in coverage. 

Draft Prospects

Hopefully, the Redskins will address the safety position with either pick 51 or 85. If they do, some good prospects will be available, since this is a draft rich in safety talent. [Lucikly for Washington.] Kenny Vaccaro, Jonathon Cyprien and Matt Elam are the top players at safety in this draft, but all three are likely to be gone by the time 51 comes around. If one of them, most likely Elam, is still available, the Redskins would do well to take him unless an even better cornerback prospect slips to 51. Eric Reid of LSU might slip to the Redskins and he's a solid prospect. His measurables are superb, but he was terrible in coverage last year and I think he missed his former backfield mates Tyrann Mathieu, Morris Claiborne and Brandon Taylor. D.J. Swearinger of South Carolina would be a nice pick at 51, but he won't be around long after that, if he even lasts that long. Swearinger has steadily moved up draft boards because the more teams look at him, the more they seem to like him. I also like JJ Wilcox of Georgia Southern, but my sleeper pick is Josh Evans of Florida. If Evans falls to the third or even fourth rounds, I think the Skins should pounce. He did well in the Combine and the East-West Shrine Game and I think he'd be a very good value pick in round 3 or 4 -- someone who might be able to step in and start immediately. 

The Redskins & the NFL Draft: Cornerback

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

 

This is the seventh in a series of articles analyzing the needs of the Washington Redskins and how they should be addressed in the 2013 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday. Previously published: Quarterbacks and Running Backs and Wide Receivers and Tight Ends and Right Tackle and Inside Linebacker. We did  not cover the rest of the offensive line because, while the Redskins may select someone at those positions, they will probably not do so high or often. The same goes for the defensive line and outside linebacker. They are not areas of need at the moment. 

Next up: Cornerback

ON THE ROSTER NOW

Starters: Josh Wilson, DeAngelo Hall

Top Reserves: EJ Biggers, Richard Crawford, Chase Minnifield

Also on the Roster: Jerome Murphy, Korey Lindsey

Draft Needs 

Washington had the 30th-ranked pass defense in the NFL last year and the secondary was a big reason for that. Not the only reason, though.  The lack of a decent pass rush -- in part due to the loss of top pass-rusher Brian Orakpo in week 2 of the season -- played a big part in the defense's lack of success against opposing aerial attacks. The Redskins cut Hall to save money and then re-signed him to a much smaller contract. He's basically year-to-year at this point and really needs to play well in 2013 or accept much lower pay and a much-reduced role in the future if he's going to stay in the NFL. Josh Wilson is a good #2 cornerback, but is miscast in the role as lead corner. He's not quite good enough for that job and Washington's defense would benefit enormously by acquiring a corner that would allow Wilson to revert to his natural level. 

EJ Biggers played college ball at little Western Michigan University and wasn't drafted until the 7th round of the 2009 Draft. He sat for a year and then made his debut in 2010. He's the latest in a series of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive backs to join the team and former coach Raheem Morris. Biggers has 24 starts since 2010, is only 25 years old, and has decent size at 6'00" and 185 lbs. The Redskins pursued Aqib Talib earlier in the offseason, but it was Biggers who started 12 games last year, replacing Talib in the lineup after he was suspended and then traded to the New England Patriots. I like Biggers and think he can play. Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans will tell you Biggers is terrible, but that's absolutely false. In fact, he had only two bad games last year -- week 8 against the Vikings and week 16 against the Rams. Indeed, as NBC writer Evan Silva put it: 

 

Chase Minnifield is someone who excites a lot of Redskins fans. He was a very good college player at Virginia, a solid 2nd round prospect, but serious injuries -- including microfracture surgery and a second ACL tear-- derailed his career. He's 24 now and reportedly looks likely to report healthy for camp. However, the Redskins cannot rely on Minnifield. Doctors will tell you that microfracture and two ACL tears very likely permanently damaged and weakened Minnifield's knees. It's not that he cannot play and play well in the NFL, it's that he remains a very real injury risk at all times. If he plays well for the Redskins, great. But that's gravy, you don't build your meal around it. 

Richard Crawford looked unready for a big role in 2012, which isn't surprising for a 7th round pick in his rookie season, but he could improve enough to see some play from scrimmage this year. He's probably not a solution to their problems, though. 

Draft Prospects

Luckily for the Redskins, this is a deep draft at cornerback in the later rounds. Apart from Dee Milliner, I'm not convinced anyone in this year's draft at cornerback deserves to go in the first round, but several more will, nonetheless. The question is, who will be available at 51 when the Redskins make, barring trades, their first selection? And who will be available will be available at 85 when the Redskins make their third round selection? Although Johnathon Banks of Mississippi State is getting most of the attention, I like his teammate Darius Slay even more. Slay is a couple inches shorter than Banks, but no shrimp at 6'00" tall. He was blazing fast at the Combine and is a better fit for a man-coverage scheme than Banks, who is more suited to a Tampa-2 zone defense. It's possible DJ Hayden will drop to the Skins at 51 and, if he does, they should jump on him. His medical problems seem solved and he's a terrific talent. However, I think Hayden will be gone by then and the Skins will need to turn to someone like Slay or, perhaps, Blidi Wreh-Wilson from Connecticut. Blidi has good size and, while not blazing fast, should be fast enough for NFL receivers. Jamar Taylor from Boise State looks like he can play man-defense and has good speed and acceptable size. He's been up-and-down this offseason and no one seems to know where he'll fall. Some think he will go in the third round, while others believe he could last until late in the second round. If he falls to 51 the Skins should smile and take him. Robert Alford of Southeast Louisiana had a good Combine and has good size and football insticts. He's small and is best suited to playing in the slot, but that's an increasingly important job in the NFL these days. He'd be a fine pick in the second or third round for the Skins. 

The Redskins & the NFL Draft: Inside Linebacker

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

This is the sixth in a series of articles analyzing the needs of the Washington Redskins and how they should be addressed in the 2013 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday. Previously published: Quarterbacks and Running Backs and Wide Receivers and Tight Ends and Right Tackle. We did  not cover the rest of the offensive line because, while the Redskins may select someone at those positions, they will probably not do so high or often. The same goes for the defensive line and outside linebacker. They are not areas of need at the moment. 

Next up: INSIDE LINEBACKER

ON THE ROSTER NOW

Starters: London Fletcher, Perry Riley

Top reserves: Keenan Robinson, Bryan Kehl, Roddrick Muckelroy

Draft Needs 

The Redskins have five inside linebackers on the roster right now, despite losing Lorenzo Alexander, so it could be said they have enough inside linebackers. Indeed, that's true if they like what they have and what they have will be healthy. However, London Fletcher is probably playing his last season, Keenan Robinson, a fourth round pick from Texas last year, looked very good as a rookie last season, but tore a pectoral muscle on Thanksgiving Day and missed the rest of the season. He should be ready for the start of the season, but until that happens, he's still a question mark. Replacing Robinson on the roster last November was Roddrick Mucklroy, another fourth round pick from Texas, though he was taken in 2010 by the Bengals. However, Muckleroy blew out his Achilles Tendon in his very first practice back in 2010 and has struggled to get back on the field ever since. He was a tackling machine at Texas, though, so, assuming he has something left, he could be useful for depth. Also taken in the fourth round of the 2008 draft was Bryan Kehl, who has bounced around from the NY Giants to the KC Chiefs to the Redskins, without ever becoming a starter. It's likely the Redskins view him as a depth/special teams player. In other words, the Redskins need to prepare for the post-Fletcher era and find another starter to place next to Perry Riley. Robinson could be that guy, but if the Skins can find a good inside linebacker in the middle rounds, somewhere from 4-6, they should grab him. 

Draft Prospects

Inside linebacker prospects can usually be had in the middle rounds of the draft and I like players like AJ Klein of of Iowa State, Nico Johnson of Alabama, who is also a strong special teams contributor. Kevin Reddick of North Carolina and Bruce Taylor of Virginia Tech could also help the Redskins if selected in rounds 5-7. 

Nats Minor Report: Blake Schwartz sharp in Potomac Debut

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Nationals

The Syracuse Chiefs (AAA) fell 6-5 and drop to 8-10 overall.  The Chiefs have some great bats swinging at the plate, despite the 8-10 record.  Chris Marrero went 2 for 5 and hit his 6th home run of the season.  Chris Rahl, a recent AAA call up, smacked his first AAA home run.  Eury Perez and Jeff Kobernus continue to dominate at the plate, each collecting 2 hits.  Perez is now batting .395 and is 6 for 12 over his last 2 games.  Kobernus increased his overall batting average to .412.  The Chiefs blew a solid start from Ryan Tatusko.  Tatusko tossed 6 innings and allowed  hits and just 1 run.  Jeff Mandel was hammered out of the Chiefs bullpen, allowing 4 hits and 4 runs over 1.2 innings. 

The Harrisburg Senators (AA) also dropped a 6-5 decision and fell to 9-11 overall.  Justin Bloxom went 2 for 3 and smacked his first homer of the season.  Jerad Head also homered for the Senators.  Brian Goodwin was 2 for 4 on the night.  Trevor Holder picked up his first loss, allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs over 4 innings. 

Potomac Nationals won 2-0 behind a stellar debut start by Blake Schwartz (1-0).  Schwartz was promoted from Hagerstown after going 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA in 4 games.  Schwartz tossed 6 shutout innings and scattered just 3 hits.  Tyler Herron and Derek Self combined for three shutout innings of relief.  Self picked up his first save.  Offensively, Kevin Keyes provided it all, smacking a 2 run home run for the Nationals. 

 

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Caps resign Fehr, Volpatti

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Capitals

A day after securing their fifth Southeast Division title in the last six season, the Caps rewarded two energy line guys with new deals.

The Caps signed a two year contract extension with Eric Fehr.  The deal is for two years for $3 million.  Fehr will make $1.4 million next season and $1.6 million  the last season of the extension.  Fehr played last season with the Winnipeg Jets after being released by the Capitals after the 2010-11 season, a casualty of the salary cap.  Fehr returned to Washington this season and recorded 8 goals and 8 assists in 39 games.   Fehr was a first round draft selection by the Caps in the 2003 NHL Draft. 

The Caps also agreed to a two year contract extension with fellow energy skater Aaron Volpatti.  Volpatti's deal will pay him $500,000 next season and $600,000 in the final year of the extension.  Volpatti was signed by Washington off waivers from Vancouver in February.  Volpatti has 1 assist in 15 games.  He was claimed off waivers to add toughness and grit to the roster, as Volpatti's reputation an an enforcer made him an attractive waiver claim for the Caps.  Volpatti has seen an increased role over the last two weeks, subbing in for Wojtek Wolski, who has suffered from some injuries. 

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My Final Mock Draft

Written by tomblaz on . Posted in Washington Redskins

 

As a beat reporter for the Washington Redskins for more than a decade, I participated in many mock drafts. Many news organizations across the country conduct "Live" mocks, using beat reporters from each team to make each selection. In my opinion, these are the best mocks, as you really get a feel for the pulse of each franchise. Another good way to project a mock is to use a reputable mock as your guide for player availability. It's too easy just to project picks without a guide to limit your selections. For my final mock draft, on the eve of festivities in New York, I am using the just released (this morning) Scouts.Inc mock as my guide. For each round, I will select only players available based on their projected selections. I will also list who they project the Skins will take in parenthesis.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9202096/2013-nfl-draft-scouts-inc-complete-seven-round-mock-draft

Now this mock is for ESPN Insiders, so if you don't have an account, you won't be able to view it.

While paying attention to need, I am selecting the best player available in some cases (with justification).

 

1st round- Traded to St.Louis (Rams select Alabama RB Eddie Lacy)

2nd round- Margus Hunt DE SMU 6'9" 280- While I believe Hunt will be drafted in the first round, you have to grab him if he falls out of the top-50. Pretty scary to think how Jim Hasslet could use him, especially with his 4.7 speed. Is an impact player on special teams on day one. Insurance at both DE and OLB. Dominated at the combine.

(Johnathan Banks CB Mississippi State)

3rd round- David Amerson CB/S North Carolina State 6'1" 205- Prototype size with huge upside. May have been a victim of reading his own press clippings after monster junior season. Ran 4.4 at the combine and has the long arms and big hands that are the rage in the secondary these days. Skins can slide him in at corner or FS.

(Vance McDonald TE Rice)

4th round- Barrett Jones OL Alabama 6'5" 305- Began career as a guard, was All-SEC as a left tackle during junior season. Won Rimington Trophy as nation's finest lineman as a center in 2012. Most versatile offensive lineman that has played at an elite level I have seen, perhaps ever. His advanced technique equals zone blocking master.

(Earl Wolff S North Carolina State)

5th round- Kenjon Barner RB Oregon 5'10" 200- After serving as the understudy to LaMichael James, Barner finally got a chance to carry the load for the Ducks in 2012. Timed at 4.5 at the combine, Barner plays much faster. Has great upside as receiver and is a willing pass blocker. Could push Roy Helu or fill "speed role" if Helu is injured.

(Aaron Mellette WR Elon)

5th round- Jelani Jenkins LB Florida 6'1" 245- Washington DC native was one of most highly decorated and hotly recruited prospects out of high school. Considered one of top cover linebackers in the draft, while displaying the toughness and decision making to play inside in a 3-4 scheme. Character player was academic All-SEC selection.

(Roger Gaines OT Tennessee State)

6th round- Robert Lester S Alabama 6'2" 220- Lester would have been a day two selection had he entered the draft a year ago. Three year starter with two National Championship rings, but ran slower than expected (4.6) at the combine. Do not underestimate the hands on coaching of Nick Saban and defensive backs out of Tuscaloosa.

(Jawan Jamison RB Rutgers)

7th round- Tharold Simon CB LSU 6'2" 200- Was a backup until junior season (2012), playing behind Morris Claiborne, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu. Has the height and speed to play against the ever growing wide receivers in the league. Inconsistent against the run and lacking ball skills, but lots of potential for a seventh round selection.

(Michael Mauti ILB Penn State)

 

Follow Tom Blaz on twitter at TheRecruitingEagle    https://twitter.com/RecruitingEagle

 

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