2012 mock draft

He's one guy you could have justified blowing away the Seattle offer to the point that he definitely wouldn't say no. Even going 50% over the Seahawks' offer would have just been $7.5 million per season. He's young, proven, and at a position of tremendous need for the defense. This team would be in so much better shape if they had done that.

 

Agree Mebane would have made a positive impact, compared to what we ended up with. Seems like a missed opportunity.

 

Especially because young, productive DTs hit free agency so rarely, and I can't ever remember one signing so cheaply. It's not that I think Mebane is a future All Pro, he's just very good, and given the weakness at the position in Carolina that's definitely something Hurney should have paid to acquire.

 

Yeah, hardy has played well but not consistantly. My thinking was maybe him or Applewhite could grow to be that bookend on the other side of CJ. IMO DT is so devoid of talent even a better starter a DE won't help a lot.

 

no argument, and while it might not have taken 50%, I do feel like at least 20% is more than warranted. It would have been nice to see what our roleplayer attempt would've netted, but it wouldn't have been better than this.

 

One of my draft thoughts is we need good second tier talent. Guys like Hoover, Mangum, Goings, Bates and Minter. Guys that contributed to some of the good years. Guys that play special teams and do the dirty work. Yes, it would be nice to have studs and we do need upper end talent as well but I don't see a whole lot of those type guys around here anymore. Every good team has them kinda like a Kevin Faulk type guy with the Pats or Jim Kleinsasser was with the Vikes. You can look back on a lot of recent Superbowl teams and find guys like that.

 

Agreed, key role players are crucial. I've also stated a desire to see the team form a core group of special teamers who can also be backups in base offense and defense, hopefully keeping them together for a few years.

 

I'm starting to think maybe Senn could be one of those guys. I wouldn't want him to be a full time starter, but I like his moxie.

 

As for offense, we could definitely think about the right side of the OLine. Thoughts on Standford's RG DeCastro? Or the RG/RT prospect Kelechi Osemele from Iowa State in the 2nd? Ideally, would love to find a way to move down.

 

right side of our line is definitely terrible.