If Fans were GMs - The Aftermath (Part I)

Trifco · May 5, 2011

Last month I made a mock draft on what do fanbases would pick if it was on them

("If Fans were GMs" Mock Draft).
Well, the draft has passed and now I went back to the other teams message boards to see what are their reactions after their GMs

selections.

I'm doing it in 2 parts, today I'm posting from picks 1 to 16, in the next few days I'll post picks from 17 to 32.
In every pick I'm posting first their mock selection and comments, THEN I'm posting the outcome.
I was more interested in their FIRST reactions, as opposed to their thoughts once everybody has had time to pat their backs and every draft analyst in the world has given their grades; however, I'm still taking into account their comments after the draft was over (i.e. thursday reactions = Very Important / Saturday comments = important / Sunday = I don't really care too much).

Also, I'm more focused on the first 2 days of the draft... if it's hard to rate/grade/evaluate the first couple of picks of every fanbase, it's impossible to do it about all the lower rounds.

A couple of notes first:

We keep wondering why teams keep giving away their picks to the pats year in and year out.
Well, if fans were GMs things wouldn't be any different:
Every single time every fanbase is considering the option to move up in the draftboard they automatically come up with either

"let's trade with the Pats!" or "I bet the Pats are willing to trade down!"
Click to expand...

Not a surprise, but every fanbase's draft day thread was shocked when the Lions selected Fairley. Nobody saw that coming but

it immediatly made sense and there was no thread without at least a couple of "wow! Suh and Fairley together?" comments. Apparently

everybody except in the NFC north loved the pick.
Click to expand...

Now, the aftermath.

Trifco · May 5, 2011

1. Carolina
Mock Pick: QB Cam Newton

There's still many that will be really unhappy with this selection, but the majority of the fans are on the bandwagon, many of them even admitting this is a risky pick but they're willing to take their chances.

Alternate Picks:
Dareus, Peterson or even Green are considered safer picks and it looks that they won't be mad if one of these guys is the #1 overall.
Click to expand...

Drafted: QB Cam Newton

They knew he was gonna be the pick and they knew it was gonna be controversial.
Some are singing "Yes we Cam!", a couple consider him a bust already and the majority are in a "let's wait and see" mode.
They sort of liked the rest of their draft (Fua specially), but they agree that it'll all come down to the Newton's gamble.
Click to expand...

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2. Denver
Mock Pick: DT - Marcell Dareus

They seem to have it clear that they need to draft someone in the front 7, if it's a DL even better.
They don't like to draft that high in this class, but I'm not planning to do any trade in this mock, so they're stuck with the #2 overall.
The fans seem to be more in a three-ring circus, with Dareus Team leading so far, but the other two teams have a lot of supporters (and detractors, that's why they're not the pick)

Alternate Picks:
Fairley and Von Miller have lot of support in those places. Fairley's durability and work ethic, and Miller's position are the main reasons why many dislike the idea of drafting them.
Click to expand...

Drafted: LB - Von Miller

Previous to the pick, many of them were praying either for Dareus ("please no Miller or Peterson"), or for a trade down with Dallas.

But after the pick the initial reaction was "in the FO we trust" so nobody cut their wrists and agreed that although not the ideal, it wasn't a bad pick, because surely they'd get -not only one- but at least 2 top DTs not lower than the second round.

They didn't.

Not even one.

Not even in the 7th round.

Since their past drafts have been so awful, they don't hate this draft as much as they'd want to.
They see good value but a huge need unatended.
Click to expand...

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3. Buffalo
Mock Pick: LB - Von Miller

They know the chances to trade down are too slim to waste time thinking about it.
They know the chances that Dareus is still available are almost non-existant.
Fairley would be the obvious choice (and still is for some of them), but this preseason has hurt his image among Bill's fans enough that the majority of them would be pissed if he's the pick.
They'd rather reach a bit and get Von Miller.

Alternative Picks:
Fairley, Gabbert and Quinn are mentioned often, but all of them with more detractors than the VM pick.

If available:
Dareus would be a no brainer.
Click to expand...

Drafted: DT - Marcell Dareus

The rumours were true (about Denver going Miller) and the no brainer pick fell into their laps.
They were a bit scared though that their FO would take Gabbert, but lucky them they didn't.
They're confident that they won the weekend and that certainly they got the best AFC East draft. They loved their draft.
Click to expand...

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4. Cincinnati
Mock Pick: DT - Nick Fairley

The bengals are an easy pleased crowd; they're confortable with almost every scenario, with a slight bias to strenghten their DLine.
WR and QB positions need to be addressed but they're counting that 2nd or 3rd round value could be good enough to meet those needs.

With Dareus gone, DLine options seem to be reduced to Bowers and Fairley.
Their talent isn't questioned, but Fairley's work ethic and Bowers' knee are.
In the end, Bowers knee (and proday) is a problem big enough to give Fairley the edge; if the doctors clear Bowers before the draft, he should be the pick.

Alternative Picks:
AJ Green, Gabbert, Peterson, Bowers or even Von Miller.
5 different positions that they'd be ok upgrading with any of these picks at #4.

If available:
Dareus would be the top option in Cincinnati too.
Click to expand...

Drafted: WR - AJ Green

They're extactic. The new era begins and all that.
The funny thing is that they loved their pick only for a few minutes... until they saw the Cleveland - Atlanta trade and they scratched their heads as to why they didn't take that deal.

But still they're happy with Dalton/Green replacing Palmer/Chad.
BTW, there was some sort of T Taylor bandwagon. Just so you know.
Click to expand...

Trifco · May 5, 2011

5. Arizona
Mock Pick: CB - Patrick Peterson

Despite Von Miller is gone, Arizona fans won't be disappointed since their second option would be the BPA when they're on the clock.
Although half the world have them taking a QB with their first selection, they're not really excited about it and would rather use their pick to strenghten their defense.

Alternative Picks:
Quinn, Green, Gabbert.
If both Von Miller and Peterson were gone and they couldn't trade down, any of these picks wouldn't be regarded as a bad call.

If available:
Von Miller has the majority of card fans excited. They'd love that pick.
Click to expand...

Drafted: CB - Patrick Peterson

They were scared that their FO would mess it up, but lucky for them they made the right pick... in the first round.
After that, not so much.
24 hours in the glory and then they were smacked by reality.

They're not happy about the draft, they missed some good D players specially in the second day (specially Arizona's Reed). They didn't addressed their Oline neither. Lot of drama in there.
They expect to get Palmer as a QB in FA.
Side note: Whiz said that they're petitioning the NFL to let Sam Acho wear the #5, so he can be Sam Acho Cinco.
Click to expand...

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6. Atlanta
@ 27
Mock Pick: TE - Kyle Rudolph

These guys really really hate their spot.
Their best valued DEs are all long gone and they can't seem to find anything worthy at 27.
They'd trade up or trade down; I'm thinking that if they can't trade down they may aswell forfeit their pick altogether because they really hate anyone at 27, every DE avilable is a bust and every player that could work for them is a huge reach.

Kyle Rudolph is a big reach at 27 but if they can't find a trading partner to get him in the second, they would pull a Jacksonville and take him in the first.
I'm choosing him because he's the only player some of them seem to be excited to take.

Alternative Picks:
Clayborn is the best DE option they'd be rejecting, but along with Reed and Ayers is regarded as one more DE project in a long list of DE projects drafted by them in the last few years.
Ingram is viewed by some as the BPA, but the rest of them feels that they'll be wasting the 1st pick to draft a back up RB.

If available:
Kerrigan or Houston. Otherwise, trade down.
Click to expand...

Drafted: WR - Julio Jones

They're still not sure what the hell just happened.
They think they like it... they're not sure if they overpaid... they're kind of excited, but... no, that's it.
They liked it.
Maybe they overpaid a little, maybe they could have get someone else (Fitzgerald) even cheaper, maybe they should have had a work out with JJ before selling the house to get him... maybe... but... it doesn't matter. It was a great move.

They're like trying to convince themselves that it's ok to get excited by their draft. They loved it but they feel like there's gotta be a catch in it.

After the whole draft played out, they feel like they could use better the rest of their picks, but it's no big deal.
They're happy. I think.
Click to expand...

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7. San Francisco
Mock Pick: DE - Robert Quinn

As the draft aproaches, they're starting to lose confidence that Miller or Peterson will be there at 7.
Their third choice would be Quinn, with the majority of them disliking the idea of getting a QB with their first round pick.

Alternative Pick:
Amukamara.
Those fearing a one-year-wonder in Quinn, would rather add DB value; if Peterson is no longer there, Amukamara could be good enough.

If available:
Peterson, Von Miller.
They don't lose hope, they come up with any kind of mock draft scenarios where one of these couple of players can fall to their laps.
Click to expand...

Drafted: DE - Aldon Smith

At least we didn't draft Gabbert.
Niners fans really hated to have the first WTF pick of the night. They don't really trust that much in their FO drafting players and this time was no exception.

It's not like they hate the pick but with Quinn, Amukamara and even Fairley available they can't understand how they ended up with another A. Smith after the first one they got turned the way it did.
Some of them are still convinced they should've lost against Arizona at the end of last season, this way they would've picked before.
After reaching in the first round, in the second many fans were glad they got Kaepernick (many saw this as reaching again, trading up to get him), but they're mainly ok with this.

Side note: Fun story regarding a school asignment Kaepernick wrote when he was a kid (different than the Scotty one, though); at 11 he wrote he'd be a football player and he would play in the 49ers even if they were not good anymore. He still have the paper sheet where he wrote that and all.

Overall they dislike their draft, they feel like they reached everywhere but there's a hint of optimism that it wasn't there after their first pick.
Click to expand...

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8. Tennessee
Mock Pick: DE - JJ Watt

They still don't know if they'll be a 3-4 or 4-3 team this year, they're not sure if Watt would be a better fit for a 3-4 or for a 4-3 scheme, but the majority of them seem to like Watt as whatever position in whatever scheme they may play.
They wouldn't take a QB in the first.

Alternative Picks:
Amukamara.
Apparently, the only reason they wouldn't take Prince is that they don't want to miss on this DL class. Otherwise, they wouldn't be upset if this is the pick.
Bowers is also mentioned but his knee is really scaring everybody.

If available:
Peterson or Dareus (yeah, right... who wouldn't?). Quinn.
The only real option is Quinn, which they would take it in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

Drafted: QB - Jake Locker

I.Don't.Get.It.

A couple of weeks before the draft they would've hate this, instead only a week later they were all sold on the idea.

Yes yes yes, it's a reach, so what... we wanted Locker and we got Locker. Probably we said something along the lines of only drafting him if he was there in the second round but... he's a franchise qb and you can't reach enough for a franchise qb.
Maybe we said we didn't want a QB, much less a running QB (not again), but who cares. Locker is the real deal. The Anti-Vince Young.

Some would've liked at least a trade down, but they guess (I'd say they're right) that Vikings would've take him, so if they wanted Locker, this is the place they needed to take him.

It'll be really interesting to see how things turn out with them taking Locker and passing on Gabbert who ended up with their div rivals Jaguars AND passing on Watt (who they wanted) who ended up with their other div rivals Texans; meanwhile -surprisingly- they seem to be really happy about their draft.
Click to expand...

Trifco · May 5, 2011

9. Dallas
Mock Pick: CB - Prince Amukamara

They're not too excited on any player. Amukamara has been overanalyzed in there so his flaws have made him less attractive for many fans who keep on looking for an alternate option.
But despite all that, they seem to accept that the best value they could get in here without trading down is the best CB available.

Alternative Picks:
Tyron Smith.
They consider him a reach, but he's the only other option that they could feel confortable with.

If available:
Quinn, Watt.
Not really excited about them either, but probably would take them instead of Prince.
They're not even wasting time to think "what if" scenarios where one of the top picks falls to them.
Click to expand...

Drafted: OT - Tyron Smith

This one's pretty easy: "Meh... I would've selected [insert any other player name here], but I guess T Smith is ok".
Meh.
Click to expand...

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10. Jacksonville
@ 16
Mock Pick: DE - Ryan Kerrigan

Lot of debate in there.
A few weeks ago they were really decided on getting a QB, now many of them are jumping on the DL bandwagon.
Although they're having a heated debate those eager to grab a QB at 16 are not really against getting a DE, unlike those claiming that there's no QB worth taking at 16 and/or that if there's one worthy he won't be there.
Among the DE considered, Kerrigan is their best option.

Alternative Picks:
Ponder would be the guy they could accept as a worthy QB at 16.

If available:
Quinn, Locker or Watt would be considered in the talking but they're not necessarily rated higher than Kerrigan.
Click to expand...

Drafted: QB - Blaine Gabbert

They were torn between drafting a defensive player or taking the best QB available.
Well, it turned out that the best QB available was better than the one they thought it would be.

Funny though (since they thought Gabbert wouldn't be there), they were hyped on Locker, they used the previous weeks to see how good he will be and to say over and over how he was one of the top QBs in this year... and he ended up with their div rivals Titans.

But still, in the end they were all happy, they missed Locker and had to trade up, but except a few still longing for a DE and the few disliking Gabbert, they're really excited to have Blaine for several years from now.
Click to expand...

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11. Houston
Mock Pick: DE - Cameron Jordan

Another team dealing with a 4-3/3-4 ID-crisis.
The fans are divided between drafting a player in a position they don't need too much (like Jordan) or reaching for a player that they need more (i.e. OLB).
Those trying to reach for their player can't decide who would be their pick, so Cam Jordan it is.

Alternative Picks:
Houston, Reed, Kerrigan, A Smith.
Reaching for these players and taking them at 11 could be acceptable for many texans fans.
Julio Jones is also another option, but the majority don't want to waste their first round pick in offense.

If available:
Quinn is their pick and Watt could be considered.
They're not high on Amukamara despite their awful secondary.
Click to expand...

Drafted: DE - JJ Watt

At first they were heavily dissapointed considering they had Fairley and Quinn available, they were really high on him and were excited to see him fall to them just to pass on both.

On the other hand, they got Brooks Reed, who they really liked, and a couple of nice picks (Keo) that shed a different light on their overall draft.
In the end, they're now considering this their best draft compared to all their previous ones.
Contrary to their mood after the first day, now they liked it.
Click to expand...

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12. Minnesota
Mock Pick: QB - Jake Locker

They don't wanna wait for the second round and risk to lose a QB.
Their ideal scenario is trading down a bit, but if that's not possible they won't be upset if they have to reach to get this guy.

Alternative Picks:
Ponder, Mallet.
Still reaching, but they don't mind. Both are regarded by some as the best QB in this class and they're afraid none of them would be there in the second round.
Julio Jones could be acceptable but they're more worried to grab their QB.

If available:
Gabbert or Newton would be picked before Locker.
Click to expand...

Drafted: QB - Christian Ponder

They wanted Locker, but he was gone.
They loved Gabbert, they were willing to trade up to get him, but they didn't and he was gone.
Then they liked that at least they'll get either Fairley, Prince or Quinn, but they passed on them all.
Then many of them would've liked Mallett over Ponder as a QB, but... oh well.

They didn't really disliked the pick. Actually many of them like Ponder and consider him one of the best QBs in this year... but at 12 and with so many talent still on the board, they can't stop thinking it was a huge reach.

If they had traded down to get him, they'd be totally ok with this.
After getting Rudolph later on and learning that their FO couldn't find a trading partner in the first round, they're not totally pissed about their draft, but they're still a bit down for reaching a lot in the first.

Rumour: Vikings didn't have a third round pick, but they were so eager to have a third round player that they selected Ponder in the first.
Click to expand...

Trifco · May 5, 2011

13. Detroit
Mock Pick: OT - Tyron Smith

Not an easy one.
They want a CB or -to a lesser degree- a DE, but many of them would hate what's left on the menu.
The other option is OLine, but they're not sold on that one neither.
Still, they could agree that Smith is the best value they could get at 13, although some consider him a reach or a position they don't need that much.

Alternative Picks:
Castonzo if they're taking OL.
Jimmy Smith as a consolation prize, but his many red flags are scaring lion's fans.
Kerrigan, Aldon Smith, Ayers would be picked at 13 by many of them, but the rest considers that that is reaching too much.

If available:
Amukamara. This is their guy.
Otherwise, Quinn, Watt and Jordan would be picked before Smith.
Click to expand...

Drafted: DT - Nick Fairley

They didn't saw that coming.
Actually, nobody else did, neither.

They were sure they'd get Amukamara and since they never considered Fairley an option they didn't know how to react on that.
Some of them are worried about Fairley's red flags, some of them are worried about their secondary, but overall, like the rest of the world, they loved the pick.
They trust that Suh will be able to keep Fairley focused and motivated and increase the chance of the Boom against the Bust in this case.

Overall they liked their draft, a couple of (big) needs unattended and not many picks, but great value this year.
They're happy.
Click to expand...

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14. St. Louis
Mock Pick: WR - Julio Jones

A no brainer considering every post in there starts with "if JJ is not there, then we should pick..."
If Rams fans had the #1 pick, this would be their pick.

Alternative Picks:
Liuget, Aldon Smith, Ingram.

If available:
No one. JJ > AJ.
JJ > everyone else.
Click to expand...

Drafted: DT - Robert Quinn

They never expected that they'd be choosing between a Prince and a Quinn, so they were really happy of how things turned out for them after losing on JJ.
The Seahawks and Niners drafts were just icing on their cake.
They really liked to get Quinn and although they didn't got the wideout they wanted, they still added new weapons to their receiver corps with Kendricks (TE), Pettis and Salas (WRs).
Click to expand...

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15. Miami
Mock Pick: QB - Ryan Mallett

They want and need a QB; if they can trade down to get the guy they want, they would; otherwise they wouldn't risk waiting till the second round to see what's left.
Mallet is the guy they seem to like the most; not a reach since many think he'll be gone by the time they pick.

Alternative Picks:
Pouncey, Ingram or Ponder could be options if Mallett is gone.

If available:
Newton. Maybe Gabbert.
Click to expand...

Drafted: OL - Mike Pouncey

Like a kid watching a pizza (and a burger and some candies) on the table and being forced to eat a big bowl of broccoli instead.

They had Mallett, Amukamara and Ingram available and they got Pouncey.
You can argue all you want that broccoli is a lot healthier than pizza, but you can't expect that the kid will eat it gladly.

Also you can argue that if Mallett is a pizza, at best he's a domino's pizza or whatever, but in the end, it's still a pizza.
Well, the "please take Mallett" and "please not Pouncey" unanimous prayers were answered... by drafting Pouncey.

But the most cruel part is when you tell the kid "if you eat your veggies I'll give you a surprise that you'll love!" and then you get the fin fans all hyped up because they've just traded up... big sacrifice but in the end they'll get Mallett... here comes the pizza! just to find another big bowl of broccoli!
I actually felt bad for them. It was sad.

No, actually it was funny.

(Shall I mention that his annoying bully cousin actually got the pizza himself? or that's just too much?)
Click to expand...

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16. Washington
@ 10
Mock Pick: QB - Blaine Gabbert

To be honest, they don't like anyone at 10.
They really hate that spot and are eager to trade down.
So, assuming some of them will be dissappointed no matter how, Gabbert is a not so bad pick.
This because although the majority want a QB in the 2nd round (or lower in the first), they're counting that Gabbert won't be there when they're on the clock and he's regarded by many of them as the best QB of this class.

Alternative Picks:
Jones, Locker, Jordan, T Smith.
Against these picks they argue that they don't want to use the 10 in a position they don't have a big need (WR/OL) or that the player in question is a reach (Locker/Jordan).

If available:
Watt, Quinn, Green.
Each of them with their respective detractors, but they'd consider them if they were available.
Click to expand...

Drafted: DE - Ryan Kerrigan

They wanted Gabbert and he fell into their laps.
But they traded down. They're ok with that, a bit dissapointed on missing Gabbert, but they loved the trade.
But then, they passed on Cam Jordan and selected Kerrigan. Oh well, not that bad.
They're ok with that pick, but they wanted a QB. Locker was gone, but they had the chance to get Gabbert (in the 1st) or Mallett (in the 2nd) and didn't take it.

They're ok with their draft but don't know what they'll do about their QB situation.
Click to expand...

Doogstein · May 5, 2011

Overall very cool to see how each fanbase feels about its teams picks. Very glad to hear how disappointed the Fins are with their draft. I couldn't be happier that they picked IMO the most overrated non-QB in the draft. No way is Pouncey near the level of center his brother or Mangold are and I don't think he's going to be as good as Dolphag fans hope for.

BTW it's Christian Ponder not Colin. That's just me nitpicking. Overall very nice bro appreciate it.

GQMartin · May 6, 2011

The follow up and work is much appreciated.

good job.

JetsUK · May 6, 2011

this is a very good read - thanks for putting it together.

milo · May 6, 2011

Haha great shit. Keep it coming.

Trifco · May 6, 2011

Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks.

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It's funny/weird how fanbases seen things different than everyone else.
I'm thinking about Tennessee... everybody thought they were crying for reaching to get Locker, when actually that was the player they wanted.

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Doogstein said: ↑

BTW it's Christian Ponder not Colin. That's just me nitpicking. Overall very nice bro appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Damn.
Fixed.

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