I like the Cottam pick. No way at this point Groves is there in the second. The only FB I'd go for is someone like Schmitt at this point; the BS offense doesn't even use the FB much, basically only as a lead blocker. I like McFadden, but I'm not enamored with him. He has a high ceiling, but is very underdeveloped at this point and seems more like a mid-first round talent to me than the best player in the draft. I'd give this a C if it were to happen, and only because we were lucky enough to have Groves fall into our laps and Cottam's a solid pick. If McFadden's there, I trade down if at all possible, even taking a bit of a loss when it comes to the point chart if it comes down to it. It'll be worth it in terms of our cap and in terms of value as well.
Hillis? Jed Collins in later rounds would be an ideal H-Back. Caulcrick could also be picked up as a battering ram if the FO doesn't like Chatman for that role.
I actually mean Owen Schmitt out of WV. The guy is an absolute load and will be an excellent lead blocker at the next level, as well as being able to be a strong short yardage guy. Hillis seems like more of a B Leonard hybrid type, which doesn't seem like Schotty's style. I hadn't heard much about the 2 guys you mentioned, but I'll definitely look them up.
Pretty solid mock draft besides the FB. We just got Richardson and you can always find blocking backs out there. CB, WR are just a few areas that need to be addressed way before a FB.
You said only Schmitt, so I thought that I would bring up some other fullbacks. Hillis is the complete package and I think is an overall better player than Schmitt, but he isn't as good of a blocker nor does he have the intensity that Schmitt has. Few players are as crazy as that mofo. Brian Leonard is a tailback/short yardage back, he could barely lead block at the college level much less the pro level. Hillis is a bigger back with good hands. Jed Collins is an overall good blocker, has good hands, and decent speed but was never much of a runner. Jehuu Caulcrick out of Michigan State was pretty much all that the team used in the red zone, this kid just churns out yardage and amazingly had 3.9ypc in this largely short field running. He was a touchdown machine in college and has an extremely compact frame (6'0" 250). He was never much of a receiver, but it isn't like he came out of a passing offense: Michigan State isn't just a run first offense, it is a run always offense with play action thrown in. You want a pounding fullback, you look for Owen Schmitt and Jehuu Caulcrick. You want a fullback that can do everything, you get Peyton Hillis and if you just want receiving/blocking (H-Back role) then your best bet is Jed Collins, as none of the other fullbacks are tall enough to fit the bill as an H-Back (Hillis is the tallest besides Collins at 6'1", which still isn't good enough). Many of the fullbacks this year are undersized, so there are only a few good fullback prospects (Caulcrick, Collins and Chris Brown of Tennessee mainly) and two exceptional ones (Schmitt & Hillis) but beyond that you probably won't find anything worthwhile.
Thanks for that Quack, good analysis. I guess I had the worng impression beforehand about Hillis and the other guys sound intriguing as well. I don't doubt that it'd be a good idea to nab a guy because Richardson's likely a 1-year guy here.
