The Draft is Here!!! The Draft is Here!!!

The Draft is here so I figured i would chime in with my opinion. Here is the 2nd annual official BLUE GATES mock draft, rounds 1-4 for now. Each draft pick comes equipped with audible, just another prospect worthy of being picked at that spot if they were available. I also added a "wish pick" this is just an individual who i don't think will be there at all or maybe doesn't not fit a "need" or maybe considered to high or to low of a pick for that particular spot, or just a player i really really want., you get the point. All feed back is welcomed as usual, negative or positive, either or.......don't forget to take the poll as well. ENJOY!!

With the 18th pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Ney York Giants select:

JUSTIN HOUSTON (GEORGIA) OLB/DE - 6'3. 267 LBS                                                                                                        

Before all the boo birds sing, just hear me out, this guy is an athletic pass rusher who was a great player in the best conference in football. Houston is exactly the type of player Jerry Reese has been trying to hit on for years, an impact defensive end type who can successfully transition to a 4-3 Sam linebacker but can also rush the passer. I think he can be an ideal SAM backer in our scheme which changes constantly because Fewell caters it to the strengths of his players, he also has the ability to put his hand in the dirt and provide an adequate pass rush off the D-line. Contrary to popular belief i think Houston also will be fine in pass coverage, he made plays in coverage in college, but of course he will have to work on his technique and recognition but he will be just fine if you ask me. He is a play maker point blank period and at the 18 spot i feel way more comfortable taking him over Akeem Ayers who i also like alot but Justin Houston gets the nod over him in this mock draft. This move also protects us in case Sintim is slow back from his injury, this pick is also not an idictment on sintim, I believe in the kid still and think he will still be a great addition and impact player for us on our run for the ring. Sintim and Houston on the field behind and on our D line at the same time would be awesome. I hear the 4-3 linebacker concerns but i think he is a smart enough study to make the transition but if push comes to shove he can always stay at end and become a force at RE in our D-line rotation for years to come.

to simplify, Justin Houston is a factor, he can be lined up all over the field in any stance so he will be easy to get on the field, he is very instinctive, a good study,  a good leader, a play maker, and he excelled at his competition level which is not an easy thing to do. for these reasons he is my #1 PICK.

AUDIBLE: J.J. WATT (WISCONSIN) DE/ DT- 6'5. 290 LBS     WISH PICK- ALDON SMITH (MISSOURI) DE- 6'4. 263LBS

With the 52nd pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Ney York Giants select:

JIMMY SMITH (COLORADO) CB 6'2. 210 LBS

Character concerns aside, this guy is just as if not more talented a CB as Peterson and Amukamara. The only reason he falls this far potentially is because of off the field and honesty issues, with that being said many people still think he does not make it out of the top 30, which may very well be true. If he does fall however, i dont htink Jerry Reese can afford to pass him up even if it requires moving up a little bit. I liken him to Mario Manningham who was also a top 10-20 talent who fell because of off field problems. This team is built with great character guys especially in the DB room where Smith would be, especially if Deon Grant is retained for another 1yr contract, this kid would be in great hands. My only concern would be making him a rich man in a city like New York but hey if he pans out, he could be in the top CB discussion within a few years.

AUDIBLE: MASON FOSTER- LB 6'1. 245LBS  WISH PICK:  BRUCE CARTER (NORTH CAROLINA) OLB- 6'2. 241LBS

With the 83rd pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Ney York Giants select:

JOSEPH BARKSDALE (LSU) OT 6'5. 325LBS

For all you guys itching to reach for a tackle in round one, i would advise against that, Joseph Barksdale for some strange reason isn't given the respect he deserves in this draft but thats the media for you. He is one of the most technically sound prospects at the OT position in this draft, he is one of the most pro ready lineman in my opinion next to Pouncey and a few others. Barksdale needs to work on his strength but what college prospect doesnt?!. Once again just like my Houston pick was not an indictment of sintim, this pick is not an indictment of William Beatty who i think will be our starting LT for years to come as long as TC stops the veteran love and gives him  a real chance (same for Sintim). Joseph can be groomed for the right side, he has the size and mantality for the power side. A great future replacement for Kareem Mckenzie, Kareem would also be an excellent teacher for this guy.

AUDIBLE: GREG JONES (MICHIGAN STATE) OLB 6'0. 242 LBS  WISH PICK: LEONARD HANKERSON (MIAMI) WR 6'2. 209

With the 114th pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Ney York Giants select:

Virgil Green (Nevada) TE 6'3. 252 LBS

Virgil Green is an athletically gifted TE, he is also a powerful kid who has a great mentality for a TE in the NFL. I know many of you may think he sounds a little like Travis Beckum coming out of college, and he is, but the major difference is i think this kid will become an excellent blocker down the line. I can't say i would say the same for Beckum who has a WR's mentality and approach. Green is a beast in the passing game as dictated by the pistol offense Nevada runs. If Colin Kapernick was'nt such a gifted runner as well as passer, Green would have had way more opportunities to catch, run and score the ball. He simply did not have the opportunities but he still put up good numbers and put enough on tape for me to say i wouldnt hesitate to snatch this kid up in the 3rd or 4th round. I also think he has the work ethic to handle being thrusted into a larger role if Kevin Boss doesn't return.

AUDIBLE: TYLER SASH (IOWA) SS 6'0. 210   WISH PICK: BRANDON FUSCO (SLIPPERY ROCK) C 6'4. 316 LBS