The Hog Sty’s Listener Mock Draft: Round 1

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by Adam Taraschke and Steve Thomas

Welcome to our first annual Hog Sty Listener Mock Draft!  We’ve all seen about a million mock drafts dating back to the end of the college football season, and enjoyed most of them, even those done by Todd McShay (disclaimer: the McShay part might not be entirely true).  Sooooo….we thought we’d get in on the action, but instead of just making you, our listeners and readers, suffer through our own bloviations, we thought it might be fun to let you conduct this mock draft for us.

Here’s how it’s going to work: we’ll put a listener poll up on Twitter at the regular Thursday morning time, doing rounds 1 through 3 over the next three weeks.  We’ll give you four names to choose from, plus the option to write in your own choice.  We’ll also publish a corresponding preview on the website each week that gives you some in-depth details on the four selections.  Our choices for rounds 2 and 3 will depend in part on who wins the poll from the previous week.

Sound fun? We thought so, too.  On with round 1.  Here are the choices for this week’s round 1 mock draft poll:

Our analysis of each of your choices:

Haason Reddick

Position: LB

College: Temple

Height: 6’1

Weight: 237

1st Round Draft Projection: 9-24

Reddick has been the biggest riser of this entire draft process. From making a name for himself at the senior bowl to blowing scouts away at the combine. Reddick is an athletic freak who walked on at Temple as a defensive back. Five years later he is a pass rusher who projects as a stand up linebacker at the next level. Being one of the most versatile players in this entire draft,  he possesses the ability to rush the passer from multiple positions and cover tight ends and running backs all over the field, and the athleticism to be a force against the run covering sideline to sideline. A great work ethic has put him in the position he is today and that same passion will drive him to become a star at the next level. The biggest concern with Reddick is the lack of playing time as an actual linebacker. Although his skill set translates he will have to prove he can play in space consistently.

Christian McCaffrey

Position: RB

College: Stanford

Height: 5’11

Weight: 202

1st Round Draft Projection: 15–32

McCaffrey, much like Reddick, is a human Swiss Army knife on the field. He can line up and impact an offense from multiple positions. He would be a menace in Gruden’s system. Purely as a running back he plays with elite vision, patience, and footwork. He knows how to set up his blocks and create running lanes. He anticipates holes before they’re open. He wastes little motion and creates extra yards with subtle movements. He has speed to pull away in the open field and quickness to make defenders miss. From a receiving standpoint he is equally as dangerous. He can line up as a receiver in the slot or catch out of the backfield. He is a mismatch for any linebacker. His quick feet make him a high-level route runner. In Gruden’s offense he would get 20 touches a game spread out between carries and catches. He would be an outstanding weapon in the screen game. He’s efficient in zone and power schemes, and is comfortable taking handoffs from the I-formation or in the shotgun.  McCaffrey would benefit from the likes of Williams and Scherff getting into space to block for him. I suspect Gruden loves him some McCaffrey and would not be the least bit surprised to see him picked at 17.

Gareon Conley

Position: CB

College: Ohio State

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 195

1st Round Draft Projection: 12–20

Conley is a prototype cover corner. He possesses ideal size and length to play on the outside. He is a savvy corner who baits quarterbacks in to throwing his way before making them pay. He has great feet and smooth hips allowing him to transition from backpedal to a full sprint seamlessly. Great ball skills and awareness make him dynamic at the catch point. With a skill set like that he would be a lock as a top 10 pick, but the depth of the cornerback position in this draft is ridiculous. The Redskins need another lock down corner opposite of Norman – who better than a long armed, fluid athlete with the ball skills to scare opposing quarterbacks? He is best utilized as a press corner or a press bail corner. He has the athleticism to match up with any receiver and the physicality to come up and play the run, and would be a great fit for Manusky’s system.

Forrest Lamp

Position: G

College: Western Kentucky

Height: 6’4

Weight: 309

1st Round Draft Projection: 15–40

Lamp is a highly intelligent offensive lineman. What he lacks in size or length he makes up for with technique and consistency. He is one of the most polished lineman I’ve ever watched. He plays with a mean streak, but he is always under control. He strikes with a purpose and locks onto you once his punch lands. Great footwork in the run game and balance in the pass game. He played tackle in college but will most certainly kick inside to guard in the NFL. He possesses great strength and athleticism, which make him a great fit on Callahan’s line. He plays well in space and does a great job working to the 2nd level. He will make an excellent puller, as well as, a great lead blocker on screens or sweeps. One of the cleanest prospects I’ve ever scouted. Would make a great fit in Washington. Callahan, Gruden, and Cavanaugh would all benefit from another first round offensive lineman in their arsenal.

Please vote in our poll and give us your thoughts either via reply Tweet or in the comment section below.  We’ll discuss the results on the next show, and do Round 2 next week.