Kiper mock draft

[smapdi]

I think Upshaw is the no-brainer pick much like Dareus was last year. I think he is the closest thing to a "sure fire" prospect in this draft. 4 year starter at a powerhouse school in the SEC. National Championship MVP.

 

He is built like a rock at 6'3", 270 LB. Just a ferocious hitter. A throwback LB IMO. The anti-thesis of Aaron Maybin. This team is so thin at OLB its scary. You can plug Upshaw in from day 1. Nix did pretty well the last time he took the defensive MVP of the National Championship game from Alabama (Dareus).

 

You take Upshaw because he is the best "Football Player" on the board. A proven commodity that has performed his entire career at Bama. He also seemed to be a vocal leader of that sick Alabama defense; a Ray Lewis type leader. Just another aspect of him that this team desperately needs. Having him and Dareus would give us a tremendous foundation for our front 7.

 

I think we stick with a hybrid defense with the 3-4 still being the base D. I also think Upshaw will have no problem performing out of the 4-3. I think you could line him up at DE or OLB in the 4-3 and he will still be successful.

 

Watching the National Championship sealed it for me: Upshaw all day.

 

The league has also clearly turned into a passing driven league. If your defense cannot get to the QB, you are pretty much dead in the water. I think getting a pass rusher like Upshaw in the 1st is imperative. We need a LB of his stature that can really take advantage of the double teams that a healthy Willams and Dareus will be eating up.

 

Upshaw is the total package that can do everything you need a LB to do in today's league. Has the size to take on OT by himself in the pass rush and in run defense.

 

Like it or not, this team needs two new starting OLB going into next season. Merriman cannot be counted on for anything IMO. Upshaw would be a great start at rebuilding our LB corp.

[Simon]

I'm going to get my ass chewed good for this one but here's a few thoughts about Upshaw.

 

I think that:

 

- He floats too much

- He may or may not have good straight line speed, but he doesn't play fast in pads

- He takes too many plays off

- He doesn't have the natural athletic ability to play OLB on the NFL

 

In my limited viewing of him I haven't seen anything that would convince me that he can rush the passer consistently at the next level, I've never seen him force turnovers, I've never seen him drop into coverage and I rarely ever see him making plays outside his limited zone of responsibility. I think he may eventually get moved into an interior LB position and become a 2 down player because he doesn't have a multi-dimensional skill set. He may even end up as an edge-setting DE with some limited pass rush ability; but I just don't see the burst, the agility or the tenacity that indicate he can be a great OLB in the pros.

If it sounds like I'm ragging on him that's not what I mean to do. I do think he can play pro ball and have a decent career, but not in a Top 10 pick sort of way. Heck, I don't even think he's the best LB on his own team; considering that 'Bama is currently sporting the best corps of LBs I've ever seen in the college game, that's certainly not an insult. I just think Hightower is more explosive and instinctive and will make a better pro backer. Even Harris is a better athlete and might be almost as good a prospect if he wasn't so tentative (or maybe he's just not all that sharp and is very slow to process and react). And if Mosley had been blessed with more gifts, his instincts might even make him a prospect as good as Upshaw.

Good player, but not great enough to use a high pick on him, imo. I'm guessing that NFL GM's, who are not prone to fan and media hype, will see it the same way and he won't be selected anywhere near the top of the 1st round.

Solid player, but you don't spend a Top 10 pick on Sam Rogers.

[BuffaloFan68]

I like the idea of Upshaw in the first and then we can come back and take the best DE remaining in the second.

[NoSaint]

I'm going to get my ass chewed good for this one but here's a few thoughts about Upshaw.

 

I think that:

 

- He floats too much

- He may or may not have good straight line speed, but he doesn't play fast in pads

- He takes too many plays off

- He doesn't have the natural athletic ability to play OLB on the NFL

 

In my limited viewing of him I haven't seen anything that would convince me that he can rush the passer consistently at the next level, I've never seen him force turnovers, I've never seen him drop into coverage and I rarely ever see him making plays outside his limited zone of responsibility. I think he may eventually get moved into an interior LB position and become a 2 down player because he doesn't have a multi-dimensional skill set. He may even end up as an edge-setting DE with some limited pass rush ability; but I just don't see the burst, the agility or the tenacity that indicate he can be a great OLB in the pros.

If it sounds like I'm ragging on him that's not what I mean to do. I do think he can play pro ball and have a decent career, but not in a Top 10 pick sort of way. Heck, I don't even think he's the best LB on his own team; considering that 'Bama is currently sporting the best corps of LBs I've ever seen in the college game, that's certainly not an insult. I just think Hightower is more explosive and instinctive and will make a better pro backer. Even Harris is a better athlete and might be almost as good a prospect if he wasn't so tentative (or maybe he's just not all that sharp and is very slow to process and react). And if Mosley had been blessed with more gifts, his instincts might even make him a prospect as good as Upshaw.

Good player, but not great enough to use a high pick on him, imo. I'm guessing that NFL GM's, who are not prone to fan and media hype, will see it the same way and he won't be selected anywhere near the top of the 1st round.

Solid player, but you don't spend a Top 10 pick on Sam Rogers.

 

I have shades of the same concerns. Essentially he's a very good player that will be on a team for a long time but will never be the explosive playmaker that you hope for in a top ten pick. You'll count on him as a starter but probably not a probowler. does that even count as a concern? I'm not sure. Were starting to field an NFL team across the board but we don't seem to have many explosive guys.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

So I think we can all agree if any of these players are on th board when bu drafts, take the best one..... Right?

[Webster Guy]

I dont think Mularkey is going to take Coples, I think he falls to us and we take him over Upshaw.

 

Nix says he likes size on a pass rusher, a guy that can disrupt passing lanes even if he can't get in. He says their number one priority is qb pressure and Coples is rated as the 2012 NFL Draft's top 4-3 defensive end and has great size at 6-foot-6.

 

I think he will be there and I think we will take him.

[truth on hold]

How does he see Skins addressing QB? Flynn?

[mob16151]

Coples in the second would be a great pick, and I can see him being there, much like Micheal Johnson, and Carlos Dunlap where a few years back.

[#34fan]

Just a player that has an

impact PLEASE

 

Sorry but I gotta go with Whitney Mercilus from Illinois. We might need to trade up in round 2, but he should still be there. This kid may be THE BEST tackler in the Big Ten, and WHAT A MOTOR! While he lacks the ideal size of a 3-4 DE, at 6'4 265, why not convert him to 3-4 OLB? If we stick with the 4-3 scheme The stache-man should be able to convert him to a good 4-3 DE as well.

 

To be fair, he's had just one break-out season, but during that season his works were significant. He forces alot of fumbles, and creates lots of mayhem in general.

 

Whitney Mercilus is prototypical, blue-collar, Buffalo material. In the spirit of Darryl Talley, and Cornelius Bennett. (yes, I went there.) There's no doubt in my mind that he'll have an immediate, positive, effect on our defense, if drafted.

Edited January 19, 2012 by #34fan

[tennesseeboy]

I think Upshaw is the no-brainer pick much like Dareus was last year. I think he is the closest thing to a "sure fire" prospect in this draft. 4 year starter at a powerhouse school in the SEC. National Championship MVP.

 

He is built like a rock at 6'3", 270 LB. Just a ferocious hitter. A throwback LB IMO. The anti-thesis of Aaron Maybin. This team is so thin at OLB its scary. You can plug Upshaw in from day 1. Nix did pretty well the last time he took the defensive MVP of the National Championship game from Alabama (Dareus).

 

You take Upshaw because he is the best "Football Player" on the board. A proven commodity that has performed his entire career at Bama. He also seemed to be a vocal leader of that sick Alabama defense; a Ray Lewis type leader. Just another aspect of him that this team desperately needs. Having him and Dareus would give us a tremendous foundation for our front 7.

 

I think we stick with a hybrid defense with the 3-4 still being the base D. I also think Upshaw will have no problem performing out of the 4-3. I think you could line him up at DE or OLB in the 4-3 and he will still be successful.

 

Watching the National Championship sealed it for me: Upshaw all day.

 

The league has also clearly turned into a passing driven league. If your defense cannot get to the QB, you are pretty much dead in the water. I think getting a pass rusher like Upshaw in the 1st is imperative. We need a LB of his stature that can really take advantage of the double teams that a healthy Willams and Dareus will be eating up.

 

Upshaw is the total package that can do everything you need a LB to do in today's league. Has the size to take on OT by himself in the pass rush and in run defense.

 

Like it or not, this team needs two new starting OLB going into next season. Merriman cannot be counted on for anything IMO. Upshaw would be a great start at rebuilding our LB corp.

you've convninced me. If Rief and Upshaw are both available, it would seem that Upshaw is the strongest candidate for the number 10 pick. Of course there is the senior bowl, the camp and all the mock drafts that will be going on, but as of now I agree that Upshaw looks to be the best choice of available candidates. That's assuming Luck, Griffin, Blackmon, Kahlil go, as they should, in the first five picks.

[buffaloaggie]

I'm going to get my ass chewed good for this one but here's a few thoughts about Upshaw.

 

I think that:

 

- He floats too much

- He may or may not have good straight line speed, but he doesn't play fast in pads

- He takes too many plays off

- He doesn't have the natural athletic ability to play OLB on the NFL

 

In my limited viewing of him I haven't seen anything that would convince me that he can rush the passer consistently at the next level, I've never seen him force turnovers, I've never seen him drop into coverage and I rarely ever see him making plays outside his limited zone of responsibility. I think he may eventually get moved into an interior LB position and become a 2 down player because he doesn't have a multi-dimensional skill set. He may even end up as an edge-setting DE with some limited pass rush ability; but I just don't see the burst, the agility or the tenacity that indicate he can be a great OLB in the pros.

If it sounds like I'm ragging on him that's not what I mean to do. I do think he can play pro ball and have a decent career, but not in a Top 10 pick sort of way. Heck, I don't even think he's the best LB on his own team; considering that 'Bama is currently sporting the best corps of LBs I've ever seen in the college game, that's certainly not an insult. I just think Hightower is more explosive and instinctive and will make a better pro backer. Even Harris is a better athlete and might be almost as good a prospect if he wasn't so tentative (or maybe he's just not all that sharp and is very slow to process and react). And if Mosley had been blessed with more gifts, his instincts might even make him a prospect as good as Upshaw.

Good player, but not great enough to use a high pick on him, imo. I'm guessing that NFL GM's, who are not prone to fan and media hype, will see it the same way and he won't be selected anywhere near the top of the 1st round.

Solid player, but you don't spend a Top 10 pick on Sam Rogers.

You're describing Hightower more so than Upshaw. Upshaw is the playmaker of the Alabama LB corps. Hightower, especially against Georgia Southern, took off plays and was a step slower than an FCS option team. Obviously, pros will be bigger and faster than a college option team. Upshaw has been more consistent in each Bama game that I watched this year. As far as his pass defending, that is an unknown because he did not drop into pass coverage much. I do remember him having an INT return for a TD against Florida this year. As far as questioning his ability to get sacks and hurry the QB, you're way off base. Led the team in sacks, led the team in tackles for loss, BCS Championship Defensive MVP. That says a lot. Alabama plays a similar style "hybrid" defense that the Bills are going for. As others have said, Upshaw is versatile enough to fill the Bills OLB role effectively.

Edited January 19, 2012 by buffaloaggie

[34-78-83]

I think Kiper is stupid to have Miami picking a LT when they already have a franchise LT. So that may be our guy ....

[KOKBILLS]

I'm going to get my ass chewed good for this one but here's a few thoughts about Upshaw.

 

I think that:

 

- He floats too much

- He may or may not have good straight line speed, but he doesn't play fast in pads

- He takes too many plays off

- He doesn't have the natural athletic ability to play OLB on the NFL

 

In my limited viewing of him I haven't seen anything that would convince me that he can rush the passer consistently at the next level, I've never seen him force turnovers, I've never seen him drop into coverage and I rarely ever see him making plays outside his limited zone of responsibility. I think he may eventually get moved into an interior LB position and become a 2 down player because he doesn't have a multi-dimensional skill set. He may even end up as an edge-setting DE with some limited pass rush ability; but I just don't see the burst, the agility or the tenacity that indicate he can be a great OLB in the pros.

If it sounds like I'm ragging on him that's not what I mean to do. I do think he can play pro ball and have a decent career, but not in a Top 10 pick sort of way. Heck, I don't even think he's the best LB on his own team; considering that 'Bama is currently sporting the best corps of LBs I've ever seen in the college game, that's certainly not an insult. I just think Hightower is more explosive and instinctive and will make a better pro backer. Even Harris is a better athlete and might be almost as good a prospect if he wasn't so tentative (or maybe he's just not all that sharp and is very slow to process and react). And if Mosley had been blessed with more gifts, his instincts might even make him a prospect as good as Upshaw.

Good player, but not great enough to use a high pick on him, imo. I'm guessing that NFL GM's, who are not prone to fan and media hype, will see it the same way and he won't be selected anywhere near the top of the 1st round.

Solid player, but you don't spend a Top 10 pick on Sam Rogers.

 

Bingo!

 

Agree 100%!!!

 

This is a Top 10 Pick Folks...Upshaw is not a Top 10 Talent in this or any other Draft...Good Player...But there will be at least a couple perennial Pro-Bowl caliber players available at #10...And IMHO Upshaw is not one of them...I don't think he's as good as LaMarr Woodley coming out...And Woodley was a 2nd Round Pick...This Pick has the classic potential to back-fire if The Bills follow the opinion of many Fans and get blinded by Pass Rush need...There are no stand-out Pass Rushers in this Draft worthy of #10 overall...At least not now they're not...There are certainly players that can develop into great Pass Rushers...But it's a major risk at #10, especially considering there should be more solid options at other positions available...

[buffaloaggie]

Bingo!

 

Agree 100%!!!

 

This is a Top 10 Pick Folks...Upshaw is not a Top 10 Talent in this or any other Draft...Good Player...But there will be at least a couple perennial Pro-Bowl caliber players available at #10...And IMHO Upshaw is not one of them...I don't think he's as good as LaMarr Woodley coming out...And Woodley was a 2nd Round Pick...This Pick has the classic potential to back-fire if The Bills follow the opinion of many Fans and get blinded by Pass Rush need...There are no stand-out Pass Rushers in this Draft worthy of #10 overall...At least not now they're not...There are certainly players that can develop into great Pass Rushers...But it's a major risk at #10, especially considering there should be more solid options at other positions available...

Who?

 

The debate was about Von Miller being a top ten pick last year, and he did pretty well this year as the #2 pick. Upshaw accomplished a great deal in college. He has proven himself against the best competition. Yes, we can go OT if one is there and come back to get a DE in the 2nd round. You can debate that. The Bills have many holes to fill, but Upshaw will be a huge asset on D for the team that gets him.

[Bronc24]

Kiper is horrible....his hair looked ridiculous in 1995, let alone 2012.

[Trader]

I'm going to get my ass chewed good for this one but here's a few thoughts about Upshaw.

 

I think that:

 

- He floats too much

- He may or may not have good straight line speed, but he doesn't play fast in pads

- He takes too many plays off

- He doesn't have the natural athletic ability to play OLB on the NFL

 

In my limited viewing of him I haven't seen anything that would convince me that he can rush the passer consistently at the next level, I've never seen him force turnovers, I've never seen him drop into coverage and I rarely ever see him making plays outside his limited zone of responsibility. I think he may eventually get moved into an interior LB position and become a 2 down player because he doesn't have a multi-dimensional skill set. He may even end up as an edge-setting DE with some limited pass rush ability; but I just don't see the burst, the agility or the tenacity that indicate he can be a great OLB in the pros.

If it sounds like I'm ragging on him that's not what I mean to do. I do think he can play pro ball and have a decent career, but not in a Top 10 pick sort of way. Heck, I don't even think he's the best LB on his own team; considering that 'Bama is currently sporting the best corps of LBs I've ever seen in the college game, that's certainly not an insult. I just think Hightower is more explosive and instinctive and will make a better pro backer. Even Harris is a better athlete and might be almost as good a prospect if he wasn't so tentative (or maybe he's just not all that sharp and is very slow to process and react). And if Mosley had been blessed with more gifts, his instincts might even make him a prospect as good as Upshaw.

Good player, but not great enough to use a high pick on him, imo. I'm guessing that NFL GM's, who are not prone to fan and media hype, will see it the same way and he won't be selected anywhere near the top of the 1st round.

Solid player, but you don't spend a Top 10 pick on Sam Rogers.

"He floats too much, .... He does not make plays away from his area of responsibliity.... He takes plays off.

 

Let me suggest this. He is diciplined and he stays where he belongs fitting in the gaps he is supposed to be in - your right he is where he is supposed to be. Also if you notice in the BCS game Upshaw make most of his tackles in the first half. They ran away from him the rest of the game. He stayed home there was no need to roam around. the rest of the Bama D was doing just fine. I am not sure what floating too much means, perhaps you could be more specific as to what you saw? I did notice in the second half when the play was away from him he was standing at the end several time but I am not sure what his assignment was. When the overall D is playing that well it's hard to tell.

[DrDawkinstein]

You're describing Hightower more so than Upshaw. Upshaw is the playmaker of the Alabama LB corps. Hightower, especially against Georgia Southern, took off plays and was a step slower than an FCS option team. Obviously, pros will be bigger and faster than a college option team. Upshaw has been more consistent in each Bama game that I watched this year. As far as his pass defending, that is an unknown because he did not drop into pass coverage much. I do remember him having an INT return for a TD against Florida this year. As far as questioning his ability to get sacks and hurry the QB, you're way off base. Led the team in sacks, led the team in tackles for loss, BCS Championship Defensive MVP. That says a lot. Alabama plays a similar style "hybrid" defense that the Bills are going for. As others have said, Upshaw is versatile enough to fill the Bills OLB role effectively.

 

Yes 100%!

[tombstone56]

IM believing itll be either UPSHAW or HIGHTOWER.. no way hightower falls to a second . either way both players are being compared to future versions of lamar woodley(upshaw) or brian urlacher(hightower) ,, me personally id take hightower,you cant go wrong either one. imo. Or both, with cleveland and cinci having multiple picks this year its a possibilty that a trade back into the first is possible, itd take this years 2 and nexts years ,with a sweetener such as a 4th or a player but that could get us another pick in the 20s,,

[smapdi]

To the people saying that Upshaw isn't the pass rusher we're looking for:

 

Alabama's defense faced the fewest snaps of any defense among the top pass rushing prospects by a significant amount. There were simply less plays and less pass rushing situations for Upshaw to really get after the QB.

 

Still, he finishes 2nd in all of college football in negative plays per snap (Sacks & tackles for loss). That sounds like the disruptive player we need at LB.

 

Sammy Brown ( 1045 - 13.5 sacks / 30TFL) - 1 sack / 77.4 - 1 TFL / 34.83 snaps - 1 neg play / 24.02 snaps

 

Upshaw (720 snaps 10 sacks / 18TFL ) 1 sack/ 72 snaps - 1 TFL/40 snaps - 1 negative play/ 25.7 snaps

 

Vinny Curry ( 930 - 11 sacks / 22 TFL) 1 sack / 84.54 - 1 TFL / 42.27 - 1 neg play / 28.18 snaps

 

Mercilus (842 snaps 16 sacks / 22.5) 1 sack/ 52.6 snaps - 1 TFL/37.42 snaps - 1 negative play / 29.54 snaps

 

Melvin Ingram (835 snaps - 10 sacks/ 15 TFL) 1 sack / 83.5 snaps - 1 TFL/ 55.67 - I neg play / 33.4 snaps

 

Andre Branch ( 986 - 10.5 sacks / 17 TFL) 1 sack / 93.9 snaps - 1 TFL / 58 snaps - 1 neg play / 35.85 snaps

 

Nick Perry (826 snaps - 9.5 sacks / 13 TFL) 1 sack / 86.94 snaps - 1 TFL / 63.5 - 1 neg play / 36.71

 

Quinton Coples ( 907 snaps - 7.5 sacks / 15 TFL) 1 sack / 120.93 - 1 TFL / 60.47 - 1 neg play / 40.31 snaps

 

- not my work. Taken from another Bills MB. compliments of admarc. Just thought I would share this with you guys to give you an idea of how these guys stack up.

 

I think its a little interesting the Coples is at the bottom of this list. He may have the ideal size but football is about more then ideal size. Too many question marks with that kid to spend a top 10 pick on him

Edited January 19, 2012 by ShhitGoose

[section122]

I'm going to get my ass chewed good for this one but here's a few thoughts about Upshaw.

 

I think that:

 

- He floats too much

- He may or may not have good straight line speed, but he doesn't play fast in pads

- He takes too many plays off

- He doesn't have the natural athletic ability to play OLB on the NFL

 

In my limited viewing of him I haven't seen anything that would convince me that he can rush the passer consistently at the next level, I've never seen him force turnovers, I've never seen him drop into coverage and I rarely ever see him making plays outside his limited zone of responsibility. I think he may eventually get moved into an interior LB position and become a 2 down player because he doesn't have a multi-dimensional skill set. He may even end up as an edge-setting DE with some limited pass rush ability; but I just don't see the burst, the agility or the tenacity that indicate he can be a great OLB in the pros.

If it sounds like I'm ragging on him that's not what I mean to do. I do think he can play pro ball and have a decent career, but not in a Top 10 pick sort of way. Heck, I don't even think he's the best LB on his own team; considering that 'Bama is currently sporting the best corps of LBs I've ever seen in the college game, that's certainly not an insult. I just think Hightower is more explosive and instinctive and will make a better pro backer. Even Harris is a better athlete and might be almost as good a prospect if he wasn't so tentative (or maybe he's just not all that sharp and is very slow to process and react). And if Mosley had been blessed with more gifts, his instincts might even make him a prospect as good as Upshaw.

Good player, but not great enough to use a high pick on him, imo. I'm guessing that NFL GM's, who are not prone to fan and media hype, will see it the same way and he won't be selected anywhere near the top of the 1st round.

Solid player, but you don't spend a Top 10 pick on Sam Rogers.

Even though I disagree with your post in almost its entirety I will only point out the flaws in the bolded sections...

First you have limited viewing but already know he has a low ceiling? How are you making an assesment without knowledge?

Second you name 2 other player who would be better than him if... doesn't that make them not as good as him?

Lastly, I know they are only mocks but the latest I have seen him go in any mock is 17. So middle to top of the round looks like the floor of where he will be picked.