New Fox Mock - CB ALERT!

[Jens1893]

Amazing. Just when you think the mocks possibly can´t get any dumber, you see something like ths.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6449380

21. Broncos Daymeion Hughes CB Cal Senior NR 21st / NR
Hughes won the prestigious Lott Trophy as a senior, intercepting eight balls and coming up with an impressive 67 tackles. A lock-down corner, Hughes could start right away for the Broncos next season.

[yerner]

its not entirely impossible. if there is a cb thats available who really stands out, they could take him as the best value. hopefully its doesnt shake out this way.

[BroncoInferno]

It's not dumb. Our prohibitive number two CB has only a couple of starts under his belt and the #3 has barely played period. After that there is absolutely nothing. How is identifying CB as a big question mark in any way dumb?

[DBroncos4life]

if the guy can catch well and tackles well then I wouldn't be so mad. Is he good at SP teams?

[Clockwork Orange]

It's not dumb. Our prohibitive number two CB has only a couple of starts under his belt and the #3 has barely played period. After that there is absolutely nothing. How is identifying CB as a big question mark in any way dumb?

You don't use a 1st rounder on a corner for depth purposes. That makes zero sense.

[Crushaholic]

You don't use a 1st rounder on a corner for depth purposes. That makes zero sense.

The person doing this mock seems to think that Hughes can step in right away. That's not depth...

[watermock]

He's alot like Fred Smoot...instinctive, fluid hips but not great speed.

[Clockwork Orange]

The person doing this mock seems to think that Hughes can step in right away. That's not depth...

Good for him and Hughes. The problem here is two-fold.

1. Shanahan recently said that Foxworth is going to start opposite Bailey, which would make drafting a corner in any round a depth move. When you've got as many needs as the Broncos do, you don't spend a 1st rounder on depth.

2. Shanahan's track record of first round corners sucks out loud.

There are much greater needs at a lot of other spots, including DE, DT, S, RB, O-line & WR. A corner in round one would be a waste.

[footstepsfrom#27]

It's not beyond the realm of possibility, especially when you consider that we almost never draft linemen or runners in the first round, and since we don't need a QB, TE, WR or LB...that leaves CB and safety. Shanahan always does something we never see coming so it's probably what will happen. I'd rather have Levi Brown but nothing about our drafts suprises me anymore.

[Broncoman13]

if the guy can catch well and tackles well then I wouldn't be so mad. Is he good at SP teams?


He won the Randy Moss award for top return man in the nation if I'm not mistaken. Any way, yes he's good at Special Teams.

[eddie mac]

If I'm not mistaken he did his hamstring during Senior Bowl practice week and his stock has fallen on every board since then. Most have him in the 2nd rd now.

Daymeion Hughes CB California

HUDDLE REPORT
STRENGTHS
Daymeion has that pipe cleaner type of build that seems to be very beneficial to the CB position in general. He has good speed and quickness and seems to be a smart player. He is a strong tackler and does a solid job supporting the run and tackling in the open field. Daymeion has a nose for the ball and shows agile hands and body control to intercept the ball when it’s in the air. He shows good man-to-man coverage skills and looks to have some leadership qualities that should do him well at the next level. Daymeion reminds me a lot of Dunta Robinson (CB Houston Texans.)

NEEDS TO IMPROVE
Daymeion has those long legs that can cause problems at the next level if he’s assigned to cover a small, quick receiver like a Steve Smith. Then again, everyone has problems covering him! Of course, he needs more muscle and strength and you would like to see him be a bit more physical, but that should all come in time.

TALENT BOARD ROUND: 1
Daymeion has as much pure talent as Dunta Robinson did when he came out; however, he is not as physical and he plays on the west coast, so he doesn’t get the attention that Dunta received when he was in college. Daymeion has faced some pretty good QB’s and WR’s in the Pac 10 and stood up well to the challenge. I think the biggest question mark that I have of Daymeion is exactly how fast and quick he really is. He shows me on film that he has an excellent burst when the play is in front of him. He is quick to support the run and quick to burst to the ball, but it’s hard for me to see exactly how fast he might be. At times, he looks a lot faster than most, if not all others, that are on the film. Then I realize that those players are not that fast. For me, the combine will be the way to settle this issue and if he goes to the combine and shows 4.30 to 4.40 speed along with good quickness, you will see Daymeion shoot up the boards really fast. If he shows 4.50 speed, you will most likely see him picked late 1st to early 2nd round. Because of his lack of bulk, Daymeion will most likely be thought of as more of a zone coverage CB. Either way you look at it, Daymeion should be an excellent corner for the team that drafts him. A little bulking up, a little technique work and you have yourself a hell of a DB and a core player for the team that drafts him.

NFL DRAFT COUNTDOWN

Strengths:
A very good natural athlete...Has pretty good size...Is very instinctive...Playmaker with excellent ball skills...His hips are smooth and fluid...Very productive and came away with a lot of interceptions during his career...Is physical and will support the run...Experienced and a hard worker with good intangibles...A special teams ace.

Weaknesses:
Does not have great timed speed, quickness or a burst to recover...Will take too many chances...Is susceptible to being fooled and will get burnt...He needs to get stronger...Might be limited in terms of the type of scheme he will be able to play in at the next level...Inconsistent and a liability on vertical routes in deep coverage.

Notes:
Nickname is "Dante"...Had a big senior campaign and ranked among the nations leaders in interceptions...Would probably fit best in a Cover 2 or zone coverage scheme...Is somewhat overrated and really not as good as his reputation would indicate...Where he's ultimately drafted will depend on how he runs in workouts.

SCOUT.COM

Strengths: Possesses adequate height. Is quicker than fast. Very fluid and smooth in his hips. Is a naturally gifted athlete with good instincts in coverage. He shows the quick feet and change-of-direction skills to match up one-on-one in the short-to-intermediate passing game. He gets in and out of his pedal quickly. He shows good short-area burst when breaking on the ball in front of him. His ball skills are outstanding. He gives a good effort in run support and is a solid wrap-up (sometimes drag-down) tackler in space. He also has proven ability in blocking kicks and covering kicks on special teams.

Weaknesses: Lack of ideal top-end speed limits his upside. He will struggle to turn-and-run with faster NFL wide receivers and he will consistently need deep support in coverage. Gambles too much and will struggle to recover from false steps in the NFL like he did in college. He is a solid tackler, but he lacks ideal bulk and strength. He won't be much of a force in press coverage. He also will struggle to get off of blocks and to take down bigger ball carriers at the NFL level.

Overall: Hughes saw action in all 14 games (six starts) as a true freshman in 2003 and registered 30 total tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a 72-yard touchdown), one pass-breakup, and one fumble recovery. In 2004, he started 11 of 12 games, finishing with 26 total tackles, six pass-breakups, and one forced fumble. Hughes started all 12 games in 2005 and recorded 62 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions (one returned 41-yards for a touchdown), 12 pass-breakups, and one blocked kick. In 2006, he started all 13 games and earned first team All-American honors (coaches and media), first team All-Pac 10 accolades and the Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year award after finishing with 72 total tackles, one tackle for loss, 11 pass-breakups, and eight interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
Hughes was one of the nation's biggest playmaking defensive backs during his final two seasons at Cal. He has improved his technique and he displays exceptional ball skills. He is also naturally athletic with adequate size. However, Hughes is a bit overrated due to his astounding production (134 tackles and 13 interceptions) during his junior and senior seasons. While Hughes makes a lot of big plays, he also gives up too many deep passes due to his gambling mentality and his poor recovery speed. He has a chance to develop into a solid starter in a cover-2 heavy defensive scheme in the NFL, but Hughes is not fast or reliable enough to match the value of a first round pick.

[Paladin]

Actually, he sounds like a perfect KC first round choice.......

[BroncoInferno]

You don't use a 1st rounder on a corner for depth purposes. That makes zero sense.

Are you convinced Foxworth is a legit #2 CB? He had a pretty start against Arizone this season, but his other starts were mighty struggles. I'm not sold. And the #3 CB is EXTREMELY important in todays NFL where teams are in nickle packages half the time or more. Paymah has barely played.

I don't endorse a CB in round one, but to say it makes zero sense to have it as a consideration (especially when you take into account value and who's available at the pick) is simply not true. Hughes would also bring extra value as a return man.