NFL Mock Draft – Round 4
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
121. Chargers: G Jon Halapio, Florida (6’4, 320) – I mentioned the Chargers being a bit soft in my round 2 mock, but Halapio will help change that. He’s one of the strongest guard prospects in the draft and in my opinion vastly underrated. I have him as my 5th rated guard with a 2nd round grade, but that’s higher then I have seen him anywhere. It could be due to his injury history which is extensive. He missed the first two games of the 2013 season and was on the injury report weekly with a number of minor ailments. If healthy, a big if, Halapio is one of the best guards in CFB; He moves DTs off the LOS with ease and shows enough bend and agility to be effective in pass pro. Could be a steal this late if he can stay on the field.
122. Saints: C Tyler Larson, Utah St (6’4, 317) – Smart, durable center who moves very well for a 317 pounder. Three time first-team all WAC. Lack of top competition in the WAC is a concern, but Larson had a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Insurance for the Saints in case center De La Puente leaves in free agency.
123. Browns: ILB Lamin Barrow, LSU (6’1, 230) – Browns inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson is getting old (30) and did not play well in 2013 (-11.6 grade). Craig Robertson, the other stating inside backer, was even worse (-18.1 grade). The Browns need to start looking for replacements inside and Barrow is a good start. He’s far from a finished product and needs work on his tackling and block shedding technique, but is an elite athlete with good speed and strength.
124. Panthers: T James Hurst, North Carolina (6’6, 305) – Panthers LT Jordan Gross had a great season in 2013 (20.1 grade), but is 34 and the Panthers needs to start grooming a replacement. Hurst is recovering from a gruesome broken leg he suffered in the Belk Bowl and may not be at full strength in 2014. The Panthers don’t need Hurst to play right away, so this pick makes sense.
125. 49ers: DT Deandre Coleman, California (6’5, 315) – Not much of a pass rusher, but has the quickness to be one. Coleman has the ability to be more dominant than he was in college, so it could be a motor issue. He showed flashes of dominance at the Senior Bowl and could be a steal if a team can get him to play hard consistently. Coleman is already pretty good against the run, so worst case Coleman can provide good depth in the middle of the Niners D-line.
126. Patriots: CB Terrance Mitchell, Oregon (6’0, 190) – Pats #1 CB Aqib Talib is a free agent who probably won’t be back, so the Pats need some depth behind Alonzo Dennard and Kyle Arrington. Mitchell was a play-maker for the Ducks, but was inconsistent in coverage, dropped a lot of potential INTs, and doesn’t have great speed. He projects as a 3rd or 4th corner but with teams running more four receivers sets lately, defenses need as many decent corners as they can get.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
127. Broncos: LB Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA (6’4, 231) – Intense linebacker who was asked to tone it down by Senior Bowl coaches. Zumwalt had a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl, showing better than expected coverage ability, violent pass rush moves, and the aforementioned intensity. Zumwalt can play inside or out and was a solid run-stuffer at UCLA (91 tackles in 2013). The Broncos were thin at LB last season and are in danger of losing Wesley Woodyard to free agency this off-season.
128. Seahawks: G Dakota Dozier, Furman (6’4, 312) – The Seahawks got below average play from both of their starting guards last season and could use an upgrade at either spot. Dozier is an impressive athlete for his size and surprisingly light on his feet. He dominated as a left tackle at Furman, but the obvious lack of competition is a concern as is no experience at the guard position. Furman will need some coaching but his size and elite athleticism gives him more potential than almost any guard in the draft.
Twitter: @MikeFlannery_