Nutz's 2018 Mock Draft 1.0

[mraynrand]

Now for Matthews to be productive he needs to be moved around. He should line up in the middle to blitz and to threaten a blitz. He is the best pass rusher the Packers have at the moment, other teams still need to account for him, but they don't have to commit more than one blocker in his direction any more.

I've been arguing for several years that they need to craft a "W" position for him, much like Woodson from the line up to covering most TEs. He can still play quick and fast in short bursts. I think his stamina is lacking just from pure age. Maybe he can crank up the PEDs between urinating for the NFL.

[pbmax]

Matthews is overrated, injury prone, lacks the ability to cover, misses far to many tackles, and blows his responsibilities to try and make a "me" play, also almost forgot to mention that he is a dirty player.

In the 3-4 Defense and the position Matthews plays the expectation of an above average outside linebacker is to average ten sacks a season. Matthews has had only 4 seasons with double digit sacks, never more than 66 tackles in a season and never more than 9 passes defended and doesn't create turnovers I wish I could find a stat for missed tackles because it appalling. I am not saying he is garbage, what I am saying is there are comparable options out there for way less than 12 million.

Kevin Greene was a great player, Matthews is no Kevin Greene.

In a 3-4 defense the OLB getting 66 tackles is pretty par for the course. His tackling is not noticeably bad but always looking for TFL's does get you beat occasionally with cutbacks and backside blocks. He can be WAY over aggressive.

His coverage is OK, he does not do man coverage much but he is good in zone and can close. His instincts there, like inside, is to commit too early. He's the Alpha to the Omega of the Packer ILBs. Martinez seems the most natural, even more than Bishop. I would not be surprised to get Pro Bowl year out of him after his year 2 improvements though I don't know what Pettine expects from his ILBs now.

Green was a pass rush monster for 10+ years. Matthews is not that.

[Deputy Nutz]

He got 66 tackles playing in the middle in 2015. Piss poor

If he doesn't get tackles, and he isn't a pass rushing monster and he has s just ok in coverage why the hell does he make 12 mill?

[pbmax]

He moved to the inside because of lack of production and injury. He then managed to miss two of the last three games and hard,y played the last game of 2015. If he was so damn dynamic at inside I am sure the coaches would have kept him there, but he wasnt exactly good enough, he got beat up, and he cost too much to play inside. Coaches see this, Matthews is obviously a fan favorite so it doesn't do any good to make negative comments to the media.

Now for Matthews to be productive he needs to be moved around. He should line up in the middle to blitz and to threaten a blitz. He is the best pass rusher the Packers have at the moment, other teams still need to account for him, but they don't have to commit more than one blocker in his direction any more.

Matthews is not a fan favorite. He gets a lot of flak for his sack totals and games missed. All the Packer media are stunned at his poor reception among fans. That's probably angry male Twitter fans, he likely is more popular among mothers and kids.

Like you, they think he is tailor made to be a fan hero. But he is not. I honestly think Matthews would win a poll of who to ship out due to contract problem among himself, Nelson and Cobb.

[Deputy Nutz]

I am currently on vacation. I will update the mock in a few days. Really waiting on some trades that might or might not happen

[Smidgeon]

I am currently on vacation. I will update the mock in a few days. Really waiting on some trades that might or might not happen

What trades are you anticipating?

[The Shadow]

I really hope Gute does not go crazy with the trading up & down stuff to show fans he's all that.

[KYPack]

I am currently on vacation. I will update the mock in a few days. Really waiting on some trades that might or might not happen

The Bengals have made a trade at the start of the draft season.

They got an established OT, but OL is still a possibility.

Another player that Cincy is looking at is Leighton Vander Esch OLB.

Minor points, but I know you put a lot into this and might influence your mock.

[mraynrand]

Another player that Cincy is looking at is Leighton Vander Esch OLB.

What does his rap sheet look like? If you want to be a Bengal it helps to have some good thug cred.