Mad Men NFL Mock Draft Part 4 of 4
26. Green Bay- Eddie Lacy (RB- Alabama) This selection may or may not surprise some people as he could or could not figure to be a first round pick, given his combine performance. The tape doesn't lie and Lacy is a dominant and durable back, in the same mold as Trent Richardson. I've been saying for half a decade that Green Bay is a feature running back away from being a dynasty.
27. Houston- Justin Hunter (WR- Tennessee) I wanted to mock Hunter to the Packers because of the departure of Greg Jennings, but running back was such a glaring weakness. Houston comes up aces in this position, drafting a 6'4 receiver with a Randy Moss sort of build. He has had a knee injury in the past, but he runs fluid routes and as the old adage goes, “You can't teach height”. This pick is especially important given that Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub aren't youngsters anymore.
28. Denver- Sylvester Williams (DT- North Carolina) Yes, I know that the Broncos picked up Terrence Knighton in free agency, BUT sometimes Pot Roast has had difficulty maintaining his weight. I also know that Denver runs a 3-4 scheme, but don't expect Knighton to be an every down tackle. Williams is one of the best at this position in the draft, and at 6'3 and over 300 lbs, Williams could potentially be a more athletic version of Knighton.
29. New England- D.J. Hayden (CB- Houston) Last year, Hayden collided with another player so hard that he sustained damage to the back of his heart. Hopefully, he's made a full recovery and a cardiologist can vouch for him. When healthy, Hayden has the total package, coverage ability, raw speed, run back ability…The Patriots may take a chance here, one that could pay large dividends.
30. Atlanta- Zach Ertz (TE- Stanford) Eiffert has already been selected and the Falcons need to draft a tight end in anticipation of Tony Gonzales's retirement. Ertz is very tall at 6'6 and is a good route runner. He's not going to impress you with elite speed like Vernon Davis, but think of him as a taller Jason Witten, and with average speed, Witten is a future Hall of Fame candidate. Ertz is in that mold as a very good route runner from the tight end position and can also be a fantastic red zone option for Matty Ice.
31. San Francisco- Matt Elam (S- Florida) Elam is a heavy hitter from the safety position. He's leaner than Polamalu, but he's very instinctual. Think Taylor Mays, if he had talent and that's Elam. This is a guy that the 49ers could blitz frequently as well as have sit back in coverage and steal a couple balls and take it to the house. If Elam were around two picks later, I would love the Jags to draft him.
32. Baltimore- Tank Carradine (DE- Florida State) The Ravens are absolutely STACKED at linebacker and they have Ngata in the middle of the line, but they have no rush ends worth note. With good size and speed to spare, Carradine could potentially be a force in the pass game and at the least, serve as contain in the run game. Some people have the Ravens drafting a safety now that they no longer have Ed Reed or Bernard Pollard, but I'm not a big believer in drafting 3 safeties in the 1st round.
Real Mad Men, 1960 vs 2013
Creative
One of my favorite aspects of the television show, is how they nail the creative process. The research, development, execution, and pitch. Sometimes no matter how hard you want to magically have a great idea, it just won’t come to mind. Other times you can think your idea is ground-breaking, but the client isn’t onboard with your direction. As far as the business world of a career in the creative industry, Mad Men is spot on.
Office Culture
Always watching their back from their coworkers, the cast of Mad Men are consistently out for themselves. Everyone is trying to get ahead, and willing to go to extreme lengths to be at the top. Today, this would be the perfect set up for a failing business. Burning bridges won’t get you far as an agency, as well as taking the time to lend a hand. A successful agency is sustained by good relationships, not only with clients but also with the entire team. Going the extra mile rather than cutting corners is what makes a great agency stand out from a good agency.
The Power of Advertising
In my opinion, this is the biggest change to advertising due to technology. In the 50s and 60s, the media had a certain control that it no longer has. With so many product options, advertising clutter and noise, ways to order, and convenience of the internet consumers’ brand loyalty is nowhere near where it was in the past. Being able to search for the best prices around allows consumers to be fickle with their purchasing decisions.
The power today is in the hands of the consumer. Rather than creating a marketing plan that you think is effective, it is important to put yourself in the shoes of the consumer. Would I benefit from paying attention from this ad, or is it just feature dumping like the other 3,000 advertisements that I see on a daily basis?
Conclusion
So, would an agency like Sterling Cooper be a top agency on Madison Ave. in 2013? No, just as the world evolves over time, so must agencies. Technology has pushed agencies to become more consumer-driven in their strategies. While Sterling Cooper would wine-and-dine their clients into their ideas, it was mainly their way or the highway. Today a lot more listening needs to be done rather than talking.
As Don would say “If you don’t like what people are saying, change the conversation.” However Don never had to deal with Yelp reviews. Sorry Don, your persuasive words might not make the cut in modern advertising. Time to work on your people skills!
Mad Men NFL Mock Draft Part 3 of 4
17. Pittsburgh- DeAndre Hopkins (WR- Clemson) The Steelers lost Mike Wallace to Miami and Heath Miller was banged up late last year. Sanders was almost lost to the Patriots. Big Ben could use a legitimate second option behind Antonio Brown. Hopkins has a larger body than Brown and could be the red zone threat the Steelers need.
18. Dallas- DJ Fluker (OL- Alabama) Fluker could be a plug and play right tackle that could anchor the offensive line for the foreseeable future. He can also play some guard, and with a 6'6, 335 lb body, Fluker could be an absolute mauler and finally give the Cowboys a running game that they've been lacking ever since they lost the Julius Jones/Marion Barber tandem many years ago. This would also force other teams to respect the run and buy Tony Romo some more time in the pocket. If given time, Romo is, statistically, a very good QB. Fluker may be gone by this point, but if he fell to 18, he could be quickly scooped up by the Cowboys.
19. New York Giants- Tyler Eifert (TE- Notre Dame) The Giants lost the productive Martellus Bennett to the Bears over the off-season, so they may be looking to grab the best pass-catching tight end in the draft. Eiffert has drawn comparisons to Rob Gronkowski, but I would expect him to be a little more cerebral than the meat-headed “Gronk”. This would be a fantastic intermediate receiving option for Eli Manning.
20. Chicago- Star Lotulelei (DT- Utah) Star has received a lot of hype leading up to the draft. Some called him a top 5 lock, and even that he is the most talented player in the draft, regardless of position. The bottom line is this: he's a high-motor nose tackle and that position doesn't usually get drafted exceptionally high. The other reason he slid this far is because his heart, at one point, was pumping way below normal capacity, and that put up some pretty big red flags for a lot of teams. Since then, he has been told that his heart is pumping normally, but the damage to his draft stock may have already been done. If the Bears can get him with the 20th pick, it could be a very big pay off. The best case scenario is that this guy is a Haloti Ngata clone. If that's the case, the Bears should be thrilled to snag him here.
21. Cincinnati- Eric Reid (S- LSU) Eric Reid was an absolute stud at the combine. His measurables alone make him worthy of this spot, but the fact that he was an All-American at LSU makes him a first round lock. Who doesn't love a safety with a 6'1, 210 lb frame that can jump 41″? Cincinnati replaces Reggie Nelson with this pick.
22. St. Louis- Cordarrelle Patterson (WR- Tennessee) Patterson, Tyler Bray's favorite target for the Volunteers, has a unique skill set. He is tall with a good-sized frame, but is as explosive after the catch as receivers 4 or 5 inches shorter than him. He's not quite as big as Calvin Johnson, but he would be a major upgrade to the Rams receiving corps.
23. Minnesota- Manti Te'o (ILB- Notre Dame) The media circus is in the past, and the fact of the matter is that Te'o is a very instinctual inside linebacker. He has good tackling technique and can be a leader on the defense. He will rack up 100+ tackles per season beginning his rookie season. Unlike most, I don't look at his 7 interceptions during his senior season because prior to that, he didn't have any at all. He will be a run-stopper and an above average zone pass defender from the linebacker position at the next level.
24. Indianapolis- Datone Jones (DL- UCLA) Jones is the kind of hybrid DT/DE player that the Colts have historically loved. His big body would indicate that he would be a natural fit for the tackle position, but he's leaner than most tackles, so he could become a multiple technique D lineman in the NFL. Indianapolis is all set on offense, so it's time to begin piecing together the defense.
25. Minnesota- Desmond Trufant (CB- Washington) The last name Trufant is synonymous with pass coverage in the state of Washington. During his stint at Washington, Trufant was often put on an island with no safety help over the top and can defend well man to man. He doesn't rack up the interceptions, but the potential is there. In a division with Matt Stafford, Jay Cutler, and Aaron Rodgers, it would be wise to take a top-tier CB with one of their two first round picks.
Mad Men NFL Mock Draft Part 2 of 4
9. New York Jets- Barkevious Mingo (DE- LSU) Another fast, athletic, d-end hybrid off the board. It had to be done….the secondary has been solid in New York, but the pass rush has been sub-par. Mingo has a lot of upside, but is definitely a hit or miss selection. Rex Ryan is a defensive-minded coach and this is too early to select a young QB to replace Mark Sanchez, but fear not Jets fans, it will get done this year.
10. Tennessee- Chance Warmack (OL- Alabama) The Titans would have loved Milliner here after losing Finnegan to the Rams last year, but they pick up a very versatile interior lineman that can start immediately and for years to come.
11. San Diego- Tavon Austin (WR- West Virginia) Phillip Rivers acquires a much-needed pass-catching threat after the departure of Vincent Jackson. Austin is a very quick receiver, cut from the same cloth as Percy Harvin, hopefully without chronic migraines. This selection could help the Chargers passing game a lot.
12. Miami- Lane Johnson (OT- Oklahoma) Miami would be thrilled to get Johnson here without having to trade up for him. The 6'8, 300+ pound tackle is a former QB and tight end which should translate to better stamina and pocket awareness. This was a big need for the Dolphins who lost one of the NFL's top pass protectors to the Rams this past year.
13. New York Jets- Sharrif Floyd (DT- Florida) After the trade that sent Revis to the Bucs for this pick, I'm keeping the player selection the same. Floyd is the best D tackle in the draft and some people are very high on him as a type 5 pick. If he slid this far, there's no way the Jets pass on him. From a position standpoint, the Jets need a receiver for whoever their QB may be, but there are plenty of decent pass catching options remaining in the draft.
14. Carolina- Bjoern Werner (DE- Florida State) A true D-end and not a hybrid, Werner can bring size and athleticism to the Panthers defensive front. I think his game is raw, but he has the ability to be as disruptive as JJ Watt. Carolina would like to have him on the opposite side of Johnson to create a dominant pass rush off the edge.
15. New Orleans- Xavier Rhodes (CB- Florida State) That's right, two consecutive seminole picks. It just ended up that way. The Saints could use a solid corner in the pass-happy NFC South. Rhodes could anchor the cornerback position for years to come, much like Jammer in San Diego.
16. St. Louis- Kenny Vaccaro (S- Texas) I could see the Rams reaching for some much-needed help at wide receiver, but they're also in need of a safety and they get the top safety in the draft with this pick. Vaccaro isn't a ball hawk like Jairus Byrd, but he's well-built and is a good tackling safety with good anticipation and instincts.
Mad Men NFL Mock Draft Part 1 of 4
1. Kansas City- Luke Joeckel (OT- Texas A&M) This pick is all but locked up, considering the Chief's other tackle is being shopped (most recently to the Dolphins for a 2nd round pick). Joeckel is the real deal and will be on the Chiefs for years to come.
2. Jacksonville- Eric Fisher (OT- Central Michigan) This isn't the sexy pick that everyone may want, BUT it WOULD give us two very good bookend tackles that would rival any tandem in the league. Don't forget, perennial Pro-Bowler, Joe Staley also came from Central Michigan. Recently the Jags GM stated that one of the two players they want will be available here, so I was thinking of identical positions. A lot of people have Dion Jordan here because of the coach's defensive background and desire to incorporate speed at every position, but the hint given earlier in the week rules this out because I don't see the Chiefs drafting Ziggy Ansah.
3. Oakland- Geno Smith (QB- West Virginia) Oakland would have to be excited if Geno Smith made it past the Jags. They have had very little to be happy about at the QB position for quite some time, and this should be the year they crawl out of re-building mode.
4. Philadelphia- Dion Jordan (DE- Oregon) This would be a surprise to some, but Chip Kelly loves speed and endurance. Jordan could play the rush linebacker position or defensive end, plus it would re-unite him with his former coach.
5. Detroit- Dee Milliner (CB- Alabama) Detroit needs to bolster its defense. Not long ago, Cleveland us the #5 pick to draft a guy named Joe Haden. While Milliner isn't the ball hawk that Haden is, he's a very instinctive corner and can tackle better.
6. Cleveland- Jarvis Jones (OLB- Georgia) Jones was a monster for the Bulldogs despite a diagnosis of spinal stenosis that ended Michael Irvin's career early. If his production is anything like it was in college, Jones would be a steal even at #6. Able to play rush linebacker and defensive end. A lot of mock drafts have the Browns trading this pick.
7. Arizona- Ezekiel Ansah (DE- BYU) I really wanted to put Bjoern Werner here, but I believe that Ansah's upside will be too much to overlook. He will need to add some muscle to his frame without losing any quickness, but his endurance from his history in soccer, makes him an every down possibility as a defensive end or rush linebacker.
8. Buffalo- E.J. Manuel (QB- Florida State) I don't like this pick, but I think it's likely that it will happen. All of the remaining QBs have too many questions regarding injury and consistency. Manuel has prototypical size, above average speed and quickness, and a quick release. He is also coming into the NFL during a time that we've seen the success of mobile spread option QBs, and everyone wants to replicate that. With all those positives about Manuel, he needs to improve his ability to make quick decisions, his work ethic, and his ability to read defenses. This is a high-risk/ high-reward pick that could pay dividends, but it will depend on the work that he puts in at the next level.