Mike Mayock Picks A Schiano Man For Bucs In First Round
April 27th, 2017
“Mayock knows my defensive presence will continue in Tampa, and I’m not talking about Keith Tandy, Will Gholston and Lavonte David.”
How bout this for irony!
Like him or not, Mike Mayock is the reigning NFL Draft guru in the nation, and his one and only mock draft is out.
The NFL.com feature has Mayock believing the Bucs will draft Ohio State safety Malik Hooker with the No. 19 overall pick.
Hooker is the best centerfielder in the draft. They need a dynamic guy on the back end. Hooker is that guy.
Of course, Ohio State is where former Bucs commander Greg Schiano is defensive coordinator and an ex-NFL secondary coach (Bears) who has taken Hooker under his wing.
Schiano has likened Hooker to Ed Reed, who Schiano also coached in college.
Hooker is an athletic freak who really only has one season of experience at safety, his redshirt sophomore year in 2016. Hooker was dominant with 74 tackles (5 1/2 for loss) and seven picks, and three touchdowns on returns.
Consider what Schiano told Landof10.com and others.
Hooker’s transformation, however, wasn’t as simple as finally getting his chance to shine. College football is littered with athletic freaks like Hooker — or Reed for that matter.
“I’d like to take credit for them,” Schiano said of Hooker’s ball skills. “But I can’t do that.”
The difference for Hooker hasn’t been how he’s spent his Saturdays, but the days leading up to them.
“The thing Malik has learned how to do is prepare,” Schiano said. “We talk all the time about humble confidence. Those [athletic] gifts he didn’t have a lot to do with. But his preparation he has everything to do with. He’s become really proficient at preparing each week. And that’s exciting to see as a coach.”
No, Joe doesn’t think the Bucs draft Hooker, though Joe has no doubt Jason Licht would love to get his mitts on a game-changing ballhawk with mad talent. Who wouldn’t? There’s also that track record of Schiano developing so many standout pros when he was at Rutgers, despite their lowly status in college football.
And was there a promise to Mike Smith that could break a tie on the Bucs’ draft board?
Mayock leaves running back Dalvin Cook on his board until the Chiefs pick at No. 27, and he has big-time wide receiver prospect Corey Davis landing in Detroit at No. 21.
Those are a couple of guys who would extend the already-wide grin of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Only a matter minutes now, folks.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:05 am
Would LOVE this pick but I think h would need to show up on instagram with a gas mask to be available. That would never happen
April 27th, 2017 at 8:06 am
No way he drops that far. If he did, Licht would take not even a second to put in pick. Watched last night. No way. This guy is top 10
April 27th, 2017 at 8:08 am
I just saw this mock. I have a hard time believing he’ll be there at 19, but if he is, you can’t trade down. You take him.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:11 am
No way a guy like this is available at 19
April 27th, 2017 at 8:12 am
Mike Mayock is normally pretty good, however, he may be smoking crack. Not because he the thinks that the Bucs would take Hooker, just the fact that he believes he will be available at 19. This guy is an incredible talent if he is available at 19, I’m all in even though I think Cook should be our pick. Winston still needs a couple more weapons. I can’t wait for tonight!
April 27th, 2017 at 8:16 am
It seems every poster feels the same way. ZERO chance hooker is there. Zero. If he is he’d be taken in a second
April 27th, 2017 at 8:19 am
I’d love to have Hooker in the Bucs defensive backfield, but in Mayocks scenario, if Davis is there, YOU TAKE DAVIS.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:24 am
Maybe Mayock got his wires crossed and doesn’t realize that is was a different OSU player that was recently accused of crime. Not a chance!
April 27th, 2017 at 8:26 am
Malik Hooker is the top safety on my wish list, so I would love it. But I think there is only a slight chance he is still available.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:30 am
Like the pick…not a fan of Mayock so I’m torn
April 27th, 2017 at 8:30 am
Had visions of Lynch closing games out for us … be BOLD move up and grab him.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:33 am
Adams is the better (best) safety prospect but if Hooker fell to 19 it would be an easy pick. Quite the stretch that not only Hooker but Cook and Davis would all still be on the board at 19 – dontcha think Mayock?
April 27th, 2017 at 8:35 am
We know he wont be available but if he is you cant turn that draft card in quick enough!!
April 27th, 2017 at 8:37 am
NJBucsFan Says
“Like the pick…not a fan of Mayock so I’m torn”
Shouldn’t matter who predicted the pick. Mayock predicted we would take Jameis like pretty much everyone else. Are you torn on Jameis because Mayock called it?
Probably not, I would guess.
BTW, how is the weather in NJ right now? Bet it’s cooler than down here. Wish I was up there.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:38 am
LOL at “awaiting mod” just for writing the guy’s name…
April 27th, 2017 at 8:42 am
I GUARANTEE you that if Hooker is on the board when we pick, he will be selected. Hooker is 100 percent a better prospect than Cook and it’s not even close.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:53 am
Honestly, this is the first year in a while where I don’t have a clear favorite. There are so many great players to choose from, and positions of need, that we can’t go wrong in the first 5 rounds.
I think this will become Jason Licht’s best draft of his career.
The only positions that would tick me off in the first 5 rounds are QB, Kicker (well, okay, round 5 would be okay I guess), and Punter.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:53 am
Great pick. Not gonna happen.
April 27th, 2017 at 8:54 am
Can you imagine if Mark Dominick were making the picks for the Bucs this year????
I think I just threw up a little.
April 27th, 2017 at 9:08 am
There’s zero chance that we would pass on Corey Davis if he were there
April 27th, 2017 at 9:10 am
I cant wait to see this draft. 4am comes early in the desert. Its the simple things like the draft that lets me know two things: #1-Football Season is right around the corner. #2-Ill be home in time to watch the start of preseason. I would be upset if the pundits like Peter King were right and we select an OT in the 1st Rd. But, once again, football season is here.
Go Bucs!
April 27th, 2017 at 9:10 am
Lol Bonzai the other day Dominic was on Denver radio talking about guys he really likes and they were all the guys I’m not that high on. Thank the gods he’s gone
April 27th, 2017 at 9:11 am
Well the kid would be “room temperature ready”
April 27th, 2017 at 9:13 am
I’m going to need to look at this mock draft. If those 3 guys are there at 19 who the hell did he mock going way to early in picks 1-18?
April 27th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Warren Sapp will be around the facility a lot more once he hears we got a Hooker in the secondary.
April 27th, 2017 at 9:22 am
Don’t see Hooker being there at 19, that would be a tough call, with Davis and Cook still on the board. #weaponsforwinston wins, gotta get Davis, draft is deeper at RB and DB
April 27th, 2017 at 9:29 am
Love any defensive player coached up by schiano, only time LVD and GMC were at their full potential….getting hooker or even corey davis you know they are hair on fire love the game after being with schiano and the wmu coach
April 27th, 2017 at 9:33 am
Almost every mock draft has someone falling to us at #19. Why not Hooker? Why not Davis? Or OJ Howard or Cook or whoever? Teams above us do unpredictable things, and potentially we can benefit from that. Bucs will surely be able to fill one of our priority needs with our 1st rnd pick, and hopefully at least a couple more with our rnds 2-4 picks. This is what makes the draft fun … bring it on.
April 27th, 2017 at 9:43 am
I don’t think it is as crazy he falls to #19 as people think. I think Adams and Hooker both go later than people expect. Now I do agree I don’t think he falls all the way to #19, I can see him falling out of the Top 10 tho.
April 27th, 2017 at 9:48 am
If Hooker is there it is an absolute no-brainer pick.
April 27th, 2017 at 9:48 am
Agreed… No way he drops out of the top 10..
April 27th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Hooker probably goes in the top ten, Joe. There are so many guys I’d be happy with, however (in no particular order 0 some of these players might not be there at 19 as well or might slip into the second round):
M. Hooker
J. Peppers
M. McDowell
D. Cook
C. McCaffery
C. Davis
D. Barnett
T. White
R. Foster
A. Jackson
Z. Cunningham
G. Bolles
O. Howard
D. NJoku
April 27th, 2017 at 9:54 am
I was looking over Mayock’s mock last night. Don’t like it. It seems he’s one of the mockers that pick what player best fits the team and not what he thinks the team will pick or do. Love the ones that always say “Trade from” in the middle of the draft as if they KNOW a certain team is going to trade their pick away. Like they have a crystal ball or something. That’s blows their mock to smithereens when I see stuff like that go on.
Mayocks is scattered all over the map. Talk about throwing mud at a wall. Corey Davis slips way down cause hey he best fits the Lions.
Most ARE silly!!!!
April 27th, 2017 at 9:57 am
@Bonzai
I know it doesn’t matter who predicted it. I just didn’t want to agree with Mayock. Haha
I live just outside of Philly and work in the city. It’s beautiful today. High of 79. It’s sunny (as it’s always sunny in philadelhia). Supposed to be a great weekend weather wise so the draft will be packed
April 27th, 2017 at 10:03 am
This guy might go top 5. I like Mayock, but don’t know what he’s thinking that he lasts until 19. Never in a million years.
April 27th, 2017 at 10:05 am
@87
Mayock’s mock looked a bit wierd to me too.
April 27th, 2017 at 10:07 am
J. Ross as well…to add to the list. Ross torched Adoree Jackson….
April 27th, 2017 at 10:09 am
I hope OJ Howard somehow falls in the bucs lap, that would be dope.
April 27th, 2017 at 10:11 am
Look, talent wise yes, he is absolutely a Top 10 pick. There is a lot of risk with him tho.
He is fresh off of 2 surgeries. Who knows if he will be the same player after that? Plus due to the surgeries he didn’t participate in any of the pre draft process. No combine, no workouts. Teams dont even know his actual size. Literally all they have to go off of is Tape and an interview.
Then, of course, safeties aren’t exactly the most valued position on defense (like RBs on offense). It wouldnt shock me at all if teams didn’t use a Top 10 pick on essentially a big question mark.
April 27th, 2017 at 10:19 am
I’m a Cook guy, but my first love was Davis. If he’s there and Licht passes on him…. God help my TV.
April 27th, 2017 at 10:28 am
Im just basing this off of the amount of interaction they had with these prospects, but it doesn’t seem like they have much interest in Corey Davis. Walter football doesnt have him listed as meeting with the Bucs and Jenna Laine says the only interaction they had with him was a meeting at the combine.
They might pass on him and target Godwin round 2.
April 27th, 2017 at 10:32 am
Mayock got 6 right last year, we may be witnessing a Chuck Knoblauch like fall from grace from him. His is truly the worst mock I have seen. I will eat my words if I am wrong, but I think this guy (who used to be the best at this) has completely lost his mind. Of course he will get some right just because, but damn. Maybe the GMs have figured out that they can use him as a pawn because he is so well respected. JMO of course.
April 27th, 2017 at 10:58 am
If we get a shot at Hooker I would prefer him over any offensive player sans OJ Howard.
April 27th, 2017 at 11:14 am
If Malik Hooker makes it to 10 I would be shocked. I don’t think there is a way that we could get high enough to pick him even if we gave up our first and second picks (not recommending, just stating an opinion). Getting him at 19 is just crazy talk. Go watch Brett Kollman’s youtube on Hooker, and you will know why. Since I’m referencing his breakdown a few tidbits. Clemson tested him 0 times in the Bowl Playoff’s. With all of that talent 0 times. He still got an interception. He recorded 40 ints as a scout player vs OSU’s first team. Yeh thats practice but 40! There is so little film on him because he was just not tested. In one season, he set the interception return for TD record at OSU.. yeh, he’s gonna drop to 19.
April 27th, 2017 at 11:19 am
With all of the All-Americans Ohio State had on defense..how did they surrendered 500 yards and 31 points in a 31-0 blowout to Clemson? The problem with Malik Hooker is his offseason surgeries.
April 27th, 2017 at 11:44 am
Joeypoppems…he(Davis) ain’t going to be there anyways thus is why they (the Bucs)haven’t targeted him that much and Mayock is out of his mind.
Come on draft. Get HERE!
I just put out my Buc flag for the day.
I used to get excited for drafts cause the Bucs were always picking so high. This draft is supposed to be loaded with talent. Those teams picking at the top have a chance to really turn their franchises around. Sadly though that’s why most of them are there to begin with. See: past Buc drafts.
I’m more excited for drafts lately than I used to be. It has to be this internet thingy. We’re picking 19th and most of us in Buc-land are as excited as if we’re picking in the top 5 in pasts drafts. Loaded with talent. This draft should be fun to watch for the first couple days. Before the over exposure on the net and TV I used to have to circle a date on the calendar or something back in the day. We always sucked at drafting. Late Culverhouse days for me. From Vinny on. Never missed an NFL draft.
I’m excited. Go Licht. Go Bucs!!!
April 27th, 2017 at 11:52 am
Captain Hook!
April 27th, 2017 at 11:57 am
We have two difference makers at WR. I get that doesn’t mean we’re set but at least not desperate. So we have time to add another WR.
We have ZERO difference makers at RB. Even in his two good years Martin was a good player but not a genuine difference maker and certainly no threat to take it to the house. Quizz…just can’t get that excited yet but he did show flashes….perhaps I’m prejudiced by his lack of size or blinding speed. Sims reminds me of Jack Smith…when they’re healthy they’ve had games where they made a difference…but if you’re not on the field who cares?
So just get me an RB!!! Hopefully drafted high enough to be a difference maker. I’m open minded. Where the Bucs draft him doesn’t concern me as much as is he a generational or at minimum potential All Pro?
April 27th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
At minimum All Pro? That is crazy expectations for any rookie RB.
April 27th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
@87
OJ Howard probably wont be there either and they met with him multiple times including a private workout.
April 27th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
If you would prefer Cook over Hooker you’re an ignorant fool
April 27th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
I prefer O over D in the first.
April 27th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Draft week smoke is awesome. I have never seen these experts have 4 or 5 mock drafts that are so different from each other. It is all throwing ish against the wall.
Off topic- ya’ll MoFo’s better not eat Abe’s out of wings, we were planning on taking out wings as is our draft and football tradition. Kids love that place!! Have fun tonight Buc Land- should be a wild ride!!
April 27th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
87 – I have to strongly disagree regarding Davis. I don’t want to use our first pick on a guy that will be our #3 or #4 receiver for 2 or 3 seasons. I would rather use a middle rounder on a developmental guy that can eventually take over for DJax. I want our first pick to be an impact guy that will help our playoff run this year.
April 27th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Joe …. are YOU really saying that if Malik Hooker and Dalvin Cook are both available that you would take Cook ahead of Hooker?
April 27th, 2017 at 12:54 pm
TouchDownTampaBay…I think he will make an impact this season in rotation.
April 27th, 2017 at 12:55 pm
I think he’s better than Hump.
April 27th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
I’m a Cook anyways. So whatever.