My basic approach is similar to yours - start with multiple source lists and bang them against each other to get a feel for who is likely to go where in a mock. My theory: whether I actually believe any of the lists is irrelevant. Players will generally go off the board along the lines of what the lists say. From there I make a ballpark guess on which guys are likely to be available at which stages of the draft and make lists of who might be good system fits for my team. This year... I didn't do any of that. I didn't know what teams I'd be taking until Tuesday or Wednesday, so I'm just getting into character for each GM that I'm imitating and totally winging it - which fits for the Half-Assed Mock Draft.
The Tennessee Titans select Kyle Philips, WR, UCLA Finally got our WR. I like Philips, he's crafty and just seems to win. i think he'll win over the staff and locker room quickly.
You can damn sure try Lym. But at that point it’s a lifestyle, not a hobby. And some years go better than others. I’m sure I watched tape of 200+ guys this year. Definitely easier to get good tape for guys from the bigger schools though, and projected in the top 90. You get into that 6th-UDFA section and some guys you’re lucky if you can find more than a 2 1/2 minute highlight reel.
That’s what I’m saying. Top 90 projected guys you can often find 2-3 games with the player highlighted pre-snap. Makes it a hell of a lot easier. QB, RB, OL pretty easy otherwise. But everything else is brutal.