Andy's 2012 Nfl Mock Draft 1.0 (Round 1)

[Andy]

1^st Round

1^st Overall Pick – Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck – Quarterback – Stanford

This pick is a no-brainer for the Colts. Jim Irsay has pretty much convinced everyone that he is picking him. If Manning is injured, he must be picked, and if he’s not then he’s the long-term answer. Luck has everything teams want in a quarterback: arm, size, accuract, and smarts. He’s the best college prospect since Peyton Manning.

2^nd Overall Pick – St Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon – Wide Receiver – Oklahoma State

He’s not the best player left on the board, but he’s by far the best receiver. He was the most productive receiver in the NCAA, and has the skill that every good WR has: speed, speed, reliability and good route running. People have mocked Kalil here, but Saffold and Smth are returning from injuries, and Harvey Dahl and Mark Levoir are good guards. Claiborne could be considered here, but it’s a cornerback heavy draft and they could find a quality CB in the 2^nd round. Blackmon will give Bradford another great option to throw to, as he already has Lloyd. They need to surround Sam Bradford with good players for him to succeed.

3^rd Overall Pick – Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil – Offensive Tackle – University of Southern California

The Vikings have one of the worst lines in football. This is an easy move. Charlie Johnson was pretty bad at left tackle, and he is a better guard or right tackle. Kalil can come in and play right away at left tackle. He has great footwork and is pretty strong. He’s only 295, which means that he’ll have to gain muscle. That shouldn’t be too big of a problem as he’s 6’7 (can gain weight to due his frame). They have a big investment in Christian Ponder, so they have to protect him. They have Adrian Peterson, but when they decide to pass, they’re going to need to protect him, as Ponder gets sacked 8% of the time he drops back to pass.

4^th Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns

Robert Griffin III – Quarterback – Baylor

Now, people said that they wouldn’t pick RG3 because of Colt McCoy, but they fail to realize that Colt McCoy is a third round pick, which means they don’t have a big investment in him. It’s time for a new start; McCoy could be a very quality backup. RG3 has great running ability and a great arm. He’s very accurate and he has smarts. Oh, and he also won the Heisman. You can’t pass up on a QB who can make this offense great. If you have to restart, redo your whole offense, and start fresh, RG3 is a great guy to start with. He has the potential to be a monster.

5^th Overall Pick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morris Claiborne – Cornerback – Louisiana State

In LSU’s incredible year lies the play of Claiborne, who had another great year. The junior had 6 interceptions and 50+ tackles. Now, the Bucs could use a good linebacker, but picking Kuechly would be a bit of a stretch. They also need a good cornerback, as Ronde Barber’s career is coming to an end and Aqib Talib could be going to jail. They could use a good shutdown corner, plus with 3 pass heavy teams in the division, they’re going to need to shut some guys down to have a chance to compete in that division. Their offense had an off-year, but they should only get better. Their defense is the team that killed the Bucs this year.

6^th Overall Pick – Washington Redskins

Dre Kirkpatrick – Cornerback – Alabama

If their quarterback is not there, then they may as well just pick a cornerback. The 3 other teams in their division have pass heavy offenses (Eagles pass more than run), and like the Bucs, they will need to shut them down. They already have Deangelo Hall, who’s their number 1 guy, but they need a solid number 2 guy, and Kirkpatrick could easily be that guy. Kirkpatrick is big and strong, and is very good in both man and zone coverage. He’s a shutdown corner; no one throws to him. That’s why he has no interceptions. With this pick, the Redskins could turn into a very good defense, with a monster secondary.

7^th Overall Pick – Jacksonville Jaguars

Quinton Coples – Defensive End – North Carolina

The Jaguars need a good defensive end, who can get to the quarterback. Jeremy Mincey is getting better and better, so keep him at left end, but Matt Roth is a pure run stopper. Quinton Coples is the ideal 4-3 defensive end: he’s powerful, quick and smart. The only problem with him is his worth ethic. It is noticeably that there are some days where he tries, and some days where he doesn’t care. A player’s coach like Mike Mularkey should be good for him.

8^th Overall Pick – Carolina Panthers

Devon Still – Defensive Tackle – Penn State

Surprised? Yes, this is a bit of a stretch, but over the years, we’ve seen a lot of stretches. Tyson Jackson to the Chiefs (3^rd overall in 2009), Aldon Smith to the 49ers (7^th overall in 2011), and Tyson Alualu to the Jaguars (10^th overall in 2010). Stuff like this happens. The defensive tackle position has been a big problem for the Panthers, for a long time. They spent a couple of 3^rd round picks on a DT last year, and neither of them have impressed anyone. It’s time for them to spend a high pick on a top player. Sione Fua can become a quality backup to Terrell McClain at the utlity tackle spot and Devon Still can become a solid 4-3-nose tackle. It would make the D-line really good. Their linebackers are great and they’ll spend some picks on the secondary to make them better. If Dre Kirkpatrick falls to the Panthers, then they better take him, but I think he’s not, so they better draft Still.

9^th Overall Pick – Miami Dolphins

Jonathan Martin – Offensive Tackle – Stanford

The Dolphins have arguably the best left tackle in football (Jake Long), and they have a great young center in Mike Pouncey. Richie Incognito is getting better, and is a good short term solution. The real problem is at right tackle. Marc Columbo is getting very old and was absolutely terrible this year. He needs to be replaced and fast. For this Dolphins to get better, they need to give their QB (Moore or whoever it is) some time. He was sacked 10% of the time he dropped back to pass. That’s the 2^nd worst in the NFL. Jonathan Martin is a quality left tackle who did a great job protecting Andrew Luck. He was a little shaky in the latter part of the season, but that’s alright. He would become a right tackle anyways. If he moved to right tackle (he will if drafted by Miami), then he could become a very good one, and could even go to Pro Bowls. He has pretty good footwork and is pretty strong. He can add some muscle to his 6’6 frame. Martin has the potential to become a very good right tackle, and I don’t think the Dolphins can pass on that.

10^th Overall Pick – Buffalo Bills

Riley Reiff – Offensive Tackle – Iowa

A must pick for the Bills. Demetrius Bell is a free agent, and even if he is retained, the only person they have to play right tackle is Chris Hairston. Riley Reiff is better than Chris Hairston. Hairston is a better backup than starter. What I think they should do is let Bell play left tackle for a couple of years (which means they sign him to a 2 or 3 year deal), and then move over Reiff. For the time being, Reiff makes a great right tackle, with his strength and underrated footwork. Then the transition from right tackle to left tackle should be smooth, as he has played in the system for a couple of years. A must pick. Don’t rule out Melvin Ingram, Courtney Upshaw or Mark Barron, but it seems like Reiff is the best pick for them, plus he’s one of the best remaing players on the board.

11^th Overall Pick – Kansas City Chiefs

Melvin Ingram – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – South Carolina

A bit of a stretch, but it’s a need for the Chiefs. Riley Reiff is gone, so there goes the top tackles in the draft. Melvin Ingram was a beast this year. He had 13.5 sacks and 2 interceptions… as a defensive end. He could easily move over to Outside Linebacker, because the Chiefs use a 3-4 system. Now, here’s my theory. Tambi Hali is a beast, but he won’t get to the QB often if he gets double teamed 70% of the time. They need 2 stud pass rushers, who can constantly get to the quarterback. Having a good pass rush helps your pass defense, which is something new head coach Romeo Crennel wants. Romeo is all about defense, and with Cassel, Charles and Moeki returning to the offense, defense should be more of a priority. I wouldn’t say this is a must pick, but this could definitely give them a big boost on defense.

12^th Overall Pick – Seattle Seahawks

David Decastro – Offensive Guard – Stanford

Well, all the quarterbacks are gone, so might as well protect the one you have. Tarvaris Jackson isn’t great; maybe the Seahawks will sign someone, who knows? Either way they need to give their QB some good protection. James Carpenter wasn’t half bad before he tore his ACL, and he seems like he could be a pretty competent starter at right tackle for years to come. Russell Okung is going to be very good at left tackle, which means that the guard spot is the issue. Robert Gallery has done a great job at left guard, but Lamuel Jeanpierre is not a capable starter. Decastro could come right in and do very well. He’s the best guard prospect we’ve seen in years and he’s by far the best one in the draft. He’s strong and hard to get by. This would take that line to the next level, and with Okung and Carpenter getting better, this line could be scary. Another pick that the Seahawks could consider is Zach Brown. KJ Wright isn’t the greatest starter, but he’s not bad. Brown could come in immediately and do well; not a bad alternate.

13^th Overall Pick – Arizona Cardinals

Courtney Upshaw – Outside Linebacker – Alabama

Another 1^st round pick for the defense. Their biggest need is the O-line, but there’s no good O-lineman within 7 picks of them. Time to go with their 2^nd biggest need, the outside linebacker spot, and no one fits them better than Upshaw. Upshaw is a great 3-4 outside speed rusher, and Upshaw is good in coverage. Let’s face it, Joey Porter is getting old and they’re going to need a solid replacement. Same can be said about Clark Haggans, they’re other outside linebacker…Man he’s old, he’s going to retire either this offseason, or next offseason, even then, he’s not that great. They need a guy who can constantly get to the quarterback. Porter still manages to do that (sometimes), but Haggans cannot. Time to find a new guy, and Upshaw is that guy.

14^th Overall Pick – Dallas Cowboys

Mark Barron – Safety – Alabama

A perfect match! Everyone says the Cowboys need a cornerback. Well it’s a cornerback heavy draft, and you can find a couple of really good quality cornerbacks in the 2^nd and 3^rd round. A good safety is hard to come by. You don’t find too many safeties like Mark Barron. A guy like hm comes around once every couple of years. He’s strong, he’s smart and he’s great in coverages. He can also play in the box, something good ol’ Rob Ryan should love. Abram Elam is easily replaceable and is not a great strong safety. He’s a good backup, a really good one at that. Mark Barron could come in right away and perform at a high level, just like Eric Berry. Which team doesn’t want an Eric Berry like player? God knows this secondary needs help, so drafting Barron is a big step towards helping out this secondary. Don’t >>> this up Jerry Jones!!

15^th Overall Pick – Philadelphia Eagles

Luke Kuechly – Inside Linebacker – Boston College

The main for the Eagles this year was their linebacker play. Jamar Cheney and Brian did not bad jobs, but it’s apparent that they need a star; they need a leader. Look no further than Luke Kuechly. This kid may not be athletically gifted, but he’s one of the smartest guys out there, and is a leader.He reminds me of Keith Brooking, who was a 5 time Pro Bowler. He’s only going to get better athletically, but he’s not getting that much smarter, and leadership is something that you have or don’t have… he has it. What the Eagles D needs is a leader. They had Brian Dawkins, but he left. No one is talking in that locker room, and they need to have some chemistry if they want to go to the playoffs and make a run. Luke Kuechly helps mold that defense into a good one, and really helps out the Eagles biggest need, the linebacker spot.

16^th Overall Pick – New York Jets

Whitney Mercilus -- Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – Illinois

The Jets need a pass rush. Calvin Pace is getting old, and he’s been declining for a while now. They need to get a pass rush on the quarterback as we see them getting less and less sacks each year. The offense is a problem, but that’s because of Sanchez’s play, once he becomes consistent, the offense will get better. The defense needs to stay consistent. Their secondary is fine, and with Mark Barron gone, so do the chances of them drafting a safety next to Jim Leonard. I think the front 7 is the main problem. Their linebackers are getting old and their play is getting bad. Drafting younblood in there can help their play and he could add a spark to this defense.

17^th Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals (from Raiders)

Trent Richardson – Running Back – Alabama

Cedric Benson isn’t that bad, but he’s a free agent. If they let him go, they’re going to need a new starting running back. Trent Richardson is the best player on the board and the best running back in the draft. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry and had 21 touchdowns this year. He’s going to be a star. Now if Benson is retained, which I would find hard to believe if they draft Richardson, then they could have a 2 back attack with a monster offense. Andy Dalon, AJ Green, Richardson, Simpson, and Gresham. darn! That would be a great team. It’s the right pick, whether Benson stays or goes.

18^th Overall Pick – San Diego Chargers

Janoris Jenkins – Cornerback – North Alabama

Antwan Barnes has developed into a good pass rusher, so outside linebacker pass rushers has become less of need. They have Antonio Garay at nose tackle, and there aren’t any good 3-4 defense ends at this point in the draft. So, help out the secondary. It’s been a need since Cromartie left. They’re only good cornerbacks are Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer. Antoine Cason is a great number #2 cornerback, and Jammer is good too, but Jammer is old. He’s 32 and he’s going to be 33 next year. It’s time to start training heirs. It’s starts with Jenkins. For now, he could be a good #3 cornerback and in a couple of years, he could take over Jammer as the number 1 guy. Jenkins played in Division 3 this year because of a D1 suspension. He’s a very good cornerback, and should do well in the NFL. I think if Luke Kuechly or Mark Barron drop here, they’re the better pick, but I don’t think they will. The Chargers may consider Cordy Glenn because Kris Dielman could very possibly retire after having a seizure (plus he’s old).

19^th Overall Pick – Chicago Bears

Michael Floyd – Wide Receiver – Notre Dame

I can’t remember a year where the Bears had a real number 1 receiver. Michael Floyd is the 2^nd best receiver in the draft, in my opinion. He has great size, good hands and good speed that can make him a deep threat, and a red-zone target. Earl Bennett is good, but not a number 1 guy; number 2 at best. Roy Williams is old and useless, and if they want Cutler to be happy (because he’s stubborn), you’re going to need to give him some help. Wide receiver is the biggest need on the team. Their O-line is getting better after getting Gabe Carimi at right tackle, and J’marcus Webb getting better. They should use their 2^nd round pick on a good guard or Michael Brewster (center), but I don’t think they can pass up on Floyd. The other possibility is picking Peter Konz, the best center in the draft. A sure pick, who should help immediately, but I think having a good wide receiver to help out Cutler is better than having a center.

20^th Overall Pick – Tennessee Titans

Michael Brockers – Defensive Tackle – Louisiana State

The Titans have no defensive tackles, and since Albert Haynesworth left, it’s been a big need. Right now, their best defensive tackle is Jurrel Casey, who’s not bad, but they need a true 4-3-nose tackle. Michael Brockers may not be the most pro-ready kid in the draft, but he has the potential to be the best defensive tackle in the draft, and a top tier guy in the NFL. He reminds me of a good Brandon Mebane (Mebane’s good). The Titans are going to need a guy who can get to the QB and can stop the run. They have some good prospects at linebacker in Ayers and McCarthy, so I think the Titans should let them develop, before choosing to cut them or not. Brockers is the pick here, because the Titans need a good defensive tackle with the potential to be a monster.

21^st Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals

Peter Konz – Center – Wisconsin

By far the best center in the draft, Peter Konz is a beast. He’s going to be a very good center. He was apart of the Wisconsin O-line that gave up only 22 sacks all year. Now, the Bengals could use a good center. Kyle Cook is not very good, and he’s the only center. Cook is a backup at best, and Konz could come in and be a good starter, maybe even a Pro-Bowler. This would be another big step towards rebuilding their offense and replenishing it with young talent. It started with AJ Green, Andy Dalton and Clint Boling last year. Now they must take a good center, who can help protect Andy Dalton, because we all saw the playoff game against the Texans, the O-line was horrible and Cook was a pretty big part of that failure. They need to give this young kid protection.

22^nd Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns (from Falcons)

Kendall Wright – Wide Receiver – Baylor

Kendall Wright may not be the best receiver on the board, but he would work much better with RG3 than Jeffrey or Sanu would. Kendall Wright was RG3’s teammate at Baylor, and was one of the most productive receivers in college this last year. He’s really fast, and a great possession receiver. He can take over the #1 receiver spot over Greg Little, who is a better #2 receiver. Massaquoi is then the #3 guy, then Cribbs is the #4 guy. They’re defense isn’t half bad, and with Athyba Rubin, Joe Haden, and Jabaal Sheard becoming very good, it’s not worth spending a first round pick on defense. Time to help out your new quarterback with his favorite receiving targets in the whole world. Once this offense becomes half-decent, and then they can make a case for a playoff spot. Plus, teams that draft QBs early always compliment them with good receivers, and vice-versa.

23^rd Overall Pick – Detroit Lions

Cordy Glenn – Offensive Tackle/Guard – Georgia

Although his natural position is a guard, the Lions could use a good offensive line upgrade. Their best linemen are over 31 years old, and their guards are mediocre at best. Rob Sims could be a good right guard, and Stephen Peterman is useless at right guard. They should draft Cordy Glenn, move Rob Sims to right guard and make Peterman a backup. Then, when Jeff Backus retires, Cordy Glenn can make the switch to left tackle as he has the size and would have the experience. It’s a good short-term pick, and it could help them out in the long run.

24^th Overall Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers

Dontario Poe – Defensive Tackle – Memphis

Casey Hampton is getting old, and his production is going down. Time to get someone new. Dontario Poe is the best 3-4-nose tackle in the draft, and he’s very good in both run stopping and pass rushing, but he’s a better-run stopper. He’s huge at 350 pounds, and reminds me of a not-as-good Vince Wilfork. Defensive tackle isn’t a need right now, because they have Hampton, but it’s all but certain that he’s not going to be back at the end of next year. Time to bring in a heir.

25^th Overall Pick – Denver Broncos

Alfonso Dennard – Cornerback – Nebraska

The Broncos have Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman, two very good cornerbacks, especially Bailey. Why draft a CB? Because Goodman and Bailey are 33 and it doesn’t look like they’re going to get that much better. Time to bring in a heir and a good #3 cornerback for now. Dennard is a solid, physical cover corner who would offer a talent upgrade in the secondary. The right pick here, plus he’s arguably the best player on the board.

26^th Overall Pick – Houston Texans

Alshon Jeffrey – Wide Receiver – South Carolina

Not having Johnson for the majority of the year killed the Texans passing game. It doesn’t help that their first 2 QBs were injured, but still Johnson is arguably the best WR in the league. The Texans need more depth and players at the receiver position. If an injury happens to Walter or Johnson, they essentially have no one to fill in. It’s really only Jacoby Jones, who’s decent at best. They need a good receiver. Jeffrey is a big guy with good hands and not bad speed. He’s also a great redzone threat, something the passing game could use to take the pressure off Andre Johnson.

27^th Overall Pick – New England Patriots (from Saints)

Mohamed Sanu – Wide Receiver – Rutgers

Deion Branch is getting old. He’ll be 33 years old at the start of next year. You can even make the case now that they need a wide receiver. Wes Welker is their only wide receiver that is dangerous. He’s also getting old as he is 30, and going to be 31 next year. Ochocinco is a lost cause and it seems that Edelman is not the future. They need to bring some youth to this offense. They have Gronkowski and Hernandez at tight end, but over time teams are going to find ways to shut them down, it’s just the nature of the NFL. Sanu is a good possession receiver with good speed and good hands. He had a very productive season with Rutgers accumulating over 1200 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has a lot of potential and under Brady he could shine.

28^th Overall Pick – Green Bay Packers

Nick Perry – Defensive End – University of Southern California

The Packers defense was pretty bad this year. The Packers pass rush was just off this year; everything was just off thie year for the Packers: the rush defense, the pass defense and the lack of pressure on the QB. Clay Matthews had a good year, but it’s clear they need someone to compliment him. There is no better pick in the draft (out of the remaining players) than Nick Perry. He can easily play 3-4 outside linebacker, and he went to USC, the same school as Matthews! It’s a match made in heaven for the Packers.

29^th Overall Pick –Baltimore Ravens

Vontaze Burfict – Inside Linebacker – Arizona State

The Ravens want to look for a replacement as Ray Lewis is getting really old, and they’re going to need another inside linebacker as Jameel McClain can’t do it all by himself. Burfict is a big, fast linebacker who was on a bad team. He can get to the quarterback and is good in coverage. He’s a project and the heir to Ray Lewis. They could use this pick on a center, but there is no good center near the top of the board. They could trade up for Peter Konz, but it’s not worth it. Matt Birk is old, but not retired and still doing well. Another reason why the Ravens should pick Burfict is because Ray Lewis has been injury prone the last few years, and although their defense does fine without him, he could use a backup. It’s the perfect pick for the Ravens here.

30^th Overall Pick –San Francisco 49ers

Zebrie Sanders – Offensive Tackle – Florida State

Joe Staley is a very good left tackle, unfortunately, Anthony Davis is a horrible right tackle. He was just absolutely torched many times this season, whether it be against the Ravens, Eagles or Giants, he was bad. It’s looking like he is becoming a very big bust. Now, he is still young and there is still hope for him, but I think the 49ers should draft Sanders, and make Davis and Sanders fight for the starting right tackle job. Whoever wins deserves it. The loser can either stay the backup or fight for the starting right guard spot with Adam Snyder. They need to give Alex Smith all the protection he could get, or he’ll just end up like the quarterback he was several years ago.

31^st Overall Pick – New England Patriots

Dont’a Hightower – Inside Linebacker – Alabama

The Patriots could use a good inside linebacker. It doesn’t matter if they play 3-4 or 4-3, their liability is in the middle. Brandon Spikes is a great young kid with good potential, but if they’re playing a 4-3 defense, they have no one at MLB. Mayo would play strong side and Spikes would play weak side. Don’t’a Hightower is a huge linebacker who is great at tackling. It’s going to be hard for even Jacobs to get through him, because at 260 pounds, not many running backs could up against him head-on and win. He’s the guy who Belicheck wants as he’s brash and plays on a winning team. A big part of that Crimson Tide defense, and could become a big part of the Patriots defense.

32^nd Overall Pick – New York Giants

Zach Brown – Outside Linebacker – North Carolina

The best outside linebacker in the draft; Zach Brown plays in a 4-3 defense, and is great! He’s strong, fast and a good tackler. He’s even good in coverage. Reminds me of Jerod Mayo. If drafted, he would fill a huge need on the Giants. Although their defense looked phenomenal in the playoffs, the fact of the matter is they had a below average defense in the regular season. Their D-line is amazing and their secondary is great, unfortunately, their linebackers are average, at best. Michael Boley is a great outside linebacker, but they need to compliment him. Mathias Kiwaunuka is a good outside linebacker, but he’s a situational one, in the sense that he’s almost a pure pass rushing one. They’re going to need someone who’s better all around in their at ROLB. They could even move Kiwaunuka up to defensive end, as he has the size and speed to become a speed rushing defensive end. Zach Brown is the way to go here.

Please post your comments.

[21isSuperman]

I thought this was going to be just a Colts draft, so I saw Luck #1 and Blackmon #2 and was confused

I agree with your top 5, I have the same guys going in the same order

[Dustin]

Great draft. But I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Richardson go as high as #4.

[Happy2BeHere]

Who is Andrew Luck?

[CR91]

i will be real upset if jeffery, sanu, and barron were all gone

[Bleedin Blue]

i will be real upset if jeffery, sanu, and barron were all gone

We might have a shot at Barron in the 2nd round. Safeties are usually later round picks...not too many go in the 1st round unless they are are truly amazing. Not saying that Barron isn't, but of these three I could see him slipping to the 2nd easier than the others. As much as I would love to pick up Dontari Poe in the 2nd round...I think he will be gone. Behind QB's, LT's and pass rushing DE's...nose tackles are one of the hardest positions to find quality players at and so many teams run the 3-4 or variants of it to make any good players move up in the draft.

[betheafan41]

1^st Round

1^st Overall Pick – Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck – Quarterback – Stanford

This pick is a no-brainer for the Colts. Jim Irsay has pretty much convinced everyone that he is picking him. If Manning is injured, he must be picked, and if he’s not then he’s the long-term answer. Luck has everything teams want in a quarterback: arm, size, accuract, and smarts. He’s the best college prospect since Peyton Manning.

2^nd Overall Pick – St Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon – Wide Receiver – Oklahoma State

He’s not the best player left on the board, but he’s by far the best receiver. He was the most productive receiver in the NCAA, and has the skill that every good WR has: speed, speed, reliability and good route running. People have mocked Kalil here, but Saffold and Smth are returning from injuries, and Harvey Dahl and Mark Levoir are good guards. Claiborne could be considered here, but it’s a cornerback heavy draft and they could find a quality CB in the 2^nd round. Blackmon will give Bradford another great option to throw to, as he already has Lloyd. They need to surround Sam Bradford with good players for him to succeed.

3^rd Overall Pick – Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil – Offensive Tackle – University of Southern California

The Vikings have one of the worst lines in football. This is an easy move. Charlie Johnson was pretty bad at left tackle, and he is a better guard or right tackle. Kalil can come in and play right away at left tackle. He has great footwork and is pretty strong. He’s only 295, which means that he’ll have to gain muscle. That shouldn’t be too big of a problem as he’s 6’7 (can gain weight to due his frame). They have a big investment in Christian Ponder, so they have to protect him. They have Adrian Peterson, but when they decide to pass, they’re going to need to protect him, as Ponder gets sacked 8% of the time he drops back to pass.

4^th Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns

Robert Griffin III – Quarterback – Baylor

Now, people said that they wouldn’t pick RG3 because of Colt McCoy, but they fail to realize that Colt McCoy is a third round pick, which means they don’t have a big investment in him. It’s time for a new start; McCoy could be a very quality backup. RG3 has great running ability and a great arm. He’s very accurate and he has smarts. Oh, and he also won the Heisman. You can’t pass up on a QB who can make this offense great. If you have to restart, redo your whole offense, and start fresh, RG3 is a great guy to start with. He has the potential to be a monster.

5^th Overall Pick – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morris Claiborne – Cornerback – Louisiana State

In LSU’s incredible year lies the play of Claiborne, who had another great year. The junior had 6 interceptions and 50+ tackles. Now, the Bucs could use a good linebacker, but picking Kuechly would be a bit of a stretch. They also need a good cornerback, as Ronde Barber’s career is coming to an end and Aqib Talib could be going to jail. They could use a good shutdown corner, plus with 3 pass heavy teams in the division, they’re going to need to shut some guys down to have a chance to compete in that division. Their offense had an off-year, but they should only get better. Their defense is the team that killed the Bucs this year.

6^th Overall Pick – Washington Redskins

Dre Kirkpatrick – Cornerback – Alabama

If their quarterback is not there, then they may as well just pick a cornerback. The 3 other teams in their division have pass heavy offenses (Eagles pass more than run), and like the Bucs, they will need to shut them down. They already have Deangelo Hall, who’s their number 1 guy, but they need a solid number 2 guy, and Kirkpatrick could easily be that guy. Kirkpatrick is big and strong, and is very good in both man and zone coverage. He’s a shutdown corner; no one throws to him. That’s why he has no interceptions. With this pick, the Redskins could turn into a very good defense, with a monster secondary.

7^th Overall Pick – Jacksonville Jaguars

Quinton Coples – Defensive End – North Carolina

The Jaguars need a good defensive end, who can get to the quarterback. Jeremy Mincey is getting better and better, so keep him at left end, but Matt Roth is a pure run stopper. Quinton Coples is the ideal 4-3 defensive end: he’s powerful, quick and smart. The only problem with him is his worth ethic. It is noticeably that there are some days where he tries, and some days where he doesn’t care. A player’s coach like Mike Mularkey should be good for him.

8^th Overall Pick – Carolina Panthers

Devon Still – Defensive Tackle – Penn State

Surprised? Yes, this is a bit of a stretch, but over the years, we’ve seen a lot of stretches. Tyson Jackson to the Chiefs (3^rd overall in 2009), Aldon Smith to the 49ers (7^th overall in 2011), and Tyson Alualu to the Jaguars (10^th overall in 2010). Stuff like this happens. The defensive tackle position has been a big problem for the Panthers, for a long time. They spent a couple of 3^rd round picks on a DT last year, and neither of them have impressed anyone. It’s time for them to spend a high pick on a top player. Sione Fua can become a quality backup to Terrell McClain at the utlity tackle spot and Devon Still can become a solid 4-3-nose tackle. It would make the D-line really good. Their linebackers are great and they’ll spend some picks on the secondary to make them better. If Dre Kirkpatrick falls to the Panthers, then they better take him, but I think he’s not, so they better draft Still.

9^th Overall Pick – Miami Dolphins

Jonathan Martin – Offensive Tackle – Stanford

The Dolphins have arguably the best left tackle in football (Jake Long), and they have a great young center in Mike Pouncey. Richie Incognito is getting better, and is a good short term solution. The real problem is at right tackle. Marc Columbo is getting very old and was absolutely terrible this year. He needs to be replaced and fast. For this Dolphins to get better, they need to give their QB (Moore or whoever it is) some time. He was sacked 10% of the time he dropped back to pass. That’s the 2^nd worst in the NFL. Jonathan Martin is a quality left tackle who did a great job protecting Andrew Luck. He was a little shaky in the latter part of the season, but that’s alright. He would become a right tackle anyways. If he moved to right tackle (he will if drafted by Miami), then he could become a very good one, and could even go to Pro Bowls. He has pretty good footwork and is pretty strong. He can add some muscle to his 6’6 frame. Martin has the potential to become a very good right tackle, and I don’t think the Dolphins can pass on that.

10^th Overall Pick – Buffalo Bills

Riley Reiff – Offensive Tackle – Iowa

A must pick for the Bills. Demetrius Bell is a free agent, and even if he is retained, the only person they have to play right tackle is Chris Hairston. Riley Reiff is better than Chris Hairston. Hairston is a better backup than starter. What I think they should do is let Bell play left tackle for a couple of years (which means they sign him to a 2 or 3 year deal), and then move over Reiff. For the time being, Reiff makes a great right tackle, with his strength and underrated footwork. Then the transition from right tackle to left tackle should be smooth, as he has played in the system for a couple of years. A must pick. Don’t rule out Melvin Ingram, Courtney Upshaw or Mark Barron, but it seems like Reiff is the best pick for them, plus he’s one of the best remaing players on the board.

11^th Overall Pick – Kansas City Chiefs

Melvin Ingram – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – South Carolina

A bit of a stretch, but it’s a need for the Chiefs. Riley Reiff is gone, so there goes the top tackles in the draft. Melvin Ingram was a beast this year. He had 13.5 sacks and 2 interceptions… as a defensive end. He could easily move over to Outside Linebacker, because the Chiefs use a 3-4 system. Now, here’s my theory. Tambi Hali is a beast, but he won’t get to the QB often if he gets double teamed 70% of the time. They need 2 stud pass rushers, who can constantly get to the quarterback. Having a good pass rush helps your pass defense, which is something new head coach Romeo Crennel wants. Romeo is all about defense, and with Cassel, Charles and Moeki returning to the offense, defense should be more of a priority. I wouldn’t say this is a must pick, but this could definitely give them a big boost on defense.

12^th Overall Pick – Seattle Seahawks

David Decastro – Offensive Guard – Stanford

Well, all the quarterbacks are gone, so might as well protect the one you have. Tarvaris Jackson isn’t great; maybe the Seahawks will sign someone, who knows? Either way they need to give their QB some good protection. James Carpenter wasn’t half bad before he tore his ACL, and he seems like he could be a pretty competent starter at right tackle for years to come. Russell Okung is going to be very good at left tackle, which means that the guard spot is the issue. Robert Gallery has done a great job at left guard, but Lamuel Jeanpierre is not a capable starter. Decastro could come right in and do very well. He’s the best guard prospect we’ve seen in years and he’s by far the best one in the draft. He’s strong and hard to get by. This would take that line to the next level, and with Okung and Carpenter getting better, this line could be scary. Another pick that the Seahawks could consider is Zach Brown. KJ Wright isn’t the greatest starter, but he’s not bad. Brown could come in immediately and do well; not a bad alternate.

13^th Overall Pick – Arizona Cardinals

Courtney Upshaw – Outside Linebacker – Alabama

Another 1^st round pick for the defense. Their biggest need is the O-line, but there’s no good O-lineman within 7 picks of them. Time to go with their 2^nd biggest need, the outside linebacker spot, and no one fits them better than Upshaw. Upshaw is a great 3-4 outside speed rusher, and Upshaw is good in coverage. Let’s face it, Joey Porter is getting old and they’re going to need a solid replacement. Same can be said about Clark Haggans, they’re other outside linebacker…Man he’s old, he’s going to retire either this offseason, or next offseason, even then, he’s not that great. They need a guy who can constantly get to the quarterback. Porter still manages to do that (sometimes), but Haggans cannot. Time to find a new guy, and Upshaw is that guy.

14^th Overall Pick – Dallas Cowboys

Mark Barron – Safety – Alabama

A perfect match! Everyone says the Cowboys need a cornerback. Well it’s a cornerback heavy draft, and you can find a couple of really good quality cornerbacks in the 2^nd and 3^rd round. A good safety is hard to come by. You don’t find too many safeties like Mark Barron. A guy like hm comes around once every couple of years. He’s strong, he’s smart and he’s great in coverages. He can also play in the box, something good ol’ Rob Ryan should love. Abram Elam is easily replaceable and is not a great strong safety. He’s a good backup, a really good one at that. Mark Barron could come in right away and perform at a high level, just like Eric Berry. Which team doesn’t want an Eric Berry like player? God knows this secondary needs help, so drafting Barron is a big step towards helping out this secondary. Don’t >>> this up Jerry Jones!!

15^th Overall Pick – Philadelphia Eagles

Luke Kuechly – Inside Linebacker – Boston College

The main for the Eagles this year was their linebacker play. Jamar Cheney and Brian did not bad jobs, but it’s apparent that they need a star; they need a leader. Look no further than Luke Kuechly. This kid may not be athletically gifted, but he’s one of the smartest guys out there, and is a leader.He reminds me of Keith Brooking, who was a 5 time Pro Bowler. He’s only going to get better athletically, but he’s not getting that much smarter, and leadership is something that you have or don’t have… he has it. What the Eagles D needs is a leader. They had Brian Dawkins, but he left. No one is talking in that locker room, and they need to have some chemistry if they want to go to the playoffs and make a run. Luke Kuechly helps mold that defense into a good one, and really helps out the Eagles biggest need, the linebacker spot.

16^th Overall Pick – New York Jets

Whitney Mercilus -- Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – Illinois

The Jets need a pass rush. Calvin Pace is getting old, and he’s been declining for a while now. They need to get a pass rush on the quarterback as we see them getting less and less sacks each year. The offense is a problem, but that’s because of Sanchez’s play, once he becomes consistent, the offense will get better. The defense needs to stay consistent. Their secondary is fine, and with Mark Barron gone, so do the chances of them drafting a safety next to Jim Leonard. I think the front 7 is the main problem. Their linebackers are getting old and their play is getting bad. Drafting younblood in there can help their play and he could add a spark to this defense.

17^th Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals (from Raiders)

Trent Richardson – Running Back – Alabama

Cedric Benson isn’t that bad, but he’s a free agent. If they let him go, they’re going to need a new starting running back. Trent Richardson is the best player on the board and the best running back in the draft. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry and had 21 touchdowns this year. He’s going to be a star. Now if Benson is retained, which I would find hard to believe if they draft Richardson, then they could have a 2 back attack with a monster offense. Andy Dalon, AJ Green, Richardson, Simpson, and Gresham. darn! That would be a great team. It’s the right pick, whether Benson stays or goes.

18^th Overall Pick – San Diego Chargers

Janoris Jenkins – Cornerback – North Alabama

Antwan Barnes has developed into a good pass rusher, so outside linebacker pass rushers has become less of need. They have Antonio Garay at nose tackle, and there aren’t any good 3-4 defense ends at this point in the draft. So, help out the secondary. It’s been a need since Cromartie left. They’re only good cornerbacks are Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer. Antoine Cason is a great number #2 cornerback, and Jammer is good too, but Jammer is old. He’s 32 and he’s going to be 33 next year. It’s time to start training heirs. It’s starts with Jenkins. For now, he could be a good #3 cornerback and in a couple of years, he could take over Jammer as the number 1 guy. Jenkins played in Division 3 this year because of a D1 suspension. He’s a very good cornerback, and should do well in the NFL. I think if Luke Kuechly or Mark Barron drop here, they’re the better pick, but I don’t think they will. The Chargers may consider Cordy Glenn because Kris Dielman could very possibly retire after having a seizure (plus he’s old).

19^th Overall Pick – Chicago Bears

Michael Floyd – Wide Receiver – Notre Dame

I can’t remember a year where the Bears had a real number 1 receiver. Michael Floyd is the 2^nd best receiver in the draft, in my opinion. He has great size, good hands and good speed that can make him a deep threat, and a red-zone target. Earl Bennett is good, but not a number 1 guy; number 2 at best. Roy Williams is old and useless, and if they want Cutler to be happy (because he’s stubborn), you’re going to need to give him some help. Wide receiver is the biggest need on the team. Their O-line is getting better after getting Gabe Carimi at right tackle, and J’marcus Webb getting better. They should use their 2^nd round pick on a good guard or Michael Brewster (center), but I don’t think they can pass up on Floyd. The other possibility is picking Peter Konz, the best center in the draft. A sure pick, who should help immediately, but I think having a good wide receiver to help out Cutler is better than having a center.

20^th Overall Pick – Tennessee Titans

Michael Brockers – Defensive Tackle – Louisiana State

The Titans have no defensive tackles, and since Albert Haynesworth left, it’s been a big need. Right now, their best defensive tackle is Jurrel Casey, who’s not bad, but they need a true 4-3-nose tackle. Michael Brockers may not be the most pro-ready kid in the draft, but he has the potential to be the best defensive tackle in the draft, and a top tier guy in the NFL. He reminds me of a good Brandon Mebane (Mebane’s good). The Titans are going to need a guy who can get to the QB and can stop the run. They have some good prospects at linebacker in Ayers and McCarthy, so I think the Titans should let them develop, before choosing to cut them or not. Brockers is the pick here, because the Titans need a good defensive tackle with the potential to be a monster.

21^st Overall Pick – Cincinnati Bengals

Peter Konz – Center – Wisconsin

By far the best center in the draft, Peter Konz is a beast. He’s going to be a very good center. He was apart of the Wisconsin O-line that gave up only 22 sacks all year. Now, the Bengals could use a good center. Kyle Cook is not very good, and he’s the only center. Cook is a backup at best, and Konz could come in and be a good starter, maybe even a Pro-Bowler. This would be another big step towards rebuilding their offense and replenishing it with young talent. It started with AJ Green, Andy Dalton and Clint Boling last year. Now they must take a good center, who can help protect Andy Dalton, because we all saw the playoff game against the Texans, the O-line was horrible and Cook was a pretty big part of that failure. They need to give this young kid protection.

22^nd Overall Pick – Cleveland Browns (from Falcons)

Kendall Wright – Wide Receiver – Baylor

Kendall Wright may not be the best receiver on the board, but he would work much better with RG3 than Jeffrey or Sanu would. Kendall Wright was RG3’s teammate at Baylor, and was one of the most productive receivers in college this last year. He’s really fast, and a great possession receiver. He can take over the #1 receiver spot over Greg Little, who is a better #2 receiver. Massaquoi is then the #3 guy, then Cribbs is the #4 guy. They’re defense isn’t half bad, and with Athyba Rubin, Joe Haden, and Jabaal Sheard becoming very good, it’s not worth spending a first round pick on defense. Time to help out your new quarterback with his favorite receiving targets in the whole world. Once this offense becomes half-decent, and then they can make a case for a playoff spot. Plus, teams that draft QBs early always compliment them with good receivers, and vice-versa.

23^rd Overall Pick – Detroit Lions

Cordy Glenn – Offensive Tackle/Guard – Georgia

Although his natural position is a guard, the Lions could use a good offensive line upgrade. Their best linemen are over 31 years old, and their guards are mediocre at best. Rob Sims could be a good right guard, and Stephen Peterman is useless at right guard. They should draft Cordy Glenn, move Rob Sims to right guard and make Peterman a backup. Then, when Jeff Backus retires, Cordy Glenn can make the switch to left tackle as he has the size and would have the experience. It’s a good short-term pick, and it could help them out in the long run.

24^th Overall Pick – Pittsburgh Steelers

Dontario Poe – Defensive Tackle – Memphis

Casey Hampton is getting old, and his production is going down. Time to get someone new. Dontario Poe is the best 3-4-nose tackle in the draft, and he’s very good in both run stopping and pass rushing, but he’s a better-run stopper. He’s huge at 350 pounds, and reminds me of a not-as-good Vince Wilfork. Defensive tackle isn’t a need right now, because they have Hampton, but it’s all but certain that he’s not going to be back at the end of next year. Time to bring in a heir.

25^th Overall Pick – Denver Broncos

Alfonso Dennard – Cornerback – Nebraska

The Broncos have Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman, two very good cornerbacks, especially Bailey. Why draft a CB? Because Goodman and Bailey are 33 and it doesn’t look like they’re going to get that much better. Time to bring in a heir and a good #3 cornerback for now. Dennard is a solid, physical cover corner who would offer a talent upgrade in the secondary. The right pick here, plus he’s arguably the best player on the board.

26^th Overall Pick – Houston Texans

Alshon Jeffrey – Wide Receiver – South Carolina

Not having Johnson for the majority of the year killed the Texans passing game. It doesn’t help that their first 2 QBs were injured, but still Johnson is arguably the best WR in the league. The Texans need more depth and players at the receiver position. If an injury happens to Walter or Johnson, they essentially have no one to fill in. It’s really only Jacoby Jones, who’s decent at best. They need a good receiver. Jeffrey is a big guy with good hands and not bad speed. He’s also a great redzone threat, something the passing game could use to take the pressure off Andre Johnson.

27^th Overall Pick – New England Patriots (from Saints)

Mohamed Sanu – Wide Receiver – Rutgers

Deion Branch is getting old. He’ll be 33 years old at the start of next year. You can even make the case now that they need a wide receiver. Wes Welker is their only wide receiver that is dangerous. He’s also getting old as he is 30, and going to be 31 next year. Ochocinco is a lost cause and it seems that Edelman is not the future. They need to bring some youth to this offense. They have Gronkowski and Hernandez at tight end, but over time teams are going to find ways to shut them down, it’s just the nature of the NFL. Sanu is a good possession receiver with good speed and good hands. He had a very productive season with Rutgers accumulating over 1200 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has a lot of potential and under Brady he could shine.

28^th Overall Pick – Green Bay Packers

Nick Perry – Defensive End – University of Southern California

The Packers defense was pretty bad this year. The Packers pass rush was just off this year; everything was just off thie year for the Packers: the rush defense, the pass defense and the lack of pressure on the QB. Clay Matthews had a good year, but it’s clear they need someone to compliment him. There is no better pick in the draft (out of the remaining players) than Nick Perry. He can easily play 3-4 outside linebacker, and he went to USC, the same school as Matthews! It’s a match made in heaven for the Packers.

29^th Overall Pick –Baltimore Ravens

Vontaze Burfict – Inside Linebacker – Arizona State

The Ravens want to look for a replacement as Ray Lewis is getting really old, and they’re going to need another inside linebacker as Jameel McClain can’t do it all by himself. Burfict is a big, fast linebacker who was on a bad team. He can get to the quarterback and is good in coverage. He’s a project and the heir to Ray Lewis. They could use this pick on a center, but there is no good center near the top of the board. They could trade up for Peter Konz, but it’s not worth it. Matt Birk is old, but not retired and still doing well. Another reason why the Ravens should pick Burfict is because Ray Lewis has been injury prone the last few years, and although their defense does fine without him, he could use a backup. It’s the perfect pick for the Ravens here.

30^th Overall Pick –San Francisco 49ers

Zebrie Sanders – Offensive Tackle – Florida State

Joe Staley is a very good left tackle, unfortunately, Anthony Davis is a horrible right tackle. He was just absolutely torched many times this season, whether it be against the Ravens, Eagles or Giants, he was bad. It’s looking like he is becoming a very big bust. Now, he is still young and there is still hope for him, but I think the 49ers should draft Sanders, and make Davis and Sanders fight for the starting right tackle job. Whoever wins deserves it. The loser can either stay the backup or fight for the starting right guard spot with Adam Snyder. They need to give Alex Smith all the protection he could get, or he’ll just end up like the quarterback he was several years ago.

31^st Overall Pick – New England Patriots

Dont’a Hightower – Inside Linebacker – Alabama

The Patriots could use a good inside linebacker. It doesn’t matter if they play 3-4 or 4-3, their liability is in the middle. Brandon Spikes is a great young kid with good potential, but if they’re playing a 4-3 defense, they have no one at MLB. Mayo would play strong side and Spikes would play weak side. Don’t’a Hightower is a huge linebacker who is great at tackling. It’s going to be hard for even Jacobs to get through him, because at 260 pounds, not many running backs could up against him head-on and win. He’s the guy who Belicheck wants as he’s brash and plays on a winning team. A big part of that Crimson Tide defense, and could become a big part of the Patriots defense.

32^nd Overall Pick – New York Giants

Zach Brown – Outside Linebacker – North Carolina

The best outside linebacker in the draft; Zach Brown plays in a 4-3 defense, and is great! He’s strong, fast and a good tackler. He’s even good in coverage. Reminds me of Jerod Mayo. If drafted, he would fill a huge need on the Giants. Although their defense looked phenomenal in the playoffs, the fact of the matter is they had a below average defense in the regular season. Their D-line is amazing and their secondary is great, unfortunately, their linebackers are average, at best. Michael Boley is a great outside linebacker, but they need to compliment him. Mathias Kiwaunuka is a good outside linebacker, but he’s a situational one, in the sense that he’s almost a pure pass rushing one. They’re going to need someone who’s better all around in their at ROLB. They could even move Kiwaunuka up to defensive end, as he has the size and speed to become a speed rushing defensive end. Zach Brown is the way to go here.

Please post your comments.

top 3 is good, but number 4 i think the redskins trade up to draft RG3 and give their first and second rounder to cleveland and cleveland takes richardson with that pick.

[jskinnz]

In the next incarnation of your mock, you need to have RG3 going second because that is what will eventaully happen.

[BOTT]

if the rams actually get to choose between blackmon and kalil it will be kalil. and that's probably a tad high for kirkpatrick

[Andy]

if the rams actually get to choose between blackmon and kalil it will be kalil. and that's probably a tad high for kirkpatrick

I made the Kirkpatrick pick before his bust, Im going to change it in the next draft.

Why would they choose Kalil. They have Saffold and Brown at tackles and the only reason they were bad this year is because both of those guys were injured. They're going to be healthy. As of now, they only have one good receiver and that's Lloyd. Their 2nd best is Amendola who's a #3 guy at best.

[DenverFan]

Denver won't pick Dennard, we have enough short slow corners. Fletcher Cox or Zack Brown could be options though.