The regular season is done, and though there is one game remaining, it's time to start thinking about the draft. Well, it is if you are me and couldn't care less about the Super Bowl. I find myself hoping for a win and an injury to a QB. As long as both happen to the same team, that's fine. Kidding, I never hope for injuries, but this game has me as close to it as I have been in a long....well actually ever.
So, Here comes the first version of my Mock Drafts. This premature with the draft order not even set in stone and the combine and player workouts still pending. But with a best guess at a big board and going with the Super Bowl favorites to win, I decided to have some fun.
Soooo, starting at the top.
ROUND 1
PICK 1: COLTS
Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Really, does anyone think there is any way that they are not going to pick up Andrew Luck? They are a passing team built around a QB who makes good decisions and that is pretty much the description of Andrew Luck. Yes, Peyton will probably play again. Maybe it will be this year. Regardless, he is getting close to the end. The Colts should pray that he is healthy and can play, because then he will have value. Luck starts or Luck sits, but he goes to Indy.
PICK 2: RAMS
Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State
The Rams have made some nice picks the last few years. They have drafted a pair of tackles who look like they should be able to play in this league, some nice defensive pieces, and have picked up the occasional veteran. Toss in Sam Bradford who they think is a franchise QB and they should have a chance. One of their problems though is that they have not been able to give Bradford any weapons outside of Steven Jackson. They need a #1 receiver. A guy that Bradford can lean on. Blackmon has good speed, great instincts for getting open, and he is a beast who wants the ball more than you do. If they can get over playing with a guy from the other side of Bedlam, they could be special.
PICK 3: VIKINGS
Matt Kalil OT USC
The Vikings have a pair of young QB's who have shown flashes of talent. There will be a heated contest to see who starts for them next year, but with "Mount" McKinnie getting kicked out of town, they need a Left Tackle right now. Especially if Adrian Peterson is not his normal dominant self after knee surgery. Kalil is the best this draft has to offer.
PICK 4: BROWNS
Trent Richardson RB Alabama
The Browns need weapons all over the field. On top of that they are likely to lose Peyton Hillis. That makes Trent Richardson a no-brainer at 4. He has the potential to be a star as an every down back and will give Colt McCoy a chance to show if he can be the guy. They still need to get another receiving weapon or 2, but they will be ecstatic to see Richardson at 4.
PICK 5: BUCCANEERS
Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
One starting corner is among the oldest players in the league. The other is likely to have some prison time coming up. Notice, I did not say jail....prison. I don't know if they invite him back even if he can keep his freedom. So, they need a corner, and until we know different, I think we have to assume that the Tampa will be alive and well so a big corner who can press is a perfect fit. Kirkpatrick is that guy.
PICK 6: REDSKINS
Robert Griffin III QB Baylor
The Skins need a QB who has a chance to be more than a stand-in. They are a solid team with Grossman isn't throwing picks. Picks are something that the Heisman Trophy winner just did not do at Baylor. He can make all the throws, including a beautiful deep ball, and he will be deadly in the bootleg game that Mike Shanahan loves.
PICK 7: JAGUARS
Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
The Jaguars were kittens without claws on offense last year. All they had was MJD, which is something to be sure, but they need to back the safeties up. Their young QB didn't have a big target or a field-stretcher on the outside. Floyd is both.
PICK 8: DOLPHINS
Quinton Coples DE/OLB North Carolina
The Dolphins would have loved one of the top QB's but with them off the board, they will go with the best available and try to bolster an already strong defensive unit. They have a solid, young secondary, but with Jason Taylor retiring, they needed to give their pass rush a shot in the arm. Coples is a man on the edge, and should play early.
PICK 9: PANTHERS
Morris Claiborne CB LSU
When you look at the Panthers' record you would think they needed help all over, but the stats tell a different story. They were in the top half of the league in nearly every statistical category so they really are in a position to go best available to try to find some difference makers to put them over the edge. With them seeing the Saints and Falcons twice a year, they need to do something to deal with those receiving corps. Clariborne is a big, fast corner, who should be a big step in the direction they want to go.
PICK 10: BILLS
Jonathan Martin OT Stanford
The Bills have needed a new left tackle since Jason Peters left for Philly, which was a few years ago. They think they have a QB they can lean on, and they have solid skill position players and a very good defense. Now they need to finish off their lines. Martin was a close second as an OT last year and should start from day 1 for the Bills.
PICK 11: CHIEFS
Riley Reiff OT Iowa
The Chiefs are starting a guy at left tackle who was a guard in college. Yes, he is a stud and had transition well, but the fact they had to try him there says a lot about the state of their line. It is patched together, aging fast, and does not contain a good second tackle. Reiff should be a very good right tackle, shoring up a major weakness in the Chiefs attack.....if you can call what their offense does attacking.
PICK 12: SEAHAWKS
Nick Perry DE USC
The Seahawks have some nice pieces on a very young roster, but they have had trouble putting together a pass rush from their front 4. Perry is a very talented young man who can play the DE position on every snap and bring pressure with speed and power. In a fairly thin year for DE's he will go early.
PICK 13:CARDINALS
Alshon Jeffry WR South Carolina
I know that the cupboard is not rare, but you cannot lose Steve Breaston and Anquan Boldin in back to back years and not restock. Jeffry is a huge talent who will feast on single coverage with Larry Fitzgerald hanging out on the other side of the field.
PICK 14: COWBOYS
Mark Barron S Alabama
The Cowboys have had issues in their secondary for years. They have spent time building up their depth at cornerback and it's not too bad and the top corners are gone now. They need help at safety too, and Mark Barron will remind Dallas fans of another hard hitting strong safety. The difference between Barron and Roy Williams is Barron can help in coverage too. Expect him to start...now.
PICK 15: EAGLES
Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama
We all know what the Eagles problems were this season. They need help up the middle, though their DT's played much better at the end of the year. Hightower has been starting at ILB for the Crimson Tide since his freshman year. He is big, fast, and coached up by Nick Saban. He will be an immediate contributor in the middle for the Eagles.
PICK 16: JETS.
Lamar Miller RB Miami
It amazes me how little attention that Lamar Miller has gotten nationwide. This is the most explosive running back I saw all year, and he is coming out of single back/pro-style offense. Yes, more explosive than the scatbacks in Oregon, more explosive than Trent Richardson, Montee Ball, Chris Polk, or the muscle hamster. This is a one-cut and gone kind of runner who hits tops speed in a hiccup and runs better inside than many of the smaller backs in this draft. That said, he is only 212 so will need to put some weight on if he wants to be a 25 carry a game guy. The Jets need a guy who can break a play open, this is the guy.
PICK 17: BENGALS
David DeCastro OG Stanford
The Bengals have done a wonderful job of drafting the past few years and they are in the position to take the best available. DeCastro is the rare guard who is worth first round attention, he will compete for a starting spot from day 1 on this improving squad
PICK 18: CHARGERS
Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama
The Chargers have been looking for a pass rusher since "Lights Out" Merriman got hurt a couple years back. Upshaw is a good ball player who happens to be a demon off the edge. He might just be what the doctor ordered.
PICK 19: BEARS
Dwayne Allen TE Clemson
The Bears need playmakers in the passing game, and preferably playmakers with size. Dwayne Allen is type of tight end that can change an offense. He can do a bit of everything and is a true threat with the ball in his hands. He has the size to punish defensive backs and will run away from nearly any linebacker in the league.
PICK 20: TITANS
Devon Still DT Penn State
He is still a bit of a diamond in the rough, but has the power to take up double teams and has the potential to be a big time run stuffer. The Titans have seen their vaunted defensive line be decimated by free agency the past few years and it's time to start rebuilding.
PICK 21: BENGALS
Jerel Worthy DT Michigan State
Worthy is a fast and powerful DT who can cause problems for the passing game by getting upfield with a solid swim move or a solid punch to start a bull rush. Has to get better about locating the ball in running situations and be more willing to take up blockers, but has the strength to do that.
PICK 22: BROWNS
Orson Charles TE Georgia
A bit smaller and faster than Dwayne Allen, he is potentially even more disruptive in the passing game but will not be as effective as an in-line blocker when needed. That said, he is powerful and will be able to chip and help with edge rushers before releasing. More Tony Gonzalez than Mark Bavaro.
PICK 23: LIONS
Alfonzo Dennard CD Nebraska
The Lions had great luck with their last pick off of the Blackshirt defense and are in dire need of an upgrade at corner. Dennard is a physical corner who is used to playing on an island. He should play immediately at nickle or the off corner for Detroit.
PICK 24: STEELERS
Doug Martin RB Boise State
The rumor is that the Power that be in Pittsburgh want to return to a more run-oriented physical style of football. If they are going to do that, they need to get depth at running back behind Rashard Mendenhall. Doug Martin is an explosive, compact back who carried a big load for on the Smurf Turf. He needs to work on pass protection, but can do everything else that a team could want, including having the speed to be a dynamic kick returner at 5'9" 220 lbs.
PICK 25: BRONCOS
Coby Fleener TE Stanford
The Broncos need to bring in players who can be successful with the offense that they are putting together around Tim Tebow. Contrary to common thought, the Broncos have a solid corp of receivers, especially if Eric Decker comes back. What they don't have is a tight end who will keep the other team's linebackers and safeties honest. Coby Fleener is a tight end who runs as well as some of the tight ends in the league who can also stick his nose in. There are concerns that he may be near his ceiling already, but considering what he showed in college, the Broncos would happily live with that. He would give Tebow a big threat who will be a matchup nightmare.
PICK 26: TEXANS
Dontari Poe NT Memphis
Dontari Poe was the bright spot on a terrible Memphis team. It may seem odd for the Texans to spend another pick on defense, but this is a case of taking the best available players and at a spot which always has value for a 3-4 defense. He is 6'4", 350 lbs and will keep that talented linebacker corp running clean. Think Tony Siragusa in front of Ray Rice.
PICK 27: PATRIOTS
Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
The Pats need an influx of talent on defense and DE is a spot of need. Ingram is a playmaker who is effective stopping the run, rushing the passer, and is surprisingly good in zone blitz schemes dropping into coverage.
PICK 28: PACKERS
Chris Polk RB Washington
The Packers should have learned a lesson from their playoff loss. They were able to win 2 seasons ago because they didn't have to make a run through the playoffs playing in the Wisconsin winter. As good as they are, that is not going to be the case very often, so they need to be able to run the ball more effectively. Polk would have been in the running for the first overall pick if he had come back, Polk's one-cut, physical, style will translate well on the hard turf.
PICK 29: GIANTS
Luke Kuechly LB Boston College
An incredibly productive college linebacker, Kuechly is tenacious with a nose for the ball. He is strong against the run and good enough against the pass to be an every-down backer in the league. The Giants need to improve up the middle and Keuchly is a Tom Coughlin kind of player.
PICK 30: RAVENS
Vontaze Burfict ILB Arizona State
Vontaze should have been a top 10 pick, but he couldn't get his head straight. Most teams will be scared away by that, but there are a few with strong enough locker rooms to harness his talent. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs are the kind of group who can keep him in line. They will have his respect and he has the talent to be worth the trouble. He could be the next great Raven defender.
PICK 31: 49ERS
Peter Konz C Wisconsin
The Niners want to be physical and they have a pretty good O-Line. Konz will make it better and happens to be the best available on the board. He should start immediately and will set the Niners up with a solid Line for years to come.
PICK 32: PATRIOTS
Chase Minnifield CB Virginia
The Pats are retooling on defense and Minnifield has the talent to step in as their second corner immediately. He has decent size and has been well coached, being effective in both man and zone concepts. With his dad having been a Pro-Bowl corner, the show won't be too big for him either. Another solid pickup for the Pats.
ROUND 2
Pick 33: Rams
LaMichael James RB Oregon
Pick 34: Colts
Mike Adams OT Ohio State
Pick 35: Vikings
DeVier Posey WR Ohio State
Pick 36: Buccaneers
Andrew Datko OT Florida State
Pick 37: Browns
Vinny Curry DE Marshall
Pick 38: Jaguars
Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina
Pick 39: Redskins
Joe Adams WR Arkansas
Pick 40: Panthers
Fletcher Cox DT/DE Mississippi State
Pick 41: Bills
Billy Winn DE Boise State
Pick 42: Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill QB Texas A&M
Pick 43: Seahawks
Brandon Thompson DT Clemson
Pick 44: Chiefs
David Wilson RB Virginia Tech
Pick 45: Cowboys
Cliff Harris CB Oregon
Pick 46: Eagles
Cordy Glenn OG Georgia
Pick 47: Jets
Markelle Martin S Oklahoma State
Pick 48: Patriots
Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington
Pick 49: Chargers
Zebrie Sanders OT Florida State
Pick 50: Bears
Jeff Fuller WR Texas A&M
Pick 51: Eagles
Lavonte David OLB Nebraska
Pick 52: Titans
Michael Egnew TE Missouri
Pick 53: Bengals
Brandon Boykin CB Georgia
Pick 54: Lions
Levy Adcock OT Oklahoms State
Pick 55: Falcons
TE Ladarius Green Lousiana Lafayette
Pick 56: Steelers
Nigel Bradham LB Florida State
Pick 57: Broncos
Dan Herron RB Ohio State
Pick 58: Texans
Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
Pick 59: Saints
Olivier Vernon DE Miami
Pick 60: Packers
Ben Jones C Georgia
Pick 61: Giants
Sylvester Williams DT North Carolina
Pick 62: Ravens
David Molk C Michigan
Pick 63: 49ers
Mavin McNutt WR Iowa
Pick 64: Patriots
Bobby Wagner OLB Utah State
ROUND 3
Pick 65: Colts
Zach Brown ILB North Carolina
Pick 66: Rams
Brandon Washington OL Miami
Pick 67: Vikings
Kelechi Osemele OG Iowa State
Pick 68: Brown
Jarius Wright WR Arkansas
Pick 69: Buccaneers
Isaiah Pead RB Cincinnati
Pick 70: Redskins
Nate Potter OT Boise State
Pick 71: Jaguars
Sean Spence ILB Miami
Pick 72: Bills
Travis Lewis OLB Oklahoma
Pick 73: Dolphins
Kendall Wright WR Baylor
Pick 74: Bears
Lucas Nix: OG Pittsburgh
Pick 75: Chiefs
Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin
Pick 76: Seahawks
Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State
Pick 77: Eagles
Brandon Mosley OT Auburn
Pick 78: Jets
Jared Crick DE Nebraska
Pick 80: Chargers
Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama via Florida
Pick 81: Bears
Ryan Lindley QB San Diego State
Pick 82: Cardinals
Michael Brewster C Ohio State
Pick 83: Cowboys
Whitney Mercilus DE/OLB Illinois
Pick 84: Titans
Greg Childs WR Arkansas
Pick 85: Bengals
Antonio Allen SS South Carolina
Pick 86: Falcons
Jake Bequette DE Arkansas
Pick 87: Lions
Cyrus Gray RB Texas A&M
Pick 88: Steelers
Matt McCants OT UAB
Pick 89: Broncos
Jeff Demps RB/WR Florida
Pick 90: Texans
Jayron Hosley CB Virginia Tech
Pick 91: Saints
Audie Cole ILB North Carolina State
Pick 92: Packers
Tank Carder OLB TCU
Pick 93: Giants
Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin
Pick 94: Ravens
Coryell Judie CB Texas A&M
Pick 95 49ers
Emmanuel Acho OLB Texas
Pick 96: Patriots
Fozzy Whittaker RB/WR/KR Texas
No comments:
Post a Comment