1. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
- Looks like this is starting to take shape as a real possibility. This is pretty elementary -- the Rams need a quarterback and a face of the franchise, plain and simple. Bradford provides both. If I were the Rams I would entertain any offers for trading down, as they have many gaping holes to fill. But the chances of any team wanting to move up to the top spot are slim ... and probably none.
2. Detroit Lions
Ndamakong Suh, DT, Nebraska
- Suh is the guy that was the early favorite to go No.1 overall. But as the Rams are smitten with Bradford, that leaves Suh to fall into the Lions' lap. And I'm sure they are just fine with it, as Jim Schwartz gets a mammoth he can plug into his 3-4 defense. When Schwartz was the defensive coordinator of the Titans, he had Albert Haynesworth in that role. That had some success, last time I checked. Suh is a very disruptive force and I see him having an immediate impact.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
- The Bucs need an anchor for their 4-3 defense so this is my best guess as well as the best guess of the experts I read. McCoy is the clear No. 2 defensive lineman in the draft, behind Suh, and will probably become a premier pass rusher. Also, the Bucs have two second-round picks, so they could be active in the trade game on draft day. I will offer this counter opinion: Here are the Bucs' starting tackles: Jeremy Trueblood (RT) and Donald Penn (LT). Those names don't blow me away, so how about Russell Okung from Oklahoma State, a 6-6, 305 pound bookend tackle?
4. Washington Redskins
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
- The smart pick is Okung, the offensive tackle. But this is the Redskins, and owner Dan Snyder always wants to make headlines. It makes some sense, as new coach Mike Shanahan probably wants to install a new quarterback and move past the mediocrity that is Jason Cambell. Clausen has played on the big stage and ran an NFL-style offense in college. The tricky part is there will be quarterbacks just as good as Clausen available in the second round, or later (Colt McCoy). But its the Redskins, no offense to their fans.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
- The Chiefs are another team that has many, many holes to fill, but in this scenario the best offensive lineman in the draft just fell into their lap. Yes, they just recently drafted Branden Albert to play left tackle, but they can slide him over to the right side, or put Okung there. GM Scott Pioli is too smart to pass this opportunity up.
6. Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
- This is hard one to gauge, as the Seahawks need help everywhere and have two first-round picks (6 and 14). So any number of possible trades could happen here. If not, here are two quick reasons why the Spiller makes sense: 1. Seattle needs a running back and a playmaker and Spiller is the best one out there and can do everything (run, catch, return). 2. Pat Kirwin of NFL.com is very close to Carroll and this is his guess as well...very credible source.
7. Cleveland Browns
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
- A dream scenario for myself and Browns fans. Secondary is the weakest spot on the Browns roster and Berry is a safety in the mold of Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. A game-changer ... big hits, good in coverage, fast and smart. If Seattle bites and takes Berry at No. 6, I'd say the Browns take Florida CB Joe Haden or trade down out of this spot.
8. Oakland Raiders
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
- The pick almost impossible to predict. Let's rewind to 2009 for a second: How many mock drafts had the Raiders selecting WR Darius Heyward-Bey with their first-round pick? I'd say zero. Back to 2010: My guess is the Raiders take the best offensive lineman available, and here it's Bulaga (6-6, 312). Other possibilities include Anthony Davis (Rutgers), Bruce Campbell (Maryland) and Trent Williams (Oklahoma).
9. Buffalo Bills
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
- It gets hairy here, as Clausen would be the ideal fit for a team needing a fresh start at QB. But in this mock draft, Clausen is gone so the Bills have to go in another direction. I'd guess offensive line, which leaves Williams as the best available option according to the rankings I've seen.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
- Lots of ways the Jaguars can go here. They desperately needed a pass rusher but took care of that via free agency (Aaron Kampman). The team's receivers have been subpar for years as David Garrard doesn't really have anyone to throw to (and never has). Bryant could change that, as he has excellent speed and size (6-2). He's a bit of a headcase, but it's make or break time for Jack Del Rio and his staff in Jacksonville.
11. Denver Broncos
Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
-- The Broncos have heavily invested in their defensive line via free agency, so it makes sense for them to go with the impact linebacker here, as Andra Davis is aging (D.J. Williams is the other starter at ILB). If they wanted to go offense, look for Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas.
12. Miami Dolphins
Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
- Defense, defense, defense. The Dolphins need youth at outside linebacker and nose tackle. So take your pick. Bill Parcells loves an OLB who can rush the passer (see Demarcus Ware).
13. San Francisco 49ers
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
- The 49ers also own the 17th pick, so they could be on the trade market. Assuming they're not, I see them going with Haden, the best corner in the draft despite the concern over his speed. They also need OL, but they can address that with the 17th pick. On a side note, I have seen two mock drafts that have the 49ers taking RB C.J., Spiller with this pick...lunacy. Frank Gore mans the position fine and has some tread left on the tires. Too many other immediate, glaring holes to fill to go that direction.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
- With their second first-round pick, I'm giving the Seahawks the defensive end to replace the recently-traded Darryl Tapp and let's face it, Patrick Kerney isn't getting any younger, even he even plays this season.
15. New York Giants
Sean Witherspoon, LB, Missouri
- From what I've read about Witherspoon, he is versatile and can play inside or outside, and the Giants need both in the worst of ways. They'd probably take McClain if he fell to them.
16. Tennessee Titans
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida- This seems like a no-brainer, as the Titans lost DEs Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse. If Pierre-Paul is gone, look for the Titans to grab Everson Griffen. Cornerback is also a position of need, so watch for Boise State's Kyle Wilson here.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Mike Iupati, OL, Idaho
- The 49ers get their much-needed offensive lineman here. Iupati was a guard at Idaho but apparently teams see him as more of an NFL tackle.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
- I'd say if Iupati would fall to them, he'd be the choice here. But corner is a big need for the Steelers, especially now that the rival Ravens brought in Anquan Bolden. The Steelers have been weak at corner for years, so this makes the most sense.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
- The Falcons have no real pass rush (only 28 sacks last season) and Graham was a monster at Michigan. Seems like a match made in heaven.
20. Houston Texans
Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee
- I struggled with this one, as I think the Texans can go in several different directions. Williams could go prior to this, possibly to the Dolphins, but if he's here I can't see Houston passing up a run-stuffer to fill a gaping hole in their defensive line. They also need a cornerback, and don't count out a running back (Ryan Matthews out of Fresno State is the best one left).
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Taylor Mays, S, Southern Cal
- Some draft boards have Texas S Earl Thomas ahead of Mays, so depending on where the Bengals rank them could change my guess. Either way, defense is a need and they can't go wrong either way. Also, even though they just signed Antonio Bryant, WR Demaryius Thomas may be too enticing to pass up.
22. New England Patriots
Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Penn State
- With the loss of Jarvis Green, the Pats suddenly have a need for a defensive lineman. Odrick can play tackle or end (versatility seems like a running theme in this crop of draft prospects) and Bill Belichick loves guys can fill any role he sees fit.
23. Green Bay Packers
Maurice Pouncey, G/C, Florida
- The Packers had arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL last season. Pouncey is a Day One starter at center and from what I read about him on NFL.com, some coaches and scouts say he can play guard as well. The Packers have a need for younger offensive tackles, but Pouncey is someone they can plug in right away.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Everson Griffen, DE, Southern Cal
- Another pick tough to handicap. Eagles have needs at offensive line, defensive end and even running back (I am not sold on LeSean McCoy). I'll say they go defensive line, but I'll admit that I have no idea.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
- Little out-of-the-box thinking here. Most mock drafts I've seen have the Ravens going with Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham. That makes sense. But how about some youth and depth on the defensive line? Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards left via free agency, so if the season started today the Ravens would have older-than-dirt Trevor Pryce at one end and Halotia Ngata at the other. Ngata is more of a nose tackle. Bringing in Dunlap (who had character issues at Florida) would allow the Ravens to add a future star to their defense, and Ozzie Newsome never hesitates adding to his D.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
- No offense to Anthony Becht, but the Cardinals need a pass-catching tight end who can also block: Gresham fits that bill. The Cards could also go offensive line (Charles Brown, Southern Cal) or defensive line (Brian Price, DT). But I'd take the tight end.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Earl Thomas, S, Texas
- This is a big slide for Thomas, who some have going in the top 15. If he does fall here, expect the Cowboys to pounce as safety is a big position of need for Dallas.
28. San Diego Chargers
Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
- This also seems too obvious (which probably means it won't happen). The Chargers lost LT and Darren Sproles is more of a role player than an every down back. Another apparent match made in heaven.
29. New York Jets
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
- Even with Braylon Edwards and Jerico Cotchery, the Jets need more offensive playmakers. Cornerback was a huge need, but they filled that in trading for Antonio Cromartie.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Brian Price, DT, UCLA
- The Williams Wall (Pat and Kevin) get older by the day, so drafting a 4-3 tackle like Price makes a lot of sense. Cornerback is another option, so Patrick Robinson of Florida State would be my other guess.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Davis, OL, Rutgers
- Ryan Diem and Charlie Johnson are solid tackles, but its hard to argue with any team chosing an offensive lineman. Although I'd say that if Price was available, the Colts will take him as they need help at defensive line.
32. New Orleans Saints
Jerry Hughes, DE/LB, TCU
- The Saints can plug Hughes into a of couple different positions of need. He may not slip this far, but in this scenario he does and the Super Bowl champs get a steal.
I'd be shocked if the Pack went center/guard this early. I'd look for secondary/OT immediately, followed by perhaps some depth-building later on. I wish they had 11 picks, like some other team we know!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I believe it's MaurKice.
ReplyDeleteYea it makes sense to take a tackle, especially because they are so many good ones this year. Either way, as long as they address that OL I think they make the right pick.
ReplyDeleteWhat ever happened to the DT from Tennessee they took in the first round a few years ago? Harrell?