Post by NickWorthem on Mar 15, 2013 16:30:14 GMT -5
The draft is my favorite part of the NFL Season so, with that being said, this is my first edition of this year's mock draft. Feel free to offer any feedback, without flaming. I am very, very open to discussion as to why I'm wrong or why I'm right
1. Kansas City Chiefs - DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida
This pick SHOULD be Luke Jockel because Branden Albert cannot seem to stay healthy or consistent, but KC has given up on the Glenn Dorsey experiment and needs a new man in the middle. Enter Sharrif Floyd, an athletic freak, that has been compared, very recently, to J.J. Watt.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - OT, Luke Jockel, Texas A&M
This is Eugene Monroe's walk year and he is due to be upgraded anyways. Jockel has excellent footwork and, other than a misstep against Florida, he had an EXCELLENT season for A&M. Anytime you can get a franchise LT in the draft, especially as a rebuilding franchise, you take the opportunity. Gabbert is going to get another season, at the helm, and that requires Gabbert to have time to throw.
3. Oakland Raiders - DT, Star Lotulelei, Utah
Even with the heart issues, he is number one on my big board for good reason. This man is an athletic freak that can play in the middle of the 4-3 or scoot out to end if the Raiders do make the switch to the 3-4. With the impending release of Tommy Kelly and the always overrated Richard Seymour already gone, this move makes perfect sense.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - OT, Eric Fisher, Central Michigan
I know, I know, Philly brought everyone to Morgantown to see Geno Smith, but I feel that is a HEAVY smokescreen for Buffalo. Philadelphia, with a significant amount of needs, would like to trade out of this position and build their team. In this situation, I am not predicting trades, so the Eagles draft a player that meets their biggest need, being the offensive line. No matter who the quarterback is, come August, the reality is they are going to be drafting top-5 again if they allow their Quarterback to consistently be destroyed.
5. Detroit Lions - CB, Dee Milner, Alabama
The Lions will be slightly upset that they missed out on the top offensive line prospects after losing Cherilus to Indianapolis and Backus to retirement (neither a huge loss), but find solace in getting the top cornerback in this class. The Lions need to find a starter across from Chris Houston and there is no doubt that Milner can be a shutdown player.
6. Cleveland Browns - DE/OLB, Dion Jordan, Oregon
The Browns luck out in this scenario in picking Jordan, the top outside rusher in this draft.
Paul Kruger was just signed, but the Browns still have a dire need for someone that can play OLB/DE, within their hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense; Dion Jordan fits this mold and more.
7. Arizona Cardinals - OG, Chance Warmack, Alabama
Guards rarely go in the top-10, but this Arizona line can use all the help it can get for Bruce Arians' new system. With quarterbacks like Glennon, Nassib, Manuel, and, possibly, Barkley being available on Day-2, they are not in any rush to find a QB for the future. Plus, it's tough to envision Arians not giving Stanton an opportunity to play in a system that he already knows.
8. Buffalo Bills - QB, Geno Smith, West Virginia
If I were to be honest, I think Buffalo trades up to make this happen. With Ryan Fitzpatrick being unceremoniously released, earlier in the week, Chan Gailey finally gets the athletic QB he wanted all along. <insert rant about how Geno Smith will bust>
9. New York Jets - DE/OLB, Ezekiel Ansah, BYU
Even before the release of Calvin Pace, the Jets could not get to the quarterback; they have a dire need for a rush-linebacker. Ansah is very raw, but has tremendous upside and makes sense for the Jets scheme.
10. Tennessee Titans - G/C, Johnathan Cooper, North Carolina
The Titans signed Andy Levitre and now draft Johnathan Cooper to solidify their interior line. CJ2K and Jake Locker, both, struggled behind poor blocking and the Titans are making every effort they can to improve that offense.
11. San Diego Chargers - OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
Definitely a reach pick, but the San Diego Line is horrendous, especially after losing OG Louis Vazquez. Philip Rivers is going to be unable to lead this team anywhere if he is consistently on his back; this is a necessity pick.
12. Miami Dolphins - CB, Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
After losing both Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, over the last 6 months, the Dolphins need a starting cornerback if they intend on not getting blown out every week.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB, Desmond Trufant, Washington
The better of the Trufant brothers is drafted to fill a major need here. Almost no one was surprised when Talib was traded and fewer were surprised when Eric Wright turned out to be a bust signing. This is the first necessary step in improving their 32nd-ranked pass defense.
14. Carolina Panthers - DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
This is as sure of a bet as there is, in the draft. The Panthers drafted two mid-round DTs, last year and neither panned out. It is time for those mistakes to be rectified by drafting this high-upside prospect. Sheldon Richardson has rarely struggled getting into the backfield, against either run or pass, and could develop into a special player.
15. New Orleans Saints - DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU
The Saints need a pass rusher across from Martez Wilson and Mingo might be looked at as the best remaining prospect. Personally, I don't see a lot of upside with him, but reports are that the Saints have been looking at him with this spot.
16. St. Louis Rams - WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
Definitely the only pick that makes sense for St. Louis. They need to bring in a legitimate, number one receiver if they ever anticipate Sam Bradford taking that next step.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - OLB, Jarvis Jones, Georgia
The Steelers benefit from teams straying away from Jones, due to spinal issues. Jones, arguably the best rush-linebacker in this draft falls and the Steelers get a steal in replacing James Harrison.
18. Dallas Cowboys - S, Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
The cornerbacks are in place, now the Cowboys begin solidifying their secondary, by finally drafting a capable safety. Barry Church was mediocre before tearing his Achilles and Gerald Sensabaugh was released. The Cowboys reportedly are very enamored with his potential and he makes sense, at this juncture.
19. New York Giants - DE, Bjoern Werner, Florida State
With Osi's release and the drafting style of Jerry Reese, this pick makes too much sense. He is a prototypical 4-3 pass rusher that falls based on team-needs.
20. Chicago Bears - ILB, Alec Ogeltree, Georgia
The Bears just signed (and significantly overpaid) Jermon Bushrod, as well as brought in TE Martellus Bennett. What these signings do is rule out DJ Fluker and Tyler Eifert as viable uses for this pick. Enter Ogeltree, an explosive athlete, that could be viewed as the successor to Brian Urlacher, in the long-tradition of Chicago MLBs.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - OT, DJ Fluker, Alabama
At the time of writing, Andre Smith looks to be pursuing more money than the Bengals are willing to pay. With that being said, if Smith leaves, the Bengals cannot enter next season with Anthony Collins in their starting line-up.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - OLB, Arthur Brown, Kansas State
This is a bit of a reach, but it's solely a need pick. The Rams need a strong-side linebacker that excels against the run, thankfully that is Arthur Brown's specialty.
23. Minnesota Vikings - WR, Keenan Allen, California
Currently, Jerome Simpson is the #1 receiver in Minnesota. Jerome "I've made one relevant catch" Simpson. Clearly, the Vikings need some help. Keenan Allen is an outstanding athlete and will, at the very least, give Christian Ponder one, legitimate passing option.
24. Indianapolis Colts - OT/G ,Kyle Long, Oregon
This is my first, true, reach pick, but it makes a lot of sense at this juncture. Long is looked at as an early second-round prospect and fills a position of need. He is a RT or, more likely, a guard in the NFL. With Cherilus just signed and Castanzo playing LT, this is a perfect move to improve the interior of their line.
25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle Seahawks) - CB, Johnathan Banks, Mississippi State
After releasing Antoine Winfield, the Vikings could definitely find use in another cover corner.
Banks had a very weak combine, but his size and physical tools will lead someone to take him in the first round.
26. Green Bay Packers - TE, Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
Tyler Eifert just makes too much sense at this juncture. Ted Thompson is one of the best GMs in the game and this is the best use for his "best-player-available" mantra. Mind you, I would be VERY surprised if Jermichael Finley is on the roster come training camp, so they are drafting a starter.
27. Houston Texans - WR, Justin Hunter, Tennessee
The Texans have needed a reliable #2 since Andre Johnson has joined them. Justin Hunter is, reportedly, garnering a lot of first round interest, but this is the first place that would make sense for him.
28. Denver Broncos - DT Jonathan Hankins, Ohio State
It's been quite a few years since the Broncos have had a reliable, run-stuffing DT in their defense. Johnathan Hankins is, by no means, a sure thing, but he makes perfect sense at this juncture.
29. New England Patriots - CB/S, David Amerson, N.C. State
This is a Patriots pick, of recent years. A slight reach for a prospect that fits their system and fills a need. With Patrick Chung gone, I'd look for Amerson to move to safety, but it would not be a total surprise to see him play corner. He was, on some people's boards, the top corner prospect prior to the 2012 season, and he has shown some flashes of brilliance, within that role.
30. Atlanta Falcons - DE, Tank Carradine, Florida State
John Abraham's replacement needs to be drafted and Carradine makes perfect sense. He is recovering from his ACL injury, at a remarkable rate, and a lot of teams are impressed with his potential.
31. San Francisco 49ers - DT Jesse Williams, Alabama
Jesse Williams will bust. I cannot say that enough, but he has to be near the top of the 49ers draft board as Isaac Sopoaga just signed with the Eagles.
32. Baltimore Ravens - ILB Kevin Minter, LSU
This is the first time, in years, where the Ravens have had a legitimate concern as to whom their starting ILBs will be. With both of the starters from last year gone, the Ravens are forced to draft the top ILB available, in Minter. Minter struggles in coverage, but is an outstanding tackler that will make an impact, in his first season.
1. Kansas City Chiefs - DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida
This pick SHOULD be Luke Jockel because Branden Albert cannot seem to stay healthy or consistent, but KC has given up on the Glenn Dorsey experiment and needs a new man in the middle. Enter Sharrif Floyd, an athletic freak, that has been compared, very recently, to J.J. Watt.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - OT, Luke Jockel, Texas A&M
This is Eugene Monroe's walk year and he is due to be upgraded anyways. Jockel has excellent footwork and, other than a misstep against Florida, he had an EXCELLENT season for A&M. Anytime you can get a franchise LT in the draft, especially as a rebuilding franchise, you take the opportunity. Gabbert is going to get another season, at the helm, and that requires Gabbert to have time to throw.
3. Oakland Raiders - DT, Star Lotulelei, Utah
Even with the heart issues, he is number one on my big board for good reason. This man is an athletic freak that can play in the middle of the 4-3 or scoot out to end if the Raiders do make the switch to the 3-4. With the impending release of Tommy Kelly and the always overrated Richard Seymour already gone, this move makes perfect sense.
4. Philadelphia Eagles - OT, Eric Fisher, Central Michigan
I know, I know, Philly brought everyone to Morgantown to see Geno Smith, but I feel that is a HEAVY smokescreen for Buffalo. Philadelphia, with a significant amount of needs, would like to trade out of this position and build their team. In this situation, I am not predicting trades, so the Eagles draft a player that meets their biggest need, being the offensive line. No matter who the quarterback is, come August, the reality is they are going to be drafting top-5 again if they allow their Quarterback to consistently be destroyed.
5. Detroit Lions - CB, Dee Milner, Alabama
The Lions will be slightly upset that they missed out on the top offensive line prospects after losing Cherilus to Indianapolis and Backus to retirement (neither a huge loss), but find solace in getting the top cornerback in this class. The Lions need to find a starter across from Chris Houston and there is no doubt that Milner can be a shutdown player.
6. Cleveland Browns - DE/OLB, Dion Jordan, Oregon
The Browns luck out in this scenario in picking Jordan, the top outside rusher in this draft.
Paul Kruger was just signed, but the Browns still have a dire need for someone that can play OLB/DE, within their hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense; Dion Jordan fits this mold and more.
7. Arizona Cardinals - OG, Chance Warmack, Alabama
Guards rarely go in the top-10, but this Arizona line can use all the help it can get for Bruce Arians' new system. With quarterbacks like Glennon, Nassib, Manuel, and, possibly, Barkley being available on Day-2, they are not in any rush to find a QB for the future. Plus, it's tough to envision Arians not giving Stanton an opportunity to play in a system that he already knows.
8. Buffalo Bills - QB, Geno Smith, West Virginia
If I were to be honest, I think Buffalo trades up to make this happen. With Ryan Fitzpatrick being unceremoniously released, earlier in the week, Chan Gailey finally gets the athletic QB he wanted all along. <insert rant about how Geno Smith will bust>
9. New York Jets - DE/OLB, Ezekiel Ansah, BYU
Even before the release of Calvin Pace, the Jets could not get to the quarterback; they have a dire need for a rush-linebacker. Ansah is very raw, but has tremendous upside and makes sense for the Jets scheme.
10. Tennessee Titans - G/C, Johnathan Cooper, North Carolina
The Titans signed Andy Levitre and now draft Johnathan Cooper to solidify their interior line. CJ2K and Jake Locker, both, struggled behind poor blocking and the Titans are making every effort they can to improve that offense.
11. San Diego Chargers - OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
Definitely a reach pick, but the San Diego Line is horrendous, especially after losing OG Louis Vazquez. Philip Rivers is going to be unable to lead this team anywhere if he is consistently on his back; this is a necessity pick.
12. Miami Dolphins - CB, Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
After losing both Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, over the last 6 months, the Dolphins need a starting cornerback if they intend on not getting blown out every week.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB, Desmond Trufant, Washington
The better of the Trufant brothers is drafted to fill a major need here. Almost no one was surprised when Talib was traded and fewer were surprised when Eric Wright turned out to be a bust signing. This is the first necessary step in improving their 32nd-ranked pass defense.
14. Carolina Panthers - DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
This is as sure of a bet as there is, in the draft. The Panthers drafted two mid-round DTs, last year and neither panned out. It is time for those mistakes to be rectified by drafting this high-upside prospect. Sheldon Richardson has rarely struggled getting into the backfield, against either run or pass, and could develop into a special player.
15. New Orleans Saints - DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU
The Saints need a pass rusher across from Martez Wilson and Mingo might be looked at as the best remaining prospect. Personally, I don't see a lot of upside with him, but reports are that the Saints have been looking at him with this spot.
16. St. Louis Rams - WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
Definitely the only pick that makes sense for St. Louis. They need to bring in a legitimate, number one receiver if they ever anticipate Sam Bradford taking that next step.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers - OLB, Jarvis Jones, Georgia
The Steelers benefit from teams straying away from Jones, due to spinal issues. Jones, arguably the best rush-linebacker in this draft falls and the Steelers get a steal in replacing James Harrison.
18. Dallas Cowboys - S, Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
The cornerbacks are in place, now the Cowboys begin solidifying their secondary, by finally drafting a capable safety. Barry Church was mediocre before tearing his Achilles and Gerald Sensabaugh was released. The Cowboys reportedly are very enamored with his potential and he makes sense, at this juncture.
19. New York Giants - DE, Bjoern Werner, Florida State
With Osi's release and the drafting style of Jerry Reese, this pick makes too much sense. He is a prototypical 4-3 pass rusher that falls based on team-needs.
20. Chicago Bears - ILB, Alec Ogeltree, Georgia
The Bears just signed (and significantly overpaid) Jermon Bushrod, as well as brought in TE Martellus Bennett. What these signings do is rule out DJ Fluker and Tyler Eifert as viable uses for this pick. Enter Ogeltree, an explosive athlete, that could be viewed as the successor to Brian Urlacher, in the long-tradition of Chicago MLBs.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - OT, DJ Fluker, Alabama
At the time of writing, Andre Smith looks to be pursuing more money than the Bengals are willing to pay. With that being said, if Smith leaves, the Bengals cannot enter next season with Anthony Collins in their starting line-up.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins) - OLB, Arthur Brown, Kansas State
This is a bit of a reach, but it's solely a need pick. The Rams need a strong-side linebacker that excels against the run, thankfully that is Arthur Brown's specialty.
23. Minnesota Vikings - WR, Keenan Allen, California
Currently, Jerome Simpson is the #1 receiver in Minnesota. Jerome "I've made one relevant catch" Simpson. Clearly, the Vikings need some help. Keenan Allen is an outstanding athlete and will, at the very least, give Christian Ponder one, legitimate passing option.
24. Indianapolis Colts - OT/G ,Kyle Long, Oregon
This is my first, true, reach pick, but it makes a lot of sense at this juncture. Long is looked at as an early second-round prospect and fills a position of need. He is a RT or, more likely, a guard in the NFL. With Cherilus just signed and Castanzo playing LT, this is a perfect move to improve the interior of their line.
25. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle Seahawks) - CB, Johnathan Banks, Mississippi State
After releasing Antoine Winfield, the Vikings could definitely find use in another cover corner.
Banks had a very weak combine, but his size and physical tools will lead someone to take him in the first round.
26. Green Bay Packers - TE, Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
Tyler Eifert just makes too much sense at this juncture. Ted Thompson is one of the best GMs in the game and this is the best use for his "best-player-available" mantra. Mind you, I would be VERY surprised if Jermichael Finley is on the roster come training camp, so they are drafting a starter.
27. Houston Texans - WR, Justin Hunter, Tennessee
The Texans have needed a reliable #2 since Andre Johnson has joined them. Justin Hunter is, reportedly, garnering a lot of first round interest, but this is the first place that would make sense for him.
28. Denver Broncos - DT Jonathan Hankins, Ohio State
It's been quite a few years since the Broncos have had a reliable, run-stuffing DT in their defense. Johnathan Hankins is, by no means, a sure thing, but he makes perfect sense at this juncture.
29. New England Patriots - CB/S, David Amerson, N.C. State
This is a Patriots pick, of recent years. A slight reach for a prospect that fits their system and fills a need. With Patrick Chung gone, I'd look for Amerson to move to safety, but it would not be a total surprise to see him play corner. He was, on some people's boards, the top corner prospect prior to the 2012 season, and he has shown some flashes of brilliance, within that role.
30. Atlanta Falcons - DE, Tank Carradine, Florida State
John Abraham's replacement needs to be drafted and Carradine makes perfect sense. He is recovering from his ACL injury, at a remarkable rate, and a lot of teams are impressed with his potential.
31. San Francisco 49ers - DT Jesse Williams, Alabama
Jesse Williams will bust. I cannot say that enough, but he has to be near the top of the 49ers draft board as Isaac Sopoaga just signed with the Eagles.
32. Baltimore Ravens - ILB Kevin Minter, LSU
This is the first time, in years, where the Ravens have had a legitimate concern as to whom their starting ILBs will be. With both of the starters from last year gone, the Ravens are forced to draft the top ILB available, in Minter. Minter struggles in coverage, but is an outstanding tackler that will make an impact, in his first season.