Current mock – 2/1/12
1. Indianapolis – Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
Irsay has made it pretty clear that Peyton Manning is out of Indy and that a quarterback will be taken with the first overall pick. As exciting a player as RGIII is, I’d have to think that will be Luck.
2. St. Louis – Morris Claiborne, CB LSU
Quit looking at your monitor with that weird look on your face…
I realize that the Rams need a left tackle and a wide receiver, but they need a corner just as bad and Claiborne may be the best I’ve seen in years. They’ve spent top picks on linemen and with Fisher in town; it’s time to go defense. While he normally doesn’t go for the high pick DB, he has used 1st rounders at the position quite a few times.
3. Minnesota – Matt Kalil, OT USC
The Vikings could really benefit from a LT, RGIII or Justin Blackmon here.
4. Cleveland – Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor
I’m a Colt McCoy fan, but he simply hasn’t shown the raw ability of Robert Griffin. If the Browns ever want to get to the next level in the AFC North they’re going to need a top-flight QB. Having one that can escape a pass rush won’t hurt.
5. Tampa Bay – Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
My first thought here was Justin Blackmon and then I remembered; Greg Schiano is the new sheriff in town. Greg was always looking for that stud tailback at Rutgers and did best when he had a great running game. LaGarrette Blount does some things well, but Richardson is the closest talent to Adrian Peterson I’ve seen.
6. Washington – Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State
For the record, I originally had Blackmon going to Tampa Bay and still had the Redskins passing on Richardson. Your No. 6 selection would have been Kendall Wright from Baylor.
I’m sure that sounds crazy to you, but there’s a buzz on him and Shanahan loves that skill set.
7. Jacksonville – Kendall Wright, WR Baylor
Again, it might seem high for Wright, but there’s a buzz that some teams have him above Blackmon. The Jags have got to get a playmaker on the outside and they’ve shown in past drafts that if they see their guy; they’ll take him.
8. Miami – Riley Reiff, OT Iowa
Miami has left tackle taken care of; however they are hurting on the other side of the line.
9. Carolina – Michael Brockers, DT LSU
Brockers isn’t a player I’m completely comfortable with yet, however that doesn’t really matter.
He is a highly athletic two-gap defensive tackle and the Panthers are in great need of a future starter at the position. Last year they spent two 3rd rounders on the position and Terrell McClain has been a huge disappointment. Brockers would have time to develop and move into a full-time role.
10. Buffalo – Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE Alabama
Courtney is a guy that could give the Bills some much-needed pass rush off the edge as they transition from the 3-4 to the 4-3 and eventually put his hand on the ground full-time.
11. Kansas City – Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford
Kansas City could go guard or tackle here.
12. Seattle – Quinton Coples, DE UNC
Chris Clemons has been great on the right side for the Seahawks, but they really don’t have a great pass rusher on the other side. Even with free agents brought back, they’ll need to upgrade talent at LE and Coples would certainly do that in theory.
13. Arizona – Luke Kuechly, MLB Boston College
Arizona isn’t a fan of Stewart Bradley. Some may say this is a reach for Luke Kuechly, but his numbers tell a different story.
14. Dallas – David DeCastro, OG Stanford
If Dallas doesn’t sign their free agent guards, they’ll be left with Kyle Kosier (33 years old) and two rookies; one of which spent half of last season on IR in Bill Nagy. DeCastro would be a huge improvement.
15. Philadelphia – Devon Still, DT Penn State
Melvin Ingram and Zach Brown may be of interest at this spot too based on need and talent. Depending on the futures of DeSean Jackson and Evan Mathis; the Eagles could also look at Mike Adams or Michael Floyd.
One option however would be to go with Still at DT. This would allow them to let Trevor Laws go in free agency and hopefully bring back Derek Landri as their fourth man in.
This would not be an ideal spot for the Eagles and I’d expect them to move up with extra picks in later rounds.
16. N.Y. Jets – Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame
As tempting as a pass rusher like Nick Perry or Whitney Mercilus would have to be here; I can’t imagine the Jets will bring back Santonio Holmes or Plaxico Burress. Their receiving corps is horrible.
17. Cincinnati (f/Oak) – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama
Dre recently had a run-in with the law, but it was his first and he is a very talented corner. The Bengals are really in a jam at the position as just about everyone is a free agent and Leon Hall will miss all of 2013.
18. San Diego – Whitney Mercilus, OLB Illinois
The Chargers need to start generating a pass rush off the edge again and Mercilus is a great athlete.
19. Chicago – Mike Adams, OT Ohio State
Chicago has had consistent problems at left tackle and Adams had a solid season followed by a very good showing at the Senior Bowl. They could also look at a corner here, but Adams is the best value.
20. Tennessee – Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina
Jason Jones will be a prize in the free agent market and the only member of their four-deep signed to a contract is Derrick Morgan at defensive end. Ingram can put his hand on the ground on the left side and give the Titans a nice pass rush while controlling the edge.
21. Cincinnati – Cordy Glenn, OG Georgia
While Glenn played LT at Georgia and may be able to play RT in the NFL, I see him translating best on the inside at guard. Cincinnati has been very happy with Bobbie Williams over the years, but he is a free agent, he’s old and injuries and suspensions are against him.
Glenn could be the answer to the problems they have had with their running game. A running back is possible, however I just don’t see the value there right now.
22. Cleveland (f/Atl) – Nick Perry, DE USC
The Browns are in need of a pass rusher and Perry has been an effective on over the past three seasons for the Trojans.
Cornerback and wide receiver would certainly be two other ways to look here.
23. Detroit – Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama
Janoris has certainly had his issues off the field. That said, he’s an extremely talented defensive back and the Lions secondary is absolutely horrible.
The Lions have been looking into the North Alabama prospect and if he’s available, he could be the man here.
24. Pittsburgh – Dont’a Hightower, ILB Alabama
With all of the issues Pittsburgh has on their offensive line, inside linebacker probably makes no sense to people. Max Starks has a torn ACL and Chris Kemoeatu played poorly this season. They also have four other guards who are free agents or RFAs.
That said you can get good guards later in the draft. You can’t get Dont’a Hightower later in the draft. James Farrior is 37 and Larry Foote will be 32 this season. It’s about sticking to your draft board.
25. Denver – Jerel Worthy, DT Michigan State
Apparently getting to the quarterback is not a priority for the defensive tackles in Denver. It’s definitely a priority of Jerel Worthy’s.
26. Houston – Mohamed Sanu, WR Rutgers
Getting another player across from Andre Johnson who isn’t simply one dimensional would be huge for Houston. Mo is not only a very talented receiver, but he is a solid return man and is used for trickery.
Most importantly, he’s a tough guy. Courtland Finnegan won’t be intimidating Sanu. The Rutgers product will take a hit and smile at you like you brushed dust off his jersey. The Texans need that to take away the focus on Andre.
27. New England (f/NO) – Vinny Curry, DE/OLB Marshall
Curry impressed his senior season and then did a great job at the Senior Bowl according to just about every person I’ve read. He was said to be “the most impressive “tweener” there by one scout and opened eyes. Curry did look very good.
The Patriots have been running more of a four-man front, but that’s because they don’t have that outside linebacker to get back to their 3-4 roots. Curry can put his hand on the ground for now and stand up and learn the position. He allows them to be flexible and get back to what they do best.
28. Green Bay – Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State
Green Bay needs to get better play out of their defensive ends and Fletcher Cox can line up in the five-tech in a 3-4 and be effective.
29. Baltimore – Peter Konz, C Wisconsin
Matt Birk is retiring and while the Ravens brought in Andre Gurode from the Cowboys, he’s an unrestricted free agent. Baltimore can pick up a veteran center for a year while Konz gets accustom to the system or plug and play him.
30. San Francisco – Kevin Zeitler, OG Wisconsin
San Francisco had some issues on their offensive line this year with Adam Snyder and Anthony Davis. Snyder is a free agent and the word is that the Niners won’t be retaining his services. Davis is too young to give up on.
While many may look to a player like Alshon Jeffery here, my thoughts are that San Francisco would prefer more of a field stretcher on the outside to open up their running game.
31. N.Y. Giants – Dwayne Allen, TE Clemson
The Giants have done well with guys like Kevin Boss, Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum over the past few years; but they were most dominant when they had a true playmaker in Jeremy Shockey at tight end.
Allen not only has the ability to become a very good NFL tight end, but he is also possibly the best player available at this pick.
32. New England – Mark Barron, SS Alabama
At one point the Patriots looked at least solid at safety with Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Patrick Chung and a solid backup in Brandon McGowan, but they’re gasping for breath now.
Chung is at the free safety spot and there is seemingly no one with talent on the other side from him. The Patriots had a ridiculously awful pass defense and adding a quality SEC safety to the mix could go a long way to helping them. They can add a corner with later picks and through free agency as well.
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