Mock Draft 1.0

With all the speculation going around and Jim Irsay being his typical attention hoarding self, the Colts have yet to confirm who they will take with the #1 pick. It seemed pretty evident as soon as the Colts locked up the number one spot in January, but with RGIII winning the Heisman and the talking heads adding their opinions, it's still apparently "up in the air". I, however, am not convinced. Andrew Luck hasn't faltered one bit and I think the Colts are simply keeping things close to the vest to hold a position of leverage and keep the Redskins sweating. The Colts will take Andrew Luck #1 overall.

As I said before, the Redskins really went all in on this year trading up to get the #2 pick. I can't blame them though. Worst case scenario, they will end up with Robert Griffin III and a new face of the franchise. Griffin is a freak of nature and only further proved that at the combine. He clocked a 4.41 second 40 yard dash time, which is the second fastest time recorded at the quarterback postion in 12 years. Coupled with his other exceptional combine statistics, Griffin III has all the makings of a long time starter in this league.

The Vikings have holes all over their roster and have surprisingly remained relatively quiet in the Free Agency market. They can however fill one of those holes for likely the next 10 years by drafting Matt Kalil at #3. The Junior out of USC could be the blind side protector to the Vikings QB of the future, Christian Ponder. The Left Tackle position goes highly unnoticed, but if you were to ask Joe Theismann, he'll tell you they can typically make or break (too soon?) a QB's career. The Vikings could really draft any position with this pick other than QB or RB, but Matt Kalil will be the best available and the best fit for Minnesota.

Cleveland has a plethora of draft picks this year including two in the first round after trading back last year. Mike Holmgren has said the Browns are sticking with Colt McCoy and the best way to make that work is to put a solid running back behind him. With Peyton Hillis officially leaving town for Kansas City, it only makes sense for the Browns to replace him with Trent Richardson. Richardson, a product of Alabama, is the unanimous #1 RB in this years draft and may be the only one taken in the first round. Richardson's big frame and well rounded set of skills has everyone thinking he will be around for a long time.

With Ronde Barber hanging up his cleats and Aqib Talib likely headed to prison, the Bucs have to address the need at CB. They've already signed Eric Wright this offseason, but in an NFC south that has QBs like Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, it's crucial to have at least 2 solid corners. Two weeks ago I would have said the Bucs would draft a wide receiver, but after picking up Vincent Jackson in free agency I think all signs point to CB. Morris Claiborne is the best at his position in the draft and his size and ball skills are only add to his appeal. If the Browns don't trade back, again, I expect them to take Claiborne.

St. Louis is in dire need of a wide receiver and after Sam Bradford's sophomore slump, they have to be looking to find him an elite receiver. Brandon Lloyd decided to pack his bags and head to New England, so Blackmon would immediately become the #1 receiver. Blackmon plays much bigger than his 6'1" frame and after an outstanding pro day, he solidified his spot in the top 10. Blackmon might have a history of drama, but I don't think the Rams will regret this pick.

If Blaine Gabbert really is the long term solution in Jacksonville, he is going to need to be surrounded with some weapons. Michael Floyd may be the best receiver in draft and had he been in the spread offense that Justin Blackmon was, I think they may be in opposite positions. Floyd is huge at 6'3" 220 and his sub 4.4 speed makes people quickly forget about his past off field issues. Floyd reminds me in every way of Terrell Owens. They are are the exact same size and Floyd plays a similarly physical game.

The Dolphins struck out on signing Peyton Manning, Alex Smith and Matt Flynn. This leaves them looking for a quarterback of the future and Ryan Tannehill might just be that guy. In a draft that is deep at the QB position, Tannehill has all the pieces to take the Dolphins back to the playoffs. Tannehill's college coach Mike Sherman is the Dolphin's new Offensive Coordinator so this spot makes a ton of sense. After trading Brandon Marshall though, look for the Dolphins to pick up a WR in the second or third round.

The Panthers defense was atrocious last season ranking near the bottom in almost every major category. That is one of the reasons I expect them to draft pretty heavily on the defensive side. Also, they are in the position where they need to take the best player available and Quinton Coples is that guy. An elite pass rusher, Coples is going to draw comparisons to Jullius Peppers and the only reason teams will pass on Coples is because of his questionable work ethic, which even he has admitted to.

After paying Ryan Fitzpatrick a ton of money last year and addressing their need on D-Line by signing Mario Williams to the biggest contract for a defsensive player in the league's history, the Bills next priority has to be to beef up their offensive line. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade back at this position because drafting an offensive lineman this early seems illogical. If they do hang on to it, look for them to take Riley Reiff out of Iowa. Reiff's quick feet and ability to switch to sides from left tackle to right tackle provides the Bills with options, which is exactly what they are looking for.

Putting Luke Kuechly directly across from Derrick Johnson would instantly make the Chief's linebacking core one of the scariest in the NFL. Kuechly was really successful in Boston College's 4-3 scheme, and is the kind of player versatile enough to make the switch to Kansas City's 3-4. The big wig football analysts are drooling over this guy and he's got a nose for the ball.

Being pegged as the best guard to come out of college since Steve Hutchinson, David DeCastro is the real deal. He deserves some credit for Andrew Luck's success. Luck was rarely forced out of the pocket while at Stanford and DeCastro was very much responsible for that. DeCastro's skills will translate quickly to the big leagues and he will be around for a long time. Pete Carroll recruited DeCastro out of high school before leaving USC for Seattle and if the big guard is still available at #12, I don't think Carroll will pass up another chance to get him.

Another reason why Andrew Luck was as successful as he was, Jonathan Martin will follow his fellow Stanford offensive lineman by just one pick. Martin is incredibly quick for his size and would provide Kevin Kolb (or maybe John Skelton) with the blindside protection he needs to get comfortable. This pick could have a trickle down effect all the way to Larry Fitzgerald if it means the Cardinal's QB will have more time to find him.

Even with the Cowboys signing Free Agent CB Brandon Carr, Rob Ryan won't want to let a guy like Dre Kirkpatrick slip by. Kirkpatrick's size coupled with his tremendous talent as a tackler, he could be the perfect bookend across from Brandon Carr. Kirkpatrick's off field issues are part of the reason he's fallen on most people's draft boards, but all charges were dropped and a strong veteran presence in Dallas will straighten him out.

It's at this point in the draft that things become much more blurry. Teams start to ignore needs and take the best player available and other teams adjust accordingly. The Philadelphia Eagles will follow this trend and take the best player available in Fletcher Cox. Cox is an extremely quick DT that is nearly impossible to keep out of the backfield. The Eagle's line needs help and this is where they will find it.

The New York Jets will have the option of taking one of two standout Alabama linebackers. Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower were arguably the two best players in January's National Championship game and I think the Jets take Upshaw with the 16th pick. Upshaw has huge upside and is probably the safest pick outside of the top 10. Rex Ryan still claims to have the best defense in the AFC, although statistics would beg to differ, but bringing in Upshaw would certainly be a step back in the direction towards defensive prominence.

Cincinnati could really use some help in the secondary and Gilmore could be just what they are looking for. Gilmore is big and played against the best of the best in SEC. The South Carolina Gamecock can stick with anybody in coverage, but is willing and able to step up and help in run coverage as well. Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer tends to play favorites and Gilmore has a legit chance at becoming his new favorite.

As much as the Chargers need help on the Defensive Line, I can't see them passing up a chance to solidify their offensive line. Cordy Glenn has experience playing at multiple positions and his versatility will help him fit in quickly with Philip Rivers and the Chargers.

Let's face it, Julius Peppers is getting old and probably only has a couple more good years left in the tank. Those years can be maximized though if the Bears get him some help on the other side. Melvin Ingram would be the steal of the draft at #19, and I think his poor outing at the combine will have him still available. Anyone will tell you that the key to beating Aaron Rodgers is getting pressure on him and lots of it. If the Bears are going to have any shot at winning the NFC North, they have to do it with defense.

Dontari Poe seemed to defy physics when he ran a 4.8 second 40 yard dash at the combine. At 6'4" and 350 pounds, Poe is the kind of guy that can reek havoc at DT. With the likes of Matt Schaub and most likely Andrew Luck in their division, a potent pass rush is a key to the Titans success.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to improve their defensive backfield for a long time to come by using their first two picks on a CB and a Safety. Mark Barron is another SEC guy who won't have an issue adjusting to the NFL. Some will argue the Bengals should take a RB or WR with this pick, but going all defense with their two first round picks could have a huge impact going forward.

After taking a Running Back early in Round 1, I think the Browns go defense with the #22 pick. Michael Brockers brings both size and athleticism to the table and is a nightmare for offensive lineman to keep out of the backfield and arguably the top player available at this point in the draft.

Detroit has been very open about their "best player available" strategy and at #23 Janoris Jenkins is exactly that. Jenkins has had off the field issues, but that is practically a requirement to be able to fit in with the the Lion's Defense. This would be the first draft pick from a school that is relatively under the radar in North Alabama.

It's no secret that offensive line depth has been a huge issue for the Steelers and with all the injuries they had this past season, I don't see them getting out of the first round without taking an O-Lineman. Mike Adams out of Ohio State is a perfect match for them. His ability to play multiple positions on the line fits well with what Pittsburgh is looking for.

There will be alot of speculation leading up to the draft on whether or not the Broncos will provide Peyton Manning with more weapons by drafting a WR or maybe RB Lamar Miller out of Miami. Even though that would make sense, I think John Fox's defense first attitude will prevail and the Broncos will take DT Jerel Worthy out of Michigan State. The Broncos were thin at the position to start with, but losing Broderick Bunkley to Free Agency only made it worse. Worthy would provide Denver with much needed depth.

Houston would love to add another dynamic receiver to line up opposite of Andre Johnson. Kendall Wright could help to take double teams off of Johnson as well as keeping the Texans offense a threat when Johnson gets hurt. Wright's explosiveness and down the field threat could have the Texans atop the division come season's end.

The Patriots defense was awful last year and with the offensive clinic Tom Brady put on all year, alot of people were left thinking "what if". New England can start improving up front fast if they take Whitney Mercilus out of Illinois. He led the country in sacks last season and his draft stock is going up each day so it will be interesting to see if he is still available at this stage in the draft.

If there's one thing Wisconsin produces, besides great cheese, it's offensive lineman. Peter Konz is just another product of the Badger farm system and if he's still available the Packers will keep him in state and fill the big hole in their offensive line. That hole was blown open when Scott Wells left for St. Louis and Konz could be a perfect replacement. Look for Green Bay to embarrass everyone else again this year with their drafting skills and find a couple diamonds in the rough.

Harrison Smith is an instinctual guy that could benefit from a couple of years as Ed Reed's understudy. Smith has the athletic ability to help in coverage and step up to help stop the run. Some people will say Harrison Smith in the first round is a reach, but this is a pick for the future of the Raven's defense.

Jim Harbaugh loves to use multiple tight end sets and would love to bring in a guy that played for him at Stanford. An extremely athletic TE, Coby Fleener has the ability to line up on the line or in the slot which would create major headaches for any defense. Fleener is hands down the best at his position in the draft and would give Alex Smith another much needed weapon.

Imagine that, the Patriots ended up with multiple first round picks again this year. After losing the Law Firm of BenJarvis Green-Ellis to Free Agency, New England will have to address that need with some first round talent. Lamar Miller is the exact same size as Green-Ellis and would give the Patriots a one-two punch again.

After Brandon Jacobs headed out of town, the Giants will have to find Ahmad Bradshaw a new partner in crime. David wilson had a fantastic combine and could be a great compliment to the running style of Bradshaw. On top of that, Wilson is a threat as a pass catcher out of the backfield and would give Eli Manning another nice option.