With the NFL season officially over, we move into full swing off-season mode. This of course means, it’s mock draft season! (ok, don’t all of you sigh at once...) I’m not really a big fan of doing mock drafts before the combine and free agency, but I thought I’d give it a go today as a way to kick off the off-season.
Let’s Kick Off The Off-Season With a Mock Draft!
(Note: I was hoping to continue my Ryan Tannehill series today, but the site I use for footage has taken down their Tannehill stuff for whatever reason. So I thought my first attempt at a mock draft would hopefully hold you over.)
1. The Indianapolis Colts select: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford.
After the past few weeks of this Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay... lets say, altercation, it's hard to imagine Peyton being the Colts starting quarterback next year. The most obvious choice to replace him is Andrew Luck. I'm not 100% sold that Luck won't try and dictate the team he wants to play for, but at this stage of the process, Luck has to be the pick.
Trade - The Washington Redskins give up their 1st and 2nd round picks in 2012, along with their 1st round pick of 2013 to get to number 2 overall.
2. The Washington Redskins select: Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor.
The Redskins are tired of mediocrity at the quarterback position which they've suffered with for at least the last decade. Head Coach Mike Shanahan decides to pull the trigger and go up and get his guy. Griffin offers a unique blend of an elite physical skill-set along with great intangibles which gives him the potential to challenge Andrew Luck for the number one selection. Griffin III draws comparisons to Michael Vick because of his size and athleticism, but he's a much more accomplished thrower than Vick was back in 2001. Griffin III completed 72.4% of his passes this season, with 37 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. Griffin III also has one of the best deep throws I've seen from a quarterback prospect in a long time and should help stabilize a franchise that is in desperate need of stability.
3. The Minnesota Vikings select: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC.
The Vikings have a lot of needs, they could use with a wide receiver to pair up with Percy Harvin and give Ponder a nice set of targets, but they also need to protect Ponder so he has enough time to hit his targets. The Vikings decide to protect Ponder's blindside for the next decade with the best tackle prospect in this draft. Kalil has the strength required to be an effective run blocker for Adrian Peterson, and the athleticism to shut down pass rushers in a division that contains the likes of Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews.
4. The Cleveland Browns select: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State.
I know this will be seen as biased, but I just don't see the Browns making a move for Griffin III. I think they could take him if he falls to four, but I don't see Mike Holmgren trading up for him. I personally don't think Colt McCoy has been horrible, so in this scenario, I see the Browns trying to surround him with talent and give him the best chance to succeed. They already have the franchise left tackle, so they grab him a legitimate threat at receiver in Blackmon. The threat of Blackmon will help the Browns stretch the defenses of their divisional rivals, the Steelers and the Ravens; which in turn should open up the running game a little more to take the pressure off McCoy.
5. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU.
The Bucs need help all over the place. They had the league's worst average in points allowed and rushing yards allowed per game, so naturally you'd think about bolstering that front seven to help stop the run. However, the Bucs spent their 1st and 2nd round picks last year on defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers; and they spent their 1st and 2nd round picks in 2010 on defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, so it's hard to envision them taking another defensive lineman. Their isn't a linebacker worthy of the 5th overall pick this year, so the Bucs take the best corner in the draft. Claiborne is a better pure corner than former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson and he was taken 5th overall last year. With doubts over the future of Ronde Barber, Claiborne should pair up nicely with Aqib Talib to give the Bucs a nice pair of young, first round corners.
6. The St. Louis Rams select: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa.
The Rams desperately need to protect their franchise quarterback, Sam Bradford. In his rookie season, Bradford was given some solid protection and was able to make his weak group of receivers look much better than they were. He took the Rams to 7-9 that season. Last year, Rodger Saffold appeared to regress as he suffered with injuries. Riley Rieff will be able to come in and play left or right tackle day one, giving the Rams options with how they handle Saffold. I would think Reiff would start on the left side and be a very good NFL left tackle for a decade. Before they get Bradford a weapon, they need to help him stand up.
7. The Jacksonville Jaguars select: Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina.
The Jaguars are in desperate need for a pass rush. They only managed 31 sacks as a team last year, with nobody outside of Jeremy Mincey managed to put up more than 3.5 sacks. When Couples wants to play, he can be dominant and draws comparisons to Julius Peppers. The problem is making sure he's motivated to give 100% every play. If the Jaguars can managed to do that, Couples has the ability to put up 10-15 sacks a season consistently and has the potential to be an above average run defender. Adding that pressure to a solid Jaguars defense would be huge and should create a lot more turnovers.
Trade - The Cincinnati Bengals trade the 17th overall pick and their 2nd rounder to the Dolphins for the 8th overall pick.
8. The Cincinnati Bengals select: Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama.
The Dolphins were hoping that Couples would have fallen to them to help the transition back to the 4-3. But with him gone, the Dolphins take a slight loss in trade value to drop back. The Bengals take opportunity of a pretty good deal on their half to move up to 8 and fill a huge need for them. With Cedric Benson a free agent, the Bengals need a running back. Trent Richardson has some scouts saying he’s better than Adrian Peterson was when he came out. I’m not sold on that, but Richardson is very good in his own right. He can run with power, but also has that elusiveness that makes him incredibly hard to bring down. Add him to the Bengals running attack and he takes a load off of Andy Dalton’s shoulders.
9. The Carolina Panthers select: Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU.
Cam Newton was a home run last year. He made that offense drastically better; it’s just a shame he couldn’t improve that defense. The Panthers we poor across the board defensively, and usually in that situation you start a defensive rebuild with a top defensive tackle. Brockers is just that. He was a big part of that impressive LSU defense, and his presence in the middle of the line should help take pressure off the guys around him.
10. The Buffalo Bills select: Courtney Upshaw, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Alabama.
The Bills biggest needs are a pass rusher and a wide receiver. I don't see a wide receiver I'd take at 10, so Upshaw fits the bill (HAHAHAHA.... I'll get my coat...). The Bills are expected to transition back to a 4-3 defense this off-season, but Upshaw has the versatility to fit in both, but I do think he'll be best as a 4-3 defensive end. Team him up with Marcell Dareus from last year, and the Bills start building a strong defensive line core.
11. The Kansas City Chiefs select: Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford.
The Chiefs toy with the idea of DeCastro because he is the best lineman available, but Martin would be able to come in and start at left tackle right away. This would move Brandon Albert inside to become a potential pro bowl guard or to the other side of the line where there is less pressure. Either scenario would be improving two positions with one pick, helping make up for the value lost in taking Martin over DeCastro.
12. The Seattle Seahawks select: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina.
Perhaps this is a slight reach here, but Ingram is climbing boards after a nice Senor Bowl week where, at times, he looked the best pass rusher there. He's a little undersized, but like the 49ers did with Aldon Smith this year, you find a way to get him on the field to rush the passer because that's what he does best.
13. The Arizona Cardinals select: Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State.
The Cardinals try to find a trade partner that wants to jump above Dallas for DeCastro, but isn’t too far down that they’d miss on Adams. The only one that made sense was the Bengals, who I’ve already projected to trade up, so it’s hard to see them doing so again. So this is a slight reach for the Cardinals, but they get a guy who has huge upside as an NFL left tackle. If he can make the most of his potential, he could be better than Martin or Reiff.
14. The Dallas Cowboys select: David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford.
The Cowboys began rebuilding their offensive line last year when they drafted Tyron Smith with the 9th overall pick. To have DeCastro fall to them is huge. He's the best guard prospect to come out in a long time and could be a pro bowler in his rookie season. The Cowboys have a big need at corner too, but DeCastro is too good to pass up.
15. The Philadelphia Eagles select: Luke Kuechly, Linebacker, Boston College.
The Eagles need linebackers, that is no secret. For any 4-3 defense to be successful, you need a good mike backer. Kuechly could be penciled in as the mike for the next decade, but he could also potentially play as an outside linebacker in the 4-3. Either way you look at it, Kuechly is a guy that is going to come in and make plays in the run game, while providing solid coverage in the passing game.
16. The New York Jets select: Nick Perry, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, USC.
Mark Sanchez's struggles have taken away the spotlight on the Jets inability to get after the quarterback. Aaron Maybin came in during the middle of the season and lead the team with six sacks. Nick Perry is the next pass rusher off the board that fits in a 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker. He isn't going to be that explosive guy on the edge that gets an amazing jump off the snap, but he should be able to provide consistent pressure to force quarterbacks into throwing at Revis et al.
17. The Miami Dolphins select: Cordy Glenn, Guard/Tackle, Georgia.
Might be slightly high for Glenn, but he's a prospect on the rise after a good week at the Senior Bowl. Glenn played well at tackle in the Senior Bowl practices, but some think he projects better as a guard in the NFL. Either way, the Dolphins have the 33 year-old Marc Colombo at right tackle, while right guard Vernon Carey might not be back next year. Glenn provides some versatility and should come in and start at one of those positions day one.
18. The San Diego Chargers select: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame.
Most of the to pass rushers are gone by this point, so the Chargers may well consider trading up. But in this scenario, I see them sitting put and having their choice of receivers that come after Blackmon. They next tier of guys are all in a similar boat, and it's just a case of who you prefer. If they Chargers finally let Vincent Jackson hit the open market, receiver could become a big need. Floyd's height and body isn't too far from Jackson, and he helps cover up that hole before it has a chance to open.
19. The Chicago Bears select: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina.
The Bears have two main needs this off-season. Protect Jay Cutler, and get Jay Cutler a target. With the best offensive lineman gone, the Bears finally get Cutler a big bodied wide out to throw to. At 6'4", 229, Jeffery gives Cutler a big target area, and Jeffery has the ability to go up and get the football. He will need to work on his ability against physical press coverage, but he has the body to be able to cope with it at the NFL level.
20. The Tennessee Titans select: Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State.
The Titans could go down a number of paths with this pick. They could use with interior offensive line help, a wide receiver, and potentially a corner if the right man is available. But Devon is STILL on the board! (See what I did there?? I apologize...) The Titans ranked 24th in the league in run defense, and struggled to get sacks. Adding Still to the middle of that defensive line should help plug up a few holes in the middle, and allow the edge rushers more one on one match ups.
21. The Cincinnati Bengals select: Peter Konz, Center/Guard, Wisconson.
Having already traded up for Richardson, the Bengals use their second 1st round pick on an offensive lineman to help block for him. Konz was one of the best centers in college football last year, but might be a little tall for the center position in the NFL so could be moved to Guard. Either way he provides versatility and should be a solid starter day one.
22. The Cleveland Browns select: Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina.
So Brown becomes a Brown (Ok, I’m done with those...maybe...). Cleveland could use with some help at defensive end and outside linebacker. I don’t really see a defensive end worth taking at this selection, so Brown is the pick. Brown projects as a will backer in the 4-3, and has a nice ability to drop into coverage, a rarity among most young linebackers today. Brown isn’t necessarily a flashy pick at this point, but he’s a very useful one and will offer a big improvement to the Browns defense.
23. The Detroit Lions select: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama.
The Lions take absolutely no time handing this pick in. Kirkpatrick falls due to the drugs possession charge (which he has now been cleared of, but that won’t stop teams questioning him). Kirkpatrick has the potential to be a top 15 or even top 10 talent at corner, and to have him fall into their laps at 23 is very pleasing for the Lions who are in big need of secondary help.
24. The Pittsburgh Steelers select: Kelechi Osemele, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Iowa.
The Steelers have to address their offensive line or their franchise quarterback is going to continue to get hurt. Big Ben has been fantastic for the Steelers in being able to extend the play and take some hits, but they can’t keep letting him take those hits. Osemele offers the versatility to play tackle or guard, which helps justify the slight reach for him. The Steelers have suffered lots of offensive line injuries so Osemele’s versatility provides much needed depth as well.
25. The Denver Broncos select: Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama.
Jenkins can be as good as he wants to be. He has top 10 talent in a lot of scouts eyes, but has major character concerns. He was kicked off the Florida Gators after his second arrest, and that will provide red flags. Jenkins says he has matured since then, and the Broncos have Champ Bailey to mentor him. If they need it, they always have Tim Tebow to set him straight...
26. The Houston Texans select: Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor.
The Texans don’t have too many needs. They had an amazing off-season last year that turned the worst passing defense, into one of the best all-round defenses in the league. Imagine how good they can be with a whole off-season to work with. Offensively, Houston could use with someone to take the load of Andre Johnson. Kendall Wright is almost the perfect compliment. Wright is a small guy, but his blazing speed and good route-running ability will see him create separation and get open at the next level. With the addition of Wright, defenses will have to play two deep safeties constantly to avoid getting burned by him or Johnson; which will allow that brilliant run game more room in which to operate.
27. The New England Patriots select: Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois.
You could say the Patriots are Mercilus in getting extra draft picks. (I can't help myself, sorry Dan, I know you didn't hire me for these puns). The Patriots transitioned back to the 4-3 defense this season, and got surprisingly good production from veteran defensive ends Andre Carter and Mark Anderson. However, the Patriots failed to consistently get pressure off the edge. Mercilus brings a consistent threat off the edge, but is a little raw against the run. Under the wise guidance of Bill Belichick and veterans like Carter, he should improve in that area.
28. The Green Bay Packers select: Brandon Thompson, Defensive Tackle, Clemson.
Packers struggled to replace Cullen Jenkins on there defensive line. There's a chance he's cut by the Eagles and resigned by the Packers, but Thompson is a much younger option. Thompson was part of a strong defensive line at Clemson, and has shown he has the ability to play the 5 technique required to play as a 3-4 defensive end. Jenkins or not, Thompson is a very nice pick up for the Packers.
29. The Baltimore Ravens select: Dont'a Hightower, Inside Linebacker, Alabama.
Dont'a think (I really am sorry Dan) it'd be nice to have Ray Lewis mentor his eventual successor? Well that's the situation here. Hightower was on of the better players on that championship Alabama defense. I wouldn't be surprised to see him rise higher than this, because there's not a lot he can't do. He has the potential to play all 3 linebacker spots in a 4-3 defense, and possibly even 3 of the 4 linebacker spots in the 3-4. But the Ravens would be best suited to stick him inside next to Ray Lewis to make that front seven even more formidable.
30. The San Francisco 49ers select: Mohamed Sanu, Wide Receiver, Rutgers.
The only big plays the 49ers are getting from their passing game are from Vernon Davis. Michael Crabtree has been underwhelming given his highly touted potential coming out of the 2009 draft. Sanu doesn’t have the blazing speed that will worry defenses, but he posses some very good route running skills to go along with his athletic blend of size and strength. He shouldn’t have too much trouble creating separation at the next level and getting open for Alex Smith.
31. The New England Patriots select: Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina.
The Patriots will probably call up a quarterback needy team and say “Gil-me-more picks” (I promise that’s the last one, because that hardly works), but I’m going to say they stick here and take a corner. They had one of the worst passing defenses in the league this year. Just a few picks earlier they landed a Mercilus to rush the passer, and Gilmore could be the guy to take advantage of it. Some will say Dennard should go here, but I much prefer Gilmore. Dennard has to disrupt the route early or he’ll get beat. Gilmore offers more versatility and all-round ability.
32. The New York Giants select: Dwayne Allen, Tight End, Clemson.
The Giants primary need is probably somewhere along the offensive line, but I think all the first round offensive lineman are gone by this stage. So instead the Giants take another big weapon that forces defenses to cover everyone or risk a blitz. Allen offers the Giants an athletic threat inside the numbers and creates mis-matches against linebackers and safeties that Eli Manning will have no trouble exploiting. He's undoubtedly a receiving tight end, but his blocking skills are coming along. He currently lacks the lower body strength to be a reliable blocker, but that's not to say he can't get there.
So there you have it, my first mock draft of the season, and possibly one of my last. I spent way too much time on this than it’s probably worth, and you guys will probably rip it to shreds, but rip away to your heart’s content.
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