So I begin the mock draft season. This mock will probably be very different as more and more drafts are made. Free agency and the combine haven’t even happened yet. Draft stocks will rise and fall, teams will address needs via free agents. This off-season will be a great one and I await free agency with great excitement. I have confidence in my picks. A habit I cannot seem to shake is my stubbornness over QB picks as you will see when
A lot of people think that the Lions should hold off on drafting a franchise QB until next year when McCoy and Bradford come in. However, I disagree with that mentality. Holding off picking a franchise QB, when you went 0-16, screams that you are willing to settle for another losing season. Every year a team should want to win it all. The Lions had the worst year ever! They need a QB and they need him now. I think
Some people are reporting that the Rams scouts are lobbying for the Rams to take Michael Crabtree. It’s not a bad idea given that Torry Holt is getting older. However, if Andre Smith does well in the combine the Rams should jump on Smith. It is tough to have a solid tackle. The Rams missed out on Jake Long last year and they should definitely pick Smith up this year.
A LOT of people have the Chiefs taking Mark Sanchez. I have faith in Tyler Thigpen who emerged from the QB carousel he shared with Croyle and Huard and was a bright spot on the Chiefs. An off-season with Thigpen as the starter would go a long way towards his development.
The Seahawks had an abysmal passing game this year. There are arguments to defend the Seahawks though, Hasselbeck was hurt, wide receivers were hurt, the running game had a tough time. The simple fact is that Rookie TE Jon Carlson led the Seahawks in receiving. While having a TE lead in receiving is not necessarily a bad thing (cite Tony Gonzalez), its not ideal. A healthy Hasselbeck and Michael Crabtree would go a long way towards reviving the Seahawks offense which would bring life back to the entire team, only one year removed from a playoff run.
This pick was almost as tough as
The Bengals continue to need defensive players. Raji’s stock has seen a major rise in the Senior Bowl. The Bengals need an offensive lineman too, but the defense should be a priority. With Palmer back the offense should do better making defense the priority. Raji would go a long way to freeing up the ends and clogging running lanes.
I got burned last year having the Raiders make the smart pick. So, this year, I have them making a different pick. They should draft Jason Smith of Baylor, but they will probably go after the dynamic Orakpo. I am pouting a bit. Orakpo is a smart pick as he is a beast. Burgess is getting older and the Raiders had the 31st worst rush defense in the league. Orakpo would be great and fill the need that would have been filled by Gholston last year.
The Jaguars coached the Senior Bowl and Oher by extension. Oher has a phenomenal work ethic and is very talented. Oher would definitely help the Jaguars get through the o-line injuries that plagued them. Some people are down on Oher, but his love of the game and a good combine should raise his stock.
With Al Harris having a rough time and Woodson being moved to safety there is a huge hole open at cornerback. If Jenkins makes it this far the Packers should thank their lucky stars and pick him immediately.
The 49ers have had it rough at OLB. Manny Lawson, while one of the fastest linebackers in the league, has been injury prone. Brown could go a long way towards helping a good 49ers team become better. In response to those who have Sanchez going to the Niners here I will be writing a piece on that soon enough because the topic is too large for this venue.
The Bills have young talent all around that roster. A lot of people like them taking a defensive player, but I think that Pettigrew would bring coverage over the middle away from Evans and Hardy. A good TE could help the offense immensely.
The Broncos need defensive help. Maualuga is one of the best ILB’s in this draft. Maulauga will go a long way towards upgrading their linebacker corp. His power blitzing and coverage ability will be a great asset to any team that would draft him, especially
The Redskins had a lot of offensive line injuries. The line had a rough time and drafting Smith would help and be an upgrade over Jon Jansen who the Skins are looking to replace. As far as drafting a d-lineman goes, they do have Jason Taylor still!
Once again the Saints defense is a draft priority. They could easily draft Laurinaitis, especially if they don’t sign Vilma. However, Jason David is not the best corner and McKenzie is getting up there. Drafting the physical
Little known fact, the Texans were 4th in passing! I couldn’t believe it. With those numbers and Slaton running well the offense should not be a priority. However, the Texans allowed a lot of yards and points on the other side of the field. Drafting a Safety in the first round would help stop the run and slow down the air attack. A safety is a very smart choice for the Texans.
This pick assumes the following: That the Chargers will allow Darren Sproles to depart via free agency and that the Chargers are looking for LT’s eventual replacement. Knowshon Moreno would be a perfect compliment to LT and down the road his screen and receiving ability will prove invaluable to Philip Rivers who figures to be the future weapon of the franchise.
The Jets defense should upgrade their front seven and
A large part of Orton’s receiving yards went to tight ends and Matt Forte. Hester showed great development as a WR, but Lloyd, Davis, and Booker are not enough to compliment the speedster. Percy Harvin could provide a dynamic spark to an uncomplicated offense. The Bears could also choose to upgrade their pass defense, but I see the playmaker Harvin as an invaluable asset to
Mark Sanchez is a good QB. It broke my heart to watch him rip apart
First, the Eagles have two first round picks so they should select the most dynamic player available. Second, Westbrook had a lot of durability issues. Buckhalter is a good running back, but not a gamebreaker. Tony Hunt has not panned out for the Eagles as of yet. Drafting Wells will be a great solution to help Westbrook remain fresh through the season and provide the Eagles with a strong running game in Westbrook’s absence.
The Vikings made it into the playoffs and had one position hold their playoff run back. That position, QB. Tavaris Jackson threw an interception that gave the Eagles control in the game. He also had a 42% completion percentage. The playoffs can be rough on a QB, but minus a 4 touchdown performance against the Cardinals,
Cushing has had a rocky collegiate career. Injuries and accusations of steroid abuse could haunt him in the draft. However, Cushing is a dynamic athlete. He played multiple positions defensively that make him versatile. Many have him pegged as a 4-3 linebacker, but I think he could handle the Patriot’s 3-4 defense as he played a little DE in a hybrid 3-4. Cushing could easily fill any position on the Patriot’s linebacker squad and the Patriots would be lucky to have him on board.
The Falcons passed on Glenn Dorsey for Matt Ryan, a decision I initially disagreed with but I was soon forced to eat crow. So, now that the Falcons have their QB, they shore up their d-line with Jerry
The Dolphins have a few defensive needs. DJ Moore would have good value here. However, Maybin has fallen this far and I think Parcells will not resist having a sack machine like Maybin working opposite from Joey Porter. This would also free up Roth to take ILB in the event Crowder departs. All in all if Maybin falls this far (which I think he may given his little amount of experience) the Dolphins should definitely pick him up.
The Ravens were top five in many categories, but one of those was not passing. Arming Joe Flacco with a dynamic WR should be a priority. Jeremy Maclin could be just that and provide Flacco with someone besides Mason to throw to.
This is a reach and there is debate over whether he or
Philly could potentially lose both of its OT’s in the offseason this year. This makes OT a priority. If they feel like gambling they will select Wells first and then grab a OT. If they don’t want to gamble I suggest grabbing Britton and then grabbing the best available running back, which could be Pitt’s McCoy. Either way, Philly needs an OT and could definitely use a spell back for Westbrook.
This pick will depend on the Giants intentions towards Mathais Kiwanuka. If they keep him at DE they would likely target an OLB, but if they move him back to linebacker they will probably go DE. I have them taking Michael Johnson. Those who doubt Johnson’s athleticism should know he played gunner on punts. Kiwanuka could make a return to OLB and Johnson could provide the Giants with the DE depth they so crave.
Collins did a great job managing the game for the Titans. However, there is still a need for a dynamic receiver. Heyward-Bey and his huge frame would be great for Collins and eventually Vince Young.
This pick could be very different if Edge stays around. Many people say the Cardinals don’t need an HB with Hightower around, but I beg to differ. Hightower is good and a phenomenal redzone running back, but his yards per carry was 2.8. That does not scream franchise running back to me. The Cardinals get McCoy who could help continue the postseason trend of the Cardinals actually running the ball.
Most people have the Steelers taking an offensive lineman…thank God! I had the Steelers taking a HB in the first round last year, but I didn’t think the front office would ignore the oline as much as they did! Carl Nicks of
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