First Draft of My Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton QB Auburn
Let me say that first off, I disagree with this pick. Carolina should draft Dareus or Peterson and call it a day. That being said, everybody under the sun is going Cam Newton so I’ll jump on the bandwagon. I think this pick will set the franchise back, but to each their own. Good luck Carolina!
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus DT Alabama
This appears to be a no brainer. Denver needs to establish their defensive line and Dareus is the best Dline prospect in this draft. I could see Von Miller at this pick, but I think Denver will rest on Ayers and Dumervil as their defensive ends. One note however, John Fox went YEARS at Carolina with mediocre defensive tackles so I would not be surprised to see them pass on Dareus here.
3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller OLB Texas A&M
Many have Buffalo drafting a QB here, which would certainly make sense, but from what I have heard, Buddy Nix does not like Gabbert. That being said Buffalo could really use help on their defense. Miller appears to be a phenomenal outside linebacker that could help mend Buffalo’s bust Aaron Maybin…not to mention slam Tom Brady into the turf once or twice.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri
For all of Brown’s talk I cannot see him wasting Carson Palmer. I think the Bengals need to trade Palmer, but because of the CBA…ugh…they really need to prepare for life after Palmer. If Gabbert falls the Bengals should make the pick. Many mocks have them drafting a wide receiver and pick a Qb in the second. However as I understand Ochocinco is not going anywhere and Caldwell is looking like a true number one wideout so why not solidify the quarterback position. The last thing Cincy should want is to wait and settle for someone lackluster. It should be Cincy’s number one goal to NOT have a worse QB situation than Cleveland.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn OLB UNC
This is a tough one because Arizona could go one of two ways. They could draft Patrick Peterson, arguably the best player in this draft. It would certainly make sense to do so as the Cardinals need someone opposite of DRC. However for the moment I have them drafting Robert Quinn to upgrade over veterans Joey Porter and Clark Haggans which I feel is more of a priority for the Cardinals (Both awesome players once upon a time). Quinn is sailing up draft boards after UNC’s Pro day and may be a more solid pick for Arizona, who really just needs to put the lackluster QBs in the NFC West(Bradford aside) on the ground.
6. Cleveland Browns: AJ Green WR UGA
Reunite AJ Green with Massoquoi! If Green is available the Browns would be crazy to pass him up. To that same token there is a contingent that believes the Browns should draft to fill their team with 4-3 personnel, but in all honesty…the Browns did not have good 3-4 personnel so the transition to a 4-3 may not be so painful as everybody claims it will be. Draft Green and give McCoy/Hillis a fighting chance.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson CB LSU
What a dream! Patrick Peterson had better be on the top of San Fran’s draft board. Besides the aging Nate Clements they have next to nothing at corner. Patrick Peterson would be a solid addition to a pretty promising, young defensive unit.
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley DT Auburn
The Titans need a replacement for Albert Haynesworth and Fairley projects to be just that. The Titans do not need an elite QB to win this division, they need a rock solid defense and Fairley could help them achieve just that…of course so could Albert Haynesworth…post CBA that is.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith OT USC
Dallas may not make this pick. I hear rumors that they will trade up, trade down. God knows they will probably throw a wrench in my mock draft. For the moment, assuming they stay here I have them drafting Smith. Smith is drawing a lot of comparisons to D’Brickshaw Ferguson and if those comparisons are accurate…the Cowboys should not hesitate to pull the trigger. One year without Flozell Adams (Thank you Cowboys by the way, I enjoyed having the Hotel shore up the right side of our oline) their franchise QB is out for the year…oline should be a priority over Prince and other potential prospects.
10. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker QB Washington
This is another tricky pick. If I was smart, I’d just pick Julio Jones and call it a day. However, the Skins, having nearly zero picks need to try and trade down. With Prince Akumakura, JJ Watt, Corey Liguet, and Julio Jones available, the Skins should be able to find a suitor. If they do, then their lower pick can safely be used on Jake Locker who I think will be a damn fine QB.
11. Houston Texans: Aldon Smith DE/OLB Misouri
I think the Texans should draft Prince with this pick…but as I understand it, Aldon Smith is higher on their draft board. The pick makes sense given the new 3-4 the Texans will implement and their need for a pass-rusher. Smith compares favorably with Demarcus Ware so I definitely feel that Smith is a strong possibility.
12. Minnesota Vikings: D’quan Bowers DE Clemson
Oh how the mighty have fallen. It’s hard to believe Bowers has come this far down the draft. Some think he may fall even farther. If his knee problems turn out to be serious, I definitely see him taking a tumble. For now, I have the Vikes drafting the dynamic end to give tackles headaches…who do you stop Jared Allen or Bowers?
13. Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska
The artist formerly known as Prince is finally off the board. Talent of his caliber is too good to pass up at this stage. I would invest in a tackle to protect your investment in Stafford, but hey…that’s what trading back into the first is about right? For now they draft Prince in an effort to stop Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler.
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones WR Alabama
Many don’t see this happening and there is a strong possibility it will not. However, from what I have seen over the past few years, wide receivers fall on draft day. Either AJ or Julio gets drafted in the Top Ten this year, not both. Sure Crabtree and Heyward-bey were drafted top ten, but Al Davis should not be used as an example of sane drafting….thankfully he does not have a pick in the first round this year.
15. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas
This pick may not occur. I do not like the idea of a rookie QB being drafted by a coach in the hot seat. I have not seen that combo work yet. Fox drafted Clausen…oops…Dennis Green drafted Leinert….Kiffin drafted Russell…the combo is usually never good, especially for the QB. However, Miami needs to find a QB who can throw touchdowns. Also with no second round pick from the Brandon Marshall trade, Miami may opt to trade down as well. Who would want to trade up to this spot is anybody’s guess though.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue
The Jags strength used to be their defensive line. Drafting Alualu, although a reach, certainly paid off. The Jags are a dynamic defensive end away from having a formidable line again. To that end, Kerrigan and his constant motor would be a welcome addition to the Jaguars.
17. New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan DE/OLB Cal
I almost want to strategically mock the Pats taking someone nowhere near Round One because in all honesty I do not think I have picked the Pats correctly ever. IF they even make this pick I see them targeting Cameron Jordan to try and get a pass-rush generated.
18. San Diego Chargers: JJ Watt DE Wisconsin
Will JJ Watt tumble this far…possibly. If he does the Chargers need to run up to the podium and make their selection. San Diego is dying at 3-4DE and need to shoot some life into the front seven. Perhaps drafting Watt would send a jolt into Larry English and give San Diego a reinforced Pass rush.
19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo OT New York Giants
Shawn Andrews was a nice stopgap, but from all appearances the Giants will part ways with him. To that note, they will need a new tackle. The best available is Anthony Castonzo who can allow Diehl to swing to left guard and maybe keep Eli Manning upright…or importantly rip holes open for Bradshaw/Jacobs.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Houston DE UGA
The Bucs made a major investment in their defensive line last season, shoring up their interior. Now they need to setup a pass rush to complement their elite tackles. Houston was a demon at UGA and could definitely help Tampa Bay continue its upward trend.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor NT Baylor
Kansas City will either draft an OLB to compliment Tamba Hali or a NT. Phil Taylor is jumping up boards so much like the Pack reached for BJ Raji, I think the Chiefs will reach for Taylor and give Dorsey/Jackson some help.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder OT Colorado
The Colts need to keep Peyton Manning upright and maybe open running lanes…mostly they need to keep Peyton upright. Solder grades out as a near elite pass blocker and as such will fit right in with the Colts style.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin
This pick depends on how King Dunlap’s injury is progressing. As I understand the coaching staff likes Dunlap at RT, but I could hardly blame the Eagles for wanting to bring a little youthful competition in town. Many have them drafting Jimmy Smith, but I don’t think Philly views a rookie CB as their ticket to a Super Bowl, a free agent merc like Asomugha or Leon Hall could easily do that. Their ticket to a Super Bowl is to keep Michael Vick standing up…at least for a little longer.
24. New Orleans Saints: Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA
FOR YET ANOTHER YEAR THE SAINTS ARE STARVING AT LINEBACKER!!!! They just do not put a premium on the position. For now I have them drafting Ayers, whose aggressiveness fits right in with the Saints defense. They’ll probably draft a defensive end though just to make me mad.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Smith CB Colorado
Seattle has SO MANY holes that it is tough to tell what they will draft. They could draft Pouncey or Ponder or Wilkerson or Liguet or Sherrod….the list goes on forever. For now I see their pressing need at corner especially if Marcus Trufant leaves. Jimmy Smith is elite talent who has fallen due to character issues. Pete Carroll could care less about character issues. If he did Marshawn Lynch would have never gone beast mode all over the Saints. He’ll be happy to draft Jimmy Smith and be one step closer to repairing Seattle’s torn secondary.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Muhammad Wilkerson DT/DE Temple
All I hear from the Ravens is how much they want a 3-4 DE. Wilkerson is the best available so I have him here for the moment. However, if Wilkerson is gone…I heard Cameron Heyward is high on their radar.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa
This pick is a freaking steal for Atlanta. Clayborn’s medical issues are dropping him in this draft. Atlanta needs to get a book end opposite John Abraham and Clayborn can be that bookend. A previous top ten talent could easily fall right into Atlanta’s lap with this pick.
28. New England Patriots: Mike Pouncey G Florida
Ugh…the Pats need to shore up the interior of their offensive line and Pouncey could easily do that. Will they have this pick…probably not.
29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod OT Miss State
If Pouncey is available I think the Bears jump all over him. That being said…the bears could do a lot worse than Sherrod. Their oline needs first round attention and the tackle out of Mississippi could do just the trick.
30. New York Jets: Stephen Pea DE Oregon State
The Jets go with flash over substance in some cases and I think this will be one of them. Liguet is still on the board, but I think the Jets go for Pea whose bench press was unbelievable. The Jets could hardly pass up an opportunity to draft a man who could possibly move Rex Ryan an inch.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ras I-Dowling CB Virginia
I could easily see this not happening. Not because I have had the Steelers draft a corner in three of my mock drafts to no avail. Not because I think there is a player higher on their board. Not because I am a cynic. It is mainly because here is where the run on Quarterbacks takes place. One of the QB needy teams will make the Steelers an offer and I see us trading down. I would not be unhappy with that scenario.
If the Steelers make the pick…then I have a sneaking suspicion Dowling may be their man. Taylor and Gay both have contracts up. Although I see Gay leaving I think the Steelers will do right by Ike and give him a deal. Mcfadden’s deal runs up after next season. Corner is a fairly pressing need, but we could make do without one this early. However, the Steelers are always planning and I think Dowling fits right into their plans.
The big problem with him is his injury. Before his Senior Season he was considered a lock for the first round and with good reason. The guys a beast in coverage and can hit like a Mack truck. I also hear he is a strong character guy, one coach going as far as saying he is the type of guy you would be proud to call your son and the guy you dream your daughter brings home.
1. Elite Talent
2. Excellent run stopper
3. Lessened value from injury
4. Good Character
The Steelers take to guys like this like a moth to flame. I would have no problem with him at 31.
32. Green Bay Packers: Brooks Reed DE/OLB Arizona
The Pack have very few weaknesses. The only hole I can find on the team is no dynamic pass rusher opposite Matthews. The few games the Pack lost were games where Matthews was hurt. As I understand it Brooks Reed is rising on boards and so for the moment I have the Pack taking him in an effort to make a strong pass rush even stronger.