Friday, April 20, 2012

Mock Draft

by Chris Cappella

We're six days away from the first round of the NFL Draft, and I thought I'd give my try on all 32 picks of the first round. Enjoy!

  1. Indianapolis Colts- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. Luck is considered the best quarterback prospect since the man he’s replacing in Peyton Manning.
  2. Washington Redskins- Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor. Washington has longed for consistency at that position, and the dynamic Griffin does that for them.
  3. Minnesota Vikings- Matt Kalil, OT, USC. Minnesota just spent a high pick last year on Christian Ponder, now get someone who will keep him upright.
  4. Cleveland Browns- Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. Cleveland needs to replace Peyton Hillis and surround Colt McCoy with talent.
  5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. Claiborne is drawing rare reviews from his workout and Tampa apparently loves him.
  6. St. Louis Rams- Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. I think new coach Jeff Fisher identifies the need to surround his franchise quarterback with appropriate playmakers. I still think Michael Floyd is better.
  7. Jacksonville Jaguars- Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. Could the Jaguars disinterest in Melvin Ingram be a smoke screen? I don’t think so, and I have them taking the freakishly athletic and uber-talented Coples.
  8. Miami Dolphins- Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M. Miami has been longing for a quarterback since the Marino days.
  9. Carolina Panthers- Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State. After allowing 130 yards per game on the ground last year, Carolina needs to beef up their D-Line.
  10. Buffalo Bills- Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa. Won’t be the most popular pick (Michael Floyd would be) but this solidifies a big need for Buffalo.
  11. Kansas City Chiefs- David DeCastro, OG, Stanford. Top 7 prospect for good value at a pressing need.
  12. Seattle Seahawks- Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina. Seattle wants a pass rusher and they could get a difference maker in Ingram.
  13. Arizona Cardinals- Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia. Everyone knows Arizona wants a tackle, it’s just a matter of who will be on the board.
  14. Dallas Cowboys- Mark Barron, S, Alabama. Rob Ryan’s secondary needs a bona fide playmaker and the best safety in the draft for his inconsistent defense.
  15. Philadelphia Eagles- Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College. Philly’s weakness last year was up the middle, and Kuechly is a future pro-bowler tackling machine.
  16. New York Jets- Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama. Jets have made OLB a priority in this years draft, and despite Upshaw’s stock falling as of late, I still think the Jets make him the third ‘Bama player taken.
  17. Cincinnati Bengals- Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina. Would be an instant boost to a cornerback group that could use an upgrade.
  18. San Diego Chargers- Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. Chargers can’t help themselves from taking wide receiving playmaker after the departure of Vincent Jackson.
  19. Chicago Bears- Jonathon Martin, OT, Stanford. Did you watch a Bears game last year? Their O-Line is pitiful.
  20. Tennessee Titans- Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse. Titans have been bringing in a host of Defensive End’s, and Jones athletic frame is the best available.
  21. Cincinnati Bengals- Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor. Wright and Green could make for some duo for years to come.
  22. Cleveland Browns- Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State. Adams can help a shaky Cleveland line.
  23. Detroit Lions- Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. The Lions face Cutler and Rodgers twice a year, and need ammunition to match those offenses. Kirkpatrick has the build to be able to face the Calvin Johnson’s of the league.
  24. Pittsburgh SteelersDontari Poe, NT, Memphis. Poe’s massive size and need for a nose tackle makes sense. It’s only a matter if Poe falls this far.
  25. Denver Broncos- Michael Brockers, DL, LSU. Brockers is an athletic freak of nature who could probably play all positions on the D-Line. Denver already lost one starter but could reload with Brockers.
  26. Houston Texans-Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama. Right now Houston has Darryl Sharpton as their starting ILB. Don’t know who that is? Neither do I.
  27. New England Patriots- Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State. New England could also        go Whitney Mercilus or Nick Perry but ultimately go with the explosive McClellin.
  1. Green Bay Packers- Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC. Green Bay needs some depth on their D-Line and Perry is as good as an athlete anyone in the draft
  2. Baltimore Ravens- Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin. GM Ozzie Newsome is as good as anyone in the business at filling needs before it’s a problem, which is what he would do here with an aging Matt Birk.
  3. San Francisco 49ers- Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford. San Fran has no gaping holes on defense, signed a plethora of receivers, and having another all-around tight end can only be a good thing.
  4. New England Patriots- Lamar Miller, RB, Miami. New England needs someone to replace BenJarvus Green-Ellis and the versatile, do-it-all running back can step right in.
  5. New York Giants- Jerel Worthy, DL, Michigan State. Worthy can play all positions on the D-Line and is pretty solid in all areas. Sounds like he’ll fit right in.

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