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 Steelers- Dontari 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.

28. 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
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. 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.