1. St Louis Rams
Jeremy’s Pick: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Consider the first pick in the draft done.
Drew’s Pick: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Bradford might not be the top rated player in the draft but he is the top rated QB. The Rams are desperate for a franchise QB and will almost certainly take one with the top pick unless they make a trade for a QB they believe can win them games before the draft.
2. Detroit Lions
Jeremy’s Pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
With the trade of Ernie Sims to Philly, the Lions need some run-stuffing help. Welcome the best run stuffing DT in the last 10 years or so.
Drew’s Pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The trade for Rob Sims finally convinced me that the Lions do intend to draft Suh with this pick. A strong argument can be made that they should continue to build the offensive line in which I tend to agree with. However, if you are going to go against this thinking, then drafting Suh is the only option that makes sense.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jeremy’s Pick: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
If Suh goes to Detroit, the Bucs take McCoy – simple as that.
Drew’s Pick: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
A part of the Bucs coaches have to be delighted to see the Lions draft Suh because that means that McCoy, who is a better fit to their defense, will be the pick. There is really no other option for the Bucs but if they passed on McCoy for some reason then someone like Eric Berry or Jason Pierre-Paul would most likely be who they are targeting.
4. Washington Redskins
Jeremy’s Pick: Russell Okung
The trade for McNabb pretty much makes this one an automatic. They no longer have the pressure of drafting Clausen and can look to the 2nd or 3rd round for a possible QB of the future.
Drew’s Pick: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
A lot of people have Russell Okung here as a default because he is considered the top OT. The thing is that someone has to be considered the #1 OT but in this case there is little difference in over-all talent between Okung and Bryan Bulaga and Williams. Williams is a much better fit to the Redskins zone blocking scheme than Okung.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Jeremy’s Pick: Bryan Bulaga
Alright fine! I give in! Scott Pioli keeps staying consistent with his whole “positional value” garbage which means that even though Berry is super talented and would fill a need on this team, they will bypass him for a future anchor in the trenches.
Drew’s Pick: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma St
If we learned anything from last year’s draft it is that Scott Pioli is big on positional value. That alone should rule out Eric Berry from the discussion as drafting a safety with the 5th pick. Okung is a possibility because as I mentioned with the Redskins, he is considered the top OL in the draft. Okung might not be the perfect fit in the zone-blocking scheme of the Chiefs but he is too good for them to pass on. There is a connection with Bryan Bulaga so he is a possibility but I just think Okung is too good to pass on.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Jeremy’s Pick: Trent Williams
Word is that Trent Williams fits Pete Carroll’s schemes better anyways. Regardless, I cannot foresee Seattle not taking OT with this pick especially with Walter Jones probably about to retire.
Drew’s Pick: CJ Spiller, RB, Ohio State
The Seahawks need an OT and most mock drafts have them taking one here but I think Pete Carroll goes with the player he really wants at #6 and then just takes Charles Brown at #14 that is a known commodity for him. The question I have is this…does Carroll really want Spiller or does he really want Dez Bryant?
7. Cleveland Browns
Jeremy’s Pick: Jimmy Clausen
What?! Come Again! Yep. I am calling Holmgren’s bluff on this one. He said a while back that he wished he like Clausen more. Well word is now that he actually likes him quite a bit. My guess was that it was all a smokescreen so that someone wouldn’t try and leap frog over Washington to take him but now that they have Donovan McNabb, it would seem that you would only need to jump ahead of Buffalo now who just so happens to draft after the Browns.
Drew’s Pick: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
The Browns will have a very tough decision between taking the QB of the future in Jimmy Clausen or going with the highest rated safety in the draft since Sean Taylor. The Browns secondary is a mess and Berry would go a long way to improving it immediately. Most people are reporting that the Browns will go with Berry or Joe Haden with this pick and it certainly makes sense to me. However, I got this sneaky gut feeling that Clausen could be the pick here.
8. Oakland Raiders
Jeremy’s Pick: Mike Lupati
Now this is like a typical Al Davis reaching pick. Sources close to the Oakland War Room is that Iupati is the top target for Al Davis. Plans are to take a G and make him a T. What? They did it a couple years back in 04 when they took T Mike Gallery and made him a G.
Drew’s Pick: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
The Raiders drafting style is just plain laughable. Who are the biggest combine freaks at a position they need? Bam there is your pick for the Raiders. With the trade for Quentin Groves a pass-rusher is not a need although I question Groves being the answer. This leaves Bruce Campbell as the biggest freak at a position of need.
9. Buffalo Bills
Jeremy’s Pick: Eric Berry
With so many OT gone and Clausen gone, this really just leaves the Buffs with one pick, best-player-available.
Drew’s Pick: Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
The Bills are in a similar situation as the Browns in that most reports have them eyeing an OT with this and that certainly makes sense to me. Jimmy Clausen on the surface seems like a no-brainer but with Chan Gailey’s offensive style he needs a more mobile QB. Bulaga is considered by most as to be able to step in and help immediately which is exactly what the Bills need.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jeremy’s Pick: Derrick Morgan
I am ending up with where I started when it comes to the Jags. I would say best player available here, and Morgan is one of the top 3 best available, but now he also fills a hole left by the recently departed Quinton Groves who was juts shipped to Oakland. Morgan can come in and learn from some solid veterans and take over next year.
Drew’s Pick: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
The Jags signed Aaron Kapman but he is old and coming off knee surgery so I think that Morgan will be too tough to pass on. Dez Byrant is another strong possibility to give Tim Tebow <cough>, I mean David Garrard another weapon as part of the Jags front office is probably still upset with passing on Michael Crabtree last year. I am under the strong gut feeling that the Jags could take Tebow with the 10th pick. It is just too crazy for me to actually predict it, but don’t be shocked if it happens.
11. Denver Broncos
Jeremy’s Pick: Dez Bryant
With Marshall gone, WR is a need. Bryant has character issues like Marshall, but every head coach has just as large an ego as their players, so McDanials “knows” he can keep his hand-picked WR in check. Especially one who just announced publicly that he thinks Bryant’s character issues are being way over blown.
Drew’s Pick: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The Broncos seemed like a lock to select Dan Williams before signing Jamal Williams. After addressing most of their defensive needs with free agents, the Broncos have the luxury of drafting the top WR in the draft. If Josh McDaniel decides that Bryant is too much of a head-case then DT Dan Williams or LB Rolando McClain become options here.
12. Miami Dolphins
Jeremy’s Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul
Parcells loves guys that can get after the QB and word is that Miami has been favoring Pierre-Paul since the combine and he would fit in nicely if Jason Tayler leaves for the rival Jets. Maybe people have DT Dan Williams here, but Parcells has never drafted a DT in the first round, so why would he start now?
Drew’s Pick: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
The more I think about it the more I think the Dolphins go with a pass-rushing LB with this pick. It is a major need and Bill Parcels has a long track record of going this route. This pick will likely come down to the highly productive Sergio Kindle or the freak Pierre-Paul. Parcels dreams of another DeMarcus Ware and selects Pierre-Paul.
13. San Francisco 49ers
Jeremy’s Pick: Joe Haden
San Fran’s mouth was watering when they noticed that the Jags and Broncos both passed on Haden. He fills a need and will see immediate playing time.
Drew’s Pick: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden has seen his stock drop after a disappointing combine but I don’t expect to see him drop too far. The 49’ers appear serious about being interested in Clausen so they will need to decide if they want to gamble that no one will trade up to picks #14-#16 to snag him.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Jeremy’s Pick: CJ Spiller
I still feel that Pete Carroll takes Reggie Bush Jr here and makes him an immediate weapon.
Drew’s Pick: Seattle Seahawks – Charles Brown, OT, USC- Seattle needs to address the offensive line with this pick and while some other players might grade out higher, I see Carroll going with the player he knows all about. While take the risk that Anthony Davis or Bruce Campbell won’t respond to your coaching when you know that Brown will.
15. New York Giants
Jeremy’s Pick: Sean Weatherspoon
I have maintained the thought that the G Men take a ILB here, but McClain doesn’t really fit this scheme like Weatherspoon can. So I flipped. Sue me!
Drew’s Pick: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
The Giants love drafting lineman so Dan Williams is a possibility with this pick but McClain fills a bigger need. The latest reports that he does not have Crohn’s disease should only help making the Giants more comfortable selecting him here.
16. Tennessee Titans
Jeremy’s Pick: Dan Williams
Tennessee has been linked to talks with Washington for bringing back Haynesworth. Why do that and take on that contract when you can get a younger version for cheaper? A 4-3 DT can’t really play NT in a 3-4 but a NT can play DT.
Drew’s Pick: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The Titans could actually go a few different directions with this pick. They have a huge need on the defensive line so taking someone like Williams makes a lot of sense but I could also see them going with a CB like Kyle Wilson, DE Everest Griffen or maybe even Bryant or Demaryius Thomas could present too much value for them to pass on.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Jeremy’s Pick: Anthony Davis
I know this seems like a reach all things considered with all of the bonehead garbage he has pulled, but Andre Smith went in the top 10 last year after the stunts he pulled and Davis has been reaching out to coaches to express that he really wants to have an NFL career and that he is willing to clean up his act.
Drew’s Pick: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The 49’ers have a need at OT but will wait until the later picks to address that and select their QB of the future in Clausen. If the reports are true and they really want him, it will be interesting to see if they pull the trigger at #13 or gamble and hope he makes it here.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jeremy’s Pick: Demaryious Thomas
With Roethlisberger out for the first 6 weeks, this team knows they need as many weapons for either Dixon or Leftwich because neither guy will be able to air out like Big Ben can. Thomas is big and strong and can pretty much walk right into the hole that Holmes has left behind.
Drew’s Pick: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Minutes after word spread that the Steelers gave Santanio Holmes to the Jets for nothing, the debate of whether the Steelers would need to draft a WR in the 1st round erupted. The answer is ‘no’ they do not need to draft a WR as they could get by with Hines Ward and Mike Wallace. While I think Demaryius Thomas would be a great fit on the Steelers, it appears that secondary is where they are looking. Wilson is a great character player who’s bull-collar style will fit the Steelers perfectly.
19. Atlanta Falcons
Jeremy’s Pick: Brandon Graham
He fits the Falcon’s scheme better then Everson Griffen and probably a step ahead of Griffen as well.
Drew’s Pick: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
The Falcons need a lot of help in the secondary but signing Dunta Robinson allows them to consider other positions in the 1st round. Weatherspoon has the type of intangibles that you cannot teach and the type of player ever coach wants on their team. He made a fan out of me at the Senior Bowl where he was clearly the vocal leader on the field.
20. Houston Texans
Jeremy’s Pick: Earl Thomas
I think people will be surprised to see him fall this far, but let’s be realistic. Having 2 Safeties taken in the top 20 picks is not a common sight. Plus word is that Houston really wants to address the secondary first, then their RB issue with maybe someone like LaGarrett Blount or Toby Gerhart.
Drew’s Pick: Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
The Texans need a RB who they can count on contributing if not carry the load out of this draft. Matthews is a bit of a reach at #20 but I don’t think the risk waiting to grab their back. Kyle Wilson and Earl Thomas
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremy’s Pick: Taylor Mayes
Marvin Lewis loves guys from USC. He has drafted 5 of them over the last 6 years. I think he continues the trend and takes a physical freak who loves to lay hits. He could be used in some sort of Safety/LB hybrid scheme.
Drew’s Pick: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
I could see the Bengals going with a TE, Safety or a DE with this pick. Earl Thomas is the player I would select if I was the Bengals but I think they will see Graham as a better value with this pick. If you believe that the Bengals are truly attracted to players with a criminal background then Carlos Dunlap could be the DE they are eyeing.
22. New England Patriots
Jeremy’s Pick: Jared Odrick
I maintain my theory that Bill Belichek goes with his “Diamond in the Rough” valuation and take Odrick who becomes a cornerstone of the D in about 3 years.
Drew’s Pick: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
This pick seems like it would come down to Odrick and Sergio Kindle as both players are expected to go in this range and both fit a big need. History says that the Patriots would value the defensive lineman over a rush linebacker so Odrick is the pick.
23. Green Bay Packers
Jeremy’s Pick: Maurkice Pouncey
Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher were re-signed which means that they will beef up the interior of the line and take a guy that can play either G spot or even move to the C spot in a couple of years. They will look to the OT in the mid-rounds.
Drew’s Pick: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
I have been debating between Maurkice Pouncey and Davis for several weeks now. While Pouncey might have less risk, Davis just offers too much upside at this pick to pass on.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Jeremy’s Pick: Kyle Wilson
Cornerback depth is something the Eagles must address, and Kyle Wilson is one of the better players available at this juncture.
Drew’s Pick: Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Eagles are a team that often drafts lineman early regardless of their needs. However, they have been missing the presence of Brian Dawkins in the secondary and will be skipping to the podium to have a chance at Thomas. Keeping with the secondary theme, the Eagles could easily choose Kyle Wilson or Devin McCourty with this pick as well.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Jeremy’s Pick: Jermaine Gresham
Another weapon to beef up the offense because this aging defense began to start giving up more points than its offense was able to score last year.
Drew’s Pick: Carlos Dunlap, DE, UF
The Ravens will be looking for a CB, DL and TE early in the draft and while Jermaine Gresham and Kareem Jackson are options here I think they will see value in the next few rounds at the TE/CB position. Dunlap is the big, fast body that the Ravens love to have on defense.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Jeremy’s Pick: Sergio Kindle
Surprised to see him fall this far? I am too to be honest, but his character issues have been so hyped recently that I think he does end up falling a little bit. The Cards need a pass rusher and Kindle can play OLB in their 3-4.
Drew’s Pick: Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
The Cardinals have gone from a Super Bowl contender to a team with a ton of holes in just one season. There are a lot of different directions that they could go with this pick but Kindle should be the highest rated available and fills a major need on the team.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Jeremy’s Pick: Rolando McClain
I think this is exactly the type of guy that Jerry Jones would take a leap of faith on. A guy who ran a little slower than expected and doesn’t fir a typical 3-4 scheme on paper. But still a top 15 talent who managed to fall a little further then he should.
Drew’s Pick: Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
The Cowboys don’t usually draft OL in the 1st round and even if Iupati is the perfect of a fit, I just have a difficult time seeing Jerry Jones selecting a guard in the 1st round. However it would take someone like Dez Bryant to fall for the Cowboys to be tempted to pass on an OL. A trade down from this spot seems highly probably to me so they can get their boring lineman in the second round and add a few more picks.
28. San Diego Chargers
Jeremy’s Pick: Ryan Mathews
I feel that Houston addresses their more pressing need in the secondary and passes on Mathews which allows him to fall to the hometown Chargas! Mr. Sproles, meet your change of pace.
Drew’s Pick: Taylor Mays, S, USC
The Chargers need a RB but I don’t see them reaching for one here if Matthews is gone. They could also use a DT but Terrence Cody doesn’t seem versatile enough to warrant a 1st round pick. This leaves the secondary as an area where I see the Chargers focusing on and Mays fills a big whole.
29. New York Jets
Jeremy’s Pick: Rodger Saffold
This guys stock could not be booming any bigger at a more critical time. The scouts all are raving about this guy like he just now landed on the scene. Word is that the Jets are looking to trade Alan Faneca and what can ease the pain of that? Drafting a top OL to plug right into the hole. Saffold was a T in college but has the skills to slide inside.
Drew’s Pick: Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU
The Jets are quickly looking like a Super Bowl contender assuming Rex Ryan can keep all the head cases in-line. One of the few holes they have is with their pass rush making Hughes a great selection for them here. A player like Devin McCourty could be too good to pass on for Ryan if they have some pass rushers they like in the next few rounds.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Jeremy’s Pick: Kareem Jackson
I stand by my pick to help this secondary which got burned so many times last year. After Jackson’s pro day, I think he cracks the first round.
Drew’s Pick: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
The Vikings would love to see Pouncey or Iupati drop to them with this pick to address a major weakness in the interior of their line. If both these players are gone then I could easily see Tebow going with this pick as the Vikings look to develop their QB of the future behind Brett Favre.
31. Indianapolis Colts
Jeremy’s Pick: Devin McCourty
Indy does need some O line help here, but there really aren’t any others that warrant a 1st round selection or pay grade. Indy likes to select the best-player-available and seeing as how CB is a spot that could use an upgrade; I can see McCourty going here.
Drew’s Pick: Tim Tebow, QB, UF
The Colts are one of these teams that tend to draft the best player available. They could use more depth on the offensive line and in the secondary but will find Tebow to tempting to pass up here. A more likely scenario would be someone trading into the back-end of the 1st to take Tebow and not the Colts selecting him. The point I am trying to make is I see Tebow getting drafted in the 1st round, most likely someone like the Bills or Jags trading up to this area of the draft to do it.
32. New Orleans Saints
Jeremy’s Pick: Brian Price
Seeing as how Sean Weatherspoon went way earlier, the Saints will wait to address their LB woes in the next round. Instead, they steal Brian Price here, who only fell this far because of his crummy pro day and for also being out of shape.
Drew’s Pick: Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen is the type of playing that could easily go in the Top 20 or fall out of the 1st round. The Saints have a need at DE and as things have fallen in this mock will have the luxury of choosing between Griffen and Carlos Dunlap who is another player that could go in the mid-1st round.
Drew is finally convinced that the Lions are going to draft Ndamukong Suh (thanks Icon SMI)
1. St Louis Rams
Jeremy’s Pick: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Consider the first pick in the draft done.
Drew’s Pick: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Bradford might not be the top rated player in the draft but he is the top rated QB. The Rams are desperate for a franchise QB and will almost certainly take one with the top pick unless they make a trade for a QB they believe can win them games before the draft. Read the rest of this entry →
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