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NFL mock draft blog [UPDATED]
Published 10:10am Monday, April 25, 2011 Updated 10:48am Monday, April 25, 2011Welcome back, I have a spare moment to get another blog in *clapping, loud cheers, chanting*.
It is less than 4 days until the NFL Draft. Looking forward to it. Still don’t really care about the NFL season. I figure this will get done as it seems a schism between the haves (Peyton Manning, Drew Brees) and the have-nots (any player making league minimum) looks to have taken a hold on if their will be in NFL season next year. Anyway, I haven’t ever done an NFL mock draft but since I have an open forum I will take my chances on making selections for numerous teams.
1. Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Yep you guessed it. My money in the bank gets picked number one. Jimmy Clausen isn’t the future for the Panthers and Newton’s potential can yield two things: the next Michael Vick or the next JaMarcus Russell.
2. Denver Broncos – Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
New Head Coach John Fox addresses the need on defense. Fox is a defensive coach and he has two decent QBs to work in his offensive scheme, so why not repair what seemed to be broken last season.
3.Buffalo Bills – Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Quarterbacks are plentiful in the draft and the Bills are still looking for the Bruce Smith of the future.
4. Cincinnati Bengals – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
They realized that T.O. was not a good fit across Chad Johnson. Since the death of Chris Henry and the departure of T.J. Houshmanzadeh, the Bengals haven’t had the fire power to beat the Steelers or the Ravens. This might be an interesting pick to watch as QB Carson Palmer’s lack of enthusiasm to comeback to the Bungals, could make this pick a toss up with the CBA not settled.
5. Arizona Cardinals – Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
A lot of questions about QBs in the draft, but I believe that Arizona will fix their defense and look to pick up a free agent at QB (Donovan McNabb, Marc Bulger) or trade (Kevin Kolb). Everyone loves a good pass rush (just ask Viking and Packer fans).
6 – Cleveland Browns – Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Early on, I had this guy as a possible No. 1. I know it sounds stupid but a shutdown corner is better than a speedy WR. You can find those in round 2-7. Cleveland will pair this guy with last year’s selection, Joe Haden.
7 – San Francisco – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Mizzou
Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, Troy Smith, J.T. O’Sullivan, Trent Dilfer, Chris Weinke, Tim Rattay, Ken Dorsey, and Cody Pickett. Nuff said, this is their pick.
8 – Tennessee – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Titans love the idea of an Albert Haynesworth clone. A dirty player, who doesn’t try hard all the time….sign’em up. Could go with Washington QB Jake Locker at this pick, but numerous QB options fall to the Titans in the second round and why not wait.
9 – Dallas Cowboys – Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Ok, I have been hearing all through my draft study that this can’t be the case because Jerry Jones doesn’t select OL in the first round. I don’t know what Jones really needs, his team just under performed last season and this might be the only upgrade they need for the future.
10 – Washington Redskins – Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
This one has a lot of holes. I am going with this pick because they do not have a number one wideout and Dan Snyder hasn’t made a smart move since buying the ‘Skins (minus hiring Mike Shannon *applause*). Since Robert Quinn isn’t around, this looks to be the logical pick. Other ideas at this spot could be J.J. Watt or Cameron Jordan at DE.
11 – Houston Texans – Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Mizzou
With Wade Phillips as D-coordinator, the Texans will need to upgrade their front 7 to run the 3-4 defense. This seems to be the consensus around draft boards.
12. Minnesota Vikings – ???
Ok, I am leaving this one open. I hate to say it. I know some of you probably scrolled through just to find this one out. Well, tough. The Vikings have the most problems to fix in the draft. I could have wrote 700 words on just what the Vikes needs are and how to fix them. My selection is QB Ryan Mallet of Arkansas. I watched his QB academy episode with John Gruden and his breakdown of his offensive scheme and understanding of what they were trying to do seemed to be the best of the few I saw. Several drafts have us taking Cameron Jordan (son of former Viking TE Steve Jordan) to replace Ray Edwards, but my question is why not give Robison a chance on the other side or wait to find out what Everson Griffen can do after his suspension. Also, some drafts have us taking a DT. Pat Williams might retire and if not, Kevin and him will both be suspended for the first four games. Still don’t see us taking a DT. Another pick has us taking CB Prince Amukamara. Wouldn’t mind this pick, but we would still need a franchise QB (not a quick fix ala Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Brett Favre, Gus Ferrotte). Lastly, Jake Locker could be the choice here. Last year’s projected number one (if he would have entered the draft) should still be here. Reports say that the Vikes like him, but most likely it is draft hype. The best scenario the Vikings could get is trading down in the first round (not out like last year) and picking up a third round pick(replacing the third pick we gave away for Randy Moss) and a potential QB.
13 – Detroit Lions – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Yep, keep buildin that defense. Cornhuskers’ Ndamukong Suh worked out last year, why not roll the dice on another.
14 – St. Louis Rams – Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
Follow the Lions draft plan: 1. Take QB 2. Next year take DT 3. Get better instantly
15 – Miami Dolphins – Mike Pouncey, C, Florida
A need. But now that Brandon Marshall has been stabbed by his wife, look for this pick to possibly change in days.
16 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Jags have said they love his non-stop motor. But this is also a team that drafted Tyson Alualu last year, so anything can happen. I do think they will go with a DE as Kampman is coming off a second ACL surgery and their pass rush was in effected last season.
17 – New England Patriots – Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
The Patriots are pretty set at most positions. They might want to address their OL. This pick could also be J.J. Watt
18 – San Diego Chargers – J.J.Watt, DE, Wisconsin
They like him and Jordan is gone. (Arnold Schwarzeneggerian voice) “Go Chargers”
19 – New York Giants – Anthony Canstonzo, OT, Boston College
Giants get their man. Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s ties to BC makes this a sensible pick and the fact that Eli Manning had his face busted last year.
20 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Shucks, all the good DEs are taking just a few spots a head. This could be a big payoff though, as Bowers was a top five pick before his pro day and a knee injury.
21 – Kansas City Chiefs – Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
This team is getting better as GM Scott Pioli has taken the “NE Patriots 2.0″ method for the Chiefs. This could also be OT Nate Solder.
22 – Indianapolis Colts – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Picks could be reversed depending on who Chiefs take. Peyton Manning is getting hit too much compared to years past and will need more time as he ages.
23 – Philadelphia Eagles – Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Andy Reid might trade up to get Prince Amukamara, but if they stay at this spot, I believe that this will be their pick. This is a problem that the Eagles will need to address in a WR rich NFC East.
24 – New Orleans Saints – Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
Who dat gonna beat them Saints? Well, the Seattle Seahawks. The Saints will look to upgrade their defensive front with a big DT. Saints should be concerned as Austin’s interest in guns and his suspension from the 2010 NCAA season could make the former prep stud a bust.
25 - Seattle Seahawks – Muhammed Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
A great fit for the Seahawks 4-3/3-4 hybrid and questions are a bound on free agent Brandon Mebane.
26 – Baltimore Ravens – Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
I like Brian Baldinger. Enough to take his selection for the Ravens at 26.
27 – Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
The Falcons will look to replace Tony Gonzalez after this coming season. They are hoping that lighting strikes twice at Notre Dame as John Carlson has worked out well for the Seahawks.
28 – New England Patriots – Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
The Pats will probably trade this pick away for a high second rounder. Don’t be surprised if this still is their selection when they draft later.
29 – Chicago Bears – Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
Bears need to upgrade their O-Line. Happy to take Sherrod this late.
30 – New York Jets – Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
They will probably still get booed for this pick, but the guy has the potential to be a menace on the D-line. The only worry is that his bones may be fusing together in his foot and could be a long term issue.
31 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Aaron Williams, CB/S, Texas
The Packers exposed the Steelers’ corners in the Super Bowl. Look for Mike Tomlin to upgrade.
32 – Green Bay Packers – Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
Packers are set. They will be looking for depth on their defense. This pick might also be used to address the aging Donald Driver.
There you have it. My mock draft.
Hope all that read it found it long, interesting and questionable.
Take notes and have fun this coming Thursday.
Do work!
Zach
Vikings will take an offensive tackle at #12 and then trade back into the 1st round to pick #28 and take QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq
Quick – name another WR in Carolina other than Steve Smith. Who was Jimmy Clausen supposed to throw the ball to last year (when Steve Smith was double-covered all of the time)?
They should take A.J. Green – and if Clausen really does stink once he actually has a few options to throw the ball to, they can take Luck in the 2012 draft.