First Ever Trade Mock

2012 Mock Draft T1.0

Every year I get questions about draft day trades and why my mock drafts never account for them.  The answer is that when it comes to trades, everything is too unpredictable.  Having said that, I promised myself that this year I would give a mock draft a try and account for trades.  What I have done here is a whole new mock, and I try and predict some trades.  To do this I assumed that every team would look to try and trade out unless there was someone too good to pass on.  As for the teams trading in, they would do so based on need.  I used the standard trade value chart that NFL GMs use when weighing trades involving draft picks, to see if I could get things to balance.  So, here is Football Futures first ever mock draft with trades.

     1.       Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

With the uncertainty surrounding Manning, the Colts will use the first overall selection to hand their franchise over to a guy that many pundits are calling the best QB prospect since Elway.  Luck has the right attitude, can make all the throws, and is smart enough to take the reins of this franchise from day 1.

     2.       Washington Redskins via St Louis – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Getting right under center will be the top priority for Washington this offseason, and they cannot sit around hoping that the Heisman Trophy winner falls to them at six.  Instead, Washington packages their 6^th overall pick and their 3^rd round pick this year with their 1^st and 3^rd in next year’s draft and send them to St Louis for the rights to grab their franchise QB of the future.  Steep price to pay?  Sure, but Daniel Snyder will spend to win.

     3.       Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

With St Louis ransoming their pick, Minnesota has lost its leverage to move this pick.  Instead they stay put and select the top left tackle on the board.  After investing last year’s first rounder in their QB of the future, they now need a guy who can help him stay upright.  Matt Kalil is one of three top tier tackles in this class, and he has the potential to be outstanding. 

     4.       Cincinnati Bengals via Cleveland – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Bengals are the most running back needy team in the NFL right now, and Trent Richardson is head and shoulders above any other back in this year’s class.  It also happens to be that Cincy has an extra first rounder this year due to the Carson palmer trade, and now they can pair those two picks up and send them to Cleveland for the rights to grab Richardson and his championship pedigree.  Although the Browns could also use Richardson, the allure of having three picks in the first will be too much to pass on.

     5.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Bucs most glaring need is at linebacker, but there is not a backer worth taking from this position.  After looking to trade down, and finding no suitors willing/able to give the Bucs enough to pull the trigger, Tampa and new HC Greg Schiano will select the best corner from this class to fill their second biggest need.  Claiborne is no consolation prize.  He is a jackpot all his own, and the Ray Jay faithful will love having him in pewter.

     6.       St Louis Rams via Washington Redskins – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Thanks to an eager Daniel Snyder, and some additional movement in the top five, the Rams land this pick and are still able to grab the top receiving threat on the board in Justin Blackmon.  He has all of the tools you want in a number 1 receiver in this league, and now with the extra firepower gained from the trade, Jeff Fisher can add some other pieces to help his Rams rebuild quickly.

     7.       Jacksonville Jaguars – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Like the Rams, the Jags have a new head coach and a lot of holes to fill.  They would love to move this pick to add some additional picks to their stable.  Unfortunately with the movement in front of them, they have been left in a position that will not be in high demand.  This leaves them to address their biggest need on their defense with the best d-line prospect in this year’s class.  Comparing favorably to other former UNC Des, Coples brings a skill set that should be welcome in Jacksonville.

     8.       Seattle Seahawks via Carolina Panthers – Ryan Tannehill, QB, TAMU

A good selling job by the Panther’s front office leads them to convincing the Seahwks that the Dolphins (who pick next) are poised to select the third best QB in the class.  The QB needy Seahawks get anxious, and pay Carolina a 3^rd round pick in this year’s draft to move up the three spaces needed to secure Tannehill.  Carolina is able to trade down, add some draft assets, and still be in position to address one of their primary needs.

     9.       Miami Dolphins – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Miami had considered selecting Tannehill, until the Seahawks jumped them in the draft.  Now they are left to decide between the OLB Upshaw from Alabama and the RT Reiff from Iowa.  Both would fill positions of need for the Phish, but with owner Steven Ross needing to sell tickets, he pushes GM Ireland to make the “sexier” pick.   

     10.   Buffalo Bills – Reily Reiff, OT, Iowa

Buffalo is another team with a multitude of needs, but they are also on the rise.  GM Buddy Nix has placed his faith in Fitzpatrick and rewarded his efforts with a contract extension.  RB Fed Jackson came out of nowhere last year to emerge as a top flight back.  Now they have the chance to add one of the premiere o-tackles in the draft.  No draft day deals for them.

     11.   New York Jets via Carolina via Seattle – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

After trading down into this slot with Seattle, the Carolina front office continues to channel Bill Belichick and trade down again.  This time they add yet another third round selection by trading with the New York Jets.  From the day he traded up to get Sanchez, HC Rex Ryan has had his wagon hitched securely to him.  If Sanchez is to bounce back from his regression, and save Ryan’s job in the process, he will have to have more time to throw. The right side of the Jets line was atrocious last year.  Adding the uber-talented Jonathan Martin, who specialized in keeping first overall pick Andrew Luck upright in college, will be a huge addition for the Jets.

     12.   Detroit Lions via Kansas City – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Lions made huge strides last year making the post season for the first time since Roosevelt was President.  Their passing game was exceptional, however the pass defense… not so much.  Sitting at 23, the Lions know they will not be in position to land either of the difference makers still on the board at corner.  Instead, they ship their 23^rd overall and a second rounder in next year’s draft to the Cheifs for the right to select Janoris Jenkins.  Jenkins is an incredible talent who, if he can stay out of trouble, will be a very valuable piece to this Detroit team.

     13.   Arizona Cardinals – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

With movement all around them, the Cardinals buck the trend and stay put to select David DeCastro.  The Cards need help in a few spots, but none greater than their o-line.  DeCastro is a valuable add as he is flexible enough to play inside or out.  I think long term he projects best at Guard, but with all the holes up front for Zona, DeCastro will be an immediate upgrade for this team.

     14.   Dallas Cowboys – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dallas is one of the more enigmatic teams in the NFL.  They have lots of talent, but can’t seem to put it all together.  They still need to improve in the secondary however, so they will not pass on the opportunity to select the last of the top tier corners in Dre Kirkpatrick.  There are some character questions surrounding Kirkpatrick, however that won’t dissuade Jerry Jones.  Dre was the best corner on the best team in the best conference in the nation, so he knows how to play against elite competition which is a requirement in the NFC East. 

     15.   Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Easily the most disappointing team in 2011, Philadelphia needs to find some answers.  A blue collar tackling machine like Kuechly will bring an attitude to this defense which inexplicably floundered a year ago.  With the vast personalities in this locker room, Luke’s no frills style would be a welcome change.

     16.   Carolina Panthers via New York Jets – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

After trading down twice, Carolina added firepower in the form of additional pick in the third round of this draft which will help them fill more of their holes.  With this pick, they choose to address their paltry run defense from a year ago.  Too many opponents ran right up the middle against this panther’s front, and the addition of a big, strong body like Brockers will make that more difficult for opponents to do in 2012.

     17.   Cleveland Browns via Cincinnati via Oakland – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mike Holmgren, Cleveland’s football Czar, knows that multiple picks early on can help a team immensely, and this pick will be the first of three in the first round thanks to the Cincinnati trade.  The Browns have a bunch of holes to fill, but none bigger than at safety.  Mark Barron is the best safety in this draft class, and he would immediately add a presence to this secondary that was sorely missing last year.

     18.   Green Bay Packers via San Diego Chargers – Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Packers are one of the craftiest teams on draft day, always seeming to get their guy.  Watching the draft transpire this way, the Packers decide now is the time to move, and they sacrifice their third round pick in this draft along with their 28^th overall to move up to grab the falling Ingram.  The Pack have to do a better job at getting pressure off the edge, and Ingram is a borderline top ten talent.  Landing him at 18 is well worth the third rounder it will cost them.

     19.   Chicago Bears – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bears have speed but they still lack a true, reliable, number one receiver.  Floyd has good speed, and great hands.  He uses his body well, and knows how to go up and get the ball.  The Bears will benefit by staying put, and selecting the Notre Dame product with oodles of expierence in playing in the blustery cold of a Midwest winter.

     20.   Tennessee Titans – Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Last year, the Titans grabbed their QB of the future in Jake Locker.  Now they need to place the focus back on the other side of the ball.  For Tennessee to be successful long term, they have to get pressure on opposing signal callers.  Andre Branch represents the team’s best chance at doing that in from this draft position.  They will entertain phone calls about sliding down, but in the end, the risk of losing Branch will outweigh any benefit garnered in a deal.

     21.   Cleveland Browns via Cincinnati –Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With their second pick from the Bengals deal, Cleveland will address their offense.  The jury is still out on Colt McCoy as the team’s QB, but regardless of who is behind center, they will need weapons to throw to.  Last year the team added UNC product Greg Little, who is turning out to be a nice add.  Outside of him however, there are only questions.  Kendall Wright was on the receiving end of RG3s Heisman campaign, but he was more than just a beneficiary.  He can do all of the things necessary to make a QB look good and help his team win.

     22.   Cleveland Browns via Atlanta – Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

With the their third and final pick in the round, Cleveland will look at a few options.  Both QB and RB will be discussed in depth, but in the end, Holmgren will feel more comfortable addressing either one of those with his pick early in the second round.  OLB is a need are for Cleveland too, and adding Brown gives them a tremendous athlete with exceptional speed and a never ending motor.  He is a little on the raw side, but with some time and coaching, he could be an explosive component to a defense.

     23.   Kansas City Chiefs via Detroit Lions – Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Chiefs find themselves picking here as a result of trading down with the Lions.  Had they stayed at 12, they would have looked a possibly selecting David DeCastro to fill a hole on their o-line.  Now 11 picks later, DeCastro is gone, but Cordy Glenn is not.  Like DeCastro, Glenn is a flexible interior lineman, with the ability to fill many positions up front.  This flexibility, along with his strong skill set will make the Bulldog an attractive option for new HC Romeo Crennel.

 

     24.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers are typically a team who I have a hard time pegging because the rarely have any holes to fill.  This year could be different.  Pittsburgh could be losing three defensive stalwarts in Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, and James Farrior, but as of now they are all still employed.  The o-line also may see some flux as the 2011 pieces were often injured, and didn’t produce as well as the team would have liked.  Mike Adams is a mauler up front and could be a good addition for Pittsburgh.  Of course should it come to pass that one of the aforementioned defensive studs leaves the Steel City, future mocks may have them going in a different direction.

     25.   Denver Broncos – Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Despite what the press would have you believe, it was Tim Tebow who led Denver to the 2011 AFC West crown.  It was the defense, led by rookie extraordinaire, Von Miller.   Despite his excellent play, he cannot do it alone, and that is why I expect for the team to add a big guy up front.  No one player has more variations in his rankings amongst the experts as Still.  Some see him as a top ten talent.  Others don’t even give him a first round grade.  I think he is a boom-or-bust type player, but a reasonable risk for Denver.  They also may look at tight end as a possibility here, making Stanford’s Colby Fleener, Clemson’s Dwayne Allen, and Georgia’s Orson Charles other possibilities.

     26.   Houston Texans – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Texans have a very bright future ahead of them when Matt Schaub returns healthy.  That being said, this draft will give them the opportunity to shore up some lose ends, as the team gears up to take that next step in 2012.  I have Michigan State’s, Jerel Worthy as my next highest rated DT on the board, but Poe is not that far behind him, and is a better fit for the Texans defense.  He is a space eater, and I expect that his presence will make running against Houston next year an even more difficult proposition.  Seriously… watch out for the Texans next year.

     27.   New England Patriots via New Orleans – Alfonso Denard, CB, Nebraska

New England is one of the most active teams on draft day, and although they are going to start the day with two picks in the first round, I doubt they will keep them both.  When they come on the clock with this pick that originally belonged to the Saints, they will be looking at help in both the secondary and at DT.  In the end the decision will come down to Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy at DT or the Cornhusker’s Alfonso Denard at corner.  Despite a weak senior campaign for Denard, I think he is the better overall talent, and I suspect he will be the selection here.

     28.   San Diego Chargers via Green Bay – Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

After trading down with the Pack, the Chargers will be in position to select from a few raw guys with good upside to help them get pressure on the opposing QB.  USCs Nick Perry, and Syracuse’s Chandler Jones will be considerations here too, but right now I believe that Whitney Mercillus has the edge.  He plans on being a full participant at this week’s combine, so it is possible his stock either rises or falls based on his performance.

     29.   Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Like Kuechly to the Eagles, and Floyd to Chicago, Konz to Baltimore just fits.  The Ravens are a smash mouth football team, and adding a blue colar guy like Konz to snap the ball for the next decade make perfect sense.  Konz has the make-up of a great center and would be a wonderful heir to Matt Birk.  He is smart, sturdy, and can play with a mean streak.  Sound just like the kind of player Baltimore would love.

     30.   San Francisco 49ers – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

What Jim Harbaugh pulled off with Alex Smith this year has been nothing short of a miracle.  Now, if they can get him a few more weapons, this team will be good for a long time.  Jeffery is a freakish athlete.  He is big and fast, and he fights for the ball when it is in the air.  With weapons like Davis and Gore already in the fold, and that young line up front, adding Jeffery may be the final piece to a Championship puzzle in the Bay.

     31.   Miami Dolphins via New England Patriots – Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

As I mentioned earlier, the Pats are unlikely to stay put with both of their selections.  With this pick, Bill Belichick does the majic that only he can do, and swings a deal with QB thirsty, division rival Miami.  With the Browns on the clock ahead of them in round 2, Miami moves that pick, along with a third rounder to the Pats for the right to select between Weeden, Nick Foles, and Brock Osweiler.  In the end, the OK State product’s prolific output will wow the Miami Brass into selecting him ahead of the other two options.

     32.   New York Giants – Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

New York’s strength is in their defense, and despite that, I still see adding a stud in the middle as the G-men’s top priority.  The jury is still out on Burfict, with some experts singing his praises, and other calling him “highly overrated”.  The bottom line with Burfict is that he is crazy.  He plays hard on every play, and he clearly has an inferno burning inside him.  Guys like him can be complete busts, or they can turn into hall-of-famers like Ray Lewis.  At 32, that is a risk the Giants should take.