Mock Draft 3.0

2012 Mock Draft 3.0

The combine is over and for those of you that have been following the posts here at EZ Football Futures, you know who we feel came out as the winners, and who hurt themselves through the process.  The two coin tosses that will impact draft order are now in the books too, so onto Mock 3.0 we go.  This one goes two rounds deep.  As always, I welcome your comments.

1.       Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts are in the driver’s seat for this draft, and it appears an almost certainty that they will be using the pole position to select the team’s next franchise QB, Andrew Luck.  Brian Billick echoed the thoughts of many NFL insiders when he called luck the most pro ready prospect at QB since Elway. 

2.       St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Even more certain than the Colts taking Luck, is the fact the St Louis WILL trade this pick.  The only questions now are to whom, and for how much.  As you all are aware, until the trades become official, I don’t include them in my standard mocks, so for now, I have the Rams adding the best weapon for their young QB.  Blackmon is easily the best amongst the wide outs in this class, and he will give the team a weapon they haven’t had since the prime of Torry Holt ended.

3.       Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

During the combine, Matt Kalil cemented his status as the top tackle on the board.  Although Minnesota may be interested in shopping this pick, they will not be sad to stick here and select the guy that will work to keep their QB of the future upright.  If the Vikes are to get better, they will need consistent play from Ponder, and keeping him off the floor will be an awesome first step.

4.       Cleveland Browns – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Pained as I am to write this, I expect now that the Browns will make the mistake of choosing RG3.  In fact, I expect in the end, it will be Cleveland trading up to 2 to get him.  This is by no means a knock on Griffin.  He is the second best overall prospect on my board, and I think he can be an excellent pro.  My knock is that Cleveland shouldn’t add a QB early.  I still think McCoy has the tools to be a good starter in the league, and I think the Browns need to find a RB they can rely on.  They passed on Adrian Peterson in 07.  Now I think they are going to do the same to Richardson in 2012.

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

There was not a lot of questions going into the combine as to whom the top corner of the 2012 class was.  Coming out of Indy, there are no questions at all.  Claiborne showed everything you want from a number 1 corner, and now rates higher than his teammate from a year ago Patrick Peterson.  The Bucs need to find a replacement for Ronde Barber, and Claiborne is the right guy. 

6.       Washington Redskins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, TAMU

In this scenario, also called “Nightmare in the Capitol”, the top four players on Washington’s board (Luck, RG3, Blackmon, and Claiborne) are all gone.  Now they have to scramble.  They have needs at corner and wide out, but neither of those are more pressing than their need at QB.  Grossman/Beck is no way to go through a season in the NFL.  Considering the situation, my expectation is we will see the first reach of the draft as the Skins choose Tannehill.  The former Aggie may turn out to be a good QB in the league, but still I see 6 as a bit too high for him.  I’d rather see them trade down a few slots and grab him later.  Unfortunately with Miami and Seattle not far behind in draft order, I don’t see that happening.

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

New Head Coach, Mike Mularkey will have his work cut out for him in Jacksonville, but he has a nice piece at QB in Blaine Gabbert to build around.  Now he needs to look to improve a defense that struggled getting after the QB last year.  Coples is an excellent athlete off the edge, and the best d-lineman on the board.  He will bring a presence that could cornerstone the defense for years to come.

8.       Miami Dolphins – Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

Like the Redskins, the Dolphins biggest need is at QB.  This will lead them into serious discussions with St Louis for the second overall selection.  When those fall apart and Tannehill is already picked too, I see the Phins looking in another direction.  Melvin Ingram was another player who had an excellent combine, and he seems to fit another need of Miami.  Ingram will line up on the outside in a 3-4, and this will allow the team to move Koa Misi inside, and Kevin Burnett to the bench, all of which will make this team better.

9.       Carolina Panthers – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphins

After losing the coin toss to Miami, the Panther will be picking 9^th.  The team has a serious need at corner, but I don’t see anyone still available worth taking this high.  Instead, I think the panthers will focus on shoring up a weak middle which resulted in a very poor run defense last season.  Poe was the combine darling this year.  His freakish athletic ability/size combination will be too much to resist, and will result in him finding himself picked in the top ten.


  

10.   Buffalo Bills – Reily Reiff, OT, Iowa

The projection still hasn’t changed for the Bills.  Although improving, the team still has a few holes that could be filled and I expect them to address the o-line with this pick.  Although reiff is the highest ranked player at a position of need for Buffalo, I do have to say I have some concerns about him.  After a subpar performance at the combine, I watched some more video of him play, and I found myself seeing him miss blocks more often than I remembered.  This pick may come with a bit more risk than I previously thought.

11.   Kansas City Chiefs – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Chiefs are a team could go in many directions with this pick, but adding a guy like Martin would be the best choice for them.  There are a few question marks with Martin, but at this point in the draft he is worth the risk.  If he pans out, he is the type of player that could afford Romeo Crennell the opportunity to move Braden Albert to the right side and give the Chiefs an excellent pair of bookends.

12.   Seattle Seahawks –Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The unfortunate fall of Trent Richardson will end here.  Richardson is easily the best RB of this class, and he grades out higher than all the other backs from last year’s class too.  His fall is more a result of the needs of the teams picking earlier than it is about Richardson himself.  The Hawks may or may not have Lynch back next year, and either way Richardson is an upgrade.  He would give the team a run game they could rely on.  That is of course if no one trades up to grab him first.

13.   Arizona Cardinals – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Cardinals 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

Kirkpatrick is in a heated battle with North Alabama’s Janoris Jenkins for the second spot amongst corners on the board.  Both are physically gifted talents with questions about their character.  In the end, I suspect Kirkpatrick will be deemed the less risky of the two and thus the selection of the Dallas Cowboys.

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

Luke Kuechly did in Indy exactly what he does best.  He simply performed.  This guy brings an awesome work ethic and attitude to the table and will be an immediate upgrade for a disappointing Eagles team who will be looking for answers. 

16.   New York Jets – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Jets are a talented team, but their lack of chemistry really hurt them last season.  Revis is still one of the best corners in the game, but the Jets safeties hurt this team.  Mark Barron was the leader of the National Champion Tide’s outstand defensive unit, and will be an immediate upgrade for this secondary. 

17.   Cincinnati Bengals via Oakland – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Thanks to the Carson Palmer deal, the Bengals have two first rounders to continue to build their franchise.  Losing Jonathan Joseph last season hurt, so adding his replacement should be their priority.  No one questions Jenkins physical talents, however, there are plenty of questions about his character.  This team has taken risks with characters before (TO, Pacman) so Jenkins past may not weigh quite as heavily on this team as it would others.

18.   San Diego Chargers – Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

 The Chargers need help upfront.  Their lack of consistent line play led to Phillip Rivers having his worst season as the Bolts starting QB last year, and for him, and ultimately them to rebound, they will need to handle pressure better.  Cordy Glenn is a man on the rise following an excellent combine.  He proved to many that he is the rare OG worthy of a first round selection and I think he would be a good fit in San D.

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.  He has experience in playing in cold weather, so Chicago could be the perfect fit for this Notre Dame product who solidified himself as the number two WR prospect with his work at the combine.

20.   Tennessee Titans – Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

In past mocks, Courtney Upshaw was long gone by the time the Titans get on the clock.  Now he is available to Tennessee because his stock is falling after performing poorly in Indy.  When the Titans are up there will be a lot of debate between selecting Upshaw versus Clemson DE, Andre Branch who stock is on the rise.  In the end, the Titans will choose the Bama product, and they will be glad they did.  His play for the Tide means more to me than his performance at the combine, and I suspect he will be a very solid pro.

21.   Cincinnati Bengals – David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Before the combine, I was having a hard time finding any other back I liked behind Richardson.  Now there are a few.  The truth is, Richardson is still the class of this group, but David Wilson is no slouch.  He has an excellent combination of size and speed, and I think he can be a good back at the next level.  He holds a slight lead on Lamar Miller, and Doug Martin for the number two spot for backs on my board.

22.   Cleveland Browns via Atlanta – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

After adding RG3, Cleveland will now look to fill holes in the secondary and at RB.  Lamar Miller is the highest rated player in any of those positions available.  He has great speed, and it looks like his injuries aren’t going to hold him back at all.  With Hillis on his way out of Cleveland, Miller can be paired with Montario Hardesty to give Cleveland an exciting, young backfield.

23.   Detroit Lions – Alfonso Denard, CB, Nebraska

The Lions made some excellent strides last year, becoming a playoff team for the first time since the Roosevelt Administration. They have a very high powered offense, and a strong, young group at the front of their defense.  Now they need to shore up that secondary.  Denard comes with some questions about his subpar senior season, and a weak showing at the combine, but is a strong talent nonetheless.  I think he is a risk worth taking for Detroit at this point in the draft.

 

24.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Steelers are typically a team who I have a hard time pegging because the rarely have any holes to fill.  This year is different.  Pittsburgh just said goodbye to a bunch of players who have been long term contributors to this team’s success.  One of those guys, Aaron Smith was quietly one of the best 3-4 d-ends of this era.  Branch is on the rise after a very good combine, and he will be the guy that Pittsburgh looks to, to help bridge this transition.

25.   Denver Broncos – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Despite what the press would have you believe, it was not only 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.  If Cox can come in and help keep opposing linemen off Miller, this defense can go from playoff caliber to championship caliber.

26.   Houston Texans – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Houston Texans are a team to watch as they are very good and getting better.  They really do need another weapon on the other side of Andre Johnson however.  Alshon Jeffery is a guy I have long been high on.  I think he has all of the skills you want in a wide out.  Although not spectacular, his showing at the combine was sufficient to move him into the third spot on the board amongst WRs.  With a healthy Schaub, along with Foster, Tate, Johnson, and now Jeffery… my oh my.

27.   New England Patriots via New Orleans – Zach Brown, LB, New England

Every year the Pats field an excellent ball club, and I think it is because of a combination of having this generation’s best coach on the side line, and all of the draft day gymnastics this team always seem to execute.  Two more first round picks for the Pats will allow for New England to continue to re-stock rather than rebuild.  Zach Brown is a tremendous athlete, and although raw, open to learning.  With the tutelage available to him in New England, he can develop into what I expect to be an excellent force at linebacker.

28.   Green Bay Packers – Whitney Mercillus, DE, Illinois

The Packers really have very few weaknesses, so they can really go in any direction with this pick.  Despite being eliminated from the playoffs early, I still feel Green Bay is the best team in the league.  Adding a guy like Mercillus could make the best even better.  Getting more pressure off the edge is almost always a good thing, and Mercillus could help them do that.

29.   Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Baltimore is another very good team without too many pressing needs.  Unfortunately they have some key players who are getting a bit long in the tooth (Lewis, Reed, Birk) that they need to start to think about replacing.  Birk is coming back for what most expect to be his final season.  Drafting the best center in this year’s class would be a wise investment in this team’s future.

30.   San Francisco 49ers – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Despite a worse than anticipated performance at the combine, Kendall Wright is a fairly luck guy.  His performance was not so bad that it made scouts question all they thought they knew about him.  It also helps that San Fran has such a glaring need at the position.  I don’t know if he will ever grow into a superstar in the league, but I do think he will be a better option than most of what is there for Smith to throw to now.

31.   New England Patriots – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is one of the guys who fell hardest during the combine.  The outstanding performance of Poe, and many of the other DTs shined a bright light on the underperforming Brockers.  His lack of experience is yet another concern, as is the recent draft history of LSU d-linemen.  This has all led to Brockers being downgraded on draft boards.  Having said that, he still looked to be the best player on the field for the Tigers during the national championship game, and with the coaching in New England, he is a worth while risk at this spot.

32.   New York Giants – Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Giants are a tough team to peg because more than anyone they really do stick to the best player available philosophy.  Hightower is an excellent talent in the middle, and I suspect that he will fit the bill as that best player available at this point in the draft.  As scary as this may be for the rest of the league, I think this defense just may get better.

33.   St Louis Rams – Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

34.   Indianapolis Colts – Chris Owusu, WR, Stanford

35.   Minnesota Vikings – Chase Minnefield, CB, Minnesota

36.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Levonte David, LB, Nebraska

37.   Cleveland Browns – Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

38.   Jacksonville Jaguars – Mohamed  Sanu, WR, Rutgers

39.   Washington Redskins – Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

40.   Carolina Panthers – Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

41.   Buffalo Bills – Colby Fleener, TE, Stanford

42.   Miami Dolphins – Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

43.   Seattle Seahawks – Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

44.   Kansas City Chiefs – Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

45.   Dallas Cowboys – David Molk, C, Michigan

46.   Philadelphia Eagles – Devon Still, DT, Penn State

47.   New York Jets – Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia

48.   New England Patriots via Oakland – Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

49.   San Diego Chargers – Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

50.   Chicago Bears – Klechi Osmele, OG, Iowa State

51.   Philadelphia Eagles via Arizona – Billy Winn, DE, Bosie State

52.   Tennessee Titans – Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina

53.   Cincinnati Bengals – Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State

54.   Detroit Lions – Mychal Kendrick, LB, California

55.   Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Washington, OG, Miami

56.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

57.   Denver Broncos – Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

58.   Houston Texans – Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

59.   New Orleans Saints – Kendall Reyes, DT, UConn

60.   Green Bay Packers – Casey Heyward, CB, Vanderbilt

61.   Baltimore Ravens – Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

62.   San Francisco 49ers – Mike Martin, DT, Michigan

63.   New England Patriots – Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

64.   New York Giants – Chris Polk, RB, Washington