Monday, April 30, 2012

Teams 21-25





Yesterday, we look at the bottom seven teams, including my big surprise (the Patriots).  Today we will look at the next set of 5.  These teams, did not have awful drafts, but they did not do enough to improve their franchise this past weekend.  Again, it is almost impossible to assign grades based solely on opinion, but that is what I am challenging myself to do.  So let's keep going.


#25 - St Louis Rams     DPA:2.30   NFL.com Avg:72.34   NFL.com Rank:7
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 2 Pk 7 - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 2 Pk 18 - Isaiah Pead, RB Cincinnati

     The Rams to me were just like the Pats on draft day.  They made some picks I really liked, and they made some picks I really didn't.  And, also like the Pats, I have them rated considerably lower than everyone else in the English speaking world.  I love the risk they took on Janoris Jenkins.  I know he has many thinking about Pacman Jones with all of the trouble he has been in, but he is the most talented corner in this draft, and was taken a full round later than Pacman was in his draft.  I also love the Trumaine Johnson selection too.  As far as weapons for Sammy Bradford goes, adding both Quick and Givens was awesome work.
     But as impressed as I was with those 4 picks, I was equally unimpressed by the picks of Brockers in the first and Pead in the second.  Brockers is a boom-bust type player, and the Rams need him to pan out.  Pead is overrated, and was picked way too high in my book.  Lamar Miller would have been a much better pick at that point in the draft.  He would have been a superior compliment to Jackson, as compared to Pead.


#24 - Dallas Cowboys     DPA:2.37   NFL.com Avg:64.94   NFL.com Rank:27
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 1 Pk 6 - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 4 Pk 40 - Matt Johnson, SS, Eastern Washington

     After making a great big splash in the first, trading up to grab the top rated corner on most boards, the Cowboys had themselves a lackluster weekend.  I like the moxy to trade up to get the guy who was atop their board.  I love the genuine excitement shown by both Jerry Jones and Morris Claiborne about their union.  But after that, the Cowboys stayed pretty average.  The Danny Coale pick has some potential and Tyrone Crawford will make the team, but there was no other standout selections that would make the rest of the NFC East stand up and take notice.


#23 - Washington Redskins     DPA:2.37   NFL.com Avg:66.97   NFL.com Rank:23
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 1 Pk 2 - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
                                     Rd 6 Pk 23 - Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 3 Pk 8 - Josh LeRibeus, OG, SMU

     The Skins made their biggest move prior to the draft even starting, trading up to 2 to land RG3.  I love what this kid brings to the table and Washington will too.  I think that was an awesome move.  In the 6th round they landed Tom Compton, a 4th round caliber OT.  He will be an immediate asset for the Skins too. What held Washington back from a higher DPA was the awful selection of Josh LeRibeus in the third.  I though he was a 6th round talent at best.  Seeing him go that high really made me wonder what the Skins were thinking.

#22 - Atlanta Falcons     DPA:2.38   NFL.com Avg:61.53   NFL.com Rank:30
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 2 Pk 23 - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 3 Pk 28 - Lamar Holmes, OT, Southern Miss
                                     Rd 5 Pk 22 - Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin

     Last year the Falcons sacrificed a lot, including key picks in this year's draft to trade up for Julio Jones.  That left the waiting until late in the second to make their first selection, but it sure was a good one.  Every year, there are players who I have with first round grades who slide into the second, and Peter Konz was one of those guys.  I love o-linemen from Wisconsin, and Konz was rated higher than his teammate Kevin Zeitler who did hear his name called on Thursday night.  For the Falcons to fill a serious need with this kind of talent where they were at was a steal.
     Unfortunately for them, that is where the party ended.  Their next two picks, one in the third, and one in the 5th, netted them two players who I though were huge reaches.  Lamar Holmes had a 6th round grade in my book, and I expected Ewing to go in the 7th, if he were going to get drafted at all.  The team also failed to address finding the heir to Tony Gonzalez at TE, and that could prove costly too.


#21 - New York Jets     DPA:2.38   NFL.com Avg:66.34   NFL.com Rank:26
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 7 Pk 35 - Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 3 Pk 14 - Demario Davis, LB, Arkansas State

     If there is one thing you can say about the Jets, it is that they sure are consistant in the way they evaluate players.  The Tannenbaum/Ryan regime likes making splashy moves, acquiring guys with name recognition and upside over guys who are locker room assets and quality football players. With both pass rushing and o-line needs, the Jets spent their first round pick on Quinton Coples.  His talent is indisputable.  His effort is anything but.  This was yet another swing for the fences type pick, and could result in a home run, or a strikeout.  Stephen Hill, Demario Davis, and Josh Bush all fit that same type of mold too.  Davis was on top of that, also a reach in the third.  The pick I really did like was Antonio Allen.  He also has some upside, but in the 7th round, that is exactly what you should be drafting for.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Bottom 7





Now that the 2012 Draft is in the books, let take stock of how each of the teams did, putting themselves in better position for the future through this weekend's acquisitions.  It is impossible to tell who really did well, and who really struggled until after we can see what type of finished product these kids become, but based on what me know today, or more accurately, what we think we know today, lets take a look.

I have ranked every selection from this weekend's draft with a grade.  These grades are based on what I project the player's skill at, as compared to the position they were drafted in, taking into account both my perception of team need, and alternatives available when the team picked.  The letter grades for each selection were then converted to a numerical equivalent with an "A" earning 4 points, down to an "F" earning 0 points. Pluses to a letter grade added an extra .3 to the points.  Minuses subtracted an extra .3 from the points.  Each of these scores were averaged together to calculate a team's DPA (Draft Point Average).

In addition, this year I will also share where a team ranked according to NFL.com's player selection rankings.  Prior to the draft, the crew at NFL.com assigned each player a total ranking, which ranges from 0, through 100.  The higher the ranking, the better the player (in their eyes).  I have averaged out the NFL.com player ranking for each team too, and when I review the team, I will share the overall NFL.com average, and where that ranks amongst the rest of the league.

Over the next 6 days, I am going to release my review of each team's performance this weekend, working from the lowest score up to the highest based on my calculated DPA.  So lets get to it starting with the bottom 7.

#32 - Seattle Seahawks     DPA:1.76   NFL.com Avg:61.84   NFL.com Rank:29
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 6 Pk 11 - Guy Winston, DB, Kentucky

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 1 Pk 15 - Bruce Irvin, OLB/DE, West Virginia
                                     Rd 5 Pk 19 - Korey Toomer, ILB, Idaho

     Things started off poorly for the Hawks, reaching by 2-rounds to grab Irvin. I think Irvin can develop into an exceptional pass rusher at the pro level, but I think his game is too one-dimentional right now, and his behavioral issues may come back to bit Seattle.  Too much of a risk to take so early.  I know some folks were excited about the Russel Wilson selection, but I am just not sure how he will play out.  I had him as a low fourth/early fifth grade, so round 3, pick 12 is a bit of a reach too.  I do like the Winston pick in the 6th. I think the kid is a play maker, and I expect him to contribute from year one.


#31 - Chicago Bears     DPA:1.83   NFL.com Avg:62.70   NFL.com Rank:28
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 2 Pk 13 - Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 3 Pk 16 - Brandon Hardin, FS, Oregon State
                                     Rd 4 Pk 16 - Evan Rodriguez, FB/TE, Temple

     The Bears had some opportunities that I feel they let slip by during this draft.  I like Shea McClellin as a ball player, but I didn't love the Bears picking him in the 1st.  Sure Briggs is getting older, but the defensive front needed more attention, and the o-line needs to be completely overhauled.  Too much talent was still there at positions of need to take a luxury pick.  I really Like the Alshon Jeffrey pick.  Opposite Brandon Marshall, and Johnny Knox, the Bears have a nice receiving corps now.  Hardin and Rodriguez were throw away picks in the 3rd and 4th.  To address the secondary Chicago should have looked at a Brandon Boykin  in the third, and I am not sure Evan Rodriguez will be a long lasting player on the Bears roster either.


#30 - Oakland Raiders     DPA:2.00   NFL.com Avg:60.52   NFL.com Rank:31
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 5 Pk 33 - Juron Criner, WR, Arizona

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 3 Pk 32 - Tony Bergstrom, OT, Utah

     The Raiders did not have too much to work with.  Their first pick wasn't until the end of the thrid round, and their selection of Tony Bergstrom with a guy like Bobby Massie inexplicably still available was baffling to me.  I felt considering they got started late due to adding Carson Palmer and Tyrell Prior, they needed to make the most out of each and every pick, and I think they failed to do that.  I did like the addition of Juron Criner in the 5th.  He had a late 4th round grade in my book, and I think he can be an immediate addition to a wide receiving corp that had some trouble staying healthy last year.  I like the hire of Reggie Mackenzie as the GM, but I am not yet sold on the results of this draft.



#29 - Denver Broncos     DPA:2.13   NFL.com Avg:66.37   NFL.com Rank:25
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 4 Pk 6 - Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 2 Pk 4 - Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati

     I agreed with John Elway, addressing the d-line was a must, and I even liked the move to trade back out of round 1, but I really did not like the selection of Derek Wolfe.  Some have him rated higher, but I just did not see enough to make me grade him any higher than a 4th round.  With guys like Worthy, Still, and Reyes still all available, I feel this to be a very poor selection.  The rest of the picks felt like average picks, which is not a bad thing.  I am intrigued by the Osweiler pick.  A few years behind Manning could pay huge dividends.  I like Ronnie Hillman, although I think Denver reached a little for him.Phillip Blake could become a starter in the middle in year 1 or 2, Omar Bolden makes a nice heir apparent to Champ Bailey, and I think 7th round pick Danny Trevathan has a great chance of making the roster.  This draft was fairly average, with the Wolfe pick hurting it a bit.


#28 - New Orleans Saints     DPA:2.14   NFL.com Avg:56.58   NFL.com Rank:32

     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 4 Pk 27 - Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 5 Pk 27 - Corey White, SS, Samford

     This has been an exceptionally tough off season for the Saints.  With all that they have had going on, I almost feel like I am piling on.  But the truth is that the Saints didn't do anything exciting at all over the weekend.  I like the addition of Nick Toon, but the Saints are already deep at wide out.  None of the other picks made by the Saints during this draft were memorable in either direction.  Their top pick, Akiem Hicks has some potential, but serious consistency issues.  Not a terrible reach at the back end of the third, but not anything to get too excited about either.


#27 - New England Patriots     DPA:2.23   NFL.com Avg:73.82   NFL.com Rank:4
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 7 Pk 17 - Alfonso Denard, CB, Nebraska

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 3 Pk 32 - Tavon Wilson, FS, Illinois
                                                           Nate Ebner, DB, Ohio State

     I know that I am going to get lambasted for this, but the numbers are what the numbers are.  Any high school kid can tell you, it is very difficult to have a stellar GPA when you have an F on your record.  The Pats did get an F for the Tavon Wilson selection (3-4 rounds too early) and a D for the pick of Nate Ebner, who only played special teams for the Buckeyes.  I did like their work in the first round to get both Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower, but I am slightly concerned about the lack of speed in the middle with Spikes and Hightower.  I loved the pick of Alfonso Denard in the seventh.  In my opinion that could very well be the steal of the draft.


#26 - San Francisco 49ers     DPA:2.24   NFL.com Avg:66.97   NFL.com Rank:23
     Highest Rated Picks: Rd 7 Pk 30 - Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia

     Lowest Rated Picks: Rd 1 Pk 30 - AJ Jenkins, WR, Illinois

     Since making major changes in their front office, I have typically been a fan of what the Niners have been doing to rebuild their roster.  I feel like they are a team on the cusp of greatness, but I am not sold that this year's draft is going to put them over the top.  They had some solid picks, and I love them grabbing Cam Johnson all the way at the bottom of the 7th.  On my board he was a 4th round talent, so I think they got themselves a solid guy at a great value.  Unfortunately, like the Pats, the 49ers overall grade is lower due to a F.  The pick of AJ Jenkins in the first round is worse than the Seahawks Brue Irvin selection.  The Jenkins pick feels like something that the Raiders would have done under Al Davis.  Jenkins is fast.  He is very fast.  but fast and football fast are two different things, and I am not sold on him being football fast.  His stock was rising quickly leading up to draft day, and I think San Fran got caught up in the hype.  To skip Ruben Randle, Stephen Hill, Brian Quick, Ryan Broyles, Mohamad Sanu, and other to grab Jenkins was simply head scratching to me.





Friday, April 27, 2012

2012 Round 3 Recap





As I look over what transpired in the third round, I am more surprised by the guys who are still available as the round comes to a close than I am about the guys who were taken.

Some of the finds I liked the best included Trumaine Johnson to St Louis, Mohamed Sanu to Cincinnati, TY Hilton to the Colts, Brandon Thompson to Cincinnati, and Jayron Hosley to the Giants.  Each of those teams got excellent value by landing these player in the third round.

Some of the picks that left me befuddled included the Jags picking a punter in the third, Josh Leribeus to Washington, Brandon Hardin to Chicago, Bernard Pierce to Baltimore, and Lamar Holmes to Atlanta.  Each of those guys were reaches according to my board.  I had none of those guys rated higher than 5th round grades, so to see them taken in the third is surprising to me.

But as I started with, it is the guys still on the board that surprises me the most.

  • Bobbie Massie earned a 2nd round grade on my board, and for him to be available is stunning.  
  • Lamar Miller was a guy who at times projected as a late first rounder, but finally settled in with a solid second round grade is still available.  
  • I am surprised that former Hurricane OL, Brandon Washington has not been picked yet.  
  • DEs Jared Crick and Billy Winn are both still available.  
  • No one has taken LB Ronnell Lewis, who had a second round grade.  
  • Cs David Molk from Michigan, Phillip Blake from Baylor, and Mike Brewster from Ohio State can all be had on the draft's third day.
  • Antonio Allen, the safety from South Carolina, and Markelle Martin, the safety from OK St are both still available.
  • Former Georgia Bulldog, Orson Charles has yet to hear his name called.

Clearly there are values to be had when the fourth round kicks off tomorrow.  Teams picking early really still have an opportunity to add players who can be have an impact during their rookie season.  Very exciting indeed.

2012 Round 2 Recap





Each year round 2 of the draft is my favorite round. You really get to see how teams think. There are guys who fall out of the first round who are clamored for in the second, and that is very exciting to me. Rather than review all of the picks, I am going to review the selections I really like, and those that I didn't.

Likes
Courtney Upshaw - Baltimore Ravens
   Upshaw was the top talent still on the board after the first round ended.  He is a solid linebacker, and I love how the Ravens identified him as such, and went up to go get him.  Now he will be surrounded by mentors like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, and Terrell Suggs.  Another great pick by Ozzie Newsome.

Andre Branch - Jacksonville Jaguars
   The Jags need to get after the passer better, and after trading up for Blackmon in the first, they grab another value pick in the second.  Branch has the talent to have gone 10-12 picks higher. he can get pressure off the edge.  If he develops some consistency, this could be a great pick.

Janoris Jenkins - St Louis Rams
   Sure, this kid has some behavioral issues, but he may be the most talented corner in this draft.  If he can get his act together, and that is an if, this pick the Rams landed in the RG3 deal may be the steal of the draft. He is fast, can cover, and tackles very well.

Cordy Glenn - Buffalo Bills
   Another guy who should have gone off the board last night.  The Bills need to provide better protection up front, and Glenn's flexibility will allow them to plug him in almost any o-line position and they will get better.

Johnathan Martin - Miami Dolphins
   An absolute steal in the second round, Martin plugs in as an immediate starter on the right side of the Dolphin's line.  I had him projected to go to the Jets in the middle of the first because he has the technique and the experience you need to be successful.

Alshon Jeffery - Chicago Bears
   As regular readers know, I have been high on Jeffery for 2 years now.  I think he is simply a great football player.  The Bears needed bigger guys to work opposite their speed demons.  They added Marshall via trade, and now Jeffery in the draft.  Great work Chicago.

Zach Brown - Tennessee Titans
   Zach Brown is a rare athlete who although raw, I expect will develop into a stud in the NFL.  Tennessee needs speedy defenders, and Brown is exactly that.  With his athleticism, I expect someone to leap on him late in the first.  To land him at 52 is great.

Peter Konz - Atlanta Falcons
   All through Mock Draft season, I pegged Konz to go to the Ravens at the bottom of the first.  1 full round later, he lands on a team who really needs him.  Wisconsin linemen are gold in the NFL, and I am quite surprised that Konz was still available this late.

Lavonte David - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
   The Bucs are having a very good draft.  I had tagged this team to land David early in the second.  Then they traded back up into the first, and gave up their early two.  So for them to trade back into the back of the second and still get David is great work by Mark Dominik.  I love what David brings, and I see him as a Derrick brooks type.  Perfect for the Tampa system.  The fans will love this guy.

Ruben Randle - New York Giants
   Mario Manningham skipped town after the Giants Super Bowl win.  To add a guy like Ruben Randle to replace him is a great decision.  Randle should have gone much higher in the second, so not only do the Giants get a great player who runs great routes and is athletic, but they get value in the selection too.


Dislikes
Derek Wolfe - Denver Broncos
   I know Mel Kiper is high on this guy, but I am not.  I agreed the Broncos needed help up front but I had plenty of DTs rated higher than him who were still available including Jerel Worthy, Devon Still, Kendall Reyes, and Brandon Thompson.  I graded Wolfe as a 4th round selection.  Not a high 2.

Mitchell Schwartz - Cleveland Browns
   My biggest knock against this pick is the talent the Browns left on the board to take Schwartz.  With Cordy Glenn, Jonathan Martin, Bobbie Massie, Zebrie Sanders, and Andrew Datko all still available, I think any of those guys would have been better value.

Tavon Wilson - New England Patriots
   Do the Pats need help in the secondary.  Yes.  But Tavon Wilson had a 5th round grade on my board.  I just don't see what makes this kid special.  After Barron, and then Smith, the safeties in this class are weak.  I think a guy like CB Josh Robinson, or CB Trumaine Johnson would have been much better selections.  I simply think this is New England believing their own hype.

Isaih Pead - St Louis Rams
   The Rams need another back to spell Steven Jackson, but Pead was not the best guy for the job.  Lamar Miller, LaMichael James, Ronnie Hillman, and Robert Turbin all graded out higher than Pead on my board, so I simply don't get it.


Thursday, April 26, 2012

2012 First Round Thoughts





As is always the case I come away from the first round thinking how well some teams did, and how poorly some others did. this year, I am most surprised at how much talent is still going to be there early tomorrow. Courtney Upshaw fell, and I found that surprising. Also, the lack of interest in the o-line surprised me. Guys like Cordy Glenn, Jonathan Martin, and Peter Konz will all get pick by some very luck teams tomorrow. Alshon Jeffery, Stephen Hill, and Ruben Randall will help fill out wide receiving corps tomorrow.

I am very excited to see how things will play out as teams that traded down to add assets will have a lot of options.

Thanks all for reading. I will post a recap of tomorrow, late tomorrow night or on Saturday morning.

2012 Pick 32 - David Wilson





a bit of a surprise here, the Giants leaving Cordy Glenn and Courtney Upshaw on the board. Wilson was my number two running back, ahead of Martin who went one pick earlier. I think this pick makes some sense, in that they need a second back. He is very fast and will provide New York with an additional element to their offense. Leaving behind better options pushes this pick down to a C-.

2012 Pick 31 - Doug Martin





And at 31, the Bucs get back into the mix and grab themselves Doug Martin. I know they need a second back, but they need linebackers more, and with Upshaw still on the board, this is a big miss for them. Blount is better than serviceable, and I am not sure that Martin is a real improvement. For this move, I am giving the Bucs a D.

2012 Pick 30 - AJ Jenkins





And the second head ringer of the night. AJ Jenkins has been moving up boards very quickly, but I had him rated much lower. I think the kid may be good, but I am not convinced. He measured very well, but did not play nearly that well. He is smart and fast, but I just dont see it. I would have picked Jeffrey or Hill instead. I am going to give SF an F.

2012 Pick 29 - Harrison Smith





And Minnesota moves back up into the first round and with their newly acquired pick they grab Harrison Smith. Sure they needed help in the secondary, but I think Smith is a reach here. He may be OK, but I don't see him as an ube-productive pro. I think the Vikes could have stayed put and grabbed him in the second round. Trading up will lower the grade on this pick to a D.

2012 Pick 28 - Nick Perry





This is a GB kind of pick, which is exactly why I had this pick pegged a few Mocks ago. He has great edge speed, and if they can get it from Perry their secondary will look a lot better. I think this may be a slight reach, but not too much. I would have probably gone with Upshaw before Perry, but a pretty good choice. Ill call it a C.

2012 Pick 27 - Kevin Zeitler





The Bengals traded down and are still in position to fill a hole on the o-line. Getting Zeitler and Kirkpatrick is a solid first round. Zeitler is a very solid o-lineman, and I think he could be a good fit. Most of the Wisconsin o-linemen become solid pros. I think this is a safe pick. I would have rather seen them take Cordy Glenn who is more polished and more flexible, but Zeitler is solid. Ill give them a C.

2012 Pick 26 - Whitney Mercilus





Houston's primary need was to find an alternative wide out who can take some of the defense's focus off Andre Johnson. With Wright off the board, the team looks to the defense to replace the production lost with Super Mario and Demeco Ryan leaving town. Mercilus has a good pass rush knack, but he only did it for one year. His instincts are solid, but there is the potential he could return to his pre-senior form. The risk howver is worth the payoff at 26, so this pick get Houston a B.

2012 Pick 25 - Dont'a Hightower





The Pats come out of the first round with both Jones and Hightower. Trading up for the second time lands them another very good ball player. The Pats do what the Pats do, and they again have made themselves a better ball club. Another move I like for the Pats. Solid B.

2012 Pick 24 - David DeCastro





I think this is an excellent pick. Interior linemen aren't typically over drafted, and DeCastro is the rare Guard worthy of a first round selection. The Steelers were weak up front and DeCastro will change that in a hurry. DeCastro + Pouncy = awesome oline for the next decade. Steelers get an A.

2012 Pick 23 - Riley Reiff





the Lions need help in their secondary and up front on the o-line. Most of my Mocks had them looking at Gilmore, who is obviously gone. The obviously aren't that high on Jenkins, so instead they look at Reiff to shore up the o-line. reiff has the potential to be solid, and if he is, this is a win for the Lions. Not too much risk here at 23 either. I give it a B.

2012 Pick 22 - Brandon Weeden





Obviously, where there is smoke there is fire. There has been talk of them being uncertain of Colt McCoy all offseason, but now Brandon Weeden comes to town. As an older QB, he will be expected to come in right away and compete for a starting position. With Wright off the board, I like this pick. They can now wait for the 2nd round to land another WR. I give this a B-.

2012 Pick 21 - Chandler Jones





With the 21st pick the Bengals trade down and that makes sense. I have to say I like that move. I also like this move for New England. Jones has exceptional potential, and his stock has been rising in recent days. I said his rating was close to that of Branch and Mercilus, and now he goes before both. The Pats need a pass rush, and corner help, and Jones immediately improves the pass rush. I give the Pats a B.

2012 Pick 20 - Kendall Wright





There were two primary needs for this team coming into tonight, DE and WR. Kendall Wright is rated as the third best receiver and he will make a nice compliment for Kenny Britt. He has the know-how having started for 4 years at Baylor. For Tennessee, this is a B-.

2012 Pick 19 - Shea McClellin





This is a bit of a surprise. I like McClellin, but not here, and not for the Bears. I think a Jerel Worthy makes a lot more sense. McClellin can be a good OLB in the league, but I am just not loving this pick. Sure, Briggs and urlacher aren't young anymore, and McClellin could be a replacement on the outside, but still, with other, more pressing needs, I give this pick a C.

2012 Pick 18 - Melvin Ingram





This is an excellent selection. Ingram is a very versatile talent. He can play DE, OLB, or MLB. Simply put, he is an excellent defensive football player. With San D having a few needs on their D, I love this match. I think he will be very good, and San D gets an A for landing a player of this talent level at 18.

2012 Pick 17 - Dre Kirkpatrick





I have been saying for some time now, this makes sense. Kirkpatrick does not have huge upside, but I think he is a good fit for this team. He seems like a what you see is what you get type. He reminds me of a Terrance Newman, who they just signed. I think a chance on Jenkins may have paid better dividends, but this is a safer selection. With the speed receivers in the AFC north, Dre's lack of speed could be an issue. I'll give it a C+.

2012 Pick 16 - Quinton Coples





The Jets have needs at pass rusher and OT. Coples has the biggest upside on any player remaining on the board. If he becomes a Julius Peppers type, this will be a steal. He has the talent to be that. Unfortunately, he takes plays off and has questionable attitude. That being said, he fit the Jets perfectly. Ill give them a B.

2012 Pick 15 - Bruce Irvin





Sure, the Hawks need a pass rush, but Irvin at 15 overall. Are you f'in kidding me. He can get after the passer but this is way, way too early for him. If you want upside, go for Coples. I just don't get it. They could have traded down a full round, and still reached for him. Simply crazy!!! I give Seattle an F for this one.

2012 Pick 14 - Michael Brockers





After trading down twice, the Rams pick Michael Brockers. I am not a fan of this pick. I would have much rather seen them grab Melvin Ingram or Courtney Upshaw. Brockers has boom or bust written all over him, and I fear it may be bust. He has upside, no doubt, but if I felt I had to grab a DT I would have preferred Worthy. They could have also tried to trade down again, which I also would have liked better. I give this pick a C.

2012 Pick 13 - Michael Floyd





Arizona needs more weapons to put on the other side of Fitz, and Floyd is that guy. He runs great routes, and has the potential to take over games. On the other side of Fitz, he makes a very, very dangerous number 2. I give it a B. They could have had Melvin Ingram and he would have earned them an A.

2012 Pick 12 - Fletcher Cox





With the 12th pick, Seattle deals down, and Philly comes up to grab Fletcher Cox. In my second to last mock, I had Cox to Philly. Now they trade up to 12 to grab him. Great move for them, as he is a talent and fills the team's primary need. I have him graded higher than Poe, who was selected 1 pick earlier. This move get Phily an A.

2012 Pick 11 - Dontari Poe





Poe is a big body who impressed at the combine. He skyrocketed up boards because of that performance. Having said that, he takes too many plays off, and he did not produce at Memphis the way his combine numbers suggest he could. Romeo Crennel may be able to get a lot out of this kid, and if he does, this will look like a steal. If not, this will be a bust. I can only give this pick a C.

2012 Pick 10 - Stephon Gilmore





The Bills use pick 10 on Stephon Gilmore. I like Gilmore, but I think 10 is a bit of a reach for this kid. He could be very good, but there is a little risk here. I will give this pick a B. He can use some work in his coverage fundamentals, but he is a good athlete, and is still a little raw.

2012 Pick 9 - Luke Kuechly





I like this pick quite a lot. I most recently predicted Fletcher Cox, but I think Kuechly can be a stud. I think he immediately makes Carolina better. Up until I wrote the last mock I was thinking Kuechly to Carolina. Kuechly and Beason and Davis make this a fast, dangerous linebacking corp. I give them an A.

2012 Pick 8 - Ryan Tannehill





Miami needs a signal caller and Tannehill has a great potential. Miami must know he is not ready to step in day one, but if they have some patients, he could be good. It is a bit of a reach, but I'll give it a B.

2012 Pick 7 - Mark Barron





The Bucs trade down to 7 and choose Mark Barron. I like Barron, but I don't love this pick. I think a better choice would have been Kuechly. Having said that Barron is a hitter, and the Bucs secondary could really use a player like this. Not an A+ pick. Only an A.

2012 Pick 6 - Morris Claiborne





The Rams missed on landing Blackmon, and thus they deal the pick to the Cowboys. They give up a 2, and they land Morris Claiborne to continue to rebuild the secondary. He is a great talent, but the cost was a bit high. The Rams however continue to build draft assets. I love what they are doing.

2012 Pick 5 - Justin Blackmon





And with the 5th pick the Bucs have dealt it to Jacksonville. They land the receiving target they have been after for so long. I like this move too. I admire all of the teams doing what they need to to get better now.

2012 Pick 4 - Matt Kalil






Despite the smoke screen, the Vikes add Kalil. He makes the most sense. They need to keep their investment from a year ago, Ponder, upright if he stands any chance of being successful.

2012 Pick 3 - Trent Richardson






Cleveland has many needs, but none bigger than RB. Need filled. Trent Richardson is the real deal and will be a great asset for the Browns.

2012 Pick 2 - Robert Griffin III






Another pick without any mystery. The Skins paid a lot to trade up for a guy who in almost any other year goes first overall. Gotta love this move by Washington.

2012 Pick 1 - Andrew Luck






As has been known for some time now, Andrew Luck goes to the Colts.  Best QB in a generation replacing the previous best QB of a generation.  Huge shoes to fill, but if anyone is up for the task, Luck is that guy.

2012 Draft Night Live Blog







Welcome to the 2012 Live Draft Blog.  Stay tuned tonight for instant analysis of each pick.  And we are going to start things off with some big news.  Minnesota has traded the 3rd overall pick to Cleveland.  The Browns have moved up one spot to secure the services of Trent Richardson.

This was an excellent move for Minnesota.  They move down one spot and will still land one of the two players they want, Kalil or Claiborne.  They also add some additional assets.

The Browns pay something to make sure they land Richardson, who I have pegged all offseason long as the right fit for them.

There are additional ramifications here.The jags could now look to deal with Minnesota for the 4th pick to secure Blackmon, and Miami is now in prime position to land Tannehill if he is the guy the want.

An hour out, and we already have the excitement.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Mailbag 4-24-12







Time for the final mailbag before the draft.  I wonder what these questions will be about...


Whats Up EZ,
    Bro, all of your drafts have my Bucs looking a Mo Claiborne going to them in the first.  Let's just say Minnesota jumps on him at 3.  What do we do then?  What other options are there?

Aaron T - Tampa, FL

Aaron,
    Sure, I'll bite.  Lets pretend that Minnesota does in fact either select Claiborne, or make a move so someone else can grab him.  If this happens, the Bucs still have quite a few options too look at.  Obviously, trading down and grabbing additional assets is always something too look at, but my guess is that you wanted some player names, so again, lets assume they stay put.  The most obvious name to look at for them would be Trent Richardson.  He is an elite prospect who immediately would change the look of this whole Tampa offense.  I like Blount, but he is no Richardson.  If Trent is still available, they would most definitely look there.  Obviously, I had him going at 4 to Cleveland though, so lets look further.  The Bucs secondary needs a lot of help and with Claiborne gone, that brings us to the next in line at corner, Stephon Gilmore.  It also brings the top safety, Mark Barron into play.  Both of these guys could be good adds, and Barron would even project as a starter from day 1.  Unfortunately, at 5, I see both of these guys as reaches.  

   Another name to consider would be Matt Kalil.  If Minnesota passes on him, Tampa could look to add the best tackle in this draft.  Sure Donald Penn is getting the job done, but how much better would this offense be if they moved Penn to the right side, and inserted Kalil on the left?

    Finally, I would suggest a surprise name here too.  I think the sneaky pick here, and possibly the best one, would be to choose Luke Kuechly.  The Bucs need linebackers, and there is none better in this draft than the BC product.  Again, he becomes a day one starter, and I think his upside and consistency would be very attractive to Mark Dominick. At 5, Kuechly is not as much a reach as either Barron, or Gilmore, and he fits the system perfectly.

Thanks Aaron.




E,
     Every year at the draft, ESPN always shows some dude who was supposed to go really early, sitting in the Green Room, waiting to hear his name called.  Who is the guy most likely this year to slide?

Clayton R - Atlanta, GA

Hey Clayton...
    You are absolutely right.  Every year someone who was expected to go high, inevitably drops.  Sometimes it is hard to pick who it will be though.  This year, is one of those years.  I think if I were to have a gun at my head, I'd guess Ryan Tannehill.  Right now, he is getting pub as a possible 3-4 selection depending on if Minnesota trades, or if Cleveland wants him.  Then there is the Phins at 8 who seem to like him a bunch.  I have also heard that he would fall past Seattle if he fell to 12.  Still, he strikes me as a guy who may be hot today, that teams may cool on over the next 48 hours.  If he does slip past Seattle at 12, I could easily see him falling all the way to Denver.

    Matt Kalil is an interesting name to watch too.  I think Minnesota would be silly to pass on him at 3, but if they do, there is no guarantee he would get scooped up by either Tampa or St Louis.  Miami would look hard at him at 8, and then Buffalo at 10 I would estimate to be his floor.

    Because of his position, Trent Richardson could slip a bit.  Teams seem more reluctant to take a back high, but he really is a special player.  If Cleveland passes, both Tampa and St Louis would have tough decisions to make.  Then, Miami, KC, and Seattle could all take a look.  I have a hard time imagining him falling that far though.

    Finally, both Quinton Coples, and Melvin Ingram could be candidates to fall.  Coples has immense upside, but comes with a lot of risk.  I am already projecting him to slide to Seattle at 12, but if they pass, he could fall into the 20's.  Melvin Ingram I like, but he too could slide.  I think the Cards, Jets, and Eagles would both look hard at him in the teens, but then he too could find himself looking at a 20-something draft spot.

Thanks for the question Clayton.



Mr EZ...
    So yet again you have dissed my boy Chandler Jones, dropping him into the 2nd round.  Some of the real experts show him going in round 1. What do you have against him?


Brad L - Freeport, NY

Mr Brad...
    I have absolutely nothing against Chandler Jones.  In fact, he is on my upside list, because I think he could develop into a much better player at the pro level.  Having said that, I do my Mocks primarily based on team need as compared to player grade.  Jones is very, very closely rated to both Andre Branch, and Whitney Mercilus.  It was almost a toss up as to which 2 I though would go late in round 1, and which one would slip into the second.  It would not surprise me one bit to hear the Commish announce Chandler's name on Thursday night.  If he were to go mid-teens or higher, I would think that to be a reach, but anywhere from 15 down make perfect sense.  He is exactly the kind of player that someone will fall in love with and trade back up into round 1, or down from an early round 1 position to secure.

Thanks for the awesome question Brad.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Final 2012 Mock Draft





This is the final EZFootballFutures mock draft before the big show this week.  So before we look at this final mock, let’s just take a second to remember the rules governing how these mocks get built.  I go through each pick, and I pretend I am the GM making the call.  I compare my player ratings, with my interpretation of team needs, and then I make a selection.  This is not meant to be a prediction of what I think will actually transpire this weekend, but instead, it is a view of what I think each team should do to improve, based on what has already happened.  So, for all who read all offseason with me, thanks, and enjoy the reading.  I will as has become the custom, produce a recap/evaluation of each team’s draft next week, and then it will be on to the “Way-Way-Way Too Early Mock” of the 2013 affair.  Thanks again to all of you who read this.

1.       Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
All of the mystery is gone now that the Colts have announced that they will select Andrew Luck with the first overall pick.  As I (and every other prognosticator) have been saying all draft season, Luck is the sure fire number one selection, because he has all of the intangible you want, plus all of the measurable and visuals too.  He is simply the best prospect since the ‘80s to come out of college.





2.       Washington Redskins via St. Louis – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
As if it was really a question before, Washington is now almost certain to grab the Heisman trophy winner with this pick.  They gave up a lot to move up to number two, and they did it to get a quarterback to lead this franchise for the next decade.  RG3 has a rare skill set and a quarterback first mentality.  He has all of the tools to be successful, and should make the Skins a factor again soon.





3.       Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC
So all of the current draft buzz is about the Vikings possibly passing on Matt Kalil.  Bottom line, don’t believe it.  It is a smokescreen, designed to promote uncertainty and possibly drive up the price for a team looking to move up.  The Vikes are rumored to be considering Morris Claiborne or Justin Blackmon with this pick.  Both are skilled players at positions of need, but neither will pay the immediate, nor long term dividends that Kalil will.  Besides, they took Ponder early last year, and he needs to be kept upright for a chance to be successful.



4.       Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Cleveland is still the first major question mark of the 2012 draft.  What they do with this pick will sway the rest of the first round and beyond.  Arguments will be made for Justin Blackmon, Trent Richardson, and Ryan Tannehill.  At the end of the day however, Richardson is the best prospect of the three and has the potential to make the quickest impact of any of these three.  In 2007 the team passed on Adrian Peterson.  I don’t see them doing that again.




5.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Some have said that with Barber returning to Tampa, and the addition of free agent CB, Eric Wright, the Bucs should look in a different direction with this pick.  I agree that if the opportunity is there to trade down, Tampa should look carefully at it, however, my expectation is the Bucs still choose Claiborne.  He is the best corner in this draft, and even with Barber returning, this is a sound investment.  Tampa can look to move Ronde to safety this season, getting him, Talib, and Claiborne on the field together, and use Wright as the nickel corner he really is.


6.       St Louis Rams via Washington – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
What a phenomenal off season thus far for St Louis.  First they land their coach in Jeff Fisher.  Then they get a king’s ransom from Washington for the second pick.  In free agency they landed two fantastic additions in Cortland Finnegan and Scott Wells, and now they are in position to fill their hole at wide out with the draft’s top option in Blackmon.  With the haul from Washington, this team will be contenders again in no time flat.




7.       Jacksonville Jaguars – Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
The Jaguars coaches and front office made it apparent they wanted nothing to do with Tim Tebow, and as a result, he chose to go to New York.  It made it very clear to me that Gene Smith is truly calling the shots in Jacksonville.  That being said, I now expect him to take the safer DE in Melvin Ingram.  Ingram lacks the upside of Quinton Coples, but he is the safer pick.  Considering recent picks like Alualu, it indicates to me that Smith prefers the safer, players with good technique and character to guys with greater upside and risk.  Ingram is very talented, and he does represent the best chance to fill Smith’s mold.


8.       Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, TAMU
Miami is still looking for answers at QB, and new OC, Mike Sherman’s former QB at TAMU will be the man to get the call.  Some are calling for Miami to trade up to ensure they get him, but I think paying what it would take would be a mistake.  Tannehill comes with some risk, and trading a lot to grab him begs the questions, “why not have tried harder to grab Griffin at 2 then?”  If he is off the board by 8, look at Fletcher Cox, Quinton Coples, or a trade down from the Phins.




9.       Carolina Panthers – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Fletcher Cox is one of the two most talked about prospects as the draft begins (Luke Kuechly being the other).  With both of these guys, there is good reason for that.  I have gone back and looked at tape of both, and I now like both even more.  Cox has leaped all other competitors for the number one spot amongst DTs in the class.  Both corner and wide out are bigger needs for the Cats but Cox provides the best value at this point in the draft.




10.   Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
The more I think about it, the more I like what the Bills defensive front is going to look like.  With Super Mario now in the fold, the whole defense will look better.  Another outside linebacker is still a need, and as such Courtney Upshaw from Alabama will garner some discussion.  After the debate however, GM Buddy Nix will make Reiff his choice.  Adding someone who can potentially anchor the front is important if Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson, and the rest of the Bills offense is going to succeed.  Reiff will hopefully be that guy for this team.



11.   Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
Coming into free agency, the two biggest needs for KC were at RT and TE.  Both have been filled with the additions of Eric Winston, and Kevin Boss.  Brandon Carr left town for Dallas, and this makes CB a need now, but with a need at ILB, and the skills of Kuechly, KC will happily make this pick.  Kuechly is a tackling machine, and he brings a fantastic work ethic with him.  He will be very popular both on the field and in the locker room, and KC is a team on the move.




12.   Seattle Seahawks –Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Coples has very impressive upside, but seems to lack the consistency that one expects of a top ten pick.  There is no question about his ability to seal the edge, and provide a pass rush presence as well, and those are the biggest needs for the Seahawks now that they have added Matt Flynn under center.  Coples has the potential to be a Julius Peppers like contributor, but he could also wind up a bust.  The Hawks will roll the dice on this one though, as his potential will be too irresistible.




13.   Arizona Cardinals – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
Arizona is a team stuck in between.  They are better than bad, but they still have too many holes to be good.  Two big holes exist at linebacker and at wide out. This makes the choice between Courtney Upshaw and Michael Floyd. Linebacker is the larger need, and Upshaw plays better than he measures. Some teams are down on him because of that, but if the Cards pull the trigger on Upshaw they will be getting a good football player, who will make this team better.




14.   Dallas Cowboys – Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Last year the Cowboys secondary was a real liability.  They clearly noticed that, and have been aggressive this offseason in trying to reshape this unit.  They parted with longtime corner Terrance Newman, and they added playmakers Brandon Carr and Brodney Pool to replace him.  Mark Barron will be another addition to this group.  He has the potential to be a great safety in the league.  Not only does he have the on-field skills, but his leadership will be valuable in the Dallas locker room too.  Offensive lineman, David DeCastro and Cordy Glenn will get some consideration too, but Barron will make the bigger impact, and Jerry Jones loves to make a splash.


15.   Philadelphia Eagles – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
The Eagles were a big disappointment last year, and now they have to put up wins, or there will be wholesale changes.  They need some help at linebacker, both inside and out.  Trading for Demeco Ryans was a steal, and there are no outside backers worth reaching for here.  Instead, the team will look to firm up the middle of the front by adding Poe.  Poe was the darling of the combine with his super performance and his stock soared immediately following.  Now that some time has passed however, scouts, pundits, and me have had more time to re-examine his game tape, and at the end of the day, his tape just doesn’t match the combine output.  I think Poe could be good, but my expectation is instead that he will bust.  He is falling on my board, but I expect he could be grabbed by the Eagles here.  LSU DT, Michael Brockers will also get some looks by Phily here, but I’m not any more excited about him being pick here either.


16.   New York Jets – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
After having landed LeRon Landry at safety this offseason, the Jets have addressed one of their two most glaring needs.  Now, GM Tannenbaum can focus on keeping their newly extended QB, and the most popular backup EVER performing under center.  Jonathan Martin is the best prospect remaining in a position to do just that, and I think they need to make this pick here.  Adding Martin to a line that already includes Da’Brick and Mangold could turn this unit into a strength immediately.




17.   Cincinnati Bengals via Oakland – David DeCastro, G, Stanford
Thanks to the Carson Palmer deal, the Bengals have two first rounders to continue to build their franchise.  Corner is no doubt this team’s biggest need, and with Kirkpatrick, Jenkins, and the fast rising Stephon Gilmore all available, the team will have a lot to look at.  DeCastro falling however will change the overall outlook.  The team needs to better protect new QB Andy Dalton, and DeCastro make the front unit better immediately.  I see them grabbing DeCastro here, and rolling the dice that one of the corners they like will be there for them when they pick later in the round.



18.   San Diego Chargers – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
The Bolts need some help in the interior of that o-line, and after the defection of Jackson to Tampa Bay, they had a hole at wide out too.  Notre Dame WR, Michael Floyd would have been a consideration had the team not signed both Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal.  Cordy Glenn will also be a consideration, but with their largest hole being at corner the Bolts will choose Gilmore.  Gilmore has been rocketing up boards, and now has eclipsed both Kirkpatrick and Jenkins as the number two corner on my board.  He has better upside than Kirkpatrick, and is a safer selection than Jenkins. 


19.   Chicago Bears – Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
For most of my previous mocks, I pegged the Bears to land Michael Floyd from Notre Dame.  Then they went out and added Brandon Marshall via trade with Miami.  We can now consider that need filled.  Now the Bears will look at o-linemen, corners, and a DT.  Of those positions, It will come down to Jerel Worthy, Dre Kirkpatrick, Janoris Jenkins, and Cordy Glenn.  Worthy disappointed at the combine, but redeemed himself in a big way at his pro-day.  With good position in round two, and a very deep group at corner in this class, those needs can wait.  Worthy was very productive during his time in Lansing, and I expect him to bring something to the front seven of this Bears defense.


20.   Tennessee Titans – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
If the board does fall as I have it listed, Tennessee will be very happy.  They do need a pass rusher more than a wide out right now, but Michael Floyd’s stock is on the rise, with some experts even having him going in the top ten.  Floyd has everything you want in a wide out including the hands, speed, and body control.  He can take over games which is a valuable rarity for players at the position, and thus he will become the Titans choice over pass rushers like Andre Branch and  Whitney Mercillus.




21.   Cincinnati Bengals – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
After adding DeCastro with their previous selection, the team’s gamble to still land one of their top corners pays off.  Although he has fallen to the third spot amongst corners in this class, Kirkpatrick will be a risk the Bengals are willing to take.  He projects as a safety on some boards, and although he lacks the athleticism of either Gilmore or Jenkins, he does bring good ball skills, and experience playing in a winning program. 





22.   Cleveland Browns via Atlanta – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
With their first pick in this draft, Cleveland passed on the premiere wide out to grab the premiere running back.  Now with their second pick in this round, they are still in position to land a great weapon at wide out.  Wright disappointed at the combine, but killed it at his pro day.  He has exceptional upside, and across from Greg Little, gives the Browns a nice young pair of wide outs to build around and some weapons for their QB of the future, regardless of whom that may be.




23.   Detroit Lions – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
In my opinion, corner is the biggest need for this team.  Janoris Jenkins has amazing potential and my eventually turn out to be the best corner from this class, even ahead of a guy like Morris Claiborne.  Unfortunately, Jenkins comes with a whole lot of baggage with him.  Now that Detroit is seemingly having behavioral issues with some of their other youngsters, Jenkins could represent too much of a risk to take.  But considering the improvement the team made on the field last season, I think Jenkins’ upside will prove too tempting to pass.


 
24.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Donta Hightower, LB, Alabama
This has been a tough offseason thus far for the Steelers.  First the team parts ways with some key veterans, including James Farrior and Aaron Smith, and then they have Hines Ward retire.  Hightower has had a very nice offseason thus far, and he is flashing the potential to be a long time contributor to the middle of a defense in the NFL for many years.  He may not have upside that some would like, but a strong effort which generates reliable results is exactly what the Steelers look for, and it is what Hightower brings.



25.   Denver Broncos – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Manning is in the fold, Tebow is in New York, and now they have given Peyton some weapons to play with too.  Andre Caldwell, Jacob Tamme, and Joel Dressen have all come to town, and although none of these guys will knock your socks off, they are all serviceable.  This will preclude the team from taking the Stanford TE, Fleener, as once projected, and instead allow them to continue to build that defense.  Von Miller was a sensation last season, and with a little help the defense could be very good.  Brockers is another boom-or-bust type prospect, but he currently maintains a tentative hold on the fourth position amongst d-tackles on my board over Devon Still and Kendall Reyes.  If he pans out, this will be great for Denver.


26.   Houston Texans – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
When the Texans come on the clock, it will come down to a decision between Penn State DT, Devon Still, UConn DT Kendall Reyes, and Alshon Jeffery, the wide out from South Carolina.  The Texans desperately need another weapon for them to throw to other than Andre Johnson, and Jeffery showed the potential all year to be a big time receiving threat.  There have been questions about him all through the pre-draft process, but the bottom line on this kid is that he is a player.  I like what he brings to the table, and after picking him here, I think Matt Schaub and the rest of the Texans offense will like it too.


27.   New England Patriots via New Orleans – Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
The flexibility that New England shows on draft day is a hallmark of this organization.  They typically show excellent patients and allow the draft to come to them, trading down frequently to add more picks.  In this scenario, the Pats will be the beneficiaries of the this year’s flow, and by staying put, they land themselves an exceptional prospect in Cordy Glenn.  O-line is not the biggest area of need for this team, but Glenn is too talented a prospect to let pass.  If one of the corners were to fall, the Pats would also look carefully at them too.



28.   Green Bay Packers – Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
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.  The defense was a little disappointing at times last year mainly in their secondary.  Finding someone to put pressure on opposing signal callers, other than Clay Mathews will be one of the fastest ways to make this secondary look better.  Branch flashes huge ability coming off the edge, and has had himself an impressive pre-draft run thus far.



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 – Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
The 49ers are a very good team, right on the cusp of becoming great.  For many of my previous mocks I had this team looking at wide out with this pick.  The team added both Randy Moss and Mario Manningham this offseason however, and now I expect them to be able to look in any direction.  The speedy Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech will be a consideration to further shore up the receiving corps, but in the end, I expect this team to look for the best option available.  Zach Brown has freakish athletic ability and although raw makes the most sense.  He can come onto a defense that is already one of the league’s best, and learn from some of the top players in the game, developing into his full potential.


31.   New England Patriots – Whitney Mercillus, DE, Illinois
Previous mocks had the Pats grabbing a pass rusher with their first pick in the draft as I believe this is the biggest area of need for the team.  With the team getting lucky, and landing Glenn with their previous pick, I now expect them to go for that pass rusher.  Mercillus had an exceptional season last year for the Illini, and if that represents a preview of things to come, the Patriots will have had quite the first round haul.  Of course, the team will also look to deal this pick too, and if that were to happen, I would not be at all surprised.



32.   New York Giants – Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford 
The Giants are a tough team to peg because more than anyone they really do stick to the best player available philosophy.  After running a 4.4 at his pro-day, Fleener is the best player still available.  It doesn’t hurt that the G-men have a need at TE, and that Martellus Bennet has proven to be somewhat unreliable.  Going into next season with this pair of TE options will certainly make the younger Manning happy.





33.   St Louis Rams – Devon Still, DT, Michigan State
After flirting with Cox in the first, the Rams will grab the first round talent Still, with the first pick of round two.

34.   Indianapolis Colts – Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma
Fleener would be the selection if still available.  Otherwise, Lewis will be selected to be a defensive player the team can build around.

35.   Minnesota Vikings – Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
The Vikings will add the vertical threat to provide another weapon to Ponder and add security for when Percy Harvin misses time again.

36.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Levonte David, LB, Nebraska
I love the way this kid plays the game.  He is a perfect fit for a WLB in a 4-3, and the Bucs have a serious need in their linebacking corp.

37.   Cleveland Browns – Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
Weeden was very productive in college, and although he is a bit older than most prospects, he has the maturity to come in a push Colt McCoy for playing time immediately.

38.   Jacksonville Jaguars – Ruben Randall, WR, LSU
The Jaguars still are searching for an answer at Wide Out, and Randall has the right skill set for the job.

39.   St Louis Rams via Washington – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Adams has some question marks, but no more than the rest of the St Louis front right now.  He could be an upgrade if he puts it all together.

40.   Carolina Panthers – Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
The Panthers need to be able to shut down the pass and Hosley is the next best prospect on the board. 

41.   Buffalo Bills – Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State
Quick is one of the fast rising prospects in this draft, and some even have him breaching the first round.  The Bills need another weapon opposite Stevie J.

42.   Miami Dolphins – Bobbie Massie, OT, Ole Miss
The right side of the Miami line is in shambles, and Massie could step in as a starter from day 1.

43.   Seattle Seahawks – Shea McClellin, LB, Boise State
The Seahawks need to play better defense, and pairing McClellin with Coples will help offset the loss of David Hawthorne.

44.   Kansas City Chiefs – Alfonso Denard, CB, Nebraska
A less than stellar Senior season, paired with a recent arrest has Denard falling.  KC could land a good talent here to replace Brandon Carr.

45.   Dallas Cowboys – Chandler Jones, DE, Clemson
Jones could develop into one of the best pure pass rushers in the league in a few years.  Paired with Ware, this could make the rest of the NFC East very nervous.

46.   Philadelphia Eagles – Nick Perry, DE, USC
Perry is a flexible defender who can play up or with his hand in the dirt.  The Phily defense needs to improve, and their round 1 selection and Demeco Ryans, they will have done just that.

47.   New York Jets – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
Mark Sanchez needs reliable receivers who he doesn’t hate.  Sanu would provide a nice alternative to Holmes.

48.   New England Patriots via Oakland – Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida
The Pats may have been in the Super Bowl, but their pass defense was at the bottom of the league.  Robinson is blazing fast and may help this unit immediately.

49.   San Diego Chargers – Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin
Wisconsin o-linemen are pure gold, and Zeitler will be another one.  For a Bolts unit needing help up front, this is a great pairing.

50.   Chicago Bears – Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State
The Bears have problems keeping Cutler upright, and Silatolu will start the remedy. 

51.   Philadelphia Eagles via Arizona – David Molk, C, Michigan
After having addressed defense with the first two picks, they can now begin the work of building a better front to protect Vick and McCoy.

52.   Tennessee Titans – Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
Getting additional pressure on opposing QBs is an absolute priority for the Titans going into this draft.

53.   Cincinnati Bengals – Kendall Reyes, DT, UConn
Reyes is a borderline first round talent, and for the Bengals to land him here is an absolute steal.

54.   Detroit Lions – Mychal Kendrick, LB, California
Kendrick has the potential to develop into a stud MLB, and he will fit right into this new look Lions defense.

55.   Atlanta Falcons – Kelechi Osmele, G, Iowa State
The Dirty Birds need to get stronger on their front line, and Osmele is a guy who could provide a presence for a long time.

56.   Pittsburgh Steelers – David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
With the injury to Mendenhall and his impending free agency, it is imperative for Pittsburgh to find another back to carry the load.

57.   Denver Broncos – Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
Sure, signing Manning was nice, but does anyone believe that he will be around for more than two or three years at the most.  Aaron Rodger sat for four and look at him now.

58.   Houston Texans – Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
Thompson will provide a presence for the defensive front that could use an infusion of young talent.

59.   New Orleans Saints – Selection Forfeited Due to Bountygate

60.   Green Bay Packers – Chase Minnefield, CB, Minnesota
Green Bay could use some youth at the corner position to learn from the exceptional veteran Charles Woodson as he enters the twilight of his career.

61.   Baltimore Ravens – Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
With the retirement of Ricky Williams, the Ravens need another back that can spell Ray Rice.

62.   San Francisco 49ers – Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame
Smith is the next best safety prospect after Barron, and the Niners have the luxury of selecting their best player available.

63.   New England Patriots – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
The Pats need someone to replace the Law Firm, and Miller can challenge Vereen for the role.

64.   New York Giants – Chris Polk, RB, Washington
With Brandon Jacobs gone, a strong bodied back to split time with Bradshaw would be a valuable addition.

65.   Indianapolis Colts – Dewayne Allen, TE, Clemson
66.   St Louis Rams – Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma
67.   Minnesota Vikings – Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana
68.   Cleveland Browns – Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina
69.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers – George Lloka, S, Boise State
70.   Washington Redskins – Brandon Washington, G, Miami
71.   Jacksonville Jaguars – Brandon Taylor, S, LSU
72.   Buffalo Bills – Bruce Irvin, LB, West Virginia
73.   Miami Dolphins – Orson Charles, TE, Georgia
74.   Dolphins via Chicago via Carolina – Phillip Thomas, S, Syracuse
75.   Kansas City Cheifs – Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
76.   Seattle Seahawks – Casey Heyward, CB, Vanderbilt
77.   Philadelphia Eagles – Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
78.   New York Jets – Sean Spence, LB, Miami
79.   San Diego Chargers – Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska
80.   Chicago Bears– Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma
81.   Arizona Cardinals – Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
82.   Dallas Cowboys – Phillip Blake, C, Baylor
83.   Tennessee Titans – Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State
84.   Cincinnati Bengals – LeMichael James, RB, Oregon
85.   Atlanta Falcons – LaDarius Green, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette
86.   Detroit Lions – Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State
87.   Pittsburgh Steelers – Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
88.   Denver Broncos – Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State
89.   Houston Texans – Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas
90.   New Orleans Saints – Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
91.   Green Bay Packers – Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State
92.   Baltimore Ravens – Audie Cole, LB, North Carolina State
93.   San Francisco 49ers – Chris Owusu, WR, Stanford
94.   New England Patriots – Demario Davis, LB, Arkansas State
95.   New York Giants – Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas
96.   Oakland Raiders – Billy Winn, DE, Bosie State

97.     St Louis Rams – Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
98.     Indianapolis Colts – Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State
99.     Minnesota Vikings – Jeff Allen, G, Illinois
100. Houston Texans via Philadelphia via Tampa – Mitchell Schwartz, OT, California
101. Cleveland Browns – Tank Carder, LB, Texas Christian
102. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jonathan Massaquoi, DE/OLB, Troy
103.  Washington Redskins – Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
104.  Miami Dolphins – Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
105.  Carolina Panthers – Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
106.  Buffalo Bills – Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
107.  Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (OH)
108.  Kansas City Chiefs – Senio Kelemente, OT, Washington
109.  Denver Broncos via Jets – Ben Jones, C, Georgia
110.  Washington Redskins via Oakland – Alameda Ta’amu, DT, Washington
111.  San Diego Chargers – Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State
112.  Chicago Bears – James Brown, OT, Troy
113.  Arizona Cardinals – Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn
114.  Dallas Cowboys – T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International
115.  Philadelphia Eagles – Josh Kaddu, LB, Oregon
116.  Tennessee Titans – Janzen Jackson, S, McNeese State
117.  Cincinnati Bengals – William Vlachos, C, Alabama
118.  Detroit Lions – Ryan Miller, G, Colorado
119.  Cleveland Browns via Atlanta – Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia
120.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Coryelle Judie, CB, TAMU
121.  Denver Broncos – Dwight Bentley, CB, UL-Lafayette
122.  Houston Texans – Aaron Henry, S, Wisconsin
123.  New Orleans Saints – Brandon Lindsey, DE, Pittsburgh
124.  Green Bay Packers – Lucas Nix, G, Pittsburgh
125.  Buffalo Bills via Baltimore – Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri
126.  San Francisco 49ers – Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinatti
127.  New England Patriots – Christian Thompson, S, South Carolina
128.  New York Giants – Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
129.  Minnesota Vikings – Kheeston Randall, DT, Texas
130.  Oakland Raiders – Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
131.  Baltimore Ravens – Nate Potter, G, Boise State
132.  New York Giants – Josh Chapman, DT, Alabama
133.  Green Bay Packers – Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
134.  Green Bay Packers – Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota
135.  Minnesota Vikings – James Hanna, TE, Oklahoma
136.  Dallas Cowboys – Ryan Steed, CB, Furman