Here is my final 1st round mock prior to the draft. If I change the pick, I'll explain why, otherwise I'm running out of time to write, so please revert to my previous mock for pick analysis. I've included trades in this one to make it more fun.
Here we go,
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck (QB Stanford)
Obviously no change here.
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III (QB Baylor)
The Redskins actually made this official earlier today, so the Vikings are unofficially on the clock.
3. New York Jets: Trent Richardson (RB Alabama) (Projected trade with Vikings)
This is where it gets fun ladies and gentlemen. I doubt this is actually how this pick goes down, but I couldn't resist. If the Vikings stay where they are, I'm switching my pick to Morris Claiborne over Matt Kalil. But Minnesota is reportedly looking for trades and will field offers once they're on the clock. I think the only teams looking to move up would be the Dolphins for Tannehill (though I really doubt it), or any team high enough on Richardson who wants to jump in front the Browns at 4. The Jets make sense to me, given the fact that they've traded up before in the Rex Ryan era (see Mark Sanchez). The cost though could be reminiscent of the Falcons trade for Julio Jones... meaning it would cost them a lot.
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon (WR Oklahoma State)
With Richardson gone, I could see them trading back if they don't like Blackmon. But I think they realize they need a playmaker on offense, as trading out of the top 10 each year will never improve a bad team.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne (CB LSU)
They'll consider Kalil but their need at CB is far more critical than the offensive line.
6. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil (OT USC)
s the better player. They'd still be very happy to bring in a guy to take over the blind side that can keep Sam Bradford off his ass.
s the better player. They'd still be very happy to bring in a guy to take over the blind side that can keep Sam Bradford off his ass.
7. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox (DT Mississippi St.) (Projected trade with Jaguars)
He's the best DT in this class and the Eagles certainly have the fire power to move up. They've shown interest and I think the two guys they want most are he and Luke Kuechly. From the Jaguars point of view, I could see them staying where they are taking Stephon Gilmore. What makes the move great for both sides is that they can probably still get Gilmore at 15 while stockpiling picks.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd (WR Notre Dame) (Projected trade with Dolphins)
If the Browns pass on Tannehill, I don't see anyone else picking him in the top half of the draft. So if your the Dolphins, why not drop a couple spots for an extra pick and still get your man. From the Cardinals perspective, they get the guy who would make a huge difference for them, but it would cost them a 3rd rounder at least and Arizona already traded their 2nd rounder to the Eagles in that Kolb trade.
9. Carolina Panthers: Luke Kuechly (ILB Boston College)
With Floyd gone, the Panthers take one of the most productive players in college football history. He'll start from day one and anchor their 4-3 defense the way Urlacher does in Chicago.
10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff (OT Iowa)
They're a candidate who might trade up for Floyd as well but they still get a good pick in Reiff.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro (G Stanford)
I've seen Mark Barron's name here recently but I doubt he's their man.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram (OLB/DE South Carolina)
I acknowledge Chandler Jones is an option as well but Ingram is the better player in my opinion. He'll play as a DE in their 4-3 defense opposite Clemons to help improve the pass rush.
13. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill (QB Texas A&M) (Projected trade with Cardinals)
Same thing as Buffalo, if they want to jump up a few picks for Floyd or Reiff I could see that. Ingram would be a great pick too. Add Chandler Jones to the list of options as a pass rusher.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron (S Alabama)
I'm switching this pick to Mark Barron. I just can't imagine a team picking a guy with Poe's level of bust potential, this high.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Stephon Gilmore (CB South Carolina) (Projected trade with Eagles)
The Jaguars still get a guy they might have taken at 7 anyway.
16. Minnesota Vikings: Quinton Coples (DE UNC) (Projected trade with Jets)
I think they'd be hoping to get Gilmore here but the Jaguars snatch him up a pick before. The Vikings would get a lot for the 3rd pick but it wont help them much this season. All the best prospects are going to be off the board. When Coples is trying, he might be the best defensive linemen in this class. But that's the question isn't it? If they believe in his work ethic than this would be a great value pick. Putting him opposite Jared Allen would terrify the opposition.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn (G Georgia)
With Gilmore gone, the next CB to take would be Kirkpatrick but that would be a reach. Glenn would replace Bobbie Williams on that line and should be a relatively safe pick here.
18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus (OLB/DE Illinois)
Might be the best pure rusher in this class. If he had more than just one year of playing time, teams would be higher on him.
19. Chicago Bears: Dont'a Hightower (ILB Alabama)
I had them taking Michael Brockers but that was with Hightower off the board who the Bears are supposed be absolutely smitten with. He can play next to Urlacher and Briggs for a few years while he learns the system.
20. Tennessee Titans: Chandler Jones (DE Syracuse)
With Mercilus off the board they'll take the next best pass rusher in Jones who has flown up boards in the last month or so. Dontari Poe could be an option but Jones is safer.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright (WR Baylor)
Unchanged.
22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill (WR Georgia Tech)
Unchanged.
23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick (CB Alabama)
Unchanged.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Brockers (DT LSU)
I think if Mercilus is here, he's the pick. But if not then the Steelers may be picking Nick Perry, or the best player available. In my opinion that's Brockers. Given that he only played one year could be a concern for the Steelers but he has tremendous upside, a solid work ethic and could still play NT if needed. I realize Poe is available but he's too much of a risk for the Steelers.
25. New England Patriots: Dontari Poe (DT Memphis) (Projected trade with Broncos)
This seems like a Belichick trade to me. If Poe does fall this far, I think with New England's coaching staff Poe could be molded into a special player. With him and Wilfork up front, that could really help improve their run defense. Besides, if any team can afford a bust, it's the Patriots.
26. Houston Texans: Coby Fleener (TE Stanford)
I changed my mind. I don't like Martin and neither should Houston. I've had a 2nd round grade on Martin so it wouldn't be right to peg him as the 26th pick based on need. They'll take a guy who can help an already excellent offense.
27. Denver Broncos: Kendall Reyes (DT Connecticut) (Projected trade with Patriots)
Same pick from last mock but two spots further back.
28. Green Bay Packers: Shea McClelin (OLB Boise State)
Unchanged. I think they take McClelin over Upshaw as I prefer the former of the two.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Courtney Upshaw (OLB Alabama)
With no Hightower within trading distance, they take his teammate who can play opposite Suggs and take over after the departure of Jarret Johnson. Lavonte David and McClelin may merit consideration if available.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin Zeitler (G Wisconsin)
Unchanged.
31. New England Patriots: Casey Hayward (DB Vanderbilt)
Unchanged.
32. New York Giants: Lavonte David (OLB Nebraska)
Some think David is the best 4-3 OLB in this draft. They could use help behind their incredible front line and David is an underrated prospect.
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