NFL Mock Draft 2.0
The big names of free agency have come and gone now it's time to focus back on the draft.
Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck – QB Ignore the talks about Luck or Griffin III for the top spot. Luck has been the unanimous number one overall pick since last off-season.
Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III – QB Washington gave up a ton of picks for Griffin but they won't care especially if he is who everyone thinks he is. Griffin is a phenomenal athlete who, like I pointed out before, is a hybrid between Newton and Vick + now Washington has some youth and speed on the outside in receiver, this'll be fun to watch.
Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil – OT Minnesota has mentioned that they could possibly pick Claiborne but I think that's all for show and are only saying that to see if they can get a trade done for a team in desperate for a top flight corner. Kalil is their guy and no one has a bigger smile than Christian Ponder.
Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson – RB All the talk about Cleveland taking Ryan Tannehill is absurd, though Tannehill has the ability to be a very good quarterback keep in mind that if Matt Barkley and Landry Jones came out he would be the 5th best quarterback, maybe 4th. Also would you rather have the 3rd best quarterback in the draft or the top running back? Some may argue that Blackmon could be the pick here but Cleveland has another 1st round pick that could fill that need. Richardson has also been compared to Adrian Peterson and Eric Dickerson, case closed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne – CB There's a chance that Tampa could orchestrate a trade with Minnesota to land Trent Richardson but Minnesota seems pretty set with it's pick and wouldn't want to risk missing out on a franchise left tackle. So instead Tampa chooses Claiborne (poor them) who now all of a sudden has a strong group of corners - Ronde Barber is on his last legs but could try and pull his best Charles Woodson impression, Aqib Talib is somehow not in jail, Eric Wright is solid, not flashy but solid and now you add in the athleticism of Claiborne; watch out for Tampa Bay.
St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon – WR Not only does St. Louis pull off a blockbuster trade but they also get the exact same guy they were looking at at number 2. Blackmon isn't the tallest or the fastest but the way he plays will be a combination of Dez Bryant and Anquan Boldin, this man will fight for every yard and will not shy away from contact. This is the type of player/receiver the Rams need on offense, desperately.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Floyd – WR Yes the Jags did just sign Laurant Robinson in free agency but other than him and occasionally Mercedes Lewis (when he decides to catch the ball) Jacksonville doesn't have to many threats outside. Mike Thomas isn't threatening anyone on the outside with his small stature (he's 5'8") and if they are committed to Blaine Gabbert they should do there part in giving him the right pieces. Floyd is a tall, fast, physical receiver and much like Blackmon and St. Louis, he's the type of player the Jags need on offense.
Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill – QB I don't agree with putting Tannehill in the top 10 but the Dolphins are desperate, it seems like the only players that want to play in Miami are in the NBA. I don't really know what Miami is doing this off-season, they had a solid defense (they still do but minus Yermiah Bell, who they cut, which didn't make much sense)< there offense was looking high powered especially if they had landed Peyton Manning (or even Matt Flynn) along with Brandon Marshall but they missed out on both and jettisoned Marshall, the only threat on the Miami offense is Reggie Bush. Tannehill can be a very good player but with the lack of star power could be an uphill battle.
Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples – DE Coples is Julius Peppers 2.0 and what better team for Coples to go to than Carolina. Drafting him will take Carolina back to the glory days where they had a young Julius Peppers and an in his prime Mike Rucker. The Panthers could go defensive tackle but Coples is to great of a talent to pass up.
Buffalo Bills – David DeCastro – OG Buffalo did an amazing job upgrading there defense with the addition of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson; the Bills could upgrade there linebacking core with Courtney Upshaw but the talent of DeCastro is just to great to pass up. The fact that their offensive line has needed an upgrade for some time, this is a perfect fit - I still believe Buffalo will resign Demetrius Bell at left tackle so drafting Riley Reiff isn't a need.
Kansas City Chiefs – Courtney Upshaw – LB Kansas City solved there tackle problem by signing Eric Winston after he was released from Houston, that gives the Chiefs a bit more freedom in there draft pick. Courtney Upshaw would be a perfect fit playing opposite Tamba Hali, when a team would double up on Hali, Upshaw would be free to roam.
Seattle Seahawks – Dontari Poe – DT Seattle can go a number of ways in the draft; offensive line, linebackers or corner but as we know through the New York Giants, you can never have enough defensive lineman. Poe has sensational athleticism, he's strong, he's fast, Pete Carroll would love to have him in a Seahawks uniform. Along with Chris Clemons and Red Bryant Seattle's line becomes dangerous.
Arizona Cardinals – Riley Reiff – OT Arizona resigned Levi Brown, which is good... if they shift him to guard, they do that and not only do they have a massive human being familiar with the offense but also to help Reiff along the way. The concern for his arms length I don't find that big of a deal, if he has quick feet that'll make up for it, though I don't believe it will be a big deal.
Dallas Cowboys - Mark Barron - S The Cowboys solved their cornerback problem by signing Brandon Carr to team up with Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick now they need a playmaker at the safety position. Last year Dallas had Gerald Sensabaugh and Abrm Elam at the safety position, fear to no one basically, Barron becomes the reason for teams to avoid centre field. Barron would also become the leader that Dallas desperately needs. Ignore the double hernia surgery, he'll be ready.
Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Brockers – DT Philadelphia found their linebacker in the trade for DeMeco Ryans. They just recently signed Demetress Bell with Jason Peters going down with what looks like for the year so the next best bet would be to strengthen their defensive line. Brockers can be the player that helps close running lanes and can ultimately be a younger Cullen Jenkins. You can't go wrong in having depth along the defensive line and Philadelphia knows all about that having to play New York twice a year.
New York Jets – Whitney Mercilus – DE/OLB Every year we hear about a couple of players that are raw, Mercilus is this years top player who has that label - Jason Pierre-Paul was raw coming out of college too, see where I'm going with this? New York needs a player like this and as much as Rex Ryan hates to admit it the Giants have the perfect blue print - build through the line and have depth. The Jets did a nice job with Aaron Maybin from Buffalo but they need someone opposite of him to put just as much, if not more, pressure on the quarterback. It helps to that Mercilus can also play outside linebacker though defensive end would be better suited but it's good to know, Rex Ryan loves to move people around.
Cincinnati Bengals – Dre Kirkpatrick – CB Cincinnati lucked out with Kirkpatrick falling to them at 17; Kirkpatrick has the size and speed to match up extremely well with receivers, the fact that he is just as tall or even taller in some cases is a rarity for the corner position. The difference between Kirkpatrick, Stephon Gilmore or Janoris Jenkins isn't huge, they all can make the argument in being the second best corner behind Morris Claiborne but Kirkpatrick has the size and playing in the AFC North is exactly what you need. Teaming him up with Leon Hall will have quarterbacks a little nervous throwing to the sidelines.
San Diego Chargers – Melvin Ingram - DE San Diego has been looking for a pass rusher since Shawn Merriman (before the injuries). They've missed on their most recent high draft choice in Larry English + the Jets already did the deciding for them in taking Mercilus. Ingram is a much more consistent player than his other first round counter part in Quinton Coples. San Diego needs to start getting to the quaterback again and drafting Ingram will only make that process easier.
Chicago Bears – Jonathan Martin – OT Chicago found their big play receiver in the trade for Brandon Marshall and the only thing that'll make Jay Cutler even happier will be drafting a a player that can protect his blindside. Martin's stock has been up and down but the Bears won't be complaining. Teaming Martin and their first round choice from last year in Gabe Carmi will give Chicago the bookend tackles that Cutler has been dreaming of + if they still want J'Marcus Webb starting along the line, they can push him to guard where he was probably best suited anyways.
Tennessee Titans – Stephon Gilmore – CB With the lose of Cortland Finnegan this is pretty much a no-brainer. Gilmore has the size, speed and physically that the Titans were used to with Finnegan (except he won't want to punch anyone in the face). He may remind people of Carlos Rogers, the 2011 Carlos Rogers, where he actually decided to hold onto the ball.
Cincinnati Bengals – Jerel Worhty – DT