First-Round Mock Draft By Josh Sanchez – UPDATED 1/28
By Josh Sanchez
Here is the latest mock draft by Josh Sanchez. The official draft order has been used and the NFL Mocks Big Board was used to reference player rankings.
Pick | Team | Player Selected | Player’s Position | Player’s School | Analysis |
1. | Ndamukong Suh | Defensive Tackle | Nebraska |
The Rams added the likes of Adam Carriker and Chris Long along the defensive line in recent years. By adding Suh, the best player in the draft, St. Louis adds quality depth to their d-line and Carriker could bump out to left end. |
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2. | Gerald McCoy | Defensive Tackle | Oklahoma |
Gerald McCoy is yet another difference maker in this draft class. He would bring star power to the Lions defensive line. McCoy is well-rounded and would improve the Lions rush defense as well as create pressure up the middle. |
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3. | Eric Berry | Safety | Tennessee | Berry has drawn many comparisons to Ravens safety Ed Reed. He is a ballhawk who is not afraid of contact. The Bucs would prefer either McCoy or Suh fall to them, but in this scenario Berry is a great consolation prize. |
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4. | Jimmy Clausen | Quarterback | Notre Dame | Mike Shanahan is the new sherrif in town and he will likely be looking for his own signal-caller. Even before Shanahan, the Redskins seemed to look at every possible move that would rid them of Jason Campbell. Campbell will likely not be back in Washington and the ‘Skins hope Clausen can be the answer. | |
5. | Russell Okung | Offensive Tackle | Oklahoma State | Matt Cassell was never able to return to his 2009 form mainly due to the Chiefs atrocious pass protection which ranked near the bottom of the league. Adding Okung would allow KC to switch Branden Albert to either right tackle or his natural guard position. | |
6. | Derrick Morgan |
Defensive End |
Georgia Tech |
Seattle has one of the worst pass rushes in the entire league and Derrick Morgan is a dynamic pass rusher who could help turn around the Seahawks D. Quarterback is also a possibility, but at this point Bradford may be too much of a reach. | |
7. | Joe Haden | Cornerback |
Florida |
Joe Haden is the only premier corner in this draft. Haden will boost the Browns secondary and help start the defensive turnaround. This team still has a long way to go in order to become contenders again, but Haden is a step in the right direction. | |
8. | Bryan Bulaga | Offensive Tackle | Iowa |
The Raiders have talent on the defensive side of the ball, so this pick should be focused on offensive. Oakland has had quarterback issues and one way to cure that is to finally secure the left tackle position. Bulaga is an atheltic lineman who will pave the way for McFadden, Fargas, or whoever may be rushing the ball. | |
9. | Sam Bradford | Quarterback | Oklahoma | Bills fans would be ecstatic if they landed either Bradford or Clausen with this selection. The team is currently “led” by Ryan Fitzpatrick and Trent Edwards. Neither guy seems to be the long term answer, so cross your fingers in Buffalo and hope that Bradford is the answer. | |
10. | (CHI) |
Dez Bryant | Wide Receiver | Oklahoma State | All signs point to Brandon Marshall being traded this offseason which would leave Denver with a big hole to fill at wide receiver. Dez Bryant has drawn comparisons to Terrell Owens — like Marshall. Bryant is the best receiver in this class and he would be a perfect fit to replace Marshall. Eddie Royal also compliments Bryant extremely well. |
11. | Jason Pierre-Paul | Defensive End | South Florida |
Rumor after rumor points to Tebow winding up in Jacksonville. The team needs to find any possible way to put fans in the seats or else the team could end up in Los Angeles or London. That move proves to be too risky in the top-half of round one, so Jacksonville looks to defensive line and selects JPP, who is a raw, pass-rushing specialist. | |
12. | Sergio Kindle | Outside Linebacker | Texas | Joey Porter is unhappy with his role in Miami last year and he has expressed interest in leaving the team. The key to any 3-4 defense is the linebacker position. Kindle is a hybrid DE/OLB, and fits in well with Bill Parcells scheme. | |
13. | Anthony Davis | Offensive Tackle |
Rutgers | Frank Gore is a superstar and the 49ers can be successful if they pound the rock with him on a consistent basis. One way to ensure that is improving the offensive line. Joe Staley is doing a good job at left tackle, so adding a guy like Anthony Davis to play the other side could hold down the ends of this line for years to come. | |
14. |
(DEN) |
Taylor Mays | Safety | USC | Mays is a big-time hitter at the safety position and he would bring a new attitude to the defense that new head coach and former USC coach Pete Carroll is all too familiar with. Mays also grew up in the Seattle area and he would be welcomed by the fans. |
15. | Rolando McClain | Linebacker | Alabama | McClain can play all three linebacker positions and he would add to an already impressive front seven for the Giants. McClain would add a solid tackler to the middle of the defense which is currently led by Antonio Pierce, who suffered a serious neck injury this season. Pierce could be rusty in his return and having a guy like McClain on the depth chart could prove to be a good decision. | |
16. | (CAR) |
C.J. Spiller | Running Back | Clemson | With San Francisco securing the offensive line with their first of two first-round selections, they can afford to play around a bit with their second pick. Spiller is an explosive back that could bring an element much like Felix Jones brought to the Cowboys to San Francisco. |