Mock Draft 1.0
By Editorial Staff
6. Seattle Seahawks– T- Trent Williams- Okla.
– Trent Williams fills a major need here for the Seahawks. The retirement of Walter Jones left a big hole at the tackle position. Williams has a lot of game experience and could play both the right and left tackle position. Some feel this could be a landing spot for Clausen but the Seahawks gave a lot to get Charlie Whitehurst.
7. Cleveland Browns– RB- CJ Spiller- Clem.
– Spiller had a good combine and good production at Clemson. The Browns need offensive playmakers and Spiller’s pass catching ability is something that Holmgren covets. Do Cleveland fans really trust Jerome Harrison?
8. Oakland Raiders– T- Bryan Bulaga- Iowa
– Many will predict Bruce Campbell in this position but I don’t see that happening. While Al Davis has become sort of a joke when it comes to the draft I don’t think he will pass up on the more solid Bulaga. Some history that might work against this pick would be the bust of Robert Gallery. I feel that Clausen would be the best move for the Raiders but they are not ready to admit defeat with JaMarcus Russell.
9. Buffalo Bills– NT- Dan Williams- Tenn.
– The Bills need to fill the all important Nose Tackle position to help their transition to the 3-4 defense. Dan Williams is the best nose tackle prospect in this draft and he is capable of performing at a high level. In my opinion this is high for Williams but he has benefited from his ability to play nose tackle. Again what about Clausen? I see the Bills using their 2nd round pick on a quarterback or perhaps trading back into the first round to get Clausen if he slips.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars– S- Earl Thomas- Texas
– After signing Aaron Kampman the Jaguars are less desperate to fill their pass rush need. However, they do have a hole at the safety position and Thomas can step right in and fill that void. Thomas is an interesting prospect because some feel he has the skills to also play the cornerback position. Those skills will also come in hand in 3 or 4 receiver sets because he could help eliminate mismatches. His versatility will make him a very attractive pick.
11. Denver Broncos (from CHI) – LB- Rolando McClain- Ala.
– The Broncos need help on the defensive side of the ball. McClain is a great fit in the middle of a 3-4 defense. He also possesses great leadership skills and would help the development of the Broncos defense. Dez Bryant could be another option here depending on what happens with Brandon Marshall.
12. Miami Dolphins– WR- Dez Bryant- Okla. St.
– McClain’s decision to not participate at the combine didn’t hurt his stock but it didn’t help it either. McClain could have used the momentum of a great combine to crack the top ten. However, the Dolphins are ecstatic to add McClain to their linebacking core.
13. San Francisco 49ers– CB- Joe Haden- Fla.
– Inconsistent 40 time has teams questioning Haden’s top end speed and unfortunately for Joe this is an important piece to the draft puzzle. The 49ers get good value at a position of need and will benefit from Haden’s misery.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) – DE- Derrick Morgan- Ga. Tech
– Morgan was very productive and consistent at Georgia Tech. He is equally strong against the run and generating a pass rush. The Seahawks struggled last season getting to the quarterback and Morgan can step right in and help in that area.
15. New York Giants- LB- Sergio Kindle- Texas
– The Giants need an infusion of talent at the linebacker position. Ideally they would love to add Rolando McClain but he is off the board at this point. Kindle is a rising prospect that has a lot of athletic ability and will be able to provide a pass rush from the linebacker spot. He also shows the ability to contribute in the running game.
16. Tennessee Titans– DE- Jason Pierre-Paul- USF
– The Titans need pass rushing help and Pierre Paul is a fast rising prospect that has good pass rushing skills. The injuries and potential loss of Vanden Bosch has made this position a priority.
17. San Francisco 49ers (from CAR) – T- Anthony Davis- Rutgers
– The 49ers need talent at the tackle position. Right now Joe Staley is on the left side and drafting Davis allows him to compete for the starting right tackle position. Davis has a lot of talent but there are some character concerns. Who better than Coach Singletary to set a player straight and get the most out of the talent.
18. Pittsburg Steelers– G/T- Mike Iupati- Idaho
– The Steelers need help along the offensive line and Iupati’s run blocking ability is right up the Steelers alley.
19. Atlanta Falcons– CB- Devin McCourty- Rut.
– Atlanta needs depth and talent at the cornerback position and McCourty is a perfect fit. McCourty had a good senior bowl and combine which has facilitated his rise on draft boards. McCourty has high character which is something that will be important to the Falcons.
20. Houston Texans– C/G- Maurkice Pouncey- Florida
– Pouncey his flying up the draft board. He would be a great addition to an improving Texans offensive line. Houston struggled in the running game last season and Pouncey will help open holes for the running backs. He will also help keep fragile quarterback Matt Schaub upright.
21. Cincinnati Bengals– TE- Jermaine Gresham- Okla.
– The tight end position has been a black hole for the Bengals. Adding Gresham will give Carson Palmer a reliable target. The Bengals could look at Taylor Mays but he compares Roy Williams who is currently on the Bengals roster.
22. New England Patriots- LB- Brandon Graham- Mich.
– The Patriots need a pass rushing outside linebacker and Graham fits that mold perfectly. He has a great Senior Bowl where he lived in the offensive backfield.
23. Green Bay Packers- T- Bruce Campbell- Maryland
– The biggest need for the Packers is upgrading the offensive line. Campbell has a ton of physical ability and has the potential to be a dominating left tackle. He does have some character concerns and hasn’t always played up to this talent level. Campbell is one of my top potential busts in this year’s draft. However, at this point in the draft he is worth the risk for the tackle hungry Packers.
24. Philadelphia Eagles– S- Taylor Mays
– The Eagles need a playmaking safety to fill the hole left by Dawkins. I am not convinced that Marlin Jackson will make a smooth transition to the safety position. Plus they may need Jackson to help at the corner position after trading Sheldon Brown.
25. Baltimore Ravens– CB- Kareem Jackson- Alabama
– The Ravens addressed their receiver need during free agency and now need to add depth to the defensive secondary.
26. Arizona Cardinals– LB- Sean Witherspoon- Missouri
– He Cardinal’s defense was hit hard during the free agency period. They need to find some talent to upgrade their linebacking core. Witherspoon has used the draft process to show teams he has the ability to step in and contribute.
27. Dallas Cowboys– T- Rodger Saffold- Indiana
– After cutting ties with Flozell Adams the Cowboys will be looking to add some depth and talent to the position. Saffold is an underrated tackle that has potential. The Cowboys may look at addressing the safety position here but it might be too early for players like Nate Allen and Morgan Burnett.
28. San Diego Chargers– RB- Ryan Matthews- Fresno State
– Tomlinson is gone and the Chargers need to fill that void. Ryan Matthews can carry the load and provide an immediate impact. He would be a great compliment to Darren Sproles.
29. New York Jets– WR- Golden Tate- Notre Dame
– Mark Sanchez needs weapons and Tate could provide him with a solid option. Tate answered some questions about his speed at the combine.
30. Minnesota Vikings– QB- Jimmy Clausen- Notre Dame
– Kyle Wilson will probally be the pick her because someone will trade back into the first round to get Clausen. But in this mock there are no trades so the Vikings get a steal at #30. This is a lot like that Aaron Rodgers situation where a draft day slide enables a team to select Brett Favre’s successor.
31. Indianapolis Colts– T- Charles Brown- USC
– The Colts know that the most important thing is to protect Peyton Manning. Charlie Johnson was out of position last season at the tackle position. Brown has experience and talent and could be the long term solution at the position.
32. New Orleans Saints– S- Nate Allen- USF
– Allen is not Darren Sharper but he is a ball hawking cover safety. Sharper may return to New Orleans but with his recent injury and age Allen would be great insurance and a step towards the future. The recent addition of Alex Brown lowers the likely hood that the Saints go defensive end.