Mock Draft 3.0- 10/07/10
By Editorial Staff
Here is the latest Mock Draft from NFL Mocks site manager Jon Dove. Its never to early to roll out a mock draft and the staff at NFL Mocks have been hard at work going through the college ranks putting together scouting reports. We have also did a look at each division and did a team by team needs assessment. The draft order was developed from our NFL Power Rankings. Be sure to check our our Big Board to see if another prospect might fit your team better than what we have predicted. As always we encourage feedback.
1. Buffalo Bills– Jake Locker– QB- Washington- Team Needs
– I don’t think its much of a secret that the Bills will be targeting a quarterback in the upcoming draft. While we have Andrew Luck rated higher I feel that Locker is a better fit for Chan Gailey’s offensive system, he has always loved mobile quarterbacks. Locker has a ton of skills and just needs some development but I feel he could be a great NFL quarterback.
2. Carolina Panthers– AJ Green– WR- Georgia- Team Needs
– The Panthers are a team that is rebuilding and I expect there will be a coaching change at the end of the season. They invested a 2nd round pick on Jimmy Clausen and they need to surround him with playmakers. They might hesitate to use this pick on a wide receiver because they selected Brandon Lafell and Armanti Edwards last year but it will be tough to pass on a talent like AJ Green.
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3. Arizona Cardinals– Andrew Luck– QB- Stanford- Team Needs
– The Cardinals are one of a few teams that are in desperate need of a quarterback and it just so happens that this draft could be top heavy at the quarterback position. When you look at what the Arizona offense has done with Warner at the helm you automatically think that is there style but that’s an incorrect assumption. Whisenhunt went with what his personal allowed him to do so adding adding Luck might change the approach. Look for the Cards to feature a strong running game to help the young QB.
4. Detroit Lions– Patrick Peterson– CB- LSU- Team Needs
– The Lions secondary is a mess and adding the best player in the draft at a need position is a great spot to find yourself. The Lions have good weapons on offense and they need to continue to build the defense and adding someone like Peterson would be a great start. Peterson’s return game ability would also be a welcome addition to this Lions team.
5. San Francisco 49ers– Ryan Mallett– QB- Arkansas- Team Needs
– I am making this selection on the assumption that the 49ers are unable to turn it around this season and it costs Coach Singletary his job. From early views of this team it seems obvious that Alex Smith isn’t the long term answer at the position and a change is needed. However, I am not sure that Ryan Mallett is the type of quarterback Singletary would like because he is prone to turnovers. Singletary would prefer an accurate game manger quarterback and Mallett doesn’t fit that bill. So again I make this pick assuming Coach Sing is gone.
6. Cleveland Browns– Cameron Heyward– DE/DT- Ohio State- Team Needs
– I think the Browns could target several positions including quarterback but as it stands in this Mock the top 3 quarterbacks are gone so the focus should shift to the defensive side of the ball. Heyward fits a need for the Browns as they are still searching for steady defensive end in their 3-4 defensive scheme. Heyward is strong against the run but he is also capable of creating a pass rush, he fits nicely as a 3-4 defensive end.
7. New England Patriots (from Oak.)- Mark Ingram– RB- Alabama- Team Needs
– The running game in New England is a mess and Ingram has the ability to step right in and make a major difference. I know the Pats just traded Randy Moss but they have another 1st round pick that will allow them to address that position. Ingram will also help ease the pain of Moss because teams will have to commit players to stop the running game.
8. St. Louis Rams– Julio Jones– WR- Alabama- Team Needs
– The Rams are off to a good start this season and Sam Bradford has fans hopeful for the future. This team has a lot of needs on defense but its important that the Rams surround their Franchise quarterback with weapons and Jones is a nice weapon. He is a big bodied receiver and that is something that is helpful to young quarterbacks.
9. Seattle Seahawks– Adrian Clayborn– DE- Iowa– Team Needs
– Chris Clemons has had a nice season thus far but the Seahawks are desperate for a pass rush. Adding someone like Clayborn would bring instant fear into the offensive coordinators. I have my questions about Clayborn and his ability to fight through double teams but he is still a very talented player.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars– Robert Quinn– DE- UNC- Team Needs
– The pass rush has been lacking in Jacksonville for awhile and it doesn’t appear as though Derrick Harvey will ever figure it out. The offseason addition of Aaron Kampman was a good band-aide but a long term solution is needed. Quinn is has elite pass rushing skills and a very bright future.
11. Denver Broncos– Prince Amukamara– CB- Nebraska- Team Needs
– The Broncos have gone offense with there first selection since McDaniels has taken over and the defensive troubles show that. It is now time to help out the other side of the ball and bringing in a young shutdown corner is a good start. Champ Bailey isn’t getting any younger and Amukamara has great skills and he could learn some tricks of the trade from Bailey.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Anthony Castonzo– OT- Boston College- Team Needs
– The Bucs have a good young core on offense and stabilizing the offensive line is the next step in the rebuilding process. I think Tampa could look to add some playmakers in the secondary but protecting Freeman might be more of a priority.
13. New York Giants– Gabe Carimi– OT- Wisconsin- Team Needs
– Here comes the run of tackles and the Giants are 1 of many teams that could be looking to upgrade at the position. So far this season the offensive line has looked old and adding a talent like Gabe Carimi will bring some instant ability to the unit. His ability to run block will be attractive to the Giants as they enjoy having a power running game.
14. Philadelphia Eagles– Janoris Jenkins– CB- Florida- Team Needs
– Jenkins is a good player that fits a need for the Eagles. Asante Samuel isn’t getting any younger and has been struggling with injuries the last several season so bringing in a player that can be a playmaking corner would be a wise move by the Eagles. Jenkins reminds me of Samuel in the aggressive way he attacks the ball when its in the air.
15. Tennessee Titans– Akeem Ayers– LB- UCLA- Team Needs
– One could argue that the Linebacker position is the weakest position on the Titans defense and bringing someone like Ayers in immediately makes it a strength. I am a really big fan of Ayers and feel that he would be an excellent fit in the Titans defense. He is good in all phases of the game including coverage, run stuffing, and rushing the passer.
16. Washington Redskins– Michael Floyd– WR- Notre Dame- Team Needs
– This pick fits perfectly for the Redskins and that’s why I am predicting it! The Redskins need a playmaking wide receiver to help out Donovan McNabb and Floyd has big play potential. He still has some developing to do but their is no denying his talent. I think he can step in from day one and be a favorite target of McNabb’s, he hasn’t had a wide out with Floyd’s size and ability since TO.
17. Minnesota Vikings– Travis Lewis– LB- Oklahoma- Team Needs
– The Vikings are going to be facing some tough decisions this offseason as several key vets are scheduled for free agency. So far it doesn’t appear likely that they will offer an extension to Chad Greenway thus making room for this Travis Lewis selection. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions when it comes to resigning players but drafting well is the answer to that dilemma.
18. Cincinnati Bengals– DeAndre McDaniel– S- Clemson- Team Needs
– The Bengals’ defense is quickly becoming one of the best in the league and adding a playmaking safety like McDaniel might make it elite. McDaniel is a very good player that is strong in both coverage and run support. He has a nose for the ball and does a good job creating turnovers. Marvin Lewis won’t be able to resist the opportunity to add someone like McDaniel.
19. Miami Dolphins– Daniel Thomas– RB- Kansas State- Team Needs
– Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are not getting any younger and the Dolphins love to feature a strong running game. No matter what happens the Wildcat will always be a part of the Miami offense and Thomas is perfect fit. Thomas has a lot of experience running a wildcat offense but he isn’t limited to just the wildcat. He has emerged this season as maybe the top power back in the country.
20. San Diego Chargers– Marcel Darceus– DL- Alabama- Team Needs
– This might be a little late for Darceus but Chargers fans will be happy to have him. He would bring another disruptive force to the Chargers aggressive defense. I think he would best fit as a 5 technique in the 3-4 alignment but he has the strength to slide inside and play the nose tackle position from time to time. I also feel that he could fit in as a penetrating tackle in the 4-3 scheme. Darceus’ versatility will be very attractive to teams come draft time.
21. Dallas Cowboys– Matt Reynolds– OT- BYU- Team Needs
– The Doug Free experience has gone pretty well this season but I will wait to the end to make my evaluation. However, Marc Colombo has continued to struggle with injuries and we saw that Alex Barron isn’t going to cut it. So adding a versatile lineman such as Reynolds would be an excellent decision. Reynolds could play both the right and left tackle position so he could be insurance if Free doesn’t work out in the long run. Another option could be a safety such as Rahim Moore of UCLA.
22. Chicago Bears– Ryan Kerrigan- DE- Purdue- Team Needs
– After this past weekend’s game against the Giants I am sure you will question how the Bears don’t go offensive line with this pick but I will say that offensive line isn’t the only team need. The Bears signed Julius Peppers in the offseason and that has been working out but they need someone opposite of him to create pressure when he is double teamed. Kerrigan lives in the offensive backfield and the tandem of Peppers and Kerrigan could be lethal. As far as the offensive line goes the Bears could go with DeMarcus Love at tackle or interior linemen Mike Pouncey, Justin Boren, or Rodney Hudson.
23. Kansas City Chiefs– Jon Baldwin– WR- Pittsburgh- Team Needs
– The Chiefs need to add offensive playmakers to help out Matt Cassel and Baldwin would be a nice target. Baldwin has very good size and speed which would provide Cassel with great Red Zone target. I think the Chiefs could go in several directions including adding a pass rushing OLB and Von Miller could be a good option.
24. New England Patriots– Allen Bailey– DE/DT- Miami- Team Needs
– The Patriots have two 1st round picks in 2011 and they have an opportunity to fill several needs. New England has been looking for someone at the defensive end position since they traded Richard Seymour and Allen Bailey fits perfectly as a 3-4 defensive end.
25. New Orleans Saints– Bruce Carter– OLB- UNC- Team Needs
– This seems like a match made in heaven as Carter fits a need of the Saints. Carter has a boat load of talent and would be a nice fit in the Saints defense. He has sideline to sideline speed and does a great job dropping back into coverage.
26. Atlanta Falcons– Da’Quan Bowers- DE- Clemson- Team Needs
– The Falcons have been searching for someone to help out John Abraham for several years and with this pick they can both help him out and get his eventual replacement. Bowers has had a good start to his season and this former #1 recruit can get to the quarterback in a hurry. The thing that most impresses me about Bowers is his ability to hold strong against the run, he has shown he can be a complete player.
27. Indianapolis Colts– Stephen Paea– DT- Oregon State– Team Needs
– The Colts need to get stronger up front and adding Paea would certainly do that. The game plan this year against the Colts has been to pound the ball down their throats and keep Peyton Manning off the field. The Colts have not been able to slow down anyone’s running game so this is something they need to address. Paea fits what they need as he is a very strong run defender.
28. Houston Texans– Ras-I Dowling– CB- Virginia- Team Needs
– Peyton Manning is going to be around for awhile longer so the Texans main focus still needs to be stopping him and beating the Colts for the division title. Adding another top notch cornerback to the mix would help slow down the Colt’s high-powered offense. Dowling’s good size and speed means he could potential match-up 1 on 1 with Dallas Clark!
29. Green Bay Packers– Von Miller– OLB- Texas A&M- Team Needs
– Ok, so this pick was one of the toughest ones for me to make because I truly feel that the Packers need to focus on upgrading their offensive line but I couldn’t stop thinking about how deadly the duo of Miller and Matthews would be. Can you imagine the amount of pressure Don Capers could create with two elite pass rushers like Miller and Matthews.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers– DeMarcus Love- OT- Arkansas- Team Needs
– The Steelers need to keep their focus on rebuilding the offensive line and adding someone like Love would be a great addition. Both the Steelers tackles have suffered injuries and otherwise haven’t performed at a top level.
31. Baltimore Ravens– Curtis Brown– CB- Texas- Team Needs
– This is a big time need for the Ravens so picking a corner like Brown is a no brainer. They could also look at fellow Texas cornerback Aaron Williams but either way they need to bring talent to this position.
32. New York Jets– Rodney Hudson– G- Florida State- Team Needs
– Moving Alan Faneca was a big mistake and I really didn’t like the pick of Vlad Ducasse in the 2nd round last year. This team will always want to grind it out on the ground so plugging the hole at guard should be high on their priority list. They could also look at adding a nose tackle maybe someone like Jerrell Powe.