1. Indianapolis Colts-Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
This is pretty much a no-brainer, so I’m not going to bored you with things you already know.
2. St. Louis Rams-MOCK TRADE: Cleveland Browns- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
The Rams get both of Clevelands firsts and Cleveland gets a future with Griffin and Greg Little. Cleveland is about to forget about Lebron.
3. Minnesota Vikings– Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Kalil is a great OT prospect with enormous potential. Some say that Reiff is the better tackle but Kalil’s upside is too much to turn up. Adrian Peterson is coming off a tough injury and will need someone bit to run behind, not to mention Ponder could stand to not take so many sacks.
4. Cleveland Browns-Traded to StL (Mock Trade)-Seattle-Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
St. Louis ends up winning out here because I’m not sure that they love any prospect right here. Seattle gets the quarterback they need for the future to get over the .500 slump and they’re willing to pay whatever the cost to jump the Redskins for him.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
A great prospect here who will proved some stability to the Tampa offense. Freeman and Blount will benefit greatly from having a guy like Reiff for the foreseeable future to block for them.
6. Washington Redskins-Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Claiborne isn’t a bad consolation prize for the Redskins who lost out on 2 big QB prospects. Claiborne is a great coverage corner and may be better than Patrick Peterson was. Claiborne may be the best player in this draft and Shanny will enjoy having him to revitalize their defense.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars– Justin Blackmon, WR, Ok St
The new ownership in Jacksonville said they’ll be agressive in acquiring talent to help Gabbert mature. Luckily they don’t need to be too agressive as the best receiver in this draft falls to their lap. Blackmon is a great balanced receiver who will be as good as he wants to be, Jacksonville will give him every chance to succeed.
9. Miami Dolphins– Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE, Alabama
Miami is going to be moving some defense scheming around but the good thing is that no matter what they decide Courtney Upshaw will be a force regardless. Upshaw comes from what will be a legendary Alabama defense and is an absolute monster when rushing the passer. In a league that is pass happy a dominant pass rusher is a must have.
8. Carolina Panthers– Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina
See above, change names. Not sure exactly where he fits but the point is he can get to the passer and thats all that matters.
10. Buffalo Bills-Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Quinton Coples makes sense here. The Bills have started to build a dominant defensive line and the addition of Coples make it down right scary. Coples is another guy who will be as good as he wants to be, if he puts in the time, he’ll be GREAT.
11. Kansas City Chiefs-Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Just a quick run down… Your starting running back is one of the leagues best… he gets injured. Your starting Quarterback is coming off a great year and he gets injured mid season… Something is wrong. The Chiefs need Martin, there are sexier picks that Chiefs fans want to see, especially with Richardson on the board but Martin will keep the Chiefs top playmakers healthy with smart strong blocking and will likely be a career pro-bowler.
12. Seattle Seahawks-(Traded to StL)-Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
St. Louis needed to make some moves. They have a new coaching staff with Fisher in and he’ll want to make a certain type of team. So this year they stock pile draft picks and their first one is actually pretty good value considering he pure talent. CB is a deep need for the Rams and Kirkpatrick has very good ability. Rams fans should be excited.
13. Arizona Cardinals-Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Larry Fitzgerald has been asking for a big playmaker along side him and they get him. Floyd had a helluva combine and has proven he is the whole package. I had him third on my list but after revisiting I wouldn’t argue with someone who has him as the number 1 receiver. That being said, Floyd will proved the Cards a receiving duo that will be successful regardless of QB play.
14. Dallas Cowboys-Mock Trade-Cincinnati-Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Dallas will likely consider Trent here but Jason Garrett is really infatuated with DeMarco Murray. The Bengals make a move to add another top tier playmaker to round out their make over. Trent Richardson is an incredible athlete, I heard him compared to a mix of Marion Barber and Ahmad Bradshaw, but don’t be deceived this guy is more AP like than people give him credit for. Cincinnati has just become the favorite in the AFC North.
15. Philadelphia Eagles-Luke Keuchly, ILB, Boston College
Keuchly is the #1 can’t miss prospect. Not that he has the most upside but because you know exactly what you’re getting with the kid. There isn’t much of a mystery and thats good for the Birds as they need ILB help badly after being terrible against the run. Keuchly is quick, strong, and smart and the Eagles should feel good to land him as their next career player.
16. New York Jets-Michael Brockers, DL, LSU
I don’t know that Brockers really fits here, but I do know that Rex Ryan love his ability and potential. Brockers has a lot of buzz surrounding him and the Jets will do everything they can to get him fit in somewhere. This is a good fit for Brockers even if his playing time is limited at first.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)-(Traded to Dallas)-Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Mark Barron is the only “Elite” potential safety in this draft class. With the FA class so thin at the position and the Cowboys likely to make a move to acquire either Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan, CB become a depth need and Safety become a big need. This makes sense for the Cowboys and they would’ve pulled the trigger at 14 if the Bengals weren’t calling.
18. San Diego Chargers– Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Peter Konz is a very polished center out of Wisconsin. He has good feet and moves fluidly. The Chargers could use an upgrade at center and Konz is actually pretty good value considering his ability. Konz could easily become a top tier center in the NFL as many people think he’s a better prospect than Pouncey.
19. Chicago Bears-Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
The Chicago Bears are nothing if they aren’t a defensive team. This is a team that has dominated on defense since I can remember. The Bears defense is getting old though and Zach Brown is a crazy fast, strong, able linebacker who could rejuvenate this defense. Brown is a prospect who can go anywhere but I think this is a good fit for the North Carolina backer.
20. Tennessee Titans-David DeCastro, G, Stanford
DeCastro is the best guard prospect any of us has seen in a long while, period. He is graceful on his feet, his technique is flawless, he’s strong, and he can pull better than any guard in college. DeCastro is a great addition to the Titans who need to revitalize their rushing attack.
21. Cincinnati Bengals-Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
Big. Strong. Dawg. Glenn doesn’t really know where he belongs but the Bengals need a good athletic guard to couple with their new big running back and Glenn is exactly that. Glenn has played all around the line but if he can focus and figure it out he’ll be one of the most dominate lineman in the league in no time.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)(Traded to StL)-Devin Still, DT, PSU
Still was once considered the best DT in this draft class. While Poe and Brockers might have closed the gap Still is still very good and will help the rebuilding effort going on in St. Louis and what a rebuilding project it is.
23. Detroit Lions-Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois
Detroit is starting to develop a reputation for good dominant mean defense. Just listen to this guys last name… how does he not fit in with the lions?
24. Pittsburgh Steelers-Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
Looks like a change of the guard with the Steelers as they’re letting go of everyone. Dont’a Hightower is a great linebacker that before today I thought would fit as Ray Lewis’ future replacement. Now the Steelers need another career LB to pair with Timmons and Hightower will give them exactly that.
25. Denver Broncos-David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
McGahee isn’t getting younger, Knowshon is no more, and this offense and front office has committed to Tebow. That means that the option might be a big part of their offense for the next 10 years and they’ll need a young back to grow in this system to help Tebow. David Wilson is a great RB prospect who has the whole package and will rack up yards with ease against the NFC West
26. Houston Texans-Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
A lot of hype has surrounded Poe after the combine as he was just jaw dropping. Houston needs a dominant NT to match with J.J. Watt on the line. Poe might not have seen the jump into the top half of the first round fans wanted to see but I believe that one day can’t completely erase years of tape. Don’t get me wrong, Poe will fit in great with Wade Phillips and will be better for where he landed than if he went earlier.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)-Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.
The Patriots need line help as they’re aging and their defense/pass rush was really horrible this year. The thing I like about the Patriots is that they run a multiple defense scheme and Bill will take anyone he things has potential and turn them into studs.
28. Green Bay Packers-Nick Perry, OLB, USC
Clay Matthews needs help. Nick Perry could easily be a top 15 pick and the Packers should be lucky to have such a good OLB prospect who can do it all. Perry to me, is a technician, who does everything well including rushing the passer. He’s going to fit perfectly in GB’s defense and will make everyone else better.
29. Baltimore Ravens-Mike Adams, OT, Ohio
The Ravens don’t take who everyone wants them too here as they have other glaring needs. However, Mike Adams is a very good tackle who is fundamentally sound and has great pro-bowl potential. If you watched him at the senior bowl and the combine you saw a guy who was always in control even against the better pass rushing prospects. In a division where defenses are incredibly tough, Adams would benefit a team greatly.
30. San Francisco 49ers-Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
There is a chance that Carlos Rogers walks out of San Francisco, and even if he doesn’t Jenkins would really love it here. SF is really starting to put together a tough defense and getting young studs to anchor the future is imperative. Jenkins is a great cover corner who doesn’t lack in any particular area. The only real reason for his drop is that GM’s are still questioning his character after the way he answered some of his questions during interviews.
31. New England Patriots-Andre Branch, OLB/DE, Clemson
See Pick 27.
32. New York Giants-Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
The Giants wouldn’t like to waste this early pick on a TE when there are so many available. However, Allen is a great pass catching TE who could fit in right away with this “big play” offense. The Champs lost Ballard and Beckum to injury and now are unsure what their futures look like, Dwayne Allen is strictly need based but nevertheless will end up being a very good contributor to the Giants offense in the future.