NFL Mock Draft: 1st Round Draft Choices

Here is my mock for each draft choices this first round with no trades.

Indianapolis Colts- Andrew Luck

With the Manning Era over in Indy, the Colts select Stanford’s elite quarterback Luck. Luck has the ability to step in from Day 1 and be a solid starter. The Colts go directly from one franchise quarterback to another.

Washington Redskins- Robert Griffin III

The Redskins gave up a pretty penny to acquire the pick from the Rams, trading three firs round picks and a second round pick to move up. They will undoubtedly select Baylor standout Robert Griffin III. The team also added a few weapons for Griffin to throw this offseason in Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan. Griffin could have similar results as Cam Newton, in D.C.

Minnesota Vikings-Matt Kalil

Having released the two anchors of their offensive line, the Vikes bolster their biggest weakness with the massive LT out of USC. Christian Ponder or Joe Webb will need as much time as they can get with the lack of receiving corps other than WR Percy Harvin and upcoming TE Kyle Rudolph and WR Stephen Burton.

Cleveland Browns- Trent Richardson

The Browns thought they had hit the jackpot trading former first round bust QB Brady Quinn to Denver for RB Peyton Hillis, but after a contract issue and nagging “injuries” Hillis is no longer on the team leaving the Browns with only Monatrio Hardesty at RB. Trent Richardson is an elite talent and should give whoever is under helm in Cleveland a security blanket next year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Morris Claiborne

With the legal troubles CB Aqib Talib is in and Ronde Barber not getting any younger, the Bucs take the top corner available in the draft in Claiborne. Claiborne should be able to step right into a starting role and stand his ground against the NFL WR’s

St. Louis Rams- Justin Blackmon

Losing WR Brandon Lloyd to free agency once again opens up the No. 1 WR spot in St. Louis. Blackmon is a physical and sure-handed receiver for QB Sam Bradford to throw to.

Jacksonville Jaguars- Michael Floyd

Some may sya the having Floyd going this high is unlikely, but the Notre Dame star fills a huge whole for the Jaguars. Behind WR Mike Thomas, the Jaguars wide receiver corps is very thin, and does not have a strong, physical end-zone threat at WR. Floyd fills that role and gives developing QB Blaine Gabbert a big body to throw to.

Miami Dolphins- Ryan Tannehill

After missing on Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and Alex Smith, the Dolphins are desperate to get a quarterback. To compete with free agent pick-up David Garrard, the Dolphins select the signal caller from Texas A&M to fill the glaring whole the have at quarterback.

Carolina Panthers- Michael Brockers

Having lost DE Julius Peppers to free agency a few years back, the Panthers look to bolster their interior line with the LSU standout. At 6-6 and 300 lbs., Brockers will anchor the Carolina D-line for years to come.

Buffalo Bills- Jonathan Martin

Having signed DE Mario Williams in free agency, the Bills are able to focus on other needs. Martin brings stability to an, at times shaky offensive line. Martin is a smart and physical player who should be able to step in and make an impact right away.

Kansas City Chiefs- Riley Reiff

Drafting the Iowa stud offensive lineman would allow the Chiefs to move OT Branden Albert back to his natural position on the right side. Iowa has been known for bringing good O-lineman into the league and Reiff is no different. Reiff possesses the skills set to be a starter for many years on the left side.

Seattle Seahawks- Luke Kuechly

Aaron Curry obviously didn’t pan out so the LB spot is still a need. Kuechley is a leader at the middle linebacker spot and over the past three years has totaled at least 150+ tackles per season. This kind of production is exactly what the Seahwaks are looking for.

Arizona Cardinals- Melvin Ingram

Having an elite pass rusher coming off the edge is a big need for the Cardinals. Ingram has the ability to make the move to a 3-4 linebacker and should be able to pressure the quarterback well from that spot.

Dallas Cowboys- Dont’a Hightower

Bradie James and Keith Brooking aren’t getting any younger. Hightower can bring some youth and fire to a more veteran defense.

Philadelphia Eagles- Quinton Coples

Getting after the quarterback has been a nagging problem for the Eagles and they look to fix it with Coples. Coples has a good motor and is very good against the run. Has versatility to play from multiple positions as well.

New York Jets- David DeCastro

Keeping QB Mark Sanchez upright and healthy is key for the Jets to get back to their winning ways. DeCastro is a top talent that should fit well on a line the struggled at times last year.

Cincinnati Bengals-Dontari Poe

Having Ray Rice, Rashard Mendenhall, and (with the mock) Trent Richardson in the division, being able to stop the run is a must for the Bengals. Poe is mammoth of a defender who would take up double teams allowing the linebackers to get after the talented backs of the AFC North.

San Diego Chargers- Cordy Glenn

Losing OG Kris Diehlman opened up a huge whole on the Chargers line. Glenn would be able to step into a very similar role on the line making the transition a little easier for the team.

Chicago Bears-Whitney Mercilus

Acquiring DE Julius Peppers has been a great addition for the Bears, but since he is the only elite talent on the line, he is a target for double-teams. Mercilus is a local pass rusher out of the University of Illinois and has high potential to develop into a talented pass rusher that the Bears desperately need.

Tennessee Titans- Devon Still

Losing Jason Jones in free agency hurt the Titans. Adding Still to the Titans line would greatly affect it due to the havoc he can create with blockers on the inside. Will also help keep bodies off newly acquired DE Kamerion Wimbley.

Cincinnati Bengals- Dre’ Kirkpatrick

Losing CB Jonathan Joseph to the Texans last year dealt a major blow to the Bengals. Adding the 6-3 Kirkpatrick would allow them to have a size advantage over many receivers in the AFC North.

Cleveland Browns- Kendall Wright

With this pick I could see Cleveland reaching for a QB, but I think it is likely they take Wright who will be able to draw coverage off of WR Greg Little. Wright has huge big play ability which will help whoever is under the helm in Cleveland.

Detroit Lions- Janoris Jenkins

Cornerback seems to be a reoccurring issue in Detroit. The Lions seems not to worry to much about character issues as shown with Ndamukong Suh’s altercation this season. Here I think they get a steal for possibly the best corner in the draft in Jenkins. He is a quick, feisty, and competitive player who if he stays focused could be an elite NFL talent.

Pittsburgh Steelers- Alemeda Ta’amu

Finding a replacement for aging Casey Hampton is a necessity. Most don’t had Ta’amu going this high, but after Poe and Ta’amu, the NT talent drops off quickly. With time to develop more the Washington star can step into a role when ready.

Denver Broncos-Stephon Gilmore

Both Denver cornerbacks will be turning 34 this year and it is time be look for an eventual replacement of future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey. Gilmore is a solid corner with good tackling skills and very good athletic ability. Gilmore’s ceilings very high and learning from on of the best in the business will prepare him to be the eventual No. 1 in Denver.

Houston Texans-Vinny Curry

Losing both DE Mario Williams and LB Demeco Ryans in the offseason opens up defensive holes in Houston. Curry has been shooting up defy boards and with the glaring needs Houston posses, they take the Marshall product. Curry has a very high ceiling.

New England Patriots-Fletcher Cox

Being in the tail end of the ranking for the defense last year, New England looks to add some youth. Part of the defenses woes were TE pass coverage. The pass coverage was so poor because the rushers weren’t able to get after the quarterback. Adding the Mississippi State product Cox, provides a remedy for that situation.

Green Bay Packers-Peter Konz

Former Green Bay Center Scott Wells left via free agency, and with no other major concerns, the Packers go with the stud center from Wisconsin. Linz should make the transition into the NFL well and for right in with the local Packers.

Baltimore Ravens-Courtney Upshaw

Adding youth the this defense is a must. OLB Jarret Johnson signed elsewhere opening up a whole on the outside. Upshaw is a talent rusher and very good tackler. He plays with anger which is a necessity in the Baltimore defense.

San Francisco 49ers-Lamar Miller

Yes, the 49ers do still have Frank Gore, but how much more can the Niners depend on him by himself? Lamar is a similar back who will be able to spell Gore and still provide power running with also having break away speed. Just another weapon to add to a threatening offense.

New England Patriots- Mohamed Sanu

Although New England has been stockpiling free agent WR’s, they still don’t have a deep threat speedster on the roster. Sanu brings that kind of talent to Foxborough and gives Tom Brady one more toy to play with.

New York Giants-Mark Barron

Deon Grant is slowing down an was at times a liability in the secondary for New York last year. Barron is rated the top safety by many and could fill the role next to Antrel Rolle in New York.