I'd like to preface this by saying this is not who I want to be drafted, or where I want them to be drafted, just where I think they will be drafted at the moment. Criticism and disagreement is welcome, and I hope you all enjoy! Carolina (2-14)- WR AJ Green Georgia I think the character concerns of Fairley will ultimately dissuade Carolina from taking him with the #1 overall pick. Green is the best talent in this draft and will add tremendous spark to Carolina's offense for a long time. Clausen gets a great weapon to work with in his attempt to keep the starting job. Denver (4-12)- DT Nick Fairley Auburn Does John Fox look to beef up his terrible secondary or his terrible D-line first? I think D-line, as Fox has seen first hand what a great D-line can do for a defense. Granted even with Fairley, Denver still has some work to do up front, but he's a potential pro-bowler/top 5 player at his position as long as he stays out of trouble. Buffalo (4-12)- QB Cam Newton Auburn I know many may not agree with this pick, seeing Buffalo as having bigger needs to fill. Some may think Buffalo is content with Fitzpatrick, but I do not. Yes, Fitzpatrick surprised this year and played relatively well for the situation he was put in, but what exactly is Buffalo going to win in the AFC East with Ryan Fitzpatrick? He's a nice story, decent player but Buffalo realizes they need a top QB to compete with the likes of the Jets, Pats, and to a lesser extent the Phins. Cam is a bit risky, but he has the potential to be tremendous. Cincinnati (4-12)- DE Da'Quan Bowers Clemson Cincy is upset that Green did not fall to them, but Bowers gives them another potentially high-end pass rusher to put opposite Dunlap who put up a great rookie campaign. Bowers and Dunlap give Cincy a scary, scary pair of bookends for the foreseeable future. Arizona (5-11)- LB Von Miller Texas A&M Most may be partial to giving the Cards a QB at this spot but I have a funny feeling their going to make a run at either Vince Young, Kolb, or McNabb. The Cards have a big problem at OLB, they attempted to bring in Joey Porter to add some life but that did not work out. I don't necessarily agree with Von this early, (although I do see him as a top 15 guy) but I think the Cards take him over Quinn here. Cleveland (5-11)- DE Robert Quinn North Carolina There's reports that the Browns are going to switch back to the 4-3 and Quinn has crazy potential to be a beast in the NFL. I don't think his year will hurt him at all, and his game tape of the previous year and combine will speak for themselves. Thought about Dareus here, but Rubin and Rogers played relatively well last year. A DE for that 4-3 is a big need IMO. San Francisco (6-10)- CB Patrick Peterson LSU Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers front office are jumping for joy seeing Peterson still on the board. QB and defensive back seem to be San Fran's two biggest needs and at this point Peterson is just too much of a value to pass up here. Arguably the 2nd most talented player in the draft behind AJ Green, Peterson starts from day 1 and really upgrades that secondary. (PS- I would love to see Kolb end up in San Fran and play in that offensive system.) Tennessee (6-10)- QB Blaine Gabbert Missouri VY is gone, now Jeff Fisher is gone and the new head coach of the Titans is presumably going to want to pick his QB of the future in this spot. I haven't totally bought into the love for Gabbert, but I do see his potential and he does have prototypical QB size. I think he'll need some time to learn and if he is rushed into starting right away could face some major problems, not just for next year but for the duration of his progression. Dallas (6-10)- CB Prince Amukamara Nebraska Dallas is very happy to add Prince to the fold with Mike Jenkins playing terrible football this past season, and Terrance Newman not being the same player he used to be. Plus, with Rob Ryan being the new DC down in Dallas, I'm sure he'll be yelling and screaming at Jerry Jones to add a CB this talented. Washington (6-10)- QB Jake Locker Washington The Redskins were a bit tricky for me, because I could definitely see them adding Julio Jones here, but we all know the Redskins love to make terrible, splashy moves, so here it is. The Redskins FO supposedly was very disappointed when Locker decided to go back to school last year and were ready to take him at #4 overall. Although he did not have the greatest senior campaign, I just don't see the Redskins changing their mind and Shananan gets a chance to start over at QB. Houston (6-10)- DE Marcell Dareus Alabama What a piece to aid in the transition to the 3-4. Houston has shown in previous drafts that they like to draft D-linemen early, and they get a tremendous value here at 10 ( I was kind of upset at myself that I couldn't find a spot for him earlier). Houston has some decent DE's to put opposite Mario Williams, but no one of the caliber of Dareus. Minnesota (6-10)- DE Cameron Jordan California Another candidate for a QB, but with only Mallett on the board I don't see Minnesota pulling the trigger on him. Additionally, I see them making a run at McNabb because for all the nonsense that happened this past season, this is not a bad football team, that has the personnel to win now. This pick is based on the belief that Ray Edwards will bolt in free agency and Cameron Jordan adds another great piece to that defensive line. Jordan can play in both the 3-4 or the 4-3 and I think his great Senior Bowl week will propel him this high, maybe even higher. Detroit (6-10)- DE Aldon Smith Missouri Common knowledge would say take Akeem Ayers here and try to upgrade that terrible LB core or reach for a CB, but I think Detroit sees the potential in Smith and takes him to put next to Suh on that D-line. Detroit has a very bright future if Stafford stays healthy, but even without his setbacks I still see them as 2 years away from being ready to contend. This gives Smith just enough time to bulk up and be a major player on that D-line for years to come. St. Louis (7-9)- WR Julio Jones Alabama Exactly what the Rams and Bradford needs, a big, fast WR with the potential to be a #1. I see Jones being a much better pro than he was in college, where although he still stood out, was kind of not used to his best potential because of the style of offense 'Bama runs. Miami (7-9)- RB Mark Ingram Alabama Becoming such a boring pick, but just makes too much sense. Miami could potentially lose Brown and Williams this offseason and they don't have another starting caliber RB on their roster. Jacksonville (8-8)- DE Ryan Kerrigan Purdue The Jags need to add a DE badly with the failures of Derrick Harvey and the major injuries to Aaron Kampmann. Kerrigan is exactly the kind of high character guy that the Jags like to look for and his non stop motor will make him a pain in the behind to block at the next level. Some have thrown around comparisons to Chris Long on here, and I like that comparison and could see him putting up similar production. New England - from Oakland (8-8)- LB Akeem Ayers UCLA The Pats get the OLB they so badly need in Ayers. What adds additional value to Ayers in the Pats defense is that he has the size to line up at multiple positions, becoming the versatile LB the Pats have missed these past couple of years. Is a capable coverage guy aswell. San Diego (9-7)- OT Tyron Smith USC The Chargers need to upgrade their RT spot and I believe Tyron Smith will be the 1st lineman off the board once the draft rolls around. Physically gifted, Tyron profiles as a potentially great tackle in the NFL, being capable as both a run blocker and pass protector. New York Giants (10-6)- DT Stephen Paea Oregon St. The g-men love drafting D-lineman and they have a need at DT with Rocky Bernard being a not so good free agent signing. Paea is an ideal DT in a 4-3 and even though he got hurt at the Senior Bowl, I still see him coming off the board around the mid to late first round. Tampa Bay (10-6)- DE Adrian Clayborn Iowa Clayborn's poor senior season pushes him down to 20 and behind guys like Kerrigan and Smith, but Tampa is still getting pretty good value here with a potentially very good DE this late in the 1st. Clayborn pushes the pocket well and will look real nice next to McCoy and Price up front for the Bucs. If he had come out after his monster Junior year, Clayborn probably would have went top 10.
Kansas City (10-6)- WR Jonathan Baldwin Pittsburgh KC could go a few ways with this pick; OL, NT, or WR. Baldwin is a tremendous talent with crazy size and speed. The problem is, he has big time character problems, is lazy at times, and just seems to be a bad guy. Could potentially be a #1 in the future and gives the Chiefs a great option other than Bowe on the outside. Indianapolis (10-6)- OT Nate Solder Colorado Peyton Manning should have a clause in his contract requiring Polian to take O-lineman with the first two picks this upcoming April. The Colts really made a mistake last year passing on Saffold and taking Jerry Hughes instead. Solder is raw, but has the potential to be an above average tackle at the next level. Philadelphia (10-6)- CB Jimmy Smith Colorado Philly needs to upgrade their secondary and they do so with the Colorado corner. I am personally very high on Smith, and see him being a fringe Pro Bowl corner in the future. Smith has great size and speed and is a great man to man cover corner. New Orleans (11-5)- DT Corey Liuget Illinois The Saints need an interior lineman to pair with Sedrick Ellis who has been a bit of a disappointment in his own right. Liuget might be a fringe 1st rounder at this point, but I see his stock rising up until the draft and him coming off the board somewhere in the 20's. Is quick and gets great penetration, and that's exactly what the saints need upfront. Seattle (7-9)- QB Ryan Mallett Arkansas The Seahawks go with Mallett here late in the 1st to step in once Hasselback is gone. God knows Charlie Whitehurst gave the Seahawks no reason to believe in him this year and Hasselback is getting up there in age and is just not the same player as he used to be. Mallett needs some time to refine his mechanics, footwork, and adjust to the NFL level and IF the Seahawks bring him along the right way I think he can be successful (notice the IF). Baltimore (12-4)- CB Brandon Harris Miami The Ravens need a CB badly, and one could make the argument that aside from Joe Flacco's collapse in the 2nd half of their playoff game against the Steelers, their play at CB was the other main culprit in them losing that game. Harris is a hell of a player who is a hard worker and plays physical. Sounds like a Raven player to me. Atlanta (13-3)- WR Torrey Smith Maryland Atlanta does right by Matt Ryan and gets him a weapon on the outside to put opposite Roddy. Torrey made a lot of money when Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd decided to stay in school, but that is not to say he is not worthy of this selection. Has all the physical tools and has considerable upside, just needs some time to garner his potential. New England (14-2)- OT Gabe Carimi Wisconsin After upgrading their linebacking core earlier, the Pats can either solidify their D-line with Watt/Heyward or upgrade their OL where Mankins may be leaving via free agency and Matt Light was horrible this past year. Since Tom Brady is very important (obviously) to what they do offensively, I think they look to protect their MVP QB. Carimi is pretty good value this late in the first and had a good showing at the Senior Bowl before getting injured. Should fit right in at RT. Chicago (11-5)- OL Derek Sherrod Miss St. In my opinion Chicago's two biggest needs are at WR and OL. With no WR worthy of being picked with this pick, they go with a lineman to protect Cutler. Sherrod has the potential to eventually be a LT but he will probably start out at RT or inside at guard. Went with him over Costanzo because Sherrod is a very solid athlete with the ability to be a great screen blocker at the second level, which is something the Bears love to do with Forte. New York Jets (11-5)- DE JJ Watt Wisconsin Tough decision for me here with Houston and Sheard still on the board, but Watt is such a good value here I could not pass him up. Has great potential as a 5-tech in our defense and is still learning based on his semi-recent switch to DE at Wisconsin. Is a solid pass rusher from the DE spot which is something we desperately need with Ellis either being gone or back in a limited role and DeVito being more of a rotational/run stopper type of guy. Put up an astounding 20 and a half tackles for loss this past season which is as important a stat as any for a DE. Green Bay (10-6)- LB Justin Houston Georgia Green Bay looks to be pretty set at almost every position but two positions they could look to upgrade are on the offensive line, and a linebacker opposite Matthews. At this moment, I'll go with the value of Houston over a guy like Anthony Costanzo simply because I think Houston is too good a value as a 3-4 LB this late for the Pack to pass him up. Gives the Packers a potentially dominant pass rush for years to come. Pittsburgh (12-4)- OG Mike Pouncey Florida Pittsburgh needs O-line help and why not bring in the brother of your pro bowl rookie center to play next to him? A red flag that went up for me regarding this pick was when Pouncey (Mike) pulled out of the Senior Bowl, indicating to me he must have a pretty good sense he's going to be drafted in the 1st round (I have not heard of an injury or another reason why he had pulled out and if there is one please let me know!).
Not bad Sir, I know how hard these are to make its really a bitch. Heres some opinions of mine on your draft: First off, Id love if the Jets got Watt BUT id be surprised if he got past SD or Tampa. Also even if he was there Im still not sure if we'd pass up Sheard, Houston, AND Beal. Next, The Giants wont take Paea they drafted a DT last year and they need more help at ILB like Greg Jones of Michigan State or Martez Wilson of Illinois. I like the Minny going DE and the Jags getting Kerrigan. Overall good stuff my friend keep it going.
Even though NE got their OLB with OAK's pick in this mock i can't see them making the same mistake twice and passing over a solid potentially Elite DE in Watt for an OL that can be had with their 33rd pick. Although Mccourty worked out wonderful for the Pats I still think Odrick made more sense for them at the time. I doubt Watt gets past NE at 28 if he's still on the board.
Newton to the Bills... on one hand they have a lot of more pressing needs while Fitzpatrick is serviceable. On the other though when you need a franchise QB and you have the opportunity to draft one you have to. It'll be interesting to see what the Bills evaluation of Newton will be. ATM I don't even know what outcome to root for... I'm also not sure the Falcons will go WR, they have more pressing needs on D. It would help them to get a WR but I think they can get one later in the draft. PS BTW I'd love the Jets to have to choose between Watt, Heyward and Houston... three players that I think could fit very well here... I'd be fine with any of them but I would've chosen Watt too. Good Job!
The Falcons don't really have "pressing" needs anywhere, it's basically a luxury pick. Sure, you could go DE and get Abraham's replacement, but for all we know, Abraham has 5 more years in him. At this time, they need another speed rusher in the rotation, but not enough to spend a 1st on one, there are plenty later. Nickle corner is probably they're biggest weakness, and you certainly don't invest a first on that position. 3 OL are FAs, the Falcons could probably afford to resign 2, 1 at worst. Clabo might be the most likely to sign elsewhere, so they could go OT, especially with all that OT talent available in the latter part of the first...
Agreed I think buffalo is in an interesting spot, but I think they should go for the franchise QB especially in a division like the AFC east where you won't get anywhere with Ryan Fitzpatrick as your QB. Chan Gailey had an interesting comment at the senior bowl about if you think a player us supremely skilled you find a spot for him on your team regardless. Take that how you want to, but to me he might have been talking about Newton (Yes, I know Newton wasn't at the senior bowl).
I think a lot of teams would be really happy to see the draft fall like that in Rd 1: CIN Bowers. They get perhaps the best player in the draft at #4, not bad. CLE Quinn. 34 or 43, he's a freak of nature. SF Peterson. Stud, size to match up with Fitz/BMW in the NFC West. HOU Dareus. I can see him falling too, but I'm not sure Dallas would let him slide by. If he does, he'd be a crazy talented bookend for Mario Williams in a 34. STL Jones. They need him bad. JAX Kerrigan. Kampmann's probably done, I should have done the same in the mock even though corner is technically a bigger need. NO Liuget- I'm a big fan of his too, and the Saints like having explosive players across their DL. BAL Harris- They'll go best CB available, though Harris is in my mind the 2nd best CB in the draft. ATL Smith- Perfect compliment player for that offense. He with White, Jenkins, Douglas, and Gonzalez is the best receiving corps in the NFL. Well done, Sir.
i read somewhere, maybe bleacher report, that draft fanatics are saying that cam newton is another josh freeman, I don't know if I agree with that assessment. Thoughts?
The boleded part is key. If Buffalo's Scouts belive Newton or another available QB is a franchise caliber guy, then eed to take him. You don't, hopefully, land in the top 3 often, when you do the pick needs to count. The Bills need a lot of things, but if they get a 10+ year solution at the most important position in football they need to take it.
I can see it, Freeman reminds me a lot of Ben Roethlisberger with his big loose cannon arm and his ability to extend the pocket the same way Cam Newton reminds me of Roethlisbeger, only faster.
agreed, the three of them seem to have a lot in common. and if buffalo has the chance to bring in that kind of guy they have to take advantage.
Josh Freeman Height: 6-6 Weight: 248 Ben Roethlisberger Height: 6-5 Weight: 241 Cam Newton Height: 6-6 Weight: 250 i agree that all three are prototypical for their size; but I need to wait for the combine for me to make sure that Cam Newton is the best prospect for the Bills. I'm a Jets fan first and foremost, but I am also a fan of the AFC East. The AFC East has two of the best teams in the conference. Hopefully the Bills and Dolphins can draft talent to make them competitive. I want to see the AFC East remain the hardest division in the NFL.
what the hell? screw the division. I hope the Pats, Dolphins and Bills draft the crappiest players on the board and set their franchise back years.
lmao. i'm all about competition. whats the sense of being the seattle seahawks? so you can say youre the best team in a weak division? coming from a strong division is what earns teams respect and a lombardi trophy. the afc east & afc north are two of the hardest divisions of football. the afc is the hardest conference. i want the bills and dolphins to get better for the sake of competition.
who said anything about being a terrible as the seahawks? One team in a division can be good and the others can all be bad, using the seahawks as your example makes no sense. And who cares about making every other team in the division competitive. We probably were cost a trip to the super bowl one of these past two years because our division is competitive and we didn't take the division and get any home games or a bye. But hey if that's what you want, so be it.
