A lot has
happened since my last mock draft, folks. Free Agency took place and helped
answer some teams’s question marks while it also raised some more questions for
others. The combine also took place in Indianapolis, helping some players’s
stock rise while others’s (aka Manti Te’o) fell harder than that freak Kevin
Ware vs. Duke. So, without further adieu (or is it ado?) I present Mock 2.0
2.
Jacksonville - T Eric Fisher Central Michigan - Jacksonville needs
an upgrade at every position on the board except for running back so the best
player available philosophy should apply. The best on the board, and in my
opinion the best in the entire draft, is Eric Fisher.
3.
Oakland - DT Sharriff Floyd Florida - I’m not exactly sold on
Floyd. I think he’s just another combine warrior who looks great doing drills
but doesn’t produce on the field... which makes him a perfect fit for the
Raiders! Floyd had just 3 sacks and 29 tackles in 2012, but hey, he had a great
combine! I debated having Oakland select QB Geno Smith with this selection, but
they then traded for the man who is tied for the single game record for TD
passes thrown by a Green Bay Packer. No, not Aaron Rodgers, I’m talking about
Matt Flynn of course.
4.
Philadelphia - DE/OLB Dion Jordan Oregon - This pick makes a lot
of sense on a couple of levels. New Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly is of course
Jordan’s former skipper at Oregon so it makes sense that Kelly would pick him
up. Also, after a disappointing season out of Trent Cole and the release of
tattooed freak Jason Babin during the season leaves the Eagles with a need for
a pass rusher.
5.
Detroit - T Lane Johnson Oklahoma - The Lions needed O-line help
badly heading into the offseason. Then Jeff Backus retired which made their
need even worse. In a division with premier pass rushers like Clay Matthews,
Julius Peppers and Jared Allen, a good offensive line is key to survival.
Detroit should race to the podium to select Johnson if he is still
available.
6.
Cleveland - DE Ezekial Ansah BYU - Cleveland’s defense actually
was pretty good in 2012. They finished the year right in the middle of the pack
in all of the major defensive statistics but still could use an upgrade at DE
across from Jabaal Sheard. Ansah is a bit of a one-year wonder after just
recording 10 tackles combined in his sophomore and junior seasons, but his
upside is tremendous. He plays a lot like Jason Pierre-Paul of the
Giants.
7.
Arizona - DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo LSU - Arizona took care of their
need at QB by trading for Carson Palmer a few weeks back so Geno Smith can most
likely cross off Arizona as a possible destination. The Cards defense was
pretty solid last season but could still use a DE across from Sam Acho. With
Jordan and Ansah off the board, Mingo is best pass rusher remaining.
8.
Buffalo - QB Geno Smith West Virginia - The Bills have been on a
search for a franchise QB since Jim Kelly retired and have failed miserably in
doing so. Names like Rob Johnson, Drew Bledsoe, JP Losman, Ryan Fitzpatrick and
Trent Edwards couldn’t get the job done. Geno Smith has all the tools to be a
franchise QB in this league.
9.
New York (Jets) - CB Dee Milliner Alabama - If you haven’t tuned
in SportsCenter lately, you might have missed that Darrelle Revis got traded to
the Bucs. Before I break down the pick, let me break down the trade. The Jets
got away with robbery. As I have mentioned before, the only positions you
should trade a first round pick for are a franchise QB, top tier pass rusher or
an elite LT.... Revis is none of these. Also, he’s coming off an ACL tear. Now
the Jets should replace Revis, with Milliner Island... See what I did there?
10. Tennessee - DT
Star Lotulelei Utah - No team gave up more points in 2012 than the Titans.
Tennessee also finished in the bottom half of every defensive statistic in the
league. They could use a big body to clog up some running lanes to help their
mediocre run D. Lotulelei was a guy who was in my top 3 on my big board before
it was discovered that he had a neck injury at the combine. If the Titans could
grab him at #10 it would be a steal.
11. San Diego - WR
Tavon Austin West Virginia - The Chargers passing attack is just plain bad.
Danario Alexander, Malcolm Floyd and Eddie Royal don’t exactly strike fear in a
lot of teams in the league. What they need is a play maker, and thats what
Tavon Austin. He’s a bit of a question mark like Shariff Floyd because he
really shot up after the combine. However, unlike Floyd I think Austin will be
a stud.
12. Miami - TE Tyler Eiffert
Notre Dame - This is the biggest reach thus far but I think its a good fit.
Tight end play has been a weak spot for the Dolphins over the past couple of
seasons and with a young QB you should have a solid to TE to help bail him
out.
13. New York (Jets) -
DE/OLB Jarvis Jones Georgia - After taking care of their open void at corner,
the Jets should attack their need at DE. Rex Ryan loves Barkevious Mingo but he
got snagged before their first selection. The next best option would be Jarvis
Jones from Georgia.
14. Carolina - DT
Sheldon Richardson Missouri - Carolina’s D-line has been weak ever since Julius
Peppers took off for Chicago a few years ago. Richardson is listed at DT but
could easily transition over to end.
15. New Orleans - CB
Xavier Rhodes Florida State - After getting spurned by Nnamdi Asomugha, the
Saints still need to address the cornerback position. Although statistically
they weren’t the worst ranked pass defensive in the NFL last season, they were
in my opinion the worst. In a division with Roddy White, Julio Jones and
Vincent Jackson the Saints will need to upgrade ASAP.
16. St. Louis - WR
Corradelle Patterson Tennessee - In mock 1.0, I mentioned the Rams need for a
tackle to protect Sam Bradford and a WR for him. The Rams inked up Jake Long in
the offseason taking care of the tackle need. Now they should get him a weapon
and Patterson is the most dangerous one left.
17. Pittsburgh -
DE/OLB Bjoern Werner Florida State - Recently, the Steelers parted ways with
former defensive player of the year and Super Bowl hero, James Harrison, who
signed with the Bengals. The Steelers defensive isn’t getting any younger and
could use some youth at OLB. Werner is a guy with not a lot of football
experience but has the potential to be a future Pro Bowler.
18. Dallas - G Chance
Warmack Alabama - Dallas desperately needs to fix their defensive line. Hell,
they have needed to fix their line for the past 4 seasons but haven’t. They
could go with a tackle or guard so they should just grab the best of either
left. Warmack could make an immediate impact in Dallas after going up against
some of the best pass rushers in the country in the SEC.
19. New York (Giants)
- LB Alec Ogletree Georgia - The G Men had expressed some interest in Manti
Te’o even after his abysmal combine performance, making it clear that they
would like to upgrade at inside linebacker. If there is a better option
available for them at middle linebacker they should snatch him quick. Ogletree
is a much better option.
20. Chicago - LB
Arthur Brown Kansas State - When Brian Urlacher left Chicago last month after
getting that slap in the face contract offer it ended an era in the Windy City.
There was no denying that Brian had lost a step last season and the Bears made
the right move of getting rid of him. Brown is an absolute stud and would be a
great heir apparent in Chicago.
21. Cincinnati - S
Kenny Vaccaro Texas - This would be a steal for the Bengals if he’s still
available. They can grab the best safety and arguably the best defensive back
in the whole draft as well. Vaccaro would help improve an already impressive
defense in Cincy.
22. St. Louis - RB
Eddie Lacy Alabama - Steven Jackson and the Rams parted ways this offseason
leaving a huge hole at the running back position. Unless they want to go into
the season with the Isaiah Pead or Terrance Gannaway being they featured back
they’ll need to draft one.
23. Minnesota - DT
Johnathan Hankins Ohio State - Kevin Williams isn’t getting any younger is
declining each season. It’s time for the Vikings to move on from him.
24. Indianapolis - DE
Margus Hunt SMU - Margus Hunt is a guy I love. He’s just a jerk out there. All
he does is goes out and pushes people around and hits hard. Theres not anything
pretty about his game, he just hurts people. He’d be a great fit for a team who
lacks leadership and toughness on the defensive side of the ball.
25. Minnesota - QB
Ryan Nasib Syracuse - Let’s be real, Christian Ponder is awful. How did this
guy not get torn into for missing a playoff of game due to a BRUISE?? He has
proven that he has no heart and on top of that he has not talent. Watch any
tape of him rolling to the left forcing him to throw across his body, its a
nightmare. All he has going for him is his smoking hot wife, ESPN Broadcaster
Sam Steele. Minnesota needs a change and a leader if they want to compete for
an NFC North crown. Ryan Nasib is that change.
26. Green Bay - S
Jonathan Cyprien Florida International - The Packers pass defense has never
been the same since S Nick Collins retired in 2011 due to a neck injury.
Cyprien is a great fit for Green Bay, hes a sure tackler and a big hitter which
the Green and Gold could use. He reminds me a lot of current Packer safety
Morgan Burnett.
27. Houston - WR
Justin Hunter Tennessee - Andre Johnson could really use a weapon opposite him.
Kevin Walter is a solid player but he struggles to stay healthy and doesn’t
exactly take attention away from Andre Johnson. There are some health concerns
with Hunter but if he could get back to 2011 form, the Texans will be fun to
watch.
28. Denver - DE
Datone Jones UCLA - After the whole Elvis Dumervil fax debacle the Broncos need
an edge rusher opposite Von Miller. Although, Jones is more of a run stuffer,
he could still contribute as a solid pass rusher.
29. New England - S
Matt Elam Florida - We know how bad the Patriots pass defense has been the past
couple of seasons and will need to address it in this draft. Patrick Chung left
New England for Philly so safety should be the first position they fill.
30. Atlanta - CB
Desmond Trufant Washington - Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes are gone and
Trufant is still available. It seems like a great fit for a team that got
roasted in the NFC Championship game.
31. San Francisco - C
Jonathan Cooper North Carolina - San Fran’s O-Line is tremendous so this is not
a pick to fill position of need. This is purely to provide them with depth
because honestly, the Niners don’t have that many needs. Cooper could play
center or guard so if one of them goes down he could be plugged in and can
contribute.
32. Baltimore - LB
Manti Te’o Notre Dame - If you somehow forgot, let me remind you all that Ray
Lewis retired. As much of a nuisance Ray was, there was no denying he could
play and was a leader. We all know about Manti’s fake/dead girlfriend/boyfriend
and his poor showing at the combine, but there is no denying what he did with
his time at ND. Te’o would be a “killer” replacement for Ray Lewis in
Baltimore.
That concludes
round one of Mock 2.0. Here are some bonus picks for other players of
interest.
33. Jacksonville
- QB Matt Barkely USC
35. Philadelphia
- QB EJ Manuel Florida State
43. Tampa Bay -
QB Mike Glennon NC State
88. Green Bay -
RB Montee Ball Wisconsin
100. Oakland - QB
Tyler Wilson Arkansas
101. Philadelphia
- CB Tyrann Mathieu LSU
121. Indianapolis
- QB Tyler Bray Tennessee
160. Houston - RB
Marcus Lattimore South Carolina
172. Oakland -
QB/WR Denard Robinson Michigan
202. Tennessee -
QB Colin Klein Kansas State
254. Indianapolis
- OLB Tom Wort Oklahoma (Mr. Irrelevant)
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