#1- Indianapolis Colts- QB/ Andrew Luck/ JR/ Stanford
The media and scouts have pegged Luck as the #1 overall pick for two years now. With new management, and coaching, I think they will start the re-building with a sure fire QB.
#2- St. Louis Rams- QB/ Robert Griffin III/ JR/ Baylor – Pick will be traded to Seattle, Cleveland, or Washington.
Since winning the Heisman Trophy, the radar has been on Griffin, and he has not failed the expectations. He is moving up everybody’s board and 3 teams , Seattle, Cleveland, and Washington, would love to have him. Don’t be surprised if this pick is traded for one of those teams to acquire Griffin.
#3- Minnesota Vikings– OT/ Matt Kalil/ JR/ USC
Minnesota had a hard time offensively last year, and getting the best lineman available will give 2nd year quarterback Christian Ponder more time to throw and will give more open space for Adrian Peterson to run.
#4- Cleveland Browns– WR/ Justin Blackmon/ JR/ Oklahoma State (Pick could be traded)
More than likely this pick will belong to another team from the projected trade for Robert Griffin. Regardless of who owns this pick, especially if it is St. Louis, Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon will be taken at this spot.
#5- Tampa Bay Buccaneers– CB/ Morris Claiborne/ JR/ LSU
With Aqib Talib in legal trouble, and the struggles of last year’s defense, I think new head coach will go with cornerback Morris Claiborne from LSU. Claiborne is the best corner in this class, but not by much in my opinion. Janoris Jenkins and Dre Kirkpatrick are close to Claiborne in ball skills and overall athleticism.
#6- Washington Redskins– RB/ Trent Richardson/ JR/ Alabama
Washington needs a quarterback and could use any help on offense. I think they take the best player available on the offensive side of the ball and go with Alabama running back Trent Richardson.
#7- Jacksonville Jaguars– OT/ David Martin/ JR/ Stanford
Jacksonville is in re-building mode and Martin is a beast who takes no prisoners. He is a great offensive lineman, and I think the Jags will snag him up.
#8- Miami Dolphins– OT/ Riley Reiff/ SR/ Iowa
A lot of other mock drafts have Reiff selected as the 2nd offensive lineman, but I think he will fall into the arms of the Dolphins who would gladly draft Reiff if he falls to the 8th pick. A tandem of Reiff and Jake Long would lay a solid foundation on the offensive line, and would be key for the Miami offense.
#9- Carolina Panthers– DE/ Quinton Coples/ North Carolina
Coples is a monster who can get off the block as quick as anybody. He is a very explosive end, and he played at North Carolina under the eye of the Carolina Panthers. Coples will be a high pick no matter where he goes.
#10- Buffalo Bills– LB/ Courtney Upshaw/ Alabama
Upshaw was the leader of an insanely talented linebacker core at Alabama, which also featured expected 1st round pick Dont’a Hightower. He is a very athletic linebacker, and it would be stupid for Buffalo to pass up Upshaw due to the fact that defense wins games.
#11- Kansas City Chiefs– QB/ Ryan Tannehill/ Texas A&M
Tannehill came into Texas A&M his freshman year a quarterback, switched to wide receiver for 2 years, and switched back to QB once Jerrod Johnson exited the program. Most mock drafts have him rated as the #3 quarterback on the draft board. I disagree with that, but I think KC will buy into the hype and take him due to the needs at that position.
#12- Seattle Seahawks– (If pick is not traded to top 3 for QB Robert Griffin III) –LB/ Luke Kuechly/ Boston College
Pete Carroll likes to take guys who A. played for or against him in the Pac-12 and B. Players that he surely would have recruited while at USC. Seattle needs a quarterback, but if they fail to trade up to get Robert Griffin, they will take the best player on the board, Luke Kuechly, who surely is a Carroll type player.
#13- Arizona Cardinals– DE/ Melvin Ingram/ South Carolina
Ingram is a big guy, 6’2 285 lbs, which makes him a good solid body on d-line, and that is exactly where the Cardinals will be looking with the 13th pick.
#14- Dallas Cowboys– DT/ Michael Brockers/ LSU
Brockers was a huge part of the juggernaut LSU team last season due to his ability to plug holes and fill gaps with ease. He is a big tackle, 6’6 290 lbs, but the man plays like a pass rushing end and overall is a great competitor and player. I think Dallas will select him if he is still available.
#15- Philadelphia Eagles– WR/ Kendall Wright/ Baylor
Wright was Robert Griffin III’s #1 target for years at Baylor and together, the two would shatter many school records in their time in Waco. Wright runs great routes, has above average hands, and is very fast. He has it all for a wide receiver. With DeSean Jackson in and out of Andy Reid’s doghouse, and Jeremy Maclin’s injury problems, I believe Philadelphia will go after Wright so Vick has another horse to throw to.
#16- New York Jets– DT/ Devon Still/ Penn State
The Jets need better run defense, and still can play both tackle and end. I think this is where they go in the first round as they did last year with the selection of Muhammad Wilkerson.
#17- Cincinnati Bengals– OT/ Mike Adams/ SR/ Ohio State
A lot of Buckeyes get scouted and looked at by the two home state teams, Cleveland and Cincinnati. If Adams had not been apart of the same scandal that got Jim Tressell to resign and Terrelle Pryor to go pro, he would be a higher pick. Adams is an ideal tackle who has amazing size and skill.
#18- San Diego Chargers-LB/ Dont’a Hightower/ JR/ Alabama
The Chargers need linebackers like the type they used to have. From Junior Seau to Shawn Merriman, the Chargers have had a solid linebacker core for a long time now. Hightower is a freak athlete and play maker, and has been one of the best linebackers in college football since he arrived his freshman year in Tuscaloosa. I think the Chargers take Hightower to complement Shawn Phillips.
#19 – Chicago Bears– WR/ Michael Floyd/ SR/ Notre Dame
With quarterback Jay Cutler throwing the ball 35-40 times a game, the need for a big time receiver is obvious. Floyd was dynamic in his career at Notre Dame, and has all the intangibles that the Bears will be looking for at the position. The television market for Notre Dame is nationwide, but Chicago is one of the most favorable places to be as an alum or friend. There are fans and alumni all over the city. The Bears will take Floyd to help their passing game turn up another notch and for the fan base.
#20- Tennessee Titans-CB/ Janoris Jenkins/ North Alabama (transfer from Florida)
Jenkins is very athletic and was a standout at Florida until head coach Will Muschamp released him from his scholarship, allowing him to transfer. He ended up at Northern Alabama, and still maintained his status as one of the top cornerback/kick-punt returners in the nation. This would be a smart pick for Tennessee.
#22 –St. Louis Rams– OG/ David DeCastro/JR Stanford
DeCastro could be selected earlier in the draft. He is a candidate as the best interior lineman in college football, and the Rams would be lucky and successful if they land DeCastro.
#23 –Detroit Lions– CB/ Alfonso Dennard/ SR/Nebraska
Last season, Dennard was considered a top 3 cornerback and he is the real deal. I think he has a lot of similarities with Prince Amukamara, his former teammate at Nebraska and now a solid part of the Super Bowl champion Giants. Dennard has good speed and ball skills. We all know the Lions need to address their pass defense, so this pick would be a good start for that rebuilding process.
#24 – Pittsburgh Steelers-CB/ Dre Kirkpatrick/JR/ Alabama
The Steelers gave up too many big plays this year due to shoddy play in the secondary where they are usually solid. If Kirkpatrick is available at #24, Pittsburgh could not resist picking the most athletic corner in the draft. Kirkpatrick is a do it all player, and his presence helped Alabama win 2 national titles in his time there.
#25- Denver Broncos– Safety/ Mark Barron/SR/Alabama
Barron was a first team All-American and is a very solid safety who lays wood. Along with his great coverage skills, he can hit like a ton of bricks. I think Denver takes him with this pick.
#26- Houston Texans – WR/ Alshon Jeffery/SR/ South Carolina
Since his freshman year, Jeffery has been a star receiver and was considered the best WR in the best conference in college football (SEC). With Andre Johnson’s injury problems, addressing this position with Jeffery would be a great selection.
#27 – New England Patriots– CB/ Stephen Gilmore/JR/ South Carolina
As we saw in Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots need to address their needs at cornerback. Gilmore is a stud who makes big plays and would fit in the Pats system perfectly.
#28 – Green Bay Packers –LB/ Vontaze Burfict/JR/ Arizona
Burfict is a complete monster on the field; he has so much talent it’s sickening. Character issues will drop him into the lap of Green Bay, who will take the risk. Even with the character issues, I believe once teams see his athleticism and playmaking ability at the NFL Draft combine, Burfict will move up the draft board.
#29 – Baltimore Ravens – OG/ Cordy Glenn/ SR/ Georgia
Glenn is a big boy, and the Ravens need an interior lineman like Glenn, who can get to the second level and play with his particular skill set.
#30- San Francisco 49ers – S/ T.J McDonald/JR/ USC
It might sound cliché, but it is very true in McDonald’s case that this guy plays with a high motor, like he has a chip on his shoulder. He hits very hard and in any USC game I covered or watched, #7 was around the ball every play. His Father Eric played for the Niners, so I think this would be a great pick.
#31- New England Patriots– DE/Andre Branch/SR/ Clemson
Branch is a big, fast, strong defensive end, and the Pats could use improvement on the defensive line. Vince Wilfork isn’t getting any younger. I think they go with the former Clemson Tiger.
#32-New York Giants– LB/ Chris Marve/ SR/Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin has turned the Commodores into competitors, which is amazing considering the academic standards and entry standards the university has. Marve was considered one of the best middle linebackers not only in the tough SEC, but also in the nation. Giants need linebackers and I think they go with Marve with the champ’s first round pick.
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