Stephen’s Final Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

New face of the franchise.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

They traded three first-round picks and a second rounder to move up four spots. Shanahan gets his man.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings took Christian Ponder, an injury-prone quarterback, in round one last year. Kalil can step in from day one and keep him upright and will be a future All-Pro.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Peyton Hillis left town for KC. Richardson is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Blessed with height, length and elite ball skills, Claiborne helps shore up a young secondary.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

They got a major haul for the No. 2 pick and still get their top target with the sixth pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Gene Smith goes for high-character guys, and Cox is potentially the best defensive player in this draft.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

They might have to move up a few spots, but the Dolphins can’t afford to pass on another franchise QB.

9. Carolina Panthers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

With Cox off the board, Carolina goes with one of the better corners in this draft. Gilmore’s stock is flying high.

10. Buffalo Bills: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Riley Reiff isn’t enough of a difference maker to go in the top 10. This pick will come down to Floyd, Barron or Kuechly. The tackling machine would solidify a much improved defense. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Scott Pioli is a New England guy and perhaps no team other than the Eagles likes drafting linemen early. DeCastro is an elite guard who will make multiple All-Pro teams.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is tailor-made for Pete Carroll’s elephant position. He can be the successor to Chris Clemons as a hybrid pass rusher.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Pairing the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder with Larry Fitzgerald would give the Cardinals a deadly combination.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Dallas may have to move up a few spots to secure the former All-American, but if he’s still there, there’s no way they pass on him.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Eagles love drafting linemen in the first round, and Coples is incredibly talented.

16. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

This pick will come down to an edge rusher or Reiff, but I think getting him at 16 is too good a value to pass up to solidify the right side of their offensive line.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Marvin Lewis loves defense and he loves him some Upshaw.

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Larry English failed to be the pass rusher the Chargers envisioned when they took him at 16 in 2009. Mercilus is athletic and led the nation with 16 sacks last year.

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright would be a fantastic fit with Cutler’s downfield throwing ability.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Tennessee has some decent interior linemen in Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug, but none of them are the athlete that Poe is. After losing Jason Jones, he can become an elite player if he improves his technique.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Leon Hall is returning from an Achilles injury, and Kirkpatrick would be a solid fit as a physical, lanky corner.

22. Cleveland Browns: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

I think Wright would be a tremendous fit, but with him off the board, Cleveland fixes its right tackle spot with the athletic Glenn.

23. Detroit Lions: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The Lions have a great defensive line, but Kyle Vanden Bosch is on his last legs. Jones is a late riser who could grow into a terrific LDE.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

He has the ability to line up at any linebacker spot, and has the experience and pedigree that should make him a great fit in the Steelers 3-4 defense.

25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

This is my sleeper pick for round one. Peyton Manning’s offense relies on a running back who can catch the ball and pass protect. Martin fits that description.

26. Houston Texans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Brooks Reed is a nice player, but Perry is substantially more talented. Putting them in a rotation opposite Connor Barwin will be deadly.

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

He’s the ultimate Swiss Army knife who’ll remind Bill Belichick of Mike Vrabel.

28. Green Bay Packers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Packers have the luxury of taking the best player on the board. Brockers could grow into a dominant five-technique.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill is supposedly the apple of the eye for the Ravens. His downfield speed and size would be a great fit.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State

The Mike Iupati clone would fill out the rest of a young, tough line to clear holes for Frank Gore.

31. New England Patriots: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

I’m higher on Still than guys like Reyes and Worthy. If he checks out medically, I could see him growing into a great five technique.

32. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

The Giants take a best player available approach like last year and take a guy who was considered a lock for the top 25.

33. St. Louis: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy would fill out a young, talented line that features Chris Long and 2011 first-rounder Robert Quinn.

34. Indianapolis: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Give Andrew Luck his best target in college and you have the makings of a young offense.

35. Minnesota: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

Smith fits a huge need for the Vikings who have the worst group of safeties in the league.

36. Tampa Bay: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Wilson adds an explosive element to complement LaGarrette Blount.

37. Cleveland: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Getting Weeden at this spot could be a steal.

38. Jacksonville: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle is a great downfield threat who can play opposite Laurent Robinson.

39. St. Louis: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz can play guard or center and is the top-rated player at his position.

40. Carolina: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina

Jeffrey had a great Pro Day and moves back up the board. He was once thought of as a first-round lock, but could be Cam Newton’s future No. 1 receiver.

41. Buffalo: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

After passing on Riley Reiff in round one, they get a first-round caliber lineman in round two.

42. Miami: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Dolphins need someone opposite Cameron Wake. Branch is a speed rusher who can add weight and become a very good pro.

43. Seattle: Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin

Zeitler can step in at Robert Gallery’s old spot and solidify a very good young offensive line.

44. Kansas City: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Reyes can grow into a very good five-technique with Tyson Jackson possibly on his way out.

45. Dallas: Bruce Irvin, OLB, West Virginia

Irvin is an elite athlete who can be a strict pass rusher, spelling Anthony Spencer on passing downs.

46. Philadelphia: Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

Boykin is criminally underrated, but is an excellent slot corner and returner.

47. New York Jets: Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall

The Jets need to boost their pass rush, and Curry has the production and hustle to excel in Rex Ryan’s defense.

48. New England: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Patriots continue to build on defense by taking a top-10 talent in Jenkins. He could grow into an elite cover corner if his priorities are straight.

49. San Diego: Bobby Massie, T, Mississippi

Massie is quietly one of the fastest risers in the draft. He’s athletic and would be an immediate starter on a weak Chargers offensive line.

50. Chicago: Trumaine Johnson, CB/FS, Montana

After addressing the offensive line in round one, the Bears come back and take a player who can play both corner or free safety.

51. Philadelphia: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

David is a first-round talent who slides because of size concerns, but he would be a great fit in Philly.

52. Tennessee: Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (Ohio)

Brooks beefs up the interior of the Titans’ line.

53. Cincinnati: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is a home-run threat and good value at 53.

54. Detroit: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt

Hayward brings a great combination of ball skills and experience to an underwhelming secondary.

55. Atlanta: Kelechi Osmele, T/G, Iowa State

One of the underrated weaknesses for Atlanta is their offensive line. Osmele has a lot of upside and brings size and physicality.

56. Pittsburgh: Mitchell Schwartz, T/G, California

Fits the bill of a guy who can play multiple spots and protect Big Ben.

57. Denver: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

The Broncos need to upgrade the middle of their defense, and Thompson fits the need as a stout interior plugger.

58. Houston: Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest

Givens is an underrated wideout who has speed, hands and route-running ability.

60. Green Bay: LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

A sneaky pick by the Packers who need some talent in the backfield. James would be an ideal fit in their spread system.

61. Baltimore: Mychal Kendricks, LB, California

Undersized, but tested off the charts at the combine and has the production to back it up. He would be Ray Lewis’ successor.

62. San Francisco: Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

Crick can grow into a five-technique role behind Ray McDonald and Justin Smith.

63. New England: Brandon Taylor, S, LSU

After adding a corner and two front-seven players, New England addresses its safety need with Taylor, a versatile and experienced player from the SEC.

64. New York Giants: Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State

Wagner is a hard hitter who can play multiple linebacker spots.

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