okay, I have done a mock draft earlier, that took into account team needs with best talent available. However, as I do more and more research, there seems to be a movement out there that due to the league instability, there will be a force pressure to take Qbs earlier than necessary to fill a need. To the point where some teams will pick guys way.....too high.
So, I am now going to take that into account.
1) Carolina Panthers- Cam Newton Qb Auburn - yes, I agree Qb is a need. yes I also agree that if you are going to risk the world, you have to take the guy who has potential to be the most explosive in this draft. Be clear here though, I think this ends up being Akili Smith part duex.
2) Denver Broncos- Marcell Dareus DT Alabama - Just too good a fit. Just too good. He fills key need, and makes this defense much, much better.
3) Buffalo Bills- Trade to Arizona - Blaine Gabbert Qb Missouri - Here is my first Qb reaction move. Arizona is desperate for the Qb of the future. I do believe that if things were moving right now, they would be the home of Kevin Kolb. But no one knows if or when that will be an option, and they simply have to address this need. By moving up 2
slots, they cut Bengals out of the picture to make sure they get their guy. Great, great move by Buffalo here.
4) Cincinnati Bengals- Patrick Peterson Cb LSU- This was a tough, tough pick. I happen to think the one guy you never see here could well be the choice. That being Peterson. With Jonathan Joseph as an FA, and other Cb up next year....it was just a perfect fit. yes they have Wr issues, but you can get a solid Wr later, but you won't get this good a talent at Cb later. I will add if either Newton or Gabbert are there, they well could be the pick.
5) Buffalo Bills- From trade with Arizona Cardinals- Von Miller OLB Texas A&M - This was a banner day for Buffalo. First they just got a top flight pick added either this year or next. Second they got some absolutely much needed pass rush with Miller. It is a dire, dire need for Buffalo. They can wait till early second round for Qb, and have him learn under Fitzgerald.
6) Cleveland Browns- A.J. Green Wr Georgia - They have alot of needs, but they simply have to get some talent for their young qb to work with. Green is just sitting there like a very ripe apple. So you pluck it and eat it up.
7) San Francisco 49ers- Prince Amukamara Cb Nebraska - Well San Fran just got screwed. Can't get one of the top two Qbs and the top CB just went off the board. However, not all is lost. They can still fill the need at Cb, granted though this is too high for him.
8) Tennessee Titans- Nick Fairley DT Auburn - They won't reach here for Qb. Why? They don't want Locker, I think they are too smart for that. So they let some other team reach for Locker, and grab a better option later. Fairley is a key need, he is the long awaited replacement for Haynesworth.
9) Dallas Cowboys- Tyrone Smith OT USC - Well, if Prince were there, he would be an option here. But he isn't here, and Dallas has two key needs left. OT and DL. Quinn could be the pick here, but I think OT is much more dire, and the DL is very deep in this draft.
10) Washington Redskins - Jake Locker Qb Washington - Here is our very first real panic pick. Washington has to get a Qb, and they know Minnesota and Seattle are behind them and in dire need as well. This is a move that will kill this franchise, but with the owner who feels he knows best, and Shanny who feels he can make anyone a star, this will probably happen.
11) Houston Texans - Robert Quinn DE North Carolina - BPA pick here. They need Cb, but top two are gone. They need other help as well, but a OLB is a great fit for them to increase pressure on the opposing Qb, and help the much struggling CBs they have.
12) Minnesota Vikings - Ryan Mallett Qb Arkansas - Another panic Qb pick. They have to have one, and they may or may not get McNabb once the season starts. Even if they do get McNabb, that is short term only. This to me is an excellent fit though. I am on record as saying I think Mallett is the top Qb prospect in this draft. He can make all the throws. With Minny's running game and O-line, his immobility won't be a hindrance.
13) Detroit Lions - Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College - yes, I know the local don't feel OT is the largest need. I agree. However, their other two needs are Cb and DL and LB. In this case its best value. Bowers is there, but he has question marks. Other tweener DEs are there, but don't really fit the defense they are playing. Getting Castonzo helps solidify the OL, allows better protection for Stafford, and with the deep DL draft..they can address there as well. Had this not been the pick, I would have gone Jimmy Smith instead, as I feel Cb is the real dire need, and the difference between Smith and Amukamara is very, very little.
14) St. Louis Rams - Julio Jones Wr Alabama - again options are wide as some very solid talent has dropped due to Qb pushes. But this is again a dire need, and the talent drop off from here at Wr is significant. I think they take Jones and are very happy.
15) Miami Dolphins - Mike Pouncey OG/C Florida - OL is a need. Qb is a need. But Qb value has just tanked. You don't reach here for Dalton or Kaepernick or Ponder. A trade down is possible, especially with Bowers still there and some other real good DEs. But the fact there are still alot of solid DEs means value is not there. I know most have Rb here. But history shows 1st round rbs are not always the answer. Best this year by some would be 3rd round in a solid draft. Plus once league starts, there are some solid servicable FAs to get like Benson or DeAngelo Willliams.
16) Jacksonville Jaguars - Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson - the drop ends here. To me this is between the following - Bowers, Kerrigan and Aldon Smith. Of the three, Kerrigan is the high motor safe pick. But Bowers has the chance to change a defense, and that is a dire need for Jaguars. If Jones were still here, I would go Wr. But since no Wr rates here, and Qb is not as dire. I go with BPA and Bowers is it.
17) New England Patriots(from Denver) - Aldon Smith DE/OLB Missouri - Need to restock the front seven on defense. This is the perfect end/OLB they like. He has great skills and can get to the Qb. Needs some work but he will be a solid fit.
18) San Diego Chargers - J. J. Watt DE Wisconsin - Much need here. DE is alot of issues for them, and Watt is solid. He has a high motor and will help defend both pass and rush. Again other needs are there, but BPA makes you go Watt.
19) N. Y. Giants - Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA - NY needs to revamp the defense. They need play makers at DL and at LB. To me this is a choice between DE or OLB. Ayers is the best OLB on the board left, and OLB is not as deep in this draft as DL.
20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue - I am torn here. I am more and more leaning Cb here. With the latest news that Talib will be cut, Cb becomes a much more dire need. But due to Talib, and Smith's off field issues, I think Tampa goes DE instead for a safer pick.
21) Kansas City Chiefs - Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin - They have needs on DL and OL. They could really use a solid OLB but with Ayers off the board, I think they finally finish addressing the OL. A Wr would be great as well, but not this high. Carimi will settle in at ROT, and solve a major issue for them.
22) Indianapolis Colts - Nate Solder OT Colorado - yes, there is some great talent dropping, but Indy has no choice here. NONE. They are about to make Manning the highest paid player in the league. They must protect that very expenisive asset. Period.
23) Philadelphia Eagles - Jimmy Smith Cb Colorado - Philadelphia has used smoke and mirrors on defense now for a year or so. They addressed DE last year. They also addressed Lb some, but really need more Lb depth. But the value just isn't there. One other major issue is cb opposit Samuel. This will fix that issue, and allow Hanson to remain at extra CB where he is a better fit. To me, the only other option was to go Sherrod at OT, but this seems too high for him.
24) New Orleans Saints - Muhammad Wilkerson DE/DT Temple - New Orleans has alot of needs, but none more than DL. Wilkerson isn't known to alot of folks, but he is a big guy who can move into the DT position on passing downs and still get pressure on the Qb. He potentially could be the solid DE they have needed for a while.
25) Seattle Seahawks - Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi - Needs are many. OL in general needs work. Qb is much needed as well as they still have not re-signed Hasselbeck, and if they do he won't last much longer. Most feel Whitehurst was a mistake. I think they can get by with as is and they will have to bite the bullet and overpay for Hass, or trade for Kolb. But they have to fix the O-line regardless, and the value for Dalton and Ponder are not there.
26) Baltimore Ravens - Brandon Harris Cb Miami - they would have loved to have seen Smith drop here. They would love to trade down for a Qb hungry team to take a Qb. But of the teams left that need a qb, there is no pressure to trade up now. So they fix a major need by taking a darn good Cb here.
27) Atlanta Falcons - Cameron Jordan DE California - The Falcons got the gift of the draft. Due to Qb needy teams, and other needs, one of the top DEs for a team is there. Jordan could have gone to any above, but DE was the pick here, and he is the top pick left.
28) New England Patriots - Danny Watkins OG Baylor - they have to address the O-line and a majorly ticked off Mankins. This kid is one of the top pure guards in this draft. He fits a major need for them.
29) Chicago Bears - Corey Liuget DT Illinois - Bears get a home grown talent that was expected to go in the top 15 picks. He fills a much needed gap with the release of Tommy Harris.
30) N.Y. Jets - Phil Taylor DT Baylor - pefect fit for them, the big nasty DT/NG they need for a very tough Defense. Great fit and pick for the Jets.
31) Pittsburgh Steelers - Aaron Williams CB Texas - they need fixes at CB and he is the best on the board. If one of the top OL drops, that would be the pick. But with Pouncey, Watkins and the top 5 OTs off the board, they go Cb here.
32) Green Bay Packers - Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa - he has health questions, but no one questions his effort or ability. He is a great late round steal, to help keep building up the defense.
That leaves Cincy and Buffalo to fight over Ponder and Dalton in the early second round.
So, I am now going to take that into account.
1) Carolina Panthers- Cam Newton Qb Auburn - yes, I agree Qb is a need. yes I also agree that if you are going to risk the world, you have to take the guy who has potential to be the most explosive in this draft. Be clear here though, I think this ends up being Akili Smith part duex.
2) Denver Broncos- Marcell Dareus DT Alabama - Just too good a fit. Just too good. He fills key need, and makes this defense much, much better.
3) Buffalo Bills- Trade to Arizona - Blaine Gabbert Qb Missouri - Here is my first Qb reaction move. Arizona is desperate for the Qb of the future. I do believe that if things were moving right now, they would be the home of Kevin Kolb. But no one knows if or when that will be an option, and they simply have to address this need. By moving up 2
slots, they cut Bengals out of the picture to make sure they get their guy. Great, great move by Buffalo here.
4) Cincinnati Bengals- Patrick Peterson Cb LSU- This was a tough, tough pick. I happen to think the one guy you never see here could well be the choice. That being Peterson. With Jonathan Joseph as an FA, and other Cb up next year....it was just a perfect fit. yes they have Wr issues, but you can get a solid Wr later, but you won't get this good a talent at Cb later. I will add if either Newton or Gabbert are there, they well could be the pick.
5) Buffalo Bills- From trade with Arizona Cardinals- Von Miller OLB Texas A&M - This was a banner day for Buffalo. First they just got a top flight pick added either this year or next. Second they got some absolutely much needed pass rush with Miller. It is a dire, dire need for Buffalo. They can wait till early second round for Qb, and have him learn under Fitzgerald.
6) Cleveland Browns- A.J. Green Wr Georgia - They have alot of needs, but they simply have to get some talent for their young qb to work with. Green is just sitting there like a very ripe apple. So you pluck it and eat it up.
7) San Francisco 49ers- Prince Amukamara Cb Nebraska - Well San Fran just got screwed. Can't get one of the top two Qbs and the top CB just went off the board. However, not all is lost. They can still fill the need at Cb, granted though this is too high for him.
8) Tennessee Titans- Nick Fairley DT Auburn - They won't reach here for Qb. Why? They don't want Locker, I think they are too smart for that. So they let some other team reach for Locker, and grab a better option later. Fairley is a key need, he is the long awaited replacement for Haynesworth.
9) Dallas Cowboys- Tyrone Smith OT USC - Well, if Prince were there, he would be an option here. But he isn't here, and Dallas has two key needs left. OT and DL. Quinn could be the pick here, but I think OT is much more dire, and the DL is very deep in this draft.
10) Washington Redskins - Jake Locker Qb Washington - Here is our very first real panic pick. Washington has to get a Qb, and they know Minnesota and Seattle are behind them and in dire need as well. This is a move that will kill this franchise, but with the owner who feels he knows best, and Shanny who feels he can make anyone a star, this will probably happen.
11) Houston Texans - Robert Quinn DE North Carolina - BPA pick here. They need Cb, but top two are gone. They need other help as well, but a OLB is a great fit for them to increase pressure on the opposing Qb, and help the much struggling CBs they have.
12) Minnesota Vikings - Ryan Mallett Qb Arkansas - Another panic Qb pick. They have to have one, and they may or may not get McNabb once the season starts. Even if they do get McNabb, that is short term only. This to me is an excellent fit though. I am on record as saying I think Mallett is the top Qb prospect in this draft. He can make all the throws. With Minny's running game and O-line, his immobility won't be a hindrance.
13) Detroit Lions - Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College - yes, I know the local don't feel OT is the largest need. I agree. However, their other two needs are Cb and DL and LB. In this case its best value. Bowers is there, but he has question marks. Other tweener DEs are there, but don't really fit the defense they are playing. Getting Castonzo helps solidify the OL, allows better protection for Stafford, and with the deep DL draft..they can address there as well. Had this not been the pick, I would have gone Jimmy Smith instead, as I feel Cb is the real dire need, and the difference between Smith and Amukamara is very, very little.
14) St. Louis Rams - Julio Jones Wr Alabama - again options are wide as some very solid talent has dropped due to Qb pushes. But this is again a dire need, and the talent drop off from here at Wr is significant. I think they take Jones and are very happy.
15) Miami Dolphins - Mike Pouncey OG/C Florida - OL is a need. Qb is a need. But Qb value has just tanked. You don't reach here for Dalton or Kaepernick or Ponder. A trade down is possible, especially with Bowers still there and some other real good DEs. But the fact there are still alot of solid DEs means value is not there. I know most have Rb here. But history shows 1st round rbs are not always the answer. Best this year by some would be 3rd round in a solid draft. Plus once league starts, there are some solid servicable FAs to get like Benson or DeAngelo Willliams.
16) Jacksonville Jaguars - Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson - the drop ends here. To me this is between the following - Bowers, Kerrigan and Aldon Smith. Of the three, Kerrigan is the high motor safe pick. But Bowers has the chance to change a defense, and that is a dire need for Jaguars. If Jones were still here, I would go Wr. But since no Wr rates here, and Qb is not as dire. I go with BPA and Bowers is it.
17) New England Patriots(from Denver) - Aldon Smith DE/OLB Missouri - Need to restock the front seven on defense. This is the perfect end/OLB they like. He has great skills and can get to the Qb. Needs some work but he will be a solid fit.
18) San Diego Chargers - J. J. Watt DE Wisconsin - Much need here. DE is alot of issues for them, and Watt is solid. He has a high motor and will help defend both pass and rush. Again other needs are there, but BPA makes you go Watt.
19) N. Y. Giants - Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA - NY needs to revamp the defense. They need play makers at DL and at LB. To me this is a choice between DE or OLB. Ayers is the best OLB on the board left, and OLB is not as deep in this draft as DL.
20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue - I am torn here. I am more and more leaning Cb here. With the latest news that Talib will be cut, Cb becomes a much more dire need. But due to Talib, and Smith's off field issues, I think Tampa goes DE instead for a safer pick.
21) Kansas City Chiefs - Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin - They have needs on DL and OL. They could really use a solid OLB but with Ayers off the board, I think they finally finish addressing the OL. A Wr would be great as well, but not this high. Carimi will settle in at ROT, and solve a major issue for them.
22) Indianapolis Colts - Nate Solder OT Colorado - yes, there is some great talent dropping, but Indy has no choice here. NONE. They are about to make Manning the highest paid player in the league. They must protect that very expenisive asset. Period.
23) Philadelphia Eagles - Jimmy Smith Cb Colorado - Philadelphia has used smoke and mirrors on defense now for a year or so. They addressed DE last year. They also addressed Lb some, but really need more Lb depth. But the value just isn't there. One other major issue is cb opposit Samuel. This will fix that issue, and allow Hanson to remain at extra CB where he is a better fit. To me, the only other option was to go Sherrod at OT, but this seems too high for him.
24) New Orleans Saints - Muhammad Wilkerson DE/DT Temple - New Orleans has alot of needs, but none more than DL. Wilkerson isn't known to alot of folks, but he is a big guy who can move into the DT position on passing downs and still get pressure on the Qb. He potentially could be the solid DE they have needed for a while.
25) Seattle Seahawks - Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi - Needs are many. OL in general needs work. Qb is much needed as well as they still have not re-signed Hasselbeck, and if they do he won't last much longer. Most feel Whitehurst was a mistake. I think they can get by with as is and they will have to bite the bullet and overpay for Hass, or trade for Kolb. But they have to fix the O-line regardless, and the value for Dalton and Ponder are not there.
26) Baltimore Ravens - Brandon Harris Cb Miami - they would have loved to have seen Smith drop here. They would love to trade down for a Qb hungry team to take a Qb. But of the teams left that need a qb, there is no pressure to trade up now. So they fix a major need by taking a darn good Cb here.
27) Atlanta Falcons - Cameron Jordan DE California - The Falcons got the gift of the draft. Due to Qb needy teams, and other needs, one of the top DEs for a team is there. Jordan could have gone to any above, but DE was the pick here, and he is the top pick left.
28) New England Patriots - Danny Watkins OG Baylor - they have to address the O-line and a majorly ticked off Mankins. This kid is one of the top pure guards in this draft. He fits a major need for them.
29) Chicago Bears - Corey Liuget DT Illinois - Bears get a home grown talent that was expected to go in the top 15 picks. He fills a much needed gap with the release of Tommy Harris.
30) N.Y. Jets - Phil Taylor DT Baylor - pefect fit for them, the big nasty DT/NG they need for a very tough Defense. Great fit and pick for the Jets.
31) Pittsburgh Steelers - Aaron Williams CB Texas - they need fixes at CB and he is the best on the board. If one of the top OL drops, that would be the pick. But with Pouncey, Watkins and the top 5 OTs off the board, they go Cb here.
32) Green Bay Packers - Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa - he has health questions, but no one questions his effort or ability. He is a great late round steal, to help keep building up the defense.
That leaves Cincy and Buffalo to fight over Ponder and Dalton in the early second round.
