NFL Draft: Mock thoughts

Its that time of year again. Today is the beginning of the NFL Draft. Like just about every other football football fan I’ll be glued to my tv. So why not try a mock draft to see where it leads.

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel OT Texas A&M

KC has done plenty on defense in free agency. A trade brought in Alex Smith at QB. KC is only a few years removed from winning the West and with Andy Reid in town they could improve a lot. Joeckel can be a cornerstone tackle for the next 10 years. Personally I like Eric Fisher better but Texas A&M out does Central Michigan

2. Detroit Lions. (From Jax for pick 5 and a 3rd and a 2 next year)
Eric Fisher OT Central Michigan.

Jacksonville needs so much that they trade out of this spot to pick up more picks. Detroit gets a great tackle too protect the blind side of former first round pick Matt Stafford

3. Oakland Raiders Sharrif Floyd DT Florida

The Raiders need defensive line help with the loss of Seymour and Desmond Bryant. They get that in Floyd. 6’3″ at 297 lbs with 4.87 speed in the 40.. The Raiders can rebuild their defense up the middle.

4. Philadelphia Eagles Dion Jordan OLB Oregon

Coach Chip Kelly dips back to his college stud and help bring athleticism to the Eagles defense. Jordan was recruited to the Ducks as a tight end and Chip Kelly moved him to the defensive side of the ball. He will bring instant credibility to the defense.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (in trade with DET) Barkevious Mingo OLB LSU

I could see another trade back for the Jags here but in Mingo they will get a good OLB for a defense that could really use it.

6. Cleveland Browns. Dee Millner CB Alabama

The Browns could certainly use another WR a guy like Tavon Austin could make a lot of since here. The Browns though will go defense as they have in free agency. By teaming Millner with Joe Haden the Browns will have 2 young talented CBS to go along with a young safety duo.

7. Arizona Cardinals Lane Johnson OT Oklahoma

The Cards will be happy to get a quality offensive lineman to help protect Carson Palmer. They could also use help on defense but the team will find that in round 2.

8. Buffalo Bills. Ryan Nassib QB Syracuse

New Bills Head Coach Doug Marrone brings his college QB with him. While many think he is a 2nd round choice at best, Marrone trusts him. Geno Smith sounds like the better pick but having the familiarity with Nassib will bring him to Buffalo. Plus Marrone watched Smith fall apart against Syracuse in the snow bowl at Yankee Stadium

9. New York Jets. Arthur Rhodes CB Florida State

Count me as one who loves the trade of Revis for the Jets. He is the ultimate diva and not what the Jets need in their locker room. New GM John Idzik needs to come away with some good players as he rebuilds this team. While offense is a need, a total overhaul will come after Rex Ryan is gone. The Jets might as well build on what Rex does best.

10. Tennessee Titans. Ezekiel Ansah DE BYU

Ansah helps immediately on defense. Also helps keep a good rotation going if Derrick Morgans knee injury lingers

11. San Diego Tavon Austin WR WVU

The Chargers luck out here by getting the dynamic playmaker. Sure he could be gone at 9 to NYJ or earlier. I just see him slipping a bit because of the depth and quality this season at WR.

12. Miami Dolphins D.J. Fluker OT Alabama

Losing Jake Long to the Rams hurts but Fluker is good enough to protect 2nd year QB Tannehill. The Dolphins have done nice things on offense and defense and by solidifying the offensive line the fins could become a playoff contender

13. New York Jets. Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia

The Jets would of loved Austin to fall to them here. The selection of Jones continues to help what Rex does well Defense Defense Defense.

14. Carolina Panthers. Cordarelle Patterson WR Tennessee

Steve Smith isn’t getting any younger. Patterson might not of been the best WR on his team. I think Justin Hunter is the better player. However Patterson has had a good draft prep season. Patterson starts directly opposite of Smith from day 1
15. New Orleans Saints. Chance Womack OG Alabama

Many think defense is a must but the interior of the saints offensive line needs to be solidified. Star Lutuleilei would be a nice pick here as well

16. St Louis Rams. Jonathan Cooper OG UNC

Jeff Fisher’s Tennessee squads were built with strong running games. Cooper helps the insertion of Richardson and Pead as the lead backs in St Louis this season

17. Pittsburgh Steelers. Alec Ogletree OLB Georgia

Losing Harrison hurts. It hurts a lot less with Ogletree coming into the fold

18. Dallas Cowboys. Star Lotuleilei DT Utah

Dallas takes a shot on a top ten player here at 18. A heart condition has taken Star off of some boards. Dallas gets a solid man to anchor their new Tampa 2 defense

19. NY Giants. Tyler Eifert TE Notre Dame

The Tight End position has been a revolving door in NY since Jeremy Shockey left. Eifert is the best on the board and gives Eli a solid receiving threat.

20. Chicago Bears Manti Teo LB Notre Dame

He comes with baggage sure. But the Bears 10 plus years ago took a college safety and made him into a great MLB in Uracher. Teo isn’t the fastest player but he has football instincts

21. Cincinnati Bengals. Kenny Vaccaro FS Texas

The Bengals offense is set. By brining in Vaccaro the Bengals get a center fielder type player to develop in a young hungry defense.

22. St Louis Rams. DeAndre Hopkins WR Clemson

The Rams selected a guard with their first selection and now come back and get a player for Bradford to throw to. On my radio program Patriots Goal 2 Go (follow on twitter @PatsGoal2Go) I discussed my man crush for this player. He is big strong and has the best hands in the draft. Finally Bradford will have a big receiver to throw to.

23 Minnesota Vikings. Justin Hunter WR Tennessee

With the pick acquired by trading Harvin the Vikes get a wide out that will really help Christian Ponder. He is a big tall WR with better quickness then straight line speed.

24. Indianapolis Colts. Datone Jones DE UCLA

Jones has good size and speed for a DE but will play with his hand off the ground in the Colts 3-4 defense

25. Minnesota Vikings. D.J. Hayden CB Houston

Long time cornerback Winfield was release and has since signed in Seattle. The Vikings take their selection and come away with Hayden. He has the tools to develop into a solid corner. His size is 5′ 11″ and he rand a mid 4.4 Forty

26. Green Bay Packers. Eddie Lacy HB Alabama

The Packers won the Super Bowl a few years back with the arm of Rogers and a great defense. What many forget is how well Starks played down the stretch. While Aaron can pass it everywhere, they have missed that every down back that can tote the rock

27. Houston Texans. Keenan Allen WR Cal

What the Texans truly need to put them over the top is a wide out to pair with Andre Johnson. They already have 2 good backs in Foster and Tate. A rock solid defense and a good QB. Teams will have to spend more time on Allen then on the receivers Houston have lined up across from AJ the last few seasons.

28. Denver Broncos. Tank Carradine DE Florida State

Faxgate ruined Elvis Dumerville staying in the mile high city. The Broncos will be very happy with Carradine. He did tear an ACL last November but is recovering well as he was able to run for scouts earlier this month. While he is still raw I can see the Broncos drafting him and bringing in a vet at DE to mentor him.

29. New England Patriots. Robert Woods WR USC

While I truly believe the Patriots will trade out of this pick to a team willing to jump up to grab Geno Smith, I can see them taking Woods. Woods would be the perfect player at a need position. He can play the X,Y, and Z wide out positions. He has good size and speed and has great hands. I have seen mock drafts with the Pats taking defensive line or corners. With the resigning of Talib and Arrington, along with Dennard not missing any time the top 3 corners are set. I still believe in Ras-I Dowling if he stays on the field. With the signing of Adrian Wilson and the ability for McCourty to play safety and CB along with last years second round pick Tavon Wilson.. The Pats are set at corner.
If they trade out expect teams like Arizona, Oakland, or Philly trading into this spot. The Pats could be smart to pick up a deal like the one they made with New Orleans a few years back. A second and a future 1st for this pick.

30. Atlanta Falcons. Menelik Watson OT Florida State

With the Falcons in need of a tackle Watson Makes perfect since. He could be pressed into starting from day one but in my view he is in the back end of the tackles and could be a reach.

31. San Francisco 49ers. Jonathan Cyprien SS FIU

The 9ers don’t have many holes to file except the large one left by Golston bolting for Tampa.

32. Baltimore Ravens. Kevin Minter ILB LSU

Someone has to replace Ray Lewis and Minter will be tabbed. Originally the thinking for me was they would go with a safety to replace Ed Reed but the arrest of newly signed LB McClain has forced Baltimore hand.

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