Why you ask? Because Arabic numerals are overrated (Arabic speakers use Hindi numerals anyway).
I. COLTS – Andrew Luck, quarterback, Stanford
II. REDSKINS – Robert Griffin III, quarterback, Baylor
As much as I dislike the other team on the beltway, the right move is to select a player who might have the career Mike Vick was supposed to have. Luck walks onto the scene as Houston’s ascent begins in earnest and RG III will have to acclimate to working through his progression with the likes of Nnamdi Asomugha and DRC downfield one week, to Justin Tuck and Pierre-Paul draped over him another.
III. VIKINGS – Matt Kalil, left offensive tackle, USC
I honestly believe Minnesota is actively seeking to trade this pick and should be. There are too many needs for this team to address only one need. If they stay, it’s Kalil; but I expect they trade down and still nab Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd in order to provide a target for Christian Ponder.
IV. BROWNS – Morris Claiborne, cornerback, LSU
Joe Haden is emerging and now the other boundary is protected by a quality corner who I expect to become another shutdown corner. Until further notice Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, and A.J. Green are in your division.
Again, I think it makes better sense to trade out of this pick, but I expect if Minnesota can’t manage Cleveland will have to send in the card. The scenario which changes this game requires that a team trades up to take Blackmon before the Rams can pick him.
Trent Richardson is a popular option here, and would sell tickets, but drafting a runningback this early is far too risky. You can find a quality runningback later in this draft but the other cornerbacks all have question marks attached.
V. BUCCANEERS – Quinton Coples, defensive end, UNC
Grabbing Justin Blackmon is less enticing with Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams lining up on the outside. LeGarrette Blount is serviceable for now and that offensive line needs serious upgrades. It’s too early to reach for Reiff or DeCastro, so ‘Q’ is given the chance to pair with Adrian Clayborn whose 7.5 sacks last year paced the team. If Gerald McCoy is able to shake off injuries and step up, a tepid pass rush becomes frightening ala the Panthers of the early 2000’s with Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker, and Kris Jenkins. The O-line is addressed on day two.
VI. RAMS – Justin Blackmon, wide receiver, Oklahoma State
If he’s still available, Sam Bradford has his security blanket for years.
VII. JAGUARS – Michael Floyd, wide receiver, Notre Dame
Necessitated by the Blaine Gabbert selection and the Bucs taking Coples off the board earlier than pundits expect. Reaching for Fletcher Cox here or plugging in Trent Richardson seems off. While I like Melvin Ingram, I expect the Jaguars aren’t as sold on him as I am.
VIII. DOLPHINS – Ryan Tannehill, quarterback, Texas A&M
The right move is trading down for this team. The Fins have far too many needs to fill in the first three rounds. If they trade down, they may still stay in position to pick up Osweiler, a corner, a pass rusher, and a receiver. If they stay, they have to take a quarterback for their fan base’s sake after losing out both on Manning and RG III.
IX. PANTHERS – Fletcher Cox, defensive tackle, Mississippi State
After a study of Brian Baldinger’s mock, it makes a world of sense to me. I like Michael Brockers’ upside, but he isn’t going out this early for many.
X. BILLS – Riley Reiff, left offensive tackle, Iowa
This is where I really am starting to question matters. The Bills have had a tendency to overreach on prospects. The prime example for my mind is Donte Whitner. Reiff has made sense for weeks, but until that card is turned in I’ll be waiting for Buffalo to do something crazy. They’ve added two pass rushers in Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, so I don’t see a reach for Melvin Ingram. Michael Brockers is a possibility. Trent Richardson is tempting for a team that always seems to add a runningback off schedule. My take: if they reach, it’s for a wide receiver or corner. I’m not ready to pencil in Kendall Wright here when offensive tackle is such a glaring need. Maybe they will though.
XI. CHIEFS – Trent Richardson, runningback, Alabama
Jamaal Charles and Richardson in the same backfield sets up an absurd thunder and lightning option. The Chiefs have a stockpile of young talent where injuries cut them down last year. Richardson can produce right away and the tandem situation is the best thing for his career.
XII. SEAHAWKS – Luke Kuechly, inside linebacker, Boston College
This underrated defense adds one more impressive piece.
XIII. CARDINALS – David DeCastro, left offensive guard, Stanford
Unable to nab Michael Floyd at this position, the team adds a player who will upgrade the running game and keep Kolb’s jersey a little cleaner, at least until they take it from him.
XIV. COWBOYS – Mark Barron, strong safety, Alabama
Safety has been a position of need for a long time. Darren Woodson is the last legitimate cover safety option I recall and that was toward the end of his career. Roy Williams flashed in the pan, even managed to have a rule named after him, but it seems it’s time that the ‘Boys finally address a glaring need.
XV. EAGLES – Michael Brockers, defensive tackle, LSU
On back to back picks I agree with Baldinger. Kuechly didn’t fall far enough and the Iggles added DeMeco Ryans to shore up an appalling linebacking core. Reid prioritizes linemen always and it isn’t worth reaching for Jonathan Martin here when it’s not a position of need.
XVI. JETS – Melvin Ingram, pass rusher, South Carolina
I’m catching a hunch that the Jets just might grab a wide receiver here, but I’m not going to deviate from Baldy here. I like Ingram’s versatility and production far too much. In short, this is the pick I’d make for my team here, so I won’t begrudge Ryan. That’s an open invitation – pick someone else at your peril.
XVII. BENGALS – Kendall Wright, wide receiver, Baylor
I doubt he’ll be available when next they have the chance to send in the card, so Dalton’s second option comes off the board at seventeen. They could draft Cordy Glenn here, but I expect the offensive skill positions to be addressed twice.
XVIII. CHARGERS – Stephon Gilmore, cornerback, South Carolina
A once proud defense has vastly diminished in the past several seasons. Shoring up the boundary position is one less worry.
XIX. BEARS – Cordy Glenn, offensive tackle/offensive guard, Georgia
Brandon Marshall’s reunion with Jay Cutler will be short-lived if this offensive line isn’t addressed. Glenn’s versatility and experience playing everywhere but at center is a selling point for a team whose season essentially ended when Cutler’s season was cut short.
XX. TITANS – Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback, Alabama
XXI. BENGALS – Lamar Miller, runningback, Miami
Bernard Scott and Benjarvus Green-Ellis won’t be able to pick up the slack in this running game apart from an addition. Miller is a home run hitter. Honestly, I expect the Bengals should be in prime position to trade up and really knock out one need. However, Dalton gets the ball out of his hand very quickly and that’s ideal for players who work in space the way Wright and Miller can.
XXII. BROWNS – Alshon Jeffery, wide receiver, South Carolina
Cleveland can’t afford to take a chance on a player who is still raw in Stephen Hill. Trading back and finding Osweiler won’t work because the wide receivers still drop far too many passes.
XXIII. LIONS – Nick Perry, defensive end, USC
I’d rather have Perry here than Mercilus. That front four should exert its dominance even more with an upgrade who can consistently power through blockers.
XXIV. STEELERS – Dont’a Hightower, inside linebacker, Alabama
I’m agreeing far too much with Baldy, but still this makes sense. Farrior’s departure needs remedied. Hightower is a big linebacker who diagnoses plays well and fits into an AFC North 3-4 splendidly.
XXV. BRONCOS – Janoris Jenkins, cornerback, North Alabama
This pass defense was horrific last year, which was once the team’s strength. If the Manning to Thomas connection is going to put up points, the defense will need to keep getting stops. Jenkins’ talent is undeniable and he’s worth the risk here.
XXVI. TEXANS – Whitney Mercilus, pass rusher, Illinois
Wade Phillips’ defense is a large reason for the emergence of this team at last. Even without Matt Schaub, T.J. Yates was able to win games because this defense is built to attack. Mercilus continues that trend after the loss of Mario Williams.
XXVII. PATRIOTS – Shea McClellin, defensive end/linebacker, Boise State
Belichick gets another player he can plug at multiple positions. With Mark Anderson’s departure this is a met need.
XXVIII. PACKERS – Harrison Smith, free safety, Notre Dame
With Nick Collins’ injury I expect the need pick will come into play here.
XXIX. RAVENS – Courtney Upshaw, outside linebacker, Alabama
After losing fellow ‘Bama product Jarret Johnson to the Chargers, the Ravens can use Upshaw’s talents to wreak havoc opposite Terrell Suggs in passing situations without giving up Johnson’s true specialty: setting the edge.
XXX. FORTY-NINERS – Stephen Hill, wide receiver, Georgia Tech
Dontari Poe is a possibility, but Hill’s ability to get deep and win matchups will be too much to ignore.
XXXI. PATRIOTS – Jerel Worthy, defensive tackle, Michigan State
Vince Wilfork almost single-handedly dominated the Ravens’ offensive line in the playoffs. That wasn’t enough against the G-men, but the additions of Worthy and McClellin will mask a secondary which still needs addressed.
XXXII. GIANTS – Coby Fleener, tight end, Stanford
Fleener upgrades the Giant’s already dangerous aerial attack. David Wilson is also an option here to pair with Ahmad Bradshaw.
Sports Thinklings 