Why you ask? Because Arabic numerals are overrated (Arabic speakers use Hindi numerals anyway).
I. COLTS – Andrew Luck, quarterback, Stanford
Sorry, nothing interesting to report here.
II. REDSKINS – Robert Griffin III, quarterback, Baylor
As much as D.C. suffers from a poor O-line…they ‘ve suffered worse from poor quarterback play. If Shanahan can’t make this work…it really cuts into his legacy because he couldn’t make it quite work with Cutler either. RG 3 and Luck are everything you want in a number one pick at quarterback.
III. VIKINGS – Morris Claiborne, cornerback, LSU
I ‘ve seen a few mocks where Claiborne goes at this spot. Or maybe just one, but it had me think for a moment. Kalil may not be Joe Thomas or Jake Long, but he shouldn’t be anything worse than a franchise left tackle. That’s worth a #3 pick. Twincities.com referenced a Greg Cosell article pointing out how elite quarterbacks are masking poor tackle play in the current age…and here I readily agree with the columnist: Christian Ponder isn’t near elite. He says yet…I have serious reservations about ever. I was wrong about Aaron Rodgers, but right so far about Brady Quinn…so take my word with a grain of salt. Okay…I’ve talked myself into it. Here goes the jump.
IV. BROWNS – Justin Blackmon, wide receiver, Oklahoma State
Previously I had Mo Claiborne here pairing with Joe Haden to form a scary young pair of corners…or at least a set who could develop into an elite pair. Now that’s fried, so do they go with Kalil and have an excellent right side shored up with Joe Thomas still holding down the left? You just can’t draft a right tackle, or a left tackle to play right, in the top five. So…Stephon Gilmore at four is too high, Blackmon could be the pick or we have a trade with Miami ensuring they get Tannehill (or Trent Richardson if they fancy him). I can’t picture taking a runningback in the top 10 if you’re in the AFC North, especially with talent to be had at that position later in the second round. So, if they stay it’s Blackmon. They’ll pick up a quarterback by round three, however.
V. BUCCANEERS – Matt Kalil, offensive tackle, USC
So much for the precipitous drop. Kalil upgrades a running game which needs drastic help. I nearly went with Fletcher Cox here, as I previously upgraded their pass rush with Q Coples…but you can’t pass on a left tackle unless you already have one.
VI. RAMS – Trent Richardson, runningback, Alabama
With Blackmon gone, do they grab Floyd or trade down? Fletcher Cox is still available, as is Trent Richardson. Does Jeff Fisher pick the next Eddie George here? This is starting to sound like a fit for me.
VII. JAGUARS – Michael Floyd, wide receiver, Notre Dame
I’m sticking with this pick…and I may regret it if Jacksonville reaches for a pass rusher. I’m staying pat for now though.
VIII. DOLPHINS – Ryan Tannehill, quarterback, Texas A&M
Another repeat from the last mock.
IX. PANTHERS – Fletcher Cox, defensive tackle, Mississippi State
I still like this pick.
X. BILLS – Mark Barron, safety, Alabama
I was considering Luke Kuechly here and maybe will go in that direction with my final selection, but for now I’m happy to see a need met in an improving defense. There’s wide receiver help to be had in the second round and they could find a tackle at this spot, but the talent after Barron drops a half level before Harrison Smith and other teams want his services.
XI. CHIEFS – Luke Kuechly, inside linebacker, Boston College
In this installment Kuechly moves up one spot.
XII. SEAHAWKS – Quinton Coples, defensive end, UNC
Very athletic boom or bust player – sounds like many a ‘Hawks first round pick.
XIII. CARDINALS – Stephon Gilmore, cornerback, South Carolina
Patrick Peterson and Gilmore form a promising young tandem of ex-SEC defenders. Upgrading the pass rush or pass protection is also an option…but Arizona has poor luck in that department it seems.
XIV. COWBOYS – Melvin Ingram, defensive end/linebacker, South Carolina
Gilmore is gone, as is Barron. Reaching for Harrison Smith is too much. It’s best to nab Melvin Ingram while he’s available to pair with Demarcus Ware. That’s back to back Gamecocks, no less.
XV. EAGLES – Whitney Mercilus, defensive end, Illinois
This is a reach, but Philly often does and I’m not expecting Poe to go at this point. Brockers was the pick previously, but Reid will go for the edge rush here with RG 3 on the schedule.
XVI. JETS – Riley Reiff, offensive tackle, Iowa
Although Rex needs a pass rusher, some of his better options are taken. Brockers is a nice fit, as is Upshaw, but if the tackle they need falls to them, they should take him.
XVII. BENGALS – Kendall Wright, wide receiver, Baylor
I’m keeping this one from before.
XVIII. CHARGERS – Michael Brockers, defensive tackle, LSU
A very athletic player, Brockers is one piece in making the Chargers unit elite again.
XIX. BEARS – Cordy Glenn, offensive tackle/offensive guard, Georgia
I’ll keep this one. They can put off wide receiver for one more round.
XX. TITANS – Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback, Alabama
XXI. BENGALS – Lamar Miller, runningback, Miami
So far, I’ve kept a few from before…this one stays unless the Bengals like Dontari Poe for their rotation.
XXII. BROWNS – Nick Perry, defensive end, USC
I’m back-tracking…the Browns take a very good pass rusher in this pick.
XXIII. LIONS -Rueben Randle, wide receiver, LSU
There’s talk of the Lions trading Cliff Avril to the Patriots, which probably doesn’t affect their first round position. I wonder about the possibility of Fleener at this position, but then I’m going to go with Rueben Randle as a compliment to Megatron.
XXIV. STEELERS – David DeCastro, offensive guard, Stanford
Alameda Ta’amu gets some consideration here as does the former pick at this position, Dont’a Hightower. That offensive line needs to improve, so David DeCastro fills a large need.
XXV. BRONCOS – Coby Fleener, tight end, Stanford
I was about to rant about Charley Casserly…but then realized I was reacting to Albert Breer’s latest offering. There you go, I agree with one Breer.
XXVI. TEXANS – Mohamed Sanu, wide receiver, Rutgers
Here’s a player to pair with Andre Johnson in the next two years. I don’t think they address the offensive line or pass rush until the next two rounds.
XXVII. PATRIOTS – Peter Konz, center/guard, Wisconsin
This keeps pressure off of Brady up the middle and keeps the naysayers away in Baltimore.
XXVIII. PACKERS – Harrison Smith, free safety, Notre Dame
With Nick Collins’ injury I expect the need pick will come into play here.
XXIX. RAVENS – Chandler Jones, defensive end, Syracuse
Family overcomes Crimson Tide loyalties for Ozzie Newsome here as Art Jones III pairs with younger brother.
XXX. FORTY-NINERS – Shea McClellin, defensive end/outside linebacker, Boise State
The Niners get a good prospect here to continue improving that defense. Wide receiver is also an option.
XXXI. PATRIOTS – Jerel Worthy, defensive tackle, Michigan State
Keeping this from last time.
XXXII. GIANTS – Dont’a Hightower, inside linebacker, Alabama
One more ‘Bama product rounds out the first round and agrees with Breer’s choice. Dontari Poe is an option, but the G-men can see a better upgrade in Hightower long term.
Sports Thinklings 