
A one round updated mock that takes the latest NFL rumors and team needs into account but this mock contains a no-trade clause. Just the bare bones 1 thru 32 Oakland to Indy and everyone in between... sans the Sea Birds who don't fly in the first round this year.
1. Oakland Raiders - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
It looks like Moss is outta there and that would be a significant gain for the Raiders who could get better and younger in one fail swoop. Johnson is just plain and simple the best player in the draft but he may need to knock out a teammate before he can truly be welcomed to Oakland.
2. Detroit Lions - Jamarcus Russell, QB, LSU
The Lions get a piece of the lotto here as Russell does not go first and they get a stud quarterback who will have no problem playing in the elements of the NFC North. They have weapons on O already in place and can now have a leader under center to compliment their already strong passing attack. Russell's arm strength would help loosen up defenses and allow the Lions use a balanced attack on offense. The lions need help at d-end but there will still be talent around in the second round.
3. Cleveland Browns - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Browns need to get a consistent feel for themselves and Quinn would be their starter for a decade or more and allow them to build around a centerpiece. They have good weapons on offense and are a stout defense but need help to get over that first of many humps they need to get past. Quinn is a tested leader and should be ready to start very soon without much trouble. Quinn's decisive passing would help loosen up defenses and allow the Browns to do what they do best and grind out wins.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Rumors abound that Gruden is very high on Peterson and may be looking to move Cadillac for picks and a player. Yes I said no assumptions, but with C. J. off the board Peterson is a solid pick for Tampa. I truly believe he will be great but someone needs to tell Gruden, if he gets Peterson, to not run this guy to death in his first year.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
The Cardinals also fill a void with the way the draft (this version anyway) plays out for them. They get the best left tackle in the draft and begin to sure up , with the signing of Gandy, a vastly improved O-line. Getting protection for Leinhart for about a decade or so while also improving the off tackle run game will pay huge dividends in the points, not just gaudy numbers, the Cards can put up.
6. Washington Redskins - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
The Redskins have been making moves to improve in the other "sore spot" areas on defense, that is except on the D-line. Adams is the most explosive end in the draft and with no moves in free agency to indicate otherwise, the Skins could improve through the draft. Adams will be a starter from day one because he can do anything at end be it pass rush, contain or even drop into short zone coverage.
7. Minnesota Vikings - Amobi Okoye, DE, Louisville
The Vikings were number one versus the run last year and at the bottom against the pass, that is a huge discrepancy that can be fixed by getting a pass rush. The Vikings have looked hard at Adams and Revis but Adams is gone and this is too soon for Revis. Receivers will be there in later rounds but a young stud like Okoye with his upside is very few and far between .
8. Atlanta Falcons - Laron Landry, S , LSU
This pick just makes far to much sense, Landry is by far the best safety in the draft and Atlanta needs a boost in it's secondary. One plus one equals two, even when using the "new math". Landry offers up a multitude of abilities at safety, he plays well in the box, has great ball skills and most importantly he is a lock at safety and that cannot be said very often of a rookie.
9. Miami Dolphins - Levi Brown, LT , Penn State
If the Dolphins get Green or not is still in question, but either way they need to be better than forty plus sacks a season. Ronnie Brown needs some better blocking and the better he is the better the team will be. They were nearly even last year in time of possession and with a back like R. Brown they should be doing better than 50-50. Levi provides relief in every area that the Dolphins need relief.
10. Houston Texans - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
I am one of the few who does not see Branch falling and the Texans need someone to help Mario get free. Either Anderson or Branch would be a great fit in a struggling defense. The Texans have many holes but seem to be trying to fill the voids thru free agency. Defensive end is a popular pick but that is because he fits the mold so well, Merry Christmas Mario.
11. San Francisco 49ers - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Anderson seems a better fit than does Branch because he can play end in the 3-4 or 4-3 defense and offers more athleticism. The Niners will take a long look at Carriker as well but again the high motor and speed should win out in the decision making. He will translate seamlessly to the NFL and will make an immediate impact on the Niners D-line.
12. Buffalo Bills - Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal
Willis is outta there and I for one am not sure why but it doesn't take long for the Bills to "circle the wagons" and replace him with another great back. Lynch is harder nosed than he gets credited for being and with his all-around game he becomes a great asset to the Bills. The added receiving and rushing threat makes Lynch the best fit possible for the Bills.
13. St. Louis Rams - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Rams head coach Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett both attended and were very attentive at the Cornhuskers Pro Day. The Rams need a defensive end to help Little and sure up the lackluster front seven. Jamaal Anderson would fit here also but he is already gone and there is no drop off with Carriker who is the more seasoned of the two.
14. Carolina Panthers - Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
Fox has made suggestion that with the announcement of Mike Minters retirement at the end of the season that they may look to replace him in the draft but I don't believe he goes with Nelson here. Olsen would fit as well but the questions at middle linebacker are great and their problems at backer almost negate their great front. Willis will garner movement of teams trading up to get him but no trades allowed.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Lawrence Timmons,LB, Florida State
I still stand firm that Kalil would be a great, be it not very popular, move for the Steelers here but I now doubt they will go that way. Coach Mike Tomlin and director of football operations Kevin Colbert both attended his Pro Day and scheduled a visit for Timmons in April, umm obvious much Pittsburgh. Kalil is a need but the best fit would be Timmons who will be great fit for a 3-4.
16. Green Bay Packers - Greg Olsen,TE, Miami
The Pack needs a running back but the two best are gone and Olsen, another need for them, is still around and he fits. He is a pass catching tight end who can easily line up in the slot and allow for a three receiver set from base personel. After the first two backs there is a fall off in this draft but the second tier backs are plentiful and there will be quality in the second round.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars - Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
The Jags could easily wait to draft a wideout later but they won't get a player like Nelson. He will be a great fit with the hole left by Deon Grant. They play a close to the vest type of offense and need a player who would really open the field up but Nelson is a playmaker and could shorten up a lot of fields for the Jags offense.
18. Cincinnati Bengals - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Hall is the best all around corner with Houston and Reevis close behind, but either way, the Bengals need help at corner. O'neal and James were not the answer last year as the Bengals finished near the bottom against the pass. Hall is solid and would provide a start to the Bengals draft where they should look to be defensive.
19. Tennessee Titans - Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
The defense is awful and the receivers are deep this year in the draft. I think the Titans need to re-identify itself with its defense, Yes, Young needs weapons but they can't hope for shootouts to win games. Houston is a physical corner who would help replace the suspended Pac-Man Jones and help set a tone for where the defense needs to be.
20. New York Giants - Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
Leonard Davis was the only free agent the Giants seriously pursued before losing out to Dallas. This tells me they know it's a high priority given the number of holes they have. They traded for Reuben Droughnes and signed Kawika Mitchell to fill a couple of gaps and Staley would help tremendously, he is possibly one of the top two tackles in the draft.
21. Denver Broncos - Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
Al Wilson has been released and reports are that D. J. Williams will step in, but after that there is zero depth at linebacker in Denver. Rumors are also circling about the possible acquisition of Jenkins from Carolina and that would be a great boost that would allow the Broncos to look beyond defensive end in this spot. Posluszny is a great linebacker who lacks speed but is very fundamentally sound and that would be a great compliment to the speedy backer they already have.
22. Dallas Cowboys - Justin Blalock, OL, Texas
The Cowboys signed Leonard Davis but still need help on the line. There are a few quality guards in the draft this year but Blalock is the bulldozer that is needed in the NFC East. Ben Grubbs has been mentioned as has Ginn who they may well go with here as well but a big athletic guard would help solidify the line and receiver could easily be addressed in later rounds .
23. Kansas City Chiefs - Robert Meachem., WR, Tennessee
IF Ginn falls, the Chiefs will be sure to stay look at him but Meachem is the threat at wideout they need and if he falls he goes to K. C. They have holes at offensive line but with them looking to move Hall I look for them to take a play maker first. He could fit in early and excel at wideout and allow for match-up problems that would help expand the Chiefs offensive playbook.
24. New England Patriots - Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt
This pick is mostly based on the Pats push to fill the CB spot thru free agency , Tory James being the top name being dropped. Darrelle Revis is still out there and should be gone somewhere by now so the Pats would find it hard to pass on him. Revis is as good as Hall and Houston and provides more versatility as a return man making him a possible early first rounder but if he's still around he'll go to New England.
25. New York Jets - Aaron Ross,CB, Texas
The Jets improved their line in last years draft and now should look to improve the secondary. They are courting a number of corners in free agency and are said to be looking to trade out of the first round for extra picks later on. This makes me very uneasy about any pick because the three best corners are gone, no slam on Ross who is very aggressive and talented in his own right and would be a great pick. I could see them trading but with that option moot in this mock I go with Ross.
26. Philadelphia Eagles - Jon Beason, LB, Miami
The Eagles made a strong push for Al Wilson after he failed the physical in NY which leads me to this pick. There are needs in the secondary as well but the push for a linebacker sells me on Beason who is a very fast and athletic backer. They signed Spikes as well but they are uncertain if he will be inside or outside. Beason has the quicks to get after QB's as well and that would be a needed quality in the blitz happy Eagles defense.
27. New Orleans Saints - Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
The best corners are gone so look for Peyton to get the most bang for his buck and that bang comes from 6' 4" Harrell. The Saint were 24th in the NFL against the rush and though they are obviously close they seemed a long way away last January from a ring. Harrell is rising quickly and is a logical choice for a team that uses a rotation the way the Saints do. Hollis and Justin should help the secondary immensely where a corner is badly needed as well.
28. New England Patriots - Michael Griffin, S, Texas
Merriwether is a better prospect in my opinion but very unlikely to go to the Pats and Belichek. Rodney Harrison is on the backside of his career but would be an outstanding , mentor for a rookie safety to learn from. The Pats have always done well to maintain depth on defense and Griffin would allow them that and would seamlessly fit right in as a play maker when Harrison is gone. The Pats could also look O-line as well or continue to stockpile picks with a trade.
29. Baltimore Ravens - Arron Sears,OL, Tennessee
The Ravens simply could not open running lanes last year and even though they were great at protecting McNair the run game was very poor. They also need an outside linebacker but the best could very well be gone before they pick. Sears could be their mauler at right tackle and is projected at guard in the pros, giving the Ravens options for Sears in the future. Both Grubbs and Beekman I believe are better interior lineman than Sears but neither would be good at tackle.
30. San Diego Chargers - Sidney Rice, WR, USC
The Chargers need a receiver and everyone knows it, but who do they take is the question. Rice and Jarrett are both on the board but which USC guy gets the call. Many will say Jarrett but his stock is falling fast after his 40 time and even though Rice is falling as well, I am of the opinion that he is perhaps the second best receiver in the draft. The Chargers will look at safety very hard here as well. If Turner gets traded (for picks or players or perhaps both) the war room completely changes for the bolts.
31. Chicago Bears - Dwayne Jarrett,WR, USC
Bears OC Ron Turners draft wish list, #1 a play-making receiver. If you can find a better way to describe Jarrett I would love to hear it. He did not have a great Pro Day and that could cost him money but he is a solid first round draft pick and the Bears really need someone to open up the field for them. Jarrett scored 41 touchdowns at USC and that is the key word when talking about him, touchdown. The Bears need O-line help and a tight end as well but look for those picks in the later rounds.
32. Indianapolis Colts - David Harris,LB, Michigan
Cato June has left the building and that hole needs to be filled along with a few other on the defensive side of the ball. The Colts need to get younger on offense at the receiver position as well as get a solid back-up for Addai but that can be had in later rounds. The Colts are in the midst of losing a lot of their secondary as well to free agency. They could go with Harrell for size, McCauley to replace Jason David (free agent) or Harris for June, I go with Harris but any of the three will be a solid pick to end the first round festivities.
