Mock Draft 4.0

With free agency two weeks old and almost all the major signings made, there will likely only be intermittent changes from here on out. But let’s see what the second week of free agency did to the draft outlook. 

1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck – QB – Stanford 

*yawn* 

Previous Pick: Andrew Luck 

2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III – QB  - Baylor

In-spite of what Donovan McNabb says, the Redskins are still going to take RG3. 

Previous Pick: Robert Griffin III 

3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil – OT – USC 

Not sure what you want me to say. This pick isn’t changing for a long while. 

Previous Pick: Matt Kalil  

4. Cleveland Browns – Justin Blackmon – WR – Oklahoma State 

Playmaker. Playmaker. Playmaker. I could repeat that like a mantra and every time I do Blackmon’s image is what comes to your mind. 

Previous Pick: Justin Blackmon 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Trent Richardson – RB – Alabama  

I’m not sure why they would pick elsewhere at this point. Maybe Claiborne, but the value is clearly here. 

Previous Pick: Trent Richardson

6. St. Louis Rams – Morris Claiborne – CB – LSU  

The recently released (i.e. leaked) wonderlic will have zero impact on his draft grade. He’s going in the top ten. 

Previous Pick: Morris Claiborne   

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Melvin Ingram – DE – South Carolina 

My opinion here hasn’t changed. The pass rush remains the primary concern for the Jaguars. 

Previous Pick: Melvin Ingram 

8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill – QB – Texas A&M  

At this point you could see Tannehill go higher, but only if someone decides to trade up. If not, he’ll slide to the Dolphins here. 

Previous Pick: Ryan Tannehill 

9. Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples – DE – North Carolina  

A lot of people think Coples is slipping, but I don’t think the Panthers would pass on him at this spot. 

Previous Pick: Quinton Coples  

10. Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff – OT – Iowa  

Demetrius Bell’s signing with the Eagles all but seals this deal. 

Previous Pick: Riley Reiff  

11. Kansas City Chiefs – Dontari Poe – DT – Memphis  

The Chiefs still need a nose tackle and while they are working to bring Kelly Gregg back, I’m still of the opinion that Poe is the better option. I’ll likely be oscillating between Kuechly and Poe right up until the draft. 

Previous Pick: Luke Kuechly  

12. Seattle Seahawks – Luke Kuechly – LB – Boston College 

I’ve always kind of assumed that the Seahawks would be able to re-sign David Hawthorne or pick up one of the other middle linebackers in free agency. With Hawthorne gone, I think they’ll be targeting Kuechly now. 

Previous Pick: Janoris Jenkins 

13. Arizona Cardinals – Jonathan Martin – OT – Stanford   

Until they sign a left tackle, this will be my pick, because the issue there is just too big to ignore. 

Previous Pick: Jonathan Martin 

14. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Brockers – DT/DE – LSU 

I’m sticking with the logic of the defensive line pick. However with Poe gone, the Cowboys go and grab a big guy who can side between the tackle and end positions. 

Previous Pick: Dontari Poe 

15. Philadelphia Eagles – Fletcher Cox – DT – Mississippi State

I’m still going for the Eagles getting more help on their defensive line. 

Previous Pick: Fletcher Cox 

16. New York Jets – Courtney Upshaw – DE/OLB – Alabama  

The Jets haven’t really addressed their pass rush and Upshaw would be good value here. I like DeCastro better, but the Jets really need the pass rush help. 

Previous Pick: David DeCastro

17. Cincinnati Bengals – David DeCastro – OG – Stanford 

Top ten talent available at the 17th pick? The Bengals will jump on this chance. 

Previous Pick: Cordy Glenn 

18. San Diego Chargers – Cordy Glenn – OG/OT – Georgia  

With the retirement of Kris Dielman and the release of Marcus McNeil the Chargers are in definite need of some help along the offensive line. Glenn would slide into Dielman’s spot easily and provide depth in case Jared Gaither gets hurt. 

Previous Pick: Courtney Upshaw 

19. Chicago Bears – Mark Barron – S – Alabama 

I remain steadfast in my opinion that if the best safety in the draft is available, the Bears will take him above all else. 

Previous Pick: Mark Barron  

20. Tennessee Titans – Peter Konz – OC – Wisconsin 

I maintain the stance I’ve had since my first mock draft. The Titans need a leader on that offensive line and Konz is the kind of guy who can be that leader. 

Previous Pick: Peter Konz 

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins – CB – Alabama 

The best ball hawk in the draft slips down to the Bengals and they’ll be happy to take him. 

Previous Pick: Michael Floyd 

22. Cleveland Browns – Mike Adams – OT – Ohio State 

The Browns could go a lot of places with this pick and I just think it makes the most sense to address the offensive line here and grab a running back high in the second one. 

Previous Pick: Mike Adams

23. Detroit Lions – Dre Kirkpatrick – CB – Alabama 

I just don’t think as many teams will go with a cornerback high in the draft so for me, I think Kirkpatrick will slip this far. 

Previous Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick  

24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Dont’a Hightower – LB – Alabama 

Sticking by my guns on this one. Hightower is a thumper in the middle that could easily fill in for James Farrior. 

Previous Pick: Dont’a Hightower 

25. Denver Broncos – Jerel Worthy – DT – Michigan State 

I’ve seen some people have the Broncos picking someone else, but I’m just not convinced that they’ll get away from adding a new defensive tackle. 

Previous Pick: Jerel Worthy  

26. Houston Texans – Michael Floyd – WR – Notre Dame 

As the weeks have gone on, my opinion has kind of come more in line the popular thinking. A guy like Michael Floyd would be a great compliment to Andre Johnson and a good replacement when Johnson gets hurt. 

Previous Pick: Nick Perry  

27. New England Patriots – Whitney Mercilus – DE/OLB – Illinois

The Pats still need an edge rusher and Mercilus would be a solid prospect to add. 

Previous Pick: Whitney Mercilus   

28. Green Bay Packers – Andre Branch – DE/OLB – Clemson 

Same as above. 

Previous Pick: Andre Branch  

29. Baltimore Ravens – Lavonte David – LB – Nebraska 

I’m standing by my guns here as well. David would be a solid replacement for Ray Lewis. 

Previous Pick: Lavonte David    

30. San Francisco 49ers – Kendall Wright – WR – Baylor 

Wright has great big play speed, which will be a great asset for the 49ers going forward.  

Previous Pick: Kendall Wright   

31. New England Patriots – Stephon Gilmore – CB – South Carolina

The Patriots still need help in the secondary and without the great value of Brockers or Fletcher here, they snag the next best corner in the draft. 

Previous Pick: Michael Brockers 

32. New York Giants – Coby Fleener – TE – Stanford 

I’m finally changing the final pick in the first round. I’m hearing more and more that the Giants are interested in Fleener. He would be a major upgrade to the tight end position and at this point, we would be a good value. 

Previous Pick: Devon Still