Mock Draft (3rd Edition)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck QB Stanford

It's a forgone conclusion that Luck will be the pick here. The real question is what they do with Peyton Manning. They should think about keeping him and allowing Luck to learn behind him. Even though Luck is ready, he could be even better with some time behind Manning.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil OT USC
The Vikings are looking to be in a good spot. Either Kalil or Blackmon would be great additions. However Kalil is their main target. Charlie Johnson is their current LT, but he isn't starting material. Kalil would be an ideal blindside protector for QB Christian Ponder.

3. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State
Even with the addition of Brandon Lloyd, the Rams still need help at WR. Blackmon is an elite WR and is on the same level as AJ Green was last year. He'll give Sam Bradford a true #1 receiver he has lacked. Don't be surprised if St. Louis passed on Blackmon for Claiborne. They could really need some defensive help.

4. Washington Redskins: Matt Barkley QB USC
The Redskins would love to get Andrew Luck, but Matt Barkley is not a bad consolation prize the latest. Barkley isn't too far behind Luck and fits the type of QB Shannahan likes.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Morris Claiborne CB LSU
Justin Blackmon would be the like hitting the lottery, however getting Claiborne would really help out a poor secondary. Claibrone is another in the long line of elite cornerbacks that have come out lately and he could step in and complete with Mathies and Cox for playing time.

6. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples DE North Carolina
Carolina's offense seems to be on track, but they could really use some help on the defensive side. They'd love to get Morris Claibrone but he's gone and Dre Kirkpatrick isn't worthy of a top 6 selection. That leaves them with Coples who is BPA. Coples can compete with Greg Hardy for a starting spot.

7. Miami Dolphins: Robert Griffin QB Baylor
Miami has shown this year that they can win games when they have consistent QB play. However you cannot trust Matt Moore to be your future. Luckily they have a shot at Heisman winning Robert Griffin. Griffin has proven this year that he has the skills to be a NFL QB, but he is still a little raw. He would really benefit from a year or maybe two on the bench. This could allow Matt Moore and Chad Henne to compete for the starting gig while Griffin develops.

8. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson RB Alabama
The Browns have been a complete mess this year. Offensively they looked like they were poised for a break out year. However Colt McCoy struggled in his second season and Peyton Hillis had a myriad of issues. Hillis is a free agent and because of the drama that has circled around him he might not be back next year. Even if he is, with his running style they could use a quality backup. Trent Richardson is a dynamic do it all back that we haven't seen since Adrian Peterson. Richardson will be able to make an impact right away as the sole guy or in a RB tandem. This may be high for him, but not too many people would bat an eye at it.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
I'm not a huge fan of Kirkpatrick going in the top 10, but he fits so well with Tampa that it shouldn't matter too much. Kirkpatrick has everything you would want for in a Cover 2 CB. He has great size and strength and loves to play physical. That should help because Cover 2 CBs are asked to jam at the line, help out in run coverage and play in short zones. Kirkpatrick has the talent to thrive in this defense.

10. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Keachley LB Boston College
Anybody that has watched the Eagles play this year knows that they have huge issues at linebacker. Jamar Chaney played well in the middle last year, but they would rather have him at the WLB spot. However they don't have anybody of quality inside. Luke Keachley would make an instant impact. Keachley is a tackling machine who has great instincts and the athleticism to play side line to side line.

11. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw LB Alabama
Buffalo when healthy played pretty well this year. However a big area of need is their pass rush. And they really don't have any quality pass rushers on their roster at the OLB spot. What makes matters worse is that this draft class isn't deep at the rush linebacker spot. That could cause the Bills to reach here (but not by much) on Upshaw who the best player at the position. And let's not forget. The Bills love to reach when they like a guy.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff OT Iowa
Kansas City fans might be mad at me for not putting a QB here, but when Cassell has had time and not had his weapons injuried, he has played well. But with Jones' stock sliding, I see him returning to Oklahoma and coming out next draft where he won't have to deal with Luck and Barkley. Here I see the Chiefs looking to improve at another area of need. Offensive line. Brandon Albert is better suited to play G or RT. Taking Reiff here would allow them to move Albert and improve the overall line.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin OT Stanford
Martin is a good fit for the Cardinals for two reason. First they need a new tackles badly. Both are ineffective and need to be replaced. 2nd, HC Ken Wisenhunt wants to establish a power running attack. Martin is an excellent run blocker and would open up holes for Chris Wells and Ryan Williams.

14. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois
QB is the huge position of need for the Seahawks, but as long as they keep winning they'll either have to take a 2nd tier guy in the 2nd or 3rd round, or go after backups like Matt Flynn or Brian Hoyer. At #14 I don't see a lot for the Seahawks to go after. Dennard could be an option but they've had guys step up and look to be solid there. Devon Still could be an option, but they just gave a bunch of money to Mebane. They need some help at DE to provide a pass rush and Mercilus can do that.

15. San Diego Chargers: Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
San Diego would love to get a OLB to rush the QB, but with Mercilus and Upshaw gone they'll have to wait. Instead the Chargers can look to improve their receiving core that could lose Vincent Jackson, but isn't the deepest anyways. Floyd has shot up the boards and even surpassed Jeffery.

16. Dallas Cowboys: Devon Still DT Penn State
Last year instead of going with the flashy big name player, the Cowboys actually filled a need in the first round and took OT Tyron Smith. That payed off and Smith looks to be a fixture. Now they could do the same thing, but this time along the defensive line. Not only is Still the top DT in the draft, but he is also the top 3-4 DE too. Dallas could really use some help at DE and Still has the size for the position and does a great job of playing 2 gaps and still being able to make plays.
17. Tennessee Titans: David DeCastro G Stanford
I've mocked Alshon Jeffery to the Titans for a long time. And I wouldn't be surprised if they still went that route, but with emergence of Damion Williams, it isn't as big of a need. They can now focus on improving the interior of their offensive line to help out RB Chris Johnson. David DeCasro is the top G in the draft and very worthy of this selection. He is an excellent run blocker and should start day 1.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Alphonzo Dennard CB Nebraska
The Bengals have enjoyed a good season and adding two first round picks could make 2012 even better. After just missing out on David DeCastro they look to improve the defense. Losing Leon Hall to injury and Jonathan Joseph to FA left them thin here. But luckily Alphonzo Dennard is available. With this continued strong play, Dennard has risen his stock and is a top 20 prospect. He can play in any scheme and is as good in man as he is in zone.

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina
It looks like Mike Martz will no longer be in Chicago next year. That means a lot to the Bears, but the biggest change will be at WR. The Bears have been in need of a big physical WR who could go up and get jump balls. But in Martz's scheme, those receivers didn't fit. With him out they can go take Jeffery here and give Jay Cutler a reliable player he can throw the ball up to and know that they can get. Similar to what he had with Brandon Marshall.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland): Lamar Miller RB Miami
After addressing the CB spot, the Bengals can look towards running back here. Cedric Bensen doesn't look to be back and even if he does, they have to upgrade. Lamar Miller is the 2nd best RB in this draft and the only other back worth a 1st round pick. He'll add some explosion to the position they didn't have with Bensen.

21. Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta): Zach Brown LB North Carolina
Because of the Julio Jones trade, the Browns get a 2nd 1st round pick and look to fix their terrible 2011 season. On defense the Browns are still transitioning from the 3-4 and need parts at OLB. Zach Brown is a great athlete at uses his speed and quickness well at the WLB spot.

22. New York Jets: Cordy Glenn OT Georgia
For a team that wants to pound the rock, they've had some issues blocking. Injuries have been part of the problem, but the other is holes at G and RT. Cordy Glenn plays LT for Georgia, but he is better suited to be a G. He is a good pass blocker and an improved run blocker. He could come in at RG and start, or they could have him at RT where he could have success too.

23. Detroit Lions: Mike Adams OT Ohio State
Detroit for a while has ignored their offensive line and took BPA. However that could come to an end here. Not only is Adams considered to be on of the best players available, he also fits a huge need. Best case scenario is that Adams shows the quickness and footwork to be a LT. If that doesn't work he could take over at RT and move Cherilus inside to guard.

24. Houston Texans: Peter Konz C Wisconsin
Houston has one of the best centers in the league this year. Chris Meyers is playing at an elite level. However he is a FA at the end of the season. And with all the money they spent last year and the money they'll need to resign other top players, they could lose him. Even if they resign Meyers, they could really use some help at G and Konz could easily slide over and still play at a high level.

25. New York Giants: Vontaze Burfict LB Arizona State
MLB has been a soar spot ever since Antonio Pierce left. They've tried with late round picks and free agents, but they'll need to invest in a top tier draft pick. Burfict was once considered a top 10 pick but he hasn't shown that same potential this year. However he'd still be a bargain for the Giants here and be a good fit in their Cover 2 scheme.

26. Denver Broncos: Brandon Thompson DT Clemson
Tim Tebow gets a majority of the praise for the Broncos winning streak, but the defense deserves just as much attention. However they could still use some more pieces to help them continue their conversion to the 4-3. One of the areas of need is at DT. Thompson has enjoyed a good season at Clemson and his play has elevated his stock.

27. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama
Rey Lewis isn't going to be around forever. They do need to look to find his eventual replacement. Dont'a Hightower is a good player to consider. He is a good athlete that can do a lot of different things really well. Add in his experience in the 3-4 and playing under Saban and he is a great addition.

28. San Francisco 49ers: Keleche Osemele OT Iowa State
Jim Harbaugh has done wonders in his first year as HC, but they still have a lot of work to do. Especially along the offensive line. G and RT are big areas of need. Harbaugh wants a strong run powered attack and Osemele fits that bill. Osemele played LT at Iowa State but is a much better fit at RT or G. He could start right away.

29. New England Patriots (From New Orleans): Mark Barron S Alabama
Yet another year with New England having multiple picks. Look for them to address a defense that was like a piece of gum on a leak. They cut both starting safeties before the season and had issues all the way through. With that said, it wouldn't be a bad idea to grab Mark Barron here. He is the top safety in the draft and even though he projects better at the SS spot, he can play some FS too.

30. New England Patriots: Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
Not only was their safety play bad, but the only pass rusher they have was Kevin Carter. New England needs to get some pressure on the QB and this might be their chance to get someone. Ingram emerged this year as a feared pass rusher and his position flexability would fit well with the Patriots who love to run a 4-3/3-4 hybrid.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerel Worthy DT Michigan State
Offensive line is the biggest need but all the guys that would normally fit here have been taken. This could mean they look to add to their defense live and gain some depth and possibly an eventual replacement for Casey Hampton. Worthy started the season off slow, but he really emerged at the end and showed the dominant force people thought he'd be.

32. Green Bay Packers: Ronnell Lewis LB Oklahoma
Even before Eric Walden got into a domestic disturbance, the Packers really needed some help at OLB opposite of Clay Matthews. Ronnell Lewis plays in the 4-3 at Oklahoma but his skill set and ability to rush the passer really translate well to the Packers defense that loves to play multiple linebackers.