Mock Draft (4th Edition)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck QB Stanford
At this point I really don't know what to say about this pick. We all know that no matter who gets the first pick, they are going to take Luck. Indianapolis has long been the favorite, but their current two game winning streak and possible 3rd win could ruin their chances.



2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil OT USC
The protection Sam Bradford got this year was one of the biggest reasons the Rams struggled. Rodger Saffold doesn't look like the long term LT. Luckily Kalil is an elite LT prospect and the best to come along since Jake Long.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne CB LSU
Justin Blackmon seems like a very logical pick here, but don't be surprised if they go another direction. WRs are easier to find in later rounds but elite shut down corners aren't easy to find in later rounds. Even before Chris Cook had his domestic abuse charges, the Vikings have struggled in the secondary. Claiborne would drastically help this defense.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State
I will be completely shocked if the Jaguars pass on Blackmon here. Blaine Gabbert looked horrible in his rookie season, but he also was thrust into the lineup when he wasn't ready and had no receivers to throw to. Blackmon is an #1 caliber receiver and a big time play maker.

5. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin QB Baylor
This pick is really a tough one. They could go with Trent Richardson, but there are a lot of good running backs that will be available in the 2nd round and QB Colt McCoy hasn't really won over the organization. Robert Griffin has really developed his skills to make him a very desirable prospect. He can come in and challenge McCoy for playing time and help jump start this offense.

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama
I don't know if I like Kirkpatrick this high. But if any team is going to take him here the Bucs are the best fit. Kirkpatrick should thrive in the Bucs Tampa 2 defense. Kirkpatrick is a big physical cornerback that loves to jam receivers at the line and will thrive in a zone system instead of one that requires him to play a lot of man to man.

7. Washington Redskins: Landry Jones QB Oklahoma
Jones may or may not enter the draft. If I had to put money on it I'd say he returns. His stock isn't that high and he could use another year at Oklahoma to rejuvinate his stock and challenge Matt Barkley for the #1 overall pick. But if he comes out he could still win over teams with personal workouts and the combine. He has every skill you need to be a franchise QB. Here Washington would take them because they have to upgrade at a position where they have started Rex Grossman and John Beck.

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff OT Iowa
Despite the play of Matt Moore, the Dolphins need to have a QB of the future. However with their recent success and Matt Barkley returning, they are unlikely to get one of the top guys. They'll have to address another spot. OT could be it. Jake Long tore his bicep and might not be ready to start training camp next year. But even if he is there they need somebody at RT where Marc Columbo has been awful. Reiff has really enjoyed a good season and has taken over the #2 OT spot ahead of Jonathan Martin.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples DE North Carolina
Defensive end really isn't a huge need because Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy have played well. However Coples is the Best Player Available and adding him with those two is only going to make this pass rush better. Coples can challenge Hardy at one spot and Coples would likely take over. But Coples does have experience rushing at the DT spot and in passing situations he could slide in to get all three in at the same time.

10. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin OT Stanford
Injuries really derailed the Chiefs season this year and prevented them from getting back to the playoffs. However they are in a position to get a player that can really help out. Brandon Albert continues to start at LT, but he clearly is better suited to be a RT or G. Getting Jonathan Martin would allow Albert to switch spots and help out a very thin line. Martin also fits very well because the Chiefs are a running team and Martin has been one of the big reason that Stanford has been so successful running.

11. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw LB Alabama
Buffalo was poised for a very good season, but injuries really took their toll and losses started to add up. One of the biggest reasons that Buffalo struggled was due to a lack of a pass rush. They really don't have anybody to is considered a good pass rusher. Adding Upshaw would be a great way to remedy that. Upshaw has been a force for Alabama and his experience in the 3-4 will allow him to see the field immediately.

12. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro G Stanford
They would love to get a hold of either Riley Reiff or Jonathan Martin, but with both gone they'll have to look in another direction. But they don't have to go away from the offensive line. 12 might be a little high for a guard, but DeCastro has really shot up the draft boards and interior lineman have really been valued a lot higher lately. DeCastro is an elite run blocking prospect and should fit in nicely with HC Ken Wisenhunt's plan of transitioning the Cardinals to a power running team.

13. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Keachly LB Boston College
One of the biggest reason the Eagles defense struggled this year was the play of their linebackers. Jamar Chaney played well last year at MLB, but they want him to be their WLB. But Casey Matthews really struggled inside and Chaney had to be moved back. Adding the tackling machine Lucke Keachly would really help out and allow Chaney to move to WLB. Keachly is a good fit because he runs well and can blitz which the Eagles like to do. Then the Eagles can allow their defensive line to focus more on penetrating and not stopping the run.

14. Seattle Seahawks: Trent Richardson RB Alabama
At first glance this pick may seem odd. But Marshawn Lynch is a free agent and despite his playoff performance against the Saints he hasn't really set the world on fire. Add in that Pete Carroll loves to run the ball and this should be a good fit. Richardson is a back that can do it all who would excel in the Seahawks zone blocking scheme.

15. San Diego Chargers: Alphonzo Dennard CB Nebraska
Offensive tackle and pass rusher are the two big needs for the Chargers, but with the top prospects off the board, the Chargers will have to look in another direction. Cornerback could be the spot they go. They've been looking for somebody opposite of Quinton Jammer for a while. Dennard showed this year that he is a shut down corner that can play in any scheme. He is very physical, who loves to jam receivers at the line but has the quickness and fluid hips to cover man to man.

16. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame
With all the injuries the Bears had this year it really exposed how bad their receivers are. Jay Cutler really could use a big bodied receiver who can go up and get the ball and make plays. And with Mike Martz more than likely on his way out, the Bears would be more willing to get a big receiver. Floyd would give Cutler a true #1 receiver and allow Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox to fit into complementary roles.

17. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz C Wisconsin
With all the money the Titans invested in Chris Johnson, they have to do everything they can to make him successful. A big part (other than his holdout) of the struggles was because the interior of the offensive line played so bad. So getting some help is very important. Peter Konz has been a huge reason that Wisconsin is one of the best running teams in college football and the Titans are hoping he can do the same for them.

18. Dallas Cowboys: Devon Still DT Penn State
Last year the Cowboys actually addressed a need in the first round and took OT Tyron Smith. Smith has played well and really helped the offensive out. With that success the Cowboys will look to continue the trend but focus on the defensive line. The DE spot in their 3-4 has been a weak spot for them. Devon Still has been a force for Penn State and should transition well to the 3-4. He has impressive size and strength. But what makes Still a good fit is that he plays with great leverage and play two gaps and still make an impact.

19. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram DE South Carolina
The Jets pass rush this year has not been very good and they've even had to sign Aaron Maybin to try and get some production. So the Jets will be looking to get some much needed help. Melvin Ingram has always been a good defensive end, but a monster start to the season really opened everybody's eyes to the type of player he is. Ingram plays fast and uses his athleticism to make QBs lives a lot harder. He should be able to move to the OLB spot in the 3-4 and play from a stand up position.

20. Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland): Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
By letting Jonathan Joseph walk in free agency it really exposed the lack of depth they had at CB and then Leon Hall got hurt too. So it looks like the Bengals will be addressing the positon and will look to get another good corner to pair up with Hall when he gets healthy. If Jenkins would have stayed away from the "wacky tabacky" he would probably still be at Florida and could be the 2nd CB taken this year. But instead he got kicked off the team and had to go to North Alabama. That would normally scare some teams away, but we all know that the Bengals look past this stuff.

21. Denver Broncos: Kendall Wright WR Baylor
It actually looks like the Broncos are going to go into next season with Tim Tebow as their starter and they'll look to build the team to suit his skills. Kendall Wright could be one of those players. The Broncos receivers are all big physical guys, but Tim Tebow could really use a guy like Wright who is an explosive athlete who can give him a deep threat, catch a short pass and take it to the house, or even take a fly sweep hand off.

22. Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta): Alshon Jeffery WR South Carolina
Alshon Jeffery was once considered to be the top WR in this draft and now is in the teens. But if he can show that he has elite speed and can seperate from defenders he could rise right back up the board. But the Browns would love to get his skills. I have them taking RG3 with their first pick and here Jeffery would give Griffin a big receiver that he can trust to go up and get balls, especially the deep ball.

23. Cincinnati Bengals: Chris Polk RB Washington
I've always been a big fan of Chris Polk and with his performance in the Alamo Bowl he is going to turn a lot of heads. Polk is a physical runner who still has the speed to break off the long run. The Bengals love to run the ball and will be looking to find a replacement for Cedric Bensen who has lost a step or two. And the Bengals love that power running game which Polk is so good at.

24. Detroit Lions: Mike Adams OT Ohio State
How long can the Lions ignore the offensive line? Even though they are in the playoffs they won't last long because they can't run the ball. They could use an upgrade at both tackle positions and at guard. They could still go BPA and that could still be Mike Adams. Adams really showed how good his is when he was out and the Buckeyes struggled. Adams can come in and at worst take over at RT and move Gosder Cherilus inside to guard. But if he shows good quick feet he could take over at LT and give Matt Stafford a true blindside protector.

25. New York Giants: Vontaze Burfict LB Arizona State
Burfict was once considered to be a top 10 caliber player, but some anger issues and poor play have really shot his stock on a free fall. But he just has too much talent and potential. Burfict really fits in well with the Giants Cover 2 scheme because he has such great athleticism and can play in coverage. But Burfict's best strength is stuffing the run. Add in that the Giants have a strong willed HC and a veteran presence that can help him reach is potential.

26. Houston Texans: Brandon Thompson DT Clemson
Houston's defense has really improve this year with the switch to the 3-4 and the addition of Wade Phillips. However they still need to add more pieces to the team to make the defense a lot better and deeper. Thompson has been a big reason that the Tigers are in the Orange Bowl and has been a force on the interior. He'd be a good fit in Wade Phillips 3-4 at the NT spot because Phillips likes smaller quick guys at NT much like he had with Jay Ratliff in Dallas. Thompson would be an upgrade over Shuan Cody and Earl Mitchell.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keleche Osemele OT Iowa State
The Steelers have continued to have success on offensive despite having some major holes along their offensive line. They took Maurkice Pouncey two years ago and he has been a force ever since. However they need to continue to add pieces. A good player for them to go after would be Keleche Osemele. Osemele plays LT for Iowa State but would be an excellent G or RT for the Steelers. His versatility could allow him to see the field immediately and help out a unit that needs it.

28. San Francisco 49ers: Barrett Jones OT Alabama
Jim Harbaugh has done wonders for the 49ers, but a lot of their success is due to an very good defense. The 49ers have run the ball good, but have struggled at RG and RT and that has limited their offense. Barrett Jones has been the best offensive lineman for Alabama and allowed Trent Richardson to dominate running the ball. Jones is a physical blocker who should be able to come in at RG or even RT and help Harbaugh get the physical run game that he had while at Stanford.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama
Rey Lewis isn't going to be around forever. Heck they still need help next to him. They need somebody that is a versatile linebacker who can stop the run and patrol the middle of the field. That is really the type of player Hightower is. He is very good against the run and two years removed from his knee surgery has regained his explosiveness. Add in his ability to blitz and he should fit in well with this Ravens D.

30. New England Patriots (From New Orleans): Mark Barron S Alabama
When you cut your two starting safeties right before the season, you know that you are going to struggle. They even had to start a street free agent. Mark Barron could go a lot higher, but the Patriots would love to see him here. Barron is a great leader and a playmaker in the secondary. He could play either S spot, but is better suited for the SS spot. But luckily the Pats need both.

31. New England Patriots: Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi State
New England played more 4-3 at the beginning of the season, but they slowly moved back to the 3-4 as the season progressed. A big reason they switched to the 3-4 was they didn't have the pieces at DE. So look for them to add young lineman that fit their scheme. Fletcher Cox has the size you want out of a 5 tech and has the strength to play in a 2 gap system.


32. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry DE USC
Clay Matthews is a stud. Opposite of him is Eric Walden. Not even close to the impact. Plus Walden has a domestic battery charge hanging over his head. He'll more than likely have to miss some time next year. But even with him they need more help. Nick Perry has really impressed this season and a lot of that is because he's been healthy. Perry has great quickness and speed and that should allow him to play a rush linebacker in a 3-4. But if he blows up at the combine (much like a lot of USC players) he could go a lot higher.