Mock Draft

Ok so I've been meaning to post a mock draft for some time now, and I have made a number of revised drafts at this juncture. But since the draft is only a few weeks away now, it's time to really start mocking. Actually my mocks have not changed much from a couple of months ago, but a few things have been recently cleared up. For one, it seems certain at this point Bradford will go to the rams at number one. This will allow Detroit to select Ndamakoung Suh, and Tampa, Gerald McCoy, with the next two picks followed by Russell Okung to Washington (since they sured up their QB spot). Anyways lets get to the mock all ready.

1. St. Louis: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. This pick is obvious; St. Louis needs a QB, and Sam Bradford fits the bill as the number one pick. He probably would have been first overall last year, had he not returned to school, and scouts still like him just as much. I think he'll be a franchise quarterback for the rams, I like him a lot.

2. Detroit: Ndamakoung Suh, DT, Nebraska. This pick is not quite as obvious as many consider Russell Okung to be the Lion's best option here. I think either would add a much need boost to their respective positions, but drafting Okung over Suh would clearly be reaching for a positional need. Suh is a once in decade type of defensive lineman prospect, and I think the lions pounce on him here.

3. Tampa Bay: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma. This one you can pencil in with near certainty. McCoy is a great DT, and a huge need for Tampa Bay. Even if the Lions don't draft Suh, the consensus seems to be that the Buccaneers favor McCoy--perhaps to due his penetrating abilities. It's tough to argue with this one, the only other possibility I can see here is Eric Berry, but that is really unlikely.

4. Washington: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State. The only thing between the Redskins and the draft's top tackle prospect is the possibility he ends up in Detroit. As I said earlier I find this unlikely, and Washington, like Tampa, finds another heavenly matching of need vs. best available player. I think Okung can start right away, and should provide immediate help for a team looking to make an immediate turnaround.

5. Kansas City: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee. This is where things start to become a little murky. Kansas City can go in two directions here: Offensive tackle, either Brian Bulaga or Trent Williams, or the best available player, Eric Berry. While tackle is more difficult need to fill later in the draft than safety, Eric Berry is a very, very good prospect, and certainly worthy of a top five selection. Pioli did take Tyson Jackson last year (a truly awful pick) so don't count anything out. If the chiefs want to take the best player, that also fills a need, they take Berry. If their sole focus is on solidifying the o-line, then they take an OT.

6. Seattle: Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa. There is some disagreement about the second best offensive tackle after Okung. Some favor Bulaga, some Trent Williams, personally I prefer Bulaga (he actually had a good season) and from what I hear, so do the Seahawks. They could go defense or the Jimmy Clausen route, but something about the Charlie Whitehurst trade leads me away from that scenario. I think they try to sure up the tackle spot with their top pick, especially if Berry is all ready taken. If KC draft's Bulaga, however I think Seattle will have a tough decision, but ultimately choose Berry.

7. Cleveland: Jason Pierre Paul, DE-OLB, South Flordia. This is a very interesting pick. A couple months ago, Joe Haden was pegged here by nearly everybody, but a few things have since changed. For starters, Haden had a horrid combine performance leading a few scouts to question his NFL lock-down ability. Secondly the Browns have traded for Philli cornerback, Sheldon Brown, thus alleviating, to some degree, their secondary issues. Now I still think that Haden is an option here, but I think they go a different direction and try to snag a dynamic pass rusher in Pierre Paul. Paul is a bit of a wild card, but scouts love his potential, and Mario Williams-like athletic freakishness. Other options include, Derrick Morgan, Dan Williams, Dez Bryant, C.J. Spiller, perhaps more likely though Jimmy Clausen--the Browns did trade Brady Quinn, and if they might otherwise "reach" for someone else.

8. Oakland: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. Oakland's pick is another complete mystery, however with more clues this time. It's difficult to rule out too many candidates, but you can narrow down to those who had great combines and athletic tools. That considered the likeliest candidates are Campbell, Trent Williams, Jason Pierre Paul, not too many others come to mind here, but you have to through Jimmy Clausen into the mix, because of the Raiders dreadful QB situation. Last year I learned not to put anything past Al Davis, this year I follow suit by projecting them to take a late-first/early-second round prospect, at number eight. That being said, I think Campbell is a bit underrated, and is more a solid player than people like to give him credit for. Ultimately if fits into the right situation he could become the best tackle in the draft. If I can think this, then certainly Al Davis can too, that's why he's my pick here.

9. Buffalo: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Nobody needs a QB more than Buffalo, that's the primary reason I have Clausen here. I don't know how much Buffalo likes (I personally view him as a bust) and their early indications have been that their looking at linemen, but I don't buy it. Every year teams all ways spread false rumors about "who they like" or what direction their going, and I think Buffalo has done the same. If they don't show much interest in Clausen, he might just fall to them at nine. That being said, maybe the Bills are smarter than I presume, and snap up Trent Williams here, looking for a mid round QB prospect like Colt McCoy or Dan Lefevour. Tough to say, but my gut says they pick Clausen if he's still around.

10. Jacksonville: Joe Haden, CB, Florida. I really think Jacksonville will trade this pick first of all. There aren't any prospects here that really fit their bill of need and ability, considering they signed Aaron Kampman, and are also lacking in many draft picks. That said, if they are stuck at ten, I think Haden makes the most sense, followed closely by Derrick Morgan and Dan Williams. The Jaguars had a really spotty secondary last year, and Haden is the best available defensive back here, despite what people make of his combine. Haden has proven himself on film, and at the very least could move to safety (however I find this highly unlikely). Morgan would be a good value here too, but they probably want to wait and see if Derrick Harvey develops a bit before they replace him. Earl Thomas would be another possibility, and I suppose you can throw Dez Bryant's name in there too, but his stock has really been dropping, and the Jaguars record with first round wide receivers compares to the Lions, so probably not.

11. Denver: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. It seems everyone is plugging in McClain and this spot, and really it makes sense. The broncos solidified their d line with free agent additions. They have two stud offensive tackles, as well as QB and running back for the future, they have two young outside linebackers as well. Thus their needs lie with, in order, wide out, inside linebacker and secondary. Dez Bryant might seem like the obvious choice here, but I don't think McDaniel's wants another Brandon Marshall on his hands. The secondary options this low would all be reaches, and McClain is clearly the best ILB prospect in the draft.

12. Miami: Sergio Kindle, OLB-DE, Texas.