SteveDeace
Well-Known Member
Mock NFL Draft v3.0
Post-Combine/Pre-Free Agency Edition
1. St. Louis Rams
Anytime you don’t have a franchise quarterback and you have the #1 overall pick, you have to pick a quarterback. Especially if your franchise is trying to raise the money for a new stadium and has new ownership coming. The new face of the Rams franchise will be Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, who is very familiar to its local Big 12 fan base.
2. Detroit Lions
Coach Jim Schwartz built his defense in Tennessee around the talents of Albert Haynesworth, and now he’s got his next cornerstone player in Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy doesn’t quite have the combination of explosiveness and power that former Buccaneer great Warren Sapp brought to the franchise, but he’s definitely the closest thing to it still left on the board.
4. Washington Redskins
Owner Daniel Snyder has been searching for that elusive franchise quarterback ever since he bought the team, and that’s why he won’t hesitate to team up Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen with new Coach Mike Shanahan.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Scott Pioli believes in building his teams from the inside-out, and that means the Chiefs will bolster their offensive line with the top prospect at that position in this draft—Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung.
6. Seattle Seahawks
With the top two quarterbacks off the board, the Seahawks turn their attention towards trying to keep Matt Hassleback healthy for a change by bolstering his protection with Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga.
7. Cleveland Browns
Another team looking elsewhere with the top two quarterbacks gone. The Browns at this point simply need to draft the best defensive player available, and at this point that is Tennessee safety Eric Berry.
8. Oakland Raiders
Its Al Davis drafting here, so look for a player with great testing scores and measurables but so-so-production on gameday when you actually watch the tape. Enter Maryland offensive tackle Bruce Campbell.
9. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have made no secret of their need for an offensive tackle, and as predicted four of them end up going in the first nine picks after they select Rutgers offensive tackle Anthony Davis.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
If you can’t rush the passer in the NFL your defense is toast, and the Jaguars weren’t burnt often in 2009 after totaling just 14 sacks for the entire season. Although he’s a boom or bust type of prospect, it now seems as if South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will be the first pass rusher off the board.
11. Denver Broncos
You simply cannot run a 3-4 defense and stop the run without a strong nose tackle, which the Broncos do not have. That is why Denver will reach a little bit for Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams.
12. Miami Dolphins
If there is a Bill Parcells-type of player in this draft, it’s definitely Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain, who would be the seventh inside linebacker selected in the first round by Parcells.
13. San Francisco 49ers
This is the point in the draft where the entire complexion changes because an elite player has fallen further than originally forecasted, so it causes a team like San Francisco to readjust its board on the fly. In this case that player is Florida cornerback Joe Haden, who ran a disappointing 40-time at the Combine.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll has already landed the left tackle he needed, and now he turns his attention towards the defense. Who better to select USC safety Taylor Mays then the man that coached him in college for four years?
15. New York Giants
The team’s biggest need is for a disruptive defensive tackle, and UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price was one of the nation’s leaders last season with 23.5 tackles-for-loss.
16. Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ biggest need is for an edge pass rusher, and the player a lot of franchises have rated as the top at that position in this draft is Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan.
17. San Francisco 49ers
The other big need for the 49ers is at right tackle, and Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams is a perfect fit on that side of the line.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Simply put, the Steelers need to get tougher on the interior of their offensive line so they can get back to running the football consistently to take the pressure off of Ben Roethlisberger and their defense. One player who could help them do that is bruising Idaho offensive lineman Mike Iupati.
19. Atlanta Falcons
This is a team without a true number cornerback, which means it needs one. After a strong Senior Bowl and Combine, Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson has solidified himself as a first round pick.
20. Houston Texans
The Texans are never going to take the next step in the AFC South until they can stop some people, no matter how good their offense is. Every elite defense in the NFL has a ball-hawking safety, and that’s just what Houston needs Texas safety Earl Thomas to be for them.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
The defending AFC North champs have the defense and the running game, now they need to put some more weapons around Carson Palmer to take the next step. Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham isn’t just a security blanket, but also a threat to stretch the field.
22. New England Patriots
Adalius Thomas was a disappointment, and the Patriots still need some help at rush linebacker. That help could be on the way in the form of playmaking Texas outside linebacker Sergio Kindle.
23. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Kampman never quite made the transition to the 3-4 defense, and Ted Thompson’s philosophy is to draft the best player available over need. Since all the elite tackles are gone look for tenacious Michigan defensive end/outside linebacker Brandon Graham to take Kampman’s spot.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
They need a defensive end, and the best prospect on the board at this point is Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap, whose measurables are off the charts but don’t match his production.
25. Baltimore Ravens
It’s time to put some weapons around Joe Flacco to stretch the field, and though the top wide receiver in the draft reportedly has some maturity issues, the Ravens have the sort of strong locker room that should keep Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant in check.
26. Arizona Cardinals
By saying goodbye to Karlos Dansby the Cardinals opened up a huge hole at outside linebacker that could capably be filled by Missouri outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.
27. Dallas Cowboys
The team needs to upgrade its offensive line, but Jerry Jones has never drafted an offensive lineman number one since he took over the franchise. Jones likes star power, and big-play guys. So why not Clemson running back C.J. Spiller? I know they already have two decent tailbacks, but both are injury prone. Plus, Spiller provides the Cowboys a true weapon in the return game and as a receiver out of the backfield.
28. San Diego Chargers
Suddenly one of the more talented rosters in the NFL the past few years has several holes to fill. Flexibility, therefore, is key and Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick could play several different positions in the Chargers’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
29. New York Jets
Whenever you draft a franchise quarterback as the Jets did last year you have to protect him and provide weapons for him. Since the Jets might have the best offensive line in the NFL, that means they need weapons like Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate, who is great after the catch and could also be a weapon on special teams.
30. Minnesota Vikings
This is the team that might have the fewest holes of any at the moment, provided Brett Favre decides to play another season, but they could use depth along the offensive line. Adrian Peterson went nine games without rushing for 100-yards last season, so perhaps USC offensive tackle Charles Brown provides that depth and competition up front.
31. Indianapolis Colts
When Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders are healthy, the Colts might have the fastest defense in the NFL. When they’re not, they’re not very good. Drew Brees had all day to throw in the second half of the Super Bowl because of Freeney’s injury, that’s why Indianapolis could look for some insurance like USC defensive end Everson Griffen.
32. New Orleans Saints
The defending champs are also a roster in flux because they could have as many as 13 free agents. Therefore, several positions could be in play here. Problem none is more vital than upgrading the defensive line. One player whose pro day will be closely monitored is Northwestern defensive Corey Wootton. If he shows he’s fully healed from a knee injury in the 2008 Alamo Bowl he could be a steal this far down the draft.
Top 10 players still on the board for Round Two:
1. Navarro Bowman (OLB-Penn State)
2. Jerry Hughes (OLB-TCU)
3. Maurkice Pouncey (OL-Florida)
4. Jahvid Best (RB-California)
5. Ryan Mathews (RB-Fresno State)
6. Kareem Jackson (CB-Alabama)
7. Patrick Robinson (CB-Florida State)
8. Colt McCoy (QB-Texas)
9. Devin McCourty (CB-Rutgers)
10. Dexter McCluster (WR/RB-Mississippi)
Post-Combine/Pre-Free Agency Edition
1. St. Louis Rams
Anytime you don’t have a franchise quarterback and you have the #1 overall pick, you have to pick a quarterback. Especially if your franchise is trying to raise the money for a new stadium and has new ownership coming. The new face of the Rams franchise will be Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, who is very familiar to its local Big 12 fan base.
2. Detroit Lions
Coach Jim Schwartz built his defense in Tennessee around the talents of Albert Haynesworth, and now he’s got his next cornerstone player in Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy doesn’t quite have the combination of explosiveness and power that former Buccaneer great Warren Sapp brought to the franchise, but he’s definitely the closest thing to it still left on the board.
4. Washington Redskins
Owner Daniel Snyder has been searching for that elusive franchise quarterback ever since he bought the team, and that’s why he won’t hesitate to team up Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen with new Coach Mike Shanahan.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Scott Pioli believes in building his teams from the inside-out, and that means the Chiefs will bolster their offensive line with the top prospect at that position in this draft—Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung.
6. Seattle Seahawks
With the top two quarterbacks off the board, the Seahawks turn their attention towards trying to keep Matt Hassleback healthy for a change by bolstering his protection with Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga.
7. Cleveland Browns
Another team looking elsewhere with the top two quarterbacks gone. The Browns at this point simply need to draft the best defensive player available, and at this point that is Tennessee safety Eric Berry.
8. Oakland Raiders
Its Al Davis drafting here, so look for a player with great testing scores and measurables but so-so-production on gameday when you actually watch the tape. Enter Maryland offensive tackle Bruce Campbell.
9. Buffalo Bills
The Bills have made no secret of their need for an offensive tackle, and as predicted four of them end up going in the first nine picks after they select Rutgers offensive tackle Anthony Davis.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
If you can’t rush the passer in the NFL your defense is toast, and the Jaguars weren’t burnt often in 2009 after totaling just 14 sacks for the entire season. Although he’s a boom or bust type of prospect, it now seems as if South Florida defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will be the first pass rusher off the board.
11. Denver Broncos
You simply cannot run a 3-4 defense and stop the run without a strong nose tackle, which the Broncos do not have. That is why Denver will reach a little bit for Tennessee nose tackle Dan Williams.
12. Miami Dolphins
If there is a Bill Parcells-type of player in this draft, it’s definitely Alabama inside linebacker Rolando McClain, who would be the seventh inside linebacker selected in the first round by Parcells.
13. San Francisco 49ers
This is the point in the draft where the entire complexion changes because an elite player has fallen further than originally forecasted, so it causes a team like San Francisco to readjust its board on the fly. In this case that player is Florida cornerback Joe Haden, who ran a disappointing 40-time at the Combine.
14. Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll has already landed the left tackle he needed, and now he turns his attention towards the defense. Who better to select USC safety Taylor Mays then the man that coached him in college for four years?
15. New York Giants
The team’s biggest need is for a disruptive defensive tackle, and UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price was one of the nation’s leaders last season with 23.5 tackles-for-loss.
16. Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ biggest need is for an edge pass rusher, and the player a lot of franchises have rated as the top at that position in this draft is Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan.
17. San Francisco 49ers
The other big need for the 49ers is at right tackle, and Oklahoma offensive tackle Trent Williams is a perfect fit on that side of the line.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Simply put, the Steelers need to get tougher on the interior of their offensive line so they can get back to running the football consistently to take the pressure off of Ben Roethlisberger and their defense. One player who could help them do that is bruising Idaho offensive lineman Mike Iupati.
19. Atlanta Falcons
This is a team without a true number cornerback, which means it needs one. After a strong Senior Bowl and Combine, Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson has solidified himself as a first round pick.
20. Houston Texans
The Texans are never going to take the next step in the AFC South until they can stop some people, no matter how good their offense is. Every elite defense in the NFL has a ball-hawking safety, and that’s just what Houston needs Texas safety Earl Thomas to be for them.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
The defending AFC North champs have the defense and the running game, now they need to put some more weapons around Carson Palmer to take the next step. Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham isn’t just a security blanket, but also a threat to stretch the field.
22. New England Patriots
Adalius Thomas was a disappointment, and the Patriots still need some help at rush linebacker. That help could be on the way in the form of playmaking Texas outside linebacker Sergio Kindle.
23. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Kampman never quite made the transition to the 3-4 defense, and Ted Thompson’s philosophy is to draft the best player available over need. Since all the elite tackles are gone look for tenacious Michigan defensive end/outside linebacker Brandon Graham to take Kampman’s spot.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
They need a defensive end, and the best prospect on the board at this point is Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap, whose measurables are off the charts but don’t match his production.
25. Baltimore Ravens
It’s time to put some weapons around Joe Flacco to stretch the field, and though the top wide receiver in the draft reportedly has some maturity issues, the Ravens have the sort of strong locker room that should keep Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant in check.
26. Arizona Cardinals
By saying goodbye to Karlos Dansby the Cardinals opened up a huge hole at outside linebacker that could capably be filled by Missouri outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.
27. Dallas Cowboys
The team needs to upgrade its offensive line, but Jerry Jones has never drafted an offensive lineman number one since he took over the franchise. Jones likes star power, and big-play guys. So why not Clemson running back C.J. Spiller? I know they already have two decent tailbacks, but both are injury prone. Plus, Spiller provides the Cowboys a true weapon in the return game and as a receiver out of the backfield.
28. San Diego Chargers
Suddenly one of the more talented rosters in the NFL the past few years has several holes to fill. Flexibility, therefore, is key and Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick could play several different positions in the Chargers’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
29. New York Jets
Whenever you draft a franchise quarterback as the Jets did last year you have to protect him and provide weapons for him. Since the Jets might have the best offensive line in the NFL, that means they need weapons like Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate, who is great after the catch and could also be a weapon on special teams.
30. Minnesota Vikings
This is the team that might have the fewest holes of any at the moment, provided Brett Favre decides to play another season, but they could use depth along the offensive line. Adrian Peterson went nine games without rushing for 100-yards last season, so perhaps USC offensive tackle Charles Brown provides that depth and competition up front.
31. Indianapolis Colts
When Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders are healthy, the Colts might have the fastest defense in the NFL. When they’re not, they’re not very good. Drew Brees had all day to throw in the second half of the Super Bowl because of Freeney’s injury, that’s why Indianapolis could look for some insurance like USC defensive end Everson Griffen.
32. New Orleans Saints
The defending champs are also a roster in flux because they could have as many as 13 free agents. Therefore, several positions could be in play here. Problem none is more vital than upgrading the defensive line. One player whose pro day will be closely monitored is Northwestern defensive Corey Wootton. If he shows he’s fully healed from a knee injury in the 2008 Alamo Bowl he could be a steal this far down the draft.
Top 10 players still on the board for Round Two:
1. Navarro Bowman (OLB-Penn State)
2. Jerry Hughes (OLB-TCU)
3. Maurkice Pouncey (OL-Florida)
4. Jahvid Best (RB-California)
5. Ryan Mathews (RB-Fresno State)
6. Kareem Jackson (CB-Alabama)
7. Patrick Robinson (CB-Florida State)
8. Colt McCoy (QB-Texas)
9. Devin McCourty (CB-Rutgers)
10. Dexter McCluster (WR/RB-Mississippi)
