NFL Mock Draft 1.0

It is that time again, draft season. It is still a little early but it is never too early for your first mock draft. All of these picks are subject too change. The draft order will be finalized after a few coin tosses to break ties and the combine will change all of this. With that being said here is my mock draft 1.0, enjoy...

NFL Mock Draft 1.0

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma
Suh should be the number one pick, but the Rams need a QB for the future. Most people have Clausen in this spot but I think Bradford will answer all the medical questions and reclaim the number one quarterback spot in the combine. If this doesn’t happy Clausen will go to St. Louis and Bradford should land in Washington.
2. Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska
I would love to see Suh fall to my Tampa Bay Bucs, but that isn’t going to happen. I see Detroit continuing to add to their young nucleus with who I have rated as the best player in the draft.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eric Berry, S Tennessee
Lets be honest, the Bucs defense needs a lot of work. Gerald McCoy is the favorite here but considering this years defense tackle group is a lot deeper than the defensive back group, the Bucs can get their DT early in the second round. Eric Berry could be Ed Reed all over again.
4. Washington Redskins – Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame
The Redskins position of need is OT. This pick is hard to say because Shanahan is calling the shots now, but I see the skins parting ways with Jason Campbell and drafting Clausen or Bradford.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Russell Okung, OT
If the Chiefs are ever going to be good, Matt Cassell needs a better offensive line. Any of the top three OT’s will be a great fit for them.
6. Seattle Seahawks – Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma
Seattle will cross their fingers that Clausen or Bradford falls to them. That won’t happen, but after Gerald McCoy somehow falls to number six, the Seahawks have no choice but to take him.
7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden, CB Florida
Browns could go in many directions but I think Haden is a player they can’t pass on here.
8. Oakland Raiders – Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB Georgia Tech
Knowing Al Davis, this pick could be anyone from the fastest player in the draft, to one of the biggest names, i.e. Tim Tebow, to an actual good draft pick. Hopefully they go with the actual good draft pick and upgrade their defense.
9. Buffalo Bills – Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma
For whatever reason the Bills traded their best linemen last year to the Eagles. They need help in a lot of areas but OT is the smartest position to upgrade here.
10. Denver Broncos – Rolando McClain, ILB
Rolando McClain is one of the better players in this draft. Denver will love him from day one.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma St
I’ve seen Tim Tebow in this spot in many mock drafts. I think that ridiculous and a fantasy land pick. Jags need help at the wide out. Dez Bryant should be able to come in and help right away. If Tebow is really what they want, I think he should be there in the second round.
12. Miami Dolphins – Carlos Dunlap, DE Florida
Jason Taylor and many other players on the Dolphins defense aren’t getting any younger. Dunlap is a player full of talent. Hopefully his off the field issues won’t hurt his stock too much.
13. San Francisco 49ers – Taylor Mays, S USC
Poor Taylor Mays, if only you came out last year. Mays stock has fallen tremendously this year but he is still a first round talent. I anticipate he will excel in the combine and everyone will love him again. This pick is probably too high for him but I think he could be a good fit in this defense.
14. Seattle Seahawks – CJ Spiller, RB Clemson
Seattle’s offense is lacking explosiveness. They get their big playmaker in CJ Spiller here and improve their running game in the process.
15. New York Giants – Brian Price, DT UCLA
Giants were a disappointment this season but they showed signs of a bright future. Safety could be the position they target here but I think they go with someone to plug up the middle.
16. Tennessee Titans – Greg Hardy, DE Ole Miss
Titans defensive line hasn’t been the same since big Albert went after the big pay day. Greg Hardy will be a huge improvement off the edge.
17. San Francisco 49ers – Sergio Kindle, DE OLB Texas
I’m a big fan of Sergio Kindle. He is really good at what he does, that is rush the passer. I think he will be a great fit in someone’s 3-4 scheme. 49ers take him and add speed to their defense.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Bruce Campbell, OT Maryland
Steelers are looking for answers in several positions. One of them is the offensive line. If Bruce Campbell falls to 18, this is a no brainer.
19. Atlanta Falcons – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE South Florida
The Falcons fell off a bit this year. Jason Pierre-Paul has emerged as one of the premier defensive ends in this class. He should help them coming off the edge.
20. Houston Texans – Earl Thomas, S Texas
How cool would it be for Earl Thomas to be able to stay in Texas. That could very easily be a reality. Houston needs to upgrade their secondary. Thomas will be a playmaker right away.
21. New York Jets – Ricky Sapp, DE OLB Clemson
Tricky pick here. I think the Jets are overachievers. Rex Ryan is a defensive mind, so he upgrades his defense and continues to get the personnel he needs for his defensive scheme. Ricky Sapp will make a difference and help people forget about Vernon Gholston.
22. Baltimore Ravens – Golden Tate, WR Notre Dame
Golden Tate was amazing this year. Notre Dame asked a lot out of him and he didn’t disappoint. Ravens have been looking for a playmaker at receiver and in special teams for awhile now. Tate should instantly help sophomore slump stricken Joe Flacco.
23. Arizona Cardinals – Brandon Spikes, ILB Florida
Brandon Spikes is a playmaker point blank. He came back this season to lead that Florida defense and besides injury issues, he lived up to expectations. Spikes and Dansby will be a great tandem.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Brandon Lafell, WR LSU
With the passing of Chris Henry, the Bengals are in need of someone opposite of Chad Johnson. At 6’2 Lafell has good size and has been very consistent this year at LSU. He should fit right in.
25. New England Patriots – Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma
Ben Watson had a successful season. Coincidentally this was a contract year for him. The Patriots aren’t stupid, they know it is time to move on and Gresham is a great pick this late in the first round.
26. Green Bay Packers – Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers
It is almost a lock that the Packers will take the best OT at their pick. Their offensive line is playing better than they did in the beginning of the season, but that is not saying much. Anthony Davis is a solid prospect, they will love.
27. Philadelphia Eagles – Navorro Bowman, OLB Penn St
After the last couple of weeks I’m tempted to say the Eagles will draft an offensive linemen but I will go with my gut and say they upgrade the outside linebacker position. Bowman is a great talent and was the leader of Penn State’s defense all season. He will fit right in.
28. Dallas Cowboys – Mardy Gilyard, WR Cincinatti
This could be too high for Gilyard but I think Dallas is a perfect fit for him. He is an explosive playmaker that will excel in the slot for Dallas. He can also help out in the return game. Jerry Jones will love his production.
29. Minnesota Vikings – Terrence Cody, DT Alabama
This pick is interesting. Minnesota’s defensive line is probably the strongest group on their team. With that being said it wouldn’t hurt for the Vikings to add depth and youth to their interior. I like Cody here.
30. San Diego Chargers – Jahvid Best, RB California
It is no secret that LaDainian Tomlinson isn’t getting any younger. I’m a huge fan of Darren Sproles but he obviously can’t be used every down. Chargers should upgrade the running back position with the second best back in the draft.
31. New Orleans Saints – Patrick Robinson, CB Florida St
This year the Saints picked up Mike McKenzie and Chris McAlister out of the free agency. This leads me to believe they need help at the cornerback position. Patrick Robinson could be the answer.
32. Indianapolis Colts – Jared Odrick, DT Penn St
The Colts always seem to need help in the interior. Their defensive ends may be the best tandem in the league, now all they need is someone to eat up space inside. I like Jared Odrick here, hopefully he will be the long term answer.