NFL Mock Draft 4.0

If you’re the kind of person that is tired of hearing about the NFL draft, hundreds of unproven prospects, highlight tapes, random drills that don’t prove much, stupid mock drafts and sports analysts claiming they know where every player will land, you should stop reading here. But if you are like me and can’t get enough of NFL draft and all the baggage that comes with it, you should continue reading…

NFL Mock Draft 4.0

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford
In my mind this is the only pick that should be right on everyone’s mock draft. Simple scenario…Rams need a QB, Sam Bradford is the best QB in this draft…Sam Bradford is a top 5 player in this year’s draft…He is the pick.
2. Detroit Lions – Russell Okung
I know most people think Ndamukong Suh will be the choice here and to be honest, I think he will be as well. At the same time I am a Bucs fan who has been praying for Suh since week 10 of the NFL season. (In case you were wondering we were 1-8 at that point) I have this idea that if I have Suh going to the Bucs in my mock, then that’s where he will land. Regardless, the Lions need to protect their QB so Okung or Trent Williams would be a good idea.
3. Tampa Bay Bucs – Ndamukong Suh
Let the champagne bottles pop! We get SUUUUUHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
4. Washington Redskins – Trent Williams
I like what the skins have done this year, but McNabb needs receivers and protection. Unless they are considering Dez Bryant, Trent Williams should be the pick here. I have a good feeling the Skins will trade the pick and move back a little.

*Dear Skins,
Do the Bucs a favor and trade Albert Haynesworth to the Lions, so the Lions won’t take Suh.
Thanks

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Bryan Bulaga
Chiefs have an interesting decision with the 5th pick…I love Eric Berry here, but the Chiefs need to upgrade their offensive line to protect Matt Cassel and provide running lanes for Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles.
6. Seattle Seahawks – Gerald McCoy
Poor Gerald McCoy, you just lost millions of dollars falling to the sixth spot. The good news for you is you will probably end up with the Bucs but for the sake of my mock draft…Sorry buddy.
7. Cleveland Browns – Eric Berry
The Browns defense needs HELP. They upgraded their corner position with Sheldon Brown, now it is time to add a playmaker. Eric Berry welcome to the dog pound 
8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul
Russell Okung, Trent Williams, and Bryan Bulaga would all be good picks here. Unfortunately, I have them all being picked before the Raiders. Dan Williams is also a thought here but I can’t see the Raiders taking him. Jason Pierre-Paul is not worth a top-10 pick to me, but I don’t make the Raiders big board and I’m sure whoever does, has him rated very high. Hopefully, he will end the streak of consecutive Raiders busts.
9. Buffalo Bills – Jimmy Clausen
I don’t like Jimmy Clausen here because the Bills have no offensive line and Clausen will get murdered. Since the top tackles are taken, Bills do what the Raiders had to do. They will take a look at their big board and see Jimmy Clausen as the best value for their pick. Dan Williams is a possibility, considering the Bills are transitioning to a 3-4 defense.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Earl Thomas
I’m not sure if anyone has seen their stock rise more during this scouting process than Earl Thomas. Jags have several needs but they go for talent. Thomas should be an instant playmaker. A trade here is also a likely scenario.
11. Denver Broncos – Dez Bryant
As of today Eddie Royal is the Broncos number one receiver. Obviously, that is a problem, so Dez Bryant should be a sure thing here. If Dez happens to get selected before the Broncos pick, I like linebacker Rolando McClain here. Trade is also a possibility.
12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams
Jason Taylor is gone but the Dolphins are still relishing their acquisition of Brandon Marshall. A pass rusher seems like the best choice but I think this is too high for Sergio Kindle or Brandon Graham. I think Derrick Morgan is worthy of being picked this high but to me he would excel in a 4-3 system, not 3-4.
13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden
The 49ers are an up and coming team headed in the right direction. With two first round choices and a weak division, they could be looking at the playoffs this year. Mike Singletary is an old school defensive minded coach, and I think he will capitalize of many teams passing on Joe Haden. I don’t think he is the next Darrelle Revis but he should be a future Pro Bowler.
14. Seattle Seahawks – C.J. Spiller
Pete Carroll knows this is his last chance for the NFL. He would like to rewrite his past NFL coaching experience so this draft is very important for him. He has two first round draft picks and plenty of opportunity to make a bang. C.J. is a homerun hitter and will improve the running game. He easily will pose as a matchup problem for linebackers in passing situations and can be a potential game breaker on special teams. C.J. pack your rain coat and umbrella.
15. New York Giants – Rolando McClain
If the Giants can land Rolando McClain here, consider it a steal. McClain is a top-10 talent and by far the best middle linebacker in this year’s draft. Whoever drafts him will love his leadership and play making ability.
16. Tennessee Titans – Derrick Morgan
Tennessee needs to bolster their defensive line. If Derrick Morgan is here at 16, everyone in the war room should take a shot of vodka…Or at least high five the person next to them.
17. San Francisco 49ers – Sergio Kindle
San Francisco could easily go after Anthony Davis here but I think Sergio Kindle is the better choice. Davis has tons of potential and could turn out to be an All-Pro tackle. Potential is the key word, because Jamarcus Russell has all the potential in the world and we see how that worked out. (Sorry, I guess that shot at Russell wasn’t need but I couldn’t help it) Kindle is an elite pass rusher and will cause problems for opposing offensive coordinators.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Iupati
There has been a lot of chatter lately about the Steelers trading Ben Roethlisberger. I think the Steelers will forgive but not forget and move on with Big Ben running the show. Outside of a long term solution at the wide receiver position, the Steelers offense could use help up front. Iupati is a nasty player with a mean streak. He can potentially play at least three positions on the offensive line but I like him best at guard. Oh, did I mention he has no past history of being a drug abuser or getting in bad situations with college girls. Steelers will love him.
19. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Graham
I have had Brandon Graham at this spot for as long as I can remember. In case you were wondering, I still haven’t changed my mind.
20. Houston Texans – Kyle Wilson
Houston Texans need help at nose tackle, running back and the secondary. Since Dan Williams is off the board, as well as C.J. Spiller, the Texans should go for the best player available at a position of need. (For what its worth, Kyle Wilson had 25 bench reps, which is two more than Gerald McCoy)
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham
With the addition of Antonio Bryant, wide receiver is no longer a top priority for the Bengals. In case you missed Hard Knocks last year the Bengals have a hard time keeping tightends healthy. Jermaine Gresham is coming off an injury but is a sure play maker and is worth the gamble at this point in the first round.
22. New England Patriots – Jared Odrick
New England is in a funny situation. They have fallen off as an AFC favorite but still talented enough to make the playoffs and potentially upset someone. They are doing their best job to rebuild while staying competitive. They have four selections in the top 53 picks this year. They are typically good at doing their homework on prospects and I look for them to make the most out of their selections. Jared Odrick is a versatile player with a high motor. He can play in the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, so I expect the Patriots to maximize his talent.
23. Green Bay Packers – Anthony Davis
Packers could use secondary help and Taylor Mays could be the selection. If you watched the Packers at all last season, you know the biggest need is offensive line help. Does anyone else wonder what kind of numbers Aaron Rogers could produce if he had time to actually read the defense?
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Carlos Dunlap
The Eagles have been very active this offseason. Obviously the biggest story is the departure of Donovan McNabb. I think their most recent deal that acquired line backer Ernie Sims was huge. I thought Sean Weatherspoon would be a good fit here but with the addition Sims, the Eagles can focus on another position. I think their pass rush can be upgraded and Carlos Dunlap is a top-15 talent in this draft but he is also probably a top-15 laziest player in this year’s draft. I assume the Eagles will be able to keep him motivated.
25. Baltimore Ravens – Kareem Jackson
The Ravens are in desperate need of help at the corner position. Kyle Wilson would be ideal but I doubt he will still be on the board at 25. Kareem Jackson is a player with tons of talent and most important, he would fill a major need.
26. Arizona Cardinals – Sean Weatherspoon
As of today, I would say the Cardinals have had the worst offseason of any team in the NFL. If you have forgotten I will jog your memory…They lost Carlos Dansby, Anquan Boldin and Antrel Rolle…Kurt Warner and his 3,750 yards and 26 touchdowns last year retired…They acquired Derek Anderson and an aging Joey “Peezy” Porter. Sounds like they are in for a rough season. With so many needs, I think they go with the best player available and to me that is Sean Weathersoon.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Roger Staffold
I think many people are expecting Dallas to make the flashy pick here, (i.e Taylor Mays) but judging their lack of aggression this offseason, I think they like what they have and are looking for solid players to come in and contribute. Offensive line is clearly an area in need of an upgrade and Roger Staffold has seen his stock rise the last few weeks. If Dallas believes in him, he should be the pick. The kid was a four year starter at Indiana, that should count for something.
28. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Matthews
Ryan Matthews is my favorite running back in this draft. C.J. Spiller is an outstanding talent but pure homerun hitters don’t always translate to the NFL. Ryan Matthews led the NCAA in rushing last year and is a complete back. He and Darren Sproles should complement each other well.
29. New York Jets – Jerry Hughes
The Jets have probably been the most active team this offseason. It appears on paper that every move they make is an upgrade. The offense appears to be set, so now Rex Ryan needs to find the right personnel for his aggressive defense. With the addition of Jason Taylor, their pass rush improves, but the Jets are not building to make a run just this year. A young elite pass rusher is a need and Jerry Hughes has high value this late in the first round.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Colt McCoy
The Minnesota Vikings will have an interesting choice when their pick comes at 30. As we wait…and wait…and wait for Brett Farve to decide if he still wants to play football, life goes on for the Vikings. Corner back is a need but I think the Vikings may surprise everyone and grab Colt McCoy. Scouts have been raving about McCoy’s recent workouts and regardless of whether Farve comes back for another season or not, the Vikes need to plan for the future.
31. Indianapolis Colts – Maukice Pouncey
Maukice is a special talent but plays a position that does not get drafted high. His natural position is center but he can play guard as well. He could go anywhere from pick 18 to here at pick 31. How cool would it be to say you were the guy that snapped Peyton Manning the ball?
32. New Orleans Saints – Everson Griffen
The Saints don’t have many needs that stand out, but they could use help at defensive end and corner back. I personally think Everson Griffen is better than any of the corner backs still available, so I think he is the pick here.