So, after all that talk yesterday about QBs and the NFL draft, I started getting excited. So, I decided to do a Mock Draft. I do realize that it is late October, we are 6 months, 10 weeks (plus 4 weeks of playoffs), the combine, and lots of individual workouts away from it being draft time.
But, I like to read this crap, so I presume that you will too.
Ok, so I'm relying on the following: ESPN's Power Rankings for the playoff-qualifying teams, and the standings for the rest. So, here goes (I'm assuming no Ryan Mallett, by the way)...
1. St. Louis Rams
Well, what don't the Rams need? Honestly, they don't need anyone at RB. So that leaves them with a lot of options here. The guys who are at the top right now are d-linemen and safeties. And shockingly, the Rams aren't that bad at those positions. They have a lot of very young talent on the d-line, including Chris Long and Adam Carriker. I don't think Taylor Mays is #1 pick material, and looking at it, I don't see the Rams taking Eric Berry (despite his awesomeness), because their current free safety (and I imagine that Berry would play free in the NFL) is Oshiomogho Atogwe. Who, you may say? Well, let me just say that the guy has 13 INTs and 6 forced fumbles in 2007 and 2008 combined. Oh yeah, he's on pace for 110 tackles this year, too.
So, that means offense. Well, I don't see them "reaching" for a guy like Russell Okong. Their o-line is relatively young and up-and-coming... That leaves us, really, with one choice, and one choice only.
The Pick: Sam Bradford, Quarterback, Oklahoma University (aside - the one reason I like Oklahoma is because they are the only other major state university that is [Insert State] University, and not University of [Insert State], besides IU).
2. Tennessee Titans
I don't think this will hold up, but they are 0-6 right now. So, that leaves the question - what do they do with this pick? They're one season off of a 13-3 campaign. I look at this team and see: awesome o-line and awesome RBs. The team is close, and probably feels like they are on their upside, despite this absolute mess of a season. I don't see them going QB here - I see them bringing in a veteran to manage the team. If you want to win right now, chances are that a rookie QB is not the way to go. Where have they struggled the most? Pass coverage. One player brings (1) playmaking ability in pass defense that has been compared to Ed Reed and (2) hometown hero status.
The Pick: Eric Berry, Safety, University of Tennessee
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They aren't very good. They are rebuilding, and I think that in this spot, they take the most reliable, consistent player, and guarantee that they will have, at worst, a consistent contributor, and at best, a game-changing player. No QB, they just picked one. They are also solid on their O-line. So, I say this pick is easy.
The Pick: Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, University of Nebraska
4. Detroit Lions
At least they aren't picking first! They are clearly in rebuilding mode, and they are working on putting together a winning team. They need help on defense. Their offense looks like it will be fine. Their defense, well, can't help but give up 35 points each game.
I'm also a strong believer that to be a great team, you need to be strong up the middle. A pick that would have been unimaginable in the Matt Millen era, but the kind of pick they've needed for a decade.
The Pick: Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma University
(#93)
5. Cleveland Browns
Where don't they need help. It's only been 3 years since their last first-round QB. That's a little too soon for any team, I think. They have a lot of other issues beyond QB, and I think that Mangini is stupid enough to think that Derek Anderson can make it happen (by the way, I'm not sure if Mangini or Crennell is worse, but it's close).
Their defense is abysmal. That can't cover anyone, they can't create pressure on the QB, and they can't stop the run. They need a difference maker on defense, and this is the best one out there. Good size, fast as hell, can cause problems on both passing and running downs. The Browns will hope he becomes the next Ronnie Lott, as his pedigree suggests.
The Pick: Taylor Mays, Safety, University of Southern California
6. Kansas City Chiefs
Matt Cassell is their guy for the foreseeable future. That's just how it is. They could use a back, but there's no one worth taking at this spot. It's a really weak RBs draft, and if Shady McCoy hadn't ended up in such a good situation in Philly, I think a lot of people would be questioning him on not returning for his Junior season.
I think it's probably a reach to go after a linebacker like Rolando McClain or Navarro Bowman here. And although they have Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson up front already, I could see them going for another d-lineman - looking to do what the Vikings have done, which is to build their defense around their outstanding defensive line.
The Pick: Carlos Dunlap, Defensive End, University of Florida
7. Oakland Raiders
Haha. Who, oh, who might they take with 7th pick this year? Will Al Davis ever learn? They answer is, frankly, no, and so unless he somehow is out of the picture by April, they are probably going to reach for an athletically talented, but ultimately unproven, player. They managed to take Darrius Heyward-Bey (a borderline 1st rounder, at best) and pick him over Michael Crabtree, a wideout prospect who has the talent to join the Fitzgerald-Johnson-Johnson triumvirate as one of the league's elite young wideouts.
So, I'm thinking outside the box, and going with a pick that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, but somehow seems to fit into the Al Davis mold...
The Pick: C.J. Spiller, Running Back, Clemson University
8. Buffalo Bills
Trent Edwards isn't the answer. But at the same time, the Bills need a lot more than a QB. Part of me wants to say that they will look WR again, given that TO will (presumably) be gone, and that Dez Bryant would probably be a solid #8. But, with that said, I'll say that they go more conservative, and address an o-line that has allowed the 2nd most sacks in the league.
The Pick: Russell Okung, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma State University
Well, there are no highlights for linemen. Not that I couldn't find them, it was just impossible to tell anything from what I found...
9. Washington Redskins
Well, with Jim Zorn out of the way by this point, and Dan Snyder desperate for a QB, I say that's the direction they go in. They don't have a lot of weaknesses elsewhere, and I just see Snyder losing patience, and deciding to move on from Jason Campbell.
The Pick: Jimmy Clausen, Quarterback, University of Notre Dame
(Pardon the music, but it's really high-quality video)
10. Seattle Seahawks
This team is a mystery. With Hasselbeck healthy, they aren't half bad. When he's hurt, they're a mess. When I originally did this, I thought, hey, they'll play it safe, go with a guy like DE Greg Hardy from Ole Miss or Trent Williams from Oklahoma.
But like I said, Hasselbeck can't stay healthy. He's on his way out, and this team is closer to a rebuild than they thought at the beginning of the year. There's really only one choice.
The Pick: Jake Locker, Quarterback, University of Washington
11. San Francisco 49ers (from the Carolina Panthers)
They are "motherfucking" everyone right now. This team is the class of their division with no QB. And they come this close to having their pick of Clausen or Locker? That sucks. Maybe next year. This is way, way too early for Colt McCoy - who is late 1st round, at best. With what is sitting there at pick 11, I say they go conservative, and get some needed up-front help.
The Pick: Trent Williams, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma University
12. San Diego Chargers
I see them continuing to be obstinate about the quality of their defense. They have had some injuries, and that offense is really good - they just need someone in the backfield. Darren Sproles is a kick-returner. They have to sit there and think that they can win right now with an LT-like player. I say they keep their pick close-to-home, and go for a guy who can run and catch.
The Pick: Jahvid Best, Running Back, University of California at Berkley
13. Miami Dolphins
Chad Henne is their guy of the future, and they really don't need any help on the line or in the backfield on offense. Their defense is solid. I want them to go with a pick based purely on talent, Dez Bryant, but I'm not sure that really fits into their scheme. Plus, they already have Ted Ginn, and I think believe he can still be their deep threat.
I imagine that Parcells will go with a defensive player. A steal this late, they are able to address their sorry pass defense.
The Pick: Joe Haden, Cornerback, University of Florida
14. Houston Texans
They need o-line help, but that isn't really an option. The Texans, at this point, can't like what they're seeing still up on the board. I think they reach for some defensive help, and start working on one of the worst defensive backfields in the league.
The Pick: Earl Thomas, Safety, University of Texas
This is where it started getting hard to find highlight videos. From here on, if I couldn't find something worth posting, I apologize.
15. New York Jets
Well, they solved their wideout issues, too. Man, someone is really going to be getting a present here soon. Jeebus. So, let's look at what they might need? Offense? Nope. MLB? Nope. D-backs? Probably not. Their d-line is good, so the only place where they could upgrade, from what I see, is...
The Pick: Navorro Bowman, Outside Linebacker, Penn State University
16. Baltimore Ravens
So, here's the question - great teams are great up the middle. The offense doesn't look to need any help. If I'm Baltimore, I feel pretty good with Ed Reed. But Bart Scott is gone, and Ray Lewis is looking olllllllldddddddddd. I say, they bring in some new blood, and really talented new blood at that.
The Pick: Rolando McClain, Inside Linebacker, University of Alabama
17. Arizona Cardinals
They need to look for some defensive help, but there isn't a ton to be had. They go safe, and get a guy who will be a solid player with Dockett for years to come.
The Pick: Derrick Morgan, Defensive End, Georgia Institute of Technology
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears)
Haha. The Bears could have Dez Bryant right here. Sucks for them, though.
The Broncos are pretty strong, top-to-bottom. I have trouble finding guys they would be looking to replace. As a result, I think they just go with the most likely contributor still on the board.
The Pick: Charles Brown, Offensive Tackle, University of Southern California
19. Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones has to feel OK about his defense. So, what's the issue? Well, what did the very successful Cowboys teams of the past 3-4 years have that they don't now? Playmaker at wideout. This is a steal, and an easy call for Jones.
The Pick: Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State University
20. Philadelphia Eagles
They look pretty solid on offense. They have Kolb for the future at QB. They're set at the skill positions. They are really only weak in one area - and that's linebacker. I think they try to fill it this year, especially picking in the 20's.
The Pick: Sergio Kindle, Outside Linebacker, University of Texas
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
I don't really think they will be picking this low, but, right now, they appear to be the 6 seed in the AFC. With that said, I think their biggest problem is not talent, but their awful, awful, awful head coach. Really, I think he's one of the 4 worst in the NFL (along with Mangini). How do you lose 41-0 to the Seahawks?
They need some playmakers on offense. Mike Sim-Walker has stepped up, but it is unclear what he will be once teams start game planning for him. David Garrard can't throw a football for shit, but he's only the second season of a 6-year extension. That says to me that they aren't ready to spend a first rounder at QB, ostensibly deciding to give up on Garrard, or have wasted that pick.
I think they go with a defensive end, and hope that Sims-Walker can remain the target he has been so far.
The Pick: Greg Hardy, Defensive End, University of Mississippi
22. San Francisco 49ers
These guys, however, don't have to worry about any of that QB stuff. I think that while 11 was too early (for McCoy), 22 isn't. I say they grab him now and expect to not have a shot at someone like Ryan Mallett next season.
The Pick: Colt McCoy , Quarterback, University of Texas
23. Green Bay Packers
They need o-line help, but there is really none to be had at this spot. Maybe in Round 2, but I just don't see it here. Well, given where they are, there is one guy on the board who stands out - and he isn't on defense. This is a team that has the potential to become a stellar offensive force. But they do need to cut down on the sacks. How best to do that without getting an o-lineman here? Give Rodgers someone to check down to.
The Pick: Jermaine Gresham, Tight End, University of Oklahoma
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Their defense is shaky, too. However, they have some young stars up front in Odom, Rivers and Maualuga. I say they go d-back, even though it may be a little high for this guy.
The Pick: Patrick Robinson, Cornerback, Florida State University
25. Pittsburgh Steelers
Now, this is a team that I feel like I know pretty well. The great thing for them is that there really isn't much of a weak spot on this team. I think that they reach a little bit here, and grab a guy who is probably a legit early-2nd rounder, but who will fill a major hole on the team.
The Pick: Terrence Cody, Defensive Tackle, University of Alabama (and in case you weren't sure what hole I was talking about, Cody is 6-4, 373).
26. Atlanta Falcons
They don't need ANY offensive help, and their defense is suprisingly solid. The one place I could see them looking to improve is on their d-line. Who are their d-tackles? Yeah, I don't know either. They grabbed Peria Jerry last year, but I say they keep looking to build up-front.
The Pick: Arthur Jones, Defensive Tackle, Syracuse University
27. New England Patriots
They need to start working on replacing that defense. I think it starts up front with a guy who they hope can one day step into the large shoes left by Richard Seymour.
The Pick: Marvin Austin, Defensive Tackle, University of North Carolina
28. New York Giants
This team has very few holes (except for QB, but they're stuck with him now), so I think they look to revitalize the one spot on the team that seems to be severely lacking.
The Pick: Anthony McCoy, Tight End, University of Southern California
29. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)
With their first pick, they got their QB for the future. I think they go 100% for skill in the first round. Their grunt positions are relatively shored up, and besides, there's no o-lineman for them to go after here anyhow.
The Pick: Jonathan Dwyer, Running Back, Georgia Institute of Technology
30. Minnesota Vikings
It always gets tough down around the bottom of the order, because I usually don't know quite enough to make a really informed decision about where teams are having issues. Too early for a QB, but again, this team wants to win right now, so they probably don't want a rookie.
They could use some help at linebacker, and I say that's the direction they go in.
The Pick: Sean Weatherspoon, Outside Linebacker, University of Missouri
31. New Orleans Saints
Their defense has been OK this year, but I like them to look for some d-line or linebacker help as well. As far as I'm concerned, it really came down to two guys. What tipped it is that their eventual pick has tons of upside, and doesn't have the character issues of their other option.
The Pick: Jerry Hughes, Outside Linebacker, Texas Christian University
32. Indianapolis Colts
These guys need help at d-tackle, and will have to hope that those character issues won't be a problem. This guy fills a need, on a pretty complete team, and that's about it.
The Pick: Jared Odrick, Defensive Tackle, Penn State University
(#91)
So that's it. I expect that none of those picks will be right in 6 months. So, if you like your team's pick in here, enjoy the possibility while you still can.
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