Updated 2 round mock draft. Currently doing explanations of the 1st round picks. Up to 11. Will update when finished. I'm happier with this mock than the other mock.
What you think?
Round 1
1. Indianapolis (2-14) – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Indianapolis Colts are rebuilding. They are going to clear a bunch of cap space with a new GM & Coach in place. They have a dire cap situation which means they cannot afford to retain both Peyton Manning & draft Andrew Luck. Peyton Manning will be released, Robert Mathis, Reggie Wayne & other veterans will be cut loose by the Colts and Andrew Luck will be the new face of the franchise for the next 10-15 years.
2. TRADE –Washington via St. Louis (2-14) – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
TRADE! Redskins get Baylor QB RGIII. They love what they see in Robert Griffin III on film and they give up a 2 x 1st round, 1x 2nd round and 3rd round pick in 2013 to move up. It is a large price to pay but the Redskins appear only a quality QB & decent WR away from being a contender in that division.
3. Minnesota (3-13) – Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Minnesota could not protect the QB at all last year. They have significant issues to address and whether they go Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon or Kalil they cannot go wrong due to the amount of holes in this team. They brought in Charlie Johnson for LT last season and he was terrible. They have the potential to lose both interior guards in the off-season and they need help in the secondary. But the biggest key is to protect franchise QB Christian Ponder. Kalil gives them that animal and a franchise LT.
4. Cleveland (4-12) – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Cleveland are still haunted by passing up on Adrian Peterson in 2007 and as such they see a fantastic player that is on the board ready made for them. Peyton Hillis is likely not going to be back and Hardesty isn’t a franchise RB. Whoever the QB is needs an offensive weapon & this team is built for running the football. While his minor surgery may be a concern he is expected to be running by his pro-day.
5. Tampa Bay (4-12) – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Tampa Bay had a horrible year this year which resulted in their coach being fired and a severe lack of talent on both sides of the ball. With Aquib Talib’s future not certain and Ronde Barbers age they need a playmaker in the secondary. Morris Claiborne is the perfect fit for the Buc’s and will give them a legit #1 CB for many years.
6. St.Louis via Washington (5-11) – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Jeff Fisher knows the situation in St.Louis. They traded out of their pick and still manage to pick up a great playmaker in Justin Blackmon. He knows they don’t have a WR at all on that roster and with Blackmon falling slightly they nab this genuine playmaker to give under pressure franchise QB Sam Bradford a genuine weapon and downfield threat.
7. Jacksonville (5-11) – Quinton Coples, DE, UNC
Jacksonville really lack a genuine pass rusher and while Coples has questions about his motor, he clearly has the athletic ability to rush the passer on a consistent basis. His Senior Bowl efforts, and his combine will flash that athletic ability and the Jaguars will pick him at this point if he is available.
8. Miami (6-10) – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Miami had all sorts of problems on the right side of the offensive line last season. The signing of Marc Columbo was a failure and they have shown that they do not hesitate in taking O-linemen in the first round. Reiff is a technician and quite possibly the best OT in this draft. He’ll start immediately at RT and give them 3 blue-chip players on that offensive line to protect a franchise QB.
9. Carolina (6-10) – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Carolina took gigantic steps last year with Steve Smith having resurgence to his career with Cam Newton. Despite the offense ticking over well they still need another weapon that has the potential to take over the #1 spot from Steve Smith when he moves on in 1-2 years. Wright will distinguish himself at the draft as a legit weapon and will leap Michael Floyd as the #2 receiver as it is a better scheme fit for the Panthers.
10. Buffalo (6-10) – Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Buffalo fans may look at this pick and think “oh no…Aaron Maybin”. But Ingram and maybe are two different players. Ingram has been a consistent player in the SEC and is stronger at the point of attack and has an array of pass rush moves whereas Maybin was a pure speed rusher. Ingram also is a versatile player who can play in 3-4 looks along with what the Bills are shifting too predominately in the 4-3. Ingram will hopefully address a huge need for the Bills and be able to get to the passer.
11. Kansas City (7-9) – David DeCastro, OG/OT, Stanford
The Chiefs really struggled inside this year. They need offensive line help and in reality really should not have let go of Brian Waters. But they luck into the best interior player in the draft here with David DeCastro the best pure Guard to enter the draft in a long time. While this seems high for a guard with the nature of the NFL now athletic guards who can pull and get to the second level will become more of a premium. DeCastro is a great fit here.
12. Seattle (7-9) – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
13. Arizona (8-8) – Jonothan Martin, OT, Stanford
14. Dallas (8-8) – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
15. Philadelphia (8-8) – Luke Kuechly, LB, Arizona State
16. New York Jets (8-8) – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
17. Cincinnati, from Oakland (8-8) – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
18. San Diego (8-8) – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
19. Chicago (8-8) – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
20. Tennessee (9-7) –Devin Still, DE/DT, Penn State
21. Cincinnati (9-7) – Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
22. Cleveland, from Atlanta (10-6) – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
23. Detroit (10-6) – Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia
24. Pittsburgh (12-4) – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
25. Denver (8-8) – Fletcher Cox, DE/DT, Miss State
26. Houston (10-6) – Nick Perry, DE, USC
27. New England - from New Orleans (13-3) - Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
28. Green Bay (15-1) – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
29. Baltimore (12-4) – Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
30. San Francisco (13-3) – Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
31. New England (13-3) – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
32. New York Giants (9-7) – Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
Round 2
1. St. Louis (2-14) – Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
2. Indianapolis (2-14) – Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
3. Minnesota (3-13) – Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
4. Tampa Bay (4-12) – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
5. Cleveland (4-12) – Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
6. Jacksonville (5-11) – Alphonso Dennard, CB, Nebraska
7. St.Louis from Washington (5-11) – Jerel Worthy, DT, Mich State
8. Carolina (6-10) – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC
9. Buffalo (6-10) – Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina
10. Miami (6-10) – Brandon Weeden, QB, Ok State
11. Seattle (7-9) – Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
12. Kansas City (7-9) - Ronnell Lewis, OLB, OKC
13. Dallas (8-8) – Kelechi Osemele, OG/OT, Iowa State
14. Philadelphia (8-8) – Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
15. New York Jets (8-8) – Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State
16. New England - from Oakland (8-8) – Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
17. San Diego (8-8) – Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
18. Chicago (8-8) – Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
19. Philadelphia - from Arizona (8-8) – Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
20. Tennessee (9-7) – Sean Spence, OLB, Miami
21. Cincinnati (9-7) – Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
22. Detroit (10-6) – Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State
23. Atlanta (10-6) – Brandon Washington, OG, Miami
24. Pittsburgh (12-4) – Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia
25. Denver (8-8) – Orsen Charles, TE, Georgia
26. Houston (10-6) –Mohammed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
27. New Orleans (13-3) – Lavonte David, ILB, Nebraska
28. Green Bay (15-1) – David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
29. Baltimore (12-4) – Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina
30. San Francisco (13-3) – Cam Johnson, DE/DT, Virginia
31. New England (13-3) – Kendall Reyes, DE/DT, UConn
32. New York Giants (9-7) – Chris Polk, RB, Washington