Mock Draft v. 2.0: Post-RGIII Trade

1.) Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
Obvious pick here, Indianapolis gets a prospect that has the potential to be one of the best in the league. Also, his social awkwardness could undoubtedly rival Peyton's, but we all know those are big shoes to fill.

2.) Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor
Again, no disputing this pick. Washington made that blockbuster deal over the weekend to guarantee being able to nab Griffin. The only other trade that this compares to is the mega-Herschel trade. But hey, it worked out for the Vikes when they gave up three first rounders and a second, among other things. Oh wait, you mean those picks yielded the Cowboys, Emmitt Smith, Alvin Harper, and Darren Sharper? Oh. Moving on. Way to set your rookie QB up for failure Dan Snyder.



3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT USC
Minnesota has pretty much been guaranteed Kalil since word broke that St. Louis wanted to deal the #2 pick to anyone who wanted RG3. They scoop up one of the best tackle prospects in the past few years as insurance for their young QB, Christian Ponder.

4. Cleveland Browns Jacksonville "How Do We Still Have a Franchise" Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR OSU
 Trade!! Now I did this in my mock for two reasons. One, I'm not confident who the Browns would draft if they stay at #4. Two, Jacksonville needs a wideout and new coach Mike Mularky is an offensive guy. St. Louis will nab Blackmon if he's still there at #6, and Jacksonville could feel the need to move up to get Blaine Gabbart a new weapon.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB LSU
Aqib Talib is a goddamn criminal and I'm pretty sure Tiki Barber is about to euthanize Ronde because he's so damn old. Claiborne is rated high by many than fellow Bayeux Bengal Patrick Peterson was a year ago.

6. St. Louis Rams: Reilly Reiff, OT Iowa
If Blackmon is gone here, Reiff has got to be the pick. The only knock on Reiff is his arm length, but I don't think that will be as big of a factor as people think. St. Louis has enough picks where they don't need to reach for the likes of Michael Floyd here. Sam Bradford desperately needs protection or a weapon, and I can't see St. Louis being all that disappointed if they miss on Blackmon and if they were that hell-bent on getting the former DUI offender they wouldn't have moved as far down as they did.

7. Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Don't rip me to pieces here. I have no idea who Heckert is going to want, regardless if he's here or back at #4. To be honest, all of this depends on where Matt Flynn and Kevin Kolb go (if Peyton Manning does go to Arizona). If Kolb is free, I expect Heckert to reach out to him. If not, I wouldn't count on seeing another year of Colt. Just my gut talking here.

8. Miami Dolphins: Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

With Miami moving to the 4-3 defense, they are going to need to revamp their defensive line. Cam Wake may be able to make the transition to defensive end, but definitely not Koa Misi. Ingram will anchor a new defensive line in the midst of transition between schemes (think Phil Taylor/Jabaal Sheard last year after the switch to 4-3).


9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT Memphis
I was pissed to realize how good Poe was in real life after my NCAA '12 dynasty with Memphis was shitty and Poe was as well. But this is real life we're talking about here and Poe dominated the combine. With a few solid pieces on the offensive side of the ball, Poe could help develop that defense.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB Alabama
Buffalo had no one with over 5.5 sacks last year, and Upshaw looks like a great pass-rushing prospect. Von Miller has shown that an OLB in a 4-3 can still have a huge impact rushing the passer, and Upshaw can be a similar type of player and possibly even a 4-3 defensive end. A lot of people are talking Quentin Couples here, but I see him being a comparable player to Da'Quan Bowers--a solid player who's highlight reel always makes him look a lot better than he consistently plays.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dave DeCastro, OG Stanford
Pick eleven is very high for an interior lineman, but DeCastro is the real deal. Kansas City's offense has potential at the skill positions but the offensive line needs a lot of work. If Reiff is here I could see KC jumping on it, but DeCastro is drawing comparisons to Steve Hutchinson in his prime. A good name to be mentioned beside.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Couples, DE UNC
Seattle desperately needs some defensive line help, almost as bad as they need a quarterback. If Tannehill is here I could see this connection happening, but in this case, Seattle picks up one of the top players availible and fills a big need in the process.

13. Cardinals: Luke Kuechly, ILB Boston College
I literally cannot think of any of the Cards' starting LBs off the top of my head. I pride myself on random NFL knowledge, so that's not a good sign. Luke Kuechly gives Ken Whisenhunt and Co. a very productive presence in the front seven.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB N. Alabama
Rob Ryan is going to need some toys to play with in the secondary. Someone's got to be back there to get burned with all the bat shit schemes that Ryan tries to run in order to emulate his brother.


15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT LSU
Maybe it's just me but Brockers reminds me a lot of Tyson Jackson coming out of LSU a few years ago. An excellent college player who doesn't translate especially  well in any one facet of the game in the NFL. Regardless, he seems to be highly regarded. So highly in fact, that he very well may be gone by the time this pick rolls around.

16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, S Alabama
Rex Ryan could use a play maker over the top of Derrelle Revis and company in the secondary. Brodney Pool isn't much better than average, and Barron is the only safety worth a first round grade and selection.


17.  Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
I'll be furious if this actually happens, but up to this point most teams just have bigger holes to fill then picking up a running back. Maybe the Jets at #16. If he's here for the Bengals, they'll be sprinting up to the front of Radio City Music Hall to turn in their draft card.

18. San Diego Chargers: Stephen Hill, WR Georgia Tech
I have Hill rocketing up draft boards after an incredible combine performance. Hill could step right into the billet of big, physical, downfield threat left voided by Vincent Jackson in free agency. Not sure about this pick, all that's certain is A.J. Smith is possibly the most overrated GM in the NFL and he makes boneheaded decisions every spring.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame
This pick just makes too much sense for me here. If Floyd drops all the way down here Chicago will jump on him. Jay Cutler needs a deep threat and Floyd showed at the Combine that he is more than capable of filling that role at the next level.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre' Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama
Cortland Finnegan is going to walk, and Kirkpatrick could develop into a nice replacement. The only player making Jason McCourty look like he belongs starting in the NFL is Colt McCoy.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alphonzo Dennard, CB Nebraska
I've heard mixed reviews on Dennard, but it makes sense for the Bengals here if they don't take a DB at #17.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR Baylor
Wright disappointed at the Combine due to his 40 time, and if it wasn't for that he would be off the board way earlier than this. A few years ago another highly ranked prospect struggled in the 40 and he's doing alright in the NFL right now--Joe Haden.

23. Detroit Lions: Jonathon Martin, OT Stanford
Jeff Backus is old as shit and not likely to be brought back and Jonathon Martin was once thought to be a top 5 selection. Detroit will take him and pray to God he can keep Jared Allen, Clay Matthews, and Julius Peppers from taking Matt Stafford out for the season again.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerel Worthy, DT Michigan St.
Casey Hampton is old, fat, and has immense artery cloggage for sure. Longtime backup Chris Hoke retired, and that leaves a huge hole, literally, in the middle of Pissburgh's (see what I did there?) famed 3-4 defense. At about 310 lbs., Worthy is an option here.

25. Denver Broncos: Lamar Miller, RB Miami
Miller is the consensus #2 back behind Trent Richardson, and I find it hard to believe John Fox has a lot of faith in A) the talent of Knowshon Moreno and B) how many more miles Willis McGahee has left in the tank.

26. Houston Texans: Cordy Glenn, OG UGA
Glenn is a very solid interior lineman prospect behind DeCastro of Stanford. Houston doesn't have any glaring holes here, so they have the luxury of taking one of the best players on the board here.

27. New England Patriots: Whitney Marcellus, DE/OLB Illinois
Marcellus led the nation in sacks for Illinois this past fall, and we all know that New England's defense has some room for improvement. A defensive back might be a better pick, but no one on the board here warrants being picked this high.

28. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, DL Mississippi St.
Green Bay's defense was awful last year and Cox is one of the best players still up for grab here. He could step in and help solidify that 3-4 defensive line with B.J. Raji.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C Wisconsin
This is seeming to be the consensus pick for Baltimore at this point, given that Matt Birk is unbelievably old.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina
Not sure what to make of this pick. Jeffery would be a stretch here, but the 49's only true glaring hole is at wideout.

31. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, CB Virginia
I'm hoping Minnifield falls to the second round and the Browns are able to scoop him up. However, Minnifield is a nice prospect, and in this situation it makes sense for New England.

32: New York Football Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE Clemson
Again, a seemingly consensus pick for the Giants here. The only people who actually think Jack Ballard is a weapon from the tight end position are oHio sTate fans who don't know what the hell they're talking about.