
This is the first mock draft that I've ever made so feel free to give me all of the constructive criticism that you feel I deserve. I'm probably going to update this a few more times before the NFL Draft comes around so if you think I should change a pick let me know why. I just completed my second update of it, so let me know what you think. Also, be sure to check out Casey's mock draft too.
This mock draft was done pre-free agency so some of these picks will change as free agency unfolds.
1) Indianapolis Colts, 2-14 - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: This pick is a lock at this point. Andrew Luck is the quarterback of the future for the Colts. Whether or not he will come in and start right away isn't clear yet, but expect Luck's name to be called first on draft day.
2) Washington Redskins (Via Trade With St. Louis) - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor - The Redskins gave up a lot of picks to trade up to get to RGIII but they are confident that he will be their franchise quarterback for years to come.
3) Minnesota Vikings, 3-13 - Matt Kalil, OT, USC - The Vikings believe that they already have their franchise QB in Christian Ponder. Now they just need to invest in some protection for him.
4) Cleveland Browns, 4-12 - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama - The Browns miss out on both Luck and RGIII so they better hope that they can address quarterback through free agency. Hillis is a free agent, so they replace him with the best running back in the draft.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4-12 - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber likely won't be back next year for the Bucs which leaves them with a big hole at cornerback. Claiborne has made it clear that he is the best corner in this draft.
6) St Louis Rams (Via Trade With Washington) 5-11 - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St. - The Skins also need to acquire a quarterback through free agency and whoever they sign will need a good target to throw to.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-11 - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame - This might be a little too high for Floyd who I originally had go in the middle of the first round, but the Jags are desperate for a big receiver for Gabbert to throw to. Floyd's 6'3" frame will come in handy with Blaine Gabbert throwing the football.
8) Miami Dolphins, 6-10 - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa - Marc Colombo was horrible this year for the Dolphins. The Dolphins already have a good LT in Jake Long, so they add Riley Reiff who will improve their offensive line immensly.
9) Carolina Panthers, 6-10 - Donatri Poe, DT, Memphis - 350 pounds and he runs a 4.8?? Enough said.
10) Buffalo Bills, 6-10 - Quinton Coples, DE, UNC - The Bills pash rush last year didn't scary anybody. They lacked a true pass rushing threat all year and they paid for it. With the Bills switching to a 4-3 defense, Coples is a good fit here.
11) Kansas City Chiefs, 7-9 - Johnathan Martin, OT, Stanford - Barry Richardson made it clear that he isn't starting material. Matt Cassel will need all the protection he can get.
12) Seattle Seahawks, 7-9 - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M - Tannehill probably shouldn't be drafted this high but the Seahawks need to bring in somebody better than Tavaris Jackson.
13) Arizona Cardinals, 8-8 - David DeCastro, G, Stanford - With Martin off the board, the Cardinals upgrade their offensive line with the best guard available in the draft.
14) Dallas Cowboys, 8-8 - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama - The Cowboys could choose to upgrade their line by adding the best guard in the draft or they could take the slipping Kirkpatrick and address perhaps their biggest need this off-season. The Cowboys love that Kirkpatrick got busted for pot, because that allowed him to slip right into their arms.
15) Philadelphia Eagles, 8-8 - Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College - The Eagles had a really poor inside linebacking core last year that consisted of Casey Matthews and Jamar Chaney. Kuechly makes too much sense here.
16) New York Jets, 8-8 - Nick Perry, OLB, USC - Nick Perry put up very impressive numbers at the combine. He ran a 4.64 40, and put up 35 reps of 225 in the bench press. Perry is an extremely talented pass rusher and he proved that he is the better athlete than Upshaw.
17) Cincinnatti Bengals (from Oakland, 8-8) - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - The Bengals would love to add another talented cornerback to their secondary. With Kikrpatrick already off the board, Jenkins is the best corner available.
18) San Diego Chargers, 8-8 - Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama - The Chargers had a pretty poor pass rush last year and part of that is due to the lack of production from Larry English.
19) Chicago Bears, 8-8 - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor - The Bears have lacked a #1 receiver for quite some time now. Alshon Jeffrey really hurt his stock at the combine, so Wright takes his place here.
20) Tennessee Titans, 9-7 - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin - The Titans could stand to upgrade their offensive line by adding the best center in the draft. Eugene Amano hasn't worked out well for the Titans.
21) Cincinnati Bengals, 9-7 - Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia - Unfortuantely for the Bengals, they miss out on DeCastro but Glenn isn't a bad consolation prize. Glenn had a very good combine and will come in and fill a need for the Bengals.
22) Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta, 10-6) - Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina - Jeffrey doesn't end up sliding too far as the Browns are desperate to add another target for Colt McCoy to throw to.
23) Detroit Lions, 10-6 - Alfonso Dennard, CB, Nebraska - The Lions secondary has some pretty good pieces in Chris Houston and Eric Wright, but Alfonso Dennard is too good of a talent to pass up on. It is especially important for a team that players the Packers twice a year to have a very good secondary.
24) Pittsburgh Steelers - Donta Hightower, ILB, Alabama - James Farrior was just cut and Cordy Glenn is off the board so Hightower makes the move from one elite defense to another.
25) Denver Broncos - Devon Stll, DT, Penn St. - The Broncos will look to upgrade their defensive line at this pick and I believe Still is the best defensive tackle left.
26) Houston Texans - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech - 6'4 frame and he ran a 4.36 40? Imagine trying to cover him and Andre Johnson.
27) New England Patriots (From New Orleans) - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina - Ingram likely will not fall this far come April, but if he does expect the Patriots to waste no time in picking him.
28) Green Bay Packers - Andre Branch, DE, Clemson - I believe the Packers bring in Andre Branch to play the 3-4 OLB position opposite of Clay Matthews. Andre Branch has a high motor and is very strong, and he will benefit from learning alonside Clay Matthews.
29) Baltimore Ravens - Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida St. - Sanders will come in and challenge McKinnie for his starting tackle position.
30) San Francisco 49ers - Whitney Mercilius, DE, Illinois - Mercilius led the NCAA in sacks last year and he will help make the defense of the 49ers even better.
31) New England Patriots - Mark Barron, S, Alabama - The Patriots secondary is pretty bad and part of that is due to their lack of quality safties. Barron is the top safety in this year's draft and will help stablize the Pats D.
32) New York Giants - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford - Ballad tore his ACL and the Giants are happy to bring in the best tight end in this year's draft.