It's that time of year again...the NFL Draft. I love the Draft. I'll watch as much as I can. If the Draft came on at 3am, I'd probably get up to watch. I'm not sure why, but I just love the picks, the deals, the surprise moves. At this point, there is no surprise about the first two picks of this draft. Andrew Luck is going first, Robert Griffin III is going second. Then the fun begins. Here is my mock of the first ten picks, plus the hometown Atlanta Falcons' first pick (#55 overall)
First Pick: Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)Sources are saying that Indianapolis has already informed Luck that he will be taken first overall. The Stanford QB is hailed as the best prospect since John Elway. Indianapolis can’t go wrong taking Luck, nor would they be mistaken in taking RG3, either.
Alternate pick: NONE
Second Pick: Washington Redskins (Trade from St. Louis)
Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)
The ‘Skins traded up for this exact purpose. Granted, they gave away the far to get RG3, but if Griffin even comes close to matching his potential, the Redskins have a franchise QB for years to come. The biggest problem is fitting a mobile QB like Griffin into a methodical offense that Mike Shanahan likes to run.
Alternate Pick: NONE
Third Pick: Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil, OT (USC)
The Vikings want to trade. They want out of the third spot very badly. But it won’t happen. The Dolphins wouldn’t trade up this far for Tannehill when they can land him later on. And the Browns look like they’ll spend another season with Colt McCoy. So if you’re there, and you’re the Vikings, you’re crazy if you don’t take Kalil. He’s easily the best O-Lineman in the draft.
Alternate Pick: Trent Richardson or Justin Blackmon
Fourth Pick: Cleveland Browns
Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
The Cleveland strategy this year may be “Play Flat for Matt,” just as Indy last year decided to “Suck for Luck.” Matt Barkley, the USC QB, is already being touted as the consensus #1 next year. So this year, grab him a weapon. Running Backs usually last about 5-6 years in the NFL. By taking Richardson now, and giving him a year to learn, you have a steady safety net for Barkley next year.
Alternate Pick: Justin Blackmon or Morris Claiborne
Fifth Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)
Tampa Bay is making a lot of changes, and they need to be able to compete in an otherwise loaded NFC South. Six games a year are played against Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Cam Newton. If you don’t have a strong secondary, those guys will chew you up. Claiborne is the best Corner in the draft. Sure, he bombed the Wonderlic, but we’re asking him to break up passes, not design NASA rockets.
Alternate Pick: Trent Richardson or Matt Kalil
Sixth Pick: St. Louis Rams
Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)
The Rams have their Quarterback of the future in Sam Bradford. They now have a stockpile of picks thanks to the Redskins. A weapon for Bradford is in order, and Blackmon fits the bill.
Alternate Pick: Morris Claiborne
Seventh Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame
The Jags seem set on making Blaine Gabbert a starting QB in the NFL. To do so, they need to offer him protection in the form of a lineman, or a weapon to target downfield. Michael Floyd is basically Justin Blackmon, just a little taller and maybe not as polished, talent-wise.
Alternate Pick: Justin Blackmon or Melvin Ingram
Eighth Pick: Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill, QB (Texas A&M)
Peyton Manning? Swing and miss. Matt Flynn? Swing and miss. Alex Smith? Strike three, you’re out. Three QBs visited Miami this off-season, and three QBs left for the much preferred climates of Denver, Seattle, and San Francisco. Miami needs a franchise QB. They may join Cleveland in the “Play Flat for Matt” sweepstakes, but Tannehill looks to be the pick here.
Alternate Pick: Melvin Ingram or Michael Floyd
Ninth Pick: Carolina Panthers
Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
Ingram is too good to pass up. He’s basically a local talent, having played in Columbia. He’s terrorized SEC offenses for the last couple of seasons. If Ingram gets past Jacksonville, I can’t imagine Carolina passing on him as well.
Alternate Pick: Luke Kuechly or Stephon Gilmore
Tenth Pick: Buffalo Bills
Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
Buffalo loves a Big Ten lineman, especially a corn-fed O-Lineman from Iowa. The Bills need to protect their QB, and Reiff is a good fit for that.
Alternate Pick: Michael Floyd or Luke Kuechly
Fifty-fifth Pick: Atlanta Falcons
David Wilson, RB Virginia Tech
The Falcons have holes in their defensive secondary, but they also have a Tight End to replace and a running back requiring an heir apparent. Wilson was the 2011 ACC Player of the Year, and had a rather strong combine performance. Atlanta would probably be overpaying for UGA Tight End Orson Charles at this point, but if Charles is available when the Falcons pick at No. 84, don’t be surprised if Atlanta grabs him then. The Falcons may look to upgrade their defense through free agency.
Alternate Pick: Kelechi Osemele or LaMichael James
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