Nick's "One Week Later" Free Agency First Round Mock Draft

[Nick]

Some changes abound as teams have filled some of their needs through the free agency period. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Enjoy!




1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
-Nothing has changed here.

2. Washington Redskins (f/STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
-We all know who Washington traded up for.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
-Though the Vikings are starting to send out signals suggesting otherwise, I still think Kalil is their guy.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
-It looks like McCoy will be starting again in 2012, which means the Browns will want a strong running game to protect him.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
-Pairing Morris Claiborne and Eric Wright together at cornerback should make for a very solid starting duo.

6. St. Louis Rams (f/WAS): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
-The Rams have failed so far to add any weapons for Sam Bradford in free agency; they’d be wise to do so here.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
-Jacksonville’s need at receiver may have been met with the Robinson signing; now they turn to their pass rush.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
-They missed out on Manning and Flynn; in Tannehill, they draft a QB that likely won’t turn them down.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
-The top DT of this draft is up in the air, but some would argue Cox fits the Panthers defense better than Poe.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
-With their need at defensive end taken care of, the Bills turn to their offensive line where they currently have no left tackle.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
-Poe’s natural ability could make him a monster in the middle of that Chiefs defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
-Seattle is out of the running for Tannehill after signing Flynn, and now adds a leader to their defense in Kuechly.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Ingram, LB, South Carolina
-The Cardinals will consider an offensive lineman, but a top pass rusher is desperately needed on their defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
-The Cowboys would be wise not to let mediocre free agent signings at guard prevent them from taking DeCastro here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
-Brockers is a big prospect with tons of potential, and he’d be a nice fit on the interior of the Eagles’ defensive line.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
-The Jets want to add a blue chip pass rusher to their defense, so Upshaw makes a lot of sense here.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (f/OAK): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
-The Bengals replaced Nate Livings with Travelle Wharton, but could still upgrade their other guard spot.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, LB, USC
-San Diego signed Jarrett Johnson from the Ravens, but don’t be surprised if they continue to upgrade their pass rush.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
-Pairing Floyd with recently acquired Brandon Marshall would suddenly strengthen a previously weak receiving corps.

20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
-An interior offensive lineman would be nice, but the Titans would be more than happy to add a pass rusher in Mercilus.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
-Gilmore is emerging as a legitimate late first round contender, and the Bengals would like someone to push Nate Clements.

22. Cleveland Browns (f/ ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
-The Browns added Trent Richardson to their backfield, and now give Colt McCoy a weapon in the passing game.

23. Detroit Lions: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
-Jeff Backus was brought back, but his clock is ticking. Jonathan Martin could be Detroit’s long-term answer at left tackle.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
-Casey Hampton won’t be around forever, and some believe Worthy could grow into a nose tackle role.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
-Center could be an option if the Broncos can’t land Jeff Saturday, but for right now, I’m sticking with defensive tackle.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
-Hill would be very fortunate to spend his first years in the league learning from one of the best in Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (f/ NO): Mark Barron, S, Alabama
-The Patriots need safety help, and Barron’s value at this point in the draft may be too good to pass up.

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, LB, Clemson
-Branch is a hot name in first round discussions right now, making him a possibility in the late first round to a team like Green Bay.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
-Matt Birk can’t be expected to play forever; even though he signed a three-year deal, expect the Ravens to seek out an heir.

30. San Francisco *****: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
-A bit high for Zeitler for my taste, but the ***** know they need to replace Adam Snyder.

31. New England Patriots: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
-Another case where the Patriots add solid defensive talent while getting good draft value.

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
-William Beatty has not locked down the Giants’ left tackle job; Mike Adams would be an upgrade for Eli’s blind side.

[general counsel]

My one comment is this: From your mouth to God's ears.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[RockinRam]

Solid mock.

However, my opinions would be:

Green Bay takes Peter Konz to replace Wells.

San Diego takes Floyd to replace Jackson.

[Nick]

Konz is a possibility to the Packers to replace Wells.

As for San Diego, the Meachem signing had me looking elsewhere in the draft, as San Diego believes he can be a top receiver.

[rammiser]

As much as i hope I just dont think Blackmon gets past Minnesota. They need weopons for their young qb just as much the Rams do.

[general counsel]

I disagree on the vikings. I work out with Percy Harvin's father. Take it for what its worth (this is a biased source of course), but if the vikings dont get a quality offensive tackle that are really in deep trouble. Sure, they could use weapons, but they are in even worse shape than we are at the tackle spot. I dont think they can afford to pass on khalil (which is the alleged view of many of the vikings players at this point)

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[SWFCRAM]

So if that’s how you see it playing out, who do the Ram’s take at 33?

[tomahawk247]

Everyone saw what happened to Sam Bradford last year, including other teams in the league. A young QB can't throw to anyone if he is on his ass. No matter if it's Calvin Johnson or Brandon Gibson. That's why the Vikings take Kalil

[rammiser]

Everyone saw what happened to Sam Bradford last year, including other teams in the league. A young QB can't throw to anyone if he is on his ass. No matter if it's Calvin Johnson or Brandon Gibson. That's why the Vikings take Kalil

So lets suppose Kahlil isnt there, then who do the Vikings take?

[rammiser]

Scratch that for some reason i thought the Vikings picked 5th duh.

[RockinRam]

So lets suppose Kahlil isnt there, then who do the Vikings take?

I do not know why Kalil wouldn't be there (Luck and Griffin are 100% going #1 and #2 respectively), but if Kalil for some reason did not exist, I would assume Minnesota would choose Riley Reiff or Jonathan Martin.

[rammiser]

I do not know why Kalil wouldn't be there (Luck and Griffin are 100% going #1 and #2 respectively), but if Kalil for some reason did not exist, I would assume Minnesota would choose Riley Reiff or Jonathan Martin.

I know I was having a brain fart for some reason i was thinking Minnesota picked 5th.

[AvengerRam]

With that mock (which looks pretty good to me), I'd probably go with Kelechi Osemele or Brandon Thompson at #33.

That said, if Dre Kirkpatrick is still there at pick #31, I might be tempted to call New England and try to jump up to get him.

[Shan the Ram Man]

So if that’s how you see it playing out, who do the Ram’s take at 33?

Rams take DT Kendal Reyes at 33 and RB David wilson at 39.

[tomahawk247]

I do not know why Kalil wouldn't be there (Luck and Griffin are 100% going #1 and #2 respectively), but if Kalil for some reason did not exist, I would assume Minnesota would choose Riley Reiff or Jonathan Martin.

I'd be very surprised if they were to do that. They do need a Left Tackle, but not as much as going ahead and forsaking the draft board and reaching for a guy. If Kalil is gone, it should be Blackmon