1.
Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
(6’4” 235lbs). Luck’s display of athleticism only solidified his position as
the top overall pick. Indy moved on from Peyton Manning and was able to re-sign
Reggie Wayne, so Andrew Luck won’t be throwing at imaginary receivers. Barring
some major MAJOR change, Andrew Luck still remains to be the top pick in the
draft. Previous Pick: No Change.
2.
Washington Redskins (Trades 2012 1st
& 2nd, 2013 1st, & 2014 1st) – Robert Griffin
III, QB, Baylor (6’2” 220lbs). I knew the Skins would do whatever it took to
land RGIII and I was right. They gave up more than what Cleveland was willing
to give up. Griffin is super athletic and draws a lot of comparisons to guys
like Michael Vick when it comes to his ability to scramble, but I think he
compares more to Aaron Rodgers. RGIII is an incredible athlete, but he’s also
an outstanding passer with great accuracy. He’d be a great fit in Mike
Shanahan’s offense. Previous Pick: No Change.
3.
Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC (6’6”
306lbs). Kalil demonstrated the strength and athleticism that makes a premier
left tackle in the NFL. I think the
Vikings would like to be the team that field offers to trade out of their pick
so someone can take Robert Griffin here, but if they stand pat I think they’ll take
the best player available and that without a doubt is Matt Kalil. The Vikings
have invested in Christian Ponder and it is always a good idea to give young
QB’s as much protection as possible otherwise they end up like David Carr.
Kalil is also a fantastic run blocker, so Adrian Peterson should be happy about
this selection as well. Previous Pick: No Change. 
4.
Cleveland Browns – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma
State (6’1” 215lbs). Blackmon was really impressive at his pro day and ran
really well, which alleviated suspicions that he may not have the speed and
quickness to gain separation in the NFL. Blackmon does a nice job getting in
and out of his routes quickly and efficiently and he uses his hands really well
to catch the ball rather than letting it get into his body. Cleveland needs a
lot of things, but they have recently stated that they feel like they can be
successful with Colt McCoy as long as they get him better weapons. Previous Pick: Morris Claiborne.
5.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
(5’11” 188lbs). The Bucs significantly overpaid for corner Eric Wright, but
they still are likely going to need another corner considering Rhonde Barber is
36 years old and Aqib Talib may face serious jail time. Greg Schiano is a no
nonsense kind of coach and he may not be interested in Talib’s services anyway.
Claiborne is one of the top rated defensive players in this draft and has all
of the skills and qualities you look for in a cover corner. Previous Pick: Justin
Blackmon.
6.
St. Louis Rams (From Washington)– Devon Still,
DT, Penn State (6’5” 300lbs). Jeff Fisher has to be concerned about his
defensive line right now and considering they’ve released Justin Bannan I think
DL is going to be a big target on their draft board. Of course if Justin
Blackmon or Morris Claiborne drop they’ll be the pick, but if they don’t I
think they’ll go for one of the best DL prospects on the board. Chris Long is a
decent left end and Robert Quinn was one of the top rated pass rushers last
year, but the Rams’ interior DL was pretty pathetic last year and got blown off
the line of scrimmage far too much. Still has a fantastic physique for a 300lb
man and uses his long arms to shed blocks and get into the backfield quickly. Previous Pick: Riley Reiff.
7.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Quinton Coples, DE, UNC
(6’6” 281lbs). I’ve seen a few mock up’s where they had Coples falling below
guys like Mercilus and Melvin Ingram. I just don’t see it. For a team operating
out of the 4-3 and needing a pass rusher Coples is a MUST. He needs some
mentoring and maturing, but the talent is there and the upside is there. It is
rare to see a guy his size move like he does and have the initial burst that he
does. The Jags may not be able to keep Jeremy Mincey, which would leave them
with an old and oft-injured Aaron Kampman and Matt Roth, who is more of a run
stopping DE. Previous Pick: No Change.
8.
Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas
A&M (6’4” 221lbs). This is far too high for Tannehill to go and in almost
any other draft he’d likely go a lot lower, but this draft only really has
about 10-15 guys worthy of a 1st round selection and a lot of
borderline guys. The Dolphins tried to get Alex Smith, but haven’t been able to
get him yet and signed David Garrard, which will provide them a nice cushion to
ease Tannehill into the NFL. Tannehill would have the luxury of re-uniting with
former college coach, Mike Sherman, so grasping the playbook won’t be as
difficult. That said, Tannehill does have a lot of upside and has all the tools
you look for in a franchise QB. Previous
Pick: Michael Floyd.
9.
Carolina Panthers – Dontari Poe, DT Memphis
(6’4” 345lbs). Carolina has had issues on their defensive line for a few
seasons now. I think they’d consider taking Michael Floyd or Justin Blackmon if
he falls, but if they don’t I think they’ll be gunning for one of the top
defensive lineman on the board and Poe is certainly a high riser right now. He
was absolutely dominant at the combine and it’s a little unnerving that a man
his size can move that quickly and efficiently. He’d give Carolina a major
presence with stopping the run and he can provide a burst up the middle and
enough power to collapse the pocket and force quarterbacks out. Previous Pick: Devon
Still. 
10.
Buffalo Bills – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
(6’2” 190lbs). Kirkpatrick was very impressive at his pro-day and having the
charges against him dropped is going to push his stock back up a bit. He’s a
rare corner with extremely long arms and range. He’s arguably the best
press-man corner in this draft and Buffalo has a need at corner. They drafted
Aaron Williams last year out of Texas, but he may be better suited as a safety
versus a corner and Leodis McKelvin has never really lived up to his 1st
round status. Considering Buffalo has to play Tom Brady and the prolific TE’s
twice a year having a corner who can match up with them physically might be
intriguing to Buffalo. They’re also in the market for corners with size as they
had Stanford Routt in for a visit earlier in the month. Previous Pick: Whitney
Mercilus.
11.
Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB,
Alabama (5’9” 225lbs). The Chiefs had brought in multiple running backs for
visits including Michael Bush and Mike Tolbert, but both have left without
contracts and it doesn’t look like KC will pursue the position in free agency
any longer. Jamaal Charles will be coming back from an ACL injury late in last
season and if he’s able to come back to his top performance it’s likely that it
will go well into next season, so KC will be looking to bolster their ground
game. Greg Cossell believes that Trent Richardson is the best overall player in
this draft and I can’t say that I disagree with him. He’s got an innate ability
to make people miss with a rare blend of speed, quickness, and natural power. Previous Pick: Riley Reiff.
12.
Seattle Seahawks – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
(6’5” 315lbs). The Seahawks just signed Matt Flynn and released Robert Gallery.
They had some issues with injuries across their OL last year and rookie John
Moffit was really up and down for much of the season. I think the Seahawks will
take one of the best offensive players available and arguably the 2nd
best offensive lineman in this draft. DeCastro immediately upgrades the left
guard spot and will dramatically improve the running game as well as pass
protection. Previous Pick: Nick Perry. 
13.
Arizona Cardinals – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (6’6” 305lbs). Arizona could go a couple of different ways here, but with DeCastro off the board I think they'll be looking to get the next best offensive lineman prospect and that is without a doubt Riley Reiff. Like traditional linemen from Iowa he's a nasty run blocker and an overachieving pass blocker. He's going to need some coaching on footwork and his arms are a bit short for a prototypical left tackle prospect, but he'd easily be able to beat out Levi Brown, who the Cardinals feel would be better suited as a guard anyway. Previous Pick: David DeCastro.
14.
Dallas Cowboys – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
(6’2” 271lbs). Upshaw isn’t a quick-twitch athlete, but he’s arguably the best
3-4 OLB prospect in this draft. He can line up as a DE and has a nice variety
of pass rushing moves, but what I really like about Upshaw is that he’s not a
1-trick pony at all. The Cowboys franchised Anthony Spencer, but he’ll probably
be looking to get paid next year and Upshaw would allow the Cowboys to upgrade
the position and let Spencer hit the market. Previous Pick: Devon Still.
15.
Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre
Dame (6’3” 220lbs). This would be an ideal scenario for Philly. Floyd is a big
receiver with decent wheels and has a knack for coming up with the big play.
What I really like about the guy is his ability to go up and grab passes out of
the air at their highest point. His leaping ability is some of the best anyone
has seen in a long time. The Eagles re-signed DeSean Jackson, but there are still some questions with his durability, Jeremy Maclin's durability, and whether or not those two are better suited as slot receivers. Previous Pick: Jonathan Martin. 
17.
Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) – Stephon
Gilmore, CB, South Carolina (6’1” 190lbs). The Bengals did try to keep Jon
Joseph last off-season, but he had no interest in staying in Cinci. They have a
good starting corner in Leon Hall and Nate Clements was ok, but as soon as Hall
got injured their secondary was really exposed. Gilmore is a bit of a gambler
at cornerback, but he’s got the size, long arms, and ball skills to be a very
good starting perimeter corner in the NFL. Previous Pick: David DeCastro. 
19.
Chicago Bears – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
(6’3” 247lbs). Kuechly is a pretty ridiculous athlete considering many had him touted as only a 2-down linebacker. He’s a tackling machine with the range to drop into coverage and learning from Brian Urlacher would be a great thing for the Bears and for Kuechly. I think the Bears are a team that really could
go multiple ways, but considering that they traded for Brandon Marshall, I
think they’ll wait a little to go after a receiver and focus on their defensive
side of the ball. Believe it or not, their D has been somewhat of a weakness over the past
couple of seasons. I think Kuechly could easily start as a strongside linebacker and eventually replace Urlacher in the middle of the field. Previous Pick: Stephen Hill. 
20.
Tennessee Titans – Janoris Jenkins, CB, N.
Alabama (5’11” 193lbs). At one point many felt that Jenkins’ off-field issues
could prevent him from being drafted, but he really seemed humbled by his
experience of getting booted from Florida’s program. He’s a fantastic corner
prospect that has 1st round talent, but I think some teams are still
going to shy away from his obvious personality flaws. That said, Mike Munchak
is the type of no nonsense coach that can get the most out of a player like
Jenkins and being that Cortland Finnegan has relocated to St. Louis there is a
definite need for a corner who can start opposite of Jason McCourty. Previous
Pick: Dre Kirkpatrick.
21.
Cincinnati Bengals – Cordy Glenn, OG/T, Georgia
(6’6” 345lbs). Glenn is an enormous road-grader of an offensive lineman. He’s
got good footwork and long arms. Many scouts believe that he projects better as
an offensive guard with the potential to play RT or LT in a pinch. I think the
Bengals will give Glenn a long hard look if he is around at pick 21 now that
they have signed Benjavarus Green-Ellis at RB and plan to use him as an every
down back. Bobbie Williams was really missed when he broke his ankle and he’s
likely to retire, so there is a definite need for an interior offensive lineman
for the Bengals. Previous Pick: Lamar
Miller.
22.
Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta) – Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois (6’4”
265lbs). Mercilus was a real head-turner at the combine. He showed up ready to go and he put on a clinic as a pass rusher prospect and even participated in LB drills to show his versatility and willingness to challenge himself. The Browns stuck gold with Jabaal Sheard last year and look to
expand upon their DL by getting arguably one of the better right ends in this
entire draft. Mercilus brings a lot as a pass rusher and is an above average run
stopper. I’m sure Browns fans will be doing a massive face palm at this point
because they haven’t drafted a quarterback yet, but there are literally no
other QB prospects worthy of a 1st round pick. Stay the course,
build a standout defense, keep Colt McCoy healthy and give him weapons. See
where the chips fall and hopefully take one of the QB’s in 2013. Previous Pick: Courtney Upshaw.
23.
Detroit Lions – Mark Barron, SS/FS, Alabama (6’1”
213lbs). Barron’s injury has forced him to sit out of the combine and not
really participate at Alabama’s pro-day, so those things are going to make his
stock fall a little bit, but I don’t see him falling out of the top 25 picks.
There is far too much tape on this guy at both FS and SS for a team needing a
safety to pass him up. Louis Delmas is a fine free safety, but the Lions haven’t
really ever been satisfied at the SS position and even gave Chris Harris a go
last season when he was cut by the Bears. Barron is a big time hitter, plays
the run well, and has the athleticism to be an effective over the top coverage
safety. If it weren’t for his injury he could be a potential top 15 pick. Previous
Pick: Luke Kuechly.
24.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia
Tech (6’4” 215lbs). Hear me out on this one before you jump all over it. Mike
Wallace has recently declared that he wants more money than Larry Fitzgerald.
It’s highly likely that he doesn’t get that kind of money, but it’s even more
likely that the Steelers won’t be lining up to pay for Mike Wallace after this
season when he becomes a UFA. Secondly, the Steelers are going to be pretty
tight against the cap again next year, which means both Antonio Brown and
Emmanuel Sanders, who are RFA’s, are going to probably get a 1st and
2nd round tender. At the end of the day, Pittsburgh could go from
having one of the bright young WR units in the league to having a lot of
nothing. Hill at least ensures a future deep threat with incredible size, which
Roethlisberger likes, and it gives the Steelers the option to not pursue Mike
Wallace. Previous Pick: Mike Adams. 
26.
Houston Texans – Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
(6’2” 265lbs). Initially I didn’t think that LB would be on the top of the list
for Houston, but they recently traded DeMecco Ryans to Philadelphia. Ryans was
a heck of a LB, but he just didn’t function well in a 3-4. Now that they only
have Brian Cushing I think they’ll take this opportunity to get arguably the
best 3-4 LB in this draft after Courtney Upshaw. Hightower is a high character
guy who provides good north/south movement as a pass rusher and tackler. He’s
not excellent in coverage, but he’ll fit in well to one of the premier 3-4
units in the NFL. Previous Pick: Kelechi Osemele.
27. New England Patriots (From New Orleans)
– Jerrel Worthy, DT, Michigan State (6’3” 305lbs). Worthy is
absolutely worthy of a 1st round pick. He had a bit of a down year
this past season, but his talent is far superior to most defensive tackles in
this draft and would function extremely well in Belichik’s 4-3 and 3-4.
Frankly, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Worthy goes a lot higher than this,
but if he falls I think New England will pounce all over him. They signed Jon Fanene
and Trevor Scott, but they still need a 5-technique guy who can line up beside
Wilfork and cause havoc in the backfield. Previous Pick: Kendall Wright Jr.
28.
Green Bay Packers – Shea McClellin, OLB/DE,
Boise State (6’3” 255lbs). This may be a bit of a reach, but the Packers need
someone else who can rush the passer and still perform as a 3-down OLB opposite
of Clay Matthews. McClellin may not be the best pass rusher here, but he is a
really good one and he’s displayed the intelligence and athleticism to be an
every down OLB in Green Bay’s 3-4. He is a solid fundamentals guy and he’s a
high motor player on the field. He’s one of my sleeper picks and I think Green
Bay fans could quickly get behind this guy. Previous Pick: Peter Konz.
29.
Baltimore Ravens – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South
Carolina (6’4” 220lbs). I think a lot of Jeffery’s stock will hinge on how he
runs at SC’s pro-day this Wednesday, but if he drops here I think Baltimore
would give a sincere look at the physical wide out. The Ravens have never had a
receiver with his proportions and natural athleticism. He’s got great hands and
is a mismatch for almost any cornerback. His routes are a little sloppy, but
his wingspan is tremendous and Flacco could really benefit from having a bona fide
red zone target at receiver. Ozzie, Bisciotti, and Harbaugh all stated that
they want to get receivers who can catch the ball consistently and that was a
major problem for Baltimore the last two seasons who have essentially been
booted from the playoffs in back-to-back seasons from dropped would-be TD
passes. Previous Pick: Dont’a Hightower.
30.
San Francisco 49ers – Kelechi Osemele, OT/G,
Iowa State (6’6” 333lbs). The Niners are one of those teams that really just
don’t need a whole lot, so they can afford to be extra picky with their draft
selections. I think Osemele fits the profile of what Jim Harbaugh wants on
offense. Osemele is a big, tough, athletic guy who can play guard or tackle. He
projects the best as a guard, but I see him being a starter at RT for the
Niners, which would allow them to slide Anthony Davis down to RG in order to
replace the recently departed Adam Snyder. Davis was not very consistent last
year and if Alex Smith is going to be the man then he needs to be given
protection and he needs to have that ground game working as effectively as
possible. Previous Pick: Alshon Jeffrey. 
31.
New England Patriots – Harrison Smith, FS, Notre
Dame (6’2” 215lbs). Smith is one of those borderline 1st/2nd
rounder guys because he plays a position that doesn’t carry a tremendous amount
of value to it, but he’s such a physical specimen that he can play both strong
and free safety. He’s rangy, he’s smart, he tackles extremely well, and he’s
not bad in coverage either, which is something the Patriots really missed last
season. Getting Harrison Smith will allow Devin McCourty to drop back down to
corner and it will give the Patriots some over the top help so their corners
aren’t being left on islands. Previous Pick: Mark Barron. 
32.
New York Giants – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (5’11”
212lbs). Miller is a home run threat every time he touches the ball. He’s got
track star speed, excellent hands, and is a 1-cut and go kind of back. The
Giants have no intentions of bringing Brandon Jacobs back and there is no
telling what Tom Coughlin’s thoughts are on Ahmad Bradshaw. One week he’s the
starter, then he misses a meeting, and the next week he barely plays at all.
Couple that with Bradshaw’s history with fumbling the ball and I think Jerry
Reese would be interested in bringing in some fresh blood at RB. I have Miller
rated as the #2 back behind Trent Richardson for several reasons, but the main
one is because of his age. Most RB’s reach their peak in their mid 20’s and
start to see a significant decline after 27/28 years old, so getting a guy like
Miller who just turned 20 and is already extremely talented is great value here
with the last pick in round 1. Previous Pick: Orson Charles. 
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