FINAL MOCK
(04/28)
1. Carolina Panthers - QB Cam Newton (Auburn)...The Panthers finished last in passing and in total offense last season, and they don't own a second round pick, so they will have a hard time passing up a QB here since this draft has no Mario Williams in it to fill their need at DE...Newton is the pick.
2. Denver Broncos - OLB Von Miller (Texas A&M)...The Broncos are switching back to a 4-3 scheme, and need help for the defensive side of the ball...Miller is their top rated defensive player on their board.
3. Buffalo Bills - DT Marcel Dareus (Alabama)...If Cam Newton is available, he's the pick, but since Newton and Miller have come off the board the Bills take Dareus to strengthen their defensive front.
4. Cincinnati Bengals -WR A.J. Green (Georgia)...The Bengals take an explosive WR that can stretch a defense...WR Julio Jones is also in the equation and OLB Von Miller will be considered here, since DC Mike Zimmer was present at his pro day workout...A DT like Nick Fairley might be considered since he's the 3-technique that Marvin Lewis has been seeking for his line.
5. Arizona Cardinals - CB Patrick Peterson (LSU)...The Cardinals take the top player on their board and pass up Gabbert because Ken Whisenhunt needs to win now and will be seeking a veteran QB for his team.
6. Cleveland Browns - WR Julio Jones (Alabama)..The Browns are switching back to a 4-3 base defense and are in desperate need of linemen that can fit their scheme, but the draft is deep at DT and DE...Jones will give the Browns a much needed playmaker for the offensive side of the ball.
7. San Francisco 49ers - QB Blaine Gabbert (Missouri)...The Niners have a new DC in Vic Fangio and would like to find an edge-rusher to put some heat on the QB and add a CB as well...but finding a franchise QB for the team trumps every other position.
8. Tennessee Titans - QB Jake Locker (Washington) ...The Titans have numerous needs on both sides of the ball including the QB position...The Titans know they won't get their man if they pass up Locker here.
9. Dallas Cowboys - OT Tyron Smith (USC)...A CB is tempting, but it's been over 20 years since Jerry Jones has taken an OT in the first round...The Cowboys fill a huge need on their line, which will help keep Tony Romo upright and make the Cowboys offense more productive.
10. Washington Redskins - DE Cameron Jordan (California)...The Redskins will try to move down and out of this pick, but if they aren't successful, they take a player that will fit their defensive scheme.
11. Houston Texans - OLB Aldon Smith (Missouri)...The Texans are switching over to a 3-4 scheme and need a player that can fly off the edge and rush the quarterback.
12. Minnesota Vikings - DT Corey Liuget (Illinois)...The Vikings need to land a QB in the worst way, but three have already come off the board...Look for the Vikings to sell this pick and move down! Trade Down
13. Detroit Lions - DE Robert Quinn (North Carolina)...Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has been across the country scouting defensive talent at the pro days.
14. St. Louis Rams - DT Nick Fairley (Auburn)...The Rams were hoping that Julio Jones was still on the board, but since he's gone they take a player that can step in from day one and solidify the middle of the Rams defense....Steve Spagnuolo knows the value of defensive linemen from his time with the Giants.
15. Miami Dolphins - QB Ryan Mallett (Arkansas)...The Dolphins are looking to trade down to acquire a second round pick, since they dealt their own pick to the Broncos for Brandon Marshall...Mallett gives the team a big arm to stretch a defense vertically, and to light a fire under Chad Henne and challenge him for the the starting QB position...the team takes Mallett after moving down in the draft. Trade Down
16. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson)...The Jaguars have several needs, but getting more pressure on the opposing QB is a must for the Jaguars to be able to take the next step...Bowers has slipped in the draft, but has passed the teams medical.
17. New England Patriots - DE Cameron Heyward (Ohio State)...The Patriots want to land a five technique (DE) and a pass-rushing OLB for their defense and some offensive line help.
18. San Diego Chargers - DE J.J. Watt (Wisconsin)...Finding a five-technique DE for their 3-4 scheme is top priority...GM A. J. Smith was in attendance at the Wisconsin Pro Day to view Watt's workout.
19. New York Giants - OG/OC Mike Pouncey...The Giants would like to add another OLB to the mix, but none are worthy of this pick...Pouncey will be high on the Giants board since Shaun O'Hara and Rich Seubert are both coming off major lower-leg surgeries.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Prince Amukamara (Nebraska)...The Bucs want to find a DE that can fly off the edge, but they also need a replacement for Aquib Talib is they decide to cut him.
21. Kansas City Chiefs - NT Phil Taylor (Baylor)...The Chiefs are considering moving LT Brandon Albert over to either RT or inside, so an OT will be considered here, but veteran DT Ron Edwards has done an admirable job at the NT position, and he's getting up there in age, so Phil Taylor is the pick.
22. Indianapolis Colts - OT Nate Solder (Colorado)...Finding a LT in this draft is the Colts number one priority and Solder has slipped through the cracks.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - OT Anthony Castonzo (Boston College)...Finding a RT is a priority along with a big press CB for their defense...Castonzo trumps Jimmy Smith here.
24. New Orleans Saints - HB Mark Ingram (Alabama)...The Saints go with the top player on their board, and fill a need since the team went through six RB's during the season last year.
25. Seattle Seahawks - QB Christian Ponder (Florida State)...The Seahawks will have a huge hole to fill at QB if they aren't able to come to terms with Matt Hasselback.
26. Baltimore Ravens - CB Jimmy Smith (Colorado)...A big CB like Jimmy Smith will fit perfectly in the Ravens secondary and will mesh with a team that has a heavy veteran presence in the locker room.
27. Atlanta Falcons - TE Kyle Rudolph (Notre Dame)...The Falcons would love to find a starting CB in this draft, and a DE since John Abraham is getting up there in age, and the interior of their O-Line is also a concern, but the team has done a ton of work scouting TE's in the pre-draft process and land the top TE.
28. New England Patriots - OLB Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue)..The Patriots take a player who they feel will help put some pressure on the quarterback.
29. Chicago Bears - DT Marvin Austin (North Carolina)...The Bears have done their homework on OT's during the pre-draft scouting process and feel they can find a gem after the first round...Austin will start from day one and fill a huge hole with the departure of Tommie Harris.
30. New York Jets - DE Muhammed Wilkerson (Temple)..The Jets have two big needs (DE and OLB) to fill on the defensive side of the ball and might make an attempt to move up for a pass-rushing OLB like Ryan Kerrigan or Aldon Smith...If they stay put here, Wilkerson is the pick.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State)..Head coach Mike Tomlin has been all across the country at every pro day that had a top CB working out, but at the end of the day, the Steelers go with the best player on their board at a position of need and take Sherrod for their O-Line.
32. Green Bay Packers - OLB Akeem Ayers (UCLA)...The Packers would love to find a starting LT that can fit their zone blocking scheme with this pick, and land a starting OLB opposite of Clay Matthews.
Prospects that have slipped into the second round of the draft:
OG Danny Watkins, OT Gabe Carimi, DE Adrian Clayborn, OLB Justin Houston
Had me a face palm moment but more and more people are suggesting this outcome so I might as well accept it too. Here's to hoping they're all right, and that we've finally found our franchise QB.
[ Edited by zero on Apr 28, 2011 at 06:42:57 ]