- Colts - Andrew Luck is regarded as the best QB prospect since John Elway, and is viewed as the safest pick in the draft. Colts GM Ryan Grigson has confirmed he is the pick.
- Redskins - Robert Griffin III cost them a lot of draft picks, but he is worth it. Griffin could have a better career than Luck when all is said and done.
- Vikings - Matt Kalil is widely regarded as the best tackle in what appears to be a rather weak o-line class. The Vikes first see if they can trade down a few spots and still get tremendous value. If they end up staying at 3 Kalil is the pick.
- Browns - Their offense is woeful and it needs to be addressed. We keep hearing about how they need to get tougher, and Trent Richardson will help them with that. Also, he will help the offense faster than a rookie QB or WR could.
- Buccaneers - Morris Claiborne is regarded as the best defensive player in the draft, and Tampa needs to upgrade the corner position. This is a no-brainer for Tampa.
- Rams - This is a dream scenario for Sam Bradford and the Rams, as the draft's most polished receiver falls right into their lap. Justin Blackmon finally gives Bradford a number one receiver (Brandon Lloyd only played with him a few games).
- Jaguars - The Jags could go in several directions here, but pass rush always seems to be a weakness for them. With several draft boards including Michael Lombardi and Mike Mayock putting Chandler Jones in their top ten, I have to listen. I think he is raw and can still fill out his frame without losing quickness. I think all the buzz about them loving Gilmore is just misdirection.
- Dolphins - Ryan Tannehill is certainly not a sure thing, but he has tremendous upside with underrated athleticism and what has been called the strongest arm in the draft. Miami finally pulls the trigger on a QB in the first round.
- Panthers - Some people think Dontari Poe is all hype, some think he is the next Kris Jenkins. For all we know he could be somewhere in the middle, but those around the Panthers organization of said that they have longed for an inside presence like the aforementioned Kris Jenkins. Poe has that rare size and athleticism that fits that mold.
- Bills - The Bills lost Jason Peters to the Eagles a year ago, and now they get his replacement in Riley Reif, the #2 left tackle in the draft.
- Chiefs - Kansas City has a lot of options at the 11th spot, but Luke Kuechly next to Derrick Johnson just looks too good to pass up.
- Seahawks - A pass rusher to go along with Chris Clemons is a clear need, but Michael Floyd will be the pick as Pete Carroll has to give Matt Flynn a legitimate number one receiver.
- Cardinals - The Cards pass rush has been non-existent and it has to be improved. If Melvin Ingram is sitting on the board at this point, I believe they pull the trigger. He is a player that has a knack for getting after the passer and he shows great short to mid range explosiveness. The Cardinals love his versatility and will utilize him well in their 3-4 hybrid scheme.
- Cowboys - Dallas appears to be in love with Dontari Poe, which would be a great fit. As WalterFootball.com mentioned, allowing Jay Ratliff to move to DE would be a huge benefit. But Poe is gone at this point, so they go with the best safety in the draft in Mark Barron, and land the best safety in Big D since Darren Woodson.
- Eagles - All signs point to the Eagles taking a defensive tackle in this spot, so I give them Fletcher Cox who by many appears to be the best in the draft. His interior pass rush ability sets him apart from the rest.
- Jets - I am not in love with the pick of Courtney Upshaw, but the Jets need a pass rusher and I can see Rex Ryan falling in love with his ability getting upfield. Ryan is a chess master, expect him to find ways to limit Upshaw's perceived coverage liabilities.
- Bengals - They have four major needs; corner, wide receiver, running back, and tackle. Previously I had Kirkpatrick here because his skill set seems to fit their scheme, and he was a great value meets need selection. However, the growing consensus is that Stephon Gilmore is the better corner, while sharing some of the same skill sets.
- Chargers - San Diego must get someone opposite Shaun Phillips. Nick Perry played end in a 4-3, but scouts have said he is a carbon copy of Lamar Woodley. If that is true, then the Chargers will be well of aware of the kid who has dominated the pac-10 from their backyard.
- Bears - They have bolstered their receivers and for some strange reason they appear to be content with their offensive line. So it appears that an upgrade to Idonijie is a desire for them. Initially the local Whitney Mercilus seemed to be a fit, then I mocked Chandler Jones to them in this spot. But with all the stock up that Chandler Jones is receiving he is long gone at this spot. So the Bears have to "settle" for the player who at one time was considered to be the top defensive end prospect in this draft, Quinton Coples. Coples has ideal size and athleticism, but he has to prove that he has love for this game as his motor and production as a senior are in question.
- Titans - There is no reason that the draft's top interior lineman should fall this far, but he does and the Titans do not hesitate to pull the trigger on David DeCastro. Chris Johnson rejoices for answered prayers.
- Bengals - Despite so many mocks showing Lamar Miller as the 2nd back off the board, it will be Doug Martin. Some scouts have called him a Ray Rice clone, and he is becoming widely regarded as the best back not named Trent Richardson. Martin will become the workhorse in the Bengals offense from day 1.
- Browns - For quite a while I had Kendall Wright mocked here, but Charley Casserly whom I trust a lot pushes Stephen Hill ahead of him. It is hard to argue with outstanding production that Wright had at Baylor, but Hills measurables are off the charts and he displayed excellent route running and soft hands in all the drills we have seen. I still waiver back and forth and want to put Kendall Wright here, but for now Hill remains the pick.
- Lions - The Lions have needs at safety, tackle, and corner more than any other positions. Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz do not water down their drafts, and always stick to their best player available philosophy, and that will land them
Stephon GilmoreDre Kirkpatrick. If you would have told any Lions fans (myself included) that they would land Kirkpatrick in this years draft they would have been pissed off, because it would have meant another losing season. Kirkpatrick was widely regarded as THE elite corner in this draft for a long time, but that has long since changed. I feel Gilmore's ability to play press and off man would suite Detroit better, but Kirkpatrick can still win early in the play by re-routing the receiver off the line, which is ideal in their system. The one area that he excels in over the other corners is his physical presence. Having a sure tackler in the secondary will be a huge benefit to this team. - Steelers - According to the Steeler's beat writer Ed Bouchette, it sounds like Dont'a Hightower will not get past the 24th pick. If he is available, expect them to pull the trigger on the versatile middle linebacker. He is very familiar with a pro style 3-4 from playing under Nick Saban, and he will form a scary duo with Lawrence Timmons in the heart of that defense.
- Broncos - Kendall Wright could be a choice here to help instantly add weapons for Peyton Manning, but I don't think they go that route just yet. Rather, I think they are stunned that Michael Brockers is still on the board, and snatch him up quickly. Brockers at one point was considered the top DT in the draft, but he is not as polished as some of the others. However, he could end up being the best of the group.
- Texans - Many outlets and mocks keep putting a wide receiver to the texans, and Kendall Wright keeps slipping so it makes perfect sense right? Well I am just not so sure that they won't pull the trigger on a tackle to replace Eric Winston. I think Johnathan Martin holds too much value at a position of need, that they can't help but pull the trigger. Martin will slide to the right side.
- Patriots - I think the Patriots still want to try to run the 4-3 but they need help in several places. With the loss of Mark Anderson and potentially Andre Carter, they are yet again with zero pass rushers. Whitney Mercilus is a natural edge rusher with a knack for getting to the quarterback.
- Packers - The trendy pick of late for the packers Boise's outside linebacker Shea Mcclellin. Many people don't know who the guy is, but he is just rising and rising on all boards. He would be the perfect compliment to Clay Matthews as they are very similar type players. He reminds me a lot of Brooks Reed who the Texans drafted last year.
- Ravens - Ozzie Newsome always does an excellent job of gauging value no matter where they pick, and for some it may seem out of character for them to pull the trigger on the former golden domer, Harrison Smith. Yet every mock I do, I just seem to think he is a great fit. Smith is a big physical safety at 6'2 213. He is a very smart player that was a captain and four year started for Notre Dame. Running a sub 4.6 forty showed that he had better range than expected, and he will be a great addition to a secondary that just lost Zbikowski.
- 49ers - The slide has ended, the niners a ecstatic for Kendall Wright to be available so late in the draft, and they quickly pull the trigger on the dynamic receiver from Baylor. It won't be long before Wright surpasses Crabtree on this team.
- Patriots - I could easily see them going one of a few ways here at this spot. One could be that they would trade down and acquire some extra picks, in true Patriots fashion. They could grab a receiver like Rueben Randle or Alshon Jeffery. They could also pull the trigger on another pass rusher, like Devon Still. But instead, I can see the Patriots pulling the trigger on the talented but troubled corner Janoris Jenkins. He is regarded as potentially the top corner in the nation, but his off the field issues with marijuana have made his stock plummet. However they are desperate for help in the secondary, and they have to take a gamble on his upside. I also would not be surprised if they trade this pick in true patriot style, and still grab Jenkins, just a little later perhaps in the early-mid second.
- Giants - The Super Bowl Champions have a decent amount of options available to them. The most explosive running back in the draft, Virginia Tech's David Wilson would be a great compliment to Ahmad Bradshaw. Cordy Glenn, despite the hype is still available, as are Peter Konz and Jerel Worthy. I previously mocked Mike Adams to Big Blue, but with the failed drug test at the combine he just fell clear out of the first round or two. Remember last year with Justin Houstons? He was regarded as a bottom first to top of the second round player. He brought size and speed as a pass rushing outside linebacker. After his failed drug test at the combine he dropped all the way to the Chiefs at pick #70 (3rd Round), so expect a similar plummet for Adams. Instead the Giants will still take whatever player they have rated the highest. So without knowing how their board is stacked, I say they grab an offensive lineman here. I mock give in and mock Cordy Glenn, whom I personally like a lot, but they could easily go with Konz, Zeitler, Amini Simatolu, or Kelechi Osemele as those are the guys that I think have the best value at the 32nd pick.
