Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Updated NFL Mock Draft- 1st round

I have posted mock drafts over the past couple weeks that involved three rounds worth of prospects.  Draft workouts and pre-draft games will alter some draft stocks significantly, so it makes sense to start from round one again, then, I will work back up to a three round mock and beyond.  For example, at this time last year, no one would have predicted AJ Jenkins as a first round draft choice.  After a solid combine and senior bowl week, where he impressed many teams, he was drafted by San Francisco at the end of round one.  So, without further adieu, here it is (note my subtle prediction of SF to win the super bowl):
  1. Chiefs- Luke Joekel OT/Texas A&M- I'm not convinced the Chiefs go with a QB anymore.  Joekel will help protect the blind side of any QB they put behind them, though a new face is needed.
  2. Jaguars- Damontre Moore DE/Texas A&M- The top two prospects from A&M???  It appears to be so.  Gus Bradley will want to improve Jacksonville's decent defense with a great pass rusher in Moore.  He will find success if he can find a good QB (It's not Gabbert...)
  3. Raiders- Bjoern Werner DE/Florida State- The Raiders are in need of a pash rush as well.  Werner could add sacks to a below average defensive line in Oakland.  Don't be surprised if Oakland takes a defensive player in every round.
  4. Eagles- Eric Fisher OT/Central Michigan- The offensive line in Philadelphia has to be upgraded.  Fisher might be a bit of a stretch (they could trade down to get him), but he has performed well at the Senior Bowl.  His draft stock is improving.
  5. Lions- Dee Milliner CB/Alabama- When you have Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler in your division, it's important to have shutdown cornerbacks.  The Lions scored a lot, but gave up a ton of points as well.  Improved cover defense should help the Lions.
  6. Browns- Jarvis Jones OLB/Georgia- Jones is the best pass rusher in the draft, reminiscent of Aldon Smith.  Injury concerns will knock him from the top 2 picks, but he shouldn't fall much farther than this.  A solid coup for the Browns.
  7. Cardinals- Geno Smith QB/West Virginia- The Cardinals need a QB the most in the league.  Smith may not be a star in the NFL, but he is better than anyone else in this draft class.
  8. Bills- Star Lotulelei DT/Utah- A new regime in Buffalo, the team grabs a DT who could be a franchise cornerstone.  He could be in the same realm as Haloti Ngata.
  9. Jets- Ezekial Ansah DE/BYU- Ansah has raw talent, similar to Pierre Paul when he cam out of USF.  The Jets take risks, and this is one that will pay off in the long haul.  Rex Ryan needs a better pash rush for his aging defense.
  10. Titans- Chance Warmack OG/Alabama- A guard in the top ten?  Warmack is a special talent, and should help Chris Johnson in the rushing game.  Maybe he can help Johnson return to his form of a few years ago.
  11. Chargers- Cordarelle Patterson WR/Tennessee- Rivers really wished he had Vincent Jackson back.  Patterson could be a good #1 option, and help make the Chargers' offense relevant again in the AFC West.
  12. Dolphins- Keenan Allen WR/California- The Dolphins need a WR too, and Allen has potential to be a #1 guy as well, though as more of a possession receiver than a deep threat.
  13. Buccaneers- Xavier Rhodes CB/Florida State- Rhodes is very athletic, and should see his stock rise after the combine.  Look for him to be the second corner off the board.
  14. Panthers- Sheldon Richardson DT/Missouri- The offense in Carolina is fine, but the defense struggled.  Adding an impact player in Richardson is a no-brainer.
  15. Saints- Jonathan Hankins DT/Ohio State- New Orleans defense was a big reason for their decline this year.  Hankins could really help their rush defense.
  16. Rams- Barkevious Mingo DE/LSU- Chris Long could use a counterpart across from him, and Mingo has the talent to put up 10 sacks a year one day.
  17. Steelers- Sylvester Williams DT/North Carolina- Williams is a good pass rusher from the interior, and stops the run well too.  He could wind up similar to Brandon Mebane.
  18. Cowboys- Manti T'eo ILB/Notre Dame- T'eo's odd story will hurt his stock some, but the Cowboys can't pass him up.  They gave up a ton of yards, and T'eo's smarts will help immensely.
  19. Giants- Dion Jordan DE/Oregon- Jordan is tall and athletic, and is a good pass rusher.  He will succeed in the Giants scheme, where he can learn from some of the best.
  20. Bears- Alec Ogletree ILB/Georgia- Urlacher has been the anchor of this defense for years.  Ogletree could be a decade-long replacement.
  21. Bengals- Sam Montgomery DE/LSU- The Bengals have a great interior defensive line, but could use improvements on the outside.  Montgomery could provide a better pass rush.
  22. Rams (From Redskins)- Jonathan Cooper OG/North Carolina- The Rams running game is getting older.  Adding a great run blocker in Cooper could help aid Steven Jackson's decline.
  23. Vikings- Terrance Williams WR/Baylor- Percy Harvin has been Ponder's only true weapon in the passing game.  Adding Williams would provide a needed deep threat.
  24. Colts- Jonathan Banks CB/Mississippi St.- The Colts could have used better secondary coverage in their playoff loss.  Banks, the DB of the year in college, would provide needed help.
  25. Seahawks- Tavon Austin WR/West Virginia- Russell Wilson needs weapons, and Austin is as versatile as they come.  He isn't very big, but he makes up for it with lots of speed and agility.
  26. Packers- Lane Johnson OT/Oklahoma- Johnson would give Rodgers better protection at RT, which is crucial when he throws the ball so many times per game.
  27. Texans- Justin Hunter WR/Tennessee- Andre Johnson is still the only viable target for Matt Schaub to throw to.  Hunter will improve the Texans' offense.
  28. Broncos- Tyler Eifert TE/Notre Dame- They probably draft a defensive player, but adding an impact TE will help Peyton Manning.  He loved Dallas Clark, and will love Eifert also.
  29. Patriots- Alex Okafor DE/Texas- He is a good pass rusher, which NE still needs.  They could add to their passing game, though Brady will lead the offense to success no matter who the receivers are.
  30. Falcons- Zach Ertz TE/Stanford- If Gonzalez retires, Ryan needs a capable TE to throw to.  Ertz could lead all rookies in receptions, in this scenario.
  31. Ravens- Kenny Vacarro S/Texas- He could go in the top 20, but could fall due to positional value.  Ed Reed can only play for so many more years, and Vacarro would replace him nicely.
  32. 49ers-Matt Elam S/Florida- Donte Whitner has been only OK at safety for the Niners.  Elam would be an instant upgrade to this already amazing defense.

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