1. Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford - This has been pretty obvious since the season ended. The Peyton Manning era will come to an end sometime next week, and the Colts are ready to turn the page. Luck is a very rare prospect, and the Colts would be ecstatic to have the opportunity to be great for another decade.
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis) - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor - We know the Rams are going to trade this pick, we just don't know where yet. Right now, I'm going to say it's the Redskins that make the move to trade up. The QB play has been terrible for Washington the past two seasons. You have to at minimum have a good QB to do something in this NFL. Griffin is much better then good, and if it wasn't for a prospect like Luck, Griffin would be regarded as the best QB prospect since John Elway. When you have the opportunity to get a potential franchise QB, you have to take it.
3. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC - It would be a shocker if the Vikings passed on Kalil. Charlie Johnson is a horrible LT, and the Vikings offensive line as a whole isn't anything special. Kalil will be a stud LT in this league, and will start from day one. Christian Ponder will be a very happy man.
4. Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama - Cleveland could go a number of ways this pick. Running back's usually don't go this high in today's NFL, but Richardson is an excellent prospect, and he also fills a need. Blackmon, Floyd, Claiborne, Ingram, and Coples are also possibilities here.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - Aqib Talib looks to be on his way out along with Ronde Barber. After that, Tampa Bay has a bunch of bums at the cornerback position. Claiborne is the best defensive prospect in the draft, and would be a perfect pick for Tampa Bay.
6. St. Louis Rams - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State - Brandon Lloyd isn't coming back to the Rams, and even if he was, the Rams would still need a WR. It's tough for a QB to succeed when he doesn't have much to throw to. Blackmon isn't going to solve all of the offensive woes for St. Louis, but it is a step in the right direction. I also wouldn't be shocked if the Rams were to trade this pick as well.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina - I think Coples is a slightly better player, but Jacksonville usually takes players with a clean slate (Coples didn't try as hard last year). Mincey is a quality player, but Jacksonville has nothing across from him. Ingram should be the finial piece to Jacksonville's young defensive line.
8. Miami Dolphins - Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina - With the switch to a 4-3, the Dolphins need a true 4-3 DE. Even if they were sticking with a 3-4, they need to find another pas rusher opposite Cameron Wake. Coples is the best pass rusher available.
9. Carolina Panthers - Michael Brockers, DT, LSU - Defensive tackle has been a major weakness for Carolina for the past couple of seasons. Brockers has a rare combination of size and athleticism for a DT. Brockers might not be the most polished of all the DT's this class, but he will be the best of this class in a few seasons.
10. Buffalo Bills - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Buffalo Bills - After Ryan Fitzpatrick got that big contract, he started to play like Ryan Fitzpatrick. Most of the guaranteed money left on Fitzpatrick's contract is for injury only, so the Bills could cut him, and not lose much. The Bills know that they still need to find a franchise QB, and Tannehill is a great fit for Gailey's system. I think Tannehill will sit for a year behind Fitz, and then takeover in 2013.
11. Kansas City Chiefs - Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis - Kansas City hasn't had a lot of production from the NT position since they moved to a 3-4 a few years ago. Poe had a monster combine, and that is sure to push his stock up. Kansas City has shown before that they will reach if it fills a need, and this fits that scenario.
12. Seattle Seahawks - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame - Seattle has some nice options in the receiving core, but nothing special considering Sidney Rice struggles to stay healthy. The Seahawks could use another big time option in the receiving core. Floyd probably won't have as big an impact this year due to the QB play, but once Seattle finds a QB, this could be a deadly offense.
13. Arizona Cardinals - David DeCastro, OG, Stanford - DeCastro is a top five talent, but because he is a guard, teams will pass on him. Arizona has had a bad offensive line for years, and they've always ignored it. If they pass on DeCastro, I'm convinced they will never address the offensive line.
14. Dallas Cowboys - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama - The Cowboys were terrible at corner this past season. Kirkpatrick combination of size and speed for a CB is pretty rare. It would be hard for Dallas to pass on a player with the talent of Kirkpatrick.
15. Philadelphia Eagles - Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College - The Eagles were terrible at linebacker this past season. Kuechly is a tackling machine who can roam around the field, which the Eagles look for in their linebackers.
16. New York Jets - Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama - There are concerns if Upshaw can be a 3-4 OLB at the next level, but the Jets are desperate for pass rush help, and they can find a way to use him where he doesn't have to play in coverage.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)- Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia - Cincinnati could use some help along the interior line. Glenn should be an immediate starter at LG, and he may move to tackle down the road.
18. San Diego Chargers - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa - Probably my most surprising fall in this draft, but it shouldn't be. It's not that Reiff isn't a good player, but he isn't anything special. Marcus McNeill is reportedly going to get cut and Dielman just retired, so San Diego is going through a rebuilding effort along the offensive line. Reiff will be the face of that movement.
19. Chicago Bears - Devon Still, DT, Penn State - Defensive tackle isn't a need for Chicago, but they don't have a big time force in the middle. Still could become that guy with time.
20. Tennessee Titans - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin - Tennessee hasn't been very good the past two seasons when it comes to interior line play. The Titans get the top Center in the draft.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - If one team is gonna ignore character issues, it's the Bengals. Cincinnati needs a consistent corner opposite of Leon Hall. Jenkins should be a good number two corner in the NFL.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) - Nick Perry, DE, USC - Cleveland needs to develop a premiere pass rusher.
23. Detroit Lions - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford - Detroit always goes for the best player available, and Martin is that. Backus isn't as bad as he's made out to be, but he's not a franchise LT either. Martin can sit for a year to get bigger and work on his technique, and then step in at LT in 2013.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington - Pittsburgh has slowly been preparing for their defensive line of the future (Ziggy Hood in 2009 and Cameron Heyward in 2011). Ta'amu would be the final piece to the eventual defensive line.
25. Denver Broncos - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State - Brodrick Bunkley was a surprise for the Broncos this past season, but they still need someone next to him. Fletcher Cox is an underrated prospect, who would be a really good compliment next to Bunkley.
26. Houston Texans - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor - Wright had a disappointing combine, but I don't think that is going to have a huge impact on his stock. The Texans have had very inconsistent play from Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones, and are looking for a consistent option. Wright should be able to compete for that role immediately.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans) - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech - New England has lacked a deep threat on the outside since Randy Moss was traded. The Patriots can afford to use a pick on a project like Hill.
28. Green Bay Packers - Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL) - This past season proved that the combination of Ryan Grant and James Starks wasn't the answer to the rushing attack. Miller would immediately add a dynamic option to the Green Bay offense, and he can also be a 3-down back.
29. Baltimore Ravens - Mark Barron, S, Alabama - Bernard Pollard and Tom Zbikowski is not the answer at SS for the Ravens. Barron should be able to start from the get go.
30. San Francisco 49ers - Jerel Worthy, DT/DE, Michigan State - San Franciso had one of the better 3 man fronts in the NFL last season, but they could use another guy for the rotation. They also need to develop a younger to take over for Smith or Sopoaga when that time comes.
31. New England Patriots - Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson - It's no secret that the Patriots need some pass rush help. Branch is very scheme versatile, which makes even more since why New England should make this pick.
32. New York Giants - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford - Giants always go best player available, and Fleener is the top guy left on my board. This pick also makes since from a need standpoint, because Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum tore their ACL's in the Super Bowl, and won't be ready for the start of the season.
2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis) - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor - We know the Rams are going to trade this pick, we just don't know where yet. Right now, I'm going to say it's the Redskins that make the move to trade up. The QB play has been terrible for Washington the past two seasons. You have to at minimum have a good QB to do something in this NFL. Griffin is much better then good, and if it wasn't for a prospect like Luck, Griffin would be regarded as the best QB prospect since John Elway. When you have the opportunity to get a potential franchise QB, you have to take it.
3. Minnesota Vikings - Matt Kalil, OT, USC - It would be a shocker if the Vikings passed on Kalil. Charlie Johnson is a horrible LT, and the Vikings offensive line as a whole isn't anything special. Kalil will be a stud LT in this league, and will start from day one. Christian Ponder will be a very happy man.
4. Cleveland Browns - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama - Cleveland could go a number of ways this pick. Running back's usually don't go this high in today's NFL, but Richardson is an excellent prospect, and he also fills a need. Blackmon, Floyd, Claiborne, Ingram, and Coples are also possibilities here.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - Aqib Talib looks to be on his way out along with Ronde Barber. After that, Tampa Bay has a bunch of bums at the cornerback position. Claiborne is the best defensive prospect in the draft, and would be a perfect pick for Tampa Bay.
6. St. Louis Rams - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State - Brandon Lloyd isn't coming back to the Rams, and even if he was, the Rams would still need a WR. It's tough for a QB to succeed when he doesn't have much to throw to. Blackmon isn't going to solve all of the offensive woes for St. Louis, but it is a step in the right direction. I also wouldn't be shocked if the Rams were to trade this pick as well.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina - I think Coples is a slightly better player, but Jacksonville usually takes players with a clean slate (Coples didn't try as hard last year). Mincey is a quality player, but Jacksonville has nothing across from him. Ingram should be the finial piece to Jacksonville's young defensive line.
8. Miami Dolphins - Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina - With the switch to a 4-3, the Dolphins need a true 4-3 DE. Even if they were sticking with a 3-4, they need to find another pas rusher opposite Cameron Wake. Coples is the best pass rusher available.
9. Carolina Panthers - Michael Brockers, DT, LSU - Defensive tackle has been a major weakness for Carolina for the past couple of seasons. Brockers has a rare combination of size and athleticism for a DT. Brockers might not be the most polished of all the DT's this class, but he will be the best of this class in a few seasons.
10. Buffalo Bills - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Buffalo Bills - After Ryan Fitzpatrick got that big contract, he started to play like Ryan Fitzpatrick. Most of the guaranteed money left on Fitzpatrick's contract is for injury only, so the Bills could cut him, and not lose much. The Bills know that they still need to find a franchise QB, and Tannehill is a great fit for Gailey's system. I think Tannehill will sit for a year behind Fitz, and then takeover in 2013.
11. Kansas City Chiefs - Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis - Kansas City hasn't had a lot of production from the NT position since they moved to a 3-4 a few years ago. Poe had a monster combine, and that is sure to push his stock up. Kansas City has shown before that they will reach if it fills a need, and this fits that scenario.
12. Seattle Seahawks - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame - Seattle has some nice options in the receiving core, but nothing special considering Sidney Rice struggles to stay healthy. The Seahawks could use another big time option in the receiving core. Floyd probably won't have as big an impact this year due to the QB play, but once Seattle finds a QB, this could be a deadly offense.
13. Arizona Cardinals - David DeCastro, OG, Stanford - DeCastro is a top five talent, but because he is a guard, teams will pass on him. Arizona has had a bad offensive line for years, and they've always ignored it. If they pass on DeCastro, I'm convinced they will never address the offensive line.
14. Dallas Cowboys - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama - The Cowboys were terrible at corner this past season. Kirkpatrick combination of size and speed for a CB is pretty rare. It would be hard for Dallas to pass on a player with the talent of Kirkpatrick.
15. Philadelphia Eagles - Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College - The Eagles were terrible at linebacker this past season. Kuechly is a tackling machine who can roam around the field, which the Eagles look for in their linebackers.
16. New York Jets - Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama - There are concerns if Upshaw can be a 3-4 OLB at the next level, but the Jets are desperate for pass rush help, and they can find a way to use him where he doesn't have to play in coverage.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)- Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia - Cincinnati could use some help along the interior line. Glenn should be an immediate starter at LG, and he may move to tackle down the road.
18. San Diego Chargers - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa - Probably my most surprising fall in this draft, but it shouldn't be. It's not that Reiff isn't a good player, but he isn't anything special. Marcus McNeill is reportedly going to get cut and Dielman just retired, so San Diego is going through a rebuilding effort along the offensive line. Reiff will be the face of that movement.
19. Chicago Bears - Devon Still, DT, Penn State - Defensive tackle isn't a need for Chicago, but they don't have a big time force in the middle. Still could become that guy with time.
20. Tennessee Titans - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin - Tennessee hasn't been very good the past two seasons when it comes to interior line play. The Titans get the top Center in the draft.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - If one team is gonna ignore character issues, it's the Bengals. Cincinnati needs a consistent corner opposite of Leon Hall. Jenkins should be a good number two corner in the NFL.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) - Nick Perry, DE, USC - Cleveland needs to develop a premiere pass rusher.
23. Detroit Lions - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford - Detroit always goes for the best player available, and Martin is that. Backus isn't as bad as he's made out to be, but he's not a franchise LT either. Martin can sit for a year to get bigger and work on his technique, and then step in at LT in 2013.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington - Pittsburgh has slowly been preparing for their defensive line of the future (Ziggy Hood in 2009 and Cameron Heyward in 2011). Ta'amu would be the final piece to the eventual defensive line.
25. Denver Broncos - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State - Brodrick Bunkley was a surprise for the Broncos this past season, but they still need someone next to him. Fletcher Cox is an underrated prospect, who would be a really good compliment next to Bunkley.
26. Houston Texans - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor - Wright had a disappointing combine, but I don't think that is going to have a huge impact on his stock. The Texans have had very inconsistent play from Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones, and are looking for a consistent option. Wright should be able to compete for that role immediately.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans) - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech - New England has lacked a deep threat on the outside since Randy Moss was traded. The Patriots can afford to use a pick on a project like Hill.
28. Green Bay Packers - Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL) - This past season proved that the combination of Ryan Grant and James Starks wasn't the answer to the rushing attack. Miller would immediately add a dynamic option to the Green Bay offense, and he can also be a 3-down back.
29. Baltimore Ravens - Mark Barron, S, Alabama - Bernard Pollard and Tom Zbikowski is not the answer at SS for the Ravens. Barron should be able to start from the get go.
30. San Francisco 49ers - Jerel Worthy, DT/DE, Michigan State - San Franciso had one of the better 3 man fronts in the NFL last season, but they could use another guy for the rotation. They also need to develop a younger to take over for Smith or Sopoaga when that time comes.
31. New England Patriots - Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson - It's no secret that the Patriots need some pass rush help. Branch is very scheme versatile, which makes even more since why New England should make this pick.
32. New York Giants - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford - Giants always go best player available, and Fleener is the top guy left on my board. This pick also makes since from a need standpoint, because Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum tore their ACL's in the Super Bowl, and won't be ready for the start of the season.
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