Two-Round Mock 1/12

DNoz29

Bench Warmer
I'm going to try to do a mock every week until the draft. Here is this week's installment. It's got some whacky picks, just to change it up from the last few I've posted. Bon appetit. :)

Round 1

1. St. Louis - DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
- This pick will not change. There is no other player who should be taken first overall, regardless of position.
2. Detroit - OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma St.
- The first change. The Lions nearly chose Jason Smith last year (I wish they would have), so OT is definitely an issue. Okung is the best in this class, but not by much, as you will see.
3. Tampa Bay - DT Gerald McCoy*, Oklahoma
- Tampa really wants Suh, but he won't make it here. McCoy is a great consolation prize, as he will fit right in with the Bucs.
4. Washington - QB Jimmy Clausen*, Notre Dame
- With the hiring of Shanahan, the QB position immediately comes into focus. Clausen, while probably not worthy of this pick, gets a boost from the lack of QBs in the class.
5. Kansas City - OT Anthony Davis*, Rutgers
- Davis is rapidly moving up draft boards and could be the next great LT. Drafting him would allow the Chiefs to move Albert to LG, forming one of the best, young left sides of the line in the league.
6. Seattle - S Eric Berry*, Tennessee
- Aside from Suh, Berry is probably the best overall player in this draft. This would solve Seattle's safety dilemma for the foreseeable future.
7. Cleveland - ILB Rolando McClain*, Alabama
- McClain is a top five prospect in this draft and a natural fit for the 3-4. The Browns need some leadership and stability on defense, and McClain will provide that for them.
8. Oakland - DE Derrick Morgan*, Georgia Tech
- Morgan could go as high as No. 3, but the Raiders have been known to botch draft picks. However, if they go with Morgan, they will not regret it.
9. Buffalo - OT Bruce Campbell*, Maryland
- Buffalo is still looking to replace Jason Peters, whom they traded last off-season. Campbell might be the most talented OT in this draft, but has injury concerns.
10. Jacksonville - QB Tim Tebow, Florida
- The first "WTF?" pick of the round. This pick is made to keep the Jags in Jacksonville. Tebow, while a great college player, will struggle to transition to the NFL. However, he will put fans in the stands, which is what matters most in Jacksonville right now.
11. Denver (from CHI) - WR Dez Bryant*, Oklahoma St.
- This pick is made in anticipation of the Broncos trading Brandon Marshall. When things were going well in Denver, Marshall wasn't an issue. When the Broncos falter, Marshall again became an issue. It's probably best for both parties involved if he is traded. And Bryant is clearly the best, most talented WR in this draft.
12. Miami - DT Dan Williams, Tennessee
- Jason Ferguson is 34 and his replacement didn't fare well. Williams is rapidly climbing draft boards and would help solidify the middle of the Dolphins' defense.
13. San Francisco - RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson
- One of my favorite players in this draft, Spiller is very explosive and will help to give the Niners a more dynamic look. A two-headed attack of Gore-Spiller is something to fear.
14. Seattle (from DEN) - OT Bryan Bulaga*, Iowa
- Offensive tackle is probably the biggest need for the Hawks. They need a guy who can try to replace the future Hall of Famer, Walter Jones. Bulaga played well in the Hawkeyes' bowl game and would be a welcome addition on Matt Hasselbeck's blind side.
15. N.Y. Giants - S Earl Thomas*, Texas
- This guy is a Bob Sanders clone and has leap-frogged Taylor Mays on some draft boards. Getting Kenny Phillips back to pair with Thomas would be quite the safety tandem.
16. San Francisco (from CAR) - OT Trent Williams*, Oklahoma
- Williams is the best RT prospect in the draft, which is exactly what the Niners need. It will help to improve the running game, as well as Alex Smith.
17. Tennessee - DE Brandon Graham, Michigan
- The Titans needs some depth at defensive end, and Graham is one of the best in the class. He will help the Tennessee pass rush.
18. Pittsburgh - CB Joe Haden*, Florida
- Haden is probably a top 10 guy in this draft, but falls due to other needs. The Steelers, who have bigger needs, would be thrilled to take him at this spot.
19. Atlanta - ILB Brandon Spikes, Florida
- Spikes would play OLB for the Falcons and could start from day one.
20. Houston - OG Mike Iupati, Idaho
- A big, mauling guard will help to revitalize the running game, as well as help Schaub.
21. Cincinnati - WR Golden Tate*, Notre Dame
- This pick hasn't changed, and for good reason. Tate is one of the better receivers in the class and Carson Palmer needs another weapon on offense.
22. New England - DE/DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse
- Jones makes it this far because of his knee injury. He is the prototypical 3-4 guy and could be the Pats' next Richard Seymour.
23. Green Bay - OT Charles Brown, USC
- Chad Clifton is a free agent and Brown would likely step right in to protect Rodgers' blind side.
24. Philadelphia - OLB Navorro Bowman*, Penn St.
- The Philly defense collapsed down the stretch. They need help at linebacker, so they grab Bowman, a strong playmaker.
25. N.Y. Jets - DE/DT Brian Price, UCLA
- Price is probably better suited for the 4-3, but the Jets are more than willing to take a chance on this talented big man.
26. Baltimore - DE/OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas
- Kindle had himself quite the BCS National Championship game. He will work out well and should solidify himself as a mid-first-round prospect.
27. Arizona - DE/OLB Jerry Hughes, TCU
- Hughes can play with his hand up or down, which is perfect for Arizona's hybrid 3-4 defense.
28. Dallas - DE/DT Jared Odrick, Penn St.
- The Cowboys are looking quite good right now. They could use some more depth up front, which is why they tab Odrick as their pick.
29. Minnesota - QB Sam Bradford*, Oklahoma
- Another unchanged pick, Bradford (despite me not being high on him) has the ability to be a good QB in this league. He could sit for a season and learn behind Favre.
30. San Diego - DT Terrence Cody, Alabama
- Jamal Williams is injury prone and true nose tackles are hard to come by, making this an easy pick for the Chargers.
31. New Orleans - OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
- This pick used to be Travis Lewis, but he and Weatherspoon are nearly interchangeable. He will add youth to the Saints' linebacking core.
32. Indianapolis - CB Trevard Lindley, Kentucky
- The Colts have a few needs, but in a weak CB class, they grab the second-best one available in Lindley.

Round 2

33. St. Louis - DE Jason Pierre-Paul*, South Florida
- Pierre-Paul could easily be a first-round guy, especially after the combine. For now, he's the Rams' second-round pick.
34. Detroit - DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss
- Hardy has first-round talent, but falls to the early second, where the Lions would gladly likely to add him to their defense.
35. Tampa Bay - OLB Travis Lewis*, Oklahoma
- Lewis is the perfect fit at OLB for the Bucs, who need a guy to replace Derrick Brooks.
36. Washington - OT Joseph Barksdale, LSU
- Franchise QB in the first: Check. Offensive tackle to protect investment: Check.
37. Kansas City - WR Damian Williams*, USC
- Williams is dynamic and versatile. He would line up opposite of Dwayne Bowe and help the Chiefs in the return game.
38. Seattle - DE Greg Romeus*, Pittsburgh
- While QB is a need for Seattle, it isn't as big a need as defensive end. Romeus, like the two ends chosen before him, has first-round talent and could easily go there after the combine.
39. Cleveland - S Taylor Mays, USC
- Mays' cover skills have always been a question. Because of this, a team like Dallas, who has a need at safety, is forced to pass on him. The Browns would be happy to add the athletic freak to the defensive backfield.
40. Oakland - OT Jason Fox, Miami (FL)
- What's this? The Raiders making two picks not based off of 40-yard dash times? It can't be! Oakland definitely needs help at tackle and Fox is the best one available here.
41. Buffalo - QB Tony Pike, Cincinnati
- Trent Edwards didn't work out as planned, so the Bills have to move onto another option. Pike is the third-best QB in a weak class.
42. Tampa Bay (from CHI) - WR Arrelious Benn*, Illinois
- Josh Freeman needs some more weapons in the receiving game, and Benn is one of the most gifted in the class. He could give the passing offense a boost.
43. Jacksonville - DE Carlos Dunlap*, Florida
- Another former UF guy to Jacksonville. The Jags had the fewest sacks in the league and Dunlap is supremely talented, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
44. Miami - RB Jonathan Dwyer*, Georgia Tech
- Ronnie Brown got hurt again and is a free agent. Ricky Williams is still saying he'll retire at the end of his contract (2010). Running backs tend to fall on draft day, but Dwyer is definitely a first-round talent.
45. San Francisco - DE/OLB Eric Norwood, South Carolina
- Norwood would provide the Niners an explosive pass-rusher off the edge, something they are lacking, despite racking up a bunch of sacks in 2009.
46. Denver - TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
- A lot of guys with first-round talent are falling, and Gresham is no exception. He would have been a lock for the first round if he didn't get hurt.
47. N.Y. Giants - DE Everson Griffen*, USC
- Osi Umenyiora could be on his way out, which would leave a vacancy at DE for the Gints. Griffen is just the type of guy who fits what the Giants are looking for at defensive end.
48. Tennessee - TE Aaron Hernandez*, Florida
- Alge Crumpler isn't what he used to be and Bo Scaife might not be back. Hernandez is neck-and-neck with Gresham for the top TE in this class and will give Vince Young another target.
49. Carolina - WR Brandon LaFell, LSU
- Matt Moore is going to need some help at WR, and LaFell would fit right in. He's drawn comparisons to his former classmate, Dwayne Bowe.
50. Pittsburgh - S Morgan Burnett*, Georgia Tech
- Again, the Steelers need a tackle, but there really isn't one worthy of this pick. Instead, they continue to improve the defensive backfield with Burnett.
51. Houston - S Nate Allen, South Florida
- Allen is a good FS prospect who would help make the Texan defensive backfield a ballhawker.
52. Kansas City (from ATL) - DE/OLB Von Miller*, Texas A&M
- The Chiefs would love to grab a NT, but the top two are already gone. So, they help the defense by grabbing a guy who can get to the QB from the edge.
53. Cincinnati - OG Mike Johnson, Alabama
- Johnson will help to open up holes for Cedric Benson and the Cincinnati running game.
54. New England - DE/OLB Ricky Sapp, Clemson
- Sapp is an explosive guy off the edge, and we all saw that the Pats' defense needs to get younger.
55. Green Bay - RB Jahvid Best*, California
- Now, it isn't too likely Best falls this far, but guys have fallen before. Best would provide the perfect complement to Ryan Grant.
56. Philadelphia - RB Toby Gerhart*, Stanford
- Gerhart is a big, burly RB, which is something Philadelphia hasn't had for awhile. He could help to keep Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy fresh.
57. N.Y. Jets - WR Marshawn Gilyard, Cincinnati
- Mark Sanchez had an up-and-down rookie season and would benefit from the addition of another target. Gilyard isn't the fastest or biggest, but he's one of the safest bets. He also provides kick return ability.
58. Baltimore - C Kristofer O'Dowd*, USC
- The Ravens already have one of the better OLs in the league, but the interior OL could use a boost. O'Dowd will anchor the Raven line and help open holes for Ray Rice.
59. Arizona - QB Jerrod Johnson*, Texas A&M
- Whoa! A quarterback for the Cards? Well, it kinda makes sense. Warner probably only has one more year (if he decides to stick around) and Matt Leinart is not the future at QB for the Cards. Johnson is raw and athletic, which isn't anything like the Cardinal QBs. However, they're going to need some kind of backup plan. He probably won't declare, but it's fun to speculate.
60. Dallas - S Reshad Jones*, Georgia
- Now the 'Boys grab the safety they need. Jones is one of many in a great, deep safety class.
61. Minnesota - S Chad Jones*, LSU
- Reshad's brother from another mother, Chad will help the Vikings' secondary, as it needs someone to replace Darren Sharper, who played very well for the Saints this season.
62. San Diego - RB Ryan Mathews*, Fresno St.
- Tomlinson is so done. Sproles is not even close to an every-down back. The Chargers need a runner, and that is exactly what Mathews is. He's a big, powerful back and would fit in well with the Bolts.
63. New Orleans - S Major Wright*, Florida
- The third SEC safety in four picks, Wright is still a little raw, but he could learn from Darren Sharper about the nuances of playing safety in the NFL.
64. Indianapolis - OT/OG Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts
- The first small-school prospect, Ducasse can play either guard or tackle, which is just what the Colts need.
 
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Damn, weekly mocks here. Setting a tough standard to keep up with. ;)

With that said:

-Spiller on the 49ers is fine with me. Have seen that a number of places. The defense has been a strong unit, and usually gets in trouble when the offense is sputtering along. Getting the RT spot handled, and another playmaker is a good move for the 1st round.

-The Lions seem to like Backus still, so Okung would be a quick face turn from them. But for the sake of mocks, it's good to see what would go on from there.

-Had a hunch that Aaron Hernandez would be moving upward (check the TE stock thread).

-Speaking of moving, Williams and Mays downward. Harsh. :LOL: Not sure if Williams slips that far, but wonder what his timed speed will be. Mays has to convince teams he is coachable.

-Pittsburgh can probably get away with not taking offensive line help. A lot of their problems were based on Arians and Roethlisberger (play-calling, holding the ball). Don't be shocked if they take a NT like Dan Williams if the Phins opt for WR help. They are locked in a staredown with Hampton over the franchise tag. They might tag him anyways, then work in his replacement for a year.

-Seattle leaves the 1st two rounds with no QB? They'd be a probable destination for LeFevour I bet if so.

-No QB drafted for St. Louis either? You do want McCoy there! I knew it.

Another good 64 picks. :salut:
 
Damn, weekly mocks here. Setting a tough standard to keep up with. ;)

With that said:

-Spiller on the 49ers is fine with me. Have seen that a number of places. The defense has been a strong unit, and usually gets in trouble when the offense is sputtering along. Getting the RT spot handled, and another playmaker is a good move for the 1st round.

-The Lions seem to like Backus still, so Okung would be a quick face turn from them. But for the sake of mocks, it's good to see what would go on from there.

-Had a hunch that Aaron Hernandez would be moving upward (check the TE stock thread).

-Speaking of moving, Williams and Mays downward. Harsh. :LOL: Not sure if Williams slips that far, but wonder what his timed speed will be. Mays has to convince teams he is coachable.

-Pittsburgh can probably get away with not taking offensive line help. A lot of their problems were based on Arians and Roethlisberger (play-calling, holding the ball). Don't be shocked if they take a NT like Dan Williams if the Phins opt for WR help. They are locked in a staredown with Hampton over the franchise tag. They might tag him anyways, then work in his replacement for a year.

-Seattle leaves the 1st two rounds with no QB? They'd be a probable destination for LeFevour I bet if so.

-No QB drafted for St. Louis either? You do want McCoy there! I knew it.

Another good 64 picks. :salut:
It's all good, dude. I'm eager to see your first installment, whenever that may be. :)

I had Hernandez going before Gresham in a previous draft and wouldn't be surprised if he does so on draft day (or in my future mocks).

Yeah, but Backus is rather bad. They do need help at OT. Plus, I got kinda tired of putting McCoy there. :p

Williams could go anywhere from 20-40. It's not a bad thing, just teams with other needs.

Early on, I had the Steelers taking Cody. However, if Haden falls that far, they can't pass on him.

Good call on LeFevour. I really don't want McCoy. I want Jake Locker. :p Seriously, though, I'd rather have Jevan Snead than McCoy... and that's saying something, seeing as Snead is borderline retarded when it comes to making reads.
 
Hmm. Like the DT pick but would rather see a LB or wr in the 1st. RB might not be needed this year for the phins as ronnie will be back for this season at least. I hope he can be back to full health and no issues next year.
 
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