Joe the Intern's Mock Draft
Joe the Intern is back from Australia and with his internship all done, he's looking for stuff to do and has plenty of time on his hands. Joe's first task? Studying feverishly on the NFL Draft and creating this mock draft.
1. St. Louis Rams – QB Sam Bradford Oklahoma
Analysis: After two years of passing on potential franchise QB's Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez, the Rams couldn't possibly pass on Bradford, who if he came out was rumored to go ahead of last year's top pick Matt Stafford. Bradford answered questions on his surgically repaired shoulder with a terrific pro-day last month.
2. Detroit Lions – DT Ndamukong Suh Nebraska
Analysis: The Lions defense was awful last year, and lacked any form of physical play up front. Suh immediately fills that role and will bring an instant presence on the defensive line filling a huge need with a player that fits well in their system.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DT Gerald McCoy Oklahoma
Analysis: Many scouts have McCoy as the top prospect in this draft, and compare him to a young Warren Sapp who dominated the Bucs front line for years. McCoy is a perfect fit for the Bucs as they transition back to the Tampa 2 Defense.
4. Washington Redskins – OT Russell Okung Oklahoma St.
Analysis: If the 'Skins don't trade down, they are high on the OK St. OT. Okung is the most NFL ready player in a deep group of OT's. He can fill the void left by retired LT Chris Samuels and add protection to the 'Skins new QB Donovan McNabb.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – S Eric Berry Tennessee
Analysis: With Scott Pioli on board the Chiefs should go with the best player available approach. While this would be a lot of money to give to a safety, Berry would be worth it. An incredible talent who has drawn comparisons to Ed Reed, Berry is too good to pass up here.
6. Seattle Seahawks – RB C.J. Spiller Clemson
Analysis: Many would argue that this is too high for the versatile home-run threat Spiller, but with many teams that covet drafting before the Seahawks next pick at 14, and possibly lacking the ammunition to move up to pick Spiller, the time is now to draft him. Pete Carroll has always had a great quick back at USC (Reggie Bush, Joe McKnight, etc.) and knows the value that an exceptional talent like Spiller has in his offense.
7. Cleveland Browns – NT Dan Williams Tennessee
Analysis: As current NT Shaun Rodgers deals with massive criminal charges and diminishing production, Williams is a can't miss prospect. The ideal 3-4 NT, Williams could come in and seamlessly fill the void left by Rodgers and eventually develop into a better player in a critical position in Cleveland's defense.
8. Oakland Raiders – OT Trent Williams Oklahoma
Analysis: When Al Davis and the Raiders are on the clock… anything is possible. Williams is the logical pick here if he is on the board. He fits the mold of workout warrior that Davis covets, and is actually an elite prospect, unlike some former Raiders picks … (cough Heyward-Bay cough)
9. Buffalo Bills – OT Brian Buluga OT Iowa
Analysis: With very weak offensive line play, the Bills can't expect anyone to be successful at the QB position until they get their line in shape. Buluga is the best OL prospect on the board and should be the pick.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Jason Pierre-Paul South Florida
Analysis: Possibly the player moving up GM's draft boards, Pierre-Paul could be the next "freak" pass-rusher. He has ideal size and speed for a pass-rushing DE and draws comparisons to Jevon Kearse in his prime. With the league's worst pass rush last year, the Jags would be silly to pass up a chance on him even if he is a developmental prospect.
11. Denver Broncos – S Earl Thomas Texas
Analysis: Safety can be a position that rises up draft boards in the wee hours before draft night and Thomas would be a player worth moving up. He is an incredibly instinctive player who can be the heir apparent to Brian Dawkins; learning from Dawkins could put Thomas over the top in terms of his long term potential.
12. Miami Dolphins – OLB/DE Sergio Kindle Texas
Analysis: Patriots fans will be disappointed but if the draft shakes down this way, Kindle will be a Dolphin. After losing Jason Taylor to the Jets, Kindle has a chance to be the next Taylor. He has an exceptional motor and his versatility and speed will be attractive to a Dolphins front seven that lacked any type of punch a year ago, and that was with Taylor.
13. San Francisco – OT Anthony Davis Rutgers
Analysis: Davis has the most upside of any OT in this year's draft and the 49ers have a glaring hole at RT. He has a chance to be a pro-bowler within a few years if the team keeps an eye on his weight and lights a fire under him.
14. Seattle Seahawks – WR Dez Bryant Oklahoma City
Analysis: With all the worthy OT's off the board, Seattle has to go best player available approach. Yes Bryant does come with some baggage, but not T.O. style baggage. Many GM's have said he is a pleasant young man with a great football mind. His athletic skills are off the charts and could be an elite WR especially opposite last year's big singing T.J. Houshmandzadeh. With the additions of Spiller and Bryant, Seattle has a chance to be the elite offense in the division with the losses of Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin in Arizona.
15. New York Giants – ILB Rolando McClain Alabama
Analysis: If McClain gets past Denver at 11, the Giants will be doing backflips in the war room. McClain does two things, fills the teams biggest need and gives them the top talent available at that position. McClain can come in and quarterback their defense from day one after the release of former ILB Antonio Pierce.
16. Tennessee Titans – DE Derrick Morgan Georgia Tech
Analysis: Morgan's draft stock took a hit once teams started paying attention to Pierre-Paul. Tennessee would be thrilled to take Morgan here as he fills a big need up front as a physical force. He is ideal as a DE in a 4-3 scheme and is a great pickup here for the Titans.
17. San Francisco 49ers – QB Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame
Analysis: Some view Clausen as a top-5 talent or a borderline first round prospect. Either way, the 49ers would be stupid to pass on Clausen. He played in a pro-style offense for Charlie Weis and could come in and run the West Coast offense from day one better than any other QB on their roster. It's time to move on from the failed Alex Smith era and go with more of a sure thing in Clausen who's development will be helped with the 13th pick LT Davis and strong run game.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – OG/C Maurkice Pouncey
Analysis: Pouncey is exactly what the Steelers are looking for. Joe Haden is a possibility here as Pitt has a glaring need at CB, but Pouncey gives them that toughness up front that Mike Tomlin loves. They have a serious hole in the middle of their O-Line and Pouncey fills it with a force.
19. Atlanta Falcons – OLB/DE Brandon Graham
Analysis: Atlanta still needs to upgrade their front seven and Graham is an instinctive, fierce, productive player. He would make an ideal 4-3 DE with great bulk and lower body strength and adds the athleticism on defense that Atlanta is looking for.
20. Houston Texans – CB Joe Haden Florida
Analysis: This is the perfect scenario for Houston. They get the top prospect at their top position of need. After losing CB Dunta Robinson in free agency, Haden can be a starter from day one for the Texans desperate for help at CB. His lack of top end speed at the combine will help facilitate a draft day slide down the board for Haden who could go anywhere as high as 7 to Cleveland.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – TE Jermaine Gresham Oklahoma
Analysis: The Bengals have never had a consistent threat at the TE spot, and Gresham could really stretch the field for Carson Palmer and provide more single coverage for Ochocinco and newest Bengal WR Antonio Bryant. The threat of three big time pass-catchers and Palmer should open things up for RB Cedric Benson coming off an impressive '09 campaign and making the Bengals offense elite once more.
22. New England Patriots – OLB/DE Jerry Hughes TCU
Analysis: The Patriots pass-rush in '09 was weak, real weak. They have a glaring need at the 3-4 OLB spot, and Hughes is the perfect fit. Yes Belichick doesn't like one-dimensional players, but that's fine Hughes can line up as a 4-3 DE in pass rush situations. Think he's too small? Ask Dwight Freeny who has terrorized the Pats since he was deemed too small coming out of Syracuse. Hughes is a monster who fills a huge need for the Pats; this would be a great pick for them.
23. Green Bay Packers – OG Mike Iupati Idaho
Analysis: Iutapi is a massive guard who can come in and start right away. The Packers O-Line couldn't keep Pro-Bowl QB Aaron Rodgers on his own two feet last year and while OT Charles Brown is still on the board, he's a project, and with the serious holes on this line the Packers don't have time to wait.
24. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Kyle Wilson Boise St.
Analysis: Wilson is an underrated prospect who could thrive in the Eagles defensive backfield. He can come in as a nickel-back or even start opposite Sheldon Brown. The Eagles have drafted well at the skill positions lately but it's time to start addressing needs and Wilson fills a big one.
25. Baltimore Ravens – WR Demaryius Thomas Georgia Tech
Analysis: The Ravens seem set on an offseason of giving QB Joe Flacco as many weapons as possible to gear up for his 3rd season. Thomas is an elite athlete who many feel is the clear-cut #2 WR in a deep group this year. At 6'3'' 225lbs. Thomas has the size to give the Ravens an intimidating WR core with Thomas lined up across from new WR Anquan Boldin.
26. Arizona Cardinals - LB Sean Weatherspoon Missouri
Analysis: Even before the loss of Karlos Dansby the Cardinals needed to add athleticism to their LB core. Now it is even more of a need. Weatherspoon is an elite athlete who can play either at OLB or ILB. He has exceptional strength and had great production at Missouri recording over 100 tackles for all three years as a starter.
27. Dallas Cowboys – OT Charles Brown USC
Analysis: With the loss of OT Flozell Adams, Brown is a no-brainer. He is a few years away from being able to be a solid LT but give him time and he is bound to get there. He is the best OL left on the board and Dallas should jump all over him here.
28. San Diego Chargers – RB Ryan Matthews Fresno St.
Analysis: No LT, no problem. Even with Darren Sproles the Chargers are lacking a lead back, and Matthews can be that guy. He is a high character guy with a big work ethic, and was one of the most productive backs in college football last year. His weakness is he isn't that effective in the pass game, but that's where Sproles comes in. The two of them could make an exciting and effective tandem for the Chargers and give them the running game they have been missing without the real LT.
29. New York Jets – DE Everson Griffen USC
Analysis: Griffen could be a beast in Rex Ryan's system. Even though they added Jason Taylor, they still are lacking youth on the front seven. He has great size and is extremely athletic, especially for his frame.
30. Minnesota Vikings – CB Kareem Jackson Alabama
Analysis: Many think Jackson could be the second best CB behind Haden in the draft, and is a great value at this point. Add in that the Vikings have a serious need at CB, and this is a great choice for Minnesota. If the Vikings feel good about Colt McCoy he could be the option and would be dangerous in Minnesota's offense.
31. Indianapolis Colts – DT Jared Odrick Penn State
Analysis: The Colts have a need up front and if he slips past the Ravens at 25 or the Patriots at 22, Odrick could be a great fit in the Colts 4-3 scheme as a DT.
32. New Orleans Saints – OLB Daryl Washington TCU
Analysis: Another member of that top ranked TCU defense could come off the board here and would be a natural fit for the defending champions. With the loss of Scott Fujita, Washington could be a day one starter if he can learn the system (he played in a 4-2-5 scheme in college) due to his athleticism. He brings some much needed youth to the LB core and some serious athletic ability.
