St. Louis RamsRecord: 1-15 Ndamukong Suh, DT, NebraskaNobody questions that the top need for the Rams is a quarterback. But unless St. Louis trades down -- an extremely difficult proposition on multiple levels -- it shouldn't take a quarterback with its first pick. Suh is maybe the most dominating defensive tackle I've seen in 32 years of doing this. He can be effective immediately for the Rams, and they may address the QB with a trade. Detroit LionsRecord: 2-14 Gerald McCoy*, DT, Oklahoma Getting McCoy both fills a big need for the Lions and is an extraordinarily good consolation prize for any team unable to get Suh. McCoy makes his living in opponents' backfields and is such a talent he could have landed in this position last year had he declared as a redshirt sophomore. Tampa Bay BuccaneersRecord: 3-13 Eric Berry*, S, Tennessee This is very early for a safety to go off the board, but Berry is that kind of talent. A player compared often (not unfairly) to Ed Reed, Berry is a difference-making safety headed to a league that has seen those types (Reed, Troy Polamalu, Bob Sanders) become more and more prevalent in recent years. Washington RedskinsRecord: 4-12 Sam Bradford*, QB, Oklahoma Mike Shanahan and the Redskins can get a quarterback here who might have been the top player taken had he opted to come out last year. The Redskins need to find their franchise quarterback, and when healthy, Bradford is an exceptionally accurate passer with an underrated arm. Shanahan also hit on his last QB selection when he drafted Jay Cutler in Denver. Kansas City ChiefsRecord: 4-12 Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State I think the Chiefs could use help at safety as well, but Berry likely won't fall this far, and they'd be reaching on either of the two other safeties with first-round grades. Okung could solve two problems, making him a good value -- he could step in at LT and allow the Chiefs to move Brandon Albert to the right side. A pick that can pay immediate dividends for the Chiefs. Seattle SeahawksRecord: 5-11 Derrick Morgan*, DE, Georgia TechMany in Seattle will view the offensive line as a greater need, but Morgan fills another huge hole for a team that simply couldn't get to the quarterback in 2009. He represents great value because he can rush the passer, is productive against the run and can even drop back -- a versatile talent. Pete Carroll knows defense and should love what Morgan can offer. Cleveland BrownsRecord: 5-11 Joe Haden*, CB, FloridaI'm not convinced the Browns will be willing to draft a quarterback simply because the position is unsettled. In Haden, they can't go wrong with by far the top CB on the board, a player they can plug in from day one. A deft cover corner and great tackler, Haden is the total package. Oakland RaidersRecord: 5-11 Anthony Davis*, OT, RutgersDavis might not be the most complete tackle in the first round just yet, but he is the most naturally gifted and should get better. Great feet, ideal size and he has the ability to maul defenders in the run game. After a whiff in the first round last year, the Raiders should address a big need here. Buffalo BillsRecord: 6-10 Jimmy Clausen*, QB, Notre DamePeople will debate Clausen's merits long after he shakes the commissioner's hand, but he has continued to improve, has displayed toughness, has an NFL arm and, perhaps most importantly, has experience under center in a pro-style offense. That was a key for Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez, and is a huge consideration for scouts. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)Record: 7-9 Dez Bryant*, WR, Oklahoma StateIn all likelihood, Brandon Marshall is headed elsewhere, so the Broncos will attempt to fill the void with the best deep threat in the draft. Bryant has great size and was unstoppable in the Big 12. He represents an immediate weapon in the passing game. Jacksonville JaguarsRecord: 7-9 Jason Pierre-Paul*, DE, South FloridaThis is no place to draft a guy like Tim Tebow just to sell tickets. Pierre-Paul could be the Mario Williams of this draft class, a raw talent but one with remarkable athleticism and an incredible burst off the line. Could be a terror for QBs in the future and maybe he's local enough for some. Miami DolphinsRecord:7-9 Rolando McClain*, LB, AlabamaA potential home run for Miami, a team that needs an inside linebacker and could get the best one in the whole draft after the top 10. The Dolphins also could go after Bryant if he were to fall to them here, because they also must address WR. San Francisco 49ersRecord: 8-8 Trent Williams, OT, OklahomaI consider the right tackle position a big need for the 49ers, and getting Williams here should strengthen them immediately both in the run game and as they look to further develop a potentially dangerous passing game with Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)Record: 5-11 C.J. Spiller, RB, ClemsonHe's not an offensive lineman, but Spiller could be a Reggie Bush-like option for the Seahawks. For a coach uniquely familiar with what Bush can do, Spiller is a missing home run threat in the run game, a good receiver and a valuable returner. Fans will want O-line help, and I'd expect it in Round 2. New York GiantsRecord: 8-8 Carlos Dunlap*, DE, FloridaThis is a high-value pick for the Giants, whose defensive line depth I feel has been overstated. There are makeup questions surrounding Dunlap, but for much of this past season, he was considered the premier pass-rusher in the college game. He has the potential to be like Jevon Kearse -- the healthy version. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina)Record: 8-8 Earl Thomas*, S, TexasThe 49ers need help in pass coverage, and Thomas fits because he's a great value here, whereas reaching for a CB at No. 16 wouldn't represent good value at all. Thomas isn't a huge guy but can cover a tremendous amount of real estate. Tennessee TitansRecord: 8-8 Everson Griffen*, DE, USCPierre-Paul likely won't fall this far, so the Titans get a gifted underclassman who looked like a pro coming out of high school and now is living up to his potential. He already has an NFL frame, and when Griffen is consistent, he's a strong pass-rusher. Pittsburgh SteelersRecord: 9-7 Bryan Bulaga*, OT, IowaPittsburgh clearly needs help up front if it wants to return to power running and protecting the quarterback, and Bulaga is an emerging tackle with great feet from a pro-style system. The Steelers will improve immediately, and he wears the black and gold well already. Atlanta FalconsRecord: 9-7 Sergio Kindle, OLB, TexasThe Falcons could use some help at OLB, and Kindle's continued improvement throughout the season is appealing. He's not quite in the class of Brian Orakpo, but he is a similar type of player and has proved to be very physical. Houston TexansRecord: 9-7 Brian Price*, DT, UCLAPrice is hidden away a bit in such a deep class of defensive linemen, but he's a disruptive force who utilizes great leverage. He should add depth to an improving defense. Cincinnati BengalsRecord: 10-6 Aaron Hernandez*, TE, FloridaThey need to give Carson Palmer options in the passing game aside from who already is there, and Hernandez is the most athletic TE available, a guy with surprising run-after-catch ability. The favorite target of Tebow at Florida, he could offer immediate help in the passing game. New England PatriotsRecord: 10-6 Ricky Sapp, OLB, ClemsonThe Patriots clearly need help when it comes to getting to opposing quarterbacks, and Sapp is an ideal fit on the edge in the 3-4. He's the kind of athlete who can adjust to being upright and flat-out knows how to get to the quarterback. Green Bay PackersRecord: 11-5 Taylor Mays, S, USCIf you had told Green Bay in August that it could get Mays at No. 23 overall, the Packers would have been thrilled. An extraordinary athlete, Mays might have suffered against expectations, but the Pack hit a home run with Clay Matthews Jr. out of USC last year, and Mays both fills a need and has great potential. Philadelphia EaglesRecord: 11-5 Navorro Bowman*, OLB, Penn StateThe Eagles need an athletic OLB, and they get a lot of value by landing Bowman here. Bowman lacks size, but any parsing on measurables can't overcome his great play on film. Could end up as the best at his position in this class. Baltimore RavensRecord: 9-7 Jermaine Gresham*, TE, OklahomaGresham is so good that while he sat out his junior year, I left him on the Big Board the whole time. Now healthy, he's a great find this late in the first round and a perfect target for Joe Flacco as an heir to Todd Heap. At a hair over 6-6 and 262 pounds, he's the total package at TE. Arizona CardinalsRecord: 10-6 Dan Williams, DT, TennesseeI see this position as the second-biggest need for the Cardinals, and Williams is a great value here. Tremendously strong in the lower body, he is a disruptive force against the run. Dallas CowboysRecord: 11-5 Bruce Campbell*, OT, MarylandJerry Jones knows he needs to address the tackle position after the debacle he witnessed against Minnesota in the divisional round of the playoffs, and Campbell, while still learning, is a tremendous talent at this position. San Diego ChargersRecord: 13-3 Jonathan Dwyer*, RB, Georgia TechWith the possible departure of LaDainian Tomlinson on the horizon, Dwyer represents the player who can handle 20-plus carries in an offense that already has a great speed back in Darren Sproles. Dwyer has ideal size and shows explosiveness. New York JetsRecord: 9-7 Golden Tate*, WR, Notre DameThe Jets must give Mark Sanchez some weapons in the passing game, and while Tate has question marks on his ability to separate, he is more physical than many think and has always been a playmaker. In the mold of Laveranues Coles. Minnesota VikingsRecord: 12-4 Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida StateNeed meets value here. Robinson is the second-best corner in the draft, and Minnesota should be happy to grab him this late. Robinson has the chance to step in and contribute. New Orleans SaintsRecord: 13-3 Jared Odrick, DT, Penn StateOdrick is an ideal pick here for the Saints, who are looking to add stability to the rush defense. His presence helped standout LBs Bowman and Sean Lee run free up in Happy Valley, and the Saints will ask for the same. Indianapolis ColtsRecord: 14-2 Brandon Graham, DE, MichiganGraham was a one-man show for the Wolverines, leading the nation in tackles for loss as a senior. Always in the backfield, he's a guy who can learn under master pass-rushers in Indy and build on the tradition. He's been on my Big Board all year, so a good value this late.
No Earl Thomas at no. 20? Everyone has him going to the Texans in that slot. Has he not declared yet? Kiper and McShay are jokes.
Duh, thanks Castor. I don't think he'll be going that high. Plus San Fran has other positions they are in need of help at. Their defence is solid, their offense is what needs tuning up. Maybe another reciever, I'd say they are in major need of an upgrade at QB. Alex Smith or Shaun Hill just will not do it for them, imo.
Go back and edit that QUOTE. I do not need to scroll down a page and a half of repeat for a THANKS MAN.
Kipe is pretty set on us drafting a DT especially Price. I ACTUALLY, randomly had a dream last night where we drafted Price in the third round. Can't remember who the first two picks were...but the fact that I'm dreaming about Texans draft scenarios speaks volumes of my love for draft season
would rather have dwyer or mays than another DT. i think we need to improve our secondary, and or our running game.
mays doesn't seem like much of an improvement given his cover skills. pollard is just fine at strong safety. we could use a free safety with range and cover skills
as much as i like pollard, we really really need an improvement in the secondary, if none of the top CB's are available, and mays is still on the board, i say take him and move pollard to FS.
i get that. I just think we've got other areas of need that are greater. I'm not even an advocate of a first pick free safetfy as I think Eugune Wilson has been pretty good, when healthy. I'd personally like either a DT, CB or OG
If anything Mays hurt his stock by staying another year. He's given every scout time to show that he is not the playmaker they thought him out to; be with Rey, Cush, and Matthews not out there to create havoc. I say they pick up Earl Thomas, some may take him to be a reach anytime earlier in the draft and there are some big time offensive and defensive impact linemen in this draft to fill voids on other teams. If not I say Spiller or Dwyer would be a nice pick up as well. Then again they might both be reaches with the 20th pick.
I cant imagine how many long pass plays we would give up with this lineup. The strong safety is more like a (linebacker first)/(cornerback second) hybrid, bigger more physical guys, where they should excel in the run game but are adequate at coverage..that's Bernard Pollard. The free safety is more of a (cornerback first)/(linebacker second), not as big as the strong safety but usually faster, type of player who should excel in coverage and are adequate in run support. They need to play "centerfield" and be able to roam the deep to prevent long pass plays...that's Eugene Wilson right now. If you notice, tweener guys are always question marked between cornerback/free safety and never cornerback/strong safety If you evaluate the two top safeties that will be there at 20 you have 1) Earl Thomas: free safety, GREAT coverage guy 2) Taylor Mays: big physical guy, who is questionable in coverage but can make big tackling plays, he plays like Roy Williams did in Dallas and Pollard does now. His skills are tailored more for the strong safety position. Just go to youtube and watch some tape on both of these guys and youll see very contrasting styles that pretty much show the contrast between the FS and SS position. I would like us to have diversity at the safety position as Bernard already brings that physical run stopper, Mays would be bringing pretty much the same element.
These mocks really are meaningless until the Combine. The top 10 picks or so might be still sort of predictable, but the shifting around that will take place between mid-1st rounders and 2nd/3rd rounders is pretty huge.
True about the shuffling, but I like to still look at every legit mock I can get a hold of just to get the idea of the type of players/certain names we could be targeting. Last year draftboardinsider had us taking Cushing even before the combine
