This time, it’s for real!
The Final Mock is such a sacred thing (like your virginity) that Brian and I each had to have our own. The big day is finally upon us! Leave your comments below, and don’t forget to play along with The Machine’s Draft Day Drink-a-thon! Now, on to our Final Mock, where we probably performed better than when we lost our virginity…
1
|
Kansas City Chiefs: |
Eric Fisher |
OL |
C. Michigan |
Analysis: Cutting Eric Winston and openly shopping Brandon Albert (reported deal with Miami to be in place during the Draft) make Eric a no brainer here. |
2
|
Jacksonville Jaguars: |
Dion Jordan |
OLB |
Oregon |
Analysis: “Jags are a mess, and need help at every position”. I couldn’t have said it better myself. They’d love the opportunity to trade down, but nobody is going to be willing to pay the premium. Caldwell, Bradley and Khan (the Jaguar brain trust) are all onboard with this selection. |
3
|
Oakland Raiders |
Star Lotulelei |
DT |
Utah |
Analysis: Oakland must draft a DT, their defensive line has been completely gutted. I think it’s a toss up between Star and Floyd. If they can’t trade back a few picks, they stay put and draft a stud DT in Star. |
4
|
Philadelphia Eagles |
Ezikiel Ansah |
DE |
BYU |
Analysis: Uh oh, the Geno Smith slide begins. Philly’s d-line, like da Raiders, has been decimated. Shariff Floyd will get a look, but Ansah provides a little more quickness. Expect a chorus of boos from Philly fans. |
5
|
Detroit Lions |
Luke Joeckle |
OL |
Texas A&M |
Analysis: The Lions should run to the podium if Joeckle’s still here. Losing Cherilus (free agency) and Backus (retirement) makes this a clear need. The o-line needs to be bolstered. Joeckle’s got the size, stregth, and athleticism to step in and protect Stafford’s blindside right away. |
6
|
Cleveland Browns |
Dee Milliner |
CB |
Alabama |
Analysis: Anyone else think it’s a coincidence a story circulated right before the draft highlighting Dee’s medical issues? We believe someone (*cough Jets*) is hoping the news will cause Dee to slide. The Browns, however, aren’t buying it, and take the draft’s best cover corner. |
7
|
Arizona Cardinals |
Lane Johnson |
OL |
OK |
Analysis: The drop off in OL is steep after Lane. Arizona could be in a prime spot for a team looking to jump up and grab Lane. They’d also be well-suited to have him on their team. |
8
|
Buffalo Bills |
Tavon Austin |
WR |
West Virginia |
Analysis: The Bills are tough to figure out. Despite the SU connection (and Geno still on the board) the Bills do not overspend and take a QB here. Instead, they give the offense a different jolt. Tavon will take pressure off Stevie Johnson and Fred Jackson/CJ. Two problems solved with one guy. Also, you heard it here: Buffalo will trade to get back in to the first round (in the mid to late 20’s) to get their QB. |
9
|
NY Jets |
Geno Smith |
QB |
West Virginia |
Analysis: This pick might actually get Jets fans to cheer, as it signals a clean break from the disaster that is Mark Sanchez. Rex will also use this to buy himself another year of employment. |
10
|
Tennessee Titans |
Shariff Floyd |
DT |
Florida |
Analysis: Hard to come up with a scenario where Floyd slips out of the Top 10; this is his floor. |
11
|
San Diego Chargers |
Chance Warmack |
OG |
Alabama |
Analysis: Guards are typically underappreciated, but not this year, as there are two that could be gone in the first round. Chargers might look to trade down (a theme for the evening) and target someone like DJ Fluker, but chance has a lot of upside. |
12
|
Miami Dolphins |
D.J. Hayden |
CB |
Houston |
Analysis: Dolphins would love to jump up and grab one of the Top 3 OL. If not, their next area of need is cornerback. We’re buying the hype on D.J. Hayden. |
13
|
New York Jets |
Barkevious Mingo |
DE |
LSU |
Analysis: CB will get a look, but there are a lot of good CBs that should still be around in the 2nd Round. This pick may also get Jets fans to cheer. |
14
|
Carolina Panthers |
Sheldon Richardson |
DT |
Missouri |
Analysis: DT is a huge need for the Panthers, and they’d love it if Richardson is still on the board. |
15
|
New Orleans Saints |
Kenny Vaccaro |
S |
Texas |
Analysis: The Saints only have 5 picks, and no second round pick thanks to bounty gate. Kill the head and the body will die. Anywho, if they can’t trade down for more picks, the Saints are going to go Defense here. Kenny would go a long way toward shoring up their secondary. |
16
|
St. Louis Rams |
Jonathon Cooper |
OG |
North Carolina |
Analysis: Rams need to upgrade their OL. Jake Long was a step in the right direction, but there’s more work to be done. |
17
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
Jarvis Jones |
OLB |
Georgia |
Analysis: Pittsburgh stays true to its board (and team philosophy) and addresses defense first. With Harrison gone, this is looking more and more likely. WR is an option, but (a) the Steelers don’t draft WRs in the first round and (b) keeping Emmanual Sanders makes this less of a need. |
18
|
Dallas Cowboys |
Sylvester Williams |
DT |
North Carolina |
Analysis: Cowboys will either go OL or DL here. They’d love it if Cooper fell to them, but if not, they’ll look to shore up the defensive line. |
19
|
NY Giants |
Bjoern Werner |
DT |
Florida State |
Analysis: A Top 5 pick two months ago, Bjoern has slipped down the draft. He did not help his cause at the Combine, which has likely contributed to his slide. However, the tape on him is impressive. Raw, athletic, albeit a little inexperienced. None of that is a problem for the G-Men, who love taking those ingredients and creating a dominant DE (see: JPP). |
20
|
Chicago Bears |
Alec Ogletree |
ILB |
Georgia |
Analysis: We had Manti here last time around, but we came to our senses. Ogletree is simply the better athlete, and fits Chicago’s scheme better. He also doesn’t have a fake dead girlfriend. |
21
|
Cincinnati Bengals |
Eric Reid |
S |
LSU |
Analysis: Athletic ball hawk. |
22
|
St. Louis Rams |
DJ Fluker |
OL |
Alabama |
Analysis: Another offensive lineman? How does that make sense? First, have you ever seen Sam Bradford calmly drop back in the pocket? Second, check out the Niners in 2010 (Anthony Davis at 11 and Mike Iupati at 17). With Jake Long, Cooper, and Fluker, the Rams would instantly transform their line into one of the best in the league. |
23
|
Minnesota Vikings |
Manti Te’o |
ILB |
Notre Dame |
Analysis: Even though Lennay had a bad experience on a class trip to Minneapolis, Manti makes sense for the Vikings. That’s if they don’t trade down (we’re looking at you Buffalo). |
24
|
Indianapolis Colts |
Tank Carradine |
DE |
Florida St. |
Analysis: The Colts need to get young on the outside. Freeney is gone and Robert Mathis is on the wrong side of 30. |
25
|
Minnesota Vikings |
Cordarrelle Patterson |
WR |
Tennessee |
Analysis: Even with Jennings, the Vikes need more weapons for Ponder. |
26
|
Green Bay Packers |
Margus Hunt |
DE |
SMU |
Analysis: Offense is not the issue with the Packers. Their problems lie on the other side of the ball. Re-signing Clay Mathews helps, and getting Margus would add some pressure and stability to the line. |
27
|
Houston Texans |
Robert Woods |
WR |
USC |
Analysis: A pefect complement to Andre Johnson. Woods has risen up draft boards and looks certain to go in the late first round. Doesn’t have jaw dropping speed but catches everything his way and, having played in a pro-style offense at USC, is the most NFL-ready WR in the draft. |
28
|
Denver Broncos |
Jamar Taylor |
CB |
Boise St. |
Analysis: Anyone see that playoff game, particularly the final 33 seconds of the fourth quarter? Any questions? Taylor has speed (4.32) and strength (22 reps) and hopefully enough knowledge to know that you don’t let the receiver get behind you for a game tying 70 yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds to go. |
29
|
New England Patriots |
Xavier Rhodes |
CB |
Florida St. |
Analysis: Every year, it seems the Pats neglect the secondary. This year is different, as the Pats strike early to address their defensive shortcomings. |
30
|
Atlanta Falcons |
Desmond Trufant |
CB |
Washington |
Analysis: The Falcons will think long and hard about Tyler Eifert here, but with Gonzo re-signing and seemingly not slowing down, they focus on the secondary, where they have an immediate need. |
31
|
San Francisco 49ers |
Jesse Williams |
DT |
Alabama |
Analysis: The fourth member of the Crimson Tide to go in the first round, the Niners know that defense, and not the read-option, is their ticket back to the Super Bowl. Roll tide. |
32
|
Baltimore Ravens |
John Cyprien |
S |
FIU |
Analysis: For defending Super Bowl Champions, the Ravens have a surprising number of holes to fill. That will happen when your entire team takes their rings and runs. Cyprien will help soften the blow from losing Ed Reed. Arthur Brown will get a look here too, as LB is an option. The Ravens thought they had that solved with Rolando McClain, but since that dude loves getting arrested, who knows if he’ll even suit up for them. |
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