2012 NFL Mock Draft Weekly Update #6

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Round 1

1. Indianapolis Colts 0-6 Andrew Luck Quarterback Stanford Junior Redshirt The Colts blew a 24 to 14 lead to the Kansas City Chiefs before losing to the Bengals to fall to 0-6.  The team that gets the #1 overall pick will likely get Andrew Luck.

The Colts are trying to win games, but Luck has not gone their way.  Other teams like the Dolphins are tanking their season for Luck which is why the Colts should be rewarded with the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

There were 2 once in a generation quarterback prospects prior to Andrew Luck.  Those signal callers were John Elway and Peyton Manning.

The Colts traded Elway hoping for a King’s Ransom in return because Elway did not want to play for the Colts.  That didn’t work out and the Baltimore Colts ended up relocating to Indianapolis.  This may have influenced the original Cleveland Browns to relocate becoming the Baltimore Ravens.

Peyton Manning went #1 overall 15 years later in 1998.  Manning has been the face of the Colts franchise ever since.

The Colts will draft Luck #1 overall if they get the top pick.  There are 2 questions if the Colts take Luck #1 overall.  Not questions about Luck, but rather questions about whether the Colts keep him.

A) Will the Colts keep Luck as a successor to Manning?

B) Will the Colts trade Luck like they did with another Stanford quarterback 30 years ago when the Indianapolis Colts were the Baltimore Colts?

Colts fans ask yourself those questions.  Reflect on those thoughts and then generate your conclusion on what the Colts will do if they get the chance to draft Luck with the top pick.

Rumor has it that Colts owner Jim Isray has hinted that he likes Luck and would consider taking him with the top pick.  Their are teams who send smokescreens and teams who reveal their draft plans to the general public.

The Colts wanted a left tackle in 2011 and revealed their draft plan to the public so I am opted to believe that the Colts are going to take Luck if they get the top pick in 2012.

2. Miami Dolphins 0-5 Matt Barkley Quarterback USC Junior After Andrew Luck the best quarterback with the most experience in a pro style offense is USC’s Matt Barkley.

The Miami Dolphins will take Matt Barkley or Robert Griffin III over Landry Jones if they pick second because Barkley has the most experience in an NFL pro style offense and Griffin III has the ability to be utilized as a dual threat quarterback.

Landry Jones has yet to play in a limelight metropolitan climate.  Jones played high school ball in New Mexico.  He played in a Fiesta Bowl game against Connecticut.  In a game where Jones was battle tested against an NFL potential Florida State defense he threw 1 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Jones responded in the clutch against the Seminoles when the game was tied at 13.

Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Landry Jones all have proven themselves in the 4th quarter.  Matt Barkley is the only quarterback who has yet to rally a team in the 4th quarter.  Will this play into Miami’s decision to draft a quarterback?

At the end of the day I believe Barkley and Griffin are both ranked higher on Miami’s draft board then Landry Jones.  What will be interesting to see is if I turn out to be right or wrong.  You never know what direction a new regime goes in.  That’s why its so difficult to predict what new regimes do with their picks.

One basic rule about new regimes is that new regimes often search for a quarterback with a first round pick.  New regimes almost always take a quarterback with a 1st round pick if one is available and the team does not have a franchise quarterback.

If Miami does pick second behind Indianapolis and opt for Landry Jones who many have as the top quarterback prospect after Andrew Luck, I will be inserting 1998 NFL Draft jokes where I compare Luck to Manning and Landry Jones to Ryan Leaf because I am one of those critics who is very skeptical on Jones ability to develop in the NFL.

When Jones executes a 5 step drop he always fires a deep pass.  When Jones executes a 7 step drop he is pressured and runs out of the pocket before throwing it away.

People try to pick up on weaknesses that quarterbacks do hoping to game plan against that quarterback.  Watching Jones chuck it deep after a 5 step drop in the pocket is something I picked up on.

I need to see more short and medium passes when Jones drops back to do his 5 step drops.  Plus quarterbacks who play in spread offenses have higher bust ratios than quarterbacks who play in pro style offenses.  Luck and Barkley have played in pro style offenses.  Jones hasn’t which is somewhat of a disadvantage at this point.

Boomer Sooner fans can critique my doubts on Jones all they want, but I have watched 5 hours of Landry Jones game tape and 5 games on Jones before writing a scouting report on him.

Barkley’s completion percentage trumps Jones completion percentage.  Barkley has a 68.2 completion percentage compared to Jones 67.6 completion percentage which gives Barkley the edge for now.

3. St. Louis Rams 0-5 Matt Kalil Left Tackle USC Junior Redshirt St. Louis took 19 sacks in 4 games.  Roger Saffold only surrendered 1 sack all year as a rookie.  Saffold is n a sophomore slump at left tackle.  Jason Smith has been a waste of a top 5 pick for the St. Louis Rams and he needs to be replaced.

Bradford’s protection has been so horrific this season.  I literally wonder if right tackle Jason Smith has been inviting the rest of the Rams offensive line to underground eating competitions so the offensive line is out of shape in terms of conditioning.

Sam Bradford would have so much more time in the pocket if the St. Louis Rams made Matt Kalil Bradford’s blue chip blindside.  This would allow Saffold to move to right tackle allowing Jason Smith to move inside to left guard assuming the Rams decide not to release Smith buying out his contract.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-5 Quinton Coples Right End North Carolina Senior The Jaguars need a pass rusher.  Mock Drafts dating back to the 2010 NFL Draft had the Jaguars taking a defensive end for the past two years.

The Jaguars had some leverage of ignoring this glaring need when Aaron Kampman was a healthy durable 4-3 right end in 2010 and 2011 because 2008 first round pick Derrick Harvey was still developing.  The problem is Harvey was a waste of a top 10 pick and the Jaguars parted ways with him.

Now Kampman is an aging defensive end who has to play the 4-3 left end role.  Kampman needs to be a bookend to a highly coveted rookie pass rusher.

Jacksonville no longer has the patience or the luxury to wait around hoping Kampman will be a pro bowl sack artist at the 4-3 right end role.  Kampman’s aging and injury issues need to be addressed by bringing in a bookend pass rusher with immense upside and pro bowl potential.

That highly coveted pass rusher could be Quinton Coples.  Coples reminds me more of Julius Peppers with his high character and leadership than he does of Robert Quinn.  I believe Coples could have early success like Peppers did if he was placed in an ideal situation like Jacksonville.

5. Minnesota Vikings 1-5 Jonathan Martin Left Tackle Stanford Junior Redshirt The Minnesota Vikings should only start Ponder if their team is in a position to draft Andrew Luck.  Right now the Colts and Dolphins are winless so keep McNabb in.

The Vikings have no left tackle to protect Ponder’s blindside.  Ponder suffered shoulder injuries at Florida State and the Vikings do not want to turn Ponder into a David Carr type quarterback due to poor pass protection.

The Vikings need someone who can pass protect well.  This pass blocker also has to open up lanes for Adrian Peterson.

Andrew Luck lost 3 of his 5 offensive lineman last season.  Left tackle Jonathan Martin and right guard David DeCastro were the two returning offensive lineman this season.  Martin may be the main reason why Luck’s draft stock hasn’t taken a major hit so far this year.

I realize Luck is a once in a generation prospect.  At the same time Jonathan Martin is an underrated asset at the left tackle position.  Martin reminds me of Jonathan Odgen coming out of UCLA.

Martin is a premium blindside at left tackle.  Martin is going to give a quarterback more time in the pocket.  Quarterbacks will also gain additional composure due to Martin’s pass blocking ability.

Worst Case Scenario, Martin turns out to be as productive as former Stanford Cardinal blindside Bob Whitfield.  Come to think of it, Whitfield managed to have a pretty productive career playing for the Atlanta Falcons from 1992 to 2003.

Whitfield helped the Falcons reach Super Bowl by 33 pass blocking for Chris Chandler and run blocking for Jamal Anderson.  This is something that haunts the 1998-1999 Minnesota Vikings who finished 15-1 in the regular season that year to this very day.  That Vikings team lost to Whitfield and the Falcons 30 to 27.

Martin’s pass blocking to protect Ponder and run blocking to open up lanes for Adrian Peterson could help guide the Vikings to a Super Bowl down the road if Ponder reaches his potential as a quarterback.  That is a big if though because some people believe Ponder was a 2nd to 3rd round prospect like Tim Tebow.

6. Carolina Panthers 1-5 Michael Floyd Wide Receiver Notre Dame Senior Carolina needs a flanker receiver for Cam Newton.  Steve Smith is having a monster year.  At the same time its difficult for me to see the Panthers organization forking over 7 million a year to Smith when he could easily decline in terms of production next season.

Justin Blackmon could be an effective slot receiver or a secondary receiver.  Blackmon is 6 foot 1 215 pounds.  While Blackmon may display the speed, route running, and the ability to catch the football in traffic he lacks the size to become a flanker receiver.

Michael Floyd has had a monster senior campaign for Notre Dame.  Floyd has a weight span of 6 foot 3 224 pounds.  Michael Floyd clearly has the size advantage over Blackmon.  The only reason Blackmon has the edge over Michael Floyd is because Floyd had some character concerns heading into his senior campaign this offseason.

Floyd has better numbers than Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon too.  Blackmon has 53 receptions, 608 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns VS Floyd’s 53 receptions, 639 receiving yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns.

Last week I said that Floyd was the clear cut #1 prospect.  Blackmon’s numbers are closing in on Floyd’s.  I would still take Floyd ahead of Blackmon due to Floyd’s size.

7. Denver Broncos 1-4 Justin Blackmon Wide Receiver Oklahoma State Junior Redshirt The Denver Broncos just traded Brandon Lloyd.  The Broncos love speed receivers.  I feel like Tebow will succeed which is why I am waiting off the possibility of giving Denver a quarterback.

Plus Elway hinted he wants a pocket passer.  2013 features 4 first round pocket passers  3 SEC quarterbacks Tyler Bray, Tyler Wilson, and Aaron Murray, in addition to hometown Colorado State quarterback Pete Thomas.

Denver hinted they would take Marcel Dareus, but flip flopped to Von Miller last minute.  The Broncos are a team with a habit of sending amid smoke screens on draft day with their picks.

One might argue that Landry Jones should be the pick here since he is a pocket passer.  I disagree though.  I am not buying Landry Jones as a prospect plus 2013 will have much better pocket passers so Denver should wait.

By 2013 Denver will know whether Tebow is their guy plus Tebow will be nearing the end of his first contract so they will have the cap room to part ways with him if they do not like what they see.

Justin Blackmon has the speed and route running that Denver looks for in their receiving targets.

I would take Trent Richardson who averages 6.9 yards per carry here because McGahee turns 30 later this week while Moreno only averages 2.6 yards per carry.  I get the feeling that Denver opts for a wide receiver like Blackmon here.

8. Arizona Cardinals 1-4 Ricky Wagner Left Tackle Wisconsin Junior Redshirt Arizona’s pass blocking has been awful.  Ricky Wagner is the final offensive tackle who has convinced me he is first round worthy at this point.

Riley Reiff suffered an injury against Penn State.  Andrew Datko is out for the year and Mike Adams seems to be more of a 2nd round prospect at this point.  Arizona takes Wagner getting Kevin Kolb his blindside.

Wagner’s pass blocking is the main reason why Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson has done so well throwing.

Wagner’s run blocking at left tackle has paved the way for running back Montee Ball.  People say Wilson and Ball are underrated.  The guy who is making those players underrated is Wisconsin left tackle Ricky Wagner.

9. Philadelphia Eagles 2-4 Vontaze Burfict Middle Linebacker Junior Vontaze Burfict has the ability to be an effective middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.  Burfict is the best available player at this point and he could really help the Eagles defense.

10. Seattle Seahawks 2-3 Robert Griffin III Quarterback Baylor Junior Redshirt Griffin has been a beast this year.  I penciled in Griffin into the first round of my mock draft back in June.

Griffin is my 3rd best quarterback plus you have to believe that Seattle may opt for Griffin and his scrambling ability.

Seattle passed on Gabe Carimi and Derek Sherrod for James Carpenter.  Its not unrealistic to see them pass on Landry Jones for Robert Griffin III.

11. Kansas City Chiefs 2-3 Trent Richardson Running Back Alabama Junior Richardson should go much much higher than 11th.  Jaamal Charles is out for the year and Thomas Jones has an expiring contract after 2011.

Matt Cassel has played well enough for now so it would not surprise me if the Chiefs went with Richardson here because Todd Haley always makes Charles the #2 back on the depth chart to start the season.

Richardson is averaging a mind boggling a 6.9 yards per carry.  If the Chiefs are fortunate enough to land Richardson they may want to pay Jimmy Fallon to write his infamous Thank You Notes to the Denver Broncos front office for passing on Richardson.

12. Cleveland Browns 2-3 Alshon Jeffery Wide Receiver South Carolina Junior The Browns need to get Colt McCoy his flanker receiver.  Alshon Jeffery would be the best flanker receiver available at #12.

13. Dallas Cowboys 2-3 Michael Brewster Center Ohio State Senior The Dallas Cowboys defense looked good against the New England Patriots.  The interior offensive line is the Cowboys biggest issue.

Dallas will have their choice between Georgia left guard Cordy Glenn, Ohio State center Michael Brewster, and Stanford right guard David DeCastro who I have labeled as a first round pick.

Centers draft stocks keep improving each year.  Brewster is a top 15 talent in the eyes of some draftniks.  Maukice Pouncey went 18th.  Mike Pouncey went 15th.  I really cannot see why Dallas would pass on Michael Brewster if they ended up picking 13th.

Lots of fans say the Cowboys should address defense here.  I disagree after watching the Cowboys defense play well against New England prior to Brady’s late game comeback which was pure clutch by the way.

There is a report that Jerry Jones has taken a huge liking to Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones.  Jones brought in Cam Newton for workouts during the draft process last season.  I would not read into this one bit right now.  I am just saying that the Cowboys may speculate the idea of drafting Landry Jones as a successor to Tony Romo the way the Jaguars speculated drafting Blaine Gabbert as a successor to David Garrard.

14. Chicago Bears 3-3 Dre Kirkpatrick Cornerback Alabama Junior I cannot see Jerry Angelo drafting a wide receiver in the first round.  The Bears offensive line is safe this week in my mock draft after their amazing pass blocking display against the Minnesota Vikings.

While the Bears could use an upgrade at wide receiver cornerback is also a pressing need in Chicago.  Kirkpatrick has huge upside to develop into a complete field cornerback who could contain flanker receivers like Greg Jennings, Percy Harvin, and Calvin Johnson.

15. New York Jets 3-3 Brandon Jenkins 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker Florida State Junior The Jets have to reach for a pass rusher if they pick this high.  None of the options that the Jets desire are available with the 15th pick.

16. Houston Texans 3-3 Dontari Poe Nose Tackle Memphis Junior The Texans need a nose tackle.  I thought I had a Memphis nose tackle in my draft database.  That turned out to be senior redshirt D Angelo McCray who now plays on the offensive line.

Poe is a 6 foot 5 350 pound freak who will likely be the top nose tackle selected this April assuming he declares.

17. Cleveland Browns from Atlanta Falcons 3-3 Andre Branch Right End Clemson Senior Redshirt The Browns have multiple needs and there will be cornerbacks available later in this deep draft class of cornerbacks.

Andre Branch has recorded 7 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss.  I stated that DaQuan Bowers was overrated last year.  One of the reasons I was down on Bowers was because of Andre Branch who commanded constant double teams starting at the 4-3 right end position.

18. Washington Redskins 3-2 Landry Jones Quarterback Oklahoma Junior Redshirt After Rex Grossman threw 4 interceptions against the Eagles I believe Washington will draft Landry Jones or Robert Griffin III if either quarterback falls to the Redskins.  I gave the Redskins Jones prior to Grossman’s 4 picks against the Eagles.

If Washington cannot draft Jones or Griffin III than Dan Snyder probably outbids everyone for Packers backup Matt Flynn before drafting Ryan Tannehill out of Texas A&M in the 2nd round as insurance in case Flynn does not pan out.

Packers quarterback coach Tom Clement can develop any quarterback.  He made mediocre quarterbacks like Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox look like legit franchise signal callers at times in Pittsburgh as the Steelers quarterback coach even though Stewart or Maddox was never the elite quarterback that Roethlisberger is today.

Clement has coached Aaron Rodgers into the new face of the league with backup Matt Flynn nearly orchestrating a road win against the New England Patriots last season when Rodgers was out with an injury.

19. Cincinnati Bengals from Oakland Raiders 4-2 Morris Claiborne Cornerback LSU Junior Morris Claiborne provides good value plus the Raiders may have ended up drafting Claiborne with this selection if they did not trade it for Carson Palmer.

20. Cincinnati Bengals 4-2 Brandon Thompson Defensive Tackle Clemson Senior Brandon Thompson and Jerel Worthy are the top defensive tackle prospects in the 4-3 scheme.  I get the feeling that the Bengals will take a liking to Brandon Thompson.

21. Tennessee Titans 3-2 Luke Kuechly Middle Linebacker Boston College Junior Luke Kuechly would be a good upgrade over Barrett Rudd.  Kuechly provides great value at this point.

22. Buffalo Bills 4-2 Monte Te’o 3-4 Middle Linebacker Notre Dame Junior The Buffalo Bills use this selection to get a 3-4 middle linebacker who compliments Nick Barnett.  Monte Teo provides great value early.

23. New England Patriots from New Orleans Saints 4-2 Melvin Ingram Right End South Carolina Senior Redshirt Melvin Ingram can play the right end or the left end role in the 4-3.  Ingram could bulk up to be used as a 4-3 defensive tackle or a 3-4 end in the 5 technique.  Melvin Ingram could be a 3-4 outside linebacker if he loses some weight.

Melvin Ingram is a perfect fit for New England because Bill Belicheck will love a player with Ingram’s versatility.  Ingram has recorded 5.5 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss halfway through the season.

24. New York Giants 4-2 Cordy Glenn Left Guard Georgia Senior The Giants need a left guard who can provide some starting experience.  Cordy Glenn is a left tackle that will move inside to guard.

Glenn has experience at left guard and right guard.  Some people have mocked Stanford right guard David DeCastro here.  DeCastro makes no sense for the Giants since they have one of the leagues best run blocking right guards in Chris Snee.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 David DeCastro Right Guard Stanford Junior Redshirt The Pittsburgh Steelers could use a right guard to solidify the Steelers interior offensive line.  DeCastro is an amazing pass blocker.

With a healthy Kemoatu at left guard, Mike Pouncey at center, and David DeCastro at right guard the Steelers could really inflict some major damage run blocking opening up lanes for Rashard Mendenhall.

Alameda Ta’amu is another option if he falls this far.  Ta’amu can is 6 foot 3 337 pounds.  Ta’amu can play nose tackle in the 3-4 or defensive tackle in the 4-3.  Ta’amu can play the zero technique, the 1 technique, the 2 technique, or the 3 technique.

I have not seen Ta’amu play a legit running back plus Ta’amu will likely play in the senior bowl which is why I am holding off putting Ta’amu in the first round.  Ta’amu is beginning to emerge as a first round pick so I would not be one bit surprised if Pittsburgh selected Ta’amu this April.

26. Detroit Lions 5-1 Stephon Gilmore Cornerback South Carolina Junior The Lions need a #1 cornerback.  Stephon Gilmore is the top ranked cornerback at this point.

Has anyone noticed how Schawrtz celebrates like M Bison from Street Fighter after wins?  When Schwartz wins he does the fist pump.  When he loses he picks fights with other coaches just like Bison ironically.  I guess that makes Jim Harbaugh Ryu if were comparing NFL Head Coaches to Street Fighter characters.

Seriously though, the NFL is a two way street.  If you celebrate after wins you have to endure the opposing coach celebrate after you lose.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-2 Alfonzo Dennard Cornerback Nebraska Senior After SEC stud cornerbacks prospects like Dre Kirkpatrick, Morris Claiborne, and Stephon Gilmore my top ranked cornerback is Cornhusker corner Alfonzo Dennard.  Ironically enough, Dennard is a cornerback prospect that Tampa Bay really likes.

The Buccaneers have been scouting cornerbacks extensively in 2012 so Dennard comes off the board here.

28. San Diego Chargers 4-1 Courtney Upshaw 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker Alabama Senior The San Diego Chargers need a 3-4 pass rusher.  Courtney Upshaw is the best 3-4 pass rusher available.

29. Baltimore Ravens 4-1 Robert Lester Free Safety Alabama Junior Redshirt Ed Reed will not be around forever.  Robert Lester is the best available at this point.

30. San Francisco 49ers 5-1 Chase Minnifield Cornerback Virginia Senior Redshirt I have Minnfield graded out as a first round talent.  It would not shock me to see the 49ers pursue a receiver like Kenny Britt or Ryan Broyles with this selection.

31. New England Patriots 5-1 Mark Barron Strong Safety Alabama Senior The Patriots will draft a strong safety.  Josh Barrett is simply not the answer at the strong safety position.

32. Green Bay Packers 6-0 Cliff Harris Cornerback Oregon Junior I think Cliff Harris is a nickel corner at best right now who could develop into a #2 corner.  Green Bay has 2 #1 corners in Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams when healthy.

Williams and Harris sounds like a bright future for Green Bay’s cornerbacks with Davon House playing nickel.

Harris could sit out behind Woodson and Williams coming in when it is necessary providing some sort of boost to Green Bay’s secondary.

I also considered putting Lamar Miller the Miami FL running back here.  The thing is Green Bay has two proven backs with Ryan Grant and James Starks so spending a first rounder on a running back may seem kind of pointless.

Round 2

33. Indianapolis Colts 0-6 Kevin Zeitler Right Guard Wisconsin Senior The Colts have bookend tackles Anthony Costanzo and Ben Ijalana for 2012.  Joe Reitz is emerging as an undrafted gem at the left guard spot for the Colts while center Jeff Saturday is the Colts current starter.

The Colts moved Ryan Diem from right tackle to right guard which illustrates how significantly Diem is declining.  Diem was an excellent pass blocker in the 2010 regular season a year ago before he got schooled against the Jets pass rushers in the 2011 NFL Playoffs.

Diem’s footwork and blocking has significantly declined.  Its time for Indianapolis to find his replacement at the right guard spot.

34. Miami Dolphins 0-5 Riley Reiff Right Tackle Iowa Junior Redshirt I moved Reiff down to the top of my 2nd round due to his injury against Penn State.  Reiff would make a great right tackle to compliment Jake Long on Miami’s offensive line.

35. St. Louis Rams 0-5 Lamar Miller Running Back Miami FL Sophomore Redshirt I realize that wide receiver is a big need for the Rams.  However, St. Louis traded for Brandon Lloyd and has an array of young receivers that they hope to groom for the future with veterans like Brandon Lloyd and Mike Sims Walker starting.

The Rams have to get a complimentary back for Steven Jackson.  Lamar Miller is a first round talent that will fall to the 2nd round if he declares.  Miller would be a great #2 back behind Steven Jackson.

36. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-5 Jerel Worthy Defensive Tackle Michigan State Junior Redshirt Worthy got by a double team against Michigan and has done an outstanding job run stuffing this year.

The Jaguars need a defensive tackle after allowing Rashard Mendenhall to run wild.  Terrance Knighton showed up to Jaguars camp 20 pounds overweight while Tyson Alualu was a borderline day 2 prospect who got drafted 10th overall in 2010.

Worthy is considered a first round talent so he provides amazing value if he slides all the way down to the 2nd round.

37. Minnesota Vikings 1-5 Mohammed Sanu Wide Receiver Rutgers Junior Mohammed Sanu has had a monster season for Rutgers.  Christian Ponder really needs a #2 receiving option.

38. Carolina Panthers 1-5 Desmond Trufant Cornerback Washington Junior After wide receiver cornerback is the biggest need.  The problem is a lot of cornerbacks have dropped to 3rd round status.

Omar Bolden is a 2nd round talent who many project to go in the 4th round.  Hosley has dropped to a 3rd round prospect with his poor start.  Casey Heyward looks like a 3rd round pick the way he played against Alabama plus there are 3 small school corners who could all go in the 3rd round.

Janoris Jenkins threw a punch at a player in Saturday’s loss which is why I dropped him down to a 3rd round projection.  The only cornerback I have going in the 2nd round is Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant.

Carolina could opt for a defensive tackle or left guard here, but the Panthers want to develop their rookie starters at the defensive tackle spot.

39. Denver Broncos 1-4 Ryan Tannehill Quarterback Texas A&M Senior Redshirt John Elway has expressed a huge intrest in a pocket passer.  Even though I would wait until 2013 to draft a quarterback in the first round in case Tebow doesn’t work out, Elway will draft a quarterback in the first two rounds.

The top senior quarterback prospect available at this point is Texas A&M Senior Redshirt Ryan Tannehill.  Tannehill is a prototypical pocket passer who can take off and scramble.  Tannehill is a smash mouth athlete who embraces contact.

Tannehill may be a project, but he plays like Matt Schaub with Tebow’s ability to take off and scramble on occasion while mainly being utilized as a pocket passer.  I have to believe that is the project quarterback that Elway wants long term.

40. Philadelphia Eagles from Arizona Cardinals 1-4 Travis Lewis Right Outside Linebacker Oklahoma Senior Redshirt The Eagles biggest need is right tackle.  I have Mike Adams graded out as a left tackle only and Elvis Fisher can be a bookend, but he weighs only 295 pounds.  Neither offensive tackle fits the Eagles blocking scheme.

I have both Oklahoma 4-3 outside linebackers Travis Lewis and Ronnell Lewis graded out as first round talents.  Both players fall to the 2nd round due to a deep class of players overall.  I expect both linebackers to fall to round 2 so I will give the Eagles both Lewis linebackers here since the Eagles pick again at #41 after this pick.

There is always a team who passes on an offensive tackle when they should have taken one.  This year that team will be the Eagles in 2012.

41. Philadelphia Eagles 1-4 Ronnell Lewis Left Outside Linebacker Oklahoma Junior The Eagles add Ronnell Lewis as a strong side linebacker.  I know I sound crazy giving the Eagles 3 linebackers with their first 3 draft picks, but the Eagles run defense has been that bad.

The new Eagles 4-3 linebackers will consist of Vontaze Burfict playing the MIKE, Travis Lewis playing the WILL, and Ronnell Lewis playing the SAM adjusting to the WILL when Travis Lewis gets injured.  To top things off the Eagles will have depth players at linebacker behind their 2012 draft picks who can rotate into the lineup like Jamar Cheney, Brian Rolle, and Casey Matthews so the linebacker positions will have stability when injuries occur.

42. Seattle Seahawks 2-3 Nate Potter Left Guard Boise State Senior Redshirt The Seahawks use this pick to get a guard.  Like rookie John Moffitt, Nate Potter can play left guard or right guard.

The Seahawks need an additional guard on their roster to protect Robert Griffin III because neither Paul McQuistan or Robert Gallery is a long term answer at left guard.

43. Kansas City Chiefs 2-3 Mike Adams Left Tackle Ohio State Senior Mike Adams started the year weighing 6 foot 7 307 pounds.  Adams has returned from his 5 game suspension now weighing in at 6 foot 8 320 pounds.

Branden Albert has been awful at left tackle and he needs to slide into a guard role.  Mike Adams provides a much needed upgrade over Albert at left tackle long term so he is the pick here in round 2.

44. Cleveland Browns 2-3 Chris Polk Running Back Washington Junior Redshirt Word has it that Peyton Hillis is developing ego issues in Cleveland.  His family supports the fact that Hillis has such a huge ego commanding so much money.  Joe Thomas paved the running lanes for Hillis last season, kept his mouth shut, and earned his mega monster payday.

Hillis can either learn a lesson from left tackle Joe Thomas or he can pull a Lebron James and jump ship once his contract is up.  Why do I believe that Hillis will perform the latter at this point?  Is it the Madden jinx or the fact that Cleveland has been a losing sports city for years?

Montario Hardesty has been a bust and there is speculation that Washington running back Chris Polk could be a late first round pick because his teammates believe Polk could run a high 4.3 40 time at the 2012 NFL Combine.  Maybe Cleveland drafts Polk as their running back for the future with this selection.

While this draft class may be weak at running back talent after Trent Richardson there are rushers beginning to emerge from the crop of 2012 backs.  Underclassmen like Lamar Miller, Chris Polk, and Andre Ellington, Ray Graham, Edwin Baker, and Montee Ball are now in this discussion as to who gets selected on Day 2 possibly making a case to be a late first round pick.

Remember when I said Cleveland would not draft a back in 2011 before this season?  Jokes on me America go ahead and start bringing that up again haha.

45. Dallas Cowboys 2-3 TJ McDonald Free Safety USC Junior Dallas could use more depth on secondary.  If Dallas knows that Chicago will take a free safety like TJ McDonald in the 2nd round then the Cowboys could take McDonald early forcing the Bears to go a different route rather than opting for a free safety.

I wanted to give Dallas a guard here, but no 2nd round talents are available.  Right guard Ryan Miller is a 3rd round talent and he got abused by Alameda Ta’amu on Saturday.

46. Chicago Bears 3-3 Tyler Eifert Tight End Notre Dame Junior Eifert is considered a first round talent.  Eifert will probably fall midway to the 2nd round due to the depth in this draft.  If Eifert returns for his senior year he is a first round lock.  Some people have Eifert as a sophomore redshirt.

Either way Eifert is draft eligible.  Eifert is eligible for a medical redshirt since he got a back injury during the first game as a true freshman.  Eifert did not redshrt that year so I believe that makes him a true junior.  Well, that’s at least what Notre Dame’s website says.

If Eifert declares early then he could push himself into first round consideration with a strong NFL combine.  For now, I will give the Bears Eifert with their 2nd round pick because the Chicago Bears love pass catching tight ends.

I think Eifert will end up returning, but I am putting him in my mock draft right now simply to make things more exciting.

Chicago has other round 2 options besides Eifert.  The Bears could pursue junior redshirt center Peter Konz who will be a 2013 first round pick if he returns to Wisconsin for his senior season or the Chicago Bears could draft Virginia Tech free safety Eddie Whitley as an upgrade over Major Wright.  Oklahoma receiver Ryan Broyles could be an option as well, but Jerry Angelo hates drafting wide receivers.

47. New York Jets 3-3 Ryan Broyles Wide Receiver Oklahoma Senior Redshirt I have Ryan Broyles graded out as a first round talent.  Who will be the Jets #2 receiver when Plaxico is gone?  Kerely could become a slot receiver, but I don’t see a #2 option in Kerely.

Some argue that Ryan Broyles is the best route running receiver in the country.  Plus there is speculation by Oklahoma teammates that Broyles could run a high 4.3 40 time.  The Jets are a team that puts a heavy emphasis on speed receivers.

48. Houston Texans 3-3 Eddie Whitley Free Safety Virginia Tech Senior Houston loves nose tackles in the Southern region so I am tempted to believe that the Texans may settle for Josh Chapman or Kerry Murphy.  I have both nose tackles graded out as 3rd round talents.

Eddie Whitley is considered a 2nd round talent at free safety by some.  The Texans would be wise to draft Whitley here.

49. Atlanta Falcons 3-3 Dwayne Allen Tight End Clemson Junior Redshirt The best player available at this point is Dwayne Allen.  Allen would be a great successor to Tony Gonzalez at the tight end position.

50. Washington Redskins 3-2 Peter Konz Center Wisconsin Junior Redshirt The Redskins do not really need a center, but teams use their 2nd round picks to build around a quarterback.  Konz is considered the top center after Michael Brewster which is why I gave the Redskins Konz here.

51. New England Patriots from Oakland Raiders 4-2 Kheeston Randall Defensive Tackle Texas Senior Kheeston Randall is too versatile to fall to the 3rd round despite his sluggish start.  I watched Randall’s game tape and he can play defensive tackle, 3-4 right end, 3-4 left end, and nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme.

Randall is 6 foot 5 305 pounds.  He has played nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme at Texas.  Its not unrealistic to see him making that transition if he bulks up.

Randall relies more on his finesse moves than his power moves and he has the size for a 4-3 defensive tackle.

Randall knows the zero technique, the 1 technique, the 2 technique, the 3 technique, the 4 technique, and the 5 technique.  Randall can play in a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense.  Belicheck will not pass on a defensive lineman with Randall’s versatility.

52. Cincinnati Bengals 4-2 Andre Ellington Running Back Clemson Junior Andre Ellington could become a great #2 back behind Cedric Benson.  Ellington is player that you need to keep your eye on.

Ellington’s rushing ability is one of the main reasons why Clemson is still undefeated in College Football.

53. Tennessee Titans 3-2 Alameda Ta’amu Defensive Tackle Washington Senior Alameda Ta’amu is 6 foot 3 337 pounds.  Ta’amu can play in the 4-3 or the 3-4 scheme.  Ta’amu can play the zero technique, the 1 technique, the 2 technique, or the 3 technique.

Some media outlets that make mock drafts have already labeled Ta’amu a top 25 pick.  Ta’amu still has yet to go up against running backs like LaMichael James and Marc Tyler.  After that you got Washington’s bowl game and a 2012 trip to the Senior Bowl that Ta’amu will likely participate in down the road.

While Ta’amu is an exceptional talent at this point its too early to crown him a first round talent because Ta’amu’s draft stock could easily decline with an injury or poor performances down the stretch.

One thing is certain though.  If Ta’amu keeps playing this well against Oregon, USC, Stanford, before dominating his bowl game, and senior bowl it would not surprise me one bit to see a team reach for Ta’amu in the top 10.  Ta’amu has just been that dominant this season.

Tennessee has defensive tackle depth, but the Titans will not pass on Ta’amu if he slides this far because the value will be too good to pass up.

We saw teams in the 2011 NFL Draft pass on other critical needs because the value for a defensive tackle was too good to pass up on.  That may end up being the same case with Ta’amu.

54. Buffalo Bills Nico Johnson 3-4 Left Outside Linebacker Alabama Junior Nico Johnson would be a great complimentary pass rusher to Shawn Merimann.

55. New Orleans Saints 4-2 Elvis Fisher Right Tackle Missouri Senior Redshirt The Saints need right tackle depth.  Elvis Fisher is my final offensive tackle prospect that has a 2nd round talent grade at this point.  The Saints take Fisher and have him challenge Charles Brown for the starting right tackle job in 2012.

56. New York Giants 4-2 Tydreke Powell Defensive Tackle North Carolina Senior This pick may irritate Giants fans to a certain degree.  The problem is the Giants defensive tackles depth continues to endure ordeals of injuries.

The Giants take the best player available here.  That happens to be North Carolina defensive tackle Tydreke Powell.

57. Pittsburgh Steelers Donta Hightower 3-4 Middle Linebacker Alabama Junior Redshirt The Steelers have to draft a 3-4 middle linebacker for the future.   James Farrior turns 37 soon.

Rumor has it that Pittsburgh may opt for a 3-4 pass rusher.  Why would Pittsburgh plug Timmons into a 3-4 outside linebacker role he never played in college when you drafted pass rushers like Jason Worilds and Chris Carter?

Clearly the pass rushers Pittsburgh drafted over the past two years have not developed as quickly as the Steelers would have liked them to develop.  Otherwise Pittsburgh would have kept Timmons on the inside hoping to start Worilds on the outside.

There is talk that the Steelers could opt for Stanford 3-4 outside linebacker Chase Thomas or South Carolina 3-4 outside linebacker Devin Taylor.  I am not buying that talk just yet.

I believe Pittsburgh takes Hightower here hoping to get a complimentary player next to Timmons on the inside because Farrior and Foote are both in their mid 30′s.

Stevenson Sylvester is a special teams player at best with no experience in a 3-4 scheme, but Pittsburgh hopes he can start by the time Larry Foote and James Farrior retire.  If that is the case than Pittsburgh will pass on an inside linebacker for a pass rushing outside linebacker.

Either way Pittsburgh will spend a 2nd round pick on a linebacker if they cannot secure a nose tackle or an offensive tackle prospect.

Hightower is a first round talent.  Injury issues from 2010 and a deep 3-4 inside linebacker class cause Hightower to fall to this selection if he leaves Alabama early.

58. Detroit Lions 5-1 Ray Ray Armstrong Strong Safety Miami FL Junior I get the feeling that Ray Ray Armstrong will be the top available player on the Lions draft board if he falls this far in round 2.  Armstrong would provide solid depth behind Amari Spivey.

59. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-2 Zach Brown Right Outside Linebacker North Carolina Zach Brown missed the North Carolina VS Georgia Tech game due to a suspension.  That really took a hit on his draft stock.  Tampa Bay could use a WILL linebacker to pair up next to MIKE linebacker Mason Foster.

60. San Diego Chargers 4-1 Michael Egnew Tight End Missouri Senior Antonio Gates has missed a few games with injuries.  Randy McMichael is not a long term #2 tight end.  I have Egnew graded out as a 2nd round talent so he fits perfectly here with this selection.

61. Baltimore Ravens 4-1 Devin Taylor 3-4 Left Outside Linebacker South Carolina Junior Redshirt The Ravens decide to draft the best available pass rusher.  Jarrett Johnson could be upgraded and Sergio Kindle needs some competition because he has been injury prone so far.

62. San Francisco 49ers 5-1 Donte Paige Moss 3-4 Left Outside Linebacker North Carolina Junior There were reports that the 49ers would take Robert Quinn in 2011.  Maybe they take a liking to Donte Paige Moss drafting him as a bookend pass rusher for Aldon Smith down the road.

63. New England Patriots Bruce Irvin 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker West Virginia Senior Melvin Ingram may only be able to play a 4-3 right end role.  He may not be able to translate his skill set as a 3-4 pass rusher.  Thomas can play the right side or the left side as a 3-4 pass rusher.

New England will get a 3-4 pass rusher in addition to a 4-3 right end if they opt for a pure 4-3 end with no 3-4 experience like Andre Branch or Melvin Ingram.

New England usually takes a cornerback in the first two rounds, but there are no 2nd round talents available at cornerback.

New England takes Bruce Irvin with this selection hoping to develop a pass rusher.  I have Irvin graded out as a first round talent because he was 2nd in sacks behind DaQuan Bowers and because Irvin bulked up this offseason.

Bruce Irvin slides to #63 in this mock draft because of some last minute game tape I watched of Dontari Poe.  Irvin will be higher or lower in next weeks mock depending on his performance this upcoming weekend.

Poe looks like a nose tackle who will go in the top half of the draft.  Someone on Bleacher Report even mocked Poe as high as #9 overall to the 49ers at the start of the season.

Before I wrote this mock draft I didn’t even have Poe in my draft database as a potential prospect.  I had to watch Poe on film and then redo some of the picks by double checking everything.

Sliding to #63 may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Bruce Irvin though because some wonder if Irvin is worthy of being a day 2 pick.

Marshall fans are raving about Vinny Curry.  Bruce Irvin underrated Vinny Curry is overrated.  There was a conference USA game where a team kept Curry in check for 60 minutes.  I am not a huge Curry believer.  He’s the player I would wait till day 4 to draft rather than waiting for Irvin to fall to round 4 Sam Acho style.

64. Green Bay Packers 6-0 Chase Thomas 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker Stanford Junior Redshirt Green Bay takes a PAC 12 pass rusher to compliment Clay Matthews.  This will take some double teams off of Matthews.

I have 10 players graded out as top 5 talents, 5 players graded out as top 10 talents, 26 other prospects graded out as first round talents and 23 players graded out as 2nd round prospects so that leaves a total of 64 players worth taking in the first 2 rounds.

Whether these players maintain their momentum or take significant slides will be the real test from this point on.  Some underclassmen may return which could narrow the draft process down a bit.

Round 3

65. Indianpolis Colts 0-6 Casey Heyward Cornerback Vanderbilt Senior I have 8 cornerbacks graded out as 3rd round talents.  Those players are Janoris Jenkins, Ryan Steed, Trumaine Johnson, Casey Heyward, Jayron Hosley, Omar Bolden, Coryell Judie, and Brandon Boykin.  When you have this many potential cornerback prospects that could go in the third round you have to use logic and reasoning to determine the pick by examining whether or not the cornerback fits your coverage scheme.

Small School prospects like Janoris Jenkins, Ryan Steed, and Trumaine Johnson fail to please the Colts.  I cannot see Omar Bolden, Coryell Judie, or Brandon Boykin appealing the Colts at the top of the 3rd round.  By process of elimination that leaves two cornerbacks Casey Heyward and Jayron Hosley.

Hosley had double digit picks and one pick against Andrew Luck in a winter scrimmage.  Hosley plays the cover 2 scheme that the Colts use.  The downside is Hosley is undersized and struggles against receivers with elite size.  Hosley will be a major mismatch when attempting to cover receivers like Andre Johnson.

Casey Heyward will impress scouts during his senior bowl and combine workouts.  If Heyward is available at the top of round 3 I say he is the pick.

I could see either Casey Heyward or Jayron Hosley being the selection.  At the end of the day I believe the Colts select Heyward mainly due to how he performs in senior bowl and combine workouts.

66. Miami Dolphins Orson Charles Tight End Georgia Junior Orson Charles is one of the more overrated prospects in my eyes.  Charles is slightly undersized as a tight end.  Charles may have the freakish jumping ability and speed.

It all comes down to fundamentals with Charles though.  Can he block?  Can he run routes?  Can he catch?  Those are the uncertainties with Charles at this point.  If he can address some of these questions he could shoot up draft boards.

Miami will take a tight end in round 3 if they go Matt Barkley in round 1 and get lucky enough to get Riley Reiff at right tackle in round 2.  Reiff is a first round talent.  The injury against Penn State may affect his draft stock causing him to slide to the top of round 2.

 I think Miami takes Charles here if he declares.  Oregon’s David Paulson or Stanford’s Colby Fleener are also potential possibilities for Miami should the Dolphins opt to pursue a tight end in round 3.

67. St. Louis Rams Trumaine Johnson Cornerback Montana Senior The Rams need a corner.  I cannot see Janoris Jenkins being the pick after his punching incident this Saturday.  Ryan Steed is not a a suitable candidate for St. Louis either at this point.

Trumaine Johnson weighs 6 foot 2 210 pounds.  Bucky Brooks of NFL Network compared Johnson to Dominique Rodgers Cromartie and some people at NFL Network in addition to some  NFC NFL scouts have Johnson graded as a first round pick despite the surplus of depth when it comes to cornerbacks in this draft.

Every year there is a 3rd round talent that gets pushed up to the first round.  Trumaine Johnson is currently graded as a 3rd round pick and he may be that guy.

The Rams have some major secondary issues needing to upgrade both cornerback and free safety.  Trumaine Johnson can line up as a corner or play free safety.  I think the Rams draft Johnson because of the size and versatility.

The Rams will take a flyer on Johnson in the 3rd round hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone.

68. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-5 Janoris Jenkins Cornerback Northern Alabama Senior Janoris Jenkins got ejected for allegedly punching a player in a game between Delta State and Northern Alabama that resulted in Northern Alabama’s first loss.

I really believe that Jenkins will fall out of the first two rounds because of this and that a team like the Jacksonville Jaguars ends up taking a flyer on Jenkins in the 3rd round.

Teams are going to start re-examining those off the field character issues that Jenkins had at Florida and it could cause him to slide on draft day.

69. Minnesota Vikings 1-5 Sean Spence Right Outside Linebacker Miami FL Senior The Vikings use this pick to add a weak side linebacker to their roster.

70. Chicago Bears from Carolina Panthers 1-5 Jeff Fuller Wide Receiver Texas A&M Senior Jeff Fuller has not lived up to expectations.  Bears general manager Jerry Angelo likes waiting until the 3rd round before drafting his receivers.

Angelo loves speed receivers.  Fuller may have some of the best speed in the country for a day 2 prospect so I have to believe that the Chicago Bears will use Carolina’s pick in the Greg Olsen trade to get Jeff Fuller.

71. Denver Broncos 1-4 Ray Graham Running Back Pittsburgh Junior A lot of underclassmen at Pittsburgh leave early.  LeSean McCoy left early.  Dion Lewis left early.  The guy who complimented Dion Lewis in Pittsburgh’s backfield Ray Graham could be leaving Pittsburgh early because 5 star recruit Rushel Shell is committing to Pittsburgh.

Shell should be the feature back in 2012 at Pittsburgh as a true freshman so I really believe that Ray Graham will declare this season.

Graham is a good fit for Denver’s offense here because Willis McGahee is an injury prone back about to enter his 30′s while Knowshon Moreno is averaging an anemic 2.6 yards per carry.

I know Ray Graham is undersized at 5 foot 9 195 pounds.  The numbers illustrate Graham’s production though.  Graham has 162 carries for 9 rushing touchdowns in 7 games.  Ray Graham leads current FBS in rushing yards with 939 rushing yards so far in the 2011 NCAA Season.

You watch the game tape Graham can run as an elusive runner or a power runner.  He can run to the inside or the outside.  Graham has the ability to make plays by catching out of the backfield.  I could see Denver using a 3rd round pick on Ray Graham hoping he will compete with McGahee and Moreno for carries in John Fox’s running game.

I get the feeling that Graham could work his way up draft boards potentially being a day 2 pick if he comes out and declares.

There are underclassmen running backs like Ray Graham, Edwin Baker, and Montee Ball who could all potentially be 3rd round picks if they come out and declare in 2012.

72. Arizona Cardinals 1-5 Whitney Mercilus Right End Illinois Junior Redshirt Arizona wants to run a combination of the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.  Arizona moved Sam Acho has moved from a 3-4 right outside linebacker role that he played in Texas to a   3-4 left outside linebacker role which usually illustrates the fact that the team is not confident in Acho’s ability.

Whitney Mercilus is an unknown who is beginning to make his name known at the University of Illinois.  Mercilus leads the nation with 10 sacks so far this season.  Whitney Mercilus’s one weakness heading into the season was pass rushing.  He leads the country with 10 sacks and can be an effective run stuffer.

Mercilius is 6 foot 4 265 pounds.  Mercilus has experience being utilized as a 4-3 right end or a 4-3 left end.  He has the size to play in a 3-4 scheme.  Can Mercilus develop in a 3-4 scheme?

Mercilus had a 3.0 GPA coming out of high school so he may not have to answer those one year wonder questions that Bowers had because of the football IQ and high pedigree.

With no double digit sack artist dominating at this point it would not surprise me to see Mercilus work his way into the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Mercilus’s ability as a pass rusher is why Illinois was off to an unbeaten start prior to Saturday’s loss to unranked Ohio State.

Arizona could use another pass rusher.  The Cardinals will draft Mercilus as a tweener hoping to find some suitable role for him.

73. Philadelphia Eagles 2-4 Bobbie Massie Right Tackle Ole Miss Junior Bobbie Massie may just be a bigger project than Winston Justice.  He has the potential of a Michael Oher right tackle and Massie fits perfectly into Andy Reid’s blocking scheme so there is no need to pass on him.

74. Seattle Seahawks 2-3 Ryan Steed Cornerback Furman Senior Seattle seems like the kind of team that would use a 3rd round pick on a small school corner.  That’s why I am penciling in Ryan Steed to the Seattle Seahawks.

75. Kansas City Chiefs 2-3 Jayron Hosley Cornerback Virginia Tech Junior Jayron Hosley went to the same school that Brandon Flowers went to with Virginia Tech.  The Kansas City Chiefs will gladly select Jayron Hosley in the 3rd round if he slides this far.

If Hosley is a 3rd round prospect than the Chiefs may opt not to resign Brandon Carr opting to select Hosley.

76. Cleveland Browns 2-3 Levi Adcock Right Tackle Oklahoma State Senior Redshirt The Browns need an offensive tackle who is a right tackle at best.  If Adock fails at right tackle he may succeed inside at right guard.

77. Dallas Cowboys 2-3 Ryan Miller Right Guard Colorado Senior Redshirt The Cowboys need to find a replacement for Leonard Davis.

78. Chicago Bears 3-3 Kenny Tate Free Safety Maryland Senior The Chicago Bears need to add a free safety.  Major Wright has been a major bust.  Tate has played every position and is a bit of a tweener.  Chicago seems like a team that would plug Tate in at free safety taking a flyer on him.

79. New York Jets 3-3 Matt Reynolds Right Tackle BYU Senior Redshirt Matt Reynolds may be an aging right tackle, but he provides amazing value here.  Reynolds could be a quality bookend to Ferguson.

80. Houston Texans 3-3 Tony Dye Strong Safety UCLA Senior Tony Dye played strong safety next to UCLA free safety Rahim Moore and UCLA cornerback Alteraun Verner.

81. Atlanta Falcons 3-3 Brandon Lindsey Right End Pittsburgh Senior Redshirt The Falcons could use a successor to Jonathan Abraham at right end.  Brandon Lindsey provides good value here.

82. Washington Redskins 3-2 Jerry Franklin 3-4 Middle Linebacker Arkansas Senior Redshirt Jerry Franklin would be a good 3-4 middle linebacker.  Franklin can play on the inside or the outside in the 3-4 scheme.  Franklin had 7 tackles against Michael Dyer a few weeks ago.

83. Cincinnati Bengals 4-2 Vince Browne Right End Northwestern Senior Redshirt Cincinnati adds a pass rusher for depth with this selection.  Vince Browne is the best pass rusher available at this point.

84. Tennessee Titans 3-2 David Paulson Tight End Oregon Senior Redshirt The Titans will use a draft day selection on a tight end for depth.  Jared Cook Jr. has yet to beat out Craig Stevens for the starting tight end job.

85. Buffalo Bills 4-2 Kirk Cousins Quarterback Michigan State Senior Redshirt Ryan Fitzpatrick is the man in Buffalo.  Cousins has performed like a 3rd round pick so I could see the Bills drafting Cousins as a developmental quarterback.

86. New Orleans Saints 4-2 Coby Fleener Tight End Stanford Senior Redshirt The Saints have Jimmy Graham and Dave Thomas the Saints could use a #3 tight end.  Coby Fleener provides amazing value at this point and I really could not blame Sean Payton for drafting Fleener here.

87. New York Giants 4-2 Edwin Baker Michigan State Junior The Giants may opt to add another back to the backfield.  Underclassmen Edwin Baker is 5 foot 9 210 pounds.  Baker could provide some quality depth at running back.

88. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 Montee Ball Running Back Wisconsin Junior Montee Ball is 5 foot 11 210 pounds.  Ball has rushed for 18 rushing touchdowns in his sophomore year and has rushed for 16 rushing touchdowns through 6 games.

Rashard Mendenhall’s contract is up in 2013 and I see Pittsburgh bringing in a back with the talent that Montee Ball displays.

89. Detroit Lions 5-1 William Vlachos Center Alabama Senior Redshirt Vlachos has the intangibles to start.  Can he put on the weight though? Vlachos is very undersized.

90. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-2 Christine Michael Running Back Texas A&M Junior The Buccaneers need a #2 back behind LeGarrette Blount.

91. San Diego Chargers 4-1 Cyrus Gray Running Back Texas A&M Senior The Chargers do not have a full time starter with Ryan Matthews or Mike Tolbert.  The Chargers could add Cyrus Gray for depth hoping he pans out.

92. Baltimore Ravens 4-1 Jared Crick 3-4 Right End Nebraska Senior Redshirt The Ravens get a 3-4 end for depth behind Haloti Ngata and Cory Redding.  I realize 3-4 middle linebacker is the Ravens biggest need.

There are no 3-4 middle linebackers available at this point so the Ravens draft the best player available.

93. San Francisco 49ers 5-1 Baker Steinkuhler 3-4 Left End Nebraska Junior Redshirt  The 49ers could add a 3-4 defensive end for depth.

94. New England Patriots 5-1 Omar Bolden Cornerback Arizona State Senior Omar Bolden has durability issues.  When Bolden is healthy he performs like a 2nd round cornerback.

This is a great value pick for New England.  The Patriots will opt for a cornerback at some point in the top 100.

95. Green Bay Packers 6-0 Billy Winn 3-4 Left End Boise State Senior Redshirt Green Bay could use another defensive end who can play the 5 technique in a 3-4 scheme.

 

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