Mock Draft picks 1-10

With the biggest wave of free agency out of the way teams have turned their attention towards April 26^th – 28^th when the NFL holds its annual Draft. This is the most exciting portion of the offseason because nobody really knows what their favorite teams are thinking. There are surprises aplenty, both good and bad, but in the end every NFL team adds talent with hopes of improving their team and finally adding that piece to get them to the next level.

Mock drafting has become incredibly popular and fans flock to various sites to see who their favorite team is going to take. I have decided to take a shot at my own mock draft. I will not project any trades in this mock, because it is impossible to know who will trade with who come draft day. Also, as with everyone else, I rate some players higher than others. My rankings may or may not coincide with other rankings you have seen. Today I am just going to do picks 1-10 and later I will post the 2^nd and 3^rd parts to my mock. That’s enough talk, on to the mock!

1 – Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck QB Stanford – This pick has pretty much been a consensus pick since the season concluded. Luck is the highest rated QB since the man he is set to replace, Peyton Manning. It almost isn’t fair to the rest of the NFL that they go from Manning to Luck.

2 – Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III QB Baylor – The Redskins didn’t trade away the farm to move up to take a player of any other position. This is nearly as predictable as the previous pick. RGIII is an amazing QB prospect in his own right and fits Shanahan’s offense impeccably. The Redskins now have a face to their franchise.

3 – Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil OT USC – If Christian Ponder has any chance to succeed the Vikings must protect him. Kalil has all the potential in the world to become an elite LT. He was the reason Tyron Smith (9^th overall pick last year) had to play RT. With this addition the Vikings can turn their attention towards a top WR and Defense the rest of the draft.

4 – Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson RB Alabama – The Browns have a lot of needs: QB, WR, RB, CB, etc. With so many needs at so many critical spots and 3 picks in the first two rounds they can take the Best Available Player at every pick. With that strategy in mind it comes down to Ryan Tannehill, Justin Blackmon/Michael Floyd, Richardson, and Morris Claiborne. In my opinion Richardson is the best and surest bet out of all these possibilities. With a RB as dynamic as Richardson it also takes a lot of pressure off of QB Colt McCoy.

5 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne CB LSU – The Buccaneers have a lot of talent that didn’t perform to expectations last year. If they can rebound and add just a few pieces they could be a surprise team in 2012. Adding Morris Claiborne is exactly what the doctor ordered. With the age of Ronde Barber and the legal troubles of Aqib Talib the Buc’s would be smart to add a CB of Claiborne’s caliber.

6 – St. Louis Rams – Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame – My first surprise of the draft. I have Floyd rated higher than Oklahoma St WR Justin Blackmon. Floyd has better size, equal speed and hands. He is also coming out of a pro-style offense with experience running every route as Blackmon has been in OSU’s air-raid system. Both have mild character concerns, but shouldn’t be anything of too much concern. I was tempted to give the Rams Iowa OT Riley Reiff, but I’m not sure if the Rams are ready to give up on Jason Smith yet or not. They address a big need and give Bradford a true #1 WR.

7 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma St. – The Jaguars are in a tough spot as they have several needs. They could opt to take Iowa OT Riley Reiff here to replace RT Guy Whimper or a top pass-rushing defensive end to pair with Jeremy Mincey. However the talent of Blackmon is just too great to pass up. QB Blaine Gabbert needs all the help he can get as he struggled mightily in his rookie year. Getting him a #1 WR in Blackmon will help in his development.

8 – Miami Dolphins – Riley Reiff OT Iowa – The Dolphins could elect to take QB Ryan Tannehill here as Tannehill’s former Head Coach Mike Sherman is the offensive coordinator in Miami. However I think the Dolphins will roll with Matt Moore or David Garrard in 2012 and try to build the best team around them that they can. If that doesn’t work there are a lot of top QB prospects in the 2013 draft they could select that are just as talented as Tannehill. Or they could grab a 2^nd tier QB in the 2^nd round. I have them going with the 2^nd rated OT in my mock. With Reiff they can replace over-the-hill veteran Marc Colombo. This gives the Dolphins two bookend tackles for the next decade.

9 – Carolina Panthers – Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi St. – The Panthers have several needs. They need to give QB Cam Newton another target, but there isn’t another WR worth taking in this spot. They need a CB to play opposite Chris Gamble, but once again there isn’t a CB worth taking. That narrows it down to Cox, Dontari Poe, Luke Kuechly, or David DeCastro. I am not as high on Poe as some and with John Beason I think they can wait to grab a LB. DeCastro is a solid option, but their OL isn’t as weak as their run defense. Cox has flown under the radar for most of the season, but is steadily climbing draft boards. He can do it all as a DT and that’s exactly what the Panthers need.

10 – Buffalo Bills – Jonathan Martin OT Stanford – This would be a prime spot to trade down with a team looking to take Tannehill, however I am not projecting trades. The Bills need pass-rushers, so they went out and signed one of the best in Mario Williams. They need a WR and CB, but none worth taking at #10. They just lost starting OT Demetrius Bell to the Eagles in Free Agency leaving them with Chris Hairston at LT. While this is probably too high for Martin, he is a talented prospect with a lot of potential and the Bills absolutely HAVE to fill this hole.

Well that is the first 10 selections in my 2012 mock draft. Be sure to check in too see who I have going to the Chiefs as well as the rest of the 1^st round.

-J