Mock Draft picks 11-20

Welcome to part two of my mock draft. Today I am going to cover picks 11 through 20. Just a reminder there are no trades in my mock as they are too hard to predict. Well let’s get it too it!

11 – Kansas City Chiefs – David DeCastro OG Stanford – The Chiefs have done a great job this offseason filling holes and improving their football team. If the Chiefs like Tannehill he could be the pick here, but I am not a Tannehill fan. I think he is too big of a risk and in the 1^st you have to take a player you know will be able to contribute. Another possibility is Dontari Poe the NT from Memphis. However I am not a fan of his either. He has all the measurable you want, but this game isn’t won and lost by how athletic you are. He had almost zero production at Memphis against weak competition, totaling 33 tackles and 1 sack. That sack came against Austin Peay, so I am not sure it even counts. Ideally the Chiefs are able to trade back and grab Dont’a Hightower. I was really tempted to take him here as I really think he is the perfect fit for what we need and seems like a Pioli pick. However I just couldn’t have him being selected this early. Instead I went with David DeCastro. He is a plug and play type of player that will solidify our OL for the next decade. He is an all-pro waiting to happen and has been compared to Steve Hutchinson. Our  running game just got so much scarier.

12 – Seattle Seahawks – Luke Kuechly ILB Boston College – For a 7-9 team the Seahawks have a lot of holes: DT, LB, OG, DE, etc. It is rumored they want to trade back so they can take Hightower at a more reasonable location. In this mock the best LB falls to them in Luke Kuechly and they couldn’t be happier. Kuechly has everything you look for in a LB. I would have had him going one pick earlier to the Chiefs, but I have doubts about him playing the thumper role in a 3-4 defense. Their defense just took a huge step in the right direction with this addition.

13 – Arizona Cardinals – Melvin Ingram DE/OLB South Carolina – The Cardinals need an OT, but even Jonathan Martin is gone in this mock. They need a WR to take coverage off of Larry Fitzgerald, but both Floyd and Blackmon are already both gone. They also need an ILB, but it is still too early for Hightower and he isn’t a great fit in their defense. They turn their attention towards their pass rush. With the addition of Melvin Ingram they now have an OLB to pair along with last year’s rookie Sam Acho.

14 – Dallas Cowboys – Dre Kirkpatrick CB Alabama – The Cowboys have needs all over their defensive backfield. Even though the Cowboys went out and signed FA CB Brandon Carr to a $50 million deal Terrance Newman played awful in the second half of last season and depth is an issue. They also need safety help so Mark Barron could be the other Bama player they look at, however Kirkpatrick has the ability and size to play corner or safety depending on how they view him.

15 – Philadelphia Eagles – Mark Barron SS Alabama – The Eagles really struggled last season on all three levels of their defense. They traded for DeMeco Ryans so that really helps that LB corp. They could add another LB later in the draft, but Ryans allows them time to wait to address this need. It comes down to Mark Barron or Dontari Poe and in my mind this is a no brainer. Barron comes from the top defensive team in the nation last year while Poe played poorly. This is also a deep DT class and an incredibly weak safety class. Mark Barron is the pick and the Eagles take another step in the right direction.

16 – New York Jets – Whitney Mercilus OLB Illinois – The Jets needs WR’s and an OT, however there aren’t really any of those worth taking. The Jets can add to that defense and gather more pass rush, which they really need. It comes down to Mercilus or Courtney Upshaw. I question Upshaw’s ability to play in a 3-4 defense as he seems really stiff. Mercilus is much more athletic and can make the transition to an OLB.

17 – Cincinnati Bengals – Peter Konz OC Wisconsin – The Bengals need to address their OL especially the interior. It comes down to Konz or Cordy Glenn. With Konz not only being the best center in the draft he could also play guard if need be. Even with the addition of Konz this won’t be the only pick directed towards the OL.  

18 – San Diego Chargers – Cordy Glenn OG/OT Georgia – The Chargers offensive line really needs an overhaul. With McNeill leaving via free agency and Kris Dielman having to retire due to concussions the Chargers are going to have at least two new starters along the OL. Enter Cordy Glenn who can fill Dielman’s hole at OG or can bounce outside and play OT.

19 – Chicago Bears – Quinton Coples DE/DT UNC – Coples fall ends here. While DL isn’t a huge need for the Bears Coples just has too much talent to pass up. I, like many others, question his motor and his drive. You think Brian Urlacher will continue to allow that? Not a chance and the Bears get the steal of the draft.

20 – Tennessee Titans – Courtney Upshaw DE/OLB Alabama – The Titans really need an interior lineman, center or guard. Unfortunately for them there are not any remotely close to being worth this spot, however this is a deep class of guards and one can be found easily in the next couple of rounds. The Titans can’t believe that Upshaw falls this far. He will be an immediate upgrade as a pass rusher and fills a hole in the Titan lineup.

Well that concludes the second portion of my mock. Coming soon will be the 3^rd and final part so be sure to come back to finish this thing up!

-J