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| Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher |
I do this every year, even though pretty much every mock draft ever is terrible and full of failed prognostications. By Friday morning this will be horrible and embarrassing, but right now, everyone thinks he’s a genius, including yours truly.
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Fisher – OT – Central Michigan
There aren’t any skill players worth taking this high, and I think Joeckel is superior to Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher. UPDATE: It appears that the Chiefs will take Fisher, so I’m changing my pick here.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Luke Joeckel – OT – Texas A&M
I thought about putting Ezekiel Ansah here, but the Jaguaras have whiffed on a couple first round defensive ends in recent years, so perhaps they’ll be a little more cautious.
3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd – DT – Florida
The ghost of Al Davis will cause the Raiders to pick Floyd. It seems like the Raiders have always liked gargantuan defensive tackles, and Floyd fits the mold.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Lane Johnson – OT – Oklahoma
For Chip Kelly to get his offense rolling in Philly, I think he needs to strengthen the offensive line. People are going to get frustrated with him quickly if his offense sputters.
5. Detroit Lions: Ezekiel Ansah – DE – Brigham Young University
The sensible thing to do with the three offensive tackles gone would be to go for a cornerback, where the Lions are sorely lacking; they will probably mess it up and spend another high pick on a defensive lineman, kind of like Matt Millen did with the wide receiver position.
6. Cleveland Browns: Dee Milliner – CB – Alabama
Geno Smith is a possibility here, but taking Smith a year after taking Weeden would be a bad idea; I think they have some of the same strengths and come from similar offenses. Go with a physical corner instead.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Geno Smith – QB – West Virginia
This seems to be how things go: teams get an aging quarterback, then bring in a young gun to get tutored. Carson Palmer will feel the heat from Smith.
8. Buffalo Bills: Chance Warmack – OG – Alabama
The best thing to do in Buffalo is to shore up the run game.
9. New York Jets: Dion Jordan – OLB – Oregon
The Jets love to pick “front five” guys for their 3-4 defense.
10. Tennessee Titans: Tavon Austin – WR – West Virginia
Austin could be a nice complement to the run game they have in Tennessee.
11. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Cooper – OG – North Carolina
The Chargers need help on the offensive line, and Cooper would be a decent pickup with the top three tackles off the board.
12. Miami Dolphins: D.J. Fluker – OT – Alabama
Fluker is a big, road-grading right tackle.
13. New York Jets: Tyler Eifert – TE – Notre Dame
Even Rex Ryan isn’t dumb enough to take Cordarrelle Patterson this high and Austin is off the board, so they’ll take a tight end to try to help out Mark Sanchez.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sheldon Richardson – DT – Missouri
I really like Richardson and he would fit as a 3-tech DT.
15. New Orleans Saints: Barkevious Mingo – DE – LSU
The Saints go with the hometown pass rusher.
16. St. Louis Rams: Kenny Vaccaro – S – Texas
The Rams really need a safety, and he looks like the best one in the draft class.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones – OLB – Georgia
Perhaps Jones can be James Harrison’s replacement.
18. Dallas Cowboys: Manti Te’o – LB – Notre Dame
Jerry Jones likes to make a splash, and taking Te’o here would definitely get people talking.
19. New York Giants: Bjoern Werner – DE – Florida State
The Giants have made a pretty nice habit of terrorizing opposing defenses with their versatile defensive line. I don’t see many other guys who would make sense here, either.
20. Chicago Bears: Johnathan Cyprien – S – Florida International
I think an offensive lineman would be a good choice here, but there aren’t any worth taking at #20, in my opinion.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Lacy – RB – Alabama
I have a hard time believing that no running backs will be taken in the first round, so I’ll put Lacy here.
22. St. Louis Rams: DeAndre Hopkins – WR – Clemson
I almost put Cordarrelle Patterson here, but the Rams are a young team, and I think Patterson could get distracted or be distracting.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Sylvester Williams – DT – North Carolina
From Pat Williams to Kevin Williams to Sylvester Williams.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Xavier Rhodes – CB – Florida State
The Colts need a cornerback, and some people think Rhodes is the top corner in the Draft.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson – WR – Tennessee
Patterson might be able to help replace Percy Harvin, who was traded to the Seahawks.
26. Green Bay Packers: Desmond Trufant – CB – Washington
Trufant can help to replace Charles Woodson.
27. Houston Texans: Keenan Allen – WR – California
I’m not sold on Allen, but I think the Texans might like a wide receiver because their passing offense can become a little Andre Johnson-centric.
28. Denver Broncos: Eric Reid – S – LSU
Safety isn’t a huge need for the Broncos, but Reid is a talented kid who’s one of the best available this late in the first round.
29. New England Patriots: D.J. Hayden – CB – Houston
The Patriots need a wide receiver, but there aren’t many great options here – Justin Hunter is a little bit soft, Terrance Williams is just okay, etc. They might as well try to shore up the pass defense.
30. Atlanta Falcons: Star Lotulelei – DT – Utah
I have a difficult time believing Lotulelei will fall this far, but he’s more of a 4-3 defensive tackle, in my opinion, and there are a few teams who don’t need him just ahead of the Falcons. Maybe somebody will make a trade.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Matt Elam – S – Florida
Elam could help replace Dashon Goldson.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Alec Ogletree – LB – Georgia
Ogletree might drop a little bit due to some character issues, and Baltimore has lost quite a bit from its linebacker corps in recent years. He could play the weakside inside linebacker position for the Ravens and help mitigate the loss of Ray Lewis.
Discuss.
