17. The Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) select:
Stephon Gilmore | CB | South Carolina
The Bengals have considerable needs at Guard, Defensive Back, and Runningback. Whichever of those needs hosts the best player on the board should be the position they select. However, because they have multiple first round selections, the Bengals can afford to select players with superior skill over players that fill needs if they so choose.
While the Bengals would like to add a play-maker on Offense, the need for Corner remains. The Bengals have a few starters on the team already, but there is no long-term solution. Stephon Gilmore is a little over-rated, but he’s the most clean Corner prospect in this draft. If ‘Dre Kirkpatrick is taken at 14, I don’t think the Bengals will wait to take Gilmore if they want him..
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18. The San Diego Chargers (8-8) select:
Michael Brockers | DL | LSU
The San Diego Chargers have needs at Offensive Tackle, Guard, Rush Linebacker, Cornerback, and Safety. With Marcus McNeill’s recent departure from the team, there is a clear need on the Offensive Line. It’ll be interesting to see if the Chargers address that need in the first round.
Even though the Chargers resigned Luis Castillo to a one year deal, I don’t think that rules out a long-term upgrade at Defensive End. Michael Brockers has great upside and is already dominant against the run. A long-term answer to pair with Corey Liuget would be ideal.
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19. The Chicago Bears (8-8) select:
Whitney Mercilus | DE | Illinois
The Chicago Bears have huge holes, and the majority of them come on offense. Although there is a need on their Offensive Line, there is considerably more talent in that group than either the Wide Receivers or the Tight Ends.
The Bears still have a need at Defensive End. Julius Peppers is Hall of Fame material, but they need someone opposite him. Whitney Mercilus is a little raw, but he makes plays in space and is the type of player that would fit in with Lovie Smith.
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20. The Tennessee Titans (9-7) select:
Kendall Wright | WR | Baylor
The Tennessee Titans have really attacked their needs in Free Agency. Potentially, the Titans could take a Wide Receiver, Center, or a Cornerback in the first round. The Titans have done a good job filling their needs.
The Titans have a bunch of players that can contribute to the middle of their defense next year, so Defensive Tackle isn’t a particularly big need. The same could be said with the Wide Receiver position. Kendall Wright could be a play maker on defense for the Titans during the Jake Locker era.
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21. The Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) select:
Cordy Glenn | G | Georgia
The Bengals have considerable needs at Guard, Defensive Back, and Runningback. Whichever of those needs hosts the best player on the board should be the position they select. As I said before, they can afford to stray from their positions of need if they so choose.
The Bengals signed Travelle Wharton, but the need for a starting Guard persists. Cordy Glenn is a prospect I really like, apparently more than most people do. Glenn projects to be a dominant starting caliber Guard, but could flex to tackle at some point if the Bengals need him to.
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22. The Cleveland Browns (From ATL – 10-6) select:
Brandon Weeden | QB | Oklahoma State
The Cleveland Browns have significant needs all over, so there isn’t much of a point in me listing them. The Browns need to take the best players on the board at a position of need. One important question that will need to be answered is: How much does Cleveland like Brandon Weeden?
There are apparently sources around the league that are saying that you should put Brandon Weeden at this spot and lock him in. I’ll buy that. Regardless of who the Browns take at four, there is a big time need for a Quarterback. Keeping the Oklahoma State connection is just gravy.
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23. The Detroit Lions (10-6) select:
Jonathan Martin | OT | Stanford
The Detroit Lions don’t have any huge needs, but several positions need to be addressed. Both Offensive Tackle positions and Running Back are the biggest needs on the Offensive side of the ball. On the Defensive side of the ball, it looks like either Cliff Avril or Stephon Tulloch will be leaving. If either leave, than their position will need to be filled. In the Secondary, they could certainly use to add talent regardless of who they retain.
The Lions need help in their Secondary, but there isn’t a real reason for them to reach for anyone here. Jonathan Martin is a finnesse Offensive Tackle that leaves a lot to be desired in the Running Game. With Detroit’s spread-pass offense, he’s a fantastic fit.
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24. The Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) select:
Dont’a Hightower | LB | Alabama
The Steelers were burned in the playoffs because of their weak secondary. For years, the Steeler’s dominating play within the box, combined with Troy Polamalu’s incredible range, allowed the Steelers to coast with sub par corners. Polamalu has lost a step, and the Steelers need to make a long-term investment in their Secondary.
When the Steelers cut long-time Inside Linebacker James Farrior, many assumed that they would take Dont’a Hightower at this point. I’m tired of making a different pick. I don’t like Hightower and I think this would be drastically over-drafting him, but this pick is likely.
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25. The Denver Broncos (8-8) select:
Peter Konz | C | Wisconsin
I had assumed that Peyton Manning was going to be a Bronco. They had made the unmatchable offer of assuring Peyton Manning, through John Elway, that he would be treated well, with a commitment to him long term. Although I folded and, for a while, assume Manning a Titan, it’s been announced that my initial thought was correct; Manning is a Bronco.
The Broncos need help at Defensive Tackle, and that is where everyone expects them to focus in the first round. With Jeff Saturday choosing to go to Green Bay instead of Denver, there remains a massive need at Center. JD Walton was one of the league’s worst lineman last year – and Peter Konz is an immediate improvement at a position that’s important for Peyton Manning.
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26. The Houston Texans (10-6) select:
Stephen Hill | WR | Georgia Tech
The Houston Texans have three options in Round 1. Either they can choose to take the best Wide Receiver on the board to pair with Andre Johnson, they can take the best Defensive Lineman to continue to bolster their evolving defense, or they can trade the selection.
The Texans have players that could take over for their lost starters at Right Tackle, Inside Linebacker, Wide Receiver, and Tight End. There are players on the board they could take at any one of those positions, but Stephen Hill is the highest rated and carries the most upside.
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27. The New England Patriots (13-3) select:
Shea McClellin | DE/LB | Boise State
The Patriots have huge needs on their Defensive Line. Neither Shaun Ellis or Kyle Love played particularly well last season. Mark Anderson and Andre Carter played well, but Anderson is a Free Agent and Carter suffered a gruesome injury that ended his season, and perhaps his career as well.
Shea McClellin is making a tremendous rise up boards. CBS Sports is saying that multiple teams are planning to select Shea in the First Round, one of those teams being New England. Shea’s relentless motor and his ability to drop into coverage makes him very unique in this draft class. The Patriots could use him as either a Defensive End or a Outside Linebacker; perhaps some of both.
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28. The Green Bay Packers (15-1) select:
Dontari Poe | DL | Memphis
The Green Bay Packers have three considerable needs, and they’re all on their defense. They need to get help up front to replace the hole that Cullen Jenkins left behind over a year ago, they need to improve their pass-rushing ability on the outside, and they need to get help at Corner for a struggling Tramon Williams and an aging Charles Woodson.
After the Packers signed Jeff Saturday, they opened up their draft board just a little bit. The Packers signed Anthony Hargrove to add depth to their Defensive Line, so there is no position in need of an immediate starter. Dontari Poe is likely the best player on the Packer’s board at this point.
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29. The Baltimore Ravens (12-4) select:
Courtney Upshaw | 3-4OLB | Alabama
The Baltimore Ravens have a need at Inside Linebacker, and one would think they could fill that need in the first round. However, there are pretty good reasons why neither Dont’a Hightower or Vontaze Burfict will be taken in the first round.
Courtney Upshaw played Outside Linebacker for Nick Saban at Alabama and could be the Raven’s replacement for Jarret Johnson on the outside if the Raven’s don’t buy into Paul Kruger. The Ravens could go a variety of different ways, but Upshaw appears to be the most likely.
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30. The San Fransisco 49ers (13-3) select:
Amini Silatolu | G | Midwestern State
The San Francisco 49ers don’t have many needs, but one that is unarguable is Right Guard. Chilo Rachal and Adam Snyder split time at the position last year, and neither one did a very good job.
Amini Silatolu doesn’t represent value here, but he’s soaring up boards and he’s the only player that would start immediately for the 49ers. He is physically imposing on the inside and could help open throwing lanes for Alex Smith as well as running lanes for Frank Gore.
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31. The New England Patriots (13-3) select:
Harrison Smith | S | Notre Dame
Patrick Chung is a fantastic player that really shines in every facet of the game. For my money, he’s one of the three best Safetys under 25 (Along eith Earl Thomas and Eric Berry) all of whom are trending toward Polamalu/Reed/Taylor territory. However, James Ihedigbo is not close to that level. He’s just not very good.
I love Harrison Smith. He’s not getting a ton of positive publicity, but I think coaches and GMs are really seeing Harrison as a first round Safety. He’s one of the best Cover Safeties in the draft to go along with solid play in the box.
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32. The New York Giants (9-7) select:
Mike Adams | OT | Ohio State
In the Superbowl, the New York Giants lost both Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum for the entire 2012-2013 season with career-threatening knee injuries. Before the game, Inside Linebacker was the team’s biggest need, but Tight End has to be now; but the Draft is very limited in terms of Tight Ends.
I really want to mock Coby Fleener here, but the Giants don’t value the Tight End position enough to take him here. Because of that, I mocked them the best player on the board at a position they do value: Offensive Tackle. Mike Adams has the chance to be an elite-level Left Tackle, but he doesn’t have the effort to go with it.
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“I don’t think Cornerback is a particularly big need for the Lions. I think they’re comfortable with Chris Houston, but they won’t pass up Kirkpatrick here. He’s a 6’2 press-corner that exhibits the same lack-of-ball skills the Corners in Detroit are known for.”
Looks like Kirkpatrick is a genuine second or third rounder, based on your assessment. Yet, you have the Lions blowing a #1 on him?
Think Hightower or Barron. They’re better and fill needs.
I think ‘Dre is a first rounder. He’s 6’2, is great in press-man, and can really limit separation. He doesn’t have ball skills, but he should be able to grab a couple of Interceptions a year. Nnamdi Asomugha doesn’t really have ball skills, but because he can cover so well and swat, he doesn’t need them.
I’ll agree Barron is better but he’s the same type of in the box safety Spievey and Delmas are. If you want a cover-Safety, look at Harrison Smith.
Hightower is more of a second-rounder by talent, but exhibits intangibles that will push him into the second-half of round 1.
After the combine, and assuming the Lions do go CB, Stephen Gilmore and Josh Robinson will be the likely Lions pick, especially after resigning Tulloch (who I’m no great fan of). OL is another option (I like Martin here) and the wild card, if still available is Mercelus.
And props to you on Doug Martin going so high. I think you’re right on his value and versatility.
WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP MOCKING TANNEHILL TO THE BROWNS!!!!!!!!!! lol but seriously Mike Holmgren nor Tom Heckert have ever drafted a QB in the 1st round and Tannehill isn’t the type of talent that will make a front office suddenly change its philosophy.
Tannehill is going to go in the first round somewhere and right now nowhere makes as much sense as Cleveland at 22. Sorry that bugs you, but I should have a better understanding of where he’s going to go in a couple of weeks. He fits the system perfectly.
You have the Browns giving up 4, 33 (not their pick so I assume you meant 22) and next years second round pick to move up TWO spots? You must either dislike the Browns or are bias to the Rams. That is ridiculous and would be so out of character for Heckert. I think and pray you are wrong. Remember if, and I don’t think they will, the Browns trade up they don’t have to match or beat an offer from Washington. The Rams only drop two spots and would be guaranteed an elite pick of need at 4. At least try and be realistic when doing this. I think they MIGHT take RG3 if he is there at 4 but I am more apt to believe they would try to trade down with Washington or Miami to tell you the truth. They could get Richardson or Blackmon or could surprise at 6 with Wright. He is really what they need to match with Little at WR. A RB and WR in round one and then a ROT and RDE in the second with their pick at 37 and using the pick acquired from Washington and and maybe one of their later picks to move back into the second.
Up until yesterday I was on board with that train of thought. I figured the Browns were positioning themselves to secure all of their skill position needs this year and maybe look at a QB next year. However, when they resigned Peyton Hillis, it kind of tipped me off what they’re doing.
Whether you like it or not, all signs point to the Browns positioning themselves to move up for RG3.
If it makes the blow any less hard, I think RG3 has a much higher ceiling than Andrew Luck.
And so you know, that’s what the #2 pick is worth according to the NFL Draft chart.
The chart on Walter’s indicates a difference of 800 points from #2 and @4. The #22 pick is valued at 780 points. Almost a perfect fit. So a second round pick in 2013 is kind of outrageous. They don’t always go by the chart anyway and I don’t think the Rams want to go any lower than 4 so they would be apt to take less than chart value from the Browns. I’m telling you it’s just not like Heckert to give away picks. He would be more likely to swap our pick at 22 for their second rounder and throw in a late rounder to make it work. He will not give picks up.
I’m betting a little high because of the need to outbid the Redskins who will certainly put in an offer in over the ‘actual’ value.
For whatever reason I’m glad the Browns didn’t pay as much as the Sins did to move up. They didn’t sign Hillis either. Not sure where you got that from. Listen to me. If you want a chance for your mock to have the correct guesses when it comes to the Browns do not draft a QB in the first two rounds. They won’t. They have to get a ROT. They let Pashos and Steinbach go so Either they move Pinkston to RT and open a hole at LG or draft a starting caliber RT. No sense in having new people at two spots by moving Pinkston so they HAVE to draft a RT. WR is another obvious need and although you can get RB’s later I love Richardson and think he could not only be a probowler but a Hall of Famer. I think they might trade down from #4 if they think they can get him anyway. Then if it was me at #22 either Floyd or Wright if not there then best OT and at 37 Best OT or if they got one at 22 then best WR.
Thanks for the input!
I’ll buy Martin if there at 23, but I won’t buy the Lions taking Adams or Glenn.
I think Martin is a better fit for the Lions.
Kyle Love was horrible??? Did you watch him play at all or are just saying that because you’ve never heard of the guy. He came out of nowhere and had an incredible year. He allowed Vince Wilfork to move all around the Dline and take advantage of mismatches instead of just playing on the inside all year long.
Why make a comment like this and then say they’re going to draft a Pass Rushing DE, who is too small to play inside, especially when BB hasn’t drafted this type of player in the first round ever with the Pats.
I think a more likely pick would be a flex lineman such as Mercilus from Illinois who is more in the Richard Seymour mold.
I’ll agree horrible was a stretch, but I don’t think Love was necessarily “good” or “productive.” I did watch him play and I don’t see why anyone would say he was what allowed Vince Wilfork to have such success. If anything, Wilfork’s incredible ability helped Love to look as well as he did.
Vinny Curry is as big as Whitney Mercilus and is a much better pass rusher.
Mercilus is really raw and therefore doesn’t seem like a typical Belicheck pick. Comparing him to Richard Seymour is inaccurate in my opinion.
About as bad a draft as I’ve seen for the Steelers, which surprises me because last time I looked here it wasn’t that bad. We have three immediate needs, for starter quality players. NT, ILB, and O-Line. You give us none of those. And don’t get me started on Still. He’s not a Steeler nose guard. Poe is a Steeler nose guard.
Pitt Panther fan eh?
with the Giants 1st round selection, you made an error in your article
“In the Superbowl, the New York Giants lost both Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum for the entire 2013 season with career-threatening knee injuries.” I think you meant that ballard and beckum would be lost for the entire 2012 season and not 2013. That would mean that both will be out for the next two seasons.
Thanks.
Harbaugh would have a tough decision to make if Hill’s still on the board at #30…it could well be between Hill and Coby Fleener. Coach recruited and coached CF at Stanford…knows his capabilities and is arguably more of a sure thing in his mind. He’s also like a fast WR who can make plays downfield. I’d say it’s 50/50 on that pick. Agree Coach will want a CB, but it’s not as huge of a need as many think. Rogers will test the FA waters if he doesn’t come down from his “fair market value” mantra, which means @ $10M a season. Niners won’t sign him for anything close to that…in part because they have his replacement-in-waiting in Chris Culliver. If Rogers goes elsewhere, CC will take his spot and they’ll still draft a CB, but probably not in 2nd rd. Schwartz pick baffles me…they’re not going to replace RT Davis, but do need to upgrade RG, so that would be my thinking.
Schwartz is too good to pass up. He doesn’t have experience at guard (That I know of.) but that transition shouldn’t be too tough.
I like your second round pick for the Lions, but your first round pick is a major reach. Gilmore has a very tough senior camp and an average combine and in most experts opinion has fallen to the late second round. He lacks top end speed. If the draft falls the way you say it will look for the Lions to draft Adams or Kontz in the first round and a DB in the second round or if they don’t resign Tulloch look for them to take the best MLB or OLB in the second round. Then the Best DB or OC (ift hey don’t take Kontz in the third round. The Lions like there young DB’s and I don’t believe they think they need one in the draft, maybe a veteran in FA.
I’ll just disagree.
Konz isn’t worth a first round pick and doesn’t fit the system.
Adams may be worth a first round pick, but has major issues.
I’ve scouted Stephon Gilmore, and his stock, and he’ll go somewhere at the end of the first round.
Ok. How in the world are the bengals going to pick up Cordy Glenn at 17 and 21. Someone please help this draft.
I’m so sorry about that. Obviously the second pick was Mark Barron, as was written in the description.
finally….a mock drafter who understands the giants drafting philosophy. no way do the giants waste that pick on fleener or allen. it’ll be either d-lineman, d-back, or MAYBE a wr.
Neither Shaun Ellis or Kyle Love played particularly well last season.
While that is true about Ellis. Kyle Love was playing pretty well at the end of the season.
A lot of Patriots fans keep saying that, but I just didn’t see it. I don’t have them taking a Defensive Tackle, so obviously he’d get the chance to prove me wrong.
Yeah-the Steelers need another WR. Why not have them draft Alshon Jeffry so he can fatten up and block for Roethlisberger.
Ian… your mock has the Packers ignoring what the desperately need, pass rush help! Thompson ignored it last year too and paid the price with one of the nfl’s worst defenses. A CB is worthless if they can’t get pressure and the Pack already has three young CBs plus Woodson. Crick proved he can’t get to the QB w/o a stud next to him that the opposition has to triple team. They can get a decent center in the 2nd – 4th round. Their 1st pick has to be an edge rusher and the second pick (if not Jones) has to be a DE who can put pressure on the QB.
If Crick proved he can’t get to the QB without a stud next to him, isn’t he a fit? Raji is a stud, right? I figure they’ll take a Pass Rushing specialist in the 4th round. Don’t worry…
Ian like your draft, but I don’t see Martin falling to the Lions it would be great, but just don’t see it. The Lions are very high on Kontz, Josh Robinson and Jenkins, but they just can’t get past his off the field issues. The Lions are close to resigning Avril to a long term deal, so DE is out of the Question and they look at Mercilus as a one year wonder. The vibe is that the front office is getting alittle tired of both Raiola and Cherlius, but Cherlius is young and they think they might be able to move him inside for Petermen. The Kid out of Boise really had a bad pro day and they are not high on OLB/DE, Avril was different because everybody has him as a DE and played DE for four years at Purdue. Both RB’s are cleared for OTA’s so I think fifth round on a Vic Ballard might be just about right. If Martin is there they will take him of course and move Cherlius inside and cut Petermen. If Kontz falls out of the first round, which I doubt they will be aggressive to try and trade up for him, if not they like both Brewster and the kid from Baylor in the third or fourth round. They will try to take Josh Robinson if they can get him without reaching, maybe be aggressive in the second round to get him , but they are not at all interested in Kirkpatrick or Dennard no ball skills and they think Kirkpatrick did not come clean in his interview. Not a real big fan of Detroit’s off season as it refers to there biggest problem the OL. They resigned there players, but made no real gains in the area’s they had holes in.
I think that Pats coach Bill Belichek has a man love for Couples and will try to trade up in round one to get him. It seem that he gets this way every year about one player. Needs a lot of d help and couples could provide a outside pass rush they need badly. PAts defense has cost them at least 2 superbowls. Brady window closing fast not many more for him.Time to trade up and get that stud you need and stop drafting for quantity not quality
I think someone is going to try to move up for Coples, but I think it’s probably the Jets or the Packers.
Sorry, but however difficult it is for you to believe, Rashad Butler does have the RT position wrapped up for the Texans. Besides, Mike Adams is a power blocker, not a zone blocker, and he has a questionable at best work ethic. The Texans tend to steer clear of players like that. It wouldn’t surprise me if they do take an OT at some point, just not in the first, as it would simply be for depth.
Rashad Butler can’t have the spot locked up, or he would have been playing. If that is truly how someone is choosing to run a million-dollar business, they deserve to be retracted. He may have the inside edge, but if your back-up has the spot “locked-up” with no competition, something is very, very wrong.
Okay, fair enough, but that still doesn’t explain why you mocked Mike Adams to the Texans when he doesn’t fit their blocking system.
Teams don’t always draft based on their scheme, as oddly as that sounds.
Well, ok, then they wouldn’t draft Adams b/c of a supposed lousy work ethic.
Don’t know if the Pack takes Brockers who doesn’t rush the passer very well when Perry-Reyes-Mercilus-Irvin-Brown are available. They need pass rush help and a slow, light weight like Jones in the second or Brockers in the first won’t help them at all.
So you’d take Irvin but pass on the more sturdy Jones? Crazy talk. Irvin is a 4th round LB that will play one down.
Of the names you mentioned, I really only think Kendall Reyes is a better fit.
Love this mock from a Texans fan’s point of view. How about doing all seven rounds? Know you have a life, but if this is the first three rounds, would love to see the rest of it. Great job!
Hoping to go 5 rounds in about a week.
Will be up to 7 the day before the draft.