65. The Indianapolis Colts (2-14) select:
Josh Chapman | NT | Alabama
The Colts number one hole on defense is at Nose Tackle. Josh Chapman is the best Nose Tackle prospect in this class, and he’s well worth a selection here.
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66. The St. Louis Rams (2-14) select:
AJ Jenkins | WR | Illinois
AJ Jenkins isn’t an ideal #1 WR, but he’ll compete for the job. He’s one of players on the board with a standing second round grand.
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67. The Minnesota Vikings (3-13) select:
Trumaine Johnson | CB | Montana
The Vikings mediocre Secondary needs to be improved.
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68. The Cleveland Browns (4-12) select:
Mitchell Schwartz | OT | California
Mitchell Schwartz is a little over-rated at this point of the draft process, but if he’s taken here, it’s a solid pick. Schwartz could start from day one at Right Tackle.
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69. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) select:
Jayron Hosley | CB | Virginia Tech
The Buccaneers need some help at Corner if Aqib Talib’s legal problems continue to persist. Jayron Hosley shows above average cover skills, even in this deep class, but his tackling ability leaves a lot to be desired.
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70. The Washington Redskins (5-11) select:
Bobby Wagner | LB | Utah State
The Redskins need help at Inside Linebacker. Veteran London Fletcher hasn’t resigned yet, and even if he does, a long-term option has to be found.
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71. The Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) select:
Marvin McNutt | WR | Iowa
The Jaguars would love to add Marvin McNutt. McNutt has the frame of a #1 and the work-ethic and morality that Gene Smith looks for in his draft picks.
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72. The Buffalo Bills (6-10) select:
Kirk Cousins | QB | Michigan State
The Buffalo Bills can’t be satisfied with their group of Quarterbacks moving forward. Cousins is a great leader and should be a solid back-up for Ryan Fitzpatrick.
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73. The Chicago Bears (From CAR – 6-10) select:
Nick Toon | WR | Wisconsin
The Dolphins badly need to add weapons to their new offense. Nick Toon isn’t the dynamic playmaker they want, but he’ll be productive early on.
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74. The Miami Dolphins (6-10) select:
Brandon Taylor | S | LSU
The Dolphins cut ties with Jeremiah Bell at Strong Safety, so there is a need there. Brandon Taylor isn’t a great prospect, but he could start right away if the Dolphins need him to.
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75. The Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) select:
Alameda Ta’amu | NT | Washington
The Chiefs need a new Nose Tackle; Kelly Gregg was past his prime five years ago. Ta’amu is a solid Nose Tackle prospect, but needs time to get used to a new role.
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76. The Seattle Seahawks (7-9) select:
Kelechi Osemele | G/OT | Iowa State
The Seahawks need one more starting lineman. Osemele is more suited to play on the inside, but the Seahawks would have the option to play him at Right Tackle and slide James Carpenter to the inside instead.
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77. The Houston Texans (10-6) select:
James Brown | G/OT | Troy
The Texans don’t have a starter ready at Right Guard and their roster is thin at Tackle as well. James Brown can play either position.
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78. The New York Jets (8-8) select:
Bernard Pierce | RB | Temple
The Jets let Shonn Greene attempt to carry the load last year, but he was somewhat disappointing. Bernard Pierce has the frame and measureables to help out a struggling group.
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79. The Oakland Raiders (8-8) select:
Used on Terrelle Pryor in the 2011 Supplemental Draft.
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80. The San Diego Chargers (8-8) select:
Markelle Martin | S | Oklahoma State
The Chargers aren’t particularly strong at Safety. Adding Markelle Martin to play with Eric Weddle would be a good situation in San Diego.
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81. The Chicago Bears (8-8) select:
Brandon Washington | G | Miami (FL)
The Bears’ Offensive Line is really weak. Brandon Washington is a good fit at Guard, but could potentially play Right Tackle as well.
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82. The Arizona Cardinals (8-8) select:
Joe Adams | WR | Arkansas
The Cardinals need a secondary option for Larry Fitzgerald. Adams is a dynamic play-maker with the ball in his hands.
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83. The Dallas Cowboys (8-8) select:
Mike Martin | DL | Michigan
The Cowboys are thin on their Defensive Line. Mike Martin could play any position on the D-Line for the Cowboy’s unique 3-4 scheme.
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84. The Tennessee Titans (9-7) select:
Brandon Boykin | CB | Georgia
The Titans have two young, solid options at Corner. Brandon Boykin is probably a better fit at Nickel, but he offers security and value here.
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85. The Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) select:
Marvin Jones | WR | California | 74
The Bengals don’t have a #2 Wide Receiver. Marvin Jones isn’t anything special, but he’ll fill that need.
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86. The Atlanta Falcons (10-6) select:
Orson Charles | TE | Georgia
Orson Charles’ stock has been falling, but I think it would be hard for Atlanta to let him slip by here. His off the field issues will be something the Falcons, more than the other teams, are familiar with because of their proximity.
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87. The Detroit Lions (10-6) select:
LaMichael James | RB/PR | Oregon
The Lions don’t have a particularly big need at Running Back, but the position is far from sured up. LaMichael James will get some time at Running Back, but his value comes from his ability to return punts; a spot the Lions are publically looking to improve.
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88. The Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) select:
Chase Minnifield | CB | Virginia
The Steelers don’t have anything at Corner outside of Ike Taylor, who is on the downslope of his career. Minnifield is a big, physical Corner that’s not quite as quick as the Steelers would like.
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89. The Denver Broncos (8-8) select:
Derek Wolfe | DT | Cincinnati
The Broncos need help at Defensive Tackle. Derek Wolfe is great value at this point of the draft.
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90. The Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) select:
Sean Spence | LB | Miami (FL)
The Eagles need a new Sam Linebacker. Sean Spence is more of a Will Linebacker, but the Eagles aren’t particularly strong their, either.
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91. The New Orleans Saints (13-3) select:
Mohamed Sanu | WR | Rutgers
The Saints need a Receiver to replace the snaps Robert Meachum got last season. Sanu showed good timed speed at his pro day, but is really more of a possession receiver.
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92. The Green Bay Packers (15-1) select:
Bruce Irvin | PRS | West Virginia
The Packers need a third down Pass Rusher. Bruce Irvin won’t be able to produce if he’s forced to take snaps on earlier downs, but should produce a few sacks as a Pass Rush Specialist.
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93. The Baltimore Ravens (12-4) select:
Joe Looney | G | Wake Forrest
The Ravens need help at Guard as well as Offensive Tackle. Joe Looney performed really well when he was healthy last season, but struggled immensely when he wasn’t.
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94. The San Fransisco 49ers (13-3) select:
Ryan Broyles | WR | Oklahoma
The 49ers signed Randy Moss, but he’s a very short-term option for Jim Harbaugh. Ryan Broyles is a risky prospect with his knee being questionable moving forward, but when healthy, he attacked the ball unlike any Receiver in this class.
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95. The New England Patriots (13-3) select:
Ben Jones | C | Georgia
The Patriots resigned Dan Connolly to play Center for them moving forward, but depth is a question.
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96. The New York Giants (9-7) select:
Tyrone Crawford | DE | Boise State
The Giants are losing Dave Tollefson, and Tyrone Crawford seems like a natural replacement.
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97. The Oakland Raiders (Supplemental) select:
Josh Norman | CB | Coastal Carolina
The Raiders are really weak at Corner. Josh Norman is raw and is unproven against top level competition, but he has a really high ceiling and is the best player on the board.
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It isn’t a lock that the Packers will franchise Finley and his questionable hands. They drafted 2 TEs last year and they really like Crabtree also. They will NOT draft a center in the 1st round. They have Dietrich-Smith to step right in if Wells leaves, and they can find a center in rounds 4-7 if needed. They WILL take a pass rushing OLB (Brown-Mercilius-Curry-Branch)in the 1st round. Te’amu is a slug and the Packers have 5 DL just like him, so they won’t even consider him especially as early as the second round. Look for a CB, DE who can rush the passer, or OT in the second round.
A slug? He’s a 320 pound penetrator that can play the Five-Technique very similarly to Cullen Jenkins…
You now have the Pack taking Worthy in the 1st round. Why? You say he isn’t much of anything but a run stopper and the Packers already have Pickett, Green, Guy, and Raji,that are the same type player. Their biggest need is a couple of pass rushers, not a space taking NT.
Worthy is not a Nose Tackle. There biggest need is someone who can penetrate the B gap.
So you mean to tell me the bears are not taking a wr until the second 3rd rd pick? Unless we sign vincent jackson or Colston not realistic. WR is a huge need for the bears.
I had that same discussion with myself. I just never came across a situation where I thought it made sense.
makes more sense if browns take ot in rd 2 and hilton wr in rd 3.jeffieries is big and not as fast as little, browns need speed hylton can fly
I don’t particularly like Jeffery but someone is going to take him really high.
Love the first two rounds for Colts. Got plenty of d-line with Poe, so i would rather have Osemele, Dwight Jones or Brewster.
Thanks for the comment.
Brewster, for me, would still be a little high. He’s not ready for the NFL game. The other two make sense.
The Packers biggest need is NOT a B gapper. As I stated before they have 4 guys that can do that easily as well as Worthy. They need OUTSIDE pass rush help. Worthy only had 3 sacks against weaker Big Ten competition. His best attribute is as a run stopper. With all the outside rush help available Worthy would be a wasted pick. TT can’t afford to do that for the second year in a row.
His ability to control blockers will help your pass rush. Your team lost Cullen Jenkins and the effect was SEEN on the outside, but was CAUSED on the inside.
The Giants will not draft a TE in 1st round! They will draft BPA in every round. Going off your mock, Hightower in 1st, Branch in 2nd, and any OL (probably) Datko in 3rd.
You’re higher on all of those prospects than I am. Tight End makes a lot of sense…
I get Jeffery and maybe Dennard (although I’m not as high on him as many are), but the OT in rd 3? Unless Schwartz can play OG, they’re more likely to take an OG like Nix, Washington, or Ryan Miller. Harbaugh isn’t ready to give up on RT Anthony Davis, who showed improvement in 2011. He’s only 22, so still has plenty of time to develop into a good RT.
Schwartz is just all around impressive. Not a pretty prospect but he’s got a great work ethic and he’s really tough. The move to guard might not be smooth but he could do it if he’s asked to. Otherwise, it’s not completely out of the question for Harbaugh to take him to compete with Davis.
The beauty of having the best GM in the NFL is waiting to see what players are available for Reese to incorporate into the team. A TE is not a position the Giants covet in 1st round. See Shockey for reference. DE’s Mercilus and Branch, LB’s Hightower, Brown, and Burfict, and even CB Dennard are all better value picks then any TE in 1st round. All that said, there is enough half wit GM’s to take QB’s, RB’s, and TE’s way too early. Only 2 QBs, 1 RB and zero TEs should be drafted in 1st round this year. We will see how many more are drafted and see what player falls into Reese’s lap.
Based purely on talent, I think 2 QBs, 2RBs, and 1TE are solid first rounders.
I disagree that Jerry Reece is the best GM.
I absolutely don’t agree that any of the six players you mentioned are more talented than Orson Charles. Mercilus and Branch are both very over rated. Brown is coasting on athleticism, Burfict is out of shape and Hightower just isn’t athletic enough to be taken in round 1 IMO.
You are probably right on Reese, two super bowls in four years was a fluke. The Giant draft philosophy of getting long, lean, and mean pass rushers is an obvious flawed method of placing value on future talent. FA will have an impact on who they draft, but it would be unexpected if they took Allen or your boy Miller in the 1st. Why, because Reese has proven he can get RBs and TEs later in the draft or as undrafted FAs.
I’m not saying he’s not a skilled GM, but there are a couple I prefer. No knock.
Let’s HOPE my beloved Browns DO NOT Draft what you have forecasted. I agree that Matt Flynn makes sense, and I for one hope they sign him. That said why would we waste a pick on Cousin’s? May be a good project but Flynn and Colt are more than enough given our other needs. I would not take a running back, all be the best back @ #4. Given the way you see the Draft breaking, I would take Claiborne @ #4, Zach Brown @ 22, @ #37 I would take the Boise ST back Martin and @ our 3rd pick I would take WR Hills out of Wake. The 4th round picks would be Offensive line help.
Trust me, I would have been killed if I didn’t include Cousins. If you want to take Zach Brown in the first your franchise deserves to be cursed.
Great pick in the third round for the Pack. Brewester is an outstanding center. He needs a little coaching, but could be a stud for many years in the Packer offensive line.
Probably the best 3 round mock I have seen of the Browns so far. A WR, a RT, a RB, and a DE. Four needs all higher than our QB spot. And each player in those picks is actually really good and could be an Opening Day starter. The fact that the Browns could feasibly get 4 starters in 3 rounds or 1-2 starters by trading up, seems like an obvious solution to the problem. Don’t trade up.
If they want to play the West-Coast Scheme they might as well wait and move up for Barkley next year anyway. I don’t think the Browns are going to be willing to maneuver their scheme for Griffin, so I don’t know why they would both moving up for him.
Brewster looked bad at Senior Bowl and at combine. David Molk is the better center for the Texans’ zone-blocking scheme.
I like Molk but he’s not a third-round guy. Brewster could get it done for Houston, but I agree that waiting for Molk is a better course of action.
It looks very much like the Packer starting center (Wells) will not be back. I think the Pack will probably need to look at a Center in the 3rd round rather than James. If Jones or Brewster is available they almost have to take one of them. If they can re-sign Wells then James or a CB in round 3.
Not every need a team has, has to be addressed in the first three rounds.
kirk cousins to the bills? i’m on cloud nine baby!
Can’t tell if sarcastic.
49ers: Round 1: I like Fleener but can’t see this pick in the first. If you want to put an offensive weapon in that slot (which is a clear need), I’d rather they spend the pick on acquiring Mike Wallace. Yes, he needs money, too. They have it. Delaney Walker is an underrated 2nd TE: very good pass catcher, blocker, knows the scheme and the team. If not Wallace? Pretty much anyone from your mock picks 32-37. D-line would be smart, as JS is getting older and Sopoaga will be soon, too. I like RJF, but another dynamic DE would nice to develop. Dobbs looked promising, but needs to add some lbs. I. Williams developing? Possible. Maybe Harrison Smith if they trade back a few places? Little depth at safety right now. Or just trading back? Trading up more unlikely. Round 2: unless someone they really like at CB comes along, I don’t see this either, in any round 1-3. Rogers, Brown, Culliver; they also like Brock, and they have the talented (but huge question mark) Perish Cox who will want to re-establish himself in the league, possibly shaking off the dust and demons and surprising people. Who then? Again, possibly safety, WR, or even OG if the right one fell. Third round: OG is possible. Don’t forget about Daniel Kilgore and Mike Person, whom the 49ers like and see developing well. Guard is a good pick if they really like someone, but not just to fill a “hole”. Also, don’t sleep on a heir-apparent to F. Gore as the primary back in these rounds. Gore’s wearing down, getting older. Still great heart, excellent vision, just looks like he’s dragging a piano! A younger, faster back could have broken several runs for TD’s last year where Gore ended up getting stopped, due solely to break-away speed reasons. Overall, we all know these three rounds should come down to BPA, especially with the Niners having few holes on the roster, and who knows who that will be or what position. If we’re talking about perceived needs or roster holes, the biggest are at WR, back-up/future safety, and back-up/future MLB (assuming Grant gets a starting-$$ offer from another team; also consider the Niners might not want to dish out another huge contract for the MLB position to N. Bowman in a couple years when he’s a FA). I’m surprised your mock doesn’t address any of these positions, unless you think that the players you selected were BPA in those slots.
I understand the need at Guard, but they would just be huge reaches where the 49ers pick.
I understand the need at Receiver, but I don’t think Jim Harbaugh is going to take it too seriously with Moss and Crabtree penciled in. This is only three rounds, so a fourth round slot receiver isn’t out of the question, and there is still plenty of talent on the board.
I don’t think they’ll take a Running Back unless they’re getting great value for one. Maybe rounds 3-5.
Just because the Broncos get Manning does not mean that draft only offense. Their greatest needs are on defense. You have them taking a WR, TE, and QB in the first three rounds and ignoring their needs at DT and CB. I hope you are wrong.
This probably isn’t accurate – but it could be. I expect the Broncos to go Defense at least once early on, but until they start to sign PM’s teammates, this is how the draft would go.
I don’t have a problem with Round 1 of your mock for the Texans. Round 2 & 3, however….. Texans have Rashad Butler ready to step in for the departed Eric Winston at RT, so if they take an OT, it will only be for depth and therefore not in Round 2. Besides, Bobby Massie is a power blocker and wouldn’t fit in the Texans’ zone-blocking scheme. In Round 3, Sean Spence is undersized and would therefore not fit in the Texans’ 3-4 defensive scheme. I don’t mind them getting an ILB to replace DeMeco Ryans; how about Dont’a Hightower in the first round and then the Texans address WR in Round 2 or later?
Dont’a Hightower is so over-rated…
How is Hightower overrated?? You were probably thinking of Luke Kuechly.
The fact that you say Lavonte David is a better player than Hightower at all is crazy enough, but you go so far as to say that David is MUCH better. What completely nutty set of criteria are you using to make that statement? If you’re going to make a provocative statement like “Dont’a Hightower is so overrated”, at least explain how you think he is overrated.
He’s a solid tackler, but he has little lateral quickness. He’s going to be burned in coverage consistently and plays on the edge are going to be rough for him to make.
What’s really insulting about you attacking me on Hightower is how highly I have had Hightower. I’ve had him in the top half of the first round, but the more I watch of him, the more I see a player that represents very little first round value. He’s a good leader and should make a lot of tackles, but that doesn’t make him a first round pick. He’s an in-the-box Linebacker who won’t be able to go side-to-side very well. He was average, at best, in covering Tight Ends in college. He doesn’t project to be on the field during passing downs because he’s not going to be able to cover NFL caliber Tight Ends outside of short zones. I think we’re looking at a 2nd Round Linebacker. That’s not to say he’s bad, but he’s very limited.
Lavonte David is strong in coverage, has elite range, is a solid, smart tackler. Hightower will make more “highlight” hits, but David, in my opinion, is more ready to contribute.
I can’t even dignify that with a response.
I wasn’t attacking you, but if you took my comments as such, I apologize. Thank you for clarifying why you think Dont’a Hightower is overrated. I happen to disagree with you, but no big deal. What other ILB prospects do you think could work for the Texans? They have to be big enough to take on blockers in the 3-4 that the Texans run and can’t always run around them.
Well if the only thing you value is size, take Hightower in the first I guess. No real value though.
Most Inside Linebackers in this class are playing somewhere between 230 and 240. Off the top of my head, the only guy other than Hightower that is clearly over 240 and is going to be drafted is Adrien Cole from Lousiana Tech.
A player that I think makes a great fit is Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks is a little smaller at 5’11 and 240 lbs, but can take on blockers and makes plays. He’s got elite athleticism for his size, shows great leadership, and will excel in coverage.
Drafting Kendricks in the 2nd round represents a lot more value than taking Hightower in the first in my opinion. However, even that may be over-doing it. There are guys that can play that role all over the league. The bottom line is the Texan’s staff will take whomever they’re comfortable with; but I’m not so sure that’s Hightower.
Kirkpatrick doesn’t fit their scheme, yet you have the Lions wasting a pick on him.
Why not go for someone who does and who had arguably the best combine of all DBs: Josh Robinson of UCF.
Stop being so enamored over big name schools and reputation, and concentrate on talent and combine performance!
‘Dre Kirkpatrick is a much better player than Josh Robinson. It’s not even close. Kirkpatrick would be a great fit at Safety in Detroit, but I think he’ll get a shot at Corner first.
After the problems with LaShore you can forget about the Lions taking a character risk player. That leaves out Kirpatrick and jenkins. Josh Ronbinson is going to be a very dynamic CB in the NFL and he will have a better career then Kirpaktrick whose character issues will get him in trouble with the NFL at some time. I don’t see Upshaw making to the Lions pick to dynamic of a player. The Lions recently have talked more about Kontz, Gilmore, LT’s maybe and DE creeped in alittle, but right ow they have none of them visiting. The reason Kontz has come into the conversation is they can cut Raiola and use his salary to augment there cap space to sign Avril to a long term deal, also they feel he is a major upgrade. I agree with you having them take an OT in the 2nd or third round. I don’t see Polk in the picture at all he has done nothing to warrent anything kind of look from the Lions, they like Martin and Miller more, not sure either one of them will be there in the thrid round. They like Vic Ballard and the kid from Mississippi in the fourth or fifth round. Schwartz and Mayhew like to take CB in the later rounds there not big fans of using there top picks on CB’s or LB’s not sure I agree with that philosophy. WIth that in mind look for a OC, OL or DE in the first round thats what they like to do.
Your mock is too reactionary for me. Yes, the Texans released Eric Winston and traded DeMeco Ryans, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they need to fill those holes in the draft. The Texans already have players on their roster ready to step in. Darryl Sharpton will fill in for Ryans just fine. They should address these positions in the draft strictly for depth. WR should be first, then probably NT or CB, then the OL for depth.
This is crazy. Just because you have players “ready to step in” doesn’t mean you’re going to ignore those positions. I seriously doubt either Rashad Butler or Darryl Sharpton are locked in as starters; otherwise they would have been playing the whole time.
I don’t have the Texans “reaching” for anyone at this point.
No, what’s crazy is drafting for depth in the first two rounds. They have to take a WR and NT or CB in the first two rounds b/c they have players at those positions who they KNOW can’t play or must be improved upon.
Hey, Big Patriots fan here and I’m really intrigued about who you have going to the Patriots. I haven’t heard alot about the linebacker from Boise so I think I have some research to do there, but he sounds like he could be the pass rusher we need. I have heard so much about Barron being a Patriot, but the safety out of Notre Dame sounds like he could fit next to Chung and make a dominate safety tandem(as long as Chung stays healthy.) Reyes has been drawing my attention alot throughout the pre-draft process He and Wilfork could be a match made in Pats Heaven. Sanu is nothing but exciting if he falls that far. Smart big receiver to groom . Crossing my fingers that it would work this time around. I also wonder how much the Patriots really need another Corner. McCOurty will hopefully be back in form and I haven’t given up on Dowling yet and Arrington has shown alot of improvement and is still a young guy. I do suppose there is no such thing as too much CB depth, but I could also see them go O-Line with the pick in the third, Mankins sounds like he might miss the start of the season and there have been rumors of both Light and Waters retireing. Just wanted to say I really liked your draft and wanted to Thank you for drawing me to some new players to look into.
Shea McClellin is drawing a lot of interest early on.
1st rd is way too early for Silatolu…I think they could get him in the 2nd, if not him then Brooks. I don’t see Harbaugh passing on Fleener…it’s his guy from Stanford and he wants to forget he passed on Doug Baldwin last year and he won’t make that same mistake again. The NT pick in the 2nd is good, but you won’t see them take another DL in the 3rd rd. That’d be a prime spot to grab RB Turbin. Gore’s wearing down, and Jacobs is only signed for 1 season. I’d agree overall they’ll take an OG/C, and it could be in 2nd rd. I think the emphasis early will be to take players who can help jump-start Harbaugh’s WCO, so Fleener, Silatolu/Brooks and Turbin would go along way toward that. It’s also important to understand going into the draft the Niners already have a full roster, so may well trade up to come away with 4-5 very good players that would have a better chance of making a crowded roster.
Like I said, it’s a little bit of a reach, but it’s really the only position that can make an immediate impact. ESPN has Silatolu ranked in the top fifty, so I don’t think you’ll be seeing him in the second round. I actually seen him mocked as high as 19 earlier today.
Fleener is a better player, but overall, it’s not a position of need.
I really like your three picks for the Texans, but I would love to see the Texans shock everyone by nabbing Coby Fleener at #26. A reach? Perhaps, but just a small one. It won’t happen, however, b/c Kubiak is too conservative draft-wise.