NFL INsider Today Mock Draft 1.0

NFL INSIDER TODAY MOCK DRAFT 1.0


1. Carolina Panthers—DE Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson
The Panthers have been sorely lacking in a pass rush threat since the departure of All-Pro Julius Peppers. A quick DT like Auburn’s Nick Fairley is also in play here.
Other Needs: DT, QB, CB


2. Denver Broncos—DT Nick Fairley
Elvis Dumervil is coming back from injury, but the Broncos lack a real impact player in the middle of their defensive line. Head coach John Fox will be looking for an immediate starter during his first year.
Other Needs: CB, S, TE


3. Buffalo Bills – QB Cam Newton, Auburn
Ralph Wilson has gone on record saying that Cam Newton is the best player in the draft. With the inconsistent play of Ryan Fitzpatrick, Wilson will give Chan Gailey potentially the most explosive player in the draft in his last-ditch effort to resurrect this franchise.
Other Needs: OT, CB, DE


4. Cincinnati Bengals – WR AJ Green, Georgia
Terrell Owens will not be back with the team and Chad Ochocinco (or Johnson depending on who you ask) has requested a trade. This pick will also be dictated on whether or not Carson Palmer is traded.
Other Needs: MLB, DT, S


5. Arizona Cardinals—QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
The Cardinals have been trying without much success to replace Kurt Warner. This pick gives them an opportunity to add a franchise QB and regain their identity as a pass-happy offense.
Other Needs: OLB, OT, S


6. Cleveland Browns – DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina
The Browns recently released Shaun Rogers and were ranked in the lower third in sacks and pressures. They will address their lack of presence on the defensive line with this pick.
Other Needs: WR, OT, LB


7. San Francisco 49ers—DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama
The 49ers can maximize the ability of star LB Patrick Willis if they can land a top defensive tackle in the upcoming draft. This pick should ease the pressure on the tumultuous quarterback situation in San Francisco.
Other Needs: OLB, CB, RB


8. Tennessee Titans – DT Corey Liuget, Illinois
The Titans have suffered two losses to Pro Bowl defensive lineman in consecutive years that effectively cost Jeff Fisher his job (Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch). Tennessee will need to plug the holes on the defensive line if they want to have any success against the run.
Other Needs: QB, G, DE

9. Dallas Cowboys—CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
The Cowboys were absolutely miserable in the secondary last year. The defense has been depending on the talent of DeMarcus Ware for far too long.
Other Needs: OT, S, RB


10. Washington Redskins—OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
As good as linebacker London Fletcher has been for the Redskins, he is now in his mid-30s. This is clearly the best linebacker that would give the Redskins another pass rushing threat alongside Brian Orakpo.
Other Needs: QB, DT, G/C


11. Houston Texans – CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
Gary Kubiak’s job remained intact only by the hiring of Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator. The gift of the best available help for the secondary will be crucial in a division that features Peyton Manning and a conference that offers Brady, Rivers, Roethlisberger, Flacco, and Palmer.
Other Needs: S, DT, G


12. Minnesota Vikings—DE Adriane Clayborne, Iowa
The Vikings need to bring more depth to the pass rush as Jared Allen loses a step. Ray Edwards may also leave as a free agent in the near future. Cornerback Jimmy Smith also lurks here as a possibility.
Other Needs: QB, S, CB


13. Detroit Lions—CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado
The Lions are in the process of trying to re-sign Cornerback Chris Houston and attempting to sign Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Additionally, the Lions have a set of corners that haven’t lived up to expectations. It would be good for the Lions to find depth in the secondary and Jimmy Smith has the kind of talent to make an impact on the defense right away.
Other Needs: OLB, OL, WR


14. St. Louis Rams—WR Julio Jones, Alabama
The Rams lost their top two wide receivers to injury last year. Even when they were healthy however, they were not a difference making group. Julio Jones could provide playmaking in both the passing and running attack.
Other Needs: S, RB, DE


15. Miami Dolphins – RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are unrestricted free agents and both had durability issues. Other potential fits could include someone on the line to compliment Cameron Wake’s pass rush and ability to set the edge.
Other Needs: DT, WR, S


16. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Aldon Smith, Missouri
Aaron Kampman will be returning from injury and Tyson Alualu had a better-than-expected rookie year. Adding another piece to the defensive line could bring the Jaguars back to mid-2000’s prominence.
Other Needs: WR, CB, OLB


17. New England Patriots (from Oak) – DE Cameron Jordan, California
The Pats have been in need of a solid 5-technique defensive end since the Richard Seymour trade. A pass-rushing outside linebacker is also a position of need and could be taken here.
Other Needs: OLB, OT, WR

18. San Diego Chargers – OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
The Chargers still need a replacement for Shawn Merriman and are fully expected to make a pick here that mirrors this need.
Other Needs: DE, OT, S


19. New York Giants—OT Nate Solder, Colorado
The offensive line that once was the staple of their 2008 Super Bowl championship has started to decline. The best remedy to that would be to draft the top offensive tackle available.
Other Needs: LB, CB, RB


20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers—DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
Tampa Bay needs to add a defensive end to complement the talent they selected last year in Gerald McCoy. Stylez White and others simply have not been getting enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Other Needs: LB, OL, TE


21. Kansas City Chiefs – DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State
The Chiefs need a replacement for Mike Vrabel, but their most pressing need is an impact body in the middle of the defensive line. Ron Edwards is aging and doesn’t hold up as well as he has in previous years.
Other Needs: OLB, C/G, OT


22. Indianapolis Colts – OT Tyron Smith, USC
Peyton Manning was hurried one too many times last year and endured an uncharacteristic stretch where he threw eleven interceptions in three games. An aging offensive line won’t do any good for an aging Peyton Manning.
Other Needs: S, CB, MLB


23. Philadelphia Eagles—S Rahim Moore, UCLA
The Eagles secondary lost a lot of leadership and talent when they moved Brian Dawkins to Denver. This pick should give them the opportunity to bolster their secondary.
Other Needs: CB, DE, OT


24. New Orleans Saints—DE J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
The Saints need to improve their ability to stop the run and improve their pass rush to create more turnovers. J.J. Watt should allow defensive coordinator Gregg Williams more freedom when calling defenses and making decisions tougher for quarterbacks next season.
Other Needs: LB, DT, RB


25. Seattle Seahawks—OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
Despite the midseason addition of Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks had one of the worst rushing attacks in football last season. The addition of Carimi should allow the Seahawks to finally regain a running game to support the deteriorating arm of Matt Hasselbeck.
Other Needs: QB, CB, WR, DT


26. Baltimore Ravens – CB Aaron Williams, Texas
 The Ravens secondary is both underwhelming and aging all at the same time. We also saw that it could allow opponents to score quickly and give up leads (see AFC Divisional Round against the Steelers). Adding depth and youth is a top priority.
Other Needs: S, RT, DE


27. Atlanta Falcons—TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
The Falcons will need a tight end to replace the aging Tony Gonzalez to both improve their current standard and maintain the standard they set during last year’s regular season.
Other Needs: DE, LB, WR


28. New England Patriots – OLB Justin Houston, Georgia
The Pats top needs this year are a pass rushing outside linebacker, a 5-technique defensive end, and an offensive lineman to replace Matt Light (even if he is re-signed). The Pats will address the second of those needs (in whatever order Bill Belichick deems fit) with this pick.
Other Needs: OT, WR, RB


29. Chicago Bears—OT Anthony Costanzo, Boston College
The Bears offensive line couldn’t keep Jay Cutler healthy when it mattered most last year. Improving the offensive line should go a long way to ensuring that Jay Cutler – and not an inexperienced backup – is leading the Bears in the playoffs.
Other Needs: WR, RB, DT


30. New York Jets – DE Cameron Hayward, Ohio State
Shaun Ellis is 33-years old, Vernon Gholston will most likely be released at some point, and Jason Taylor is considering retirement. Nothing more needs to be said about the Jets’ top need.
Other Needs: DT, RB, S


31. Pittsburgh Steelers – G Mike Pouncey, Florida
The bane to the Steelers playoff run and Super Bowl was the health and effectiveness of their offensive line. Look for the addition of a tackle or guard with their first round pick.
Other Needs: OT, WR, CB


32. Green Bay Packers—DE Muhammed Wilkerson, Temple
Cullen Jenkins may leave as a free agent after this year and Ryan Pickett is losing a step. All-Pro linebacker Clay Mathews would also benefit from having more depth up front. Outside tackle could also be strong consideration here given the multiple concussions Aaron Rodgers suffered last year.
Other Needs: RB, OT, OG

 
Written by Staff Writers Jimmy King and Bill Young