With the draft being potentially the only real professional football action we have between now and (potentially) training camp, we decided to put out our own mock draft, but with a twist. Our picks below are not who we think will be selected tonight, but more who should be selected. In other words, we’re ignoring the fact that there will be some obvious reaching by teams who need a signal caller, and making the most sensible picks possible.
- Carolina - Marcell Dareus/DT/Alabama One of the most sure bets in the draft, and instantly takes care of a major position of need. Also a stand up kid.
- Denver - Patrick Peterson/DB/LSU Von Miller is tantalizing, but many tough lessons have been learned by teams who fall in love with athletic pass rushers who sometimes struggle with other facets of the game. Plus, the return of Elviis Dumerville will improve the Broncos pass rush. Peterson is the best player in the draft and becomes another viable piece in Denver’s rebuilding process.
- Buffalo - Von Miller/LB/Texas A&M Miller is exactly what the Bills need in order to compete in the AFC East: an athletic, high motor defender who can get after the passer. If Shawne Merriman has anything left in the tank, teaming him and Miller could prove to be the pillars of the Bills resurgence.
- Cincinnati - A.J. Greene/QB/Georgia Regardless of who is under center for Cinci in 2011 and beyond, having a player as dynamic as Green will smooth the transition.
- Arizona - Blaine Gabbert/QB/Missouri None of the eight top rated quarterbacks have legit Top 15 potential, but this is the right pick and time for Arizona, a team just three years removed from the Super Bowl, to address their most pressing need.
- Cleveland - Prince Amukamara/DB/Nebraska Cleveland would be best served to trade this pick for additional picks (and very well could), but Amukamara is a stud who gives Rob Ryan another solid defensive back to work with while his front seven attacks.
- San Francisco - Nick Fairley/DL/Auburn Ideally, San Fran trades back, picks up a second rounder, and drafts an o-lineman. If they stand pat in our scenario, Fairley gives them protection for Patrick Willis and immediately improves an abysmal defensive line.
- Tennessee - Robert Quinn/DE/North Carolina They need a quarterback, but none give you the value needed in a pick this high. Quinn is a risk, but his potential is Jevon Kearse-esq, and he also possesses the ability to stand tough against the run.
- Dallas - J.J. Watt/DE/Wisconsin Most certainly not the most skilled player available, and there is a glaring need on the offensive line, but I think this is too early to take any of the hogs in this draft, and Watt is exactly the kind of player new coach Jason Garrett wants on his team.
- Washington - Julio Jones/WR/Alabama Jones is the most explosive player on the board, and he gives whatever signal caller Washington goes with a big play threat.
- Houston - Cameron Jordan/DE/California Jordan is your classic late bloomer, charging up draft boards late after dominating at the Senior Bowl and pre-draft workouts. He takes pressure off Mario Williams and the secondary, pushing the Texans a step closer to dethroning the Colts.
- Minnesota - Anthony Castonzo/OL/Boston College Castonzo is the most NFL ready lineman in the draft, with the ability to contribute at a high level in both the run and pass games. Keeping whoever is under center upright and opening holes for Adrian Petersen could very well catapult the Vikings back into contention, and Castonzo does just that.
- Detroit - Tyron Smith/OL/USC Smith is a big upside guy who has shown flashes of being a potential main-stay at left tackle. Detroit could get additional defensive line help for last year’s #1 pick, but keeping Matthew Stafford alive should be their priority at this point.
- St. Louis - Corey Liuget/DL/Illinois St. Louis is on the cusp of being a playoff team, but has serious issues almost everywhere on defense. Liuget is a big step in strengthening the most important part.
- Miami - Akeem Ayers/LB/UCLA A bit of a stretch I admit, but if Miami can solidify their linebacking crop, it will make the improving secondary and surprisingly productive defensive line that much better. Ayers also gives them another athletic rusher to team with Cameron Wake.
- Jacksonville - Ryan Kerrigan/DL/Purdue One of these days the Jags will get draft a solid defensive lineman. Hopefully that day is tomorrow. Kerrigan has a great motor, good build, prove play maker.
- New England - Mike Pouncey/OL/Florida He may very well be gone by this point, but this is a perfect scenario for the Pats. It allows them to address their need for an offensive line upgrade with a player who they can plug and play from Day One…whenever that is.
- San Diego - Gabe Carimi/OL/Wisconsin Anything to keep Philip Rivers upright. Carimi isn’t the most athletic, but he’ll get the job done for 7-10 years.
- New York Giants - Nate Solder/OL/Colorado I don’t get the Mark Ingram rumors. Solder gives you a dual-purpose lineman who at the very least will become a solid right tackle. At best he becomes Robert Gallery 2.0.
- Tampa Bay - Da’Quan Bowers/DE/Clemson If Bowers regains his old form, he’ll join Randy Moss and Aaron Rodgers on the list of players who made every team who passed on them look absolutely foolish.
- Kansas City - Phil Taylor/DL/Baylor Taylor will serve a Vince Wolfork type role for the Patriots of the Midwest.
- Indianapolis - Danny Watkins/OL/Baylor Back to back Baylor picks. Watkins gives Indy a guy who is older (26), but can lock down either guard position, and may have the ability to contribute at right tackle.
- Philadelphia - Jimmy Smith/CB/Colorado The sky is the limit if Smith can stay out of his own way, and Philadelphia needs secondary help.
- New Orleans - Mark Ingram/RB/Alabama The Saints won't have to worry about creating new schemes in order for this Heisman winning back to be effective. He will instantly keep defenses honest.
- Seattle - Cam Newton / QB / Auburn I don’t see Newton being the answer to any team’s problems. I do think a few years working with Pete Carroll will give him the chance to learn and become the best player possible.
- Baltimore - Aaron Williams / DB / Texas He’s a borderline first round talent, but in Baltimore he will shine. Great supporting cast, and the ability to learn what it takes to be a winner.
- Atlanta - Marvin Austin / DL / North Carolina "Explosive” is the word you hear the Falcons brass throwing around, and no player has as high a potential upside at this point than Austin.
- New England - Adrian Clayborn / DE / Iowa Trading is their best option. And while Clayborn has some medical issues, he allows the Patriots to bump Wilfork back inside, and if he can return to form, they get a guy who was once thought to be a top-10 talent.
- Chicago - Derek Sherrod / OL / Mississippi State Chicago was very close to reaching the Super Bowl last season, and an improved offensive line is another step in the right direction.
- New York Jets - Justin Houston / LB / Georgia Houston has an off-the-field history, but Rex Ryan has a way of reining those players in and getting the most out of them. If he can do that with Houston, this could be a huge steal.
- Pittsburgh - Jonathan Baldwin / WR / Pittsburgh Baldwin has been impressive of late, and with Hines Ward aging rapidly, he could be just what Big Ben and Mike Wallace need.
- Green Bay - Muhammad Wilkerson / DL / Temple Wilkerson is a hot name and could be off the board much earlier. But the Packers would love to add the versatile big man to help with the seemingly eminent departure of Cullen Jenkins.
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