Epic 2 round mock draft with trades

[Nonentity]

Hi everyone. This is a 2 round mock draft, with trades included. I have written explanations for every pick and every trade. It’s quite lengthy, so I’ve split it over multiple posts. There is a simple version without the explanations included, which appears below the main mock draft (i.e. just picks and trades). Please please please leave comments – it’s really appreciated, no matter how much you want to say.





1. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

The Rams are a bad team, but they're worse on offense than they are on defense. Their only offensive weapon last year was Steven Jackson, and that's why they're picking 1st overall in 2010 - because this is a passing league. Simply, the Rams need a franchise quarterback and this is their best ever opportunity to get one. Bradford is easily the best in the draft, combining accuracy with an ability to make all of the throws. Yes, he could bust, just like any other quarterback, but he looks the part - and that's all that we can say until he starts taking NFL snaps.

2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Even when they went 0-16, the Lions were worse on defense than offense. By selecting Matt Stafford 1st overall last year, they improved the offense but not the defense. Time to sort out the defense, because theirs truly was appalling. Suh has the ability to over-power double teams, is stout against the run and still gets to the quarterback. Gerald McCoy should be considered, but then passed over - because the Lions' scheme is more suited to a player like Suh. Jim Schwartz, a Belichick disciple, will appreciate Suh's experience in a read-react scheme.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

It was embarrassingly easy to run on the Bucs last year, and in any other year McCoy would be the top defensive tackle taken. Warren Sapp is still a legend in Tampa and they will hope that McCoy can follow in his mighty footsteps.

4. Washington Redskins - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

You can't truly evaluate a quarterback behind a turnstile offensive line, and that's what Jason Campbell had to deal with last year. You could replace him with Clausen, but then they still have the same offensive line problems that neutered their passing game in 2009. The Redskins have to improve the offensive line and selecting the best left tackle, Russell Okung, will do that. If he's as good as Shanahan's last 1st round pick, Ryan Clady, no-one will care how many jerseys he sells.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Bryan Buluga, OT, Iowa

I thought this pick would be Eric Berry for a long time, but Buluga has sky-rocketed up the draft boards. Mediocre in almost every position, the Chiefs need blue-chippers, fast. Buluga has produced consistent top-tier performances when it counts, including shutting down Derrick Morgan in the Orange Bowl. Mike Mayock pointed out recently that Scott Pioli, the GM for the Chiefs, is a good friend and admirer of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, and that he loves the type of technician that Kirk develops with offensive linemen. This settled it for me - it's not easy to find players who already know your tendencies, and that's a definite mark in the plus column for Buluga going to the Chiefs.

6. Seattle Seahawks - Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

The Seahawks have two draft choices in the first 14 picks, which makes this an interesting decision for them. They clearly need a left tackle for the future to replace Walter Jones and protect Charlie Whitehurst, but they also need playmakers on both sides on the ball. With two tackles going in the previous two picks, and with the knowledge that teams behind them need tackles as well, they bite the bullet and select another. Trent Williams is extremely athletic and shifted from RT to LT in his senior year; he will fit their zone blocking scheme and can start from Day 1.

7. Cleveland Browns - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

The Browns will pass on Jimmy Clausen for a number of equally valid reasons: Mike Holmgren simply doesn't like him, and they brought in both Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme for the 2010 season. So, who do they take instead? With improvements available in just about every position, they take Eric Berry to start rebuilding the secondary. Joe Haden is a possibility, but Berry is a better player with fewer weaknesses in his all-round game.

8. Oakland Raiders - Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

As with all Raiders picks, this will be a negotiation between Tom Cable and Al Davis - and Al will have the final say. It won’t be Clausen because Davis still hasn’t given up on JaMarcus Russell. Their need is glaring: the Raiders have a terrible offensive line. But with 3 tackles already off the board, do they take Anthony Davis? I would guess against it. His athletic measurables are terrible and few are convinced that he has the work ethic that many teams look for. If the choice is between Davis (the final top-tier tackle) and Bruce Campbell, a raw but athletically incredible prospect, I think Cable would rather train up Campbell than risk Davis. There's more chance of Davis rebelling against tough coaching than Campbell, which is a factor when considering Tom Cable's style. Oh, and the 40 time. Campbell it is.

9. Buffalo Bills – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

“It's hard to throw when you're lying on your back.” The Bills have three huge needs: QB, LT and NT. And Buddy Nix, the Bills’ new GM, would rather see what he can get from his three existing QBs (Edwards, Fitzpatrick, Brohm), having announced a week ago that there will be a 3-way competition for the starting job in training camp. Jimmy Clausen is a huge option to be taken here but I think they’ll pass and take a LT. Davis has issues but Chan Gailey will believe that he can whip him into shape.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

The Jaguars had a terrible pass rush last season, which was the direct result of busting on both Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves. So no, they don’t have the best track record in drafting DEs named Derrick. But what else can they do – it’s their biggest weakness and you can’t just ignore it because you failed to fix it first time round. Yes, they signed Kampman but he’s coming off an ACL injury and they still need a player for the other DE slot. Now, the Jags could trade down here since Morgan isn’t likely to be taken again until 16 – but he’s the premier 4-3 DE in this draft and they would be fools to lose him in an attempt to get value. Jason Pierre-Paul is an alternative choice, but Morgan can get on the field from Day 1, a must-have for the Jaguars.

11. Denver Broncos – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

Jimmy Clausen continues to fall, as the Broncos take a replacement for Brandon Marshall. This pick just makes too much sense not to happen. That said, they will look to trade this pick away for a Clausen lover – but no-one who wants him will be able to afford the price right now. Instead, everyone will sit back and see how far he falls in what is basically a metaphorical game of chicken...who will bite first?

12. Miami Dolphins – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

Bill Parcells loves athletic linebackers, and the Dolphins sorely need one. Joey Porter was cut, Jason Taylor wasn’t resigned – this is their biggest need and Pierre-Paul is the 2nd best DE in this draft. Dan Williams is also a possibility because of Jason Ferguson’s suspension, but it’s the first 8 games he’s missing, not the last 8. As the Patriots found with Vince Wilfork, rookie NTs generally aren’t ready to start until midway through the season, so Pierre-Paul it is.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida

As firm believers in taking the best player available, Joe Haden will not fall past the 49ers. They badly need a RT, but will guess that the remaining tackle prospects will not come off the board before their second 1st round pick at 17. Nate Clements was benched mid-season, proving the clear need for a new face at corner.

14. Seattle Seahawks – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

This is such a beautiful fit it brings a smile to my face. The Seahawks need a competent running back to take some of the pressure off Matt Hasselback, and would love one that fits the West Coast Offense. And guess who is a multi-dimensional running/receiving option, and also rated as the top RB in the draft? That’s right – Spiller. Easy pick.

15. New York Giants – Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

Hold on, what’s that you say? Weatherspoon being drafted with Rolando McClain still on the board? Perhaps I’m crazy, but consider the following: McClain is not a 4-3 linebacker, and Perry Fewell plans to run the Tampa 2. In comparison, Weatherspoon is perfect as a linebacker who can play coverage. He will lead the defense and become its heart and soul. They have a need at DT as well, and will hope to fill it with their second round pick.

 

[Nonentity]

16. Tennessee Titans - pick traded along with 111th pick to Green Bay Packers for 23rd and 56th picks
16. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, OT, USC

And we have our first trade of the draft. In the belief that the 49ers will draft a tackle, the Packers decide not to take any chances and trade up for the only remaining tackle who isn’t a project. Ted Thompson hates having to trade up, but realises that if either Chad Clifton or Mark Tauscher go down this season, the Packers’ SB run is probably stopped dead in its tracks. After all, they share their division with both the Vikings (Allen) and the Bears (Peppers). It’s an expensive trade but acceptable for a team without too many other holes to be filled this year. The Packers run a zone blocking scheme which Brown’s mobility fits into perfectly. The Titans, for their part, are happy to see who’s there at 23 as they rate a few DEs equally.

Trade value chart – 16 + 111 (1000 + 72 = 1072) for 23 and 56 (760 + 340 = 1100)

17. San Francisco 49ers – pick traded to Washington Redskins for 37th pick and 2011 1st rounder
17. Washington Redskins – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
The 49ers don’t see a player that they really want, with the remaining tackles all 2nd round value. Earl Thomas or Taylor Mays are options but they like the look of this trade offer from the Redskins. The Redskins were only ever going to take one player here, and Clausen it is. He can challenge Jason Campbell throughout the 2010 season, and will be expected to start in 2011 after Campbell’s contract expires.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

This is a 3-way choice between Iupati, Pouncey and McClain, with the first two presenting the start of a solution to the Steelers’ leaky offensive line. But McClain is too good value to pass up here and he gets picked as the long-term replacement for James Farrior. Larry Foote’s re-signing is a stop-gap and McClain can dominate the centre for at least the next five years. He’s a great fit in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense and may even beat out Foote in training camp. The Steelers will hope to pick up a good lineman in the 2nd round.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan

With no pass rush to speak of in 2009, the Falcons know that they must replace Jamaal ‘Bust’ Anderson. Graham has been heralded as a great 3-4 OLB, but at 268lbs he fits 4-3 DE just fine. Everson Griffen is an alternative but Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons GM, will be turned off by rumours of a party lifestyle and a lack of consistency. Brandon Graham presents no such worries.

20. Houston Texans – Earl Thomas, DB, Texas

When you play the Colts twice a season, you need depth at cornerback. The Texans have none whatsoever, having just lost Dunta Robinson in free agency. A running back would be nice but they should be able to grab one in the second round. I don’t know whether he’s a corner or a safety, but I’m not sure it really matters against the Colts’s multiple receiver looks. Earl Thomas is a Texas native who played his football at Texas – I think there may be rioting in the streets if they pass on him.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

In all honesty Gresham may as well get looking at homes in the Cincinnati area now. This is another obvious pick that definitely won’t happen come April 22nd. The Bengals have a huge hole at Tight End and need someone to play in the slot. TEs can do that. Gresham is the best TE in the draft and is an easy pick here.

22. New England Patriots – Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU

With Brandon Graham off the board, the Patriots are forced to settle for their second favourite pass rusher, Jerry Hughes. Patriots Nation stands stunned as Bill reaches outside his prototype and takes a player who consistently produced in college. Sergio Kindle may still be on the board but Hughes is clearly the superior athletic prospect: 1.59 10 yard split (Kindle 1.65) and 4.15 in the short shuttle (Kindle 4.53), an astounding time which is better than Jerod Mayo’s. Hughes has the hustle to make tackles in space which will improve our run defense even if we don’t improve at ILB.

23. Tennessee Titans (from Green Bay Packers) – Everson Griffen, DE, USC

The Titans are pleased to see that one of their preferred DEs remains on the board, and they have no qualms in grabbing Griffen here. They’ll be wowed by his athletic ability and will ignore any questions over his commitment to the game.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida

Injuries force the Eagles’ hand, with Shawn Andrews released and Jamaal Jackson coming off an ACL injury. The Eagles are weak at guard and have worries at center, and Pouncey is easily the best center in this draft. Heralded as the next Nick Mangold, Pouncey won’t inspire legions of Eagles followers but will solidify the Eagles’ offensive line following last year’s problems.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

The Ravens’ big hole is at corner, so with only one corner off the board the Ravens a fairly free choice in who they take. Foxworth, the current #1 corner in Baltimore, is just a little tackle-shy – so McCourty seems the natural pick since he will put his body on the line to make tackles. The Ravens will appreciate his toughness.

26. Arizona Cardinals – pick traded to Buffalo Bills for 41st and 72nd picks
26. Buffalo Bills – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama

Amazed to see no nose tackles go in the first 25 picks, the Bills move back into the 1st round to grab their new NT for the 3-4 switch they’re making. The Cardinals suspect that they can get better value in the 2nd round, with no love for any of the players on the board. Chan Gailey has said that he wants a NT who’s “huge, big, fast, nasty... all those terms.”
Trade value chart – 26 (700) for 41 and 56 (490 + 230 = 720)

27. Dallas Cowboys – pick traded to San Diego Chargers for 28th and 159th picks
27. San Diego Chargers – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

The Chargers see the Bills move up and promptly crap their pants. Fearful that they will miss out on both 1st round NTs, they move into the Cowboys’ spot at the cost of a late 5th round selection. Williams fits the Chargers’ penetrative 3-4 scheme and will replace the departed Jamal Williams. Running back is certainly an option but with the 40th pick waiting, they will take their NT for now and wait to see what develops.
Trade value chart – 27 (680) for 28 and 159 (660 + 28.8 = 688.8)

28. Dallas Cowboys – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

The addition of Iupati will shore up the Cowboys’ offensive line. The tough road-grader was love at first sight for Jerry Jones. They will play him at LG for the first year and decide whether they can move him to tackle in 2011 to replace Flozell Adams. It doesn’t really matter either way though – Iupati is the pick.

29. New York Jets – Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

With both NTs off the board, the Jets give Mark Sanchez another weapon. Frankly the defense can take care of itself – offense is the need. Braylon Edwards is fine as the deep threat, but they lack a receiver to run the short and intermediate routes. Impressed both by Tate and by Percy Harvin’s 2009 performance for the Vikings, the Jets take Golden Tate to emulate his success and catapult their passing game to the next level.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

Go hand in that card. This is an easy selection with a top-flight cornerback still on the board. Cedric Griffen tore his ACL in the NFC Championship game and Antoine Winfield is on the way down, physically. Easy pick. NEXT!

31. Indianapolis Colts – Brian Price, DT, UCLA

With a good set of linebackers to clear up the mess he leaves behind, the Colts take Brian Price to improve their defensive front. An excellent 4-3 rusher, Price forces his way past linemen with an array of pass moves to get to the opposing QB. Although not a fantastic tackler, Price has a great upside and clearly fits the Colts 4-3 scheme.

32. New Orleans Saints – pick traded along with 130th pick to San Diego Chargers for 40th and 91st picks
32. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State

The Chargers love Mathews and evidently don’t care who knows it. With plenty of teams sniffing, the Chargers know that he won’t last to 40. They have to trade up in a swap which also includes their 3rd round pick for a pick at the end of the 4th round. Ryan Mathews is the long-term replacement for LaDainian Tomlinson, and if he has half his success then this is a trade touched by genius.
Trade value chart – 32 and 130 (590 + 42 = 632) for 40 and 91 (500 + 136 = 636)

 

[Nonentity]

33. St. Louis Rams – Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

Having taken a QB, the Rams now need to address their defense. They run a 4-3 which actually wasn’t too bad against the run last year, but horrible against the pass. The biggest cause of this was a lack of sacks (25) or interceptions (8). As any Patriots fan knows, one creates the other so there is a fairly equal choice between drafting a DE or a CB here. Chris Long is best thought of as a base end, and Dunlap can be the feared edge rusher on the other side of the line. Dunlap presents better value than any of the other corners on the board here, especially when you consider his potential, and they will hope that they can pick up a decent CB with the top pick of the 3rd round.

34. Detroit Lions – Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana

The Lions need a left tackle, badly. Saffold impressed in the East-West Shrine Game, was excellent in position drills and now he’s off to Detroit. A fluid, smooth, co-ordinated lineman, he has the technique necessary to serve as Matt Stafford’s blind-side protector. Wes Bunting did an excellent write-up on him.

35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Demaryious Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech

Thomas is the best No. 1 receiver left on the board, with a strong combination of height, speed and toughness. With Antonio Bryant off to the Bengals the Bucs badly need a replacement receiver, and presuming his foot heals Thomas is a good pick.

36. Kansas City Chiefs – Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas

Remember how the Rams only had 25 sacks in 2009? Well, the Chiefs only had 22. Kindle is a big strong linebacker who loves to rush, and he represents excellent value after falling to the second round.

37. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington Redskins) – Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts

The 49ers have done extremely well out of this trade-down, picking up a 2011 1st rounder and now picking the best remaining tackle in the draft. Ducasse will be a better RT than LT as he probably doesn’t have the athleticism necessary for the blind-side. Still a raw prospect, Ducasse will be able to develop with the 49ers and perhaps move along the line in the future.

38. Cleveland Browns – Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

Again, this just makes sense. McCoy’s entire game is based on timing and accuracy; helpfully, the Browns will be running the West Coast Offense, a passing system based on, guess what, timing and accuracy. Mike Holmgren has said that the Browns will definitely draft a quarterback. Neither Delhomme nor Wallace can be completely relied upon, which was demonstrated by their contracts – cheap salaries and heavily loaded with incentives in case one of them really gets things going. I wouldn’t be surprised if either Delhomme or Wallace gets cut if McCoy impresses in training camp.

39. Oakland Raiders – Tyson Alualu, DT, California

It’s like an automatic reflex with the Raiders – scour the list of 40 times and pick the most ridiculous player for them in the 2nd round. It shouldn’t happen, but it does. They need a DT to help plug the line, and to replace Richard Seymour when he leaves in 2011. Helpfully Alualu has both a 4.8 40 time and a great motor, making this a pick that Cable and Davis can agree on.

40. New Orleans Saints (from San Diego Chargers) – Daryl Washington, LB, TCU

The Saints need front seven help, especially along their defensive line. Since the remaining linemen are nothing to get excited about, the Saints take Daryl Washington to bolster their weak linebacking corps, which have got worse since Scott Fugita left in free agency. He can play sideline to sideline and tackle well, and just as importantly he has good coverage skills to run with tight ends which can be difficult to find in linebackers. He can play at Will or Sam linebacker alongside Vilma (the Mike linebacker). They now have two third round picks and can take linemen and another linebacker with those picks in the later rounds – it’s not like they need the talent on offense.

41. Arizona Cardinals (from Buffalo Bills) – Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson

The Cardinals have a bunch of needs after a slew of retirements, trades and free agency. Devoid of any kind of edge rush, Ricky Sapp is an ideal fit in the Cardinals’ gap-control 3-4.

42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – pick traded to New England Patriots for 44th, 190th and 229th picks.
42. New England Patriots – Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State

I didn’t like him in the 1st round but even as a self-confessed disliker of Odrick, I can’t deny the value here. Odrick falls to the 2nd round fairly randomly as teams prioritise their other needs, and the Patriots trade up to make sure that other teams such as the Giants or Steelers don’t trade into this spot. They give up 6th and 7th round spots to make this selection, which seems a decent enough deal. Odrick can start at DE for the Patriots and will do a decent enough job replacing Richard Seymour. The Bucs traded down because there were a few corners they liked and they didn’t have their heart set on anyone along the defensive line still remaining.

43. Miami Dolphins – Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU

The Dolphins need a big physical receiver, and Parcells likes wideouts who come from pro-style offenses, which LaFell does. The Dolphins have the complete choice of 2nd round receiving talent with this pick, and go with LaFell.

44. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from New England Patriots) – Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

A weak class along the defensive line means that the Bucs look to fill other spots with their 2nd round pick. Ronde Barber is on the way down, so they need his eventual replacement. Jackson is a good physical corner who is suited to the style of play in the NFL. The Bucs have to select corners who can tackle because they play the Tampa 2 scheme – Jackson fits perfectly as both a capable wrap-up tackler and a player not afraid of bringing the big hit.

45. Denver Broncos – Matt Tennant, C, Boston College

This pick will be run up to the podium in a heartbeat. After cutting Casey Wiegmann the Broncos have no center, and replacing him is absolutely vital. There is a horrible drop-off of talent after Tennant, who started in his redshirt sophomore year – usefully he doesn’t lack experience, improving his chances of starting from Day 1. He’ll need a season to fully develop physically, but this is the right choice for the Broncos.

46. New York Giants – Cam Thomas, DT, North Carolina

A vital position of need, the Giants have to draft a DT here. He’s a big space-eater at 6-4, 330 – Haynesworth dimensions but without any of the pass-rushing skills. The Giants will find it easier to deal with both their run and pass defense issues because Thomas will make everyone around him look better through giving the opposition more to worry about.

47. New England Patriots – Damian Williams, WR, USC

I was stuck on this pick for a while. The choice is clear: Arrelious Benn or Damian Williams. And personally I really, really like Benn. Benn is a big physical wideout who reminds some of Terrell Owens and others of Anquan Boldin; he is excellent after the catch and uses his body well. However, his route-running isn’t as crisp as it could/should be and he probably gave up a little last season on a losing team with terrible QB play from Juice Williams.

Compare him to Damian Williams and you’re talking chalk and cheese. Williams doesn’t have great speed for a wideout, nor is he especially physical, but he is a fantastic route-runner who can make tough catches. He lives to make double moves and he’ll really enjoy learning from Randy Moss on this. Tom Brady should have confidence in throwing to him too. He’s an agile slippery runner who was a punt returner for USC. I had this pick as Arrelious Benn for a long time, but in a mock draft you should pick according to a team’s tendencies – treat the Patriots as you would treat the Raiders. Benn got a Wonderlic score of 11 and gave up a bit in his final year, given the complexity of our route tree he may simply not be a Patriots player. Williams makes more sense as the pick.

The choice is between a slick route-runner who may struggle to separate and a big physical wideout who isn’t as crisp in his routes as he could be. The first is Damian Williams, the second is Arrelious Benn. I chose Benn because you can improve your route running, you can’t change your body type. Benn’s 6.79 3-cone-drill, a good measure of body control at full speed, was the same as Williams’. A season working with Moss and Welker should help to improve his route-running. It will also help that he’s out of Illinois and receiving passes from a decent QB once more. At worst, he’s Anquan Boldin and a No. 2 receiver for us exploiting single coverage against teams’ weaker corners. At best, he’s Terrell Owens. And that’s no bad thing.

You can see how much I like him. At the time of writing, I have no idea where he’ll end up.

48. Carolina Panthers – Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois

Tebow is still available, but you have to assume Matt Moore is the guy for the Panthers. So here’s Benn. You just read me rhapsodising about him, so let’s talk about the Panthers’ needs instead. Steve Smith is their only competent WR, and since he gets double-covered the Panthers’ QBs end up with no-one else to throw to. This is one of the reasons why Jake Delhomme is now in Cleveland. Benn is big and physical, which makes him a good compliment to Steve Smith.

 

[Nonentity]

49. San Francisco 49ers – Taylor Mays, S, USC

And Mays gets selected, finally, after a long fall. That fact obviously depends on NFL GMs being sensible and ignoring the fact that Mays is a HUGE workout warrior who can’t cover to a NFL standard right now. This is a good pick for the 49ers though – Michael Lewis is coming off numerous concussions and Dashon Goldson is a good starting FS. Mays can spend the 2010 season being intensively coached, and may be able to start from 2011. If Lewis isn’t able to start the season, the 49ers at least have Mays available.

50. Kansas City Chiefs – Nate Allen, S, South Florida

Having filled their two big need positions of OT and OLB already, Scott Pioli will be pleased that he can bolster the Chiefs further with a second 2nd round pick. The Chiefs are bad at safety and Allen provides both athletic ability and leadership, coupled with excellent instincts and technique. The Chiefs share a division with Tony Scheffler, Antonio Gates and Zach Miller, making good safety play vital.

51. Houston Texans – Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee

This pick was clearly a running back, but which one. I found an excellent article via Google, which gave me this pick. I pondered Hardesty or Dwyer for a while, but Hardesty has a much better initial burst with a huge vertical jump of 41 inches. Everyone at Tennessee seems to be in love with the guy and I suspect the Texans might feel the same. Dwyer would be an equally valid pick here though.

52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State

The classiest corner remaining, Robinson is a good selection for the Steelers at a position of need. He will enjoy the ability to play press coverage in the NFL and has excellent closing speed.

53. New England Patriots – pick traded to Philadelphia Eagles for 55th and 2011 4th round pick
53. Philadelphia Eagles – Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech

The Eagles need to replace Brian Dawkins and Burnett is the last top free safety on the board. Noting the Bengals need at safety, they trade forward two spots to make sure they get him. As they don’t own a 5th or 6th round pick the Patriots manage to get a 2011 4th out of them. Burnett, by the way, is good at just about everything. He does well in both man and zone coverage and can hit. If he had stayed in school and come out as a senior in 2011 he would probably be a 1st round pick.
Trade value chart – 53 (370) for 55 and 2011 4th rounder (350 + 70/2 = 385)

54. Cincinnati Bengals – Dexter McCluster, WR/RB, Mississippi

The Bengals move on after missing out on Burnett and take their new slot receiver. There are good corners left on the board but the Bengals are pretty much set at the position. McCluster is hard to pin down, both metaphorically and literally – no-one’s quite sure what his position is but everyone agrees that’s he’s special.

55. New England Patriots (from Philadelphia Eagles) – Jahvid Best, RB, California

This is a bit of a luxury pick for the Patriots, when you look at their needs. There are plenty of TEs on the board here, but none of them really inspire any love and the Patriots use them more as blockers than receivers. At ILB there’s just no-one worth picking. I can’t work out a trade down, a couple of teams have multiple 3rd round picks but I just can’t work out trades that are attractive to both sides at this position in the draft while there are still red-chip players available.

I love Best. He has speed for the off-tackle runs to reach the corner quickly. But his biggest feature was how he planted his foot and completely switched his direction. He's got great footwork which helps his stop-start running style no end. He beat a lot of defenders by forcing them to run at an angle to where they thought he would get to (because of his speed), then planting at full speed and cutting back behind them. His acceleration is truly top notch, which is why the foot plant works so well when taking on defenders. He will beat safeties almost every time, especially against a Cover 2 where he can simply run between the two safeties with his speed. I liked his footwork too and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Question marks probably remain over his running up the middle, although he didn't appear to have a great OL and rescued a lot of busted plays by running through traffic up the hashmarks. Yes, the concussions are an issue, but if he’s cleared by doctors then I’m ok with it.

56. Green Bay Packers – Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana University (Pennsylvania)

The Packers have to look to the future at corner with both Al Harris and Charles Woodson getting old. Harris is coming off an ACL at the age of 35, and he surely can’t last much longer. Ted Thompson throws a huge curveball and picks Owusu-Ansah, a Division II standout, over Chris Cook. Both are suited to the press man-to-man coverage that the Packers play. Cook twice got suspended for academics, however, and Owusu-Ansah can start as a returner while he learns the ropes. Since many people haven’t heard of him, here’s a scouting report.

57. Baltimore Ravens – Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona

The Ravens have no 3rd round pick so they have to make this one count. Having drafted a CB, they now go for a TE. Gronkowski is coming off a back injury but has been cleared by multiple doctors, so it’s up to individual teams to decide if they’re happy to draft him. I suspect he’ll still go early, because he can both catch and block and not many TEs can do that these days.

58. Arizona Cardinals – Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale

The Cardinals have to replace Mike Gandy, and Veldheer is a good choice to do that. They were in a tough spot in the 1st round and by the time their new pick at 40 came up, both Saffold and Ducassee had gone. Veldheer is huge, has all the physical measurables and is highly mobile. The one downer is his level of competition, which was Division II. This is about the right spot for him.

59. Dallas Cowboys – pick traded to Jacksonville Jaguars for 74th, 108th and 143rd picks
59. Jacksonville Jaguars – Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

“When you have them by the balls, their hearts and mind will follow”.

Jacksonville really have no choice here if they want Tebow. And they have to get him if the franchise is to stay in Jacksonville. Seattle pick next at 60 and they are very very likely to take Tebow given their lack of depth at QB. The Jaguars have claimed they’ll stick to their board, and that’s an ok excuse at the top of Round 1, but this trade has to happen, somehow. The Cowboys hammer the Jaguars on the trade, taking their 3rd, 4th and 5th round picks. They would have still ‘won’ the trade on the value chart with the 6th rounder rather than the 5th, but Jerry Jones remembers the fun the Cowboys had with the Herschel Walker trade and doesn’t hesitate to squeeze until the pips squeak. The Jags really left it too late to trade but this is a strange second round with some amazing talent at the top of the round.

By the way, I assume I don’t need to explain who Tim Tebow is...

Trade value chart – 59 (310) for 74, 108 and 143(220 + 78 + 34.5 = 332.5)

60. Seattle Seahawks – Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma

The Seahawks have already got a premier OT and RB, and now can address the defense. They need a new corner to partner Marcus Trufant. Franks is a corner with good ball skills and useful height, although he is a little raw and needs pro-level coaching to help him improve his technique.

61. New York Jets – Reshad Jones, S, Georgia

Having traded away Kerry Rhodes, the Jets need a new safety. Reshad Jones is probably the best safety remaining right now. He specialises in run support but is decent in zone coverage. Chad Jones is an option here but is more of an athlete than a safety. I tried to do the sensible thing for the Jets (yes, really) and give them a player who should be ready to start rather than a project.

62. Minnesota Vikings – Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois

Last year’s poor running game was largely attributable to the shoddy offensive line he was running behind. This is an excellent position for them to upgrade at guard, with RG Anthony Herrera the worst offender. Asamoah can play either side and uses his long arms well in pass protection. The Vikings’ biggest problem is the zone blocking scheme of offensive line coach Pat Morris, which their line is hopelessly unsuited for. However, Childress and Morris are close personal friends and you have to assume that it’s not going to change any time soon. Asamoah is a good pick nevertheless, although Mike Johnson would be an ok alternative.

63. Indianapolis Colts – Jermaine Cunningham, DE, Florida

When Dwight Freeney went down for the Colts, they really suffered. A decent backup is needed, and Cunningham fits the bill as a smaller DE which suits the Colts’ prototype for the position. He has a good burst off the snap, uses his hands actively and does well when redirecting on stunts. Lacks strength in the run game, but this should be nothing new for the Colts.

 

[Nonentity]

64. New Orleans Saints – Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas

Sedrick Ellis is looking increasingly like a bust and the Saints need better depth here, at the minimum. A penetrative 4-3 DT by trade, Houston can also play DE. This is useful versatility for a team with weaknesses all the way along the defensive line. Possesses great agility and strength, and ran a 4.8 40 at the combine – it’s only the sheer depth at the DT spot that sees him drop to the end of the 2nd round. In the run game he is excellent in pursuit and an aggressive tackler, although he doesn’t have the bulk for the NT spot in a 4-3.



==============



If you made it to the end of all that, well done! And thanks, I really appreciate it. Unbelievably I’ve managed to write over 6000 words on a 2 round mock draft, which is bordering on the insane. No, I will not be doing another one. Undoubtedly it will all be proven wrong, but isn’t that why we do them?

 

[Nonentity]

Simple version:

1. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
4. Washington Redskins - Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Bryan Buluga, OT, Iowa
6. Seattle Seahawks - Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
7. Cleveland Browns - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
8. Oakland Raiders - Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
9. Buffalo Bills – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
11. Denver Broncos – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
12. Miami Dolphins – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida
14. Seattle Seahawks – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
15. New York Giants – Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
16. Tennessee Titans - pick traded along with 111th pick to Green Bay Packers for 23rd and 56th picks
16. Green Bay Packers – Charles Brown, OT, USC
17. San Francisco 49ers – pick traded to Washington Redskins for 37th pick and 2011 1st rounder
17. Washington Redskins – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
19. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
20. Houston Texans – Earl Thomas, DB, Texas
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
22. New England Patriots – Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU
23. Tennessee Titans (from Green Bay Packers) – Everson Griffen, DE, USC
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
25. Baltimore Ravens – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
26. Arizona Cardinals – pick traded to Buffalo Bills for 41st and 72nd picks
26. Buffalo Bills – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
27. Dallas Cowboys – pick traded to San Diego Chargers for 28th and 159th picks
27. San Diego Chargers – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
28. Dallas Cowboys – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
29. New York Jets – Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
30. Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
31. Indianapolis Colts – Brian Price, DT, UCLA
32. New Orleans Saints – pick traded along with 130th pick to San Diego Chargers for 40th and 91st picks
32. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State

2nd round:
33. St. Louis Rams – Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
34. Detroit Lions – Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana
35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Demaryious Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
36. Kansas City Chiefs – Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
37. San Francisco 49ers (from Washington Redskins) – Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachusetts
38. Cleveland Browns – Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
39. Oakland Raiders – Tyson Alualu, DT, California
40. New Orleans Saints (from San Diego Chargers) – Daryl Washington, LB, TCU
41. Arizona Cardinals (from Buffalo Bills) – Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson
42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – pick traded to New England Patriots for 44th, 190th and 229th picks.
42. New England Patriots – Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
43. Miami Dolphins – Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
44. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from New England Patriots) – Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
45. Denver Broncos – Matt Tennant, C, Boston College
46. New York Giants – Cam Thomas, DT, North Carolina
47. New England Patriots – Damian Williams, WR, USC
48. Carolina Panthers – Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
49. San Francisco 49ers – Taylor Mays, S, USC
50. Kansas City Chiefs – Nate Allen, S, South Florida
51. Houston Texans – Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
53. New England Patriots – pick traded to Philadelphia Eagles for 55th and 2011 4th round pick
53. Philadelphia Eagles – Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech
54. Cincinnati Bengals – Dexter McCluster, WR/RB, Mississippi
55. New England Patriots (from Philadelphia Eagles) – Jahvid Best, RB, California
56. Green Bay Packers – Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana University (Pennsylvania)
57. Baltimore Ravens – Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
58. Arizona Cardinals – Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale
59. Dallas Cowboys – pick traded to Jacksonville Jaguars for 74th, 108th and 143rd picks
59. Jacksonville Jaguars – Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
60. Seattle Seahawks – Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma
61. New York Jets – Reshad Jones, S, Georgia
62. Minnesota Vikings – Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois
63. Indianapolis Colts – Jermaine Cunningham, DE, Florida
64. New Orleans Saints – Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas

 

[Nonentity]

And an even shorter summary:

Patriots take Jerry Hughes at 22, Jared Odrick at 42, Damian Williams at 47 and Jahvid Best at 55 after a small trade-down from 53.


That's it!

 

[Feep50]

The even shorter version is Odrick is long, long, gone before #44..........

 

[eagle eye]

I think the Jags will look to trade their first round pick. Its clear they want Tebow and they certainly are not going to reach from 10 for him.

 

[Feep50]

I think the Jags will look to trade their first round pick. Its clear they want Tebow and they certainly are not going to reach from 10 for him.

If someone wants to reach, and I do mean REACH for Tebow at #22 I would make that trade in a nanosecond. I'm talking stoopid like a 1st next year and second or third this year........

 

[Wheelssps]

The even shorter version is Odrick is long, long, gone before #44..........

That may be true, but who would have thought that Wilfork would have fallen to us? Or who saw Brady Quinn's fall? Or Vollmer's rise? Speaking in absolutes is pretty shaky with a draft this deep in talent. There will be some real quality players falling to rounds they would never have lasted to in other years.

 

[jays52]

Wow, an impressive bit of work there. Nice job. I have a handful of notes.

1) I think there may be an early run on nose tackles that will supris quite a few people. I strongly believe that Denver is going to think hard about pulling the trigger on Williams or Cody. I know what the supposed "value" of these kids is, but the nose is the most important position in the 34. I also think that both of these players are underrated. This is especially true with Cody. People tend to fall in love with measurables, but the eye in the sky don't lie. Cody is as dominant a nose as there has been in a long time coming out. If Denver goes nose, I expect Miami to do the same. Parcells has a lot invested in his will and mike, and he needs a long term answer to maximize their value. I think Miami is going to shock people and take Cody.

2) Great call on Hughes. He is the best Jack/Joker prospect in the draft, and that first step quickness combined with hip fluidity is very, very rare.

3) I think that if NE adresses the Jack/Joker, they will adress the Sam. I would have put Lane in the 2nd round.

4) I think they can adress their need for a 4 tech either via trade or by picking up a guy off the street. It's a stop gap, but Odrick ain't gonna be around in the 2nd with the volume of 34's being built around the league.

5) The USC receiver is tremendous value for the split end need. Great pick.

Again, great stuff.

 

[mgteich]

I looked and looked, and tried to figure out what was wrong, other than the personal choice of evaluating Hughes at 22 and Odrick at 42. Many of us would simply switch them, and then review the mock again.
=========================
Then I figured it out. Three STUDS were drafted at 27, 28 and 30.

NT Williams 27
OG Iupati 28 and
CB Wilson 30

I've been shocked before, but ALL THREE will not drop this far. I'm not even sure that we would be passing on these players. We certainly would be entertaining offers, before drafting Hughes! Personally, I'd have to look long and hard before passing on Kyle Wilson, who may very well be the best corner in this draft.

 

[jays52]

I should also add a note about Jahvid Best. Be weary of the cutters coming into the NFL. Pursuit is way too fast in the NFL for these guys to be effective trying the constant juking. In the NFL, it's one cut, hash, numbers, sideline, watch yourself on the jumbotron. It took Reggie Bush a long time to figure this out, and he was twice the back that Best is when he came out. Also, towards the "splitting the safeties in cover-2" comment...yeah, that never happens. You can split safeties in cover-3 because of how drawn up the SS is, but never cover-2. Especially a Tampa-2. In the T-2 he would have to beat the mike in addition to both safeties. Now, if you wanted to say something like "he could run a flat to fly out of the backfield in conjunction with a split end curl, exploiting the area between the C and S, and likely beat the S in a footrace to the pylon", that would be a more accurate representation of his skillset.

 

[Nonentity]

I looked and looked, and tried to figure out what was wrong, other than the personal choice of evaluating Hughes at 22 and Odrick at 42. Many of us would simply switch them, and then review the mock again.

In some drafts you can group 5 players at the same position together as having equal value and then trade down to
the spot where you can get at least one. I don't think that's the case with the OLB group this year. Each of them have different attributes and they suit different schemes. I think Hughes suits ours well because he can set the edge (just about), he can read-react and he has incredible fluidity. Along with the pass-rushing skills. I think you have to take the one you want early and let everyone else fight after you for the remaining players. For example, imagine that only Sapp and Worilds are left for us in the 2nd round. We'd be compromising at a position of extreme need, which just doesn't strike me as wise.

At DE I think there's a little more flexibility. Although Odrick is most ready to start, I'd still be happy with Wooten or Carrington in the 2nd. But look at what I did - as soon as it looked like Odrick would continue to fall I got the Patriots to trade up for him.

One of the interesting themes I found was that most teams didn't need to trade out of their spots. This draft is just so deep it's scary, and there's a really diverse range of needs. It's a deep draft at corner but mainly as 2nd or 3rd ranked needs, which is why a lot of them go in the 2nd round.

Then I figured it out. Three STUDS were drafted at 27, 28 and 30.

NT Williams 27
OG Iupati 28 and
CB Wilson 30

I've been shocked before, but ALL THREE will not drop this far. I'm not even sure that we would be passing on these players. We certainly would be entertaining offers, before drafting Hughes! Personally, I'd have to look long and hard before passing on Kyle Wilson, who may very well be the best corner in this draft.

But here's the thing though - there are so many studs in this year's draft that you really get to pick and choose according to your need. Mike Reiss said in his chat today that in 2007 the Patriots only had 22 players graded as having 1st round value, but that this year it might be as many as 40.

I evaluated every team according to their need, with a mind to what's remaining on the board. Williams is the one player that I'm not entirely happy with dropping, but it was the way it played out. Maybe a team trades up for him, but I just don't see many teams really wanting to trade out of their picks.

 

[Nonentity]

I should also add a note about Jahvid Best. Be weary of the cutters coming into the NFL. Pursuit is way too fast in the NFL for these guys to be effective trying the constant juking. In the NFL, it's one cut, hash, numbers, sideline, watch yourself on the jumbotron. It took Reggie Bush a long time to figure this out, and he was twice the back that Best is when he came out. Also, towards the "splitting the safeties in cover-2" comment...yeah, that never happens. You can split safeties in cover-3 because of how drawn up the SS is, but never cover-2. Especially a Tampa-2. In the T-2 he would have to beat the mike in addition to both safeties. Now, if you wanted to say something like "he could run a flat to fly out of the backfield in conjunction with a split end curl, exploiting the area between the C and S, and likely beat the S in a footrace to the pylon", that would be a more accurate representation of his skillset.

Sorry, I feel really guilty here because that's a fantastic explanation of coverages against passing routes. What I actually meant was Best with the ball in hand running up the middle or cutting back to it. When running directly at safeties who were in a Cover 2 pre-snap, his speed allows him to head straight between the two of them, and win, rather than trying to beat one of them on the outside and risking a corner making it back to tackle him. This may be wrong in itself, but it's what I meant.

 

[Nonentity]

I think the Jags will look to trade their first round pick. Its clear they want Tebow and they certainly are not going to reach from 10 for him.

It's possible, but it's just not the impression I get from hearing what the Jags are saying at the moment. And Derrick Morgan is a fantastic player at 10. Their lack of a 2nd round pick (which they traded to us last year) kills them though, they just have nothing to trade with! Unless you start getting silly with 2011picks, that is, and I couldn't work out a trade.

That's why I got Dallas to hammer them in the trade. They still needed Tebow and I finally found a team willing to trade out of their pick in an area that the Jags could offer a realistic trade.

 

[DW Toys]

It's possible, but it's just not the impression I get from hearing what the Jags are saying at the moment. And Derrick Morgan is a fantastic player at 10. Their lack of a 2nd round pick (which they traded to us last year) kills them though, they just have nothing to trade with! Unless you start getting silly with 2011picks, that is, and I couldn't work out a trade.

That's why I got Dallas to hammer them in the trade. They still needed Tebow and I finally found a team willing to trade out of their pick in an area that the Jags could offer a realistic trade.

A whole lot of work governor!
I appreciate the time spent.
I (IMO) don't care much for Ordick and any USC WR (poison!) but great job.
DW Toys

 

[eagle eye]

It's possible, but it's just not the impression I get from hearing what the Jags are saying at the moment. And Derrick Morgan is a fantastic player at 10. Their lack of a 2nd round pick (which they traded to us last year) kills them though, they just have nothing to trade with! Unless you start getting silly with 2011picks, that is, and I couldn't work out a trade.

That's why I got Dallas to hammer them in the trade. They still needed Tebow and I finally found a team willing to trade out of their pick in an area that the Jags could offer a realistic trade.

The Jags have an early third as well. They are in a position to do a deal. If a team feels they would be reaching for somebody they want in the second round, and have a late first but would like a Pierre-Paul, Morgan type then this deal can easily get done.

 

[eagle eye]

If someone wants to reach, and I do mean REACH for Tebow at #22 I would make that trade in a nanosecond. I'm talking stoopid like a 1st next year and second or third this year........

So you think Tebow isn't worth it, so what, he is financially a huge boost to the Jags if they take him.