A mock draft that will make your heads explode

[Fat Elvis]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfp-moc...0103--nfl.html

NFP Mock Draft 3.0
National Football PostBy Russ Lande | National Football Post – 4 hours ago



Trying to predict what players will be chosen by specific teams is nearly impossible before the All Star games, Combine and Pro Days, but below is the first mock draft of the new year. As always I try to match hat I am hearing about team's desires with what I believe are the best players available, so take a look and send me your thoughts.

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame, Senior: No quarterback warrants being the first overall pick and after Jovan Belcher’s suicide the Chiefs have a strong need for another impact linebacker and Te’o can be that player.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State, Junior: While many may expect the Jaguars to reach for a quarterback to replace Blaine Gabbert, we believe that Tim Tebow will be that player. So the new general manager can focus on improving the Jaguars pass rush, which has struggled with consistency in recent seasons.

3. Oakland Raiders: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M, Junior: With many needs the Raiders make the decision to draft Joeckel who is viewed as potentially one of the safer choices in the Draft. Joeckel could either upgrade the Raiders at left tackle and push Veldheer to the right side or could take over at right tackle while Veldheer stays on the left; either way the Raiders offensive line improves greatly.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M, Junior: Without Jason Peters playing left tackle in 2012 the Eagles’ offensive line struggled all season. So drafting Matthews gives them insurance in case Peters struggles to return from injury and could be a big upgrade at right tackle if Peters is healthy and back at left tackle for the 2013 season.

5. Detroit Lions: Kenny Vaccaro, SAF, Texas, Senior: Louis Delmas is starting to get the “injury prone” label and the Lions do not have a top level safety to play next to him. While some may view Vaccaro as a reach, we believe he would be an immediate starter for the Lions and would upgrade their pass defense.

6. Cleveland Browns: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama, Senior: The Browns have a ton of young offensive talent at the skill positions, but for them to blossom their offensive line needs to improve. Warmack would upgrade their interior offensive line play and improve their rushing attack immediately.

7. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Glennon, QB, N.C. State, Senior: Whomever the new head coach in Arizona ends up being, he likely will not want to count on Kolb, Skelton or Lindley for the future . So they draft the strong armed Glennon who reminds us a tremendous amount of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

8. Buffalo Bills: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan, Junior: With OG Andy Levitre an unrestricted free agent and no established right tackle on the roster; the Bills grab Lewan who could start at right tackle from day one.

9. New York Jets: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia, Junior: While the Jets are likely to draft a quarterback to challenge Sanchez, they do not want to reach for one here. So they jump at the chance to add the explosive Jones who should upgrade their outside pass rush immediately.

10. Tennessee Titans: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama, Junior: The Titans have a number of holes, but the chance to add a strong and physical cornerback with pro bowl potential makes too much sense for them to pass up.

11. San Diego Chargers: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan, Senior: A better prospect coming out of school than Joe Staley, Fisher could take over at left tackle and help keep Philip Rivers upright for the rest of his career.

12. Miami Dolphins: Keenan Allen, WR, California, Junior: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill showed flashes that he can be the long term answer for the Dolphins, but he needs weapons. Allen is a big play receiver who can “take the top off the defense” to open everything up for their offense.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Oday Aboushi, OT, Virginia, Senior: The Buccaneers right side of their offensive line struggled with consistency in 2012, which leads to their choice of Aboushi who is strong, physical and consistent. He should challenge to start at either right tackle or right guard as a rookie.

14. Carolina Panthers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Senior: Carolina has two quality defensive ends in Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, but its interior defensive line continued to struggle in 2012. Lotulelei would be an impact player in the middle of its defensive line from day one, which would upgrade the Panthers’ defense.

15. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri, Junior: Sedric Ellis is an unrestricted free agent and the Saints need to upgrade their defense. Richardson would give them an explosive, penetrating defensive tackle that would regularly make impact plays behind the LOS.

16. St. Louis Rams: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina, Senior: Quarterback Sam Bradford was constantly under pressure in 2012 and Cooper is an athletic and powerful lineman with the talent to start at guard or center for the Rams.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon, Senior: James Harrison was not the impact pass rusher in 2012 that he was earlier in his career and Lamarr Woodley struggled with injuries throughout 2012, so they add Jordan. Jordan could backup both in 2013 while adding explosiveness and speed to the Steelers pass rush.

18. Dallas Cowboys: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State, Junior: Neither Jason Hatcher or Marcus Spears has become an elite defensive lineman and Hankins would add size and strength to the defensive end position in the Cowboys 34 scheme.

19. New York Giants: Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU, Senior: Osi Umenyiora ‘s contract is up so he will likely not be back and Justin Tuck has recorded two straight up and down seasons. Ansah is raw, but similar to Jason Pierre Paul in terms of athleticism, competitiveness and potential.

20. Chicago Bears: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma, Senior: To say the Bears offensive line has been a major weakness in recent seasons would be an under-statement. Johnson has only played offensive tackle for two seasons and with his height, long arms and athleticism his upside is outstanding.

21 P. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee, Junior: The Bengals hit big time on their selection of AJ Green and like the potential of Marvin jones, but the chance to grab Patterson, who reminds us a lot of Falcons’ receiver Roddy White, makes too much sense as he would be a great weapon opposite Green.

22 P. St. Louis Rams (From Washington): Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia, Senior: After upgrading their offensive line with their first first round pick, the Rams get the most explosive offensive weapon in the Draft for Bradford to throw to.

23 P. Baltimore Ravens: Alex Ogletree, LB, Georgia, Junior: With Ray Lewis coming off a major injury and entering his 18th season in 2013, the Ravens jump at chance to grab Ogletree who is the most explosive inside linebacker in the Draft.

24 P. Minnesota Vikings: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama, Senior: Longtime stud defensive tackle Kevin Williams is 32, so the Vikings grab Williams who can be their third defensive tackle in 2013 and take over as starter when Williams is done.

25 P. Indianapolis Colts: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State, Senior: Ryan Grigson pulled off a great trade getting cornerback Vontae Davis and now he drafts Banks to shore up the other cornerback position.

26 P. Seattle Seahawks: Barrett Jones, C / OG, Alabama, Senior: Jones is not a top athlete, but he is a smart, aggressive and versatile lineman who could start at center, guard or even tackle for Seahawks in the future.

27 P. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame, Senior: Current tight end Jermichael Finley is not expected to return to team in 2013, so the Packers upgrade the position by drafting Eifert whose combination of size, athleticism and hands are tough to find.

28 P. San Francisco 49ers: Margus Hunt, DE, SMU, Senior: Since defensive end Justin Smith was injured, the 49ers defense has struggled greatly, so they need to find a young defensive lineman to groom as his replacement. Hunt is an incredible athlete with great length, explosiveness and strength who could turn into a star in a season or two.

29 P. Houston Texans: Eric Reid, SAF, LSU, Junior: The Texans have been expected to draft a receiver in the first round to play opposite Andre Johnson every year and never have, so I believe they will continue that trend and focus on a different position. Reid is an active safety with the toughness to be a force against the run and the range and coverage skills to help the Texans deep coverage.

30 P. New England Patriots: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M, Junior: The Patriots pass rush still struggles to get consistent pressure, so they take a gamble on Moore who has the talent to become a dominating outside linebacker in their system and bring positional versatility to their defense, which Belichick gives enormous weight to.

31 P. Atlanta Falcons: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU, Junior: John Abraham is not getting any younger, so the Falcons draft Montgomery to backup Abraham and Biermann in 2013 and take over for Abraham when he retires.

32 P. Denver Broncos: David Amerson, CB, N.C. State, Junior: Champ Bailey is nearing the end of a Hall of Fame Career, so Coach Fox adds Amerson who has the combination of size, strength, willingness to play physical and coverage skills to be a solid all-around cornerback.

No Geno in the first round. Not very realistic AT ALL, but....if you could get Geno in the second round--and it was guarenteed--who would you pick #1?

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Why? This isn't the same NFL where your first round pick gets a billion dollars, so salary is out of the question. We are in the AFC West where up until last year, the only passing QB worth legitimately building a defense to compete against was Phillip Rivers, completely laughable. Pass Rush isn't that big of a concern here in the west as it is in the AFC South as an example. Despite that, we have Hali and Houston already covered, and in our 3-4, anything else is just depth or rotation, which we could better utilize. I don't want us drafting a Left Tackle because I believe Albert is our guy and we need to give him a contract and plant him here for the foreseeable future. We need a QB but there isn't a "lights out, guaranteed to not **** this up" QB on the board, and since there isn't one, the likelihood that we draft a QB is up in the air.

Believe me, I want a QB as much as the next guy, but I'm playing devils advocate here for Te'o, and saying I'm not opposed to it.

People need to get their heads wrapped around the way personnel works now with the CBA. It is no longer a "waste" to draft an MLB/ILB in the top 5, top 10, or even the top pick. Especially if that guy has the potential to be at or near the top of his position for the next 5-8 years. By all means draft him.

We picked DJ with our 15th pick in '05, he's been an absolute beacon of hope for this defense since he got here. I am not opposed to spending our #1 draft pick we sucked so hard to get, on a guy who by all measures, could turn into a DJ clone. Why the hell wouldn't you take that?

Like I said, we have a long way to go with pro days, senior bowl, combine, etc. to figure this out, but why automatically rule out Te'o with the #1 pick, just because it isn't commonplace to draft an ILB/MLB there?

That is ignorant, lets see how the kid measures first and not automatically rule people out because of where we are picking. Aside from QB, ILB and CB are probably our biggest concerns for immediate need on this team.

it's absolutely a waste...and it is cowardly and dumb to boot

the economic argument you are making is better applied to the QB position...draft one, it costs basically nothing

LBs aren't important, QBs are....and we've waited 30 freaking years for one

nevermind that te'o isn't even close to being the best lb to come out in years...

Cassel and Quinn and you want a LB with the #1 pick in the draft

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Why? This isn't the same NFL where your first round pick gets a billion dollars, so salary is out of the question. We are in the AFC West where up until last year, the only passing QB worth legitimately building a defense to compete against was Phillip Rivers, completely laughable. Pass Rush isn't that big of a concern here in the west as it is in the AFC South as an example. Despite that, we have Hali and Houston already covered, and in our 3-4, anything else is just depth or rotation, which we could better utilize. I don't want us drafting a Left Tackle because I believe Albert is our guy and we need to give him a contract and plant him here for the foreseeable future. We need a QB but there isn't a "lights out, guaranteed to not **** this up" QB on the board, and since there isn't one, the likelihood that we draft a QB is up in the air.

Believe me, I want a QB as much as the next guy, but I'm playing devils advocate here for Te'o, and saying I'm not opposed to it.

People need to get their heads wrapped around the way personnel works now with the CBA. It is no longer a "waste" to draft an MLB/ILB in the top 5, top 10, or even the top pick. Especially if that guy has the potential to be at or near the top of his position for the next 5-8 years. By all means draft him.

We picked DJ with our 15th pick in '05, he's been an absolute beacon of hope for this defense since he got here. I am not opposed to spending our #1 draft pick we sucked so hard to get, on a guy who by all measures, could turn into a DJ clone. Why the hell wouldn't you take that?

Like I said, we have a long way to go with pro days, senior bowl, combine, etc. to figure this out, but why automatically rule out Te'o with the #1 pick, just because it isn't commonplace to draft an ILB/MLB there?

That is ignorant, lets see how the kid measures first and not automatically rule people out because of where we are picking. Aside from QB, ILB and CB are probably our biggest concerns for immediate need on this team.

Linebackers don't win games, QBs DO. How many games has Derrick Johnson won for us throughout his career? How many has ray Lewis won for Baltimore?

Linebackers stop the run.... And today is a passing league.

In todays NFL You get a QB and build the team around him.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

We need a QB but there isn't a "lights out, guaranteed to not **** this up" QB on the board, and since there isn't one, the likelihood that we draft a QB is up in the air.

And do you know how many of those there have been in the past 30 years?

Two.

John Elway and Andrew Luck.

That's it.

So you are willing to wait around another 30 years and hope we have the first pick in the draft when they come around?

(And if you don't remember, there were a couple of guys taken after Elway who ended up in the Hall of Fame that weren't "lights out, guaranteed not to **** this up" type of players. In fact, that's why they were drafted behind a guy named Todd Blackledge.)

We picked DJ with our 15th pick in '05, he's been an absolute beacon of hope for this defense since he got here. I am not opposed to spending our #1 draft pick we sucked so hard to get, on a guy who by all measures, could turn into a DJ clone. Why the hell wouldn't you take that?

You obviously don't remember the Derrick Johnson who played for the Chiefs under Herm Edwards. The guy was basically a lazy, out of shape first round bust and was actually benched by Haley for sucking so bad.

And, don't take this personally, but Te'o is a ****ING MIDDLE LINEBACKER WITHOUT ELITE INTANGIBLES. No one takes a middle linebacker first overall, especially when you've got the shit stain at the QB position that the Chiefs have. Why? Because they are ****ing middle linebackers! They plug the run, especially in a 34. You get great guys for that in the sixth ****ing round. Not at the #1 overall pick. It's a shit position in terms of positional value - it's not the WILL backer that is asked to do a lot more in terms of coverage and reads and the like such as Derrick Johnson or Pat Willis. It's a ****ing run plugger. And you are okay with spending the first overall pick on that?

**** me.

[the Talking Can]

"oh noes, it risky! draft LB for value"

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Oh. My. Dear. God.

Oh my dear god what?

If Te'o ends up throwing a score of 8 on the board, I want nothing to do with him.

I'm not sure how much you actually know about the game of football, but you need intelligent players at the MLB/ILB and Safety positions. So if Geno Smith goes out there and has a bad combine, throws up a below average Wonderlic, and Te'o tears it up and posts a 25+ Wonderlic, I'm not going to be surprised at all if we draft him. Nor would I oppose it.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

"oh noes, it risky! draft LB for value"

Kind of like when we passed on Russell Wilson for Donald Stephenson in the third last draft, becasue in Pioli's words, he wasn't going to handle the punishment of the NFL.

Seattle is in the playoffs with Wilson starting for them all year, and we're talking about how great it would be to have a real homegrown QB. Again.

[Molitoth]

Not drafting the best qb available basically tells the fans, bowe, Albert, potential free agent pickups and everyone else that next year will be a losing season and there is no winning future in sight.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Oh my dear god what?

If Te'o ends up throwing a score of 8 on the board, I want nothing to do with him.

I'm not sure how much you actually know about the game of football, but you need intelligent players at the MLB/ILB and Safety positions. So if Geno Smith goes out there and has a bad combine, throws up a below average Wonderlic, and Te'o tears it up and posts a 25+ Wonderlic, I'm not going to be surprised at all if we draft him. Nor would I oppose it.

This is simple as I can put it -

Inside Linebackers do NOT impact the game in today's NFL like quarterbacks do. We have a bigger need at quarterback than at inside linebacker. We have to take the quarterback. End of story.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Oh my dear god what?

If Te'o ends up throwing a score of 8 on the board, I want nothing to do with him.

I'm not sure how much you actually know about the game of football, but you need intelligent players at the MLB/ILB and Safety positions. So if Geno Smith goes out there and has a bad combine, throws up a below average Wonderlic, and Te'o tears it up and posts a 25+ Wonderlic, I'm not going to be surprised at all if we draft him. Nor would I oppose it.

Here, let me help you with this...

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Oh my dear god what?

If Te'o ends up throwing a score of 8 on the board, I want nothing to do with him.

I'm not sure how much you actually know about the game of football, but you need intelligent players at the MLB/ILB and Safety positions. So if Geno Smith goes out there and has a bad combine, throws up a below average Wonderlic, and Te'o tears it up and posts a 25+ Wonderlic, I'm not going to be surprised at all if we draft him. Nor would I oppose it.

You won't oppose it because you are reeruned. Seriously Teo is not that ****ing good, Why not a punter with the first overall, or a long snapper?

Thats about the only position that has worse value or impact on a game that a non-pass rushing ILB in a 3-4. JFC the stupid is strong this year.

Is this some kinda weird catholic thing or something? Please say yes so I can understand that you aren't completely reeruned just deluded.

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

it's absolutely a waste...and it is cowardly and dumb to boot

the economic argument you are making is better applied to the QB position...draft one, it costs basically nothing

LBs aren't important, QBs are....and we've waited 30 freaking years for one

nevermind that te'o isn't even close to being the best lb to come out in years...

Cassel and Quinn and you want a LB with the #1 pick in the draft

Drafting the most talented player in the draft, is never dumb. Especially if he fits a position of need. Drafting a bust QB who will never play, is dumb. Ask the Jaguars if they'd like to have that Blaine Gabbert pick back, I'm sure they'd love to, and Gabbert was a decent college guy, had a good combine, and posted up an amazing wonderlic. Who would have thought he'd suck in the NFL? I did, because I saw something in that kid I didn't like.

I am not arguing FOR drafting Te'o, if you believe that, you clearly cannot read. I'm simply playing devils advocate and saying I am not OPPOSED to drafting him, like some of you are. I'm not advocating drafting for safety either, I'm all for taking a shot at a guy here. But you don't pass up what could be the best ILB for the next decade, all because you're needy at QB. You don't even get that right to make an argument against that since you didn't even start your 2nd year QB this year. If Geno or Barkley or whoever doesn't just absolutely blow the world away in Pro Day and Combine workouts, you can't just haphazardly throw that pick away because you need a QB.

Originally Posted by Molitoth

Linebackers don't win games, QBs DO. How many games has Derrick Johnson won for us throughout his career? How many has ray Lewis won for Baltimore?

Linebackers stop the run.... And today is a passing league.

In todays NFL You get a QB and build the team around him.

DJ has won 2 or 3 games for us if I'm not mistaken, but that is actually beside the point here. It certainly is a QB driven league, but the QB is not the only man on the field. You don't win games if you give up 30-40 a game, so the argument of "QB's win games, X position doesn't" is moot. Do you think the Vikings go to the playoffs without AP? No. Do the Texans make the playoffs without Arian Foster? Not a ****ing chance in the world. Do the ravens go to the playoffs without Rice? Not going to happen. Does Seattle go to the playoffs without Lynch? Yeah ****ing right, and Russel wouldn't look nearly as good without him.

In all honesty, there are VERY FEW QB's in this league you can make that argument for them winning games. Brady, Mannings, Rodgers, Ryan(despite the lack of playoff wins) sure, and most of them are in the playoffs. But half of them also have a solid ground game too.

It isn't always about the QBs on the teams, but it is about the WHOLE team functioning as one unit. Having a solid running game and solid defense, will win you more games than not, and help pave the way to a playoff run. After all, I don't give a **** if we make the playoffs to get blown out by the Colts, I want to win a playoff game for a change, and that is going to require us to have a solid defense and a good QB. Of which we have neither right now.

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

And do you know how many of those there have been in the past 30 years?

Two.

John Elway and Andrew Luck.

That's it.

So you are willing to wait around another 30 years and hope we have the first pick in the draft when they come around?

(And if you don't remember, there were a couple of guys taken after Elway who ended up in the Hall of Fame that weren't "lights out, guaranteed not to **** this up" type of players. In fact, that's why they were drafted behind a guy named Todd Blackledge.)



You obviously don't remember the Derrick Johnson who played for the Chiefs under Herm Edwards. The guy was basically a lazy, out of shape first round bust and was actually benched by Haley for sucking so bad.

Seriously? Two? Are you a Stanford Homer or something? There's been much more than "two", and Elway isn't even in the top 5 of the list in that timespan.

Again, I'm not saying we shouldn't take a QB, I'm saying that I'm not opposed to taking Te'O if no QB truly shines, and Te'o looks like a golden goose.

And yes, I remember a young DJ under Herm, I remember the rest of the team under Herm too, you aren't placing all of this on DJ are you? lol.

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

"oh noes, it risky! draft LB for value"

I remember that same argument coming up in 2009 when we took Tyson Jackson over Aaron Curry, up until this year, that pick looked to be wrong as well. Who knows, maybe we'll bring Curry in this off season and see if he can earn a spot lol.

[okcchief]

That's good reasoning. You could replace Belcher with a 5th round pick.

[Exoter175]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Here, let me help you with this...

Jesus kid, let it go lol.

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

You won't oppose it because you are reeruned. Seriously Teo is not that ****ing good, Why not a punter with the first overall, or a long snapper?

Thats about the only position that has worse value or impact on a game that a non-pass rushing ILB in a 3-4. JFC the stupid is strong this year.

Is this some kinda weird catholic thing or something? Please say yes so I can understand that you aren't completely reeruned just deluded.

No, I don't opposed it because IF, and that is certainly the big qualifier here, you idiot, IF it just so happens that Geno and Matt don't grade out well in the Combine and Te'o does, the smart choice is to go after Te'o if we have no other option like trading our pick to a team needy of an LT or DE.

You say that the least impact player in a 3-4 is the ILB, but DJ happens to be a pro bowler, happens to be our best defensive player, no questions asked. Without him, our defense crumbles to shit, and it isn't just talent.

You are aware that the ILB is basically the QB of the Defense, his role is more important than any other on the team defensively.

It certainly is hard to envision us worse than we are now, but without DJ we'd certainly be 0-16 no doubt about it.



Again, to reiterate my point here. I AM ALL FOR GETTING A QB IF HE IS WORTH IT, I AM HOWEVER NOT AGAINST TAKING TE'O IF HE IS AS GOOD AS EVERYONE THINKS HE IS.

[Exoter175]

Since everyone is all over my nuts about Te'o, I pose a question to you all.


Who is the clear cut, #1 ranked ILB in this draft as reported by draft analysts so far?

Now who is the clear cut #1 Ranked QB?

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Exoter175

Seriously? Two? Are you a Stanford Homer or something? There's been much more than "two", and Elway isn't even in the top 5 of the list in that timespan.

Name the five.

Again, I'm not saying we shouldn't take a QB, I'm saying that I'm not opposed to taking Te'O if no QB truly shines, and Te'o looks like a golden goose.

I know it's hard, but try to listen...he's a goddamn 34 Mike backer. The position itself isn't worth the pick. The position itself isn't worth any pick in the first round.

And yes, I remember a young DJ under Herm, I remember the rest of the team under Herm too, you aren't placing all of this on DJ are you? lol.

No, but you seem to be in terms of your argument. And Johnson plays a different position. If you've already got an All-Pro level guy at the WILL, pissing away a first rounder, let alone the overall #1 pick, is ignorant at best.