With just a few hours left until the draft, here's my final 3 round mock. Enjoy!
ROUND 1:
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck QB, Stanford
We should be expecting Indianapolis to start contract talks with Luck soon, they have no reason to wait.
2. Washington Redskins (from Rams): Robert Griffin III QB, Baylor
If the Colts start negotiating with Luck, Washington might as well start with RG3.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil OT, USC
Trade rumors are heating up with Minnesota, but they'd be making a mistake if they pass on Kalil. With how messy their line played last year, they have to take a franchise LT to protect Christian Ponder.
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson RB, Alabama
As a Steelers fan, I can only hope the Browns take Tannehill so they stay in the dumps of the AFC North for another few years. That's not to say Tannehill can't succeed in this league, I'm just saying he won't succeed in Cleveland. Their lack of offensive playmakers is astounding. Taking Richardson at least takes some pressure off whoever is playing QB for them.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne CB, LSU
Claiborne is probably the last of the elite prospects in this draft, though Blackmon is not far behind. With all the uncertainty around Tampa's Corners, he makes the most sense for the Bucs even if Richardson is available.
6. St. Louis Rams (from Redskins): Justin Blackmon WR, Oklahoma State
This is a rare case in which the top 6 players taken are the top 6 players in the draft and they're taken in order. A perfect situation for the Rams, they would love to take Blackmon to finally give Sam Bradford a legitimate weapon on the outside. If the defense can get some upgrades and step up its overall play, look for the Rams to finish right around .500.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd WR, Notre Dame
This is the last chance for a QB desperate team to jump Miami and take Tannehill, so look for the Jags to field some good offers for this pick. If they stay put, it will probably come down to Floyd or a pass rusher like Melvin Ingram. I think the need to surround Blaine Gabbert with the best supporting cast possible will push them toward the firepower Floyd offers. Also, many teams reportedly have Floyd higher on their boards than Blackmon. He definitely has the more elite size and speed that you want in a #1 receiver.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill QB, Texas A&M
It's unfortunate for the Dolphins that Tannehill is the best they can get. I don't think he will ever be an elite QB. They'd be better off scrubbing the season and getting Matt Barkely next year, but there's no way they'll do that. Having said that, I think Miami does offer him the best chance to succeed if they can get him some weapons.
9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox DT, Mississippi State
Carolina was awful against the run last year, and Cox has been steadily rising since the combine. Now considered a top 10 prospect, Cox would be a great addition to their DL.
10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff OT, Iowa
Buffalo spent most of its time during free agency working on their defense, which means they can focus on their offense in the draft. After losing Demetrius Bell to Phili they need someone to protect Ryan Fitzpatrick. Reiff should be a good LT and could go higher than this.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro OG, Stanford
The Chiefs would be making a mistake if they trade up for Tannehill, because if they get healthy Matt Cassel is good enough to get them to the playoffs, especially in their weak division. DeCastro would solidify their OLine and give a better indication of how far Matt Cassel can go in this offense.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram DE, South Carolina
I would expect a team like the Jets to trade up and grab Ingram if he falls this far, but Seattle will gladly take him at 12. He is probably the best pass rusher in this class and would give their defense a much needed boost.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Kuechly ILB, Boston College
Arizona would love an offensive lineman here, but with no one worth a pick this high they take the best player available and that is Kuechly. He could rival Patrick Willis as the game's best ILB in a few years.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore CB, South Carolina
A lot of rumors are swirling that the Cowboys love Mark Barron, but with Gilmore shooting up boards they could see more value in taking this CB. Either way, Dallas has to address its secondary early.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers DT, LSU
Now that the Eagles have traded for Demeco Ryans, their need for an impact LB lessens, though its still an issue to some degree. Brockers would be a great addition to their DL, and they desperately need to get more physical up the middle.
16. New York Jets: Chandler Jones OLB, Syracuse
Jones has been a steady riser through the draft process, and the Jets would welcome his pass rush potential. They haven't had a consistent double-digit sack artist during Rex Ryan's tenure.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Raiders): Dre Kirkpatrick CB, Alabama
With DeCastro gone, the Bengals look to get younger in the secondary. Kirkpatrick has all the measurables you want in a CB and will form a great tandem with Leon Hall.
18. San Diego Chargers: Mark Barron S, Alabama
I'm not sure Barron will fall this far, with nearly every team from 12-18 needing a safety, but San Diego isn't complaining. They would love to put Barron next to Eric Weddle and form the best safety duo in the league.
19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples DE, UNC
Of the consensus top 10 guys, I think Coples is most likely to fall because of the questions about his work ethic. Still, he would be in a great situation in Chicago. Julius Peppers will still demand most of the blocking attention, so Coples can work on his technique with more 1-on-1 opportunities.
20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry DE, USC
There are a lot of pass rushers who will go at the end of the first round, and Perry is probably the best of those remaining. Even after signing Kamerion Wimbley, the Titans desperately need pass rushers.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright WR, Baylor
Wright has elite speed and the Bengals have a need for a #2 receiver. It will likely come down to Wright or Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill, but Wright is much more polished at this point and has a better chance to make an immediate impact vs starting caliber Cornerbacks.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Falcons): Brandon Weeden QB, Oklahoma State
The Browns simply can't risk losing Weeden to a team willing to trade back into the first round. Just like last year, teams will overdraft QBs to try to salvage their roster (and their jobs). Weeden has the best chance to beat out Colt McCoy.
23. Detroit Lions: Jonathan Martin OT, Stanford
Martin's stock has been falling lately, but I still think he has a good chance to develop into a decent LT. If not, he should make a very good RT. With no CBs available, the Lions have to make sure they keep Matt Stafford healthy.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn OG/OT, Georgia
Pittsburgh finds itself in an interesting situation with their pick of Dont'a Hightower, Dontari Poe, and Glenn. All of them fill immediate needs and are ranked similarly. Ultimately, I don't think Poe is polished enough for the Steelers' liking and Glenn has more potential and position flexibility than Hightower.
25. Denver Broncos: Dontari Poe NT, Memphis
Denver might have the steal of the draft if Poe lives up to his potential. However, taking him in the first round is a risk because he simply didn't play like a first round pick in college.
26. Houston Texans: Dont'a Hightower ILB, Alabama
Houston will be tempted by Stephen Hill here, but with Hightower falling to them they can't pass up a perfect replacement for Demeco Ryans. The WR depth is good enough in this class where they can get someone in the later rounds.
27. New England Patriots (from Saints): Courtney Upshaw OLB, Alabama
Upshaw is another guy who has fallen quite a bit recently. But he is still worthy of a first round pick in my opinion and the Patriots would love to have his physical presence on their defense. Belichick could use every pick he has this year on defense and call it a successful draft.
28. Green Bay Packers: Shea McClellin OLB, Boise State
This is starting to be a popular pick and for good reason. Green Bay needs to upgrade depth and talent at almost every area of their defense. The front 7 is the best place to start, and McClellin should make a great complement to Clay Matthews.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Whitney Mercilus OLB, Illinois
Continuing the run on pass rushers at the end of the round, Mercilus is a one year wonder but has great potential. He will take over for the departed Jarrett Johnson and hopefully provide decent pressure opposite Terrell Suggs.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill WR, Georgia Tech
The 49ers signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, but they're not done retooling their receiving core. Moss is a stopgap option and I don't think Manningham is a good #2 receiver. Stephen Hill is very raw but he'll have plenty of time to develop behind the other receivers on the roster.
31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins CB, North Alabama
Belichick has shown he thinks his locker room is strong enough to withstand a bad egg or two, so I don't think he'll have much problem taking Jenkins, who has a concerning off-field history. Still, he might be a top 20 talent when its all said and done, which is something the Pats could really use in their secondary.
32. New York Giants: Doug Martin RB, Boise State
The defending champs have to consider some OL help, as well as TE Coby Fleener. However, Martin brings a great downhill running style to the offense and is great in the passing game, something Eli will love.
ROUND 2:
33. St. Louis Rams: Jerel Worthy DT, Michigan State
34. Indianapolis Colts: Coby Fleener TE, Stanford
35. Minnesota Vikings: Harrison Smith S, Notre Dame
36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lavonte David OLB, Nebraska
37. Cleveland Browns: Mike Adams OT, Ohio State
38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vinny Curry DE, Marshall
39. St. Louis Rams (from Redskins): Kevin Zeitler OG, Wisconsin
40. Carolina Panthers: Bruce irvin DE, West Virginia
41. Buffalo Bills: Alshon Jeffery WR, South Carolina
42. Miami Dolphins: Rueben Randle WR, LSU
43. Seattle Seahawks: Dwayne Allen TE, Clemson
44. Kansas City Chiefs: Brock Osweiler QB, Arizona State
45. Dallas Cowboys: Peter Konz G/C, Wisconsin
46. Philadelphia Eagles: Mychal Kendricks LB, Califorinia
47. New York Jets: Bobby Massie OT, Mississippi
48. New England Patriots (from Raiders): Devon Still DT, Penn State
49. San Diego Chargers: Mohammed Sanu WR, Rutgers
50. Chicago Bears: Jeff Allen OT, Illinois
51. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cardinals): Josh Robinson CB, Central Florida
52. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Thompson DT, Clemson
53. Cincinnati Bengals: Amini Silatolu G, Midwestern State
54. Detroit Lions: Trumaine Johnson CB, Montana
55. Atlanta Falcons: Andre Branch DE, Clemson
56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alameda Ta'amu NT, Washington
57. Denver Broncos: David Wilson RB, Virginia Tech
58. Houston Texans: Brian Quick WR, Appalachian State
59. Green Bay Packers: Kendall Reyes DT, Connecticut
60. Baltimore Ravens: Bobby Wagner ILB, Utah State
61. San Francisco 49ers: Kelechi Osemele OG, Iowa State
62. New England Patriots: Brandon Taylor FS, LSU
63. New York Giants: Orson Charles TE, Georgia
ROUND 3:
64. Indianapolis Colts: Chase Minnifield CB, Virginia
65. St. Louis Rams: Marvin McNutt WR,
66. Minnesota Vikings: Casey Hayward CB, Vanderbilt
67. Cleveland Browns: AJ Jenkins WR, Illinois
68. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lamar Miller RB, Miami
69. Washington Redskins: Mitchell Schwartz OT, California
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Boykin CB, Georgia
71. Buffalo Bills: Dwight Bentley CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
72. Miami Dolphins: Cam Johnson DE, Virginia
73. Miami Dolphins (from Panthers via Bears): Zebrie Sanders OT, Florida State
74. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Chapman NT, Alabama
75. Seattle Seahawks: LaMichael James RB, Oregon
76. Houston Texans (from Eagles): Donald Stephenson OT, Oklahoma
77. New York Jets: George Iloka FS, Boise State
78. Forfeited by Oakland Raiders in 2011 Supplemental Draft
78. San Diego Chargers: Jared Crick DE, Nebraska
79. Chicago Bears: Alfonzo Dennard CB, Nebraska
80. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Brooks G/T, Miami (OH)
81. Dallas Cowboys: Mike Martin DT, Michigan
82. Tennessee Titans: Josh Norman CB, Coastal Carolina
83. Cincinnati Bengals: Tryone Crawford DE, Boise State
84. Atlanta Falcons: Ben Jones C, Georgia
85. Detroit Lions: Bernard Pierce RB, Temple
86. Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah Pead RB, Cincinnati
87. Denver Broncos: Kirk Cousins QB, Michigan State
88. Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans): Nick Foles QB, Arizona
89. New Orleans Saints: Jayron Hosley CB, Virginia Tech
90. Green Bay Packers: Chris Polk RB, Washington
91. Baltimore Ravens: Nick Toon WR, Wisconsin
92. San Francisco 49ers: James Brown G, Troy
93. New England Patriots: Joe Adams WR, Arkansas
94. New York Giants: James-Michael Johnson LB, Nevada
95. Oakland Raiders (compensatory): Nicholas Jean-Baptiste NT, Baylor


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