http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock
Round 1
1. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Some have made the argument that the fact that the Colts are winless without Peyton Manning and viewed as a Super Bowl contender with him only reinforces his brilliance. While the argument might have merit, it doesn't change the fact that Manning will be 36 next season and coming off several neck surgeries. Bill Polian won't allow loyalty to Manning to keep him from doing what is best for the Colts moving forward -- and what's best is drafting Luck first and deciding what to do with his two franchise quarterbacks later.
2. Miami Dolphins
Matt Barkley, QB, Southern California: The surprising victory in Arrowhead Stadium over the Chiefs only proved what has been obvious to anyone paying attention to the Dolphins (all four of us) this season - that this is a pretty talented team that simply hasn't figured out yet how to win. Some would argue that is the skill that makes Barkley an elite prospect.
3. St. Louis Rams
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: The Rams invested heavily this past season in wide receivers to develop with young star quarterback Sam Bradford. If Billy Delaney is once again picking in the top five, however, that plan hasn't worked. As such, it would be tough to pass on the playmaking Blackmon.
4. Carolina Panthers
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina: Fielding one of the league's most porous run defenses, the Panthers could elect to stay close to home and draft Coples to help fill the gaps. Primarily playing defensive end this season for the Tar Heels, Coples has been unable to take advantage of the momentum he'd made last season while playing inside. In the NFL, he'll likely be asked to move back inside.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: Prior to his arrest for domestic assault, former second-round pick Chris Cook had been playing well for the Vikings. With his situation up in the air and depth behind him a concern, Minnesota would be wise to look at replacement options. Claiborne has been the most impressive corner in the country in 2011 and is quickly rising up draft boards.
6. Washington Redskins
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: The Redskins would love to see Luck or Barkley still on the board, as both possess the mobility and accuracy to be very successful in the Shanahan's offense. Richardson, arguably the best player in the draft not named Luck, is a heckuva consolation prize.
7. Cleveland Browns
Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California: The Browns are set at left tackle with Joe Thomas, but have struggled to get consistent play from veterans Tony Pashos and Oniel Cousins on the right side. Kalil is gaining a reputation for lax technique, but that is only because he's able to dominate at the collegiate level due to his natural ability.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: The Jaguars need help at wide receiver. Bringing back Mike Sims-Walker (before placing him on Injured Reserve) only reinforced this fact. Floyd is being rated by some scouts as the elite senior prospect in the country. He'd give 2011 first round pick Blaine Gabbert a needed weapon.
9. Seattle Seahawks
Devon Still, DT, Penn State: Still has been as dominant as any defensive lineman in the country, but the inconsistency and durability concerns that haunted his early career could limit how high he will rise on draft day. Big, strong and capable of playing either defensive tackle position or backing up Red Bryant at left defensive end, Still would make sense if the top quarterbacks are off the board
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina: The Eagles' much-maligned linebacking corps could use an infusion of athleticism and playmaking skills. I'm not as high on Brown as some seem to be, but there is no denying that he possesses a great deal of upside.
11. Arizona Cardinals
Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: Kevin Kolb has been a disappointment in his first season as the Cardinals' starting quarterback, but the team isn't likely to panic after just one year. Rather, the team would be wise to protect him with better blindside protection. Reiff, a left tackle for Iowa, has the size, technique and physicality to contribute early.
12. Kansas City Chiefs
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: With injuries robbing Kansas City of three of their best players (Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki) early this season, the team has struggled to play with any consistency. How these players appear to be proceeding in their rehabilitation may go a long way in determining what direction GM Scott Pioli will look with his 2012 first round pick. As it stands now, Martin would make a great deal of sense as he'll provide aid to an average offensive line and is the best player available.
13. Denver Broncos
Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Should the Broncos continue to win with Tim Tebow they could elect to spend this pick differently. If picking in the top half of the draft, however, John Elway and John Fox aren't likely to pass on a quarterback with Jones' natural passing talents.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: Only four teams are allowing more passing yards per game than the Buccaneers (263 yards). Kirkpatrick's inconsistent technique worries some scouts, but his size, athleticism and physicality could eventually make him the best cornerback to come out of this draft. At this point in the draft, he'd be a steal.
15. San Diego Chargers
Orson Charles, TE, Georgia: Newsflash - the Chargers feature arguably the league's elite tight end in Antonio Gates. Gates' inability to remain healthy, however, too often puts San Diego in a precarious position. While smaller than most teams prefer, the 6-3, 245-pound Charles is a matchup nightmare with surprising prowess as a blocker.
16. Tennessee Titans
Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson: The Titans feature one of the NFL's best athletic talents in tight end Jared Cook, but injuries and inconsistency haven't allowed the former South Carolina standout to become the star Tennessee expected. With young receivers stepping up and their quarterback of the future already secured in Jake Locker, the club might be interested in adding another threat down the seam to aid in the offense's transition. Allen (6-4, 255) is viewed by some scouts to be the most complete tight end in the country.
17. Buffalo Bills
Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame: The surprising play of Buffalo's offense has helped hide what remains one of the league's leakiest run defenses. Last season Buffalo finished dead last and this year they've been only slightly better. The physical and instinctive Te'o could help remedy that.
18. NY Jets
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford: The Jets have been one of the league's better running teams since Rex Ryan took over, but they are struggling so far this season. DeCastro doesn't have much name recognition yet, but is viewed by some as the elite interior offensive lineman in the country.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta)
Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska: The Browns feature one of the league's better young cover corners in Joe Haden, but have been inconsistent, at best, on the other side. Dennard lacks the height scouts prefer, but is a physical press corner who could provide the Browns' with an athlete equally capable of providing lockdown coverage as Haden.
20. Dallas Cowboys
Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State: The Cowboys' defense has made gains under Rob Ryan, but inconsistencies up front have led to plenty of breakdowns in coverage on the back end. With longer arms than most 6-3, 305-pounders, Worthy could contribute at end or nose guard in Dallas' 3-4 alignment.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia: The Bengals have their young quarterback and boast talent along their offensive line, especially at tackle. Glenn's size and power makes a lot of sense in Cincinnati's downhill running attack.
22. Detroit Lions
Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: With all of the focus on Ndamukong Suh and the Lions' talented defensive line (not to mention Calvin Johnson and Detroit's explosive offense), not enough credit for the team's turnaround has gone to the improved play of their secondary. Rivals, however, think that Detroit is doing it with smoke and mirrors and will almost surely look to address the secondary in the draft. Jenkins has top 20 talent, but his off-field problems could cause him to slip. The Lions were lauded for snatching up Nick Fairley when he dropped last year and could get better immediate dividends from the playmaking Jenkins.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland)
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.): If there is a running back in the country capable of leaping into the first round to join Alabama's Trent Richardson, it is likely this redshirt sophomore. Possessing big-play speed to go with his 5-11, 212-pound frame, Miller could prove to be a difference-maker and insurance for the Bengals behind the bruising Cedric Benson.
24. Chicago Bears
Mark Barron, SS, Alabama: The Bears have shuffled through several veterans at safety this season and surprisingly enough are getting the most consistent play out of rookie Chris Conte, a third-round pick out of California. Conte's range makes him a natural free safety. Barron, more of a downhill thumper, would be a solid complement in Chicago.
25. Houston Texans
Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
26. NY Giants
Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
27. New England Patriots
Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
28. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
29. Baltimore Ravens
Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State
30. San Francisco 49ers
Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State:
32. Green Bay Packers
Billy Winn, DE, Boise State:
BR1986FB;976048 wrote:Again, if you have a chance to take an Adrian Peterson/(young) LT-type of RB with that first pick do you pull the trigger? I'm just throwing this out there because, truth be told, I want a QB (Barkley, right now) with that first pick if they are selecting top 3.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock
Griffin has indicated he might return to school for his senior year. And it doesn't sound like that would surprise anyone who knows him if he did.