NFL Mock Draft 2.0

After just one whole week of player movement, the NFL has changed dramatically. Mario Williams is moving north to Buffalo, Peyton Manning is headed to the Mile High and Tim Tebow will be a New York Jet. With many more minor transactions in the past week, teams have issued the majority needs through free agency and are now highlighting specific players to complete their roster through the 2012 NFL Draft. After some player evaluation and identifying the remaining needs for teams, lets take a look at my latest mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB – Stanford

The only way Indianapolis doesn’t draft Andrew Luck is if one team throws an offer at them that they absolutely cannot refuse and that won’t happen.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB – Baylor

After Robert Griffin III’s value skyrocketed after putting up a 4.41 in the forty-yard dash during the combine, Washington forked up their 2012 first and second round draft picks along with their 2013 an 2014 first round draft picks to secure their chance at RG3.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT – Southern California

At 6’7’’, 306 pounds, Kalil solidified his case for being the first non-quarterback player to come off the board. He ran a second best 4.99 forty-yard dash amongst his position while benching 225 pounds 30 times. He may be the best tackle in draft history since Jake Long went number one overall to Miami in 2008.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR – Oklahoma State

Since the Browns couldn’t outbid the Redskins for the number two pick, the Browns will have to draft playmakers to build around Colt McCoy and it starts with Blackmon.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB – LSU

Ronde Barber is aging and Aqib Talib has run into legal issues off the field. Cornerback was already their biggest need before Talib ran into trouble with the law. Claiborne is a perfect fit for a team lacking for playmakers and leadership.

6. St. Louis Rams: Trent Richardson, RB – Alabama

Stephen Jackson has been a workhorse for the Rams his entire career but the NFL is turning into a two back lead and having Richardson playing behind Jackson bodes well for the present and the future.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE – North Carolina

With Blackmon off the board, the Jaguars take the best prospect still on the board in Coples. Coples is a physical specimen. Listed at 6’6’’ 284 pounds, Coples ran a 4.78 in the forty-yard dash and benched 225 pounds 28 times.

8. Miami Dolphins: Melvin Ingram, DE – South Carolina

He’s not the largest man at his position but Ingram may be the most versatile. He was amongst the tops during the combine at the three-cone drill and twenty yard shuttle. Both of those drills show explosiveness and flexibility. Ingram will definitely fill the gap at the defensive end where Jason Taylor thrived his entire career.

9. Carolina Panthers: David DeCastro, OG – Stanford

Carolina selects guard David DeCastro to sure up the interior offensive line and aids the future of Cam Newton.          

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT – Iowa

Buffalo took care of their biggest need by signing all pro outside linebacker Mario Williams. Right now they only have three tackles on their depth chart and Reiff has the biggest upside.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT – Memphis

This may be a bit premature but at 6’4’’, 346 pounds Poe benched 225 pounds for a combine-high 44 times and also posted a 4.98 in the forty-yard dash. These numbers are absolutely impressive. If there is one thing we know about Romeo Crennel, it’s that he loves his big, strong nose tackles and Poe could be the best prospect since Haloti Ngata and Vince Wilfork.         

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, ILB – Boston College

With the signing of Marshawn Lynch, the idea of Trent Richardson landing in Seattle seems unlikely. Seahawks draft the best player not named Richardson and that is Kuechly. With MLB David Hawthorne hitting free agency, Kuechly posted went into the combine as the top inside linebacker and after posting top ten in every category; he solidified himself as the top linebacker. His natural instincts on the field with his athletic ability displayed off the field, Kuechly should be a no-brainer for the Seahawks.