I have a new contributor this year
and I am expanding the mock draft comparison to include picks from the mock
draft sites Walterfootball.com and DraftCountdown.com. It’s gonna be fun on a bun!
1ST PICK: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Rotoworld.com: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Draft Countdown.com: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Walter Football.com: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Todd S: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Squatting Monkey: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
COMMENT: Not much to debate here. Let’s credit the Colt’s for convincing Luck
that trying to replace an all-time great isn’t a foolish idea.
2ND PICK: WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Rotoworld.com: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Draft Countdown.com: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Walter Football.com: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Todd S: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
The Squatting Monkey: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
COMMENT: Not much to debate here either. It’s make it or break it time for Mike
Shanahan and he is going for broke.
3RD PICK: MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Rotoworld.com: Matt Kahlil, OT, USC
Draft Countdown.com: Matt Kahlil, OT, USC
Walter Football.com: Matt Kahlil, OT, USC
Todd S: Matt Kahlil, OT, USC
The Squatting Monkey: Matt Kahlil, OT, USC
COMMENT: Kahlil is everything that a team looks for in
a franchise left tackle and the Vikings o-line could use his services more than
most.
4TH PICK: CLEVELAND BROWNS
Rotoworld.com: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Draft Countdown.com: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Walter Football.com: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Todd S: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
The Squatting Monkey: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
COMMENT: The Browns have scoped out the running back
draft class this year and there is plenty of talent for them to target at 22nd
and 36th overall, but Richardson appears to be a special talent to
them. A healthy running back of his
caliber will help turn around one of the league’s worst offenses.
5TH PICK: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Rotoworld.com: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Draft Countdown.com: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Walter Football.com: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Todd S: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
The Squatting Monkey: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
COMMENT: Aqib Talib is merely a suspension waiting to
happen. Even if he returns to the
Buccaneers AND avoids suspension, it’s only a matter of time before he finds
himself in hot water again. Claiborne is
not only the logical choice but one of the better all-around football players
in the 2012 draft. It’s a logical choice.
6TH PICK: ST. LOUIS RAM
Rotoworld.com: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Draft Countdown.com: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Walter Football.com: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Todd S: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Squatting Monkey: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
COMMENT: It’s possible that the Rams would go another
direction here, but even after the signing of Steve Smith, they still have one
of the worst receiving corps in the league.
Blackmon’s downside is being a good 2nd receiver, making him
an unusually safe pick for a first round receiver compared to previous first
round receivers picked (see my “Another
One Bites the Dust?” post for more about this). It would take some real cojones to pass on
Blackmon and saddle Bradford with another non premium receiver
7TH PICK: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Rotoworld.com: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Draft Countdown.com: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Walter Football.com: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Todd S: Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina
The Squatting Monkey: Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina
COMMENT: While I can see the Jaguars wanting to trade
down in an attempt to capitalize on teams targeting Tannehill, if forced to
pick here I have to agree with Todd’s selection. A talented pass rusher like Coples would
fill the hole that Aaron Kampman was always supposed to. Michael Brockers wouldn’t be a surprise pick,
but a more refined pass rusher like Coples is arguably a more logical
pick. GM Gene Smith also has a history
of drafting the most talented player available and no one denies that Coples isn’t
a top ten talent.
8TH PICK: MIAMI DOLPHINS
Rotoworld.com: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Draft Countdown.com: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Walter Football.com: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Todd S: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
The Squatting Monkey: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
COMMENT: The new Dolphins regime will likely want to
put their stamp on rebuilding the franchise and choosing the first 1st
rounder since the team took Dan Marino would be the obvious move. Tannehill will be overdrafted on April 26th
and the Dolphins are primed to do it.
9TH PICK: CAROLINA PANTHERS
Rotoworld.com: Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina
Draft Countdown.com: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Walter Football.com: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Todd S: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
The Squatting Monkey: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
COMMENT: The Panthers have had an atrocious run
defense for years, so why bother to address it now? I can see the Panther’s attempting to steal
the Lion’s model: have an explosive
offense and a defensive line that gets after the quarterback. Cox is considered one of the top interior
pass rusher prospects and an immediate starter.
The Panthers can go a few different directions here, but with such a
deep receiver draft class, adding an inside pass rusher should be their number
one priority.
10TH PICK: BUFFALO BILLS
Rotoworld.com: Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
Draft Countdown.com: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Walter Football.com: Reily Reiff, OT, Iowa
Todd S: Reily Reiff, OT, Iowa
The Squatting Monkey: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
COMMENT: It’s possible that the Bills look for a
defensive player at 10, but their loss of Demetrius Bell and the potential to
land a top tier protector makes a tackle a logical target point. While Riley Reiff is a potentiality, but I
believe that Chan Gailey would rather have a player with more talent to mold
than a plug-n-play starter like Reiff.
Martin’s smart and has all the physical tools to be an excellent
blindside protector. The big knock about
him has been his lack of physicality, but you try telling Gailey that he can’t
fix that after the impressive performance his squad had in 2011.
11TH PICK: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Rotoworld.com: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Draft Countdown.com: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
Walter Football.com: David DeCastro, G, Standford
Todd S: David DeCastro, G, Standford
The Squatting Monkey: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
COMMENT: Scott Pioli is going to take one look at Poe
and think “Vince Wilfork.” He is the
perfect fit for a 3-4 team with the need and a concern about the rest of their
defensive line all being in contract years.
12TH PICK: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Rotoworld.com: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Draft Countdown.com: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Walter Football.com: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Todd S: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
The Squatting Monkey: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
COMMENT: I am definitely in the minority here. I think Kuechly is a tremendous football
player and I wouldn’t be surprised if they took him, but the middle linebacker
position has been devalued in recent drafts.
A defensive tackle like Brockers on the other hand, who is similarly
talented, but often criticized as lacking refined pass rushing skills, is a
sneaky pick here after they picked up Jason Jones on a 4.5m prove it deal. Kuechly is considered a “safe pick,” and in
fact one of the safest since linebacker Aaron Curry - the former Seahawks bust
that lasted only two years.
13TH PICK: ARIZONA CARDINALS
Rotoworld.com: Reily Reiff, OT, Iowa
Draft Countdown.com: Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
Walter Football.com: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Todd S: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
The Squatting Monkey: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
COMMENT: Arguably the most talented receiver in the
draft class, his character concerns would be greatly diminished the moment that
Fitzgerald gets his claws into him.
Floyd has the talent fill Anquan Boldin’s long standing vacancy and would
hopefully provide Fitzgerald with some relief from double teams. Upgrading the offensive line is clearly the
biggest priority, but I don’t see any reason that they would suddenly decide to
do so after years of ignorance.
14TH PICK: DALLAS COWBOYS
Rotoworld.com: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
Draft Countdown.com: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
Walter Football.com: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
Todd S: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
The Squatting Monkey: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
COMMENT: Safety is a concern, but Rob Ryan favorites
Pool and Sensabaugh should be a fine tandem for 2012. Upshaw, on the other hand, is an obvious
replacement for impending free agent Anthony Spencer and I wouldn’t put it past
Jerry Jones to see him as the Cowboy’s version of Aldon Smith. His stock has fallen since he posted mediocre
numbers at the combine, but he has the type of football player intangibles that
you can never really teach. Once again,
the historical draft tendencies of teams to value pass rushers over other
positions like safety play a role in my pick.
15TH PICK: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Rotoworld.com: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
Draft Countdown.com: Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina
Walter Football.com: Quentin Coples, DE, North Carolina
Todd S: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
The Squatting Monkey: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
COMMENT: The Eagle’s have been often mocked a
defensive lineman, but for reasons that elude me. The Eagle’s led the league in sacks last year
and their rush defense (the linebackers) are young and improving. However, their safety situation is incredibly
fluid and no one of the roster has proven themself a capable starter. The Eagle’s could go a lot of directions with
this pick, but based on the talent they have at every other position, adding a
player that helps compliment their explosive, yet brittle, offense makes sense. Barron will help keep Vick off the field and
offers the playmaking ability that their secondary has missed since Brian Dawkins
left.
16TH PICK: NEW YORK JETS
Rotoworld.com: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Draft Countdown.com: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
Walter Football.com: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
Todd S: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Squatting Monkey: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
COMMENT: Rumor is that the Jets would be willing to
trade up to get Ingram, so I have few doubts that he would be their pick if
he’s available. He’s a nice fit at
strong side linebacker for their defense and he is the classic flashy pick for
the flashy Jets.
17TH PICK: CINCINNATI BENGALS
Rotoworld.com: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Draft Countdown.com: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Walter Football.com: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Todd S: Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
The Squatting Monkey: David DeCastro, G, Standford
COMMENT: Guard’s don’t usually find their way into the
top 15 picks, so DeCastro should still be available when Cincinnati gets to
pick. An obvious replacement for Bobbie
Williams and a very safe pick; the Bengals will give him a long look. Picking at 22nd, they would be
risking losing him to the Chargers, Bears or Titans if they pass on him for a
corner. Unless Gilmore goes earlier than
I am expecting, it’s unlikely that Gilmore and Kirkpatrick would both get
chosen in four picks between, making DeCastro the priority.
18TH PICK: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Rotoworld.com: David DeCastro, G, Standford
Draft Countdown.com: David DeCastro, G, Standford
Walter Football.com: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
Todd S: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
The Squatting Monkey: Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
COMMENT: Philip Rivers had a down year in 2011 and it
got Turner put on the hotseat. If Turner
is really planning on letting Brandyn Dombroski protect River’s blindside in
2012 then apparently Turner doesn’t like his job all that much. Not only would Glenn give their offensive
line versatility since he can play multiple spots, but there are very few
players with his size and agility combination.
He possesses the talent to be a dominant offensive lineman at the NFL
level and won’t fall much farther than this if the Charger’s pass on him.
19TH PICK: CHICAGO BEARS
Rotoworld.com: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Draft Countdown.com: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Walter Football.com: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Todd S: Nick Perry, DE, USC
The Squatting Monkey: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
COMMENT: Offensive line is a major issue for them, but
as you can see no one expect them to address it with the 19th pick
in the draft. Wright is shaping up to be
the third best receiver in the draft and a dynamic play maker that can
contribute on special teams. I now
invite you to provide the name of the last dynamic Bear’s receiver…because I
sure can’t. There are plenty of other
players that the Bears can pick here, but if they are throwing all their chips
into the Brandon Marshall basket they deserve to get their heads examined.
20TH PICK: TENNESSEE TITANS
Rotoworld.com: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Draft Countdown.com: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Walter Football.com: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
Todd S: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
The Squatting Monkey: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
COMMENT: The Titans are high on Colin McCarthy, who
played well last year on early downs, but they have little depth and Kuechly will
be simply too good to pass up. With a
draft day trade for Asante Samuel likely and youngsters waiting in the wings,
cornerback shouldn’t be nearly the problem that people are making it out to be.
21ST PICK: CINCINNATI BENGALS
Rotoworld.com: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Draft Countdown.com: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Walter Football.com: Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
Todd S: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
The Squatting Monkey: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
COMMENT: I am the only one projecting Stephon Gilmore
to fall this far. Perhaps it’s because I
had barely heard of him before the combine and in the past two weeks he has
gone from being a second rounder to being a top 10 likelihood. If you look at the cornerbacks that have been
drafted, the ones with solid game tape AND physical skill typically go high,
not just the guy really looks like Champ Bailey when he is standing on the sideline. Kirkpatrick isn’t a speedster like Leon Hall,
but is a proven, reliable player with great instincts.
22ND PICK: CLEVELAND BROWNS
Rotoworld.com: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Draft Countdown.com: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Walter Football.com: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Todd S: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
The Squatting Monkey: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
COMMENT: The Browns would jump all over Wright if he
fell to them, but if he doesn’t there is time to wait on finding another
receiver at 37. And whether or not they
draft Brandon Weeden or keep starting Colt McCoy won’t matter much if they don’t
fine a right tackle to keep them on their feet.
Adams is a sure fire first rounder and he would add some much needed
talent to an offensive line that currently has a total of two tackles on its
roster.
23RD PICK: DETROIT LIONS
Rotoworld.com: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State
Draft Countdown.com: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Walter Football.com: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
Todd S: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
The Squatting Monkey: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
COMMENT: I think Todd hit this one on the head. Up until the moment that I wrote this I had
expect the Lions to draft not out of need but to target the best player available. It’s been their MO for the past few drafts,
but Gilmore is probably going to be their pick.
They have a history of preferring size/speed combinations like Gilmore and
pairing him with Chris Houston will likely be as irresistible as pairing Suh
and Fairley.
24TH PICK: PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Rotoworld.com: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
Draft Countdown.com: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
Walter Football.com: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
Todd S: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
The Squatting Monkey: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
COMMENT: Apparently you can’t be a starter on the
Steelers unless you were a top draft pick...you know…except for former NFL
Defensive MVP James Harrison. Why the
Steelers would target a two-down middle linebacker in a deep class at the end
of the first round eludes me, but apparently I am the only person with this
opinion. That said, if Reiff does see a
draft day tumble like his former teammate Bryan Bulaga I would be shocked to
see the Steelers pass on him.
25TH PICK: DENVER BRONCOS
Rotoworld.com: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
Draft Countdown.com: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan
Walter Football.com: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Todd S: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
The Squatting Monkey: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan
COMMENT: The Broncos are rebuilding their whole team
for a second season straight and their defense will have to get used to more
offensive contests and more aerial attacks.
It’s terrific that they are teeming with pass rushers, but their
interior D-line woes aren’t going to solve themselves. They had only eight rookies in for a
pre-draft visits and Broncos head honcho has been adamant that they are going
to take the “best player that falls to [them].”
Worthy makes sense since he would be the best tackle available at this
point, but leave it to the Broncos to do something wacky.
26TH PICK: HOUSTON TEXANS
Rotoworld.com: Nick Perry, DE, USC
Draft Countdown.com: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
Walter Football.com: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Todd S: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
The Squatting Monkey: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
COMMENT: Houston is picking 26th because
they are such a complete team and one of their few glaring holes is a at the
receiver position. Kevin Walter took a
paycut and Jacoby Jones has failed time and time again to prove himself. Hill has ridiculous talent and I would expect
the Texans to draft Hill with the expectation that he would get the benefit from
learning from one of the best receivers in the league.
27TH PICK: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Rotoworld.com: Shea McClellin, LB, Boise State
Draft Countdown.com: Andre Branch, LB, Clemson
Walter Football.com: Shea McClellin, LB, Boise State
Todd S: Andre Branch, LB, Clemson
The Squatting Monkey: Nick Perry, DE, USC
COMMENT: No one would be surprised to see a defensive
player taken 27th after the Patriots atrocious defense let down Tom
Brady all season long. Perry would be a
great addition for the Patriots, who are lacking pass rush talent at linebacker
and at end. The Patriots spend so much
time defending against the pass that Perry should be a no brainer if he falls
to them.
28TH PICK: GREENBAY PACKERS
Rotoworld.com: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
Draft Countdown.com: Nick Perry, DE, USC
Walter Football.com: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Todd S: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
The Squatting Monkey: Shea McClellin, LB, Boise State
COMMENT: They could use secondary help, but I don’t
expect anyone worth the 28th pick to fall to them. I figure that they will be looking for
linebacker help as well, since they haven’t had anyone to play opposite
Matthews since he was drafted. I was
originally mocking Whitney Mercilus here, but he is more of a project player
than a plug and play starter like McClellin.
The Packer’s need help right now, not in a couple seasons.
29TH PICK: BALTIMORE RAVENS
Rotoworld.com: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
Draft Countdown.com: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Walter Football.com: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Todd S: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
The Squatting Monkey: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
COMMENT: There is a gaping hole at left guard since
Ben Grubbs bolted for free agency and center Peter Konz absolutely has the athleticism
to play guard for the Ravens. He could
eventually shift back to center to replace the aging Matt Birk, but his ability
to step in and contribute from day one will be his biggest selling point.
30TH PICK: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Rotoworld.com: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Draft Countdown.com: Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin
Walter Football.com: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Todd S: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
The Squatting Monkey: Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin
COMMENT: Chilo Rachel’s departure has left a guard spot
wide open and Harbaugh will look to the draft to fill it. A smart, nasty player who excels in the run
game, he seems like a natural fit for what is shaping up to be a “smash and
smash more” rushing attack of Frank Gore and Brandon Jacobs.
31ST PICK: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Rotoworld.com: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Draft Countdown.com: Kendall Reyes, DL, Connecticut
Walter Football.com: Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
Todd S: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
The Squatting Monkey: Kendall Reyes, DL, Connecticut
COMMENT: I outright stole this pick from
DraftCountdown.com. The Patriots are one
of the most annoying teams to try to mock since they almost never stay put, seemingly
always trading down out of the first round and then back up in the second and
third. Reyes makes sense on paper as a
versatile player that fills a need, but I wouldn’t be overly surprised if they
took Alameda Ta’amu from Washington.
Vince Wilfork has played more and more snaps as his careers has gone on
and increased snap counts doesn’t add years to a nose tackles career.
32ND PICK: NEW YORK GIANTS
Rotoworld.com: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
Draft Countdown.com: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Walter Football.com: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Todd S: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
The Squatting Monkey: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
COMMENT: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giant’s took a
runningback early, since they only have Ahmad Bradshaw (who has less rushing
yards than Tim Tebow last year) and Da’Rel Scott (who barely sniffed the field)
as their top backs. Doug Martin makes
some sense here, but the Giants haven’t had a good inside linebacker since
Antonio Pierce. Hightower is a great run
defender and his presence would give their fierce pass rushing ends more
opportunities to terrorize the quarterback.
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