Edit: 6:57: Updated swap of picks three and four.
1.) Indianapolis Colts select…
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Unless you live in a cave without access to human life, this won’t be news. Not much more can be said about Luck than you’ve already heard. He’s touted as one of the best QB prospects in a long while thanks to his physical ability (he tested similarly to Cam Newton at the NFL Combine), coupled with his outstanding football IQ. In short, the Colts are expecting a player that one-day will develop into an Aaron Rodgers-type with Peyton Manning-like brains.
2.) Washington Redskins select…
Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
History says that one of these two top QBs are doomed to fail — but my eyes tell me otherwise. Griffin is worth as much (if not more) than the three 1st round picks and one 2nd round pick Washington sent to St. Louis to secure him. Washington may finally have hit the jackpot they have been searching for, for all these years with Griffin. He brings Michael Vick athleticism in addition to excellent arm strength and accuracy. There’s not much more to be had.
3.) Cleveland Browns select…
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
After finishing last season with one of the league’s most effective secondaries, this leaves the Browns with two choices at number three: elite running back Trent Richardson or the blazing fast Justin Blackmon. Richardson seems like the most logical choice of the two, although Blackmon fits as well. However, Cleveland’s main option in the back field is unproven Montario Hardesty, who did little to impress when given extended action last season. Richardson is the only elite talent at his position and Cleveland can take a chance on a WR later on, especially since there’s more depth at the position.
4.) Minnesota Vikings select…
Matt Kalil, OT, USC
The Vikings should not even consider taking anyone but Kalil at number four. Wide receiver Justin Blackmon and cornerback Morris Claiborne are hard to pass up on, but Minnesota’s best bet is to immediately improve a porous offensive line if they want to sustain the career of Adrian Peterson and give their young QB room to operate. The Vikings can afford to take a wideout or a corner in the early second round.
5.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select…
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
The Bucs take Richardson in a heartbeat if he’s still around, but unfortunately for them, he won’t be. Claiborne is a great consolation prize, though, as he will instantaneously bolster a struggling secondary. Starter Aqib Talib may miss games due to jail time and Ronde Barber is nearing retirement. Coincidentally, Tampa Bay recently hired LSU’s secondary coach, Ron Cooper.
6.) St. Louis Rams select…
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.
The Rams look like geniuses after trading a few spots down, acquiring more than a fair share of high draft picks in the future, and grabbing the player they wanted needed all along. Blackmon is this year’s “can’t miss” receiving prospect and will be QB Sam Bradford’s favorite target for a very long time.
7.) Jacksonville Jaguars select…
Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.
The Jaguars are a team saturated with needs, especially on the defensive end. Known for their “safe” selections, the Jags will consider a combination of Cox, DE Melvin Ingram, or CB Stephon Gilmore at this spot. Safe money has the Jags taking Cox, who is the best prospect of the three and fulfills a gaping hole in the defensive line. The Jags could also move down and allow another team to snag Cox/Ingram. If the Jags are able to get someone to bite at this pick, they will likely try and grab either WR Michael Floyd or Kendall Wright.
8.) Miami Dolphins select…
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Tannehill is almost a lock for the Dolphins. Many would say he is being overdrafted here and I would agree, but we must remember that teams value quarterbacks. Christian Ponder was able to sneak into the top 15, so Tannehill definitely can. Tannehill might not be ready to step in and contribute right away, but the Dolphins have serviceable veterans in Matt Moore and David Garrard to take the reigns while Tannehill develops along the way.
9.) Carolina Panthers select…
Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Lost behind the hype of LSU’s Morris Claiborne and Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick, Stephon Gilmore has been one of the hottest names at his position leading to the path of the draft. Gilmore brings an intriguing set of skills to the table, as he is one of the better tackling defensive backs. He can be used to chase down the quarterback and prevent weak side run plays thanks to his quickness and ability to read plays. This is not to take anything away from his coverage game. Gilmore ran a 4.37 40 yard but is rough at the edges in terms of coverage technique.
10.) Buffalo Bills select…
Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
Lots of analysts will say “offensive tackle” here but the Bills need someone to combat the Patriots tight ends. Kuechly is a superb athlete at his position and gives the Bills a chance to slow down the Gronk.
11.). Kansas City Chiefs select…
David Decastro, OG, Stanford
Andrew Luck’s main bodyguard gets snatched up by an underrated Chiefs team. The Chiefs have some of the most dangerous offensive players in the NFL, and Decastro will make it a lot easier for QB Matt Cassel to get the ball in their hands.
12.) Seattle Seahawks select…
Chandler Jones, OLB/DE, Syracuse
Jones might be one of the most overlooked picks of this draft. He won’t come out of the gates firing, but he could develop into one of the league’s best pass rushers in a few years. The Seahawks are lacking a great pass rusher and Jones is just what the doctor ordered.
13.) Arizona Cardinals select…
Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Contrary to popular belief, the Cardinals will forgo selecting WR Michael Floyd and bolster their O-line by taking the big, physical Reiff. In a division where you have to play the San Francisco 49ers defense more than once per season, I think protecting the QB and running backs is the best bet for the Cards.
14.) Dallas Cowboys select…
Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones is reportedly “in love” with the Crimson Tide safety. Also, at this point, Barron may be the best player left on the board and we all know Dallas isn’t shy in selecting the best player available (Dez Bryant in 2010).
15.) Philadelphia Eagles select…
Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
The Eagles aren’t in need of a defensive lineman, but strengthening it can’t hurt. The Eagles originally wanted a defensive back here (due to the departure of Asante Samuel), but with both Gilmore and Barron gone, the Eagles will have to find talent later on in the draft.
16.) New York Jets select…
Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Jets give their fans something to be excited about in Radio City Music Hall, as Mark Sanchez/Tim Tebow get a shiny new toy to play with. Floyd can immediately step in and replace the big body of Plaxico Burress with a big body of his own. Floyd clocks in at 6-3, 225 pounds which also helps him successfully block smaller corners in the run game.
17.) Cincinnati Bengals select…
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
The Bengals’ secondary is marred by age and injury, but drafting Kirkpatrick will add depth and stability to this secondary. Kirkpatrick can play any way you want him to and will fit in well with the Bengals tough defensive corps.
18.) San Diego Chargers select…
Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
The Chargers are delighted that highly-touted prospect Melvin Ingram falls into their hands at number 18. Ingram addresses the Chargers’ need for a pass rusher in their 3-4 defense.
19.) Chicago Bears select…
Quinton Coples, DE/OLB, North Carolina
The Bears are set on taking a defensive end to ease pressure off of star Julius Peppers. Why not take another former Tar Heel to plug up both ends of the D-line? Coples has elite athleticism that could have placed him in the top 10 of this draft, however, work ethic concerns have teams backing away. The Bears will have to make sure to keep Coples head on straight if they do indeed draft him.
20.) Tennessee Titans select…
Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois
21.) Cincinnati Bengals select…
Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia
22.) Cleveland Browns select…
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
23.) Detroit Lions select…
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
24.) Pittsburgh Steelers select…
Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
25.) Denver Broncos select…
Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis
26.) Houston Texans select…
Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
27.) New England Patriots select…
Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
28.) Green Bay Packers select…
Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
29.) Baltimore Ravens select…
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
30.) San Francisco 49ers select…
Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State
31.) New England Patriots select…
Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama
32.) New York Giants select…
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Chi Side of Chambana 