I am not a big fan of Mock Drafts, so I let MockDraftHQ.com take care of them for me and here is their complete NFL 1st Mock Draft. I will be there live in NYC for coverage.
1. Colts: Luck, Andrew QB Stanford
It would be the greatest surprise in draft history if Jim Irsay actually took Robert Griffin III, even after telling Andrew he was the pick. And until his name is called I’m not ruling it out but for now we’ll go with conventional wisdom.
2. Redskins: Griffin, Robert QB Baylor
Shanahan traded all those picks to bring some excitement to DC. Robert has his work cut out for him but if anyone can turn this offense around it just may be him.
3. Vikings: Kalil, Matt OT USC
The Vikings would probably like to trade down and get a sweet deal like the Browns but that is not happening unless the Dolphins panic for Tannehill. QB Christian Ponder has had a past of injuries so getting a good young LT is the move.
4. Browns: Richardson, Trent RB Alabama
Trent Richardson is being described as “the only RB on planet earth worth a top 5 pick.” He’s good… but let’s not crown him the next Bo Jackson. Yet.
5. Buccaneers: Claiborne, Morris CB LSU
Getting Eric Wright will help Tampa’s CB core for when/if current CB Talib has to go to jail, but the future is still needed. Hello future.
6. Rams: Blackmon, Justin WR Oklahoma State
The Rams were probably taking Justin #2 if they could not have traded down. Thanks to Washington they now get their guy and will build out a young core with all those additional draft picks the Redskins traded to them to get Griffin III.
7. Jaguars: Ingram, Melvin DE South Carolina
I really have no idea who this pick could be. You could put any of 10 guys here and they would all make sense. Hence is the state of the Jags. New owner Shaid Kahn hopefully will stop Gene Smith’s love affair with small school players and draft out of their backyard of the SEC.
8. Dolphins: Tannehill, Ryan QB Texas AM
If for some strange reason the Dolphins leave this draft with a player other than Ryan Tannehill here, their fans will explode in rage.
9. Panthers: Kuechly, Luke OLB Boston College
I’ve gone back and forth several times on this pick. After calling all of my Panthers connections, it seems like the Panthers are going to stick with LaFell and Gettis as their WRs and go defense. DT makes sense here also, but with all of the injuries that hit this LB unit it is time for new blood.
10. Bills: Reiff, Riley OT Iowa
Steve Johnson probably would like some help at WR but OT is a greater need when you are thin at that position. Get a top prospect like Reiff and WRs later.
11. Chiefs: Poe, Dontari NT Memphis
If Poe is going to be over drafted, this is the spot for him. He is a very raw player in my eyes and needs to develop but the tools are there. Kansas City has a hole in the middle of their defense so getting a young DT with potential is ideal.
12. Seahawks: Coples, Quinton DE North Carolina
Coples played great as a junior and probably would have been a top 10 pick in the 2011 draft. After a subpar senior season he still will be drafted highly because the talent is there. A coach like Pete Carroll will help turn that light bulb back on.
13. Cardinals: Adams, Mike OT Ohio State
The Cardinals need help at WR as well, but with a QB battle in the wings it is best to give whoever wins the best offensive line available.
14. Cowboys: Cox, Fletcher DT Mississippi State
This pick could very well be Mark Barron or even a surprise pick like Michael Brockers. All in all, it looks like Dallas will take the best DL on the board.
15. Eagles: Barron, Mark S Alabama
The Eagles need all the help they can get in the middle of their defense. Barron is heads and shoulders the best safety talent available in the draft.
16. Jets: Floyd, Michael WR Notre Dame
The NY Tebows can go a lot of ways with this selection. If Floyd is there that may be the best option. He’s a great blocker and leaper. If (when) Tebow replaces Sanchez both of those talents will be used when Floyd is blocking for the zone read and trying to catch those off target Tebow passes.
17. Bengals: DeCastro, David OG Stanford
The Bengals are making strides with a young WR and QB. Cedric Benson is gone, but don’t worry the Law Firm is on the way. Hopefully a young blocker is on the way as well.
18. Chargers: Upshaw, Courtney OLB Alabama
Paging Larry English…. hello?
19. Bears: Martin, Jonathan OT Stanford
A WR would be nice to get with Knox out all of 2012 but I think Bennett and Hester will do just fine in smaller roles next to Brandon Marshall.
20. Titans: Gilmore, Stephon CB South Carolina
Gilmore could use another year in school to polish his game, but he still has potential as a young physical corner. The Titans defense is losing a lot of tenacity with Finnegan moving on this offseason.
21. Bengals: Hill, Stephen WR Georgia Tech
Stephen Hill is a fast riser and with reason. He has all of the physical talent you look for. I don’t care how good your coach is, he can’t coach 6’5 4.4 speed. Hill is a calculated risk to put next to AJ Green.
22. Browns: Weeden, Brandon QB Oklahoma State
Colt McCoy’s days are numbered as a starter and that’s that. If Brandon Weeden was 22 the Browns are selecting him 4th in this draft.
23. Lions: Kirkpatrick, Dre CB Alabama
This pick will be Dre Kirkpatrick if he is here. The Lions need a CB badly and he is the best one outside of Claiborne in this draft.
24. Steelers: Hightower, Dont’a ILB Alabama
Everything that is coming out of Pittsburgh media says that the Black and Gold will be grabbing some LB talent in this draft. Hightower fits their mold, and will likely be available.
25. Broncos: Martin, Doug RB Boise State
This isn’t a DT. Why? Do you really think Peyton Manning signed his contract with no say over this draft pick? Martin can block, catch, and put added pressure rushing on defenses along with Willis McGahee.
26. Texans: Jeffery, Alshon WR South Carolina
Texans fans will either applaud this selection or hate it for years to come. Many draft pundits believe Jeffrey’s stock slip was the result of a rotating door at QB and that his re-dedication to his weight is real. If that is true this may be the steal of the first round and the guy who finally puts Houston over into the legit contender class.
27. Patriots: Jones, Chandler DE Syracuse
The Patriots are looking for guys to rush the passer and Chandler Jones is rising in this draft due to just that.
28. Packers: Perry, Nick DE USC
Clay Matthews led this team with 6 sacks in 2011. That was a great effort, but he can probably double that total if the Packers get another pass rusher to take blockers off Clay.
29. Ravens: Konz, Peter C Wisconsin
The Ravens need a guard and will need a center when Matt Birk retires. Konz will solve both problems. Don’t rule out Janoris Jenkins here either if the Ravens stay true to their “Best Player Available” draft model.
30. 49ers: Zeitler, Kevin OG Wisconsin
I went back and forth with this selection and finally landed on Kevin Zeitler. The Niners are only a few pieces away from winning the big one, which is why they gave Super Bowl champions Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs a deal. Add Zeitler to the rest of that young line with Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati and it may become the best in the league hands down.
31. Patriots: Still, Devon DT Penn State
Once again, the Patriots are looking for defensive help and would probably like to get a safety but there isn’t one they can justify taking over adding Devon Still to their rotation.
32. Giants: Wilson, David RB Virginia Tech
The Super Bowl champions could look to add a tight end however last time I checked their depth chart there are currently seven men under contract at that position including former second round pick Martellus Bennett. Wilson gets the nod because he is a tough inside runner who compliments Ahmad Bradshaw sort of like Brandon Jacobs. He must solve his fumbling issues which the Giants should not be worried about.