#1- Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck (QB-Stamford)
Everyone knows what's coming regardless of what Irsay says between now and April. The Colts know as
well as anyone how valuable a franchise QB is and will not pass up on the opportunity for their next one.
#2- TRADE! Cleveland Browns via St. Louis: Robert Griffin III (QB-Baylor)
Again, franchise QBs are invaluable and Cleveland will stop at no costs to get theirs. Armed with the
additional picks that they received from Atlanta last year, the Browns will make sure that nobody leapfrogs
them to steal their man.
#3- Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne (CB-LSU)
The Vikings address a HUGE need with arguably the best defensive player in the draft. Claiborne's talents
and instincts are as good as any corner coming out of college in recent years. I originally thought that Kalil
was a near lock to be the third player off the board but in a division with Rodgers, Cutler, and Stafford,
having the #27th passing defense just isn't going to get it done.
#4- TRADE! St. Louis Rams via Cleveland: Ryan Kalil (OT-USC)
The Rams will be tempted to grab Sam Bradford a premiere target here (Blackmon) but wisely choose to
address an offensive line that surrendered the most sacks in the league last year. Jason Smith simply
isn't going to become who they thought he was when they drafted him 2nd overall and it's time to find
someone who can protect their franchise quarterback.
#5- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Riley Reiff (OT-Iowa)
"Boring", yet surprising pick in which the Bucs play it safe by adding the second best tackle in the draft.
Reiff, along with Donald Penn, will give the Bucs a pair of tackles as good as any in the league and a long
term anchor on the left (although I see him playing RT initially like Tyron Smith did for the Cowboys
last year). A lot of people have Richardson in this slot but I think that this is the right pick for a young team
with a new coaching staff.
#6- Washington Redskins: Justin Blackmon (WR-Oklahoma State)
It's no secret that the Redskins have a ton of holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball. With the top
two quarterbacks off of the board and no others worth taking a this point, the Skins address what is
arguably their second most pressing offensive need with the best player available. Santana Moss is
getting older and although Leonard Hankerson showed great potential at times last year, the Skins appear
to lack a true #1 WR. Blackmon is hands down the top receiver in the draft and gets the Washington offense
one (giant) step closer to respectability.
#7- Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathon Martin (OT-Stanford)
Blaine Gabbert was highly criticized for his ability to stand strong in the face of a pass rush last year. One
way to address that issue is to keep opponents off of him, something that Martin excelled at in college.
While there are higher rated players at other positions of need still available, Martin may be the safest pick
for the Jags here and gives Blaine Gabbert his best chance to survive in this league.
#8- Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram (DE-South Carolina)
Coples is regarded as the best defensive end in the draft but there are many questions surrounding his
work ethic, so Carolina goes with another freakishly athletic defensive end in order to improve a unit that
registered only 31 sacks last year. Pairing Ingram up with Charles Johnson should give the Panthers the
best pass rushing tandem in their division.
#9- TRADE! Cincinnati Bengals via Miami: Trent Richardson (RB-Alabama)
Richardson is easily the highest rated player left on the board and Cincinnati takes advantage of it's
favorable situation (two picks in the first round) in order to lock up the multi-dimensional back. Benson
has by all accounts exceeded the expectations that the Bengals had for him but after an unforeseen playoff
run, the Bengals feel that they are ready to make a run (no pun intended) at the AFC North crown.
#10- Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples: (DE-UNC)
The Bills ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks last year (29 total) and if not for one anomaly
against the Redskins putrid OL, may not have had anyone with >5 sacks. Some have Coples rated as
the top defensive player in the draft and if not concerns about his work ethic, he may have been a top 5
pick. While some see him as a prototypical 4-3 DE, his size and athleticism make him versatile enough
to play in a 3-4. Buffalo takes the BPA, who also fills their biggest hole.
#11- Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers (DT-LSU)
Brockers is a monster who can line up at several positions on the Chiefs' front line. He plays with high
intensity and will chew up several blockers on most plays. Brockers fills the teams biggest need and
instantly upgrades both their rush and pass defense.
#12- Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still (DT-Penn State)
Still is a disruptive force who will start instantly and improve an already stout defense. His ability to eat
up blockers, hold the point of attack, and get upfield on passing downs makes him an top-tier prospect.
#13- Arizona Cardinals: Vontaze Burfict (ILB-Boston College)
Kuchely isa higher rated player at this point (according to most) but I am predicting that Burfict will be the
guy who puts up staggering combine numbers and flies up the board this year. Vontaze is a bad man
who mentally (moving on) and physically encompasses everything that you'd want from a ILB/MLB and it
shows on tape.
#14- Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick (CB-Alabama)
Kirkpatrick is considered by many to be a top 10 talent but due to some off-the-field issues, it's hard to
see him going any higher (no pun intended) than the middle of the first round. The Cowboys pass
defense ranked in the bottom of the league for the third consecutive year in 2011 and it's clearly time
to make some changes.