Fathead Blog

The NFL Draft is getting close and it seems like everyone is doing a mock draft these days. Why not me? It’s not like it would be the first time I went 4-for-32. Here’s my shot in the dark.

1. Indianapolis Colts — Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Everyone’s had Luck in this spot for two years. The only question was which team would be making the pick.

2. Washington Redskins — Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Mike Shanahan gave up a lot to move up four spots. You know he’s after a quarterback. If Washington is un-Lucky, they will be very happy with RGIII.

3. Minnesota Vikings — Matt Kalil, T, USC
There has been some talk of a possible trade here for another team to move up for a quarterback. Not happening. Vikings add a bodyguard for Christian Ponder.

4. Cleveland Browns — Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
They tried to move up and get Luck or Griffin but couldn’t pull it off. So if you can’t upgrade your quarterback, you get your quarterback some help.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Tampa desperately wants both Richardson and Morris Claiborne but can only pick one so it comes down to a coin toss. Richardson it is.

6. St. Louis Rams – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Blackmon is who they really need, but the Rams end up settling for a cornerback who is not a bad consolation prize.

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

Here’s another team that would have loved to get Blackmon. Instead they are already looking for someone to harass Andrew Luck for the next decade.

8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

No other quarterbacks wanted to play in Miami but Tannehill won’t get to choose where he goes.

9. Carolina Panthers – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd and Cam Newton could be a dangerous combination for opposing defenses for a long time.

10. Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Bills fans have got to be excited about the moves Buffalo has made so far. This one probably won’t get the fans pumped up, but they will be happy if Fitzpatrick has time to find his receivers. Reiff will help with that.

11. Kansas City Chiefs – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississppi St.

This fills the biggest need for a team who was a blocked field goal away from winning the division last year and has several important players coming back after getting hurt in 2011.

12. Seattle Seahawks – Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Matt Flynn is the new quarterback. Now they need someone to get to the opposing quarterback.

13. Arizona Cardinals – David DeCastro, G, Stanford

If you followed the Peyton Manning situation, you would have heard all about how bad the offensive line is in Arizona. It just got better.

14. Dallas Cowboys — Mark Barron S, Alabama

This seems to be an obvious pick for the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles — Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Looks like Asante Samuel is heading out of town so Philly drafts a replacement.

16. New York Jets – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Mark Sanchez needs to play well from the opening snap to keep Tebowmania from taking over New York. The more weapons he has the better he will be.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The secondary is getting older and Leon Hall may not be healthy.

18. San Diego Chargers – Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Just one Charger had more than four sacks in 2011. That must improve in 2012 if they are going to win the AFC West.

19. Chicago Bears – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Chicago won’t think twice about taking the top linebacker in the draft if he falls to them.

20. Tennessee Titans – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Titans decide to beef up the defensive line and give Jurrell Casey some help up front.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia

Cincy needs a starter at guard and they could move Glenn to fill that hole.

22. Cleveland Browns – Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Colt McCoy will be a happy man if the Browns give him a new receiver and running back in the first round.

23. Detroit Lions – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

When Stafford is healthy, Detroit is dangerous. This pick should help keep Stafford on the field.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Seems like everyone else is picking someone from Alabama and we all know the NFL is a copycat league. He’ll provide some youth to an aging defense.

25. Denver Broncos – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

As nice as it would be to give Manning more options on offense, the Broncos can’t pass up Poe if he is available.

26. Houston Texans – Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

You think Andre Johnson would like to have another threat on the other side of the field to open things up? Matt Shaub would be ok with it, too.

27. New England Patriots – Nick Perry, DE, USC

What are the chances Bill Belichick picks in this spot? Not good. He is always moving up and down the draft board. But if he does stay, Perry will increase the pass rush.

28. Green Bay Packers – Shea Mcclellin, OLB, Boise State

Packers are rumored to be in love with him and need help getting after the quarterback.

29. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
The offensive line is aging. Konz should be able to step right in when called upon.

30. San Fransisco 49ers – Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Coach Harbaugh will find a way to use multiple tight ends with Fleener and Vernon Davis. It seems to work pretty well for Tom Brady and the Patriots.

31. New England Patriots – Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

New England adds another first round defensive end. If they hit on both picks, lookout AFC East.

32. New York Giants – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The defending world champs can’t be in too bad of shape, but there is a hole on the offensive line that needs to be addressed.