NFL Mock Draft 3.0

1. 

QB. Andrew Luck - Stanford: 6-4, 235

The way things are starting to shape up this draft could be very predictable for the 1st 6 straight picks non of which more predictable than this one. Colts are started from ground 0 and have to get that franchise QB to build around to get their franchise going in the right direction. Luck is the best QB prospect in this draft and some even say the best since John Elway. This one's a no brainer you have to select Luck.

2. 

QB. Robert Griffin III - Baylor: 6-2, 220

The Redskins gave up a whole lot to move up to this spot and their plan is to take the best of the 2 quarterbacks that's available. Unless the Colts pull a shocker and take Griffin the Redskins will.

3.  (Mock Trade - Tampa Bay trades with Minn to move up to the 3 spot)

RB. Trent Richardson - Alabama: 5-11, 224

I think the Vikings are now leading more towards Claiborne than Khalil and if they are that really screws things up for Tampa Bay because the 2 main prospects their targeting are Claiborne and Richardson. The Browns will most likely pick Richardson at 4 so if the Vikings pick Claiborne at 3 it means Tampa Bay would then have to reach for player that isn't quite top 5 worthy because they don't need Khalil. So I see them trying to move up and get the player that can best improve their team and that's Richardson. 

4. 

QB. Ryan Tannehill - Texas A&M: 6-4, 220

Call me crazy but if the Browns can't get Richardson I can see them pulling the trigger on Tannehill. There is no way I believe he deserves to go this high but if recent drafts have thought us anything it's that these GM's love QBs. It doesn't matter where they should be drafted when it comes to this position it just matter if you need a QB or not and I don't think the Browns are totally sold on Tannehill. If the Browns can't get Richardson they might also take Blackmon here but they have another 1st round pick where they'll be able to land a 1st round talent at WR, where as Tannehill is believed to be the only 1st round talent at QB left after the 1st 2 guys are gone. 

5.  (Mock Trade - Vikings move back and swap their 3rd pick with the Bucs) 

CB. Morris Claiborne - LSU: 6-1, 185

I mocked this trade because it makes all the sense in the world. Regardless of whether the Vikings want Khalil or Claiborne I'm more than certain that they could get either at this 5 spot. Reports are now out that the Vikings are trying to shop the pick and if you can get the main 2 guys your targeting and something extra to then you might as well do it. 

6. 

OT. Matt Kalil - USC: 6-7, 300

The Rams main goal is to develop Sam Bradford into a franchise QB and for that to happen they need to put a better all around team around him and improve the talent on offense especially. Everyone is saying Blackmon with this pick but I can assure you if Kalil isn't off the board when they pick they will most likely go with him instead. He's a better overall prospect than Blackmon and you can get a talented WR at the top of the 2nd round. A huge part of the problem last season for Bradford was that he couldn't stay healthy. It doesn't matter how good the weapons are for Bradford if they can't protect which is why I can't see them passing on Kalil. 

7. 

WR. Justin Blackmon - Oklahoma State: 6-1, 208

 
Just a couple of weeks ago this was a scenario that Jacksonville probablly thought was impossible but because of rising stock and potential trades things could play out in a way that leaves Blackmon falling to the  this point in the draft. The Jags have needs on defense at corner and rushing the passer but you better believe getting a potential number 1 pro bowl caliber WR for their young QB will take priority over all of that.

8. 

WR. Michael Floyd - Notre Dame: 6-3, 229

If the Dolphins Can't get Tannehill then they'll have to turn to their next biggest needs WR and another pass rusher. Because they do still have Wake on 1 side I'd say WR is a slightly bigger need and Floyd is good enough to be taken this high So it's a fit value and need wise. Melvin Ingram would definitely get a look from Miami as well though. 

9. 

DT. Fletcher Cox - Mississippi State: 6-3, 296

I don't think anybody's stock is rising faster than Cox right now and I think it's pretty much a concensus at this point he's the best DT in the class and a top 10 overall prospect. Combine that with this being a top 10 pick and DT being the Panthers biggest need and you've got a perfect fit. 

10. 

CB. Stephon Gilmore - South Carolina: 6-0, 190

Gilmore has been rising up draft boards really fast according to reports and the Bills need a corner. He's pretty much the undisputed 2nd best corner at this point after Claiborne and there's even talks he could go 7 to the Jags. In the division this team plays in their gonna need help in the secondary seeing as how they expect to be competing for the playoffs and will need to beat NE. 

11. 

MLB. Luke Kuechly - Boston College: 6-2, 235

The Chiefs officially made Crennel their Head Coach and a player like Luke Kuechly is a match made in heaven for his defense. Crennel likes smart instinctive LBs and for his defense to work at it's best he needs one and Kuechly fits that description. He's a tackling machine and reads offenses really well and is one of the smartest defenders in this draft. Him and Derrick Johnson together in the middle of a defense could be a major problem for opposing offenses.

12. 

DE/OLB. Melvin Ingram - South Carolina 

It's rare for the best pass rusher in a class to not go in the top 10 but that could very well be the case with 3 talented skill players and a high need for QB this year. He could go as high as 7 to the Jags or fall further into the middle of the 1st round if Seattle likes Coples better. But pass rush is a need for Seattle and Ingram is the best solution to that problem and the best player available. 

13. 

OT. Riley Reiff - Iowa: 6-6, 300

The Cardinals really want a LT so that they can move Brown to guard and Reiff falling to 13 would be great for them. If Malcom Floyd is still available here look for him to draw consideration from the Cards as well. And if Reiff is gone they still have a huge need at Tackle and could reach for Martin or Glenn just to feel the need. 

14. 

S. Mark Barron - Alabama: 6-1, 223

The Cowboys signed Brodney Pool as a free agent but that's hardly the answer at Safety. The Cowboys need a playmaker back there and Barron could possibly be it for them. The Secondary was awful again last year and blew lots of leads and maybe a guy like Barron can fix that problem. 

15. 

DT/DE. Michael Brockers - LSU: 6-6, 306

The Eagles could really use help at safety and if Barron is still available I think that's who the Eagles choose but if not they turn their attention to the D-Line where they need help at DT. Brockers would be a good compliment on the interior with Jenkins and potentially give the Eagles the best 4 man front in all of football.

16. 

DE. Chandler Jones -  Syracuse

The Jets have a good defense but they haven't had a quality individual pass rusher since Rex got there and the issue needs to be addressed. Jones is versatile enough to play the OLB spot in the 3-4 and play with his hand on the ground he's the perfect versatile player for Rex's defense.

17. 

CB. Dre Kirkpatrick - Alabama: 6-2, 190

The Bengals still need to find a solid replacement for Jonathan Joeseph who they replaced with Nate Clements last year. Clements is no longer the player he once was and the Bengals need a more dependable corner moving forward. Kirkpatrick is the best one on the board. 

  

18. 

OG. David DeCastro - Stanford: 6-5, 316

The thought of DeCastro falling this far is insane to me but the fact of the matter is Guards just aren't valued very highly in the draft and nobody really wants to take 1 in the 1st round if they don't have to. I just don't think the need is that great for many of the teams in the top 20 to take Decastro when all of them have more pressing needs. But the Chargers really need help on the O-Line and getting Decastro could be a huge help for both Rivers and former 1st round pick Ryan Mathews.

19. 

DE. Quinton Coples - North Carolina: 6-6, 285

The Bears really wanna upgrade their D-Line and add another pass rush threat besides Julius Peppers. They play alotta defenses that involve dropping 7 into coverage and don't blitz that often so they need guys on the D-Line that can generate pressure on their on and Couples can do that. 

20. 

DT. Dontari Poe - Memphis: 6-5, 350

The Titans need to upgrade at DT and have really needed to do so since they lost Albert Haynesworth. I know the game film on Poe isn't great but with his potential, athleticism, and size taking him at 20 isn't that much of a risk. 

21. 

OLB/DE. Courtney Upshaw - Alabama: 6-1, 273

The Bengals didn't generate a lot of sacks last season from the DE position and Upshaw potentially could change things their for them. Reports are that Marvin Lewis likes Upshaw and I think he's a perf

22. 

WR. Kendall Wright - Baylor: 5-10, 194

The Browns really need WR help and if they don't take Blackmon with the 4th pick they HAVE to take whoever the best WR left is with this pick. I got the Browns now taking Tannehill and if your gonna take a QB 4th overall he's your franchise QB. When you have a young franchise QB you gotta put weapons around him and Kendall Wright is the best WR available.

23. 

OT/OG. Cordy Glenn - Georgia: 6-5, 346

The Lions need help at corner and could take Jenkins here despite his off the field concerns. But another need for them is on the O-Line. The Lions were a terrible running team last year and a massive guy like Glenn could come in and instantly help in that area. He can play either RT or guard so the versatility is a good thing as well. 

24. 

MLB. Dont'a Hightower - Alabama - 6-2, 265

The Steelers cut James Farrior and now need a starting MLB and Hightower can fill that need for them. He played for a NFL style defense for Nick Saban at Alabama and was a great leader for that National Championship team I think he'd be a great fit for the Steelers. 

25. 

DT. Jerel Worthy - Michigan State

Jerel has been moving up the boards of late and is now in the 1st round of alot of mocks. All the premiere names at DT are gone and the Broncos still really need one. Other DTs Kendell Reyes and Devon Still will be in play at this pick as well.

26. 

OT. Jonathan Martin - Stanford: 6-6, 304

The Texans aren't exactly hurting at Tackle but Martin is a top 25 prospect and getting him at 26 is good value and can help upgrade their O-Line. This team doesn't have many needs so they might as well take one of the best available payers. 

27. 

DE/OLB. Whitney Mercilus - Illinois

The Patriots struggled to rush the passer last year so I expect them to take the best available pass rusher on the board. 

28. 

S. Harrison Smith - Notre Dame

The Packers have cut ties with Nick Collins and now have a need at safety. The Packers defense was one of the worst in the league last season and the secondary was definitely part of the reason why. Smith has emerged as the 2nd best safety in the class so the Packers need to address the need. 

29. 

DE/OLB. Nick Perry - USC: 6-3, 271 

The Ravens need to add youth on that defense and could really use another pass rusher opposite Terrell Suggs and a replacement for Jarrett Johnson who left in Free Agency. 

30. 
OG. Kevin Zeitler - Wisconsin

Since their starting RG Adam Synder signed with the Cardinals the 49ers now have a real need a guard and Zeitler is the best available. He's a solid run blocker from a team in Wisconsin that's known for producing NFL O-lineman. 

31.    (Mock Trade - Dolphins move back in the 1st round by trading with the Patriots)
QB. Brandon Weeden - Oklahoma State

Brandon Weeden has the talent but his age is scaring teams off from picking him in the 1st round. But the Dolphins are anxious for a QB and since the Browns keep them from getting Tannehill I could def see them making a move because Weeden might not fall to them way down at pick 42 in the 2nd round. Plus this is just the 1 of 2 Patriot 1st round picks and we know how they like to make trades. 

32. 

TE. Coby Fleener - Stanford: 6-6, 247 

As a Cowboys fan I can assure you there's no reason to trust Martellus Bennent who the Giants signed to play TE in free agency. I'd imagine he was brought in to be the 2nd TE and maybe the 1st just in case they couldn't get anyone better. But if the draft plays out like I think it will they will be able to. If Fleener is on the board they have to take him.