It's NFL Draft week, and while we all wait to hear the next crazy rumor out of Berea (the Browns are going to trade their entire draft for Sam Bradford; no wait, they're going to take Jimmy Clausen; no wait, they're going to trade down and take Colt McCoy in the middle of the first round; no wait, they're going to trade their number one for Big Ben; etc.), I figured I'd let you know exactly what's going to happen with the 3rd Annual (sort of) Diminishing Skills Mock Draft (you can read the first two here and here, but I must warn you, their accuracy may make your head explode). Just as with my killer weekly NFL picks--and Starting Lineup's decision to produce the pictured product--these are 100% correct.
ROUND ONE
1. St. Louis Rams-Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
This is assuming the Browns don't set their franchise back five years by giving up the bounty the Rams are rumored to be demanding (the #7 pick, a second rounder, a player, and next year's #1). Despite Bradford's injured shoulder, I feel better about his prospects than I did about Matthew Stanford's or Mark Sanchez.
2. Detroit Lions-Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
The only other option is Russell Okung, but I can't imagine Jim Schwartz is going to pass up the next Albert Haynesworth. I hope this doesn't happen for Suh's sake, because I really want him to succeed, which is something that just doesn't happen for players drafted by the Lions.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
This is a toss-up between McCoy and Eric Berry. The Bucs were terrible against deep passes last season, but they were equally terrible against the run. Franchise DTs are harder to find than safeties, so the pick is McCoy.
4. Washington Redskins-Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Redskins need to protect their investment in Donovan McNabb, and, while he may not have the highest ceiling of the available tackles, Okung is the most ready to step in right now.
5. Kansas City Chiefs-Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
The Chiefs are trying like the dickens to trade out of this spot; unfortunately, the economics of a top 5 draft pick make their slot less than desirable. With no one biting on their offer, Kansas City will settle for Bulaga, a product of Scott Pioli's buddy Kirk Ferentz's offensive linemen factory at Iowa.
6. Seattle Seahawks-Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Although the 'Hawks arguably have more pressing needs on the offensive line, at running back, and in their pass rushing, Berry's talent and potential are too much for Pete Carroll to pass up with his first pick as the head cheese in Seattle.
7. Cleveland Browns-Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
With Berry gone, Mike Holmgren would love to move out of this spot; unfortunately, seven is still too high to get much action. While the Browns could go with the second-best safety (Earl Thomas), Joe Haden (who looked like a slam dunk pick prior to the Sheldon Brown trade), or (God-forbid) Jimmy Clausen, I think the Walrus will go with the best value and nab Williams, a mauler best suited for right tackle who was forced into duty at left tackle last season. With Williams and Joe Thomas on the outside and Alex Mack anchoring the middle, the Browns offensive line should be one of the best in the league for the next 8-10 years.
8. Oakland Raiders-Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, South Florida
A physical specimen with great athleticism who needs work on his technique and polish? Mr. Pierre-Paul, welcome to Oakland!
9. Buffalo Bills-Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
While most prognosticators have Clausen going here, the defense is switching to a 3-4, so the Bills are going to need a nose tackle to stuff the middle.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars-Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Jags will try to rectify the draft of Reggie Nelson with this selection. Thomas may be the best coverage safety in this draft.
11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)-Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
With the trade of Brandon Marshall, Dez Bryant could be the pick here, but I don't see Josh McDaniels bringing in another potential troublemaker to replace the one he just jettisoned. McClain will immediately improve the Broncos' D by simply not being Andra Davis.
12. Miami Dolphins-Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech
With Joey Porter gone and Jason Taylor apparently on his way out, the Dolphins need a pass-rushing presence, and Morgan can provide it (12.5 sacks as a senior).
13. San Francisco 49ers-Joe Haden, CB, Florida
For the second year in a row, the 49ers get perhaps the best value in the draft (they got Michael Crabtree at 10 last year). Haden can slide into the starting lineup opposite Nate Clements, which should allow the rookie to develop without the pressure of having to cover the opponent's best receiver every play.
14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)-Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Pete Carroll brings in a familiar face to provide Seattle with a much-needed pass-rushing presence (28 team sacks, tied for 26th in the league).
15. New York Giants-Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Wilson excels in man coverage (more so than Haden even), which should fit in with the Giants' aggressive style on defense.
16. Tennessee Titans-Sergio Kindle, OLB/DE, Texas
A versatile player, Kindle could swing between being the do-everything replacement-in-waiting for Keith Bullock at the outside 'backer position and a pass-rushing Javon Kearse-type on the line.
17. San Francisco (from Carolina)-Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Davis has perhaps the highest ceiling of any of the tackle prospects in this draft, but there are questions about his motivation to ever reach that ceiling. With two picks in the first round, the 49ers have the luxury of taking a risk to fill a major need.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers-Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
After the chaos of their offseason so far, the Steelers will gladly make a nice, boring selection here.
19. Atlanta Falcons-Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Between the selection of Jackson and the signing of Dunta Robinson, a relatively porous Atlanta secondary should be pretty stingy.
20. Houston Texans-C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
With Steve Slaton obviously out of favor with Gary Kubiak, the Texans jump on the chance to take the explosive Spiller.
21.Cincinnati Bengals-Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Gresham gives Carson Palmer his first legitimate target at tight end since...well, since he was drafted. really.
22. Carolina Panthers (acquired from New England for pick #48 and Panthers' 2011 first round pick)-Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
New England could stay pat and take Brandon Graham or even nab Bryant themselves, but if there's one thing we know Bill Belichick values most from his drafts it is acquiring even more picks. In Bryant, Carolina gets the first legit #2 opposite Steve Smith since Mushim Muhammed was alive, as well as Smith's heir apparent. And while you may think this is a high price to pay for the #22 pick in the draft, it is essentially what the Browns gave up to move into the same spot and select Brady Quinn in 2007.
23. Green Bay Packers-Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan
Graham replaces the departed Aaron Kampman as the pass-rush specialist opposite Clay Matthews.
24. Philadelphia Eagles-Taylor Mays, S, USC
Mays is an absolute monster of a safety (6-3, 230) who runs a 4.3 40 and hits like a wrecking ball. He has issues in coverage, but the Eagles have enough talent surrounding him to hide his deficiencies until he can develop.
25. Baltimore Ravens-Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
With the departure of Samari Rolle and the rough 2009 Dominique Foxworth had, shoring up the defensive backfield is a must for the Ravens.
26. Arizona Cardinals-Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU
Along with Joey Porter, Hughes should provide quarterback pressure from the outside for the Cards.
27. Dallas Cowboys-Charles Brown, OT, USC
A converted tight end, Brown excels in pass-blocking and downfield run-blocking. While he has yet to show the physicality necessary to be a dominant run-blocker in the traditional sense, he has shown the requisite nastiness and is still growing his body into a tackle's. He should step in for the released Flozell Adams on the left side of the Cowboys' line.
28. San Diego Chargers-Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
Matthews provides the bruising complement to the shifty quickness of Darren Sproles, and should be a much more effective goal-line back than LT was last year for the Chargers.
29. New York Jets-Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
A defensive tackle in college, Odrick will shift to end in Rex Ryan's 3-4.
30. Minnesota Vikings-Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
With Jimmy Clausen still on the board, the Vikes shock the world a little with the selection of Tebow. With Brett Favre most likely returning, and Tarvaris Jackson still on the roster, Tebow would have at least a year (and probably two) to develop his mechanics, while the locker room would still benefit from his apparent charms (it seems like every team in the league had dinner with the guy; he must be quite the raconteur) and Brad Childress could use him in Wildcat formations.
31. Indianapolis Colts-Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
This just looks like the kind of pick the Colts would make. I'm sure Iupati will end up in seven Pro Bowls if he does indeed end up in Indy.
32. New Orleans Saints-Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU
Washington is best-suited for the outside, but did play inside for his college career, making him the perfect replacement for the versatile, departed Scott Fujita.
ROUND TWO
33. St. Louis Rams-Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
A physical specimen (6-3, 225), Thomas is an intriguing mystery. His size and apparent speed (he couldn't run a 40 due to a broken foot) make him a potential game-changer; his lack of experience running any pro-style routes at all in Georgia Tech's flexbone offense could make him a potential bust. Desperate for viable targets for Sam Bradford to throw to, the Rams will roll the dice.
34. Detroit Lions-Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana
Having shored up the defensive line with their first pick, the Lions now turn their attention to protecting Matthew Stafford.
35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
McCourty will help to limit the big pass plays opposing teams came across so easily in 2009 versus Tampa Bay.
36. Kansas City Chiefs-Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona
An injury risk after missing the entire 2009 season with a back injury, Gronkowski has the skill set to provide Matt Cassel with the uber-productive safety valve Tony Gonzalez should have been before the Chiefs traded him.
37. Philadelphia Eagles (from Washington)-Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
Even with the acquisition of Ernie Sims to play outside linebacker, Weatherspoon is too much of a value for Andy Reid to pass up here.
38. Buffalo Bills (acquired from Cleveland for picks #41 and #140)-Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Whatever nonsense Mike Holmgren was spouting off about Clausen before the draft works, and the Bills give up a fifth round pick to move up 3 spots and nab their QB-the-future. Witnesses of the Brady Quinn era wish Bills fans the best of luck with that.
39. Oakland Raiders-Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
A raw offensive lineman who runs a 4.85 40 rightly goes to the only team in the world that appreciates that accomplishment.
40. San Diego Chargers (from Seattle)-Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
Cody steps in for the departed Jamal Williams at nose tackle. Cody isn't much of a pass-rusher, but you may not find a better run-stuffer in the draft.
41. Cleveland Browns (acquired from Buffalo along with pick #140 for pick #38)-Tyson Alualu, DE, California
Alualu is one of the rare players I've ever seen who actually played a 3-4 end in college, which is exactly what the Browns are looking for. He can also move inside in passing downs, where he should provide a decent pass rush (7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss as a senior). Off the field, he is already married with 2 kids, as well as being awarded with the Joe Roth Award for best exemplifying courage, attitude, and sportsmanship (which may not matter to you or me, but--if last year's draft is any indication--means a lot to Eric Mangini).
42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Chicago)-Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois
With Antonio Bryant's departure, Josh Freeman is going to have to throw to somebody after Kellen Winslow gets hurt.
43. Denver Broncos (from Miami)-Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
The Broncos use the pick they got for Brandon Marshall to replace him. Tate should show after-the-catch ability similar to Marshall's.
44. New England Patriots (from Jacksonville)-Koa Misi, OLB, Utah
Misi should be the pass-rusher the Pats have been searching for since Willie McGinnist left town.
45. Denver Broncos-Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois
Asamoah has enough athleticism to pull out in front of Knowshon Moreno for runs out in space.
46. New York Giants-Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Price had an extremely productive career in LA and could be a steal for the Giants.
47. New England Patriots (from Tennessee)-Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota
As Randy Moss and Wes Welker get another year older, Decker will be groomed to replace one of them. The only question is which one? With 6-3, 217 size and crazy athleticism, Decker could be the big play guy, and with great hands and knowledge of every route on the route tree, he could be the possession guy.
48. New England Patriots (acquired from Carolina along with Carolina's 2011 first round pick for pick #22)-Cam Thomas, DT, North Carolina
Thomas is ideally a nose tackle; New England would try him at defensive end.
49. San Francisco 49ers-Nate Allen, S, South Florida
With the additions of Allen and Haden, the 49ers would suddenly have one of the top young secondaries in the league.
50. Kansas City Chiefs (from Atlanta)-Sean Lee, ILB, Penn State
Lee provides a young inside leader for an improving linebacking corps.
51. Houston Texans-Chis Cook, CB, Virginia
Cook provides a replacement for the departed Dunta Robinson.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers-Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
Houston would probably move to end in the Steelers 3-4.
53. New England Patriots-Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida
Spikes will team with Misi and Jared Mayo to form the core of the next generation of great Patriot linebackers (at least, that's what New England fans are hoping).
54. Cincinnati Bengals-T.J. Ward, S, Oregon
Ward will provide hard-hitting insurance behind the Bengals talented corner duo and should help immensely in run-support.
55. Philadelphia Eagles-Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
Possessing prototypical size and production, Dunlap slipped this far due to his DUI arrest prior to the SEC championship game. The Eagles could have themselves quite a steal.
56. Green Bay Packers-Edwin Veldheer, OT, Hillside
Veldheer is a massive small-school project who will be allowed to grow into a left tackle while Chad Clifton finishes off his Packers career.
57. Baltimore Ravens-Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami (Fl.)
A former basketball player, the Ravens hope they have the next Antonio Gates to replace the aging Todd Heap.
58. Arizona Cardinals-Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma
A potential shut-down corner, Franks is the best value pick here for a Cardinals team lacking depth in its secondary.
59. Dallas Cowboys-Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech
Burnett replaces Ken Hamlin and should solidify the most glaring weakness on the stout Dallas defense.
60. Seattle Seahawks (from San Diego)-Vladimir Ducasse, OT, Massachuesetts
Ducasse will be charged with the unenviable task of replacing sure-fire Hall-of-Famer Walter Jones at left tackle.
61. New York Jets-Linval Joseph, DT, East Carolina
A massive player (6-5, 328), Joseph is more of a pass-rushing tackle than a nose tackle, ala Shaun Rogers. If Joseph can be half the player Rogers is, Rex Ryan will be happy.
62. Minnesota Vikings-Chad Jones, S, LSU
The Vikes will hope the versatile Jones (he played both safety spots at LSU) can be an improvement over incumbents Tyrell Johnson or Madieu Williams.
63. Indianapolis Colts-Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern
Wootton will replace the released Raheem Brock as the primary depth behind Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
64. New Orleans Saints-Alex Carrington, DE, Arkansas State
Carrington provides depth behind Will Smith and Alex Brown.
ROUND THREE
65. St. Louis Rams-Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forst
66. Detroit Lions-Jerome Murphy, CB, South Florida
67. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Myron Lewis, S/CB, Vanderbilt
68. Kansas City Chiefs-Torrell Troup, DT, Central Florida
69. Oakland Raiders-Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana (PA)
70. Philadelphia Eagles (from Seattle)-Mitch Petrus, G, Arkansas
71. Cleveland Browns-Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
72. Buffalo Bills-Dexter McCluster, WR/RB, Ole Miss
73. Miami Dolphins-Jason Worilds, OLB, Virginia Tech
74. Jacksonville Jaguars-Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
75. Chicago Bears-John Jerry, OT, Ole Miss
76. New York Giants-Jahvid Best, RB, California
77. Tennessee Titans-Austen Lane, DE, Murray State
78. Carolina Panthers-Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina
79. San Francisco 49ers-Damien Williams, WR, USC
80. Denver Broncos-Matt Tennant, C, Boston College
81. Houston Texans-Thaddeus Gibson, OLB, Ohio State
82. Pittsburgh Steelers-Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
83. Atlanta Falcons-Carlton Mitchell, WR, South Florida
84. Cincinnati Bengals-Al Woods, DT, LSU
85. Cleveland Browns (from New England via Oakland)-Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
86. Green Bay Packers-Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee
87. Philadelphia Eagles-Donald Butler, ILB, Washington
88. Arizona Cardinals (from Baltimore)-Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon
89. Arizona Cardinals-Jamar Chaney, ILB, Mississippi State
90. Dallas Cowboys-Taylor Price, WR, Ohio
91. San Diego Chargers-Amari Spievey, CB, Iowa
92. Cleveland Browns (from NY Jets)-Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
93. Minnesota Vikings-Ben Tate, RB, Auburn
94. Indianapolis Colts-Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati
95. New Orleans Saints-Aaron Hernandez, TE, Florida
96. Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory)-Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati
97. Tennessee Titans (Compensatory)-Marcus Easley, WR, Connecticut
98. Atlanta Falcons (Compensatory)-Brandon Lang, DE, Troy
BROWNS DRAFT SUMMARY
7. Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
41. Tyson Alualu, DE, California
71. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
85. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
92. Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
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