Quick First Round Analysis: Surprise!

1. Carolina Panthers: QB Cam Newton - A big risk here but I cannot criticize it because I had this one pegged in my first mock, and in the end it could be one well worth making. I have never denied Newton's ability as an athlete and a college player, but the NFL is a whole new ballgame. Whether or not he is up to the task is up for debate. We will just have to wait and see.
2. Denver Broncos: LB Von Miller - Possibly the best player in the draft, Miller should help out on defense immediately. I love his attitude as well as his ability on the field. He and Elvis Dumervil cold be destroying QB's for a long time.
3. Buffalo Bills: DT Marcel Dareus - As soon as he got through the first two picks I figured this was a lock. He could have just as easily gone first overall. The league's worst run defense just got better.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: WR AJ Green - Somebody has to eventually replace Batman and Robin, so it may as well be the best WR prospect we have seen since Calvin Johnson came out.
5. Arizona Cardinals: CB Patrick Peterson - A lot of raw ability as an athlete and could turn out to be the best player overall. I don't think anybody had this one pegged but you definitely cannot knock the organization for taking Peterson over anybody, especially Blaine Gabbert.
6. Atlanta Falcons: WR Julio Jones - A big move up for the Falcons but they now have the guy they wanted. Despite his case tendency to drop the ball, Jones is big, strong, and can leap with the best of them. His monster workouts bumped his stock up the last couple months.
7. San Francisco 49ers: DE Aldon Smith - The word is that Smith probably could have been a top five pick next year as he is young and still developing. I figured Jim Harbaugh and gang would go defense, I just didn't think it would be Smith.
8. Tennessee Titans: QB Jake Locker - A year ago this would have not been a surprise, but this year most folks, including myself, had him pegged as a second round value. They saw something they liked in him and took him. Despite his ugly stats, this guy is a winner that could have done greater things on a better college team.
9. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyron Smith - The first pick that turned out just the way I predicted brings a great athlete to the 'Boys O-line, which is something they have needed for a couple years now. It may take a while but Smith could turn out to be something special.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Blaine Gabbert - The organization is comfortable with David Garrard for now but they obviously believe they need an upgrade soon in order to be a playoff contender. Give him some time and he could give them the same type of play that Ben Roethlisberger gives the Steelers.
11. Houston Texans: DE J.J. Watt - Great hustler that fills a need as this team has to improve on defense in order to make the playoffs. Watt could play end or tackle for the Texans.
12. Minnesota Vikings: QB Christian Ponder - A bit of a reach for sure, as this guy would have been available late in round one. However, I like the fact that the team needed a QB and they didn't hesitate to go after one.
13. Detroit Lions: DT Nick Fairley - Chris Berman said it best when he exclaimed "Wow", as in Watch Out World. Fairley and (Ndamukong) Suh will be a pair of names that we all will hear a lot of in the near future.
14. St Louis Rams: DE Robert Quinn - The pass-rusher that the team needs dropped from the top ten right into their laps. They would have taken Fairley if he hadn't gone one pick earlier.
15. Miami Dolphins: OG/C Mike Pouncey - This was an easy one to pick in my opinion, as the 'Fins needed blockers and they may have gotten the best one the entire draft in Pouncey. Sure he had some rough moments snapping the ball in 2010 but he was still the Gator's best offensive player.
16. Washington Redskins: DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan - Nice pick here as Kerrigan attacked the line of scrimmage better than anybody else in college football last season while leading the nation in tackles for a loss.
17. New England Patriots: OT Nate Solder - This draft has been full of surprises so far and this pick is another one. I don't think it is too wise to criticize the Pats organization though, as they can easily make you look stupid in the end.
18. San Diego Chargers: DT Corey Liuget - Could have been a top ten pick as everybody loves his quickness and hustle. Liuget was not really considered to be a great fit in the 3-4 going into the draft but I do not doubt that he has the ability to be a very effective defender for the Chargers.
19. New York Giants: CB Prince Amukamara - The best player available should at least help out at the nickel spot immediately and become a fixture as a starter very quickly.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Adrian Clayborn - Looks like a great fit in my opinion. He is the type of tough guy that this team was known for having on defense several years ago. He was widely considered one of the top overall prospects going into the 2010 season.
21. Cleveland Browns: DT Phil Taylor - He will help plug up running lanes no matter what defensive scheme the Browns run. I actually like him in the 4-3 more than the 3-4 as he reminds me of the Vikings' Pat Williams a lot.
22. Indianapolis Colts: OT Anthony Castonzo - Definitely fills a need and could turn out to be a very good left tackle very quickly.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: OG Danny Watkins - This 26 year-old rookie should start immediately and help bring some consistency to the position.
24. New Orleans Saints: DE Cam Jordan - The Saints had their pick of quality talent here and taking Jordan seems like a great fit for them. He should at least be a steady player for the next ten years.
25. Seattle Seahawks: OL James Carpenter - Lots of upside as a guard or tackle, Carpenter is a huge prospect (6'4" 324 lbs) with the feet to mirror pass-rushers. I think he is going to end up being a pro-bowl caliber guard.
26. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jonathan Baldwin - Another reach in my opinion, but his size (6'5" 228 lbs) and skills are much needed assets at the position for KC.
27. Baltimore Ravens: CB Jimmy Smith - A strange pick as the team technically missed their pick at #26 and then had to wait a turn. Smith is a top 20 talent with some character concerns. Maybe some quality time with John Harbaugh, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed will do him some good.
28. New Orleans Saints: RB Mark Ingram -Well, after spending a 2012 first round pick to move up and get Ingram here, it is evident that the team really believes it got a steal in Jordan four picks earlier. The NFC South is really shaping up to be a very interesting division.
29. Chicago Bears: OT Gabe Carimi - No doubt the Bears need help on the O-line and they feel lucky to have Carimi fall to them. There were no decent receivers worth taking here.
30. New York Jets: DL Muhammad Wilkerson - A big guy that should make a nice end in the 3-4 with his power and agility.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Cam Heyward - I love this pick as Heyward fits the mold of a classic Steelers' end that can stand up linemen, chase down ballcarriers, and occasionally punish the opposing QB.
32. Green Bay Packers: OT Derek Sherrod - A quality pick for the Super Bowl champs as Sherrod not only fills a need, but he fills it with a large frame (6'5" 320 lbs). He also has the feet to be an effective pass-protector and should team with last year's first round pick, OT Bryan Bulaga, to give Aaron Rodgers some quality protection for a long time.

Final 2011 Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers (2-14): CB Patrick Peterson, 6'1" 211 lbs. LSU - I know this is going against the grain a bit but in the end Peterson is the best prospect in the draft due to his combination of size, speed, and athleticism, as well as his solid production on the field in college the last three years. He could turn out to be the type of DB that can do the things that Darrel Revis does for the Jets. The second and third rounds should be decent spots to take a QB or a D-lineman.
2. Denver Broncos (4-12): DT Marcel Dareus, 6'3" 306 lbs. Alabama - Could very easily go first overall but if not, Denver would be more than willing to add Dareus to the mix in their front line of defense. His work ethic and scheme versatility bode well for him in the pros.
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12): OLB Von Miller, 6'3" 238 lbs. Texas A & M - The best overall linebacker and pass-rushing prospect in the draft should help out immediately on the Bills' defense. The team may go after a QB in round two.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12): QB Blaine Gabbert, 6'4" 235 lbs. Missouri - Even though it will take a few years for Gabbert to develop, this pick quickly solves any Carson Palmer issues for the team in the future.
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11): DE Robert Quinn, 6'5" 260 lbs. UNC - An athletic pass-rusher that could play up or down. He should help make things interesting on any defense.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11): WR AJ Green, 6'4" 208 lbs. Georgia - Cleveland would like to trade down but if they don't find a willing partner Green would be worth the pick here. He has the skills to become a huge difference-maker on offense.
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10): CB Prince Amukamara, 6'0" 200 lbs. Nebraska - Even though new coach Jim Harbaugh played QB, he is a very defense-minded coach. There are not many highly sought after DB's this year either so I wouldn't be surprised to see San Fran jump on one early. Amukamara possesses a well-rounded game and he should contribute early.
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10): DT Corey Liuget, 6'3" 300 lbs. Illinois - A bit of surprise with Nick Fairley still on the board but Liuget is almost as complete of a prospect as you can find and has been considered a top 15 talent by most analysts for a while now. His stock continues to rise and the lack of red flags makes him hard to pass up for a team that needs to retool its defense a bit.
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10): OT Tyron Smith, 6'5" 307 lbs. USC - Name another position on the Cowboys that needs talent more than the O-line. This is one of the few picks that hasn't changed since my last mock update as Smith should be able to quickly find a home on the 'Boys roster.
10. Washington Redskins (6-10): WR Julio Jones, 6'4" 208 lbs. Alabama - It's either Jones or Cam Newton here and I believe the 'Skins will go with the "safer" pick as the WR performed as good as anybody at the combine after dominating the college gridiron for the last three seasons.
11. Houston Texans (6-10): DT Nick Fairley, 6'3" 298 lbs. Auburn - The team has tried several times to shore up the D-line and Fairley could help bring a lot of pressure up the middle to assist the porous pass-defense. Amukamara would be an ideal pick here but despite his stock slipping a bit Fairley still possesses a huge upside that could turn out to pay off for the Texans.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10): QB Cam Newton, 6'5" 248 lbs. Auburn - I really do not care to hear any comparisons to Daunte Culpepper as Newton is a different type of QB prospect. His combination of size, athleticism, and confidence could help him develop into a type of player that revolutionizes the QB position in the NFL.
13. Detroit Lions (6-10): DE Da'Quan Bowers, 6'4" 280 lbs. Clemson - May not fill the biggest need for the Lions but Bowers should be another piece that helps turn the D-town D-line into one of the best in the league. He was widely considered the top prospect this year until some health issues caused him to slip.
14. St Louis Rams (7-9): OT Anthony Castonzo, 6'7" 300 lbs. Boston College - A four-year starter that is closer to being NFL-ready than most of the other O-line prospects in the draft. This is a bit of a reach but the Rams are determined to put together a solid O-line.
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9): G/C Mike Pouncey, 6'5" 311 lbs. Florida - The 'Fins still need help on the O-line too and Pouncey seems like one of the top two prospects there. His potential is high due to his versatility alone.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): DE Adrian Clayborn, 6'3" 285 lbs. Iowa - The Jags continue trying to improve at end to assist the rising talent at tackle. Clayborn has some health issues but he was once considered a top five pick and gets rave reviews from former coaches, teammates, and opponents.
17. New England Patriots (14-2/from Raiders): DE J.J. Watt, 6'5" 290 lbs. Wisconsin - A versatile prospect that hustles himself into a lot of plays. Watt should fit right in at end in the Pats D.
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7): DE Cam Jordan, 6'4" 287 lbs. Cal - Another versatile end that should be able to aptly play the "5" in the 3-4 defense.
19. New York Giants (10-6): RB Mark Ingram, 5'9" 215 lbs. Alabama - Might as well grab the best player on the board since there is no linebacker worth taking here. Ingram is as tough of a runner as you will find in the draft.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6): Muhammad Wilkerson, 6'4" 315 lbs. Temple - May not be the speedy pass-rusher that everybody seems to covet, but Wilkerson is a big, strong player with the athleticism to help seal up some running lanes and collapse the pocket. The Bucs were one of the worst teams in the league against the run last year and they will seek to improve in that area.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-7): DE Ryan Kerrigan, 6'4" 264 lbs. Purdue - Led the nation in tackles for a loss last year and should take over for the aging veteran Mike Vrabel.
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-7): OT Nate Solder, 6'8" 319 lbs. Colorado - It seems that the Colts could go any number of ways here but Solder is one of the few real left tackle prospects available and was once considered a sure-fire top 20 prospect that some, including myself, have grown cold on. Does he have enough sand to anchor against big, strong NFL defenders?
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-7): CB Aaron Williams, 6'0" 204 lbs. Texas - Williams is a guy that is creeping up draft boards a little bit and could go as high as this in the first round. If the Eagles can improve on defense they could be THE team to beat in 2011.
24. New Orleans Saints (11-6) Aldon Smith, 6'4" 263 lbs. Missouri - I do not have Smith rated as high as other writers but I still think he is a good prospect worth looking at here. I just have a feeling it might take a bit for him to adjust to working in the NFL and he will need to add the bulk required to handle it full time.
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-10): OT Gabe Carimi, 6'7" 314 lbs. Wisconsin - Instead of reaching for a QB here the 'Hawks will either seek a trade down or take Carimi, who is a very good right tackle prospect that could help pave the way for the running game.
26. Baltimore Ravens (13-5): DE Cam Heyward, 6'5" 294 lbs. - Could be another Trevor Pryce-type of player at end, which the team would love to have for another ten years.
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-4): CB Jimmy Smith, 6'2" 211 lbs. Colorado - I had Atlanta taking Aaron Williams here but if he's gone they could go after the next best thing. If Smith can grow up he could become a very good starting corner.
28. New England Patriots (14-3): OL Derek Sherrod, 6'5" 321 lbs. Mississippi State - The team could go defense again here but Sherrod is an intriguing OT prospect that a lot of NFL coaches would love to get their hands on.
29. Chicago Bears (12-6): DT Stephen Paea, 6'1" 303 lbs. Oregon State - Strong player that should help stop the run, create room for the linebackers, and occasionally get in the QB's face.
30. New York Jets (14-6): TE Kyle Rudolph, 6'6" 259 lbs. Notre Dame - Could help out immediately in the passing game and should be more NFL-ready than any of the other receiver prospects that are left on the board.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (14-5): OG Danny Watkins, 6'4" 310 lbs. Baylor - Another brick to add to the front wall. Watkins should look good next to last year's first rounder and rookie pro-browler, Maurkice Pouncey. An OT or a CB might be more of a need but there are not any as good as this OG.
32. Green Bay Packers (14-6): DE/OLB Brooks Reed, Arizona - Yes, I realize that OLB Akeem Ayers is still on the board but he does not seem to have the fire in his belly or the short area quickness that Reed possesses. He and Clay Mathews could absolutely terrorize opposing offenses for a long time.

The Next Generation Part II: Adding Bricks and Mortar

Back in January I posted a piece highlighting four teams that did not make the playoffs in 2010 but I considered them to be young and on the verge of a post-season run. These teams were the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and San Diego Chargers. With the upcoming NFL draft looming in the near future it is time to continue the watch over these teams as they prepare to make some key decisions in their team-building projects.

Included in the following reports are a list of needs, some quick notes, and a full seven round draft analysis for each of the four teams that I consider "teams on the rise". I will be keeping a close eye on them as the decisions made now in April will have drastic effects on how these respective teams develop over the next few years.

NFC

The Detroit Lions (6-10)

Five Top Needs: cornerback, left guard, wide receiver, outside linebacker, o-line

Notes: With only five total selections in the draft the Lions may look to trade down from the 13th spot in the first round. There will be lots of decent talent to choose from in the second, third, and fourth rounds so one or two extra picks in that part of the draft could go a long way towards solidifying the overall roster a little more.

Round One, Pick #13 - CB Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) would be an ideal selection here as he has great size (6'0" 200 lbs) and enough ability to be a solid all-around defender. If he is not available the team might really want to seek a trade down and go after one of the O-linemen that will still be available later. I do not believe any of the top OL prospects are really worth taking this high. Besides, the team only gave up 27 sacks in 2010, which was 6th in the league. WR Julio Jones (Alabama) would be a possibility here too if he's still on the board as there is literally no depth at wide receiver.

Round Two, Pick #44 - This might be a great spot to land an offensive lineman, particularly a guy that can play left guard. Ben Ijalana (Villanova), Orlando Franklin (Miami, FL), and Danny Watkins (Baylor) all could fit the bill. OLB Bruce Carter (UNC) seems to be the popular pick here though, as he seems to possess the raw athleticism, skills, and work ethic to become a good starter in the NFL. The Lions need somebody to take over for veteran Julian Peterson, who is well-beyond his prime. WR Torrey Smith (Maryland) has visited the Lions recently and even said that he thinks Detroit is a "beautiful city". His moves on the field are beautiful too.

Round Three, Pick #75 - This might be a great time to add another receiver. Greg Little (UNC), Leonard Hankerson (Miami, FL), and Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) all possess some intriguing traits and each of them are capable of immediately finding a home as the third receiver on this roster. CB's Kendric Burney (UNC) and Ras-I Dowling (Virginia) are both interesting prospects that could be available here as well.

Round Four, Pick #107 - The great thing about this year's draft is that there should still be some strong talent available to choose from in the fourth round. DE Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma), DT Drake Nevis (LSU), LB Casey Mathews (Oregon), and OL Stefan Wisiewski (Penn St) could all be available when the Lions pick here and any one of them would be welcomed additions to the team.

Round Five, Pick #155 - LB Greg Jones (Michigan State) would be an absolute steal here. OT Jah Reid (UCF), WR Darvin Adams (Auburn), and RB Stevan Ridley (LSU) all could help with depth on offense immediately.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)

Five Top Needs: defensive end, cornerback, offensive line, wide receiver, running back

Notes: It looks like starting CB Aqib Talib could be sitting out for a while due to a federal gun charge so a replacement may be needed. EJ Biggers, Elbert Mack, and Myron Lewis all will get first crack at the job though so the team should not panic and reach for a player in the first. There looks to be some decent corner talent in the second and third rounds, which is where the team has had luck drafting corners in the past.

Round One, Pick #20 - There will be a load of talent to choose from here so the Bucs should walk away with a guy they are extremely happy in taking. Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), Aldon Smith (Missouri), and Cam Jordan (Cal) all could help out immediately at end on defense, while Anthony Castonzo (Boston College), Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), and Mike Pouncey (Florida) all could contribute on the O-line. There doesn't appear to be much secondary talent to really consider here.

Round Two, Pick #51 - CB Ras-I Dowling has the size and zone-coverage skills that the Bucs love at the position but DE Allen Bailey might be a great fit on the left side of the D-line. DE Jabaal Sheard is a nice talent worthy of a look here too.

Round Three, Pick #84 - TE Luke Stocker (Tennessee) has about as good a chance as anybody to get taken here. He has the size (6'5" 260 lbs) and all-around ability to develop into a nice pro and the Bucs could use some more depth behind starter Kellen Winslow Jr. RB's Demarco Murray (Oklahoma), Johnny White (UNC) and Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State) wouldn't be bad choices here either.

Round Four, Pick #115 - DE Pernel McPhee (Mississippi St), WR Austin Pettis (Boise St), TE DJ Williams (Arkansas), and LB Casey Mathews would all be nice picks here.

Round Five, Pick #151 - CB Davon House (New Mexico St) might be a steal here while OT Demarcus Love and could also be available, but OT Zach Hurd (UConn) might be a sleeper worth taking here too. Hurd is big (6'7" 316 lbs.), strong, and quick enough to get out to the second level of the defense.

Round Six, Pick #187 - This might be a good time to stock up on some athletes that can play special teams. There are a lot of receiver prospects with the potential to develop. Dane Sanzenbacher (Ohio St) and Ronald Johnson (USC) are just two of those guys.

Round Seven Picks #222 and #238 - With two picks in the seventh the Bucs will have a couple chances to grab whatever is left of the remaining talent. Some players to keep an eye out for this late include OG Justin Boren (Ohio St), OLB Mark Herzlich(Boston College), RB Noel Devine (West Virginia), WR Jeff Maehl (Oregon), and ILB Greg Lloyd (UConn).

AFC

Miami Dolphins (7-9)

Five Top Needs: outside linebacker, offensive line, wide receiver, running back, quarterback

Notes: QB Chad Henne is still young and has a shot to make some real gains in 2011 as long as he can stay healthy and play more consistently. He could benefit greatly from an improved running game.

Round One, Pick #15 - I like RB Mark Ingram (Alabama) going to the Dolphins here. He may not be fast but he is a tough, down-hill runner that would be a nice compliment to the multi-dimensional Ronnie Brown while assisting in taking some of that pressure of Henne. OLB Akeem Ayers (UCLA), G/C Mike Pouncey (Florida), and OT Tyron Smith (USC) all would be nice selections for the 'Fins. Do not be surprised to see another D-lineman go here as this team always wants to solidify the position.

Round Three, Pick #79 - LB Martez Wilson (Illinois) would be a great pick here in the third if he is still available. He can play inside or outside and possesses enough pass-rush ability and speed to make things a little more interesting on defense. OG John Moffit (Wisconsin) and OT Lee Ziemba (Auburn) are capable of providing some help on the O-line immediately, at least in terms of depth. Jake Locker (Washington), Andy Dalton (TCU), and Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) are three QB's worth watching out for here, although all three should already be gone.

Round Four, Pick #111 - OLB Dontay Moch (Nevada) seems to have the pass-rush skills that Miami could use but he might take a while to truly develop his game. OT Joe Barksdale (LSU) might be able to help a little sooner on the O-line as he is big (6'5" 324 lbs) and versatile (played left and right tackle).

Round Five, Pick #145 - WR's Ricardo Lockette (Fort Valley State) and Terrence Tolliver (LSU) are the type of big, well-rounded players that teams look for in the middle of the draft. The 'Fins seem to always need pass-catchers and these guys could possibly help on special teams too.

Round Six, Pick #179 - DE/OLB Craig Marshall (South Florida), RB John Clay (Wisconsin), and TE Weslaye Saunders (South Carolina) all would be worth a shot right here.

Round Seven, Picks #216, #217, and #234 - The team could possibly use some of these late round picks to move around earlier in the draft. RB Matt Asiata (Utah), C Kris O'Dowd (USC), OT Richard Lapham (Boston College), LB Cobrani Mixon (Kent State), and QB Pat Devlin (Delaware) are a number of guys that could still be hanging around at this point. Take your pick.

San Diego Chargers (9-7)

Top Five Needs: outside linebacker, defensive end, offensive line, wide receiver, safety

Notes: The leagues perennial let-down and all-time paper champs, it can easily be argued that the Chargers have been the team with the most talent over the course of the last ten years. The problems is that they do not have much to show for it at this point. Despite having both the top-rated offense and defense in the league last season, they allowed Kansas City to run away with the AFC West Division Championship and a playoff berth. Excuse the players though if they don't really care because from what I hear nobody's upset due to the weather being great.

Round One, Pick #18: OLB Akeem Ayers could be a nice addition here as the team is in need of an all-around player on the edge of the defensive front seven. DE's Cam Jordan (Cal), Muhammed Wilkerson (Temple), J.J. Watt (Wisconsin), and Cam Heyward (Ohio St) are possibilities as well. Anybody that could immediately help with clogging running lanes or rushing the passer would be fine, and the organization has a reputation of going out of their way to get the guys they covet. They do have extra picks in rounds two and three to entertain plenty of trade opportunities.

Round Two, #50 and #61: DE Allen Bailey (Miami), WR Jonathan Baldwin (Pitt), WR Torrey Smith (Marlyland), OG Clint Boling (Georgia), LB Martez Wilson (lllinois), and OLB Justin Houston (Georgia) are on the watch list of players to be taken at one of these two spots.

Round Three, Pick #82 and #89: LB's Quan Sturdivant (UNC) and Dontay Moch (Nevada) are possibilities here, as are OG's William Rackley (Lehigh) and John Moffit (Wisconsin). Vincent Brown (San Diego St) might be somebody worth adding to the receiving corps right here too.

Round Six, Pick #183 and #201: If S DeAndre McDaniel (Clemson) is still around he might not make it past here. Eric Hagg (Nebraska) and Deunta Williams (UNC) are a couple other safety prospects that could contribute as rookies and develop into solid pros. RB Graig Cooper (Miami, FL) is a crafty player that could find a role in the NFL very quickly. This could actually be a good round for RB's this year.

Round Seven, Pick #234: WR Armon Binns (Cincinnati) would definitely be an attractive prospect here, if he's available. DT Jerrell Powe (Mississippi) has the size (6'2" 335 lbs.) and quickness to be a factor in the front line of defense, but he could be gone too. There may just be a bevy of decent defensive backs to choose from here as well. Scoring a special teams coverage player here would be pure gold.

Scot Acocks also writes for the NFL Draft Dog as an NFL Team Columnist and Beat Writer.

Mock Draft Quick Board

As we creep closer and closer to the draft some things are becoming more clear while others are becoming more foggy. The smokescreens have been implemented a long time ago but visibility has not gotten any better. "Experts" everywhere are left virtually clueless as to what may actually pan out in this year's extravaganza while scouts, coaches, and general managers continuously tweak their draft boards and draw up their game plans.

I too have been changing things along my mock. Everyday it seems I feel a little bit different about certain prospects, particularly the quarterbacks that are available. Personally, I am not very high on any of them. To me it seems that the defensive players that are available, such as Marcel Dareus, Patrick Peterson, and Da'Quan Bowers, are far more valuable and worth the picks at the top of the draft class.

With that mind, here's a look at my updated draft board. Needless to say, it will change again before draft day comes.

First Round

1. Carolina Panthers (2-14): DT Marcell Dareus, 6'3" 306 lbs. Alabama
2. Denver Broncos (4-12): CB Patrick Peterson, 6'1" 211 lbs. LSU
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12): QB Blaine Gabbert, 6'4" 235 lbs. Missouri
4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12): DT Nick Fairley, 6'3" 298 lbs. Auburn
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11): OLB Von Miller, 6'3" 238 lbs. Texas A & M
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11): DE Da'Quan Bowers, 6'4" 280 lbs. Clemson
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10): WR AJ Green, 6'4" 208 lbs. Georgia
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10): DE Robert Quinn, 6'5" 260 lbs. UNC
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10): OT Tyron Smith, 6'5" 307 lbs. USC
10. Washington Redskins: (6-10): WR Julio Jones, 6'4" 208 lbs. Alabama
11. Houston Texans: CB Prince Amukamara, 6'0" 200 lbs. Nebraska
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10): QB Cam Newton, 6'5" 249 lbs. Auburn
13. Detroit Lions (6-10): OT Anthony Castonzo, 6'7" 311 lbs. Boston College
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9): DT Corey Liuget, 6'3" 300 lbs.
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9): RB Mark Ingram, 5'9" 215 lbs. Alabama
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): DE Adrian Clayborn, 6'3" 285 lbs. Iowa
17. New England Patriots (14-2/from Raiders): DE Muhammed Wilkerson, 6'4" 315 lbs. Temple
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7): DE Cam Jordan, 6'4" 287 lbs. Cal
19. New York Giants (14-6): OT Nate Solder, 6'8" 315 lbs.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6): DE Ryan Kerrigan, 6'4" 263 lbs. Purdue
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-7): G/C Mike Pouncey, 6'5" 311 lbs. Florida
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-7): DE J.J. Watt, 6'5" 290 lbs. Wisconsin
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-7): CB Jimmy Smith, 6'2" 211 lbs. Colorado
24. New Orleans Saints (11-6): DE Aldon Smith, 6'4" 263 lbs. Missouri
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-10): OT Gabe Carimi, 6'7" 314 lbs. Wisconsin
26. Baltimore Ravens (13-5): DE Cam Heyward, 6'5" 294 lbs. Ohio St
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-4): FS Rahim Moore, 6'0" 202 lbs. UCLA
28. New England Patriots (14-3): LB Akeem Ayers, 6'3" 254 lbs.
29. Chicago Bears (12-6): DT Stephen Paea, 6'1" 303 lbs. Oregon St
30. New York Jets (14-6): NT Phil Taylor, 6'3" 334 lbs. Baylor
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (14-5): TE Kyle Rudolph, 6'6" 259 lbs. Notre Dame
32. Green Bay Packers (14-6): OG Danny Watkins, 6'5" 311 lbs. Baylor