Reiff perfect pick for the Lions

The Detroit Lions went in to Thursday's draft with a plan to continue building a solid football team. Consensus around the state of Michigan was to find a way to get a good defensive back.  LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, who ended up going sixth overall to the Dallas Cowboys, was the best corner in the draft and other than that, the cornerbacks available are very questionable as players, and players that will make an impact for the Lions.

The Detroit Lions selected Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff in the
first round of the 2012 draft.

Although it looks like corner is the biggest need that has to be addressed thanks to the final game of the regular season against Green Bay and the playoff game against New Orleans where the defense allowed 45 points in each game.
The problem with that assessment is that corner was actually not the teams' biggest need. With left tackle Jeff Backus turning 35 at the beginning of the season and coming off a torn biceps, there was a need to find his future replacement now.  Also, the running game on offense was very ineffective for the Lions. Part of the blame was the injuries to running backs Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure, but the problem was the run blocking by the offensive line.
With tantalizing players to trade up and select to satisfy the fans like cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore out of South Carolina and Dre Kirkpatrick out of Alabama, the Lions instead took the right route and stayed at their spot at 23rd overall and that allowed the second best offensive lineman Riley Reiff our of Iowa to fall with a late rush on pass rushers in the middle of the first round.
Riley Reiff was not expected to be anywhere near the middle of the first round, and instead should have been a top ten pick. Reiff played left tackle in college at Iowa, but will be placed at right tackle this upcoming season to give him some playing experience until next season when he transitions over to left tackle.
Another aspect of Reiff's game to look at is his ability to run block. Reiff played in the Big Ten conference at Iowa, and if a lineman can't run block, they aren't playing in the game. Reiff is a dual-threat type player with good run blocking and pass blocking.
Even though there is a need at corner, Reiff was the right pick and the better pick for the Lions as a franchise moving forward.

2nd Round Final Mock

And finally, my final mock draft of the second round. No notes were taken about these picks, so just go ahead and skim through like most of you do anyways on mock drafts.

2nd Round

33. St. Louis Rams: Kendall Reyes (DT, Connecticut)

34. Indianapolis Colts: Coby Fleener (TE, Stanford)

35. Minnesota Vikings: Alphonso Dennard (CB, Nebraska)

36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zach Brown (LB, North Carolina)

37. Cleveland Browns: Bobbie Massie (OT, Ole Miss)

38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kevin Zeitler (OG, Wisconsin)

39. St. Louis Rams (from the Washington Redskin): David Wilson (RB, Virginia Tech)

40. Carolina Panthers: Janorris Jenkins

41. Buffalo Bills: Juron Criner

42. Miami Dolphins: James Brown (OG, Troy)

43. Seattle Seahawks: Lavonte David (LB, Nebraska)

44. Kansas City Chiefs: Shea McClellin (LB, Boise State)

45. Dallas Cowboys: Devon Still (DT, Penn State)

46. Philadelphia Eagles: Harrison Smith (S, Notre Dame)

47. New York Jets: Andre Branch (DE, Clemson)

48. New England Patriots: Chandler Jones (DE, Syracuse)

49. San Diego Chargers: Jayron Hosley (CB, Virginia Tech)

50. Chicago Bears: Kelechi Osemele (OL, Iowa State)

51. Philadelphia Eagles: Reuben Randle (WR, LSU)

52. Tennessee Titans: Josh Robinson (CB, South Florida)

53. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller (RB Miami)

54. Detroit Lions: Amini Silatolu (OG, Midwestern State)

55. Atlanta Falcons: Orson Charles (TE, Georgia)

56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Keenan Robinson (LB, Texas)

57. Denver Broncos: Mohamed Sanu (WR, Rutgers)

58. Houston Texans: Andre Branch (LB, Clemson)

59. Green Bay Packers: Lamichael James (RB, Oregon)

60. Baltimore Ravens: Ronnell Lewis (LB, Oklahoma)

61. San Francisco 49ers: Jeff Allen (OG, Illinois)

62. New England Patriots: Zebrie Sanders (OT, Florida State)

63. New York Giants: Robert Turbin (RB, Utah State)

Final 2012 Mock Draft

With the NFL Draft on Thursday, it is now time for me to put together my final mock draft with analysis of each pick. This is only a first round mock this time, so breath easy since it is not as much reading.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford)- There is no doubt about it, Luck will be the pick. Sure there are still smokescreens for the Colts to take RG3, but Luck has been hyped up as the best prospect since 1983 when John Elway was drafted, except maybe the Colts will actually get to keep this QB.

2. Washington Redskins (from the St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III (QB, Baylor)- Like Luck, this pick is a no-doubter for obvious reasons. When you trade three first round picks and a second round pick to get this QB, then that gets rid of all doubt who the 2nd overall pick is.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil (OT, USC)- The Vikings have said that there is a chance they would take Morris Claiborne over Kalil with the 3rd pick. For the Vikings to be successful in the future since they are a rebuilding team, they must find protection for their franchise quarterback they invested in last season in Christian Ponder since he really doesn't have any protection from the offensive line.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson (RB, Alabama)- The Browns failed to get the chance to draft RG3, so they will take the next best offensive player available. The Browns will try to find Peyton Hillis' replacement since Hillis signed with the Chiefs this last offseason. Richardson also gives a dual threat in rushing and receiving since the Browns have neither weapons on the roster.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne (DB, LSU)- The Buccaneers could draft Justin Blackmon to give Josh Freeman another weapon. However, since they are selecting 5th overall, they need to find the best player available to help a team that finished 4-12 last season and is on a 10 game losing streak. Another thing to consider is the legal troubles with Bucs corner Aquib Talib, so finding a corner might be great needs in the future for Tampa Bay.

6. St. Louis Rams (from the Washington Redskins): Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma State)- The Rams get the player they originally wanted at #2 but now get him at #6 and get two extra first round picks and an extra second round pick. Blackmon has taken criticism about whether he is truly a number one wide receiver, but he is the best receiver in the draft and will give Sam Bradford a target he has not had his first two years in the NFL.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Micheal Floyd (WR, Notre Dame)- The Jaguars usually do shock some analysts with their questionable first round draft picks (i.e. Tyson Alualu taken 10th overall after having a late-first round grade). Floyd does have talent, but off the field issues have dropped his stock, but the Jaguars are not afraid of that and are looking for weapons for Blaine Gabbert.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill (QB Texas A&M)- The Dolphins are just like the Browns, they failed on getting a quarterback they wanted this offseason (Peyton Manning). The Dolphins instead will use the 8th overall pick reaching on a quarterback whose stock is rising because of him being the best available quarterback. Might end up being a hit, but reaching on a player, especially a quarterback, is usually a miss.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox (DT, Mississippi State)- The Panthers also like cornerback Stephon Gilmore here, but the middle of Carolina's defense is bad, and they grab the best defensive tackle in the draft. Cox will be a force in the middle and can take double teams for the Panthers' all-pro linebackers.

10. Buffalo Bills: Stephon Gilmore (CB, South Carolina): The Buffalo Bills have built their pass rush with drafting Marcell Dareus 3rd overall last year and the signing of Mario Williams this year. Now even though the Bills could use a left tackle such as Riley Rieff, but with Gilmore's stock constantly rising, he might to hard to pass up and improve the secondary in Buffalo to beat Tom Brady and the other quarterbacks in the AFC.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro (OG, Stanford)- The Chiefs select DeCastro to solidify their offensive line that has also added Eric Winston in free agency. Although guards aren't valued very high in the draft, DeCastro has been listed as the best offensive line prospects after Matt Kalil, ahead of the other tackles. DeCastro can also play center, which gives him more value.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples (DE, North Carolina)- The Seahawks have a very crafty team. Most of the players on the team other than Marshawn Lynch are unknown players, but are still good players and are rising up. Some of those players are on the defensive line. The Seahawks will take the best pass rusher available to continue that trend of tough play up front for Pete Carroll.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff (OT, Iowa)- The Cardinals are delighted Reiff fell to them at 13 since he is the second rated tackle in the draft. Not your prototypical left tackle, but he would do better than what former top five pick Levi Brown has done. This could also move Brown to right tackle and potentially make this a solid offensive line.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron (S, Alabama)- Barron has become a hot commodity this last week, and the Cowboys are looking to further improve their secondary with this stud from Alabama. Barron gives the Cowboys a good combination of toughness to tackle and a ball-hawking ability.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly (LB, Boston College)- The Eagles did acquire DeMeco Ryans from the Texans earlier this month, but with Kuechly falling this far, the Eagles are ecstatic to add him to this defense. Kuechly is the best linebacker in this draft and has the ability to move around to outside linebacker with Ryans holding on in the middle.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw (DE/OLB, Alabama)- The Jets have plenty of needs. One of them is just what Rex Ryan likes: a passrusher. Upshaw can either have his hand in the dirt at defensive end or rush quarterbacks like Tom Brady standing up at outside linebacker. Either way, Ryan will find a niche for Upshaw.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from the Oakland Raiders): Dre Kirkpatrick (DB, Alabama)- Kirkpatrick is taken by the Bengals for not exactly to play corner, but to just improve the secondary, whether it is corner or he could move to safety. Kirkpatrick has had many off-field issues, but the Bengals have dealt with many guys with off-field issues or who were distractions (i.e. Pacman Jones, Chad JOHNSON). 

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram (DE/OLB, South Carolina)- The Chargers do need to find help on the offensive line, but they also need help getting after the quarterback. Ingram is the best player available too, so the Chargers jump all over this.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus (DE, Illinois)- The Bears have had a pretty successful offseason in acquiring Brandon Marshall and Micheal Bush on their offense. The Bears should probably grab another wide receiver or help the offensive line, but Chicago could also get younger on the d-line. Mercilus could be Julius Peppers' replacement and could develop into the Tampa Two system the Bears run.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe (DT, Memphis)- Very strong, athletic defensive tackle that went to small football school Memphis. Also didn't get much production in the stat line because of doubleteams, but the tape isn't particularly impressive. The Titans do take a chance on him to get more help in the middle of their defense, especially since they took a chance on Jake Locker last year.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn (OL, Georgia)- The Bengals use their second pick on the versatile Glenn to help anchor their offensive line. Bobbie Williams has been ok and Andre Smith hasn't exactly lived up to his status as the 6th overall pick. Glenn won't be a left tackle in the NFL, but can play guard and can also play right tackle, making this pick a good one for the Bengals.

22. Cleveland Browns (from the Atlanta Falcons): Kendall Wright (WR, Baylor)- The Browns need to put an extra emphasis on offense in this draft. After missing out on the quarterbacks, they get the best running back in the draft and get a top wide receiver, so Colt McCoy needs to produce with more weapons around him.

23. Detroit Lions: Jonathan Martin (OT, Stanford)- The Lions need to rebuild their offensive line more than their secondary this year. Left tackle Jeff Backus is 34 almost 35 and tore his biceps in the playoff game against the Saints. Martin has taken some criticism for his strength and consistency in college, but he won't be the starting left tackle this year. He might however get some playing time at right tackle and move Gosder Cherilus to right guard to give some starting experience.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams (OT, Ohio State)- The Steelers could take Donta Hightower, but instead look to further upgrade their offensive line. Adams has taken even more criticism than Martin this offseason because of his strength, consistency, and his off-field activity. Adams does have the tools to be a successful left tackle in this league however, and the Steelers could use more help. 

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy (DT, Michigan State)- The Broncos acquired Peyton Manning this offseason, but it doesn't necessarily mean they will get more weapons for him. Instead the Broncos continue to build their defense, and build it with this stud to control the middle while Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil take on the outside.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill (WR, Georgia Tech)- The Texans had a very nice transition on defense last year with switching to a 3-4. That being said, the Texans need to be more explosive on offense to compliment the efforts on defense. Sure Houston has Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, but they need more weapons. Hill doesn't show much on tape because Georgia Tech rarely throws to their receivers, but the last wide receiver to come out of Georgia Tech turned out to be pretty good.

27. New England Patriots (from the New Orleans Saints): Micheal Brockers (DT, LSU)- The Patriots took a lot of criticism about their defense, and it does start with their pass rush. Even though this pick probably gets traded, Brockers is the best available pass rusher, and can fit with what Bill Belichick does.

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry (DE, USC)- The Packers have also a lot of flack for their defense. And again it all starts up front with the pass rush. Perry can step in and rush the side opposite Clay Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Donta Hightower (LB, Alabama)- The Ravens should probably trade up to ensure they get Hightower, who will be Ray Lewis' eventual replacement. Hightower is very athletic and can blitz just as good as, well, Lewis. His high motor is also a plus for Hightower. Another thing that makes this pick the right one i that he gets to learn behind the best in the business.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jefferey (WR, South Carolina)- The 49ers are believing in Alex Smith for at least one more year. With that being said, the 49ers should probably stock up on more weapons so that there is no more excuses on why Smith isn't that good of a quarterback.

31. New England Patriots: Doug Martin (RB, Boise State)- The Patriots wide receivers have been blamed for the loss in the Super Bowl (even though it was Tom Brady's fault). The Patriots however have a solid group of pass catchers and need to find a feature running back to take some more pressure off the passing game (even though there is none since Brady has about 15 seconds to throw). Martin may not be here, but if he is here, the Patriots should be delighted.

32. New York Giants: Peter Konz (C, Wisconsin)- The Super Bowl Champs go after Konz who is the best interior line prospect after DeCastro and the best offensive line prospect left available. The Giants should improve their line to get younger and to also improve their rushing totals that were absent from the regular season.

Why the Lions Should Stay Still in the Draft

There has been many rumors linking the Detroit Lions to trading up from their spot at the 23rd overall pick in order to draft Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick or South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Many fans are all for it because the Lions need at corner thanks to the performance in the final regular season game against Green Bay and the playoff game against New Orleans.  However, that would not be a good move at all for the Lions.

The Lions own the 23rd, 54th and 85th overall pick in the first two rounds, and trading up to the 16th overall pick or the 20th overall pick could give up those picks, which still hold value.  The Lions have used late round picks to find solid football players since Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz took over the organization, finding guys like LB Deandre Levy and Amari Spievey (3rd round), DT Sammie Hill (4th round), LB Dogue Hogue (5th round), and DE Willie Young (7th round).

The Lions do need help at the cornerback position, but they have also said they would not reach on a player just to fill a need.  Trading up to get Gilmore or Kirkpatrick would fill the definition of a reach because the team would not only be investing a first round pick on one of those players, but they would also invest at least a third, a fourth, and a seventh round pick to trade up to get them. Using four draft picks that could be used to continue building depth on the roster.

Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick could be tantalizing
for the Lions to trade up for, but it might cost the Lions too much

Detroit attempted to trade up with the Arizona Cardinals from the 13th overall pick to the 5th overall pick to select LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals refused the trade offer and decided to take Peterson themselves. The Lions organization would say they are happy the trade was unsuccessful, because it allowed them to select top prospect Nick Fairley 13th overall, which was completely unexpected he would fall that far. Another fact to point out about this failed trade, the Lions were reportedly going to send their second round choice to the desert as well, meaning the Lions would not have had a chance to select wide receiver Titus Young, who had an outstanding rookie year and has great upside.

Looking further down in last year's draft, the Lions did trade up back into the second round to select running back Mikel Leshoure, sending a third, fourth and seventh round pick to the Seattle Seahawks. Much has been criticized about that trade because Leshoure tore his Achilles Tendon last preseason and had the recent arrest for marijuana possession just last month. The Seahawks used the third round pick from the Lions to select guard John Moffit out of Wisconsin, who started immediately in Seattle and helped create one of the league's most potent rushing offenses. Guard is now one of the needs for the Lions with a poor running game, and if they allowed the cards to fall, the running game could be much better with a selection of Moffit, or Leshoure could have even dropped down to the Lions such as Fairley did.

The Lions need this draft. There has been no offseason in finding players to fill positions of need. Granted, this offseason has been dedicated to resigning the good players that are already on the roster such as Calvin Johnson and Stephen Tulloch, and they weren't completely inactive during free agency, signing cornerback Jacob Lacey from the Colts and defensive end Everette Brown from the Chargers, but the roles those players will bring won't have the impact like drafting a good left tackle for the future, or a good corner. Instead of trading up, losing multiple draft picks to select one player just to make it the team look a little better on paper, the Lions should stay still in the draft. With the heightened draft stock of corners like Gilmore and Central Florida's Josh Robinson, it might be a reach to desperately trade up to get those players when there are other needs on the roster. Left tackle is a need, and with the 22 other teams in front of the Lions having a chance to take all the top corners, that could mean Stanford left tackle Jonathan Martin could fall to the Lions at 23. In fact, if the team could trade, let it be trading down with the Green Bay Packers or Baltimore Ravens, gain a couple more draft picks, and select Ohio State tackle Mike Adams or Wisconsin center Peter Konz, who both would fill a need on the offensive line. The Lions are in no position to reach on a player because it is a need, and trading up makes the situation a potential reach.

Jackson Key to Tigers Lineup

Austin Jackson enters the 2012 Major League Baseball campaign with a career .271 average, 14 home runs and 86 RBIs. His sophomore season last year was forgettable as Austin only hit a mere .249 with 10 home runs, but also recorded 181 strikeouts.
With the offseason addition of Prince Fielder, the expectations for the Detroit Tigers is to hit many home runs throughout the season. The Tigers feel that the offense will be electric with names like Fielder, Miguel Cabrera, Delmon Young, Brennan Boesch and Alex Avila. However, the lack of speed in the lineup erases the old-school style of play by bunting to move the runners up into scoring position, stealing the bases and just manufacturing runs.
In a season consisting of 162 games, there are going to be days where the "big guns" do not produce the hits that drive in runs, so a absence of a manufacturing type game may hurt the Tigers in that situation.
That's where Austin Jackson comes into play.  Jackson defensively is arguably the best centerfielder in the league because of his blazing speed and ability to judge a flyball in the air.  His offensive game needs to improve because of that speed and him being a "tablesetter" for the big bats in the lineup. Jackson hit .293 and had an on-base percentage of .345 his rookie season where he narrowly lost in the rookie-of-the-year voting to Texas Rangers then closer Neftali Feliz.  His numbers then fell to the numbers listed above.

Austin Jackson is looking for a rebound year when the Tigers need him most

For the Tigers to truly be successful as an offensive team, Austin Jackson must reach numbers mirroring his rookie season and even improve on those numbers to get on base more often so the rest of the team can string hits together and score more runs.With Jackson on base, that can turn a potential Miguel Cabrera solo home run into at least a two-run homer, giving the Tigers a better chance to win more games.
Luckily through the first nine games of the season, Jackson has been hitting like he has been up to that challenge, hitting .412 by going 13-for-30 and also has an on-base-percentage of .528. An entire season won't bring a .400 average out of professional baseball players, but Jackson is showing good signs of becoming an elite leadoff hitter, an elite table setter. If he maintains his hitting and keeps the confidence he has had in his at-bats, the Tigers will be successful offensively as all predicted they would be for the 2012 season.

2012 NFL three round Mock Draft

The 2012 NFL draft is just under two weeks away. This time of the year, you will see many different mock drafts and projections for each college player hoping to take the next step into the NFL brotherhood. Being an NFL fan, I have decided to create my own mock draft. Here is my early three-round predictions of April 26th's draft.

Andrew Luck is the consensus 1st overall pick this April

Mock Draft

1^st Round

1.       Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford)- Is there any doubt? This kid has had all the hype in the world on being the next John Elway and if I was a Colts fan, I would say that he better live up to all the hype.

2.       Washington Redskins (from the St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin (QB, Baylor)- They made this trade for nobody but to take a potential franchise QB. Has all the tools to be a pocket passer with accuracy but can move around in the pocket without thinking of tucking it in and running.

3.       Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil (LT, USC)- Best rated prospect after the two QBs. Could take Justin Blackmon or Morris Claiborne, but they can’t let Christian Ponder take all the hits he has been taking the last year.

4.       Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson (RB, Alabama)- After losing out on Robert Griffin, the Browns replace Peyton Hillis with a RB that was actually better than former teammate and first round pick Mark Ingram. Hopefully Richardson doesn’t burn out with how many carries he is going to get.

5.       Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne (CB, LSU)- The Bucs are in a tough position, they have their franchise QB, they feel comfortable with their WRs, and they have a good CB on the roster, but they need to take BPA because they are drafting 5^th overall for a reason, and Claiborne is the BPA and there is plenty of doubt of Aquib Talib in terms of his legal problems.

6.       St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins): Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma State)- The Rams were put in the best position ever for a 2-14 team. They get two first round picks the next two years because they already have their franchise QB and they get the guy they wanted in the first place. Should give Sam Bradford a great target to continue building the team around Bradford.

7.       Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd (WR, Notre Dame)- The Jaguars will probably reach like they normally do, but Floyd is a top ten talent. Probably should go with an offensive lineman here with how much Blaine Gabbert was hit last year, but it sounds like the Jaguars want to surround him with talent first to also take a load off of Maurice Jones-Drew.

8.       Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill (QB, Texas A&M)- Big reach at this point, but Miami is desperate for a QB. Tannehill does have good attributes, but taking at #8 is pushing the bill.  Could also take Quinton Couples with the switch to a 4-3 scheme.

9.       Carolina Panthers: Quentin Couples (DE, North Carolina)- With Miami and Jacksonville passing on Couples, the Panthers take the best pass rusher off the board and begin to build their defense that was very bad last year in a lot of areas.

10.   Buffalo Bills: Riley Rieff (OT, Iowa)-  The Bills could trade down and get a player like Cordy Glenn or even Stephen Hill. With the acquisition of Mario Williams, that takes the need for pass rusher off the board, leaving the hole at left tackle left by the departure of Demetrius Bell to Philadelphia.

11.   Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro (OG/C, Stanford)- Could be a reach at 11^th overall because of the value a guard really brings, but DeCastro is the best guard prospect since Alan Faneca.  The Chiefs do need to shore up the interior line and DeCastro gets them to do what they do best with running the football.

12.   Seattle Seahawks: Dontari Poe (DT, Memphis)- Rose rapidly with an unheard of combine.  Seattle may take a chance on him and build the defense from the inside. Watch for Luke Keuchly here also.

13.   Arizona Cardinals: Luke Keuchly (LB, Boston College)- Arizona needs to shore up the linebacking corps. Sure they could use offensive lineman, but Keuchly is a huge upgrade and will make their defense instantly better.

14.   Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick (DB, Alabama)- The run on corners begin with the Cowboys. Sure they signed Brandon Carr, but they release Terrence Newman and are still not sure on Mike Jenkins. Could also take Mark Barron to shore up the back end of the secondary.

15.   Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox (DT, Miss. State)- Much was criticized on the Eagles “wide nine” defense, but to run that defense with the good defensive ends, you need a good interior DT and good LBs to fill. With the acquisition of Demeco Ryans and Luke Keuchly off the board, they get the interior lineman.

16.   New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw (DE/OLB, Alabama)- I hate the Jets. You would know that if you knew me. I wanted to give them a new QB or even a punter here because I hate them so much. But being realistic, they take Upshaw to get their overrated defense a better pass rush.

17.   Cincinnati Bengals (from the Oakland Raiders):  Cordy Glenn (OG/OT, Georgia)- Bengals use their first first round pick on Glenn to give their line an upgrade. Glenn can play guard or tackle, which makes him very valuable.

18.   San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram (DE/OLB, South Carolina)- The Chargers are a very inconsistent team. That being said the most inconsistent part is their pass rush. With Peyton Manning now in the division, it would be nice to find that pass rusher to get after him. Ingram has taken criticism for his size, but the talent is there.

19.   Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus (DE, Illinois)- The Bears added Brandon Marshall and Michael Bush in free agency to attempt to better their offense. They need an offensive lineman but I don’t think they take that route because they could also get younger on defense and the Tampa Two depends mightily on a consistent pass rush.

20.   Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore (CB, South Carolina)- Might be a reach even though Gilmore has risen on some boards. The Titans would probably like to get a new corner to keep building a defense that keeps taking hits in free agency.

21.   Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Barron (S, Alabama)- The Bengals should probably go corner here, but I think they have had enough of players with bad character, so Janoris Jenkins is out of the question. Barron is one of the top players on the board and can really help Cincinnati.

22.   Cleveland Browns (from the Atlanta Falcons): Kendall Wright (WR, Baylor)- Could take Jonathan Martin but they already have the best left tackle in the game in Joe Thomas. They do need to find more weapons even if they don’t believe in Colt McCoy.

Stanford LT Jonathan Martin would be perfect for the Lions.

23.   Detroit Lions: Jonathan Martin (LT, Stanford)- He is up and down on some boards for some reason, and with a run on corners and pass rushers, Martin falls into the Lions lap. Sure, they need corners badly, and most of the corners I mentioned earlier could drop to them, but they need to find Jeff Backus’ replacement now, even if he just signed a 2 year contract. If Martin is not available, the pick will be Mike Adams out of Ohio State.

24.   Pittsburgh Steelers: Donta Hightower (LB, Alabama)- The Steelers always draft defense, even when the greater need is on offense. They did just release James Farrior, opening a hole at inside linebacker, so Hightower does make sense here.

25.   Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy (DT, Michigan State)- The Broncos need to build their defense more because last year when they played good offenses, they struggled. Worthy gives them an inside presence to compliment the outside rushers of Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.

26.   Houston Texans: Stephen Hill (WR, Georgia Tech)- The Texans did what I told them to last year and got the pass rushers that fit a 3-4, and they were very successful. Now the offense needs a little more work with no real WR threat outside of the aging Andre Johnson.

27.   New England Patriots (from the New Orleans Saints): Michael Brockers (DT, LSU)- The Patriots would like to improve their defense, and Brockers is in free fall because of the rise of Poe and the demand for corners. Gives them another inside presence with Vince Wilfork.

28.   Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry (DE, USC)- The Packers not having much a pass rush really hurt the Packers down the stretch. Perry is also a fall on some boards because of a run on corners.

29.   Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict (LB, Arizona State)- The Ravens could go with an offensive lineman here, or they can go and find Ray Lewis’ replacement. Burfict has taken a lot of criticism during this process, but to have at least a year under the wing of one of the greats is a great experience.

30.   San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery (WR, South Carolina)- Apparently, the 49ers still believe in Alex Smith. So in that case might as well give him weapons so he has no excuse right? Jeffery has been up and down on a few boards, and this is no lock for the 49ers because they signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in the offseason.

31.   New England Patriots: David Wilson (RB, Virginia Tech)- The Patriots do not have a legit feature back. That being said, the Patriots take Wilson to build their running game which they needed in the Super Bowl.

32.   New York Giants: Peter Konz (C, Wisconsin)- This pick is in the Giants favor because the Browns, Lions, Steelers, Ravens and Packers would all have passed on this very good interior line talent. The Giants finished last in the league in rushing until the playoffs came around and they ran the ball to death.  They will want to upgrade their line so they can be able to run the football more efficiently.

                                                                                      2^nd Round                          

33.   St. Louis Rams: Mike Adams (OT, Ohio State)- The Rams have tried many times to find their left tackle, but have failed plenty of times. Adams has been deemed lazy, but he is listed to be a first round pick, and the Rams would happily take him with their second pick.

34.   Indianapolis Colts: Kendall Reyes (DT, Connecticut)- The Colts have plenty of needs. They could try and find weapons for their new franchise QB, but they need an interior presence to compliment the edge rushing of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Reyes would be perfect for the Colts at this point in the draft.

35.   Minnesota Vikings: Bobby Massie (OT, Ole Miss)- Probably should try and find a weapon for Ponder, or even a DB, but even with the acquisition of Kalil, that leaves four other offensive line spots where play is ineffective. Ponder and Peterson would love the protection that this combination could provide.

36.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zach Brown (OLB, North Carolina)-The Bucs go with a linebacker to make their defense better. Size has affected Browns draft status a little, but the talent is there.

37.   Cleveland Browns: Kevin Zeitler (G, Wisconsin)- The Browns got their weapons for the offense, now to help All-Pros Joe Thomas and Alex Mack on the offensive line. Zeitler was part of an offensive line that was dominant in college, and he can be part of a dominating offensive line in Cleveland with the names mentioned.

38.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Jared Crick (DL, Nebraska)- With not much left in o-line to find protection for Gabbert, the Jags try and find more of a pass rush. Crick is a good prospect and will help getting after Schaub, Locker and Luck in the next few years.

39.   St. Louis Rams: Doug Martin (RB, Boise State)- The overhaul on offense continues for the Rams as now they got Bradford a wide weapon in Blackmon and a lineman to protect him. Now they grab another weapon that can give Stephen Jackson a break and gives them a change of pace back.

40.   Carolina Panthers: Juron Criner (WR, Arizona)- The Panthers surprised with Cam Newton’s athleticism last season. Now the rules of drafting a QB 1^st overall apply, get him some weapons. Criner could be that weapon with his size.

41.   Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins (CB, North Alabama)- The Bills don’t care about his off the field issues if he falls to them at 41, he is too talented. Is a very good athlete and is a potential star.

42.   Miami Dolphins: Andre Branch (DE, Clemson)- Very good talent and was a potential first round pick in February. The Dolphins are switching to a 4-3, so they will need players that fit their system.

43.   Seattle Seahawks: Lavonte David (LB, Nebraska)- Seattle will need to build their linebacking corps again with the loss of David Hawthorne and with Aaron Curry turning out to be a bust. David went to Nebraska, so he is built to be a good NFL defender.

44.   Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Weeden (QB, Oklahoma State)- The only knock on Weeden is that he is 28. Other than that, he will probably be a good qb in the league. The clock is ticking on Matt Cassel, and Weeden will either push him, or end his Chiefs career.

45.   Dallas Cowboys: Phillip Blake (C, Baylor)- The Cowboys need interior lineman because the guys they got suck.  Blake fills a need that will improve the run game mightily with Demarco Murray coming off an ankle injury.

46.   Philadelphia Eagles: Keleche Osemele (G, Iowa State)- Michael Vick got hit a lot last year, and Osemele will change that. Also, Lesean McCoy has got to be rubbing his hands together if this pick happens.

47.   New York Jets: Markelle Martin (S, Oklahoma State)- No punter this time either. However, the Jets grab a safety to give Rex Ryan another tool to make him look good.

48.   New England Patriots: Josh Robinson (CB, UCF)- The Patriots should build the defense around this draft, even though they will probably trade this pick. Robinson will help in the secondary and give the Patriots four highly drafted, highly productive corners (Arrington, McCourty, Dowling)

49.   San Diego Chargers: Amini Silatolu (G, Midwestern State)- The Chargers are looking for more help on the o-line with the retirement of Kris Dielman and the loss of free agent Marcus McNeil, they need to upgrade the line and help Phillip Rivers a little more.

50.   Chicago Bears: Orson Charles (TE, Georgia)- The Bears still don’t address the offensive line with the pick of Charles. The Bears still don’t have a good tight end on the roster, and they use their second pick to get the best one in the draft.

51.   Philadelphia Eagles: Harrison Smith (S, Notre Dame)- Andy Reid loves him some defensive backs. But since they are set at corner, they will probably upgrade at safety. Smith is the second best safety in the draft.

52.   Tennessee Titans: Devon Still (DT, Penn State)- The Titans are surprised he fell to the 52^nd overall pick. He is talented and fills a need on the Titans d-line and gives them the presence they have not felt since Albert Haynesworth left.

53.   Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller (RB, Miami)- The Bengals take Miller to be their feature back because he is the best remaining running back. Plus, the Bengals are looking for a back to fill the spot left by departure Cedric Benson.

54.   Detroit Lions: Mychal Kendricks (LB, California)- Shocker! The Lions don’t fill the need at corner again but improve the front seven even more. Kendricks wowed at the combine with his blazing speed and good athleticism, and he will be a tackling machine behind Suh, Fairley and Avril to compliment Tulloch and Levy.

55.   Atlanta Falcons: Coby Fleener (TE, Stanford)- This is the first pick for the Falcons thanks to Julio Jones. With this pick, they find a replacement for one of the greats in Tony Gonzalez. Fleener could be picked in the first round, so selecting him at 55^th overall is very good value.

56.   Pittsburgh Steelers: Rueben Randle (WR, LSU)- With the retirement of Hines Ward, the Steelers select Randle to give them more depth out wide. Could turn into the possession receiver Ward was.

57.   Denver Broncos: Shea McClellin (LB, Boise State)- The Broncos continue their building project on defense with their second straight defender selected. McClellin is the best linebacker remaining and will more likely bring depth to Denver’s corps.

58.   Houston Texans: Keenan Robinson (LB, Texas)- The Texans got their OLB/DE’s needed to run a 3-4 scheme last year with J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed. Now with the surprising trade of Demeco Ryans, the Texans will need to get an inside linebacker to team up with Brian Cushing.

59.   Green Bay Packers: Chris Polk (RB, Washington)- The Packers will look to balance their offense a little more to prevent the embarrassment of losing on their homefield in their first playoff game in cold weather with Polk. Ryan Grant has been inconsistent following his injury and James Starks is coming off an injury of his own, so the Packers will take Polk for a good depth RB.

60.   Baltimore Ravens: Ben Jones (C, Georgia)- Might be a reach in the second round, but the Ravens have time to groom Jones. Baltimore will be looking to replace Matt Birk within the next couple of years, and Jones is a guy that could do that.

61.   San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu (WR, Rutgers)- The 49ers use back-to-back picks on wide receivers, but Sanu is too talented to turn down.  After the selection of these two wide recievers to go with Crabtree and Davis, there are no excuses for Alex Smith to fail.

62.   New England Patriots: Brandon Brooks (G, Miami of Ohio)- The Patriots could find a WR here, but with an aging offensive line, they need to try and find future replacements. If they can develop Brooks here, the team will be able to continue their solid play from the offensive line.

63.   New York Giants: Andre Branch (LB, Clemson)-The Giants could find more depth at linebacker so they don’t have to go into free agency in the middle of the season (even though Chase Blackburn did help them down the stretch). Branch could also be a good project to eventually make a starter.

3^rd Round

64.   Indianapolis Colts: Laderius Green (TE, Louisiana-Lafayette)

65.   St. Louis Rams: Chandler Jones (DE, Syracuse)

66.   Minnesota Vikings: Trumaine Johnson (DB, Montana)

67.   Cleveland Browns: Chris Givens (WR, Wake Forest)

68.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeff Allen (OT, Illinois)

69.   Washington Redskins: Zebrie Zanders (OT, Florida State)

70.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Thompson (DT, Clemson)

71.   Buffalo Bills: Jamell Fleming (CB, Oklahoma)

72.   Miami Dolphins: Rishard Matthews (WR, UNR)

73.   Miami Dolphins: Bobby Wagner (LB, Utah State)

74.   Kansas City Chiefs: Alphonso Dennard (CB, Nebraska)

75.   Seattle Seahawks: Robert Turbin (RB, Utah State)

76.   Houston Texans: Ryan Broyles (WR, Oklahoma)

77.   New York Jets: Hebron Fangupu (DT, BYU)

78.   San Diego Chargers: George IIoka (S, Boise State)

79.   Chicago Bears: Audie Cole (LB, North Carolina State)

80.   Arizona Cardinals: Mike Martin (DT, Michigan)

81.   Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Mosley (OT, Auburn)

82.   Tennessee Titans: Jake Bequette (DE, Arkansas)

83.   Cincinnati Bengals: Casey Hayward (CB, Vanderbilt)

84.   Atlanta Falcons: Coryell Judie (CB, Texas A&M)

85.   Detroit Lions: Brandon Boykin (CB, Georgia)

86.   Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Jackson (DE, Tennessee)

87.   Denver Broncos: Nick Toon (WR, Wisconsin)

88.   Philadelphia Eagles: Tony Bergstrom (OT, Utah)

89.   New Orleans Saints: Trevor Guyton (DE, California)

90.   Green Bay Packers: Josh Norman (CB, Coastal Carolina)

91.   Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Wilbur (LB, Wake Forest)

92.   San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Washington (G, Miami)

93.   New England Patriots: Sean Spence (LB, Miami)

94.   New York Giants: Isaiah Pead (RB, Cincinnati)

95.   Oakland Raiders: Micheal Egnew (TE, Missouri)