Now that the combine is over, it is now time for me to put together my first official mock draft. I am not including the numbers players posted at the scouting combine as part of the criteria for selection. So without further adieu:
1. Kansas City Chiefs- Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M: Although the Chiefs need to find a franchise quarterback, the names on the board don't exactly meet the value of the first overall selection. The best pick to get the total value for the Chiefs is Joeckel, who could step in and replace Brandon Albert if Albert leaves. Or, if Albert stays, the team could just bump him to guard and make the offensive line a little tougher.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia: Might be difficult to select Jones with the alleged spinal condition that could potentially cut his career short. However, he is the best pass rusher in the draft and the Jaguars must find a pass rush. Would not be surprised if the Jaguars or the Chiefs went with West Virginia QB Geno Smith with either of the first two picks.
3. Oakland Raiders- Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida: Floyd has shot up the draft board in recent weeks and helps the now rebuilding Raider defensive line. The presence on the interior is just not there in Oakland, but Floyd could change that.
4. Philadelphia Eagles- Damontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M: With Joeckel off the board, it will be difficult for the Eagles to take an offensive lineman, whether its Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher or Alabama G Chance Warmack. I wouldn't put it past the Eagles to still select one of them in this situation, especially with a need to protect the QB, but I am predicting with the change of defensive scheme to a 3-4, Philly may want to bring in some players that fit the scheme, like Moore does.
5. Detroit Lions- Bjoern Werner: The Lions need help rushing the passer. Kyle Vanden Bosch is released, Cliff Avril may have earned a ticket out of Detroit, and Lawrence Jackson and Willie Young are free agents, defensive end is a priority. Luckily, Werner is the best player on the board and will have the luxury of playing next to Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. This trio would actually make the Lions one of the best defensive lines in the league. If not Werner, then BYU's Ezekial Ansah could be the selection here.
6. Cleveland Browns- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: In an unexpected turn of events, it is the Cleveland Browns that select the quarterback. The Browns are starting over (again) and aren't exactly comfortable with Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy. Smith has a strong arm to make it in the NFL, but his senior season left a lot on the field. The Browns may go somewhere else, but if the rumors of dealing away Weeden are true, then this will be the pick, granting if available.
7. Arizona Cardinals- Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama: For the first time since the 1970's, a guard is selected in the top 10. The Cardinals are another team that needs to start protecting the quarterback, and another team that could select Eric Fisher. However, Warmack is obviously the best guard to come out in the draft in a while, and could be the cornerstone to the offensive line.
8. Buffalo Bills- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah: The Bills want to go after a franchise QB, and with new coach Doug Marrone coming from Syracuse, the pick could be his QB Ryan Nassib. But, the value is not as high and Marrone has shot down going for him with this selection. The Bills for as much money as they spent last offseason finished last in total defense, and 31st in rushing defense. Lotulelei could go much higher than this, but the Bills would be extremely happy if he falls here. To place him next to Mario Williams and Marcell Dareus might allow this defense to do what was expected last season.
9. New York Jets- Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan: Fisher is finally selected and helps the Jets offensive line that had issues all season. Many holes around the Jets roster, but tackle won't be one of them with this selection. But, Fisher won't throw the ball, but it's a start.
10. Tennessee Titans- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama: The Titans wanted to select a cornerback last season, but with the top choices already off the board, the Titans went with a wide receiver. Milliner might not be as talented as a top 10 pick should be, but Tennessee might be intrigued to take him.
11. San Diego Chargers- Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma: Protection has bee an issue for the Chargers the last couple years. Johnson has shot up draft boards with his exceptional athletic ability. Johnson may be a reach to be taken 11th overall, but the Chargers are looking to rebuild the offensive line, and Johnson could force himself into the pick with his athleticism.
12. Miami Dolphins- Cordaerelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: The Dolphins drafted their quarterback last season with Ryan Tannehill. Now they need to start giving him weapons. The receivers in this draft aren't exactly Calvin Johnson or Juilo Jones, but Patterson would fit in Miami with his speed.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State: The Buccaneers decided to not take Morris Claiborne last season and decided to take safety Mark Barron. This year they don't have Aquib Talib to justify not rebuilding their secondary more. Banks might not be as talented as Claiborne, and they could also take Washington's Desmond Trufant, but Banks gets the nod at 13.
14. Carolina Panthers- Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State: Carolina got a start to making a good defense with Luke Keuchly, now they must make an upgrade on the interior defensive line. Hankins has fallen on some boards, but he is what Carolina needs on the defensive line as a run-stuffer.
15. New Orleans Saints- Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU: The defense was absent last season in New Orleans. Because of that, the Saints are switching schemes to the 3-4. Mingo isn't the fastest defensive end on the board, but he fits the 3-4. The key for the Saints to be successful with the 3-4 is to bring in players that fit the scheme.
16. St. Louis Rams- DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama: The Rams continue the rebuilding project by beginning to work on the offensive line. This is the perfect spot for Fluker to be selected, and with injury issues coming from Rodger Saffold, Fluker can help this line protect Sam Bradford.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon: The Steelers are looking to find a pass rusher. James Harrison is old, wait, so is the rest of the defense. Well, they aren't all old, just not as outstanding as they used to be. Jordan is one of the top pass rushers in the draft and could give the Steeler rush a boost if they want to unseat the Super Bowl champion Ravens.
18. Dallas Cowboys- Johnathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina: So, who exactly plays guard for the Cowboys? Not anybody that would start for the other 31 teams. Protection has been bad in Dallas the last couple years, and they need to start opening holes for DeMarco Murray, not Murray creating holes. Cooper will help greatly.
19. New York Giants- Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU: A surprise to many, but the Giants just can't pass up a player like Ansah to fall any further. As the football saying goes: "You can't have too many pass rushers." New York is losing Osi Umenyiora to free agency, and Ansah fits the mold of current Giant star Jason Pierre-Paul.
20. Chicago Bears- Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia: Ogletree has some big shoes to fill if he is the heir to middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. Ogletree followed the same path as Urlacher, started as a safety but converted to linebacker. Had some off-field issues in college, but I don't think the Bears' new regime really cares about that.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame: Let the jokes come now, but at the end of the day, he is still a talented linebacker. The Bengals don't care about what player's social life brings (they had Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson for almost ten years, come on!) The Bengals would gladly take Te'o if available. Honestly, why would a player's stock fall rapidly because of one game and one hoax that has nothing to do with his play?
22. St. Louis Rams*- Keenan Allen, WR, Cal: With their second pick in the first round, the Rams find Sam Bradford a weapon. Allen is average height for a receiver (6'2") and brings speed and physicality that the Rams are looking for for their wide outs.
23. Minnesota Vikings- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri: The Vikings have been looking for Pat Williams' replacement since he retired three years ago. Richardson could go a little higher than this, but the Vikings wouldn't mind taking him here. I would not be surprised if the Vikings continue to build on their secondary.
24. Indianapolis Colts- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington: The Colts did trade their second pick to the Dolphins for Vonte Davis, but they will still be looking for an upgrade. There are no pass rushers available that would suit the Colts, so cornerback is the pick.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Alex Okafor, DE, Texas: Pete Carroll found a gem with Bruce Irvin last season, and now takes another pass rusher in Okafor. Okafor probably fits the 3-4 scheme better, but that don't mean the Seahawks won't take him.
26. Green Bay Packers- Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame: Green Bay isn't very happy with the inconsistency with current tight end Jermicheal Finley. Whether the Packers keep Finley or not, Eifert might entice Ted Thompson and Mike McCarty to take him with the tight end position being a hot weapon to have, especially using a two tight end set.
27. Houston Texans- Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia: The Texans need to find more explosion in the passing game to compliment the running game. Austin fits the mold of explosion, as he is fast. Might be a reach, but Houston needs to build a good receiving corps.
28. Denver Broncos- Kawann Short, DT, Purdue: Although the Broncos took Derek Wolfe last season with their first pick, but with a talent like Short being on the board, they may take another tackle. Short will solidify the front seven for the Broncos to go with Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil, etc.
29. New England Patriots- Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: The Patriots get the most out of running backs selected from the mid-to-late rounds, but they may want to take a legitimate hard nose running back. Players from Alabama are known for being pretty safe players in terms of NFL ready talent, so Lacy will fit in right away.
30. Atlanta Falcons- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford: Regardless of Tony Gonzalez's decision to retire or not, the Falcons will have to replace him eventually. Ertz filled in nicely his last year in Stanford replacing Coby Fleener and has worked his way into the first round.
31. San Francisco 49ers- Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: Probably won't fall this far, but the 49ers won't be complaining if he is here. Donte Whitner played very inconsistently last season and there is some uncertainty of re-signing Dashon Goldson. Vaccaro would be either an upgrade or will be a very good player to give depth.
32. Baltimore Ravens- Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU: For a Super Bowl champion, the Ravens appear to have potentially a few holes. Pass rush was very inconsistent, even through the playoff run. Montgomery may not have Terrell Suggs pass rushing ability, but he will aid the rush, especially if Paul Kruger leaves.
*The Rams acquired the 22nd overall pick from the Washington Redskins as part of the Robert Griffin trade.
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