Here is the continuation of a mock draft that I have already started. You'll find listed first what I think each team will do with their pick, followed by what I would do if the choice were mine. Make sure to check out the first 10 picks before reading on here.
11. San Francisco: Ted Ginn Jr., WR
The Niners might look to add another weapon for young QB Alex Smith and WR is a need. They have Antonio Bryant on one side who is solid, but opposite him is Arnaz Battle who is a better fit in the WR3 role. Local standout Dwayne Jarrett could be an option as well, but Ginn is rising and Jarrett falling with speed being the reason. Speed kills in the NFL and Ginn has loads of it, while Jarrett might be a step slow. Watch the 40 times at the combine for these 2 WRs and others because that stat more than any other will change their draft status.
My pick: Levi Brown, OT
It's difficult to predict what San Francisco will do in the draft before free agency. The Niners have more salary cap room than any other team and proved last year that they are close to being able to compete for a playoff birth. The Niners have needs at WR and defense, but signing Donte Stallworth and/or Adalius Thomas could reduce those needs. I'd go with Brown if I were the Niners and strengthen the protection for Alex Smith. The draft is deep at WR and they might be able to grab a WR such as Sidney Rice early in round 2.
12. Buffalo: Leon Hall, CB[
The Bills front office has shown that they are willing to 'reach' for players of need in the draft. (see D. Whitner and J. McCargo of the 2006 draft). Cornerback figures to be a position of need with the imminent departure of Nate Clements in free agency. Hall has tenuous hold on the top CB ranking, but that could soon change with Aaron Ross and Darrele Revis coming on strong.
My pick: Dwayne Jarrett, WR
Jarrett is falling on many lists right now. Some pundits don't even have him in the top 5 of WRs. However, I have seen what Jarrett did at USC. He was consistently brilliant and Buffalo has a need to pair a big possession receiver opposite of the deep threat, Lee Evans. If Jarrett can run 4.5 or under in the 40 at the Combine then I think this is a move for Buffalo to make.
13. St. Louis: Amobi Okoye, DT
My pick: Amobi Okoye, DT
Okoye, the run stuffer out of Louisville, is just 19 years old. He can contribute at a high level right now, but carries with him a term scouts have fallen in love with -- 'potential.' St. Louis resides in a division with teams that trot out Shaun Alexander, Frank Gore, and Edgerrin James. Stopping the run is a priority for them to be successful.
14. Carolina: Reggie Nelson, S
My pick: Reggie Nelson, S
15. Pittsburgh: Adam Carriker, DE
My pick: Aaron Ross, CB
Pittsburgh's secondary was torched time and time again last season. New head Coach Mike Tomlin, former Vikings Defensive Coordinator, will likely use his top pick to bring more talent to the defensive side. Both Carriker and Ross would fit nicely with Pittsburgh, but I think the secondary is a more glaring need. Ross might not start as a rookie, but could be used in nickel situation and be brought along slowly as to be ready for 2008.
16. Green Bay: Marshawn Lynch, RB
My pick: Adam Carriker, DE
Running backs are becoming a dime a dozen in the NFL. A back must be truly special to warrant taking him over other needs. Ginn could be the pick here as he has begun to slide a bit in my projections, but I like the idea of pairing Carriker with Adam Kampman on either side of the D-line rushing the passer.
17. Jacksonville: Paul Posluszny, LB
My pick: Paul Posluszny, LB
I think Jacksonville is in a position to take the best available player. Posluszny excelled all throughout college and assuming he performs well enough at the combine -- I anticipate him being the highest ranked linebacker.
18. Cincinnati: Charles Johnson, DE
My pick: Charles Johnson, DE
What the Bengals and Marvin Lewis must consider in this draft is character. Cincinnati can ill afford another season filled with player arrests. Johnson is a good kid out of the University of Georgia who surpassed his teammate and fellow defensive end, Quentin Moses, this past season.
19. Tennessee: Dwayne Jarrett, WR
My pick: Ted Ginn Jr. WR
All signs point to the Titans taking a receiver with their first pick. The value is right and the need is there. Vince Young was lacking many options in his rookie season and Titans GM Floyd Reese will make grabbing a young, talented WR a priority. The need is more pressing when you consider that Tennessee may lose WR Drew Bennett in free agency. University of Tennessee WR, Robert Meachem is a possibility as well, as he has hometown allure.
20. New York Giants: Aaron Ross, CB
My pick: Marshawn Lynch, RB
Lynch is available in my sequence and adding him to the backfield in NY along with Brandon Jacobs brings back memories of "Thunder and Lightning" which the Giants tried to create with Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne. Lynch would complement bruising back, Brandon Jacobs. Lynch brings the speed and pass catching prowess that the Giants lost with the retirement of Barber.
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2 comments:
I have to say, that you save me wading through all of the various draft sites to figure out what is going on in the pre-draft speculation, and I can avoid the useless comments that so many sites throw out there. I especially like you doing your picks side by side with your projected picks. Well done! You are officially my favorite mock drafter...
Thanks for the kind words. I still have 12 picks left to complete round 1 and already I need to begin on working on a round 2 because things are changing all over the place, including who I like. I'll try and finish up version one soon, so that I can begin working on version two. The comments along with each pick might be shortened though in order to speed the process along.
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