Here's my mock draft through 20 picks. We're inching closer to a complete deal – though I may do another in the final week. I've got some surprises in the second 10.
1. Carolina, Cam Newton, QB, Auburn - They could take a defensive tackle such as Marcel Darius, but I think Newton will be the guy.
2. Denver, Marcel Darius, DT, Alabama - A much safer pick than Nick Fairley.
3. Buffalo, Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M – Miller might be the surest thing in this draft.
4. Cincinnati, A.J. Green, WR, Georgia - If Newton isn’t there, the Bengals wait until later to grab a QB.
5. Arizona, Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU - The Cardinals need a QB, but pass on Blaine Gabbert.
6. Cleveland, Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina - The Browns need defensive front help.
7. San Francisco, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska - The 49ers could be a prime trade partner looking to move down - hello Minnesota.
8. Tennessee, Nick Fairley, DT. Auburn - The Titans keep building up their defensive front.
9. Dallas, Tyron Smith, OT, USC - The Cowboys seem to be zoning in on Smith.
10. Washington, Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri - The Redskins can afford to give Gabbert a year to learn behind Donovan McNabb.
11. Houston, Julio Jones, WR, Alabama – Adding Jones to an already potent offense could make the Texans a playoff team in 2011.
12. Minnesota, Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple – I don’t expect the Vikings to pick in this spot. They’ll trade it for a QB, either an established veteran or moving up to get Blaine Gabbert.
13. Detroit, Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College – The Lions need to keep QB Matthew Stafford upright and healthy.
14. St. Louis, Cameron Jordan, DL, California – A receiver would fit better, but Jordan could immediately step into the rotation.
15. Miami, Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas – The first big surpise of the draft. Chad Henne and Tyler Thigpen are not the answer. The Dolphins would love to move down and make this pick.
16. Jacksonvillle, Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue – Kerrigan is the pass rusher the Jaguars have been lacking for several years.
17. New England, J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin – Watt is a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense.
18. San Diego, Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson – Bowers is a top-10 talent, but there are questions about the health of his knees. San Diego rolls the dice.
19. New York Giants, Mike Pouncey, G, Florida – Pouncey loses a bet with his brother, going one pick behind where the Steelers selected Maurkice in 2010.
20. Tampa Bay, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa – The Bucs were terrible against the run last season and need help at end.
9 comments:
The Vikings can't trade their pick for a veteran, teams can only trade pick, not players.
Based on your top 20 it looks to me like theSteelers are primed to take an Offensive Tackle or Cornerback (I think OT). Both should be available by the time they pick.
Steve-O: I think Dale is going to go DL. Either Heyward or Taylor
Dale,
I don't think M. Wilkerson will go before J.J. Watt or Cam Jordan. I actually think there's a chance he could fall to the Steelers at 31. If he does, I don't see the Steelers passing on him if they keep the pick. We all know Tomlin and K. Colbert like them young, athletic with a lot of upside for their no. 1 picks and this guy is only 20 years old. With the way teams are spreading us out know, this is the type of 3-4 DE the team will need to target, those who can play inside on our 4-man DL with the two OLBs.
I'm still including a trade down into the early 2nd round with my mock:
2. CB Ras-I Dowling, UVa
2. LT/G, James Carpenter, Alabama
3. NT Kenrick Ellis, Hampton
4. CB Curtis Marsh, Utah State
4. LT/RT Jarriel King, South Carolina
5. RB Da’rel Scott, Maryland
6. ILB Mario Harvey, Marshall
7. DE/DT Zach Clayton, Auburn
Thoughts?
the jets will take DT Taylor if he is available. if the steelers want him, they will need to move up.
All things being equal, I just can't see the Steelers taking a DL #1. CB and OT are much bigger immediate needs, especially since they have to enter the draft assuming that they won't be able to re-sign Taylor and Colon.
Taylor has a foot problem that has teams taking him off their board for medical reasons. Considering the character concerns as well, I doubt the Steelers want him.
I'm guessing Dale is picking between Nate Solder and Aaron Williams. And for my money he goes with Solder and predicts the Steelers take a CB with their 2nd pick.
I noticed that the way our schedule is shaped out this year, our secondary will be tested often in the first 4 games (Flacco, Hasselbeck, Peyton, and Matt Schaub, respectively). I think we have to add some new blood to the secondary with this draft. And I think we will see a "trial by fire" of sorts if we do draft a corner or safety in the first few rounds..
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