By Erik Laurinovics, "The Rambling Gambler"
Contributions from:
Shaq, Editor-in-Chief
Oscar Suggs
--------------------------------------------------
It's been a long, gloomy off-season so far, with nothing but talk of a lock out and fans left wondering if the 2012 season is in jeopardy. Without Free Agency and March OTAs, we haven't had much to discuss or look forward to, but the draft is now just around the corner! We here at The Football ERA decided to celebrate by putting together a mock draft. You'll get my analysis on every pick in the first round as well as some commentary from the brains behind The Football ERA, our Editor-in-Chief, Shaq.
We have been posting this column in a series of several posts over the weekend and this week leading up to the draft. We will have a post of the full mock draft for you on Wednesday. Today, we're taking a look at the top ten picks.
Lets get drafting!
1. Carolina Panthers – Marcell Dareus, DT
I’m going out on a limb with this one, but the one thing everyone agrees on is that there is no “sure thing” at QB this year. Carolina’s owner expressed publically that he wasn’t completely sold on Cam Newton, and while he lets his personnel men do their jobs, it gets me thinking that this could be another Maro Williams-Reggie Bush scenario. The Panther have already invested a 2nd round pick into Jimmy Clausen last year. Already light on draft picks (no second round pick this year), they simply have too many other holes that need filling. The run defense came in at 23rd overall last year, and you can bet Ron Rivera, a defensive-minded coach, wants to turn that around. They would absolutely trade down if they could, but no one else has a reason to trade up.
SHAQ: My first introduction to Ron Riviera was as a young clipboard carrying intern for Joe Kapp. He was easily the best player on that California Golden Bear’s team. Management in Carolina chose to go with a defensive minded head coach, and defense is exactly what the Panthers need to bolster. I am hoping the Rambling Gambler is right in that they will go with a defensive lineman here as the Panthers dropped into oblivion shortly after they lost Chris Kemoeatu to an injury in the preseason a couple of years ago. But just for arguments sake, I will counter Erik’s choice with all the rumors I am hearing that the Panthers will use their number one spot to pay a Quaterback the big money the overall number one draft choice demands. Cam Newton
2. Denver Broncos – Von Miller, OLB
Carolina not taking Cam Newton hurts the Broncos more than anyone, as DT is a glaring need. However, with Dareus off the board, Von Miller is the best player available and would form a very good pass-rush tandem with Elvis Dumervil. The Broncos may also consider Da’Quan Bowers, Patrick Peterson, or perhaps even Nick Fairley, but I think it is too hard for them to pass up one of the elite prospects in this draft. Small chance they could trade down from here with Newton and Miller on the board, but it seems unlikely unless a team in the ‘teens particularly wants either player.
SHAQ: Marcell Dareus will fall to Denver if Carolina indeed chooses a quarterback, but Denver clearly has needs on defense. They really can’t lose sitting in the #2 draft spot because Von Miller would be a very versatile choice for them as well as a defender they could use in their new 4-3 scheme.
3. Buffalo Bills – Cam Newton, QB
And Buffalo wins the Cam Newton sweepstakes! While Fitzpatrick did an admirable job last year, he is not a viable long-term solution, and the Bills need to sell tickets just as much as anyone else. Newton comes with risk, but he’ll immediately be a draw for the fans. Fitzpatrick does give Buffalo the luxury of bringing Newton on slowly, however. Defense is a bigger need, but with Dareus and Miller off the board and a Bills franchise enamored with Cam Newton, there’s no way they’d pass him up.SHAQ: Judging from a clip of the Bill’s owner commenting on the draft on NFL network, it seemed that he was implying that they are ready to use their high draft position on a top quarterback prospect—even though he was trying to disguise their intentions. I think they know that the opportunity to draft either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert will fall right into their lap.
4. Cincinnati Bengals – Blaine Gabbert, QB
I firmly believe the Bengals are going to draft a QB here, even if it’s only to piss off Carson Palmer. Bengals owner Mike Brown is notorious for not backing down in situations that become public with players, an Gabbert would give them a lot of leverage. Reports have emerged in April claiming that Bengals ownership is optimistic about Palmer returning, but that is just as likely to be a smokescreen. If both QBs are gone, I’d look for the Bengals to take Quinn, Green, or trade down.
SHAQ: There is hardly a mock draft out there (except for Erik’s) that doesn’t have A.J. Green going to the Cincinnati Bengals, and who am I to buck the trend. The question still remains as to who will be throwing to him when the season starts.
5. Arizona Cardinals – Robert Quinn, DE
Quinn has been moving further up in mocks the entire off-season, and with good reason. Widely regarded as a top prospect prior to missing the entire 2010 season, Quinn put up fantastic numbers at his pro-day, and there’s plenty of film on him from 2009. With questions surrounding Nick Fairley’s motor and Da’Quan Bowers’ knee, Quinn looks like the 3rd best pass-rushing prospect available. The Cardinals may consider Patrick Peterson here, but ultimately I think their needs up front outweigh the need in the secondary.
SHAQ: Arizona won’t be on the clock very long if Von Miller still remains on the board, and it will be foolish for them to pick anything but defense with their choice. That hasn’t stopped speculation that they will choose a quarterback to try and put an end to the quarterback debacle they experienced last year. I think that would be a mistake and only an extension of that debacle.
6. Cleveland Browns – A.J. Green, WR
This pick will tell us how precisely how committed the Browns are to Colt McCoy. He needs weapons on that offense and Green would be a starter and make an immediate impact. I think there is an equally strong likelihood that Cleveland trades down to address the many needs they have this off-season. They are in a great spot in the top 10, and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone is willing to trade up to take Patrick Peterson, Nick Fairley, or A.J. Green.
SHAQ: Even though the Browns picked a cornerback last year in Joe Haden, Mike Holmgren probably realizes you can’t have enough high caliber cornerbacks especially with the League becoming so Pass happy these days. Patrick Peterson is too good to pass up, and will definitely not be left on the board beyond the 49ers seventh overall pick.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Patrick Peterson, CB
Every mock on the planet has Peterson going to the Niners, and if he is available, he’ll be the pick. The secondary was a constant trouble spot for SF, and the team is likely to part ways with Nate Clements, who is overpaid and under-performing at this point. If Peterson is gone, I think the Niners will look long and hard at Nick Fairley, as free agent DT Arbroyo Franklin has indicated he wants to test free agency. If AJ Green is still on the board, San Francisco may be able to leverage a trade and move back a few spots.
SHAQ: Miffed at coming so close to landing Patrick Peterson, San Francisco will remain undeterred in getting a top flight cornerback. Prince Amukamara goes to the Niners, fulfilling a major need on their defense..
8. Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairley, DT
Ironically, Fairley is drawing comparisons to Albert Haynesworth, and the Titans have yet to fill the hole left by his departure. The defense struggled mightily last season, coming in 26th in yards allowed. They may also strongly consider drafting an offensive lineman here, as they had one of the worst run blocking lines in the NFL. Lucky for them, Chris Johnson is not your average running back and can make do. Fairley represents a better value than any offensive line prospects on the board, so he’s the pick if available.
SHAQ: Well if I had gone Defensive Tackle to open my version of The Rambling Gambler’s mock draft, then I would be mostly echoing his choices which would be quite boring. Instead we meet at Nick Fairley going to Tennessee as he is clearly one of the best choices still left on the board in this draft which is heavy on defensive lineman.
9. Dallas Cowboys – Tyron Smith, OT
This is another pick that has been in most mocks, but it makes a lot of sense. The Cowboys need a long-term starter opposite Doug Free, and if they can get a solid tackle with this pick, they will be set at the position for a long time. Jerry Jones is said to be enamored with Patrick Peterson, so it remains possible that the Cowboys could try to trade up to take him at #6. If not, with 6 defensive players going in the top 8 picks, the Cowboys get solid value getting the top offensive tackle prospect in the draft. It’s also a possibility they could trade down if they are set on drafting an offensive lineman… Nate Solder, Anthony Castonzo, and Gabe Carimi could all be available in the second half of the draft. Prince Amukamara could be the pick here, but there have been constant rumors that the Cowboys aren’t sold on him.
SHAQ: Jerry Jones has never used a first round draft pick on an offensive line so let the defensive lineman craziness continue. JJ Watt goes to the Cowboys.
10. Washington Redskins – Julio Jones, WR
Rumors of Washington selecting a QB with the 10th pick have been swirling since the beginning of the off-season, and Locker-to-Washington is really picking up some steam leading up to the draft. However, the Redskins have many needs and few picks in the 2011 draft. Ideally, I think they would like to trade down and collect additional draft picks, and possibly take a QB prospect that they like that falls to later in the round. With Jones and Locker available, they may be able to find a trading partner. If they do pick at 10, Julio Jones is certainly the safer choice when comparing to any of the remaining QBs. The offense lacks playmakers, and would be an impact starter on the offense.
SHAQ: Let’s hope the Redskins come to their senses and draft something other than Quaterback which is not necessarily a huge need, but the rumor is that Ryan Mallett and his big arm has Mike Shanahan enamored. Julio Jones would be a wiser selection.
No comments:
Post a Comment