Now that the deadline for underclassmen to enter the April 26-28 draft has passed and the list of entries has been released by the NFL, we can compile a more accurate mock draft. The only spots in the draft order that need to be determined are the final four, which will be determined through the final playoff results, and the two ties (which will be determined next month with coin flips at the Scouting Combine).
It is looking more likely that the top two picks will be quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, but determining which team will trade up with the St. Louis Rams to get Griffin is not easy. In the unlikely scenario that the Rams keep the second overall pick, Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon would make the most sense for them.
Here’s another prediction on how the first round will play out:
(*Denotes underclassman)
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford. With new GM Ryan Grigson running the show, you can be sure the Colts will draft Andrew Luck to secure an elite quarterback for the next decade.
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon*, WR, Oklahoma State. We’ve been saying that the Rams will likely trade this pick to the Browns, who would take Robert Griffin III. But if the Rams keep the second pick, they will draft Blackmon to give Sam Bradford an elite receiver.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil*, OT, USC. The Vikings are committed to Christian Ponder as their quarterback of the future, but they need to find a left tackle to protect his blind side so he can develop.
4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III*, QB, Baylor. Though many still believe in Colt McCoy, we do not and are confident the Browns want to find a long-term solution at quarterback. Griffin has the rare physical talent to go with great intangibles that club president Mike Holmgren loves.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson*, RB, Alabama. The Bucs may like LeGarrette Blount’s physical running style, but he is not an elite game-changer and struggled greatly in pass protection in 2011. Richardson would make the Bucs’ rushing attack dangerous and could help Josh Freeman’s development with his excellent pass-protection ability.
6. Washington Redskins: Morris Claiborne*, CB, LSU. While the Redskins want a quarterback, there isn’t one available who deserves to go this high. After Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick was arrested this week on a marijuana possession charge, Claiborne is the top cornerback in the draft.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. Much like the Rams, the Jaguars need offensive weapons for their young quarterback (Blaine Gabbert) to develop into a good NFL player.
8. (tie) Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff*, OT, Iowa. The Dolphins have used recent first-round picks on left tackle Jake Long and center Mike Pouncey, so we think they will grab an offensive tackle here to shore up the right side of their line with no elite quarterbacks available.
8. (tie) Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State. The Panthers’ offense made huge strides in 2011 after drafting Cam Newton, but they had a losing record because of a weak defense. Still is a tremendous athlete with the ability to penetrate and make big plays in the backfield. He would make right end Charles Johnson an even better outside pass rusher because offenses would not be able to focus so much on him.
10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. With all signs pointing toward the Bills switching to a 4-3 defense, they need to add an outside pass rusher—and Coples is an ideal fit for that role.
11. (tie) Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe*, NT, Memphis. Once the Chiefs announced they were keeping Romeo Crennel as their head coach, it was a sign they would maintain their current defensive scheme. In order for their defense to make the next step, however, they need a huge nose tackle to anchor the middle of the line.
11. (tie) Seattle Seahawks: Dre Kirkpatrick*, CB, Alabama. Before his arrest this week for marijuana possession, Kirkpatrick was in the mix to be the first cornerback drafted. But this problem will likely cause him to lose out to Claiborne.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin*, OT, Stanford. Arizona’s offensive line has had big problems protecting the quarterback in recent seasons, and Martin would give them a strong left tackle to protect the blind side of their quarterback.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina. With Anthony Spencer likely to leave as a free agent, the Cowboys have to find a player who can rush the passer effectively opposite DeMarcus Ware.
The Eagles have never drafted a linebacker in the first round under Andy Reid, but Luke Kuechly could be the guy to break that streak. (AP Photo)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly*, MLB, Boston College. The Eagles’ No. 1 need is middle linebacker, and though they have not taken a linebacker in first round under Andy Reid, Kuechly is a rare athlete who many around the league compare to Brian Urlacher.
16. New York Jets: Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina. It appears the Jets will keep Santonio Holmes, but Plaxico Burress did not play well enough for the team to bring him back. Jones would give New York the big-play receiver its offense needs.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska. Though the Bengals’ defense was strong in 2011, it needs a good cornerback to play opposite Leon Hall. Dennard is a smart, technically sound player who should be able to start early in his career.
18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro*, G, Stanford. The Chargers’ offensive line was beaten up in 2011, and guard Kris Dielman could retire. So the team grabs DeCastro, whose ability to pull will make him a good fit in San Diego’s offense.
19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor. With Mike Tice taking over the offense, the Bears will likely have more of a run-based attack. But they will need an explosive deep threat to keep defenses from stacking the line, and Wright is that type of receiver.
20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz*, C, Wisconsin. The Titans’ line was not dominant in 2011 and is aging. Konz would give them a young, gifted and versatile lineman who could start at guard or center as a rookie.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State. Cedric Benson will be a free agent this offseason and the Bengals are unlikely to pay him big bucks, so they select the strong, explosive Martin to take over the job.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): David Wilson*, RB, Virginia Tech. Because Peyton Hillis may not return in 2011 and Montario Hardesty has not proved he can be a starting-caliber back, the Browns choose Wilson, who fits their West Coast offense perfectly.
23. Detroit Lions: Sean Spence, OLB, Miami. Outside linebacker Justin Durant is a free agent this offseason, and the Lions are not going to pay him a lot of money. They grab Spence, who is the best linebacker to come out of Miami since Ray Lewis.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State. The Steelers’ offensive line has been a major need area for a few seasons, and Sanders is a strong, physical right tackle who would be able to start right away.
25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox*, DT, Mississippi State. The Broncos are set with outside pass rushers, but their defensive tackles struggled to pressure the quarterback. Cox is a dynamic, explosive player who can split gaps and get into the backfield to make big plays.
26. Houston Texans: Juron Criner, WR, Arizona. With Andre Johnson out much of the season with hamstring problems, the Texans’ passing attack really struggled. So they grab the vastly underrated Criner—who has good size (6-3, 215), deceptive quickness and rare hands—to play opposite Johnson.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina. The Patriots’ defense struggled in 2011, and Ingram is a strong, versatile defensive lineman who can play effectively inside and outside—something coach Bill Belichick values.
28. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia. Charles Woodson is nearing the end of a great career, and Boykin is the physical, aggressive-type cornerback the Packers love. When you add his explosiveness, speed and return ability, he makes great sense for Green Bay.
29. New York Giants: Chris Polk*, RB, Washington. Brandon Jacobs is not a premier back, and Ahmad Bradshaw lacks the size to be a durable starter. Polk is the strong, durable player who could be the Giants’ primary back for the future.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Michael Brockers*, DE, LSU. The Ravens’ defensive line did not make as many big plays in 2011 as it had in previous seasons. Cory Redding is likely to leave as a free agent, so the Ravens draft a replacement for him.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin. With their lack of weapons at wide receiver, the 49ers grab Toon, who is a smooth, fluid wideout who runs excellent routes and has great hands.
32. New England Patriots: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall. Curry is an explosive player who could be effective rushing as an end in the Patriots’ 4-3 scheme or as an outside linebacker in the team’s 3-4 front.
Russ Lande, a former NFL scout, is a draft analyst for Sporting News.
Doug Williams completed 18-of-29 passes for 340 yards, four touchdowns and an interception on the way to game MVP honors. (AP Photo)
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will take on the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. (AP Photo)
Terry Bradshaw is the only quarterback in Super Bowl history to have thrown multiple interceptions in a game, yet still win the MVP award.
