- At this point it is all but an foregone conclusion that Bradford will be selected #1 overall. The interested subplot that has been rumored is whether it will be the Rams who draft him or someone else who puts together a package to trade up.
- Again we find ourselves wondering if the Lions will be the ones to pick in the #2 slot, as they have been rumored to be shopping this pick as well. Either way I would be stunned if the "the boy named Suh" drops past #2.
- Is there a position Tampa doesn't need help at? McCoy is the perfect 3-technique DT for the "Tampa Two" Defense and is worth the #3 pick overall.
- After a huge trade this offseason for Donovan McNabb, it only makes sense that Coach Shanahan drafts the top OT in the draft to protect McNabb's backside and Shanahan's investment.
- Some may say this is too high to draft a Safety, but with comparisons to Ed Reed I think he is worth the risk. Reed was selected at #24, but if you asked Baltimore if they would have taken him #3 in that draft I imagine they wouldn't hesitate for a second.
- Can you say Reggie Bush 2.0? I guarantee you that Pete Carroll can. Do they have bigger needs than RB? You bet they do. Can Carroll resist the possibility of utilizing Spiller like he did with Bush? No chance.
- Cleveland takes a long hard look at Dez Bryant, but decides that games are won in the trenches and that solid receivers can be had in later rounds. Williams has been flying up draft boards and could easily supplant Okung as top OT selected.
- Al Davis strikes again. Or does he. Iupati has been raved about since the draft talk has begun. Perhaps the Raiders select him a little high for where he is being projected, but if he's who they want what does it matter. Plus Cable may not be able to contain himself when given the chance to select a fellow Vandal.
- The Bills jump all over Bulaga at #9. Expected to be gone by now (Oakland afraid to draft another Iowa OT?) Buffalo decides to anchor their line in hopes they can keep their QB upright, whomever that may end up being.
- Despite the sting of the recent first round safety "miss" with Reggie Nelson, the Jaguars find themselves staring at a player who is considered a far better "football player" then Nelson and they fill a glaring need in the secondary.
- Denver's young defense gets a serious boost here as they move to the 3-4. Mclain may be going off the board a little high here, but Denver is getting a very good player and unless Pioli out thinks himself this is the logical choice.
- Miami has a desperate need for pressure up from on the defensive side of the ball and Williams can give them just that. The only 3-4 NT with a first round grade in this draft, the Dolphins are glad to see him available at #12.
- A guy who at one point was projected as a top-10 lock falls to a 49ers team in desperate need for help at CB. Haden's stock has fallen as of late due to questions about his speed, but thanks to a solid pro day the 49ers feel comfortable getting the top CB in the draft at #13.
- With the offseason trade for Whitehurst at QB and Spiller earlier this round it is clear that Pete Carroll is out to improve this offense and what better way to do so then to add a potential Pro Bowl left tackle in Anthony Davis. Whitehurst will need someone to watch his back and Davis is an excellent selection.
- With the potential for a draft day trade of Osi Umenyiora and Rolando Mclain off the board this has to be the pick for NY. Morgan brings a hard nosed approach that will fit in perfectly with Coghlan's coaching style.
- JPP fits exactly what the Titans need and for him to be available at #16 the Titan have to be thrilled. He reminds Jeff Fisher of Jevon Kearse far too much for them to pass on him.
- The time has finally come for the Golden Domer to come off the board. After a nearly Brady Quinn-esque fall the 49ers reach to add yet another 1st round QB to their roster. Though Alex Smith showed signs of life last season I think they won't pass up the second best QB in the draft.
- This is a perfect fit. The Steelers want to get back to being a power running team and now need to be a run first team (thanks to Big Ben's little Ben getting him in trouble). Pouncey is the perfect man for the job. He is a load in the middle and can play any of the three interior positions.
- Graham is the pass rusher Atlanta has been waiting for and on top of that he has good range against the run and is very technically sound when it comes to tackling. Has experience at OLB and DE, but will line up with a hand in the dirt in Atlanta.
-Though they would have liked to see Haden still available, the Texans jump at the opportunity to add a player like Wilson. He fills an immediate need with the loss of Dunta Robinson this offseason and has the build, strength, and skill set to step in as a man-to-man CB from the get go.
- The Bengals have shown in the past a willingness to overlook character concerns, especially at the WR position, and can't pass up a top-10 talent here at the #21 spot. Plus the idea of lining up Bryant and Ocho-Cinco together gives Palmer some needed help.
- The Pats desperately need help at OLB and Hughes is just the man for the job. A premier pass rusher with solid discipline, a high motor, and the smarts to be a Belichick type player.
- Al Harris and Charles Woodson are both entering their 14th year in the league. This is a duo that is bound to call it quits soon and Green Bay takes one of the best players available to help prepare for that need.
- A solid pass rusher who can get the job done against the run, provides the Eagles with a very dangerous combo of Trent Cole and Everson Griffen.
- I'm well aware of the Ravens offseason signings of Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth, but Thomas is too good to pass up at #25 and gives them outstanding depth at WR to help their budding star Joe Flacco.
- Arizona's need for help at all the LB'er positions makes this an easy selection. Kindle is an excellent pass rusher and a very solid tackler.
- Jerry Jones is a little old school like Al Davis and can fall in love with a guy with the right size and speed combination. Safety and OT are needs for Dallas, but there aren't any OTs available here worth the pick.
- The perfect compliment to Darren Sproles. Matthews gives them the powerful between the tackles runner they need to compliment Sproles. Matthews also has tackle breaking strength and sub-4.5 speed to get loose when the opportunity presents itself.
- The Jets d-line is getting old and could use an infusion of young talent. Odrick's relentless motor fits in perfectly with Rex Ryan and his desire to get after the QB. His versatility also allows him to line up along the line in a rotational role early on.
- McCourty may be a bit of reach at this point, but the Vikings are in desperate need of help at the CB position and McCourty is the best available. He should be able to provide help on special teams immediately and by midseason could work his way into a starting role at CB.
- The Colts are in need of some help at the OT position. There is little depth on their roster and Tony Ugoh has shown durability concerns early in his career. Brown gives them needed depth and is potential starter this year or next.
- With the loss of Scott Fujita, the Saints look to add this tackling machine. Weatherspoon has excellent value at the end of the 1st round and will provide leadership as well as the ability to provide support against the pass and run.
So there you have it. My Mock Draft. I feel pretty confident that I got at least one right. We'll see tomorrow how I stacked up against the minds running the NFL war rooms.
1985: Sports Illustrated published a story about a new rookie pitcher who planned to play for the Mets. His name was Sidd Finch, and he could reportedly throw a baseball at 168 mph with pinpoint accuracy. This was 65 mph faster than the previous record. Surprisingly, Sidd Finch had never even played the game before. Instead, he had mastered the "art of the pitch" in a Tibetan monastery under the guidance of the "great poet-saint Lama Milaraspa." Mets fans celebrated their teams' amazing luck at having found such a gifted player, and Sports Illustrated was flooded with requests for more information. In reality this legendary player only existed in the imagination of the author of the article, George Plimpton.