NFL Mock Draft Version 3.0 (Round 3)

Stl- Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

Just in case the Rams don’t trade for Vick or Josh Johnson, McCoy brings a winning attitude and mobility to a Rams team in rebuilding mode.  While his weight in and measurement today left him a bit short (6’1” while listed at 6’2”), he still has high levels of intangibles and Drew Brees’ success to help float his sinking draft status.

Det- Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois

Asamoah is a great value pick in the third round.  While he is a little undersized for the power run scheme that the Lions want to transition to, there is no questioning his understanding of schemes.                                     

TB- Brandon Lang, DE, Troy

Lang’s size and speed (6’4” 260 lbs) makes him a perfect Tampa 2 rush end, however his lack of durability makes the FSB nervous.  However, his upside is quite high and Tampa is in need of a pass rush after dealing the late Gaines Adams.                       

KC- Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas

Scott Pioli gets his Wes Welker as Shipley should fit nicely into the slot position of Todd Haley’s offense

Was- Forfeied in Compensatory Draft for DE Jeremy Jarmon

Oak- Joe McKnight, RB, USC

They constanty fall in love with physical ability, and while their runners are all have incredible potential McFadden is always hurt and hasn’t shown the big play ability and word on the street is that the Raider’s coaches are fed up with Michael Bush running out of gas whenever he gets on a roll.                                                               

Phi (Sea)- Amari Spievey, CB, Iowa

Quality depth behind already solid (but aging starters).  Spievey’s great size and experience (26 consecutive starts) make him a solid pick for a Seahawk secondary lacking depth, however his burst is questionable.            

Cle- Chad Jones, S, LSU

This truly is a steal.  The number one safety recruit coming out of high school, Chad Jones can flat out fly (as evident through him running down Darren Mcfadden from behind during his freshman year).

Buf- Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU

Lets’ be honest here, outside of Lee Evans the Bills lack any receiving threats which will help keep 8 out of the box for Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch.  LaFell has the size an ability to be a nice possession complinent Evans’ deep threat style.  Unfortunately for Buffalo, their Pick of James Hardy a couple seasons ago has seemed to not have panned out making LaFell an even better pick. 

Mia- Thaddeus Gibson, DE/OLB, Ohio State

The Dolphins will obviously release Joey Porter after March 5^th as they tried to do it once already.  While Porter is old and expensive, he still brings somewhat of a threat for opposing OT’s to worry about so replacing him will be no walk in the park.  Gibson has the perfect size and style for a 3-4 OLB, and his production was deflated by playing out of position his senior year (DE instead of OLB as he played earlier in his career).        

Jax-  Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Jack Del Rio’s constant comments about David Garrard not being a franchise QB will eventually lead to a front office move.  Luckily for the Jags, Tebow will at least bring some ticket sales to a franchise on the financial rocks.

Chi- Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse

If Mike Williams would have gotten his head on straight he could have been battling Dez Bryant for the #1 receiver spot in this draft.  However off field/character issues and questions to commitment have landed the Bears a potential diamond in round 3.

NYG- Vladimir Ducassee, OG, UMass

Ducassee is the definition of physical upside as his potential is through the roof; however his footwork and physical conditioning are the definition of unpolished.  In a couple years Vladimir could be a nice piece for the G-Men.

Ten- Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma

Cortland Finnegan is a shutdown corner, however outside of Finnegan the titans have no solid quality depth.  They are in such a bad position that they are making efforts to resign Rod Hood who they brought in mid way through the season and who had already been cut by multiple teams since the beginning of the season.  Franks has good size, and will fit well in Tennessee’s physical defensive style.

Car- Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon           

The Panthers need to alleviate some pressure from Steve Smith and Dickson can help in that department.  His blocking ability showed through at the Senior Bowl increasing his value from mostly a receiver to a balanced threat.

SF- Jason Worilds, DE/OLB

San Fran does not necessarily need another pass rusher as Lawson and Lenon can hold down the fort, but depth at this premium position is always a bonus.  Worilds has strong physical intangibles, and could be a solid NFL 3-4 OLB if developed correctly and stays healthy.  The main key is his health as he had significant issues staying on the field. 

Den- Taylor Price, WR, Ohio

Denver showed last season that Eddie Royal did not fit Josh McDaniel’s scheme as well as people expected and Price could be the man they are looking for to compliment Brandon Marshall (expecting that he stays in the blue and orange). 

Hou- Toby Gehart, RB, Stanford

They wanted a bruising goal line and short yardage runner didn’t they?  Team Gehart’s bowling ball style with Slaton’s quickness and you have a nasty tandem for years to come….if they can stay healthy.

Pit- Al Woods, NT, LSU

The Steelers always stockpile talent along their defensive line and Woods is a couple seasons away from being a contributor anyway. The resigning of Casey Hampton will give woods time to develop and get stronger while Hampton holds down the fort.

Atl- Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU 

Tony Gonzales wont be able to catch passes at an eliete level forever (ecen through he makes it seem possible).  Pitta can separate and has good hands which make him an nice recieving threat in the Matt Ryan lead offense.

Cin- Larry Asante, S, Nebraska

The drafting of Asante signals the end of the road for Roy Williams and his chronically breaking forearms.  Asante is solid enough that if asked to he could step in right away for the Bengals and contribute to an already top notch secondary. 

Oak (NE)- Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan

The Raider’s will eventually understand that Russell is not the QB of the future for their franchise, unfortunately LeFevour will not be ready to step in and replace him for a couple seasons.

GB- Reshad Jones, S, Georgia

While the Packers are set at FS with Nick Collins (assuming they buck up and pay him the contract he demands),  they are seriously lacking in talent at the SS position (sorry Atari Bigbi).  Solid speed and size make Jones an intriguing prospect.    

Phi- Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State

A nice physical compliment to the slashing LeSean McCoy, if he runs well at the combine this weekend Dixon could be taken  higher than this as he would have a unique blend of size and speed

 Bal- Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami

This draft is all about building around their franchise QB and getting younger on defense.  Flacco has no viable targets in the TE spot (Heap is always hurt, and LJ Smith is not any better in that area) and needs some assistance in order to alleviate pressure from both himself and Ray Rice.  Graham is intriguing as he is massive and has all the athleticism anyone could ask for, however he only played one season of college football as he was recruited as a basketball player to Miami.  It is also worth noting that he is a very intelligent student as he was named to the all-ACC academic team in 2006 and 2007 for basketball and is earning a double major.                     

Ari- Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama      

Bryant McFadden was not the franchise corner the Cardinals expected they were getting from the Steelers, while we don’t feel Arenas will be either, he could develop into a nice piece for this franchise

Dal- Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama

The Dallas offensive line is getting old in a hurry and Iupati could be converted to tackle instead of guard meaning that Dallas could use another interior lineman to prepare for the future. Johnson is a great value pick at this point and his size and power fits Dallas’ “run heavy” game well.

SD- Mike Neal DE/DT, Purdue

If last season showed the Bolts anything it is that their defensive front needs improving. Neal can play 3-4 DE at the next level and would be an upgrade over incumbent Jacques Cesaire if he develops properly.

Cle (NYJ)- Ben Tate, RB, Auburn

While the Browns have Jerome Harrison and James Davis to carry their backfield into the future, Harrison is small and James Davis missed his entire rookie season due to injury.  Tate has the size and speed to carry the load as a franchise back, only time will tell if he gets the chance.

Min- Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss

Snead has all the tools and there is no better way to hopefully unlock those tools than to surround him with incredible talent (Peterson, Rice, Berrian, Harvin, and a solid o-line)

Ind- Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss

If Indy can focus Hardy, he could potentially step in very soon and replace Mathis or Freeny.  Keep in mind Hardy is easily top 15 talent, but unfortunately has shown only a top 100 attitude.

NO- Myron Rolle, S, Florida State

If Rolle would not have pursued his Rhodes Scholar opportunity, he may have been a 2^nd round pick last season showing his high upside.  His size and intelligence make him a high potential player; however passion for football and a year away from the sport make him a potential risk pick.  The Saints can’t lean on Sharper forever (maybe not even past the Super Bowl as Sharper may land somewhere else in free agency) and Rolle would be a nice replacement.