NFL Mock Draft Rd 1

In celebration of the pcoming NFL Draft, the FSB has decided to release its final version of the Mock Draft for your reading pleasure!

StL- Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

The Rams need a Franchise QB in order to stabilize their constantly crumbling franchise both financially and talent wise on the field.  At least with the likes of Jason Brown and Jason Smith the Rams have the base of a solid young offensive line to help protect Bradford, Leaving who he will throw to as the only question.

Det- Ndamukong Suh , DT, Nebraska          

Whie many see Russell Okung as a premium pick because of their need to protect Matt Stafford's blindside, it is possible to argue that Suh is the most talented player in the entire draft class.  I doubt former Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz could pass up such a dynamic talent to plug his leaky front 7.

TB- Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The Tampa-2 Defense is based on defensive line pressure, which the current Tampa line fails to create.  McCoy may not be able to hold against the run like Suh, but with his quick feet, McCoy can sure pressure the QB.

Was- Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma St.                   

The Donovan McNabb trade solidified Okung as the Redskins pick seeing as there was no longer a need to trade with the Rams to take Bradford, and it is seemingly a consensus that Claussen is not a top 10 talent. 

KC- Brian Bulaga. OT, Iowa                                     

 The Chiefs are difficult to predict. With no prefect value fit, the Chiefs could move down and take Dan Williams or Rolando McClain, who would be great fits in a 3-4 defense.  If the chiefs stay at this position, they can decide between Berry, an ultimate “Ed Reed” type safety or Brian Bulaga, a gritty technically-sound offensive tackle.  They choose Bulaga, who has better positional value

Sea- Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

The Seahawks have a lot of needs, however with Walter Jones seemingly retiring and last season proving that Sean Locklear is not starting LT worthy, Left Tackle is now top priority.  This is only emphasized by the Charlie Whitehurst trade who the Seahawks see as the QB of the future.  Trent Williams is highly athletic and versatile enough to play all 5 positions along the offensive line...maximizing the likelihood of success in the zone blocking system, and minimizing bust potential.

Cle- Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

Cleveland is lacking talent on both sides of the ball.  While Clausen might be a good fit, Mike Holmgren didn’t seem too enamored with taking him early.  The Browns would love a play-maker in the secondary to try and negate their lack of constant defensive pressure and/or spotty CB coverage ability (even with the addition of Sheldon Brown).  

Oak-Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida            

At some point, we grow tired of giving Oakland an overrated athletic prospect.  So, instead of having theim draft Maryland's OT Bruce Campbell, a 2^nd round prospect (which rumors state is still VERY possible), we decided to give them an equally freak-like athlete rush end in Jason Pierre Paul.  Teamed with Richard Seymour, JPP could actually succeed in Oakland, where Campbell would have a much more difficult time.     

Buf- Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

Yes Yes we know this pick seems to be unlikely, however the fit is too perfect to let him slide past.  While Buffalo says they are content to start Brian Brohm or Trent Edwards at QB, we thing that that is quite a smoke screen.  Claussen will bring a swagger and a talent level to Buffalo at the QB position that has been lacking for quite some time, and being that this draft class is so shallow for QBs and so deep for LTs, it would make more sense to snag Clausen now and a value tackle in round 2.

Jax- Earl Thomas, S, Texas    

The Jags are trying to win now, as the team is struggling to create a strong fan base.  The player that could help the Jags immediately is the ball-hawking safety from Texas, Earl Thomas.  He is versatile and can cover, which will allow SS Reggie Nelson some coverage insurance when he goes for his big matador style hits.

Den (Chi)- Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

The idea of taking Dez Bryant seems slightly insane because of why the Broncos traded Brandon Marshall, however Dez Bryant may be lazy but he does not bring the legal issues that Marshall did.  Furthermore, does anyone really see an Eddie Royal/Jabar Gaffney starting receiver tandem on day 1 (especially considering the Broncos are desperately trying to deal TE Tony Scheffler).  

Mia- Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee               

Jason Ferguson is old and suspended for the first 8 games.  The Dolphins need Dan Williams, who would start immediately and could blossom into the premiere nose tackle.  A franchise nose tackle is hard to find, especially in this draft class so when you have one on the board and you need one, you don't waste any time selecting him. 

SF (Car)- Joe Haden, CB, Florida     

The Niners main problems are from an aging secondary, and a mediocre offensive line.  They will decide between Haden and SS Taylor Mays, but Haden’s production is hard to ignore.  Teamed with Shawntae Spencer and potentially Nate Clements/Tarrell Brown (depending on if Clements is moved to FS or released because of his ridiculous salary), the Niners could have a dangerous secondary. 

Sea (Den)- Derrick Morgan, DE, Geogia Tech                      

After adding an offensive tackle, the Seahawks will look to add a play-maker on either side of the ball.  They will choose from CB Haden, SS Mays, RB C.J. Spiller, and DE Derek Morgan.  However, the exodus of Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp and Pete Carroll’s defensive mind, give Seattle the most polished and high motor pass rusher of the rookie class.Morgan could step in immediately along side of Lawrence Jackson an immediately upgrade an Anemic Seattle pass rush. 

NYG- Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama      

The Giants need of a middle linebacker has been well documented.  However, I think they could also consider the rising Jared Odrick who would fit the new Tampa-2 Defense.  Ultimately, I think it will be hard to pass on McClain’s instincts though.

Ten- Everson Griffin, DE, USC

The Titans need to improve the pass rush after the loss of Kyle VandenBosh. While they apparently covet Jason Pierre-Paul because of his likeness to "The Freak", Everson Griffin's combine performance proved him to be every bit the athletic wonder the Titans traditionally love (Chris Henry, Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt).

SF- Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers        

The 49ers have a difficult decision in picking between a lineman to push them into playoff contention or the explosive home-run RB the fans want.  Ultimately, it is easier to take Davis now and wait for Joe McKnight, or Dexter McCluster in Rd 2.  This will help boost the value of the pick as well as avoiding angering RB Frank Gore.

Pit- Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

The Steelers have had a difficult off-season with the legal issues with QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Santonio Holmes, who was subsequently traded.  The addition of Pouncey will allow the Steelers to improve their pass protection and potentially their running game as word on the street is the Steelers desperately need an upgrade at center. Also, after Pouncey, there are no center prospects worth more than a mid round draft pick.  They also have had a difficult time replace Bryan McFadden who left to Arizona in free agency last year, so a physical corner like Kyle Wilson could be considered.

Atl- Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB, Texas 

The Falcons were lacking in pass rush and could upgrade the aging Mike Peterson at outside linebacker.  The falcons could use Kindle in a way similar to his former college teammate Brian Orakpo was used in Washington.  Don'd discount the possibility of Sean Witherspoon from Mizzou however, the Falcons have also shown a lot of interest in him during this pre-draft period. 

Hou- Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

The Texans will seek to add a CB to replace the departed Dunta Robinson.  Kyle Wilson adds both the physicality and coverage ability which the Texans love in their franchise corners.                     

Cin- CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

The Bengals have an aging workhorse in Cedric Benson, the addition of Spiller would be insurance and a change of pace.  While Bernard Scott is still there for the Bengals, he is not a true change of pace from Benson, and Spiller would add another weapon to an offense whose QB is seemingly deteriorating before our very eyes.  Spiller falls due to a lack of perceived need and position importance by teams.

NE- Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

Dez Bryant needs a foundation of support for his game to improve, and the Pats need a deep threat.

GB- Mike Iupati, G/T, Idaho

The Packers could use some youth in the defensive backfield, but offensive line depth is more of an imminent need.  Iupati has the raw talent to become the next Steve Hutchinson paving the way for Ryan Grant's success, however he is also light enough on his feet to protect Aaron Rogers in the pocket.

Phi- Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama

The Eagles need Safety help as they were unable to successfully replace Brian Dawkins last year with Macho Harris.  However, the McNabb trade will allow them to address that need later and go best player available here replacing Sheldon Brown.  Jackson brings the physical island coverage ability which is essential to succeed on a Philly team which blitzes every single down. 

Bal- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Todd Heap is aging, fragile, and is no longer the answer to help young Joe Flacco.  The addition of Gresham would allow Flacco another safety valve if he is unable to find newly acquired target WR Anquan Boldin. 

Ari- Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

Weatherspoon could play inside in Arizona’s 3-4 defense and replace new Dolphin, Karlos Dansby, who was also an outside linebacker in college.  Weatherspoon will help re-inject the toughness and leadership lost when Dansby departed.  

Dal- Taylor Mays, S, USC

Dallas will make a splash, they always do.  We feel Jerry Jones is moving in the right direction by getting younger and moving away from Ken Hamlin and Flozell Adams (over-aggressive physicality, slow-feet and age) however their release leaves holes in both the secondary and the LT position.  Dallas addresses their Hamlin release with the addition of hard hitting Mays, and will rely on the left tackle depth of this class and/or their faith in LT Doug Free to replace Hotel Flozell.  

SD- Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State

San Diego replaces LT with a productive under the radar Matthews.  He has phenomenal vision and burst and screams rookie success like Matt Forte before him.  San Diego needs a running back and stays home for a quality pick in Fresno's Ran Matthews. 

NYJ- Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

The Jets would love Hughes’ athletic pass-rush ability in Rex-Ryan’s aggressive 3-4, and he would have a great mentor to learn from in former college DE's Calvin Pace and Jason Taylor (we assume on Taylor of course, it seems immanent)

Min- Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

The Vikings would love a tall talented corner to help them compete in their playoff run against top wide receivers.  Furthermore, McCourty helps them forget that Antoine Winfield is 33 years old and declining, and that Cedric Griffin tore his ACL in the playoffs last season and will most likely be a PUP list candidate next season. 

Ind- Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State          

The Colts love high motor high effort guy along their front 7 as shown by Freeny and Mathis.  Oddrick is just that and will bring an immediate upgrade over Dan Muir and Antonio Johnson while also giving them a promising DT tandem for years to come in Odrick and Fili Moala.

NO- Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida                                           

The release of Charles Grant leaves a spot on the roster for another trouble making DE.  Dunlap has incredible talent and would be in the perfect position to learn under similarly sized and talented DE Will Smith and newly added (short contract might we add) Alex Brown.