First Round NFL Mock Draft #4

It wasn’t long ago that the top two picks in this draft were assumed to be the two prominent defensive tackles. That is no longer the case, and this updated first round mock draft includes a big shakeup in the top 10. Continue on to check out the picks and leave your thoughts on the mock in the comments!

1. St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Previous Selection: Sam Bradford
While Suh is seen as the most sure bet in this draft, the momentum has swung to Bradford being the guy for the Rams. After a few years of drafting on the lines the fan base is understandably anxious. Now, I don’t think it matters all that much whether they draft QB this year or next. They can pass this year but then they’ll absolutely have to get one next year.

2. Detroit Lions – Russell Okung, LT, Oklahoma State
Previous Selection: Ndamukong Suh
The Lions are in a good position here since they are assured of getting either Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy but they could turn their attention elsewhere and select Russell Okung. The team has Anthony Hargrove visiting, should they sign him that would add another DT to the team after trading for Corey Williams. They also paid big money to DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. That they would then go and draft, and give a huge contract, to another defensive lineman doesn’t make much sense. That would leave the team the opportunity to take the best offensive tackle on the board in Okung.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Previous Selection: Gerald McCoy
Really the best case scenario for the Bucs as they get a run stuffer and someone that can collapse the pocket. They desperately need that for their defense. I believe they would take Suh over McCoy in this scenario.

4. Washington Redskins – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Previous Selection: Russell Okung
The Redskins are going either QB or OT at this pick. The way the board has turned out so far, where the Bucs have the dream scenario, this is probably worst case scenario for the Redskins. Sam Bradford and Russell Okung are off the board. It would then come down to the next best offensive tackle or taking Jimmy Clausen. I don’t yet have the sense that the Redskins would take Clausen here, that may change soon and a lot rides team interviews and his Pro Day on April 9th.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Previous Selection: Eric Berry
There is definite need on the offensive line to protect the big investment that was made in Matt Cassel but with Okung and Buluga gone the team would then go best player available. Few safeties are drafted this high but Berry has the potential to be a game changer.

6. Seattle Seahawks – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
Previous Selection: Jimmy Clausen
Once McCoy gets past the Bucs he would fall here to the Seahawks who would take about a second to get the pick in. The team has struggled with the pass rush and McCoy would be a huge addition to improve it, more so than drafting one of the top defensive ends. Other possibilities here include Eric Berry if he is available or trading down to a team that wants Jimmy Clausen.

7. Cleveland Browns – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Previous Selection: CJ Spiller
Mike Holmgren is going to draft a QB this year, as neither Jake Delhomme or Seneca Wallace are long term options at the position. One or the other will cover for this season while a rookie integrates and prepares for taking over in the future. The Browns may have to trade up to #5 or #6 to grab Clausen from another team that could trade into those spots if he gets past the Redskins. The team could also take a look at Joe Haden who turned in a 40 time good enough at his Pro Day to warrant consideration in the top 10.

8. Oakland Raiders – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
Previous Selection: Jason Pierre-Paul
Everyone knows the Raiders draft more on athletic ability than anything else. That had me sitting comfortably with Bruce Campbell in the first two mocks before shifting to Pierre-Paul who fits the mold as well. He is an athletic freak that has a ton of potential and will probably be intriguing to the Raiders.

9. Buffalo Bills – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Previous Selection: Bryan Bulaga
The Bills need to address their offensive line woes and though they would probably prefer Bulaga this would be a good choice for them. Williams looked good at the combine though there are questions whether he is going to have the ability to play LT or will only project as a RT. QB and WR are other areas of need which places Dez Bryant as a possibility here.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Previous Selection: Rolando McClain
The Jags have missed on some early draft picks in recent years that were meant to address their pass rush. Rather than take another risk in the draft they made a big signing of Aaron Kampman. That puts them in a spot here to take BPA at a position of less glaring need than they had before, or they trade down to try and position themselves for taking Tim Tebow. Dez Bryant is a huge talent but there are questions about his maturity. The Jaguars could use the explosiveness at receiver to pair with the emerging Mike Sims-Walker. They could also consider Rolando McClain or Joe Haden here.

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago) – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Previous Selection: Dez Bryant
The defense needs to bolster its front seven but the signing of Jamal Williams means they don’t necessarily need to grab a NT this draft and instead can look to McClain if he is available. If Dez Bryant is here, and Brandon Marshall has been traded, that could be an intriguing option as well.

12. Miami Dolphins – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
Previous Selection: Dan Williams
The signing of Karlos Dansby means the main needs of the Dolphins are at OLB and DT. Williams would be a great selection here as a NT in the 3-4. Jason Pierre-Paul remains an interesting possibility if he is still around, but I believe that Bill Parcells would likely go Williams here regardless.

13. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Previous Selection: Joe Haden
The 49ers have a couple different ways to go. They are looking for a back to split time with Frank Gore, want to shore up the offense line at tackle, and could use an upgrade in the defensive backfield specifically at safety. Joe Haden is too much of a talent to pass up. The team needs help on the offensive line but they should be able to grab that with their #17 pick.

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson
Previous Selection: Derrick Morgan
Having taken McCoy earlier this pick would probably go to the offensive side of the ball, with the team having a desperate need for playmakers. CJ Spiller would bring an element to the offense that has been sorely missing the last few years. There could also be a trade down to later in the first as taking Charles Brown, the best fit for the team’s zone blocking scheme, would be a bit of a reach at this spot.

15. New York Giants – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Previous Selection: Brian Price
The team needs an ILB and McClain would have been a great fit. With him gone though if a top defensive end, such as Morgan or Pierre-Paul, is on the board that would be a great direction to go. The position is no longer a strength on the team which counts on the pass rush being disruptive to be successful.

16. Tennessee Titans – Brian Price, DT, UCLA
Previous Selection: Kyle Wilson
This pick would seem likely to go defensive line, whether it be a DE or DT. The Titans could also use an upgrade in the secondary which could be provided by Kyle Wilson. Price has been somewhat under the radar but has the ability to create pressure from the interior and is the best DT on the board and would be a good fit for the Titans.

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina) – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Previous Selection: Trent Williams
While Davis has some concerning character issues he remains extremely talented with a great deal of potential. Without those concerns he could have been a top 10 pick. I have been down on him but he could make a lot of sense here. Mike Singletary is the type of coach who could take someone like this on and think that he can set him on the right path.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Previous Selection: Mike Iupati
The Steelers offensive line has struggled pass protecting for a few years, and the usual strong running game was mediocre last season. That makes Mike Iupati a serious consideration and I’ve had him pegged here in all the mocks until now. Wilson though is intriguing and, though they’ve spent a few picks on the position in the past few years, he might be too good to pass up. His stock has risen coming out of the Senior Bowl and Combine and some teams even have him higher on their boards than Joe Haden.

19. Atlanta Falcons – Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
Previous Selection: Brandon Graham
Having filled their need at corner by signing Dunta Robinson the Falcons will probably still be looking at defense and go with an OLB or DE. They have struggled to put pressure on QBs and Graham, though undersized, could provide the disruption they need. Sean Weatherspoon would appear to be the other most likely option at this pick.

20. Houston Texans – Earl Thomas, S, Texas
Previous Selection: Earl Thomas
Houston has been looking for a playmaking safety for years and they could get the opportunity to choose one with Thomas. I really like his ability and he performed well at the combine. Taylor Mays could also be a consideration but is more of an enforcer than a playmaker. The Texans have drafted for the defensive line but it remains a weakness so they could look that direction also.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Taylor Mays, S, USC
Previous Selection: Taylor Mays
The Bengals needed another threat in the passing game, which is why strong thought was given to Jermaine Gresham, Arrelious Benn, and Golden Tate. They have addressed that in free agency though with the signing of Antonio Bryant. Safety is a big area of need and Mays would fit the defensive scheme. He ran a blazing 40 at the combine though he looked stiff in the drills.

22. New England Patriots – Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State
Previous Selection: Jared Odrick
The Patriots clearly need to upgrade their defense, a pass rushing LB or or run stopping DE make the most sense. Bill Belichick tends not to draft pass rushers high though and Odrick would be a good fit as a 3-4 DE.

23. Green Bay Packers – Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
Previous Selection: Charles Brown
With Aaron Kampman gone the Packers have immediate need for a pass rusher in their 3-4 but they also could really use help on the offensive line. Iupati would be a versatile choice, more suited to play guard but could potentially shift to tackle down the line.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri
Previous Selection: Sean Weatherspoon
The Eagles could definitely use a high energy OLB or DE. The team let Will Witherspoon go, which was obviously done to avoid confusion with a possible Weatherspoon selection right? He would fit very well as an OLB in the Eagles defensive scheme and has seen his stock rising out of the Senior Bowl solidifying him as a first rounder.

25. Baltimore Ravens – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Previous Selection: Jermaine Gresham
With the Ravens having traded for Anquan Boldin they no longer are considered to be a lock to take a WR. They can, however, still add an offensive weapon in Jermaine Gresham. Todd Heap is no longer the threat that he used to be. Gresham’s knee problems are still a concern but he seems like a good fit for the Ravens who would not need to overuse him early on.

26. Arizona Cardinals – Daryl Washington, OLB, TCU
Previous Selection: Daryl Washington
With the team losing Karlos Dansby there is need to replace him, while they have filled the hole at safety already with the trade for Kerry Rhodes. Washington or Sergio Kindle would make sense here, or the Cardinals could look to draft a new offensive tackle.

27. Dallas Cowboys – Bruce Campbell, LT, Maryland
Previous Selection: Anthony Davis
The Cowboys could definitely use a playmaking safety but with Earl Thomas off the board they would have to look elsewhere. The team could use help on the offensive line and Campbell has to be intriguing this late. He was the talk of the combine but teams have found glaring problems in his performance last season. But he has limited experience. Dallas would be in a position to take a chance on that talent and infuse some athleticism in their stiff offensive line.

28. San Diego Chargers – Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
Previous Selection: Ryan Matthews
Though they chose to keep Darren Sproles the Chargers will still need to draft a RB. The Chargers now have this pick along with #40 and either could be used to take the back to pair with him. Matthews offers the most balance in the field of running backs and his stock is at a high right now.

29. New York Jets – Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
Previous Selection: Golden Tate
Until they traded for Antonio Cromartie it was a safe bet that Rex Ryan would be looking defense, primarily at CB. Now, I won’t be shocked if they still draft a CB here, but it opens it up to be a DE or WR. Tate is the best talent on the board and would give Mark Sanchez another weapon. I could also see someone like Corey Wootton come in as a DE in the 3-4.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Previous Selection: Devin McCourty
The Vikings will likely look at corner or a complimentary back to Adrian Peterson given that Chester Taylor has departed. Talk of LaDainian Tomlinson makes me think they are going to fill that role in FA. McCourty had a fantastic combine which has shot his stock up to first round value. I also wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Colt McCoy, though how he performs at his Pro Day will be a big factor in whether he has the potential to go this high. McCoy would fit well in a west coast offense that Brad Childress runs.

31. Indianapolis Colts – Charles Brown, LT, USC
Previous Selection: Maurkice Pouncey
The Colts could go defense here, with tackle and corner being the positions of most need. However the offensive line needs help as well especially after the recent cutting of guard Ryan Lilja which could mean an interior lineman like Maurkice Pouncey. Charles Brown would fit great in the zone blocking scheme and would be the best value here.

32. New Orleans Saints – Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Previous Selection: Sergio Kindle
Having lost Scott Fujita it looks like the Saints could go OLB or DE at this spot. I would peg that to be between Sergio Kindle and Griffen and have gone back and forth on this one. Both would fit in really well though and add an element to the defense that has been lacking. Another possibility might be Carlos Dunlap, and explosive pass rusher that has been very inconsistent.

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