I shall update my 1st round on this Sunday Night
 

1. St Louis Rams-Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma.

Now I personally don't think Bradford is worth this pick but you follow the money so to speak. St Louis is trying to energize it's fan base and all that jazz much easier to do that with a QB than a DT. Bradford's risky but they don't have much to lose, figure it's time to pull the trigger. Going to a dome and a WCO scheme should benefit Bradford once he gets center snaps and proper footwork down. Could end up as a Schaub type of the Rams can put pieces around him.

2. Detroit Lions-Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska.

No brainer pick, a defensive head coach gets a centerpiece player to build his team around. This actually gives him similar pieces to what he worked with in Tennessee, Suh can do the same things if not more than Haynesworth did. You have Ernie Sims who can be Bulluck and so forth. To good for this team to pass on. They made need an LT badly for Stafford but you can't do it at the expensive of a centerpiece defensive player.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma.

This probably makes Tampa as happy as they could be as if both DT's went ahead of them they'd be kind of stuck about who to take. Regardless of the Suh hype, McCoy is an elite prospect in his own right, a premier penetrating DT.

4. Washington Redskins-Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame.

Clausen who's ceiling is higher than Bradford's slides to this pick due to a few questions about his personality and the significant toe injury he played with. I don't feel those concerns will scare off Shanahan who had no problem going with Jay Cutler. Also when a new head coach/regime comes in a new QB almost always follows. Clausen just fits the bill for this team in so many ways, even right down to being an extremely known entity due to playing at ND to a team with an owner that loves making big splashes.

5. Kansas City Chiefs-Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State.

It's hard for me to logically explain this pick as I don't like it. But here goes...
Russell Okung showed up to the combine with the 2nd longest arms and threw up 38 reps at the exact size and weight Todd Haley seems to pine for his OT's to be. On top of that, Pioli is going to do all he can to try to make Cassel look like a good investment. This is a pick that helps Pioli's first big GM move, placates his offensive minded head coach and is a positional value pick in the top 5 that the casual fan base will like, it's an easy pick to make in this market. And no I don't think the Chiefs have any interest in Berry, hope I'm wrong.

6. Seattle Seahawks-Eric Berry, S, Tennessee.

This is a team that is in need of many things but the most important one is playmakers. This team literally has none, Berry fixes that giving them a ballhawk behind a nice LB core. Not to mention he was just coached by Kiffin which makes him an easy transition to what Carroll does.

7. Cleveland Browns-Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee.

I'm changing this pick up a bit, I'll for the moment believe that Haden is going to run the unimpressive 4.5 40 that some project he will, if he does that he won't be a top 10 pick. Mangini doesn't like Shaun Rogers who doesn't play hard all the time or really half the time. Williams I think is much higher on NFL boards than he is by mock boards or fans thoughts of him, I think he's a lock top 12-15 pick. This becomes Clevelands only option if they don't go Haden they can't go OL, they could reach for McClain but Williams makes more sense.

8. Oakland Raiders-Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland.

Campbell is the freakiest of athletes, after that godlike performance he put up at the combine he has to have everyone's attention. I actually don't think this pick is that bad as Campbell has rare physical tools to be something very special. I don't think Bulaga is a good fit here especially after their failure with Gallery and JPP hasn't been athletically freaky enough...yet.

9. Buffalo Bills-Bryan Bulaga-OT, Iowa.

Buffalo is in a bad position here as the 3 players they covet are gone, both QB's and Williams. So they opt for the need pick an OT. I'll go with Bulaga as he fits the mold of what Gailey would like in an OT over the athletic versatility of Williams and the talented but issue ridden Davis.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars-Joe Haden, CB, Florida.

Haden is solid value here even if he runs a sub par 40. Pairing him with Mathis is a really nice corner tandem but on top of that it gives a team that really needs to sell tickets a player from just down the road in Gainesville.

11. Denver Broncos-Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State.

McDaniels essentially trades one troubled WR for another, but with the impeding loss of Marshall this is the pick that has to be made. You'll never win games with Orton and poor skill players. McDaniels also showed a propensity to reach for skill position players with the pick of Moreno last year.

12. Miami Dolphins-Rolando McClain, MLB, Alabama.

McClain most likely won't test out as a clean prospect with his 40 numbers. But Parcells loves LB, notably big bodied guys who have awesome size and McClain checks in as the biggest LB in this class. Solid yet boring pick basically, other options would be JPP and Sergio Kindle but Parcells takes the guy he feels fits and goes with McClain.

13. San Francisco-Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma.

Williams impressive combine showing on top of his athleticism and versatility make him appealing to the 49ers here. Would likely step into RT for this team but may eventually end up at LT. Williams did struggle as a senior after changing sides but that may be due to struggle with injuries and having so much else change around him on the offense as well. Actually very favorably compares to a past OU prospect, Jammal Brown who turned into a very nice NFL LT.

14. Seattle Seahawks-Charles Brown, OT, USC.

A run on OT's still leaves Carroll with the guy he wanted here all along. Brown is very athletic but is not versatile he is strictly a LT at the next level. Essentially a perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme as he just spent 4 years in it, a converted TE, could end up as an elite pass protector as he's very polished in that regard but needs to work on his power and run blocking. After weighing in at over 300lbs at the combine is likely rocketing up NFL teams boards.

15. New York Giants-Brian Price, DT, UCLA.

This teams interior was exposed last year, Price is just to good to pass up here. Didn't get the nationally recognition of Suh and McCoy but is an outstanding player in his own right. In just 3 years had 44.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. Essentially lived in the opponents backfield of the Pac 10. Putting this player on the Giants DL gives them a front line that can create mass havoc.

16. Tennessee Titans-Jason Pierre Paul, DE, South Florida.

The Titans have to get a pass rusher here, after losing Haynesworth they will now lose Vandenbosch, even if they were to bring him back he's 31 and injury prone these days. This team just needs a pass rusher in a bad way, Pierre Paul is a guy who's has a sky is the limit type of upside. The Titans have generally had good success in drafting defensive linemen like this so they take the risk with him here.

17. San Francisco 49ers-CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson.

Just athletically and generally speaking Spiller is worth of possibly top 10 at worst top 15 in this draft but his position and the fact that he's likely a part time player knocks him down a little bit. Just an absolutely electric playmaker that can take the ball to the house at any time from handoffs, kick returns, punt returns and receptions. Gives the 49ers another weapon on their young offensive nucleus.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers-Taylor Mays, S, USC.

Mays natural ability is the kind of thing people talk about joking around, but the way he was used in college drops him a little bit. With proper coaching he could become one of the best in the league and this team has that kind of coaching. With Polamalu going down it showed how soft this team really is at safety and Ryan Clark is injury prone in his own right. Mays is far to good for this team to pass up on.

19. Atlanta Falcons-Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech.

Morgan falls a little bit here due to not having great upside but he's a safe pick for a team that needs all the help on defense it can get. With Abraham getting older, being injury prone and Lawrence Sidbury looking like a situation rusher this is a very solid pick for this team.


20. Houston Texans-Earl Thomas, CB/S, Texas.

Houston has issues at CB with Robinson likely not coming back, they need major upgrades there and at safety. Thomas is an either or type but him falling to this pick is to good for Houston to pass on, they'll start him off at CB as it's a higher valued position.

21. Cincinnati Bengals-Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida.

Yes this team is desperately in need of a WR but for Marvin Lewis Dunlap is just to enticing to pass up. A rare blend of size, speed and athletic gifts, with some character concerns but that has never scared the Bengals. With Odom coming off a major injury and Johnson quite possibly never being a full time starter the Bengals are thrilled Dunlap lasted this long.

22. New England Patriots-Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State.

NE has to fix it's defense and that starts by finding a replacement for Seymour. Odrick is exactly what NE likes in Defensive linemen, 6'5 300lbs with room to add weight and very athletic. Odrick is versatile enough to be outside in 3-4 and inside in rush downs or even in some 4-3.

23. Green Bay Packers-Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers.

Davis blah combine work and his character issues cause him to slide but his talent is still top notch and is far to good for Green Bay to pass on here. OT is one of this teams few needs and Ted Thompson subscribes to the BPA theory and Davis is easily the BPA here and fills a need.

24. Philadelphia Eagles-Everson Griffen, DE, USC.

Calling the Eagles pick is about knowing what the Eagles value, DE is one of their most highly valued things. Griffen is to naturally talented for them to pass on at this pick so they pull the trigger on yet another versatile pass rusher. Would have considered Weatherspoon here but the Eagles devalue LB's.

25. Baltimore Ravens-Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma.

In typical Baltimore fashion they get a complete steal in the 20's. Heap is getting old and can't seem to stay healthy, Gresham gives them versatility and a guy to take over, this is basically stealing a top 15 player due to circumstance.

26. Arizona Cardinals-Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas.

Great value at this pick for the Cards who desperately need a pass rusher with the very marginal players they have playing the position. Kindle should quickly transition into the 3-4 OLB role with experience at both 4-3 OLB and DE.

27. Dallas Cowboys-Mike Iupati, G, Idaho.

Iupati showed in drills at the combine that he is nothing more than a guard which drops him down to late 1st round. That makes the Cowboys thrilled as he is a perfect fit for their offensive line that must get younger.

28. San Diego Chargers-Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State.

With all of the top OT's gone, and having a real pressing need at RB on a win now team they opt for possibly the only 3 down RB in the draft. Matthews is a very good blend of size and speed, he needs to answer durability questions.

29. New York Jets-Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan.

Once again knowing a team is knowing how they draft, Rex Ryan believes you can never have enough pass rushers or CB's. After taking offensive players in the last draft and the trade for Edwards the Jets opt for defense with Graham just being to good to pass up on. The Jets created havoc with blitzes but got very few sacks doing it, Graham gives them a guy who could become their elite rusher.

30. Minnesota Vikings-Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri.

The way this mock plays out makes the Vikings a very happy team. Weatherspoon is better than this spot but his position and the teams between here opt for other needs. He can step right in and play right away likely sending Leber to the bench or off the roster.

31. Indianapolis Colts-Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida.

The Colts must improve on their offensive line, with the top OT's being gone, Pouncey upgrades guard right away and can be Saturday's successor at center.

32. New Orleans Saints-Navarro Bowman, OLB, Penn State.

The Saints sit in a really bad position here as the best players on the board are WR's a position they have no need for. In this spot they would likely trade down and still get the player they want but for mock sake I'll give them Bowman as he can start and upgrade their defense right away.

2nd round

33. St Louis Rams-Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois.

After taking Bradford to have Benn drop into their laps like this has to be pleasantly surprising. Benn has all the tools to be a 1 in the league if he can put it together consistently.

34. Detroit Lions-Jahvid Best, RB, Cal.

The one position on offense this team has no explosion is RB, they surely don't have it now with Kevin Smith's injury, hell they didn't have it with him. This is great value for the Lions to get a player with Best's big play ability here, the OT's don't warrant the pick and this is another playmaker for Stafford to work with.

35. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Golden Tate, WR, ND.

A little short but his blazing 40 and return ability keep him high in the 2nd round, Tampa will likely be losing Antonio Bryant shortly and with having a young QB it's very important to have weapons.

36. Kansas City Chiefs-Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama.

The Chiefs need for a nose has them taking Cody here. Honestly I think this is a pretty good pick and a no brainer that this will happen should be slide to this pick.

37. Washington Redskins-Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale

This pick to me is about fit, Veldheer is big and athletic enough for the Shanahan scheme, the only thing he doesn't have is really long arms but his are good enough. Washington needs an OT in the worst way with their OL in shambles.

38. Cleveland Browns-Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona.

Gronkowski is a very good player who needs to prove he's back from injury if he does that he's a steal at this pick for a team that needs any kind of offensive players it can find.

39. Oakland Raiders-Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State.

Now I personally like Robinson, he has blazing speed and is a great athlete, he's comfortable matched up man on man as that's how FSU played. He's comfortable covering speed receivers but struggles a bit with size guys, but he's a CB the Raiders will love because of the speed, solid pick for a team that needs a CB.

40. Seattle Seahawks-Damian Williams, WR, USC.

With the Seahawks likely losing Burleson in FA this year and really having nothing after Houshmandzadeh with the failure of Branch, Carroll takes a WR he's familiar with in Williams. Williams is very polished and ready to go right away. He likely profiles out as a very good #2 WR, somewhat like the Giants Steve Smith another SC product and if he fully maximizes what he has maybe a poor mans Reggie Wayne. Williams can also help on punt returns.

41. Buffalo Bills-Cam Thomas, NT, North Carolina.

After missing out on an NT in the 1st round they go with Thomas here as they must fill the position, they don't have anyone that can play NT on the current roster. Thomas is quickly rising up the boards as of now and this seems like a good spot for him.

42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State.

Solid value pick here, Wilson was very impressive down at the senior bowl but likely won't have jaw dropping workout numbers, solid compromise slot for a team that needs CB help badly.

43. Miami Dolphins-Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU.

With the cutting of Porter and the age of Taylor this is a need pick, Hughes has a transition to make but he is athletic with a very good motor.

44. New England Patriots-Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson.

Sapp is another very tall DE/OLB tweener who fits the mold of the type of guy NE would want outside. Fast and explosive but a little light for his height but at 6'5 240 he has the frame to get bigger, NE desperately needs to find guys to put pressure on the QB.

45. Denver Broncos-Coorey Wooten, DE, Northwestern.

Pretty much a no brainer pick, 5 tech 3-4 end, solid fit.

46. NY Giants-Chad Jones, S, LSU.

Jones is freakish in his ability, more SS than FS, the future with Kenny Phillips is unknown but if he comes back he could slide to FS. The Giants frankly opt for the best secondary player available.

47. New England Patriots-Brandon Lafell, WR, LSU.

With the impeding loss of Moss, the Welker injury and how much playing time Sam Aiken saw it's imperative this team find another WR. Lafell had a disappointing 40 at the combine but was good in all of the WR drills, he drops a bit but should still be a good NFL WR.

48. Carolina Panthers-Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati.

Gilyard would upgrade this teams return game and might be able to be the #2 WR by the start of the season, they are very thin at WR, solid value for a team with a very stale passing game.

49. San Francisco 49ers-Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina.

This is an outstanding pick, they get a rushbacker that has been playing rushbacker for his entire college career, with this draft the 49ers have now picked up 3 guys who can help them right away.

50. Kansas City Chiefs-Brandon Spikes-MLB, Florida.

After missing out on McClain the Chiefs grab Spikes who is a very similar player for the 3-4, speed concerns drop him to this pick. Is likely only a 2 down 3-4 thumper LB at the NFL level.

51. Houston Texas-Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas.

After missing out on Price in the first they get Lamarr Houston here, a nice consolation prize as Houston is a very nice player who is very underrated.

52. Pittsburgh Steelers-J.D. Walton, C, Baylor.

A 300+lb center in the mold of what the Steelers like out of their offensive linemen. Jeff Hartings isn't getting any younger and with the injuries they've had on the interior line this is a nice fit.

53. New England Patriots-Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon.

With the impeding loss of Ben Watson this team has to make a move at TE. Dickson while not being the athletic freak Watson was, is a very consistent pass catch has a very nice frame and gets the job done.

54. Cincinnati Bengals-Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech.

The Bengals didn't get the receiver they needed in the first but catch a break here. Thomas foot injury and questions about route running cause him to slide into this spot. He is a bit of a project because he needs to learn how to run proper routes coming out of an option scheme but things like that don't scare the Bengals.

55. Philadelphia Eagles-Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech.

Sean Jones is likely off this team and Macho Harris was very blah as a starter. Burnett has a knack for making plays and is capable of playing both safety spots, they go for Burnett who still has considerable upside over the maxed out and older Nate Allen.

56. Green Bay Packers-Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State.

With the age of Woodson and Harris along with the Harris injury this is a nice pick. Provided Harris and Pat Lee stay healthy next year Cox can be brought along slowly maybe contributing in the return game but he has very good potential.

Loving it, dude. Great effort.

Are they Browns taking Williams because they are trading Shaun Rogers to us?

Ha no, honestly speaking they'll probably take Haden but I wanted to try something a little different because if Haden really does run a 4.5 they won't take him 7.

Rogers is lazy and I think they might just get rid of him.

That said, you really don't think Cody is climbing up into the 1st?

Pretty good draft for Detroit and its a selling tickets one for the Rams.

Nah I don't, he's still 350lbs which makes him only an option for the 3-4 teams and I see San Diego feeling they have bigger fish to fry right now.

I absolutely cannot see Cody sliding to our 2a pick.

I mean, really. REALLY. 350-380 lbs, and he destroyed in college.

NTs are like QBs -- you simply don't pass one. There is no way Cody falls to our 2a pick.

I bet Minnesota takes him to hedge their bets with Pat Williams. He's a Charger.

The Jets take him to hedge their bets on the always-injured Kris Jenkins. SOMETHING.

But no chance he falls all this way.

The Vikings run a cover 2 variant...Terrence Cody is 1 dimensional he wouldn't even fit there. And the Jets have a shit ton of money tied up in Jenkins and played solid defense without him late this year...

Cody is what he is but he's going in the 2nd round due to how heavily 1 dimensional he is.

I'd be surprised if the Bolts take a RB in the first. LT was taken by his predecessor. Sproles was a 4th rounder and Turner was a 5th. Sure they’ve had lots of dud RBs picked since in that range but, IMO, AJ and Co. will wait until the 3rd to 5th to get their guy.
Other than that, nice prognostication. (If I were Pioli I'd take Berry but Okung is the safe and unsexy pick)

I SWEAR TO GOD.

I MEAN IT. I WILL SWEAR TO MY LORD AND SAVIOR.

IF THE CHIEFS TAKE OKUNG OVER ERIC BERRY I WILL JUMP OUT OF THE TALLEST WINDOW OF THE TALLEST TOWER IN MY TOWN.

I SWEAR TO GOD. I WILL DO IT.

I don't think the Chiefs have any interest in taking Eric Berry, I also think if San Diego wants a RB it has to come early, this is a very blah RB class, a lot of role player types.

Taking Okung to protect Cassel would just further illustrate how absolutely crippling his acquisition was for this franchise.

Uhh.. the Vikings run a 4-3... they wouldn't draft Cody.

I think my logic with it is sound, Pioli needs to protect his investment he doesn't want to have to admit his first big decision was a ****up.

I'm sure you've explained this many times, but why would the Chiefs not be interested in Berry?

BTW - Why would we take a blah RB in the 1st when we could get one in the 5th?

The Vikings are taking a LB or a CB, depends what's there.

Just don't see it, Pioli's history says he values big fat bodies with his high picks and it's a deep safety class on top of it.

Sunk costs lead to bad decisions.

Hence the expression, "throwing good money after bad".

If he drafts Okung, I'll keep my signature as "Mother**** You, Scott Pioli" until his ass is fired in 2028.

I don't like it either but I think it's pretty likely at this point.

Okung threw up an awesome workout and came in at the precise size and had the arm length, and on top of that McClain isn't a clean prospect, all signs as of now pointing to Okung.

I see Pioli trading up to #1 overall, taking Cody then having Crennel swich to a 4-3 just to **** with you guys.

I know you are only speculating on the likelihood of it happening.

Still, it's infuriating to think that after 20 years of Carl, we get rewarded with Bill Belichick's dingleberries.

Spoon to the Vikes? Ugh, that would make that D even better. It's alright, I have him going to the Eagles.

Dez Bryant might be Buffalo's pick despite their need for O Line help.
(Man that'd piss off Denver)

If you switched Benn and Bryant's conferences, people's attitudes on this site would flip with it.

As the young people said last year "True that"

The Eagles don't value that position, they always have no name LB's and never use high picks on it.

The easiest way to get an Eagles pick right, give them a lineman.

Here's another ?:

If St. Louis drafts a QB in the first, that will mean that we've gone longer w/o drafting a 1st round QB than any team but the Saints.

Also, if we pass, we will have had 3 straight top 5 selections and never once spent one on a QB

You could hurt your ankles!

That's what it's like being a Chiefs fan, Drew Brees will retire and the Saints will draft a QB before this team does.

I like Cam Thomas and hope he gets no hype so we can take him in the 3rd.
High second is a stretch to me at this point

To many teams are switching to a 3-4, they get overvalued now so the importance of the big fat guys becomes magnified as the 2nd round starts.

Does it pain you to give up Mays to the Steelers at 18 in this mock?

No not really because Mays will be properly coached there and get the most out of his talent.

I think this is probably the greatest Safety prospect class of all time. It's amazing.

Mays, to me, is an oddity in terms of athletic ability vs. suitability.
With the crude thinking amongst most D Coordinators and position coaches in the NFL, I would think he wouldn’t stand much of a chance of proving his worth.
The short mindedness of NFL coaches never ceases to amaze me.

Ok I'm updated through the Chiefs 2 2nd round picks.

Your being generous to us other than the 1st round pick.

Nah I think Spikes will fall, he's going to run like a 4.8 he'll only be on the boards of 3-4 teams and ILB has less value than the rush backer.

What I really meant was that your not going all "character" players on us, or drafting the "right 53" and all the garabage. Spikes has character flaws.

I think that right 53 thing is a bullshit line he threw out as an excuse when he wants to reach, all teams that win have talent.

How does Spikes have character flaws? The ****ing guy tried to gouge out a guy's eyeball in a pile. That's not a character flaw for a middle linebacker, that's a bonus. I'll take "mean as shit" from a middle linebacker every single time. Bill Romanowski went to five Super Bowls and won four of them and was hands down the meanest ****er of his day. I'll take a guy that scares the shit out of people on the field. Ray-Ray, Urlacher, Butkus, Nitschke, Romo, etc. All the great ones were just mean as hell. I hope that they draft Spikes, and keep him in a cage, feed him raw meat and poke him with sticks. This defense needs an attitude.

Mecca I will bet you casino cash the Chiefs won't draft Okung.

I bet Odrick goes higher and Pittsburgh either drafts a guy like the kid from Idaho or draft a guy like Thomas to play CB.

Looks solid Mecca. I think Houston will have a chance to go a lot higher depending upon what Detroit or Tampa Bay do in the first. I think either team is seriously considering taking Okung and them grabbing a guy like Houston or Odrick or the like at the top of the second or a guy like Alualu, Jones or Neal in the third. Pretty good draft for 4-3 defensive tackles.

I also think Gronkowski cost himself some money by deciding to not participate in drills at the combine even though he was cleared medically. Pitta tore it up, especially in the all-important agility drills, and most of the tight end class looked really good. I don't know if he's second round material at this point.

I don't agree with you on JPP. I know he's got the natural athletic ability, but he really didn't show enough on the field to warrant a first round selection. I think teams are going to look at him like they did with Michael Johnson in last years draft. All the potential, crazy length, but didn't do much with it at the college level. I think his lack of experience will be factored in as well.

I'd agree with you that Mathews has to be a heavy consideration for the Chargers in the first round. He had a monster career at San Diego and is built like and has the same skill set as Tomlinson. With the Chargers willing to let Sproles test free agency, they might be looking for an all-purpose back versus a bigger guy like Dwyer. Mathews could be plugged into their offense immediately and produce.

Ballsy reach for Dan Williams. Their secondary was atrocious and I can't see them going for Williams if Berry or Haden were available, but it's plausible.

I'd rather they not draft him but that's where I'm putting it right now.

Anyway Gilyards stock slips a little? He's not very big and ran a pretty slow 40.

The only way the Chiefs don't draft Okung is if he's already been picked, which is a distinct possibility considering the state of the Lions and Bucs offensive lines. Detroit doesn't want Stafford to see the IR again. Ever. And the Bucs offensive line is so bad that people in Kansas City think they have a bad line.

You have to know these teams, the Steelers actually like their line and used a relatively high pick on Urbik last year and when is the last time they used a high pick on a CB?

Oh yea never.

Also I'm giving Gronkowski an edge because of his arm length and blocking upside, Pita's arm length all but assures he'll never be a full time TE, maybe a flex type.

How many picks did there secondary have last year? Thomas is a great pick because not only can he play corner he's a damn good safety. Why would the Steelers draft Mays when they have Polamalu and Clark?

Slow, not very big and his numbers came from a pure spread system in a weaker conference. Not a good sign for Gilyard. Teams will look at the Florida game and see where Haden absolutely dominated him one on one. I mean, what Haden did to Gilyard in that game was brutal.

Because Ryan Clark is kinda shitty and has a tendency to get injured and is at the end of his contract and the Steelers rarely resign players, especially ones like him.

Mays is also a perfect compliment to Polamalu.

I don't think Thomas is a safety at the NFL level honestly, he isn't a good fit for the Steelers, he doesn't defend the run, he's a finesse guy he'd be a CB on that team.

Hmm well they did draft 2 CB's last year. I would still be willing to bet they draf Iupatai. I looked on the Steelers message board it seems split between Mays and Anthony Davis.

I don't see them taking Iupati, Kemwhatever isn't very old and they just took Urbik with a 3rd rounder, the Steelers actually plan for those guys to play.

I think they will take a center in the 2nd or 3rd with Hartings age but Mays is to good of a value to pass up and he is a fit for what they do.

It's interesting you have JD Walton being picked in round 2 I thought he was a 4th round pick. Did his draft stock go up? Anyway it's cool that you did this write up it must have taken forever. You going to make another mock before the draft?

I might, things will likely change...

I'm going to disagree with you on Pitta. The 3/4" that he's short on his arm length (33" being the "standard") isn't going to hurt him as he has a long torso and has the intangibles and instincts in the receiving game to make up for the minimal physical shortcoming.

I just think that Gronkowski's injury history and his unwillingness to participate in the combine is going to hurt him, especially in this incredibly deep and talented tight end class. Everyone talks about the depth of safeties, but this TE class is insane. I'm so glad we traded a pick away for O'Connell last year and Carl thought that taking Cottam in the third was a good idea.

Swap Okung out for Berry...
And that's one hell of a way to start the draft for this team.

Berry, Cody and Spikes?
Sign me the **** up...

Nice knowing you, dude.

my thought too

adding talent to every level of the defense, right up the middle...we'd get better fast

still need a pass rusher, but first things first

Mecca,

Good job on the mock. I don't like the idea of OT with our #1 pick, but am conditioning myself for if it happens. I think your picks for us in the second round are a home run. I think Cody fits here better than anyone else. Spikes would bring emotion and attitude.

Mecca,
Do you see any movement by teams in the 1st rd this year? I assume Pioli's first move will "always" to be to try to trade out of the 5th pos. if he can.

Your statement about 3/4 fat guys being overvalued because many teams are going to that scheme, I do agree with. Also Shanny and McKid will be competing for a QB IMO. Shanny has no problem taking a QB in the first and although McKid would rather wait, I feel that what he has done to the Broncs in his first yr he can't afford to stay with Orton. Both will be competing for either Brad or Clausen depending how they fall in the draft.

With that being said, I feel that we 'might' be in a decent place to trade down and take advantage of Shanny's need and Synder's impulsiveness. Shanny will want to stick it to Bowlen and beat McKid to whatever QB falls to us. Also as you said about the overvalued 3/4 fat guys I think we are in a good position to trade down with that idea as well.

Your thoughts?

I would honestly rather see Berry, Cam Thomas and Spikes.

My bad Mecca,
Totally spaced the fact that Wash is ahead of us in the draft. Obviously disregard the Shanny question.

However what about trading down due to the overvalued 3/4 fat guys?

So Mecca, how does this change your mock draft? I think I am going to have Mays going to the Seahawks.

The Chiefs will draft ether Jimmy Clausen or Rolando McClain.

McClain! Please not. I'm off the McClain wagon after his latest crap. He should fall into the middle of the 1st or something. But your probably right.

Our third round pick out performed our top 3 pick in every single area at the combine... I don't think Pioli gives a shit about what happens at the combine.

Thats why I said your probably right. I just don't like the idea of it anymore.

Ro lost value to some of us that were pulling for him because I wanted to see him showcase his competitiveness and run his best time with a smile. Him pulling out was not the right choice at all in my eyes. I would rather see him put up a 4.8 than not compete when his competitors are all doing so.

I cant believe he took the fifth amendment...

I am going to do my own 3 round mock this year and see how much better I do than the resident draft gurus on the mock draft.

After last year i would not be surprised if we take Dan Williams at 5.

KcRock stole one of my new picks in his mock, I think Kyle Wilson to Atlanta is a pretty good possibility now and I'd probably slide Weatherspoon up to the Giants.

:p