Thelast few days have not been good news for quarterbacks hoping to bedrafted in the first round. Many suspected that the Cardinals or Billscould look to add a first round signal caller, but they have acquiredCarson Palmer and Kevin Kolb respectively. Likewise the Raiders addedMatt Flynn, and the Jaguars, Browns, and Jets all seem to be looking indifferent directions with their first round selections.
At this point, I believe the Eagles and the Bills are the only teams that could look at taking a quarterback at their current selections, and I do not see them using the #4 and #8 spots to take one.
As a result, there are no quarterbacks in this first round mock draft. It is very possible that a team could trade up back into the first round for one, but this does not have any projected trades. Geno Smith, Tyler Eifert, Sam Montgomery, and Margus Hunt are the four prospects in the top 32 on the Big Board that look like they could slide out of the defense-heavy first round.
1. Kansas City, OT Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M)– Despite tagging Albert, it looks like KC is intent on taking Joeckel or Fisher #1, and, right now, Joeckel wins out.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars, DE/OLB Dion Jordan (Oregon)– The Jags definitely need a pass rusher and Jordan is the draft’s most intriguing. This could be a spot for Geno Smith, but most believe Jacksonville will give Gabbert one more year.
3. Oakland Raiders, DT Star Lotulelei (Utah)- Fisher, Ansah, and Milliner could get looks here, but ultimately I think Oakland will address the middle of their defense. In a close contest between Lotulelei and Floyd, the player with slightly more upside and less maturity concerns wins out. The Raiders select the Breitbart Big Board’s #1 prospect.
4. Philadelphia Eagles, CB Dee Milliner (Alabama)– The Eagles could look at an offensive tackle or they could even address the quarterback position by taking Smith. However, Milliner is the surest selection to improve their team this year.
5. Detroit Lions, OT Eric Fisher (Central Michigan)– Matthew Stafford has one of the best arms in the NFL, and, if Fisher falls in their laps, the Lions would be fools to pass.
6. Cleveland Browns, DE Ezekiel Ansah (BYU)- The Browns are desperate to improve their pass rush, and Ansah has the potential to be an elite force off the edge.
7. Arizona Cardinals, OT Lane Johnson (Oklahoma)– Adding Palmer gives the Cardinals their best quarterback since Kurt Warner, and taking Geno Smith here does not make as much sense anymore. Taking Johnson, an elite offensive tackle, should give the stationary Palmer the chance to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald.
8. Buffalo Bills, WR Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee)– I had a hard time not projecting Smith at this spot, but the Bills could be intent on addressing that need in the second round and taking an elite receiver in the first.
9. New York Jets, OLB Barkevious Mingo (LSU)– The Jets have assembled a team of fledgling quarterbacks and could use Smith, however, adding a force like Mingo could make more sense.
10. Tennessee Titans, OG Chance Warmack (Alabama)– If available, almost everyone sees Warmack to the Titans as a nearly done deal.
11. San Diego Chargers, OG Jonathan Cooper (North Carolina)– The Chargers want and need significant OL help right away. Cooper is just a step below Warmack.
12. Miami Dolphins, CB Xavier Rhodes (Florida State)– Miami will not have to look out of state to find the elite corner they desperately need.
13. Tampa Bay Bucs, DT Sharrif Floyd (Florida)– Landing Floyd at this spot would be an incredible get for Tampa Bay as the former Gator could remind many of a legendary former Hurricane who brought the Bucs to prominence.
14. Carolina Panthers, WR Keenan Allen (Cal)– Sheldon Richardson would get some very serious looks here, but the Panthers need to realize that this team will only be as good as Cam Newton allows them to be. Adding a receiver the caliber of Allen gives Newton a receiving weapon he really needs.
15. New Orleans Saints, LB Jarvis Jones (Georgia)– If Jones can stay healthy and continue to produce as he did at Georgia, the Saints could be getting a major bargain at this spot.
16. St. Louis Rams, S Kenny Vaccaro (Texas)– The Rams have a severe need at the safety position, and most consider Vaccaro the best.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers, LB Kevin Minter (LSU)– Numerous reports of locker room dissention in Pittsburgh indicate the Steelers would be smart to go with Minter over the immature Ogletree.
18. Dallas Cowboys, DT Sheldon Richardson (Missouri)– The Cowboys have made some interesting decisions over the years, but taking Richardson here would simply be smart.
19. New York Giants, DE Tank Carradine (Florida State)– This choice likely comes down to Carradine, Werner, or a middle linebacker. In the end, I think they add the elite pass rusher who many consider more talented than Werner who, so far, has received a bit more attention.
20. Chicago Bears, LB Alec Ogletree (Georgia)– With Urlacher gone, the Bears opt for the most talented linebacker in the class.
21. Cincinnati Bengals, S John Cyprien (Florida International)– One of the toughest spots to project, but Cyprien is rising rapidly and would fit well in this spot.
22. St. Louis Rams, WR Tavon Austin (West Virginia)– The dynamic playmaker should make Bradford forget the loss of Amendola.
23. Minnesota Vikings, LB Manti Te’o (Notre Dame)– Te’o is not a first round talent in my opinion, but Minnesota seems like a team that may be willing to pull the trigger.
24. Indianapolis Colts, DE Bjoern Werner (Florida State)– For the Colts, this is a slam dunk pick to fall in their lap and allow them to replace Freeney.
25. Minnesota Vikings, WR Justin Hunter (Tennessee)– After dealing Harvin, the Vikings need to give Ponder a receiving target. Hunter is a big play prospect who would bolster the Vikings offense.
26. Green Bay Packers, RB Eddie Lacy (Alabama)– Green Bay needs an elite running back, and Lacy would be a stellar addition to take some pressure off Aaron Rodgers.
27. Houston Texans, WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson)– Andre Johnson is not getting any younger and Hopkins gets him some help while he develops into his eventual replacement.
28. Denver Broncos, CB Desmond Trufant (Washington)– John Elway has taken a very intelligent approach to building this team and Trufant may be the best available player. Datone Jones, Sam Montgomery, or Arthur Brown could get a look here.
29. New England Patriots, DE Datone Jones (UCLA)– Jones is a versatile lineman that would be a great addition to the Patriots. Margus Hunt is another possible selection for this spot.
30. Atlanta Falcons, CB Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State)– The former Bulldog ran poorly at the Combine, but his on the field production last year was undeniable. Banks gives the Falcons a replacement for Dunta Robinson. Tyler Eifert could be taken to be groomed as the next Tony Gonzalez.
31. San Francisco 49ers, S Matt Elam (Florida)– San Francisco has developed one of the best franchises in the NFL, but their secondary needs some work. Elam is a fierce playmaker from the safety position and is an immediate upgrade.
32. Baltimore Ravens, LB Arthur Brown (Kansas State)– This is almost the perfect scenario for the defending Super Bowl champs. If Brown falls here, the Ravens can secure the middle of their defense for years to come.
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