Mocking the GM’s – Who They Should Draft

The purpose of this mock draft is not to predict who each team will pick, but who they should pick. If you’re looking for who the likely choice will be, check out the site for Carl’s latest Mock. He’s plugged into and drilled down on all the rumors coming from all the teams’ camps.

1. CAROLINA PANTHERS: PATRICK PETERSON, CB, LSU

They can’t afford to get this pick wrong and neither QB is worthy, or more importantly, a sure thing. I believe they should go with Peterson. Dareus would be another good choice. They can add competition at QB later in the draft.

2. DENVER BRONCOS: MARCELL DAREUS DT, ALABAMA

Mike Fox is going D, so if Peterson is taken by the Panthers he will be happy to settle for “Dareus” and put his stamp on this defense.

3. BUFFALO BILLS: VON MILLER, OLB, Texas A&M

Another team who should forget about a QB in round 1. The Bills D needs help and more importantly it needs playmakers. Miller is the best defensive playmaker in the draft. He’ll be the Bills best pass rusher since Bruce Smith.

4. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

The Bengals need a complete makeover, especially the entire offense. Regardless of who they pick the Bengals are in for a rough season and Newton emerging might be the only thing that keeps Marvin Lewis employed after another pathetic showing. If they end up with the #1 pick next season, Andrew Luck will probably opt for a 5^th college season! So if Cam bombs they’re in the same place they’d be anyway!

5. ARIZONA CARDINALS: ROBERT QUINN, DE, NORTH CAROLINA

If the Board does unfold this way it will be very interesting to see what the Cards do here. I understand the Cards need a QB and Gabbert could very well be the selection, but personally I’m not sold on him, so I go with Quinn and address a glaring weakness at pass rush.

6. CLEVELAND BROWNS: A.J. GREEN, WR, GEORGIA

Possibly the most talented player in the draft. Ultra-athletic & highly productive. They stole Peyton Hillis from the Broncos, so running back isn’t a priority. As I’ve stated I am a Colt McCoy fan, but he needs a playmaker at wideout.

7. SAN FRANCISCO 49ER’S: BLAINE GABBERT, QB, MISSOURI

I haven’t wavered on this pick since my first Mock. The obvious weak point on this team is QB. The 49ER’s are ready to win now, but they won’t get to that next level with the likes of Alex Smith at the helm. They could still go for someone like Donovan McNabb but I think that Jim Harbaugh will also want to start with a young QB with a ton of talent.

8. TENNESSEE TITANS: CAMERON JORDAN, DE, CAL.

A lot of people have Fairley going here. Too many questions for a new regime and a team that has gotten burnt on first round busts. They could go Watt here as well. Both players will be good, but safe picks at this spot.

9. DALLAS COWBOYS: TYRON SMITH, OT, SOUTHERN CAL.

Unless Peterson, Bowers or Miller falls, which I don’t see happening, they would and should trade down. All the offensive lineman are fairly similar, grade-wise so why not trade down and get an extra pick? Since I am not doing a trade-draft I have to make a pick so I go with Smith, because of his age.

10. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: J.J. WATT, DE, WISCONSIN

Snyder really wants Newton & Shanahan is relieved he doesn’t have to deal with that mess. Watt is a high-energy, high-productivity guy that won’t give Shanahan any problems.

11. HOUSTON TEXANS: PRINCE AMUKAMARA, CB, NEBRASKA

The Texans need help all over the defense. Cup Cake Boy gets his wish with a potential shutdown corner. Amukamara didn’t have a lot of INT’s, but he doesn’t get a lot of chances either.

12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: DA’QUAN BOWERS DE, CLEMSON

With the McNabb rumors heating up, which I believe is a mistake, they skip QB for now and take a gamble on Bowers. The gamble is that he doesn’t miss his rookie season with a knee injury. Talent and production wise they are getting a top 5 pick.

13. DETROIT LIONS: NATE SOLDER, OT, COLORADO

The Lions need to keep Stafford upright in order for him to take the next step. Solder is coming on and addresses a major need. Solder is athletic and smart and will quickly put a smile on Stafford’s face.

14. ST. LOUIS RAMS: JULIO JONES, WR, ALABAMA

The Rams are ecstatic Jones is still there. They need a threat on the outside to compliment Bradford and Jackson. Jones is a stud and many believe a better wideout than A.J. Green.

15. MIAMI DOLPHINS: JAKE LOCKER QB, WASHINGTON

They really want Ingram but his knee problem and their history with first round running backs with knee problems keeps them away (for now). They also realize Chad Henne is not the answer so go with Locker who is an exceptional athlete and leader.

16. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: RYAN KERRIGAN, DE, PURDUE

The Jags need someone who can consistently pressure the QB. Kerrigan’s motor never stops and has a great work ethic that should fit right in on this team. Players play for Jack Del Rio and Kerrigan has “sack” & “leadership” written all over him.

17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: NICK FAIRLEY, DT, AUBURN

The Pats are going for it all next season and with 2 # 1’s they can afford to take a chance on Fairley’s potential. Fairley was once a top 5 pick but as questions arose and then he missed some meetings, his stock began to drop. With this team and regime he could explode!

18. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: ALDON SMITH, OLB, MISSOURI

The Chargers have a very good D, but need to generate more pressure on the passer. Smith should be able to handle that task with gusto. Smith is a sack machine who lives in opposing backfields and is a steal for the Chargers at #18.

19. NEW YORK GIANTS: AKEEM AYERS, OLB, UCLA

No change from my first Mock. The Giants have been looking for linebackers for the last five years and will be pleasantly surprised to find the ultra-athletic and versatile Ayers still there at #19. The Giants have a bevy of talent along their defensive line and a solid secondary. Ayers could be the missing link in the middle.

20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: ADRIAN CLAYBORN, DE, IOWA

The up and coming Bucs lack anyone who can consistently pressure the QB. Clayborn is similar to Kerrigan because of his high-motor and productivity. The pieces are lining up for the Bucs but can they leapfrog the Pack and Bears?

21. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: ANTHONY CASTONZO, OT, BC

No change from my first Mock. Castonzo is exactly what the Doctor and Matt Cassel need. The Chiefs also have a need a wide receiver. Given Todd Haley’s stormy history with T.O., I doubt they bring in someone like Randy Moss, so they will have to address this position later on in the draft.

22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: MIKE POUNCEY, OG, FLORIDA

No change from my first Mock. The Colts need Pouncey’s kind of toughness. He wants to play center in the NFL, but that might not happen right away. Ideally the Colts would prefer a tackle at this spot but Pouncey is tough, talented and a winner. His pedigree doesn’t hurt either.

23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: GABE CARIMI, OT, WISCONSIN

The Eagles seem to draft an offensive or defensive lineman every season. Since they went D-line last year, this year they should go O-line to be consistent. Carimi is a perfect Eagle, big, nasty and outspoken.

24. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: DEREK SHERROD, OT, MISS. ST.

The Saints don’t have any glaring needs. They could use some depth and youth in the secondary but Sean Payton is smart enough to avoid the talented CB’s available due to their character concerns. I would recommend trading down to acquire additional; future picks like the Pats do. If they stand pat, they should go with Sherrod. Sherrod is a massive man who is athletic for his size and is one of the few kids who really has his head screwed on right

25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: JUSTIN HOUSTON, OLB, GEORGIA

They were hoping that local product Locker would slide and are leery of any of the other QB’s projected in round 1 so the Seahawks should go with Houston. Houston is an athletic player who can get to the QB.

26. BALTIMORE RAVENS: COREY LIUGET, DT, ILLINIOS

Liuget can play inside and outside in the 3-4 scheme and will give the Ravens versatlty and youth along the defensive line.

27. ATLANTA FALCONS: TORREY SMITH, WR, MARYLAND

The Falcons would have loved to have Carimi at this spot because this team needs a little mental toughness but Smith should also fill a need opposite Roddy White. There are no major holes to fill as I write this, so they should also consider trading own and acquire future or additional picks.

28. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: BROOKS REED, DE, ARIZONA

Does this guy look like an edge rusher in the Pats 4-3 scheme or what? The Pats put Reed next to Fairley and they turn them loose on the rest of the AFC East.

29. CHICAGO BEARS: AaRON WILLIAMS, CB, TEXAS

With no WR or offensive lineman worth this spot I think the Bears should trade down. Usually around this spot teams are looking to get back into round 1. If they stay pat Williams is a solid pick who will strengthen their secondary.

30. NEW YORK JETS: JIMMY SMITH, CB, COLORADO

The Jets need a pass rusher but Rex loves cornerbacks and Smith is super talented. With his various issues he will be just another member of the circus. There are also questions of whether Cromartie will be back.

31. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: MARVIN AUSTIN, DL, NORTH CAROLINA

No major needs for the Steelers at this point. Their defensive line is not getting any younger and is not a strength. They should also consider Brandon Harris at this spot.

32. GREEN BAY PACKERS: JON BALDWIN, WR, Pittsburgh

No change from my previous mock. Despite winning the super bowl and seeming to have a lot of depth at wideout, Rodgers and company could not have been too happy with all the dropsies the receiving corps had. Baldwin is a big man with good football speed. Baldwin did not run well at the combine but plays a lot faster.