NFL Mock Draft 4/10 Part II

17. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davis: The 49ers still get their tackle, and Davis has the ability to be an elite one. San Fran is a good fit for him as well since he can at least start his career on the right side and not have to focus on protecting the blindside.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati: The Steelers have ignored their offensive line for too long and that should end with the Iupati pick. I can’t see how the Steelers could pass him up if he’s still on the board. While many are saying he could kick out to right tackle, I think Iupati should play inside where he can develop into an elite guard.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Graham: Graham might fits best as a 3-4 OLB, but don’t count him out as a DE. He plays with ferocity and should be a major upgrade to the Falcons pass rush.

20. Houston Texans: Ryan Mathews: Corner back is a serious option here, but its a very deep corner draft, meaning they can address that need in round 2. The Texans other big need is a complete running back to pair with Slaton. Spiller, Best, McCluster and McKnight don’t fit that need, leaving Mathews as the only running back in the top 2 rounds that really fits that bill. I think Mathews will thrive in Houston and turn that offense into an elite unit.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Gresham: Despite having Carson Palmer and Ochocinco the Bengals passing game really was never a threat last year. Adding Antonio Bryant was a great first step to fixing the passing attack, but Palmer still needs more weapons. Unless the Bengals trade for a young tight end, Gresham will be their pick. With Gresham and Bryant in the starting lineup there is no reason the Bengals passing attack can’t be a top unit.

22. New England Patriots: Sergio Kindle: I could see the Pats reaching for a receiver or taking C.J. Spiller, but they have such a need on defense I’m not sure how they ignore it. Given their 3 2nd round picks New England can either trade or draft their needs at TE, WR, and RB. Kindle will give New England a excellent pass rushing prospect, and help New England get back to Patriots football. Remember when the Patriots were winning Super Bowls it was their defense that carried them and not their offense.

23. Green Bay Packers: Bruce Campbell: If the Raiders don’t take Campbell he could be in for a fall. He’s a very raw tackle prospect, but has the athletic tools to dominate. Pick 23 could be a little high for him but the Packers are desperate for offensive line help, and in a tough spot. All the top tackles are gone, and it is probably a bit high for Campbell or Brown, but I don’t see how they don’t grab one of them. Pouncey is an option since he can start from day one on the interior, but they have no depth at tackle and a lot of age and injury history with their starters.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Wilson: Eagles could luck out here if Wilson is still available. It’s a deep corner draft so I believe a number of teams ahead of them that need corners will wait till rounds 2-4 to address their needs and take another need in round 1. If so the Eagles will get an excellent corner in Wilson, who will replace Sheldon Brown quite nicely.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Kareem Jackson: The Ravens could go in a number of ways here, but I don’t see them grabbing a receiver with this pick. Their defense is aging pretty quickly and could use an influx of talent. An OLB or SS here wouldn’t surprise me either. Jackson is the top corner on the board and will be a top starter for the Ravens. I’d look for Baltimore to address their TE/WR needs in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

26. Arizona Cardinals: Sean Weatherspoon: This pick will come down to either OL, CB, or ILB. While there are a number of good linemen and corners to pick from I’d look for the Cardinals to get creative here. They could take a true rush linebacker like Hughes here, but their biggest need is inside. Paris Lenon can’t be a starter for a team with playoff hopes. Weatherspoon could kick inside and be a very effective linebacker. He is more of a mid-first round talent, but will likely fall this far given other needs and the depth of the draft.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Charles Brown: Cowboys were probably sweating this pick because a number of teams ahead of them could grab Brown. With the release of Flozell Adams OT is the Cowboys top need, and Brown has a nice skill set, and the potential to become an all-pro tackle. Safety is also a possibility here with Taylor Mays still on the board.

28. San Diego Chargers: C.J. Spiller: I know everyone has him mocked higher, but running backs in general have been falling, in much weaker draft classes then this one, and speed backs have even taken a further tumble. I know teams like the Seahawks and 49ers could pull the trigger given their multiple 1st round picks, but I think they have bigger needs and Spiller will fall. Others will say Spiller doesn’t make sense in San Diego, given the presence of Sproles, but Sproles is not long for the Chargers and was only retained because they had no idea about the future of their running game. Sproles is getting paid over $7 million this season and he can’t even run the football. Don’t get me wrong he is an excellent weapon catching the ball and in the return game, but he can’t carry the load. Spiller might not be a 300 carry back, or a short yardage guy, but he can run between the tackles some. He can carry the ball 15-20 times a game and become the primary weapon next season when the Chargers are forced to let Sproles leave in free agency.

29. New York Jets: Demaryius Thomas: Thomas I believe will be the best receiver out of this draft class. He’s still raw in areas and coming off a foot injury so I don’t think he’ll be grabbed higher then this spot. He has all the tools to be an elite receiver he’s just not there yet, given the Jets strong running game and other receiving options Thomas will have time to develop as a 3rd receiver.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Jared Odrick: While a guard like Pouncey makes some sense here, the Vikings have a lot of question marks on defense. Odrick can play some at end and rotate inside to tackle as well. His versatility makes him the best choice here. Corner and safety should be addressed as well, but I think the Vikings will go with Odrick here.

31. Indianapolis Colts: Maurkice Pouncey: There are serious questions on defense for the Colts but they have to find someway to jump start their running game. A tough inside blocker like Pouncey should be just what the doctor ordered. Anything that helps the running game and keeps Peyton upright has to be the top priority for the Colts.

32. New Orleans Saints: Brian Price: The Saints need defensive help and Price is a very good defensive tackle, and could be an immediate starter. Outside linebacker is another area of weakness, but Hughes fits better as a 3-4 rusher. Safety is also a concern if Sharper isn’t back, but Mays should be more of a strong safety and Roman Harper already does a good job of that.

Round 2

33. Rams: Golden Tate: It’s time to grab some weapons for Bradford and I have no faith in Benn.

34. Lions: Patrick Robinson: Detroit needs CB help in a big way, any one of Robinson, Cox or McCourty should be the pick

35. Buccaneers: Arrelious Benn: Benn is an overrated wideout but the Bucs are desperate for a receiver. I don’t think Damien Williams will get drafted here even though I like him better then Benn.

36. Chiefs: Vladimir Ducasse: Ducasse profiles best as a guard, but could even play tackle if needed. Given the age of Brian Waters and the uncertainty of the Chiefs at tackle Ducasse seems like a safe pick, though maybe a small reach.

37. Eagles: Taylor Mays: Eagles get a first round talent here and are creative enough to find a place for him to play, and not get exposed in coverage.

38. Cleveland Browns: Javid Best: Colt McCoy could be an option here, but I think the Browns will try to compliment Jerome Harrison with this pick.

39. Raiders: Devin McCourty: The Raiders like speed and McCourty brings that to the table. He could give them two top corners.

40. Chargers: Terrence Cody: The Chargers need a new nose tackle and by swapping picks with the Seahawks they now can grab one.

41. Bills: Rodger Saffold: Bills have to take the top tackle on the board at this point to keep Clausen upright.

42. Buccaneers: Perrish Cox: I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Bucs double dip on WR’s but a corner is needed as well.

43. Dolphins: Damien Williams: Miami needs another receiver to help in the development of Henne.

44. Patriots: Rob Gronokoski: The Patriots need RB and WR help, but they are picked over right now, grabbing a top TE will still help their offense.

45. Broncos: Nate Allen: The Broncos could use some young safety help and Allen fits the bill perfectly.

46. Giants: Chris Cook: Cook is versatile and can play both corner and safety, two areas of need in New York

47. Patriots: Tyson Alualu: Alualu would fit perfectly as a 3-4 defensive end for the Patriots.

48. Panthers: Carlos Dunlap: The Panthers have a number of needs, but Dunlap can replace Peppers from day one.

49. 49ers: Dexter McCluster: Gives the 49ers the speed compliment and weapon to Frank Gore.

50: Chiefs: Mardy Gilyard: Chiefs need offensive weapons and Gilyard has a lot of upside.

51: Texans: Amari Spievey: Texans finally get their corner. Will likely still need to grab another later.

52. Steelers: Jerry Hughes: If Hughes is still there he will be a Steeler, he provides great depth to Harrison/Woodley and will find a way to get on the field in Pittsburgh.

53. Patriots: Brandon LaFell: Patriots should be worried about their depth at receiver with Welker’s injury and Moss’s age.

54. Bengals: Joe McKnight: This is a bit high for McKnight, but he is seemingly over-hyped. He is a good compliment to Benson so I think the Bengals will pull the trigger.

55. Eagles: Navarro Bowman: The Eagles could use a SLB in the worst way and Bowman is a solid option here.

56. Packers: Dominique Franks: Packers have little depth at corner, and their starters are getting up there in age.

57. Ravens: Sean Lee: Ray Lewis is entering his 15th NFL season, its time to think of his replacement.

58. Cardinals: Jared Veldheer: If the Cards don’t take a tackle in round 1 they need to find one here.

59. Cowboys: Chad Jones: The Cowboys got rid of Ken Hamlin so drafting an upgrade is a key for Dallas

60. Seahawks: Montario Hardesty: Seahawks need help running the ball so grabbing a back here is key. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to trade up for Joe McKnight, if they can’t Hardesty is their pick.

61. Jets: Koa Misi: Jets had a dominating defense last year, but didn’t get great production from their rush linebackers. Misi should be a sack machine at the next level.

62. Vikings: Colt McCoy: A number of teams could grab him ahead of Minnesota, but if McCoy is there he gives the Vikings their future at QB.

63. Colts: Lamarr Houston: Colts need to address one of their defensive needs with this pick. Houston makes sense as he’s a defensive tackle who can cause havoc in the backfield.

64. Saints: Daryl Washington: Washington was sometimes overlooked because of the focus on Jerry Hughes but he was an excellent defender. One that fills a big need for the Super Bowl Champs.