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This was done by one of the guys on my forum, RMD, just thought I'd share.
Well, I FINALLY got around to putting together my annual mock draft, but this year I put a different spin on things. Rather than trying to guess what teams will actually do on draft day and listening to all the "experts" predictions on where players will go, I decided to put together a draft solely based on my own draft board and team needs listing. So when you read this mock, think of it as me being the GM of all 32 teams. This is the basis I'll use to grade everyone's draft a few years from now as I compare my own draft for each team compared to how those teams actually did. Should be interesting to see how I compare to everyone else a few years down the road.
ROUND 1
# Sel# Team Player
1 1 San Francisco Aaron Rodgers
No surprise here. Rodgers has been my #1 prospect ever since Matt Leinart decided to skip the draft and a few workouts in shorts aren't enough to change my mind now.
1 2 Miami Ronnie Brown
Thank heavens this isn't really going to happen as Aaron Rodgers is the ONLY guy I'm interested in at #2 overall. If he isn't there though, then I want to trade down. But it's too tough to predict trades when doing a mock so I'll just give us the best fit for our team in Ronnie Brown. Brown is an amazing talent in that he's big, fast, has tremenous hands, and can block like a FB. I'm a little concerned about his durability, but there's no denying his incredible talents.
1 3 Cleveland Braylon Edwards
No brainer here. I'm not that high on Alex Smith, Edwards is by far the best player on the board, and the Browns DESPERATELY need a playmaker on O. Braylon would team with Kellen Winslow and Lee Suggs to give Trent Dilfer a bunch of weapons and would make this an exciting team to watch next season.
1 4 Chicago Cedric Benson
Watch out for the Bears this year regardless of who they take at this spot. They've got a bunch of defensive players coming back from injury and they finally have a weapon in the passing game in Muhsin Muhammad. They also have Thomas Jones who has always had potential, but he's been a major bust up to this point and the Bears need someone who can complement his athleticism with sheer tackle breaking power and consistency and that person is Benson. Lovie would then have a clock grinding running game to team with a nasty D which spells trouble for the NFC North. If Grossman can stay healthy, this team could be the Chargers from last year.
1 5 Tampa Bay Mike Williams
The Bucs need a RB and "Cadillac" Williams would be a perfect fit in Gruden's O, but Mike Williams is just too good a player to pass up at this point. He would team with Michael Clayton to form the biggest starting WR combo in the NFL and they would be a devastating combo in the redzone.
1 6 Tennessee Antrel Rolle
One Rolle gone (Samari), one Rolle in. Antrel is big, fast, and tough and will be a Pro Bowl player for many years to come. Some may question his short area quickness, but his ability to knock WRs off the line and out of their routes overrules that IMO.
1 7 Minnesota (from Oakland) Troy Williamson
Losing Randy Moss is a tremendous loss as his ability to stretch the field and score TDs will be sorely missed, but Troy Williamson could help soften that blow. Willamson may be the least known 1st round pick in this draft, but don't let that fool you. Troy has amazing deep speed and, more importantly, just explodes off the line and into and out of his breaks. He won't be Moss, but he will be a playmaker down the field who should continue to stretch the field for the Vikes' running game.
1 8 Arizona Carnell Williams
No surprise that the Cardinals need a RB and may have to deal up to land one. But in this mock Williams falls right into Denny Green's lap and is an absolute perfect fit for the spread O that Denny likes to run. Williams does have durability and fumbling concers which could haunt him his whole career, but going to Arizona is a perfect fit where the main emphasis will be on the passing attack with Fitzgerald and Boldin. This could instantly make the Cards an offensive force to be reckoned with next season.
1 9 Washington Carlos Rogers
Rogers is as surefire a pick as you'll find in this year's draft. He's big, he's fast, he's quick, and he's been a very productive player throughout his college career. The 'Skins have a lot of needs, but losing Fred Smoot just leaves them too thin at the CB spot and Rogers is just too good a value to pass up at this spot.
1 10 Detroit Derrick Johnson
I can't believe I allowed this to happen, but Derrick Johnson falling to the Lions at #10 would be the steal of the century. But really it's very possible that it will happen this way since no one above them is really in the market for an OLB at this point. It's not even necessarily a need for the Lions either, but the thought of teaming DJ with Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey is just too exciting to pass up.
1 11 Dallas Shawne Merriman
Demarcus Ware is a strong possibility here if the Cowboys are truly serious about switching to the 3-4, but since the 4-3 is still their base set, Shawne Merriman is the better fit a s 4-3 DE. Merriman is a physical specimen who has the potential to be a MAJOR star at the next level, but he's got to get his head in the game. Too many games I watched of his he'd make a couple of plays and just take the rest of the game off, but Bill Parcells won't let that happen in Big D which is why he's a good fit here.
1 12 San Diego (from New York Giants) Jammal Brown
For as much pub as the San Diego OL got last year you wouldn't think they'd go there in the draft, but honestly those guys overachieved last season and Drew Brees actually got sacked quite a bit. Jammal Brown is my #1 OT prospect on the board and is versatile enough to play either LT or RT which is why he's a great value at #12. They need a WR more, but Brown is just too talented to pass up.
1 13 Houston Thomas Davis
This may be a little early for Thomas Davis, but I truly think he's the playmaking run stuffer at SS that the Texans have been missing since they came into the league. Davis is an absolute beast physically who can intimidate opponents and really be a force against the run and yet is athletic enough to drop back into coverage when necessary. The Texans are on the verge of greatness this season and a playmaker like Davis could be the missing link that puts them over the top.
1 14 Carolina David Pollack
This is just all about value here. David Pollack is my #1 DE and is just too talented to pass up at #14 even though the Panthers don't really need one. Mike Rucker will be the starter on 1st and 2nd down and Pollack will come in on 3rd down as a situational rusher which will give him time to bulk up into a full time starting job.
1 15 Kansas City Matt Roth
This is really early for ROth, but I don't care. The guy is an absolute animal on the field and will bring an intensity and passion to the Chiefs D that is SORELY lacking right now. He might also start out as a situational rusher behind Carlos Hall, but he would undoubtedly be starting by season's end.
1 16 New Orleans Mike Patterson
This is a crappy time for the Saints to be facing a horrible class of DTs. Jonathan Sullivan has been a disappointment so far and they've got to find somebody who can provide some pressure up the middle to take the pressure off their weak CBs. Patterson may be short and small, but he's tenacious and will get after the QB which makes him a necessary pick at this time...even if it's too early.
1 17 Cincinnati David Baas
David Baas is one of the best interior linemen to come out of the draft in quite some time and that's perfect for the Bengals who desperately need a new C after Rich Braham left in FA. Baas would open up some gaping holes in the middle for Rudi Johnson which would then open things up down the field for Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson. The Bengals would instantly become a legit playoff contender with this move.
1 18 Minnesota Elton Brown
Right behind Baas on the interior is Elton Brown who's been one of the most dominating OGs at the college level that I've ever had the pleasure to witness. The guy can pull block like no one else which is amazing considering the guy is 330 lbs! He had some injury problems and didn't show well following the season which could hurt his stock, but I go primarily by what I see on the field and on the field Brown can move and punish people and is the consummate teammate as he sprints downfield to lay extra blocks and congratulate his RB on big gains.
1 19 St. Louis Justin Miller
Justin Miller was arrested this week which is just an incredibly stupid thing to have happen the week before the draft, but the kid's just too talented to drop all that far. He's a little short, but he has great ball skills and can just explode into the ball once it comes in his direction. Nice strong, thick build and incredible quickness make him an unbelievable talent and is a perfect fit for the Rams who badly need help in their secondary.
1 20 Dallas (from Buffalo) Mark Clayton
The Cowboys desperately need help on the offensive side of the ball, especially after using their first pick on D. But more important than getting a talented project for the Cowboys is getting a guy who can come in and start from day 1...and that guy is Mark Clayton. Parcells will love this guy's work ethic and incredible consistency though he lacks the playmaking ability and size to ever be a real superstar at the NFL level.
Well, I FINALLY got around to putting together my annual mock draft, but this year I put a different spin on things. Rather than trying to guess what teams will actually do on draft day and listening to all the "experts" predictions on where players will go, I decided to put together a draft solely based on my own draft board and team needs listing. So when you read this mock, think of it as me being the GM of all 32 teams. This is the basis I'll use to grade everyone's draft a few years from now as I compare my own draft for each team compared to how those teams actually did. Should be interesting to see how I compare to everyone else a few years down the road.
ROUND 1
# Sel# Team Player
1 1 San Francisco Aaron Rodgers
No surprise here. Rodgers has been my #1 prospect ever since Matt Leinart decided to skip the draft and a few workouts in shorts aren't enough to change my mind now.
1 2 Miami Ronnie Brown
Thank heavens this isn't really going to happen as Aaron Rodgers is the ONLY guy I'm interested in at #2 overall. If he isn't there though, then I want to trade down. But it's too tough to predict trades when doing a mock so I'll just give us the best fit for our team in Ronnie Brown. Brown is an amazing talent in that he's big, fast, has tremenous hands, and can block like a FB. I'm a little concerned about his durability, but there's no denying his incredible talents.
1 3 Cleveland Braylon Edwards
No brainer here. I'm not that high on Alex Smith, Edwards is by far the best player on the board, and the Browns DESPERATELY need a playmaker on O. Braylon would team with Kellen Winslow and Lee Suggs to give Trent Dilfer a bunch of weapons and would make this an exciting team to watch next season.
1 4 Chicago Cedric Benson
Watch out for the Bears this year regardless of who they take at this spot. They've got a bunch of defensive players coming back from injury and they finally have a weapon in the passing game in Muhsin Muhammad. They also have Thomas Jones who has always had potential, but he's been a major bust up to this point and the Bears need someone who can complement his athleticism with sheer tackle breaking power and consistency and that person is Benson. Lovie would then have a clock grinding running game to team with a nasty D which spells trouble for the NFC North. If Grossman can stay healthy, this team could be the Chargers from last year.
1 5 Tampa Bay Mike Williams
The Bucs need a RB and "Cadillac" Williams would be a perfect fit in Gruden's O, but Mike Williams is just too good a player to pass up at this point. He would team with Michael Clayton to form the biggest starting WR combo in the NFL and they would be a devastating combo in the redzone.
1 6 Tennessee Antrel Rolle
One Rolle gone (Samari), one Rolle in. Antrel is big, fast, and tough and will be a Pro Bowl player for many years to come. Some may question his short area quickness, but his ability to knock WRs off the line and out of their routes overrules that IMO.
1 7 Minnesota (from Oakland) Troy Williamson
Losing Randy Moss is a tremendous loss as his ability to stretch the field and score TDs will be sorely missed, but Troy Williamson could help soften that blow. Willamson may be the least known 1st round pick in this draft, but don't let that fool you. Troy has amazing deep speed and, more importantly, just explodes off the line and into and out of his breaks. He won't be Moss, but he will be a playmaker down the field who should continue to stretch the field for the Vikes' running game.
1 8 Arizona Carnell Williams
No surprise that the Cardinals need a RB and may have to deal up to land one. But in this mock Williams falls right into Denny Green's lap and is an absolute perfect fit for the spread O that Denny likes to run. Williams does have durability and fumbling concers which could haunt him his whole career, but going to Arizona is a perfect fit where the main emphasis will be on the passing attack with Fitzgerald and Boldin. This could instantly make the Cards an offensive force to be reckoned with next season.
1 9 Washington Carlos Rogers
Rogers is as surefire a pick as you'll find in this year's draft. He's big, he's fast, he's quick, and he's been a very productive player throughout his college career. The 'Skins have a lot of needs, but losing Fred Smoot just leaves them too thin at the CB spot and Rogers is just too good a value to pass up at this spot.
1 10 Detroit Derrick Johnson
I can't believe I allowed this to happen, but Derrick Johnson falling to the Lions at #10 would be the steal of the century. But really it's very possible that it will happen this way since no one above them is really in the market for an OLB at this point. It's not even necessarily a need for the Lions either, but the thought of teaming DJ with Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey is just too exciting to pass up.
1 11 Dallas Shawne Merriman
Demarcus Ware is a strong possibility here if the Cowboys are truly serious about switching to the 3-4, but since the 4-3 is still their base set, Shawne Merriman is the better fit a s 4-3 DE. Merriman is a physical specimen who has the potential to be a MAJOR star at the next level, but he's got to get his head in the game. Too many games I watched of his he'd make a couple of plays and just take the rest of the game off, but Bill Parcells won't let that happen in Big D which is why he's a good fit here.
1 12 San Diego (from New York Giants) Jammal Brown
For as much pub as the San Diego OL got last year you wouldn't think they'd go there in the draft, but honestly those guys overachieved last season and Drew Brees actually got sacked quite a bit. Jammal Brown is my #1 OT prospect on the board and is versatile enough to play either LT or RT which is why he's a great value at #12. They need a WR more, but Brown is just too talented to pass up.
1 13 Houston Thomas Davis
This may be a little early for Thomas Davis, but I truly think he's the playmaking run stuffer at SS that the Texans have been missing since they came into the league. Davis is an absolute beast physically who can intimidate opponents and really be a force against the run and yet is athletic enough to drop back into coverage when necessary. The Texans are on the verge of greatness this season and a playmaker like Davis could be the missing link that puts them over the top.
1 14 Carolina David Pollack
This is just all about value here. David Pollack is my #1 DE and is just too talented to pass up at #14 even though the Panthers don't really need one. Mike Rucker will be the starter on 1st and 2nd down and Pollack will come in on 3rd down as a situational rusher which will give him time to bulk up into a full time starting job.
1 15 Kansas City Matt Roth
This is really early for ROth, but I don't care. The guy is an absolute animal on the field and will bring an intensity and passion to the Chiefs D that is SORELY lacking right now. He might also start out as a situational rusher behind Carlos Hall, but he would undoubtedly be starting by season's end.
1 16 New Orleans Mike Patterson
This is a crappy time for the Saints to be facing a horrible class of DTs. Jonathan Sullivan has been a disappointment so far and they've got to find somebody who can provide some pressure up the middle to take the pressure off their weak CBs. Patterson may be short and small, but he's tenacious and will get after the QB which makes him a necessary pick at this time...even if it's too early.
1 17 Cincinnati David Baas
David Baas is one of the best interior linemen to come out of the draft in quite some time and that's perfect for the Bengals who desperately need a new C after Rich Braham left in FA. Baas would open up some gaping holes in the middle for Rudi Johnson which would then open things up down the field for Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson. The Bengals would instantly become a legit playoff contender with this move.
1 18 Minnesota Elton Brown
Right behind Baas on the interior is Elton Brown who's been one of the most dominating OGs at the college level that I've ever had the pleasure to witness. The guy can pull block like no one else which is amazing considering the guy is 330 lbs! He had some injury problems and didn't show well following the season which could hurt his stock, but I go primarily by what I see on the field and on the field Brown can move and punish people and is the consummate teammate as he sprints downfield to lay extra blocks and congratulate his RB on big gains.
1 19 St. Louis Justin Miller
Justin Miller was arrested this week which is just an incredibly stupid thing to have happen the week before the draft, but the kid's just too talented to drop all that far. He's a little short, but he has great ball skills and can just explode into the ball once it comes in his direction. Nice strong, thick build and incredible quickness make him an unbelievable talent and is a perfect fit for the Rams who badly need help in their secondary.
1 20 Dallas (from Buffalo) Mark Clayton
The Cowboys desperately need help on the offensive side of the ball, especially after using their first pick on D. But more important than getting a talented project for the Cowboys is getting a guy who can come in and start from day 1...and that guy is Mark Clayton. Parcells will love this guy's work ethic and incredible consistency though he lacks the playmaking ability and size to ever be a real superstar at the NFL level.
