CFN final mock draft and team needs
1. St. Louis Rams (1-15)
Biggest Needs: 1) QB, 2) DT, 3) WR
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Ndamukong Suh, DT
Nebraska; Eric Berry, S Tennessee; Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Sam Bradford, QB
Oklahoma
The Rams are going to either take Bradford or they’ll
trade the pick away (most likely to Cleveland) and load up on
picks. It’s almost a guarantee, though, that the OU star will
end up in St. Louis. It’s too late in the game to make a
major change.
2. Detroit Lions (2-14)
Biggest Needs: 1) RB, 2) CB, 3) DT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Ndamukong Suh, DT
Nebraska; Eric Berry, S Tennessee; Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Ndamukong Suh, DT
Nebraska
Watch out for Detroit to look to trade out of this spot to
move down to upgrade the offensive line, but if the pick stays
here, the choice will be a bigger Suh over the quicker Gerald
McCoy.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13)
Biggest Needs: 1) DE, 2) S, 3) DT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Eric Berry, S
Tennessee; Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma; Earl Thomas, S Texas
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Gerald McCoy, DT
Oklahoma
The Bucs want McCoy to be the cornerstone of their defensive
line, but they’re not going to cry if they get Suh.
4. Washington Redskins (4-12)
Biggest Needs: 1) RB, 2) DE, 3) OT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Eric Berry, S
Tennessee; Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State; Bryan Bulaga, OT Iowa
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Bryan Bulaga, OT
Iowa
Forget about the idea of the Redskins moving up to grab Sam
Bradford. Everyone seems to think Russell Okung will be the pick
here, but the Skin brass usually likes to shoot for the stars. When
it comes to the offensive tackles, Bulaga is the reach for
greatness.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)
Biggest Needs: 1) OT, 2) S, 3) LB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Eric Berry, S
Tennessee; Earl Thomas, S Texas; Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Russell Okung, OT
Oklahoma State
There’s a war going on over this pick. Flip a coin
between Eric Berry or the top offensive tackle on the board, and
considering an upgrade for the O line is the bigger priority,
it’ll be either Okung or Bulaga.
6. Seattle Seahawks (5-11)
Biggest Needs: 1) RB, 2) OT, 3) DE
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Eric Berry, S
Tennessee; Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma; Ryan Mathews, RB Fresno
State
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Trent Williams, OT
Oklahoma
The Seahawks desperately need a running back, but C.J.
Spiller and/or Ryan Mathews will still be available at the 14 with
the next pick. The best offensive tackle left on the board (and it
could be Anthony Davis) goes here.
7. Cleveland Browns (5-11)
Biggest Needs: 1) QB, 2) DT, 3) S
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Eric Berry, S
Tennessee; Jimmy Clausen, CB Notre Dame; Dan Williams, DT Tennessee
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Eric Berry, S
Tennessee
Mike Holmgren reportedly doesn’t like Jimmy Clausen,
but the Browns will get a quarterback in the second round. Berry
might be the best player in the draft and would be an absolute
steal here. It would also fill a desperate need.
8. Oakland Raiders (5-11)
Biggest Needs: 1) QB, 2) OT, 3) DT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Jimmy Clausen, QB
Notre Dame; Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers; Maurkice Pouncey, C Florida
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Jimmy Clausen, QB
Notre Dame
Two words: Ben Roethlisberger. Watch out for Al Davis to try
to wheel and deal to get the beleaguered Steeler star from a
Pittsburgh team ready to cut ties. If that doesn’t happen,
Davis, who always marches to the beat of his own drummer, will
officially admit the JaMarcus Russell era has been a disaster.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-10)
Biggest Needs: 1) QB, 2) DT, 3) OT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Dan Williams, DT
Tennessee; Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers; Maurkice Pouncey, C Florida
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Dan Williams, DT
Tennessee
Buffalo fans might want Jimmy Clausen to slide here, and
there’s a chance to upgrade the offensive line, but getting a
run-plugger in Williams would make the most sense.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)
Biggest Needs: 1) S, 2) DE, 3) QB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Earl Thomas, S
Texas; Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech; Taylor Mays, S USC
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Earl Thomas, S
Texas
The Jaguars desperately need an upgrade at safety and
it’ll have the best on the board, Thomas, fall right into
their laps. However, don’t be shocked if they try to trade
down to get a pass rusher later in the first round.
11. Denver Broncos (7-9)
Biggest Needs: 1) QB, 2) WR, 3) LB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Rolando McClain,
LB Alabama; Golden Tate, WR Notre Dame; Dez Bryant, WR Oklahoma
State
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Dez Bryant, WR
Oklahoma State
There are several needs that could be filled, but with the
loss of Brandon Marshall the Broncos don’t have much of a
choice here. Bryant would be a great fit at the right time.
12. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
Biggest Needs: 1) DE, 2) LB, 3) S
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Derrick Morgan,
DE Georgia Tech; Jason Pierre-Paul, DE South Florida; Brandon
Graham, DE/LB Michigan
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Jason Pierre-Paul,
DE South Florida
Bill Parcells likes his athletic pass rushers, and while
Derrick Morgan makes sense and the versatility of Brandon Graham or
Jerry Hughes could work here, Pierre-Paul is the shoot-the-moon
pick. Parcells is never above rolling the dice on greatness.
13. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)
Biggest Needs: 1) CB, 2) OT, 3) LB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Anthony Davis, OT
Rutgers; Joe Haden, CB Florida; Rolando McClain, LB Alabama;
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Anthony Davis, OT
Rutgers
With the 17th pick still to come, the Niners will take the
best player off the board and would be ecstatic to get Davis if he
falls this far and will assume Joe Haden will still be around a few
picks layer.
14. Seattle Seahawks (5-11)
Biggest Needs: 1) RB, 2) OT, 3) DE
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Ryan Mathews, RB
Fresno State; Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech; Brandon Graham,
DE/LB TCU
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: C.J. Spiller, RB
Clemson
Seattle will get its offensive tackle at six, and it’ll
get its explosive running back at the 14. If Spiller is off the
board, the best pass rusher left on the board will be taken.
15. NY Giants (8-8)
Biggest Needs: 1) DT, 2) LB, 3) DE
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Rolando McClain,
LB Alabama; Sergio Kindle, LB/DE Texas; Bandon Graham, DE/LB
Michigan
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Rolando McClain,
LB Alabama
It makes too much sense. McClain is the type of smart, heady
defender who’d be the leader and star or the Giants defense
for the next decade. He just seems like a New York Giant
linebacker.
16. Tennessee Titans (8-8)
Biggest Needs: 1) CB, 2) DE, 3) LB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Joe Haden, CB
Florida; Kyle Wilson, CB Boise State; Brandon Graham, DE/LB
Michigan
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Joe Haden, CB
Florida
The Titans break San Francisco’s heart by grabbing
Haden. He might not be the perfect cornerback prospect, but
he’ll fit in perfectly with what the Tennessee defense likes
to do.
17. San Francisco 49ers (8-8)
Biggest Needs: 1) CB, 2) OT, 3) LB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Kyle Wilson, CB
Boise State; Sean Weatherspoon, LB Missouri; Jerry Hughes, LB/DE
TCU
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Jerry Hughes,
LB/DE TCU
The Niners will want Joe Haden and won’t reach for Kyle
Wilson. There could be worse things than to get a top pass rushing
hybrid defender like Hughes to pair up with Patrick Willis.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Biggest Needs: 1) QB, 2) OT, 3) WR
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Golden Tate, WR
Notre Dame; Taylor Mays, S USC; Mike Iupati, OG Idaho
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Mike Iupati, OG
Idaho
The Steelers will give away Ben Roethlisberger for a bag of
Cheetos and will need a quarterback even if they don’t pull
the plug. However, the Steelers are always built from the lines out
and Iupati is the type of dominant guard who’ll stick on the
inside of the Pittsburgh line for the next 10 years.
19. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)
Biggest Needs: 1) LB, 2) DE, 3) OG
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Brandon Graham,
DE/LB Michigan; Sean Weatherspoon, LB Missouri; Sergio Kindle,
LB/DE Texas
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Brandon Graham,
DE/LB Michigan
Atlanta is in a great spot. It needs quick, athletic hybrid
pass rushers and it’ll have its choice of several great
options.
20. Houston Texans (9-7)
Biggest Needs: 1) RB, 2) DT, 3) CB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Ryan Mathews, RB
Fresno State; Kyle Wilson, CB Boise State; Kareem Jackson, CB
Alabama
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Kareem Jackson, CB
Alabama
Ryan Mathews would be the perfect, slashing fit for the Texan
running game, but there’s quality running backs later on down
the draft. Houston will flip a coin between Jackson and Kyle
Wilson.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)
Biggest Needs: 1) S, 2) DT, 3) LB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Taylor Mays, S
USC; Sean Weatherspoon, LB Missouri; Sergio Kindle, LB/DE Texas
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Jermaine Gresham,
TE Oklahoma
The Bengals need a tight end, and if Gresham slides this far
he’ll be snapped up in a split second. It’s Cincinnati,
though, and it could go in any direction. Known to go for the
shoot-for-the-stars pick, Taylor Mays would fill a big need.
22. New England Patriots (10-6)
Biggest Needs: 1) LB, 2) WR, 3) DE
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Golden Tate, RB
Notre Dame; Sean Weatherspoon, LB Missouri; Sergio Kindle, LB/DE
Texas
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Derrick Morgan, DE
Georgia Tech
The Patriots have to upgrade their pass rushing ability in a
big hurry and will have their choice of prospects. Morgan would be
a steal if he falls this far
23. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Biggest Needs: 1) OT, 2) LB, 3) DB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Taylor Mays, S
USC; Kyle Wilson, CB Boise State; Sean Weatherspoon, LB Missouri;
Maurkice Pouncey, C Florida
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Kyle Wilson, CB
Boise State
The Packers would love it if Antony Davis or another top
tackle prospect fell this far. Wilson might be a bit of a reach
this high, but he fills a big hole.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Biggest Needs: 1) OG, 2) S, 3) OT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Taylor Mays, S
USC; Maurkice Pouncey, C Florida; Charles Brown, OT USC
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Maurkice Pouncey,
C Florida
Pouncey is a top-10 talent who’ll slide because
he’s a center. The Eagles also need guard help and could move
the Gator star to get him on the field right away.
25. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
Biggest Needs: 1) DE, 2) CB, 3) S
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Taylor Mays, S
USC; Sergio Kindle, LB/DE Texas; Devin McCourty, CB Rutgers
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Sergio Kindle, LB
Texas
Anquan Bolden ends the need to draft a top receiver this
high. Baltimore has been great over the years at taking hybrid
defenders and making them monsters. Kindle, Jerry Hughes, if he
slides, or Sean Weatherspoon would be terrific.
26. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
Biggest Needs: 1) QB, 2) LB, 3) OT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Sean
Weatherspoon, LB Missouri; Daryl Washington, LB TCU; Sean Lee, LB
Penn State
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Sean Weatherspoon,
LB Missouri
The Cardinals have to go after the best linebacker on the
board and it’ll grab whomever is left between Jerry Hughes,
Sergio Kindle, or Weatherspoon.
27. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
Biggest Needs: 1) OT, 2) S, 3) DE
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Taylor Mays, S
USC; Charles Brown, OT USC; Rodger Saffold, OT Indiana
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Charles Brown, OT
USC
The Cowboys desperately need an upgrade on the O line and
could use a top safety. Watch out for Taylor Mays to go here, but
Brown is the bigger need.
28. San Diego Chargers (11-5)
Biggest Needs: 1) RB, 2) DE, 3) DT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Ryan Mathews, RB
Fresno State; Tyson Alualu, DT California; Jared Odrick, DT Penn
State
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Ryan Mathews, RB
Fresno State
Mathews and San Diego would be a perfect marriage of a top
prospect at the right time for a team that has one screaming need
that needs to be instantly filled.
29. NY Jets (9-7)
Biggest Needs: 1) DT, 2) OT, 3) CB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Taylor Mays, S
USC; Rodger Saffold, OT Indiana; Devin McCourty, CB Indiana
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Devin McCourty, CB
Rutgers
The Jets have to go after the best defensive lineman
available and could go after Jared Odrick or Tyson Alualu, but
getting a top-shelf corner to work on the other side of Derrelle
Revis would give the Jets a lockdown secondary for the next several
years.
30. Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
Biggest Needs: 1) QB, 2) CB, 3) OT
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Tyson Alualu, DT
California; Jared Odrick, DT California; Rodger Saffold, OT Indiana
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Rodger Saffold, OT
Indiana
The Vikings could throw a wrench into the system by taking
Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow, but they’ll likely hope No. 4
decides he needs to give it a try for one more year and needs to
improve the pass protection a bit with a tackle like Saffold.
31. Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
Biggest Needs: 1) OT, 2) DT, 3) QB
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Tyson Alualu, DT
California ; Jared Odrick, DT Penn State; Brian Price, DT UCLA
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Jared Odrick, DT
Penn State
Flip a coin between Odrick and Tyson Alualu. Alualu is the
more athletic option, but Odrick does more against the run.
32. New Orleans Saints (14-2)
Biggest Needs: 1) LB, 2) DT, 3) S
The Best Options Likely To Be On The Board: Sean Lee, LB Penn
State; Tyson Alualu, DT California; Brian Price, DT UCLA
The Player That Will Likely Be Taken Here: Tyson Alualu, DT
California
The Saints will think about a linebacker like Daryl
Washington or Sean Lee, but will upgrade the interior pass rushing
of the D line with either Alualu or, if available, Jared Odrick.