Erd's Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is once again upon us.  Whether the CBA situation has intensified your interest in the draft or drowned out your excitement, your favorite team is going to be making decisions that will change your team's outlook for the next decade.  Sleepers and busts are going to be found throughout the draft, but the biggest question once again is at quarterback.

The quarterback position is usually the most intriguing in the draft.  Whether teams are trading up to get their quarterback or trading down to pass on a guy, their always will be a "what if" scenario 3-5 years down the road.  The difference in taking an Alex Smith over an Aaron Rodgers or taking a JaMarcus Russell over a Calvin Johnson or Adrian Peterson can be detrimental to your team for years.  For the Carolina Panthers, that decision is going to happen on Thursday night.

Will the Panthers go with Cam Newton as expected, or wiil we get a surprise like in 2006 when the Texans took Mario Williams over Reggie Bush?  How many quarterbacks will go in the first round?  Are Jets fans going to cheer or boo their pick?  Who is going to fall in the draft and get their own designated camera?  These questions can only be answered after this weekend, but I'll do my best to prepare you for what's to come.

Erd's Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers - QB Cam Newton, Auburn
Cam Newton is the most physically gifted of all quarterbacks in this year's draft.  The questions surrounding him are about his integrity and personality, not his talent or potential.  Carolina can't pass on his upside.

2. Denver Broncos - DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama
Premiere defensive line prospects are hard to pass up.  Dareus showed what kind of athlete he was when he went up against the man who was picked before him.  This is a smart and safe pick for Denver.

3. Buffalo Bills - LB Von Miller, Texas A&M
The Bills have some offensive weapons up-and-coming, but need to solidify their defense.  Miller possesses speed, power, and agility and a playmaker like Miller is what they need in their division.

4. Cincinnati Bengals - DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina
The Bengals will be tempted by AJ Green, but with a QB with one step out the door, they are better suited to get a solid defensive standout.  Don't be surprised if they go with Green, but Quinn is better for their situation.

5. Arizona Cardinals - QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
The Cardinals are the poster childs for the importance of a QB in the NFL.  They went from a team that was a play away from winning the superbowl to last in their division.  Gabbert has the tools to be a franchise QB.

6. Cleveland Brown - WR AJ Green, Georgia
The Browns could get the steal of the draft this year with AJ Green.  Green is one of the best WR prospects in the last 10 years and with the Browns' need at the position, he'll make an immediate impact..

7. San Francisco 49ers - DB Patrick Peterson, LSU
The 49ers may be tempted to reach for a QB, but they will be better off waiting until the second round.  They would be far from settling with Peterson, who is great value at the 7th pick.

8. Tennessee Titans - DT Nick Fairley, Auburn
The Titans defensive line coach, Tracy Rocker, coached Fairley at Auburn, so naturally this is a good fit.  Fairley is a solid pick in this position and fills a need for the Titans.

9. Dallas Cowboys - OL Tyron Smith, USC
Dallas had some injuries at the o-line last year, which exploited their lack of depth at the position.  Expect them to get some protection for Romo and a solid run blocker as well in Smith.

10. Washington Redskins - WR Julio Jones, Alabama
Jones is a speedy, legit #1 receiver.  The Redskins have a lot of need, but looking at what they have, Jones fills a big gap at the position and could make an immediate impact for the offense.

11. Houston Texans - DE JJ Watt, Wisconsin
Houston is switching to a 3-4 scheme, so they'll be looking for someone to plug into that system.  Watt is a talented player with a motor that's always going.  They may go Aldon Smith, but Watt is the better choice.

12. Minnesota Vikings - QB Jake Locker, Washington
This is the first surprise of the draft.  The Vikings saw something good from Joe Webb last year, but the chance to get a possible star in Locker can't be passed on.  They need a QB with AP's window closing.

13. Detroit Lions - CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
The Lions have a solid offense, but need to solidify their defense to compete with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.  Amukamara gives them the shutdown corner they have been looking for.

14. St. Louis Rams - DE Aldon Smith, Missouri
The Rams would like to get one of the top receivers in this draft, but unless they move up, they'll have to settle for a defensive line improvement.  Smith will help improve their pass rush and they'll likely go WR in round 2.

15. Miami Dolphins - OL Mike Pouncey, Florida
The Dolphins would love to see a top QB fall to them at this spot, but it probably won't happen.  Miami will likely go after Pouncey, who, if he turns out like his brother, is a solid pick at this spot.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
If Bowers indeed falls to the Jags, they will be ecstatic.  They need help on the D-line and Bowers is a top 10 talent in this year's draft.  If not Bowers, they'll likely just take the best DE available here.

17. New England Patriots - DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
The Patriots may finally use up their picks this year and Kerrigan fits their plans perfectly.  Kerrigan is a blue-collar type player who will give Belichick 100% on every play.

18. San Diego Chargers - DE Cameron Jordan, California
Getting a defensive lineman is probably going to be the focus of the Chargers, so the top DE available will probably go here.  Jordan is a talented pass rusher and may end up staying in state to begin his pro career.

19. New York Giants - OT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
The Giants have a few needs to fill, but at this point, they will likely go after Castonzo if he's still available.  Coughlin knows the game is won in the trenches, so getting younger at o-line is a must. 

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DL Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
The Bucs made great strides last year, but need to keep up with their division.  In order to do so, they need to get pressure on the likes of Brees and Ryan.  Clayborn can fill that need and make an immediate impact. 

21. Kansas City Chiefs - DT Corey Liuget, Illinois
Liuget may be gone already at this point, but if not, the Chiefs will likely be looking at building up their defensive line.  They could go Phil Taylor here as well, but Liuget is regarded as the better prospect. 

22. Indianapolis Colts - OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
Peyton Manning is the key to the Colts' success, so naturally Indy will be looking at finding him some protection.  Carimi is a large, gritty tackle that is great value for the Colts at the 22nd pick. 

23. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado
The Eagles could go a few different directions on the defensive side.  They may look to improve their front 7, but Smith would provide them with what the need opposite Asante Samuel. 

24. New Orleans Saints - DT Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple
New Orleans may be a target for many teams to trade with if a few value picks fall here.  If no move is made, they will likely go with a versatile lineman like Wilkerson.

25. Seattle Seahawks - QB Christian Ponder, Florida State
Seattle needs to address their future at QB.  Hasselbeck's days are numbered, so getting someone in now is a must.  Ponder moved up draft boards and may just sneak into the first round if Seattle pulls the trigger.

26. Baltimore Ravens - OT Nate Solder, Colorado
The Ravens will likely try to move Oher back to the right side.  Solder is a whopping 6'8" with an enormous wingspan.  He should be able to neutralize the pass rush that will likely be coming after Flacco regularly.

27. Atlanta Falcons - TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
Most would agree that Rudolph has the tools to be a great tight end in the NFL.  The Falcons will likely be looking to find a replacement for one of the all-time greats at TE in Gonzalez, so this should be a likely fit.

28. New England Patriots - RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
The Patriots are far from predictable, so a trade down is a great possibility here.  If not, Ingram could give the Patriots the back that would be the thunder to the Danny Woodhead lightning.

29. Chicago Bears - LB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs aren't getting any younger, and the Bears need a linebacker who can get after the quarterback.  If Ayers is still there, his athleticism would be a good addition to their LB corps.

30. New York Jets - DT Phil Taylor, Baylor
Rex Ryan believes in stopping the run, and with the Kris Jenkins situation, they need someone to fill that spot.  Taylor is large enough to do it and is the kind of player Ryan likely won't pass up.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Aaron Williams, Texas
The Steelers are getting old on defense, but still are performing at a high level.  Defensive back tends to show age more than other positions, so getting the top corner available is problem their aim here. 

32. Green Bay Packers - OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State
The defending super bowl champions don't have any glaring holes.  They need to get younger in their secondary and could get depth at d-line, but getting more protection for Rodgers is never a bad idea.