Jimmy James
You sit on a throne of lies!
This is my first mock attempt in ages. I hope to do a second version this weekend or next. Feedback is welcome and will be considered.
JJ’s Mock Draft 1.0
Round 1
1. Houston Texans – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, UVA
I think the Texans are going to try hard to trade down here, but nobody is in a position to trade up with them for much value. The Jets are probably their most likely taker, but that seems unlikely because they couldn't close a deal for the #15 when they traded away Abraham. They'll set a trade deadline before negotiating on a contract with their selection, and that deadline will pass. Once it does, they'll be making a deal with Ferguson, not Bush.
2. New Orleans Saints – Reggie Bush, RB, USC
The Saints don't really need a RB, either. They're in a better position to make this move than the Texans are, though. I think they'll make this pick thinking that they can make a deal a la Eli Manning, and they might just do it. The difference between them and the Texans is that the Texans have a glaring need and no need for the position while the Saints don't have a need as vast and probably could use Bush because McAllister hasn't finished a season in two years and will be 28 this year.
3. Tennessee Titans – Matt Leinart, QB, USC
The Titans are beside themselves when they find Leinart on the board here.
4. Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets) – A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
The Jets love this position. They get their pick of defenders. They just wish they could take Williams, Hawk, and Huff. Just when they are about to choose, the Packers offer them pick #67 to swap.
5. New York Jets (from Green Bay Packers) – Michael Huff, CB, Texas
The Jets are very pleased they got that call from the Packers. They were going to take Hawk, but it was practically a coin flip situation for them. Huff gives the team a presence in the secondary that they have not had in a long time. Finding somebody to at least play part time at DE will be a priority, but New York doesn't think another prima donna DE is the best way to handle doing that.
6. San Francisco 49er’s – Mario Williams, DE, NC State
This works out very nicely because Williams is more devastating as a full time defender who can line up as a 3-4 DE or OLB depending on the situation. The Niners need help on offense, but they hope they can find it later in the draft.
7. Oakland Raiders – Vince Young, QB, Texas
There are really only three viable tutors for Vince -- McNair, Brooks, and Jay Fiedler. All of them are aging QBs who could potentially start for at least the early part of a season running an offense that would maximize Vince's mobility once he takes over. Oakland has Brooks and really needs a QB in order to realize the investment they have made on players like Jordan, Porter, and Moss. Most teams would take Cutler here instead, but Al has always been a maverick.
8. Buffalo Bills – Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
Many think Bunkley has overtaken Ngata. The clue phone on that one won't ring in Buffalo until probably three months after the draft. That's just how the Bills draft. There is no other way to explain picks like McGahee and Losman. Honestly, I think this might serve them well in this instance. I think Ngata is getting a bum rap and don't really buy the Bunkley hype.
9. Detroit Lions – Winston Justice, OT, USC
The Lions would rather have fixed their issues on defense with LB or S in this slot, but that just isn't how the draft falls for them. They'd love to trade down, but they'll settle for bolstering their OL.
10. St. Louis Rams (from Arizona Cardinals) – Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
Denny Green does not use a TE in his offense and would simply waste Davis. At the same time, he is not going to let this guy slide past him because he's just that good. He works the phones and takes St. Louis for a 4th rounder to swap picks. Davis will be a real force in the Ram offense.
11. Arizona Cardinals (from St. Louis Rams) – Ernie Sims, OLB, FSU
The Cardinals are tempted to take Cutler here, but Green goes defense in the end. The other LBs in the Cardinal defense have good size, so a slightly undersized guy like Sims will be okay for them. The best way for the Cards to win games doesn't come from scoring more points with that offense of theirs -- it comes from fixing the defense.
12. Cleveland Browns – Brodrick Bunkley, DT, FSU
Romeo would probably prefer a linebacker, but there isn't value at this point in the draft right there. He isn't looking for somebody the likes of Greenway. He'll settle for Bunkley, who may end up being more of a DE for the Browns D than a DT.
13. Baltimore Ravens – Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn
The Ravens aren't quite done with the Boller experiment. They'll give him one more year behind an upgraded OL thanks to McNeill the road grader.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
Greenway sounds exactly like an Andy Reid guy. They'd prefer a good #1 WR here, but I don't buy that there is one in this draft.
15. Denver Broncos (From Atlanta) – Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
He's the guy they traded here for.
16. Minnesota Vikings (from Miami Dolphins) – Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
Miami holds Cutler hostage to the Vikings, and the Vikings pay pick #83 as ransom. They'll get that much because they will tell the Vikings that the Cowboys are also interested in trading up for Cutler. (editor note: I did not set this up -- I have gone pick by pick, and I'm surprised at the 3 swaps I have concluded are likely as much as anybody should be)
17. Miami Dolphins (from Minnesota Vikings) – Jimmy Williams, CB, VPI
Don't count on Williams playing CB for Miami. Saban likes guys who can play both CB and S, and it is true that Miami has a bigger need at S, particularly if Will Poole comes back strong from a knee injury. Williams could move or second year CB Travis Daniels could make the swap.
18. Dallas Cowboys – Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
As scary a thought it is to pair Owens with any rookie WR, that position is still a problem for the Cowboys because they cannot rely on Owens.
19. San Diego Chargers – Eric Winston, OT, Miami
The Chargers have pieced together an OL for far too long with late round picks, and they no longer have Houck around to coach that unit. It's time for them to invest in players to make sure Tomlinson's way is clear, Rivers doesn't get killed, and Gates can get the ball.
20. Kansas City – Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
He'd be a good compliment to Surtain, though KC would probably prefer defensive line help.
21. New England Patriots – Antonio Cromartie, CB, FSU
New England clearly needs secondary help to get back where they were. If not for the knee concern, this guy may have been a top 10 pick.
22. Denver Broncos (From Wash) – DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
The DL will just have to wait with this sort of value on the board at RB. For all of the short term success at RB the team has had the past several years, they miss having consistency there. Williams will be a rock for the Broncos.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State
Don't expect Whitner to play S -- he could very well be a CB for this team. They'd love an offensive lineman, but it's too early for the likes of Scott or Colledge.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan
Sam Adams is a short term solution. Watson is a long term solution.
25. New York Giants – Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
They're a lock to pick a LB here.
26. Chicago Bears – Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
This isn't the way they imagined supplementing Muhammad, but it should be effective for them.
27. Carolina Panthers – Lendale White, RB, USC
RB isn't as pressing a need for them as it is for say the Colts, but they are awfully thin at the position and could use a bruiser like White to take the burden off of Foster.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars – Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP
This could change if they get Arrington, but the only other really obvious direction to go in would be OG. It's possible they could go with Howard and Arrington in one offseason.
29. New York Jets (from Denver) – Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
Maroney isn't the ideal RB for them, but they feel the need to do something about the position and know he won't last past the Colts for them to pick up in the second if they pass on him.
30. Indianapolis Colts – DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama
This turn of events likely had the Colts burning up the phones of every team from 23 to 26. I don't see a fit for them to trade with. It's too bad it works out this way for Ryans, but he is pretty much a booby prize for them. This could pave the way for a Ricky Williams trade if Ricky wins his appeal and Miami will part with him cheaply enough.
31. Seattle Seahawks – Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
He is just what the doctor ordered for this Seahawks team. If he weren't here, I'd project them to go after a guard to replace Hutchinson with. They might be able to handle that in the 2nd round, though.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jason Allen, S, Tennessee
He fills in very nicely for Hope.
JJ’s Mock Draft 1.0
Round 1
1. Houston Texans – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, UVA
I think the Texans are going to try hard to trade down here, but nobody is in a position to trade up with them for much value. The Jets are probably their most likely taker, but that seems unlikely because they couldn't close a deal for the #15 when they traded away Abraham. They'll set a trade deadline before negotiating on a contract with their selection, and that deadline will pass. Once it does, they'll be making a deal with Ferguson, not Bush.
2. New Orleans Saints – Reggie Bush, RB, USC
The Saints don't really need a RB, either. They're in a better position to make this move than the Texans are, though. I think they'll make this pick thinking that they can make a deal a la Eli Manning, and they might just do it. The difference between them and the Texans is that the Texans have a glaring need and no need for the position while the Saints don't have a need as vast and probably could use Bush because McAllister hasn't finished a season in two years and will be 28 this year.
3. Tennessee Titans – Matt Leinart, QB, USC
The Titans are beside themselves when they find Leinart on the board here.
4. Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets) – A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
The Jets love this position. They get their pick of defenders. They just wish they could take Williams, Hawk, and Huff. Just when they are about to choose, the Packers offer them pick #67 to swap.
5. New York Jets (from Green Bay Packers) – Michael Huff, CB, Texas
The Jets are very pleased they got that call from the Packers. They were going to take Hawk, but it was practically a coin flip situation for them. Huff gives the team a presence in the secondary that they have not had in a long time. Finding somebody to at least play part time at DE will be a priority, but New York doesn't think another prima donna DE is the best way to handle doing that.
6. San Francisco 49er’s – Mario Williams, DE, NC State
This works out very nicely because Williams is more devastating as a full time defender who can line up as a 3-4 DE or OLB depending on the situation. The Niners need help on offense, but they hope they can find it later in the draft.
7. Oakland Raiders – Vince Young, QB, Texas
There are really only three viable tutors for Vince -- McNair, Brooks, and Jay Fiedler. All of them are aging QBs who could potentially start for at least the early part of a season running an offense that would maximize Vince's mobility once he takes over. Oakland has Brooks and really needs a QB in order to realize the investment they have made on players like Jordan, Porter, and Moss. Most teams would take Cutler here instead, but Al has always been a maverick.
8. Buffalo Bills – Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
Many think Bunkley has overtaken Ngata. The clue phone on that one won't ring in Buffalo until probably three months after the draft. That's just how the Bills draft. There is no other way to explain picks like McGahee and Losman. Honestly, I think this might serve them well in this instance. I think Ngata is getting a bum rap and don't really buy the Bunkley hype.
9. Detroit Lions – Winston Justice, OT, USC
The Lions would rather have fixed their issues on defense with LB or S in this slot, but that just isn't how the draft falls for them. They'd love to trade down, but they'll settle for bolstering their OL.
10. St. Louis Rams (from Arizona Cardinals) – Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
Denny Green does not use a TE in his offense and would simply waste Davis. At the same time, he is not going to let this guy slide past him because he's just that good. He works the phones and takes St. Louis for a 4th rounder to swap picks. Davis will be a real force in the Ram offense.
11. Arizona Cardinals (from St. Louis Rams) – Ernie Sims, OLB, FSU
The Cardinals are tempted to take Cutler here, but Green goes defense in the end. The other LBs in the Cardinal defense have good size, so a slightly undersized guy like Sims will be okay for them. The best way for the Cards to win games doesn't come from scoring more points with that offense of theirs -- it comes from fixing the defense.
12. Cleveland Browns – Brodrick Bunkley, DT, FSU
Romeo would probably prefer a linebacker, but there isn't value at this point in the draft right there. He isn't looking for somebody the likes of Greenway. He'll settle for Bunkley, who may end up being more of a DE for the Browns D than a DT.
13. Baltimore Ravens – Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn
The Ravens aren't quite done with the Boller experiment. They'll give him one more year behind an upgraded OL thanks to McNeill the road grader.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
Greenway sounds exactly like an Andy Reid guy. They'd prefer a good #1 WR here, but I don't buy that there is one in this draft.
15. Denver Broncos (From Atlanta) – Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
He's the guy they traded here for.
16. Minnesota Vikings (from Miami Dolphins) – Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
Miami holds Cutler hostage to the Vikings, and the Vikings pay pick #83 as ransom. They'll get that much because they will tell the Vikings that the Cowboys are also interested in trading up for Cutler. (editor note: I did not set this up -- I have gone pick by pick, and I'm surprised at the 3 swaps I have concluded are likely as much as anybody should be)
17. Miami Dolphins (from Minnesota Vikings) – Jimmy Williams, CB, VPI
Don't count on Williams playing CB for Miami. Saban likes guys who can play both CB and S, and it is true that Miami has a bigger need at S, particularly if Will Poole comes back strong from a knee injury. Williams could move or second year CB Travis Daniels could make the swap.
18. Dallas Cowboys – Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
As scary a thought it is to pair Owens with any rookie WR, that position is still a problem for the Cowboys because they cannot rely on Owens.
19. San Diego Chargers – Eric Winston, OT, Miami
The Chargers have pieced together an OL for far too long with late round picks, and they no longer have Houck around to coach that unit. It's time for them to invest in players to make sure Tomlinson's way is clear, Rivers doesn't get killed, and Gates can get the ball.
20. Kansas City – Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
He'd be a good compliment to Surtain, though KC would probably prefer defensive line help.
21. New England Patriots – Antonio Cromartie, CB, FSU
New England clearly needs secondary help to get back where they were. If not for the knee concern, this guy may have been a top 10 pick.
22. Denver Broncos (From Wash) – DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
The DL will just have to wait with this sort of value on the board at RB. For all of the short term success at RB the team has had the past several years, they miss having consistency there. Williams will be a rock for the Broncos.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State
Don't expect Whitner to play S -- he could very well be a CB for this team. They'd love an offensive lineman, but it's too early for the likes of Scott or Colledge.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan
Sam Adams is a short term solution. Watson is a long term solution.
25. New York Giants – Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
They're a lock to pick a LB here.
26. Chicago Bears – Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia
This isn't the way they imagined supplementing Muhammad, but it should be effective for them.
27. Carolina Panthers – Lendale White, RB, USC
RB isn't as pressing a need for them as it is for say the Colts, but they are awfully thin at the position and could use a bruiser like White to take the burden off of Foster.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars – Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP
This could change if they get Arrington, but the only other really obvious direction to go in would be OG. It's possible they could go with Howard and Arrington in one offseason.
29. New York Jets (from Denver) – Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
Maroney isn't the ideal RB for them, but they feel the need to do something about the position and know he won't last past the Colts for them to pick up in the second if they pass on him.
30. Indianapolis Colts – DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama
This turn of events likely had the Colts burning up the phones of every team from 23 to 26. I don't see a fit for them to trade with. It's too bad it works out this way for Ryans, but he is pretty much a booby prize for them. This could pave the way for a Ricky Williams trade if Ricky wins his appeal and Miami will part with him cheaply enough.
31. Seattle Seahawks – Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
He is just what the doctor ordered for this Seahawks team. If he weren't here, I'd project them to go after a guard to replace Hutchinson with. They might be able to handle that in the 2nd round, though.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jason Allen, S, Tennessee
He fills in very nicely for Hope.
