Mock Draft V2.0

OK, after seeing how the first version turned out, I was a bit disappointed. As I mentioned prior to starting V1.0, I completed this based on how I thought teams would go and not necessarily if I am that GM using how I feel the player should be rated.

So for this version, it’s going to be different than most other mock drafts you’ll read. A big part of it is that I like some players better than other draft experts do, and I want to reflect that here. I don’t want to be influenced by popular opinion or what I may have read on some sports web site. This is strictly going off what I have evaluated these draft-eligible players at over the past few years worth of data. I’ll try to explain why I have made each pick as well, so you can understand why I have made the choices listed.

1. Detroit Lions- Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

Smith has the most upside right now of any of the current tackles. While I still wonder how good of a run blocker he will be, he put up over 30 reps on the bench at the combine, so he has the natural strength to move guys off the line. He’s got elite pass blocking technique, and he’s an immediate starter that shows return on your investment immediately. Jeff Backus can play LG, or if he beats out Gosder Cherilus at RT, the loser of that position battle can play inside at guard. I pass on Stafford because I’m not sure he’s the best QB in this draft. Sanchez is right there with him in my eyes, and I even like the upside of Josh Freeman more because of his height. Stafford and Sanchez are both 6’2” and that’s not ideal for an NFL QB. Too many questions on them all to make me risk this with the top pick. If the Lions hadn’t made the trade for Julian Peterson last week, I would have taken Aaron Curry without question. Now he’s a luxury, so you pass. Remember when everyone hated on the Texans for passing on Reggie Bush for Mario Williams? Whose laughing now, and believe me, the Lions will remember this and take who they feel is the most worthy player based on talent and overall value not solely on which position should always be drafted first.

2. St. Louis Rams- Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Some may say this is forcing need over value, but the Rams have put themselves into a position where they absolutely have to go with the need over the value of a player like Curry. Monroe is close behind Smith because of his elite pass blocking skills as well. He will be an immediate starter and it should hopefully make this once terrible OL fairly strong now. Curry is the only other option I think of with this pick, but it’s once again too much of a luxury when there is such a big need at OT with a guy who’s value is close enough to warrant the pick.

3. Kansas City Chiefs- Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest

I think this is a home run for the Chiefs. To me, Curry is the best player in this draft regardless of position. So to get that kind of player with the third pick has to be a dream scenario for Scott Pioli. If the Chiefs do run a primary 3-4 front, Curry will most likely play one of the two ILB positions. But I think he’s flexible enough to slide into one of the rush OLB positions as well as he showed on film that he has the edge speed to get to the passer. He’s versatile enough to play any LB position in any defensive front, so you simply don’t pass on a player of his caliber when you have several big needs to fill. If this falls differently than I think Kansas City has to strongly consider BJ Raji to play the nose or Michael Crabtree as an additional offensive weapon.

4. Seattle Seahawks- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia

The Seahawks would LOVE to see Curry fall, but I think they’d have to do something stupid like move up a spot or two to get him. I don’t think it’s worth wasting the pick, so I sit tight here and take who falls. Stafford isn’t a pressing need by any means, but Hasselbeck is not getting any younger, and I don’t think Seneca Wallace is your answer either. With a move away from the West Coast heavy offense under Holmgren, someone with an arm like Stafford is an ideal QB of the future. He can learn under a veteran for a year or two, and provide good insurance in case he goes down with an injury. Due to the weather conditions in Seattle, I think Stafford is a better fit skill wise, so that is why I take him here. A LT would be huge as well, but Walter Jones has at least another year in him, and I’m not taking the third best OT before the consensus best QB.

5. Cleveland Browns- Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas

I’m very concerned that this pick will change in the next version, as I have a sinking feeling that Shaun Rogers will be traded since he’s not showing up to mini-camp. If he does get traded, then BJ Raji is a necessity. But if they can smooth things over with him, this is a great pick for the Browns. Orakpo is an explosive player, and I really like him a lot. He has great technique, and he can really hold the point against the run for a smaller former down lineman. The Browns desperately need to upgrade their pass rush, and Orakpo can do this right away. I don’t think it will take him long to transition to playing with his hand off the ground either, and that’s what this team needs with the fifth overall pick. Yes, I would agree that help in the secondary is about as critical, but a bad secondary can look good with an elite pass rush. So you fix that first, then fix the back end of the defense.

6. Cincinnati Bengals- BJ Raji, DT, Boston College

There might be better overall rated prospects available at this point, like a Michael Crabtree, but I just don’t think the need fits the value at this point. There are still too many question marks there for me to make the move, so I go with the sure thing in Raji. Some will be quick to point out that the Bengals DT’s actually played decently last year, and it was the DE’s that stunk. As I said last time though, impact players on the inside make players on the outside look better. You don’t pass on a presence like Raji at this point. He’s not only a force against the run with his enormous size and strength, but he’s got the quickness to get off the ball and rush the pass too. It’s a critical piece, even if they now have a very good rotation of three to four DT’s. I like Everette Brown a lot, and I wouldn’t argue with Michael Oher here one bit either, but I just personally favor Raji more and that’s why I take the big DT.

7. Oakland Raiders- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

I’m not Al Davis, so I don’t make stupid decisions based solely on a players timed speed. Crabtree is far too good to pass up, even without a recorded 40 time. He’s going to be a very good NFL WR, and the Raiders desperately need pass catching options for Jamarcus Russell’s development. It’s hard to believe that this scenario actually happened seeing as I would have bet my mortgage prior to the combine that Crabtree would have been gone in the top four picks. Oh how something like no 40 time changes things! It’s a great deal though for Oakland and Crabtree immediately becomes their #1 WR even if he’s not ready for it. They have no one at this position currently that is worth mentioning even.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri

It’s a slight bit of a reach for me here, but I make it based on what I anticipate having available to me in the following rounds. Maclin is better than my options in the second round if I take someone like an Andre Smith, a Michael Oher, or a Malcolm Jenkins here. The Jags, like the Raiders, have absolutely no one to throw the ball to right now. After cutting Matt Jones after his recent parole slip up, the Jags have pretty much moved on from all of their failed first round attempts at a WR. But they can’t keep this in mind and let it affect their choice here. Maclin is explosive and can make plays, even if he still needs some refinement to be a complete WR. He’s an impact return man as well and Jacksonville could use a game changer in the special teams phase of the game. Many other mocks are picking Mark Sanchez, but I just don’t understand that. He’d look just as poor as David Gerrard seeing as there is no one to throw the ball to anyway, so why do you spend a valued draft pick like that on someone who will not make an immediate difference on your aging team?

9. Green Bay Packers- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama

I’m not buying into the issue of the combine being such a catastrophe. Did he handle this in the wrong way? There is no doubt about it. Was it a pure indicator of his character? Absolutely not. My issues with Smith are the same I’ve had before, and that’s his consistency and work ethic. He tends to give up on blocks once he slips off, and I can’t stand that. Like I mentioned when I covered him in the player evaluations section, I really picked on him a lot this year because I thought at the beginning of the year that he was the best overall draft-eligible prospect. Those little things I picked on knocked him down, but it wasn’t enough for me to warrant dropping him out of the top 10 like a lot of other draft experts have. The Packers really need a RT prospect with size that can move the pile in the run game. Smith can do this for them, and he also has the upside of incredibly long arms. This means he can ride outside pass rushers past the QB without possessing elite foot speed, which is good enough for an upper echelon RT in the NFL. I do have my concerns about his effort, but I also think he’s learned his lesson from all that has happened. I think that he’s going to use this as motivation to really blow things up. If he shows he can hold up on the edge, it might be that the Packers can even move him over to LT once Chad Clifton retires. For now, he’s an instant starter at RT. A rush OLB like Aaron Maybin would be a good fit as well, but I don’t think he’s worth this high of a pick. Same goes for a corner like Malcolm Jenkins, although he does fit this defense well too.

10. San Francisco 49ers- Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State

I like Everette Brown more than Maybin, but I think he’s better fit as a down DE than a rush OLB. I am not a big fan of Maybin because I think he’s a one trick pony who is capitalizing on one good year, but this isn’t a bad fit for him either. I do not like him as a down DE, so he has to stand up and play rush OLB in a 3-4. He has a very quick first step and can get into the backfield very quickly to disrupt plays and rush the passer. He’ll need some help with covering him up in the run game, but he’s only going to be asked to do one thing: rush the QB. An OT like Michael Oher was VERY hard to pass on, but I think the 49ers would be better off drafting a RT like Jamon Meredith in the second round, who is more of a true RT. Oher can play RT, but I think he will ideally end up as a LT in the NFL. With either Maybin or Oher, the 49ers are more than likely to address these two positions in the first two rounds.

11. Buffalo Bills- Everette Brown, DE, Florida State

I don’t know why so many people are down on Everette Brown, but I really like him. Yes, he’s not very good against the run, but that’s not what you draft him for. He’s an impact pass rushing defensive end, who will need to be covered up a bit in the run game. That’s exactly what is missing in the Bills defensive front seven. As a pass rusher, he’s as refined as some guys who are three years in to their NFL careers. He has primary and secondary pass rush moves and he knows how to get to the QB. He’ll play in a rotation with Chris Kelsay and Aaron Schobel which will keep him fresh and make him a more impactful player. With the recent rumors swirling about that the Bills may trade Pro Bowl LT Jason Peters to the Eagles for one of their first round choices, don’t be surprised to see Michael Oher as the pick here. He’d be a very good pick anyway considering the Bills could use some help at the RT position as well.

12. Denver Broncos- Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC

I don’t care what happened to Maualuga and his 40 time at the combine, he’s a difference making inside presence. With a move to the 3-4, this team desperately needs some beef on the inside to help stuff the run. I think the Broncos will still be lacking the big run stuffing NT presence that they really need, so it will be imperative that they have the type of ILB’s who can pop linemen in the hole and disrupt the running game. The Broncos basically are in the position that they can draft pretty much any position on defense and be happy. They have very few impact players on defense, and most of them are 4-3 based personnel, so they need bodies in a bad way. Maualuga is a throw back to the old days of big, menacing inside presences. He’s a tone setter, and I think it’s a great move for Denver. The next best option is a DE like Tyson Jackson, but it’s too early for me to take him.

13. Washington Redskins- Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi

This is the absolute bottom of where Oher goes if I am running a draft room. The Redskins have neglected their OL over the past few years and it’s starting to show. When both their OT’s went down with injuries, it completely ruined the moment they had early on. It also stopped the effectiveness of Clinton Portis and the running game. Oher can step right in as the replacement for Jon Jansen, who looks to have suffered long term affects from the numerous injuries he’s had over the past few seasons. Chris Samuels hasn’t looked any better to be honest, so Oher could eventually take over as the LT for this team in the future. It’s a big win for the Redskins, even though this is almost far too rational of a decision for Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerato to make, but it’s supposed to be me making the pick so I go with Oher. You want a complete upset pick here? Don’t be surprised if Mark Sanchez’s name is called on draft day. Jason Campbell is in the final year of his rookie deal, and if the Skins liked him that much, he’d be signed to a long term contract already. In Jim Zorn’s timing based passing system, Sanchez would be an excellent fit, so it wouldn’t be a terrible idea.

14. New Orleans Saints- Brian Cushing, OLB, USC

I think this is a steal for Cushing, who has the skills to be the complete package. He has great technique to shed blockers with his hands and stop the run, he’s strong and quick enough to be an effective blitzer off the corner, and he’s fast enough to cover TE’s. He’s just an extremely safe pick and I could see him go as high as #9 overall to the Packers. The Saints don’t have many holes to fill, and I think this comes down to Cushing, Malcolm Jenkins, and maybe one of the top two running backs (Beanie Wells or Knowshon Moreno). I’d even think very hard about grabbing another first round DT in Peria Jerry as well. That would be four first round DL, but it would also make their secondary look awfully good.

15. Houston Texans- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

I think I am in the minority that believes Malcolm Jenkins’ poor 40 time shouldn’t hurt him that much. I mean, it’s a couple hundredths of a second we are talking here, so I just don’t see why so many are knocking him that far down. I think he can still be a very effective starting corner in the NFL, and at worst, he’d make for an excellent FS. The Texans need help at both spots, so Jenkins is a great value here. Peria Jerry is a favorite of mine, but they need a massive run stuffing DT instead of the penetrating undertackle (since they already have this guy in Amobi Okoye). If Jenkins is gone and Cushing is still there, then I’d jump all over him at this spot and go value over the bigger need of DB.

16. San Diego Chargers- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

I’ve spoken at length about this with my crazy Chargers loving friend Jin-Ho. I think that AJ Smith has to be looking at three guys here: Maualuga, Oher, and Jackson. All three fit needs for this team, all three are the type of players that Smith loves to draft, and all three would start immediately. Maualuga would be pitched as the second coming of Junior Seau, and it fits for many reasons. I just don’t think he, nor Oher, will be available come the 16th pick overall. Jackson is a hell of a consolation prize though, as I think DE is their biggest need after letting Olshanksy walk to the Cowboys. Jackson is the prototype for a 3-4 DE, and he will instantly allow Merriman and Phillips a cleaner pathway into the backfield by holding up blockers at the line. Eben Britton would be in the conversation as well, but I just think that Jackson makes more sense from a value and need standpoint. RT prospects like Sebastian Volmer or Fenuki Tupou will be available in the third round for the Chargers.

17. New York Jets- Mark Sanchez, QB, USC

I seriously doubt he falls this far, but we’ve seen more precipitous drops in the past with Aaron Rodgers and Brady Quinn, so it’s very likely this happens. I think the Jets will be in a tough spot choosing between Josh Freeman, who they are rumored to like a lot, and Sanchez. Since I’m the GM, I’m taking who I think is the more NFL ready QB in Sanchez. Freeman has the ideal physical frame and strong arm that is a big plus I the swirling winds of the Meadowlands, but Sanchez has the accuracy and leadership that I want in a franchise QB. The Jets have been aggressive in free agency, so they have very few holes to fill. If the QB’s have gone before this pick, then look for a WR like Percy Harvin or Darrius Heyward-Bey to be the pick as the Jets need help on the perimeter and in the slot.

18. Chicago Bears- Ebben Britton, OT, Arizona

Allowing John St. Clair to sign with the Browns was a big mistake by Angelo and the Bears. I will be the first person to admit that St. Clair is a nice back up, and not a guy you really want starting for your team, but he was worth paying to come back. Shoot, the Bears were paying Terrance Metcalf more than a million dollars a year to be the worst back up guard in football. St. Clair didn’t get a huge bank breaking deal by any means, but it seems to be the trend this off-season where the owners are handcuffing the GM from spending any money. I like Britton as a RT though, and he plays a lot like the now retired John Tait. The Tribune reported yesterday that Britton was one of the highest scorers on the Wonderlik test at the combine, which shows he’s smart enough to pick up the playbook quickly. Add to that the fact that Angelo and Lovie seem to always pick bright guys (take the two from Vanderbilt last season) and this pick seems like a gimme. It very well may be why Chicago is ignoring the current available free agent tackles like Kevin Schaeffer and Orlando Pace. He provides a book end tackle that can pair with Chris Williams to solve this OL for the next 10 years. It’s safer than the bigger need of WR, but it may be a bit of a reach considering Illinois’ Vontae Davis is still on the board as well and the Bears have been rumored to be interested in a corner. But I’m concerned with his consistency, so I go for need over value here. (NOTE: I completed this mock on Monday, but have not posted it until now. So this did not take into account that the Bears had signed Kevin Schaeffer.)

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State

New Bucs head coach Raheem Morris was a coach at Kansas State when Josh Freeman was a Freshman, so he knows him very well. Freeman is the rawest of the top QB prospects, but I like his physical attributes more than the other three. He reminds me a lot of Ben Roethlisberger with his size, arm, and ability to throw on the run. He’s going to take his lumps and it may be a rebuilding year or two for the Bucs, but it might just be best to throw him in to the fire and see what he can do. He has a strong OL in front of him, so that will be a big plus. The only other option for me here is Peria Jerry, but the QB is too valuable to pass up at this point in the draft. Plus it makes for a palatable contract at a normally expensive position.

20. Detroit Lions- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois

This was a very hard decision to make between Peria Jerry and Davis, and two things helped push me to choose Davis. First, Jerry has had some issues staying healthy, so that factored in slightly. Secondly, new head coach Jim Schwartz likes big bodied DL who can hold down blockers at the line and Jerry is not this type of player. Cornerback is a huge need for the Lions as well, so the suddenly slipping Davis would qualify as a steal here. Davis does have his flaws as well, as he has not consistently played up to his talent level, but he’s physically gifted enough to be drafted at least five picks higher than this. The Lions would like to hope and pray that Josh Freeman falls to them with the choice of Jason Smith first, but it doesn’t happen in this scenario. If he is available at #18 though, look for the Lions to be calling the Bears about a trade up. Moving down two spots and getting Detroit’s top pick in the third round would be a great move for both teams as well, seeing as Detroit still has Dallas’ third rounder from the Roy Williams trade. Or even the latter selection would be enough for me to move as Britton would still be available here for the Bears to grab and that extra third round pick could net a starting caliber player.

21. Philadelphia Eagles- Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

I think Andy Reid really wants one of the OT’s like Britton to fall to him with this pick, but I don’t see that happening. There is the possibility that they make a slight reach and go with Jamon Meredith of South Carolina, but I don’t think that’s the right value for now. Moreno is a very nice fit into this offense. He’s a tougher runner than his size indicates, and he has the hands to succeed as a pass catcher out of the backfield in an offense that uses the RB as a receiver a lot. Moreno might not hold up as an every down back, so this is a perfect situation. It’s insurance for an injury prone Brian Westbrook, and sharing the load will help extend his career. One of the top WR’s left like Heyward-Bey, Nicks, or Harvin would be a very good option as well but RB is a better value at this spot. Beanie wells or LeSean McCoy could very well go here too, it really just depends on which one the Eagles prefer. I have them all rated pretty much evenly, so I just went with the guy who I thought was the best fit for the system.

22. Minnesota Vikings- Peria Jerry, DT, Mississippi

I know some of you will immediately question this pick, but hear me out. This is a team that has no glaring need outside of a QB. And a rookie QB is not the answer either. So with that in mind, I take a strict best player available approach. But after thinking about this one for a bit, I realized that this makes more sense than I originally thought. I know Jerry is not quite the type of big DT that the Vikings currently have, but then again, Kevin Williams is the same type of player that Jerry is (just bigger). Outside of Pat and Kevin Williams, this is a thin position for the Vikings. And consider the fact that the positive drug test last year for both Williams’ (the whole StarCaps issue where they took them trying to cut weight) will be heard by a judge prior to the season. If it is upheld, they will both serve a four game suspension. So they will be in desperate need of help at the position if this does hold up. So Jerry would see significant time early, potentially. Even if the ruling is overturned and they aren’t suspended, Jerry will be effective as a third down pass rusher when Pat Williams and his 350+lbs are fork lifted to the sidelines.

23. New England Patriots- Clay Matthews, OLB, USC

I think this is a huge no-brainer. I really like Matthews because he plays all-out on every down. He might not be the most talented athlete on the field, but he’ll outwork every on it. Matthews had a great combine though, and it very well could be that he moves higher than this based on his potential. I’m not too sure as I think his lack of experience in dropping into coverage almost commits him completely to playing in a 3-4. It’s a great move by the Patriots as Matthews will pick things up quickly and become a force for this team just like last year’s DROY Jarod Mayo. ILB might be a bigger need, but I like Matthews a lot more than Laurinaitis, so that’s the pick I go with.

24. Atlanta Falcons- Ron Brace, DT, Boston College

You may all be ready to sound the reach alert, but I don’t care. This team is sorely lacking the big, physical inside presence to occupy blockers and allow the undersized ends on this team rush the passer. I like Ziggy Hood a bit better as an overall DT prospect, but he’s too much like the players they already have at this position (like Jonathan Babineaux). Brace gives the Falcons a massive run stuffing presence on the interior that will clear room for everyone else to get after the passer. Plus I think that Atlanta showed last year in moving up for LT Sam Baker that they aren’t afraid to grab a player with a bit less value at a position of dire need. If not Brace, then I think a big corner like Darius Butler or even FS Louis Delmas are the choice here. Mark my words, Brace may very well be the hottest prospect come draft day that goes much higher than anticipated.

25. Miami Dolphins- James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State

I was torn on whether I should draft Laurinaitis or Darrius Heyward-Bey, so I went with Laurinaitis, as he’s more NFL ready right now. Parcells likes to build his teams around a stout defense and they are hurting right now at ILB due to little depth and the always fragile Channing Crowder as one of the starters. Laurinaitis will be an immediate starter and I think he will succeed on a team like Miami. He’s not going to be asked to carry this team, and there is veteran leadership in place. They need a game breaking WR pretty badly, but I just think that this is a position they will go after in round two. If Brace were to fall, I would have picked him here because Jason Ferguson is all they have for NT. An OLB like Larry English is very tempting as well, but they did pick up developmental prospect Cameron Wake from the CFL this off-season to try and mold him at this spot.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland

I think the Ravens have to be hoping and praying that local product DHB falls into their laps. The Ravens have very few needs, and they always draft well, but this is an absolute no brainer. This was a team who barely had three WR’s on the roster in total, so a warm body would be an upgrade for developing Joe Flacco. Heyward-Bey is much more than a warm body though and Flacco has the arm to get it to him on the deep ball. If I were Baltimore, I’d run him on fly routes non-stop to open up the underneath of the defense. It’s easy enough for him to run this route as a rookie, and he has the speed where you have to give the corner deep safety help. Alphonso Smith of Wake Forest would be a PERFECT fit for this defense, so he was very hard to pass over. But I just think the defense is in much better shape than this offense, so WR is the choice.

27. Indianapolis Colts- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

The rich get richer. Yes, my defense needs some serious help here, but I ignore need and go value instead. I actually got this down to a tough choice between Beanie Wells and Harvin, but Harvin has more potential to make a big impact. Harvin will be worked out of the slot, which is where I feel he is best fit, and he can use his blazing speed and quickness to create matchup problems for the defenses. Heck, if the defense can’t stop people, at least Peyton and the offense will have a chance to outscore everyone. Ziggy Hood would be a great fit at DT, but he does not hold the value that Harvin does at this point in the draft.

28. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State

I’m not a huge fan of Pettigrew, but this was as good of a place to take him as any. I think Andy Reid really wants an OL here, but none of worth the reach. Pettigrew will help in the blocking game, and he’s the reliable short to intermediate receiver that the eagles thought they had with LJ Smith years ago (who is now with the Ravens). A FS like Louis Delmas would be a great pick as well, but I just like Pettigrew more for this spot.

29. New York Giants- Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

No, Nicks is not the deep threat burner that Plaxico Burress is, but he’s built like him physically. Nicks is tall and can out jump most DB’s, so he’s just the type of receiver the Giants need. I’m a big fan of Nicks and I think he’s going to be an excellent pro. I seriously doubt the Giants draft here though as they should be heavily involved in trade talks for a veteran like Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards. Either one of those guys provides a sure thing, bona fide NFL caliber starter, which you don’t know Hicks will be for sure. It’s safer, a bit more expensive in the long run considering the desire for a contract extension from both of them, but safer.

30. Tennessee Titans- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Johnson is the biggest enigma of this entire draft class. He has the combination of size, speed, and athleticism that you look for in a Pro Bowl caliber pass rusher but he’s not put it all together yet. He won’t be asked to do too much for the Titans, and he’ll get to learn from a guy who he resembles fairly closely in Javon Kearse. The Titans have a very good team right now that has youth, talent, and depth, so they can take the best player available and I think that’s Johnson in this case. A WR or a CB would be a bigger need, but they aren’t so glaring that they can’t be filled in the following rounds.

31. Arizona Cardinals- Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells, RB, Ohio State

After running a low 4.4 to high 4.3 40 time at his pro day, I don’t really envision Wells lasting this long. But since I was the GM of every team before this, I wouldn’t draft him until this spot. His injury history scares the hell out of me, and he runs fairly soft for such a big back. The rub of it all is that Wells is without a doubt the most physically gifted running back in this class. So he’s a bit like Johnson with the pick above where he could go much higher based on his potential, but his production to this point makes him safer down here. I think the Cardinals will take the best player available at either OC, OLB, CB, or RB. Wells just happens to be the best player available on my draft board, and it fits a need, so I go with him.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers- Alex Mack, OC, California

I feel like a hero being able to get Mack with the 32nd pick overall! I think he's an instant starter at either center or guard for this team, and he will fix the biggest weakness the Super Bowl champions had from last year. I think you plug him in at center and he joins the likes of Mike Webster and Dermonti Dawson as all time Steeler and NFL greats. Yes, that’s awfully good company to hold Mack in but I think he’s going to be a star in this league. I’m extremely confident in my evaluation of him, and I love what he can do on and off the field. The only other player I go for at this point is a CB like Alphonso Smith (who would fit well since he has return ability too) or Darius Butler.