Mock Draft- 3rd round, picks 82-98

82. Pittsburgh Steelers- Taylor Price, WR, Ohio

Price is another late riser who looked very good at the Senior Bowl in practices and in the game. He’s tall and has very good long speed. On the plus side, he’s a solid character player, so he comes in as the hopeful replacement for Santonio Holmes. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Pittsburgh reach out for West Virginia OT Selvish Capers either.

83. Atlanta Falcons- Dorin Dickerson, TE, Pittsburgh

After the unreal Combine performance that Dickerson put up, I don’t think he slips any further than this. I think Dennis Pitta is a more refined product at this point of their careers, but Dickerson has a much higher ceiling. Dickerson is a bulked up WR, and I actually think he can still play this position to create mismatches with smaller corners. He ultimately will fit into the TE position, and he gets to learn under perhaps the greatest to ever play the position in Tony Gonzales.

84. Cincinnati Bengals- Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas

Briscoe is a guy who I loved and hated. At times he looked like the big 6ft+ WR who could be a great perimeter guy at the next level, and at other times he looked pedestrian trying to break away from coverage. I think he’s worth the gamble at this point based on what he can potentially do. He can serve as an understudy to Ochocinco, and he may eventually develop into one of their top two receivers. If Briscoe is not the pick, don’t be surprised to see Jordan Shipley go here as he could make a more immediate impact than Briscoe in the slot and in the return game.

85. Cleveland Browns- Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU

Pitta would be an ideal fit for a West Coast offense, and this is the perfect fit for him. He did not block much, and not very well when he did block, but he showed the strength to do so at the combine by benching the most for the TEs. Pitta has some of the best hands I have seen on a TE, and he will be used a lot like Dallas Clark is used for the Colts. He will end up being Colt McCoy’s future go-to receiver when the pressure is on. And that’s when Pitta really makes plays. He understands zone coverage very well, and knows how to sit down, make the catch, and move the chains.

86. Green Bay Packers- Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale

Veldheer impressed me with his athleticism at the Combine, so even though I have not seen any game film on him, I have him go here based on his athletic ability. He has the size and feet to play either tackle spot, and this is a value pick for Ted Thompson. Veldheer doesn’t need to play this year or even next year, so he has time to fully develop under NFL coaching. I think that’s the best thing that can happen to Veldheer as he has the potential, the frame, and the athleticism to eventually be a starter.

87. Philadelphia Eagles- Selvish Capers, OT, West Virginia

Once again, Andy Reid will not walk away from the first three rounds without at least two offensive linemen. The Eagles could use a backup tackle, and Selvish is an athletic guy that is still very raw. He has decent feet, and may be able to move to the left side eventually, but at worst he can provide a primary back up on the right side. The Eagles are one of the best in the business at developing offensive lineman, so this is as good of a place to go as Capers could hope.

88. Arizona Cardinals- Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest

I actually like Jerome Murphy more than Ghee, but Murphy is a better fit in a Cover-2defense, so Ghee is the pick here. Ghee has impressive catch up speed, but he has to use it too often. He won’t be asked to come in and start next to DRC, he can play the nickel and use his speed on special teams. It’s a nice value and need pick.

89. Arizona Cardinals- Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon

The Cardinals have not had a true receiving threat at the TE position, and Dickson can step right in and start as a rookie. Dickson is a liability as a blocker, but he won’t need to do that in this offense. He’s a short to intermediate threat who can help bail out Leinart if he gets into trouble. Dickson probably would have went earlier in any other draft, but this one was stocked with quality TEs, so the Cardinals benefit.

90. Dallas Cowboys- Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas

Shipley gets to stay home with Cowboys, and this is about as good of a fit as he could hope for. Shipley can help the Cowboys right away as a slot receiver, and this is a spot where the Cowboys really don’t have a solid player. He can also return kicks and punts now that Felix Jones will take more responsibility in the offense, and I think Shipley is the best return man in this draft. To get him in the late third is a great value.

91. San Diego Chargers- Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan

Warren really slid because he did not run the optimal 40 time you’d like for a corner. That won’t matter for the Chargers as they like physical ball hawking corners in the nickel, and Warren fits that very well. Antoine Cason was similar to Warren, but definitely more talented, and he now moves to the outside to replace Antonio Cromartie. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chargers went with Mike Neal of Purdue to fit as a five-technique, or Reshad Jones of Georgia at Safety, but Warren is just too good of a value to pass up.

92. Cleveland Browns- Reshad Jones, S, Georgia

Jones is a desperate need pick at this point as safety is a huge need for the Browns, and it would not surprise me one bit to see them attack this position even earlier than this. Jones is a solid pick, who should have come back to work on his instincts as a Senior, but he makes a very good value late in the third. I don’t know if he’s ready to start right away, but he may have to for this defense. Danimal, if you are wondering who else may fit here in my opinion, I think Joe McKnight may be the guy (but I didn’t have the heart to give the Browns a guy I don’t really like).

93. Minnesota Vikings- Joe McKnight, RB, USC

The Vikings need to add another RB who can fill the shoes of Chester Taylor as a versitle third down back. I’m not saying McKnight is anywhere near Taylor, but he is a good receiver out of the backfield. He’s a decent value here at a position of need and fit for the team. This would also be the first place where I’d consider Tim Tebow, but this is a team with Super Bowl aspirations while Favre is still playing, so the future can wait as this team needs people who can help them meet that goal now.

94. Indianapolis Colts- Pat Angerer, MLB, Iowa

Angerer is a great fit for this Cover-2 defense as he can get deep and cover, and he’s the typical tough-guy player the Colts love. Angerer won’t have to start, but he’s a solid back up to Gary Brackett in the middle and even has some ability to move to the outside and potentially contribute at the SLB spot as well. He will play special teams and will be very good as well. I almost grabbed Tony Pike as the long term project to replace Peyton Manning, but Manning has a good 6-8 years, so they are better off taking a player who can help them.

95. New Orleans Saints- Mike Neal, DT, Purdue

Neal is a true undertackle who uses very good strength to hold the point, and quickness to rush the passer. Neal is a very good fit next to Sedrick Ellis, who has quickly developed more into a 4-3 NT prospect than a quick and penetrating undertackle like I thought he would. The Saints once again have the luxury to pick who fits their needs. If Neal isn’t the pick, I could also see Pike go here as a long term replacement for Brees.

96. Cincinnati Bengals- Tony Pike, QB, Cincinnati

I know, Carson Palmer isn’t that old, but who’s behind him on the bench? Yeah, his brother, Jordan. I don’t trust him to take the reigns of the first team offense should Palmer get hurt again. Pike is insurance, and with compensatory picks, you take players like this as they are almost like found money. Pike needs to get stronger and put some size on, but he is the prototypical pocket passer with good enough accuracy. He won’t have to play unless something happens, and that’s how it should be.

97. Tennessee Titans- Brandon Lang, DE, Troy

Lang will benefit from the recent alumni at his position from Troy (Umenyiori and Ware), but he’s not quite on that level. Lang still has good pass rush ability, and the Titans like to rotate players in along the DL. Lang will fit right into that spot, and will primarily play in passing situations so he can play to his strengths.

98. Atlanta Falcons- Matt Tennant, OC, Boston College

Those of you who laugh at me for this pick, go ahead. In three years, Tennant will be a better center than Pouncey will. Yes, this is a VERY bold prediction but I’m willing to stick to it. I think he goes here because no one else seems to like him as much as I do. The Falcons know him very well considering they saw him play when scouting Matt Ryan. Tennant fits a big need for this team, and I think he will be playing sooner than later. I will either fall on my face with this prediction, or I will boldly go where no one else is right now (except the NFL Network’s Pat Kirwin, who I obviously like an awful lot!).