The loyal readers have asked, and we’d be fools not to deliver. We’re making a change to the mock draft format, which will include 33 picks for as long as the Patriots hold the first selection of the second round.
It’s a quiet time for draft prospects, so the changes in this mock are minimal. Most, if not all, of them are working out on their own in preparation for the combine in two weeks. That’s where 300-pound men will scamper around cones, 5-foot-7 wide receivers will showcase a jumping-straight-up ability that will determine if they’re a fifth-rounder or sixth-rounder, and quarterbacks will have egg-and-spoon races (OK, we made up the last one).
Let’s open up Mock Draft II, the second edition of 13 mock drafts that will run every Thursday until April 28. Check out Mock Draft I by clicking here.
1. Carolina Panthers
2010 Record: 2-14
Needs: Quarterback, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, guard, wide receiver, tight end, defensive end
The Pick: Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley
Analysis: Defensive end Charles Johnson had an excellent season with 11.5 sacks. If the Panthers line him up next to Fairley, offenses would have to choose which player to double.
2. Denver Broncos
2010 Record: 4-12
Needs: Defensive end, cornerback, safety, outside linebacker
The Pick: Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers
Analysis: Can’t imagine Bowers falling past the second pick.
3. Buffalo Bills
2010 Record: 4-12
Needs: Quarterback, tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker, tight end, cornerback, safety
The Pick: Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller
Analysis: Bills boss Chan Gailey coached Von Miller at the Senior Bowl, where Miller’s stock skyrocketed.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
2010 Record: 4-12
Needs: Defensive end, quarterback, running back, wide receiver, inside linebacker, safety
The Pick: North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn
Analysis: Many think Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green could go here. If head coach Marvin Lewis has a say — and that’s debatable at this point — it would be shocking to see him take a wideout with all of the defensive talent available.
5. Arizona Cardinals
2010 Record: 5-11
Needs: Quarterback, left tackle, guard, outside linebacker, cornerback
The Pick: LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson
Analysis: LSU can be a tough team to watch, but Peterson made it enjoyable. He’s a freak of an athlete with top-pick potential.
6. Cleveland Browns
2010 Record: 5-11
Needs: Wide receiver, tackle, guard, defensive end, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, cornerback, safety
The Pick: Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green
Analysis: It’s extremely rare that a wide receiver is worthy of a top-10 pick, but Green could be one of the five best wideouts in the NFL by 2012 and quarterback Colt McCoy needs someone to throw to.
7. San Francisco 49ers
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Quarterback, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, defensive end, safety, wide receiver
The Pick: Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara
Analysis: This would give the Cornhuskers a top-10 pick in two straight seasons. Ndamukong Suh didn’t disappoint in 2010.
8. Tennessee Titans
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Quarterback, inside linebacker, defensive end, guard
The Pick: Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert
Analysis: Hey, the Titans have a coach, but how did they not interview Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers? Anyway, Gabbert might not be worthy of a top-10 pick, but he would at least symbolize the dawn of a new era. The Falcons were in that position with Matt Ryan in 2008, and that worked out.
9. Dallas Cowboys
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Tackle, defensive end, guard, safety, cornerback
The Pick: Colorado tackle Nate Solder
Previous Pick: Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus
Analysis: It’s still unclear which teams are high on Solder and which aren’t, but Jerry Jones vowed to improve the offensive line in this draft.
10. Washington Redskins
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Quarterback, right tackle, wide receiver, right guard, cornerback, safety, defensive end
The Pick: Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett
Previous Pick: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton
Analysis: Head coach Mike Shanahan drafted a rocket-armed quarterback with questionable character once (Jay Cutler), and if Mallett has just a decent string of interviews at the combine, he could find himself in the top-third of the first round. At this very moment, this is too high for Mallett, but this is just a prediction.
11. Houston Texans
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Cornerback, safety, outside linebacker, defensive tackle
The Pick: Miami cornerback Brandon Harris
Analysis: If Marcell Dareus is still available, it would be difficult for the Texans to pass on him, but they’ve simply got to get a defensive back, even if it means over-drafting.
Click here for picks 12-22Â Â |Â Â Click here for picks 23-33
