Now that free agency is more than a week old, teams have been able to aggressively fill some needs while clearly leaving some other vacancies for the draft.There's a change in this week's top five, as two of the most exciting offensive players have found new homes. And the developments in free agency caused a number of trickle-down effects throughout the remainder of the first round.
Both of the Patriots' picks have changed from last week, and there's a clear focus on the defensive side
of the ball after they've loaded up on offense in free agency.
With that, it's time to unload NESN.com's fifth mock draft.
1. Indianapolis Colts
2011 Record: 2-14
Positional Needs: Quarterback, cornerback, guard, center, defensive tackle, wide receiver, outside linebacker, safety
The Pick: Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck
Analysis: If the Colts didn't cut so many key players, Luck might have been good enough to get them close to .500 as a rookie. But so it goes.
2. Washington Redskins
2011 Record: 2-14
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, guard, cornerback, tackle, tight end, safety
The Pick: Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III
Analysis: There's a lot of hype surrounding Griffin in Washington, so Redskins fans should have more of a presence at home games than last season.
3. Minnesota Vikings
2011 Record: 3-13
Positional Needs: Tackle, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, guard, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, running back
The Pick: USC tackle Matt Kalil
Previous Pick: Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon
Analysis: Since the first two picks are so predictable, the Vikings should be ready to turn in their draft card within seconds of being on the clock. Unless Mike Tice shows up.
4. Cleveland Browns
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, cornerback, defensive end, tackle, guard, outside linebacker
The Pick: Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Previous Picks: Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon
Analysis: The Browns have to take some pressure off quarterback Colt McCoy, and Richardson is a can't-miss prospect. They can add a wide receiver later in the round.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Cornerback, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, guard, running back
The Pick: LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne
Analysis: It'd be tempting to put Justin Blackmon across from Vincent Jackson, but the Bucs have too many holes to afford that luxury.
6. St. Louis Rams
2011 Record: 5-11
Positional Needs: Tackle, wide receiver, cornerback, guard, outside linebacker, safety, defensive tackle, running back
The Pick: Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon
Previous Pick: Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Analysis: If Blackmon is on the board and the Rams don't take him, quarterback Sam Bradford might start dropkicking people.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
2011 Record: 5-11
Positional Needs: Wide receiver, quarterback, cornerback, defensive end, safety, tackle
The Pick: South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram
Previous Pick: North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples
Analysis: With a heavy dose of offensive needs in the top six, the Jaguars should be in position to take the first defensive end off the board, and they'll need it.
8. Miami Dolphins
2011 Record: 6-10
Positional Needs: Quarterback, defensive end, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, inside linebacker, tight end, safety, wide receiver
The Pick: Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill
Previous Picks: Iowa tackle Riley Reiff, North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples
Analysis: With the way the Dolphins have bungled their quarterback situation, would it surprise anyone if Tannehill pulled a page out of John Elway's book and just said no?
9. Carolina Panthers
2011 Record: 6-10
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, cornerback, safety, tackle, wide receiver
The Pick: Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Previous Picks: LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox
Analysis: It's a struggle to put Poe here since the vast majority of his draft stock stems from the combine instead of the game field. But since none of the other upper-tier defensive tackles — who are all talented, no doubt — have distinguished themselves as the No. 1 guy, let's just ride with the workout warrior.
10. Buffalo Bills
2011 Record: 6-10
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, cornerback, tackle, wide receiver, inside linebacker, defensive end
The Pick: Iowa tackle Riley Reiff
Previous Picks: South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram, USC defensive end Nick Perry
Analysis: So much for needing a defensive end, huh? With one need filled, the Bills can address the other side of their line.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
2011 Record: 7-9
Positional Needs: Tackle, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back
The Pick: Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox
Previous Picks: Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Iowa tackle Riley Reiff
Analysis: The Chiefs really need to beef up the interior of their front seven.
12. Seattle Seahawks
2011 Record: 7-9
Positional Needs: Defensive end, defensive tackle, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, cornerback, guard
The Pick: North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples
Previous Picks: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill
Analysis: Nice job by the Seahawks for seemingly making a good decision to grab quarterback Matt Flynn. If Coples pans out, this will turn out to be a mighty nice offseason for head coach Pete Carroll.
13. Arizona Cardinals
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Tackle, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, guard, wide receiver, tight end, quarterback, cornerback
The Pick: Stanford guard David DeCastro
Previous Picks: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly, Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Analysis: I typically think this is too high for a guard, but DeCastro has been billed as a one-of-a-kind talent.
14. Dallas Cowboys
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Cornerback, safety, guard, inside linebacker, defensive end, center, defensive tackle, outside linebacker
The Pick: Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Previous Pick: Stanford guard David DeCastro
Analysis: The Cowboys need more than cornerback Brandon Carr to upgrade their secondary.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, guard, wide receiver, defensive tackle, cornerback, inside linebacker
The Pick: Alabama safety Mark Barron
Previous Pick: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly
Analysis: The Eagles hit the jackpot by acquiring inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans from the Texans, and that will cost Kuechly some money if he slides to this point. Barron will be another instant upgrade for Philly's defense.
16. New York Jets
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, tackle, defensive tackle, wide receiver, tight end
The Pick: Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin
Previous Pick: Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Analysis: The Jets need a ton of help, but they can't afford to ignore the tackle position now that Mario Williams is on the schedule twice.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Cornerback, running back, wide receiver, safety, guard, defensive end
The Pick: Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Previous Picks: North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Analysis: Upshaw will slide to defensive end and help the Bengals replenish some of their offseason losses.
18. San Diego Chargers
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, cornerback, wide receiver, tight end, guard, tackle
The Pick: USC defensive end Nick Perry
Previous Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Analysis: Perry could give the Chargers a little burst off the edge as an outside linebacker.
19. Chicago Bears
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Wide receiver, tight end, tackle, guard, safety, cornerback, running back
The Pick: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
Previous Pick: Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Analysis: Floyd got a DUI a year ago this week, and as a result, he's been overshadowed by Justin Blackmon. But if Floyd stays clean, he could end up being the best receiver in the draft class.
20. Tennessee Titans
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Guard, center, safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver
The Pick: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly
Previous Pick: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Analysis: The Titans could still use another defensive end, even after signing Kamerion Wimbley, but Kuechly is way too good to pass up on at this point in the draft.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Cornerback, running back, wide receiver, safety, guard, defensive end
The Pick: North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins
Previous Picks: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright, Alabama safety Mark Barron, Clemson defensive end Andre Branch
Analysis: Not bad, pass on Jenkins with the first pick, and still get him with the second pick. That's how you do that.
22. Cleveland Browns
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, cornerback, defensive end, tackle, guard, outside linebacker
The Pick: Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Previous Pick: Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins
Analysis: Wright was said to have gotten his 40-time into the 4.4s at Wednesday's pro day, so that should keep him in the top three at the position.
23. Detroit Lions
2011 Record: 10-6
Positional Needs: Cornerback, safety, tackle, center, defensive end, outside linebacker
The Pick: Ohio State tackle Mike Adams
Analysis: Quarterback Matthew Stafford surpassed 5,000 yards last season with a marginal offensive line at best.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
2011 Record: 12-4
Positional Needs: Tackle, guard, cornerback, inside linebacker, defensive tackle, running back
The Pick: Alabama inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower
Previous Pick: Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Analysis: Due to the cap problems and necessary cuts, the Steelers better draft well or they'll really fall behind in the AFC North.
25. Denver Broncos
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, inside linebacker, safety, cornerback, wide receiver, running back
The Pick: LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers
Previous Pick: Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Analysis: The obvious need is at defensive tackle, based on the above names. Can Tim Tebow two-gap?
26. Houston Texans
2011 Record: 10-6
Positional Needs: Wide receiver, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, guard, center, safety, cornerback
The Pick: Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill
Previous Picks: LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Analysis: The Texans have really fallen back to earth with an awful last week. They need to bounce back more than any team in the NFL after losing the right side of their offensive line and two of their defensive leaders.
27. New England Patriots
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback
The Pick: Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Previous Picks: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Alabama safety Mark Barron
Analysis: Mercilus was the Patriots' pick here in the original mock draft. After a month away and a few changes in the bottom third of this week's mock, he's back in New England to help the pass rush, which just lost Mark Anderson.
28. Green Bay Packers
2011 Record: 15-1
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, defensive end, safety, cornerback, running back
The Pick: Clemson defensive end Andre Branch
Previous Pick: Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still
Analysis: Branch would play outside linebacker across from Clay Matthews and add some legitimacy that Green Bay's pass rush lost in 2011.
29. Baltimore Ravens
2011 Record: 12-4
Positional Needs: Inside linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, center, safety, outside linebacker
The Pick: South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery
Previous Pick: Wisconsin center Peter Konz
Analysis: There are some definite questions about Jeffery's desire to stay in shape, but the Ravens' locker room can handle that.
30. San Francisco 49ers
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Wide receiver, cornerback, safety, outside linebacker, tackle, guard, quarterback
The Pick: Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Previous Pick: South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery
Analysis: The 49ers have been aggressive to add weapons to the offense, and now they've got to stabilize a shaky offensive line. Glenn would be a nice get at this point.
31. New England Patriots
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback, defensive tackle
The Pick: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still
Previous Picks: Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, Clemson defensive end Andre Branch, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers
Analysis: With Still and Whitney Mercilus, the Patriots wouldn't be messing around in the front seven. Bill Belichick salivates over quality defensive line depth.
32. New York Giants
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Insi
de linebacker, tight end, safety, cornerback, guard, defensive tackle, wide receiver
The Pick: Virginia Tech running back David Wilson
Previous Pick: Wisconsin center Peter Konz
Analysis: The Giants are going to have to add a running back at some point this offseason, so they might as well look in the draft. There isn't a consensus No. 2 after Trent Richardson, though.
Have a question for Jeff Howe? Send it to him via Twitter at @jeffphowe or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
