The first two picks have been set in stone for weeks, and the biggest drama now comes with the third selection, which the Vikings would be wise to try to shop. Yet, it wouldn't be a bad consolation if they managed to land a franchise-caliber left tackle. That type of drama should be in play all the way up to draft night.
For now, let's roll out Mock Draft VIII.
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: Luck might generate more revenue for the Colts than if owner Jim Irsay won the Mega Millions drawing a couple weeks ago.
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: If Griffin saves the Redskins, imagine the type of monument that owner Dan Snyder will erect for him in D.C.
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: Kalil would be great, but the Vikings have so many needs that they'd be foolish not to field trade offers for this pick.
4. Cleveland Browns
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, cornerback, defensive end, tackle, guard, outside linebacker
The Pick: LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne
Previous Picks: Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon, Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Analysis: It looks like this is between Claiborne and Richardson, but the Browns could make their defense unique with two top-notch corners.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Cornerback, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, guard, running back
The Pick: Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Previous Pick: LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne
Analysis: It's only a matter of time until LeGarrette Blount challenges Richardson to a steel-cage match for the starting job.
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: Pair Blackmon with quarterback Sam Bradford for the next decade, and let the two go to work.
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: This could be a landing spot for Michael Floyd, which would make sense, but there's too much of a need on defense.
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: General manager Jeff Ireland will reportedly be fired if he doesn't find a promising quarterback in the draft. While Ireland is partly responsible for the Dolphins' run of offseason misfortunes, he might not hate the idea of starting over somewhere else. It would serve as a twisted form of entertainment to see him sabotage Miami's draft on his way out.
9. Carolina Panthers
2011 Record: 6-10
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, cornerback, safety, tackle, wide receiver
The Pick: Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox
Previous Picks: LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Analysis: The Panthers would be in a good spot to take the best defensive lineman available, which would be Cox or Quinton Coples in this mock. Since Coples is a huge boom-bust candidate, Cox looks like the sturdy pick.
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: Who cares if this is a reach? The Bills have a need, and this is a nice way to address it.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
2011 Record: 7-9
Positional Needs: Tackle, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back
The Pick: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly
Previous Picks: Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Iowa tackle Riley Reiff, Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox
Analysis: Scott Pioli was still with the Patriots when they drafted inside linebacker Jerod Mayo. That worked well.
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: If head coach Pete Carroll can keep Coples pumped and jacked, Seattle's front seven will have a major weapon off the edge.
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: With so many possible directions, it's not a bad idea to take DeCastro, put him at guard and forget about that position for the next 10 years.
14. Dallas Cowboys
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Cornerback, safety, guard, inside linebacker, defensive end, center, defensive tackle, outside linebacker
The Pick: Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Previous Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Analysis: I wanted to send Mark Barron to the Cowboys, but I'll buy into the hype that they really want Poe.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, outside linebacker, safety, guard, wide receiver, cornerback, inside linebacker
The Pick: LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers
Previous Picks: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly, Alabama safety Mark Barron, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still
Analysis: Momentum is building toward the Eagles taking a defensive tackle. Brockers has the most upside of those who remain, but if the Eagles want someone with more attacking ability, they might instead reach for Jerel Worthy.
16. New York Jets
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, tackle, defensive tackle, wide receiver, tight end
The Pick: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
Previous Picks: Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin
Analysis: The Jets didn't go after Peyton Manning because they do truly believe in Mark Sanchez, and they think he can raise his game with better weapons. Floyd would definitely aid that progression.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Cornerback, running back, wide receiver, safety, guard, defensive end
The Pick: South Carolina cornerback Stephen Gilmore
Previous Picks: North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Analysis: The Terence Newman signing was nice, but it's not the answer. The Bengals should jump at the opportunity to take the second cornerback off the board.
18. San Diego Chargers
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, cornerback, wide receiver, tight end, guard, tackle
The Pick: Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Previous Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, USC defensive end Nick Perry, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Analysis: The Chargers should be happy to address a major need by landing the first pure 3-4 outside linebacker in the draft.
19. Chicago Bears
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Defensive end, wide receiver, tight end, tackle, guard, safety, cornerback, running back
The Pick: USC defensive end Nick Perry
Previous Picks: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Analysis: It's a really nice way for a young defensive end to develop when he's lined up across from Julius Peppers. Perry will get a ton of one-on-one matchups.
20. Tennessee Titans
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Guard, center, cornerback, safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver
The Pick: Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Previous Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus, Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly
Analysis: Kirkpatrick gets bumped down the totem pole to the third cornerback in this week's mock draft.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Cornerback, running back, wide receiver, safety, guard, defensive end
The Pick: Alabama safety Mark Barron
Previous Picks: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright, Clemson defensive end Andre Branch, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, South Carolina cornerback Stephen Gilmore
Analysis: The Bengals would be wildly excited to come out of the first round with Barron and Gilmore. Big upgrade in the secondary.
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, USC defensive end Nick Perry
Analysis: The Browns shouldn't worry about taking a quarterback with this pick because there are too many uncertainties with the next tier at the position. If they tank the season with Colt McCoy, they'll be in line to get Matt Barkley next year.
23. Detroit Lions
2011 Record: 10-6
Positional Needs: Cornerback, safety, tackle, center, defensive end, outside linebacker
The Pick: Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Previous Pick: Ohio State tackle Mike Adams
Analysis: Same deal as always, this will come down to the best cornerback or offensive lineman available.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
2011 Record: 12-4
Positional Needs: Tackle, guard, defensive tackle, cornerback, inside linebacker, running back
The Pick: Alabama inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower
Previous Pick: Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Analysis: The Steelers need offensive linemen, but they've only used one first-round pick on the O-line in the last nine years.
25. Denver Broncos
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, inside linebacker, safety, cornerback, wide receiver, running back
The Pick: Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy
Previous Picks: Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers
Analysis: Worthy will add some ferocity to the middle of Denver's line.
26. Houston Texans
2011 Record: 10-6
Positional Needs: Wide receiver, right tackle, guard, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, safety, cornerback
The Pick: LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle
Previous Picks: Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright, Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill
Analysis: Randle overtakes Hill on the draft board as the fourth best receiver available.
27. New England Patriots
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback
The Pick: North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins
Previous Picks: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Alabama safety Mark Barron, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Analysis: By talent alone, Jenkins would be a top-10 pick, but his baggage — four kids with three women, multiple arrests that led to the boot from Florida, and recently firing his agents — raises plenty of questions. If the Patriots are comfortable with him, they could land a goldmine.
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: Outside linebacker Clay Matthews needs a little help. If last season proved anything, it's that even the best pass rushers can't do it by themselves.
29. Baltimore Ravens
2011 Record: 12-4
Positional Needs: Inside linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, center, safety, outside linebacker
The Pick: Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler
Previous Picks: Wisconsin center Peter Konz, South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery
Analysis: The Ravens should be able to add a comparable receiver to Jeffery in the second round, so they turn their attention to one of the draft's best interior linemen with this pick.
30. San Francisco 49ers
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Guard, cornerback, wide receiver, defensive tackle, safety, outside linebacker, quarterback
The Pick: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still
Previous Picks: South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins
Analysis: The 49ers probably don't have any hardcore needs to fill in the draft, and loading up on depth is a nice luxury to have.
31. New England Patriots
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback, defensive tackle
The Pick: Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Previous Picks: Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, Clemson defensive end Andre Branch, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, South Carolina cornerback Stephen Gilmore, Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy
Analysis: Mercilus slid way down the board this week, and this would be a dynamite first round for the Patriots if they came away with the nation's best sack artist and a top-notch cornerback like Janoris Jenkins.
32. New York Giants
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Inside linebacker, tight end, safety, cornerback, guard, defensive tackle, wide receiver
The Pick: Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin
Previous Pick: Wisconsin center Peter Konz, Virginia Tech running back David Wilson, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Analysis: This was between Martin and Nebraska outside linebacker Lavonte David. There might not be a right answer between the two for the Super Bowl champs.
Fallen Out: Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill, South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery
Click here to see photos of potential first-round picks >>
Previous Mocks: Mock Draft 1.0, Mock Draft 2.0, Mock Draft 3.0, Mock Draft 4.0, Mock Draft 5.0, Mock Draft 6.0, Mock Draft 7.0
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.
Photo via Flickr/blaizezephyr
