11. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
>> Jamaal Charles is expected back in 2012, but I have the Chiefs selecting RB Trent Richardson. Who falls right into their laps at #11 overall. In the 2011 season, with the absence of Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones and Jackie Battle shared carries. The problem is both will soon be free agents. The addition of Richardson to the Kansas City backfield instantly makes it one of the best in the league. A two-headed monster duo of Jamaal Charles and Trent Richardson sounds brilliant. Richardson is the in-between the tackles type of runner. He is patient until the hole develops, and then goes in full speed ahead. Richardson is not afraid of contact, actually he loves it. Lowers the head down, and runs through defenders. The strength/agility combination Trent has is something that has not been seen since Adrian Peterson came out.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC
>> Head coach Pete Carroll will take the USC product Nick Perry with the #12 overall pick. One thing Seattle needs is pass rush, and adding Nick Perry should help with that. The addition will also benefit DE Chris Clemons, allowing him to play tackles one on one. Nick Perry is an extremely active edge rusher, and draws comparisons to Jared Allen.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT-Stanford
>> The Arizona Cardinals have been in need of a left tackle for quite some time now. In Jonathan Martin, they get a guy that’s rated as the 3rd best offensive lineman, of which there is a deep class. Jonathan Martin is very athletic for a tackle, and he played in the most pro-style college offense. He has a very high football IQ, and he plays the game smart. Martin could anchor the left side of the Cardinals offense for many years to come.
14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
>> The Cowboys have been having problems with the interior of the offensive line. In 2011, Tony Romo was the 6th most sacked QB in the league, going down 36 times. A lot of the problems were caused by injuries along the interior of the Cowboys line. Montrae Holland was put on injured reserve due to a torn biceps, and then Derrick Dockery also missed time due to injury. It only gets worse; Kyle Kosier went down with an MCL on the last game against the Giants. With injuries and question marks at both guard positions, the Cowboys will be looking to address that issue head on by drafting the best OG of the draft. David DeCastro is as good as they come, when it comes to protecting the QB. DeCastro is always aware of late blitzers, he has terrific leverage, and excels in run blocking on the move. Should be a great addition to the Cowboys’ interior.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
>> Luke Kuechly is one of the most decorated linebackers in NCAA history. Winner of the 2011 Bronko Nagurski award as the nation’s best defensive player, Kuechly racked up unbelievable numbers. The bad play of the Philadelphia Eagles’ linebackers is not hard to find. They were constantly getting gashed with big runs, and couldn’t cover anybody. To be fair, none of the linebackers were drafted higher than the 4th round, so you could say they were just not talented enough. Either way, the Eagles need a presence in the middle of their defense, and Luke Kuechly is that guy.
16. New York Jets: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
>> Most Jets fans are fed up with the quarterback play of Mark Sanchez, and some would like to see the team use their first round pick on a quarterback. Calm down Jets fans, Mark Sanchez may not be Tom Brady or Drew Brees, but he did take your team to two AFC championship games, and he’s only 3 seasons into his pro career. So where do the Jets go at #16? They go with a talented safety. Mark Barron. Current strong safeties Jim Leonard and Brodney Pool will both be free agents. Jim Leonard was the starter, but he lacks good size for the position. He’s only 5’8”, 188lbs. And you expect him to stop a guy like Rob Gronkowski? Well, Alabama SS Mark Barron just might. He’s listed at 6’2”, 218lbs. He is an extremely talented safety, strong, heavy hitter, and a classic ball-hawk. Reads run plays, and goes through the blockers for run support. Rex Ryan, in his crazy schemes, could make him a very effective player from day 1.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (VIA OAK): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
>> The Cincinnati Bengals need some help on defense, but they REALLY need some help with their offense. Had David DeCastro been available, I think they pick him up here. But, he’s already gone to the Cowboys at #14 overall. Rookie A.J Green had one hell of a rookie year, and earned himself a trip to the pro-bowl. That being said, wide receiver is still a position of need for the Bengals. Mr. Acrobatic Jerome Simpson faces marijuana trafficking charges and it is unclear if he will return, and Andre Caldwell isn’t much of a compliment to A.J Green. With the 17th pick of the first round, the Bengals pick up a great prospect in Michael Floyd. He’s not the fastest guy out there, but he is 6’3” and extremely physical. He won’t get separation with pure speed alone, but with his physicality.
18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
>> The San Diego chargers at #18 have a few options here. LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers is still available, cornerbacks Alfonzo Dennard, and Janoris Jenkins are available. I think they go with the extremely talented outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw. Alabama’s pass rush extraordinaire could be a nice fit in the San Diego defense. He was originally asked to pin his ears back and rush the passer in Alabama, but he has surprisingly excelled in coverage as well. Upshaw reads the quarterback’s eyes very well, and makes plays on the ball. San Diego Chargers OLB Shaun Phillips and Courtney Upshaw could be a formidable pass rush duo. Courtney Upshaw was originally thought to go higher than #18, so the Chargers get a nice value pick here.
19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
>> New Bears GM Phil Emery is in a very good spot here. He has a team that’s a couple of pieces here and there from competing for a championship. There are a few positions of immediate need for the Bears, #1 being offensive line. The Bears need a wide receiver just as bad, but I am assuming Phil Emery pursues one of the big name free agent receivers. Phil Emery might also want to look into pursuing guys like Ben Grubbs or Carl Nicks, because that offensive line is just atrocious. Since arriving in Chicago, Jay Cutler has been sacked 110 times in just 41 games, to put that into perspective, he was only sacked 51 times in there years with the Denver Broncos. Jay Cutler missed significant time this year due to a thumb injury, which took the Bears right out of playoff contention. In comes Ohio State left tackle, Mike Adams. This 6’7” man is a freak of an athlete. Mike Adams is one of those guys that stood out in the Senior Bowl, and the practices. Power rushers don’t get past this guy; he’s tall, long, and not moving anywhere. Also a terrific run blocker, who shows some nastiness, downfield.
20. Tennessee Titans: Michael Brokers, DT, LSU
>> Michael Brockers may not be a finished product just yet, but some scouts have him in the top-10 range due to his raw undeniable talent alone. Considering his 6’5” 300lbs+ frame, he is extremely athletic. The Tennessee Titans days of having one of the best defensive lines are long gone. Most of the defensive tackles they have on their roster now don’t even break the 300lb mark, and most are below 6’2”. Rookie DT Jurrell Casey had a surprisingly solid year, and he could blossom into something even more alongside Michael Brockers. Michael lacks the power to beat double teams, now. But, he has the agility and quickness to get around that. He is more of a pass rush DT, but also plays the run exceptionally well.
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