Mock Draft 2.0..Mid-Season Mock

Here it is the second installment of what the first round of next April’s draft could look like if it were to happen today. I used the waiver wire listing from this week for the order although I did set the final four teams projecting how the Super Bowl and Conference title games might play out.

1. Buffalo: Andrew Luck QB Stanford.. The next great franchise QB. Luck will breathe some hope into this franchise in the same way adding Jim Kelly did years ago. Luck and Spiller are two special players to start building around for the next 12 years.

2. Carolina: Da’Quan Bowers DE Clemson…. replacement for Julius Peppers. Granted a coaching change will have a large impact on what direction this franchise will go with this pick but the Peppers loss is certainly being felt. Could Charlie Weis be the next HC in Carolina?

3. Dallas. Patrick Peterson CB LSU.. Offensive line is much more pressing but no one grades out to this high of a pick. Instead they grab best available and a need pick in Peterson as Jenkins has lost confidence and Newman seems too brittle. They’ll be looking for OL, DL, and secondary help this April as well as a new HC.

4. San Francisco: Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska…A shut down corner that will improve the defense but the 49’ers have to be hoping for one of the QBs to grade out and warrant being selected this high. As of now all QBs besides Luck would be a reach if selected in the top ten.

5. Denver: Nick Fairley DT Auburn….Disruptive force up the middle that will start immediately and content for defensive ROY. Fairley just keeps getting better. Bigger question is if he’ll be playing for McDaniels or a new HC.

6. Detroit: Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State…This franchise will only go as far as Stafford takes them and his health is a priority. Sherrod keeps improving his stock and by the time it’s all done might actually be gone by this point in round one.

7. Minnesota: Marcell Dareus DT Alabama ..The Williams boys are getting older and it doesn’t appear a long term replacement is on the roster. Dareus is just scratching his potential and can been groomed along nicely before starting for the talented Vikings defense.

8. Cincinnati: Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State….Might be in the market for the next franchise QB but at this point they still need help rushing the passer and getting Heyward from Ohio State would address that need. They never really recovered from losing David Pollack to injury a few years ago. Another team that might have a new head coach.

9. Cleveland: Mark Ingram RB Alabama….Emmitt Smith with speed. Once he declares and works out he will likely contend for a spot in the top five. If the Browns do get him expect him to start week one.

10. San Diego: A.J. Green WR Georgia…With Craig Davis a bust and Vincent Jackson relocating this off-season the Chargers need a HR threat at wide receiver. A.J. has the potential to be special and goes by the right initials for the GM to treat him with respect (you can hope at least).

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