Third Quarter Mock Draft

Here it is the third installment of what the first round of next April’s draft could look like if it were to happen today.    

1. Carolina:  Andrew Luck QB Stanford…best QB prospect since Peyton Manning and should have similar success saving a franchise.  Carolina can move Clausen as they “lucked” out and got the best QB in college. 

2. Detroit:  Patrick Peterson  CB  LSU…Moral victories don’t count but if they did the Lions would have quite a few more than their current win totals.  They are making steps in the right direction and Peterson gives them that difference maker in the defensive backfield which will help everyone.

3. Cincinnati:  Da’Quan Bowers   DE  Clemson …Might be a place for the next franchise QB but based on right now Bowers will give them the most bang for their buck the fastest.  Never full recovered from David Pollack injury so Bowers will finally give them a presence at defensive end. 

4. Buffalo:  A.J. Green   WR   Georgia....played their way out of the first pick in the draft and now has to settle for the top WR prospect.  Granted an offensive lineman makes more sense none grade this high so might as well get a sure fire starter and almost impossible cover in college.  Green will make whomever the QB is that much better. 

5. Denver:  Marcell Dareus   DT  Alabama Not quite sure what going on in Denver but they finally need to hit a HR with a first round pick at defensive line and Dareus will make up for the blunders of the past and then some.

6. Dallas: Adrian Clayborn   DE  Iowa  Another team that probably should look offensive line but none grade this high so instead they get the highly effective Clayborn.   Should contend for a starting role in camp.   If they switch to a 4-3 then Robert Quinn would be the pick. 

7. Arizona:   Ryan Mallett   QB  Arkansas OK we all know Derek Anderson is not the answer and Hall is a nice back up but this team needs a #1 QB and the big boy Mallett will prove awful tempting.    I have some questions on him but it appears the NFL scouts are high on him. 

8. 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. 

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

10. Cleveland:  Julio Jones   WR  Alabama…A beast of a player who will become an instant favorite of Colt McCoy.   Jones gives them a number one receiver the team desperately lacks.  

Read the rest here