Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Justin's Mock: Free Agency Week 2

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) - Luke Joeckel (OT/Texas A&M)

Even is Kansas City winds up not trading Branden Albert, the team needs a right tackle after releasing Eric Winston.  Luke Joeckel is the top overall prospect available and can play on either the left or right side.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) - Sharrif Floyd (DT/Florida)


It is no secret that the Jaguars are blowing up this roster and starting over under their new regime.  One player who may become expendable is Tyson Alualu, who hasn't played up to his expectations in Jacksonville.  Floyd has flown up draft boards, so don't be surprised if he goes this high.
3. Oakland Raiders (4-12) - Dion Jordan (DE/Oregon)

 With a 6'7" frame, Dion Jordan has plenty of room to bulk up, since 245 pounds is a little light for a defensive end.  Regardless, Oakland loves athletic players and Jordan can line up as a rush linebacker to bring them the pass rush they lack.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-12) - DeMarcus Milliner (CB/Alabama)

 RIP Philadelphia Ealges Dream Team - August 2011-August 2011.  Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is gone and so is Nnamdi Asomugha.  Philadelphia has several needs this offseason, but Milliner is the best player available and will fill a major need for them.

5. Detroit Lions (4-12) - Eric Fisher (OT/Central Michigan)

 This pick really depends on who Detroit sees as the best player available.  They would love Milliner, but if Philadelphia or another team jumps ahead of them, they will need to look for someone else.  Fisher is the next best person on the board who fills a need in Detroit.  Last season, they drafted Riley Reiff, but Gosder Cherilus just signed with the Colts and Jeff Backus has retired to a tackle has again become a need.

6. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Ezekiel Ansah (DE/BYU)

 Cleveland is again under a new regime, so quarterback is always in play, but the team has bigger needs, especially on defense, where there is a lack of a pass rush in a division that features three veteran quarterbacks.

7. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) - Geno Smith (QB/West Virginia)

 I think offensive tackle is a much bigger need in the desert, but with Joeckel and Fisher gone, Geno Smith is the more likely choice in this scenario.  Arizona has surrendered 50 sacks per season in the last four years.  Smith, however, has the mobility to evade the pass rush and extend plays, something he may have to do if he goes to Arizona.

8. Buffalo Bills (6-10) - Chance Warmack (G/Alabama)

 Buffalo's offensive line is thin after both starting guards went elsewhere in free agency.  Warmack is a special talent who can immediately replace either player at guard.  Smith is also in play here if he is available.

9. New York Jets (6-10) - Barkevious Mingo (DE/LSU)

 The Jets are in rebuilding mode, so the best player available is in play.  Mingo will help provide the Jets with a pass rush they currently lack and will help take pressure off of Muhammad Wilkerson.

10. Tennessee Titans (6-10) - Xavier Rhodes (CB/Florida State)

 Tennessee has beefed up their safeties this offseason, but cornerback is a glaring need on the team as they lack any shutdown player.  Rhodes can also take over for Alterraun Verner, who will be a free agent in 2014.

11. San Diego Chargers (7-9) - Lane Johnson (OT/Oklahoma)

 If San Diego wants to preserve Philip Rivers (who is under contract until 2016), they need to do a better job of protecting him.  The Chargers offensive line is a mess and cost them game last season with late penalties and sacks allowed.

12. Miami Dolphins (7-9) - Kenny Vaccaro (S/Texas)

 Miami has filled their need at wide receiver, tight end and middle linebacker this offseason.  With the top cornerbacks not available at this spot, the Dolphins can either trade down or slightly reach in Vaccaro, who offers an upgrade to Miami's secondary.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) - Star Lotulelei (DT/Utah)

 Lotulelei had a good showing at his pro day, so where he goes really depends on what teams take from his heart condition that was discovered at the combine.  Regardless, if he is available here, he is simply too good for Tampa Bay to pass up.

14. Carolina Panthers (7-9) - Sheldon Richardson (DT/Missouri)

 Carolina's defensive line was a liability last season and as a result they were one of the worst goal-line teams on defense.  Defensive tackle is a clear need and Richardson is the top player available at this spot.

15. New Orleans Saints (7-9) - Jarvis Jones (OLB/Georgia)

 New Orleans was able to retain Will Smith, but the pass rush still needs to be addressed this offseason.  Teams are concerned about Jones' spine, but his talent on the field is simply too good to avoid.

16. St. Louis Rams (7-8-1) - Jonathan Cooper (G/North Carolina)

 Jake Long was a great signing for the Rams, but they still need to upgrade their interior offensive line.  Cooper can help bolster a run offense that will likely feature Isaiah Pead.

17. Pittsurgh Steelers (8-8) - Bjoern Werner (DE/Florida State)

 Poor James Harrison.  First he wouldn't accept a pay cut, then he was released, then he wanted to return to Pittsburgh but they don't want him pack.  Despite the soap opera of a goodbye, the Steelers still need to find someone who can get to the quarterback.

18. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) - Sylvester Williams (DT/North Carolina)

 As Dallas moves into the 4-3 defense, they will need to find a way to bring in the correct personnel.  Since they are cap-strapped, the draft is pretty much the only place they can find talent.  Williams will play alongside of Jay Ratliff.

19. New York Giants (9-7) - Damontre Moore (DE/Texas A&M)

 The Giants have this talent (or luck) of having quality players drop to them.  Moore had a combine to forget, but his game tape showed that he was an absolute animal last season.  His pro day will make or break him.

20. Chicago Bears (10-6) - Alec Ogletree (LB/Georgia)

 The Brian Urlacher Era is over in Chicago, but the Bears will need to bring in someone especially now that Nick Roach is gone as well.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) - D.J. Fluker (OT/Alabama)

 Andre Smith remains unsigned and if the Bengals are unable to retain him, they will need to find a new right tackle.

22. St. Louis Rams (7-8-1) - Tavon Austin (WR/West Virginia)

With Danny Amendola gone, the Rams will need to find a new receiver for Sam Bradford.  Austin could go earlier due to his performance at the combine, but he is undersized.

23. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Cordarrelle Patterson (WR/Tennessee)

 
Minnesota has traded Percy Harvin, so the team will now need to bring in a new wide receiver for Christian Ponder.  Jerome Simpson should never be a top option. 

24. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - Jesse Williams (DT/Alabama)

 Indianapolis needs to upgrade a run defense that was basically ran over late in the season.  Williams will provide a big bode up front that can clog up running lanes.

25. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Arthur Brown (LB/Kansas State)

 Middle linebacker or defensive tackle is in play for the Vikings with their second pick.  Brown has drawn comparisons to Ray Lewis lately and could wind up becoming the top linebacker taken.

26. Green Bay Packers (11-5) - Eddie Lacy (RB/Alabama)

 Green Bay lack a premier running back for their offense. Cedric Benson is gone, but he wasn't very good to begin with.  The Packers need to balance their offence, especially with a young line.

27. Houston Texans (12-4) - Keenan Allen (WR/California)


There is not a wide receiver on the Texans roster not named Andre Johnson who has more than 100 receiving yards in 2012.  Houston needs to find someone to ultimately replace Johnson.
28. Denver Broncos (12-4) - Datone Jones (DE/UCLA)

 In one of the more odd scenarios of the offseason, Elvis Dumervil has bolted Denver for Baltimore.  If Denver wants Von Miller to keep tallying sacks, they will need to add another pass rusher.

29. New England Patriots (12-4) - Johnathan Hankins (DT/Ohio State)

 Vince Wilfork is entering the second stage of his career, so if New England wants to keep bringing in pressure from the middle, they will seek a younger player to learn under Wilfork.

30. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) - Desmond Trufant (CB/Washington)

 Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes are both gone, so if the Falcons expect to repeat as NFC South champions, they will need to find a cornerback who won't get torched by Drew Brees or Cam Newton.

31. San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) - Jonathan Cyprien (S/Florida International)

 San Francisco has been linked to Charles Woodson and Nnamdi Asomugha, but nothing is official yet.  If neither player goes to the Bay Area, they will look to upgrade their secondary in the draft.

32. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - Menelik Watson (OT/Florida State)

 The question nobody is asking in Baltimore, who will protect Joe Flacco?  Bryant McKinnie is a free agent and the team is thin at the position.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Justin's Mock: Free Agency Week 1

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-14) - Luke Joeckel (OT/Texas A&M)

 Kansas City franchise tagged Branden Albert, but then they released Eric Winston.  Joeckel is versatile enough to play on both the left and right side, but if Kansas City selects him, it is more likely that he will protect Alex Smith's blind side, team's to spend first overall picks on right tackles.  Albert is a better fit at right tackle anyway.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) - Dion Jordan (DE/Oregon)

 Jacksonville needs to build a non-existent pass rush if they expect to compete with the rest of the division.  Jordan's weight may cause him to shift to outside linebacker, but he has the frame to bulk up.

3. Oakland Raiders (4-12) - Sharrif Floyd (DT/Florida)

 Oakland's defensive line just lost Desmond Bryant and Richard Seymour is a free agent as well.  Floyd could enter the conversation as the top overall selection.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (4-12) - DeMarcus Milliner (CB/Alabama)

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has signed with Denver and the Eagles have released Nnamdi Asomugha as predicted.  Detroit is apparently really interested in Milliner too following the Combine, so it will be interesting to see if there are any trades here.

5. Detroit Lions (4-12) - Ezsekiel Ansah (DE/BYU)

 
Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch are both gone, so the Lions are going to need to upgrade their pass rush at some point this offseason.

6. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Barkevious Mingo (DE/LSU)


Last week, I had Desmond Trufant here, but I doubt the Browns reach for him at this spot.  Instead, Mingo can fill a bigger need in Cleveland, providing a pass rush that can help them compete in a stout AFC South division.

7. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) - Geno Smith (QB/West Virginia)


Arizona has released Kevin Kolb, so the team will more than likely look for a quarterback over an offensive tackle, which is a much bigger need.

8. Buffalo Bills (6-10) - Chance Warmack (G/Alabama)

 Both of Buffalo's starting guards have signed elsewhere this offseason.  Luckily, Warmack is an elite prospect at guard.

9. New York Jets (6-10) - Bjoern Werner (DE/Florida State)

 The Jets need to find a way to upgrade their pass rush this offseason.  New York has struggled to get to the quarterback in the past two seasons when they are not blitzing.

10. Tennessee Titans (6-10) - Xavier Rhodes (CB/Florida State)

 Tennessee has signed Andy Levitre, which helps takes a major need off the board.  The secondary is also an area of need for Tennessee.  Rhodes can potentially replace Alterraun Verner, who is a free agent in 2014 as well.

11. San Diego Chargers (7-9) - Eric Fisher (OT/Central Michigan)

 San Diego's offensive line is a liability at the moment.  Phillip Rivers is also entering the second stage of his career so if the Chargers want to win, they need to protect him.

12. Miami Dolphins (7-9) - Desmond Trufant (CB/Washington)

 Miami needs to find a replacement for Vontae Davis, who was traded to the Colts at the beginning of last season.  Receiver is no longer an option after the team signed Mike Wallace.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) - Star Lotulelei (DT/Utah)

 Tampa would love to go cornerback here, but with three prospects already gone, Lotulelei is not a bad consolation prize.  Lotulelei and Gerald McCoy could form a lethal combo on the interior offensive line.

14. Carolina Panthers (7-9) - Sheldon Richardson (DT/Missouri)

 Carolina was one of the worst teams against the run this season. surrendering 21 touchdowns and over 4.5 yards per carry.  Upgrading their defensive line is a must.

15. New Orleans Saints (7-9) - Damontre Moore (DE/Texas A&M)

 New Orleans is retaining Will Smith, but the team can still give themselves an upgrade in their pass rush.  Moore's bad combine has dropped his stock, but he shouldn't fall further than here.

16. St. Louis Rams (7-8-1) - Jonathan Cooper (G/North Carolina)

 The Rams addressed a huge need by signing Jake Long, but their interior offensive line needs to be upgraded as well.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) - Jarvis Jones (OLB/Georgia)

 James Harrison is gone, and Jones would be a natural successor to his role.  The concerns about Jones' back condition could drop his stock, but he has had two healthy seasons and has torn apart the SEC.

18. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) - Kenny Vaccaro (S/Texas)

 Dallas has released Gerald Sensabaugh, so the team will be looking for his replacement.  A number of teams will be looking for Vaccaro in this range.

19. New York Giants (9-7) - Tyler Eifert (TE/Notre Dame)

 Martellus Bennett is gone and the cash-strapped Giants have yet to bring in a replacement.  Eifert could become a good safety valve for Eli Manning.

20. Chicago Bears (10-6) - Lane Johnson (OT/Oklahoma)

 The Bears offensive line is a mess.  Jay Cutler is in the final year of his contract, so if Chicago wants to make the best out of the season, they will need to find a way to protect him.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) - D.J. Fluker (OT/Alabama)

 Andre Smith is a free agent, so a right tackle is a need for the Bengals.  Why not replace one former Alabama prospect with a current one?

22. St. Louis Rams (7-8-1) - Cordarrelle Patterson (WR/Tennessee)

 Danny Amendola is gone, so the Rams will need to find a target for Sam Bradford.  Patterson is considered by many as the best wide receiver in the draft.

23. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Alec Ogletree (LB/Georgia)

 Receiver is also a need for the Vikings, but Minnesota now has two first round draft picks, so they can address two positions.  Ogletree will help fill a void at linebacker in Minnesota.

24. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - Johnathan Hankins (DT/Ohio State)

 Indianapolis' defensive line was ran all over during the late part of the season.  The Colts play in a division with three of the best running backs in the NFL, so they will need to address this in the offseason.

25. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - Keenan Allen (WR/California)

 Minnesota traded Percy Harvin to Seattle so now they will need to find someone for Christian Ponder to throw to.

26. Green Bay Packers (11-5) - Eddie Lacy (RB/Alabama)

 Cedric Benson is a free agent so Green Bay will need to find a replacement/upgrade.  Benson averaged just 2.9 yards per carry last season.

27. Houston Texans (12-4) - Justin Hunter (WR/Tennessee)

 Andre Johnson isn't getting any younger and the Texans have no real no. 2 option at receiver.  Hunter will provide another target for Matt Schaub.

28. Denver Broncos (12-4) - Sylvester Williams (DT/North Carolina)

 Denver has made a few smart contracts this offseason, but they still need to fill a void at defensive tackle.  Williams will slide Derek Wolfe to defensive end.

29. New England Patriots (12-4) - Terrance Williams (WR/Baylor)

 Wes Welker is gone.  Danny Amendola has been signed to replace him, but the team may release Brandon Lloyd as well.  The Patriots receivers are either too old or too fragile.

30. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) - Datone Jones (DE/UCLA)

 Tony Gonzalez is back and Stephen Jackson has been signed.  Atlanta now needs to find a pass rush.  Ray Edwards has been released after two unproductive seasons.

31. San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) - Johnthan Banks (CB/Mississippi State)

 San Francisco is in talks with Nnamdi Asomugha or Charles Woodson.  Woodson will most likely play safety if he is signed.

32. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - Menelik Watson (OT/Florida State)

 Bryant McKinnie is a free agent.  If Baltimore wants to protect their investment in Joe Flacco, they will need to find someone who can protect his blind side.