With the way Chad Henne played last week against Houston, Blaine Gabbert may not even end the season with his job. Either way, contrary to popular belief, quarterback is not the biggest need in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars had a pair of sacks against Houston, but besides that, there was no pressure on Matt Schaub as he completed 78-percent of his passes. In this league, you can't win if you can't pressure the quarterback. In the past five seasons, only one team (New Orleans) has won the Super Bowl despite not finishing in the top three in the league in sacks.
Jones is an absolute animal who has 10.5 sacks this season despite missing two games. He is also able to defend in pass protection as well. He is by far the top prospect in this draft.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) - Geno Smith (QB/West Virginia)
Matt Barkley struggled and was then injured against UCLA while Smith led his team from being down by 14 points to a near comeback before Oklahoma scored with 24 seconds remaining. Smith may not be playing as well as he did at the beginning of the season, but his defense has consistently forced him into shootouts week in and week out. I feel that Smith would be seen differently if he has a better defense to support him.
Either way, Kansas City will need a quarterback this season. They have only led in one game this season during regulation and again were unable to create any momentum in a game. Cassel and Quinn both looked terrible against Cincinnati and the Chiefs will look to clean house in the offseason, beginning with Scott Pioli.
3. Cleveland Browns (4-12) - Barkevious Mingo (DE/LSU)
The Browns defense feasted on Tony Romo, slamming him to the turf seven times, but several players in Cleveland's front seven are free agents and could be gone next season. Even if they do stay, the Browns have needed to improve their defense prior to the game against Dallas and Mingo is the best player available. Mingo has an athletic frame (6'5", 240 pounds) and is good against the run as well as the pass.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (5-11) - Matt Barkley (QB/USC)
There is no way Andy Reid can be allowed to return to Philadelphia next season and if he is gone, Michael Vick will be too. Nick Foles was taken in the second round of the draft last year, but with a new regime in Philadelphia, they may not want him as their starting quarterback.
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) - Luke Joeckel (OT/Texas A&M)
Arizona only allowed three sacks this week, but that is still too many. The Cardinals need a quarterback, but no matter who they get, it won't matter if their offensive line can't protect him.
6. Oakland Raiders (6-10) - Star Lotulelei (DT/Utah)
Oakland has a giant gap in middle of their defensive line. They get no pressure on the quarterback and they are in the bottom 10 in rushing yards allowed.
Lotulelei leapfrogs Hankins, who did not play well againt Montee Ball and Wisconsin.
7. St. Louis Rams (6-9-1) - Manti Te'o (LB/Notre Dame)
In nearly every mock draft I have written so far, I have had the Rams take a receiver and an offensive tackle with their first two picks, but it will be hard for the Rams to avoid Te'o if he is available. They have James Laurinaitis patrolling the middle, but Te'o can also play on the strong side, which is a need in St. Louis.
8. Carolina Panthers (7-9) - Johnathan Hankins (DT/Ohio State)
Carolina's inexperience on the defensive line showed against Tampa Bay, where Doug Martin was progressively better in the fourth quarter. The Panthers need to upgrade the defensive line badly this offseason.
9. Buffalo Bills (7-9) - Justin Hunter (WR/Tennessee)
Ryan Fitzpatrick has played well enough lately that it is doubtful that the Bills will look to bring in a new quarterback to take over. What he does lack, however, is a quality receiver aside from Stevie Johnson. Adding another weapon on offense will be a necessity this offseason.
10. Miami Dolphina (7-9) - Sam Montgomery (DE/LSU)
A value pick that fits a need in Miami. Montgomery will help take some pressure off of Cameron Wake and improve Miami's pass rush in a league where you can never get to the quarterback enough. A receiver is also a need, but if Hunter is not available, Miami will look elsewhere.
11. Detroit Lions (7-9) - DeMarcus Milliner (CB/Alabama)
Aaron Rodgers did not have his best game against Detroit, but the Packers receiver still gained 12.4 yards per catch against the Lions secondary and scored twice on the air on 20-plus yard plays.
Milliner is the best available player and fits a great need for Detroit.
12. New York Jets (7-9) - Eric Reid (S/LSU)
There have been talks about moving Antonio Cromartie to safety, but he has proved to be too valuable at cornerback with Darrelle Revis out. By grabbing Reid, they can keep Cromartie at corner for now and still improve their secondary.
13. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) - Kawann Short (DT/Purdue)
Minnesota needs a defensive tackle to both play next to Kevin Williams and eventually replace the 32-year-old free agent to be.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) - Taylor Lewan (OT/Michigan)
The Bengals offensive line has played much better since the first quarter of the season, but Andre Smith has been a disappointment so far in the NFL and is a free agent after this season. It would be no surprise if the Bengals decide to let him walk.
15. Tennessee Titans (8-8) - David Amerson (CB/NC State)
Tennessee needs to either take the best cornerback or defensive end avaiable and at this juncture, Amerson is a bargain. After leading the NCAA in interceptions last season, teams are avoiding his side of the field in 2012.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) - Bjoern Werner (DE/Florida State)
Pittsburgh is going to need to revitalize a defense that suddenly got old this season. James Harrison has been unable to stay on the field and is having one of his worst seasons since 2006. At age 35, he and his $6.32 salary could become a cap casualty in the offseason.
17. New Orleans Saints (8-8) - DJ Fluker (OT/Alabama)
Jermon Bushrod is a free agent in New Orleans next year and there is a good chance they will let him walk. If they do, however, they will need to bring in another tackle to protect Drew Brees.
18. St. Louis Rams (8-8) - Robert Woods (WR/USC)
The Rams need to give more weapons on offense for Sam Bradford. Danny Amendola cannot possibly be the only option in St. Louis at receiver.
19. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) - Chance Warmack (G/Alabama)
Dallas has their running back in DeMarco Murray, but they need to improve their interior offensive line. The Cowboys are dead-last in the league with a 3.6 yards-per-carry average.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) - Xavier Rhodes (CB/Florida State)
Tampa Bay needs to bolster their secondary in a division that features Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, especially after trading away Aqib Talib. Ronde Barber may reitre after the season ends and Eric Wright sucks.
21. San Diego Chargers (8-8) - Keenan Allen (WR/California)
San Diego lost Vincent Jackson last spring and may lose Malcolm Floyd this offseason. The team needs to bring in a new receiver for Phillip Rivers.
22. Indianapolis Colts (9-7) - Le'Veon Bell (RB/Michigan State)
The Colts need to give Andrew Luck a quality running back much like Peyton Manning was give Edgerrin James. Having a workhorse running back can take the pressure off of luck and keep defenses honest.
23. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - Terrance Williams (WR/Baylor)
Seattle lacks a true no. 1 receiver on their roster. Golden Tate and Sidney Rice are good in complimentary roles, but for this team to make a deeper playoff run, they need a better deep threat.
24. Chicago Bears (11-5) - Alec Ogletree (LB/Georgia)
Brian Urlacher is at the tail-end of his career and while he is still effective, he is nowhere near as dominant as he was five seasons ago. Chicago will want to find someone early who they can groom into the next man to patrol the middle.
25. Denver Broncos (9-7) - Jonathan Jenkins (DT/Georgia)
Denver will most likely look at either improving at defensive tackle or middle linebacker in the draft. Jenkins is the better player available of the two positions and could be utilized in the middle while Derek Wolfe remains on the outside.
26. New York Giants (10-6) - Corey Lemonier (DE/Auburn)
Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora have gotten by mostly this season on their reputation. Umenyiora is also a free agent and the Giants are never satisfied with how many pass rushers they have on their roster.
27. Green Bay Packers (11-5) - Johnathan Banks (CB/Mississippi State)
A depth move from Green Bay, the Packers can bring in someone to play corner while they move Charles Woodson to safety.
28. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) - CJ Mosley (LB/Alabama)
Ray Lewis will most likely return next season, but at age 38, Baltimore needs to find someone to groom when he finally retires.
29. New England Patriots (9-7) - Barrett Jones (C/Alabama)
Brian Waters is a free agent this offseason and New England will need to bring in another guard to replace him in case he leaves. Jones can play almost everywhere on the offensive line.
30. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) - Tyler Eifert (TE/Notre Dame)
Tony Gonzalez hinted at retiring in the offseason. If he does, the Falcons will need to find a new tight end for Matt Ryan.
31. San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) - TJ McDonald (S/USC)
San Francisco will need to bring in a safety in case they cannot sign Dashon Goldson to a long-term deal. Donte Whitner has also been ineffective this season.
32. Houston Texans (14-2) - Tavon Austin (WR/West Virginia)
Austin reminds me a lot of Percy Harvin, a guy who is a wide receiver, but is versatile enough to play almost anywhere on offense. Bringing in a guy like Austin can give some pressure off of Arian Foster and Andre Johnson for the Texans.
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