My mock draft with trades and a player trade

mock draft with a player trade (just for fun).

I just want to do one of these with Newton not going #1...... and with player trades in case the lockout is lifted and trades are allowed.

1. Panthers- AJ Green, WR. First off, I'm not sure how any GM can see any potential bust like Newton as worthy of such a massive contract as well as the face of an organization. I've decided to rewatch him on Gruden QB Camp, only this time I'm playing a drinking. Every time Cam has me displaying the following faces or emotions, it’s tequila time: Double shot if Gruden does it, too. Cam ruins my entire mock because there's no where I want him going in it, but I know some team will take him hook, line, and sinker. Carolina needs to find out what they have in Clausen, and they can snag a talented DT in the 3rd round. Rivera is a defensive guy, so he’ll probably want to see what he can do with his crew before he throws expensive parts into it. This is a win-win for Carolina. If Clausen works out, then they spared a #1 pick on the position. If he doesn’t, they’re in position to land Andrew Luck, but with AJ Green in place to help him succeed.

2. Broncos- Marcel Darreus, DT. This just seems too obvious.

3. Bills- Von Miller, OLB. Buffalo still need what they didn't get from Maybin..... and hopefully still don’t get. They can address QB in the 2nd round with Ponder.

4. Bengals- Cam Newton, TE. Cincy’s 2 TE sets will be monstrous with Gresham and fig Newton-head if they can find a QB to get them the ball. This pick has Cincy written all over it.

5. Eagles (swap firsts with Zona for rights to Kolb)- Patrick Peterson, CB. Cowboy fans’ 2011 draft hopes go down the crapper.

6. Browns- Julio Jones, WR. This offense needs an impact player, and Julio will contribute immediately. An elite possession receiver with some speed & playmaking ability is exactly what McCoy needs. Julio and Hillis are great compliments to each other.

7. 49ers- Blaine Gabbert, QB. Harbaugh will be too enticed by a smart, athletic kid with a good arm whom he can mold into another Andrew Luck.

8. Titans- Nick Fairley, DT. Fairley rejoins his respected Dline coach from Auburn, which is probably the best thing for a potential loose cannon like Nick. There’s talk of Opie here; I just don’t see it.

9. Cowboys- Tryon Smith, LT. Dallas settles for Smith after Philly jumps ahead for Peterson. I could see the Cowboys trading up to Zona or Cleveland to take Patrick if at all possible. Dallas can nab a solid corner and DE in the 2nd and 3rd, but stud LTs will be long gone.

10. Bucs (trade with Washington)- DaQuan Bowers, DE. DaQuan's knee is fine, and he's a tremendous kid who plays with passion, and his light is fully on. Raheem & Co had such a great 2010 draft that I believe they feel they can sacrifice a pick and still pull in a nice crop. Morris would be a great influence on DaQuan after losing his father, and the Bucs need a versatile guy who can play 4-3 end and spend time in Morris’s 3-4 looks. This is a steal for a player once considered for the #1 overall spot.

11. Texans- Robert Quinn, OLB. An improved pass rush should improve their secondary by default, and if Mario is moving to 3-4 end, they’ll need another body getting after the QB even more so. Quinn and Barwin should make a nice tandem if Connor’s ankle has healed. Tenn is in for a new QB, Jax might be in for one soon (and w/o Sims Walker), and Peyton is only getting older and slower with an aging Wayne, so these guys will need to be knocked around rather than drafting a CB to cover them up.

12. Vikings- Prince Amukamara, CB. (I’m going with Minne picking up Donovan McNabb to help get back into title consideration). In a division with Rodgers, Cutler, and Calvin Johnson, the Vikings need to be proactive with Antoine Winfield turning 34 this season. If he trips over his oxygen tank and breaks an ankle, their secondary could be in trouble. I’d like to give the Vikings Cameron Jordan, but in a division with such firepower, I’d rather them have a DE who can get after the QB better than stopping the run..... and after Minne signed Brian Robison (who has some fine measurables as a pass rusher) to a 3 year $14 million deal, I think they can take their chances with the talented corner here.

13. Lions- Anthony Castonzo, LT. If the Lions pass on yet another LT, I don’t think I could be more annoyed than if it came from our very own Fins. Even though they only allowed 27 sacks, Jeff Backus will be 34, and Detroit would be stupid to not have a contingency plan in place considering they have nearly $130 million tied up in Stafford, Calvin, and Best alone. This team is on the up and up; they just need a solid pick here, nothing flashy.

14. Rams- Aldon Smith, DE. James Hall had a great season, but he’s 34. This will be a great landing spot for Smith if Hall has anything left in the tank to let Aldon ease in as a rookie.

15. Chargers (trade with Miami)- Cameron Jordan. With Jordan falling here, the Chargers jump at the chance to add a versatile, elite 3-4 DE to help counter the playmaking ability of the Chiefs, Raiders, and Broncos. They need a guy who is quick, athletic, and stout enough to help against the fast backs and playmakers.

16. Jacksonville- Ryan Kerrigan, DE. The Jags would be smart to draft a guy who comes to play and can eventually grow into a leader of their defense. He’s not a sexy player, but he’s solid enough to make them better.

17. New England- JJ Watt, DE. JJ seems like they type of player Belichick covets, and the Pats get great value here as well.

18. Miami- Mike Pouncey, LG. Dolphins want to move the mauling Incognito to center but need a LG to make that happen. The running game has been miserable which has set the tone for a struggling offense. When Ricky & Ronnie ran for 100+ yards, Miami was 6-1. With a great defense, Miami should be looking for an offense to achieve more of the that ground success rather than drafting a 1st round QB who will not contribute immediately and whom, quite frankly, this regime has yet to prove they deserve.

19. NY Giants- Corey Liuget, DT. Giants don’t get Pouncey, so they settle for an underrated, stud DT rather than reaching for Watkins here.

20. Washington- Jake Locker, QB. Redskins trade back and get the passionate leader they want build around.

21. Kansas City- Phil Taylor, DT. Ron Edwards will be 32 this season, and we all know the impact a dominant NT can have in a 3-4. It starts with controlling the middle, and Pioli knows that as well as anyone from his days in New England watching big Vince.

22. Colts- Nate Solder, OT. It’s not Castonzo, but it’s an athletic tackle Manning needs.

23. Cardinals- Akeem Ayers, OLB. Zona gets their QB (Kolb) and a replacement linebacker for Mr. Winybaby, filling their 2 biggest needs.

24. Saints- Mark Ingram, RB. This team revolves around Brees and the offense. Drew could use a solid compliment here to pick up the tough yards, keep drives alive, and run out the clock once he’s built a lead. Ingram only makes Brees more dangerous, especially if Carl Nicks is retained to go with Jahri Evans. This is way too much value to pass up, and they can grab a quality DT and OLB in the 2nd & 3rd.

25. Steelers (trade with Seattle)- Jimmy Smith, CB. Pitt is ecstatic to see Philly move into the top 5, allowing the Steelers to trade up for another elite secondary prospect. Under Mike Tomlin, this kid will blossom into one of the NFL’s premier corners. They need a kid whom they can trust on an island so their menacing D can bring the added pressure w/o getting burned.

26. Ravens- Cameron Heyward, DE. Cameron’s father, Craig “Ironhead” was an All-American at Pitt when Harbaugh was their TE coach. If Cody develops into the huge run stuffer he is, Baltimore will need a more athletic playmaker next to him, and Heyward fits what I believe they’re looking for from the position. This was a tough call between he and Adrien Clayborn. This could be LT, Derek Sherrod, but it makes more sense to sign Gaither and free up a 1st round pick in the process.

27. Cardinals (trade #38 with Falcons)- Gabe Carimi, OT. You can’t bring in Kolb and continue to allow 50 sacks. Zona follows the Falcons model when they traded back into the first round for Sam Baker. The Cards are a mess on their Oline and desperately need someone who can give it some shuffle ability. They used a 1st round pick on Beanie Wells, and it would also be nice to see him produce.

28. Patriots- Brooks Reed, OLB. This just seems like another Belichick type pick. You can’t go wrong by adding Watt & Reed to your front 7, and these 2 fit a similar mold IMO which should allow them to really feed off each other.

29. Bears- Marvin Austin, DT. Chicago desperately needs a 3 technique to replace the departed Tommy Harris. This is one of the keys to their defense, and Austin could be a real steal for them here. This pick makes too much sense.

30. Jets- Adrian Clayborn, DE. Rex is too smart to take Justin Houston who might invoke thoughts of a failed Vernon Gholston. Trevor Pryce & Shaun Ellis are both old and free agents, so NY takes the best player on the board at a position of need to keep Ryan’s strong defense its strength.

31. Seahawks- Derek Sherrod, RT. Seattle juggled 18 different Oline combinations in 2010 and badly need a bookend for Okung. Mallett doesn’t fit well with the Seahawks‘ offensive sheme, so he’s not the pick.

32. Packers- Danny Watkins, LG. Is there a better fit than this cold-weather hockey player going to icy Green Bay? With the Packers likely losing Daryn Colledge, a replacement will be of utmost importance while ensuring 35 year old Chad Clifton’s job stays easier if he remains on the left side.

33. Patriots- James Carpenter, RT. The Pats need a right tackle of the future to allow Vollmer to move to the left side where he looked impressive, and Carpenter should be able to play early on if needed. At the very least, he becomes their LG when Mankins parts ways.

 

My only hope is that you left it smarter than you arrived. j/k.

thanks, Fin. much appreciated.

 

Thanks Pods.


Are you speaking of Ricky Sapp?

 

Calm down. It's only a joke, Venge.

Gotchya, So just because I don't share your opinion about Newton, my thread isn't "reading worthy" and instead deserves insults?

 

I honestly don't think the 2 players are related in that regard.

 

who said we want a QB in the first? That's not in stone anywhere.

 

their 2nd rounder and swapping our 4th or 5th for their 3rd.