NQTC Mock Draft 12-22
Look down a bit for the first 11 picks of the NQTC Mock, but we’re looking forward to the group of picks where the Bears would have been if they hadn’t made that wonderful Cutler deal. No more wasting time.
12. Denver: Everette Brown, DE/OLB FSU- The Broncos would love if Sanchez fell to them here, but it’s probably better they go defense anyway. Well, I don’t know if that’s true, but I know it wasn’t very good last year. Brown will give the Broncos a good pass rusher and they’ll probably go for more defense at their next pick.
13. Washington: Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss- It’s another offensive line or defensive line decision here. You hear that Detroit? That’s how you build in the draft. Gar. What was I talking about? Ah, yeah, Oher. Some have him slipping farther, but I really like this kid and think he will be a steal for Washington. Cuz he can block, and stuff.
14. New Orleans: Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State- For about the 32nd straight year, the Saints primary need is in their defensive backfield. Jenkins is a solid mid-first rounder and the Saints can’t pass up the match made in heaven. Jenkins didn’t light the combine up, but he had a great career at OSU, would have been a first rounder last year, and will be a solid pro.
15. Houston: Clay Matthews, LB USC- The Texans will almost certainly look for defense in the first round. They really need help in the defensive backfield, but if Jenkins is off the board, there might not be anyone worth taking. They’re set at DE, so it’s pretty safe to say they’ll go for a linebacker from USC if the board looks like this. I threw a dart and came up with Matthews. The Texans did sign OLBs Cato June and Buster Davis, which may cause them to go for Maualuga to play the inside. The dart says otherwise.
16. San Diego: Eben Britton, OT Arizona- The Chargers are a team that usually surpises me on draft day, so this will undoubtedly be wrong. San Diego did have some O-line trouble last year though and could use some help at the tackle position.
17. NY Jets: Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri- Oh boy, love the Jets and the draft! One can only hope they do something to completely piss their fans off, but it’s pretty clear they’ll go offense here. Some options: Freeman, Moreno, Wells, and Maclin. Well, they can’t take all of them, so I think they should go with Maclin. Freeman just isn’t that good in my opinion, and I don’t know why everyone is always so anxious to get rid of Thomas Jones. He just had a great season and now it’s time to draft a back? No way. I could see them trading up to try and snag Sanchez also.
18. Denver (via Chicago): Rey Maualuga, ILB USC- From DE at 12 to LB here at 18, the Broncos will get two starters on their defense in the first round. Maualuga is a bonafide playmaker coming from the NFL’s farm system at USC. Especially with the 3-4 defense, linebackers will be needed. One of the USC guys will go here.
19. Tampa Bay: Tyson Jackson, DE LSU- The Bucs need some serious help on the defensive line and if Tyson Jackson is on the board here, he’s their guy. Look for a DT pick here as a possibility as well, such as Peria Jerry. With Brian Griese and Leftwich competing for the starting QB spot, Josh Freeman could go here too, but the Bucs defense let them down at the end of last year and I think they’ll look there first.
20. Detroit: Vontae Davis, CB Illinois- This is the beauty of passing on Stafford at number one. If the Lions follow “conventional wisdom” and take him, the same people say they need to take a tackle to protect the young QB, which makes some sense. If they pass and build with linemen and defense, they have options. So instead of risking it all on Stafford, they get their pick of the best DE/DB/LB available. If Maualuga is on the board, he’s the guy, because with Julian Peterson and Ernie Sims on the outside, they need a MLB, but here they will choose between Michael Johnson and Davis.
21. Philadelphia: Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia- I’m thinking it’s running back or tight end here for Philly and Moreno has the best talent on the board at those positions. He’s got great hands and I’m reading about his blocking skills, so that’s good. He’ll be a great fit to spell Westbrook, while the veteran can groom him as the running back of the future.
22. Minnesota: William Beatty, OT UConn- Josh Freeman just isn’t doing it for me as a first round quarterback, which is really what Minnesota needs. Taking Freeman just to take a QB won’t do though, so the Vikes have to try and protect what they have with an OT. Beatty will be a solid NFL player and should help on that already strong front.
Alright, one segment to go. Check back later for the end of the first round and a look at what the Bears will be looking for in the second round.
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