Last year’s 40 points in the Huddle Report mock draft scoring was solid in year one but my competitive streak won’t allow me to be satisfied with anything less than No. 1. With Rick Gosselin pulling out (unfortunate, one of the best) the rest of us stand a fighting chance. If you’re not familiar with The Huddle Reports scoring system, it’s a one round mock draft that assigns points for correct picks/teams and picks/round one. With last year’s learning curve out of the way, I look to score big this season. That said, here’s my tune up:
1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Chalk up three points because this one has become official.
2. Washington Redskins – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Six points in the book, the only problem is that everyone else was spotted six as well.
3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC
The draft starts here and something (or someone) tells me that I have nine points locked up and a perfect start. The flirtation with Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne should be over around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday as the Vikings get their franchise LT to protect their franchise QB.
4. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Twelve points. Chalk it up. Come on, I’m a Cleveland guy and you know I have an inside track on this one. Mark up Trent Richardson on your mock drafts and you won’t go wrong.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
His former DB coach is in Tampa, Aqib Talib is on the trading block, and he’s the last of the sure things. All that makes me feel comfortable that I will have 15 points and perfect through the first five picks.
6. St. Louis Rams – Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.
This is where I begin to separate from the competition. Everyone (or just about) with have the same five I had to begin the draft. Justin Blackmon makes a ton of sense here but I don’t see him being the pick here. Jeff Fisher has a history of taking DT’s high and it continues in his first season in St. Louis.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.
Everyone assumes Gene Smith will be Gene Smith and Melvin Ingram will be the pick. My calls this week would suggest differently with one saying Jacksonville will take Blackmon if he makes it to them.
8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
This could be the pick that screws up everything that almost everyone will have as a certainty. Tannehill makes a ton of sense here which makes me think he won’t be the pick. I’m sticking with it…for now.
9. Carolina Panthers – Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
I have received a lot of hate mail on this pick but I think I chalk up three points if Gilmore is on the board and Cox is gone.
10. Buffalo Bills – Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
Michael Floyd or Riley Reiff. Yeah, that would be logical but I think the Bills look to add to that defense. Barron teamed with Jarius Byrd would be a special tandem. George Wilson is solid but not special. The Bills have to compete with New England and NYJ which may dictate this pick.
11. Kansas City Chiefs – David DeCastro, G, Stanford
I’m 50/50 on this pick so it’s subject to change before my mock is submitted on Wednesday night. I think this pick comes down to Luke Kuechly and DeCastro with Dontari Poe as a long shot.
12. Seattle Seahawks – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina
Ingram may be a man without a true position or just a versatile prospect. Either way, Pete Carroll finds a place for Ingram and he excels in a very good, young defense.
13. Arizona Cardinals – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Let’s face it…I’m not a Reiff fan but he makes too much sense here to pass. I will put my personal feelings aside for this pick as I think need drives this one to an extent.
14. Dallas Cowboys – Michael Brockers, DT/DE, LSU
I like Dontari Poe here but Brockers offers a lot of intrigue in Rob Ryan’s system. He has the skills to be an effective pass rusher at the 5T.
15. Philadelphia Eagles – Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
I think this one is a steal if it plays out this way. The late talk has been of Poe sliding into the second round. I can’t see that one even being a remote possibility and he won’t make it out of the top 15.
16. New York Jets – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
They need a pass rusher but Floyd is too good to pass on at this point in the draft. With the uncertainty of the WR position in New York and Floyd sliding, I think I can chalk up three points on this one.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
Chalk this one up if he falls to 17. Kuechly offers the versatility to play inside or on the strongside, making him a slam dunk for the Bengals if he’s on the board.
Pages: Page 1 Page 2
