Full first round mock and Denver picks

[THEdraftnik]

I am using WalterFootball's power rankings. He may not always be right on prospects, but he is pretty spot on when it comes to NFL things. I'm also going to assume all eligible players declare.

1. Indianapolis (0-11) QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
2. St. Louis (2-9) OT Matt Kalil, USC
3. Minnesota (2-9) OT Jonathon Martin, Stanford
4. Jacksonville (3-8) WR Justin Blackmon, OKST
5. Carolina (3-8) CB Morris Claiborne, LSU
6. Miami (3-8) QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
7. Washington (4-7) QB Matt Barkley, USC
8. Arizona (4-7) OT Riley Reiff, Iowa
9. Philadelphia (4-7) LB Vontaze Burflict, ASU
10. Kansas City (4-7) QB Landry Jones, OU
11. Seattle (4-7) RB Trent Richardson, Bama
12. Cleveland (4-7) OG David DeCastro, Stanford
13. San Diego (4-7) WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
14. Tampa Bay (4-7) CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Bama
15. Buffalo (5-6) DE Quinton Coples, UNC
16. Tennessee (6-5) WR Alshon Jeffrey, SCAR
17. New York Jets (6-5) DE/LB Courtney Upshaw, Bama
18. New York Giants (6-5) CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
19. Denver (6-5) DE Whitney Mercilus, Illini
John Fox knows the impotance of pass rushers and with our BPA approach he could get the best one in the draft here. Mercilus would turn one of best pass rushing duos in the league into the most feared pass rush in the league.With all the top players off the board at our positions of need I went with the 6'4 265 pound pass rusher who leads the NCAA in sacks and is explosive off the line. Mercilus would increase our depth along the DL and would be insurance incase Dumervil countinues his injury proneness.
20. Detroit (7-4) OT Barret Jones, Bama
21. Cleveland - from Atlanta* (7-4) LB Zack Brown, UNC
22. Cincinnati* (7-4) LB Luke Kueckly, BC
23. Chicago* (7-4) OC Peter Konz, Wisconsin
24. Houston* (8-3) CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
25. Cincinnati - from Oakland* (7-4) RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin
26. Dallas* (7-4) OG Cordy Glenn, UG
27. Baltimore* (8-3) LB Manti Te'O, Notre Dame
28. San Francisco* (9-2) DE/DT Devon Still, Penn St
29. New England - from New Orleans* (8-3*) LB Donta Hightower, Bama
30. New England* (8-3) DE/DT Jerel Worthy, MSU
31. Pittsburgh* (8-3) OT Mike Adams, OSU
32. Green Bay* (11-0) RB Lamar Miller, Miami

2nd Round: DT Fletcher Cox, Miss St
Cox has elite size and athleticism weighing in at 6'4 295 pounds and running a rumored 4.6 forty. He plays in a 3-4 and that doesn't help his stats but he is an elite penetrator and to me he looks more polished than Nick Fairley was last year.

3rd Round: CB Cliff Harris, Oregon
As a junior he was incredible but after mutliple off field issues his stock as dropped from top 15 pick to anywhere from 2nd to 4th. His off fields are not serious concerns in the slightest. One of the few corners to beat Andrew Luck over and over. Harris is a great ball hawk with pick six potential every time he gets the ball. He is good in coverage. He also is a great return man. With Royal possibly leaving Harris could be his replacement in that area.

4th Round: OC/OG Garth Gerhart, ASU
Toby's "little" brother, Gerhart is an athletic lineman who would provide versatility and depth for our offensive line.

5th Round: Athlete Chris Rainey, Florida
Rainey can play runningback, receiver, return man, and has even done some wild cat work. Rainey is as explosive as it gets and he would add another dimesion to this offense with his breakaway speed. If we countinue to run an option offense Rainey would be incredibly valuable on end arounds and options. He plays bigger than he is and is a great competitor.

7th round: FB Chad Diehl, Clemson
Most seventh round picks aren't likely to make the roster, and with Larsen being a free agent Diehl could come in and start for us. Diehl is a great blocker, he doesn't add much as a runner or receiver though.

I would focus on resigning Brodrick Bunkley, Wesley Woodyard, Daniel Fells, Jason Hunter, Ryan McBean or Marcus Thomas, Britton Colquitt, and Matt Prater.

[Charlie Brown]

12. Cleveland (4-7) OG David DeCastro, Stanford
21. Cleveland - from Atlanta* (7-4) LB Zack Brown, UNC

Browns picks are ... ok ... I guess.

Not flashy or anything. But they fill some needs.

[Project KSL]

I don't know if there really could be a worse pick.

He's not BPA, he's incredibly far from it.

It doesn't feel a need.....at all.

Horrendous mock.

[THEdraftnik]

Browns picks are ... ok ... I guess.

Not flashy or anything. But they fill some needs.

I was trying to get you a WR, but I didn't think the Browns would reach for 1, and 2 all the top ones were off the board.

[THEdraftnik]

I don't know if there really could be a worse pick.

He's not BPA, he's incredibly far from it.

It doesn't feel a need.....at all.

Horrendous mock.

He reminds me of Jason Pierre Paul, and we'd be lucky to get him. And name 1 true need on this team. 1 starter who needs to be replaced.

You can't. Goody has stepped up his game. Chris Harris has been great. Our defensive tackles have been playing out of their minds. Our linebackers are great. Our safeties need experience. Maybe a number 1 receiver, but there wasn't one available.

[Project KSL]

He reminds me of Jason Pierre Paul, and we'd be lucky to get him. And name 1 true need on this team. 1 starter who needs to be replaced.

You can't. Goody has stepped up his game. Chris Harris has been great. Our defensive tackles have been playing out of their minds. Our linebackers are great. Our safeties need experience. Maybe a number 1 receiver, but there wasn't one available.

Tebow
Walton
Royal
Thomas
Mays
Goodman


All need to be replaced far quicker then Ayers. Who is playing well.....


He's not BPA, he's not even going in the 1st in most mocks....

He doesn't fill a need. The pick is really really really really bad.

[Project KSL]

Also it's Kuechly****

He's BPA at that point, by a mile.

And he fills a far bigger need.

He should be the pick.


However you have Burfict going ahead of him. Which is comical, Kuechly is the undisputed #1 MLB at this point, and he fits Philly's system better than Vontaze.

[THEdraftnik]

Tebow
Walton
Royal
Thomas
Mays
Goodman


All need to be replaced far quicker then Ayers. Who is playing well.....


He's not BPA, he's not even going in the 1st in most mocks....

He doesn't fill a need. The pick is really really really really bad.

I'm not going to countinue to argue about Tebow. He controls his destiny and he's doing a damn good job.

Walton doesn't need to be replaced. That's comical, you can't even say he has been our worst lineman. That award goes to Beadles and they are both 2nd year players. They are going to get better and they have been getting better each game this season. And I drafted a guy we can groom to be a future starter.

We do mostly 2 tight end sets anyways so we have little use for a slot receiver who can't catch. There is no need to replace Royal. Just let him walk.

Thomas also doesn't need to be replaced. He is not a liability in any sence. Could he be upgraded? Sure. That's why I drafted a defensive tackle in the second round.

Mays doesn't need to be replaced either. He has actually been better in pass coverage this season than against the run. He is still a young guy, and we have a 3rd round pick from last year that we are already grooming to be his replacement.

Goodman has stepped up his play in the last 2 games. He has plenty left in the tank. Chris Harris has also been great and he has starter potential. I also drafted Cliff Harris in the 3rd round.

I didn't draft Mercilus to be a replacement for Ayers. I drafted him to improve the rotation. Much like the Giants do with their defense, and the Lions with theirs. I'm turning a good position group into a great position group. Strengthening a strength.

When was the last time you saw a defensive end with the following stats and measureables fall out of the top 15, let alone first round?
52 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 8 forced fumbles
Weighs in at 6'4 265 pounds, runs a 4.6 and plays in a major BCS conference

Their is honestly nothing to hate about this guy as a prospect. For comparison, here is JPP's stats coming out of college;
45 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles
He weighed in at 6'5 270 and ran a 4.7 and played in a weaker conference

Jason Pierre Paul went 15th after the draft process. And right now he is looking like a hell of a player for the Giants. Mercilus has bested him in nearly every category except for size where JPP has an inch and 5 pounds on him.

Also it's Kuechly****

He's BPA at that point, by a mile.

And he fills a far bigger need.

He should be the pick.


However you have Burfict going ahead of him. Which is comical, Kuechly is the undisputed #1 MLB at this point, and he fits Philly's system better than Vontaze.

Correct on spelling. I disagree. He plays for a terrible defense that makes his tackle numbers look better. Yes he is a great player. Yes he is a great tackler. But he is not as good as his stats. We don't have a need at linebacker period. And we don't really have needs which I pointed out earlier. We can afford luxury picks.

I might have had Buflict**** going too high, but there is no way Kuechly fits Philly's scheme better than him. You do realize that the eagles scheme is based on speedy linebackers making plays? Kuechly runs a 4.8 forty. Thats horrible for a linebacker.

I also think this is a weak draft class. It seems to be top heavy with a couple good prospects and QBs, but the talent level seems to drop off considerably after that. Which is why you could see some guys rise and above where they should normally be drafted. Burflict is one of these guys, I can see a team falling in love with his measureables after the combine. Kuechly reminds of James Laurenitus and while he is a very good linebacker he will never be of Ray Lewis' or Patrick Willis' caliber.

[Charlie Brown]

I was trying to get you a WR, but I didn't think the Browns would reach for 1, and 2 all the top ones were off the board.

I find that hard to believe.

You have the Browns selecting an offensive guard at #12 overall.

You then have the Chargers selecting Michael Floyd (who is considered one of the top reciever in this draft) at #13 overall.

[Project KSL]

I'm not going to countinue to argue about Tebow. He controls his destiny and he's doing a damn good job.

Walton doesn't need to be replaced. That's comical, you can't even say he has been our worst lineman. That award goes to Beadles and they are both 2nd year players. They are going to get better and they have been getting better each game this season. And I drafted a guy we can groom to be a future starter.

We do mostly 2 tight end sets anyways so we have little use for a slot receiver who can't catch. There is no need to replace Royal. Just let him walk.

Thomas also doesn't need to be replaced. He is not a liability in any sence. Could he be upgraded? Sure. That's why I drafted a defensive tackle in the second round.

Mays doesn't need to be replaced either. He has actually been better in pass coverage this season than against the run. He is still a young guy, and we have a 3rd round pick from last year that we are already grooming to be his replacement.

Goodman has stepped up his play in the last 2 games. He has plenty left in the tank. Chris Harris has also been great and he has starter potential. I also drafted Cliff Harris in the 3rd round.

I didn't draft Mercilus to be a replacement for Ayers. I drafted him to improve the rotation. Much like the Giants do with their defense, and the Lions with theirs. I'm turning a good position group into a great position group. Strengthening a strength.

When was the last time you saw a defensive end with the following stats and measureables fall out of the top 15, let alone first round?
52 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for a loss, 8 forced fumbles
Weighs in at 6'4 265 pounds, runs a 4.6 and plays in a major BCS conference

Their is honestly nothing to hate about this guy as a prospect. For comparison, here is JPP's stats coming out of college;
45 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles
He weighed in at 6'5 270 and ran a 4.7 and played in a weaker conference

Jason Pierre Paul went 15th after the draft process. And right now he is looking like a hell of a player for the Giants. Mercilus has bested him in nearly every category except for size where JPP has an inch and 5 pounds on him.

Correct on spelling. I disagree. He plays for a terrible defense that makes his tackle numbers look better. Yes he is a great player. Yes he is a great tackler. But he is not as good as his stats. We don't have a need at linebacker period. And we don't really have needs which I pointed out earlier. We can afford luxury picks.

I might have had Buflict**** going too high, but there is no way Kuechly fits Philly's scheme better than him. You do realize that the eagles scheme is based on speedy linebackers making plays? Kuechly runs a 4.8 forty. Thats horrible for a linebacker.

I also think this is a weak draft class. It seems to be top heavy with a couple good prospects and QBs, but the talent level seems to drop off considerably after that. Which is why you could see some guys rise and above where they should normally be drafted. Burflict is one of these guys, I can see a team falling in love with his measureables after the combine. Kuechly reminds of James Laurenitus and while he is a very good linebacker he will never be of Ray Lewis' or Patrick Willis' caliber.

No, it's BURFICT. you spelled that wrong too. Then attempted to correct me...with the misspelling.....

I suppose "fitting their scheme" wasn't the best phrase to use. I should of used "Kuechly is miles ahead of Burfict and Philly's lacking a leader on that defense more then anything."

I guess according to you Denver has no needs. So we might as well trade all our picks apparently we had no holes.

Not everybody "gets better". There are things called "busts" ya know? Walton is the weak
Link of the line.

DeMaryius hasn't done anything this year, Royal is gone. We need another WR.

Mays is OK. Not much else.

Ayers has actually been good. He doesn't need to be replaced. At all.

I could argue with you about the rest, but frankly it's pointless.

I just can't take your opinion on Luke Kuechly seriously when you can't even spell his name.

He's far and away the best MLB the draft, according to EVERYONE who gets paid to
Cover the draft. I'll take their word for it.

Kuechly is a machine, leader, and his instincts most LB's would kill for. In the Paul Poz mold.

We're not taking the guy in your mock. There is absolutely no chance it happens. If you disagree we can have a bet with $100 on the line. I'm very confident in saying this.

Denver won't take a fringe 1st round, overrated, DE. Who adds absolutely nothing to the current defense. With their 1st round pick. Lol.


If you disagree please take the bet, I have paypal. I'll put $100 on it.

[Kyousukeneko]

i like Te'o better then kuechley or burfict. any way i like this draft and that DE prospect should probably be gone top 10, if not top 15. he looks just as good if not better then to Robert Quinn as a prospect.

plus no one can disagree with the fact you can never have to many pass rushers

[johnlimburg]

Who gives a flying duck about spelling.

Anyway on the mock. I do not like our selection in the first round. At that spot with what you have still on the board I would prefer Janoris Jenkins.

I do not want a linebacker in the first round like I have seen some advocating for.

I still think trading back is the best bet but for the mock here I would prefer Janoris Jenkins.

Like Fletcher Cox but do not like Harris in the first 3 rounds. Maybe late 4th if he is still around but no earlier.

I think we need a running back in the first 3 rounds.

I am really starting to like David Wilson. Hard runner who is explosive and is a home run threat with everydown potential.

I like Rainey and have been an advocate of his for a long while now. Experienced at moving around and has all the exploisvness in the world. However if Jarius Wright is here at this pick I would probably go with him. He is a specialists player more so than Rainey. I can see Rainey being great or a guy who just falls to undrafted status when he shows up to the senior bowl weighing 160 or something like that. Similar to Devine and Locke. Wright will be a good receiver though.

You do not address the receiver position and for the mock you could throw in Jeff Fuller from A&M in the 4th round instead of an O lineman.

[samparnell]

impotence?

19. Denver (6-5) de whitney mercilus, illini
john fox knows the impotance of pass rushers and with our bpa approach he could get the best one in the draft here. Mercilus would turn one of best pass rushing duos in the league into the most feared pass rush in the league.with all the top players off the board at our positions of need i went with the 6'4 265 pound pass rusher who leads the ncaa in sacks and is explosive off the line. Mercilus would increase our depth along the dl and would be insurance incase dumervil countinues his injury proneness.

10 characters

[BroncoooJohnson]

He reminds me of Jason Pierre Paul, and we'd be lucky to get him. And name 1 true need on this team. 1 starter who needs to be replaced.

You can't. Goody has stepped up his game. Chris Harris has been great. Our defensive tackles have been playing out of their minds. Our linebackers are great. Our safeties need experience. Maybe a number 1 receiver, but there wasn't one available.

okay. we would NOT be lucky not get him. He's not a hot commodity, and isn't overall considered top 15. I'm fine with the pick, but you're praising him like he's a star.

And one position that needs to be upgraded is corner, regardless if Goodman stepped up or not. He has made a few plays, but that's almost entirely because our pass rush has been relentless, and one year from now he'll be another year older. Corner IS a need, and I'll sig/cp bet that one is drafted in the top two rounds.

[MindField]

To me, the first issue was if the Broncos were going to take a QB in the first round to challenge or replace Tebow....but with Tebow's success, I don't think that is going to happen. I do think a QB could be taken in the second round, but at this point, I just hope the Broncos take Kellen Moore, keep continuity with the left-handed QB situation, and give Tebow a full offseason and next season to see where he is at.

I think Elway is going to continue to try and build the roster, and will do that by attempting to trade down and add picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

If the Broncos do stay at their spot in the first round, and select where projected, I would absolutely be OK with Whitney Merciless. In the NFL today, you have to have muliple pass rushers, as many as possible. You see the success the NY Giants have had over the years with that approach, and I agree with that...plus, we saw what happened to the Broncos when Dumervil was lost last season.

Merciless is an NFL prototype pass rusher at 6'4"-268, and leads the Nation in sacks. He would be allowed to grow and develop at a reasonable pace, and would give the Broncos all kinds of options in pass rush situations.

As far as DT goes, I think Jerel Worthy is hands down the best DT prospect available. At 6'3"-312, his lower half looks like a huge tree stump. He can just root himself to the ground, and has more quickness than people realize. I think he is undervalued at the bottom of the first round, and is the best DT prospect in this draft. I think his best football is ahead of him, and will be a solid first round selection.

I am not as high on Penn St DT Devon Still, at 6'5", he plays tall, and against Illinois in particular, I saw him get stood up more than once and moved off the ball as if he was on roller skates. He has to work on his leverage, and he is not going to be playing against Big Ten O-linemen in the NFL. I think he is more of a project that you would like with a first round pick, and is not going to dominate on a physical level in the NFL.

But I hope the Broncos plan of attack is to trade down and often, as Bill Walsh did in 1985, and add picks in the second round and beyond. This is going to be a fairly deep draft, and alot of good players will be available after the first round.

The Broncos need a RB, a couple of WR's, at least one DT, a DE, another couple of LB's and perhaps the biggest need is a good, young CB, along with depth at QB.

I also think run and hit OLB's are gold in the NFL these days, and I LOVE Texas OLB Keenan Robinson. His speed, versatility and nastiness makes him a favorite of mine, and I hope he somehow ends up a Broncos draft pick.