A Shot in the Dark: My Attempt at a Mock Draft

17.   Minnesota Vikings – Jeff Otah OT, Pittsburgh

Everything points to this pick being Phillip Merling and it very well could be, but I’m going out on a limb and saying they get a deal done for Jared Allen and with it they turn to the other side of the line. Otah has all the physical tools and potential to be a great OT, it’ll just take him a year or two to refine those tools and realize the potential.

They want one of the OT’s and hate to see Otah come off the board one pick before them. They’ll consider Gosder Cherilus, but I think they’ll turn their attention to the Defensive Backfield. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a risky pick in my opinion and that’s why he lands here and not earlier, but his upside is tremendous.

This could be a cornerback, but I think with no WR off the board yet Philadelphia will gladly take their pick of the bunch and that pick will be Thomas. He isn’t the most proven on the field, but he has the most skill if he can put it together.

This is a pick that could go a lot of different ways. They’ll give cornerback a look and will be tempted by Aqib Talib no doubt. Phillip Merling will also be a potential pick as he’s definitely a top 20 guy. I wouldn’t even be suprsied to see them take a look at one of the quarterbacks here. But ultimately the playmaking potential of DeSean Jackson is too much. Early Doucet is another option if WR is where they turn.

Wide receiver is the flashy pick, but there isn’t much separating the next best WR here and one they could get in round 2. Merling is definitely the best player available at this time and fills a need. Kenny Phillips is the darkhorse here.

There is no denying there interest in the two Arkansas backs and while this isn’t the one they want the most they are very willing to settle for him. His speed and explosiveness will be a great compliment to Barber and will give the Cowboys one of the best if not the best running back tandem in the game. Felix Jones will end up being one of the ten best players in this draft in my opinion.

Will Ben Roethlisberger get the big WR he so covets? Or will the Steelers go with a more traditional Steelers player such as Quentin Groves or Gosder Cherilus. But Ben is the man in Pittsburgh and what Ben wants he gets this year I think. Partnering Kelly with the automatic hands of Hines Ward and explosiveness of Santonio Holmes makes a great receiving corps with Heath Miller tossed in for gravy.

The fourth receiver in six picks comes off the boards here. They need someone for Vince to throw to and while Sweed has slipped some, he still has the potential to be the best receiver in this class.

They need a replacement for Shaun Alexander and Stewart isn’t a bad choice for the job. He does have injury concerns, but at this spot in the draft, with the skills he has, this isn’t a risky pick in my mind, it’s a pick they have to make.

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