An Outsiders NFL Mock Draft 2.0 - Tebow to the Patriots

This is my second mock draft and a lot of things have changed.

I think there are some big wild cards in this drafts first round:
1. Jimmy Clausen and Tim Tebow might both be drafted in the first round, or they might just as easily slip into the second round. There situation will have a bigger impact on the draft than the Donovan McNabb trade.

2. Taylor Mays; I just can’t seem to fit him in anywhere. I have questions about his ability as a safety. Now he is even mentioned as a better LB project in the NFL. So, he slips to the second round.

3. Bruce Campbell; Like Mays, a great physical specimen. To me he is a project that needs a year to develop into a starter. I really think he would be perfect in Dallas, learning the ropes behind Flozell Adams for a year.

4. Jermaine Gresham; Do teams value the tight end enough to get him in the first round? I don't think so, especially because of his injury history.

5. DeMaryius Thomas; How much does the broken foot affect his draft value? Not enough for him to slip out of the first round.

6. Then there are some players that some teams would like to trade up for. For example: Rolando McClain (Giants, Broncos), Ryan Matthews (Chargers).

1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB

Previous pick: Sam Bradford, QB

The Rams can’t pass on the opportunity to get a young franchise QB, but I'm not convinced that the franchise is ready for it. I'm afraid Bradford will be “killed” because his is asked to do too much to early. I think they should call the Redskins, trade for Jason Campbell, and pick Ndamukong Suh.

2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT

Previous pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT

With Suh in place, the Lions will have a dominant D-line, and defense wins championships. The LT prospects in the later rounds are better than the DT prospects.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT

Previous pick: Gerald McCoy, DT

McCoy looks like the perfect fit in Tampa; they would even take him over Suh.

Trade option: Arguments for Tampa to trade down are circulating on the basis of the franchise's financial status. I just don’t see a team wanting to trade up this high, unless Bradford falls past the Rams. Then we could have a bidding war with several teams (Cleveland, Seattle, Oakland)

4. Washington Redskins: Russel Okung, LT

Previous pick: Russel Okung, LT

Russel Okung fits the Redskins perfectly. They need him and he has great value.

Trade option: However, they also have a great need for more picks, and I think they are looking for a trade offer they can’t refuse. The Redskins looking at Flozell Adams for a LT could be an indicator.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry, S/CB

Previous pick: Eric Berry, S/CB

Eric Berry is the best player available, and he fills a great need. I think any of the LTs available would be a reach at No. 5. They will cover their LT need in the second round.

6. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, RB

Previous pick: Bryan Bulaga, OT

This is the first position where I have changed my mock. Pete Carrol loves players like C.J. Spiller, and he will still be able to get a great OT at No. 14. Spiller can run, catch, and return kicks, and would be an awesome weapon combined with Brandon Marshall.

7. Cleveland Browns: Earl Thomas, S/CB

Previous pick: Joe Haden, CB

Earl Thomas can play both safety and corner and is ranked up there with Eric Berry. He has jumped Joe Haden because he seems like a safer pick. I wouldn’t rule out Rolando McClain, but with Scott Fujita on board I think CB/S is a bigger need.

QB is the dark horse here. If Holmgren's comments on Clausen were a smokescreen, then he could be the pick. I think, however, that Colt McCoy would be perfect for Holmgren's west coast offense.

8. Oakland Raiders: Trent Williams, LT

Previous pick: Bryan Bulaga, OT

I think the head coach will get it his way. Trent Williams is great value here, and had a great combine, which will help convince Al Davis. He is rock solid, not missing a game in two years: just what this franchise needs.

9. Buffalo Bills: Bryan Bulaga, OT

Previous pick: Jimmy Clausen, QB

They need an OT, and Bryan Bulaga can play both LT and RT. Bulaga is good value here, and fills a big need. However, QB could also be the pick here; I think they are sold on Tim Tebow as their new franchise QB, but they might not get him if they wait until the second round.

Trade option: Look for teams wanting to trade up for Rolando McClain (Giants, Broncos). This would make sense if the Bills wanted to get Tebow later in the first in addition to another draft pick.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joe Haden, CB

Previous pick: Tim Tebow, QB

I still think that Tim Tebow is the perfect fit for Jacksonville. They do have defensive needs, but they also need playmakers that can take them to the next level. If they had to pick the best players available in the draft at No. 10, they would have to look at Joe Haden and Rolando McClain.

Trade option: I Think they would love to trade down and convert the No. 10 pick into a lower first round pick and a second round pick. If this is the case, I think Denver would do a lot to trade up for McClain, and give Jacksonville at least a fourth round pick.

11. Denver Broncos: Rolando McClain, MLB

Previous pick: Rolando McClain, MLB

Rolando McClain is the perfect fit for Denver and is great value at No. 11.

Trade option: I think Denver would even consider moving up for him, or alternatively trade down for Sean Weatherspoon.

12. Miami Dolphins: Sergio Kindle, OLB

Previous pick: Dez Bryant, WR

I think that Dez Bryant would be a great pick here. But with Parcels picking, Kindle looks like a better fit, and a great need. NT could be addressed later with better value for the money.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Davies, OT

Previous pick: Earl Thomas, S

I think the 49ers will look to address the O-line or the secondary here. They will definitely be warey of Seattle here, who will be looking at O-line with their pick at No 14. Singletary will look at the tape and go with Anthony Davies, who talent-wise matches Russel Okung. If there is any coach that will make sure that Anthony Davies lives up to his potential, it is Mike Singletary.

14. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Morgan, DE

Previous pick: C.J. Spiller, RB

The available O-line options don't offer value for the money at this point. However, Derrick Morgan is worth the money here, and he covers a big need. At No. 40, Seattle can still get a great O-line man like Bruce Campbell or Rodger Saffold.

15. New York Giants: Sean Weatherspoon, LB

Previous pick: Sean Weatherspoon, LB

The Giants need a linebacker. Weatherspoon can play all LB positions and is a vocal leader on the field.

Trade option: However, if they really like McClain, I think they could be trading partners with Jacksonville. But, I think they will love Weatherspoon

16. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Graham, DE / OLB

Previous pick: Derrick Morgan, DE

They need a DE to replace Kyle Van den Bosh. Derrick Morgan would have been perfect, but Brandon Graham offers great value for the money. Jean Pierre-Paul is a great option if the Titans are willing to gamble.

17. San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Wilson, CB

Previous pick: Bruce Campbell, OT/LT

Anthony Davies is in the fold, which makes this pick easy. Kyle Wilson is a great pick and a tough guy that Singletary would love.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Iupati, LG/LT

Anthony Davies, OT

The Steelers need to fortify the O-line.I think Mike Iupati would be a slam dunk, easy pick for the Steelers.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Jean Pierre-Paul, DE

Previous pick: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB

With CB covered, the Falcons go for a pass rushing DE. I think Pierre-Paul would be great as a DE in the 4-3 because he can focus on using his great physique on getting to the QB.

20. Houston Texans: Ryan Matthews, RB

Previous pick: Kyle Wilson, CB

I think the Texans would have loved to get their hands on one of the top cornerbacks. But I think both Devin McCourty or Kareem Jackson would be a reach here. Dan Williams might be great value, but I think they will go with Ryan Matthews, because he might just be what the offense need to take it to the next level.

21. Cincinatti Bengals: Dez Bryant, WR

Previous pick: Golden Tate, WR

I really like Golden Tate here. But when Dez Bryant falls this far, the Bengals jump on him. They are not afraid of character issues, and they get their future franchise WR. He will have some experienced guys to learn from.

22. New England Patriots: Tim Tebow, QB

Previous pick: Sergio Kindle, DE/OLB

If Belichick wants one of the top pass-rushers, he will have to trade up. But in my mind he has already singled out some great prospects for his picks in the second round. If Belichick were to go for Carlos Dunlap or Jerry Hughes, they would be the best available players.

However I'm going to gamble on Belichick wanting Tebow to be the next franchise QB for the Patriots. One thing that I think has been unanimous concerning Tebow is that New England is the perfect landing spot for him. And I think Tebow will be gone when New England picks at No. 44.

23. Green Bay Packers: Devin McCourty, CB

Previous pick: Mike Iupati, LG/LT

Green Bay needs O-line, CB/S and OLB help. And the best player available here is really hard to determine. I think they will go with CB Devin McCourty, who could also help them in the return game. I have considered Taylor Mays and Bruce Campbell here, but I think they are accompanied by too many question marks. Maurkice Pouncey also offers great value here.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Carlos Dunlap, DE

Previous pick: Jean Pierre-Paul, DE

Carlos Dunlap has all the physical tools and is a great player that needs a little coaching off the field, but I'm sure the Eagles will take care of that and could be a great mentor/model for Dunlap.

25. Baltimore Ravens: DeMaryius Thomas, WR/TE

Previous pick: DeMaryius Thomas, WR/TE

DeMaryius Thomas is a big, deep threat they need for Flacco's big arm. He would complement Anquan Boldin, because Boldin is not the ideal big deep threat. Jermaine Gresham could be tempting, but from what I understand Thomas could also play TE.

26. Arizona Cardinals: Dan Williams, NT

Previous pick: Carlos Dunlap, DE

Dan Williams at NT is great value here, and could plug a big hole for the Cardinals in the 3-4 for many years to come. Now if Williams goes to Miami, I think they will consider Sean Lee and Daryl Washinton at MLB, or maybe Charles Brown or Bruce Campbell at LT.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Charles Brown, LT

Previous pick: Taylor Mays, S

Before Flozell Adams was released, I thought this would be the perfect spot for Bruce Campbell because he could develop behind the experienced Adams. Now I think they need a starter, and I think Charles Brown is a safer pick.

28. San Diego Chargers, Terrence Cody, NT

Previous pick: Ryan Matthews, RB

With Ryan Matthews off the board, Terence Cody at NT, Kareem Jackson at CB or Jermaine Gresham at TE could be in the Chargers' sights. I would think that Gresham has the best value, but with a big need at NT, I think they will throw their money at Cody, if they think they can keep him in shape and away from McDonald's.

Trade option: I think the Chargers would have to consider trading up for Ryan Matthews at RB.

29. New York Jets: Golden Tate, WR

Previous pick: Arrelious Benn, WR

The Jets need air power, and I think Golden Tate would be perfect for the Jets and for Mark Sanchez, who still needs to focus on the short passing game.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Kareem Jackson, CB

Previous pick: Patrick Robinson, CB

I think CB is a big need here, and Kareem Jackson fits the profile perfectly. At this point, Jimmy Clausen is still available in my draft. I think he could fit the profile very well with the Vikings, because he can throw the ball anywhere the coach wants. He will do what he is told and he knows how to lead the running game.

31. Indianapolis Colts: Jared Odrick, DT

Previous pick: Dan Williams, NT

The argument for Jared Odrick is that the Colts need more pressure on the interior D-line if they want to get to Brees faster next year. However. Maurkice Pouncey, if he is still available, could be very tempting here.

32. New Orleans Saints: Sean Lee, MLB

Previous pick: Sean Lee, MLB

I still like Sean Lee or Daryl Washington here a lot. Sean Lee seems to be the more natural MLB and run stopper, while Daryl Washington is more versatile and can play OLB.