My NFL Mock Draft Part 1 Of 6, #32- #27

In just about a month and a half, the sports world will be buzzing. It will be recovering from a NCAA basketball tourney, MLB baseball will be back and in full force, PGA will be underway and all focus will turn to Tiger, both the NBA and NHL will be winding down toward their respective playoffs.

There is one other event that is growing larger every year under the intense spotlight of this media driven, technological world we now live in. That event is the NFL draft. Millions of fans watch and discuss this event and I am no exception. I will be compiling a mock draft to predict who will go where and why. It is my very first time, so don't be too hard on me.

I'd like to make it more challenging at start at the bottom, working my way to the overall # 1 pick. I think this list will be widely debated, but that it the point. I am not an expert, I have never claimed to be. The fact is, there really is no one that knows exactly what these teams will do. No one. The key to all of these picks is timing in the draft itself and how much a particular team loves a particular player.

With all of this in mind, let us dive right in. We will begin with the Champs.

# 32 New Orleans Saints - LB Sean Lee (Penn St). The team coming off a Super Bowl win rarely ever has a flaw or a specific need. However, this team does. They have a need at linebacker, before they won and now that Fujita has signed with Cleveland, their need is bigger.

They close out the first round with a linebacker. There will still be some available here, but based on overall performance at the college level I think they take Sean Lee. Sean Lee comes out of linebacker U, Penn State along with teammate Navorro Bowman, but despite Bowman's rising stock, Lee is the better of the two. He has the size and skills to adjust to the league. He runs a 4.7 40 yard dash and is regarded as one of the best interior linebackers in the draft. His only downside, is strength and size, but that can come with time in the weight room.

# 31 Indianapolis Colts - DT Dan Williams (Tennessee). The AFC Champs, like the Super Bowl champs, are in also in a bind. The Super Bowl runner up, also, rarely has a weakness, but this team does now as well. This is the result of an aggressive free agency period. The Colts have lost Brackett. He was a force for that front defensive line and will be missed. He, also, will be replaced.

Dan Williams is a strong interior defensive lineman. He is great against the run and should bolster their defense almost immediately. His only downside, is weight and technique. These are both manageable and can be fixed.

# 30 Minnesota Vikings - CB Patrick Robinson (Florida State). The Vikings came so very close to a trip to Miami. Expect Brett Favre to return. This isn't the draft they use to replace him. This draft is weak in QB's and strong in CB's. The Vikings have some serious questions in the secondary. Two of the veterans are aging and injured. They need to restock and soon. This is the draft to do it in.

Patrick Robinson's stock is rising. He should go late first, early second round. I believe he goes here. By the time the draft gets to the Vikings, they will have a few top corners to choose from, he is the better of those options. He is fast, sporting a 4.4 dash.

He is fast enough to make up ground if out of position, and strong enough to force opposing receivers out of their routes. He's a solid tackler with good coverage ability. His only downside is zone coverage which has lead to lack of production in stats. This can be taught, with the right coaches.

# 29 New York Jets - FS Taylor Mays (USC). The J-E-T-S, like the Vikings were so very close. They were the surprise of the season under a rookie coach and a rookie QB that rapidly became the toast of the town with the G-Men fading fast. They made a giant splash in free agency this past week, by signing Antonio Cromartie from San Diego.

By doing so, accomplished two things. They strengthen the secondary, matching a rookie sensation in Rivas with a sensational young veteran. They did trade and cut two players from that secondary, which is the reason for the pick. They also have a need at RB, but this field of backs isn't the best to get a franchise back out of. They can get a good balance back for Greene, in the next round.

Taylor Mays is the rising standout of this safety class whose stock is rising. Because of needs for other teams, he could still be available at this pick. He has the size (6'3") and speed (4.45 dash) teams look for. Team needs may cause him to drop this far. The only other place I can see him go, is Arizona at # 26, but they have too many needs after a tumultuous few months of player movement. Mays is a hitter and not only does he have good range, but he is used to the big spotlight playing at USC. That could benefit him in New York.

# 28 San Diego Chargers - CB Joe Haden (Florida). The Chargers lost a big player this month in Cromarte to an AFC rival that booted them out of the playoffs in their own stadium, the Jets. Cromarte was a force in the secondary that is rare and will be difficult to replace. They must try.

Joe Haden is the CB in this draft that is widely regarded as having the best upside. He is fast (4.3 dash) and physical. He has the talent to be a shutdown corner in this league. San Diego needs such a player. His only downside is football savvy and is still raw. Experience will help these tremendously. He could become the Revis of this draft.

# 27 Dallas Cowboys - FS Earl Thomas (Texas). The Cowboys are weak in their mid-field secondary. That is what has been exploited all season, last season. Now is the time to fix that. Dallas owner Jerry Jones loves these Texas and Arkansas guys. This is another one for him to salivate over. Earl Thomas has good speed (4.45 dash) and good instincts. He's a playmaker who has only one fixable downside. Strength. This can be changed. He will be a good pick for them Cowboys.

That makes six down and twenty six to go. Check back soon. I will update this and add the next six, rounding off the rest of the playoff teams. That includes Arizona, Baltimore, Philly, Green Bay, New England and Cincy.