costrander3689's Mock Draft (Round 1)

1 - KC: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Barring a serious injury to Smith, i don't see KC going anywhere else. They may look at Lotulelei, but they need to find a real QB, and Smith looks to have the highest floor-ceiling combination

2 - CAR: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
I thought about Joeckel here, but Lotulelei makes more sense. He's an elite DT that should be one of the games best very early in his career

3 - JAX: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
Hankins has solidified himself as a top prospect in the draft, and has edged out Jarvis Jones for this pick. The Jaguars need a big body next to Alualu, and Hankins makes perfect sense here

4 - CLE: Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
The Browns are a few pieces away from having an elite defense, and this could be one of the picks that gets them there. Jones is a smart kid that knows how to get after opposing QBs. He also has excellent coverage skills that should keep him on the field for every down

5 - OAK: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
An athletic nightmare at DE, Werner would be an excellent addition to the Raiders defense which has struggled mightily at getting after opposing QBs

6 - ARI: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
The Cardinals finally get the LT that they've been looking for. Joeckel is a top-shelf talent that will be an instant upgrade for Kolb/Skelton/Lindley's blindside

7 - NYJ: Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
The Jets take the best pass rusher on the board, and get themselves a really good 34OLB. Moore has done better in the 43 defense, but he has the size and speed to make a scary outside rusher

8 - PHI: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Forget Lewan or Warmack here, the Eagles should let DRC walk, and cut Asomugha to free up some cap space, and make room for younger guys. Milliner would be an ideal replacement as a #1 CB

9 - BUF: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Barkley is the top QB on the board, and despite his struggles this season, has all the skills needed to be a solid West Coast QB, which the Bills need

10 - DET: Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
With Milliner and Moore off the board, this pick should be between Te'o and Warmack. Te'o can bring some consistency and discipline to this defense, and should love playing being Suh and Fairley

11 - TEN: Barkevious Mingo, OLB, LSU
The Titans need pass rusher, simple as that. Mingo has fallen a bit, but like the Giants JPP, he is a long, super athletic player that should translate into a solid 43DE or OLB

12 - STL: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Rams manage to get one of the top 2 LTs in the draft, and immediately add some stability to their line. Lewan may not be as polished as Joeckel, but he looks to have more potential

13 - SD: Jonathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia
The Chargers have been looking for a really good NT for a long time, and may have found an answer here

14 - DAL: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Cowboys offensive line is terrible, to say the least, and it starts with Doug Free at RT. Tyron Smith has done well at LT, and finding him a complimentary RT should help this team a lot

15 - MIA: Keenan Allen, WR, California
The Dolphins land the top WR in the draft, and immediately upgrade Tannehill's arsenal

16 - STL: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
(from WAS) The Rams go o-line again, and add the best interior lineman we've seen in a long time

17 - NO: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
The Saints have a big need at DT, and Richardson is the best one on the board. This defense has been simply terrible, and should upgrade as much as possible, much like the Packers did with last years draft

18 - MIN: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
The Vikings could look at Justin Hunter here, but i think Banks fills a bigger need. Antoine Winfield will be 36 next season, and is running out of steam. Finding a good #1 CB to play with Chris Cook would be a smart move for this young team

19 - SEA: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
The Seahawks should be looking for the most explosive offensive player on the board here. Patterson is a monster of a WR, and would give Wilson a good target to grow with throughout his career

20 - PIT: C.J. Mosley, OLB, Alabama
The Steelers take the best LB on the board, and add some depth to a rapidly aging unit

21 - CIN: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
The Bengals need a big-bodied NT to line up next to Geno Atkins. Williams is an aggressive big man with power and size to eat up blockers at the point of attack

22 - IND: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
With Williams off the board, the Colts turn to the next best d-lineman. Floyd can play DT in a 43 or DE in a 34, which will work well for their hybrid style defense

23 - GB: Kenny Vaccaro, SS, Texas
Vaccaro has looked, at times, like the best safety in a solid class. His athleticism and intelligence is incredible, and his versatility reminds some of Charles Woodson, making this an excellent pick

24 - TB: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
The Bucs need to replace Talib, and add a really good CB here. Rhodes will be an excellent position to learn from Ronde Barber, and has the skill and size to be a really good #1 CB

25 - ATL: Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
After a bit of a tumble, Montgomery finds a new home in Atlanta. John Abraham is still a solid DE, despite his age, but they'll need someone that can draw attention away from him, and Montgomery should be that guy

26 - CHI: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
The Bears need for offensive linemen is incredible. Cooper has guard and center potential, and would be a much needed addition to this offense

27 - BAL: Eric Reid, FS, LSU
The Ravens replace Reed with Reid, and continue to improve their defense. Ed Reed may not retire this season, but having someone this good waiting in the wings is only a good things for this defense

28 - NE: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
The Patriots take a really risky pick on a player with an unlimited ceiling, and really low floor. The Patriots love versatile players, and this kid has the power and size to play DE/DT and the speed to play LB or SS. This is an absolute Belicheck pick

29 - NYG: Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
The Giants love pass rushers, and Jordan is a steal here. Osi could be off to greener pastures after quietly having a solid season, and the Giants can save a ton of money by drafting a younger kid to take his spot

30 - DEN: Matt Elam, SS, Florida
The Broncos have a massive hole at SS, and are in excellent position to take a really good player. Elam has moved himself into 1st round consideration, and will be an instant upgrade for this defense

31 - SF: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
Crabtree has been disappointing, Moss has been solid, but is going to be 36, Manningham hasn't been effective yet, and AJ Jenkins hasn't been let loose. Kaepernick should be the new face of this franchise, and Hunter and Jenkins should be his #1 and #2 targets

32 - HOU: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
Andre Johnson has been awesome, but he's getting old, and they need a successor for him. Austin has #1 potential, and his speed would nicely compliment AJ in the mean time