Don’t worry Ranterz, unlike ESPN/Mel Kiper we won’t charge you to read our Mock. And judging from Mel Kiper’s track record I’ll probably be a bit more “on” with my selections.
Tonight kick’s off one of the strangest NFL seasons in recent memory. With a Lockout that is on and off more than a Celebrity Love Affair one thing that is for certain is that teams won’t have as much leverage to work with in this Draft as opposed to other drafts.
Traditionally there aren’t too many players traded when teams move around in the order on Draft Day, so I don’t think the restriction on Player trading until Friday will be a major hurdle for any team looking to move up or down.
With that being said, here is my Mock Draft of the First 10 Picks:
1.) Carolina Panthers – Marcell Dareus DT Alabama
I really hope to God they don’t pick Cam Newton here. Why waste 2 high draft picks in consecutive years on the QB position when you are rebuilding? I was always a firm believer that when rebuilding a franchise from scratch you build from the inside out. Meaning, build solid Offensive and Defensive lines and then address the skill positions. Cam Newton will be a solid QB but not a “Superstar” or an “Icon” as he projected. Stay away Carolina…Andrew Luck will be far better when you select him next year
2.) Denver Broncos – Von Miller OLB Texas A&M
Denver needs defensive help badly.With Dareus off the board they will go with Von Miller. They may sniff around drafting Cam Newton, but with John Elway endorsing Tim Tebow like Billy Mays or the Sham-Wow guy, I don’t see the Broncos taking a chance on Newton. Miller gives them exactly what they need and a guy to build a defense around for years to come.
3.) Buffalo Bills – Cam Newton QB Auburn
This is where Newton needs to go. Buffalo has Ryan Fitzpatrick there already so that allows Newton time to grow, learn, develop and mature. He won’t be rushed along like David Carr in Houston years ago. And that’s what Newton needs. Time. And Buffalo needs a Franchise Poster boy worse than any other NFL team in the draft.
4.) Cincinati Bengals – A.J Green WR Georgia
It’s time to throw away the trash Cincy. For the past few seasons the Bengals have been handcuffed to overly-loud under-productive receivers like Chad WhatEverYourLastNameIs. Green is the right choice.
5.) Dallas Cowboys (via trade with Arizona) – Patrick Peterson CB LSU
Dallas needs Patrick Peterson badly. Terrence Newman isn’t the same CB he once was and Michael Jenkins followed up a superb 2009 season with a forgettable 2010 campaign. Jerry Jones isn’t afraid to make a move and go after a player he wants. Peterson is a perfect fit for a definite need and a shut down corner is much harder to come across than an Offensive Lineman.
6.) Cleveland Browns – Julio Jones WR Alabama
There is no better fit for the Browns than Julio Jones. A big target who can stretch the field and compliment Josh Cribbs very nicely. The Brown’s haven’t had a premier big time receiver since Braylon Edwards pretended to be one a few years back. This will work out better for them.
7.) San Francisco 49ers – Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri
Trust me, if Patrick Patterson were still on the board at this point this is the spot he would go. But with new coach Jim Harbaugh coming into San Francisco it makes sense to go QB with this pick. This is Harbaughs team and the former NFL Quarterback will want a player to groom and call his own.
8.) Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairley DT Auburn
Since Albert Haynesworth departed to get fat, rich and lazy the Titan’s have had a huge void in the center of their defensive front. Fairley is a monster who was once projected to go #1 overall. Perfect fit.
9.) Arizona Cardinals (via Dallas trade) – Da’Quan Bowers DE Clemson
It seems Bowers fell down a lot of Mock Draft boards. Not mine. This kid is a sparkplug with a great motor. With Arizona losing a lot on Defense due to Free Agency and Age since their lone Super Bowl appearance it’s time to rebuild.
10.) Washington Redskins – Jake Locker QB Washington
Let’s face it, Donovan McNabb wants out of Washington and Washington wants McNabb out as fast as the Lockout is lifted. McNabb will end up in Minnesota and Washington will need a QB to groom for the future.
And here is a little ode’ to the beloved Mel Kiper who seems to get paid for being consistently wrong (he’d be a perfect Meteoroligist)
With all of the money that these players are set to make, they need to have their accounting, or fund accounting, all in order, which is why they may need solid fund accounting software to accomplish just that.