Mock Draft: January Edition, Part One

1.    Brendan's Mock Draft, First 15

1.         1. Carolina Panthers— Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

---Fairley’s stock rose immensely in the championship, and is probably the best physical talent next to Da’Quan Bowers

2.      2. Denver Broncos— Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

---Bowers is the best physical talent in the draft, he’s got the body and the speed to be a great pass rusher, something the Broncos lacked in 09-10

3.     3.  Buffalo Bills--Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

---Peterson has had an excellent season and pending on the combine, is the best CB in the draft and most pro ready

4.      4. Cincinnati Bengals—Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

---Dareus is your typical SEC defensive tackle and is slightly behind Nick Fairley in pro talent

5.      5.  Arizona Cardinals—Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas

---With Luck dropping out, Mallet becomes the best option at QB body wise and talent, although he will need some work with an offensive oriented coach like Ken Wisenhunt

6.      6. Cleveland Browns—A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

---The Browns need a playmaker type WR more than anything in this draft, and A.J. Green is the biggest playmaking WR in the draft since Calvin Johnson

7.      7. San Francisco 49ers—Blaine Gabbert, QB, Mizzou

---Neither Smith is the answer for the 9ers, and Gabbert had a great game in the bowl game this past year and is next to Mallet with readiness

8.      8. Tennessee Titans—Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

---Titans need defensive help, and although they need a QB, I think Jake Locker is a stretch at #8 and Cam Newton brings back memories of Vince Young

9.      9.  Dallas Cowboys—Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

---The Cowboys biggest weakness this past season was their O-Line, and Solder seems to be the best offensive lineman option

10 10. Washington Redskins—Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

---The Skins need a huge boost at WR, and Moss and Cooley aren’t able to handle the workload; the QB situation is still up in the air, but for now a WR is the biggest need

1    11. Houston Texans—Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

---Prince is a steal at 11 and the Texans had one of the worst pass defenses in the league and Glover Quinn isn’t a good number one option

12    12. Minnesota Vikings—Jake Locker, QB, Washington

---Locker had potential to go top 5 if he had left last year, but his stock actually by staying an extra year in school, but the Vikings have already virtually moved Joe Webb to WR

13    13. Detroit Lions—Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

---Another steal falling out of the top 10 and the Lions could use some more defensive help,  and passing up on Quinn at 13 would be ridiculous

14    14. St. Louis Rams—Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

---Clayborn could have left early last year, but decided to stay and only improved his stock. The Rams need a nice compliment to Chris Long at end

15    15. Miami Dolphins—Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

---Paea is ranked high and is definitely a great option at DT, but the need for ends is more than DT’s. The Dolphins defense underperformed last year, this would be huge for them

 Blaise's Mock Draft, Top 15

-1. Carolina Panthers--Da'Quan Bowers DE/Clemson

The Panthers need more athletes, and Bowers is a great one. Hopefully Bowers will take the place that Julius Peppers left vacant when he signed with the Bears last offseason.

2. Denver Broncos- Nick Fairley DT/Auburn

-With a horrible defense in 2010, the Broncos need to go defense with their first pick. Fairley is an intense, inside defender that can only help the Denver defense.

3. Buffalo Bills- Robert Quinn DE/North Carolina

-Quinn started the year as a top-5 pick, but he might fall due to his suspensions. The Bills could use him creating a forceful pass rushing tandem between him and Shawne Merriman.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- Marcell Dareus DT/Alabama

-The Bengals need help with defensive interior linemen, and Dareus is the big, physical player they need.

5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert QB/Missouri

-Gabbert impressed me throughout the year. He looks like a solid NFL quarterback that could have a nice career in the league. Picture it: Gabbert to Fitzgerald…

6. Cleveland Browns- A.J. Green WR/Georgia

-The Browns desperately need playmakers, and Green fits the playmaker build. Green is ranked as the best WR in the draft by most, but he’s my 2^nd rated WR.

7.  San Francisco 49ers- Patrick Peterson CB/LSU

-Peterson would play opposite Nate Clements which will give the Niners a solid second corner which they have not had in recent years.

8. Tennessee Titans- Ryan Mallet QB/Arkansas

-With Vince Young gone, the Titans need find a new franchise quarterback, Mallet fits the mold.

9. Dallas Cowboys- Prince Amukamara CB/Nebraska

-Dallas had one of the worst secondaries in the league last year, and Amukamara is the second best corner in the draft in my opinion, second to only Patrick Peterson.  He would greatly help the pass defense.

10. Washington Redskins- Julio Jones WR/Alabama

-The Redskins need more playmakers, and my first ranked WR is Jones contrary to most other big boards. Jones has a great combination of size and speed that will make him a great NFL wide receiver.

11. Houston Texans- Von Miller OLB/Texas A&M

-The Texans defense was horrible last year. Miller will help strengthen the defense of this potential playoff team.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Cam Newton QB/Auburn

-A better Joe Webb and Tavaris Jackson. Why not take a chance on the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner.

13. Detroit Lions- Gabe Carimi OT/Wisconsin

-The Lions need to protect their franchise quarterback, Matt Stafford, if they wanted to seriously contend for the playoffs.

14. Miami Dolphins- Adrian Clayborn DE/Iowa

-Clayborn could be taken higher, but the Dolphins can only benefit from his athletic, and powerful style of play.

15. St. Louis Rams- Brandon Harris CB/Miami

-The Rams need more playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, but since Justin Blackmon opted to stay another year in college, and Jon Baldwin would be somewhat of a reach here at 15, the Rams could use some more playmakers on defense like Harris.