New Era Scouting – Mock Draft

Pick 1 – Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Notes: The no-brainer. Indianapolis needs a quarterback, Luck is the best I’ve ever seen.

Pick 2 – St. Louis Rams

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Notes: The Rams are in a great position to trade back, but no matter where they pick, expect Blackmon to be their selection.

Pick 3 – Minnesota Vikings

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Notes: Protecting Christian Ponder becomes the priority of the franchise. Charlie Johnson isn’t getting it done at left tackle.

Pick 4 – Cleveland Browns

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Notes: The Browns don’t need a quarterback, they need weapons for their quarterback to work with. Richardson is an elite-level back.

Pick 5 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

Notes: Claiborne has just as much coverage skill as his former teammate Patrick Peterson. He’s an ideal replacement for Ronde Barber.

Pick 6 – Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III QB Baylor

Notes: By April Washington will be trading up with St. Louis to make this pick.

Pick 7 – Jacksonville Jaguars

Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

Notes: The Jaguars are in position to draft the best available player outside of quarterback. That happens to be Kirkpatrick, who fills a big need at cornerback.

Pick 8 – Carolina Panthers

Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

Notes: Jeffrey is a big, strong, deep threat to pull coverage off Steve Smith and open up running lanes for Cam Newton.

Pick 9 – Miami Dolphins

Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

Notes: Reiff steps in immediately at right tackle, giving the Dolphins a Top 5 tackle duo to build around.

Pick 10 – Buffalo Bills

Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker, Alabama

Notes: Upshaw has elite talent, and Buffalo needs help rushing the passer. It’s a perfect match.

Pick 11 - Seattle Seahawks

Nick Perry, Defensive End, USC

Notes: A left-end for Pete Carroll’s scheme, Perry will be the speedy pass-rusher this defense has been missing.

Pick 12 - Kansas City Chiefs

David DeCastro, Offensive Guard, Stanford

Notes: Drafting DeCastro anchors the Kansas City run game, and keeps Matt Casselhealthy. That’s most important.

Pick 13 - Arizona Cardinals

Jon Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

Notes: The anti-Levi Brown, Martin is athletic and smart on the field. He looks like a 12-year starter at left tackle.

Pick 14 -

Dallas Cowboys

Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

Notes: Rob Ryan wanted new cornerbacks before the season. If he’s still around, Dallas will get him the upgrade he needs.

Pick 15 - Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Notes: Floyd would be an immediate replacement for free agent (and malcontent) DeSean Jackson.

Pick 16 - New York Jets

Whitney Mercilus, Outside Linebacker, Illinois

Notes: The answer to Tom Brady is to rush the passer better, and more. Mercilus will help with that.

Pick 17 – Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders)

Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami (Florida)

Notes: The Bengals have too much reliance in Cedric Benson. He’s aging, and a question mark off the field. Miller is younger, faster and smarter.

Pick 18 - San Diego Chargers

Cordy Glenn, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

Notes: The Chargers may need help at left and right tackle. Lucky for them, Glenn can play either one.

Pick 19 - Chicago Bears

Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Notes: J’Marcus Webb gave up 3.5 sacks on Sunday. Think it’s time to upgrade?

Pick 20 – Tennessee Titans

Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina

Notes: The Titans never replaced Jason Babin at defensive end. Now they do, with one of the draft’s best pass-rushers.

Pick 21 – Denver Broncos

Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

Notes: The Denver defense has a massive hole in the middle of the line. Still is a massive body to plug that hole.

Pick 22 – New York Giants

Vontaze Burfict, Inside Linebacker, Arizona State

Notes: The Giants lack toughness at linebacker. Vontaze Burfict has elite talent, but lacks control. He’s a great fit with Tom Coughlin.

Pick 23 – Cincinnati Bengals

Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback, Nebraska

Notes: The Bengals need to find a cornerback to complement Leon Hall. Nate Clements and Adam Jones aren’t the answer.

Pick 24 – Houston Texans

Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

Notes: Houston needs a burner in the slot. Kendall Wright is that and so much more.

Pick 25 – Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)

Zach Brown, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina

Notes: Able to play inside or outside linebacker, Brown is insurance against D’Qwell Jackson not returning. He’s also an upgrade if Jackson does come back.

Pick 26 – Detroit Lions

Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

Notes: It’s time to replace Dominic Raiola in the middle of the Detroit offensive line.

Pick 27 – Pittsburgh Steelers

Dontari Poe, Nose Tackle, Memphis

Notes: Replacing the aging Casey Hampton with Poe solidifies the Steeler defensive line for the next decade.

Pick 28 – San Francisco 49ers

Jamell Fleming, Cornerback, Oklahoma

Notes: Carlos Rogers is a free agent, and even if he returns the Niners need help at CB2.

Pick 29 – Baltimore Ravens

Fletcher Cox, Defensive End, Mississippi State

Notes: Cox helps Baltimore with depth and youth as Cory Redding and Haloti Ngata begin to age.