Part of the NFL.com/Network's charm is that it allows us to escape much the bias and banality that is ESPN. That's not to say the former sports media outlet is perfect in what it does, but when it comes to draft coverage and analysis, NFL.com/Network wins, hands down. For those of you who doubt such a statement, feel free to compare ESPN and NFL Network's respective telecasts on draft night (watch one, DVR the other), taking note of what each outlet provides its viewers. The proof is in the pudding (or, rather, Mel Kiper's dye-slathered widow's peak).
A big part of NFL.com's pre-draft analysis is Bucky Brooks. While not as visible as network mainstays Mike Mayock and Charles Davis, Brooks is a quality talent evaluator who churns out a handful of mocks during pre-draft season. Some of his projections can be good for a chuckle or two ("reach" clearly isn't in his vocabulary, and he's not opposed to the occasional inclusion of shock value in his mock drafts), but he seems like a decent dude, so we'll cut him some slack.
The second installment of Brooks' mock draft has, among other things, West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith landing in Kansas City with the No. 1 overall selection, Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel sliding all the way to Arizona at No. 7, and Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o falling all the way to Green Bay at No. 26. The Dolphins' selection at No. 12? Like many current mock drafts, Brooks believes Miami will go with a receiver in the first round--more specifically, a wideout who already looks very comfortable in orange.
Also of note is the fact that Brooks' mock agrees with some of the ideas I included last week in my 2013 mock draft: Florida State University defensive end going to Jaguars at No. 2, North Carolina State quarterback Mike Glennon landing in the top 10, guards Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper coming off the board with consecutive selections, Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree landing with the Bengals at No. 21, etc.).
Given the plethora of talented receivers likely available on day two of the draft this spring, do you think the Dolphins should go with a wideout at No. 12?
You can read the complete version of Brooks' updated mock here.