The draft order is finally complete and once again, a certain Baylor QB can change the entire outlook of the draft, as a simple change in his projection caused all of the changes I made to the draft.
1) Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, QB: It is looking certain the Colts will draft Luck and it looks like Peyton Manning and the Colts are on track to part ways. Taking Luck is the best thing for the franchise, even if it does mean that it'll cause you to lose arguably the best player in team history and one of the best QBs to ever play in the NFL.
2) St. Louis Rams - Matt Kalil, OT: Part of this pick is because I think the Rams may pick #4 and still pick up Kalil. That's a sly way of getting around my little no-trade clause into my mocks. STL needs an OT though and Kalil will help protect Sam Bradford.
Previous pick: Justin Blackmon, WR
3) Minnesota Vikings - Justin Blackmon, WR: Blackmon is easily the top WR prospect in this draft class. He's considered a better prospect than his former teammate, Dez Bryant, but he doesn't come with the character concerns. Like the second overall pick, this is another position a team can move up in the draft for.
Previous pick: Matt Kalil, OT
4) Cleveland Browns - Robert Griffin III: The bouncing back and forth between Griffin and a certain Alabama RB continues. RGIII really helped himself with a very impressive Combine performance.
Previous pick: Trent Richardson, RB
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Trent Richardson: CB would be a need, but I think adding a RB like Trent Richardson into Tampa's backfield with LeGarrette Blount would do wonders for Tampa's offense.
Previous pick: Morris Claiborne, CB
6) Washington Redskins - Morris Claiborne, CB: There are bigger needs for Washington, but there isn't another WR or QB worthy of such a high selection. In this case, best player available at a lesser need wins.
Previous pick: Robert Griffin III, QB
7) Jacksonville Jaguars - Quinton Coples, DE: Aaron Kampman is getting up there in age and may not be back. Matt Roth just wasn't the answer for Jacksonville. Coples would do very well to help solidify their defensive line and will give Jacksonville a good pass rushing threat for the next several years in a division that has Matt Schaub, Jake Locker, and probably Andrew Luck.
8) Miami Dolphins - Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB: The Dolphins said they would like to use elements of both the 3-4 and 4-3 defense, but I predict they will probably use more four-man fronts. Still, Ingram gives them the ability to run either defense as the kid is versatile and can play 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB.
9) Carolina Panthers - Michael Brockers, DT: The Panthers had to resort to starting Frank Kearse and Jason Shirleyat defensive tackle in 2011. While they need help at CB as well, a solid CB won't be able to do much if Carolina can't generate any pressure on the QB.
10) Buffalo Bills - Andre Branch, DE: Upshaw is still a possibility in the eyes of some, but I think Buffalo goes for a more traditional 4-3 DE with Branch. It's possible the Bills can also target a tackle here, but with a new shift in defensive schemes, the Bills need to find someone to fill their 4-3 DE need.
11) Kansas City Chiefs - Luke Kuechly, ILB: Their defense has underperformed and Kuechly will help solidify the LBs. They will look to resign CB Brandon Flowers and hope that he and Brandon Carr will rebound from underwhelming years. Eric Berry returning will also help their secondary.
12) Seattle Seahawks - Riley Reiff, OT: The Seahawks would love to get their hands on someone like Ingram, but with some of the top pass rushers off the board, they may opt for a tremendous talent at tackle. Reiff would be an immediate starter and huge upgrade for Seattle as a LT.
13) Arizona Cardinals - Jonathan Martin, OT: The Cardinals will be happy to take one of the top three OTs or David DeCastro as they need help all over the offensive line. They could look Vontaze Burfict or Courtney Upshaw with this pick too if they're available.
14) Dallas Cowboys - Janoris Jenkins, CB: With a strong outing at the Senior Bowl, Jenkins overtakes Dennard in the draft. Jenkins could have been the #1 CB in the draft had he not had issues with the Gators. With Terrence Newman expected be out of Dallas this off-season, they will need all the help Dennard can provide.
15) Philadelphia Eagles - Fletcher Cox, DT: The weak link for the Eagles has been their LBs and FS, but they're not ready to give up on Nate Allen and the selection of Cox could help Casey Matthews at MLB. Brockers and Cullen Jenkins would give the Eagles a very nice tandem at DT and with Jason Babin and Trent Cole at DE, Philly would have a defensive line that could end up being just as good as the defensive front four of the New York Giants. Michael Floydcould be an option here if they've grown tired of DeSean Jackson.
16) New York Jets - Mark Barron, S: Courtney Upshaw could also be an option if available. The Jets have holes at both safety positions and could use a man like Barron to help solidify their weaknesses covering TEs. Barron isn't very good in man coverage and may be a bit stiff in the hips, but he's great in zone coverage with his ability to read the QB. His closing speed will be able to make up for many of his mistakes when he's slow to turn and run with a receiver. He's aggressive in run support, but will overrun on the play at times.
17) Cincinnati Bengals - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB: Kirkpatrick was once considered as either the top or second best CB in the draft, but a strong showing by Jenkins during the Senior Bowl week helped him overtake Kirkpatrick. The Bengals have Leon Hall, but Nate Clements is 32 and has been inconsistent. Kirkpatrick and Hall could quickly become one of the better CB duos in the NFL.
18) San Diego Chargers - Courtney Upshaw, OLB: The Chargers could also use David DeCastro, but the prospect of Courtney Upshaw is just too much for them to pass up. The Chargers need a lot of help at OLB as Larry English just hasn't developed as San Diego has hoped.
19) Chicago Bears - Mike Adams, OT: The Bears could really use someone like Michael Floyd at WR, but they really need help protecting Jay Cutler. While David DeCastro may be considered a better lineman, Adams plays a more critical role on the OL.
20) Tennessee Titans - Nick Perry, DE: Karl Klug has been the top pass rusher for the Titans with 7 and they need to get some help to get to the passer. Parry is a natural pass rusher that could help the Titans get after the QB. With a bunch of young QB prospects in the AFC South, the Titans will need someone to rattle their cage. CB could be a hole if they don't resign Cortland Finnegan, but I already project the top CBs to be gone.
21) Cincinnati Bengals - Lamar Miller, RB: Cedric Benson hasn't been very effective despite his rushing yards and he's a free agent. Miller is a home run threat and is quick to hit the holes. Miller is also a tough runner to bring down. It's possible Cincy could go with a Guard or Center like Cordy Glenn or Peter Konz, but there is a thin market for RBs in free agency and the Bengals need an upgrade in the backfield more than they do on the line.
22) Cleveland Browns (via Falcons) - Michael Floyd, WR: Simply a very good compliment to give their rookie QB. Fortunately, the Browns desperately need help at WR as well. In fact, they need help at all their skill positions on offense, especially if Peyton Hillis leaves via free agency.
Previous pick: Ryan Tannehill, QB
23) Detroit Lions - David DeCastro, OG: The Lions, like many teams, need help on their offensive line and could also go with Peter Konz to place Dominic Raiola at center, but I think they'll try to milk another season out of their aging center while they address OG. Zach Brown could also be an option for the Lions if they wish to address LB.
24) Pittsburgh Steelers - Dontari Poe, NT: While I have long been thinking Burfict may be the perfect candidate for the Steelers, I am leaning more towards Poe simply because it's harder to find a dominant NT than it is an ILB in the 3-4 defense. Poe could be that dominant NT and he can help Pittsburgh make a smooth transition from the Casey Hampton era.
25) Denver Broncos - Devon Still, DT: Denver already has solid players on the outside for the future with Elvis Dumervil, Robert Ayers, and Von Miller. Still could bring a solid presence in the middle to team with Broderick Bunkley to help solidify the middle of the field and strengthen Denver's run defense. Kendall Wright could be an option, but I think Denver likes Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker.
26) Houston Texans - Rueben Randle, WR: Randle has a nice combination of talents and will be a terrific compliment to Andre Johnson. Houston fans don't want to hear this yet, but he could also be a nice successor in the future.
Previous pick: Michael Floyd, WR
27) New England Patriots (via Saints) - Kendall Wright, WR: The Patriots could address the defensive line here if they wish, but they also need a deep threat at WR. Wright would be the perfect solution to help bring a down-field threat and take attention away from the middle of the field.
28) Green Bay Packers - Whitney Mercilus, DE: Mercilus is a bit of a risky player in my mind, but the prospect of teaming him up with Clay Matthews and trying to terrorize QBs would be very enticing for the Packers.
29) Baltimore Ravens - Peter Konz, C: The Ravens need a center to take over for the aging Matt Birk. Konz, the best center in the class, would give the Ravens one of the best interior lines in the NFL if the Ravens can resign Ben Grubbs.
30) San Francisco 49ers - Mohamed Sanu, WR: Braylon Edwards didn't performed as good as San Francisco hoped and is now gone. The 49ers could test the free agent market, but if unable to land a WR, Sanu would be a good fit. He doesn't have elite speed, but he's fast enough to be a vertical threat. He has very good hands, runs good routes, and is physical enough to get off the line.
31) New England Patriots - Vinny Curry, DE/OLB: The best pass rusher left on the board. The Patriots desperately need help rushing the passer and after addressing their need for an outside WR with speed, they finally look to shore up their lacking pass rush. He doesn't have the explosiveness of some other pass rushers in this draft, but he may have the most violent hands. His hands, not his speed, will be what he uses to get by OTs.
32) New York Giants - Zebrie Sanders: The Giants offensive line has been going through transition. Look the once dominant offensive line to try and speed up their recovery by drafting Sanders. They'd love to have Glenn available and may look for Dwayne Allen at TE, but they probably feel they have enough weapons.