2013 NFL Draft: Initial Impressions

By: Brian Sanchez

I've been deeply entrenched in this years NFL Draft crop for about ten days now and have formed some early opinions about the class. Granted, these opinions come before the NFL Draft Combine, so these are only my initial impressions; a.k.a take them with a grain of salt.

1. Depth

The first thing I noticed when trying to establish my Big Board this year was how uniquely difficult it was. This problem stems from the fact that this draft is as deep as one I can remember. And I am looking at this depth in multiple ways. The first issue NFL GM's will have problems with is the fact that in the first round alone it is difficult to separate players. I can find at least ten players that are ranked in the twenties and thirties that could easily end up being better than a number of top ten picks. Then if you look past that, this draft goes three rounds deep of solid players in my opinion. The first round is stacked with immediate starters. The second round will have plenty of immediate starters as well. Then the back end of the second round and the entire third round is chalked full of players that should immediately step in to a rotation and help their team in year one. Since there will be a number of teams reaching as usual, you can look for this talent pool to spill over in to the fourth round. What does this mean? Stay tuned for day two of the Draft, because your team should be drafting players that will impact the upcoming season in rounds two, three, and even four.




2. The Trenches

Alabama Guard, Chance Warmack

Oh man do I love physicality in all sports, especially football. I think if you can win the battle in the trenches, you are already on the road to success. For guys like me, and teams that think the way I do, this draft is like Christmas. What could be even better than that? The dominance in the trenches of this draft is on both sides of the ball. On my Big Board right now, the top five players are either an offensive or defensive lineman. In fact, 15 of my top 32 players available play either the offensive line or the defensive line. The scarier part, the positions do not carry great value in the NFL Draft so they will fall on draft day. What does this mean? It means that very skilled and strong linemen are going to be falling down to the playoff teams at the bottom of the draft, thus supplying the good teams in the NFL with immediate starters in the trenches.



3. QB

West Virginia QB, Geno Smith

For every awesome Qb there was in last years draft, there is a marginal talent that teams will reach for in this years draft. As of right now there are many people, myself included, that think Geno Smith will be the number one overall pick this year. He is certainly not an Andrew Lick or a RGIII and may just end up as a mobile QB that can't really play the position. The best WB in the draft may just be Tyler WIlson from Arkansas, but his team last year was so inept that it made him look bad and may cost him when teams look at tape. After those two you have Mike Glennon, Matt Cassell EJ Manuel, Zac Dysert, Ryan Nassib, Landry Jones, and Tyler Bray. This whole draft class screams out, "Christian Ponder" in my eyes.




4. RB

Alabama RB, Eddie Lacy

"Hello? Anyone home? No? OK." This is the standard conversation between draft evaluators and the RB class. There is a very strong chance that no RB is taken in the first round. Eddie Lacy form Alabama grades out as my highest rated back so far, but I doubt he is a first rounder. After him the cupboard is pretty bare. Giovanni Bernard from North Carolina and Joseph Randle from Oklahoma St. are likely second round picks but they are not immediate starters or solutions for any team. This class has a lot of third to fourth round backs that can run between the tackles and do everything decently, but no starters and no game breakers. In the middle rounds I see some value as backups in: Stepfan Taylor, Montee Ball, Marcus Lattimore, Johnathan Franklin, and Le'Veon Bell.



5. WR

Tennessee WR, Cordarrelle Patterson

Take everything is said about the RB position and throw it out the window when it comes to this years wide outs. Through the first two rounds there are plenty of receivers for teams to take that will make immediate impacts. And not only that, it's the type of receiver that will be available. Every one of the top 10-15 wide outs has a unique skill that not only makes them good, but makes them game breakers. The best in my opinion is Cordarrelle Patterson from Tennessee. One of the most underrated prospects is Keenan Allen from Cal if there is another receievr who deserves more respect it's Tavon Austin from West Virginia. The one player who can make the biggest leap through the combine is Terrance Williams from Baylor. Finally, my sleeper pick for a big time receiver is Aaron Dobson from Marshall.



6. CB

Alabama CB, Dee Milliner

There is good depth at the position, but the real story is the top end of the class. There is a lot of talent within the top five corner backs, paced by Alabama's Dee Milliner. But the guys like Xavier Rhodes, Desmond Trufant, Johnathan Banks, and Blidi Wreh-Wilson all have the ability to be named starters in their first year. The truly intriguing part of this CB class is that there is plenty of talent after those initial five but they come from small schools where you have to question the competition they faced. The schools I'm talking about are: Southeast Louisiana, San Diego St., Boise St., and William & Mary. The corners from each one of those schools has either good size or good coverage skills but they were not going against elite talent, so it will be up to each GM individually to grade them.

Mock Draft 3.0

Big Time Changes
By: Brian Sanchez

1. Indiannapolis Colts-  QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

This is still the obvious pick here.  You lose Manning and follow with Luck, pretty sweet deal there.

2. Washington Redskins- QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

The Redskins traded up to pick No. 2 in a blockbuster with the STL Rams for one reason, to get a franchise QB.  They would take either Luck or Griffin.  With Luck almost guaranteed to go first, The Redskins will be very pleased to get RGIII.

3. Minnesota Vikings- OT Matt Kalil, USC

With Justin Blackmon probably not being deserving of going this high the Vikings can not add a weapon for young QB Christian Ponder.  They'll settle for strengthening their weak offensive line with the best O-line prospect in this draft.  Kalil should be a LT from day 1.

4. Cleveland Browns- RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

This is a tough pick for the Browns.  They could also take Claiborne, Blackmon, or Tannehill.  I don't think Tannehill will go this high.  Holmgren does not like to draft WR this early.  Claiborne is a good pick here, but the Browns need help on offense especially after losing Peyton Hillis. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

The Bucs probably would rather have had Richardson but he is not an option here.  They need CB and the best one in he draft is still there.  Easy pick.  I along with most NFL people do not care abou his Wonderlic score.

6. St. Louis Rams- WR Justin Blackmon, LSU

The Rams will take whoever is available between Claiborne, Richardson, and Blackmon.  In this draft it is Blackmon who can be an immediate impact target to help Sam Bradford.  

7. Jacksonville Jaguars- DE Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

GM Gene Smith likes to draft high character, high motor players.They also have a big need for pass rush help at both DE and OLB.  Souns like a perfect fit for Mr. Ingram.

8. Miami Dolphins- QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M
The converted WR is a very intriguing prospect.  I have the Browns passing on him at pick No. 4 but I couldn't see the Dolphins letting him go.  The Dolphins need a long term solution at QB even more now that they've lost Chad Henne.  Tannehill needs work but has good potential.

9. Carolina Panthers- DT Dontari Poe, Memphis
Poe is a mountain at about 6'3" and 350 lbs.  He can be a dynamic interior presence for the Panthers who could not stop the run at all last season and need a lot of help up front along the D line.

10. Buffalo Bills- OT Riley Rieff, Iowa
The Bills needed a pass rush but have now signed the top defensive free agent MArio williams and also Mark Anderson.  They just lost Demetress Bell to the Eagles and now need to fill that hole.  Rieff is just a solid linemen who will play very well for a long time.

11. Kansas City Chiefs- MLB Luke Kuechley, Boston College
Kuechly is a special kind of linebacker.  He has incredible instincts but does not lack athleticism at all.  KC wants to shore up the defense, this is a great start.

12. Seattle Seahawks- DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina
The Seahawks need help with their pass rush especially at DE.  Coples is a gifted athlete who only falls to this pick because of questions about his motor.  He won't get past Seattle who needs his talent above all else.

13. Arizona Cardinals- WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
Floyd would not fill a need but he sure would make them better.  The Cards were at their best back when they had Boldin alongside Fitzgerald.  They need O-line help too but Floyd can be a big impact guy who opens up the offense.  Think Falcons getting Julio Jones to go with Roddy White.

14. Dallas Cowboys- S Mark Barron, Alabama
The Cowboys need help all over the defense, but especially in the secondary.  They signed Brandon Carr and that was solid.  Now they can add the top Safety in the draft.  Barron is a ball hawk and will start immediately.

15. Philadelphia Eagles- DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi St.
The Eagles need to start stopping the run.  Picking up DeMeco Ryans was a good start.  Cox is a disruptive force in the middle and will bring impact play making to the Eagles.

16. New York Jets- OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Last year the Jets defense was remembered more by reputation than actual play.  Too often did they have to send too many players on a blitz just to get pressure.  Rex Ryan likes versatile front 7 guys, and Upshaw is exactly that.  He's an explosive pass rusher that can play OLB or DE.

17. Cincinnati Bengals- OG David DeCastro, Stanford
The Bengals are one of the best up and coming teams in the league.  They don't have a lot of needs and the interior O-line is not necessarily one of them.  But DeCastro is one of the best inside linemen to come along in a long time.  Adding him would just help the Bengals handle a rush from the Steelers and Ravens that much more.

18. San Diego Chargers- OL Cordy Glenn- Georgia
The Chargers need help along the offensive line.  Glenn is massive and athletic enough to play inside at guard or outside at tackle.  Taking Glenn brings versatility for the Chargers to go out and add more while putting him wherever there is a hole.

19. Chicago Bears- DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
A lot of people have the Bears taking a WR here but I think they coould wait until the 2nd round and get one that is close to the same talent as they could at this pick.  What they could not get in the 2nd round is a pass rusher like Mercilus.  A strong, explosive, long armed pass rusher that would be a great compliment across from Julius Peppers (who isn't getting any younger).

20. Tennessee Titans- CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
The Titans lost Cortland Finnegan in FA this offseason and will need to replace him.  If Kirkpatrick hadn't had Marijuana possession charges he definitely could have gone earlier.  He is very tall for a corner but still nimble enough to play corner and not have to move to safety.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- CB Stephen Gilmore, South Carolina
CB is a position the Bengals need depth at and a lot of people thought they would do it with their first pick.  I had them taking the talented David DeCastro and now they still get their corner.  They will take Gilmore over Janorice Jenkins because of Jenkins character concerns.  Also, Jenkins is a better cover corner but not by much.  Gilmore is a play maker and might make the Bengals the big winners of the first round.

22. Cleveland Browns- OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford
The Browns already got Trent Richardson in this draft, and while a WR could help so could a dominant O-line.  This O line has to face the Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens and Richardson and McCoy both need protection.  Martin across from Joe Thomas could be good for a long time.  Plus he would be a RT and not have to handle the pressure of being a NFL LT.

23. Detroit Lions- CB Janorice Jenkins, North Alabama
Jenkins character is a giant question mark and that is the only reason he is this low.  Jenkins however is one heck of a cover corner so he will not fall out of the first round.  The Lions are doing research into Jenkins who has handled himself well throughout the draft process.  His talent will outweigh concerns especially with the Lions needs at CB.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers- MLB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
Hightower seems to have been made to play for the Steel curtain.  If it falls like this the Steelers should be pumped.  They cut James Farrior so Hightower can now come in and start alongside Timmons.

25. Denver Broncos- WR Kendall Wright, Baylor
Yes, the Broncos need defensive help especially on the defensive line.  But if you think Peyton Manning is not asking for more weapons, you're crazy.  Thomas is good, but they need more.  Wright and Thomas would be a pair of speed receivers that Manning could terrorize people with.  He can also help in the return game now that Eddie Royal is gone.

26. Houston Texans- WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech.
Last year when Andre Johnson went down the Texans realized he was literally their only viable option.  Hill may need a while to be a top notch receiver, but with his size and blazing speed he is worth the wait.  The Texans can afford to wait especially since with only Andre Johnson they are still good.

27. New England Patriots- DT Michael Brockers, LSU
Brockers shot up draft boards and then back down after the combine.  But in this case he ends up with the Patriots so it kind of worked out for him.  The Patriots need help everywhere in the front 7 and Brockers would be a starter from day 1.

28. Green Bay Packers- DE/OLB Nick Perry, USC
The Packers need pass rush help across from Clay Matthews so why not bring in a fellow USC Trojan?  Perry is a bit of a tweener but he can rush the passer and the Packers will be able to use him in multiple defenses.

29. Baltimore Ravens- C Peter Konz, Wisconsin
The Ravens have a Center in Matt Birk who won't be around much longer.  In the short term view Konz can fill in at RG for Ben Grubbs and then take over at Center when Birk leaves or retires.

30. San Francisco 49ers- TE Coby Fleener, Stanford
Yes, TE is very low on the list of team needs but you have to trust me on this one.  First, Harbaugh loves to utilize a lot of TE.  He had Fleener at Stanford and knows how good he is.  Secondly, Fleener is way better than Delanie Walker, and I think he is a better WR than Randy Moss is right now.  Fleener is very tall and even more athletic.  Him and Vernon Davis in the Red Zone would mean no more excuses for not scoring.  He is Harbaugh's boy and I think taking him will be a great move.

31. New England Patriots- DE/DT Devon Still, Penn St.
The Front 7 upgrades keep coming for the Patriots and at great value.  Still is a player that is just flat out good.  Not the greatest, but still good.  Add him to Michael Brockers and suddenly the Patriots have a D-Line that is no joke.

32. New York Giants- WR Rueben Randle, LSU

Randle can be a special WR.  He has great size, speed and athleticism and did not get to show his full

potential at LSU.  The Giants lost Manningham and I think that hurt them because they thrived by having three big receivers that Eli can facilitate.  They are down to two but Randle will make it 3 again.

2012 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

By: Brian Sanchez
3/8/2012


Mock Draft 2.0 is the final mock before Free Agency opens up.  

1.  Indianapolis Colts- QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

     This is the obvious pick here, made even more obvious by the releasing of Peyton Manning.  Luck is a once in a decade talent with his arm, athleticism, brilliance, calls at the line of scrimmage, and attitude, all of which lends itself to Luck being an instant team leader.  This is Luck's team now and The Colts should be considered lucky (pun intended) That the end an era with Manning and get to start again with Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams- WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma St.

     I will not change the draft order to project a trade.  But I do think the Rams will move back in the draft and end up with Blackmon.  If they stay at No. 2 I think they will still pick Blackmon.  He is by far and away the best WR talent in this draft and he has the ability to become an instant No. 1 receiver.  QB Sam Bradford needs help, Blackmon can be the help he needs.  Some say the Rams should take a Tackle to protect Bradford, but I like Saffold and think he can be a solid NFL Left Tackle.

3. Minnesota Vikings- OT Matt Kalil, USC

     Kalil is the best Offensive Line prospect in this draft and he made that apparent at the Combine, and the Vikings will be happy to see him on the board.  Minny Reached last year for QB Christian Ponder and now they have to commit to him.  Since Blackmon is the only weapon worth having this early, they should draft Kalil to protect Ponders' blind side and bolster their terrible O-Line.

4. Cleveland Browns- QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

     A lot of people think RGIII is going to be a very good pro, me included.  Colt McCoy is not an NFL starter and the Browns know it.  RGIII will be a savior for this Cleveland team, and I do think they will get him, especially after the way he dazzled scouts at the combine with his athleticism and measuring in over 6'2".  A lot of teams could be looking to trade up to No. 2 and get the Rams pick to take RGIII.  I think the Browns will move up two spots to secure him.  The Rams would then move back to No. 4 and take whichever player the Vikings do not take between Kalil and Blackmon.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

     This young man will be the best DB prospect in the draft as well as one of the top athletes in the draft.  With CB Ronde Barber mulling retirement and CB Aqib Talib possibly going to jail, the Bucs will need someone to line up outside making Claiborne an easy pick.  Some say the Bucs should look at Trent Richardson here because having more than Legarrette Blount will help the offense.  I just think the Bucs will see two huge holes at DB and one minor hole at RB and then see Claiborne and pull the trigger.

6. Washington Redskins- OT Riley Rieff, Iowa

     I make this pick assuming the Redskins sign, Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn or another veteran to be their new QB.  With that happening they'll need someone to protect the new QB.  Rieff is climbing boards quick and is mentioned in the same sentence as Matt Kalil.  This would not be a stretch, just a strong, smart football move.  Then they would be able to slide one of their current tackles inside and solidify the O Line.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars- DE/OLB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

     In the previous draft I had the Jaguars taking OT Jonathan Martin from Stanford in order to protect Gabbert.  I did not think they would take DE Quinton Coples, who although talented, isn't a high motor guy.  GM Gene Smith values motors over pure talent as evident by his high oick of DT Tyson Alualu out of Cal.  Melvin Ingram had a great Combine showcasing his athleticism and pass rush ability.  Pairing him with the other high motor Jaguars on defense could give opposing O Lines headaches.  

previous pick: OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

8. Miami Dolphins- OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

     The Dolphins should be landing either Manning or Flynn and I think will look even further into making their offense formidable.  With no real weapons on the board I think they are one more O Lineman away from having a dominant Line.  Jonathan Martin was impressive at the combine and is a very bright kid.  He could be an NFL LT but with Jake Long already in place MArtin can step in day 1 as a solid RT.  After drafting Pouncey last year the Dolphins should win the line of scrimmage on offense nearly every down.  

previous pick: DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

9.  Carolina Panthers- DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

     I had the Panthers taking DT Michael Brockers here because they need help on their interior D Line.  Brockers had a sub par Combine while Poe lit it up.  The nearly 350 lb. Poe ran a sub 5 second 40 yard dash.  This made him not just a nose tackle but an incredibly versatile D Lineman.  I think his versatility, power, and athleticism make him a powerful pick and a big help to the Panthers.

previous pick: DT Michael Brockers, LSU

10.  Buffalo Bills- DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

     I've had Coples falling because of his lack of motor, but he falls no more.  The Bills need a pass rusher, they have made that very clear.  Coples is the most purely talented pass rusher in the draft and the Bills will not be able to say no.

previous pick: DE/OLB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

11.  Kansas City Chiefs- RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

     This is not a no brainer pick for the Chiefs.  Richardson is a top 10, maybe even 5 talent, but the RB position does not have the value it once did.  Jamaal Charles will be coming of reconstructive surgery on his ACL and was not really a carry the load kind of RB before anyways.  Richardson is.  He is very strong and runs to contact.  He is an incredibly impressive RB and in tandem with Charles, can be an elite one two punch.

12.  Seattle Seahawks- MLB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

     Kuechly had an awesome combine coming in with more size and seemingly more athleticism.  The Eagles were licking their chops hoping he got to them, and I no longer think he will.  Kuechly is a very bright, very instinctive linebacker that can instantly make a defense better.  With current MLB David Hawthorne likely on the way out, Kuechly will step in and make an immediate impact.

previous pick: DT Devon Still, Penn St.

13.  Arizona Cardinals- WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

     The Cardinals need an O Lineman but the top options are already gone and it would be a huge reach to take any of the other ones.  I think they will address the Line in FA.  When the Cardinals were dominant offensively it was because they had Boldin and Fitzgerald.  Fitz has been putting up big numbers still, but coupling him with Floyd makes the offense scary again.  Floyd earned this position by running a 4.45 40 yard dash at his height making him a legitimate threat.

previous pick: OG David Decastro, Stanford

14.  Dallas Cowboys- S Mark Barron, Alabama

     The Cowboys need a lot, a lot, a lot of help in their secondary.  They need both safeties and corner backs.  I think the CB position will be much easier to fill in FA (Cortland Finnegan) and there will be much less talent at the safety position.  The top Safety in the draft is a big time playmaker both in the run game and the pass game.  He is a perfect fit for Dallas.

previous pick: CB Janorice Jenkins, Northern Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles- DT Michael Brockers, LSU

     Now, based off of Combine results Fletcher Cox from Mississippi St. probably deserves to be here.  I think Brockers will recover with a big Pro Day and will show he will be a solid NFL DT.  That is what the Eagles need, they are very soft at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

previous pick: MLB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

16.  New York Jets- OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

     The Jets need help on defense.  They need a pass rusher so they don't have to blitz at all times just to get pressure.  Upshaw has the ability to get to the QB on his own.  Less blitzes will mean better coverage which could mean the Jets may return to being one of the better defenses.  

previous pick: S Mark Barron, Alabama

17.  Cincinnati Bengals- CB Janorice Jenkins, Northern Alabama

     The Bengals are well known as a team that identifies need, and drafts accordingly.  They have two needs, CB and RB.  Nate Clements is on the wrong side of 30, inconsistent, and a free agent.  That is not good.  Leon Hall will not be ready to start the season coming off of his Achilles injury.  And of course, they lost Jonathan Joseph to the Texans last year.  Jenkins is really talented but also a big off field issue.  Usually that does not matter to the Bengals.  Jenkins was very fast and agile at the Combine and will e worth the risk to some teams, Bengals included.

previous pick: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

18.  San Diego Chargers- OT/OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia

     Glenn is the Dontari Poe of offense.  He is huge but very, very agile.  He can play both the tackle ond the gaurd and that is what makes him so valuable to the Chargers.  They need help on the O Line and drafting Glenn can leave them room to sign a FA at any position on the line and put Glenn wherever a hole is left.

previous pick: OLB Courtney Upshaw

19.  Chicago Bears- OG David DeCastro, Stanford

     The Bears need help at the WR and I think they will fix that in FA.  They need to keep Cutler upright and the best way to do that is by drafting the most dominant guard in College Football.  DeCastro will be an immediate impact and will help the O Line.
previous pick: WR Alshon Jeffrey, South Carolina

20.  Tennessee Titans- DE Whitney Mercillus, Illinois

     The Tiatns ahve three DE's heading towards FA and their best linemen Jason Jones is most likely going elsewhere.  It's a bit of a toss up between Perry and Mercillus but I go with Whitney because he is more ready to make a big time impact now, where as  Perry needs a year or two.  With CJ2K on the team now, the Titans neeed to play to win now.
previous pick: OL Cordy Glenn, Georgia

21.  Cincinnati Bengals- CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

     The Bengals would like to improve their interior line but with Glenn and DeCastro gone, their is really no next top option.  I think they could go DT here with Fletcher Cox but that is less of a need than CB.  I think Kirkpatrick is a tough physical corner who will be effective.  With the question mark over Leon Hall's health they really have no corners.  Why not double dip and take the No. 3 and No. 4 CB's in the draft and make that position an up and coming strength?
previous pick: RB Lamar Miller, Miami

22.  Cleveland Browns- WR Kendall Wright,  Baylor

     The Browns already took  an explosive play maker from Baylor.  Time to take an equally explosive player out of Baylor at WR.  Wright has elite speed and has already flourished under the throws of RGIII.  Might as well put the two together on the big stage and give your rookie QB a safety blanket at WR with his college running mate.

23.  Detroit Lions- LB Lavonte David, Nebraska

     David is a big time riser in this draft.  There are needs for the Lions at LB and CB.  It will be easier to get CB's this off season then it will be LB's.  David is a versatile LB who can play inside and outside and offer the Lions help at any position.
previous pick: CB Alonzo Denard, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers- MLB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama

     While the Steelers go through a major purge to get under the salary cap they had to cut MLB James Farrior.  They run a 3-4 defense and need that second inside linebacker to pair with Lawrence Timmons.  Hightower seems to have been created to play for the Steelers and will slide in a probably start from day 1 for the Steel Curtain.
previous pick: DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

25.  Denver Broncos- DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi St.

     The Broncos played good in stretches, but overall they are nothing special.  Their biggest need is a play maker on the inside.  Fletcher Cox has the ability to get in the backfield and drop a running back for a loss.  While Brodrick Bunkley had a good year stuffing the run, he did not make explosive plays.  The Broncos have a presence on the outside with their pass rush, time to shore up the middle.

26.  Houston Texans- WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech

     The Texans need a WR to pair with Andre Johnson.  When he went down last year, so did their passing offense.  But, since you have Johnson, you can take a project WR like Hill who blew people away with his 4.35 40 yard dash at the Combine.  Hill will take the top of the defense in a major way and make this Texans offense one of the scarier ones in the league.
previous pick: WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

27.  New England Patriots- DT Devon Still, Penn St.

     Devon Still has shown inconsistency on tape, but he is powerful and takes up multiple blockers.  He can also play inside or outside and fit into whatever scheme Hoodie needs.  This will not be the sexiest pick the Pats can make but it will help them.
previous pick: DE Whitney Mercillus, Illinois

28.  Green Bay Packers- LB Nick Perry, USC

     The pass rush for the Packers dropped off in a major way last season.  They need someone to draw attention opposite of Clay Matthews.  Perry falls to the end of the first because he is a DE/OLB tweener but I think he can make the full move to OLB and provide big time pass rush.
previous pick: C Peter Konz, Wisconsin

29.  Baltimore Ravens- C Peter Konz, Wisconsin

     All three of the interior linemen for the Ravens are both old and heading towards FA.  Konz can play the center with good size and smarts.  Not to mention he played for Wisconsin where according to their head coach Brett Bielema they play "American Football".
previous pick: MLB Vontaze Burfictt, Arizona St.

30.  San Francisco 49ers- CB Stephen Gilmore, South Carolina

     The 49ers need help at WR but I don't think Alshon Jefferey offers enough value in the first round.  The 49ers need more depth at CB and Gilmore is a special kind of corner.  He is big and does well against bigger WR's but he does not give up a lot as far as quickness for a big CB.  Last year the 49ers took Chris Culliver who was the running mate of Stepehen Gilmore and they complimented each other nicely.  Culliver being the speedy ball hawk, and Gilmore the big physical corner.
previous pick: OLB Zach Brown, North Carolina

31.  New England Patriots- DE Andre Branch, Clemson

     More pass rushers for the Patriots here.  Branch has the size and athleticism to play DE or OLB and has a high motor and pass rush abilities.  He offers versatility much like Still and can fit wherever Bellichick wants them on any particular play.
previous pick: DE/OLB Nick Perry, USC

32.  New York Giants- TE Coby Fleener, Stanford

     The reigning champs have very few holes and are losing very few players to FA.  Where they could use some help is at TE.  Ballard had a good season but he is not dynamic.  Fleener is tall, long, athletic and smart.  The Giants need a TE and the best one in the draft falls all the way to them here with this pick.
previous pick: MLB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama

     
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