Mr. East’s Pre-Combine Mock Draft

The combine is upon us, the players tangibles will be measured, their intagibles will be speculated, and their intelligence challenged, and their pee tested. That my friends is the combine. The combine is the only place where a young 300 pound man can run 40 yards as fast as he can without everyone screaming “Run tubby run!!!” So here it is, some pre-combine placement for all of you to enjoy.

Round 1

1. St. Louis Rams
   Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

Marc Bulger cleaned out his locker the other day, so unless the Rams target Chad Pennington or make a groundbreaking trade, they’ll be looking for a quarterback. Sam Bradford could in fact land this spot if his has a killer combine. If the Rams really love Ndamukong Suh, they’ll have to hope a guy like Colt McCoy is available in round two.

Previous pick: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2. Detroit Lions
   Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

I said before the the Lions really need to take Russell Okung to help out Matt Stafford. Now that Suh is on the board they can’t afford to pass him up. The Lions defensive line is entirely too porous. In fact, I believe each member of their line lives in a pineapple under the sea.

Previous pick: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
   Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Eric Berry is on the board and the Buccaneers desperately need anyone to improve their secondary. If Raheem Morris wants to start liking being a head coach he’ll need to protect his rookie quaterback in Josh Freeman.

Okung had a phenomenal season and has transcended all the offensive tackles entering this draft. Okung has garnered some comparisons to pro bowler Joe Thomas. Russell Okung could give Freeman the Joe Thomas effect. In 2007 when Joe Thomas was a rookie he helped Derek Anderson throw 29 touchdowns and rack up a quarterback rating of 82.5 and almost drove the Browns to the playoffs at 10-6.

Previous pick: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

4. Washington Redskins
   Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

I said before, this pick is very dependent on what Mike Shanahan sees in the quarterbacks this draft. I also said I don’t see Shanahan liking Bradford, but I do see Shanahan taking a quarterback to sit behind Campbell for a year. Sam Bradford was entirely too productive in college for Shanahan to pass up on.

Bradford has only failed to post a quarterback rating of a hundred or more only seven times in his career, and two of those were this past season with his injured shoulder, once in the national championship, and the rest were his during first year starting.

The Sooners were 23-2 when Bradford posts a quarterback rating of over a hundred (one of those losses was when he left early in the BYU game).

Previous pick: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

5. Kansas City Chiefs
   Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

Scott Pioli saw Richard Seymour in Tyson Jackson last year, so this year he can get his “Vincent Wilfork.” Let’s hope for our sakes Pioli is dead wrong on each.

Previous pick: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

6.  Seattle Seahawks
   Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Matt Hasselbeck is getting old and he’s having trouble staying healthy. Since all of the ‘franchise’ quarterbacks are off the board Pete Carroll will have to settle for protecting the one he’s left with. Russell Okung being taken here would be timely due to Walter Jones is most likely to retire.

Previous pick: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

7. Cleveland Browns
   Joe Haden, CB, Florida

Joe Haden only accumulated eight interceptions in his three year tenure at Florida. However, that was mainly due to quarterbacks not throwing his way. Haden has all the tangibles to be the next shut down corner in the league. The Browns can only take Brandon McDonald getting burned play after play. McDonald has been in the NFL for three seasons and has only one interception to show for it. That lowly, meaningless interception was handed out by Charlie Frye during his free interception giveaway that Sunday. Statistically the Browns ranked 29th in passing so depth at corner really couldn’t hurt.

Previous pick: Joe Haden, CB, Florida

8.  Oakland Raiders
   Taylor Mays, S, USC

I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it a thousand times more, Al Davis loves 40 times. It doesn’t matter if Taylor Mays has the worst drill performances at the combine. If Mays runs his expected 40 time, which is in the area of the 4.3’s and possibly 4.2’s. There is no way Al Davis will pass Mays up if he runs that fast. That is unless Mr. Davis actually starts listening to billboards. Unless Eric Berry runs faster, Taylor Mays could be the first safety taken in the draft.

Previous pick: Taylor Mays, S, USC

9. Buffalo Bills
   Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

It’s very difficult to predict what the Bills will do with a new head coach at the helm. With Rolando McClain still on the board however the Bills should jump at the opportunity. Paul Posluszny is an above average middle linebacker but McClain is a hard player to pass up on. I’m very excited to see how he performs in the combine. Eric Berry is a possibility here too and Donte Whitner is an above average like Posluszny, so it depends how the new regime’s evaluates their players.

Previous pick: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

10. Denver Broncos
    Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

From one Tennessee guy to another. I know Denver selected two safeties in the draft last year, but Darcel McBath is a free safety and David Bruton provides depth and special teams expertise. Brian Dawkins and Renaldo Hill are 67 years old combined. An all star is going to be needed at safety in the near future and Eric Berry is an all star. If he somehow manages to slip this far down Denver should not pass him up. The football gods endowed Berry with the hitting power of Ray Lewis and the speed of Vernon Davis. I for one actually hope Berry runs slower at the combine so his stock doesn’t get any higher than it already is.

Please no Brandon Spikes SportsJabber mock, but Brian Price wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen.

Previous pick: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

11. Jacksonville Jaguars
    Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

Jacksonville can’t get to the quarterback whatsoever. The Jaguars had a pathetic 14 sacks all season long, Elvis Dumervil had 17! Derrick Morgan is this draft’s top pass rusher and he should bolster Jacksonville’s lackluster defensive line. Morgan weighs in around 272 pounds, making him an ideal 4-3 end.


Tim Tebow could be a shocker pick here. Tim Tebow has a massive fan base. Exhibit A, his fans love him despite his terrible Super Bowl commercial. Exhibit B, our Tim Tebow, Just Say No article by guest poster Sam Walter received almost 1,000 hits from Google alone. This means Tebow has fans googling him 24/7.

Previous pick: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

12. Miami Dolphins
    Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

Miami could really use a play maker at inside linebacker but with Rolando McClain off the board they’ll go with a play maker at wide receiver. Chad Henne could really use someone to throw to besides Ted Ginn Jr., Brian Hartline, and Davonne Bess.

Previous pick: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

13.  San Francisco 49ers
    Trent Williams, OT, Maryland

The San Francisco 49ers had no problem getting to the quarterback last year (44 sacks). Their problem was the other team getting to theirs (40 sacks). Trent Williams is a solid prospect at this slot in the draft. Since there are no viable quarterback options they’ll have to settle with protecting the one they have.

Previous pick: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

14.  Seattle Seahawks
    Everson Griffen, DE, USC

Seattle’s defensive line also lived in a pineapple under the sea. The Seahawks gave up Julian Peterson, and Rocky Bernard last offeason and Lofa Tatupu was lost to injury. Therefore it’s obvious to see exactly why the Seahawks struggled defensively and why Jim Mora was fired. With Patrick Kerney’s future up for debate Seattle could use some stability on their defensive line. Who better then someone who Pete Carroll just coached last season?

Previous pick: Trent Willaims, OT, Oklahoma

15. New York Giants
    Mike Iupati, OG/OT, Idaho

The Giants were 1-7 when Eli Manning was sacked more than once in a game. Their offensive line was stout in the beginning of the year but fell apart badly after week six. Mike Iupati is a massive being at 6’6 feet and 330 pounds. Iupati’s size gives him the flexibility to either play guard or tackle.

Previous pick: Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida

16. Tennessee Titans
    Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan

The Tennessee Titans couldn’t stop the pass to save their life this last season, ranking 31st in the NFL. Perhaps it’s because they’re in the pass happy AFC South, but that’s all the more reason to draft a corner. Since Joe Haden is off the board the Titans should target Warren who is coming off of a great junior season.

Previous pick: Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan

17.  San Francisco 49ers
    C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

C.J. Spiller is that change of pace back that Frank Gore desperately needs. Frank Gore always has trouble staying healthy, but when he is, he’s an inconvenient truth to the opposing team. Imagine the rushing attack San Fransisco could have with that tandem. Alex Smith could channel his inner Trent Dilfer circa 2005.

Previous pick: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

18.  Pittsburgh Steelers
    Brian Baluga, OT, Iowa

Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 50 times this season and 189 times in the past four seasons. Big Ben needs some protection and Brian Baluga is steal this far down in the draft.

Previous pick: Brian Baluga, OT, Iowa

19. Atlanta Falcons
    Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri

The Falcons are pretty weak at outside linebacker but even weaker in their secondary. I would have Earl Thomas here but Atlanta is already invested in William Moore. So since Mike Peterson is in line for a social security check they should go for the best replacement for him.

Previous pick: Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri

20. Houston Texans
    Earl Thomas, S, Texas

From Texas to Texans. Houston has never really had an all star at safety (see Glenn Earl, Nick Ferguson, and Bernard ‘The Patriots Terrorizer’ Pollard) and Earl Thomas is their best chance to finally land one. Earl makes sense on many levels. First off, Thomas fits a strong need and secondly, he’s a Texas native from High School to College.

Previous pick: Earl Thomas, S, Texas

21. Cincinnati Bengals
    Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois

It was fairly obvious that the Bengal’s passing offense missed T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Neither Andre Caldwell or Laveranues Coles exceeded as number two receivers in T.J.’s absences as well. Overall their passing offense rated 26th in the NFL and Carson Palmer barely managed to pass for over 3,000 yards (3,094). Depending on the combine Golden Tate could lift himself to a first round position making this pick hard for Cincy to choose.

Previous pick: Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois

22. New England Patriots
    Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech

New England hasn’t had an every down back since Corey Dillion. Barring a bad combine Jonathan Dwyer should end up being the number one prospect as a every down back in this draft. Tom Brady is getting old and really needs some stability in the run game. Lawrence Maroney just doesn’t cut it and never has really.

Logan Makins will be expensive to keep, expect him to sign a fat contract with other some lucky team this offseason (please be Denver).  New England might play their trade down game to get the guard they want further down in the draft.

Previous pick: Mike Iupati, OG/OT, Idaho

23.  Green Bay Packers
    Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

Green Bay had an absolutely atrocious offensive line this last season, just ask Jared Allen. Anthony Davis is a freak of nature, he’s listed at 6 feet 6 inches tall and 325 pounds heavy. I’m very interested to see how he does in the combine and on his wonderlic (Davis scored an 890 on his SAT). Issues concerning Davis’ work ethic have come to surface, if Davis doesn’t have a good combine he could end up here, late in the first round, instead of a top 10 pick. Green Bay was not afraid of B.J. Raji’s character issues last draft so if Davis is here I don’t doubt they’ll grab him.

Previous pick: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

24. Philadelphia Eagles
    Brian Price, DT, USC

The Eagles are a very solid team with little to no glaring needs. However, if the 2007 New York Giants have taught us anything is that you can’t have enough good defensive linemen. I could see the Eagles trading up or down from this position to land a player they fall in love with. Brian Price fits well into the Eagles 4-3 scheme.

Previous pick: Everson Griffen, DE, USC

25. Baltimore Ravens
    Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

Newsflash, Todd Heap is old. If Jermaine Gresham can have a great combine the Ravens will do what it takes to give Joe Flacco all the tools he needs to succeed.

Previous pick: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

26. Arizona Cardinals
    Charles Brown, OT, USC

Kurt Warner retired, handing over the reigns to Matt Leinart. The Cardinals didn’t have a terrible offensive line, but with a new inexperienced quarterback at the helm, they’re going to need to give him all the help he can get.

Previous pick: Charles Brown, OT, USC

27. Dallas Cowboys
    Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State

The Cowboys had a great season sack wise despite DeMarcus Ware’s slow starting season. The NFC East is a quarterback heavy division (especially if Shanahan gets Clausen), therefore getting to the quarterback should be at the top of the docket. Jared Odrick is a great fit for the 3-4 scheme and would do well against Jay Ratliff (fftoolbox has a great analysis on him). Odrick is a bit of a reach, but getting to the quarterback is too big of a deal in the NFC East.

Previous pick: Jared Odrick, DE, Penn State

28.  San Diego Chargers
    Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

Just yesterday news  broke out that the Chargers are ‘entertaining the possibility‘ of trading Antonio Cromartie. If Cromartie is dealt, he’ll most likely go for a running back or a draft pick that probably will turn into a running back. San Diego is content with Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason (both first round picks)so I doubt they’ll draft another corner to replace him.

What San Diego did lack this year was a healthy nose tackle. Both Jamal Williams and Ogemdi Nwagbuo ended up on injured reserve before the season was over. Ogemdi Nwagbuo (nicknamed OG) worked at the San Diego Airport before being called into training camp by the Chargers. Jamal Williams is 33 and injury prone so San Diego needs a reliable nose tackle to rotate Williams and OG with. Dan Williams is a perfect fit for a 3-4 nose tackle.

Previous pick: Jahvid Best, RB, California

29. New York Jets
    Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU

Vernon Gholston needs to be replaced. Well, replaced isn’t probably the best word in describing his ineptitude as a pass rushing outside linebacker. The Jets didn’t do terrible at getting to the quarterback this season but under Rex Ryan’s defense they should do a lot better than 32 sacks.

Previous pick: Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU

30.  Minesota Vikings
    Jahvid Best, RB, California

Minnesota has is facing a reality without Chester Taylor. Taylor was a 1,200+ yard the year before Adrian Peterson was drafted and has been the change of pace the Vikings have relied on in the running game. Taylor is also known for having great hands for a running back. The Vikings use Taylor for screens often. Jahvid Best isn’t a number one back, but he’s the change of pace that Adrian Peterson needs. With Best and Peterson in the backfield and Sidney Rice at receiver it wouldn’t even matter if Brett Favre came back (well maybe a little).

Minnesota may look for a defensive tackle because the days of the Williams Wall are coming to an end. Pat Williams is an astounding 37 years old.

Previous pick: Brian Price, DT, UCLA

31. Indianapolis Colts
    Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

The Colts are stacked at defensive end with Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and Raheem Brock. Therefore they’ll take a talented defensive end late in the draft. Classic Bill Pollian, let the rich get richer.

Previous pick: Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan

32. New Orleans Saints
    Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

Before this past season Jonathan Goodwin had never been a full time starter, that doesn’t exactly scream franchise center. When you have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL it’s probably a good idea to give him someone competent to put the ball in his hands.

Maurkice Pouncey is not just a fun name to say, he’s also a massive center at 6’5 feet and 315 pounds. If Pouncey can have a good combine he might just do enough for the Saints to reach on him.

Previous pick: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

No Carlos Dunlap, Jason Pierre-Paul, Brandon Spikes, Damian Williams, or Sergio Kindle in this round. Why? They’re overrated and hyped up. Right now you can’t measure hype, so I’ll let their combine results, interviews, and pro days do the talking for them. Keep in mind that free agency will also make things very interesting.

What do you think Bronco nation? Don’t like Dan Williams at number ten? Me too, a little. What should Denver do at 10, offense, defense, trade? Perhaps a punter? Let it fly!