BroncoTalk’s Post-Combine Mock Draft

Here it is again, another mock draft. And yes, there is a new pick for the Broncos. Not just the Broncos pick is new, there are 18 new picks in this mock. Enjoy.

Round 1

1. St. Louis Rams
   Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

There is no doubt the Rams need a quarterback (unless they land Donovan McNabb) and at this point I can’t (well it’s not impossible) see them taking any other position. The NFL is a copycat league, and first round rookie quarterbacks have been all the rage the last two seasons. It’s a big risk big reward type pick but I don’t see any other way for the Rams right now, and maybe that’s why they aren’t employing me.

Samuel Jacob Bradford has surpassed James Richard Clausen in the quarterback rankings by well… doing nothing. Neither of these top two prospects have done much to increase their stock, so teams are left to look at their game footage. With the exception of last season, that isn’t too good for Jimmy Clausen who was a pick throwing machine. On the other hand, this is great for Sam Bradford who has only thrown 16 picks in his college career, which looks real good up against his 88 touchdowns.

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

2. Detroit Lions
   Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

I said numerous times that the Lions desperately need to take Russell Okung to help out the maturation of Matt Stafford. The Lions have apparently been shopping this pick around, but it’s hard to find a suitor for such an expensive pick. If no one offers up, I believe the Lions will have to make a large investment to protect their other large investment.

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 Stafford 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: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
   Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Eric Berry is on the board and the Buccaneers desperately need anyone to improve their secondary. However, Ndamukong Suh is an insane prospect and too much of a trendy pick for Raheem Morris.

Previous pick: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

4. Washington Redskins
   Jimmy Clausen, QB, Oklahoma

I said before, this pick is very dependent on what Mike Shanahan sees in the quarterbacks this draft. However, this just makes too much sense. Hello Jake Plummer I mean Jason Campbell, you’re the starter this year… until you throw too many stupid passes and get booed by the fans. Now say hello to the rookie Jay Cutler I mean Jimmy Clausen. If only Campbell’s last name was Pampbell, it would be veteran J.P. yanked for rookie J.C. all over again.

Previous pick: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

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: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

6. Seattle Seahawks
   Brian Baluga, OT, Iowa

Matt Hasselbeck is “our guy” Pete Carroll says. Where have we heard that one before? Now that Charlie Whitehurst is the future for Seattle (at least until Carroll gets fired) they’ll need to protect him.

Previous pick: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

7. Cleveland Browns
   Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

I’ve had Joe Haden here for awhile, but his slow forty time and Eric Berry’s availability has dropped him from this spot. I’m not exactly sure what Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert are doing, but I guess they plan to strike gold with their trillion late round picks. Holmgren said that drafting a quarterback is “something we have to do.” Unless they plan on trading up past our nation’s capital, they’ll have to wait till later.

Previous pick: Joe Haden, CB, Florida

8. Oakland Raiders
   Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Taylor Mays did run an unofficial 4.24 forty, but it was corrected to a 4.43. I have no idea how they messed that up. You can bet some coaches don’t give a whole lot of credit to the digital timing when they hand clocked him at that speed. However, Taylor Mays may not be taken this high because a certain 300 pound offensive tackle ran insanely fast. That being Bruce Campbell. The guy is an absolute beast, he ran a 4.85. Al Davis would be insane not to take Campbell if he’s on the board, but it is Al Davis.

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.

Previous pick: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

10. 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

11. Denver Broncos
    Mike Iupati, OG/OT, Idaho

Yes, Mike Iupati is a reach. However with Rolando McClain off the board and the defensive line makeover Denver had this offseason they’ll need to take a position of need. Denver really needs an offensive guard that fits the power blocking scheme. Enter Mike Iupati, the guy is 6’5 335 pounds, is that enough power for you? Another great thing about Iupati is that he has the size and ability to play right tackle as well. So if Ryan Harris goes down again Denver can slide Iupati over.

I still wouldn’t be surprised if Denver trades out here whether it’s up or down. I have this inkling of a feeling that they’re going to do what it takes to get Rolando McClain, but that might be more of a feeling of hope.  If Denver can’t land McClain I’d like to see them go after Penn State’s Sean Lee.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Josh McDaniels and Brian Xanders might just go after the best player available, which isn’t neccessarily a bad thing.

Previous pick: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

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
    Joe Haden, CB, Florida

San Francisco decided not to continue the Dre’ Bly experiment despite their desperate need of a corner. Nate Clements got a killer contract and then sat on his ass. Joe Haden is an instinctive player who is being tainted by the inappropriate weight of the forty yard dash. Other teams in need of a shut down corner (almost every team) will pass on Haden because of his “slow” forty time. Mike Mayock said it himself “He’s got game speed.”

Previous pick: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

14. Seattle Seahawks
    Everson Griffen, DE, USC

Seattle’s defensive line lived in a pineapple under the sea. The Seahawks gave up Julian Peterson, and Rocky Bernard last offeason, not to mention that 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: Everson Griffen, DE, USC

15. New York Giants
    Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

The Giants are real thin at linebacker, so they it’s a possibility they could reach and take Sean Weatherspoon this April. Weatherspoon had a great Senior Bowl and is considered to be a very good fit for the 4-3 scheme, exactly with the Giants run.

Previous pick: Mike Iupati, OG/OT,

16. Tennessee Titans
    Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

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 Wilson, who can return punts too.

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
    Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

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

Previous pick: Brian Baluga, OT, Iowa

19. Atlanta Falcons
    Brian Price, DT, UCLA

The Falcons are desperate to stop the run, last year they drafted Peria Jerry to help, but he couldn’t stay healthy. Brian Price is a great fit for the 4-3 line which the Falcons have. I would have Earl Thomas here but Atlanta is already invested in William Moore.

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
    Taylor Mays, S, USC

It was fairly obvious that the Bengal’s passing offense missed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, so that’s why the went out and signed Antonio Bryant. However, Bryant will probably get lazy like he does every time he’s not in a contract year. For now though they’ll fix the only glaring hole in their secondary, which is at safety. What better player to replace Roy L. Williams than Roy L. Williams Jr.? Seriously, Taylor Mays just looks like the second coming of Roy, hard hitting and no coverage skills.

Previous pick: Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois

22. New England Patriots
    Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State

Last time I said barring a bad combine Jonathan Dwyer should end up being the number one prospect as a every down back in this draft. Well he had a bad combine. However, Ryan Matthews had a great combine, and since New England hasn’t had an every down back since Corey Dillion, Matthews has a chance here. 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.

Previous pick: Johnathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech

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
    Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Florida

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. Jason Pierre-Paul is extremely raw but he’d have time to sit and learn.

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. With Anquan Boldin and Gresham on the field, the Ravens would have an extremely potent offense.

Previous pick: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

26. Arizona Cardinals
    Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

The Cardinals have let two of their best defensive players go this offseason much to Darnell Dockett’s dismay. Arizona isn’t stacked at the nose tackle position and Dan Williams would be a fine addition. Also I’m pretty sure Darnell Dockett would be pretty happy when he’s racking up the sacks due to the improve defensive line.

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
    Terrance Cody, DT, Alabama

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 gone, so San Diego needs a reliable nose tackle to rotate OG with. Terrance Cody has “slimmed down” to 350 pounds and is a perfect fit for a 3-4 nose tackle.

Previous pick: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

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: Jahvid Best, RB, California

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

I said last time that the Colts are stacked at defensive end with Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and Raheem Brock. Well the Colts cut Raheem Brock, so they’ll be look somewhere in the draft to replace him. Brandon Graham is more of a 4-3 end than a 3-4 outside linebacker as well (well nearly all of those DE/OLB are).

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.

Previous pick: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

What do you think Bronco nation? What should Denver do at 11, offense, defense, trade? Perhaps a punter? Let it fly!