This is perhaps my favorite thing to do during the season. I love making mock drafts and seeing how it ends up when the annual NFL Draft rolls around in April.
I've been right on many occassions, but I've also been horribly wrong, too (I picked JaMarcus Russell to go in the third round in 2007, but instead went first overall). But hey, it happens.
So, with that being said, here's my first mock draft:
*The draft order is after the results of Week 13. This mock draft is also first round only.
1. Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
Luck is the No. 1 prospect in the nation and is the best prospect overall since you guessed it... Peyton Manning, who was drafted by the Colts in 1998.He is also perhaps the most NFL-ready player in the entire draft and whoever picks first, has to pick Luck or they're the dumbest franchise in the entire NFL.
However, if they do draft Luck, the main question that remains if what to do with Luck? Peyton Manning is still on the roster and he still has a few years left in the tank. So it could turn out to be a Brett Favre-Aaron Rodgers scenario, as Luck sits on the bench for a few seasons, learning from Manning for a season or two.
2. Minnesota Vikings: CB Morris Claiborne, LSU
I realize that this is somewhat of a reach and Matt Kalil or Justin Blackmon could go here, but of the secondary, receiving corps and offensive line, the secondary has been the worst part of the team.
The Vikings have continually gotten lit up this season and Claiborne is considered to be one of the best cornerbacks to come out of college in the last couple of seasons. The Vikings need help if they want to win games because they give up way too many passing yards and fall behind way too early in games because of that problem.
Claiborne is the best cornerback in the draft and they have to select him if he's available.
3. St. Louis Rams: OT Matt Kalil, USC
The Rams' offensive line has been atrocious and they have shown that this season, giving up the most sacks in the entire NFL.
If they want quarterback Sam Bradford to not end up like former No. 1 pick David Carr, they need to bolster the offensive line so Bradford can succeed in the NFL.
Bradford will not be able to succeed if the Rams continue down the path they're currently on. The former Sooner has no time in the pocket whatsoever to get rid of the ball and instead, ends up on his back looking up at the ceiling or sky.
Kalil is the best offensive lineman in the draft and would immediately become a starter. With Kalil on the offensive line, along with former No. 2 pick Jason Smith, the Rams should become a lot better protecting the quarterback.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
Let's face it: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert has not shown any signs of improvement and the Jaguars have the worst receiving corps in the NFL.
Mike Thomas, the team's No. 1 receiver, isn't going to cut it as the main option and Jason Hill, Cecil Shorts III and Jarrett Dillard aren't a good supporting cast. Gabbert needs help if he's going to succeed in the NFL.
It's also notable that quarterbacks that succeed have a great wide receiver - Peyton Manning (Harrison, Wayne), Tom Brady (Welker, Moss), Aaron Rodgers (Jennings), Matt Schaub (Andre Johnson), among others.
Blackmon is the best receiver in college football and the Jaguars' front office would be fools if they don't take Blackmon with this pick.
5. Washington Redskins: QB Matt Barkley, USC
The Redskins have been struggling all season long, mainly because of their problems at the quarterback position.
Rex Grossman has been downright awful and John Beck has simply not lived up to Mike Shanahan's expectations.
Teams cannot succeed in the NFL if they don't have a legitimate starting quarterback and that's a good reason as to why the Redskins have been so bad this season.
Barkley was on fire at the end of the NCAA regular season and his draft stock has climbed since then. He is the best option at this point and definitely fills a need for Dan Snyder's Redskins.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
It is very possible that DeSean Jackson leaves Philadelphia at the end of the season, as his contract runs up. If he does indeed leave Philly, the Eagles will definitely be in the market for a receiver by the time of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Jeffery, the second best receiving prospect in the draft, will fill a void for the Eagles if Jackson leaves or not.
He is considered to be NFL-ready and could start the season as the team's No. 2 receiver.
Head coach Andy Reid believes that DeSean Jackson is too injury prone to be a legitimate wide receiver in the NFL and the outspoken receiver's time in Philly seems to be done, although he has been one of the NFL's most electrifying players as of late.
The Eagles also need help at linebacker, but they will likely address that need in the following rounds.
7. Carolina Panthers: DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina
The Panthers have been horrific against the run this season and Coples is arguably the best defensive player in the entire draft.
The selection of Coples fills multiple needs for the Panthers, as they need a defensive end and a run-stopper. And Coples is both.
The Panthers are currently 27th against the run and Coples should help the team become better.
Although they are also bad against the pass, there are no cornerbacks that warrant that high of a draft pick. That's where Coples comes in to help against the run.
8. Miami Dolphins: QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor
With Andrew Luck and Matt Barkley off the board, the Dolphins have to settle for Griffin, who I believe will be a better NFL quarterback than Barkley, who I have going fifth overall to the Redskins.Chad Henne, who is currently done for the season, has not been the franchise quarterback they were hoping for. And although Matt Moore has done a great job filling in for Henne, he is typically not an NFL starter on a week-to-week basis.
Griffin is a great overall prospect, as he has a great arm and is a very accurate passer. He can also run very well, especially if he is under pressure. He may not be like Michael Vick when it comes to running, but he gets the job done.
The Dolphins would be fools if they don't take Griffin with the eighth overall selection. He is too good of a prospect to pass up.
9. Cleveland Browns: RB Trent Richardson, Alabama
It gets clearer and clearer every week that the Browns are likely not to retain Peyton Hillis, who was a breakout story last season, rushing for over 1,000 yards.
But he has missed the majority of this season and hasn't seemed to be playing his hardest when he is on the field.
The Browns drafted Montario Hardesty last season, but he has been too injury prone in his first two seasons and it doesn't seem like he will be any team's featured back. Chris Ogbonnaya has been a good story this year, but there is no way he could be a starter for a full season.
Richardson is also a great pass-catcher and could help Colt McCoy develop into the player Mike Holmgren has been hoping for. The Alabama running back has definite playmaking abilities and the Browns currently lack that on offense.
Richardson is the best running back in the entire draft and the Browns need to get him if he's available.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama
Tampa Bay has been horrific on defense in general this season, especially against the pass. They currently rank tied for 26th against the pass and it isn't getting any better.
With Ronde Barber getting older and older and Aqib Talib being a question mark off the field, Kirkpatrick seems like an ideal fit at this pick.
Clearly, the Buccaneers are in dire need of a cornerback and Kirkpatrick would definitely fill that void. The Buccaneers could also go with Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard, but I think they will ultimately go with Kirkpatrick, especially since he seems to have better upside than Dennard.
11. Arizona Cardinals: OT Riley Reiff, Iowa
The Cardinals really have no choice at this point since all the top "can't miss prospects" are gone, but it never hurts when a team tries to address a need on the offensive line.
Reiff has had a stellar career at Iowa and is the second best offensive lineman in the draft, in my opinion.
Current Cardinals tackles Levi Brown and Brandon Keith have struggled all season long and currently, Reiff is better than both of them.
Reiff definitely has a Pro Bowl-caliber career in front of him so the Cardinals need to take him if available.
And hey, it doesn't hurt to protect a quarterback that you just paid $65 million to be your franchise's leader.
12. Seattle Seahawks: QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma
Of course, former USC head coach Pete Carroll would love to take Matt Barkley at this point, but he is long gone. That's where Jones comes in.
Jones has had a great career at Oklahoma and was one of the best quarterbacks throughout the entire NCAA regular season.
Tarvaris Jackson, the team's current starting quarterback, is perhaps the worst at his position in the entire league and if the Seahawks intend on winning anytime soon, they will replace him.
The Seahawks are currently in rebuilding mode and if they want to take a step in the right direction, they need to draft Landry Jones, who should immediately come in and be the team's starter.
13. Buffalo Bills: OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford
The Bills could go receiver here, but Stevie Johnson, David Nelson and Donald Jones seem to be cutting it. Michael Floyd seems to be a good option, but they have bigger needs than receiver.
They could also need help at cornerback but they used their second-round selection on Aaron Williams last season and it seems unfit that they use their first-round pick on a cornerback just a year later.
Buffalo needs help at tackle as Chad Rinehart and Demetrius Bell aren't that great of options at left tackle and with Martin on the board, the Bills need to take him.
Martin is a great option here and could become a Pro Bowl-type player. He is a monster against the run and with Fred Jackson at running back and set to return next season, the Bills could be one of the best running teams next season.
14. Kansas City Chiefs: ILB Luke Kuelchy, Boston College
In my opinion, Kuelchy is the best linebacker in the draft and the Chiefs really don't have that many drastic needs. They need help most at linebacker and Kuelchy is the best option.
The linebacker from Boston College registered over ten tackles in every game last season and he should continue that trend into the NFL.
Jovan Belcher is not a starter in the NFL and Derrick Johnson is getting older and worn out, so the Chiefs could benefit greatly by taking a linebacker in the first round.
With Tamba Hali and Justin Houston on the outside, Kuelchy should come in and help the defense next season and form a great trio for the Chiefs
15. San Diego Chargers: OG David DeCastro, Stanford
The Chargers need help on the offensive line badly. Outside of Marcus McNeill and Nick Hardwick, they have had one of the worst lines in the NFL.
With guard Louis Vasquez battling an injury all season long, it makes sense for the Chargers to draft another guard.
DeCastro is perhaps the top interior lineman prospect in the country and drafting DeCastro would help the Chargers in more ways than one.
General manager A.J. Smith has been known to ignore offensive line needs over the past few seasons, but with quarterback Philip Rivers struggling this season, he needs to fill that need.
16. New York Giants: ILB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
New York currently has no middle linebacker after Jonathan Goff tore his ACL earlier in the season and is a free agent after the season is over. Mark Herzlich's durability could become a concern after he battled cancer a couple of years ago. And Greg Jones and Jacquian Williams have struggled all season long and don't seem like long-term options at the middle linebacker spot.
So that's where Te'o comes in. Kuelchy makes the most sense, but he is off the board at this point. Te'o is the next available best option and the Giants shouldn't pass him up since he fills their biggest need.
Te'o could become a solid linebacker in the NFL and he also has the capabilities at becoming an All-Pro.
17. Tennessee Titans: OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia
Head coach Mike Munchak has noted all season long that the Titans need help at the offensive line and Glenn is the best lineman prospect at this point.
Running back Chris Johnson has struggled for the majority of the season and Munchak has primarily blamed that on the offensive line, who have been one of the worst in the NFL.
Leroy Harris hasn't been that great this season and neither has his back-up, Fernando Velasco.
Glenn has arguably been the best offensive guard in college football and if the Titans are desperate enough to revamp the offensive line as they say they are, they'll draft Glenn with the No. 17 selection.
18. Cleveland Browns (From Atlanta): WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
Cleveland have been bad all season long in the passing game and it doesn't help that they have one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL.
Josh Cribbs is currently the team's No. 1 receiving option and as we've seen in the past, he's not a legitimate main option. The team also lists Mohamed Massaquoi, Jordan Norwood and Greg Little as the team's other receivers and that is clearly not going to help Colt McCoy become an elite NFL quarterback.
Cribbs isn't a legitimate receiver; he's more of a return man. Little perhaps has the best talent on the Browns entire squad, but he has a bad case of the drops, including a four-drop game a couple of games ago. Massaquoi has been injury-prone since arriving in the NFL and has failed to live up to expectations.
So if the Browns decide to go with Floyd, he would likely supplant all three receivers and become McCoy's main target.
19. Cincinnati Bengals: RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech
Yes, I expect the Bengals to surprisingly reach in the first round for a running back in David Wilson.
Wilson is a great prospect and I believe that he is a better fit than Lamar Miller and I think the Bengals would rather have Wilson, too.
The Bengals have one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the entire league, but Cedric Benson will be a free agent after the season is over. That leaves Bernard Scott, who is not an every-down back.
Wilson had a spectacular 2011 campaign, carrying the ball 266 times for 1,627 yards and nine touchdowns. Outside of Trent Richardson and Montee Ball, he was the best running back in college football this season.
Wilson has been on a hot streak as of late for the Hokies and if he has a good bowl game, he could rise up into the first round.
20. New York Jets: OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
With Rex Ryan at the helm, the Jets have been known for the stifling defense. Over the past few seasons, they have been at the top of the league, especially when it comes to blitzing and pressuring the opposing quarterback.However, they haven't been doing that this season and could use a player like Upshaw who made a name for himself in Tuscaloosa for his amazing blitzing capabilities.
Linebacker Bryan Thomas, who was primarily used for rushing the quarterback, tore his achilles earlier in the season and it is not known if he will return to the Jets next season. So, to say the least, outside linebacker has become a great need for the Jets.
Also, Upshaw is used to Nick Saban's 3-4 defensive scheme, which Rex Ryan also runs in New York so Upshaw should be very familiar with the system.
21. Detroit Lions: CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
I have a feeling the Lions will do what the Giants did last year in the first round and that is picking the best player available, even though he doesn't fill a need (New York drafted Prince Amukamara last year).
The Lions are currently 11th against the pass, but that is mainly because of the safeties, not the cornerbacks. Eric Wright has been getting burned for most of the season and so has Chris Houston.
Detroit is somewhat in need of a cornerback, and Dennard should fill that need.
They could also use a linebacker at this point because Stephen Tulloch is only there on a one-year deal. The Lions also need a little bit of help on the offensive line since they are getting older, but I see them using this pick on a cornerback and Dennard is the best option at this point.
22. Chicago Bears: OT Mike Adams, Ohio State
Like usual, the Bears need help on the offensive line, even though they have done exponentially better this season thanks to Mike Tice, the team's offensive line coach.
The Bears really need a guard at this point instead of a tackle, but they will have to settle on Adams, one of the best tackles in the country.
If anything, the Bears coaching staff could help Adams switch to a guard and use him on the right side since Chris Spencer has arguably been the worst Bears lineman this season.
But right tackle Lance Louis hasn't been that great this season either, as I've watched a few games and seen defensive linemen blow right past Louis, knocking him down on the ground.
The Bears need to invest in an offensive lineman with the No. 22 overall pick and it really doesn't matter who it is because every starter is in jeopardy.
23. Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland): CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama
Despite legal history, Jenkins is the best player available and it definitely fills a need for Cincinnati as Nate Clements is getting older. Clements will also be a free agent after the season.
Jenkins, a transfer from Florida, would fit in for the Bengals, considering their recent history with players with legal issues (i.e. Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson, etc.)
He is the best cornerback available and it would help the Bengals infinitely as they look to move forward with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green leading the offense.
24. Houston Texans: C Peter Konz, Wisconsin
With Chris Myers set to become a free agent in 2012, the Texans will have a need at center, especially with Mario Williams and Arian Foster set to become free agents.
Myers is likely to go elsewhere for a huge contract as he has arguably been the best center in the entire league this season.
During the college football season, Konz was the best center, while blocking for quarterback Russell Wilson and Heisman hopeful running back Montee Ball.
The Texans are practically set on defense if they re-sign Williams, so it would be the offense they need help with. Houston also needs a receiver, but with none really available at this point, the Texans look elsewhere. That's where the offensive line comes in and so does Konz.
25. Dallas Cowboys: ILB Zach Brown, North Carolina
Although they have other needs other than linebacker, Brown is the best player available at this point.
Bradie James is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2012 and Keith Brooking is getting older and older. So linebacker is a need for the Cowboys as they look to make their defense younger.
With a corps that already features Sean Lee, Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware, Brown could become part of the best linebacking corps in the NFL.
Brown has been listed as a mid-first round prospect, so the Cowboys have to take him if he's available with the No. 25 selection.
26. Denver Broncos: ILB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State
Even though the Broncos aren't in desperate need of an inside linebacker, they could still use an upgrade at the position.
Joe Mays and Wesley Woodyard aren't the main answers at middle linebacker, as both have flaws in their game. Both will become free agents at the end of the 2011 season anyway so they could use Burfict.
With Zach Brown off the board, Burfict is the next best player available - in the entire draft and also at the position.
The Broncos defense has been playing exceedingly well this season behind quarterback Tim Tebow on offense and Burfict should be able to form a great duo with last year's first-round pick, Von Miller.
Yes, this is the third straight selection in which a linebacker has been chosen.
With Ray Lewis getting older, the Ravens have been looking for his replacement and they will be able to find him in Hightower.
Hightower has been the anchor of Alabama's defense, the current No. 2 team in NCAA football.
The Ravens have traditionally prided themselves on defense with Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs being the main contributors on that side of the ball.
Hightower should be a great successor to Lewis, who is getting up there in age. And there is no doubt that Hightower should be able to fill Lewis' shoes.
28. San Francisco 49ers: CB Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
The 49ers really have no desperate needs, with cornerback sticking out the most.
Carlos Rogers has been very good against the pass this season, but Tarell Brown hasn't played like Rogers. That is about the only flaw on the entire 49ers defense.
Hosley, the best cornerback available, could come in an fill in for Brown or become the team's nickelback.
Either way, Hosley should become a solid NFL prospect and the 49ers can't go wrong if they choose to select him.
29. New England Patriots (From New Orleans): DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
The Patriots have been horrendous on defense this season, particularly on the defensive line and in the secondary.
So with the selection they acquired from New Orleans, the Patriots will select Worthy, who is the best defensive lineman available.
The Patriots currently run a 4-3 defense and Worthy could fit in very well on the defensive line with Vince Wilfork. Kyle Love hasn't played very well at all this season and needs to be replaced, thus paving the way for Worthy.
The big-bodied Worthy would help the Patriots stop the run, which is something they haven't been doing well at all this season.
New England definitely needs help on defense in the draft and it all starts with Worthy.
30. New England Patriots: CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
New England has been the worst team against the pass this season and with multiple cornerbacks already off the board, it's down to Gilmore, who has had a standout career at South Carolina.
Gilmore is at his best when in coverage and could become the shutdown corner that the Patriots need.
They currently have Devin McCourty at the cornerback position and that is practically all they have. The other cornerbacks on the roster really haven't showed up all season long.
The Patriots released Leigh Bodden earlier in the season, who was their starting cornerback, but had played poorly. Kyle Arrington has been great, but he is primarily a nickelback. Last year's pick Ras-I Dowling hasn't played as well as the Patriots had hoped, so that's where Gilmore comes in.
The Steelers will eventually need to replace Casey Hampton, who is getting up there in age.
Poe, a prototypical nose tackle, could become the likely replacement to Hampton and could be his successor in the next season or two.
The Steelers are one of the better teams in the NFL when it comes to the draft and if they think Poe is as good as they think he is, they'll take him in the first round.
And if Poe is chosen in the first round, he'll become the first Memphis player drafted in the first round since running back DeAngelo Williams was chosen by the Panthers.
32. Green Bay Packers: DE/DT Devon Still, Penn State
Jairus Wynn and Mike Neal have failed to live up to expectations and that seems to be the only flaw on a defense that has been speectacular over the last few seasons (except this year).
Still has been great thus far for Penn State, who we all know is under investigation thanks to Jerry Sandusky. But I won't delve into that for the mock draft.
Still adds a big body to the defensive line, along with the ability to get to the quarterback. He could become an ideal fit for Dom Capers' defense if the Packers do in fact pick him at the end of the first round.
