3 Round "Vanilla" mock

[DesperateDerelict]

If you scour the mocks this year, they've become surprisingly predictable. I don't know if they're plagiarizing from each other, or have come to the same conclusions independently for team needs and prospects' values. Either way, they are full of crap.

If the NFL teams had virtually the same player grades, and worked cooperatively with each other, the draft may look like this. Obviously, just the opposite is true. To review just the top 10:

Miami - Does Tuna really want a DE too small for a 3-4 and too slow for an OLB. Chris Long may be the safest, but that doesn't make him a good fit.

St. Louis - With the possible exception of Adam Carriker, they haven't drafted a quality defensive player since Larry Little.

Atlanta - Can Arthur Blank afford NOT to make this a PR move? The fanbase left with Vick. With 3 second rounders, they can rebuild the talent level later.

Oakland - Al Davis has alienated his coach and paid top dollar for 2nd tier free agents. Ahlzeimers?

Kansas City - Everyone knows their OT's suck. People forget their defense does too.

New York Jets - Man-genius is still trying to run a 3 - 4 with 4 - 3 personnel. Their QB's are brittle, RB's are old, and WR's are inconsistent.

New England - Belichick does something odd every year to prove his brilliance. (Mankin? Maroney?). The last time they had a top 10 was 2001 - Richard Seymour.

Baltimore - Odds on favorite to move down and reclaim missing 3rd rounder.

Cincy - last 7 DL taken in 1st: Glenn Collins / Pete Kock / Jason Buck / John Copeland / Dan Wilkinson / Renard Wilson / David Pollack - Yikes!!!

New Orleans - Have drafted a total of 1 DB in 1st round in 40 years - Alex Molden in 1996

So, here are the consensus picks for the top 100 selections in next months draft. I added the NFL player that the teams HOPE their draft pick will emulate.

Pick . Team…………. >> Actual Pick ..(like - Player Resembles? ?) xx> NOTES

1 . Miami Dolphins >> C. Long (DE) ..(like - Mike Vrabel ?) xx> Can they go any other route?

2 . St. Louis Rams >> J.Long (OT) ..(like - Chad Clifton ?) xx> Orlando Pace is old & Barron sucks

3 . Atlanta Falcons >> G.Dorsey (DT) ..(like - baby Sapp ?) xx> Unless Blank wants a PR move (Ryan)

4 . Oakland Raiders >> D.McFadden (RB) ..(like - Lawrence Phillips ?) xx> Not a need, but star quality

5 . Kansas City Chiefs >> R.Clady (OT) ..(like - Jason Peters ?) xx> Reach, but gave up 55 sacks last year! WTF?

6 . New York Jets >> V.Gholston (DE) ..(like - Adalius Thomas ?) xx> Every 3-4 needs a freak

7 . New England Patriots >> L.McKelvin (CB) ..(like - Marcus Trufant ?) xx> Will be better than Asante

8 . Baltimore Ravens >> M.Ryan (QB) ..(like - Drew Bledsoe ?) xx> Would Love to trade down

9 . Cincinnati Bengals >> S.Ellis (DT) ..(like - Tommy Harris ?) xx> Dreams do come true

10 . New Orleans Saints >> D.Rodgers-Cromartie (CB) ..(like - Chris McAlister ?) xx> def: French Toast - Saints CBs on Bourbon St.

11 . Buffalo Bills >> M.Kelly (WR) ..(like - TJ Houshmanzadeh ?) xx> A force opposite Lee Evans

12 . Denver Broncos >> C.Williams (OT) ..(like - Alex Barron ?) xx> Can cut-block with the best of 'em

13 . Carolina Panthers >> J.Otah (OT) ..(like - Levi Jones ?) xx> Road-grader for smash-mouth game

14 . Chicago Bears >> R.Mendenhall (RB) ..(like - Brian Westbrook ?) xx> Cedric Benson experiment is over

15 . Detroit Lions >> J.Stewart (RB) ..(like - Shaun Alexander ?) xx> Kevin Jones? Duckett? T.Bell? Yikes!

16 . Arizona Cardinals >> K.Rivers (LB) ..(like - Kieth Bullock ?) xx> Quick LB for hybrid 3-4

17 . Minnesota Vikings >> D.Harvey (DE) ..(like - Osi Umenyiori ?) xx> needs to pressure QB

18 . Houston Texans >> M.Jenkins (CB) ..(like - Dunta Robinson ?) xx> face Peyton twice a year

19 . Philadelphia Eagles >> D.Jackson (WR) ..(like - Laveranues Coles ?) xx> Missed out on Randy Moss & Larry Fitzgerald

20 . Tampa Bay Buccaneers >> L.Sweed (WR) ..(like - Vincent Jackson ?) xx> Galloway is it, and he's 36

21 . Washington Redskins >> P.Merling (DE) ..(like - Patrick Kerney ?) xx> Highest risk/reward draftee

22 . Dallas Cowboys >> A.Talib (CB) ..(like - Leigh Bodden ?) xx> Physical CB is a risk-taker

23 . Pittsburgh Steelers >> B.Albert (OG) ..(like - Eric Steinbach ?) xx> Ben sacked 47 times last year

24 . Tennessee Titans >> D.Thomas (WR) ..(like - Steve Smith (NYG) ?) xx> VY doesn't have a single reliable target

25 . Seattle Seahawks >> K.(Em)Balmer (DL) ..(like - Cory Redding ?) xx> Surrendered 200+ yards to Ryan Grant

26 . Jacksonville Jaguars >> Q.Groves (OLB/DE) ..(like - DeMarcus Ware ?) xx> May be best SSLB in draft

27 . San Diego Chargers >> K.Phillips (S) ..(like - Brodney Pool ?) xx> Will form great tandem with Eric Weddle

28 . Dallas Cowboys >> F.Jones (RB) ..(like - Willie Parker ?) xx> Jerry Jones gets his razorback

29 . San Francisco 49ers >> J.Hardy (WR) ..(like - Plaxica Burress ?) xx> Martz needs more weapons

30 . Green Bay Packers >> R.Smith (CB/S) ..(like - Tanard Jackson ?) xx> Woodson & Harris are both ancient

31 . New England Patriots >> NO PICK ..(like - ?) xx> Cheaters never rarely prosper

31 . New York Giants >> D.Connor (LB) ..(like - Kirk Morrison ?) xx> Move Kiwanuku back outside

32 . Miami Dolphins >> G.Cherilius (OT) ..(like - Cornell Green ?) xx> The tuna loves smash-mouth

33 . St. Louis Rams >> L.Jackson (DE) ..(like - Mark Anderson ?) xx> Jackson can play DE in 3-4 or rush LB

34 . Atlanta Falcons >> A.Cason (CB) ..(like - Rashean Mathis ?) xx> A steal - perfect for cover-2

35 . Kansas City Chiefs >> B.Brohm (QB) ..(like - Trent Green ?) xx> Herm can't rely on Brody Croyle, can he?

36 . New York Jets >> P.Sims (DT) ..(like - Kevin Williams ?) xx> Jets were 29th vs. run

37 . Atlanta Falcons >> E.Doucet (WR) ..(like - Dwayne Bowe ?) xx> Instant Offense

38 . Baltimore Ravens >> B.Flowers (CB) ..(like - Mike McKenzie ?) xx> BIG physical CB

39 . San Francisco 49ers >> S.Baker (OT/OG) ..(like - Cris Snee ?) xx> Surrendered 55 sacks in 2008

40 . New Orleans Saints >> D.Moore (DT) ..(like - Brodrick Bunkley ?) xx> More help for "D"

41 . Buffalo Bills >> F.Davis (TE) ..(like - Ben Troupe ?) xx> Another weapon for Turk

42 . Denver Broncos >> D.Morgan (S) ..(like - Sean Taylor ?) xx> Def. backfield is desperate for upgrade

43 . Carolina Panthers >> J.Flacco (QB) ..(like - Brodie Croyle ?) xx> Can bring along slowly

44 . Chicago Bears >> C.Henne (QB) ..(like - Joey Harrington ?) xx> They hope he's a young Tom Brady

45 . Detroit Lions >> J.Mayo (LB) ..(like - Takeo Spikes ?) xx> Steal! Current MLB named "Paris"!!!

46 . Cincinnati Bengals >> C.Lofton (LB) ..(like - Ernie Sims ?) xx> Great athlete, good football player

47 . Minnesota Vikings >> D.Keller (TE) ..(like - Owen Daniels ?) xx> give Tavaris some help

48 . Atlanta Falcons >> C.Campbell (DE) ..(like - Julius Peppers ?) xx> Classic "Boom or Bust" player

49 . Philadelphia Eagles >> C.Nicks (OT) ..(like - Shawn Andrews ?) xx> Osi Umenyiora got 6 sacks in 1 game!!

50 . Arizona Cardinals >> K.Smith (RB) ..(like - Roger Craig ?) xx> Edge needs help

51 . Washington Redskins >> T.Porter (CB) ..(like - Jonathon Joseph ?) xx> Redskins have zero depth at CB

52 . Tampa Bay Buccaneers >> T.Laws (DT) ..(like - Jay Ratliff ?) xx> Add to strength - need to increase sacks

53 . Pittsburgh Steelers >> C.Avril (DE/OLB) ..(like - Shaun Phillips ?) xx> Perfect for LeBeau's rush LB

54 . Tennessee Titans >> T.Thomas (CB) ..(like - Dwight Smith (MIN) ?) xx> Another Thomas - and a KR too

55 . Seattle Seahawks >> J.King (CB) ..(like - Leon Hall ?) xx> Mike Martz is back in the division

56 . Green Bay Packers >> E.Henderson (LB) ..(like - Cato June ?) xx> BPA, and needed depth

57 . Miami Dolphins >> A.Rubin (DT) ..(like - Pat Williams ?) The rebuilding continues

58 . Jacksonville Jaguars >> A.Collins (OT) ..(like - Joe Staley ?) xx> BPA and a steal here

59 Indianapolis Colts >> C.Johnson (RB) ..(like - Dave Meggett ?) xx> Indy's 1st pick is fastest RB & great weapon

60 . Green Bay Packers >> A.Caldwell (WR) ..(like - Hines Ward ?) xx> Great value down here

61 . Dallas Cowboys >> A.Highsmith (LB) ..(like - A J Hawk ?) xx> Plays much faster than he's timed

62 . New England Patriots >> C.Rachal (OG) ..(like - Kris Dielman ?) xx> can team w/ Logan to attack the middle

63 . New York Giants >> P.Lee (CB) ..(like - Darelle Revis ?) xx> Madison & McQuarters are 64 yrs old

64 . Miami Dolphins >> J.Carlson (TE) ..(like - Kevin Boss ?) xx> Hail! Hail! Parcells loves tight ends.

65 . St. Louis Rams >> E.Bennett (WR) ..(like - Roddy White ?) xx> Gone: Isaac Bruce, Shane McDonald, Kevin Curtis

66 . Kansas City Chiefs >> F.Okam (DT) ..(like - Alan Branch ?) xx> Big run-stopping tub of lard

67 . Carolina Panthers >> J.Charles (RB) ..(like - Chester Taylor ?) xx> Momerun hitter to spell DeAngelo

68 . Atlanta Falcons >> S.Crable (LB) ..(like - Shauin Phillips ?) xx> More help for the "D"

69 . New England Patriots >> L.Hawkins (WR) ..(like - Anthony Gonzales ?) xx> can be groomed for 2 years

70 . San Francisco 49ers >> R.Rice (RB) ..(like - James Brooks ?) xx> Gore gets dinged way too often

71 Buffalo Bills >> X.Adibi (LB) ..(like - Michael Boley ?) xx> Face Moss & Welker twice a year

72 . Buffalo Bills >> O.Cousins (OT) ..(like - Ben Grubbs ?) xx> Raw, but versatile lineman

73 . Minnesota Vikings >> T.DeCoud (S) ..(like - Reggie Nelson ?) xx> last against the pass - & in the NFC North!

74 . Carolina Panthers >> D.Pressley (DT) ..(like - Luis Castillo ?) xx> Depth for aging DL

75 . Chicago Bears >> M.Harrison (DT) ..(like - Mike Patterson ?) xx> Refills the "Tank"

76 . Detroit Lions >> M.Bennett (TE) ..(like - Antonio Gates ?) xx> Hey! Mike Martz is gone!

77 . Cincinnati Bengals >> M.Forte (RB) ..(like - Edgerrin James ?) xx> Rule #4 - They must draft RB in top 100

78 . New Orleans Saints >> M.Pollak (OC) ..(like - Jeff Faine ?) xx> Reggie needs holes to run

79 . Houston Texans >> T.Choice (RB) ..(like - Thomas Jones ?) xx> No more color-coded retreads (Green & Brown)

80 . Philadelphia Eagles >> P.Wheeler (LB) ..(like - Wil Witherspoon ?) xx> Tell me why they cut Takeo??

81 . Arizona Cardinals >> R.Schuening (OG) ..(like - Jahri Evans ?) xx> Interior Line needs upgrade

82 . Minnesota Vikings >> E.Royal (WR) ..(like - Kevin Curtis ?) xx> give Tavaris some more help

83 . Tampa Bay Buccaneers >> A.Woodson (QB) ..(like - Jason Campbell ?) xx> Gruden collects quarterbacks - a steal here

84 . Washington Redskins >> Q.Demps (S) ..(like - Brodney Pool ?) xx> Good luck trying to fill Sean's shoes.

85 . Tennessee Titans >> J.Barrett (SS) ..(like - Thomas Davis ?) xx> Did I mention these guys see Peyton twice

86 . Seattle Seahawks >> M.McGlynn (OG) ..(like - Logan Mankins ?) xx> It wasn't ALL Alexanders fault

87 . New York Giants >> D.Brown (OT) ..(like - Khalif Banes ?) xx> Mauler can protect Eli & open holes

88 . Pittsburgh Steelers >> R.Bryant (DT) ..(like - Casey Hampton ?) xx> One of only 2 NT's in this draft

89 . Detroit Lions >> A.Fluellen (DT) ..(like - Travis Johnson ?) xx> Will grow into Rogers slot

90 . Chicago Bears >> H.Douglas (WR) ..(like - Bernard Berrian ?) xx> Will replace Berrian

91 . Green Bay Packers >> M.Rucker (TE) ..(like - Kevin Everett ?) xx> Packers love their Tight Ends

92 . Dallas Cowboys >> E.Wood (OC) ..(like - Rich Incognito ?) xx> Depth for middle of line

93 Indianapolis Colts >> E.Young (OG) ..(like - Justin Smiley ?) xx> Protect the franchise, especially up the middle

94 . New England Patriots >> J.Hefney (S) ..(like - LaRon Landry ?) xx> Rodney Harrison just entered AARP

95 . New York Giants >> T.Zbikowski (S) ..(like - Michael Griffin ?) xx> Sammy Knight is not the answer

96 . Washington Redskins >> A.Bowman (WR) ..(like - Mike Williams ?) xx> Finally! A big WR with Moss & Randle El

97 . Cincinnati Bengals >> J.Adams (S) ..(like - David Fulcher ?) xx> DB depth - will get WR later

98 . Baltimore Ravens >> J.Goff (LB) ..(like - Jonathon Vilma ?) xx> Value pick to backup Ray-Ray

99 . Miami Dolphins >> J.D.Booty (QB) ..(like - Patrick Ramsey ?) xx> Simply put: Beck insurance

100 . St. Louis Rams >> C.Steltz (S) ..(like - Brandon Meriweather ?) xx> Rams have had a bad "D" forever

101

102 STILL AVAILABLE (OFF) /// STILL AVAILABLE (DEF)

103 J.Greco (OT) ////////// C.Ellis (DE)

104 K.Barton (OT) ////////// T.Blake (DE)

105 K.Dunlap (OT) ////////// D.Robertson (DE)

106 E.Young (OG) ////////// K.Langford (DE)

107 D.Radovich (OG) //////////

108 S.Justice (OC) ////////// T.Johnson (S)

109 ////////// M.Griffin (S)

110 J.Tamme (TE) ////////// C.Jackson (CB)

111 J.Finley (TE) ////////// C.Godfrey (CB)

112 B.Cottam (TE) ////////// C.Jackson (CB)

113 M.Manningham (WR) ////////// D.Tribble (CB)

114 A.Arrington (WR) ////////// T.Wheatley (CB)

115 D.Avery (WR) ////////// T.Williams (CB)

116 H.Douglas (WR) ////////// S.Castille (CB)

117 DL Hall (WR) ////////// J. Ikegwuono (CB)

118 J.Nelson (WR) ////////// Z.Bowman (CB)

119 J.Simpson (WR) //////////

120 K.Burton (WR) ////////// B.Davis (DE/OLB)

121 ////////// M.Howard (LB)

122 S.Slaton (RB/WR) ////////// T.Gooden(LB)

123 M.Hart (RB) ////////// B.Bell (LB)

124 O.Schmidt (FB) ////////// G.Hayes (LB)

125 E.Butler (LB)

126 V.Hall (ILB)

127 J.Leman (LB)

128 J.Williams (LB)

[HoosierCat]

9 . Cincinnati Bengals >> S.Ellis (DT) ..(like - Tommy Harris ?) xx> Dreams do come true

Not in Cincy...but I'll happily take it if it happens.

46 . Cincinnati Bengals >> C.Lofton (LB) ..(like - Ernie Sims ?) xx> Great athlete, good football player

Erin Henderson seems to be taking over as the consensus choice here...but then this spot has been the "hot linebacker of the week" spot forever.

77 . Cincinnati Bengals >> M.Forte (RB) ..(like - Edgerrin James ?) xx> Rule #4 - They must draft RB in top 100

This would be a steal if it happens...I just can't see Forte still on the board at this point.

97 . Cincinnati Bengals >> J.Adams (S) ..(like - David Fulcher ?) xx> DB depth - will get WR later

Another guy who could go earlier, mostly due to this being a weak year for safeties.

But overall if the first 3 rounds of the draft went down like this for the Bengals, I'd consider it a success.

[chrishcovga]

I'd be happy, but I would've preferred

# 9. Sedrick Ellis DT, USC

# 46. Calais Campbell DE, Miami (fla.)

# 77. Mario Manningham Wr, Michigan

# 97. Chevis Jackson CB, LSU

- First round pick is an easy one.

- Round two is a hard one, but despite Campbells' workouts, he was an elite playmaker on a pretty bad Miami team. I'm willing to take the gamble because I think his workouts were the oddity and not the norm, because game film doesn't lie.

- Third round was the hardest. I really wanted to grab a linebacker there, but If Manningham is there you gotta take him, because his potential looks to be like that of a Marvin Harrison.

- Had to go with Jackson here, He's clearly one of the top corners in the draft. While he may have average speed, he's a solid tackler, makes good plays on the ball, and has always covered the other teams top receiver.

4th round possibilities would be a center, linebacker, or safety.

- Interesting player that should drop later would be King Dunlap. He would've been another Marcus McNeil if not better because of his athleticism, but he's lost some will to play or he fell out with the Auburn coaching staff after being benched.

But the pipe dream starts at 9 right ??

[HairOnFire]

9 . Cincinnati Bengals >> S.Ellis (DT) ..(like - Tommy Harris ?) xx> Dreams do come true

I still have my doubts about Ellis falling to the Bengals, but your first eight picks not only look realistic but almost exactly the way I'd draw them up. And that's why I think the Bengals have to roll the dice and take their chances hoping Ellis does indeed fall to them.

46 . Cincinnati Bengals >> C.Lofton (LB) ..(like - Ernie Sims ?) xx> Great athlete, good football player

Interesting choice, both in the player selected and the explanation given. Lofton strikes me as a fairly marginal athlete but an outstanding instinctive football player whose limitations dictate he play ILB, a position the Bengals don't really need.

77 . Cincinnati Bengals >> M.Forte (RB) ..(like - Edgerrin James ?) xx> Rule #4 - They must draft RB in top 100

I think I'd prefer Tashard Choice, but not enough to quibble.

97 . Cincinnati Bengals >> J.Adams (S) ..(like - David Fulcher ?) xx> DB depth - will get WR later

I really, really, really like Adams, but I've had a very hard time trying to get a handle on his value. I've seen it as high as the 2nd round, but not recently, and as low as the 7th round. (PFW) Frankly, if you say he fits here I'm not going to argue.

[HoosierCat]

On the subjects of Curtis Lofton and Matt Forte, there's this from PFW's latest "whispers" column...

We hear the Niners might have their sights set on Oklahoma LB Curtis Lofton in the second round — if he’s still on the board. Word is the team is quite impressed with the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year’s Patrick Willis-like zest for the game and productivity.

Word is the Bears could be very interested in Tulane RB Matt Forte if he’s available when they pick in the second round. Forte’s stock rose after a strong Combine effort, and Bears head coach Lovie Smith and RB coach Tim Spencer reportedly had a private workout set up in early April at Tulane after already having met with Forte face-to-face the third full week of March.