ESPN may have their “Draft Gurus” of Mel Kiper, Jr and Todd McShay and The Baltimore Sun’s Mike Preston may claim to know about the NFL, but they have nothing on The Bellarion’s Dynamic Draft Duo of Sophomores Kody Randlett and Sam Tepelides. After weeks of painstaking (and sometimes noisy) research Kody and Sam have finally unveiled their 1st Round NFL Draft Predictions on the eve of the NFL Draft.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford – The Colts are looking to replace Peyton Manning and what better way than to take, what some say, is the most developed quarterback in the past decade. Luck finished his three college career with a passer rating of 161.8 which is the best career passer rating in FBS history.
2. Washington Redskins (Trade from Rams) – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor- The Redskins are lacking a franchise quarterback. Coming off of his Heisman trophy season in college, RG3 has the ability to provide the spark (with both his legs and his arm) that the Redskins offense needs to increase production and score points.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC – The Vikings won’t pass up an opportunity to get a franchise left tackle for second year quarterback Christian Ponder. As the top lineman in the draft, Kalil will be sure to bring consistency to the offensive line by improving pass protection and increasing the run game of Adrian Peterson.
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama- Although the running back position in the NFL is diminishing, Cleveland needs a 3-down back to establish a run game against the physical defenses in the AFC North. With his receiving abilities, Richardson gives Colt McCoy another weapon to work with in the passing game as well.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU- Considered to be a better cover corner than former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson and the best in the draft this year, Morris Claiborne will be the best candidate to replace veteran corner back Ronde Barber. Claiborne’s low score on the Wonderlic test will not affect his pro success.
6. St. Louis Rams: (Trade from Redskins) – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State- Within his size, speed, and receiving ability, Blackmon is the most dominant wide receiver in the draft. He will be sure to give Sam Bradford a big target which will add another dimension within the Rams offense for many years to come.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, OLB/DE, South Carolina- If he can manage to stay healthy (a major problem in college), Ingram will improve Jacksonville’s pass rush off the edge which has been dormant the past couple seasons. He will also contain some of the speedy off-tackle runners within the AFC south division (Arian Foster and Chris Johnson).
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M- With his draft stock increasing in recent weeks, Tannehill will enter training camp with the chance to become the Dolphins starter. With a sub-par offense line in Miami, Tannehill’s mobility may help him run away from injury, which something recent Dolphin quarterbacks have been unable to do.
9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.- As the best interior defensive lineman in the draft, Cox will help the Panthers defend against the run up the middle. Cox also has the ability to rush the passer, which will help the Panthers defense by notgiving quarterbacks the chance expose their weakened secondary.
10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Rieff, OT, Iowa- Rieff will be a great help to the Bills already good offensive line. The addition of Rieff will also help to bolster the offensive line which will help out the running attack of the Bills. Rieff also will provide increased protection to Ryan Fitzpatrick, allowing him to make plays with his arm.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College- He will add the presence in the middle that Kansas City has been looking for to compliment Tambali on the outside. The Chiefs will be dominant in the run game in years to come if Kuechly can duplicate his college success to the NFL. (Led the nation in tackles in each of the past two seasons.)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC- With his impressive size and athleticism, Coples will be able to play either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense in the NFL. Despite not living up to expectations his senior season at North Carolina (which left some questioning his work ethic), Seattle will take him to improve their pass rush. (only 33 sacks last year.)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martian, OT, Stanford- Martian will help to improve the under achieving offensive line of the cardinals. Also he will help to keep Kevin Kolb off his back and throwing touchdowns to Larry Fitzgerald. Despite showing a lack of athleticism, during his pro day and combine, it is hard to argue Martian’s success protecting Luck.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama- Barron will be the answer to help the struggling secondary of the Cowboys in the NFC east. A good defensive back field is critical to the Cowboy’s success so they can stop the in conference, rival quarterbacks of the NFC East. (Eli Manning, Michael Vick, and soon to be Robert Griffin III.)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU- Brockers was a proven run stopper defender within the South Eastern Conference during his college career. The Eagles need a dominant defensive lineman to stop the run and force bad throws, so they can rebuild the rest of their defense around him; Brockers is well suited for this role.
16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, DE/ OLB, Alabama- Upshaw will be well suited for the Jets because he will have the versatility to run all of Rex Ryan defensive schemes. Despite lacking the agility needed to be a coverage linebacker, Upshaw is the best pass rusher in the draft and can be successful as a 4-3 defensive end or as a 3-4 linebacker.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Raiders): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford – After protecting Andrew Luck at Stanford, DeCastro will protect young quarterback Andy Dalton for many years to come. The Bengals acquired two guards this off season already but neither is dominant enough to help the Bengals sustain a run game with Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis.
18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois – Coming off of a break out junior season , Mercilus led the nation in sacks and forced fumbles as a result of his ability to squirm into the backfield with his violent hand usage. Despite being a fairly risky pick for the Chargers, Mercilus’ style of play will compliment Jarrett Johnson very well.
19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin –The Bears made it known that they wanted to improve their offensive line for the upcoming season and Konz would be a step in the right direction because he has the versatility to play guard or center. A stable offensive line may help bring consistency to Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler and keep him injury free.
20. Tennessee Titans: Stephen Gilmore, DB, South Carolina – Gilmore may have the fastest rising stock in the draft which will help the Titans to replace Courtland Finnegan. (Finnegan left in free agency.) Being able to play press or zone coverage effectively, Gilmore will be able to help defend against the up and coming quarterbacks in the AFC south.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, DB, Alabama – Last year the Bengals drafted with the intent to improve the offense, this year the Bengals must dedicate the draft to improving their already fierce defense. With the departure of Jonathan Joseph, Kirkpatrick will fill the Bengals need for a new shutdown corner.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Falcons)): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame – After taking Richardson with their first pick to improve their running game, the Browns will take Floyd to give Colt McCoy a weapon in the passing game. If the Browns can become successful while passing then holes will open up on the ground.
23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia – With his ability to play either tackle or guard, Cordy Glenn will help improve the consistency of the offensive line. Glenn’s protection will also help to keep Matt Stafford healthy; injuries have really been a big problem for the Lions in recent seasons.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT/NG, Memphis – With DT Casey Hampton becoming an aging veteran and beginning to become too costly, the Steeler would jump at the opportunity to get such an impressive young prospect like Poe. With his impressive combination of speed and strength, he could become a starter and anchor the defensive line.
25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State – Worthy will help the Broncos in run support by being a big run- stuffing presence in the middle. Despite showing a lack of snap to snap consistency in his college career, Worthy did manage to anchor Michigan State which was the number one defense in the Big Ten last season.
26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor – The Texans lack depth at the wide receiver position and that became very noticeable last season when Andre Johnson was injured. Bringing in Wright would give the Texans a legitimate number two possession type receiver who would limit the number of double teams placed on Johnson.
27. New England Patriots (from Saints): Nick Perry, DE, Southern Cal – During free agency, New England lost its best pass rusher, Mark Anderson. The Patriots will look to replace his production as a pass rusher. Perry, who would be able to take over where Anderson left off, will have the ability to become a pass rushing force within the league.
28. Green Bay Packers: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State – McClellin showed his versatility at the Senior Bowl when he was moved from defensive end to outside linebacker. Green Bay lacked versatility outside linebacker that could stop the run and rush the quarterback. McClellin would line up on the opposite side of Clay Mathews. 29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama – With Ray Lewis’ illustrious career coming to an end, the Ravens will look to add depth at the middle linebacker position. Although Hightower doesn’t have the speed and the lateral ability to make plays sideline to sideline like Lewis, he will be force to be reckoned with up the middle.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech – Hill would be able to help make the 49ers pass offensive more explosive then it was last year with his impressive height and speed. With his physical style of play, Hill is the best run blocking receiver in the draft. He would be playing side to side with Randy Moss, one of the best and most physical speed receivers to ever play in the NFL.
31. New England Patriots: Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame – The Patriots were second to last in the league last year in pass defense last year. This was largely due to the fact that they did not have consistent play from their safeties. Smith will be able to make plays sideline to sideline for the Patriots in many years to come.
32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford – The defending champs enter the draft being the most well-rounded team in the league and do not show many signs of weakness. However, they do lack depth at the tight end position. Fleener will give Eli Manning another target in the passing game in a position that is continually growing in importance.