The wait is nearly over and here at the Diner we are as excited as I’m sure many of you are. In the follow up to our first joint effort last week four of the Diner’s finest minds combine their efforts and give you the chance to look at four different sets of ideas on what could happen this Thursday all at once.
*Pick acquired from Bears; **Pick acquired from Broncos; +Pick acquired from Panthers
The top four choices are universal with Bradford, Suh, McCoy and Okung expected to go in that order respectively. After that it starts to open up with Paul Hopkins believing the Chiefs will take S Eric Berry whilst the rest of us see an offensive tackle in the Chiefs’ near future even if it isn’t the same one.
Three of us are convinced Al Davis will go for combine measurables over on the field talent with either S Taylor Mays or OT Bruce Campbell the choice. Paul Hopkins is convinced sense will prevail with the Raiders taking DE Derrick Morgan. Maybe Paul was sharing a glass or two with Jerry Jones over the past couple of days?!
Interestingly, we all agree RB CJ Spiller is going to Seattle although I’m saying the Hawks take him at #6 before the likes of the Browns, Jags or 49ers get a shot at him whilst the other three see him lasting until #14.
Several players see wild gulfs of opinion. I have QB Jimmy Clausen now lasting until #29 at the Vikings pick although I actually think a team trades into the mid-20’s to grab him but no trades in this set of mocks so if he gets past the Cards I can see the Vikings bringing him in as Brett Favre’s eventual replacement (I’m assuming he plays next year). Both Brian and Jody have Clausen in the top ten to the Bills which admittedly, despite my difference in opinion, makes sense.
No one has WR Dez Bryant going to the same destination although all four of us have him dropping like a stone in the first round given his recent poor pro day performance. TE Jermaine Gresham is another offensive threat we all agree goes in the first round but to different teams.
Some of the major differences include players making it or not making it into round one. I have not mocked DE Jean Pierre-Paul into my first round as I believe his lack of football experience and doubts over where he best fits in many of the new 3-4 defenses around the league might be off-putting to teams. If you want a guy who can do lots of back flips then go for it but otherwise I’m thinking the leagues GM’s go for more safe picks on DL like Brandon Graham and Everson Griffen . I’m on my own with that train of thought though as the others all have him going inside the top 20!
Brian sees the likes of RB’s Ryan Matthews and Jahvid Best making round one and but apart from Paul agreeing about Matthews the only other runner being mocked elsewhere is the aforementioned CJ Spiller. Jody meanwhile gives us the likes of DE Arthur Jones, WR Brandon LaFell, OLB/DE Jerry Hughes and OC Kris O’Dowd making his first round whilst the rest of us see those players lasting past round one.
Each mock has what might be termed as a ‘surprise’ late first rounder. For myself I guess that’s NT Terrance Cody to the Chargers. Paul has the Chargers surprising too but for CB Kareem Jackson instead. Brian’s surprise is also to the Chargers with the previously mentioned Jahvid Best. Jody’s surprise is probably the most controversial as he has Brandon Spikes going to the Cowboys at #27. Spikes is dropping like a stone due to his poor 40 time but don’t discount anything in the NFL draft as we have all witnessed in the past!
So, the mocks are in. Now we just have to wait for the real thing.
NCAA Scouting
Interestingly, we all agree RB CJ Spiller is going to Seattle although I’m saying the Hawks take him at #6 before the likes of the Browns, Jags or 49ers get a shot at him whilst the other three see him lasting until #14.
