Three-Round Mock Draft: Two WRs In the Top 10?

Three-Round Mock Draft: Two WRs In the Top 10?

This article is part of our NFL Offseason Watch series.



1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford (6-4, 234)

I'm still not buying the idea that Robert Griffin might be Indianapolis' pick. At all. Anyone who ever watched Griffin or had even a cursory knowledge of Griffin's background knew he had sprinter speed, so the 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the Combine doesn't change a thing.


2. Washington Redskins (from STL) -- Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor (6-2, 223)

The Redskins' intentions were obvious when they sold their future for the second pick. They plan on taking what they hope will be the team's next franchise quarterback. Griffin will be the top option available as far as that goes.


3. Minnesota Vikings -- Matt Kalil, OT, USC (6-7, 306)

Kalil is an excellent left tackle prospect and is far and away the best the draft has to offer at the position, so the Vikings are fortunate to have the third pick. The team's offensive line needs a lot of work if it's going to protect the injury prone Christian Ponder, and landing Kalil is certainly a nice start.


4. Cleveland Browns -- Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama (5-9, 228)

It seems like the Browns are preparing to punt somewhat at the quarterback position after missing out on Robert Griffin, in which case the team needs to prepare a strong rushing attack to overcome the deficiency at quarterback. Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson won't get it done. Richardson, on the other hand, should be a top-eight running back



1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford (6-4, 234)

I'm still not buying the idea that Robert Griffin might be Indianapolis' pick. At all. Anyone who ever watched Griffin or had even a cursory knowledge of Griffin's background knew he had sprinter speed, so the 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the Combine doesn't change a thing.


2. Washington Redskins (from STL) -- Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor (6-2, 223)

The Redskins' intentions were obvious when they sold their future for the second pick. They plan on taking what they hope will be the team's next franchise quarterback. Griffin will be the top option available as far as that goes.


3. Minnesota Vikings -- Matt Kalil, OT, USC (6-7, 306)

Kalil is an excellent left tackle prospect and is far and away the best the draft has to offer at the position, so the Vikings are fortunate to have the third pick. The team's offensive line needs a lot of work if it's going to protect the injury prone Christian Ponder, and landing Kalil is certainly a nice start.


4. Cleveland Browns -- Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama (5-9, 228)

It seems like the Browns are preparing to punt somewhat at the quarterback position after missing out on Robert Griffin, in which case the team needs to prepare a strong rushing attack to overcome the deficiency at quarterback. Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson won't get it done. Richardson, on the other hand, should be a top-eight running back right away in the NFL.


5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU (5-11, 188)

Aqib Talib's trial for an assault with a deadly weapon charge has been pushed into June, meaning Tampa Bay won't know prior to the draft whether he'll be on the team in 2012. Meanwhile, Eric Wright isn't as good as the big contract the team handed him, and Ronde Barber turns 37 on April 7. Claiborne is the right pick at this slot for Tampa regardless of Talib's status, so the same is certainly true with Talib's 2012 availability up in the air.


6. St. Louis Rams (from WAS) -- Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State (6-4, 298)

Much conventional thinking has the Rams taking Justin Blackmon here, but I still think Cox is the better pick and one that's more in line with Jeff Fisher's approach to the game. He never had elite wideouts in Tennessee -- the highlight was Derrick Mason -- and Steve McNair never threw for more than 3,387 yards. Defense and strong running is the Fisher blueprint, and putting Cox next to Kendall Langford and between Chris Long and Robert Quinn is the recipe for an absolutely terrifying front four. Besides, a receiver like Rueben Randle, Brian Quick or Alshon Jeffery should be at St. Louis' second pick, and I think the gap between them and Blackmon is smaller than that between Cox and whatever defensive tackle St. Louis might target in the second.


7. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (6-1, 207)

If the Jaguars really are determined to stick with Blaine Gabbert, some better receivers are needed. Blackmon, in that case, would be a no-brainer pick right here. Although he isn't close to A.J. Green as a prospect and isn't as good as Julio Jones, either, Blackmon should still be a fine WR1 in the NFL, and that's something the Jaguars can't currently offer Gabbert.


8. Miami Dolphins -- Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M (6-4, 221)

Matt Moore is good enough to start for a year while Tannehill works on his game -- it's time off that Tannehill could use as a former receiver and a starter of less than two years at Texas A&M.


9. Carolina Panthers -- Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina (6-6, 284)

Charles Johnson is a solid starter at one end spot, but Carolina needs to get some help on the other side. Coples is an intimidating figure who should be able to make offenses pay for double-teaming Johnson.


10. Buffalo Bills -- Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (6-3, 220)

The Bills ran a lot of spread-out looks on offense last year, but that's ideally done with a better one-two punch at receiver than Steve Johnson and David Nelson. Floyd will likely be better than both no later than his second season.


11. Kansas City Chiefs -- Dontari Poe, (3-4) NT, Memphis (6-4, 346)

Poe isn't disruptive, but he does project to be a strong space-eater as the nose tackle in a 3-4.


12. Seattle Seahawks -- Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (6-3, 242)

Pass rushers like Nick Perry and Melvin Ingram could also be options here, but the Seahawks are more lacking at linebacker than they are at end, where Chris Clemons and Red Bryant are clear starters.


13. Arizona Cardinals -- Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (6-6, 313)

Reiff is nowhere near Kalil as a prospect, but he's a bit better than Bryan Bulaga was, too. Arizona would have to take him here.


14. Dallas Cowboys -- David DeCastro, G, Stanford (6-5, 316)

The Cowboys have basically no talent at the guard spot, and DeCastro could end up being the next Steve Hutchinson.


15. Philadelphia Eagles -- Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama (6-2, 186)

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has only one year left on his contract and was a disappointment in 2011. The Eagles are expected to get rid of Asante Samuel one way or another, too.


16. New York Jets -- Nick Perry, (3-4) OLB, USC (6-3, 271)

Perry is an exceptional athlete who would give the Jets a lot more explosiveness on the edge.


17. Cincinnati Bengals (from OAK) -- Cordy Glenn, G/OT, Georgia (6-5, 345)

The Bengals draft tons of SEC players, and some help at guard would be useful.


18. San Diego Chargers -- Michael Brockers, (3-4) DE, LSU (6-5, 322)

It will take a lot of work for Brockers to reach his full potential, but even if he never improves he'll at least be a strong presence against the run.


19. Chicago Bears -- Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (6-6, 247)

Mike Martz is gone, so the tight end position matters again. Fleener would be a great weapon for Jay Cutler.


20. Tennessee Titans -- Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina (6-1, 264)

The Titans are looking for more help on the edge since Derrick Morgan hasn't proven himself yet. Ingram can line up there while providing additional looks at tackle and linebacker if the team wants to put all of Ingram, Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley on the field at once.


21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL) (5-11, 212)

BenJarvus Green-Ellis is too plodding to be a workhorse, so he'll take the short yardage and pass-blocking work while Miller comes off the bench to burn defenses for long gains.


22. Cleveland Browns (from ATL) -- Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor (5-10, 196)

Wright would give Cleveland a nice injection of speed while bringing better receiver fundamentals than those possessed by Greg Little, who was a misfit as a WR1 last year.


23. Detroit Lions -- Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina (6-1, 190)

The Lions lost Eric Wright in free agency, and Gilmore's ability to press is a good fit for Detroit's aggressive defense.


24. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State (6-7, 323)

Adams is a question mark when it comes to effort and character, but he's a big-time talent.


25. Denver Broncos -- Devon Still, DT, Penn State (6-5, 303)

The Broncos badly need help on the interior, and Still would be a likely Week 1 starter for them.


26. Houston Texans -- Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech (6-4, 215)

It's simple: Line Hill and Andre Johnson up on the same side of the field. When the safety tries to double Johnson, Hill runs in a straight line down the field and gets open deep.


27. New England Patriots (from NO) -- Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin (6-4, 314)

Brian Waters doesn't have much longer.


28. Green Bay Packers -- Courtney Upshaw, (3-4) OLB, Alabama (6-2, 272)

Upshaw isn't all that explosive, but he would still be too good to pass up right here for Green Bay.


29. Baltimore Ravens -- Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (6-5, 312)

Bryant McKinnie isn't a good option as a starter. Martin and Michael Oher would be a decent starting tackle tandem, though.


30. San Francisco 49ers -- Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin (6-5, 314)

Jonathan Goodwin is 33 and has only two years left on his modest contract. Konz is potentially an immediate upgrade, and either him or Goodwin should be able to move over to guard.


31. New England Patriots -- Andre Branch, DE, Clemson (6-4, 259)

Branch is sort of a one-dimensional edge rusher at the moment, but Mark Anderson did well enough of as the exact same thing for New England last year.


32. New York Giants -- Doug Martin, RB, Boise State (5-9, 223)

Martin plays a bit like Ahmad Bradshaw, but with better character and durability.


Second Round

33. St. Louis Rams -- David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech (5-10, 206)

Wilson would give St. Louis an excellent off-the-bench homerun threat and insurance behind Steven Jackson in the short term, and there's a good chance that he'll turn into a good starter in the long term.


34. Indianapolis Colts -- Kendall Reyes, (3-4) DE, Connecticut (6-4, 299)

The Colts currently lack the personnel in the front seven to run a 3-4.


35. Minnesota Vikings -- Mark Barron, S, Alabama (6-1, 213)

The entire Minnesota secondary needs to be redone, but safety in particular is a problem.


36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State (6-0, 241)

An underrated disruptor, Wagner would be a hit at either middle or outside linebacker for Tampa.


37. Cleveland Browns -- Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State (6-4, 221)

Weeden would probably be an instant upgrade over Colt McCoy.


38. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall (6-3, 266)

Curry's motor would impress the character-conscious Jaguars.


39. St. Louis Rams (from WAS) -- Rueben Randle, WR, LSU (6-3, 210)

Randle would be St. Louis' most talented receiver by a wide margin.


40. Carolina Panthers -- Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama (5-10, 193)

He has character concerns, but talent-wise Jenkins could be a huge steal for Carolina here.


41. Buffalo Bills -- Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State (6-3, 214)

Ryan Fitzpatrick probably isn't the answer.


42. Miami Dolphins -- Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers (6-2, 211)

Sanu would give Miami a reliable physical presence at receiver with Brandon Marshall gone.


43. Seattle Seahawks -- Amini Silatolu, G/OT, Midwestern State (6-4, 311)

The Seahawks have plenty of young talent on the offensive line, but one of the two guard spots are looking a bit weak, and Silatolu could potentially provide some swing depth as well.


44. Kansas City Chiefs -- Whitney Mercilus, (3-4) OLB, Illinois (6-4, 261)

Justin Houston is talented but unproven.


45. Dallas Cowboys -- Bruce Irvin, (3-4) OLB, West Virginia (6-3, 245)

The Cowboys swoon over size and speed, and the team lacks depth behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.


46. Philadelphia Eagles -- Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech (5-10, 178)

Hosley's aggressive, playmaking style of play is a good fit for Philadelphia's defense.


47. New York Jets -- Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State (6-4, 220)

The Jets lack big targets at receiver.


48. New England Patriots (from OAK) -- Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina (6-3, 216)

The Patriots still don't have much talent at wideout other than Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd.


49. San Diego Chargers -- Kelechi Osemele, G/OT, Iowa State (6-6, 333)

Kris Dielman's retirement makes guard a need for the Chargers.


50. Chicago Bears -- Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson (6-2, 314)

Thompson would team up with Stephen Paea to give the Bears a bright future on the interior.


51. Philadelphia Eagles (from ARZ) -- Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State (6-2, 308)

The Eagles are already well off at defensive tackle, but Worthy is a nice value here.


52. Tennessee Titans -- Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame (6-2, 213)

Smith's strong safety style of play would nicely complement Michael Griffin at the free spot.


53. Cincinnati Bengals -- Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma (5-11, 206)

Fleming is one of the draft's better cornerbacks, a position of need for Cincinnati.


54. Detroit Lions -- Mychal Kendricks, LB, California (5-11, 240)

Kendricks' stunning athleticism and aggressive play would be a good fit in Detroit's defense.


55. Atlanta Falcons -- Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi (6-6, 316)

One of the few tackles athletic enough to perhaps play on the left side, Massie is a project and perhaps a reach at this point, but the Falcons are cornered.


56. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Dont'a Hightower, (3-4) ILB/OLB, Alabama (6-2, 265)

Hightower can play both inside and out for Pittsburgh.


57. Denver Broncos -- Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska (5-10, 204)

The Broncos don't have a whole lot of depth at the cornerback spot.


58. Houston Texans -- Ronnell Lewis, (3-4) OLB, Oklahoma (6-2, 253)

Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed were both promising last year, but Lewis would be valuable insurance in case one of them flops in 2012.


59. Green Bay Packers -- Derek Wolfe, (3-4) DE, Cincinnati (6-5, 295)

Wolfe is very strong and showed at the Combine that he's a better athlete than expected.


60. Baltimore Ravens -- Lavonte David, ILB, Nebraska (6-1, 233)

David would be a worthwhile project at ILB for Baltimore.


61. San Francisco 49ers -- Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State (5-10, 222)

Frank Gore doesn't have much longer, and Kendall Hunter doesn't really look like a starting runner.


62. New England Patriots -- Trumaine Johnson, CB/S, Montana (6-2, 204)

Johnson could emerge as a starting free safety option for New England and at worst would provide cornerback depth.


63. New York Giants -- Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina (6-1, 244)

Brown needs work as a tackler, but the Giants have enough depth to let him work on his game before throwing him onto the field.


Third Round

64. Indianapolis Colts -- Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest (5-11, 198)

Givens can stretch the field in a way that Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie can't.


65. St. Louis Rams -- Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma (5-10, 192)

Broyles would give Sam Bradford an excellent slot target.


66. Minnesota Vikings -- Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia (5-9, 182)

The Vikings have very little talent in the secondary. Boykin would be helpful there as well in the return game.


67. Cleveland Browns -- Mitchell Schwartz, G/OT, California (6-5, 318)

Schwartz would be a starting right tackle for Cleveland at best, and a guard/tackle swing backup at worst.


68. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- LaMichael James, RB, Oregon (5-8, 195)

James would give a big-play and passing-down complement to LeGarrette Blount.


69. Washington Redskins -- Alameda Ta'amu, (3-4) NT, Washington (6-3, 348)

The Redskins still lack a true 3-4 nose.


70. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Chris Polk, RB, Washington (5-11, 215)

Maurice Jones-Drew has had a huge workload over his career, and Polk would allow Jacksonville to let MJD get some rest.


71. Buffalo Bills -- Josh Robinson, CB, UCF (5-10, 199)

The Bills are a bit lacking at cornerback, and Robinson's speed would stand out in the Buffalo secondary.


72. Miami Dolphins -- Ladarius Green, TE, Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6, 238)

Green would be Joe Philbin's new (and more athletic) Jermichael Finley.


73. Miami Dolphins (from CAR via CHI) -- Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse (6-5, 266)

The Dolphins could use some help across from Cameron Wake.


74. Kansas City Chiefs -- Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson (6-3, 255)

Allen's straight-line speed doesn't impress, but he's athletic in short spaces and is the draft's best traditional tight end.


75. Seattle Seahawks -- Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami (FL) (6-5, 219)

Streeter is raw, but at the least he's a dangerous downfield and red-zone target as he is.


76. Houston Texans (from PHI) -- Chris Rainey, RB/WR, Florida (5-8, 180)

Rainey is too small to play running back full-time in the NFL, but his sick open field moves make him a nice 4-to-5 carry per game weapon who can double as a wide receiver.


77. New York Jets -- Tony Bergstrom, OT, Utah (6-5, 313)

The Jets badly need improvement at right tackle.


78. San Diego Chargers -- Orson Charles, TE, Georgia (6-2, 251)

Charles could be a big steal for San Diego here and Antonio Gates' eventual replacement.


79. Chicago Bears -- James Brown, G/OT, Troy (6-3, 306)

The Bears could use some help on the interior. Brown would help there while providing swing depth at tackle.


80. Arizona Cardinals -- Brandon Brooks, G, Miami (OH) (6-5, 353)

Even if they add Reiff, Arizona would need more help on the offensive line.


81. Dallas Cowboys -- Marvin Jones, WR, California (6-2, 199)

Laurent Robinson's exit creates a big void in the Dallas offense.


82. Tennessee Titans -- Dwight Bentley, CB, Lousiana-Lafayette (5-10, 182)

Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner should suffice as starters, but Bentley would be a nice nickel presence for Tennessee.


83. Cincinnati Bengals -- A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois (6-0, 190)

Jenkins would give the Bengals some speed opposite A.J. Green, while Jordan Shipley would remain in the slot.


84. Atlanta Falcons -- Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple (6-0, 218)

Like Michael Turner, Pierce may be a passing-down liability, but he looks like a strong runner.


85. Detroit Lions -- T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International

Hilton would project as Nate Burleson's eventual replacement in the slot while providing elite long-term potential as a returner.


86. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Josh Chapman, (3-4) NT, Alabama (6-1, 316)

Nose tackle is a need for Pittsburgh, and Chapman looks like a good one.


87. Denver Broncos -- Billy Winn, DT, Boise State (6-4, 294)

Winn is an athletic and disruptive presence on the interior.


88. Philadelphia Eagles (from HOU)-- Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State (6-4, 275)

The Eagles can't be sure that Brandon Graham will turn into a reliable starter.


89. New Orleans Saints -- Brandon Washington, G, Miami (FL) (6-3, 320)

He's not a mauler like Carl Nicks, but Washington is nonetheless a nice guard addition here.


90. Green Bay Packers -- Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati (5-10, 197)

Pead would be Green Bay's top big-play threat in the backfield while James Starks and Alex Green fight for early-down work.


91. Baltimore Ravens -- Shea McClellin, (3-4) OLB, Boise State (6-3, 260)

Sergio Kindle and Paul Kruger are largely unknowns.


92. San Francisco 49ers -- Jared Crick, (3-4) DE, Nebraska (6-4, 279)

Crick is a poor man's Justin Smith and an excellent value here.


93. New England Patriots -- Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia (6-3, 268)

Even with Andre Branch around, the Patriots could use some more help at end.


94. New York Giants -- Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa (6-3, 216)

McNutt would give the Giants a physically imposing threat on the outside.


95. Oakland Raiders (Comp) -- Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M (5-10, 206)

Gray has every-down skills and would be good insurance behind the injury prone Darren McFadden.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mario Puig
Mario is a Senior Writer at RotoWire who primarily writes and projects for the NFL and college football sections.
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