Mock Draft 3.0 (Pre-Combine Edition, 2 Rounds): Steelers Select ILB Dont’a Hightower and OG Kevin Zeitler
55. Atlanta Falcons: Cam Johnson DE (Virginia)
Atlanta will likely need to upgrade the Defensive End position in the 2012 Draft. John Abraham is entering his mid-30’s, and Ray Edwards was a bit of a disappointment last season after notching only 3.5 Sacks after a lucrative Free Agent contract was presented to him last offseason.
Cam Johnson (6’4″ 270 lbs.) would be a nice choice for the Falcons at #55 because of his ability to not only rush the passer from a 4-3 set, but also his experience playing as a 3-4 OLB under Al Groh during his early collegiate career. Mike Nolan’s Defense should have a few 3-4 elements (even though it is staying a 4-3), so Johnson’s positional flexibility could be of interest to a team like the Falcons
56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kevin Zeitler OG (Wisconsin)
Let’s face it Steeler Nation, the play at both Guard spots since Alan Faneca left in 2008 and Kendall Simmons was hurt in October of that season has been dreadful to put it best. Chris Kemoeatu still remains undisciplined and lazy, and has proven to be a liability while in the game. While Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster, bless their hearts, are solid backups and #6 and #7 swing guys (C/OG and OG/OT), but that’s about it.
If the Steelers want to shore up at least one of their Guard spots this offseason, they should take a long look at the 6’4″ 315 lb. Zeitler in the 2nd Round. Adding Zeitler to the mix of Marcus Gilbert, Maurkice Pouncey, and a hopefully healthy Willie Colon would give the Steelers actually something to work with along the Offensive Line heading into the 2012 season. If Colbert can draft another competent Guard in the later Rounds, Pittsburgh’s Offense could be lethal in the coming seasons.
57. Denver Broncos: David Wilson RB (Virginia Tech)
With Willis McGahee entering his mid 30’s, Knowshon Moreno in trouble with the law, and the rest of the Broncos’ RB’s being Practice Squad material, Denver should look to upgrade its RB position in the 2012 Draft. If Ryan Wilson is on the board at #57, I believe that Denver would have a hard time passing him up.
Wilson displayed great speed, toughness, an ability to run through the tackles, and used his 5’10 205 lb. frame effectively while at Virginia Tech. Furthermore, Wilson also was a solid Kick Returner in college and could be called upon in Denver to fill that role early in his career. If Wilson can work on his ball-security skills, he could be a solid value pick in the 2nd Round.
58. Houston Texans: Michael Brewster C/OG (Ohio State)
A 4 year stater at Ohio State and an All-American, Brewster could fill a necessary void for the Texans if Center Chris Myers bolts during Free Agency. To continue their dominance at the point of attack, the Texans will need help in case Myers departs. Much of what Houston does on Offense goes through the Zone Running Plays/Play Action, that quick Offensive Linemen are needed to execute those plays to perfection.
Brewster, 6’4″ 319 lbs., is agile and can move well in the running game. In addition to his tremendous run blocking skills, Brewster is also an adept pass blocker, and could give Houston some solid contributions at Guard in the event Myers stays and the Texans need depth at Guard.
59. New Orleans Saints: Mike Martin DT (Michigan)
I’m being nice here, but that performance by New Orleans’ Defense in the closing minutes of the N.F.C. Divisional Playoff was terrible. I don’t care how good Drew Brees is, if that Defense cannot force turnovers it’s the Achilles Heel of the entire franchise.
The Saints will be looking to upgrade their Defensive Line under new Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Mike Martin could be the choice for the Saints at #59. Martin had a strong Senior Bowl week and projects to be a 4-3 DT that can play either the 1 or 3-Techniques after playing mostly NT in Michigan’s 4-3 alignment in college. The 6’1″ 304 lbs. prospect’s high motor will be valued by Spagnuolo as well because the Saints will look to create pressure whenever possible with their Front 4.
60. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Thompson DT (Clemson)
With Cullen Jenkins’ departure last season and now Ryan Pickett beginning to show his age, Green Bay is in need of some depth along the Defensive Line. In the event Brandon Thompson (6’2″ 310) falls, the Packers could find themselves quite the versatile and havoc wreaking Defender.
Thompson has the ability to play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 set, and his frame could allow him to be a 5-Technique Defensive End for the Packers on running downs, and lined up on the inside at Defensive Tackle during passing downs. Green Bay must get younger along their Defensive Front in the coming years. If an athlete like Thompson is available, I don’t believe they will think twice about selecting him.
61. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Washington OG (Miami FL)
With the possibility of Matt Birk and Ben Grubbs leaving Baltimore, the Ravens must begin to add depth on the interior of their Offensive Line. Grabbing a 6’3 325 lbs. road-grading Guard like Brandon Washington could immediately improve Baltimore’s already dangerous running attack.
In addition to playing Guard, Washington also played some Left Tackle this past season and helped Lamar Miller gain almost 1,300 yards on the ground for the Hurricanes. Washington’s abilities and skill set as a run-blockers should interest Ravens coaches looking to build on the success from last season. G.M. Ozzie Newsome has been fond of selecting Miami players in seasons past, and if Washington is the top rated guy on their board at #61, the Ravens will likely select him.
62. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle WR (Louisiana State)
After a decade of basically selecting in the Top 10 every season, the 49ers have acquired enough talent to put together a decent team. Yet one area which this team is lacking in is a legitimate deep threat to pair with Michael Crabtree at WR. Instead of watching Alex Smith go for checkdown after checkdown, the 49ers need a guy which can blow the top off the Defense.
If Rueben Randle or another field-stretching WR is available to San Francisco in Round 2, I could see them looking in that direction. Randle has the size 6’3″ 208 lbs. and speed to stretch Defenses vertically and allow Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree to eat opposing Defenses alive in the short game and across the middle. If San Francisco is willing to take the next step on Offense they have to find a deep threat, and a prospect like Randle could be just the solution.
63. New England Patriots: Stephen Hill WR (Georgia Tech)
Much like Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas before him, Stephen Hill is the next tall, field-stretching Yellow Jacket WR to emerge as one of the Draft’s top prospects. While a bit raw in terms of route-running and understanding the nuances of playing the WR position, Hill is an absolute physical freak at 6’4” 205 lbs. with good hands, nice speed, and tremendous upside.
Even though he only caught 28 passes his Junior season in 2011, Hill amassed 820 Receiving Yards in Georgia Tech’s Triple Option Offense. That’s 29.3 YPC which subseqently led the nation. Hill, like Demaryius Thomas, could take a year/year and a half to learn how to play WR at the pro level. However, a WR with his size and deep threat ability could be of good use to a team like New England in search of a viable threat to stretch the field on the outside.
64. New York Giants: Audie Cole ILB/OLB (North Carolina State)
The Giants could use some depth at the LB position entering 2012, and the massive (6’4″ 248 lbs.) Audie Cole could give New York a future starter at the position. Cole played MLB and OLB during his career with the Wolfpack and should figure to see time at both positions with the Giants before the Coaching Staff settles on one if he is indeed selected.
While they don’t have many holes on the Defensive side of the ball, it never hurts to acquire talent for the future, and the Giants could accomplish that by selecting a player with Cole’s talent. Year in and year out the Giants seem to always add successful pieces on the Defensive side of the ball, and I have to believe that a player like Cole, Lavonte David, or Bobby Wagner would be on their radars come late April.
Final Thoughts
If you are interested in other N.F.L. Mock Drafts, I highly recommend checking out Fansided’s NFL Mocks. Its got some great analysis regarding prospects and fantastic articles as well. NFL Mocks is part of the Fansided network, and few websites can measure up to their astute analysis.
In addition to NFL Mocks, be sure to check out other great sites like CBSSportsline, Walter Football, Kiper Jr. and McShay on ESPN, the boys led by Mike Mayock on NFL, and each prospects’ college football profile (i.e. click on their name on their athletic department’s website) for other draft news, prospect analysis, and interesting facts as well.
I also linked each team drafting in Round 1 with their specific Fansided site. So for those of you interested in jumping to your favorite team’s specific site, just click on the link and it will take you there.
I’ll be doing one of these drafts every week or two leading up to the big day in late April. Over time I will add more Rounds, Prospects, and account for off-season moves in Free Agency and Trades which will have a direct effect on the picks. But most of all, I’ll be doing my best to keep those of you in Steeler Nation updated and as interested as possible in the Draft.
(All team photos Courtesy of http://sportslogos.net/)
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