Mock Draft 4.0 (Post-Combine Edition, 3 Rounds): Steelers Select ILB Dont’a Hightower, NT Alameda Ta’amu, OG/OT Brandon Washington
44. Kansas City Chiefs: Zebrie Sanders OT (Florida State)
Even though Kansas City might try to resign Barry Richardson, their Right Tackle spot is still in need of an upgrade. If Zebrie Sanders falls this far, I can see the Chiefs selecting Sanders to replace Richardson. At 6’5 307 lbs. and a 4 year starter at Florida State, Sanders has all the experience in the world to transfer to the N.F.L.. His run-blocking is thought to be sound, although he does have some issues in pass protection and could be a Right Tackle only in the professional ranks after a poor performance at the Senior Bowl.
Sanders’ experience playing both Left and Right Tackle spots in college is intriguing, and it should factor in greatly if he is asked to start the 2012 season on the bench and is called upon to be the “Swing Tackle” on game-days. In the event Sanders is available at #44, Kansas City should not hesitate to take him.
45. Dallas Cowboys: Harrison Smith S (Notre Dame)
The Cowboys must find a way to stop the opposition through the air in 2012. Dallas had the N.F.L.’s 23rd Ranked Pass Defense in 2011, and their ineffectiveness really cost the team at some crucial points in meaningful games (both Giants contests). If Dallas wants to make the playoffs for the first time since 2009, fixing the CB and S situation is of the utmost importance.
Harrison Smith (6’2″ 212 lbs.) was a 3-year starter at Notre Dame and has quite a few tools to succeed for Dallas in the coming years. Smith is a tough player that can play near the line of scrimmage as a former Linebacker in college. His pass-coverage needs a little bit of work as he was burned a few times at Notre Dame, but many scouts still consider his upside to be high.
(Previous Selection: Kelechi Osemele, OG/OT, Iowa State)
46. Philadelphia Eagles: Juron Criner WR (Arizona)
One thing which the Eagles have been lacking over the course of the last few seasons has been a large, physical WR that can take advantage of mismatches created by DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and the other Offensive weapons at Michael Vick’s disposal. Luckily for Philadelphia, this is a deep draft when it comes to big physical pass catchers.
I have personally watched Criner throughout his college career in Tucson, and I can say with full effect that he is going to be a terrific pro player for a team like the Eagles or whichever team drafts him. His size-speed combo (6’2″ 220 lbs.) is tough to match up with, and Philadelphia will find themselves a “gamer” that can stretch the field, has great hands, and make life difficult for the opposing Defenses.
(Previous Selection: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina)
47. New York Jets: Kendall Reyes DT/DE (Connecticut)
The Jets are going to need an upgrade to replace Mike DeVito as early as 2013, and pairing Kendall Reyes with 2nd Year man Muhammad Wilkerson would give New York a solid set of 5-Technique Defensive Ends to build their Line around for years to come. This would be a quality selection for the Jets as they fill a position of need while also getting value in a player of Reyes’ caliber.
An All-Big East performer in 2010 and 2011, Reyes performed well as a Defensive Tackle during his time with the Huskies, and registered 13.5 Tackles For Loss and 4.5 Sacks this past season. Although he played mostly as a 4-3 Tackle, Reyes has the frame (6’4″ 296 lbs.), to fit perfectly into a 3-4 scheme as a 5-Technique Defensive End.
48. New England Patriots: Vinny Curry DE/OLB (Marshall)
Even if New England decides to draft a Whitney Mercilus/Pass Rusher in Round 1, they still should be looking in the direction of a rush/speed OLB in Round 2 where there still could be some terrific prospects available like Marshall’s Vinny Curry. Curry, 6’3″ 263 lbs., was an All-Conference USA 1st team selection in 2011, and put up a ridiculous 11.0 Sacks and notched 21.5 Tackles For Loss to earn those accolades.
New England has a lot of holes to fill on Defense, but getting multiple effective OLB’s should be a high priority. If they wish to compete against the high-powered Offenses of the A.F.C., they had better find ways to get to the QB. Otherwise, they’ll be left in the dust in the Playoffs.
49. San Diego Chargers: Kelechi Osemele OG/OT (Iowa State)
San Diego has some issues surrounding the status of their Tackles entering 2012. I personally don’t believe that Jared Gaither, a hurt Marcus McNeill, and Jeromy Clary are the solution for San Diego 2-3 years down the road. If the Chargers do not decide to acquire a Pass Rusher in Round 1, they would be wise to add a solid Tackle to the mix along their Offensive Line.
Osemele projects as a Guard or a Right Tackle at the pro level, but he did display quite a bit of athleticism in college where he played Left Tackle and Guard at Iowa State and started 3.5 seasons in college. His large build 6’5″ 347 lbs. and ability to run block should allow him to kick inside with a team like San Diego looking to upgrade at a lot of spots along their Offensive Line.
(Previous Selection: Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma)
50. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen TE (Clemson)
Jay Cutler needs weapons, and he needs them fast. Chicago can do him a favor by targeting Michael Floyd in Round 1, but Floyd’s services are not enough. Cutler will need a Tight End to throw to, and TE Dwayne Allen could be just the guy to help him.
Dwayne Allen could go earlier than Pick 50 and some teams could trade up into the 1st Round for his services, but at this point I see the teams in front of Chicago in Round 2 with bigger needs to fill than TE. That is not to say that Allen didn’t have a terrific career at Clemson. At 6’4″ 255 lbs., Allen has soft hands and is a very polished route runner and will undoubtedly create matchup problems in the middle of the field. If Chicago want to give Cutler another option to throw to and work the middle, drafting a guy of Allen’s caliber is necessary.
51. Philadelphia Eagles: Jayron Hosely CB (Virginia Tech)
If you had told me that Philadelphia would be selecting a CB early in the 2012 Draft last August, I would have thought you were nuts. But with Asante Samuel on his way out and DR-C only proving to be average last season, Philadelphia will need some depth and upgrades in its Secondary this offseason.
Jayron Hosely (5’10” 178 lbs.) could vie for playing time right away if Philadelphia drafts him. While he isn’t a big guy, he has sound technique and would be a terrific Nickel/Slot guy at the professional level. Hosely also has experience returning punts, and his value in the Special Teams realm could pay dividends for the Eagles while he is developing.
(Previous Selection: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State)
52. Tennessee Titans: Kevin Zeitler OG (Wisconsin)
Tennessee might in fact double-dip when it comes to Offensive Linemen in the first two Rounds this season. In the event that a guy like Kevin Zeitler is available in Round 2, the Titans would be hard pressed to pass on a prospect of his caliber.
Zeitler is 6’4″ 315 lbs. and one of a litany of Wisconsin Linemen to come out with a penchant for run-blocking. If Tennessee wants Chris Johnson to regain his 2009 form, they should seriously consider drafting a guy with Zeitler’s ability. The Titans will have to rely on their running game and solid pass blocking in 2012 if Jake Locker has to play a large amount as well.
(Previous Selection: Bobby Wagner, ILB, Utah State)
53. Cincinnati Bengals: Trumaine Johnson CB/S (Montana)
Trumaine Johnson is one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire 2012 Draft. The 6’2″ 204 lbs. Johnson dominated at 1-AA Montana, and established himself as a shut-down Corner. Johnson has the size and strength to translate well to the N.F.L., and I liken him to a more polished Ike Taylor with better hands.
If Cincinnati is serious about upgrading its Secondary, they should look to Johnson who has the size and ball skills to be a very successful Free Safety in the N.F.L. as well. I mean, it’s not very often that you can find someone of Johnson’s size with 4.5 speed as a CB or Safety. The upside is there, and I believe that a team like Cincinnati will be willing to gamble on him.