NPC Final Mock Draft With Trades (3 Full Rounds, Steelers Picks in Rounds 4-7)
Round 3
64. Indianapolis Colts: Josh Chapman NT (Alabama)
Now that Indianapolis is switching to a 3-4 Defense, they are going to need to draft some personnel with skill sets that can make the scheme effective. The 6’1″ 316 lb. Chapman would give Chuck Pagano a 3-4 scheme experienced Nose Tackle to insert into the Defense which has been recently installed. Chapman is a good player that uses his leverage well, and talent-wise should be rated much higher than he is. The big reason I have Chapman falling this far is that he is coming off of recent ACL surgery, and he could potentially be an injury risk. Still, experience in a 3-4 system and in the S.E.C., plus a clean bill of health could make Chapman a viable option for the Colts come the 3rd Round in a couple weeks.
(Previous Selection: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State)
65. St. Louis Rams: Zebrie Sanders OT (Florida State)
St. Louis needs help along their Offensive Line, and it wouldn’t hurt if they acquired a Tackle in the middle Rounds of the Draft this year. 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 Rams and the N.F.L. in general. 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 for St. Louis and is called upon to be the “Swing Tackle” on game-days. Jason Smith has been a bust, and Roger Saffold should probably move to Guard now. Keeping Sam Bradford off the turf and healthy is an absolute must at this point.
(Previous Selection: Mitchell Schwartz, OT, California)
66. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Boykin CB/KR (Georgia)
Minnesota will look to address their utterly horrible situation at Cornerback with multiple picks in 2012. Luckily for them, Stephon Gilmore should be available to them at #35. Minnesota’s Pass Defense in 2011 was pathetic, and I’m being kind here. The Vikings Ranked 26th in Total Pass Yards Allowed, 29th in YPA Allowed, and gave up the most Pass TD’s in the entire League (34). Although small (5’9″ 181 lbs.), Brandon Boykin is a tremendous athlete that performed well against S.E.C. Receivers and has added value in the return game. While some teams may be scared of his lack of size and fret that he might not be able to tackle on a consistent basis, Boykin is at least a solid Nickel guy down the road that can make things happen when the ball is in his hands, and I have to believe that Minnesota will find ways to highlight his unique skills.
67. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Jenkins WR (Illinois)
A.J. Jenkins would be a welcome addition to the Browns’ WR corps if he is selected. At 6’0 and 190 lbs., Jenkins ran a 4.39 at The Combine and has been moving up draft boards ever since. Jenkins could figure in to be a solid pass-catching option from the slot, and would really open things up on the underneath routes for a team like Cleveland. Giving Colt McCoy all the means as humanly possible to succeed is a must this off-season for Cleveland, and selecting a guy like Jenkins would be a step in the right direction.
(Previous Selection: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State)
68. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Donald Stephenson OT (Oklahoma)
Tampa Bay must keep Josh Freeman healthy in the coming seasons, and draft picks must be directed towards the Offensive Line early and often until he can drop back to pass without being drilled on a consistent basis. Stephenson (6’6″ 312 lbs.) was a two year starter at Oklahoma and protected Landry Jones’ blind-side during that period. While probably a year or two away from starting, Stephenson could pay dividends in the long run.
(Previous Selection: Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi)
69. Washington Redskins: LaMichael James RB (Oregon)
LaMichael James could be just the runner that the Redskins are looking for at the beginning of Round 3, and just the kind of weapon to help “RGIII” as he starts his career. James is a shifty and explosive runner that is a threat to score every time he touches the ball and works well in Zone-Blocking schemes. James’ size, 5’8” 194 lbs., might scare some teams into drafting him as an every-down Back, but as a 10-15 Touch per game guy, James could be quite the weapon for a team like the Redskins which will try and take as much pressure off of “RGIII” as possible and get some big plays in the process.
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nick Toon WR (Wisconsin)
It would not surprise me at all if Jacksonville decided to select two Wide Receivers on Day 1 and or Day 2 of the Draft this weekend. Nick Toon of Wisconsin might not possess blazing speed, but he is a big (6’2″ 215 lbs.), physical, and smart pass-catcher which would be a solid #2 option at the pro level. Jacksonville needs help on the outside, and adding Toon to a group of Wide Receivers consisting of Mike Thomas and Cecil Shorts would at least give Blaine Gabbert something to work with this season.
(Previous Selection: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt)
71. Buffalo Bills: Jamell Fleming CB (Oklahoma)
Buffalo could use some help on the Defensive side of the ball, and upgrading their Secondary in the coming years will be extremely important. The Bills are a bit thin at Corner behind Drayton Florence and Terrence McGee. In addition, Aaron Williams is in only his 2nd year, and Leodis McKelvin is more of a threat on Special Teams. That being said, bringing in a bigger Corner (5’11” 206 lbs.) like Jamell Fleming of Oklahoma would certainly bolster the depth at the position, and give the Bills a viable option to pair with Williams in the future. If Buffalo wants to compete on the same level as Tom Brady and the Patriots, they have to get some Corners in that can match-up against the likes of Wes Welker and Deion Branch.
72. Miami Dolphins: Cam Johnson DE (Virginia)
If Cameron Wake does indeed hold out, the Dolphins are going to need to find some pass rushers to come into camp this season. One player that could be a nice choice for Miami in Round 3 is Cam Johnson (6’4″ 270 lbs.). Probably Johnson’s biggest asset is that he is a versatile player. Johnson has the ability to not only rush the passer from a 4-3 set, but also had experience playing as a 3-4 OLB under Al Groh during his early collegiate career. To stay competitive against Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick in the coming years, Miami will need to generate some sort of pass-rush, and Johnson could be just the player to help.
73. Miami Dolphins: James Brown OG/OT (Troy)
In addition to the Quarterback and Wide Receiver positions, the Dolphins also must upgrade the Interior of their Offensive Line. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to protect a young signal-caller like Ryan Tannehill or any other Quarterback that is taking the snaps. James Brown is a sleeper prospect which the Dolphins might take, and will be making the transition from Tackle to Guard at the pro level. Brown (6’4″ 306 lbs.) can blow holes open for Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas in the run game, and also has the ability to keep Miami’s signal callers upright if they drop back to pass. Brooks could be a special player with some time to develop, and Miami could be just the team to help.
74. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeff Allen OT (Illinois)
The Chiefs could use some help at Tackle, and it would not shock me if they looked for one on Day 2 or early on Day 3 to develop. One player Kansas City could take a long look at is Jeff Allen of Illinois who played all along the Offensive Line during his collegiate career. At 6’4″ 307 lbs., Allen has a solid frame to work with and could add some weight over time. Even if Allen fails at either Tackle spot, he could always be kicked inside to Guard and help on the Interior of the Line during his pro career.
(Previous Selection: Ben Jones, C/OG, Georgia)
75. Seattle Seahawks: Casey Hayward CB (Vanderbilt)
Seattle could benefit from finding a Corner to pair with Richard Sherman who had a solid first season. Vanderbilt’s Casey Hayward was a three year starter for the Commodores and seemed to only get better throughout his collegiate career. In addition, Hayward displayed a penchant for big plays and notched 15 INT’s and 20 Tackles For Loss in his final three seasons in college. Hayward is a solid tackler and uses his 5’11” 185 lb. frame well to wrap up the ball carrier and make plays in the open field.
(Previous Selection: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia)
76. Houston Texans: Billy Winn DE/DT (Boise State)
Houston will be looking to upgrade their Defensive Line as they enter Year 2 of their transition to a 3-4 system. At 6’4″ 294 lbs. Winn tore apart the Mountain West during his career and has the perfect size and frame to translate to the N.F.L.. While his competition may have been a bit sub-par at times, a year of spot duty could be in order so Winn can adjust to the speed of the professional game.. It might take a year or two for him to develop into a 3-4 DE, but he is definitely worth a 3rd Round investment for a Texans team in need of Defensive Linemen to add to their roster now.
(Previous Selection: Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest)
77. Carolina Panthers: (Trade w/Jets) Chris Givens WR (Wake Forest)
Cam Newton could stand to have a few more targets to throw to in the coming seasons, and Carolina could do him a favor this weekend by drafting one early. One player Carolina could target come Round 2, or if they acquire a pick in Round 3 is Chris Givens of Wake Forest who would be a solid Day 2 pick. The 5’11” 198 lb. Givens is a speedy WR (4.41 40 time at Combine) that had an effective college career at Wake Forest, and last season put up 83 Catches for 1330 Yards and 9 TD’s.
78. San Diego Chargers: Derek Wolfe DE/DT (Cincinnati)
After the release Luis Castillo, San Diego will likely be in the market for a 5-Technique Defensive End this offseason. Wolfe started 38 games during his career with the Bearcats, and has loads of experience, but did not really emerge as a stand-out player until last season. In 2011, Wolfe posted career best numbers in Tackles: 70, Sacks: 9.5, and Tackles For Loss: 21.5, and emerged as one of the Top Interior Defensive Linemen in the country. Sporting an ideal frame to fit a 3-4 scheme at Defensive End (6’5″ 295 lbs.), if Wolfe can consistently prove that he can hold his own against double-teams, he will be in a pro rotation along a Defensive Line in the middle of this season.
(Previous Selection: Billy Winn, DE/DT, Boise State)
79. Chicago Bears: Marvin McNutt WR (Iowa)
Even though they acquired Brandon Marshall, with Johnny Knox likely sidelined, Chicago might consider drafting more than one WR next month. Marvin McNutt started almost three seasons at Iowa and had over 2,000 Yards receiving (2,176) combined over his last two. McNutt is a tall 6’3″ 216 lbs. and possesses decent speed (just over 4.5 40) for a guy his size. Giving Jay Cutler all the means as humanly possible to succeed is a must this off-season for the Bears, and selecting a guy like Givens would be a step in the right direction.
(Previous Selection: A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois)