Jeremy Hayes

Journal Staff

1. Colts:

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. Highest rated player in the past decade (tied with Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh).

2.Redskins:

Robert Griffen III, QB, Baylor. Washington needs to make a splash at QB, RGIII is perfect for them.

3.Vikings:

Matt Kalil, OT, USC. Best offensive lineman in a while, will be better than Jake Long and will be a pro-bowler.

4. Browns:

Trent Richardson, RB, Bama. An all down back, who hopes to be more successful his rookie year than former teammate, Mark Ingram.

5. Buccaneers:

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. Some off the field problems question his ability, but he will be a lock down corner.

6. Rams:

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State. The best and most underrated wide-out in ten years, the next Calvin Johnson.

7. Jaguars:

Quinton Coples, DE, UNC. North Carolina players get people nervous, but not this man, he is Top 5 value.

8. Dolphins:

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas AM. Reach! A typical Miami pick, but smart. Maybe Tannehill can develop, but in time.

9. Panthers:

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU. This guy looks like a monster, but a “football savvy” monster. An All-Pro type of lineman.

10. Bills:

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford. Safe pick, smart pick, but also a strong pick. Who will be worth it.

11. Chiefs:

Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama. The first true shock in this mock draft. Chiefs need a leader on defense. Upshaw is that guy.

12. Seahawks:

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College. Seattle will try to make up for the Aaron Curry bust a few years back.

13. Cardinals:

Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina. Rich get richer on defense. Expect the Cardinals to draft a QB in later rounds, but jump on more pass-rush.

14. Cowboys:

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. Big name for Jerry Jones, but also a talented corner. The Cowboys could use a big splash in the secondary.

15. Eagles:

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis. If Poe slips this far, Eagle fans have nothing to boo about. The next Vince Wilfork.

16. Jets:

Nick Perry, OLB, USC. Rex Ryan could always improve that defense, he’ll look to a big name school like USC to get it.

17. Bengals:

Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama. High risk equals high reward. If Jenkins stayed in Florida and out of trouble, he would be in the Top 5.

18. Chargers:

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame. He will join Malcom Floyd (No relation) to help Phillip Rivers and the struggling Charger offense.

19. Bears:

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Syracuse. A hidden gem in this weak draft class, and Mercilus could be a weapon with Julius Peppers on the other end of the line.

20. Titans:

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa. Stock drop! One of the more overrated players in the draft will be passed on, but is still a solid tackle.

21. Bengals

: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska. Two corners in the first round? Yes, it is brilliant. The Bengals can work like the Patriots in the draft; get young and dangerous players.

22. Browns:

Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse. A boring pick, but Jones will give a good rush for Cleveland.

23. Lions

: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford. A steal, guards never go in the Top 10, but DeCastro is one of the more talented guards in any mock in the past 10 years.

24. Steelers:

Fletcher Cox, DT, Miss State. A boring looking player. Not a “sexy” pick, but Cox will bring plenty of talent to the already loaded Steeler defense.

25. Broncos:

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State. Another of the many gems in the draft. Forget about Manning, that Bronco defense will be dangerous.

26. Texans:

Mark Barron, SS, Alabama. An odd pick for the Texans, but Barron is that big threat they need in the secondary.

27. Patriots:

Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia (Trade to Miami for #42 and future first round pick). Trade up for a guard? Glenn has the ability to be one of the best offensive linemen in the next five years.

28. Packers:

Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall. Will help bring the Packers back to a Super Bowl, he will be a very special player in the NFL.

29. Ravens:

Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin. Maybe the smartest pick in the first round for a team that was a missed kick and overtime away from the Super Bowl. Konz will improve the line for Joe Flacco.

30. 49ers:

Kendell Wright, WR, Baylor. Michael Crabtree and Kendell Wright together. Hey, when your QB is Alex Smith, you better get some weapons.

31. Patriots:

Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson. Risky pick. Branch is a sack machine . If this is a miss, the Patriots are in trouble on defense.

32. Giants:

Donta Hightower, ILB, Alabama. How can the Super Bowl champs get better? The Giants should take a leader for the defense to go for the repeat.