Mock Draft Part 3

Alright kids, we've got some adjusting to do with the first 10 picks of the draft before we tackle picks 11 through 15. Clearly after acquiring McNabb and already having incumbent Jason Campbell and once upon a time starting quarterback in the superbowl Rex Grossman (yes, that still really happened) on the roster there is no reason for the Skins to draft Clausen with the fourth pick. This opens a few options for Washington here. Chris Samuels retired leaving a gaping hole at left tackle that really needs to be addressed. The obvious pick here is Russell Okung, that is, if Washington doesn't trade this pick. After giving up this year's 2nd round pick in the McNabb trade and using their third round pick to draft Jeremy Jarmon in last year's supplemental draft, the Redskins don't pick again until pick 103. With so many holes that need to be addressed including an aging linebacker and secondary corps it is certainly not out of the question that the Redskins shop this pick to a team looking to draft Jimmy Clausen. And speaking of Clausen, the likely destinations for him if the draft order remains the same is either Cleveland or Buffalo.

Good now that we settled that, back to the mocking...

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago)- Ronaldo McClain LB, Alabama

Josh McDaniels and his staff made fortifying the Defensive line the priority this offseason in acquiring Javis Green, Jamal Williams and Justin Banaan. It seems logical to eliminate Derrick Morgan, Dan Williams and Jason Pierre-Paul, the three D-line prospects that figure to go off the board in the next 10 picks. Brining in Brady Quinn to compete with Kyle Orton who fell off towards the end of the season, also rules out any type of reaching for a QB here. Drafting the play-making Ronaldo McClain here would fill a void as the Broncos cut Andra Davis in the offseason, allowing him to walk in and start on Day 1.

12. Miami Dolphins- Jason Pierre-Paul DE/OLB, South Florida

I would really love to give the Dolphins Dez Bryant here as the combination of Ted Ginn Jr. and Devone Bess really isn't scaring anyone, but Bill Parcells teams rarely put much emphasis on any type of vertical game. However, Parcells does have a history of drafting pass rushing linebackers in the first round. Granted, the Dolphins did sign Karlos Dansby to upgrade over Joey Porter this offseason, so perhaps linebacker will be less of a priority in the first round. Then again, the Dolphins did part ways with Jason Taylor, leaving a need that the absurdly athletic Pierre-Paul could fill. Plus it would give me another reason to root against the Dolphins if they draft a player with a French sounding last name.


13. San Francisco- Derrick Morgan DE, Georgia Tech

The 49ers' biggest need is clearly offensive tackle, but with the top 4 tackle prospects off the board, the Niners can afford to wait to use their second #1 pick to fill the need. Other positions that the 49ers could afford to address here are corner back, quarterback and defensive line. This year's crop of Defensive backs may be the weakest in several years and San Fran already has a ton of money invested in Nate Clemens. Drafting a QB here would be an obvious reach, which leaves the 49ers to draft the best player still left on the board in Derrick Morgan. Morgan is a dynamic pass rusher with a great motor who would complement Justin Smith very well.

14. Seattle Seahawks- C.J. Spiller RB, Clemson

The Seahawks continue to rebuild their once vaunted running game by drafting the most talented running back in the draft. I almost think that I could start at running back for the Seahawks. I mean Julius Jones and Justin Forsett? Really? Pete Carol had a more talented back last year at USC in Joe McKnight. Spiller really brings it all to the table for Seattle. He runs between the tackles well, has breakaway speed, catches the ball out of the back field and can return kicks.

15. New York Giants- Sean Weatherspoon LB, Missouri

Easiest pick in the middle of the first round. The Giants D that shut down the '07 Patriots in the Superbowl completely self destructed down the stretch in '09 allowing 45, 41 and 44 points to the Eagles, Panthers and Vikings respectively. The G-men took a step in the right direction by cutting aging veteran Antonio Pierce and signing Antrel Rolle to become the highest paid saftey in NFL history. Weatherspoon is versatile enough to play multiple positions in Perry Fewell's vanilla defensive scheme.