NFL.com
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Not a whole lot of suspense with pick No. 1. Let’s be patient in Indianapolis. This kid will be successful. I think it comes down to emotional toughness. (More from Mike Mayock on the Colts’ selection.) -
What an opportunity the Washington Redskins have created for themselves. I applaud Mike Shanahan and that group for moving up. I don’t care what they gave up to get this kid. (More from Mike Mayock on the Redskins’ selection.) -
Here’s where the intrigue begins. Why do I go LT here instead of CB or WR? GM Rick Spielman has to be thinking about the Vikings’ 35th overall pick when he makes this one. If he gets Kalil here, he can come back and get LSU WR Rueben Randle or maybe Montana CB Trumaine Johnson in the second round. (More from Mike Mayock on the Vikings’ selection.) -
What an interesting pick here for the Browns. I don’t agree with this selection; personally, I would go with the tailback Trent Richardson. But I understand and respect the logic: You can get a playmaking receiver at No. 4 and be pretty sure you’ll get a running back at No. 22.(More from Mike Mayock on the Browns’ selection.) -
I think this might be the best positional player in the draft. In that division, where there’s an awful lot of offense, I love the thought of Richardson behind an offense line that is physical and tough. He will be an All-Pro. (More from Mike Mayock on the Buccaneers’ selection.) -
The Rams are wide open. They can take anybody. They have so many needs. Claiborne has the best ball skills by far of any defensive back in this draft. (More from Mike Mayock on the Rams’ selection.) -
Jacksonville is in a tough position — the perception is that there are six blue-chip players out there. The Jaguars sit at No. 7. What do you do? Michael Floyd might be the best player on the board, but they’re averse to risk in Jacksonville. I think new coach Mel Tucker is going to get a new toy to play with and that toy is Melvin Ingram. (More from Mike Mayock on the Jaguars’ selection.) -
Everybody wants to talk about Tannehill at No. 8 to the Dolphins. He’s No. 19 on my big board, so on one hand I think you’re over-drafting when you take him that high. On the other hand, I recognize the potential and recognize the talent. He’s at least a year away from being a functional NFL quarterback. (More from Mike Mayock on the Dolphins’ selection.) -
Love this pick. It’s been an offensive draft thus far, so they get one of the top-ranked defensive players. Can play inside, can play outside. Boy, will he help Carolina. (More from Mike Mayock on the Panthers’ selection.) -
Everybody is telling me offensive tackle, but remember what division the Bills play in. It’s the New England Patriots’ division, and they happen to have a couple of dangerous tight ends. You better have an answer. (More from Mike Mayock on the Bills’ selection.) -
Let me preface this by saying GM Scott Pioli is risk-averse. You could look at Dontari Poe here, but there’s so much “boom or bust” in him. Barron is one of the safest picks in the draft. Pair him with Eric Berry and you’ve got the best safety combo in the league. (More from Mike Mayock on the Chiefs’ selection.) -
He’s a boom-or-bust candidate. He had a big year as a junior at defensive tackle and got on everyone’s radar. But to me, Coples is not a first-round pick off his senior year of tape, when he was playing defensive end. I recognize his talent, though. He had a great Senior Bowl week and I think Pete Carroll can get the most out of him. (More from Mike Mayock on the Seahawks’ selection.) -
Arizona at No. 13 is interesting because the Cardinals could use a wideout. However, playing in the NFC West, you better have some physicality and toughness. Reiff is a plug-and-play right tackle. He’s not ready to play on the left side, but he’s physical, tough and he’ll compete with that San Francisco defense. (More from Mike Mayock on the Cardinals’ selection.) -
The Cowboys are a little upset here. They wanted Mark Barron. They might have tried to trade up. Brockers is a guy on the first two downs who can be a stout run defender and has the ability to push the pocket in the future. (More from Mike Mayock on the Cowboys’ selection.) -
We all know that Asante Samuel is out. With Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the final year of his contract, though, I think you have to take a corner. Gilmore is the No. 8 player on my entire board. (More from Mike Mayock on the Eagles’ selection.) -
We didn’t think Michael Floyd was going to slide to No. 16. Toss him in with Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley and Floyd’s big body will make everyone better. He’ll beat you outside the numbers and in the red zone. Michael Floyd is the real deal and he’ll make Mark Sanchez a better quarterback. (More from Mike Mayock on the Jets’ selection.) -
There’s nothing but age and injury on the Bengals’ secondary, and here’s a guy who’s a physical, tough corner coached by Nick Saban at Alabama. He can play zone, he can play man, he can play press, he can play off. He’s the last quality corner to come off the board in the first round. (More from Mike Mayock on the Bengals’ selection.) -
Mercilus (16 sacks, nine forced fumbles) fits San Diego’s 3-4 scheme and is a difference-making edge rusher. San Diego needs that desperately. (More from Mike Mayock on the Chargers’ selection.) -
The Bears cannot believe Chandler Jones has fallen to them. The general public might not know a lot about him, but my view is — and I’ll take a lot of heat for this — three years from now, he might be the best defensive player to come out of this draft. (More from Mike Mayock on the Bears’ selection.) -
The Titans are going to go with the height, weight and speed specimen out of Georgia Tech. Kenny Britt is a true No. 1, but his reliability is questionable. Hill’s so good he might catch 30 balls and six will go for touchdowns. (More from Mike Mayock on the Titans’ selection.) -
I had Cincy go defense at No. 17, so now I’ll have the Bengals address the offense. DeCastro is a plug-and-play guard. DeCastro significantly upgrades Cincinnati’s athleticism at guard, as he is the best pulling guard in this year’s draft. (More from Mike Mayock on the Bengals’ selection.)
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The Browns have now given their quarterback a first-class receiver in Blackmon and a three-down back in Martin. This is one of the best pass-protecting RBs in this draft. (More from Mike Mayock on the Browns’ selection.)
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They’ve got a need at defensive end. I think it’s Upshaw, who will stick his hand in the dirt and rush the quarterback in Detroit. (More from Mike Mayock on the Lions’ selection.) -
A swing tackle/guard would be the ideal guy for the Steelers, and Glenn played left tackle last year at Georgia. I think right tackle will be his best fit in the NFL, though. (More from Mike Mayock on the Steelers’ selection.) -
I’ve been trying to find a spot for him since pick No. 11 with the Chiefs. The Broncos need a guy who can come in and play inside. At 350 pounds with movement skills like Haloti Ngata, Poe is the guy. On third down, when most defensive tackles are out of the game, Poe will be at his most effective. (More from Mike Mayock on the Broncos’ selection.) -
Would I rather have the fourth-best wideout or the best tight end? Fleener’s a vertical threat, and the Texans are a zone-run team, which will protect him in the running game. I think it’s a great fit. (More from Mike Mayock on the Texans’ selection.) -
Defense, defense, defense with the Patriots. I’m not a huge fan of this kid. I’ve got him No. 49 on my board. So why do I have him going to the Patriots? Because he brings edge-rushing abilities to the table, and perhaps Bill Belichick can do for Perry what I think Pete Carroll will do for Quinton Coples. (More from Mike Mayock on the Patriots’ selection.) -
The Packers’ turnover differential was amazing last year, but they’ve got to get better at the snap on defense. Clay Matthews is wonderful on one side, but he only had six sacks in 2011 because no one was on the other side. McClellin is No. 14 on my board and he will instantly upgrade the Packers’ defense. (More from Mike Mayock on the Packers’ selection.) -
Hightower is a great fit. Why? That Sam linebacker position is open in Baltimore and he can fit that need until the great Ray Lewis decides to retire. Once that happens, you’ve got a plug-and-play inside linebacker in the mold of Lewis. (More from Mike Mayock on the Ravens’ selection.) -
Keep in mind they were No. 26 in total offense and No. 29 in the passing game. They signed Mario Manningham and Randy Moss, but how much are you going to get out of those guys? I don’t know. Give me this rocket from Baylor. (More from Mike Mayock on the 49ers’ selection.) -
Again: defense, defense, defense. If you take Smith, you’ve got an instinctive safety who will tackle. He’s tough and he’s really smart. You’ll get immediate dividends by drafting Smith. (More from Mike Mayock on the Patriots’ selection.)
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What a great job general manager Jerry Reese does. The Giants are a “best athlete available” team. They could use a tackle, however, and Martin could play on either side of the line. He also allows the Giants to keep David Diehl inside. (More from Mike Mayock on the Giants’ selection.)
