Well, I thought it would be interesting to take two distinct looks at the Draft, place them side-by-side and see what happens. One of the reasons I like the Draft so much is that two Draftnics, who really don’t see the Draft very differently, can have such different picks. So I thought it would be interesting to contrast them together, so it would be easier to see the differences. So here is a mock Draft from a friend the site, and my picks and comments added for contrasting value.

Going into the combine so a lot can change that’s why I wanted to kinda take a stab pre-combine with a fresh mock draft I share with you right here to see if there is some subtle rotation of new faces while some olds ones drop down a bit.  Sounds like fun so here it goes tell me what you think post-combine. If you can?

thanks, wes

ps.  there is no right or wrong.

1. Miami - Chris Long DE, Virginia 6-4 275 You know Miami will try like hell to trade out of the top pick for starters their expensive & secondly like to address multiple needs, yet is there a clear cut consensus #1 pick? I don't think so, you could make the argument for three or four. Therefore I'm going plain & simple with the highest rated player, don't know if they stay in a 3-4 defense or not but Long could play OLB or traditional 4-3 RDE.

My Pick: Matt Ryan. Word out of Miami is that they have Chris Long as their number one and Matt Ryan as their number two. I just can’t see them passing on the QB. This Franchise has been held hostage by the QB position since Marino retired.

2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey DT LSU 6-2 316 Need to get stronger up front & Dorsey will improve the interior D.

My Pick: Same. This pick just looks to perfect to happen.

3. Atlanta - Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas 6-2 210 I really don't think he slides past unique opportunities & converting the Falcon offense to a spread attack with Vick returning @ QB & McFadden has his out would be interesting to watch. Not to mention RB is a high priority with Warrick Dunn facing retirement.

My Pick: Chris Long. Again I think these are the two most likely players to be taken here.

4, Oakland - Sedric Ellis, DT 6-1 308 USC Stays home & anchors the Raiders DL. excellent pocket push & motor will also help stop the run.

My Pick: Same. Another pick to perfect to happen.

5. Kansas City - Jake Long, OT 6-7 315 Michigan Should address tackle with 1st pick, their choice but Jake seems ready to start as a rookie without a huge risk.

My Pick: Same. Another pick to perfect to happen.

6. NY JETS - Ryan Clady, OT 6-6 316 Boise State I can see Jet fans now screaming their approval or not, anyway this is probably my biggest departure from the norm here because I just feel they have the chance to assemble/complete a really great offensive line unit. doesn't matter who is the QB if he can't execute, am I right? Along with LT D'Brickashaw, C Nick Mangold, Clady would be an excellent fit on the right side.

My Pick: Darren McFadden. The more I think about it the more I like McFadden going to Atlanta. So with McFadden gone, who falls. Could it be Sed Ellis? I do like the Clady fit for the Jets, but it seems awfully early to me.

7. New England - Vernon Gholston OLB 6-4 258 Ohio State Pats depend on a pass rush from the outside linebacker position, in the Super bowl it turned out to be a weakness. They want to stay aggressive & will resign Assante Samuel so the play here is to upgrade their aging LB's.

My Pick: Same. This pick just makes me nervous. With Vrabel, Colvin, and Thomas OLB is not a priority. I would prefer an Inside ‘Backer, but Gholston is a super-freak, and he should explode at the Combine where his athletic abilities will really shine. However, I am moving more and more towards Leodis McKelvin. There is a lot of depth at CB in this years Draft, but a lot of scout question how many will be Number One CBs. The more I watch McKelvin, the more I think he will be a #1 in the new NFL, where touching a WR is a worse crime then Video Taping;-) He dominates the man he is covering, without ever really touching him. It is amazing to see. He backpedals so perfectly and always keeps himself in position see the QB and the WR, and make a play on the ball, and somehow never or rarely puts his hand on the WR. Being a physical Corner in college is not necessarily a positive in the NFL. Being a Corner who can consistently completely cover a WR without any contact is worth his weight in Salary Cap gold.  

8. Baltimore - Matt Ryan QB 6-5 224 BC slides here because of need more than anything, a very good prospect, size, technique & leadership but will need to grow into the position with the Ravens, if someone takes him sooner that is weighted too much on need, I think he struggles with athletic ability.

My Pick: Brain Brohm. The biggest question in the first round is can Baltimore pass on a QB, especially with all the O-Tackles available.

9. Cincinnati - Phillip Merling DE 6-5 272 Clemson ascending player who fills a position of need, has the size to play in a three point stance or standing up. this is a player who should really stand out @ his position in the combine.

My Pick: Keith Rivers. Interesting pick, I watched Merling dominate against B.C. I wasn’t really sure who he was before the game, but I sure knew his name after the game. I see him more as a 20-30 pick, but I can’t really argue with him in the top ten after what he did against my B.C. Eagles. I picked Rivers, because I think the Bengal’s Linebackers are just terrible.

10. New Orleans - Mike Jenkins CB 6-0 200 South Florida Good size, skill set & fills #1 need. will need to show up & produce @ the combine otherwise I would expect McKelvin to overtake him as the top cover corner.

My Pick: Dan Connor. Connor is really dropping like a stone, something I don’t really understand. I truly believe that in two or three years he will be judged as a top ten player to come out of this Draft. If I were the Pats I’d pull a Bill Walsh and trade down two or three times, picking up some Second Round picks, and pounce on him in the 20s. But, if New Orleans doesn’t take Connor, taking a CB would really help this defense. Either way I think the Saints are sitting pretty as CB and LB are their top two needs, and they should have their pick of three or four players.

11. Buffalo - Kentwan Balmer DT 6-5 308 North Carolina once again another ascending prospect who should really wow scouts/media @ the combine, very impressed watching him workout @ the Senior Bowl, has ideal hard to find natural NFL DT size, who can easily add more weight to his frame. With the end slots covered this would really help solidify the Bills DL.

My Pick: Leodis McKelvin. I keep giving the Bills a CB, yet I think their Corners played better then expected. Word out of Buffalo is that they want a DT in the First Round, that can only mean they are focused on Balmer, because Dorsey and Ellis will be long gone, and the rest of the DTs are borderline First Rounders at best.

12. Denver - Chris Williams OT 6-6 320 Vanderbilt ZBS quick, athletic tackle does not need long arms for the system fills void left by Matt Lepsis.

My Pick: Ryan Clady. I like the fit of Chris Williams to the Broncos. The more I think about it the more I believe he fits their system. He is a finesse blocker who is super-smooth and has excellent feet. His arms are a little short for a Left Tackle, but he moves backwards so well I don’t think that will be a problem. I have been moving Clady down and Williams up the past few weeks. Clady looked so huge when you watched him at Boise, against lower level competition, but really didn’t look as physically imposing at the Combine with players from Division 1. With players at lower levels sometimes they stand out soooo much they rise so fast, but the question becomes do there natural talents still stand out against similar talent players.

13. Carolina - Brian Brohm QB 6-3 227 Louisville Delhommes return is questionable, not going to mention the back-up, needless to say this is another need pick & Brohm has an NFL arm that has been groomed for the next level.

My Pick: Ryan Clady. It will be interesting to see where Clady and Brohm fall, in many ways they are the key to the understanding the Second part of the draft. There are the top six or seven players, then about 9 or 10 players who could go in any order. I am struggling to find a comfortable hole for both those players. I suppose we will have to wait for the rumors.

14. Chicago - Rashard Mendenhall RB 5-11 220 Illinois Benson is out, they already traded Thomas Jones so they need to address RB & I feel they get the best pure package here at a position of need.

My Pick: Andre Woodson. I really like this pick. Mendenhall makes a lot of sense for the Bears. I have been viciously and remorselessly attacked for giving the Bears Woodson. Woodson was an excellent college QB, who I happen to agree, does not translate well to the NFL. However, to say that the Bears don’t need a QB is just stupid.

15. Detroit - Jeff Otah OT 6-6 340 Pittsburgh Need is to solidify the OL Otah can start right away @ RT or either guard position which should really help on a number of fronts.

My Pick: Mike Jenkins. I think the Lions should a Left Tackle, and that if Clady or Otah slips to them they would be fools not to take one of them. However, word out of Detroit is that they want to replace both starting Corners, and they will take one if not two Corners in the first two rounds.

16. Arizona - Kenny Phillips FS 6-2 208 Miami Should help strengthen secondary, starter from day one will help to be mentored to some degree by Hurricane alum Rolle.

My Pick: Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. I love DRC and I think he is going to blow up at the Combine. The one thing you have to remember about DRC is that he is a track guy, and when they are doing track events, like the Combine, he will dominate. Philips is really falling as he played terrible last season. He played great his Sophomore year and teams are trying to figure out if his decline was an aberration or a trend.

17. Minnesota - Derrick Harvey DE 6-5 242 Florida Really sorry about Udeze (leukemia) James has not been outstanding for them either. when it comes to sack totals @ the end of the day Harvey has the style & speed to be at the top of his class.

My Pick: Derrick Harvey. A pass rushing force for a team that needs a passrusher.

18. Houston - Leodis McKelvin CB 5-11 190 Troy Excellent back peddle, ability to read plays with make-up speed if beaten. better tackler than advertised, aggressive break on ball, very fluid no wasted motion, very aggressive in run support.

 My Pick: Jonathon Stuart. I just can’t believe McKelvin will still be on the board at 18. The more I watch them the more I think DRC and McKelvin are not only the top CBs in the draft, but top ten talents as well. Plus, I think adding a bruising Corey Dillon-type RB to this Offense would really propel it into something interesting.

19. Philadelphia - Calais Campbell DE 6-7 280 Miami Address biggest need, thought it would be Merling but Cincy surprised everyone taking him early. Calasis could be a steal here & could play either end position.

My Pick: Kentwan Balmer. Our first real disagreement. I do not like Cambell at all. I believe he is vastly over-rated. He is slow, stiff, and plays way to high. I have him rated in the Second Round, more because of how high other Draftnics have him rated more then anything I’ve seen on film. I see a giant full of brute force, but little or no finesse or athleticism, and anyone who thinks he is athletic enough to play Outside Linebacker must immediately go to his local optometrist. In fact, I’m not sure he has the Athleticism to play 4-3 DE. I think he is a 3-4 5-Technique DE, or I would try to pump him up and move him inside to DT. My apologize to all the Cambell fans. Plus, word out Philly is they are asking, “Where’s the beff”, and are taking a Big Lineman, either O-Tackle or D-Tackle. So if they take Cambell, maybe they see him as a D-Tackle as well.

20. Tampa Bay - DeSean Jackson 6-0 180 WR Cal Brings outside threat to stretch the field need to start grooming replacement for Galloway to go along with Clayton.

My Pick: Chris Williams. Interesting pick of DeSean. I don’t have a feel for Tampa yet. However, word out of Tampa is that Cadillac may be done, and taking a RB on the first day is a priority. The RB depth in this years Draft is really astounding. So the question becomes, do you take one of these great talents in the First Round, or what to get one of the great slider RBs that will be taken lower then they should? Players like Chris Johnson and Felix Jones in Round Two, or Tashard Choice, and Jamaal Charles in Round Three.

21. Washington - Keith Rivers 6-2 240 OLB USC BPA. projected him much earlier possibly to New England but after that teams seem focused on addressing needs so he falls to the Skins providing outside pass rush & adding athletic ability. would be a mistake to draft someone to replace Sean Taylor with 1st pick (big shoes to fill) dynamic Rivers gives them another playmaker.

My Pick: DeSean Jackson. Interesting pick here. I just can’t see Rivers falling this far, but stranger things have happened in the Draft before. I still think they go DE, or a player to help Cambell. Especially with the signing of Zorn, I think you have to start thinking Offense here.

22. Dallas - Malcolm Kelly 6-4 220 WR Oklahoma Big, athletic, playmaker to develop next to Owens. too early to go RB with resigning Barber, a lot of scouts think that Kelly is the top WR in this draft class.

My Pick: Malcolm Kelly. Another pick to perfect to happen.

23. Pittsburgh - Anthony Collins 6-6 310 OT Kansas I'm probably the first to put him in the 1st rd. but feel he is the next best tackle available. long term pick, typical Steelers tough player with attitude.

My Pick: Aqib Talib. Another interesting pick. Collins has the feet and athleticism to play LT in the NFL, and could be a nice fit here. I just don’t like their Corners, in fact, I see them Drafting multiple DBs.

24. Tennessee - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie 6-2 180 CB/FS Tennessee State With Jones returning DRC gives them a solid secondary both young & talented. I'm not sold on any WR at this point, there are several good free agents available like Bernard Berrian & the titans have the cap space to get things done there instead.

My Pick: Kenny Philips. Titans are tough to figure, and I keep coming back to Limas Sweed. But can they take him here? My brother broke his wrist when he was a kid, and it never healed right. I am always nervous when I here someone broke their wrist, and his re-injuring it at the Senior Bowl made me very nervous.

25. Seattle - Jonathan Stewart 5-10 235 RB Oregon Shaun Alexander is not getting any younger & acquiring a franchise RB late in the 1st rd. makes a lot of sense while schooling JS to take over full time rushing duties.

My Pick: Rashard Mendenhall. I like Mendenhall more then Stewart, and I think he will keep moving up as we move closer and closer to the Combine. Either one would be a nice fit here.

26. Jacksonville - Dan Connor 6-3 233 MLB Penn State This is a Rio pick, like adding a coach (himself) on the field who will take on his personality. this represents great value here as well & should make the defense more difficult to move the football on than ever.

My Pick: Reggie Smith. Oh no you didn’t! Put my boy way down here;-) Connors is one of those player teams will regret passing on for year to come. If he is here, the Jags must take him. I just think the Jags need help in the Secondary at multiple positions, and Smith can play multiple positions, most importantly he could be a 2 or 3 Safety, or a 2 or 3 Corner.

27. San Diego - Pat Sims 6-4 312 NT Auburn. would look great playing NT in a 3-4. not sure how healthy or how many more years Williams has but this brings in another long term foundation player to keep strong up front.

My Pick: Red Bryant. Same thought different player. I may be over-rating Bryant a little. I just like what he did in his Bowl game and at the Senior Bowl. Sims has as much talent as Bryant, but does he have the desire?

28. Dallas - Felix Jones 6-0 200 RB Arkansas Jones replacement, brings the speed to compliment Barbers power. Dallas adds two offensive playmakers to build for the future while improving Romo’s weapons to win a Super Bowl now.

My Pick: Dre Moore.  I may be alone out here on the ledge, but I just don’t see Felix going in the First Round. I like him as a runner, I know he has extra value as a Returner, and his averaging 8.2 YPC is astonishing, but I just don’t think, in the end, he goes in the First Round. I do agree the only place to put him I the First Round Is this pick, if the Cowboys are picking here. I have them taking a WR and a NT in the First Round. I have been jamming those two needs into their slots for months. I don’t know why, it didn’t even feel right, I could move away from those picks. I have been informed by a passionate Cowboys fan that their biggest need is a Corner, and the more I think about the more I agree. I will have them take a Corner here or at 22, in my next Mock.

29. San Franscisco - Sam Baker 6-5 308 OT USC that’s right another tackle, hey they gave up a franchise high sack total (of course we know a lot of that could be on the QB) but they are losing Larry Allen (retirement) Justin Smilely (free agent) & Jonas Jennings (potential cap casualty). Baker fills a definite need.

My Pick: Early Doucet. Our second real disagreement. The more I watch Baker the Less I like him. He does not have great feet, and he has short arms. I seem him as a Guard and not a Tackle. I think he could slide all the way to the Third Round, especially with all the depth at O-Tackle in this years Draft. Plus, the 49ers WR stink. They can skip a WR here, because they have another pick in about 8 or 9 picks. Early Doucet will probably still be on the board at 38, 39, whatever they have, as I have him rated higher then most. Plus, Jordy Nelson, Mario Manningham, Andre Caldwell, Andre Royal, and Dexter Jackson will all probably be on the board. Plus, when you have a young QB, who you have invested 25-million in guaranteed money in, I can never argue with taking an O-Lineman. In fact, I may stick Gosder Cherilus here and Jordy Nelson with their Second Round pick.

30. Green Bay - Aqib Talib 6-2 202 CB Kansas picking Talib over Cason because of his experience in cold weather, both very good CB prospects here. Talib also has the size & physical advantage to play in the cover 2.

My Pick: Antoine Cason. Petty much the same pick. I have these two rated about the same. I think the Packer would be thrilled if either of this Corners dropped into their laps.

31. New England - Forfeited spy-gate

Is this the most over-blown, over-reported, over-hyped story ever. First, for the record, they DID NOT CHEAT. Anyone who says the Pats are cheaters does not what they are talking about. IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO TAPE THE OPPOSING SIDELINE DURING A GAME! Can we please stop pretending that nobody knows that. It is against the rules to tape the opposing sideline from your own sideline, or anyplace your coaches might be able to see the tape during the game. Belichick has stated repeatedly that he understood the rules to mean that the tape could not be used for an advantage during the game, but since he uses it for future reference only, he never saw any need to hide it. All teams “Steal” signals. The Colts higher a guy, Mooney, who does nothing else but stand on the sideline and watch the opposing signals, not only does every team the Colts face know he does this, but he has the reputation as being the best in the game at stealing signals during the game. And, most teams video tape the opposing sidelines during the game, and continue to tape the opposing sidelines during the game, they just do it from a fully covered booth that their coaches do not have access to, as the rules clearly state they can do.

32. NY GIANTS - Gosder Cherilus 6-7 315 OT BC the pressure is going to be on Manning as Super Bowl champions so he is going to need insurance more than anything & to do that both pass protection while maintaining the ground attack will insure this happens.