The Arizona Cardinals Are On The Clock

After reviewing the feedback from my first four picks in the 2011 NFL Draft, it is clear that the viewers feel as if the Buffalo Bills will draft a QB at third overall. Without question a quarter back is a huge priority for this team, but they have shown loyalty to Ryan Fitzpatrick. So why stop now? The past two years in Buffalo, Fitzpartick has more than doubled his passing yards, while throwing 14 more touchdowns this past season. (Although he did play in three more games). Looking at the Bills depth chart, their wide receivers after Johnson and the unproductive Evans are David Nelson, Donald Jones and Naaman Roosevelt. These three wide outs combined for 58 receptions this season. Buffalo Bills fan, Greg Howard sees the Bills either taking Green or someone on the defensive line. This could be true as the Bills released Marcus Stroud during the week of February 14. I'm sticking with AJ Green!


5) Arizona Cardinals: This is a team rumored to land Eagles quarter back Kevin Kolb, but while doing this mock draft I have to stick to the rosters right now. For the Cardinals to get Kolb, they would have to lose this draft pick. The Cardinals need help everywhere. This team finished dead last in the NFL in rushing yards a game and second to last in passing yards a game. So offense is a major concern to say the least. But when looking at the defense for the Cardinals they allowed a total of 434 points. This team has far too many needs right now. When it's all said and done I believe with the fifth overall pick, the Arizona Cardinals would draft Von Miller. Miller is an outside linebacker from Texas A&M and with Joey Porter unlikely returning next season Arizona needs to find a replacement. Therefore, keep this draft pick and select the best linebacker in this class to help fix that terrible defense.

6) Cleveland Browns: Ever since October second I firmly believed the Cleveland Browns would draft AJ Green. Each day leading up to the draft it is becoming more unlikely that Green ends up in Cleveland. So the Browns must look else where. This team was 29th in passing yards a game, but myself along with Browns fans would agree that rookie QB Colt McCoy showed promise along with potential. This team has a solid offensive line to protect McCoy and Peyton Hillis played his way into Clevelander's hearts. The defense might be in trouble. Defensive Coordinator (DC) Rob Ryan took his talents to Dallas, and new head coach Pat Shurmur and DC Dick Jauron might switch to the 4-3. The Browns used Ben Watson a lot more than we all thought, but he had a very successful season. He led the Browns in receiving with 763 yards, the next Brown is about 300 yards behind! The only problem is Shurmur is known to not use the tight ends in the passing game. Yet another reason Green makes sense, but with him off the board I believe the Browns go with defense here. The Browns recently released defensive tackle Ted Washington so Marcell Dareus, from Alabama is an option. Or they could snag the best player on the big board and that's Patrick Peterson. Drafting him to play along side of Joe Haden, who the Browns drafted with their first round pick a year ago would solidify their CB's for the next seven years. This would also give the Browns flexibility with their Special Teams behind Josh Cribbs. After going back and forth with this pick, I finally made up my mind. The Browns ranked 27th in stopping the run and being in a division with teams who are known for running the ball, I see the Browns selecting the dominant 300 pound Marcell Dareus. Want to argue that, watch the film from their bowl game against Michigan State.

7) San Fransisco 49ers: If the draft goes this way the 49ers are sitting there with one huge smile. This team finished six and 10 and only one game back of winning their division. Certainly quarter back is one of their top priorities, but sitting at seventh overall they will select elsewhere. Their best corner is 31 years old and Patrick Peterson is still on the board. He is the pick here. The 49ers new head coach, Jim Harbaugh is a guy that thrives on defense. Coming from Standford, I can see this team passing on a QB and hoping to find themselves in the Andrew Luck sweep stakes during the 2012 draft. Remember, this team could have been a playoff team had running back Frank Gore not gone down with an injury. If Michael Crabtree can start the season more productively than last year and this team has potential to be a threat on offense no matter whose at quarter back. So why not continue to fix up the defense that finished 24th in passing yards against.

8) Tennessee Titans: Not only did the Titans finish at six and 10 they only one won game since Halloween. The defense only allowed 339 points all season and had five players with at least 100 tackles. It's safe to say Randy Moss did not pan out in Tennessee, but Kenny Britt, Nate Washington and Justin Gage are all talented wide receivers. One problem, Kerry Collins is getting older and Vince Young won't be around to start the season. The Titans have a desire at quarter back and with Blaine Gabbert, from Missouri on the board the Titans will select him. Look, this is no shot at Gabbert, but in my early predictions with this years class he is my most overrated player. Potentially being drafted as high as number 3, is just ridiculous. Yes, he's six foot five, and with two college seasons under his belt his numbers declined from his sophomore to junior year. He threw 30 more passes for 400 yards less and his touchdowns declined by eight. I'm just not sold on this quarter back, especially as a top five to ten player.

Next on the clock, with the ninth pick is the Dallas Cowboys, at 10) Washington Redskins, 11) Houston Texans, and 12) Minnesota Vikings. Where will Nebraska corner back Prince Amukamara land? Other notable players include Robert Quinn, and Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. Go ahead Browns' fans, let the chatter begin about passing on Patrick Peterson.