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1. Colts -- Andrew Luck - No explanation needed
2. Washington Redskins -- Robert Griffin -- QB -- Baylor -- Washington trades up and gets their franchise QB.
3. Minnesota Vikings -- Justin Blackmon -- WR -- OK State -- I don't see Minnesota passing on Blackmon when he is the piece that is missing from their offense. With AP in the backfield and Harvin working the middle, Blackmon will be the perfect weapon on the outside for their sophomore QB.
4. Cleveland Browns --Trent Richardson-- RB -- Alabama - They allowed Hillis to leave in FA probably knowing they would have first dibs on the best RB available in the draft. That guy is Richardson and he can provide the Browns with an elite run game behind what is already a solid OL.
5. Tampa Bay Bucs -- Morris Claiborne -- CB -- LSU -- Claiborne fills a big need for the Bucs and is also a great value at #5 as he has elite level skills from the CB position.
6. St.Louis Rams -- Malcolm Floyd -- WR -- Notre Dame -- The Rams haven't addressed the WR position in a long time and Bradford will need an elite target if he is going to take the next step in his development. Floyd is that big target that can make plays all over the field and in a variety of ways.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Mark Barron -- S -- Alabama -- Jacksonville has been terrible in the secondary for a very long time. Barron becomes a playmaker in the backfieid for them who has the instincts and explosiveness to make plays in both the pass game and run game.
8. Miami Dolphins -- Ryan Tannehill -- QB -- Texas A&M -- The Fins need an edge rusher an OT and a WR. Neither position fits here at #8 so they grab Tannehill in hopes his abilities can be molded into a franchise QB.
9. Carolina Panthers -- Fletcher Cox -- DT -- Mississippi -- This is a no brainer pick as Fletcher Cox is considered one of the best players in the draft and really fills a need for the Panthers who were very soft against the run and couldn't generate inside pressure. Cox makes a lot of sense here.
10. Buffalo Bills -- Matt Kalil -- OT -- USC -- The Bills were not really expecting this but knew it could be a possibility since the need at OT in the top 10 was not there after pick 3. Kalil is a day 1 starter at LT and should be that franchise LT every team covets. Buffalo in particular need an athletic LT as they play a lot out of the single back and empty set formations which puts pressure on the outside protectors. At 6'7 and 306 Kalil has room to fill out which will make him an even more imposing player.
11. Kansas City Chiefs -- Courtney Upshaw -- OLB -- Alabama -- The Chiefs are a pure 3-4 and that will fit Upshaw nicely. A tough, physical player Upshaw brings polished pass rush skills and the attitude of a Alabama defensive player to play opposite Tamba Hali who was the Chiefs only pass rush threat last season.
12. Seattle Seahawks -- Melvin Ingram -- DE -- South Carolina -- The Hawks need more pass rush and a better QB. With no QB available here they go with Ingram to go get someone else's QB.
13. Arizona Cardinals -- David DeCastro -- OG -- Stanford -- Arizona wants to be dominant running the football with Wisenhunt and Grimm still in charge of the offense. They brought in Allan Faneca to be the dominant run blocking LG but he was at the end of his career. If anyone will remind them of the old Faneca its DeCastro. Coming from a pro offense at Stanford DeCastro will instantly upgrade the Cardinal running game giving Beanie Wells bigger holes to run through.
14. Dallas Cowboys -- Kendall Wright -- WR -- Baylor -- Dallas wants to be more consistent on offense and they know the value of an explosive slot receiver having faced Victor Cruz twice last year. Wright however is not only a threat from the slot or in the middle, he makes plays down the field and in the endzone. Also key is the loss of Laurent Robinson who played a big role last year.
15. Philadelphia Eagles -- Dontari Poe -- The Eagles defense is talented but soft. They lacked a strong spine from DT to MLB and Safety. Poe will give the Eagles much needed toughness inside as he stands 6'4 and almost 350 pounds. Poe also combines that size with uncanny athleticism for a man that big. He should command a double team early on as a rookie and allow the Eagle LBs to flow to the ball.
16. New York Jets -- Luke Kuechly -- ILB -- Boston College -- The Jets need a character face-lift and Kuechly is a good start. He also would excel in Rex's defense with his intelligence and speed to the football. Plus, Bart Scott may not be around too much longer.
17. Cincinnati Bengals -- Janoris Jenkins -- CB -- Northern Alabama -- Cinncinati has a history of selecting signing troubled players and it won't end here. Although he had some character issues that resulted in a move out of Florida, Jenkins is not far from being the top rated CB in this draft. His change of direction skills and ability to shut down top receivers is elite. The Bengals could be getting a top 5 selection at 17.
18. San Diego Chargers -- Donta Hightower -- ILB -- Alabama -- The Chargers have become a soft defensive unit and really need to add youth to the middle of their defense. Antonio Garay (NT) is a FA and Spikes is their starter at ILB. Hightower is a big man at 6'4 258 pounds and can also run, cover and pressure the QB. He will bring toughness and scheme familiarity to the Chargers.
19. Chicago Bears -- Jonathan Martin -- OT -- Stanford -- The Bears OL is still sketchy. If they want to get the best out of Cutler and his deep throwing ability he needs time to throw. The Bears with Cutler have become almost more of a passing team than a running team and have lacked that blindside protector for years. Cutler was at his best when he had Clady protecting him in Denver so the Bears take one of the best pure pass blocking LTs in the draft.
20. Tennessee Titans -- Stephon Gilmore -- CB -- South Carolina -- Gilmore fills the void left by Cortland Finnegan. The Titans lean heavily on their CBs so it makes sense for them to take Gilmore here without hesitation.
21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Cordy Glenn -- OT/OG -- Georgia -- You have to run the ball to play in the AFC North which is what Cordy Gleen specializes in. Glenn is a big man at 6'5 330 and might even project to OT in the NFL. Either way he will help the Bengals run game when the go up against the big defenses in their division.
22. Cleveland Browns -- Quinton Coples -- DE -- North Carolina -- The Browns moved to a 4-3 defense last year but never really addressed the DE position. Coples fall to 22 makes this an easy pick as he has the ability to be an elite DE in the NFL. Questions surrounding his desire and quickness however are potential roadblocks.
23. Detroit Lions -- Chandler Jones -- DE -- Syracuse -- The Lions are strong up the middle but can use upgrades and youth at DE. Avril is not signed and KVB might not have too much left. Jones has all the measurables you want in an elite DE. Height, freakishly long arms, and enough weight to hold his ground. His production wasn't as good as it could have/should have been but the Lions take a chance here on his promise.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Dre Kirkpatrick -- CB -- Alabama -- The Steelers biggest weakness over the last 2 or 3 seasons has been their secondary. They have not been able to cover opposing WRs which has reduced the effectiveness of their pass rush. Kirkpatrick fits the mold of Steeler DBs with his impressive size.
25. Denver Broncos -- Riley Reiff -- OT -- Iowa -- Denver really needs to upgrade at DT to stop the run but if they can protect Manning for 4 seconds and build leads early in games they won't need to stop the run. Ryan Clady is locked in at LT but Reiff can come in and solidify that RT spot and ensure Manning takes as few hits as possible and time to pick defenses apart. Denver will be built very similar to Manning's Colts, pass blocking OL, playmakers at WR (Thomas, Decker) and 2 elite pass rushers to protect the lead in Miller and Dumervil.
26. Houston Texans -- Stephen Hill -- WR -- Georgia Tech -- The Texans have needed to find a solid #2 opposite AJ for a long time so they select Hill here who has impressive size and blazing speed. His production was not quite there in terms of showing completeness in his game but that might have more to do with the offensive scheme at Tech. Hill can really open things up for AJ and vice versa.
27. New England Patriots -- Whitney Mercilus -- DE -- Illinois -- Mercilus is a bit of a one year wonder but he has great size and athleticism and the Pats get him at the bottom of the first which makes it much less risky. The Pats are losing Mark Anderson to FA and Carter is coming off injury and a year older. This is a bit of a need pick.
28. Green Bay Packers -- Nick Perry -- OLB -- USC -- The Packers defense really dropped off last year and a lot of that was done to their pass rush that was not quite as potent as it was in 2010. Perry has been a productive player at USC for 3 seasons which makes him an attractive pick for GMs. He could actually go a lot higher than 28.
29. Baltimore Ravens -- Shea McClellin-- OLB -- Boise State -- The Ravens just lost a similar player in Jarrett Johnson, heady, tough, can rush the passer and also set the edge in the run game.
30. San Francisco 49ers --- Coby Fleener -- TE -- Stanford -- Harbaugh pick here as he goes back to Stanford for a very talented TE. Yes they have Davis but having more than one TE in your offense that can stretch a defense is useful. Ask Tom Brady.
31. New England Patriots -- Michael Brockers -- DT -- LSU -- The Pats continue to re-build their DL that has fallen off from what it used to be. Brockers is a stout inside player who also gets into the backfield to make plays.
32. New York Giants -- Kevin Zeitler -- OG -- Wisconsin -- The Giants run game was not as dominant as it once was and a lot of it has to do with quality in the interior. They need upgrades at C and OG so they go with Zeitler here who is a perfect fit in the Giants scheme. Big, strong mauler who creates holes in the run game and dependable enough in pass protection.
2. Washington Redskins -- Robert Griffin -- QB -- Baylor -- Washington trades up and gets their franchise QB.
3. Minnesota Vikings -- Justin Blackmon -- WR -- OK State -- I don't see Minnesota passing on Blackmon when he is the piece that is missing from their offense. With AP in the backfield and Harvin working the middle, Blackmon will be the perfect weapon on the outside for their sophomore QB.
4. Cleveland Browns --Trent Richardson-- RB -- Alabama - They allowed Hillis to leave in FA probably knowing they would have first dibs on the best RB available in the draft. That guy is Richardson and he can provide the Browns with an elite run game behind what is already a solid OL.
5. Tampa Bay Bucs -- Morris Claiborne -- CB -- LSU -- Claiborne fills a big need for the Bucs and is also a great value at #5 as he has elite level skills from the CB position.
6. St.Louis Rams -- Malcolm Floyd -- WR -- Notre Dame -- The Rams haven't addressed the WR position in a long time and Bradford will need an elite target if he is going to take the next step in his development. Floyd is that big target that can make plays all over the field and in a variety of ways.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Mark Barron -- S -- Alabama -- Jacksonville has been terrible in the secondary for a very long time. Barron becomes a playmaker in the backfieid for them who has the instincts and explosiveness to make plays in both the pass game and run game.
8. Miami Dolphins -- Ryan Tannehill -- QB -- Texas A&M -- The Fins need an edge rusher an OT and a WR. Neither position fits here at #8 so they grab Tannehill in hopes his abilities can be molded into a franchise QB.
9. Carolina Panthers -- Fletcher Cox -- DT -- Mississippi -- This is a no brainer pick as Fletcher Cox is considered one of the best players in the draft and really fills a need for the Panthers who were very soft against the run and couldn't generate inside pressure. Cox makes a lot of sense here.
10. Buffalo Bills -- Matt Kalil -- OT -- USC -- The Bills were not really expecting this but knew it could be a possibility since the need at OT in the top 10 was not there after pick 3. Kalil is a day 1 starter at LT and should be that franchise LT every team covets. Buffalo in particular need an athletic LT as they play a lot out of the single back and empty set formations which puts pressure on the outside protectors. At 6'7 and 306 Kalil has room to fill out which will make him an even more imposing player.
11. Kansas City Chiefs -- Courtney Upshaw -- OLB -- Alabama -- The Chiefs are a pure 3-4 and that will fit Upshaw nicely. A tough, physical player Upshaw brings polished pass rush skills and the attitude of a Alabama defensive player to play opposite Tamba Hali who was the Chiefs only pass rush threat last season.
12. Seattle Seahawks -- Melvin Ingram -- DE -- South Carolina -- The Hawks need more pass rush and a better QB. With no QB available here they go with Ingram to go get someone else's QB.
13. Arizona Cardinals -- David DeCastro -- OG -- Stanford -- Arizona wants to be dominant running the football with Wisenhunt and Grimm still in charge of the offense. They brought in Allan Faneca to be the dominant run blocking LG but he was at the end of his career. If anyone will remind them of the old Faneca its DeCastro. Coming from a pro offense at Stanford DeCastro will instantly upgrade the Cardinal running game giving Beanie Wells bigger holes to run through.
14. Dallas Cowboys -- Kendall Wright -- WR -- Baylor -- Dallas wants to be more consistent on offense and they know the value of an explosive slot receiver having faced Victor Cruz twice last year. Wright however is not only a threat from the slot or in the middle, he makes plays down the field and in the endzone. Also key is the loss of Laurent Robinson who played a big role last year.
15. Philadelphia Eagles -- Dontari Poe -- The Eagles defense is talented but soft. They lacked a strong spine from DT to MLB and Safety. Poe will give the Eagles much needed toughness inside as he stands 6'4 and almost 350 pounds. Poe also combines that size with uncanny athleticism for a man that big. He should command a double team early on as a rookie and allow the Eagle LBs to flow to the ball.
16. New York Jets -- Luke Kuechly -- ILB -- Boston College -- The Jets need a character face-lift and Kuechly is a good start. He also would excel in Rex's defense with his intelligence and speed to the football. Plus, Bart Scott may not be around too much longer.
17. Cincinnati Bengals -- Janoris Jenkins -- CB -- Northern Alabama -- Cinncinati has a history of selecting signing troubled players and it won't end here. Although he had some character issues that resulted in a move out of Florida, Jenkins is not far from being the top rated CB in this draft. His change of direction skills and ability to shut down top receivers is elite. The Bengals could be getting a top 5 selection at 17.
18. San Diego Chargers -- Donta Hightower -- ILB -- Alabama -- The Chargers have become a soft defensive unit and really need to add youth to the middle of their defense. Antonio Garay (NT) is a FA and Spikes is their starter at ILB. Hightower is a big man at 6'4 258 pounds and can also run, cover and pressure the QB. He will bring toughness and scheme familiarity to the Chargers.
19. Chicago Bears -- Jonathan Martin -- OT -- Stanford -- The Bears OL is still sketchy. If they want to get the best out of Cutler and his deep throwing ability he needs time to throw. The Bears with Cutler have become almost more of a passing team than a running team and have lacked that blindside protector for years. Cutler was at his best when he had Clady protecting him in Denver so the Bears take one of the best pure pass blocking LTs in the draft.
20. Tennessee Titans -- Stephon Gilmore -- CB -- South Carolina -- Gilmore fills the void left by Cortland Finnegan. The Titans lean heavily on their CBs so it makes sense for them to take Gilmore here without hesitation.
21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Cordy Glenn -- OT/OG -- Georgia -- You have to run the ball to play in the AFC North which is what Cordy Gleen specializes in. Glenn is a big man at 6'5 330 and might even project to OT in the NFL. Either way he will help the Bengals run game when the go up against the big defenses in their division.
22. Cleveland Browns -- Quinton Coples -- DE -- North Carolina -- The Browns moved to a 4-3 defense last year but never really addressed the DE position. Coples fall to 22 makes this an easy pick as he has the ability to be an elite DE in the NFL. Questions surrounding his desire and quickness however are potential roadblocks.
23. Detroit Lions -- Chandler Jones -- DE -- Syracuse -- The Lions are strong up the middle but can use upgrades and youth at DE. Avril is not signed and KVB might not have too much left. Jones has all the measurables you want in an elite DE. Height, freakishly long arms, and enough weight to hold his ground. His production wasn't as good as it could have/should have been but the Lions take a chance here on his promise.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Dre Kirkpatrick -- CB -- Alabama -- The Steelers biggest weakness over the last 2 or 3 seasons has been their secondary. They have not been able to cover opposing WRs which has reduced the effectiveness of their pass rush. Kirkpatrick fits the mold of Steeler DBs with his impressive size.
25. Denver Broncos -- Riley Reiff -- OT -- Iowa -- Denver really needs to upgrade at DT to stop the run but if they can protect Manning for 4 seconds and build leads early in games they won't need to stop the run. Ryan Clady is locked in at LT but Reiff can come in and solidify that RT spot and ensure Manning takes as few hits as possible and time to pick defenses apart. Denver will be built very similar to Manning's Colts, pass blocking OL, playmakers at WR (Thomas, Decker) and 2 elite pass rushers to protect the lead in Miller and Dumervil.
26. Houston Texans -- Stephen Hill -- WR -- Georgia Tech -- The Texans have needed to find a solid #2 opposite AJ for a long time so they select Hill here who has impressive size and blazing speed. His production was not quite there in terms of showing completeness in his game but that might have more to do with the offensive scheme at Tech. Hill can really open things up for AJ and vice versa.
27. New England Patriots -- Whitney Mercilus -- DE -- Illinois -- Mercilus is a bit of a one year wonder but he has great size and athleticism and the Pats get him at the bottom of the first which makes it much less risky. The Pats are losing Mark Anderson to FA and Carter is coming off injury and a year older. This is a bit of a need pick.
28. Green Bay Packers -- Nick Perry -- OLB -- USC -- The Packers defense really dropped off last year and a lot of that was done to their pass rush that was not quite as potent as it was in 2010. Perry has been a productive player at USC for 3 seasons which makes him an attractive pick for GMs. He could actually go a lot higher than 28.
29. Baltimore Ravens -- Shea McClellin-- OLB -- Boise State -- The Ravens just lost a similar player in Jarrett Johnson, heady, tough, can rush the passer and also set the edge in the run game.
30. San Francisco 49ers --- Coby Fleener -- TE -- Stanford -- Harbaugh pick here as he goes back to Stanford for a very talented TE. Yes they have Davis but having more than one TE in your offense that can stretch a defense is useful. Ask Tom Brady.
31. New England Patriots -- Michael Brockers -- DT -- LSU -- The Pats continue to re-build their DL that has fallen off from what it used to be. Brockers is a stout inside player who also gets into the backfield to make plays.
32. New York Giants -- Kevin Zeitler -- OG -- Wisconsin -- The Giants run game was not as dominant as it once was and a lot of it has to do with quality in the interior. They need upgrades at C and OG so they go with Zeitler here who is a perfect fit in the Giants scheme. Big, strong mauler who creates holes in the run game and dependable enough in pass protection.
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