Andrew Luck and All the Others

With the Super Bowl champion crowned and another exciting NFL season coming to a close, teams now turn their watchful eye on the rising crop of declared collegiate athletes vying for a chance to shine at the next level. First, these athletes will get an opportunity to show off their physical skills at the NFL Draft Combine from Feb. 22-28, and then show off during their respective pro days where teams are able to evaluate a player individually. This will be the last chance for the NCAA’s best to improve their draft stock before the first round takes place on national television at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26.

1.      Indianapolis Colts- Stanford QB Andrew Luck
With each passing day, Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay hate each other even more. The whole thing is a mess. Luck-ily for them (you see what I did there?), the Stanford product is a can’t miss prospect at QB and falls right into their laps at number one. Robert Griffin is talented as well and seems to be rising up team’s boards, but Luck has been dropping jaws for three years now with his poise, accuracy and ability to throw on the run. Replacing Peyton Manning is going to be no easy task, but if anyone can do it, I’ll put my money on Luck. This kid can play, and is only going to get better. Unfortunately for the Colts, they have plenty of other glaring needs, but after Manning takes off they should be in good hands for years to come.

2.      St. Louis Rams- Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon
After taking a look at what A.J. Green and Julio Jones did for their respective teams during the 2011 NFL season, the Rams would be wise to choose the physical specimen that is Justin Blackmon. At 6-foot-1, 212 pounds with 4.3 speed, Blackmon is as safe a pick at the wide receiver position as you can get. The guy managed to snag over 200 balls for over 3,200 yards and 38 TDs the last two years. He was a man among boys. Combine his size, hands, route-running, explosive attack of the ball and hard-working attitude, and you have a sure starter in the NFL. Sam Bradford is a good NFL quarterback, but his numbers say otherwise because he’s been throwing to the likes of Donnie Avery, Danario Alexander and Danny Amendola over the last couple years (now that’s a trivia question). If the Rams are able to give Bradford an explosive receiver to compliment perennial pro-bowl running back Steven Jackson on the offensive side of the ball, the Rams could be a much improved team in 2012.

3.      Minnesota Vikings- LSU CB Morris Claiborne
So what’s the obvious solution for one of the league’s most porous past defenses? The top corner prospect in the class, of course. Is LSU breeding these guys or what? Patrick Peterson was a top 10 pick last year, Morris Claiborne is expected to be one this year, and I’m sure as long as the Honey Badger (Tyrann Mathieu) continues to not give a s***, he’ll be sure to join both of them as a top pick next year. As for Mr. Claiborne, he’s very comparable to Peterson (except he doesn’t have quite the return skills), and may actually be a better one-on-one corner. He doesn’t have world class speed, but his quickness and his football IQ are off the charts. He also has no recent injury history or character issues to speak of, which keeps the 6-foot, 185 pound corner at the top of everyone’s draft boards. Luckily for Minnesota, he’ll most likely be available.

4.      Cleveland Browns- Baylor QB Robert Griffin III
I won’t lie. At the beginning of the 2011 college football season, I had not even remotely heard of this guy. It took three games for me to notice him and an absurd 15 touchdown passes and only 14 incompletions. Shame on me, this guy is a STUD. Before it was all said and done, the guy even messed around and won himself a Heisman. He can make all the throws, he has great mobility (think Vince Young) and is extremely polished. The Redskins and Seahawks would both like RG3 to fall in their laps this year, but they can beg and plead Mike Holmgren all they want because there is no shot he makes it past this pick. The Browns have been treading water with Colt McCoy the last couple of years, and while he’s played at a competent level and had his moments, he’s more of an NFL backup than an NFL starter. RG3 has the chance to step right in as a rookie (which seems to be the trend these days), and make an immediate impact on a team that was 24th in passing offense last year. Expect he and Greg Little to make sweet music together in 2012.

5.      Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Alabama RB Trent Richardson
Why Trent Richardson? Hear me out for a second, Bucs fans. I know LaGarrette Blount mesmerizes you guys every third game by breaking six tackles on one play, but he is not consistent enough of a runner between the tackles to keep moving the chains, and is useless on passing downs. So when you’re blessed with this high a pick in the draft (after an otherworldly disappointing season), you take the best player available. According to this mock draft, that player is Trent Richardson. He’s just as content powering through defenses as he is using his speed and elusiveness to run around them. The guy is an incredible talent, and I don’t pass up a running back that runs a 4.4 and benches 475 pounds with ease because the trainers at Alabama won’t let him do any more than that. You’re not going to find that kind of physical ability just lying around. Besides, running back-by-committee is in these days anyways.

6.      Washington Redskins- Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd
7.      Jacksonville Jaguars- USC OT Matt Kalil
8.      Miami Dolphins- North Carolina DE Quinton Coples
9.      Carolina Panthers- Penn St. DT Devon Still
10.  Buffalo Bills- Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus
11.  Seattle Seahawks- Alabama CB Dre’ Kirkpatrick
12.  Kansas City Chiefs- Iowa OT Riley Reiff
13.  Arizona Cardinals- Ohio State OT Mike Adams
14.  Dallas Cowboys- Boston College ILB Luke Kuechley
15.  Philadelphia Eagles- Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw
16.  New York Jets- Alabama S Mark Barron
17.  Cincinnati Bengals- Stanford OG David Decastro
18.  San Diego Chargers- South Carolina OLB Melvin Ingram
19.  Chicago Bears- South Carolina WR Alshon Jefferey
20.  Tennessee Titans- Baylor WR Kendall Wright
21.  Cincinnati Bengals- Virginia Tech RB David Wilson
22.  Cleveland Browns- Memphis DT Dontari Poe
23.  Detroit Lions- Wisconsin C Peter Konz
24.  Pittsburgh Steelers- Mississippi St. DT Fletcher Cox
25.  Denver Broncos- Clemson TE Dwayne Allen
26.  Houston Texans- Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu
27.  New England Patriots- North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins
28.  Green Bay Packers- USC DE Nick Perry
29.  Baltimore Ravens- Nebraska DE Jared Crick
30.  San Francisco 49ers- Georgia CB Brandon Boykin
31.  New England Patriots- LSU WR Rueben Randle
32.  New York Giants- Georgia OG Cordy Glenn