This article is part of our NFL Offseason Watch series.
Three trades in this edition:
1. The Redskins trade the sixth pick and all of the team's future picks to St. Louis for the second pick.
2. The Seahawks trade the 12th pick and the 43rd pick to Jacksonville for the seventh pick and their fourth-round pick.
3. The Cowboys trade the 50th pick and their 2013 first-round pick to Denver for the 25th pick.
1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford (6-4, 234)
Luck might not run a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, but he's still the first pick. Luck is less of an injury worry than Robert Griffin and is much more polished for the pro game.
2. Washington Redskins (from STL) -- Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor (6-2, 223)
The trade value of this pick may be subject to inflation like we've never seen before. It appears that a historic bounty is on the rights to draft Griffin, and risk of that magnitude is the Dan Snyder Bat Signal.
3. Minnesota Vikings -- Matt Kalil, OT, USC (6-7, 306)
Kalil stands clearly above the other tackle prospects in this draft and he would provide Minnesota with an immediate upgrade at left tackle.
4. Cleveland Browns -- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU (5-11, 188)
Trent Richardson would make plenty of sense for Cleveland, but the new CBA and its rookie pay scale make a pick like Claiborne a more efficient use of resources. He would team with Joe Haden to give the Browns what could turn out to
Three trades in this edition:
1. The Redskins trade the sixth pick and all of the team's future picks to St. Louis for the second pick.
2. The Seahawks trade the 12th pick and the 43rd pick to Jacksonville for the seventh pick and their fourth-round pick.
3. The Cowboys trade the 50th pick and their 2013 first-round pick to Denver for the 25th pick.
1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford (6-4, 234)
Luck might not run a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, but he's still the first pick. Luck is less of an injury worry than Robert Griffin and is much more polished for the pro game.
2. Washington Redskins (from STL) -- Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor (6-2, 223)
The trade value of this pick may be subject to inflation like we've never seen before. It appears that a historic bounty is on the rights to draft Griffin, and risk of that magnitude is the Dan Snyder Bat Signal.
3. Minnesota Vikings -- Matt Kalil, OT, USC (6-7, 306)
Kalil stands clearly above the other tackle prospects in this draft and he would provide Minnesota with an immediate upgrade at left tackle.
4. Cleveland Browns -- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU (5-11, 188)
Trent Richardson would make plenty of sense for Cleveland, but the new CBA and its rookie pay scale make a pick like Claiborne a more efficient use of resources. He would team with Joe Haden to give the Browns what could turn out to be the best cornerback duo.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama (5-9, 228)
If the Buccaneers are to be taken seriously as a team, the culture instilled by Raheem Morris needs to be erased. The most visible aspect of that culture was a disregard for good behavior and hard work. Getting the clownish LeGarrette Blount out of the picture and appointing the notoriously ambitious Richardson as the face of the franchise would jumpstart the transition to respectability.
6. St. Louis Rams (from WAS) -- Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State (6-4, 298)
The Rams need help at offensive tackle and receiver, but defensive tackle is also a weakness and Cox looks like the best player available between the three positions. Few players impressed at the Combine to the degree that Cox did, as he ran a 4.79-second 40-yard dash at 298 pounds, posted 30 bench reps and a 7.07-second three-cone drill, and measured in with 34.5-inch arms and 10.4-inch hands.
7. Seattle Seahawks (from JAC) -- Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M (6-4, 221)
If the Seahawks want Tannehill, they might need to trade ahead of Miami and Kansas City to get him. Jacksonville has a variety of roster holes, so it shouldn't take much to get them to trade back.
8. Miami Dolphins -- Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina (6-6, 284)
With the Dolphins switching to the 4-3 this year, it would be nice to have another standout end to either take some pressure off of Cameron Wake or punish offenses for zeroing in on Wake. Coples' bigger frame and wingspan would be a nice complement to Wake's general disposition as an edge-rusher.
9. Carolina Panthers -- Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis (6-4, 346)
Nick Perry and Dre Kirkpatrick could also be considerations here, but the Panthers especially need help at defensive tackle after allowing 4.6 yards per carry last year, with their top two starters at tackle (Terrell McLaine, Sione Fua) totaling just 28 tackles and one sack. Poe would eat double teams in the middle and give linebackers James Anderson, Jon Beason and Jordan Senn a clearer lane to attack ballcarriers.
10. Buffalo Bills -- Nick Perry, DE, USC (6-3, 271)
Perry unsurprisingly lit it up at the Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds while posting 35 bench reps and a 38.5-inch vertical leap. The Bills are desperate for some explosiveness on the edge to complement the interior power provided by Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus.
11. Kansas City Chiefs -- Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (6-6, 313)
The Chiefs would presumably prefer Ryan Tannehill or Dontari Poe, but Reiff would be a nice upgrade at right tackle, which is something Kansas City could certainly use.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (from SEA) -- Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Blackmon probably wouldn't go any earlier than this if the Jaguars traded back to this point, so I think this would be a good scenario for Jacksonville. Blackmon would instantly be the team's best wideout.
13. Arizona Cardinals -- Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (6-5, 312)
David DeCastro is the better player, but Martin plays the more valuable position, and one that Arizona really needs to improve at. Martin might able to force Levi Brown to the right side.
14. Dallas Cowboys -- David DeCastro, G, Stanford (6-5, 316)
As a physically-gifted guard with an abundance of strengths and no obvious weaknesses, the Steve Hutchinson comparison is inevitable for DeCastro. He might be an automatic starter for all teams, and certainly Dallas.
15. Philadelphia Eagles -- Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama (6-2, 186)
Kirkpatrick would be a great value for Philadelphia at this point, as Asante Samuel is expected to be traded and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie can't be trusted.
16. New York Jets -- Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (6-3, 220)
Georgia's Cordy Glenn could be a consideration here since he would give the Jets an upgrade at right tackle, but assuming the Jets don't make a play for a significant free agent receiver, Floyd would be a great fit here. He would give Mark Sanchez a big target who can stretch the field.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from OAK) -- Cordy Glenn, G/OT, Georgia (6-5, 345)
Janoris Jenkins would be a tempting target for the Bengals, but Glenn would provide them with a big upgrade at guard. Glenn's mauling presence would make Cincinnati's running game more effective, which would make life easier for Andy Dalton.
18. San Diego Chargers -- Michael Brockers, (3-4) DE, LSU (6-5, 322)
Brockers doesn't have any college production to speak of and isn't even a workout warrior (5.36-second 40-yard dash, 19 bench reps), but apparently the scouting community still loves him. The Chargers could use another end, in any case, and Brockers projects as a strong run defender at the least.
19. Chicago Bears -- Devon Still, DT, Penn State (6-5, 303)
I think this pick would be between Still and Melvin Ingram, but I'm leaning towards Still because I'm guessing the Bears might be more content with Israel Idonije and Corey Wootton than they are Henry Melton and Matt Toeaina.
20. Tennessee Titans -- Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina (6-1, 264)
The Titans need more pass rush production, and Ingram would give the team an explosive player who can line up in a wide variety of looks.
21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL) (5-11, 212)
Adding Glenn would give Cincinnati the ability to create more holes, and adding Miller would give them someone who can fly upfield. He has the build to push the 220-pound mark while maintaining his 4.40-second speed.
22. Cleveland Browns (from ATL) -- Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor (5-10, 196)
The Browns need someone to stretch the field, and no one can take Wright's 4.61-second 40-yard dash from the Combine too seriously. He would be Cleveland's best receiver fairly quickly.
23. Detroit Lions -- Luke Kuechly, (3-4) ILB, Boston College (6-3, 242)
Even if the Lions bring back Stephen Tulloch, Kuechly's college production and excellent Combine would make him someone difficult to pass up right here.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Mark Barron, S, Alabama (6-1, 213)
Ryan Clark is only a decent starter, and Troy Polamalu just isn't durable enough to last much longer. Barron would provide the Steelers with a strong long-term prospect to take over as the team's enforcer in the secondary.
25. Dallas Cowboys (from DEN) -- Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama (5-10, 193)
Jerry Jones always thinks the Cowboys are closer to a Super Bowl than they actually are, so he would have no trouble convincing himself that a top-15 talent like Jenkins would be worth the gamble here. To be fair, a big upgrade to the guard (DeCastro) and corner spots would go a long way for the Cowboys.
26. Houston Texans -- Rueben Randle, WR, LSU (6-3, 213)
The Texans would rather have Kendall Wright, but Randle would project as an eventual starter opposite Andre Johnson, too.
27. New England Patriots (from NO) -- Andre Branch, DE, Clemson (6-4, 259)
Branch might be a bit of a project, but he has great upside thanks to his superb athleticism. The Patriots need some explosiveness on the line.
28. Green Bay Packers -- Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina (6-0, 190)
Charles Woodson's days are numbered, and Sam Shields didn't look like a long-term starter last year. Gilmore would provide Green Bay with the size and strength at corner to project as Woodson's eventual replacement.
29. Baltimore Ravens -- Courtney Upshaw, (3-4) OLB, Alabama (6-2, 272)
Most project Upshaw to go earlier than this, but I'm not convinced that he's athletic enough as an OLB and strong enough as a DE to avoid a bit of a fall. He would be a nice fit opposite Terrell Suggs if he fell this far, in any case.
30. San Francisco 49ers -- Orson Charles, TE, Georgia (6-2, 251)
Delanie Walker, a free agent, averaged over two catches per game in 2010 playing behind Vernon Davis. Charles can up that number to three and provide more immediate receiving production than any receiver available here.
31. New England Patriots -- Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech (6-4, 215)
Tom Brady has typically shown great deep accuracy throughout his career, but Wes Welker and Deion Branch don't exactly stretch the field.
32. New York Giants -- David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech (5-10, 206)
Wilson would be a firecracker off the bench for the Giants in the short term and would likely take over as the team's top runner in a couple years.
Second Round
33. St. Louis Rams -- Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State (6-7, 323)
Adams could be a bit of a project, but he's more physically gifted than Rodger Saffold.
34. Indianapolis Colts -- Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (6-6, 247)
The Fleener-Andrew Luck reunion is such a no-brainer that the Colts may need to trade up.
35. Minnesota Vikings -- Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami (FL) (6-5, 219)
Players like Streeter and Stephen Hill could see inflated draft stock thanks to the shortage of big field-stretchers in the draft and free agency.
36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech (5-10, 178)
Hosley is a bit small, but he's an aggressive playmaker who the Buccaneers could use at corner.
37. Cleveland Browns -- Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State (6-4, 221)
He might need a few weeks, but Weeden would eventually take the starting spot from Colt McCoy.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin (6-5, 314)
Brad Meester will be 35 years old soon and is a free agent after 2012.
39. St. Louis Rams (from WAS) -- Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest (5-11, 198)
Givens' abundance of athleticism would stand out in a Rams group of receivers mostly suited to slot roles.
40. Buffalo Bills -- Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State (6-3, 214)
It's difficult to believe that the Bills are committed to Ryan Fitzpatrick beyond the short term.
41. Carolina Panthers -- Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia (5-10, 183)
A receiver like Ryan Broyles or Brian Quick would make sense here, but the Panthers badly need cornerback help.
42. Miami Dolphins -- Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma (5-10, 192)
The Dolphins need more wideout talent if they're going to run the Joe Philbin offense. Broyles would give the team a slippery slot wideout to complement the more physically-imposing Brandon Marshall.
43. Jacksonville Jaguars (from SEA) -- Doug Martin, RB, Boise State (5-9, 223)
With 1,762 career touches from scrimmage, Maurice Jones-Drew is old in running back years. Martin would lighten his workload and provide valuable insurance.
44. Kansas City Chiefs -- Dont'a Hightower, (3-4) ILB, Alabama (6-2, 265)
Derrick Johnson is a beast, but Hightower would give the Chiefs some a helpful strength boost next to him.
45. Chicago Bears -- Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State (6-4, 220)
If Alshon Jeffery does well at his pro day, put him in Quick's place for this pick.
46. San Diego Chargers -- Amini Silatolu, G/OT, Midwestern State (6-4, 311)
The retirement of Kris Dielman leaves a gap on the interior offensive line for the Chargers.
47. New England Patriots (from OAK) -- Jared Crick, DT/DE, Nebraska (6-4, 279)
In a defense where Brandon Deaderick isn't considered too big to play end, Crick would presumably fit in all over the place. He would particularly be a good passing-down option to give Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love some rest.
48. New York Jets -- Bruce Irvin, (3-4) OLB, West Virginia (6-3, 245)
Irvin could be a project as far as stopping the run goes, but the Jets are beggars when it comes to the outside linebacker spot.
49. Philadelphia Eagles -- Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska (6-1, 233)
David fits the traditional Philadelphia linebacker mold thanks to his athleticism and aggression. Unlike most of the recent LB candidates with the Eagles, though, David is actually good.
50. Denver Broncos (from DAL) -- Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson (6-2, 314)
The Broncos need talent at defensive tackle, and Thompson would be a nice catch after trading back.
51. Philadelphia Eagles (from ARZ) -- James Brown, G/OT, Troy (6-3, 306)
Even if the Eagles re-sign Evan Mathis, Brown would be good insurance to add in case Mathis' career year in 2011 turns out to be a fluke.
52. Tennessee Titans -- Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin (6-4, 314)
The Titans need immediate help on the interior, and Zeitler is less of a project than some of the other guards in this range.
53. Cincinnati Bengals -- Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia (5-9, 182)
The Bengals can't get enough SEC players, and Boykin would provide some relief at corner and in the return game.
54. Detroit Lions -- Nate Potter, OT, Boise State (6-6, 303)
Potter is an athletic player who the Lions can afford to sit behind Jeff Backus and groom for a starting left tackle role down the road.
55. Atlanta Falcons -- Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois (6-4, 261)
John Abraham can't last much longer, even if he is re-signed.
56. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Josh Chapman, (3-4) NT, Alabama (6-1, 316)
He's not Dontari Poe, but Chapman still projects to be a starting 3-4 nose in the NFL.
57. Denver Broncos -- Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati (5-10, 197)
The Knowshon Moreno experiment has run its course.
58. Houston Texans -- Mike Martin, DL, Michigan (6-1, 306)
Martin is a stout and freakishly strong player who could project to a 3-4 nose role for Houston.
59. New Orleans Saints -- Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State (6-6, 333)
New Orleans loses one huge, overpowering guard (Carl Nicks) and replaces him with another.
60. Green Bay Packers -- Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame (6-2, 213)
Morgan Burnett is locked into the free safety role for Green Bay, but Smith would be an upgrade at the strong spot.
61. Baltimore Ravens -- Mychal Kendricks, (3-4) ILB, California (5-11, 240)
Kendricks is an extremely athletic player who was disruptive at the college level. He would make a good candidate to eventually replace Ray Lewis.
62. San Francisco 49ers -- Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska (5-10, 204)
Dennard has the press coverage skill set necessary for Vic Fangio's aggressive defense.
63. New England Patriots -- Janzen Jackson, S, McNeese State (5-11, 188)
It's tough to tell where Jackson's stock is exactly, but the Tennessee transfer looks like he might be the top pure free safety prospect in the draft.
64. New York Giants -- Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina (6-1, 244)
Michael Boley and Mathias Kiwanuka are locked in as starters for the Giants, but Boley is a free agent after 2013 and drafting Brown would let the Giants move Kiwanuka back to end if necessary.
