This time of the year is normally extremely fun for many NFL teams and their fans. However, this year is a lot different, as a work stoppage or lockout hangs over every franchise's head and threatens to push this year's draft class back a year before they get to play on Sundays.
But, as rapper Lupe Fiasco sings... "The Show Goes On," and there will be a draft in April as there has been in Aprils before and many prospects this year threaten to be "franchise players" at least on potential. Here is the first round of JHoney's NFL Mock Draft.
#1. Carolina Panthers... QB Cameron Newton Auburn
The Panthers need a franchise player at the quarterback position after apparently striking out last year with Jimmy Clausen and missing out on Stanford QB Andrew Luck, who returned to school. From my analysis, there are bigger needs on the team, but a charisma, skill set and athletic bundle like Newton doesn't come along every year and the Panthers have missed big QB's in the past in the draft as well as in free agency and they cannot afford to do that again. Charlotte will be abuzz and rally around Mr. Heisman... SuperCam!
#2. Denver Broncos... DT Marcell Dareus Alabama
Denver has a lot of talent to be picking at the No.2 spot in the draft and they return star defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who missed last year due to injury. They do need to bolster the defensive side of the ball after taking Tim Tebow and offensive lineman Ryan Clady. Dareus is a cannot miss defensive prospect and will benefit any team that takes him immensely. Denver hasn't made too many mistakes in the draft in the past and I don't expect them to make one here.
#3 Buffalo Bills... QB Blaine Gabbert Missouri
There hasn't been a franchise QB in Buffalo since Jim Kelly, so in perhaps the biggest no-brainer of the draft, the Bills have to take Gabbert. Blaine is the best pro-style QB in the draft and with the Bills having talented youngsters like C.J. Spiller and wily veterans like Lee Evans, all of whom can make plays, just have never had anyone able to get them the ball. Enter Gabbert.
#4 Cincinnati Bengals... DB Patrick Peterson LSU
Peterson is best overall athlete not named Cam Newton in the draft. Peterson has been adamant about wanting to play both defense and special teams in the pros and I thin that with Cincy's futility in both of those areas, this too is a no-brainer.
#5 Arizona Cardinals... LB Von Miller Texas A & M
Miller is a stud linebacker and Arizona is in love with him and for obvious reasons. Expect him to start right away in the desert and also immediately bolster the "D." Arizona may have a bigger need at QB and RB, but you cannot get a defensive player near Miller's caliber with a later pick, have to take him here since Newton and Gabbert are already gone or trade up.
#6. Cleveland Browns... WR A.J. Green Georgia
Talk about futility. The Browns have been the NFL's "brown standard" in recent years but had a great draft a year ago when they got, what I believe to be anyway, two future every Sunday players in QB Colt McCoy and RB Montario Hardesty. Add to that an offensive weapon like Green and the future doesn't look so brown in Cleveland.
#7. San Francisco 49ers... DT Nick Fairley Auburn
A month ago Fairley was considered by many to be the top pick in the draft but San Fran will be happy that he fell. The niners do need a QB as I am not a believer in Alex Smith, but much like Cincy, with Newton and Gabbert gone, you have to hope to snag a good one in the later rounds. Fairley can start now and help the SF defense and clear holes for star linebacker Patrick Willis.
#8. Tennessee Titans... DB Prince Amukamara Nebraska
This year's draft is not deep at all at the CB or S positions, so if you want a good one, you better get them early. Amukamara is a stud and will be a playmaker alongside Courtland Finnegan in Tennessee. The Titans also have to hope for a quality QB in the later rounds as that situation is in shambles.
#9. Dallas Cowboys... OT Tyron Smith USC
Talk about a tragic season. Dallas doesn't want a repeat of last year at any cost and they had a big problem last year replacing the departed franchise mainstay, Flozell Adams. Smith is big and talented and should fit in nicely in big D.
#10. Washington Redskins... WR Julio Jones Alabama
The best overall talent at the WR position, Jones is a package of size, great hands and route running and speed. While Green is taller and will be drafted ahead of Jones due to his prototypical WR build, Jones is more polished and has much more big-game experience. Washington will get their QB later in the draft, but Jones is too good to pass up.
#11. Houston Texans... DE J.J. Watt Wisconsin
The Texans would love to have a DB here, but with Peterson and Amukamara being off the board, they will elect to get a bookend for all-pro DE Mario Williams and Watt could bloom into that bookend.
#12. Minnesota Vikings... OT Anthony Costanzo Boston College
The Vikings do not need much, but their O-line definitely let them down last season and Costanzo is a hoss up front and has great footwork that will be helpful in the NFC North.
#13. Detroit Lions... DE Da'Quan Bowers Clemson
Detroit will get a steal here in Bowers, who was also at once thought of as a number one pick and will line up alongside last year's defensive ROY N'damukong Suh and form a formidable front line in the defense heavy NFC North.
#14. St. Louis Rams... DE Robert Quinn North Carolina
Quinn is a talented defender who was thought to be an earlier pick, but after being suspended at UNC, Quinn faces character issues that will make many teams pass on him, but the Rams will get a defensive leader up front.
#15. Miami Dolphins... DE Ryan Kerrigan Purdue
In a draft where talented DE's just keep coming, Kerrigan is as talented as any. He doesn't get as much publicity because he played at a traditional basketball school in Purdue, but he can get the job done up front.
#16. Jacksonville Jaguars... C Mike Pouncey Florida
Even though Pouncey had trouble at center for the Gators last season, you cannot teach the size and strength that he possesses. Along with an opportunity to learn from NFL O-line coaches and time to improve, he should end up a starter on a melign offensive line.
#17. New England Patriots... LB Akeem Ayers UCLA
The Pats are always great drafters and I don't look for this year to be any different. New England has the most picks in the draft and I look for them to get value as they always do (remember Tom Brady was a 6th round pick). Ayers is a solid backer and will work nicely alongside Jerod Mayo and Patrick Chung.
#18. San Diego Chargers... DE Aldon Smith Missouri
Surprise, surprise another DE. Smith was the defensive leader for the Tigers and is a solid prospect coming from a defensively tough Big XII.
#19. New York Giants... OT Gabe Carimi Wisconsin
Carimi is a load up front and follows a long line of great Badger linemen who translate well into the pro ranks. The Giants can snag a franchise horse here at 19, a steal.
#20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers... DE Adrian Clayborn Iowa
Clayborn is a great talent who fell a bit after the combine but will be a welcome addition to Raheem Morris's "D" in Tampa. After taking Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy last season, Clayborn will give the Bucs a very young and solid half of a front four to build upon.
#21. Kansas City Chiefs... OT Nate Solder Colorado
The Chiefs are getting a bit old and thin up front and with Matt Cassell being a QB who needs protection to succeed and Solder has all of the tools to be a cornerstone in the organization for years to come.
#22. Indianapolis Colts... RB Mark Ingram Alabama
Joseph Addai has not quite panned out for the Colts the way would have liked. Ingram is a can't miss back and the best in the draft and for Indy to swipe him at 22 is in my mind the ultimate steal of the draft.
#23. Philadelphia Eagles... OT Derek Sherrod Mississippi State
What does a mobile QB like Mike Vick need most? Protection. Sherrod will help bolster the aging Eagles front line and keep Vick on two feet where he is the most lethal in the league.
#24. New Orleans Saints... DE Justin Houston Georgia
Georgia's DE Justin Houston started to go into beast mode near the end of the regular season and worked his way into a first round draft pick. The Saints could use another force on "D" to get back to the Super Bowl and Houston could help them get back there.
#25. Seattle Seahawks... DE Cameron Jordan California
Seattle's Pete Carroll probably wouldn't be all for this pick of a Golden Bear but Jordan is a stud DE and Seattle definitely needs assistance on that side of the ball.
#26. Baltimore Ravens... DE Cameron Heyward Ohio State
Heyward will provide another pass rushing force to the monstrous Ravens "D." Suggs, Lewis, Ngata and company are going to love having Heyward coming off the end.
#27. Atlanta Falcons... DT Phil Taylor Baylor
Taylor is a massive DT who can really get to the QB and along with Peria Jerry and John Abraham wreak havoc in the NFC East for years to come.
#28. New England Patriots... DB Aaron Williams Texas
Williams is a great cover corner and once again New England does what New England does and that is win in the draft. Williams could finally fill the void left by Asante Samuel years ago and be a staple in the Pats defense.
#29. Chicago Bears... DT Corey Liuget Illinois
Liuget is a good late first round pick and could hold a lot of value, plus being a home town kid and always wanting to play for the Bears can't hurt either. Solid pick.
#30. New York Jets... DE Brooks Reed Arizona
The Jets are another team that traditionally draft well, at least under Rex Ryan. Reed is a good late round value pick much like Liuget and the Jets are known for discovering late round gems.
#31. Pittsburgh Steelers... DB Brandon Harris Miami-FL
Harris is a great pick here and the Steelers have traditionally been the best team at drafting and they seldom ever miss on a pick. I don't think that they do on Harris.
#32. Green Bay Packers... WR Leonard Hankerson Miami-FL
What would be great for the defending champs and Aaron Rodgers? More weapons. Add Hankerson.. a tall and fast receiver with great hands and things look great for the Pack again.
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