As a result of the changes, the Patriots got two new picks for the second week in a row, and each player would again be a solid upgrade for New England's defense.
Now, it's time to unveil Mock Draft VII.
1. Indianapolis Colts
2011 Record: 2-14
Positional Needs: Quarterback, cornerback, guard, center, defensive tackle, wide receiver, outside linebacker, safety
The Pick: Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck
Analysis: No need to overthink this one. With all due respect to Robert Griffin III, this should be Luck in a landslide.
2. Washington Redskins
2011 Record: 2-14
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, guard, cornerback, tackle, tight end, safety
The Pick: Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III
Analysis: Griffin turned down the Colts' invitation for a private workout. If the theory is true that his reasoning was to avoid the possibility of the Colts taking him in the draft, well, that's pretty funny.
3. Minnesota Vikings
2011 Record: 3-13
Positional Needs: Tackle, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, guard, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, running back
The Pick: USC tackle Matt Kalil
Previous Pick: Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon
Analysis: This should be Kalil unless the Vikings can swindle the Browns or Dolphins to trade up for Ryan Tannehill.
4. Cleveland Browns
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, cornerback, defensive end, tackle, guard, outside linebacker
The Pick: LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne
Previous Picks: Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon, Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Analysis: Browns president Mike Holmgren took cornerback Joe Haden with his first pick in office in 2010, and that worked out swimmingly. Claiborne would be another piece toward legitimizing an improving defense.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Cornerback, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, guard, running back
The Pick: Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Previous Pick: LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne
Analysis: The budding controversy between Richardson and LeGarrette Blount is way too exciting for this pick not to happen.
6. St. Louis Rams
2011 Record: 5-11
Positional Needs: Tackle, wide receiver, cornerback, guard, outside linebacker, safety, defensive tackle, running back
The Pick: Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon
Previous Pick: Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Analysis: New head coach Jeff Fisher drafted seven offensive players, including two wide receivers (Kenny Britt and Kevin Dyson), in the first round during his 17-year tenure with the Oilers and Titans. So this would be a slight break from the mold.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
2011 Record: 5-11
Positional Needs: Wide receiver, quarterback, cornerback, defensive end, safety, tackle
The Pick: South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram
Previous Pick: North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples
Analysis: What happens when you finish 25th in the league in sacks and have been starved of a defensive end for years? Well, it makes sense if you take the first pass rusher off the board.
8. Miami Dolphins
2011 Record: 6-10
Positional Needs: Quarterback, defensive end, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, inside linebacker, tight end, safety, wide receiver
The Pick: Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill
Previous Picks: Iowa tackle Riley Reiff, North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples
Analysis: I'd be surprised if Tannehill landed with a team that didn't trade up for him. Seems to be too much momentum in that direction.
9. Carolina Panthers
2011 Record: 6-10
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, cornerback, safety, tackle, wide receiver
The Pick: Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox
Previous Picks: LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Analysis: I had to back off the Poe pick. There's just too much negative press about his game film, and Cox sounds like the most complete defensive tackle in the draft. It would also be interesting if the Panthers took Quinton Coples after they had such a successful run with another high-profile defensive end from North Carolina in Julius Peppers.
10. Buffalo Bills
2011 Record: 6-10
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, cornerback, tackle, wide receiver, inside linebacker, defensive end
The Pick: Iowa tackle Riley Reiff
Previous Picks: South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram, USC defensive end Nick Perry
Analysis: This might be a slight reach for Reiff, but the Bills need to make some serious investments on the offensive line.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
2011 Record: 7-9
Positional Needs: Tackle, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back
The Pick: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly
Previous Picks: Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Iowa tackle Riley Reiff, Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox
Analysis: The Chiefs have had too many busts on the defensive line to take a chance on Poe, so it makes sense to draft a no-doubter like Kuechly.
12. Seattle Seahawks
2011 Record: 7-9
Positional Needs: Defensive end, defensive tackle, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, cornerback, guard
The Pick: North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples
Previous Picks: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill
Analysis: Cue the key words: Coples has so much upside and will be a steal, even at the 12th pick, if he fulfills that potential.
13. Arizona Cardinals
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Tackle, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, guard, wide receiver, tight end, quarterback, cornerback
The Pick: Stanford guard David DeCastro
Previous Picks: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly, Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Analysis: It's pretty crazy that DeCastro is being compared to Hall of Fame guards. The Cardinals need a more well-rounded team, and DeCastro looks like a can't-miss prospect.
14. Dallas Cowboys
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Cornerback, safety, guard, inside linebacker, defensive end, center, defensive tackle, outside linebacker
The Pick: Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Previous Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Analysis: The Internet is linking Poe to the Cowboys, and the Internet is carved in stone.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, outside linebacker, safety, guard, wide receiver, cornerback, inside linebacker
The Pick: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still
Previous Picks: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly, Alabama safety Mark Barron
Analysis: This would be the fifth time Andy Reid has used his first pick on a defensive tackle in his 14 seasons as Philly's head coach. Still would be the third player he has drafted from Penn State.
16. New York Jets
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, tackle, defensive tackle, wide receiver, tight end
The Pick: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
Previous Picks: Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin
Analysis: The Jets need a lot of help at wide receiver, which is part of the reason (along with the contract) why they didn't kick Santonio Holmes to the curb. Floyd could be an outstanding player who gets drafted much earlier than many believe.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Cornerback, running back, wide receiver, safety, guard, defensive end
The Pick: Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Previous Picks: North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Analysis: The Bengals can add some punch off the edge and address the secondary in a few picks.
18. San Diego Chargers
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, cornerback, wide receiver, tight end, guard, tackle
The Pick: Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Previous Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, USC defensive end Nick Perry, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Analysis: The Chargers were second in the NFL with 47 sacks in 2010, but they were 23rd with 32 sacks last season. Adding the nation's sack leader should help the cause.
19. Chicago Bears
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Defensive end, wide receiver, tight end, tackle, guard, safety, cornerback, running back
The Pick: USC defensive end Nick Perry
Previous Picks: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Analysis: With Floyd off the board, it might be a reach for the Bears to target a receiver at this point in the draft when they could add a relatively comparable one in a later round. So, it's time to put someone across from Julius Peppers.
20. Tennessee Titans
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Guard, center, cornerback, safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver
The Pick: Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Previous Pick: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus, Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly
Analysis: Not bad for the Titans to net the second cornerback at the 20th pick, especially since they need to fill Cortland Finnegan's hole.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Cornerback, running back, wide receiver, safety, guard, defensive end
The Pick: South Carolina cornerback Stephen Gilmore
Previous Picks: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright, Alabama safety Mark Barron, Clemson defensive end Andre Branch, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins
Analysis: Watch out for the Bengals next season. They're going to be much improved with these two picks, but they won't be good enough to wrestle the division away from Baltimore.
22. Cleveland Browns
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, cornerback, defensive end, tackle, guard, outside linebacker
The Pick: Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Previous Pick: Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, USC defensive end Nick Perry
Analysis: The Browns have to at least try to give quarterback Colt McCoy some help.
23. Detroit Lions
2011 Record: 10-6
Positional Needs: Cornerback, safety, tackle, center, defensive end, outside linebacker
The Pick: Ohio State tackle Mike Adams
Analysis: Janoris Jenkins makes sense here, particularly in terms of head coach Jim Schwartz's style, but the Lions are running the risk of putting too many big personalities on that defense. Adams is the responsible pick.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
2011 Record: 12-4
Positional Needs: Tackle, guard, defensive tackle, cornerback, inside linebacker, running back
The Pick: Alabama inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower
Previous Pick: Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Analysis: Hightower has that Steelers swagger. He'd be a hit in Pittsburgh.
25. Denver Broncos
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, inside linebacker, safety, cornerback, wide receiver, running back
The Pick: LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers
Previous Pick: Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Analysis: It'd be a stunner if the Broncos took anything but a tackle with this pick.
26. Houston Texans
2011 Record: 10-6
Positional Needs: Wide receiver, right tackle, guard, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, safety, cornerback
The Pick: Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill
Previous Picks: LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Analysis: After years of momentum, the Texans crashed this offseason. They've got a bunch of holes, but in a poor division, they've still got an inside track on returning to the postseason.
27. New England Patriots
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback
The Pick: Alabama safety Mark Barron
Previous Picks: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Analysis: With so many changes in the middle portion of this week's mock draft, the Patriots take advantage of a fortuitous slide by Barron, who looks like the draft's only star at the position.
28. Green Bay Packers
2011 Record: 15-1
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, defensive end, safety, cornerback, running back
The Pick: Clemson defensive end Andre Branch
Previous Pick: Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still
Analysis: Branch had 10.5 sacks last season for Clemson, and the Packers lost their pass-rushing haymaker in 2011.
29. Baltimore Ravens
2011 Record: 12-4
Positional Needs: Inside linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, center, safety, outside linebacker
The Pick: South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery
Previous Pick: Wisconsin center Peter Konz
Analysis: Quarterback Joe Flacco doesn't have to be the best in the game to succeed with Jeffery. Just throw it in his general vicinity.
30. San Francisco 49ers
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Guard, cornerback, wide receiver, safety, outside linebacker, quarterback
The Pick: North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins
Previous Picks: South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler
Analysis: Look out for the Niners if they can add Jenkins to that defense. The teams in the late-20s might owe it to the rest of the league to pick him just to ensure that doesn't happen.
31. New England Patriots
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback, defensive tackle
The Pick: Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy
Previous Picks: Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, Clemson defensive end Andre Branch, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, South Carolina cornerback Stephen Gilmore
Analysis: Worthy would add an interior pass-rushing dynamic to the Patriots' line, and he plays with some fire. If the Patriots turn him loose, he can be a fun player to watch.
32. New York Giants
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Inside linebacker, tight end, safety, cornerback, guard, defensive tackle, wide receiver
The Pick: Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin
Previous Pick: Wisconsin center Peter Konz, Virginia Tech running back David Wilson, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Analysis: Martin has some mixed reviews. Many analysts believe he's a top-20 pick, but if the Bears, Steelers and Texans go in another direction, the Giants will gladly take him.
Fallen Out: Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler.
Click here to see photos of potential first-round picks >>
Have a question for Jeff Howe? Send it to him via Twitter at @jeffphowe or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
Photo via Flickr/xtrah
