Let's roll out Mock Draft IX. Don't forget to come back next Thursday for the 10th and final edition.
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: You don't need a Stanford degree to know where the Colts are heading with this pick. See what I did there?
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: Since it's an election year, how soon until RGIII has presidential candidates wearing Superman socks?
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: Of course the Vikings are trying to leak it that they're considering about four or five candidates for this pick. That's the first lesson on the first day of Trading Draft Picks 101.
4. Cleveland Browns
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, cornerback, defensive end, tackle, guard, outside linebacker
The Pick: Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Previous Picks: Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon, LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne
Analysis: I subbed out Claiborne for Richardson this week. I think the Browns should take Claiborne, but I think they will take Richardson, who should be a superstar in his own right.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Cornerback, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, guard, running back
The Pick: LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne
Previous Pick: Alabama running back Trent Richardson
Analysis: I've thought for a while the Bucs would take either Claiborne or Richardson, whichever player the Browns pass over.
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: Blackmon will really benefit from playing on turf in St. Louis. The Rams are his best fit in the top six, mostly due to quarterback Sam Bradford.
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: Ingram seems like such an obvious need, yet the Jaguars don't always go in the obvious direction.
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: Unless the Chiefs make a surprising play to move up the board, or the Browns get overzealous earlier, the Dolphins should be able to take Tannehill with the eighth pick. About a month ago, it looked like they'd definitely have to move up, so things might finally be falling in Miami's favor.
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: The Panthers figure to address the defensive line in one way or another with this pick, so it should come down to Cox and Quinton Coples.
10. Buffalo Bills
2011 Record: 6-10
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, cornerback, tackle, wide receiver, inside linebacker, defensive end
The Pick: Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
Previous Picks: South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram, USC defensive end Nick Perry, Iowa tackle Riley Reiff
Analysis: Floyd makes his highest appearance in nine mock drafts. Reiff would be a good pick, but the Bills know they've got to field a high-powered offense to compete with the Patriots. And if the Bills' offseason moves are any indication, they're gunning for New England.
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: Scott Pioli plucks another one from New England.
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: Coples has the highest upside of any of the draft's pass rushers, but it's up to him to bring it consistently. If he does, he'll be a steal with the 12th pick.
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: The Cardinals could make an upgrade at tackle with Riley Reiff, or they could add an elite guard in DeCastro. Take the latter and eliminate the guessing game.
14. Dallas Cowboys
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Cornerback, safety, guard, inside linebacker, defensive end, center, defensive tackle, outside linebacker
The Pick: Alabama safety Mark Barron
Previous Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Analysis: I nearly gave Barron to the Cowboys last week and decided to pull that trigger this week. That means Poe goes to a division rival.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Defensive tackle, outside linebacker, safety, guard, wide receiver, cornerback, inside linebacker
The Pick: Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Previous Picks: Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly, Alabama safety Mark Barron, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers
Analysis: Poe fits the Eagles' attacking style more than Brockers. Poe also has a little more star power at this point, and you know how that goes with Philly.
16. New York Jets
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, tackle, defensive tackle, wide receiver, tight end
The Pick: Iowa tackle Riley Reiff
Previous Picks: Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd
Analysis: I'm not sure the Jets are sensible enough to make such a responsible pick, especially since they need a pass-rushing boost. But Reiff is the draft's top-rated right tackle, and that's a huge area of need in New York.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Cornerback, running back, wide receiver, safety, guard, defensive end
The Pick: South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore
Previous Picks: North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd, Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Analysis: Gilmore is the second cornerback off the board and should beat out Terence Newman for a starting job.
18. San Diego Chargers
2011 Record: 8-8
Positional Needs: Outside linebacker, safety, cornerback, wide receiver, tight end, guard, tackle
The Pick: Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw
Previous Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, USC defensive end Nick Perry, Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Analysis: There are some reported concerns about Upshaw's distractions away from the field, but that stuff doesn't typically bother the Chargers.
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: Perry is a downhill pass rusher who is going to be the latest in a line of defensive ends to benefit from playing 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 Picks: Stanford guard David DeCastro, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus, Boston College inside linebacker Luke Kuechly
Analysis: Kirkpatrick is a very good man-coverage corner, so the Titans won't have any problem with Stephon Gilmore going before him.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Cornerback, running back, wide receiver, safety, guard, defensive end
The Pick: Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
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, South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore
Analysis: The Bengals have to beef up the defensive line after a tough run in free agency. Adding the nation's sack leader isn't a bad way to do it.
22. Cleveland Browns
2011 Record: 4-12
Positional Needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, cornerback, defensive end, tackle, guard, outside linebacker
The Pick: Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Previous Pick: Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, USC defensive end Nick Perry, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Analysis: Nice way to improve the ground game by adding someone like Glenn to block for Trent Richardson.
23. Detroit Lions
2011 Record: 10-6
Positional Needs: Cornerback, safety, tackle, center, defensive end, outside linebacker
The Pick: Central Florida cornerback Josh Robinson
Previous Pick: Ohio State tackle Mike Adams, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Analysis: It's tough to get a read on the Lions with this pick. Their biggest needs are on the offensive line and in the secondary, but with the way this mock draft has shaken out, they'd be reaching for players at each position. Detroit might be a candidate to trade down.
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: Once again, Pittsburgh needs offensive linemen, but Hightower just looks like a Steeler.
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: Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe
Analysis: Brockers will open some lanes for pass-rushing extraordinaires Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.
26. Houston Texans
2011 Record: 10-6
Positional Needs: Wide receiver, right tackle, guard, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, safety, cornerback
The Pick: Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright
Previous Picks: LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle, Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill
Analysis: The Texans look about 200 miles to the north to snag a nice receiving weapon to pair up with Andre Johnson.
27. New England Patriots
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback
The Pick: Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones
Previous Picks: Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers, Alabama safety Mark Barron, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus, Alabama safety Mark Barron, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins
Analysis: Jones' brother is UFC champ Jon "Bones" Jones, so his brother could beat up your brother. Unless your brother is Hulk Hogan.
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 looks like a logical pick to take some pressure off Clay Matthews.
29. Baltimore Ravens
2011 Record: 12-4
Positional Needs: Inside linebacker, wide receiver, tackle, center, safety, outside linebacker
The Pick: Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler
Previous Picks: Wisconsin center Peter Konz, South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery
Analysis: Running back Ray Rice will approve of this pick. Zeitler excels in run blocking.
30. San Francisco 49ers
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Guard, cornerback, wide receiver, defensive tackle, safety, outside linebacker, quarterback
The Pick: Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy
Previous Picks: South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn, Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler, North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still
Analysis: Worthy would add some more nastiness to the 49ers' front seven, and the NFC West shouldn't be thrilled about that.
31. New England Patriots
2011 Record: 13-3
Positional Needs: Safety, outside linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback, defensive tackle
The Pick: North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins
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 Stephon Gilmore, Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus
Analysis: Jenkins is the eighth player I've slotted here in nine mock drafts. I'm not big on commitment.
32. New York Giants
2011 Record: 9-7
Positional Needs: Inside linebacker, tackle, tight end, running back, safety, cornerback, guard
The Pick: Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin
Previous Pick: Wisconsin center Peter Konz, Virginia Tech running back David Wilson, Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn
Analysis: The Giants play to their strengths better than anyone, but they've got a lot of areas to fill for a Super Bowl champion.
Fallen Out: LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle, Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still
Click here to see photos of potential first-round picks >>
Previous Mocks: Mock Draft 1.0 I Mock Draft 2.0 I Mock Draft 3.0 I Mock Draft 4.0 IMock Draft 5.0 I Mock Draft 6.0 I Mock Draft 7.0 | Mock Draft 8.0
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