1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck - QB - Stanford.
It's starting to become more of a reality that Jim Irsay is going to make the decision and move on without Peyton Manning. The easiest pick in the draft.
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon - WR - Oklahoma State.
This pick was a very tough one for me between him and Matt Kalil, but I was convinced by two things. Justin's performance in the Fiesta Bowl was phenomenal, and the Rams have been stung in the past by taking offensive lineman in the first round after they haven't quite lived up to their full potential. The latest being Jason Smith out of Baylor back in 2009. Anything to improve Sam Bradford's arsenal is a huge plus for the Rams.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil - OT - USC.
The Vikings have a lot to work on to improve from this flat out terrible season. So I think it's just going to come down to taking the highest available player off the board. Matt Kalil can help a Viking's offensive line that gave up a fifth most 49 sacks this season. And keeping young QB Christian Ponder from getting flustered will greatly help the Viking's chances next season.
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson - RB - Alabama.
It was tough for me not to take Robert Griffin III here, but I don't think the Browns have given up on Colt McCoy yet, and rightfully so as he's just one year into his career on a team that doesn't have a whole lot around him, and Trent Richardson can be a start to that. The Browns struggled this season finding consistency at RB with Peyton Hillis having an injury-plagued let down season (Madden Curse?!), and who knows if he will ever be able to produce at the high level he used to.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne - CB - LSU.
The Bucs need to start their search for a replacement of future Hall of Famer Ronde Barber. The 36 year old who has been a staple to the Tampa Bay defense since 1997 is possibly close to retirement. And the Bucs will no doubt be looking at Morris Claiborne to do just that. Not only can Claiborne be a great bump and run corner, but he can also add a great return element to the Tampa Bay special teams.
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor.
Granted RG3 could go much higher than this due to trades, but since I don't predict those I'm going to put him here. The Heisman trophy winner can hopefully be the next franchise QB for the Redskin who haven't seen one of those in a long time. There are also some rumors that Peyton Manning could land with the Redskins. So this pick could change for a number of reasons.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina.
The Jags had a pretty poor season getting to the opposing QB. Recording only 31 sacks on the season. So it makes perfect sense for the Jags to take one of the best pass rushers in the draft off the board. Coples has great speed off the edge to go along with his solid frame which allowed him to play from DT during his college days. Good versatile pass rusher.
*8/9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff - OT - Iowa
Much similar to the Minnesota Vikings. The Dolphins need to greatly improve their offensive line for their young quarterback (whoever it ends up being), which gave up the third most amount sacks, 52. Reiff has great footwork for an offensive lineman, and if he can bulk up a little bit come seasons start. He has the potential to be great.
*8/9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick - CB - Alabama
Carolina's secondary was horrendous this year. They don't have a clear shut down corner on their team so it's no doubt they need to turn to Dre Kirkpatrick. There are some risks around him that have some other mocks dropping him much lower than this due to a pot possession arrest. But considering they drafted a QB with potential major recruiting violations around him, I think they'll still stick with him. So unless Dre tests positive for something at the Combine. The Panther's will pick him up here.
10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw - OLB - Alabama
The Bills greatly improved their defense this past year. But they still have some things to work on and some holes to fill on that side of the ball. That's the OLBs. With two mediocre 30+ year old OLBs, The Bills will look for Courtney Upshaw to fill that. Courtney Upshaw is a versatle LB who can also play DE. The Bills will most likely look for him to play SLB in their 3-4 scheme.
* To be Determined by Coin-Flip
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