General Update

I started a new job last week and have not been able to post for a while. For that, I apologize.

I will have an NBA draft post in the morning, and the postings will pick up in the next few weeks again.

the mets have been R.A.DICKulouslEY unlucky

After today's freaky-looking fall, we can add RA Dickey to the list of notable Mets that have missed time this season with injury:

Johan Santana
Jason Bay
Bobby Parnell
Angel Pagan
David Wright
Ike Davis
Chris Young
RA Dickey

When will it end?

Trades That Make Sense: Mets & Reds Edition

This kills me to write because Jose Reyes is one of my two favorite Mets of all time (DWright), but I think the Mets need to start fresh and deal him away.



Proposed Trade:

The Mets would deal Reyes and Mike Pelfrey to the Reds in exchange for prospects Billy Hamilton, Yasmani Grandal, and Ryan LaMarre.


Why Would the Mets Do This?

1- With a starting rotation dependent upon the likes of Chris Capuano, Dillon Gee, and Mike Pelfrey, this team is not competing in 2011.

2- Reyes will be a free agent after the season and if he bolts, the Mets will be left with nothing. If they trade him now, they can restock a bare cupboard with an infusion of young talent.

Hamilton is one of the fastest players in the minors, Grandal can be the future behind the dish in Flushing, and LaMarre is a great defensive centerfielder.

3- Reyes is healthy and (obviously) there are no guarantees it stays this way.

4- They clear plenty of salary now, allowing them to spend freely during June's draft which is regarded as one of the deepest in recent memory.

5- It's time for Pelfrey to go.


Why Would the Reds Do This?

1- As it stands now, the Reds are only 2.5 games out of first in the NL Central and two games out of the Wildcard lead, but Reyes makes them an instant pennant contender.

2- Cincy has gotten no production from the shortstop platoon of Paul Janish (.238/.273/.287) and Edgar Renteria (.228/.326/.253).

3- The prospects they would be trading are blocked anyway. Hamilton is behind Reyes and Brandon Phillips, Grandal is behind fellow-prospect Devin Mesoraco, and LaMarre is behind Drew Stubbs, Jay Bruce, and Chris Heisey.



Up next for the Mets, dealing Carlos Beltran, KRod, and possibly David Wright.



Follow on...
Twitter: @mspici
iPhone: The Sports Banter app

Separated at Birth?

Blue Jays pitching prospect Deck McGuire and actor Matthew Lillard

Another reason to love Brandon Phillips

Not that we need one, but here it is anyway.

Gut Reaction NBA Mock Draft (Lottery Only)

1. Cleveland: G Kyrie Irving - I love the idea of taking Derrick Williams here and then one of the elite point guards (Irving, Knight, or Walker) with the fourth pick, but I don't think that's what will happen.

2. Minnesota: C Enes Kanter - A starting five of Ricky Rubio, Wes Johnson (admittedly not a great fit at SG), Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, and Kanter can win some games and get fans excited.


Can this guy do the impossible and make David Kahn look smart?

3. Utah: G Brandon Knight - The Jazz will be the third team to realize Devin Harris isn't the long-tern answer at the point.

4. Cleveland: F Derrick Williams - A dream scenario for Cleveland. They get the two best players in the draft and revamp the organization.

5. Toronto: F Jan Vesely - A pure guess at who the best international player remaining is.

6. Washington: F Kawhi Leonard - Pair this athletic freak with John Wall and the Wiz are on to something. They would become the lankiest team in the NBA (see Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee)

7. Sacramento: G Kemba Walker - Can he be the calming factor Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins need?

8. Detroit: F Bismack Biyombo - Awesome name and apparently his game resembles Ben Wallace's. That worked well the first time in Motown.

9. Charlotte: F Marcus Morris - Somehow, I think the Morris twins will be drafted by the same team. The Bobcats - who own picks 9 and 19 - could use the talent infusion.

10. Milwaukee: F Tristan Thompson - He would fit perfectly next to Andrew Bogut.

11. Golden State: F Tobias Harris - They will almost certainly take another PF, just because.

12. Utah: G Jimmer Fredette - Doesn't this have to happen? I love the Knight/Jimmer combo.

13. Phoenix: G Josh Selby - A much better fit for the Suns than he ever was at Kansas.

14. Houston: SG Marshon Brooks - Morey is always trying to outsmart everyone so drafting a guy that plays the same position as his best player seems to make no sense (and probably doesn't) which is exactly why he'll do it. Got that?

Finally....

The spawn of Shawn (Kemp) are ready for college basketball.

It doesn't look like my dream of an all-Kemp starting five will come to fruition, however.





Editor's note: Loyal reader georgekaplan reminds TSB that it has been over a year with no Kemp references.

Link from Deadspin

My first link from Deadspin. Thanks, Brian.

Whoops

Here is Clint Barmes' player page picture on Yahoo Sports:



I'm pretty sure that is not Clint Barmes. Here is a picture of the real Clint (and not Rickie Weeks):



Really easy to confuse the two.




Download The Sports Banter app for iPhone.

Draft Grades by Team

Texans: I was critical of the JJ Watt pick after the first round, but after the Texans added Brandon Harris and Rashad Carmichael, I can live with them passing up Prince Amukamara. Adding Brooks Reed in the second round was also a great move. Anytime you add four difference-making starters with your first four picks (plus a serviceable backup quarterback in round five), you'll get high grades from me.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: QB TJ Yates (5th Round)
Grade: A.


Lions: Their first three picks were perfect: DT Nick Fairley, WR Titus Young, and RB Mikel Leshoure. If they can add some cornerbacks through free agency, this team can have legitimate playoff aspirations.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: LB Doug Hogue (5th Round)
Grade: A-.


Eagles: They added a ton of talent that will contribute right away. Really solid from start to finish. It's like my golf game...except the exact opposite.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: LB Brian Rolle (6th Round)
Grade: A-.


Bucs: After picking two defenisve tackles last year, they picked up two defensive ends this year including Da'Quan Bowers who slipped to 51st overall. He'll prove to be a great risk.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: S Ahmad Black (5th Round)
Grade: A-.


Saints: They traded their 2012 first rounder but came away with an impressive slew of talent. When was the last time one team had the Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year? The Lions in 1967. Can the Saints DE Cameron Jordan and RB Mark Ingram duplicate that feat?
Late Rounder That May Surprise: DE Greg Romeus (7th Round)
Grade: B+.


Packers: Good idea- Protecting Aaron Rodgers and giving him more weapons at his disposal. That's exactly what Green Bay did. I think Randall Cobb is this year's Dexter McCluster.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: DT Lawrence Guy (7th Round)
Grade: B+.


Bengals: Cincy got the draft's best player with the fourth overall pick. Win. Although I'm not a huge Andy Dalton fan, Jay Gruden seems to be, and I tend to value his opinion. Dontay Moch is a workout beast who owns the Nevada career sack record. He bolsters an already impressive linebacking corps (Keith Rivers and Rey Maualaga). Clint Boling will also start immediately.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: S Robert Sands (5th Round)
Grade: B+.


Giants: As has been customary over the last few years, the Giants got great value with a number of their picks, specifically their first three. CB Prince Amukamara was a top-10 talent, DT Marvin Austin could have been a top-20 pick, and Jerrel Jernigan is a sleeper. I also like tackling machine LB Greg Jones in the sixth. Well done, again.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Da'Rel Scott (7th Round)
Grade: B.


Jets: As a Jets fan, I would have loved Da'Quan Bowers in the first round. Besides that, I think they got solid talent across the board. QB Greg McElroy is the same player as Andy Dalton but he was selected five rounds later. All six of their picks can make the team.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: WR Jeremy Kerley (5th Round)
Grade: B.


Chiefs: I'm a believer in WR Jon Baldwin, and I like how they addressed their need at DE/OLB with Justin Houston and Allen Bailey. This defensive line is now full of top draft picks with these two along with Tamba Hali, Glenn Dorsey, and Tyson Jackson.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: DT Jerrell Powe (6th Round)
Grade: B.


Bears: Chicago only had five picks this year, but they made the most of them, especially their first two. OT Gabe Carimi and DT Stephen "Bench-Pressing Freak" Paea will start from Day One.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: QB Nathan Enderle (5th Round)
Grade: B.


Titans: Tennessee decided to draft guys that love football. Sounds smart, but it's not always easy to identify players that fit this mold. Yes, they took QB Jake Locker too highly but they made up for it the rest of the way.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: DT Karl Klug (5th Round)
Grade: B.


Falcons: This draft (and some of next year's draft) clearly hinges on Julio Jones. They dealt five picks to move up 21 spots in the first round to nab Jones with the sixth pick. Atlanta was the best team in the NFC last year, and I respect them for thinking they are only one superstar away from putting them over the top. Hopefully for them, Jones is that guy.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Jacquizz Rodgers (5th Round)
Grade: B-.


Bills: Truthfully, any warm body would be an improvement along this defensive front, but Marcell Dareus will be an especially welcome addition. Aaron Williams will also help, but the defensive backfield wasn't a pressing need. They also chose not to address the quarterbacking situation so Ryan Fitzpatrick it will be in 2011.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: CB Justin Rogers (7th Round)
Grade: B-.


Vikings: They may have reached a little for ponder, but they redeemed themselves by grabbing TE Kyle Rudolph in round two, DE Christian Ballard in round four, and Brandon Burton in round five. Solid depth.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: LB Ross Homan (6th Round)
Grade: B-.


Rams: They gave Sam Bradford weapons to work and strengthened the defensive front seven. Solid.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: WR Greg Salas (4th Round)
Grade: B-.


Colts: A typically solid Bill Polian draft. Peyton Manning was doing backflips, err, gave a half fistpump when he saw the first two picks were offensive linemen. I thought DT Drake Nevis had a chance to go at the back end of round one so getting him in the third was a steal.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Delone Carter (4th Round)
Grade: C+.


Ravens: Not sure I can define it, but Jimmy Smith, Torrey Smith, and Tyrod Taylor just fit the " Baltimore mold." Jimmy fills a cavernous hole at corner, but I am not sure I trust to him to stay on his best behavior. Then again, Ray Lewis got away with murder so maybe Jimmy has a shot after all. Taylor reminds me of another Smith, Troy, whom the Ravens drafted in 2007.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Anthony Allen (7th Round)
Grade: C+.


Cardinals: I can't argue with the Patrick Peterson pick because he was one of the three best players in the draft, but they failed to address serious areas of need - QB, LB, OL - until late in the draft, making luxury picks at RB like Ryan Williams.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: LB Quan Sturdivant (6th Round)
Grade: C.


Patriots: How many years in a row can they trade down? It's hard to question Bill Belichick, but I would have liked to have seen them trade up to get an impact defensive end. Ryan Mallett was my favorite quarterback in the draft. Not sure if we'll ever be able to see what he could have been now that he's locked in as a backup for five years.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: OT Marcus Cannon (5th Round)
Grade: C.


Redskins: Washington finally traded down to pick up more picks, but it cost them in high end talent.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: WR Niles Paul (5th Round)
Grade: C.


Broncos: Von Miller and Rahim Moore, good. Beyond that, lots of questions.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: TE Virgil Green (7th Round)
Grade: C-.


Steelers: It's really hard to question Pittsburgh when it comes to the draft because they hit a lot more than they miss, but I wasn't crazy about this class.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Baron Batch (7th Round)
Grade: C-.


Chargers: Of their eight picks, none excites me aside from first rounder Corey Liuget.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Jordan Todman (6th Round)
Grade: D+.


Browns: Where is the offense going to come from? Teams are about to stack nine on the box and stuff Peyton Hillis. Plus, he's on the cover of Madden. Things could be really ugly in Cleveland this year. Pray the Indians stay hot or this city might implode.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Owen Marecic (4th Round)
Grade: D+.


Panthers: Every single one of Carolina's picks - including the top overall pick Cam Newton - is a boom or bust prospect. Swinging for the fences is not the way to build a team.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: OT Lee Ziemba (7th Round)
Grade: D.


49ers: They picked DE Aldon Smith and QB Colin Kaepernick too highly. I'm not excited about many of their 10 picks.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: WR Ronald Johnson (6th Round)
Grade: D.


Cowboys: Under Jason Garrett, Dallas' offense was borderline great. The defense was another story. It makes no sense that six of their eight picks were on the defensive side of the ball. They bolstered areas of the team that were already strong - linebacker and running back. Thumbs down.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Shaun Chapas (7th Round)
Grade: D-.


Dolphins: Bor-ring. OL Mike Pouncey is not as good as his brother. He is also not a center (can't snap in shotgun). Nothing to get excited about here.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: WR Edmond Gates (4th Round)
Grade: D-.


Seahawks: Another snoozefest here. That's what happens when you take guards with your first two picks.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: WR Kris Durham (4th Round)
Grade: D-.


Jaguars: A quarterback is not what this team needs. David Garrard was given no weapons with which to work. Blaine Gabbert will be put in the same situation now. Makes no sense. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: WR Cecil Shorts (4th Round)
Grade: F.


Raiders: What did Oakland accomplish in this draft? They got more speed but very little discernible talent.
Late Rounder That May Surprise: RB Taiwan Jones (4th Round)
Grade: F.

Mock Draft Revisited

I'm pretty pleased with my first round mock draft despite only two direct hits. I was within five slots of 20 different draftees; not a great number, but not terrible.

I hit 27 of the 32 first rounders as well. Again, decent but not spectacular.

Good hits: Green (4); Jones (6); Quinn (15); Pouncey (16)

Bad misses: Ponder (mock: n/a vs. actual 12); Heyward (19 vs. 31); Bowers (20 vs. n/a)

NFL Draft Thoughts - Day One

*If I'm the Browns at this point, here is what I do:

1- Trade pick 37 for a 2012 first rounder and a fourth rounder this year.
2- Trade pick 59 for a 2012 first rounder.
3- Use the rest of my 2011 picks on defensive players.
4- Make sure there is no football in 2011.
5- Draft an entire offense (specifically wide receivers) in 2012 when they will have four first round picks.


Cleveland fans can expect a lot more of this
with no skill position players for Colt to throw to.


*If I'm the Bills, I am taking Da'Quan Bowers at 34. To think they could get Dareus and Bowers without trading anything would have been unthinkable last month.


*I still think Ryan Mallett will be the best quarterback in this draft. Whoever gets him at this point is getting a steal.


*Best of Day One:

-Lions: Good luck running against these guys with Nick Fairley and Suh.

-Giants: Prince fell into their laps and they grabbed him. Well done.

-Eagles: Danny Watkins is not a sexy pick, but he fills an area of need.


*Worst of Day One:

-Panthers: I don't think they got the best player in the draft despite having the top pick. To me, that's inexcusable.

-Texans: How could they pass on Prince? Their secondary was/is awful, and the depth of the defensive linemen in this year's draft is far greater than that at cornerback.

-Jaguars: Quarterback was not the problem. Now, they have two of them and no second round pick.


*Need More Info:

-Cardinals: Adding Patrick Peterson vastly improves this defense, but who will line up under center?

-Patriots: Eventually, they have to use some of these future first round picks that they acquire, don't they? Ingram would have been perfect for them.

-Jets: Will passing on Bowers come back to haunt them if the Patriots or Bills take him early in the second round? Muhammad Wilkerson better have been worth it.


*I know they were on a tight deadline, but for Don Banks and Mel Kiper to leave Brooks Reed and Akeem Ayers, respectively, out of their second round mock drafts puts the whole exercise into question.

Ten Best Remaining after Day One

1. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson


His knee might not be 100%, but DQB is clearly the best talent available.

2. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
3. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
4. Brooks Reed, LB, Arizona
5. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Buffalo
6. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
7. Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
8. Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
9. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
10. Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky

Other Notables: Andy Dalton, QB, TCU; Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada; Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina; Juston Houston, DE, Georgia; Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh

NFL Draft Running Diary

Update: Twitter only from here on out. I'll update this tomorrow with a transcript.


7:45 - last guy in the green room (herzlich excluded bc < 1 year removed from crushing cancer): randall cobb


7:33 - scariest of all draftees in attendance: marcell dareus; least scary: blaine gabbert.


Gabbert looks like former NHLer Jeremy Roenick


7:30 - guy announcing all draftees in attendance alphabetically somehow called cam jordan before julio jones. whoops.
Not doing much to dismiss the notion football players/fans are not intelligent.


7:20pm - i left work a bit early today (645pm) so i could see the first round in its entirety. one of the 10 best days of the year An annual tradition - the running diary of the first round of the NFL Draft. Let's get after it.


*Items in italics are tweets.

Final NFL Mock Draft (Top 40)

Here is my final mock draft which includes mock trades.

ROUND ONE

1. Panthers: DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama - I am adamantly opposed to drafting a defensive lineman with the top pick, in large part because it has never worked. In my second mock draft, I said:

Since the NFL Draft came into existence in 1967, five defensive tackles have been selected first overall: Walt Patulski, Kenneth Sims, Russell Maryland, Steve Emtman, and Dan Wilkinson. Combined, these five made one Pro Bowl.

However, with their new head coach - the defensive-minded Ron Rivera - running the show, I think this is the direction Carolina will ultimately go.

If they really wanted Cam Newton, everyone would know already (no need to be coy when you have the top pick), but we don't which means the Panthers have doubts about him. Dareus has climbed the ranks since the season ended for a few reasons, namely impressive workouts and interviews (especially when compared to Nick Fairley).

He's safe, although not exciting.



2. Broncos: CB Patrick Peterson, LSU - Denver, and new head coach John Fox, have been linked to Dareus for some time, but I think this scenario works out great for them. Peterson might be the most talented player in this class, and they can grab a defensive lineman early in the second round as there is plenty of depth at the position.

3. Bills: DE Von Miller, Texas A&M - Talent meets needs. The Bills defensive line porous to put it kindly. Miller was a workout warrior that worked his way up draft boards late in this process (red flag). Hopefully, he makes the loyal fans of Buffalo forget about bust Aaron Maybin. Newton would also be tempting here.

4. Bengals: WR AJ Green, Georgia - The. Best. Player. In. The. Draft. He also plays a position of need, and he has some character concerns so he'll fit right in.



5. Cardinals: QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri - Larry Fitzgerald might not want a rookie quarterback throwing him the rock, but Gabbert would be the best fit for this franchise. He reminds me a lot of Mark Sanchez, the fifth pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, in that he is solid but not spectacular. He can be successful; just don't expect Kurt Warner.

6. Browns: WR Julio Jones, Alabama - From Mock Two:

The Browns haven’t had a 1000-yard receiver since 2007. This season, they finished 30th in passing yards per game, had no wide receiver eclipse 500 yards receiving, and were one of seven teams league-wide to throw more interceptions than touchdown passes. If they truly believe in Colt McCoy at quarterback and want to give him an honest evaluation, Mike Holmgren and Co. will surround him with some desperately-needed playmakers. Jones fits the bill. After being the top recruit in the country coming out of high school, he led the Crimson Tide in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in each of his three seasons in Tuscaloosa.

7. 49ers: QB Cam Newton, Auburn - I haven't seen any other mock drafts drop Newton this far, but I don't slipping past seven despite the fact he really isn't a great fit for new head coach Jim Harbaugh's offense.

8. Titans: DT Nick Fairley, Auburn - The comparisons to Albery Haynesworth are shallow and off-base. They have similar builds, play the same position, and can both be dominant, but the character issues are way overstated on Fairley.

9. Cowboys: DE JJ Watt, Wisconsin - A bookend for DeMarcus Ware.

10. Redskins: DE Aldon Smith, Missouri - A bookend for Brian Orakpo.

11. Texans: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska - Back to Mock One:
At one point this year, Houston's secondary was called "the worst ever." I'm not sure if I would go that far, but they did allow the most passing yards per game by any team since 2005. In my mind, they should make a run at newly-minted free agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha and take Amukamara (and not only to drive the Texans' beat writers crazy trying to type these names every day). The two of them wouldn't cure all of Houston's ills, but it would help.

12. Vikings: QB Jake Locker, Washington - Joe Webb is not the answer. Had Locker declared for the draft in 2010, he would have been a consideration for the top pick. He's a freak athlete that was working with subpar skill position players. He'll be just fine throwing to NFL receivers.

13. Lions: OT Tyron Smith, USC - Mock One:

Priority #1 in Detroit has to be keeping QB Matthew Stafford healthy. Protecting him would be a good idea.

14. Rams: DT Corey Liuget, Illinois - With AJ and Julio off the board, the value is on the defensive linemen.

15. Ravens*: DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina - The Ravens are great at identifying talent. Mock Two:

Surprisingly, the Ravens struggled to get to the quarterback this season. They recorded only 27 sacks, tied for fourth-worst in the league....Since character issues are not an issue on the Ravens (Ray Lewis / Donte Stallworth: murder or Terrell Suggs: domestic abuse, just to name three), they won’t mind that he punches people as long as he can rush the passer. Doesn’t it seem like every year a very good defensive player falls to the Ravens? In 2007, it was Haloti Ngata (11th overall); in 2009, it was Paul Kruger (57th); in 2010, it was Sergio Kindle (43rd) and Terrence Cody (57th).

I was descring Adrian Clayborn, but the same premise applies. Quinn won't fall all the way to 26 so Ozzie Newsome jumps up to grab this top-10 talent.

16. Steelers+: G Mike Pouncey, Florida - Here is one rumor I do believe - Pittsburgh would love to pair the Pouncey twins on their offensive line. Makes a lot of sense to me.

17. Patriots (via Oakland): OT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College - New England grabs the local product to solidify the O-Line.

18. Chargers: DE Cameron Jordan, California

19. Giants: DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State - Back to back Camerons.

20. Falcons%: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson - John Abraham cannot play forever. Once Atlanta sees Bowers slipping, they'll jump up to grab him.

21. Jets&: DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa - A potential top-5 pick coming into the season, he underperformed a bit at Iowa this year. However, he seems like a Rex Ryan-type player to me and all Jets fans want to forget about Vernon Gholston as quickly as possible.



22. Colts: OT Nate Solder, Colorado - Protect Peyton in any way possible. I also could see Mark Ingram going here.

23. Eagles: OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin

24. Saints: CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado - Two Buffaloes sandwich a Badger. KFC, take notice.

25. Bills^: QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas - He's slipped a bit, but there is no doubting his arm - a necessary tool in the Buffalo cold.

26. Dolphins*: RB Mark Ingram, Alabama - Miami gets their man despite dropping down 11 spots.

27. Bucs%: CB Brandon Harris, Miami - The quicker they get a replacement in, the quicker everyone forgets about Aqib Talib.

28. Patriots: LB Brooks Reed, Arizona

29. Bears: DT Phil Taylor, Baylor

30. Chiefs&: LB Akeem Ayers, UCLA - Kansas City gets their man despite dropping eight slots.

31. Jaguars+: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue - Jacksonville geths their man despite dropping 15 slots.

32. Packers: WR Jon Baldwin, Pittsburgh - Donald Driver's replacement.


NEXT EIGHT

33. Patriots (via Carolina): RB Mikel Leshoure, Illinois
34. Seahawks^: OT Derrek Sherrod, Mississippi State
35. Bengals: QB Andy Dalton, TCU
36. Broncos: DT Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple
37. Browns: TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
38. Cardinals: OT Ben Ijalana, Villanova
39. Titans: QB Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
40. Cowboys: G Danny Watkins, Baylor


* = Trade: Miami trades 15 to Baltimore for 26 and others
+ = Trade: Jacksonville trades 16 to Pittsburgh for 31 and others
% = Trade: Tampa Bay trades 20 to Atlanta for 27 and others
& = Trade: Kansas City trades 21 to New York for 29 and others
^ = Trade: Seattle trades 25 to Buffalo for 34 and others


Notes:

*Forget the "draft pick value chart." If I am Carolina, I trade down with Houston at number 11 and pick up an extra 2nd rounder this year and some picks next year. The Texans would take Peterson, and the Panthers could take the best player on the board at 11.

*Many of the mock drafts I have seen are very similar. In a year with no clear cut top choice, let alone consensus first rounders, most will be waaaay wrong (this one not excluded).

*Top Ten in Ten (Looking back ten years from now, these will be the best players):

1. AJ Green
2. Patrick Peterson
3. Mark Ingram
4. Julio Jones
5. Da'Quan Bowers
6. Brooks Reed
7. Rahim Moore (S, UCLA)
8. Ryan Mallett
9. Von Miller
10. Ryan Williams (RB Virginia Tech)

*I found it very interesting that The National Football Post ranked Cam Newton as the third best prospect in the draft... with the first name of Cam. They had Cam Jordan and Cam Heyward ranked (significantly) higher. I tend to agree that Newton will be picked too high, but NFP grossly underrates him (49th overall prospect).

*Ten of the top 11 picks come from the SEC or Big 12 (I'm lumping Nebraska here since they are technically still part of the conference).

*Biggest Movers from my first Mock draft in January:

A. Smith - up 20 spots
Liuget - up 19
Bowers - down 18
Watt - up 17
Mallett - down 17
Miller - up 14
Rahim Moore - out of top 40
Stephen Paea - out of top 40

*Monkeywrench players (I could be off by 20 or more spots): Locker, Taylor, Kerrigan, Dalton

*Potential Surprise First Rounders (of those not in my top 40): Christian Ponder, Drake Nevis