| NFL Mock Draft, Take 1: Mike Pouncey, J.J. Watt to Patriots? | 01.27.11 at 7:15 am ET |
As the Super Bowl approaches, the questions for the 30 other teams grow louder and louder. After a heavy helping of draft coverage last year (right: Rob Gronkowski, Zoltan Mesko; Wrong: Jared Odrick, Ricky Sapp), WEEI.com is ready to crank it up once again. Here’s the first mock draft:

Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers won't have to travel far should be taken first overall by the Panthers. (AP)
1. Carolina (2-14) Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson The likes of Ndamukong Suh (second overall in 2010) and Mario Williams (first overall in 2006) have gone a long way in changing the line of thinking when it comes to selecting defensive lineman with such a critical pick. The Panthers would have probably liked to have gotten Andrew Luck’s name on a contract, but with his decision to return to school preventing that, the team is better off sticking with Jimmy Clausen for the money.
2. Denver (4-12) Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn Think many people saw the team being in this position when the Broncos hired Josh McDaniels a couple of years ago? Last season’s draft class – especially the first round picks – had McDaniels’ name all over it, and as the team moves forward with John Fox, the best-player-available approach is much safer.
3. Buffalo (4-12) A.J. Green, WR, Georgia Another year of Ryan Fitzpatrick? The Harvard product was serviceable last season for the Bills, and the C.J. Spiller selection screams of a team hell-bent on loading up on weapons, regardless of whether it has the guys capable of properly utilizing them. It’s hard to not imagine Buffalo not picking this high again next year, and if they end up winning the Andrew Luck sweepstakes next year, they will – despite Spiller’s forgettable rookie campaign — have assembled the makings of a potentially dangerous offense.
4. Cincinnati (4-12) Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina Quinn missed all of last season as a penalty for accepting accommodations from an agent. While that’s not the worst possible character knock, the fact that he’s been off the field this long after a monster sophomore season is the only thing that keeps him out of that conversation with Bowers and Fairley as to who the best defensive lineman in the draft is. In this scenario, Quinn would stay on the line, whereas he would figure to play outside linebacker in a 3-4.
5. Arizona (5-11) Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri John Skelton was one of the under-the-radar guys heavily esteemed in this space a season ago, and though he could have a very bright future as a project, this is a team that needs a franchise quarterback now. Gabbert might be the closest thing to that in this crop.
6. Cleveland (5-11) Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama Dareus is going to be sought after by 3-4 teams. His five-technique experience will be a plus should the Browns stick him at end in an effort to improve a defense that ranked 22nd in the league last season. Another guy who got busted for dealings with an agent, Dareus missed the first two games of his final season in Alabama.
7. San Francisco (6-10) Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Every year the 49ers are projected to go with a cornerback to complement (but actually supplant) Nate Clements, but they rarely address it (sorry, Phillip Adams). It’s pretty amazing that the Shawntae Spencer era has lasted seven years in San Francisco, but the 49ers need a guy at corner who can do more than tie Takeo Spikes in interceptions (Clements, Spencer and Spikes each had three a season ago). Peterson had four last season for the Tigers.
8. Tennessee (6-10) Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M Derrick Morgan, the 16th overall pick last year, played in only four games last season before going with a torn ACL. If he can see more time at end next season and the Titans are able to reel in the sack-happy Wafer to stick at outside linebacker, a defense that tied for eighth in the league with 40 sacks will be even tougher on quarterbacks 2011-12.
9. Dallas (6-10) Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska Amukamara is probably better than Mike Jenkins right now, and isn’t anywhere near as soft. Terrence Newman turns 33 in September, so this is a pick that gives them both an immediate upgrade and a long-term No. 1 corner.
10. Washington (6-10) Jake Locker, QB, Washington Locker probably is not deserving of being selected in the top 10, but he might be a safer pick than Cam Newton, and, of course, the Redskins just might be itching for another quarterback to mistreat.
11. Texans (6-10) Brandon Harris, CB, Miami This looks like a reach right now, but the truth is, it’s hard to tell what’s a “reach” until the combine is over with. In fact, draft day reaches aren’t necessarily what they seem (see Alualu, Tyson). The Texans could stand to go with a corner in the first round for the second straight season, and with Peterson and Amukamara off the board, there is no better option in this scenario.
12. Minnesota (6-10) Nate Solder, OT, Colorado Solder has the edge over USC’s Tyron Smith for now because of his size advantage, but the Vikings can’t go wrong with either tackle at No. 12. Quarterback is also an option here.
13. Detroit (6-10) Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue A healthy season from Kyle Vanden Bosch, coupled with the addition of Kerrigan on the other end would truly make for one of the top defensive lines given the presence of Suh. Kerrigan is among the elite pass-rushers in this draft but at 255 pounds, he could stand to put on some weight to stay on the line in a 4-3.
14. St. Louis (7-9) Julio Jones, WR, Alabama The Rams already have Sam Bradford, and now they have McDaniels to work his magic on the young signal-caller. It’s time they give him some weapons to throw to.
15. Miami (7-9) Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama With Ronnie Brown done in Miami, they can replace the former No. 2 pick’s production here with either Mark Ingram or Illinois’ Mikel Leshoure. Defensive tackle is another position to keep an eye on for Miami, as it will be interesting to see if the Dolphins are able to retain nose tackle Paul Soliai. The Utah product did an admirable job replacing the suspended-turned-retired Randy Starks and could cash in on the open market.
16. Jacksonville (8-8) Cam Newton, QB, Auburn The strong-armed Ryan Mallett could be an option here, but given that the team decided to move on from Byron Leftwich way back when, it’s tough to see them using another jfirst-rounder on a quarterback in the same mold. It may be a while before Newton is ready to start in the NFL, but the finished product will be something to see.
17. New England [from OAK (8-8)] Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida I simply don’t believe in using a first-round pick on a running back, and my guess is Bill Belichick isn’t too keen on the idea either after the Laurence Maroney experiment. Instead, the team can address another major need on the line. Should Logan Mankins walk, this pick becomes critical.
18. San Diego (9-7) Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa Yes, former first-rounder Louis Castillo is solid on one end, but that’s not the cause for concern. It’s the other end, where Jacques Cesaire and former Texans bust Travis Johnson saw time. Both Cesaire and Johnson are free agents, so Chargers are better off upgrading than re-upping what they’ve got.
19. New York Giants (10-6) Tyron Smith, OT, USC Smith is higher than Solder on some boards, and even if the Giants can’t get their highest-rated offensive lineman, they’ll still be able to get a dependable blocker for Eli Manning at No. 19.
20. Tampa Bay (10-6) Cameron Jordan, DE, California The jury is still out on 2010 third overall pick Gerald McCoy, but getting a pass-rusher to play alongside him could make for a very disruptive defensive line in Tampa. Jordan had six sacks in both his junior and senior campaigns at California.
21. Kansas City (10-6) Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA Ayers is a great candidate to crush it at the combine. A very athletic pass-rusher, the UCLA product is a very good fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, though his tackling ability should be called into question.
22. Indianapolis (10-6) Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin While Carimi could have just coasted knowing he could use his status as “the guy who replaced Joe Thomas,” he instead put together a solid college career that was capped with him receiving the Outland Trophy as a senior.
23. Philadelphia (10-6) Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College Well, it seems a little more clear this season regarding who the quarterback will be in Philadelphia, so they now look to protect him better. The last time the Eagles spent a first-rounder on an offensive lineman was in 2004, when they chose Shawn Andrews, whose talent was overshadowed by his inability to stay healthy in Philadelphia.
24. New Orleans (11-5) Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois With all due respect to Chris Ivory, the Saints’ high-powered offense should also have a back with the ability of taking over a game. Don’t be surprised if Leshoure ends up being the first running back draft when all is said and done.
25. Seattle (7-9) Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas Did you see enough from Charlie Whitehurst to believe he is the Seahawks’ quarterback of the future? Mallett has a cannon, and unless he pulls a Dan LeFevour at the combine, he’ll wow scouts with it.
26. Baltimore (12-4) Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State Speaking of the combine, don’t look for Heyward to do too much there. He had elbow surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews and reportedly will be able to run and do agility drills, but won’t bench.
27. Atlanta (13-3) Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri Can we finally say the Jamaal Anderson pick is one they would like to have back? John Abraham is going to be 33 at the start of next season and will be entering the final year of his contract. Anderson simply isn’t a starter, while Lawrence Sidbury hasn’t made an overwhelming case for why he should eventually take Abraham’s job in the future. Looks like it will have to be an outside hire.
28. New England (14-2) J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin If you can remember back to a year ago, I was big on Jared Odrick when it came to the Pats’ pick. Another year is in the books and the team made it through last season without Ty Warren. A healthy Warren along with Vince Wilfork and Watt could help return the Pats’ defense to, in Mr. Scott’s word, being able to stop a nose bleed. After playing at 279 pounds, it will be interesting to see if the 6-foot-5 4/8 Watt puts on weight to build his 3-4 case at the combine.
29. Chicago (11-5) Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia Remember, seven defensive backs went in the first round last year, and it wasn’t necessarily because of the guys who were available. Four corners in Round 1 wouldn’t be surprising, and the Bears definitely figure to be among the interested teams.
30. New York Jets (11-5) Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor It’s early, but how can you see the Jets go in any direction other than drafting this 351-pounder to provide some security at nose tackle? Plus, his character issues that got him bounced from Penn State might make for an intriguing fit within the wild Jets’ mentality.
31. *Green Bay (10-6) Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia The Packers probably would have liked to be able get their hands on a guy like Kerrigan and see what sort of damage he could do with Clay Matthews, but a shot at a Super Bowl isn’t so bad either.
32. *Pittsburgh (12-4) Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Villanova Given the difficulty the Steelers’ offensive line had staying healthy, they’ll gladly take a guy who never missed a start in college. They struck gold on the offensive line with Maurkice Pouncey last year.
*Subject to Super Bowl result
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Christopher Price: Hey all...my new book with @RealTroyBrown80 is available for pre-order through Amazon. Check it out http://t.co/Zd9iL8ME 17 hours ago
Christopher Price: It Is What It Is >> Breaking down the contract status of the Patriots’ rookie class http://t.co/dsuw3nHY via @WEEI 20 hours ago
Christopher Price: It Is What It Is >> Back to work for many at Gillette Stadium as OTA’s get underway http://t.co/2QnLCoqX via @WEEI 22 hours ago
Christopher Price: patriots - Wes Welker runs another reverse - WEEI | Christopher Price http://t.co/ng1aNROF via @WEEI 4:48 PM May 20, 2012
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Christopher Price: patriots - Welker backtracks on contract comments - WEEI | Christopher Price http://t.co/ng1aNROF via @WEEI 5:05 AM May 20, 2012
Christopher Price: Thanks to @RumfordJohnny @jj73cuda and @SteveB7SFG for the nice words. 4:56 AM May 20, 2012
Christopher Price: WW: "You can get caught up in it and react silly sometimes, but you know what? We’re getting paid to play a game we love." 4:47 PM May 19, 2012
Christopher Price: WW on #leapoffaith: "Probably not the wisest choice of words. But sometimes you react on emotion once & a while, it gets the best of you." 4:47 PM May 19, 2012
Christopher Price: Welker: "I’m franchised for the year, and I’m completely happy with that. I’m completely OK with it." 4:46 PM May 19, 2012

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