» Brooks' mock drafts: 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0
The draft board is starting to crystallize with the conclusion of the pro days and individual workouts. Some players have solidified their spots in the first round with strong performances at their campus workouts, but others have seen their status plummet on the heels of a poor showing in front of scouts.
In addition, the background and medical reports have started to have an impact on the grades of several of the top-rated players in the draft. Decision-makers are weighing the potential rewards against the risks associated with dealing with some of the prospects currently carrying high grades in this draft.
Given the flurry of information that is currently entering war rooms across the league, it is important to note draft boards everywhere are in a state of flux. With that premise in mind, let's take a look at my latest mock draft:
1. St. Louis Rams
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
Bradford solidified his status as the top player in the draft with his sensational workout this week; he becomes the new face of the Rams' franchise. (Previous pick: Bradford)
2. Detroit Lions
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
The Lions' offseason moves to acquire help along the defensive line could dictate their draft-day intentions. Okung is the top-rated offensive tackle on the board and provides immediate protection for last year's No. 1 pick, Matthew Stafford. (Previous pick: Okung)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
McCoy is a better fit in the Buccaneers' Tampa 2 scheme, but Ndamukong Suh is an intriguing possibility due to his outstanding skill set. (Previous pick: McCoy)
4. Washington Redskins
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Jimmy Clausen and Suh will garner plenty of consideration at this pick, but the 'Skins have serious questions at both tackle spots and their offense will remain stuck in neutral until they address the offensive line. (Previous pick: Williams)
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa
Suh's unexpected availability will tempt the Chiefs' brass to use another top pick on a defensive lineman, but the team needs to provide Matt Cassel with better protection to maximize his potential. (Previous pick: Bulaga)
6. Seattle Seahawks
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
Pete Carroll rebuilds the Seahawks defense with Suh playing a pivotal role in the center of the defense. His dominating presence on the inside should allow the team's underrated cast of linebackers to fly to the ball uninterrupted. (Previous pick: Anthony Davis)
7. Cleveland Browns
Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Berry has outstanding skills as a playmaker, and his versatility vastly improves the Browns' secondary. (Previous pick: Berry)
8. Oakland Raiders
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
Al Davis takes a chance on Davis' immense potential; the former Rutgers star has the tools to be an all-star caliber offensive tackle if he improves his work ethic and focus. (Previous pick: Ndamukong Suh)
9. Buffalo Bills
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Clausen has top-10 talent, but teams have concerns about his intangibles; still, if he can impress Bills' brass at his pro day, he could become the team's new franchise QB on draft day. (Previous pick: Clausen)
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
Jack Del Rio and Co. will look long and hard at Dez Bryant at this pick, but McClain's outstanding skills and intangibles would make him a natural leader on the Jaguars' rebuilt defense. (Previous pick: Derrick Morgan)
11. Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
The Broncos' decision to select Bryant would surprise some, but Josh McDaniels witnessed the impact of Randy Moss during his time in New England. Although Bryant carries some baggage, his talent will be a boon to the Broncos offense and give the team options for dealing with Brandon Marshall. (Previous pick: Rolando McClain)
12. Miami Dolphins
Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
The Dolphins need a legitimate pass rusher after losing Joey Porter (and possibly Jason Taylor) during the offseason. Kindle has explosive rush skills and shows a knack for creating disruption off the edge. (Previous pick: Kindle)
13. San Francisco 49ers
Joe Haden, CB, Florida
Haden made amends for his disappointing 40 at the combine by posting 4.4s during his workout at Florida. With his speed issues sufficiently addressed, the 49ers add the talented playmaker to their lineup to hold down the corner opposite Nate Clements. (Previous pick: Haden)
14. Seattle Seahawks
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Spiller gives the Seahawks a "do-it-all" playmaker in the backfield. His ability to score from anywhere on the field should alleviate some of the pressure on Matt Hasselbeck. (Previous pick: Spiller)
15. New York Giants
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
Weatherspoon steps into the void created by the release of Antonio Pierce, and he gives the team a rock-solid player in the middle of its defense. (Previous pick: Weatherspoon)
16. Tennessee Titans
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
Morgan gives the Titans a workmanlike pass rusher with an outstanding motor on the edge. He may not dazzle with his athleticism, but his production and toughness make him an ideal fit in Tennessee. (Previous pick: Kyle Wilson)
17. San Francisco 49ers
Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho
Iupati is a rugged blocker capable of dominating the point of attack. His presence on the interior should upgrade the 49ers' potent rushing attack. (Previous pick: Iupati)
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
The Steelers could look to upgrade their offensive line with a player such as Maurkice Pouncey, but Wilson is an outstanding cover man with the skills to shine in the Steelers' aggressive defense. (Previous pick: Dan Williams)
19. Atlanta Falcons
Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
The Falcons have needs at linebacker and defensive end. Here, they opt for a pass rusher in hopes of improving their 28th-ranked pass defense. Graham may be undersized by some standards, but his production and relentless motor make him too good to pass up at this pick. (Previous pick: Graham)
20. Houston Texans
Ryan Mathews, RB, Fresno State
The Texans' explosive offense is a consistent runner away from being regarded as an elite attack. Mathews is a big, physical runner with home run potential. (Previous pick: Mathews)
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Earl Thomas, S, Texas
The Bengals could use this pick to address their tight end situation (Jermaine Gresham), but Thomas is a highly rated safety with outstanding instincts and ball skills. (Previous pick: Dez Bryant)
22. New England Patriots
Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
The losses of Jarvis Green and Richard Seymour over the past year threaten to cripple the interior of the Patriots defense. Odrick is a high-motor defender with the skills and versatility to play multiple roles in Bill Belichick's defense. (Previous pick: Odrick)
23. Green Bay Packers
Charles Brown, OT, USC
Brown gives the team a developmental prospect to groom as an eventual successor to Chad Clifton or Mark Tauscher. (Previous pick: Brown)
24. Philadelphia Eagles
Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
Jamaal Jackson's ACL injury creates a huge hole in the middle of the Eagles' line. Pouncey gives the team an immediate starter at center with the versatility to move to guard when Jackson returns to health. (Previous pick: Earl Thomas)
25. Baltimore Ravens
Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
The Ravens have an obvious need at tight end, but this team typically takes the best available player on the board regardless of position. Williams would give the Ravens a young defensive tackle to pair with Haloti Ngata in the middle of their defense. (Previous pick: Jermaine Gresham)
26. Arizona Cardinals
Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB, South Florida
The Cardinals signed Joey Porter during free agency, but still needs to add another pass rusher after losing Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor in the offseason. Pierre-Paul flashed dominant rush skills in his only season of major college football, and could emerge as a difference maker as a pro. (Previous pick: Pierre-Paul)
27. Dallas Cowboys
Taylor Mays, S, USC
The most impressive athlete in the draft has the tools to be a dynamic playmaker in the Cowboys' secondary. Although he has some limitations due to his size, Mays' potential could be too enticing for Jerry Jones to pass up. (Previous pick: Mays)
28. San Diego Chargers
Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama
Running back is a glaring need for the Chargers after LaDainian Tomlinson's departure, but the depth at that position is excellent and allows the team to address a big need at nose tackle. Though Cody's weight is a concern, his ability to occupy double and triple teams will undoubtedly improve the Chargers' run D. (Previous pick: Cody)
29. New York Jets
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
The Jets need to add more weapons to their aerial attack to fully maximize Mark Sanchez's potential. Thomas is a dynamic playmaker with the size and athleticism to create mismatches down the field. (Previous pick: Thomas)
30. Minnesota Vikings
Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers
Injuries to Cedric Griffin and Antoine Winfield make it necessary for the Vikings to address their cornerback position early in the draft. McCourty's athleticism, toughness and awareness make him an ideal fit in the Vikings' two-deep scheme. (Previous pick: McCourty)
31. Indianapolis Colts
Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
The Colts have evolved from extensively playing Tampa 2 to incorporating more man-to-man coverage in their game plan. Robinson is an outstanding cover man with the versatility to play in either scheme. (Previous pick: Maurkice Pouncey)
32. New Orleans Saints
Everson Griffen, DE, USC
The Saints could opt for a linebacker at this spot, but Griffen's rush skills fill an obvious need with Charles Grant no longer in the team's plans. (Previous pick: Griffen)
