Jan 13, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) is pursued by New England Patriots defensive lineman Rob Ninkovich (50) and linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans are becoming a consistent threat in the AFC, having gone to the postseason for the last couple of seasons.  Arian Foster and JJ Watt give the Texans cornerstones on both sides of the ball, but if the Texans want to take the next step, they’ll need to add to their already talented roster.  (more…)

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces defensive end Shea McClellin (Boise State) as the 19th overall pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft  is like the Super Bowl of the off season and in order to get through the time, I have created my own Mock Draft for your reading enjoyment. Please tell me how wrong I am in the comments section below because I don’t watch much college football and I generally only care about one NFL football team, the Chicago Bears.  But here goes my first even mock draft.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

What to do with the #1 pick? With the rookie wage scale in place, a team can choose any position they want with the first pick of the draft. Since Andy Reid lost his job in Philadelphia because he didn’t have any offensive line depth, picking an Offensive Tackle would be the wisest move.

Eric Fisher
OT, Central Michigan

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

All I know is that Jacksonville has a long way to go and has many needs, so they will go with a quarterback for their pick.

Geno Smith
QB, West Virginia

3. Oakland Raiders

Since Luke Joeckel is still on the board when it is Oakland’s turn, they might as well grab him.

Luke Joeckel
OT, Texas A&M

4. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles need Offensive Line help, and both top Tackles are now off the board. What to do with the #4 pick? They could use a young quarterback, but Geno Smith is gone. Is it time to draft a defensive player?  I think it is.

Star Lotulelei
DT, Utah

5. Detroit Lions

Let’s see, will the Lions choose a wide receiver with the #5 pick? No, that was something that they would do when Matt Millen was the General Manager. Detroit has been consistent on bolstering both their defensive and offensive lines in the first round. You need to win the battle up front in the trenches and pressure the quarterback.

Chance Warmack
G, Alabama

6. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is just happy that they are not #1 or #2. They have needs all over the place. Can you draft a new team with the #6 pick? Why not pick a quarterback? That would be funny.

Matt Barkley
QB, USC

7. Arizona Cardinals

Good thing the Cardinals don’t need a quarterback anymore since both of the good ones are gone. Well, that is okay because they need Offensive Line help.

Lane Johnson
OT, Oklahoma

8. Buffalo Bills

Mario Williams was the best free agent signing ever.

Ezekiel Ansah
DE, BYU

9. New York Jets

I am so glad that I am not a New York Jets fan. Enough said.

Jonathan Cooper
G/C, North Carolina

10. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans used to be my favorite AFC team to watch on CBS when the Bears were not playing. Then, they fired Jeff Fisher. Now I watch them when they play the Bears. They need some help. Why not a defensive tackle?

Sharrif Floyd
DT, Floridal

11. San Diego Chargers

What is going on with Philip Rivers? I think they should trade him to a NFC North team so that Jay Cutler and him can get lippy again twice a year. Plus, the Chargers would get some draft picks. Win-Win situation. On a side note, they need a wide receiver.

Tavon Austin
WR, West Virginia

12. Miami Dolphins

Thank you Miami. These guys are the best. Enjoy the 3rd round pick, the Bears are enjoying Brandon Marshall. Maybe they should draft a receiver? Never mind. They bought one in free agency; Cornerback it is.

Xavier Rhodes
CB, Florida State

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What is going on in Tampa Bay? No, really, I don’t pay attention to them. Are they still in the NFC Central? They probably need a cornerback.

DeMarcus Milliner
CB, Alabama

14. Carolina Panthers

I should have voted for Ron Rivera for the Madden cover. Oh well. Carolina will pick a Offensive Tackle.

Menelik Watson
OT, Florida State

15. New Orleans Saints

Can New Orleans draft a defensive coordinator? If not, then how about draft a defensive player? They need some pass rush.

Dion Jordan
OLB, Oregon

16. St. Louis Rams

Jeff Fisher, do your thing. The Rams are going to pick the best football player available when it comes their turn.

D.J. Fluker
OT/G, Alabama

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) congratulates San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) after the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Packers 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

We’re nearing the completion of our Reader’s Mock draft and the rivals to the North, the Green Bay Packers, are next on the clock.  The Packers took a step back in 2012 and that’s tough to say considering they ended the season at 11-5.  Another disappointing playoff exit following their unlikely Super Bowl run a few years ago leaves the Packers searching to address some key needs to try to stay atop the NFC North and make another run at a Lombardi Trophy.  (more…)

Jan 6, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at M

The Indianapolis Colts are next up in our Reader’s Mock draft, with just about a week to go until the real deal on April 25th.

Talk about a turnaround!  The Indianapolis Colts finished with the worst record in 2011, traded away a legend, selected first in the draft and proceeded to go from worst to a Wild Card spot.  Really remarkable stuff.  In order to take the next step and surpass the Houston Texans and become a perennial playoff contender, they need to build on the success of 2012 and add a few pieces in the 2013 draft. (more…)

OK, so I’ve been slacking and fallen behind on the Reader’s Mock Draft, so to rectify the situation, I decided to just skip over the Bengals and Rams and cut right to the Minnesota Vikings.  Since no one cares about them anyway and Ziggy Ansah has slipped far enough down the draft board, I’ve assigned him to the Bengals.  The Rams already had a shot on the draft board with the 16th pick, so I’ve assigned Eddie Lacy, the next available vote-getter from their first go around on the clock.

As for the Vikings, they powered their way to the 2012 postseason on the surgically repaired knee of Adrian Peterson, exceeding expectations and vaulting ahead of the Bears and Lions into second place in the NFC North.  In order to pick up where they left off in 2012, Leslie Frazier and Rick Spielman will have to address some of the team needs.  (more…)

Jan 17, 2013; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery (right) introduces new head coach Marc Trestman during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

At long last, our own Chicago Bears are on the clock in our Reader’s Mock Draft.   The Bears finished the 2012 campaign with a 10-6 record but missed the postseason.  It was enough to get Lovie Smith fired and led GM Phil Emery to hire Marc Trestman as head coach.

The Bears are clearly overhauling their offense now with an offensive-minded head coach. Their biggest additions in free agency were on the offensive side of the ball, adding left tackle Jermon Bushrod and tight end Martellus Bennett.  They put the franchise tag on DT Henry Melton and brought back a couple of bit players on defense.  The big move on that side of the ball is letting Brian Urlacher depart, though no one has signed him just yet.  (more…)

December 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of an NFL game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants are next up in our Reader’s Mock Draft as we have nearly reached the pick for our Chicago Bears.   There are still plenty of good players available, so it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.

The Giants ended up with a winning 9-7 record, but after starting the season 6-2, missing the playoffs is now how the Super Bowl XLVI champs wanted their 2012 campaign to go.  (more…)

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws in the pocket as center Ryan Cook (63) blocks against Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton (98) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys are up next as we’re whizzing our way through the Reader’s Mock Draft.  The biggest news the Cowboys made this offseason was inking quarterback Tony Romo to a monster contract extension that could open the door for the non-Super Bowl winning QB’s like Jay Cutler to big paydays.

Will the Cowboys try to protect their big investment with an offensive lineman?  The top tier left tackles and guards are off the board, so could they go for right tackle DJ Fluker?  Can they pass on a top prospect sliding down the draft board?   Do they address their need for a linebacker and swipe one out from under the Bears’ nose?  (more…)