I don’t know about you, but I am as excited this year for the draft as anyone. I have heard rumors that the excitement of the draft is tempered this year due to the lack of top line quarterbacks, and other worldly explosive skill players, those players have been replaced by great linemen, on both the offensive and defensive line. No doubt players like Luke Joekel from Texas A&M, Eric Fisher from Central Michigan, and Star Lotulelei from Utah are not house hold names, but like the great lineman before them JJ Watt of the Texans, Joe Thomas of the Browns, Jake Long of the Dolphins, these players can change a franchise when surrounded by the right talent. Make no mistake, a draft this deep in lineman is a great thing for every team, and a great thing for fans.

This year the Kansas City Chiefs have the first pick in the draft, odd because they had 6 pro bowlers, the problem was none of them were lineman, and this team stands to get much stronger when they select Mr Joekel with the first pick on Thursday. The question is who will go after him. As a San Diego Chargers fan, I can only hope that one of these wonderful lineman drops all the way to the 11th pick, but as it stands right now, it is looking less and less likely. Check out my mock draft below, then let me know what you think in the comments section. See you Thursday!

Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joekel LT – Texas A&M -Flat out stud, the best lineman prospect since Jake Long.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Eric Fisher LT- Central Michigan – Toss up between him and Luke Joekel, this will be the first time in a long time that 2 offensive lineman will go 1 & 2.

Oakland Raiders – Dion Jordan DE – Oregon – Unreal quickness, rates a little lower than Von Millers, but will be a difference maker, the Raiders need those in droves if they are going to break this trend of drafting in the top 10 and missing the playoffs

Philadelphia Eagles – Lane Johnson LT – Okalahoma – Great athlete that will fit nicely in Chip Kelly’s new offense.

Detroit Lions – Star Lotulelei NG/DT – Utah – The best player that will make Detriots front 7 on D legendary if they can play together instead of playing as individuals as in the past.

Cleveland Browns – Dee Millener CB – Alabama – Browns needs secondary help in the worst way, if their D can step up, they have a chance to make the playoffs this year.

Arizona Cardinals -Ziggy Ansah DE – BYU – In my opinion, this is a bit of a stretch, he is a few years older due to his mission, and was not as explosive on tape as he was at the combine.

Buffalo Bills – Geno Smith QB – West Virginia – Now that Ryan Fitzpatrick is gone, the Bills need someone to run the offense. While Geno Smith has his detractors, he is the best option in this draft. In any other draft he would be a second rounder, here he is top 10.

New York Jets – Sharrif Floyd DE – Florida – A few weeks ago he was a top 3 pick, this week he is only top 10, the Jets will take it.

Tennessee Titans – Barkevious Mingo DE LSU – A bit of a project, but his athleticism can’t be overlooked.

San Diego Chargers - Chance Warmack OG – Alabama – While the Chargers need a left tackle badly, they will have to solve that in free agency, perhaps Bryant McKinnie of the Ravens?

Miami Dolphins – Kenny Vaccaro FS – Texas – This draft is full of safties, Vaccaro is the best of them.

New York Jets via Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sheldon Richardson DT – Missouri – A great value pick, he has the opportunity to be great.

Carolina Panthers – DJ Fluker OT – Alabama – Another great O-Lineman off the board.

New Orleans Saints – Jonathan Cooper OG – North Carolina – Did I mention this draft had a few linemen?

St Louis Rams – Tavon Austin WR – West Virginia – Sam Bradford needs someone to take the place of the departed Danny Amendola.

Pittsburgh Steelers -Sylvester Williams DT – North Carolina – The Steelers will be able to develop him into a premier pass rusher, like they always do.

Dallas Cowboys - Jarvis Jones OLB – Georgia – The once considered top 10 pick will be to tough for Jerry Jones to pass on, Tony Romo’s offensive line problems continue.

New York Giants – Alec Olgeltree ILB – Georgia – Defense is what the Giants do best.

Chicago Bears – Xavier Rhodes CB – Florida State – Premier corner backs are hard to find, he has the ability to get there one day.
Cincinnati Bengals – Eddie Lacy RB – Alabama – Running backs should never be taken in the first round, which is why the Bengals will take Lacy here.

St Louis Rams via Washington Redskins – Eric Reid FS – LSU – Play makers are what the Rams need on defense, Reid is one of those, no doubt.

Minnesota Vikings – Manti Teo ILB – Notre Dame – Can he over come his smaller size in the NFL? Was his performance against Alabama, the closest thing he saw in college to an NFL line a fluke? Only time will tell, personally, I think third round would be a better selection for Teo. Would he even be talked about if he played for Clemson? Too many questions for a first round pick, but the Vikings can’t pass on him here.

Indianapolis Colts – Donte Jones DE – UCLA – The Colts have a lot of holes, and due to the easiest schedule in the NFL last year, they snuck in to the playoffs. This year will be different because they will absolutely play a harder schedule. That being the case, the will improve their d line here.

Minnesota Vikings via Seattle Seahawks – Justin Hunter WR – Tennessee – The Vikings already reached on Teo, why not do it again at wide receiver?

Green Bay Packers – Tyler Eifert TE – Notre Dame – A solid pick that will improve this already potent offense, and after killing their cap with extensions to Rogers and Matthews.

Houston Texans – Robert Woods WR – USC – Unbelievably, this is the first USC player off the board. Woods has the opportunity to be an amazing slot receiver. Due to his size though, that is all that will come from Woods.

Denver Broncos – Bjoern Werner DE – Florida State – A development player with unreal measurables, however once he gets it, a Von Miller / Werner D Line will be one to take note of to say the least.

New England Patriots – DJ Hayden CB – Houston – The Pats need help at CB, Hayden is that help.

Atlanta Falcons – Desmond Trufant CB – Washington – Another team with CB needs, Trufant will fill that need.

San Francisco 49ers – Jesse William DT – Alabama – The rich get richer, this young team is poised for another Super Bowl run.

Baltimore Ravens – Kevin Minter ILB – LSU – A great defense just lost their leader, could Minter be that replacement?

Again, what do you think? Let me know in the comment section below!

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