Fanball Sports Network Mock Draft (Updated)

The NFL correspondents at Fanball Sports Network all chipped in their knowledge and expertise on their respective teams, and the result led to a one round mock draft. Earlier in the offseason we compiled another mock draft of the first round, but that was before free agency and before the major trades. Thus, with the NFL draft only a week away the Fanball correspondents put together another mock draft, one that was able to take free agency and trades into account.

For our mock draft each correspondent selected for the team they represent, and each site will have an in-depth look into the pick. In this year’s draft the Colts hold the 31st pick, and it is clear that they have some issues they must address. With the release of Ryan Lilja and the inconsistent play from the offensive line, it is clear that the Colts could benefit from using the 31st pick on any type of lineman. However, with the top two guards, Mike Iupati and Maurkice Pouncey, off the board and a run of offensive tackles taking place early in the first, I believe the Colts would have to turn to the defensive side of the ball. Defensively the Colts could use upgrades at several positions, but one that I believe the front office will focus on is defensive line, specifically defensive tackle. 

In the Fanball Mock Draft, I have the Indianapolis Colts selecting UCLA defensive tackle, Brian Price. Price not only fills a position of need for the Colts, but he is also the best player available. Most scouts have Price being selected within the first 25 picks of the draft. However, because of the depth and talent in this year’s draft class at this position, there is a possibility that Price will slip to the Colts. Price fits in perfectly with this defense, and his high-motor will force teams to focus on the interior of this talented defensive line. Mathis and Freeney have provided an amazing pass rush off the edge for years, and the addition of Price will free up the defensive ends even more. The Colts will look for Price to use his exceptional burst of the snap and his high motor to get into opposing teams backfields, and clog up the run. At 6-2 and 300 pounds, Price is big body that the Colts need to finally push opposing offensive lines around up front.

In my opinion the Indianapolis Colts must address the offensive line, interior defensive line, and the cornerback position in this year’s draft. However, because of the depth of this draft, I believe that the Colts should go with the best player available in areas of need. Just because they need an offensive lineman does not mean that they should reach for one in the late first who may fall into the late second round. Based on how the mock draft went, I had the Colts selecting a player who fills an area of need, but may also be the best player available this late in the draft.

1) St. Louis Rams – (RamsHerd.com) – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

2) Detroit Lions – (RoarOfTheLions.com) – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

3) Tampa Bay Bucs – (WhatTheBucs.com) – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

4) Washington Redskins – (PaintItRedskins.com) – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

5) Kansas City Chiefs – (ChiefsChatter.com) – Dan Williams, DT, Kansas City

6) Seattle Seahawks – (FlockOfSeahawks.com) – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

7) Cleveland Browns – (GridironBrownies.com) – Joe Haden, CB, Florida

(Who knows where Big Al will go with this one) Oakland Raiders – (Raidersradar.com) – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

9) Buffalo Bills – (BillsHerd.com) – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

10) Jacksonville Jaguars – (TealPower.com) – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

11) Denver Broncos – (BroncosStable.com) – Earl Thomas, S, Texas

12) Miami Dolphins – (BlogWithAPorpoise.com) – Brandon Graham, LB, Michigan

13) San Francisco 49ers – (NinersNuggets.com) – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

14) Seattle Seahawks- (FlockOfSeahawks.com) – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

15) New York Giants – (GmenDen.com) – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

16) Tennessee Titans – (HonkyTonkTitans.com) – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, USF

17) San Francisco 49ers- (NinersNuggets.com) – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

18) Pittsburgh Steelers – (SteelersMill.com) – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

19) Atlanta Falcons – (DirtyBirdBlog.com) – Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

20) Houston Texans – (DontMessWithTexans.com) – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

21) Cincinnati Bengals – (BengalsJaw.com) – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

22) New England Patriots – (PatsChowder.com) – Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

23) Green Bay Packers – (PackingCheese.com) – Taylor Mays, S, USC

24) Philadelphia Eagles – (EaglesHaveLanded.com) – Maurkice Pouncey, OC/OG, Florida

25) Baltimore Ravens – (FootBaltimore.com) – Devin McCourty, CB, Rutgers

26) Arizona Cardinals – (DesertFlock.com) – Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson

27) Dallas Cowboys – (Respectthestar.com) – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers 

28) San Diego Chargers – (Chargingbolts.com) – Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama 

29) New York Jets – (Turnonthejets.com) – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

30) Minnesota Vikings – (Vikingsthrone.com) – Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama 

31) Indianapolis Colts – (Coltschatter.com) – Brian Price, DT, UCLA 

32) New Orleans Saints – (Whodatblog.com) – Jimmy Claussen, QB, Notre Dame

Similar to most mock drafts, this draft does not take into account all of the draft day trades that will certainly take place. If the draft did happen to shake out this way, I believe the Colts would be ecstatic to add a high intensity player, such as, Brian Price. However, the Colts front office has been known to take offensive players in the first round, and over the years they have hit on quite a few in the early and late rounds. So not matter which direction they go, fans should feel comfortable with the brain trust that the Colts have in place on draft day.