MOCK DRAFT: NFC West, AFC South

Welcome to Day 1 of my draft.  A little bit about how this will work:

I'm going to list the teams from each division and quickly real off my assessment of what each team needs.  I've also compiled a list of fifty or so of the best draft prospects this year by position (not listed here). 

Anyway, on to the forecast, which calls for light showers of unfairly athletic people:


NFC West

St Louis- For a 7-9 team that missed the playoffs thanks to the lowly Seahawks, this team isn't too bad off.  They need to shore up the offensive line to protect young quarterback Sam Bradford by taking a Guard.  Their secondary is a little weak.  Most importantly, they need some sort of Wide Receiver for two reasons- they dont have a real deep threat, and they need some sort of passing game to open up running lanes for Steven Jackson.

Seattle- The seahawks need a quarterback of the future, and you can almost guarentee that they will take one with the amount of qb's in this year's draft. But they need to fix holes in their offensive line too, and they have approximately 0 reliable corners.

San Francisco- yet another team, yet another needed quarterback.  Fun fact: alex smith was drafted parallel to Green Bay quarterback and recent superbowl winner aaron rodgers.  another fun fact: alex smith sucks, and aaron rodgers doesn't.  i believe the 49'ers are finally going to pull the plug on smith and take a new quarterback.  they also need a few defesive players that will probably come in the second round.

Arizona- yes, you guessed it. quarterback.  a tight end and linebackers wouldnt hurt either.


AFC South

Tennessee- will the need for quarterbacks never end?  Vince is done, and the titans need a new qb.  a D. Tackle and receivers will have to wait.  too bad you cant draft a new coach, though.

Houston- Last year, the texans were synonymous with "no pass defense."  they need a complete overhaul of their secondary.  they have little holes along their line they need to fix too (OLB, NT), but look for them to fix the gaping hole before the small leak.

Jacksonville- The other team known for very little pass defense.  Jacksonville needs a safety, but they also really need a couple receivers after the departure of Mike Sims-Thomas.  Mike Thomas cant do this by himself people.

Indianapolis- Most of the things Indy needs centers around their running game.  It's basically nonexistant, with Indy's run ranking in the late 20's (i wanna say 28th).  They're gonna need to draft a couple offensive linemen, and a runningback that isn't old and injury prone (joseph addai) or just otherwise really bad (hart/everyone else).  The improved line has the added bonus of protecting Peyton Manning, who- let's face it- is getting old, and will appreiate the protection.


5. Arizona- just cant decide. Either Gabbert or Von Miller. Let's say Gabbert.

7. San Fran- too soon to take a qb that doesnt belong in the top 10.  The 49'ers draft Patrick Peterson.

8. Tennessee-  Tennessee really, really likes Jake Locker, but this qb doesnt belong in the top 10.  they might try to trade down, maybe even with Jacksonville, but still get Locker along with possibly another pick or cash from the trade. 

11. Houston- I think Von Miller slips through the cracks somehow, and Houston grabs him at 11.

14. St. Louis- The rams need have specific needs, and all of the elite level Guards and WR's are taken.  I think they end up taking Rahim Moore, much to the chagrin of the jaguars at 16.

16. Jacksonville- Jax is in a bit of a problem- the talent they could want will already be taken, and the talent that will be left will not be worth of a mid first round pick. watch them to either trade away, or take someone that they dont  need but fits the pick.  I think they try to trade but cant, and could end up taking Nick Fairley.

22. Indianapolis- Gabe Carimi, an OT out of Wisconsin

25. Seattle- Aaron Williams, a Corner from Texas



Check out tomorrow, when i do the NFC north and the AFC West!