Our community mock draft was put on hold last week after it was announced that the Washington Redskins swapped spots with the St. Louis Rams. The move would undoubtedly have a major effect on April's draft, and since we were only ten picks into the process, it seemed fit to do a "reboot" of sorts. Here is a summary of picks 1-10 in the Dawgs By Nature Community Mock Draft:
No. 1: Indianapolis Colts - QB Andrew Luck - There was no change here since the trade did not effect them. Even if they were given the chance to re-pick and chose Robert Griffin III, Washington would not lose out -- they would still get Luck. Pick by Ryno III.
No. 2: Washington Redskins - QB Robert Griffin III - There was no doubt that Griffin had to go to the Redskins after the team traded three first round picks and a second round pick for him. To prepare for Griffin, the Redskins have tried to sign several average-to-overrated wide receivers.
Before the trade, the mock draft had the Redskins taking OT Riley Reiff at No. 6 overall. Pick by Groza.
No. 3: Minnesota Vikings - OT Matt Kalil - The Vikings have to be pretty thrilled with the Redskins moving up. It is guaranteed that two quarterbacks will go off the board, so in essence, they kind of have the "first overall pick" when it comes to drafting non-quarterbacks. Kalil fits one of their biggest need and should be a stud.
Before the trade, the mock draft had the Vikings taking WR Justin Blackmon, since Kalil was taken by the Rams at No. 2 overall. Pick by pt_999.
No. 4: Cleveland Browns - WR Justin Blackmon - Over the next few weeks, I think we are going to see this become the consensus pick for Cleveland. The Browns could still end up drafting a quarterback, but without Griffin, I'm a strong proponent of getting as much talent around Colt McCoy (or whoever) as possible. We can't sugarcoat the wide receiver position again and again -- we need to continue bringing in new players until we find a group that works, and that starts with Blacmon.
Before the trade, the mock draft had Griffin falling to the Browns. Up to this point, the players selected 1-4, albeit not in the same order, is the same. Pick by rufio.
No. 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - RB Trent Richardson - The Buccaneers had no reason to change their pick from Richardson, so they stuck with him. After what they've done in free agency (overpay for players), Richardson still seems like a potential, but certainly not guaranteed, pick for them. Pick by Rounds94.
No. 6: St. Louis Rams - CB Morris Claiborne - The Rams gained a lot of value for the future, as they will be set with multiple first round picks in back-to-back years. St. Louis would love to get Blackmon, but screw that -- we can't let them win twice. With Blackmon off the board, SpecialBrownie decided to take the best cornerback, Clairborne.
Before the trade, the mock draft had the Rams taking Kalil at No. 2 overall. Claiborne had previously fallen to Carolina at No. 9 overall, so they will need to change their pick now. Pick by SpecialBrownie.
No. 7: Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Quinton Coples - This pick remained the same, with OT Riley Reiff being the only potential new player that could be chosen. Pick by Chalmdeezy.
No. 8: Miami Dolphins - OLB Courtney Upshaw - This pick remained the same, with OT Riley Reiff being the only potential new player that could be chosen. Pick by gentryholdem.
No. 9: Carolina Panthers - DL Dontari Poe - With Claiborne out of the picture, the Panthers sought out help on the defensive line. Poe is the type of player who I could see going as high as No. 9, or as low as somewhere in the 20's. It makes sense for Carolina to focus on defense with this pick, just as they tried to do before with Claiborne. Pick by nickjs21.
No. 10: Buffalo Bills - OLB Melvin Ingram - This pick remained the same, with OT Riley Reiff being the only potential new player that could be chosen. Pick by The New Kardiac Kids.
The most important thing about this re-draft process? Brownie's Year, who has been anxiously hoping that no one picked his player (he had submitted his pick via email right before we announced the re-draft process), gets to keep his pick so nobody else took his guy. What was his pick? We'll find out a little bit later...