Just as the moth returns to the flame, I continue to roll out the mock drafts. As free agency and trades have altered NFL rosters, so too has it altered the NFL Draft landscape. With rumors and innuendoes of what team, loves what prospect continuing to flood the airwaves and internet, it's time to throw those proverbial darts at just how I see the first round of April's draft unfolding.
As March Madness draws to a close and my string of consecutive years without winning a bracket pool reaches 30 (yes, you read that right ... 30), it's nice to turn my full attention back to draft evaluation. So here is Mock 2.0 in all its glory!
1. KANSAS CITY - Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M: After shoring up their offense on multiple fronts through free agency, the Chiefs don't overthink this one and go with arguably the top left tackle available in the draft. Selecting Joeckel to pave the way for Jamaal Charles as well as protect new quarterback Alex Smith 's blind side also opens up the trade possibilities for franchised offensive tackle Branden Albert. In a perfect scenario Kansas City is able to recoup the second-round pick they traded for Smith in an Albert deal.
2. JACKSONVILLE - Dion Jordan , OLB/DE, Oregon: The Jaguars need so much help on both sides of the ball that their selection here could go a number of ways. After swinging and missing on pass rushing options in the past such as Derrick Harvey , Quentin Groves and Andre Branch (the jury is still out but his rookie season was unimpressive to say the least), look for Jacksonville to take one more shot at it.
Jordan is a physical freak at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds and versatile enough to play outside linebacker or defensive end. He has drawn comparisons to San Francisco's Aldon Smith.
3. OAKLAND - Sharrif Floyd , DT, Florida: The Raiders avoided the need to select West Virginia's Geno Smith by acquiring former Green Bay and Seattle quarterback, Matt Flynn . They also avoid having to realistically consider starting Terrelle Pryor next season as general manager Reggie McKenzie gets a familiar face to play under center for Oakland. That frees them up to grab the best defensive line prospect in the entire draft. Floyd is solid against the run and provides above average interior pressure from the defensive tackle position. He is also versatile and explosive enough to kick outside and play defensive end for Oakland. He'll step in as a Day 1, three-down player on the defensive front.
4. PHILADELPHIA - Star Lotulelei...