1. Colts – Andrew Luck – QB, Stanford

2. Redskins – Robert Griffin III – QB, Baylor

3. Vikings – Matt Kalil – OT, USC

4. Browns – Trent Richardson – RB, Alabama

5. Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne – CB, LSU

6. Rams – Fletcher Cox – DT, Mississippi State

7. Jaguars – Justin Blackmon – WR, Oklahoma State

8. Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill – QB, Texas A&M

9. Panthers – Luke Kuechly – ILB, Boston College

10. Bills – Michael Floyd – WR, Notre Dame

11. Chiefs – David DeCastro – G, Stanford

12. Seahawks – Quinton Coples – DE, North Carolina

13. Arizona Cardinals – Riley Reiff – T, Iowa

14. Dallas Cowboys – Mark Barron – SS, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles – Michael Brockers – DT, LSU

16. New York Jets – Melvin Ingram – DE, South Carolina

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Stephon Gilmore – CB, South Carolina

18. San Diego Chargers – Cordy Glenn – T, Clemson

19. Chicago Bears – Whitney Mercilus – DE, Illinois

20. Tennessee Titans – Dontari Poe – DT, Memphis

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Courtney Upsaw – OLB, Alabama

22. Cleveland Browns – Stephen Hill – WR, Georgia Tech

23. Detroit Lions – Jonathan Martin – G, Stanford

24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Donta Hightower – ILB, Alabama

25. Denver Broncos – Jerel Worthy – DT, Michigan State

26. Houston Texans – Kendall Wright – WR, Baylor

27. New England Patriots – Devon Still – DT, Penn State

28. Green Bay Packers – Shea McLlellan – OLB, Boise State

29. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz – C, Wisconsin

30. San Francisco 49ers – Amini Silatolu – G, Midwestern State

31. New England Patriots – Nick Perry – OLB, USC

32. New York Giants – Coby Fleener – TE, Stanford

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

New face of the franchise.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

They traded three first-round picks and a second rounder to move up four spots. Shanahan gets his man.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings took Christian Ponder, an injury-prone quarterback, in round one last year. Kalil can step in from day one and keep him upright and will be a future All-Pro.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Peyton Hillis left town for KC. Richardson is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Blessed with height, length and elite ball skills, Claiborne helps shore up a young secondary.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

They got a major haul for the No. 2 pick and still get their top target with the sixth pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Gene Smith goes for high-character guys, and Cox is potentially the best defensive player in this draft.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

They might have to move up a few spots, but the Dolphins can’t afford to pass on another franchise QB.

9. Carolina Panthers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

With Cox off the board, Carolina goes with one of the better corners in this draft. Gilmore’s stock is flying high.

10. Buffalo Bills: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Riley Reiff isn’t enough of a difference maker to go in the top 10. This pick will come down to Floyd, Barron or Kuechly. The tackling machine would solidify a much improved defense. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Scott Pioli is a New England guy and perhaps no team other than the Eagles likes drafting linemen early. DeCastro is an elite guard who will make multiple All-Pro teams.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is tailor-made for Pete Carroll’s elephant position. He can be the successor to Chris Clemons as a hybrid pass rusher.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Pairing the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder with Larry Fitzgerald would give the Cardinals a deadly combination.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Dallas may have to move up a few spots to secure the former All-American, but if he’s still there, there’s no way they pass on him.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Eagles love drafting linemen in the first round, and Coples is incredibly talented.

16. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

This pick will come down to an edge rusher or Reiff, but I think getting him at 16 is too good a value to pass up to solidify the right side of their offensive line.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Marvin Lewis loves defense and he loves him some Upshaw.

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Larry English failed to be the pass rusher the Chargers envisioned when they took him at 16 in 2009. Mercilus is athletic and led the nation with 16 sacks last year.

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright would be a fantastic fit with Cutler’s downfield throwing ability.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Tennessee has some decent interior linemen in Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug, but none of them are the athlete that Poe is. After losing Jason Jones, he can become an elite player if he improves his technique.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Leon Hall is returning from an Achilles injury, and Kirkpatrick would be a solid fit as a physical, lanky corner.

22. Cleveland Browns: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

I think Wright would be a tremendous fit, but with him off the board, Cleveland fixes its right tackle spot with the athletic Glenn.

23. Detroit Lions: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The Lions have a great defensive line, but Kyle Vanden Bosch is on his last legs. Jones is a late riser who could grow into a terrific LDE.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

He has the ability to line up at any linebacker spot, and has the experience and pedigree that should make him a great fit in the Steelers 3-4 defense.

25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

This is my sleeper pick for round one. Peyton Manning’s offense relies on a running back who can catch the ball and pass protect. Martin fits that description.

26. Houston Texans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Brooks Reed is a nice player, but Perry is substantially more talented. Putting them in a rotation opposite Connor Barwin will be deadly.

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State

He’s the ultimate Swiss Army knife who’ll remind Bill Belichick of Mike Vrabel.

28. Green Bay Packers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Packers have the luxury of taking the best player on the board. Brockers could grow into a dominant five-technique.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill is supposedly the apple of the eye for the Ravens. His downfield speed and size would be a great fit.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State

The Mike Iupati clone would fill out the rest of a young, tough line to clear holes for Frank Gore.

31. New England Patriots: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

I’m higher on Still than guys like Reyes and Worthy. If he checks out medically, I could see him growing into a great five technique.

32. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

The Giants take a best player available approach like last year and take a guy who was considered a lock for the top 25.

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By the time the 2012 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night, it will have been 108 days since the Alabama Crimson Tide knocked off the LSU Tigers in the Allstate BCS Championship game. During those three-and-a-half months, scouts, coaches, draftniks and fans have dissected the hundreds of draft-eligible players who hope to hear their names called this weekend. In New England, April is like another season as Bill Belichick masterfully manipulates the draft board, wheeling and dealing his way around until he picks up both players and future draft picks.

This year is no different as the Patriots hold four of the top 63 picks, including picks 27 and 31. With a weak pass defense and a solid defensive line class, the Patriots should once again be major players, according to former Cleveland Browns scout Matt Williamson.

For the Pittsburgh native, the draft is still one of the most exciting times of the year.

“It’s the day that NFL teams pull out the curtain and show you their cards,” he said.

While the Patriots are notoriously stingy when it comes to divulging injury information and pregame chatter, the draft speaks clearly about the state of the team’s roster.

One area that Williamson could see the Pats upgrading is the front seven, and in particular, the defensive line. Luckily, this year’s group features some elite players as well as a promising group of second-tier prospects.

Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox sits atop Williamson’s board, followed by Memphis’ Dontari Poe and LSU’s Michael Brockers. After the top three, there’s a big gap between the next group that includes Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy, Clemson’s Brandon Thompson, Penn State’s Devon Still and Connecticut’s Kendall Reyes. However, with the Patriots sitting at 27 and 31, Williamson said there’s a good chance New England gets involved with one of those second-tier players.

While Cox looks to be a surefire top-15 selection, there have been questions about where Poe and Brockers will be selected on Thursday. After a monster combine, Poe vaulted up draft boards while Brockers’ hype fizzled after a relatively pedestrian one.

Although the national media’s appetite for Poe has cooled, Williamson is high on the 6-foot-4, 346-pounder.

“A lot of people look at him and say he’s overrated because he didn’t make a lot of plays, but he’s not a bad effort player,” he said. “Most 350-pound defensive tackles like Phil Taylor and B.J. Raji don’t make a lot of plays. He’s a really rare guy who’s become underrated.”

On the other hand, Williamson sees Brockers, who’s been commonly linked to the Patriots in mock drafts as a Richard Seymour replacement, as a one-dimensional player at this stage of his young career.

“He’s a big, strong, great-looking kid. He’s just starting to scratch the surface, but he’s a long way away,” he said.

The 6-foot-6, 322-pounder has some position versatility and appears to be an ideal 3-4 DE, but his lack of pass rush skills have some scouts and draftniks, including Williamson, concerned.

In fact, when asked about the Brockers-Seymour comparison, Williamson noted that Seymour is a great pass rusher “can whip a guard consistently” while Brockers is pretty much just a run defender with some pocket-pushing ability right now.

If the Patriots plan to address their pass rush (something we’ve been clamoring for over the past few years), there are some intriguing guys that should be available when New England is on the clock.

Vinny Curry, a favorite of NEPatriotsDraft, was one of the players Williamson mentioned as a good fit in New England. Though he doesn’t necessarily translate to an outside linebacker in a 3-4, his hustle, great motor and pass rush skills should make him an excellent fit as a 4-3 defensive end/pass rusher, according to Williamson.

Another late riser, Chandler Jones of Syracuse, has been on Williamson’s sleeper list for a while now.

“He’s somebody I think the Patriots love. He’ll be a hot commodity on draft day.”

Besides upgrading the front seven, the Patriots have some work to do with the secondary. Late in the season, the group seemed to come together as Sterling Moore emerged as a solid player, however, there’s still some uncertainty about the depth chart with Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling and Kyle Arrington all in the fold.

After a sensational rookie season, McCourty struggled mightily in 2011, resulting in a switch to free safety late in the year. Dowling missed most of the season with a hip injury while Arrington went on to tie for the league lead with seven interceptions.

With Pat Chung locked in at one spot, the draft should reveal how the Patriots view McCourty’s longterm prospects.

Interestingly, Williamson thinks McCourty could be used in a Charles Woodson-type role throughout his career, matching up as a man-to-man safety against athletic tight ends like Dustin Keller while moving to the slot against physical receivers like Marques Colston.

One player who I have had the privilege of watching in person during my time at the University of Florida is Janoris Jenkins. The talented, but troubled corner played at North Alabama last season after being dismissed from the Gators following a marijuana-related arrest.

The 5-foot-9, 193-pounder is blessed with incredible agility, speed, return ability and ball skills, yet he may not even go in the first round.

“As a player, he might be the best cover corner in this draft, including [Morris] Claiborne,” Williamson said. “He has a long list of red flags off the field. I don’t know him, but by all accounts, he’s scary. As a player though, he’s exactly what the Patriots need.”

The risk-reward with a player like Jenkins is extremely volatile, and it will be interesting to see if he’s even considered when the Patriots pick at 27. If Belichick thinks he can keep him in line, I wouldn’t hesitate to draft him. I’ve likened him to a more athletic Asante Samuel because of his instincts.

Though Williamson and I agree that the Patriots would do better to add elite players rather than always trade back and add solid ones, it’s tough to imagine Belichick dealing up in this year’s draft.

Despite his inkling for moving down, Belichick has assembled one of the best 53-man rosters in the league by building the middle class. With a rather underwhelming cast of prospects this year, there’s probably nothing we can’t rule out when New England is on the clock.

So sit back, Pats fans. We’ll have three days of nail-biting, head-scratching and heart-pounding drama as the Patriots try and upgrade an already top-of-the-line roster.

Let’s see if the hoodie strikes again.

You can follow Matt Williamson on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL.

On Tuesday night, the schedule for the 2012 NFL season was released with massive primetime specials on ESPN and NFL Network. For the New England Patriots, they now have what amounts to the easiest strength of schedule based solely on last year’s records of their opponents. Now, this does NOT mean that the Patriots are a lock to make it to New Orleans in February? There are still many pitfalls on the schedule, but a lot of the tough opponents seem to have to come to Gillette Stadium. Even though the opponents do not seem as tough, keep in mind also that the Patriots are playing three of their first four away from home.

We won’t predict the schedule right now, but here I will give you my top five games to watch in 2012:

5. 49ers at Patriots (December 16^th, 8:20, NBC): This could be a potential Super Bowl Preview like it almost was last year. The last inter-conference matchup of the year will have a ton of storylines. For one, New England will see a hero and a villain return from the same team. Fans still love Randy Moss as he should make his second return to Foxboro since being a Patriot. However, the man who made the infamous catch for the Giants, Mario Manningham, will be in action. Cue the replays from NBC all during that game. For the 49ers, can Alex Smith have another good season with all the weapons around him? As for the Patriots, this matchup will have their dynamic offense seeing one of the best defenses in the league and you know a Harbaugh coached defense will get after the quarterback!

4. Texans at Patriots (December 10^th , 8:20, ESPN): This game makes the list because it is the only Monday Night Football game the Patriots are on this year. Houston was one of the best teams in the AFC last year and they did not even have their starting quarterback. Matt Schaub should be back and the tandem of Schaub-Johnson will be tough to stop for the young defense. This game could be a shootout of points even in the cold December air. Plus, this game could have playoff seeding on the line for a potential AFC playoff rematch.

3. Patriots at Ravens (September 23^rd, 8:20, NBC): Revenge will be on the minds of the Baltimore Ravens as New England goes on the road for this tough Sunday night matchup. The Ravens feel they outplayed the Patriots in the AFC Title game until Lee Evans (now in Jacksonville) dropped a game winning touchdown and kicker Billy Cundiff missed a cheap shot field goal. The Ravens will want to get New England in this one and we know their defense is probably the best at confusing Tom Brady. How will Joe Flacco improve in 2012? This will be one of the best games of the first month of the season.

2. Broncos at Patriots (October 7^th, 4:15, CBS): It is the game that everyone has been waiting for around the National Football League. Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. Two of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game finally go back to play each other. Manning’s team will be on primetime a lot in the early part of the season and he has to try to make a young receiving corps better along with a defense that was on the field a lot last year. It is not Tim Tebow in Denver, but they will be a contender in the AFC West in all likelihood if Manning is 100%, Another big game for both home field and seeding in the AFC playoffs early in the season.

1. Patriots at Jets (Thanksgiving, 8:20, NBC): I am a little bias in this one being a New Yorker but Rex Ryan is already talking about putting aside his massive Thanksgiving feast for this game. In my estimation, I think Tim Tebow will be the starter for the Jets by this game. These division rivalries are always heated and there will be many storylines surrounding this game at MetLife Stadium. Plus, this could be a game that determines a division winner, but watch out for the two Bills games earlier in the year. The Jet defense vs. Tom Brady is always an interesting matchup and it will be even more heated with #15 this year!

In typical Belichickian fashion, the Patriots attacked free agency looking for the best value. I won’t waste time recapping this strategy as I’ve already covered it before, but long story short, the Pats brought in a bunch of mid-level guys who strengthened the middle of the roster. Robert Gallery, Donte Stallworth and Steve Gregory all have a chance to be rotational guys who can make an impact on game day. Brandon Lloyd may finally solve our problem of finding a receiver who can attack outside the numbers.

But that leaves us with the ultimate question, what does New England need to do in the draft?

For me, the answer begins and ends with the defense. There truly isn’t an area on that unit that couldn’t use an upgrade except for inside linebacker or nose tackle. Assuming New England returns to a 3-4 defense, Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes and Vince Wilfork comprise an excellent middle of the defense. However, the edge of the front seven as well as the secondary could still use significant upgrades.

Unfortunately, this year’s crop of pass rushers doesn’t match up to last year’s group that featured Von Miller, Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan and Brooks Reed among others. However, there are some fringe first-rounders who could be on the board when the Patriots are on the clock at 27 and 31. Vinny Curry, Shea McClellin, Nick Perry, Andre Branch and Courtney Upshaw would be my top five targets to consider late in the first. Each prospect has some holes in his game: Curry – level of competition, McClellin – positional fit, Perry – Linebacker or end?, Branch – run defense and Upshaw – athleticism/positional fit.

If New England hopes to resurrect the 3-4 defense, I’d argue that one of the key positions to fill via the draft would be at right defensive end. Ever since trading Richard Seymour in ’09, Belichick hasn’t been able to find anyone with the length, strength and athleticism to man that spot. Meanwhile, Seymour has made two Pro Bowls with the Raiders. Finding five-technique defensive ends isn’t an easy task. There simply aren’t many 6-foot-4 or taller human beings who weigh 300+ pounds who have the athleticism to get after the passer and the ability to stuff the run. This draft has a few intriguing names like Fletcher Cox, Quinton Coples and Dontari Poe, but all three should be off the board by pick 27. Some names to keep an eye on include Penn State’s Devon Still, Connecticut’s Kendall Reyes, Syracuse’s Chandler Jones, Nebraska’s Jared Crick and Cincinnati’s Derek Wolfe.

I hate to beat a dead horse but the Patriots secondary still isn’t good enough to win a championship. Despite spending high-round picks on Pat Chung, Devin McCourty and Ras-I Dowling, New England enters the draft with an underwhelming cast in the back end. If those three players play to their draft status, you have three above-average starters with Pro Bowl potential. But if Chung and Dowling remain injury-prone and McCourty plays like he did in 2011 as opposed to his rookie year, it’ll be another long year in Foxboro. With Sterling Moore and Kyle Arrington also in the fold, I think New England is in decent shape at corner. However, adding more talent to the safety spot is imperative. Unfortunately, safety is one of the weakest areas in the draft. Mark Barron is the lone first-round safety, and based on recent draft projections, he’ll be long gone by the time New England is on the clock. Harrison Smith of Notre Dame might not last to pick 48, and I have doubts whether he’s a true difference maker. Some mid-round guys to consider include George Iloka of Boise State, Brandon Taylor of LSU and Markelle Martin of Oklahoma State.

With an offense featuring elite playmakers in Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd, the Pats need to make a concerted effort to improve one of the league’s weaker defenses. Armed with four picks in the top 64, it shouldn’t be too difficult to accomplish this task. If Belichick hits on those picks, this team will once again be in position to make a run at a fourth title.

Earlier this week I looked at 10 prospects who will get over drafted based on their potential or athletic ability. Today, I’m flipping to the other side of the coin. Listed below are 10 prospects who I think will be successful in the NFL based on their college production, scheme versatility and athletic ability. This list features only one first-round lock in Fletcher Cox, but most of the other guys on this list should go on the second day of the draft.

1. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: Dontari Poe grabbed all the headlines with a truly amazing combine performance, but look closely and you’ll see Cox was equally as impressive. The 6-foot-4, 298-pounder ran an amazing 4.79 forty and put up 30 reps on the bench. His agility drills and test times were also off the charts. When you turn on the tape, Cox displays a unique ability to penetrate from any spot on the line. His athleticism translates well to one-gap 4-3 schemes like the Eagles employ, but with his frame, he could be an incredible 3-4 DE with rare pass rush ability.

2. Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State: If there’s one pass-rushing prospect I’d love to see in a Pats uniform, it’d be the 6-foot-3, 260-pound demon from the land of Idaho. McClellin lined up all over the field for the Broncos, excelling as an interior blitzer as well as demonstrating the ability to bend and turn the corner as an edge rusher. He reminds me of a more athletic Mike Vrabel whose tenacious style and versatility would be welcomed in New England.

3. Doug Martin, RB, Boise State: Trent Richardson is by far and away the best back to come out in years, but Martin is being criminally undervalued in mock drafts. The 5-foot-9, 223-pounder posted a solid combine workout after racking up 3,431 yards on 617 carries and 43 touchdowns during his career. He demonstrates the rare ability to contribute on all three downs, excelling at catching the football and pass protection. He’d be a great value at the back end of the first round and even better at the top of round two.

4. Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt: It’s no secret the NFL is a passing league. To combat the likes of Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, you need multiple cornerbacks who can not only cover but also make plays on the ball. Despite a lack of elite speed, there’s no other defensive back in this draft with as good of ball skills as the former Vanderbilt standout. The 5-foot-11, 192-pounder won’t wow anyone with his mid-4.5 speed, but his 15 career interceptions prove he knows how to find the football. He’ll make someone very happy in round three.

5. Vinny Curry, DE/OLB, Marshall: My friends at NEPatriotsDraft.com have lusted over Curry for a while now, and for good reason. The man simply knows how to get after the quarterback. Curry is a bit of a tweener, but looks to have the bulk to play either 4-3 end or 3-4 outside linebacker. The owner of 25 career sacks improved on a poor combine performance with an excellent pro day, running a 4.69 forty and improving his vertical jump to 35 inches. Like McClellin, he could sneak into round one for a pass-rush needy team like the Patriots, Packers or Ravens.

6. Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska: If he was two inches and 20 pounds bigger, David would probably be a top 20 pick. That’s how good his game tape is. At 6-foot-1, 233 pounds, David relies on his athleticism and aggressive nature of play to stop ball carriers dead in their tracks. His lack of scheme versatility will probably hurt him, but the man can play football. He should be a great fit as a 4-3 weakside linebacker.

7. Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska: The kid playing under the giant shadow of Ndamukong Suh was actually a solid player himself before he suffered a torn pectoral muscle that forced him to miss last season. However, his frame and length (6-foot-4, 279 pounds) make him an intriguing 3-4 DE prospect. He put up 26 reps at his pro day, proving he’s back in shape. Once pegged as a potential first rounder, Crick will go on day two.

8. Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson: The man nicknamed “Yams” is a force to be reckoned with in the weight room and on the field. Prior to the 2011 season, Thompson was regarded as the best senior defensive tackle in the nation, but the emergence of Devon Still and a boatload of underclassmen have caused his stock to drop. Although he has a tendency to get knocked off his feet too much, Thompson does display a terrific get-off, hand usage and pursuit skills. There are concerns about whether he can be anything more than a one-gap 4-3 nose tackle.

9. Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest: In a historically deep receiving class, Givens is the one prospect no one talks about. He doesn’t have elite explosion, but he brings a solid package of size (6-foot, 198 pounds), speed (4.41) and body control. He’s a very good route runner who enters the draft after a terrific junior season (83/1,330/9). Because of the depth of this class, he’ll slide into the mid rounds, but could be a steal.

10. Mitchell Schwartz, T/G, California: Positional versatility is key whenever you’re not a first-round prospect. Schwartz has the ability to play both guard and tackle and also brings size (6-foot-5, 319 pounds) and experience (36 games at left tackle, 15 at right). His strength lies in his run blocking, and after a dominant Senior Bowl, he is a late riser. He should easily go in the second round.

Every year, there are players who fly up the draft boards after blowing up the combine. Others dominated early in their career before regressing as seniors. Then there are some who were top prospects that never met expectations. The 2012 Draft is no different with multiple players projected to go in the first round based on athletic ability rather than their game tape. I'm not saying all these players will disappoint or be total busts, but based on their current projections, they will be drafted higher than they deserve. 

1. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis: It’s not difficult to see why fans and some scouts are drooling over his potential. There simply aren’t many 6-foot-4, 346-pound human beings who can run sub 4.9. Despite that rare speed and strength (44 reps), his game tape speaks differently. Playing against average competition, Poe managed one sack and 33 tackles as a junior. He doesn’t anchor or fight off blocks like a typical 3-4 nose tackle and wasn’t a disruptor. He has the physical tools to be a dominant playmaker, but he could easily be a bust.

2. Jonathan Martin, LT, Stanford: Playing with the future No. 1 pick can do wonders. For Martin, it’s allowed him to vault into the first round even though he’s not a polished product. The 6-foot-5, 307-pounder was billed as an athletic left tackle prospect, but his combine and pro day workouts didn’t match that. He ran a 5.33 in the forty and put up only 20 reps on the bench. His lack of explosion was evident in his broad jump and vertical leap. For a finesse player, these testing numbers don’t bode well.

3. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: Based on pure production, there’s no question Blackmon is the top receiver in the draft. The real question is: Should he go in the top 10? Based on his average size and questionable deep speed, I say no. While Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald were considered elite downfield players with tremendous size and hands, Blackmon isn’t in their class. He’s more Michael Crabtree than any of those other three. I have real questions whether he’ll be more than a very good number two receiver.

4. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU: I’m always leery when a prospect leaves school early with only one year of starting experience. If we’re going strictly by the eyeball test, Brockers is NFL ready. He’s long and strong at 6-foot-5, 322 pounds and played in the SEC, the toughest conference in college football. As a redshirt sophomore, Brockers totaled 54 tackles, including 10 for a loss and a pair of sacks. With his frame, Brockers seems like an ideal 3-4 DE, but his subpar workouts and lack of developed pass rush skills leave much to be desired. Once pegged as the top defensive tackle, I think he’ll slide into the bottom third of the first round.

5. Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama: Much like Rolando McClain, Hightower is another high-profile thumper from the Alabama program. And like his predecessor, Hightower enters the draft with many questions about his instincts, positional fit and play speed at the next level. Measuring in at 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, Hightower impressed by registering a 4.68 forty. However, his pedestrian times in the short shuttle (4.64) and three-cone drill (7.55) raise questions about his agility and ability to go sideline-to-sideline. He would best fit as a 3-4 inside linebacker, but he’s also lined up as a rush end and could possibly project to 3-4 outside linebacker due to his length.

6. Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina: Classic case of “Looks like Tarzan, but plays like Jane.” Blessed with exceptional athletic ability, Brown is the prototypical 4-3 weakside linebacker. He has legitimate 4.4 speed and an impressive frame. However, he has average to below average instincts and doesn’t dish out nor play well against contact. His lack of physicality could expose him as nothing more than an athlete at the next level.

7. Mike Adams, LT, Ohio State: No left tackle prospect is bigger than the 6-foot-7, 323-pounder from Ohio State. But, none of them have more questions than the former five-star prospect. Beyond his suspension, Adams’ play leaves scouts with some questions about his passion, conditioning and strength. His combine performance proved he’s not an elite athlete, and his game tape can be equally good as it is bad. If his head is on right, he can be a very good pass protector. But is he worth a first-round pick?

8. Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State: If he wins with his first step, it’s game over. If not, he’s finished. That’s what you get with Worthy, who entered the season as one of the top interior linemen in the country. However, with the emergence of underclassmen like Brockers, Fletcher Cox and Poe, Worthy and Clemson’s Brandon Thompson have slid down draft boards. The 6-foot-2, 308-pounder ran a 5.08 forty, which is solid for his size, but managed only 28 reps on the bench, a pretty average number for a defensive tackle. His burst makes him an intriguing one-gap penetrator, but his inability to fight off blocks or anchor at the point of attack severely limits his scheme versatility.

9. Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia: Another elite athlete whose game doesn’t match his name. After taking the NCAA by storm in 2010 with 14 sacks, he managed only 8.5 in 2011. Irvin’s biggest problem is he doesn’t project well to any one position. He’s too skinny and linear to be a full-time defensive end, and he lacks the instincts and physicality to stand up as a 3-4 OLB. However, because of his rare speed and quickness, he may be able to carve out a role as a situational rusher.

10. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina: Don’t let his recent weigh-ins fool you. Jeffery shed a ton of weight to hit the 213-pound mark at the combine, but he played somewhere in the 230-240 range. His tape reveals he’s limited as a route runner, doesn’t have good burst or quickness and his production dropped significantly in 2011. His ability to get up and get the football and his overall size makes him an intriguing guy, but the bust factor is high with the former basketball star. Buyer beware.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

New face of the franchise.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

They traded three first-round picks and a second rounder to move up four spots. Shanahan gets his man.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings took Christian Ponder, an injury-prone quarterback, in round one last year. Kalil can step in from day one and keep him upright and will be a future All-Pro.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Peyton Hillis left town for KC. Richardson is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Blessed with height, length and elite ball skills, Claiborne helps shore up a young secondary.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

They got a major haul for the No. 2 pick and still get their top target with the sixth pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Blaine Gabbert isn’t very good, but then again did you see who he was throwing to? Floyd ran better than expected, had a productive career and has the size necessary to be a No. 1 receiver at the next level.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

They might have to move up a few spots, but the Dolphins can’t afford to pass on another franchise QB.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Maybe we’ve all fallen victim of the moment, but there just aren’t many 350-pound human beings who can move like Poe. The Panthers have the league’s worst set of defensive tackles, so Poe would be a major upgrade and would free up the Panthers strong set of linebackers.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, T, Iowa

Demetrius Bell priced himself out of Buffalo. Despite short arms for the position, Reiff is pro-ready and a technician.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Scott Pioli is a New England guy and perhaps no team other than the Eagles likes drafting linemen early. DeCastro is an elite guard who will make multiple All-Pro teams.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is tailor-made for Pete Carroll’s elephant position. He can be the successor to Chris Clemons as a hybrid pass rusher.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Pair him with the speedy Daryl Washington and let him become the leader of this emerging defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

This is simply a case of best player available. Coples is a stud…when he wants to be.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford

Fletcher Cox could be an option, but after Jason Peters suffered an Achilles injury, Martin is the guy.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Jets will have their pick of the available pass rushers, but I think Upshaw is more suited to the Jets scheme. He’s tough, powerful and excellent at setting the edge.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Marvin Lewis loves defense, and Gilmore’s size, speed and physicality would shore up the other side of the field as long as Leon Hall returns from injury.

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Larry English failed to be the pass rusher the Chargers envisioned when they took him at 16 in 2009. Mercilus is athletic and led the nation with 16 sacks last year.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Bears have to shore up their offensive line. Glenn can play either guard or right tackle and brings size and strength.

20. Tennessee Titans: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Tennessee has some decent interior linemen in Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug, but none of them are the athlete that Cox is. After losing Jason Jones, Cox can become the next great interior pass rusher.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

A.J. Green is already a top-10 receiver. Stephen Hill would be a fantastic fit across from him as he can stretch the field and be legitimate deep threat.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Adding an explosive playmaker like Wright would be a decent consolation prize for the Browns, who swung and missed on the bigger Baylor star in RG III. 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Lions have a great defensive line, but a pretty poor secondary. Barron is brings size and a winning pedigree that should be right up Jim Schwartz’s alley.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

He has the ability to line up at any linebacker spot, and has the experience and pedigree that should make him a great fit in the Steelers 3-4 defense.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers beefs up the interior defense for the Broncos.

26. Houston Texans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Brooks Reed is a nice player, but Perry is substantially more talented. Putting them in a rotation opposite Connor Barwin will be deadly.

27. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron at 27 would be a gift to the Pats. His size, versatility and leadership skills would be highly valued in this secondary.

28. Green Bay Packers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Packers have the luxury of taking the best player on the board. Still was once pegged as a possible top-10 pick, but he didn’t have a great combine and isn’t a premier interior rusher. He could play five-technique for Green Bay.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

With Matt Birk contemplating retirement and Ben Grubbs possibly departing as a free agent, Baltimore needs to improve the interior of its offensive line. Konz is a no-nonsense type of player who fits the Ravens profile.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Jim Harbaugh knows Fleener better than anyone in this draft. His size and speed could make him a deadly combination playing with Vernon Davis.

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

I have a feeling the Pats will trade this pick considering the players remaining are fringe first-rounders. However, if they keep it, they will look to bolster their defensive front with Reyes, a 6-foot-4, 300-pounder who has great strength. He best projects as a defensive end in a 3-4.

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

If his head is on right, Adams can be a starting-caliber offensive tackle in this league.

In typical Belichickian fashion, the Patriots didn’t hand out fat contracts to the big-name free agents.

Within a few days, it was evident that Mario Williams, Vincent Jackson and Cortland Finnegan weren’t suiting up in Foxboro in 2012.

Instead, the Patriots opted for their traditional low-risk, solid moves that should fortify the middle of the roster. Depth issues came back to bite the team when Andre Carter, Ras-I Dowling, Dan Koppen and Jermaine Cunningham all landed on IR.

Although I’d argue none of the signings outside of Brandon Lloyd will play a major factor in the Patriots’ quest to return to the Super Bowl, they certainly did a fine job of upgrading the middle of the roster with role players who can contribute in multiple ways.

Defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene fits the bill perfectly as a versatile, tough down lineman who can stop the run and put decent pressure on the quarterback. Steve Gregory has lined up at both safety spots and as a nickel corner and Robert Gallery can play both guard and tackle.

By signing Donte Stallworth, a key offensive weapon in 2007, Anthony Gonzalez, a talented, but injury-prone former first-rounder, Lloyd and re-signing Deion Branch, the Patriots have plenty of bodies to compete for playing time. One of the best ways to bring out the best in players is to foster a competitive environment. It maximizes each rep, forces them to get in the playbook and motivates them to practice hard. In the end, I see Stallworth, Ochocinco, Branch and Gonzalez competing for two roster spots.

Because New England has bolstered its depth without sacrificing cap room, the team enters the draft with both excellent draft capital and maneuverability. The team could still use a top-flight corner, another pass rusher and perhaps a future No. 1 receiver. However, they don’t have to reach for any one particular player, nor do they have to be locked in to one position. If a guy like Courtney Upshaw falls to the 20s, Belichick can move up a few spots to get him. If there are a group of players with similar grades, he can trade back, recoup some late round picks, and still nab his target.

Armed with multiple picks in the first two rounds, expect the Patriots to be major players in next month’s draft.

Two unheralded, but important players from the 2011 season officially left the Patriots for greener pastures and big checks on Wednesday.

Defensive end Mark Anderson jumped ship and joined Mario Williams and the Bills to form potentially the best defensive line in the league.

And when you look at his contract, you see why. The six-year veteran inked a fat four-year, $27.5 million contract with $8 million guaranteed. That’s a number New England no intention of meeting considering Anderson didn’t even play 50 percent of the snaps last season.

Although he was a good fit as a hybrid 3-4 outside linebacker and 4-3 defensive end, Anderson’s track record indicates he’s no more than a very good situational player. The Bills paid him starter’s money.

Anderson was one of many low-risk, high-reward signings the Pats made for 2011, and the former Chicago Bear resurrected his career and his wallet with a 10-sack season, racking up 2.5 more in the playoffs. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder has struggled as a full-time player, but should still put up good numbers in Buffalo considering he’s playing on an elite defensive line. The Bills boast a formidable defensive tackle duo of Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus and recently handed Mario Williams the biggest contract for a defensive player in league history.

While Anderson was certainly a solid player, fans will probably hurt more over the loss of steady running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent signed a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals after racking up 29 touchdowns in 53 games as a Patriot.

The Law Firm lacks a great burst and doesn’t contribute much in the passing game, but he’s lauded for his excellent ball security (zero career fumbles), vision and toughness. However, after the Patriots drafted Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley last year, it would have been tough to envision Green-Ellis returning.

His reliability will be missed, but I think it’s time for the youngsters to shoulder the load, and their athleticism, speed and fresh legs should help bolster an average running game.