Round 1 Mock, Part 3
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Photo by Alex Dunlap

PART 1 (1-10)
PART 2 (11-21)
PART 3 (22-32)

22. St. Louis Rams: Eddie Lacy, RB Alabama

The Rams bring the rest of the Alabama run game to town. Problem solved. Sam Bradford is smiling somewhere.

23. Minnesota Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Tennessee

Percy who? What a coup for the Vikings. Patterson possesses similar run after catch ability to Harvin but is much bigger. He provides a legitimate deep threat outside the numbers.

24. Indianapolis Colts: Jesse Williams, DT Alabama

Possibly, the most underrated defensive player in this draft. Williams is a monster at multiple positions. Best suited to play in a three man front, he is the young defensive stalwart the Colts desperately need.

25. Minnesota Vikings: Alec Olgetree, LB Georgia

Character concerns precipitate his fall in the draft. Minnesota takes the gamble on a supremely talented athlete who fills a big need.

26. Green Bay Packers: Robert Woods, WR USC

A secret birdie very close to Green Bay told us about this pick. We’ll find out if it was a smokescreen on Thursday.

27. Houston Texans: Datone Jones, DE UCLA

Datone Jones is the definition of a Houston Texan. His versatility on the defensive line makes Wade Phillips drool. Sorry Texans fans, they aren’t drafting a receiver in the first round.

28. Denver Broncos: Jonathan Cyprien, S Florida International

This is a coin flip between Cyprien and FSU DE Tank Carradine. The Broncos are ready to win now and the secondary is the bigger need. Cyprien can do it all. Denver fans can root for another explosive defensive end coming off of knee surgery by the name of Quanerus Smith, later in the draft.

29. New England Patriots: Desmond Trufant, CB University of Washington

Bill Belichick is not going to be hamstrung by Aqib Talib next year. The Pats have a history of selecting defensive backs early. Trufant is a very good player and an even better kid. A true professional in the Patriot mold.

30. Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Eifert, TE Notre Dame

Tyler Eifert has the opportunity to be one of the best players in this whole draft. Offering an immediate impact. He slides this far because tight end is deep this year and many of the preceding teams already have their tight end. What a succession plan to Tony Gonzalez, with one year for the rookie to learn from the Hall of Famer.

31. San Francisco 49ers: Tank Carradine, DE Florida State

The rich get richer, Carradine is one of the most talented prospects in this draft. The Niners are so stacked they have the luxury of bringing Carradine’s knee along slowly. He will have an impact in the playoffs next year.

32. Baltimore Ravens: Keenan Allen, WR University of California

Ozzie doesn’t mess around. This is a quick rebuild. If you’re going to pay Joe Flacco $20M/yr and trade his best receiver in the offseason, it’s time to restock the arsenal. Allen draws comparisons to Boldin.