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Quit making a MOCKery out of yourself, it's time to draft for real! Photo courtesy ESPN
This is it, ladies and gentleman! The NFL draft begins this evening and won’t stop until half our weekend is gone. Over the years, the spectacle has evolved from just something football fanboys drooled over to a mainstream media event.
32 names will be called tonight with the second and third rounds coming tomorrow. And, with a record high number of players actually ATTENDING the draft in New York City, there’s a feeling that the first round may be anyone’s for the taking. Still, there will be a handful of guys biting their nails as the night winds down.
Here is a status-by-status look at who has the best odds of being taken in the first round. Just for kicks, I’ll even break it down using that famous NFL injury terminology. Names appear in order that they were ranked on the Big Board from two days ago.
ACTIVE – Will Be Taken In The First Round
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Will be the first overall selection.
Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
99.99% chance he is the 2nd overall pick.
Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
Only “Feature Back” talent in the draft.
Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Best left tackle prospect in half a decade.
Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
Odds are he’ll be taken in the Top 10 if not Top 5.
Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
Someone is going to want a future Pro Bowl linebacker.
Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Best wide receiver in the class.
Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
Too strong and too versatile not to be taken tonight.
Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Arguably a Top 10 talent.
Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Undersized, but he headlines a deep and talented position pool.
Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State
Too many teams interested for him to leave the round.
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Someone will ignore the red flags and take a chance on him.
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
Only guard guaranteed to be taken tonight.
Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Just too talented to slip into Friday.
Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
Too many teams need a corner for him NOT to be taken.
Mark Barron, SS, Alabama
Best safety in the class. Someone needs him.
Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Best 3-4 nose tackle type in the class.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Luck and RG3 going 1 and 2 helps his stock immensely.
PROBABLE – Likely To Be Taken In The First Round
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
There should be enough of a run at CB for his name to get called.
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Tackle is a premium position. 99% certain he’s getting taken tonight.
Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama
More teams need polished interior linebackers than are available.
Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Getting a lot of first round buzz is generally a good sign.
Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
Can play guard or tackle. Means he’s twice as attractive.
Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama
I would be shocked if he falls farther than Green Bay at 28.
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Too many teams need O-line help to pass on him.
Kendal Reyes, DE, Connecticut
Simply too many talented defensive lineman this year.
QUESTIONABLE – May Or May Not Be Taken In The First Round
Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
Is there more supply than demand? Andre may be the last to fall.
Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Has to compete with a handful of second-tier receivers.
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Won’t be taken in 1st half of round. Will be biting nails in 2nd half.
Nick Perry, DE, USC
A serious D-line run would make him feel much better.
Devon Still, DT, Penn State
Has been slowly sliding out of the first round conversation.
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Will find out tonight whether or not size matters.
Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
How heavily do his character flaws weigh?
David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
Has been in the 1st Round conversation intermittently.
Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
Being liked by the 32nd team must be nerve-racking.
Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
Has enjoyed a last-minute surge in his stock.
Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Despite a deep class, his name keeps appearing.
Chandler Jones, OLB, Syracuse
A lot of pundits like him. How many NFL teams do?
DOUBTFUL – Unlikely To Be Taken In The First Round
Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
He’s almost like a free agent, a 2nd Round free agent.
Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
Being sorely underrated doesn’t help draft stocks.
Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
Has pretty much slid out of the 1st Round discussion.
Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
You need to be an ELITE guard to be taken tonight.
Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
Probably not talented enough to make the cut.
Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame
Teams should move on after Barron is taken.
Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi
Truly is a middle-round type of prospect.
Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
There’s a SLIGHT glimmer of hope for him.
Reuben Randle, WR, LSU
There’s been enough talk that I have to include him.
OUT – Can Afford To Watch ‘The Big Bang Theory’ Tonight
Um, everyone else….
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NOTE: This story was originally published on SportsHead. To read this article and others click here.
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