There’s a reason why they’re called mock drafts: NFL teams do a good job of making a mockery out of them during the actual event.
How else could you explain the weird sequence that came from picks number eight, nine and ten? After the top few picks went as expected (Bradford, Suh, McCoy, etc.) Oakland started the weird pick train rolling by taking linebacker Rolando McClain.
For the first time in a long while, the Raiders actually didn’t make a bad pick, it just wasn’t what anyone expected and it’s very questionable if they need to upgrade at MLB over Kirk Morrison more than they did on the offensive line or elsewhere.
Then, the Buffalo Bills rushed up to the podium to fill the one need they didn’t have, at running back. Sure, C.J. Spiller will be a fine NFL RB, but who is going to be blocking for him? Or handing of to him? The Bills had such pressing needs elsewhere, that this pick made no sense at all.
Then, the reach of the draft went down: Jacksonville took a guy who I’ve never even heard of before at No. 10, Tyson Alualu is his name and I’m sure Jaguars fans are going to be cursing it for the next few years to come.
It’s picks like that and odd “upgrading” moves that always destroy mock drafts. Combine those picks with trades that nobody could see coming and I’m sure there wasn’t a mock out there that worked.
Still, making the picks yourself and reading all about the endless possibilities will never get old. That’s why you’ll keep on seeing mock drafts here, and everywhere else, as long as drafts exist.
I’ll have more on the draft later. With round two coming up and Jimmy Clausen still on the board, I’m betting that he is feeling awfully lucky that he opted to stay home rather than show up at Radio City Music Hall.