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- Troy Ballard and Adam ParkerIt's that time.
The NFL Draft, the event where football fans all over the world get juiced about a middle-aged man reading off names at a podium.
And, yet, it's more than that. The draft can be a new lease on life for a struggling team, or the addition of key pieces to an already championship caliber roster. With every pick there is always a feeling of anxiety, as each player runs the risk of being a bust. It's the perfect combination of excitement and picturesque drama.
Troy and Adam are just as pumped as every other NFL fan, and decided we would release the Final Beard and Stache Mock Draft!
Enjoy!
#1. Indianapolis Colts
Troy - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford - Andrew Luck is Peyton Manning 2.0, it couldn't be a better fit for Indy.
Adam - Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford - The Colts consider Luck to essentially be a cloned embryo of Peyton Manning. This is a match made in heaven, and I imagine pre-draft contract negotiations with the future No. 1 overall pick are already under way.
#2. Washington Redskins (Via St. Louis Rams)
Troy - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor - Washington needs a playmaker on offense worse than Dan Snyder needs a credit card limit -- RG3 is the guaranteed pick for the Redskins.
Adam - Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor - Mike Shanahan needs to hit a home run with this pick or his job could be in jeopardy sooner rather than later. Considering he auctioned the farm away for RGIII, he believes the Heisman Trophy winner is his guy. For the Redskins' sake, he better be right.
#3. Minnesota Vikings
Troy - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - The truth is that the Vikings secondary depth is about that of a D-3 college school, and Claiborne might be the only player in this draft that can cover the incredibly talented receivers in the NFC North.
Adam - Matt Kalil, OT, USC - Minnesota has loads of holes on both sides of the ball. They won't be able to turn it around all in one night, but Kalil is the kingpin of one of arguably the second most position in football. The key to Christian Ponder's progression as a passer is keeping him upright. Kalil can help with that.
#4. Cleveland Browns
Troy - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama - Cleveland and Richardson are just too perfect for each other for this pick not to happen -- the Browns need an offensive threat, Richardson is the best running back in the draft.
Adam - Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama - The Browns' offense is nothing short of an eyesore on the NFL. It's about as ugly as the uniforms they don. They need a spark. The former Crimson Tide stud is the best running back prospect since Darren McFadden and Adrian Peterson. T-Rich gives Cleveland that spark.
#5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Troy - Matt Kalil, OT, USC - With Minnesota snagging Claiborne, the Bucs' will tussle with the idea of trading down, but will ultimately choose Kalil to pair on the offensive line with big free agent pick-up, Carl Nicks.
Adam - Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - The concerns surrounding the Bucs' secondary -- Ronde Barber is 37, Aquib Talib's run-ins with the law and free agent acquisition Eric Wright being average at best -- make this a perfect marriage. Besides, you'll need cover guys like Claiborne to contend with Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan in that division.
#6. St. Louis Rams (Via Washington Redskins)
Troy - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State - Sam Bradford might as well be throwing and catching the ball himself -- Blackmon is a monster and is going to be the choice for St. Louis.
Adam - Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State - This feels like a pick that's been set in stone for months now. Unless he goes to Cleveland at No. 4, quarterback Sam Bradford finally gets that playmaker at wide receiver that he's so desperately needed.
#7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Troy - Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina - The Jaguars defense is flirting with being one of the best in the NFL, but the secondary has been spotty in the past, and Gilmore would be an excellent addition.
Adam - Stephen Gilmore, CB, South Carolina - The Jags could take a wide receiver here to get Blaine Gabbert some help, but my guess is they find help for him in later rounds. The health of Rashean Mathis coming into this season is shaky at best. Gilmore has great size and speed. He would be a welcome fit in the Jags' depleted secondary.
#8. Miami Dolphins
Troy - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M - Miami has been playing cute about filling the need for a true franchise quarterback, but that won't last for much longer as the Dolphins will scoop up the red-hot Tannehill.
Adam - Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M - Despite my personal feelings about Tannehill's abilities, this is just too good a fit to pass up. Tannehill reunites with his college coach Mike Sherman who is now Miami's offensive coordinator. Hopefully, Sherman and new head coach Joe Philbin can help Tannehill's development along sooner rather than later.
#9. Carolina Panthers
Troy - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State - The Panthers offense may have caught fire last season with Cam Newton, but the defense was abysmal, especially up the middle.
Adam - Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State - Cox has the versatility to be a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 and a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4. The Panthers have no decent options at defensive tackle and they were gashed by opposing running backs all last season. Cox gives Carolina some much-needed talent on the interior of their defensive line.
#10. Buffalo Bills
Troy - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame - Stevie Johnson has the potential to be great, but Buffalo needs a serious outside threat like Floyd to help out Ryan Fitzpatrick if the Bills plans on contending.
Adam - Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame - Floyd is the perfect counterpart to Stevie Johnson long-term. Not only that, he gives quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick another big target to throw to outside of tight end Scott Chandler, which can't be a bad thing.
#11. Kansas City Chiefs
Troy - Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis - Kansas City was probably hoping that Tannehill fell to them, but with him off the board, the Chiefs will happily take the athletic-machine in Poe to bolster an already excellent pass-rush.
Adam - Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis - This 346 lb behemoth blew up the combine with his freakish athleticism. Romeo Crennel would be giddy to pair the big boy with Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson on KC's defensive line.
#12. Seattle Seahawks
Troy - Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina - With the addition of Matt Flynn, the Seahawks can look defense and snag an excellent hybrid defensive end.
Adam - David DeCastro, OG, Stanford - The loss of Robert Gallery to New England opens up a hole on Seattle's young and steadily improving offensive line. DeCastro could be a key cog in Pete Carroll's ground and pound attack in Seattle for the next 10-15 years. Marshaw "Skittles" Lynch is smiling from ear to ear with this pick.
#13. Arizona Cardinals
Troy - David DeCastro, G, Stanford - Arizona has plenty of needs on both sides of the ball, but keeping expensive and injury-prone quarterback Kevin Kolb healthy is going to be a top priority.
Adam - Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa - Reiff hails from Iowa which is fast becoming offensive tackle U. And wouldn't you have it? Arizona is in dire need of a left tackle to protect whoever they throw back there at quarterback. Reiff can start at right tackle out of the gates and could compete for the left tackle spot in camp.
#14. Dallas Cowboys
Troy - Mark Barron, S, Alabama - The Cowboys need some sort of consistent presence at safety, as Dallas by with an mediocre group of flunkies -- Barron is a star that will make an instant impact.
Adam - Mark Barron, S, Alabama - Dallas needs safety help in the worst way and Barron instantly provides a huge upgrade at the position. If he's there, Dallas will have this pick turned into Goodell within the first five seconds of going on the clock.
#15. Philadelphia Eagles
Troy - Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College - This may be me as an Eagles fan hoping that Kuechly falls this far, but either way, he's a perfect fit for Philly and has shown that he can play outside too.
Adam - Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College - Andy Reid would be beside himself to see the Golden Eagles standout still available. The Eagles need linebackers like the Panthers need defensive tackles. Great marriage. In fact, it might be the best player-team fit in the draft.
#16. New York Jets
Troy - Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama - New York will flirt with drafting a defensive lineman, but will ultimately decided that Upshaw's physical and tough demeanor is a perfect fit in New York.
Adam - Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina - Ingram has the size and versatility that Rex Ryan and the Jets need on an aging defense. Ingram can help in many different areas; no doubt Rex will put him in situations to succeed.
#17. Cincinnati Bengals (Via Oakland Radiers)
Troy - Michael Brockers, DT, LSU - Cincy is going to be thrilled that Brockers fell this far, and the Benglas won't even hesitate in picking up another LSU stud on the defensive line.
Adam - Nick Perry, DE, USC - Mike Zimmer would love to see Perry here to pair with Michael Johnson as the bookend pass rusher that will be harassing AFC North quarterbacks for years to come.
#18. San Diego Chargers
Troy - Riley Reiff, T, Iowa - With Marcus McNeil calling it quits, the Chargers don't want to get caught with their pants down on the offensive line -- Reiff is a perfect replacement.
Adam - Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois - The one-year wonder who led the nation in sacks at Illinois will be a welcome addition to a team that generated virtually no pass rush from their defensive line last season.
#19. Chicago Bears
Troy - Jonathan Martin, T, Stanford - Jay Cutler takes more hits than a boxing dummy, the Bears need to get him some coverage, and Martin is the first step to having his back.
Adam - Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina - The Bears see a lot of fellow Tar Heel Julius Peppers in Coples. If Rod Marinelli and Peppers can get Coples to give 100% on every down, the Bears could end up with one of the steals in this draft.
#20. Tennessee Titans
Troy - Dre Kirkpatick, CB, Alabama - Despite his maturity being vey much in question, the Titans are desperate to find a replacement for Cortland Finnegan, and Kirkpatrick is going to be the guy.
Adam - Dre' Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama - The loss of Cortland Finnegan to the Rams via free agency takes away the last competent cornerback for the Titans. Kirkpatrick has a few character red flags, but he's a great fit at this point in the draft considering Tennessee's need at the position.
#21. Cincinnati Bengals
Troy - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - Many have Jenkins falling out of the first round due to attitude issues, but the Bengals could use a solid lockdown corner to compliment Jonathan Joseph.
Adam - Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama - With Kirkpatrick going one pick earlier, the Bengals settle for the troubled but immensely talented former Florida standout. We all know at this point that head coach Marvin Lewis loves moonlighting as the Bengals' team shrink. If he keep Jenkins on the straight and narrow (good luck), the Bengals could have the second-best cornerback in the draft from a talent standpoint.
#22. Cleveland Browns (Via Atlanta Falcons)
Troy - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor - Again, Cleveland needs to add serious firepower on offense, and Wright would be an excellent late-first pick to pair with Richardson to move the offense in the right direction.
Adam - Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor - Pairing Trent Richardson with this former Baylor Bear speedster at wide receiver gives the Browns a 'glass half full' type outlook on their offense heading into the season.
#23. Detroit Lions
Troy - Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia - Detroit's top priority is going to be keeping Matt Stafford healthy, and what better way to do that then with another Bulldog?
Adam - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford - The Lions could snag the long-term replacement for veteran Kyle Vanden Bosch here, but I feel that securing Jeff Backus' understudy at left tackle is a more pressing need in the immediate future. Ohio State's Mike Adam tested positive at the combine for doing the 'Mary Jane', otherwise, he'd be the pick here.
#24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Troy - Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama - Hightower is such a Pittsburgh player, words can't even do the soon to be Steeler justice.
Adam - Donta' Hightower, LB, Alabama - The former quarterback of Nick Saban's defense will provide much needed depth and youth in the Steelers' linebacking corps. Hightower's toughness and high football I.Q. make him a phenomenal fit in Dick LeBeau's defense. Georgia's versatile offensive lineman Cordy Glenn is also a possibility.
#25. Denver Broncos
Troy - Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State - The draft of defensive lineman supremacy will continue as Denver attempts to fill the void left by the departing Broderick Bunkley.
Adam - Michael Brockers, DT, LSU - Denver needs defensive tackles desperately to complement their crazy pass rush. The young LSU underclassman is very raw but his freakish athleticism and size should help him be a run-stuffer while he continues to develop.
#26. Houston Texans
Troy - Rueben Randle, WR, LSU - Houston has been searching for another speedy and tall receiver to team with Andre Johnson, and Randle's big frame and great hands is going to fill the void -- Stephen Hill is also a very strong possibility with this pick.
Adam - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech - The Texans have long needed a second wide receiver to take pressure off of All-World talent Andre Johnson. Hill's rare combination of size and speed earns him the nod here.
#27. New England Patriots (Via New Orleans Saints)
Troy - Nick Perry, OLB, USC - Barring another Bill Belichick draft day move, the Patriots need to address the glaring need at outside linebacker, and Perry is arguably the best available at this point.
Adam - Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama - The Patriots need to replace the production of the departed Mark Anderson and Andre Carter. Upshaw is a 'tweener' who can generate some pass rush while also being stout against the run. No doubt Bill Belichick will find the best way to integrate his new toy in New England.
#28. Green Bay Packers
Troy - Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois - It doesn't take a draft expert to know that the Packers offense is good enough already, but Green Bay does need to find that solid pass-rushing threat to put opposite Clay Matthews.
Adam - Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State - The former Boise State Bronco will be a solid complement to Clay Matthews; something the Packers have been desperate to find after regrettably passing on Brooks Reed in last year's draft.
#29. Baltimore Ravens
Troy - Peter Kronz, C, Wisconsin - Wisconsin lineman just seem to translate flawlessly to the NFL, and this will inevitably be the case for Kronz as he fills a huge need in Baltimore.
Adam - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin - The Ravens could plug this big ugly in immediately at left guard to replace Ben Grubbs while allowing him to learn from Matt Birk before taking over for the veteran once he hangs them up.
#30. San Francisco 49ers
Troy - Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech - Calvin Johnson 2.0? It's possible, but regardless, Hill is a total monster and will add an immense amount of depth for Alex Smith and the 49ers.
Adam - Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia - Glenn is a plower in the running game and help protect Alex Smith from either the guard or tackle spots.
#31. New England Patriots
Troy - Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame - The case could be made that the New England's secondary lost the team the Super Bowl last year -- it's another issue that has to be addressed.
Adam - Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame - The Patriots' secondary is absolutely atrocious. It's a wonder they made it to the Super Bowl last year with glorified 'walk-ons' throughout their defensive backfield. Smith provides an instant upgrade and stability to the safety position.
#32. New York Giants
Troy - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford - Fleener may not be well known outside of Pac-12 fandom, but this kid has the potential to be the next Jason Witten -- and conveniently, the Giants need a tight end.
Adam - Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford - I absolutely LOVE this pick for the G-Men. Even if Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum weren't recovering from offseason surgery, this would still be a phenomenal fit. Eli Manning finally gets a legitimate receiving threat at tight end position.
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