2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE/Oregon – Dion is an anomaly. Most prospects unable to compete at either the combine or their pro day typically fall on draft boards. Instead, all this kid has done is run a 40 and he’s being considered as one of the best defensive players available this year. Jordan was unable to help his draft stock at the Oregon Pro day because he is recovering from a recent surgery to repair a torn labrum. He ran a 4.53 unofficial time at the combine, which is amazing. GM David Caldwell recently said, “We’re pretty close – It’s down to two people.” Most people believe the two he referenced are Oregon DE Dion Jordan and West Virginia QB Gen Smith.

3. Oakland Raiders – Geno Smith, QB/West Virginia – I jokingly put “the ghost of All Davis lives” when I first put Geno to the Raiders in late January. The truth is Davis would have been drooling at the opportunity to grab a mobile QB, especially if he had been alive to see RGIII the year before. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie will be left with making a franchise changing decision, as QB’s taken in the top 5 can cost a GM their job if they don’t pan out. Just ask Mike Tannenbaum. The Raiders released Carson Palmer due to salary cap issues, and have only have Matt Flynn & Terrelle Pryor on staff at QB. This pick is easy.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Ezekiel Ansah DE/ BYU – Ansah reportedly didn’t hire a trainer for the combine instead focusing on finishing his classes at BYU. His draft stock was already high but this news makes him seem kind of freakish. Measuring in at 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds with 35 1/8-inch arms, Ansah posted the sixth fastest forty times (4.63) of 37 defensive linemen who ran, and his 34 1/2-inch vertical tied for seventh. There is also a rumor that his 40 at the combine was the first one he ever ran in his lifetime. Ansah is a lightning in a bottle type of player and would be a welcome addition to any defense that drafts him. Billy Davis should be thrilled.

5. Detroit Lions – Dee Milliner CB/ Alabama – The Lions were active in free agency acquiring RB Reggie Bush, DE Jason Jones, and CB Chris Houston. Former Colts GM Bill Polian mentioned Detroit as the “greatest show on turf.” That ought to be billboard material for division rival Bears, Vikings and Packers. The ability to stop those teams, as well as the rest of their opponents next year will be a priority on draft day. In a past mock I mentioned that according to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, teams wanting Alabama CB Dee Milliner will “probably have to trade ahead of Detroit at No. 5 to get him. Enough said.

6. Cleveland Browns – Sharrif Floyd, DT/ Florida – NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah was quoted as saying, “everybody” has Floyd pegged as a top-five pick.” The reason for his fall to six has more to do with the rise of Dion Jordan and Ziggy Ansah up opposing teams’ draft boards. At 6’3 297 pounds, with a solid 40 time, Floyd racked up 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two kick blocks as a junior before declaring. Cleveland recently spent some big money on DE Paul Kruger and will be developing an intimidating pass rush after drafting Floyd to compliment him. Utah DE Star Lotulelei could also fit nicely here.

7. Arizona Cardinals – Eric Fisher OT/ Central Michigan – Carson Palmer was recently acquired and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Total Access that the Cardinals are unlikely to draft a quarterback at No. 7 overall. This may not be the popular thing to do from a fan perspective, but it makes a heck of a lot of sense. The QB class outside of Smith is not worthy of a selection this high and a good LT is a necessity in a rebuilding process. Bruce Arians and his imaginative play calling would love to feel confident their QB, whoever it is, will stay upright no matter what the play, and Fisher can do just that. Watch for Arizona to draft a QB in the 2nd round.

8. Buffalo Bills – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/Tennessee – I am less confident in this pick every day. Last time I had mentioned “Patterson needs a coach that isn’t going to take any crap and can bring him in with more a drill instructor mind set than a player coach mentality”. Now there are reports from a WR coach that Patterson would be an offensive coach’s dream. This is pure crap. You don’t change from a head case to a saint in the time since the combine. GM Buddy Nix mentioned to the press that he wanted to draft a big time WR as well as a franchise QB. Good luck with that. Patterson is considered to be as immature as he is talented. There was a report from a scout that he questioned Patterson’s intelligence and thinks the team that drafts him will have to simplify their offense to make him successful. Still, he scored a touchdown via kickoff return, punt return, receiving, and rushing, joining Carl Pickens (receiving, KR, PR, INT) as the only players in Tennessee history to score a touchdown four different ways in a career. Some drafts have Buffalo grabbing Ryan Nassib here, but I can’t see it. His combine was average and he’s not coming from a football powerhouse in Syracuse. His talent is fantastic, but even with his former coach now in charge of the Bills; Nassib would be a major risk here. I do however think West Virginia WR Tavon Austin has a legitimate chance to be drafted here.

9. New York Jets – Star Lotulelei, DT/Utah – The Jets are a tough team to gauge simply because they have so many needs and on both sides of the field. Lotulelei has been all over draft boards due to his supposed heart issues which have since been declared a non-issue. Star won the Morris trophy which is the award given to the best defensive player, voted by the Pac-12 offensive lineman he played against. His prototypical size at 6’3 311lbs. will help Rex Ryan in his pursuit of a pass rush. He should be a great addition to a line that just lost Sione Pouha and is in desperate need of improvement.

10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack, OG/Alabama – I stand by this pick since the first mock in Late January. The Titans need to give Jake Locker a chance. Ha! Chance… In order to do that he needs to stay on his feet and taking the best guard at 10 would be a big time pick for the Titans. Warmack is a wild card to me, as the Jets, Cardinals, and Eagles could all use some help at the offensive line, so if he’s still available Tennessee will pounce. CBS Sports has Warmack as the second best prospect in this year’s draft behind only Luke Joeckel.

11. San Diego Chargers – Lane Johnson, OT/ Oklahoma – The new regime of GM Tom Telesco, HC Mike McCoy, and OC Ken Whisenhunt have a lot of work to do to keep the Chargers relevant. Johnson did 28 reps of 225lbs at the combine and with his strength will help Philip Rivers try to redeem himself after getting sacked on 50 of his 587 drop backs. The Bolts’ most glaring need is at left tackle, where Jared Gaither up and quit last season, and Johnson will also help fill the void on the right side where Louis Vasquez played before he departed to Denver.

12. Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Cooper, OG/North Carolina – Miami lost Jake Long to St. Louis and now are left with Jonathan Martin at left tackle and they brought in Nate Garner to be a swing tackle/guard. That being said, neither of those guys is going to a pro bowl any time soon. Cooper will help Miami recover from their loss of a former 1st round lineman. Greg Cossel from NFL films praised Cooper saying “the most purely athletic guard I can remember seeing” coming out of college. Cooper plays with “light feet, great balance,” and also showed a “nasty streak,” consistently “looking for contact.” Cooper is considered by some to be the best guard prospect in the class.

13. New York Jets (Via Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Tavon Austin, WR/West Virginia – For this to happen, Derrelle Revis must first become a Buccaneer. Consider it done! This trade is going to happen and it will happen before the draft, simply because no team would be willing to give up a first round pick for a player that they haven’t medically deemed healthy. Austin is a heck of a talent and will do wonders in the west coast offense the Jets are planning on using. Jets fans should also be looking towards receiving a 3rd round and maybe a late round pick or a pick in 2014 in the Revis trade.

14. Carolina Panthers – Sheldon Richardson, DT/Missouri – The Panthers statistically had a top 15 defense in 2012 finishing 10th in the league for yards per game allowed. Richardson, who stands 6’2”, 294lbs., became Mizzou’s first-ever All-SEC designee, as he was named to the 2nd-team for his outstanding play. His presence should help solidify Carolina’s front seven.

15. New Orleans Saints – Menelik Watson, OT/ Florida State – This kid is very intriguing. He has only played 2 years of football after coming over from Manchester England, but is considered by NFL.com’s Gil Brandt as a “very good offensive lineman.” Pursued by the likes of Oklahoma, Oregon, Auburn, Cal and Rutgers, Watson elected to sign with Florida State where he emerged as a starter in just his second season of playing the sport. Drew Brees and Mark Ingram will enjoy Watson’s services as he is helpful in both the run and the pass.

16. St. Louis Rams – D.J. Fluker, OT/Alabama – Some scouts doubt if Fluker can play tackle in the pro level. St. Louis is in dire need of offensive line help, so the concerns will be listened to, but ignored. D.J. Fluker who measures in at 6’6” 339 would be the 7th offensive linemen taken in this mock and the second of the first round coming from a SEC powerhouse in Alabama that produces NFL players every single year.

19. New York Giants — Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Rhodes is a big, versatile defensive back who would help out an underachieving backfield in New York. They could have some really nice young pieces at CB if they picked him up in round one.

Rhodes was a high school wide receiver, which is something I love in corners. It means he may know whats coming from his opposition. The 6’2 210 pound former Florida State star ran a 4.41 forty, and can be considered at safety as well as corner. The Giants have certainly had a problem drafting corners in recent years. Rhodes was a red-shirt in his freshman year due to a hand injury, but that turned out to be his greatest friend since it gave him the time to watch film and pick up the nuances of the corner position. He has the potential to be a good defensive back, but he’s not a ball hawk. That may just be his inexperience at the position. The Giants should consider Kevin Minter, or any top 15 O lineman that falls to them here as well.

The Giants finished the 2012 season with a 9-7 record, one game back of the Redskins in the NFC East and shut out of the wild-card picture. It was a season that was plagued by inconsistency on both sides of the football.

Despite the way they faltered down the stretch in 2012, the Giants still shape up to be playoff contenders for the upcoming 2013 campaign. However, they must get consistency from their team leaders and core players.

On defense, the Giants pass rush was basically non-existent in 2012 and Justin Tuck is going to have to step it up. The Giants pride their defensive line on depth and Tuck is the heart of that line. Jason Pierre-Paul is a stud, however with Osi Umenyiora most likely leaving for free agency it will be crucial for Tuck to give the Giants much more production than he mustered up in 2012.

Eli Manning is arguably already Hall of Fame bound and his two Super Bowl rings are reasons why. Despite making the Pro Bowl, Manning has to know that 2012 was not one if his better seasons. The Giants will need more consistency from Manning in leading the offense back to prominence.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin did all he could in 2012 to motivate his team, however it wasn’t enough. A large portion of that team will be back for 2013 and the talent is strong enough to compete for a playoff spot  as long as they can avoid any major injuries. It all starts with leadership and production from the core and the heartbeat of the team.

19. New York Giants – Dion Jordan, Defensive End, Oregon

Jordan is another elite prospect that will see their draft stock take a hit because of injury. Jordan is recovering from surgery on a torn labrum, but when he is healthy he is one of the most dynamic pass rushers available.

Jordan is far from a total package.  As a matter of fact, he may be one of the biggest projects to be drafted early in 2013.  At only 233 pounds, he would surely have to bulk up to play DE, or even OLB.  There is also talk he may need shoulder surgery after the combine.  Yes, he has great speed, and some serious athletic ability, but lets hope Mr. Reese finds a different, more consistent option on day one.

According to multiple reports:

New York Giants  at  Baltimore Ravens
Name	Position	Injury	Practice Status	Game Status
NYG
Hakeem Nicks	WR	–	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Chris Snee	G	–	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Rueben Randle	WR	–	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Chris Canty	DT	–	Full Participation in Practice	IN
Ahmad Bradshaw	RB	–	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Tyler Sash	S	–	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Justin Tuck	DE	–	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Prince Amukamara	CB	–	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
David Baas	C	–	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
Kenny Phillips	S	–	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable

The notable changes from last year for the Giants begins on kickoff returns.  Last year these duties were manned by Jerrell Jernigan, and this year by David Wilson.  We all saw how Wilson could be a game wrecker if given the chance.  This obviously didn’t come into play last year as the Giants only received one kickoff, and that to start the game.  Difference two is Martellus Bennett instead of Jake Ballard.  This two fold as Ballard might have been a bit better at blocking, but I think Bennett has more potential as regular weapon.  Ahmad Bradshaw is out for Sundays game and Brandon Jacobs is sitting at home suspended earlier this week by the 49ers.  In step David Wilson, Kregg Lumpkin, and Ryan Torrain.  The Giants rushed for over 200 yards last year in the Wild Card game, this might be the biggest difference.  However the Giants tried to run a lot of screens and wheel routes to Bradshaw and DJ Ware last year, these might be more successful with Wilson and Lumpkin.  One other note of significance is the loss of “The Prince”. Say what you will about Prince Amukamara, but he is certainly willing to play the run and make a big hit.  Jayron Hosley is not as physical as Prince and the Falcons might try to run at him this week.

One of the most significant factors in last years win was the controlling of TE Tony Gonzalez.  Gonzalez was held to two catches in the entire first half and was consistently unable to block JPP on running plays.  The Giants employed many different looks against Tony including stopping him at the line using Tuck and JPP, then covering him with Boley, Williams, and Rolle at different times.  Taking away the easy quick pass to Matt Ryans favorite target certainly added to Ryans uncomfortable feeling that day.  That will be the goal again this week, to make Ryan uncomfortable. You can’t help but notice his “Happy Feet” as the game progresses as the Giants got consistent pressure up the middle and made him move.

The Falcons should have two advantages this week.  One will be home field where they are undefeated this year, and can control the crowd noise that Matt Ryan seemed to struggle with last year.  They also will not be saddled with their coaches proclamation that he would go for it on any 4th and short, just to prove he had not made a mistake earlier in the year.  Some of you will recall the Falcons tried to make a 4th and one against the Saints, in overtime, in their own end of the field, and it cost them a game.  The Falcons had three 4th and shorts against the Giants, and made none.

The Falcons were able to bring heavy pressure last year against Eli for most of the first half.  That of course must change.  The O-line needs to give Eli time, just as the defense has to force Matt Ryan to panic a bit.

Stop the run, run the ball, create turnovers, and score some points….Sounds easy….We will see just how easy come Sunday afternoon.

Phillips was listed as doubtful going into the game, he saw limited action last Monday night against the Washington Redskins.  In the Giants win over Green Bay on November 25th, Phillips aggravated an MCL injury that kept him out for most of the seasons’s first half. He’s been laboring since then.

Mark’s point about allowing the defenders to handle the receivers a little bit more is valid.  Most analysts have likened the middle of the field in todays NFL to a NASCAR track.  They have purposely opened up the filed to create more offense and therefore they believe more excitement, but has this come at a cost?  Has it actually added to what the NFL says is it’s biggest concern in player safety?  Maybe the NFL could look into allowing contact of a receiver 10 yards down the field, instead of the current five.  If a defender is closer, and can hand check a receiver, then defenses could play less zone coverage and the big open spaces that allow for the high speed collisions could be lessened.  This is coming from a man that played 13 years in the NFL and understands the game from a players perspective.

The New York Giants won a Super Bowl after the 1990 season vs. the Buffalo Bills, and their entire defensive scheme was to punish the receivers after they caught the ball, and therefore slow them down.  Not one of those receivers was hit in the head or even above the shoulders.  Mark Collins played in that game and agrees that proper form tackling and teaching legal hitting has all but disappeared form the college game and now it shows in the NFL.  ESPN, the league itself, and the other networks continue to tell us what we want to see….violent collisions, long pass plays, receivers running free all over the field.  I would challenge anyone to go back and watch that Super Bowl where the Giants ran a two tight end or three tight end set the majority of the game, while the Bills ran a no huddle fast break offense, and tell me it’s not one of the most entertaining games of all time.

Big hits can be legal, defense can be exciting, and it will go a long way towards ensuring the safety of todays players.

Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network reported that head coach Tom Coughlin said that Phillips and Pierre-Paul will be ready to play tonight. Phillips had come into today listed as “Doubtful” after hurting his knee last week in the Giants win over Green Bay. Pierre-Paul missed two days of practice last week because of  back problems, however was listed as questionable for tonight’s game. The Giants felt more confident about his chances of playing than they were about Phillips.

Here is the full Injury / Inactive List for the Giants tonight …

QUESTIONABLE: RT David Diehl (shoulder)

PROBABLE: C David Baas (shoulder), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), CB Jayron Hosley (shoulder), S Antrel Rolle (illness), DE Justin Tuck (foot.).

INACTIVES: LB Jacquian Williams (knee), TE Travis Beckum (knee), RB Ryan Torain, DE Adewale Ojomo, TE Adrien Robinson, DT Marvin Austin and WR Domenik Hixon (ankle).

LB Jacquain Williams

RB Ryan Torain

DT Adewale Ojomo

TE Adrien Robinson

WR Domenik Hixon

DT Miles Austin