Jan 29th - The "Way Too Early" NFL Mock Draft (Picks 1-10)

1. Colts/Andrew Luck: The love affair in Indianapolis is over, as it should be. After signing Peyton Manning to a new contract that included a hefty $28 million dollar bonus in 2012, with the knowledge of multiple neck surgeries, Jim Irsay's unedited Twitter feed gave us all a ring side seat. All of the verbal cat fighting aside, Irsay can't afford to pay $23+ million guaranteed to Luck, as well as pick up Manning's option. Irsay will be all in for the next great franchise QB in Indy.

2. *Dolphins/Robert Griffin III (via trade w/ STL): You need an owner who's willing to part with draft picks and may a knee jerk reaction to bring in a "star" at QB. Enter Stephen Ross. Some think Ross will make a play for Matt Flynn after hiring former Green Bay OC Joe Philbin as his new HC, but why pay that much guaranteed money for a backup, when you can snare a superstar in RG3?

3. Vikings/Matt Kalil: Let's not over sell this one. They need to protect Ponder, and open holes from Peterson. He's the best OT (or OL for that matter) available in the draft. Easy call.

4. Browns/Morris Claiborne: I mulled this one over, and in the end, I couldn't see Heckert/Holmgren trading up for a QB, after they wisely traded down last year with Atlanta and netted a nice haul of picks to build a team to last in the AFC North. I think pairing Claiborne with Joe Haden is a stronger move than trading up for a QB that has very few weapons at his disposal. I think CLE will address adding a solid veteran QB via free agency, and add weapons in the Draft.

5. Buccaneers/ Courtney Upshaw: This is an interesting situation for newly hired HC, Greg Schiano. Is there a market to trade down for teams kicking the tires on Ryan Tannehill? Probably, but in the end, this young defense needs to fortify its LB corps to defend against the dynamic offenses of the NFC South. Upshaw is arguably the most NFL ready and versatile defender on the board, and can play 4-3 OLB for Schiano.

6. Redskins/Riley Reiff: Call me crazy, but I see Mike Shanahan taking a chance on Brandon Weeden later in the draft and passing on the overrated Tannehill. In the meantime, protecting Rex Grossman against the healthy pass rush of the NFC East is key. Mike Mayock actually has Reiff as his number one OT on the board, and bookending him with Trent Williams will set up this OL for  years to come.

7. Jaguars/Quinton Coples: Have to admit, after watching hours of cut ups on Coples, and most recently in the Senior Bowl, I've  changed my opinion on him. I once had him as a slam dunk pass rushing pick for any team that drafts him. Now? I see a little bit of Vernon Gholston in him, inconsistent motor, who can get eaten up by OL with good technique. That said, I think the Jaguars sorely lack a pass rush, and will take a chance on Coples in the hopes that he's more Peppers than Gholston.

8. Panthers/Justin Blackmon: Seems crazy that a team that needs to solidify their DL would draft a WR like Blackmon, but the possibility of having Steve Smith & Blackmon as targets for Cam Newton is too tempting to pass up. The Panthers did draft McClain & Fua last year to beef up their DL, and I don't think they've given up on them yet. Blackmon is an elite talent that can help make this offense incredibly difficult to defend.

9. *Rams/Dre Kirkpatrick (via trade with the Dolphins): Jeff Fisher isn't afraid to draft a DB with off the field issues ( see Jones, Adam), in the name of talent. Kirkpatrick comes from a pro system in Alabama, and fills a glaring needs for the STL defense that has a nice foundation in place with Laurainitis, Long and Quinn. Also, you can't coach 6'-3", and Kirkpatrick gives their back end a rangy CB to defend against the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and others.

10. Bills/ Melvin Ingram: A 3/4 OLB is a huge need for the Bills, and with Upshaw off the board, Buffalo selects "Swiss Army Backer" Melvin Ingram. The thickly built, athletic Ingram can be a disruptive pass rusher, as well as hold his own in pass coverage and set
the edge vs. the run. Ingram is also a playmaker that can help elevate this opportunistic defense.  With healthy Kyle Williams back next year, the Bills' defense can return to the form they were early in 2011.