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The Year of the Receiver - 4 Round Mock Draft

Though all the hype goes to Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin and Trent Richardson, this is the "Year of the Receiver". Even though there may not be a future Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson, this class will ultimately turn out a large number of highly skilled and productive NFL wideouts, with several legit stars. Even though years from now it will be remembered most as the class that produced the aforementioned big three, it will be clear this draft weekend and for many seasons that the deepest position—by far—is the receiver group.

With less than one week to go before Luck, Griffin and Richardson get called up to shake Roger Goodell's hand, the window for mock drafts is creeping to a close. Given how much the speculation and hearsay changes from the time stopwatches are broken out at the combine until Mr. Irrelevant's name is called, I for one am extremely glad (downright giddy actually) to get the mocking over with and get the show started. But that doesn't mean I won't partake in the guessing game while there's still time. So here is a stab at the first four rounds, with trade details below.

ROUND 1
1. Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)
- The Luck Era begins Thursday April 26, 2012 at approximately 8:05 PM EST.
2. Washington Redskins (from STL) – Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)
- If Griffin can elude Justin Pierre-Paul and the Giants pass rush, he was well worth the big trade-up price tag.
3. Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT (USC)
- The Vikes just bought Christian Ponder 10+ years of a cleaner jersey.
4. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
- The best back in Cleveland since some Jim Brown guy will make whoever is taking snaps look a lot better.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)
- With Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton in the division, a lockdown corner is a must.
6. St. Louis Rams (from WAS) – Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)
- The last time the Rams picked sixth they took Torry Holt and won the Super Bowl—coincidentally over current Rams coach Jeff Fisher.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
- Ingram's high motor makes him a Gene Smith guy all the way. Of course it doesn't hurt that he's also the draft's best pass rusher.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) – Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
- The Eagles can't resist jumping up to snag the class of a strong d-tackle class.
9. Carolina Panthers – Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)
- The Panthers will go as Cam goes, which makes his weapons crucial. Floyd is a big-time weapon.
10. Buffalo Bills – Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
- The Bills have been desperate for blindside protection for years. With time, Reiff will fill that void.
11. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)
- The draft's best tackler rounds out one of the league's best linebacking units.
12. Seattle Seahawks – Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
- Seattle nearly takes Mercilus, but decides to play it safe instead with this hulking end.
13. Arizona Cardinals – David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)
- The Cardinals get possibly the most pro-ready player in the class and a future Pro Bowler to boost their run game.
14. Dallas Cowboys – Dontari Poe, NT (Memphis)
- Jerry Jones can't pass up this combine star even if he knows better.
15. Miami Dolphins (from PHI) – Ryan Tannehill, QB (Texas A&M)
- For the first time this offseason, Miami gets something right, trading down and landing their quarterback of the future without reaching.
16. New York Jets – Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
- Barron is too good to pass up for the Jets, who may not be able to get to the quarterback but will sure smother pass catchers.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from OAK) – Cordy Glenn, OG/OT (Georgia)
- Glenn gives the Bengals a mammoth road-grader to open running lanes and take some pressure off Andy Dalton.
18. San Diego Chargers – Chandler Jones, 3-4 OLB (Syracuse)
- Looking for the next Aldon Smith, San Diego rolls the dice on another long-limbed pass rusher.
19. Chicago Bears – Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
- With Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford in the division, the Bears need all the pass rush they can get.
20. Tennessee Titans – Stephen Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
- Gilmore will replace Cortland Finnegan from Day 1. He's a legit cover corner.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)
- Cinci nabs the replacement for Jonathan Joseph that they missed in 2011.
22. Cleveland Browns (from ATL) – Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
- Revamping the offense cannot stop with Richardson. Wright will also field a big role in a potentially potent play-action.
23. Detroit Lions – Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)
- Desperate for corner help, the Lions roll the dice, hoping Jenkins is not the second coming of Pacman Jones.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Dont'a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)
- Hightower is a Steel Curtain kind of guy and makes the Steelers nearly impossible to run on.
25. Denver Broncos – Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
- With the division loaded with great rushers, Worthy is a must to eat up space and close running lanes.
26. Houston Texans – Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)
- Hill's field-stretching speed could make Houston dominate with play-action.
27. New England Patriots (from NO) – Courtney Upshaw, 3-4 OLB (Alabama)
- The scheme-versatile Upshaw will get pressure on opposing passers whether he's standing up or got his hand in the dirt.
28. Green Bay Packers – Shea Mcclellin, 3-4 OLB (Boise State)
- Clay Matthews won't have to try generating sacks all by his lonesome with Mcclellin's presence opposite him.
29. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)
- Konz can immediately slide in at guard before taking over for the aging Matt Birk at center in 2013.
30. San Francisco 49ers – Michael Brockers, 3-4 DE (LSU)
- A guy with top-10 upside falling to 30… who has it better than they do?
31. Dallas Cowboys (from NE) – Harrison Smith, S (Notre Dame)
- Like the Patriots weren't going to trade down? Smith gives Dallas the rangy, instinctual safety they desperately needed in 2011.
32. New York Giants – Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)
- Even if Jake Ballard hadn't torn his ACL in the Super Bowl, Fleener would be a great addition to the G-Men's passing game.

ROUND 2
33. St. Louis Rams – Bobbie Massie, OT (Mississippi)
34. Indianapolis Colts – Nick Perry, DE/OLB (USC)
35. Minnesota Vikings – Reuben Randle, WR (LSU)
36. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)
37. Cleveland Browns – Brandon Weeden, QB (Oklahoma State)
38. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
39. St. Louis Rams (from WAS) – Kendall Reyes, DT (Connecticut)
40. Chicao Bears (from CAR) – Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
41. Buffalo Bills – Lavonte David, OLB (Nebraska)
42. Miami Dolphins – Brian Quick, WR (Appalachian State)
43. Seattle Seahawks – Zach Brown, OLB (North Carolina)
44. Kansas City Chiefs – Kevin Zeitler, OG (Wisconsin)
45. New England Patriots (from DAL) – Derek Wolfe, 3-4 DE (Cincinnati)
46. Miami Dolphins (from PHI) – Andre Branch, DE (Clemson)
47. New York Jets – Ronnell Lewis, 3-4 OLB (Oklahoma)
48. New England Patriots (from OAK) – Ryan Broyles, WR (Oklahoma)
49. San Diego Chargers – Amini Silatolu, OG (Midwestern State)
50. Carolina Panthers (from CHI) – Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
51. Philadelphia Eagles (from AZ) – Kirk Cousins, QB (Michigan State)
52. Tennessee Titans – Vinny Curry, DE (Marshall)
53. Cincinnati Bengals – David Wilson, RB (Virginia Tech)
54. Detroit Lions – Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)
55. Atlanta Falcons – Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
56. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alameda Ta'amu, NT (Washington)
57. Denver Broncos – LaMichael James, RB (Oregon)
58. Houston Texans – Zebrie Sanders, OT (Florida State)
59. Green Bay Packers – Jared Crick, 3-4 DE (Nebraska)
60. Baltimore Ravens – Bobby Wagner, ILB (Utah State)
61. San Francisco 49ers – Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
62. New England Patriots – Trumaine Johnson, CB (Montana)
63. New York Giants – Chris Polk, RB (Washington)

ROUND 3
64. Indianapolis Colts – A.J. Jenkins, WR (Illinois)
65. St. Louis Rams – Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)
66. Minnesota Vikings – Josh Robinson, CB (UCF)
67. Cleveland Browns – Nigel Bradham, OLB (Florida State)
68. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dwight Bentley, CB (Louisiana-Lafayette)
69. Washington Redskins – Kelechi Osemele, OG/OT (Iowa State)
70. Jacksonville Jaguars – Marvin McNutt, WR (Iowa)
71. Buffalo Bills – T.Y. Hilton, WR (Florida International)
72. Miami Dolphins – Mychal Kendricks, LB (California)
73. Miami Dolphins (from CAR through CHI) – Orson Charles, TE (Georgia)
74. Kansas City Chiefs – Brock Osweiler, QB (Arizona State)
75. Seattle Seahawks – Robert Turbin, RB (Utah State)
76. Houston Texans (from Philadelphia) – Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)
77. New York Jets – Chris Givens, WR (Wake Forest)
78. San Diego Chargers – Brandon Taylor, S (LSU)
79. Chicago Bears – Brandon Thompson, DT (Clemson)
80. Arizona Cardinals – Ladarius Green, TE (Louisiana-Lafayette)
81. Dallas Cowboys – Joe Adams, WR (Arkansas)
82. Tennessee Titans – Demario Davis, OLB (Arkansas State)
83. Cincinnati Bengals – Keshawn Martin, WR (Michigan State)
84. Atlanta Falcons – Mitchell Schwartz, OT (California)
85. Detroit Lions – Olivier Vernon, DE (Miami)
86. Pittsburgh Steelers – Tony Bergstrom, OT/OG (Utah)
87. Denver Broncos – Jeff Allen, OT/OG (Illinois)
88. Philadelphia Eagles (from Houston) – Brandon Mosley, OT (Auburn)
89. New Orleans Saints – Brandon Boykin, CB (Georgia)
90. Green Bay Packers – Billy Winn, 3-4 DE (Boise State)
91. Baltimore Ravens – Jarius Wright, WR (Arkansas)
92. San Francisco 49ers – Brandon Brooks, OG (Miami of Ohio)
93. Jacksonville Jaguars (from NE) – Isaiah Pead, RB (Cincinnati)
94. New York Giants – Donald Stephenson, OT (Oklahoma)
95. Oakland Raiders – Michael Egnew, TE (Missouri)

ROUND 4
96. St. Louis Rams – Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
97. Indianapolis Colts – Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)
98. Minnesota Vikings – Antonio Allen, S (South Carolina)
99. Houston Texans (from TB through PHI) – Josh Chapman, NT (Alabama)
100. Cleveland Browns – Markelle Martin, S (Oklahoma State)
101. New England Patriots (from JAC) – Jonathan Massaquoi, 3-4 OLB (Troy)
102. Washington Redskins – George Iloka, S (Boise State)
103. Miami Dolphins – James Brown, OG (Troy)
104. Carolina Panthers – Terrell Manning, OLB (North Carolina State)
105. Buffalo Bills – Ron Brooks, CB (LSU)
106. Seattle Seahawks – Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)
107. Kansas City Chiefs – Loni Fangupo, 3-4 NT (Brigham Young)
108. Denver Broncos (from NYJ) – Jordan White, WR (Western Michigan)
109. Washington Redskins (from OAK) – De'quan Menzie, CB (Alabama)
110. San Diego Chargers – Josh Norman, CB (Coastal Carolina)
111. Carolina Panthers (from CHI) – Jamell Fleming, CB (Oklahoma)
112. Arizona Cardinals – Juron Criner, WR (Arizona)
113. New England Patriots (from DAL) – Tyrone Crawford, 3-4 DE (Boise State)
114. Philadelphia Eagles – Bernard Pierce, RB (Temple)
115. Tennessee Titans – Ben Jones, C (Georgia)
116. Cincinnati Bengals – Bruce Irvin, OLB (West Virginia)
117. Detroit Lions – Sean Spence, OLB (Miami)
118. Cleveland Browns (from ATL) – Brandon Mosley, OT (Auburn)
119. Pittsburgh Steelers – B.J. Cunningham, WR (Michigan State)
120. Denver Broncos – Ryan Steed, CB (Furman)
121. Houston Texans – Kyle Wilber, 3-4 OLB (Wake Forest)
122. Oakland Raiders (from NO) – Nick Foles, QB (Arizona)
123. Green Bay Packers – Tauren Poole, RB (Tennessee)
124. Buffalo Bills – Russell Wilson, QB (Wisconsin)
125. San Francisco 49ers – Casey Hayward, CB (Vanderbilt)
126. New England Patriots – Andrew Datko, OT (Florida State)
127. New York Giants – Keenan Robinson, ILB (Texas)
128. Minnesota Vikings – Ronnie Hillman, RB (San Diego State)
129. New Orleans Saints (from OAK) – Akiem Hicks, DT (Salve Regina)
130. Baltimore Ravens – Brandon Hardin, S (Oregon State)
131. New York Giants – Greg Childs, WR (Arkansas)
132. Green Bay Packers – Ryan Lindley, QB (San Diego State)
133. Green Bay Packers – Coryell Judie, CB (Texas A&M)
134. Minnesota Vikings – Brandon Washington, OG (Miami)
135. Dallas Cowboys – Chris Greenwood, CB (Albion)

TRADES:
1. Eagles get 8th overall selection
Dolphins get 15th and 46th overall selections

2. Cowboys get 31st overall selection
Patriots get 45th and 113th overall selections and 2013 2nd Round selection

3. Bears get 40th overall selection
Panthers get 50th and 111th overall selections

4. Jaguars get 93rd overall selection
Patriots get 101st and 142nd overall selections

5. Raiders get 122nd overall selection
Saints get 129th and 189th overall selections