1) Kansas City Chiefs (1-9): Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

The combination of Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn has been awful. The Chiefs actually have a few playmakers, but it doesn’t mean much if you can’t get those playmakers the ball in big situations. I’ve had Matt Barkley here for a while, but his recent shoulder injury knocks him down a peg.

2) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9): Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Blaine Gabbert is awful, and the Jaguars won’t waste a third year on him. The Jags will likely clean house in the front office, and new regimes generally mean new quarterbacks. Barkley may end up sliding some more if his shoulder injury lingers, but for now, I can’t put him lower than the #2 pick.

3) Cleveland Browns (2-8): Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame

I had Cleveland taking a wide receiver here, but with how well Manti Te’o has been playing, I can’t keep him on the board longer than here. Cleveland’s defense needs a leader and someone to replace Scott Fujita, who may end up retiring due to a neck injury. Te’o fills both voids, and provides a strong nucleus along with D’Qwell Jackson.

4) Carolina Panthers (2-8): Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

Probably the most dominating lineman in the draft this year, Lotulelei has emerged as a force in the PAC-12. Carolina’s defense is inconsistent, especially late in games, and this selection gives them stability up the middle as well as one of the best players in the draft.

5) Oakland Raiders (3-7): Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia

Bottom line is that the Raiders can’t stop anyone, including, apparently, the Baltimore punter. Jones is the top pass-rusher in the draft, and instantly upgrades the Oakland front seven.

6) Philadelphia Eagles (3-7): Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

Philadelphia let Michael Vick get massacred behind the line, and without reinforcements, the same thing will happen to Nick Foles. You need to protect quarterbacks, and here, the Eagles are in position to take the best offensive lineman in the draft.

7) St. Louis Rams (3-6-1): DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

The Rams may make a move to trade up for Joeckel, because O-line is a pretty big need. They could also trade this pick if Joeckel is off the board, especially since they’ve also got Washington’s first-round pick. However, you can never have too many corners in the current NFL. Janoris Jenkins hasn’t really panned out yet (though he’s still very young), and here, St. Louis can potentially get the top defensive back in the draft.

8) San Diego Chargers (4-6): Robert Woods, WR, USC

As iffy as Philip Rivers has been, it’s not like he’s had much help from his receivers. Woods is the top wide receiver prospect in the draft, and if the organization stays with Rivers as opposed to drafting Landry Jones (which may be more possible if Norv Turner gets fired), he’d be a nice fit here.

9) Buffalo Bills (4-6): Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M

As is the norm, the Bills wind up a pick or two too late for anyone with sky-high potential. Their defensive line, which the Bills spent a ton of money to try and fix, hasn’t been great, and Moore is among the best players available.

10) Miami Dolphins (4-6): Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Miami is 27^th against the pass this year, and that needs to change in this pass-happy era of football. Rhodes is the second-best cornerback prospect in the draft behind Milliner, and definitely fills a need in the defensive backfield.

11) St. Louis Rams (3-6-1): Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

This is a little bit of a reach, but St. Louis does need a tackle, as outlined earlier. They don’t get Joeckel, but if they hang on to both picks, they could easily snag Taylor Lewan, the #2 lineman in this year’s crop.

12) New York Jets (4-6): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

If the Jets are picking this high, chances are Rex Ryan is a goner. New regimes usually mean new quarterbacks, and I’m much, much higher on Landry Jones than most are. He’s a prototype quarterback that can make all the throws, and he’d give Jets fans a chance to get excited about the man under center.

13) Tennessee Titans (4-6): Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

Tennessee needs a ton of defensive help. With the exception of their win over Miami, that unit has played really badly this year. They get some assistance with Mingo falling to #13. He’s a versatile player who can work wonders in Tennessee’s pass rush.

14) Arizona Cardinals (4-6): Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

Arizona needs offensive line help in the worst way. Fisher’s probably the last first-round caliber tackle available in a bad year for offensive linemen, and while he’s a reach at #14, he definitely fills a need.

15) Detroit Lions (4-6): Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU

Detroit usually drafts the best player available, and in this case, that’s Montgomery. Kyle Vanden Bosch may not be with the team next year, so this would also potentially fill a need next to Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.

16) Cincinnati Bengals (5-5): Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

Originally, I had the Bengals taking a running back, but Werner is too good to pass up at #16. He needs to get a little bigger, but if he does, he’ll give Geno Atkins relief on the defensive line. There’s a surprising amount of depth at running back in this draft, and the Bengals may go that route in rounds two and/or three.

17) New Orleans Saints (5-5): Johnathon Hankins, DT, Ohio State

New Orleans’s porous defense has been a big problem all year, and they can’t get pressure on the quarterback, either. Hankins can fill plenty of holes on the defensive line, and his 6’4”, 325-pound frame gives him plenty of leverage.

18) Dallas Cowboys (5-5): Giovanni Bernard, HB, North Carolina

Part of Dallas’s inability to run the ball has to do with DeMarco Murray’s injury. However, even when Murray was healthy, it’s not like he was a game-changer (just one touchdown in five games). Bernard has the potential to be that kind of a player. He’s averaging over seven yards per carry, and could give the Cowboy backfield a big boost.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4): Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

Tampa Bay traded Aqib Talib, and their cornerback situation wasn’t rosy to begin with. Banks and Xavier Rhodes are very close to each other in terms of talent, and with Ronde Barber possibly retiring after the season ends, it’s highly likely the Bucs take one or the other.

20) Minnesota Vikings (6-4): Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

The Vikings could really use an upgrade opposite Percy Harvin. Allen is a bonafide playmaker, and one that could have gone way before this. Instead, he goes to Minnesota, giving Christian Ponder another downfield weapon.

21) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4): Eric Reid, S, LSU

Troy Polamalu isn’t getting younger or healthier, and it may be time to start grooming a replacement in the defensive backfield. Safeties don’t usually go early, but Reid presents a solid value at #21 and could fill a need if Pittsburgh’s determined Polamalu has lost a step.

22) Indianapolis Colts (6-4): Johnathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia

You can run on the Colts, whose front seven ranks 22^nd in the NFL. Their defensive tackle situation isn’t promising, and while the defense as a whole has overachieved this year, they need reinforcements, which Jenkins helps provide.

23) Seattle Seahawks (6-4): Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

Seattle needs someone to grow with Russell Wilson, who’s been improving steadily in his rookie season. Hunter’s not as good as Allen, but he’s still a solid value pick this late in the first round for a team in need of an impact wide receiver.

24) New York Giants (6-4): Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

The Giants only have two guards on their roster, and several of their offensive linemen are getting older. Warmack could go much earlier than this, and he provides necessary depth at the interior line spots.

25) Denver Broncos (7-3): Joseph Randle, HB, Oklahoma State

Willis McGahee just suffered a bad MCL injury, and Ronnie Hillman, while explosive, may not be an every-down back. Randle is a do-it-all back who can catch passes out of the backfield, something that’s traditionally been a sizable part of Peyton Manning’s offenses over the years.

26) New England Patriots (7-3): Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

Wes Welker is in a contract year, and an over-the-hill Deion Branch is playing a ton of snaps. This could be a real need position for the Patriots this coming offseason, and Williams is the best wideout available at this point. I could also see the Pats taking a defensive lineman, but that position is very deep.

27) Chicago Bears (7-3): Barrett Jones, OG/OT, Alabama

As good as Chicago is when everything is clicking, their offensive line is still a question mark. Jay Cutler needs time to throw, and Matt Forte could use better blocking. Jones is the most versatile lineman in the draft, and can fill in anywhere he’s needed.

28) Green Bay Packers (7-3): Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma

Green Bay needs help in defending the pass, especially with Charles Woodson getting older. The cornerback depth isn’t there, but Jefferson is a versatile safety who plays both the run and the pass pretty well. He’s a little undersized, but he plays with a high motor and has good fundamentals.

29) San Francisco 49ers (7-2-1): Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

San Francisco relies very heavily on their front seven, but their defensive backs could stand to improve. I’m a fan of Trufant, who has played very well the past two seasons in establishing himself as a shutdown corner, and he fits here.

30) Baltimore Ravens (8-2): Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia

Baltimore needs to find a replacement for Ray Lewis, who may end up retiring following his season-ending injury. Ogletree has some character issues, and could go from anywhere between the middle of the first round to the beginning of the second, but he’s a great fit here at #30.

31) Houston Texans (9-1): Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

Short has a rare blend of size and athleticism. Unlike some defensive tackles, he can get to the quarterback pretty well, and that’s an asset from the nose tackle scheme the Texans run.

32) Atlanta Falcons (9-1): Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

Atlanta’s run defense hasn’t been good, especially in the last several weeks. Richardson is the best defensive lineman remaining, and has been stellar this season. He can slide in next to Jonathan Babineaux and make an instant contribution.

Dave Dupuis may be the person in Saratoga Springs most prepared for the onset of snow this winter.
For one thing, Dupuis is a Skidmore hockey player, so he's good on ice. Secondly, his hometown of Kuujjuaq, an Inuit town in Quebec, is near the arctic circle.
Dupuis was recently featured in this New York Times article that details his unlikely journey from a small town up north to a Division III hockey player.
"For me, life in Kuujjuaq was pretty normal, but when I tell people how it was, they’re usually pretty surprised," Dupuis said in the story.
You can watch Dupuis and the rest of the Thoroughbreds in action Saturday when they face Nazareth College at home. The puck drops at 2 p.m.

1) Kansas City Chiefs (1-8): Matt Barkley, QB, USC

The combination of Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn has been awful. The Chiefs actually have a few playmakers, but it doesn’t mean much if you can’t get those playmakers the ball in big situations. This could either be Barkley or Geno Smith, but for now, the USC senior gets the slight nod.

2) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8): Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Blaine Gabbert is awful, and the Jaguars won’t waste a third year on him. The Jags will likely clean house in the front office, and new regimes generally mean new quarterbacks. Smith is the best one available at this point, and while he isn’t the answer for all of their problems, he’s certainly an upgrade under center.

3) Cleveland Browns (2-7): Robert Woods, WR, USC

I could easily see Cleveland trading down. No defensive player really makes sense for them this high in the draft, and as bad as Brandon Weeden was in week one, he’s been more effective since then. For now, I’ll give them the best wideout in the draft, even if it’s highly unlikely they’ll keep the pick.

4) Carolina Panthers (2-7): Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

Probably the most dominating lineman in the draft this year, Lotulelei has emerged as a force in the PAC-12. Carolina’s defense is inconsistent, especially late in games, and this selection gives them stability up the middle as well as one of the best players in the draft.

5) Oakland Raiders (3-6): Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia

Bottom line is that the Raiders can’t stop anyone, including, apparently, the Baltimore punter. Jones is the top pass-rusher in the draft, and instantly upgrades the Oakland front seven.

6) Buffalo Bills (3-6): Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame

The Bills’ defense is atrocious. At 32^nd against the run, they need help. Fortunately, Te’o slipped a bit in this mock, as he could have easily been a top-five pick. He can do anything on defense, from playing the run to dropping back in coverage, and he gives them a stabilizing force in the middle that they’ve been lacking since Paul Posluszny left.

7) Philadelphia Eagles (3-6): Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

Philadelphia let Michael Vick get massacred behind the line, and without reinforcements, the same thing will happen to Nick Foles. You need to protect quarterbacks, and here, the Eagles are in position to take the best offensive lineman in the draft.

8) St. Louis Rams (3-5-1): DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

The Rams may make a move to trade up for Joeckel, because O-line is a pretty big need. However, you can never have too many corners in the current NFL. Janoris Jenkins hasn’t really panned out yet (though he’s still very young), and here, St. Louis can potentially get the top defensive back in the draft. Not a bad consolation prize.

9) New York Jets (3-6): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

If the Jets are picking this high, then chances are Rex Ryan is a goner. New regimes usually mean new quarterbacks, and I’m much, much higher on Landry Jones than most are. He’s a prototype quarterback that can make all the throws, and he’d give Jets fans a chance to get excited about the man under center.

10) St. Louis Rams (3-5-1): Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

This is a little bit of a reach, but St. Louis does need a tackle, as outlined earlier. They don’t get Joeckel, but if they hang on to both picks, they could easily snag Taylor Lewan, the #2 lineman in this year’s crop.

11) Tennessee Titans (4-6): Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M

Moore wasn’t in my first mock draft because he was pretty adamant about staying in school. However, he recently said he’s keeping his options open, and that could prove to be a wise financial decision. Tennessee needs a ton of help defensively. Their performance against Miami was an aberration, not the norm, and Moore is the top defensive player remaining.

12) Cincinnati Bengals (4-5): Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

Originally, I had the Bengals taking a running back, but Werner is too good to pass up at #12. He needs to get a little bigger, but if he does, he’ll give Geno Atkins relief on the defensive line. There’s a surprising amount of depth at running back in this draft, and the Bengals may go that route in rounds two and/or three.

13) San Diego Chargers (4-5): Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

Mingo’s an excellent fit for San Diego’s defense. He can wreak havoc rushing the passer, and is also solid in pass coverage due to his freakish athleticism. If Landry Jones is still around, he may draw attention, but with the teams that may have new offensive regimes next year picking above San Diego, he may be gone.

14) Miami Dolphins (4-5): Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Miami is 28^th against the pass this year, and that needs to change in this pass-happy era of football. Rhodes is the second-best cornerback prospect in the draft behind Milliner, and definitely fills a need in the defensive backfield.

15) New Orleans Saints (4-5): Johnathon Hankins, DT, Ohio State

New Orleans’s porous defense has been a big problem all year, and they can’t get pressure on the quarterback, either. Hankins can fill plenty of holes on the defensive line, and his 6’4”, 325-pound frame gives him plenty of leverage.

16) Dallas Cowboys (4-5): Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU

Montgomery’s 20 pounds bigger than teammate Barkevious Mingo, and a bit more consistent despite probably not being a linebacker at the next level. Either, though, would provide a solid pass-rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware, which would open up the defensive playbook considerably.

17) Arizona Cardinals (4-5): Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

Arizona needs offensive line help in the worst way. Fisher’s probably the last first-round caliber tackle available in a bad year for offensive linemen, and while he’s probably a bit of a reach at #17, he definitely fills a need.

18) Detroit Lions (4-5): Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia

Detroit may end up trading up to grab one of the two rush ends from LSU, as there’s a pretty big drop from them to the rest of the defensive ends in this year’s class. However, they could stand to upgrade at linebacker as well. Ogletree has some character issues, but it’s not like that’s ever stopped the Lions from taking someone they like, and he’s a force when his head’s screwed on straight.

19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4): Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

Tampa Bay traded Aqib Talib, and their cornerback situation wasn’t rosy to begin with. Banks and Xavier Rhodes are very close to each other in terms of talent, and with Ronde Barber possibly retiring after the season ends, it’s highly likely the Bucs take one or the other.

20) Minnesota Vikings (6-4): Keenan Allen, WR, Cal

The Vikings could really use an upgrade opposite Percy Harvin. Allen is a bonafide playmaker, and one that could have gone way before this. Instead, he goes to Minnesota, giving Christian Ponder another downfield weapon.

21) Seattle Seahawks (6-4): Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

Seattle needs someone to grow with Russell Wilson, who’s been improving steadily in his rookie season. Hunter’s not as good as Allen, but he’s still a solid value pick this late in the first round for a team in need of an impact wide receiver.

22) New York Giants (6-4): Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

The Giants only have two guards on their roster, and several of their offensive linemen are getting older. Warmack could go much earlier than this, and he provides necessary depth at the interior line spots.

23) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3): Eric Reid, S, LSU

Troy Polamalu isn’t getting younger or healthier, and it may be time to start grooming a replacement in the defensive backfield. Safeties don’t usually go early, but Reid presents a solid value at #23 and could fill a need if Pittsburgh’s determined Polamalu has lost a step.

24) Indianapolis Colts (6-3): Johnathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia

You can run on the Colts, whose front seven ranks 22^nd in the NFL. Their defensive tackle situation isn’t promising, and while the defense as a whole has overachieved this year, they need reinforcements, which Jenkins helps provide.

25) Denver Broncos (6-3): Giovanni Bernard, HB, North Carolina

Willis McGahee isn’t getting younger, and Ronnie Hillman, while explosive, may not be an every-down back. I had Bernard going much, much higher in my first mock, and for good reason. He’s a big-play threat who has averaged 7.4 yards per carry, and I think he’s the best running back prospect in this draft.

26) New England Patriots (6-3): Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

Wes Welker is in a contract year, and an over-the-hill Deion Branch is playing a ton of snaps. This could be a real need position for the Patriots this coming offseason, and Williams is the best wideout available at this point. I could also see the Pats taking a defensive lineman, but that position is very deep, and there’s a substantial drop from Williams to the other wideouts in this draft class.

27) Green Bay Packers (6-3): Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma

Green Bay needs help in defending the pass, especially with Charles Woodson getting older. The cornerback depth isn’t there, but Jefferson is a versatile safety who plays both the run and the pass pretty well. He’s a little undersized, but he plays with a high motor and has good fundamentals.

28) San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1): Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

San Francisco relies very heavily on their front seven, but their defensive backs could stand to improve. I’m a fan of Trufant, who has played very well the past two seasons in establishing himself as a shutdown corner, and he fits here.

29) Baltimore Ravens (7-2): C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

Baltimore needs to find a replacement for Ray Lewis, who may end up retiring following his season-ending injury. Mosley isn’t quite the player Alex Ogletree is, but he’s easily the best one available at this point.

30) Chicago Bears (7-2): Barrett Jones, OG/OT, Alabama

As good as Chicago is when everything is clicking, their offensive line is still a question mark. Jay Cutler needs time to throw, and Matt Forte could use better blocking. Jones is the most versatile lineman in the draft, and can fill in anywhere he’s needed.

31) Houston Texans (8-1): Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

Short has a rare blend of size and athleticism. Unlike some defensive tackles, he can get to the quarterback pretty well, and that’s an asset from the nose tackle scheme the Texans run.

32) Atlanta Falcons (8-1): Joseph Randle, HB, Oklahoma State

Michael Turner is getting older, and Jacquizz Rodgers hasn’t been effective in spell duty this year. The Falcons may trade down, but if they don’t, a running back wouldn’t be a bad idea. Randle could easily go much earlier than this. He has great hands out of the backfield, and with how often Matt Ryan goes to his running backs in passing situations, that could end up being a real asset.

Half of the 2012-13 NFL season is over. With the halfway point comes a time of resignation for certain teams, times where they start looking ahead to next year. The best opportunity to rebuild is the NFL Draft, and we’ll be providing mock drafts every now and then between now and the 2013 Draft. With that in mind, let’s kick off the first one.

1) Kansas City Chiefs (1-7): Matt Barkley, QB, USC

The combination of Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn has been awful. The Chiefs actually have a few playmakers, but it doesn’t mean much if you can’t get those playmakers the ball in big situations. This could either be Barkley or Geno Smith, but for now, the USC senior gets the slight nod.

2) Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7): Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Blaine Gabbert is awful, and the Jaguars won’t waste a third year on him. The Jags will likely clean house in the front office, and new regimes generally mean new quarterbacks. Smith is the best one available at this point, and while he isn’t the answer for all of their problems, he’s certainly an upgrade under center.

3) Cleveland Browns (2-7): Robert Woods, WR, USC

I could easily see Cleveland trading down. No defensive player really makes sense for them this high in the draft, and as bad as Brandon Weeden was in week one, he’s been more effective since then. For now, I’ll give them the best wideout in the draft, even if it’s highly unlikely they’ll keep the pick.

4) Carolina Panthers (2-6): Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

Probably the most dominating lineman in the draft this year, Lotulelei has emerged as a force in the PAC-12. Carolina’s defense is inconsistent, especially late in games, and this selection gives them stability up the middle as well as one of the best players in the draft.

5) St. Louis Rams (3-5): Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

It’s a down year for offensive linemen, which is a shame for St. Louis because that’s been their biggest need since Orlando Pace began declining some years ago. Joeckel has plenty of experience, and is probably the best option for them at this point.

6) Tennessee Titans (3-5): Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia

Tennessee is another team that could use help up front, but there’s nobody worth taking at this point. Still, Jones is the best player available, and he could have gone as high as #3 to Cleveland. He’s probably the top pass-rusher in the draft, and has the potential to be a defensive game-changer.

7) Cincinnati Bengals (3-5): Giovanni Bernard, RB, North Carolina

BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been ineffective this year, and it’s put way too big a burden on second-year QB Andy Dalton. Dalton’s been fine, but he could really use an every-down back capable of scoring every time he touches the ball. Bernard has had a phenomenal senior season, averaging well over seven yards per carry, and while he may be a reach, the fit here is really, really nice.

8) Oakland Raiders (3-5): Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State

Oakland needs a ton of help on the defensive line. They can’t stop anybody on the ground, and Doug Martin had a field day against them last week. Werner needs to get a little bigger, but has a lot of tools you look for in a defensive end at the NFL level.

9) Buffalo Bills (3-5): Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame

The Bills’ defense is atrocious. At 31^st against the run and 24^th against the pass, they need help. Fortunately, Te’o slipped a bit in this mock, as he could have easily been a top-five pick. He can do anything on defense, from playing the run to dropping back in coverage, and he gives them a stabilizing force in the middle that they’ve been lacking since Paul Posluszny left.

10) Philadelphia Eagles (3-5): DeMarcus Milliner, CB, Alabama

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a free agent, and Nnamdi Asomugha may be cut after the season. If both happen, the Eagles desperately need help in the secondary. Milliner has a ton of experience in the best defense in college football, and is far and away the top defensive back prospect in this year’s draft.

11) New York Jets (3-5): Keenan Allen, WR, California

Mark Sanchez can’t succeed if he has nobody to throw to. Allen is a great athlete with size (6’2”, 215), and he provides a solid downfield target opposite a healthy Santonio Holmes. The Jets could also target a quarterback if the higher-ups are fired, but I don’t foresee that happening.

12) Dallas Cowboys (3-5): Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU

The Cowboys have their pick of rush ends from LSU, as Barkevious Mingo could also go here. However, Montgomery’s 20 pounds bigger, just as athletic, and a bit more consistent. Either, though, would provide a solid pass-rusher opposite DeMarcus Ware, which would open up the defensive playbook considerably.

13) New Orleans Saints (3-5): Johnathon Hankins, DT, Ohio State

New Orleans’s porous defense has been a big problem all year, and they can’t get pressure on the quarterback, either. Hankins can fill plenty of holes on the defensive line, and his 6’4”, 325-pound frame gives him plenty of leverage.

14) St. Louis Rams (3-5): Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU

The Rams get lucky with their second pick of the first round, as Mingo could have been a top-10 pick. Instead, he adds teeth to a front seven that already boasts Chris Long and James Laurinaitis. This isn’t a need pick, but Mingo’s potential makes this a no-brainer.

15) Arizona Cardinals (4-5): Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Again, it’s unfortunate this is such a down year for offensive linemen, because Arizona needs some in the worst way possible. Lewan is the best available, but while he’s certainly a welcome addition, the Cardinals need much more.

16) San Diego Chargers (4-4): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Don’t be surprised if the Chargers look for a quarterback prospect. Philip Rivers turns 31 next month, and doesn’t have the same zip on his deep ball that he once did. If Norv Turner and/or A.J. Smith get fired, the new higher-ups may want someone else under center. Jones can make all the throws, has prototypical size and arm strength, and could be seen as a steal this late in the first round.

17) Miami Dolphins (4-4): Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State

Miami is 30^th against the pass this year, and that needs to change in this pass-happy era of football. Rhodes is the second-best cornerback prospect in the draft behind Milliner, and definitely fills a need in the defensive backfield.

18) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4): Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State

Tampa Bay traded Aqib Talib, and their cornerback situation wasn’t rosy to begin with. Banks and Rhodes are very close to each other in terms of talent, and with Ronde Barber possibly retiring after the season ends, it’s highly likely the Bucs take one or the other.

19) Detroit Lions (4-4): Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

Detroit may end up trading up to grab one of the two rush ends from LSU, as there’s a pretty big drop from them to the rest of the defensive ends in this year’s class. It’s one of their few need positions, as Kyle Vanden Bosch likely won’t be back, and Okafor’s probably the best one available at this point.

20) Minnesota Vikings (5-4): Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

Hunter may go higher had it not been for a knee injury he suffered in the 2011 season. He’s slowly but surely recovered since then, and Minnesota could use another playmaker alongside Percy Harvin.

21) Seattle Seahawks (5-4): Johnathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia

Seattle may end up grabbing a wide receiver, but with Hunter off the board, it can be argued that none left are worthy of being taken this high. Instead, I’ll give them Jenkins, the best player available. Right now, you can run on Seattle, and Jenkins could bolster the front seven.

22) Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3): Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

What a shock. Once again, Pittsburgh’s offensive line is banged up. At some point, one would think the team would draft to protect Ben Roethlisberger. Until then, I’ll keep mocking offensive tackles to them and hope they listen.

23) Indianapolis Colts (5-3): Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina

You can run on the Colts, whose front seven ranks 25^th in the NFL. Their defensive tackle situation isn’t promising, and while the defense as a whole has overachieved this year, they need reinforcements, which Williams helps provide.

24) Green Bay Packers (6-3): Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma

Green Bay needs help in defending the pass, especially with Charles Woodson getting older. The cornerback depth isn’t there, but Jefferson is a versatile safety who plays both the run and the pass pretty well. He’s a little undersized, but he plays with a high motor and has good fundamentals.

25) Denver Broncos (5-3): Joseph Randle, RB, Oklahoma State

Willis McGahee isn’t getting younger, and Ronnie Hillman, while explosive, may not be an every-down back. Randle is a decent value late in the first round, and is also a very good pass-catcher out of the backfield as well, something Peyton Manning should like.

26) New England Patriots (5-3): Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor

Wes Welker is in a contract year, and an over-the-hill Deion Branch is playing a ton of snaps. This could be a real need position for the Patriots this coming offseason, and Williams is the best wideout available at this point.

27) New York Giants (6-3): Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

The Giants only have two guards on their roster, and several of their offensive linemen are getting older. Warmack could go much earlier than this, and he provides necessary depth at the interior line spots.

28) San Francisco 49ers (6-2): Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

San Francisco relies very heavily on their front seven, but their defensive backs could stand to improve. I’m a fan of Trufant, who has played very well the past two seasons in establishing himself as a shutdown corner, and he fits here.

29) Baltimore Ravens (6-2): Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia

There are character issues here, as Ogletree was suspended four games due to a positive drug test. However, this is a perfect fit. Ogletree is a force inside, and can either learn from Ray Lewis for a year or two or replace him immediately.

30) Chicago Bears (7-1): Barrett Jones, OG/OT, Alabama

As good as Chicago is when everything is clicking, their offensive line is still a question mark. Jay Cutler needs time to throw, and Matt Forte could use better blocking. Jones is the most versatile lineman in the draft, and can fill in anywhere he’s needed.

31) Houston Texans (7-1): Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

Short has a rare blend of size and athleticism. Unlike some defensive tackles, he can get to the quarterback pretty well, and that’s an asset from the nose tackle scheme the Texans run.

32) Atlanta Falcons (8-0): Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida

Michael Turner is getting older, and Jacquizz Rodgers hasn’t been effective in spell duty this year. The Falcons may trade down, but if they don’t, a running back wouldn’t be a bad idea. Gillislee is a solid runner, and has turned heads with his ability to block out of the backfield.

BH-BL's Skye Kaler, left, is part of a talented midfield

Saturday’s Section II finals:

Class A Girls
Match-up: No. 3 Scotia-Glenville (14-3-1) vs. No. 1 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (14-4)
When: 1 p.m. at Stillwater
Road to the final: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake beat Glens Falls 13-1 in the quarterfinals then shut out Mohanasen 6-0 in the semifinals. Scotia-Glenville shut out Lansingburgh 3-0 before edging No. 2 South Glens Falls 1-0 in overtime to reach the final.
Keys to the match: The Spartans are aiming for their eighth consecutive sectional championship. Striker Morgan Burchhardt has a record 27 assists this season and, with 17 goals, is a threat to score herself. Containing Burchhardt, sophomore Megan Malone (18 goals), forward Carly Finn and creative midfielder Skye Kaler will be a tough task for the Tartans. Jenna Retell anchors a stingy BH-BL defense. The Tartans have size and speed in through the middle of the field and led by sweeper Ceci Hyland. Defensive midfielder Rachel Cox provided the winning-goal in overtime in the semis and senior Grace Marola looked sharp in attack.

Class A Boys
Match-up: No. 4 South Glens Falls (13-3-2) vs. No. 3 Troy (14-2-1)
When: 4 p.m. at Colonie
Road to the final: South Glens Falls earned a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake in the quarterfinals then scored the winning goal with 44 seconds left in a 1-0 semifinal victory over Averill Park. Troy shut out Queensbury 3-0 in its sectional-opener then topped Mohanasen 3-1 in the semis.
Keys to the match: The teams met in Troy on Sept. 22 with the hosts edging South Glens Falls 2-1. Troy, the top team in the Big 10 conference, is in the midst of a seven-match winning streak. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, have a “team of destiny” feel to them after two dramatic playoff wins. Sophomore Alec Potter scored the key overtime goal while Luke VanDixhorn had the late winner in the semifinals. Other key South High players are attackers Blake Snyder and Kyle Ogden and defenders Jack Greenier and Kyle Clark.