Will you the fans save LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson?
According to the Fan Mock Draft, Peterson should not attend the NFL Draft because he will be this year's Jeremy Maclin - top 10 talent who fell in the first round. At this point, maybe the Eagles will make the trade up to go get him and rescue him from any green room embarrassment.
Not even the Washington Redskins, who had the next-to-last pass defense in the league in 2010, took Peterson. Even in a draft without a bonafide top quarterback, three of them have now gone before Peterson, who was honored with the Chuck Bednarik Award as top college defensive player at the Maxwell Club Awards earlier this year.
The Redskins selected Washington quarterback Jake Locker with the No. 10 pick and the vote was not even close. Yes, Washington head coach Mike Shanahan does need a franchise quarterback, so maybe the move will pay off. We'll see.
On the clock now are the Houston Texans, who are even more desperate for a cornerback than the Redskins. Houston missed out on the playoffs once again after boasting the worst pass defense in the NFL last season. Cornerback Dunta Robinson bolted for Atlanta the previous offseason and first-round pick Kareem Jackson struggled as a rookie. Eagles fans are very familiar with new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who is switching the scheme from a 4-3 base to a 3-4 look.
Of course, as I noted in the Redskins' On The Clock piece, teams typically struggle in a defensive transition year if the right pieces aren't in place. The Texans do not have an ideal 3-4 nose tackle, but there isn't one worth the No. 11 pick. There isn't much depth at outside linebacker with their two best 'backers in DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing playing inside. Who will generate the pass rush? Former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams, a stud as a 4-3 end, will remain as a defensive end in the new scheme.
The offense is one of the most explosive in the league with Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Schaub, wide receiver Andre Johnson and reigning NFL rushing champion at running back in Arian Foster. Sure, the offensive line could use some help, but not here at No. 11.
In reality, the Texans would most likely sprint to the podium with Peterson's name on the draft card. But the choice is yours, here in the Fan Mock Draft.
Previous Picks
No. 1 - Carolina: QB Cam Newton, Auburn
No. 2 - Denver: DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama
No. 3 - Buffalo: LB Von Miller, Texas A&M
No. 4 - Cincinnati: QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
No. 5 - Arizona: WR A.J. Green, Georgia
No. 6 - Cleveland: WR Julio Jones, Alabama
No. 7 - San Francisco: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
No. 8 - Tennessee: DT Nick Fairley, Auburn
No. 9 - Dallas: DE Cameron Jordan, California
No. 10 - Washington: QB Jake Locker, Washington
