For the Mock Of It

I love mock NFL drafts. "Experts" think they are on top of everything. They have identified the needs of each team and slotted the appropriate players. These guys are usually wrong, but they make a living doing it.

A local "expert" has predicted the Pats will use the 27th pick in the first round to select safety Harrison Smith from Notre Dame. That certainly sounds like a position that has a need, assuming Smith is still available.

He predicts the Pats will trade the 31st selection to the Cleveland Browns who will then select QB Brandon Weedon from Oklahoma State. The Pats will get the Browns first round pick in 2013 and the Browns fourth pick in the third round in this year's. To me, this makes a lot of sense as the Pats continue their trend of stockpiling draft picks.

If this doesn't happen, he said the Pats will select DE/Tackle Devon Still of Penn State. Of course, it's important to realize that one different selection by another team can upset the entire draft order. It should be an interesting day.