MOCK DRAFT - phase 1

With the season virtually over, all remaining is the big game, and the draft looming, I feel like this is an appropriate time for my first mock draft of the year.

1. Carolina - Nick Fairly, DT (Auburn)
2. Denver - Da'Quan Bowers, DE (Clemson)
3. Buffalo - Patrick Peterson, CB (LSU)
4. Cincinnati - Marcell Dareus, DT (Alabama)
5. Arizona - Blaine Gabbert, QB (Missouri)
6. Cleveland - AJ Green, WR (Georgia)
7. San Francisco - Prince Amukamara, CB (Nebraska)
8. Tennessee - Robert Quinn, DE (North Carolina)
9. Dallas - Nate Solder, OT (Colorado)
10. Washington - Ryan Mallett, QB (Arkansas)
11. Houston - Adrian Clayborn, DE (Iowa)
12. Minnesota - Jake Locker, QB (Washington)
13. Detroit - Akeem Ayers, LB (UCLA)
14. St. Louis - Julio Jones, WR (Alabama)
15. Miami - Cam Newton, QB (Auburn)
16. Jacksonville - Allen Bailey, DE (Miami)
17. New England - Cameron Heyward, DE (Ohio State)
18. San Diego - Von Miller, DE/LB (Texas A&M)
19. New York Giants - Stephen Paea, DT (Oregon State)
20. Tampa Bay - Anthony Castonzo, OT (Boston College)
21. Kansas City - Jared Crick, DT (Nebraska)
22. Indianapolis - Derek Sherrod, OT (Mississippi State)
23. Philadelphia - Gabe Carimi, OT (Wisconsin) 
24. New Orleans - JJ Watt, DE (Wisconsin)
25. Seattle - Mark Ingram, RB (Alabama)
26. Baltimore - Brandon Harris, CB (Miami)
27. Atlanta - Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)
28. New England - Bruce Carter, LB (North Carolina)
29. Chicago - Marvin Austin, DT (North Carolina)
30. New York Jets - Rodney Hudson, OG (Florida State)
31. Green Bay - Cameron Jordan, DE (California)
32. Pittsburgh - Mike Pouncey, OG (Florida)

First Post - Welcome

My name is Matt Modzelewski, I'm a student at Rutgers university and an aspiring sports journalist. On top of Journalism I also intend on majoring in Labor Studies, and have a strong interest in what is currently going on in the NFL with the potential lockout upcoming. The NFLPA and the owners better come to an agreement before next season or there will be a lot of unhappy people, players and fans alike. From my point of view right now the owners seem to be acting very unreasonable. The league is fine the way it is right now, sure they want to prevent player contracts from sky-rocketing, especially rookie contracts. I agree with the owners to that extent, rookies don't deserve to be paid as much as seasoned veterans. Treat the players well and they'll treat you well in return, what goes around comes around. Leave the season at 16 games and give the players the health benefits which they played hard to deserve.

That was just a few quick thoughts for my first post, thanks.