Jordan Harmelink, Sports Editor

Today (March 26^th) is one of my favorite days in all of professional sports. Today is the start of the National Football League Collegiate Draft.

For the last three years I have assembled my own mock draft (with a little help from ESPN.com and Scouts.com). Instead of subjecting you to all 32 teams’ first round picks, I thought I would pick some of Dordt’s favorite NFL teams instead.

1^st Round:
3^rd: Minnesota Vikings-OT-Matt Kalil-USC. Had a hard time deciding between an offensive tackle and a wide receiver. Vikings need help at both positions, but it starts up front in protecting their young QB.

6^th: St. Louis Rams-WR-Justin Blackmon-Oklahoma State. Like the Vikings, the Rams need a lot of help all around. It’s too early for them to go after a defensive back, something they may need more than a receiver, but they will get a much needed offensive boost with this year’s top WR in Blackmon.

11^th: Kansas City Chiefs-OG-David DeCastro-Stanford. Not a real big name at Stanford especially with Andrew Luck, but by far the best run-blocking guard in the draft. Chief’s running backs Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis will welcome DeCastro with open arms.

14^th: Dallas Cowboys-CB-Morris Claiborne-LSU. The Cowboys let go of their long time corner Terrence Newman and need a young replacement to compliment Michael Jenkins on the other side. Claiborne is a ball-hawking corner who can step in and cover anyone.

18^th: San Diego Chargers-DE-Courtney Upshaw-Alabama. Though it was hard not to give the Chargers a WR here since they let go of Vincent Jackson, the Chargers have had a hard time getting after the QB last few seasons. Upshaw will jump in right away and put up Von Miller type rookie numbers.

19^th: Chicago Bears-WR-Michael Floyd-Notre Dame. Just because the Bears signed Brandon Marshall doesn’t mean that they are set at the WR position. If it wasn’t for Blackmon, Floyd would go in the top-ten. Jay Cutler needs as many reliable targets as he can get in that complex offense.

23^rd: Detroit Lions-CB-Dre Kirkpatrick-Alabama. The Lions could use some help on the offensive line, but another lockdown corner would make their defense that much more dangerous. With Kirkpatrick, the Lions will be daring teams to throw the ball.

24^th: Pittsburgh Steelers-MLB-Dont’a Hightower-Alabama. With James Farrior’s retirement, the Steelers have a huge hole in the middle of their defense. Hightower matched with Lawrence Timmons would keep the middle of the Steeler’s defense stingy for the next 10 years.

25^th: Denver Broncos-DT-Jerel Worthy-Michigan State. Impressed scouts with his combine workout. The Broncos have two great outside pass-rushers in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, but they need help up the middle.

28^th: Green Bay Packers-DE-Whitney Mercilus-Illinois. The Packers could use a RB, but their defensive line is in need of the most help to help B.J. Raji. “Show me what you got, what you got, Whitney.”