Here is the third quarter of the ‘Two Man Couch’ mock draft. The rest to come tomorrow night. Enjoy!
16. Tennessee – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
After losing Kyle Vanden Bosch and with Jevon Kearse a free agent (and near the end of the road), defensive end has gone from one of the Titans’ strengths to their biggest weakness. They would be thrilled to get Morgan, the best traditional defensive end in the draft. Morgan is a solid all-around talent and one of the top ten prospects in this draft; he is also the best player available right now.
17. San Francisco – C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Spiller is the most dynamic player in this draft and he is the sort of player who can step in and contribute immediately. Spiller brings a lot to the table: he provides a change-of-pace for Frank Gore, he can catch passes out of the backfield or in the slot, and he is also an incredibly explosive return man. The comparisons to Chris Johnson may be a bit premature, but he could definitely do for the 49ers what Reggie Bush did for the Saints this season.
18. Pittsburgh – Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
Most scouts have Iupati rated as the top interior lineman in this class. The Steelers’ offensive line has been one of their biggest weaknesses recently and keeping that lothario quarterback of theirs on his feet has to be a priority. Iupati is an excellent run blocker with great size and strength, but he needs to work on his technique, as quick defensive tackles (such as the ones at the top of this draft) will be able to expose his inconsistencies. Iupati is raw but he has a lot of upside and could be a pro-bowl caliber guard down the road.
19. Atlanta – Everson Griffen, DE, USC
Griffen is a solid 4-3 end. He is good against both the pass and the run. He has excellent size and showed some versatility playing as both a 4-3 end and a 3-4 OLB last year for USC. He also has exceptional strength and is a great power-rusher with the potential to consistently reach double-digit sacks. Defensive end is a major need for the Falcons as Jamaal Anderson has never reached his first-round billing. Need and value match up with this pick, though Carlos Dunlap or Brandon Graham could also be an options here.
20. Houston – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
Dunta Robinson is off to the Falcons and if the Texans want to have any chance at stopping Peyton Manning and the Colts, they won’t be able to waste any time finding his replacement. Wilson is the clear-cut number two corner in this draft and all of his measurables are between solid and very good. He can also help out in the return game—he had some serious highlight-reel kick returns during his career at Boise State.
21. Cincinnati – Taylor Mays, S, USC
Mays very well could be gone by this point (and he would have been last year, had he declared) but safety is a need for the Bengals and Mays has more upside than any safety in the history of the NFL draft. If he’s here, they should take him. Concerns about his ability to cover are exaggerated, and if for some reason his coverage proves inadequate, he has more than enough size, strength, and tackling prowess to become a pro-bowl outside linebacker. That’s why I think he should be a top ten pick. If he plays well at safety, then your team has a freak athlete playing in its secondary. If not, your team has a freak athlete playing outside linebacker. I just don’t see any scenario that a player like Mays doesn’t succeed as a pro—assuming his coaching staff knows how to utilize his strengths and minimize the effects of his weaknesses. Did I mention that he’s 6’3”, weighs 230, and runs a 4.30 40? (He also broke my ankle in high school but not before I caught a ball over the middle on him).
22. New England – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
Gresham is an extremely gifted receiving tight end in the Kellen Winslow mold, complete with the durability concerns. He would have been drafted earlier had he left Oklahoma last year before a knee injury during training camp cost him his season. Because of that bad luck, Bill Belichick and the Patriots get an absolute bargain here and, with questions surrounding Wes Welker’s recovery from knee surgery, Gresham gives Tom Brady another much needed weapon as the Patriots try to make a few more title runs before their window closes for good.
23. Green Bay – Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
Aaron Kampman struggled to adapt to Dom Capers’ 3-4 defense last year and left for Jacksonville in free agency. Count on the Packers to look for his replacement in the draft. Graham is a gifted pass rusher who led the nation in tackles for loss last season and is primed to make the switch to 3-4 OLB. Graham is slightly undersized at 6’1” but he makes up for it with his athleticism and freak strength. He could be a future sack machine.
24. Philadelphia – Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
The temperamental Shawn Andrews is out, which means Philly needs to find some help on their interior line. Pouncey is smart and versatile, and while not a true mauler like Iupati, he is an above average run and pass blocker. He’s a good fit and value at this point in the draft because he can play three positions.
Two Man Couch 
The niners taking CJ Spiller seems a little silly to me, 1st since they drafted Glen Coffee last year (who is doing an ok job at spelling Gore) 2nd since their is so much need at other places, ie outside linebacker to compliment Manny Lawson (if you didnt know they run a 3-4) as well as OT and the secondary especially safety and their is plenty of good one’s in this years draft
I will grant that RB is not really a need for the 49ers–Gore is one of the best in the game. However, Spiller simply brings too much to the table and is too good of value for the 49ers to pass up at 17. Gore’s knock has been durability since he was at Miami. Coffee averaged 2.7 yards a carry last year and failed to break a run for longer than 12 yards–he is not the answer and shouldn’t see an NFL field. Spiller would add a new threat to an offense still searching for a consistent passing game–a place he would definitely contribute. Note that in one of my earlier draft posts (the 2nd quarter of Rd. 1) I do have the 49ers selecting a tackle (though Anthony Davis’ stock has dropped a bit since I posted that). I do like your idea regarding safety. Apparently Mike Singletary is a really big fan of Taylor Mays, and Mays is the sort of player whose stock will only continue to rise as GMs salivate over his potential. I think Mays is a very real possibility. Earl Thomas (S, Texas) is a better overall player than Mays and could also be a consideration but he doesn’t offer the same otherworldly potential.