Mock Draft: Picks 21-24

Buffalo Bills Nation's first Mock Draft continues today with selections 21 through 24. To view any of the previous installments in this mock draft, please click on the links below:

Picks 1-4, Picks 5-8, Picks 9-12, Picks 13-16, Picks 17-20

The Denver Broncos are on the clock...

21. Denver Broncos (9-7): Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
- After one of the busiest off-seasons in recent memory out in Denver, the Broncos are left with two glaring needs: offensive tackle (where George Foster's trade to Detroit leaves a large starting hole) and defensive end (where the team lacks a difference-maker and has missed out on players such as John Abraham and Patrick Kerney). Levi Brown (right) fills the bigger of those two holes - he is a very experienced, hard-nosed tackle who would instantly lock down the starting job at right tackle in Denver. With Travis Henry and Mike Bell splitting carries, the pressure is on for coach Mike Shanahan to give his runners better blocking - Foster himself was often in Shanahan's doghouse. Brown represents the best value of anyone on the board as well.

22. Dallas Cowboys (9-7): Michael Griffin, S, Texas
- It is obvious to anyone who even casually watches the Cowboys that their most glaring weakness - especially at the tail end of the '06 season - was their inability to stop opponents' passing attacks. Roy Williams is a very good safety, but his coverage skills are not high quality. The team has some good players at cornerback, but they are not helped out by the team's weak play at free safety. Dallas likes second-year man Pat Watkins, but it remains to be seen if he is a difference maker at the position. Michael Griffin (left) certainly is. Griffin is right up there with LaRon Landry in terms of coverage skills at the safety position, and he is a huge hitter as well. He is the perfect complement for Williams in Dallas' defensive backfield, and is the most logical selection for new head coach Wade Phillips - he needs more big plays for his defense if the Cowboys are to become true contenders in the NFC.

23. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7): Justin Blalock, OG, Texas
- Kansas City's pick is one of the most difficult to forecast of any of the teams picking in the first round. The team has several glaring needs, including wide receiver (where Eddie Kennison remains the top target but is aging very rapidly), offensive line (where age is a huge concern and free agent defections have left holes), defensive line (where the team desperately needs a playmaker to complement Jared Allen), and defensive back (where Ty Law and Patrick Surtain are steady, but depth is poor). Justin Blalock (right) is a player whose versatility will help him in the Chiefs' eyes. Blalock projects as a guard at the NFL level, but he spent his entire career as a tackle with the Longhorns. He is a monster in the run game, and he is athletic enough to become a very steady pass blocker at the tackle position as well. The Chiefs are still trying to replace Willie Roaf at left tackle and eventually Will Shields at right guard. Blalock's versatility gives coach Herman Edwards a few more options along the line, and he represents a very high value to the Chiefs.

24. New England Patriots (f/SEA): Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
- Let's just say it's strange to see the Patriots pull their best Redskins impression this off-season. After years of flying under the free agent radar, the Pats have spent millions this off-season to add Adalius Thomas, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth, Kelley Washington, Sammy Morris and Kyle Brady. With the majority of that attention going to help Tom Brady on offense, it's fairly obvious that the Patriots are thinking defense with their draft picks. The team put their franchise tag on CB Asante Samuel this off-season, but recent news has Samuel being very unhappy with the decision and threatening to hold out of off-season programs. With that unsettled situation at corner, the perfect pick at this juncture for Bill Belichick would be Darrelle Revis (left) of Pittsburgh. Revis is a smart, aggressive, physical corner with solid ball skills and phenomenal tackling skills for his position. He is probably a better fit in a Zone-based defensive scheme, but Belichick runs so many looks that he can make any player fit into his system. The team could also look for a safety, but with the top three prospects off the board at this point, Revis easily makes the most sense. Linebacker will be addressed with the second pick.

Picks 25-28 come tomorrow - just two more days of Mock Draft action! (Until April, that is...)