Depending on how sympathetic you are toward future millionaires, watching prospects sweat in the green room is either the best or worst thing about the NFL draft.
Every year, at least one player awkwardly squirms as their draft stock plummets. And of course, every painful moment is captured by the cameras.
However, as disappointing as it is for prospects, the results aren't always terrible.
Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in the league, but in 2005 his draft stock dropped like the NASDAQ. For what seemed like an eternity, he waited—and waited, and waited.
Well, his career turned out just fine.
Still, being the last one out of the green room is never fun. In this week's mock draft, I'll highlight some players who may want to save themselves some embarrassment by staying home on Draft Day.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)
Luck definitely doesn't have to worry about getting stuck in the green room. At this point, he could post a video of himself punting puppies through the uprights and he'd still go first or second overall.
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)
The Redskins traded a few limbs to get this pick, and it's no secret why. They want Robert Griffin III, so there's no way the Heisman-winner rots in the green room.
As the most charismatic player in the draft, expect RG3 to steal the show in New York.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)
The Vikings need to bolster their offensive line, and Kalil is unquestionably the best option in the draft.
The 6'7", 300-pounder will be the first lineman to shake the commissioner's hand.
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
Although not a lot of teams need running backs, Richardson is a franchise-caliber player. Since the Browns whiffed with the Peyton Hillis experiment, I'd be shocked if Richardson fell past No. 4.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)
Claiborne just had surgery on his wrist, but I doubt that will affect his stock. He's the best defensive back in the draft, and the Bucs desperately need to improve their secondary.
Look for them to draft Claiborne here.
6. St. Louis Rams: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
Poe has skyrocketed up draft boards after posting some monster numbers at the combine. However, he's a little raw, so he may fall in the draft.
Poe could go as high as No. 6 to St. Louis, but he may also drop down to Dallas at No. 14. Still, I think he should accept an invite to the green room if he gets one.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)
There's four first-round caliber receivers in this class, and Blackmon is clearly the best. With multiple teams needing offensive weapons, there's no way he falls out of the Top 10.
Look for Jacksonville to pick him up here, giving Blaine Gabbert a legitimate threat on the outside.
8. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
Coples is a freak athlete, but his work ethic isn't exactly ideal. That could cause him to fall on Draft Day.
However, Coples is too talented to drop very far. Even if the Dolphins decide to go with Ryan Tannehill here, Seattle will gladly select Coples at No. 12.
9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)
Like Coples, Brockers is a monster on the D-line. He's a disruptive force in the middle and has the potential to be the best defensive tackle in the league.
I don't think there's any chance of him falling out of the Top 10.
10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB (Alabama)
Upshaw is the best linebacker in this class, and many teams need help in the middle of their defenses.
Because of his versatility and tackling ability, the Bills should snatch Upshaw here. If they don't, the Chiefs, Cowboys and Eagles would all be happy to take him.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)
Kuechly is a tackling machine with great instincts. He won't fall out of the Top 15.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE (USC)
Since the Seahawks agreed to terms with free-agent quarterback Matt Flynn, they can upgrade their D-line here.
Perry is the best pass-rusher available here. I'd be surprised if Seattle passed on him.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
Martin is a good prospect, but I doubt he'll ever be an elite offensive lineman. If Arizona passes on him here, he'd likely fall to San Diego at No. 18.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
Dallas needs upgrades all over their secondary, so they'll take the best defensive back available.
At this point, that's the versatile safety from Alabama. Barron definitely won't climb higher than this, but I expect him to be off the board in the Top 15.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)
Hightower is a versatile defender who excels in both the run and pass. He'd be a great fit in Philly.
As one of the best linebackers available, he should accept an invitation to the green room if it's offered.
16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)
As the second-best receiver behind Blackmon, Floyd may creep into Top 10 territory.
But if he doesn't, he's still a safe bet to go in the Top 20.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)
Kirkpatrick's stock has dropped some since the season ended, but I still think he's the second-best cornerback available.
There's some awful secondaries out there, so someone will pick him up before too long.
18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
I doubt Reiff will be a perennial Pro Bowler, but he'll be a solid NFL starter.
With many teams needing solid offensive linemen, Reiff is likely safe in the Top 20.
19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
Mike Adams had a terrible combine, so he may want to pass on an invitation to New York. He could be drafted as high as 18th or 19th, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him drop into the late 20s.
20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB (South Carolina)
With so many quality pass-rushers in the draft, someone has to fall a little ways. I think that will be Ingram.
However, this would be a great fit for him, and he shouldn't be too bummed if he has to wait in the green room awhile.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)
If the Bengals don't take DeCastro here, he could fall all the way to San Francisco at No. 30. He should be wary of accepting a green room ticket.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
Wright is one of the fastest players in the draft, but his size is an issue.
However, plenty of teams need wide receivers. I'd be surprised if he fell past No. 22.
23. Detroit Lions: Stephen Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
If the Lions take Janoris Jenkins here, Gilmore will likely fall six or seven picks. I'd turn down a green room invite if I was him.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
At this point, we're approaching "last person in the green room" territory. However, I think Still is safe.
The Steelers could use some help in the middle of the line, and I'm expecting them to take Still over Fletcher Cox.
25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
With three defensive tackles possible going ahead of him, Cox should probably turn down an invite to the green room. No one wants to be the last guy left, and he's a likely candidate at this point.
26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
Jeffery could go as high as No. 16, but I'm expecting him to fall into the late 20s. Don't be surprised if he's the last prospect waiting in New York.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
Worthy could be selected in the mid-20s, but there's also a good chance of him falling into the second round. He should save himself some potential humiliation and stay home on Draft Day.
28. Green Bay Packers: Harrison Smith, S (Notre Dame)
Safeties aren't usually a top priority in the first round, so Smith could definitely drop into the early second round. I'd avoid the green room if I were him.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)
Konz is the best player at his position, but not too many teams are desperate for centers right now. He'll be the last guy in the green room if he goes.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Kelechi Osemele, G (Iowa State)
I doubt Osemele will get an invite, but if he does, he should probably just say no. I do expect him to be a solid pro, however.
31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)
With his extensive off-field issues, I'd be shocked if Jenkins got an invite to the green room. But if it wasn't for his arrest record, he would be a surefire Top 20 pick.
32. New York Giants: Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)
I have Miller has the second-best running back behind Richardson. However, there isn't much of a gap between Miller and David Wilson or LaMichael James.
I think he'll be a first-round pick, but if he wants to avoid some potential embarrassment, he should stay far away from Radio Music City Hall on April 26.
Pat Burrell Jhan Marinez Anibal Sanchez John Baker Brad Davis Logan Morrison
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