Thursday, April 30, 2015

Mock Draft 2.0

2015 Mock Draft 2.0

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
Previous: Jameis Winston
Nothing to see here. This is 99.99% the pick.

2. (trade) Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Previous: Leonard Williams
After a tremendous draft season, Marcus Mariota will go second, it’s just a matter of who takes him. Whiz likes his traditional QBs too much to make a new system around Mariota. Obviously, this is all about Chip Kelly doing whatever it takes to get his guy. He trades Bradford to the Browns for No. 19. Then trade 19 and 20 plus Fletcher Cox and Mychal Kendricks plus next years 3rd round pick to the Titans.

3. (Trade) Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Previous: Vic Beasley
The Oakland Raiders covet Leonard Williams and if the Jags pose a threat they will not hesitate to jump up and snatch him. Jags pick up this year’s 3rd and next year’s 6th round selection

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vic Beasley, 4-3 Leo, Clemson
Previously: Amari Cooper
This is one of my favorite fits. Double digit sacks for Vic Beasley coming off the edge in Jacksonville this year.

5. Washington Redskins: Dante Fowler, 3-4 OLB, Florida
Previously: Dante Fowler
Best 3-4 OLB in the draft goes to a team that just lost Brian Orakpo.

6. New York Jets: Brandon Scherff, OG, Iowa
Previously: Marcus Mariota
Jets have a need on the interior of the offensive line, and fill it with the best Olineman in the draft.

7. Chicago Bears: Amari Cooper, WR, West Virginia
Previously: Kevin White
Same position as before, need to replace Marshall. Cooper is the more pro ready receiver.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Previous: Randy Gregory
No change here, still too talented to fall that far in the draft in my opinion.

9. New York Giants: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Previous: Alvin Dupree
Gives the Giants a versatile lineman to move around and eventually groom as the future LT.

10. St. Louis Rams: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Previous: Brandon Scherff.
Way too talented to fall this far. Rams get a legit target for their new quarterback.

11. (Trade) Kansas City Chiefs: Davante Parker, WR, Louisville
Previous: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Reid has a history of trading both up and down the draft to get who he wants and I have read that the Chiefs love Davante Parker. Minnesota wants to move down and acquire a 3rd round pick for their efforts Kansas City has a comp pick in the 3rd so that would influence what is part of the package. Even with Jeremy Maclin signed theys till have a need.

12. Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton
Previous: Danny Shelton
This pick makes too much sense and what I am assuming is one of the primary factors in the Browns not wanting to move up to grab Mariota.

13. New Orleans Saints: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Previous: Shane Ray
The Saints get their edge rusher and with extremely good value.

14. Miami Dolphins: Todd Gurley, RB, Geogia
Previous: Davante Parker
Miami has been linked to Todd Gurley. I am predicting that it is merely smoke so someone will want to trade up. That being said, they will not get the offer they want so they will decide to just draft him themselves. Gurley would provide an immediate boost to the Dolphins offense and gives them a playmaker out of the backfield.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Dorial Green-Beckham
Previous: Dorial Green-Beckham
Same as before. I firmly believe DGB goes in the 1st round. Too much raw talent for him to slip past these WR needy teams, if not here then to the Texans next.

16. (Trade) Pittsburgh Steelers: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Previous: Landon Collins
This is a team that thinks it is but a few pieces away from a championship. Everyone knows the need is there, and with no talented prospects looking to fall that far a trade is possible. The value is awesome and the Texans will want to get out of this spot anyways. Steelers give up a 3rd round pick.

17. San Diego Chargers: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Previous: Todd Gurley
Primary focus is protecting Philip Rivers this year. Flowers has the potential to play left or right tackle. Extremely high value here.

18. (Trade) Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Previous: Andrus Peat
Moved down to get the same position but a better talent. I think the problems with the coaching staff were completely overblown.

19. (Trade) Tennessee Titans: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
Previous: Ereck Flowers
With their pick from the Mariota trade they fill a glaring need at CB. Johnson is moving up draft boards due to the fact that his athleticism remained unchanged after adding 15 pounds over the draft season.

20. (Trade) Tennessee Titans: La’el Collins, OT, LSU
Previous: Jaelen Strong:
The Titans add another piece from their compensation from the Mariota trade. Gives an immediate boost to the offensive line which was hurt by the retirement of Michael Roos.

21. Cincinatti Bengals: Malcom Brown
Previous: Malcom Brown
Love the fit and I love the prospect. If they go Humphries in the first then look out for Grady Jarrett in the second.

22. (Trade) Houston Texans: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
Previous: Marcus Peters
This is the ideal situation for the Houston Texans, trade down and still be able to fill a need. This would be a huge upgrade and would allow Armstead the time he needs to develop on the weak side across from J.J. Watt.

23. Detroit Lions: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
Previous: La’el Collins
Same thought process as last time, they need to upgrade the line and Humphries is the top player on the board.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Erik Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
Previous: Erik Kendricks
Still see him as one of the best picks in the draft.

25. Carolina Panthers: Breshad Perriman, WR, Arizona State
Previous: D.J. Humphries
“Cam Newton has Perriman running wide open in the middle of the field! Oh, but he gets blown up by the defender coming from his blind side.”

26. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Previous: Maxx Williams
Tremendous value with Gordon and finally fixes the dumpster fire that is the Ravens backfield.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Previous: Jalen Collins
Thought about changing it because the Cowboys clearly care about character issues. Hahahaha, just kidding.

28. Denver Broncos: Cameron Erving, OG/C, FSU
Previous: T.J. Clemmings
Even though I loved sending Erving to BB the Broncos need to bolster their interior offensive line.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Previous: Melvin Gordon
Fills probably the biggest need for a Colts team with very few holes. It is actually kind of sad seeing how far Collins has fallen for absolutely no reason.

30. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Goldman, DT, FSU
Previous: Kevin Johnson
Really unfortunate to see Kevin Johnson raise his stock so much. I absolutely loved the young Sam Shields comparison and thought it would be awesome to see how it played out. Had a hard time finding a place to put Goldman the first go around. This makes it easier and the Packers need someone along the defensive line to help stop the run.

31. (Trade) New Orleans Saints: Philip Dorsett, WR, Miami
Previous: Arik Armstead
Inside info says they love Dorsett.

32. New England Patriots: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
Previous: Cameron Erving
Jones will go in the first round. Measured out as the “most athletic prospect” in the entire draft. Cornerback is definitely a need.

2nd Round
I realized the impossible task of projecting trades in the second round. It’s basically impossible.

33. Tennessee Titans: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Previous: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut

34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
Previous: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon

35. Oakland Raiders: Jaelen Strong, WR, ASU
Previous: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA

36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Damarious Randall, FS, ASU
Previous: Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana

37. New York Jets: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
Previous: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia

38. Washington Redskins: Eric Rowe, CB/S, Utah
Previous: Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State

39. Chicago Bears: Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma
Previous: Eddie Goldman, NT, Florida State

40. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Previous:  Damarious Randall, FS, Arizona State

41. St Louis Rams: AJ Cann, OG, South Carolina
Previous: Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida

42. Atlanta Falcons: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
Previous: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

43. Cleveland Browns: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Previous: Philip Dorsett, WR, Miami

44. New Orleans Saints: Ronald Darby, CB, FSU
Previous: Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke

45. Minnesota Vikings: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Previous: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

46. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
Previous: Ronald Darby CB, Florida State

47. Miami Dolphins: Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
Previous: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami

48. San Diego Chargers: Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Previous: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

49. Kansas City Chiefs: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Previous: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma

50. Buffalo Bills: Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State
Previous: Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State

51. Houston Texans: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Previous: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State

52. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami(OH)
Previous: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford

53. Cincinatti Bengals: Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
Previous: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

54. Detroit Lions: Xavier Cooper, DT, Washington State
Previous: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

55. Arizona Cardinals: Carl Davis, Iowa
Previous: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa

56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nate Orchard, 3-4 OLB, Utah
Previous: Nate Orchard, 3-4 OLB, Utah

57. Carolina Panthers: Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
Previous: Nelson Agholor, WR, Southern California

58. Baltimore Ravens: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
Previous: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

59. Denver Broncos: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Previous: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

60. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Previous: Mario Edwards Jr. DT, Florida State         

61. Indianapolis Colts: T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama
Previous: Jaquiski Tartt, SS, Samford

62. Green Bay Packers: Stephone Anythony, ILB, CLemson
Previous: Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson

63. Seattle Seahawks: Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
Previous:  A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina

64. New England: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
Previous: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

Best prospects left
1.       Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
2.       Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
3.       Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson
4.       Hau’olu Kikaha, OLB, Washington
5.       Paul Dawson, LB, TCU
6.       Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
7.       Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State
8.       Ali Marpet, OG/C, Hobart
9.       Jaquiski Tartt, SS, Samford
10.    Jeremiah Poutashi, OT/OG, Utah

Thursday, April 23, 2015

NFL mock draft

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

Tampa is going to go with a quarterback, I can say that with almost certainty. It has just been a matter of which one? Winston or Mariota. The more I thought about it, the more sense Winston made for this pick. For starters, Winston is projected to be the better pro style quarterback. He has elite arm strength, great size, to go along with tremendous accuracy from the pocket. His biggest question mark has got to be his first half performances for much of this year. Those questions will easily be forgotten when the tape switches to the second half and he plays lights out for the rest of the game. He has superstar potential that I don't think Mariota brings to the table.

I also feel that with each passing day we will hear less and less about his off-field issues, and more about his talent. If he was a second round talent I could see this stuff hurting his stock, but you don't pass on a guy with Winston's potential for these issues. It's important to remember that football is a business. The GM and coach are there to win football games. When it is all said and done, Jameis Winston gives the Bucs the best chance to win football games.

I wrote this in early February when it was believed to still be a competition, most experts agree with me at this point.

2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DT, Southern California

I really didn't want to put Mariota here, I just don't think it'll happen, not to Tennessee at least. I have this funny feeling Mariota just won't show that he is this "can't-miss" prospect some expect him to be. That will lead to a drop in his stock, similar to Teddy Bridgewater, remember he was considered to be a top 3 pick at this point last year. However, I don't expect Mariota's drop to be that dramatic. I also think the Titans want to see what Mettenberger has to offer, especially considering Whisenhunt has typically favored traditional pocket passers. Also, Whiz has taken chances on guys in the past that weren't considered the best quarterback options out there, guys like Kevin Kolb, Derek Anderson, etc.

That's why I went with Williams, the dominating defensive lineman out of USC. Tennessee recently transitioned to a 3-4 alignment and most of their personnel don't quite fit, therefore they need to upgrade at pretty much every defensive position. Williams isn't the traditional 3-4 DE, as he is a ferocious pass rusher, but he is consistently strong against the run. His combination of strength and athleticism should make him a regular on the Tennessee defensive line from year one.

Once again I wrote this in February and Mariota has done a good job going through the draft process. I have read a couple places that teams aren’t as high on Williams as he media is but that could just be smoke screens, hoping Tennessee lets him fall past them at #2. In the end if this pick is not traded by a team moving to get Mariota then it should be Williams.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vic Beasley, Pass Rusher, Clemson

If I'm the Jacksonville Jaguars and I see Tennessee pick Williams, I would be seriously worried. This team needs offensive line help, it is already in shambles and they just saw a division rival beef up their pass rush. The Jags needs to find a way to protect Blake Bortles or they will continue to stall on offense. Unfortunately, there is no offensive lineman worth this pick. With that in mind, I think the Jaguars would be able to trade this selection for someone looking to grab Mariota. However, I'm not going to predict trades here so the Jags get stuck with Beasley.

Beasley's stature will cause some concerns with some teams but he seemed to ease those concerns at the combine weighing in at 245. There were high hopes for Beasley's senior season and he did not disappoint. He displayed that dangerous first step off the snap, embarrassing tackles along the way. He also showed a tremendous ability to use his arms to get away from bigger stronger tackles. His run defense leaves a lot to be desired as he really has no ability to set the edge on rushing downs. However, the Clemson product would give head coach Gus Bradley a dangerous weapon to deploy as his Leo Defensive End.

A lot of other people have Dante Fowler in this position, but Beasley makes more sense here and the value isn’t far off. I am of the opinion that if you combine Beasley’s Combine and on field production it makes him the better prospect, especially in the Jags Leo position.

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Derek Carr had some flashes of quality play last season, despite being on a terrible Oakland offense with virtually no talent. It's a miracle that this team won 3 games. He gets some help here with Amari Cooper. Cooper is an elite playmaking receiver who works wonders with the ball in his hands. Standing 6-1, he doesn't have elite size, but he still manages to beat corners on 50-50 balls. He doesn't have elite speed but his quickness and pro-level route running skills allow him to find the open spaces in the defense. He has had some problems with dropping the ball, but it's probably something that can be fixed. You'll start to see people saying the Raiders will go after Kevin White because they always go after the speed guys, however I think they are trying to change that reputation. Cooper is widely considered the most NFL ready wide receiver and for a team that has a history of missing on first round picks, the promise of instant production is extremely important. This is a guy with Julio Jones upside, and a great addition for a Raiders team in full rebuild mode.

5. Washington Redskins: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida

The Redskins have a pretty big need as pass rusher, especially since Brian Orakpo was not brought back. Dante Fowler is probably the best 3-4 OLB prospect in the entire draft. He did a great job at the combine and is shooting up draft boards. He has the ability to rush the passer, set the edge, and can even drop into coverage. I got the privilege of watching Dante play on Saturdays, and there were plenty of times where I watched him dominate for long stretches. However, I also noticed that other times he would be too aggressive and take himself out of the play altogether. As his instincts and play recognition develop, I have no doubt he can become one of the most successful playmakers in this year’s draft class.

6. New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

The Jets find their QB for the foreseeable future. I dropped Mariota from the first two spots because I think some teams will question how well his game translates to the NFL. I do think we will see a trade that sees a team move up to grab him. Mariota has great size and elite athleticism. Additionally, while in college he seemed to always make the smart decision, posting a ridiculous 105-14 TD-INT ratio over his entire career. That being said, the Oregon offense seemed to simplify the game a bit and he was typically able to just throw it to his first read. Accuracy problems have also raised a red flag as some think he will not be able to make all the throws when the windows get smaller at the next level. He has done well to alleviate this concern, but I think it will still be at the front of peoples mind on draft day. The Jets will overlook any issues Mariota may have as Geno Smith is terrible.  I do not think Mariota will end up being a superstar in the NFL. However, I do think he has the chance to be an above average option for a Jets team that needs all the help it can get. In the end, Mariota is a serious upgrade at the most important position on the team.

If I had to guess I would say you could see the Jags and the Jets swap picks and end up with these same guys. I don’t see any fit in the top 5 that is that great and Mariota is probably the 7th best player in the draft, so I don’t know if any of them would have him as the BPA. That being said, I do not see Mariota getting out of the top 5 and you will probably see someone jump up and grab him.

7. Chicago Bears: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

The Bears got rid of the headache that was Brandon Marshall, so now they need to find a #2 to stand across from Alshon. It would seem that they would be better suited going defense, but the value here is just too good. White is a freak catching the ball. Despite his fantastic 40-time at the combine he is not a guy that will frustrate you with extreme quickness or blazing speed. No, instead he will let you have excellent coverage the whole way down the field and beat you with his size and leaping ability. This could be a dominant receiving group for years to come. Now, if only they could get someone to throw them the ball.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

Pass rusher is easily Atlanta’s biggest need, they were terrible last year at getting to the quarterback and they’ve gotten no help through free agency. Randy Gregory is probably the best pure pass rushing prospect in the draft. His speed and lightning quick first step make him trouble for offensive lineman off the snap. He also has displayed a good repertoire of moves, but more importantly he knows when to use them. Questions about his size and strength have caused some concern, as he is a bit lanky, but there's plenty of instances where smaller guys get by on their speed when rushing the quarterback. Additionally, there have been some character issues, including the positive pot test at the Combine. That being said he is still an elite talent and the Falcons need to turn around their franchise now and avoid a full rebuild type situation. Bringing in Dan Quinn as the head coach is a step in the right direction, and taking a chance on Gregory would give him an elite talent to work with.

9. New York Giants: Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky

I wanted to mock a tackle here, in fact, I had La’el Collins here originally but I didn’t think the value was there on any of them to justify this spot. The pass rush could also use an upgrade here, especially if JPP is out for an extended amount of time. Dupree shows tremendous upside as a pass rusher with fantastic measurable and a great combine performance. His biggest problem is that his tape did not show that player. He was an average pass rusher at Kentucky. Honestly, it has got to be hard to stay motivated on a team like that. Many of their losses were close, and it looked like they might have finally righted the ship, before falling flat at the end. The value here seems right and his size would fit the scheme, so this pick makes sense to me.

10. St. Louis Rams: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

A lot of people have Schreff as the first tackle off the board, but he has looked more like a right tackle which typically means teams will not pay a top-10 price. That being said, this fit just makes all too much sense. The Rams are another team who had problems all over the offensive line. Unlike the others, the Rams already have their left tackle of the future in Greg Robinson. That opens it up for Scherff to come in and play his more natural right tackle spot. He is already an elite run blocker with some upside as a pass blocker. This line would look like a dominating force for years to come with Scherff and Robinson defending the edges.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

I really hate that I couldn't find a spot in the top 10 for the best cornerback in the draft. I'm sure the Vikings don't mind as they are getting great value here. Waynes ran away with the top cornerback spot at the combine. He does pretty much everything well and will be an impact player on day one. There isn't really much to say as I love the player and love the fit. I will say that you can make a case for an offensive tackle here as Matt Kalil was terrible this season, but I believe he will get another year to prove he has it in him.

12. Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton, NT, Washington

You have to wonder if the management in Cleveland has considered giving this pick to someone on the condition they also take Johnny Manziel with it. What a mess. Cleveland actually looked like they would be a strong team and Browns fans were thinking playoffs for the first time in a long time. Then the entire roof caved in and this team hit rock bottom with a 30-0 loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns really need interior help, a glaring weakness that was exploited in that 30-0 drubbing. They could not stop teams from running the ball all season. You can make a case that not having Phil Taylor made it look worse than it is, but I am not sure I would agree with you. Shelton is a mammoth of a man drawing comparisons to Haloti Ngata. He is projected as a top 10 pick in other places but due to other fits I’ve dropped him here so this has some value on it. Of course, because they are the Browns they will probably forego any intelligent selection and pick a punter. 

13. New Orleans Saints: Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri

The New Orleans Saints need help all over the defensive side of the ball as they were terrible there all year. I hated moving Shane Ray down this far as I had a hunch Ray would impress teams and shoot back into the top 5 because of the combine. Instead he emerged from the other side with reports surfacing that he might drop to Day 2. While I don't believe that will happen, I am worried about his stock especially after his slow pro day. Teams will watch his tape and see just how fast he plays, and against some of the best offensive lines in the country. He struggled this year as a run defender, but his raw potential as a pass rusher makes it easy to overlook this flaw.

14. Miami Dolphins: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

The Miami Dolphins have little to work with at wide receiver. Jarvis Landry will be a great slot receiver, but that might be his upside. The departure of Mike Wallace opens up the other outside spot which Parker will fill splendidly with his 6-3 frame. He has skills that are extremely similar to Kevin White, but Parker's injury will ultimately cause him to fall. This pick gives Ryan Tannehill a much needed target in the passing game, and may be the spark needed to get some offense going down in Miami.

15. San Fransisco 49ers: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma kinda??

The 49ers have to be upset to see Parker go right before their pick as he would have been a nice safe pick and provide a significant upgrade over their pathetic crop of WRs. Instead they get the dangerous, risky, high upside Dorial Green-Beckham. Everyone knows the story with Green-Beckham. Originally at Mizzou, got kicked out for some stuff going down, transferred to Oklahoma where he did not play a snap, and declared early for the draft. What some of might not know is he probably has the highest potential of all of the receivers in this class. Standing 6-5 237, with outstanding hands and athleticism he is a potential Pro Bowl wide receiver. His route running needs some work, but that makes sense as he has not had much upper level experience. He could be an immediate big play threat in a 49ers offense that lacks any type of big play guy. Also, he would get the chance to learn from one of the best pros in the business in Anquan Boldin. This pick would strengthen the 49ers passing attack by giving the “different look” Kaepernick someone else to throw the ball to.

16. Houston Texans: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

The Houston Texans have got to be extremely satisfied with their position. They seem to be but a couple pieces away from being serious contenders. I'm sure they would love to grab a starting quarterback here and make all of their problems go away, but the Texans are starting to look like a good organizations, and good organizations do not reach for a position of need. Instead, they grab the drafts top safety prospect, and the only safety worth a high pick. I understand The Texans defense doesn't really need that much improvement at the position, but Collins has shown he has the talent to succeed at this level, and would signify an upgrade in the defensive backfield. Additionally, there is so much depth at the skill positions, taking the BPA would be a good strategy.

17. San Diego Chargers: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

Before the injury Gurley was probably the best player in this draft. When he was on the field he was unstoppable. Unfortunately, the 4 game suspension and subsequent injury robbed us of seeing his talent on the field. Those two factors explain why he drops all the way to 17. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone trades up to grab him, but I didn’t like the fit until this spot. The Chargers have virtually no real talent in the backfield right now. Grabbing Gurley here would require some teams to stack the box opening up the outside for Rivers to sling it around. Other options here are the trade everyone has been trying to predict. Also, I could see them going offensive line here as Rivers was actually pretty good when he had some time. That direction would strengthen the Chargers line giving Philip Rivers some time to actually throw the ball. Philip Rivers was my fantasy quarterback so I got to watch every game he played last season. I saw that when the protection was great, Rivers excelled. When the protection was poor, Rivers failed. While I know this is true with every quarterback, it was a pretty extreme difference in this case. That being said, having a dominant run game takes some pressure off the pass rush, so this pick would kill that bird, while adding the best playmaker in the draft.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

I would love to help out Alex Smith and have the Chiefs take Jaelen Strong. However, the Chiefs seem perfectly content having zero talent at WR(Edit: they signed Maclin! Will that be enough?). Plus, that's not Andy Reids style. There's plenty of WR depth in this draft, and Strong would be a bit of a reach. However, drafting a huge versatile offensive lineman has Andy Reid written all over it. Peat brings a combination of great strength and surprising athleticism. He is already an excellent run blocker and is capable of blowing his man off the ball and to open up holes. Actually, when you think about, if you have Jamaal Charles running the ball, and you're opening up massive holes to run through, do you even NEED to throw the ball?

19. Cleveland Browns: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

Once Joe Thomas went down the Browns line was atrocious. Of course that will happen when you lose one of the best left tackles in the league, but it showed they have no real depth at the position. Flowers will give them some insurance in case Joe ever goes down again, while providing a great option on the right side. Flowers is a guy I saw moving up to the top of the draft board as he finished the draft season strong. If someone thinks he can play on the left side he might even go higher, I have seen him as high as 9 to the Giants. Right now, it seems as if he has raised his stock a little bit and is on the move up. He seemed to fix the struggles he was having against speed rushers while improving on his pass protection as a whole. I have read that the Browns are absolutely smitten with Flowers so this seems like a good match.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalaen Strong, WR, ASU

The Eagles have had one of the weirdest off seasons of any team in recent memory. They lost their leading receivers to free agency, and their starting QB and running back to trades. This means they are basically starting over at all of the skill positions. Drafting Strong here will help mitigate some of that blow, while providing Chip with one of those Pac-12 players he loves so much. Strong is seen as a raw receiver with some tremendous upside. The good news is he wouldn’t have to come in and be the #1 guy right away, as Jordan Matthews showed some good potential down the stretch last year.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

The Bengals seemed to have no talent along the defensive line despite getting back the extremely talented Geno Atkins. This is where Malcom Brown comes in. He will be a force up front that will take up blockers and collapse the pocket. This would free up some space for Atkins to return to his old form. This would create a formidable duo that would test the interior strength of their opponents’ offensive lines. Brown has already shown he is solid against the rush and pass and has shown he still has room for development. The more I watch of him the more I think he will be a stud one day.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

I absolutely hate this pick as a Steelers fan. I do not think it will happen, and I really hope it doesn’t. First of all, the Steelers typically do not take guys with character concerns. It is tough to say what the real story is with that so I will not even speculate, but something happened that caused enough of a stir to raise red flags. I hate when teams take chances in the first round, if you miss in the first round on a project guy then that sets your franchise back a couple years. Second, there is so much corner back depth in the draft that we could grab someone solid as late as round 4. The talent drop off between the two guys might be a bit steep but it is not like Peters would start right away anyways. Big Play Willie Gay has earned one of the starting spots and they will be looking at Cortez Allen to pick up his play and man the other side. Finally, I wasn’t even alive the last time they picked a CB in the first round. Okay, that’s not entirely true, but it has still been a long time. People expected it to happen last year when Darqueze Dennard, prototypical Steelers CB, fell to the Steelers at 15. Then they pass on him, it happens every time. I know, I know, past events do not necessarily determine the future, but there is definitely a common theme in the Steelers draft strategy over the years. All of that being said… Peters would definitely be the best player available here, and would probably be a top 10 pick if it weren’t for some character issues, so I might get over my frustration and just be happy.

23. Detroit Lions: La'el Collins, OT, LSU

Unless you have been living under a rock the past couple months, you already know the Lions defensive tackle situation. So you should be wondering why offensive tackle? The answer, value. The Lions always go BPA, which sometimes leaves them with holes at some positions, and that would be the case here. Although, help is still needed on the offensive line. Collins started to show he has some real potential on the left side, which might force him up in the draft, but that means this pick provides good value. The word on the street is that his future is on the right side, and that would be where he will most likely be playing. That is fine for the Lions though, as that is the spot on their line with more need. In the end, upgrading the trenches is never a bad move, and Collins will be seen as an upgrade.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Erik Kendricks, ILB, UCLA

I absolutely love Erik Kendricks. I am extremely high on him and think he will be one of the best picks of the entire draft. That is why I am okay projecting a bit of a reach here. His athleticism and character make him a likeable guy that just seems like a safe pick. He has the ability to play sideline to sideline, he was one of college football’s leading tacklers, and is athletic enough to drop into coverage. Additionally, the need is definitely there in Arizona. There are concerns over his size but he really isn’t much smaller than the current ILBs on the Cardinals defense.

25. Carolina Panthers: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida

The Carolina Panthers offensive line was terrible last year. They have yet to find a replacement for Jordan Gross. I am sure they are hoping Humphries is their guy. He has terrible tape, I got to watch him get beat over and over all season yet people seem to think he will be better at the next level. They claim he has a high upside, and a lot of that stems from his size and speed combo which would mean he can actually play left tackle in the future. It is for that reason that he was high on my board and with that is the best player available at this point.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Maxx Williams

Williams will go somewhere in the first round, that much I can almost guarantee you. I had trouble deciding which spot though as I see him as a guy going to a team with no major holes, they just need to improve upon their starters. While that is not entirely true of Baltimore, I still like the fit. Joe Flacco desperately needs a target that is not 35 years old. Maxx Williams would give him another target in the form of a dependable chain moving type tight end. This gives the Ravens an inside presence, and the freedom to draft a wide receiver later in the draft where there is still plenty of depth. Williams is not one of those physical freak tight ends we have seen jumping up all over the league, however this kid catches EVERYTHING that is thrown his way, I mean everything. There is a huge highlight reel of him making catches down the field, over the middle, in coverage, over his head, you name it. His lack of elite speed or size is what limits him to the end of the first round, but with the lack of depth of the position in this draft, he should get a nice boost in his stock.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

This is a pick where need meets value. I think I have completely underrated the buzz on Collins and he probably will not be available at this point, but I did not love the fit at any picks before this. I have him rated as the 3rd corner on my board and the 26th player overall, so the value seemed right. If you need me to tell you that Dallas’s secondary was awful then you need to watch more of the 4:00pm games. They were burned by the passing game often, so an upgrade is needed.

28. Denver Broncos: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

Clemmings seems like an extremely likely pick for the Denver Broncos. He has the ability to move outside in the future, but right now he can settle in at guard and succeed. That should be exactly what the Broncos are looking for here. His athleticism and quick feet are a superb fit for new coach Gary Kubiaks zone based scheme. Clemmings has not had a good draft season. He has shown that he is still a very raw prospect, but that was to be expected as he has only played offensive line for two seasons. His athleticism and potential will allow him to move into the end of the first round and this spot makes a ton of sense. 

29. Indianapolis Colts: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

I know the Colts just brought in Frank Gore but that is obviously a short term option. Management is obviously committed to establishing a more balanced attack as they just traded for Trent Richardson in the last couple years. Despite being projected to be a late first round pick, Gordon is probably one of the best players in the draft. I have him ranked at 15 on my board, but due to the nature of the running back position in the NFL, the value is just not very high on draft day. A couple of the analysts have said that due to the depth of this class there is no way the Colts go RB in the first round. Furthermore, with Arik Armstead and O.O on the board they strongly consider going defensive line with this pick. I think the value of Gordon in this offense is too much to pass up at this point in the draft, especially for a team that is already as good as the Colts are.

30. Green Bay Packers: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

Many people have concerns about Kevin Johnson. His production on the field was awesome but his combine performance was eh, and his size has drawn come concerns. The Green Bay Packers are a smart organization, and smart organizations know that production speaks for itself. He has a ton of on field experience with some good results. He seems to be a willing tackler and if he can get some professional level coaching he can make up for some of the very fixable flaws in his coverage game. His size and game compares pretty favorably to Sam Shields, and I am sure ole Teddy Thompson would have no problem if that is what he turns out to be.

31. New Orleans Saints: Arik Armstead, 3-4DE, Oregon

They got their pass rusher with the first pick so I think at this point they will see this as a luxury pick and therefore go after the immense potential of Arik Armstead. I remember watching the playoff game this past January and I saw a guy just collapsing the line and chasing people all over the field. That guy was Arik Armstead. The guy is a freak athlete with a ridiculous amount of potential. There are concerns about his motor, but the potential is too good to pass on here. Both of the Saints defensive ends are coming up on the ends of their contracts and I can see them working Armstead into some sort of rotation on running downs while he works on his pass rushing abilities.  

32. New England Patriots: Cam Erving, OT/G/C, Florida State

This pick screams of Bill Belichek. He loves to focus on the trenches in the early rounds and he prefers guys who have the versatility to play multiple positions. Enter Cam Erving who has played all over the line in college and will be able to start at one of the guard positions from day 1. I think this is one of the best fits of the entire draft.

2nd Round
I spent the time to make a draft board of 75 players so I might as well put my mock on that round too, don’t really feel like descriptions though.

33. Tennessee Titans: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
35. Oakland Raiders: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
37. New York Jets: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
38. Washington Redskins: Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State
39. Chicago Bears: Eddie Goldman, NT, Florida State
40. New York Giants: Damarious Randall, FS, Arizona State
41. St Louis Rams: Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
42. Atlanta Falcons: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
43. Cleveland Browns: Philip Dorsett, WR, Miami
44. New Orleans Saints: Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
45. Minnesota Vikings: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
46. San Francisco 49ers: Ronald Darby CB, Florida State
47. Miami Dolphins: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
48. San Diego Chargers: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
49. Kansas City Chiefs: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
50. Buffalo Bills: Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State
51. Houston Texans: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
52. Philadelphia Eagles: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
53. Cincinatti Bengals: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
54. Detroit Lions: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
55. Arizona Cardinals: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nate Orchard, 3-4 OLB, Utah
57. Carolina Panthers: Nelson Agholor, WR, Southern California
58. Baltimore Ravens: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
59. Denver Broncos: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
60. Dallas Cowboys: Mario Edwards Jr. DT, Florida State
61. Indianapolis Colts: Jaquiski Tartt, SS, Samford
62. Green Bay Packers: Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
63. Seattle Seahawks: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
64. New England: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn