17. Baltimore Ravens – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Calvin Pryor has been the guy slotted here the last couple of weeks but Ebron gives the Ravens an intriguing piece to pair with Flacco, Torrey Smith, Steve Smith, and Dennis Pitta.
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18. New York Jets – Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
I had been thinking corner at this spot but Beckham may be too good of a value (sense a theme here) for him to fall past the Jets. John Idzik, not surprisingly, was never really in on Desean Jackson so he opts to get a Desean Jackson-like playmaker in round one. Makes sense.
19. Miami Dolphins – Zack Martin, OT/OG, Notre Dame
If Martin is on the board when the Dolphins pick, they should sprint this card to the podium. Don’t take trade calls just run it up to the commissioner and watch Martin shake Rodger’s hand.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Pryor teams with Tyrann Mathieu to give the Cardinals a very formidable backend. He could be the major missing link on this defense – although I think there’s better safeties, the consensus points to Pryor with this pick.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
How good would the Steelers feel if they traded back, picked up an extra pick or two and still got a talent like Mosley at No. 21. The fact that you could get Mosley at this spot speaks volumes about the quality of the top of this draft. Plug Mosley next to Timmons for the next ten years and you’re good.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The Eagles could take a long look at replacing Desean Jackson but something tells me they will hone in on a DB with this pick. Fuller fits what Chip Kelly is looking for at the position.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
The Chiefs have been sorely needing a safety to play opposite Eric Berry. Jimmie Ward is a great fit next to Berry as he excels in coverage and can allow Berry to be a factor at the line of scrimmage, while giving them a guy that can cover the slot.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Cyrus Kouandijo, OT, Alabama
As bad as the Bengals need help in the secondary, it’s equally important they walk away better off on the OL. I’m not sure that Kouandijo is the short-term answer at LT but he at least gives them someone that could fill in where Anthony Collins left off.
25. San Diego Chargers – Louis Nix III, NT, Notre Dame
NT is the Chargers biggest need in my mind. Louis Nix has some Vince Wilfork to his game allowing him to fill a hole that’s needed filled for more than a few years. Don’t sleep on Nix’s ability to push the pocket – he more than just a run stuffer.
26. Dallas Cowboys – Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
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Dallas does well in this deal as they move down the board, pick up a top 75 pick, and get a guy they could’ve been targeting at No. 16. The only question will be if Ealy makes it down this far in a draft void of pass rushing ends. If he does, Dallas should walk away very happy.
27. New Orleans Saints – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
The Saints have much bigger needs than WR but Cooks gives them a burner that could push this offense to another level. My only question is who is going to protect Drew Brees? If this pick isn’t Cooks, they should look at an OL.
28. Carolina Panthers – Xavier Su’a-Filo, OT/OG, UCLA
The Panthers need quality along the OL or it will be a very long season for Cam. It may be even with this addition. I think Su’a-Filo is a Pro Bowler in the making but is probably best served on the inside. They still need tackle help at some point.
29. New England Patriots – Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
The Patriots could stand to add some quality and depth on the defensive line. Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly are getting a little long in the tooth and Jernigan could serve as an eventual – and likely immediate replacement.
30. San Francisco 49ers – Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
The Niners would love to add a corner at this spot, Brad Roby would be a nice addition. But Kelvin Benjamin adds a different dimension to the offense with his size advantage. At 6-foot-5, 240 he could team with Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, and Vernon Davis to give the Niners a feared receiving quartet.
31. Denver Broncos – Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio St.
Shazier could come off the board anywhere from the teens to late first round. He’s a skilled enough as an athlete to warrant a much higher selection but John Elway must be ecstatic that he didn’t. Teaming Shazier significantly upgrades the athletic prowess of this defense, something sorely needed after watching the Seahawks dismantle them in the SB.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Why not? The Seahawks could use a guard/tackle type or a defensive lineman to replace their losses in free agency. All that said, how does Pete Carroll and Co. pass on Lee. He’s a better Golden Tate, who they will be replacing. Lee’s ability after the catch gives the Seahawks the punch they need for Russell Wilson.
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