17. Baltimore Ravens – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The Ravens will look hard at one of the safeties here but I don’t like passing on the value Taylor Lewan offers down here. With Monroe/Lewan locking down the tackle spots, Yanda/Osemele inside at guard, and Jeremy Zuttah at center the Ravens have one of, if not the best OL’s in football.
18. New York Jets – Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
The Jets still need playmakers on the outside to take the pressure off Eric Decker. Beckham could be long gone by the time this pick rolls around but if he’s not then I can’t see how the Jets would pass.
19. Miami Dolphins – Zack Martin, OT/OG, Notre Dame
This is the biggest no-brainer pick of the draft. If Martin is on the board (and he shouldn’t be) at No. 19 the Dolphins should do cart wheels down the aisle to turn this pick in.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The Cards team Pryor with Tyrann Mathieu to give them a formidable duo in the backend. Pryor’s ability to play near the line and in the deep half should free the Cards up to do a ton of things with the versatile Mathieu.
21. Green Bay Packers – C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
I really can’t see how Mosley could make it down this far but if he does there shouldn’t be much thought put into this selection.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (trade w/PHI) – Brad Roby, CB, Ohio St.
Darqueze Dennard is most likely the fan preference but I believe the noise that has him dropping down the draft. With that in mind, Roby has all the skills to be a very good one but will have to work on refining his technique. This one won’t excite Steeler fans but could be a great pick in the not so distant future.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
The Chiefs really need to find a starting safety in this draft and I think they land one that will be the best of the bunch down the road. Ward’s versatility to play about anywhere, including the nickel corner should have Chief fans jumping for joy over this pick.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Cyrus Kouandijo, OT, Alabama
Consensus seems to be a corner for the Bengals but I would be surprised if they didn’t target a tackle early in this draft. Kouandijo’s draft stock has plummeted with a so-so season and injury concerns. That said, at worst you have a solid guard, at best maybe a starting LT.
25. San Diego Chargers – Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
The Chargers have need a better than serviceable nose for a long time. Finally, they get one with Nix still on the board at pick 25. Nix’s ability to clog running lanes and push the pocket should really free up Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes on the outside. Now they just need a standup edge rusher that can wreak havoc.
26. Cleveland Browns – Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Browns fans shouldn’t be able to complain this week with a draft of Watkins and Verrett. For anyone that talks about Verrett’s size, please head over to draftbreakdown.com to check out his film. He plays big and isn’t afraid of contact. Perfect fit opposite Haden.
27. New Orleans Saints – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
The Saints probably should take an offensive lineman here but Brandin Cooks may be too good to pass on at this juncture in the draft. Cooks gives Drew Brees a quartet of receivers that would make most anyone QB in the league jealous.
28. Carolina Panthers – Joel Bitonio, OT/OG, Nevada
The Panthers need a WR but they really need an OL. Bitonio’s versatility to play tackle, guard, and even center will have teams in the 20’s seriously considering calling his name. The Panthers desperately need help at tackle and guard, so this one makes a ton of sense.
29. Cleveland Browns (trade w/NE) – Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
The Browns pull a Minnesota and trade back into the first to acquire three first round picks. With Houston lurking at No. 33 and in need of a QB, the Browns get a guy that should fit well in Kyle Shanahan’s system and with Brian Hoyer on the roster he won’t be forced into a starting role early.
30. San Francisco 49ers – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
The Niners pull the emergency brake on Dennard’s fall down the board. The Niners badly need a CB and Dennard could be an excellent option that could their starters for early playing time.
31. Denver Broncos – Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio St.
I’m really not sold on Shazier making anywhere near the 31st pick in this draft but if he does John Elway should take a pay cut for not having to mull over this selection.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA
I think Xavier Su’a-Filo is worth a look in the mid-teens so getting him this far down the board officially constitutes a steal.
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