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With the Shrine and Senior Bowl’s in the books and the 2015 Champs identified it’s officially draft season. The NFL Scouting Combine is less than a week away from opening the gate leaving me with no other choice than to release a mock draft. After several pushes from some of you, I’ve completed two rounds for your perusal.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
This pick is likely to come down to Mariota and Winston…glad I don’t have to make this pick. I don’t see either being cornerstone, franchise QB’s but I like Mariota considerably more than Winston.
2. Tennessee Titans – Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
The Titans could take whichever QB Tampa doesn’t select. However, I think they ride Mettenberger next season and take a pass rusher with this selection. The Titans beefed up their defensive coaching staff, now they need to add talent to the roster.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
This one was tough. I like Leonard Williams (my top rated player in this draft) but Gus Bradley needs a guy that can bring it off the edge. Fowler is a perfect scheme fit for Bradley and is my early odds-on favorite to win DROY honors.
4. Oakland Raiders – Leonard Williams, DT/DE, USC
Oakland has to be ecstatic to team Khalil Mack and Leonard Williams up for the next 15 years. Obviously the Raiders hit a homerun in last years draft with Mack and Carr. This year’s effort would be off to a great start if they could land Williams.
5. Washington Redskins – Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Redskins should find a prime deal with a QB-needy team if Mariota and/or Winston are on the board. I don’t love anyone with this selection. However, positional need suggests an OL or DL here. I gave debate to Danny Shelton but I think Washington needs to lock down a protector with this selection (ideally down the board a bit).
6. New York Jets – Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
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Let me start this one off by saying, I hate this selection. As you all know, I’m not a Winston fan in the least. That said, it’s a new regime that will likely want to tie their futures to someone other than Geno Smith. I think it’s a huge mistake but putting all the pieces together leads logic down this road.
7. Chicago Bears – Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Bears need pass rushers. However, a NT to anchor this new defense should be a primary need. I think there’s enough depth in the pass rushing department to hold off until round two or score one in free agency.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
This one should be a no-brainer if Shane Ray is still on the board. Ray is a great fit at the Falcons biggest need area. This card should be sprinted to the podium.
9. New York Giants – Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
The Giants may need to replenish edge rusher, especially if they lose JPP in free agency. However, protecting Eli Manning is a major need that needs to be addressed early in this draft. The name may surprise a few people but the more I watch of Flowers, the more convinced I am that he could be a future Pro Bowler at either tackle spot.
10. St. Louis Rams – La’el Collins, OL, LSU
The Rams need to address the OL early in the draft. Greg Robinson came on strong at the end of last season but they still have a couple holes that need filled. La’el Collins versatility could be the tipping point on this selection. He could slide right in at LG or challenge at RT from day one.
11. Minnesota Vikings – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Teddy Bridgewater needs weapons. Cordarrelle Patterson didn’t have the type of year the Vikings expected and Greg Jennings will be 32 next season. Amari Cooper is just too good to pass on at this point in the draft. He could pair with Charles Johnson to give Teddy a nice pair of young weapons.
12. Cleveland Browns – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Ray Farmer is allergic to receivers this early in the draft but I don’t see any other option. The Browns will be rolling into next season with Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel as their 1-2 punch…ouch. White gives the Browns an outside target for whoever they throw on the field next season at QB.
13. New Orleans Saints – Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Dupree’s versatility to play standing up or with his hand on the ground in nickel situations should make him a no-brainer for the Saints. At this point, the Saints better not count on Junior Galette returning anytime soon. Galette is their biggest pass rush threat but his legal situation could keep him off the field for most of next season.
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14. Miami Dolphins – Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
What position will Shaq Thompson play? I don’t know but the Dolphins need players like Thompson – whether it be at LB or S. Thompson is a swiss army knife defender that is just the type of player this defense needs.
15. San Francisco 49ers – DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The 9ers aren’t likely to bring back Michael Crabtree. Parker gives them a nice replacement/upgrade for Crabtree as he is the vertical threat they’ve needed.
16. Houston Texans – Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
The Texans don’t have a lot of holes. Unfortunately for them, where they have holes (QB) there isn’t many good options. Armstead is as physically gifted as any player in this draft and the sky is the limit. Pairing him with J.J. Watt and (hopefully) a healthy Jadeveon Clowney will be a nightmare for opposing offenses.
17. San Diego Chargers – Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Chargers would have to feel pretty good if they could land Andrus Peat with the 17th pick. They need a franchise LT and Peat has that type of upside. I think he’s a couple years away from nearing that level but he’s an immediate upgrade on this OL.
18. Kansas City Chiefs – Landon Collins, S, Alabama
The Chiefs need a WR in the worst of ways but they see Landon Collins sliding and can’t resist. With Eric Berry battling cancer they need to find some help in the backend. Collins is a solid value at a position of major need, so reaching a bit for a receiver doesn’t make a lot of sense.
19. Cleveland Browns – Eddie Goldman, DL, FSU
One of the Browns strengths last season was the DL. However, injuries and lackluster play left this group in shambles. Goldman’s athleticism allows him to move around the DL, which should help the Browns.
20. Philadelphia Eagles – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The Eagles corners were horrendous last season. Needless to say, Chip Kelly is going to look for length and physicality at the position this offseason. Peters has some off the field issues but Kelly won’t shy away from this talent.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pitt
The Bengals need to look at the long-term along their OL. When Andre Smith went down the Bengals were forced to pick up Eric Winston. Andrew Whitworth remains a very solid player but he’s 33 years old and probably best suited to play inside at this point in his career. Clemmings won’t be ready to step in right away but a year or two of learning could have him being a steal of this draft class.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
The Steelers aging defense really needs an infusion of talent and youth. Jason Worilds is a free agent and will likely walk as he had a bit of a down year in a contract season. Jarvis Jones hasn’t panned out, leaving the Steelers looking for a long-term option at OLB. Harold is a nice athlete that needs some time to develop physically.
23. Detroit Lions – Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
The Ndamukong Suh contract situation is going to be interesting. Suh and Nick Fairley could be gone, leaving major needs at DT. Brown brings size and athleticism on the inside and should be able to play early regardless of how the Suh situation ends in Detroit.
24. Arizona Cardinals – Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
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Can the Cards count on Daryl Washington? Thus far, that answer has been no. Denzel Perryman gives them an intimidator in the middle of the defense that they are lacking. As good as Larry Foote was last season he’s going to be 35 and needs re-signed.
25. Carolina Panthers – Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
The Panthers DE situation was looking very promising but that has changed drastically over the last year. Greg Hardy won’t be back, leaving a hole on the outside. Odighizuwa was vastly underrated but he’s beginning to pick up steam and should be heading for a selection in late round one.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
Torrey Smith is likely to command more money than the Ravens want to pay…and more than a team should pay him. With that in mind the Ravens add an outside vertical threat in Jaelen Strong. Strong has the tools to be very good but remains a bit green.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
The Cowboys need to strengthen their front seven. Although they played better than anyone expected last season they can’t bank on similar results this season. Phillips gives the ‘Boys a massive plugger that brings rare athleticism for his size. His back injury will get a long look over by teams…if it checks out this could be a pipedream.
28. Denver Broncos – Cam Erving, OL, FSU
Cam Erving’s versatility to play about anywhere on the OL will play well with John Elway and Co. Outside of Ryan Clady and Louis Vasquez, Erving represents a significant upgrade on this OL.
29. Indianapolis Colts – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The Colts should end the Trent Richardson experiment. While Dan Herron proved solid he’s not the game breaker that Gordon is. Pairing Gordon with Andrew Luck and a solid group of receivers gives the Colts added punch on offense.
30. Green Bay Packers – Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi St.
I was stuck on this pick. I don’t love McKinney but there’s no denying the need. This pick should allow the Pack to move Clay Matthews back outside and move on from Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk. McKinney has great size and is a solid athlete. However, that athleticism hasn’t transitioned to coverage responsibilities. He will have to improve in that area for him to prove worthy of a first round selection.
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31. Seattle Seahawks – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
A need? Probably not but the Seahawks can’t resist the value of Waynes down this far. Waynes possesses the size the Seahawks covet and could prove to be a steal down the road.
32. New England Patriots – Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
The Patriots need to retool along the DL. Vince Wilfork probably has another year (maybe two) of productive play. Davis could be the eventual replacement at the nose. For now, he could be a guy they work in along the DL.
- Tennessee Titans – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – D.J Humphries, OT, Florida
- Oakland Raiders – Devin Smith, WR, Ohio St.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
- New York Jets – Nate Orchard, OLB, Utah
- Washington – Chris Hackett, S, TCU
- Chicago Bears – Danielle Hunter, DE/OLB, LSU
- New York Giants – Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi St.
- St. Louis Rams – Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
- Atlanta Falcons – Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
- Cleveland Browns – Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
- New Orleans Saints – P.J. Williams, CB, FSU
- Minnesota Vikings – Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
- San Francisco 49ers – Mario Edwards, DE, FSU
- Miami Dolphins – Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio St.
- San Diego Chargers – Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)
- Kansas City Chiefs – Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
- Buffalo Bills – Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
- Houston Texans – Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
- Philadelphia Eagles – Paul Dawson, LB, TCU
- Cincinnati Bengals – Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
- Detroit Lions – Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
- Arizona Cardinals – Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Donovan Smith, T, Penn St.
- Carolina Panthers – Daryl Williams, T, Oklahoma
- Baltimore Ravens – Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise St.
- Denver Broncos – Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
- Dallas Cowboys – Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon St.
- Indianapolis Colts – A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
- Green Bay Packers – Joey Mbu, NT, Houston
- Seattle Seahawks – Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke
- New England Patriots – Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane
