Well the day has finally arrived. Radio City Music Hall in New York City is getting ready for the annual NFL Player Selection Meeting, more commonly known as the NFL Draft. Teams are finalizing draft boards, prospects are waiting on their future and Mel Kiper is making sure his hair is perfect. Since my last mock right after the Combine, alot has changed as there were Pro Days, private workouts and many opportunities for a player’s stock to rise or fall. In this version, I’m expanding it to three rounds and also factoring in a few trades. Usually it’s quite difficult to project trades, but if the board falls like I’ve projected, there are some that make too much sense not to happen. Stay tuned next week for my grades of each team’s draft.
Round 1
1) Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Nothing new here as it’s hard to imagine the Chiefs passing him up. They may consider Fisher, but reports state the former Aggie is their guy. If they trade Brandon Albert to the Dolphins as has been rumored, then this selection is pretty much a done deal.
2) Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, DE/OLB, Oregon
The Jags pass rush was the league’s worst last season and Jordan would go a long way towards fixing it. He has the speed and dynamic pass rushing skills to get into opposing backfields but can also drop into coverage and fits new coach Gus Bradley’s defense perfectly.
3) Oakland Raiders – Sharriff Floyd, DT, Florida
Top 3 remains the same as last time. Floyd is a forceful interior presence that can apply pressure and is versatile enough to play end. The Riaders need help everywhere and Floyd is a good start.
4) Philadelphia Eagles – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Tackle is an absolute mess for the Eagles. Jason Peters tore his Achilles while Demetress Bell and King Dunlap are gone. Fisher has the athleticism to thrive in a Chip Kelly offense and it wouldn’t be surprising if they trade up with Oakland to ensure they get him.
Previous: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
5) Detroit Lions – Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU
With two big losses at DE, the positions is a priority for the Lions as thye must generate a consistent pass rush. Ansah is quite raw but has freakish athleticism.
Previous: Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
6) San Diego Chargers(from Cleveland) – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Chargers are desperate for OT help for Rivers and will have to trade up in front of Arizona to nab Johnson, whom they are reportedly very high on.
Previous: Ezekiel Ansah, DE/OLB, BYU(CLE)
7) Arizona Cardinals – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Missing out on the 3 elite OTs, the Cards instead go BPA in Lotulelei. His heart checks out, so he’s back in the top 10 and slotting him between Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett will give them a formidable defensive front.
Previous: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
8) Buffalo Bills – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
The first shocker of the draft. Bills coach Doug Marrone wants his former college QB, so expect them to take Nassib. It might not necessarily happen at #8 as they could trade down, but he’ll be Buffalo’s next franchise QB.
Previous: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
9) New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo, DE/OLB, LSU
Aside from the obvious need in QB, the Jet pass rush is their biggest need. His 2012 production wasn’t that good, but the immense potential is definitely there.
10) Tennessee Titans – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Milliner could absolutely fall this far is the boards shapes up this way. There’s no way he gets past the Titans at 10 as he would fill a huge need for them, though recent medical concerns could give them pause.
Previous: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
11) Cleveland Browns(from San Diego) – Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
The Browns trade down and get the Chargers’ 3rd rounder in the trade, while still finding a top flight corner to pair with Joe Haden.
Previous: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma(SD)
12) Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
OT is the biggest need right now, but DJ Fluker would be a reach here, so they nab the rising Cooper. They took Mike Pouncey at 15 a few years ago, so they’re not shy about taking an interior offensive lineman this high.
Previous: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
13) New York Jets(from Tampa Bay) – Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
The Jets turn Revis into this pick and get help for their anemic offense. Austin has been rising up boards all offseason and is an instant upgrade over Santonio Holmes.
Previous: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington (TB)
14) Carolina Panthers – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Different player, same position. Richardson fills a massive hole at DT as Dawan Edwards and Sione Fua don’t really inspire much confidence, plus they passed on Fletcher Cox last year.
Previous: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
15) New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
The Saints need a dynamic pass rusher and will gladly scoop up Jones. His talent is top 10 but his medical issues will scare off a few teams.
Previous: Demontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
16) St Louis Rams – Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
Warmack or Vaccaro? OG and S are arguably their biggest needs, but the Rams opt for the latter since they have absolutely nothing at safety.
Previous: Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
17) Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Even with the fact that they retained Emmanuel Sanders, they need help at the position and a replacement for Mike Wallace since the other receivers are mostly unreliable.
Previous: Jarvis Jones, DE/OLB, Georgia
18) Dallas Cowboys – Alec Ogletree, ILB/OLB, Georgia
Vaccaro is gone, so they should go O-line, but this is Jerry Jones we’re talking about here. Some team always makes an unexpected pick in the 1st, so it might as well be Dallas. After O-line and safety, linebacker is their biggest need.
Previous: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
19) New York Giants – Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
The Giants are one of those teams that always seem to catch a falling prospect and Werner still has the skills that formerly had him in Top 5 consideration.
Previous: Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU
20) Chicago Bears – Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Not a huge need with the signing of Martellus Bennett, but Eifert is such a dynamic receiver that he makes the offense instantly better. He is definitely not a reach at this point.
Previous: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
21) Cincinnati Bengals – DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama
It’s looking more and more like Andre Smith will not be retained, so they need to find his replacement at RT. Luckily Fluker, who profiles at the position, is available.
Previous: Alec Ogletree, ILB/OLB, Georgia
22) St Louis Rams(from Washington) – Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
The Rams would be elated if Warmack falls to them here and would rush to the podium to get their selection in not long after Cincy makes their pick.
Previous: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
23) Minnesota Vikings – Keenan Allen, WR, Cal
Even with the signing of Greg Jennings, the Vikings still need receiver help. Allen is one of the most underrated players in the draft and would definitely be welcome by Christian Ponder.
24) Indianapolis Colts – Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
Aubrayo Franklin is definitely not the long term answer at DT. Williams has risen from late 2nd round to the 1st over the last few months.
Previous: DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama
25) Minneosta Vikings(from Seattle) – Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
Speaking of guys rising, Tank Carradine is there as well despite a torn ACL in November. However, he’s been great at workouts and could go much earlier.
Previous: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue(SEA)
26) Philadelphia Eagles(from Green Bay) – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
With Smith falling, Chipples doesn’t wait any longer to trade back into the 1st to get his mobile QB. It will probably take something like their 2nd, 4th and a high 2014 pick to seal the deal with Green Bay.
Previous: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame(GB)
27) Houston Texans – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
Their #2 receiver is…..who? They’ve needed someone beside Andre Johnson since time immemorial and could need his successor since he’s getting up there in the years.
Previous: Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
28) Denver Broncos – Demontre Moore, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
Elvis Dumervil is gone, so the Broncos could look for his replacement early. They take a chance on Moore, who has been falling and is now not considered a 1st round lock.
Previous: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
29) New England Patriots – Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
They did resign Aqib Talib and bring in Adrian Wilson, but both might not be around next year. Secondary depth is always needed in this pass happy league.
Previous: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
30) Atlanta Falcons – Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
Both John Abraham and Ray Edwards are gone, so how will the Falcons generate a pass rush from the DE position? By taking Datone Jones, the top prospect on the board.
31) San Francisco 49ers – Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
Dashon Goldson is gone and S is the Niners’ biggest need. However, with more picks then roster spots, expect them to be active on the trade front during the Draft.
Previous: Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
32) Baltimore Ravens – Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
The Champs find their replacement for the legendary Ray Lewis. People seem to have largely forgotten how dominating Te’o can be in light of his off field controversies.
Round 2
(Note: Cleveland used their 2nd in the 2012 supplemental draft and New Orleans’ was forfeited as part of BountyGate)
33) Jacksonville – EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
LOL Blaine Gabbert. He’s so scared to take hits and GM David Caldwell is insane for saying he wants to build around him.
Previous: Matt Barkley, QB, USC
34) San Francisco(from Kansas City) – Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
Harbaugh gets his former pupil to replace Delaine Walker in his two TE sets.
Previous: Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
35) Green Bay(from Philly) – Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
Packers get the guy they were considering at 26 before they traded back.
Previous: EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State(PHI)
36) Detroit – Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
The Lions are desperate for OT help after Jeff Backus’ retirement, but miss out on Joeckel and Fisher.
Previous: Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State
37) Cincinnati(from Oakland) – Jonathan Franklin, RB, UCLA
They might’ve taken Franklin had Lacy been on the board, but they land their compliment for The Law Firm.
Previous: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
38) Arizona – Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Cards get the QB they briefly considered at 7, but might have to trade back into the 1st to land him.
Previous: Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
39) NY Jets – Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
Words cannot describe the horror that is Mark Sanchez at QB. They’ll look for his ‘sucessor’ early on in the Draft.
40) Tennessee – Matt Elam, SS, Florida
The Titans get more help for their beleaguered secondary that could not stop the pass last season.
Previous: Johnathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
41) Buffalo – DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
Teams that draft new QBs usually get them an offensive compliment. In this case it also happens to fill the Bills’ #2 WR need.
42) Miami – Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
Since they didn’t go CB in the 1st, they have to do son in the 2nd as the position is a mess. Taylor is one of those on the 1st round bubble.
Previous: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
43) Tampa Bay – DJ Hayden, CB, Houston
They did get Revis, but there was nothing at CB before him, so they’ll take the fast rising Hayden to shore up a horrendous pass defense.
Previous: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
44) Carolina – Johnathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
Chris Gamble was cut, so someone needs to take his place. Banks has fallen from 1st round consideration, but is great value at this pick.
Previous: Matt Elam, S, Florida
45) San Diego – Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama
Jones can play anywhere on the line and will help Rivers not get sacked blitzed into oblivion so many times.
Previous: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State
46) St Louis – Robert Woods, WR, USC
The Rams hit their 3 biggest needs in their first 3 picks and get a WR with 1st round talent for Sam Bradford.
47) Dallas – Larry Warford, OG, Kentucky
The Dallas interior O-line is an abomination, so multiple picks will be spent addressing it during the Draft.
48) Pittsburgh – Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU
Montgomery’s recent comments have thrown up red flags, but the Steelers need someone to replace James Harrison.
Previous: Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
49) NY Giants – Kyle Long, OG/OT, Oregon
They need to bring to challenge David Diehl at tackle and Long gives the versatility to play both tackle and guard.
Previous: Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
50) Chicago – Justin Pugh, OG/OT, Syracuse
J’Marcus Webb has been inconsistent, but free agent signee Jermon Bushrod is not the answer. Pugh could be the answer, plus they had a private workout with him.
Previous: Dallas Thomas, OG/OT, Tennessee
51) Washington – Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State
The Redskins need help all over their secondary and last season’s leader in interceptions is a good place to start.
52) Minnesota – Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
Not their biggest need at this point, but Okafor is too good of a value to pass up at this point.
Previous: John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
53) Cincinnati – Arthur Brown, ILB/OLB, Kansas State
Slotting the versatile Brown in between Burfict and Harrison suddenly makes the Bengals’ LB corps very good.
Previous: Eric Reid, S, LSU
54) Miami(from Indianapolis) – Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Miami gets the OT they desperately need, though this pick may end up going to KC if they trade Albert.
Previous: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
55) Green Bay – Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor
Cobb, Nelson and Jones are more complimentary receivers then #1 targets, so the Packers could look for just that early on in the Draft.
56) Seattle – Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
Yes they did Percy Harvin, but Sidney Rice is an unreliable #2 and Russell Wilson could always use more weapons on offense.
Previous: Kyle Long, OG/OT, Oregon
57) Houston – Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
They have no one to play next to Brian Cushing at ILB and are thrilled to get the same guy they were considering with their 1st rounder.
Previous: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
58) Denver – Kawanna Short, DT, Purdue
The problem with having such a talented DT class and so many teams without a strong need for one is guys will not get drafted where they should.
Previous: Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
59) New England – Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
Tommy Kelly is a lazy bum and a horrible signing for the Pats. Hankins is much better and would be a steal at this point.
Previous: David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State
60) Atlanta – Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Mississippi
The Falcons will double dip on pass rushers as it is their most pressing need.
Previous: Giovanni Bernard, RB, North Carolina
61) San Francisco – Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
Some concerns due to his rawness, but the Niners would consider him at 34 and may even trade up to land him.
Previous: Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
62) Baltimore – Eric Reid, FS, LSU
The Ravens replace two former stars with their first two picks. Reid gets 1st round buzz, but falls here to due to circumstance.
Previous: Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse
Round 3
63) Kansas City – Kiko Alonso, ILB, Oregon
Chiefs sent pretty much everyone to Oregon’s Pro Day.
64) Jacksonville – Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, Connecticut
Derek Cox and Aaron Ross are gone while Rashean Mathis is old. They have nowhere near a #1 CB.
65) Detroit – David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State
Doesn’t it seem like the Lions need CB help every offseason?
66) Oakland – Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee
Flynn and Pryor are not good options under center, maybe Bray could push them for playing time.
67) Philadelphia – Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State
Chip loves utilizing TEs in his offense and the team has shown a ton of interest in Escobar.
68) Cleveland – Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State
New regimes mean new QBs. Brandon Weeden is not a starting signalcaller in this league, but at least he’s not Gabbert, right?
69) Arizona – Dallas Thomas, OG/OT, Tennessee
The Cards have said they like their current OTs, but Barkley will need all the protection he can get.
70) Tennessee – Vance McDonald, TE, Rice
They lost Jared Cook and signed Delanie Walker, but McDonald is a hybrid slot receiver they can really use.
71) Buffalo – Jon Bostic, ILB, Florida
Kelvin Sheppard was dissapointing in his 2nd year, so the team could look to bring in some competition.
72) NY Jets – Le’Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State
Shonn Greene is gone but wasn’t very good anyways and they don’t have a current RB who can carry a heavy load.
73) Tampa Bay – Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
Dallas Clark is gone and Luke Stocker is not that effective of a receiver at TE.
74) San Francisco(from Carolina) – John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
The Niners get the big bodied run stuffer they want in Jenkins.
75) New Orleans – Shamarko Thomas, SS, Syracuse
Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins were inept in coverage last season.
76) Cleveland(from San Diego) – Jordan Reed, TE, Florida
With the extra pick they get from San Diego they selct a receving TE to challenge Jordan Cameron.
77) Miami – Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
Williams is a good run stopper who’s not known for his pass rush skills, but Miami still needs a DT.
78) St Louis – Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
St Louis is rewarded again for waiting to fill a hole by getting a 2nd round talent in Ball.
79) Pittsburgh – DJ Swearinger, FS, South Carolina
Polamalu is getting older and hurt more often so finding a capable backup like Swearinger, who can play both safety positions, is a priority.
80) Dallas – Travis Frederick, OC, Wisconsin
Why Phil ‘Sieve’ Costa still has a starting job boggles the mind, so he must be replaced.
81) NY Giants – Sio Moore, OLB, Connecticut
Keith Rivers is back on only a 1 year deal, but he’s not the long term solution at LB.
82) Miami(from Chicago) – Lavar Edwards, DE, LSU
Cameron Wake is their only consistent edge rusher, so help is needed.
83) Minnesota – Shawn Williams, SS, Georgia
The Vikes need a safety to pair with former 1st rounder Harrison Smith.
84) Cincinnati – Bacarri Rambo, FS, Georgia
They really played Nate Clements at safety? The guy can barely play CB as it is anyways.
85) Washington – Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State
More help for the secondary and someone to alongside Brandon Merriweather.
86) Indianapolis – Dwayne Gratz, CB, Connecticut
Vontae Davis is a solid CB, but everyone Indy has tried across from him has struggled.
87) Seattle – Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri Southern
An interior pass rusher would make the already great secondary even better.
88) Green Bay – David Quessenberry, OL, San Jose State
The Packers had major problems at center even when Jeff Saturday was playing. Quessenberyy can play there or anywhere else on the line.
89) Houston – David Bakhtiari, OT, Colorado
The Texans have needed an upgrade at RT ever since Eric Winston left.
90) Denver – Giovanni Bernard, RB, North Carolina
John Fox loves utlizing multiple backs, so they could draft one with Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee always injured.
91) New England – Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
The Pats can afford to wait to draft a WR since they seem to be able to get production out of anyone.
92) Atlanta – Brian Schwenke, OC, Cal
Todd McClure is retiring and the selection of Schwenke would allow Peter Konz to move back to guard.
93) San Francisco – Chase Thomas, OLB, Sranford
Harbaugh gets another former pupil that also fills the team’s need for LB depth.
94) Baltimore – Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State
The Ravens complete the hat trick by replacing their 3rd departed veterain in a row.
95) Houston(compensatory) – Travardo Williams, OLB, Connecticut
The loss of Connor Barwin means the team needs a rush linebacker to replace him.
96) Kansas City(compensatory) – Da’Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee Tech
They resigned Dwayne Bowe and got Donnie Avery, but could still use another WR for Alex Smith.
97) Tennessee(compensatory) – Brian Winters, OG, Kent State
Though they signed Andy Levitre, they need another guard because CJ2K needs better blocking in front of him.
