Now that the ultimate arbiter and predictor of future success in professional football known as the NFL Combine is over, it’s time to revisit my mock draft. While performances at the Combine have had some effect on the draft stock of certain players, it’s important to note that the rumors of what guys are preferred by what teams due to these performances should be taken with a grain of salt. Misdirection and smokescreens are common at this time for teams, so these ‘reports’ won’t really be taken into account in this version of the mock draft. Also with the start of free agency just around the corner, team needs are set to drastically change and the next update could look very different.
1) Houston – Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Bortles is still the pick here as he had a great Combine and is starting to seperate himself from Manziel and Bridgewater as the top QB. Plus he has all the characteristics that new coach Bill O’Brien looks for in a signalcaller.
2) Atlanta(from St Louis) – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Still believe this trade will go down. Clowney wowed at the Combine, which only can make the Falcons even more likely to trade up for him.
3) Jacksonville – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
If Clowney were to somehow still be on the board, they would take him. However he’s not, so they’ll go the QB route and the pick is still Bridgewater.
4) Cleveland – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
New regimes usually mean new quarterbacks. However, the old regime in Cleveland needed a QB. Manziel is still the pick here and would get the fanbase excited, if nothing else.
5) Oakland – Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
With the Big 3 gone, Raiders will wait until Round 2 to nab their QB and happily select here the draft’s most dynamic offensive playmaker.
6) St Louis(from Atlanta) – Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Same position, different player. Robinson had a terrific Combine and vaulted himself ahead of Matthews as the top overall tackle.
Previous: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
7) Tampa Bay – Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
The Bucs still have a need for more sacks and someone to spend time in the opposing offense’s backfield. This just happens to be one of Khalil Mack’s specialities.
Previous: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
8) Minnesota – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
While Carr could still be the pick, in this version the Vikes address their next biggest need. Gilbert’s performance at the Combine has solidified him as the top corner.
Previous: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
9) Buffalo – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Despite getting passed by Robinson, Matthews is till an elite OT and the Bills will be only too happy to have him protecting EJ Manuel.
Previous: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
10) Detroit – Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
This season was a clear indication of how the offense struggles when Megatron is taken out of the equation. Evans would not only be a solid receiver himself, but would draw coverage away from Johnson.
11) Tennessee – Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Not only is a pass rusher a big need for the Titans, but they’ll be thrilled that Barr is still available and waste no time in taking him.
Previous: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
12) NY Giants – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The O-line struggled last season and the offense suffered as a result. It would be hard to see them passing on a talent like Lewan at this point.
Previous: Khalil Mack, OLB, Auburn
13) St Louis – Haha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
While they could use some help at corner, safety is the bigger need and Clinton-Dix is the top guy at the position, who can can play deep or closer to the line of scrimmage.
14) Chicago – Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Donald is making a case to be the first DT taken after his performance at the Combine and would fill a huge need for the Bears.
Previous: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
15) Pittsburgh – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The Steelers had problems covering top recievers last year and that could be fixed with the selection of Dennard who plays with physicality and toughness.
16) Dallas – Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
Fixing the D-line interior is arguably the ‘Boys biggest need, so Jernigan would make sense at this juncture.
17) Baltimore – Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Joe Flacco sure missed Anquan Boldin this season and would definitely like a replacement. Enter Lee, who despite a down year still has all the tools to succeed.
18) NY Jets – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The Jets need offensive playmakers because Geno Smith needs all the help he can get and Ebron is a top option with his mix of athleticism and physicality.
19) Miami – Zach Martin, OG/OT, Notre Dame
Miami needs multiple OL upgrades for reasons that should be obvious. Martin has the versatility to play at either tackle or guard, which fits in with the team’s two biggest needs.
20) Arizona – Ra’Shede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota
Darnell Dockett is getting older and Hageman, who has an enticing blend of size and quickness, could be his long-term replacement.
Previous: Cyrus Kouandijo, OT, Alabama
21) Green Bay – CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
Their middle linebackers have been underwhelming to say the least so picking the top player at that position would help.
Previous: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
22) Philadelphia – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The Eagles’ pass defense was terrible last season, but could be helped by the slection of Pryor who has the instincts and athleticism to make plays all over the field.
23) Kansas City – Odell Backham Jr, WR, LSU
The Chiefs still need a receiver opposite Dwayne Bowe and get one in Beckham who has risen into the 1st round on many draft boards.
Previous: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
24) Cincinnati – Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Leon Hall torn his ACL for the second time last season and Pacman Jones and Terrance Newman are getting older. Needless to say some youth is needed at the position.
Previous: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
25) San Diego – Kony Ealy, DE/OLB, Missouri
The Bolts were desperate enough for a pass rusher to sign an aging Dwight Freeney so taking a talented player like Ealy would address that need.
Previous: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
26) Cleveland(from Indianapolis) – Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Teams that draft QBs early usually draft a offensive compliment and Manziel will like throwing to a receiver with the size and quickness of Benjamin.
Previous: Odell Backham Jr, WR, LSU
27) New Orleans – Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
A pass rusher will be high on the Siants’ list of needs and Ford could wreak havoc off the edge, likely as an outside linebacker.
28) Carolina – Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
Jordan Gross, who has been a rock at LT, has retired, so finding his replacement should be the Panthers’ biggest objective and Moses is an underrated prospect.
Previous: Antonio Richardson, OT, Tenessee
29) New England – Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Hernandez is gone and Gronk is injured, so finding another pass catching TE is in order. Amaro is just that and has the versatility to line up both on the line or split out.
30) San Francisco – Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia
Carlos Rogers could be released and despite extending Tramaine Brock, a corner will be high up on the Niners’ list of needs.
Previous: Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT, Notre Dame
31) Denver – Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT, Notre Dame
The Broncos have issues at DE with a few free agents, so they could be forced to address the position early in the draft.
Previous: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
32) Seattle – Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
Not a big need, but Nix, who falls here due to circumstance, is too good to pass up at this point and adds more talent to an already talented defense.
Previous: Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
