The day has finally arrived and the Draft is nearly upon us. Not only does this mean an end to the speculation and mock drafting, but it also means we have hours to watch Mel Kiper’s hair. In this final update to my mock draft, there are major changes as only a few picks remain the same. The biggest change is changing the first overall pick to Clowney, which sets off a small chain reaction. Shifting draft stocks and reports have changed the other picks. Now we can all sit back and enjoy the endless hours of coverage.
1) Houston – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Starting off with a bang, the Texans nab the once-in-a-generation talent in Clowney, who is simply too goof to pass up. This pick is also about the perception that there’s not that much difference in talent between the QBs that could be taken early in the 1st and 2nd round.
Previous: Blake Bortles, QB
2) St Louis(from Washington) – Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Rams still want to trade down, but if they don’t find any takers then they’ll opt for the top rated tackle in Robinson. Mack and Watkins are popular choices in mocks, but protecting Sam Bradford has to be considered of paramount importance.
Previous: Jadeveon Clowney, DE (ATL)
3) Jacksonville – Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
The latest fiasco involving Justin Blackmon has put Watkins into consideration here, but given the depth at WR it can wait. Plus, they can take the pass rushing force that is Khalil Mack whom would fit well in Gus Bradley’s system in the LEO linebacker role.
4) Cleveland – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
This is a gamble pick if there ever was one since projections of Manziel vary wildly as he could go anywhere from #1 to falling out of teh 1st round compltely. However, the Browns need both a QB and a shot of excitement for their franchise so this takes care of both needs.
Previous: Sammy Watkins, WR
5) Oakland – Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
It isn’t their biggest need, but Watkins is too much of a dynamic offensive player to pass up at this point. The Raiders have some nice receivers, but none havehe #1 ability. He’ll quickly become the favored target of whichever QB they take later on.
Previous: Derek Carr, QB
6) Atlanta – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Part of the reason the Falcons were bad last season was Matt Ryan getting sacked so often. Taking the experienced Matthews would help remedy that as he could play either tackle spot, while providing effective blocking for both the run and the pass.
Previous: Greg Robinson, OT (StL)
7) Tampa Bay – Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Finding someone to play opposite Vincent Jackson is still the Bucs biggest need and Evans is still the pick here. He has the size to go up for jump balls and the skill to keep the play going after the catch. Having Jackson and Evans will definitely help whomever is under center.
8) Minneosta – Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
The Vikings would have to be thrilled that Bortles falls to them here as they might consider trading up to get him. Matt Cassel isn’t the answer at QB, but would at least allow Bortles to sit for part of his rookie season.
Previous: Teddy Bridgewater, QB
9) Buffalo – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Helping EJ Manuel succeed should be a priority for the Bills. A pass catcher is possible, but might be a reach here, so the team goes for the talented and physical Lewan who could push Cordy Glenn to the right side.
Previous: Jake Matthews, OT
10) Detroit – HaHa Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Corner is a need but the Lions have some young guys at the position they give chances to succeed. In that case, they stay in the secondary and take the draft’s top safety in the playmaking Clinton-Dix.
Previous: Justin Gilbert, CB
11) Tennessee – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The loss of Alterraun Verner to the Bucs pushes corner to the top of the Titans’ needs. Justin Gilbert is still the top option at the position with his mix of skills and would help fill that loss.
Previous: Anthony Barr, OLB
12) NY Giants – Zach Martin, OG/OT, Notre Dame
The Giants must protect Eli Manning and might trade up for one of the top rated tackles. In this case, they go with the versatile Martin will improve the O-line.
Previous: Taylor Lewan, OT
13) St Louis – Odell Backham Jr, WR, LSU
Despite drafting Tavon Austin last year, the Rams could still use another receiver. Beckham has been rising up draft boards and is a big play threat and would a great option alongside Austin.
Previous: HaHa Clinton-Dix, S
14) Chicago – Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
The Bears need someone to play inside on the D-line and Donald has seperated himself from the pack at the DT position. Though undersized, he has a great burst off the line and would be a great edition for Da Bears.
15) Pittsburgh – Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The Steelers’ need for a corner is obvious but who is taken is still in question. Fuller has seen a recent rise and might even be selected ahead of Dennard, though the later is ranked higher.
Previous: Darqueze Dennard, CB
16) Dallas – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Free agency has helped needs along the D-line, so the Boys can turn to another big need in safety. Pryor is hard-hitting but can also play in coverage.
Previous: Timmy Jernigan , DT
17) Baltimore – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Joe Flacco sure missed Anquan Boldin last season and would definitely like a replacement. Ebron would more then do that with his athleticism and ability to line up close or split out wide.
Previous: Brandin Cooks, WR
18) NY Jets – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Eric Decker will do little to help fill the Jets’ need for offensive weapons. Cooks has the speed to stretch the field and would certainly help Geno Smith.
Previous: Eric Ebron, TE
19) Miami – CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
Unless they trade up the Dolphins will miss out the top options to fix their O-line. Instead they fill a secondary need with the selection of the Mosley, who can play any position at linebacker.
Previous: Zach Martin, OG/OT
20) Arizona – Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
Carson Palmer is getting older and the Cards don’t have his replacement on the roster. Taking Carr would allow him to learn for a few years instead of being thrown into the fire.
Previous: Ra’Shede Hageman, DE/DT
21) San Francisco(from Green Bay) – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
The Niners have a ton of selections to work with and a huge need at corner, so they’ll definitely trade up if Dennard falls this far. He shouldn’t be here but good prospects always seem to do in the Draft.
Previous: CJ Mosley, ILB (GB)
22) Philadelphia – Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
The Eagles didn’t get much pressure form their linebackers outside of Trent Cole. A DE at Auburn, Ford can transition to OLB and work very well as a speed rusher off the edge.
Previous: Kony Ealy, DE/OLB
23) Kansas City – Marqise Lee, WR, USC
The Chiefs still need a receiver opposite Dwayne Bowe and get one in Lee, who despite a down year, still has all the tools that won him the Biletnikoff.
Previous: Odell Beckham Jr, WR
24) Cincinnati – Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
The Bengals need for a corner hasn’t changed, but Roby is the pick in this final version. He isn’t a consensus 1st rounder, but one of those guys always seem to get picked higher then anticipated.
Previous: Jason Verrett, CB
25) San Diego – Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Barr has fallen due to some concerns about what he needs to work on, but has great upside. The Bolts can’t really depend on Dwight Freeney and Melvin Ingram is coming off a torn ACL.
Previous: Louis Nix III, DT
26) Cleveland(from Indianapolis) – Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Josh Gordon was the only reliable WR for the Browns, so they’ll spend an early pick on the position. Benjamin is raw and boom-or-bust, but the team is forced to reach a bit here.
Previous: Johnny Manziel, QB
27) New Orleans – Kony Ealy, DE/OLB, Missouri
A pass rusher will be high on the Siants’ list of needs since they face Newton and Ryan twice a year. Ealy has the pass rushiing ability to succeed and could play either DE or OLB.
Previous: Dee Ford, DE/OLB
28) Carolina – Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
The need at WR is glaring, but instead of reaching they take care of their other big need with Moses. He can slide right in and fill the void left by Jordan Gross’ retirement.
Previous: Marqise Lee, WR
29) New England – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
By no means am I suggesting the Pats will end up with Bridgewater. This is just a placeholder for whichever team trades back into the 1st to take him, because you know that’s very likely to happen.
Previous: Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT
30) Green Bay(from San Francisco) – Ra’Shede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota
The Packers trade back and still land someone they would consider at 21. Hageman can play anywhere along the D-line, while being physically imposing with the burst to cause havoc.
Previous: Kyle Fuller, CB (SF)
31) Denver – Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State
Wesley Woodyard signed with the Titans, but he struggled at middle linebacker anyways. Shazier is the pick once again and would be an instant upgrade.
Previous: CJ Mosley, ILB
32) Seattle – Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada
This pick may surprise some, but not as much of a reach as when they took Bruce Irvin. Bitonio would fill the need at right tackle, but can also play every other position up front.
Previous: Kelvin Benjamin, WR
