Now that the big moves of free agency have pretty much passed us by, it’s time for another update to my mock draft. Free agency did shake up things up a bit with some guys falling and others staying in the same range, juts going to different teams. The first two picks are key in the sense that whichever guys are picked could change the whole complexion at the top of the first round. Depending on who goes where, it does create some interesting scenarios and possible trade opportunities. Of course all it takes is one team to make an unexpected pick to send the whole thing into chaos, but isn’t that one of things we all like about the Draft?
1) Houston – Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Nothing has changed and despite Clowney being an option, the Texans will still take Bortles. He’s done nothing to change the perception that he’s the top QB in the draft since the combine, plus he’ll be going into a pretty good situation with plenty of guys to throw to in Houston.
2) Atlanta(from St Louis) – Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
If the Texans pass on Clowney, then the Falcons will absolutely trade up to nab him. Not only does he fill perhaps their biggest need, but he’s what some consider the best pass rusher to come along in a long time. They probably won’t have to give up too much, given what Miami gave up to move from 12 to 3 last year.
3) Jacksonville – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
That the Jags need a franchise QB is obvious, so that could mean they don’t take one, but they still need to do just that. Some are saying Bridgewater’s bad pro day will hurt his stock, however he still has a few years of great game tape that say otherwise, so it won’t hurt him at all.
4) Cleveland – Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
It’s looking like the Browns will wait until their other 1st rounder or next year to get a franchise QB. In that case what better way to help him then with the draft’s most dynamic offensive weapon? Adding Watkins to Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron will make for a very talented receiving corps.
Previous: Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M
5) Oakland – Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
Manziel is a strong possibility here, but the Raiders will be unable to pass on Mack. He’s been one of the fastest risers at the top of the Draft and added a great pro day to a good combine performance. He has the size/speed combo of talent to spend most of his time in opposing backfields.
Previous: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
6) St Louis(from Atlanta) – Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Rams will be more then happy to trade down a few spots and get a few extra picks. They’ll be even more thrilled that Robinson is still on the board and waste no time in taking him. It makes even more sense given concern over Jake Long’s injury and the need to protect Sam Bradford.
7) Tampa Bay – Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
It isn’t exactly a need, but given their aggressive free agency they can afford to take the best player available. Matthews is that guy and he could start could even push new signing Anthony Collins to the right side of the offensive line.
Previous: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
8) Minnesota – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Manziel might not be the QB the Vikings want, but they’ll absolutely consider taking him if he’s available here. This would be the opposite of when they reached for Ponder given that Manziel could go higher, so he’s a bit of a steal here.
Previous: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
9) Buffalo – Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
The Bills have to continue to build around EJ Manuel and giving him a potent weapon and legit #1 wideout would go a long way as Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods are secondary options. Luckily Mike Evans, who had a tremendous Combine, is available.
Previous: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
10) Detroit – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Lions got their WR in Tate to take pressure off of Megatron, so they can turn their attention to fixing the secondary. Justin Gilbert is the top option there and would instantly upgrade their middling pass defense.
Previous: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
11) Tennessee – Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
After free agency, rush linebacker is the Titans’ biggest need, so that makes Barr the obvious choice here. He was a force for UCLA this past season and could only get better, plus he could start from the very beginning.
12) NY Giants – Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
The O-line struggled last season and the offense suffered as a result. Given the need for a tackle it would be hard to see them passing on a talent like Lewan at this point, despite some character red flags.
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
The Bears need someone to play inside on the D-line and Donald has been seperating himself from the pack at the DT position. He followed up his strong season with a good showing at the Combine.
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, despite their signings of Henry Melton and Terrell McClain and Jernigan makes sense at this juncture. That is unless Jerry trades back and takes another center.
17) Baltimore – Odell Beckham Jr, WR, LSU
Joe Flacco sure missed Anquan Boldin this season and would definitely like a replacement, which won’t be Steve Smith. The contest to be the 3rd WR is fluid and in this update it’s Beckham.
Previous: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
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 could be his long-term replacement. He was a monster for the Golden Gophers last season and the Cards will benefit from his blend of size and quickness.
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. Mosley would provide toughness and athleticism up the middle of the Packer D.
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 – 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 to succeed.
Previous: Odell Backham Jr, WR, LSU
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 to go along with Dre Kirkpatrick.
25) San Diego – Kony Ealy, DE/OLB, Missouri
The Bolts were desperate enough for a pass rusher to sign an aging Dwight Freeney to replace Shaun Phillips so taking a talented player like Ealy would address that need.
26) Cleveland(from Indianapolis) – Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
The Browns have been linked to Carr, so they might take him here instead of a better QB at #4. Is it the best course of action? Probably not, but then again it’s the Browns we’re talking about.
Previous: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
27) New Orleans – Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
A pass rusher will be high on the Siants’ list of needs since they face Newton and Ryan twice a year. Ford could wreak havoc off the edge, likely as an outside linebacker.
28) Carolina – Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
The Panthers’ group of receivers is so bad that they signed Jerricho Cotchery to be a top target. Cooks had a great Combine and could be taken even higher on Draft day.
Previous: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
29) New England – Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
Vince Wilfork has decided he doesn’t want to play for the Pats anymore, so the they’ll look to replace him early and would be thrilled if Nix was still on the board.
Previous: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
30) San Francisco – Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia
The Niners cut Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown signed with the Raiders so they signed Chris Cook. Despite that they still need a corner, perhaps two.
31) Denver – Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
Wesley Woodyard signed with the Titans, but he struggled at middle linebacker anyways. The versatile Shazier would be an obvious upgrade.
Previous: Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT, Notre Dame
32) Seattle – Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Russell Wilson really had nothing to work with at receiver last season, so they need a to take a wideout, especially since Tate left for Detroit.
Previous: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
