NFL Mock Draft 3.0

by Danny Mulligan

 

The initial flurry of free agency, the generally useless but always highly weighed combine, and pro-day have come and gone and its time to see where the dust has settled on the draft.  Here’s my take on how the first round will shake out.

 

 

 

 

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT Texas A+M

Whether Brandon Albert is traded or remains a Chief doesn’t matter; Luke is the clear cut best offensive linemen in the draft, an immediate starter at either side, and has franchise left tackle potential. Andy Reid builds his teams in the trenches first.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan, OLB/DE Oreon

Physical freak is the best way to describe Jordan, an extremely explosive and versatile player who can cover man or zone and get to the quarterback.  Considering JJ Watt alone had more sacks then the entire Jags team (its true), Jordan is a great addition to building their ever-important pass rush.  Jordan has only improved his stock since the combine and has a frame on which he can add bulk when it comes time to hit the weight room with the NFL coaches.

3. Oakland Raiders – Sharrif Floyd, DT Florida

With Star Lotulelei missing the combine with a heart problem, Floyd stole the spotlight as the premier defensive lineman of this draft. He looked like an absolute monster, and on top of it all Warren Sapp is a heavy supporter of him. He is an athletic interior DT who can rush the passer as well as stuff the run. The Raiders should make the easy pick here as their d-line has no one like Floyd.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Geno Smith QB, West Virginia

The Eagles need a franchise QB and they know Michael Vick isn’t that guy. Neither is Nick Foles. Chip Kelly’s spread offense would have been ideal for Vick back in the day, but Smith will be their guy.  He’s mobile, has a big arm, and was impressive at Pro Day.

5. Detroit Lions – DeMarcus Milliner, CB Alabama

The Lions have no one even resembling dominant in the defensive backfield; Milliner is that guy. He was a stud on a dominate college defense, a leader, and a playmaker. He should be an immediate impact player and become even better from covering Megatron in practice throughout camp.

6. Cleveland Browns – Ezekial Ansah, DE/OLB BYU

Ziggy Ansah is a bang or bust pick. With a great build and high motor, he can add youth and speed to an aging browns D that is medicore at getting to the passer at best.  Pair him with new acquisition Paul Kruger, and that will change ASAP.  I think the Browns should consider moving up to take Geno Smith.  Brandon Weeden is a bust. He is not good nor will he ever be, no matter how many Norv Turners come to Cleveland.  Look for them to take a QB in the second round.

7. Arizona Cardinals – Eric Fisher, OT Central Michigan

Bruce Arian made it clear that he thinks this QB class is lack luster and is a Drew Stanton fan.  The Cardinals o-line was terrible last year, so this is a no brainer pick.  Fisher is the best available player and some would argue the best tackle in the draft.

8. Buffalo Bills – Matt Barkley, QB USC

A lot of people say Barkley is the most “pro ready” QB.  But Doug Marrone currently has Tavaris Jackson and someone whose name he probably doesn’t know yet on the depth chart. Yes, this is a complete reach…but so was the entire class involving Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder.  Such is the state of QB in the NFL.

9. The New York Jets – Cordarelle Patterson, WR Tennessee

The Jets need a weapon on offense (in other news, the earth is round). Santonio Holmes is aging and coming off an injury and the Jets are still “grooming” Stephen Hill (ie, figuring out if he is any good).  Patterson is the best WR in this draft and more of a sure thing than Hill by a wide margin.

10. The Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack, G Alabama

While signing Shonne Greene is, in my opinion, stupid, it proves that the Titans want to run the ball a lot. Warmack is the best guard in the draft and a monster run blocker.

11. San Diego Chargers – Lane Johnson, OT Oklahoma

With the top 2 tackles off the board, the Charges will take the best o-lineman available. Johnson is a good athlete with solid intangibles. He can also play both right and left tackle, and help a pretty bad Charger line.

12. Miami Dolphins – Johnathon Cooper, OG North Carolina

Jake Long has packed his bags for St. Louis and the offensive line will need some help. The Phins went buck wild in free agency adding offensive pieces. Cooper is a solid pick here and a great talent.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Xavier Rhodes, CB Florida State

Big and physical. That’s what Rhodes is at 6’2”, 215. He plays man coverage very well and will help a porous Bucs pass defense. Ronde Barber turns 100 this year and the Bucs DBs were burned time after time. Rhodes can be a lockdown corner and is a solid pick at 13 in this draft. He can also play safety, which will most likely suit him better in the NFL. Will they turn this pick into Darrelle Revis?

14. Carolina Panthers – Star Lotulelei, NT Utah

The Panthers are still miserable defensively and I think they will address their secondary in free agency. Lotulelei is a great athlete, and a good inside rusher. He will fall in this draft because of his heart problem, but he is a great fit for the Panthers. I think they take the risk.

15. New Orleans Saints – Barkevious Mingo, OLB LSU

Saints need a sideline to sideline guy who can get to the passer, and while Mingo is undersized he is a playmaker. He is the best available at 15, and lets be real: I can play WR for the Saints and have a 50 catch season.  Defense is 1000% what they will draft.

16. St. Louis Rams – Tavon Austin, WR West Virginia

Brandon Gibson is gone, as is Danny Amendola. Austin is a Percy Harvin like threat with a ton of upside. Fairley easy pick here, the Rams will finally get Sam Bradford his guy.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jarvis Jones, OLB Georgia

James Harrison is gone and this defense is old! I mean reald old.  Jack Lambert may still be on this team.  I don’t care if Jones ran a 3 minute 40.  He fits here and his tape says he is still a top 20 talent easily.

18. Dallas Cowboys – Kenny Vaccaro, S Texas

They drafted a corner last year (Morris Claiborne) and still had a struggling secondary. Vaccaro is the best safety available and an immediate starter. He’s also a home town player which is always a big thing deep in the heart of Texas

19, New York Giants – – Bjoern Werner, DE Florida State

Osi Umenyiora and Chris Canty are out and we know the Giants love their defensive linemen.  Werner is someone who has a high motor and can play along the entire line.  Put him next to Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck and watch the QBs get flattened.

20. Chicago Bears –  Alec Ogltree, LB Georgia

Brian Urlacher is one of my all-time favorite players. It’s a shame the Bears did the furture HOF linebacker dirty like that.  Alec Ogltree will be his replacement. Yes, they signed DJ Williams, but the Bears need speed and youth in the front seven.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – DJ Fluker, OT Alabama

Andre Smith hasn’t signed and the Bengals don’t have a solid RT to begin with. Fluker is a first round talent in an OT class that is deep. Bengals will fill a need and get a solid player.

22. Louis Rams – Tyler Eifert, TE Notre Dame

The Rams did so well adding Jake Long, because it frees up their first round picks and have the opportunity to add a big, tall, tight end that will help them in the red zone. By far the best TE in this draft, Eifert is 6’6” and can be a safety blanket for Sam Bradford. The Rams have nothing to lose and all to gain taking a TE with their second 1^st round pick.

23. Minnesota Vikings: DeAndre Hopkins, WR Clemson

Minnesota has arguably the best offensive player in football in AP. Imagine how good he would be if teams didn’t put 9 in the box every play? Hopkins is a solid all-around receiver, who has a good frame to go along with 4.4 speed. He will be an improvement over a generally-useless-outside-of-front-flips Jerome Simpson and help take pressure off new acquisition Greg Jennings.

24. Indianapolis Colts – Sheldon Richardson, DT Missouri

As the Colts have Vontae Davis and signed Laron Landry, their secondary should be ok for now. However, they lost Dwight Freeney and have historically been weak along the front seven. Richardson shows flashes but lacks technique at times. If he gets a little more consistent, he will be a big upgrade.

25. Minnesota Vikings – Jesse Williams, NT Alabama

The Vikings have two ferocious pass rushers on the outside, but Kevin Williams is old. Adding Williams gives the Vikings depth and an immediate starter at the DT position.  A two gap player with an attitude in the Vikings Williams tradition.

26. Greenbay Packers – Barrett Jones, C/G/T Alabama

Aaron Rodgers got harassed all year (as he is every year) and this is a clear cut pick to me. Jones can play all over the offensive line and add depth or start where needed, which is everywhere.

27. Houston Texans – Sam Montgomery, OLB/DE LSU

I am going to assume Brian Cushing comes back full strength, but the Texans still need someone to replace Connor Barwin – and add depth to a d-line who is a one man wrecking crew.

28. Denver Broncos – Desmond Trufant, CB Washington

Champ Bailey is still kicking but they need help in the secondary (see Jones, Jacoby). Trufant had a great combine, and fits as a no. 2 corner across from Bailey.

29. New England Patriots – Jonathan Hankins, NT, Ohio State

Chandler Jones is an animal. Vince Wilfork is an aging animal. He is not the every down NT he used to be.  Big Hank is enormous and a 3-4 NT; sound familiar?  Hankins can learn from Wilkfork and be part of a young defensive line that will play well as the rest of the team hopefully crumbles.  That’s the Jets fan in me talking.

30. Atlanta Falcons – Tank Carradine, DE Florida State

Unless they Sign Osi Umenyiora, DE is a huge need in Atlanta. Carradine would have been a top 15 guy if he wasn’t injured for a year. I think he will be successful if he can stay healthy in the NFL.

31. San Francisco 49ers- Matt Elam, S Florida

They picked up Glenn Dorsey who helps their need along the d-line, however they lost Dashon Goldson to the Bucs. Elam is just as good as any safety in this draft and a hard hitter who will fit in with the rest of the 49ers elite defense.

32. Baltimore Ravens – Damontre Moore, DE/OLB Texas A&M

Suggs is injury prone and Paul Kruger is out. They signed the overrated Elvis Dumervil and the talented Moore will help rebuild after the exodus. He has fallen because of his miserable combine and his lackluster pro day, but tape doesn’t lie. He is a solid fit for Baltimore. They can address their need for corners later in the draft or via free agency.

We’ll check back in for mock draft 4.0 closer to the draft.  Many things will change.  The only constant? The Jets will pick the wrong guy.

 

Tweet

 

 

Comments

comments