Draft picks 1-21
- The Houston Texans--Jadeveon Clowney, DE University of South Carolina
- St. Louis Rams--Greg Robinson, OT Auburn
- Jacksonville Jaguars--Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo
- Cleveland Browns--Sammy Watkins, WR
- Oakland Raiders--Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M
- Atlanta Falcons--Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers--Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M
- Minnesota Vikings--Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State
- Buffalo Bills--Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan
- Detroit Lions--Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA
- Tennessee Titan-Blake Bortles, QB UCF
- New York Giants--Aaron Donald, DT Pitt
- St; Louis Ram--Calvin Pryor, FS Louisville
- Chicago Bears-HaSean Clinton-Dix, FS Alabama
- Pittsburgh Steelers-Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan
- Dallas Cowboy--Timmy Jernigan, DT Florida State
- Baltimore Ravens--Zack Martin, OG Notre Dame
- New York Jet--Odell Beckham, WR LSU
- Miami Dolphin--C.J. Mosley, ILB Alabama
- Arizona Cardinals--Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M
- Green Bay Packer--Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State
22. Philadelphia Eagle--Bradley Roby CB Ohio State
Prior to the release of DeSean Jackson, I think it was a no-brainer that the Eagles and Chip Kelly would pick a CB. They were extremely weak in coverage last year. Even though the Eagles were active in free agency acquiring CBs, they just don't have that premier player. The Eagles added Malcolm Jenkins at Safety so it's fair to assume that CB is still a target to upgrade. The Eagles are also needy at outside linebacker and a replacement for Djax at WR. That leaves a few choices on draft strategy but I still think at this stage of the draft, The Eagles can get an instant play maker at the CB position. There are other WRs and OLBers that could be drafted in later rounds. Bradley Roby has the world class speed and the skills to play tight man to man coverage. He has the mental focus that will enable him to battle for the ball. Chip Kelly always had strong CB play at Oregon so no doubt he will like to do the same for the Eagles defense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs- Marqise Lee, WR Southern California
K.C. got bit in free agency. They lost two offensive guards, Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz and Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert. The Chiefs have been quiet in free agency acquisitions cause of salary cap issues, only $4.5 million under the cap putting them in a position that they need to have a "perfect" draft. Turning around the franchise from the two wins in 2012 and keeping that momentum will be the challenge for Andy Reid and the Chiefs. The Chiefs have always been thin at the wide receiver position and that will have to be addressed. Could also make a case for them drafting a safety, like Jimmie Ward, but I see the need for a WR a bigger priority. The real question is do they draft offensive lineman and fill the holes lost in free agency or do they draft a WR which is really needed to spread defenders and give Jamaal Charles better chances running the ball. Of all the draft picks, this has been far the hardest to figure out. There are just so strategies for the Chiefs. The pick must be a WR. Marqise Lee can be a play maker for the Chiefs and a deep threat to replace Dexter McCluster. Fell in the draft because of injury issues, he has the straight line speed, agility and soft hands. Will need coaching to run crisp routes and help understanding how to break free of defenders to give him separation. He will bring the spark that K.C. Needs on the offensive side of the ball.
24. Cincinnati Bengals-Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville
The Bengals need a DE to replace Michael Johnson and OT to replace Anthony Collins, both lost in free agency. They need a linebacker to replace James Harrison. They also need to upgrade their CB position with some younger players. With that all said, two players jump off the board as perfect fits, TCU CB Jason Verrett and Auburn DE Dee Ford. Both players could have an immediate impact for the Bengals and fill much needed positions. But I think the Bengals do something unorthodox here and stump everyone. I think they draft a QB. Andy Dalton is coming into a contract year and that has to be a major consideration for Marv Lewis. Dalton's QB performances have so many ups and downs, it's scary. Are the Bengals sold on Dalton? That's the question and I say that they are not. Having 10 draft picks will also play a part in the direction the Bengals head but I see them taking Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater. The Bengals have been very good at scouting talent in the draft as evidenced by their last 5 years where they drafted Giovanni Bernard, Marvin Jones, A.J. Green, Geno Atkins, and Michael Johnson. Some spoke about Bridgewater being the top pick last month but his stock has fallen severely since a very shaky Pro Day performance. Since then, he has been graded as good to bad at private workouts. I think the Bengals look past the workouts and judge him by his college game tape and there they see a QB who is very comfortable in the NFL system. He is a true pocket QB and in today's salary cap days, a team sees the devastation on future positional signings and handcuffing a top QB contract brings with it. Dalton and his agent are going to demand stupid money next year and Bridgewater is the perfect insurance policy that the Bengals need to insure they are in position to let Dalton walk if necessary.
25. San Diego Chargers-Louis Nix, NT Notre Dame
The Chargers have a few positions that need improving. They are CB, NT and WR. Last year's draft of Keenan Allen was a bright spot for San Diego. Taking a player that fell in the draft because of injury proved an effective strategy and helped in turning around Philip Rivers. Even though the secondary is arguably San Diego's biggest need, I think with the depth of CBs and the lack of premier NTs, they immediately address the NT position by taking Louis Nix. The Chargers can build upon defensive ends, Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes by drafting this type of interior defensive lineman. Nix is the perfect compliment at 6'2" and 330 pounds. His strength is the ability to tie up players by using his natural leverage and strength. Adding him will improve the San Diego defense immediately and start the conversation that they might have the best line in the AFC West.
26. Cleveland Browns-Derek Carr, QB Fresno State
With the three top QB prospects off the board. Cleveland can't afford to wait any longer. And why should they, Derek Carr is a top prospect. The younger brother of former pro QB David Carr. At 6'2" Derek possesses the skill as evidenced by his record setting college years. Derek has an NFL caliber arm and also the finesse needed to drop a ball into a player's hands in the corner of the end zone. Derek insures that Cleveland will not live and die based on Brian Hoyer's performance and healing ACL. Carr is the perfect QB for dual threat receivers Josh Gordon and Sammy Watkins. The knock has been that Carr played out of a shotgun formation primarily and will have to adapt to under center and to be able to recognize defensive sets but I believe that one year sitting behind Hoyer can give him that experience and give him that time to settle into the NFL and adapt to it's complicated defensive sets and give him that confidence that has also been a question mark.
27. New Orleans Saints-Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech
The Saints need three positions, CB, OL and OLB. Looking at the board I see a few players that would fit in nicely. They could go with DeMarcus Lawrence or Dee Ford at DE. Or they could go CB with Kyle Fuller or Jason Verrett. I see them going after the best player of the four and that is Kyle Fuller. Rob Ryan since taking over the Saints defense has transitioned them into a "blitz on any down and often" defense. With the free agency signing of Jairus Byrd, They have a pro bowl safety tandem. With the pick of Kyle Fuller, it will change the Saints to a less frenzied defensive and make them less predictable. Saints can't pass on a player like Kyle Fuller here.
28. Carolina Panthers-Morgan Moses, OT Virginia
The Panthers gutted their wide receiver corps in the off season. Letting go Steve Smith, Brandon Lafell and Ted Ginn really make you think that the Panthers will draft a WR in the first round. But I think they have bigger hole at offensive tackle. The WRs can be had at a later round and GM Gettleman says he only needs to find a receiver or two to make up for the 10 catches a game that those three receivers combined . Don';t know if that is wishful thinking but I must look at the draft from the team's point of view and what their tendency might be rather than my own speculation. With that in mind, I think draft Morgan Moses. A natural left tackle after making the switch in senior year. Has an excellent burst at the snap and a patience to let the block come to him when needed. Plays beyond his experience and would be the perfect fit to replace Jordan Gross and protect Cam Newton. With minor adjustments to technique and a strength conditioning program, Morgan may be a future perennial Pro Bowl Player and can't be overlooked by the Panthers.
29. New England Patriots-Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech
The Patriots rarely draft players according to needs. Belichick normally drafts what fits into his system. With Hernandez in jail, Gronkowski becoming very comfortable being an injured player. Bill has to take Amaro. He is the seam threat that Brady loves to target in the red zone. A Big TE with great hands that will fight for the extra yards after the catch. If Gronkowski comes back healthy, the Patriots will enjoy the same dual TE set that brought them past success. Amaro has the tools to become one of the premiere Tight Ends and helps draw safeties in so Brady can exploit the man to man coverages.
30. San Francisco 49ers-Jason Verrett, CB TCU
The 49ers need a WR, Center. CB, and a defensive lineman. Losing Mario Manningham back to the Giants creates a void. Balancing the talent of Michael Crabtree that will allow Vernon Davis the ability to take advantage of the seam is the most important priority for the 49ers. With the top WRs already finding teams, the 49ers will ignore the WR position in round 1 and take a CB to replace Carlos Rodgers and/or Tarell Brown who left for the Raiders in free agency. Jason Verrett skills at press coverage, his nose for the ball and his athleticism makes him a no-brainer pick for the 49ers. Could be a valuable inside nickel corner after getting into a NFL strength conditioning program. Quick feet, swivel hips and not afraid to go for the interception could prove to be a very valuable defender for the 49ers.
31. Denver Broncos-Xavier Su'a-Filo OG UCLA
The Broncos were extremely active in free agency adding defensive end DeMarcus Ware, safety T.J. Ward, receiver Emmanuel Sanders and cornerback Aqib Talib. The Broncos could still address depth at CB, WR and LB. With that said and Kyle Van Noy on the board, Denver could easily jump and fill the linebacker spot but unexpected a diamond has been overlooked and the broncos will draft a player that has been on their radar but not expected to be available at 31. Elway will draft him and not look back but count himself lucky that he was able to wrestle him from Seattle as this had to be Seattle's #1 board player considering their long standing inconsistency at the guard position. Xavier Su'a-Filo will join Louis Vasquez and be an immediate impact on the favorite to repeat a Super Bowl appearance. Impressive upper body strength, standing 6'4" and weighing 310 pounds, Xavier will anchor the interior of the line and offer Peyton Manning additional insurance from injury. His quickness prevents defenders from bull rushing and with some technique coaching should learn how to keep low and follow through on the block rather than being stood up.
32. Seattle Seahawks-Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State
The reigning Super Bowl Champion needs a few things in the draft. They need to replace Golden Tate. They need a replacement for Defensive tackle Red Bryant. I think Seattle makes a move on a WR here. They can address the defensive line later. Kelvin Benjamin, 6'5" 240 pound WR, are ya kidding. This is the perfect guy for Russell Wilson to throw to. It's like having another Tight end on the field and helps because of Wilson's size. Still developing running precise routes but is quick for his size and has sure hands. Needs some help with technique catching the ball with his hands rather than him allowing the ball to hit his chest. Lots of upside here for the Seahawks and can play inside or outside the hash marks. Reminds me of a Plaxico Burress, Kelvin becomes an immediate red zone threat.
Summary
There you have it. The final third of the draft and the conclusion to the first round. Lots of talent still left on the board and after doing this mock, I am walking away with the feeling that this might be the best draft in NFL history considering the talent and depth at many positions. The draft can fall many ways and nothing will shock me. So much talent and a good GM will be able to shift gears and adapt to what is on and off the board.
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