Here is the fourth edition of my 2015 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Florida State: The only know about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is that they need a franchise quarterback and neither Mike Glennon and the recently cut Josh McCown are the answer. Despite throwing 18 interceptions as a redshirt sophomore, Winston obviously possesses a high level of talent.
2. Tennessee Titans- Leonard Williams, Defensive End/Tackle, USC: A Quarterback is tempting here, but getting after Andrew Luck and the Colts with an elite pass-rusher is a must, especially the fact Indianapolis is on Tennessee's schedule twice a season.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Randy Gregory, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.
4. Oakland Raiders- Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama: Oakland needs at least one, more likely two, very good wide receivers. Cooper could be the type of player who helps quicken Derek Carr's development.
5. Washington Redskins- Dante Fowler Jr., Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Florida: You can never have too many pass rushers in the NFL and Washington could find themselves having to replace a pretty good one as Brian Orakpo will be a free agent. It is not certain what kind of defense new coordinator Joe Barry will run in Landover but it probably will be a scheme that will features some multiple elements, ideal for a versatile talent like Fowler. The speedy and physical Fowler seemingly lived in opposing backfields these past two years in Gainesville
6. New York Jets- Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon: The Jets need a quarterback that is capable of being a franchise player. Mariota has a chance to become one and the Jets should game on him, unless Philadelphia comes up with a godfather offer that includes future draft picks and Nick Foles for this pick.
7. Chicago Bears- Danny Shelton, Nose Tackle, Washington: Shelton moves surprisingly well for somebody of his size and he is very tough to block one-on-one, and with a strong performance at the Senior Bowl has seen his stock rise. He projects to be an excellent fit as a nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme and should be able to make an immediate impact at the position as the Bears, under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, are likely to move to a 3-4 defense.
8. Atlanta Hawks- Vic Beasley, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Clemson: Atlanta has to improve their pass rush. Under Dan Quinn, the Falcons will need to figure out how to get pressure from the front four. Beasley is undersized but he also has 70 plays behind the line of scrimmage the past two seasons.
9. New York Giants- Shane Ray, Defensive End, Missouri: Consistent pass rush was the bread and butter of the Giants' Super Bowl-winning clubs and Ray, who has the best first step in this draft class, would be a much needed boost to the current roster.
10. St. Louis Rams- Brandon Scherff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa: The Rams boast one of the league's fastest defenses, but one-dimensional teams won't be successful in the highly competitive NFC West. Massive LT Greg Robinson showed flashes of why the Rams invested the No. 2 overall selection in him in 2014 and the Rams will have veteran Jake Long returning from injury in 2015. The interior, however, was a mess for St. Louis. Scherff will help the interior.
11. Minnesota Vikings- DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver, Louisville: The Vikings have yet to see much return on their 2013 first-round investment of Cordarrelle Patterson and head coach Mike Zimmer isn't the type to wait around. Parker and Teddy Bridgewater have ties via Louisville and the two can reunite in Minnesota.
12. Cleveland Browns- Kevin White, Wide Receiver, West Virginia: Who knows how much longer Josh Gordon will last in Cleveland, which is why wide receiver could be a possibility in the first round for the Browns. No player boosted his stock more this season than White, a 6-3, 209-pounder who climbs the ladder to make contested catches look easy.
13. New Orleans Saints- Bud Dupree, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Kentucky: The future of Junior Galette in New Orleans is questionable, and the pass rush beyond him is questionable. Dupree has enough power to stick at end and the athleticism to play linebacker if needed.
14. Miami Dolphins- Shaq Thompson, Outside Linebacker, Washington: The Dolphins allowed an average of 121.1 yards per game on the ground in 2014. None of the teams that finished worse than Miami in this category qualified for the playoffs. Thompson starred at safety, linebacker and running back for the Huskies but projects best as a hybrid defender in the NFL. He's instinctive, athletic and a reliable open-field tackler whose game is well-suited to today's wide-open NFL.
15. San Francisco 49ers- Andrus Peat, Offensive Tackle, Stanford: The 49ers aren't likely to suddenly become more aggressive on offense with defensive-minded head coach Jim Tomsula taking the reins. With Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati set to hit free agency and Anthony Davis struggling with injuries, the 49ers could once again re-invest along the offensive line, ignoring their needs for playmakers.
16. Houston Texans- Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama: Since being selected in the second round two year ago, DJ Swearinger has delivered some impressive hits but his struggles in coverage leaves Houston vulnerable up the middle. Collins plays with a similar degree of physicality, but is more instinctive, fluid and a proven ballhawk.
17. San Diego Chargers- TJ Clemmings, Offensive Tackle, Pittsburgh: The Chargers re-signed left tackle King Dunlap to a four-year deal and GM Tom Telesco said that the current plan is to leave D.J. Fluker at right tackle. That might change if Clemmings is on the board. Clemmings is a former defensive end who has steadily improved at right tackle the past two years. He's raw but more athletic than Fluker, who many feel projects best inside at guard.
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Devin Funchess, Wide Receiver/Tight End, Michigan: It's impressive the Chiefs are able to run the ball so effectively considering how little respect defenses have for their wide receivers. Whether Dwayne Bowe stays or not, help is needed.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills)- Malcolm Brown, Defensive Tackle, Texas: The Browns finished dead last in the NFL in run defense a year ago and have allowed more than 2,000 rushing yards in 14 of the past 16 seasons - a recipe for disaster in the black and blue AFC North. The 6-4, 320-pound Brown is a stout run defender who add bulk and strength to an otherwise undersized front.
20. Philadelphia Eagles- PJ Williams, Cornerback, Florida State: With Chip Kelly now calling the personnel shots in Philadelphia, will he be privy to making a bold move up the draft board to select his former quarterback in Eugene, Marcus Mariota? You certainly could not rule it out but in the meantime, they could also use an upgrade at the cornerback position given how much the Philadelphia pass defense struggled last season. Williams has ideal size and speed for the position and he should excel in press coverage right away.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Ereck Flowers, Offensive Tackle, Miami (Florida): The Bengals will look for a linebacker later in the draft but it is time to get an offensive tackle before they are all gone. Flowers is the fourth tackle off the board.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers- Trae Waynes, Cornerback, Michigan State: New defensive coordinator Keith Butler inherits a unit that finished 26th in the NFL against the pass, according to Pro Football Focus. None of the teams ranked worse made the playoffs. After heavy investments in the front seven over the past several years, the Steelers may turn to the secondary, especially if a talent like Waynes is still available. Waynes has the length, athleticism and ballskills teams are looking for, though his slim frame (6-0, 186) is a concern that could keep him out of the top 20.
23. Detroit Lions- Eddie Goldman, Defensive Tackle, Florida State: I doubt the Lions can afford Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley and that means a rookie DT in the draft. Big Eddie is 6'4, 336 and disruptive.
24. Arizona Cardinals- Eli Harold, Outside Linebacker, Virginia: Harold had 55 plays behind the line of scrimmage over the past two seasons and he was impressive at the combine. The Cardinals need versatile linebackers for all their pressure schemes.
25. Carolina Panthers- La'El Collins, Offensive Tackle, LSU: Cam Newton showed off plenty of toughness this season as he took a beating at times. His offensive line did perform as a unit much better down the stretch but was an abject trainwreck early in the season. A guy like Collins who can play both inside and outside would be useful. He will need to develop his pass protection skills but he is ready to maul in the run game at an NFL level.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Jaelen Strong, Wide Receiver, Arizona State: At 35, Steve Smith is a short-term fix, and Torrey Smith is a pending free agent. The aptly named Strong has the size, power and body control to win contested passes, traits that project well with the strong-armed Joe Flacco delivering passes.
27. Dallas Cowboys- Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Defensive End, UCLA: The Cowboys are hopeful that 2014 second round selection Demarcus Lawrence winds up being a difference-maker at pass rusher, but reinforcements are needed. Odighizuwa lacks name recognition but the 6-3, 267-pound defender is powerful, active and instinctive.
28. Denver Broncos- Maxx Williams, Tight End, Minnesota: Like the Cowboys, the Broncos could be faced with choosing between two offensive skill players. For the Broncos it's wide receiver Demaryus Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas. If they can't afford the latter, Williams could be brought in and become the team's starter.
29. Indianapolis Colts- Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin: Neither Dan Herron or Trent Richardson appear to be the answer at running back for Indianapolis. Gordon is a perfect talent that Andrew Luck would love to have.
30. Green Bay Packers- Jalen Collins, Cornerback, LSU: Green Bay has three corners set to hit free agency this March. Collins has shut down great receivers in the SEC and may just be a project Green Bay may willing to try.
31. Seattle Seahawks- AJ Cann, Guard, South Carolina: The Seahawks' James Carpenter is a free agent and has issues staying healthy. Cann is a left guard with road grader skills.
32. New England Patriots- Marcus Peters, Cornerback, Washington: The Patriots are flying high as Super Bowl champions but maintaining the championship roster will prove difficult, especially with star cornerback Darrelle Revis due a staggering $20 million in base salary and bonuses. Peters, who was kicked off the team at Washington, comes will all kinds of character red-flags but he is also the most physically talented corner in the draft.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
What Derrick Rose's third knee surgery since 2012 means for the Chicago Bulls and the NBA
Late last night, the Chicago Bulls had announced that Derrick Rose tore his meniscus yet again and will likely miss the rest of the season. There are so many verifications regarding this situation and it puts the Bulls at a crossroads. This in all likelihood, takes Chicago out of the conversation for the 2015 NBA Finals, let alone the title. They'll still make the playoffs, but will likely lose in the first or second round, even though they will be a tough out. Rose might not even be the same player than he was when he won MVP in the 2010-11 season when he returns. ESPN's Chris Broussard has heard rumblings about the Bulls organization having conversations whether Rose is still a player you can build around or not and that they might look to trade him in the future. Coach Tom Thibodeau does not get along with the front office and he might realize that Rose won't peak at an elite level anymore. He might want to pull a Jim Harbaugh and get out of Chicago or the Bulls might just fire him if they don't advance far, even without Rose. Thibodeau might just end up bolting Chicago to coach a team with a ton of cap space this summer and might even have a chance to get Kevin Durant next summer. And if Thibodeau does indeed leave Chicago, that team might just have a better future than the Bulls. If you think about it, Jimmy Butler is a restricted free agent this summer and he might think Rose won't return to elite status and just sign a large offer sheet from another team, although Chicago intends to match any restricted offer. Joakim Noah will be a free agent next summer along with Durant. Pau Gasol maybe rejuvenated on this team, but he is on the wrong side of thirty. And now there's Rose, who is injured yet again and his future (as well as the Chicago Bulls franchise) is all but uncertain and bleak at this point.
Monday, February 23, 2015
2015 MLB Spring Training National TV Schedule
Here is the 2015 MLB Spring Training National TV Schedule.
March 19th, 2015- Phillies vs Yankees; 7:00PM, ESPN: Jon Sciambi, Rick Sutcliffe, Doug Glanville
March 24th, 2015- Phillies vs Braves; 1:00PM, ESPN: Karl Ravech, Aaron Boone, Tim Kurkjian
March 26th, 2015- Angels vs Cubs; 7:00PM, ESPN: Dan Shulman, John Kruk, Curt Schilling, Buster Olney
March 27th, 2015- Red Sox vs Braves; 1:00PM, ESPN: Karl Ravech, Aaron Boone, Tim Kurkjian
April 2nd, 2015- Yankees vs Tigers; 1:00PM, ESPN: Dave O’Brien, Aaron Boone, Mark Mulder
March 19th, 2015- Phillies vs Yankees; 7:00PM, ESPN: Jon Sciambi, Rick Sutcliffe, Doug Glanville
March 24th, 2015- Phillies vs Braves; 1:00PM, ESPN: Karl Ravech, Aaron Boone, Tim Kurkjian
March 26th, 2015- Angels vs Cubs; 7:00PM, ESPN: Dan Shulman, John Kruk, Curt Schilling, Buster Olney
March 27th, 2015- Red Sox vs Braves; 1:00PM, ESPN: Karl Ravech, Aaron Boone, Tim Kurkjian
April 2nd, 2015- Yankees vs Tigers; 1:00PM, ESPN: Dave O’Brien, Aaron Boone, Mark Mulder
Thursday, February 12, 2015
2015 NFL Mock Draft: 3rd Edition
Here is my third edition of my NFL mock draft.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Florida State: The only know about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is that they need a franchise quarterback and neither Mike Glennon and the recently cut Josh McCown are the answer. Despite throwing 18 interceptions as a redshirt sophomore, Winston obviously possesses a high level of talent.
2. Tennessee Titans- Leonard Williams, Defensive End/Tackle, USC: A Quarterback is tempting here, but getting after Andrew Luck and the Colts with an elite pass-rusher is a must, especially the fact Indianapolis is on Tennessee's schedule twice a season.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Randy Gregory, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.
4. Oakland Raiders- Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama: Oakland needs at least one, more likely two, very good wide receivers. Cooper could be the type of player who helps quicken Derek Carr's development.
5. Washington Redskins- Shane Ray, Defensive End, Missouri: Washington needs a pass rusher. Ray is explosive and totaled 13 sacks last season.
6. New York Jets- Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon: The Jets need a quarterback that is capable of being a franchise player. Mariota can absolutely become one and the Jets should gamble on him.
7. Chicago Bears- Vic Beasley, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Clemson: Chicago must get younger on the defensive side of the ball and Beason would be a great addition to this team. Alabama safety Landon Collins sure would be tempting, but this draft offers several get-after-the-QB types.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Dante Fowler, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Florida: By drafting Fowler, the Falcons would have a versatile, movable player up front on defense who gives great effort and will get into the backfield. Under Dan Quinn, the Falcons will need to figure out how to get pressure from the front four. They can do that with Fowler, a player who can work inside and outside, and even move to linebacker.
9. New York Giants- Brandon Scherff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa: Scherff is the safe pick here for the Giants. The need some offensive line help and Scheriff would improve that unit.
10. St. Louis Rams- La'el Collins, Offensive Tackle, LSU: The Rams boast one of the league's fastest defenses, but one-dimensional teams won't be successful in the highly competitive NFC West. Massive LT Greg Robinson showed flashes of why the Rams invested the No. 2 overall selection in him in 2014 and the Rams will have veteran Jake Long returning from injury in 2015. The interior, however, was a mess for St. Louis. Collins starred at left tackle for LSU but projects best to guard. His brute strength and tenacity make him one of the draft's elite run blockers.
11. Minnesota Vikings- DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver, Louisville: The Vikings have yet to see much return on their 2013 first-round investment of Cordarrelle Patterson and head coach Mike Zimmer isn't the type to wait around. Parker and Teddy Bridgewater have ties via Louisville and the two can reunite in Minnesota.
12. Cleveland Browns- Kevin White, Wide Receiver, West Virginia: Who knows how much longer Josh Gordon will last in Cleveland, which is why wide receiver could be a possibility in the first round for the Browns. No player boosted his stock more this season than White, a 6-3, 209-pounder who climbs the ladder to make contested catches look easy.
13. New Orleans Saints- Bud Dupree, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Kentucky: The future of Junior Galette in New Orleans is questionable, and the pass rush beyond him is questionable. Dupree has enough power to stick at end and the athleticism to play linebacker if needed.
14. Miami Dolphins- Shaq Thompson, Outside Linebacker, Washington: The Dolphins allowed an average of 121.1 yards per game on the ground in 2014. None of the teams that finished worse than Miami in this category qualified for the playoffs. Thompson starred at safety, linebacker and running back for the Huskies but projects best as a hybrid defender in the NFL. He's instinctive, athletic and a reliable open-field tackler whose game is well-suited to today's wide-open NFL.
15. San Francisco 49ers- Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma: The potential for Green-Beckham is incredible, but that's also an indictment on his development. Green-Beckham has the sort of skills to be not only the best wide receiver in this year's draft, but among the five best players overall. He enters the NFL with a bevy of off-field issues and hasn't played football in more than a year.
16. Houston Texans- P.J. Williams, Cornerback, Florida State: Starting cornerback Kareem Jackson is set to enter free agency. In a mock scenario where free agency isn't projected, this choice is assuming Jackson signs elsewhere. Williams is a good sized, physical and athletic cornerback that Houston would like to have.
17. San Diego Chargers- Andrus Peat, Offensive Tackle, Stanford: San Diego is very likely to lose some key offensive lineman in free agency, so the offensive line should be a top priority. Peat can move right down the coast and become a starter in his first season. He's long, athletic and technically sound and has big potential as a blindside blocker. He has shown all the tools to be an early player in pass protection and the run game.
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Devin Funchess, Wide Receiver/Tight End, Michigan: It's impressive the Chiefs are able to run the ball so effectively considering how little respect defenses have for their wide receivers. Whether Dwayne Bowe stays or not, help is needed.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills)- Bernardrick McKinney, Middle Linebacker, Mississippi State: McKinney is a big linebacker who can run and hit -- exactly what is needed in the tough AFC North.
20. Philadelphia Eagles- Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama: Philadelphia needs to bolster their secondary and Collins would certainly do that. It would be fascinating to see if Chip Kelly trades up to get his former college quarterback Marcus Mariota.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Eddie Goldman, Defensive Tackle, Florida State: The Bengals need help up front. Whether that's a pure pass rusher or a big body in the middle, Cincinnati would benefit. Goldman is the sort of defensive tackle who can handle multiple blocks and get into the backfield when he's playing one gap.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers- Trae Waynes, Cornerback, Michigan State: Troy Polamalu may be cut, so that leaves a hole in the Pittsburgh secondary. Waynes would give Pittsburgh a young boost in their secondary that they can totally use.
23. Detroit Lions- Carl Davis, Defensive Tackle, Iowa: With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley expected to hit free agency, the Lions will be in the market for interior defensive line depth next off-season. Davis is athletic enough to play the 3-technique position right away, and he's shown the power and run-stuffing skill to line up as a 1-technique too.
24. Arizona Cardinals- Eric Kendricks, Inside Linebacker, UCLA: Although a player like Kendricks wouldn't improve the team's pass rush, he would give them an impactful player in every other area. He's arguably the draft's best coverage linebacker, plays with good instincts and displays good range. He could replace Larry Foote and be brought in to start next to Kevin Minter.
25. Carolina Panthers- Ereck Flowers, Offensive Tackle, Miami: Byron Bell had his struggles this season as Carolina's starting left tackle. He could be better on the right side and a true left tackle like Flowers could give the Panthers a nice piece up front. Along with Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell at the guard spots, the Panthers would have a solid young nucleus up front.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Jaelen Strong, Wide Receiver, Arizona State: At 35, Steve Smith is a short-term fix, and Torrey Smith is a pending free agent. The aptly named Strong has the size, power and body control to win contested passes, traits that project well with the strong-armed Joe Flacco delivering passes.
27. Dallas Cowboys- Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin: The Cowboys could have to make a tough decision choosing between running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant. The belief seems to be that Murray will be let go. Considering the legal issues surrounding backup Joseph Randle, the Cowboys could rely on the impressive talent of the running back class in this draft.
28. Denver Broncos- Maxx Williams, Tight End, Minnesota: Like the Cowboys, the Broncos could be faced with choosing between two offensive skill players. For the Broncos it's wide receiver Demaryus Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas. If they can't afford the latter, Williams could be brought in and become the team's starter.
29. Indianapolis Colts- T.J. Clemmings, Offensive Tackle, Pittsburgh: Protecting Andrew Luck is really, really important and the Colts could do better at that job. Many believe he has the talent to play left tackle in the pros despite his struggles at the Senior Bowl.
30. Green Bay Packers- Jalen Collins, Cornerback, LSU: Green Bay has three corners set to hit free agency this March. Collins has shut down great receivers in the SEC and may just be a project Green Bay may willing to try.
31. Seattle Seahawks- Malcolm Brown, Defensive Tackle, Texas: Defensive tackle Kevin Williams played like a 25-year-old version of himself in 2014, filling in for Beandon Mebane and Jordan Hill and keeping the Seattle interior defensive line stabilized. There's no guarantee he'll be back next year, and even if he is, scooping up Brown, a big, run-stuffing defensive tackle, could be the move if he's still on the board. He can play multiple spots along the 4-3 scheme that'll likely be employed in Seattle next season.
32. New England Patriots- A.J. Cann, Guard, South Carolina: There is a chance New England loses Dan Conolly in free agency. Cann is the draft's best pure guard and could be brought in to start at left guard and would be the ideal replacement if Conolly leaves.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Florida State: The only know about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is that they need a franchise quarterback and neither Mike Glennon and the recently cut Josh McCown are the answer. Despite throwing 18 interceptions as a redshirt sophomore, Winston obviously possesses a high level of talent.
2. Tennessee Titans- Leonard Williams, Defensive End/Tackle, USC: A Quarterback is tempting here, but getting after Andrew Luck and the Colts with an elite pass-rusher is a must, especially the fact Indianapolis is on Tennessee's schedule twice a season.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Randy Gregory, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.
4. Oakland Raiders- Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama: Oakland needs at least one, more likely two, very good wide receivers. Cooper could be the type of player who helps quicken Derek Carr's development.
5. Washington Redskins- Shane Ray, Defensive End, Missouri: Washington needs a pass rusher. Ray is explosive and totaled 13 sacks last season.
6. New York Jets- Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon: The Jets need a quarterback that is capable of being a franchise player. Mariota can absolutely become one and the Jets should gamble on him.
7. Chicago Bears- Vic Beasley, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Clemson: Chicago must get younger on the defensive side of the ball and Beason would be a great addition to this team. Alabama safety Landon Collins sure would be tempting, but this draft offers several get-after-the-QB types.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Dante Fowler, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Florida: By drafting Fowler, the Falcons would have a versatile, movable player up front on defense who gives great effort and will get into the backfield. Under Dan Quinn, the Falcons will need to figure out how to get pressure from the front four. They can do that with Fowler, a player who can work inside and outside, and even move to linebacker.
9. New York Giants- Brandon Scherff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa: Scherff is the safe pick here for the Giants. The need some offensive line help and Scheriff would improve that unit.
10. St. Louis Rams- La'el Collins, Offensive Tackle, LSU: The Rams boast one of the league's fastest defenses, but one-dimensional teams won't be successful in the highly competitive NFC West. Massive LT Greg Robinson showed flashes of why the Rams invested the No. 2 overall selection in him in 2014 and the Rams will have veteran Jake Long returning from injury in 2015. The interior, however, was a mess for St. Louis. Collins starred at left tackle for LSU but projects best to guard. His brute strength and tenacity make him one of the draft's elite run blockers.
11. Minnesota Vikings- DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver, Louisville: The Vikings have yet to see much return on their 2013 first-round investment of Cordarrelle Patterson and head coach Mike Zimmer isn't the type to wait around. Parker and Teddy Bridgewater have ties via Louisville and the two can reunite in Minnesota.
12. Cleveland Browns- Kevin White, Wide Receiver, West Virginia: Who knows how much longer Josh Gordon will last in Cleveland, which is why wide receiver could be a possibility in the first round for the Browns. No player boosted his stock more this season than White, a 6-3, 209-pounder who climbs the ladder to make contested catches look easy.
13. New Orleans Saints- Bud Dupree, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Kentucky: The future of Junior Galette in New Orleans is questionable, and the pass rush beyond him is questionable. Dupree has enough power to stick at end and the athleticism to play linebacker if needed.
14. Miami Dolphins- Shaq Thompson, Outside Linebacker, Washington: The Dolphins allowed an average of 121.1 yards per game on the ground in 2014. None of the teams that finished worse than Miami in this category qualified for the playoffs. Thompson starred at safety, linebacker and running back for the Huskies but projects best as a hybrid defender in the NFL. He's instinctive, athletic and a reliable open-field tackler whose game is well-suited to today's wide-open NFL.
15. San Francisco 49ers- Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma: The potential for Green-Beckham is incredible, but that's also an indictment on his development. Green-Beckham has the sort of skills to be not only the best wide receiver in this year's draft, but among the five best players overall. He enters the NFL with a bevy of off-field issues and hasn't played football in more than a year.
16. Houston Texans- P.J. Williams, Cornerback, Florida State: Starting cornerback Kareem Jackson is set to enter free agency. In a mock scenario where free agency isn't projected, this choice is assuming Jackson signs elsewhere. Williams is a good sized, physical and athletic cornerback that Houston would like to have.
17. San Diego Chargers- Andrus Peat, Offensive Tackle, Stanford: San Diego is very likely to lose some key offensive lineman in free agency, so the offensive line should be a top priority. Peat can move right down the coast and become a starter in his first season. He's long, athletic and technically sound and has big potential as a blindside blocker. He has shown all the tools to be an early player in pass protection and the run game.
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Devin Funchess, Wide Receiver/Tight End, Michigan: It's impressive the Chiefs are able to run the ball so effectively considering how little respect defenses have for their wide receivers. Whether Dwayne Bowe stays or not, help is needed.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills)- Bernardrick McKinney, Middle Linebacker, Mississippi State: McKinney is a big linebacker who can run and hit -- exactly what is needed in the tough AFC North.
20. Philadelphia Eagles- Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama: Philadelphia needs to bolster their secondary and Collins would certainly do that. It would be fascinating to see if Chip Kelly trades up to get his former college quarterback Marcus Mariota.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Eddie Goldman, Defensive Tackle, Florida State: The Bengals need help up front. Whether that's a pure pass rusher or a big body in the middle, Cincinnati would benefit. Goldman is the sort of defensive tackle who can handle multiple blocks and get into the backfield when he's playing one gap.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers- Trae Waynes, Cornerback, Michigan State: Troy Polamalu may be cut, so that leaves a hole in the Pittsburgh secondary. Waynes would give Pittsburgh a young boost in their secondary that they can totally use.
23. Detroit Lions- Carl Davis, Defensive Tackle, Iowa: With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley expected to hit free agency, the Lions will be in the market for interior defensive line depth next off-season. Davis is athletic enough to play the 3-technique position right away, and he's shown the power and run-stuffing skill to line up as a 1-technique too.
24. Arizona Cardinals- Eric Kendricks, Inside Linebacker, UCLA: Although a player like Kendricks wouldn't improve the team's pass rush, he would give them an impactful player in every other area. He's arguably the draft's best coverage linebacker, plays with good instincts and displays good range. He could replace Larry Foote and be brought in to start next to Kevin Minter.
25. Carolina Panthers- Ereck Flowers, Offensive Tackle, Miami: Byron Bell had his struggles this season as Carolina's starting left tackle. He could be better on the right side and a true left tackle like Flowers could give the Panthers a nice piece up front. Along with Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell at the guard spots, the Panthers would have a solid young nucleus up front.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Jaelen Strong, Wide Receiver, Arizona State: At 35, Steve Smith is a short-term fix, and Torrey Smith is a pending free agent. The aptly named Strong has the size, power and body control to win contested passes, traits that project well with the strong-armed Joe Flacco delivering passes.
27. Dallas Cowboys- Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin: The Cowboys could have to make a tough decision choosing between running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant. The belief seems to be that Murray will be let go. Considering the legal issues surrounding backup Joseph Randle, the Cowboys could rely on the impressive talent of the running back class in this draft.
28. Denver Broncos- Maxx Williams, Tight End, Minnesota: Like the Cowboys, the Broncos could be faced with choosing between two offensive skill players. For the Broncos it's wide receiver Demaryus Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas. If they can't afford the latter, Williams could be brought in and become the team's starter.
29. Indianapolis Colts- T.J. Clemmings, Offensive Tackle, Pittsburgh: Protecting Andrew Luck is really, really important and the Colts could do better at that job. Many believe he has the talent to play left tackle in the pros despite his struggles at the Senior Bowl.
30. Green Bay Packers- Jalen Collins, Cornerback, LSU: Green Bay has three corners set to hit free agency this March. Collins has shut down great receivers in the SEC and may just be a project Green Bay may willing to try.
31. Seattle Seahawks- Malcolm Brown, Defensive Tackle, Texas: Defensive tackle Kevin Williams played like a 25-year-old version of himself in 2014, filling in for Beandon Mebane and Jordan Hill and keeping the Seattle interior defensive line stabilized. There's no guarantee he'll be back next year, and even if he is, scooping up Brown, a big, run-stuffing defensive tackle, could be the move if he's still on the board. He can play multiple spots along the 4-3 scheme that'll likely be employed in Seattle next season.
32. New England Patriots- A.J. Cann, Guard, South Carolina: There is a chance New England loses Dan Conolly in free agency. Cann is the draft's best pure guard and could be brought in to start at left guard and would be the ideal replacement if Conolly leaves.
Monday, February 2, 2015
2015 NFL Mock Draft: 2nd Edition
Here is my second NFL mock draft of the year.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Marcus Mariotta, Quarterback, Oregon: Neither Mike Glennon and Josh McCown are not the long term answer. A player with Mariota's potential has the ability to become a franchise quarterback.
2. Tennessee Titans- Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Florida State: Should Mariota go first overall, Winston should be the pick for the Titans. From purely an on-field standpoint, he’s superior in every way to Zach Mettenberger except maybe pure arm strength. Winston is a better for Tennessee's offense than Mariota and has the skill to complete passes all over the field.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Randy Gregory, Defensive End, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.
4. Oakland Raiders- Leonard Williams, Defensive End/Tackle, USC: Although the Raiders need a good lead wide receiver, Williams is the top player in the draft. He would give Oakland a player up front who can play the run and the pass extremely well.
5. Washington Redskins- Brandon Scherff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa: Jay Gruden's success as the play-caller in Cincinnati came with one of the league's biggest offensive lines. He inherited one of the smallest in Washington and there is no question that upgrading the talent there will be an offseason priority. Not everyone sees Scherff (or any offensive lineman this year) as a top-10 talent, but he plays with the grit and physicality Washington is lacking and would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle.
6. New York Jets- Amare Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama: The Jets in all likelyhood will release wideout Percy Harvin because of the cap situation. With the quarterbacks off the board, the Jets should grab a player with high upside like Cooper.
7. Chicago Bears- Dante Fowler, Defensive End, Florida: Fowler is an athletic defensive end that has shown great versatility. He is pretty darn athletic and I think the Bears would love him here. Fowler looks like a nice fit in a John Fox defense.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Shane Ray, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Missouri: The Falcons have the firepower on offense to compete, but lack difference-makers on the defensive front. Adding a dynamic edge rusher like Ray to complement the greater size Atlanta added to its defense last offseason could pay immediate dividends.
9. New York Giants- Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama: The Giants can go offensive or defensive line here, but how can they not pass up on this talented safety? Collins would bolster their secondary that underachieved a year ago.
10. St. Louis Rams- La'el Collins, Offensive Line, LSU: The Rams boast one of the league's fastest defenses, but one-dimensional teams won't be successful in the highly competitive NFC West. Massive LT Greg Robinson showed flashes of why the Rams invested the No. 2 overall selection in him in 2014 and the Rams will have veteran Jake Long returning from injury in 2015. The interior, however, was a mess for St. Louis. Collins starred at left tackle for LSU but projects best to guard. His brute strength and tenacity make him one of the draft's elite run blockers.
11. Minnesota Vikings- Kevin White, Wide Receiver, West Virginia: The Vikings have yet to see much return on their 2013 first-round investment of Cordarrelle Patterson and head coach Mike Zimmer isn't the type to wait around. No player boosted his stock more this season than White, a 6-3, 209-pounder who climbs the ladder to make contested catches look easy.
12. Cleveland Browns- DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver, Louisville: Who knows how much longer Josh Gordon will last in Cleveland, which is why wide receiver could be a possibility in the first round for the Browns. Parker is too-often forgotten in this wide receiver class. He's 6'3", 210 pounds and has shown excellent hands in traffic, ability to control his body in the air and on the ground, and the speed to run past defenders at the college level.
13. New Orleans Saints- Bud Dupree, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Kentucky: The future of Junior Galette in New Orleans is questionable, and the pass rush beyond him is questionable. Dupree has enough power to stick at end and the athleticism to play linebacker if needed.
14. Miami Dolphins- Shaq Thompson, Outside Linebacker, Washington: The Dolphins allowed an average of 121.1 yards per game on the ground in 2014. None of the teams that finished worse than Miami in this category qualified for the playoffs. Thompson starred at safety, linebacker and running back for the Huskies but projects best as a hybrid defender in the NFL. He's instinctive, athletic and a reliable open-field tackler whose game is well-suited to today's wide-open NFL.
15. San Francisco 49ers- Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma: The potential for Green-Beckham is incredible, but that's also an indictment on his development. Green-Beckham has the sort of skills to be not only the best wide receiver in this year's draft, but among the five best players overall. He enters the NFL with a bevy of off-field issues and hasn't played football in more than a year.
16. Houston Texans- Trae Waynes, Cornerback, Michigan State: Starting cornerback Kareem Jackson is set to enter free agency. In a mock scenario where free agency isn't projected, this choice is assuming Jackson signs elsewhere. Waynes is a press man specialist coming out of a school that is gaining quite the reputation for developing NFL talent.
17. San Diego Chargers- Andrus Peat, Offensive Tackle, Stanford: San Diego is very likely to lose some key offensive lineman in free agency, so the offensive line should be a top priority. Peat can move right down the coast and become a starter in his first season. He's long, athletic and technically sound and has big potential as a blindside blocker. He has shown all the tools to be an early player in pass protection and the run game.
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Devin Funchess, Wide Receiver/Tight End, Michigan: It's impressive the Chiefs are able to run the ball so effectively considering how little respect defenses have for their wide receivers. Whether Dwayne Bowe stays or not, help is needed.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills)- Eddie Goldman, Defensive Tackle, Florida State: If the Browns take a wide receiver with the No. 12 pick, they could have their pick of some very good defensive tackles at 19. Malcom Brown of Texas has been connected to Cleveland often, but Goldman is an equally good player. He can do a lot of the same things Phil Taylor does for the Browns, when healthy.
20. Philadelphia Eagles- Marcus Peters, Cornerback, Washington: Would Chip Kelly really draft a player who was dismissed from school due to coachability issues? I think he would, if he believes the player won't be a problem moving forward. Who knows if Peters will be able to keep his head on straight, but his talent is top-10 worthy, potentially giving the Eagles a steal with him this late.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Malcolm Brown, Defensive Tackle, Texas: There has been speculation the Bengals could save some money by releasing starter Domata Peko. If that happens, Brown would be an excellent addition. He's not simply a space-filling defensive tackle, though. He showed at Texas he can move around well and pressure the quarterback.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers- PJ Williams, Cornerback, Florida State: Pittsburgh needs to address the secondary and here they get a good sized, physical and athletic cornerback in P.J. Williams from Florida State. He looks like a good fit in the Steeler secondary.
23. Detroit Lions- Carl Davis, Defensive Tackle, Iowa: With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley expected to hit free agency, the Lions will be in the market for interior defensive line depth next off-season. Davis is athletic enough to play the 3-technique position right away, and he's shown the power and run-stuffing skill to line up as a 1-technique too.
24. Arizona Cardinals- Vic Beasley, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Clemson: A stout front and aggressive blitzing from defensive coordinator Todd Bowles helped Arizona mask deficiencies among its edge rushers. At just 6-2, 235 pounds, Beasley doesn't possess the length and strength teams prefer on the perimeter but his explosiveness off the corner could make him an immediate impact performer.
25. Carolina Panthers- Ereck Flowers, Offensive Tackle, Miami: Byron Bell had his struggles this season as Carolina's starting left tackle. He could be better on the right side and a true left tackle like Flowers could give the Panthers a nice piece up front. Along with Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell at the guard spots, the Panthers would have a solid young nucleus up front.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Jaelen Strong, Wide Receiver, Arizona State: At 35, Steve Smith is a short-term fix, and Torrey Smith is a pending free agent. The aptly named Strong has the size, power and body control to win contested passes, traits that project well with the strong-armed Joe Flacco delivering passes.
27. Dallas Cowboys- Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Defensive End, UCLA: Rookie Demarcus Lawrence provided flashes of the pass-rush ability that earned his high second-round selection a year ago but Dallas needs more. At 6-3, 266 pounds, Odighizuwa is stout enough to handle run containment duties while also providing the burst and bend off the edge to improve the pass rush.
28. Denver Broncos- Jordan Phillips, Defensive End, Oklahoma: Here's another example of a high-priced free agent possibly leaving a team. In this case it's defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. Phillips is one of the more physically imposing players in this year's draft. He's the type of defensive tackle who can plug up the middle by occupying multiple blockers.
29. Indianapolis Colts- Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin: Neither Dan Herron or Trent Richardson appear to be the answer at running back for Indianapolis. Gordon is a perfect talent that Andrew Luck would love to have.
30. Green Bay Packers- Bernardrick McKinney, Middle Linebacker, Mississippi State: Playing Clay Matthews at middle linebacker was a fun experiment, but he still has better value getting after the passer from the outside. McKinney is a gifted athlete who would really benefit from being in the Green Bay system under coordinator Dom Capers. McKinney can make plays sideline-to-sideline, which would free Matthews up to wreak havoc in the backfield.
31. Seattle Seahawks- Todd Gurley, Running Back, Georgia: Marshawn Lynch is rumored to be heading out of Seattle, whether he will be released or he will just retire. Gurley would be the ideal replacement if Lynch leaves.
32. New England Patriots- A.J. Cann, Guard, South Carolina: There is a chance New England loses Dan Conolly in free agency. Cann is the draft's best pure guard and could be brought in to start at left guard and would be the ideal replacement if Conolly leaves.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Marcus Mariotta, Quarterback, Oregon: Neither Mike Glennon and Josh McCown are not the long term answer. A player with Mariota's potential has the ability to become a franchise quarterback.
2. Tennessee Titans- Jameis Winston, Quarterback, Florida State: Should Mariota go first overall, Winston should be the pick for the Titans. From purely an on-field standpoint, he’s superior in every way to Zach Mettenberger except maybe pure arm strength. Winston is a better for Tennessee's offense than Mariota and has the skill to complete passes all over the field.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Randy Gregory, Defensive End, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.
4. Oakland Raiders- Leonard Williams, Defensive End/Tackle, USC: Although the Raiders need a good lead wide receiver, Williams is the top player in the draft. He would give Oakland a player up front who can play the run and the pass extremely well.
5. Washington Redskins- Brandon Scherff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa: Jay Gruden's success as the play-caller in Cincinnati came with one of the league's biggest offensive lines. He inherited one of the smallest in Washington and there is no question that upgrading the talent there will be an offseason priority. Not everyone sees Scherff (or any offensive lineman this year) as a top-10 talent, but he plays with the grit and physicality Washington is lacking and would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle.
6. New York Jets- Amare Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama: The Jets in all likelyhood will release wideout Percy Harvin because of the cap situation. With the quarterbacks off the board, the Jets should grab a player with high upside like Cooper.
7. Chicago Bears- Dante Fowler, Defensive End, Florida: Fowler is an athletic defensive end that has shown great versatility. He is pretty darn athletic and I think the Bears would love him here. Fowler looks like a nice fit in a John Fox defense.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Shane Ray, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Missouri: The Falcons have the firepower on offense to compete, but lack difference-makers on the defensive front. Adding a dynamic edge rusher like Ray to complement the greater size Atlanta added to its defense last offseason could pay immediate dividends.
9. New York Giants- Landon Collins, Safety, Alabama: The Giants can go offensive or defensive line here, but how can they not pass up on this talented safety? Collins would bolster their secondary that underachieved a year ago.
10. St. Louis Rams- La'el Collins, Offensive Line, LSU: The Rams boast one of the league's fastest defenses, but one-dimensional teams won't be successful in the highly competitive NFC West. Massive LT Greg Robinson showed flashes of why the Rams invested the No. 2 overall selection in him in 2014 and the Rams will have veteran Jake Long returning from injury in 2015. The interior, however, was a mess for St. Louis. Collins starred at left tackle for LSU but projects best to guard. His brute strength and tenacity make him one of the draft's elite run blockers.
11. Minnesota Vikings- Kevin White, Wide Receiver, West Virginia: The Vikings have yet to see much return on their 2013 first-round investment of Cordarrelle Patterson and head coach Mike Zimmer isn't the type to wait around. No player boosted his stock more this season than White, a 6-3, 209-pounder who climbs the ladder to make contested catches look easy.
12. Cleveland Browns- DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver, Louisville: Who knows how much longer Josh Gordon will last in Cleveland, which is why wide receiver could be a possibility in the first round for the Browns. Parker is too-often forgotten in this wide receiver class. He's 6'3", 210 pounds and has shown excellent hands in traffic, ability to control his body in the air and on the ground, and the speed to run past defenders at the college level.
13. New Orleans Saints- Bud Dupree, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Kentucky: The future of Junior Galette in New Orleans is questionable, and the pass rush beyond him is questionable. Dupree has enough power to stick at end and the athleticism to play linebacker if needed.
14. Miami Dolphins- Shaq Thompson, Outside Linebacker, Washington: The Dolphins allowed an average of 121.1 yards per game on the ground in 2014. None of the teams that finished worse than Miami in this category qualified for the playoffs. Thompson starred at safety, linebacker and running back for the Huskies but projects best as a hybrid defender in the NFL. He's instinctive, athletic and a reliable open-field tackler whose game is well-suited to today's wide-open NFL.
15. San Francisco 49ers- Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma: The potential for Green-Beckham is incredible, but that's also an indictment on his development. Green-Beckham has the sort of skills to be not only the best wide receiver in this year's draft, but among the five best players overall. He enters the NFL with a bevy of off-field issues and hasn't played football in more than a year.
16. Houston Texans- Trae Waynes, Cornerback, Michigan State: Starting cornerback Kareem Jackson is set to enter free agency. In a mock scenario where free agency isn't projected, this choice is assuming Jackson signs elsewhere. Waynes is a press man specialist coming out of a school that is gaining quite the reputation for developing NFL talent.
17. San Diego Chargers- Andrus Peat, Offensive Tackle, Stanford: San Diego is very likely to lose some key offensive lineman in free agency, so the offensive line should be a top priority. Peat can move right down the coast and become a starter in his first season. He's long, athletic and technically sound and has big potential as a blindside blocker. He has shown all the tools to be an early player in pass protection and the run game.
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Devin Funchess, Wide Receiver/Tight End, Michigan: It's impressive the Chiefs are able to run the ball so effectively considering how little respect defenses have for their wide receivers. Whether Dwayne Bowe stays or not, help is needed.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills)- Eddie Goldman, Defensive Tackle, Florida State: If the Browns take a wide receiver with the No. 12 pick, they could have their pick of some very good defensive tackles at 19. Malcom Brown of Texas has been connected to Cleveland often, but Goldman is an equally good player. He can do a lot of the same things Phil Taylor does for the Browns, when healthy.
20. Philadelphia Eagles- Marcus Peters, Cornerback, Washington: Would Chip Kelly really draft a player who was dismissed from school due to coachability issues? I think he would, if he believes the player won't be a problem moving forward. Who knows if Peters will be able to keep his head on straight, but his talent is top-10 worthy, potentially giving the Eagles a steal with him this late.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Malcolm Brown, Defensive Tackle, Texas: There has been speculation the Bengals could save some money by releasing starter Domata Peko. If that happens, Brown would be an excellent addition. He's not simply a space-filling defensive tackle, though. He showed at Texas he can move around well and pressure the quarterback.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers- PJ Williams, Cornerback, Florida State: Pittsburgh needs to address the secondary and here they get a good sized, physical and athletic cornerback in P.J. Williams from Florida State. He looks like a good fit in the Steeler secondary.
23. Detroit Lions- Carl Davis, Defensive Tackle, Iowa: With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley expected to hit free agency, the Lions will be in the market for interior defensive line depth next off-season. Davis is athletic enough to play the 3-technique position right away, and he's shown the power and run-stuffing skill to line up as a 1-technique too.
24. Arizona Cardinals- Vic Beasley, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Clemson: A stout front and aggressive blitzing from defensive coordinator Todd Bowles helped Arizona mask deficiencies among its edge rushers. At just 6-2, 235 pounds, Beasley doesn't possess the length and strength teams prefer on the perimeter but his explosiveness off the corner could make him an immediate impact performer.
25. Carolina Panthers- Ereck Flowers, Offensive Tackle, Miami: Byron Bell had his struggles this season as Carolina's starting left tackle. He could be better on the right side and a true left tackle like Flowers could give the Panthers a nice piece up front. Along with Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell at the guard spots, the Panthers would have a solid young nucleus up front.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Jaelen Strong, Wide Receiver, Arizona State: At 35, Steve Smith is a short-term fix, and Torrey Smith is a pending free agent. The aptly named Strong has the size, power and body control to win contested passes, traits that project well with the strong-armed Joe Flacco delivering passes.
27. Dallas Cowboys- Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Defensive End, UCLA: Rookie Demarcus Lawrence provided flashes of the pass-rush ability that earned his high second-round selection a year ago but Dallas needs more. At 6-3, 266 pounds, Odighizuwa is stout enough to handle run containment duties while also providing the burst and bend off the edge to improve the pass rush.
28. Denver Broncos- Jordan Phillips, Defensive End, Oklahoma: Here's another example of a high-priced free agent possibly leaving a team. In this case it's defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. Phillips is one of the more physically imposing players in this year's draft. He's the type of defensive tackle who can plug up the middle by occupying multiple blockers.
29. Indianapolis Colts- Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin: Neither Dan Herron or Trent Richardson appear to be the answer at running back for Indianapolis. Gordon is a perfect talent that Andrew Luck would love to have.
30. Green Bay Packers- Bernardrick McKinney, Middle Linebacker, Mississippi State: Playing Clay Matthews at middle linebacker was a fun experiment, but he still has better value getting after the passer from the outside. McKinney is a gifted athlete who would really benefit from being in the Green Bay system under coordinator Dom Capers. McKinney can make plays sideline-to-sideline, which would free Matthews up to wreak havoc in the backfield.
31. Seattle Seahawks- Todd Gurley, Running Back, Georgia: Marshawn Lynch is rumored to be heading out of Seattle, whether he will be released or he will just retire. Gurley would be the ideal replacement if Lynch leaves.
32. New England Patriots- A.J. Cann, Guard, South Carolina: There is a chance New England loses Dan Conolly in free agency. Cann is the draft's best pure guard and could be brought in to start at left guard and would be the ideal replacement if Conolly leaves.
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