Here is my first NFL Mock draft of the year.
1. Tennessee Titans- Laremy Tunsil, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss: Priority No. 1 for the Titans should be to protect Marcus Mariota, something they have struggled to do consistently in 2015. Tunsil is arguably the most talented player in this year's draft class and able to contribute from Day 1, pushing Taylor Lewan over to right tackle.
2. Cleveland Browns- Jared Goff, Quarterback, California: Johnny Manziel's time in Cleveland is basically done, and he never really gave good enough reason to keep him around. Once again the Browns are starting anew. What better way to do it than with a quarterback? Of the many glaring needs on the Browns, quarterback is the most obvious and important. Goff is ready for the NFL from a mental standpoint and has solid athleticism.
3. San Diego Chargers- Joey Bosa, Defensive End, Ohio State: San Diego ranked near the bottom of the league in pass rush production in 2015 and needs to address the position in the draft. Although some will say he belongs in a four-man front, Bosa is scheme versatile with the skill-set and instincts to be a disruptive force from different spots on the defensive line.
4. Dallas Cowboys- Jalen Ramsey, Cornerback/Safety, Florida State: Dallas has a ton of needs in this upcoming draft after a dismal 4-12 season in which Tony Romo was out for most of it. Their offense should be fine with Romo back and they can draft a running back and a potential Romo replacement in one of the later rounds. I do feel that they need to straighten their secondary and Ramsey would be a nice get here since he can play both safety and cornerback.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars- Vernon Hargreaves III, Cornerback, Florida: The Jaguars have some solid talent at cornerback, but no true No. 1 cover man. That's what Florida's Vernon Hargreaves can be. Some may overthink Hargreaves' height—he's roughly 5'10"—but you can't overlook his play. He's erased almost every wide receiver he's faced in college and has the instincts, ball skills, leaping ability and toughness to be a starter in man or zone coverage from Day 1.
6. Baltimore Ravens- Ronnie Stanley, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame: Baltimore inked Eugene Monroe to a lucrative extension, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy, making it tough for the Ravens to rely on him to start 16 games in 2016. Stanley not only adds instant depth, but gives Baltimore a long-term plan at a position of need.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Paxton Lynch, Quarterback, Memphis: The 49ers are in full rebuilding mode with needs all over the roster, including quarterback. With Blaine Gabbert under contract through the 2016 season, Lynch won't be asked to start right away, but can sit and develop at his own pace, giving San Francisco a long-term option at the position.
8. Miami Dolphins- DeForest Buckner, Defensive End, Oregon: The Dolphins need to continue and invest in the defensive line and Buckner gives Miami another option on the edges.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Mackensie Alexander, Cornerback, Clemson: It's worth monitoring Alexander's draft decision. He's only a redshirt sophomore but could make a name for himself on a national stage in next week's College Football Playoff Championship. Alexander's instincts are impressive, and only overtaken by his athleticism.
10. New York Giants- Shaq Lawson, Defensive End, Clemson: The Giants have an obvious hole at defensive end, which showed in the stat sheet, ranking 30th in the NFL in sacks this season. Lawson is an efficient pass rusher with the power, quickness and ball awareness that allows him to be successful.
11. Chicago Bears- Myles Jack, Linebacker, UCLA: The Bears are far removed from the days of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs dominating the NFC and are missing impact defensive players on the current roster. Jack is an impressive athlete with outstanding instincts, showing the cover skills that will make him an instant contributor.
12. New Orleans Saints- Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss: There's going to be some questions Nkemdiche will have to answer about his off-field actions, but at 12 he's too talented to pass up. Nkemdiche has the size and athleticism to play inside or out and that versatility is what the Saints need.
13. Philadelphia Eagles- Jonathan Allen, Defensive End, Alabama: Whoever is hired as head coach in Philadelphia, the pass rush on defense will need to be addressed. Allen developed into a terror for opposing offenses this season and has the scheme versatility to play in even and odd fronts.
14. Oakland Raiders- Jaylon Smith, Linebacker, Notre Dame: Smith would be an excellent addition to a promising Oakland defense, and given his ability to play weak-side, strong-side or middle linebacker, he's a fit no matter which personnel grouping the Raiders roll out.
15. St. Louis Rams- Laquon Treadwell, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss: The Rams got good production from Tavon Austin in 2015, but the need for a true No. 1 wide receiver still exists. And Treadwell is like a leaner Alshon Jeffery with his physical style of play and ability to outmuscle defensive backs for contested passes.
16. Detroit Lions- Jack Conklin, Offensive Tackle, Michigan State: Protecting Matthew Stafford was a problem for the Detroit Lions all season, and some of that is due to left tackle Riley Reiff continuing to play out of position. Drafting a left tackle in Round 1 allows the team to move Reiff to his more natural right tackle position, fixing two holes with one draft pick.
17. Atlanta Falcons- Darron Lee, Linebacker, Ohio State: Lee's best fit is likely as a sub-package linebacker who can rush the quarterback, cover tight ends and attack in space. He's fast, energetic and a playmaker on defense. In Atlanta, he could fill that K.J. Wright-type role that Quinn used in Seattle. And given the lack of speed in the back seven on defense in Atlanta, Lee could see a very active role early on.
18. Indianapolis Colts- Ezequiel Elliott, Running Back, Ohio State: Indianapolis needs to improve the offensive and defensive lines, but the Colts have surprised in the first round the last few years and could again this year. Elliott isn't quite on the Todd Gurley level, but he's a complete back and will greatly help Andrew Luck and the passing game.
19. Buffalo Bills- A'Shawn Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Alabama: The vaunted Buffalo defense looked mediocre at times this season with many claiming that Rex Ryan's “scheme” was the issue. Robinson is a player who transcends scheme and would give Ryan a player who can play anywhere on the defensive line.
20. New York Jets- Leonard Floyd, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Georgia: The Jets have plenty of beef up front on defense, but need to add some sizzle on the edges to better put pressure on the pocket. Floyd is a lanky bender with pass rush upside.
21. Houston Texans- Carson Wentz, Quarterback, North Dakota State: The Texans haven't selected a passer in the first round since their inaugural draft in 2002, but that should change this year. Bill O'Brien has been searching for the right guy to groom at quarterback and whether or not Wentz is that player, Houston needs to take a chance on a young signal-caller.
22. Washington Redskins- Kenny Clark, Defensive Tackle, UCLA: Washington's run to the playoffs has been done with a defense that ranks near the bottom of the league against the run. Clark, who can play over the nose, is a powerhouse against the run.
23. Seattle Seahawks- Jason Spriggs, Offensive Tackle, Indiana: Russell Okung is a free agent after the season, and if he happens to leave Spriggs would be a solid replacement. He's an athletic left tackle who will undoubtedly rise during the offseason process.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers- Tre'Davious White, Cornerback, LSU: Pittsburgh still needs to find talent in the secondary, and White is easily the best cornerback available. He offers good length and playmaking at the position.
25. Green Bay Packers- Jarran Reed, Defensive Tackle, Alabama: Even with Mike Daniels locked up long-term, Reed is worthy of this pick with his versatility that fits Green Bay's odd front.
26. Minnesota Vikings- Corey Coleman, Wide Receiver, Baylor: A lot of fingers can be pointed as to why the Vikings rank near the bottom of the league in passing yards, but the lack of perimeter weapons is a substantial reason. Coleman would add an explosive element to the offense and add one more playmaker for the defense to account for.
27. Kansas City Chiefs- Sheldon Rankins, Defensive Tackle, Louisville: The Chiefs are clicking on defense, especially up front, but like every team, Kansas City could use more depth. Rankins is a stout run defender with better than expected pass rush traits for a 300-pounder.
28. Cincinnati Bengals- Su'a Cravens, Outside Linebacker/Safety, USC: The Cincinnati Bengals defense was one of their greatest strengths in the 2015 regular season and one of the primary reasons why they won the AFC North. However, even with their strengths there is still room for improvement, particularly in the back of the secondary at the safety position. Cravens has the tools to change positions from linebacker to safety and he could very well do that.
29. Arizona Cardinals- Emmanuel Ogbah, Defensive End, Oklahoma State: The Cardinals will need help along the defensive line sooner than later, and a talent like Ogbah is too good to pass up with this choice. He's a high-effort lineman whose attitude will fit perfectly in Arizona.
30. Denver Broncos- Jerald Hawkins, Offensive Tackle, LSU: It's clear the Broncos need offensive tackle help, and it'll be tricky finding one this late in the first round. Hawkins gets the nod over players like teammate Vadal Alexander or Le'Raven Clark of Texas Tech because of his athleticism and potential.
31. Carolina Panthers- Shon Coleman, Offensive Tackle, Auburn: Michael Oher has done far better than anyone expected at left tackle for the Carolina Panthers, but realistically, he's not the long-term answer. General manager Dave Gettleman has to know this, and while he deserves credit for believing in Oher when few did, he also can't hold on to him longer than needed.
No comments:
Post a Comment