With the NFL draft upon us tomorrow, the itch struck me to do my own mock draft. Unlike the experts at ESPN, and NFL.com I will be predicting trades. I'm basing all of my picks on my study of other mock drafts but no in-depth analysis. My live blog of the draft will happen Friday when it is live to me because Avengers: Age of Ultron. So stay tuned for that!
Let's get started:
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -QB Jameis Winston:
- This is what everyone is predicting and I don't think any different the Bucs need a lot of things and a QB is at the top of that list.
2. Tennessee Titans - TRADE ALERT! - San Diego Chargers - QB Marcus Mariota
- The Chargers send Philip Rivers, the #17 pick, and a conditional 2nd rounder in 2016 (can become a 1st). Rivers does not want to play in L.A. and the Chargers are moving there. Rivers gets to be close to his hometown and plays for a coach he knows and likes in Whisenhunt. This makes so much sense it probably won't happen.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Amari Cooper
- The Jags make a surprise move and pick Cooper instead of a pass rusher. This gives Blake Bortles another WR to throw to and the Jags suddenly have a young trio of WR (Marquise Lee and Allen Robinson from last year) to help Bortles grow. Now if he can only stay upright because the Jags o-line is a hot mess!
4. Oakland Raiders - WR Kevin White
- The Raiders would have had a tough choice between Cooper and White, but the Jags make that choice a little easier.
5. Washington Football Team - OT Brandon Scherff
- They need O-line help and help with pass rusher. With all the issues of the top pass rushers the WFT selects the highest rated o-lineman here. Scherff can play Guard or Tackle so he'll be able to help out at either spot.
6. New York Jets - OT Andrus Peat
- The Jets like the WFT before them need pass rush and o-line help. Here they take the next best o-lineman. Even with Leonard Williams and other top defensive products available the Jets need to rebuild the o-line and Todd Bowles knows how to generate a pass rush without elite talent.
7. Chicago Bears - NT Danny Shelton
- 'Da Bears are ecstatic to have their choice of defensive prospect. They have all the needs on D, and the smart thing to do is to build inside out and with them switching to a 3-4 defense NT plays the most important part of the 3-4's defensive line.
8. Atlanta Falcons - LB Dante Fowler
- The Falcons are excited that Fowler, who has been projected by just about everyone to go to the Jags, is on the board. He fits as a perfect Leo in their 4-3 scheme.
9. New York Giants - TRADE ALERT! - San Francisco 49ers - CB Trae Waynes
- The 49ers usually do not trade up. They tried to trade up for Odell Beckham last year, but with the top two offensive lineman gone and value with d-line down the board the Giants make this trade. The 49ers give up a 3rd rounder this year and 5th next year to move up 6 spots and pick the draft's best CB.
10. St. Louis Rams - TRADE ALERT! - New Orleans Saints - DL Leonard Williams
- The consensus top player in the draft falls all the way to number 10 and the Saints can't help but trade up for Williams. The Saints Cam Jordan is due for a big payday and there have been rumors about them trading him. Here the Saints swap the 13th for the 10th and kick in a 4th rounder.
11. Minnesota Vikings - RB Todd Gurley
- This spells the beginning of the end for Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. The Vikings need of o-line and CB help don't line up so expect them to trade Peterson for a pick or picks later on.
12. Cleveland Browns - DL Arik Armstead
- Cleveland would have liked to get NT Danny Shelton, but instead fill another need along their D-line. Armstead as Phil Taylor is coming off injury and is in a contract year.
13. St. Louis Rams - WR Davante Parker
- The Rams attempt this WR thing again after failing spectacularly over the last few years trying to find a #1 WR. Jeff Fisher better hope that this pick works out.
14. Miami Dolphins - OT T.J. Clemmings
- The Dolphins still need offensive line help and picking Clemmings gives them a good tackle prospect to work with.
15. New York Giants - DE Shane Ray
- Even with the pot issues Ray is too good of a talent to fall this far. The Giants pick up much needed help for JPP and a possible eventual replacement.
16. Houston Texans - WR Phillip Dorsett
- Dorsett looked very smooth during the combine and the Texans need help to replace Andre Johnson so why not go for the first Miami WR to be drafted in the first round since Johnson.
17. Tennessee Titans - LB Vic Beasley
- The Titans already have Phillip Rivers now it's time to address the edge pass rush. Beasley is one of the best and will develop quickly under Ray Horton.
18. Kansas City Chiefs - WR Jalen Strong
- Strong is an excellent route runner and perfect for the Chiefs intermediate passing game.
19. Cleveland Browns - WR Nelson Agholor
- The Browns need options at WR since Josh Gordon doesn't stop getting suspended. Agholor provides smooth route running with a decent deep threat and should help the Browns offense right away.
20. Philadelphia Eagles - S Landon Collins
- The Eagles shored up their CBs in free agency and are a good strong safety away from a good secondary and Collins fits the bill.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - CB Marcus Peters
- Cincinnati is getting long in the tooth in the secondary and Marvin Lewis has a history of helping troubled young players mature. Lewis will do that for Peters.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - OLB Bud Dupree
- Dupree played everywhere for Kentucky and while Pittsburgh has pressing needs in the secondary upgrading their pass rush will help out with any additions to their secondary.
23. Detroit Lions - DT Malcolm Brown
- With losing their top two d-lineman in free agency the Lions helped by trading for Haloti Ngata, but he may be gone in a year as well. Brown has been a pretty chalk pick across mock drafts for the Lions.
24. Arizona Cardinals - TRADE ALERT! - Minnesota Vikings -OT Ereck Flowers
- This is where the Adrian Peterson gets traded as the Cardinals send the 24th pick straight up for him. The Vikings pick up a young OT who can play RT, G and eventually LT if Matt Kalil doesn't pan out.
25. Carolina Panthers - OT D.J. Humphries
- Carolina needs to protect Cam Newton with someone who projects to be a franchise LT. Humphries is that guy. This has been a pretty chalk pick also.
26. Baltimore Ravens - CB Kevin Johnson
- The Ravens were devastated by injuries last year at the CB position and would be foolish not to try to upgrade the position. Johnson is the second best man cover corner in the draft and will help Baltimore out immediately.
27. Dallas Cowboys - DT Eddie Goldman
- Dallas has fortified their o-line in the past few drafts now it is time to work on their d-line. Goldman projects as a space eater with some burst to rush the passer.
28. Denver Broncos - OL Cam Erving
- The Broncos need help along the interior or their offensive line and Erving started at just about every position. He's a plug and play C or G and has experience playing LT. This helps out the Broncos now and in the future.
29. Indianapolis Colts - LB Randy Gregory
- The Colts select the other edge-rusher problem child in this draft. Gregory's talent is just too much to pass up for the Colts at this point who need help getting to the QB.
30. Green Bay Packers - DB Bryon Jones
- The Packers lost two corners this offseason and without glaring needs took the combine's workout warrior in Jones. He can play CB and S and will provide good depth while developing his skills for the pro game.
31. New Orleans Saints - WR Devin Smith
- This is the deep threat the Saints have been searching for! He tracks the ball the best out of any WR taken ahead of him and will help take the pressure off of Brandin Cooks and Marquis Colston.
32. New England Patriots - WR Breshad Perriman
- Perriman give the Patriots the deep threat they've been missing since Randy Moss. It makes this offense even more scary then it already is. The worry about Perriman is his consistency but Belicheck will probably fix that.
Let me know what you think. What did I mess up where did I go wrong?
- This is what everyone is predicting and I don't think any different the Bucs need a lot of things and a QB is at the top of that list.
2. Tennessee Titans - TRADE ALERT! - San Diego Chargers - QB Marcus Mariota
- The Chargers send Philip Rivers, the #17 pick, and a conditional 2nd rounder in 2016 (can become a 1st). Rivers does not want to play in L.A. and the Chargers are moving there. Rivers gets to be close to his hometown and plays for a coach he knows and likes in Whisenhunt. This makes so much sense it probably won't happen.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Amari Cooper
- The Jags make a surprise move and pick Cooper instead of a pass rusher. This gives Blake Bortles another WR to throw to and the Jags suddenly have a young trio of WR (Marquise Lee and Allen Robinson from last year) to help Bortles grow. Now if he can only stay upright because the Jags o-line is a hot mess!
4. Oakland Raiders - WR Kevin White
- The Raiders would have had a tough choice between Cooper and White, but the Jags make that choice a little easier.
5. Washington Football Team - OT Brandon Scherff
- They need O-line help and help with pass rusher. With all the issues of the top pass rushers the WFT selects the highest rated o-lineman here. Scherff can play Guard or Tackle so he'll be able to help out at either spot.
6. New York Jets - OT Andrus Peat
- The Jets like the WFT before them need pass rush and o-line help. Here they take the next best o-lineman. Even with Leonard Williams and other top defensive products available the Jets need to rebuild the o-line and Todd Bowles knows how to generate a pass rush without elite talent.
7. Chicago Bears - NT Danny Shelton
- 'Da Bears are ecstatic to have their choice of defensive prospect. They have all the needs on D, and the smart thing to do is to build inside out and with them switching to a 3-4 defense NT plays the most important part of the 3-4's defensive line.
8. Atlanta Falcons - LB Dante Fowler
- The Falcons are excited that Fowler, who has been projected by just about everyone to go to the Jags, is on the board. He fits as a perfect Leo in their 4-3 scheme.
9. New York Giants - TRADE ALERT! - San Francisco 49ers - CB Trae Waynes
- The 49ers usually do not trade up. They tried to trade up for Odell Beckham last year, but with the top two offensive lineman gone and value with d-line down the board the Giants make this trade. The 49ers give up a 3rd rounder this year and 5th next year to move up 6 spots and pick the draft's best CB.
10. St. Louis Rams - TRADE ALERT! - New Orleans Saints - DL Leonard Williams
- The consensus top player in the draft falls all the way to number 10 and the Saints can't help but trade up for Williams. The Saints Cam Jordan is due for a big payday and there have been rumors about them trading him. Here the Saints swap the 13th for the 10th and kick in a 4th rounder.
11. Minnesota Vikings - RB Todd Gurley
- This spells the beginning of the end for Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. The Vikings need of o-line and CB help don't line up so expect them to trade Peterson for a pick or picks later on.
12. Cleveland Browns - DL Arik Armstead
- Cleveland would have liked to get NT Danny Shelton, but instead fill another need along their D-line. Armstead as Phil Taylor is coming off injury and is in a contract year.
13. St. Louis Rams - WR Davante Parker
- The Rams attempt this WR thing again after failing spectacularly over the last few years trying to find a #1 WR. Jeff Fisher better hope that this pick works out.
14. Miami Dolphins - OT T.J. Clemmings
- The Dolphins still need offensive line help and picking Clemmings gives them a good tackle prospect to work with.
15. New York Giants - DE Shane Ray
- Even with the pot issues Ray is too good of a talent to fall this far. The Giants pick up much needed help for JPP and a possible eventual replacement.
16. Houston Texans - WR Phillip Dorsett
- Dorsett looked very smooth during the combine and the Texans need help to replace Andre Johnson so why not go for the first Miami WR to be drafted in the first round since Johnson.
17. Tennessee Titans - LB Vic Beasley
- The Titans already have Phillip Rivers now it's time to address the edge pass rush. Beasley is one of the best and will develop quickly under Ray Horton.
18. Kansas City Chiefs - WR Jalen Strong
- Strong is an excellent route runner and perfect for the Chiefs intermediate passing game.
19. Cleveland Browns - WR Nelson Agholor
- The Browns need options at WR since Josh Gordon doesn't stop getting suspended. Agholor provides smooth route running with a decent deep threat and should help the Browns offense right away.
20. Philadelphia Eagles - S Landon Collins
- The Eagles shored up their CBs in free agency and are a good strong safety away from a good secondary and Collins fits the bill.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - CB Marcus Peters
- Cincinnati is getting long in the tooth in the secondary and Marvin Lewis has a history of helping troubled young players mature. Lewis will do that for Peters.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - OLB Bud Dupree
- Dupree played everywhere for Kentucky and while Pittsburgh has pressing needs in the secondary upgrading their pass rush will help out with any additions to their secondary.
23. Detroit Lions - DT Malcolm Brown
- With losing their top two d-lineman in free agency the Lions helped by trading for Haloti Ngata, but he may be gone in a year as well. Brown has been a pretty chalk pick across mock drafts for the Lions.
24. Arizona Cardinals - TRADE ALERT! - Minnesota Vikings -OT Ereck Flowers
- This is where the Adrian Peterson gets traded as the Cardinals send the 24th pick straight up for him. The Vikings pick up a young OT who can play RT, G and eventually LT if Matt Kalil doesn't pan out.
25. Carolina Panthers - OT D.J. Humphries
- Carolina needs to protect Cam Newton with someone who projects to be a franchise LT. Humphries is that guy. This has been a pretty chalk pick also.
26. Baltimore Ravens - CB Kevin Johnson
- The Ravens were devastated by injuries last year at the CB position and would be foolish not to try to upgrade the position. Johnson is the second best man cover corner in the draft and will help Baltimore out immediately.
27. Dallas Cowboys - DT Eddie Goldman
- Dallas has fortified their o-line in the past few drafts now it is time to work on their d-line. Goldman projects as a space eater with some burst to rush the passer.
28. Denver Broncos - OL Cam Erving
- The Broncos need help along the interior or their offensive line and Erving started at just about every position. He's a plug and play C or G and has experience playing LT. This helps out the Broncos now and in the future.
29. Indianapolis Colts - LB Randy Gregory
- The Colts select the other edge-rusher problem child in this draft. Gregory's talent is just too much to pass up for the Colts at this point who need help getting to the QB.
30. Green Bay Packers - DB Bryon Jones
- The Packers lost two corners this offseason and without glaring needs took the combine's workout warrior in Jones. He can play CB and S and will provide good depth while developing his skills for the pro game.
31. New Orleans Saints - WR Devin Smith
- This is the deep threat the Saints have been searching for! He tracks the ball the best out of any WR taken ahead of him and will help take the pressure off of Brandin Cooks and Marquis Colston.
32. New England Patriots - WR Breshad Perriman
- Perriman give the Patriots the deep threat they've been missing since Randy Moss. It makes this offense even more scary then it already is. The worry about Perriman is his consistency but Belicheck will probably fix that.
Let me know what you think. What did I mess up where did I go wrong?
