Sunday, March 1, 2015

Post Combine Mock Draft

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

JR: Jameis Winston, QB- This is the pick.  We all know it.  The Bucs are going for their quarterback of the future and definitely the best quarterback in this draft.

DR: Jameis Winston, QB- The Bucs really don't have much of a choice with their first pick. Unless someone offers them around three first round picks to move up, they need to take Jameis. He would help close the gap in the NFC South.

2.  Tennessee Titans:

JR: Leonard Williams, DT/DE- The Titans get the best player in this draft who will be a staple for a Tennessee front.

DR: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB- The Titans really can't go wrong with Williams or Fowler. I think Williams is the better player, but Tennessee's leading sacker last season was Derrick Morgan with 6.5. Fowler would cause havoc and open up more opportunities for Morgan.

3.  Jacksonville Jaguars-

JR: Dante Fowler, DE- Fowler is the more complete and pro ready pass rusher with great burst, tenacity, and intelligence that Gus Bradley loves.

DR: Leonard Williams, DT/DE- I was mistaken in my last mock when I said the Jaguars couldn't get to the quarterback. They showed they can last year, but can stand to add a guy who could play almost any position along the defensive line.

4.  Oakland Raiders:

JR: Amari Cooper, WR- Derek Carr needs a true number one receiver to grow with and the Raiders get him one here.  James Jones can only do so much.

DR: Amari Cooper, WR- Our picks remained unchanged for the Raiders. They have some pieces in place on defense, but need more firepower for their offense. James Jones should not be your number one receiver.

5.  Washington Redskins:

JR: Randy Gregory, OLB/DE- Brian Orakpo cannot stay healthy.  When he leaves for free agency, Washington gets the explosive pass rusher they desperately need.

DR: Randy Gregory, OLB/DE- I'm changing this from Landon Collins since it seems like the Redskins will move on from Orakpo (or the other way around). Gregory should be able to come in and provide a relatively seamless transition.

6.  New York Jets:

JR: Marcus Mariota, QB- New Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has experience running the spread offense, which can make Mariota’s transition to the NFL easier.  I pray they would sit this kid for at least 10 games.

DR: Kevin White, WR- White showcased his incredible athleticism at the combine by running a 4.35 40 yard dash while standing at 6'3. He is a game changing receiver that the Jets haven't had since.....ever?

7.  Chicago Bears:

JR: Danny Shelton, NT- A tough nose tackle that the Bears will need to help address the holes in their new 3-4 defense.

DR: Landon Collins, S- The Bears should be thrilled if they can land Collins. Their secondary was a mess last year despite the stellar play of Kyle Fuller. Collins could help round out the overhaul.

8.  Atlanta Falcons:

JR: Vic Beasley, OLB/DE- Atlanta has desperately needed a pass rusher and Dan Quinn gets what Mike Smith never had.

DR: Shane Ray, OLB/DE- Atlanta was awful at rushing the passer last year, so an upgrade is obviously needed. Scouts have been picking apart Ray recently, but I still believe he is an excellent option for Atlanta at this juncture.

9.  New York Giants:

JR: Brandon Scherff, OG- Taking a page out of their NFC East rival’s playbook, the G Men go for a versatile offensive lineman that can maul defenders at the line.

DR: Andrus Peat, OT- My pick here is unchanged. A premier left tackle is needed as Eli was heavily pressured all of last year.

10. St. Louis Rams:

JR: Kevin White, WR- The Rams get their number one receiver and help Sam Bradford or whoever is behind center.  White can be an absolute beast if he is brought up and trained right.

DR: Marcus Mariota, QB- I still think that this is the perfect landing spot for Mariota and works out well for the Rams. Bradford can't stay healthy, so it is likely the Mariota would see some game time this year.

11. Minnesota Vikings:

JR: Malcom Brown, DT- The Vikings miss the days of the two Williams’ brothers clogging up the middle of that defense and being the best at stopping the run.  They allowed over 100 yards rushing in all but three games this season, including over a 150 yards in five games.

DR: Devante Parker, WR- Weapons for a young quarterback are always beneficial. This pick might change if the Vikings do decide to release Adrian Peterson. 

12. Cleveland Browns:

JR: Devante Parker, WR- With the bone-headedness of Josh Gordon and him potentially never playing again in the NFL, it looks as though the Browns will have to look elsewhere for some playmakers.

DR: Danny Shelton, NT- The Browns absolutely have to upgrade their defensive line. They couldn't stop the run at crucial points last season which cost them a playoff spot.

13. New Orleans Saints:

JR: Alvin Dupree, OLB/DE- Junior Galette and Cameron Jordan did decent but nothing spectacular at getting to the quarterback.  They need a pure pass rushing playmaker to wreak havoc off the edge.

DR: Vic Beasley, OLB/DE- Same idea, just a different player. Beasley would get the Saints back to where they were a couple of years ago when they had a top ten defense that was focused around blitzing.

14. Miami Dolphins:

JR: Trae Waynes, CB- The Dolphins already have one great corner in Brent Grimes but the Dolphins need cap space so it looks as though Cortland Finnegan will be a cap casualty.

DR: Trae Waynes, CB- What Justin said. Waynes is also just too talented to not take at this juncture.

15. San Francisco 49ers:

JR: Maxx Williams, TE- The tight end from Minnesota is a fast riser.  Michael Crabtree may be leaving in free agency and Williams can be that big target that Vernon Davis clearly isn’t anymore.

DR: Sammie Coates, WR- Coates is the ultimate boom/bust pick. He is still raw as a football player, but his athleticism and potential would greatly benefit a Niners team that lacks receiving threats.

16. Houston Texans:

JR: Erik Kendricks, ILB- A playmaking inside linebacker that JJ Watt would fall in love with and help make this defense one of the premier defense.

DR: Shaq Thomspon, ILB/S- I still like the idea of Thompson going to the Texans. He is a do it all type of player who could make this defense elite.

17. San Diego Chargers:

JR: Melvin Gordon, RB- Ryan Matthews has played decent but is as fragile as they come so the Chargers find their feature back in a true great talent.

DR: Jaelen Strong, WR- I'm changing my pick from Gordon because I think that the Chargers need a receiver more. Keenan Allen had a bit of a sophomore slump with teams focusing on him more, so another receiver across the field would open up more options.

18. Kansas City Chiefs:

JR: Landon Collins, SS- Such a sad story about Eric Berry.  A phenomenal player and his career could be cut way too short, so it looks as though the Chiefs will have to replace him.

DR: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR- I cringe at the thought of DGB being drafted back into his home state, but he is simply too talented to pass up. Alex Smith isn't a world beater, but it isn't like he really has that much to work with.

19. Cleveland Browns:

JR: La’El Collins, OT/OG- Adding a mauler like Collins would help the Browns all along the offensive line.

DR: Denzel Perryman, ILB- Keeping with the theme of bolstering the defense after they miss out on the top receivers in the class. Perryman could be a starter from day one.

20. Philadelphia Eagles:

JR: Marcus Peters, CB- I live in the Northeast and constantly hear Eagles fans complain about how terrible their secondary was and how Cary Williams is the worst corner in the league.  So maybe this will fix that.

DR: Marcus Peters, CB- I agree with what Justin said. Eagles fans are the worst.

21. Cincinnati Bengals:

JR: Devin Smith, WR- Andy Dalton needs a receiver to take the top off the defense.  AJ Green and Mohammed Sanu are nice but don’t have that breakaway speed.  Smith will open up areas all over the field.

DR: Mario Edwards, DE- The Bengals simply could not rush the passer at all last year. Edwards is very athletic and could play multiple spots.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers:

JR: Shane Ray, OLB- James Harrison and Jason Worilds could easily leave through free agency so adding a young pass rusher is a must to that old defense.

DR: Jalen Collins, CB- I'm not sure how much longer the Steelers can go without upgrading their corners. They desperately need to in order to get over the hump and back into the playoffs.

23. Detroit Lions:

JR: Dorial Green Beckham, WR- Imagine Matthew Stafford throwing to Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Green-Beckham.  Just imagine it.

DR: Melvin Gordon, RB- Here is a slightly better scenario for the Lions. They have just released Reggie Bush and Gordon is as dynamic of a running back as they come. The Lions would be much more balanced offensively with him in the backfield. 

24. Arizona Cardinals:

JR: Jaelen Strong, WR- Larry Fitzgerald is such a polarizing figure in Arizona and if the Cardinals decide to move on from him, and even if they don’t, they need to look forward to the future.  Michael Floyd is a good number two and Strong is right in Arizona’s backyard.

DR: Brandon Scherff, OG- The Cardinals are a tough team to mock because they really don't have a tremendous amount of needs. But giving them another lineman would go a long way for whoever is playing quarterback for them next year.

25. Carolina Panthers:

JR: Andrus Peat, OT- Opponents sacked Panthers quarterbacks 42 times this past season.  Keeping Cam Newton upright and healthy is a must for this franchise.

DR: Erick Flowers, OT- Again, same idea as Justin. Cam cannot keep getting obliterated.

26. Baltimore Ravens:

JR: Phillip Dorsett, WR- Even if Torrey Smith doesn’t leave, Joe Flacco needs more targets.  Steve Smith, who will be 36 at the start of next year, started off strong this year but tapered off towards the end.

DR: Ronald Darby, CB- This pick will likely come down to a corner or receiver. I believe Darby is a better prospect than Dorsett and could help shore up an aging cornerback unit.

27. Dallas Cowboys:

JR: Shaq Thompson, OLB- A true playmaker that has the ability to play both sides of the ball but is probably best suited for outside linebacker.

DR: Todd Gurley, RB- It is starting to look like the Cowboys won't be retaining Demarco Murray which I think is a good call. Gurley is a tremendous running back who could really thrive in Dallas's offense.

28. Denver Broncos:

JR: Eddie Goldman, DT- If Terrance Knighton does not come back, this Broncos defense will need another big body to clog up the middle.

DR: Maxx Williams, TE- Same pick as last time. Julius Thomas probably won't be retained, and Williams is a better overall tight end since he can actually block.

29. Indianapolis Colts:

JR: Todd Gurley, RB- As a Jaguars fan, this scares me to death.  The thought of Andrew Luck and Gurley teaming up with T.Y. Hilton on the outside would be a deadly trio.  He can also be brought along slowly until fully healthy.

DR: DJ Humphries, OT- Humphries is a prospect on the rise. He would be able to help bolster an offensive line that allowed Luck to be constantly under siege last year.

30. Green Bay Packers:

JR: Arik Armstead, DE/DT- A long and built defensive end that can add to the talent on this Packers defense.  Oh yeah, and getting trained by Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews isn’t a half bad gig.

DR: Eric Kendricks, ILB- AJ Hawk was recently released, but he needed to be upgraded anyway. Kendricks has the ability to make the plays in space that Hawk never could and is a capable run defender.

31. Seattle Seahawks:

JR: Devin Funchess, WR- Time for Russell Wilson to have a big-bodied endzone threat. 

DR: Devin Smith, WR- None of the Seahawks wide outs are true deep threats. Smith would give a more dynamic feel to the passing game.

32. New England Patriots:

JR: Jordan Phillips, DT- I don’t think any team will want to block Vince Wilfork and Phillips.  Two giant boulders in the middle of the defense will command at least three offensive linemen every single play opening up lanes for Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich.

DR: Devin Funchess, WR- There is debate over what position Funchess will play, but regardless of that he is a sorely needed player. The Patriots need more big bodies lining up out wide other than Brandon LaFell.

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