Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Justin's Mid Season Mock

Cleveland Browns
DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame – A new regime means a new quarterback.  Despite having a chance at Wentz, the Browns pulled a Browns move and avoided a potential franchise quarterback.  Cleveland has to try something and Hue Jackson needs somebody to work with.

San Francisco 49ers
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson – A brand new regime must come in after Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke are fired.  Watson is a freakish athlete with enormous upside.  Blaine Gabbert is clearly not the answer and Colin Kaepernick wants out now.

Chicago Bears
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M – The most dominant player in the draft falls into the Bears laps.  Despite drafting Leonard Floyd high last year, Garrett is the real deal and a future all pro.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan – Jacksonville needs some playmakers.  Gus Bradley will eventually be relieved of his duties and a new coach will breathe life into a lackluster organization.  There is still talent on this team but Peppers may be that final piece to make this a legitimate defense.  If only Blake Bortles could work on his frickin mechanics!

New York Jets
Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU – The Jets ran the ball incredibly well last year with a good running back (Chris Ivory).  Imagine if they had a great running back?  Whoever their quarterback is next year, he will love handing the ball off to this freakishly talented running back.

New Orleans Saints
Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee – Pass rushers are always needed and Barnett is the next best one available.  The Saints will eventually obtain a defense, right?

Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama – A versatile piece to rebuilding that once vaunted Baltimore defense.  Allen will beast it up along that defensive front.

Indianapolis Colts
Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State – IF the Colts are actually smart, they will fire everybody and start fresh.  At least fire Ryan Grigson (the worst GM in the league) and draft a guy that will add a dynamic one-two punch with Andrew Luck.

Tennessee Titans
Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State – With two first round picks in this draft, the Titans can maneuver as much as they would like to acquire more pieces to an improving roster.  Hooker will add stability to the safety position and start to fix that secondary.

Miami Dolphins
Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina – I am not sure if the Tannehill era is over, but Phins fans must be beyond frustrated.  Have Trubisky sit for a little while and learn Adam Gase’s offense before throwing him to the fire.

Tennessee Titans
Mike Williams, WR, Clemson – Giving Marcus Mariota more options at receiver is never a bad thing.  Especially one that is 6’3 and 205 pounds.

Carolina Panthers
Jalen Tabor, CB, Florida – Is there a team that misses a corner more than Carolina?  Teez, as he is so commonly called, is a monster and may be better than the other guy (Vernon Hargreaves III) who started opposite him in years past.

San Diego Chargers
Jamal Adams, S, LSU – Losing Weddle was tough but it was something that had to be done.  Youth reigns and Adams will help shore up that secondary that already has some great pieces to the puzzle.

Cincinnati Bengals
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC – Andy Dalton needs more weapons as Brandon LaFell is not a legitimate starting wide receiver. AJ Green would appreciate not seeing double coverage on every play as well.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State -Building from the outside in is the way to go.  Insert McDowell next to Gerald McCoy and watch this defense flourish.

Arizona Cardinals
Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama – The Cardinals tried out a former running back as the final piece to that stout secondary.  Don’t embarrass Patrick Peterson like that.

Buffalo Bills
Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida – Rex Ryan does love his defensive players and Davis is as good as they come.  The former Florida standout can play all four linebacker positions. 

Detroit Lions
Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia – Matthew Stafford needs a real running back.  Theo Riddick is a great change of pace guy but Chubb is the bell cow that can keep those chains moving.

Washington Redskins
Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
 – Scot McCloughan is my favorite general manager.  He has an eye for talent like no other.  So predicting his draft picks is always a tough one.  I don’t think he believes in Kirk Cousins so he goes with somebody I’m sure he has kept his eye on.  McCloughan has shown that character flaws won’t hold him back.

New York Giants
Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama – The Giants messed up last year by not drafting Laremy Tunsil and have suffered because of it.  Ereck Flowers looks overpowered and under techniqued against every player he has matched up with.  Robinson would push Flowers to right tackle, or inside, where he belongs.

Atlanta Falcons
Adoree Jackson, CB, USC – Dan Quinn is starting to build something in Georgia.  He needs his Richard Sherman now that can scare opposing quarterbacks to throw the ball.

Houston Texans
Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama – Brian Cushing is becoming an insurance nightmare.  He used to be great but has started losing a step so it looks like it’s time to move on to a younger backer.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida – The Steelers secondary blows.  Enough said.

Cleveland Browns
Desmond King, CB, Iowa – With another first round pick in this draft, the Browns go best player available and grab a great corner opposite Joe Haden.

Kansas City Chiefs
Tim Williams, EDGE, Alabama – Kansas City loves their defense and Tim Williams comes from one of the best defenses in America.  Williams is a great linebacker that can play all over the field.

Green Bay Packers
OJ Howard, TE, Alabama – Aaron Rodgers needs a true playmaker on his side of the ball.  Howard is a freakish athlete whose best years are definitely ahead of him.

Denver Broncos
Dawaune Smoot, DE, Illinois – Damarcus Ware is getting up there in age and Smoot can help take some pressure off Von Miller.

Oakland Raiders
Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State – This defense has some holes in it.  It may be the Raiders Achilles Heel going down the stretch.  Conley can finally allow Jack Del Rio to remove David Amerson from his starting role.

Philadelphia Eagles
Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma – One of my favorite players in this draft.  Perine is a pure powerback that has some nifty footwork.  Oh yeah, he may be one of the strongest players in this draft as well with reported bench presses over 450 pounds and a high school squat of 600 pounds.  The Eagles would welcome a bell cow.

Dallas Cowboys
Carl Lawson, OLB, Auburn – Dallas has some players with issues, whether it be medical or of the legal kind. Lawson will help add some more pass rush to Scott Linnehan’s defense.

Seattle Seahawks
Carroll Phillips, OLB, Illinois – Seattle doesn’t have many holes.   They could go running back here or add another pass rusher. 

New England Patriots
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford – This pick seems to make sense.  McCaffrey is a do it all playmaker with incredible vision.  His ability to come out of the backfield and catch passes or return kicks and punts makes him an offensive weapon that McDaniels would love to have.

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Midseason Mock Draft

1) Cleveland Browns select Myles Garrett, Defensive End, Texas A&M
Honestly, I think that Cody Kessler has shown a decent amount of promise with the garbage line in front of him and could be a solid starter. With there not being a surefire quarterback in this draft, the Browns might as well build on a terrible defense with the top player in the draft. Garrett is capable of having Von Miller (coincidentally both Aggies) type performances and would be an instant upgrade.

2) Chicago Bears select Deshone Kizer, Quarterback, Notre Dame
Like I said above, I don't think any of the quarterbacks in this class are going to be world beaters, but I do think Kizer could develop into a solid starter for the Bears. He has shown some good accuracy and has the size needed to survive the NFC North. It really is time for the Bears to move on from Cutler as well.

3) San Francisco 49ers select Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Clemson
I'm really not a big fan of Watson, and thus had to talk to myself into this selection. Watson does possess an intriguing skill set that Chip Kelly could maybe work with, but he's too inconsistent and makes some terrible decisions with the ball. But if he does fix some of his flaws, this could end up being a great pick.

4) New York Jets select Leonard Fournette, Running Back, LSU
After missing out on the arguably the top tier of quarterbacks in this draft, the Jets stay focused on the offense by finding Matt Forte's replacement. Talent like Fournette only comes along every decade or so, so it isn't crazy to think that a running back could go this high in back to back years. While the Jets figure out their garbage heap of quarterbacks, they could rely on Fournette to help carry the offense.

5) New Orleans Saints select Jonathan Allen, Defensive End, Alabama
It's an absolute travesty that the Saints have surrounded Drew Brees with this dog shit defense for so long as it has ruined the twilight of his career. The Saints need to keep building their defense from the front to the back, and it just so happens the best player available fills that need perfectly. Allen is an absolute force and would be perfect for the rebuilding process.

6) Carolina Panthers select Cam Robinson, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
This was the first pick where I really went back and forth, but at the end of the day the Panthers need to keep Cam Newton upright. Robinson has tremendous athleticism and would be in contention for a top three selection if he didn't have a rocky sophomore year. If he rebounds as expected, he is easily deserving of a top ten selection.

7) Tennessee Titans select Adoree Jackson, Wide Receiver/ Corner back, USC
As Ricky from Trailer Park Boys says, this pick gets two birds stoned at the same time. The Titans have holes to fill at both receiver and corner, so taking someone with the versatility of Jackson would be a huge boost. His true position is probably at corner, but he is simply too dynamic not to get into the fold on offense.

8) Jacksonville Jaguars select Jabrill Peppers, Safety/Outside Linebacker, Michigan
The Jaguars would have to be thrilled if they can let two elite defensive prospect fall to them in two consecutive drafts. After starting out as a corner, Peppers now plays the safety-linebacker hybrid position that is becoming more popular in the NFL. The combination of formations that him and Jalen Ramsey would form could be borderline unfair.

9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Derrick Barnett, Defensive End, Tennessee
Tampa Bay has struggled to get to the quarterback over the past couple of years and now they have one of the best pass rushers in the draft in their laps. Barnett has been very good over his time in Knoxville beginning with his 10 sack freshman season. If he continues to live up to his potential, he could be a problem for a long time to come.

10) Baltimore Ravens select Tim Williams, Outside Linebacker, Alabama
I know that this is pretty damn high for Tim Williams considering he is just a pass rush specialist, but it seems like the perfect marriage doesn't it? Ozzie Newsome has shown a real affinity for drafting Alabama players and the Ravens could use some help rushing the passer. If Williams can develop his run defense and become a three down linebacker, this could be a steal.

11) Miami Dolphins select Marlon Humphrey, Corner back, Alabama
Front seven help could definitely be used here, but at this juncture I think it would be really tough for the Dolphins to pass on Humphrey. One of the top recruits coming out of high school a few years ago, Humphrey has seen enough playing time to show drastic improvement. His ability to shadow top receivers and make plays on the ball would be a good starting point on a defense that needs all sorts of help.

12)  Indianapolis Colts select Malik Hooker, Safety, Ohio State
If some offensive lineman starts shooting up the draft boards, that is a definite possibility with this pick. But with no such luck here, the Colts start rebuilding an absolutely putrid defense by taking one of the top playmakers in the draft. After finally getting a chance to start for the Buckeyes, Hooker has been a ball hawk and has shown the range that is needed to carry that over to the NFL.

13) Tennessee Titans via LA Rams select Charles Harris, Outside Linebacker, Missouri
With the Titans having two picks in the first round, they should really be able to pick up a couple of immediate contributors from this draft. Outside of Jurrell Casey, nobody on this defense really gets after the quarterback on a consistent basis. Harris hasn't been quite as explosive this year as he has been in previous years, but if he comes on strong to end the season he could easily be taken this high by a team in need of a pass rusher.

14) New York Giants select Dalvin Cook, Running Back, Florida State
The Giants currently sport some bastardized stable of running backs and it has caused the offense to stall far too often. Although he wouldn't have a great line to work with, Cook could alleviate a lot of pressure on the passing game. Whether running inside or outside the tackles, or catching passes out of the backfield, Cook can do it all and is a more complete back than even Fournette at this stage.

15) San Diego Chargers select Mike Williams, Wide Receiver, Clemson
It's truly unfortunate to say, but who knows how long Keenan Allen will be able to hold up in this league with the variety of injuries he's suffered. Even if he is able to return 100% over the next couple of years, the Chargers should look for a true complement to Allen over Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin. Mike Williams has averaged close to 20 yards per carry during his career at Clemson and has often been Watson's safety net when a big play is needed.

16) Washington Redskins select Dawuane Smoot, Outside Linebacker, Illinois
Trent Murphy has shown some potential since leaving Stanford, but the Redskins need a more reliable pass rusher to pair with Ryan Kerrigan. Smoot's sack total this year doesn't represent the amount of disruption he causes on a weekly basis. His presence would be an excellent counter piece to the current quarterback situation in the NFC East.

17) Arizona Cardinals select Brad Kaaya, Quarterback, Miami, FL.
This is my first pick where I just am really winging it. The fact is besides interior offensive line, the Cardinals may be one of the top three or four most complete teams in the NFL. With Carson Palmer regressing this year and showing his true age, the Cardinals would be smart to do what the Packers did a decade ago and take a young quarterback with some flaws and groom them under the current quarterback. Kaaya has the potential and would be putting up better numbers if he was surrounded by a more talented team.

18) Buffalo Bills select Malik McDowell, Defensive Tackle/End, Michigan State
Another defensive player for Rex Ryan to play with. I could see the Bills taking a receiver here, but their offense has been fine as of late and a talent like McDowell could really thrive under Ryan. While he plays defensive tackle at Michigan State, McDowell would be a perfect five-technique in a 3-4 defense. He is stout against the run and has shown the ability to consistently get after the quarterback.

19) Kansas City Chiefs select JuJu Smith-Schuster, Wide Receiver, USC
To be honest, Jeremy Maclin has actually been a lot better for the Chiefs than I thought he would be. But while they have him and an merging receiver in Chris Conley, receiver help would still be the smart choice at this point. JuJu has had to deal with a lot of inconsistencies at quarterback and head coach, but he has still come up big in plenty of big time games. He is immensely athletic, so if he can fine tune parts of his game he could become a very dynamic receiver.

20) Detroit Lions select Jalen Tabor, Corner Back, Florida
At the beginning of the year I probably would have slotted a receiver here, but after how good Stafford looks without Megatron the Lions can easily spend this pick to bolster their defense. While Darius Slay has become a shutdown corner, taking Tabor at this point could give this team an elite tandem at corner back. And when you're playing in a division where your biggest competition is almost always going to be Aaron Rodgers, you need all the help you can get.

21) Cincinnati Bengals select Carl Lawson, Defensive End, Auburn
Lawson arrived at Auburn as a highly ranked five star recruit, but hasn't developed the consistency that the Tigers were hoping for. However, there have been flashes of the immense athlete that he truly is as evidenced by his strong game against Laremy Tunsil. With the Bengals really struggling to get after the quarterback this year, they can afford to reach a bit here for a defensive end.

22) Houston Texans select Mike McGlinchey, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame
There's no doubt that Brock Osweiler is terrible and will not be the franchise quarterback that the Texans were hoping for, but at this juncture there isn't a quarterback worth taking. While Osweiler hasn't shown much promise, it is hard for him to truly develop with terrible offensive line protection. McGlinchey has been tremendous for Notre Dame this year after taking over the blindside for Ronnie Stanley and would be a steal with the 22 overall pick.

23) Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia Eagles) select Marshon Lattimore, Corner Back, Ohio State
Having two picks in the first round should really allow the Browns to bolster their shitty defense. After taking Garrett first overall to bolster the pass rush, taking a corner to play opposite Joe Haden would go a long way. After waiting his turn behind Eli Apple and Gareon Conley, Lattimore has burst onto the scene to become a shut down corner. With how frequently the Browns are torched, a ball hawking presence like Lattimore in the secondary would be welcomed with open arms.

24) Atlanta Falcons select Demarcus Walker, Defensive End, Florida State
Another prospect getting pushed up a bit due to the need for pass rushers, Walker could see some significant playing time as a rookie. While Vic Beasley has really started to come into his own in his third year, more help is needed along the defensive line. Walker has been one of the better players on a Florida State defense that is uncharacteristically down and could really help the worst pass rushing unit in the league.

25) Oakland Raiders select Cordrea Tankersley, Corner Back, Clemson
Despite being a defensive minded coach, the Raiders have really struggled on defense. While pass rushing could be an option, the Raiders need to move on from DJ Hayden and get a starter across from Sean Smith. Tankersley has been awesome so far this year, keeping receivers in check so much that quarterbacks rarely throw to his side of the field. His presence in this secondary could give Del Rio plenty of options to limit opposing quarterbacks.

26) Green Bay Packers select Raekwon McMillan, Linebacker, Ohio State
The Packers are one of the most well put together teams in the league, so picks like this are pretty hard to gauge. I could realistically see this being a receiver or tight end, but middle linebacker is a position where the Packers really need to get better so Clay Matthews can solely play outside as a pass rusher. While McMillan has struggled a bit this year trying to do too much in a young linebacking corps, he is the prototypical inside linebacker who has a thick build and great instincts to read keys.

27) Pittsburgh Steelers select OJ Howard, Tight End, Alabama
Another team that is well put together from top to bottom, there are only a few positions that the Steelers would need to address here. Imagining Howard in this offense is borderline unfair. He has been grossly underutilized by Lane "What do I do with all this talent?" Kiffin, but his potential was on display against Clemson in the National Championship. Putting him in an offense with Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and Le'Veon Bell would give the Steelers the most explosive offense in the league.

28) Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota Vikings) select Roderick Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Florida State
After obtaining the Vikings' pick from the Sam Bradford trade, the Eagles should use this opportunity to bolster the offensive line which has been solid but can use an upgrade. Lane Johnson is constantly suspended and Jason Peters won't play forever. Since breaking into the lineup as a true freshman, Johnson has been a staple on the left side of the line. He has struggled this year, but his length and athleticism and tape from previous years should keep him in the first round.

29) Denver Broncos select Nick Chubb, Running Back, Georgia
We all know that the defense is set for a while thanks to nailing some recent draft picks, but the offense still needs a little bit of work. If a prospect falls, offensive line could be in play here but I think that Chubb could go a long way towards making this team a consistent contender. Gary Kubiak can make a 1000 yard rusher out of any running back, so just imagine what he could do with a talent like Chubb.

30) Dallas Cowboys select Travin Dural, Wide Receiver, LSU
Pretty much everyone thought that the defense would be a major liability this year, but it has been surprisingly stout and has really helped out the development of Zeke Elliott and Dak Prescott. While the offense has been very good under the two rookies, one area that they could improve is at receiver as Terrance Williams hasn't emerged as a reliable target opposite Dez Bryant. Despite playing with a dreadful array of quarterbacks, Dural has really shined in this offense and would make a great second option.

31) Seattle Seahawks select Pat Elfein, Offensive Guard, Ohio State
It is nothing short of amazing that the Seahawks are in second place in the NFC considering their offensive line can't protect Russell Wilson or run block. Selecting Elfein with this pick would be able to alleviate both of their problems and help Seattle regain their identity. Having played all three interior positions for Ohio State, he would give the Seahawks flexibility and a road grader in the middle of the line.

32) New England Patriots select Christian McCaffrey, Running Back, Stanford
This has to be the most Patriots pick ever, right? It almost seems like destiny that McCaffrey would end up playing for Bellicheck. And honestly, why wouldn't the Patriots want to take him if he lasts all the way to this spot? LaGarrette Blount has been getting the job done, but we all know Bellicheck has no problem cutting or trading star players. Even if Blount is part of the long term plans, McCaffrey would be an excellent change of pace back and would add another element to the passing game.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Moving On

Moving on: it is a phrase that we hear all throughout our lives. We move on from an ugly breakup. We move on after failing a test. Just as in life, you hear this phrase quite a bit when it is applied in sports. Most often, teams have to move on from a tough loss or from the injury of a key player. However, there is one time that it seems to strike fear into a fan base is when it is time to move on from a coach. Losses and injuries are easy to move passed when you think about it. You really don't have time to dwell on it as you know that you have another game that you need to prepare for less than a week away. But when it comes to coaching changes, the problem is the exact opposite in that athletic directors and fan bases have all the time in the world to think about it.

When it comes to situations that seem like they merit a coaching change, the two factors that consistently seem to hold back overhaul are complacency and uncertainty. Complacency is a word that coaches and ADs try to avoid and hate to say because they never want to give off the appearance that anything less than a title is unacceptable. But come on, you can't tell me that Northwestern isn't complacent with Pat Fitzgerald averaging 7 wins a year and a bowl game. But when it comes to powerhouses, the level of tolerance is much lower. For them, the biggest fear is uncertainty.
The memes have spoken.

You can see it with two of college football's best from just this season. Both LSU and Oklahoma suffered week one losses to teams that they were heavily favored over, in a fashion that made all of their fans say "Christ, not this again". Oklahoma lost to Houston in another classic flop by Big Game Bob while LSU boasted another terrible quarterback performance and failed to topple Wisconsin at Lambeu Field. For both of these teams, these both have to feel all too familiar. Over the past decade or so, Oklahoma has consistently lost games that they just have no business losing. They always seems to have so much talent and usually have more than their opponent, but there are always those one or two games every single year where they lay an egg and are out of title contention (*Note: this article was written before the Sooners were sandblasted at home by Ohio State. They are now out of title contention just 3 games into the season). For LSU, it was a familiar sight as their passing attack let down the offense and forced them to become too one dimensional. After an offseason of hyping up Brandon Harris as having taken that next step, Harris was dismal and couldn't take advantage of two highly touted players in Malachi Dupree and Travin Dural. It is absolutely staggering that LSU can't seem to develop quarterback prospects with seemingly so many of them in their recruiting grounds. Both of these early season losses have largely derailed both seasons with some much tougher games ahead.

"Where should I coach next?"
So the question becomes: when does the school finally say enough is enough and shitcan these guys? Les Miles was almost fired last offseason and was only saved because his players believed in him and made a big enough scene that his job was secured. I bet after that Wisconsin game that both players and fans alike were wondering why the hell they made that decision. And with the successive disappointing seasons for Oklahoma, there has to be some louder rumblings from the pre-existing "Fire Stoops" regime. But like the Terminator, these guys are just impossible to kill and just keep coming back for more. Why, you may ask as often as I do? It is because the ADs who are the ones who actually make these decisions are too scared of what they do after firing someone who has been there longer than them. Let's face it, a bad season for either of these teams is usually just nine or ten wins with a New Year's Day bowl game. And a lot of ADs recognize that sometimes winning only nine or ten games with some New Years Six bowls mixed in there is better than only six or seven wins and a lower tier bowl. That's why they would rather put up with stagnating than trying to have a new and fresh idea which could put their team over the top. Every once in a while, you see it where a team does make the right decision and make the move away from a long established coach in order to bring in some new blood. Georgia fired Mark Richt after more than a decade of service and several great years. And with their hiring of Kirby Smart, it doesn't look like Georgia has missed a beat as they are now a top 15 team and look like they could win the SEC East again this year. Sometimes, you just have to take a gamble and see where the die land.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Justin's Final Mock Draft

**Sorry Derek.  I worked so much this year.

Los Angeles Rams (7-9)
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State – I believe the Wentz and Goff debate is pretty set in stone with Wentz just edging out Goff.  He has taken snaps under center and has played in more of a pro-style offense than Goff.

Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
Jared Goff, QB, California- It will probably be reversed with how I see these two picks unfolding but I like Wentz more, sue me.

San Diego Chargers (4-12)
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss – Philip Rivers needs to stay upright for the Chargers to have one final run a Super Bowl.

Dallas Cowboys (4-12)
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State – Much is made out of Bosa being an 8 to 10 sack a year guy.  I would take a solid ten sacks with the tackles for a loss that he accumulates on ball carriers any day.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Jalen Ramsey, FS/CB, Florida State – A versatile defender that will instantly improve Jacksonville’s secondary.  Jags fans would rejoice.

Baltimore Ravens (5-11)
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame – Everybody is prone to injury and the Ravens found that out with Joe Flacco tearing his ACL this past season.  You need to protect your Super Bowl winning quarterback.

San Francisco 49ers (5-11)
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA – Chip Kelly doesn’t give a crap who his scouting department thinks should be picked but they get this pick right if Jack is healthy.

Cleveland Browns (3-13)
Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State – An instant impact from day one.  This pick only makes sense if offensive line is addressed at least twice in the remaining part of this draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida – A cornerback is needed on this defense.  Hargreaves is the top corner in the draft so seems like a match made in heaven.

New York Giants (6-10)
Leonard Floyd, Edge, Georgia – The most gifted pass rusher in this draft goes to a team who is looking to recreate their glory days in 2007.

Chicago Bears (6-10)
DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon – Buckner falls a little bit in this mock and the Bears are licking their paws when he does.

New Orleans Saints (7-9)
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss – The Saints saw what happens when you don’t have a top flight pass catcher so something must be done about it.  Treadwell might be a bit of a reach here but he can still become a special player.

Miami Dolphins (6-10)
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama – A versatile defensive lineman would make too much sense here with too many egos (Mario Williams, Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh) leading the way in that locker room. 

Oakland Raiders (7-9)
William Jackson III, CB, Houston – The Raiders have needs at multiple secondary spots so they take the top available defensive back. 

Tennessee Titans (3-13)
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU – Adding another weapon to a potentially very good offense is a must and one that Mariota can grow with.

Detroit Lions (7-9)
Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor – The big Baylor defensive tackle standing next to Haloti Ngata and Ziggy Ansah would create a nice formidable front.

Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson – Pass rushers are a premium for any team, especially one that had 19 sacks last year.  Lawson and Vic Beasley could create a nice tandem off the edge.

Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Jack Conklin, OT, Ohio State – The thought of Andrew Luck getting hurt again has to make General Manager Ryan Grigson cringe, doesn’t it?  I honestly don’t think so because he is by far the worst GM in the league.  Maybe he will actually take an offensive lineman this year.

Buffalo Bills (8-8)
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss – The extremely talented defensive tackle finds his way to Buffalo to replace another headache in Mario Williams.  I think Nkemdiche would respect Rex enough to develop into a consummate professional or at least not a shithead.

New York Jets (10-6)
Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson – Especially if Mohammed Wilkerson is traded, defensive end is a must for a defensive coach who needs a plethora of edge rushers.

Washington Redskins (9-7)
Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State – Looking at Captain Kirk’s offensive weapons is a sad sight.  Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson are not the types of receivers that Kirk can depend on.  He needs a true number one receiver and Michael Thomas can develop into that guy.

Houston Texans (10-6)
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame – Pairing a true burner like Fuller with a number one receiver like DeAndre Hopkins and Jalen Strong would make a disgusting three-header monster.  This would make Brock Osweiler’s transition to Houston one of pure bliss and ease.

Minnesota Vikings (11-6)
Keanu Neal, S, Florida – Neal has the versatility to play either safety position, especially at strong safety where the Vikings have a hole.

Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville – Adding an interior pass rusher of Rankins’ capability would be a steal for the Bengals.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
Kendall Fuller, CB, Virgina Tech – None of Pittsburgh’s cornerbacks are good so adding one in the first is a must, as well as adding another later in the draft.

Seattle Seahawks (10-6)
Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State – Russell Wilson can’t have Bradley Sowell protecting his blindside, can he?

Green Bay Packers (10-6)
Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State – Although he played less than half of his snaps outside of the tackle box, his athleticism will make up for his lack of linebacker instincts.  These instincts will develop with more practice.

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State – Definitely a reach here but I think it would be a perfect match as he can sit behind Carson Palmer for a few years and be ready to step it when needed.

Arizona Cardinals (13-3)
Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida – Despite getting Chandler Jones, Arizona would love another versatile pass rusher.  Bullard can play all over that line.

Carolina Panthers (15-1)
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor – The Panthers went to the championship game with only a tight end as a true pass catching threat.  Kelvin Benjamin will be back next year and adding Coleman would turn an area of weakness to an area of strength.

Denver Broncos (12-4)
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State – Such turnover for the Broncos but they could be right back in the thick of things if they can find a somewhat competent quarterback.  Mark Sanchez can take the beating for the first ten games and then Cook can come in and show the Broncos that they have a competent starting quarterback.  If Denver doesn’t go quarterback here, watch for Dak Prescott in the third round.

New England Patriots (12-4)
FORFEITED

2016 Cornerback Rankings

1)   Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida Gators
Career Stats: 121 Total Tackles, 27 PD, 10 INT
Height: 5’10                        Weight: 204
Forty: 4.5
Vertical Jump: 39.0

Size size size.  This seems to be such a theme with draft prospects now.  If you aren’t of the prototypical positional mold, your stock takes a hit.  Sometimes being on the smaller side does hinder you but when you’re just a little shorter and weigh a little less, it can straight up plummet how everybody sees you.  Hargreaves is 5’10 and 204 pounds.  The weight is fine.  The height won’t be an issue.  Just because Richard Sherman is 6’3 doesn’t mean that all corners need to be tall to be good.  Hargreaves plays with great position, most of the time, and uses his intellect and awareness to beat the best receiver that he faced off against each week.  He more than held his own against Raiders star wideout Amari Cooper and kept Calvin Ridley and Laquon Treadwell at bay, for the most part.  The height doesn’t bother me with Hargreaves, but what puts a little bit of doubt in my mind is the needed physicality that is played at the position now against these 6’5 receivers.  I have faith that this kid can hold his own with his great hands and marvelous ball skills when in the air.  A 39-inch vertical doesn’t hurt either.  He did occasionally get burned by speedsters deep down the field but I feel like that was more of a lapse in his mind and a slight underestimation that he could catch up to the receiver.  He was coached very well, especially being a part of that fantastic secondary that the Gators put out every week and he is a willing tackler.  Hargreaves may not be that superstar that everybody thought he would be at the end of 2014, but he is still definitely a fantastic player and well worth a top ten pick.

2)   William Jackson III, Houston Cougars
Career Stats: 108 Total Tackles, 38 PD, 8 INT
Height: 6’0                      Weight: 189
Forty: 4.37
Vertical Jump: DNP

William Jackson III is a fast rising, high flying cornerback.  He has that ideal size you want to see from a corner, especially with the league moving towards bigger corners to guard these bigger receivers.  Jackson has a fantastic ability to high point a ball and fight for it in the air.  Once in the air, he has good enough hands to come down with the ball and shows off his athleticism to get a big return.  The former Cougar does have some issues with underestimating shifty and fast receivers.  They can run by him and once a receiver has a step on you, there is only so much ground you can make up.  I think this issue is because he turns his head too quick to look for the ball when he should be looking at the receiver’s body motion and hands.  Then once he sees their body start to contort and the hands rise then he can turn his body around to make a play.  Jackson was very fortunate that some of the quarterbacks he was facing this past year couldn’t throw the deep ball that well or else he would have been burned for quite a few touchdowns.  Another issue that I have with Jackson’s play is he has this tendency to dip his head when he makes a big tackle.  That is obviously a big no.  Serious injury can happen when you do this but I think he is a smart enough kid to stop that.  Overall, I do like Jackson.  I don’t think he can be a number one corner if his team does not have a good pass rush.  He needs some help but I think he can be an impact player in this league for years to come.

3)   Mackensie Alexander, Clemson Tigers
Career Stats: 44 Total Tackles, 11 PD, 0 INT
Height: 5’10                     Weight: 190
Forty: 4.47
Vertical Jump: 37.5

It wasn’t that long ago that Alexander was rated a higher cornerback than Vernon Hargreaves but oh how the mighty have fallen.  The lack of interceptions has been the main knock on the kid from Clemson.  He was constantly next to his receiver, which could be the reason for him never having an interception.  Alexander did play well in man to man situations as his man was almost always covered.  Alexander’s main Achilles heel is speed.  There were times on tape that he would allow receivers to get by him and he just isn’t fast enough to catch him.  Alexander does recover from double moves well enough because his quick feet allow this to happen.   It may not show in the stat column but Alexander is a willing tackler.  He is not afraid to stick his nose in somewhere and make the dirty plays.  I am pretty adamant in saying that Hargreaves is the only true number one corner (two if you count Ramsey) in this year’s draft.  That is not a knock on Alexander and the others, I am just not confident enough after watching film of these guys to say that they can lock down one side of the field or the other team’s number one corner. 

4)   Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech Hokies
Career Stats: 119 Total Tackles, 25 PD, 8 INT
Height: 5’11                   Weight: 187
Forty: DNP
Vertical Jump: DNP

The Fuller name is a thing of beauty in the NFL.  Having that family lineage is a plus as his older brothers have fared very well in the league.  Kendall reminds me so much of his one brother Kyle, who currently plays for the Bears.  He has great recovery time and would probably be my second ranked corner if he was healthy.  Kyle is a very good shut down corner and I believe that Kendall could be the same way, if not better.  His fantastic vision and awareness have helped him become one of the better corners in college football and when the ball is in the air, he can contort his body and do whatever he has to do to bring the ball down.  But the injury bug has bitten Kendall during his time in college.  In 2014 he suffered a fractured wrist, which he did continue to play through so at least he showed his toughness to do that.  But then in the preseason during 2015 he tore his meniscus in his knee and once again he attempted to play through the injury.  Both of those injuries could be considered freak injuries but he did do his best to play through them.  I love that.  You have to be a tough sum bitch to play in this league and with the help of his brothers, I believe he could be the best of all the Fullers.


5)   Eli Apple, Ohio State Buckeyes
Career Stats: 86 Total Tackles, 17 PD, 4 INT
Height: 6’1                   Weight: 199
Forty: 4.4
Vertical Jump: DNP

Watch the 2014 tape on Eli Apple because if you watch last year’s you will most likely be turned off.  Playing to not get hurt is not something I am a fan of (ahem Jadeveon Clowney) because I want these prospects to get better every year.  When you play not to get hurt, you are not getting better and you create a stigma about yourself that you are too good to be playing where you are.  He would not stick his nose in for tackles like his counterpart Vonn Bell but luckily enough for them, that defense was stacked so you could hide certain players.  He would sidestep bigger receivers and tight ends and did whatever he could to stay upright.  That won’t fly in the NFL.  Coaches will be all over you the first time that is done.  If he does start to get burned by receivers, he will grab them to make sure that he doesn’t go all the way.  This can be the smarter move but he needs to find ways to not get burned or penalized (4 holding and 7 pass interference penalties in his final two years).  Besides that, Apple is another one of those big corners that stands at 6’1 and runs extremely well.  I don’t think he would pan out against number one receivers because he would need to be a more physical corner and that is not his strong suit according to the 2015 tape.  Apple has had to play through adversity and had a very interesting tenure at Ohio State.  He was having difficulty in the classroom as well as on the field and a few tests discovered that he was lacking in iron.  Once that was figured out, Apple turned into a whole other player and is standing where he is standing today.

Derek's Final Mock Draft

Please remember, these are my picks as if I were the GM, not what I am predicting these teams will actually do. 

1) LA Rams (via Tennessee Titans) select Jared Goff, Quarterback, Cal

After giving up a shit ton of picks to move up from 15 to 1, the Rams absolutely have to take a quarterback here as anything else would be laughably insane. There was back and forth as to who it is, but the Rams seem to have settled on Goff which is who I would pick as well. An experienced player with a lightning release and good accuracy, Goff would be a good start to the Rams' relocation efforts. I just feel bad for him as he would have to be under the tutelage of Jeff Fisher and will have to throw to the scraps of Kenny Britt while running 20 jet sweeps to Tavon Austin a game. GET EXCITED LA!


2) Philadelphia Eagles (via Cleveland Browns) select Carson Wentz, Quarterback, North Dakota State

As a Giants fan, I'm thrilled the Eagles decided to mortgage the farm for a project, FCS quarterback. But after giving up what they did to move up to the second spot in the draft, the Eagles really have no choice but to take Wentz at this spot. The good news is that the Eagles have Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel under contract which will allow Wentz to sit on the bench for at least a year until he gets acclimated. With the Eagles already drafting in the top ten before moving up, it isn't like they have aspirations of a Super Bowl this year. He may turn out to be a fine quarterback, but the Eagles cannot rush him into the season.


3) San Diego Chargers select Laremy Tunsil, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss

I've seen plenty of mocks out there with either Jalen Ramsey or Deforest Buckner landing here, but I think that Tunsil makes much more sense than either of those picks. While the Chargers' offensive line was subject to a ton of injuries last season, guys like King Dunlap are not getting any younger and won't be able to remain healthy. Tunsil is thought to be the best offensive tackle prospect since Joe Thomas and would be a huge upgrade on this line. The Chargers cannot keep allowing Philip Rivers to take the kind of abuse he has in recent seasons. With all the lethal pass rushers that reside in the AFC West, a top tier blind side protector is desperately needed.


4) Dallas Cowboys select Jalen Ramsey, Safety, Florida State

I was toying with the idea of putting either Joey Bosa or Ezekiel Elliott here for the past several mocks, but I just can't put either of them here over an elite prospect like Ramsey. While Bosa would fill a more pressing need and Zeke could run for 1500 yards as a rookie behind this line, Ramsey has been compared to past safeties like Ed Reed and Charles Woodson. He doesn't have quite the same ball skills that either of them had, but his ability to cover ground, blitz off the edge, and match up against tight ends will be huge for this defense. Ramsey could be a perennial All Pro player in a matter of years.


5) Jacksonville Jaguars select Joey Bosa, Defensive End, Ohio State

If the draft plays out this way, I think the Jaguars would have to go with Bosa over Myles Jack due to the knee injury. It isn't like this is a consolation prize as Bosa is the best defensive line prospect in the draft, and I personally don't think it is that close either. A guy who is a force against the run and knows how to get after the passer, Bosa would really be a tremendous addition to the overhaul of this front seven. If Dante Fowler can return to his pre-injury form, the Jaguars will have an absolutely terrifying defensive line which is needed considering the other quarterbacks making a living in this division.


6) Baltimore Ravens select Ronnie Stanley, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

This wasn't an easy pick either as I really had to go back and forth between Stanley, Jack, and Buckner at this spot. Ultimately, I had to go with a tackle given the current situation of the Ravens' offensive line. Joe Flacco tore his ACL last year and was constantly under siege before the injury. Stanley isn't the best run blocker, but he has all the makings of a top tier blindside protector. Keeping a guy that you have over one hundred million dollars is paramount, so this pick makes sense.


7) San Francisco 49ers select Myles Jack, Outside Linebacker, UCLA

If it weren't for the injury obtained early in his junior season, Jack have been in consideration for the first overall pick when the Titans still commanded it. Jack is a quick twitch athlete who can do anything that you can ask of a linebacker and more. He can cover in space, play the run, match up man to man on right ends, blitz....literally anything. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Niners move him around as he is completely capable of playing any spot. The knee injury is a concern as there have been reports of his health all over the spectrum, but at this point he is simply too talented to pass up.


8) Cleveland Browns (via Philadelphia Eagles) select Deforest Buckner, Defensive End, Oregon

Rumors are that the Browns may move down again and target Treadwell or Docston with a more appropriate draft slot, but I don't do trades in my mock. In this, the Browns would have to be thrilled that Buckner has made it all the way to them. The Browns had one of the worst defenses in the league last year and struggled to stop both the run and the pass. Buckner would be a perfect fit as a five technique in a 3-4 scheme where he can eat up blockers and allow the linebackers to make plays behind the line. He is also a solid pass rusher and should be able to generate a good amount of pressure on his own. Buckner would be a good player to pair with last year's first round pick, Danny Shelton.


9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Vernon Hargreaves, Cornerback, Florida

Tampa made some significant improvements in their first year with Jameis Winston at quarterback and have some solid pieces on their offense. Now, they can shift their focus to improving the defense which has several holes. A pass rusher could be in play here as no one really generates sacks on this line beside Gerald McCoy, but they also need some help in their secondary. Hargreaves was once thought to be a be a lock for a top five selection, but a substandard Combine has pushed him further down on big boards. No matter, the Bucs would gladly take him at this spot. He started as a freshman on a very talented Gators team and was a shutdown corner. There is still that ability inside of him and it would be gladly coveted on this team who contends with Brees, Ryan, and Cam twice a year.


10) New York Giants select Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Ohio State

The Giants are probably hoping that Ronnie Stanley falls to the, but this would be a tremendous pick as well. The Giants have a mess at running back right now as none of their options are really any good. Zeke would add another dimension to the offense which would help open up options in the passing game to get the ball to OBJ. A running back who can do it all, Zeke would also be a huge asset in the pass protection game as he was nearly flawless his junior year in college. The Giants have a mediocre offensive line, so adding a running back who could be a three down back at this point is tremendous value.


11) Chicago Bears select Leonard Floyd, Outside Linebacker, Georgia

The defensive revamp for the Bears continues. Chicago recently release Shea McClellin who was then picked up by the Patriots (of course) after doing absolutely nothing in his time with the Bears. Thus, they are need of some serious pass rushing help as they don't have much going on right now. Floyd is landing all over people's draft boards, but I think his potential at this spot is too good to pass up on. A pass rusher with length and good speed to get around the edge, Floyd would likely be a day one starter. And playing in a division with Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford, and a rising Teddy Bridgewater, the Bears need all the pass rushers they can get their hands on.


12) New Orleans Saints select A'Shawn Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

The Saints have been producing some historically bad defenses over the past couple of seasons and haven't been able to make a lot of impact moves in free agency. I'd like to give them a pass rusher here, but I think that Robinson is a better prospect than any outside linebacker and would make a huge impact. Robinson is a perfect fit to play nose tackle in the 3-4 defense and could even move to the end position on subpackages. But playing in his natural position on the interior, he would eat up blockers and shut down running lanes, something the Saints were completely unable to do last year. Robinson needs some work as a pass rusher, but he has shown the ability to get to the passer and should only get better with experience.


13) Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia Eagles) select Shaq Lawson, Outside Linebacker, Clemson

The Dolphins are in a tough spot with their front seven after losing Olivier Vernon and free agency and watching Cam Wake suffer an Achilles injury last year. Lawson has shown the athleticism to be able to play either defensive end in a 4-3 or play outside linebacker in a 3-4. This is a good landing spot for Lawson as it fits his value range. I actually think Lawson is more suited for outside linebacker because he doesn't have great strength and struggled to match up against offensive tackles in the run game. He was also was asked to drop into coverage and come in on stunts frequently at Clemson which will help him a lot in his early years as a pro.


14) Oakland Raiders select Eli Apple, Cornerback, Ohio State

Despite signing Sean Smith away from division rival Kansas City in the offseason, the Raiders have to reach the conclusion sooner or later that DJ Hayden is a lost cause. A safety here would make more sense, but unfortunately there is no one worth taking for that position. However, Apple would not be a bad consolation prize. Like most other prospects in this draft, Apple is a bit of a work in progress but could turn out to be an absolute steal at this point. He possesses great speed and length and has shown an ability to turn his hips and run with his man. He doesn't always locate the ball in the air, but he was Ohio State's lockdown man and performed admirably as a redshirt freshman and sophomore. Apple is well worth the pick at this juncture and could develop into a guy the Raiders have shadow their opponent's top receiver.


15) Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams) select Jack Conklin, Offensive Tackle, Michigan State

This has to be the dream selection for the Titans to make. The Titans were in play to chose Laremy Tunsil first overall but were able to trade down, grab a ton of picks, and still land a tackle who will help improve a terrible offensive line. He won't be asked to play left tackle, but that is fine as most consider him to either be a premier guard or right tackle. With Mariota being sacked north of fifty times last year, the Titans needed to do whatever they could to improve the line and this is a huge step forward in that.While protecting the right side, Conklin would also be able to blast open holes in the run game for Sankey or whoever else the Titans decide to hand off to next year.


16) Detroit Lions select Sheldon Rankins, Defensive Tackle, Louisville

Even after signing Haloti Ngata, the Lions haven't been able to adequately replace Suh and Nick Fairley. This has left a massive hole on the interior of this defensive line that the Lions' opponents were able to take advantage of all last season. Rankins would be an excellent way to help begin rebuilding the defense that has taken some hits. Rankins is a solid run defender as he can get a good push but also works off of his man incredibly well to make the tackle. Even better than that, Rankins is an even better pass rusher. In a division that is still ruled by Aaron Rodgers, having someone who can rush the passer from the interior is absolutely crucial. Rankins could go even higher than this, so getting him in the middle of the first round is practically a steal.

17) Atlanta Falcons select Emmanuel Ogbah, Defensive End, Oklahoma State

This is a selection I really struggled with as I constantly went back and forth between Ogbah and either Doctson or Treadwell to replace Roddy White. Ultimately, I felt a pass rusher would be of much greater value here. The Falcons have been struggling to rush the passer for what feels like a decade now and have an excellent chance to change that with this pick. A bit of a one trick pony, Ogbah would still make a lot of sense here due to his immense athleticism and proven track record. Even if he is someone who is only able to give the Falcons about ten sacks a year, it would be much better than what they have going on now.


18) Indianapolis Colts select Taylor Decker, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

If Decker falls to this spot and Grigson fails to select him, Colts fans are going to burn his house down and light effigies of him. The Colts have been utterly incapable of protecting their franchise quarterback since he was drafted and need to do everything in their power to change that this draft. They cannot keep allowing Andrew Luck to get pummeled week in and week out. Decker may be more suited to play right tackle than left tackle, but that really doesn't matter here. He would make a tremendous right tackle who can mirror speed rushers and stand his own against bull rushes. A smart pick with good value, Decker would practically be a god send to the Colts at 18.


19) Buffalo Bills select Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive End, Ole Miss

Is this the most Rex Ryan pick or what? After coming to Ole Miss as the number one high school prospect, Nkemdiche looked content to play the role of celebrity rather than actually develop as a football player. While he still needs some significant improvement in the run game and actually looking like he gives a shit, there is no denying the immense talent that he possesses. Playing as a defensive end in a 3-4, he could have a JJ Watt like impact on the Bills if he is able to realize his potential. He is well worth the risk at this point in the draft and would fill a major need after the Bills let Mario Williams walk in free agency.


20) New York Jets select Noah Spence, Outside Linebacker, Eastern Kentucky/Ohio State

The Jets have to be praying that either Conklin or Decker fall to them in order to replace D'Brickashaw Ferguson, but that doesn't happen in this mock. Reggie Ragland seems like another potential match, but I think that Spence is a better prospect and fills a more important positional need. The issue with Spence is if he'll be able to stay clean off the field, but that wasn't a problem during his final year at EKU. What he brings on the field is a lightning quick pass rusher who Todd Bowles can utilize in a variety of ways. Despite having arguably the best defensive line in the NFL the Jets still need guys who can rush from the edge standing up. Spence fits that to the tee and would help take this defense to the next level.


21) Washington Redskins select Reggie Ragland, Inside Linebacker, Alabama

For the longest time I had been giving the Redskins a cornerback, but the recent signing of Josh Norman puts that need on the back burner for now. However, the Redskins still have a glaring need on the inside of the linebacking corp. They struggled to stop the run and Ragland would be the best player available to come in and fix that problem. There have been some concerns made about his ability to cover in space in the NFL, and while he admittedly wasn't stellar at it while playing for Alabama, he is capable of doing so. Playing the inside role would also limit the amount times he would have to turn and run with tight ends as well.


22) Houston Texans select Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver, TCU

It is no secret that the Texans are in dire need of a quarterback, but there is not anyone worth taking at this spot. Lynch is still a reach here, so the best thing to do would be to take one of the top players available and try to find a suitable quarterback in a later round. Although Deandre Hopkins is one of the top receivers in the NFL, the Texans really need someone opposite of him as he can't do it alone. Doctson has actually gotten some comparisons to Hopkins, so why not take him with a similar draft selection. Doctson has an incredibly ability to track the ball in the air and snatch it away from corners. Adding a receiver like him would make the Texans an absolute nightmare of a match up, especially in a division with weak secondaries.


23) Minnesota Vikings select Laquon Treadwell, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss

The run on receivers is likely to really take off right around here. While the Vikings struck gold with Stef Diggs in the fifth round of last year's draft, they are really hurting for other receiving weapons. A lot has been made of Treadwell's slow 40 time, but I think that this is really the perfect selection for the Vikings at this juncture. It is no secret that Teddy Bridgewater doesn't have the greatest arm strength in the league, so giving him a speed receiver like Fuller or Coleman doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Treadwell would provide a great safety blanket of Bridgewater in the short and intermediate parts of the field.


24) Cincinnati Bengals select Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver, Ohio State

Another receiver! The Bengals lost both Marvin Jones and Mo Sanu in this offseason and need to replenish. While neither of them were that extraordinary, they did combine for a big quantity of targets that didn't go to Green. I had the Bengals taking a receiver even before losing both of those two, but the problem is now more exacerbated. Thomas is a very polished receiver who creates good separation and can run any route that you ask of him. The thought of him playing opposite of Green with Eiffert taking advantage of mismatches over the middle is a terrifying thought.


25) Pittsburgh Steelers select William Jackson III, Cornerback, Houston

It seems like I have been mocking a corner to the Steelers for the past several years, but I think that this is the year that they actually do it. To be completely honest, I can't even name one of their starters at corner right now. Jackson has really elevated his draft status after putting on a ridiculous performance at the Combine in which he ran in the high 4.3s. He showed a great ability to track the ball in the air and make a play on it during his time at Houston. There are talks of him going even higher than this, so picking him towards the end of the first is great value.


26) Seattle Seahawks select Darron Lee, Linebacker, Ohio State

It seems like every year the Seahawks are able to grab a top prospect that manages to slip through the cracks and fall to them. Darron Lee has a chance to picked way higher than this, so getting him at 26 is an absolute steal. After losing Bruce Irvin in the offseason, the Seahawks have a big need at outside linebacker. Lee might night start right away, but he would definitely be brought in for certain packages and can make a name for himself quickly. He has the ability to cover, play the run, and blitz. Keeping the linebacking corp playing at a high level will be a huge reason why Seattle will have continued success moving forward.


27) Green Bay Packers select Andrew Billings, Nose Tackle, Baylor

After a somewhat surprising retirement announcement from BJ Raji, the Packers suddenly have a massive need in the middle of their defense. Raji was a very good nose tackle, one of the most crucial components to a 3-4 defense. Billings has very good athleticism for a man his size and is really exactly what you're looking for in a nose tackle. He stuffs the run better than almost any other defensive tackle in this draft and has shown an ability to get after the quarterback as well. That is more of a bonus in this system, but he will be coveted for his ability to eat up multiple blockers and allow the linebackers to clean up.


28) Kansas City Chiefs select Corey Coleman, Wide Receiver, Baylor

Despite losing Sean Smith in free agency, corner can wait until one of the middle rounds considering the Chiefs have a great pass rush that can help mask a weak secondary. However, the Chiefs could really use some more firepower in the passing game. I am a tad hesitant about making this pick because Coleman is a similar receiver to Jeremy Maclin, but Alex Smith really has been able to work well with Maclin in the past. Coleman is an explosive player who is dropped in my mock because of his limited experience with a full route tree. However, he would likely be a starter from day one and would be a tremendously valuable asset to the passing game.


29) Arizona Cardinals select Jarran Reed, Defensive End, Alabama

The Cardinals have a pretty stacked team, but this is one area where they could stand to use some upgrades. Reed is a bit more of a run stuffer, but the Cardinals won't mind if he is available here. Plus, I'm not sure that he was actually asked to do anything more than stuff the run at Alabama. Considering how good the Cardinals' linebackers are, a guy who can set the edge in the run and command double teams against the pass would be a major asset for a team that is only a few pieces away from being a serious contender.


30) Carolina Panthers select Kendall Fuller, Cornerback, Virginia Tech

If it weren't for a bad knee injury in the second game of the season, we would be talking about Fuller as a top ten pick. The last in line of the Fuller brothers to pass through Virginia Tech, Kendall may in fact be the best of the bunch. He showed all of the attributes of a true shutdown corner and probably could have been a first round pick if he had come out last year. After losing Josh Norman in free agency, cornerback is a big need for the Panthers. I wouldn't be surprised to see a pass rusher taken here, but I don't think any of them have the potential that Fuller does.


31) Denver Broncos select Derrick Henry, Running Back, Alabama

I really struggled to come up with a good pick for this as the Broncos are a very well assembled team. They did lose Malik Jackson, so Vernon Butler may be in play here, but I think that Henry makes a lot of sense and here is why. The Broncos apparently love Dak Prescott who they will be able to obtain in a later round. Henry is capable of carrying a team due to his ridiculous size and frame. The Broncos won last year with the dying corpse of Peyton Manning, so why not just play extreme Marty-Ball and see where that takes you. The defense is good enough to win any game, so taking a guy who can be the focal point of your offense really does make sense.