It’s Draft Time!

The postseason isn’t even over and so begins the buzz for the annual crap-shoot otherwise known as the NFL Draft. I’m not an “expert” by any means, but I do love the draft and all of its processes. I will be periodically updating this mock draft board over the months leading up to draft day. Leave a comment with your opinions, I’d love to hear from you!

(Last updated 1/12/2015)

 

ROUND 1

[table width =”100%” style =”table-striped” responsive =”true”]
[table_head]
[th_column]#[/th_column]
[th_column]TEAM[/th_column]
[th_column]PLAYER[/th_column]

[th_column]WHY[/th_column]
[/table_head]
[table_body]
[table_row]
[row_column]1[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Marcus Mariota
QB | Oregon[/row_column]
[row_column]The Bucs need a quarterback. Josh Freeman, Mike Glennon and Josh McCown were not the answer. Some questions about Mariota’s skill set translating to NFL, but best overall QB in the draft.[/row_column]
[/table_row]
[table_row]
[row_column]2[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Jameis Winston
QB | Florida State[/row_column]
[row_column]The Titans don’t feel good about any of the quarterbacks on their roster, despite Zach Mettenberger’s passionate pleas, and take a flier on the mercurial Winston.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]3[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Randy Gregory
DE | Nebraska[/row_column]
[row_column]The Jags could go several ways with this pick, but may settle on Gregory’s length and ability to play in Coach Gus Bradley’s coveted “Leo” position. Gregory needs to bulk up for the next level though.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]4[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Leonard Williams
DT | USC[/row_column]
[row_column]Some may say Amari Cooper could go here to help young QB Derek Carr, but Cooper isn’t a speed guy which Oakland lacks. Williams provides sorely needed juice on the DL.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]5[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Brandon Scherff
OT | Iowa[/row_column]
[row_column]New GM Scott McCloughlan may decide on this hardworking blue collar tackle to help shore up a shaky line that hasn’t helped any of their equally shaky quarterbacks.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]6[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Vic Beasley
OLB | Clemson[/row_column]
[row_column]What do the Jets do? Both top QB’s are gone here and without a clear picture of the team direction, it’s hard to choose. They go with Beasley, who is an excellent pass rusher.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]7[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Landon Collins
SS | Alabama[/row_column]
[row_column]The Bears have several needs, especially on the defensive side, most notably of which is at safety. Collins is a thumper and can add toughness and physicality from the secondary.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]8[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Shane Ray
DE | Missouri[/row_column]
[row_column]Atlanta desperately needs a pass rush and Ray is explosive off the edge and can play end or outside. Who might be the new Head Coach is still unknown, but a pass rusher will be a priority for him.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]9[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Dante Fowler Jr.
LB | Florida[/row_column]
[row_column]The Giants have many issues on both sides of the ball but Fowler’s pass rushing abilities may be too much to pass up for Tom Coughlin.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]10[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]DeVante Parker
WR | Louisville[/row_column]
[row_column]The Rams could easily go OT here with looming departures on the line, but since they drafted Greg Robinson 2nd overall last year, they add a lengthy receiver with soft hands in Parker to help whomever starts at quarterback next year.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]11[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Andrus Peat
OT | Stanford[/row_column]
[row_column]The Vikings have a good thing going with young Teddy Bridgewater behind center. Acquiring weapons for him is a priority, but so is keeping him upright. Peat provides an option other than Matt Kalil on the blindside. [/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]12[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Amari Cooper
WR | Alabama[/row_column]
[row_column]The Browns have two first-round picks and may try to sneak in a receiver at No. 19 instead, but get trigger happy here and go with the highly-rated Cooper to shore up the receiving corps.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]13[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Alvin Dupree
DE/LB | Kentucky[/row_column]
[row_column]The Saints’ defense was atrocious last season. It appears they’ll hold on to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and his 3-4 look for now, but he’ll need some bodies to rush the passer and defend in the secondary. There are plenty of corners to be had in the middle rounds and they decide to go with the excellent Dupree here.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]15[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Kevin White
WR | West Virginia[/row_column]
[row_column]The Niners receiving corps disappointed last year and Anquan Boldin is getting even older. Injecting some much needed youth in the form of White might be a great antidote.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]16[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Danny Shelton
DT | Washington[/row_column]
[row_column]The Texans have issues in the secondary, but it’s hard to pass up a terrific prospect like Shelton who could make for a downright nasty front alongside J.J. Watt and last year’s number one overall pick Jadeveon Clowney.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]17[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Eddie Goldman
DT | Florida State[/row_column]
[row_column]The Chargers, like the Texans before them, have issues in the secondary, but could opt for a big man like Goldman to help solidify their interior defensive line.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]18[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Jaelen Strong
WR | Arizona State[/row_column]
[row_column]The Chiefs have one of the worst receiving groups in the league. Quarterback Alex Smith isn’t a world beater, but surrounding him with better weapons would give this team a major shot in the arm.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]19[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]La’el Collins
OT | LSU[/row_column]
[row_column]The Browns could go several directions with the second of their two first-round picks, including DT, but decide on an OT prospect in La’el Collins.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]20[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Trae Waynes
CB | Michigan[/row_column]
[row_column]In what could be termed a bit of a ‘no-brainer’, the Eagles grab one of the top-rated cornerbacks here to help out a very poor secondary.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]21[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Mario Edwards
DE | Florida State[/row_column]
[row_column]The Bengals downfall was the lack of any ability to rush the passer. They add Edwards here to bring some heat off the edge.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]22[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]P.J. Williams
CB | Florida State[/row_column]
[row_column]The Steelers are in a tough spot here at 22. They desperately need help on defense, especially in the secondary, with the likely departure of Ike Taylor, retirement of Troy Polamalu, and struggles of Cortez Allen, they could elect to add Williams here instead of waiting until the middle rounds.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]23[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Melvin Gordon
RB | Wisconsin[/row_column]
[row_column]Running back may not be the top need for the Lions this offseason, but it’d be hard to pass up the talented Gordon here, especially with an ineffective Reggie Bush on the roster.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]24[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Benardrick McKinney
LB | Mississippi State[/row_column]
[row_column]Arizona’s probably ticked off at Detroit right about now for selecting Gordon. They instead address their need at inside linebacker with McKinney.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]25[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]T.J. Clemmings
OT | Pittsburgh[/row_column]
[row_column]There’s little doubt of the Panthers need at tackle, and they elect to go with Clemmings here. A pass rusher could also get a look here.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]26[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Ronald Darby
CB | Florida State[/row_column]
[row_column]To say the Ravens really need help in the secondary would be a gross understatement. They go ahead and grab Darby right here and will probably dip again into the CB pool later in the draft.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]27[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Owamagbe Odighizuwa
DE | UCLA[/row_column]
[row_column]Defense is the name of the game for the Cowboys. Departing defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli did a fantastic job rotating in a lot of young guys over the course of the season, but they need a new presence on the line and hope that Odighizuwa can do that for them.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]28[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Cedric Ogbeuhi
OT | Texas A&M[/row_column]
[row_column]Regardless of whether or not Peyton decides to hang up his cleats, the Broncos need help on the offensive line. Ogbeuhi can play right tackle or move inside to guard.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]29*[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Arik Armstead
DE | Oregon[/row_column]
[row_column]Keeping Andrew Luck upright is an obvious priority, but the Colts need upgrades in both trenches and opt for Armstead’s stout run defense and maturing pass rushing abilities.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]30*[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Denzel Perryman
ILB | Miami (FL)[/row_column]
[row_column]The Packers need linebackers. Perryman is a classic thumper from the middle and would free up Clay Matthews to do what he does best — rush the passer.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]31*[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Cameron Erving
OT | Florida State[/row_column]
[row_column]The Patriots want to add a versatile offensive lineman, and Erving fits the bill and is a good value here.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[table_row]
[row_column]32*[/row_column]
[row_column][/row_column]
[row_column]Devin Funchess
WR | Michigan[/row_column]
[row_column]The Seahawks could be intrigued by Funchess, a big-bodied seam receiver similar to Jermichael Finley or Alshon Jeffrey. He would add an element to the offense that none of their receivers currently offer.[/row_column]
[/table_row]

[/table_body]
[/table]

 

* Playoff team still remaining, draft order still to be determined.