I’ll be honest, this was a tough draft this year. We still don’t know if Jameis Winston is going first overall but I’d be shocked if he didn’t. As for what the Titans do, I’m not sure. I think going Leonard Williams is a smart move but all signs point to them going Marcus Mariota. I’ll go with what the signs are pointing at because I believe the Titans will trade out of this pick. As for the rest of the draft, the offensive lineman hold the cards to the first round and there should be plenty of them taken. Get ready for one hell of a night!
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — QB from Florida State — Jameis Winston — I’ve been saying it for a while now and I think we can all agree that the Bucs love Winston. I won’t completely knock him like I have in the past. After reviewing more and more films, you can see his leadership and poise on the field. The off the field issues are obvious but if we move past that, he’s the best quarterback in the draft. Worst case is that he plays like JaMarcus Russell and best case is that he plays like Ben Roethlisburger.
2. Tennessee Titans — QB from Oregon — Marcus Mariota — This is when the draft will get interesting. I believe the Titans will trade out of this pick but I’m not sure who they’ll trade the pick to. It could be Cleveland, New York or even Philadelphia. Will Philadelphia have enough chips? (no pun intended) I don’t think so. But Mariota will get drafted 2nd overall and could then be traded off. Overall, the Titans do need him but I don’t think they truly want him. I have Mariota at the second pick, simply to get the overall selection correct.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — WR from Alabama — Amari Cooper — Can we stop with this whole Kevin White is better than Cooper discussion? The most complete receiver in the draft is Cooper and the Jaguars should try to build talent around Blake Bortles. I know they have a chance of taking Leonard Williams or Dante Fowler but there’s always going to be surprises. This will be one of them.
4. Oakland Raiders — DT from USC — Leonard Williams — If Williams is here at the 4th overall selection, there’s absolutely no way the Raiders pass on him. He helps build the defense with their first round pick last year in Khalil Mack. This one is a no-brainer.
5. Washington Redskins — OLB from Florida — Dante Fowler Jr. — The Redskins have a huge need for a pass rusher and Dante Fowler might be one of the most complete edge rushers in the draft. He doesn’t have any red flags as some of the edge rushers like Randy Gregory and Shane Ray do. Overall, Fowler makes the most sense and I’d be shocked if he wasn’t taken here.
6. New York Jets — DE from Kentucky — Alvin “Bud” Dupree — There’s a huge need for a pass rusher in New York. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets went in a different direction, however with the discussions of possibly trading Muhammad Wilkerson, I think the Jets will try to grab someone very comparable to him. Dupree has jumped up on my board because of his ability to use his speed and strength off the edge.
7. Chicago Bears — NT from Washington — Danny Shelton — Certainly the Bears have Will Sutton at the nose tackle position for their new 3-4 defense but they don’t have any depth behind him. In my opinion, Danny Shelton would be a true nose tackle for the Bears and Sutton would provide that depth. The only other option I could see them going with is Kevin White from West Virginia since Brandon Marshall got traded. Other than that, they need a big body nose tackle and Danny Shelton makes the most sense for them.
8. Atlanta Falcons — OLB from Clemson — Vic Beasley — Despite the need at the offensive tackle position, the Jets will pass and take their biggest area of need; an edge rusher. Vic Beasley is second-to-none one of the best PURE edge rushers in the draft that doesn’t have any off the field issues such as Randy Gregory. From an athletic measurement, Beasley might be the most impressive player in this draft. He’s very comparable to Von Miller and could potentially be a superstar in the making for the Falcons defensively.
9. New York Giants — OT from Iowa — Brandon Schreff — The typical Iowa offensive tackle who can play any offensive line position. Schreff is very comparable to a former Iowa standout in Riley Reiff. Many experts belief on Schreff is that he will get plugged into a guard role but I think the Giants will test him all over before finding the best fit for him.
10. St. Louis Rams — WR from West Virginia — Kevin White — Despite having Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt, the Rams have a huge need at wide receiver. They could definitely use a true number one and White would provide that. Somewhat shocking that he’s here but he’s a top 10 talent and should fit nicely as a deep threat for Nick Foles. Worst case comparable is Darrius Heyward-Bey and best case comparable is a poor man’s Randy Moss.
11. Minnesota Vikings — WR from Louisville — DeVante Parker — The Vikings could very well take a look at a defensive end here or even a cornerback. I think with Parker on the board and not having a true number one receiver, the Vikings will take him here. Parker and Bridgewater being on the same team could do wonders for this offense.
12. Cleveland Browns — OT from Stanford — Andrus Peat — This pick might have you scratching your head but hear me out before you start pointing fingers. When you look at the Browns offensive line, you see a Joe Thomas at left tackle and Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle. Thomas is fine but to me Schwartz is best fitted inside at guard. I think Peat has a solid chance of playing right tackle at the next level with his athletic ability and length.
13. New Orleans Saints — CB from Michigan State — Trae Waynes — When you look at their depth at cornerback it’s relatively weak despite the addition of Brandon Browner. The need at tight end is there but they can address that need later in this draft. They could potentially look somewhere at linebacker but I don’t see anything worth taking at this selection so I think they take the best player on the board in Trae Waynes. This will give them a good 1-2 punch at cornerback in Waynes and Browner.
14. Miami Dolphins — RB from Geogria — Todd Gurley — Surprise! Surprise! I know a lot of people don’t believe you can take a running back in the first round. Clearly, this is what I think of that. There are some running backs that can be immediate difference makers. Gurley is that player. After his medical checks are coming back healthy, there are at least 6 teams believed to be in the mix for this kid. I’m hearing that the Dolphins are the favorite to land Gurley because they think he can be the difference maker that this offense lacks.
15. San Francisco 49ers — DT from Texas — Malcolm Brown — One of the better defensive lineman in this draft sits right here. When you look at the 49ers defensive line you see some depth at both tackle and end positions. However, there are two players who are old and they are; Darnell Dockett and Justin Smith. With drafting Brown, you get a player who can replace them full-time after this season. This is a safe pick that holds a lot of value.
16. Houston Texans — SS from Alabama — Landon Collins — After placing DJ Swearinger on the trading block, I think the Texans will be looking to add the best safety in the draft. Collins is big time play maker who looks like a linebacker. The Texans could desperately use him in their secondary as he’d be a physical playmaker for years to come.
17. San Diego Chargers — RB from Wisconsin — Melvin Gordon — I’ve heard reports that if Gurley or Gordon are on the board, the Chargers will take one of them. They prefer Gurley over Gordon but with the Dolphins grabbing him at the 14th overall pick, the Chargers will take Gordon. This could be a really smart move as this team might have a new quarterback after this season and Gordon would become who they build their offense around.
18. Kansas City Chiefs — CB from Wake Forest — Kevin Johnson — Their secondary is getting weak with injuries and contracts will be up in the year for 2016. Sean Smith could potentially be on his way out after this season and trying to replace him will be tough to do. Adding a big coverage guy like Johnson would be a smart move for the future of the Chiefs’ defense.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo Bills) — DE from Oregon — Arik Armstead — Like I’ve said before, I’m not as high on this guy as some. However, with off the field concerns with Randy Gregory and Shane Ray, Armstead leaps past them on my board. Armstead would upgrade the worst run defense in the NFL last year.
20. Philadelphia Eagles — OG/C — from Florida State — Cameron Erving — Even though they’ll try to move up and grab Mariota, the Eagles will stay put. After losing Todd Herrmans this past off-season, the Eagles will need to upgrade the interior part of their offensive line. Erving has all the potential to play any guard or center spot.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — OT from Florida — DJ Humphries — I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bengals traded out of this pick but in all reality, they need an upgrade at left tackle. Andrew Whitworth is 33-years-old and could very well be on his last leg. Finding a replacement for him would be a smart move and I think Humphries could be that guy. He’s probably got the best chance of staying on the left side of the offensive line and will become an excellent player for the Bengals.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers — CB from Connecticut — Byron Jones — When I watch the tape of Jones, I see a lot of average play from him. There isn’t a whole lot of excitement or exceptional plays however he’s consistent. He needs to get better at playing tighter to the receiver but he’s tall and extremely athletic. Despite the recent addition of Charles Tillman, the Panthers need to be prepared for the 12-year-veteran.
23. Detroit Lions — OT from Oregon — Jake Fisher — It’s one of the biggest holes on the roster and it was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2014 season. Grabbing a guy like Fisher is a smart move as he’s best suited for the right tackle spot. I compare him to Bryan Bulaga as Fisher has the ability to become a really good tackle in the league and I expect the Lions to draft in the trenches this year.
24. Arizona Cardinals — DE from Nebraska — Randy Gregory — If Shane Ray or Randy Gregory are on the board here, it’s going to be hard for the Cardinals to pass on one of them. With the injury concerns and off the field concerns to Shane Ray, I think the Cardinals will grab Randy Gregory. They ran a 3-4 defense and will be able to use Gregory in multiple different packages. I know Gregory is no saint but overall, he’s the better player of the two.
25. Carolina Panthers — OT from Florida State — Ereck Flowers — Much like T.J Clemmings, Flowers is slipping down my board. He has some injury concerns but he has a strong chance of playing tackle at the next level. The Panthers are looking to upgrade their offensive line more and Flowers would be a great addition for them.
26. Baltimore Ravens — WR from Ohio State — Devin Smith — Once Torrey Smith walked, Joe Flacco’s heart began to beat fast for the wrong reasons. If they don’t get a deep threat, they’re going to be in trouble. I know that they have Steve Smith but he can’t play forever can he? Devin Smith is on the rise for many draft experts, including myself. He has big play potential and would be a really good fit in the Ravens offense.
27. Dallas Cowboys — WR from UCF — Breshad Perriman — Why not Shane Ray? I just don’t like him with all of his red flags. The Cowboys have the franchise tag on Dez Bryant and only have Terrance Williams as the only other true receiver on the roster. Jason Witten is there, yes, but he’s getting old. Adding a player like Perriman would be a great addition for an offense that might not have Dez Bryant after next year and don’t have DeMarco Murray this year.
28. Denver Broncos — FS from Arizona State — Damarious Randall — After Rahim Moore left and went to Houston, the Broncos got a huge need at their safety position. Sure they have T.J Ward but adding another player next to him, like Randall, would give them one of the best safety duos in the NFL.
29. Indianapolis Colts — ILB from Mississippi State — Benardrick McKinney — The Colts have a really good team on paper but the depth behind their inside linebackers is weak. D’Qwell Jackson is running on his last leg and Jerrell Freeman is a decent player. Either way, you need to add another body behind them in case one of them goes down. McKinney makes the most sense as he’s the best ILB in this draft. He might not be the fastest and might have a slow pursuit to the football at times but he’s an aggressive player who can tackle just about anyone on the field.
30. Green Bay Packers — CB from Utah — Eric Rowe — The Packers never make the popular pick and this one won’t be any different. Rowe is coming under the radar but would fit the Packers’ defense very well. He has the perfect size for a defensive back and will at times play safety. He runs well and is a fluid athlete. With recent off the field issues for defensive backs in Ronald Darby, Marcus Peters and Jalen Collins; Eric Rowe benefits from it. He has all the potential to become a first round pick now.
31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle Seahawks) — WR from USC — Nelson Agholor — It would be hard to believe that the Saints don’t look for another offensive weapon here at this pick. They could potentially look at a 3-4 DE or even Shane Ray but I don’t see it. Agholor is another player I’m starting to like and pairing him with Brees would be a really smart move.
32. New England Patriots — DT from Oklahoma — Jordan Phillips — Vince Wilfork has moved on to Texas and the Patriots have a huge need at the nose-tackle position. Jordan Phillips would be a great defensive tackle for the Patriots.
