Mock Draft 2.0
By Dwayne Wilton
I wrote my first mock draft a little over a month ago, so it’s time to update it. Since that first mock the players have appeared at the NFL Combine and some of them have even done their pro day. Free agency has also kicked in and some teams’ needs have changed. Now is a good time to re-think how things could play out.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – The Bucs still need a quarterback and I don’t see this changing. They could go with Mariota, but I still believe Winston is the best fit due to his exposure to a pro offense. With weapons already in place, Winston could hit the ground running if he just takes care of the ball.
Previous pick – Jameis Winston
- Tennessee Titans – Leonard Williams, DE, USC – I expect this pick to come down to two players, Mariota and Williams. If the Titans believe that Metzenberger is their guy, then would likely decide to upgrade the defense. If the Titans pick Williams, this would make their front seven pretty good. Williams could play either defensive end or nose tackle in the Dick Lebeau’s 3-4 scheme and would team with Jurrell Casey and new signee Brian Orakpo to wreak havoc. Williams’ combination of size and movement skills make him a natural as a defensive end in Lebeau’s scheme.
Previous pick – Leonard Williams
- Jacksonville Jaguars- Dante Fowler Jr, DE/OLB, Florida – Coach Gus Bradley came from Seattle where they stockpiled pass rushers. Fowler has the size to play defensive end or linebacker and would be an improvement in their pass rush.
Previous Pick – Brandon Scherff
- Oakland Raiders – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia – Derek Carr needs weapons. White is a combination of size and very good speed. The Raiders love speed and White seems to be a natural here.
Previous Pick – Randy Gregory
- Washington Redskins –Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State – This could be a prime spot for someone to trade up if they think the Jets may take Mariota. The Redskins could use a QB, but Mariota is not the type of QB that Jay Gruden likes in his offensive system. With DeAngelo Hall turning 32 during the season and coming off an injury the Redskins could go for corner help if they keep this pick.
Previous Pick – Shane Ray
- NY Jets – Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska – If the Jets pass on Mariota, then they could be looking to add depth and youth to their outside linebackers. Calvin Pace is in his 12th year and this is a really good year for edge rushers. It would make sense to grab a good one while they can.
Previous Pick – Marcus Mariota
- Chicago Bears – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama – The Bears traded away Brandon Marshall. They picked up Eddie Royal, but Cooper is too good to pass on here.
Previous Pick – Vic Beasley
- Atlanta Falcons – Shane Ray, DE, Missouri – The Falcons need to upgrade their pass rush. I believe they will draft the best pass rusher on the board. His 246 pound frame may be a bit light for defensive end, so he may have to play outside linebacker. No matter where he plays he should be an upgrade to the Falcons anemic pass rush.
Previous pick – Dante Fowler Jr.
- NY Giants – D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida – The Giants love to draft offensive linemen. They signed Marshall Newhouse, but drafting Humphries would allow the Giants to upgrade both tackles and slide Justin Pugh inside where he is probably a better fit. Protecting Eli Manning has to be the priority in this draft.
Previous pick – Andrus Peat
- Louis Rams – Devante Parker, WR, Louisville – The Rams could go QB here (sure seems like I’m saying that a lot), but Nick Foles needs some weapons. If Parker is here, I don’t see how they could resist.
Previous pick – Amari Cooper
- Minnesota Vikings – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia – The relationship between the Vikings and Adrian Peterson has soured. The drafting of Gurley would give them another big, fast running back. Gurley is coming off of knee surgery, so his health might keep the Vikings from pulling the trigger or could even push them in the direction of Melvin Gordon.
Previous pick – Devante Parker
- Cleveland Browns – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – The Browns keep drafting quarterbacks until they get it right. They can’t believe Johnny Manziel is the QB of the future. At least they won’t have to worry about Mariota off the field.
Previous pick – Danny Shelton
- New Orleans Saints – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson – Beasley was the talk of the NFL Combine. He is fast and extremely athletic. He’s also stronger than he was given credit for. He’s a prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker and he would be a great fit here.
Previous pick – Marcus Peters
- Miami Dolphins – Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri – Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline left in free agency. This wasn’t a position of strength to begin with, so now they have a need to get some weapons for Ryan Tannehill. If Green-Beckham can get his life together off the field, he could be a special talent.
Previous pick – Landon Collins
- San Francisco 49ers – Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon – The 49ers are a mess right now. They need a lot of help, especially defensively, which was once their strength. With what is left on the board, they could go for either a nose tackle or defensive end. They could go with Danny Shelton but I still like Armstead here. He seems to be a natural fit in this defense.
Previous pick – Arik Armstead
- Houston Texans – Danny Shelton, NT, Washington – Shelton slides to 16 and he’s too good to pass up for the Texans. They picked up Vince Wilfork in free agency, but he’s 34 years old. The Texans drafted Louis Nix III last year, but he was injured and there are questions about his desire. Bringing Shelton in would give them someone that Wilfork could mentor and could take over once Wilfork retires.
Previous pick – Kevin White
- San Diego Chargers – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin – Running back is a need for the Chargers after losing Ryan Mathews. Gordon is a huge pick up at this stage of the draft and gives the Charges an instant home run threat.
Previous pick – Eddie Goldman
- Kansas City Chiefs – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State – It’s a well-documented fact that the Chiefs did not have a touchdown from a wide receiver in 2014. The Chiefs signed Jeremy Maclin, but he’s more of a home run threat. The Chiefs need a big, strong receiver in the red zone. Strong will be that kind of red zone threat and should increase the Chiefs touchdown total from wide receivers in 2015.
Previous pick – Trae Waynes
- Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) – Malcom Brown, DT/DE, Texas – The Browns need help up front. Brown has played in both a 3 man and 4 man front for the Longhorns. He could be a base 5 technique for them that slides inside to push the pocket on passing downs. His athleticism for a big man would be an upgrade for the Browns defense.
Previous pick – Devin Funchess
- Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Scherff, G/T, Iowa – Can anyone predict what Chip Kelly will do? The Eagles need offensive line help and Scherff gives them a versatile player that can play at guard or tackle.
Previous pick – Denzel Perryman
- Cincinnati Bengals – Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State – The Bengals need an upgrade to the inside of the defensive line. Goldman is a massive tackle that would shore up that area.
Previous pick – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Jalen Collins, CB, LSU – Corner is a big need for the Steelers. Collins should be able to start on day one and upgrade the Steelers secondary.
Previous pick – Carl Davis
- Detroit Lions – Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford – The Lions need help at offensive and defensive tackle. Defensive tackle would be a reach at this point in the draft, so they go with an offensive tackle to protect Matt Stafford.
Previous pick – Melvin Gordon
- Arizona Cardinals – La’el Collins, G/T, LSU – The Cardinals need help at guard. They signed Mike Iupati, but Jonathan Cooper has not worked out. Collins could step right in at guard and solidify the interior of the line.
Previous pick – Malcom Brown
- Carolina Panthers – Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami – Flowers has the size and athleticism to play on the left side. The Panthers biggest need is offensive tackle and Flowers would be an upgrade to what they have.
Previous pick – T.J. Clemmings
- Baltimore Ravens – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington – Peters is very talented, but has some off the field issues. Hopefully, the Ravens locker room can be a good influence. Peters could be the starter opposite of Jimmy Smith.
Previous pick – La’el Collins
- Dallas Cowboys – Landon Collins, SS, Alabama – Collins would upgrade the physicality of the Cowboys defense. He would help them be better against the run and would be an enforcer in the back half of the defense.
Previous pick – Maxx Williams
- Denver Broncos – T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pitt – Clemmings is very talented, but raw. The Broncos needs help on the right side. Starting Clemmings on the right side early in his career could help him develop into a possible left tackle with some good coaching.
Previous pick – Devin Smith
- Indianapolis Colts – Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami – The Colts need help on the inside. Perryman is an athletic linebacker that can play inside or outside. He runs to the ball well and should help the Colts run defense.
Previous pick – Cameron Erving
- Green Bay Packers – Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky – Dupree is an athletic player that has played defensive end and linebacker. He would be a good fit for the Packers and should improve their pass rush.
Previous pick – Eli Harold
- New Orleans – Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State – This pick is from the Jimmy Graham trade. They chose to improve the pass rush with their first pick. With their second first rounder they give Drew Brees a deep threat that will keep the defense honest.
- New England Patriots – P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State –You can never really have too many corners, and after losing Darrelle Revis, the Patriots can use secondary help. Williams is a big, physical corner that would be an upgrade to the New England secondary.
Previous pick – Bud Dupree
That’s it! My second mock draft is in the books! I will probably try to do one more just before the draft. If you like what you read, like us on Facebook and tell your friends. Next week we will do an update to our top 5 at each position. See you next Wednesday!
DraftManiacs 