Welcome to the second part of my March mock draft.
For those that missed the first part, which can be found here, I have decided to make this addition more interesting by including some possible trade scenarios.
Make sure you check out the rest of Last Word On Sports NFL draft coverage, including my previous mocks and Alex Sibo’s excellent scouting reports.
17. Baltimore Ravens- Marqise Lee, WR
After just missing out on Mike Evans, and with no out-and-out OT prospect worthy of being picked here, the Ravens are in an unfavourable situation. Their most sensible option is to fill their biggest need at WR with the best player available. Marquise Lee may have fallen down draft boards after a disappointing junior season, but his performance at the combine proved his still an explosive athlete who can make any catch look easy.
18. New York Jets- Jace Amaro, TE
The Jets must prioritise helping out Geno Smith this offseason by getting better at guard, wide receiver and tight end. The best player available at those positions here is Jace Amaro. The former Texas Tech player had an outstanding season for the Red Raiders, in which he made 106 catches (the next most in the FBS by a tight end was 62) for more than 1300 yards (no other player at his position got over 1000).
19. Miami Dolphins- Zach Martin, OT/G
The Dolphins have to shore up their atrocious offensive line in the offseason, and although signing Brandon Albert would certainly help, they still need another tackle and two guards. There are still questions about whether Zach Martin should play either of those positions in the NFL, but he would definitely help Miami wherever he ends up. His versatility and ability makes this an obvious pick.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Justin Gilbert, CB
After trading down, the Steelers still have lots of players available who would fill their needs, whether at nose tackle, free safety or wide receiver. But it makes sense to go after the best player available, who is playmaking corner Justin Gilbert. The former Oklahoma State star would not only act as an immediate upgrade over the ageing and declining Ike Taylor, but should also increase the number of interceptions they get and their kick-off return average, which both ranked in the bottom ten in the league last season.
21. Green Bay Packers- Louis Nix III, NT
As it stands, it looks unlikely that BJ Raji will return to Green Bay after a disappointing season in 2013. If he does leave, a replacement has to be found, and Louis Nix is a perfect fit. He is by far the best nose tackle prospect in this draft, with the size and power to eat up blockers and be a menace to any offensive line he faces.
22. Philadelphia Eagles- Calvin Pryor, S
The Eagles have needs across the defence, and would probably take Nix or Gilbert here if they were available. But with them off the board, it makes sense for them to target their biggest need at safety. Although Pryor lacks the coverage skills which make Clinton-Dix so desirable, he more than makes up for it with his play against the run and ability to make huge hits (the Louisville safety put up 18 bench press reps at the combine, HHCD did only 11).
23. Kansas City Chiefs- Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG
Although it may be tempting to improve the passing game by taking another receiver with this pick, the Chiefs have to find replacements for two of their starting guards this offseason. It is unlikely both are retained, but that doesn’t matter if they take Xavier Su’a-Fila. The UCLA guard has experience across the offensive line, and has an excellent combination of quickness, power and top technique.
24. Cincinnati Bengals- Kony Ealy, DE
With Michael Johnson agreeing a big money deal with Tampa Bay, the Bengals have to find a replacement on the outside of the defensive line. Kony Ealy proved during his final year in Missouri he is good against both the pass and the run, as well as showing that he can get his hand on passes at the line of scrimmage. If he can keep doing that in the pros, Johnson’s name will soon be forgotten in Ohio.
25. San Diego Chargers- Ryan Shazier, LB
Although the Chargers most glaring need is at corner, Jason Verrett’s height means he will likely be limited to the slot at the NFL. San Diego really need someone on the outside, so the best option may be to look elsewhere in the first round and to return to the position later on. If not a corner, the next biggest priority is at linebacker, where they need help on both inside and out. Rayan Shazier best projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defence with incredible explosiveness (he led all linebackers with a 42 inch vertical at the combine), but he the experience and skill set to play inside if needed.
26. St. Louis Rams- Jason Verrett, CB
Although the Chargers may not be looking for a nickel corner, the Rams certainly are. Although the amount of dead money involved with cutting Cortland Finnegan makes it unlikely this year, his atrocious play last season means the Rams should be looking for a replacement. Jason Verrett is a perfect fit for the role, and makes a lot of sense here. If it wasn’t for his height, he would have gone much earlier after a fantastic season at TCU where he had a pass deflection ratio greater than one in every three targets.
27. New Orleans Saints > Houston Texans (give up 2nd + 4th round picks)- Blake Bortles, QB
Although the Cowboys have the least cap room of all teams, the Saints are not far behind. As a result, they are unlikely to sign anyone else after franchise tagging Jimmy Graham in free agency and will have to look to the draft for upgrades. As a result, it makes sense to trade down to get more picks, and with one of the top four QBs in this class still available, I would not be surprised to see multiple suitors for the pick.
Although the most frequently talked about quarterback options for the Texans if they don’t take one first overall are Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Mallett, I can see Blake Bortles being an option. I really can’t see why some are projecting him to be selected with the pick number one, as he still needs a lot of work on his mechanics and ball placement (LWOS’ Alex Sibo did a great analysis of him in his player profile). But at the bottom of the first, he makes sense considering his brilliant measurables and sky high potential.
28. Carolina Panthers- Odell Beckham, WR
With recent reports suggesting the Panthers are trying to trade Steve Smith, it has become even more crucial they pick up multiple receivers early in the draft this year. It therefore makes sense to take the best one available in the first round, and that is Odell Beckham out of LSU. As one of the most dynamic receivers in the draft, ODB has proved he can make something out of nothing time and time again, and he would make for a great tandem with Cam Newton.
29. New England Patriots- Ra’Shede Hageman, DT
Although the team’s biggest priority is finding a top tight end to improve the passing attack, they also need to get younger and better at defensive tackle, where both their starters are over 30 and Vince Wilfork is coming off a torn Achilles at 32. Ra’shede Hageman has the potential to play as either a 3-tech or nose tackle with the Patriots, depending on whether he adds or loses weight. Either way, he has the potential to become a fantastic player, especially with the tutelage of Bill Belichick, and whichever team he ends up on will love his combination of size and athleticism which makes him such a dangerous player.
30. Dallas Cowboys- Timmy Jernigan, DT
Even after trading down 14 picks, the Cowboys still have the chance to pick up a top 3-tech DT in the first round and fill their biggest need. Timmy Jernigan may lack the athleticism of Aaron Donald, but he is still an excellent prospect with a high motor and good strength who should do a lot to improve the worst defence in the league last year.
31. Denver Broncos- Dee Ford, DE
Although the Broncos may look to replace Eric Decker here, there are more pressing needs on defence. Considering there are multiple positions which could do with improving, it makes sense to take the best player available. In this case that’s Dee Ford, who finished the year in the top 11 for both sack and TFL yardage in the FBS. Ford has proven pass-rushing ability, something the Broncos lacked when they did not have Von Miller last year.
32. Seattle Seahawks- Brandin Cooks, WR
After re-signing Michael Bennett yesterday, it makes sense for the Seahawks to upgrade the offense with their first round pick. They have needs on the offensive line and at receiver, and could go either way here. Of the players available, Brandin Cooks is the best option. He is now likely to go in the first round after a stellar combine where he posted the best 40 yard dash time of any receiver (winning himself $100,000 in the process). Although his height may limit him to the slot in the pros, his incredible athleticism and big play ability means he will be in high demand come May.
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