Although the free agency period hasn’t officially concluded, most impact free agents have been signed and teams are looking forward to the draft. Here is my latest NFL mock draft:
1. Houston Texans: QB Blake Bortles (UCF)
I still think the Texans are going to fall in love with a franchise QB. After Teddy Bridgewater’s miserable Pro Day, I am giving Bortles the nod. The Texans are a solid team, but they will not succeed without a QB.
2. St. Louis Rams: DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina)
The Rams were relatively quiet in free agency. They will most likely trade back, which wouldn’t be a bad move. If they stay put, I still think the best pick would be Clowney. Check out my previous article for an explanation.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: OLB Khalil Mack (Buffalo)
Mack has been flying up draft boards. Merril Hoge even said that Mack is a better football player than Clowney. The Jaguars did sign a few solid veteran pass rushers, but they could definitely upgrade at LB and Mack might be too difficult to pass up. Recent reports suggest that the Jaguars are going to try to draft a QB in the next round, passing on one here.
4. Cleveland Browns: WR Sammy Watkins (Clemson)
A Gordon-Watkins WR duo might be too difficult for the Browns to pass up. A true #2 WR is still a top need for the Browns and Watkins would certainly fit the bill. They still have the Colts’ first round pick to address the QB situation later.
5. Oakland Raiders: QB Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville)
About a month ago, nobody thought the Raiders would have a chance to land Bridgewater. Due to his poor pro day, he’ll likely slide to the Raiders now. As you may have seen in Houston last year, Matt Schaub is not the answer at QB. Bridgewater could be their answer.
6. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Anthony Barr (UCLA)
The Falcons will likely be disappointed that the top two pass rushers (Jadeveon Clowney and Khalil Mack) are both off the board, but Anthony Barr won’t disappoint. Addressing the pass rush is the Falcons biggest priority and Barr would certainly help to solve that problem. Apparently the Falcons might be headed to a 3-4 defensive scheme, so that would make this pick even better. Although Barr seems to be slipping in many mock drafts, the Falcons did express their interest via a private meeting recently.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans (Texas A&M)
Like the Browns, the Bucs lack a true #2 WR. Pairing Vincent Jackson with Mike Evans would give newly signed QB Josh McCown plenty to work with. Some scouts have said that Evans is even better than Sammy Watkins, so he is certainly worthy of the high selection.
8. Minnesota Vikings: QB Derek Carr (Fresno State)
You are probably wondering why the Vikings would select Derek Carr over Johnny Manziel as the third QB taken. Well, Vikings HC Mike Zimmer recently called Manziel’s Pro Day a “sideshow.” “It was a different workout,” Zimmer said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever seen it. This one was a little different in how it was choreographed. People like that or they don’t like that, I don’t know” (CBS Sports). Apparently, Manziel’s antics are too much for Zimmer. Meanwhile, the Vikings have shown a large amount of interest in Carr, scheduling a private meeting and a meeting at the Senior Bowl.
9. Buffalo Bills: OT Greg Robinson (Auburn)
The Bills had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season. Getting Greg Robinson at nine would be an absolute steal, and the Bills could easily move Cordy Glenn over to RT. Protecting EJ Manuel is extremely important if they want to give him a chance to develop.
10. Detroit Lions: CB Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State)
Now that the Lions have signed WR Golden Tate to complement Calvin Johnson, their biggest need is easily CB. Gilbert is freakishly athletic and a good value at 10. The Lions already held a private meeting with Gilbert, so the interest is there as well.
11. Tennessee Titans: CB Darqueze Dennard (Michigan State)
After losing Alterraun Verner to the Bucs in free agency, the Titans have a glaring need at CB. Dennard would be a good value and fit their need.
12. New York Giants: TE Eric Ebron (North Carolina)
This might seem high for a tight end, but if Ebron is as good as advertised, it’ll certainly be worth it. Eli Manning struggled mightily without a quality tight end last season, so Ebron would fill that need nicely and give Eli a reliable target to dump the ball off to. After losing Nicks, their offense definitely needs another weapon.
13. St. Louis Rams: OT Jake Matthews (Texas A&M)
The Rams address the other line with this pick. Matthews is the most technically sound offensive lineman in the draft, and the Rams could use his versatility. Rodger Saffold will probably stay at guard, so Matthews could play LT until Jake Long returns, and then move to RT. After losing OG Chris Williams to the Bills, OG Shelley Smith to the Dolphins, and cutting OG Harvey Dahl, the Rams might just start Matthews and Saffold at guard. Because of this versatility, his value at 13 is extremely appealing.
14. Chicago Bears: S HaHa Clinton-Dix (Alabama)
The Bears certainly don’t want to be stuck starting Chris Conte this year, so safety is definitely a position of need. Clinton-Dix is better in coverage than Calvin Pryor (the other top safety), so he will probably be the first selected.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB CJ Mosley (Alabama)
The Steelers cut two LBs (Larry Foote and LaMarr Woodley), so their LB core is currently in shambles. With experience in the 3-4 defensive scheme, Mosley would be a nice fit for the Steelers.
16. Dallas Cowboys: DT Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh)
Even with the Henry Melton signing, the defensive line is still the top priority for the Cowboys. Melton is coming off an ACL injury and there isn’t much talent behind him. Donald might not reach this pick, but if he does, the Cowboys would strongly consider him. Strong interest has already been expressed in Donald with a private meeting and a meeting at the combine.
17. Baltimore Ravens: S Calvin Pryor (Louisville)
The Ravens take another safety, pairing Pryor with 2013 first round pick Matt Elam. After losing James Ihedigbo to the Lions, another starting safety is a position of need. Pryor’s physicality should remind Ravens fans of their former safety, Ed Reed.
18. New York Jets: WR Marqise Lee (USC)
The Jets signed Eric Decker, but WR is still a position of need. In order for Geno Smith to develop, he’s going to need some targets. Lee could be a steal at 18 and the Jets have already expressed interest at a Pro Day meeting.
19. Miami Dolphins: OT Taylor Lewan (Michigan)
The Dolphins badly need offensive line help and Lewan is a top 10 talent. It is unclear how Lewan’s legal troubles will impact his draft stock, though. If he clears his name effectively with the Dolphins and he’s still around, this shouldn’t be a hard decision.
20. Arizona Cardinals: DE Kony Ealy (Missouri)
John Abraham is turning 36 in May, so the Cardinals should definitely look to find his replacement. Although the Cardinals have a good pass rush, a team can never have enough pass rushers, as the Cardinals can see with the other teams in their division. Michael Sam is the Missouri pass rusher that has received the most attention, but Ealy is easily the better prospect and his athleticism has drawn comparisons to Rams DE Robert Quinn.
21. Green Bay Packers: DT Ra’Shede Hageman (Minnesota)
The Packers could definitely use a young, explosive defensive lineman. Resigning B.J. Raji and signing Julius Peppers helped the position, but Hageman could definitely use a year behind Raji to develop. Raji was only signed for one year, so the Packers probably don’t plan on keeping him for the future and could use his deal to develop Hageman.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Brandin Cooks (Oregon State)
After cutting DeSean Jackson, the Eagles could definitely use a speedy deep threat at WR. Brandin Cooks fits that description and the Eagles are reportedly very interested. DeSean Jackson will be a hard player to replace, but Cooks could develop into that caliber athlete without the off-field issues.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Zack Martin (Notre Dame)
After losing LT Branden Albert, OG Jon Asamoah, and OG Geoff Schwartz in free agency, the Chiefs badly need a versatile OL like Zack Martin. Whether he plays at OT or OG, Martin would plug up one of those holes solidly.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Jason Verrett (TCU)
The Bengals top three CBs are all over 30, so they could use some youth at the position. Verrett has been evaluated as the top CB in the class by some evaluators, but his size should make him available at 24. He could definitely learn from the veteran CBs and become a consistent starter in a couple years.
25. San Diego Chargers: DE Dee Ford (Auburn)
A pass rusher is one of the greatest needs for the Chargers and they expressed interest in Ford during a Senior Bowl interview. Ford starred during the Senior Bowl and is confident that he’s better than Jadeveon Clowney, as he stated in a SiriusXM NFL Radio interview.
26. Cleveland Browns: QB Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M)
Unbelievable! Johnny Manziel’s antics have made this selection a legitimate possibility. The Cleveland Browns would be ecstatic, as they were considering Manziel at the 4th selection not too long ago. With a franchise QB and previously drafted WR Sammy Watkins, the Browns should have a completely rejuvenated offensive attack.
27. New Orleans Saints: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (LSU)
After cutting WR Lance Moore and trading RB Darren Sproles, the Saints didn’t add a playmaker. Getting Beckham here could turn out to be a steal, as some scouts have him ranked as the third-best WR in the class.
28. Carolina Panthers: WR Kelvin Benjamin (Florida State)
After cutting Steve Smith and losing Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr., and Domenik Hixon, the Panthers WR core is extremely weak and inexperienced. Jerricho Cotchery is the best WR on the team currently. Unless the Panthers want to stunt Cam Newton’s growth, they need to get him some targets and must spend a high pick to get at least one. Luckily for the Panthers, this year’s WR class is extremely deep and the sixth WR taken in the first round turns out to be a very talented player.
29. New England Patriots: TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Washington)
The Patriots have a knack for successfully drafting talented TEs. With Seferian-Jenkins, the Patriots get college football’s 2013 John Mackey Award winner (given to the most outstanding tight end), who would form a spectacular duo with Rob Gronkowski. The Patriots expressed interest in Seferian-Jenkins with a combine meeting.
30. San Francisco 49ers: CB Kyle Fuller (Virginia Tech)
Most mock drafts have Fuller being selected slightly above the 49ers pick, so if he’s available still, it would definitely be an intriguing option. The biggest position of need for the 49ers is the secondary, and with the top six WRs off the board, this pick makes even more sense.
31. Denver Broncos: G Xavier Su’a Filo (UCLA)
With starting guard Zane Beadles leaving in free agency, the Broncos could use a replacement. Many scouts expect Su’a Filo to become a Pro Bowler and his mix of strength and speed will entice the Broncos.
32. Seattle Seahawks: DE Stephon Tuitt (Notre Dame)
After cutting Chris Clemons and Red Bryant and losing Clinton McDonald in free agency, the Seahawks could definitely use a versatile defensive lineman like Tuitt. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl with plenty of talented defensive lineman, so they know how important it is to have depth at the position.
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