Early Look at the NFL Draft

There is a long way to go until the NFL Draft... but it's sure fun to look ahead. Before I dive in, let's look at what needs to happen that can change the outlook of the draft itself:

1. College players declaring for draft or staying in school
2. Injuries
3. Workouts and Combine
4. Coaching Hires for the vacant NFL jobs
5. Free Agency and Trades

The other factor is the playoffs, because that will determine the final 12 draft positions. So in this early "mock", I'll focus on the Top 20 selections that are basically set.

1. Houston Texans select Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville, QB)

This one was easy. Teddy is clearly the top QB in the draft (in my opinion) and Houston drastically needs a franchise quarterback. New coach Bill O'Brien will draft him and fill the other needs later in the draft and via free agency.

2. St. Louis Rams select Jake Matthews (Texas A&M, OT)

Thanks to Washington, St. Louis has a great chance to land an impact player. I believe they'll stick with Sam Bradford a little longer, so getting him some better protection is a must. They also have pick 13 to address another need. Look for a potential trade here too as the Rams may slide down to maximize value.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars select Johnny Manziel (Texan A&M, QB)

Jacksonville needs a leader for the franchise, along with an attraction that can fill seats at their games. Manziel had a great final bowl game and proved to me he's worthy of going this high.

4. Cleveland Browns select Sammy Watkins (Clemson, WR)

Yes, the Browns need a quarterback. But after the top 2, I see a significant drop-off, and I believe they are better off waiting until the second round or later in the first since they own the Colts draft pick. Watkins, Gordon, and Cameron give the Browns three great, young playmakers in the passing game for whoever they end up bringing in.

5. Oakland Raiders select Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina, DE)

Once again, QB is a very real option here, but I believe QB value later is better than reaching here. The Raiders need to improve the defense, and Clowney is the best defensive player available in the draft (and possibly best overall player).

6. Atlanta Falcons select Anthony Barr (UCLA, OLB)

With so many teams above them looking at QB, there is a chance on draft day that some great players fall to them here. My opinion is they simply choose the highest ranked player on the board. Barr represents that in this mock.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select C.J. Mosley (Alabama, LB)

As of today, Lovie Smith is the new coach of the Bucs. Due to that, he'll likely draft a defensive player here. Mosley is versatile and can play in any scheme. I think Lovie would love a great young defensive star to feature.

8. Minnesota Vikings select Blake Bortles (UCF, QB)

They started three different QB's this year, and it wasn't always due to injury. They will be bringing in a new coach, and I think he'll like a new franchise guy at that position. Bortles has been flying up draft boards, and although he isn't playing well in his bowl game I am currently watching, he'll end up being drafted high if he declares.

9. Buffalo Bills select Khalil Mack (Buffalo, OLB)

Adding a pass rusher is always good, particularly one that plays at linebacker. Plus, he plays in Buffalo already, so it makes sense right?

10. Detroit Lions select Marqise Lee (USC, WR)

This draft pick may end up being affected by who comes in at head coach. But in my opinion, they need somebody consistently dangerous lining up in addition to Megatron. I think Lee could help take this offense to another dimension.

11. Tennessee Titans select Taylor Lewan (Michigan, OT)

The Titans have multiple needs, but they really need to get younger and better on the offensive line. I think they should give Jake Locker another year to prove himself, so he deserves a little better protection.

12. New York Giants select Greg Robinson (Auburn, OT)

The Giants have really gone downhill over the last couple of seasons, particularly in the passing game. Eli Manning hasn't been productive, in large part because he has had a porous line in front of him. Robinson has a lot of upside, and I believe he could be a star.

13. St. Louis Rams select Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Alabama, S)

I had the Rams addressing their O-line with the second pick, so I'll have them helping the defense here. They are strong up front already, but the back end of their defense needs work. Ha Ha is clearly the top safety in the draft and is worth a selection here.

14. Chicago Bears select Timmy Jernigan (Florida State, DT)

The Bears simply will take the highest rated defensive player on their board. It will also be at a position of need (which is basically everywhere on D). I guess it also depends on who they sign/re-sign in the offseason. I think Jernigan is a little better fit than Nix, so that's the choice here.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers select Louis Nix III (Notre Dame, DT)

If an offensive lineman they love falls to them here, that's a very real option. But the Steelers usually win by defense, so Nix will be attractive to them I'm sure.

16. Baltimore Ravens select Cyrus Kouandjio (Alabama, OT)

The Ravens will either draft at 16 or 17 (depending on a coin flip vs. the Cowboys), but I went in alphabetical order. Simply put, the Ravens couldn't run the ball this year, and Flacco needed more time to throw. Cyrus can help in both areas.

17. Dallas Cowboys select Stephon Tuitt (Notre Dame, DE)

Tuitt could end up going higher so this could be a steal for the Cowboys. But he would give them great quickness and size off the edge. Their defense needs a lot of help.

18. New York Jets select Eric Ebron (North Carolina, TE)

The Jets need more weapons on offense, so this selection will be whoever they have ranked the highest at one of the skill positions. Ebron is the best TE in the draft, and is an animal in the passing game. This could give Geno a nice target finally.

19. Miami Dolphins select Mike Evans (Texan A&M, WR)

This was the hardest draft choice I made in this mock. I considered a lot of players at a lot of positions. But the bottom line is that Miami came up small the last two weeks of the season as they were trying to clinch their playoff birth. A little more offensive firepower may have gotten them over the edge. Evans gives them that (although Ebron makes more sense if he falls here).

20. Arizona Cardinals select Derek Carr (Fresno State, QB)

This is a pick I doubt happens, but it should. Carson Palmer isn't their long-term answer (cause he's old), so why not take a great prospect and have him start learning from the bench. We have seen this work well for guys like Aaron Rodgers and Nick Foles. In reality, Arizona will likely draft the best available player on either side of the ball. Another real possibility is they look to trade down.

NOTE: After the NFL playoffs, the Sports Guys will combine to bring you a full mock draft of the first round selected in alternate format. We'll know even more then.

By: The Sports Guys