We are now less than one month out from the NFL Draft. Players have been busy with pro days and private workouts and teams are currently constructing their “Big Boards.” Meanwhile, the flash of free agency is now majorly behind us, and the focus is fully on the upcoming draft. That means it is time for our fourth mock. As always, we are switching the spots we are drafting. Andrew will start with the top pick, then Greg takes two picks, then Andrew with two, Greg with two, and so on. Plus, we’ll dig further than last time going 20 deep into the second round. Enjoy!
1. Houston Texans select: Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M)
3rd Mock: Blake Bortles (QB, Central Florida)
2nd Mock: Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)
1st Mock: Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M)
There are four options: Clowney, Bortles, Manziel, or trade. They’d love to trade down but I doubt a team is willing to move up to this spot (Atlanta is the most likely however). And even though Clowney is the class of the draft, in today’s NFL a strong QB is needed over any other spots combined, and they need one badly. So that leaves Blake Bortles vs. Johnny Football. Last mock had us taking Bortles, but that was before Manziel’s pro day. It was awesome, and I believe he’s considered the top prospect once again (first mock).
2. Atlanta Falcons (from St. Louis via Washington) select: Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)
3rd Mock: Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson)
2nd Mock: Greg Robinson (OT, Auburn)
1st Mock (by Atlanta via trade): Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)
Rumors of a trade by Atlanta for this pick are starting to pick up, and it does St. Louis no great harm to move down to #6 in this draft, giving them even more picks in the future in doing so. I imagine it would take the #6 pick, along with the second and maybe third round pick (or future pick) for this to happen. All of this hinges on the Texans not trading the #1 pick or using it on Clowney.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Teddy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville)
3rd Mock: Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)
1st and 2nd Mock: Teddy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville)
Blake Bortles has looked like the QB with the most upside, yet in this mock he goes last. Many QB hungry teams may wait to get a different QB, but I don’t think the Jaguars are one of them. They need consistent QB play, and they have a QB signed that can start if Bridgewater isn’t able to start right away. However, all along Bridgewater has been heralded as the “most NFL ready” QB in this draft. He will have a chance to prove it in Jacksonville.
4. Cleveland Browns select: Blake Bortles (QB, UCF)
3rd Mock: Greg Robinson (OT, Auburn)
2nd Mock: Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson)
1st Mock: Blake Bortles (QB, UCF)
So far this mock has been identical to our first one. Sammy Watkins would be tempting here, along with Mack and Robinson, but Blake Bortles is too good to pass up for this QB needy team. Josh Gordon publicly stated he believes the team will go quarterback with this pick. I agree at this point.
5. Oakland Raiders select: Khalil Mack (LB, Buffalo)
3rd Mock: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
2nd Mock: Blake Bortles (QB, UCF)
1st Mock: Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson)
I think Oakland will take the best player available, and in this mock it’s Mack. He’d become the face of the defense and finally give them a young stud to build around on that side of the ball. Sure Watkins and Robinson could be useful, but without their franchise quarterback, what’s the point of taking either of them with this high of pick?
6. St. Louis Rams (from Atlanta via trade) select: Greg Robinson (OT, Auburn)
3rd Mock: Khalil Mack (LB, Buffalo)
2nd Mock (by Minnesota via trade): Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M)
1st Mock (by St. Louis via trade): Greg Robinson (OT, Auburn)
This is a dream scenario for the Rams. They traded out of the #2 spot, grabbing several more picks along the way, and still got the best offensive lineman in this draft. I think they should take a QB in this draft, but there are plenty to be taken in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th rounds that can be as good as what Sam Bradford has been. Sammy Watkins is another real possibility.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson)
3rd Mock: Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
1st and 2nd Mock: Khalil Mack (LB, Buffalo)
This is the farthest Watkins has fallen in any of our mock drafts. Tampa would be lucky, as Watkins is a better fit opposite Vincent Jackson than Mike Evans is. Watkins is also more of an offensive weapon, as he can be used in multiple positions in multiple formations. Lovie Smith would be very happy with this pick.
8. Minnesota Vikings select: Derek Carr (QB, Fresno State)
3rd Mock: Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
2nd Mock (by Atlanta via trade): Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
1st Mock: C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama)
Minnesota could go in so many directions here including trading down (which I think they wouldn’t mind doing). But I’m unsure of what team would look to jump to this spot, unless someone wants to trade up for Mike Evans. Another likely option is that the team drafts a quarterback, obviously a major position of need. Carr has been impressive over the last few weeks, and some are starting to say he’s right there with the top 3, if not better than some or all of them. And with the top 3 off the board in this mock, Carr is the last man standing. I think the Vikings would be fearful of passing and seeing a team like Arizona draft him later in the first round. So Carr gets the nod.
9. Buffalo Bills select: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan)
1st Mock: Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
EJ Manuel needs protection, and Matthews would be a steal this late in the draft. He’d help in all phases of offense so this was an easy pick. Another possibility would have been Mike Evans, but with the team trading for Mike Williams recently, along with the fact they drafted Robert Woods a year ago, I think they’d rather beef up the offensive line.
10. Detroit Lions select: Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
3rd Mock: Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
2nd Mock: Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
1st Mock: Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
With the Vikings taking a QB at #8, it opens up a spot for the Lions to take Evans here. They need a second WR, as Golden Tate and Brandon Pettigrew are not a strong enough second options. True, they could have nabbed Justin Gilbert at this spot, but the CB class is fairly deep this year and they can grab a starter for this team in the second or third round.
11. Tennessee Titans select: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan)
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mock: Anthony Barr (OLB, UCLA)
Barr has fallen in many scouts’ eyes, so he is no longer the pick for the Titans here, as he was in all of our other mocks. If they decide to go with Jake Locker at QB, then they will need some help on the offensive line. Lewan is incredibly athletic and strong. He will be able to step in and start at left tackle for this team, not too bad for being the third ranked LT in this draft.
12. New York Giants select: Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina)
1st Mock: Taylor Lewan (OT, Michigan)
With the top offensive lineman gone, this pick boils down to a playmaker (TE or WR) vs. a stopper (DL or LB). As we’ve done in our last two mocks, Ebron got the call. He has so much talent and fills a position of massive need. Eli has needed other reliable targets outside of Cruz, and Ebron would become one. Plus, with Myers going to Tampa Bay in the offseason, this became a no-brainer.
13. St. Louis Rams select: Calvin Pryor (S, Louisville)
3rd Mock: Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
1st Mock: Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
The Rams could continue helping the offense here with a WR, but their secondary takes priority at this spot since the Rams have multiple picks in second round now (due to the Atlanta trade at #2) to take a WR. Justin Gilbert’s availability made this selection somewhat tricky, but safety really is their top need. Pryor then got the nod over Clinton-Dix due to his hard hitting nature. It fits what they are looking for due to the division they play in.
14. Chicago Bears select: Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Aaron Donald (DT, Pittsburgh)
1st Mock: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama)
The Bears need several things here, and they could go with any one of four positions and get a really solid player at a position of need. Gilbert is a taller, more physical corner that will be Charles Tillman’s replacement in Chicago long-term. They could go with CJ Mosley, Darqueze Dennard, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, or Aaron Donald in this spot and Bears fans should be satisfied with any of those picks.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama)
3rd Mock: Calvin Pryor (S, Louisville)
2nd Mock: Louis Nix III (DT, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
Ryan Clark has departed for Washington, and the Steelers need some help on the back end of their defense next to Polomalu. Some consider Clinton-Dix the #1 safety in this draft, and could be picked ahead of Calvin Pryor. He will immediately help the Steelers improve on defense.
16. Dallas Cowboys select: Aaron Donald (DT, Pittsburgh)
2nd Mock: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama)
1st and 3rd Mock: Timmy Jernigan (DT, Florida State)
The Cowboys need a lot of guys on defense, but particular on the defensive line. Henry Melton helps (free agent signing), but Donald possesses so much talent and can be a star for years to come. If he gets past the Bears, Donald will go here.
17. Baltimore Ravens select: C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama)
2nd and 3rd Mock: Zach Martin (OT, Notre Dame)
1st Mock: Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama)
For years, the Ravens have consistently taken the best player on the board. If they stick to that philosophy, Mosley is the pick. It just so happens that linebacker is also an area I think they’ll add onto in the draft (if not here then in another round). The other option is Zach Martin, who we’ve picked for them in the last two mocks. That wouldn’t surprise me either.
18. New York Jets select: Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
3rd Mock: Darqueze Dennard (CB, MSU)
2nd Mock: C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama)
1st Mock: Eric Ebron (TE, UNC)
The Jets signed Eric Decker this offseason, but need a complementary receiver opposite him to help either Vick or Geno. Lee would be a good fit, seems to be a hard worker, and will like the flash of New York City. He could, and should, have at least as good a season as Robert Woods did for Buffalo last year as a rookie.
19. Miami Dolphins select: Zack Martin (OL, Notre Dame)
3rd Mock (by Cleveland via trade): Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M)
2nd Mock (by Philadelphia via trade): Timmy Jernigan (DT, Florida State)
1st Mock: Zack Martin (OT, Notre Dame)
Martin continues to make the most sense for Miami. They need offensive lineman in the worst way. Martin can play at a high level at any position on the line for a team that needs to clean up the nastiness there. Martin will help erase the stink left by Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito.
20. Arizona Cardinals select: Anthony Barr (OLB, UCLA)
3rd Mock: Louis Nix (DT, Notre Dame)
2nd Mock: Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
1st Mock (by Denver via trade): Darqueze Dennard (CB, MSU)
Since LT and CB were addressed well in free agency, Arizona has the freedom to do as they choose here. Getting an additional pass rusher on the outside would be near the top of their list I’m sure. Barr was once thought of as a top ten pick, so even with his stock dropping a little, his upside is worth the selection here.
21. Green Bay Packers select: Darqueze Dennard (CB, MSU)
3rd Mock: C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama)
2nd Mock: Calvin Pryor (S, Louisville)
1st Mock: Louis Nix III (DT, Notre Dame)
As you can see by our mocks, Green Bay will address their defense with this pick. But outside of safety and ILB, they don’t have a lot of obvious holes (since Raji re-signed and they nabbed Peppers). I don’t believe there is a safety or ILB available here worth taking, so I think they’ll add depth at CB. In fact, Dennard may even be an upgrade. This position is very important for them as two of their division rivals (Chicago and Detroit) have great passing games.
22. Philadelphia Eagles select: Brandin Cooks (WR, Oregon State)
3rd Mock: Brandin Cooks (WR, Oregon State)
2nd Mock (by Denver via trade): Darqueze Dennard (CB, MSU)
1st Mock: Stephon Tuitt (DE, Notre Dame)
Cooks is a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s offense, and has the playmaking ability to help this offense in many ways. He will help to replace Desean Jackson’s production with the help of Jeremy Maclin alongside him.
23. Kansas City Chiefs select: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, LSU)
3rd Mock: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, LSU)
2nd Mock: Brandin Cooks (WR, Oregon State)
1st Mock: Loucheiz Purifoy (CB, Florida)
The Chiefs need help at the WR position and Beckham Jr. can step in almost immediately to do so. The last couple picks have been the same as our last mock draft, but only because no other players have vaulted above them during the pro days leading up to this draft.
24. Cincinnati Bengals select: Bradley Roby (CB, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Bradley Roby (CB, Ohio State)
1st and 2nd Mock: Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri)
The Bengals will either take the best CB or DE on the board in my opinion. For now, I think Roby is that selection, as he was in our last mock. My personal thoughts are that the Bengals should also consider taking a WR to play alongside AJ Green.
25. San Diego Chargers select: Kyle Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)
3rd Mock: Ryan Shazier (LB, Ohio State)
2nd Mock: Bradley Roby (CB, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Jace Amaro (TE, Texas Tech)
The Chargers’ biggest need is at cornerback. Lucky for them, there is great depth there this year. Fuller would do a great job for them on the outside. The other corner I considered was Jason Verrett, but I prefer Fuller.
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis) select: Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State)
3rd Mock (by Miami via trade): Xavier Su’a-Filo (G, UCLA)
2nd Mock: Ryan Shazier (LB, Ohio State)
1st Mock: Kelvin Benjamin (WR, Florida State)
With QB chosen with earlier, we assume grabbing a #2 WR would be another priority. Adams would be a great option. This would give their new QB Gordon, Cameron, and Adams to throw to.
27. New Orleans Saints select: Ra'shede Hageman (DT, Minnesota)
3rd Mock: Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri)
2nd Mock: Morgan Moses (OT, Virginia)
1st Mock: Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson)
The Saints defense improved pretty dramatically last season, but they still need some help inside rushing the passer. Hageman helps the run defense as well.
28. Carolina Panthers select: Cody Latimer (WR, Indiana)
3rd Mock: Kelvin Benjamin (WR, Florida State)
2nd Mock: Allen Robinson (WR, Penn State)
1st Mock: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, LSU)
Carolina has to go with a receiver here as they lost everyone in the offseason. Latimer makes his first appearance in any of our mocks as he is rising up draft boards. I watched him play at IU (as I’m an unfortunate IU fan) and he’s solid. Kelvin Benjamin was going to be the pick before he cancelled his pro day.
29. Seattle Seahawks (from New England via trade) select: Timmy Jernigan (DT, Florida State)
3rd Mock: Kyle Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)
2nd Mock: Jace Amaro (TE, Texas Tech)
1st Mock (by Cleveland via trade): Carlos Hyde (RB, Ohio State)
Seattle moves up to take New England’s pick (classic Pats move). With it, they add to their defensive line with Jernigan, who is a steal at this point. Seattle missed on some free agents over the last few weeks that could have beefed up the line, but instead they do it here.
30. San Francisco 49ers select: Kyle Van Noy (OLB, BYU)
3rd Mock: Jason Verrett (CB, TCU)
2nd Mock: Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, LSU)
1st Mock: Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State)
Van Noy is an extremely productive player who can help to keep Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks fresh. Harbaugh will love him as a player and playing with the 49ers will give him the edge he sometimes lacked in college. Van Noy was arguably more productive over his career than Anthony Barr, who is viewed as a much better prospect.
31. Denver Broncos select: Ryan Shazier (LB, Ohio State)
3rd Mock: Lamarcus Joyner (CB, Florida State)
2nd Mock (by Miami via trade): Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama)
1st Mock (by Arizona via trade): Ra’Shede Hageman (DT, Minnesota)
Shazier is a very productive linebacker who has excellent range and plays with an edge. The Broncos need some depth and Shazier can come in and start for the Broncos, providing them with some depth by dropping any of their starters down.
32. New England (from Seattle via trade) select: Louis Nix III (DT, Notre Dame)
3rd Mock: Stephon Tuitt (DL, Notre Dame)
2nd Mock: Trent Murphy (DE, Stanford)
1st Mock: Morgan Moses (OT, Virginia)
Nix would be great value at #32 and he gives them depth behind aging Vince Wilfork. He would do well in an understudy role before replacing Wilfork next year. If it works out this way, the Pats would be winners once again by moving down.
Bonus: First 20 Second Round Picks
33. Houston Texans select: Dee Ford (DE/OLB, Auburn)
3rd Mock: Demarcus Lawrence (OLB, Boise State)
Ford is a versatile player capable of playing OLB or DE. In fact, Mel Kiper actually considers him an OLB, despite being commonly referred to as a DE. He’d be a great fit for Houston in my opinion, filling a need in some degree.
34. Washington Redskins select: Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama)
3rd Mock: Morgan Moses (OT, Virginia)
Kouandjio could be a steal for the Redskins here, depending on where they use him. D.J. Fluker is a pretty good benchmark for him, and if he does as well as Fluker did as a rookie, the Redskins will be ecstatic. He will help their ground game in particular, as he is a mauler in run blocking.
35. Cleveland Browns select: Allen Robinson (WR, Penn State)
3rd Mock (by Jacksonville via trade): Teddy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville)
Robinson excelled in his pro day, running much faster (4.40) than expected and that should put him into the late first round/early second round territory. He would be a good fit in Cleveland. Plus, he and Adams (at #26) would give Bortles (at #4) plenty of weapons to use, since they already have Gordon and Cameron.
36. Oakland Raiders select: Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, Eastern Illinois)
3rd Mock: Derek Carr (QB, Fresno State)
Oakland went defense in the first round, so I think they address the quarterback position here. Garoppolo is a QB that has been on the rise in recent months. Many believe his upside is higher than some of those that will be taken before him. One of the things that makes him special is his quick release, which he’ll likely need in Oakland.
37. St. Louis Rams (from Atlanta via trade) select: Kelvin Benjamin (WR, Florida State)
3rd Mock: Dee Ford (DE/OLB, Auburn)
The Rams acquired this pick from Atlanta due to their trade in the first round. With it, I think they try and find a quality receiver. Benjamin is a first round talent, but may fall here because of personal issues. Yesterday, he cancelled his pro day because he was “too tired.” That may cost him money, but the Rams could get a potential steal here in the second round if they take on the risk.
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri)
3rd Mock: Ra’Shede Hageman (DT, Minnesota)
Lovie Smith will love this pass rushing specialist, especially having spent their first pick on an offensive player. Ealy is considered a first rounder is some circles, so this is also great value.
39. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Jace Amaro (TE, Texas Tech)
3rd Mock (by Cleveland via trade): Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State)
With Bridgewater in the first round, and a declining Mercedes Lewis at the TE position, Amaro would be a welcome sight to rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater.
40. Minnesota Vikings select: Jason Verrett (CB, TCU)
3rd Mock: Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, Eastern Illinois)
With the QB situation addressed at #8, Minnesota will turn to the defense with this pick. Verrett not only fills a position of need at cornerback, but he’s probably the best defensive prospect on the board. In fact, there is a good chance he could be selected in the first round (as we’ve mocked before), so Minnesota would be thrilled if he falls here.
41. Buffalo Bills select: Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, Washington)
3rd Mock: Jerry Attaochu (OLB, Georgia Tech)
Similar to their pick at #9 (OT Jake Matthews), this pick is all about supporting EJ Manuel. ASJ is athletic and has a ton of upside. To me, he is a clear upgrade to Scott Chandler, and another long-term target for the young QB. If they happen to go defense, safety Jimmie Ward is an option here.
42. Tennessee Titans select: A.J. McCarron (QB, Alabama)
3rd Mock: Cyrus Kouandjio (OT, Alabama)
I’ve been high on McCarron for a few years and if I had the #1 pick in the draft as a GM, I’d be tempted to take him ahead of any other QB in this class. This pick makes sense too. The Titans still have not decided what they will do with Jake Locker. If they keep him, McCarron can sit behind him until he gets hurt and then take his job. If they decide to not keep Locker long term, then McCarron can come in and do the job well. Nashville also just seems like a good fit for McCarron.
43. New York Giants select: Stanley Jean-Baptiste (CB, Nebraska)
The Giants need help in the secondary. Baptiste is a big, physical cover corner who will be a nice compliment to his former teammate, Prince Amukamara, in New York.
44. St. Louis Rams select: Chris Borland (LB, Wisconsin)
This is the fourth pick for the Rams in this mock. They’ve already addressed needs at OT, S, and WR. I’m tempted to pick another receiver as well as trading down again, but they could use depth at linebacker. Borland was great for the Badgers in college and would be solid value here.
45. Detroit Lions select: Lamarcus Joyner (CB, Florida State)
With a receiver selected at #10, they must select a corner with this pick. Joyner would likely be the highest remaining CB on their board at this point. Cornerback is a must upgrade for the Lions in the draft, seeing as they play the Packers (Rodgers at QB) and Bears (WR duo of Marshall and Jeffery) twice each year.
46. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Jeremiah Attaochu (OLB, Georgia Tech)
This is a draft pick to replace the recently departed LaMarr Woodley. Attaochu is a very athletic defensive player that Dick LeBeau will be able to use very effectively.
47. Dallas Cowboys select: Joel Bitonio (OL, Nevada)
Bitonio will be able to come in and play right tackle for the Cowboys. They need some help in pass protection on that side since they let Doug Free go, and Bitonio can either step in at RT, or guard, but would be best at the guard position.
48. Baltimore Ravens select: Morgan Moses (OT, Virginia)
The Ravens didn’t have a great line last season, and they lost guys in free agency to boot. Moses is a solid lineman that can play in a couple different spots for Baltimore. Best case scenario is that he starts for them all year and helps the line improve, which it needs to. Worst case scenario is he adds much needed depth.
49. New York Jets select: Keith McGill (CB, Utah)
Rex Ryan could use another solid corner, and McGill would be a great fit in New York. He is a big, physical CB, which I think the coaching staff would appreciate.
50. Miami Dolphins select: Troy Niklas (TE, Notre Dame)
Charles Clay emerged as a good TE last year but Niklas is a huge man, a good pass catcher, and a good run blocker. Michael Egnew hasn’t produced like he should in the NFL and Niklas should come in and be able to win this job outright.
51. Chicago Bears select: Stephon Tuitt (DL, Notre Dame)
The Bears added quite a bit of help on the defensive line this offseason but can do with some more depth and quality there. Tuitt is agile enough to play either the DE or DT position, and can hold up against the run as well as rush the passer. He is a really good get this late in the second round.
52. Arizona Cardinals select: Jimmie Ward (S, Northern Illinois)
Just like at #20, Arizona could go in a lot of directions here including trading down or even taking a quarterback to groom behind Palmer. But they could use another safety and Ward is the third best guy in the draft at that position. In fact, this is pretty good value in my opinion.
We will do one more mock, our fifth, right before the draft next month. That draft will include the entire second round. Maybe by then, maybe we can get it right… finally.
By: The Sports Guys
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