1. Houston Texans: Blake Bortels QB UCF
Even though Clowney is the top player in this draft, the Texans will likely take a QB. O'Brien is a QB guru and he is gonna want his guy. Johnny Manziel is the hot name here, but that's all hype to get page views. This pick will come down between Bortles and Bridgewater and it should be close. Both have what O'Brien looks for, but his familiarity with Bortles will be the deciding factor.
2. St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
Look for this to be the prime spot for a team to move up to get a QB. St. Louis would love to move down and still get a good player. No matter where they end up with, look for them to take a tackle to help protect Sam Bradford to see what he has. A lot of people have Robinson going here, but I think Matthews may end up being the guy. Head coach Jeff Fisher is familiar with the Matthews family and the fact that Matthews is more ready could lead to him being the pick.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
The Jaguars are in an interesting spot because they'll get a QB, but likely somebody will jump them to get the second choice. But that shouldn't matter because out of the top three they all should do well for the Jaguars. Bridgewater seems like the best candidate because his movement within the pocket and accuracy should remind Gus Bradley of Russell Wilson.
4. Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
If any team could go from top five pick to the playoffs, it could be the Browns. They have a good defense and playmakers on offense, but lack the most important position. Quarterback. Don't be surprised to see them make a move up to the #2 spot to get the guy they want. They have accumulated several picks in the first three rounds. That guy may be Manziel and he could breathe some life into this organization. That or he could be another colossal Browns bust.
5. Oakland Raiders: Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
If Cleveland doesn't move up to get a QB, the Raiders could. With a lot of pressure on GM Reggie McKenzie and HC Dennis Allen to win they may feel the need to move. But if they can't it would be hard not to be happy getting Clowney here. Don't be surprised to see Clowney at this point because there are so many QB hungry teams. Either way the Raiders need playmakers on defense and Clowney gives them that.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Greg Robinson OT Auburn
It's crazy how unlucky of a season the Falcons had with all the injuries and just dumb luck. But they end up with a top six pick and should be able to reload and compete for the NFC Title again. They need a pass rusher and a left tackle. Pass rush is important, but they can't pass on Robinson here. Robinson may have to start at right tackle at first, but even so, the protection would be improving for Matt Ryan.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Khalil Mack LB Buffalo
Under Lovie Smith the Tampa Bay Bucs are bringing the band back together to try and get the Bucs back to their dominant ways. They have some talent, but rushing the passer isn't one of them. They'd love to get a true pass rushing defense end, but outside of Clowney there isn't one in this draft. But they do have the opportunity to a impact player in Mack that will help their pass rush. Think Von Miller with a little less explosion but a lot more powerful. That's what Mack is. He'll likely play the SLB position and slide down to DE in passing situations.
8. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Carr QB Fresno State
This pick may not take place here, but Carr and the Vikings are a perfect match. With Norv Turner in as the OC the Vikings will look to go vertical. Carr has a strong arm to go with his quick release and can make all the throws in that offense. Carr should be able to win a competition that involves Christian Ponder and Josh Freeman.
9. Buffalo Bills: Sammie Watkins WR Clemson
Watkins is my second rated player in this draft, but because QBs are so needed at the beginning of the draft he falls here. Watkins is a #1 caliber WR who has good size, excellent speed, and a knack for getting open. Watkins can step into Buffalo and move Stevie Johnson to the #2 spot while Robert Woods will be able to work out of the slot. Buffalo's offense immediately improves with just one pick.
10. Detroit Lions: Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
The Lions would love for Sammie Watkins to fall here, but he's not. WR opposite of Calvin Johnson is still important, so adding Evans could help the offense out immensely. Evans would give Matt Stafford another big bodies receiver who can go up and get the ball when he chucks it up there.
11. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
With Tennessee moving to more of a 3-4 look with Ray Horton as their DC, they need outside linebackers who can rush the passer. Barr is still pretty raw, but as an athlete he is second to none. He can use his speed and athletic ability to rush the passer, but is just as good dropping into coverage. His skill set will allow them to do multiple things on defense that should throw the offense off key.
12. New York Giants: Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
Even with taking Justin Pugh last year, the Giants still need to invest high picks into their offense line. William Beatty isn't getting it done at left tackle and it may be time to move on. Lewan isn't the greatest run blocker, so that could hurt his chances of coming here. But he is a very talented pass protector and that's what this line needs. Let's just say that Eli would approve this pick.
13. St. Louis Rams: Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State
Just like New York in taking another offensive lineman two years in a row, the Rams should take another receiver in the first round. Tavon Austin started off slow last year, but he began to pick it up late and was showing why he was a top ten pick last year. Austin is good, but he's not a #1. The Rams can get that guy here in Benjamin who would finally give Bradford a big bodied receiver who can go up and get the ball.
14. Chicago Bears: Tim Jernigan DT Florida State
Injuries were the downfall of the Bears defense last year and no position was hurt more than defensive tackle. That was no more evident in DE Corey Wootton moving down to tackle to provide a fresh body. Even if the Bears resign Melton they need help. Getting a guy like Jernigan would really help because their run defense was so bad last year and he's very stout taking on blocks and clogging the lanes. It will also help that Jernigan can play both tackle positions.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
The popular pick for the Steelers amongst mock drafters is to put Louis Nix here. But as we saw with Terrence Cody years ago, teams aren't willing to take a player this high who isn't a every down player. With that said, the Steelers secondary has struggled in coverage and could use a true lock down corner. Gilbert is the best in this class and would be a very good value here.
16. Baltimore Ravens: CJ Mosley LB Alabama
Baltimore has a habit of getting good players to fall right into their lap. Mosley could easily go #11 or #12 and nobody would bat an eye. But I don't see him going that high mainly because of the value of the position. But his slide could fall here. Mosley could step into that Rey Lewis role that Rolando McClain was going to take before he retired. Now they can get that spot locked up with another super star from Alabama.
17. Dallas Cowboys: Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Donald really made a name for himself with a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl. His quickness and speed make him a perfect fit as a 3 technique defensive tackle in a Tampa 2 style defense that the Cowboys are trying to run.
18. New York Jets: Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
New York really wanted Tavon Austin last year but missed out on him, and it showed with the lack of playmakers they had on offense. This pick will either be a receiver or tight end and in this case taking the top tight end in the class seems like a slam dunk. If the Jets were able to get a couple of big games out of Kellen Winslow last year, imagine what they could do with a guy some are comparing to Vernon Davis.
19. Miami Dolphins: Zach Martin OL Notre Dame
For all the drama that happened last year with the Dolphins, they almost made the playoffs. It's safe to say that both Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito won't be back. That means they have to get a new left tackle and guard. They'll likely land Brandon Albert who they wanted last year, but they still need that guard. Martin could be the best possible solution. Martin played left tackle at Notre Dame and could get a shot there, but he ultimately could slide inside to guard or even to right tackle. Either way he'll start on their team.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Cyrus Kouandjio OT Alabama
Every year there is a team that you can either lock a certain player or position to a team. I think you can do that with the Arizona Cardinals here and a tackle. They'd love to get Taylor Lewan who would fit the Cardinals scheme perfectly, but he's gone. Instead they'll go with Cyrus Kouandjio who isn't the athlete that Lewan is, but he's a well rounded player who can help protect the quarterback on those five and seven step drops Arians likes.
21. Green Bay Packers: Dee Ford DE Auburn
They could go with a tight end, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Jermichael Finley. However the bigger priority may be getting help for Clay Matthews in rushing the passer. Dee Ford made a name for himself with a strong three game performance against Alabama, Missouri, and Florida State. He has knack for getting to the passer and the athleticism to play as an OLB in the 3-4.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State
The cornerback situation with Philadelphia isn't the greatest. Cary Williams isn't a slouch, but when he's your number one corner, there is issues. Luckily for the Eagles this class is deep on receiver talent and they could get a steal here with Dennard. Now Dennard isn't the biggest CB out there, but he is a good athlete and just sticks with receivers. He's not nicknamed "No Fly Zone" for nothing.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Stephon Tuitt DE Notre Dame
It's crazy to think the Chiefs could go with another defensive lineman after taking so many in previous years. But it's a need again. Tyson Jackson is a free agent and even if he is retained Mike DeVito is nothing more than just an average player. Tuitt is a perfect fit as a 5 technique DE and an even better fit in the Chiefs one gap system. He has the size to take on blocks, but also the athletic ability to disrupt in the backfield. Kansas City is getting a steal here.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamarcus Joyner S Florida State
The Bengals have long been looking for help at the free safety spot and yet to find somebody to unseat Reggie Nelson. That time should come here with Joyner who might remind some people of Seahawks FS Earl Thomas. Joyner is a smaller safety but don't let his size fool you. He's good dropping into coverage, but willing to fly up and make a tackle in the run game. Some even think he could play corner which only helps him match up with slot receivers.
25. San Diego Chargers: Marqise Lee WR USC
San Diego returned to be a playoff team mainly because of their strong running game. But one of their downfalls was they don't have a lot of playmakers at the WR position. Keenan Allen emerged last year but he isn't a number one caliber guy. If Marqise Lee falls to him he could give them a vertical threat they haven't had since Vincent Jackson left and that could only help their running game.
26. Cleveland Browns: Tre Mason RB Auburn
Many people thought the Browns were crazy to trade Trent Richardson during the season, but it turned out to be a good move by their part. However they are left with no real threat at the position and are forced to find somebody. Tre Mason is my top RB and his play should resemble Bengals rookie Gio Bernard. Pair him up with Manziel, Josh Gordon, Jordan Cameron and a solid line and the Browns could surprise.
27. New Orleans Saints: Ra'Shede Hageman DT Minnesota
Bringing in Rob Ryan's aggressive scheme did wonders for the Saints who got back to their style of defense that helped them win a Super Bowl. However they are still needing some pieces in their transition to the 3-4. Ra'Shede Hageman would fit in perfectly with this scheme. Hageman is a physical freak that has the potential to dominant. His aggressive play fits right into the scheme and at 6'6 300 pounds he has the size teams love out of the position.
28. Carolina Panthers: Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix S Alabama
Both Panther starting safeties are free agents, but they would be better served to upgrade them anyways. Some have Clinton-Dix going in the teens, but this seems like a better fit for him. He can play either safety spot which should help him out, but he seems like a more nature fit at the strong safety where he can come down and help in the run game. Either way the Panthers are adding another good young piece to their defense.
29. New England Patriots: Louis Nix NT Notre Dame
It's clear that the Patriots defense isn't the same when Vince Wilfork isn't manning the middle. However Wilfork isn't going to be around for ever and usually misses significant time. The Patriots picks are always up in the air, but they could target another player who plays a lot like Wilfork. Louis Nix isn't your typical nose tackle, he possess quickness and explosion you normally see out of sub 300 pound tackles. Much like Wilfork. Nix's versatility will allow him to fit right in with the Patriots who love to play a hybrid 4-3, 3-4 defense. Can you imagine a team trying to run on Wilfork and Nix in the same lineup?
30. San Francisco 49ers: Allen Robinson WR Penn State
When Anquan Boldin was traded to the 49ers it made everybody want to put them as their Super Bowl Favorites. However that addition did little to solve the biggest issue the 49ers had and that they didn't have an elite receiver, especially one that could stretch the field. Now Robinson isn't going to be confused with a burner, but he has the size and leaping ability teams like. Add in good body control and he could be the guy that can help take pressure off of the 49ers run game.
31. Denver Broncos: Kony Ealy DE Missouri
With this being a relative weak DE class, Ealy could easily be gone by here. But Denver needs help rushing the passer and cannot rely on guys like Shaun Phillips. Ealy fits well into their weakside end opposite of Derek Wolfe and give another pass rusher opposite of Von Miller.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Morgan Moses OT Virginia
Who Seattle picks is gonna be a question mark until the pick is made. They like to go with perfect fit for their system and that doesn't always translate to whose the best player available. One person they could take in this situation is Moses out of Virginia. He still has some work to do, but the Seahawks need to fix their line and bringing in a player whose got experience at both tackle positions helps. Add in that Russell Okung is always hurt and Moses gives them some insurance.
