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 wants his guy running the offense. Bortels can do everything O'Brien wants in a QB and there are obvious ties between the two.
2. St. Louis Rams: Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
With the Rams needing to protect Sam Bradford, they're likely taking a tackle here. Greg Robinson is the favorite by many, but Matthews is far more developed as a pass blocker than Robinson. Add in that HC Jeff Fisher has ties to the Matthews family and that makes this pick more likely.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
I'm not ruling out Johnny Manizel here, but Jacksonville made it clear last draft that they are taking the best player regardless of position. That is clearly Clowney who would fit perfectly as the Leo in Gus Bradley's 4-3 Under defense.
4. Cleveland Browns: Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
I really want to put Bridgewater here because he is the most NFL ready and the Browns are realistically only a QB and a RB away from being a division contender. BUT, this is the Browns who we are talking about and they may feel Manziel can give them a spark they don't have.
5. Oakland Raiders: Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
This might be best case scenario for the Raiders who get the top QB in this class and don't have to move up to get him. The Raiders desperately need a QB and Bridgewater is a guy that could really make a difference. But he'll also need weapons around him.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Greg Robinson OT Auburn
They need a pass rusher and a left tackle desperately and Mack or Barr could be strong possibilities. Pass rush is important, but they can't pass on Robinson here who is arguably a top five player. 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 OLB Buffalo
Tampa desperately needs help rushing the passer and may look at somebody like Kony Ealy because Lovie likes to get a pass rush out of his front four. But it will be too hard to pass on Mack who some consider the top player in the draft. Look for the Bucs to use Mack similar to how Denver uses Von Miller.
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.
9. Buffalo Bills: Sammie Watkins WR Clemson
If Watkins is still available here I would assume somebody moves up with Minnesota (ahead of Buffalo) to take him. Watkins is a #1 caliber WR who has good size, excellent speed, and a knack for getting open. This addition will give Manuel another weapon and allow Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods to slide in more natural support roles.
10. Detroit Lions: Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
They'd love for Watkins to fall to them but they'd have to trade up to get him and that goes against what they do. But they still desperately need to take pressure off of Calvin Johnson and with Evans having a good combine his stock is red hot. Evans size and catch radius fits with Matt Stafford's style of chucking up the ball to his receivers.
11. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
Getting a pass rusher was a priority before their move to the 3-4, but it's even more important now. Barr is still learning the position, but his skill set is so perfect for the 3-4 that he'll have a ton of success right off the bat for the Titans.
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, but he is the top pass protector in the draft and that's what this line
needs.
13. St. Louis Rams: Calvin Pryor S Louisville
This may seem like a strange pick (and likely could be their choice after moving down), but it makes more sense once you think about it. Pryor is the top safety in this class and he has the skill set to play the free safety spot which has been a huge liability for the Rams. Add in that Fisher took Michael Griffin higher than expected and the thought is coming together.
14. Chicago Bears: Tim Jernigan DT Florida State
Chicago's run defense was the worst in the NFL last year and that was largely because of injuries to the DTs. Even if the Bears resign Henry Melton they need more help. Getting a guy like
Jernigan would really help solve their problem because of his ability to take on blocks, clog the lanes and still be able to make plays.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
The Steelers secondary has struggled to find a lock down corner for years, but may have found their answer here. in coverage and
could use a true lock down corner. Gilbert solidified his spot as the top corner with superb combine performance where he showed elite athleticism to go with his instincts. Now the Steelers have to hope he lasts this long.
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 since the ILB spot doesn't carry a huge position value he could slip. Mosley can step into the Rey Lewis role as the run stuffer and blitzer.
17. Dallas Cowboys: Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Donald really made a name for himself with a dominant performance at the
Senior Bowl and then continued his momentum with a Combine performance to puts him square into the first round discussion. 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 the lack of playmakers really hurt this offense. This pick could either be a receiver or tight end and with Evans off the board it looks like Ebron is the guy. 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
It's totally realistic that the Dolphins will be starting five new offensive lineman on opening day with Martin, Incognio and Jerry all gone (Pouncey suspended). I predict they'll land Brandon Albert who they wanted last year, but they
still need that guard. Martin could be the best possible solution because he has the skill set to play tackle, but projects best to guard. Either way he's good enough to play anywhere on their line.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Morgan Moses OT Virginia
They'd love to get Taylor Lewan who would fit the Cardinals scheme
perfectly, but he's more likely to go in the top 10 than be available here. Instead they'll go with Morgan Moses who
isn't the athlete that Lewan is, but he's a developing prospect with the skill set to
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 with this athleticism and ability to get pressure on the QB.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State
Cary Williams isn't a slouch, but when he's your number one corner you have issues. The knock of Dennard is he doesn't have great height, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in speed, quickness, and jumping ability. He wasn't named "No Fly Zone" for nothing.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
The Chiefs are really in a good position here because they should be able to address their three main needs with a quality player here. Stephon Tuitt or Jace Amaro could be their choice, but instead they go with Cooks who reminds many of Desean Jackson. The KC offense lacked playmakers outside of Jamal Charles and Cooks gives them that homerun threat on the outside.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamarcus Joyner S Florida State
In their need to add playmakers to the secondary the Bengals could also find a solution to their free safety position. Joyner's lack of size will scare some teams off and add that he played mainly cornerback this past year could have him falling. However he gets compared to Tyrann Mathieu a lot mainly because of his playmaking ability and that's exactly what the Bengals need.
25. San Diego Chargers: Kony Ealy DE Missouri
When add up that Thomas Keiser is your top pass rusher and Melvin Ingram continues to underachieve, you have some big issues. Kony Ealy could be a good weapon for this defense because he can play all over the field. He can line up as a DE in four and three man fronts and even play some OLB in the 3-4.
26. Cleveland Browns: Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State
They got their future QB with pick #4, now they can add another weapon to make the offense even better. Manziel was successful at A&M because he could throw jump balls to Mike Evans. Benjamin is very similar to Evans but even bigger. Paring him up with Josh Gordon could do wonders for this offense.
27. New Orleans Saints: Stephon Tuitt DE Notre Dame
Stephon Tuitt would fit in perfectly with the Saints aggressive 3-4 scheme. Tuitt has good size and is a versatile player that has the potential to dominant. His quickness and strength
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
There are some that have Clinton-Dix going in the teens, but if a safety goes that high then he needs to be able to cover centerfield. I don't see that in Clinton-Dix, he's a strong safety and better at playing in the box and matching up with tight ends. That's not a bad thing, he'll be a vast improvement over Mike Mitchell.
29. New England Patriots: Louis Nix DT Notre Dame
Louis Nix isn't your typical nose tackle, he possess quickness and
explosion you normally see out of sub 300 pound tackles. For the Patriots they'll see a lot of Vince Wilfork who won't be around forever. Nix's versatility will allow him to fit right in with the
Patriots who love to play a hybrid 4-3, 3-4 defense.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
San Francisco has one of the top defenses in the NFL, but they are still weak at the cornerback position. Fuller has long been on that second tier of CBs but after an impressive combine his numbers back up his strong play. His cover skills will come in handy with the 49ers who love to blitz and put their CBs on islands.
31. Denver Broncos: Scott Crichton DE Oregon State
When the Broncos lost Elvis Dummervill they lost out on a big piece to their defense. Dummervill was very good in Leo role in their 4-3 Under defense and Shaun Phillips just couldn't fill that role. Taking Scott Cricthon here gives them an athletic end to come off the edge and provide pressure opposite of Von Miller.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Xavier Su'a-Filo G UCLA
Who Seattle goes with will be a mystery since they go for fit more than value. Even with them winning the Super Bowl, their offensive line was an issue. They could really use a tackle and guard in this offseason. Su'a-Filo has been shooting up the draft boards and his ability to play in a zone blocking scheme makes him a fit.
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