1. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Fisher OT Central Michigan
It was no secret that the Chiefs were going to take a tackle with the first overall pick. For the longest time it looked like it was going to be Luke Joeckel, but Fisher picked up steam the past couple of days. Both players are very close, but Kansas City chose Fisher because he provides more upside. But you have to wonder how Fisher would have done facing the competition that Joeckel had to face week in and week out in the SEC. I would have taken Joeckel.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Luke Joeckel OT Texas A&M
I get that Luke Joeckel is considered to be the top tackle in the draft, but I don't get this pick at all. You are basically taking a right tackle here. You have Eugene Monroe who is one of the top 10 best left tackles in the game, why take another tackle with the #2 pick. You need impact players on defense. Take Dion Jordan and give yourself a playmaker. Now you take Joeckel to play RT and then lose Monroe after next year. Horrible pick. But that's why they'll be picking in the top five again next year.
3. Miami Dolphins: Dion Jordan DE Oregon
When this trade got announced everybody thought they had moved up to get Lane Johnson. However the first shocker of the night was that they got Jordan instead. Make sense. They'll more than likely get Brandon Albert and could really use another pass rusher opposite of Cameron Wake. Look for Jordan to start out as a pass rushing specialist, but he could push Jared Odrick instead to guard where he is better suited.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Lane Johnson OT Oklahoma
Well the run on offensive tackles went early. Johnson has been a rumored name for the Eagles because of a lack of talent on their offensive line and his athletic ability make him a good fit in Chip Kelly's system. Kelly loves tall athletic lineman and that fits Johnson to a T. Johnson also has experience in a uptempo system, so that only makes it easier. This may be a little early for Johnson, but he is one of the elite tackles and they don't come around too often.
5. Detroit Lions: Ezekial Ansah DE BYU
After losing Cliff Avril in free agency the Lions needed to find somebody to provide a pass rush on the outside. Ansah is incredibly raw playing only a couple years of football, but he has that raw athletic ability you just don't see. He should be a great fit because all he'll be asked to do is rush the QB from that Wide 9 spot. But this has boom or bust written all over it.
6. Cleveland Browns: Barkevious Mingo DE LSU
Demarcus Milliner was the predicted pick here, but there was some talk of Mingo leading up to the draft. It make sense. The Browns only pass rushers are Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard. Getting that third guy is extremely important, especially with Kruger not showing the ability to play against the run. Mingo also is athletic enough to drop into coverage and set the edge on the run. Could be the starter and allow Kruger to be in that familiar pass rushing specialist role he did so well in Baltimore.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Jon Cooper G North Carolina
It's clear that Arizona wanted to upgrade their offensive line and protect Carson Palmer. They probably wanted one of the tackles to fall to them. However they did end up with the top guard in the draft. Cooper excels at pass blocking and the Cardinals will need to because Arians loves to throw the ball deep. Add in that Cooper could move over to center at some point and this pick can get even better. Guards are rarely taken in the top ten but Cooper is worth it.
8. St. Louis Rams: Tavon Austin WR West Virginia
Knowing that New York was likely to take Austin at #9, the Rams used their extra picks to move up and get the player that they needed to jump start their offense. Austin should step right into Danny Amendola's slot position and give Sam Bradford a receiver who is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Taking a 170 lb reciever in the top ten is risky, but Austin has rare speed and with a lack of elite skill players, they had to go up to get the top one.
9. New York Jets: Demarcus Milliner CB Alabama
The three players the Jets really wanted were all gone here. Mingo, Cooper and Austin were all their targets at 9 and with them all gone they had to go to plan B. Well that plan hopefully can step in and fill a void left by trading away Darelle Revis. Milliner isn't close to Revis, but he gives them a starting caliber corner to pair up with Antonio Cromartie.
10. Tennessee Titans: Chance Warmack G Alabama
Even though they signed Andy Levitre in the off season to a boat load of money, it was clear that the Titans weren't done and were willing to draft of the two elite guards. Warmack is a good fit because he'll be better at the right guard position opening up holes for Chris Johnson. Warmack is a good pick and fit, but I wonder if they should have drafted Star Lotulelei to give them a better precence at DT.
11. San Diego Chargers: DJ Fluker OT Alabama
Going into the draft the Chargers had no other option but to improve the offensive line. Without a lot of ammo they had to hope Lane Johnson fell to them here. He didn't and with the top two guards also off the board they went with the fourth best tackle in the draft. Fluker may never be a left tackle, but he is an elite right tackle prospect and will do wonders to help keep Phillip Rivers clean. Worst case scenario is that Fluker starts at right tackle, but don't close the door on him at left tackle. His long arms will help cover up some of his lack of lateral movement.
12. Oakland Raiders: DJ Hayden CB Houston
With Miami wanting to move up to get Dion Jordan the Raiders were able to move back and gain back a second round pick they traded away in the horrible Carson Palmer trade. The trade looked even better when Sharrif Floyd (who they were rumored to take at #3) was still available. However instead of taking an impact player, great value, and a glaring need they pass and draft a cornerback with some major questions. Hayden has show a lot of ability, but he is coming back from a possible life threatening injury. This is a very risky pick and it could turn out to be another Raider bust.
13. New York Jets: Sheldon Richardson DT Missouri
I honestly don't know what the Jets are doing with this pick. Don't get me wrong, I really like Richardson as a prospect. But I just don't know the fit. Richardson does have the long arms and strength to play the 5 technique in the 3-4, but where is he going to play for the Jets? They already have Muhammad Wilkerson and Quentin Coples at the defensive ends. They need a nose tackle, is Richardson going to play that? He doesn't fit there. Are the Jets going to play more four man fronts? Maybe, but Ryan is a 3-4 guy. Maybe this was a pick that will help the next coach after Ryan gets fired.
14. Carolina Panthers: Star Lotulelei DT Utah
Defensive tackle was such an area of concern that everybody had Sheldon Richardson mocked to the Panthers practically the entire time. Richardson went the pick before, but the Panthers don't have to worry because they got a better prospect anyways. Star Lotulelei was one of the top prospects in the draft and if he would have gone #3 to the Raiders (before they traded it) nobody would have batted an eye. To get him at 14 is a huge steal. Lotulelei will come in right away and help a run defense that really struggled last year. Can you imagine how good Luke Kuechly will be with Star in front of him? Great pick here!
15. New Orleans Saints: Kenny Vaccaro S Texas
The Saints secondary was awful last year and it had to be addressed. They signed Kendrick Lewis to play corner, but they needed somebody to push Roman Harper who has really struggled. Vacacaro was ranked as one of the top safeties in the draft mainly because of his ability to play in coverage and help out in run support. Under new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan they'll blitz a lot and they need their safeties to be able to cover man to man and help out in deep coverage. That suites Vaccaro very well. Don't be surprised if he's starting by the mid season point. And without a second round pick, the Saints felt they had to go this route.
16. Buffalo Bills: EJ Manuel QB Florida State
Every year that Buddy Nix has been the GM For the Bills he's telegraphed his first round pick. This year was no different. They stated they wanted a franchise QB and that is exactly what they did here. But the surprise was who they took. Everybody assumed that they'd take Ryan Nassib because he played for Bills Head Coach Doug Marrone at Syracuse. However everybody forgot that the Bills also thought Manuel was pretty good too. It's tough to knock this pick because they were able to trade down and Manuel may have the most upside of any pick in this draft.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia
This is the exact reason why the Steelers are always good and the Jaguars are always bad. Instead of reaching for guys or taking risks on potential players, the Steelers wait and let good players fall into their laps. They did it last year with David DeCastro and this year with Jones. Jones fell because teams were scared off by slow 40 time. But if you watch his tape you'll see he dominanted the SEC. Jones fits in perfect for the Steelers and will step into the role that James Harrison had before he was cut.
18. San Francisco 49ers: Eric Reid S LSU
All the rumblings of the 49ers wanting to move up to ended up coming true. The early word is that they wanted Milliner if he started to slide, but it ended up being Reid. There is a lot of different views on Reid, but there are very few safeties that have his physical skills and ability. Reid has the size and length to match up with bigger tight ends and the speed and quickness to play the deep half of the field. He'll be looked to step into the role that Dashon Goldson left when he went to the Bucs.
19. New York Giants: Justin Pugh OT Syracuse
For a team that normal goes best player available and sticks to their board, this pick is surprising. Pugh was getting a lot of attention, but he isn't worth a first round pick. Pugh has good fundamentals, quickness, and footwork. But his lack of strength and bulk really cost him a lot. Pugh doesn't have the length to play tackle and doesn't have the strength to move inside to guard. He can't anchor in against a good bull rush against defensive ends, so why would he be able to do that against NFL defensive tackles? Horrible pick!
20. Chicago Bears: Kyle Long G Oregon
On the surface this looks like a good pick because Long gives them an athletic lineman to plug in at the left guard spot and improve an offensive line that has been a huge issue for the Bears and Jay Cutler. Long is a good athlete and has a good strength. He'll fit in well with what the Bears want to do on the offensive line. But Kyle Long isn't worth the 20th pick in the draft. Especially with Tyler Eifert and Sharrif Floyd still available. Both of those players are more valuable and are bigger impact players. Heck Floyd was a top 10 player. It looks like they wanted to move down to get Long but couldn't find a trade partner and just reached on him instead. It's one thing to get the player you want, but that's not a strategy you want to adopt.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Eifert TE Notre Dame
Tight end was definetely not a need, but the Bengals just couldn't pass on the tremendous value Tyler Eifert brings. Eifert is a tight end but he's more of a slot receiver than anything, but they're drafting him to provide another weapon for Andy Dalton more than anything. Adding Eifert gives the Bengals another red zone weapon in addition to AJ Green and an player to work the middle of the field.
22. Atlanta Falcons: Desmond Trufant CB Washington
When the Falcons want a player they are going to move up to get them. They did that with Julio Jones and they did it again here with Desmond Trufant. Atlanta needed another cornerback with the losses of Brent Grimes and Duanta Robinson and with Trufant sliding they moved up and pounced on him. Trufant should fit in well because he is an excellent cover corner who can also excel in zone coverage too.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Sharrif Floyd DT Florida
How Sharrif Floyd fell to the 23rd pick is atonoshing. Floyd was widely considered a top ten prospect and thought to be taken in the top five picks, let alone the third defensive tackle taken. But everybody's loss is Minnesota's gain. Floyd will step right into the 3 technique spot and give the Vikings a young dynamic tackle to pair next to Kevin Williams. When the Vikings were making a run at the Super Bowl a couple of years ago the big reason was nobody could run on them with the play of their tackles. Adding Floyd will also allow teams to focus less Jared Allen which is a dangerous thought.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Bjoern Werner DE Florida State
Werner's stock really took a hit after a poor Combine performance where he looked stiff. Werner's best position is probably a strongside defensive end in the 4-3. However the Colts run the 3-4 and wondering where he is going to play is interesting. The common thought is that he'll fill the role of Paul Kruger as the pass rushing specialist. But Werner is a lot like JJ Watt in that he knocks down a lot of passes, so he could play some 5 technique.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Xavier Rhodes CB Florida State
Another great addition for the Vikings. They ended up cutting Antonio Winfield who was their best cornerback last year and they needed somebody to step up since Chris Cook has been a disappointment. Rhodes fits in great in their Cover 2 scheme and his size will come in handy against Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall who they'll see four times next year. Rhodes is also a more fluid athlete than people think so that will help him in man coverage. The Vikings are definetely winners so far.
26. Green Bay Packers: Datone Jones DE UCLA
Green Bay has never really replaced Cullen Jenkins when he left for free agency. Jerel Worthy was drafted last year and failed to make an impact. Here the Packers get a vastly underrated player in Datone Jones whose versatility makes him a great fit in the Packers 3-4 defense. Jones can play a two gap system, be a penetrator, or even provide a pass rush off the edge. He's basically a better version of Cameron Jordan. Another great pickup for the Packers.
27. Houston Texans: DeAndre Hopkins WR Clemson
We knew the Texans were going to be targeting a wide reciver early in the draft, but they couldn't have imagined they were going to be able to get a quality player in Hopkins. DeAndre Hopkins is a sneaky good athlete who runs good routes and catches everything in site. He'll be able to work the short to intermediate routes and help free up Andre Johnson.
28. Denver Broncos: Sylvester Williams DT North Carolina
What a great pickup for the Broncos. Denver's run defense was one of the worst in the league last year and something had to be done to address it. They signed Terrence Knighton to play the NT spot and now have a new starting 3 technique defensive end. Williams is a stout defender who can play the run and has the speed and quickness to be a disrupter. Williams also fits in extremely well because on passing downs they'll be able to slide Williams down to the NT spot when they move Derek Wolfe from DE to the 3 technique spot. Denver fills a need with a perfect player for their defense.
29. Minnesota Vikings: Cordarrelle Paterson WR Tennessee
There were a few people who thought that the Vikings could package their picks and move up to get Tavon Austin because he compared so much to Percy Harvin. I'm not a big fan of those comparisions and if there was anybody in this draft that resembles Harvin it would be Cordarrelle Paterson. Paterson is a raw playmaker who is a threat to score everytime he touches the ball. Paterson also has experience running the ball and is bigger than Austin. The Vikings gave up a ton to get him, but they needed a playmaker bad, so it's understandable.
30. St. Louis Rams: Alec Olgetree LB Georgia
Jeff Fisher just has a way of getting troubled players to stay in line and reach their potential. He did it last year with Janoris Jenkins and looks to do the same here with Olgetree. Alec Olgetree was considered the top middle linebacker in the draft, but some where scared off by some of his off the field issues. If it wasn't for those he would probably be a top 20 pick. Instead he'll go the the Rams where there is strong leadership and take over one of the outside linebacker roles. Add in his ability to rush the QB and the Rams are getting a great value here.
31. Dallas Cowboys: Travis Frederick C Wisconsin
Out of all the reaches that happened in the first round, this is probably the biggest. It was no secret that the Cowboys needed to address the interior of their offensive line. But they didn't need to reach for Frederick here. Frederick is the second best center in the draft and would be a better value at the end of the second round. Taking somebody like Larry Warford would have been a better option. But the Cowboys must have felt they wouldn't get him if they waited. Let's hope that Frederick pans out.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Elam S Florida
Every analysis believed that the Ravens were set to draft Manti Te'o with the final pick of the first round, but the Ravens instead focused on shoring up the safety position that was rocked in free agency. Michael Huff was brought in to replace Ed Reed at free safety, but they didn't have anybody at the strong safety spot to replace Bernard Pollard. Elam fits the Ravens mindset of being fast and phsyical. Just watching him play just screams Raven.
