Back in April I made a mock of the top ten picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, without allowing for trades. In this article, I once more mock the Draft, but now I’m giving you the entire first round plus projected trades.
I love the NFL Draft. I mean, I love the NFL Draft. It’s like Christmas to me. I’ll watch every possible second of coverage. I read multiple mock drafts as a means of doing homework. I check out the combine scores, although I’d rather watch game film. Knowing how fast a guy can run a straight-line 40-yard dash is great, but honestly, how often does that happen in a game situation? I’m convinced the 40-yard dash was invented by former Raiders owner (the late) Al Davis, just because he was enamored with speed.
Remember, this is all in the name of fun. I’m not claiming that I’ll be anywhere close to correct on any of these picks.
Draft Order (First Round)
Pick #1 - Houston Texans
Selection: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Synopsis: Because why not? This would give the Texans a defense anchored on one side by JJ Watt and on the other by Jadeveon Clowney. Every quarterback in the AFC South would fear this combination.
Selection: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Synopsis: Because why not? This would give the Texans a defense anchored on one side by JJ Watt and on the other by Jadeveon Clowney. Every quarterback in the AFC South would fear this combination.
Pick #2 – Atlanta Falcons, traded from St. Louis Rams (from Washington Redskins)
Selection: Khalil Mack, OLB/DE, Buffalo
Synopsis: The Rams trade down and the Falcons move up without having to surrender a king’s ransom. For the low price of swapping 1st rounders, a 3rd round pick in 2014, and a 2nd round pick in 2015, the Falcons get their man. Mack is actually a better fit for the Falcons than Clowney, as the Falcons are shifting to a 3-4 Defense and Mack is a natural at the outside linebacker position.
Selection: Khalil Mack, OLB/DE, Buffalo
Synopsis: The Rams trade down and the Falcons move up without having to surrender a king’s ransom. For the low price of swapping 1st rounders, a 3rd round pick in 2014, and a 2nd round pick in 2015, the Falcons get their man. Mack is actually a better fit for the Falcons than Clowney, as the Falcons are shifting to a 3-4 Defense and Mack is a natural at the outside linebacker position.
Pick #3 - Jacksonville Jaguars
Selection: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Synopsis: The Jags need something that will bring in fans and money. Johnny Manziel fits that bill. If Jacksonville ever relocates, the team will likely want a star name headlining that relocation. Once more, Manziel fits that bill.
Selection: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Synopsis: The Jags need something that will bring in fans and money. Johnny Manziel fits that bill. If Jacksonville ever relocates, the team will likely want a star name headlining that relocation. Once more, Manziel fits that bill.
Pick #4 - Cleveland Browns
Selection: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
Synopsis: The Browns have needed a franchise QB for basically as long as I’ve drawn breath. Bortles could be the closest thing the Browns ever see (at least in this draft) to a franchise QB.
Selection: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
Synopsis: The Browns have needed a franchise QB for basically as long as I’ve drawn breath. Bortles could be the closest thing the Browns ever see (at least in this draft) to a franchise QB.
Pick #5 - Oakland Raiders
Selection: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Synopsis: The Raiders love speed, and Watkins is fast. He’s also the best WR in the draft.
Selection: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Synopsis: The Raiders love speed, and Watkins is fast. He’s also the best WR in the draft.
Pick #6 – St. Louis Rams, traded from Atlanta Falcons
Selection: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Synopsis: It is entirely possible that Robinson is the man on the Ram’s radar going into the draft. If that’s the case, then this represents a win-win for the franchise, as they still get their guy, and they land some additional picks in the process.
Selection: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Synopsis: It is entirely possible that Robinson is the man on the Ram’s radar going into the draft. If that’s the case, then this represents a win-win for the franchise, as they still get their guy, and they land some additional picks in the process.
Pick #7 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Selection: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Synopsis: Trading away Mike Williams means the Bucs need another high-talent WR. Evans fits that bill.
Selection: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Synopsis: Trading away Mike Williams means the Bucs need another high-talent WR. Evans fits that bill.
Pick #8 - Minnesota Vikings
Selection: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Synopsis: Most mock drafts have the Vikings either taking a QB or trading out of #8. I think they take the best available OT as a means of foundation building for the QB they take later.
Selection: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Synopsis: Most mock drafts have the Vikings either taking a QB or trading out of #8. I think they take the best available OT as a means of foundation building for the QB they take later.
Pick #9 - Buffalo Bills
Selection: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Synopsis: The Bills need weapons for sophomore QB EJ Manuel. Ebron gives him a big target with good hands, the kind of guy who can run routes and also act as a safety valve.
Selection: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Synopsis: The Bills need weapons for sophomore QB EJ Manuel. Ebron gives him a big target with good hands, the kind of guy who can run routes and also act as a safety valve.
Pick #10 - Detroit Lions
Selection: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama
Synopsis: I mocked this pick back in April and I’m sticking with it. Clinton-Dix could be a monster in the secondary for Detroit
Selection: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama
Synopsis: I mocked this pick back in April and I’m sticking with it. Clinton-Dix could be a monster in the secondary for Detroit
Pick #11 - Tennessee Titans
Selection: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Synopsis: The Titans need help on both sides of the ball, and Gilbert is a good fit for them at #11.
Selection: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Synopsis: The Titans need help on both sides of the ball, and Gilbert is a good fit for them at #11.
Pick #12 – San Francisco 49ers, traded from New York Giants
Selection: Odell Beckham, Jr, WR, LSU
Synopsis: The Niners give up the following to pull off this trade: swap 1st rounders, a 2nd rounder (61), and a second or third rounder in 2015. All this to get a WR to further spread the field for their offense.
Selection: Odell Beckham, Jr, WR, LSU
Synopsis: The Niners give up the following to pull off this trade: swap 1st rounders, a 2nd rounder (61), and a second or third rounder in 2015. All this to get a WR to further spread the field for their offense.
Pick #13 – Miami Dolphins, traded from St. Louis Rams
Selection: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Synopsis: Taylor Lewan has some off-field issues, but Miami is in dire need of help on the offensive line. It’s unlikely Lewan is around at #19, so the Fins trade up to get him. St. Louis doesn’t mind trading around, as it nets them even more leverage in the draft.
Selection: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Synopsis: Taylor Lewan has some off-field issues, but Miami is in dire need of help on the offensive line. It’s unlikely Lewan is around at #19, so the Fins trade up to get him. St. Louis doesn’t mind trading around, as it nets them even more leverage in the draft.
Pick #14 – Dallas Cowboys, traded from Chicago Bears
Selection: Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
Synopsis: The Cowboys really like Aaron Donald. So does Pittsburgh, according to several reports. So the Cowboys jump their rivals to take the DT. To do so, the Bears and Cowboys swap first rounders, with Dallas throwing in a third round pick.
Selection: Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt
Synopsis: The Cowboys really like Aaron Donald. So does Pittsburgh, according to several reports. So the Cowboys jump their rivals to take the DT. To do so, the Bears and Cowboys swap first rounders, with Dallas throwing in a third round pick.
Pick #15 - Pittsburgh Steelers
Selection: Darqueze Denard, CB, Michigan State
Synopsis: The Steelers have several spots in which they could use help, but a talent like Denard falling to them at #15 is too good to pass up.
Selection: Darqueze Denard, CB, Michigan State
Synopsis: The Steelers have several spots in which they could use help, but a talent like Denard falling to them at #15 is too good to pass up.
Pick #16 –Chicago Bears, traded from Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Synopsis: Trading down still nets the Bears a pretty good prospect. Barr is seen as a bit of a project to get fully NFL-ready, but his upside is more than enough to warrant taking a chance on him.
Selection: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Synopsis: Trading down still nets the Bears a pretty good prospect. Barr is seen as a bit of a project to get fully NFL-ready, but his upside is more than enough to warrant taking a chance on him.
Pick #17 - Baltimore Ravens
Selection: Zack Martin, T/G, Notre Dame
Synopsis: The Ravens biggest needs are up front, and Zack Martin goes a long way toward correcting those needs.
Selection: Zack Martin, T/G, Notre Dame
Synopsis: The Ravens biggest needs are up front, and Zack Martin goes a long way toward correcting those needs.
Pick #18 - New York Jets
Selection: Kony Ealy, DE/DT, Missouri
Synopsis: The Jets will want a trade partner here, with the big WRs gone, but no one will step up. So their best bet is to take one of the better players still available.
Selection: Kony Ealy, DE/DT, Missouri
Synopsis: The Jets will want a trade partner here, with the big WRs gone, but no one will step up. So their best bet is to take one of the better players still available.
Pick #19 – St. Louis Rams, traded from Miami Dolphins
Selection: CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
Synopsis: The Rams have moved around a bit in Round One, but they finally take a card to the podium and select ‘Bama linebacker CJ Mosley. He’s fast enough to transition between the front-7 and the secondary in pass coverage and he can still get in on a blitz if needed.
Selection: CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
Synopsis: The Rams have moved around a bit in Round One, but they finally take a card to the podium and select ‘Bama linebacker CJ Mosley. He’s fast enough to transition between the front-7 and the secondary in pass coverage and he can still get in on a blitz if needed.
Pick #20 - Arizona Cardinals
Selection: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
Synopsis: Carson Palmer is still in Arizona, and will likely start for another year or two. The Cardinals might be looking at Carr as an Aaron-Rodgers-type project that will be better for serving time behind a legitimate starter in the early days of his career.
Selection: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
Synopsis: Carson Palmer is still in Arizona, and will likely start for another year or two. The Cardinals might be looking at Carr as an Aaron-Rodgers-type project that will be better for serving time behind a legitimate starter in the early days of his career.
Pick #21 - Green Bay Packers
Selection: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Synopsis: Should the draft go this way, the Packers will probably run across the tops of everyone else’s draft tables to reach the podium and select Pryor. The team wants help in the secondary and Pryor is one of the better Safeties available this year.
Selection: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Synopsis: Should the draft go this way, the Packers will probably run across the tops of everyone else’s draft tables to reach the podium and select Pryor. The team wants help in the secondary and Pryor is one of the better Safeties available this year.
Pick #22 - Philadelphia Eagles
Selection: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Synopsis: The Eagles need secondary help as well, and Fuller would be an easy choice at #22.
Selection: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Synopsis: The Eagles need secondary help as well, and Fuller would be an easy choice at #22.
Pick #23 - Kansas City Chiefs
Selection: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Synopsis: The Chiefs would love a WR to put opposite Dwayne Bowe. Marqise Lee is a good option, and a potential front-line receiver.
Selection: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Synopsis: The Chiefs would love a WR to put opposite Dwayne Bowe. Marqise Lee is a good option, and a potential front-line receiver.
Pick #24 - Cincinnati Bengals
Selection: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
Synopsis: It’s likely the Bengals would’ve preferred Denard or Fuller, but Bradley Roby is nothing to scoff at. He’s a home-college kid (Ohio State) and he’s a pretty good athlete.
Selection: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
Synopsis: It’s likely the Bengals would’ve preferred Denard or Fuller, but Bradley Roby is nothing to scoff at. He’s a home-college kid (Ohio State) and he’s a pretty good athlete.
Pick #25 - San Diego Chargers
Selection: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Synopsis: The Chargers would love for Marqise Lee to be here, but that doesn’t happen in this mock draft. Brandin Cooks, though, gives them depth at receiver and gives them a good option opposite Keenan Allen.
Selection: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Synopsis: The Chargers would love for Marqise Lee to be here, but that doesn’t happen in this mock draft. Brandin Cooks, though, gives them depth at receiver and gives them a good option opposite Keenan Allen.
Pick #26 - Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis Colts)
Selection: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Synopsis: The Browns have their QB, now they draft some secondary help for Joe Haden. Being able to lock up both sides of the field on passing plays is huge.
Selection: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Synopsis: The Browns have their QB, now they draft some secondary help for Joe Haden. Being able to lock up both sides of the field on passing plays is huge.
Pick #27 - New Orleans Saints
Selection: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
Synopsis: Okay, I admit this feels like a stretch. I really think New Orleans would prefer to go after a CB, but the first round talent CBs are gone already. Latimer is a good WR who provides solid depth and gives Drew Brees yet another weapon with which to punish the NFC South.
Selection: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
Synopsis: Okay, I admit this feels like a stretch. I really think New Orleans would prefer to go after a CB, but the first round talent CBs are gone already. Latimer is a good WR who provides solid depth and gives Drew Brees yet another weapon with which to punish the NFC South.
Pick #28 - Carolina Panthers
Selection: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
Synopsis: The Panthers need WR help, OT help, and some other help. Virginia OT Morgan Moses is a definite possibility here, but the need for a passing option for Cam Newton outweighs the need at OT.
Selection: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State
Synopsis: The Panthers need WR help, OT help, and some other help. Virginia OT Morgan Moses is a definite possibility here, but the need for a passing option for Cam Newton outweighs the need at OT.
Pick #29 - New England Patriots
Selection: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
Synopsis: The Pats have a choice here between Nix and Minnesota DT Ra’Shede Hageman. I think Nix is the better fit, as he’s modeled after Vince Wilfork…and we all know how Wilfork worked for New England.
Selection: Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
Synopsis: The Pats have a choice here between Nix and Minnesota DT Ra’Shede Hageman. I think Nix is the better fit, as he’s modeled after Vince Wilfork…and we all know how Wilfork worked for New England.
Pick #30 – New York Giants, traded from San Francisco 49ers
Selection: Ra’Shede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota
Synopsis: Hageman will go #30, if New England passes on him at #29. The Giants have several needs, but it’s hard to pass up a guy like Hageman.
Selection: Ra’Shede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota
Synopsis: Hageman will go #30, if New England passes on him at #29. The Giants have several needs, but it’s hard to pass up a guy like Hageman.
Pick #31 - Denver Broncos
Selection: Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State
Synopsis: This one basically makes too much sense…which means it might not happen. If Denver passes on Shazier, a possible alternative is Florida DT Dominque Easley.
Selection: Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State
Synopsis: This one basically makes too much sense…which means it might not happen. If Denver passes on Shazier, a possible alternative is Florida DT Dominque Easley.
Pick #32 – Minnesota Vikings, traded from Seattle Seahawks
Selection: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Synopsis: The Vikings give up their second round pick (40) and third round pick (72) to move back into the first round and select their potential franchise QB. Bridgewater is one of the most NFL-ready QBs in the draft, but a bad pro-day sent his stock into a tailspin. The Vikings will gladly take him here.
Selection: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Synopsis: The Vikings give up their second round pick (40) and third round pick (72) to move back into the first round and select their potential franchise QB. Bridgewater is one of the most NFL-ready QBs in the draft, but a bad pro-day sent his stock into a tailspin. The Vikings will gladly take him here.
What do the Atlanta Falcons do if there are no trades?
If no one trades with Atlanta, the Falcons have one pick in the top seven slots of each round (not counting compensatory selections). Assuming no trades, here’s what I have to imagine Atlanta tries to do (this is basically my idea of an ideal draft for the Falcons):
Round
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Player
|
Position
|
College
|
1
|
6 (6)
|
Jake Matthews
|
OT
|
Texas A&M
|
2
|
5 (37)
|
Dee Ford
|
DE/OLB
|
Auburn
|
3
|
4 (68)
|
Bishop Sankey
|
RB
|
Washington
|
4
|
3 (103)
|
Ahmad Dixon
|
S
|
Baylor
|
5
|
7 (147)
|
Arthur Lynch
|
TE
|
Georgia
|
6
|
6 (182)
|
John Urschel
|
G
|
Penn State
|
7
|
5 (220)
|
Aaron Colvin
|
CB
|
Oklahoma
|
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