I decided that instead of redoing my round 1 Mock Draft from last week I would just keep going so here is Round 2 and 3. This is a great draft with a lot of good prospects left all the way through pick #100. For those of you who don’t know what a Compensatory Pick is (you’ll see them at the end of Round 3) they are picks awarded by the NFL for last year’s free agent losses. There is no rhyme or reason to how they are determined so don’t ask. The 1st Round is just below if you need to refresh your memory.

33. Houston Texans (2-14): Kony Ealy OLB Missouri
Assuming the first round trade that nets the Texans the QB they need they will be looking for a difference maker on the defensive side. A safety or a pass rusher would make the most sense and luckily for them Kony Ealy falls into the second round in this mock draft. Ealy played DE in college but his skills should help him transition to OLB in the NFL and Romeo Crennel could use him the way he used Tamba Hali in Kansas City.

Boom or Bust: I like this pick because Ealy’s skillset fits Crennel’s system. When Crennel was in Kansas City as defensive coordinator he moved Tamba Hali to OLB and his skills translated well to that position, Ealy can make a similar move.

34. Washington Redskins (3-13): Morgan Moses OT Virginia
The Redskins have addressed a number of their issues through free agency with additions like Jason Hatcher on the defensive line and Tracy Porter and Ryan Clark in the secondary. DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts will transform the WR corps from a so-so group to a team strength. The one big area they have failed to address is the offensive line and the RT position is a huge need. Morgan Moses isn’t going to make headlines but he’s a player with a lot of experience and he can step right in and start at RT and he’ll be a huge upgrade over Tyler Polumbus. If the Redskins want Robert Griffin III to become the franchise QB they need they have to give him the protection that will keep him on the field.

Boom or Bust: Moses doesn’t profile like a future Pro Bowl pick but there are a lot of good players in the NFL that never make a Pro Bowl and they just need a guy to upgrade their protection and Moses is a plug-and-play guy. He will make a nice bookend to LT Trent Williams.

35. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Bradley Roby CB Ohio St.
Adding WR Sammy Watkins and QB Derek Carr to their offense is a step in the right direction now it’s time to address the defense. Bradley Roby is a terrific athlete that looks like a great CB in shorts and a t-shirt but he didn’t look as good on film this last year. He has the ability but he struggles with his consistency and his technique and relies too much on his athleticism to make up for his mistakes. Roby won’t be able to get away with that in the NFL and being paired with Joe Haden in Cleveland could be a blessing and a curse. If he learns technique from Haden that’s a plus but teams will pick on him in order to avoid throwing Haden’s way.

Boom or Bust: Roby has to learn not to believe his own hype and he needs to put in the work to learn the skills necessary to be a great CB. He has as much athletic ability as anyone in this draft but there are great athletes all over the NFL and that’s not enough to be successful. I’m feeling a bust here.

36. Oakland Raiders (4-12): Jace Amaro TE Texas Tech
You can always assume the Raiders will draft for need but that’s only because every position is of need to them. Their TE position is devoid of anything resembling a playmaker and Amaro is just that. He isn’t a great in-line blocker but the Raiders need playmakers wherever they can find them and Amaro will make Matt Schaub and/or Johnny Manziel very happy. A terrific athlete that can make the big play down the field makes Amaro the type of “move” TE teams seek nowadays and he can be a nice piece to their offensive puzzle.

Boom or Bust: Amaro isn’t the all-around TE that Eric Ebron is but he’s a major weapon in the passing game. The only thing that could hold him back here is the fact that Oakland’s offense isn’t exactly overflowing with talent so he will be a focal point for the defense. He is the new age type of TE and the kid can play.

37. Houston Texans (from Atlanta 4-12): Kyle Van Noy OLB BYU
I said that the Falcons should keep this pick but the rumors say that Houston would get it if they trade #1 overall to Atlanta so I’m finishing out my trade scenario. It seems counter intuitive that the Texans would trade the chance to take Jadeveon Clowney only to draft two OLB in the second round. In this case it is simply taking the best player available to them. Houston has that luxury because while they finished 2-14 last year their roster is in pretty good shape. Taking Ealy and Van Noy would allow them to shift Brooks Reed inside next to Brian Cushing while Ealy and Van Noy would join Whitney Mercilus at OLB giving the Texans a very good rotation at the position. Van Noy is simply too good to fall any farther and the Texans get to take advantage.

Boom or Bust: Van Noy is one of the most complete linebackers in this draft and he can play in any alignment be it a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. His skills translate to any system and he will be a fantastic player wherever he goes. He may be the most underrated and underappreciated player in the draft. Houston’s defense would be outstanding after adding him.

38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): JuWuan James OT Tennessee
One of the Buccaneers many veteran free agents signings is LT Anthony Collins from the Bengals and that is a nice addition to their offensive line but the offensive line is one of the few things they didn’t completely address in free agency. JuWuan James came into the draft process as “the other” Tennessee OT as junior Antonio “Tiny” Richardson was the more heralded player but James started to make a name for himself during the scouting process. He has more experience, is a steadier player than Richardson and he can step right in at RT and give the Bucs an upgrade at the position. QB Josh McCown will appreciate the protection provided by Collins, James and new center Evan Dietrich-Smith.

Boom or Bust: James is a lot like Morgan Moses, no one is going to confuse either of them for Jonathan Ogden, but they are immediate starters at a position of need. Starting tackles, both left and right, have taken on increased importance in today’s pass happy NFL. Sometimes steady is all you need.

39. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12): Tom Savage QB Pitt
I’m pulling a reverse on my previous thoughts on Savage. He was so far off the radar at the beginning of the draft process that I overlooked him in favor of so many other QB prospects that were ahead of him. In the last few weeks he has become a rising prospect so I went back and started watching more video of him. There isn’t as much on him as there is on many other players because Savage spent so much time traversing the continent while in college. He went from Freshmen All-American at Rutgers to Arizona Wildcat transfer to Pitt transfer and finally to starter at Pitt. Savage has always had a plus arm and watching his tape from Pitt this last year I saw more elusiveness than I remember. He’s good in the pocket and he’s solid in the rollout and in his interviews he seems to have matured during his well-traveled career. I like him better than AJ McCarron or Jimmy Garoppolo and he has all of the arm strength Zach Mettenberger has and he’s not a statue. Jacksonville has Chad Henne who can play while Savage adjusts but the more Savage plays the more he’ll knock off the rust and he has a chance to be a solid starter.

Boom or Bust: Immaturity, injury and circumstance were more to blame for Savage’s unusual college career than a lack of talent. He has obviously matured, evidenced by the fact that he’s admitted he made a mistake leaving Rutgers because he felt entitled to the starting job, and he may give the Jags their best QB since…Mark Brunell?

40. Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1): Scott Crichton DE Oregon St.
The Vikings got their QB of the future with Teddy Bridgewater in the first round now it’s time to turn their attention to defense. CB could be the pick but the signing of Captain Munnerlyn to go with Xavier Rhodes and Josh Robinson makes it less of a priority. They did re-sign Everson Griffen at DE but they lost Jared Allen and Brian Robison isn’t getting any younger. Scott Crichton is actually comparable to Robison and he’s a high motor guy that will be an excellent pass rusher to start with and would work well in a rotation. Griffen can slide inside in pass rush situations and Crichton can bring heat off the edge.

Boom or Bust: No one is going to confuse Scott Crichton for Jared Allen but the Vikings plan on having Griffen replace Allen so Crichton could be a good eventual replacement for Robison. High motor guys at DE are always nice to have and they make life miserable for opponents.

41. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Antonio Richardson OT Tennessee
The Bills gave EJ Manuel a weapon in the first round with TE Eric Ebron and now it’s time to get him some protection up front. Richardson more than passes the eyeball test and at 6’6 336 lbs. he is an imposing figure on the field. RT Eric Pears was less than stellar for the Bills last season and Richardson has a lot of raw talent that could be molded into a dominant power player at RT. He played LT in college and it’s possible he could man that position at some point but the Bills have Cordy Glenn so there would be no need.

Boom or Bust: I like Richardson’s potential at RT because of his sheer size and the physical nature of his game. He’s athletic and can move but he isn’t as technically sound and that could be a bigger problem against elite pass rushers in the NFL.

42. Tennessee Titans (7-9): Stephon Tuitt DE Notre Dame
The Titans transition to a 3-4 defense will be aided by first round pick Anthony Barr as he can bring the pass rush from OLB but another position that can be hard to fill is DE in a 3-4. The five-technique DE isn’t a typical position as it is a cross between a DE and DT responsibilities. Stephon Tuitt played the position at Notre Dame because they often lined up in 3-4 and at 6’6 304 lbs. he fits the mold. The Titans may also be looking for QB in this draft but they still have Jake Locker, they signed Charlie Whitehurst as a back-up and they have Tyler Wilson as their 3rd guy. Unless new coach Ken Whisenhunt is completely in love with one of the QB’s in this draft he may wait to find out what he has in Locker before he makes a change.

Boom or Bust: With the exception of JJ Watt 3-4 DE’s rarely make much of a splash but good ones stick around because of their unique skillset. Tuitt isn’t going to excite the fans or the media much but coaches love solid players like him. He has the skills to have a long career.

43. New York Giants (7-9): Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE Washington
Yep I have the Giants passing on offensive line help again after skipping it in the first round too. Aaron Donald was too good of value to pass up then and Seferian-Jenkins is too good to pass up now. The only position on the Giants in worse shape than their offensive line is their TE’s. Adrien Robinson and Kellen Davis are listed as 1 and 2 on the depth chart and that won’t help Eli Manning get back on track. Seferian-Jenkins is a terrific athlete who was underutilized this last season in the passing game and he’s a good in-line blocker. He should actually help their offensive line because he can block but he’ll also give Manning an actual threat in the passing game.

Boom or Bust: Seferian-Jenkins is a bit of a character risk but the Giants are a good organization with a solid group of veterans and a no-nonsense coaching staff. A veteran QB like Eli Manning should help Seferian-Jenkins adjust and he’ll know how to use him. My only worry here is putting a character risk guy in New York City.

44. St. Louis Rams (7-9): Cody Latimore WR Indiana
Latimore is a fast rising prospect late in the process because he battled a foot injury all year and in a deep WR class he was overlooked. He is still raw but he was productive in Indiana pass happy offense and while Allen Robinson and Jordan Matthews are more polished receivers it’s hard to overlook Latimore’s potential. At 6’3 215 lbs. he is every bit the physical receiver those two are and when he was finally healthy he blazed a 40 time that was around 4.4 seconds. The Rams already have the tiny speedster in Tavon Austin and Latimore would give them the bigger complement for Sam Bradford.

Boom or Bust: I put Latimore here because of the buzz he is receiving late in the process and he may actually go higher. I like Jordan Matthews better because of his polish and the fact that he could step right in but the Rams may try to hit a homerun here. Latimore might become a big impact WR and while I’m skeptical I can honestly say I won’t be surprised if it was Indiana’s offense that was holding him back.

45. Detroit Lions (7-9): Jimmie Ward S Northern Illinois
The Lions are the beneficiary of a top talent dropping twice in this mock draft. First it was Jake Matthews falling in their lap to fix their OT problem and now Jimmie Ward is still available. They are looking for help at CB and WR but Ward is too good to pass up and James Ihedigbo isn’t an unquestioned starter at SS. Ward is a strong safety but he has good coverage skills and he could team with Glover Quin to make a nice safety duo. This team needs talent in a number of places and they can’t pass on a player like Ward if he’s available.

Boom or Bust: Teams are looking for two-way safeties and Ward is exactly that. He has coverage skills and he can come up and support the run defense. He played at NIU but they played some pretty good teams throughout the years and Ward held his own against top competition.

46. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): Tim Jernigan DT Florida St.
Jernigan shouldn’t be available this late but for some reason I can’t find a place for him to go. He is a versatile player on the defensive line and the Steelers have to get younger all over their defense. Jernigan is better value than any of the CB’s left on the board and the Steelers rarely just pick for need. After losing Brett Keisel, Ziggy Hood and Al Woods they could use some new depth and Jernigan could fill in at both NT and DE on their three man line.

Boom or Bust: Jernigan won’t be a bust no matter where he goes because he can play in any defense and he’ll be a disruptive force anywhere.

47. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Trent Murphy DE Stanford
If I was going to be so bold as to predict another trade I would say that if DT Tim Jernigan falls into the second round the Dallas Cowboys will make a play to get into the top five or six picks to grab him because putting him at DT next to free agent Henry Melton would go a long way towards fixing Dallas’ defense. Since I’m not being that bold grabbing DE Trent Murphy would help a pass rush that looks pretty thin even with Anthony Spencer’s return on a one year deal. Murphy is a tweener and could be a DE or an OLB but one thing is for sure he knows how to rush the passer. Dallas will appreciate anyone that can do that at this point.

Boom or Bust: Murphy isn’t exceptionally fast or overly physical and he doesn’t “wow” anyone in his workouts but he’s a player that makes plays on film and he will be a solid player for whoever drafts him.

48. Baltimore Ravens (8-8): Dominique Easley DL Florida
The Ravens rarely reach for need and while RT is a glaring hole on their offense there isn’t an OT worth taking ahead of a talent like Easley. If he hadn’t suffered an injury that knocked him out early last season he would probably be a first round pick. Easley can play DT or DE and in Baltimore that versatility would serve him well on their three man front. Brandon Williams and Chris Canty are listed as DE starters flanking NT Haloti Ngata and Easley would be a welcome playmaker up front.

Boom or Bust: Easley played DE early in his career at Florida but it was when he moved inside to tackle where he’s ability to penetrate really showed up. If he hadn’t been injured this last year we would be talking about him going in the top 15 and he would be right next to Aaron Donald as the most disruptive DT in the draft. He would thrive in Baltimore playing next to a guy like Ngata.

49. New York Jets (8-8): Joel Bitonio OG Nevada
The Jets need help at CB and they need to get younger at LB but Joel Bitonio is another late riser due to his versatility and while some people think he could play center and some even think he could line up at tackle his best position is guard. If Rex Ryan wants Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory to be an effective backfield and take pressure off the passing offense the Jets need better blocking up front. LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and C Nick Mangold are the only above average blockers on the line and RG Willie Colon is just average. LG Brian Winters and new RT Breno Giacomini can both be improved upon.

Boom or Bust: Sorry but finding a lot of tape on a guard from Nevada isn’t easy so my opinion is based on other scouting reports. Bitonio has some skill and he’ll be an upgrade for the Jets and will allow them some flexibility.

50. Miami Dolphins (8-8): Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida St.
While the Dolphins do still need help on the offensive line grabbing a big bodied WR like Benjamin would help QB Ryan Tannehill when the offense gets to the red zone. Mike Wallace is a deep speed threat and Brian Hartline does great work over the middle but Tannehill would be served well by a guy he can just throw it up to when they get close to the end zone or when they need a 3rd down conversion. Zack Martin can take over the RT spot and they can grab a guard later.

Boom or Bust: Benjamin is a big bodied WR but not in the same way as Calvin Johnson he’s more like former USC/Detroit Lion draft pick Mike Williams. He could eat his way out of the league and he doesn’t exactly have the reputation as a hard working sort of guy.

51. Chicago Bears (8-8): Jimmy Garoppolo QB Eastern Illinois
There is always a team that surprisingly takes a QB especially when someone starts to fall a bit. Garoppolo has his fans in the league and while having Jay Cutler signed long term means there isn’t a big need the Bears lost veteran back-up Josh McCown. The Bears still need to get younger on defense but Garoppolo is too valuable to pass up and if Cutler goes down like he did last year current back-up Jordan Palmer isn’t warming the hearts of fans or coaches and he isn’t scaring any opponents either. Having a good young QB as your back-up is also like investing this pick into a future draft choice.

Boom or Bust: Jay Cutler probably isn’t going anywhere for a while and I’m not the biggest Garoppolo fan but he could be flipped for a future second round pick or if he ends up having to play at some point and does well maybe a first rounder.

52. Arizona Cardinals (10-6): Jeremiah Attaochu OLB Georgia Tech
Adding CJ Mosley at ILB and Attaochu at OLB would make Arizona’s defense incredible. John Abraham might have a good year left in him as a pass rusher but it won’t be much more than that and Attaochu and take some pressure off this year and eventually replace him. Attaochu is an attaching OLB that can get to the QB and Arizona would be off to an incredible start with these two LB’s.

Boom or Bust: In a defense like Arizona’s Attaochu would shine and his skills would not go to waste. The Cardinals have been looking for a young pass rusher for a few years and luckily for them one fell into their laps.

53. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1): Weston Richburg C Colorado St.
Richburg has overtaken Travis Swanson and Marcus Martin as the top center on the board and it’s because he is the most technically sound center in the draft. Richburg is undersized at just under 300 lbs. but he’s efficient and he’s smart and while he isn’t going to physically overwhelm anyone he isn’t going to get beat inside. The Packers lost free agent Evan Dietrich-Smith and don’t have a natural replacement for him so if the top center falls to them here they can’t pass him up.

Boom or Bust: A smart center is worth his weight in gold and while Richburg isn’t huge Aaron Rodgers will take 298 lbs. worth of gold in front of him anytime. Having Richburg added to a line that is returning the injured Bryan Bulaga will help keep Rodgers upright and healthy.

54. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): Allen Robinson WR Penn St.
The Eagles got the pass rusher they need in the first round with Dee Ford and now they grab a WR to fill the void left by the departure of DeSean Jackson. Robinson isn’t the small speedster like Jackson was but he has plenty of speed and has great size. Chip Kelly’s offense isn’t about big or small guys it’s about playmakers no matter their size. They could have grabbed a WR in the first round but taking Ford and ending up with Robinson in the second round would be a big win.

Boom or Bust: I can’t see a WR with any talent being a bust in Kelly’s offense. Nick Foles proved to be a pretty good QB last year and the return of Jeremy Maclin and the addition of Darren Sproles should make the Eagles offense just as dangerous. If Robinson doesn’t put up huge numbers it will because Maclin returned strong and Sproles stole a lot of catches but he’ll get his turn.

55. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5): Marcus Martin C USC
A team that went 11-5 doesn’t have many holes but one place where they could get better is at center. They Bengals cut veteran Kyle Cook and that leaves them with 3rd year man Trevor Robinson in the pivot. Martin is big and physical and while he still needs some work being on a veteran line with LT Andrew Whitworth, LG Clint Boling, RG Kevin Zeitler and RT Andre Smith would help his development quite a bit. OLB doesn’t offer the value at this point that Marcus Martin does and good teams stay good by getting good value.

Boom or Bust: Martin has a pretty decent bust potential because he is still raw but the Bengals have one of the best offensive lines in football regardless of who their center ends up being. Robinson can be beaten out for the job and the Bengals have to take the best player for them here.

56. San Francisco 49ers (from Kansas City 11-5): Jordan Matthews WR Vanderbilt
The 49ers benefit from Alex Smith’s good year in Kansas City and pick up an extra 2nd round pick. The 49ers have Michael Crabtree back from injury and Anquan Boldin but Boldin does his best work inside so grabbing a big outside WR for Colin Kaepernick would be wise. Matthews is ready to play right away and while he may never be a dominant receiver he can start from day one. They are going to have to make a decision on Kaepernick’s future pretty soon so giving him more weapons would leave no excuses if he doesn’t perform.

Boom or Bust: Matthews is unlikely to challenge Calvin Johnson as the best WR in the NFL but he’s a 7-10 year starter for a team because of his polished route-running and natural pass catching ability.

57. San Diego Chargers (9-7): Ego Ferguson NT LSU
The Chargers lost NT Cam Thomas to free agency and luckily for them there are a few guys at this point that can fill that need for them. Ferguson is still young and a bit raw but at 6’3 315 lbs. he has the size necessary to step in between Corey Luiget and Kendall Reyes on the defensive line. His skillset fits better as a NT than as a DT in a 4-3 because he’s more of a space eater than a penetrator and he’ll allow the Chargers ILB’s to stay clear of blockers. The Chargers took a CB in round 1 and they could double up and take one here but Ferguson is better than an CB left on the board.

Boom or Bust: Ferguson scares me a bit because even though he has lots of physical gifts he sometimes disappears. He is known to have excellent off the field work ethic as he built himself up physically at LSU but it seems like he runs in neutral at times on the field. NT’s rarely make much noise so it should be his more natural position.

58. New Orleans Saints (11-5): Bishop Sankey RB Washington
The Saints plugged their glaring weakness with the choice of Demarcus Lawrence in the first round of this mock draft and they could look to OT or CB in the second round but Sankey fits a need too. They Saints traded Darren Sproles and while they like to talk up Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram the truth is Ingram has failed to live up to his first round billing and Thomas is pushing 30. Sankey is an adept receiver out of the backfield (maybe not to Sproles’ level but still good) and he’s one of the best pass blocking RB’s in the draft (a handy skill to have in Sean Payton’s offense). Sankey isn’t particularly amazing at any one thing but he’s a great all-around back and could be the Saints starter in two years.

Boom or Bust: I’m not so sure what constitutes a boom at RB anymore because it’s been a while since there was a prospect like Adrian Peterson in the draft. Good RB’s come in all shapes and sizes these days and I think Sankey will be a good fit for the Saints.

59. Indianapolis Colts (11-5): DaQuan Jones NT Penn St.
This is the first pick in the draft for the Colts after they mistakenly traded their first rounder to the Browns for RB Trent Richardson, a move they hope Richardson can begin to justify this season since he did nothing of the sort last year. The Colts 3-4 defense is thin in the middle of the line with Josh Chapman as the only true NT on the roster. Jones is a 6’4 322 lbs. immoveable object that would upgrade their talent up front. He is not quick and he isn’t known as a penetrating tackle but he’s powerful and well-built for the position and with the addition of free agent DE Arthur Jones from Baltimore the Colts defense would notice a big improvement up front.

Boom or Bust: DaQuan Jones dropped a lot of weight last year (about 25 lbs.) to play last season in the 320-325 lbs. range. If he can keep it there and maintain his strength he can be a very good NT. The biggest concern is a guy like him ballooning up to 360-370 lbs. and eating his way out of the league. Jones has shown the discipline to get down to a good weight now he just has to maintain it.

60. Carolina Panthers (12-4): Donte Moncrief WR Ole Miss
Luckily for the Panthers this draft is overflowing with talent at the WR position so their patience is rewarded. The Panthers address their second glaring hole with Moncrief, a thoroughly undervalued WR out of Mississippi. Moncrief doesn’t look fast on tape but he never gets caught from behind either. He’s an excellent route runner and he actually timed faster than anyone expected running a 4.34 40 time. He has excellent hands and is a good run blocker, another plus in Carolina. If he had been in the 2013 draft class he would have gone much higher but the depth of this WR class pushes him down. On Carolina’s roster he’s the top WR from day one.

Boom or Bust: Moncrief could be this year’s version of Keenan Allen, a player that gets pushed down the board but ends up drafted by a team that seriously needs him. Moncrief is ready to contribute right away and he’ll be a Cam Newton favorite very quickly.

61. San Francisco 49ers (12-4): Lamarcus Joyner DB Florida St.
The rich get richer as the 49ers grab one of the best defenders in college football last season. The biggest thing keeping Joyner on the board this long is his lack of size. At 5-8 184 lbs. Joyner will have a hard time matching up with the bigger WR in today’s NFL but he has versatility. Joyner lined up at safety also which is why I listed him as a DB (defensive back) and not a CB or a S. Joyner can excel as a slot corner that is willing to come up in run support and while he may not meet the measurable teams are looking for he is simply a football player and a damn good one. Joyner was also a team leader for one of the best defenses in college football and the National Championship team as a whole. The 49ers aren’t beholden to whether a guy “fits” or not they will take a guy and use his skills wherever they can.

Boom or Bust: I would lose a lot of money betting against Lamarcus Joyner. He will find a way to make a difference regardless of the team that drafts him.

62. New England Patriots (12-4): Carlos Hyde RB Ohio St.
The Patriots still have speedy Shane Vereen, disappointing Stevan Ridley and constant tease Brandon Bolden at RB but their top back from last year LaGarrett Blount left for Pittsburgh. With the lack of big playmakers in the passing game they relied pretty heavily on their big back Blount to shoulder the load on offense. Carlos Hyde can do everything Blount did and more. Hype runs over people, he runs around people and at times he runs away from people and while no one will confuse Hyde with a choir boy that has never been something Bill Belichick concerns himself with. Belichick had an affinity for Florida players when Urban Meyer coached the Gators and perhaps that will shift now that Meyer coaches the Buckeyes.

Boom or Bust: As long as Hyde doesn’t get busted by the cops he will be a workhorse back for whatever team drafts him. He’s a power back and he’ll make a nice complement to Vereen and Ridley will likely be on his way out the door if the Patriots draft Hyde.

63. Denver Broncos (13-3): Keith McGill CB Utah
The Broncos top need, outside of the offensive lineman they took in the first round, is a new MLB but the value of that position is just not available here. They lost Champ Bailey at CB and replaced him with Aqib Talib which is an upgrade but they still need help opposite Talib. McGill played quietly at Utah and really didn’t get noticed until the combine. He’s a big corner at 6’3 211 lbs. and pairing him with Talib would give the Broncos a big set of CB’s. McGill turned heads at the combine by running a 4.44 40 at his size and he looked fluid in the drills.

Boom or Bust: McGill had injury issues after transferring to Utah from junior college and he didn’t play CB until his last year. He has the measurables teams want in a CB but he has very little experience at the position. Throwing him into the fire opposite one of the best corners in the league could get him eaten up by opposing QB’s.

64. Seattle Seahawks (13-3): David Yankey OG Stanford
When you’re the Super Bowl Champions you usually don’t have a lot of holes to fill and that is quite true of the Seahawks as they have been expertly built by GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll. It helps when you find starters like QB Russell Wilson and CB Richard Sherman in later rounds. The one area that could still use an upgrade is the right side of the offensive line and David Yankey could potentially fill the RT spot if needed or he could take over inside at guard. Yankey has played both OG and OT at Stanford and he would be a great addition with the last pick of the second round.

Boom or Bust: Yankey wouldn’t be a great RT but he could hold down the spot for a year if need be but he could excel as the RG if the Seahawks find a good RT.

Third Round (because I just can’t help myself)

65. Houston Texans (2-14): Cameron Fleming OT Stanford
The Texans need some help on the offensive line and Fleming is a solid tackle prospect that could also possibly play inside at guard. Derek Newton is an okay RT but is replaceable and they need a LG.

66. Washington Redskins (3-13): Carl Bradford LB Arizona St.
Bradford was a jack of all trades playing DE, OLB and ILB for the Sun Devils and making plays from all positions. His best position in the NFL will be as an ILB in a 3-4 and with the retirement of London Fletcher the Redskins could use just such a playmaker. Great value for Washington.

67. Oakland Raiders (4-12): Chris Borland MLB Wisconsin
The Raiders defense needs playmakers as much as their offense and Borland tackles everything in sight. Borland won’t wow anyone with his athleticism but he’ll improve the Raiders run defense and give them someone under the age of 30 on their defense that is worth a damn.

68. Atlanta Falcons (4-12): Troy Niklas TE Notre Dame
The Falcons lost Tony Gonzalez to retirement and while some may believe Levine Toilolo has potential if a talent like Niklas falls to them they can’t pass him up. Gonzalez was a large part of the offense and Matt Ryan’s safety valve, Niklas can be a playmaker and make Ryan’s life a lot easier.

69. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): AJ McCarron QB Alabama
The signing of Josh McCown and immediate elevation of him to the starting job doesn’t bode well for Mike Glennon. Since it looks quite clear that Lovie Smith and company aren’t enamored with Glennon grabbing a new QB of the future seems like a good idea since McCown is no spring chicken. I don’t love McCarron but he has plenty of fans in the NFL.

70. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12): Davante Adams WR Fresno St.
The Jaguars have no idea if Justin Blackmon will play this season or ever again and even if he returns there is no guarantee he won’t get suspended again. Cecil Shorts is a nice second receiver but if they ever expect Chad Henne or Tom Savage to have any success they need a #1. Adams was extremely productive teaming up with Derek Carr at Fresno St. and he has game breaking ability.

71. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Jack Mewhort OT Ohio St.
The Browns’ offense has added many weapons over the last few years but they could use a little help on the offensive line. If Mewhort could win the RT job it would shift Mitchell Schwartz inside to guard and that would upgrade two spots on the line.

72. Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1): Christian Jones LB Florida St.
Chad Greenway is the only Vikings LB that is above average but he’s 31 and it’s time for them to restock the position. Jones has some versatility and he could play in the middle or on the outside. The Vikings brought back Jasper Brinkley to man the middle but he’s just a guy and Jones will upgrade whatever position he plays for them.

73. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Martavis Bryant WR Clemson
The Bills traded for Mike Williams from the Buccaneers, they have Stevie Johnson, Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin but Bryant would bring a different dimension at WR. Bryant played in the enormous shadow of Sammy Watkins at Clemson but he’s 6’4 211 lbs. with excellent speed and that is something the Bills offense could use.

74. New York Giants (7-9): Travis Swanson C Arkansas
The Giants signed JD Walton to be their new center but he’s coming off an injury and there are no guarantees with him. Swanson started 50 games at Arkansas and has the experience to come in and take over if need be. Swanson could also play guard if Chris Snee decides to retire. Swanson is a value pick for the Giants.

75. St. Louis Rams (7-9): Phillip Gaines CB Rice
The Rams parted ways with Courtland Finnegan this offseason and while Trumaine Johnson looks ready to step in next to Janoris Jenkins the Rams could still use a third CB. Gaines is a late rising prospect from Rice with solid measurables. His 4.31 40 time at the combine opened some eyes and got him noticed.

76. Detroit Lions (7-9): Bruce Ellington WR South Carolina
The physical opposite of Calvin Johnson Ellington comes in at 5’9 197 lbs. but he is blazing fast. He’s highly athletic as he showed as a point guard for the Gamecocks basketball team. Ellington would be nice addition to the WR corps with Johnson and newly signed Golden Tate.

77. San Francisco (from Tennessee 7-9): Trai Turner OG LSU
The 49ers might be the deepest team in the league and they have 6 picks in the top 100 of this draft and this is just the 4th one. They also have arguably the best offensive line in the league but they aren’t going to be able to pay all of those guys so grabbing a young guard to sit and wait is a great idea. Turner is a beast but he is still raw and could learn a lot from Mike Iupati and Alex Boone before he replaces one of them.

78. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Will Sutton DT Arizona St.
So far the Cowboys have added S Calvin Pryor and DE Trent Murphy and now it’s time to get that penetrating DT they need. Sutton was much better his junior year when he was slimmer and quicker and if he gets back to being that guy this is an absolute steal for the Cowboys.

79. Baltimore Ravens (8-8): Billy Turner OT North Dakota St.
Turner is a small school prospect coming out of FCS power North Dakota St. but he went to the Senior Bowl and proved he could hang with the big boys. The Ravens need a RT and Turner could fill that void and he is certainly good enough to beat out Ricky Wagner. Ozzie Newsome doesn’t reach for need but Turner is value at this point.

80. New York Jets (8-8): Marcus Roberson CB Florida
The Jets need help at CB and Roberson is a good prospect that wasn’t always healthy and took a backseat to Louchiez Purifoy even though he ended up being the better prospect. Florida didn’t have a great year so some of their players were forgotten about but Roberson will be a good NFL player.

81. Miami Dolphins (8-8): Gabe Jackson OG Mississippi St.
The 6’3 336 lbs. Jackson is a road grader on the interior and lining him up at LG between C Mike Pouncey and LT Branden Albert would seriously help the Dolphins depleted offensive line. There are still a few really good guard prospects available which is why Miami could afford to wait until round three to grab one.

82. Chicago Bears (8-8): Deone Buchanan SS Washington St.
The Bears have to get younger on defense and they need to get better at safety. Free agent signees MD Jennings and Ryan Mundy are stop-gap measures but Buchanan would bring a physical presence to the secondary and he’s great value as a third round pick. He could easily win the starting strong safety job in camp.

83. Cleveland Browns (from Pittsburgh 8-8): Ed Reynolds FS Stanford
The Browns lost TJ Ward and signed Donte Whitner but they still could use a good center fielder at free safety. Reynolds is underappreciated because he’s not in the same league as Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor but he’s a heady player that will make plays. He can win the starting job next to Whitner.

84. Arizona Cardinals (10-6): Zach Mettenberger QB LSU
QB Carson Palmer had a good year in Arizona leading the team to 10 wins but he’ll be 35 this year so the Cardinals need to look to the future. Mettenberger might be the only guy in the draft who makes Palmer look mobile but he’s a great fit for Bruce Arians downfield passing game. He is coming off a knee injury so it’s a great fit because he doesn’t have to rush back but he can learn while he heals.

85. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1): Jared Abbrederis WR Wisconsin
The Packers still have Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb and Jarrett Boykin showed some promise last year but in the last two off seasons they have lost Greg Jennings and James Jones so their depth at WR could use some replenishing. Abbrederis doesn’t look all that intimidating but he’s an excellent route runner who knows how to get open. He will look fantastic catching passes from Aaron Rodgers.

86. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): Justin Ellis DT Louisiana Tech.
As the saying goes “you can’t teach size” and Justin Ellis has that and then some. At 6’2 334 lbs. he is the prototypical NT size and has the skills to match. He’s a bit under the radar but the Eagles need some beef up front especially in the middle of their three man line.

87. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Terrence Brooks FS Florida St.
The Chiefs lost Kendrick Lewis in free agency and they need someone to line up behind Eric Berry. Brooks played on a fantastic Florida St. defense and was overshadowed by his more heralded teammate Lamarcus Joyner but Brooks has skills. He’s good in coverage and he can make plays and there isn’t a lot of competition on the Chiefs roster at the moment.

88. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5): Aaron Murray QB Georgia
That burning sensation Andy Dalton feels is his seating getting just a bit warmer. Dalton has been a pretty good QB but he has had some disastrous results in the playoffs. Murray is coming off a knee injury but once he’s healthy he will definitely put some pressure on Dalton to step up his game. An 11-5 team can take this type of gamble because they have a solid roster.

89. San Diego Chargers (9-7): Pierre Desir CB Lindenwood
I wasn’t joking about how bad the Chargers secondary is especially at CB and adding Desir to first round choice Darqueze Dennard would go a long way towards fixing a huge hole. Desir has good size at 6’1 and almost 200 lbs. but he will be stepping up in competition coming from Lindenwood. Even though he is coming from a small school he can still beat out the competition in San Diego’s secondary.

90. Indianapolis Colts (11-5): Cyril Richardson OG Baylor
The interior of the Colts offensive line leaves a lot to be desired and Cyril Richardson has tested very poorly throughout this draft process which is why he’s still on the board. Richardson is a mountain of a man at 6’5 329 lbs. and while tests show his lack of athleticism he is a beast on the field. Larry Warford of the Detroit Lions suffered a similar fate last year and then he started all 16 games and was fantastic. This Richardson should make life a little easier for that other Richardson, Trent.

91. New Orleans Saints (11-5): Brandon Thomas OL Clemson
Thomas was a guy moving up the draft boards before he hurt his knee during a workout. He will make an excellent guard once he’s healthy and he could possibly slide out to tackle if need be. Ben Grubbs and Jahri Evans are in their 8th and 9th years respectively and Thomas could sit for the year rehabbing and then be ready to step in at some point. Good teams have the luxury of stashing good prospects coming off an injury from time to time and they get good players later because of it.

92. Carolina Panthers (12-4): Dakota Dozier OG Furman
Another small school prospect and good one and the Panthers still need help on their offensive line. Dozier can compete for and possibly win the RG spot given that Garry Williams is penciled into that spot and started exactly one game last year (yeah I don’t know who he is either).

93. New England Patriots (12-4): CJ Fiedorowicz TE Iowa
The last of the good TE’s in this draft the 6’6 265 lbs. player from Iowa was underutilized in the passing game for the Hawkeyes and he will be a good blocker and nice red zone target for Tom Brady. Fiedorowicz has size like Gronkowski and even though he isn’t the athlete Gronk is at least he might stay healthy.

94. San Francisco 49ers (12-4): Daniel McCullers NT Tennessee
Yes I’m getting sick of the 49ers drafting again too and in this case they get the behemoth NT they need. They don’t have a true NT and McCullers, who is 6’7 352 lbs. is the perfect guy to fill the void. A giant of a man McCullers needs some work but a talented team like the 49ers can ease him in and if he works out he’s going to be dominant.

95. Denver Broncos (13-3): Caraun Reid DT Princeton
The Broncos have the luxury of picking the best talent available and Caraun Reid is a quick penetrating DT that will add nice depth behind starters Sylvester Williams and Terrence Knighton. Reid is an Ivy League guy and that’s pretty rare but he’s a talent and he’ll be a welcome addition.

96. Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle 13-3): Tre Mason RB Auburn
Toby Gerhart took a free agent deal from Jacksonville and while Adrian Peterson looks superhuman at times he still needs a complementary back. Mason was ridiculously productive at Auburn and while he’s short he is powerfully built and very quick. Mason would be a great weapon to have to spell Peterson from time to time.

97. Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory Pick): Beshaud Breeland CB Clemson
Breeland is an underclassman with a lot of potential and the Steelers need young talent on defense.

98. Green Bay Packers (Compensatory Pick): Shane Skov LB Stanford
The Packers need some ILB help and Skov is a pretty versatile guy that can step right in there.

99. Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Pick): Jeremy Hill RB LSU
Ray Rice is still working through some legal issues and Bernard Pierce was injured most of last year. Hill would bring a different look as a big power back regardless of Rice or Pierce’s availability.

100. San Francisco 49ers (Compensatory Pick): Ka’Deem Carey RB Arizona
Completely sick of San Fran at this point. Frank Gore can’t play forever, Kendall Hunter only has one year left on his contract, no one believes LaMichael James can carry the load like Gore has and while Marcus Lattimore’s recovery seems miraculous he may not be the same player he was before the injury. Carey is way better than his measured times so at #100 this could be a huge steal.

 

So that’s the Top 100 picks, thank you to the NFL for adding the four compensatory picks to the end of the third round it made it a nice round number.  I was going to do the fourth round but let’s face it I’d just be guessing at this point (because that’s not at all what I’ve been doing so far).  As always this is just a fun thing I like to do and I’m sure come Thursday I will get absolutely none of these picks correct.  Last year I went 0-32 on my first round mock draft, that’s another reason I expanded it to 3 rounds this year, hopefully I’ll get 1 out of my 100 picks right.  Cross your fingers for me.  Oh and watch the draft this week.  I’ll try to get my draft analysis up as quickly as possible after the draft.

I’m predicting a trade of the #1 overall pick with the Atlanta Falcons moving up from #6. As always I reserve the right to completely disavow this whole thing and I probably will in about a week. The draft is 10 days away so start getting excited it’s finally within sight.

1. Atlanta Falcons (from Houston 2-14): Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
Normally I don’t try to predict possible trades in my mock drafts but this trade makes too much sense given that Clowney is clearly the top prospect but is a poor fit for the Texans defense. The Falcons on the other hand are a very good fit and they are a team that is willing to make a move to get the pass rusher they have needed for years. New Falcon’s defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has a history using both 4-3 and 3-4 defensive principles so he will design multiple ways to use Clowney’s skills. The Texans can move down to #6, still get a player they want and add at least an extra pick. There has been speculation that it will cost the Falcons either their first round pick next year or at least their second rounder this year. I wouldn’t usually advise trading a future first round pick but if the Falcons have a choice between next year’s first rounder and this year’s second rounder (#37 overall) I say give up next year’s pick. Adding Clowney and this year’s #37 pick in what is a very deep draft might be enough to help Atlanta make a big turnaround next year and make that first rounder in the late twenties at least.

Boom or Bust: I think Clowney has more potential to be a boom pick for the Falcons than for the Texans. Nolan will do things with him that Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel won’t think of.

2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington 3-13): Greg Robinson OT Auburn
The Rams play in the toughest division in football with three teams with outstanding defenses. Seattle and San Francisco are two elite pass rushing teams and Arizona is not far behind and if St. Louis wants to give Sam Bradford a legitimate chance to stay healthy and prove he’s their future at QB they need to provide him with more weapons and better protection. While I prefer Jake Matthews it is fairly split on which LT is better and it appears that St. Louis likes Robinson’s potential more. Robinson could step in at RT or play OG if need be and if Jake Long doesn’t recover quickly enough from his knee injury than Robinson might have to step in a LT right away. He is the long term solution anyway but if Long can play than the Rams can let him develop before he has to take over that spot. Robinson has elite level LT potential and in five years he might be one of the top 5 LT’s in the NFL.

Boom or Bust: With some good coaching and a little patience the sky is the limit for a guy like Robinson. He has every physical attribute and he is just maturing at this point. I think Robinson is a boom pick and truthfully I think he replaces Long at LT sooner rather than later.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12): Khalil Mack OLB Buffalo
As much as the Jaguars need a franchise QB they have Chad Henne to hold down the spot until they find one and Khalil Mack may be the transcendent talent head coach Gus Bradley needs to turn around his defense. Bradley worked with some very good defensive players in Seattle before he came to Jacksonville so he knows what it takes to build a defense. Mack is more than just a top-notch pass rusher he is an outstanding all-around linebacker. He has the potential to be Von Miller without the off the field issues. Jadeveon Clowney has received the lion’s share of the hype as the top defender in this draft but Mack has slowly been closing the gap and the reason why you haven’t heard much about Jacksonville trying to trade up to the top spot to get Clowney is because they have a very good feeling they can land Mack at #3.

Boom or Bust: This one isn’t even close, Mack will be a star. He’s an every down player that will make the biggest impact on his team’s defense and he’s my pick (along with a lot of other people’s picks) to be Defensive Rookie of the Year.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
The Browns need a franchise QB just like many of the teams choosing at the top of the draft but the value of the top players at the position (Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel) seems to be falling. The Browns have a later pick in the first round where one of them may fall or a player they like better (Derek Carr) will probably be available. Watkins is the top offensive playmaker in this draft and is definitely a top 5 value. The Browns future franchise QB, whomever that may be, would benefit greatly from having Watkins alongside WR Josh Gordon, TE Jordan Cameron, newly signed RB Ben Tate and new slot receiver Andrew Hawkins. Even if the Browns wait until later and take a QB that needs some time to develop they still have Brian Hoyer as the veteran holdover that played pretty well last year before he got hurt and would do pretty well in a new offense featuring these weapons.

Boom or Bust: Watkins catch and run ability would be a superb complement to Gordon’s over-the-top deep speed and Hawkins underneath ability. Cameron proved to be a huge weapon down the seam and Tate is a serious upgrade at RB. If Watkins doesn’t post eye-popping numbers it will be because he has to share the wealth not because he’s a bust.

5. Oakland Raiders (4-12): Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Manziel just seems like the type of player the Raiders with go for given the splash it will make. GM Reggie McKenzie is fighting for his job and his desperation has been evident by his free agent signings of past-their-prime veterans like Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, Donald Penn and Carlos Rogers and the trade for QB Matt Schaub. The Raiders need help all over the field and a choice like OT Jake Matthews would be a far safer investment in the future but McKenzie is trying to buy himself some time and grabbing headline maker Johnny Football might buy him an extra year or two. Having Schaub around would mean Manziel would at least have to beat out a legitimate starting QB to win the job but given how Schaub played last year I don’t think it would take long. Manziel is a playmaker and he knows how to buy time with his feet which is a trait that would come in handy given the state of the Raiders offensive line. WR James Jones was signed from Green Bay so there is at least one legit receiver on the team and perhaps the tandem of Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden will provide some semblance of a running game. The Raiders don’t seem to have a long term plan to fix their roster so shooting for the moon with the Manziel pick might be worth the gamble.

Boom or Bust: I’m pretty sure you can already see where I’m going with this but just so we’re clear I’m calling bust here. The Raiders are perpetually stuck in rebuilding mode and when you consistently miss on your first-round picks that’s where you stay. I’ll give last year’s 1st rounder DJ Hayden more time before deciding about him and the Raiders didn’t have a 1st round pick in either 2011 or 2012 but here are their previous seven 1st rounders; Rolando McClain, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Darren McFadden, JaMarcus Russell, Michael Huff, Fabian Washington and Robert Gallery. That explains a lot.

6. Houston Texans (from Atlanta 4-12): Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
He isn’t my favorite QB but that doesn’t mean I don’t see the potential in a guy with his size and skills. At 6’5 230 lbs. Bortles profiles like a franchise QB and he fits the profile that new Texans coach Bill O’Brien prefers. He is a pocket passer but he does possess the mobility to move out of the pocket when needed the problem is that his throwing mechanics break down a bit when on the move. In an offense built around the running of Arian Foster and a passing attack featuring Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins Bortles could be pretty good. One other knock on Bortles is that for a guy his size he doesn’t have as strong of an arm as you would expect. O’Brien worked with Tom Brady for years and Brady doesn’t have the strongest arm either but it has never been a problem for him. Also Brady has virtually no mobility and is the quintessential pocket passer so O’Brien can design the offense to keep Bortles in the pocket as much as possible. I don’t see Bortles as an unquestionable starter from day one in the NFL but given that the Texans other choices are newly signed back-up Ryan Fitzpatrick and holdovers Case Keenum and TJ Yates I think Bortles would win the job quickly.

Boom or Bust: I’m not sure Bortles is either one and he actually might just turn out to be the next Matt Schaub. Schaub was never in the same sphere as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers but he was a pretty good starter for seven seasons. On a team that relies on its running game and leans on its defense Bortles could make a nice starting QB, if O’Brien needs more he may be disappointed.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
The Buccaneers filled almost all of their glaring needs through free agency but the one remaining issue came up after they traded WR Mike Williams to the Bills. The Bucs needed help at WR even with Williams but now they need a starter opposite Vincent Jackson. Evans is a 6’5 230 lbs. freak and many people actually compare him to Vincent Jackson. Jackson and Evans could form a nice tandem that will remind new QB Josh McCown of the Bears duo Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery that he had so much success with last season. Evans has the size and speed every team looks for and playing with a veteran like Vincent Jackson would be just what he needs to help him learn the nuances of the game and how to be a professional. The biggest concern with Evans is that he is overly emotional on the field and bit of a hot head. A team led by veterans like McCown, Jackson, and Lavonte David and a veteran head coach like Lovie Smith is exactly what Evans needs to succeed.

Boom or Bust: Evans is the new breed of WR in the NFL and his physical abilities are without question. Tampa Bay would be the perfect setting for him to get a chance to learn while actually getting to play and make a difference. He wouldn’t have to be the top guy right away but it won’t be long until he takes over. Veteran players, veteran coach and a veteran staff would be huge given his maturity issues. I think he’s a boom in Tampa Bay, if the Raiders draft him 5th overall he’s got bust written all over him.

8. Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1): Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
Three years ago the Vikings made the mistake of reaching in the first round and drafting Christian Ponder well above his value, this year they shouldn’t make the mistake of being gun shy if Bridgewater is available. Bridgewater didn’t have a stellar pro day workout for scouts and he is sliding down draft boards because of it. One of the issues brought up about his workout was that he didn’t wear a glove on his throwing hand during the workout and that seemed to affect his grip. Bridgewater doesn’t have the biggest hands so it is possible he needs the glove to help him grip the football properly. I can confirm that I’ve watched a lot of Bridgewater’s videos and I don’t recall him not wearing a glove during games. The Vikings would be wise to grab Bridgewater here and invest in a case of right handed gloves. Their future at QB would be secure.

Boom or Bust: I’ve been a fan of Bridgewater for a while and maybe he can become the spokesman for Nike or Under Armour’s football gloves as well as someone’s franchise QB. Minnesota would be the perfect place for a QB that needs to wear a glove.

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
The Bills defense was their strength last season meaning their offense should get some attention early in the draft. Last year’s 1st round pick QB EJ Manuel needs help on the offensive line and at TE. OT Jake Matthews and TE Eric Ebron should be the Bills focus, Matthews could step right in at RT and Ebron is easily the top rated TE in this draft. Both players bring great value and while I love Matthews the combination of Ebron and a second round RT seems better than Matthews and a second round TE. Ebron is the new breed of TE as he is an athletic down the field type of player. He would bring a new dimension to the Bills offense and provide Manuel with a big red zone threat.

Boom or Bust: Ebron could be an even more productive player in the NFL than he was in college. He is the type of athlete NFL teams covet at TE and offensive coordinators love the type of matchup problems he’ll create. Ebron will only be held back if EJ Manuel doesn’t turn out to be the franchise QB the Bills think he is.

10. Detroit Lions (7-9): Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
I’ve been beating the drum for the Lions to address their secondary as much as anyone but given the fact that the cornerback position seems to be a jumbled pick’em at this point this is an easy choice. Matthews is a value pick at a position of need and while they have Riley Reiff at LT Matthews would allow them the opportunity to either play Matthews at RT or possibly move Reiff to RT depending on who they decide is better suited to the left side. The right tackle position is a major hole in the offense at the moment and regardless of who ends up where having Reiff and Matthews bookending the line would be a huge upgrade in front of Matthew Stafford. WR and CB are two other areas of need but the value isn’t there at #10 overall and the depth of those positions means the Lions can find players available in the second round.

Boom or Bust: Jake Matthews is a day one starting tackle and barring an injury he’ll be a mainstay for the next 10-12 years. He has the versatility to excel at LT or RT and if the Lions get him at #10 he might be the steal of the draft. BOOM, future Pro Bowler.

11. Tennessee Titans (7-9): Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
New defensive coordinator Ray Horton should be doing cartwheels in the draft room if Barr is there for the Titans at #11. Horton’s new 3-4 hybrid look for Tennessee would be the perfect place for Barr to shine. Barr is still a bit raw when it comes to his overall linebacker skills but he’s a pass rushing nightmare. The Titans signed Shaun Phillips to give them some pop at OLB and that’s good because Barr won’t be pressured to come in and have to know everything right away. He can focus on being a pass rusher and learn the position for a year from a seasoned veteran like Phillips.

Boom or Bust: Barr is perfect for Horton and the Titans and he will be a fantastic fit there. If Barr goes to a team like the Vikings or the Lions where he would be miscast in a 4-3 defense then he has huge bust potential because he doesn’t possess the those sort of linebacker skills yet. He is a fantastic athlete that is still learning the position but he will always be better as an attacking OLB getting after the opposing QB.

12. New York Giants (7-9): Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
The Giants offensive line was atrocious last season but they signed free agents; OT Charles Brown, OG John Jerry, OG Geoff Schwartz and C JD Walton, trying to address it. They failed to address the losses of DT’s Linval Joseph, Mike Patterson and Shaun Rogers and DE Justin Tuck at all. The Giants built two Super Bowl winning defenses around outstanding defensive line play so it’s safe to assume they will address it early and often in the draft. DT Aaron Donald isn’t your prototypical DT but he does one thing better than any DT in this draft and that’s get into the backfield and disrupt offenses. Donald is too short and too small for many teams but he’s too good to pass up if you’re the Giants. Putting him on the line with Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuku and Jonathan Hankins will be a good start to rebuilding a dominant defense.

Boom or Bust: I would never underestimate a guy with the heart and the motor that Donald shows on film. He never quits and even when he’s matched up against a superior physical talent he still wins as much as he loses if not more. Doubting or underestimating a guy like Donald is just another reason why he destroys his opponents.

13. St. Louis Rams (7-9): Hasean “HaHa” Clinton-Dix S Alabama
While the Rams could use a true #1 WR to pair with Tavon Austin their need at safety is greater. Clinton-Dix is valued somewhere between 10-15 in this draft so he fits and he would make a huge addition to the secondary. Chris Long and Robert Quinn provide an outstanding pass rush and Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson are nice duo at CB but pairing Clinton-Dix with TJ McDonald at safety would be a nice upgrade to the back end. The Rams are taking a shot at WR with free agent signee Kenny Britt but even if he doesn’t pan out they have some others (Brian Quick, Austin Pettis and Stedman Bailey) on the roster and could still come away with a WR in round 2 due to the depth in this draft.

Boom or Bust: Haha Clinton-Dix should be just the ball hawk at free safety the Rams need and he would take a lot of pressure off of Jenkins, Johnson and McDonald by roaming the deep middle. Clinton-Dix is a dark horse candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

14. Chicago Bears (8-8): Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma St.
The Bears need an infusion of youth at virtually every level of their defense and the secondary is no exception. The CB position has become a jumbled mess as Justin Gilbert, Darqueze Dennard, Jason Verrett, Kyle Fuller and Bradley Roby have become almost indistinguishable from each other. Each player has his strengths and weaknesses and the longer the draft process goes on the more the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I’m giving the Bears Gilbert because besides being a top flight CB prospect he is also a fantastic return man. The Bears resigned Charles Tillman and still have Tim Jennings so Gilbert can contribute in the return game while learning from some veterans and if the Bears need him he can step in for Tillman or Jennings.

Boom or Bust: I’m always a little leery about CB prospects that are better athletes than they are cover guys so Gilbert scares me. I like Dennard better and after re-watching some stuff from Kyle Fuller’s junior year I like him better too. I think Gilbert could be a bust simply because he relies on his athleticism more than a having a natural cover ability. He would be wise if he goes to the Bears to spend as much time around Tillman as possible because he has been a top flight corner for a long time and it’s not because of his athleticism.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
As an organization the Steelers have been a model of consistency but their roster is aging and they have a number of holes to fill so they could go in a variety of directions. Due to several misses at OT in the past few years the Steelers would be lucky if Lewan falls this far in the draft. Many mock drafts have Lewan going in the top 10 or 12 picks because of the importance of the LT position and because the drop off after him is significant. Lewan is not in the same class as Robinson or Matthews but he would be a solid starter and a huge upgrade in Pittsburgh. Whether he ends up a LT or swings over to the right side will depend on the team drafting him but either way he would fit the Pittsburgh Steelers mold and will bring some talent and attitude to their line.

Boom or Bust: Lewan has the chance to be an outstanding RT in the NFL or a decent LT. Pittsburgh might play him on the left side because he’s better than anyone they have but I would say they should keep looking for a LT in the future and move Lewan over if possible. Maybe not a boom pick but the Steelers wouldn’t regret it either.

16. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Calvin Pryor S Louisville
The Cowboys defense was terrible last year and could use help at each level. They recently re-signed DE Anthony Spencer to a one year deal and they added free agent DT Henry Melton from the Bears but that doesn’t solve their issues. DT’s Tim Jernigan and Louis Nix along with DE Kony Ealy are all possibilities here but S Calvin Pryor would solve a long standing need that the Cowboys have been ignoring. Pryor is the next best safety after Clinton-Dix and the drop off after him is pretty steep. The defensive line class is deeper and the Cowboys can address that need in round 2 or 3 but they won’t get a safety like Pryor later. Pryor isn’t the ball hawk Clinton-Dix is but he’s very solid in run support and he would be a coverage upgrade over the current safety group. Teaming him with CB’s Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne would seriously upgrade the secondary.

Boom or Bust: Pryor is the type of player that brings a new attitude to your defense and adds swagger to the secondary. Carr and Claiborne would play with more confidence having Pryor backing them up deep and that is what you want in a free safety. Pryor is a player and he won’t disappoint.

17. Baltimore Ravens (8-8): Odell Beckham Jr. WR LSU
The Ravens need a RT more than a WR but Ozzie Newsome has never been one to draft need over talent and Beckham is the best player on the board. The addition of Steve Smith in free agency certainly lessened the Ravens’ need for a WR but Smith will be 35 years old this upcoming season and a three receiver set of Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Odell Beckham would make Joe Flacco a pretty dangerous QB. OT Zack Martin could be the pick here but I’m not sold on him as a RT and I doubt Newsome is either. The RT position is one that could be filled with the Ravens second round pick and passing up a talent like Beckham would be difficult if there is any question about Martin.

Boom or Bust: The Ravens are pretty good at this draft thing and while Newsome’s overall record of drafting WR’s isn’t great he did draft Torrey Smith a few years ago, he once traded for Anquan Boldin and he just signed Steve Smith, so maybe he’s figuring it out. Beckham is a talent and while he isn’t the biggest guy he is a great route runner and he’s got plenty of speed, I don’t think he’s a bust.

18. New York Jets (8-8): Brandin Cooks WR Oregon St.
The more I watch him the more I love him and the less I want the Jets to get him. Cooks is a dynamo and pairing him with free agent addition Eric Decker would go a long way towards turning around the Jets’ horrific WR corps. It’s unfortunate that a talented receiver like Cooks will be wasted by a team that has Geno Smith or Michael Vick at QB but Cooks is a talent the Jets shouldn’t pass up. If he went to a team with a better offense he could put up some eye popping numbers. Cooks is everything Tavon Austin was supposed to be but he doesn’t get the hype because he’s in the deepest WR class in a long time while Austin was in one of the worst.

Boom or Bust: The only thing holding Cooks back from being the Offensive Rookie of the Year is bad QB play. In two years when the Jets are picking #1 overall because Geno Smith has been a bust they can correct their mistake and take Jameis Winston out of Florida St, wait a second I hate that idea. Anyway, Cooks is a star that hopefully won’t be destroyed by the black hole that is the Jets offense.

19. Miami Dolphins (8-8): Zack Martin OT Notre Dame
By the end of last season the Dolphins had the worst offensive line in football and now that Jonathan Martin, Richie Incognito, John Jerry and Martin replacement Bryant McKinnie are all gone the overhaul is in full swing. LT Brandon Albert is an upgrade but free agents Shelley Smith and Jason Fox aren’t turning things around. Zack Martin could be used at RT and he would be a better option than Fox but he may end up as a guard and the Dolphins need those too. While Martin’s versatility makes it hard to project him for some teams it would be a blessing to the Dolphins because it would allow them to play their best linemen and plug Martin in where they need him. Between Brandon Albert at LT, Mike Pouncey at C and Zack Martin the Dolphins would have 3/5 of a solid offensive line and that’s a start.

Boom or Bust: Zack Martin is never going to be a Pro Bowler at offensive tackle and he may never make a Pro Bowl at guard either but he’s a 10 year starter at guard in the NFL and he has the versatility to plug in where you need him. He started a lot of games at LT for Notre Dame and while he doesn’t project to that position full-time in the NFL he could spot start there if you need him. He’s not a boom but he certainly isn’t a bust either, he’s a solid NFL player for the next decade.

20. Arizona Cardinals (10-6): CJ Mosley ILB Alabama
I had the Cardinals ticketed for OLB Dee Ford in my previous mock draft because of their need to get a young pass rusher but that mock had Mosley off the board. They lost ILB Karlos Dansby to free agency and while they do have Kevin Minter available as a replacement he isn’t nearly the playmaker Dansby was or the Mosley can be. Mosley has been a leader for one the best defenses in college football over the last several years and his skill set works in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense and he would slide in nicely next to Daryl Washington at ILB for Arizona. There will still be some good options at OLB in the second round and the Cardinals shouldn’t pass up the best inside linebacker in the draft.

Boom or Bust: As they say there is no sure thing in the NFL draft but CJ Mosley is about as sure of a thing as you can find. Mosley is a quality player and quality leader and that’s two things you want in an inside linebacker. The Cardinals defense would barely notice Dansby’s absence with Mosley in his place.

21. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1): Louis Nix DT Notre Dame
The Packers ventured into the free agency market to address their lack of a pass rush and signed Julius Peppers given GM Ted Thompson’s usual distain for big free agent signings this is notable. The return from injury by players like OT Bryan Bulaga and WR Randall Cobb will help the offense while DL Jerel Worthy and CB Casey Heyward’s return should help the depth on defense. NT BJ Raji was re-signed to a one year deal and Ryan Pickett wasn’t brought back meaning the Packers need help in the middle of their defensive line. Louis Nix is the best nose tackle prospect in the draft and he is amazing value at #21. Nix is a beast and the fact that he was hurt for part of last year at Notre Dame should make him feel right at home with the guys in Green Bay. The Packers lost a lot of players to injury last year and they need to replenish their depth.

Boom or Bust: Nix is a versatile defensive lineman and he will excel at NT playing between ends Mike Daniels and Datone Jones. Nose tackles aren’t flashy by trade so if you don’t hear his name called a lot next year that’s probably a good sign it means he’s doing his job.

22. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): Dee Ford OLB Auburn
Trent Cole and Connor Barwin combined for 13 sacks last year and Brandon Graham has been a bust. The Eagles defense was awful last year and a pass rush would certainly help out the secondary. Dee Ford was a terror off the edge at DE for Auburn in their turnaround season but he profiles more as an OLB in the NFL because of his size. Ford even dropped some weight and embraced the move to OLB and his natural pass rushing instincts will still serve him well. The Eagles desire for a playmaker at OLB is even more obvious when you consider there have been rumors that the Eagles have tried to trade for Dolphins bust Dion Jordan who played for Chip Kelly at Oregon. Ford thinks he’s the best pass rusher in the draft, even better than Clowney, so he doesn’t lack for confidence.

Boom or Bust: There are a number of 3-4 teams right in this late teen/ early twenties area that could take Ford and he would excel. The Jets, Ravens, Cardinals, Packers or Eagles would all be great fits for him and Ford would not disappoint for them. If a 4-3 team like the Dolphins take him and try to play him at DE he will get eaten alive.

23. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Marqise Lee WR USC
The Chiefs need a free safety and some help on the offensive line but passing on a talent like Marqise Lee would be foolish. Andy Reid isn’t likely to reach for a safety here with Clinton-Dix and Pryor off the board and while he has a propensity to take linemen (offensive and defensive) in the first round there aren’t any offensive linemen that compare to Lee. The Chiefs only have Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery at WR so Lee would be a welcome addition especially with Bowe’s love/hate relationship with the franchise. Alex Smith would certainly appreciate the precision with which Lee runs his routes and his ability to get open. The free agent losses of Branden Albert, Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz can’t be overlooked but Reid will find some offensive line replacements deeper in the draft.

Boom or Bust: Marqise Lee is too good of route runner and too elusive to not be an excellent WR in the NFL for years to come. The only thing that could possibly derail his career is a recurrence of the injuries that set him back last year at USC. He’s the type of WR that makes a QB look good, you’re welcome Alex Smith.

24. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5): Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
The Bengals need a linebacker to replace James Harrison but the value just isn’t there and with Terrence Newman getting up there in age and Leon Hall having numerous injury issues grabbing a CB is a smart pick. Fuller is coming off an injury plagued senior season but when he’s healthy he’s a fantastic player. The Bengals have done a great job stacking their defense over the years and they can find a LB later but former 1st round pick CB Dre Kirkpatrick hasn’t lived up to the hype so the Bengals need to refresh the position and Fuller is a good way to start. They also are lucky enough to have in-house replacements for their two biggest free agent defections. LT Andy Whitworth will slide back to his spot to replace Anthony Collins and the Bengals drafted DE Margus Hunt last year knowing that they were going to lose Michael Johnson this off season. They still may look for a DE just in case Hunt isn’t up to the task but they can do that later.

Boom or Bust: Fuller isn’t the biggest guy but he likes to play like a bigger man and that may make him susceptible to injury in his career. Injury ended his senior season early and it is the one thing that may keep him from becoming a top-notch CB.

25. San Diego Chargers (9-7): Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan St.
The worst group of cornerbacks in the NFL resides in San Diego and the Chargers have to do something about that this year. They would be absolutely ecstatic if Dennard falls to this spot because his physical brand of coverage is exactly what the Chargers current group of CB’s can’t do. Shareece Wright, Steve Williams and Richard Marshall are not physical at all and the Chargers defense suffers because of it. The lack of a pass rush and less than stellar strong safety play aren’t helping the secondary but the inability to get physical at the line of scrimmage is a bigger culprit in the poor pass defense. Dennard would bring talent and attitude that’s been missing for quite a while in San Diego.

Boom or Bust: Dennard has a mean streak and he won’t back down from anyone and while he may get beat from time to time by opposing teams #1 WR he’ll step right back up the next play. Guys like Dennard will lose a battle or two but they stick around a long time.

26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis 11-5): Derek Carr QB Fresno St.
The Browns new offense will have Josh Gordon, Sammy Watkins and Andrew Hawkins at WR, Jordan Cameron at TE and feature Ben Tate at RB, all they are missing is the QB of the future and sitting here at #26 is Derek Carr. Carr isn’t as big as Blake Bortles, he doesn’t run around making plays like Johnny Manziel and he isn’t as athletic as Teddy Bridgewater but he is highly accurate and he knows how to get the ball to his playmakers. New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is going to love Derek Carr and while he may not be the chic pick Johnny Manziel would have been at #4 Carr can be a very good starter in the NFL. Brian Hoyer will be there to hold down the fort if Carr isn’t ready right away and he won’t go down without a fight so if Carr does become the starter you’ll know he earned it. This isn’t a repeat of the Browns taking Brandon Weeden a few years ago, Carr is a legitimate NFL caliber player.

Boom or Bust: The biggest difference between the Browns taking Weeden a few years ago and taking Carr now is that Carr will have a far better offense to work with and if this happens he will put up the best numbers of any rookie QB this season.

27. New Orleans Saints (11-5): Demarcus Lawrence OLB Boise St.
There is always a late rising prospect in the weeks leading up to the draft and this year it is Demarcus Lawrence from Boise St. Lawrence was a transfer from the JUCO ranks who played two years but left with one year of eligibility remaining. He was a dominant player on the field in the Mountain West Conference but he was suspended three different times for a game each which has brought up some character concerns. He seems to be passing teams’ evaluations of him and his versatility in the Broncos’ schemes makes him a great fit for Rob Ryan’s defense. Junior Galette was fantastic for the Saints last year as a pass rushing OLB but the opposite side left a lot to be desired. Rob Ryan would find a myriad of ways to use a talent like Lawrence and he could help make New Orleans defense scary.

Boom or Bust: I’m skeptical of late rising prospects especially ones with character questions. I’m not sure what each of his suspensions were for but it seems quite obvious that following rules is an issue for him. The Saints have a veteran coaching staff and veteran locker room so perhaps they can keep him on the straight and narrow. I’m still feeling a bust with this one.

28. Carolina Panthers (12-4): Cyrus Kouandjio OT Alabama
I’m not completely sure how a team that went 12-4 has this many holes on it but the release of WR Steve Smith and the retirement of LT Jordan Gross didn’t do them any favors. This team simultaneously has the league’s worst WR corps and the worst offensive line. At least the Raiders WR corps has James Jones (whom the Panthers should have signed) and the offensive line is made up of Ryan Kalil at center and 4 guys no one has ever heard of. Oh sorry I’ve heard of RT Byron Bell which means I know how bad he is. Kouandjio had a disappointing junior year at Alabama but he declared for the draft because of his potential and then he had a horrendous time at the combine because of some medical questions. Usually this combination would have a guy sliding into the third round but luckily for him the Panthers are desperate and they are rolling the dice. Kouandjio will look like a Hall of Famer in camp compared to the rest of the OT’s in Carolina so they just have to hope his knees hold up and they can coach the inconsistency out of him.

Boom or Bust: Overall I think Kouandjio is going to be a bust because he struggled at times last year in college and his knees may be made out of Swiss cheese. He’s lucky because it’s not likely anyone is going to notice his poor play on the line next season in Carolina because the whole line will be terrible, I feel bad for Ryan Kalil.

29. New England Patriots (12-4): Ra’Shede Hageman DT Minnesota
Vince Wilfork is 32 and Tommy Kelly is 33 and both are coming off injuries last year which means the Patriots need someone to take the pressure off this year and eventually replace these two defensive tackles. Hageman is a giant at 6’6 310 lbs. and would be a very versatile lineman just like Bill Belichick likes. Hageman wasn’t always as dominant as his physical skills would lead you to think he would be but Belichick could be the coach that pushes him to reach his full potential. The Patriots have other needs like TE or SS but DT offers the most value and the Patriots would be wise to take advantage.

Boom or Bust: I think Hageman has major bust potential because guys that have always been able to rely on their physical stature to dominate find out quickly that that doesn’t cut it in the NFL. Hageman would do well to go to New England and learn from two grizzled veterans like Wilfork and Kelly and be coached by another grizzled veteran in Belichick. I fear this pick as a Patriots fan.

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-4): Ryan Shazier LB Ohio St.
Shazier doesn’t immediately look like a fit in the 49ers 3-4 defense but he has a lot of versatility and with ILB Navarro Bowman sustaining an injury in the playoffs and OLB Aldon Smith’s future a question mark the 49ers could use a player like Shazier. He could line up inside and be a tackling machine next to Patrick Willis just like Bowman or he could float outside and use his exceptional speed as a pass rusher. The Niners look for playmakers and find a place to play them. When they signed DE Justin Smith as a free agent a few years ago he didn’t look like a fit but he’s been fantastic for them. Shazier can do so many things and his elite speed is something you can’t coach.

Boom or Bust: Shazier may be a Buckeye but I love him anyway. He is a fantastic linebacker that does so many things there is no way he will fail. A great organization, a great coach and great player make for a pretty good combination.

31. Denver Broncos (13-3): Xavier Su’a-Filo OG UCLA
The Broncos signed a number of free agents to address many of their needs. DeMarcus Ware was signed to replace Shaun Phillips, Aqib Talib was signed to replace Champ Bailey and Emmanuelle Sanders was signed to replace Eric Decker. TJ Ward was also signed to upgrade their SS spot and the return of LT Ryan Clady will be much appreciated by Peyton Manning. The one free agent loss they haven’t accounted for was LG Zane Beadles who got a big contract in Jacksonville. Enter UCLA OG Xavier Su’a-Filo, it’s not a sexy pick but keeping Peyton Manning upright is priority #1 and the return of Clady and addition of Su’a-Filo would make a huge difference. The Broncos were dominated at the line of scrimmage in the Super Bowl by the Seahawks relentless pressure and I doubt Su’a-Filo will be the last offensive lineman they draft. Clady at LT and Su’a-Filo at LG would make Peyton Manning sleep a lot better at night.

Boom or Bust: Xavier Su’a-Filo is future Pro Bowl guard and instantly upgrades any line he joins. The Broncos could upgrade at center and right tackle later in the draft but Su’a-Filo is about as sure a thing as you’ll find in this draft. Not only can he be their starting left guard on day one he might be a better RT than what they have right now also.

32. Seattle Seahawks (13-3): Jason Verrett CB TCU
The Seahawks have a need for WR, a RG and they could use some help on the defensive line after the free agent losses of Chris Clemons, Red Bryant and Clinton McDonald but they also suffered some notable losses in the secondary. CB’s Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond left and while Byron Maxwell takes over for Browner outside they will miss Thurmond as their nickel corner. Verrett isn’t a big corner like the Seahawks have preferred over the last several years but he would make an excellent inside corner and he has the ability to cover outside. What Verrett lacks in stature he more than makes up for in coverage ability and Seattle built their Super Bowl winning team on their defense. Verrett is great value with the last pick of the first round.

Boom or Bust: Verrett is the most natural cover guy in this draft and no one is going to regret drafting him. Even if he were to struggle against bigger WR’s he will always have a job playing the slot because not everyone can do it and it’s an important position in today’s NFL.

The idiocy of the NFL Draft is in full bloom
Apparently having the draft pushed back a few extra weeks has allowed the General Managers and talent evaluators to completely lose their minds even more than normal. Every year NFL people suffer from what I like to refer to as “Analysis Paralysis”, it is the over analysis of every aspect of a prospect and it leads to finding and dissecting every little flaw and finding reasons not to like certain players. The paralyzing fear keeps teams from drafting certain players and it’s completely irrational. A quarterback being a half an inch shorter than the prototype suddenly becomes an overwhelming problem, a wide receiver’s 40 yard time is .02 seconds slower than someone else’s or an offensive tackle’s arms are a quarter of an inch shorter than another guy’s arms so he must not be as good. This is what is happening to Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater right now because his pro day workout didn’t wow scouts like Blake Bortles or Johnny Manziel. One of the greatest pro day workouts of a QB in history was turned in by none other than JaMarcus Russell when he was coming out of LSU and the Raiders fell hard and took him #1 overall. That set their franchise back years and they are still trying to dig out of that hole. Pro day workouts, especially for QB’s, are incredibly inaccurate measurements of a QB’s abilities.
The rumors out there right now are that Bridgewater may fall out of the first round into the second round and that absolutely blows my mind. I do think there is a chance that all of the top QB’s; Bortles, Manziel, Bridgewater and Derek Carr, fall farther than people think because they don’t seem to be measuring up to the standards of top 5 QB prospects that are franchise defining players. None of these guys are going to step in like Andrew Luck did a few years ago and take the worst team in the league to a playoff spot but if there is one that could do it, it’s Bridgewater. Turning around the Texans is not as hard as it looks simply because of the talent on that roster but Bridgewater is the only one that can step in and play at a high level immediately. Luck carried a mediocre Colts team his rookie year but whoever takes over at QB for Houston will be playing on a much more talented roster. Maybe the Texans will get lucky and they can take Clowney or Khalil Mack #1 and then turn around and grab Bridgewater with the first pick of the second round. If they do, every team in the league will end up looking like idiots.

Johnny Manziel impressed and irritated at his pro day.
Johnny Manziel put on a display of his arm and his playmaking ability at his pro day that had everyone buzzing about his talent on the field. Unfortunately “Johnny Football” also put on a show with his new Nike collection during that same workout and Nike introduced the line for sale the next day. New Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was the only person to come right out and speak about his displeasure with that part of the day but I would guess there are plenty of people that were turned off by Manziel’s off the field antics. Manziel is the single most polarizing prospect in this draft because of his tantalizing talent and obvious ego. Owners and General Managers want to give Manziel a pass because they see the marketing potential but it’s the coaches that are going to bristle at the prima donna act from a rookie that has earned nothing on the field. Coaches like QB’s that lead on the field and in the film room and they don’t like guys that buy into their own hype.

Jadeveon Clowney is a freak but that is hardly news.
Clowney went into his pro day workout with nothing to prove because he put on a show at the combine. He did do some linebacker drills and showed that he can do some things that he was never asked to do at South Carolina and teams took note. I still don’t think he is a great fit for a 3-4 team (especially the Texans) but he may have changed some teams’ minds about that. The Texans defense is coached by Romeo Crennel and while some 3-4 teams use multiple formations (Ray Horton in Tennessee or Mike Nolan in Atlanta for example) Crennel hasn’t always been as flexible. Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack is a better fit but the Texans might not be willing to pass on a talent like Clowney. If the Texans are convinced they can motivate Clowney and find a way to use him they may be willing to wait to grab a QB in round 2.

Pro Football Talk says Tom Savage is invited to the Draft.
According to a report on Pro Football Talk Pitt QB Tom Savage has received an invitation to the NFL draft and it’s not for Saturday’s final four rounds. I’m perplexed by this because Savage is a late round prospect at best but someone must be telling them that he has a chance to go in the late first round. Tom Savage was a big time prospect coming out of high school and was a huge get for Rutgers at the time. Things didn’t work out as planned and Savage transferred to Arizona just in time for the Rich Rodriguez era to begin and Savage was a horrible fit in that offense so off he went to Pitt. He checks all the boxes as far as height, weight and arm strength that NFL teams covet but I’ve seen Savage play over the years and nothing really jumps out about him. Savage has talent and he can throw the ball a mile but he was never a guy that raised the play of the guys around him. While he might make a nice developmental prospect the idea of him going in the late first or early second round seems like drafting a guy way above his value.

The QB carousel spins out of control.
The latest reports from around the league are that Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo and Savage are late rising prospects and Bridgewater is falling. Bortles stock depends on who you ask and Manziel has a love/hate relationship depending on the team and there is no in between. Aaron Murray put on a nice throwing display at his pro day and that only matters because he tore his ACL 5 months ago and is already able to throw. I still think Bridgewater is the best prospect but I love Murray as a future starter in the NFL. Derek Carr is making a late push up the board, I’d be surprised if he goes in the top 4 but starting with the Raiders at #5 all bets are off. He could go #5 or fall to #55 and I won’t be shocked at all. Yep, the QB rankings are all over the place and if you want to know why here it is; Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Savage, AJ McCarron, Zach Mettenberger, Tahj Boyd, Aaron Murray and David Fales. Eleven QB’s that might grade out as 1st-3rd round players. That’s insane.

Quick hits
– Last year I had a few of my favorites in the draft like OLB Jarvis Jones, CB Desmond Trufant and RB Giovani Bernard. Jones struggled to stay healthy and that was the one issue I said could hold him back. Trufant played well he just did it on a terrible Falcons team so no one noticed. Bernard was solid in a situational role but look for the Bengals to use him a lot more this year.
– I was critical of the Sheldon Richardson pick last year by the Jets because I said he didn’t really fit their style, he was the defensive Rookie of the Year, oops. I underestimated Richardson’s versatility and I underestimated Rex Ryan’s defensive prowess. Ryan had the Jets defense playing great luckily as a Patriots fan he is still clueless on offense. I don’t think Michael Vick and Chris Johnson are turning it around for you Rex.
– I usually love writing mock drafts but this year is ludicrous. When you’re a few weeks out from the draft and the team picking first still doesn’t know what they are doing it makes it really difficult. To make matters worse the Texans just scheduled individual meetings with Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater.
– As a Patriots fan I know their flaws better than most teams so I know they desperately need a TE, maybe two. Even the re-signing of DT Vince Wilfork should not preclude them from grabbing DT help early and maybe often. They still need help at safety and Patrick Chung is not the answer. With Revis on board and Logan Ryan playing better at the end of the year I would say CB is alright, it would help if Alfonzo Dennard would stop getting arrested and stay out of jail.
– A few of my favorites in this year’s draft; obviously I’ve already spoken of Bridgewater and Murray at QB. I’m not in love with any RB’s. Brandin Cooks is really growing on me at WR. Jake Matthews is a future Pro Bowler at OT. Two defensive guys coming off injury that I like are Florida DT Dominique Easley and Virginia Tech CB Kyle Fuller. At LB Alabama’s CJ Mosley and Ohio St.’s Ryan Shazier are immediate impact players. Murray and Easley are the only ones in that group that are not going in the first round, if Bridgewater or Cooks fall to round two they are huge steals.

2014 NFL Mock Draft

This mock draft has taken a while for me to write because the Houston Texans hold the first pick and it isn’t very clear where they are headed with that pick.  There are four legitimate possibilities and they seem to refuse to tip their hand.  Jadeveon Clowney, Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater are likely all still under consideration and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they trade the first pick.  Free agency has certainly cleared up many possibilities throughout the first round as teams have filled areas of need with their new found cap space.  A lot of major free agents have changed teams and changed projected picks in the draft.  This mock draft is based on a few factors; what I think a team should do, what I think a team will do and what a team is projected to do.  All of those factors come into play but to varying degrees with each pick.  This mock draft is for entertainment purposes only and I will not be held to it in any way…that means I already know it’s probably wrong.  Enjoy.

1.  Houston Texans (2-14):  Teddy Bridgewater   QB   Louisville

I have no earthly idea what the Texans plan to do if they keep this pick so I’m giving them the guy I think they should pick.  The over analysis of Bridgewater is astounding and I can’t figure out why this isn’t a no-brainer for them.  This team is built to compete right now all they need is a competent QB.  Bridgewater is the one QB that can step in and play immediately and make a difference.  Bortles and Manziel are obviously talented prospects but both will need an adjustment period and a team that has Arian Foster and Andre Johnson as it too biggest weapons doesn’t have a lot of time to waste.  Clowney is the top prospect on almost everyone’s board but I just see him as a bad fit in the Texans defense under Romeo Crennel.  They have lost Antonio Smith and Earl Mitchell in free agency so it wouldn’t be a shock if they just take Clowney but they would have to make some adjustments to take advantage of his skills.  There has been some talk of the Texans looking at OLB Khalil Mack as the top pick and he certainly fits their scheme but with Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus at OLB they have much bigger holes to fill.

Really bad idea:  Johnny Manziel.  Out of all five possible #1 picks (Clowney, Bridgewater, Bortles, Mack and Manziel) Johnny Football is the risk the Texans can’t take.  Manziel is a boom-or-bust pick and the Texans are built to win quickly and a bust the size of Manziel would set the franchise back years.

2.  St. Louis Rams (from Washington 3-13):  Greg Robinson   LT   Auburn

The Rams just re-signed Roger Saffold after his Raiders deal was voided over a medical issue.  He is best suited to play inside at guard and Jake Long is recovering from a knee injury and may not be ready at the beginning of the season which means the Rams still need help at OT.  Jake Matthews would be my preference here but the Rams seem like they will take a chance on the potential of Robinson.  Robinson is a fantastic prospect but he is still maturing and Matthews is a plug-and-play player at either LT or RT.  Robinson can play and he will certainly be an upgrade at OT for the Rams but he will have some growing pains and for a team that is looking to make a move in the toughest division in football those growing pains could be costly.  The Rams are in the perfect position to trade out of this spot and GM Les Snead has done that a lot the last few years.  This pick is the last payment from the Redskins for the Robert Griffin deal a couple of years ago and if Snead can trade down, still get a starting OT and pick up even more help that is definitely the way to go.  They don’t need Clowney because of the presence of Robert Quinn and Chris Long but that doesn’t mean he is completely out of the question.

Bad idea:  Jadeveon Clowney.  The Rams could go the route of the New York Giants and grab Clowney and team him with Quinn and Long and make an amazing pass rush on their defense but they have too many other pressing needs.  If they decide they don’t want an OT then WR Sammy Watkins would be the best possible alternative.

3.  Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12):  Jadeveon Clowney   DE   South Carolina

The signings of DE Chris Clemons, DE Red Bryant and DT Ziggy Hood would seem to mean that the Jaguars don’t need Clowney but head coach Gus Bradley knows the value of a good defensive line.  Clemons is 33 years old and Bryant isn’t really a pass rusher he is more of a base end and he can slide inside to DT when needed.  The Jaguars re-signing of QB Chad Henne to a two year deal leads me to believe that they are planning on taking a QB later and giving that QB time to develop.  They could grab Bortles or Manziel here and do that but taking a QB third overall puts a lot of pressure on the team to play them right away and just because they have Henne doesn’t mean they can’t let a rookie compete.  Coach Bradley may be planning to do what the Seahawks did when they drafted Russell Wilson and allowed him to compete but they didn’t necessarily expect him to win the job.  Wilson won because he was the best choice not because he was drafted early and the Seahawks are better because of that fact.

Bad idea:  Reaching for a QB like they have done in the past.  This team is at least a few years from competing and they need talent all over the field so passing on Clowney would be a mistake.

4.  Cleveland Browns (4-12):  Blake Bortles   QB   Central Florida

I went back and forth between Bortles and Manziel and I came to the conclusion that new GM Ray Farmer is looking at the long haul and not the flash in the pan.  I said before that I wouldn’t blame the Browns for rolling the dice and reaching for greatness but Farmer doesn’t seem likely to take a chance with his first pick as GM.  Bortles has all the talent you look for in a franchise QB and the Browns have been desperate for one since Bernie Kosar, that’s a long time.  I’m not sure if the Browns ownership will have the patience to wait (they certainly haven’t shown it so far) but if they give Bortles a chance and give him some weapons they may finally find their solution at QB.

Bad idea:  Firing your coach year after year is usually a bad idea but the Browns seem to do it anyway.  Also drafting a QB and not giving him any skill position talent around him is a bad idea.  The Browns have WR Josh Gordon and TE Jordan Cameron and they just signed free agent RB Ben Tate and that’s a pretty good start but they will need more help for whoever is playing QB.

5.  Oakland Raiders (4-12):  Johnny Manziel   QB   Texas A&M

The latest rumors are that the Raiders are waiting for Matt Schaub and Mark Sanchez to be cut by their respective teams and then they will look at them along with Josh Freeman and Michael Vick at QB.  Oh wait I’m supposed to cover the bad idea a little later.  Manziel is a playmaker and the Raiders don’t have many (any?) of those on their roster.  They tried out Terrell Pryor and Matt McGloin this last season and that helped their offense be quite abysmal.  The Raiders probably need to take a shot just as much as the Browns do but I think they are far more likely to do so.  Manziel will sell jerseys and he may even turn out to be a good QB but the Raiders are a long ways from being good and this is the kind of shot that could turn around a franchise…or it sets them back about five years, it’s a pick’em.

Bad ideas:  Schaub, Sanchez, Freeman or Vick.  Yep, four bad ideas.

6.  Atlanta Falcons:  Khalil Mack   OLB   Buffalo

The Falcons signed NT Paul Soliai and DE Tyson Jackson and signaled their intention to move to a 3-4 defense which means Mack has to be their preferred pick.  They don’t have a pass rushing OLB on the roster and Mack is the best one in the draft.  He is considered by many to be the best prospect in the draft and the one sure thing at the top of the draft.  Mack’s skill set is exactly what the Falcons need to turn around their defense and while Jake Matthews would fill a huge need at LT Mack is the pick.  The Falcons went into last season as a favorite in the NFC and completely fell apart but they are poised for a quick turnaround if they can fix a few key areas (o-line and d-line) and get healthy.

Bad idea: Letting Mack get away.  The Falcons are trying to pull off a switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense and the Cowboys showed how difficult a change in scheme can be if you don’t have the proper personnel.  Mack would fill one of the key components to the new defense and be an immediate difference maker.

7.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12):  Sammy Watkins   WR   Clemson

The Bucs went into the off season with a number of needs including DE, OL, TE, CB and QB and they went out and signed DE Michael Johnson, LT Anthony Collins, C Evan Dietrich-Smith, TE Brandon Myers, CB Alterraun Verner, and QB Josh McCown.  That means they can take the best player available and it just so happens to be the best WR in the draft Sammy Watkins.  Watkins is a star in the making and teaming him with Vincent Jackson at WR and adding a TE like Myers should give McCown (or Mike Glennon) some nice weapons in the passing game and open things up for RB Doug Martin.  Lovie Smith has a chance to pull a Chiefs like turnaround with Buccaneers because they have plenty of talent on hand and now they have a legitimate coaching staff in the building.

Bad idea:  Discounting the 10 years of evidence that Josh McCown isn’t anything more than an NFL back-up QB and handing him the starting job because he had about 5 good games last year.  At the very least this should be a competition with Glennon.  Mike Glennon wasn’t bad last year and putting what could be a big bounce back season in McCown’s hands could be costly.  Don’t try to compare McCown to Alex Smith either because Smith played well for the 49ers for a few years before he was shipped to Kansas City.

8.  Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1):  Anthony Barr   OLB   UCLA

The Vikings obviously need a QB for the future but for now they are content with Matt Cassel who did a pretty solid job last year despite what some people think.  Derek Carr is the next QB after Bridgewater, Bortles and Manziel but taking him at #8 would be just as bad as when they drafted Christian Ponder way too early.  Barr is an exceptional athlete that is just scratching the surface of what he can do on defense after playing RB at UCLA until two years ago.  The Vikings need a playmaker on defense after the loss of Jared Allen and while Barr isn’t a DE or a pure LB new head coach Mike Zimmer is a fantastic defensive mind and he will find ways to let Barr shine.  It looked like the Vikings might be going for a CB here but they signed Captain Munnerlyn and Derek Cox so the need there isn’t as great.  A pure DE would be nice here but there just isn’t the value at the position to take at #8.

Bad idea:  Kony Ealy.  Ealy is a nice defensive end but he would be a stretch almost as much as Carr.

9.  Buffalo (6-10):  Jake Matthews   OT   Texas A&M

The Bills invested a first round pick in QB EJ Manuel last year and now they need to get him the guy that can keep him on the field.  Cordy Glenn has managed to be a nice LT since the Bills drafted him and they may leave him there but drafting Matthews and moving Glenn to RT would seriously upgrade two positions.  Matthews could play RT and Glenn could remain on the left side but either way Matthews presents too much value to pass on here.  WR Mike Evans and TE Eric Ebron would both be acceptable choices here because Manuel could use some more weapons but the Bills would be better served by better protection up front.

Bad idea:  Overreacting to the loss of Jairus Byrd and grabbing a safety like Haha Clinton-Dix would be a stretch at this point.

10.  Detroit Lions (7-9):  Justin Gilbert   CB   Oklahoma St. 

The Lions had three major holes on their roster entering the off season at WR, CB and RT.  Center Dominic Raiola is getting older but he can still do the job.  The Lions have made one major move and it was a great one, they signed Seahawks free agent WR Golden Tate.  Tate will be the first true threat to line-up opposite Calvin Johnson that opponents have to take seriously.  This signing also means the Lions don’t have to draft a WR at #10 and they can concentrate on the other big need they have been ignoring for years, cornerback.  Justin Gilbert and Darqueze Dennard are #1 and #1a depending on who you ask and I think the Lions will go with Gilbert.  Gilbert is the smooth athletic type that can come in and match up with just about anyone from day one.  He will take his lumps in a division that features Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Jordy Nelson, Randal Cobb, Greg Jennings and Corderrelle Patterson but he will compete.

Bad idea:  Reaching for OT Taylor Lewan.  Since his workout at the combine Lewan has been moving back up the draft boards and given the drop off after him at OT his value may sneak him into the top 10 but it shouldn’t.  The Lions could take him and he would make a nice RT for them but there is better value at CB with either Gilbert or Dennard.

11.  Tennessee (7-9):  Darqueze Dennard   CB   Michigan St.

The Titans appear to be switching to a 3-4 defense under new defensive coordinator Ray Horton and they would be wise to get an OLB for their new scheme but with Mack and Barr off the board the only legitimate prospect left would be Dee Ford and this would be a reach.  They just lost CB Alterraun Verner in free agency and Darqueze Dennard would be a nice addition and he is certainly worth this pick.  Dennard is an in-your-face physical corner that likes to jam WR’s at the line of scrimmage and his aggressiveness would seem to fit Horton’s scheme.  The Titans signing of RT Michael Oher was a nice addition that allows them to bypass Taylor Lewan and focus on other areas of need.  Another possibility here is WR Mike Evans as the Titans have let Kenny Britt go and could use a complement to Kendall Wright.

Bad idea:  Reaching for Ford or Lewan when there is a highly ranked CB on the board.

12.  New York Giants (7-9):  Taylor Lewan   OT   Michigan

Originally I had the Giants taking LB CJ Mosley but after resigning Jon Beason and signing Jameel McClain from the Ravens it looks like the Giants are going to stick to their plan of playing terrible LB’s and never addressing the position in the draft.  The only thing worse than their LB corps last season was their atrocious offensive line and while they have signed a couple of interior linemen they still need help at OT.  Last year’s first round pick Justin Pugh played better at RT at the end of the year but the jury is still out on whether he should stick there.  Lewan would give the Giants some flexibility and allow them to play the best players on the line.  Lewan could be the LT or the RT and he might allow them to move Pugh inside and upgrade several positions.  I think Eli Manning would like this pick very much.

Bad idea:  Not drafting a LB in the first round since the Reagan Administration.

13.  St. Louis Rams (7-9):  Mike Evans   WR   Texas A&M

The Rams got their OT with the 2^nd pick overall that they had from the RGIII trade with Washington and now they have to make a choice between taking a potential #1 WR or getting the safety they need.  Evans is a legitimate #1 WR prospect and would make a very good outside receiver that would open things up for last year’s 1^st round WR pick Tavon Austin.  Evans formed a spectacular duo at Texas A&M with Johnny Manziel and his size makes him a match-up nightmare even in the NFL.  If the Rams intend to give Sam Bradford one last shot at proving he’s a franchise QB it would behoove them to provide him with some serious help at WR.  Austin didn’t set the world on fire during his rookie season but he was playing mostly with back-up QB’s and the other WR’s didn’t scare defenses at all.  Passing on a safety like Haha Clinton-Dix will be tough but the Rams need offensive weapons.

Bad idea:  Expecting Sam Bradford to show he’s a franchise QB with Tavon Austin as his top WR.  Austin is a very talented guy but he does his best work out of the slot and someone has to take the top off of the defense for him to be effective.  Evans brings serious deep threat ability to the offense.

14.  Chicago Bears (8-8):  CJ Mosley   LB   Alabama

The Bears defense sucked at all levels last year and they could use help everywhere.  They have signed DE’s Lamarr Houston and Willie Young and they are bringing in safety help in the form of MD Jennings and Ryan Mundy.  The two defensive linemen are upgrades but the safeties are just decent so it doesn’t preclude them from looking at Clinton-Dix or Calvin Pryor but it makes safety less of a priority.  CJ Mosley was the heart and soul of Alabama’s defense and he could slot into the storied middle linebacker position for the Bears very easily.  He could play outside if last year’s rookie Jon Bostic makes incredible progress but Mosley seems like a better bet to fill the legacy of guys like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher.  Mosley is smart, athletic and a true leader and those are things the Bears defense could really use.

Bad idea:  As long as the Bears go defense I don’t think they can go wrong.  Their best defensive players are getting older (Lance Briggs and recently re-signed Charles Tillman) and they have holes all over.  After rebuilding their o-line last year and having Alshon Jeffery step up their offense should be good fixing the defense is the priority.

15.  Pittsburgh (8-8):  Hasean “Haha” Clinton-Dix   S   Alabama

The Steelers defense has been getting a makeover the past couple of years as we’ve seen NT Casey Hampton, LB’s James Harrison, Larry Foote and Lamarr Woodley and S Ryan Clark all move on.  The Steelers signed Panthers free agent Mike Mitchell to replace Clark but much to the dismay of Steelers coaches and fans everywhere Troy Polamalu can’t play forever.  Clinton-Dix is a different kind of safety and he wouldn’t be the intimidator at the line like Polamalu is but he brings good size and range and good cover skills and with the way the league is going that is the future of the safety position.  Polamalu isn’t leaving just yet but having Clinton-Dix around to take some of the coverage pressure off of him might make him a more effective player at this stage in his career.

Bad idea:  Much to the chagrin of everyone in the Steelers organization their recent draft picks at the offensive tackle position haven’t been great but reaching for the next best OT Zack Martin would be a mistake.  There are a number of players besides Clinton-Dix that would be more appropriate if they don’t feel the need to take a safety like WR Marqise Lee, NT Louis Nix or CB Jason Verrett.

16.  Dallas Cowboys (8-8):  Aaron Donald   DT   Pittsburgh

The Cowboys are looking to replace virtually their entire defensive line as DeMarcus Ware was cut, Jason Hatcher left as a free agent and Anthony Spencer is not expected back.  They transitioned last year to a 4-3 Tampa-2 style defense but it went poorly because they lacked the correct personnel.  They have a chance to correct that this year and it starts with the human bowling ball Aaron Donald.  He is too short and undersized according to many but all I see is the Cowboys own version of Warren Sapp when he was destroying offenses in Tampa Bay.  Donald isn’t as big as Sapp but he is the same type of penetrating disruptive force in the middle that makes the Tampa-2 defense work.  Donald should go higher but there isn’t an ideal place for him given his size and the Cowboys would be a perfect fit.

Bad idea:  If Donald is still on the board it would be indefensible for the Cowboys to pass on him.  If he’s not on the board they still need defensive line help so Tim Jernigan or Louis Nix are possible here.  Keep an eye on S Calvin Pryor though because the Cowboys have needed a good safety since Darren Woodson retired, I think that was about a decade ago.

17.  Baltimore (8-8):  Zack Martin   OT   Notre Dame

The one team that changed its draft priorities with a free agent signing the most is the Baltimore Ravens with free agent Steve Smith.  Everyone had the Ravens taking a WR in the first round and rightfully so given they had not adequately replaced Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith needed someone to take the pressure off of him.  The recently released Panther legend quickly signed with Baltimore and even though he is 35 he still has plenty to contribute.  The Ravens would be wise to draft a WR in this draft but the Smith signing and the depth of the position mean the Ravens can focus on their other pressing offensive issue, right tackle.  Martin is the fourth ranked tackle and while some think he may have to move to guard he showed well at the Senior Bowl and his workouts have been good.  Martin started a lot of games a LT at Notre Dame and playing the right side will be a transition but the Ravens have a pretty solid offensive line when healthy and lining up next to Pro Bowl RG Marshall Yanda will help make the transition easier.

Bad idea:  GM Ozzie Newsome rarely has a bad idea during the draft and it’s one of the reasons the Ravens have rarely been bad during their existence.  Not replacing Boldin last year was certainly an oversight but Steve Smith is a great pick-up and stabilizing the offensive line in front of their $100 million QB would be a wise choice.

18.  New York Jets (8-8):  Eric Ebron   TE   North Carolina

The Jets were another team that looked destined to take a WR with their first round pick right up until they signed free agent WR Eric Decker.  It’s not clear that Decker is a #1 WR but he is an upgrade and while the Jets WR corps still could use some help Decker takes the pressure off and allows the Jets to grab the best TE in this draft.  Ebron has top 10 pick potential and if he’s available at #18 for the Jets he would be hard to pass up.  Ebron would give the team a huge upgrade at the position and give QB Geno Smith and very nice security blanket and weapon in the middle of the field.  I’ve had Marqise Lee set for this spot for a while but Ebron is too much value here and the depth at WR means the Jets can still get a good one in round two.

Bad idea:  Not fixing the offense would be a bad idea.  They need a TE, another WR and offensive line help if they want to give Geno Smith a chance to succeed.  Signing Michael Vick would also be a bad idea because it would muddy the waters around Smith, shake his confidence and it’s not a long term solution.

19.  Miami Dolphins (8-8):  Xavier Sua-Filo   OL   UCLA

The Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito debacle has been talked about ad nauseam and with the trade of Martin to San Francisco, the release of Incognito and the signing of LT Branden Albert it is time for the Dolphins to move on.  The Albert signing takes care of the immediate need at LT but this line still needs help inside and possibly at RT.  This makes Sua-Filo the perfect choice because while he could be a Pro Bowl player inside at guard he could also be a future RT if need be.  Sua-Filo is a beast and while he doesn’t get a lot of publicity (offensive guards rarely do) I’m certain the Dolphins would be perfectly happy if no one ever talks about their offensive line ever again.

Bad idea:  Trying to build their team through free agency hasn’t turned out well for the Dolphins as they are stuck in no man’s land between making the playoffs and being bad enough to get a top draft pick.  It finally cost GM Jeff Ireland his job and if they don’t start getting things turned around coach Joe Philbin will be following him out the door soon.  Good teams build through the draft.

20.  Arizona Cardinals (10-6):  Dee Ford   OLB   Auburn

The Cardinals came into the off season with a gigantic hole at LT and they haven’t been adequate there in a long time.  They filled that hole with a very good free agent Jared Veldheer and while they still could use help on the offensive line it isn’t where the value is at this point in the draft.  John Abraham found the fountain of youth last season in Arizona but he’s 36 and time is going to run out sooner rather than later and the Cardinals need to find a pass rusher.  Dee Ford was a DE at Auburn and he was a terror off the edge but he is woefully undersized to play DE in the NFL and he embraced the fact that he would have to move to OLB.  His natural pass rush skills are obvious and the Cardinals defense would be a perfect place for him to ply his trade.

Bad idea:  Not getting a young pass rusher.  Perhaps John Abraham can squeeze another year out of his body but the Cardinals will need a replacement and passing on Ford if he’s available would be the wrong move.

21.  Green Bay Packers (8-7-1):  Calvin Pryor   S   Louisville

The Packers have a number of places they could go but the value at center, where they just lost Evan Deitrich-Smith, and at TE, where Jermichael Finley is unlikely to return, isn’t as great as it is at safety.  Pryor is clearly the second best safety in the draft after Clinton-Dix and is well ahead of #3 and the Packers could use a good deep middle guy on the back of their defense.  The Packers do have other needs on defense but they can afford to go with the best available player and that is easily Pryor at this point.  Pryor can both cover the deep middle and come up and support the run and the Packers could use both of those assets in their secondary.  The re-signing of DL BJ Raji and the signing of DE Julius Peppers makes the defensive line less of a priority, another team that has helped define their draft needs through free agency.

Bad idea:  Reaching for a center here like Travis Swanson from Arkansas would be placing need far above value and that just isn’t GM Ted Thompson’s way.

22.  Philadelphia Eagles (10-6):  Louis Nix   NT  Notre Dame

The Eagles defense was terrible last season especially in the secondary and while most mock drafts to this point have had them taking a corner or safety once again free agency has changed the outlook.  S Malcolm Jenkins and CB Nolan Carroll have been signed to bolster the secondary leaving the Eagles to address deficiencies elsewhere on defense.  The team changed last year into a 3-4 alignment but they never really had a legitimate NT to line up over center and set the tone of their defense.  Louis Nix is a versatile interior defensive lineman but his best work is done playing over the center and even though he dealt with injuries last season at Notre Dame he is an excellent prospect.  Nix would change a weakness on the Eagles line into a strength pretty quickly and his presence would especially help the inside linebackers by keeping the offensive linemen off of them.

Bad idea:  Drafting anything other than defense would be a mistake.  The Eagles offense is a strength and they could justify drafting at virtually any position on defense.

23.  Kansas City Chiefs (11-5):  Marqise Lee   WR   USC

I tried for an hour to find a way to give the Chiefs an offensive lineman after they lost three starters in the first few days of free agency and Andy Reid almost always goes for linemen (either offensive or defensive) in the first round.  The problem is that no linemen available come anywhere close to the value of Lee who has #1 WR potential.  Dwayne Bowe has been good but his relationship with Reid and the organization has been strained in the past and even if he is completely happy the Chiefs still need another weapon.  They also lost RB/WR Dexter McCluster to the Titans and Reid must see that his offense needs weapons.  Lee is only available here because teams like the Ravens and Jets were able to address their WR needs in free agency but his loss is the Chiefs gain.  Lee fought through injuries last year but he can be a dynamic playmaker and he is such a good route runner he will be ready to contribute on day one.

Bad idea:  Reid has a penchant for drafting linemen in round one and his team has some holes to fill there but passing on talent like Lee to draft someone like Cyrus Kouandjio or David Yankey would be regrettable.

24.  Cincinnati Bengals (11-5):  Ryan Shazier   LB   Ohio St.

The Bengals just released starting LB James Harrison and it was mostly because he had lost his range and couldn’t cover anyone anymore.  That won’t be a problem with Shazier as his athleticism is his greatest asset.  Speed, range and coverage are Shazier’s game and he should fit nicely alongside Rey Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict in the Bengals LB corps.  He is one of the fastest linebackers in the draft in many years and while he is a little light that shouldn’t be a problem playing beside Maualuga and behind DT’s Geno Atkins and Domata Peko.

Bad idea:  The Bengals have needs at DE, LB, CB and S which means as long as they go defense they should be alright.  They are content to give Andy Dalton more time so the only way they go wrong here is if they draft an offensive player when there is so much value at defense.  DE Kony Ealy would also be a solid choice here as a replacement for the departed Michael Johnson.

25.  San Diego Chargers (9-7):  Jason Verrett   CB   TCU

The Chargers have plenty of holes to fill including NT, OLB, S and even WR but it was their secondary that was far below average last season and they need talent at CB to help improve it.  Verrett isn’t a big corner like most teams are looking for nowadays but he is tough and plays more physically than you would think.  He can cover and he’s tough and those are two things the Chargers secondary could use.  Even if the Chargers are comfortable with the veteran starters they have Verrett could come in as the slot corner as a rookie and eventually take over outside.

Bad idea:  QB, RT and ILB are about the only places the Chargers don’t need to address so everything else is still on the table, tough to go wrong when you need talent and depth throughout the roster.

26.  Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis 11-5):  Odell Beckham Jr.   WR   LSU

This is the first round pick the Browns got from the Colts for trading them RB Trent Richardson and it’s hard to imagine the Browns won’t do better than Richardson with this pick.  They just picked up RB Ben Tate in free agency to solve their RB problem and that’s a good thing because it would have been tragic if they had possibly wasted this pick on a tailback.  Instead they can get new QB Blake Bortles another weapon to pair with WR Josh Gordon and Odell Beckham would make a great complement.  Beckham can line-up out wide or he can play in the slot and he would give the new Browns offense (when is it not new?) some nice versatility.

Bad idea:  I never believed that the new GM Ray Farmer would take a RB here but given how bad they were in the backfield last season it was a possibility.  When RB Ka’Deem Carey ran a slower than expected 40 at the combine it really seemed to end the possibility that a RB would go in the first round.  With the Tate signing grabbing another WR seems like the best move.

27.  New Orleans Saints (11-5):  Kyle Fuller   CB   Virginia Tech

The Saints created a lot of holes in their defense with their roster purge of a number of veterans but they have in-house candidate to fill some of those spots.  They also make arguably the most surprising splash in free agency by bringing in S Jairus Byrd after coming out of nowhere to sign him.  The Saints have a set of starting CB’s in Keenan Lewis and Patrick Robinson but as anyone will tell you two is not enough in the current NFL.  Kyle Fuller had a better junior season at Virginia Tech two years ago compared to his injury filled senior season but that talented player from two years ago is still in there somewhere.  Fuller has NFL starting ability and this may be the best scenario for him, come in and not be expected to be the top CB but get some playing time and then take over later.

Bad idea:  The Saints need an OLB for their 3-4 defense but there isn’t a lot of value here at that position.  They could try to make a move and get up to get Dee Ford which wouldn’t be a bad idea but the only other pass rusher at this point with value is Kony Ealy and he is more of a 4-3 end.

28.  Carolina Panthers (12-4):  Cyrus Kouandjio   LT   Alabama

The retirement of LT Jordan Gross and the release of WR Steve Smith have created two huge craters in the Panthers offense and they have to address one of them here.  Cyrus Kouandjio has some medical issues with his knee come up at the combine and his performance there didn’t help him either.  It has been reported that Kouandjio has been given a clean bill of health by the renowned Dr. James Andrews and that should put him back on the first round radar of many teams.  The Panthers can’t afford not to take a chance because they needed a RT before Gross retired and now that has to take a back seat to finding a blindside protector for franchise QB Cam Newton.  Kouandjio has talent but he will have some growing pains and Newton will have to use his mobility to help out his new LT but the drop off after Kouandjio is pretty big so taking the chance here is worth it.

Bad idea:  As bad as the Panthers look at WR after Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn and Dominik Hixon all moved on in free agency there are still free agent WR worth signing and this draft is very deep there too.  The LT free agency well is pretty dried up and there is no sure-fire LT on the draft board after Kouandjio.

29.  New England Patriots (12-4):  RaShede Hageman   DT   Minnesota

Vince Wilfork is coming off an Achilles injury and Isaac Sopoaga has been cut and the rest of the DT rotation is less than stellar.  With re-signing of WR Julian Edelman and the signing of WR Brandon LaFell the DT position has priority.  Hageman is a mountain of a man at 6’6 310 lbs. and can start immediately which is what the Patriots need.  Hageman has great versatility which is something Bill Belichick will love because he likes to play multiple defensive fronts.  There are other solid DT choices still on the board like Tim Jernigan and Dominique Easley but Hageman looks like the best fit for what the Patriots like to do.

Bad idea:  The Patriots have a pretty obvious need and it’s a position that offers very good value at this point in the draft.  Hageman, Tim Jernigan and Dominique Easley would all be good choices.  Drafting TE Jace Amaro would make sense but the Patriots could get similar value in round 2 so taking the best DT, a more important position to fill, would be a better idea.

30.  San Francisco 49ers (12-4):  Brandin Cooks   WR   Oregon St.

The 49ers have a pretty impressive roster without a lot of holes to fill and that comes from years of good drafting.   CB is probably the biggest need on the team after losing Tarell Brown in free agency and cutting Carlos Rogers but that is more about depth.  The 49ers should have Michael Crabtree back at 100% this season and they resigned Anquan Boldin but they could still use another playmaker and Cooks would be a great fit.  He can play on the outside or in the slot and he’s got deep speed that isn’t really Crabtree or Boldin’s strength.  Cooks put up video game like numbers at Oregon St. and adding him to the passing game of Crabtree, Boldin and TE Vernon Davis might just elevate the 49ers offense to the same level as their defense.

Bad idea:  Being gun shy because of the colossal bust that was AJ Jenkins.  Jenkins was far more of a project than Cooks is and it’s just not a fair comparison.

31.  Denver Broncos (13-3):  Bradley Roby   CB   Ohio St.

The Broncos are in the midst of a complete overhaul of their secondary as it looks like free agents Dominique Roger-Cromartie and Chris Harris won’t be back and Champ Bailey was already cut.  CB Aqib Talib has already been signed as well as S TJ Ward so they might as well continue the turnover and grab Bradley Roby from Ohio St.  I am admittedly not the biggest Roby fan but at the end of the 1^st round he is a much easier choice to swallow than towards the middle of round.  Roby is a supreme athlete and lining up opposite Talib means he won’t have to face the opponents best WR which should help.  He will gamble a bit too much and while having Talib covering the opponent’s top WR is nice it also mean Roby will be targeted a lot more.  Roby is a talent and maybe on a team with veterans like Manning, Welker, Terrence Knighton and Von Miller he will learn what it is like to be a professional and learn his trade.

Bad idea:  John Elway is not stupid and he knows that his window of opportunity to win the Super Bowl closes more every year because Manning isn’t getting any younger.  Counting on the very veteran defensive backfield last year came back to haunt them and Elway is trying to fix it.  He also realized he didn’t have enough playmakers on defense which is why he signed DeMarcus Ware.  The signing of WR Emmanuel Sanders from Pittsburgh should make up for the loss of Eric Decker so fixing the defense is top priority.

32.  Seattle Seahawks (13-3):  Kony Ealy   DE   Missouri

A team that just won the Super Bowl and re-signed its most important free agent DE Michael Bennett seems like a strange choice to take a DE in the first round of the draft but that isn’t the whole story.  Seattle won the Super Bowl largely on the strength of its defense and their defensive line has taken some hits after cutting some players to free up money to bring back the likes of Michael Bennett.  DE’s Red Bryant and Chris Clemons were jettisoned because their salaries outweighed their production and valuable back-up DT Clinton McDonald cashed in on his free agency.  The Seahawks know they need to restock the defensive line and luckily for them Kony Ealy is a very good prospect who just so happens to fit their defense.  Ealy has some versatility to his game and he reminds me a little of Justin Tuck.  He could be a very nice complement to Michael Bennett and he is phenomenal value with the last pick of the first round.

Bad idea:  The Seahawks have proven over the last several years that they don’t make a lot of bad decisions in the draft and given the sheer talent available in this particular draft it seems unlikely they will this year.  The depth at WR means they could find a nice replacement for Golden Tate and Sidney Rice if they choose and Ealy isn’t the only defensive lineman worth taking here as guys like Tim Jernigan, Dominique Easley, Stephon Tuitt and Scott Crichton are viable options also.

 

As always this mock draft isn’t just subject to change it is an absolute certainty that it will change.  The fact that there is just under two months before we get to the draft and that the Houston Texans could change their minds eight or nine times before that means at this point no one knows anything.  The NFL Draft is my favorite sporting event and doing mock drafts is my favorite thing to do and that’s why I just wrote a 7200 word mock draft that is certain to be obsolete minutes after I publish it.  Thanks for reading along and if you read through the whole thing that’s awesome, feel free to comment about your favorite team and what you think they should do.

 

2014 Top 5 Defensive Position Rankings

I don’t break down defense in the traditional sense most football people do.  While I will break it down on the defensive line to defensive end (DE) and defensive tackle (DT) and in the secondary to cornerback (CB) and safety (S) the linebacker position is a little different.  I’m going to break it down to pass rushing linebackers (OLB), traditional outside linebackers in a 4-3 defense (LB) and inside or middle linebacker (ILB).  Whether a player is a DE or an OLB depends on the team that drafts him and how they plan to use him.

Defensive End:  This position is for players that fit the traditional pass rushing defensive end on a four man defensive line.  I won’t be breaking them down by left end/right end because it’s a bit much but there is one exception and that’s my guy at #5, he is better suited to be a 3-4 defensive end and is less of a pass rusher.

1. Jadeveon Clowney   South Carolina
2. Kony Ealy   Missouri
3. Scott Crichton   Oregon St.
4. Trent Murphy   Stanford
5. Stephon Tuitt   Notre Dame

There has been a ton written about Clowney and I’ve made it known that I don’t think he should go to Houston first overall but he is far and away the best pass rushing DE in this class.  You can question his work ethic and you can even pick apart some of the things he does on film but he is a freak of an athlete and he knows how to pressure a QB.  He needs some technique work and he needs to learn more than a couple of pass rush moves but that is almost always true of a player that has gotten by on physical talent all his life.  He could be a transcendent talent or he could be a monumental bust.  Kony Ealy is a very good DE prospect and he brings nice size and speed and has a number of good pass rush moves.  He was overshadowed at Missouri by Michael Sam but he is the better pro prospect and while he isn’t the elite athlete Clowney is he will be a nice addition to someone’s defensive line.  There is a considerable drop off after Clowney and Ealy and no other DE is likely to go in the first round (Dee Ford is an OLB in my rankings).  That doesn’t mean that Crichton and Murphy aren’t good players and they could become starters in the NFL.  Crichton is quick off the snap but isn’t overly fast and he plays a little stiff and he doesn’t get the bend off the edge needed to be an elite pass rusher.  The word you hear a lot about Murphy is “rangy” and that’s just the nice way of saying he is too skinny to play DE full-time.  Murphy is only 250 lbs. and that is too light to be a DE but he lacks the lateral quickness and instinct to be an OLB.  Stephon Tuitt is a different kind of DE, he’s a five technique DE meaning he is built to be a defensive end in a 3-4 defense.  Some teams have Tuitt rated as a DT because of his size and he could play that position too but he is best suited at end in an odd front.  He may make the first round if a 3-4 team is looking for a DE but as a DT he rates a little lower because the position has much more depth.

Sleeper:  Kareem Martin   North Carolina

Truthfully Martin ranks 6^th on the list of DE’s and he is likely to go in the second round so it’s tough calling him a sleeper but not everyone is talking about him and I really like him as a prospect.  He brings scheme versatility because he could be a DE on a four man front or on a three man line.  At 6’6 272 lbs. he has the size and after running 4.72 40 he showed the speed but what doesn’t show is the production on the field.  He isn’t a natural pass rusher but he holds the point of attack very well which makes me think he is better suited to a 3-4 but a good defensive line coach might get a hold of him and turn that raw talent into something impressive.

Defensive Tackle:  Great defensive tackles come in many shapes and sizes and teams evaluate them based on what they are looking for in their scheme.  Some guys play better rushing the passer (Aaron Donald); some guys are better clogging up the middle (Louis Nix) and some guys just block out the sun (RaShede Hageman).  My rankings are based on who I want on my team the most.

1. Aaron Donald   Pittsburgh
2. Louis Nix   Notre Dame
3. Tim Jernigan   Florida St.
4. RaShede Hageman   Minnesota
5. Dominique Easley   Florida

Let’s face facts if Aaron Donald was three inches taller and fifteen pounds heavier he’d be a lock to be a top 5 pick but the NFL discriminates against DT’s that aren’t fat enough…err…sorry big enough.   Donald is a monster that is going to terrorize offensive guards and centers for years and while everyone knows it there are plenty of NFL teams that will pass on him because they have one of those carnival ride cutout things that say “You must be this tall to be an NFL defensive tackle”, their loss.  Louis Nix is a classic nose tackle at 6’2 331 lbs. but the scary thing is he can be just as effective paired inside at DT.  Nix was injured and missed some of the season but he is a beast at stuffing the run and he will make the team that drafts him happy for the next decade.  Tim Jernigan is smooth and fluid and moves very well for a guy that is 300 lbs.  He can get into the backfield and disrupt the play but he can also hold his point and jam up the line of scrimmage.  Jernigan is a nightmare because he is very strong and moves his feet well and that is a tough combination to block.  Hageman is 6’6 310 lbs. and looks even bigger than that.  He could play nose tackle, defensive tackle or defensive end on a three man line so he could fit with virtually any team.  Hageman needs some coaching on staying low and that’s a tough thing for a 6’6 guy inside but he can do it.  Dominique Easley is the wild card because he is a tremendous talent that is coming back from an injury.  He is undersized but he is explosive off the line and uses his hands very well and that negates his lack of bulk.  He has played DE but he is much better as a penetrating DT that can disrupt the play in the backfield.

Sleeper:  Ego Ferguson   LSU

Ferguson is an undisciplined DT that doesn’t use his hands as well as he should and doesn’t have much explosion but he is 6’3 315 lbs. and he is a very flexible athlete.  The things he doesn’t do well are all of the things that a coach can teach him and you can’t teach a man his size to be as athletically gifted as Ferguson.  He will never be much of pass rusher but he will man the middle of a defensive line very well for someone.

Outside Linebacker (the pass rushers):  This group has some serious talent at the top and a few very nice players later that could really help teams with the 3-4 defense.  Lots of teams need guys in this group so some of them may get drafted above their overall value.

1. Khalil Mack   Buffalo
2. Anthony Barr   UCLA
3. Dee Ford   Auburn
4. Jeremiah Attaochu   Georgia Tech
5. Trevor Reilly   Utah

Khalil Mack is a star that is about to be born in the NFL.  He may not be from a powerhouse team but he proved in his game against Ohio St. and at his workouts that he can play with anybody.   I think with the Atlanta Falcons switch to a 3-4 defense there is no way he falls lower than their 6^th overall pick in the first round and he may go higher than that.  Anthony Barr just ran a reported 4.44 40 at his pro day workout at UCLA and his upside is incredible.  Barr has only been playing defense for two years and someone is going to get a fantastic athlete that just needs a little time to learn all the ins and outs of being a linebacker.  Dee Ford was a pass rusher extraordinaire from the DE position at Auburn but he is too small to be an every down DE in the NFL so he embraced his move to OLB and shed a little weight to be faster and more explosive.  Ford has a knack for getting to the QB and playing in space should only help him do that even better.  I haven’t seen a lot of Jeremiah Attaochu but I did see some of his work from the Senior Bowl and he is most definitely more comfortable as a pass rushing outside linebacker than as a DE or as a possible inside linebacker.  Attaochu knows how to attack the edge and he will need some coaching on the finer points of being a linebacker but he does the one thing teams really want very well.  Trevor Reilly is a great athlete that lacks strength but he knows how to use his athleticism to get to the QB.

Sleeper:  Adrian Hubbard   Alabama

I know you’re asking yourself how a guy from Alabama is a sleeper and a guy from Buffalo is the top player at the position but trust me it’s true.  Hubbard was supposed to be on this top 5 list going into the year but he didn’t have a great season and he was overshadowed by many players on Alabama’s defense.  He is a long athlete at 6’6 and he doesn’t have great burst or overwhelming strength but he is actually one of the better all-around linebackers that is considered a pass rusher.  Hubbard plays the run better than Reilly and is more comfortable in coverage than Attaochu but nothing about Hubbard jumped off the film this year and he seemed underwhelming at times.  He may make a better pro than he was in college this last year.

Linebackers:  This position is made up of guys that fit best on the outside of a 4-3 alignment and they are more traditional linebackers.  These guys have all-around games where they can chase ball carriers, drop into coverage and occasionally blitz the QB.  Some may even be able to play inside or middle linebacker in the right system.

1. Ryan Shazier   Ohio St.
2. Kyle Van Noy   BYU
3. Christian Jones   Florida St.
4. Telvin Smith   Florida St.
5. Carl Bradford   Arizona St.

Shazier is the quintessential speed linebacker and while he is slightly undersized his speed allows him to hit with maximum force.  He can chase down RB’s and cover anyone while dropping into coverage and he does his best work when his defensive line can keep him free and clear of blockers.  Shazier is a great athlete with elite speed and a day one starter in the NFL.  Van Noy is the type of outside linebacker that can rush the passer if needed but he drops into coverage and plays like a traditional linebacker better than your typical pass rushing OLB.  His game suffered a bit this last year at BYU but that was mostly due to the loss of last year’s breakout player Ezekiel Ansah and opponents focusing more on stopping Van Noy.  Those two are unquestionably ahead of the pack at this position and now comes the guys whose best position is undetermined.  Christian Jones is seen by many as an inside linebacker and some believe he can play the traditional middle linebacker spot.  Jones has the versatility to play either of those or at outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense but his best spot is probably as one of the inside linebackers in a 3-4.  I can see Jones being a Brian Cushing type of linebacker but hopefully for the sake of the team drafting him he has better luck than Cushing staying healthy.  Jones’s Florida St. teammate is the woefully undersized Telvin Smith.  Smith tipped the scales at the combine at 218 lbs. and had teams wondering if he needs to move to strong safety because his lack of bulk could hinder him at linebacker.  He is an explosive athlete with incredible speed and quickness a very effective blitzer and good in coverage.  His size limits him to playing in space because he can be overwhelmed if a blocker gets ahold of him.  He has better strength than you would imagine but his lack of bulk is a concern.  Carl Bradford has the exact opposite problem as Telvin Smith in the fact that he is built like a fire hydrant.  At 6’1 250 lbs. he is short but powerfully built.  He played all over the defense for the Sun Devils lining up at DE, ILB and OLB and he was good pass rusher.  Once Bradford finds his place, and I think that’s as an ILB, he should be a playmaker for whichever team drafts him.

Sleeper:  Christian Kirksey   Iowa

Yes I’m a Hawkeye fan and while I loathe being thought of as a homer Kirksey is an easy choice for me at this position.  James Morris was the team leader and Anthony Hitchens racked up tons of tackles for the Hawkeyes but Kirksey is the best pro prospect.  At 6’2 233 lbs Kirksey has the size and the speed to be an excellent pro.  He can cover, he can blitz, he can stop the run and I think he has the versatility to line up outside or inside and excel in either spot.  Kirksey may not go until the 4^th or 5^th round but that just means someone is going to get an excellent player in the middle rounds.

Inside Linebacker:  This is a position that has been devalued in the NFL because of the passing game taking over and because most of these guys are just two down players.  Only one player (Mosley) will go in the first round and you may not hear any of these other names until round 3.  That doesn’t mean these guys are bad football players, on the contrary they are pretty good, they just don’t have the same value to teams anymore.

1. CJ Mosley   Alabama
2. Chris Borland   Wisconsin
3. Yawin Smallwood   UConn
4. Shane Skov   Stanford
5. Lamin Barrow   LSU

The gap between the Mosley and the rest of this group is the size of the Grand Canyon.  There will be no position in the draft with as long of a wait between the first player drafted and the next player drafted.  Mosley is a special talent and the type of leader every team needs on defense.  He knows where he needs to be and where everyone on his defense should line-up.  Mosley is instinctual, intelligent and athletically gifted and can play three downs unlike everyone else in these rankings.  Borland is a try-hard type of player that makes up for his lack of athleticism by playing hard and never giving up on a play.  He has a nose for the football and he will be a nice run stuffing middle linebacker but if anyone expects him to cover someone on third down their defense is going to suffer for it.  Yawin Smallwood was seen as an athletic inside linebacker with the ability to drop into coverage right up until he ran a 5.01 40 at the combine and his stock took a bit hit.  Smallwood is more agile than most of his counterparts but his lack of strength and pedestrian speed are making teams wonder where he fits best.  Shane Skov is your very typical run stopper and he is great at diagnosing plays quickly and getting into the back field early to disrupt running plays.  His ability to take on blockers actually makes him a perfect fit at inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense but he is athletically limited and so is value is in the mid to late rounds.  Lamin Barrow is slightly undersized but is a terrific athlete.  The biggest problem for Barrow at middle linebacker is that he isn’t a great tackler but that is something he could learn.  I am seriously unimpressed by this group outside of Mosley but run stuffing middle linebackers will always have a place in the NFL.

Sleepers:  Max Bullough   Michigan St;   James Morris   Iowa

This is a total cop out because I didn’t want to pick between these two stalwarts of the Big Ten.  Bullough is a huge run stuffer and while he is a one trick pony it is a hell of a trick.  I picked Morris because the idea that Chris Borland is a 3^rd rounder but Morris is a 6^th or 7^th rounder at best is ludicrous.  Borland is stronger and doesn’t get caught out of position as often as Morris but Morris is quicker and faster and those differences can’t account for a 3 or 4 round difference.  I’m not saying Morris is a 3^rd rounder I just think he is slightly undervalued while Borland is overvalued.  Both Borland and Morris are better in coverage than Bullough but none of the three excel at it so I fail to see the discernible difference between these three, they all look like 5^th to 6^th round picks that can actually make NFL rosters to me.

Cornerbacks:  This position is a two man race to the top and by draft day it will still be a pick ‘em between Darqueze Dennard and Justin Gilbert.  Cornerback is deep in this draft but it isn’t especially top heavy and there are a number of players that could move into the first round or drop into the third based on workouts and which teams are picking them.  As much as any position in the NFL scheme is a big factor in drafting corners.

1. Justin Gilbert   Oklahoma St.
2. Darqueze Dennard   Michigan St.
3. Jason Verrett   TCU
4. Kyle Fuller   Virginia Tech
5. Bradley Roby   Ohio St.

Gilbert gets the top spot not because he’s a better corner than Dennard but because you can’t ignore the fact that he brings excellent return skills also.  Getting Gilbert means getting a top flight corner and a top flight return man and that tips a very close race in his direction.  Gilbert is quick, fast, smooth and a more natural athlete than Dennard.  His back pedal is superior and he flips his hips as well as anyone in this draft.  Gilbert has all the qualities to be a #1 corner in the NFL.  Dennard is no slouch and for a team looking for a physical man-to-man cover guy he is the better pick.  His game is getting up on the line of scrimmage and jamming receivers and he will back down from no one.  It really could come down to a coin flip for which one is best and both of them will make good starting corners right away.  Jason Verrett might have the most natural coverage instincts of the whole group but at 5’9 his height puts him at a disadvantage against bigger WR’s.  Verrett is tough for his size and he reminds me a little of the old Patriots CB Ty Law and while Law was an excellent corner he never had to face WR’s like Calvin Johnson, Demaryius Thomas, Brandon Marshall and Julio Jones.  He has skills to cover but I’m not sure anyone wants him lining up every play against those guys.  Kyle Fuller has been a bit of the forgotten man at corner because he spent a lot of his senior year injured and was just never himself.  I remember watching him a bit last year when I thought he might come out as a junior and he was pretty good.  Despite the fact that he ran a pretty good time he doesn’t show great make-up speed on the field but he is a good cover guy and should be a good pro.  Roby is one of my least favorite top prospects because I’m always wary of cornerbacks that get by on being great athletes and lack technique.  He may have a hard time working out for teams individually if he has to spend all of his time traveling the country and destroying every copy of the Ohio St./Wisconsin football game from this last year.  Roby was thoroughly dominated in the game by Jared Abbrederis and I’m sure none of that game is available on his highlight reel.  Roby is a supreme athlete but he needs a lot of coaching to live up to his potential.

Sleepers:  Lamarcus Joyner   Florida St;    Keith McGill   Utah

I’m going with the two completely opposite players on the cornerback spectrum because both of these guys have their place in the NFL.  College football fans will recognize Joyner’s name immediately because he was a defensive leader for the National Champion Florida St. Seminoles.  Joyner is woefully undersized at 5’8 184 lbs. but that won’t stop him from being a good NFL nickel corner.  He is small, shifty and isn’t afraid to be physical inside because he’s lined up at safety before.  Joyner is a football player and whether he lines up covering the slot or possibly as a free safety he will make whatever defense he’s on better.  Keith McGill is a guy not a lot of people have heard of and honestly I haven’t seen much actually film of him but I did watch him at the combine and I was impressed.  At 6’3 211 lbs. McGill brings the size everyone is looking for at the position and he was seriously impressive in the corner drills at the combine.  Most guys as tall and lanky as he is are not very fluid in their movement and while McGill has some technique issues to work on I can see a future starting corner in this kid.

Safety:  I would split this into free and strong safety but there is not really five of each to discuss so I’m just listing the top 5 between the two positions.  There are only two sure fire first round picks and maybe one guy that could sneak into the end of the round but more than likely he’s a second round player.

1. Hasean “Haha” Clinton-Dix   Alabama
2. Calvin Pryor   Louisville
3. Jimmie Ward   Northern Illinois
4. Terrence Brooks   Florida St.
5. Deon Buchanan   Washington St.

Clinton-Dix and Pryor looked like they were going to fight it out for the top safety prospect on the board and while Pryor still has his fans Clinton-Dix seems to be pulling away a little as the top choice.  Clinton-Dix is superior in coverage and in the NFL that is what you want from your free safety.  After spending three years under Nick Saban at Alabama Clinton-Dix is the next in a long line of good secondary players from the Crimson Tide.  Pryor is a very good prospect and while he is a free safety also he is a little better defending in the run game than as a cover guy and in the right system he could line up as a strong safety.  Jimmie Ward is a bit undersized for strong safety but he is more comfortable and more natural playing closer to the line of scrimmage.  He has some cover skills so he can be a complete safety but he isn’t the ball hawk you would want playing center field.  Terrence Brooks is another guy from the reigning National Champion Seminoles (pretty easy to figure out why they were so good) and he actually has great cover skills as a safety because he spent his first two years playing corner at Florida St.  Brooks is a little on the small side but his cover skills are exactly what NFL teams want from their safeties nowadays so he will have some fans on draft day.  Deon Buchanan is the more old school in-the-box strong safety prospect and he doesn’t have great coverage skills but there is still a place in the NFL for an intimidator.  He is big and physical and is in the mold of a guy like Donte Whitner so he will make some noise, mostly when he hits someone.

Sleeper:  Ed Reynolds   Stanford

What can I say I like my free safeties to be smart and you can’t go wrong with a guy from Stanford if you’re looking for intelligence.  Reynolds is a pretty good at covering TE and in today’s NFL that is a huge skill to have.  He does most everything well but not necessarily anything great but he is well rounded and knows where to be.  Reynolds is the type of player that gets drafted in the 3^rd or 4^th round and comes in a steals a starting job from someone.