Draft day is finally here. After months of scouting during the regular season, combine, and pro days each player will find a new home over the next few days. Below is my final projection leading up to the first pick.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston QB (Florida State)
This pick has been internally made for months. Famous Jameis is simply the superior prospect over Marcus Mariota. Winston will be able to remain in the State of Florida, where he won a national championship just one year ago. Lovie Smith will finally have his franchise quarterback after years of dealing with Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, Jay Cutler, and Josh McCown. Ultimately Winston reminds me of Cam Newton with a bright future in the league. The biggest question mark to the success of his career will be his ability to fix his slow lumbering footwork while of course staying out of trouble.
2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota QB (Oregon)
The Titans have a decision on their hands here. Do they select the best available quarterback or go with the best defensive player? There is also the question of trading back to acquire more draft assets. Cleveland, Philadelphia, and San Diego are amongst the teams rumored to be interested in trading up. Mariota has been a hot commodity with the dire need of finding a franchise quarterback. In the end I expect Tennessee to keep the selection and take the Oregon signal caller. Leonard Williams would be my selection here as he may be the next Muhammed Wilkerson. Nevertheless Mariota becomes the pick. Unfortunately for Mariota I only see him succeeding in Philadelphia or Kansas City as many do not realize the Oregon quarterback is the definition of a project.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler Jr OLB (Florida)
This is a Jacksonville pick. After years in Seattle, head coach Gus Bradley desperately wants his version of Bruce Irvin to get after the quarterback. Therefore I project the Jags to make the pick their franchise normally does. Back in 2008 head coach Jack Del Rio needed a pass rusher. He got his wish trading up to select Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey. Harvey then turned into a complete failure, and is already out of the league. Fast forward 7 years later, head coach Gus Bradley needs a pass rusher. It just so happens anther Florida Gator with numerous red flags is just staring them in the face. Uh Oh! Any player who finds it necessary to run a 40 yard dash with a gold watch shows his true character, a trait unwanted by a losing franchise.
4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams DE (USC)
The Oakland Raiders strike gold again. After adding Khalil Mack a season ago the Raiders add another monster to the defense. While Amari Cooper is tempting here Williams is the safest and best player in this years draft. General manager Reggie McKenzie simply couldn’t be happier with the slide of Williams. I would compare Williams to Jets star Muhammad Wilkerson.
5. Washington Redskins: Trae Waynes CB (Michigan State)
The Redskins would love to trade down here as the true needs rest along the offensive line and defense. Beasley or Dupree could become the pick here but Trae Waynes ultimately gets picked here. Waynes is the best corner in the draft giving the skins a solid secondary for years to come.
6. New York Jets: Vic Beasley OLB (Clemson)
This defense is one pass rusher away from becoming a deadly unit. The Jets upgraded the secondary with the additions of Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, Marcus Gilchrist, and Antonio Cromartie. The defensive line is also likely out of the question here. Beasley is a natural pass rusher with relentless pursuit. The only problem is will Beasley be able to keep his weight up after playing much of last year at 220. The Clemson pass rusher may be a better fit in a 4-3 but should make a scary impact with the surrounding talent.
7. Chicago Bears: Amari Cooper WR (Alabama)
The Bears couldn’t be happier with Cooper falling to them at pick number seven. Amari is the best wide receiver prospect to declare since A.J. Green. His route running and ability to get open cannot be matched by any other prospect. A duo of Cooper and Alshon Jeffery would be a frightening duo for opposing secondaries.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Alvin “Bud” Dupree OLB (Kentucky)
If the Falcons don’t get a pass rusher the city will riot. Atlanta could not get after the quarterback last season if the offensive line consistent of a bunch of senior citizens. The Falcons ranked 31st in the league in sacks with only 22. Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston had 22 by himself last season. New head coach Dan Quinn will attempt to make Ray his version of Bruce Irvin. Dupree has been a fast riser with his high potential. The only problem is Dupree often times disappears during games. His poor motor problems would have me thinking twice about Dupree. With the recent troubles of Randy Gregory and Shane Ray, Dupree becomes the pick here. The Trade up becomes necessary with the shortage of pass rushers.
9. New York Giants: Andrus Peat OT (Stanford)
Let’s give Eli some protection. The Giants have to focus on keeping Eli Manning up right for the team to have any chance of returning to prominence. Peat’s father Todd, played for the Giants during his playing day. Peat is the consensuses first overall tackle by most experts. While I am not the biggest fan of his game the family ties will likely make Peat a Giant.
10. St. Louis Rams: Brandon Scherff G (Iowa)
The Rams are virtually one offensive play-maker to becoming serious contenders. The Rams sport an already scary defense. With new quarterback Nick Foles it’s time to build the offense. The Rams need to upgrade the offense line regardless with the lack of receiving help. Scherff versatility to play guard and tackle makes him a obvious fit for St. Louis. The Rams certainly hope Scherff can match the production of Zack Martin from last year’s draft.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Devante Parker WR (Louisville)
The Vikings shock the world by passing on Kevin White to select Louisville’s DeVante Parker. Parker’s connection with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater during their college playing days makes this pick make all the more sense. Passing on Kevin White was obviously tough but after dealing with Cordarrelle Paterson the Vikings take a safer approach with Parker.
12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White WR (West Virginia)
The first of the Browns two first round picks are used to upgrade the receiver position. The Josh Gordon fiasco and failure to land one of the great rookie wide outs last season makes White the pick. The Browns have a history of messing up on draft picks so look no further than to take the one year wonder from West Virginia.
13. New Orleans Saints: Ereck Flowers OT (Miami)
Let’s give Drew Brees some protection. The Saints had one of the worst offensive lines this past season. The team also traded all pro guard Ben Grubbs to Kansas City. The giant 6’7? tackle makes perfect sense for the Saints at 13.
14. Miami Dolphins: Kevin Johnson CB (Wake Forest)
The Dolphins look to upgrade the secondary after selecting crafty corner Kevin Johnson. With Brent Grimes on one side, Johnson would be a perfect compliment. The Dolphins have been aggressive to create a dominant defense to combat Tom Brady’s New England Patriots. Johnson’s ability to press cover will only help that cause.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Arik Armstead DE (Oregon)
The 49ers have lost a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball after losing Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, and Chris Borland. Armstead gives San Francisco the best chance to restore a dominant defensive line. Armstead will become the 5 technique defensive end in a 3-4 with Darnell Dockett manning the opposite side. Many compare Armstead to Arizona’s Calias Campbell, but I feel as Armstead is ranked far to high because of how raw his technique is.
16. Houston Texans: Jaelen Strong WR (Arizona State)
Strong will look to fill the Texan receiving void left by the departure of Andre Johnson. Strong’s week 5 performance vs. USC really put him on the map. Jaelen is a strong physical target very similar to Andre Johnson. He could make a great compliment to DeAndre Hopkins.
19. Cleveland Browns: Malcom Brown DT (Texas)
Head Coach Mike Pettine absolutely wants to add depth to his defensive line. With the shaky health of Phil Taylor, Malcom Brown will add insurance to the Cleveland D line. The offense of side of the ball looks to be taken care of after the Kevin White selection.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Breshad Perriman WR (Central Florida)
Perriman has been a big riser after running a 4.25 during the Central Florida Pro Day. Perriman also has some NFL bloodlines with his father having played in the league. Perriman and the sneaky good Jordan Mathews could create a young high powered receiving core.
21. Cincinatti Bengals: D.J. Humphries OL (Florida)
For all intensive purposes the Bengals are the NFL’s most irrelevant team as long as the red headed devil Andy Dalton remains the quarterback. Since I have no control of the quarterback position and can’t fix their win less playoff streak, Cincinnati likely gives Dalton more help. Humphries could be the top tackle in the draft possessing the best footwork of any tackle.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Landon Collins SS (Alabama)
Troy Polamalu has played his last game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Having said that the secondary desperately needs to be taken care of. With needs at safety and corner we give them the top safety in the draft Landon Collins. Collins fits the Steeler mold, a tough hard hitting safety from Alabama. Collins is a strong safety better in run support much different from Haha Clinton-Dix from last year. Pittsburgh is a smart organization, they will pick the best available player here.
23. Detroit Lions: Jalen Collins CB (LSU)
The Lions need secondary help regardless of the departures of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairly. The Trade for Haloti Ngata likely makes cornerback the pick here for Detroit. Collins is a talented corner from LSU, a school who produces corners every year.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Gordon HB (Wisconsin)
Gordon becomes the second first round back after Gurley breaking a two year stretch without one. Gordon becomes a great fit in the Arizona offense with Andre Ellington already in the fold. Gordon’s best trait is his agility often hitting the holes and breaking off a 60 yard score. Look for Arizona to add to the offense in one capacity or another.
25. Carolina Panthers: Jake Fisher OT (Oregon)
Tackles often rise on draft day as the need for lineman runs thin in the later rounds. Fisher is an athletic tackle who has been shooting up boards because of those traits. Carolina’s inability to protect Cam Newton last year will prompt Carolina to take a lineman early.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Peters CB (Washington)
If the board shakes out this way the Ravens will absolutely trade down. Peters projects as more of a second round corner due to the off the field problems. In a way Marcus Peters reminds me of Jimmy Smith who was a troubled corner from Colorado with top ten talent. Then again if Jimmy Smith is healthy last season Baltimore beats the Patriots in the Divisional round after horrible secondary play. A secondary with Smith, Peters, and Lardarius Webb in the slot all of the sudden this secondary looks a lot better. Look for Baltimore to also look heavily at receiver and tight end.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Eric Kendricks MLB (UCLA)
Dallas desperately wanted Ryan Shazier last year. Now they finally get a linebacker. There is a ton of questions with the Dallas line backing core. Sean Lee may or may not be healthy, Rolando McClain may or may not be back, Bruce Carter may or may not be good, and Anthony Hitchens should have definitely been flagged during the Lions playoff game. Something has to give. All I know is Kendricks is a heck of a football player.
28. Denver Broncos: Jordan Phillips DT (Oklahoma)
Pot roast Terrence Knighten is off to Washington and Wade Phillips needs a new nose tackle. Phillips can be the nose that Von Miller and Demarcus Ware need.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Cedric Ogbeuhi OT (Texas A&M)
If Andrew Luck got some protection last season there would be no doubt who the best quarterback in the league is.Ogbeuhi would be a top ten selection if it was not for a torn ACL late last season. Ogbeuhi could start the season on the P.U.P. list and start the season later when in the process.
30. Green Bay Packers: Byron Jones CB (Connecticut)
Jones is an athletic corner who would create the perfect replacement for recently departed Tramon Williams. Jones is known for having the best long jump in the history of the NFL. Jones may not be the most polished corner but can thrive in a great environment in Green Bay.
31. New Orleans Saints: Dorial Green-Beckham WR (Oklahoma via Missouri)
The Seattle Seahawks traded this pick to New Orleans in exchange for Jimmy Graham. What better way to maximize their investment by taking a player with one of the higher potentials in the draft. Green-Beckham is a huge target at 6’7″ the problems is his off the field issues and route running. The troubled wide out needs to be surrounded in a good environment with Drew Brees throwing his passes.
32. New England Patriots: Randy Gregory OLB (Nebraska)
Gregory turns into a value pick for New England with the last pick in round one. Once thought of as a top 5 pick a failed drug test could land him in New England. Gregory could become a great fit with Chandler Jones on the other side.
