Willy’s Mock Draft Round 1

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1. Kansas City: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

About The Pick: A truly dominant offensive tackle, Joeckel can make a strong case for being the best prospect in this draft. He has excellent feet and displays really good technique. He has elite upside, and should make a huge impact at the next level.

Willy’s Take: The Chiefs could consider reaching for Geno Smith here or potentially trading back and still landing him, but really if they have this pick they should take the best player. They can get by with a combination of a 2nd tier veteran (Jason Campbell/Matt Moore/Matt Flynn) and a 2nd or 3rd round quarterback. In taking the best player they could have a couple of options, but it should really be Star Lotulelei. He has impact talent and could fit in either a 3 or 4 man line. With Glenn Dorsey a free agent and Tyson Jackson a potential cap casualty it makes some sense from a need stand point.

2. Jacksonville: QB Geno Smith, WVU (Scouting Report)

About the Pick: Smith is the best quarterback in this class and looks to grade out well in every thing you could ask for. He might not be a star, but he should become a very good starter at the next level.

Willy’s Take: The Jaguars have a ton of needs, but could still look to grab a quarterback here in Geno Smith. Is it a risk? Absolutely, but they need a quarterback to start getting this offense to function, and Smith should at the very least be a good starter.

3. Oakland: OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia

About the Pick: Jones is a premier pass rusher and can get after the quarterback with the best of them. Injuries are a concern, but if he checks out medically he’s a top 5 pick.

Willy’s Take: The Raiders lack a consistent edge rusher, and would get that in the versatile linebacker Jarvis Jones. Jones has a relentless motor, and would instantly boost their pass rush. Oakland is likely to go defense with this pick even if Jones is off the board. Consider any of the top linebackers or defensive linemen a fit with this pick.

4. Philadelphia: OT Eric Fisher, CMU (Scouting Report)

About the Pick: Fisher is one of the top tackles in the draft and could go in the top 5. He projects to be a day one starter at LT, and has the potential to lock up the position for the next decade.

Willy’s Take: The Eagles once proud offensive line looks to be a complete mess right now. Adding a star LT like Fisher would help build it back up, and give whomever the quarterback is a chance to succeed.

5. Detroit: CB Dee Milliner, Alabama

About the Pick: Milliner is the top corner in this class showing good size and speed, to go along with very good technique.

Willy’s Take: The Lions secondary is a major sore point on this team, and part of the reason why they are struggling this year. Milliner is the bop CB in this draft and would be a nice start to rebuilding the Lions secondary.

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6. Cleveland: G Chance Warmack, Alabama

About the Pick: Warmack is arguably the most talented player in this draft. He won’t necessarily go that high given the fact that he’s a guard, but he will offer an immediate impact.

Willy’s Take: The Browns fixed most of their defensive needs in free agency which could allow them to take the best available player with this pick. Warmack would be added to an already impressive line. He would offer a big upgrade and would significantly impact both the run and pass games..

7. Arizona: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma

About the Pick: Johnson has established himself as a top 15 pick, and looks to be a very athletic OT, with big time upside. He should be an immediate starter at left tackle and is just a notch below Joeckel/Fisher.

Willy’s Take: The Cardinals are going either QB or OL with this pick. With Geno Smith off the board, this should become an easy decision. While I’m sure the Cards would have loved to seen one of the top two tackles slip, they will be quite alright taking Lane Johnson as a consultation prize.

8. Buffalo: OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU (Scouting Report)

About the Pick: Mingo is one of the many top pass rushers in this class, but is more of a risk than some of the other ones. His bust factor is a bit higher, but he has elite potential.

Willy’s Take: Buffalo needs to add another premier pass rusher if they want to get the most out of their defense and could take what the draft gives them, by selecting Mingo here. Though they need a quarterback and wide receiver more there isn’t a viable option for either left in the top 10.

9. New York Jets: OLB Dion Jordan, Oregon

About the Pick: Jordan is one of the many quality pass rushers at the top of the draft. He’s a bit more raw than some other prospects, but has one of the highest upsides in the draft. He has the chance to be a real impact pass rusher and fits best in a 3-4 system.

Willy’s Take: The Jets have a number of needs, but should go with the best player available here. Jordan could be that guy and he’d help out at a major need. The Jets defense has lacked a pass rush presence these last few years.

10. Tennessee: DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

About the Pick: Lotulelei came into the draft process with the potential to go 1st overall, but some health questions surrounded him. Though they seem to be cleared up it is likely he will slide down the board a little bit.

Willy’s Take: The Titans could go a couple different ways here, but I think the value here is too much for them to pass up. Lotulelei should help cause havoc in opponents backfields, and that is exactly what they need.

11. San Diego: OG Jonathan Cooper, UNC

About the Pick: Cooper is an extremely talented guard, who has top ten talent. He can fit in any system, but would excel in a zone blocking scheme.

Willy’s Take: The Chargers need to spend this pick on an offensive lineman. They would probably prefer a tackle, but would easily settle for an elite guard like Cooper. He would be an immediate starter and a fairly big upgrade to their woeful line.

12. Miami: DE Bjoern Werner, FSU

About the Pick: Werner is a top notch pass rusher who should thrive in a 4-3 system. He’s very quick off the snap and can get low making it hard for offensive linemen to consistently stop him. He’s still a raw player overall and may struggle versus the run early in his career, but that shouldn’t dissuade teams from taking him early.

Willy’s Take: This pick is a bit up in the air, but the Dolphins could definitely use another defensive end to balance with Cameron Wake. Werner would give them that, which should make their entire defense better.

13. Tampa Bay: CB Desmond Trufant, Washington

About the Pick: Trufant has excellent speed and agility and looks to be one of the top corners in this draft.

Willy’s Take: The Buccaneers secondary is one of the weakest units on any team, and they need to get drastically better if they want to survive in a division with Matt Ryan and Drew Brees. Trufant could join with Mark Barron to form the makings of an impressive secondary.

14. Carolina: DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida

About the Pick: Floyd looks to be a top notch defensive tackle, who excels versus the run and can push the pocket some against the pass. His motor is a slight question, but the impact he offers makes him a top 20 pick.

Willy’s Take: Panthers are struggling to defend between the tackles and could use a dominating defensive lineman in the middle of their defense. Floyd should help impact the play of both the Panthers DE’s and LB’s, making everyone more effective.

15. New Orleans: OLB Ziggy Ansah, BYU

About the Pick: Ansah might be more raw than most, but he’s got a ton of potential and should still add value early on given his pass rush ability.

Willy’s Take: Pass rush has to be the Saints primary offseason focus, and adding a guy like Ansah would be a nice start for them. He’s really quick off the edge and should help generate a lot of pressure.

16. St. Louis Rams: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas (Scouting Report)

About the Pick: Vaccaro is the top safety in the class and shows tremendous coverage ability, able to run with both receivers and tight ends.

Willy’s Take: The Rams would probably want an offensive tackle with this pick, but with the top three off the board they will happily take safety Kenny Vaccaro. Vaccaro should be an immediate starter for the Rams. He’s got big play ability, with great range and good tackling ability.