Post Combine Mock Draft 3/5
Updated 3/5
Round 1
1 Tampa Bay (2-14) – Jameis Winston QB/Florida State
It seems the odds are increasing that Jameis Winston will become a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. He is the most polished QB in the draft and reports are that his interview combined with positive statements from his Seminole coaches and teammates have convinced the Buccaneers that he is their future franchise QB.
2 Tennessee (2-14) – Leonard Williams DE/USC
If the Titans are fine riding with Zach Mettenberger, they get to take the one elite prospect in this draft. Leonard Williams is a great fit for their attacking 3-4 defense and should immediately help in both the run and pass game. He will get pressure and clog multiple gaps for them.
3 Jacksonville (3-13) – Randy Gregory DE/Nebraska
Though not an ideal fit, Randy Gregory has shown he can play defensive end. The Jaguars seem intent on spending big money this offseason, but getting a pass rusher is easier said than done. Gregory, at 235 pounds would work in the Jaguars LEO position and be able to play some with his hand off the ground too.
4 Oakland (3-13) – Kevin White WR/West Virginia
The easy pick for Oakland is a WR, and when all is said and done, they probably go that way. But Amari Cooper or Kevin White? White’s tremendous upside could definitely put him as the top WR in this draft and Reggie McKenzie must hit another home run draft to keep his job. Kevin White’s size, speed, and ability to fight for contested balls makes him an ideal WR1.
5 Washington (4-12) – Dante Fowler LB/Florida
The Redskins had a major pass rush issue last year and it needs addressed. Dante Fowler doesn’t shine anywhere, but he does have athletic upside if he can get his functional strength up and vary his pass rush moves. With Brian Orakpo moving on, they are left with only Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy who both profile as LOLB. Fowler could play ROLB and be even more of a threat for the Redskins.
6 New York Jets (4-12) –Trae Waynes CB/Michigan State
The CB struggle is real for the Jets who, despite gems like Marcus Williams, have not had their drafted CBs like Dee Milliner and Dexter McDougle meet expectations. Trae Waynes has both the speed and physical nature to fit the Jets team and profile as a #1 CB. He can jam at the line, as well as turn and run, making him a top ten pick.
7 Chicago (5-11) – Landon Collins S/Alabama
If Waynes is gone, the Bears could continue to work on the secondary with Landon Collins. Though 7 is a bit high for him, the Combine could push him back into the top half of round one. He is thick and fast with solid ball skills. This could an ideal position for the Bears to move down and still grab the top safety in the draft.
8 Atlanta (6-10) – Vic Beasley DE/Clemson
Beasley showed at the combine that he is not only fast but also strong. Add in multiple years of production, and Vic Beasley should be a top ten pick. Pass rush is heavily lacking for the Falcons and Dan Quinn should be able to use Beasley in multiple ways with his hand down and standing up. Hopefully this will improve a defense that had some downright horrid games.
9 New York Giants (6-10) – Danny Shelton DT/Washington
The Giants do love their defensive lineman, and though Jonathan Hankins played well last season, pairing Danny Shelton with him while rotating in Jay Bromley would create an ideal situation upfront. Shelton not only adds size to a run defense that desperately needs it, but he is athletic enough to collapse the pocket and force the QB to get uncomfortable.
10 St. Louis (6-10) – Lael Collins OL/LSU
The Rams need to find something on offense, and after drafting Greg Robinson, they could go with another big and athletic SEC lineman in Lael Collins. Collins seems to be the type of lineman the Rams brass likes to draft and have some options on how they can play their young, powerful studs.
11 Minnesota (7-9) – Amari Cooper WR/Alabama
If Amari Cooper falls to 11 with other teams opting more for pass rushers and linemen, than the Vikings will get an absolute steal. With Cordarrelle Patterson seemingly left in the dust, the Vikings need more weapons for franchise QB Teddy Bridgewater. Amari Cooper would give a true #1 and take pressure off of Patterson so he can keep developing.
12 Cleveland (7-9) – Devante Parker WR/Louisville
We all know the Browns need weapons and if Josh McCown is going to be successful, they need to bring in more WR help. Devante Parker finishes off the “Big Three” WRs in this class and gives a blend of size and speed to be the #1 WR for the Browns.
13 New Orleans (7-9) – Shane Ray LB/Missouri
The Saints seem to already be defensively focused in free agency and adding to their pass rush has to be a priority. Shane Ray could go in the top 5 or fall out of the top 10. Though better as a 4-3 DE, Ray’s size could convince some teams to move him to LB in a 3-4 defense. He is extremely athletic and fits the Saints pretty well.
14 Miami (8-8) – Malcolm Brown DT/Texas
Brown is definitely a player still underrated. He has solid size but plays more like a 3 or 5 tech than a true NT. The Dolphins DTs are hurting and if they don’t sign Ndamukong Suh, Brown could be a great fit next to Early Mitchell. Brown provides good leverage and strength with some pass rush ability up the middle.
15 San Francisco (8-8) – Brandon Scherff OL/Iowa
Brandon Scherff will likely move inside and it could cause him to fall out of the top ten. The 49ers are well stocked, but have a hole at LG if Brandon Thomas is not prepared to take over for Mike Iupati. Scherff would be a plug and play player who should be a solid run blocker for Carlos Hyde and allow them to be more balanced.
16 Houston (9-7) – Jaelen Strong WR/Arizona State
Andre Johnson is gone and the WR cupboard is pretty bare outside of DeAndre Hopkins. Though I don’t think the Texans will prioritize the WR position, Jaelen Strong’s Combine puts him right in this range. He is big with good hands and ran a 4.44. Though he struggles with separation, the talent is there to be an NFL starter. He would create a deadly duo with DeAndre Hopkins and not allow defenses to focus on one area of the Texans.
17 San Diego (9-7) – Bud Dupree LB/Kentucky
Jeremiah Attaochu flashed some ability and perhaps Melvin Ingram will finally be healthy enough to make an impact, but pass rush continues to plague the Chargers. They need a true big LOLB who can contain the edge but is strong enough to do some major damage rushing the passer. Bud Dupree was extremely productive with incredible explosiveness (and high character,) that the Chargers hold in high regard.
18 Kansas City (9-7) – Andrus Peat OT/Stanford
The Chiefs need to address the WR position, and likely will in this draft, but the offensive line was a mess. Andrus Peat has the pedigree and athleticism to be a very good offensive lineman at multiple positions.. He could play LT, RT, LG, or RG for the Chiefs.
19 Cleveland – from Buffalo (9-7) – Carl Davis DL/Iowa
Davis has continued to have an outstanding offseason and could convince a team to take him in the first round. Davis would be an intriguing fit in the 3-4 as he could play NT or kick outside to 5-tech and not lose much. An excellent technician whose workouts show his athletic potential, Carl Davis has flashed pass rush ability with his run stuffing ability.
20 Philadelphia (10-6) – Marcus Mariota QB/Oregon
Marcus Mariota isn’t falling to 20. That being said, with Chip Kelly in charge and everything pointing to Nick Foles being ousted, the Eagles may give whatever they need to to go up and get Mariota. He obviously fits the system and has excellent character and FBI to make this offense work. While sacrificing defense isn’t smart, that franchise QB is crucial.
21 Cincinnati (10-5-1) – Benadrick McKinney LB/Mississippi State
The Bengals defense seems a good fit for McKinney who can be used as an ILB, OLB, or even play some snaps at DE and rush the passer. He is big, strong, and athletic, requirements for the Bengals defense. McKinney could force a shift in the Bengals LBs and give them more options to be creative on D.
22 Pittsburgh (11-5) – Ronald Darby CB/Florida State
The Steelers CB situation is a mess if Cortez Allen doesn’t pick up his play, and Ronald Darby’s workouts could push him to being the 2nd CB off the board. The Steelers seem to like taking chances with high upside CBs in the draft (though usually not this early,) and Darby’s inconsistency would be just that.
23 Detroit (11-5) – Eddie Goldman DT/Florida State
Ndamukong Suh is all but gone and the Lions need a replacement if they want to keep their defensive philosophy. Eddie Goldman has plenty of flaws as he can get pushed around in the run game and plays high, but the explosion and bull rush ability definitely makes him a fit for the Lions.
24 Arizona (11-5) – Todd Gurley RB/Georgia
The Cardinals have not been shy about wanting a RB to pair with Andre Ellington to take the workhorse role. Bruce Arians seems to prefer that bigger RB to the smaller electric type. Gurley could rehab slowly as the Cardinals lean on the pass game, and they could get an elite talent at the RB position for the future.
25 Carolina (7-8-1) – Ereck Flowers OT/Miami (FL)
The Panthers don’t really have an OT on the roster that should be starting, so just like last year, they draft for need. Flowers would be a dominant run blocker as the Panthers are showing a more balanced approach.
26 Baltimore (10-6) – Devin Smith WR/Ohio State
If the Ravens don’t bring back Torrey Smith, they will need a deep threat to take the top off of the defense. Smith is close to the BPA at this point, and is more multifaceted than most say. He could step in as an outside WR and develop with Joe Flacco.
27 Dallas (12-4) – Owamagbe Odigizuwa DE/UCLA
Odigizuwa matches production with athleticism and would be a great pass rushing fit for the Cowboys. The more the merrier for Dallas who can address holes at RB and the secondary later in the draft. Odigizuwa is long and lean and should go in the top 50.
28 Denver (12-4) – Maxx Williams TE/Minnesota
Denver has to make a decision if they will continue to go all in for year one or begin building for the future. Maxx Williams would be a pick for the future as they could develop him into a starting TE down the line. Williams is Heath Miller like in his size, athleticism and blocking potential. This could keep the run game going while give a future weapon for Brock Osweiler.
29 Indianapolis (11-5) – Cameron Erving OL/Florida State
Erving’s versatility could move him into the first round as he could be an upgrade at center or even one of the interior positions. If the Colts spend big and get DeMarco Murray, more blocking upfront is a must as they try to become the NFL’s top offense.
30 Green Bay (12-4) – Eric Kendricks LB/UCLA
LB is thin for the Packers and Kendricks fits the Green Bay mentality. He has some athletic ability, but may not quite have the upside to be a dominant player. He would be a nice compliment inside and move Clay Matthews back to a pass rush role.
31 Seattle (12-4) – Dorial Green-Beckham WR/Oklahoma
It is becoming a typical pick for the Seahawks, but we have seen them take character chances in the first round in the past (see Bruce Irvin). Reports have DGB selling teams that he is changed and the potential is off the charts. Though the Seahawks don’t seem to prioritize the WR position much, a talent like Green-Beckham doesn’t come around often and would give them a dangerous offense.
32 New England (12-4) – AJ Cann OG/South Carolina
This feels like a draft where the Patriots draft a solid starter at the end of the first round who is plug and play and improves their offensive line. Cann is big, strong, and athletic with plenty of starting potential.
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