First Round NFL Mock Draft

What we decided to do here was have a little fun and pair together to create a First Round Mock Draft for tonight. What we did was go back and forth with Jeff selecting odd number picks and Clayton selecting even number picks. We are predicting what we think happens, not necessarily what we would like to see happen

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB - Jameis Winston - Florida State

This one is fairly easy to predict. The Bucs have been basically locked into Winston for quite some time now. Whether he is the franchise QB they believe him to be is debatable, fact is, in today’s NFL they are being pressured into taking this pick.

2. Tennessee Titans - QB - Marcus Mariota - Oregon

When Zach Mettenberger is presumed starting quarterback, you are in trouble. Mariota has his faults, specifically not much experience under center, but he has the tools and abilities that you look for in a franchise QB. There is tons of trade speculation around this pick so it could be someone else taking Mariota.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - OLB - Dante Fowler Jr. - Florida

The Jags have a clear need for someone on the edge that can pressure the QB. Fowler Jr is the perfect fit for Gus Bradley’s defense. Leonard Williams is an interesting option if available, but I think Fowler just has too much to offer for the Jags for them to pass on him.

4. Oakland Raiders - WR - Amari Cooper - Alabama

Is Derek Carr the answer at quarterback for this floundering franchise? He certainly had his moments last year. The Raiders need weapons bottom line and they take the best receiver in the draft to give Carr a chance.

5. Washington Redskins - DE/DT - Leonard Williams -  USC

Pass rush is a big need for the Redskins, and if they see Williams there at 5 they won’t be able to turn in that card fast enough. Sure WR and OL are big needs, but if you have what most believe to be the best player in the draft sitting there at #5, you snatch him up without hesitation.

6. New York Jets - OLB - Vic Beasley - Clemson

The Jets have needed a great pass rusher for years, but got away without one due to Rex Ryan being a Wizard on defense. Todd Bowles is as well, but with signing corners in free agency, they can address the need for a sack artist here.

7. Chicago Bears - WR - Kevin White - West Virginia

The Bears have plenty of needs ahead of WR, but based on what is available this is the best option for them. This is their chance to make up for shipping out Brandon Marshall and salvage what is left of their offense. Leaving them to take a pass rusher in the 2nd round.

8. Atlanta Falcons - OLB - Shane Ray - Missouri

Everyone seems to be down on Ray due to the stupidity of being cited for weed, and maybe Dan Quinn is upset enough to pass by him too. If I am Thomas Dimitroff and Scott Pioli I tell Quinn to shut his mouth and coach this guy up. A special talent at a desperate need.

9. New York Giants - OG -  Brandon Scherff - Iowa

Similar to Winston at #1 overall, Scherff has basically been locked into this spot for weeks. The Giants severely need offensive line help and Scherff is the best prospect available. There is a chance Scherff gets snatched up before the Giants get to the podium but if he is there the Giants will take him.

10. St. Louis Rams - CB - Trae Waynes -  Michigan State

Cornerback may be the last piece of the puzzle for the Rams. I believe Marcus Peters is the best corner in the draft, but Waynes seems to be rated higher by most people. E.J. Gaines was a good find and the Rams have others, but with this kind of talent, they should finally shore up this spot on the field.

11. Minnesota Vikings - WR -  Devante Parker - Louisville

The Vikings desperately need a big time target for 2nd year QB Teddy Bridgewater. Patterson looked lackluster in 2014 and the chance to give their QB of the future a big time target is more important than anything in the 1st round.

12. Cleveland Browns - NT - Danny Shelton -  Washington

Their run defense was pathetic and that was even with big ole’ Phil Taylor. With Parker gone, this seems to be the best player for the Browns here, that’s if they even make this pick and don’t trade up or out.

13. New Orleans Saints - OLB - Bud Dupree -  Kentucky

The Saints need a WR but with the depth at that position they can wait to grab the big play guy later in the draft. The Saints need major help with pass rushing and Dupree is the best available prospect available outside of Gregory who has many off the field issues. I think this is a reach but the Saints need pass rush and have to take him here.

14. Miami Dolphins - RB - Todd Gurley - Georgia

This is a very interesting pick. Gurley is the best player available, but should they go defense after having to get rid of so many guys to sign Ndamukong Suh? Giving weapons to Tannehill is a must, and with recently picking up his option, Gurley would be a nice fit next to Lamar Miller.

15. San Francisco 49ers - DT - Arik Armstead -  Oregon

The 49ers had a horrible offseason that saw many of their current key players and future cornerstones leave the team. With the potential retirement of Justin Smith looming I think the 49ers grab some defensive line depth here that can contribute right away and be the anchor of that defense for the next decade.

16. Houston Texans - WR - Breshad Perriman - Central Florida

With Andre Johnson gone, the Texans need to find a replacement. They have some decent receivers already in place, but they need another possible star. Perriman has shot up the boards due to his intriguing size and speed combo.

17. San Diego Chargers - OT - Ereck Flowers - Miami

The Chargers could add an offensive lineman here and have one of the most impressive lines in the league. Rumor is that if Flowers is the guy taken, they will be inclined to move Fluker inside to Guard which could be a very smart move.

18. Kansas City Chiefs - C - Cameron Erving - Florida State

6th round pick Eric Kush is the only center on the Chiefs roster at the moment, so this should be a given since Andy Reid loves taking lineman, the desperate need and Erving be the best interior center and possibly best player left at this pick.  Receiver is another possibility as well since the Jeremy Maclin signing really didn’t fix anything.

19. Cleveland Browns - WR - Nelson Agholor -  USC

Josh Gordon is suspended for the year and the position is anemic at the moment. They would have loved to grab Parker at 12 or Perriman here, but with those two gone, Agholor is the next best guy.

20. Philadelphia Eagles - S - Landon Collins - Alabama

There are rumors Philly could take Damarious Randall here, but after watching Collins, he is the superior talent and before the college football season was over, could have been a top 10 pick. sliding him next to Malcolm Jenkins would help shore up the secondary for the Iggles.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - CB - Marcus Peters - Washington

The Bengals have a need for Offensive Line and Linebacker here but I think if Peters is sitting there at #21 that the Bengals have to take him.He is a physical press man corner the could really help that defense.. He would add great depth at the position and could be a very solid CB1 in the next few years.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB - Byron Jones -  UConn

This has been a need for years in Pittsburgh, who stuck with Ike Taylor even though he has been hurting them. They lost Keenan Lewis a couple years ago, so they now need to replenish the position. Jones is an absolute freak athletically and though more raw than other prospects, the Steelers need to take a chance on athleticism instead of a safer pick such as Kevin Johnson.

23. Detroit Lions - CB - Kevin Johnson - Wake Forest

The Lions have a big need along the defensive line with the loss of Suh and Fairley, but when they see Kevin Johnson sitting there at #23 they have to take him. You can find defensive line help that can contribute in the 2nd or 3rd round but a corner of this caliber might not be available the next time their pick comes around. He does have an issue with tackling but I think with the proper coaching he can turn into a top notch corner.

24. Arizona Cardinals - OLB - Randy Gregory -  Nebraska

“If Hannibal Lecter ran a 4.3, we’d probably diagnose it as an eating disorder.” That is from Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim telling Darren Urban about NFL Prospects. Gregory clearly has issues, but he is an insane talent who at the end of the year was a projected top 5 pick. Grabbing him here at 24 is a steal well worth the risk.

25. Carolina Panthers - RB - Melvin Gordon - Wisconsin

The Panthers need help along the offensive line, in the secondary, and at wide receiver which is why Clayton freaked out when I made this pick. The Panthers do have a lot of issues, protecting Cam being one of them, but with the departure of Deangelo Williams the Panthers have a need for a #1 back in the rotation. Gordon is a top 15 talent that plays a devalued position. This is a questionable pick but I have to believe that if Gordon is there the Panthers snatch him up

26. Baltimore Ravens - DT - Malcolm Brown - Texas

Pernell Mcphee is gone,as well as Ravens legend Haloti Ngata. Time for GM Ozzie Newsome to replenish a defensive line that is now surprisingly lacking. Wide Receiver is another option here with the loss of Torrey Smith.

27. Dallas Cowboys - CB - Jalen Collins - LSU

If Melvin Gordon or Shane Ray are here they gladly take one of them, but with both off the board I was forced to go with the next need which is Cornerback. Jalen Collins gives the Cowboys a chance to make up for the Mo Claiborne decision. Collins has some off the field issues but Jerry has shown that he cares little about that.

28. Denver Broncos - OT- Andrus Peat - Stanford

With the loss of Orlando Franklin, it is time to take possibly the best offensive tackle in the draft. Crazy how Peat looks to be sliding everywhere due to many teams not needing this guy, but do not be surprised if he goes 10 to 15 picks higher. He would be playing right tackle in Denver, but they desperately need to protect Peyton Manning after he played through injury at the end of last year.

29. Indianapolis Colts - OT - Jake Fisher - Oregon

The Colts top priority is protecting Andrew Luck and they do that here with Jake Fisher. The bonus with FIsher is he can play Guard or Tackle and can compete for a starting spot right away. There might be better prospects right here but the flexibility of Fisher gives the Colts the security to pick him here.

30. Green Bay Packers - LB - Eric Kendricks -  UCLA

They had to play Clay Matthews at inside linebacker for a few games last year. With the departure of A.J. Hawk, this position is even more weak than before. Kendricks is trending up, as he can cover well in pass protection and is a decent run stuffer as well. Denzel Perryman from Miami (Fl.) could be an option here as well.

31. New Orleans Saints - WR - Phillip Dorsett - Miami

Earlier in the draft the Saints addressed the pass rush with Bud Dupree, here the find a replacement for Kenny Stills with the lightning quick Dorsett. He ran a 4.29 and 4.27 40 at his pro day. The loss of Jimmy Graham is huge for this offense, but Dorsett offers the big play ability that can keep them in games.

32. New England Patriots - DT - Eddie Goldman - Florida State

The beloved Vince Wilfork is now forever gone from New England. Time to find a replacement. Goldman is huge at 6’4” and 336 pounds. He needs some work, but there is some serious talent there. Receiver, running back or even a trade out of this spot are possibilities as well.

Atlanta Falcons 7 Round Draft Predictions

Draft season is upon us and I have to say this has been one of the weirdest drafts I can remember. Multiple projected 1st round picks have hurt their stock so much that a few of them may actually fall to the mid 2nd round. What I decided to do here is give a breakdown of the Falcons top 3 needs, then go round by round and give what I want the Falcons to do and what I think they actually do.

The Falcons are in one of those weird situations where they have plenty of very good players, yet still seem to have so many needs. It just doesn't make sense, I think our issues really started between the time we gave Ray Edwards a huge contract and the time we let “The Predator” John Abraham go.

I had real trouble pinpointing just 3 needs because it’s a challenge of picking between a lesser needed position with less talent, or a more needed position that is better off than the lesser position.

Team Needs

Pass Rushing-

This was the easiest need to pick and it’s an obvious one. Our team leader in sacks last year was Kroy Biermann with an amazing 4.5 sacks and the next closest player was Osi Umenyiora with 2.5 sacks… That is just pathetic.

The Falcons as team had only 22 sacks, which was tied for 2nd worst in the league. That is just unacceptable. Part of it did have to do with Mike Nolan’s scheme and play calling, but let’s be honest you can only do so much when you don’t have the talent on the field.

A new coaching regime means a change in scheme, but they need to go out and get the players to fit their vision. They made a few decent signings (Justin Durant and Brooks Reed) but nothing that appears to be a game changer.

With 4 top level pass rushers projected to go within the first 15 picks the Falcons should be able to land one of them to be the main guy to fill that role. I will get to exactly who I would like and who I think they actually get later.

Secondary-

The secondary has some very good young pieces but there are still a few question marks and opportunities for improvement.

We have one of the best young lockdown corners in the league with Desmond Trufant who is entering his 3rd season along with draft mate Robert Alford who is impressive in his own right. However we lost a solid nickel cornerback in Robert McClain who signed with the Patriots, Josh Wilson who signed with Detroit, and Javier Arenas who is still a free agent.

Outside of Trufant and Alford we have newly acquired Phillip Adams who I really don’t have any faith in, Ricardo Allen who was a late round draft pick last year that spent most of the season on the practice squad but seems to have a real fire to play, and Jordan Mabin who is a practice squad player.

At safety we have hard hitting veteran William Moore at Strong Safety. He is a very good player, but had a disappointing 2013, and an injury riddled 2014. I still believe he is the answer at strong safety but i’ve heard faith in him isn’t very strong. The free safety spot is currently given to Dez Southward, a lightning quick 2nd year player. Dwight Lowery held the starting role last year but he left in free agency and that position is up for grabs. I personally think a Safety tandem of William Moore and Kemal Ishmael is what we should go with but Ish is currently Moore’s backup, despite having a very good season filling in at both safety spots.

Wide Receiver-

When you first look at the roster you wouldn’t think this is a big need, however if you really think about it we have an aging Roddy White, a void at WR #3 with the departure of Harry Douglas, and his replacement who is an aging Devin Hester.

Now I personally thought the perfect replacement for Roddy White was already on the roster in Drew Davis, but the Falcons got rid of him this offseason. In came Leonard Hankerson (a Shanahan guy who I’m not sold on) and some 2nd year players who barely saw the field last year.

Now we have plenty of other needs at this time, but it would be wise to get a partner for Julio while Roddy is still producing so we can bring him along and not thrust him into the pressure cooker. I wouldn’t use a top 2 round pick on a WR but 3-4 rounds would be a nice spot to grab a guy.

Draft Picks

Round 1: Pick 8-

Who I want: Dante Fowler Jr - OLB - Florida

My original realistic pick here was Shane Ray but after his citation for possession of marijuana on Monday, it is obvious he is no longer an option at the #8 pick. So my new pick is a player we would have to work to get, but is the best player for us in the draft. Dante Fowler was recruited to UF by now Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn. Quinn coached Fowler for 2 years and has expressed his desire to be reunited with Fowler in Atlanta. Now in order for this to happen the Falcons would need to package some picks and move up to either 3 or 5 to snag him depending on what Tennessee does. As Clayton and I have discussed before, Fowler is not the best pure pass rusher in the draft, however he is the best all around player of the top pass rushers. I think he is exactly what we need, and can be the cornerstone of this defense (along with Trufant) for the next decade.

Who I think we get: Vic Beasley - OLB - Clemson

Vic Beasley is a guy that has been projected anywhere from 3rd overall down to 11th overall. He is an elite pass rushing talent, but his lack of size does scare me a bit but I think he is well worth the pick. He has an NFL ready spin move that could terrorize the NFC South for the next decade.  If he is still there at #8 the Falcons won’t hesitate to turn in that pick card.

Round 2: Pick 42-

Who I want: Quentin Rollins - CB/S - Miami (Ohio)

This pick was very tough for me. We have a few needs that need to be addressed here, but some of those positions didn’t have good value players at this spot. Rollins might not be the best DB available when we get to this pick but he has great upside for someone with as little experience as him. He plays the ball in the air tremendously well but struggles with his assignments in coverage. He is a stout run support DB as well, which is huge for us. The big plus for him is he has the ability to play corner or safety which are both areas of need for us, which is why I think he is such a good pick here.

Who I think we get: Maxx Williams - TE - Minnesota

I am wary of taking a tight end here because it is so hard to evaluate this position in college and how well they will transition to the NFL. The Falcons have missed horribly in the past when drafting tight ends to replace Tony Gonzalez. Many people have compared Williams to Rob Gronkowski, now if he can be even close to that then I would be ecstatic with this pick, but I just don’t see that happening. We’ve seen so many highly touted TE’s be merely average at the next level. I think we have too many needs to take Williams here, but if he can live up to the hype it could end up being a huge steal for the Falcons. With that being said, I think we take him here simply based on the players available that don’t match our needs and the potential he has.

Round 3: Pick 73-

Who I want: AJ Cann - G - South Carolina

I’ve seen Cann projected anywhere from the early 40’s to the late 70’s. I personally think he will be here for us at #73. Now maybe that is wishful thinking but if the great Mel Kiper Jr. has him in the 3rd round I am inclined to think he has a good chance of being there. Cann would be a huge value pick here, being the 2nd rated player at his position in the draft. He doesn’t exactly fit the zone blocking scheme because he lacks quick agility off the snap, but he is just too good to pass up here when we have a need at that LG spot.

Who I think we get: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu - CB - Oregon

With pass rush and tight end taken care of in the first 2 rounds I think the Falcons target the secondary here. He has first round talent but a knee injury has hurt his value, but in the 3rd round this is a steal. He does have a bit of a scary style of play, trying to bait QB’s that often puts him in bad positioning, unorthodox tackling at times, and doesn’t have great top speed to stick deep down field. However, I think he has great raw ability, won’t be bullied into opening up too early, and is great on the fly. With Trufant and Alford already set at CB1 and CB2 I think this is the perfect place for a guy like Ifo who can come in without a lot of pressure and just learn the system and hold his own. If we don’t get Rollins in the 2nd I would be happy with this pick here.

Round 4: Pick 107-

Who I want: Chris Conley - WR - Georgia

As a Georgia fan i’ve always loved Conley, but the rest of America didn’t even know about him, that is until his impressive combine performance. He ran a 4.35 40 and also had a 45” vert which is just ridiculous. Now some team might jump on him late in the 3rd round but I feel like he might be there due to his lack of precise route running and his drops that he had at the combine. If we could get him and have him learn under one of the most disciplined and impressive route runners in Roddy White, then he could be ready to explode onto the scene in 2 years when Roddy is ready to give up the WR2 role.

Who I think we get: Josue Matias - OL - Florida State

The value of this pick is in the fact that as an impressive LG he also has Tackle experience. He could play any spot along the line for us which adds to his value here. He has good footwork off the snap and is quick to get his hands on his opponent. There are plenty of impact players left at this spot but we need help on the offensive line and he can step in at other positions when the injury bug strikes as it has the past 2 years.

Round 5: Pick 146-

Who I want: Jeremy Langford - RB - Michigan State

This would be the ideal pick here, if a team doesn’t jump on him early. Running back is a position where we can improve, but we are decent at already. Devonta Freeman seems poised to impress with an increased role with the departure of Steven Jackson, and Antone Smith should bounce back from a leg injury that cut short his very impressive 2014 campaign. He is a very good pass blocker and pass catcher out of the backfield, something current Chicago Bear Jacquizz Rodgers provided for the Falcons in the past. His downside is he isn’t the type to take on contact and fight through it. Seems more like the type to bounce it outside a lot, but with him being our 3rd string back I think that is ok.

Who I think we get: Jeremy Langford - RB - Michigan State

I think this is the guy we end up with.

Round 6: Pick 185-

Who I want: Wes Saxton - TE - South Alabama

In the 6th round you are almost always getting a project. What better project than a tight end who runs a 4.65 40 who has very good hands. He is a poor blocker, but that’s what the other 5 TE’s on our roster are for. He won't be brought in and asked to produce right away, but he could be a good situational player that has a chance to prove himself and earn a larger role in year 2.

Who I think we get: Rannell Hall - WR -Central Florida

Here we have a guy that can come in and offer depth at the WR spot while also playing special teams. He has good vertical speed as a former track star, but needs to work on his hands and route running. This is basically a chance pick, that could workout or not but won’t have a huge impact if it doesn’t.

Round 7: Pick 225-

Who I want: JaCorey Shepherd - CB - Kansas

Project corner with great ball skills, but lacks the the true speed to stick with NFL WR’s. Basically a depth pick, most likely ends up on the practice squad.

Who I think we get: Ray Drew - DE - Georgia

Surprise, surprise, another Georgia Alum on my list. Drew is a guy that arrived in Athens with huge expectations and just never reached them. You would think that would fuel his desire at the next level, but I fear he failed to meet the hype simply because he just doesn’t have that desire to be one of the best. He has many flaws to his game, but at this stage in the draft you are just looking for anybody with potential, and the fact he was once a highly touted recruit means there is something in his game worth looking at.

Round 7: Pick 249-

Who I want: JR Tavai - LB - USC

This is a high motor, high effort guy that has played LB and DT in his college career. He has the aggression and the desire to possibly earn a special teams spot in his rookie year.

Who I think we get: Joey Mbu - DT - Houston

High character guy that just goes out and handles business. Not gonna do anything great but is a solid guy.