Everyone is taking their turns completing mock drafts. I thought I’d take a shot at being GM for a day and had a lot of fun adding trades.
Let me know what you think…
1. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
Andy Reid is putting his touches on this team and gets a franchise caliber left tackle in the process.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
“Ziggy” is an athletic freak that is worthy of the second overall pick as a raw talent. Imagine when he reaches his potential.
3. Oakland Raiders: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Floyd is a dynamic interior lineman who does everything well. An instant upgrade for a depleted defensive line looking for an identity.
4. Philadelphia Eagles: Dion Jordan, LB, Oregon
Chip Kelly is very familiar with Jordan who has already proven he can thrive in Kelly’s defense.
5. Detroit Lions: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
I don’t think that the Lions can turn away from the ability to add an elite caliber tackle to their troubled offensive line.
6. Cleveland Browns: Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
Warmack is a beast of an offensive guard that knows Trent Richardson well.
7. Arizona Cardinals – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Cardinals need help on the offensive line and Lane Johnson represents the last of the top-tier tackles.
8. TRADE – Atlanta Falcons – Dee Millner, CB, Alabama
(Atlanta trades #30, #60, 2014 first to Buffalo for #8)
The Falcons lost Brent Grimes in free agency and had a depleted secondary last year. Millner has potential to be the next shut-down corner.
9. New York Jets – Barkevious Mingo, LB, LSU
Mingo is a pass-rushing monster who will thrive in Rex Ryans multiple-front defensive scheme.
10. Tennessee Titans – Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
This may be early for Vaccaro but he’s easily the top safety and the Titans have a legitimate need at the position.
11. San Diego Chargers – Jonathan Cooper, OG, UNC
The Chargers need help on the offensive line and Cooper is an athletic, versatile guard who can develop into one of the league’s best.
12. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Rhodes, CB, FSU
The Dolphins added Brent Grimes in the offseason but need some stability to a weak secondary.
13. New York Jets – Tavon Austin, WR, WVU
The Jets badly need a playmaker to make their offense dangerous, in Austin they grab the drafts best.
14. Carolina Panthers – Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Lotulelei’s stock took a hit at the combine after a medical screening showed heart irregularities. Now he’s out to prove he’s dominant and the Panthers are lucky to nab him so late.
15. New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia
Jones has become underrated in this draft somehow. A high-motor and elite pass rush skills will pair with above-average recognition to terrorize offenses.
16. St. Louis Rams – Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
The Rams invested in Brian Quick and Chris Givens last year but both are developing slowly while the Rams need players now.
17. Trade – 49ers – Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
(S.F. trades #31, #61, #131 and #180 for Pittsburgh for #17)
The 49ers jump the Cowboys for Richardson who will be a pass-rushing phenom in a stacked defense.
18. Trade – Minnesota – Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
(Minn trades #25, #83 to Dallas for #18)
Minnesota gives up their first (25th)and third to jump the New York Giants for Ogletree who is a versatile defender with speed and toughness.
19. New York Giants – Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
The Giants need a tough linebacker who can anchor the unit into the future.
20. Chicago Bears – D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama
The Bears need to upgrade their right tackle position. Fluker is a nasty road-grading tackle who will help Matt Forte return to form.
21. Cincinnatti Bengals – Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida Int’l
Cyprien is a do it all safety who upgrades a defense that needs to be solidified to be true contenders.
22. St. Louis Rams – Matt Elam, S, Florida
Elam is a short safety but is fierce with good range. The Rams have needed stability in the defensive backfield and hope that Elam will be the answer long-term.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Kennan Allen, WR, California
The Vikings need to replace the production of Percy Havin. Allen is a big, speedy receiver who adds a dangerous weapon to a pass deficient team.
24. Indianapolis Colts – Bjoern Werner, DE, FSU
The Colts are old on the defensive line. Werner gives them a special defensive end who can harass the young quarterbacks in their division.
25. Dallas Cowboys (From Minn) – Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC
The Cowboys would have considered Williams at 18, so they’re happy he’s here now. Williams is a versatile lineman who can play the 1- or 3-technique and anchor this defense into the future.
26. TRADE – Philadelphia Eagles – Geno Smith, QB, WVU
(Philadelphia trades #35, #67 and #101 to Green Bay for #25, #88 and #167)
The Eagles have to give up bit but they get the best overall quarterback in this draft and get someone who can make Chip Kelly’s offense effective for years to come.
27. Houston Texans – Robert Woods, WR, USC
The Texans aren’t getting any younger at WR…
28. Denver Broncos – Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
The Broncos need to start thinking about the future at the position. Trufant is a scrappy, physical young CB with great upside.
29. New England Patriots – Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
The Patriots need help in the secondary, they take the best CB available.
30. Buffalo (From ATL) – Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
The Bills get their guy and add an additional second round pick to help them build their team.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
The Steelers need help at the receiver position due to the loss of Mike Wallace. They’re happy they can still land Hunter after a risky trade down.
32. Baltimore Ravens – Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame
The Ravens would have looked elsewhere if Rolando McClain didn’t’ get in more legal trouble. Te’o has issues of his own but the Ravens need to look at a replacement for Ray Lewis.
