Here is my full first round mock. Only picks 1-20 will have descriptions. This will be my last mock draft until March when roster moves have been completed to get under the salary cap.
1. Houston Texans – Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
Bridgewater is the best quarterback in the NFL Draft and the Texans are in need of a franchise quarterback. Bill O’Brien coming in as the new head coach and I think he will want this kid to lead them from worst to first in the AFC South. Quarterback isn’t the only hole but if O’Brien wants to stay in Houston for a long tenure he needs to find his guy to run the offense.
2. St Louis Rams (From Washington) – Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
Rams could easily go with quarterback here dependent upon how they feel about Sam Bradford moving forward. Personally feel that the Rams will allow him one more season. If they are confident in Bradford drafting protection is the right move. Matthews is the best tackle on the board with a NFL pedigree. He is the guy you want protecting your quarterbacks blindside.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
The Jaguars have tried the Blaine Gabbart experience as well as Chad Henne but neither seem to be franchise quarterbacks just stop gaps. Bortles could be their guy and he won’t have to go far to play in the NFL being in the state already. Many scouts think Bortles could be as highly regarded as Bridgewater and Jacksonville will gladly take him. This pick could make the AFC South fun to watch for years to come.
4. Cleveland Browns – Derek Carr QB Fresno State
Another offseason and another coaching change in Cleveland. If it is Josh McDaniels I don’t think history will repeat itself (Tebow), he will get a smart quarterback. Carr is my top senior quarterback in the draft and perfect for a franchise looking for their guy. Brandon Weeden and Brian Hoyer should be competing to backup Carr.
5. Oakland Raiders – Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
With the Raiders needs on the defensive line and Clowney being among the top prospects this is a great fit. With an early run on quarterbacks Clowney to Oakland isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Clowney will help sure up this line and be a great start to finding play makers on that side of the ball. Even with the need for quarterback you can’t be the team that passed on Clowney and watch him contribute elsewhere.
6. Atlanta Falcons – Greg Robinson OT Auburn
Falcons need help on both lines and Robinson makes sense if they want to protect Matt Ryan. Since I don’t predict trades in a mock draft this is the best projection for them. I would expect them to possibly make a trade with St Louis to get Clowney otherwise.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
Watkins is my top wide receiver in the draft and this young team with a new head coach will be looking to add weapons for Mike Glennon, provided the new coach feels like he is their franchise guy. Their defense could use help here as well but Watkins is a guy you do not want to over look.
8. Minnesota Vikings – Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Manziel is a guy that you could see going anywhere from top five to top 15. The Vikings are only one season removed from the playoffs and a quarterback is what they need most. With their weapons on offense a play making quarterback will make all the difference. In the NFC North you need an offense to keep up with Green Bay, Detroit and Chicago.
9. Buffalo Bills – Anthony Barr LB UCLA
The Bills are in need of a pass rusher that can provide help to Mario Williams. They also could go with an inside linebacker but really need to improve pass rush.
10. Detroit Lions – Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State
Lions need to address secondary with the other wide receivers in the division. Dennard fits that bill and the Lions should be very familiar with Dennard having played in their backyard.
11. Tennessee Titans – Cedric Ogbuehi OT Texas A&M
David Stewart could walk after the season and Ogbuehi could step right in and contribute. With Chance Warmack from last season, this offensive line is becoming a strength for this team.
12. New York Giants – Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
Offensive line could be the target here as well as wide receiver but this team has no pure threat at tight end. Ebron is one of the top three tight ends and would fit in well in New York. This also gives Manning a weapon he didn’t have this season.
13. St Louis Rams – Hasean Clinton-Dix FS Alabama
TJ McDonald isn’t the guy that needs to be playing in this system. Clinton-Dix is a better cover safety and fully expect him to take over that role. Need cover safeties in the NFC West with Seattle, Arizona and San Francisco talent at wide receiver.
14. Chicago Bears – Khalil Mack LB Buffalo
The Bears are in need of premier pass rushers with the age of Julius Peppers and the way this defense played. Mack can play linebacker and move to nickel rusher on passing downs. Mack is very versatile and a top 15 pick.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Louis Nix III NT Notre Dame
Steve McLendon wasn’t as big of a disruptive force as this defense needs. It would be the right pick as Nix would fit in with Dick Lebeau’s scheme. This defense is aging and needs some youth if they want to continue to compete in the AFC North.
16. Dallas Cowboys – CJ Mosley LB Alabama
The Cowboys were hit hard by the injury bug this year at linebacker as well as defensive line. Mosley is one of the most instinctive linebackers that I have ever watched. Should Sean Lee get hurt again he can easily step in at mike linebacker and not miss a beat.
17. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
Evans is a big bodied receiver who can be a huge match-up nightmare for corners and safeties. The Ravens need a wide out who is more than just a speed guy.
18. New York Jets – Marquise Lee WR Southern California
The Jets look like they have found a quarterback in Geno Smith and the offense needs production. Santonio Holmes isn’t the player he once was and Lee can be that guy. Lee could have a monster season provided Smith continues to get better.
19. Miami Dolphins – Cameron Erving OT Florida State
Ryan Tannehill needs protection and Erving can help provide that help. With Martin and Incognito gone I expect the Dolphins to go offensive line early on in this draft.
20. Arizona Cardinals – Cyrus Kouandijio OT Alabama
Cardinals need to sure up protection and with no first round worthy quarterbacks left, this makes sense. He will also help in the run game with one of the best young running backs in Andre Ellington.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″]21. Green Bay Packers – Jace Amaro TE Texas Tech
22. San Diego Chargers – Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Vic Beasley OLB Clemson
24. Kansas City Chiefs – Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State
25. Cincinnati Bengals – Ryan Shazier OLB Ohio State
26. Cleveland Browns (From Indianapolis) – Davante Adams WR Fresno State[/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″]
27. New Orleans Saints – Allen Robinson WR Penn State
28. New England Patriots – Stephon Tuitt DE Notre Dame
29. San Francisco 49ers – Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
30. Carolina Panthers – Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
31. Denver Broncos – Jason Verrett CB Texas Christian
32. Seattle Seahawks – Kony Ealy DE Missouri[/vc_column][/vc_row]
Casey Hampton was let go last off-season. Yes the Steelers need a NT, but you obviously have no idea WTF you are talking about by the Casey Hampton reference.
I was thinking of a different player and I have updated the mock.