By Brad Barrett
Let’s roll the dice now that the Super Bowl is over and see how a mock draft would look. Since the Houston Texans have the first pick, should they stay or trade down and who they draft with whichever pick will have ripple effects. That said, here we go with the first pick:
1. Houston Texans – Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville
Obviously, if Houston keeps their number one pick, they will select a QB. No fans of the Texans want Schaub to play, and Keenum doesn’t seem to be a franchise quarterback. Bridgewater is the most consistent and talented QB in the draft, so it seems like a must that the Texans select him. He is being over-shadowed by Manziel, but I still believe Teddy is their man.
2. St. Louis Rams – Jadeveon Clowney, DE SCAR
The Rams already have a great D-Line with Robert Quinn, but Jadeveon would make it one of the most feared in the game. Even with a disappointing junior year, Clowney is still a top prospect in the draft, and the best defender in the draft.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Blake Bortles, QB Central Florida
Bortles flew up the board after a strong regular season and an outstanding bowl win vs Baylor. Jacksonville has two quarterbacks that are seemingly incapable of playing in the NFL. Bortles is very large, and very talented. His hype has quieted down, but he is still one of the top prospects. He is a player that could put the Jags back on the map.
4. Cleveland Browns – Johnny Manziel, QB TAMU
Cleveland has a solid QB in Brian Hoyer, and I was convinced he was their man a few months ago. A coaching and staff change makes me think they need a quarterback change too. Manziel is the big name player of the year, and he can bring some attention to the pound.
5. Oakland Raiders – Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson
Oakland has a very weak receiving corps. Watkins is by far the most talented receiver on the board, and is a combo of speed and power. Oakland also needs a quarterback, but I think they should select one later in the rounds. They really need Sammy.
6. Atlanta Falcons – Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA
This season, the Falcons had the fifth worst D in the league. This year, Barr recorded ten sacks for the Bruins. Adding to that, he is also very good at pass coverage. Overall, Anthony Barr is a well-rounded linebacker that the struggling Atlanta defense would love to have.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jake Matthews, OT TAMU
Jake Matthews is probably the best lineman in the draft along with Greg Robinson. He is 6’5” and 305 pounds. A force to be reckoned with. Tampa needs to protect young Matt Glennon, who looks to be pretty promising. Matthews would be a perfect fit.
8. Minnesota Vikings – Derek Carr, QB Fresno State
All year we watched Minnesota fumble around with quarterbacks. To me, all three of those guys are supposed to be back-ups. Carr looked great in his senior season and played in a pro style offense. He played fantastically in the Senior Bowl game and practices, which really boosted his stock. I think Derek Carr will be a solid, consistent quarterback in the NFL. Just what the Vikings want.
9. Buffalo Bills – Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo
Khalil Mack is an athletic, explosive linebacker that I have as my second best. This year Mack won the MAC defensive player of the year and the Jack Lambert linebacker of the year award. He reminds me of a young Ray Lewis, hard hitting with a big heart. Can’t ask for any more than that.
10. Detroit Lions – Darqueze Dennard, CB Michigan State
This year the Lions had the tenth worst pass defense in the league. With a very efficient offense, a good D will make the Lions a very good team. Dennard is by far the best coverage corner in the draft. Next stop for the “no fly zone” is Detroit.
11. Tennessee Titans – C.J. Mosley, ILB Alabama
Mosley is another extremely talented LB in this years’ draft. C.J. is 6-2, 230 lbs, and is very athletic. He was the heart and soul of the Alabama defense. Any coach would dream do have a player like Alabama’s C.J. Mosley
12. New York Giants – Greg Robinson, OT Auburn
Robinson is arguably the best OL in this draft. The Giants would love to see him on the board when they select their man. Robinson is huge, and a very balanced pass and run blocker. A struggling Giants run and pass game would love a big man to give them some time.
13. St. Louis Rams – Louis Nix III, DT Notre Dame
When healthy, Louis Nix III was one of the best interior lineman in college. He can rush the quarterback and catch runners with a unique quickness. Nix would add to an already very dangerous Ram defensive line.
14. Chicago Bears – Timmy Jernigan, DT Florida State
The Bears run defense gets smashed nearly every snap. What they need is a big, energetic, powerful player to clog the inside. Jernigan is nearly 300 pounds and is a great run defender, just what the Bears need.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan
As we saw this year, Pittsburgh has a very thin offensive line. Lewan was thought to be a top pick heading into the year, but Blue’s offense looked very sub par. Lewan is 6-7 and over 300lbs. His competitiveness is unquestioned, but Taylor has been questioned for being a dirty player. Against MSU, he repeatedly was making obscene gestures, and took much criticism after the game. A few weeks ago he was accused of assaulting an Ohio State fan after Michigan’s lost to the Buckeyes. Overall, on the field Lewan dominates.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Evans, WR TAMU
17. Dallas Cowboys – Kony Ealy, DE Missouri
18. NY Jets – Marquise Lee, WR USC
19. Miami Dolphins – Cyrus Kouandijo, OT Alabama
20. Arizona Cardinals – Ryan Shazier, OLB Ohio State
21. Green Bay Packers – Ha Ha Clinton Dix, FS Alabama
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Stephon Tuitt, DE Notre Dame
23. KC Chiefs – Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Bradley Roby, CB Ohio State
25. San Diego Chargers – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB Oregon
26. Cleveland Browns – Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State
27. New Orleans Saints- Trent Murphy, DE Stanford
28. Carolina Panthers – Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State
29. New England Patriots – Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech
30. San Francisco 49ers – Ra’Shede Hageman, DT Minnesota
31. Denver Broncos – Calvin Pryor, FS Louisville
32. Seattle Seahawks – Zach Martin, OG Notre Dame
