1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State 2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon 3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DE/DT, USC 4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama 5. Washington Redskins: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska 6. New York Jets: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson 7. Chicago Bears: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida 8. Atlanta Falcons: Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky 9. New York Giants: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami 10. St. Louis Rams: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh 11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville 12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia 13. New Orleans Saints: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington 14. Miami Dolphins: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington 15. San Francisco 49ers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State 16. Houston Texans: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State 17. San Diego Chargers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford 18. Kansas City Chiefs: Landon Collins, S, Alabama 19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo): Malcom Brown, DT, Texas 20. Philadelphia Eagles: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State 21. Cincinnati Bengals: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa 22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State 23. Detroit Lions: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma 24. Arizona Cardinals: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA 25. Carolina Panthers: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida 26. Baltimore Ravens: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia 27. Dallas Cowboys: Markus Golden, DE, Missouri 28. Denver Broncos: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota 29. Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina 30. Green Bay Packers: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi 31. Seattle Seahawks: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn 32. New England Patriots: Ellis McCarthy, DT, UCLA
It seems pretty certain the Bucs will be taking a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. It’s just a question of whether they go with Winston or Marcus Mariota. On the field, Winston is more talented than Mariota and ready for the NFL, but the off-field questions loom. As of now, unless anything new comes up off the field, Winston is likely going No. 1.
Unless the Titans trade for a quarterback, which could happen, they will likely go with the best quarterback not taken by the Bucs. Mariota isn’t a bad drop-off from Winston, as his work in an up-tempo offense at Oregon has shown it can transfer well to the NFL.
It’s hard to go wrong with a defensive tackle at the top of the draft, and while the Jaguars need help on their offensive line, it doesn’t seem like there’s an O-lineman talented enough to go No. 3 overall. Some would argue Williams is the best overall player in the draft, so he would be a safe pick for Jacksonville at No. 3.
The Raiders always seem to try and make a splash in the draft, by taking the biggest name available. It seems likely they will target a wide receiver, and to their need this is a very talented wide receiver class. Playing at Alabama, Cooper is probably the most well-known receiver of the group and has a good shot of going to Oakland.
Aside from Williams, Gregory might be the best defensive player in the draft, which forces the Redskins’ hand here at No. 5. Again, you can’t really go wrong with taking a defensive lineman with a top-five pick.
It seems clear the Jets are in need of a quarterback, but unless they trade up, they aren’t getting Mariota or Winston, so they might as well improve on one of their strengths — the pass rush. Beasley is one of the best pass rushers in the draft and would only help an already talented bunch in New York.
Chicago needs help with its front-seven, as Willie Young, LaMarr Houston and Jared Allen all have question marks, so they need to address this through the draft and get a young talent. Fowler would be a good pick, as he can play some outside linebacker as well, and can get after the passer.
Like most every other team picking high in the draft, the Falcons also need a pass rusher. Atlanta will likely go with the best front-seven player available with their pick, and Dupree seems to be that guy, as he can play both outside linebacker and defensive end.
The Giants have needs on both the defensive and offensive lines, but with how many solid defensive players will likely have already been picked, they should be able to get the best offensive lineman in the draft in Flowers at No. 9.
St. Louis has some holes to fill on its offensive line, and Clemmings seems like he can play both tackle and guard, so the Rams can bring him aboard and see where he fits best in their system. Regardless of who, it seems very likely they’ll take an offensive linemen here, and address their quarterback situation elsewhere.
The Vikings need a receiver, and with a talented group they will likely go after the best one available when they pick at No. 11. Parker could reunite with his college quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater.
Cleveland will keep the ball rolling with the receivers being taken high in this draft, as they too need a pass catcher. The next best option seems like White, who can make plays and be an impact player right away.
Needing help in the secondary, the Saints will likely target the best defensive back in their minds, and they can’t go wrong with Peters. Peters played his college ball in the Pac-12 and should be able to use that experience of facing West Coast offenses.
Miami needs to improve its front-seven, especially with Jared Odrick possibly leaving in free agency, and it would seem Shelton is their best option. The Dolphins also couldn’t go wrong at linebacker in this spot.
The 49ers need a wide receiver, but with how many teams in front of them are in the same boat, there might not be any worth taking at No. 15 available. With this being the case, the 49ers might need to turn their sights elsewhere and go to the defensive line and make a safe pick with Goldman.
With having star players on defense in J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney in its front-seven, Houston still needs help in its secondary, and Williams would be a good help. Having played college at Florida State, he’s played in many big games and is ready for the big stage.
The Chargers need to protect Philip Rivers, and they will hope some of the stud offensive linemen fall to them as they will go with the best one available at No. 17. Peat can certainly help, as with how physical Stanford plays, he should be ready for the NFL.
Kansas City has needs at receiver as well, but it could also use a safety and Collins would be a safe pick having spent his college days in Alabama learning under Nick Saban.
Cleveland has the luxury of having two, first-round picks so itssecond pick in the first round depends on its first. With the Browns already going receiver, they will likely target the defensive side of the ball and go with the best defensive tackle available in their eyes.
It will be an interesting draft for Philadelphia and whether or not it moves up in the draft, but the Eagles do have a need at cornerback and Waynes seems to be that guy. A bigger corner, like Waynes, is something coach Chip Kelly likes.
Cincinnati needs help on its defensive line and it will come down to the Bengals picking the best one available when it is their turn to pick at No. 21. Playing at Iowa should have Davis ready to make the jump to the NFL and contribute right away.
The Steelers need help badly in their secondary, so it’s no doubt they will target either a corner or a safety with their first-round pick. Darby seems like a good choice as a starting point to the rebuilding of their secondary.
It seems clear the Lions will be going after a defensive tackle with their first-round pick, as it is sure to be a need after free agency comes and goes. Phillips may not be a first-round talent, but the Lions really need help on the defensive line.
As good as the Arizona defense was this past season, it could still use another coverage linebacker. Kendricks is one of, if not the best inside linebacker in the draft, so getting him at No. 24 could be a steal.
Carolina needs help in protecting Cam Newton, so its draft strategy seems fairly obvious — select the best offensive lineman available. Humphries is known for his pass protection so could be a good pick here.
Baltimore needs a wide receiver, but with how many have already gone in the first round, it may not be wise for the Ravens to settle. With another explosive offensive player available in Gurley, it may not be a bad pick and see how things can work out with he and Joe Flacco.
Their pick centers around what happens with DeMarco Murray, but it seems like they will bring him back, so they won’t be in the market for a running back. Getting a pass rusher like Golden doesn’t seem like a bad idea for the sometimes suspect Dallas defense.
There are a number of question marks in Denver, so really this pick could go anywhere. If Julius Thomas doesn’t return, Denver will need a tight end and Williams is the best tight end in the draft.
Having a quarterback like Andrew Luck, the Colts need to make sure he is protected and upgrading the interior line doesn’t seem like a bad idea. Cann had a solid career in the SEC and should have no issues contributing right away.
There’s no question the position Green Bay will be targeting is inside linebacker. McKinney would be a good choice here at No. 30.
Seattle is in need of more play-makers on offense to go along with Russell Wilson. Coates was one of the most dependable receivers in the SEC and could no doubt give a spark to the Seahawks offense.
You never know what is going to happen with a Patriots pick, but the team will need to start thinking about a replacement for Vince Wilfork and McCarthy doesn’t seem like a bad place to start.
NFL Mock Draft: Winston to Buccaneers, Mariota to Titans, Beasley to Jets
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