We are finally less than a month away from one of the biggest sporting events of the year. The NFL Draft is literally right around the corner, so that means we are upping our draft coverage here at The Ultimate Football Blog in an effort to give you guys as much information as possible. So, here's my latest mock draft that is SURE TO BE RIGHT...
Ultimate Football Blog's
NFL Mock Draft
Version 3.0
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
This one is pretty much a given. There aren't a whole lot of locks in this draft, but this is one of them. The Bucs are in desperate need of a game-changer at QB and Winston is the best one in the draft. Some things in life just make sense.
2. Tennessee Titans:
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
This is where the draft starts to get really interesting. The Titans could go a number of different ways with this pick. It's my opinion though, that Mariota is too much of an interesting prospect at QB that someone will take him with the second pick in the draft. If for some reason the Titans can't find a trade partner and decide not to take Mariota with the second pick though, NFL teams will start going into panic mode in an effort to move up and grab him. Trust me. I've seen it happen plenty of times before. The smart thing for the Titans to do would be to trade out of the spot because Mariota isn't an ideal QB for Ken Whisenhunt's system and the Titans need LOTS of players, not just one really good prospect. I'm 65% sure we'll see a trade here.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars:
Dante Fowler, EDGE, Florida
Jacksonville is one of those teams that could go a numerous different ways with this pick. While Leonard Williams is easily the best defensive player in the draft, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see Jacksonville pass on Williams and take Fowler instead. Fowler is a better fit in Jacksonville than Williams would be and it might not be the worst thing in the world for the Jaguars to take a guy who was a stud player for the University of Florida. A win/win for both.
4. Oakland Raiders:
Leonard Williams. DE, USC
This is an absolute ideal situation for Oakland. If the Raiders could have their pick of anyone in this draft, they would probably target USC's Leonard Williams, so him falling to them at the 4th spot would be a blessing for everyone involved. I know it's weird for me to give the Raiders any credit (they have been one of the worst ran football teams these last 10+ seasons), but this pick would be a home run and would help make the re-build that much easier. Oakland is a team that is on the rise people. With players like Khalil Mack and Leonard Williams....this defense could start to get REAL scary.
5. Washington Redskins:
Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
The Redskins are not a very good football team and they have a lot of needs they need to address. Ideally, they would probably love to have Mariota fall to them here because it would put them in a great situation. They could go into next season with RG III as the starter and Mariota waiting in the wings. That would give Mariota some time to learn the NFL game while the Redskins give RG III another chance to show that he can re-capture the magic he had during his rookie season. If/when things go bad with RG III, you implement Mariota into the system as the guy that Jay Gruden groomed from the beginning. Unfortunately for Redskins fans, Mariota is gone here so the next best thing would be to grab the best pass rusher available. Vic Beasley of Clemson is that man.
6. New York Jets:
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Jets are another team that would love to have Marcus Mariota fall to them and they are also a potential trade partner for the Titans, but I don't mock trades. In this scenario, the Jets get the best wide receiver in the draft. Cooper has the kind of talent to go on and become a #1 WR in this league for years. The Jets are absolutely atrocious on offense and the addition of Cooper would allow them to move Eric Decker into the #2 spot and would help give Geno Smith (yuck) another good target to throw to.
7. Chicago Bears:
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Chicago traded away Brandon Marshall in the off-season and if they are going to stick it out with Jay Cutler, you need to replace one weapon with another one. It's no secret that Marshall didn't have the best season last year and it was almost inevitable that Chicago was going to move him. Now Alshon Jeffery becomes the #1 wideout in Chicago, but behind him...there's not a whole lot of options. Kevin White is an interesting prospect. There are certain draft experts that think he's better than Amari Cooper and will go on to have an outstanding career in the NFL. I have a feeling that the addition of White would help ease the pain of Bears fans as they are forced to sit through another season of Cutler.
8. Atlanta Falcons:
Bud Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky
The first "shocker" of the draft! Every year there is a guy who goes a lot higher than everyone thinks he's going to go because NFL teams fall in love with his skills. This year? That man is Kentucky's Bud Dupree. Dupree is a name that is rising quick among NFL teams. He went from potentially going in the second-round to top-10 in my mock draft in no time at all. A few weeks ago it would've been considered ridiculous for Dupree to go ahead of guys like Shane Ray and Randy Gregory. Not anymore though. The Falcons are one of those teams that are currently kicking the tires on Dupree and something tells me that they are going to end up loving what they see.
9. New York Giants:
Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
Offensive lineman picks in the top 10 are boring. Am I right Giants fans? However, just go ahead and ask the Dallas Cowboys how much they pay off for you if you absolutely nail them. Go ahead. I'll wait.
10. St. Louis Rams
Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The Rams are a young and loaded team that is likely just a good QB away from being a playoff team. They traded Sam Bradford for Nick Foles in the off-season and while Foles is OK, he's not a great NFL QB (and I'll punch anyone who says otherwise....). I do consider the Rams one of the favorites to trade up and grab Mariota (ideally, he would slide to them here...), but if not, they need to address the issues they have in the secondary. Trae Waynes is the best CB in this draft and in a division that is loaded with guys in the secondary, the Rams would be wise to address their own needs at the issue. If your team doesn't have good QB play in the NFL, than they had better be great at shutting down the other teams guy......
11. Minnesota Vikings:
La'El Collins, OT, LSU
A lot of NFL experts have the Vikings picking a WR here, but I think they addressed those issues in free agency and have more pressing needs. If they don't like anyone who is available to them here, they could always trade out and get more picks. Minnesota is a fringe playoff team and adding numerous playmakers could help them get over that edge. If they are intent on staying put though, they could do a lot worse than drafting LSU's La'El Collins. Teddy Bridgewater started coming into his own last season, he just needs better protection. Something has happened to the Vikings once promising OT Matt Kalil. He went from being potentially one of the best OT's in the league, to one of the worst in no time at all. The Vikings need to find a guy to replace him with.
12. Cleveland Browns:
Shane Ray, EDGE, Missouri
Shane Ray is a guy who's name has fallen on the boards after some less-than-thrilling workouts. He went from being a potential top-5 pick to NO ONE KNOWS WHERE HE WILL GO! Those guys are always fun to predict because they could honestly still go anywhere from the top 5 to all the way to the second-round. In this scenario though, I don't think Ray falls past the Browns. The Browns are in need of an edge rusher and with another pick in the first-round, they could likely afford the gamble on Ray because if it does pay off, it will pay off big time.
13. New Orleans Saints:
Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Saints went from one of the most talented teams in the NFL to one of the most depleted rosters in no time at all. The roster purge that the Saints just went through was a little confusing, but now they are a team that's looking to re-build in the draft. Taking a guy like Danny Shelton in the first would be a huge get for New Orleans. Shelton looks like the kind of guy who's going to be a dominant force in the NFL for years. He's one of my top interior defensive lineman prospects for a reason. I saw him up close and personal his entire college career as he played for the #1 rival of my favorite team. I hate the Huskies, but I love their NFL talent.
14. Miami Dolphins:
Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
For the record, under no circumstance would I ever select Breshad Perriman over DeVante Parker. However, that doesn't mean a team like the Miami Dolphins wouldn't though. Perriman is quickly becoming a hot name amongst NFL draft talent. His name sky-rocketed after his Pro Day and now there's no telling where he's going to fall in the draft. Some people think he's going to be the third WR taken off-the-board, while some people still think he falls in the second-round. I could honestly see the Dolphins taking Perriman here though. They need a WR after trading Mike Wallace in the off-season and Perriman is a hot name who is a Florida product. I didn't say it was the safe pick by any means....so that makes the possibility of Miami doing it, that much more likely.
15. San Francisco 49ers:
Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
Randy Gregory was once considered a top-10 prospect in this draft, but he's seen his name slip after some stupid mistakes. In case you haven't heard, Gregory failed his drug test at the NFL combine (not Gregory's first failed drug test either) when he tested positive for weed. Now, usually....that's not that big of a deal. However, Gregory has had numerous problems with marijuana in the past and has even admitted that he has a problem. You know it's a problem when the guy fails a drug test that HE KNOWS is coming up and it WILL affect his future. That shows signs of immaturity and stupidity on Gregory's part and that's caused him to slip in the draft. How far does he slip though? The NFL is loaded with guys that have had problems with marijuana and gone on to have successful careers, so someone will take a flyer on Gregory in the top 15 of the draft. He's just too talented. Ending up on a team like the 49ers would be ideal for Gregory and something tells me the San Francisco fans would have no problem landing a guy with top 5 talent in the draft, regardless of his past issues.
16. Houston Texans:
DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Texans are absolutely stacked on defense. Now, it's time to get shore up the questions that they have on the offensive side of the ball. The Texans cut longtime WR Andre Johnson in the off-season and now they need to find a replacement. DeAndre Hopkins has turned into a pretty good football player, but the Texans need more weapons on that side of the ball to give whoever is playing QB more weapons to throw to. Parker is one of the best WR's in the draft and will probably end up going a lot higher than he goes here, but I was honestly trying to see if I could get him to fall to the Chiefs. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Kansas City's loss is Houston's gain.
17. San Diego Chargers
Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
San Diego has a lot of different ways they could go with this pick. They have needs at corner, running back, pass rush, offensive line, and potentially quarterback. While I could see the Chargers being the first team to grab a running back here, I personally think it's a reach to grab one in the first-round these days. Look at the trends people. NFL teams just don't grab running backs in the first anymore. Not with the value you can find at the position elsewhere (C.J. Anderson in Denver anyone?). With that said, the Chargers would be wise to address the needs in the secondary. Brandon Flowers is a good corner, but they need an elite guy back there to help out. Peters is not only one of the best corners in the draft, I also think he's one of the best football players from head-to-toe. He's got a little bit of an attitude problem, but that's something that NFL coaches should be able to fix.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
Byron Jones, CB, UConn
The addition of Jeremy Maclin in the off-season doesn't make wide receiver as big of a pressing need as it was. Kansas City has a lot of picks (especially later in the draft) where they can target some other guys. At this spot, there isn't really a guy worth the 18th pick at that position. The Chiefs could do better addressing some other needs, namely on defense and in the secondary. KC really is lacking an elite corner to go along with their scary pass rush. Enter Byron Jones. Jones' name is hot right now because he's the guy who "won the NFL combine". He absolutely tested off-the-charts at the combine and went from being a second-rounder to potentially going as high as in the teens of the first-round. The Chiefs love them some NFL Combine studs (Dontari Poe anyone?) and something tells me that they would have no problem adding Jones in the first-round in an effort to make their defense that much better.
19. Cleveland Browns
Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Browns addressed one of their many defensive needs with the 12th pick in the draft, now they need to focus on one of their many offensive needs. Joe Thomas at left tackle and Andrus Peat at right tackle? Johnny Manziel may be one of the worst QB's in the league, but that's some solid protection for him right there.
20. Philadelphia Eagles:
Landon Collins, S, Alabama
No one really knows what the hell Chip Kelly is thinking. That's what makes the Philadelphia Eagles one of the hardest teams to mock. Sure. I can sit here and do my mock draft and notice that the Eagles are hurting at the safety position and lo and behold....the best safety in the draft is still available at #20. Yes, the pick makes sense, but when has Chip Kelly ever done the easy, safe thing? I still think the Eagles are going all-in on Marcus Mariota and anything that Kelly and company say's differently is all just smoke and mirrors. Chip is the kind of guy who's not going to show you his hand, but he wants what he wants. He's playing a poker game right now by acting like he has no interest in Mariota, because if he actually showed a lot of interest....the Titans would be driving their prices up to a ridiculous amount. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Titans hold on to the pick up until the last minute, when the Eagles come swooping in and set the Internet on fire. Of course, that could be just what I WANT to happen. Since life is usually boring, the Eagles will end up with Collins and I'll cry a little bit inside.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
Cincinnati needs a lot of help in the pass rush department. They were statistically one of the worst pass rushing teams last season and that should be the main thing they focus on fixing this off-season. The addition of Arik Armstead would make that transition easier. Armstead is an absolute stud. He was one of the top prospects coming out of high school and choose Oregon over a number of different schools. He left school early once he was told he was a sure-fire first-round pick. He never reached his full potential at Oregon, but he's an absolute athletic phenom on tape. Once he does reach his full potential, the NFL will know and the Bengals would be lucky to have him on their side.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
Eli Harold, EDGE, Virginia
The Steelers are in need of some defensive help on that side of the ball. They are hurting for players in the secondary, but they also need guys to help rush the passer. They re-signed James Harrison, but he's not getting any younger. Eli Harold is a great fit for Pittsburgh and is a steal this late in the draft.
23. Detroit Lions:
Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
I don't know if you heard or not, but the Lions lost both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in free agency. I know they traded for Haloti Ngata (who I love for obvious reasons), but he's not getting any younger and they need to add some solid young pieces for the future. Malcolm Brown is one of the best defensive tackles in this draft and could blossom into the kind of star that would make the Lions ask "Suh who?" real soon.
24. Arizona Cardinals
Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
The Cardinals need to add an explosive young playmaker at the cornerback position. Arizona is a good team that can become a potentially great team with a few solid additions. Jalen Collins could join fellow LSU Tigers Tyrann Matheiu and Patrick Peterson in Arizona's secondary to help build their own version of "The Legion of Boom". Sometimes things just work out for themselves.
25. Carolina Panthers:
Ereck Flowers (OT) Miami
The Panthers are in big-time need of some offensive tackle talent. I know they signed Michael Oher in free agency and picked up Jonathan Martin off of waivers, but they are going to quickly realize why those two were even available to begin with. They aren't very good. This a loaded draft up top at the offensive tackle position and the Panthers would be wise to roll the dice on one of these guys. They will have a lot of options to choose from and there's a great chance that any of those options will be better than anything they currently have.
26. Baltimore Ravens:
Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
After losing Torrey Smith to the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, the Ravens will be looking for a replacement in the NFL Draft. They would be wise to target a guy in the first-round before the talent drop off becomes really significant. Jaelen Strong is the type of player who could jump into the Ravens system and fit in right away. Joe Flacco needs guys to throw the ball to as Steve Smith isn't getting any younger. FEED THE MAN!
27. Dallas Cowboys:
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
I mentioned earlier that drafting running backs in the NFL in the first-round is becoming a thing of the past. However, when did Jerry Jones ever do things the same way everyone else does? It's no secret that the Cowboys need a running back after losing DeMarco Murray in free agency. Darren McFadden is not the answer, regardless of how good that offensive line is. I know Melvin Gordon is the more well known name, but Todd Gurley is the better NFL prospect in my opinion. I know he's coming off an injury, but before he went down, Gurley was the best running back in the college game. Jones loves making a splash in the draft (he literally had Johnny Manziel's name written down on the draft card last year before his son made him change his mind) and that's the main reason I could see him taking one of the running backs. Plus, it's not like it would be a BAD move or anything. Gurley behind that Dallas offensive line gives me shudders.
28. Denver Broncos
Jake Fisher (OT) Oregon
Jake Fisher is a guy who's name has risen on draft charts recently. The longer the draft process goes on, the more he moves up. There's a reason for that, he's pretty good. In case you didn't watch the Oregon Ducks offense last year, they were a different team when Fisher played. When he was injured for a stretch of the season, the Ducks offense limped along. When he came back, it became the juggernaut we all know it to be. The Denver Broncos offensive line could use a guy like that after losing Orlando Franklin in free agency. Fisher's talented enough to play anywhere on the offensive line and with Peyton Manning one bad sack away from retiring, the Broncos need to protect him.
29. Indianapolis Colts:
Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State
Speaking of guys who need better protection from their offensive line, I present to you....Andrew Luck. The Colts need to give Luck some help along the offensive line. Since entering the league, he's had one of the worst units to deal with, but that could all change with the addition of a guy like Cameron Erving. Just ask the Dallas Cowboys what can happen if you put some focus on the offensive line in the first-round of the NFL Draft. It can end up paying huge dividends for you. With a young franchise QB on their hands, the Colts need to start building a wall around him.
30. Green Bay Packers:
Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
The Packers lost Tramon Williams in free agency and need to find a replacement for him. Kevin Johnson is the second rated cornerback on Mel Kiper's Big Board. Something tells me that the Packers would be more than happy to have him fall into their laps with the 30th pick in the draft.
31. New Orleans Saints:
Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Shaq Thompson is one of my favorite players in the draft. The only reason he isn't drafted higher in my mock is because he doesn't really have a natural position. While at Washington, he played linebacker, safety, and running back. He's really one of those guys who's talented and athletic enough to line him up almost anywhere on the field. The Saints are a team that is in need of a lot of talent and getting a guy like Thompson at the end of the first-round would be huge for them. They have a lot of holes on the defensive side of the ball which would allow Thompson to step in and become a force immediately.
32. New England Patriots:
Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Patriots fans, allow me to introduce you to Vince Wilfork's replacement.
Quick NFL Second-Round Mock:
(Because...why stop here?)
1. Tennessee Titans: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
3. Oakland Raiders: Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bernardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
5. New York Jets: Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson
6. Washington Redskins: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
7. Chicago Bears: Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
8. New York Giants: Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
9. St. Louis Rams: Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
10. Atlanta Falcons: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
11. Cleveland Browns: Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
12. New Orleans Saints: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
13. Minnesota Vikings: Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
14. San Francisco 49ers: Paul Dawson. LB, TCU
15. Miami Dolphins: Tre' Jackson, OG, Florida State
16. San Diego Chargers: Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
18. Buffalo Bills: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
19. Houston Texans: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
22. Detroit Lions: Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
23. Arizona Cardinals: Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State
25. Carolina Panthers: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
26. Baltimore Ravens: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
27. Denver Broncos: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
28. Dallas Cowboys: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DL, UCLA
29. Indianapolis Colts: Hau'oli Kikaha, LB, Washington
30. Green Bay Packers: Hayes Pullard, LB, USC
31. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
32. New England Patriots: D'Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic
BEST REMAINING PROSPECTS:
Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon State
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
Clive Walford, TE, Miami
Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio State
Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State
Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Ali Marpet, OG, Hobart
Ty Sambrailo, OG, Colorado State
Reese Dismukes, C, Auburn
Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
Mario Edwards, DE, Florida State
Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas
Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
Xavier Cooper, DT, Washington State
Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Nate Orchard, LB, Utah
Senquez Golson, CB, Mississippi
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Eric Rowe, S, Utah
