Mock Draft 1.0 (Pre Combine)

Round 1 

1. Tampa Bay (2-14)-Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

The Buccaneers are in desperate need of a quarterback, and there are no good starters availabe in free agency. Jameis Winston may be a better "start now" quarterback, but Mariota has much more upside.

 

2. Tennessee (2-14)-Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

Zach Mettenberger flashed at times during last season, but he doesn't look like the answer. The Titans may want to give Mettenberger a chance to start next year, but Jameis Winston is just too good to pass up. Plus, Winston played in a pro style offense at Florida State.

 

3. Jacksonville (3-13)-Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Gus Bradley is a defensive coach and will want to add a top defender. He already has two good defensive ends in Red Bryant and Chris Clemons, and will now want someone to play between the two. Leonard Williams is the best player out of this class, and could be an instant Pro-Bowler.

 

4. Oakland (3-13)-Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Derek Carr needs more weapons, and they will not have James Jones, Andre Holmes, and Mychal Rivera as their top three targets when next season begins. They could revamp their whole offense by drafting Cooper and making a run for Julius Thomas in free agency.

 

5. Washington (4-12)-Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

Washington has lots of needs, especially in the secondary. Landon Collins is good, but not a top five talent, so they will take the best player available which is Randy Gregory.

 

6. New York Jets (4-12)-Trey Waynes, CB, Michigan State

The Jets could be looking quarterback if Winston or Mariota are still on the board, but Rex Ryan left the secondary a mess for Todd Bowles. Trey Waynes is the best corner in the draft and should start from day one.

 

7. Chicago (5-11)-Danny Shelton, NT, Washington

Stephen Paea, the starting nose tackle for the Bears, is currently a free agent. If he leaves, the Bears should take Danny Shelton as he was dominant at Washington and at the Senior Bowl. Shelton could definitely be a future Pro Bowler.

 

8. Atlanta (6-10)-Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

Ray has the ability to get to the quarterback, as he had the third most sacks in FBS football last year. Kroy Biermann and Osi Umenyoira are both free agents, and I don't expect either of them back as both were not good enough last year.

 

9. New York Giants (6-10)-Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

The Giants are in desperate need of a left tackle to protect Eli Manning's blind side. Scherff is the best offensive tackle in this draft.

 

10. St. Louis (6-10)-Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

In the last three drafts the Rams have taken a wide reciever in either the first, second, third, or fourth round. None of them have looked like starting receivers throughout their careers and Kevin White is a big receiver who has all the tools to become great.

 

11. Minnesota (7-9)-DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Teddy Bridgewater had a good rookie year, without top notch receivers. Cordarelle Patterson was supposed to have a big jump last year, but disappointed. Parker played with Bridgewater at Louisville.

 

12. Cleveland (7-9)-Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson

With Josh Gordon suspended for all of next season, wide receiver is a big need for the Browns, but they can get a starting receiver in free agency. Desmond Bryant was not good last year and could be a potential cap casuality for them. Beasley would be a perfect fit in their defense.

 

13. New Orleans (7-9)-Dante Fowler Jr., DE/OLB, Florida

Other then Junior Galette and Cameron Jordan, the Saints front seven was not very good last year. Fowler could play defensive end or outside linebacker and should improve the Saints defense instantly.

 

14. Miami (8-8)-Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

This may seem like a odd pick for the Dolphins since Lamar Miller had 1,099 rushing yards last year and Todd Gurley is coming off a torn ACL, but the Dolphins need an every down back. Lamar Miller is not durable and had zero games with 20 or more carries last season. 

 

15. San Francisco (8-8)-Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri

Talent is not the question with Dorial Green-Beckham, it is his off the field issues. Too many outside distractions and issues the past couple of years. His team interviews will be critical on where he goes in the draft.

 

16. Houston (9-7)-Shaq Thomspon, OLB, Washington

The Texans have five defensive starters from last year that are now free agents. Shaq Thompson is a great athlete. At Washington, he played linebacker, safety, and running back. The Texans could use his athleticism at either outside linebacker or safety.

 

17. San Diego (9-7)-Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Even though King Dunlap resigned to a 4 year deal, DJ Fluker will likely move to guard. Peat should start immediately at right tackle.

 

18. Kansas City (9-7)-Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

With Eric Berry diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, he will likely not return anytime soon. Collins was dominant at Alabama and should step right in as the starter.

 

19. Cleveland - from Buffalo (9-7)-Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Cleveland has to take a wide reciever, as Andrew Hawkins is the only decent receiver on their roster.

 

20. Philadelphia (10-6)-Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)

Bradley Fletcher is a free agent and they need someone to play across from Cary Williams. Brandon Boykin is a very good nickel corner back, but he can't play outside, and Nolan Carroll has struggled throughout his career.

 

21. Cincinnati (10-5-1)-La'el Collins, OT,  LSU

Andrew Whitworth is 33 years old and is heading into his contract year. It's time to start looking for his replacement.

 

22. Pittsburgh (11-5)-Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

Steve McLendon has been okay at nose tackle, but they could use an upgrade.

 

23. Detroit (11-5)-Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma

With Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, and C.J. Mosley all free agents they will need to draft one high.

 

24. Arizona (11-5)-Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Andre Ellington is good, but he is not an every down back. A tandem of Gordon and Ellington could make them a tough offense to stop.

 

25. Carolina (7-8-1)-Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

The Panthers offensive line was not good last year, especially their tackles. They will take a left tackle, either T.J Clemmings or Ereck Flowers.

 

26. Baltimore (10-6)-Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

Dennis Pitta is coming back from injury and may retire, and if he doesn't, he is not likely to regain his old form. Owen Daniels is a below average starter.

 

27. Dallas (12-4)-Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

Even though the Cowboys defense exceeded expectations last year, they were still below average. Tyrone Crawford and Henry Melton need to be upgraded.

 

28. Denver (12-4)-Carl Davis, DT, Iowa

Davis' stock rose after a great Senior Bowl showing. Terrance Knighton is a free agent and he may not be resigned because the Broncos were unhappy with his weight and they need the cap space to try and re-sign Julius Thomas and Demarius Thomas.

 

29. Indianapolis (11-5)-Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA

The Colts need help at inside linebacker as they did not play well towards the end of the season.

 

30. Green Bay (12-4)-Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

A.J. Hawk may be a cap casuality and the Packers would prefer not to have Clay Matthews playing middle linebacker again.

 

31. Seattle (12-4)-Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

Funchess can play both receiver and tight end, and the Seahawks need both.

 

32. New England (12-4)-Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

Vince Wilfork is at the end of his career and last years first round pick, Dominique Easley, is not a sure starter.

 

Buffalo traded pick to Cleveland for Sammy Watkins