We are less than one month away from the big night at Radio City Music Hall. Typically around this time of year we start to see the team with the first overall choice favoring a prospect or two. Making mock drafts everywhere more concrete.
Remember when Eric Fisher began to separate himself from the rest of the pack last year? Well no such certainty surrounds us this year.
It could be Jadeveon Clowney, it could Johnny Manziel, it could be Blake Bortles. The only known is that the top player is relatively unknown. Houston Texans coach Bill O’ Brien echoed such sentiments, saying recently that the selection was still “wide open”.
All the speculation hovering around this year, has mock drafts as vital as ever (and don’t be mistaken, mock drafts are vital). The only reliable sources nowadays seems to be rumors, which in the pre-draft chaos means extra smoke screens coming from every organization.
So, in PPI’s second to last mock draft of the season, let’s drink the kool-aid. Let’s just dive in the rumor mill and take it all for truth.
Here is our latest mock draft…
1.) Houston Texans: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Que Louis Armstrong. It is a wonderful world in the state of Texas. Johnny Football stays in the Houston area and gives Bill O’ Brien something to mold while Ryan Fitzpatrick starts.
2.) St. Louis Rams: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Rams recently held a visit with Robinson, as well as Clowney. The Rams are looking more and more likely to trade down.
3.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
The Jags coaching staff put Clowney through a vigorous workout to see how well his motor ran once he became fatigued. Head coach Gus Bradley came away impressed.
4.) Cleveland Browns: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
The Browns need help on offense but defensive minded head coach Mike Pettine raved about Mack’s talents, comparing them to Mario Williams whom he coach in Buffalo.
5.) Oakland Raiders: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Oakland may say that Matt Schaub can play five years for them but even they don’t believe that. Bortles studies under Schaub and sets sights on the future.
6.) Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Even the rumors can’t deny this. Matthews protecting quarterback Matt Ryan’s blindside is just a match made in heaven.
7.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
The Bucs brought in Bridgewater for a workout recently. They have second-year quarterback Mike Glennon and vet Josh McCown, who was signed in free agency, but McCown never flourished in coach Lovie Smith’s system and had some inconsistencies.
8.) Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
With the top quarterbacks off the board, Barr get tagged to upgrade a position that has been underwhelming the past few seasons.
9.) Buffalo Bills: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
The trade for Mike Williams holds off the pressures of finding a receiver but they still need a tight end. Ebron is a playmaker that EJ Manuel can count on.
10.) Detroit Lions: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Watkins, perfectly advertised this selection by posting a picture on Instagram of Calvin Johnson on one side and himself on the other. Below them? Megatron and Starscream. #Awesome
11.) Tennessee Titans: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St.
The Titans need to replace the void left by Alteraun Verner. Gilbert will do just that.
12.) New York Giants: C.J. Mosely, ILB, Alabama
Offensive line and cornerback have been abundantly addressed through free agency. Mosely helps upgrade the linebacking unit.
13.) St. Louis Rams: Haha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Clinton-Dix’s stock is rising. This may not be a possibility for long. But for now, it’s the combination to match with TJ McDonald.
14.) Chicago Bears: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The Bear addressed their defensive line very impressively through free agency (Lamarr Houston, Jared Allen, Israel Idonije, Jay Ratliff, Willie Young). Now their attention turns to their quickly aging secondary.
15.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St.
Like Matthews to Atlanta, Dennard to Pittsburgh is just a no-brainer.
16.) Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
The Cowboys safety woes come to an end with Pryor channeling his inner Darren Woodson.
17.) Baltimore Ravens: Marquise Lee, WR, USC
Yes the Ravens have bigger needs to address but remember this mock draft is all about the rumors and the rumors say the Ravens are interested in drafting a receiver and even brought Lee in for a visit.
18.) New York Jets: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Jets get a top target and a top talent. The Jets have spent a lot of time learning about this deep wide receiving class and brought Evans in for a workout at the end of March.
19.) Miami Dolphins: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Word is out and floating around that the Dolphins would be thrilled if Lewan dropped to them. And we all know how much Miami loves Michigan linemen.
20.) Arizona Cardinals: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
How ’bout this? Hageman was recently brought in by Arizona and his talent is undeniable. He would instantly give them quality depth and youth along their 3-4 front but questions surround on whether his hot-and-cold playing at Minnesota could meet his potential.
21.) Green Bay Packers: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
The Packers have big needs at tight end and scouts from the team were out at Texas Tech’s pro-day where Amaro had a big day.
22.) Philadelphia Eagles: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St.
Since DeSean Jackson’s departure, the Eagles have been courting the top wide receiving prospects. Hard to argue against taking the 2013 Biletnikoff Award winner.
23.) Kansas City Chiefs: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
KC needed to upgrade their defensive front to begin with and then they lost starter Tyson Jackson. While he didn’t play a 3-4 in college, Jernigan could transition very well.
24.) Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio St.
Keeping the Ohio elite in state and addressing a pressing need, what’s better than that?
25.) San Diego Chargers: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio St.
The Bolts really need help in the secondary. Roby has held a mini tour and San Diego was one of his destinations. He could be a Day One starter.
26.) Cleveland Browns: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno St.
Browns brought in Carr for a workout. The prospect left beaming over the opportunity to compete against quarterback Brian Hoyer for the starting position.
27.) New Orleans Saints: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
The tough feisty corner fits perfectly with defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s aggressive defense.
28.) Carolina Panthers: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
Left tackle Jordan Gross retired leaving a huge shoes to fill. Moses’ stands 6’6″ and 335 pounds. Looks like he’ll fit the shoes just fine.
29.) New England Patriots: Weston Richburg, C, Colorado St.
The last time the Pats chose an obscure linemen at the end of the first-round was All-Pro guard Logan Mankins. Richburg could do the same and anchor the line.
30.) San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida St.
The Niners like big targets and at, 6’4″ and 250 pounds Benjamin should do the trick.
31.) Denver Broncos: Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA
The line needs to be addressed. That simple. Guard was hit hard by free agency and retirement. Su’a-Filo is a tough versatile player.
32.) Seattle Seahawks: Zach Martin, OT, Notre Dame
The ‘Hawks need to replace Breno Giacomini. Martin is a top talent who could replace and upgrade the spot.
