Pick 1 Houston Texans – South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney is a rare talent in the NFL, and is very hard to pass on. The Texans will most likely take him here, and then get a couple QBs later in the Draft. Clowney is one of the best defensive ends to date. Though there are questions about his work ethic and effort, veteran defensive end, J.J. Watt will kick Clowney’s motor into high gear. With both Clowney and Watt, the Texans will have the scariest defensive end tangent in the NFL.
Pick 2 St. Louis Rams – Greg Robinson OT Auburn
The Rams need a good offensive tackle, and Robinson seems like the guy. While Robinson is an excellent run blocker, his pass blocking isn’t the best. Robinson is very smart, and learns quickly. Robinson has the most potential, and the highest ceiling out of all the offensive tackles in this year’s draft class. Robinson will be a huge boost to a struggling Rams offensive line, and will only get better as the season goes on.
Pick 3 Jacksonville Jaguars – Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
While some people still doubt Manziel’s ability to throw the deep ball, he impressed 30 of the 32 teams in the NFL at his personal pro day. While wearing a helmet, shoulder pads, and getting chased by a broom, Manziel proofed that he can stay in the pocket, and throw the ball deep and accurately to his receivers. The loss of veteran running back Maurice Jones-Drew means that the Jaguars will need a QB who can step into the spotlight and lead them. Lucky for the Jaguars, Manziel loves the spotlight.
Pick 4 Cleveland Browns – Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
The Browns are hoping that they get the Teddy Bridgewater that played amazing the past three years and not the Teddy Bridgewater that showed up at his pro day. While Bridgewater had a bad pro day, he still has three years’ worth of film that says he is worth this pick. The Browns are in need of a lot of help, but being in the AFC North, they need a QB that can lead them and overcome the fierce defenses of the Bengals, Ravens, and Steelers.
Pick 5 Oakland Raiders – Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
The Oakland Raiders love fast receiver who can stretch the field. The Raiders added Maurice Jones-Drew to their backfield, which means now they just need more talent at the receiver position. The Raiders added, and believe that Matt Schaub is their guy at quarterback, so giving him a talented young receiver would be a smart idea.
Pick 6 Atlanta Falcons – Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
While the Falcons need to improve their offensive line, Eric Ebron is a unique talent who has amazing speed for a tight end. Ebron has gotten comparisons to 49ers tight end Vernon Davis for his speed and ability to catch the ball deep down the field. While he isn’t much of a blocker, Ebron can help the Falcons become one of the most intense, high flying offenses in the NFL, and put him with wide receivers Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Devin Hester, and quarterback Matt Ryan has a buffet of targets to throw to.
Pick 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M
The Buccaneers have improved greatly on defense through the free agency, and now is the time to take an offensive tackle. Matthews is tremendous at both run and pass blocking. He is respected and an excellent leader. While some people question his ceiling, saying he is already as good as he is going to be, he is easily one of the best tackles in this draft class. Matthews will definitely be able to help protect newly added quarterback Josh McCown, and open up holes for running back Doug Martin.
Pick 8 Minnesota Vikings – Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Resigning quarterback Matt Cassel gives the Vikings a veteran presence that is assisted by veteran running back Adrian Peterson. Losing defensive end Jared Allen hurt the Vikings defense tremendously, and they will need to find a replacement. Donald is a tough kid who can penetrate the offensive line and locate the ball. He closes hard and fast, and works to the ball. He has great personal character and is big hitter. Donald should do well in Mike Zimmer’s scheme, which is aggressive, and is the same scheme that turned Geno Atkins into the threat that he is today.
Pick 9 Buffalo Bills – Khalil Mack OLB Buffalo
Mack is the best linebacker in the draft this year. He is a freaky athlete who has speed, strength, and a motor that never stops. Mack is a great edge rusher who is amazing at getting to the quarterback. He can play in zone if he is needed to, and has a tremendous work ethic. In a conference where the Bills go against Tom Brady twice a year, they need to get an edge rusher to help out Mario Williams.
Pick 10 Detroit Lions – Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma St.
Gilbert is the best corner in this draft class. He has great size and weight. He is a natural interceptor and has amazing hand eye coordination. He can read the ball and is very fluid reacting to the ball. The Lions could take a big receiver, but it makes more sense to take Gilbert with the passing attacks of Green Bay, and Chicago.
Pick 11 Tennessee Titians – Derek Carr QB Fresno St.
Tennessee could just as easily take Blake Bortles out of UCF, but I believe that Carr is the better of the two. Carr has been kind of forgotten with the “big three” QBs being in the media constantly. Carr is a top QB in this draft class and will be able to prove it. He has a big arm and has accuracy to go with it. He has some ability to take off and run. He can fit the ball into the tiniest window almost anywhere down field. Carr will be a big talent in the NFL, and will have a better career than his older brother, David Carr.
Pick 12 New York Giants – Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan St.
With Justin Gilbert gone, Dennard becomes the best corner still on the board. The Giants secondary needs a difference maker and Dennard fits the mold. Dennard has great strength when playing press coverage, has great body control and is very fast. He is a good man coverage corner, and plays to win. The Giants will be getting a good corner to help contain the passing attacks of the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins.
Pick 13 St. Louis Rams – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix FS Alabama
This pick is a tough call. With Mike Evans still on the board, St. Louis could take him, but there will be plenty of good receivers still on the board later in the draft. Clinton-Dix is the best safety in the draft, and is a great addition to a team who has to play both San Francisco and Seattle twice a year. Clinton-Dix is a big, physical safety who can make tackles in open space, and be used as a run supporter. He has big hands and a natural ability to react and pick the ball off. Clinton-Dix will be able to make an immediate impact on a defense that has to face great Qb-Rb tangents in Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore, as well as Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch.
Pick 14 Chicago Bears – Timmy Jernigan DT Florida St.
Julius Peppers is now in Green Bay, and the Bears have added some talent to the defensive line with the addition of defensive end Lamar Houston, and defensive end Jared Allen from Minnesota. However, they need a good DT to help shore up the middle. Jernigan is a little undersized for defensive tackle, but is a little faster than most. He has great footwork, and can plug the middle, or rush and disrupt the QB. Jernigan is a great addition to the Monsters of the Midway.
Pick 15 Pittsburgh Steelers – Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
The Steelers offensive line is old and beat up. The time to take a good offensive tackle is now, and Lewan is their guy. He is a tough blocker, who is quick to attack defenders in the run game. Lewan is tall and shows great balanced and footwork. Lewan will also be able to keep Roethlisberger upright as a good pass blocker.
Pick 16 Dallas Cowboys – Calvin Pryor FS Louisville
With the best safety already off the board, the Cowboys need to take the next best one. Pryor is a lights out, hard hitting safety who sacrifices his body. He is a confident leader who recognizes plays well. Pryor is a great run supporter and has the range to play center field. He is also a defensive tempo setter, and will be called upon to help out a struggling Cowboys secondary shutdown the arms of Nick Foles, Eli Manning and RG3.
Pick 17 Baltimore Ravens – Zack Martin OT Notre Dame
The Ravens blocking scheme is changing on the offensive line from man blocking to a zone blocking scheme. Baltimore will need to take an offensive lineman with the athleticism to fit their new system. Martin is flexible and very light on his feet. He is a great leader, and works hard. Martin bends at his knees, can mirror, slide and shuffle his feet. Martin is one of the cleanest players in this draft class.
Pick 18 New York Jets – Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
The Jets did a good job getting Eric Decker, but they still need another target for Geno Smith. Evans is a big receiver who uses his body and can jump up to make the catch. While he isn’t the fastest receiver in the draft, he is fast for his size, and is very tough. He has very strong, reliable hands, and is an excellent blocker. Evans leans and fights for extra yards, and is hard to bring down. He creates last second separation and is amazing at catching the back shoulder pass. Evans will be a big boost to the Jets.
Pick 19 Miami Dolphins – Xavier Su’a-Filo OG UCLA
With most of the top offensive tackles gone, the top guard is still available. The bullying scandal devastated the Dolphins offensive line and left a huge need for improvement. The addition of veteran tackle Brandon Albert is a good start, but it isn’t enough. Su’a-Filo is a tough, physical guard who uses his great footwork. He can pull; trap and combo block, and is just as effective pass blocking as he is run blocking. Su’a-Filo did miss strength training due to serving a Mormon mission during college, but he will be able to make it up in the weight room.
Pick 20 Arizona Cardinals – Bradley Roby CB Ohio St.
Arizona would love to give Patrick Peterson some help in the defensive backfield, and it would give Arizona a boost when going against the fierce QBs of the NFC West. Roby is a small, aggressive corner who tackles well and can shadow slot receivers. He has good recovery speed and changes direction very easily. Roby is also a dangerous blitzer, and kick block rusher. Roby will be able to do amazing things, and could help elevate the Cardinals to an elite status in the NFC.
Pick 21 Green Bay Packers – C.J. Mosley ILB Alabama
Green Bay’s defense hasn’t been the same since they last won the Super Bowl. They need an aggressive force on the inside. Mosley has terrific instincts and urgency, as well as amazing balance. He is a solid tackler and can blanket speed backs in man coverage, as well as cover tight ends in zone. Mosley is a hardworking, tough and a well-respected leader who will be able to help bring back the Packers fierce defense.
Pick 22 Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Cooks WR Oregon St.
Cooks is a great route runner, and is very creative after the catch. He can make a five yard gain turn into a 25 yard gain. Cooks is fast, and is very good at balancing his body. He has great boundary awareness and is an electric playmaker. Philadelphia will need to replace the recently released wide out Desean Jackson, who was the best receiver for the Eagles. Cooks could be the answer for his replacement. Just like Jackson, Cooks will be able to bloom into a deadly threat in Philly’s high octane offensive system. Nick Foles could be getting a new target that would really tip the scales in favor of Philadelphia for champions of the NFC East.
Pick 23 Kansas City Chiefs – Marquise Lee WR USC
Kansas City needs a receiver to help open up the running lanes for Jamal Charles. Lee provides a dynamic playmaker who is a great route runner and can manipulate both man and zone coverage. He also creates lots of extra yards after the catch and is very elusive on the run. He is a game breaking return man who will be able to provide a short field for Kansas City’s offense. Lee will provide a huge dynamic player to add to Alex Smith’s arsenal.
Pick 24 Cincinnati Bengals – Dee Ford DE Auburn
With big name defensive end Michael Johnson gone, the Bengals could use a dominate pass rusher to help out Geno Atkins. Ford provides a relentless motor and a good acceleration. Ford has good snap anticipation, and a good second step to beat offensive lineman off the ball. Ford’s motor and work ethic is crazy. With both Atkins and Ford, the QBs and RBs of the AFC North should be scared.
Pick 25 San Diego Chargers – Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
This pick could be Fuller, or Jason Verrett from TCU. Fuller is bigger, and will be able to match up on the bigger receivers of the AFC West better than Verrett. Fuller has good size and balance, and has amazing instincts. He has good route recognition, and anticipation. Fuller is a good zone coverage corner who will be able to match up on threats like Demetrius Thomas from Denver.
Pick 26 Cleveland Browns – Carlos Hyde HB Ohio St.
Carlos Hyde is an old school, power runner. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in physical power, and vocal leadership. Hyde can rally a team and wreak havoc for defenders and linebackers with his punishing style of running. He always falls forward, and unlike a lot of running backs today, Hyde is a good and willing pass blocker. He can hold his own against the blitz and has surprisingly good hands for a running back of his style. Hyde will be able to help bring back a strong rushing attack to Cleveland, which should scare the fierce defenses of the AFC North.
Pick 27 New Orleans Saints – Stephon Tuitt DE Notre Dame
With Ford gone, and the Saints getting rid of a bunch of defensive veterans, they need another force on the defensive line. Tuitt is an extremely versatile player and can play both end and tackle in both an even or odd front. He has good movement for a bigger player, and disrupts passing lanes. He can flatten offensive lineman, or redirect them. He has excellent control of his body and bends his knees. He has good size and long arms to help get off of blocks. Tuitt will help New Orleans defense return to top-notch form, and disrupt the offenses of Carolina, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay.
Pick 28 Carolina Panthers – Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida St.
Benjamin is a big bodied receiver who gets quick separation with long strides. He isn’t afraid to go over the middle and isn’t easily knocked off of routes. He approaches the ball with strength and is hard to bring down. Benjamin is clutch and has good crack-blocking ability. The Panthers will have a new target for Cam Newton, and Benjamin will be able to take the role of Steve Smith.
Pick 29 New England Patriots – Louis Nix DT Notre Dame
Even with Vince Wilfork back, New England can’t expect him to play forever, and need to introduce some fresh blood to the position. Nix is a versatile player who has the strength to push blockers into the back field, and pursuits the ball carrier well. Nix redirects well for a bigger player, and has excellent size. Nix can take double teams, and still make plays, and can play two gaps. Nix is a strong, solid tackler who can add a new dimension to the Patriots defensive line.
Pick 30 San Francisco 49ers – Odell Beckham WR LSU
The 49ers need to add a threat who can work in the both the slot and the perimeter. Beckham is fast, and has the ability to make plays. He is very shifty, and creates yards after the catch. Beckham can return both kickoffs and punts, and has quick hands and feet. He has good leaping ability despite his small size. Just picture the 49ers offense with Beckham on it. Teams will have to worry about both Kaepernick and Gore in the running game, and Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Beckham through the air. That is a fierce offense to try to stop. San Francisco will be getting an explosive playmaker that can help their offense compete with some of the best.
Pick 31 Denver Broncos – Travis Swanson C Arkansas
Denver needs to tweak their offensive line a little bit, and Swanson can help. Swanson is a smart, vocal pass blocking center that can help keep Peyton Manning upright. Swanson has experience with great defensive tackles, and is very tough and durable. He is smart and has a great base when pass blocking.
Pick 32 Seattle Seahawks –Morgan Mosses OT Virginia
Mosses is durable and has great size for a tackle. He works hard and pulls with a head of steam. Is a good, but not great pass blocker, and will get better with time as Coach Pete Carroll develops him. He is the best offensive tackle at this point, and can be a good addition to the o-line and can help keep Russell Wilson upright.
