1st Mock Draft - Pre-Free Agency
The DC Podcast Team took to Facebook Chat to discuss this year's NFL Draft. After hours of analyzing players, agreeing/disagreeing and spending way too much time talking about Hillary Duff (Jeff) we decided to write a Mock Draft because we thought it would be fun. It was and maybe someday we will share that Chat with you, BUT today isnt that day. So, enjoy the Mock Draft and feel free to totally disagree with all 32 picks and challenge us on everything. We thrive on your disapproval.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB Jameis Winston
Consensus. Best QB in the Draft and after watching enough football in my life, we can confidently agree that the Bucs need a QB. I think most people can agree with that.
2. Tennessee Titans - DE/DT Leonard Williams
We debated whether or not there was a way Tennesssee could screw this pick up. We agreed they couldn't because they needed EVERYTHING. They take Leo because hes probably the most complete prospect in the draft. Plug and play at DE in their 3-4
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - OLB Dante Fowler Jr.
This isn't your slightly older brother's Jaguars (bad joke). This is the Gus Bradley Jaguars and even though their offense was bad last year and they could easily go in another direction here, we think they pick Fowler to fit right into that LEO role.
4. Oakland Raiders - WR Amari Cooper
Carr came along last year and needs more help this year. Time to put a Playmaker on the field. Bring in Cooper. Best WR in the draft and will be a great option for Carr throuhout the season. OROY???
5. Washington Redskins - OG Brandon Scherff
Do they take Mariota?? No. While we are all skeptical of RG3 at this point, his production in 2012 wasnt make believe. This is the make it or break it season for RG3. Get him a solid lineman and get Alfred Morris active again. Scherff will do both.
6. New York Jets - WR Kevin White
White is a complete WR with blazing speed and great hands. He makes plays after the catch and beats his man often. If NY has any hope of building on Geno's talent, they need to get him a WR to pair with Decker and young TE Jace Amaro.
EDIT: Brandon Marshall has been traded to the NY Jets. Changes in next Mock.
7. Chicago Bears - DT Danny Shelton
Chicago was beat up front badly in 2014. Well they were beat everywhere, but we all believe in building from the front. Time to add an anchor to a very expensive DL. Shelton will be a Plug and play guy.
8. Atlanta Falcons - OLB Vic Beasley
With Dan Quinn implementing a defense which Atlanta is not one bit ready for, he'll need a guy like Beasley to come off the edge and rush the passer. Beasley should fit in nicely with Quinn and should grow under his coaching.
9. New York Giants - OT Andrus Peat
Yeah, did you see how much time Eli had last year? Moving on.
10. St. Louis Rams - QB Marcus Mariota
While Jordan argued this pick to the death, it seems pretty straight forward. St Louis needs a QB, Mariota is the 2nd best QB in the draft. For the record; Jordan insisted that they should choose Hundley.
11. Minnesota Vikings - WR Devante Parker
Louisville reunion in Minnesota? YES. Not only does Teddy know Parker well and has been successfull with him on the other end of his passes, but aside from Greg Jennings (31) there isn't a decent route runner on the whole team. Time to bring one in.
12. Cleveland Browns - DT Malcom Brown
Will they reach for a player like Strong or DGB here? No, WR depth makes us believe they could get a guy at 19. Instead, they take the big guy to make a very good defense even better.
13. New Orleans Saints - OLB Randy Gregory
What a slide! The underweight, rangy OLB would be a natural fit into a stand up system like Rob Ryan's. His great athleticism makes him a steal at 13.
14. Miami Dolphins - CB Trae Waynes
With Cortland Finnegan gone and no real "future" at the position, its time to seriously consider reaching in a short-DB class. Waynes is the best CB out there and should be a good addition to a Miami Secondary that likes to get physical.
15. San Francisco 49ers - DE Shane Ray
With the Aldon Smith situation somewhat sorted out, but still unreliable we see SF taking a good edge rusher who can make tackles in the run game. While SF may nit need another LB, Ray has the talent this team can't pass up.
16. Houston Texans - OT Erick Flowers
While there are alot of ways Houston could go here, we feel it is the safest route to lock down what is currently a very shallow unit when looking at the OL. Flowers looks like a guy who can contribute and I'm sure any one of their 4 QBs will appreciate it.
17. San Diego Chargers - OT La'El Collins
Collins gives SD flexibility on their aging OLine. He played Tackle at LSU but has the ability to move inside and still make consistent blocks in the Running and Passing game. This is SD's second step to revitalizing that OLine.
18. Kansas City Chiefs - SS Landon Collins
Kansas needs a WR. It is unbelievably, painfully obvious that this team needs a big time playmaker on the field. So, they draft the best Safety in the Draft; obviously. No, really, we believe this will happen. Here's the thing. Eric Berry is a rare talent, but with medical issues persisting, they need to sure up that Secondary and theyhave no replacement at either Safety position. And WR is very deep again this year.
19. Cleveland Browns - WR Jaelen Strong
While we have all seen what "raw" WRs do once they hit the NFL, I don't think Cleveland can go another way here. DGB is still on the board, but after dealing with Josh Gordon's off field issues, I dont think Cleveland wants to double up on "troublesome" WRs. While Strong is the safer pick personality-wise, his game is still risky.
20. Philadelphia Eagles - RB Melvin Gordon
Trading away Lesean McCoy for a Top-5 LB was a great move by Chip Kelly. Alonso gives them a LB unit with youth and athleticism. Now its time to attack Offense. With Chip, this isnt hard. Gordon is a very good all around RB who gets up field quick. Only question is his hands in the passing game. Gordon isn't used to catching the ball as he only had 22 receptions in his 4 seasons at Wisco, but that doesnt mean he can't as Wisco does not often target their RBs.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - OLB/DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree
One of the more complete OLB/DEs in the draft. Bud had some flashy plays at Kentucky, but also had some inconsistent play as a stand up OLB. His position may be best as a DE with his hand in the dirt. Cincy needs a good pass rusher after losing Michael Johnson in 2013 and proving to be the worst Pass Rushing unit in the league despite leading their opponents.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa
The Steelers are having a panic attack as they helplessly watch their #1 pass rusher (Jordan is assuming) get wiped off the board. They too need an edge rusher to take over for Grandpa Harrison who was retired to start the 2014 season and Jason Worilds who will command a decent contract in Free Agency. With them backpedalling, they need to lock down the next best. Well, here he is.
23. Detroit Lions - OLB Shaq Thompson
The plan was to give Detroit a replacement for Suh (and potentially Fairley) at DT, but with no athletic 5-tech DTs in sight, they have almost no choice but to get a guy who pairs nicely with Deandre Levy. Thompson should add a nice cover element to this linebacking corps and give Levy a viable running mate which he has yet to have.
24. Arizona Cardinals - DT Arik Armstead
Cutting Darnell Dockett wasn't the worst decision, but we believe they have their eyes set on his replacement at #24. Armstead is a very big guy who will be great opposite Campbell in that 3-4. I see this a step forward from a very good, but aging player in Dockett.
25. Carolina Panthers - OG Cameron Erving
Debate came through over whether they should go WR, CB, or OL here and as usual, the Front-Back philosophy rained true. We all like Cam and believe that he needs more to succeed. That includes more time.
26. Baltimore Ravens - RB Todd Gurley
Kubiak did wonders with Forsett last year and Forsett took complete advantage. They have Taliaferro who is a decent back and packs a nice punch, but Gurley gives them a great talent and a potential every down back who does pretty much everything right. Only question mark is his injury, obviously, but if he doesn't rush back, they will have a very good RB for the next 7-10 years.
27. Dallas Cowboys - OLB Eli Harold
Cowboys have made more switches to their defense than any other team I can think of in recent memory and they found a formula that worked last year. Harold would be a great addition to this defense as he'll add a pass rusher at OLB that can help against the run too.
28. Denver Broncos - ILB Eric Kendricks
Another wild debate. Jeff saw the clear need for ILB on his Broncos team, but Jordan doesnt see Kendricks working as an 3-4 LB. After looking at who was out there at LB and the fact that the Broncos need 2 ILB, we concluded that this could work with Kendricks playing Zone first and growing into a bigger role. His brother proved size doesn't matter.
29. Indianapolis Colts - DT Eddie Goldman
This team first and foremost needs bulk up front. McKinney was a debated pick here, but gotta take care of your defensive front first. Goldman is a big man and will help this defense move forward.
30. Green Bay Packers - ILB Benardrick McKinney
No Brad Jones. No AJ Hawk. Clay needs a teammate to play that ILB position. McKinney is a very good run stopper and would give the Packers something they need to reach the Super Bowl again.
31. Seattle Seahawks - WR Dorial Green-Beckham
Their lack of a playmaking WR could have been the reason they had difficulty throw some of the Super Bowl. DGB needs leadership and we couldn't think of a better team to give him that.
32. New England Patriots - DT Jordan Phillips
With Big Vince hitting the road, there is a GIANT gap in that defense. Phillips is the best 1-Tech DT left and can do great things on that Patriots defense. Or they'll pick some guy from Rutgers.
Hope you enjoyed, Version 2 will be coming out shortly! Stay Tuned!
