- Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, QB, Cal
6’4 215 lbs.
California quarterback Jared Goff (16) scrambles out of the pocket from Oregon State defensive end Dylan Wynn (45) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
The Rams traded a lion’s share to go up and grab their quarterback of the future. There are a couple of reasons I think it has to be Goff: One, he’s considered by many to be closer to a sure thing than Wentz. Two, the Eagles trade makes me believe they know which quarterback will be available and all indications are they covet Wentz. Either Howie Roseman royally whiffed, or Wentz makes it past pick 1 and Goff lands in L.A.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz, QB, ND State
6’5 232 lbs.
New head coach Doug Pederson evidently wants Bradford and Chase Daniel only for the short term while he grooms his prize prospect, Carson Wentz. I personally can’t blame Pederson or the Eagles for coveting Wentz, my number one QB. His tape really pops and he shows all the potential to be a special franchise player. Still, it was a lot to give up and Wentz has a lot of pressure to live up to the deal that landed him.
- San Diego Chargers: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
6’6 287 lbs.
Even with Tunsil now available, I maintain that the Chargers are sold on Buckner. He has a tantalizing blend of size, speed and football IQ but must continue to develop his game to live up to a top five draft status.
- Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
6’1 202 lbs.
Word from Cowboys camp is Ramsey is their number one player overall so finding him at the 4 spot with a competent GM like Stephen Jones calling the shots, this is a no-brainer. They can mix and match Byron Jones and Jalen Ramsey as they please.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
6’6 276 lbs.
Jags GM David Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley will be bowling people over to get this pick in. Joey Bosa will be an immediate infusion of talent paired with former first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr. They must address the secondary this off-season as well, but Bosa is too talented.
- Baltimore Ravens: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
5’11 192 lbs.
Jimmy Smith is a slightly undersized corner who’s had success with the Ravens, so Newsome knows to target talent and traits over size. Of course the Ravens offense will continue to scare exactly no one until they get serious about bolstering that side of the ball.
- San Francisco 49ers: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
6’1 245 lbs.
Word is Jack won’t slide past the Niners and it makes a lot of sense. Chip Kelly would be licking his lips at the thought of implementing the ultra-athletic Jack into his system, perhaps on offense as well as defense.
- Cleveland Browns: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss.
6’5 305 lbs.
It’s time to think about life after Joe Thomas and Tunsil is the best player remaining on the board. Hue Jackson will want to protect his new project in RG3. Tunsil is ready to start now and Cleveland should be able to find a place for him. They tried to trade out of the pick, but couldn’t work a deal.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
6’3 270 lbs.
Shaq Lawson
As predicted, Lawson has become a highly coveted prospect as teams fall in love with his 2015 tape and high character. He’s certainly a motivated young man, but he’s not quite up to a top ten talent level.
- TRADE Miami Dolphins (Via New York Giants): Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
6’0 225 lbs.
Ohio State plays Indiana at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, November 22, 2014 in Columbus, Ohio.
I’ve been seeing the Dolphins love for Elliott throughout the draft process. The inept Stephen Ross has been sitting on his hands rather than bothering to replace Lamar Miller. On the upside, Elliott and Jay Ajayi should be a potent duo, on the downside, Elliott is a running back, a majorly devalued position. The Dolphins would be better served to find a replacement for the departed Olivier Vernon.
- Chicago Bears: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
6’5 304 lbs.
Sep 19, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) prepares to block Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Tyler Marcordes (35) at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley (78) prepares to block Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Tyler Marcordes (35) at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
It’s an open secret that the Bears got snaked here: they coveted Ezekiel Elliott. Still, they need to find a true replacement for Jermon Bushrod for current “franchise” quarterback Jay Cutler.
- TRADE Indiannapolis Colts (Via New Orleans Saints): Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
6’6 325 lbs.
The Colts clearly fear here that the Giants want to invest further in their offensive line and jump ahead of them, the Titans and the Lions to snag Jack Conklin, who is a highly accomplished and polished pass protector. Protecting Andrew Luck must be priority number one for Grigson and company unless they want more comedy routines in week 17 (Ryan Lindley and Josh Freeman split starting duties, it’s like the beginning of a “walks into a bar” joke)
- TRADE New York Giants (Via Miami Dolphins): Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
6’4 231 lbs.
The Giants have apparently been coveting Floyd for a while now and it is understandable, albeit foolish. Floyd is just the kind of guy that gets over-drafted on athleticism. Get ready for the outrageous JPP-size expectations that come with playing in the Big Apple. In fact, JPP may have inspired the interest since his fireworks incident left him a few fingers short of a full hand.
- Oakland Raiders: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
5’11 195 lbs.
The outrageous idea that Alexander will slide in the first round, or out of it completely will be dispelled tomorrow night. Alexander is a true shut-down corner in the making and the Raiders could use that to pair with Sean Smith. Their secondary is the true weakness of this budding defense.
- Tennessee Titans: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
6’7 320 lbs.
Decker actually fits really well as the bookend opposite Taylor Lewan. Decker is big-bodied, highly atheletic and has immense strength at the point of attack. He lacks the polish of the higher prospects but is a really nice find for the Titans who gained quite a bit of value trading out of the number one pick.
- Detroit Lions: Kevin Dodd, DE Clemson
6’5 277 lbs.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 31: Samaje Perine #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners carries the ball as Kevin Dodd #98 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to tackle him in the first quarter during the 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Dodd makes a ton of sense opposite Ziggy Ansah as the Lions attempt to maintain their defense at the top of the draft. The strategy makes some sense, especially if they’ve lost faith in Stafford’s ability to lead them deep into the playoffs.
- Atlanta Falcons: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
6’1 259 lbs.
The Falcons have been wanting for elite linebacker talent since Sean Weatherspoon began having severe injury issues. Ragland should help solidify a shaky core that includes the aforementioned and still injury prone Weatherspoon.
- TRADE New York Jets (Via New Orleans Saints): Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
6’7 245 lbs.
The Jets, despite their posturing with Ryan Fitzpatrick, are not sold on their future at quarterback with Geno Smith. Lynch represents an upgrade, if only because he’s an unknown commodity, the Jets felt they needed to jump the Bills who looked poised to snag Lynch after his fall.
- Buffalo Bills: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
6’1 304 lbs.
Sheldon Rankins (98), Fumble
Sheldon Rankins (98), Fumble
Rumblings that Dareus is looking to leave point to Rex Ryan’s continual inability to control a 53-man roster. Instead of booting him like they should, the Bills decision makers allow him to commit nepotism while also replacing a proven talent with a relatively unknown rookie. Poor Bills, they’ll never make the playoffs. On the bright side, Rankins shows a lot of potential. He might even be on the level of the greats (like Dareus) one day.
- TRADE New Orleans Saints (Via New York Jets): Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
6’4 275 lbs.
Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (38) attempts to move around Central Arkansas Kyle Stouffer (76) during an NCAA college football game between Central Arkansas and Oklahoma St in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
The more I break it down, the more this makes sense. Payton and Loomis must know that the entire defense struggles because of their lack of push up front. Ogbah will fit right into the locker room as a hard-worker with relentless motor. Knowing Pay/Loo though, I should be expecting something off-the-wall like safety or tackle here.
https://sportsslants.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/a-prospect-a-day-4-3-defensive-ends-emmanuel-ogbah/
- Washington Redskins: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
6’6 310 lbs.
Jones has been pegged to sneak into the first round due to his pass-rush ability. I buy it and GM Scot McCloughan has shown his desire to build from the trenches. I expect a defensive lineman here and Jones makes the most sense.
- Houston Texans: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
6’0 186 lbs.
Fuller the first receiver off the board? It could happen. The Texans apparently covet the speedy wide-out who is being given much more favorable reviews as teams recognize his strong route running ability.
A Prospect A Day: Wide Receivers, Will Fuller Scouting Report
- Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
6’2 210 lbs.
The Vikings need another receiver with the word being that Mike Wallace wants out. Big surprise. And Cordarelle Patterson still isn’t progressing. Big surprise? That leaves Stefon Diggs and Charles Johnson. I’m not quite inspired with that corps. Of course, Treadwell is not the best receiver in this class, but landing with an accurate passer like Bridgewater should help considering his inability to separate from even college corners.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
6’3 210 lbs.
I’ve been hearing rumblings that Thomas is the top receiver on the Bengals board and the pick here should be a receiver after they were gutted in free agency. At the very least, they must find a replacement at WR2 for Marvin Jones.
A Prospect A Day: Wide Receivers, Michael Thomas Scouting Report
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
6’1 200 lbs.
Too long the Steelers have ignored upgrading this position. It’s time and they know it. Their secondary was a big reason they lost a lot of games last season. Apple is a rising prospect with ideal size who has big-game experience. You’ll be hearing that a lot during the rest of this mock draft.
- Seattle Seahawks: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State
6’2 228 lbs.
The Seahawks have built such an impressive roster by snagging impressive athletes that fit in their scheme. Darron Lee is a potential fit as a Jack linebacker to replace Bruce Irvin, who’s leaving in free agency. In addition to impressive measurables, he’s ready for prime-time due to his big-game experience.
- Green Bay Packers: Noah Spence, LB, Eastern Kentucky
6’2 254 lbs.
The Packers have been trying to generate a pass rush with over-the-hill vet Julius Peppers. It was fun (and funny) while it lasted. But unless they want to continue to waste Rodgers’ prime years, they’d better get serious about building a defense from the ground up.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
6’3 195 lbs.
Goodness knows the Chiefs offense is an unfinished puzzle. The best receiver in the draft could go a long way to helping Alex Smith and company ramp up their level of play, especially in the playoffs where the offense has consistently let them down.
A Prospect A Day: Wide Receivers, Josh Doctson Scouting Report
- Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
6’4 311 lbs.
Many teams love the Alabama product and it’s not hard to see why. He might be one of the most polished and accomplished players in the draft. The Cardinals desperately need to keep Palmer healthy and upright and taking a safe prospect like Kelly makes sense for a team like the Cardinals on the brink of Super Bowl contention.
- Carolina Panthers: William Jackson III, CB, Houston
6’0 189 lbs.
Booting Josh Norman can only mean one thing: He’s a jackass. Moving past that, the Panthers must replace his production and ability in the secondary to continue to cover for the inept safety duo of Kurt Coleman and Roman Harper.
- Denver Broncos: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
6’3 325 lbs.
With the departure of Malik Jackson to contend with, the Broncos must bolster the part of their team that’s working: the defense. Proven to have adequate eye-sight and cognitive abilities, Elway recognizes his team was special due to defense and continues to refuel with an impressive talent from a small school who has been shooting up boards.
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