Here is my Final Mock Draft. I am certain I won't be 100 percent, but I have a very strong feeling this is what we'll be looking at come April 3oth. Here it goes...
1-Tampa Bay-Jameis Winston, QB Florida St. There are rumors that Lovie smith will "strongly consider Mariota over Winston", which I believe is a smoke screen to keep Tennessee on their toes'. There are also rumors that Tampa will completely ignore QB, and pick Leonard Williams, which just makes no sense. Winston is GOING to be the pick here.
2- San Diego [via TEN]- Marcus Mariota, QB- Oregon You've probably heard that Phillip Rivers wants to "play out the final year of the contract", being that the Chargers are likely moving to L.A. following the 2016 off season. Rivers' main reason for wanting to Bolt, [pun intended] he doesn't want his kids to have to go to school in L.A., so he says. His kids are home schooled anyways... I think there is more behind this story. When all is said and done, the Chargers end up with Mariota, who I personally think will end up being slightly better than Jameis Winston, especially under Mike McCoy's guidance.
3- Jax-Leonard Williams, DT USC- There is no denying that Williams is a top three pick, if it weren't for Winston And Mariota, he would probably all ready be gone. Leonard Williams is the ultra talented Lineman that the Jags desperately need.
4-Oakland-Amari Cooper, WR Alabama. I've had Cooper pegged here in almost everyone of my mocks for a reason. You could make an argument that Kevin White belongs here, but I think Cooper is a better fit for Oakland's system.
5-Washington-Dante Fowler, OLB U of Florida. In a fantasy world, the 'Skins would love to hit reset and pick Marcus Mariota, but in reality world, they need to keep what picks they still have, and address their other need, which is D-Line. Every other mock out there has Fowler going in the late 1st round to early 2nd round, but I beg to differ.
6-Jets-Brandon Scherff, OT Iowa. The rumor that has the Eagles trading up here to get Mariota is complete B.S. , and I have no idea why anyone is buying into it. well.. I kind of do seeing as the Jets are in dire need of QB, but I think they can get someone later in the draft. They have other needs that need to be addressed first.
7-Chicago-Kevin White, WR West Virginia. This is my first mock draft that doesn't have Danny Shelton going to Chicago. then again, my other mocks were made before Brandon Marhsall was surprisingly traded to the Jets. The Bears now need a second receiver to take the load off of Alshon Jeffrey and... Matt Forte?
8-Atlanta-Vic Beasley, OLB Clemson. I believe I've mentioned that Beasley should have been a 1st round pick last year, so I won't do it again... I strongly believe that a lot of teams are strictly looking at Beasley's injury/off the field past, and overlooking his true ability. The Falcons are getting a steal here!
9-Giants-Shane Ray, OLB Mizzou. Another steal here, Ray should already be gone, but I don't think he will be.
10-St.Louis-Trae Waynes, CB Michigan. Who the heck is Breshad Perriman?! before this week I didn't even know he existed. Waynes is clearly the Rams bigger need anyways.
11-Minnesota-Devante Parker, WR Louisville. Parker will be re united with Teddy Bridgewater, and before long, he will be his go to guy.
12-Cleveland-Danny Shelton, DT U of Wash. the Browns have many needs, and D-line is the biggest one. The main Reason Shelton is no longer in the top 10 discussion is because there are questions about his durability. That being said, when Shelton is on the field, Le'veon Bell and Jeremy Hill will have their hands full.
13-N'awlins-Randy Gregory, OLB Nebraska. Yes, I know, the Saints need a receiver. Don't worry, the Saints have another pick coming up. Here the Saints will be addressing their bigger need.
14-Miami-Breshad Perriman, WR UCF. I promise this will be my only "homer" pick. I am making this pick solely based on team need and potential. I have seen zero tape on Perriman, so I'm trusting Mel Kiper and Co.... there is plus here, Perriman will only have to travel from Orlando to Miami.
15-San Fran.-Arik Armstead, DT Oregon. I know longer see enough reason to keep Dorial Green-Beckham in the 1st round. Armstead is no slouch, though
16-Houston-Alvin "Bud" Dupree, OLB Kentucky. Watt plus Mercilus plus Dupree equals nightmare for all opponents! It's very hard to imagine Houston's defense getting better than it already is, but with Dupree on board, that is the case.
17-Tennessee [via S.D]-Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin. I can't really think of anything to say about Gordon that no one already knows... he put up all of those ridiculous numbers in college, which I think will translate into the NFL. Think of the situation he is in here, he'll start off in a time share with Bishop Sankey, who I think would be better as a third down/goal line back. Also, Gordon is a way better receiver than Sankey, so he'll get to see some important snaps, which in Tennessee will be often... I should point out that the fact that Gordon has lasted this long in the draft is a pretty big sign that there is A LOT of talent at all positions this year. Last year I had him as possibly a top 5 pick...
18-K.C.-Jaelan Strong, WR Arizona St. Jaelan Strong will certainly end the Chiefs' streak of inept receivers. He put up monster numbers at Arizona St. which will transfer in the NFL, especially in Andy Reid's system. The question is, can he stay healthy?
19- Seattle [via CLE/BUF]-Landon Collins, S Alabama. Here I have the Seahawks trading up to Cleveland's spot, which was acquired from Buffalo in last years draft. Landon Collins is with out a shadow of a doubt the most talented Safety in this years draft, hence why the Seahawks will move up 12 spots to get him. I think there is a chance that Collins will be the NFC D-ROY, that's how good he is!
20-Philly-P.J. Williams, CB Florida St. Here I have the Eagles staying put, we'll see if that is actually the case... in this situation, they end up with a top notch DB, who will make an immediate impact.
21-Cincy-Malcolm Brown, DT Texas. Brown's draft stock has been all over the place, I've mocked him as high as 3 and as low 32. That being said, I think Cincy is a good fit for him.
22- Pittsburgh-Kevin Johnson, CB Wake Forest. With Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor both gone via retirement, upgrading the Steelers' secondary is paramount! I'd love to put Marcus Peters here, but he has too many question marks.
23-Detroit-La'el Collins,OT LSU. In a division that has several talented D-Lineman, a big guy like Collins will help out a lot.
24-Arizona-Cedric Obughei, OT Texas A&M. Another guy that everyone else has ranked much lower. Obughei has the skills of a 1st round pick, his problem, and the reason he's ranked lower is because he's had injuries.
25-Carolina-D.J. Humphries, OT U of Florida. We're entering the part of the draft where their will be a run on talented O-lineman. Humphries, like Cedric Obughei is being ranked lower because of an injury history.
26-Baltimore-Marcus Peters, CB U of Wash. Peters could end up being the best DB in this years class. I've mentioned his past in my previous mocks.
27-Dallas-Jalen Collins, CB LSU. If the 'Boys don't get Adrian Peterson, there is a chance that this pick will be Todd Gurley. Dallas's two biggest needs are RB and DB. Collins would answer the latter concern.
28-Denver-Cameron Erving, OL Florida St. Cameron Erving is being listed as a Center, but he has experience at guard and tackle as well, and I think Denver might make him a rotational guy because of his skill set.
29-Indy-Andrus Peat, OT Stanford. Why not reunite Andrus Peat with his old QB? The Colts certainly could use an upgrade at tackle. Peat's stock has taken an unanswerable plunge. I originally had him pegged inside the top 10. That being said, he still has a 1st round pedigree.
30-Green Bay-Eli Harold, OLB Virginia. With Julius Peppers and A.J. Hawk out of the picture, the Packers must find upgrades, Harold is good start.
31-N'awlins [via N.E.]- Nelson Agholor, WR USC. The Patriots trading their 1st round pick?! What a shock! Essentially, "Vereen for Agholor does not sound bad at all". Agholor doesn't really do anything spectacular, but he is a model of consistency, which will bode well in the Saints offense.
32-Cleveland [via SEA/BUF]-Eddie Goldman, DT Florida St. Eddie Goldman had a very fine career for the Seminoles, which merits a 1st round grade. I already mocked Danny Shelton at number 12, but he is more of a Nose Tackle, and Goldman is an outside guy.
