Mike White’s Mock Draft (Post-Combine) Picks 1-16
After what many call the “underwear Olympics” in Indianapolis, the draft stocks of many players have risen and fallen, some to a larger degree than others, and now the franchise tag deadline has passed, so we know a little more about the type of player each team will be looking for in free agency and the draft. As this month passes, and pro-days are conducted, scouts will be getting their last chance to evaluate these prospects and, to use a Mayock-ism, ‘bang the table’ on a player they like for their team.
So who could be going where? Here’s my Mock V2.
(1st Round only – No unconfirmed trades)
1. Kansas City Chiefs
OT Luke Joeckel Texas A&M
(Previous Pick: No Change)
Chiefs’ OT Branden Albert got tagged. This threw all mock drafters (including me) into wild panic and confusion. It was widely presumed that KC would take the less expensive and possibly more talented Joeckel instead. So what’s left? Well, like I said before, the Chiefs may well look to trade down, but who wants to hop to number one in a draft that has no real consensus A*/no.1/franchise pick in it? NB: I really don’t like this pick any more, but GM and HC said they would pick the best player on their board at no. 1.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
OLB/DE Dion Jordan Oregon
(Previous Pick: Star Lotulelei – DT)
After the discovery of Lotulelei’s heart issue, his stock slips until there is a definitive answer from the doctors. The Jags need to add on defense, and need a tone-setter. I find it hard to see them adding a corner at 2, and with a deep DT class, they could go for the best defensive player in the draft in my opinion. Gus Bradley said he intends to build his team on speed, and drafting Jordan, who can pass rush, run stop, cover and lead, would certainly do that!
3. Oakland Raiders
DT Sharrif Floyd Florida
(Previous Pick: No Change)
The Raiders need quality defensive players, especially at DT, and who better to add than the undersized, but hugely explosive Floyd who will undoubtedly make plays in the NFL. There have been rumours that the Raiders are drumming up interest in QB Geno Smith with a view to trading down, which is certainly a
possibility considering their long list of needs.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
OT Eric Fisher Central Michigan
(Previous Pick: No Change)
Fisher’s excellent combine put him on a par with Joeckel in the mind of some scouts, his athleticism isn’t enough to leapfrog the Texas A&M man, but that’s fine for Chip Kelly, whose offensive system needs mobile linemen.
5. Detroit Lions
CB Dee Milliner Alabama
(Previous Pick: Damontre Moore – DT)
After Moore’s horrid combine and many rumours circulating, the Lions get the player they were hoping for. Dee Milliner showed he was the best corner in the draft at the combine and would immediately upgrade Detroit’s secondary.
6. Cleveland Browns
OLB/DE Ezekiel Ansah BYU
(Previous Pick: Jarvis Jones – OLB/DE)
Jones’ health concerns finally take their toll on his draft stock, and Michael Lombardi, as a student of the Parcells/Belichick style on defense, goes for a big rush linebacker to fit in the 3-4. But this big man is an athletic freak, and has real potential to blossom into something special judging by his combine performance. Ansah does bring some bust potential however.
7. Arizona Cardinals
QB Matt Barkley USC
(Previous Pick: Dion Jordan – OLB/DE)
As both of the top offensive tackles and pass rushers are off the board, the Cards could pull the trigger on their QB of the future. This is undoubtedly a reach, but reports coming out of AZ say that the coaches and front office fell in love with Matt Barkley at interview, and the draft is deep enough on the offensive line to address that later. There are tools already in Arizona, and I have a sneaky feeling that Barkley could be a success with Fitz and co. to throw to.
8. Buffalo Bills
QB Geno Smith WVU
(Previous Pick: No Change)
Bills’ GM Buddy Nix is breathing a sigh of relief in this scenario as he wanted Smith from the start, and thought he may have had to trade up to get him (which he may have to do in April!) Nix has said he wants a new franchise QB as he knows Ryan Fitzpatrick just is not good enough, and is desperate enough to pull the trigger at 8.
9. New York Jets
OLB/DE Jarvis Jones Georgia
(Previous Pick: Bjoern Werner – DE)
This could be anyone for the Jets, but with the situation they are in with so many needs, it has to be a case of the top player on their board. Jones’ spinal stenosis could give teams pause before selecting him, but he is such a polished talent at a premier position, the Jets have to risk it, especially after cutting half their linebackers, including Calvin Pace.
10. Tennessee Titans
OG Chance Warmack Alabama
(Previous Pick: Dee Milliner – CB)
The Titans need to give Jake Locker and Chris Johnson the best possible opportunity to produce, and although it may not be a ‘sexy’ pick for Tennessee, Warmack’s presence on the interior will be massive for this team. He’s possibly the most polished, NFL-ready prospect in this whole draft, he slips to 10 simply because there is no premiuim on a guard.
11. San Diego Chargers
OT Lane Johnson Oklahoma
(Previous Pick: Barkevious Mingo – DE/OLB)
Philip Rivers is still a very good QB, and the new brass in San Diego have to help him with better protection and better receivers. It starts here with Johnson, who has sky-high upside with his ridiculous athleticism for a tackle. His combine performance just further raised his stock and the Chargers would be delighted to have him at 11.
12. Miami Dolphins
CB Xavier Rhodes Florida St.
(Previous Pick: Jonathan Banks – CB)
Banks’ stock dropped like a stone after a poor combine showing speed-wise. The Dolphins tagged DT Randy Starks, so can wait on that position in a deep draft, but the possible departures of CB Sean Smith, WR Brian Hartline and OT Jake Long leaves big holes. The Phins are more likely to splash on a WR in free agency, so their priority could be at corner. Rhodes’ strong combine answered a lot of questions and has catapulted him into consideration as the second corner off the board.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Desmond Trufant Washington
(Previous Pick: Xavier Rhodes – CB)
The Bucs are gutted in this scenario that the Phins took Rhodes, so they could consider trading down, but their need for a top drawer corner is too big to pass on, and the word ‘value’ may not matter at all. Trufant could be the best pure cover corner in the draft, and with good size and speed, looks a pretty safe prospect, even if 13 is high for him.
14. Carolina Panthers
DT Sheldon Richardson Missouri
(Previous Pick: No Change)
This would be a nice pick for the DT needy Panthers, and Richardson’s stock has risen after Star Lotulelei’s heart issues. He can do everything needed in a 4-3 defense like Carolina’s and could grow into a top player.
15. New Orleans Saints
OLB/DE Barkevious Mingo LSU
(Previous Pick: Ezekiel Ansah – DE)
The Saints have quite a few needs on the defensive side of the ball, but in their 3-4, they only have Cam Jordan to play on the outside, so Mingo would be a good fit here, and his huge athletic potential could outweigh worries about his production.
16. St Louis Rams
OG Jonathan Cooper North Carolina
(Previous Pick: Lane Johnson – OT)
The athletic ability, quality and versatility of Cooper would be too good for St. Louis to pass up here, and after Jeff Fisher defended Sam Bradford by savaging his O-line, expect this to be a priority for the Rams. Cooper’s versatility will help across an injury prone line, but this Combine star could be one of many upgrades to Bradford’s line this offseason.
