Mike White’s Mock Draft (Post-Combine) Picks 17-32
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)
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
OLB/DE Damontre Moore Texas A&M
(Previous Pick: Cordarelle Patterson – WR)
The Steelers really need to address their rush linebacker position, and despite his poor combine showing, Moore’s experience in a 3-4 defense could make him enticing for Pittsburgh at 17. His numbers speak for themselves, so whatever worries the underwear Olympics may have uncovered, his tape says different.
18. Dallas Cowboys
SS Kenny Vaccaro Texas
(Previous Pick: Chance Warmack – OG)
In order to tag DE Anthony Spencer, the Cowboys had to make some cap space, so decided to cut Gerald Sensabaugh, their best safety from last year. Safety is now a key position, and while they may go after Glover Quin in free agency if they can afford him, nabbing Vaccaro, a Texas man, at this point in the draft could be a nice fit for Jerry Jones’ men.
19. New York Giants
LB Alec Ogletree Georgia
(Previous Pick: Manti Te’o – ILB)
Jerry Reese has said that the linebacking corps needs to be upgraded, and has already let Chase Blackburn and Keith Rivers go. Although Ogletree’s off-field issues could be offputting, the Giants know a talent when they see one, and this guy’s tape jumps out and pokes you in the eyes.
20. Chicago Bears
OT DJ Fluker Alabama
(Previous Pick: Jonathan Cooper – OG)
The Bears really need some first-round calibre talent on their offensive line, and in DJ Fluker, they would be getting a perennial starter at RT. He’s a road-grader of a lineman who is solid as a rock, especially in the run game.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
WR Tavon Austin WVU
(Previous Pick: Kenny Vaccaro – S)
This was a really tough pick to look at, as with Vaccaro gone, the Bengals’ no.1 target is off their board. One thing that Cincinnati could do with is a short/intermediate target for Andy Dalton to take the pressure off him and AJ Green. Imagine Tavon Austin’s speed and explosive playmaking ability in this offense. He could line up in the backfield and make plays too. A fascinating option.
22. St Louis Rams (from Washington)
WR Keenan Allen California
(Previous Pick: No Change)
Danny Amendola was not re-signed, so the Rams will want to add another receiver. I have a feeling they might prefer to add a veteran, but with the way this draft pans out, Keenan Allen may present too much value to pass on.
23. Minnesota Vikings
DT Star Lotulelei Utah
(Previous Pick: Johnathan Hankins – DT)
Even with his heart issues, I am disappointed not to slot Star earlier, but one thing is for sure, if he gets to 23, that will be the furthest Lotulelei will fall. At his best, he is a premier disruptive force at the point of the defense and fills a huge need for the Vikings
24. Indianapolis Colts
DT Sylvester Williams North Carolina
(Previous Pick: DJ Fluker – OT)
A quick, strong nose tackle for the Colts to rebuild their 3-4 defense around. Williams will have to be more consistently good in the NFL, but a pre-season camp will show him how to do that, and he could be a solid pick for Indy.
25. Seattle Seahawks
DE Bjoern Werner Florida St.
(Previous Pick: Terrance Williams – WR)
As the wide receiver class is deep this year, Pete Carroll may wait for one, but he will want to make sure that if Chris Clemons goes down again, the Seahawks’ pass rush doesn’t disappear. Werner is a solid player who teams are wildly split on, but I think the Seahawks will be enticed by good first-step quickness and production. His good ability against the run will help too as there is the possibility of him sliding inside at times.
26. Green Bay Packers
TE Tyler Eifert Notre Dame
(Previous Pick: Zach Ertz – TE)
Even if Jermichael Finley stays, the Pack have lost a receiving option, and they could go with the best TE in the draft rather than the 4th best WR. Green Bay could use 2 TE sets like the Patriots do in this scenario.
27. Houston Texans
LB Kevin Minter LSU
(Previous Pick: No Change)
Minter would be a valuable addition to this Texans defense, as their main need is at the inside linebacker position. Minter got away with an average combine showing as Manti Te’o took the limelight, but on the field, the LSU man is a leader and a playmaker that the Texans would love to draft.
28. Denver Broncos
DT Johnathan Hankins Ohio St.
(Previous Pick: John Jenkins – DT)
The Broncos are losing their starting tackles in free agency, so they will have to fill this spot as a matter of priority. Hankins didn’t test very well, but his tape shows you a space-eating, disruptive force at the point of the defense, and John Fox wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on a player like this at 28.
29. New England Patriots
DE Tank Carradine Florida St.
(Previous Pick: DeAndre Hopkins – WR)
I’m pretty sure that, with only five picks in the draft this year, Bill Belichick will be actively shopping his picks, but if the Pats were to pick here, they would love the value of a player who, before getting injured, was a top 10 shoe-in. Carradine is a violent, explosive pass-rusher and Bjoern Werner was his understudy at Florida St. The Pats’ front office loves value, and this is huge value in a position of need, allowing Rob Ninkovich to replace Brandon Spikes in the linebacker rotation on passing downs.
30. Atlanta Falcons
DE Datone Jones UCLA
(Previous Pick: Sam Montgomery – DE)
The Falcons are struggling on defense after contracts expired and players were released, so they will be looking to upgrade on this side of the ball. Datone Jones is a prospect with a bit of buzz around him at the moment, and brings pass-rush ability that Atlanta would struggle to pass on at this point.
31. San Francisco 49’ers
S Jonathan Cyprien Florida Int.
(Previous Pick: Matt Elam – S)
Cyprien jumps Elam in this draft, but this is a very nice spot for the Niners to upgrade their safeties, especially considering Dashon Goldson looks to be on his way out of SF. A lot of teams really like Cyprien and he could end up going higher than this when all is said and done.
32. Baltimore Ravens
DT John Jenkins Georgia
(Previous Pick: Alec Ogletree – LB)
The brass in Baltimore have said that their priority is to upgrade the middle of the defense, everyone instantly thinks that would mean ILB, but they have to replace the departing Ma’ake Kemoeatu at nose tackle as Terrence Cody has been useless. Jenkins is a massive load at the front of the defense, and could be a big upgrade if Coach Harbaugh can get him going 100% on every play.
