With the Super Bowl over and the draft order finally set, pending compensatory picks of course, it’s time for Mock Draft 2.0. The two rounds will be split onto separate pages so there’s no loading issues.
As a general disclaimer, know up front this is a very fluid process and things will change, likely dramatically, with workouts, interviews, and veteran Free Agency.
If you have any comments or thoughts shoot them my way @Reed_StephenT on Twitter.
Round 1
1. Houston Texans
Blake Bortles – QB – Central Florida
Reports are coming out the Texans are deciding between Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel with this pick. Since I’m not predicting trades in this mock, I’m sticking with my gut here that HC Bill O’Brien takes the QB that best fits his system. I just don’t see Johnny Football staying in Texas.
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)
Greg Robinson – OT – Auburn
Yes, I’m aware Jeff Fischer has never selected an offensive lineman in the first round. However, I don’t see Fischer taking a QB here either, although it would allow the Rams to move on from the failed Sam Bradford experiment. Robinson allows the Rams to use him at RT until Jake Long either retires or is cut.
Previous Pick: Sammy Watkins – WR – Clemson
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jadaveon Clowney – DE – South Carolina
The Jaguars need a QB. But Gus Bradley also knows you have to hit the QB if you want to win in this league. Clowney gives Jacksonville a pass rush presence to go after Andrew Luck for the next decade.
4. Cleveland Browns
Johnny Manziel – QB – Texas A&M
I still don’t know why there is so much love for Johnny Football. He’s a great scrambler but had accuracy issues. Cleveland would be wise to draft him from simply a marketing standpoint though. Ultimately, the NFL is a business and Johnny Football will sell.
5. Oakland Raiders
Teddy Bridgewater – QB – Louisville
Again, I have my favorite QB in this draft falling to Oakland at pick 5. The Raiders are trying to rebuild their franchise and the best way to do that is with arguably the best QB in the draft.
6. Atlanta Falcons
Anthony Barr – DE/OLB – UCLA
Atlanta’s defense could not pressure the QB at all this past season. Best way to remedy that is the take the top pass rusher in the draft.
Previous Pick: Jake Matthews – OT – Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jake Matthews – OT – Texas A&M
While OT isn’t a huge need for Tampa Bay, it’s hard to pass on one of the best prospects in the draft. Matthews constitutes an instant upgrade whether he’s used at rig or left tackle.
Previous Pick: Greg Robinson – OT – Auburn
8. Minnesota Vikings
Khalil Mack – LB – Buffalo
I’m fairly convinced new HC Mike Zimmer will take the best defensive player available with this pick. Mack is a legitimate LB prospect that makes plays all over the field.
Previous Pick: Anthony Barr – OLB – UCLA
9. Buffalo Bills
Sammy Watkins – WR – Clemson
Buffalo needs a WR1 for 2nd year QB E.J. Manuel to throw to. Watkins is hands down the best WR in this draft and would instantly upgrade the Bills offense.
Previous Pick: Khalil Mack – LB – Buffalo
10. Detroit Lions
Justin Gilbert – CB – Oklahoma State
Gilbert is probably the best pure corner in this draft. Detroit desperately needs help in the secondary so this pick just makes sense.
Previous Pick: Darqueze Dennard – CB – Michigan State
11. Tennessee Titans
Taylor Lewan – OT – Michigan
I still think it’s more likely than not the Titans go with Lewan here to protect QB Jake Locker. Tennessee could realistically target a CB here with Verner possibly leaving in free agency.
12. New York Giants
C.J. Mosley – LB – Alabama
With all the needs the Giants have throughout their roster, they have the luxury of going with the best player available. In this scenario, that’s Mosley. He can help steer a rudderless defense.
13. St. Louis Rams
Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix – S – Alabama
St. Louis could go a number of directions here but my guess is they take Clinton-Dix with this selection. The Rams have a legit defensive line and sorely need a playmaker in the secondary.
14. Chicago Bears
Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
The Bears need to solidify the interior of their defensive line. Jernigan gives them a strong DT that is active and could put pressure up into opposing QBs faces.
Previous Pick: Stephon Tuitt – DE – Notre Dame
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Marquise Lee – WR – Southern California
Pittsburgh will likely lose two top WRs in recent years. It makes sense to give Big Ben a weapon to keep defenses from completely focusing on WR Antonio Brown.
Previous Pick: Justin Gilbert – CB – Oklahoma State
16. Baltimore Ravens (pending coin toss)
Mike Evans – WR – Texas A&M
I’m still shocked in how much Anquan Bolden meant to the Baltimore Ravens. Evans has a similar size and skill set as Bolden but is not nearly as finished.
17. Dallas Cowboys (pending coin toss)
Stephon Tuitt – DE/DT – Notre Dame
For some reason Dallas is sticking with Monte Kiffin. Tuitt gives them a penetrating DT that can make plays in the backfield. When Kiffin is let go and Dallas goes back to the 3-4, Tuitt has the size and ability to jump outside as a DE.
Previous Pick: Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
18. New York Jets
Eric Ebron – TE – North Carolina
Jets QB Geno Smith needs a blanket, a safety blanket. Ebron gives Smith and the Jets offense a go to guy in the Red Zone. He’s a big, athletic target in the Jimmy Graham mold.
Previous Pick: Marquise Lee – WR – Southern California
19. Miami Dolphins
Zach Martin – OL – Notre Dame
This seems to be the most obvious choice out of any in this draft. That being said, Miami will likely go in a completely different direction. Martin gives Miami versatility along the line as he can play both G and T.
20. Arizona Cardinals
Cyrus Kouandjio – OT – Alabama
Kouandjio gives Arizona a huge body to man their RT spot initially, and possibly switch to the left side like another former Crimson Tide player, D.J. Fluker.
21. Green Bay Packers
Louis Nix III – NT – Notre Dame
Green Bay may lose B.J. Raji, and his dancing skills, this offseason. Nix provides a young replacement who can eat up blockers and allow Clay Matthews to run free again.
Previous Pick: Eric Ebron – TE – North Carolina
22. Philadelphia Eagles
Calvin Pryor – S – Louisville
The Eagles secondary was incredibly inconsistent this past season. Pryor is a smart, instinctive player who can roam center field but isn’t afraid to come in and make a hit.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Kelvin Benjamin – WR – Louisiana State
Kansas City needs a consistent WR opposite Dwayne Bowe. Benjamin may not be that guy but he’s possibly the most talented of the WRs left available.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Darqueze Dennard – CB – Michigan State
One of the few holes on the Bengals is in the secondary. Dennard gives them a physical corner that will jam WRs off their routes and give their defensive line more time to get to the QB.
Previous Pick: Kony Ealy – DE – Missourri
25. San Diego Chargers
Ra’Shede Hageman – DT – Minnesota
Hageman is a big, big man. San Diego needs to get a legitimate NT to run their 3-4 defense. With Nix gone, Hageman becomes the next best option.
Previous Pick: Louis Nix III – DT – Notre Dame
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)
David Yankey – OL – Stanford
Cleveland solidifies the interior of their offensive line by taking the best G available, and some would argue the best G in the draft. Yankey is smart, physical, and will be a great addition to the Browns.
27. New Orleans Saints
Kony Ealy – DE/OLB – Missourri
Ealy provides DC Rob Ryan an athletic freak that has a knack for rushing the passer. New Orleans hasn’t had a strong defense in years! Just think if Drew Bree’s gets even one extra possession a game.
Previous Pick: Ryan Shazier – LB – Ohio State
28. Carolina Panthers
Allen Robinson – WR – Penn State
Steve Smith can’t play forever and QB Cam Newton needs a WR to throw the ball up to. Robinson is a big WR that consistently made plays at Penn State with no quality at QB.
Previous Pick: Jason Verrett – CB – Texas Christian
29. New England Patriots
Jace Amaro – TE – Texas Tech
New England needs another TE to run their traditional two TE sets. Amaro put up great numbers at Texas Tech with solid hands and catch radius.
30. San Francisco 49ers
Odell Beckham Jr. – WR – Louisiana State
The 49ers don’t have many issues, but Beckham Jr. solves an issue for the 49ers, a solid long-term complement to Michael Crabtree. Beckham Jr. consistently made plays at LSU whenever he had the ball.
Previous Pick: Lamarcus Joyner – DB – Florida State
31. Denver Broncos
Jason Verrett – CB – Texas Christian
Denver May lose both of their starting CBs this offseason, Chamo Bailey through retirement and Rodgers-Cromartie through free agency. It makes sense to take a CB to replace at least one of these two.
Previous Pick: Marcus Roberson – CB – Florida
32. Seattle Seahawks
Austin Seferian-Jenkins – TE – Washington
The most complete roster in the NFL only has a few chinks in their armor. Seferian-Jenkins gives Russell Wilson a consistent outlet option when he scrambles out of the pocket.
Previous Pick: Odell Beckham Jr. – WR – Louisiana State
True Blue Fans 
Hey Stephen!
Another good mock.
Couple of things as it relates to both the Colts & Saints.
First, I like the pick for Indy…..another wideout would be great as Reggie gets set to ride off into the sunset soon. Not so sure that we go wideout over a defensive guy in the 2014 draft, but if we do, Matthews isn’t a bad choice. If Vontae Davis isn’t re-signed ( I’m quite sure he will) then CB is a huge priority. DE, DT and OLB are big concerns as well.
For New Orleans, it all hinges on the off-season machinations by GM Loomis. Jimmy Graham is the top priority, but the Saints are hurting right now at CB, and they may end up with no Center (starter OR backup) if they lose de la Puente to free agency – which is very likely. Also, with starting ROT Streif a possible loss to free agency, they’d have huge holes there as well, because LOT Charles Brown might not return.
So that leaves the Saints with 2-year vet Terron Armstead as starting LOT and no backup, a backup at ROT, 2 starters and 1 backup for the 2 OG positions, and no Center.
Thus, if the Saints lose those gentleman to free agency moves, multiple offensive linemen must either be drafted or signed in free agency. And the non-cap friendly situation in New Orleans makes multiple signings of veteran FA’s a bit problematic. Likely one could be snagged in free agency (a veteran Center would be most likely, if one can be found at a reasonable price) and then draft two other OL.
Rick