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R1 Pick 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Marcus Mariota-QB Oregon
The Bucs have a legit option at WR and now need someone to get Mike Evans the ball. Josh McCown is not the answer and we saw what Evans can do in the scramble drill at A & M. With Mariota’s ability to extend plays when he has to, Evans could flourish next year. When your picking number one in the draft you have to take a QB if there is one that COULD be a franchise changer like Mariota.
R1 Pick 2 Tennessee Titans
Leonard Williams-DE/DT USC
This is a tricky spot here, I think Winston could be the pick but I’m not sure that the Titans are ready to give up on Mettenburger and he might stay in school. If one the two QB prospects don’t sell themselves as the answer they will go with a pass rusher. Williams is my top DE/DT and can play the run as well as the pass. He is also a tough gritty player who has shown he can play through pain and injuries. He translates well to a 4-3 DE and can slide into the middle for 4-3 teams with their speed packages.
R1 Pick 3 Jacksonville Jaguars
Randy Gregory-DE Nebraska
The Jags could maybe go with a guy like Cooper here to get a stud for Bortles, but it’s a little early and any of the OTs. The Jags will continue to build on the defense and take an edge rusher that can get after the QB. In a division that only has one franchise QB, getting pressure can win you games. Gregory is the perfect fit for Gus Bradley’s defense as the LEO* position.
*LEO position splits speed rusher at the 5 or 7 technique, need speedy player for this i.e. Gregory, Mingo, Dion Jordan types
R1 Pick 4 Oakland Raiders
Amari Cooper-WR Alabama
The Raiders need help with interior pass rush badly, but they can’t take one this high it would be foolish from a value standpoint. Derek Carr has looked good this year, so getting him a weapon is their next biggest need. Amari Cooper is a stud, and a near can’t miss prospect from the WR position. They can address the pass rush with their next pick, this class is deep.
R1 Pick 5 Washington Redskins
Brandon Scherff-OT Iowa
The Redskins could go with Winston here if Jay Gruden gets his way, but I think RG3 will get one more year. They gave up so much to get him they almost have too. They need to protect RG3 to really see what he can do, Scherff is good in the run and passing game and can play Guard right now if they need him too. He steamrolls people in the Run game and is an above average pass protector. That’s what the Redskins need, give the ball to Alfred Morris and let RG3 benefit from some play-action passes.
R1 Pick 6 New York Jets
Jameis Winston-QB FSU
Geno Smith is not the answer at QB and if Marrone left Buffalo because they didn’t have a QB, he’s going to want one (I think he lands the coachig gig here). If one of the two top QBs is staring him in the face at 5 he’ll run to the podium.
Jameis no doubt can play the position on the field and has the killer instinct. Can he handle the distractions off the field of the NFL? That’s the real question, his INTs have been way up this year but I see that as him pressing. Winston to the big apple, there will be fireworks one way or another. He has all the tools to be an NFL QB, but is he willing to put in the work to become great? That’s where the real questions lie, windows get smaller in the NFL so your reads have to be second nature and instinct.
R1 Pick 7 Chicago Bears
Shane Ray-DE/OLB Missouri
The Bears defense has more holes in it then your grandma’s pin cushion. They will take the BPA on defense for sure this year again. Ray can get after the passer and in a division with Rodgers, Stafford, and now Teddy B they will need to do that to win. He’s an ideal fit for a 4-3 DE and edge rusher. He has violent hands and attempts to play the run. He is a special prospect, but he has some boom or bust potential.
R1 Pick 8 Atlanta Falcons
Vic Beasley-DE Clemson
The Atlanta pass rush is so bad they need all the help they can get. They couldn’t get to the QB at all this year, Beasley will help with that.
Beasley will need to add some weight to help in the run game he’s not that strong at the point of attack (POA). He can use his speed and be an edge rusher for them and as he adds weight he can turn into a 3 down player. His first step is great so he can turn the corner on the best of OT. He can play OLB or DE for the Falcons.
R1 Pick 9 New York Giants
La’el Collins-OT LSU
When Eli has time to throw he has shown he can win a Super Bowl. When he doesn’t have time he leads the league in INTs. The Giants need to go back to winning in the trenches.
Collins is my top run blocking prospect; he is a road grater. He has gotten much better in the passing game this year and could end up the best OT that comes out of this class. He can slide in to a Guard spot if Beatty and Pugh hold the tackle spots. Pugh has struggled at RT so whoever wins that spot the other can ply Guard until Beatty moves on. La’el Collins will need to work on staying back on his feet a bit, he can get on his toes and overextend at times.
R1 Pick 10 St. Louis Rams
Ronnie Stanley-OT Notre Dame
How many times did Rams QBs get hurt this year, for that matter how many injuries has Bradford had in his career? The Rams need to get better up front for whoever is the QB next year. With both of the potential franchise QBs off the board they go with someone to protect the QB.
Stanley will shoot up board this year much like Zack Martin did last year. He is a smart player who uses his hands well to pass protect and is versatile to play multiple spots.
R1 Pick 11 Minnesota Vikings
Shaq Thompson-OLB Washington
If I know Mike Zimmer I know he’s going to follow the same strategy that they used with the Bengals to build that roster. Take BPA every time no matter what. My feeling is that he goes with Thomson because of that.
Thompson is a true 3 down LB that can cover, blitz and is a sure tackler. Zimmer will get the most out of him as well.
R1 Pick 12 Cleveland Browns
Devante Parker-WR Louisville
The Browns need a WR badly and after seeing how Josh Gordon has become friends with JFF who knows if he will be back next year either.
Parker is a special talent and has just begun his assent. He has good hands and great size and is one of the best at the stutter step toe drag. It’s a deceptive move that causes many missed tackles over the middle. He also has great waste bend to allow him to locate the ball easily on downfield route, improving his catch radius. Below is an example of the toe drag, notice the black pieces of turf that fly up.
R1 Pick 13 New Orleans Saints
Trae Waynes-CB Michigan State
The Saints will likely make their first three picks on the defensive side of the field. They need pass rushers, but that group is deep, so they may wait for later value. They also need CBs badly, especially ones that can tackle and play the run. Waynes can do that and would be an instant starter for them. He’s very similar to Darquese Dennard that came out last year but he’s better at staying in the hip pocket “in phase” defending and less handsy/grabby. He will be a solid starter and will bring some toughness to that squad.
R1 Pick 14 Miami Dolphins
Kevin White-WR West Virginia
The Dolphins need to add some help and a red zone option for Tannehill. Mike Wallace has been a disappointment and quit on the team, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is cut.
Kevin White isn’t fastest guy in the world, but he is definitely fast enough to get behind defenders and let Tannehill sling it deep. He is a great red zone option and win a lot of 50/50 balls with his good combination of size and leaping ability.
R1 Pick 15 San Fransisco 49ers
Marcus Peters-CB Washington
The niners were an incredible disappointment this year, they need major help in the secondary and to replace some of the aging defensive front. Peters is the best CB in the class from a talent perspective, but his issues with the Washington coaching staff will have him slide a bit. There are lots of rumors on what did and did not happen and I’m sure teams will dig around and make their judgement. The niners are not too big on character concerns as you can see with their recent issues, so I think this could be a landing spot.
R1 Pick 16 Houston Texans
Landon Collins-S Alabama
The Texans could go CB or WR here but the best value is at Safety. They have Daniel Manning at safety and DJ Swearinger is cheap shot away from missing time every season.
Collins is good in coverage for a strong safety, that really will help them in the running game too. If his shoulder checks out and he doesn’t have major damage after the game vs OSU he’s a great value here. Teams will reall have trouble with this Houston defense with there strong pass rush and Collins protecting the middle.
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