Saturday, June 7, 2014

2015 NFL Mock Draft

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) - Jameis Winston (QB/Florida State)



If the Bucs are picking here, then you can guarantee that they are looking for a signal caller next year. Winston will only be a redshirt sophomore, but after winning a National Championship and a Heisman Trophy, what else does he really have left to prove in college?

Winston could help turn the Bucs into immediate contenders. Mike Glennon is not a starting-caliber quarterback and Josh McCown is only a temporary solution.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) - Randy Gregory (DE/Nebraska)



Jacksonville took their quarterback of the future in Blake Bortles, but the team still has a void in the pass rush. The Jaguars finished dead last in the league in sacks last season and Jason Babin, who led the team in sacks, just turned 34. The team will look for an upgrade to the position early next season.

3. Minnesota Vikings (5-11) - Shilque Calhoun (DE/Michigan State)



Minnesota drafted Anthony Barr last offseason, but if they want to dethrone Aaron Rodgers, they will need more guys who can take down the quarterback. Calhoun has 7.5 sacks last season as well at 14 tackles for loss.

4. Cleveland Browns (7-9) - Amari Cooper (WR/Alabama)



Cleveland acquired this pick from Buffalo from the 2014 Draft. The top player available at this spot, Cooper could be the final piece to the offensive puzzle in Cleveland and help Johnny Manziel succeed.

5. Oakland Raiders (5-11) - P.J. Williams (CB/Florida State)



Oakland would like Cooper, but if he is already taken, they will need to fill other needs. The Raiders took D.J. Hayden in 2012, but the team still needs more help in their secondary.

6. New York Jets (6-10) - Marcus Mariota (QB/Oregon)



If the Jets are picking this high, then the team will clean house. Geno Smith is not a NFL quarterback, but luckily for New York, this year's draft class is deep in signal callers. Mariota is in the running for the top overall selection.

7. Arizona Cardinals (6-10) - Bryce Petty (QB/Baylor)



Carson Palmer played well last season, but he turns 35 at the end of the year and expected the team to bring in a young signal caller for him to mentor. The Cardinals balked at that in last year's draft, but should take a quarterback next year.

8. Tennessee Titans (6-10) - Brett Hundley (QB/UCLA)



Tennessee declined Jake Locker's fifth-year option and brought in Ken Wisenhunt during this offseason. If the Titans fail to win, or if Locker proves again that he can't stay healthy, the team will look for a new franchise quarterback.

9. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) - Cedric Ogbuehi (OT/Texas A&M)


Eric Fisher had a poor rookie season, but even if he did play well, the team still needs another tackle after losing Branden Albert.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-9) - Nelson Agholor (WR/USC)



Pittsburgh lost their deep-threat presence when Mike Wallace went to Miami last year. The Steelers will need to find another receiver to line up across from Antonio Brown.

11. Washington Redskins (7-9) - Landon Collins (S/Alabama)



Brandon Merriweather is one of the league's most overrated players. He doesn't cover well and looks for big hits instead of trying to wrap up and secure tackles. Washington will need to upgrade the safety position in the immediate future.

12. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) - Leonard Williams (DE/USC)



Atlanta needed a pass rusher in the 2014 Draft, but were stuck taking a tackle instead. Osi Umenyiora played well last year, but there were no other reliable pass rush options on the team and he turns 33 in November.

13. St. Louis Rams (7-9) - Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB/Oregon)



St. Louis cut Cortland Finnegan during the offseason but never got a replacement for him. Ekpre-Olomu would line up well across from Janoris Jenkins.

14. Cleveland Browns (7-9) - Andrus Peat (OT/Stanford)



Cleveland has the league's best left tackle in Joe Thomas, but there's a void on the right side. Peat, the top player available, can fill this void.

15. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) - Cameron Erving (OT/Florida State)



Andrew Whitworth will be in his contract year in 2015 and turns 33 in December. Cincinnati may look to cut him and save money in the offseason. If the do, finding a new tackle will be necessary.

16. Miami Dolphins (8-8) - Todd Gurley (RB/Georgia)



Knowshon Moreno signed with Miami this offseason, but he is only on a one-year pact. If Moreno bolts again in the offseason, they will likely look to one of the top backs available in the draft.

17. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) - Ronald Darby (CB/Florida State)



Philadelphia's secondary has been a weak point of their roster over the past two seasons. IF they want to become serious contenders, they will need to find a way to address this situation.

18. Detroit Lions (8-8) - Jalen Collins (CB/LSU)



Detroit's secondary has been an area of concern for some time now. The Lions have the talent to challenge teams in their division, but if they expect to be legitimate contenders, they need to bolster their pass defense.

19. Chicago Bears (9-7) - Devonte Fields (OLB/TCU)



The Bears signed Jared Allen, but he is 32. The Bears will need to find a young pass rusher to groom and play alongside Shea McClellin.

20. New York Giants (9-7) - Vic Beasley (OLB/Clemson)



The Giants have always been a team who has built their defense through the pass rush. Beasley is very talented and has a great motor, however, he is very undersized for his position.

21. San Diego Chargers (8-8) - Dante Fowler (DE/Florida)



Melvin Ingram played well after recovering from a torn ACL, but San Diego would benefit from having another pass rusher on board.

22. Houston Texans (9-7) - La'El Collins (OT/LSU)



Houston needs an upgrade at right tackle after letting Eric Winston walk last year. Collins, one of the top players available, fills a need at this juncture.

23. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) - Ray Drew (DT/Georgia)



Henry Melton was signed to shore up the team's poor run defense, but he was signed for just one season and is coming off an ACL tear. If the team does not exercise their team option on Melton next season, they will need to find a new guy to man the middle.

24. Green Bay Packers (10-6) - KeiVarae Russell (CB/Notre Dame)



Green Bay's secondary has been an issue for several seasons now, but the team ignored the position until the sixth round in the 2014 Draft. If their pass defense suffers, they will seek an upgrade early next year.

25. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - Jaelen Strong (WR/Arizona State)



Baltimore signed Steve Smith, but at age 35, he has almost nothing left in the tank. Joe Flacco needs another receiving option across from Torrey Smith in 2015.

26. New Orleans Saints (10-6) - T.J. Yeldon (RB/Alabama)



New Orleans did not pick up Mike Ingram's option and Darren Sproles was jettisoned to Philadelphia in the offseason. If the team lets Ingram walk, another running back will be sought after.

27. New England Patriots (12-4) - Hroniss Grasu (C/Oregon)



Another player who falls into New England's laps. Grasu would serve as an immediate upgrade to the Patriots offensive line.

28. San Francisco 49ers (11-5) - Trae Waynes (CB/Michigan State)



Carlos Rogers was released, but the 49ers waited until the end of the fourth round to draft someone to replace him. I doubt they wait as long in 2015.

29. Carolina Panthers (10-6) - Brandon Scherff (OT/Iowa)



Pro Bowler Jordan Gross retired this offseason and the team never searched for a replacement. If the team struggles covering Cam Newton, then the Panthers will look to fix this next season.

30. Denver Broncos (12-4) - Noah Spence (DE/Ohio State)



Denver put a lot of money into upgrading their defense this offseason, but adding a young pass rusher could be a luxury they could afford as well. Spence could learn a lot from Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.

31. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - Melvin Gordon (RB/Wisconsin)



Seattle will have to negotiate a new contract for Russell Wilson next offseason and have just extended Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. With other players commanding a pay raise next year and beyond, the team may be forced to cut Marshawn Lynch in order to create cap space.

32. Indianapolis Colts (13-3) - Tre Jackson (G/Florida State)



The Colts interior offensive line is a liability on this team that needs and upgrade. Phil Costa was signed this offseason, but retired a month later.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Final 2014 MLB Mock Draft

1. Houston Astros - Carlos Rondon (LHP/North Carolina State)


Houston is mulling between Rondon, Brady Aiken and Alex Jackson, but of the three, Rondon is the top player. The only thing that could hold them back, however, is his asking price. Rondon and 2013 first overall pick Mark Appel could be solid top-of-the-rotation starters in Houston.

2. Miami Marlins - Michael Conforto (OF/Oregon State)


Pitching has been heavily linked to Miami with this pick, but their farm system is top-heavy on arms and doesn't offer much bat-wise. Don't be surprised if they go for offense instead.

3. Chicago White Sox - Tyler Kolek (Shepper HS TX)


With a fastball that tops at 97 MPH, Kolek has been in talks for the top pick in the draft. Chicago, who has one of the league's worst farm systems, will look for the top available player.

4. Chicago Cubs - Brady Aiken (LHP/Central Catholic HS CA)


Chicago is reportedly infatuated with Aiken and Rondon, so if one of the players is available, the Cubs will select him.

5. Minnesota Twins - Nick Gordon (SS/Olympia HS FL)


I've had Gordon lower in my previous draft because he committed to Florida State, but the Twins have apparently been high on him. Maybe the will make him an offer he can't refuse.

6. Seattle Mariners - Alex Jackson (C/Rancho Bernardo HS CA)


Jackson could also be converted to the outfield, but the Mariners are thin at catchers in their farm system, especially with the decline of Jesus Montero.

7. Philadelphia Phillies - Aaron Nola (RHP/LSU)


Why I love Aaron Nola: His last name is Nola and he plays in Louisiana. Besides that point, his stellar season has helped his stock for the draft. He could go as high as fifth overall.

8. Colorado Rockies - Monte Harrison (OF/Lee's Summit West HS MO)


Colorado's outfield is thin at the minor league level. This pick is a bit of a reach, but he is more likely to sign rather than Sean Newcomb.

9. Toronto Blue Jays - Sean Newcomb (LHP/Hartford)


Toronto's farm system was decimated after trading with the Mets and Marlins over the past few seasons. Adding a young arm to aid what is an awful rotation will be necessary.

10. New York Mets - Trea Turner (SS/North Carolina State)


I had a young power hitting outfielder for the Mets in my previous mock, but middle infield play has been poor for the Mets this season, especially at shortstop. After refusing to sign Stephen Drew, I expect New York to take a shortstop early in this draft. Turner was the second overall pick in my previous mock.

11. Toronto Blue Jays - Touki Toussaint (RHP/Coral Springs HS FL)


A compensation pick for the Blue Jays, don't be surprised if they double-dip at pitching with their top selections.

12. Milwaukee Brewers - Kyle Freeland (LHP/Evansville)


The Brewers are extremely thin at left-handed pitching prospect in their minors system. There's a handful of named being discussed, but Freeland will be the most likely name available at this juncture.

13. San Diego Padres - Jacob Gatewood (SS/Clovis HS FL)


A power-hitting shortstop, Gatewood won a pair of Home Run Derbys last year. Despite being 6'5", Gatewood only weights 190 and has plenty of room to bulk up. There is a chance he could be moved to the outfield in the majors.

14. San Francisco Giants - Derek Hill (OF/Elk Grove HS CA)


San Francisco has been linked to pitching, but their farm system is top-heavy in that department. Hill is a local product who can shore up the team's offense.

15. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Tyler Beede (RHP/Vanderbilt)


Beede has dropped a bit because a lot of teams are unsure of him. He pitched well for the most part this season, including winning in a duel over Aaron Nola, but had struggled in other games.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks - Derek Fisher (OF/Virginia)


Arizona gets lucky to have Derek Fisher fall on their laps. The power-hitting outfielder similar to Jay Bruce dropped a bit after missing six weeks this season due to injury.

17. Kansas City Royals - Michael Cederoth (RHP/San Diego State)


A 6'6" power pitcher with a fastball that can hit triple digits, Cederoth has potential to be a major league closer.

18. Washington Nationals - Brandon Finnegan (LHP/TCU)


Finnegan continued to improve this season and debuted a slider last year. He could be a solid starter for the Nationals.

19. Cincinnati Reds - Joey Gatto (RHP/St. Augustine HS NJ)


Max Pentecost is an option here, but the Reds seem to be leaning more towards a young arm instead.

20. Tampa Bay Rays - Max Pentecost (C/Kennesaw State)


Tampa Bay is thin at catcher in their farm system. Luckily for them, Pentecost is the top available player and fills that need.

21. Cleveland Indians - Grant Holmes (RHP/Conway HS SC)


Cleveland is looking for high-ceiling players. Holmes can develop into a quality back-of-the-rotation pitcher in Cleveland.

22. Los Angeles Dodgers - Casey Gillaspie (1B/Wichita State)


A switch-hitter with a bit of pop in his bat, Gillaspie can be another Mark Teixeira-type player.

23. Cincinnati Reds - Ti'Quan Forbes (SS/Columbia HS MS)


Forbes has the speed and defensive ability. On top of that, at 6'4" he has room to bulk up.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates - Luis Ortiz (RHP/Sanger HS CA)


Pittsburgh's rotation took a step back this season. With Jameson Taillon out for the year, they will need to find another young arm to build/

25. Oakland Athletics - Bradley Zimmer (OF/San Francisco)


A high school prospect seems to be more of the Moneyball thing to do, but Zimmer may be easier to sign than other college players since he is from California.

26. Boston Red Sox - Kyle Schwarber (C/1B/Indiana)


Boston is reportedly going for a college bat with this pick. Schwarber profiles like current Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli.

27. St. Louis Cardinals - Kel Johnson (OF/Home Schooled GA)


A Jason Werth-type player, Kel Johnson has the room to add more to his frame.