Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Week 8 NFL Mock Draft

1. Tampa Bay Buccaners (3-13) - Marcus Mariota (QB/Oregon)


Trading away Mark Barron could be a sign of a roster purge in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are a team with no direction or leadership. Mike Glennon has shown his ceiling in the NFL and if the Bucs want to escape the cellar of the NFC South, they will need to find their franchise signal caller.

2. Oakland Raiders (3-13) - Amari Cooper (WR/Alabama)


The Raiders took Khalil Mack last year in the first round and secon round pick Derek Carr has played well despite limited talent around him. Oakland needs to find a reliable weapon for him and Cooper looks like he could be a stud in the NFL.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13) - Leonard Williams (DE/USC)


Jacksonville, surprisingly, is tied for second in the NFL with 25 sacks, but nobody on their roster has more than four. Numbers like this have a tendency to drop off the following season and despite the gaudy number, Jacksonville does not have a truly reliable guy who can get to the quarterback.

4. Minnesota Vikings (4-12) - Randy Gregory (DE/Nebraska)


Everseon Griffen has played well after receiving and extension and Minnesota has talent on both sides of the ball, but they are a very young team and will go through growing pains with this roster. On the plus side, they can stockpile talent on their roster and Gregory would be a big piece to  pass rush that already features Griffen and Anthony Barr.

5. New York Jets (4-12) - Jameis Winston (QB/Florida State)


There are a lot of teams who would not take Jameis Winston, including QB-needy teams like Tennessee and St. Louis, but the Jets would absolutely take him. Winston may do a lot of stupid things that have already burned bridges that weren't even formed in the NFL, but the Jets don't care about any of that. Winston is talented enough to let the Jets compete for backpage stories with the Giants and is an upgrade over Geno Smith, not to mention Michael Vick is a free agent this offseason.

6. Atlanta Falcons (5-11) - Shilique Calhoun (DE/Michigan State)


Atlanta could consider taking Todd Gurley here as well, but I think it is a bit early for the running back. Atlanta simply just can't get to the quarterback. They are tied for 29th in the NFL with only seven sacks and three of those sacks came in one game. Calhoun could be the edge rusher they need.

7. Tennessee Titans (5-11) - Brett Hundley (QB/UCLA)


Zach Mettenberger had a rough defense to face in his NFL debut, but I am not buying into him being the long-term solution at quarterback. Hundley has the talent, but he needs to work on his instincts, especially when it comes to extending the play with his legs rather than tucking and running.

8. St. Louis Rams (6-10) - Connor Cook (QB/Michigan State)


Sam Bradford will not be back in St. Louis next season. The Rams need a new franchise quarterback, especially since Bradford never lived up to expectations. Cook is still a bit raw, but QBs tend to be overdrafted in the NFL.

9. Cleveland Browns (8-8) - Shane Ray (OLB/Missouri)


Jabaal Sheard is a free agent and Barkevious Mingo has not lived up to expectations in the NFL so far. The Browns will likely be seeking a pass rusher early next year, especially if they can't retain Sheard.

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


Washington will likely let Brandon Meriweather walk this offseason. Landon Collins can fill the void.

11. Cleveland Browns (8-8) - Sammie Coates (WR/Auburn)


Cleveland may want to add another receiver, especially if Josh Gordon is unable to stay out of trouble.

12. Houston Texans (8-8) - PJ Williams (CB/Florida State)


A quarterback would be a great addition, but there is nobody worth taking at this spot. Instead, they can address a secondary that has been a weak link all season.

13. New York Giants (8-8) - Shawn Oakman (DE/Baylor)


Mathias Kiwanuka and Robert Ayers are impending free agents. New York will seek another pass rusher to play across from Jason Pierre-Paul.

14. Chicago Bears (8-8) - Ronald Darby (CB/Florida State)


Kyle Fuller was a solid addition, but the Bears secondary has been ravaged with injuries, exposing a massive lack of depth at the position. Charles Tillman is oft-injured also.

15. New Orleans Saints (8-8) - Marcus Peters (CB/Washington)


The Saints pass defense has hurt them all season. New Orleans will likely look to replace Patrick Robinson this offseason.

16. Seattle Seahawks (9-7) - Todd Gurley (RB/Georgia)


It looks like Marshawn Lynch has worn out his welcome in Seattle. As I mentioned all year, Lynch is a likely cap casualty and Seattle will look to replace him in a running back-heavy draft.

17. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) - Melvin Gordon (RB/Wisconsin)


Baltimore is another team who needs help at running back. Gordon is being hyped at the next Jamaal Charles, and it clear why, Gordon is an all-around talent.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB/Oregon)


The Eagles secondary gave up two big completions in a loss to the Cardinals. Their unit is mediocre at best and needs improvement.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) - Andrus Peat (OT/Stanford)


It is surprising to see Peat fall this low, but a lot of teams picking earlier either do not need a LT or have a bigger need than LT to address. Either way, this is a steal for the Steelers.

20. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) - Kevin White (WR/West Virginia)


The Chiefs have this ragtag group of receivers and are expecting Alex Smith to be able to spin this to gold and it just won't happen. Smith needs a real no. 1, not a middling Dwayne Bowe.

21. Arizona Cardinals (9-7) - Vic Beasley (OLB/Clemson)


John Abraham will likely retire. Regardless, he was a stop-gap solution anyway. The Cardinals need to find a young pass rusher if they want to compete in this division.

22. San Diego Chargers (9-7) - TJ Yeldon (RB/Alabama)


Ryan Mathews is a free agent at the end of the year, Donald Brown couldn't handle the workload and Branden Oliver is not an every down back. San Diego will need to find their main back this offseason.

23. Miami Dolphins (10-6) - Trae Waynes (CB/Michigan State)


Cortland Finnegan is not the long-term answer for the Dolphins secondary. Adding a young cornerback, especially since Brent Grimes is now 31, will be necessary in the offseason.

24. Carolina Panthers (8-7-1) - Brandon Scherff (OT/Iowa)


The Panthers need to find a way to protect Cam Newton. Scherff is another quality player who has slid a bit further than his talent should allow.

25. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6-1) - Dante Fowler (DE/Florida)


Fowler could be the missing piece the Bengals need on their defensive line. He is a quality pass rusher who can stop the run and is a team leader at Florida.

26. New England Patriots (11-5) - Jaelen Strong (WR/Arizona State)


New England needs a true no. 1 receiver for Tom Brady. Strong was held to just three catches while being covered by Marcus Peters, but he still found the end zone.

27. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) - Eric Kendricks (MLB/UCLA)


Rolando McClain has played well this year, but Sean Lee is a big injury liability. Dallas may consider adding another top end linebacker in case Lee is slow to return.

28. Green Bay Packers (12-4) - Devin Funchess (TE/Michigan)


Another wrinkle to the offense, Devin Funchess could be a Jimmy Graham-type player in this system.

29. Detroit Lions (11-5) - Hroniss Grasu (C/Oregon)


With an aging Domonic Raiola headed to free agency, the Lions may seek a new young center in the draft.

30. Denver Broncos (13-3) - Markus Golden (DE/Missouri)


DeMarcus Ware won't be in Denver forever. A young ass rusher to play across from Von Miller could be sought after.

31. San Francisco 49ers (10-6) - Stefon Diggs (WR/Maryland)


With Michael Crabtree slated for free agency and an aging group of receivers remaining, a true no. 1 target is a priority for the 49ers in the offseason.

32. Indianapolis Colts (12-4) - Tre' Jackson (G/Florida State)


Upgrades are needed all across the Colts offensive line. Jackson would be a big plus in the run block department.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Week 7 NFL Mock Draft

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-13) - Marus Mariota (QB/Oregon)



Tampa Bay has again been among the worst teams in the NFL. The team has not commitment to Mike Glennon after hiring a new coach and GM and Josh McCown was only a stop-gap solution to begin with. Tampa will definitely take Mariota if they have the top selection.

2. Oakland Raiders (3-13) - Amari Cooper (WR/Alabama)



Despite having no weapons around him, Derek Carr has played well. If the team wants to start winning, however, playmakers need to be brought in. Cooper has been a stud for the past two seasons at Alabama.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13) - Leonard Williams (DE/USC)



The Jaguars have already taken their QB of the future with Blake Bortles, now they need to find someone who can bring down Andrew Luck. Williams has been solid all year.

4. Minnesota Vikings (4-12) - Randy Gregory (DE/Nebraska)



The best available player, Gregory could help solidify a pass rush unit for the Vikings who have extended Everson Griffen and drafted Anthony Barr over the past year.

5. Atlanta Falcons (5-11) - Shilique Calhoun (DE/Michigan State)



Atlanta has nothing to offer when it comes to rushing the passer. They can't expect to compete if they can't rattle Drew Brees or Cam Newton.

6. New York Jets (5-11) - Jameis Winston (QB/Florida State)



There are  lot of teams who I can't see taking Jameis Winston despite their need for a franchise quarterback. The Jets are not one of those teams. Winston has all the talent in the world to be an elie NFL quarterback, but unless he shows he can get his act together, it may not matter.

7. Tennessee Titans (5-11) - Brett Hundley (QB/UCLA)



There is no way Jake Locker is coming back. Ken Wisenhunt will bring in his guy next season.

8. Cleveland Browns (8-8) - Andrus Peat (OT/Stanford)



The team has liked Mitchell Schwartz, but he is in his walk year in 2015. Peat could be an upgrade anyway and is the top available player.

9. Washington Redskins (6-10) - Shane Ray (OLB/Missouri)



Brian Orakpo is in his contract year and has torn his pectoral muscle for the third time in four years. For all the talent he has, I can't imagine the Redskins bringing him back given his injury history.

10. St. Louis Rams (6-10) - Landon Collins (S/Alabama)



The Rams safeties have been a weak link in their unit over the past two seasons. Collins is a ballhawk who could be an immediate contributor.

11. Seattle Seahawks (8-8) - Todd Gurley (RB/Georgia)



Seattle relieved themselves of the albatross that was Percy Harvin's contract, but I still think they will release Marshawn Lynch in order to pay Russell Wilson. This draft is loaded with talent at running back, so replacing him won't be too hard.

12. Houston Texans (8-8) - P.J. Williams (CB/Florida State)



The secondary is becoming a growing issue in Houston. Expect the Texans to look for someone to replace Kareem Jackson this offseason.

13. Cleveland Browns (8-8) - Shawn Oakman (DE/Baylor)



Jabaal Sheard is a free agent in the offseason and Barkevious Mingo has not become the pass rusher the team envisioned when they drafted him.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) - Sammie Coates (WR/Auburn)



Considered a candidate for a breakout season, Markus Wheaton has been awful in 2014. Ben Roethlisberger needs someone besides Antonio Brown to throw to.

15. New York Giants (8-8) - Dante Fowler (DE/Florida)



Jason Pierre-Paul has played well,but the Giants would benefit from having another edge rusher on their squad. Fowler has 10 QB hurries, 2.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss this season.

16. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) - Vic Beasley (OLB/Clemson)



The Cardinals will need a new pass rusher with the almost certain retirement of John Abraham. Beasley is undersized, but has a great motor and plays the game with a lot of heart.

17. Chicago Bears (8-8) - Ronald Darby (CB/Florida State)



The Bears best cornerback, rookie Kyle Fuller, is now injured as well, further depleting this unit. Darby would likely step in as the nickel, but should eventually replace the oft-injure Charles Tillman.

18. New Orleans Saints (8-8) - Marcus Peters (CB/Washington)



The Saints secondary is horrendous. Fixing this unit will be a priority in the offseason.

19. Baltimore Ravens (9-7) - Melvin Gordon (RB/Wisconsin)



Running back is an obvious need for Baltimore. Gordon is touted at the next Jamaal Charles and would be an immediate contributor for both the run and the passing game..

20. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) - Kevin White (WR/West Virginia)



The Chiefs has not receiving weapons for Alex Smith. Jamaal Charles can only do so much for their offense until opposing defenses realize you won't test them deep.

21. San Diego Chargers (9-7) - TJ Yeldon (RB/Alabama)



Ryan Mathews is a free agent to be and given his injury history, I don't see the Chargers bringing him back.

22. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) - Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB/Oregon)



The Eagles need help at several areas at their defense including cornerback. It wouldn't surprise me to see Chip Kelly bring in a player he once recruited at Oregon.

23. Miami Dolphins (10-6) - Trae Waynes (CB/Michigan State)



Both Cortland Finnegan and Brent Grimes are on the wrong side of 30. Miami could look into injecting youth into their secondary in the offseason.

24. Carolina Panthers (9-6-1) - Brandon Scherff (OT/Iowa)




The problem with the Panthers last offseason was that they had too many needs and couldn't fill them all. Offensive tackle was avoided, I doubt it will be this year.

25. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6-1) - Markus Golden (DE/Missouri)


The Bengals pass rush couldn't get to Andrew Luck. If the Bengals want to go further than the Wild Card round, they need to find a way to disrupt the opposing offense.

26. New England Patriots (11-5) - Jaelen Strong (WR/Arizona State)


Tom Brady needs a deep threat target because Brandon LaFell just isn't getting the job done.

27. Dallas Cowboys (12-4) - Eric Kendriks (ILB/UCLA)


Dallas extended Sean Lee, but he has never played a full NFL season and will play just 17 games between 2012-14. It isn't a bad idea to find an insurance policy.

28. Green Bay Packers (12-4) - Devin Funchess (TE/Michigan)


A safety valve for Aaron Rodgers, Funchess is built like Jimmy Graham and currently plays wide receiver at Michigan.

29. Detroit Lions (11-5) -Hroniss Grasu (C/Oregon)


Domonic Raiola is a free agent at the end of the season. Detroit may look for a younger option rather than resigning him.

30. Denver Broncos (13-3) - Noah Spence (DE/Ohio State)


DeMarcus Ware is no spring chicken. A younger pass rusher may be sought after to play across from Von Miller.

31. San Francisco 49ers (10-6) - Stefon Diggs (WR/Maryland)


The 49ers have four 1,000-yard receivers, but none can be relied upon as a true no. 1 option. San Francisco will look to find a top target for Colin Kaepernick.

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


The Colts need help all across the offensive line. Jackson is the top player available and could make an immediate impact.