Please note that all of my picks in this draft were made before the combine started.
1. Kansas City Chiefs- Luke Joeckel (OT Texas A&M)
New Coach Andy Reid has some choices to make. There is no clear top QB which is why i think the Chiefs will pick the best player in this years draft.
2.Jacksonville Jaguars- Damontre Moore (DE Texas A&M)
Jacksonville has glaring holes in multiple areas going into the offseason. As we have all learned, you can never have too many pass rushers. Even with Jason Babin on the roster, I believe Moore is still the pick here.
3. Oakland Raiders- Star Lotulelei (DT Utah)
Oakland needs to address the defensive line in any way possible. Lotulelei is considered by many the best player in this years draft. He is a monster in the middle and can instantly impact the rush defense in Oakland.
4. Philadelphia Eagles- Chance Warmack (OG Alabama)
The Eagles have the best roster of any team drafting in the top 10 this season. They might be looking to add to the pass rush, but i don't see the new regime passing up on the talent Warmack brings to the table. Warmack is one of the most NFL ready players in this years class, so expect him to start playing immediately.
5. Detroit Lions- Demarcus Milliner (CB Alabama)
Detroit has had a ton of trouble in the secondary for a long time. If anyone wants to keep their front office job next year, Milliner should be a no brainer. He has the size and all the tools to be the closest thing to a "shut down corner." He would instantly become the best cornerback the Lions have.
6. Cleveland Browns- Ezekiel Ansah (DE BYU)
Cleveland is another team with a pretty good roster, so look for them to add the best available player. Ansah is shooting up draft boards, and could have his raw talent molded into exactly what the browns want him to be.
7. Arizona Cardinals- Geno Smith (QB West Virginia)
Arizona needs a quarterback, plain and simple. They locked Larry Fitzgerald up to be with them for the long run, but he is getting frustrated with the lack of QB play. Smith is the best quarterback in this years draft, but that could change. He needs to do well in the combine to stay as the first quarterback drafted,
8. Buffalo Bills- Eric Fisher (OT Central Michigan)
I had Mike Glennon slated to go here barring the Bills would release Ryan Fitzpatrick, and then they didnt do that. There are a lot of spots to be filled in Buffalo, but the way Fishers stock has risen, i do not see Buffalo passing up on him.
9. New York Jets- Bjoern Werner (DE Florida State)
The Jets' pass rush has been awful. They need to address this problem during the draft so they can get a young player that will grow with the defense. They will look in free agency, but nobody has the ability to rush the QB like Werner does. He will fit well into New York's hybrid 3-4 defense, as he can play defensive end as well as outside linebacker.
10.Tennessee Titans- Sylvester Williams (DT North Carolina)
Tennessee's best defensive tackle will be leaving in free agency. I have seen Sharif Floyd jump up boards recently, but I have yet to see exactly why. Williams was a force for UNC and should be productive in Tennessee as long as he doesn't have to be an every down player to start his career.
11. San Diego Chargers- Lane Johnson (OT Oklahoma)
San Diego needs to keep QB Philip Rivers protected in order to be successful this season. Lane Johnson is the best available lineman at this point. He is very versatile with excellent footwork, and can immediately plug into the right side of the line in San Diego. Eventually he will be the anchor on the left for Rivers and Co.
12. Miami Dolphins- Jarvis Jones (OLB Georgia)
Its no secret that the only person getting to the QB in Miami in Cameron Wake. Maimi needs help, and can take a shot on Jones here. The health issues could be a concearn, but the fact that Jones was once seen as the best prospect in this draft will woo Maimi to take Jones here.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Barkavious Mingo (DE LSU)
Tampa Bay is uncertain of the status of DE Da'Quan Bowers after he was arrested for possession of a loaded fire arm in New York. Either way, Tampa needs more pass rushers. Mingo was thought to be a top 5 pick earlier this off-season, until the surge of Ezekiel Ansah. They will get a great talent with a non-stop motor, and he size and speed should translate well into the NFL.
14. Carolina Panthers- Cordarelle Patterson (WR Tennessee)
Carolina needs help along the defensive line, but they also need to add weapons to Cam Newtons arsenal. There is no clear cut top wide receiver this year, but Patterosn would fit well into Carolina's offense. He can stretch the field, and turn intermediate passes into big plays. Steve Smith is aging, and although he keeps proving doubters wrong, they need a long term answer at receiver.
15. New Orleans Saints- Johnathan Hankins (DT Ohio State)
The census in most circles is that New Orleans will address the holes in their linebacking core with their first pick. i do not think this is the case. Hankins would be a value pick for the Saints at 15, and would fill a hole at DT as well. Most of the Saints defensive lineman are free agents, and none have done enough to guarantee themselves a roster spot next year. Hankins is a monster in the middle and could help with plugging holes to relieve what will most likely be a brand new set of linebackers next year.
16. St. Louis Rams- Kenny Vaccaro (S Texas)
Everyone saw the Rams take a huge step foward last season, but the major issues they had on defense were at the safety position. Craig Dahl might not be a starter on some college teams, and Vaccaro adds a true "center fielder" to the Rams defense. Vaccaro plays all over the field in passing situations, and can come inside the box and hit with the best. These are the types of players coach Jeff Fisher loves on defense.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers- Johnathan Jenkins (DT Georgia)
Pittsburgh needs to get younger on defense in order to compete with the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens, and the young and rising Bengals. Casey Hampton may not be returning, and is getting old and unreliable. The Steelers may address the holes they have at RB and WR with their first pick, but the value of a first round selection isn't there to do so. Look for them to nab Hamptons replacement, and a guy who can plug holes from the Nose Tackle position like Jenkins can.
18. Dallas Cowboys- Johnathan Cooper (OG North Carolina)
Dallas has come out and said Jay Ratliff will return next season, so the Cowboys will more then likely add to the offensive line. Cooper is the best available lineman at this point, and fills a hole in the Cowboys roster too. Cooper has excellent footwork, and excels in both facets of the offensive protection. He has the frame to add weight to and become a true guard at the next level.
19. New York Giants- Alec Ogletree (LB Georgia)
Even with his recent DUI arrest, Alec Ogletree is the best non-pass rushing linebacker in this draft. He can rush the QB, but is a force in the run game, and played safety in high school. His speed and coverage are mind blowing for a pro linebacker, and New York needs a player like him. The Giants need to take a chance with his off the field issues, although I'm sure they'll ask about the altercation at the combine and get the answers they need.
20. Chicago Bears- Dion Jordan (DE Oregon)
Even with the news that Jordan tore his labrum, there will be a team that drafts him in the first round. Chicago has a solid defense, but as i said earlier, it always helps to add pass rushers. I am not certain if Jordan will drop this far into the first round, but if he does Chicago will snatch him up.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Manti Te'o (LB Notre Dame)
Rey Maualuga should be cut to stay under the salary cap, and the Bengals need someone to pair up with former undrafted LB Vontaze Burfict. Te'o obviously comes with off field drama, but Marvin Lewis has been known to take on players with trouble off the field. Te'o should not run into anymore trouble and has the tools and instincts to be a successful player in the NFL.
22. St. Loius Rams (Via Washington)- DJ Fluker (OT Alabama)
Another issue that needs to be addressed in St. Louis is the offensive line. To be successful next year they must keep bradford protected. Fluker can play guard or tackle in the NFL, but his size may restrict him to the right side. He will surely be an upgrade either way. Many people see the Rams taking a WR with their second first-round choice, but they can get talented players later in the draft.
23.Minnesota Vikings- Keenan Allen (WR California)
The next step in Minnesota is adding weapons around Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson. Percy Harvin is unhappy with his contract and his future past next year is not certain. Allen is a dynamic player, much like Harvin. He adds a dimension to an offense to where you will need to know where he is at all times. he can take short gains and turn them into big plays, something Minnesota would love to have as a compliment to Harvin and Peterson.
24. Indianapolis Colts- Sheldon Richardson (DT Missouri)
The Colts immediate success in the Andrew Luck era came as a suprise to many. In order to keep the success coming they must bolster their sub-par defense. Richardson will be a rotational early in his career, but will end up as a full time starter sooner then later.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Tavon Austin (WR West Virginia)
Seattle will probably want to add to their pass rush in the draft since Chris Clemons tore his ACL, but the more desperate need is at receiver. They would like to have a dynamic player in the slot with speed and precision. Tavon Austin can be a play maker in Seatlle, pairing him with Sidney Rice and Golden Tate.
26. Green Bay Packers- Kevin Minter (LB LSU)
Green Bay needs some young linebackers to start mixing in their rotation. Minter is a work in progress, but his raw athleticism will get him the nod in the first round. Green Bay hasn't had much production from any line backer not named Clay Matthews, and can take a little time to groom Minter.
27. Houston Texans- Johnathan Banks (CB Mississippi State)
Houston is in a position to draft the best player available in this slot. They do have a need at corner, so Banks is an obvious choice. He can be put in at nickel and dime packages, and plays very physical which will throw off slot receivers' routes.
28. Denver Broncos- Sharif Floyd (DT Florida)
Denver needs to get a player along the defensive front in free agency or the draft. Like i stated earlier, Floyd is shooting up boards, but until I see why, I have Denver taking him here. Floyd will be a great addition to the Broncos defense, and should start immediately.
29. New England Patriots- Barrett Jones (OT/C Alabama)
New England will likely address the offensive line with their first pick. Jones has the versatility that coach Belichick loves, and can rotate in the mix at multiple positions.
30. Atlanta Falcons- Zach Ertz (TE Stanford)
Atlanta insists the Tony Gonzalez may be back next season. Regardless of his availability, they will need to find an heir to his throne when he is gone. Ertz is considered as the best tight end in the draft, and excels in the receiving and blocking game. Atlanta is hoping he will become what Rob Gronkowski has for New England.
31. San Francisco 49ers- Sam Montgomery (DE LSU)
The Niners are getting old across the defensive line, with the exception of Aldon Smith. Adding a young player into the mix who can learn while he plays would be an ideal scenario for the Niners, and Montgomery has shown explosiveness and a great first step off the snap.
32. Baltimore Ravens- Eric Reid (S LSU)
Baltimore needs to fix many things on the defensive side of the ball, so getting younger in any position will be valuable. Taking care of Ed Reed's replacement should be high priority. Reid is a ball hawk, and can learn from Reed if he does return next season. Reid showed flashes of excellence at LSU, and coach Harbough will love his constant motor and decision making skills.
