Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Week 15 NFL Mock Draft

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14) - Marcus Mariota (QB/Oregon)


Tampa Bay has bottomed out and can't go into next season with Josh McCown or Mike Glennon at quarterback. Jameis Winston could make a case for this pick, especially since he plays football at Florida State, but Mariota has the edge at the moment.

2. Tennessee Titans (2-14) - Leonard Williams (DE/USC)


A lot of people are projecting a quarterback here, but I just can't see Ken Wisenhunt liking either of the top signal callers. Wisenhunt prefers traditional pocket passers rather than mobile QBs and is also high on rookie Zach Mettenberger. The team also has glaring holes all across their roster. Williams and Casey would make a scary duo on the defensive line.

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


Randy Gregory is an option here, but given how awful the Raiders offense was this season, I think they opt to find weapons for Derek Carr. Cooper would immediately become the best playmaker on this team.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13) - Randy Gregory (DE/Nebraska)


Jacksonville takes the best available player in Gregory and receives someone who can strike fear in opposing offenses. The Jaguars pass rush performed well this season, but lack an elite edge rusher.

5. New York Jets (3-13) - Jameis Winston (QB/Florida State)


Poor Jets fans, the team can't even lose when it matters. Geno Smith is not returning to this team next season and the Jets will be gunning for one of the two quarterbacks available. They may even be willing to trade up in order to secure their selection.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11) - Brandon Scherff (OT/Iowa)


Offensive line play, especially at right tackle, has been bad for the Redskins this season. They will look for a solution early in the draft.

7. Atlanta Falcons (5-11) - Shane Ray (OLB/Missouri)


The Falcons have failed to put pressure on the quarterback all season long. Finding a new pass rusher will take priority this offseason.

8. Minnesota Vikings (6-10) - Andrus Peat (OT/Stanford)


Matt Kalil has really regressed this season to the point where Minnesota may consider replacing him. Kalil could also supplant Phil Loadholt in case they want to rid themselves of his contract.

9. Cleveland Browns (7-9) - Shilique Calhoun (DE/Michigan State)


Barkevious Mingo has not lived up to expectations and Jabaal Sheard is a free agent this Spring. The Browns will look to upgrade this unit.

10. New York Giants (7-9) - Ronnie Stanley (OT/Notre Dame)


New York needs help on both the offense and defensive lines, but with the top pass rushers gone, the Giants are going to look for the former.

11. St. Louis Rams (7-9) - Sammie Coates (WR/Auburn)


The Rams added Tavon Austin, but weapons are still needed on offense for whoever will lead the charge in 2015.

12. Chicago Bears (7-9) - PJ Williams (CB/Florida State)


Chicago's secondary is pretty beat up and Charles Tillman may be gone after the season. The Bears need someone across from Kyle Fuller.

13. Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) - Ronald Darby (CB/Florida State)


With all of the top options at tackle gone, Carolina will look to replenish a depleted secondary.

14. Cleveland Browns (7-9) - Kevin White (WR/West Virginia)


Josh Gordon is back, but the Browns may want to add another receiver to play across from him.

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


If Ekpre-Olomu is available, it should come as a shock to no one for if the Eagles quickly scoop him up. It is no secret that Chip Kelly loves Oregon players and the secondary needs to be upgraded in the wake of their loss to the Cowboys.

16. San Francisco 49ers (9-7) - Jaelen Strong (WR/Arizona State)


With the amount of issues the 49ers have at wide receiver, it should come as no surprise that the position will need to be upgraded in 2015. Strong is currently indecisive about returning to school next year.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) - Vic Beasley (OLB/Clemson)


James Harrison has played well since returning, but he doesn't have much left in the tank. Pittsburgh will look for their next pass rusher.

18. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) - DeVante Parker (WR/Louisville)


It is no secret that the Chiefs wide receivers are terrible. Kansas City will definitely upgrade this unit in 2015.

19. San Diego Chargers (9-7) - Melvin Gordon (RB/Wisconsin)


The Chargers are likely moving on from impending free agent Ryan Mathews. With no other back on the roster capable of handling the workload, running back is a viable need in the draft.

20. Miami Dolphins (9-7) - Eddie Goldman (DT/Florida State)


Jared Odrick has played well this season and may have priced himself out of Miami. If he leaves, the Dolphins will need to find a replacement.

21. Houston Texans (9-7) - Trae Waynes (CB/Michigan State)


Houston will need to replace Kareem Jackson, who will likely leave the team in free agency.

22. New Orleans Saints (8-8) - Dante Fowler (DE/Florida)


The Saints pass rush has been abysmal all season. New Orleans will look for someone who can get to the quarterback in 2015.

23. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1) - Landon Collins (S/Alabama)


Reggie Nelson will be 32 and in the final year of his contract in 2015. If Collins slides here, he can be groomed for a year by Nelson before taking over the job full-time.

24. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) - Shaq Thompson (ILB/Washington)


Dallas signed Sean Lee to that big extension, but he is oft-injured and Rolando McClain is a free agent after a resurrecting his career.

25. Detroit Lions (10-6) - Hroniss Grasu (C/Oregon)


Dominic Raiola is a 36-year-old free agent in the offseason. Detroit will likely look to move on from him, especially if they can use the cap space to re-sign Ndamukong Suh.

26. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - Rashad Greene (WR/Florida State)


With Torrey Smith set to hit free agency, Baltimore may be forced to find a new weapon for Joe Flacco.

27. Arizona Cardinals (12-4) - Markus Golden (DE/Missouri)


Arizona needs to replace John Abraham, who will likely retire in the offseason.

28. New England Patriots (13-3) - Kevin Johnson (CB/Wake Forest)


New England likely isn't going to exercise Darrelle Revis' $20 million option. If they do not retain him at a cheaper price, they may look at the draft for a new cornerback.

29. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - Shawn Oakman (DE/Baylor)


With Cliff Avril set to leave in free agency, Seattle will likely look for his replacement in the draft.

30. Denver Broncos (13-3) - Denzel Perryman (ILB/Miami FL)


The weak link on defense, Denver will spend an early draft pick to improve at inside linebacker.

31. Green Bay Packers (12-4) - Eric Kendricks (ILB/UCLA)


The Packers were reportedly interested in Ryan Shazier last season. Also, AJ Hawk will be 31 next season and in the final year of his contract.

32. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - Leonard Floyd (OLB/Georgia)


Robert Mathis is getting a little long in the tooth. The Colts will look to bring in a rotational guy who can eventually take the reigns.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Week 14 NFL Mock Draft

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14) - Marcus Mariota (QB/Oregon)


Quarterback is the obvious choice for the Bucs, who will move on from Josh McCown and Mike Glennon this offseason. Mariota has been spectacular this season and was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

2. New York Jets (2-14) - Jameis Winston (QB/Florida State)


The Jets are a mess at quarterback. Rex Ryan will be one and there is a chance John Idzik will not return as well. No matter who takes the reigns in 2015, they will move on from Geno Smith and Michael Vick.

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


Oakland has their QB in Derek Carr, now they need to find him weapons on offense. Cooper has been sensational this season and is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

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


Jacksonville is third in the NFL in sacks, but nobody on the team as more than 8.5. History has shown that without a main guy who can get to the quarterback, this approach does not last. Williams is the best defensive player in this draft.

5. Tennessee Titans (3-13) - Randy Gregory (DE/Nebraska)


Tennessee's roster is completely void of talent, so taking the best available player is paramount. Gregory fills a huge need for the Titans pass rush and free up Jurrell Casey from double teams.

6. Minnesota Vikings (5-11) - Andrus Peat (OT/Stanford)


Both Phil Loadholt (before hitting IR) and Matt Kalil have struggled this season for Minnesota. The Vikings may consider dealing one of their tackles this offseason.

7. New York Giants (6-10) - Shane Ray (OLB/Missouri)


With the Giants potentially overhauling their pass rush in the wake of Jason Pierre-Paul and other hitting free agency, the team will likely look for a new guy who can get to the quarterback. Ray has 14 sacks on the season.

8. Washington Redskins (6-10) - Brandon Scherff (OT/Iowa)


Right tackle has been a black hole for the Redskins this season. Washington will spend an early draft pick to address the issue.

9. Atlanta Falcons (6-10) - Melvin Gordon (RB/Wisconsin)


The Falcons rushing attack has struggled tremendously this season. Gordon, who has drawn comparisons to Jamaal Charles, could work well in their offense.

10. Cleveland Browns (8-8) - Shilique Calhoun (DE/Michigan State)


Jabaal Sheard is a free agent after the season and Barkevious Mingo has been a disappointment. Cleveland will look to bolster their pass rush this offseason.

11. New Orleans Saints (7-9) - PJ Williams (CB/Florida State)


New Orleans defense had been pitiful this season, especially in their secondary where receiver have blown past them.

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


Josh Gordon is back, but don't be surprised if the Browns add another receiver for Johnny Manziel. Gordon wasn't exactly the most law-abiding player during his suspension as well, so this could be an insurance plan.

13. St. Louis Rams (8-8) - Kevin White (WR/West Virginia)


St. Louis needs more weapons on offense if they want their next quarterback to be successful. White has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald.

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


Chicago added Kyle Fuller last year, but the secondary lacks depth and Charles Tillman could become a cap casualty this offseason. Double-dipping at cornerback shouldn't come as a shock.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) - Vic Beasley (OLB/Clemson)


James Harrison has played well since coming back from retirement, but there isn't much left in the tank, a new pass rusher is needed at some point.

16. San Francisco 40ers (9-7) - Jaelen Strong (WR/Arizona State)


There is a glaring problem with each of the wide receivers in San Francisco. The team will need to upgrade this unit, especially with younger talent.

17. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) - Landon Collins (S/Alabama)


In the wake of Eric Berry's diagnosis, the Chiefs may be forced to move on without him. If Collins falls to them, this pick is a no-brainer.

18. Miami Dolphins (9-7) - Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB/Oregon)


With Cortland Finnegan and Brent Grimes aging, the Dolphins may seek a younger cornerback to play nickel before taking over Finnegan's spot.

19. Houston Texans (9-7) - Trae Waynes (CB/Michigan State)


Houston's secondary has been a liability throughout the season and Kareem Jackson is a free agent this Spring.

20. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) - Shaq Thompson (ILB/Washington)


Rolando McClain is a free agent after the season and Sean Lee has shown he is injury prone. Dallas may consider bringing in someone new for the middle of their defense.

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


The Bengals pass rush has regressed this offseason. They never replaced Michael Johnson and are now suffering due to it.

22. San Diego Chargers (10-6) - TJ Yeldon (RB/Alabama)


Ryan Mathews is a free agent this offseason, Donald Brown is not an every down back and Branden Oliver has cooled down from his hot start. San Diego will look for their new bell cow in the draft.

23. Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) - La'El Collins (OT/LSU)


The Panthers were unable to find a new left tackle after Jordan Gross retired last year. With Newton battered and bruised throughout the season due to poor protection, they will look to fix this issue immediately.

24. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) - Kevin Johnson (CB/Wake Forest)


Chip Kelly would love to grab Ekpre-Olomu, but with him gone, he will look for another cornerback instead.

25. Detroit Lions (10-6) - Hroniss Grasu (C/Oregon)


Dominic Raiola is a 36-year-old free agent after the season and the Lions will likely move on from him.

26. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) - DeVante Parker (WR/Louisville)


Steve Smith is old and Torrey Smith is a free agent after the season. Baltimore will need to address their receivers for 2015.

27. Arizona Cardinals (11-5) - Markus Golden (DE/Missouri)


John Abraham is more than likely retiring in the offseason and Arizona will need to replace him.

28. Denver Broncos (12-4) - Denzel Perryman (ILB/Miami FL)


Upgrading the middle of the defense is needed for the Broncos, who have been forced to start undrafted free agent Steven Johnson this season.

29. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - Shawn Oakman (DE/Baylor)


Cliff Avril among others is headed to free agency, meaning the Seahawks will need to find another pass rusher in 2015.

30. New England Patriots (13-3) - Rashad Greene (WR/Florida State)


Brandon LaFell has played well lately, but the Patriots could stand to upgrade Julian Edelman.

31. Green Bay Packers (13-3) - Eric Kendricks (ILB/UCLA)


Green Bay was reportedly interested in Ryan Shazier before Pittsburgh selected him. Perhaps they find their inside linebacker this year.

32. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - Leonard Floyd (OLB/Georgia)


Robert Mathis is turning 34 in February and has missed all of 2014. The Colts may look for his replacement soon.