The NFL Draft is less than a week away, and it seems like draft season flew by. With the annual chatter about the top of the draft picks now pretty much done, and the "Who are the Buccaneers are choosing?" questions can be put to rest, we can focus in on who every team will select with their first three picks, starting, of course, with the first round.
I love doing these mock drafts because it allows me to go pick by pick and analyze each team's biggest needs, but also recognize that it is always important for franchises to select the best player available, regardless of position.
So here you are, part one of three of my official and last NFL mock draft, the second and third round mocks will be published throughout this last week leading up to Thursday night.
*All images taken from Bleacher Report
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
Picking Jameis Winston here for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is all but done, as it has been repeatedly reported that Winston is the Tampa's and Head Coach Lovie Smith's guy. He is the most pro-ready passer in this year's draft class and may qualify for the best pocket passer we have seen since Andrew Luck was the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. His instincts and play-calling in the backfield have been compared to the likes of Peyton Manning, who basically plays the position with his brain and not his arm. Winston has decent mobility, although never relies on his footwork or foot speed to make plays happen. The Buccaneers need to turn the page on their franchise, and with a solid defense in place, along with two top notch receivers with Vincent Jackson and recent rookie Mike Evans, thier rebuild could speed up quickly if Winston develops fast and can contribute that Pro Bowl protential he has from Day 1 in sunny Florida.
2. Tennessee Titans: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
While many of the NFL Draft talking heads around the country think this pick could be a complete tossup, it really isn't. When you give it a second and more thorough look, the Titans can really only go in two directions here. Grab their franchise gunner and electrifying signal caller in Marcus Mariota, or select the long, powerful, and versatile defensive lineman Leonard Williams from USC. The reason this is the case is because the only other prospects that I consider to be value picks at number two is two edge rushers in Dante Fowler Jr. from Florida and Vic Beasley from Clemson. The Titans signed two great edge rushers in free agency this offseason with the acquisitions of Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo, so they can cross of that from their long list of needs as a franchise. The biggest knock on Mariota's game is that he has never taken a snap under center besides when he is kneeling down at the end of football games. He played in a wide open spread at Oregon, however with the right coaching and a quarterback whisperer of a head coach like Ken Whisenhunt in Tennessee could cure that of Mariota, and rather quickly, for that matter. The Titans also need to turn the page on their franchise and they cannot resist his combination of discipline and playmaking ability as a signal-caller.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Dante Fowler Jr., Florida
I was actually quite confounded with this pick. This one mainly comes down to two players fighting to become former Seahawks defensive coordinator's "Leo" edge rusher. Although Vic Beasley brings much higher floor to the NFL and may end up being the safer pick here, Fowler Jr. has incredible upside and the ability to thrive into one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Fowler Jr. is expecting to hear his name called third overall and is the perfect type of player for Coach Gus Bradley. Fowler Jr. may actually be one of the most versatile prospects in this year's draft class, as the Florida Gators lined him up all over the field, at defensive end, outside linebacker and even at defensive tackle. He is very aggressive with his hands and leaves the dirt in a flash. Although he will have to stronger and more controlled at the next level, he uses his lower body strength and balance to explode into the pocket. The main thing he will have to work on while he develops early on in his NFL career is play recognition, mainly on run plays, as he often blatantly misses the ball-carrier due to insufficient run defense. He is in luck however, as Bradley is a linebacker whisperer and will use him for what he does best, getting after the signal-caller.
4. Oakland Raiders: DL Leonard Williams, USC
Unlike others I do not think that Leonard Williams is the best overall player in the year's draft, although he is my top rated defender. At 6-5 and 302 pounds, Williams possesses the physical traits that can repeatedly intimidate not only opposing quarterbacks, but the beefy offensive lineman protecting him. Williams uses his unbelievable quickness and large frame to overpower lineman at the point of attack and can equip his long wingspan to grab and claw at opposing ball carriers trying to slip through a crack in the defensive line. A Raider fan as a child, it would be cool to see Williams go to his hometown squad. The former Trojan compares well to the likes of Gerald McCoy of the Buccaneers, very good company to the broad-should beast from USC. Although they are very hard to find, Williams has one major weakness that can be fixed and finessed. He doesn't boast the best balance and leverage, and this leads to his rather inability to bat balls down from the air.
5. Washington Redskins: Edge Rusher Vic Beasley, Clemson
Out goes Brian Orakpo, and the already porous Redskin defense becomes more horrendous. If you enter Vic Beasley, you not only add a fierce and powerful playmaker at the edge rushing position, but you create a new identity on defense. Another thing Beasley could bring to the Capitol is a new face of the franchise. The former Clemson product has never had off-the-field issues and is a great leader and team player. Beasley compares to Von Miller, who like Vic, does not do very well in run defense, but is a disruptive force on passing downs.
6. New York Jets: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
In my opinion, the conversation for the top wide receiver in this year's class between Kevin White and Amari Cooper is an absolute tossup. Cooper is a very versatile pass catcher who can play all over the field. Brandon Marshall isn't getting any younger and Decker is limited to playing the possession wide receiver slot. His premier route-running ability and soft hands would work wonders for whoever lines up under center in the Big Apple.
7. Chicago Bears: WR Kevin White, West Virginia
Like many, I do think that the Bears need to shore up their entire defense. And when I say that.. I mean every single position could use an upgrade. But when you consider their franchise's state at this time and with a new GM, it's best to pick the best player available. Kevin White is a magnificent talent with great hands, footwork, and the desire to improve. Although the Bears have Alshon Jeffery as their primary pass catcher, pairing the young athlete with the likes of Kevin White would make the passing attack deadly again. Cutler is the incumbent starter at quarterback again, but having White as a primary deep threat could at least make the veteran passer and his solid deep ball better.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
At 6-4, 269 pounds, Dupree has the beastly size and speed to be a mauler in both the passing and run defense. He ran a 4.56 at the combine and is an absolute freak of a player. With the extreme falls that fellow edge pass rushers Randy Gregory and Shane Ray will experience, Dupree can catapult into the third best pass rushing player in this draft class. Unlike Beasley and Fowler Jr. Dupree is labeled as a defensive end, although he can play at outside linebacker too due to his incredible speed and footwork. Beasley and Fowler may not possess enough power and size to play at defensive end and with a hand in the dirt at the next level. New head coach Dan Quinn gets his primary pass rusher that the worst pass rushing team in the NFL last team were not able to utilize.
9. New York Giants: OL Brandon Scherff, Iowa
With the fall of the two other elite pass rushers, the Giants go best available but fill a huge need in the process. In order for Eli Manning to work his magic with the two stud, young wide outs he can equip, he needs time in the pocket. Scherff can simply overpower and make defensive tackles non-factors in the run game. The G-Men could elect to shift to the right tackle position to accommodate Justin Pugh being a better guard than tackle, but either way Scherff will be a heck of a football player and leader in the trenches.
10. St. Louis Rams: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
The Rams are in a very interesting position here, as there really isn't a solidified right pick here. They could look at Andrus Peat if they want to address their offensive linemen problem, but they could also look to shore up their weaknesses in the secondary. Waynes could end up being the very best player available in this situation, as his cover skills along with great support in the run game could pose too much talent to pass up and at a position that the organization has neglected for too long. With Finnegan's days as an elite corner coming to an end, the Rams need to find a top-notch talent to pair next to interception-machine Janoris Jenkins.
11. Minnesota Vikings: WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
As a Packer fan, I am sad to say that this Vikings organization is completely heading in the right direction. Mike Zimmer is a defensive mastermind and a great leader at head coach. Teddy Bridgewater has proven to be a safe and decent pick to be the franchise quarterback, but he doesn't have many reliable and dangerous weapons in the passing game. Enter a familiar face in Parker, who teamed up with Bridgewater in college, and the Vikings have a significant deep threat and effective underneath receiving threat for years to come.
12. Cleveland Browns: DT Danny Shelton, Washington
As one of the very worst defensive units against the run last year, the Browns could really use a monstrous nose tackle to take up space and disrupt on every down. Shelton was a great tackler at Washington and could anchor a young and improving defensive line that could greatly balance Cleveland's solid secondary. Without either top two quarterbacks somehow still on the board, the Browns are forced to grab the best talent and position of need at pick 12.
13. New Orleans Saints: Edge Randy Gregory, Nebraska
I was having trouble forecasting this pick because I am not sure if Gregory is still on the Saints board at this point. Even with his failed drug test and his other off the field issues, his talent trumps all of that in this situation. His speed and undervalued strength off the edge is deadly and an absolutely needed toy for Rob Ryan to play with for a team lacking in any sort of pass rush.
14. Miami Dolphins: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
With the top corner Trae Waynes off the board here, the Dolphins need to address another top need and grab their left tackle of the future. JuWan James was a nice pick to man the right side last season, but Peat may be the best and most reliable pick for teams looking for the best player to protect the blindside of their quarterback for years to come.
15. San Francisco 49ers: WR Breshad Perriman, UCF
The Niners grab the blazing speed of Perriman here to shore up their wide receiver unit after losing Michael Crabtree this offseason. Perriman still needs a lot of developing in route-running, but he is a nice deep threat and rarely drops passes off of good throws. As the Niners start to rebuild their offense with new, more dangerous weapons to surround Kaepernick, Perriman is a welcome addition.
16. Houston Texans: CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
With Marcus Peters struggling with questions about commitment and off the field issues, Johnson is the next best corner in the draft and one that the Texans would be happy to nab him here. Some, including myself, consider Johnson to be the best off cornerback and the best cover man in zone coverages, given his awesome abilities to diagnose plays and make up room in space quickly. Despite having a slight frame and limited upper body strength, which needs to change once at the next level, he is a solid tackler.
17. San Diego Chargers: DT Malcom Brown, Texas
I could see the Chargers potentially intrigued by Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon in this slot, but they continue to shore up their problems along the defensive line. Without many prime run stoppers on their roster, it is essential that the Bolts fix this issue, and their may not be a better prospect left on the board than Brown here. He fits better in a 4-3 scheme, but his work as a run stopper is lights out and he takes up a lot of space in the trenches. With offensive mastermind Mike McCoy at the helm, San Diego can afford to improve their defense before touching up their offensive positions.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
When your wide receivers do not catch a SINGLE passing touchdown a year ago, you know you need to upgrade the positional group. With this selection, they get a ready-made red zone monster of a wide out in Green-Beckham. Although he does own his own set of off the field issues, his skill set along with his size and instincts may be too much for a team so needy for playmakers on the outside.
19. Cleveland Browns: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
After messing up their top pick at running back a few years ago, they go with a more injury-prone yet faster and more explosive runner in Gurley this time around. The fact of the matter is that the Browns are going to have to play out the Manziel experiment for at least another season, so they should grab him some playmakers to surround him while he continues developing. He is still healing, but Gurley presents the type of play that Peterson displays, as they share that awesome combination of speed and power.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: DL Arik Armstead, Oregon
As you know, it is no secret that Chip Kelly loves choosing Oregon Ducks, and Armstead not only is a huge positional need for Philly, but also brings great value to this spot of the draft. He has a huge frame and is 6'7, bringing incredible strength and power to the position. He is very versatile and can shift over to defensive end in an instant. He has a very large ceiling, but also presents a lot of bust potential, making this a risky pick.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: SS Landon Collins, Alabama
It seems like Collins is dropping from being a potential top ten pick to sliding all the way out of the first round. I am not sure why that happened, but it could because he is a major liability in coverage and is very small at 6'0. He is still a thumper and a powerful in the box tackler who gives it all in run support. The Bengals continue to field one of the most intimidating and physically imposing defenses in the NFL, and the selection of Collins would only add to that.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Marcus Peters, Washington
Peters is a great cover corner, who could have been a top fifteen pick if not for getting kick off of the Husky football team midseason last year. For a team like the Steelers who need cornerback help in the worst way, you can kindly and swiftly overlook that situation. Peters presents a great cornerback for pass coverage and in press schemes, can be an imposing supporter in run defense. For a defense still trying to get younger and faster, that sounds awesome.
23. Detroit Lions: DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State
With Williams, Shelton, and Brown off the board, the Lions grab Goldman from the Seminoles. He is actually great fit in Detroit's 4-3 defensive scheme, as he works best in an under tackle position and may not be big enough to play the nose. He is a stout run defender, who excels at blowing up running lanes and holding on to ball carriers. The lack of a pas rush has significantly hurt his stock but Goldman is a great defensive tackle for a team that badly need one.
24. Arizona Cardinals: CB Byron Jones, Connecticut
I was considering an offensive lineman and a running back here, but it seems as if the Cardinals are going to go defense with this pick. Byron Jones broke a World Record at the combine, as he is officially holds the longest broad jump ever recorded. Add that to his blazing 40 times, and you are talking about one of the very best athletes in the entire draft class. Although he needs to develop as a cover corner, his tackling and ability to keep up with the very fastest receivers is the only reason the Cardinals need to pair this stud opposite of Patrick Peterson.
25. Carolina Panthers: OT Erick Flowers, Miami (FL)
This is one of those teams where I am absolutely sure about what position it attacks in the first round. I was having trouble deciding between Flowers and fellow Florida collegiate athlete D.J. Humphries from the Gators, but I decided on the more sure thing. Humphries may be the better left tackle prospect, but Flower is a better overall blocker, being much superior in the run game. The Panthers will have a long leash on him, allowing him to develop into the full-time starter over time.
26. Baltimore Ravens: RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
I love this fit. The offensive line, zone blocking scheme, pro-style offense, it all is perfect for the type of game Gordon brings to the game. With Forsett reaching the age of 30 soon, Gordon can ease into the position, developing as a pass blocker and as a catcher as well. He would be my early pick for rookie of the year, and with an effective quarterback in place, a luxury he did not have at UW, he could be all the more dangerous at the next level. His vision and breakaway speed is superior even to Todd Gurley, and with some added muscle, he could develop into the complete package of a runner.
27. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jalen Collins, LSU
The Cowboys could look for some defensive line help here, but with no great ones on the board they grab Jalen Collins, a rather inexperienced but extremely talented corner from LSU, who has only started ten collegiate games and has some injury concerns. The Cowboy secondary is in a flux, and with Collins and all the better corner prospects already off the board, I like for Collins to leave now. Given his skill at locating the ball and his great tackling skills, the Cowboys could use him in their unimposing group of corners.
28. Denver Broncos: OL Cameron Erving, Florida State
I could see the Broncos going defensive line or linebacker here, but without premier players at the position here, I am afraid they will have to start and improve their porous interior offensive line, especially with how old and frail Manning is getting, he cannot take many more hits. Erving is a very powerful blocker and can be very effective in both the run and pass protection. He can move the pile and keep Manning upright, and brings solid value at this point in the draft.
29. Indianapolis Colts: FS Damarious Randall, Arizona State
This could definitely be a reach, but the Colts need so much safety help, and Randall is the only one that could conceivably, at least from Day 1. He can be their center fielder and provide help over the top of their productive cornerbacks. If Randall is on the board here, which I am 100% sure he will be, the Colts have to nab him.
30. Green Bay Packers: OLB Eli Harold, Virginia
This is a pick that may confuse a lot of my fellow Packer fans, but I just do not see a cornerback or inside linebacker with the value to be selected here. With that in mind, Ted Thompson goes best player available and spots an incredible and underrated talent at outside linebacker in Harold. At 6-3 and 247 pounds, Harold may be lacking in a little weight but when he adds muscle to his frame in the NFL, he could be a beast of a pass rusher. Dane Brugler of CBS Sports compared Harold as a smaller version of an Ezekiel Ansah, and I agree with him. After he recorded a 4.60 40 time he shows he has the speed and footwork to be a great compliment to Clay Matthews once Julius Peppers hangs up the cleats.
31. New Orleans Saints: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
After addressing their pass rushing hole earlier in the first round, the Saints can now focus on adding a talented pass catching toy for Brees to utilize. His size compares well to Marquis Colston and he possesses great catching ability whether it is going up for the ball in the air or underneath in the open field. He ran a solid 4.44 40 time, and the Saints can utilize his combination of speed and size to replace the huge losses in the passing game left by Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills.
32. New England Patriots: CB Ronald Darby, Florida State
I know I went a little cornerback crazy after putting now 6 corners in the first round, and Seminole crazy with my fourth first round Florida State prospect on the first night, but I like this selection for the defending Super Bowl champions. They just lost Darelle Revis to free agency and is in need of a top notch corner to complete their defense. He is a great cover guy and a decent tackler in space. This could be a reach, but after watching this kid run a 4.38 40, I see his potential as a great corner in this league, especially under the guidance of Bill Bellicheck.
