The NFL draft is creeping up on us as it is less than a month away and it can’t get here fast enough. Before you look over our newest mock draft, make sure you take a look at our last effort from late February. You can find Picks 17-32 here.
A lot will probably change in the next few weeks but here’s our mock draft with picks 1-16…
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston , QB, Florida State
This is a consensus pick, right? Winston has to grow up off the field but there is no denying that he is electric in “winning time” and the Bucs will snatch him up at number one.
2. Tennessee Titans – Leonard Williams, DE, USC
With so much talent available and with the Titans needing to fill numerous holes, it would wouldn’t shock me to see the Titans trade down but if they stay they should draft big Leonard Williams.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida
With Randy Gregory’s off field issues since our last mock, Fowler jumps up and grabs his spot.
4. Oakland Raiders – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
It seems almost unanimous in mock circles that the Raiders will choose a receiver and while I would take Amari Cooper if I had the pick, I think the Raiders will go with White.
5. Washington Redskins – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Here’s another potential spot for Gregory but I think he continues to fall as Washington goes after a need with Beasley.
6. New York Jets – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Do the Jets pull the trigger on Marcus Mariota here? I think they do. He falls to them and they can’t help themselves.
7. Chicago Bears – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Bears could go a number of ways here and while they have bigger needs, they go for the best available with Cooper.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
The Falcons have to improve their pass rush so this comes down to Gregory, Bud Dupree and Shane Ray. Will the Falcons turn over a new leaf and take a chance on a guy like Gregory this high? Not a chance. They go with the experience and leadership of Ray.
9. New York Giants – Danny Shelton, NT, Washington
Shelton is just too good to pass up here as he fits a need and will give the Giants a solid anchor.
10. St. Louis Rams – Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Rams have to get OL help so they take the best available offensive lineman here with Scherff.
11. Minnesota Vikings – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
UConn’s Byron Jones is a player to watch here. I also think the Vikings could trade down to grab more picks. If they stay put, expect them to snag Waynes to partner with Xavier Rhodes.
12. Cleveland Browns – DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Browns go after a WR here. We just wonder whose going to throw him the ball.
13. New Orleans Saints – Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
With a lot of the pass rushers already off the board, the Saints snatch up Dupree who will give them needed athleticism in their pass rush.
14. Miami Dolphins – Jalen Collins , CB, LSU
This is another potential spot for UConn’s Jones but the Phins go with Collins to put opposite Brent Grimes.
15. San Francisco 49ers – Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
Gregory is not a specific need here for the 49ers, he’s fallen further than his skill set and he’s worth the gamble here.
16. Houston Texans – La’el Collins, OT, LSU
Look for the Texans to grab Collins to bolster their line play.
