Round 1:
1. Houston Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina – If you caught Texans’ GM Rick Smith’s recent press conference, you came away with the feeling that the Texans want to move down. But wanting to and actually doing are two different things and I don’t think the Texans will ultimately move down. They’ll pick Clowney and see what QBs are on the board in round two.
2. St. Louis Rams (via Washington Redskins): Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn – I expect the Rams to try and trade this pick, but I’m not sure which team is willing to sacrifice the assets to move up. If the Rams stay at this spot, I expect this pick to come down to Robinson, Sammy Watkins or Khalil Mack.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Khalil Mack, DE, Buffalo – With Clowney off the board, I think this pick comes down to Mack, Blake Bortles or maybe Watkins. Mack is the better talent, and I think Jags are willing to wait on a QB as their rebuilding process is still years away from being completed.
4. Cleveland Browns: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson – If Watkins is on the board, I think the Browns will grab him. They can wait on a QB to drop to them at No. 26 or even later. An offense with Watkins, Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron is scary.
5. Oakland Raiders: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF – Don’t be surprised if Oakland tries to trade down, as that seems to be Reggie McKenzie’s M.O. The Raiders need a QB and taking Bortles would (hopefully) shore up the position for years to come.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M – The Falcons need more protection for Matt Ryan. I think their board looks something like; Clowney, Mack, Robinson and Matthews, so they’re “settling” here. Rumors indicate the Falcons may try to move up, so don’t be surprised if they do just that.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – The Bucs will take a QB high and they might be the team to pull the trigger on Johnny Football. They could take Mike Evans here, but Manziel might be too good to pass up if he’s still on the board.
8. Minnesota Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville – If Bridgewater is on the board, I don’t see the Vikings passing on him. They need a QB and Bridgewater is the most pro-ready of the QBs in the draft. This would be a great pick for the Vikings.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="I view Bridgewater as the best QB in the draft "]
[/caption]
9. Buffalo Bills: Eric Ebron, TE, UNC – The Bills could go a number of different ways here, including taking Mike Evans. However, the Bills just traded for Mike Williams so I think they’ll go Ebron here.
10. Detroit Lions: Mike Evans, WR, Lions – The Lions need a corner badly, but Evans is too good to pass up here. Even with Golden Tate on board, they seem to want another wideout.
11. Tennessee Titans: Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA – The Titans are switching to a 3-4 defense and are in need of a pass rusher. Barr could go in the top 10, so getting him here is a steal.
12. New York Giants: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan – The Giants need a tackle to keep Eli Manning on his feet. I expect this pick to be spent in the trenches, either on the offensive or defensive side.
13. St. Louis: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State – The Rams could use a safety or wide out, but if Gilbert is on the board he should be the pick here.
14. Chicago Bears: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh – The Bears need a safety and a defensive tackle, but Donald is a better talent than Ha Ha Clinton Dix. Donald might not be on the board come draft day.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State – The Steelers have neglected the cornerback position for too long. Dennard would be an instant upgrade and should be the pick if he is on the board here.
16. Dallas Cowboys: Ha Ha Clinton Dix, S, Alabama – The Cowboys haven't had a truly great safety since Darren Woodson retired. Perhaps Clinton Dix can fill that void. If Donald and Clinton Dix are off the board, Dallas might try to move down.
17. TRADE: San Francisco 49ers (via Baltimore Ravens): Odell Beckham, WR, LSU – The 49ers will likely make a big move during the draft, probably for a wide out or corner. They can move up for a first and second rounder. Beckham is a possible target for a trade up.
18. New York Jets: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State – The Jets need to find more weapons for Geno Smith/Mike Vick and Cooks might be the best one on the board. Even with Eric Decker, the Jets need help at WR.
19. Miami Dolphins: Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame – The Dolphins signed Branden Albert, but they need more help as they overhaul their offensive line. Martin is the best of bunch after the Matthews/Robinson/Lewan trio. Miami might have to move up to ensure they get Martin.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Kony Ealy, DE/LB, Missouri – The Cardinals need someone who can get to the quarterback and Ealy can help there. He can play a number of positions too.
21. Green Bay Packers: C.J. Mosely, LB, Alabama – MLB isn’t a huge need for the Packers, but if Mosely slips this far the Packers should grab him quickly. It’d be a classic value pick by the Packers, who could look for a safety as well.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Marqise Lee, WR, USC – The Eagles need a wide out to replace DeSean Jackson.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville – The Chiefs would love to get Pryor in the first. A wideout would make sense if he's gone.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech – If Fuller lasts this long, I think the Bengals will grab him. They’ll take the best player on their board, regardless of need.
25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix III, NG, Notre Dame – With the loss of Cam Thomas to the Steelers, the Chargers need a new nose guard. There isn’t a better one in this draft than Nix.
26. Browns (via Indianapolis Colts): Derek Carr, QB, Fresno – The Browns have Watkins and can now address their need at quarterback. Carr might not last this long, but getting Watkins and Carr should set the Browns up for future success.
27. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Shazier, LB, OSU – The Saints need more linebackers, especially ones with potential like Shazier. While he lacks a true position, he’s versatile enough to play inside or outside linebacker. Rob Ryan would find a way to get the most out Shazier.
28. Carolina Panthers: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia – The loss of Jordan Gross hurts the Panthers. They need to find his replacement for him early in the draft.
29. New England Patriots: Timmy Jernigan, DT, FSU – The Patriots resigned Vince Wolfork to a three-year deal, but it’s deceptive because there is no guaranteed money after the first year. Jernigan could replace Wilfork after next season as the team’s nose guard. A wide receiver or tight end could be the pick here too.
30. TRADE: Ravens (via 49ers (from 49ers): Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame – The Ravens lost Chandler Jones, making their need at DE even greater.
31. Denver Broncos: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU – The Broncos signed Aqib Talib, but they still need help at corner. With limited needs, the Broncos can just take the best player on their board.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama – The Seahawks lost Breno Giacomini to the Jets and the team needs to replace him at right tackle. Kouandjio’s stock has fallen after a poor bowl game and combine. However, he’s still a talented player who should be a solid right tackle in the NFL.
Round 2:
33. Texans: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois – With the top four QBs off the board, the Texans could take any number of QBs. I love Garoppolo, even though he does need time to develop. However, the Texans have said they are willing to bring their QB along slowly.
34. Redskins: Bradley Roby, CB, OSU – With the top tackles off the board, the Redskins can grab a corner to pair with David Amerson for the future.
35. Browns: Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA – The Browns need some help on the interior of the offensive line, and Su’a-Filo is the best guard in the draft. He could be a first round pick.
36. Raiders: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, FSU – The Raiders have a franchise QB now in Bortles and get a (potential) No. 1 wide out in Benjamin. Benjamin has the best size-speed combo since Calvin Johnson, but is raw in his route running and catching. He needs to develop, but could be great.
37. Falcons: Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn – The Falcons are moving to a 3-4 defense, so they need more pass rushers. Getting Ford here is a steal.
38. Buccaneers: Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota – The Bucs need some help on the defensive line, and Hageman has the potential to be an impact player. The Bucs could use a WR, but the value for Hageman is too good.
39. Jaguars: David Yankey, OG, Stanford – The Jaguars need a QB, but there aren’t any worth grabbing here. The Jags also need help on the offensive line badly, and Yankey will be a solid pro at the next level.
40. Vikings: Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU – The Vikings need help at linebacker, and Van Noy is versatile enough to play multiple positions. He’s the type of player new head coach Mike Zimmer would love to have.
41. Bills: Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State – The Bills need a safety to replace Jairus Byrd.
42. Titans: Carlos Hyde, RB, OSU – With the release of Chris Johnson, the Titans need a new running back. Hyde, in many ways, is the opposite of Johnson. He’s bruiser who loves contact.
43. Giants: Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford – The Giants need help on the defensive line. They struggled there last season and lost Justin Tuck and Livnal Joseph.
44. Rams: Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois – The Rams need a safety to pair with T.J. McDonald.
45. Lions: Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State – Never a team to avoid loading up on the defensive line, the Lions could use some help replacing the departed Willie Young.
46. Steelers: Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State – The Steelers signed Lance Moore and Darius Heyward-Bey, but they aren’t consistently effective wide receivers. The Steelers need a big target for Ben Roethlisberger, and that’s exactly what Robinson is. If Benjamin slips to round two, don’t be surprised if the Steelers try to move up to get him.
47. Cowboys: Dominique Easley, DT, Florida – If Easley had stayed healthy, he could have been a first round pick. Dallas could play Easley at DT or DE, and they need help at both spots.
48. Ravens: Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana – Latimer hasn’t gotten much hype, but he’s a talented player. This strikes me as a classic under-the-radar Ravens pick. Don’t be surprised if Latimer goes before this, maybe even in the late first round.
49. Jets: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech – Pairing Cooks with Amaro will greatly help the Vick/Smith combo at QB. Amaro could be off the board before this pick.
50. Dolphins: Cyril Richardson, OG, Baylor – The overhaul of the Dolphins' line continues as Miami grabs two linemen. Richardson has the potential to be a mauler in the running game.
51. Bears: Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada – Jordan Mills may have been a rookie last season, but he was awful (PFF subscription required). Bitonio might be the best player you’ve never heard of. He needs work, but is versatile enough to play several spots on the line.
52. Cardinals: Bashaud Breeland, CB, Clemson – The Cardinals have Patrick Peterson, but they need a long-term answer across from him. They signed Antonio Cromartie, but he is a short-term player.
53. Packers: Marcus Martin, C, USC – Since the Packers let Evan Dietrich-Smith leave for Tampa, they need a new center.
54. Eagles: Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech – The Eagles tried to trade for Dion Jordan, so a high pick will likely be spent on a pass rusher. .
55. Bengals: DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise, – The Bengals love to pick the best player on their board, and that might just be Lawrence. He could play DE or OLB for them.
56. Ravens (via 49ers from Chiefs): LaMarcus Joyner, CB/S, FSU – The Ravens need help in the secondary, and Joyner's ability to play multiple spots might appeal to them.
57. Chargers: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska – The Chargers could use another cornerback, and Jean-Baptiste fits into the new mold of corners that are becoming popular. He’s a big, physical corner that can compete with larger wideouts.
58. Saints: Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson – The Saints could use another big wideout after the loss of Lance Moore.
59. Colts: Dion Bailey, S, USC – The Colts need safety help at both spots, and Bailey is the best one left on the board.
60. Panthers: Davante Adams, WR, Fresno State – The Panthers need to get Cam Newton more weapons at WR. Adams might go higher than this.
61. 49ers: Louchiez Purifoy, CB, Florida – The 49ers are need of a corner and Purifoy should go in this range. The 49ers might take a CB in the first round.
62. Patriots: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt – The Patriots need another wide receiver to help Tom Brady.
63. Broncos: Marcus Smith, OLB, Louisville – The Broncos can basically take the best player on their board, since they have few needs. Smith appears to be a late riser, and can learn behind DeMarcus Ware.
64. Seahawks: Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU – The Seahawks are getting Percy Harvin back, but lost Golden Tate. Russell Wilson could use a few more weapons around him.
Round 3:
65. Texans: Billy Turner, OT, North Dakota – The Texans need a RT, as Derek Newton was awful last season (PFF subscription required). Turner might be able to start right away.
66. Redskins: Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee – Richardson didn’t play great this past year, but has the upside to be a solid tackle in the NFL. Finding protection for RGIII is a priority for the Redskins.
67. Raiders: Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State – The Raiders need someone who can rush the passer from the tackle spot. Sutton had a down year, but is talented.
68. Falcons: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington – If Seferian-Jenkins falls this far, the Falcons will quickly grab him.
69. Buccaneers: Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado – Richardson is small, but he’d be a nice compliment to Vincent Jackson in Tampa.
70. Jaguars: Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU – The Jags need a QB badly and they’ve been linked to Mettenberger. Mettenberger might need to sit and learn for a year, but the Jaguars have shown they can be patient in their rebuilding process.
71. Browns: Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida – The Browns need another corner across from Joe Haden. Roberson might be the best one on the board.
72. Vikings: Ahmad Dixon, S, Baylor – Dixon would form a nice pairing with Harrison Smith in the Vikings' secondary.
73. Bills: Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford – The Bills could use an upgrade over Erik Pears.
74. Giants: Troy Niklas, TE, Notre Dame – Finding a tight end for Eli Manning is a must for the Giants. Niklas might go earlier than this.
75. Rams: Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina – Clowney got all the hype at South Carolina, but Quarles is no slouch himself. The Rams are in the market for some help at the defensive tackle position.
76. Lions: Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice – The Lions desperately need help at corner.
77. 49ers (from Titans): DaQuan Jones, DT, Penn State – The 49ers don’t have a true one-technique on the roster. Taking Jones would fix that.
78. Cowboys: Caraun Reid, DT, Princeton – The Cowboys need all the help they can get on the defensive line.
79. Ravens: JaWaun James, OT, Tennessee – The Ravens lost Michael Oher in free agency, so they need to find a viable replacement.
80. Jets: Ed Reynolds, S, Stanford – Antonio Allen is not the answer at safety. Reynolds is the best player left.
81. Dolphins: Shane Skov, MLB, Stanford – The Dolphins spent a ton of money on Dannell Ellerbe, but he struggled last season (PFF subscription required). Skov can start right away.
82. Bears: Terrence Brooks, S, FSU – The Bears need an upgrade at safety badly. They could address the position before this, but getting Brooks here is great value.
83. Browns (from Steelers): Tre Mason, RB, Auburn – The Browns signed Ben Tate, but that doesn’t mean they won’t add another running back. This is solid value for Mason.
84. Cardinals: Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh – Savage looks like a first round pick, but his tape is indicative of a late round pick. I love him as a sleeper, but not this high. It’s a reach, but the Cardinals want a big-arm QB for Bruce Arians. Savage can sit for a few years behind Carson Palmer.
85. Packers: Craig Loston, S, LSU – The Packers have a pressing need at safety.
86. Eagles: Victor Hampton, CB, South Carolina – The Eagles need some help at corner and Hampton could be a solid nickel back in the NFL.
87. Chiefs: Keith McGill, CB/S, Utah – McGill played corner at Utah, but could be a better fit at safety. The Chiefs do have a need at corner and safety, so McGill would make sense at both spots.
88. Bengals: Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State – With the release of Kyle Cook, the Bengals need a new center. Richburg can step in and start right away. He should be the second center off the board.
89. Chargers: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas – The Chargers need to find more pass rushers. They’ve missed on players like Larry English and Melvin Ingram, the latter of whom has just two sacks in two years. Jackson played mostly DE at Texas, but can play as a 3-4 OLB.
90. Colts: Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State – Andrew Luck makes the Colts look a lot better than they actually are. The Colts need to do a better job of protecting their franchise QB.
91. Saints: Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas – While Swanson bears no relation to Ron Swanson, he’s a quality center prospect who should be a solid starter. The Saints need a new one after losing Brian De La Puente to the Bears.
92. Panthers: Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina – The Panthers lost Steve Smith, Ted Ginn and Brandon LaFell and replaced them with Jason Avant, Jerricho Cotchery and Tiquan Underwood. Even spending a second round pick on a wideout isn’t enough; they need to take two. Ellington looked great in his bowl game and should be a third round pick. He’d make a nice pairing in the slot alongside Davante Adams.
93. Patriots: C.J. Fiederowicz, TE, Iowa –The Patriots need someone to help replace Aaron Hernandez. There is a noticeable drop-off in talent after Fiederowicz.
94. 49ers: Ego Ferguson, DE, LSU – Ferguson has talent, but has never truly lived up to his potential. Maybe he can do so learning behind the aging Justin Smith in San Francisco.
95. Broncos: Carl Bradford, LB, Arizona State – The Broncos lost versatile linebacker Wesley Woodward in free agency, so they’ll need to find a versatile LB like Bradford.
96. Vikings (from Seahawks): Kareem Martin, DE, UNC – The Vikings inked Everson Griffin to a big contract, but could use some more depth. Getting the talented-but-underachieving Martin in the late third round is great value.
97. Steelers (compensatory): Chris Smith, OLB, Arkansas – Smith needs some work as he transitions to outside linebacker, but the Steelers can bring him along slowly.
98. Packers (compensatory): Donte Moncreiff, WR, Ole Miss – The Packers aren’t hurting for more wide outs, but they did lose James Jones to the Raiders. Moncreiff would be a second round pick in a draft that isn’t as deep at wide out as this one is.
99. Ravens (compensatory): Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington – The Ravens have filled most of their needs already and Sankey is probably the best player left on the board. Plus, he can replace Ray Rice if Rice continues to look like a fat kid in a snowsuit on the football field.
100. 49ers (compensatory): Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood – The 49ers don’t have many needs, so they can just draft the best player on their board. The 49ers already grabbed one corner, but you can never have too many.