PFT’s pre-free agency mock draft: Watkins and Martin

[Prime Time]

PFT’s pre-free agency mock draft
Posted by Mike Florio on March 10, 2014

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Mock drafts are for the most part useless. They’re even more useless before free agency, when needs are filled and created by the movement of veterans players.

With that caveat, and acknowledging that some of you will call this the “worst . . . mock . . . ever” regardless of who’s listed on it, here’s a completely meaningless projection, crafted with the input of an actual scout. Who is employed. By a team. In the NFL.

For now.

1. Texans: Greg Robinson, tackle, Auburn.

Quarterback is a pressing need, but they also need guys to block for the quarterback. They most likely could trade down and still get Robinson.

2. Rams: Sammy Watkins, receiver, Clemson.

If they’re going to stick with Sam Bradford at quarterback, they need to give him another weapon. For the second straight year, how about a wideout in the top 10? Or a Fresca?

3. Jaguars: Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end, South Carolina.

In recent years, the Jaguars have drafted defensive linemen like the Lions used to select receivers. Clowney’s potential can’t be overlooked, and coach Gus Bradley surely believes he can push the right buttons to get the most out of him.

4. Browns: Johnny Manziel, quarterback, Texas A&M.

Owner Jimmy Haslam’s effort to land Jim Harbaugh shows a willingness to swing for the fences. Manziel is the potential home run in this year’s draft class. If the Browns strike out, well, they’re used to that.

5. Raiders: Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback, Louisville.

The most NFL-ready quarterback lands with one of the least NFL-ready rosters. But things could be changing, especially if they spend all that cap space the right way.

6. Falcons: Khalil Mack, linebacker, Buffalo.

They could be tempted to trade up for Clowney. But why not stand pat for a player who could end up being as good?

7. Buccaneers: Aaron Donald, defensive tackle, Pitt.

Gerald McCoy thinks he can be Warren Sapp in Lovie Smith’s defense. Aaron Donald may have a better shot at it.

8. Vikings: Blake Bortles, quarterback, Central Florida.

With Matt Cassel in place for two years, Bortles gets eased in to the job, possibly becoming offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s next star pupil.

9. Bills: Jake Matthews, tackle, Texas A&M.

Regarded a year ago to be better than Luke Joeckel, he’ll help beef up an offensive line that has underperformed in recent years.

10. Lions: Mike Evans, receiver, Texas A&M.

Matt Millen will be smiling. Lions fans will be cringing. Until Matthew Staffordstarts throwing passes both to Evans and to Calvin Johnson, with Reggie Bushexploding out of the backfield and Joseph Fauria becoming a poor man’s Jimmy Graham.

11. Titans: Anthony Barr, linebacker, UCLA.

Former offensive player turned defender could help pump up a new-look defense under Ray Horton, who had Barkevious Mingo as a rookie last year in Cleveland.

12. Giants: Timmy Jernigan, defensive tackle, Florida State.

Facing the potential departures of Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph, the Giants need to restore some bite to a defensive line that didn’t necessarily carry them to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, but helped deliver victory once they got there.

13. Rams: Zack Martin, tackle, Notre Dame.

With Jake Long recovering from a torn ACL and Rodger Saffold bidding adieu, it’s time to add a tackle.

14. Bears: C.J. Mosley, linebacker, Alabama.

Veteran D.J. Williams got the first chance to assume the middle linebacker mantle in Chicago. The Bears should now turn to a rookie.

15. Steelers: Marqise Lee, receiver, USC.

With Mike Wallace gone and Emmanuel Sanders soon to join him, the Steelers provide Antonio Brown a young partner and Big Ben another target.

16. Cowboys: Dee Ford, defensive end, Auburn.

With Anthony Spencer likely gone and DeMarcus Ware closing in on the end of his run in Dallas, it’s time to stock up on pass rushers.

17. Ravens: Taylor Lewan, tackle, Michigan.

Even if Eugene Monroe sticks around, Michael Oher won’t be. They’ll need a right tackle, and Lewan could be the guy to take over there.

18. Jets: Eric Ebron, tight end, North Carolina.

The Jets need a weapon at tight end who knows the way to the end zone. Also Boston Market.

19. Dolphins: Xavier Su’a-Filo, guard, UCLA.

Jonathan Martin likely gets replaced by Branden Albert. And Richie Incognito could be replaced by the rookie from UCLA.

20 Cardinals: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State.

Coach Bruce Arians is trying too hard to create the impression he won’t be drafting a quarterback, possibly in order to make anyone drafting below him who needs a quarterback believe he won’t be drafting a quarterback.

21. Packers: Ha Ha Clinton Dix, safety, Alabama.

The Packers have paid strong safety Morgan Burnett, and they won’t be tendering an offer to restricted free agent free safety M.D. Jennings. Enter Clinton-Dix.

22. Eagles: Calvin Pryor, safety, Louisville.

Philly may prefer Clinton-Dix, which could spark a game of leapfrog. Without trades, Pryor gets the pick and helps fill a clear area of need.

23. Chiefs: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State.

The Chiefs don’t have many glaring weaknesses. Cornerback is one of them. In a division with Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers, that’s a problem.

24. Bengals: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State.

Shazier ran a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash with a bad hamstring. Adding him would require some shuffling of the linebackers, since Shazier is suited to the weak side. Given his talents and Vontaze Burfict’s versatility, that’s a good problem to have.

25. Chargers: Trai Turner, G, LSU.

Philip Rivers, the 2013 comeback player of the year, came back from if anything a subpar offensive line. Turner could make it even less subpar.

26. Browns (from Colts): Dri Archer, running back, Kent State.

The Browns keep swinging for the fences with a guy who could become the nextChris Johnson. (Before he went from being great to pretty good.)

27. Saints: Odell Beckham, receiver, LSU.

The stable of weapons gets replenished, partially. Jimmy Graham still needs an explanation.

28. Panthers: Darqueze Dennard, cornerback, Michigan State.

The looming exodus of Captain Munnerlyn and Drayton Florence means it’s time to load up the secondary at a low cost.

29. Patriots: Kyle Fuller, cornerback, Virginia Tech.

Farewell, Aqib Talib. Welcome to the fold, Kyle Fuller.

30. 49ers: Jason Verrett, cornerback, TCU.

Trent Baalke may be tempted to take a receiver in order to wash away the lingering residue of the A.J. Jenkins selection. The bigger need is at cornerback, although it would be better if a bigger cornerback were available at this spot.

31. Broncos: Kony Ealy, defensive end, Missouri.

Shaun Phillips was a capable one-year replacement for Elvis Dumervil. Ealy could be the longer-term option.

32. Seahawks: RaShede Hageman, defensive tackle, Minnesota.

With Clinton McDonald likely leaving via free agency, the Seahawks add depth and get younger in the interior defensive line. Hageman’s pass rush skills will help replace Michael Bennett, who would slide inside from time to time on passing downs.

 

[laramsoriginal]

Dri Archer is projected to go in rounds 4-7, no way he goes in the first round or even in the 2nd

 

[VARAMS]

Zach Martin is an NFL guard - probably a good one but a guard just the same. You have Taylor Lewan falling way too far back and if Rams want a tackle at 1.13 - they would be picking him.

 

[Boffo97]

Zach Martin is an NFL guard - probably a good one but a guard just the same. You have Taylor Lewan falling way too far back and if Rams want a tackle at 1.13 - they would be picking him.

They may be worried about Lewan's legal problems.

If the allegations against him are true, he'd be possibly the biggest scumbag ever on a Rams roster... and that's even counting Kyle Turley.

 

[SierraRam]

#1 receiver - Long, Martin, Mack?, Saffold, Barksdale ! Look out whiners & seamonkeys

 

[CGI_Ram]

While I love Mathews, this mock shows we can get quality help on the oline AND Watkins.

 

[laramsoriginal]

#1 receiver - Long, Martin, Mack?, Saffold, Barksdale ! Look out whiners & seamonkeys

How exactly would the rams be able to get mack?

 

[SierraRam]

How exactly would the rams be able to get mack?

You're right. That was a reach. Insert Wells at Center for six games or so...

 

[rammzzz]

be hard to out-scum Lawrence Phillips

 

[Prime Time]

Post-free agency mock draft
Posted by Mike Florio on April 7, 2014

AP

Before free agency, we posted a mock draft. Because when in Rome.

Now that free agency is nearly four weeks old, which has resulted in needs being filled and new needs being created, we’ve put together a new mock draft.

Because when in Rome.

So here’s how we see things, 31 days before it’ll be time to say, “When in New York City.”

1. Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end, South Carolina.

Yeah, Bortles. Yeah, Manziel. But the Texans lucked into J.J. Watt when a pair of teams from their own division took Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert three years ago. That lesson should not be lost on the Texans. Especially with Jacksonville on the clock two picks later.

2. Rams: Sammy Watkins, receiver, Clemson.

If they’re going to stick with Sam Bradford at quarterback, they need to give him another weapon. The fact that they seem to be downplaying it serves only to make it more likely.

3. Jaguars: Johnny Manziel, quarterback, Texas A&M.

The flirtation with center Alex Mack suggests that the Jags are willing to take chances. Manziel fits with Jedd Fisch’s creative offensive approach and, more importantly, Manziel will make the Jaguars into a marquee team. If he’s successful. If he’s not, they’ll get another crack at another quarterback soon enough.

4. Browns: Derek Carr, quarterback, Fresno State.

Should Carr go that high? No. Should the Browns screw around if they think they’ve found the guy who can run Kyle Shanahan’s offense the way Shanahan wants? Hell no.

5. Raiders: Greg Robinson, tackle, Auburn.

Yes, they signed Donald Penn to presumably play left tackle. But they’ll find a spot for both guys as they try to open running lanes and keep Matt Schaub in one piece.

6. Falcons: Khalil Mack, linebacker, Buffalo.

The pass rush remains an area of need after free agency. It would be a surprise if the Falcons use the No. 6 pick on any other position.

7. Buccaneers: Mike Evans, receiver Texas A&M.

Dumping Mike Williams makes receiver an obvious need. Maybe too obvious; they could get leapfrogged for Evans.

8. Vikings: Blake Bortles, quarterback, Central Florida.

With Matt Cassel in place for two years, Bortles gets eased in to the job, possibly becoming offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s next star pupil.

9. Bills: Jake Matthews, tackle, Texas A&M.

Regarded a year ago to be better than Luke Joeckel, he’ll help beef up an offensive line that has underperformed in recent years.

10. Lions: Aaron Donald, defensive tackle, Pitt.

Receiver becomes less of a need with Golden Taint in the fold. With the Lions not exercising the fifth-year option on Nick Fairley as a motivational tool and withNdamukong Suh still carrying a $22 million-plus cap number, they need a fresh face at the position.

11. Titans: Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback, Louisville.

The Titans have done a good job of keeping their cards close to the vest regarding the need for a quarterback. As May approaches, it’s becoming more obvious that they need to take a chance on someone, three years after they took a chance on Jake Locker.

12. Giants: Timmy Jernigan, defensive tackle, Florida State.

Given the departures of Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph, the Giants need to restore some bite to a defensive line that didn’t necessarily carry them to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, but helped deliver victory once they got there.

13. Rams: Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, safety, Alabama.

Keeping Rodger Saffold allows the Rams to address the last line of defense.

14. Bears: Bears: C.J. Mosley, linebacker, Alabama.

Veteran D.J. Williams got the first chance to assume the middle linebacker mantle in Chicago. The Bears should now turn to a rookie.

15. Steelers: Marqise Lee, receiver, USC.

With Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jerricho Cotchery all gone, the Steelers provide Antonio Brown a young partner and Big Ben another target.

16. Cowboys: Dee Ford, defensive end, Auburn.

With Anthony Spencer likely gone and DeMarcus Ware closing in on the end of his run in Dallas, it’s time to stock up on pass rushers.

17. Ravens: Taylor Lewan, tackle, Michigan.

Eugene Monroe stayed, Michael Oher didn’t. They need a right tackle, and Lewan could be the guy to take over there.

18. Jets: Eric Ebron, tight end, North Carolina.

And here’s why the Jets ultimately didn’t pursue DeSean Jackson. Ebron could become a game-changer in the slot — and he has the charisma to take over the nation’s top media market.

19. Dolphins: Xavier Su’a-Filo, guard, UCLA.

Or they could re-sign Richie Incognito.

20. Cardinals: Anthony Barr, linebacker, UCLA.

If the Cards are going to keep up with the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams, the Cards need pass rushers.

21. Packers: Jason Verrett, cornerback, TCU.

The cornerback slide stops in Green Bay, where the defense needs plenty of impact players.

22. Eagles: Justin Gilbert, cornerback, Oklahoma State.

And it’s suddenly a run on corners, with the Eagles beefing up a potential weak spot.

23. Chiefs: Bradley Roby, cornerback, Ohio State.

Let’s make it three corners in a row, with Roby joining a team that has to deal withPeyton Manning and Philip Rivers.

24. Bengals: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State.

Shazier ran a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash with a bad hamstring. Adding him would require some shuffling of the linebackers, since Shazier is suited to the weak side. Given his talents and Vontaze Burfict’s versatility, that’s a good problem to have.

25. Chargers: Brandin Cooks, receiver, Oregon State.

He says he’s better than DeSean Jackson. The weapons-challenged Philip Rivers will settle for just as good.

26. Browns (from Colts): Trai Turner, guard, LSU.

A surprisingly meat-and-potatoes offseason continues for a team that has lost guard Shawn Lauvao and could lose center Alex Mack, this year or maybe next year.

27. Saints: Odell Beckham, receiver, LSU.

The stable of weapons gets replenished, partially. Jimmy Graham still needs an explanation. And a contract.

28. Panthers: Darqueze Dennard, cornerback, Michigan State.

They can get competent receivers later, in rounds where top-shelf corners aren’t likely lurking.

29. Patriots: Zack Martin, tackle, Notre Dame.

It’s not a glaring area of need but it’s good value for the slot. Plus, it never hurts to have enough guys to keep Tom Brady healthy in the final years of his career.

30. 49ers: Kyle Fuller, cornerback, Virginia Tech.

The lone area of weakness on the team gets addressed. As it should.

31. Broncos: Cyrus Kouandjio, tackle, Alabama.

All those additions on defense won’t help Peyton Manning score more than eight points if he faces the Seahawks again in the Super Bowl.

32. Seahawks: Kony Ealy, defensive end, Missouri.

With Chris Clemons and Red Bryant gone and Jared Allen picking the Bears, the Seahawks need to feed the unit that was critical to the team’s success in 2013.