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http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...l-combine-two-round-mock-draft-155706803.html
Connecting the dots on a mock draft three weeks before the start of free agency proves to be difficult, especially with more health and workout information needed on a few key injured draft prospects.
But we’ll take a crack with the NFL scouting combine in the rearview mirror and the bulk of the draft information in the tank. Here’s how we think the first two rounds could look, as things stand now.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Florida State QB Jameis Winston
Lovie Smith says he’s OK with Winston’s character, which would be the only real roadblock to welcoming him in the building. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter won’t have to dig deep in his playbook to find a system that fits Winston’s skills, having coached similar physical types in Byron Leftwich and Matt Ryan in Jacksonville and Atlanta, respectively. The stars are starting to line up for this marriage.
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2. Tennessee Titans — Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
Our best comp for Mariota since last fall has been Alex Smith, who has been a good but hardly transcendent quarterback, and Mariota’s strong workouts this weekend only reinforce that in our minds. Titans OC Jason Michael spent two years as Smith’s QB coach in San Francisco and certainly can draw on that experience to find a way to get the best from Mariota. Are we certain Mariota will go second? No, but the Titans’ lukewarm defense of Zach Mettenberger in Indy at least makes us think this could happen. Otherwise, the Titans might be open for business at 2 if the right team blows them away with a trade offer.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — USC DT Leonard Williams
The Daytona Beach native might be the perfect force player for Gus Bradley’s defense, even if an interior player isn’t the most pressing need. Who cares? Williams might be the cleanest prospect available and could give the Jaguars yet another horse up front to control the action.
4. Oakland Raiders — West Virginia WR Kevin White
Our first mini-shocker. We’ve had this pick in mind prior to White’s incredible workout at the combine that invoked memories of Julio Jones. White’s incredible ascension from junior-college afterthought to possible top-five pick might have some evaluators a bit uneasy, but his physical prowess and wheels project him to being a top target.
5. Washington Redskins — Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
In the Fowler-over-Randy Gregory argument, new defensive coordinator Joe Barry had more success with the forceful edge players such as Melvin Ingram (when he was healthy) in San Diego, even though the Chargers drafted more of a speed option in Jeremiah Attaochu, who had an uneventful rookie season, last year. Ray would add some life to a lifeless Redskins rush and give the defense a little more vinegar.
6. New York Jets — Nebraska OLB Randy Gregory
With Calvin Pace near the end and the jury out on Quentin Coples, the Jets could use someone to heat up the edges. Gregory’s combine weight of 235 pounds might be a concern, but with the Jets featuring such strength up front with Sheldon Richardson, Mo Wilkerson and Damon Harrison, it would allow Gregory to pin his ears back in passing situations.
7. Chicago Bears — Washington DT Danny Shelton
With the Bears switching to a 3-4 alignment, they’ll need more bodies up front. A pass rusher might also fit the bill, but having Shelton over the nose will allow them to clog running lanes and get younger and stronger up front.
8. Atlanta Falcons — Missouri DE Shane Ray
The Columbia-to-Atlanta pipeline continues with this high-RPM pass rusher who is athletic enough to stand up, versatile enough to kick down inside in passing situations and line up with his hand on the turf and carve up the edge.
9. New York Giants — Kentucky OLB Alvin “Bud” Dupree
We could see an offensive tackle here (with the Giants rumored to be enamored with LSU’s La’el Collins), but Dupree’s remarkable physical skills and up-down versatility make him a natural edge force to pair with Jason Pierre-Paul, who is expected to be franchised.
10. St. Louis Rams — Alabama WR Amari Cooper
This would be a coup for the Rams, who know they need a difference maker out wide. Cooper can line up in a variety of spots and help take the top of the tough defenses of the NFC West. The Rams know they need to get more stout up front, but seeing a playmaker of this caliber here would shock them and force them to shift hears.
11. Minnesota Vikings — Iowa OT Brandon Scherff
The guard-tackle versatility would allow Scherff to start inside as a rookie and kick out to tackle eventually if the Vikings opt not to re-sign Matt Kalil after 2015 or decide to part ways with Phil Loadholt. Scherff is already an established run blocker that fits what the Vikings want to do offensively.
12. Cleveland Browns — Oregon DE Arik Armstead
Surprised? Frankly, we are prepared for the Browns to forgo more obvious needs — say, a wide receiver — and take a player such as the talented, enigmatic Armstead, who doesn’t turn 21 until midseason but could be a monster in time. GM Ray Farmer doesn’t appear to value the receiver position the way Browns fans do.
13. New Orleans Saints — Clemson OLB Vic Beasley
After a banner workout in Indy, the Saints might consider themselves lucky to land Beasley here. He bulked up to 246 pounds and put on an athletic show, and Beasley would add a lot of burst to a Saints pass rush that got stale last season.
14. Miami Dolphins — Louisville WR Devante Parker
Parker has No. 1 receiver potential and would combine with Jarvis Landry — depending on what happens with Mike Wallace — to make a nice combo for Ryan Tannehill. The offense needs to add another receiving threat to the mix, and Parker would be a gift here. He’s not a burner but possesses great feel and body control for the position.
15. San Francisco 49ers — Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong
With Michael Crabtree set to hit free agency, Anquan Boldin and Brandon Lloyd reaching their mid-30s and Stevie Johnson dropping off in production, this receiving group needs some new blood. Bruce Ellington might surprise, but he’s a 5-9 slot receiver. The 6-2 Strong has some basketball-like skills and can be a front-line producer without possessing great long speed.
16. Houston Texans — Michigan State CB Trae Waynes
There’s hardly a consensus on who the top cornerback prospect is in this class, and not every team is enamored with Waynes, even with his obvious athletic gifts. But the Texans stand to lose Kareem Jackson in free agency and seem to favor size-speed-strength prospects such as Waynes, who could pair well with Johnathan Joseph as a first-year starter on a team that plays a lot of bump-and-run coverage. If Waynes can improve his technique and stop being so grabby, he could be a frontline starter.
17. San Diego Chargers — Florida State DT Eddie Goldman
It’s rare to find pocket-moving, bull-rushing nose tackles, and that’s exactly what Goldman is. The Chargers have built the defense from the middle out, signing Eric Weddle and Donald Butler to extensions and trading up to draft Manti Te’o. But what they’ve lacked — badly — is that clogging force up the middle to help shield and free up those playmakers.
18. Kansas City Chiefs — Pitt OT T.J. Clemmings
Chiefs fans might be in the process of sending me dangerous viruses as they read this. NO WIDE RECIEVER?! Stick with me. Given who is off the board here, and speculating that hometown kid Dorial Green-Beckham won’t be their exact cup of tea, the Chiefs’ brass instead goes for another key need. Clemmings fits the mold of an Andy Reid lineman: powerful, ornery and athletic. Ryan Harris is a free agent, and Clemmings would figure to be a Day 1 starter in his place.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) — UCLA QB Brett Hundley
From chatter around Indy, it seems that our 2014 midseason predictions will come true: Some team will fall in love with Hundley’s impressive tangibles and intangibles and want to work with him and clean up his faulty mechanics and pocket sense. Figure the Browns and Eagles, who own the next choice, to be the two teams most likely to draft Hundley if he goes this high.
20. Philadelphia Eagles — LSU CB Jalen Collins
Short of landing Nick Foles’ replacement, the Eagles have quite a few other concerns for a team that finished 10-6 last season. Chief among them is a glaring need at cornerback, where Bradley Fletcher was a whipping boy and Cary Williams might not be worth his contract despite playing fairly well at times. Collins’ length and speed fit the Eagles’ ideal at the position.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Washington LB Shaq Thompson
Like with Vontaze Burfict, the Bengals are willing to overlook workout numbers to identify players. Thompson had been a candidate to go in the top 10 prior to the combine, although that was perhaps a bit rich for a weakside linebacker, even one as skilled as Thompson. Burfict’s health status is up in the air, and Rey Maualuga is a free agent. The linebacking crew needs some new life.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers — Washington CB Marcus Peters
The Steelers have gambled on players with character issues in the recent past, and they would be thrilled to get a player as confident and feisty a cornerback at this stage in the draft. Not everyone is in love with Peters, but he could allow new coordinator Keith Butler to play more press-man than the Steelers did last season.
23. Detroit Lions — LSU OT La’el Collins
This would be a steal at this point, and frankly, we’re not convinced there aren’t teams in the top 10 who might be spying Collins and his ability to play either guard or tackle, making him a very safe prospect. We thought the Lions might be candidates to take Michigan’s Taylor Lewan a year ago, so they come back here and fill a need that remains.
24. Arizona Cardinals — Georgia RB Todd Gurley
This might surprise some people, especially after Bruce Arians said that Andre Ellington remains a focal point of the offense. It doubly might raise eyebrows considering that quarterback Carson Palmer, like Gurley, is recovering from an ACL injury. But if Ellington can buoy the team until Gurley is up to full speed, the team could find itself in great shape in a few years when Gurley is a front-line NFL starter.
25. Carolina Panthers — Miami OT Ereck Flowers
The massive Flowers has some technique issues he needs to clean up to maximize his power and become a good pass blocker. But he’s a fiery competitor can bring a dose of nastiness back to the Panthers up front and improve upon failed starter Byron Bell. Flowers’ versatility, having played both tackle spots, makes him even more attractive on a team that needs help on both sides.
26. Baltimore Ravens — Missouri WR Dorial Green-Beckham
If there’s a team that could tap into DGB’s rare skill set and get the most out of him, it’s this one. GM Ozzie Newsome has an ability to figure immature kids out and determine whether there is something salvageable and hungry inside them. It would be fascinating to see if watching Steve Smith practice and prepare every day might instill a daily work ethic in DGB. It could be a fascinating pairing of rare talent and team, and he would fill a need for another red-zone playmaker, too.
27. Dallas Cowboys — Texas DT Malcom Brown
With Henry Melton’s return in real question, the Cowboys tab another former Longhorn here to fill his place. Brown’s penetrative ability would be a real asset on a defense that relies on its front four to supply pressure to help the back end. There’s no edge rusher here to reach for, so the Cowboys can come back to that spot later in the draft.
28. Denver Broncos — Stanford OT Andrus Peat
The Broncos have a way of sitting back and letting the draft come to them, as every year it seems a top-20 talent falls to them in this range. Peat would be the perfect developmental left tackle to one day replace Ryan Clady, who is set to hit the salary cap for more than $10 million each of the next three seasons and who is coming off a down year following his 2013 injury. Peat also can be an immediate upgrade at right tackle. This would be a winning pick.
29. Indianapolis Colts — Alabama S Landon Collins
This would be another steal, and frankly we’re assuming that he could go far earlier (Philadelphia? Cincinnati?) following a banner combine performance. Really, Collins is the only safety worth drafting before Round 3, but even with that we’re not sure he’ll be an instant hit in the NFL given the rash of bigger box safeties — even those with Collins’ great athleticism — who have struggled to become impact starters early in their careers in recent years. Still, this appears an upgrade over LaRon Landry, and potentially a big one.
30. Green Bay Packers — Oklahoma NT Jordan Phillips
What the Packers would love is a big, country-strong nose tackle to plug up the middle and help ease the load on whatever player(s) they settle on at inside linebacker. The ILBs have been a revolving door recently, and though the play there has been poor, it’s also partially to blame for having to stack and shed so many big blockers. Adding the massive Phillips and plugging him on the nose 40 snaps a game would make a huge difference.
31. Seattle Seahawks — Florida OT D.J. Humphries
Left tackle Russell Okung is entering his contract year at age 27 (and could outprice himself for the Seahawks), and Justin Britt was up and down at right tackle as a rookie starter. Humphries’ nasty demeanor and athleticism show up on tape and fit the kind of player the Seahawks seem to seek every year.
32. New England Patriots — Florida State OT-OG-C Cameron Erving
Former OL coach Dante Scarnecchia (who is helping advise the team through the draft) helped the team scout ex-Seminole Bryan Stork, who became an important rookie starter for the Super Bowl champs, and the Patriots could go back to Tallahassee for more OL help. Erving made himself some money when he flawlessly shifted midseason from left tackle to center, and he has guard potential that could make him too attractive to pass up on here.
ROUND 2
33. Tennessee Titans — Virginia OLB Eli Harold
Filling the quarterback need in Round 1, the Titans swing back and land a gifted, lengthy edge bender at the top of Round 2.
34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa
We love his momentum in the postseason, following up a strong Senior Bowl with a very good combine workout. The Bucs need rush help and they get it here.
35. Oakland Raiders — Ohio State DT Michael Bennett
Adding an edge player would be nice, but Antonio Smith turns 34 next season, so the Raiders would help themselves by adding another talented interior rusher.
36. Jacksonville Jaguars — Minnesota TE Maxx Williams
Some have the talented 20-year-old Williams landing in Round 1, but we think he’s a perfect fit here as a replacement for Marcedes Lewis, able to grow with a young, burgeoning offense with Blake Bortles. If the Jaguars land Julius Thomas, we'll readjust our projection.
37. New York Jets — Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi
Landing a player whom we pegged as a top-5 possibility as recently as six months ago would be nice for the Jets, whose offensive line looked depleted last season.
38. Washington Redskins — South Carolina OG A.J. Cann
The Redskins could use a little more grit and force up front, and even if Cann is strictly a guard he could help anchor the run game with his experience and toughness.
39. Chicago Bears — Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney
McKinney looks like a three-down linebacker who could fit well in the Bears’ remade defense at a position that was a trouble spot a year ago.
40. New York Giants — Florida State OG Tre Jackson
Passing up the OL need in Round 1, the Giants swing back and land a first-round interior talent who could give them an eight-year type of starter.
41. St. Louis Rams — Penn State OT-OG Donovan Smith
The Rams have shown a bent for rolling the dice on high-ceiling players with potential risk, and if the massive Smith pans out they could really have something.
42. Atlanta Falcons — Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon
Devonta Freeman might end up being a nice complementary back, but the Falcons will need multiple runners in Kyle Shanahan’s stretch-run offense. Gordon is too good to pass up here as a first- and second-down option, which plays to his strengths.
43. Cleveland Browns — USC WR Nelson Agholor
Shifty, smart slot receiver with return potential, Agholor might not be the dynamic game changer fans want, but he’ll be productive.
44. New Orleans Saints — Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Passing up on a corner in Round 1, the Saints know they have to address the position early on, and they land a good man corner who doesn’t back down from tough assignments.
45. Minnesota Vikings — Florida State CB P.J. Williams
Williams might not have front-line measurable or athleticism, but he’s a Mike Zimmer type of corner who could make a nice No. 2 starter on the outside.
46. San Francisco 49ers — Stanford CB Alex Carter
The Niners drafted Jimmie Ward, another physical DB, and come back here with a corner whose physicality could make him an Eric Mangini favorite in time.
47. Miami Dolphins — TCU LB Paul Dawson
The fact that he tested poorly is somewhat concerning, but GM Dennis Hickey put his Round 2 faith in Jarvis Landry — like Dawson a better football player than track tester — and was rewarded. The Dolphins’ linebackers need some reshuffling.
48. San Diego Chargers — Indiana RB Tevin Coleman
If the Chargers lose Ryan Mathews, Coleman could be the perfect replacement assuming his injured foot tests out well in April. Keep an eye on him, folks — Coleman is legit.
49. Kansas City Chiefs — Miami WR Phillip Dorsett
Aching for deep speed, Andy Reid lands a DeSean Jackson-like burner … without the headaches. Dorsett was woefully underused in Miami and could open things up for Alex Smith.
50. Buffalo Bills — Duke OG Laken Tomlinson
The Bills’ long wait without a pick finally is over, and they land a smart, savvy and tough guard here. If the Bills fill their OG need in free agency, you could see them go for a quarterback such as …
51. Houston Texans — Baylor QB Bryce Petty
If the Bills pass on Petty, the Texans could pounce. Both teams have met with multiple quarterbacks at the all-star games and combine, and the Texans could groom Petty to be a starter in 2016 or beyond, even though he is older than your typical prospect at 24.
52. Philadelphia Eagles — LSU OLB-DE Danielle Hunter
Needing another edge rusher with Trent Cole aging and Marcus Smith showing nothing so far, Hunter could be groomed as a future starter in time.
53. Cincinnati Bengals — Michigan WR-TE Devin Funchess
The Bengals appear ready to walk from Jermaine Gresham and know they have three receivers entering their free-agent seasons in 2015. The Bengals can figure out exactly what Funchess is and how to tap into his mismatch abilities.
54. Detroit Lions — Iowa DT Carl Davis
The Lions will be hard-pressed to keep both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, so they could tab the gifted Davis and try to keep his fire alit on a talented D-line.
55. Arizona Cardinals — UCLA LB Eric Kendricks
Daryl Washington remains indefinitely suspended, and the feisty Kendricks would be a perfect fit inside for this defense.
56. Pittsburgh Steelers — Boise State RB Jay Ajayi
It might be a semi-luxury to draft another running back in Round 2 again, with Le’veon Bell clearly the bellcow. But his two-game suspension and no clear backup means the Steelers need to back up their most important player.
57. Carolina Panthers — Ohio State WR Devin Smith
Lacking any real perimeter speed, the Panthers would love Smith’s vertical presence to help open things up underneath for Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin. Plus, Smith’s a quality gunner, and the Panthers’ special teams need major work.
58. Baltimore Ravens — Miami (Ohio) CB Quentin Rollins
Ravens scout Mark Azevedo is the one credited with convincing Rollins to switch from hoops to football, so it makes sense that Rollins — even with his slow 40 time — could help a trouble spot in Baltimore.
59. Denver Broncos — Miami (Fla.) Denzel Perryman
The Broncos are switching to a 3-4 and could use a strong force inside, even if Perryman’s ability to disengage and also play on third downs is in some question.
60. Dallas Cowboys — Florida State DE Mario Edwards
Edwards’ final season at FSU was disappointing, but the Cowboys are among the teams willing to rewind tape to find talent. Edwards could help replace Anthony Spencer on the strong side.
61. Indianapolis Colts — Oregon OT Jake Fisher
The nimble-footed Fisher might not be an ideal-framed right tackle, but he’s a better run blocker than he’s credited to be and can help add athleticism up front on a patchy line.
62. Green Bay Packers — Connecticut CB Byron Jones
Mr. Broad Jump is actually a pretty good football player, too. He played through a shoulder injury and was a team captain at a school that has been an NFL pipeline for decent CB talent.
63. Seattle Seahawks — Central Florida WR Breshad Perriman
A group of undrafted receivers could use a little help, especially with Paul Richardson likely to miss the early part of the season. Perriman’s intriguing skills could fit Seattle’s needs nicely.
64. New England Patriots — Mississippi State DE Preston Smith
The Patriots have a body type they like for their edge players, and Smith fits it. They also could consider Washington OLB Hau’oli Kikaha, whom they met with at the combine.
Connecting the dots on a mock draft three weeks before the start of free agency proves to be difficult, especially with more health and workout information needed on a few key injured draft prospects.
But we’ll take a crack with the NFL scouting combine in the rearview mirror and the bulk of the draft information in the tank. Here’s how we think the first two rounds could look, as things stand now.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Florida State QB Jameis Winston
Lovie Smith says he’s OK with Winston’s character, which would be the only real roadblock to welcoming him in the building. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter won’t have to dig deep in his playbook to find a system that fits Winston’s skills, having coached similar physical types in Byron Leftwich and Matt Ryan in Jacksonville and Atlanta, respectively. The stars are starting to line up for this marriage.
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2. Tennessee Titans — Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
Our best comp for Mariota since last fall has been Alex Smith, who has been a good but hardly transcendent quarterback, and Mariota’s strong workouts this weekend only reinforce that in our minds. Titans OC Jason Michael spent two years as Smith’s QB coach in San Francisco and certainly can draw on that experience to find a way to get the best from Mariota. Are we certain Mariota will go second? No, but the Titans’ lukewarm defense of Zach Mettenberger in Indy at least makes us think this could happen. Otherwise, the Titans might be open for business at 2 if the right team blows them away with a trade offer.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — USC DT Leonard Williams
The Daytona Beach native might be the perfect force player for Gus Bradley’s defense, even if an interior player isn’t the most pressing need. Who cares? Williams might be the cleanest prospect available and could give the Jaguars yet another horse up front to control the action.
4. Oakland Raiders — West Virginia WR Kevin White
Our first mini-shocker. We’ve had this pick in mind prior to White’s incredible workout at the combine that invoked memories of Julio Jones. White’s incredible ascension from junior-college afterthought to possible top-five pick might have some evaluators a bit uneasy, but his physical prowess and wheels project him to being a top target.
5. Washington Redskins — Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
In the Fowler-over-Randy Gregory argument, new defensive coordinator Joe Barry had more success with the forceful edge players such as Melvin Ingram (when he was healthy) in San Diego, even though the Chargers drafted more of a speed option in Jeremiah Attaochu, who had an uneventful rookie season, last year. Ray would add some life to a lifeless Redskins rush and give the defense a little more vinegar.
6. New York Jets — Nebraska OLB Randy Gregory
With Calvin Pace near the end and the jury out on Quentin Coples, the Jets could use someone to heat up the edges. Gregory’s combine weight of 235 pounds might be a concern, but with the Jets featuring such strength up front with Sheldon Richardson, Mo Wilkerson and Damon Harrison, it would allow Gregory to pin his ears back in passing situations.
7. Chicago Bears — Washington DT Danny Shelton
With the Bears switching to a 3-4 alignment, they’ll need more bodies up front. A pass rusher might also fit the bill, but having Shelton over the nose will allow them to clog running lanes and get younger and stronger up front.
8. Atlanta Falcons — Missouri DE Shane Ray
The Columbia-to-Atlanta pipeline continues with this high-RPM pass rusher who is athletic enough to stand up, versatile enough to kick down inside in passing situations and line up with his hand on the turf and carve up the edge.
9. New York Giants — Kentucky OLB Alvin “Bud” Dupree
We could see an offensive tackle here (with the Giants rumored to be enamored with LSU’s La’el Collins), but Dupree’s remarkable physical skills and up-down versatility make him a natural edge force to pair with Jason Pierre-Paul, who is expected to be franchised.
10. St. Louis Rams — Alabama WR Amari Cooper
This would be a coup for the Rams, who know they need a difference maker out wide. Cooper can line up in a variety of spots and help take the top of the tough defenses of the NFC West. The Rams know they need to get more stout up front, but seeing a playmaker of this caliber here would shock them and force them to shift hears.
11. Minnesota Vikings — Iowa OT Brandon Scherff
The guard-tackle versatility would allow Scherff to start inside as a rookie and kick out to tackle eventually if the Vikings opt not to re-sign Matt Kalil after 2015 or decide to part ways with Phil Loadholt. Scherff is already an established run blocker that fits what the Vikings want to do offensively.
12. Cleveland Browns — Oregon DE Arik Armstead
Surprised? Frankly, we are prepared for the Browns to forgo more obvious needs — say, a wide receiver — and take a player such as the talented, enigmatic Armstead, who doesn’t turn 21 until midseason but could be a monster in time. GM Ray Farmer doesn’t appear to value the receiver position the way Browns fans do.
13. New Orleans Saints — Clemson OLB Vic Beasley
After a banner workout in Indy, the Saints might consider themselves lucky to land Beasley here. He bulked up to 246 pounds and put on an athletic show, and Beasley would add a lot of burst to a Saints pass rush that got stale last season.
14. Miami Dolphins — Louisville WR Devante Parker
Parker has No. 1 receiver potential and would combine with Jarvis Landry — depending on what happens with Mike Wallace — to make a nice combo for Ryan Tannehill. The offense needs to add another receiving threat to the mix, and Parker would be a gift here. He’s not a burner but possesses great feel and body control for the position.
15. San Francisco 49ers — Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong
With Michael Crabtree set to hit free agency, Anquan Boldin and Brandon Lloyd reaching their mid-30s and Stevie Johnson dropping off in production, this receiving group needs some new blood. Bruce Ellington might surprise, but he’s a 5-9 slot receiver. The 6-2 Strong has some basketball-like skills and can be a front-line producer without possessing great long speed.
16. Houston Texans — Michigan State CB Trae Waynes
There’s hardly a consensus on who the top cornerback prospect is in this class, and not every team is enamored with Waynes, even with his obvious athletic gifts. But the Texans stand to lose Kareem Jackson in free agency and seem to favor size-speed-strength prospects such as Waynes, who could pair well with Johnathan Joseph as a first-year starter on a team that plays a lot of bump-and-run coverage. If Waynes can improve his technique and stop being so grabby, he could be a frontline starter.
17. San Diego Chargers — Florida State DT Eddie Goldman
It’s rare to find pocket-moving, bull-rushing nose tackles, and that’s exactly what Goldman is. The Chargers have built the defense from the middle out, signing Eric Weddle and Donald Butler to extensions and trading up to draft Manti Te’o. But what they’ve lacked — badly — is that clogging force up the middle to help shield and free up those playmakers.
18. Kansas City Chiefs — Pitt OT T.J. Clemmings
Chiefs fans might be in the process of sending me dangerous viruses as they read this. NO WIDE RECIEVER?! Stick with me. Given who is off the board here, and speculating that hometown kid Dorial Green-Beckham won’t be their exact cup of tea, the Chiefs’ brass instead goes for another key need. Clemmings fits the mold of an Andy Reid lineman: powerful, ornery and athletic. Ryan Harris is a free agent, and Clemmings would figure to be a Day 1 starter in his place.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) — UCLA QB Brett Hundley
From chatter around Indy, it seems that our 2014 midseason predictions will come true: Some team will fall in love with Hundley’s impressive tangibles and intangibles and want to work with him and clean up his faulty mechanics and pocket sense. Figure the Browns and Eagles, who own the next choice, to be the two teams most likely to draft Hundley if he goes this high.
20. Philadelphia Eagles — LSU CB Jalen Collins
Short of landing Nick Foles’ replacement, the Eagles have quite a few other concerns for a team that finished 10-6 last season. Chief among them is a glaring need at cornerback, where Bradley Fletcher was a whipping boy and Cary Williams might not be worth his contract despite playing fairly well at times. Collins’ length and speed fit the Eagles’ ideal at the position.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Washington LB Shaq Thompson
Like with Vontaze Burfict, the Bengals are willing to overlook workout numbers to identify players. Thompson had been a candidate to go in the top 10 prior to the combine, although that was perhaps a bit rich for a weakside linebacker, even one as skilled as Thompson. Burfict’s health status is up in the air, and Rey Maualuga is a free agent. The linebacking crew needs some new life.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers — Washington CB Marcus Peters
The Steelers have gambled on players with character issues in the recent past, and they would be thrilled to get a player as confident and feisty a cornerback at this stage in the draft. Not everyone is in love with Peters, but he could allow new coordinator Keith Butler to play more press-man than the Steelers did last season.
23. Detroit Lions — LSU OT La’el Collins
This would be a steal at this point, and frankly, we’re not convinced there aren’t teams in the top 10 who might be spying Collins and his ability to play either guard or tackle, making him a very safe prospect. We thought the Lions might be candidates to take Michigan’s Taylor Lewan a year ago, so they come back here and fill a need that remains.
24. Arizona Cardinals — Georgia RB Todd Gurley
This might surprise some people, especially after Bruce Arians said that Andre Ellington remains a focal point of the offense. It doubly might raise eyebrows considering that quarterback Carson Palmer, like Gurley, is recovering from an ACL injury. But if Ellington can buoy the team until Gurley is up to full speed, the team could find itself in great shape in a few years when Gurley is a front-line NFL starter.
25. Carolina Panthers — Miami OT Ereck Flowers
The massive Flowers has some technique issues he needs to clean up to maximize his power and become a good pass blocker. But he’s a fiery competitor can bring a dose of nastiness back to the Panthers up front and improve upon failed starter Byron Bell. Flowers’ versatility, having played both tackle spots, makes him even more attractive on a team that needs help on both sides.
26. Baltimore Ravens — Missouri WR Dorial Green-Beckham
If there’s a team that could tap into DGB’s rare skill set and get the most out of him, it’s this one. GM Ozzie Newsome has an ability to figure immature kids out and determine whether there is something salvageable and hungry inside them. It would be fascinating to see if watching Steve Smith practice and prepare every day might instill a daily work ethic in DGB. It could be a fascinating pairing of rare talent and team, and he would fill a need for another red-zone playmaker, too.
27. Dallas Cowboys — Texas DT Malcom Brown
With Henry Melton’s return in real question, the Cowboys tab another former Longhorn here to fill his place. Brown’s penetrative ability would be a real asset on a defense that relies on its front four to supply pressure to help the back end. There’s no edge rusher here to reach for, so the Cowboys can come back to that spot later in the draft.
28. Denver Broncos — Stanford OT Andrus Peat
The Broncos have a way of sitting back and letting the draft come to them, as every year it seems a top-20 talent falls to them in this range. Peat would be the perfect developmental left tackle to one day replace Ryan Clady, who is set to hit the salary cap for more than $10 million each of the next three seasons and who is coming off a down year following his 2013 injury. Peat also can be an immediate upgrade at right tackle. This would be a winning pick.
29. Indianapolis Colts — Alabama S Landon Collins
This would be another steal, and frankly we’re assuming that he could go far earlier (Philadelphia? Cincinnati?) following a banner combine performance. Really, Collins is the only safety worth drafting before Round 3, but even with that we’re not sure he’ll be an instant hit in the NFL given the rash of bigger box safeties — even those with Collins’ great athleticism — who have struggled to become impact starters early in their careers in recent years. Still, this appears an upgrade over LaRon Landry, and potentially a big one.
30. Green Bay Packers — Oklahoma NT Jordan Phillips
What the Packers would love is a big, country-strong nose tackle to plug up the middle and help ease the load on whatever player(s) they settle on at inside linebacker. The ILBs have been a revolving door recently, and though the play there has been poor, it’s also partially to blame for having to stack and shed so many big blockers. Adding the massive Phillips and plugging him on the nose 40 snaps a game would make a huge difference.
31. Seattle Seahawks — Florida OT D.J. Humphries
Left tackle Russell Okung is entering his contract year at age 27 (and could outprice himself for the Seahawks), and Justin Britt was up and down at right tackle as a rookie starter. Humphries’ nasty demeanor and athleticism show up on tape and fit the kind of player the Seahawks seem to seek every year.
32. New England Patriots — Florida State OT-OG-C Cameron Erving
Former OL coach Dante Scarnecchia (who is helping advise the team through the draft) helped the team scout ex-Seminole Bryan Stork, who became an important rookie starter for the Super Bowl champs, and the Patriots could go back to Tallahassee for more OL help. Erving made himself some money when he flawlessly shifted midseason from left tackle to center, and he has guard potential that could make him too attractive to pass up on here.
ROUND 2
33. Tennessee Titans — Virginia OLB Eli Harold
Filling the quarterback need in Round 1, the Titans swing back and land a gifted, lengthy edge bender at the top of Round 2.
34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa
We love his momentum in the postseason, following up a strong Senior Bowl with a very good combine workout. The Bucs need rush help and they get it here.
35. Oakland Raiders — Ohio State DT Michael Bennett
Adding an edge player would be nice, but Antonio Smith turns 34 next season, so the Raiders would help themselves by adding another talented interior rusher.
36. Jacksonville Jaguars — Minnesota TE Maxx Williams
Some have the talented 20-year-old Williams landing in Round 1, but we think he’s a perfect fit here as a replacement for Marcedes Lewis, able to grow with a young, burgeoning offense with Blake Bortles. If the Jaguars land Julius Thomas, we'll readjust our projection.
37. New York Jets — Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi
Landing a player whom we pegged as a top-5 possibility as recently as six months ago would be nice for the Jets, whose offensive line looked depleted last season.
38. Washington Redskins — South Carolina OG A.J. Cann
The Redskins could use a little more grit and force up front, and even if Cann is strictly a guard he could help anchor the run game with his experience and toughness.
39. Chicago Bears — Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney
McKinney looks like a three-down linebacker who could fit well in the Bears’ remade defense at a position that was a trouble spot a year ago.
40. New York Giants — Florida State OG Tre Jackson
Passing up the OL need in Round 1, the Giants swing back and land a first-round interior talent who could give them an eight-year type of starter.
41. St. Louis Rams — Penn State OT-OG Donovan Smith
The Rams have shown a bent for rolling the dice on high-ceiling players with potential risk, and if the massive Smith pans out they could really have something.
42. Atlanta Falcons — Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon
Devonta Freeman might end up being a nice complementary back, but the Falcons will need multiple runners in Kyle Shanahan’s stretch-run offense. Gordon is too good to pass up here as a first- and second-down option, which plays to his strengths.
43. Cleveland Browns — USC WR Nelson Agholor
Shifty, smart slot receiver with return potential, Agholor might not be the dynamic game changer fans want, but he’ll be productive.
44. New Orleans Saints — Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Passing up on a corner in Round 1, the Saints know they have to address the position early on, and they land a good man corner who doesn’t back down from tough assignments.
45. Minnesota Vikings — Florida State CB P.J. Williams
Williams might not have front-line measurable or athleticism, but he’s a Mike Zimmer type of corner who could make a nice No. 2 starter on the outside.
46. San Francisco 49ers — Stanford CB Alex Carter
The Niners drafted Jimmie Ward, another physical DB, and come back here with a corner whose physicality could make him an Eric Mangini favorite in time.
47. Miami Dolphins — TCU LB Paul Dawson
The fact that he tested poorly is somewhat concerning, but GM Dennis Hickey put his Round 2 faith in Jarvis Landry — like Dawson a better football player than track tester — and was rewarded. The Dolphins’ linebackers need some reshuffling.
48. San Diego Chargers — Indiana RB Tevin Coleman
If the Chargers lose Ryan Mathews, Coleman could be the perfect replacement assuming his injured foot tests out well in April. Keep an eye on him, folks — Coleman is legit.
49. Kansas City Chiefs — Miami WR Phillip Dorsett
Aching for deep speed, Andy Reid lands a DeSean Jackson-like burner … without the headaches. Dorsett was woefully underused in Miami and could open things up for Alex Smith.
50. Buffalo Bills — Duke OG Laken Tomlinson
The Bills’ long wait without a pick finally is over, and they land a smart, savvy and tough guard here. If the Bills fill their OG need in free agency, you could see them go for a quarterback such as …
51. Houston Texans — Baylor QB Bryce Petty
If the Bills pass on Petty, the Texans could pounce. Both teams have met with multiple quarterbacks at the all-star games and combine, and the Texans could groom Petty to be a starter in 2016 or beyond, even though he is older than your typical prospect at 24.
52. Philadelphia Eagles — LSU OLB-DE Danielle Hunter
Needing another edge rusher with Trent Cole aging and Marcus Smith showing nothing so far, Hunter could be groomed as a future starter in time.
53. Cincinnati Bengals — Michigan WR-TE Devin Funchess
The Bengals appear ready to walk from Jermaine Gresham and know they have three receivers entering their free-agent seasons in 2015. The Bengals can figure out exactly what Funchess is and how to tap into his mismatch abilities.
54. Detroit Lions — Iowa DT Carl Davis
The Lions will be hard-pressed to keep both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, so they could tab the gifted Davis and try to keep his fire alit on a talented D-line.
55. Arizona Cardinals — UCLA LB Eric Kendricks
Daryl Washington remains indefinitely suspended, and the feisty Kendricks would be a perfect fit inside for this defense.
56. Pittsburgh Steelers — Boise State RB Jay Ajayi
It might be a semi-luxury to draft another running back in Round 2 again, with Le’veon Bell clearly the bellcow. But his two-game suspension and no clear backup means the Steelers need to back up their most important player.
57. Carolina Panthers — Ohio State WR Devin Smith
Lacking any real perimeter speed, the Panthers would love Smith’s vertical presence to help open things up underneath for Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin. Plus, Smith’s a quality gunner, and the Panthers’ special teams need major work.
58. Baltimore Ravens — Miami (Ohio) CB Quentin Rollins
Ravens scout Mark Azevedo is the one credited with convincing Rollins to switch from hoops to football, so it makes sense that Rollins — even with his slow 40 time — could help a trouble spot in Baltimore.
59. Denver Broncos — Miami (Fla.) Denzel Perryman
The Broncos are switching to a 3-4 and could use a strong force inside, even if Perryman’s ability to disengage and also play on third downs is in some question.
60. Dallas Cowboys — Florida State DE Mario Edwards
Edwards’ final season at FSU was disappointing, but the Cowboys are among the teams willing to rewind tape to find talent. Edwards could help replace Anthony Spencer on the strong side.
61. Indianapolis Colts — Oregon OT Jake Fisher
The nimble-footed Fisher might not be an ideal-framed right tackle, but he’s a better run blocker than he’s credited to be and can help add athleticism up front on a patchy line.
62. Green Bay Packers — Connecticut CB Byron Jones
Mr. Broad Jump is actually a pretty good football player, too. He played through a shoulder injury and was a team captain at a school that has been an NFL pipeline for decent CB talent.
63. Seattle Seahawks — Central Florida WR Breshad Perriman
A group of undrafted receivers could use a little help, especially with Paul Richardson likely to miss the early part of the season. Perriman’s intriguing skills could fit Seattle’s needs nicely.
64. New England Patriots — Mississippi State DE Preston Smith
The Patriots have a body type they like for their edge players, and Smith fits it. They also could consider Washington OLB Hau’oli Kikaha, whom they met with at the combine.
