This piece, however, is full of ONLY my picks. None of these picks are coming from rumor mills or expect mock drafts. They are just the moves I WOULD make if I was General Manger of each team.
Let's get started.
1) Houston Texans -- QB Blake Bortles, UCF
Like I mentioned in my previous post, new head coach Bill O'Brien wants Blake Bortles to be his starting quarterback. I don't think Bortles is the best choice for Houston, but as General Manager, it's not my call. As General Manager, I choose my coach, my coach then chooses his quarterback. Not choosing Bortles would start the Bill O'Brien era off on a bad note.
Bortles is a very raw talent. His arm strength and accuracy are all great. What scares me about this kid is his mechanics and intangibles. He is very raw and very young. He doesn't go through progressions all that well and can stare down receivers. His pocket presence is average, at best.
With all of that said, I have full faith in coach Bill O'Brien to coach this kid to his full potential. Bortles ceiling is quite high, the only question is, how long will it take to reach that potential. Houston's core nucleus of players are either in their primes or on the tail end of their primes. Waiting four years for Bortles to reach his potential might be longer than this team has to wait.
2) St. Louis Rams (Washington Redskins) -- DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
If I'm St. Louis Rams, I'm watering at the mouth for a chance to take Clowney. He'd be put in a rotation with two of the best pass rushers in the league today. That will give coach Jeff Fisher time to teach Clowney how to be a professional defensive-end. This would be an ideal situation for both parties.
3) Jacksonville Jaguars -- QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
"Johnny Football" is my highest rated 1st round quarterback and Jacksonville would be lucky to grab him here at #3. Manziel would add excitement to a team that has been the laughing stock of the league (minus Cleveland of course) for some time now. Although I think Manziel trusts his impromptu style of offense too much, Jacksonville might actually need that. Jacksonville doesn't have a lot of talent on either side of the ball, so Johnny running around and creating plays will be a good thing. As the years go on, coach Gus Bradley can add pieces around Manziel and turn him more into an Aaron Rodgers/ Andrew Luck/ Alex Smith type quarterback (dissects defense first, runs when has to).
4) Cleveland Browns -- WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
The first thing I'm doing if I'm new Cleveland General Manger Ray Farmer, is declaring my starting quarterback. That quarterback is going to be Brian Hoyer with either Jason Campbell or Brandon Weeden as his back up. Now that I have my quarterback setup, I need to build some pieces around him. Right now, it's unsure if safety TJ Ward or center Alex Mack will be back. Cleveland does have about $56 million in cap space to play around with, so they could resign both. So for now, I'm taking WR Sammy Watkins. He is an elite prospect who could be a #1 receiver. Partner him up with Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron, and you have an elite receiving core.
5) Oakland Raiders -- DE/OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
You really can't go wrong here. Oakland has so many needs that anyone you draft here will be an instant starter. Until Free Agency is over, I'm just putting this down as the best overall player on my board.
Khalil Mack is a versatile defensive threat. He can play any outside linebacker spot in any defensive front and he can also put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer at an elite level. He would be an instant impact on the Oakland Raider defense.
6) Atlanta Falcons -- MLB CJ Mosley, Alabama
Atlanta needs so much on defense that it's ridiculous. I thought about taking UCLA's Anthony Barr here, but I have him as RE in a 4-3 defense, which is currently being occupied by Osi Umenyiora. Mosley would be an instant starter. He has what it takes to be an All-Pro middle linebacker and will be the leader of that Atlanta defense.
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
I am not giving Mike Glennon the keys to the car here. I think Teddy needs some time before he's an elite quarterback, but coach Lovie Smith doesn't rely heavily on his quarterback (he got to the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman). All Tampa needs to be a playoff team is a competent quarterback and a better coach. In this scenario, they now have both.
8) Minnesota Vikings -- DE/OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA
No, I will not take a Derek Carr here. I will not reach for a quarterback now. Minnesota's defense needs an overhaul first, so they get the best available defensive player left.
Anthony Barr is going to add that missing pass rush that will be gone when Jared Allen signs somewhere else. Barr is undersized defensive end, but plays like he's 260 pounds. He plays the run well and has the strength to take on blocks. He is going to be an elite defensive end at the next level.
9) Buffalo Bills -- OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Buffalo needs to protect QB EJ Manuel! Drafting Jake Matthews would be ideal for Buffalo. Matthews is a future elite offensive tackle and can be an anchor for this line. Buffalo was hit by the injury bug pretty bad last year. Having everyone back, plus adding Matthews, makes Buffalo a dangerous team.
10) Detroit Lions -- WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
I would have loved to grab a defensive back here, but it would be a reach for any of them this early. I would try to trade down, or grab one in the next round. Instead I grab a wide receiver that would arguably give Detroit the best offense in the NFL.
Evans is a big body receiver that consistently wins 1-on-1 battles. He gets off the press well and makes huge plays. Pairing him up with Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush would make Matthew Stafford really happy. It's going to be hard for any defense in the NFL to stop this offense.
11) Tennessee Titans -- OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
With either Michael Roos or David Stewart being a cap casualty, I need a offensive tackle. Taylor Lewan is a great tackle. I think he could start at RT and be elite right away, which doesn't hold well for Stewart. Lewan needs to work on his feetwork a bit, but he'll have time if Roos is still starting at LT for a bit.
12) New York Giants -- CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
Dennard is corner that can put a receiver on an island and completely lock him down. Partnering him with Prince Amukamara would create a very strong corner tandem.
13) St. Louis Rams -- OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame
St. Louis needs another tackle with Rodger Saffold probably leaving in Free Agency. I love Martin, but his strength doesn't show on film. If he can just add that to his game, then he'd be a top tackle in the NFL.
14) Chicago Bears -- DT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
Chicago is in need of an interior defensive lineman, and Nix is the perfect guy to fill that opening. Nix is going to be a ridiculous presence in the middle of that line. He'll stuff up the middle and is a pretty good pass rushing threat. He'll anchor this line and bring Chicago's defense back to a respectable level.
15) Pittsburgh Steelers -- CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
Ike Taylor is getting old, and it's time to revamp this secondary. Gilbert was so good at shutting down receivers in college, that opposing quarterbacks rarely went to his side. When you do throw his way, he'll cause interceptions, even if he's not the one actually intercepting it. Pittsburgh is going to need this if they're facing AJ Green, Josh Gordon and Torrey Smith each, twice a year.
16) Dallas Cowboys -- WR Marqise Lee, USC
Dallas is in some serious cap trouble. One of the players who will be cut is Miles Austin, and that will leave an open spot at receiver. Lee is my top rated wide receiver and, along with Bryant, will be a scary receiving duo. Lee plays with a lot of heart, and he does everything that is asked of him. He's a player Dallas desperately needs in their locker-room.
17) Baltimore Ravens -- OT Greg Robinson, Auburn
The Ravens don't have a whole lot of cap room, and both Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher are free agents. With the cap room they have, they can only bring back one, if any. I don't like Greg Robinson, I think he has strength and that's it. His balance and footwork are terrible, which is going to be a serious problem when pass blocking. I think he could be a solid guard one day, but his chances of being a solid tackle are small. In this situation Robinson fell way down the chart, and if you're Baltimore, you have to take the chance. Maybe I'm wrong on Robinson and Baltimore gets a steal of a player. If I am correct though, they at least got a solid guard.
18) New York Jets -- TE Eric Ebron, UNC
The Jets need more weapons around Geno Smith. Ebron is a receiving tight-end that is a beast between the 20's. He is a little undersized for a tight-end but where he lacks in size he makes up for it in receiving ability. The only problem with Ebron is his efficiency in the Red Zone. Due to his lack of size, he won't be as efficient as a bigger tight-end.
19) Miami Dolphins -- OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
The Dolphins are in serious need of offensive lineman. They're going to lose Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito due to that debacle this year. Its still yet to be seen if center Mike Pouncey will get any sort of suspension due to his involvement in the bullying scandal.
Cyrus Kouandjio is a little slow off of the ball, but that's it. He does everything else perfectly, and given sometime, he can be an elite offensive lineman. He could be the anchor Miami needs to rebuild their line. The big concern coming out of the combine is that his knee failed multiple physicals. If his knee doesn't improve this pick will change.
20) Arizona Cardinals -- S Calvin Pyror, Lousiville
I would have really loved to grab an offensive lineman here, but there aren't really any left. With only about $13 million available cap space, resigning Yeremiah Bell might be a low priority. Calvin Pryor is a prototypical strong safety. At 6'2 208 pounds, he's perfect size. He plays the run very well and makes some good plays in the passing game. Pairing him up with free safety Tyrann Mathieu would create the best young safety due in the league.
21) Green Bay Packers -- DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
Green Bay can go a lot of different directions with this pick. I thinking choosing Timmy Jernigan would be a wise choice here. He's one of the best players left on the board, and he can step in a be a starting 3-4 defensive end. Luckily, Green Bay has a little over $20 million in cap space, so they can fill a lot of holes in Free Agency.
22) Philadelphia Eagles -- S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
Clinton-Dix is a player I'm not too high on. He gives up too many big plays for a safety and doing that too often in the NFL will get you benched. With Nate Allen possibly leaving, they will need someone to step in at the strong safety spot. Clinton-Dix isn't ideal, but maybe he'll prove me wrong.
23) Kansas City Chiefs -- WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
Beckham Jr reminds me a lot of Dexter McCluster. With McCluster probably leaving in Free Agency, Odell Beckham Jr would be a perfect replacement. He runs crisp routes, has good hands, and makes good plays in space.
24) Cincinnati Bengals -- DE Kony Ealy, Missouri
Defensive-end Michael Johnson is going to test the Free Agent market, and most likely will leave. This leaves a hole I don't think Cincy has the personnel to fill. My colleague Ricky, who knows his stuff about the Bengals, says they have the pieces to fill it but I just don't see it. Carlos Dunlap is going to continue to play at a high level, but there isn't anyone to play along side him. The aging outside linebacker James Harrison can't rush the passer like he used to, so even using him wouldn't make up for the production Michael Johnson put up.
I'm not a fan of Kony Ealy. He doesn't use his damn hands! If you don't us your hands as a pass rusher in the NFL you will get blocked. With all of that said, he does to have great natural pass rushing ability. If coached properly he could be a serious threat on the edge.
25) San Diego Chargers -- DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
I would really love to grab a defensive back here, but drafting one here would be a reach. I would try to trade back, maybe get an early 2nd round pick and get a defensive back then. San Diego had a great push late last season, and their average defense played very well. If they want to contend with Denver and Kansas City consistently they're going to need to improve this defense.
Aaron Donald is a fantastic pass rusher, and will have an immediate impact as a 3-4 defensive end. He is lacking a bit against the run, but coach Mike McCoy is a good coach, he'll help him improve with that aspect of his game.
26) Cleveland Browns (Indianapolis) -- G Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
If Alex Mack leaves in Free Agency, which he probably will, Cleveland will have a huge hole to fill in the interior of it's offensive line. I know Richardson isn't a center, but solidifying the interior line with an elite guard prospect will make it easier to fill the center void.
27) New Orleans Saints -- WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
New Orleans is in some serious cap trouble. They have about $5 million to spare, but have Jimmy Graham unsigned. Wide receiver Lance Moore, who is now 30 might be a cap casualty. If that was to happen, I'd take Kelvin Benjamin here. Benjamin is a big receiver who makes impact plays and will be a good duo with Colston. His hands aren't consistent, which is a good way to get benched in the NFL. Luckily for him, he has Drew Brees under center, who can make anyone look like a great receiver.
28) Carolina Panthers -- WR Davante Adams, Fresno State
Carolina needs to start thinking about life after Steve Smith. Adams is a big body receiver who has good body control. I have yet to see if he can be a #1 receiver, but there aren't many better to learn under than Steve Smith.
29) New England Patriots -- TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
The Patriots have a huge hole at tight-end. Amaro isn't my first choice at tight-end but he'll make an impact. He's not the fastest, and is more of a security blanket between the 20's. He thrives in the Red Zone and in the run game though, which makes him extremely valuable. Luckily for New England, Edelman seems like he can handle the receiving duties between the 20's, so having a purely Red Zone tight-end won't be that big of a deal.
30) San Francisco 49ers -- LB/S Telvin Smith, Florida State
I'd really like to see what coach Jim Harbaugh can do with this kid. Telvin Smith plays the run like a linebacker, but covers like a safety. He's a defensive weapon, and in the hands of a defensive coach like Harbaugh, he could be something special.
31) Denver Broncos -- CB Marcus Roberson, Florida
Denver needs cornerbacks, and badly. There are so many questions marks at this position, that if there first pick isn't a corner, I'll be upset. If it's my team I'm taking Marcus Roberson if he's available. He's my kind of corner, a 1-on-1 shutdown type player. He'd create a dangerous duo with Chris Harris.
32) Seattle Seahawks -- Ra'Shede Hageman, MinnesotaSeattle is going to have to make a lot of difficult choices this offseason, many of them along the defensive line. Drafting Hageman here makes up for some possibly lost players like Tony McDaniel and Red Bryant.
Thanks for reading and keep coming back to the blog!
Stopsky
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