Although it is January, the teams who are still in title contention are focused on the goal of winning the Lombardi Trophy, the others are looking to bolster their own rosters from the upcoming NFL Draft. Scouts and coaches are constantly on the clock for picking out the best talent and it is a year round process.
Here is my early first round mock draft that is bound to change within a short period of time, but here is a layout of what we could be looking at.
- Cleveland Browns- Myles Garrett DE Texas A.M.- The overall player with the complete package of a defensive end, if Cleveland decides to keep the pick, the majority rules that Garrett will take his talents to Believeland. And with two picks in the top 10 this year, it is inevitable a quarterback may be taken at the ten spot.
2. San Francisco- Deshaun Watson QB Clemson– This pick is up for grabs in the spot of what quarterback could end up out in San Francisco. Watson, who is already playing in the National Championship game this year, is a mature player that has dual threat abilities which can carry through the 49ers offense. Some insiders believe this a reach for going to get Watson, but his ceiling is undoubtedly high. A clean out of the 49ers organization will allow a new sheriff in town taking over the helm at coaching, and I personally believe Watson is capable of running the table with the new coach.
3. Chicago Bears- DeShone Kizer QB Notre Dame– A big arm and big presence overall (6’4 230 pounds), Kizer has a NFL skillset which can translate to the next level nicely and with the right system, his big arm and stretching the field will fit into the Bears offense. Having Cutler mentor Kizer is a necessity, but as time goes on, the chances of Kizer taking over is what the organization is looking for.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars- Jonathan Allen DE/DT Alabama- A very athletic defense that has not reached the potential of what they could be, Jacksonville still has work to do. Drafting two defensive players last year with top ten talent in the 1st and 2nd round was unbelievable. Now, with the front seven that has not consistently pressured the QB, standout Alabama defensive end and tackle Jonathan Allen is one step closer of building a complete defense with his unique blend of size, speed and vision.
5. Tennessee Titans- Marlon Humphrey CB Alabama- A secondary that lacks the star type guy, this is where Tennessee jumps the gun and takes a potential cornerstone of their franchise. Humphrey is a tall, lean corner that gives headaches to offenses and has breakout potential. Humphrey was also a track sensation, as his quick speed can ignite fire in the Titans secondary.
6. NY Jets- Leonard Fournette RB LSU– A true power back that has the rare combination of size, speed and strength since potentially Bo Jackson, Fournette has faded from the playoffs and his national headliner runs as the season went on, but nonetheless, this kid has been prepared for the NFL since high school. The Jets need to bolster the backfield with Forte’s injuries and age along with a complement to Bilal Powell.
7. San Diego Chargers- Jamal Adams S LSU- An upgrade here for the Chargers, as the secondary could use another playmaking type of safety, a 6′ 210 pound Adams would be a complement to Addae and Stuckey in the secondary. Although Addae’s contract is expiring, drafting Adams could be a save here.
8. Carolina Panthers- Cam Robinson OT Alabama- Problems on the offensive line are evident in the Panthers situation, as Newton has been sacked way more than he should. Grabbing a safe pick with Robinson here is important to keep protection of a star quarterback like Cam Newton. Robinson is 6’6 and over 310 pounds and has great instincts.
9. Cincinnati Bengals- Jabrill Peppers S/LB Michigan- A hybrid player in which can be inserted into a Bengals team that loves bigger safeties, Peppers would be a great fir here, although getting him at number nine is another risky decision, but as a Heisman finalist and a game changing player in multiple positions, Marvin Lewis would love to plug and insert Peppers into different schemes.
10. Buffalo Bills- Quincy Wilson CB Florida- The secondary is enduring a lot of headaches, and with Wilson’s unique skillset, he can step in the Bills defense and be a playmaker. Gilmore and A. Williams are dealing with nagging injuries and contracts, so a top tier corner could be what the Bills just need.
11. New Orleans Saints- Reuben Foster ILB Alabama- James Laurinaitis was a good addition for the Saints in the early going this year, but it did not pan out the way they wanted to. A roster that could use a young, signal caller, Foster is a smart, agile linebacker that the Saints can plug right away.
12. Cleveland Browns- Mitch Trubrisky QB North Carolina- The quarterback carousel of the Cleveland Browns continues with this pick. Adding yet another quarterback to its dysfunctional roster should be intriguing to watch but with Trubisky flying under the radar, this could be a home run or a nuclear bomb in Cleveland.
13. Arizona Cardinals- Ryan Ramcyzk OT Wisconsin- Protecting Carson Palmer is essential and with Ramcyzk climbing up the big boards, his sturdiness and reliability will be at a all time high with Arizona, and most certainly a safe pick here.
14. Indianapolis Colts- Dalvin Cook RB Florida State- One of college football’s most productive running backs and unstoppable, Dalvin Cook has torn up defenses like no tomorrow. The Colts are clearly missing a good running game, and Cook provides them with top end speed along with lateral agility.
15. Philadelphia Eagles- Derek Barnett DE Tennessee- Connor Barwin is a reliable player for the Philadelphia Eagles and one of the best on this football team. However, the depth at defensive end is lengthy, but grabbing a defensive end like Barnett, can give a challenge to some of the other guys and ultimately cost them in the end. Barnett would fit great in the city of brotherly love.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Malik McDowell DE/DT Michigan State– The pass rush is a need in Baltimore and with a intimidating defense to begin with, adding young depth is important to continue the dominance. McDowell is a Spartan standout and has the blend of a edge rusher and defensive tackle, perfect for Baltimore’s schemes.
17. Washington Redskins- Desmond King CB Iowa- With Josh Norman highlighting the group of corners out in the nation’s capital, having another good sized corner in King (5’11 200 pounds) opposite from Norman can shake things up here. King is a tackling machine and although his stats don’t pop out, his presence and abilities to change plays is what Washington can use to build up.
18. Tennessee Titans- Zach Cunningham LB Vanderbilt- The linebacker core is big in Tennessee, but with Cunningham’s 6’4 230 pound versatility that can display in multiple ways, the Vanderbilt product would be a nice swiss army tool for the Titans. Despite Orakpo being a veteran, mentoring the young Cunningham would ultimately enhance his game.
19. Tampa Bay Bucs- Mike Williams WR Clemson- A surprise pick on my part, but for the Bucs, Vincent Jackson is towards the tail end of his career and having a big receiver on the other side of Mike Evans, the Clemson standout would be a phenomenal idea. At 6’3 and 220 pounds, Williams would get along nicely with Jamesis Winston and if he falls down the board this far, no doubt Tampa Bay should take a flyer on him. The defense is in a very good position right now, as they can address those needs later on, but Mike Williams can be a cornerstone pick here for Tampa.
20. Denver Broncos- Taco Charlton DE/DT Michigan- With vets on this team commanding the line, adding some youth to this Broncos team is valuable, and Charlton can be a good player on this squad.
**= not set yet.. postseason
21. ** Houston Texans- Charles Harris DE Missouri- The crushing injury to J.J. Watt and with Clowney emerging off the edge, you have to plan ahead for what is the unthinkable, but realistic in losing Watt to injuries and Clowney if he sustains more. This is a pick to stash and learn from the top guys themselves.
22. ** Miami Dolphins- Malik Hooker S Ohio State- This Dolphins secondary needs some help and Hooker is just the guy. A 6’2 200 pound safety that can do it all. This will automatically boost their confidence as the Dolphins have dealt with numerous injuries in the backfield.
23. ** Detroit Lions- Pat Elfein C/G Ohio State- Drafting Taylor Decker out of Ohio State last year was a safe pick here for the Lions, and I believe with trying to protect Stafford even more, Elfein can be another Buckeye gem for the Lions.
24. ** Green Bay Packers- Tim Williams OLB Alabama- A bit of a stretch here with a guy that has character issues, but this could be a absolute steal for the Packers if Williams falls here. A team that has cracked down on conduct, Williams must clear up that and his prior criminal history. Nonetheless, Tim Williams can flat out ball out and can help this surging Packers D.
25. ** Seattle Seahawks- John Ross WR Washington- A pick that can really challenge the wide receiver group up in the Northwest, Ross is electrifying. The local Washington kid has been extremely successful as a Husky and can translate nicely.
26. ** New York Giants- Ryan Anderson OLB Alabama- A pick that pay in dividends, Anderson has soared up boards and has the ability to pass rush effectively as he learned under the wing of Nick Saban and company. The G-MEN need another edge rusher and Anderson is a late round snatch here.
27. ** Pittsburgh Steelers- Christian McCaffery RB Stanford- Whhaaattttt? The Steelers have Bell and Williams? Why McCaffery? Well it would not be a bad thing and they only have three active running backs on the roster. McCaffery is a downfield quick twitch runner and the Steelers could use some depth at the tailback position. A headstratching pick but down the road, it will pay off.
28. ** Oakland Raiders- Adoree Jackson CB USC- The Raiders have been known to take fast players and taking a flyer on the injured Adoree Jackson can be another steal. Despite injuring his knee in the Rose Bowl, Jackson is considered a top prospect as his stock will fall, but Oakland could use another body in the secondary.
29. ** Atlanta Falcons- Dawuane Smoot, DE/OLB Illinois- Desperate for more pash rushers, it would be a no brainer to take a pash rusher of Smoot’s caliber here.
30. ** Kansas City- Dan Feeney G Indiana- A bold move that needs to protect Alex Smith for the coming years, Feeney would be a safe pick here.
31. ** Dallas- O.J. Howard TE Alabama- Obviously scouts love Howard, as he is the #1 rated tight end, and for Dallas, they could use another play making offensive weapon. Jason Witten is getting up there in age, but nonetheless productive. Howard would be an excellent fit with the dynamic duo of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot.
32. ** New England- Harold Landry DE Boston College- A surprising move but this can be a very good player if he pans out over the next level. Landry recorded a eye popping 16.5 sacks this year and played against some of the best competition in college football. A hometown pick that has hometown potential here for the last pick of the 1st round. A 6’3 250 pound blend of size, explosiveness and IQ that Belichick would be intrigued in using. Underrated to say the least about Landry.
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