Brian Hughes is a draft aficionado and sometime contributor to TFDS.
You can follow him on Twitter @BHugh_215.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Welp, the proof is in the pudding. Mike Glennon is not the future in Tampa, and Lovie Smith will need a true Franchise QB to keep his job long enough to contend in the NFC South. The Bucs already have the competent weapons in Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson & Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Now, they just need a certain former-Heisman winner to get them back in the thick of playoff contention regularly again.
2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Speaking of Heisman winners and Franchise Quarterback’s, Zach Mettenberger, like Mike Glennon, is not one. He’s a stable backup who will push Mariota, but never become a polished, accurate field general like Mariota. Be smart, Tennessee. Forget about Vince Young & Jake Locker. Swallow your pride and embrace Marcus as the face and future of your Franchise.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler, Jr., DE, Florida
Leonard Williams or Dante Fowler? Dante Fowler or Leonard Williams? Quite the conundrum brewing. Neither will slip out of the Top-5 and both are perfect fits for what Gus Bradley embodies. But Jacksonville severely lacks a dominant edge rusher, and one that can play the BUCK role that Fowler was highly successively at in the Swamp under DJ Durkin.
4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal
Oakland is truly in an unique situation, and much like Jacksonville, will not have to worry about the QB position. ONE of Williams, Beasley, Fowler, White/Cooper will be there, and you’re either: A) Adding a weapon for Carr or B) Complimenting LB, Khalil Mack. Can’t go wrong either way. But as for the selection, Leonard is an elite 3-Technique DT and one that can make an immediate impact like other highly-selected DL in Gerald McCoy, Marcel Dareus & Sheldon Richardson. Williams has an elite first-step, possesses a powerful initial punch and attacks/drives interior OL with ease.
5. Washington Redskins: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Will be interesting to see how the first 4 picks shaped up, as Washington will almost certianly look to leave this pick. But adding someone of Beasley’s ability and potential is worth noting. The Redskins will implore a 3-4 scheme once again, and rising-star, Ryan Kerrigan, desperately needs some edge rushing help. And with the likes of Chip Kelly, Eli Manning and the Dallas Cowboy’s prolific offense(s) in your division, you better have some pass rushing specialists.
6. New York Jets: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Is Geno Smith the answer in New York? Maybe. Maybe not. But with Mariota not falling into Gotham’s lap, the Jets take the best player available and add a weapon for their QB in the process. With Marshall & Decker on the wings and Amaro in-line, sliding Cooper right away in the Slot could pay dividends immediately. Amari’s low drop-rate and ability to win at the LOS with quickness will have the former-Crimson Tide WO playing in the NFL for a decade
7. Chicago Bears: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Quite shocking to see Brandon Marshall exit Chicago, but Jay Cutler will need a top-flight WO to pair with Alshon Jeffrey and Martellus Bennett right away. The 6-3, 215 pound receiver from Morgantown will hit the 4.35 ground running as a Z-WO for Da Bears as Offensive Coordinator will look to break every passing record known to mankind.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
Not one for assuming, but the hiring of Dan Quinn in ATL kind of paints a picture where they’re going at 8. When you only have 22 sacks and Kroy Biermann is the leader of the bunch with 4.5, you maaaaay need to upgrade. Gregory is a demon in a 2 point stance, as he showed in Nebraska. He’s still fairly inexperienced, but when you’re blessed with his length (6-6, 240) and athleticism around the edge, a newly formed staff and scheme is perfect to develop behind.
9. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
I’ve given up years ago trying to decipher what New York will do on draft day. They’re an anomaly, but the immediate impact and athleticism of Shaq is not. As to his natural position, he would be most suited as a WLB, but can easily play SS. Truly up to the DC where to play the 6-1, 228 former-Husky. But you’re getting a dominant defensive play-maker early on.
10. St. Louis Rams: La’El Collins, OT, LSU
Les Snead has always followed the philosophy of taking the best player available, regardless of position. Landing Collins at 10 would be huge for Nick Foles, as he could play any of the 5 OL positions. His length and athleticism scream RT, while his powerful lower half and tenacious mentality beckon interior OL. Any who; plug & play, and reap the benefits.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Devante Parker, WR, Louisville
The 6-3, 220 pound Parker reunited with his college teammate in Teddy Bridewater is almost like a rendition of a corny 1980’s John Hughes rat-pack movie, but it makes sense on many fronts. Cordarelle Patterson has not develop as many hoped, Greg Jennings is gone and Mike Wallace will need a Robin to his Batman. 2 movie references? Let’s make it a trifecta: Devante’s vertical high point is almost as insane as Michael Jordan’s infamous dunk in Space Jam. Boom.
12. Cleveland Browns: Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
As questions surround Johnny Manziel & Josh Gordon’s NFL future’s, Cleveland must continue to strengthen their defensive front as their youthful back-end enriched with top picks, continue to develop. Brown can play a multitude of positions, and would be a complete terror at the 5Tech next to Phil Taylor.
13. New Orleans Saints: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
New Orleans has made some, errr, “questionable” moves this off-season, to be kind. Scherff is a powerful, mauling Lineman who gets to the 2nd-level with ease, and is suited for guard work in the NFL ala 2015’s version of Zack Martin. Having a potential OL consisting of Armstead-Evans-Unger-Scherff-Strief is fruitful for Drew Brees & Sean Payton.
14. Miami Dolphins: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
I can think of no better place than South Beach for Johnson to take his talents, and boy, does he have a ton. A confident corner who has the length and ball skills coordinator’s drool over, Johnson will compliment Brent Grimes perfectly.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Listen, someone is going to take Marcus Peters, and high for that matter. He is without a doubt the best coverage corner in this Draft, and if not for some (serious) off-the-field concerns, he would be a Top-5 pick. And in a league based up tossing the rock 40+ per game, you’re gonna need a long, instinctive boundary CB who can smash through a brick wall.
16. Houston Texans: Alvin Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Almost an after thought in this talented edge rushing class, Bud Dupree is still a highly effective rushing specialist who can play in any scheme. One should absolutely love the thought process of pairing his speed-to-power natural ability with Jadeveon Clowney. Good luck containing both, AFC South.
17. San Diego Chargers: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Oh, geez. The nightmares of LaDanian Tomlinson start to seep in again when thinking of Gurley in that powder blue jersey. Even with coming of a torn-ACL, TG3 is by far the best running back in the Draft with his elite vision, lane cutting and ability to finish runs. He’s not Adrian Peterson (yet), but he does run like a wild Bull eerily similar to that of Marshawn Lynch.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Erving, OC, Florida State
Kind of the consensus that KC goes OL, but which one? Erving was horrific LT (he was replaced by a true Freshmen, Roderick Johnson, mid-way through the year), but one of the best interior collegiate OL we’ve seen in a loooong time. Utterly dominant due to his initial punch and linear quickness, it would be quite shocking to see Erving last past the first round, even as a Center prospect.
19. Cleveland Browns: D.J Humphries, OT, Florida
Hopefully, for the Browns’ fanbase, Johnny Manziel is healthy and under center come September, he will need an OL to hone and properly develop his unique skill-set. Humphries is a lean (barely 300 pounds) Tackle prospect, but one of the best pass blockers in this Draft. Not to mention, future HOF’er, Joe Thomas, is about to be on the wrong side of the 30’s fairly soon. Can never go wrong with some intense competition.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
More athletic freak-a-zoids for Chip Kelly? Yes, please. Quite shocking they let Jeremy Maclin walk, but Chip has sneaky plan up his Nike sleeves. Regardless who the QB is, Funchess is a miss-match versus a bulk of CB’s and is a complete nightmare in the Slot. The likes of Matthews, Huff & Ertz will benefit greatly due to the threat of Funchess.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
As much as I feel for Hue Jackson being stuck with the ginger rifle in Andy Dalton, the Bengals need to add a promising edge rusher to compliment Carlos Dunlap. Ray can stand up, play with 3-pt stance and drop off in coverage if need be.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The Steelers taking a CB this Draft is as more likely to come as Winter is coming to Westeros (nerd alert!). Newly-promoted DC, Keith Butler, will need a Boundary Corner of Waynes caliber, who excels in press and flip coverage The Steel City desperately desires.
23. Detroit Lions: Ereck Flowers, Jr., OT, Miami. FL
Mark me down for “Protecting Matt Stafford properly” as item #1 every year for Detroit’s off-season shopping list…..for 5 years now. With the addition of Flowers, the Lions would be able to slide Riley Reiff inside (his natural position) and form a respectable OL in Motor City finally.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
When your projected OLB’s are Matt Shaugnessy & Lamarr Woodley, it may be time to invest a high pick in an edge rusher. On tape, Harold is a raw pass rusher that will take a few years to fully develop a rip/tuck, spin moves, but his length (6-4, 248) and explosiveness are what DC’s crave to add to their arsenal.
25. Carolina Panthers: T.J Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Carolina is more likely to take a Punter here than invest high picks to protect Cam Newton, but I digress. Byron Bell is not the future nor the present, and neither is Michael Oher. Clemmings is only of the most athletically gifted OT’s since Terron Armstead, and would start Day-1. And yes, Punters are people too, Asher…
26. Baltimore Ravens: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
I know, I know, DGB doesn’t seem like an Ozzie-type player in the slightest, but the narrative of sending him to a franchise with an elite QB, fiery HC and veteran leadership (Steve Smith, anyone?) is too good to pass up on.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
This was just to good of an opportunity for Jerry Jones to pass up on — losing DeMarco Murray is going to hurt, but the addition of the Badger track-star helps mends wounds and adds another dynamic threat for Romo & Co.
28. Denver Broncos: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
John Elway could virtually go any number of positions/players here, but continues to invest high selections in DL. Phillips, who can play the 5 to the 0, is a mammoth of a man who moves like a gazelle. Pairing him with Williams, Wolfe, Jackson & Von-Ware is terrifying.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Almost mocked a QB here, but decided against it instead giving the Colts a Safety to patrol the AFC South. Chuck Pagano, a former Safety himself, knows the importance of having a freak of an athlete like Collins who can control a major portion of the field.
30. Green Bay Packers: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
The exile of the incumbent A.J Hawk, and addition of Kendricks should bring smiles to thousands of Madison residents. The younger brother of Mychal Kendricks, Eric is an athletic, instinctive MIKE who won’t miss a beat in Caper’s 34 scheme.
31. New Orleans Saints: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Back-to-back Bruins! The only thing more embarrassing trying to enunciate his name properly was Rob Ryan’s defense last season. It’s predicated around harassing QB’s with consistent pressure which possesses none. Enter: Diggy. A 4-3 SDE who can play a multitude of positions and compliment Cameron Jordan on the opposite end.
32. New England Patriots: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Bill Belichick does what Bill Belichick wants. And pairing Rob Gronkowski with the uber-athletic Gopher product would scares the bejeebers out the NFL. Williams can play in-line, move-TE and even Y-WO. He’s taller clone of, dare we say, Aaron Hernandez?
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