Draft Nuggets 2015: Entry #5
By Jeff Bowers of www.thedraftnarrative.com
Twitter: @sportsnarrative
Pre-Combine Mock Draft
We are a long way from the NFL Draft beginning on April 30th in Chicago and so much will change between now and then. Free agency, franchise tags, Combine and private workouts, interviews, drug tests and so much more will cause the stock of the players to rise and fall and the needs of teams to come and go. So a mock draft at this stage of the process is really more for entertainment purposes than any real substance. However, it is a fun way to look at some of the top talent based on game tape and postseason games prior to the NFL Combine (which begins Feb 17th) and look at some of the options that could be available for the Cowboys at #27. So here goes nothing . . .
1.Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Despite all the off-field issues, I just don’t see any way the Bucs will pass on Winston. With a ton of physical tools, Winston has the potential to be a franchise quarterback. However, he is not ready to start Day One. A long windup, struggles on finesse throws and some footwork hitches must be addressed before he is ready to succeed in the pros.
2.Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Though I think they will definitely talk offers to trade down (ala RGIII), right now I don’t see the Titans passing on Mariota. With plus mobility and arm strength, Mariota must adapt from that Oregon pre-determined read system and address issues with accuracy on intermediate throws.
3.Jacksonville Jaguars – Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Though the next best player might be DT Leonard Williams of USC, the Jaguars are stacked at that position and are in desperate need of an edge rusher. With an impressive Combine workout, Gregory could leap ahead of Williams in the needs of the Jags.
4.Oakland Raiders – Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Williams has already expressed his wish to be a Raider (a rarity these days) and Oakland would be thrilled to see him fall in their lap. A dynamic pass rusher, Williams would instantly upgrade that Silver&Black defense.
5.Washington Redskins – Dante Fowler Jr, OLB, Florida
With Brian Orakpo entering free agency and dealing with injuries, the Skins could use another compliment across from Kerrigan and have their choice between Ray, Dupree, Beasley and Fowler. After the Combine, I expect the very athletic Fowler to rise to the top of this group.
6.New York Jets – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
With the top 2 QBs gone, the Jets try to add more weapons and get the best WR in this year’s class. Though not overly imposing physically, Cooper is proven as a lead WR and will pair well opposite Eric Decker.
7.Chicago Bears – Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
New HC John Fox has tabbed former Niners DC Vic Fangio to run his defense and it will likely turn the Bears into a 3-4 front. That being the case, the Bears will need a dynamic OLB on the outside and Ray is a great fit. With excellent burst, Ray should be an immediate starter.
8.Atlanta Falcons – Alvin “Bud” Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Former Seattle DC and now new HC in Atlanta Dan Quinn will seek to upgrade his defense in Atlanta and will start with the pass rush. Dupree is a physical freak that could lineup at end or linebacker and put some teeth in that Falcons D.
9.New York Giants – Brandon Schreff, G/T, Iowa
The Giants have spent quite a few resources on the OL and it remains an issue. In Schreff, the Giants would get a versatile linemen (a trend for them) that could play all 5 positions on the line and might finally solidify that group in front of Eli.
10.St Louis Rams – Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
With serious concerns about the health of Jake Long and the underwhelming rookie year of Greg Robinson, the Rams go back to the well and take another tackle. Though raw, Peat has the highest upside of any tackle prospect in this draft.
11.Minnesota Vikings – DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Though they have big needs on the OL, the Vikings also needs for weapons for OROY Teddy Bridgewater to throw the ball. Parker, at 6’3 209lbs, is a nice big target with huge catch radius and only needs some minor route-running tweaks to become a star.
12.Cleveland Browns – TJ Clemmings, G/T, Pitt
The Browns had big questions at RT last year and will likely address them with one of their two first round picks. Clemmings struggled at the Senior Bowl and might be better served playing inside (ala Zack Martin in Dallas) but is still a quality addition to any OL.
13.New Orleans Saints – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Rob Ryan’s defense really struggled getting pressure last year and need a dynamic speed rusher to compliment Junior Galette. Beasley is pure speed but can get washed out vs the run at times, but won’t likely be asked to do more than get the QB in that scheme.
14.Miami Dolphins – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The big contract given to Mike Wallace has not been the answer in South Beach and might make him a cap casualty. White is a big play wideout and would be a welcome sight for Ryan Tannehill.
15.San Francisco 49ers – Danny Shelton, NT, Washington
Shelton shined and dominated at the Senior Bowl and rose up to the number 2 defensive tackle on the board. The Niners, though they need help at WR, can’t pass on this run stuffing add to their defense.
16.Houston Texans – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
With Kareem Jackson facing free agency and Joseph seemingly always battling injuries, the Texans nab the best CB in the draft (without off-field issues) and try to give JJ Watt one more second to harass opposing QBs.
17.San Diego Chargers –Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
The Chargers offensive line had Rivers taking a beating last season. Flowers, though maybe not as high an upside as some, has strong LT skills and is a plug-and-play guy this season.
18.Kansas City Chiefs – Landon Collins, S, Alabama
The loss of team leader Eric Berry to lymphoma was a tough blow to the Chiefs defense and left a huge hole to boot. Collins could slide right into that spot and take on the leadership and playmaking role of Berry.
19.Cleveland Browns – Malcolm Brown, NT, Texas
Former first round pick Phil Taylor of Baylor has not panned out and the Browns D is quite leaky versus the run. Brown plops right in the middle of that defense and helps plug that hole.
20.Philadelphia Eagles – Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
The Eagles have already expressed a desire to change to a QB that better fits their system and has shown a tendency to draft “their guy” regardless of draft stock (see OLB Marcus Smith last year), so it would not surprise me to see Hundley here despite his liabilities. Hundley might be a better running QB than throwing and was recruiting by Kelly at Oregon.
21.Cincinnati Bengals – Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
The Bengals really need help at DE, but most of the pass rushers are off the board and there is a ton available in free agency. Instead they take the best player available in Thompson, who is an immediate starter and forms a great group alongside Burfict and Ray.
22.Pittsburgh Steelers– Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami(OH)
Rollins is a unique talent who has only played football 2 years after starting for the basketball team for 4. With long arms, quick feet and a willingness to get his nose dirty, Rollins shined at the Senior Bowl and his upside had scouts drooling.
23.Detroit Lions – Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
The Lions are likely to retain Suh (if the price is right) and let Fairley walk leaving a big hole at DT. Davis is a pass rushing force and drew rave reviews on the field at the Senior Bowl. However, some questions about effort and attitude were also rumored.
24.Arizona Cardinals – Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
While most people are focusing on Gordon or Gurley as the top running backs, I think Duke Johnson might really wow at the Combine and jump ahead of the entire group. Johnson’s versatility running and catching makes him a great fit to compliment Ellington in the desert.
25.Carolina Panthers – La’el Collins, OT, LSU
The Panthers did not address their tackle situation in last year’s draft and paid a price this year. They don’t make the same mistake twice, taking Collins who starts at RT and could potentially transition to LT in a few years.
26.Baltimore Ravens – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The Ravens lost Ray Rice (who was declining anyway) and were lead by Justin Forsett, who is a free agent now. Gordon is a typical Ravens pick: productive, solid and an immediate starter.
27.Dallas Cowboys – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
With Randle’s legal troubles and Murray facing free agency and a heavy workload, the Cowboys have a need at RB. If they franchise Murray for the year, they could afford to wait on the knee of Gurley to heal for a season and then potentially have the best back in the draft for the second half of the year and in years to come.
28.Denver Broncos – Cameron Erving, C/G/T, Florida State
With potentially one last shot with Peyton Manning, the Broncos must keep him healthy with an improved OL. Though likely not a tackle in the pros, Erving has shown versatility to play all 5 spots on the line and is athletic enough for Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme.
29.Indianapolis Colts – Eddie Goldman, DE/DT, Florida State
Cory Redding has been the leader of the Colts D since Pagano brought him from Baltimore, but he is 34 and a FA. Goldman is an ideal fit at the 5 technique and give some needed strength to their run defense.
30.Green Bay Packers – Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma
With some legal issues affecting their future on the DL, the Packers could look to upgrade that area with the 6’6” 334 lbs Phillips. Though he does have some injury and consistency concerns, he could be a boom/bust pick worthy of a late first round pick.
31.Seattle Seahawks – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Seahawks saw the value of having a big WR in the Superbowl, throwing to Footlocker’s own Chris “Hardball” Matthews. Strong, at 6’3” 215lbs, could be just the thing for Wilson to target next year.
32.New England Patriots – Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
The Patriots have continued to search for the replacement to on-trial Aaron Hernandez and could find him in Funchess. As a WR/TE hybrid, Funchess and Gronk would create match-up nightmares for defenses