Blackjacks
Footballguy
Tis the season.......
Blackjacks first mock of the season and I am sure this will change a lot my the time the actual draft takes place but here it goes!
1 Houston Texans select J Clowney
At the end of the day he is the best defensive prospect to come around in quite. His measurements and pure talent are enough to overlook some concerns. Clowney and Watt coming off the end will be scary to opponents. Houston does need a QB as Case Keenum just isn't the answer but I think they can get a nice project in the 2nd round (or trade up in the first) and get a journeyman (McNown in free agency) to get them by. Houston is still a run first team and can rely on their defense for the short term.
2 STL Rams select Greg Robinson
I would like my Rams to trade back and acquire more picks but I don't know if the selling price will be taken by other teams. At the end of the day the Rams want to be a running team and Robinson is an absolute beast. I believe the Rams would be resigning Staffold but if they do he would prefer to play left tackle of left guard. Drafting Robinson allows the Rams to be smart with Staffold and have insurance for Jake Long. Imagine a offensive line that contains Long and Staffold on the left and Robinson on the right.......pretty nice!
3 Jacksonville Jaguars select Blake Bortles
The Jags have swung and missed on qb's in the draft for the last 20 years. Bortles might be a bit of a project but Henne can be the qb this year (I think he has actually been pretty decent for them when on the field) and they can release Blaine Gabbert and move on from that flop. Jax has the right coach in place in my opinion, now he needs his guy at qb and I believe Bortles is that guy.
4 Cleveland Browns select Khalil Mack
Cle could go a couple of ways here but they have a very nice defense and I think they are content with Hoyer at the QB position. They might look for a qb later in the draft but I don't think they view any of the options as the fix they need right now. I do think they will end up signing a rb in free agency (Tate, DMac or MJD to help the offense out a little.) Watkins could be the pick here as the #2 wr is less than desirable but Mack coming off the edge would be a nice addition for the Brownies.
5 Oakland Raiders select Teddy Bridgewater
Oakland should rush up to the podium if they are in this position. They have lacked an accurate qb for many years and Bridgewater should be able to step in day one and be the starter for them as I feel he is the most NFL ready qb in this draft. Some questions might come up about his competition in college (which causes him to slide a bit) but he has good size, athletic ability and most important is accurate.
6 ATL Falcons select Jake Mathews
The Falcons have a horrible Oline and need more time to allow Matt Ryan to find his talented wr corp. I think the Falcons would love to get Clowney if he gets past the #1 pick and I think the Rams would be a good trading partner for them but again I don't see him getting past Houston. Mathews could be a very good right tackle if Sam Baker can regain the form he had 2-3 years ago. I believe Baker is also coming up on free agency which give the Falcons the upper hand in negotiations.
7 TB Bucs trade to the STL Rams (TB trades #7 to the Rams for the #13, #45 and Rams #2 next year) Rams select Sammy Watkins
The Bucs move back 6 spots and get (2) #2's to help get Lovie his type of guys on defense. I also think Revis could be dealt to give additional picks as well. The Rams get the elite WR prospect the offense has needed since Torry Holt left. I like Tavon Austin but he isn't the prototypical WR needed in the NFL now days. The rams have been stockpiling picks for a couple of years now. This is the time to trade up. When looking at the Rams this is final piece to make them a playoff team.
8 Minnesota Vikings select Johnny Manziel
Manziel would bring excitement to a boring team and they could sell him a the next Fran Tarkenton. Whether he is or isn't Fran Johnny football wouldn't be expected to carry the team to early as they are still built around a strong running game. I think this is an ideal place for Manziel to end up and I would love to see him there.
9 Buffalo Bills select Mike Evans
Buffalo needs a big wr. While I like the pick of Robert Woods last year I think the days of Stevie Johnson being the #1 guy are about to end. Evans should help open up that offense and hopefully allow Spiller to be the stud he should be. Evans is thought of as one of the better blockers downfield also. Buffalo is close to being a playoff team and I see this selection helping them make one more step in the right direction.
10 Detroit Lions select Ha HA Clinton Dix
Detroit is losing Delmas this year in FA and they need help in that secondary. I was close to pulling the first cb off the board here but I think the safety make more sense. I think Det should spend their first 3 picks in the secondary (maybe a #2 wr but I like Broyles if he can stay healthy).
11 Tennessee Titans select Eric Ebron
Tennessee has a good but not great defense but they have really been building the offense to give Locker a lot of eapons over the last few draft. They lost Cook last offseason and gained D. Walker. Walker is a nice tight end option but more of a blocker, Ebron is a freak and would give a young qb (Locker) the safety net he needs to succeed.
12 NYG selects T Lewan
The NYF's oline was awful last year and this pick fits perfectly in where a player should go based on talent and a team needs. Lewan had a great combine and will definitely go in the top 15. This pick will hopefully help Eli's int's revert back to a more reasonable #. Lewan should be able to start left tackle on day 1 for the GMEN.
13) STL trade to TB. Tampa Bay selects Justin Gilbert
TB is ecstatic to get the top corner in the class and gain (2) #2's in the process. As I stated earlier I think Revis could be gone and Gilbert would be a nice replacement for him. If TB could get a #2 or #3 for Revis they would have a lot of picks to help Lovie get his guys to get the defense rolling quicly.
14 Chicago Bears selects D. Dernard
The Bears defense needs help and Dernard is a tough talented cb theat will help against the pass happy NFC North teams. The Bears could go a lot of ways with this pick as their whole defense looked awful last year but you have to start rebuilding a defense with a cb IMO and Dernard is the best option here. I could see them trading back also if another team is looking to move up but I didn't see a good trading partner currently. the Bears need a lot of help!
15 Pittsburgh Steelers select Marquis Lee
The Steelers will probably lose Sanders in the offseason and while I like Wheaton I don't know if he is ready to make an impact in Haley's offense as of yet (but he would be a great #3. The defense is getting a little old in spots and they could look at safety but in this mock I have them going with a talented wr who would make a great fit in the offense in place in Pitt.
16 Dallas Cowboys select Aaron Donald
Like Chicago this defense just sucks. The Cowboys have so many holes this pick could be used on about 4 or 5 different spots but they need help in the middle and Donald is the highest rated player for that spot. I don't see Dallas going anywhere near the offense with their first 3 picks.
17 Baltimore Ravens select Anthony Barr
Once thought of as a top 5 selection Barr falls a little here and in typical Baltimore fashion they sweep him up. Baltimore defense is still very good but a lot of the guys there are getting a little old in the tooth. Barr would bring a nice addition of youth and talent to Baltimore and hopefully get them back in the playoffs.
18 NY Jets select Calvin Pryor
Ed Reed just isn't the guy he use to be. The Jets have a good defense but are missing the thumper they need in the secondary. While they definitely need offensive help I think they sign Vick and stay committed to the run game. If Pryor is available I think this is a no brainer.
19 Miami Dolphins select Jace Amaro
Miami is a mess on the field and off. They need help on the oline but there isn't the right guy here. Miami has seen how the rival patriots have succeeded with talent at the te position and try to mirror it. They could go so many ways here but I think they try to make a splash!
20 Arizona Cardinals select Zach Martin
Cooper last year and Martin this year and maybe Brandon Albert in free agency would be a great start to fixing the worst oline in football 2 years ago. Arizona is also close to being a playoff team and without many holes on d can concentrate on the offense.
21 Green Bay Packers select Timmy Jernigan
I believe I read where the news out of GB is they aren't really happy with BJ Raji and Jernigan could step in and help solidify the middle. The Packs offense should be set if Rodgers stays healthy, they just need to build back up that dline and I think it starts with the big guys!
22 Philadelphia Eagles select CJ Mosley
I think Philly is pretty settled on offense but need to upgrade the defense. Mosley is a talented linebacker that can step I and help the Eagles day one after playing in Sabens pro defense and proving to be a reliable leader the last couple of years.
23 Kansas City selects Brandin Cooks
I know this might seem early or the wrong wr but Cooks blew it up at the combine and fits the dink and dunk offense KC runs compared to the taller and bigger wrs that are available. I don't see many flaws with the Chiefs defense and most of their offensive positions look solid as well. I could see this kid being a nice pro especially in a Andy Reid offense
24 Cincinnati selects Brandon Roby
Terrance Newman is about done and Pacman....well you never know. Roby was once thought of as an early first and tehn his stock dropped. After a nice combine he should go somewhere in the 20's on the first day
25 San Diego selects Louis Nix
They need to get better against the run. I think the offense came along nicely last year and will be better in year two but their defense seems weak. Nix should be able to plug the middle
26 Cleveland TRADES to TB (Cle trades #25 to Tb for #39 and #45) TB selects Derek Carr
I don't know about you but I don't think Mike Glennon is going to lead a team to the playoffs. While he showed some signs of potential I just don't see him as a franchise type guy. Carr has the best arm in the draft, good size and the ability to sit for a year and learn the NFL game. TB, in the first round, has gotten their corner and qb and picked up a 2nd for next year while Cle has 3 picks in the top 13 in the 2nd round and 2 more #3's. They are set up nicely to get some skilled players in a deep draft.
27 New Orleans selects Dee Ford
Goodbye Will Smith and your high contract and hello Dee Ford. New Orleans needs to get pressure and while this might be a downgrade this year Ford should be a nice piece to the puzzle for the New Orleans future defense and saves cap room to sign Jimmy Graham long term
28 Carolina Panthers select Odell Beckman
Carolina needs to get prepared for life without Steve Smith. I have been waiting and waiting for Lafell to come on and I am ready to give up. Beckman is a tough wr who can learn from Smith how to translate his game to the NFL.
29 New England selects Stephen Truitt
New England might have to start considering life without Vince Wilfork. While he has been an absolute stud for the past decade the end is coming for "ole Vince". I am sure the Patriots will trade down here cause that's what they do but they need to look at his replacement with this pick.
30 San Francisco selects Kelvin Benjerman
If they resign Boldin he has 1 or 2 years at most left. Benjerman is the big physical type of wr that SF wants. Their defense is solid and their oline is intact. This is a luxury pick for the 49er's with a lot of upside.
31 Denver selects David Yankey
Denver needs to protect Manning as much as possible as he gets older if they want to get another 2-3 years out of him. This is a value pick for the Broncos and they are a pretty nice team (as long as 18 is under center)
32 Seattle Seahawks select Xavier Su'a-filo
Keep the oline churning.......this team is deep and not a lot of weakness's. You can never have enough good olineman.
Seattle should be tough again next year.
Rip away, I am sure there will be more trades than what I had but those are the one's I like the most.
Blackjacks first mock of the season and I am sure this will change a lot my the time the actual draft takes place but here it goes!
1 Houston Texans select J Clowney
At the end of the day he is the best defensive prospect to come around in quite. His measurements and pure talent are enough to overlook some concerns. Clowney and Watt coming off the end will be scary to opponents. Houston does need a QB as Case Keenum just isn't the answer but I think they can get a nice project in the 2nd round (or trade up in the first) and get a journeyman (McNown in free agency) to get them by. Houston is still a run first team and can rely on their defense for the short term.
2 STL Rams select Greg Robinson
I would like my Rams to trade back and acquire more picks but I don't know if the selling price will be taken by other teams. At the end of the day the Rams want to be a running team and Robinson is an absolute beast. I believe the Rams would be resigning Staffold but if they do he would prefer to play left tackle of left guard. Drafting Robinson allows the Rams to be smart with Staffold and have insurance for Jake Long. Imagine a offensive line that contains Long and Staffold on the left and Robinson on the right.......pretty nice!
3 Jacksonville Jaguars select Blake Bortles
The Jags have swung and missed on qb's in the draft for the last 20 years. Bortles might be a bit of a project but Henne can be the qb this year (I think he has actually been pretty decent for them when on the field) and they can release Blaine Gabbert and move on from that flop. Jax has the right coach in place in my opinion, now he needs his guy at qb and I believe Bortles is that guy.
4 Cleveland Browns select Khalil Mack
Cle could go a couple of ways here but they have a very nice defense and I think they are content with Hoyer at the QB position. They might look for a qb later in the draft but I don't think they view any of the options as the fix they need right now. I do think they will end up signing a rb in free agency (Tate, DMac or MJD to help the offense out a little.) Watkins could be the pick here as the #2 wr is less than desirable but Mack coming off the edge would be a nice addition for the Brownies.
5 Oakland Raiders select Teddy Bridgewater
Oakland should rush up to the podium if they are in this position. They have lacked an accurate qb for many years and Bridgewater should be able to step in day one and be the starter for them as I feel he is the most NFL ready qb in this draft. Some questions might come up about his competition in college (which causes him to slide a bit) but he has good size, athletic ability and most important is accurate.
6 ATL Falcons select Jake Mathews
The Falcons have a horrible Oline and need more time to allow Matt Ryan to find his talented wr corp. I think the Falcons would love to get Clowney if he gets past the #1 pick and I think the Rams would be a good trading partner for them but again I don't see him getting past Houston. Mathews could be a very good right tackle if Sam Baker can regain the form he had 2-3 years ago. I believe Baker is also coming up on free agency which give the Falcons the upper hand in negotiations.
7 TB Bucs trade to the STL Rams (TB trades #7 to the Rams for the #13, #45 and Rams #2 next year) Rams select Sammy Watkins
The Bucs move back 6 spots and get (2) #2's to help get Lovie his type of guys on defense. I also think Revis could be dealt to give additional picks as well. The Rams get the elite WR prospect the offense has needed since Torry Holt left. I like Tavon Austin but he isn't the prototypical WR needed in the NFL now days. The rams have been stockpiling picks for a couple of years now. This is the time to trade up. When looking at the Rams this is final piece to make them a playoff team.
8 Minnesota Vikings select Johnny Manziel
Manziel would bring excitement to a boring team and they could sell him a the next Fran Tarkenton. Whether he is or isn't Fran Johnny football wouldn't be expected to carry the team to early as they are still built around a strong running game. I think this is an ideal place for Manziel to end up and I would love to see him there.
9 Buffalo Bills select Mike Evans
Buffalo needs a big wr. While I like the pick of Robert Woods last year I think the days of Stevie Johnson being the #1 guy are about to end. Evans should help open up that offense and hopefully allow Spiller to be the stud he should be. Evans is thought of as one of the better blockers downfield also. Buffalo is close to being a playoff team and I see this selection helping them make one more step in the right direction.
10 Detroit Lions select Ha HA Clinton Dix
Detroit is losing Delmas this year in FA and they need help in that secondary. I was close to pulling the first cb off the board here but I think the safety make more sense. I think Det should spend their first 3 picks in the secondary (maybe a #2 wr but I like Broyles if he can stay healthy).
11 Tennessee Titans select Eric Ebron
Tennessee has a good but not great defense but they have really been building the offense to give Locker a lot of eapons over the last few draft. They lost Cook last offseason and gained D. Walker. Walker is a nice tight end option but more of a blocker, Ebron is a freak and would give a young qb (Locker) the safety net he needs to succeed.
12 NYG selects T Lewan
The NYF's oline was awful last year and this pick fits perfectly in where a player should go based on talent and a team needs. Lewan had a great combine and will definitely go in the top 15. This pick will hopefully help Eli's int's revert back to a more reasonable #. Lewan should be able to start left tackle on day 1 for the GMEN.
13) STL trade to TB. Tampa Bay selects Justin Gilbert
TB is ecstatic to get the top corner in the class and gain (2) #2's in the process. As I stated earlier I think Revis could be gone and Gilbert would be a nice replacement for him. If TB could get a #2 or #3 for Revis they would have a lot of picks to help Lovie get his guys to get the defense rolling quicly.
14 Chicago Bears selects D. Dernard
The Bears defense needs help and Dernard is a tough talented cb theat will help against the pass happy NFC North teams. The Bears could go a lot of ways with this pick as their whole defense looked awful last year but you have to start rebuilding a defense with a cb IMO and Dernard is the best option here. I could see them trading back also if another team is looking to move up but I didn't see a good trading partner currently. the Bears need a lot of help!
15 Pittsburgh Steelers select Marquis Lee
The Steelers will probably lose Sanders in the offseason and while I like Wheaton I don't know if he is ready to make an impact in Haley's offense as of yet (but he would be a great #3. The defense is getting a little old in spots and they could look at safety but in this mock I have them going with a talented wr who would make a great fit in the offense in place in Pitt.
16 Dallas Cowboys select Aaron Donald
Like Chicago this defense just sucks. The Cowboys have so many holes this pick could be used on about 4 or 5 different spots but they need help in the middle and Donald is the highest rated player for that spot. I don't see Dallas going anywhere near the offense with their first 3 picks.
17 Baltimore Ravens select Anthony Barr
Once thought of as a top 5 selection Barr falls a little here and in typical Baltimore fashion they sweep him up. Baltimore defense is still very good but a lot of the guys there are getting a little old in the tooth. Barr would bring a nice addition of youth and talent to Baltimore and hopefully get them back in the playoffs.
18 NY Jets select Calvin Pryor
Ed Reed just isn't the guy he use to be. The Jets have a good defense but are missing the thumper they need in the secondary. While they definitely need offensive help I think they sign Vick and stay committed to the run game. If Pryor is available I think this is a no brainer.
19 Miami Dolphins select Jace Amaro
Miami is a mess on the field and off. They need help on the oline but there isn't the right guy here. Miami has seen how the rival patriots have succeeded with talent at the te position and try to mirror it. They could go so many ways here but I think they try to make a splash!
20 Arizona Cardinals select Zach Martin
Cooper last year and Martin this year and maybe Brandon Albert in free agency would be a great start to fixing the worst oline in football 2 years ago. Arizona is also close to being a playoff team and without many holes on d can concentrate on the offense.
21 Green Bay Packers select Timmy Jernigan
I believe I read where the news out of GB is they aren't really happy with BJ Raji and Jernigan could step in and help solidify the middle. The Packs offense should be set if Rodgers stays healthy, they just need to build back up that dline and I think it starts with the big guys!
22 Philadelphia Eagles select CJ Mosley
I think Philly is pretty settled on offense but need to upgrade the defense. Mosley is a talented linebacker that can step I and help the Eagles day one after playing in Sabens pro defense and proving to be a reliable leader the last couple of years.
23 Kansas City selects Brandin Cooks
I know this might seem early or the wrong wr but Cooks blew it up at the combine and fits the dink and dunk offense KC runs compared to the taller and bigger wrs that are available. I don't see many flaws with the Chiefs defense and most of their offensive positions look solid as well. I could see this kid being a nice pro especially in a Andy Reid offense
24 Cincinnati selects Brandon Roby
Terrance Newman is about done and Pacman....well you never know. Roby was once thought of as an early first and tehn his stock dropped. After a nice combine he should go somewhere in the 20's on the first day
25 San Diego selects Louis Nix
They need to get better against the run. I think the offense came along nicely last year and will be better in year two but their defense seems weak. Nix should be able to plug the middle
26 Cleveland TRADES to TB (Cle trades #25 to Tb for #39 and #45) TB selects Derek Carr
I don't know about you but I don't think Mike Glennon is going to lead a team to the playoffs. While he showed some signs of potential I just don't see him as a franchise type guy. Carr has the best arm in the draft, good size and the ability to sit for a year and learn the NFL game. TB, in the first round, has gotten their corner and qb and picked up a 2nd for next year while Cle has 3 picks in the top 13 in the 2nd round and 2 more #3's. They are set up nicely to get some skilled players in a deep draft.
27 New Orleans selects Dee Ford
Goodbye Will Smith and your high contract and hello Dee Ford. New Orleans needs to get pressure and while this might be a downgrade this year Ford should be a nice piece to the puzzle for the New Orleans future defense and saves cap room to sign Jimmy Graham long term
28 Carolina Panthers select Odell Beckman
Carolina needs to get prepared for life without Steve Smith. I have been waiting and waiting for Lafell to come on and I am ready to give up. Beckman is a tough wr who can learn from Smith how to translate his game to the NFL.
29 New England selects Stephen Truitt
New England might have to start considering life without Vince Wilfork. While he has been an absolute stud for the past decade the end is coming for "ole Vince". I am sure the Patriots will trade down here cause that's what they do but they need to look at his replacement with this pick.
30 San Francisco selects Kelvin Benjerman
If they resign Boldin he has 1 or 2 years at most left. Benjerman is the big physical type of wr that SF wants. Their defense is solid and their oline is intact. This is a luxury pick for the 49er's with a lot of upside.
31 Denver selects David Yankey
Denver needs to protect Manning as much as possible as he gets older if they want to get another 2-3 years out of him. This is a value pick for the Broncos and they are a pretty nice team (as long as 18 is under center)
32 Seattle Seahawks select Xavier Su'a-filo
Keep the oline churning.......this team is deep and not a lot of weakness's. You can never have enough good olineman.
Seattle should be tough again next year.
Rip away, I am sure there will be more trades than what I had but those are the one's I like the most.
to unwind and for me, draft season does that.
