Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
Final version with projected trades
1 Kansas City - OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M
Reasoning: Didn’t extend but only franchised OLT Brandon Albert so they have him for one year if they don’t wind up trading him. Take their franchise left tackle to protect the blind side for seeable future.
2 Jacksonville – DT Sharriff Floyd Florida
"He's my favorite player that I've seen on tape," Greg Cosell said. "He's an explosive athlete playing defensive tackle. He has really light feet. He's so gifted physically that he can play anywhere on the line, and I think he will become, like J.J. Watt, a much better pass rusher in the NFL than he was in college football."
Mike Mayock, analyst for the NFL Network, has Floyd as the No. 2 player in the nation behind Fisher.
"His ability to get up the field and disrupt the pass game is unique for a defensive tackle, and if you can get a defensive tackle that can affect the pass game, you've got something special," Mayock said. "And he's stout enough to play the run."
OK, so why Floyd over a pass rushing DE? Here’s why. Three years ago the Jags finished 26th in the league in defense. One year later they finished 6th after drafting DT Tyson Alualu in the first round and pairing him with DT Terrance Knighton but last year both struggled and Knighton is in now in Denver so there is a hole at the DT position.
Add that at 297 lbs Sharriff ran a 4.9 forty and the best 10 yard split (1.70) of any defensive lineman so he has unique physical skills. He’s been my favorite player in this draft all along and the fact he’s from Florida certainly won’t hurt the Jags who have lots of empty seats to fill.
3 Oakland - DT Star Lotulelei, Utah
They really want to trade down and it could happen but the Raiders have a glaring need. They have already lost two defensive tackles in free agency, Desmond Bryant andTommy Kelly, one defensive end, Matt Shaughessy, and they haven’t re-signed DT Richard Seymour and their other starting DE, Lamar Houston, is in the last year of his contract. Addressing the defensive line is crucial so Lotulelei is one of the best player available and he fills a dire need.
4 Philadelphia - DE Dion Jordan, Oregon
"He's a physical freak, a specimen," said Eagles linebacker Casey Matthews, a former teammate at Oregon.
"I think is two years away from being an Aldon Smith-type player," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said, citing the 49ers' Pro Bowl pass rusher. "He's got frightening athletic skills, and he's a year away. He would be a situational pass rusher year one. And if he puts 20 pounds on, I think he's going to be a perennial all-pro. I really like the kid…”
Dion Jordan is a 3-4 OLB/DE not a 4-3 DE. This is the perfect fit for him. The Eagles signed Connor Barwin but Barwin isn’t a freak like Jordan is. They also have Trent Cole who would be making the transition from a 4-3 DE to a stand-up 3-4 OLB. Cole is 30 years old and coming off of surgery to address ‘multiple’ tendon tears in his hand. Kelly brought along many of his Oregon staff so they are intimately familiar with Jordan and how to use him so they can put him in sub packages until he’s ready to take over as a starter.
5 Detroit - OT Eric Fisher, Central Michegan
Lost OLT Backus to retirement and ORT Cherlus to free agency. They drafted Riley Rief in the first round last year but he didn’t step-up and isn’t a good fit for the blind-side. Fisher is a franchise left tackle. BPA meets dire need.
*TRADE*
6 Cleveland trades pick to San Diego - OT Lane Johnson
There is a drop off after the third OLT is off the board making Johnson likely to go next to Arizona prompting San Diego to make the move-up the board to nab him. Phil Rivers lacks mobility. He has missed having a solid pass protector manning his blind-side since Marcus McNeil was in his prime. It hasn’t been a shock that Phillip has struggled the last couple of years with poor blind side protection. He isn’t the same QB when pressure forces him out of the pocket. This single move could fix both the OLT and QB positions for San Diego who sends Cleveland their 2nd round pick #45 to Browns as compensation.
7 Arizona - OG Chance Warmack Alabama
The Cards offensive line (OLT Nate Potter, LG Darvn Colledge, C Scott Wedge, RG Adam Snyder, RT Bobby Massie) is the worst in the league. They ranked dead last rushing the football, top rusher ran for only 357 yards. They have a dire need which matches the BPA of the draft in Warmack. Durability (never missed a snap) and dependability (only missed 7 out of his 728 assignments - success rate 99%) Four year starter, simply a perfect player that fits dire need. With Geno Smith and the top-three OLTs off the board coach Arians could be tempted to over draft his QB but with Warmack there he has to take him.
8 Buffalo - QB Geno Smith West Virginia
“This quarterback class is better than everybody thinks it is,” Nix said, via Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. “It’s better than the publicity they get.
“Five or six of those guys — maybe seven — do a lot of things good and do them good enough to win. This is not a standard answer. I’ve said this from the start, that two or three of these guys will be franchise quarterbacks. I believe that.”
Buffalo GM said last fall he was going to get a QB and in the off-season a private conversation he was having with a fellow GM was recorded where he said basically the same thing days before he cut his starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Geno Smith has all of the physical tools, nice, size, strong arm, decent overall accuracy, and he can run too.
Smith’s completion percentage has gone up steadily each year from 64.8 to 65.8 to 71.2 the last three years. His TD to INT ratio has increased each year from 24-7 to 31-7 to 42-6 which ties in well with his film-rat reputation. Then he smoked a 4.59 forty at the combine which really opened some eyes.
He has some issues but hat allows the Bills to land him at eight without having to pay to move-up to get their franchise QB.
9 NY Jets - OLB/DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, people around the NFL believe the Jets "would love" to draft LSU DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo with the No. 9 pick.
Schefter's report aligns with a recent one from SI's Peter King, who wrote Monday morning that Jets coach Rex Ryan is "awfully smitten" with Mingo. Mingo would give New York the explosive outside rusher Ryan has lacked throughout his head-coaching tenure. The Jets need players who can sack QBs and score TDs.
Schefter reported the Jets like Mingo and Adam is one guy I have learned to pay attention to for anything draft related. His report came out prior to the Revis deal so they could switch to Milliner but last year they ranked 2nd in the league in pass defense without Revis so Rex Ryan knows he has DBs to run his scheme. Rex hasn’t had a pass rusher like Mingo so I believe they would take the pass rusher over the cornerback.
10 Tennessee - OLB/DE Ziggy Ansah, BYU
The Titans gave up a club record 471 points last year. One of the weaker spots was the D-Line and in particular was undersized (245lbs) DE Kamerion Wimbley. Ansah is much bigger and has loads of upside. Interesting, the one area that the Titans didn‘t address in free agency was their pass rush. .Ziggy has size, speed, and dominated the Senior Bowl against top notch competition. He might be the best 4-3 DE of this draft class.
*TRADE*
11 San Diego Trades pick to Cleveland – CB Dee Milliner. Alabama
Milliner’s stock has taken a small tumble as he did get called back to Indy to address medical issues with his injured shoulder. Milliner won’t be available up until training camp and even may miss some camp. Cleveland would probably prefer one of the pass rushers over Milliner but will need to address corner at some point so with Milliner dropping it fits need. If Mingo or Ansah were to fall they would likely be the pick but I’m not sure they would pull the trigger on Jarvis Jones here but that is also a high probability.
12 Miami - OT D.J Flucker, Alabama
A few weeks back Fluker was overweight and would never have been a consideration for the first round but the kid has worked his butt off, literally. He’s lost over twenty pounds. That proves the Flucker will work and that is an indication he can make it in the NFL. He is physically gifted with the longest reach of the OTs in this draft. The Phins may not be able to pull of the trade move up for one of the OLTs that they like or get OT Brandon Albert by draft day so that may force this selection. Miami knows that they can’t go into the season with Jonathan Martin as the only blind side option to protect Ryan Tannenhill. The loss of Jake Long created a hole. Early indications pointed to them moving-up for an OT but reportedly they are not sold on Lane Johnson and it would cost too much to move up for either Joeckel or Fisher so they might be forced to stay put and reach for Flucker.
*TRADE*
*13 New York Jets (originally from Tampa Bay) trade pick to Atlanta Falcons - CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
Falcons’ Dimitroff: If there’s a player I like, I’ll trade up and get him
Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff is not going to come right out and confirm the reports that
he’s trying to trade up in the first round of the draft, because general managers never come right out and say what their draft plans are. But Dimitroff isn’t exactly hiding his interest in a trade, either.
“If you feel that you want to package picks to go up and get the player that you feel can help the team, well, then you use your draft picks as fodder to go after that player,” Dimitroff said, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dimitroff isn’t naming any names of specific players he wants, but he is openly discussing the possibility of a trade.
“We’ve been open about it,” Dimitroff said, via ESPN.com. “I think it’s very clear we’re open for big deals if they come across our table and we’re interested.”
There’s been speculation that the Falcons are looking for an offensive playmaker, a cornerback or help on the defensive line. Whatever Dimitroff wants, if there’s a player he wants badly enough, he’ll go get him.
…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently suggested that the Falcons might try to trade up for a cornerback like Alabama’s Dee Milliner, Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes …
Their has been a lot of talk about the Falcons moving up and I think Rhodes will slip into their range and Demitroff will make a deal. The Jets are reportedly interested in moving down with one of their picks and I would surmise it would be to get a QB later in the first round.
14 Carolina - DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
He could be a dominant player as a 3-technique in the 4-3 scheme.
This has been mocked many times and makes a lot of sense to solidify the interior of the Panthers D-Line to help protect the investment made at the linebacker position.
15 New Orleans - OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia
After extensive tape study, NFL Films' Greg Cosell believes Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones is the most NFL-ready pass rusher in the draft.
He compares Jones to Terrell Suggs. Cosell acknowledges Jones isn't as "purely athletic" as Dion Jordan or Barkevious Mingo, but believes Jones is ready to be an impact pass rusher from day one. We tentatively expect Jones to be drafted in the teens, but it wouldn't be surprising if he cracked the top ten.
He relies more on his explosive hands and savvy than pure athleticism or burst.
Jarvis Jones was the highest ranked player on Kiper’s board in early January and nothing has changed how he played the game to put him there. A spinal condition is a concern as is a slow forty but this guy can play. Rob Ryan lucks out.
16 St. Louis - WR Tavon Austin
I took a long look at every catch made by the Rams two rookies last year and I was under whelmed. St. Louis lost WR Danny Amendola and those second year guys don’t look like can do the job let alone do what Austin can do. I would like have taken Jonathan Cooper here but I feel the hole at WR trumps O-Line. According to Yahoo Sports' Jason Cole, the Rams are "likely" to draft either Tavon Austin or DeAndre Hopkins with the No. 16 overall pick.
17 Pittsburgh - S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
Top ranked safety fits what the Steelers have done in the draft recently and historically. Troy-P won’t ever be replicated but he has to be replaced at some point. In the meantime the Steelers can use Vaccaro in a number of ways. BPA and meets a need.
18 Dallas - OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina
. I thought this one over for a long time and it seems Jerry Jones like name players with his top pick. The interior of the Dallas O-line needs help and they are still looking at Eric Winston to help boost their RT position so adding two guys to the line could make provide impact. Jerry likes name players. Cooper has that sort of first round name cache to be a first round pick at a position that rarely has that sort of buzz especially when using a first round pick.
19 NY Giants - DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State
The Giants have only drafted three DEs in the last six years. Outside of taking JPP in the first round in 2010 the only other DEs taken were forgettable names drafted in the sixth (Adrian Tracy 2010) and seventh rounds (Robert Henderson 2008). When the Giants won the Super Bowl two years ago they rang up 48 sacks. Last year that number plunged to 33. The G-Men have let this area slide. Werner is the second highest ranked DE on many boards and fills a need.
20 Chicago - TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
Despite the addition of Marcellus Bennett via free agency, the Bears would benefit from a young, versatile, pass-catching tight end. Marc Trestman has acquired a reputation as an offensive innovator. In the recent off season program WR Brandon Marshall was going over the playbook and simulating formations with free agent TE Martellus Bennett so that gives a clue that the TE will be utilized by this offense and Eifert could turn into a weapon in the hands of someone like Trestman.
21 Cincinnati - WR Cordarrelle Paterson, Tennessee
Bengals HC Marvin Lewis has coached the Bengals to two-consecutive playoff games but Nati hasn’t won a post season contest in 22 years. The Bengals set a club record with an amazing 51 sacks last year, they’ve got a stud #1 WR, they’ve built up their O-Line, they’ve found a QB, and even picked up a thousand yard RB in last year’s free agency period. Defensively their loaded in the front seven and the injured corner taken with their top pick last year should be back healthy so its like getting a bonus first round pick this year. The Bengals have talent but haven’t broken through. Its frustrating to Marvin Lewis. “We’ve got to find a way to push over the hump.” The only weak area I can spy is at wide receiver. They like Sanu but they need to exploit having AJ Green taking coverage to his side of the field. Dalton doesn’t have a rocket arm but he can get it to AJ Green so he should be able to find Cordarrelle who could be the missing piece that will push Cincinnati over the hump.
22 St. Louis (from Washington) - OT Justin Pugh, Syracuse
The Rams addressed WR with their top pick and have added OT Jake Long in free agency but wisely move to fill a add more talent to their offensive line.
23 Minnesota - LB Manti Te’o
Manti will be a solid MLB. I like his coverage abilities in the middle of the field so I think he’s more than only a two-down backer. Best player at his position and fits need.
Lions GM Martin Mayhew says he "couldn't find anybody to say anything negative about" Manti Te'o when he visited Notre Dame.
"Just a great leader in their program and a great football player for them over the years," Mayhew said. "They have so much respect for him, and I do too after meeting with him. He's just a great young man." Mayhew also insisted Te'o is "very smart" despite his infamous internet duping. Whereas the Lennay Kekua hoax once appeared destined to define Te'o's draft stock, it's now little more than an absurd footnote.
The Vikings lost middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley in free agency. They’ve yet to replace him. And they realize they need to.
“We know we have to get one. That’s no secret,” linebackers coach Mike Singletary said Sunday, via Ben Goessling of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “When we do, we just have to teach him as much as we can, as fast as we can. It’s going to be a lot of work.”
24 Indianapolis - CB D.J. Hayden, Houston
Colts reportedly were/are interested in Pugh but he went a few picks earlier so they address a need at cornerback.
After acquiring Davis last year, the Colts have used the fringes of free agency to check off boxes. They signed Greg Toler during their first-day drunken-sailor act, and he’s been good when he’s been well. But he’s not so good that they can ignore this position.
Hayden wasn’t even a consideration a few weeks ago but he is getting a clean bill of health after nearly dying on the practice field last November. The Colts can use help in the secondary and if the reports of Hayden rising up draft boards are true then he’s likely on the Colts radar.
25 Minnesota Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina.
Kevin Williams is wearing down and needs to eventually get replaced and Sly's name keep getting slotted here. Great size but lacking production.
26 Green Bay - DE Margus Hunt, SMU
"They need another big body on both sides of the line," another personnel man said, referring to the Packers. "I think they're on life support now up front (on defense). If I'm prioritizing this, I'm looking at both lines."
Talk about a big body, Hunt possesses an incredible combination of size, length, and speed. At 6’8 he blocked 17 kicks, two shy of the all-time NCAA record. He accumulated 31 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one interception on his way to earning first team All-Conference USA honors. He has displayed impressive progression through his career and figures to be heavily coveted by 3-4 teams to play defensive end.
Probably the most intriguing player in the draft.
27 Houston - WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee
Andre Johnson isn’t getting any younger and the Texans let go of WR Kevin Walter. They have the defensive MVP and have added Ed Reed to further strengthen their D. They need to address the wide receiver position. Andre Johnson said he wants to play five more seasons in the NFL.
Johnson turns 32 in July.
Z-Report Says:
The Texans are fairly particular about the type of WRs they will draft this early which means they will likely pay attention to size, speed, ability to grasp the offense quickly and willingness to block. Justin Hunter has #1 WR size, speed and athletic traits, but drops were a major issue for him at Tennessee.
I think Houston will take a shot and Hunter appears to be worthy of the selection.
28 Denver - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M.
With Elvis Dumervil possibly gone they would need a pass rusher. Von Miller has been coaching up Moore through the draft proccess so I'm sure he has mentioned Damontre a few times to the Broncos.
Last year, Moore was one of the most dominant defensive players in college football. As a 20-year-old junior, he totaled 12.5 sacks - one of the larger totals in the country. Perhaps even more impressive than that, Moore led his team with 85 tackles - four more than the next closest defender. He had 21 tackles for a loss, two passes broken up, a blocked kick and a forced fumble. Moore also played through an ankle injury during the season.
While Moore (6-4, 250) was playing well on the field, he was creating a bad reputation for himself off of it. In June of 2011, Moore was arrested and accused of possessing less than two ounces of marijuana. Aside from the public incidents, Moore became known for not being a hard worker and a guy that looks to party. A guy with his talent would never fall this far without concerns of some sort so if the Broncos green light Moore then I think he’ll be the pick.
*TRADE*
29 New England Trades to Jacksonville - QB EJ Manuel, Florida State
Manuel’s stock has risen to the point that he has been invited to New York City to attend the draft. Someone is likely to move-up. Minnesota addressed one need and can probably move-down to fill their other top needs and pick up an extra pick next year. I think Jacksonville won’t wait any longer so they make a deal and it happens here. Jacksonville is having trouble filling empty seats. They need a dynamic leader, Gabbert and Henne don’t cut it but at the combine Manuel nailed his visit with the media. Manuel had a solid Senior Bowl, including the week of practice. At 6’5 and 237 lbs he’s got great size and in his Pro Day his people not only showcased is big arm they also highlighted his mobility. He has his flaws but he’s the only QB from this class who can run the read-option. Oh and I’ll throw this out there, one thing pointed out by Chip Kelly is he likes QBs with large hands. Manuel has 10.38 inch hands which were the largest of the 2013 QB class. Jacksonville trades-up from the second round to New England's first round selection, 29th pick of first round giving their 2014 second-round pick. Reasoning - Jacksonville needs a QB has to move in front of the Jets if they want to get their guy. New England is forward thinking with draft trades and can find starters in this year's second round.
*TRADE*
30 Atlanta - Trades pick to New York Jets - QB Matt Barkley, USC
The Jets made a trade last year to get a QB and do the same thing this year but this time they will play Barkley and let him challenge Sanchez for the starting job. He has the drive and character that Sanchez seems to lack. A strong leader, three-time team captain. Ran pro-style offense and made checks, gets rid of ball quickly. He’s been touted as the most ready-to-start of the rookie crop of quarterbacks so he could provide Mark Sanchez a challenge to start in training camp.
31 San Francisco - FS Eric Reid, LSU
Tall, 6’1, with solid frame, 213 lbs, athletic, 4.53 40 yard dash, 40.5 inch vertical, and 134 inch broad jump, aggressive will thumb ball carrier. Scouts have been raving about Eric Reid’s intangibles since the beginning of the draft process. As a junior he was named the captain of Louisiana State. He is a student of the game that has a reputation for his film study. He is a two SEC Academic Honor Roll student-athlete who stood out during his white board sessions at the combine and during team visits. Anything he lacks physically he makes up in intangibles.
Donte Whitner brings a load but he’s getting older and is a liability in coverage. Reid is a big thumping safety but he’s younger and has the athleticism and speed that Whitner lacks, and he brings intangibles that would make any coach want to work with him.
32 Baltimore - LB Alec Ogeltree. Georgia
Ogletree carries some risk because of his off-field issues, but he's an explosive linebacker with outstanding cover skills. His background as a safety is evident in the tape I studied. He can mirror tight ends all over the field. He does need to do a better job of using his hands to take on/shed blocks, but that can be taught.
I’m hearing Minter falls to the second round. Ogletree has the physical gifts to be a starter as a rookie and the Ravens are known to take chances on character guys.
1 Kansas City - OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M
Reasoning: Didn’t extend but only franchised OLT Brandon Albert so they have him for one year if they don’t wind up trading him. Take their franchise left tackle to protect the blind side for seeable future.
2 Jacksonville – DT Sharriff Floyd Florida
"He's my favorite player that I've seen on tape," Greg Cosell said. "He's an explosive athlete playing defensive tackle. He has really light feet. He's so gifted physically that he can play anywhere on the line, and I think he will become, like J.J. Watt, a much better pass rusher in the NFL than he was in college football."
Mike Mayock, analyst for the NFL Network, has Floyd as the No. 2 player in the nation behind Fisher.
"His ability to get up the field and disrupt the pass game is unique for a defensive tackle, and if you can get a defensive tackle that can affect the pass game, you've got something special," Mayock said. "And he's stout enough to play the run."
OK, so why Floyd over a pass rushing DE? Here’s why. Three years ago the Jags finished 26th in the league in defense. One year later they finished 6th after drafting DT Tyson Alualu in the first round and pairing him with DT Terrance Knighton but last year both struggled and Knighton is in now in Denver so there is a hole at the DT position.
Add that at 297 lbs Sharriff ran a 4.9 forty and the best 10 yard split (1.70) of any defensive lineman so he has unique physical skills. He’s been my favorite player in this draft all along and the fact he’s from Florida certainly won’t hurt the Jags who have lots of empty seats to fill.
3 Oakland - DT Star Lotulelei, Utah
They really want to trade down and it could happen but the Raiders have a glaring need. They have already lost two defensive tackles in free agency, Desmond Bryant andTommy Kelly, one defensive end, Matt Shaughessy, and they haven’t re-signed DT Richard Seymour and their other starting DE, Lamar Houston, is in the last year of his contract. Addressing the defensive line is crucial so Lotulelei is one of the best player available and he fills a dire need.
4 Philadelphia - DE Dion Jordan, Oregon
"He's a physical freak, a specimen," said Eagles linebacker Casey Matthews, a former teammate at Oregon.
"I think is two years away from being an Aldon Smith-type player," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said, citing the 49ers' Pro Bowl pass rusher. "He's got frightening athletic skills, and he's a year away. He would be a situational pass rusher year one. And if he puts 20 pounds on, I think he's going to be a perennial all-pro. I really like the kid…”
Dion Jordan is a 3-4 OLB/DE not a 4-3 DE. This is the perfect fit for him. The Eagles signed Connor Barwin but Barwin isn’t a freak like Jordan is. They also have Trent Cole who would be making the transition from a 4-3 DE to a stand-up 3-4 OLB. Cole is 30 years old and coming off of surgery to address ‘multiple’ tendon tears in his hand. Kelly brought along many of his Oregon staff so they are intimately familiar with Jordan and how to use him so they can put him in sub packages until he’s ready to take over as a starter.
5 Detroit - OT Eric Fisher, Central Michegan
Lost OLT Backus to retirement and ORT Cherlus to free agency. They drafted Riley Rief in the first round last year but he didn’t step-up and isn’t a good fit for the blind-side. Fisher is a franchise left tackle. BPA meets dire need.
*TRADE*
6 Cleveland trades pick to San Diego - OT Lane Johnson
There is a drop off after the third OLT is off the board making Johnson likely to go next to Arizona prompting San Diego to make the move-up the board to nab him. Phil Rivers lacks mobility. He has missed having a solid pass protector manning his blind-side since Marcus McNeil was in his prime. It hasn’t been a shock that Phillip has struggled the last couple of years with poor blind side protection. He isn’t the same QB when pressure forces him out of the pocket. This single move could fix both the OLT and QB positions for San Diego who sends Cleveland their 2nd round pick #45 to Browns as compensation.
7 Arizona - OG Chance Warmack Alabama
The Cards offensive line (OLT Nate Potter, LG Darvn Colledge, C Scott Wedge, RG Adam Snyder, RT Bobby Massie) is the worst in the league. They ranked dead last rushing the football, top rusher ran for only 357 yards. They have a dire need which matches the BPA of the draft in Warmack. Durability (never missed a snap) and dependability (only missed 7 out of his 728 assignments - success rate 99%) Four year starter, simply a perfect player that fits dire need. With Geno Smith and the top-three OLTs off the board coach Arians could be tempted to over draft his QB but with Warmack there he has to take him.
8 Buffalo - QB Geno Smith West Virginia
“This quarterback class is better than everybody thinks it is,” Nix said, via Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. “It’s better than the publicity they get.
“Five or six of those guys — maybe seven — do a lot of things good and do them good enough to win. This is not a standard answer. I’ve said this from the start, that two or three of these guys will be franchise quarterbacks. I believe that.”
Buffalo GM said last fall he was going to get a QB and in the off-season a private conversation he was having with a fellow GM was recorded where he said basically the same thing days before he cut his starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Geno Smith has all of the physical tools, nice, size, strong arm, decent overall accuracy, and he can run too.
Smith’s completion percentage has gone up steadily each year from 64.8 to 65.8 to 71.2 the last three years. His TD to INT ratio has increased each year from 24-7 to 31-7 to 42-6 which ties in well with his film-rat reputation. Then he smoked a 4.59 forty at the combine which really opened some eyes.
He has some issues but hat allows the Bills to land him at eight without having to pay to move-up to get their franchise QB.
9 NY Jets - OLB/DE Barkevious Mingo, LSU
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, people around the NFL believe the Jets "would love" to draft LSU DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo with the No. 9 pick.
Schefter's report aligns with a recent one from SI's Peter King, who wrote Monday morning that Jets coach Rex Ryan is "awfully smitten" with Mingo. Mingo would give New York the explosive outside rusher Ryan has lacked throughout his head-coaching tenure. The Jets need players who can sack QBs and score TDs.
Schefter reported the Jets like Mingo and Adam is one guy I have learned to pay attention to for anything draft related. His report came out prior to the Revis deal so they could switch to Milliner but last year they ranked 2nd in the league in pass defense without Revis so Rex Ryan knows he has DBs to run his scheme. Rex hasn’t had a pass rusher like Mingo so I believe they would take the pass rusher over the cornerback.
10 Tennessee - OLB/DE Ziggy Ansah, BYU
The Titans gave up a club record 471 points last year. One of the weaker spots was the D-Line and in particular was undersized (245lbs) DE Kamerion Wimbley. Ansah is much bigger and has loads of upside. Interesting, the one area that the Titans didn‘t address in free agency was their pass rush. .Ziggy has size, speed, and dominated the Senior Bowl against top notch competition. He might be the best 4-3 DE of this draft class.
*TRADE*
11 San Diego Trades pick to Cleveland – CB Dee Milliner. Alabama
Milliner’s stock has taken a small tumble as he did get called back to Indy to address medical issues with his injured shoulder. Milliner won’t be available up until training camp and even may miss some camp. Cleveland would probably prefer one of the pass rushers over Milliner but will need to address corner at some point so with Milliner dropping it fits need. If Mingo or Ansah were to fall they would likely be the pick but I’m not sure they would pull the trigger on Jarvis Jones here but that is also a high probability.
12 Miami - OT D.J Flucker, Alabama
A few weeks back Fluker was overweight and would never have been a consideration for the first round but the kid has worked his butt off, literally. He’s lost over twenty pounds. That proves the Flucker will work and that is an indication he can make it in the NFL. He is physically gifted with the longest reach of the OTs in this draft. The Phins may not be able to pull of the trade move up for one of the OLTs that they like or get OT Brandon Albert by draft day so that may force this selection. Miami knows that they can’t go into the season with Jonathan Martin as the only blind side option to protect Ryan Tannenhill. The loss of Jake Long created a hole. Early indications pointed to them moving-up for an OT but reportedly they are not sold on Lane Johnson and it would cost too much to move up for either Joeckel or Fisher so they might be forced to stay put and reach for Flucker.
*TRADE*
*13 New York Jets (originally from Tampa Bay) trade pick to Atlanta Falcons - CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
Falcons’ Dimitroff: If there’s a player I like, I’ll trade up and get him
Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitroff is not going to come right out and confirm the reports that
he’s trying to trade up in the first round of the draft, because general managers never come right out and say what their draft plans are. But Dimitroff isn’t exactly hiding his interest in a trade, either.
“If you feel that you want to package picks to go up and get the player that you feel can help the team, well, then you use your draft picks as fodder to go after that player,” Dimitroff said, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dimitroff isn’t naming any names of specific players he wants, but he is openly discussing the possibility of a trade.
“We’ve been open about it,” Dimitroff said, via ESPN.com. “I think it’s very clear we’re open for big deals if they come across our table and we’re interested.”
There’s been speculation that the Falcons are looking for an offensive playmaker, a cornerback or help on the defensive line. Whatever Dimitroff wants, if there’s a player he wants badly enough, he’ll go get him.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently suggested that the Falcons might try to trade up for a cornerback like Alabama’s Dee Milliner, Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes …
Their has been a lot of talk about the Falcons moving up and I think Rhodes will slip into their range and Demitroff will make a deal. The Jets are reportedly interested in moving down with one of their picks and I would surmise it would be to get a QB later in the first round.
14 Carolina - DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
He could be a dominant player as a 3-technique in the 4-3 scheme.
This has been mocked many times and makes a lot of sense to solidify the interior of the Panthers D-Line to help protect the investment made at the linebacker position.
15 New Orleans - OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia
After extensive tape study, NFL Films' Greg Cosell believes Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones is the most NFL-ready pass rusher in the draft.
He compares Jones to Terrell Suggs. Cosell acknowledges Jones isn't as "purely athletic" as Dion Jordan or Barkevious Mingo, but believes Jones is ready to be an impact pass rusher from day one. We tentatively expect Jones to be drafted in the teens, but it wouldn't be surprising if he cracked the top ten.
He relies more on his explosive hands and savvy than pure athleticism or burst.
Jarvis Jones was the highest ranked player on Kiper’s board in early January and nothing has changed how he played the game to put him there. A spinal condition is a concern as is a slow forty but this guy can play. Rob Ryan lucks out.
16 St. Louis - WR Tavon Austin
I took a long look at every catch made by the Rams two rookies last year and I was under whelmed. St. Louis lost WR Danny Amendola and those second year guys don’t look like can do the job let alone do what Austin can do. I would like have taken Jonathan Cooper here but I feel the hole at WR trumps O-Line. According to Yahoo Sports' Jason Cole, the Rams are "likely" to draft either Tavon Austin or DeAndre Hopkins with the No. 16 overall pick.
17 Pittsburgh - S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
Top ranked safety fits what the Steelers have done in the draft recently and historically. Troy-P won’t ever be replicated but he has to be replaced at some point. In the meantime the Steelers can use Vaccaro in a number of ways. BPA and meets a need.
18 Dallas - OG Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina
. I thought this one over for a long time and it seems Jerry Jones like name players with his top pick. The interior of the Dallas O-line needs help and they are still looking at Eric Winston to help boost their RT position so adding two guys to the line could make provide impact. Jerry likes name players. Cooper has that sort of first round name cache to be a first round pick at a position that rarely has that sort of buzz especially when using a first round pick.
19 NY Giants - DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State
The Giants have only drafted three DEs in the last six years. Outside of taking JPP in the first round in 2010 the only other DEs taken were forgettable names drafted in the sixth (Adrian Tracy 2010) and seventh rounds (Robert Henderson 2008). When the Giants won the Super Bowl two years ago they rang up 48 sacks. Last year that number plunged to 33. The G-Men have let this area slide. Werner is the second highest ranked DE on many boards and fills a need.
20 Chicago - TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
Despite the addition of Marcellus Bennett via free agency, the Bears would benefit from a young, versatile, pass-catching tight end. Marc Trestman has acquired a reputation as an offensive innovator. In the recent off season program WR Brandon Marshall was going over the playbook and simulating formations with free agent TE Martellus Bennett so that gives a clue that the TE will be utilized by this offense and Eifert could turn into a weapon in the hands of someone like Trestman.
21 Cincinnati - WR Cordarrelle Paterson, Tennessee
Bengals HC Marvin Lewis has coached the Bengals to two-consecutive playoff games but Nati hasn’t won a post season contest in 22 years. The Bengals set a club record with an amazing 51 sacks last year, they’ve got a stud #1 WR, they’ve built up their O-Line, they’ve found a QB, and even picked up a thousand yard RB in last year’s free agency period. Defensively their loaded in the front seven and the injured corner taken with their top pick last year should be back healthy so its like getting a bonus first round pick this year. The Bengals have talent but haven’t broken through. Its frustrating to Marvin Lewis. “We’ve got to find a way to push over the hump.” The only weak area I can spy is at wide receiver. They like Sanu but they need to exploit having AJ Green taking coverage to his side of the field. Dalton doesn’t have a rocket arm but he can get it to AJ Green so he should be able to find Cordarrelle who could be the missing piece that will push Cincinnati over the hump.
22 St. Louis (from Washington) - OT Justin Pugh, Syracuse
The Rams addressed WR with their top pick and have added OT Jake Long in free agency but wisely move to fill a add more talent to their offensive line.
23 Minnesota - LB Manti Te’o
Manti will be a solid MLB. I like his coverage abilities in the middle of the field so I think he’s more than only a two-down backer. Best player at his position and fits need.
Lions GM Martin Mayhew says he "couldn't find anybody to say anything negative about" Manti Te'o when he visited Notre Dame.
"Just a great leader in their program and a great football player for them over the years," Mayhew said. "They have so much respect for him, and I do too after meeting with him. He's just a great young man." Mayhew also insisted Te'o is "very smart" despite his infamous internet duping. Whereas the Lennay Kekua hoax once appeared destined to define Te'o's draft stock, it's now little more than an absurd footnote.
The Vikings lost middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley in free agency. They’ve yet to replace him. And they realize they need to.
“We know we have to get one. That’s no secret,” linebackers coach Mike Singletary said Sunday, via Ben Goessling of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “When we do, we just have to teach him as much as we can, as fast as we can. It’s going to be a lot of work.”
24 Indianapolis - CB D.J. Hayden, Houston
Colts reportedly were/are interested in Pugh but he went a few picks earlier so they address a need at cornerback.
After acquiring Davis last year, the Colts have used the fringes of free agency to check off boxes. They signed Greg Toler during their first-day drunken-sailor act, and he’s been good when he’s been well. But he’s not so good that they can ignore this position.
Hayden wasn’t even a consideration a few weeks ago but he is getting a clean bill of health after nearly dying on the practice field last November. The Colts can use help in the secondary and if the reports of Hayden rising up draft boards are true then he’s likely on the Colts radar.
25 Minnesota Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina.
Kevin Williams is wearing down and needs to eventually get replaced and Sly's name keep getting slotted here. Great size but lacking production.
26 Green Bay - DE Margus Hunt, SMU
"They need another big body on both sides of the line," another personnel man said, referring to the Packers. "I think they're on life support now up front (on defense). If I'm prioritizing this, I'm looking at both lines."
Talk about a big body, Hunt possesses an incredible combination of size, length, and speed. At 6’8 he blocked 17 kicks, two shy of the all-time NCAA record. He accumulated 31 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one interception on his way to earning first team All-Conference USA honors. He has displayed impressive progression through his career and figures to be heavily coveted by 3-4 teams to play defensive end.
Probably the most intriguing player in the draft.
27 Houston - WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee
Andre Johnson isn’t getting any younger and the Texans let go of WR Kevin Walter. They have the defensive MVP and have added Ed Reed to further strengthen their D. They need to address the wide receiver position. Andre Johnson said he wants to play five more seasons in the NFL.
Johnson turns 32 in July.
Z-Report Says:
The Texans are fairly particular about the type of WRs they will draft this early which means they will likely pay attention to size, speed, ability to grasp the offense quickly and willingness to block. Justin Hunter has #1 WR size, speed and athletic traits, but drops were a major issue for him at Tennessee.
I think Houston will take a shot and Hunter appears to be worthy of the selection.
28 Denver - Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M.
With Elvis Dumervil possibly gone they would need a pass rusher. Von Miller has been coaching up Moore through the draft proccess so I'm sure he has mentioned Damontre a few times to the Broncos.
Last year, Moore was one of the most dominant defensive players in college football. As a 20-year-old junior, he totaled 12.5 sacks - one of the larger totals in the country. Perhaps even more impressive than that, Moore led his team with 85 tackles - four more than the next closest defender. He had 21 tackles for a loss, two passes broken up, a blocked kick and a forced fumble. Moore also played through an ankle injury during the season.
While Moore (6-4, 250) was playing well on the field, he was creating a bad reputation for himself off of it. In June of 2011, Moore was arrested and accused of possessing less than two ounces of marijuana. Aside from the public incidents, Moore became known for not being a hard worker and a guy that looks to party. A guy with his talent would never fall this far without concerns of some sort so if the Broncos green light Moore then I think he’ll be the pick.
*TRADE*
29 New England Trades to Jacksonville - QB EJ Manuel, Florida State
Manuel’s stock has risen to the point that he has been invited to New York City to attend the draft. Someone is likely to move-up. Minnesota addressed one need and can probably move-down to fill their other top needs and pick up an extra pick next year. I think Jacksonville won’t wait any longer so they make a deal and it happens here. Jacksonville is having trouble filling empty seats. They need a dynamic leader, Gabbert and Henne don’t cut it but at the combine Manuel nailed his visit with the media. Manuel had a solid Senior Bowl, including the week of practice. At 6’5 and 237 lbs he’s got great size and in his Pro Day his people not only showcased is big arm they also highlighted his mobility. He has his flaws but he’s the only QB from this class who can run the read-option. Oh and I’ll throw this out there, one thing pointed out by Chip Kelly is he likes QBs with large hands. Manuel has 10.38 inch hands which were the largest of the 2013 QB class. Jacksonville trades-up from the second round to New England's first round selection, 29th pick of first round giving their 2014 second-round pick. Reasoning - Jacksonville needs a QB has to move in front of the Jets if they want to get their guy. New England is forward thinking with draft trades and can find starters in this year's second round.
*TRADE*
30 Atlanta - Trades pick to New York Jets - QB Matt Barkley, USC
The Jets made a trade last year to get a QB and do the same thing this year but this time they will play Barkley and let him challenge Sanchez for the starting job. He has the drive and character that Sanchez seems to lack. A strong leader, three-time team captain. Ran pro-style offense and made checks, gets rid of ball quickly. He’s been touted as the most ready-to-start of the rookie crop of quarterbacks so he could provide Mark Sanchez a challenge to start in training camp.
31 San Francisco - FS Eric Reid, LSU
Tall, 6’1, with solid frame, 213 lbs, athletic, 4.53 40 yard dash, 40.5 inch vertical, and 134 inch broad jump, aggressive will thumb ball carrier. Scouts have been raving about Eric Reid’s intangibles since the beginning of the draft process. As a junior he was named the captain of Louisiana State. He is a student of the game that has a reputation for his film study. He is a two SEC Academic Honor Roll student-athlete who stood out during his white board sessions at the combine and during team visits. Anything he lacks physically he makes up in intangibles.
Donte Whitner brings a load but he’s getting older and is a liability in coverage. Reid is a big thumping safety but he’s younger and has the athleticism and speed that Whitner lacks, and he brings intangibles that would make any coach want to work with him.
32 Baltimore - LB Alec Ogeltree. Georgia
Ogletree carries some risk because of his off-field issues, but he's an explosive linebacker with outstanding cover skills. His background as a safety is evident in the tape I studied. He can mirror tight ends all over the field. He does need to do a better job of using his hands to take on/shed blocks, but that can be taught.
I’m hearing Minter falls to the second round. Ogletree has the physical gifts to be a starter as a rookie and the Ravens are known to take chances on character guys.
