My 2nd (and final version). I expect the actual draft to be quite different, this one is the most difficult to predict that I can remember...
1…Houston…Khalil Mack, OLB
- I think QBs fall, so Houston will take the chance to get one in round 2 or move back up into round 1. Do they have the guts to take Mack over Clowney? I say yes.
2…St. Louis (Was)…Greg Robinson, OT
- I've thought Watkins would go here from day 1, however keep mocking Robinson here. Protecting Bradford takes the precedence over giving him another weapon.
Trade: Detroit trades #10, #111, 2015 1st rounder to Jacksonville for #3
3…Detroit (Jac)…Sammy Watkins, WR
- the rumors that Detroit is trying to move up for Watkins won't die. As well, I've read that Detroit's staff spent more time with Watkins and his team than any other team. Smokescreen, probably, but I'm calling this anyway. Besides they need another weapon, as the only way they will win with that d is to outscore the opponent.
Trade: Atlanta trades #6, #68 to Cleveland for #4
4…Atlanta (Cle)…Jadeveon Clowney, DE
5…Oakland…Jake Matthews, OT
6…Cleveland (Atl)…Justin Gilbert, CB
I considered QBs, Gilbert, and Evans here just like last mock. I'm still not high on any of the QBs enough to take them top 10, and while I like Evans, I don't see him as the game changer Watkins is. I liked the idea of another top corner to match up with Haden.
7…Tampa Bay…Aaron Donald, DT
8…Minnesota…Darqueze Dennard, CB
9…Buffalo…Eric Ebron,TE
10…Jacksonville (Det)…Johnny Manziel, QB
11…Tennessee…Anthony Barr, OLB
12…New York Giants…Zach Martin, OL
13…St. Louis…Mike Evans, WR
Trade: SF trades #30, #56, #77 to Chicago for #14
14…San Francisco (Chi)…Odell Beckham Jr., WR
15…Pittsburgh…Kyle Fuller, CB
16…Dallas…Timmy Jernigan, DT
17…Baltimore…Taylor Lewan, OT
18…New York Jets…Hasean Clinton-Dix, FS
19…Miami…CJ Mosely, MLB
20…Arizona…Rashede Hageman, DE
21…Green Bay…Calvin Pryor, FS
22…Philadelphia…Brandin Cooks, WR
23…Kansas City…Blake Bortles, QB
24…Cincinnati…Kony Ealy, DE
25…San Diego…Louis Nix, DT
26…Cleveland (Ind)…Teddy Bridgewater, QB
I'd rather wait until the 3rd to pick up McCarron, but I'd be surprised if Farmer didn't take a QB here. I picked Teddy because I prefer him over Carr and Savage...
27…New Orleans…Jason Verrett, CB
Trade: Houston trades #33, #101 to Carolina for #28
28…Houston (Car)…Derek Carr, QB
- I think Houston is on the phone starting with Cincy, but I think Carolina would be the most willing to dance based on who has been taken/needs. Carr might not be the guy, deja vu maybe?
Trade: Cleveland trades #35, #83 to New England for #29, #206
29…Cleveland (NE)…Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG
- best guard in the draft, and a fit for ZBS. The trade allows Cleveland to sign him for 5 years instead of 4, though I'd doubt he'd get past Denver or Seattle.
30…Chicago (SF)…Bradley Roby, CB
31…Denver…David Yankey, OG
32…Seattle…Cyrus Kouandijo, OT
68…Cleveland (Atl)…Jordan Matthews, WR
71…Cleveland…Chris Borland, MLB
106…Cleveland…Terrance West, RB
107…Cleveland (Oak)…Ed Reynolds, FS
- Cleveland trades #127, #145, #218 for #107
159…Cleveland (Jac)…Brent Urban, DE
- Cleveland trades #180, #206, 2015 round 7 pick for #159
I can't imagine us not moving up a couple times sow e don't have 10+ draftees, so I did my best to make ones I saw fit. I don't think that Matthews lasts this long, but he did in my mock, and he's too good to pass up at that point. The rest I believe should be around at these picks.
