After months of speculation, rumors, and countless mock drafts (my own included) the NFL Draft will finally commence tonight, with the first round selections taking place.
If you want to know what I thought in Version 1 and Version 2, knock yourself out.
1. Houston Texans - Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
No trade in the final mock draft and a new player atop the draft as I see Houston seeing Mack as a more versatile player than Jadeveon Clowney.
2. Atlanta Falcons (trade with St. Louis Rams) - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Once again, I have the Falcons trading up for Clowney but this time it's to the second pick. The Rams can move back, add a second round pick in this draft, and still get a good player at a position of need.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
The Jaguars have multiple needs on both sides of the ball but the safety of picking a tackle who projects as an All-Pro is an excellent way to build a team.
4. Cleveland Browns - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
No change from my second mock draft.
I'm a believer that Johnny Manziel is the way to go for the Browns but adding his college teammate Evans as an outside threat to complement Josh Gordon at receiver might be too appealing for Cleveland with the thought that they can land a quarterback later in the draft.
5. Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The Raiders add a difference maker at receiver.
6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Atlanta Falcons) - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The Rams get a lineman to keep Sam Bradford standing here with the ability to tab a receiver or secondary help with the 13th pick.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
New coach Lovie Smith will love having a disruptive force like Donald on his defensive line.
8. Minnesota Vikings - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
The Vikings need at quarterback is enough that they'll be willing to gamble on Manziel. Adrian Peterson will certainly like the presence of an effective quarterback in purple.
9. Buffalo Bills - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
No change from my second mock draft.
10. Detroit Lions - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Lions are in serious need of help in the secondary.
11. San Francisco 49ers (trade with Tennessee Titans) - Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
The 49ers trade up to pick the best pass rushing prospect after Mack and Clowney. Remember, Aldon Smith is a ticking time bomb and the 49ers defense relies on getting to the quarterback.
12. New York Giants - Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
No change from my second mock draft.
13. St. Louis Rams - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
In my mock, the Rams picked up an additional second round pick from the Falcons which gives St. Louis the ability to go after some offensive weapons a little bit later. Clinton-Dix should be a nice addition to their secondary.
14. Chicago Bears - Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
Donald's rise takes him out of play for the Bears in this scenario so adding a cornerback to complement aging starters Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings makes sense.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
The Steelers get a fast play maker to plug into their aging linebacking corps.
16. Dallas Cowboys - Zack Martin, OL, Notre Dame
Martin is rising up draft boards due to his versatility and skill set. This is not a "sexy" choice for Dallas but it is a wise one.
17. Baltimore Ravens - Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
No change from my second mock draft.
18. New York Jets - Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU
Rex Ryan has added Michael Vick, Eric Decker, and Chris Johnson to the offense in free agency so he'll surprise a few "experts" and grab this pass rushing linebacker.
19. Cleveland Browns (trade with Miami Dolphins) - Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
The Browns don't want to see the Cardinals get Carr at the 20th pick so they move up a few spots to get their future quarterback.
20. Arizona Cardinals - Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
No change from my second mock draft.
21. Green Bay Packers - C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
The Packers defense will benefit from Mosley, who should form a nice tandem with A.J. Hawk.
22. Philadelphia Eagles - Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
No change from my second mock draft (or from my first mock draft).
23. Kansas City Chiefs - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
No change from my second mock draft.
24. Cincinnati Bengals - Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
No change from my second mock draft (or from my first mock draft).
25. San Diego Chargers - Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
No change from my second mock draft.
26. Miami Dolphins (trade with Cleveland Browns via Indianapolis Colts) - Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
The Dolphins still land a potential starter at tackle despite trading back into the 20's.
27. New Orleans Saints - Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Receiver may not be a high priority for the Saints but anytime they can add a weapon with Lee's potential for Drew Brees, it can't be considered a bad idea.
28. Carolina Panthers - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
No change from my second mock draft.
29. Houston Texans (trade with New England Patriots) - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Bill Belichick trades down a few spots to help his former assistant Bill O'Brien land his quarterback of the future.
30. Tennessee Titans - Stan Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
Jean-Baptiste can thank Richard Sherman, who has set the mold for tall and physical cornerbacks, for getting drafted in the first round.
31. Denver Broncos - Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana
The Broncos window of opportunity to win with Peyton Manning is small and Latimer helps replace Eric Decker and is insurance if Wes Welker gets another concussion.
32. Seattle Seahawks - Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
The champs close out the first round by adding another athletic pas rusher to their front seven.
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