Houston Texans – Pick #1
Jadeveon Clowney – DE – South Carolina
The Texans proved a few years back that they do not pass on elite Defensive Line talent, no matter how glaring their need at QB really is. I don’t love this pick nor do I hate this pick; Clowney is undeniably a man amongst boys and I think he is going to shine in the NFL but the Texans need a QB more than anything. I think the wise play would be for them to trade down (I don’t think Clowney is worth an RGIII type haul in draft picks but he is not far off that beat) and draft a QB in Round 1.

St. Louis Rams – Pick #2
Sammy Watkins – WR – Clemson
You just can’t pass on a WR like Watkins, especially if you’re the Rams and you are seemingly always hurting for pass catchers. Watkins like Clowney is in a class of his own amongst WR this year and he is going to be a star in the NFL. The Rams do need Offensive Line help but I think there are plenty of viable options in Rounds 2 and 3 to pick up starting caliber linemen.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Pick #3
Blake Bortles – QB – University Central Florida
Bortles is my top ranked QB in this class; he has the size, mobility, and arm strength to be a very good NFL QB for a very long time. I think the transition from HS to College to Pros could not be any easier for Bortles if the Jags were to draft him. Bortles went to HS in Florida, played college ball in Florida, and it is only fitting he plays professionally in Florida. It is a win-win for the Jags as they get the best QB available in this year’s class.

Cleveland Browns – Pick #4
Johnny Manziel – QB – Texas A&M
Back to back QB picks? When you are picking for the Browns and the Jaguars you cannot afford to go another year with mediocre QB play. Manziel fits the Browns perfectly, they have two great pass catchers and an above average offensive line. They have Ben Tate at RB (nothing to get excited about) so I think if they let Manziel just go out and play football you could see the Browns sneak into the playoffs in 2014.

Oakland Raiders – Pick #5
Mike Evans – WR – Texas A&M
The Raiders just acquired Matt Schaub so I don’t expect them to go QB here although, it is the Raiders. Evans fits the Raiders most glaring need, a true #1 WR. When Rod Streater is your number one threat two years in a row something is wrong. Evans is the next best thing to Watkins in this draft.

Atlanta Falcons – Pick #6
Khalil Mack – LB – Buffalo
The Falcons want Clowney. They have made it very clear and apparent to everyone. I think Mack would be one hell of a consolation prize if he does happen to fall this low. There are a lot of teams that have expressed interest in trading up to draft Mack and there is even word that the Texans might draft Mack #1 overall. I don’t see Mack going that high, and I don’t see him being a top 5 pick. He played in the MAC and scouts are gauging his one great game against Ohio St. a little bit too high but I do think he will succeed in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Pick #7
Derek Carr – QB – Fresno St.
They really want Johnny Football via rumors but in this mock draft he is long gone. This entire pick is dependent upon the fact the Bucs are actually able to get rid of Mike Glennon via trade like the rumors have suggested. If they do then I see them targeting Carr with the pick. They recently acquired Josh McCown who they then promoted to starter promptly so they can take a QB they could need a year or two of mentoring. People may think this is too high for Carr but I think they Bucs take him here out of fear of losing out of him.

Minnesota Vikings – Pick #8
Anthony Barr – DE/OLB – UCLA
Barr is a star already and he is only getting better. Barr is still relatively new to defense as he is a former RB. The Vikings really want a QB here but all the good ones are taken and they did just re-sign Matt Cassell and they still have Christian Ponder so they don’t have an empty tank.

Buffalo Bills – Pick #9
Greg Robinson – OT – Auburn
This is a no brainer. Robinson is the best Tackle available and the best offensive linemen available as well. The Bills will be ever so lucky if Robinson falls this low (99% chance of that not happening). This is an easy pick if Robinson is available.

Detroit Lions – Pick #10 **TRADE** Baltimore Ravens acquire pick.
Eric Ebron – TE – North Carolina
The Ravens have had their eyes on Ebron for quite some time. They have a glaring need at TE as we don’t know how healthy or dependable Dennis Pitta will be. The Ravens trade up because they do not want to lose out on the best TE prospect available.

Tennessee Titans – Pick #11 **TRADE** New York Jets
Odel Beckman – WR – LSU
The Jets really want Beckman and they need all the WR help they can get. The 49ers have also expressed interest in him but I doubt they will trade up to this high in the draft in order to get Beckman. The Jets luck out and end up with the best slot WR in the draft.

New York Giants – Pick #12
Jake Matthews – OT – Texas A&M
I am most likely crazy as I don’t think I have read a mock draft thus far that has Matthews falling to the Giants at number 12. I just see the teams ahead of the Giants going hard after playmakers instead of Offensive Linemen. Matthews fits a huge need for the Giants and he could be a day one starter.

St. Louis Rams – Pick #13
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix – S – Alabama
The Rams need Offensive Line help so that could be in play here but I think they go after another solid playmaker with this pick. They got Watkins with their first pick to boost the offense and now they get the chance to add the best safety in this class? That would be a haul worth having to any team.

Chicago Bears – Pick #14
Aaron Donald – DT – Pitt
This is another no brainer for me. The Bears need a smart play making DT to fill the void left by the departure of Henry Melton. Insert Donald the best DT prospect and most likely the closest thing to a sure shot Pro-Bowler right away in this entire class.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Pick #15
Justin Gilbert – CB – OK State
The teams that are drafting in the middle to the end of the draft can only hope the draft actually falls this way. The Steelers have their eyes on a number of players and could potentially trade up to draft a playmaking WR like Watkins or Beckman. More than likely they stay put and take whomever the best possible pick available is.

Dallas Cowboys – Pick #16
Taylor Lewan – OT – Michigan
Jerry Jones would be enthralled if Lewan is still available this late in the draft. Like QB’s, for some reason OT’s fly up draft boards once the draft is actually started. Lewan is certainly worth a top ten pick and he most likely will not be available this late in round 1.

Detroit Lions – Pick #17
Calvin Pryor – S – Louisville
The Lions need a Safety in the worst kind of way. They traded down and are still able to get the 2nd best Safety available in this class and they added a couple of draft picks? Dream come true for the Lions. Pryor is rated as the best safety overall by some scouts and would be a great addiditon for the Lions.

Tennessee Titans – Pick #18
Kyle Fuller – CB/S – Virginia Tech
Like the Lions a spot ahead of them, the Titans trade down and still get one of the best Defensive Backs available in this draft and are able to add some additional picks. The Titans could reach for a QB at this point if they feel like the QB’s may start coming off the board before they draft again at #12 in round 2.

Miami Dolphins – Pick #19
Zach Martin – OT/G – Notre Dame
The Dolphins stay put and get exactly the guy they wanted in my version of the mock draft. The Dolphins need help protecting Ryan Tannehill and to clear the running lanes for newly acquired Knowshon Moreno. Martin can play either G or T spot on the line and he is a day one starter.

Arizona Cardinals – Pick #20
C.J. Mosely – LB – Alabama
The Cardinals have expressed interest in drafting a QB to nurture behind Carson Palmer and they really are hoping Carr falls to them at this spot but I do not see that happening. Instead they fill a hole left in their defense by the departure of Karlos Dansby and they get the best LB outside of Mack in this draft.

Green Bay Packers – Pick #21
Ryan Shazier – LB – Ohio St.
The Packers need defensive help at every level. They will take whomever the best available defensive player is at either LB, S, or DE. At this point in the draft it is Shazier who can start right away for the Packers.

Philadelphia Eagles – Pick #22
Marquise Lee – WR – USC
The Eagles need to fill the void left by Desean Jackson. Lee is someone that Chip Kelly is all too familiar with and he could really thrive in the same type of role Jackson had with the team.

Kansas City Chiefs – Pick #23
Brandin Cooks – WR – Oregon State
With all the uncertainty with the Alex Smith contract extensions that Chiefs very well could be in the market to trade up and draft a QB. If the QB issue gets squared away I think the Chiefs take the best WR available or trade down and take an offensive linemen. Cooks would be a nice addition to this offense as Smith excels in the short to mid-range passing game.

Cincinnati Bengals – Pick #24
Darqueze Dennard – CB – Michigan St
The Bengals most glaring need is in the defensive backfield, where they need help everywhere. They should take the best available CB or S on the draft board.


San Diego Chargers – Pick #25
Jason Verrett – CB – TCU
The Chargers could go in a number of different directions as they have needs at WR, DT, and CB. I see them taking the highest rated player left out of those positions on the board, Verrett is a great get this late in the first round.


Cleveland Browns – Pick #26
Cody Latimer – WR – Indiana
The story always goes the same way, when a team drafts a QB they almost always draft a WR to groom with him. Latimer has been mocked all over the place and he is the best available WR left on the market. He would be a nice addition to Josh Gordon.


New Orleans Saints – Pick #27
Bradley Roby – CB – Ohio St
The Saints need a CB in the worse way. I think Roby may drop this low or lower due to his recent arrest. If he is available here I think the Saints jump all over him.


Carolina Panthers – Pick #28
Xavier Su'a-Filo – G/T – UCLA
The Panthers need help at WR in a big way, they literally have nothing. At this point in round one there is no WR worth drafting this high left. They also need Offensive Line help and I think this could end up being a sleeper pick who could have a long and glorious career. Su’a Filo is versatile and strong which is always a great mixture to have.


New England Patriots – Pick #29
Ra’Sheade Hageman – DT/DE – Minnesota
They Patriots need D-Line help and they will most likely draft the best fit to their scheme as they have done in the past. I think Hageman can come in and play right away and he fits what the Patriots look for in a player.


San Francisco 49ers – Pick #30
Kony Ealy – DE – Missouri
The 49ers would like to trade up and draft a WR but I don’t see them doing that with other areas of concern that are more alarming. They do have WRs on their roster now that are capable and it would be beneficial to pick one or two up in this draft but I think they need D-Line help more than WR help. Ealy would be able to play as a situation pass rusher to an already rugged Defense.


Denver Broncos – Pick #31
Louis Nix – NT – Notre Dame
The Broncos need help at LB, but at this point in the draft the top two prospects have already been drafted. Nix could help bolster that D-Line and potentially take some pressure off of the defensive backs. Nix is the best available player left at this point and I think that is what the Broncos will do or try to trade out of the first round.


Seattle Seahawks – Pick #32
Joel Bitonio – G/T/C – Nevada
The Seahawks don’t have many glaring needs and this can be a luxury pick for them. The one area that they could use some help is on the O-Line where they seemed to struggle with pass rush heavy teams such as the 49ers. Bitonio is the most versatile linemen in this draft and he could potentially start right away.