This is my first ever fully functional mock draft, so I hope it looks good. I did my very best to look at player value and team needs, so if you think a pick is not a good one, tell me but please explain why, not just "that's wrong" or "never gonna happen." With that, let's begin. 1. Texans: Jadeveon Clowney, DE 6'5" 266. South Carolina The Texans aren't in love with a QB to take in the first, and are sitting pretty at the top of the 2nd where they can take a QB. Clowney is the best player available and you can't pass up a such a dynamic playmaker to supply pass rush against Luck, and leverage against Watt's contract. This pick makes the whole club better. 2. Rams: Sammy Watkins, WR 6'1" 200. Clemson The Rams could trade down, but they have needed a true #1 WR threat for years. Watkins opens up room for Tavon Austin to play, gives Bradford another weapon, and takes the best offensive player off the board. The Rams could use a tackle but not as much as a WR. 3. Jaguars: Khalil Mack, OLB 6'3" 251. Buffalo The Jags need talent, and defense is Gus Bradley's bread and butter. Since they took Joeckel with the 2nd overall last year, and Watkins is gone, they snatch Mack to play Leo OLB for Bradley. Another move that improves the whole club, and with Henne back there's no need to reach for a QB. 4. Browns: Greg Robinson, OT 6'5" 332. Auburn The Browns have a few needs, but Robinson is the best player on the board. He will bolster the offense at RT, and will be ready to take over at LT soon. Joe Thomas is excellent, but can be used as trade bait and it will be nice for the Browns to have a cheaper option for their future LT. They are also perfectly placed to take a QB if they want later in the first. 5. Raiders: Anthony Barr, OLB 6'5" 255. UCLA The Raiders traded for their vet QB in Schaub, so they will take the best remaining player on the board. They are weak at LB, and Barr is a moveable piece that will bolster the Raiders defense and make their numerous defensive signings worthwhile. Barr is the best value pick and the best pass-rusher available. 6. Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT 6'5" 308. Texas A&M The Falcons shored up their defensive line some in Free Agency, and now take Matt Ryan's blindside protector for the future. Matthews is the most solid OT, and will be perfect to come in and start at LT immediately. 7. Buccaneers: Taylor Lewan, OT 6'7" 309. Michigan The Buccaneers now have Josh McCown and Mike Glennon to compete, and a very solid overall team. They should grab the best tackle available to replace departed Donald Penn. FA signee Anthony Collins can play RT. 8. Vikings: Blake Bortles, QB 6'4" 230. Central Florida The Vikings are not going with Christian Ponder or Matt Cassel, especially if the top QB in the draft is sitting right here. Adrian Peterson will help take the load off Bortles, who will likely be starting week 1. 9. Bills: Haha Clinton-Dix, FS 6'1" 208. Alabama The Bills have need at FS after watching Byrd run off to the Saints, and Clinton-Dix is the highest rated defensive player remaining. It is too perfect of a fit not to happen. 10. Lions: Mike Evans, WR 6'5" 225. Texas A&M The Lions will be tempted to take a CB here but the addition of Evans boosts their entire team, especially offense. Evans will likely make an impact year one with all of the coverage going to Calvin Johnson, and he will open up the field for Golden Tate and Reggie Bush to make a lot of plays. Matt Stafford will be having wet dreams leading up to training camp while imagining throwing to the likes of Johnson, Evans, Tate, Pettigrew, and Bush. If the Lions get Evans, watch for them to snag the NFC North in 2014. 11. Titans: Juron Gilbert, CB 6' 202. Oklahoma State The Titans have a solid defensive front 7, but they watched Aulterran Verner depart to the Buccaneers. The Titans have switched to a 3-4 defense, and need a new #CB who is better in man coverage than Verner was or Jason McCourty is. 12. Giants: Calvin Pryor, SS 5'11" 207. Louisville The Giants need a safety to add into their improved secondary. They could also use a WR and a LB, but both of those positions will be better value later in the draft. 13. Cowboys (Trade from Rams): Aaron Donald, DT 6'1" 285. Pittsburgh The only trade I put in the mock has the Cowboys moving up 3 spots to jump ahead of the Bears and grab the DT that best fits the Cowboys and Bears scheme. 14. Bears: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT 6'6" 310. Minnesota The Bears need at DT is too great to pass Hageman by. 15. Steelers: Marqise Lee, WR 6' 190. USC While the Steelers could use a defensive or offensive lineman, Lee is an NFL ready receiver who will come in and be a great compliment to Antonio Brown. Big Ben will love another great run-after-the-catch receiver who will get open while Ben escapes pressure. 16. Rams (Trade from Cowboys): Zack Martin, OT 6'4" 308. Notre Dame The Rams have gotten their offensive playmaker and an extra pick or from the Cowboys, now it's time to take the best tackle available to plug in at RT. Martin will be insurance against a Jake Long injury, and will be the future plan at LT. 17. Ravens: Eric Ebron, TE 6'4" 250. North Carolina The Ravens need an upgrade at TE, now that their top 4 WR are solidified. Torey Smith and Jacoby Jones will play the outside, and Steve Smith will operate out of the slot. Ebron gives Joe Flacco another inexpensive weapon. 18. Jets: Kelvin Benjamin, WR 6'5" 234. Florida State The Jets take the best offensive player available, who fits in perfectly opposite Decker. DE/OLB is too deep to go at 18, and Darqueze Dennard shouldn't be taken with the 18th overall. 19. Dolphins: Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, TE 6'6" 266. Washington The Dolphins need a TE badly after going without Dustin Keller in 2013. They need offensive linemen as well, but none are currently worth the 19th pick. They need a threat over the middle to keep safeties from helping cover speedsters Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline. 20. Cardinals: Dee Ford, DE/OLB 6'2" 243. Auburn The Cardinals take the best defensive player and the perfect guy to replace Quentin Groves in their 3-4 defense. 21. Packers: Stephon Tuitt, DE 6'5" 304. Notre Dame The Packers grab the best 3-4 DE available. They need guys to take blocks so Peppers, Matthews, and Perry can effectively do their jobs as OLBs. A good pick even if Peppers plays 3-4 DE primarily. 22. Eagles: Louis Nix, NT 6'2" 331. Notre Dame The Eagles grab the second Irish lineman in a row; they shore up their NT with a good value pick. 23. Chiefs: Odell Beckham Jr, WR 6' 187. LSU The Chiefs need WR help badly, and the speedy Beckham is the best player to line up opposite Dwayne Bowe. 24. Bengals: Teddy Bridgewater, QB 6'3" 205. Louisville The Bengals can't pass up the opportunity to grab Bridgewater at 24, especially with Andy Dalton's contract expiring soon. No need to overpay for limited talent, instead grab the franchise future late in the first round. 25. Chargers: Darqueze Dennard, CB 5'11" 181. Michigan State The Chargers are looking very weak at CB without Dennard, and the value is just right for 25. 26. Browns: Johnny Manziel, QB 6' 200. Texas A&M The Browns say they want Carr, but with Manziel available at 26 they strike. Mike Pettine gets his QB; did you really think they'd go with Brian Hoyer? 27. Saints: Scott Crichton, DE/OLB 6'3" 273. Oregon State The Saints need an edge rusher for Rob Ryan, and Crichton is the best defensive player left. 28. Panthers: Kyle Fuller, CB 6' 190. Virginia Tech The Panthers need a CB badly, and Fuller will help keep opposing WRs locked up long enough for Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy to get to the QB. They also need a WR badly, but they may get DeSean Jackson, and round 2 will still have WRs. 29. Patriots: Jace Amaro, TE 6'5" 265. Texas Tech The Patriots will grab Amaro to help out with their passing attack. Amaro is a willing blocker, and will be useful in 2-TE sets and as insurance for an injury prone Rob Gronkowski. Amaro is just another mismatch waiting to be utilized by Tom Brady. 30. 49ers: Kony Ealy, DE 6'4" 273. Missouri The 49ers took Tank Carradine in last year's second round, but Ealy is the best defensive player available and can be very useful as a 3-4 DE or outside rusher on certain downs. Justin Smith can't play forever, and Ray McDonald isn't a world beater either. 31. Broncos: Marcus Roberson, CB 6' 191. Florida The Broncos need a CB to play opposite Aqib Talib. The value for their pick is right, and it is one of the few roster holes on a win-now team. 32. Seahawks: Morgan Moses, OT 6'6" 314. Virginia The Seahawks add to their trenches after Breno Giacomini left their RT spot vacant in FA.
I'm not going to do the 2nd round, but I think the Texans take Derek Carr with the 33rd overall pick.
I think Benjamin is a more complete receiver than either Cooks or Bekham. Both are speed guys, but Beckham is big bodied, and a deep threat. It's not impossible to grab Cooks in the second, but I'd rather have Trent Murphy.
Anything can happen, but this won't happen. If the Browns want Manziel they are more likely to trade up to 2 to get him than pass on him at 4 and then draft him at 26 IMO. I can't see how the Jags pass on every QB in the draft to take a linebacker when the only QB on their roster is Chad Henne. Anyways kudos for taking a different route. I just think the QB position is recognized as too important and there are too many holes for teams without QBs to take a 3-4 DE, a 4-3 OLB, a RT, and another 4-3 OLB. JMO.
I think teams are growing more wary of drafting QB's high, or at least higher than sure fire talent. If you aren't dead sure on a guy, don't draft him when other real talent is on the line. Sure fire tackles and defensive ends and pass rushers are better picks; If you're Jacksonville you really want to draft one of these QB's right now when Mack could be the next Von Miller, and it's proven you can get QB's later, who can compete with Henne?
Sure although I'm not sure what your reasons are. He is an outrageously athletic 6'5" giant of a WR, with natural hands, ability to catch in traffic, a good hand fighter, a willing and productive blocker, elevation well over almost all DBs, who can burn DBs deep, has great body control, effort, and run after the catch. The downside for him is he needs to work on maintaining routes from start to finish to develop true consistency, and cut down on focus drops. I wouldn't let either of those scare me, I think he is going to develop in a top 10 WR.
Looks like complete shit - and that's a very generous assessment on my part. If Jets draft him with 1st, whoever makes that decision needs to be fired on the spot. Purifoy is at least half a foot short - and he's raping Benjamin at will. Gets open only against RESERVE players in college level. That's impressive. NOT. And he gets away with Offensive PI in TD pass against Purifoy - that does not fly in the NFL. This kid is not a first round prospect to say the very least. Don't even bring up the 3 TD reception performance - if Florida offense didn't do as badly as they did there [they are unranked for a reason] Benjamin would have been nearly invisible. Jameson hits him with perfect passes early on - and Benjamin drops all of them. [Like three on my account.] If I am the QB, I am not even giving him a look. And seriously, 3 drops in a single game is not acceptable in WCO. Especially when the QB did all he could to deliver the ball at the precise point where the WR had to make the catch.
So why not add round 2, I'm bored anyway. 33. Texans: Derek Carr, QB 6'2" 215. Fresno State The Texans passed on QBs to grab the big time talent, but are in perfect position to grab a promising QB in Carr to compete with Fitzpatrick. 34. Redskins: CJ Mosley, ILB 6'2" 234. Alabama The Redskins are dying for an interior linebacker, with London Fletcher getting older by the day. 35. Browns: Ryan Shazier, ILB 6'1" 237. Ohio State The Browns need an active LB for Pettine's system, especially with D'Qwell Jackson gone. They even bring in a little excitement for the fans in the Ohio State hero. 36. Raiders: Timmy Jernigan, DT 6'2" 299. Florida State The Raiders are starving for talent and can't pass up the value of Jernigan, who slipped into round 2. 37. Falcons: Dominique Easley, DE 6'2" 288. Florida The Falcons add youth and depth to their needy defensive line with the best DE left. 38. Buccaneers: Kyle Van Noy, OLB 6'3" 244. BYU The Buccaneers add an OLB to play next to Mason Foster and opposite Lavonte David. If McCown plays well they have a very solid team. 39. Jaguars: Jarvis Landry, WR 6'1" 195. LSU The Jaguars bring in another guy for Henne to throw to, hopefully he can play opposite Justin Blackmon as opposed to in his place. 40. Vikings: Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG 6'4" 307. UCLA The Vikings bring in the best available guard to protect Bortles but more importantly to open holes for Peterson. 41. Bills: Antonio Richardson, OT 6'6" 336. Tennessee The Bills wisely add talent to their offensive line. Richardson could be a steal if totally healthy. 42. Titans: Carlos Hyde, RB 5'11" 230. Ohio State The Titans pick up their new lead back with Chris Johnson likely headed out of town. They have an offensive line built for the run, might as well use it. 43. Giants: Ego Ferguson, DT 6'3" 315. LSU The Giants grab the type of player they love, a fast, athletic, and versatile defensive tackle. 44. Rams: Bradley Roby, CB 5'11" 194. Ohio State The Rams snag their replacement for Cortland Finnegan. 45. Lions: Jason Verret, CB 5'9" 189. TCU The Lions make sure to get their new CB, a definite need with the numerous NFC North shootouts on the way. 46. Steelers: Anthony Johnson, DT 6'3" 308. LSU A versatile and athletic lineman who will likely play DE in the Steelers 3-4 defense. 47. Cowboys: Jeremiah Attaochu, DE 6'3" 252. Georgia Tech The Cowboys continue to try and rebuild their defensive line by adding an outside pass rusher to replace Demarcus Ware's production. Attaochu had 12.5 sacks in 2013. 48. Ravens: Dion Bailey, S 6' 201. USC The Ravens add another piece to their young secondary. 49. Jets: Trent Murphy, OLB 6'5" 250. Stanford The Jets add more youth and versatility to their defensive line/linebackers. Murphy has the perfect size, athleticism, and motor to play OLB in Rex's system. 50. Dolphins: Cyrus Kouanjio, OT 6'6" 322. Alabama The Dolphins need help at OT badly with Jonathan Martin and Tyson Clabo departing. Eugene Monroe shores up the blind side, Kouandjio the right side. 51. Bears: Carl Bradford, OLB 6'1" 243. Arizona State The Bears take the guy who will take over for Lance Briggs. 52. Cardinals: Troy Niklas, TE 6'6" 270. Notre Dame The Cardinals draft a true blocking/receiving TE to catch passes between the two big WRs. 53. Packers: Craig Loston, S 5'11" 217. LSU The Packers bring in a the safety they've needed since Nick Collins got hurt. 54. Eagles: Deone Buccanon, S 6'1" 211. Washington State The Eagles bring in a big fast safety for Chip Kelly's already blazing fast team. 55. Bengals: Christian Jones, OLB 6'3" 240. Florida State The Bengals are looking to fill the OLB spot with the departure of James Harrison. 56. 49ers: Lamarcus Joiner, CB 5'8" 184. Florida State For the team who has it all you can always add versatility and depth to the defense. 57. Chargers: Davante Adams, WR 6'2" 216. Fresno State The Chargers bring in another toy for Phillip Rivers to play with. 58. Saints: Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB 6'3" 218. Nebraska The Saints need a big strong corner, and Baptiste will likely start with lots of help from Jairus Byrd. 59. Colts: Justin Ellis, NT 6'1" 334. Louisiana Tech The Colts have been needing a big NT to anchor the defense for the past 2 years already. 60. Panthers: Brandin Cooks, WR 5'10" 186. Oregon State The Panthers need WR help badly, whether they bring in DeSean Jackson or not. 61. 49ers: Keith McGill, CB 6'3" 211. Utah The 49ers get their own long lanky CB to play with. 62. Patriots: Marcus Smith, OLB/DE 6'3" 251. Louisville The Patriots get another big LB for BB to move around. 63. Broncos: Shayne Skov, MLB 6'2" 245. Stanford The Broncos draft Wesley Woodyards replacement. 64. Seahawks: Jordan Matthews, WR 6'3" 205. Vanderbilt The Seahawks add depth to one of their weaker corps.
Ford, ODB, Cooks, Dennard I would take before even considering Benjamin. There is no way Cooks lasts to 60 overall.
I imagine he'll go quickly in the 3rd in this mock world, he would be the best safety available. Good players slip into the third round all the time, and he is a little small.
His drops are focus drops, in which he is turning his head too fast to look to make a play. That is just coaching, he is not like Stephen Hill in that Benjamin actually has very natural hands and is a great catcher when focused, especially for jump balls which don't require him to worry about making a move once he catches it. I think Decker is a perfect WR to mentor him, because what he needs is to refine his routes and focus some. I think his size, athleticism, and jump ball/matchup ability will make him a top WR in this league in a year or two, while being able to contribute right away. He is a willing and effective blocker which is good for what we want to do with our offense.
Not really impressed with this tape. Purifoy was able to be very physical with him, I see some drops as well. The lack of separation. He's starting to give me that Mike Williams feel. I honestly, don't see the draft happening like this at all. No QBs in the top 10 is ridiculous.
