The mock-up
NFL beat writers share whom they think their respective teams will pick Thursday in draft’s first round, and why they’d make that choice
Of everyone who covers the NFL, it’s the beat writers — those who follow a particular franchise on a daily basis — who know their respective teams best.
With that in mind, here’s one possible way the first round of Thursday’s draft could unfold, with beat writers making the selections for the teams they cover, along with explanatory comments from those writers: 1. TAMPA BAY (Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times) Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State — “The Buccaneers feel he’s the best player in the draft, not just the best quarterback. They have chalked up his mistakes to lack of maturity.”
2. TENNESSEE (John Glennon, the Tennessean) Leonard Williams, DE, USC — “Trading down is a good possibility for the Titans here, but Williams would be a good fit for their defense as a bookend to fellow USC Trojan Jurrell Casey.”
3. JACKSONVILLE (Vito Stellino, Florida Times-Union) Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida — “The Jaguars have several OK guys, but no big-time pass rusher or franchisetype defensive player.”
4. OAKLAND (Vic Tafur, San Francisco Chronicle) Kevin White, WR, West Virginia — “Even though there’s no consensus on who’s the best receiver in this class, the Raiders would lean toward the bigger White over Amari Cooper.”
5. WASHINGTON (Zac Boyer, Washington Times) Shane Ray, Missouri — “I think the Redskins trade down here if Fowler isn’t available. If they stay, they need pass rush help, and Ray is the most NFL-ready.”
6. N.Y. JETS (Rich Cimini, ESPN New York) Marcus Mariota, Oregon — “Two words: Geno Smith. The Jets would be happy if Mariota fell to six.”
7. CHICAGO (Rich Campbell, Chicago Tribune) Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama — “Bears receivers coach Mike Groh loves Cooper and was Alabama’s receivers coach when Cooper was there.”
8. ATLANTA (D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson — “Beasley is the best pure edge rusher in the draft, a guy who can make an impact on both passing and rushing downs.”
9. N.Y. GIANTS (Ralph Vacchiano, New York Daily News) Ereck Flowers, T, Miami — “After talking about rebuilding their offensive line for years, the Giants can’t pass on this massive tackle. They need to protect Eli Manning.”
10. ST. LOUIS (Jim Thomas, St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Andrus Peat, T, Stanford — “The Rams have a help-wanted sign on three offensive line jobs. Peat is a big, athletic guy who could step in right away.”
11. Minneapolis MINNESOTA Star (Mark Tribune) Craig, Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa — “The biggest hole on the roster is at left guard. Scherff could play there immediately, and eventually could wind up at left tackle.”
12. CLEVELAND (Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland Plain Dealer) DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville — “With Josh Gordon suspended, the Browns could use a tall, rangy deep threat like the 6-3 Parker.”
13. NEW ORLEANS (Larry Holder, New Orleans Times-Picayune) Danny Shelton, DT, Washington — “The Saints would like an edge rusher, but Shelton would help solidify the front line alongside Akiem Hicks and Cameron Jordan.”
14. MIAMI (Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel) Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia — “The Dolphins were second in the league in yards per attempt last season, but couldn’t run when defenses stacked the box.”
15. SAN FRANCISCO (Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee) Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State — “Waynes is an excellent press corner who would be projected to start right away. He might not be the all-around athlete that Marcus Peters is, but he doesn’t have the off-the-field baggage, either.”
16. HOUSTON (John McClain, Houston Chronicle) Alvin “Bud” Dupree, DE, Kentucky — “The Texans still need help applying heat to quarterbacks, even though they’ve used their top pick on a pass rusher in three of the past four drafts.”
17. SAN DIEGO (Michael Gehlken, San Diego Union-Tribune) Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon — “San Diego can go a number of ways if it stays at 17, including pass rusher and running back, but Armstead fortifies the Chargers’ defensive line and could start opposite Corey Liuget.”
18. KANSAS CITY (Adam Teicher, ESPN.com) Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest — “The Chiefs are running short on corners, with Sean Smith being the only established player at the position … and Smith is heading into the final year of his contract.”
19. CLEVELAND from Buffalo (Tony Grossi, ESPNCleveland.com) Malcom Brown, DT, Texas — “Mike Pettine has to do something about the 32nd-ranked run defense. He wants players to ‘play like Browns.’ Who better to do that than a guy named Brown?”
20. PHILADELPHIA (Jeff McLane, Philadelphia Inquirer) Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut — “Jones is an athletic press corner who should start from Day 1. He could be a fit to play opposite the newly acquired Byron Maxwell.”
21. CINCINNATI (Paul Dehner, Cincinnati Enquirer) La’el Collins, T, Louisiana State — “Andrew Whitworth will turn 34 this season, and Collins projects as a long-term replacement at left tackle. He also happens to be best friends with Bengals running back Jeremy Hill.”
22. PITTSBURGH (Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Randy Gregory, Steelers are DE, desperate Nebraska for — players “The who can rush the passer. At 37, the re-signed James Harrison might be the team’s best outside linebacker.”
23. DETROIT (Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press) Cameron Er ving, T, Florida State — “The Lions have too many holes on the offensive line to pass up a player who’s skilled enough to play any of the five positions up front.”
24. ARIZONA (Kent Somers, Arizona Republic) Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin — “The Cardinals were 31st in yards per game last season, and last in yards per carry. Gordon could help there as a complement to Andre Ellington.”
25. CAROLINA (Joe Person, Charlotte Obser ver) D.J. Humphries, T, Florida — “The Panthers desperately need help protecting Cam Newton. Humphries, who played high school football in Charlotte, would be a fit.”
26. BALTIMORE (Aaron Wilson, Baltimore Sun) Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida — “After losing Torrey Smith to San Francisco, the Ravens need an influx of speed outside. The son of former NFL receiver Brett Perriman has a great ability to stretch the field.”
27. DALLAS (Clarence Hill, Ft. Worth Star Telegram) Marcus Peters, CB, Washington — “The Cowboys need help at cornerback, and many people believe Peters is the best all-around corner in this class. They feel they can deal with his off-the-field issues.”
28. DENVER (Mike Klis, Denver Post) Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma — “With defensive tackle Terrance Knighton now in Washington, the Broncos will look to fill that vacancy. They could also use help on the offensive line.”
29. INDIANAPOLIS (Mike Chappel, Indianapolis Star) Landon Collins, SS, Alabama — “GM Ryan Grigson addresses his biggest need. It’s the thinnest position, with the only proven player being 34-year-old Mike Adams. Collins is widely viewed as the best safety in the draft.”
30. GREEN BAY (Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press-Gazette) Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA — “The top cornerbacks are gone in this mock, so the Packers will turn their attention to another area of need. With A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones gone, the Butkus Award winner can make an immediate impact.”
31. NEW ORLEANS from Seattle (Jeff Duncan, New Orleans Times-Picayune) Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State — “The Saints still need defense but trading Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills has created a need for an offensive playmaker. Strong could eventually replace Marques Colston.”
32. NEW ENGLAND (Ben Volin, Boston Globe) Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State — “Vince Wilfork is in Houston, and, if they don’t trade down, the Patriots might look to fill that vacancy.”