- Joined
- Jul 31, 2010
- Messages
- 8,874
NFL Mock Draft No. 2: Jameis Winston vaults Marcus Mariota into top spot
February 11, 2015 11:51 am ET
By Pat Kirwan
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...s-winston-vaults-marcus-mariota-into-top-spot
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Jameis Winston, QB Florida State: A lot of people really believe this is the right pick for the Bucs. I'm not convinced he is the way to go but until the heavy scrutiny of his off-the-field issues is complete. I'll leave him on top mainly because Lovie Smith would be a great influence on the young man.
2. Tennessee Titans -- Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon: I believe if Mariota is available at the No. 2 spot the Titans will get plenty of offers. The Jets, Browns and maybe even the Eagles could make a play for Mariota.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Leonard Williams, DT, USC: Williams is a rare athlete who might be gone by the third pick but if available would be a centerpiece of the Jags defense.
4. Oakland Raiders -- Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: The leading college receiver with 124 receptions last year is a player in the same class as Julio Jones. Derek Carr needs weapons and Cooper is the best in the draft.
5. Washington Redskins -- Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska: Brian Orakpo was on a franchise tag and got injured once again. Washington needs an OLB pass rusher to take his place. By the time April 30 comes along there could be another player with the same skills in this spot.
6. New York Jets -- Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri: Ray was left out of the first round last week, but he's back, and in this general area he might get a call. The Jets have a big need for an OLB with rush skills.
7. Chicago Bears -- Danny Shelton, DT, Washington: Big men with agility and quickness are simply hard to find. Shelton impressed at the Senior Bowl and demonstrated better range than most players in the 345 lb. class.
8. Atlanta Falcons -- Dante Fowler, DE, Florida: The Falcons need pass rushers and they will have choices at this spot. Last week I had Vic Beasley here and now it's Fowler. Fowler is bigger than Beasley but still needs time to develop strength. Go watch the LSU game to get a glimpse of his potential.
9. New York Giants -- La'el Collins, OT, LSU: I was impressed at the Senior Bowl with his versatility. The Giants have a number of issues in the offensive line and his flexibility is a big plus.
10. St. Louis Rams -- Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: A classic left tackle who could be gone to the Giants a pick earlier. The position is an issue with because of injuries to Jake Long. This would be a solid pick for the Rams.
11. Minnesota Vikings -- Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: White is big and finished third in college with 109 receptions and 10 touchdowns in 2014. He only had 5 drops in 163 targets and is the kind of player who can help Teddy Bridgewater develop.
12. Cleveland Browns -- Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: NFL teams always like offensive linemen developed at Iowa by Kirk Ferentz. If the Browns stay in this spot a bookend tackle opposite Joe Thomas is a solid idea.
13. New Orleans Saints -- Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: The Saints have lots of needs, especially on defense. A versatile 'hybrid' rusher/linebacker type is what Rob Ryan loves to work with.
14. Miami Dolphins -- Eddie Goldman, DT Florida State: A big, athletic defensive tackle who possesses inside pass rush skills as well as the bulk to stop the run. He should play pro football in the 320-pound range and can stay on the field for all three downs.
15. San Francisco 49ers -- DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: Parker missed significant time early in the season but late-year performances like the Florida State game pushed him right back into first-round consideration. If he runs in the low 4.4 range at his size he's a solid pick.
16. Houston Texans -- Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington: Thompson is a football player who can line up anywhere. The Texans have long-range questions at inside linebacker and the addition of Thompson would make Houston's front seven one of the best in the NFL if Clowney returns to 100 percent.
17. San Diego Chargers -- Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, DE, Kentucky: Dupree made 20 plays behind the line of scrimmage. There are some similarities to Terrell Suggs when he came out of college. The Chargers could use more pass rush types on that defense.
18. Kansas City Chiefs -- Landon Collins, S, Alabama: Some believe he's the best safety in the draft and the Chiefs have to find a replacement for Eric Berry. By time we get to the draft Collins could be painted as a strong safety-only type and Gerod Holliman (Louisville) with his 14 interceptions could be in the conversation.
19. Cleveland Browns -- Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: The Browns have a void with Josh Gordon gone for a year. Strong caught 157 passes and 17 touchdowns in the last two seasons. There are other receivers in this draft that will be solid pros and can be taken in the second or third rounds. Last week Sammie Coates was in this spot but his drop ratio is an issue.
20. Philadelphia Eagles -- Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas: Big, athletic defensive tackles are hard to find and the small pool evaporates fast in the draft. He may not be as bulky as Eddie Goldman but he was disruptive in 2014 with 19 plays behind the line of scrimmage. Some 3-4 defenses are looking for '5' techniques to rush the passer or he could be a '3' tech in a 4-3 defense.
21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: Waynes comes from a school that develops corners. He can play man-to-man, he has the size teams are looking for in 2015 to match up with big receivers and the Bengals could team him up with his old college teammate Darqueze Dennard. There was a game or two late in 2014 that might raise questions about Waynes.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio): I really liked Rollins at the Senior Bowl. Many think of him as a second or third-round corner, but the Senior Bowl usually produces a few first-round picks that weren't considered to go quite as high before the week in Mobile. Rollins is a former starter on the basketball team and in one football season was the conference defensive player of the year.
23. Detroit Lions -- Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma: If Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley both leave Detroit in free agency that leaves the Lions with one DT under contract. Phillips is a massive tackle with decent first-step quickness and would be a fit at the nose. Team that use 3-4 schemes will be interested in him as well.
24. Arizona Cardinals -- Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State: The Cardinals got a lot of mileage out of Larry Foote when Daryl Washington was suspended for the year, but a big physical backer like McKinney would help plug a gap in this defense. He might be a three-down player because of his pass rush skills and has the size to play across the front seven.
25. Carolina Panthers -- Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami: The Panthers may argue they like their young offensive tackles, but at this point in the draft a tackle like Flowers is good value. Another top notch wide receiver or a pass rusher (don't expect Greg Hardy back) would be just as good.
26. Baltimore Ravens -- Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota: Coaches that have studied Williams call him a difference maker. He's a rare athletic type who will be a matchup problem. Not so sure there is another tight end like him in the draft. Owen Daniels isn't getting any younger and Dennis Pitta is injured once again. Team Maxx up with Crockett Gillmore and the '12' personnel package would be dangerous.
27. Dallas Cowboys -- Carl Davis, DT, Iowa: Davis really helped himself at the Senior Bowl. He's big with quickness and a terrific motor. The kind of guy Rod Marinelli loves to coach. I don't believe the Cowboys will bring back Henry Melton and if there isn't a top DE on the board this is an option.
28. Denver Broncos -- Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma:The Broncos would get a big power run blocking right tackle who can pass block. Gary Kubiak is going to develop a better run game even with Peyton Manning under center.
29. Indianapolis Colts -- Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA: Some see Kendricks as a second-round talent, but his production and explosiveness can't be denied. He had 385 tackles in the last three years and he plays well in the passing game. A solid WLB in a 4-3 package or a WILB in a 3-4.
30. Green Bay Packers -- Devin Funchess, WR/TE Michigan: A rare combination of size and athletic ability. He could answer the void left by the loss of tight end Jermichael Finley.
31. Seattle Seahawks -- Sammie Coates, WR, Clemson:Caotes might drop some passes, but he is explosive and a big-play guy. The Seahawks could go defensive line or o-line here, but for now a wide receiver.
32. New England Patriots -- Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon: Hard to find guys this tall who are available late in the first round. The Patriots could trade out of this spot to a team looking to lock up the third quarterback in the draft before the day one session is over. Seattle did it last year and Bill Belichick will have enough names on his board to move down.
February 11, 2015 11:51 am ET
By Pat Kirwan
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...s-winston-vaults-marcus-mariota-into-top-spot
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Jameis Winston, QB Florida State: A lot of people really believe this is the right pick for the Bucs. I'm not convinced he is the way to go but until the heavy scrutiny of his off-the-field issues is complete. I'll leave him on top mainly because Lovie Smith would be a great influence on the young man.
2. Tennessee Titans -- Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon: I believe if Mariota is available at the No. 2 spot the Titans will get plenty of offers. The Jets, Browns and maybe even the Eagles could make a play for Mariota.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Leonard Williams, DT, USC: Williams is a rare athlete who might be gone by the third pick but if available would be a centerpiece of the Jags defense.
4. Oakland Raiders -- Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: The leading college receiver with 124 receptions last year is a player in the same class as Julio Jones. Derek Carr needs weapons and Cooper is the best in the draft.
5. Washington Redskins -- Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska: Brian Orakpo was on a franchise tag and got injured once again. Washington needs an OLB pass rusher to take his place. By the time April 30 comes along there could be another player with the same skills in this spot.
6. New York Jets -- Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri: Ray was left out of the first round last week, but he's back, and in this general area he might get a call. The Jets have a big need for an OLB with rush skills.
7. Chicago Bears -- Danny Shelton, DT, Washington: Big men with agility and quickness are simply hard to find. Shelton impressed at the Senior Bowl and demonstrated better range than most players in the 345 lb. class.
8. Atlanta Falcons -- Dante Fowler, DE, Florida: The Falcons need pass rushers and they will have choices at this spot. Last week I had Vic Beasley here and now it's Fowler. Fowler is bigger than Beasley but still needs time to develop strength. Go watch the LSU game to get a glimpse of his potential.
9. New York Giants -- La'el Collins, OT, LSU: I was impressed at the Senior Bowl with his versatility. The Giants have a number of issues in the offensive line and his flexibility is a big plus.
10. St. Louis Rams -- Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: A classic left tackle who could be gone to the Giants a pick earlier. The position is an issue with because of injuries to Jake Long. This would be a solid pick for the Rams.
11. Minnesota Vikings -- Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: White is big and finished third in college with 109 receptions and 10 touchdowns in 2014. He only had 5 drops in 163 targets and is the kind of player who can help Teddy Bridgewater develop.
12. Cleveland Browns -- Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: NFL teams always like offensive linemen developed at Iowa by Kirk Ferentz. If the Browns stay in this spot a bookend tackle opposite Joe Thomas is a solid idea.
13. New Orleans Saints -- Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: The Saints have lots of needs, especially on defense. A versatile 'hybrid' rusher/linebacker type is what Rob Ryan loves to work with.
14. Miami Dolphins -- Eddie Goldman, DT Florida State: A big, athletic defensive tackle who possesses inside pass rush skills as well as the bulk to stop the run. He should play pro football in the 320-pound range and can stay on the field for all three downs.
15. San Francisco 49ers -- DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: Parker missed significant time early in the season but late-year performances like the Florida State game pushed him right back into first-round consideration. If he runs in the low 4.4 range at his size he's a solid pick.
16. Houston Texans -- Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington: Thompson is a football player who can line up anywhere. The Texans have long-range questions at inside linebacker and the addition of Thompson would make Houston's front seven one of the best in the NFL if Clowney returns to 100 percent.
17. San Diego Chargers -- Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, DE, Kentucky: Dupree made 20 plays behind the line of scrimmage. There are some similarities to Terrell Suggs when he came out of college. The Chargers could use more pass rush types on that defense.
18. Kansas City Chiefs -- Landon Collins, S, Alabama: Some believe he's the best safety in the draft and the Chiefs have to find a replacement for Eric Berry. By time we get to the draft Collins could be painted as a strong safety-only type and Gerod Holliman (Louisville) with his 14 interceptions could be in the conversation.
19. Cleveland Browns -- Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: The Browns have a void with Josh Gordon gone for a year. Strong caught 157 passes and 17 touchdowns in the last two seasons. There are other receivers in this draft that will be solid pros and can be taken in the second or third rounds. Last week Sammie Coates was in this spot but his drop ratio is an issue.
20. Philadelphia Eagles -- Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas: Big, athletic defensive tackles are hard to find and the small pool evaporates fast in the draft. He may not be as bulky as Eddie Goldman but he was disruptive in 2014 with 19 plays behind the line of scrimmage. Some 3-4 defenses are looking for '5' techniques to rush the passer or he could be a '3' tech in a 4-3 defense.
21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: Waynes comes from a school that develops corners. He can play man-to-man, he has the size teams are looking for in 2015 to match up with big receivers and the Bengals could team him up with his old college teammate Darqueze Dennard. There was a game or two late in 2014 that might raise questions about Waynes.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio): I really liked Rollins at the Senior Bowl. Many think of him as a second or third-round corner, but the Senior Bowl usually produces a few first-round picks that weren't considered to go quite as high before the week in Mobile. Rollins is a former starter on the basketball team and in one football season was the conference defensive player of the year.
23. Detroit Lions -- Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma: If Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley both leave Detroit in free agency that leaves the Lions with one DT under contract. Phillips is a massive tackle with decent first-step quickness and would be a fit at the nose. Team that use 3-4 schemes will be interested in him as well.
24. Arizona Cardinals -- Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State: The Cardinals got a lot of mileage out of Larry Foote when Daryl Washington was suspended for the year, but a big physical backer like McKinney would help plug a gap in this defense. He might be a three-down player because of his pass rush skills and has the size to play across the front seven.
25. Carolina Panthers -- Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami: The Panthers may argue they like their young offensive tackles, but at this point in the draft a tackle like Flowers is good value. Another top notch wide receiver or a pass rusher (don't expect Greg Hardy back) would be just as good.
26. Baltimore Ravens -- Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota: Coaches that have studied Williams call him a difference maker. He's a rare athletic type who will be a matchup problem. Not so sure there is another tight end like him in the draft. Owen Daniels isn't getting any younger and Dennis Pitta is injured once again. Team Maxx up with Crockett Gillmore and the '12' personnel package would be dangerous.
27. Dallas Cowboys -- Carl Davis, DT, Iowa: Davis really helped himself at the Senior Bowl. He's big with quickness and a terrific motor. The kind of guy Rod Marinelli loves to coach. I don't believe the Cowboys will bring back Henry Melton and if there isn't a top DE on the board this is an option.
28. Denver Broncos -- Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma:The Broncos would get a big power run blocking right tackle who can pass block. Gary Kubiak is going to develop a better run game even with Peyton Manning under center.
29. Indianapolis Colts -- Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA: Some see Kendricks as a second-round talent, but his production and explosiveness can't be denied. He had 385 tackles in the last three years and he plays well in the passing game. A solid WLB in a 4-3 package or a WILB in a 3-4.
30. Green Bay Packers -- Devin Funchess, WR/TE Michigan: A rare combination of size and athletic ability. He could answer the void left by the loss of tight end Jermichael Finley.
31. Seattle Seahawks -- Sammie Coates, WR, Clemson:Caotes might drop some passes, but he is explosive and a big-play guy. The Seahawks could go defensive line or o-line here, but for now a wide receiver.
32. New England Patriots -- Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon: Hard to find guys this tall who are available late in the first round. The Patriots could trade out of this spot to a team looking to lock up the third quarterback in the draft before the day one session is over. Seattle did it last year and Bill Belichick will have enough names on his board to move down.
