1
Jadeveon Clowney
Houston Texans (2-14)
Analysis: I'm certain the debate about which player to take still exists, and whether the pick could be moved. I still think this could be a quarterback. But I believe that while more than one "safe" pick exists in this draft, it's hard to play it safer in terms of upside than selecting a generational physical talent, a guy who has exceptional physical skills and the ability to bring immediate impact and create consistent matchup problems up front as teams deal with the reality of how to block both Clowney and J.J. Watt. The questions on Clowney still aren't enough to diminish the potential impact. He's the top prospect in a draft full of very good ones, and I think Houston will feel the same.
2
Greg Robinson
Analysis: If I'm making the pick, I'm willing to consider Sammy Watkins here based on need, and would also certainly consider the option of moving down a few spots if the offer is rich enough. But Robinson is one of the better offensive linemen to enter the draft in years, with the upside of an All-Pro at left tackle, capable of neutralizing the best pass-rushers and absolutely mauling defenders in the run game. St. Louis can select him knowing an impact wide receiver is still going to be available at No. 13 (and even beyond that given the depth at the position).
3
Sammy Watkins
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
Analysis: The temptation to take a quarterback here may exist, but I look at the trajectory of this organization, both in performance and in personnel development, and I believe the Jaguars will look to take the best player available here, and in Watkins, they also add a dynamic talent at a position of need. Given the uncertain future of Justin Blackmon, the top two wide receivers on the roster are Cecil Shorts and Ace Sanders. Neither has the upside of Watkins, who will make the QB -- whoever that ends up being -- better.
4
Johnny Manziel
Cleveland Browns (4-12)
Analysis: Manziel is not my top-rated QB, but he is the QB I believe (right now) is likeliest to go this high, as I believe a team like Cleveland, with a number of draft assets and a QB on the roster it feels can create a bridge to a young starter, is in a good scenario to take a chance on Manziel's ceiling. The Browns owning the No. 26 pick as well as an early second-rounder gives them a chance to take a player like Watkins here if available and consider a QB later, but this is how I see it as of right now.
PLAYER CARD
5
Khalil Mack
Oakland Raiders (4-12)
Analysis: Oakland's move to add Matt Schaub puts the Raiders back in position to take the best player available as opposed to making a slight reach at quarterback. Mack gives the Raiders a needed pass-rusher, even though they've already spent some money on the position in free agency, adding Lamarr Woodley and Justin Tuck. Mack would also provide them with another good building-block player on defense, along with fellow linebacker Sio Moore. I also think the Raiders should consider moving down and collecting additional pick assets.
PLAYER CARD
6
Taylor Lewan
Atlanta Falcons (4-12)
Analysis: I consider tackle a big need for Atlanta, a team that last year balanced an inability to consistently protect Matt Ryan with a consistent inability to open holes for anybody Ryan handed the ball off to. While Robinson and Jake Matthews are both very good players and should be at the next level, there's a case to be made that Lewan is the most ready tackle for NFL competition, with four good years under his belt. I think he could start at right or left tackle in Week 1.
7
Mike Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)
Analysis: The Bucs brought in a new QB and addressed some needs on defense in free agency, but I still see wide receiver as a pretty significant need, with Vincent Jackson 31 and entering what could be his final season in Tampa, and no depth behind him. And if you just want to be able to say you're drafting the best player available on the board at this slot, if you take Evans, you can do that too. Evans makes up for a lack of short-area burst (and thus the ability to separate underneath) by dominating at the catch point, particularly up high. The combination of him and Jackson will be a matchup nightmare, particularly in the red zone.
PLAYER CARD
8
Blake Bortles
Minnesota Vikings (5-10-1)
Analysis: The combination of Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder will provide a bridge to Bortles, a player I believe would benefit from not starting early as he develops a familiarity with an offense that requires more downfield reads. I don't have Bortles rated as high as I do Bridgewater, but again, this is a projection of where players will be chosen, not my prospect rankings. What I will say is that I do believe Bortles has a high ceiling because he's a pretty special athlete with some really good instincts for the position; his pocket movement in particular is really impressive. When you consider his development trajectory, there's a lot to be excited about.
PLAYER CARD
9
Jake Matthews
Buffalo Bills (6-10)
Analysis: I just really like this fit both in scheme and need, and Matthews is the best player left on the board at this point anyway. Despite my early belief that Cordy Glenn would be better on the right side, he's been a good player at left tackle, which means Matthews likely comes in as the needed solution on the right side. The transition from left tackle to right and vice versa tends to get tossed about as something that's no big deal, but it can be a tough one for players, which makes Matthews that much more valuable, because he's demonstrated an ability to, frankly, dominate on either side.
PLAYER CARD
10
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Detroit Lions (7-9)
Analysis: The addition of James Ihedigbo in free agency doesn't diminish Detroit's need for more help at safety. Getting the top free safety in the draft, a guy who will distinguish himself with his ability to cover with great range, fills a pretty big personnel void for Detroit, and this isn't much of a leap in terms of where Clinton-Dix's name is stacked on most draft boards. I do think Detroit could consider a corner here, I just see Clinton-Dix as a better player and a likelier early impact maker for a team that should feel like it can be in the playoff picture if it can be better in coverage. The depth at CB in this draft means the Lions can add one later.
PLAYER CARD
11
Justin Gilbert
Tennessee Titans (7-9)
12
Eric Ebron
New York Giants (7-9)
13
Darqueze Dennard
St. Louis Rams (7-9)
14
Aaron Donald
Chicago Bears (8-8)
PLAYER CARD
15
Odell Beckham Jr.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)
16
Zack Martin
Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
COLLEGE: Notre Dame
HT: 6-4
WT: 308
POS: OT
Analysis: Dallas fans might find this quizzical given the need along the defensive line, but consider what's available: Donald is out of the picture, I think Dallas should see this slot as too rich for a player like Anthony Barr, who is a questionable system fit anyway, and the top safety is also off the board. Martin makes sense as a player who can shore up the right tackle position, which is a problem area. I also think this is a place where the Cowboys could look to move if they don't see the value here at those bigger need positions. It's what they did last year.
PLAYER CARD
17
Calvin Pryor
Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
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18
Brandin Cooks
New York Jets (8-8)
19
C.J. Mosley
Miami Dolphins (8-8)
20
Derek Carr
Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
21
Ryan Shazier
Green Bay Packers (8-7-1)
22
Kelvin Benjamin
Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
23
Marqise Lee
Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
24
Bradley Roby
Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
25
Anthony Barr
San Diego Chargers (9-7)
26
Kyle Fuller
Cleveland Browns (4-12)
27
Cody Latimer
New Orleans Saints (11-5)
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28
Morgan Moses
Carolina Panthers (12-4)
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29
Ra'Shede Hageman
New England Patriots (12-4)
30
Jordan Matthews
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
31
Jason Verrett
Denver Broncos (13-3)
32
Stephon Tuitt
Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
Round 2
33. Houston Texans | *Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
34. Washington Commanders | Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin
35. Cleveland Browns | *Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St.
36. Oakland Raiders | *Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St.
37. Atlanta Falcons | Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi St.
39. Jacksonville Jaguars | Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
40. Minnesota Vikings | Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU
41. Buffalo Bills | *Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise St.
42. Tennessee Titans | Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
43. New York Giants | *Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA
44. St. Louis Rams | Jimmie Ward, S, No. Illinois
45. Detroit Lions | Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska
46. Pittsburgh Steelers | *Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
47. Dallas Cowboys | Deone Bucannon, S, Washington St.
The Cowboys' current depth chart has J.J. Wilcox and Barry Church as starters at safety, and the experienced Bucannon, one of the biggest hitters in the draft, is a player who can get on the field early.
48. Baltimore Ravens | *Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina
49. New York Jets | *Austin Seferian-Jenkins
50. Miami Dolphins | Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada
51. Chicago Bears | Lamarcus Joyner, CB, Florida St.
52. Arizona Cardinals | Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech
53. Green Bay Packers | *Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
54. Philadelphia Eagles | Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood
55. Cincinnati Bengals | *Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
56. San Francisco 49ers (from KC) | Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
57. San Diego Chargers | *Donte Moncrief, WR, Mississippi
58. New Orleans Saints | Keith McGill, CB, Utah
59. Indianapolis Colts | *Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
60. Carolina Panthers | Josh Huff, WR, Oregon
61. San Francisco 49ers | *Marcus Martin, C, USC
62. New England Patriots | Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio St.
63. Denver Broncos | *David Yankey, OG, Stanford
64. Seattle Seahawks | Ja'Wuan James, OT, Tennessee
