Mel Kiper Mock 1.0

[robert70x7]

1. Texans - Johnny Manziel - QB, Texas A&M
2. Rams - Jake Matthews - OT, Texas A&M
3. Jaguars - Jadeveon Clowney - DE, South Carolina
4. Browns - Blake Bortles - QB, Central Florida
5. Raiders - Sammy Watkins - WR, Clemson
6. Falcons - Anthony Barr - OLB, UCLA
7. Buccaneers - Khalil Mack - OLB, Buffalo
8. Vikings - Teddy Bridgewater - QB, Louisville
9. Bills - Greg Robinson - OT, Auburn
10. Lions - Justin Gilbert - CB, Oklahoma State
11. Titans - Taylor Lewan - OT, Michigan
12. Giants - C.J. Mosley - LB, Alabama
13. Rams - Mike Evans - WR, Texas A&M
14. Bears - Timmy Jernigan - DT, Florida State
15. Steelers - Louis Nix - DT, Notre Dame
16. Ravens - Eric Ebron - TE, North Carolina
16. Cowboys - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix - S, Alabama
18. Jets - Marqise Lee - WR, USC
19. Dolphins - Cyrus Kouandjio - OT, Alabama
20. Cardinals - Zack Martin - OT, Notre Dame
21. Packers - Calvin Pryor - S, Louisville
22. Eagles - Kelvin Benjamin - WR, Florida State
23. Chiefs - Stephon Tuitt - DE/DT, Notre Dame
24. Bengals - Darqueze Dennard - CB, Michigan State
25. Chargers - Bradley Roby - CB, Ohio State
26. Browns - Carlos Hyde - RB, Ohio State
27. Saints - Antonio Richardson - OT, Tennessee
28. Panthers - Brandin Cooks - WR, Oregon State
29. Patriots - Jace Amaro - TE, Texas Tech
30. 49ers - Odell Beckham Jr. - WR, LSU
31. Broncos - Scott Crichton - DE, Oregon State
32. Seahawks - Allen Robinson - WR, Penn State

Analysis: I don't see a decent free safety solution on the Cowboys' roster, and good ones typically don't make it to free agency, so this pick lines up need and board value pretty effectively. Clinton-Dix has the range to handle the deep role in man-free coverage as he did for Nick Saban. He has good instincts, is generally strong with his routes and angles to the ball, and does a good job of not letting quarterbacks get him going in the wrong direction with their eyes.

Twitter is blowing up.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Interesting, I wouldn't be surprised if we took Ha Ha. I can see the draft falling that way. However, I'm really not seeing Johnny F going #1 overall. I personally have a hard time seeing him go rd 1, but QB's always rise up the board.

 

[robert70x7]

Interesting, I wouldn't be surprised if we took Ha Ha. I can see the draft falling that way. However, I'm really not seeing Johnny F going #1 overall. I personally have a hard time seeing him go rd 1, but QB's always rise up the board.

Analysis: I spoke to a number of high-ranking NFL evaluators this week, and this is the one QB anyone felt certain was a top-5 pick. So consider this an early bet, with one major caveat: Bill O'Brien just arrived, is still putting his staff together, knows a good QB when he sees one, and hasn't had enough time (if any) to study the draft class. But we know quarterback is a major need here. O'Brien likes a QB with presence, a leader and a guy who will out-prepare the competition. And while Manziel has gotten his share of bad press, he's a dynamic talent, and I feel he can lead at the next level; I'm not alone in that opinion. While Manziel is currently ranked No. 11 on my Big Board, this reflects the draft.

Manziel doesn't fit the old prototypes of a QB drafted No. 1, and I have concerns about how well he can protect himself given his smaller frame, but he is a magician on the field, and is made for the current NFL. This league protects and welcomes QBs who can improvise, run and make plays beyond the playbook. It's early, but Manziel is a special player and has the draft process to prove it further.

 

[Risen Star]

I think I would lose my mind if we take another defensive back in the first round.

And one named "Ha Ha" to boot. As if to be cruelly mocking me.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I just think that when all is said and done the NFL draft process is gonna eat him up and spit him out. Probably still go in the 1st round, but not #1. I really see Bortles being that guy right now.

 

[Risen Star]

Yeah, I'm no fan of Manziel either but he's pretty much a lock top 5 pick. He'd have to have some off the field incident to change that.

 

[DFWJC]

I'd be really surprised if Houston took Manziel.

 

[reddyuta]

A free safety who can actually play from day 1 should be rated pretty highly on our board.

 

[Parcells4Life]

I would LOVE it if we got him. A true leader in the secondary. You can never have enough Saban players. That's how Seattle built it's team. Dominant secondary and then added the pass rush the year after.

Obviously pass rush greatly helps the secondary but against the Eagles on 3rd and 16 Ha Ha wouldn't let a jump ball go right over his head at the 5 yard line ALA Heath.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I think I would lose my mind if we take another defensive back in the first round.

And one named "Ha Ha" to boot. As if to be cruelly mocking me.

I think Tuitt should be the pick or a trade down if the draft fell like has it.

However I also remember that last year they probably would have taken Vaccarro (sp?) if he fell to us so there is that idea that they may still take a top FS type player.

Personally think Oline and Dline should be the top priority. I say Oline because if one of those OTs fell to us the could take over Doug Free's job down the road but I would like another OG because Bern is probably a one year wonder, Waters is old even if he comes back and Livings has a bum knee. Now I would still want DT or DE above the line.

Yep
DT/DE
Oline
Safety
LB


With this team anything is possible.

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

The guy won't be able to cover when there is absolutely no pass rush. He won't be able to break on the ball for fear of getting beat since the QB will have so much time. We could potentially be wasting him. Then when we finally get a decent pass rush his confidence could be so shot from being beat that he plays not to get beat. I want a pass rushing DE, DT, OLB. That could potentially make our safeties already on the roster play astronomically better.

 

[NeonDeion21]

No Kony Ealy, Vic Beasley, Derek Carr, or Hageman?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I would be shocked if Manziel goes in the top-5. I think he may be a QB that is taken at the bottom of the 1st round, but I think most teams will have him in rounds 2-4.

To me, it comes off like Kiper trying to drum up publicity.

If anything, Manziel is a small guy by NFL QB standards. I like his accuracy, but he doesn't have a cannon arm and had a tremendous O-Line in college. I could see him developing into a good QB, but he'll need to take about 2-years on the bench, get in better physical shape, learn the offense and the game speed and learn the intricacies of being a pocket passer.



YR

 

[Nirvana]

Be curious to see his 40 time at the combine. If it is in the 4.4 range I like the pick. Kid makes plays, Ed Reed type.

 

[Boys122]

No Kony Ealy, Vic Beasley, Derek Carr, or Hageman?

Some good prospects right there.

 

[texbumthelife]

This mock is based on everyone drafting for need, which we know won't happen. Kiper's first mocks are always a laugher. I think he does it just to get people interested in following how much players move from mock to mock. If the draft falls anywhere close to this we better trade back for extra picks.

 

[Boys122]

I think Tuitt should be the pick or a trade down if the draft fell like has it.

However I also remember that last year they probably would have taken Vaccarro (sp?) if he fell to us so there is that idea that they may still take a top FS type player.

Personally think Oline and Dline should be the top priority. I say Oline because if one of those OTs fell to us the could take over Doug Free's job down the road but I would like another OG because Bern is probably a one year wonder, Waters is old even if he comes back and Livings has a bum knee. Now I would still want DT or DE above the line.

Yep
DT/DE
Oline
Safety
LB


With this team anything is possible.

I like Tuitt as well. Also Ealy or Hageman.

 

[texbumthelife]

I would be shocked if Manziel goes in the top-5. I think he may be a QB that is taken at the bottom of the 1st round, but I think most teams will have him in rounds 2-4.

To me, it comes off like Kiper trying to drum up publicity.

If anything, Manziel is a small guy by NFL QB standards. I like his accuracy, but he doesn't have a cannon arm and had a tremendous O-Line in college. I could see him developing into a good QB, but he'll need to take about 2-years on the bench, get in better physical shape, learn the offense and the game speed and learn the intricacies of being a pocket passer.



YR

I tend to agree with you, but the better Russell Wilson plays--having been given the same labels--the more likely it is someone will tab Manziel high in the first round. If Russell Wilson wins the Lombardi this season, I can see Manziel top-5.

 

[Nirvana]

If Nick Saban were the Texans Head Coach, I bet he would take Manziel. Couldn't stop the kid.

 

[texbumthelife]

If Nick Saban were the Texans Head Coach, I bet he would take Manziel. Couldn't stop the kid.

Nick Saban would probably get himself a front-seven. His team's inability to get consistent pressure on Manziel is why he couldn't stop him.