Top mocker Bob McGinn's mock draft released

Nirvana

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(McGinn does his mocks like Goose used to, getting his info from scouts and team personnel. He is rated #1 according to Bleacher Report.)

1. HOUSTON TEXANS: Jadeveon Clowney, OLB, South Carolina

Clowney played DE but would generally stand up as an OLB in the Texans' 3-4 defense. Secured 14 of 21 votes as draft's best player in Journal Sentinel poll of 21 national-oriented personnel people.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS-a: Jake Matthews, T, Texas A&M

Matthews isn't as highly regarded as Greg Robinson. However, he should be more ready to play, and coach Jeff Fisher coached his father, Bruce, for nine years in Tennessee.

3. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Beginning to look as if troubled WR Justin Blackmon might not play at all in 2015 because of NFL suspension. Cecil Shorts is Jaguars' only WR of note. GM David Caldwell might trade up late into first round for QB.

4. CLEVELAND BROWNS: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Browns think more of QB Brian Hoyer than most. New GM Ray Farmer opens with Evans, who should be an effective counterpoint to WR Josh Gordon.

5. OAKLAND RAIDERS: Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo

Third-year GM Reggie McKenzie, under considerable pressure from owner Mark Davis, resists taking a quarterback in favor of the second-best defensive player in the draft. Mack can help the Raiders win now.

6. ATLANTA FALCONS: Greg Robinson, T, Auburn

The Falcons are trying to become more physical on both sides of the ball. Robinson is one of the more dominating collegiate run blockers in years.

7. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

Coach Lovie Smith has the power in Tampa and uses it to take the best three-technique DT in the draft. Donald could be better than Tommie Harris was for Smith in Chicago.

8. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

Vikings try again at the most vital position with Bridgewater, probably the most ready to go quarterback on the list. Playing next two seasons outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium worked against taking Johnny Manziel.

9. BUFFALO BILLS: Taylor Lewan, T, Michigan

GM Doug Whaley considers Eric Ebron and Zack Martin before opting for Lewan, who would start immediately at RT and give Buffalo a formidable line.

10. DETROIT LIONS: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

The Lions have been thin at CB for more than a decade. The current depth chart lists Chris Houston, Rashean Mathis, Darius Slay and Bill Bentley. Help is on the way.

11. TENNESSEE TITANS: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

The Titans need new-look defensive players to fill out their transition from 4-3 to 3-4 under new D-coordinator Ray Horton. Barr, the pass rusher, gets the nod over a QB or ILB.

12. NEW YORK GIANTS: Zack Martin, T-G, Notre Dame

Injuries and disappointing performances have left the Giants' once-proud O-line in disarray. Drafting RT Justin Pugh in Round 1 a year ago helped. Martin will help even more.

13. ST. LOUIS RAMS: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

Some teams might want Manziel more than the Rams. But as a dome team with a quarterback, Sam Bradford, wearing out his welcome, selecting Manziel makes a lot of sense.

14. SAN FRANCISCO (from Chicago): Odell Beckham, WR, Louisiana State

Projected trade in which the 49ers, with six of the top 100 picks, deal several to the Bears after Aaron Donald, the Bears' obvious target, was taken early. 49ers GM Trent Baalke wants Beckham, possibly the best deep threat in the draft, to augment Anquan Boldin. Michael Crabtree will be entering the final year of his contract.

15. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

CB Ike Taylor is 34. Others on the cornerback depth chart are William Gay, Cortez Allen and Brice McCain. It's a position of dire need.

16. DALLAS COWBOYS: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

The Cowboys were beyond hopeless on defense in 2013. They need a massive influx of talent, and Shazier has more of it (plus a better record of durability) than C.J. Mosley.

17. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

The Ravens already added veteran Owen Daniels to pair with Dennis Pitta at tight end. Now they take Ebron to flex all over the formation and ease the pressure on Torrey Smith outside.

18. NEW YORK JETS: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

The Jets signed WR Eric Decker from Denver but he's not a real No. 1. Diminutive Jeremy Kerley led the Jets in receiving yards with a scant 523 last year, and the return game was below average. Cooks can help there, too.

19. MIAMI DOLPHINS: Ja'Wuan James, T, Tennessee

Desperate? You talk about desperate...new GM Dennis Hickey has Lions retread Jason Fox No. 1 at RT. James gets the nod over Alabama T Cyrus Kouandjio, who is off multiple team draft boards (knee).

20. ARIZONA CARDINALS: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida

GM Steve Keim could use a safety, an outside linebacker and an interior defensive lineman. When Carson Palmer (34) and Drew Stanton are at quarterback, taking Bortles and allowing him to watch for a year or two makes too much sense.

21. GREEN BAY PACKERS: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama

The Packers need a safety but can't pass on Mosley, who would make it this far only if teams have reservations about his injury history. GM Ted Thompson seeks a safety (does he trade up?) a bit later.

22. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Marqise Lee, WR, Southern California

One of the capable cornerbacks might fall here. Instead, coach Chip Kelly and GM Howie Roseman draft someone they hope can replace DeSean Jackson.

23. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

WR Dwayne Bowe enters his eighth season and Donnie Avery is a marginal No. 2. Matthews provides the senior steadiness and size that should play well at Arrowhead.

24. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

The Bengals entertain SS Calvin Pryor but opt for Fuller at cornerback. Leon Hall is coming off his second Achilles injury, backups Terence Newman and Pacman Jones are aging, and Dre Kirkpatrick is lingering near the bust line.

25. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Jason Verrett, CB, Texas Christian

The Chargers also are looking for defensive line reinforcement. They can get that later. After the first five cornerbacks go, it's basically a graveyard at cornerback.

26. CLEVELAND BROWNS-b: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

Carr might go top 10. Carr might go second round. As the wild card, Carr's odyssey ends with a call from Farmer to compete with Hoyer.

27. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

The Saints would like a stretch-the-field receiver. With no one of that ilk short of Indiana's Cody Latimer remaining, Roby arrives with talent and problems.

28. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Joel Bitonio, T, Nevada

The Panthers dispatched coach Ron Rivera for a personal interview with Bitonio last month. With LT Jordan Gross having retired, the Panthers' depth chart shows third-year free agent Nate Chandler listed No. 1. Help!

29. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville

The Patriots have no voids in their lineup. Bill Belichick has been grab-bagging too long in the back end.

30. CHICAGO BEARS (from San Francisco): Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

Projected trade finds GM Phil Emery acquiring a player he probably would have entertained at No. 14. The Bears' last top-notch safety was Mike Brown.

31. DENVER BRONCOS: Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State

You can never have enough pass rushers. That's what Lawrence does, either from a two- or three-point stance.

32. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

Coach Pete Carroll loves to get after the quarterback. He also has gambled many times in the past on players with character flaws.

a – From Washington in March 9, 2012, trade of draft choices in which the Commanders selected QB Robert Griffin III; b – From Indianapolis in Sept, 18, 2013, trade for RB Trent Richardson.



Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...raft-b99264770z1-258398211.html#ixzz318G0YeCV
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Sydla

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I like Shazier but I think you could move back a bit and still get him (granted it's a two way street, you have to find a taker).

Frankly, I'd rather take Clinton-Dix who he has going 30th.
 

Nirvana

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I like Shazier but I think you could move back a bit and still get him (granted it's a two way street, you have to find a taker).

Frankly, I'd rather take Clinton-Dix who he has going 30th.

 

waving monkey

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I like Shazier but I think you could move back a bit and still get him (granted it's a two way street, you have to find a taker).

Frankly, I'd rather take Clinton-Dix who he has going 30th.

much rather
 

Nirvana

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Shazier is an excellent pick. We need help at Will and he brings that. Has the speed you long for at the position and can cover. According to Broaddus the Cowboys do not like Holloman at Will. Carter is a question mark and up for a new contract next year.
 

tm1119

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Shazier is an incredible athlete but I dont know what he does well as a LB aside from chase and tackle. The athleticism is there for him to be great, but he's a project that needs work for sure.

If there's no trade down available I'd probably take Haha.
 

Sydla

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I could live with a few defensive players at 16.............. Donald, obviously........... Shazier, Mosely, Fuller, Dix.......... We could use help in a lot of places on defense.
 

BrAinPaiNt

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That would be a tad anti climatic after all of this draft talk, have most of the picks we like taken off the board and then take Shazier at 16 instead of trading down.
 

jnday

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Shazier is an excellent pick. We need help at Will and he brings that. Has the speed you long for at the position and can cover. According to Broaddus the Cowboys do not like Holloman at Will. Carter is a question mark and up for a new contract next year.

It is hard to make progress when draft picks are spent replacing draft busts.
 

egn22

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That would be a tad anti climatic after all of this draft talk, have most of the picks we like taken off the board and then take Shazier at 16 instead of trading down.

I think it's extremely unlikely that we pick Shazier rather than trade back. Just don't see Jerry doing that
 

Nirvana

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More from McGinn:

Although personnel people gave Mosley 10 first-place votes compared to one for Shazier in a Journal Sentinel poll of the best 3-4 inside linebackers, the margin between them is far closer.

Similar in size and intelligence, Shazier has an enormous advantage in speed. His 4.38-second time in the 40-yard dash was almost unheard of at the position, whereas Mosley's 4.68 was similar to a three-down inside linebacker such as Nick Barnett, who ran 4.71 at the exact same size before joining the Packers as their first-round selection in 2003.

Furthermore, Shazier beat Mosley in the vertical jump (42 inches to 35), the broad jump (10-10 to 9-10) and reps on the bench press (25 to 15).

"Shazier is the most explosive guy in the draft," a third NFC personnel man said. "Rare explosive. Tough as hell. Plays hard. Fastest guy on the field. Just a little small."

There's almost no way both players reach Green Bay. Certainly, the Packers would love to have either man.

My guess is that even though Mosley played on two national championship teams and has a total game, Shazier has a better chance of being taken first because of his remarkable speed and clean medical history.

"He's faster than Derrick Brooks," said another NFL scout. "He (Shazier) is the fastest I have scouted that's linebacker-sized other than Brian Urlacher. Mosley is a hell of a football player, but I'll take 4.38 and see if I can work with it."

More than a dozen personnel people were asked about Mosley in the last month. Almost every one expressed reservations to a varying degree about his injuries.

"It's a concern," an AFC personnel director said. "He's got a lot of wear and tear, like most of the Alabama guys. He's been beat up a lot. He played the full year (2013), but I think he still has some discomfort."

Based on reports from their team doctors, several scouts said the hip that Mosley dislocated in the BCS Championship Game in January 2013 was the biggest question mark.

"It's not real good," said one scout. "He'll be on our board for sure. Just something to be concerned about long term."

Mosley, 6 feet 2 inches and 234 pounds, also missed two games in 2011 with a dislocated elbow and had shoulder surgery after the '12 season to repair a torn labrum.

"Playing for that program, he's pretty much pro-ready," an AFC scout said. "But the other thing is, playing for that program you know he's going to be beat up. When they come to the league it's almost like they're on the mend."

Lacy, who missed one game as a rookie with a concussion, said there was no comparison to the physical demands placed on players by Alabama coach Nick Saban and Packers coach Mike McCarthy.

"Mosley's got a number of things for a small frame," said another AFC personnel director. "But he played on it (hip) for a year. Most doctors don't worry about something if he played on it for a year. I think if he's outside (pick) 15 you're getting a steal."

In these cases, it comes down to tolerance. A team drafting 12th to 16th probably would be less willing to accept the risk on Mosley compared with a team drafting 21st, even one that has been decimated by injuries year after year.



Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...raft-b99264767z1-258407891.html#ixzz318LtBwf9
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Leadbelly

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Talk about worst case scenario,this looks frighteningly possible .

It really does clarify our situation. I tried to convince myself of a way for Barr to fall more. Too much has to happen. Need to trade up to get him. There's a big drop off between Barr and the next DE.

Shazier's a truly rare athlete. RKG but also super competitive. Professional work habits. Every down guy. Added a ton of weight without losing any athleticism. Buuut…kind of fools gold imo. Not a good tackler. Takes bad angles. Seems to see things pretty slowly, or not at all. Gets stuck on blockers frequently and pushed around. Can't hold his ground. No eyebrows. Looked like a big Safety at Ohio St.

His skills frequently negate his athleticism, which is concerning because he's an elite athlete. If he were a small school guy, you could convince yourself it's coaching. But it's Ohio St. It's not like Ohio St doesn't know how to coach LB'ers.
 

Smith22

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Reaching for a smaller WLB to play behind a highly questionable DL sounds like a disaster in the making.

Worse case scenario there. Find a trade back partner and target value (WR, CB, DL, S) or just take Pryor at 16.
 

Idgit

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Shazier's a heck of a consolation prize in a nightmare scenario. A trade down in that situation would be even better.
 

Derinyar

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The problem is the only trade down target I see is Ebron. Not sure how much traction you're going to get for a TE.
 

Avery

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Pretty much a nightmare scenario, but entirely plausible by the same accord.

In that case, I think Shazier is a good consolation prize. I would prefer a trade down, netting up another 2nd/4th rounder and taking any of the last four guys, but if no one wants to dance, you could do worse than Shaz.
 
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Well, Monte did say he needed linebackers last year and I imagine he still needs them,,,,

I like the idea of finally doing something about the safety position though I'm not sure Ha Ha is the answer. In the one game I watched of him (against the Sooners in the Sugar Bowl) he didn't look that special...
 
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