Here we are again, my friends. It is my favorite three days of the year for my sports nerd side. That's right- NFL Draft week is upon us. Once again, I have provided you with my own opinions on who each team should take when, and I will probably be very wrong rather often. But I love doing it, and page views say that you love reading it, so I won't stop. As always, I do not project trades. However, if there happens to be a massive trade that goes down before Thursday, I will attempt to go back and edit accordingly. You will see there is a certain big-name player who falls quite a way in this first round. That isn't because I actually think he will fall, but it is because I can't project the team that takes him trading up, which I think they should, but they won't. Got it? Good! Here we go. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the clock.... And the pick is in! With the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers SHOULD take:
1- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Massive character issues, but he is also the best QB available, and that is what Tampa needs. If they could find a way to trade for a better one, they would. If they felt like taking RG3 off the Skins' hands, I wouldn't be upset. But if Winston behaves off the field, he will be pretty good at worst, and is an instant ticket draw in the state of Florida.
2- Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DE, USC
Not a QB here. Also, no projecting trades! So, the Titans go forward with Zach Mettenberger as their starter (for now) and get possibly the best player in the draft. Some NFL executives have favorably compared him the Reggie White. That is extremely high praise. He plugs in on your line and can stay there for years. Its a no-brainer pick for a team that needs help on the line and pass rush for a team that was 27th in total defense last year.
3- Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
Another local pick for a team that needs to sell tickets, and they get a solid pass rusher as well. Fowler is athletic and has great size. My only problem with him is that, while he has the talent, it wasn't always on display in college. This last season, he only had 5.5 sacks in the regular season, and he is supposed to be the #1 pass rusher. He isn't my favorite, but it seems like he doesn't get by Jacksonville if Williams is gone.
4- Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The real question in the top 5 isn't "Where do the QBs go?" Instead it is "Which WR will the Raiders take?" Lots of people love Kevin White. Hell, I love Kevin White. But Amari Cooper is a name who proved himself on the highest level week after week with a constant magnifying glass on him. Derek Carr needs a true game-breaking weapon, and that is what Cooper is.
5- Washington Redskins: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Brian Orakpo's tenure in DC is done, and Trent Murphy isn't the answer on the other side from Ryan Kerrigan. The Skins also announced that they are (foolishly) picking up RG3's 2016 option, so Mr. Mariota isn't going here. Instead, the Skins get Beasley, a speed rusher coming off a great year who showed up at the Combine with 20 pounds of added muscle and still ran a 4.5, and did 35 reps of 225 lbs, tops among linebackers. All of that, and he shows up on tape. ACC Defensive player of the year, played 4 years, started 25 games, had 52.5 sacks over that time, including 12 last year. He is probably the best pure pass rusher, and that is what the Skins need.
6- New York Jets: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
Massive character issues again. I don't fault him for smoking weed. I fault him for smoking weed before the biggest job interview of his life when he knows he is going to be tested. That either just shows poor judgement and a bit of stupidity, or that he has an addiction that needs to be dealt with. Nevertheless, he has a great amount of talent, and the Jets could use him. Also, the Jets are a circus, so this would fit in perfectly. Is it a smart pick? Nope. Is it one that the Jets would make? You bet.
7- Chicago Bears: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The Bears got rid of Brandon Marshall. I am still not sure why they got rid of Brandon Marshall, but he is gone. So, Alshon Jeffery needs a running mate, or else he will be getting doubled all game and Cutler will throw twice the interceptions then he would otherwise. Kevin White is just as good as Amari Cooper, just without the name. He is a human highlight reel. As long as Cutler doesn't overthrow him, he should be a great fit.
8- Atlanta Falcons: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Were it not for Shane Ray's troubles, he would be the pick here. Instead, Dupree rises into the Top 10. He is a solid pass rusher who will give you sacks and hurries. That is exactly what the Falcons need, because their OLBs all got hurt last year, and Dupree could be an improvement over Tyson Jackson at the DE position. Plus, Dupree is fast and long enough to fit in as an ideal rusher in Dan Quinn's system.
9- New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT/G, Iowa
Before the season, Brandon Scherff was a top 3 lock because he was the best OL available. Nothing has changed with him, but the rest of the Top 10 seems like it isn't prioritizing the offensive line as much as defense. Instead, the Giants get a bit of a steal with Scherff. He may not be the answer at left tackle, but he and Justin Pugh are solid young pieces that can protect Eli Manning the rest of his career.
10- St. Louis Rams: Erick Flowers, OT/G, Miami
This is a difficult pick. The Rams could use a WR. The Rams could use some more secondary. The Rams could use another QB unless they really like Nick Foles. Yet I think their biggest need is offensive line. Flowers is a bit raw, and he can start at guard while Greg Robinson kicks out to tackle so he gains NFL experience. They need to protect the QB and run the ball, and that is what Flowers can do.
11- Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
How do you help out a good young QB? You get him a great weapon. We saw that with Derek Carr earlier. How do you really really help a good young QB? You get him his favorite target from college, who also happens to be an insane play-making WR. Teddy Bridgewater knows exactly how to play with Parker because he threw to him for years at Louisville. Is secondary a bigger need? Yeah. But you cannot pass up a chance to make your QB happy and comfortable.
12- Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Browns are not a good team. They need everything. So why not start with a massive run-stopper in the middle of your D-line? Shelton is a big body with athleticism, even though his 40-time was on par with mine. He has the talent, and fits one of the biggest holes on a team full of holes.
13- New Orleans Saints: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
You can never have too many pass rushers. If one of them happens to be a 6'7 athletic freak, then all the better. The Saints will pick him and use him as the heir to Cameron Jordan, who is entering the last year of his contract. They only have 3 DEs under contract, so it is a big need.
14- Miami Dolphins: Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
The Dolphins still don't have that #1 WR. Instead, they have a bunch of 2s and 3s. Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline are gone. Perriman comes in and can start on the outside instantly. It seems like an easy pick, unless you think Perriman's hands are questionable.
15- San Francisco 49ers: Trae Waynes. CB, Michigan State
The ship is quickly sinking in SF, and everyone is jumping off. Half of their linebacking corp retired, but there isn't a DE or ILB worthy of the #15 pick. I am sure they would love to trade back to get more picks for all of their holes, but they instead stick here and take the #1 CB. The 49ers starters are Tremaine Brock and Shareece Wright, so they could use an upgrade big time. They can worry about the rest of their defense in later rounds when the value is there.
16- Houston Texans: Shane Ray, OLB/DE, Missouri
Some people have Shane Ray falling really far in this draft, and for good reason. He is a solid pass rusher who will give you sacks and hurries. However, he is also out for 5 months, and was arrested early Monday for possession of marijuana and reckless driving. I think he is worth the risk at 16 though. Is it too early to call Jadeveon Clowney a bust? Probably. But he didn't exactly help them last year. It was through the grace of JJ Watt alone that the team stayed relevant til the end of the season. Ray is not only Clowney insurance, but he is also a talented pass rusher that can take some pressure off of Watt.
17- San Diego Chargers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Once again, I DO NOT PROJECT TRADES! So, that certain Oregon QB is not going here because the Chargers still have Phillip Rivers. Andrus Peat, aside from having the strongest lower body I have ever seen, is a natural tackle even if he is raw right now. He has massive upside to go along with his size, and he should be able to move to LT at some point.
18- Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Erving, OC, Florida State
I know what you are thinking: JFLAN, why the hell would a team take a center in Round 1? Well, first of all, it is a need for the Chiefs. Second, Cameron Erving was an All-ACC tackle and an All-ACC center. He is the most versatile lineman in the draft, and the Chiefs need a lot of help along their entire line. Plug him in anywhere, and he will help a team that could be a real contender next year if they all stay healthy.
19- Cleveland Browns: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Browns again. They have holes. There is a QB right there... But the Browns aren't going to take him. They signed Josh McCown, who is a serviceable starter, and getting him real weapons to throw to would help. Dwayne Bowe is pretty good, and Hartline is a solid slot WR. Add Strong and the WR corp becomes a strength (oy, puns).
20- Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
You had to know, with him falling so far, that this is what I was going for right? It makes so much sense that it will never happen, but it really should. Mariota could go to the system that he knows better than anyone, and would be able to make that offense work for the entire season, not just weeks 1-8. If Chip Kelly were as smart as he is egotistical, he would make this happen. Again, I don't project trades which is why Mariota fell to 20, but I think he should end up in Philly.
21- Cincinnati Bengals: La'el Collins, OT/G, LSU
Both of the Bengals starting tackles, Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith, will be free agents after this season. The team probably can't afford to keep both. They need to start grooming a replacement now, and Collins is the best tackle available. He might have a major off the field issue, since he is being questioned in the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend. Police have said he is not a suspect, but he still may slide past this pick. TJ Clemmings is another option.
22- Pittsburgh Steelers: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
So the Steelers' star safety, Troy Polomalu, retires. Then the top safety in the draft just happens to drop to them. This seems to happen more often that it does, but Collins fits the immediate need and is super talented. I don't know why he is falling this far. Before FA additions, I wanted Collins to go to the Skins at 5. I think he is a steal at 22.
23- Detroit Lions: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Suh is gone. Fairly is gone. Ngata is in but is old. Malcom Brown needs to be the pick because he is the best DT available. Eddie Goldman from FSU is a bigger body to stop the run, but Brown has more talent, athletic ability, and burst off the line. He isn't Ndamukong Suh, but he isn't a bad replacement.
24- Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The Cardinals are a team that, when healthy, doesn't have a ton of issues. They could use an every down back to pair with Andre Ellington as a pass catcher. Gordon is tough, runs physical, but has enough shake to juke defenders. Draft Tease- if I could project a trade, I would have Arizona trading back into the 1st or up into the 2nd for another player on offense. You will see who.
25- Carolina Panthers: DJ Humphries, OT, Florida
Carolina needs to help its running game. It needs to keep Cam Newton upright. Adding a tackle (who may get moved to guard to start) is what needs to be done. Humphries is the the best available tackle.
26- Baltimore Ravens: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
The Ravens secondary is made up of constantly injured guys and nickle corners. They need a lot of help now. Ledarius Webb is turning 30, and Jimmy Smith is solid when healthy but gets hurt. Johnson adds depth, youth, and a healthy body to the secondary.
27- Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The Cowboys were carved apart by the Packers in the playoffs. Hell, their secondary was carved up by Colt McCoy this past year. I think that Peters would be a higher pick if he didn't have issues with his coaches and teammates at Washington. Instead, he falls to the Cowboys, who get a playmaking CB with good cover skills. Every team needs some of those.
28- Denver Broncos: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
Gary Kubiak loves zone blocking schemes. He is a product of the Shanahan coaching tree after all. Zone schemes need athletic lineman, and Jake Fisher is the most athletic one. He is a former tight end, and has played in the zone scheme at Oregon. He can come in and compete for a starting spot right away at tackle or guard, and can help protect Manning and aid the run game.
29- Indianapolis Colts: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
I think that a running back coming off of two bad knee injuries shouldn't be in the first round. However, Gurley is so good when he is healthy, and he can doesn't have to be healthy immediately since the Colts signed Frank Gore. Let Gurley get healthy, then he can come in and take over for Gore late in the year. The Colts need all the help they can get at RB.
30- Green Bay Packers: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
The Packers need help in the middle of their front seven. Clay Matthews moved over from OLB to MLB just because they needed it. While he was fantastic there, he is still a better pass rusher. McKinney is a first team All-SEC LB, and fills the biggest need of a team that will again challenge for the NFC title.
31- New Orleans Saints: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
Hmm. A super-talented WR/TE, who has playmaking ability and massive ups, playing with Drew Brees. That sounds a bit familiar. Jimmy Graham is gone, but Funchess could help fill that massive void. Add him to a corp with Marques Colston, Brandin Cooks, and Nick Toon, and you have a pretty good 4-WR set.
32- New England Patriots: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
The Pats won the Super Bowl, then lost Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler is there, but may not even start. Jalen Collins adds talent, but is very raw. Bill Belichick should be able to mold him into a playmaker though.
There's Round 1. Round 2 is on the way!
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