Early NFL One Man Mock Draft
As the DLF banner states, there is no off-season in dynasty league football. Although the order hasn’t even been finalized, the NFL draft in April has the dynasty world buzzing in January. Based on current team needs (free agency pending) and prospect draft stock (NFL combine pending), here is a very preliminary mock draft. For more information on draft prospects, look for articles throughout the next few weeks and months from the DLF team.
Who was missed? Who do you believe is too high, too low, or not a good fit? This is just to get the conversation started, so take advantage of the comments section.
1. Kansas City Chiefs – Â Geno Smith, QB West Virginia
Though not as NFL-ready as Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, Smith has the tools to be a solid NFL quarterback and has improved each year.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Damontre Moore, OLB Texas A&M
The best pass rusher in the class, Moore is the playmaker Jacksonville needs on defense. He can defend well against the pass or run as an OLB or DE.
3. Oakland Raiders – Sheldon Richardson, DL Missouri
The Raiders need a run stuffer who will pull the attention of offensive lines, which would improve the ends around him. Richardson has a high motor and would breathe some life into the Oakland defense.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Luke Joeckel, OT Texas A&M
This is as far as Joeckel would slide. He’s likely the guy the Eagles want and definitely the one they need.
5. Detroit Lions – Barkevious Mingo, DE LSU
Potentially losing Cliff Avril, Lawrence Jackson, and Willie Young (and Kyle Vanden Bosch isn’t getting any younger) puts Detroit in the market for a pass-rushing DE. Detroit would likely be looking at Moore or Mingo here.
6. Cleveland Browns – Bjoern Werner, DE Florida State
The main weakness on Cleveland’s defense is the pass rush, which Werner would help address. He’s not a very flashy player, but has a higher floor than most and should be a solid contributor.
7. Arizona Cardinals – Chance Warmack, OL Alabama
While a franchise LT is what they really need, this is too early to take anybody other than Joeckel (and he sure won’t be available here). With Levi Brown more likely to play RT upon his return, Warmack could be vital at RG. Arizona also may trade down for more picks and take an OT like Eric Fisher (Michigan).
8. Buffalo Bills – Manti Te’o, LB Notre Dame
At the bottom of the league in rushing defense, Buffalo needs consistency and play making at the LB position. Great work ethic and passion. No joke.
9. New York Jets – Keenan Allen, WR California
The Jets have a lot of holes on both sides of the ball. They really need a safety and help in the pass rush, but taking the best wideout in the draft would sell more jerseys.
10. Tennessee Titans – Jonathan Cooper, OG NC
Two guards in the top ten? The whole offense struggled due to weak guard play. Cooper has been favorably compared to David DeCastro and would open up lanes for the running game.
11. San Diego Chargers – Eric Fisher, OT Central Michigan
Mike Harris is not a LT, so San Diego’s in the market. Fisher could also go to Arizona if they decide LT is more important than taking Warmack, but if not, he shouldn’t slide too much further than this.
12. Miami Dolphins – Dee Milliner, CB Alabama
Their biggest need (WR) will likely be filled by a big free agent name like Dwayne Bowe or Mike Wallace, allowing Miami to draft the best cornerback in the draft.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Johnthan Banks, CB Mississippi State
Having just missed out on Milliner, Greg Schiano takes the next guy at the position without too much of a drop-off. Aggressive and experienced against good competition, Tampa Bay can fill its biggest need with Banks in a division with Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and Matt Ryan.
14. Carolina Panthers – Star Lotulelei, DE Utah
Carolina needs help on the line and they should snatch up Lotulelei if he’s available. He moves well for a DL his size, though he needs to stop taking plays off.
15. New Orleans Saints – Â Johnathon Hankins, DL Ohio State
Between pass rushers Cam Jordan and Will Smith, Hankins would literally and figuratively be a huge presence. The Saints could also use help at linebacker and in the secondary, but it all starts up front.
16. St. Loius Rams – Lane Johnson, OT Oklahoma
Johnson has lined up at quarterback, tight end and defensive end, meaning he’s athletic, but raw at the tackle position. He more than held his own in a match-up against Damontre Moore in the Alamo Bowl.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kevin Minter, LB LSU
In need of an inside linebacker if Larry Foote doesn’t return, Minter is a physical defensive leader that Pittsburgh will need.
18. Dallas Cowboys – Barrett Jones, OL Alabama
Offensive line should be at the top of the list among all of Jerry Jones’ priorities this off-season. Jones is versatile and could take over at Center if needed. His draft stock will depend on the severity of his foot injury.
19. New York Giants – Arthur Brown, LB Kansas State
With a strong line and improving secondary, the Giants need to focus on their patchwork linebacker unit. Brown is a bit undersized but is fast, strong, and plays smart.
20. Chicago Bears – DJ Fluker, OT Alabama
In need of… well… everything along the offensive line, Fluker would give Chicago a solid option to re-evaluate their current personnel. Gabe Carimi hasn’t performed well at RT, though Fluker may be better as a Guard.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jarvis Jones, LB Georgia
Cincinnati has an extra second round pick, where they can add to the offensive side of the ball. Jones is an excellent pass rusher who may only fall this far because of medical concerns.
22. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) – Tony Jefferson, S Oklahoma
With the cornerback situation much improved, St. Louis could use a strong safety in their secondary. He’s a little smaller than the size typically looked for at the position, but his versatility should help make up for that.
23. Minnesota Vikings -Tavon Austin, WR West Virginia
Minnesota has designed its offense around Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin. With some speculation that Harvin has worn out his welcome, Austin would be a logical fit to slide right in his spot.
24. Indianapolis Colts – Dallas Thomas, OL Tennessee
Needing help along the line, the Colts could use a versatile lineman to protect their quarterback.
25. Seattle Seahawks – DeAndre Hopkins, WR Clemson
Without many other holes on their roster, they’ll likely target a play maker to help electrify the offense. With his performance against LSU, Hopkins has already seen his draft stock rise. If Austin is available, he’d be a good option for Seattle as well.
26. Green Bay Packers – Ezekial Ansah, DE BYU
The Pack could use help in the pass rush, and though he’s raw Ansah has a lot of upside. At this point in the draft, he’s a good project.
27. Houston Texans – Tyler Wilson, QB Arkansas
This pick isn’t as much what Houston will do as it is what they should consider doing. Matt Schaub isn’t the guy who can take this team to the next step.
28. Denver Broncos – Sharrif Floyd, DT Florida
None of Denver’s top interior linemen are signed for next season. Even if one or more are re-signed, Floyd would be an upgrade. He can be unblockable at times.
29. New England Patriots – Kenny Vaccaro, CB/S Texas
Vaccaro would provide the Patriots with a versatile Belichick-type player in the secondary. Devin McCourty seems to have found a home as a Safety, and it’s unclear if Aqib Talib will return.
30. Atlanta Falcons -Tyler Eifert, TE Notre Dame
Will Gonzo be satisfied to retire without winning a Super Bowl? Eifert can either come in and have a fantastic mentor or start right away.
31. Baltimore Ravens – Alec Ogletree, ILB Georgia
Ray Lewis’ replacement.
32. San Francisco 49ers – Jesse Williams, NT Alabama
Though listed as a Nose Tackle, Williams can and has played all along the line. They could use an anchor in the middle of the line.
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