Post Free Agency NFL Mock Draft, Round One

Nick Whalen and George Kritikos recently completed a two round NFL mock draft after the flurry of free agency. The results are below with Nick Whalen making all the post-combine odd-numbered choices and George Kritikos taking the even-numbered selections. We’ll be brining you the complete two round mock draft all week – we start with the first round today.

Round One

1. Tampa Bay (2-14) Jameis Winston, QB Florida St
   Previous Mock: Jameis Winston

This pick is pretty set in stone that it’s Winston. Tampa has set out some smoke signals that they’re interested in Marcus Mariota and had him in for a visit. But we know better, it’s Winston.

2. Tennessee (2-14) Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon
   Previous Mock: Marcus Mariota

He’s done nothing to lose this spot and whether it is the Titans or another team, Mariota is the choice here. The quarterback class is shallow and enough teams need one that passing on him would be a mistake.

3. Jacksonville (3-13) Dante Fowler, DE/OLB Florida
   Previous Mock: Leonard Williams

Gus Bradley’s defense is predicated on getting pressure on the quarterback. The Jaguars signed Jared Odrick and that provides them the flexibility to draft a pass rusher.

4. Oakland (3-13) Kevin White, WR West Virginia
   Previous Mock: Kevin White

The Raiders did nothing to address their abysmal receiving core and White has the most upside of the top tier. Derek Carr needs a trusted target and White can be that for the next decade.

5. Washington (4-12) Vic Beasley, DE/OLB Clemson
   Previous Mock: Dante Fowler

Williams was tempting with this pick, although Washington addressed the defensive line in free agency with Stephen Paea and Terence Knighton. They need pressure off the edge, especially with Orakpo leaving and Beasley is disruptive.

6. New York Jets (4-12) Leonard Williams, DL USC
   Previous Mock: Amari Cooper

Upgrades in the secondary and wide receiver changes the draft strategy here. Picking Williams adds a playmaker to their defense and keeps them as an elite run stuffing unit.

7. Chicago (5-11) Amari Cooper, WR Alabama
   Previous Mock: Trae Waynes

Brandon Marshall was traded to the Jets and Chicago has a large opening on the offense. Cooper is the most polished WR in this class and would be a great compliment to Alshon Jeffery, who is a unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season.

8. Atlanta (6-10) Shane Ray, DE/OLB Missouri
   Previous Mock: Danny Shelton

Atlanta needs help all over the defensive line (the entire defense really) and Ray has the ability to transform a pass rush. He can play a down lineman in their 4-3 set and should relieve pressure off the Falcons’ secondary to hold their coverage for so long.

9. New York Giants (6-10) Landon Collins, S Alabama
   Previous Mock: Vic Beasley

The Giants have holes at both Safety positions and Collins could fit in either role. He’s a good athlete and can lower the boom.

10. St. Louis (6-10) Brandon Scherff, OT/OG Iowa
    Previous Mock: Andrus Peat

So tempted to go wide receiver here, but they desperately need to protect Nick Foles after that trade. Scherff is athletic and can plug holes at offensive guard or tackle depending on who falters along the line.

11. Minnesota (7-9) Trae Waynes, CB Michigan State
    Previous Mock: Brandon Schreff

In a division loaded with tall pass catchers, the Vikings need to be able to matchup with them or they will never compete for a title. Waynes is tall and fast, perfect fit.

12. Cleveland (7-9) DeVante Parker, WR Louisville
    Previous Mock: Devante Parker

[inlinead]The need for receiver is still evident (even with the Dwayne Bowe signing) and Parker would be an interesting choice. Parker is similar to Bowe with his jump ball skills and would give Josh McCown another set of large receivers to work with.

13. New Orleans (7-9) Bud Dupree, OLB Kentucky
    Previous Mock: Randy Gregory

The Saints need more pressure on the quarterback and Dupree is a great athlete. He may not be a finished product yet, but the Saints are going to take the gamble.

14. Miami (8-8) Marcus Peters, CB Washington
    Previous Mock: Marcus Peters

Sticking to my guns with this pick as the Dolphins could use a physical corner opposite Brent Grimes. Peters needs some polish and has character concerns, but he could emerge as a long-term shutdown option.

15. San Francisco (8-8) Danny Shelton, NT Washington
    Previous Mock: Dorial Green-Beckham

Shelton has fallen in the draft and the 49ers will gladly take the best player available. Shelton can help with the transition of losing lots of physical players up front to younger players without losing the mean streak.

16. Houston (9-7) Eli Harold, DE/OLB
    Previous Mock: Shane Ray

The Texans have a few key needs after free agency with Brooks Reed’s defection to Atlanta a big loss. Harold has great pass rush skills and will relentlessly pursue the ball carrier until the play is over, adding another difference maker to this defense.

17. San Diego (9-7) Todd Gurley, RB Georgia
    Previous Mock: Ereck Flowers

The Chargers have been active signing players in free agency, but I’m still concerned about their offensive line. However, they need a true game changer at running back and that’s exactly what Gurley would become in San Diego.

18. Kansas City (9-7) Jalen Collins, CB LSU
    Previous Mock: Landon Collins

While wide receiver would be an option, why pick something Alex Smith will waste anyway? With Collins, the Chiefs keep their defense among the elite with a solid press corner opposite Sean Smith.

19. Cleveland – from Buffalo (9-7), Dorial Green-Beckham, WR Oklahoma
    Previous Mock: Bud Dupree
    Previous Mock Pick: Devante Parker

Double trouble just happened! The Browns shock everyone to take two receivers in the first round. They need to surround that team with the best talent on offense and this just happened to fit a need. DGB and Parker are a perfect match for an offense.

20. Philadelphia (10-6) Ronald Darby, CB Florida State
    Previous Mock: Kevin Johnson

Even with the Byron Maxwell signing, this is still a position of need. Darby wowed with athleticism at the combine and showed great man coverage at Florida State; I see him as a solid starter who can handle speed receivers or compete on jump balls.

21. Cincinnati (10-5-1) Andrus Peat, OT Stanford
    Previous Mock: La’el Collins

The Bengals filled a big need when they brought back Michael Johnson from Tampa Bay to get after the quarterback. Now they bring in Peat to protect and get the most of out the talent on that offense.

22. Pittsburgh (11-5) Kevin Johnson, CB Wake Forest
    Previous Mock: Jalen Collins

Any injection of talent in the secondary would be helpful and I can’t imagine the Steelers go with Cortez Allen and William Gay as their starters. Johnson is a smooth, athletic man coverage corner with three years of starting experience; making him capable of stepping in quickly.

23. Detroit (11-5) Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin
    Previous Mock: Malcolm Brown

Joique Bell has averaged 3.9 yards per carry each of the last two seasons and Reggie Bush is no longer on the team. Gordon comes in and elevates an offense that needs a threat from the running back position.

24. Arizona (11-5) Eddie Goldman, DT Florida State
    Previous Mock: Arik Armstead

Losing Dan Williams was a big blow to the Cardinals’ defense and I don’t see any options on the roster to replace his presence. Goldman is a powerful player who can blow up the run and his limited pass rush skills mean less in the 3-4 defense of Arizona.

25. Carolina (7-8-1) Breshad Perriman, WR Central Florida
    Previous Mock: Sammie Coates

The hype train is in full swing for Perriman and the Panthers have done nothing to address the receiver position in the off season. Perriman has the speed to get downfield, along with size, to compliment Kelvin Benjamin’s skill set as a possession receiver.

26. Baltimore (10-6) P.J. Williams, CB Florida State
    Previous Mock: Ronald Darby

There are two clear needs for the Ravens – wide receiver and cornerback. Williams has visited the team and is the type of cover corner that would be perfect opposite Jimmy Smith.

27. Dallas (12-4) Jay Ajayi, RB Boise State
    Previous Mock: Todd Gurley

This may come as a shocking pick to some, but Jay Ajayi fits Dallas’ biggest need if they want to get back to the playoffs. Ajayi is from Texas and the best three down running back left, he is a bellcow that has great hands. They’re not going into next season with Darren McFadden as the starter.

28. Denver (12-4) T.J. Clemmings, OT Pittsburgh
    Previous Mock: Cameron Erving

I’m sticking with offensive line with Orlando Franklin seemingly gone and Will Montgomery left unsigned. Clemmings would be a great option at right tackle and would allow Louis Vasquez to move back to right guard, giving Peyton Manning the protection he needs.

29. Indianapolis (11-5) Malcolm Brown, NT Texas
    Previous Mock: Melvin Gordon

The Colts have made some good advances this off-season and Brown helps bring beef and talent to a defensive line in desperate need. If the Colts are going to take the next step in the AFC, they need a playmaker in the middle of that defense.

30. Green Bay (12-4) Ereck Flowers, OT Miami
    Previous Mock: T.J. Clemmings

The Packers don’t have many needs but it seems more likely that Bryan Bulaga will be out of their price range. Flowers could develop into a left tackle but would benefit from time on the right side as a run mauler while developing his pass protection.

31. Saints (12-4) Randy Gregory, OLB Nebraska
    Previous Mock: Jaelen Strong
    Previous Pick: Bud Dupree

Gregory has dropped due to drug concerns at the combine and the Saints will happily snatch him up this late. The Saints need edge pressure opposite Cam Jordan and pressure is what Gregory does best. Also, Jordan is an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season, so this fills a big need.

32. New England (12-4) Quinten Rollins, CB Miami (OH)
    Previous Mock: Eddie Goldman

Losing Darrelle Revis was a huge blow to the team and Brandon Browner’s departure also hurt their depth in the secondary. Rollins has the physical ability but needs to be coached on technique. The Patriots can help there.

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