We're fresh off Senior Bowl week. Did the practices in Mobile, Ala. boost any players in the draft?
For two teams, it's Super Bowl week. Thirty others, meanwhile are focused on the 2015 NFL Draft.
We are coming off Senior Bowl week, a showcase for some of the nation's top college prospects. In a draft dominated by underclassmen, this mock only features just four playesr from the Senior Bowl, but three of them are top 15 picks.
The highest drafted Senior Bowl player is LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins. In a draft that has no standout offensive lineman, some teams may prefer his powerful blocking style over other plays.
This week's mock draft includes no trades. Have an idea for a draft trade that makes sense? Leave it in the comments.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Look for this pick to remain Winston unless something comes out about the Buccaneers not liking him. For now, that doesn't exist. Winston is the draft's most pro-ready quarterback and could step into the starter's job as a rookie. Don't forget, the Buccaneers were the pick of many before last season to squeeze into the playoffs. Could a good quarterback get them there?
2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DE/DT, Southern California
Which is more likely: the Titans are comfortable with Zach Mettenberger or head coach Ken Whisenhunt is willing to change his offense around for Marcus Mariota? The Mettenberger scenario seems more likely right now. In Williams defensive coordinator Ray Horton would have a player he could use the same way he utilized Calais Campbell in Arizona.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
At this point, this pick has become rote. Gregory would be the young pass rusher the Jaguars need. He could help transform a defense for Gus Bradley that is starting to really have a nice collection of good players.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The simple part of the pick for the Raiders is going with a wide receiver for emerging quarterback Derek Carr. The question over the next few months will be which one it will be. For now, Cooper is considered the best in the class. He can be used in a variety of ways and should be productive in any of them.
5. Washington: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
The opinions about Collins vary. Some consider him a very good left tackle prospect. Others think he's a guard. This is absolutely his drat ceiling, but he's a tough and physical player who could fit in Washington's scheme. He could be brought in as the team's right tackle and give them a player opposite Trent Williams who can maul defenders.
6. New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
It shouldn't be a surprise to see Mariota here. It also shouldn't be a surprise if we start to see him a little lower in these mock drafts. The reasoning is because we don't know exactly how the new Jets coaching staff likes Geno Smith and how well they think Mariota will fit. The talent should be too great to pass up, though.
7. Chicago Bears: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
The Bears need to go heavy on line play this offseason, on both sides of the ball. Fowler is a high-effort pass rusher the Bears can move all over the place. In Vic Fangio's defense, Fowler would play the same role Aaron Lynch does for the 49ers.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Forget everything you've read about Beasley playing at 220 pounds this season. It doesn't matter. At the NFL Scouting Combine, expect him to be much bigger than that. Care more about Beasley's first step. He has the best initial burst of any pass rusher in the draft and closes in a hurry. He's an easy fit in the Bruce Irvin role for Dan Quinn's defense.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
In the NFL, Scherff should be able to hold up fine on the left side. If not, he should be stellar playing right tackle or guard. He's a mean, powerful blocker who can knock around bull rushers. It's true, speed rushers can give him issue. But how many offensive tackles easily handle those guys anyway?
10. St. Louis Rams: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
I still contend the Rams are in a terrible spot at No. 10. The best offensive tackles could be gone and it's hard to see St. Louis using yet another high pick on a wide receiver. Clemmings may not have had a good Senior Bowl week, but that's more a function of getting put on the left side. At right tackle for Pittsburgh this season he dominated players.
11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
This pick is just too fun to not make. Parker is what the Vikings' offense needs and his timing with Teddy Bridgewater should come back quickly. He's a big-impact wide out who can do good work in the red zone and after the catch. It's hard to find flaws in Parker's game so pick 11 isn't a reach for him.
12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Which scenario do the Browns prefer, a wide receiver at No. 12 and a defensive tackle at No. 19, or the other way around. You know by now Josh Gordon is expected to be suspended next season, so that could force Cleveland's hand. There's nothing wrong with that if White is available. Now if the top three receivers are off the board at 12, that's the scenario where we see Cleveland taking a player like defensive tackle Danny Shelton here.
13. New Orleans Saints: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
With the future of Junior Galette up in the air, the Saints could bring in a pass rusher who can impact the game. Ray really fires off the snap impressively and showed at Missouri this season he can finish.
14. Miami Dolphins: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
If the Dolphins choose to go with a defensive tackle here, they will have their choice of a few including Eddie Goldman of Florida State, Jordan Phillips of Oklahoma and Carl Davis of Iowa. Following a good week of Senior Bowl practices, this is probably the furthest Shelton will fall in the draft. He's a pure nose tackle prospect, something the other top defensive tackles can't claim, and could be brought in to replace Randy Starks immediately.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Should the top three wide receivers be off the board, should San Francisco goes for the fourth best player at his position or a potentially high impact defensive lineman who can play inside and outside? Florida State utilized Goldman's athleticism working him around the line. New 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula could do the same – and have insurance in case Justin Smith does retire.
16. Houston Texans: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Starter Kareem Jackson is a free agent and the on-roster replacements aren't exactly stellar. Waynes is immersed as the draft's top cornerback because of his lanky build and proven ability to play man coverage.
17. San Diego Chargers: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Flowers would be quite the find for the Chargers since they're moving D.J. Fluker inside to guard. He could slot into Fluker's old spot at right tackle and could potentially be moved to the left if needed.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Don't expect this pick to change anytime soon. If Strong happens to be gone, though, another wide receiver like Dorial Green-Beckham could be the pick. If not a wide receiver, the Chiefs could target a defensive lineman or offensive lineman.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
A defensive tackle like Phillips would help improve the Browns' terrible run defense. That is assuming a tackle is the issue on the defense. Expect the 6-foot-6, 334-pound Phillips to be a draft riser in the coming weeks. If he's gone before 19, don't be surprised.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
While Collins is a better run defense and tackling safety, there's no reason to think he can't improve in coverage. The Eagles need to overhaul their defensive backs, and taking the best one available in the first round is a start.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
The Bengals need to find someone up front on defense who will generate more of a pass rush than Wallace Gilberry has. Finding a good pass rushing end can be difficult after the first round, so going for the best one available could be an option at No. 21.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The Steelers haven't taken a defensive back in the first two rounds of the draft since 2005, and the level of talent on the team shows it. Peters may have had some issues at Washington, but they may have been overblown.
23. Detroit Lions: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
Lets assume for this mock draft that the Lions figure out a way to bring back Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh. After that, one of the team's biggest needs is cornerback. A player like Williams could be brought in to replace Rashean Mathis.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
There are a few directions the Cardinals can go with this pick. A pass rusher, offensive lineman or defensive lineman make some sense. Kendricks is a plug and play prospect who could become one of the team's leaders straight away.
25. Carolina Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The pick for the Panthers in these mock drafts has consistently been an offensive tackle. Peat is the best one available, and there looks to be a drop off after him in this scenario. If not an offensive tackle, the Panthers could look at another wide receiver or more talent for the secondary.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri
It's true, adding Green-Beckham to Baltimore would be a tough sell. If he's clean and contrite in the interview process, he's a perfect fit for Baltimore. His deep ball ability compliments where Joe Flacco excels and he can become an asset in the red zone.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
If the Cowboys let DeMarco Murray walk in free agency, Joseph Randle isn't the type of running back who should be in a lead role. Gordon has the traits of a feature back. He's fast, possesses good size and could step in right away and be productive.
28. Denver Broncos: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Terrance Knighton could cash in big in free agency, and leave the Broncos with a big hole along the defensive line. Enter Brown, a massive 320-pound run stuffer who can hold the nose.
29. Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
General manager Ryan Grigson has been uneven in drafting offensive linemen, but it would be hard to fail taking Cann. He's the draft's best pure guard prospect and may have been South Carolina's best player last season.
30. Green Bay Packers: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
While Davis isn't a massive nose tackle, he's disruptive in the run game and showed at Iowa last season he can take up multiple blockers. A good Senior Bowl week should boost Davis into the first round discussion and the Packers could add talent up front. After this year's playoffs, it looks like they need it.
31. New England Patriots: Ellis McCarthy, DT, UCLA
It's a fat guy party in the first round of this mock draft. At 325 pounds, McCarthy is the type of player who could replace Vince Wilfork on the defensive line. McCarthy may not have been considered a starter for UCLA, but that's a consequence of an abundance of talent on a three-man front. He was on the field as much as a starter and could blossom in the Patriots' defense.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
At some point in the very near future, the Seahawks are going to have to pay Russell Wilson huge money and because of that could rely on the pass game more. To do that, he needs better receiving weapons. While tight end hasn't been a big part of Seattle's offense, it could be with Williams. This pick also factors in five wide receivers already being off the board.
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