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Now that all of the underclassmen have declared, I thought it was time to update my mock draft! My first mock of the year came sometime before Christmas, and I’m hoping to have a new one out sometime after the Senior Bowl. Hope this tides you over for a little while!
1. St. Louis Rams: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
-Not much has changed from my first mock of the offseason. If the Rams think either Clausen or Bradford can be elite quarterbacks, they may be tempted to take one. But I still think when it comes to this pick, Suh makes the most sense for the Rams. He’s considered the best prospect in this class and one of the best to come around in a long time. The Rams could certainly use his help in the trenches.
2. Detroit Lions: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
-Though they may prefer Suh, Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy is a fine consolation prize for the Lions, who seem to have a number of offensive weapons but now need to work on the defensive side of the ball. Head coach Jim Schwartz came from a Tennessee Titans defense that featured Albert Haynesworth, so he knows the value of a talented, disruptive lineman.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee
-Don’t be surprised if Tampa Bay tries to move up to secure either Suh or McCoy, because this team is desperate for defensive line help. I would be too if my team was starting Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims. But if the Bucs are forced to pick here and both tackles are off the board, Tennessee’s Eric Berry would be the obvious choice to help upgrade their defensive secondary.
4. Washington Redskins: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
-Not Clausen, you say? Consider this – the doctor who performed Sam Bradford’s shoulder surgery works for the Washington Redskins, which should give them an inside edge regarding Bradford’s recovery and outlook. Bradford was the frontrunner to be selected first overall before his injury, and if he gets Dr. Andrews’ seal of approval, could be the Redskin’ pick here.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
-The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Virginia’s Branden Albert to be their left tackle of the future, even though he spent most of his college career at guard. Albert has had a rough sophomore year, surrendering nine sacks while being penalized ten times. In order to better protect multimillion dollar QB Matt Cassel, look for the Chiefs to give Russell Okung a hard look in April.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
-New head coach Pete Carroll has given veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck a vote of confidence, but don’t think for a minute that the Seahawks are happy about the long-term standing of their quarterback situation. One of Carroll’s first priorities should be looking for a quarterback of the future, and if Jimmy Clausen falls to the Seahawks here, it shouldn’t take them long to make him their pick.
7. Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
-Cleveland’s secondary is a bit of a mess. Eric Wright is a solid cornerback, but Brandon McDonald was benched this season until his replacement, Mike Adams, had to move to safety to replace Brodney Pool. Joe Haden is considered the top cornerback in this draft class, and some believe he’s a better prospect coming out than Darelle Revis was. He’d be an instant starter in a weak Browns secondary.
8. Oakland Raiders: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
-I had the Raiders taking Morgan in my pre-Christmas mock, didn’t I? I must be off my rocker, because I’m giving Oakland way too much credit here when it comes to making smart picks. That being said, Morgan is the top defensive end in this class in my opinion, and the Raiders could certainly use help on the defensive line. But since the pick makes sense, I guarantee it won’t happen.
9. Buffalo Bills: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
-The Bills were so confident that they didn’t need left tackle Jason Peters that they not only traded him to the Eagles last April but also passed on Michael Oher when he slipped to them in the draft. Whoops! Now Buffalo still has a huge hole on the left side of their line, and can’t afford to pass on addressing it. There are some who think Rutgers’ Davis could emerge as the draft’s top left tackle when it’s all said and done.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
-Mike Sims-Walker is a fine receiver, but that’s really all that the Jacksonville Jaguars seem to have at the position. Torry Holt’s age continues to catch up with him, and no one else on the team is scaring anyone in the passing department. If Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant is available here, the Jaguars should scoop him up and give David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew some help on offense.
11. Denver Broncos (f/CHI): Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
-What a great pick for the Broncos. McClain is a guy that I could see going as high as fifth overall to the Chiefs, depending on how things fall. He’s really a very talented linebacker, and I think he’d be a great fit in Denver’s 3-4 defense. He’d certainly be a better fit and a more dangerous defender than 31-year-old Andra Davis.
12. Miami Dolphins: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
-For a team with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, running back seems like a luxury pick. But Ronnie Brown is a RFA coming off of Listfranc surgery, and Williams turns 33 in May. Yesterday, Dolphins beat writer Armando Salguero speculated that the Dolphins were “impressed” with C.J. Spiller. If Miami is concerned about the question marks in their backfield, then I think Spiller could make sense for them.
13. San Francisco *****: Earl Thomas, DB, Texas
-There was talk that cornerback Nate Clements may be making the move to free safety in 2010, but head coach Mike Singletary seemed to suggest that Clements will be competing for a cornerback spot if he returns next season. As an outsider looking in, Dashon Goldson is probably the only ***** DB that couldn’t be upgraded. Thomas is a versatile playmaker who is coming off of an amazing season.
14. Seattle Seahawks (f/DEN): Everson Griffen, DE, USC
-When Pete Carroll accepted the Seattle head coaching job, a number of fans and draftniks began to speculate that Southern California safety Taylor Mays was a lock to be taken by the Seahawks. Instead, I think it might be another Trojan – defensive end Everson Griffen. There’s a wide range of opinions on Griffen, but I think he’ll emerge as a candidate for Seattle’s pick here if they aren’t completely sold on the available offensive tackles.
15. New York Giants: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
-The Giants spent a lot of money bringing DT Chris Canty on board, but didn’t get a lot of return. Fred Robbins is scheduled to hit the free agent market, and Barry Cofield is a RFA. The Giants replaced former coordinator Bill Sheridan with Perry Fewell, who has some history coaching a Tampa 2 scheme that values penetrating defensive linemen. Price, a Top 20 talent IMO, could be a nice fit here.
16. Tennessee Titans: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
-Carlos Dunlap has had a heck of a fall as a prospect this year. Once considered one of the best players coming out in this class, he’s slid down the board so much that I fear he could be viewed as a reach here. That being said, Titans head coach Jeff Fisher spent the 16th pick of the 1999 draft on Florida defensive end Jevon Kearse. Could he go back to the well and take a risk on Dunlap?
17. San Francisco ***** (f/CAR): Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
-In my previous mock, I had the ***** taking Trent Williams 11th overall. He’s slipped a little bit in this mock, but I still think he makes a lot of sense for this team. Neither Marvel Smith nor Tony Pashos have been able to hold down the right tackle job because of injuries, and Adam Snyder can’t be counted on as the long-term answer at the position. Williams just makes too much sense, if the value lines up.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
-Campbell is an intriguing prospect, mostly because of his inexperience at the college level. He only registered 17 career starts for Maryland, but has been a mainstay at left tackle and has the combination of size and athleticism that scouts and organizations covet. Those physical skills should be on display this offseason in workouts, ultimately giving Campbell a good chance to secure a Top 20 selection.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
-The Falcons were a 4-1 team before giving up a combined 72 points to Dallas and New Orleans in Weeks 7 and 8, and the rest of their season was marred by some defensive inconsistency. Clearly some upgrades are needed. Aging veteran Mike Peterson is one candidate who could be replaced, and Texas’ Sergio Kindle is a guy who knows how to make plays all over the field.
20. Houston Texans: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
-There are some good pieces on the defense in Houston – Williams, Ryans, Cushing, Robinson - but not enough to make up for the missing ones. Aside from Mario Williams, they don’t have much on the defensive line and it shows. Dan Williams should be able to step in fairly quickly next to Amobi Okoye and can hopefully help make an impact.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Damian Williams, WR, USC
-Tempting to go with Jermaine Gresham here as I did in my last mock, but the Bengals are picking just a bit higher this time around and I’m not sure how great of value the Sooner tight end would be. Another priority for the Bengals is wide receiver, where both Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles probably can’t be counted on for much longer. Don’t be surprised if Williams establishes himself as the best receiver after Dez Bryant.
22. New England Patriots: Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU
-The Patriot defense is not what it used to be, so if New England wants to get their dynasty back on track, they’re going to have to make some improvements. One glaring area of need is linebacker, where their personnel is either old or relatively ineffective (or both). TCU’s Jerry Hughes is one of the top pass rushers in the nation, and should be able to make the switch to 3-4 OLB.
23. Green Bay Packers: Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa
-Perhaps the biggest area of weakness for the Green Bay Packers was their offensive line and their inability to provide Aaron Rodgers with consistent protection. This was perhaps summed up best on the final play of their season, when Arizona defenders beat the Packers line and forced a turnover in the playoffs. Bulaga probably had more to gain by staying another year at Iowa, but he’s a great pick for the Packers here.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
-The Eagles have shown a tendency in the past to address their offensive and defensive lines using relatively high picks in the draft. With such defensive line talent in this class, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Philadelphia go back to the well again as they try to find someone they can start for the foreseeable future opposite of Trent Cole.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
-The Ravens made another fairly deep run into the playoffs this year, but it was pretty clear to see some holes that will need to be addressed if they expect to go further. One area of weakness is wide receiver, where Joe Flacco really just doesn’t have a lot of options. Notre Dame’s Golden Tate can make plays any time he touches the ball, and would add another dimension to the Baltimore offense.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson
-Try as they might, the Arizona Cardinals just haven’t been able to find that top edge rusher for their 3-4 defense. And Bertrand Berry’s retirement isn’t going to help their pass rush situation, since he finished second on the team in sacks in 2009. Clemson’s Ricky Sapp spent plenty of time in his opponent’s backfield, and at 6’5” and 240 pounds, looks to be a nice fit as a 3-4 OLB.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Mike Iupati, OL, Idaho
-It’s time for the Cowboys to start thinking about their offensive line situation. A left tackle is a consideration here, but Doug Free may have shown enough in 2009 to make the organization think he’s their left tackle of the future. If he is, then a talented lineman like Mike Iupati could be the line’s other bookend. If Free stays on the right side, then Iupati could stay at his natural position and provide an upgrade over Kyle Kosier.
28. San Diego Chargers: Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
-One of the surprises of my first mock was that Terrence Cody slipped to the Chargers in the late first round. Truth be told, he could slip even further. Analysis of his college tape suggests that Cody simply doesn’t spend much time on the field, perhaps signaling a concern about conditioning. However, the Chargers need to plan ahead for life without Jamal Williams, and Cody would be a nice replacement to work into the line-up.
29. New York Jets: Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern
-Between the mammoth Kris Jenkins and more-than-capable back-up Sione Pouha, the Jets seem to be set at nose tackle. Where they could use an upgrade, though, is defensive end. After all, Shaun Ellis and Marques Douglas are both 32 years old, and there’s not a whole lot to be excited about. At 6’6” and 280 pounds, Corey Wootton brings another pass rusher weapon to the Jets’ defensive front.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Taylor Mays, S, USC
-Quite a fall for Taylor Mays, who prior to the college football season was step for step with Eric Berry in some scouts’ eyes for the top safety spot. Now Mays may not even go in the first round. Fortunately for him, Minnesota could use an upgrade at safety, where Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson are really nothing to write home about.
31. New Orleans Saints: Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
-It’s usually tough to project draft picks for the good teams at the bottom of the first round, but it’s especially tough to project picks for a team that nearly went undefeated. That said, I think the Saints will be on the lookout to add to their defense, which continues to rank in the bottom half of the league. It’s tough to think that Penn State’s Navorro Bowman wouldn’t represent an upgrade at outside linebacker for New Orleans.
32. Indianapolis Colts: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
-A bit of a luxury pick for the Colts, but they’re certainly in the position to make one. Jason Pierre-Paul is a guy who really came on for one year at South Florida and then decided it was time to turn pro. He’s a pretty raw prospect, but who better to learn from than Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis? This is the kind of pick that may not pay off immediately, but could be a big move down the road.
1. St. Louis Rams: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
-Not much has changed from my first mock of the offseason. If the Rams think either Clausen or Bradford can be elite quarterbacks, they may be tempted to take one. But I still think when it comes to this pick, Suh makes the most sense for the Rams. He’s considered the best prospect in this class and one of the best to come around in a long time. The Rams could certainly use his help in the trenches.
2. Detroit Lions: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma
-Though they may prefer Suh, Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy is a fine consolation prize for the Lions, who seem to have a number of offensive weapons but now need to work on the defensive side of the ball. Head coach Jim Schwartz came from a Tennessee Titans defense that featured Albert Haynesworth, so he knows the value of a talented, disruptive lineman.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee
-Don’t be surprised if Tampa Bay tries to move up to secure either Suh or McCoy, because this team is desperate for defensive line help. I would be too if my team was starting Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims. But if the Bucs are forced to pick here and both tackles are off the board, Tennessee’s Eric Berry would be the obvious choice to help upgrade their defensive secondary.
4. Washington Redskins: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
-Not Clausen, you say? Consider this – the doctor who performed Sam Bradford’s shoulder surgery works for the Washington Redskins, which should give them an inside edge regarding Bradford’s recovery and outlook. Bradford was the frontrunner to be selected first overall before his injury, and if he gets Dr. Andrews’ seal of approval, could be the Redskin’ pick here.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State
-The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Virginia’s Branden Albert to be their left tackle of the future, even though he spent most of his college career at guard. Albert has had a rough sophomore year, surrendering nine sacks while being penalized ten times. In order to better protect multimillion dollar QB Matt Cassel, look for the Chiefs to give Russell Okung a hard look in April.
6. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
-New head coach Pete Carroll has given veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck a vote of confidence, but don’t think for a minute that the Seahawks are happy about the long-term standing of their quarterback situation. One of Carroll’s first priorities should be looking for a quarterback of the future, and if Jimmy Clausen falls to the Seahawks here, it shouldn’t take them long to make him their pick.
7. Cleveland Browns: Joe Haden, CB, Florida
-Cleveland’s secondary is a bit of a mess. Eric Wright is a solid cornerback, but Brandon McDonald was benched this season until his replacement, Mike Adams, had to move to safety to replace Brodney Pool. Joe Haden is considered the top cornerback in this draft class, and some believe he’s a better prospect coming out than Darelle Revis was. He’d be an instant starter in a weak Browns secondary.
8. Oakland Raiders: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
-I had the Raiders taking Morgan in my pre-Christmas mock, didn’t I? I must be off my rocker, because I’m giving Oakland way too much credit here when it comes to making smart picks. That being said, Morgan is the top defensive end in this class in my opinion, and the Raiders could certainly use help on the defensive line. But since the pick makes sense, I guarantee it won’t happen.
9. Buffalo Bills: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers
-The Bills were so confident that they didn’t need left tackle Jason Peters that they not only traded him to the Eagles last April but also passed on Michael Oher when he slipped to them in the draft. Whoops! Now Buffalo still has a huge hole on the left side of their line, and can’t afford to pass on addressing it. There are some who think Rutgers’ Davis could emerge as the draft’s top left tackle when it’s all said and done.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
-Mike Sims-Walker is a fine receiver, but that’s really all that the Jacksonville Jaguars seem to have at the position. Torry Holt’s age continues to catch up with him, and no one else on the team is scaring anyone in the passing department. If Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant is available here, the Jaguars should scoop him up and give David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew some help on offense.
11. Denver Broncos (f/CHI): Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
-What a great pick for the Broncos. McClain is a guy that I could see going as high as fifth overall to the Chiefs, depending on how things fall. He’s really a very talented linebacker, and I think he’d be a great fit in Denver’s 3-4 defense. He’d certainly be a better fit and a more dangerous defender than 31-year-old Andra Davis.
12. Miami Dolphins: C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
-For a team with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, running back seems like a luxury pick. But Ronnie Brown is a RFA coming off of Listfranc surgery, and Williams turns 33 in May. Yesterday, Dolphins beat writer Armando Salguero speculated that the Dolphins were “impressed” with C.J. Spiller. If Miami is concerned about the question marks in their backfield, then I think Spiller could make sense for them.
13. San Francisco *****: Earl Thomas, DB, Texas
-There was talk that cornerback Nate Clements may be making the move to free safety in 2010, but head coach Mike Singletary seemed to suggest that Clements will be competing for a cornerback spot if he returns next season. As an outsider looking in, Dashon Goldson is probably the only ***** DB that couldn’t be upgraded. Thomas is a versatile playmaker who is coming off of an amazing season.
14. Seattle Seahawks (f/DEN): Everson Griffen, DE, USC
-When Pete Carroll accepted the Seattle head coaching job, a number of fans and draftniks began to speculate that Southern California safety Taylor Mays was a lock to be taken by the Seahawks. Instead, I think it might be another Trojan – defensive end Everson Griffen. There’s a wide range of opinions on Griffen, but I think he’ll emerge as a candidate for Seattle’s pick here if they aren’t completely sold on the available offensive tackles.
15. New York Giants: Brian Price, DT, UCLA
-The Giants spent a lot of money bringing DT Chris Canty on board, but didn’t get a lot of return. Fred Robbins is scheduled to hit the free agent market, and Barry Cofield is a RFA. The Giants replaced former coordinator Bill Sheridan with Perry Fewell, who has some history coaching a Tampa 2 scheme that values penetrating defensive linemen. Price, a Top 20 talent IMO, could be a nice fit here.
16. Tennessee Titans: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
-Carlos Dunlap has had a heck of a fall as a prospect this year. Once considered one of the best players coming out in this class, he’s slid down the board so much that I fear he could be viewed as a reach here. That being said, Titans head coach Jeff Fisher spent the 16th pick of the 1999 draft on Florida defensive end Jevon Kearse. Could he go back to the well and take a risk on Dunlap?
17. San Francisco ***** (f/CAR): Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma
-In my previous mock, I had the ***** taking Trent Williams 11th overall. He’s slipped a little bit in this mock, but I still think he makes a lot of sense for this team. Neither Marvel Smith nor Tony Pashos have been able to hold down the right tackle job because of injuries, and Adam Snyder can’t be counted on as the long-term answer at the position. Williams just makes too much sense, if the value lines up.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
-Campbell is an intriguing prospect, mostly because of his inexperience at the college level. He only registered 17 career starts for Maryland, but has been a mainstay at left tackle and has the combination of size and athleticism that scouts and organizations covet. Those physical skills should be on display this offseason in workouts, ultimately giving Campbell a good chance to secure a Top 20 selection.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas
-The Falcons were a 4-1 team before giving up a combined 72 points to Dallas and New Orleans in Weeks 7 and 8, and the rest of their season was marred by some defensive inconsistency. Clearly some upgrades are needed. Aging veteran Mike Peterson is one candidate who could be replaced, and Texas’ Sergio Kindle is a guy who knows how to make plays all over the field.
20. Houston Texans: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
-There are some good pieces on the defense in Houston – Williams, Ryans, Cushing, Robinson - but not enough to make up for the missing ones. Aside from Mario Williams, they don’t have much on the defensive line and it shows. Dan Williams should be able to step in fairly quickly next to Amobi Okoye and can hopefully help make an impact.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Damian Williams, WR, USC
-Tempting to go with Jermaine Gresham here as I did in my last mock, but the Bengals are picking just a bit higher this time around and I’m not sure how great of value the Sooner tight end would be. Another priority for the Bengals is wide receiver, where both Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles probably can’t be counted on for much longer. Don’t be surprised if Williams establishes himself as the best receiver after Dez Bryant.
22. New England Patriots: Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU
-The Patriot defense is not what it used to be, so if New England wants to get their dynasty back on track, they’re going to have to make some improvements. One glaring area of need is linebacker, where their personnel is either old or relatively ineffective (or both). TCU’s Jerry Hughes is one of the top pass rushers in the nation, and should be able to make the switch to 3-4 OLB.
23. Green Bay Packers: Brian Bulaga, OT, Iowa
-Perhaps the biggest area of weakness for the Green Bay Packers was their offensive line and their inability to provide Aaron Rodgers with consistent protection. This was perhaps summed up best on the final play of their season, when Arizona defenders beat the Packers line and forced a turnover in the playoffs. Bulaga probably had more to gain by staying another year at Iowa, but he’s a great pick for the Packers here.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
-The Eagles have shown a tendency in the past to address their offensive and defensive lines using relatively high picks in the draft. With such defensive line talent in this class, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Philadelphia go back to the well again as they try to find someone they can start for the foreseeable future opposite of Trent Cole.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame
-The Ravens made another fairly deep run into the playoffs this year, but it was pretty clear to see some holes that will need to be addressed if they expect to go further. One area of weakness is wide receiver, where Joe Flacco really just doesn’t have a lot of options. Notre Dame’s Golden Tate can make plays any time he touches the ball, and would add another dimension to the Baltimore offense.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Ricky Sapp, OLB, Clemson
-Try as they might, the Arizona Cardinals just haven’t been able to find that top edge rusher for their 3-4 defense. And Bertrand Berry’s retirement isn’t going to help their pass rush situation, since he finished second on the team in sacks in 2009. Clemson’s Ricky Sapp spent plenty of time in his opponent’s backfield, and at 6’5” and 240 pounds, looks to be a nice fit as a 3-4 OLB.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Mike Iupati, OL, Idaho
-It’s time for the Cowboys to start thinking about their offensive line situation. A left tackle is a consideration here, but Doug Free may have shown enough in 2009 to make the organization think he’s their left tackle of the future. If he is, then a talented lineman like Mike Iupati could be the line’s other bookend. If Free stays on the right side, then Iupati could stay at his natural position and provide an upgrade over Kyle Kosier.
28. San Diego Chargers: Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
-One of the surprises of my first mock was that Terrence Cody slipped to the Chargers in the late first round. Truth be told, he could slip even further. Analysis of his college tape suggests that Cody simply doesn’t spend much time on the field, perhaps signaling a concern about conditioning. However, the Chargers need to plan ahead for life without Jamal Williams, and Cody would be a nice replacement to work into the line-up.
29. New York Jets: Corey Wootton, DE, Northwestern
-Between the mammoth Kris Jenkins and more-than-capable back-up Sione Pouha, the Jets seem to be set at nose tackle. Where they could use an upgrade, though, is defensive end. After all, Shaun Ellis and Marques Douglas are both 32 years old, and there’s not a whole lot to be excited about. At 6’6” and 280 pounds, Corey Wootton brings another pass rusher weapon to the Jets’ defensive front.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Taylor Mays, S, USC
-Quite a fall for Taylor Mays, who prior to the college football season was step for step with Eric Berry in some scouts’ eyes for the top safety spot. Now Mays may not even go in the first round. Fortunately for him, Minnesota could use an upgrade at safety, where Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson are really nothing to write home about.
31. New Orleans Saints: Navorro Bowman, OLB, Penn State
-It’s usually tough to project draft picks for the good teams at the bottom of the first round, but it’s especially tough to project picks for a team that nearly went undefeated. That said, I think the Saints will be on the lookout to add to their defense, which continues to rank in the bottom half of the league. It’s tough to think that Penn State’s Navorro Bowman wouldn’t represent an upgrade at outside linebacker for New Orleans.
32. Indianapolis Colts: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida
-A bit of a luxury pick for the Colts, but they’re certainly in the position to make one. Jason Pierre-Paul is a guy who really came on for one year at South Florida and then decided it was time to turn pro. He’s a pretty raw prospect, but who better to learn from than Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis? This is the kind of pick that may not pay off immediately, but could be a big move down the road.
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