Manxman's Live Mock.

[manxman2601]

I haven't done a full mock this year yet and as the board is fairly quiet, I thought I'd try for a "live" 3 round mock over the next two to three days.

Feel free to critique picks, recommend picks or just generally comment. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Please note that this is my mock, it's not intended as a forum mock - I hope we can do one of those once there's more people in the forum (it's very quiet this year isn't it?)

so without further ado:


With the 1st pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jameis Winston

It's becoming more and more apparent that the league sees Winston as having a better QB skill set right now and questions about his character have eased somewhat - comments about his ability as a leader are increasingly positive.

 

[manxman2601]

With the 2nd pick, The Tennessee Titans select Leonard Williams, DL, USC

I'm not completely convinced that Williams is the pick, mainly because **** LeBeau's schemes traditionally involve bigger space occupying DEs rather than the more attacking DE that Williams is. In the LeBeau scheme it's the linebackers that make the plays. But, they've signed two outside linebackers which probably rules out one of the pass rushers and I doubt a WR goes at #2. I'm also not sure Mariota is the pick either. So Williams it is.


Round One

1. Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Leonard Williams, DL, USC

 

[manxman2601]

With the 3rd Pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson

Dante Fowler is the popular choice here and it would be a good pick - I'm a big fan. But, Beasley is an ideal fit for the LEO role and his combine made him exciting in a Von Miller-esque way. If he's only required to hunt QBs, Beasley will be tremendously successful.


Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson

 

[manxman2601]

With The 4th Pick, The Oakland Raiders select Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia

This pick could easily be Amari Cooper, it'll come down to their preference at the end of the day. But, I don't think Amari Cooper will get open so readily as he did at Alabama and White offers a little more in terms of contested catches and as a redzone receiver so I give the marginal edge to him.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia

 

[manxman2601]

The next pick is interesting because this is where I can see the Mariota interest coming to a head. Firstly, I wouldn't discount the Redskins from wanting to take Mariota, RGIII isn't on the solidest of ground as a starter. And with the Jets picking at #6, this is the place to trade into for teams like the Eagles, Rams, Browns and Chargers.

However, I don't know if Mariota is enough of a sure thing to justify the cost of trading into this spot and I think there's a really nice match for the Redskins in this spot so...


With the 5th Pick, the Washington Redskins select Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida

Having lost Brian Orakpo and only having Ryan Kerrigan as a sure thing OLB, the Redskins would be very happy to get a prototypical 3-4 OLB in Dante Fowler, especially as they made some notable signings on their DL.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida

 

[manxman2601]

And now for the damned Jets. They've done a good job in filling a bunch of holes and I only see two major needs worthy of taking at this point in the draft; QB and OLB. If I was their GM I'd A) Hope never to be picking this early again and B)recognise that there is greater pass rushing depth in this draft than QBs. So:

With the 6th Pick, the New York Jets select Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon


I have one caveat. The Jets are a team that will need to run the ball a lot. It's probably too early for this, but I'd be tempted to put Brandon Scherff in at LG and run behind him, Ferguson and Mangold all day long. But the QB stays.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

 

[manxman2601]

I don't plan on doing trades in this mock unless something really obvious strikes me. We have arrived at such a situation.


1. The Bears badly need help on defines but they're actually reasonably well stocked at pass rusher having signed Pernell McPhee to add to Jared Allen, Cornelius Washington, Lamar Houston and even Shea Mclellin who might be better off in their switch to a 3-4. They could go CB but have Tim Jennings and Kyle Fuller and there aren't any FS worth drafting at this point. Defensively then, that only really leaves Danny Shelton and I think it's a little too early for him.

2. The Dolphins have lost Charles Clay, Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace from their receiving corps. Considering the investment they've made this off-season, it seems a waste to limit their WR crew to Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and Richard Matthews.

3. If Amari Cooper isn't selected here, he could fall to at least #10 and that seems a little harsh for someone of his skill. I could see the Bears drafting him, they're relying a lot on the unproven Marquess Wilson but, they need to focus on defense so...


Miami Dolphins Trade #14, 47 for Chicago Bears #7

 

[manxman2601]

With the 7th Pick, the Miami Dolphins select Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

 

[manxman2601]

With the 8th Pick, the Atlanta Falcons select Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska

The Falcons have signed or re-signed four 'pass rushers' in FA: Adrian Clayborn, Kroy Biermann, Brooks Reed and O'Brien Schofield but none of them are the type of pass rusher you rely on to be productive. Whilst the team has holes, nothing matches up particularly well except, perhaps, Brandon Scherff at LG. Randy Gregory on the other hand has the upside of a very productive pass rusher, hence the pick. However, I have no doubt that Thomas Dimitroff will see things in a completely different way.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska

 

[manxman2601]

With the 9th Pick, the New York Giants select Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky

With JPP currently on a one year franchise deal and not great depth behind him, Dupree fits in nicely as a need here and allows the Giants to go back to where they once excelled; drafting a bunch of talent for the DL. Dupree is a ridiculous athlete whose trajectory in the Pros is angling upwards sharply.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
9. New York Giants - Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky.

 

[manxman2601]

With the 10th Pick, the Saint Louis Rams select Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa

Whether it's at LG or RT, Scherff projects as an outstanding run blocker. Jeff Fisher likes his high upside guys and whilst Scherff isn't that athletically, in the run game he certainly is.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
9. New York Giants - Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky.
10. St Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa

 

[manxman2601]

With the 11th Pick, the Minnesota Vikings select DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

With Cordarelle Patterson well on the way to bustville and Greg Jennings off the team, this seems to be a great opportunity to reunite Parker and Bridgewater even though they added Mike Wallace.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
9. New York Giants - Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky.
10. St Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
11. Minnesota Vikings - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

 

[manxman2601]

With the 12th pick, the Cleveland Browns select Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

The Browns will be disappointed to have missed out on the top three WRs but they struggled against the run last year and Shelton helps provide some solidity in the middle. I was very tempted to give them La'el Collins though - he'd be a nice addition at RG or RT for an O Line that already has Thomas, Bitonio and Mack.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
9. New York Giants - Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky.
10. St Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
11. Minnesota Vikings - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12. Cleveland Browns - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

 

[manxman2601]

With the 13th pick, the New Orleans Saints select La'el Collins, OL, LSU

The Saints have already traded Ben Grubbs away and Jahri Evans likely isn't safe either. Collins could start at OG immediately and could even challenge Armstead at LT.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
9. New York Giants - Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky.
10. St Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
11. Minnesota Vikings - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12. Cleveland Browns - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
13. New Orleans Saints - La'el Collins, OL, LSU

 

[unoriginal]

Objection! Browns pick isn't boom/bust enough.

 

[manxman2601]

With the 14th pick, the Chicago Bears select Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Ideally the Bears would have hoped for Danny Shelton would be here because they don't really have a NT for there new 3-4 but as he's off the board, they should look to continue to improve their secondary. Tim Jennings is 31, Waynes and Fuller will hopefully be an excellent long-term pairing.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
9. New York Giants - Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky.
10. St Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
11. Minnesota Vikings - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12. Cleveland Browns - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
13. New Orleans Saints - La'el Collins, OL, LSU
14. Chicago Bears - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

 

[manxman2601]

Objection! Browns pick isn't boom/bust enough.

Good point. Brett Hundley it is then.

 

[manxman2601]

49ers next and I'm struggling a bit with this one. I have three names in mind: Jalen Collins (or Marcus Peters/Byron Jones), Arik Armstead, Malcom Brown. They have a lot of depth at CB but no #1 guy (sound familiar) and at DE they have Justin Smith who might retire, the 33 year old Darnell Dockett and then Tank Carradine and Tony Jerod-Eddie. Not the quality DL they once had.

With the 15th pick, the San Francisco 49ers select Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

I was really tempted to go with the DL here but decided that there's a better chance of getting one later than there is a #1 CB. I chose Collins just because he's an excellent combination of size and athleticism. However, if Byron Jones runs a low 4.4, I'd probably pick him here instead.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
9. New York Giants - Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky.
10. St Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
11. Minnesota Vikings - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12. Cleveland Browns - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
13. New Orleans Saints - La'el Collins, OL, LSU
14. Chicago Bears - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
15. San Francisco 49ers - Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

 

[manxman2601]

With the 16th pick, the Houston Texans select Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

There wasn't really a stand out pick for me here so when in doubt, go for the prospect with the most upside. Foster is getting older and is in his next to last season. Hurley and Foster could be an excellent two headed monster that makes Hoyer/Mallett's job a lot easier.

Round One
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, W. Virginia
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jnr, EDGE, Florida
6. New York Jets - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7. Miami Dolphins (Fr. Chicago Bears) - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
9. New York Giants - Alvin 'Bud' Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky.
10. St Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
11. Minnesota Vikings - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12. Cleveland Browns - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
13. New Orleans Saints - La'el Collins, OL, LSU
14. Chicago Bears - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
15. San Francisco 49ers - Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
16. Houston Texans - Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

 

[manxman2601]

Getting to the halfway point of the first round took longer than I expected. I shall pause for now and come back to it in the morning.