2 Round Mock Draft (with rationale)

[My2Cents]

1. Houston Texans – QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
…Unable to fetch the offer they want, Texans pull the trigger.
2. Saint Louis Rams – DE Jadeavon Clowney, South Carolina
….Rams will field offers but this pick puts their D over the top.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
…Jags want to bring Watkins and QB Tahj Boyd to Jacksonville.
4. Cleveland Browns – OL Greg Robinson, Auburn
…Kyle Shanahan’s Offense is dependent on athletic linemen.
5. Oakland Raiders – DE/OLB Khalil Mack, University of Buffalo
…With the top WR off the board, Raiders turn to Defense.
6. Atlanta Falcons – OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA
… They don’t want Clowney at #1 but don’t rule out #2.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
…Josh McCown really needs another big-bodied WR.
8. Minnesota Vikings –DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
…Ex-Bengals coach Mike Zimmer gets his Geno Atkins.
9. Buffalo Bills –LT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
… The Bills main concern is putting talent around their QB.
10. Detroit Lions – WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
…Flying up draft boards as an alternative to Sammy Watkins.
11. Tennessee Titans – QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida
…The Titans season hinges on Jake Locker’s Lis Franc surgery.
12. N.Y. Giants –OL Zack Martin, Notre Dame
…Giants will continue reshuffling their underwhelming OL.
13. Saint Louis Rams –LT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
…He’s a wildcard due to his pending felony assault charges.
14. Chicago Bears – OLB Ryan Shazier, OSU
…Lance Briggs is in his final season. Shazier won’t miss a beat.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB/KR Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
…Inconsistent defender but flashes Dion Sanders like athleticism.
16. Dallas Cowboys –FS “Ha-Ha” Clinton-Dix, Alabama
…Cowboys will be thrilled if Safety-needy teams pass on him.
17. Baltimore Ravens – WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
…He’s similar to Steve Smith and Desean Jackson but faster.
18. N. Y. Jets – TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
…GM and Rex Ryan are in a power struggle. Rex needs a top CB.
19. Miami Dolphins –WR Kelvin Benjamin, FSU
…Mike Wallace: 5 TDs and 930 yards @ 15 million (2014) dollars.
20. Arizona Cardinals – SS Calvin Pryor, Louisville
…TE’s ate their secondary alive last year. Pryor stops that.
21. Green Bay Packers – LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama
…Medical red-flag (knee) and lack of sacks will drop him.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Marquise Lee, USC
…Chip Kelly calls him the best WR he’s ever coached against.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – OG Xavier Su’a Filo, UCLA
…They drafted a LT #1 overall last year but lost 2 Pro Bowlers.
24. Cincinnati Bengals –CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
…Arguably the top corner in the draft, when healthy.
25. San Diego Chargers – OLB Kyle Van Noy, BYU
…Productive pass rusher will push Dwight Freeney to retire.
26. Cleveland Browns (from Colts) –QB Jimmy Garapolo, Eastern Illinois
…This pick will raise eyebrows, but he fits Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.
27. New Orleans Saints – CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
…Saints need a tough CB, like Dennard, opposite Keenan Lewis.
28. Carolina Panthers – LT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
…Mountain of a man should take over for retired Jordan Gross.
29. New England Patriots –DE/LB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
…Under the radar, pass rush specialist who is athletic and versatile.
30. San Francisco 49ers – WR Cody Latimer, Indiana
…They may need to move up just to secure his services.
31. Denver Broncos – OL Joel Bitonio, Nevada
…Peyton Manning needs some serious help in pass protection.
32. Seattle Seahawks – DE Scott Chrichton, Oregon State
…Replaces DE Chris Clemons (Jags) as a rotational edge rusher.
33. Houston Texans – DE Dee Ford, Auburn
…He’s a better fit for Romeo Crennel’s scheme than Clowney.
34. Washington Redskins –S Deone Buchanan, Washington State
…1st round talent to pair with Brandon Meriweather.
35. Cleveland Browns –DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
…Flashes top-10 talent, then disappears for several games.
36. Oakland Raiders –WR Donte Moncrief, Mississippi
…Inconsistent but he has drawn comparisons to Josh Gordon.
37. Atlanta Falcons – LT Morgan Moses, Virginia Tech
…His measurable(s) are better than the film actually shows.
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OLB Telvin Smith, Florida State
…Draws comparisons to Bucs Hall of Fame OLB Derrick Brooks.
39. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Tajh Boyd, Clemson
…Bridgewater may fall to round 3, as Jags “reach” for their man.
40. Minnesota Vikings – QB Derek Carr, Fresno State
…The Vikes have their pick of Carr, Bridgewater and Savage.
41. Buffalo Bills – DE Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
…If not for 3 team suspensions (tardiness), he’d go higher.
42. Tennessee Titans –CB Jason Verrett, TCU
….Compares to Antoine Winfield, he’ll cover slot WR’s and blitz.
43. New York Giants –DT Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
…“Irish Chocolate,” slides due to weight and health concerns.
44. Saint Louis Rams –OG Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
…If Bradford is to have a chance, they’ll need to double-dip.
45. Detroit Lions –TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
…Will play a Dennis Pitta (Ravens) type of role here.
46. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Allen Robinson, Penn State
…Robinson is the big target that Big Ben has asked for.
47. Dallas Cowboys – DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
…Will be asked to do his best Warren Sapp impersonation.
48. Baltimore Ravens – DE Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
…Filling the shoes of Arthur Jones (Colts) will be difficult.
49. New York Jets – WR Jordan Mathews, Vanderbilt
…Eric Decker and Jacoby Ford scare nobody. Mathews does.
50. Miami Dolphins –CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State
…Filling the glaring hole opposite Brent Grimes is a top priority.
51. Chicago Bears – DB Keith McGill, Utah
… McGill could learn behind Charles “Peanut” Tillman.
52. Arizona Cardinals – OLB Carl Bradford, Arizona State
…Cards think they’re a pass-rusher away from the Super Bowl.
53. Green Bay Packers – TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
…Will play the role of Jermichael Finley in Packers Offense.
54. Philadelphia Eagles –OLB Trent Murphy, Stanford
…Finding a pass rusher may be the Eagles biggest problem.
55. Cincinnati Bengals – RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio State
…Bengals want to add to their stable of running backs.
56. San Francisco 49ers – DT Dominique Easley, Florida
…Top-10 talent but coming off 2 ACL tears. He’s still a year away.
57. San Diego Chargers –CB Phillip Gaines, Rice
…Adding speed to their aging secondary is of importance.
58. New Orleans Saints – RB Jeremy Hill, LSU
… Mark Ingram couldn’t get it done, so in steps Hill.
59. Indianapolis Colts – WR Davante Adams, Fresno State
...Reggie Wayne doesn't have much left in the tank.
60. Carolina Panthers –TE Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
…Panthers switched to a “12” (1 RB, double-TE) system.
61. San Francisco 49ers – DB Lemarcus Joyner, Florida State
…Similar to “Honey Badger” or possibly even Troy Polamalu.
62. New England Patriots – WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
…He was widely considered a certain top 30 prospect last year.
63. Denver Broncos – C Weston Richburg, Colorado State
…I have OSU’s Corey Linsley as the better C, going to the Pats.
64. Seattle Seahawks –DT Will Sutton, Arizona State
…2-Time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year but inconsistent.

 

[old 55]

Ok. No offense, but you used #29 to pick a player rated as #53 in the CBS board and a 2nd rounder on a WR they predict will go in the 4th. I think the players are good, but both appear to be reaches where you are drafting them.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

Ok. No offense, but you used #29 to pick a player rated as #53 in the CBS board and a 2nd rounder on a WR they predict will go in the 4th. I think the players are good, but both appear to be reaches where you are drafting them.

Isn't that typical of a lot of past Patriot picks?

I think he did a good job on the mock. Well thought out, and different than most mocks. I like it.

 

[manxman2601]

Can't say i'd be thrilled by that draft but good work on the mock. nice to see you having us pick at 29.

 

[BobDigital]

Good work on this mock. I would not have made those picks if I were the Patriots but i love the originality and thought process. I was less bold with my own mock so it isn't as fun to read.

 

[My2Cents]

Ok. No offense, but you used #29 to pick a player rated as #53 in the CBS board and a 2nd rounder on a WR they predict will go in the 4th. I think the players are good, but both appear to be reaches where you are drafting them.

I'm just guessing, but I don't think the Patriots view the CBS rankings as The Gospel.

 

[My2Cents]

Can't say i'd be thrilled by that draft but good work on the mock. nice to see you having us pick at 29.

Thanks. I think there will be less incentive for teams to move up with QB stocks tumbling.

 

[My2Cents]

Good work on this mock. I would not have made those picks if I were the Patriots but i love the originality and thought process. I was less bold with my own mock so it isn't as fun to read.

Thanks for the kind words. I'll take originality points any day.

 

[reaper8]

Have spent quite a few hours watching whatever tape i could find focusing on pass rushers this year.Attaochu is easily the best prospect of any of the second tier guys(Ealy,Crichton,Lawrence etc)
cant agree on the Coleman pick though,we have Harrison coming back(hopefully in good fettle) plus there are more dynamic big WR's who will most likely be available.
I should add although I too have Attaochu with patriots first pick(@37) I was very underwhelmed with the DE DE/OLB this year

 

[My2Cents]

Have spent quite a few hours watching whatever tape i could find focusing on pass rushers this year.Attaochu is easily the best prospect of any of the second tier guys(Ealy,Crichton,Lawrence etc)
cant agree on the Coleman pick though,we have Harrison coming back(hopefully in good fettle) plus there are more dynamic big WR's who will most likely be available.
I should add although I too have Attaochu with patriots first pick(@37) I was very underwhelmed with the DE DE/OLB this year

In terms of strictly rushing the passer, agreed. Attaochu is the best, I think. Lawrence is right up there, too, but, if I'm mocking the Pats pick, his 3 team suspensions become a problem. Ealy, I'm not fond of, really. Crichton is possible, and he can kick inside to DT, which is why he'll likely appeal to Seattle.

The only real problem or doubt that I have with Attaochu to the Pats is that they'd probably have to pass on Louis Nix. Unlike some who have compared Nix to lesser previous prospects, I see Nix as a Wilfork.
I try to justify passing on him due to health, weight and possibly only 2-down player concerns. Plus, with Wilfork on board, pass rush, to me, is the greater problem. Attaochu is a nice chess piece. But we'll see.

 

[Wilfork#75]

I can certainly see someone like Attaochu at 29 (along with Demarcus Lawrence) although I think a small trade down would make sense in that situation. I'm not a fan of the Coleman pick at that stage and I think there is probably a bigger chance he goes undrafted than is taken in the 2nd round. Other than that I have no complaints. I'm not going to nitpick the rest of the draft but I certainly like the originality, creativity and obvious effort you put into it. Good job.

 

[My2Cents]

I can certainly see someone like Attaochu at 29 (along with Demarcus Lawrence) although I think a small trade down would make sense in that situation. I'm not a fan of the Coleman pick at that stage and I think there is probably a bigger chance he goes undrafted than is taken in the 2nd round. Other than that I have no complaints. I'm not going to nitpick the rest of the draft but I certainly like the originality, creativity and obvious effort you put into it. Good job.

Thanks.

 

[ashley]

I really like the uniqueness of your mock. Definitely different. I have read where Coleman is moving up draft boards and I could definitely see us interested in him.

I think there is a good chance Donald could go in the top 10 as you have him going and also Shazier is another guy climbing the boards as you have him, might be a little high at 14, but it's your mock. lol

Good work.

 

[My2Cents]

I really like the uniqueness of your mock. Definitely different. I have read where Coleman is moving up draft boards and I could definitely see us interested in him.

I think there is a good chance Donald could go in the top 10 as you have him going and also Shazier is another guy climbing the boards as you have him, might be a little high at 14, but it's your mock. lol

Good work.

Thanks, Ash. Appreciated. Injuries and QB play aside, I don't get why people are so down on Coleman. Maybe it's backlash against drafting Rutgers players. But it's pretty rare to come across somebody with
his great height with 4.4 - 4.5 speed, plus a tremendous catch radius. Throw in glowing recommendations from Greg Schiano, the fact that Stephen Belichick was Long Snapper at Rutgers, and that the Patriots sent Nick Cesario to see him in person, it's tough to dismiss him as possibly a very high Pats draft pick. I wouldn't bat an eye if he were their first overall pick, wherever that is.
I've seen enough of Coleman to think he has a ceiling of Randy Moss and a floor of Brandon Lloyd.

Donald, athletically speaking, was as good as anybody at the Combine. The Vikings are said to want a disrupter for their front 7. He is definitely that. A lot of Mocks have Mosley going there, but he is more of a rock in the middle than a disrupter. Mosley could fit nicely in Chicago but Shazier makes big plays. It's a toss up, though.

 

[My2Cents]

Can't say i'd be thrilled by that draft but good work on the mock. nice to see you having us pick at 29.

So many mid-to-late teams seem willing to move down: Titans,Cowboys, Ravens, Dolphins. I'm thinking there won't be enough trade interest with Pats to make it worthwhile. Better to move up or stay put.

 

[manxman2601]

So many mid-to-late teams seem willing to move down: Titans,Cowboys, Ravens, Dolphins. I'm thinking there won't be enough trade interest with Pats to make it worthwhile. Better to move up or stay put.

BB often finds the right partner though. But for a player like Shazier, and maybe Barr, I'm fine with a move up.

 

[My2Cents]

BB often finds the right partner though. But for a player like Shazier, and maybe Barr, I'm fine with a move up.

I'm high on both prospects, so I'm good with that. Just not convinced they can or will slide back again. Then again, why move up when you likely have your pick of Attaochu, Dee Ford, Crichton or Demarcus Lawrence. I think they sit tight and make the pick.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm just guessing, but I don't think the Patriots view the CBS rankings as The Gospel.

They don't. They don't even give round grades to their players. They label them as starters, back-ups, etc. That explains a few of their picks (Tavon Wilson). Sometimes they're right about the player. Other times they're not. I wouldn't be very happy with the two picks you had for New England but it's otherwise a very good and well thought out mock. Hope the Jets don't get Matthews.

 

[My2Cents]

They don't. They don't even give round grades to their players. They label them as starters, back-ups, etc. That explains a few of their picks (Tavon Wilson). Sometimes they're right about the player. Other times they're not. I wouldn't be very happy with the two picks you had for New England but it's otherwise a very good and well thought out mock. Hope the Jets don't get Matthews.

Thanks. But it's not just the Patriots that take that approach. That started with Bill Walsh. The Patriot tree, including Ozzie Newsome, have continued it. There are going to be misses but the plan works.

 

[jah]

Ok. No offense, but you used #29 to pick a player rated as #53 in the CBS board and a 2nd rounder on a WR they predict will go in the 4th. I think the players are good, but both appear to be reaches where you are drafting them.

You're not going to be very happy this weekend, I take it...

Collins - projected mostly as a 3rd rounder
Dobson - 3rd-4th
Ryan - 4th-5th
Harmon - undrafted