The 1st round of the NFL Draft is tonight. Here’s how I think everything will play out.
1. Houston Texans – DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
With no clear cut franchise QB in this draft, the Texans are going to go with the best player available. It’ll be interesting to see how Clowney does in a 3-4 defense.
2. St. Louis Rams – OT Greg Robinson
Although, Jake Matthews is more ready for the pros, the Jags are going to go with the more athletic Robinson to protect the un-athletic Sam Bradford.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – OLB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
The Jags have a history of making the wrong pick and reaching. They’re going to bypass the hype of selecting Manziel and select Mack…who is actually a better athlete than Jadeveon Clowney.
4. Cleveland Browns – QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
I mean….they need a QB and Bridgewater’s stock has fallen harder than he did when he got in the Sugar Bowl two years ago. I still don’t trust this organization, but I hope Manziel can make the most of this situation.
5. Oakland Raiders – WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
I think Odell Beckham is the best WR in this draft, but I’m alone and the rest of the world is Team Watkins. I don’t blame them. Sammy can ball and will be an impact player in this league.
6. Atlanta Falcons – OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
The Falcons fell off last year because of inconsistency and injuries. They need to keep Matt Ryan upright and Jake Matthews of the second family of football is the man to do just that.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
Like I said, I’m an Odell Beckham fan, but he’s not going this high. The next WR off the board will be Mike Evans. He reminds me of a bigger Michael Irvin.
8. Minnesota Vikings – FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
This is a high pick for a safety, but the Vikings aren’t the best organization when it comes to this draft thing so this pick makes perfect sense for them. If they don’t take Dix, they’ll reach for Aaron Donald which would be a dope pick.
9. Buffalo Bills – TE Eric Ebron, UNC
The Bills of Buffalo will look to make E.J. Manuel’s life much easier and pick up the uber athletic tight end from Chapel Hill.
10. Detroit Lions – CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
He’s the best CB in this draft and although the Lions could use a safety or a wideout, cornerback is the more pressing need. And Gilbert can also help out in the kick and punt return game as well.
11. Tennessee Titans – CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
They could opt for UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, but they just lost Alterraun Verner in free agency and they have to face Andrew Luck twice a year and most likely Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Corner is the way to go.
12. New York Giants – OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
Eli Manning is a statue in the pocket and he led the league in interceptions last year mainly because he had no protection and was forced to make plays on his own. Their line stinks and Lewan is the answer.
13. St. Louis Rams – FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville
The Rams really need to address their secondary, specifically safety. Ha Ha Clinton Dix will be gone, so the next best safety is Calvin Pryor.
14. Chicago Bears – DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
The Bears need a DT and Donald can stuff the run and rush the passer from the middle. The Monsters of the Midway haven’t had a Pro Bowl caliber DT since Tommie Harris. With newly signed Lamarr Houston and Donald in the middle the Bears defense might be back.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
The Steelers are losing wideouts fast. Yes, they need help in the secondary but WR is more of a concern. With Antonio Brown’s speed, they’ll select Kelvin Benjamin to get the job done over the middle and in the redzone.
16. Dallas Cowboys – DE Dee Ford, Auburn
It’s time to replace Demarcus Ware and Ford is the second best DE in this draft.
17. Baltimore Ravens – OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame
He’s definitely not the sexy pick, but there’s not much sexy about the Ravens or the city they play in. They just get the job done and win Super Bowls and Martin will absolutely help with that.
18. New York Jets – WR Odell Beckham, LSU
It’s time to replace Santonio Holmes. Mark my words, Beckham will be the best WR in this draft class.
19. Miami Dolphins – CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
The Dolphins could definitely lose an offensive lineman having two starters, Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, but they need help at corner desperately. Kyle Fuller is the way to go.
20. Arizona Cardinals – QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
The Cardinals have had a history of terrible QB play. Carson Palmer played well last year, but how long will he last? I have no clue how Bridgewater who had a bad pro day falls this far, but it will happen and the Cardinals will be the beneficiary of it.
21. Green Bay Packers – OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA
If Barr is still on the board the Packers are taking him, if he’s not then they’ll go with C.J. Mosley.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Marqise Lee, USC
How do you replace DeSean Jackson? You get another Southern California high school standout WR.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State
The Chiefs could use a WR, but CB is more of a need right now and Roby will be the best CB available at this point.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Kony Ealy, Missouri
The Bengals have talent at every position on both sides of the ball. They might got with a defensive back, but I say they pick Kony Ealy.
25. San Diego Chargers – CB Jason Verrett, TCU
The Chargers need a corner, and Verrett will be the best one available.
26. Cleveland Browns – WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
I mean Johnny Manziel is going to need someone to throw to other than Josh Gordon.
27. New Orleans Saints – OLB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
The Saints love to blitz and that’s Shazier’s specialty.
28. Carolina Panthers – OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
Cam is going to need some protection having lost his best two wideouts.
29. New England Patriots – DL Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota
The jack of all trades defensive lineman is exactly the type of player Bill Belichick loves.
30. San Francisco 49ers – WR Cody Latimer, Indiana
The 49ers need help at WR and Latimer will be their man.
31. Denver Broncos – G Xavier Su’a Filo, UCLA
The Broncos need help upfront, they are solid everywhere else and Su’Filo has a nasty streak that the finesse Broncos are missing.
32. Seattle Seahawks – WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
The Super Bowl champs will look to replace Golden Tate with the Vanderbilt standout.