It’s finally that time of year again! After 3 long months,
or what seems like forever (5 months) for most of us whose teams didn’t make
the playoffs/Superbowl, football is finally back on the radar. How sweet it is.
I can’t think of a draft (particularly the first round)
in my lifetime that has had so much uncertainty, so much intrigue, so much
buildup as the one that is about to unfold on Thursday night in the windy city. And it all starts
with Marcus Mariota. Jameis Winston is just about locked in as the number 1
overall selection, but after that, anything is possible. And that is where the
fun begins.
With that, the following is my mock of the top 10, my
Dolphins pick, and what I think the Browns could/should do.
#1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida
State
I have absolutely no idea how this guy is seen as the
best overall/complete QB in this draft. Yes, he won the National Title as a
freshman (red-shirt), yes he only lost one game in his two year career, and yes
he played in a pro-style offense. But he also had 18 interceptions a year ago, and a past that comes with questions. To me, he’s an absolute work in progress.
Aside from his off the field issues, he still needs just as much maturity on
the field. Usually a number 1 pick comes with certainty. To me, he is not a
complete quarterback. At least, not yet. Can he be great? Absolutely. Will he
be great? I guess we’ll find out.
#2 Philadelphia Eagles (Trade with Tennessee) – Marcus
Mariota, QB, Oregon
All the speculation is that the top two quarterbacks will
be the first two players selected in this draft, and I tend to agree. Someone
is going to trade up to land Mariota, the only question is who? In 2012, the
Redskins gave up 3 first round picks (2012, 2013, and 2014) and a second
rounder (2012) to go from 6 to 2 to select RGIII. You would think the price may
be similar unless a player is involved in the deal. I believe this will be
either Cleveland or Philly. Who will have more to offer? I've got a feeling Chip
Kelly covets Mariota and will do anything in his will to land the player that
would thrive in his up-tempo offense. I think he gives up two first rounders, a
second, and a couple of players. Maybe even more. But if this off-season is any
indication, Chip Kelly is more than willing to roll the dice.
#3 Jacksonville Jaguars – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Every mock I've looked at loves defense here. There is no
doubt the Jags need help on the defensive side of the ball. However, the best
way to groom a young quarterback is to give him weapons, especially a number
one receiver to grow with. Cooper is the most complete receiver in this class,
and he would make this entire offense better. Young QB’s don’t stick around
very long unless they are successful. One way to ensure success - play-makers.
Cooper, alongside Julius Thomas would be a start.
#4 Oakland Raiders – Leonard Williams, DT, USC
The Raiders have a lot of needs, but there shouldn't be
any uncertainty with this pick. They would have to go crazy if the best player
in this draft fell to them at 4. A defensive minded guy himself, Del Rio would
have the staples to a nasty front 7, with young guns Khalil Mack and Leonard
Williams paving the way for years to come.
#5 Atlanta Falcons (Trade with Washington) – Dante
Fowler, DE, Florida
Every indication is that Atlanta wants to move up to
select an elite pass rusher that they so desperately need. If the selections
pan out like they want it to, this would be a perfect position for the Falcons
to move up and draft arguably the best defensive end in this class.
#6 New York Jets – Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Anytime the Head Coach is that of a defensive mind, Todd
Bowles in this case, I tend to think they will draft that side of the ball,
especially when elite players are available. Here, the Jets select the athletic
Dupree to sure up a defensive unit that is starting to look very solid.
#7 Chicago Bears – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
After trading Brandon Marshall, the Bears need a new play-maker to pair with Alshon Jeffery. Adding the explosive White would create
one hec of a tandem for Cutler and co.
#8 Washington Redskins – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
After trading down, the Skins still fill a position of
need. The versatile Beasley gives Washington a much needed upgrade at the
position, especially after losing Orakpo in free agency.
#9 New York Giants – Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
The Giants are starting to build a good looking offense
around Eli Manning. Adding Scherff would help solidify the O-line and give them
a physical presence, much like the one that won them a Superbowl a few years
back.
#10 St. Louis Rams – Andrus Peat, T, Stanford
I wouldn’t be surprised at all for the Rams to grab a
much needed playmaker for Foles. They lack a true number 1 wideout, and a guy
like Devante Parker could very well fit that bill. However, Jeff Fisher is more
of an old school guy, and bolstering the O-line with two young starters (Greg
Robinson last year) to build around may make more sense to him in this case.
#14 Miami Dolphins – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Any weapon. Any player to add to the arsenal for Ryan
Tannehill. This pick absolutely has to be a wide receiver or running back! If
not, I will no doubt be disappointed. Linebacker and cornerback are two other
areas of high need, but with the addition of Ndamukong Suh, that can wait. Add
an exciting athlete and look for defense later. I will be pumped if my Phins
land Gurley or a top wideout to pair with young Landry and Stills.
And then there were the Cleveland Browns
If I were the Browns, how about doing something like
this:
-Trade the #12 overall pick, #77 (3rd round), and
another pick (let’s say #188, 6th round) to the Redskins for the #5
overall pick.
-Then, turn around and trade #5 and #19, both first round
picks, and a second rounder next year, to Tennessee in exchange for the #2
overall selection.
-Select Marcus Mariota with the #2 pick.
Cleveland hasn't had a franchise quarterback since its
return. The NFL is a quarterback driven league. The Browns desperately need a
quarterback to lead this franchise for years to come. Mariota is that guy. He’s
got a chance to be great. Adapting won’t be easy, but unless you’re Andrew
Luck, when is it ever? However, one easy adaption for the young QB if he
were selected by the Brownies: uniform combinations.
If the Browns stay put, you would think they would have
to go receiver, and defensive line. Devante Parker and Malcolm Brown, or
someone to fill the gap on the D-line to help improve the atrocious run defense
from a year ago.
And finally, three things I think I think:
3. The first round will set a record for most trades ever in a first round of a draft.
2. More wide receivers will be taken in this year’s first
round than last year’s (5).
1. Mariota will have a better NFL career than Jameis
Winston.
There is simply not a sport more galvanizing than that of
the NFL. Sure, there is baseball - America’s pastime, or the exciting last 3
minutes of basketball, or even the 5 second highlight of NHL, but nothing even
comes close to the NFL. Our teams play once a week. A loss means more, stings
harder, and produces disappointment. A win brings pride and joy, and eagerness
for the following week.
Fortunately for draft week, we are all winners. Let the
optimism begin!
