NFL mock draft: Star staffers predict first round
- Updated
Michael Lev, Zack Rosenblatt and Ryan Finley take a guess at how this year will shake out.
Star staffers take a shot at mock draft
The real NFL draft will take place in Chicago later this week. So it only made sense for the Star sports staff to conduct its inaugural three-man mock draft at Old Chicago.
Three of us gathered for lunch at Old Chicago with three goals in mind: 1) eat pizza like that girl in the Kiss Cam video; 2) piece together a first-round mock draft; and 3) mock one another along the way.
We accomplished all three objectives.
As far as the draft itself, we made the selections based on what we believe each team should do with its pick. We had no idea what the other drafters would do until they made their selections. No trades were allowed. (Click through to see where we have Scooby Wright being selected).
Here’s what we came up with, along with comments from each drafter:
1. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, quarterback, California
Lev says: Lots of debate in the virtual war room between Goff and Carson Wentz. Ultimately, it came down to the degree of the leap. Although every report about Wentz’s makeup and character is overwhelmingly positive, it’s an awful lot to ask a kid to go from FCS North Dakota State to franchise quarterback in the glaring spotlight of Los Angeles (not that Philadelphia will be a picnic, either). Goff knows how to handle adversity. He endured a 1-11 season as a freshman starter at Cal. In Year 3, he led the Golden Bears to a bowl berth.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz, quarterback, North Dakota State
Rosenblatt says: You don’t mortgage your future to move up from No. 8 to No. 2 unless you have a particular player in mind. With the Rams nabbing Goff, Wentz is the guy. He’s 6-foot-6 with big-time potential — and bust potential. He’ll sit behind Sam Bradford (if he doesn’t get traded) and Chase Daniel for a year or two before he even has to start, and Doug Pederson has a reputation for coaching up quarterbacks.
3. San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle, Ole Miss
Finley says: My hometown Chargers practically invented the overcomplicated draft-day screw-up, but this one’s easy. Tunsil is a franchise-changing left tackle, and the Chargers desperately need help protecting franchise quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers was sacked 40 times last season and 36 times in 2014; at 34, the gunslinging quarterback can’t afford to take too many hits. Drafting the 6-foot-5-inch, 315-pound Tunsil will crowd an already set, somewhat expensive offensive line, but the Chargers — who play in an AFC West featuring defensive stars DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller, Justin Houston and Khalil Mack — must do it anyway.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, defensive end, Ohio State
Lev says: The Cowboys are in a great spot at No. 4 and can go in any number of directions. I gave a lot of consideration to Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott and Florida State DB Jalen Ramsey. I picked Bosa because the Cowboys need pass-rush help. Desperately. The Greg Hardy situation didn’t work out, and promising young edge players DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory are facing four-game suspensions. RB, DB and QB-of-the-future prospects can be found later.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DeForest Buckner, defensive end, Oregon
Rosenblatt says: Bosa was the target here, but as he was not on the board, it came down to Buckner or UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. Buckner might be a little bit of a reach, but the Jaguars do have a history of reaching a little bit. Buckner has as much talent as any defensive player in this draft. On an Oregon defense that has struggled in recent years, Buckner overcame that to record 30 tackles for losses and 14.5 sacks the last two years. Oh, and he’s 6-7 and 300 pounds.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Ezekiel Elliott, running back, Ohio State
Finley says: Yes, this pick is a stretch. But the Ravens, being smart, typically draft for need — and, boy, do they need an every-down back. Consider: Elliott rushed for more yards (1,821) and touchdowns (23) during Ohio State’s 13-game season than the Ravens (1,478 yards, eight touchdowns) did as a team during their 16-game season. Baltimore averaged just 92.4 rushing yards per game in 2015, a figure that ranked 26th in the 32-team NFL. Incumbent Justin Forsett is 30 years old and coming off the worst season of his career. USC product Buck Allen shows some promise, but not so much that the Ravens will pass on the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.
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7. San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Ramsey, cornerback, Florida State
Lev says: Based on everything I’m hearing and reading, Ramsey won’t be available at this spot. But he was in our mock draft, so I rushed the card up to the podium. (OK, there were neither cards nor podiums. There was a booth. And pizza. Did I mention the pizza?) Ramsey is more versatile playmaker than pure cover corner, but that’s OK. The way the NFL game is played these days, with frequent use of three-plus wide receivers, Ramsey can be deployed in a variety of ways. Other possibilities: drafting Memphis QB Paxton Lynch (too early) or trading down (highly possible).
8. Cleveland Browns: Ronnie Stanley, offensive tackle, Notre Dame
Rosenblatt says: The Browns added a boatload of flexibility with all the draft picks in the Eagles trade, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they traded down some more. If not, for a rebuilding team, it’s important to load up in the trenches and then build outward, and the Browns need O-linemen, especially if the scrambling Robert Griffin III is the quarterback for the next year or two.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hagreaves III, cornerback, Florida State
Finley says: Hargreaves boasts the best name — does he own a monocle? — and the best game among the available defensive backs, and the Bucs need help shutting down the pass. Hargreaves was a three-time All-SEC selection at Florida, where he racked up 10 career interceptions. His 39-inch vertical leap and innate ball skills will serve him well in Tampa, where the Bucs allowed 31 passing touchdowns in 2015. Ramsey might have the higher ceiling, but Hargreaves — the son of a college assistant coach — could end up being the best pick.
10. New York Giants: Myles Jack, linebacker, UCLA
Lev says: Again, no hesitation here. The Giants could use upgrades at outside linebacker and/or strong safety, and Jack has the athleticism to play in space against tight ends, running backs and even slot receivers. The knee injury that knocked him out for most of his junior year is a minor concern, and if he drops this far, it’ll be because of that. But it’s not as if Jack has a history of injuries. He played both ways (LB and RB) as a freshman and sophomore and held up well.
11. Chicago Bears: Sheldon Rankins, defensive tackle, Louisville
Rosenblatt says: There are a lot of holes throughout the Bears roster. If the staff has soured on Jay Cutler, Paxton Lynch would make sense here. The Bears badly need a stud defensive lineman, though. For Louisville, Rankins had 26.5 tackles for losses and 14 sacks the last two years.
12. New Orleans Saints: Jarran Reed, defensive tackle, Alabama
Finley says: New Orleans was a mess defensively in 2015, allowing 2,076 rushing yards and an NFL-worst 4.9 yards per attempt on the way to a 7-9 record. Alabama’s Reed isn’t flashy, but he’s strong — and should slot in nicely at either defensive tackle or defensive end. The 6-foot-3-inch, 307-pound Reed is a good value — and a good fit — at No. 12.
13. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Lawson, defensive end, Clemson
Lev says: The Dolphins were really hoping Elliott would fall this far. It wouldn’t surprise me if they traded into the top 10 in the real draft to try to get him. (Baltimore, San Francisco and Cleveland are all trade-down candidates.) In lieu of that, I went with Lawson. My thinking: Recent DE signee Mario Williams is 31. Returning vet Cameron Wake is 34. Reinforcements are needed. Plus, if you want to beat the Patriots, you have to be able to get to Tom Brady with four rushers.
14. Oakland Raiders: William Jackson III, cornerback, Houston
Rosenblatt says: This is a team on the rise, with cornerstones such as Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack on the roster. The secondary is a weak spot, though, particularly with Charles Woodson retiring. Jackson’s nose for the ball — he had five interceptions and two pick-sixes in 2015 — is a plus.
15. Tennessee Titans: Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver, Ole Miss
Finley says: The 6-foot-2-inch, 221-pound Treadwell is the best receiver available in a thin year. The Ole Miss product will give second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota a second downfield weapon, joining Dorial Green-Beckham, and could help make the Titans a trendy bounce-back pick. The team signed running back DeMarco Murray away from the Eagles earlier this offseason.
16. Detroit Lions: Darron Lee, linebacker, Ohio State
Lev says: I thought long and hard about Michigan State OT Jack Conklin here. But most reports suggest he’s a right tackle, and what the Lions really need is someone who can play on the left side. So I went with the supremely athletic Lee, who might be Ryan Shazier 2.0. Adding Lee might necessitate some shuffling within Detroit’s LB corps, but his speed – 4.47 in the 40! – and range will make it worthwhile. Another position to consider: defensive line.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Reggie Ragland, linebacker, Alabama
Rosenblatt says: Lee was the target here, but since Michael decided to swoop in on that pick, Ragland is a solid consolation prize coming off an impressive career at Alabama. The consensus All-American led the Crimson Tide in tackles the last two seasons and has an NFL body at 6-2, 252 pounds.
18. Indianapolis Colts: A'Shawn Robinson, defensive tackle, Alabama
Finley says: College football produces about six good defensive tackles per year, and they all seem to play in the SEC. There might not be a better two-gap tackle than Robinson, who could slot into either the nose tackle or defensive tackle position. The 6-foot-4-inch, 307-pound junior will shore up a Colts defense that allowed 14 rushing touchdowns in 2015.
19. Buffalo Bills: Jack Conklin, offensive tackle, Michigan State
Lev says: The perfect landing spot for the aforementioned Conklin. Right tackle has been a problematic position for the Bills for a while. Conklin can step in and start from Day 1. That wasn’t the case at Michigan State, where he began his career as a walk-on. But that’s what I like about Conklin: You know he’ll be hungry. If/when he gets picked in the first round, Conklin will become the first Michigan State offensive lineman to go in Round 1 since … Tony Mandarich in 1989.
20. New York Jets: Paxton Lynch, quarterback, Memphis
Rosenblatt says: A franchise quarterback has eluded this team for a long time. Geno Smith is not the answer. Is Lynch? Who knows, but he’s far and away the next-best option on the board, and with his huge frame — 6-7, 245 pounds — he’s worth a shot. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Lynch becomes the best quarterback (in a weak year) of this draft class.
21. Washington Redskins: Robert Nkemdiche, defensive tackle, Ole Miss
Finley says: Nkemdiche was the consensus No. 1 pick as recently as six months ago, but inconsistent play, questions about his character and a mysterious fall out of a second-story hotel-room window caused his stock to plummet. Talented and troubled? He just screams Washington. The Redskins signed Kendall Reyes away from the Chargers a year after luring Stephen Paea from the Bears, but won’t pass on the best talent available at No. 21 overall. The team and the player are practically made for each other.
22. Houston Texans: Corey Coleman, wide receiver, Baylor
Lev says: The way this draft broke, the Texans had their pick of any receiver besides Treadwell. I like TCU’s Josh Doctson better in a vacuum, but his skill set is too similar to that of DeAndre Hopkins. So Coleman is the pick. He’s fast enough (sub-4.40 in the 40 at Baylor’s pro day) to get deep and excellent after the catch. Having already signed RB Lamar Miller, the Texans continue to surround new QB Brock Osweiler with playmakers.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Josh Doctson, wide receiver, TCU
Rosenblatt says: Help is needed surrounding Teddy Bridgewater on offense. Adrian Peterson is still around, and Stefon Diggs is an emerging talent, but the Vikings need another receiver, and Doctson might be the most talented one in this draft.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Fuller, wide receiver, Notre Dame
Finley says: The Bengals’ “big three” — receivers A.J. Green and Marvin Jones and tight end Tyler Eifert — combined to catch 27 of the team’s 31 touchdown passes in 2015. Jones is now gone, signed by the Lions, and the Bengals need to replace him if they hope to capitalize during their rapidly shrinking window of competition. Fuller is 2 inches shorter and 12 pounds lighter than Jones, but has the résumé — he caught 29 touchdown passes over the last two seasons — to step in and play right away.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, cornerback, Ohio State
Lev says: These aren’t your father’s Steelers. Pittsburgh ranked 30th in the NFL in pass defense last season. The Steelers invested second- and fourth-round picks in cornerbacks last year. It’s time to take it a step further. Apple is considered somewhat raw – he left Ohio State after his redshirt-sophomore season – but has ideal measurable (6-1, 199, 4.40). He was highly productive but also penalty-prone in college. It’ll be up to Mike Tomlin and his staff to coach Apple up.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Taylor Decker, offensive tackle, Ohio State
Rosenblatt says: Before Michael is even finished saying Apple … this pick is already in. Shocking that Decker, a top-15 talent, has fallen this far, and he fills a need on the offensive line, particularly with Russell Okung gone. Decker helped paved the way for a few stellar seasons from Elliott, helping him enough that Ryan went crazy and drafted him No. 6 overall.
27. Green Bay Packers: Andrew Billings, defensive tackle, Baylor
Finley says: The Packers are typically — what’s the best way to put this? — boring in the draft, and Billings fits their no-frills, plug-and-play draft philosophy perfectly. The 6-1, 311-pound nose tackle could push incumbent starter Letroy Guion, who was suspended for three games in 2015 for substance abuse.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin Dodd, defensive end, Clemson
Lev says: The Chiefs could go a lot of ways here. With OLB Justin Houston (knee) possibly out for the season, I strongly considered a stand-up edge-rusher type such as Boise State’s Kamalei Correa. I went in a slightly different direction with Dodd, who’s more of a pure defensive end. A late bloomer, Dodd dominated mighty Alabama’s offensive line in the National Championship Game. As division rival Denver proved last season, you can never have too many big-bodied pass rushers.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Leonard Floyd, linebacker, Georgia
Rosenblatt says: The defense has been solid for a few years running, and some help is needed on the offensive line. But even with the addition of Chandler Jones, it never hurts to add a pass rusher, and Floyd is a great value at this spot. Floyd had 26.5 tackles for losses and 17 sacks in three years at Georgia.
30. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Henry, running back, Alabama
Finley says: The Panthers need a cornerback after rescinding Josh Norman’s franchise tag last week. But with the big names gone, expect the reigning NFC champions to draft for another, less-pressing need. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner will complement the ageless Jonathan Stewart, who rushed a career-high 242 times during his first season as a featured back.
31. Denver Broncos: Noah Spence, defensive end, Eastern Kentucky
Lev says: The suddenly QB-needy Broncos were hoping Lynch would fall to them, but that turned out to be a pipe dream (as it probably will be in the real draft). Denver needs offensive-line help as well, but Spence was just too good a talent to pass up. He began his career at Ohio State before the Big Ten banned him for failing drug tests. So he comes with character concerns. But I can’t think of a better landing spot for Spence than Denver, where Demarcus Ware and Von Miller can mentor him.
Where will Scooby go?
In addition to conducting a first-round mock draft, Star sports staffers Ryan Finley, Michael Lev and Zack Rosenblatt project where Arizona’s top prospect, linebacker Scooby Wright, will come off the board:
Finley: Third round, 75th pick, Oakland
Comment: Scooby was born to wear the silver and black, and not just because he grew up in nearby Windsor, California. He fits well culturally with the rough-and-tumble Raiders and could play either middle linebacker or weak-side linebacker in Oakland’s 4-3 defense. Wright would look good backing up projected starter Ben Heeney in the middle, surrounded by former Seahawks Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith. Irvin’s athleticism and nose for the ball — skills learned under former UA coaches Jeff Casteel and Bill Kirelawich at West Virginia — could cover for some of Wright’s perceived flaws in space.
Lev: 3/80, Buffalo
Comment: We’ve heard all the talk about Wright’s limitations. Can’t cover, can’t play in space, can’t do this, can’t do that. Well, Rex Ryan is the type of coach who will look at what a player can do. Wright is excellent against the run. He is a superior blitzer. Ryan will see through all the negativity surrounding Wright and devise a way to take advantage of his skill set. Additionally, the Bills need depth at linebacker.
Rosenblatt: 4/104, Baltimore
Comment: After his subpar performance at the NFL scouting combine, and mixed reviews off his pro day, coupled with the lack of early-round inside linebacker picks in recent years, I just don’t see any teams feeling the need to use a Day 2 pick on him. The Ravens are a team that tends to pounce on guys who 1) can play right away; and 2) fall a round or two past their projected value. Plus, linebacker is a need.
More like this...
Star staffers take a shot at mock draft
The real NFL draft will take place in Chicago later this week. So it only made sense for the Star sports staff to conduct its inaugural three-man mock draft at Old Chicago.
Three of us gathered for lunch at Old Chicago with three goals in mind: 1) eat pizza like that girl in the Kiss Cam video; 2) piece together a first-round mock draft; and 3) mock one another along the way.
We accomplished all three objectives.
As far as the draft itself, we made the selections based on what we believe each team should do with its pick. We had no idea what the other drafters would do until they made their selections. No trades were allowed. (Click through to see where we have Scooby Wright being selected).
Here’s what we came up with, along with comments from each drafter:
1. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff, quarterback, California
Lev says: Lots of debate in the virtual war room between Goff and Carson Wentz. Ultimately, it came down to the degree of the leap. Although every report about Wentz’s makeup and character is overwhelmingly positive, it’s an awful lot to ask a kid to go from FCS North Dakota State to franchise quarterback in the glaring spotlight of Los Angeles (not that Philadelphia will be a picnic, either). Goff knows how to handle adversity. He endured a 1-11 season as a freshman starter at Cal. In Year 3, he led the Golden Bears to a bowl berth.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz, quarterback, North Dakota State
Rosenblatt says: You don’t mortgage your future to move up from No. 8 to No. 2 unless you have a particular player in mind. With the Rams nabbing Goff, Wentz is the guy. He’s 6-foot-6 with big-time potential — and bust potential. He’ll sit behind Sam Bradford (if he doesn’t get traded) and Chase Daniel for a year or two before he even has to start, and Doug Pederson has a reputation for coaching up quarterbacks.
3. San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle, Ole Miss
Finley says: My hometown Chargers practically invented the overcomplicated draft-day screw-up, but this one’s easy. Tunsil is a franchise-changing left tackle, and the Chargers desperately need help protecting franchise quarterback Philip Rivers. Rivers was sacked 40 times last season and 36 times in 2014; at 34, the gunslinging quarterback can’t afford to take too many hits. Drafting the 6-foot-5-inch, 315-pound Tunsil will crowd an already set, somewhat expensive offensive line, but the Chargers — who play in an AFC West featuring defensive stars DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller, Justin Houston and Khalil Mack — must do it anyway.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa, defensive end, Ohio State
Lev says: The Cowboys are in a great spot at No. 4 and can go in any number of directions. I gave a lot of consideration to Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott and Florida State DB Jalen Ramsey. I picked Bosa because the Cowboys need pass-rush help. Desperately. The Greg Hardy situation didn’t work out, and promising young edge players DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory are facing four-game suspensions. RB, DB and QB-of-the-future prospects can be found later.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DeForest Buckner, defensive end, Oregon
Rosenblatt says: Bosa was the target here, but as he was not on the board, it came down to Buckner or UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. Buckner might be a little bit of a reach, but the Jaguars do have a history of reaching a little bit. Buckner has as much talent as any defensive player in this draft. On an Oregon defense that has struggled in recent years, Buckner overcame that to record 30 tackles for losses and 14.5 sacks the last two years. Oh, and he’s 6-7 and 300 pounds.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Ezekiel Elliott, running back, Ohio State
Finley says: Yes, this pick is a stretch. But the Ravens, being smart, typically draft for need — and, boy, do they need an every-down back. Consider: Elliott rushed for more yards (1,821) and touchdowns (23) during Ohio State’s 13-game season than the Ravens (1,478 yards, eight touchdowns) did as a team during their 16-game season. Baltimore averaged just 92.4 rushing yards per game in 2015, a figure that ranked 26th in the 32-team NFL. Incumbent Justin Forsett is 30 years old and coming off the worst season of his career. USC product Buck Allen shows some promise, but not so much that the Ravens will pass on the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Ramsey, cornerback, Florida State
Lev says: Based on everything I’m hearing and reading, Ramsey won’t be available at this spot. But he was in our mock draft, so I rushed the card up to the podium. (OK, there were neither cards nor podiums. There was a booth. And pizza. Did I mention the pizza?) Ramsey is more versatile playmaker than pure cover corner, but that’s OK. The way the NFL game is played these days, with frequent use of three-plus wide receivers, Ramsey can be deployed in a variety of ways. Other possibilities: drafting Memphis QB Paxton Lynch (too early) or trading down (highly possible).
8. Cleveland Browns: Ronnie Stanley, offensive tackle, Notre Dame
Rosenblatt says: The Browns added a boatload of flexibility with all the draft picks in the Eagles trade, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they traded down some more. If not, for a rebuilding team, it’s important to load up in the trenches and then build outward, and the Browns need O-linemen, especially if the scrambling Robert Griffin III is the quarterback for the next year or two.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hagreaves III, cornerback, Florida State
Finley says: Hargreaves boasts the best name — does he own a monocle? — and the best game among the available defensive backs, and the Bucs need help shutting down the pass. Hargreaves was a three-time All-SEC selection at Florida, where he racked up 10 career interceptions. His 39-inch vertical leap and innate ball skills will serve him well in Tampa, where the Bucs allowed 31 passing touchdowns in 2015. Ramsey might have the higher ceiling, but Hargreaves — the son of a college assistant coach — could end up being the best pick.
10. New York Giants: Myles Jack, linebacker, UCLA
Lev says: Again, no hesitation here. The Giants could use upgrades at outside linebacker and/or strong safety, and Jack has the athleticism to play in space against tight ends, running backs and even slot receivers. The knee injury that knocked him out for most of his junior year is a minor concern, and if he drops this far, it’ll be because of that. But it’s not as if Jack has a history of injuries. He played both ways (LB and RB) as a freshman and sophomore and held up well.
11. Chicago Bears: Sheldon Rankins, defensive tackle, Louisville
Rosenblatt says: There are a lot of holes throughout the Bears roster. If the staff has soured on Jay Cutler, Paxton Lynch would make sense here. The Bears badly need a stud defensive lineman, though. For Louisville, Rankins had 26.5 tackles for losses and 14 sacks the last two years.
12. New Orleans Saints: Jarran Reed, defensive tackle, Alabama
Finley says: New Orleans was a mess defensively in 2015, allowing 2,076 rushing yards and an NFL-worst 4.9 yards per attempt on the way to a 7-9 record. Alabama’s Reed isn’t flashy, but he’s strong — and should slot in nicely at either defensive tackle or defensive end. The 6-foot-3-inch, 307-pound Reed is a good value — and a good fit — at No. 12.
13. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Lawson, defensive end, Clemson
Lev says: The Dolphins were really hoping Elliott would fall this far. It wouldn’t surprise me if they traded into the top 10 in the real draft to try to get him. (Baltimore, San Francisco and Cleveland are all trade-down candidates.) In lieu of that, I went with Lawson. My thinking: Recent DE signee Mario Williams is 31. Returning vet Cameron Wake is 34. Reinforcements are needed. Plus, if you want to beat the Patriots, you have to be able to get to Tom Brady with four rushers.
14. Oakland Raiders: William Jackson III, cornerback, Houston
Rosenblatt says: This is a team on the rise, with cornerstones such as Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack on the roster. The secondary is a weak spot, though, particularly with Charles Woodson retiring. Jackson’s nose for the ball — he had five interceptions and two pick-sixes in 2015 — is a plus.
15. Tennessee Titans: Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver, Ole Miss
Finley says: The 6-foot-2-inch, 221-pound Treadwell is the best receiver available in a thin year. The Ole Miss product will give second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota a second downfield weapon, joining Dorial Green-Beckham, and could help make the Titans a trendy bounce-back pick. The team signed running back DeMarco Murray away from the Eagles earlier this offseason.
16. Detroit Lions: Darron Lee, linebacker, Ohio State
Lev says: I thought long and hard about Michigan State OT Jack Conklin here. But most reports suggest he’s a right tackle, and what the Lions really need is someone who can play on the left side. So I went with the supremely athletic Lee, who might be Ryan Shazier 2.0. Adding Lee might necessitate some shuffling within Detroit’s LB corps, but his speed – 4.47 in the 40! – and range will make it worthwhile. Another position to consider: defensive line.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Reggie Ragland, linebacker, Alabama
Rosenblatt says: Lee was the target here, but since Michael decided to swoop in on that pick, Ragland is a solid consolation prize coming off an impressive career at Alabama. The consensus All-American led the Crimson Tide in tackles the last two seasons and has an NFL body at 6-2, 252 pounds.
18. Indianapolis Colts: A'Shawn Robinson, defensive tackle, Alabama
Finley says: College football produces about six good defensive tackles per year, and they all seem to play in the SEC. There might not be a better two-gap tackle than Robinson, who could slot into either the nose tackle or defensive tackle position. The 6-foot-4-inch, 307-pound junior will shore up a Colts defense that allowed 14 rushing touchdowns in 2015.
19. Buffalo Bills: Jack Conklin, offensive tackle, Michigan State
Lev says: The perfect landing spot for the aforementioned Conklin. Right tackle has been a problematic position for the Bills for a while. Conklin can step in and start from Day 1. That wasn’t the case at Michigan State, where he began his career as a walk-on. But that’s what I like about Conklin: You know he’ll be hungry. If/when he gets picked in the first round, Conklin will become the first Michigan State offensive lineman to go in Round 1 since … Tony Mandarich in 1989.
20. New York Jets: Paxton Lynch, quarterback, Memphis
Rosenblatt says: A franchise quarterback has eluded this team for a long time. Geno Smith is not the answer. Is Lynch? Who knows, but he’s far and away the next-best option on the board, and with his huge frame — 6-7, 245 pounds — he’s worth a shot. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Lynch becomes the best quarterback (in a weak year) of this draft class.
21. Washington Redskins: Robert Nkemdiche, defensive tackle, Ole Miss
Finley says: Nkemdiche was the consensus No. 1 pick as recently as six months ago, but inconsistent play, questions about his character and a mysterious fall out of a second-story hotel-room window caused his stock to plummet. Talented and troubled? He just screams Washington. The Redskins signed Kendall Reyes away from the Chargers a year after luring Stephen Paea from the Bears, but won’t pass on the best talent available at No. 21 overall. The team and the player are practically made for each other.
22. Houston Texans: Corey Coleman, wide receiver, Baylor
Lev says: The way this draft broke, the Texans had their pick of any receiver besides Treadwell. I like TCU’s Josh Doctson better in a vacuum, but his skill set is too similar to that of DeAndre Hopkins. So Coleman is the pick. He’s fast enough (sub-4.40 in the 40 at Baylor’s pro day) to get deep and excellent after the catch. Having already signed RB Lamar Miller, the Texans continue to surround new QB Brock Osweiler with playmakers.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Josh Doctson, wide receiver, TCU
Rosenblatt says: Help is needed surrounding Teddy Bridgewater on offense. Adrian Peterson is still around, and Stefon Diggs is an emerging talent, but the Vikings need another receiver, and Doctson might be the most talented one in this draft.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Fuller, wide receiver, Notre Dame
Finley says: The Bengals’ “big three” — receivers A.J. Green and Marvin Jones and tight end Tyler Eifert — combined to catch 27 of the team’s 31 touchdown passes in 2015. Jones is now gone, signed by the Lions, and the Bengals need to replace him if they hope to capitalize during their rapidly shrinking window of competition. Fuller is 2 inches shorter and 12 pounds lighter than Jones, but has the résumé — he caught 29 touchdown passes over the last two seasons — to step in and play right away.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, cornerback, Ohio State
Lev says: These aren’t your father’s Steelers. Pittsburgh ranked 30th in the NFL in pass defense last season. The Steelers invested second- and fourth-round picks in cornerbacks last year. It’s time to take it a step further. Apple is considered somewhat raw – he left Ohio State after his redshirt-sophomore season – but has ideal measurable (6-1, 199, 4.40). He was highly productive but also penalty-prone in college. It’ll be up to Mike Tomlin and his staff to coach Apple up.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Taylor Decker, offensive tackle, Ohio State
Rosenblatt says: Before Michael is even finished saying Apple … this pick is already in. Shocking that Decker, a top-15 talent, has fallen this far, and he fills a need on the offensive line, particularly with Russell Okung gone. Decker helped paved the way for a few stellar seasons from Elliott, helping him enough that Ryan went crazy and drafted him No. 6 overall.
27. Green Bay Packers: Andrew Billings, defensive tackle, Baylor
Finley says: The Packers are typically — what’s the best way to put this? — boring in the draft, and Billings fits their no-frills, plug-and-play draft philosophy perfectly. The 6-1, 311-pound nose tackle could push incumbent starter Letroy Guion, who was suspended for three games in 2015 for substance abuse.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin Dodd, defensive end, Clemson
Lev says: The Chiefs could go a lot of ways here. With OLB Justin Houston (knee) possibly out for the season, I strongly considered a stand-up edge-rusher type such as Boise State’s Kamalei Correa. I went in a slightly different direction with Dodd, who’s more of a pure defensive end. A late bloomer, Dodd dominated mighty Alabama’s offensive line in the National Championship Game. As division rival Denver proved last season, you can never have too many big-bodied pass rushers.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Leonard Floyd, linebacker, Georgia
Rosenblatt says: The defense has been solid for a few years running, and some help is needed on the offensive line. But even with the addition of Chandler Jones, it never hurts to add a pass rusher, and Floyd is a great value at this spot. Floyd had 26.5 tackles for losses and 17 sacks in three years at Georgia.
30. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Henry, running back, Alabama
Finley says: The Panthers need a cornerback after rescinding Josh Norman’s franchise tag last week. But with the big names gone, expect the reigning NFC champions to draft for another, less-pressing need. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner will complement the ageless Jonathan Stewart, who rushed a career-high 242 times during his first season as a featured back.
31. Denver Broncos: Noah Spence, defensive end, Eastern Kentucky
Lev says: The suddenly QB-needy Broncos were hoping Lynch would fall to them, but that turned out to be a pipe dream (as it probably will be in the real draft). Denver needs offensive-line help as well, but Spence was just too good a talent to pass up. He began his career at Ohio State before the Big Ten banned him for failing drug tests. So he comes with character concerns. But I can’t think of a better landing spot for Spence than Denver, where Demarcus Ware and Von Miller can mentor him.
Where will Scooby go?
In addition to conducting a first-round mock draft, Star sports staffers Ryan Finley, Michael Lev and Zack Rosenblatt project where Arizona’s top prospect, linebacker Scooby Wright, will come off the board:
Finley: Third round, 75th pick, Oakland
Comment: Scooby was born to wear the silver and black, and not just because he grew up in nearby Windsor, California. He fits well culturally with the rough-and-tumble Raiders and could play either middle linebacker or weak-side linebacker in Oakland’s 4-3 defense. Wright would look good backing up projected starter Ben Heeney in the middle, surrounded by former Seahawks Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith. Irvin’s athleticism and nose for the ball — skills learned under former UA coaches Jeff Casteel and Bill Kirelawich at West Virginia — could cover for some of Wright’s perceived flaws in space.
Lev: 3/80, Buffalo
Comment: We’ve heard all the talk about Wright’s limitations. Can’t cover, can’t play in space, can’t do this, can’t do that. Well, Rex Ryan is the type of coach who will look at what a player can do. Wright is excellent against the run. He is a superior blitzer. Ryan will see through all the negativity surrounding Wright and devise a way to take advantage of his skill set. Additionally, the Bills need depth at linebacker.
Rosenblatt: 4/104, Baltimore
Comment: After his subpar performance at the NFL scouting combine, and mixed reviews off his pro day, coupled with the lack of early-round inside linebacker picks in recent years, I just don’t see any teams feeling the need to use a Day 2 pick on him. The Ravens are a team that tends to pounce on guys who 1) can play right away; and 2) fall a round or two past their projected value. Plus, linebacker is a need.
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