Two-round NFL mock draft: Trade speculation heats up in top 10 picks
What has happened since our last NFL mock draft? Not a ton outside of some wild rumors and baseless chatter — the fun stuff! — about Team X liking Player Y and the like. But we’ve been gathering information behind the scenes, double-checking our lists and circling back on prospects we missed the first time around.
And with it comes another two-round mock draft, this one two weeks prior to liftoff on April 30:
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Florida State QB Jameis Winston
Although the team has gone out of its way to point out that it is examining all avenues, and wild rumors tend to catch wind this time of year,. we believe this pick has been solid since head coach Lovie Smith essentially signed off on Winston’s character at the NFL scouting combine, even if some higher-ups are a little skittish.
2. Tennessee Titans — Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
We don’t believe the Titans will be making this pick themselves, but rather another team — the San Diego Chargers have been our wild-card pick here for weeks, and the St. Louis Rams should not be ignored — trading up to pick in this spot. If the Titans stand pat, we think they’d select USC’s Leonard Williams, for what it’s worth.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Clemson OLB Vic Beasley
Dante Fowler Jr. said he’d be stunned if he wasn’t the third pick. Well, Dante, prepare your best “stunned” face. Yes, the Jaguars threw a changeup with Blake Bortles in this same slot a year ago, and we would not be shocked if it’s happening again. It’s either Beasley or Williams in our eyes, and Beasley is the bigger need in the Jaguars’ “Leo” pass rusher role.
4. Oakland Raiders — USC DE Leonard Williams
If you’ve been following our mocks, we’ve etched in a receiver here consistently. But that was on the premise that Williams was gone. Given that Williams is the rare player who openly has campaigned for the Raiders to take him — and that he’d fill a need, too — we feel like it must happen. The Raiders can get their wideout(s) later.
5. Washington Redskins — Florida DE Dante Fowler Jr.
New Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan fills a major hole opposite Ryan Kerrigan now that Brian Orakpo is gone. Trent Murphy is a nice player, but don’t be fooled; he’s nowhere near the all-around force Fowler is. This also is a strong trade-down slot if the right deal materializes. Otherwise, we also could see a safe pick such as Iowa’s Brandon Scherff.
6. New York Jets — Alabama WR Amari Cooper
There’s no glaring need at receiver with Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Kerley currently manning the top three slots. But what better way to boost Geno Smith (or Ryan Fitzpatrick) than with a front-line playmaker such as Cooper? He’s silky smooth, polished and a nice complement to the size of Decker and Marshall and the underneath ability of Kerley. Plus, Marshall currently is a one-year investment, and the Jets could walk away from either Decker or Kerley after this season without getting crushed on the salary cap. We could see this very safe, very smart maiden pick by new GM Mike Maccagnan.
7. Chicago Bears — West Virginia WR Kevin White
The Bears would be in a win-win position, able to pick between the draft’s top two receivers and its best nose tackle in Danny Shelton. With new GM Ryan Pace spending most of his time this offseason sprucing up the defense, he shifts gears and gives Alshon Jeffery a running mate who could be a perfect replacement for Marshall — without the headaches. White’s character checks with NFL teams have been off-the-charts good, a total departure from the wideout he’d be replacing.
8. Atlanta Falcons — Kentucky OLB Alvin “Bud” Dupree
New head coach Dan Quinn, seeking a “Leo” rusher to help build his Seattle South defense in Atlanta, wants three things in his edge guys: quickness off the ball, length and a motor. Dupree checks all three boxes, and though some scouts wonder if he has the instincts to be great right away, he can have his assignments kept simplified at first and rotate with Adrian Clayborn on a reformed defensive front.
9. New York Giants — Iowa OG Brandon Scherff
GM Jerry Reese has taken heat for being a poor draft evaluator, even coming off perhaps his best-ever pick (Odell Beckham Jr.) a year ago. So Reese goes the safe route here, with the athletic and bull-strong Scherff, who can project to either guard or tackle; this should allow the Giants to start the five most talented O-linemen and figure out what positions they work best at.
10. St. Louis Rams — Louisville WR Devante Parker
With Scherff gone, Parker is the pick here. The wideout could be a terrific addition for new starting QB Nick Foles and give the Rams a nice little depth chart at wideout. Still, it’s hard not to notice how much time the Rams spent looking at Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota during the run-up to the draft. Could Foles and the No. 10 pick to the Titans for No. 2 get it done? Hmm, interesting.
11. Minnesota Vikings — Michigan State CB Trae Waynes
Have no illusions: Terence Newman signing with the Vikings does not preclude them from drafting a cornerback high. Waynes fits the Mike Zimmer mold, and adding another man-cover corner — along with the underrated Xavier Rhodes — allows Zimmer to be very aggressive with the talented defense he’s building there.
12. Cleveland Browns — Washington NT Danny Shelton
Really, who knows what the Browns will do? The 2014 first-round picks of Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel were risky, and they played maybe the two toughest positions for rookies to deal with. Yet hope still seems fleeting in the building, so we’ll project them a fairly safe (and needy) choice of Shelton, who handled a high volume of snaps well for the Huskies and would be a more than adequate replacement for Ahtyba Rubin.
13. New Orleans Saints — Missouri OLB-DE Shane Ray
The Saints need a high-energy rusher who can burn up the edges and get the Superdome cranking again with sacks. In a division with Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and perhaps Jameis Winston, the Saints know they have to up the ante on their pass-rush disruption. Even if Ray plays only 40 snaps a game, he can make the most of them.
14. Miami Dolphins — Central Florida WR Breshad Perriman
The Dolphins appear willing to consider all their options, including moving up. It also wouldn’t be out of the question to see them roll the dice on a player such as Todd Gurley here, having done their homework on him extensively. However, we’ll projected them the other toolsiest offensive player left on the board, the impossibly gifted, the maddeningly inconsistent Perriman, who could be special in time with patience.
15. San Francisco 49ers — Oregon DL Arik Armstead
The 49ers’ strange offseason flight pattern has us preparing for anything — trade up, trade down, reach pick, whatever — here. But what makes sense, with the top few wideouts off the board, is that the 49ers could stand to get younger and more talented up front. With Justin Smith a retirement candidate and Darnell Dockett coming off a season-ending knee injury, the Niners’ only other candidates to start at the five-technique spot are Tony Jerod-Eddie and Tank Carradine, neither of whom is proven. Armstead should help anchor a run defense that has taken a big hit at linebacker.
16. Houston Texans — Georgia RB Todd Gurley
We’ve maintained ever since Gurley suffered a torn ACL last November that he would still end up in the first round of the draft — too rare a talent to slide any farther. Arian Foster turns 29 in August, has one year left on his current deal and has missed at least three games in three of the past four seasons. Gurley could be brought along slowly before being unleashed as a warhorse in Bill O’Brien’s offense, which still lacks a front-line QB.
17. San Diego Chargers — Florida OT D.J. Humphries
As we alluded to in the Titans’ No. 2 selection, there’s a chance this pick could end up in the possession of Tennessee. We’ll hedge a bit here — not projecting trades in this mock — and pick a player that would make sense for both the Chargers and Titans. It appears the Chargers will want to move D.J. Fluker inside to guard, and the Titans were a revolving door at tackle (they used five players at left tackle, six at right). The Titans have Taylor Lewan as one starter and a gaping hole at the other spot. If they acquire someone such as Philip Rivers, they’ll need major OL help.
18. Kansas City Chiefs — Florida State C-OG Cam Erving
Rodney Hudson is gone to Oakland, leaving Eric Kush — a former D-II player — as the only other true center on the roster. Erving moved from left tackle to center midseason and made himself into a first-rounder; everything since then, including good performances at the combine and his pro day, have solidified that status. One former Florida State center replaces another.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) — LSU La’el Collins
GM Ray Farmer, who is trying to save his job right now, seems bent on not drafting receivers too early. It’s a diva position in his mind, and the strength and depth of the class could allow a first-round talent to slide to their pick in Round 2. Instead, the Browns go here with a strong finisher in the run game in Collins, who projects either to right guard or right tackle, and would be an upgrade over John Greco or Mitchell Schwartz. A year after shooting for the moon on high-ceiling, high-risk prospects Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel in Round 1, Farmer comes back to earth with two safe picks.
20. Philadelphia Eagles — Connecticut CB-S Byron Jones
Chip Kelly is all about long, explosive athletes and the 6-foot-1, 199-pound (and 32-inch-armed) Jones is a perfect example of what he’s looking for, and at a need position to boot. Jones is instinctive — one scout we talked to compared him to Devin McCourty coming out of Rutgers — with positional flexibility at safety, which he played earlier in his career, and corner. If you watch Jones play in 2013 before a season-ending shoulder injury in 2014, it’s clear he has big-time ability.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — Oklahoma NT Jordan Phillips
The Bengals have favored longer, more powerful defenders in the trenches, and Phillips is the textbook example of that. He’s a future replacement for Domata Peko, just as the Bengals’ past three first-round picks have been more geared for Year 2 than Year 1. Phillips could be something special in time if he plays more consistently and keeps his pad level down.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers — Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson
Johnson’s confidence, his man-cover skills and his incredible athleticism will inject a shot of life into an aging, underperforming secondary. Ike Taylor has retired, leaving a disappointing Cortez Allen, William Gay and spare parts on the cornerback depth chart. New defensive coordinator Keith Butler would love some pass-rush help, too, but this is the more pressing need, and Johnson is a potential star.
23. Detroit Lions — Texas DT Malcom Brown
Tyrunn Walker is an intriguing addition, but he has always been a subpackage player, and 2014 fifth-rounder Caraun Reid isn’t proven yet. Declining Haloti Ngata is a free agent after next season, and the Lions can’t pass up a good player such as Brown here. Yes, Lions GM Martin Mayhew adheres to a best-player-available approach, but tie goes to the biggest need. Brown can collapse a pocket and add good support to the position inside, having lost both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley this offseason.
24. Arizona Cardinals — UCLA LB Eric Kendricks
They’re still in the Adrian Peterson hunt, and they’ll keep their eyes on Todd Gurley if he slips; short of landing either of them, they can come back later in the draft to take, let’s say, Ameer Abdullah or T.J. Yeldon. But here, the Cardinals fill their biggest need and find a player who matches their temperament perfectly in the fireball and tone setter Kendricks. He’s a three-down, impact starter with Daryl Washington’s status still up in the air.
25. Carolina Panthers — Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon
GM Dave Gettleman was in New York when the Giants used the 32nd pick on David Wilson, and he won’t shy from finding an excellent runner here. Yes, offensive tackle is a glaring need and someone such as Ereck Flowers makes a ton of sense. But the Panthers want to remain a running team following DeAngelo Williams’ release and in the later years of Jonathan Stewart’s career.
26. Baltimore Ravens — ex-Washington CB Marcus Peters
The Ravens understand navigating the vortex of talent and character, and we think they would sign off on a player such as Peters, who has tons of the former but is headstrong and emotional and might not be a great in every locker room. Welcome to the Ravens, kid — you’ll fit in nicely here. Peters might have bristled at Chris Petersen’s lockstep expectations, but he could flourish under Jim Harbaugh’s watchful eye. And Peters has the talent to start right away and be an instant-impact performer on a good defense.
27. Dallas Cowboys — LSU CB Jalen Collins
Mo Claiborne might be a lost cause, Brandon Carr is a financial albatross and Orlando Scandrick, the Cowboys’ best corner, is best-suited to play inside. That means the Cowboys will have to address cornerback, and they do so with a long, athletic wonder who can run and mirror and start early on, despite having to wait his turn in college. Collins is adept at rerouting receivers, a key requirement in Rod Marinelli’s defense.
28. Denver Broncos — Stanford OT Andrus Peat
John Elway pulls double duty: He makes his new head coach, Gary Kubiak, happy with some OT help and also makes Cardinal alumni happy. Peat is a top-10 talent when he wants to be and could be a terrific right tackle and a major upgrade over the try-hard, under-skilled Chris Clark. And, if the Broncos move on from Ryan Clady after the season, when most of the dead money comes off the books, Peat could slide over to the left side. This would be thievery.
29. Indianapolis Colts — Alabama S Landon Collins
If he’s here, the Colts might pounce on Collins, who would project to start right away at a position devoid of playmakers. The recent draft history of (a) Alabama defensive backs and (b) larger, box-type safeties isn’t strong. But Collins has impact potential if he can get his conditioning in order and not play too heavy; if so, he’d be an upgrade over LaRon Landry at strong safety.
30. Green Bay Packers — Nebraska OLB Randy Gregory
GM Ted Thompson won’t let a good football player fall any farther. One of Thompson’s gifts is knowing when to pounce on a falling star, and Gregory could be an impact defender off the edge if he gets his priorities in order. Scouts have told Shutdown Corner that the team that drafts him must prepare to mentor and monitor him closely and have a plan for Gregory to thrive. In remote Green Bay, surrounded by strong, demanding personalities on a Super Bowl contender, Gregory might fall in line and capitalize on his rare edge-bending talent.
31. New Orleans Saints (via Seattle Seahawks) — Miami (Fla.) WR Phillip Dorsett
Why the Saints would ship out Kenny Stills and seek another speed receiver is worth a hearty debate, but they appear to be having a hard time hiding their infatuation with the speedball Dorsett who was underused by the Hurricanes. Drew Brees gets a field stretcher, which also should open up the run game. They need more defense badly
32. New England Patriots — Florida State DT-DE Mario Edwards Jr.
This screams trade down for the Patriots. With no-gotta-have him prospect on the board, the Patriots could seek to move out of this pick for a team wanting to move up for a player (a quarterback even?) they can exercise a fifth-year option on down the line. But if they stay put, I could see a slightly off-the-wall selection for a player who, frankly, was too heavy and uninspiring last season but could be an interior force and part of a rebuilt New England front line. Edwards is still projected to go in the top 50 picks, but it’s hard to ID the perfect landing spot for him. Post-Vince Wilfork, the Patriots tab Edwards as a different kind of defensive tackle.
ROUND 2
33. Tennessee Titans — Miami (Fla.) OT Ereck Flowers
Wholly dependent on what happens at No. 2, etc., but this is a powerful right tackle candidate who can step right in at a need spot.
34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Even landing George Johnson from the Lions, Lovie Smith knows he needs more pass rushers. Here’s one.
35. Oakland Raiders — USC WR Nelson Agholor
Like the Derek Carr pick a year ago, this could end up being one of the best values of the draft early in Round 2. It wouldn’t be stunning if Agholor ends up going higher than this.
36. Jacksonville Jaguars — Boise State RB Jay Ajayi
The Jaguars need a big, downhill runner, and Ajayi fits the bill. Gus Bradley lands his poor man’s Marshawn Lynch.
37. New York Jets — Baylor QB Bryce Petty
Big-armed, big-personality quarterback with the skills to build up to a starting role down the road.
38. Washington Redskins — Florida State CB Ronald Darby
Coverage ace who looked like a first-round athlete at his pro day.
39. Chicago Bears — Florida State DT Eddie Goldman
Their dice roll to pass on Danny Shelton in Round 1 works out as Goldman slips here.
40. New York Giants — Utah S-CB Eric Rowe
Played three years of safety before switching to corner, and he could be a Day 1 starter at his former position.
41. St. Louis Rams — UCLA QB Brett Hundley
Short of landing Mariota, the Rams can grab a QB to groom — and one who is a known commodity in Los Angeles. You know, for whatever that might be worth after this season.
42. Atlanta Falcons — Minnesota TE Maxx Williams
Defensive help still needed, but Williams fills the Tony Gonzalez void nicely.
43. Cleveland Browns — Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong
The Browns need another big athlete on the outside to throw to, and Strong’s broken wrist is not a serious concern.
44. New Orleans Saints — Colorado State QB Garrett Grayson
The Saints discussed taking Jimmy Garoppolo in Round 2 last year but settled on Stanley Jean-Baptiste, who was lost at corner as a rookie. Grayson fits what Sean Payton seeks in a QB, and they’re starting to fly off the board.
45. Minnesota Vikings — TCU LB Paul Dawson
The Vikings get a versatile, instinctive playmaker on defense, although trading down and adding picks — or grabbing a receiver — also makes sense.
46. San Francisco 49ers — Mississippi State LB Benardrick McKinney
The run on inside linebackers continue with this heavy hitter with coverage limitations.
47. Miami Dolphins — Washington LB Shaq Thompson
Musical chairs happening at linebacker, but this versatile performer should help them sort out the depth chart.
48. San Diego Chargers — Indiana RB Tevin Coleman
Straight-line, power back nicknamed “Rock” who could start immediately and thrive out west.
49. Kansas City Chiefs — ex-Missouri WR Dorial Green-Beckham
The slide ends for the talented but troubled DGB, who will be watched carefully by Andy Reid and mentored by Jeremy Maclin. The sky is the limit if Green-Beckham stays focused.
50. Buffalo Bills — South Carolina OG A.J. Cann
No quarterback left worth taking here, so the Bills grab an experienced, nasty guard who could start Day 1.
51. Houston Texans — Duke OG Laken Tomlinson
Heady, experienced interior mauler who could push Ben Jones out of the starting lineup.
52. Philadelphia Eagles — Ohio State WR Devin Smith
A good fit for what the Eagles need on offense as an explosive burner and on special teams as a gunner.
53. Cincinnati Bengals — Oregon OT Jake Fisher
Bengals often look to go best player available, and this athletic wonder also fills a need for depth with Andrew Whitworth aging quickly.
54. Detroit Lions — Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi
Right tackle was subpar all season, and Ogbuehi looked most comfortable there after early struggles last season.
55. Arizona Cardinals — Nebraska RB Ameer Abdullah
Too similar to Andre Ellington? Perhaps, but Bruce Arians reportedly is a fan. Makes sense … if they don’t land Adrian Peterson.
56. Pittsburgh Steelers — Virginia OLB Eli Harold
It wouldn’t be shocking if they considered him in Round 1, so he’s a no-brainer here.
57. Carolina Panthers — Penn State OT-OG Donovan Smith
If he can stay motivated and play more consistently, Smith could be a big-time force.
58. Baltimore Ravens — Auburn WR Sammie Coates
The Ravens need a deep threat to replace Torrey Smith, and that’s what Coates does best now: run “9” routes.
59. Denver Broncos — Miami (Fla.) TE Clive Walford
They’ve shown interest in adding another tight end, and Walford might be the guy they focus on.
60. Dallas Cowboys — Miami (Fla.) RB Duke Johnson
Great interior, one-cut rusher for his size who regained burst after knee surgery. A quicker complement to and more explosive player than Darren McFadden.
61. Indianapolis Colts — Wisconsin OT Rob Havenstein
GM Ryan Grigson is a Big Ten guy, and he lands a run-blocking force who can challenge Gosder Cherilus.
62. Green Bay Packers — Florida State CB P.J. Williams
Williams’ recent arrest casts doubt on this pick, but Thompson IDs a good football player here. Well worth any risk.
63. Seattle Seahawks — Oregon C Hroniss Grasu
GM John Schneider was on hand at Oregon’s pro day to witness Max Unger’s potential replacement.
64. New England Patriots — Florida State OG Tre Jackson
Retired OL coach Dante Scarnecchia has made the pro day rounds, helping the Patriots scout interior line talent. Jackson made a visit to Foxborough after FSU’s pro day; Scar must have liked what he saw.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
