In the second-to-last edition of the Breitbart Sports NFL Mock Draft, we do include a quarterback taken in Round 1. That quarterback is Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib, who we project will go #8 to the Bills, which will make him the only quarterback to go in the first round.
- Kansas City Chiefs select OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan– One day I think it is Joeckel, the next I think it is Fisher. My take is that the Central Michigan standout is the better player, and I am trusting the KC front office will ultimately see the same thing.
- Jacksonville Jaguars select DE Ezekiel Ansah, BYU– Another coin flip. Dion Jordan could be the pick, but, at the end of the day, I think they go with the player with even more upside in Ansah.
- Oakland Raiders select DT Star Lotulelei, Utah– The vast majority of mock drafts have the Raiders taking an interior DL with Sharrif Floyd as the other popular selection. Lotulelei represents more of a “sure thing” for Reggie McKenzie, who desperately needs an impact player with this pick. The Raiders could certainly trade down if they find a willing partner. Jordan, Dee Milliner, or an OL are all possible here.
- Philadelphia Eagles select OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M– A true wild card selection for Chip Kelly, but it is hard to imagine Joeckel slipping past this point. Jordan (whom Kelly coached at Oregon), Milliner, or Geno Smith will also each have war room advocates.
- Detroit Lions select CB Dee Milliner, Alabama– The Lions have a severe need at corner and have to be thrilled to see the elite prospect at this point…
- Cleveland Browns select DE/LB Dion Jordan, Oregon– … and the Browns, who would love to add Milliner, take one of the draft’s elite pass rushers. There has been talk of interest in Geno Smith, but it is really hard to see them going that route.
- Arizona Cardinals select OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma– Watch out for Arizona as a candidate to move up on draft day or count on them to become very spiritual in the war room. They will be praying the talented Sooner lands in their lap, and, in this mock, he does.
- Buffalo Bills select QB Ryan Nassib, Syracuse– I am still having a really hard time with Buffalo, and selecting Cordarelle Patterson or Chance Warmack makes more sense to me. However, if Doug Marrone is intent on getting his former quarterback, he may have to select him here since Nassib is one of the hotter names leading up to draft day.
- New York Jets select OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU– Adding the 13th pick has made the Jets an even stronger candidate to select a quarterback and Nassib or Smith could ultimately become Jets. However, I do not see Rex Ryan passing on the chance to take an elite defender with this pick.
- Tennessee Titans select DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida– The Titans have long been linked to Warmack, but if Floyd falls in their lap, it is hard to see them passing on the disruptive defender if he is available at #10.
- San Diego Chargers select OG Chance Warmack, Alabama– San Diego would love to get a tackle, but they will be fortunate if they can nab the prospect who many consider the draft’s top overall player in the Alabama road grader.
- Miami Dolphins select CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State– A big, physical corner, Rhodes would be a great addition for the busy Dolphins. They would desperately love for Lane Johnson to fall into their laps here, so, if they do not opt to trade up, do not be surprised if they reach for Menelik Watson.
- New York Jets select CB D.J. Hayden, Houston– The elite corner suffered a life threatening injury this season, but has survived and been cleared to now rise up the draft boards. Hayden is the draft’s fastest riser and Rex Ryan, who dealt Revis to get this pick, was in Houston for the prospect’s recent workout. If he liked what he saw, he will need to pull the trigger with this pick. Once again, do not rule out a quarterback (see Smith, Geno), but Ryan may want to restore New York as an elite defensive team before addressing the WOEFUL quarterback situation.
- Carolina Panthers select WR Cordarelle Patterson, Tennessee– Most have the Panthers taking a defensive tackle, but Carolina needs to build this team around Cam Newton, and the young star needs more targets. Patterson is an elite wide receiver who would make the former Heisman winner flash a big ole smile.
- New Orleans Saints select LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia– Based on in-game production this season, Jones should be the highest player drafted in this class. However, because of his spinal stenosis and poor workouts, Jones may fall to New Orleans, and the Saints will be getting a disruptive force off the edge.
- St. Louis Rams select G Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina-The Rams would love to bolster their interior offensive line, the wide receiver corps, the middle linebacker spot, and the safety position. With two picks in the first round, St. Louis will be torn, but Cooper is the best value at #16.
- Pittsburgh Steelers select LB Kevin Minter, LSU– Alec Ogletree is the better prospect, but, with so many rumors of locker room issues for the Steelers, it would be wiser for Pittsburgh to go in another direction. Minter is no slouch though as the highly productive SEC linebacker ran a 4.67 at his Pro Day.
- Dallas Cowboys select DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri– With the Cowboys transitioning to a 4-3, Richardson is the perfect selection and is a great value at #18.
- New York Giants select LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia– One of the more talented prospects in the entire draft, Ogletree needs go into a good situation. The Giants and Tom Coughlin could be the organization to straighten him out. If they do, they will be getting a special player.
- Chicago Bears select TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame– Chicago has already strengthened the position this offseason, but there is still too much buzz about Eifert to ignore. The Notre Dame star could develop into a special player at the position.
- Cincinnati Bengals select S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas– Most do not have the standout Longhorn falling this far, but the Bengals desperately need a safety and would be thrilled to have the consensus #1 prospect at the position fall into their laps at #21. Florida International’s Jonathan Cyprien or rising LSU safety Eric Reid could be options here as well.
- St. Louis Rams select WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia– The dynamic receiver more than replaces the loss of Danny Amendola. St. Louis sorely needs playmakers for Sam Bradford, and Austin certainly fits the bill. Safety, being one of the deeper positions in the draft can wait until Round 2 to be addressed.
- Minnesota Vikings select LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame– Te’o to the Vikings continues to gain traction, and, if they pull the trigger here, this would be BY FAR the biggest reach of the draft. While the Notre Dame linebacker is likely a late first round pick, he is a fourth round value to his eventual team. I continue to be confident that he is NOT an impact player at middle linebacker in the NFL.
- Indianapolis Colts select DE Bjoern Werner, Florida State– The Colts could really use an upgrade at the position and Werner is a great value here. UCLA’s Datone Jones or Werner’s teammate Tank Carradine could also get looks at this spot if the Colts go this route.
- Minnesota Vikings select WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson– After dealing Harvin, the Vikings need a steady weapon for Christian Ponder, and Hopkins, though not flashy, gets the job done.
- Green Bay Packers select RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama– Aaron Rodgers could use some run support, and Lacy solidifies the position and keeps the pressure off one of the NFL’s best. While most are not projecting this selection, this makes too much sense for Green Bay for it not to happen.
- Houston Texans select WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee– Hunter is talented, but inconsistent. Nevertheless, he is a great value here for Houston which can allow Hunter to develop us a #2 option while grooming him as an eventual #1 when aging Andre Johnson retires/and or fades beyond #1 status.
- Denver Broncos select DE Tank Carradine, Florida State– No Dumervil? No problem. Many feel that Carradine could develop into one of the best DL’s in a very deep DL class.
- New England Patriots select DE Margus Hunt, SMU– The freakishly athletic Estonian would be perfect in the 3-4. Very new to football, he has steadily improved every year and could be a monster in the NFL.
- Atlanta Falcons select CB Desmond Trufant, Washington– This is too late for the talented Trufant and a steal for the Falcons. If this works out, the cost cutting move to release Dunta Robinson will look like a stroke of genius.
- San Francisco 49ers select S Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International– The rich get richer as the NFC Champion 49ers land an elite and fast rising safety prospect.
- Baltimore Ravens select LB Arthur Brown, Kansas State– Another great scenario works out for the Super Bowl champions. Brown is extremely versatile and fills a MAJOR need. Matt Elam or Keenan Allen could be targets here as well.
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