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In this one, I'm the general manager ... for every team. This isn't me projecting picks, this is me making them, for three full rounds, based on what's best for each team at that slot. Thus the "A" grade. (I know, I know.)
Please read the ground rules:
1. At each slot, I make a pick in the best interest of only the team with the pick. I won't pass on a player at No. 4 just because I like the team better at No. 5.
2. No trades unless they're already done. I note team needs, and I try to address them, but like the draft, value can supersede need.
3. Again: I'm not projecting. It's more a look at where I see value up and down the board.
As with previous years', there's a team-by-team look below, as well as a pick-by-pick version so you can see how the order of the picks progressed and get an idea of who was off the board when each team selected.
Picks in order, Rounds 1-3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top needs: QB, DE, OT, WRTennessee Titans
Round 1 (1) QB Jameis Winston, Florida St.
Round 2 (34) OT D.J. Humphries, Florida
Round 3 (65) DE Mario Edwards, Florida St.
Top needs: RT, WR DE, S
Round 1 (2) QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Round 2 (33) OT Jake Fisher, Oregon
Round 3 (66) DE Trey Flowers, Arkansas
Jacksonville Jaguars
Top needs: DE, RB, CB, C
Round 1 (3) DL Leonard Williams, USC
Round 2 (36) RB Tevin Coleman, Indiana
Round 3 (67) CB P.J. Williams, Florida St.
Oakland Raiders
Top needs: WR, DE, CB, S
Round 1 (4) WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
Round 2 (35) DE Preston Smith, Mississippi St.
Round 3 (68) LB Paul Dawson, TCU
Washington Redskins
Top needs: OL, OLB, ILB, S
Round 1 (5) OLB Dante Fowler, Florida
Round 2 (38) OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
Round 3 (69) G A.J. Cann, South Carolina
New York Jets
Top needs: QB, OLB, OL, RB
Round 1 (6) WR Kevin White, West Virginia
Round 2 (37) OLB Eli Harold, Virginia
Round 3 (70) QB Garrett Grayson, Colorado St.
Chicago Bears
Top needs: WR, DL, OLB, S
Round 1 (7) WR Breshad Perriman, Central Florida
Round 2 (39) DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA
Round 3 (71) DL Henry Anderson, Stanford
Atlanta Falcons
Top needs: OLB, OL, TE, RB
Round 1 (8) OLB Shane Ray, Missouri
Round 2 (42) G Laken Tomlinson, Duke
Round 3 (73) WR Justin Hardy, East Carolina
New York Giants
Top needs: OL, DE, S, TE
Round 1 (9) OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Round 2 (40) S Eric Rowe, Utah
Round 3 (74) S/LB Shaq Thompson, Washington
St. Louis Rams
Top needs: OL, WR, CB, QB
Round 1 (10) WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
Round 2 (41) OT T.J. Clemmings, Pitt
Round 3 (72) CB D'Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic
Minnesota Vikings
Top needs: CB, LB, WR, RB
Round 1 (11) CB Trae Waynes, Michigan St.
Round 2 (45) WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
Round 3 (76) RB Jay Ajayi, Boise St.
Cleveland Browns
Top needs: QB, WR, OL, DT
Round 1 (12) DT Danny Shelton, Washington
Round 1 (19) RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
Round 2 (43) WR Devin Smith, Ohio St.
Round 3 (77) QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
New Orleans Saints
Top needs: OLB, WR, G, CB
Round 1 (13) OLB Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Round 1 (31) WR Phillip Dorsett, Miami (FL)
Round 2 (44) G Tre Jackson, Florida St.
Round 3 (75) CB Senquez Golson, Ole Miss
Round 3 (78) OT Daryl Williams, Oklahoma
Miami Dolphins
Top needs: WR, G, CB, LB
Round 1 (14) WR Nelson Agholor, USC
Round 2 (47) CB/S Quinten Rollins, Miami (Ohio)
San Francisco 49ers
Top needs: ILB, DE, CB, G
Round 1 (15) DE Arik Armstead, Oregon
Round 2 (46) LB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi St.
Round 3 (79) WR Stefon Diggs, Maryland
Houston Texans
Top needs: WR, ILB, OLB, QB
Round 1 (16) OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
Round 2 (51) LB Denzel Perryman, Miami (FL)
Round 3 (82) CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Analysis: We have clear needs at both inside linebacker and on the edge, where Brooks Reed's departure doesn't help, even if I didn't want to open the checkbook too wide to keep him around. It wasn't hard to run to the podium for Beasley at No. 16 overall, as the productivity (44.5 TFL over the past two seasons) is in line with his superb athlete credentials. If I'm Rick Smith, the idea of J.J. Watt on the shelf for any time gives me the cold sweats, so I'm looking to limit any drop-off in pass-rush productivity if he were ever sidelined, all while we wait on the recovery process for Jadeveon Clowney. Perryman is a plug-and-play option next to Brian Cushing as I Iook at the depth chart today, so I'm pretty happy with that value midway through Round 2. I'd like to get a WR at some point, but at No. 82 overall Ekpre-Olomu is a value I just can't pass on. If you went on his junior tape, you'd think he's safely a first-round pick -- a knee injury makes him available here. Between him and William & Mary WR Tre McBride, I go with the potential steal.
San Diego Chargers
Top needs: DL, WR, RB, OLB
Round 1 (17) DT Malcom Brown, Texas
Round 2 (48) WR Devin Funchess, Michigan
Round 3 (83) RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Kansas City Chiefs
Top needs: WR, ILB, S, DE
Round 1 (18) WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona St.
Round 2 (49) LB Stephone Anthony, Clemson
Round 3 (80) S Damarious Randall, Arizona St.
Round 3 (98) DT Gabe Wright, Auburn
Buffalo Bills
Top needs: QB, G, ILB, S
Round 2 (50) QB Bryce Petty, Baylor
Round 3 (81) G Ali Marpet, Hobart
Philadelphia Eagles
Top needs: S, G, CB, WR
Round 1 (20) S Landon Collins, Alabama
Round 2 (52) WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas St.
Round 3 (84) G Ty Sambrailo, Colorado St.
Cincinnati Bengals
Top needs: DE, LB, OT, WR/TE
Round 1 (21) DE Bud Dupree, Kentucky
Round 2 (53) OT Donovan Smith, Penn St.
Round 3 (85) WR Tre McBride, William & Mary
Round 3 (99) TE Jeff Heuerman, Ohio St.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Top needs: CB, S, OLB, TE
Round 1 (22) CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
Round 2 (56) OLB Hau'Oli Kikaha
Round 3 (87) S Derron Smith, Fresno St.
Detroit Lions
Top needs: OL, DT, CB, RB
Round 1 (23) OT La'El Collins, LSU
Round 2 (54) DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
Round 3 (88) RB Duke Johnson, Miami (FL)
Arizona Cardinals
Top needs: RB, OLB, C, CB
Round 1 (24) RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Round 2 (55) LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
Round 3 (86) OLB Nate Orchard, Utah
Carolina Panthers
Top needs: OT, WR, CB, S
Round 1 (25) OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
Round 2 (57) WR Sammie Coates, Auburn
Round 3 (89) S James Sample, Louisville
Baltimore Ravens
Top needs: CB, TE, WR, DL
Round 1 (26) CB Marcus Peters, Washington
Round 2 (58) TE Maxx Williams, Minnesota
Round 3 (90) WR Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas
Denver Broncos
Top needs: OL, ILB, DL, TEIndianapolis Colts
Round 1 (28) C Cameron Erving, Florida St.
Round 2 (59) DT Carl Davis, Iowa
Round 3 (92) LB Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville
Top needs: OL, DL, CB, SGreen Bay Packers
Round 1 (29) OT Ereck Flowers, Miami (FL)
Round 2 (61) DE Danielle Hunter, LSU
Round 3 (93) CB Josh Shaw, USC
Top needs: ILB, DL, CB, TE
Round 1 (30) CB Jalen Collins, LSU
Round 2 (62) TE Clive Walford, Miami (FL)
Round 3 (94) DT Xavier Cooper, Washington St.
Seattle Seahawks
Top needs: WR, CB, C/G, DE
Round 2 (63) CB Ronald Darby, Florida St.
Round 3 (96) C Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
New England Patriots
Top needs: DL, WR, CB, RB
Round 1 (32) DT Eddie Goldman, Florida St.
Round 2 (64) WR Chris Conley, Georgia
Round 3 (96) RB David Johnson, Northern Iowa
Round 3 (97) CB Alex Carter, Stanford
My colleague Mel Kiper Jr. released his Grade: A mock draft Thursday, making his picks for all 32 teams in rounds 1-3 based on what he would do, as opposed to projecting what teams will do in the 2015 NFL draft.
Here is my take on the picks and teams he got right, and which ones he didn't:
Best picks:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Jameis Winston, OT D.J. Humphries, DL Mario Edwards
The Bucs killed it with these three picks. They got their franchise QB in Winston, who is the top-ranked player on my board and one of the best passing prospects to come out of college the past several years; they upgraded their O-line with Humphries and found a good value in the third round with Edwards, who projects as a 3-technique in Tampa's defensive scheme.
Tennessee Titans: QB Marcus Mariota, OT Jake Fisher, DE Trey Flowers
The team with the No. 2 overall pick did well under Mel's guidance as well. If developed properly, Mariota can be a good NFL quarterback and a clear upgrade over Zach Mettenberger. Fisher helps the Titans' offensive line and is a good value in the second round, and I think Flowers is one of the more underrated players in this draft -- a defensive end who is very good against the run and better than expected as a pass-rusher. He's a steal in the third round.
Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, DE Preston Smith, LB P.J. Dawson
The Raiders had a nice draft. Cooper is a premiere wide receiver, and his presence along with that of Michael Crabtree should help second-year QB Derek Carr. This is about where Smith belongs, as a powerful left defensive end prospect. If Dawson is available at No. 68 overall, he's a great pick at linebacker. All three of these guys are really good football players who I think are ready to play right now.
New York Jets: WR Kevin White, OLB Eli Harold, QB Garrett Grayson
I'm proud of Mel for not reaching based on positional need at No. 6 and instead just picking the best player available, and that is White. He should be the Jets' No. 1 receiver, because you can't be sure of what you'll get from Brandon Marshall at this stage of his career. Harold needs time to develop but has very good upside as a pass-rusher, and he's a good value if you can get him in the second round. Grayson is worth a shot as a developmental QB in the third round, since in this scenario the Jets weren't able to take Winston or Mariota.
St. Louis Rams: WR DeVante Parker, OT T.J. Clemmings, CB D'Joun Smith
I really like all three of these picks. The Rams get the third-best receiver prospect in this class at No. 10 overall in Parker; they get a big, powerful right tackle in Clemmings, whom they can bump inside to guard as a rookie if they want; and Smith is an underrated player worthy of a third-round pick. The only concern I have with this class is that it'd mean the Rams once again failed to prioritize the QB position with a premium pick. Nick Foles is entering the final year of his contract and was unable to stay healthy last season; this is the perfect time to spend a pick on a QB to develop, even if it just ends up being as Foles' backup.
Worst picks:
Cleveland Browns: RB Todd Gurley at No. 19
This pick is the highlight of this whole mock draft for me. Mel has told me maybe 1,000 times that in 35 years of doing this job he would never take a running back in the first round -- and then he gets to make his picks and he breaks the rule with the No. 19 selection. I think Gurley is a very good prospect, so this isn't a knock on him. And if you're Cleveland and you really want Gurley -- for the record, I don't think the Browns should use either of their first-round picks on him -- then you might as well take him at No. 12, because I don't know that he'll still be around at No. 19. But more importantly, Mel, what's the point of having this rule if you're going to break it? Gotta give an "F" for this one.
Arizona Cardinals: RB Melvin Gordon at No. 24
Now Mel has broken his 35-year-old rule twice -- within the first 24 picks! This guy is unbelievable. This is another "F." You can't break your own rules.
Chicago Bears: WR Breshad Perriman at No. 7
I don't think it's a bad idea for the Bears to draft a receiver with the seventh pick, but I have DeVante Parker ranked ahead of Perriman. I think Perriman is a good prospect with the potential to develop into a really good wide receiver, but I have some concerns about his route running and most importantly his ball skills. He can do certain things well, most notably as a deep threat, but I don't know about drafting a wide receiver who dropped 14 percent of the passes thrown his way in college all the way up at No. 7 -- especially with Parker still on the board.
Houston Texans: OLB Vic Beasley at No. 18
I would have liked to see a wide receiver here for the Texans, but with five WRs already off the board within the first 14 picks -- in particular, Nelson Agholor to the Dolphins at No. 14 feels a little aggressive, Mel -- the Texans had to reach for Beasley at No. 18. His production at Clemson was off-the-charts, he put up outstanding combine results, and he seems like a hard worker, but I'd have a hard time drafting him this early because I didn't see any power element in his game when I studied him on tape.
New England Patriots: WR Chris Conley at No. 64
Question for you, Mel: If I go run a 4.2 40-yard dash, will you put me in the first two rounds of the draft? I think it's hard to justify Conley as a second-round pick, based on how he performed on tape.
Other notes:
• I don't have a problem with Randy Gregory going to the Saints with the 13th pick, because based on game tape alone he's the best edge rusher in the 2015 class. But Mel said on TV these past few weeks he wouldn't take him until the 20s, so I'm not sure why you'd pick him for the Saints at No. 13.
• The Chargers got the steal of this draft at No. 83 in the third round with running back Ameer Abdullah. I don't think he lasts that long. For a guy who broke his own rule to take RBs Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon in the first round, Mel sure let Abdullah and Duke Johnson (third round, No. 88 overall to the Lions) slide down the board.
• I'll bet Mel a deep dish pizza in Chicago that Damarious Randall, the best cover safety in this class, doesn't last all the way until the No. 80 pick of the third round (Chiefs). But I'd like cheese on mine, Mel.
You really see Kiper's lack of football knowledge shine through on stuff like this.
He's good at what he does. He's got great sources in the league. He's a news outlet for draft prospects. He's not an analyst. Stop trying to be one.
I would much rather have Chargers or first three guys of Bengals than what he gave us.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/mock/?season=2015&version=5&source=Todd-McShay-Mock-Draft1Jameis WinstonTampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)COLLEGE: Florida StateClass: SophHT: 6-3WT: 231POS: QB
2Marcus MariotaTennessee Titans (2-14)COLLEGE: OregonClass: JrHT: 6-3WT: 222POS: QB
3Dante Fowler Jr.Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)COLLEGE: FloridaClass: JrHT: 6-2WT: 261POS: DE
4Amari CooperOakland Raiders (3-13)COLLEGE: AlabamaClass: JrHT: 6-0WT: 211POS: WR
5Shane RayWashington Redskins (4-12)COLLEGE: MissouriClass: JrHT: 6-2WT: 245POS: OLB
6Todd GurleyNew York Jets (4-12)COLLEGE: GeorgiaClass: JrHT: 6-0WT: 222POS: RB
7Leonard WilliamsChicago Bears (5-11)COLLEGE: USCClass: JrHT: 6-4WT: 302POS: DE
8Randy GregoryAtlanta Falcons (6-10)COLLEGE: NebraskaClass: JrHT: 6-4WT: 235POS: OLB
9Brandon ScherffNew York Giants (6-10)COLLEGE: IowaClass: SrHT: 6-4WT: 319POS: OT
10Kevin WhiteSt. Louis Rams (6-10)COLLEGE: West VirginiaClass: SrHT: 6-2WT: 215POS: WR
11Trae WaynesMinnesota Vikings (7-9)COLLEGE: Michigan StateClass: JrHT: 6-0WT: 186POS: CB
12DeVante ParkerCleveland Browns (7-9)COLLEGE: LouisvilleClass: SrHT: 6-2WT: 209POS: WR
13Vic BeasleyNew Orleans Saints (7-9)COLLEGE: ClemsonClass: SrHT: 6-3WT: 246POS: OLB
14Breshad PerrimanMiami Dolphins (8-8)COLLEGE: UCFClass: JrHT: 6-2WT: 212POS: WR
15Arik ArmsteadSan Francisco 49ers (8-8)COLLEGE: OregonClass: JrHT: 6-7WT: 292POS: DE
16Nelson AgholorHouston Texans (9-7)COLLEGE: USCClass: JrHT: 6-0WT: 198POS: WR
Analysis: Danny Shelton would be intriguing as a nose tackle in Romeo Crennel's defense, but the Texans drafted Louis Nix III last year and just signed Vince Wilfork, so it's not a huge position of need. They need to add a weapon opposite DeAndre Hopkins following Andre Johnson's departure (they also signed Cecil Shorts this offseason), and Agholor is a versatile receiver who does a good job of creating separation as a route runner. This is a bit rich for my liking, but I'm hearing a lot of buzz about Agholor. I also think the Texans could be a team that moves back into the first round and winds up getting a better value package with an additional pick and a second-tier WR later in the first round.
17Danny SheltonSan Diego Chargers (9-7)COLLEGE: WashingtonClass: SrHT: 6-2WT: 339POS: DT
18Cameron ErvingKansas City Chiefs (9-7)COLLEGE: Florida StateClass: SrHT: 6-5WT: 313POS: OC
19Malcom BrownCleveland Browns (7-9)COLLEGE: TexasClass: JrHT: 6-2WT: 319POS: DT
20Landon CollinsPhiladelphia Eagles (10-6)COLLEGE: AlabamaClass: JrHT: 6-0WT: 228POS: S
21Andrus PeatCincinnati Bengals (10-5-1)COLLEGE: StanfordClass: JrHT: 6-6WT: 313POS: OT
22Bud DupreePittsburgh Steelers (11-5)COLLEGE: KentuckyClass: SrHT: 6-4WT: 269POS: OLB
23La'el CollinsDetroit Lions (11-5)COLLEGE: LSUClass: SrHT: 6-4WT: 305POS: OT
24Kevin JohnsonArizona Cardinals (11-5)COLLEGE: Wake ForestClass: SrHT: 6-0WT: 188POS: CB
25Ereck FlowersCarolina Panthers (7-8-1)COLLEGE: Miami (FL)Class: JrHT: 6-6WT: 329POS: OT
26Melvin GordonBaltimore Ravens (10-6)COLLEGE: WisconsinClass: JrHT: 6-0WT: 215POS: RB
27Byron JonesDallas Cowboys (12-4)COLLEGE: ConnecticutClass: SrHT: 6-0WT: 199POS: CB
28D.J. HumphriesDenver Broncos (12-4)COLLEGE: FloridaClass: JrHT: 6-5WT: 307POS: OT
29Eli HaroldIndianapolis Colts (11-5)COLLEGE: VirginiaClass: JrHT: 6-3WT: 247POS: OLB
30Eric KendricksGreen Bay Packers (12-4)COLLEGE: UCLAClass: SrHT: 6-0WT: 232POS: ILB
31Phillip DorsettNew Orleans Saints (7-9)COLLEGE: Miami (FL)Class: SrHT: 5-9WT: 185POS: WR
Analysis: The Saints got a pass-rusher in Vic Beasley with the No. 13 pick, so we'll have them address another need by drafting a wide receiver here. They need to get Drew Brees some more weapons after trading away both Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills, and Dorsett is one of the best playmakers in this draft class. He has elite speed, but unlike some burners, he possesses the ability to smoothly get in and out of cuts to create separation, and his ability to accelerate off of cuts is a rare quality shared by most of the NFL's best open-field runners. He's also a natural pass-catcher, and is not only a vertical threat but could be an effective slot receiver in the pros as well.
32Marcus PetersNew England Patriots (12-4)COLLEGE: WashingtonClass: JrHT: 5-11WT: 197POS: CB
Vic Beasley1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Jameis Winston, QB
2. Tennessee Titans -- Marcus Mariota, QB
3. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Amari Cooper, WR
4. Oakland Raiders -- Leonard Williams, DT
5. Washington Redskins -- Dante Fowler, Jr, OLB
6. New York Jets -- Brandon Scherff, OT/G
7. Chicago Bears -- Kevin White, WR
8. Atlanta Falcons -- Bud Dupree, DE
9. New York Giants -- Todd Gurley, RB
10. St. Louis Rams -- DeVante Parker, WR
11. Minnesota Vikings -- Trae Waynes, DB
12. Cleveland Browns -- Danny Shelton, DT
13. New Orleans Saints -- Randy Gregory, OLB
14. Miami Dolphins -- Breshad Perriman, WR
15. San Francisco 49ers -- Arik Armstead, DE
16. Houston Texans -- Phillip Dorsett, WR
17. San Diego Chargers -- La'el Collins, OT
18. Kansas City Chiefs -- Jaelen Strong, WR
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) -- Andrus Peat, OT
20. Philadelphia Eagles -- Marcus Peters, CB
21. Cincinnati Bengals -- Ereck Flowers, OT
22. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Byron Jones, CB
23. Detroit Lions -- Malcom Brown, DT
24. Arizona Cardinals -- Melvin Gordon, RB
25. Carolina Panthers -- DJ Humphries, OT
26. Baltimore Ravens -- Kevin Johnson, CB
27. Dallas Cowboys -- Eddie Goldman, DT
28. Denver Broncos -- Cameron Erving, C
29. Indianapolis Colts -- Shane Ray, OLB
30. Green Bay Packers -- Jalen Collins, CB
31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle) -- Devin Smith, WR
32. New England Patriots -- Eric Rowe, CB/S
I've watched Phillip Dorsett for years. This guy is Travis Benjamin. He is not a first round pick. This special was not only strange picks wise but was horrid to watch.
Dorsett at #16 instead of Perriman. Now that's an intriguing possibility. Can play inside and outside. The Texans have shown some interest in this guy.
Who picked for the Texans? I agree that Dorsett is not a first round pick. Lots of others there that could help us a lot more
...This special was not only strange picks wise but was horrid to watch.
No kidding.
You've got the two guys with actual football experience on the sidelines commenting while the pretend scout, rumor-gatherers are making the draft picks??? Who decided the Cleveland Browns was the ESPN model? Sheesh. Note both Kiper and McShay ran to Twitter immediately after to make excuses for their laughable draft.
Give me Riddick/Polian drafting and let Todd repeatedly use his favorite football term that he learned last year -- convert speed to power -- 100 times while Mel squeezes 47 words into a 9 second take...
Frank Caliendo can do what the McStupids do for half the price/time.
I like those guys, too. They're doing a caller mock today, I believe.I like listening to Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan do their mocks on NFL Radio. The last one I heard, Kirwan picked Shane Ray for the Texans.
I've watched Phillip Dorsett for years. This guy is Travis Benjamin. He is not a first round pick. This special was not only strange picks wise but was horrid to watch.