San Francisco 49ers

Jordan Katz NFL Mock Draft 4.0- Post Free Agency

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We’re officially one month away from the NFL Draft. Free agency has come and gone (for the most part) making the draft the last chance for teams to improve their roster before OTA’s start. Team needs have shuffled around a bit, and my player grades have changed as well. This mock draft will give you more of a feel of what I think teams should do to make themselves better.

1) Tennessee Titans- Laremy Tunsil, OT Ole Miss- Some have started to mock Jalen Ramsey going first overall, but I still think the Titans should go with Tunsil. Even though Ramsey is my top player in the draft, Tennessee shouldn’t pass on the opportunity to fortify their offensive line for years to come.

2) Jacksonville Jaguars via Cleveland Browns- Jalen Ramsey, CB/S Florida State- I have been mocking a quarterback here because I thought it was a no brainer the Browns would do it. Having said that, I never believed a quarterback was worth drafting here.

Apparently, the Browns might agree with me. They signed Robert Griffin III and don’t appear to be locked into a quarterback at this selection.

So If the Browns don’t go QB at the number two, then it seems like an obvious spot to trade down and get extra draft picks. Jacksonville trades up to land a game changer in the secondary.

3) Atlanta Falcons via San Diego Chargers- Joey Bosa, DE Ohio State- If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m going to continue to have Atlanta trade up for Joey Bosa. In a weak draft class, I feel like it is a risk worth taking for a team that almost made the postseason last year. San Diego trades out to help them rebuild.

4) Dallas Cowboys- Myles Jack, OLB UCLA- In the last mock draft I tried to have Dallas trade down here because Bosa was gone, but they stayed here and took Jack. Now I think he’s too much of a talent to consider trading out.

5) Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville Jaguars- DeForest Buckner, DE Oregon- Cleveland could still take a quarterback here (another reason why they should actively pursue a trade), but Buckner is a game changing 3-4 defensive end. None of these quarterbacks have game changing ability right away.

6) Baltimore Ravens- Ronnie Stanley, OT Notre Dame- Ozzie Newsome is known for going best available player without hesitation. In this scenario, I can’t see him passing on a bookend tackle.

7) San Francisco 49ers- Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State- While I still have Jared Goff as my top quarterback, Carson Wentz is more of a scheme fit for Chip Kelly. He’s a better athlete, and he has a bigger arm. One of the things the Eagles missed to perfect Kelly’s offense was a quarterback to take the top of the defense. Wentz can do that.

8) Philadelphia Eagles via Miami Dolphins- Vernon Hargreaves, CB Florida- The Eagles managed to dump almost every bad contract on their roster, and they even got some value back. Now the Eagles are in position to take a number one cornerback. Hargreaves has the ability to be a number one corner, which is something the Eagles are desperate for.

9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Kevin Dodd, DE Clemson- The Buccaneers had a great free agency, but they still need an edge rusher. Dodd has the versatility to be a dominating defensive end, something the Bucs haven’t had since Simeon Rice.

10) New York Giants- Josh Doctson, WR TCU- The Giants overhauled their defense in free agency, which gives them some flexibility to take whoever they want at this pick. I think the Giants next big need is a true number two wide receiver next to Odell Beckham Jr.

Doctson’s ability to high point the ball makes him an ideal deep threat and red zone target in the NFL, two things that would help alleviate double teams from ODB.

11) Chicago Bears- Mackensie Alexander, CB Clemson- I think the Bears could be a surprise team next year. They made solid acquisitions in free agency to help their defense, but they still need cornerback help. Alexander may not have the ball skills, but he’s got the technique to be a very good player.

12) New Orleans Saints- Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson- If new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wants to switch to a 4-3, he needs an edge rusher opposite Cameron Jordan. Lawson has natural ability as a five tech defensive end. He should fit right in with Allen’s new defensive philosophy.

13) Miami Dolphins via Philadelphia Eagles- Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State- The Dolphins made big splashes on defense, but they lost Lamar Miller in a bidding war with the Texans. Ryan Tannehill has proven time and time again that he needs a successful running game to help him operate. So why not select the best running back in the draft class?

14) Oakland Raiders- Reggie Ragland, ILB Alabama- Until I hear news that Jaylon Smith is back on track with his recovery, Ragland is the pick for Oakland. He can make an immediate impact in 2016, and that alone catapults him ahead of Smith.

15) Los Angeles Rams- Jared Goff, QB California- Jeff Fisher and company would have a serious conundrum on their hands if this scenario played out. Do they draft the QB without having real weapons, or do they draft the wide receiver (Treadwell) without having a quarterback to get him the ball?

I think Goff has a better chance of making sub par weapons better than Treadwell does of impacting the game with a sub par quarterback.

16) Detroit Lions- Laquon Treadwell, WR Ole Miss- Speaking of Treadwell, he would be a perfect fit in Detroit. He’s a big body target for Stafford and could be a very good red zone threat.

17) San Diego Chargers via Atlanta Falcons- Jason Spriggs, OT Indiana- This trade remains the same from the top down. The Falcons move up for Bosa, the Chargers slide down and grab an athletic offensive tackle.

18) Indianapolis Colts- Emmanuel Ogbah, EDGE Oklahoma State- Ogbah’s athleticism makes him a prospect that many are attracted to. He needs to polish his move set, but if he develops one, he could be a premier defensive player.

19) Buffalo Bills- Noah Spence, EDGE Western Kentucky- Rex Ryan doesn’t fear character issues if they have talent. There’s no doubt that Spence has talent, so I doubt Ryan will be deterred from selecting him.

20) New York Jets- Jaylon Smith, OLB/ILB Notre Dame- If you’re wondering why this isn’t a quarterback, I still am very confident the Jets bring back Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Jets are desperate for youth and talent at the linebacker position. Smith might miss eight weeks, maybe the year. However, he has top five talent and is one of the few true game changers in this draft.

21) Washington Redskins- A’Shawn Robinson, NT Alabama- The Redskins in need of a stopper in the middle of their defense. Robinson’s freakish athleticism and ability to stop the run make him a perfect scheme fit.

22) Houston Texans- Sheldon Rankins, DE/DT Louisville- In my opinion Rankins is better served as a 4-3 defensive tackle, but his quickness and athleticism should make his transition to 3-4 defensive end very easy.

23) Minnesota Vikings- Corey Coleman, WR Baylor- I think one of the reasons the Vikings were eager to let Mike Wallace depart was because this draft has multiple first round receivers with significantly more talent than Wallace has right now. Coleman’s route running ability will allow him to succeed in Norv Turner’s offense.

24) Cincinnati Bengals- Sterling Shepard, WR Oklahoma- I think the Bengals have lacked a “move the chains,” receiver during Andy Dalton’s tenure at quarterback in Cincy. Shepard doesn’t come without risk (he drops some passes and isn’t a jump ball receiver), but in terms of route running ability, there are few better in this draft.

25) Pittsburgh Steelers- Kenny Clark, NT UCLA- Having lost Steve McLendon to the Jets, the Steelers appear to be locked into a nose tackle at the 25. Clark remains this selection because of his ability to stop and gap the run effectively.

26) Seattle Seahawks- Robert Nkemdiche, DT Ole Miss- I almost gave the Texans Nkemdiche to play defensive end, but I’m not sure that team has the personnel to handle someone like him. The Seahawks certainly do.

27) Green Bay Packers- Austin Johnson, DT/NT Penn State- The defensive tackles continue to fly off the board in round one. Johnson has the quickness and technical ability to be an impactful defensive player for years to come.

28) Kansas City Chiefs- Cody Whitehair, OG Kansas State- Whitehair wasn’t on the board in my last mock draft, so the Chiefs were unable to select him. His athleticism and ability to gain leverage at the point of attack make him a no brainer for Kansas City.

29) Arizona Cardinals- Christian Hackenburg, QB Penn State- The Cardinals are a complete team on paper, which gives them two options; draft depth for other positions, or draft a future need. Hackenburg could serve to be both. The Cardinals don’t have a true backup quarterback behind Carson Palmer, and Palmer and Head Coach Bruce Arians could groom him into the quarterback of the future.

30) Carolina Panthers- Kamalei Correa, EDGE Boise State- Charles Johnson was the steal of free agency, but he’s only back on a one year deal. They still need rotational depth, and a future edge rusher. Correa has very good speed off the edge, and can develop in the Panthers defense.

31) Denver Broncos- Connor Cook, QB Michigan State- Four quarterbacks in round one seems incredibly unlikely, but I think this is Cook’s ideal situation. He gets to be a game manager right out of the gate, and he will have very good weapons around him that can make him better. This may be a reach, but it seems worth it.

TRADES

1) Jacksonville Jaguars trade the #5 and the #39 to the Cleveland Browns for the #2.

2) Atlanta Falcons trade the #17, #50, a 2017 1st and a 2017 3rd to the San Diego Chargers for the #3 overall pick.

ROUND TWO

32) Cleveland Browns- Taylor Decker, OT Ohio State

33) Tennessee Titans- Andrew Billings, NT Baylor

34) Dallas Cowboys- Jonathan Bullard, DE Florida

35) San Diego Chargers- Jarran Reed, DE Alabama

36) Baltimore Ravens- William Jackson III, CB Houston

37) San Francisco 49ers- Vernon Butler, DT/NT Louisiana Tech

38) Cleveland Browns via Jacksonville Jaguars- Will Fuller, WR Notre Dame

39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- KeiVarae Russell, CB Notre Dame

40) New York Giants- Joshua Garnett, OG Stanford

41) Chicago Bears- Alex Collins, RB Arkansas

42) Miami Dolphins- Artie Burns, CB Miami Florida

43) *Los Angeles Rams via Philadelphia Eagles- Leonte Carroo, WR Rutgers

44) Oakland Raiders- Justin Simmons, FS Boston College

45) Los Angeles Rams- Landon Turner, OG North Carolina

46) Detroit Lions- Shilique Calhoun, EDGE Michigan State

47) New Orleans Saints- Michael Thomas, WR Ohio State

48) Indianapolis Colts- Devontae Booker, RB Utah

49) Buffalo Bills- Jihad Ward, DE Illinois

50) San Diego Chargers via Atlanta Falcons- Darian Thompson, FS/SS Boise State

51) New York Jets- Sebastian Tretola, OG Arkansas

52) Houston Texans- Nick Martin, OC/OG Notre Dame

53) Washington Redskins- Derrick Henry, RB Alabama

54) Minnesota Vikings- Darron Lee, OLB Ohio State

55) Cincinnati Bengals- Su’a Cravens, OLB/SS USC

56) Seattle Seahawks- Shon Coleman, OT Auburn

57) Green Bay Packers- Joe Haeg, OT/OG North Dakota State

58) Pittsburgh Steelers- Hunter Henry, TE Arkansas

59) Kansas City Chiefs- Adolphus Washington, DL Ohio State

60) New England Patriots- Tyler Boyd, WR Pittsburgh

61) New England Patriots via Arizona Cardinals- Kyler Fackrell, ILB/OLB Utah State

62) Carolina Panthers- Jeremy Cash, SS Duke

63) Denver Broncos- Maliek Collins, DE Nebraska

*- Eagles traded pick to Rams in Sam Bradford trade.

 

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2015 NFL Draft Grades: NFC

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One of the best sports weekends ever has come and went, and with it, the NFL Draft has been completed. The NFL Draft has become a spectacle in recent years, and while some fans may not know every player their favorite team selected, every fan has the same question after the draft ends. “How did my team do?” Well, here are my 2015 NFL Draft Grades for the NFC teams.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys (C)

Picks: CB Byron Jones (27th), DE Randy Gregory (60th), OG Chaz Green (91st), LB Damien Wilson (127th), DE Ryan Russell (163rd), LB Mark Nzeocha (236th), OL Laurence Gibson (243rd), TE Goeff Swain (246th)- The Cowboys messed up this draft by not addressing their need for a number one running back. This draft class was incredibly deep at running back and they managed to not get one. Now, Byron Jones and Randy Gregory are both good value picks and good fits in the Cowboys scheme. Other than that, this draft had no value, and failed to address their biggest need.

New York Giants (B-)

Picks: OT Ereck Flowers (9th), S Landon Collins (33rd), DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (74th), S Mykkele Thompson (144th), WR Geremy Davis (186th), OL Bobby Hart (226th)- The Giants draft was really hot and cold for me. They got two impact defensive players in Digi and Landon Collins. However, I had Ereck Flowers with a second round grade, and the Giants drafted him in the top ten. They also didn’t get any day three value picks. Despite this, Collins and Digi keep this draft at a decent grade.

Washington Redskins (C-)

Picks: OT Brandon Scherff (5th), DE/OLB Preston Smith (38th), RB Matt Jones (95th), WR Jamison Crowder (105th), OG Arie Kouandijo (112th), LB Martell Spaight (141st), S Kyshoen Jarrett (181st), CB Tevin Mitchel (182nd), WR Evan Spencer (187th), C Austin Reiter (222nd)- Everyone has debated Brandon Scherff over Leonard Williams for over a week now, and I can’t help but agree. Scherff is better suited as a guard, and I have a hard time justifying a guard in the top five. Preston Smith rated well for me as a 3-4 defensive end, assuming he bulks up, so I have no problem with that pick. After that though, I have a problem with the whole draft. Matt Jones was beyond a reach, Jamison Crowder had an incredibly poor day at the combine, and there were no value picks in rounds four through seven.

Philadelphia Eagles (B-)

Picks: WR Nelson Agholor (20th), CB/S Eric Rowe (47th), LB Jordan Hicks (84th), CB JaCorey Sheperd (191st), CB Randall Evans (196th), DE Brian Mihalik (237th)- The Eagles hit a home run with Nelson Agholor, who will be dynamic in Chip Kelly’s offense. I did have Jaelen Strong slightly higher than Agholor, but the margin was so close that I have no objection to the Eagles taking Agholor. Eric Rowe may have been a bit of a reach, but the Eagles desperately need secondary help. Rowe can play both corner and safety, and the Eagles need both. Again, not a lot of value late, but the Eagles had two big needs, and addressed them both. I’ll also be the first to say, it’s a good thing they didn’t give the farm for Marcus Mariota. It would’ve been way too much and they might need those picks if the Chip Kelly experiment fails.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers (B-)

Picks: S Damarious Randall (30th), CB Quinten Rollins (62nd), WR Ty Montgomery (94th), OLB Jake Ryan (129th), QB Brett Hundley (147th), FB Aaron Ripkowski (206th), DE Christian Ringo (210th), TE Kennard Backman (213th)- The Packers draft kind of puzzled me. They needed someone in the middle of their defense to help stop the run, and the failed to address that. Their first round selection was a free ranging cover safety who can play both cover one and cover two. What’s odd about it is that I’m not talking about last year’s selection of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. I think Damarious Randall is a solid fit in the Packers scheme because they play double high, but I think it limits Clinton-Dix’s ability to roam the field. Quinten Rollins was a great pick. I think he has great upside and he can immediately be a nickel cornerback. The Packers draft will hinge on their third and fourth round picks. Montgomery was a highly touted prospect, but he struggled in his last year at Stanford. Ryan is a fiery player who plays hard on every down and can get to the passer. If both pan out, this could prove to be a big draft class. If not, this draft will hinge upon Randall’s success (and potentially Hundley’s).

Minnesota Vikings (A-)

Picks: CB Trae Waynes (11th), ILB Eric Kendricks (45th), DE Danielle Hunter (88th), OT T.J Clemmings (110th), TE MyCole Pruitt (143rd), WR Stefon Diggs (146th), OL Tyrus Thompson (185th), DE B.J Dubose (193rd), OL Austin Shepherd (228th), LB Edmond Robinson (232nd)- If I could give a draft an “A” in this draft class, this would be one of the ones I would give it to. Unfortunately, this draft class didn’t have enough talent for me to give an “A.” Waynes is a necessity opposite Xavier Rhodes, and even though he was a bit of a reach for me, it was a need. Eric Kendricks is an impact linebacker, something the Vikings have needed for a while. Danielle Hunter was better served in a 3-4, but he’s a good edge rusher and needs some time to develop anyway (in that time he can bulk up). Clemmings fell in the draft, but the Vikings were the beneficiaries of that when they scooped him in the fourth round. MyCole Pruitt had a great combine and shows some serious upside, and Stefon Diggs has a ton of upside as well, despite the fact he didn’t produce at Maryland. This was an incredible draft.

Chicago Bears (A-)

Picks: WR Kevin White (7th), NT Eddie Goldman (39th), C Hroniss Grasu (71st), RB Jeremy Langford (106th) S Adrian Amos (142nd), OL Tayo Fabuluje (183rd)- This is another draft I would give an “A” to, but as I previously stated I don’t think there was enough talent in the draft class to give anyone an “A.” The Bears got their impact wide receiver and their starting nose tackle of the future in the first two rounds. They added a starting center and a power back to compliment Matt Forte. The only place they may have missed is not having enough picks to find all the talent in this draft. New General Manager Ryan Pace is off to a great start in the windy city.

Detroit Lions (B)

Picks: OG Laken Tomlinson (28th), RB Ameer Abdullah (54th), CB Alex Carter (80th), DT Gabe Wright (113th), FB Michael Burton (168th), CB Quandre Diggs (200th), OL Corey Robinson (240th)- The Lions had an interesting draft. They addressed their big needs (guard, running back, cornerback, defensive tackle), however some of their picks were reaches. Tomlinson is a solid player, but he was a reach. Alex Carter is a decent cover corner, but, he was a reach as well. Still, it was a solid draft class for Detroit.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons (B+)

Picks: OLB Vic Beasley (8th), CB Jalen Collins (42nd), RB Tevin Coleman (73rd), WR Justin Hardy (107th), DT/NT Grady Jarrett (137th), OL Jake Rodgers (225th), DB Akeem King (249th)- The Falcons had a great draft, minus Jalen Collins. Their first round pick, Vic Beasley, is the impact pass rusher they have needed for years. Tevin Coleman will compete for the starting job as early as day one. Justin Hardy will immediately replace Harry Douglas in the slot, and Grady Jarrett is good rotational depth for Paul Soliai in the middle of the Falcons defense. Jalen Collins is the only thing that prevents this draft from being an “A-minus.”

Carolina Panthers (C-)

Picks: OLB Shaq Thompson (25th), WR Devin Funchess (41st), OL Daryl Williams (102nd), LB David Mayo (169th), RB Cameron Artis-Payne (174th)- The Panthers draft started off great. Many people think that Shaq Thompson was a reach, but I love his versatility. He can cover a tight end one on one, and stops the run well. It may not have been a true need, but he will replace A.J Klein from day one. After that, the draft takes a nosedive. Funchess was not only a reach, but he’s a project because of his drops and incomplete route tree. Daryl Williams is a positional need, but I don’t think he has great value, and David Mayo was just unnecessary. Overall, this was a sub par draft.

New Orleans Saints (B)

Picks: OT Andrus Peat (13th), ILB Stephone Anthony (31st), OLB Hau’oli Kikaha (44th), QB Garrett Grayson (75th), CB P.J Williams (78th), ILB Davis Tull (148th), NT Tyeler Davidson (154th), CB Damian Swann (167th), RB Marcus Murphy (230th)- I thought the Saints had a solid draft. Their first four picks were exactly what they needed. Peat will allow Zach Strief to go to guard, where he will presumably be more effective. Anthony was one of my favorite players in the draft, and he will be well worth the first round selection. Kikaha is a solid edge rusher and Grayson could be the quarterback of the future. Grayson was one of two quarterbacks in this draft that I thought could become a starter after sitting a few years. After that, the draft was below average. P.J Williams has upside, but throughout his career at Florida State I saw a corner who wouldn’t produce in the NFL. There weren’t any late round value picks either, but I still thought this was a solid draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (B)

Picks: QB Jameis Winston (1st), OT/OG Donovan Smith (34th), OG Ali Marpet (61st), ILB Kwon Alexander (124th), WR Kenny Bell (162nd), WR Kaelin Clay (184th), RB Joey Iosefa (231st)- The Buccaneers draft after Jameis Winston may not have sparkled, but it was affective. Donovan Smith could prove to be a good right tackle, and if nothing else he should make a smooth transition to guard. Ali Marpet will probably be the offensive tackle that transitions to guard, and I expect him to do it well. The Bucs also added Kwon Alexander, who has the potential to shine in Lovie Smith’s defense. I think the Buccaneers did a good job of getting better this offseason.

NFC West

St. Louis Rams (D)

Picks: RB Todd Gurley (10th), OT Rob Havenstein (57th), OL Jamon Brown (72nd), QB Sean Mannion (89th), OL Andrew Donnal (119th), WR Bud Sasser (201st), OL Cody Wichmann (215th), LB Bryce Hager (224th), DE Martin Ifedi (227th)- This draft is pathetic minus Gurley and Havenstein, and amazingly their two good picks were reaches. I’m just moving on to the next team.

San Francisco 49ers (B)

Picks: DE Arik Armstead (17th), SS Jaquiski Tartt (46th), OLB Eli Harold (79th), TE Blake Bell (117th), RB Mike Davis (126th), WR DeAndre Smelter (132nd), P Bradley Pinion (165th), OL Ian Silberman (190th), OL Trenton Brown (244th), TE Busta Anderson (254th)- Like the Saints, the Niners first four picks were solid. Armstead has a lot of upside, and despite the fact he is raw, I had him at a first round grade. Tartt and Harold will also be impact defensive players, especially Eli Harold, who was a steal in round three. I even like the Niners drafting the quarterback turned tight end in Blake Bell. There wasn’t a lot of value late, but the Niners draft was solid.

Arizona Cardinals (B)

Picks: OT D.J Humphries (24th), OLB Markus Golden (58th), RB David Johnson (86th), OL Rodney Gunter (116th), OLB Shaquille Riddick (158th), WR J.J Nelson (159th), TE Gerald Christian (256th)- Many people love the Cardinals draft, but I’m not as impressed as most. I like D.J Humphries, but I still think he’s a right tackle, and not the best tackle in the draft. Markus Golden is absolutely useless. I don’t see what everyone else does in him. David Johnson was a great pick, however. Johnson could wind up be the starting guard as early as this season. I actually really liked the J.J Nelson selection as well, even if the Cardinals don’t need a receiver right now. Don’t get me wrong, the Cardinals draft is good, but I don’t think it was great.

Seattle Seahawks (C-)

Picks: DE Frank Clark (63rd), WR Tyler Lockett (69th), OL Terry Poole (130th), OL Mark Glowsinki (134th), CB Tye Smith (170th), DE Obum Gwacham (209th), DT Kristjan Sokoli (214th) S Ryan Murphy (248th)- Like the St. Louis Rams, this draft isn’t worth talking about it, minus Tyler Lockett. Having said that, I can’t give this worse than a “C-minus” because they did turn one of their picks in a horrifically weak draft class into Jimmy Graham.

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