By David Xaviel<\/p>\n
College Times Staff<\/p>\n
In reading various mock drafts from around the web, including sites like CBSSportsline.com, a few patterns seem highly questionable.\u00a0 For example, Laremy Tunsil of Ole Miss is not the best pick for the Tennessee Titans at number 1.\u00a0 The Titans need more than an average starter with the number 1 pick, especially considering Tunsil’s history of suspensions and injuries.<\/p>\n
I write Mock Drafts by asking, “What would be in the best interests of ‘this’ club,” rather than consider the unwritten rules of what happens in the draft (ex, taking a defensive back with the first pick in the draft).<\/p>\n
If you look at the history of the NFL draft of the last 25 years, a highly rated tackle is often a bust, or nothing more than a quality starter, rather than an All-Pro.\u00a0 There are too many examples to name, but a few that come to mind are Jake Long, Alex Barron, Chris Williams, Kwame Harris, Eric Fisher, Jason Smith, Robert Gallery, Mike Williams, and many others.\u00a0 The last top-rated tackle\u2014that comes to mind\u2014that became an All-Pro was Orlando Pace and that was in 1997.<\/p>\n
The Titans are devoid of difference makers on defense.\u00a0 Taking a defensive back with the first pick of the NFL draft does not happen often, but that does not mean it should not.\u00a0 In fact, the only time a defensive back was taken with the first pick in the NFL draft was Gary Glick in 1956 by the Pittsburgh Steelers.\u00a0 Trivia like that is bound to make some NFL executives uneasy about using the first pick on a defensive back.\u00a0 Yet, in a league that is increasingly tilting towards the passing game, Jalen Ramsey would be an asset in defending the pass and looks like the safest pick in the top five of a draft.<\/p>\n
The Browns lost center Alex Mack and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz in free agency.\u00a0 Laremy Tunsil could be a dominant presence on the right side in protecting quarterback Robert Griffin III and even paving the running way for RG3.<\/p>\n
Joey Bosa of Ohio State has a higher rating on many boards, but he is undersized to play defensive end in the 34 base that the Chargers use, while Bosa probably cannot make the transition to linebacker (ex, Bjorn Werner from the Colts).\u00a0 DeForest Buckner would make the Ravens better in the trenches and free-up edge rushers, like Melvin Ingram.<\/p>\n
Running-backs are no longer valued in the NFL like they used to be, but Ezekiel Elliott’s pass-blocking skills would be ideally suited to bolster the protection of quarterback Tony Romo in the Cowboys\u2019 offense, and Elliott would of course, give Romo a running-back to set up play-action passes and fight for tough yards.<\/p>\n
The Jaguars expect Dante Fowler to return from injury in 2016, which would address the need for a defensive end.\u00a0 The bigger need for Jacksonville would be at linebacker.\u00a0 Myles Jack’s size and pass-coverage would be ideally suited for head-coach Gus Bradley’s Seattle-style defense.<\/p>\n
A’Shawn Robinson is a versatile lineman who played in a 34 scheme at Alabama, which is why Robinson makes the most sense for the Ravens–a team in need of help on the defensive line.<\/p>\n
Anyone who doubts Jared Goff because of the college offense he played in, need look no further than quarterback’s Aaron Rodgers and more recently, Derek Carr.\u00a0 After all, head-coach Chip Kelly runs a college-style offense.\u00a0 At the risk of writing something that could go to Goff’s head, the questions about Jared Goff’s frame are similar to the questions asked about Joe Montana.\u00a0 The 49ers passed on Aaron Rodgers in 2005 for quarterback Alex Smith, whom they traded to Kansas City because of the emergence of Colin Kaepernick, who is likely done in San Francisco.\u00a0 Passing on Goff would be a mistake.<\/p>\n
The Eagles re-signed quarterback Sam Bradford, and while some think that the Eagles are likely to select a quarterback in the first round\u2014I don’t think they would have needed to trade up to take a quarterback.\u00a0 With left-tackle Jason Peters at 34, it seems wiser for the Eagles to invest in a left-tackle.<\/p>\n
On the wrong team, Joey Bosa will struggle because he’s likely limited by size and skills to being a 43 defensive end that won’t lead the league in sacks, but he can still be a starter for a long time, if not a ProBowl player.\u00a0 Tampa Bay’s defense would be a good fit for Bosa.<\/p>\n
10. New York Giants: Laquon Treadwell, wr, Ole Miss<\/p>\n
With Odell Beckham under suspension and Victor Cruz returning from injury, the Giants need help at wide receiver and so Laquon Treadwell makes the most sense for the Giants, because\u00a0 the Giants need weapons for quarterback Eli Manning more than they need help on defense.<\/p>\n
11. Chicago Bears: Vernon Hargreaves III, cb, Florida<\/p>\n
This pick is the best available while head-coach John Fox specializes in defensive backs<\/p>\n
12. New Orleans Saints: Shaq Lawson, de, Clemson<\/p>\n
Currently, the Saints have Bobby Richardson listed as the defensive end on the left side, but at 286 lbs., Richardson could move inside to tackle.\u00a0 Shaq Lawson would be a much needed bookend rusher for the Saints defensive line with Cameron Jordan on the other side.<\/p>\n
13.\u00a0Miami Dolphins: Darron Lee, olb, Ohio State<\/p>\n
The Dolphins need speed on the edges and Darron Lee would bring just that.<\/p>\n
14.\u00a0Oakland Raiders: Sheldon Rankins, dt, Louisville<\/p>\n
The Raiders add a big body up front on the defensive line in Sheldon Rankins.<\/p>\n
15. Los Angeles Rams: Mackensie Alexander, cb, Clemson<\/p>\n
The Rams replace Janoris Jenkins with a similar player in Mackensie Alexander.<\/p>\n
16. Detroit Lions: Jarran Reed, dt, Alabama<\/p>\n
In Jarran Reed, the Lions get an occupier for the middle of the defensive line to free up the linebackers and generate a better pass-rush.1<\/p>\n
17.\u00a0Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Decker, ot, Ohio State<\/p>\n
Sometimes, a team should improve on strengths rather than address weaknesses.\u00a0 The Falcons take the best available in Taylor Decker to fortify the offensive line at right guard.<\/p>\n
18.\u00a0Indianapolis Colts: Reggie Ragland, ilb, Alabama<\/p>\n
The Colts add a thumper to the middle of the line-backing corps in Reggie Ragland.<\/p>\n
19. Buffalo Bills: Jack Conklin, ot, Michigan State<\/p>\n
Head-coach Rex Ryan likes to run the ball, which is important in the snowy conditions of Buffalo.\u00a0 Taking Jack Conklin to start on the right side would make it easier for LeSean McCoy to run off-tackle.<\/p>\n
20. New York Jets: Leonard Floyd, olb, Georgia<\/p>\n
The Jets need work on the edges of the defense and Leonard Floyd is a good fit as an outsider linebacker in the 34 scheme that the Jets use.<\/p>\n
21. Washington Redskins: Jonathan Bullard, dl, Florida<\/p>\n
Some might say Robert Nkemdiche should go in the first round, but my guess is that his off-field problems will be too much of a red flag for any team to take him in the first round.\u00a0 The versatile Jonathan Bullard would be a good fit as a defensive lineman for the \u2018Skins<\/p>\n
22. Houston Texans: Ryan Kelly, c, Alabama<\/p>\n
The Texans signed Tony Bergstrom from the Raiders and currently is penciled in as the starter.\u00a0 Not good.\u00a0 Houston fills a need with the best center in the draft.<\/p>\n
23. Minnesota Vikings: Corey Coleman, wr, Baylor<\/p>\n
The Vikings add a weapon for Teddy Bridgewater in Corey Coleman<\/p>\n
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Eli Apple, cb, Ohio State<\/p>\n
Does Eli Apple fall this fall?\u00a0 I think so.\u00a0 The Bengals need flexibility in the secondary and Apple could move between cornerback and safety.<\/p>\n
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Noah Spence, olb, Eastern Kentucky<\/p>\n
Noah Spence has some red flags around his character, but he will not slip past the first round.\u00a0 The Steelers snap up the edge rusher.<\/p>\n
26. Seattle Seahawks: Jason Spriggs, ot, Indiana<\/p>\n
The Seahawks tackle the athletic Jason Spriggs for the zone-blocking scheme they use to replace Russell Okung<\/p>\n
27. Green Bay Packers: Andrew Billings, dt, Baylor<\/p>\n
The Packers take Andrew Billings to be an occupier on the defensive line the Packers\u2019 34 defense.<\/p>\n
28. Kansas City Chiefs: William Jackson III, cb, Houston<\/p>\n
The Chiefs replace Sean Smith with William Jackson III.\u00a0 Not that complicated.<\/p>\n
29. Arizona Cardinals: Paxton Lynch, qb, Memphis<\/p>\n
The Cardinals would be remiss to pass on Paxton Lynch, even if starting quarterback Carson Palmer has two or three more years left.\u00a0 Palmer has been sidelined with injuries, and so, Lynch does not need to be the heir apparent to Palmer.\u00a0 Yet, if the Cardinals want to make a Super Bowl run, the club cannot take the chance of having no Plan B.<\/p>\n
30. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Henry, rb, Alabama<\/p>\n
The Panthers do not have many significant needs, but the Panthers like to run the ball.\u00a0 With current starter Jonathan Stewart at 29, the Panthers would be wise to be forward looking by taking running back Derrick Henry<\/p>\n
31. Denver Broncos: Carson Wentz, qb, North Dakota State University<\/p>\n
The rich get richer and luck out that Carson Wentz falls this far to replace Peyton Manning.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Featured Photo source:\u00a0http:\/\/thebiglead.com\/2016\/02\/29\/jalen-ramsey-nfl-draft-best-player-staked-claim\/<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By David Xaviel College Times Staff In reading various mock drafts from around the web, including sites like CBSSportsline.com, a few patterns seem highly questionable.\u00a0 For example, Laremy Tunsil of Ole Miss is not the best pick for the Tennessee Titans at number 1.\u00a0 The Titans need more than an average starter with the number…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":88941,"featured_media":10776,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"staff_name":[659],"class_list":["post-10758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","staff_name-david-xaviel"],"yoast_head":"\n