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So the "best of the best" are off the board -- or are they? Who cares! Tampa finally gets to pick today and that makes it worthwhile to mock the picks. With the 32 from round 1 excluded here we go (NO TRADES) and I pay particular attention to the 10 picks that come on the clock before Tampa Bay gets to make a selection.
ROUND 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
The Jaguars have been missing a pass rusher since, well….well..it’s been a very long time. Margus is available in part due to age (26) and also because he does his best pass rush work from the 3 technique but also is a long term defensive end. Jacksonville could also go QB here, the Jaguars have been linked to Nassib and Matt Barkley most frequently. Cornerback would also fill a need with Johnthan Banks brining the length that Gus Bradly loves. Cyprien may also be the way the Jaguars go.
34. San Francisco 49ers - Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
Ertz was recruited by Harbaugh at Stanford and their loss of Delanie Walker, while certainly not crucial is a problem for San Francisco. With the 49ers though, you have to call them Mavericks as I did yesterday and they could draft anyone. Including possibly a WR , CB, Guard, or even Geno Smith(even with Colt McCoy on the roster) but my other dark horse pick would be Jesse Williams DL Alabama. In short expect anything and possibly everything.
35. Philadelphia Eagles – Geno Smith QB W. Virginia
The Eagles kicked the tires early on Geno Smith but obviously didn’t want him in round 1(along with everyone else). Geno was the 47th best player on my board so if you add a bit of a premium for QBs he starts to make sense here. Geno has some difficulties reading coverage and does really have slow eyes but he could be a good fit. A cornerback like Jamar Taylor would also be very familiar for the Birds.
36. Detroit Lions – Menelik Watson, OT, Florida St.
The Lions avoided the OT rush at the top half of the draft but still have a huge need for someone to pair with last years #1 pick Reilly Reiff. The Lions actually need three starters on the offensive line so they had better get busy early. Larry Warford from Kentucky would make sense as do any number of WRs.
37. Cincinnati Bengals – Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
I wouldn’t expect the Bengals to trade up; they have three huge needs at left OLB, safety , and running back. They still have plenty of good options for all three. Cyprien, Arthur Brown, and Eddie Lacy are all top notch talents available here.
38. Arizona Cardinals – Jesse Williams, DL, Alabama
The mountainous Williams would be a player who could handle all three down defensive line positions for the Cardinals. The Cardinals could also use some help at linebacker so start looking out for Te’o, Brown, and Minter.
39. New York Jets – Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
If Geno Smith or Zach Ertz are on the board they are coming off. This pick could be an outside WR but it really should be offense. The Jets dialed up defense twice in round 1 (thanks to Woody Johnson tipping their interest in Tavon Austin by saying he wanted a "dynamic fast weapon". They got smoked by the Rams moving up). Idzik is GMing with a handicap but at some point the Jets need to address that woeful, pathetic offense.
40. Tennessee Titans – Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi St.
The Titans have a huge need for a big cornerback since so many of their current coverage players are undersized. They added Warmack to help out their line in round 1 but really need a longer corner. If Banks is here I can’t see the Titans passing.
41. Buffalo Bills – Kennan Allen WR California
The Bills got EJ Manuel but have only Stevie Johnson and then meh. Ertz if still available will likely be taken by the Bills. Warford from Kentucky would fill a HUGE need at guard and all three linebackers would draw interest.
42. Oakland Raiders – Johnathan Hankins DT Ohio St.
If Ertz were still here…he would come off the board. Oakland lost Brandon Myers and needs another player there badly. However their defensive tackles are horrendous and Hankins would be a day 1 starter. The ultra-athletic Terron Armstead would also be a potential selection.
43. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Manti Te’o, MLB, Notre Dame
Yes…yes I know this is unpopular but I’m mocking here and I can see it as a real possibility. Ertz is off the board and Schiano is known to have spent several hours with Manti Te’o. Schiano still does not have "his type" of MLB on the team. This is not a knock on Mason Foster but it’s a different skill set he wants than what Foster provides. Schiano has been searching for someone who can blitz the A gap and play strong zone coverage in the middle. Over the past two seasons Te’o has shown both; he recorded 5 sacks as a junior and seven interceptions last season. Manti also brings the ability to quarterback the defense and after finishing 32nd in pass defense maybe a new signal caller couldn’t hurt. Other strong choices would be Kawann Short of Purdue who could instantly start at nose tackle, Arthur Brown who is undersized but very fast, Banks or Jamar Taylor at CB if either is here would be a solid fit.
44. Carolina Panthers – Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise St.
Their current cornerbacks are somewhere between ho and hum.
45. San Diego Chargers – Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi St.
Call it a cornerback run, serious if San Diego didn't get one in round 1...highly likely they dial one in round 2.
46. Buffalo Bills – Larry Warford, G, Kentucky (See above comments)
47. Dallas Cowboys – Tank Carradine, DE, Florida St.
Dallas is switching into the 43 and Carradine with his injury history is worthwhile to be a risk here for a Monte Kiffin scheme.
48. Pittsburg Steelers – Robert Woods, WR, USC
Antonio Brown is the only WR under contract with the Steelers through 2014, they will go for one here or in round 3.
49. NY Giants – Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas
This would be a pretty huge steal for the Giants who would instantly become the best Giants linebacker since Antonio Pierce who now is a broadcaster.
50. Chicago Bears – Kevin Minter, LB, LSU
No Brian Urlacher and no Kevin Roach means they need an inside backer quick and Minter is the last one without major question marks.
51. Washington Redskins – Brian Schwenke, C, Cal
Football’s gift to zone blocking teams Schwenke should be a top notch starter right from the start.
52. New England Patriots – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
The Pat’s came in with just 5 picks, thus their trade down with Minnesota. Hunter would be an outside wide receiver who could be a home run hitter for Brady.
53. Cincinnati Bengals – Khaseem Greene, LB, Rutgers
The Bengals are a challenging team to pick for because they never stick to the script. They're likely to make me look like a fool and grab someone most teams have rated in round 4 here.
54. Miami Dolphins – Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
No word on how close they may or may not be to a Brandon Albert trade but Armstead would stop that need right off the bat.
55. Green Bay Packers – Barrett Jones, C/G, Alabama
The biggest weakness on the Packers line is outside but they still have Bulaga and a Derek Sherrod they have invested heavily in …they will be more heavily invested in Aaron Rodgers however.
56. Seattle Seahawks – Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
A slide here for Short who the Seahawks would covet as the first player they draft.
57. Houston Texans – Brandon Williams, NT, Missouri Western
The Texans would get a rare chance to upgrade their starting nose tackle with the powerful Williams here in round 2.
58. Denver Broncos – D.J. Swearinger, SS, South Carolina
Other than one play in a double over time game Rahim Moore looked really good at free safety last season but pairing him with Swearinger would give the Broncos an intimidating set of corners.
59. New England Patriots – Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UCONN
Yes they resigned Talib but a player who has speed and can play off-man technique at the level of Wreh-Wilson is hard to find.
60. Atlanta Falcons – Damontre Moore DE/OLB Texas A&M
Not an ideal scheme fit and Moore will need at add weight but the Falcons need a pass rusher and Moore was nothing if not productive.
61. San Francisco 49ers – Quinton Patton WR Louisiana Tech
The 49ers have tried multiple options opposite of Michael Crabtree, Patton is a more polished route runner and a solid possession guy with reliable hands.
62. Baltimore Ravens – Jamie Collins OLB So Miss
Whomever this player it is…it’ll be the best player on Newsome’s board regardless of position.
ROUND 3
63. Kansas City Chiefs – John Bostic, LB, Florida
64. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ryan Nassib QB Syracuse
65. Detroit Lions – Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M
66. Oakland Raiders – Kiko Alonso, LB, Oregon
67. Philadelphia Eagles – Johnthan Franklin, RB, UCLA
68. Cleveland Browns – Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego St.
69. Arizona Cardinals – Matt Barkley, QB, USC
70. Tennessee Titans – Corey Lemonier, DE, Auburn
71. St. Louis Rams – Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
72. NY Jets – Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
73. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers
I promised no trades but if the Bucs want to go this direction there Is a significant talent drop off for most teams right about pick 70-75….don’t be shocked if we entertain trade offers to move back here. There is also another big drop on boards between pick 120-130.
74. Dallas Cowboys – J.J. Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern
75. New Orleans Saints – Sio Moore, OLB, UCONN
76. San Diego Chargers - William Gholston, DE, Michigan St.
77. Miami Dolphins - Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
78. Buffalo Bills - Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina
79. Pittsburgh Steelers - John Jenkins, NT, Georgia
80. Dallas Cowboys - David Amerson, CB, NC St.
81. NY Giants – Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
82. Miami Dolphins - Vance McDonald, TE, Rice
83. New England Patriots – Dallas Thomas, G/T, Tennessee
84. Cincinnati Bengals - Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno St.
85. Washington Redskins - Shawn Williams, S, Georgia
86. Indianapolis Colts - Kenny Stills, WR, Oklahoma
87. Seattle Seahawks - Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon St.
88. Green Bay Packers - Mike Gillislee, RB, Florida
89. Houston Texans - Brennan Williams, OT, North Carolina
90. Denver Broncos- Alex Okafor, DE/OLB, Texas
91. New England Patriots - Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
92. St. Louis Rams - Da’Rick Rodgers, WR, Tennessee Tech
93. San Francisco 49ers -Tyrann Mathieu, CB/PR, LSU
94. Baltimore Ravens - Brian Winters, G, Kent State
95. Houston Texans - Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon St.
96. Kansas City Chiefs - Shamarko Thomas, S, Syracuse
97. Tennessee Titans – Bennie Logan, DT, LSU