Berman's NFL Mock Draft
This has been changed, updated, and revised throughout the past week. The quarterbacks and the trades are the most difficult to peg. Nonetheless, it's a prediction of what could occur on Thursday night. (Also, Here is Jeff McLane's mock draft.)
1) Texans – Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB, South Carolina – Even if it's not Houston making this pick, Clowney is the most talented player in the draft and plays a premium position.
2) Rams – Greg Robinson, T, Auburn – This could be a potential trade spot for Atlanta, Buffalo, or Detroit. If St. Louis keeps the pick, they help protect Sam Bradford.
3) Jaguars – Khalil Mack, OLB/DE, Buffalo – Jaguars Gus Bradley will find creative ways to use Mack. Sammy Watkins is not a bad consolation prize if Mack is off the board.
4) Browns – Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson – The Browns bypass Johnny Manziel to take Watkins, forming one of the NFL's best wide receiver duos with Josh Gordon.
5) Raiders – Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M – The Raiders could be compelled to go offensive line, but Evans' potential helps a team devoid of playmakers.
6) Falcons – Jake Matthews, OL, Texas A&M – The Falcons are candidates to trade up, but they still land a safe, starting tackle by staying at No. 6. Penn Charter's Matt Ryan will be happy.
7) Buccaneers – Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M – With Evans off the board, the Bucs go with his college quarterback. Josh McCown will help groom the former Heisman Trophy winner.
8) Vikings – Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh – New coach Mike Zimmer knows defense. Donald can thrive under the coach who helped develop Geno Atkins.
9) Bills – Taylor Lewan, T, Michigan – The Bills need to protect EJ Manuel, and Lewan is a Day 1 starter. Coach Doug Marrone, a former offensive lineman, will be pleased with this pick.
10) Lions – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State – If the Lions cannot trade for Watkins, they might trade down and address a cornerback later in the round. This is the best spot to get Gilbert, who will help their secondary.
11) Titans – Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech – The Titans will think hard about an edge rusher, but Fuller still fills a need and is arguably the top cornerback in the draft.
12) Giants – Zack Martin, OL, Notre Dame – The Giants go offensive line in the first round for the second consecutive season. Tom Coughlin will value Martin's versatility.
13) Jets (trade with St. Louis) – Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU – The Rams auction their pick, and the Jets' surplus of picks help them land another receiver and a potent returner.
14) Bears – Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville – The Bears cannot get the defensive tackle they want here, so they address another need with the hard-hitting Pryor.
15) Steelers – Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State – The Steelers like tough, physical players. Dennard fits that description.
16) Cowboys – Anthony Barr, LB/DE, UCLA – The Cowboys need to improve their pass rush, and Barr has the potential to be a difference maker – even in a 4-3.
17) Ravens – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina – The Ravens continue adding playmakers to their offense. Fans in Audubon will be happy to know Joe Flacco gets another target.
18) Rams (trade with Jets) – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama – The Rams move back, and still are able to land a safety that can start at Day 1. If Clinton-Dix gets past this spot, the Eagles could be lucky.
19) Dolphins – Morgan Moses, OL, Virginia – If the Dolphins cannot move up to acquire Zack Martin, they'll take their chances with the promising Virginia lineman.
20) Cardinals –CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama – The Cardinals don't have many pressing needs, and they can look at Derek Carr here. Mosley has too much value, though, and he helps replace Karlos Dansby.
21) Packers – Stephon Tuitt, DL, Notre Dame – The Packers could go inside linebacker at this spot, but they instead go with a five-technique defensive lineman who has experience in the 3-4.
22) Eagles – Marqise Lee, WR, USC –The Eagles will focus on Lee's first two seasons when he was among the best receivers in college football and enjoy the value of a player who can score whenever he touches the ball.
23) Vikings (trade with Chiefs) – Blake Bortles, QB, UCF – Andy Reid does not have a second-round pick, so he finds a willing trade partner in Minnesota, who gets a quarterback without using a top 10 pick.
24) Cincinnati – Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State – The Bengals stick with value. It helps when that value fills a need.
25) San Diego – Louis Nix, DL, Notre Dame – The Chargers might be tempted to go with a cornerback, although they can find one later. Nix is a hard-to-find anchor in a middle of the defensive line.
26) Browns – Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State – The Browns use their extra first-round pick on a quarterback for offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to develop.
27) Saints – Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State – The Saints might think defense at this spot, but Cooks in Sean Payton's offense is too intriguing.
28) Panthers –Cyrus Kouandjio, OL, Alabama – The Panthers need a wide receiver, although that will be easier to find in the second round than a potential starting tackle.
29) Jaguars (trade with Patriots) – Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville – The Jaguars could wait until the second round, but this allows them to jump the Texans and get a potential building block at quarterback.
30) 49ers – Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana –The 49ers have enough resources to move up for a top receiver or cornerback. If they stay at No. 30, the fast-rising Latimer makes sense.
31) Broncos – Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State – Broncos coach John Fox will enjoy the speedy Shazier, who could be off the board before Denver gets a chance.
32) Seahawks – Joel Bitonio, OL, Nevada – The Seahawks can trade back into Day 2 to save money. If they stay still, a versatile offensive lineman makes sense.