Just past the midway point of the season, the NFL Draft remains still remarkably unclear, with NFL teams still shifting order and college players fluctuating in their play and rankings week to week. However, it’s clear that this first round will have a handful of elite talents, and likely a heavy dose of quarterbacks compared to recent seasons.
1. Tampa Bay Bucs - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
If Greg Schiano returns as head coach next season, there’s a chance the team passes on drafting a quarterback in favor of giving last year’s third-rounder Mike Glennon, another shot. However, there's potential that he may not return and the fact that the 2014 quarterback class is very talented. While we have Bridgewater rated higher, Marcus Mariota has been rumored to be in contention for the top quarterback spot for many NFL teams.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Whether the Jaguars are picking first or not, it’d be a surprise if they did not end up with Teddy Bridgewater as their franchise quarterback. From what I’ve heard, they’re eyes are squarely placed on having Bridgewater as their quarterback next season. Bridgewater will likely end his college career as one of the highest graded quarterbacks of the past ten years.
3. Minnesota Vikings – Zach Mettenberger, QB, LSU
The Vikings have begun to show a willingness to move away from Christian Ponder as their starting quarterback, an indication that the current regime doesn’t have a blind allegiance to the struggling passer. If that’s the case, they’ll likely target a “new” franchise quarterback. Mettenberger seized his opportunity as a senior to emerge as one of the 2014 class’s best passers.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
The defense is partially to blame for the Steelers' issues so far (they gave up 55 points last week), but the offensive line has been a consistent problem for Pittsburgh since their last Super Bowl run. Matthews may be a better prospect than either of the top two picks in the 2013 Draft.
5. Atlanta Falcons - Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
While injuries and pass defense have been the two most notable concerns for the Falcons, finding a left tackle to keep their Matt Ryan investment upright and healthy for the future is a must-do for Atlanta. Lewan, like Jake Matthews, carries an equal or higher grade as last year’s two top offensive tackle picks.
6. Houston Texans - Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
From Super Bowl contender to in need of a franchise quarterback in just a few weeks, the Texans can’t afford to pass on this talented quarterback class. They may have to wait to see who falls, but they shouldn’t be mad about Boyd landing here, especially since he fits well with the Kubiak offense.
7. New York Giants - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Based on his natural talent and his eventual rise back to a remarkably high final grade, Clowney would be a major surprise to last to the seventh pick. However, it may come down to just how many team’s draft a quarterback in the top five. With Eli on the roster, they’ll pass on a quarterback and take the best player available (assuming they don’t trade down). Despite his bad press this season, Clowney is the most talented non-quarterback in this class.
8. Buffalo Bills –Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
Still in need of long-term pass rush help combined with the fact they’ve found their franchise quarterback, the Bills are likely to target one of the top pass rushers in this class. While Barr could go as high as the first overall pick, the Bills could even consider trading up to secure him if he starts to fall.
9. St. Louis Rams – Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
With Alec Ogletree and James Lauranaitis already at linebacker and the pass rush having success, it may seem a bit redundant to add another front seven player. However, Van Noy’s versatility can help keep this unit be productive, and is one of the best players on the board still.
10. Baltimore Ravens - Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Sammy Watkins may be the better prospect overall, and certainly is an option here and above. However, the Ravens need more of a possession, short area receiver to complement Torrey Smith, and Lee fits that mold very well for Joe Flacco.
11. St. Louis Rams (via WASH) - Ha-Ha Clinton Dix, S, Alabama
The only safety worth a first round selection as of now, Clinton-Dix may shoot up this high on draft day due to a lackluster safety class and his centerfield skill set. Don’t rule out quarterback here (or at pick No. 9), as Sam Bradford hasn’t proved to be a franchise quarterback thus far in his NFL career.
12. Oakland Raiders - Cyrus Kouandijo, OT, Alabama
The Raiders drafted Menelik Watson in last year’s draft, but they could use help at both tackle spots long-term, and Watson may be better suited on the right side long term. Kouandijo brings Alabama offensive line prestige to an offense that needs to build around Terrelle Pryor.
13. Philadelphia Eagles - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
The offense had a surprising boom last week, with Nick Foles nearly breaking the single game passing touchdown record against the Raiders. However, with Jeremy Maclin a free agent and coming off injury, an outside receiver opposite DeSean Jackson is a need for the Chip Kelly offense long-term.
14. Cleveland Browns – Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
While the Browns may have had Top 5 in mind when they traded Trent Richardson to get their quarterback, the team is playing well enough that they should be landing somewhere in the mid-first round. Either way, after Bridgewater and Mettenberger, Hundley is the best fit for this offense and he can learn behind Brian Hoyer.
15. Miami Dolphins - Antonio Richarson, OT, Tennessee
The Dolphins traded Jake Long last year, and now their starting right tackle, Jonathan Martin, is away from the team for personal reasons. Leading the NFL in sacks allowed, it’s clear the Dolphins need to target offensive line in the upcoming draft. The best on the board is junior Richardson, who’s size and strong hands should fit well in the Dolphins quick passing game.
16. Tennessee Titans - Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
Lacking many major needs on offense or defense, the Titans could look at the best player available here at 16. Sammie Lee Hill is certainly replaceable next to Jurrell Casey on the interior defensive line and Nix has flashed the potential to be a Top 10 worthy draft pick.
17. Arizona Cardinals - Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
The Cardinals taking Carr makes for the sixth quarterback in the first round would be both exciting and extremely telling about this class. While we don’t have a first-round grade on Carr at this point, it seems many teams do, and his strong arm and high football IQ are a perfect match for Bruce Arians.
18. San Diego Chargers - Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo
Despite consistently investing in the position in the past, the pass rushing linebacker spot is still one that needs to be filled. Mack has loads of upside and talent and certainly could land in the Top 10 (or even Top 5) on draft day.
19. New York Jets - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
No receiver has had a more impressive season than Evans as the big-bodied, ball-grabbing, touchdown-finishing receiver for Johnny Manziel. The Jets have been relying on Jeff Cumberland as their primary seam threat, an area where Evans can dominate for Geno Smith.
20. Dallas Cowboys – Antonio Johnson, DT, LSU
While Jason Hatcher has been impressive this year, the rest of the interior defensive line unit lacks the elite talent and upside to not warrant a potential upgrade. Johnson is very active and can press the pocket even with double teams, a must do for a Cover 2 based defense.
21. Chicago Bears – Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson
Julius Peppers is still a staple of this defense when he’s healthy, but after him, this unit leaves much to be desired. Beasley has quickly emerged this year as one of the country’s best pass rushers, and could provide this defense a formidable duo in the short term and be Peppers' eventual replacement long-term.
22. Detroit Lions – Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
Roby has had an up and down season thus far, falling to the mid-late first round area after garnering a Top 10 pre-season. He certainly could rise quickly after his Combine workout, but at this point, he’s a plus value for the Lions who would certainly value the depth at the position.
23. Carolina Panthers – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The Panthers offense has really hit its stride in Newton’s third season, and they’re arguably the best team on both sides of the ball in the NFC South. However, they still could use an influx of talent in the secondary, and Ekpre-Olomu has the rare blend of size, physicality and fluidity to run vertically with receivers.
24. Cincinnati Bengals - Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
After drafting so well the past few years, the Bengals lack any glaring needs. However, linebacker is certainly an area where they could use some work, and they can start with Shazier being worthy of this first round pick.
25. Green Bay Packers - CJ Mosley, ILB, Alabama
A.J. Hawk has begun to show how much of a liability he is versus the run this season and likely needs to be replaced. His running mate inside, Brad Jones, has been adequate, but the defense could certainly benefit from the experience and versatility of Mosley, as he can play inside and out in this defense.
26. New Orleans Saints - Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech
The Saints seem to be okay with their pass rushers, but they still lack depth, and it’d be wise to continue to add talent and not bank on Junior Galette and Parys Haralson long term. Attaochu has been inconsistent and somewhat unimpressive this year, as he’s playing a new position, but has first-round talent.
27. San Francisco 49ers - Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Despite being set at nearly every position inside the tackle box on both sides of the ball, the 49ers could certainly use receivers and defensive backs in the upcoming draft. Verrett is our top rated cornerback in this draft, and could very well end as the top defensive back drafted.
28. Cleveland Browns (via IND) - Ra’Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
Phil Taylor has proved to be a fairly poor draft pick for the Browns, and despite the other defensive linemen around him playing well this year, replacing Taylor must be a priority this. Hageman could go much higher than this, so grabbing him at 28 is a must do for the value-based Browns.
29. New England Patriots – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Continuing to add to the defense is always an option for the Patriots, especially with the concerns long-term with their injuries. However, along with Rob Gronkowski, Ebron has the type of pass catching that could make an elite tight end duo that would certainly ease the concerns Brady has had this year with drops.
30. Denver Broncos – Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Broncos could consider adding to their defensive line, but adding both a physical, high-ceiling cornerback like Gilbert, as well as adding to a struggling (yet talented) defense, is the best option for a team destined to pick in the very high 20s or 30s.
31. Seattle Seahawks – Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
Sidney Rice is consistently plagued by injuries, and until Percy Harvin can have a season without issues, don't bank on him being a long term answer at receiver. After those two, it’s up to Golden Tate to be the feature receiver, a task he can’t do consistently. Robinson is loaded with upside and is a vertical presence for Russell Wilson.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Austin Serefin-Jenkins, TE, Washington
Andy Reid has come to rely on his pass catching tight ends as a key part of the offense, but he doesn’t have one on the offense he can trust long term. Serefin-Jenkins is the type of jump ball winner and versatile weapon that Reid could utilize effectively. Don’t rule out quarterback here, either.