South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is considered the best player in this year's NFL Draft.
DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
The Texans need a quarterback, having traded Matt Schaub to the Raiders. But Clowney is a once-in-a-generation player, and Houston would be wise to not pass on him. He has a chance to be special.
2. St. Louis Rams
OT Greg Robinson, Auburn
He is not a completely polished player, and there is still a chance the Rams go with Sammy Watkins. But the Rams need help protecting quarterback Sam Bradford, and Robinson could be a big part of that effort.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
Justin Blackmon, the receiver the Jaguars picked fifth overall in 2012, is indefinitely suspended (substance abuse policy violation). Quarterback is an option for the Jaguars, but no quarterback in this draft class is a sure thing. Watkins could be a star immediately.
4. Cleveland Browns
QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
It’s tough to project what kind of NFL player Manziel will be. Can he stay healthy and learn to avoid contact? How will he handle being the face of a franchise? Lots of questions here, but the Browns, long a dumpster fire, need to take this risk.
5. Oakland Raiders
LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
The Raiders would love if Watkins is available at No. 5, but presuming he isn’t, they can upgrade their pass rush by drafting Mack. Last season, the Raiders ranked 19th in the NFL with 38 sacks. They bolstered their pass rush during free agency, and bringing in Mack would continue to move that mission in a positive direction.
6. Atlanta Falcons
OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
Michigan’s Taylor Lewan is also an option for the Falcons, who desperately need to give Matt Ryan better protection. The Falcons allowed 44 sacks last year – 10th most in the NFL. Before last year, Ryan hadn’t been sacked more than 28 times in his career. Matthews has good football DNA. His dad, Bruce, was a Hall of Fame offensive guard.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M
Tampa Bay already has a big-bodied receiver in Vincent Jackson (6-5, 230 pounds), but he is 31. Evans is not a fast receiver like Watkins, but has a tremendous ability to battle for balls in the air. Jackson isn’t fading. He had 1,224 yards last year. Evans is an important piece for the future.
8. Minnesota Vikings
QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida
The important thing for Bortles, if the Vikings pick him, is that the presence of Matt Cassel would enable Bortles to be a backup and learn as a rookie. Unless Cassel struggles, of course. Sitting back and learning certainly benefited Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. Bortles’ prototypical size gives him some serious upside.
9. Buffalo Bills
OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
If Lewan gets picked by the Falcons and Matthews is still available, then Matthews will probably be heading to Buffalo. The Bills did rookie quarterback EJ Manuel no favors last season, as they allowed 48 sacks – the fourth-most in the league. Buffalo needs to give Manuel a fair shot to show he can be the guy.
10. Detroit Lions
CB Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
Don’t be surprised if the Lions grab tight end Eric Ebron, if he is available. But they did rank 23rd in the NFL last season in passing yards allowed. Gilbert is not a lock as the top cornerback in this draft. A corner like Darqueze Dennard could be a fit, as well.
11. Tennessee Titans
CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
Presuming Gilbert is gone, the Titans will attempt to help their pass defense by adding Dennard. Tennessee lost Alterraun Verner to Tampa Bay during free agency. Will Dennard be Verner immediately? Probably not, since rookie corners often struggle. But this is an important need pick for the Titans.
12. New York Giants
TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
The Giants would be overjoyed if Ebron falls to them at No. 12. Ebron split out wide and played like a receiver fairly often in college, so that could be an asset for quarterback Eli Manning in his first year with offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s system. Ebron is unquestionably the top tight end in this draft.
13. St. Louis Rams
FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
Gregg Williams, the Rams’ new defensive coordinator, is a respected defensive mind, and he could mold Clinton-Dix into a very productive player. Clinton-Dix’s range is an attractive asset in coverage. He and second-year pro T.J. McDonald could form a successful safety duo.
14. Chicago Bears
DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
He is absolutely the best defensive tackle available. Donald is a quicker tackle, rather than a space-clogging behemoth. The Bears’ front needs help. Chicago ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards allowed in 2013.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
OT/OG Zack Martin, Notre Dame
He is a tough player who will fit in well with the Steelers’ culture, though there is uncertainty about whether he will be able to play tackle in the NFL, because he isn’t a particularly long player. The Steelers could also opt for a cornerback, if Gilbert and/or Dennard happen to fall.
16. Dallas Cowboys
OLB Anthony Barr, UCLA
The Cowboys ranked 27th in the league last year with 34 sacks, so they could use an edge rusher. Barr gives them that. This is a bit higher than some analysts project Barr to get picked, but he can only get better, having played just two seasons at linebacker, after switching from running back/fullback.
17. Baltimore Ravens
FS Calvin Pryor, Louisville
There is a chance the Cowboys snatch him up, but if he’s around, Pryor would make a solid pairing with strong safety Matt Elam, who was the 32nd overall pick in 2013. Pryor is a classic hard-hitting safety and plays aggressively with his 5-11, 207-pound frame.
18. New York Jets
WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
Even with the free agency signing of Eric Decker, receiver remains a big position of need for the Jets. Cooks gives the Jets a legit deep threat. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds at the NFL Combine – the second-fastest time at the entire combine. He is a confident guy who will fit in well in New York.
19. Miami Dolphins
ILB C.J. Mosley, Alabama
A very good coverage linebacker, Mosley would be a strong addition to a Miami pass defense that ranked right in the middle of the league last year – 16th. Perhaps the Dolphins go with an offensive lineman in this spot, but with solid options already gone at that position, Mosley would not be a bad pickup at all.
20. Arizona Cardinals
QB Derek Carr, Fresno State
There has been lots of debate about where the younger brother of David Carr fits in. Carson Palmer isn’t getting any younger. He’ll be 35 in December. Derek Carr gives the Cardinals a backup option should Palmer get hurt. But Arizona doesn’t need Carr to be the starter immediately, of course.
21. Green Bay Packers
OLB Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
Shazier would have some good role models in the Packers’ linebacker group, including Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk, a fellow Ohio State product. Shazier is a rangy linebacker. In today’s NFL, linebackers have to cover, and Shazier can do that well.
22. Philadelphia Eagles
WR Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
You don’t see many receivers who look like Benjamin – 6-5 and 240 pounds. He is a matchup issue for many defenders, and he could thrive in Chip Kelly’s offense, even if he doesn’t have elite speed. But put the ball up, and Benjamin will go get it.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
WR Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
There’s a chance the Jets will draft Beckham, particularly since the Jets’ new special teams coordinator, Thomas McGaughey, previously held that role at LSU. Marqise Lee of Southern California would also be an option for the Chiefs, who need receivers. But Beckham is a bit faster.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
CB Jason Verrett, Texas Christian
Here is a very fast corner (4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash) who could be another important piece for a passing defense that was fifth-best in the NFL last year. He is not a big guy, at 5-10, but is flexible and has very good hips.
25. San Diego Chargers
CB Bradley Roby, Ohio State
Judging by ability alone, Roby is the top cornerback available this year. He can be a bit rough around the edges with his technique. San Diego has to improve its pass defense, 29th in the league last year, so the Chargers need to hope Roby can hone his skills quickly at the next level.
26. Cleveland Browns
WR Cody Latimer, Indiana
You probably haven’t heard much about him, but he is projected as a late first-round pick. The Browns need all the offensive help they can get. Latimer isn’t a sure thing, just like Manziel isn’t. But Cleveland at least needs to try to upgrade its offense, which was 27th in the NFL last year in yards.
27. New Orleans Saints
DE Dee Ford, Auburn
There’s a big drop-off from the best defensive end available, Clowney, to the second-best. Ford isn’t a huge guy (6-2, 252 pounds), but he uses his quick burst to get past offensive linemen, and he could be a versatile part of Rob Ryan’s defense. His coverage skills remain a question.
28. Carolina Panthers
OT Morgan Moses, Virginia
The Panthers need a tackle, and Joel Bitonio could be an option here. Moses has the size to play in the NFL – 6-6 and 314 pounds – but what about his ability to block in open spaces? That’s an issue for him.
29. New England Patriots
DT Ra’Shede Hageman, Minnesota
He isn’t guaranteed to be the next Vince Wilfork by any means, but Wilfork is aging and coming off an injury. Ditto for Tommy Kelly. Hageman is 6-5 and 310 pounds now, but he is a former tight end, so he is quite athletic.
30. San Francisco 49ers
DE Kony Ealy, Missouri
The Bengals might snatch him up at No. 24, but if he’s still around, he would be a good get for Jim Harbaugh. Ealy is a big guy (6-4, 273 pounds) who can get after the quarterback.
31. Denver Broncos
OT/OG Joel Bitonio, Nevada
Zane Beadles, who can play both guard and tackle, left for Jacksonville in free agency. Beadles’ departure left a hole at left guard. Like Beadles, Bitonio can play both guard and tackle.
32. Seattle Seahawks
WR Marqise Lee, Southern California
The defending Super Bowl champions go, at least in our projection, with a player from coach Pete Carroll’s former employer. Lee has nice straight-line speed, even though his 40 time isn’t great. If he can iron out drop issues that might cause him to fall this far, he could be a good asset.
