Although Mel Kiper and other analysts have said there isn't a quarterback for the No. 1 pick, he's still the choice for the Kansas City Chiefs (for now). But now there's a caveat. Smith may be the choice for the Chiefs, but will they still have the first overall pick on April 25?
Since it's Combine week (SB Nation is well-represented in Indianapolis), this mock projects some players timing well and rising up the draft board. Think it doesn't happen? Stephon Gilmore wasn't a top 10 pick before the Combine last year. Players like Doug Martin, Kelechi Osemele and Dontari Poe helped themselves in Indianapolis a year ago as well.
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Pick | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
1. Kansas City Chiefs |
Geno Smith, West Virginia |
QB | 6'3 | 215 | Sr. |
Kansas City will be busy at the NFL Combine this week, heavily scrutinizing the likes to Smith, Utah's Star Lotulelei and Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel. They'll also begin the process of searching for a trade partner. The best bet for Kansas City is that they'll hope to find a team wanting Joeckel, if they can bring Branden Albert back. Joeckel is the best player in the draft and and there are a few teams needing a left tackle. I think the Chiefs will end up with Smith, but maybe not with the No. 1 pick. |
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2. Jacksonville Jaguars |
Barkevious Mingo, LSU | DE | 6'5 | 240 | Jr. |
The Jaguars are putting Jason Babin at the important Leo position, but Mingo is a much better fit. Look for him to be one of the superstars in Indianapolis. While he did have a down year statistically, the LSU defense called for him to play more contain and not over-pursue. He's athletic enough to play with his hand in the dirt or on his feet. |
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3. Oakland Raiders |
Star Lotulelei, Utah |
DT | 6'4 | 320 | Sr. |
The Raiders will be in a difficult spot with the third pick and Smith is gone. The team needs help along the defensive line, whether its a pass rusher or a run stopper. With Richard Seymour gone and Desmond Bryant an unrestricted free agent set to cash in, the Raiders could be forced to take Lotulelei. He can play both tackle spots in a four-man front and anywhere in a three-man set. |
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4. Philadelphia Eagles |
Dion Jordan, Oregon |
DE/OLB | 6'7 | 245 | Sr. |
Just about everyone has slotted an offensive tackle to the Eagles. We're as guilty of it as anyone. But what if the training staff is adamant that Jason Peters will be back healthy? If he is, does a team take a right tackle in the top five? It's unlikely. Instead, look for Chip Kelly to make do with the pieces he has on offense and look for a difference maker on defense. Kelly is fully aware of Jordan's athleticism, and knows how to properly use him in the team's new 3-4. |
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5. Detroit Lions |
Damontre Moore |
DE | 6'4 | 250 | Jr. |
Cliff Avril is a free agent and Kyle Vanden Bosch was cut. In a draft that's top-heavy in pass rushers, the Lions would be wise to strike with a player like Moore. While he doesn't have an elite first step, he's a relentless player and can hold up against the run particularly well. |
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6. Cleveland Browns |
Dee Milliner, Alabama |
CB | 6'1 | 199 | Jr. |
If Jordan, Mingo and Moore are gone, the Browns could be left choosing between Georgia's Jarvis Jones and Milliner. Either choice would help the team's defense. Corner Sheldon Brown was routinely beat in coverage, and the Browns could finally be looking for an upgrade opposite Joe Haden. That could bump Brown over to safety, fixing up the team's entire secondary. With the second most free agent money to spend, Cleveland could be hot after Baltimore's Paul Kruger.
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7. Arizona Cardinals |
Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M |
OT | 6'6 | 310 | Jr. |
Just how does the best player fall to this point in the draft? I don't do trades in mock drafts, but Arizona could be the team Kansas City finds as a trade partner. Arizona would get a franchise left tackle and the Chiefs would stay in the top 10. There has been some momentum for Mike Glennon here, but it's looking less likely quarterbacks will be a hot commodity early in the draft. Of course, that could change when we get more information on which players teams are after. |
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8. Buffalo Bills |
Jarvis Jones, Georgia |
OLB | 6-3 | 230 | Sr. |
This is a carryover pick from our last mock draft, but it just seems to fit perfectly. The Bills need a linebacker that can disrupt the pocket and that's Jones' specialty. He's a player who will need a big Combine showing, both in the testing portion and during medical checks. |
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9. New York Jets |
Chance Warmack, Alabama |
G | 6-3 | 320 | Sr. |
For a team that seems like it just needs to catch a break, this would be a disastrous scenario for the Jets. The best pass rushers are all off the board, and this is too early for a running back. The decision here would be Warmack, Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro or a trade back. It's true, guards don't get drafted this highly, but it's arguably the Jets' biggest need after a pass rusher. It's hard to see them taking a third first round defensive lineman in as many years or a wide receiver. |
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10. Tennessee Titans |
Bjoern Werner, Florida State |
DE | 6'4 | 255 | Jr. |
Although Werner will have to learn to play with more aggression (especially when the player doesn't come his way), this would be a value pick for the Titans. There's been some momentum of late for Vaccaro, but this is too high of a pick. Werner should be able to start as a rookie and make an impact. |
Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Stars |
11. San Diego Chargers |
Eric Fisher, Central Michigan |
OT | 6'7 | 305 | Sr. |
If Fisher is available when the Chargers pick, look for them to run their draft card up to the podium. He may not slide this far, but the Chargers could also be aggressive and try to move up for a desperately needed left tackle. |
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12. Miami Dolphins |
Keenan Allen, California |
WR | 6'3 | 210 | Jr. |
This is a pick we're sticking with for the moment. There have been knocks on Allen of late, but he's a much better fit for Miami's offense than a player like Cordarrelle Patterson. Allen is at his best when he can catch a short pass and get yards after the catch. He would fit nicely as Miami's top wide out. |
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13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Sharrif Floyd, Florida |
DT | 6'3 | 303 | Jr. |
Cornerbacks have been popular choices for the Buccaneers, and justly so. But the team also needs to add a player next to rising star Gerald McCoy. Roy Miller is a free agent and the options on Tampa's roster are sparse. Floyd is rapidly ascending mock drafts and if the NFL boards agree with media assessments, this could be a steal. |
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14. Carolina Panthers |
Sheldon Richardson, Missouri |
DT | 6'4 | 295 | Jr. |
This is a pick that has become pretty regular, not only here but on several mock drafts. For Carolina, Richardson is a perfect combination of scheme fit, need and value. Richardson is lightning fast and relentless off the line of scrimmage. |
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15. New Orleans Saints |
Ezekiel Ansah, BYU |
OLB/DE | 6'5 | 274 | Sr. |
Ansah doesn't get a lot of discussion as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he should. Don't forget, he wanted to play on BYU's basketball team, not the football team. He's an athlete who just happened to play end at BYU. He should have the agility to play standing up and is only beginning his development. |
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16. St. Louis Rams |
Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma |
OT | 6'6 | 302 |
Sr. |
If one of the top three offensive tackles happens to fall to the 16th pick, the Rams should pounce. If they wait, a player like Johnson will be gone by the 22nd pick. Although he's best-suited for left tackle, Johnson can play on either side of the Rams' line. |
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17. Pittsburgh Steelers |
Jesse Williams, Alabama |
DT | 6'4 | 320 | Sr. |
Casey Hampton is set to enter free agency and at 35, his career may be at its end. Even if the Steelers bring him back on a one-year deal, upgrading the middle of their defense is a must. Williams may be coming off a knee injury, but it shouldn't negatively impact his future play. He's a powerhouse nose that can push the pocket or take up multiple blockers. |
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18. Dallas Cowboys |
D.J. Fluker, Alabama |
OT | 6'5 | 355 | Sr. |
If there ever was a right tackle suited for the Dallas Cowboys, it's Fluker. He's a powerful run blocker who can drive defenders backward with ease. The Cowboys can benefit from the depth at defensive tackle this year and wait improve the team's new front four.
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19. New York Giants |
Kevin Minter, LSU |
MLB | 6'2 | 245 | Jr. |
After releasing Michael Boley, the Giants' needs on the defense continue to grow. Minter specializes in working between the tackles and stopping the run. That's good for New York, one of the league's worst run-stopping teams. |
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20. Chicago Bears |
Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina |
G | 6'3 | 310 | Sr. |
Right guard Lance Louis is an unrestricted free agent, as are backups Chilo Rachal and Chris Spencer. The Bears have needed to upgrade their offensive line for several years, and a player like Cooper is well worth the 20th pick in the draft. He's a quick-footed guard that can beat defensive linemen off the snap and get out on the move. |
More: Complete NFL Draft coverage
Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Stars |
21. Cincinnati Bengals |
Kenny Vaccaro, Texas |
S | 6'1 | 218 | Sr. |
At this point, Cincinnati is a hard team to pin down. No team has more money to spend on free agents, but few teams have as many big-time free agents of their own. The pick for the Bengals is going to change often leading up to the draft. The known about Cincinnati is that they generally draft more toward need in the first round. Safety is among the team's bigger issues and Vaccaro is easily the best in the class. |
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22. St. Louis Rams |
Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee |
WR | 6'3 | 205 | Jr. |
No Rams receiver broke 700 yards receiving last season and the team doesn't a player that projects as a No. 1. Patterson isn't a refined pass catcher. His route running is raw and he catches with his body too much. But when he actually gets the ball in his hands, he's as dangerous as anyone in this year's draft. Cordarrelle Patterson scouting report
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23. Minnesota Vikings |
DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson |
WR | 6'1 | 205 | Jr. |
The Vikings have a few needs, chief amongst them youth on defense. But a wide receiver like Hopkins could do wonders for Christian Ponder's career. It would also give Minnesota some flexibility with Percy Harvin going forward. |
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24. Indianapolis Colts |
Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State |
DT | 6'3 | 317 | Jr. |
The Colts have needs on each level of their defense, and have two unrestricted free agents on the line (Fili Moala and Antonio Johnson). Many think Hankins is a nose, but that's not the case. Particularly in Indianapolis, that spot would go to Josh Chapman. Hankins was at his best at OSU when he played end in three-man fronts. Haloti Ngata comparisons are a cop out, but Hankins could be used in a similar way. |
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25. Seattle Seahawks |
Datone Jones, UCLA |
DE | 6'4 | 275 | Sr. |
Look for the Seahawks to upgrade their defensive line this offseason, despite taking Bruce Irvin in the first round last year. Jones is in the same mold as Jason Jones, a free agent for Seattle that went on injured reserve in December. He's a better fit than a player like Sam Montgomery because he can take on blockers better, but can do just enough as a pass rusher. |
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26. Green Bay Packers |
John Jenkins, Georgia |
DT | 6'3 | 358 | Sr. |
BJ Raji is one of the better defensive linemen in the NFL, but he plays a staggering number of snaps for the position. If the Packers drafted Jenkins, he take some snaps away from Raji and eventually be Ryan Pickett's replacement at nose tackle. |
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27. Houston Texans |
Arthur Brown, Kansas State |
MLB | 6'2 | 231 | Sr. |
The Texans need to add a playmaker at inside linebacker in the event that Brian Cushing gets injured again. Brown is the most athletically gifted linebacker in the draft and can make plays all around the field. Many consider him undersized, but he's not much smaller than current Texans Tim Dobbins or Darryl Sharpton. |
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28. Denver Broncos |
Alec Ogletree |
MLB | 6'3 | 232 | Jr. |
Although Ogletree enters the NFL with copious baggage, he's the kind of middle linebacker the Broncos desperately need. He can drop in coverage to play tight ends in zone or man situations. He's not an overly powerful linebacker, but the Broncos need athleticism in their front seven.
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29. New England Patriots |
Xavier Rhodes, Florida State |
CB | 6'2 | 217 | Jr. |
New England's secondary was improved when they traded for Aqib Talib, but he's a free agent and there's no guarantee he comes back. The Patriots have just three corners under contract for next season and will likely draft a corner at some point. Rhodes is a high value choice and he may get some looks at safety in the NFL. |
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30. Atlanta Falcons |
Sam Montgomery, LSU |
DE | 6'5 | 260 | Jr. |
This is a pick that's become common place in my mock drafts. Montgomery can push himself higher in the first round with a good Combine showing, but he's never been known as an athletic dynamo. He would give the Falcons some much-needed youth on the line and ease the eventual departure of John Abraham. |
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31. San Francisco 49ers |
Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International |
S | 6'0 | 209 | Sr. |
Cyprien is a fast riser who should be one of the stand out performers at the Combine this week. He's a fluid safety prospect that can run and hit. In other words, he's the kind of player the 49ers could have used in the Super Bowl. |
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32. Baltimore Ravens |
Manti Te'o, Notre Dame |
MLB | 6'2 | 255 | Sr. |
This has become another common choice in my mock drafts. The fit is just too perfect. The Ravens don't need an athletic sideline-to-sideline middle linebacker. They need a player that's smart on the field and can make the calls for the defense. Te'o should quickly break the starting lineup on a 3-4 team and be a fixture for years. |
Special thanks to Bud Elliott of SB Nation recruiting and Tomahawk Nation for the mock draft layout.