Charean Williams’ NFL Mock draft 1.0
What do the Dallas Cowboys do with the 27th overall pick? Do they try to package it in a trade for Adrian Peterson? Do they draft a running back if Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon remains on the board? Or do they try to help a pass rush that generated just 28 sacks in 2014? They appeared to have solidified their linebacker position by agreeing to terms with Rolando McClain on Wednesday. That leaves them with several other areas of need, most of them on defense. The NFL Draft is April 30-May 2 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Here’s Star-Telegram writer Charean Williams’ NFL Mock Draft 1.0:
Team | Biggest needs | Player | Comment |
1. Buccaneers | QB, OT, MLB | Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State | The Bucs released Josh McCown, who went 1-10 with 18 turnovers. |
2. Titans | OLB, OT, CB | Leonard Williams, DT, USC | The Titans, with needs at nearly every position, have spent a lot of time studying Williams. |
3. Jaguars | DE, RT, S | Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida | The Jaguars had 45 sacks last season, but they still lack a dominant pass-rusher. Fowler had 8.5 sacks last season. |
4. Raiders | WR, OG, DE | Amari Cooper, WR Alabama | The Raiders haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Randy Moss in 2005. |
5. Redskins | S, OL, DL | Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska | The Redskins, who had 37 sacks last season, are remaking their defensive line, having released Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen. |
6. Jets | QB, OLB, OL | Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon | The Jets spent the 39th overall pick in the 2013 draft on Geno Smith, but his record is 11-18 after two seasons. |
7. Bears | OLB, DL, S | Danny Shelton, DT, Washington | The Bears are remaking their defense, going to a 3-4, so they appear ready to take the best available defensive lineman. |
8. Falcons | DE, LB, OT | Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson | The Falcons, under new coach Dan Quinn, will build with defense, and Beasley would fit nicely. |
9. Giants | S, OL, DE | Shane Ray, DE, Missouri | The Giants need a starter opposite Jason Pierre-Paul after cutting Mathias Kiwanuka. |
10. Rams | OG, OT, C | La’el Collins, OT, LSU | RT Joe Barksdale remains a free agent, leaving the Rams a need to start opposite Greg Robinson, the No. 2 pick last year. |
11. Vikings | LG, WR, CB | Kevin White, WR, West Virginia | Teddy Bridgewater needs a reliable weapon, and Greg Jennings, Charles Johnson and Cordarrelle Patterson aren’t that. |
12. Browns | RT, DE, WR | Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa | The Browns want to get stronger up front, and Scherff would allow them to move Mitchell Schwartz to guard. |
13. Saints | CB, DE, OL | Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State | The Saints signed Brandon Browner, so Waynes with Browner and Keenan Lewis would give them a solid trio. |
14. Dolphins | OG, WR, LB | DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville | Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson have departed, with Kenny Stills added, so they still need help at WR. |
15. 49ers | WR, OL, DE | Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Okla. | Michael Crabtree remains a free agent, and Stevie Johnson and Brandon Lloyd combined for only 49 catches last season. |
16. Texans | QB, LB, WR | Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon | The Texans get top ’14 pick Jadeveon Clowney back from injury to help the pass rush, but they will take the best available player. |
17. Chargers | RB, OL, OLB | Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia | The Chargers ranked 30th in rushing and lost Ryan Mathews in free agency. |
18. Chiefs | WR, OG/C, ILB | T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh | The Chiefs need help on the O-line, and Jeff Allen can play left guard or right tackle, depending on whom they draft. |
19. Browns | RT, DE, WR | Malcom Brown, DT, Texas | The Browns, who had only 31 sacks last season, need defensive line help. |
20. Eagles | S, OLB, WR | Landon Collins, SS, Alabama | Nate Allen signed with the Raiders, leaving the Eagles in need of a safety to pair with Malcolm Jenkins. |
21. Bengals | DL, OT, LB | Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky | The Bengals ranked last in the league in sacks with 20, led by DE Carlos Dunlap with eight. |
22. Steelers | CB, OLB, S | Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest | Ike Taylor and Brice McCain departed, leaving only William Gay and Cortez Allen at the position. |
23. Lions | DT, OT, RB | Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford | The Lions have had undrafted rookies at right tackle the past two seasons. |
24. Cardinals | ILB, OLB, RB | Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin | The Cardinals need an upgrade over starter Andre Ellington, whether via trade for Adrian Peterson or in the draft. |
25. Panthers | OT, WR, CB | Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami | Byron Bell gave up 9.25 sacks at left tackle last season and has allowed 30.75 in his four seasons. |
26. Ravens | CB, WR, OLB | Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State | Torrey Smith left in free agency and Steve Smith turns 36 before the season begins. |
27. Cowboys | RB, DE, CB | Marcus Peters, CB, Washington | The Cowboys have uncertainties with Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, and Sterling Moore left in free agency. |
28. Broncos | RT, S | D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida | Louis Vasquez moves back to right guard, leaving only Michael Schofield (0 career starts) at right tackle. |
29. Colts | DL, S | Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA | The Colts need to help a defense that ranked 11th overall, including 18th against the run. |
30. Packers | ILB, DT, TE | Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State | The Packers finally re-signed Letroy Guion and B.J. Raji, but they still need to get younger and better at the position. |
31. Saints | CB, DE, OL | Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi St. | Tight end Maxx Williams tempts the Saints, but they need all the defensive help they can get. |
32. Patriots | CB, OG, DT | Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia | The Patriots need defensive depth. |
This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 2:35 PM with the headline "Charean Williams’ NFL Mock draft 1.0."