Charean Williams’ NFL mock draft 2.0
The Dallas Cowboys have more defensive needs than offensive needs, and with the draft deep at running back, it seems far more likely they’ll select a defensive player first. But who? The top pass-rushers likely clear the board before Dallas drafts 27th. The Cowboys never have put a lot of stock in the 1-technique, so it seems unlikely they draft a defensive tackle with the first choice unless he can play the 3-technique. They brought most of the top cornerbacks in for visits, as well as inside linebacker Eric Kendricks and defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa.
1. Tampa Bay: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: There is a lot of noise that the Bucs might draft Marcus Mariota, but Winston looks like he’ll be the fifth quarterback selected in the first round in franchise history.
2. Tennessee: Leonard Williams, DT, USC: The best player in the draft perfectly fits the Titans’ 3-4 defense.
3. Jacksonville: Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida: Fowler had 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hurries last season.
4. Oakland: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: The Raiders signed Michael Crabtree to a one-year deal, but he had only 68 catches for 698 yards and four touchdowns last season.
5. Washington: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: The Redskins seek another pass rusher after losing Brian Orakpo.
6. NY Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: The Jets ranked 32nd in passing offense last season, so despite drafting Geno Smith in the second round in 2013, they clearly still have a need at the position.
7. Chicago: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: The Bears signed Eddie Royal after trading Brandon Marshall, but Jay Cutler needs all the weapons he can get.
8. Atlanta: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: Gregory’s stock seems to be falling after he tested positive for marijuana at the combine, but he’s too talented to fall too far.
9. NY Giants: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri: The Giants cut Mathias Kiwanuka, Robert Ayers Jr. continues his recovery from a pectoral injury, and Damontre Moore hasn’t shown much in two seasons.
10. St. Louis: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: With guard Davin Joseph and right tackle Joe Barksdale on the free-agent market, the Rams seek to rebuild their offensive line.
11. Minnesota: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: Xavier Rhodes looks solid, but the Vikings still need help on the other side despite signing 37-year-old Terence Newman.
12. Cleveland: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: The Browns added Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe, but the veteran wideouts combined for only two touchdowns last season.
13. New Orleans: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington: The Saints ranked 31st in total defense, 29th against the run and 25th in sacks.
14. Miami: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia: The Dolphins seem intent on helping an offense that ranked 14th overall after helping the defense by adding Ndamukong Suh in free agency.
15. San Francisco: La’el Collins, OT, LSU: Colin Kaepernick, one of the NFL’s most mobile quarterbacks, was sacked 52 times.
16. Houston: Bud Dupree, DE/LB, Kentucky: The Texans lost SLB Brooks Reed in free agency, weakside linebacker Whitney Mercilus had only five sacks, and Jadeveon Clowney remains four months from a full recovery from microfracture surgery.
17. San Diego: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin: Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Donald Brown combined for three rushing touchdowns last season, and the Chargers ranked 30th in rushing and lost Ryan Mathews in free agency.
18. Kansas City: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest: Sean Smith goes into 2015 in the final year of his deal, and Chris Owens remains on the free agent market.
19. Cleveland: Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon: Randy Starks, who signed to a two-year, $8 million deal, will help, but starting nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin left in free agency and Phil Taylor continues his rehab from two knee surgeries on a defense that ranked last against the run last season.
20. Philadelphia: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut: The Eagles signed three cornerbacks in free agency, but only Byron Maxwell appears a long-term solution as E.J. Biggers and Walter Thurmond signed one-year deals.
21. Cincinnati: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: Left tackle Andrew Whitworth and right tackle Andre Smith are entering the final seasons of their contracts.
22. Pittsburgh: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: William Gay and Cortez Allen are the only players under contract at the position.
23. Detroit: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami: Left tackle Riley Reiff might be a better fit at right tackle, a position where the Lions have gone two seasons without a capable starter.
24. Arizona: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA: With the top running backs gone, the Cardinals address their biggest need. Daryl Washington’s future is up in the air as he seeks to return from a suspension, and Kevin Minter rehabs from a torn pectoral muscle.
25. Carolina: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida: Byron Bell remains a free agent after surrendering 9.25 sacks at left tackle last season, and right tackle Mike Remmers is a practice-squad journeyman.
26. Baltimore: Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: Torrey Smith left in free agency, and Steve Smith turns 36 before next season.
27. Dallas: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA: The Cowboys, who had only 28 sacks last season, still could use pass rushers, even after signing Greg Hardy.
28. Denver: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: Louis Vasquez moves back to right guard, leaving only last year’s third-round pick, Michael Schofield, at right tackle, and Schofield was inactive every game as a rookie.
29. Indianapolis: Landon Collins, S, Alabama: The Colts re-signed Michael Adams, but they need another starter.
30. Green Bay: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: Even with the signings of B.J. Raji and Letroy Guion, the Packers need help at the position.
31. New Orleans: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU: Keenan Lewis still needs help, even with the signing of Brandon Browner.
32. New England: Eric Rowe, CB, Utah: The Patriots need help at the position after losing starters Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner in free agency.
This story was originally published April 18, 2015 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Charean Williams’ NFL mock draft 2.0."