November 26th Mock Draft

[Matthew Jones]

Just whipped this up for NEPatriotsDraft. Let me know what you think:

1. Kansas City Chiefs – QB Matt Barkley, Southern California

Matt Barkley makes the most sense for Kansas City until Scott Pioli is fired; no one envies this decision.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

General manager Genee Smith is likely gone; Blaine Gabbert’s hold on the starting job has slipped away.

3. Carolina Panthers – DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

Johnathan Hankins is the better run stuffer, but Star Lotulelei has elite potential inside at defensive tackle.

4. Oakland Raiders – LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia*

Defensive end is a bigger need than outside linebacker, but Jones is the best pass rusher in the draft this year.

5. Cleveland Browns – DE Bjoern Werner, Florida St.*

Werner is neck-and-neck with Texas A&M’s Damontre Moore; the former is a more natural defensive end.

6. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M*

Jason Peters is one of the best left tackles in the game, but his Achilles injury clouds his long-term future.

7. San Diego Chargers – CB Dee Milliner, Alabama*

Both of San Diego’s starting cornerbacks, Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer, are impending free agents.

8. Buffalo Bills – QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t getting the job done; general manager Buddy Nix has indicated his interest in drafting a QB.

9. Tennessee Titans – LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

Zach Brown and Akeem Ayers look like long-term starters on the outside, but Colin McCarthy has struggled.

10. Detroit Lions – DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M*

Cliff Avril’s contract expires at the end of the season; Kyle Vanden Bosch will almost certainly be a cap casualty.

11. Arizona Cardinals – OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan*

Levi Brown’s $30 million deal paid out all of its guaranteed money in the first year; he missed this season.

12. New York Jets – DE Barkevious Mingo, Louisiana St.*

Mingo hasn’t been as productive as expected this year; however, his freakish athleticism translates to linebacker.

13. St. Louis Rams – OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M*

The Rams have been unable to find long-term answers at the tackle spots; they must protect Sam Bradford.

14. Miami Dolphins – WR Keenan Allen, California*

Allen’s late-season knee injury hurt his stock, but he should be able to regain ground during pre-draft workouts.

15. St. Louis Rams (from Redskins) – FS Eric Reid, Louisiana St.*

Quintin Mikell will most likely start at strong safety next season; Craig Dahl could be replaced at the other spot.

16. Dallas Cowboys – OG Chance Warmack, Alabama

The 320-pound Crimson Tide guard is a nasty power blocker; he can slide into Mackenzy Bernadeau’s spot.

17. New Orleans Saints – DE Sam Montgomery, Louisiana St.*

New Orleans needs help almost everywhere on defense; improving their pass rush seems like a logical first step.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama*

The Bengals historically emphasize drafting from the SEC; rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict needs some help.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi St.

Aqib Talib is in New England; Eric Wright’s recent suspension allows the Bucs to avoid any future commitment.

20. Minnesota Vikings – DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio St.*

There’s almost no chance Hankins slides this far on draft day; he will likely go within the draft’s top ten picks.

21. Seattle Seahawks – WR Robert Woods, Southern California*

Seattle will eventually have to address the right side of their line, but Woods makes too much sense to pass on here.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers – DT John Jenkins, Georgia

Getting younger on defense will be a priority; Jenkins could replace Casey Hampton, who’s been declining for years.

23. Green Bay Packers – TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame*

Jermichael Finley has an upcoming option bonus; it may be prudent to swap him out for a tight end such as Eifert.

24. Indianapolis Colts – DE Dion Jordan, Oregon

Jordan has played all over the place at Oregon; Dwight Freeney may be in the midst of his last season in Indianapolis.

25. New York Giants – DE Ezekiel Ansah, Brigham Young

Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora may not be back; Ansah is another raw, freakish athlete in the Pierre-Paul mold.

26. Denver Broncos – DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri*

Richardson’s explosiveness would upgrade a Broncos pass rush which is too reliant on Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.

27. New England Patriots – CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida St.*

Aqib Talib’s future with New England is uncertain; Devin McCourty looks more natural back at free safety.

28. Chicago Bears – OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan

Fisher is a massive offensive tackle with surprising mobility; J’Marcus Webb has been in the starting lineup far too long.

29. San Francisco 49ers – WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia

The 49ers have the luxury of a well-rounded roster; Tavon Austin could make an early impact working in the slot.

30. Baltimore Ravens – LB Chase Thomas, Stanford

Adding to their stable of pass rushers would be a wise decision; Thomas has established himself as a first-round talent.

31. Houston Texans – WR Terrance Williams, Baylor

Houston was rumored to desire Kendall Wright last season; his former teammate would be a good choice as well.

32. Atlanta Falcons – DE Alex Okafor, Texas

Okafor alleviated concerns about his ability to rush the passer by recording eight sacks in Texas’ first eleven games.

[CJSchneider]

Seeing that Sedrick Ellis is likely on his way out next year, I'd rather see NO take Hankins since he is still on the boards.

[princefielder28]

Eifert is a nice player but the Packers have far too many needs outside of tight end, even if Finley is let go. If Derek Sherrod's future looks uncertain then Eric Fisher comes into play. Barrett Jones could replace the current garbage at center in Jeff Saturday. Dion Jordan is the BPA at that point and the Packers certainly do not have an abundance of pass rushers.

[SoCalBam]

Matt Barkley to KC....hope not Geno would be better

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by SoCalBam

Matt Barkley to KC....hope not Geno would be better

You could almost flip a coin this year because there isn't a consensus top quarterback, but I'm still a little bit higher on Barkley; I think Pioli would be most drawn to him as well. I think his stock is perceived to have suffered a bit from the scrutiny given to the quarterback prospect who enters the season ranked #1, but he should still be picked high. Great intangibles, master of the short passing game, four year starter, etc. Remember, Matt Ryan threw 19 INTs and was knocked for his arm strength, but still went in the top three picks.

[shylo3716]

No Justin Hunter?

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by shylo3716

No Justin Hunter?

He just missed the cut! I have Hunter as my second or third-ranked receiver (behind Allen, close with Woods) but it seems like Austin, Williams are getting most of the hype right now.

[Pat Sims 90]

Rhodes or Banks would be better picks then Mosley.

[ChicagoBearsVet23]

Solid Bears pick

[vidae]

Mehhhh Barkley. And I don't see how Pioli keeps his job.

[holt_bruce81]

Love Jake Matthews to the Rams, It fills a much needed position. How good is Eric Reid? both the Rams safeties have played like **** this season, Mikell looks like he's aged about ten years in one offseason, and Craig Dahl is white.

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by holt_bruce81

Love Jake Matthews to the Rams, It fills a much needed position. How good is Eric Reid? both the Rams safeties have played like **** this season, Mikell looks like he's aged about ten years in one offseason, and Craig Dahl is white.

I thought Reid was a top-ten prospect entering the season. He's not the fastest guy, but he can do a little bit of everything: in the box, center field, coverage on tight ends, etc. Probably projects better to SS but could be a FS as well.

[Taber21]

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

20. Minnesota Vikings – DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio St.*

I agree with Hankins not being around at this point, but I would sure love it if he were!

[BuckeyeDan17]

Matthew, from what little I've seen of Werner I really like; however, I've noticed that he plays over the right tackle which is where Sheard plays exclusively. My question is do you see Werner having success against the left tackles of the league?

[RCAChainGang]

Perfect Colts pick imo.

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeDan17

Matthew, from what little I've seen of Werner I really like; however, I've noticed that he plays over the right tackle which is where Sheard plays exclusively. My question is do you see Werner having success against the left tackles of the league?

Yes, I do. He can play either spot in the NFL.

[regoob2]

I like the Bears pick. Same as in my mock. Webb has actually been much better the Carimi. Sad to say. We need OTs badly.

[T-RICH49]

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

You could almost flip a coin this year because there isn't a consensus top quarterback, but I'm still a little bit higher on Barkley; I think Pioli would be most drawn to him as well. I think his stock is perceived to have suffered a bit from the scrutiny given to the quarterback prospect who enters the season ranked #1, but he should still be picked high. Great intangibles, master of the short passing game, four year starter, etc. Remember, Matt Ryan threw 19 INTs and was knocked for his arm strength, but still went in the top three picks.

there is NO WAY Pioli keeps his job.this team is on pace to go 1-15