NFL Mock Draft: First 10 Picks

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jameis Winston QB FSU

There isn’t much debate over who will be picked first overall in this year’s draft. Winston went 26-1 as a starter at Florida State, and I think Tampa Bay truly believes that he is the best player in the draft. He has a big arm and great size. He also has great awareness and knows when to step up into the pocket. The risk that comes with him is his character. He’s had a few off-the-field incidents including taking crab legs from Publix, but Tampa Bay is going to take their chance with him because he is a player that has the ability to turn a franchise around.

2. Tennessee Titans- Leonard Williams DE USC

I think that the Titans are probably going to trade this pick, but if they don’t, expect them to draft Leonard Williams out of USC. The Titans have worked hard in the offseason to solidify their defense signing safety Da’Norris Searcy, corner Perrish Cox and linebackers Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo. Drafting Williams would help their defense because in my opinion, he is the best player in the draft. The strength and athleticism Williams has displayed in the trenches scream that he’s ready for the pros. He uses his hands well and is almost impossible to be blocked by just one man. Even though he doesn’t have a large arsenal of pass-rush moves, he will develop that once he starts training in the NFL and could end up being one of the most dangerous defensive lineman in the league.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Dante Fowler Jr. OLB Florida

The Jaguars are going to be looking for a big-time pass rusher and playmaker, and Dante Fowler Jr. is someone who meets those requirements. He’s a very explosive player and can attack from a two-point stance or three-point stance as he exhibited in college. He also can attack from wherever he’s lined up on the field. The Jaguars would be very happy to welcome him to Jacksonville because this kid has a very high ceiling.

4. Oakland Raiders- Kevin White WR WVU

At fourth overall, the Raiders will be looking to take the first receiver in the draft. Honestly, I think Amari Cooper is the best receiver in this class and that Oakland should take him, but if you look at how Oakland has drafted in the past, they will probably pass up on Cooper for Kevin White. Oakland selected JaMarcus Russell and Darrius Heyward-Bey in the first rounds in 2007 and 2009 because they put up good combine numbers. Yes, they were athletes, but there were others available in the draft that were more ready for the next level. Oakland is going to make that mistake again by drafting White who is a kind of “workout warrior.” He ran a 4.35 40-yard dash time at the combine and also had 23 reps on the bench press. Yes, he’s a talented receiver that had a good career at WVU, but I can’t see him being a star at the next level.

5. Washington Redskins- Shane Ray DE Missouri

I can see the Redskins taking Shane Ray here because they need pass rush help. Ray is NFL-ready when it comes to getting to the quarterback. He’s so fast and explosive and would definitely help a Redskin defense that has just lost Brian Orakpo.

6. New York Jets- Marcus Mariota QB Oregon

The New York Jets would be absolutely ecstatic to grab Mariota at sixth overall. He has great size and speed and has shown the ability to make difficult throws. He’s very smart and careful with the ball as well, rarely turning it over. The problem I have with him is the offense he ran at Oregon. It’s a system that is based on simplified reads and is good for players who use their speed to win games. It’s just hard for me to see Mariota doing well in a system that is different from the fast-paced Oregon style that made him into a star.

7. Chicago Bears- Amari Cooper WR Alabama

Any team that drafts Cooper is going to be very happy with what they are getting. He’s going to be an offensive threat, is very fast and has great size. He works hard for the ball, which is a skill that I think can turn any receiver into a star in the NFL.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Vic Beasley OLB Clemson

Beasley has the potential to be an absolute force, no matter if the offense he’s facing likes to pass or run the ball. He’s explosive off the edge, getting to running backs before they can make their first cut or getting to quarterbacks before they can make their reads. He needs to get bigger for the next level though. He has shown that he isn’t the best at shedding blocks. Regardless, Atlanta needs pass rushers, and Beasley fits.

9. New York Giants- Andrus Peat OT Stanford

When Eli has good blocking, he wins Super Bowls. The Giants are going to try to beef up their offensive line by taking Peat at ninth overall. Some scouts have said that he’s overrated, but he had a great combine and has great size at 6’7, giving him potential to be an incredible lineman.

10. Saint Louis Rams- Ereck Flowers OT Miami

Flowers is a very athletic player even though he weighs over 300 pounds. He’s a valuable asset to any team because he is an incredible run blocker and has good foot work. He’s a mean and competitive dude, sort of like a Richie Incognito, but struggles in pass protection. If he can improve that, he has potential to be a really good player in this league.

Edited by Maggie Jones