NFL mock draft: Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota likely to go 1-2
The Times’ NFL writer Sam Farmer takes a look at the potential selections that teams might make at this year’s draft, which starts April 30 in Chicago:
1. TAMPA BAY – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State:The Buccaneers have made it clear they’re comfortable with Winston, baggage and all.
2. TENNESSEE – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: Mariota isn’t an ideal fit for Titans, who could take a pass rusher here. But somebody might trade up for the Heisman winner.
3. JACKSONVILLE – Leonard Williams, DT, USC: The Jaguars have spent a ton to upgrade through free agency but they still need help on their defensive line.
4. OAKLAND – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: There’s no consensus on who’s the better receiver in this class, but indications are the Raiders like the 6-foot-3 White over 6-1 Amari Cooper.
5. WASHINGTON – Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida: With Brian Orakpo gone, Fowler could be a bookend to outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan.
6. NEW YORK JETS – Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: The Jets are looking for an edge rusher, and Gregory is an elite one. Former Jets coach Herm Edwards has been working with him.
7. CHICAGO – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: Brandon Marshall is now with the Jets, and the Bears are looking for another receiver who can stretch the field.
8. ATLANTA – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: Atlanta fans looking for somebody who can get to the quarterback, and Beasley, who grew up a Falcons fan, fills the bill.
9. NEW YORK GIANTS – Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: The Giants are looking for a starting right tackle, and Scherff, the best offensive lineman in this class, could step right in.
10. ST. LOUIS RAMS – La’el Collins, OT, Louisiana State: Collins can play guard or tackle for the Rams, who are hurting on the offensive line and need to protect Nick Foles.
11. MINNESOTA – Landon Collins, SS, Alabama: Collins is the most talented safety in this class, and the Vikings are looking for someone to step in and start over Robert Blanton.
12. CLEVELAND – DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: The Browns have added Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe, but they’re still looking for a game-breaking receiver.
13. NEW ORLEANS – Shane Ray, DE, Missouri: Aside from Junior Galette, the Saints don’t have a dangerous edge-rushing threat. Ray could fill that void.
14. MIAMI – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: The Dolphins have Pro Bowl player Brent Grimes, and a bunch of young, unproven corners. Wayne is at the top of the class.
15. SAN FRANCISCO – Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: The 6-5 Green-Beckham would be a huge target for quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
16. HOUSTON – Alvin “Bud” Dupree, DE, Kentucky: Even after using their first pick on pass rushers in three of the past four drafts, the Texans could still use help pressuring quarterbacks.
17. SAN DIEGO – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia: With Ryan Mathews gone, the Chargers need a big-bodied back who can get the hard yards, and has breakaway potential.
18. KANSAS CITY – Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: The Chiefs could go for a receiver, but Peat would be a solid and safe pick, and he could lock down the right tackle job for years.
19. CLEVELAND – Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon: The Browns had the last-ranked run defense in 2014, and Armstead could bolster that line in a hard-running division.
20. PHILADELPHIA – Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon: The Eagles could trade up for Mariota, but the versatile Fisher would be a strong choice who could play guard or tackle.
21. CINCINNATI – T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: A former defensive tackle, Clemmings has a lot of raw talent as a right tackle. A youth infusion would help that line.
22. PITTSBURGH – Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest: The Steelers haven’t taken a cornerback in the first round since Chad Scott in 1997, but they’re sorely in need of help there.
23. DETROIT – Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley gone, the Lions need to restock at defensive tackle. Brown is a good start.
24. ARIZONA – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin: Gordon, who led college football in rushing last season, would be a productive complement to Andre Ellington.
25. CAROLINA – D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida: The Panthers got Cam Newton a top-notch receiver last year, and this year they need to buy him more time to find his targets.
26. BALTIMORE – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: New offensive coordinator Marc Trestman likes big receivers, and Strong could step in and fill the vacancy left by the departed Torrey Smith.
27. DALLAS – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: Peters was dismissed from his college team for butting heads with coaches, but the Cowboys can handle difficult personalities.
28. DENVER – Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami: If Flowers lasts this long, he would be a steal for the Broncos, who need to find a long-term answer at right tackle.
29. INDIANAPOLIS – Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia: With Reggie Wayne gone, the Colts will probably pick up a receiver fairly early. But a pass rusher like Harold would be a good fit here.
30. GREEN BAY – Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA: The Packers parted ways with inside linebackers A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones. Enter Kendricks, the Butkus Award winner and a Day 1 starter.
31. NEW ORLEANS – Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: The son of former Saints (and Lions) receiver Brett Perriman, Breshad ran the 40 in a scorching 4.22 seconds.
32. NEW ENGLAND – Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State: With Vince Wilfork in Houston, the Patriots will look for a space-eating defensive tackle, and the 6-4, 336-pound Goldman is that.
sam.farmer@latimes.com
Twitter: @LATimesfarmer
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