The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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Sundial sports predicts the first round of the NFL Draft

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Boston College at USC
USC wide reciever Marqise Lee, who has been a deep threat but has less-than-reliable hands, should be a late round steal in the first round of the NFL Draft. Courtesy of MCT

 

1. Houston Texans – Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End, South Carolina

Clowney is combination of speed and explosiveness which only comes around once a decade. Pairing him with Pro Bowl defensive end J.J. Watt gives Houston a juggernaut pass rush. The last time the Texans had the No. 1 selection, they selected Mario Williams, and I think they will do the same thing. Clowney needs some polish in his technique, but he has too much god-given ability to not be selected No. 1.

2. St. Louis Rams – Greg Robinson, Tackle, Auburn

Offensive tackle Jake Long is coming off of an injury, and protecting quarterback Sam Bradford is a priority. The last time they selected a tackle No. 2, it didn’t pan out with Jason Smith, but Robinson is one the best players at any position in the entire draft. Robinson is massive, listed at over 330 pounds, but also showed great athleticism by running a sub-five second 40 yard dash time at the combine.

3.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Khalil Mack, Linebacker, Buffalo

Head coach Gus Bradley has won over his players and many people in the media. Bradley is building something in Jacksonville, so there is no need to reach for a quarterback at this point in the draft. Mack is a dominant pass rusher to utilize against the division rival Colts, who have quarterback Andrew Luck. Mack’s combination of size and speed make him a can’tt miss linebacker or defensive end.

4 . Cleveland Browns – Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Louisville

Bridgewater has taken a lot of heat in this pre-draft process. However, his game tape shows him as the best quarterback available. Bridgewater only threw four interceptions last season, and has an ability to read defenses. The Browns need a quarterback and should grab the best one rather than wait for the end of the first round like they did when they reached for draft busts Brandon Weeden in 2012 and Brady Quinn in 2007.

5. Oakland Raiders – Sammy Watkins, Receiver, Clemson

Watkins is the most NFL-ready receiver in a deep class. His ability to accelerate in and out of breaks is among the best in the class. He is an explosive playmaker who is a danger to score anytime he touches the ball. The Raiders desperately need playmakers, so why not get the best? He compliments the rest of the receiving corps and gives offseason pickup quarterback Matt Schaub another throwing option.

6. Atlanta Falcons  – Jake Matthews, Tackle, Texas A&M

No pass rushers fall to Atlanta, so they grab the best player available. Protecting quarterback Matt Ryan is critical, and Matthews has a lot of potential. Matthews protected quarterback Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M to great success, and Matthews ends up being the highest drafted out of the trio of him, Manziel, and highly touted wideout Mike Evans.

7. Tampa Bay – Mike Evans, Receiver, Texas A&M

Why not pair two large and dominant receivers with veteran Vincent Jackson and Evans? Evans can do everything with his size (6 foot 5, 225 lbs) and impressive speed for his height as he ran a 4.53 40-yard-dash at the combine. He is the best overall player available for Tampa Bay at seven.Whoever the Buccaneers’ quarterback is, will benefit greatly from having Mike Evans.

8. Minnesota Vikings – Derek Carr, Quarterback, Fresno State

This might be high for Carr, but he has one of the biggest arms out of all the quarterbacks available. The Vikings need a quarterback, and Carr will benefit from a season learning with veteran quarterback Matt Cassel. The Vikings should value Carr’s 6’2 frame to Johnny Manziel’s. Carr also is more pro-ready and accurate than Blake Bortes.

9. Buffalo Bills – Eric Ebron, Tight End, North Carolina

Ebron is freak at tight end, with his combination of speed and size.Ebron has received comparisons to 49ers’ tight end, Vernon Davis, because of his unique abilities.  Second-year quarterback E.J Manuel needs as many weapons as possible. Ebron should become the face of the offense for years to come, like Davis has become in San Francisco. It may be too high for a tight end, but the best receivers are already taken at this point. Ebron will fit nicely in a Bills wide receiving corps that features wideout Steve Johnson and not much else.

10. Detroit Lions – Taylor Lewan, Tackle, Michigan

Lions draft a local product, and the best player available. Considering, Evans and Watkins are gone, adding pass protection for Matt Staford should be a priority. Lewan does have off the field issues, and he has tremendous size and athleticism. His technique needs to be refined, but the nastiness he plays with on every down, can not be taught. Lewan’s nasty mindset should fit with the Lions.

11. Tennessee Titans – Justin Gilbert, Cornerback, Oklahoma St.

They lost cornerback Alterraun Verner, who was their Pro-Bowl cornerback. Gilbert is the consensus top cornerback and if he is available the Titans should not think twice.

12. New York Giants – Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburg

The Giants get an anchor for their defensive line after losing defensive ends Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph to the Raiders and Vikings respectively. This makes sense for the Giants and for Donald.

13. St. Louis Rams – Calvin Pryor, Safety, Louisville

The Rams need help in their secondary, and Pryor has the highest ceiling of the top safeties. HaHa Clinton Dix of Alabama may be the most pro-ready safety, but Pryor could wind up with the better career.

14. Chicago Bears – C.J. Mosley, Linebacker, Alabama

With the The Bears’ defense is transitioning into a new era, so Mosley can be the face for years to come. He is a smart and physical linebacker, which is something the Bears have always coveted.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Anthony Barr, Linebacker, UCLA

Pittsburgh loves pass rushers, and landing one with as much upside as Barr is too much to pass up. He would be a nice scheme fit as a stand up defensive end in the 3-4 defense, and an immediate pass rushing threat. Some have Barr going much higher, but his limited football experience has him falling this low. He does have unique athletecism having played tight end in college, but he needs to refine his technique. Mike Tomlin’s Steelers can develop Barr into dominate player.

16. Dallas Cowboys – HaHa Clinton-Dix, Safety, Alabama

The Cowboys have needed a safety the past few season. Clinton-Dix in the mid-first round is solid value, and he has enough experience to contribute from day one.

17. Baltimore Ravens – Zach Martin, Tackle, Notre Dame

Baltimore is a tough selection. Having lost offensive lineman Michael Oher in free agency, Martin is a pro ready right tackle or guard for a team that needs help opening lanes in the running game.

18. New York Jets – Odell Beckham Jr. Receiver, Louisiana State

Beckham does a lot on the field for an offense and special teams. Whoever is quarterback needs more weapons. Beckham adds some much needed explosion to the Jets offense.

19. Miami Dolphins – Timmy Jernigan, Defensive Tackle Florida State

From their own backyard, the Dolphins snag a big and athletic nose tackle. This may be high for Jernigan, but he is coming off a dominant year and national championship.

20. Arizona Cardinals – Blake Bortles, QB, Arizona

Great news for Arizona. A big body and big arm quarterback falls into their lap. Bortes is a raw prospect, but the Cardinals can give him a year or two to learn the ropes of the NFL behind the experienced veteran Carson Palmer.

21. Green Bay Packers – Ra’ Shede Hageamon, Defensive Tackle, Minnesota

Green Bay desperately needs athletes on defense, and he is a monster. Hagemon’s value falls all over the place,in mock drafts, but his potential is too much for Green Bay to pass up here. He is a monster capable of dominating at times.

22. Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Cooks, Receiver, Oklahoma State

The Eagles need a receiver since they let go of star wideout Desean Jackson. Second year head coach Chip Kelly loves speed and Cooks is a speedster who can plays anywhere on the field. Philadelphia goes out and gets a guy who can make an immediate impact, despite the depth at receiver in the class.

23. Kansas City Chiefs – Marqise Lee, Receiver, Southern California

The Knock on Marqise Lee is he does not dominate any one aspect of the game. His hands may be shaky at times, but he can make plays on special teams and from all over the field.. Lee will thrive in the number two role across from established wideout Dwayne Bowe.Lee can take the ball the distance after the catch, but he can also stretch the field on deep routes. He is a polished route runner whose game should translate immediately in the NFL. Lee is not afraid to block either, so the Chiefs should like him.

24. Cincinnati Bengals – Kyle Fuller, Cornerback, Virginia Tech,

Fuller has the most potential of the cornerbacks remaining. The Bengals need some youth in their secondary, and Fuller should have time to learn.

25. San Diego Chargers – Brandon Roby, Cornerback, Ohio State

Roby comes with some off-field issues, but had flashes of dominance at times with a 10 tackle game and a handful of big interception returns. San Diego desperately needs a cornerback and Roby’s potential is too much to pass.

26. Cleveland Browns – Darqueze Dennard, Cornerback, Michigan State

Dennard is knocked for potentially not having a high ceiling at the next level. Combined with limited athletic abilities, there are questions about him relying too much on physical play rather than focusing on the x’s and o’s. In this spot though, he can be cornerback Joe Hayden’s counterpart.

27. New Orleans Saints – Dee Ford, Defensive End, Auburn

If Ford can do any one thing, it is rush the quarterback. New Orleans needs a pass rusher, even if there are questions about Ford’s size at 6 foot 2.

28. Carolina Panthers – Morgan Moses, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech

Carolina’s most noted subtraction this offseason is wideout Steve Smith, but they also lost their longtime Pro Bowl left tackle Jordan Gross to retirement. Moses has the skills to be a dominant offensive lineman for years to come, and quarterback Cam Newton could use the help on his blindside.

29. New England –  Louis Nix, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame

With Patriots longtime defensive tackle Vince Wilfork’s future up in the air after the 2014-15 season, New England can draft Nix and groom him to be Wilfork’s long-term replacement. His size at his weight (6 foot 2, 331 lbs) has caused injury concerns, but his athleticism at the nose tackle position should make Bill Belichick feel comfortable drafting him.

30. San Francisco – Jason Verrett, Cornerback, Texas Christian

Verrett may be undersized at 5 foot 10 and just 176 lbs, but his game tape doesn’t tell that. He is a value for the nickel cornerback position, and the Niners needed a corner after Carlos Rodgers moved across the bay to Oakland. Despite his small frame, Verrett competes and coach Jim Harbaugh will gladly accept him.

31. Denver Broncos – Ryan Shazier, Linebacker, Ohio State

Shakier had a highly decorated career in college. His run instincts would be a great addition to defense poised for a playoff run.

32. Seattle – Kony Ealy, Defensive End, Missouri

Seattle lost many components of their pass-rush to free agency. It should be their top priority, and they should be happy to grab Ealy who is a well-rounded football player.

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