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As the Christmas and New Years dust is shaken off and we all come to the dawning realisation that we are approaching the end of the football season, all eyes start to look towards the draft. This year the Redskins finally have a first round pick, and what's more it is the 5th overall pick. Also, we finally have a talented football evaluator in the building running the show, so fans are excited to see what talent we can bring in to save our team. On the downside, we have as many holes as a termite mound.
There is much speculation around where the Redskins go with this pick, but much depends on what the teams around us will most likely do. Let'stake a look at what our writers think might happen in the first round of this year's draft.
1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The Bucs are looking for a QB to lead them to the promised land, and have a choice between Winston and Mariota. In my book the most pro ready of these two is Winston, who played college football in Florida and can step right into the starting line up. The only thing that might make the Bucs hesitate is Winston's off field antics, but I think they will put on their NFL blinkers and jump on the Winston train.
2) Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DT Southern California
The Titans will think about Mariota, but Whisenhunt won't want to put his future with the team in the hands of a young QB who needs work to adapt his game to the NFL - he simply doesn't have that luxury. The Titans will play it safe and go with the BPA which is Leonard Williams.
3) Jacksonville Jaguars - Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
In reality I think the Jags are a prime candidate to trade down here, but we aren't doing trade downs. Remember the Redskins destroying that offensive line? That happened all season, so they will most definitely look to improve their pass protection with a talent like Brandon Scherff, who could even start at guard and move to tackle when up to speed.
4) Oakland Raiders - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Raiders need players everywhere, but Cooper could really be the marquee player for this franchise for years to come. QB Derek Carr needs a true #1 receiver to help his development into a solid starter in the NFL.
5) Washington Redskins - Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford (Pick chosen by Ken Meringolo)
Many, many (many) people will suggest that fifth overall is too high to take a right tackle, which to me is a ludicrous way to approach this draft. I believe that investment on the offensive line is an investment in everything we do. If you want to keep our quarterback alive, we have to protect him from both sides. If you want to be less predictable about who we prefer to run behind, we have to have more than one offensive lineman that the other team respects. If you want to help the defense, we should get more first downs by being more efficient on offense--something we can't accomplish without an upgraded offensive line. If you don't think
Trent Williams is going to be able to continue playing injured forever, we better have a halfway decent tackle that can slide to the left side. Drafting the 6'7", 312-pound All-American offensive lineman from Stanford would address a need, and would impact other areas of need as well. The Redskins have tried to unearth serviceable offensive lineman in later rounds, with very little luck. Now is the time to make a meaningful investment in the offensive line. Whether RG3 is the guy or not, a line anchored by Trent Williams and Andrus Peat would significantly aid the growth and success of the quarterback position. (P.S. Will you love this pick more or less after I draft a center at the top of the 4th round?)
6) New York Jets - Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
The Jets will find themselves in a bit of a pickle, staring at Marcus Mariota slipping to them in this draft. After the failed Geno Smith experiment they are in need of a QB, but are well aware the work needed to put in with a young QB coming from a unique scheme. I think the Jets play it safe (can't believe I wrote that) and pick Gregory to give them options in 2016 when renewing the current OLB's (Coples and Pace) contracts.
7) Chicago Bears - Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The Bears will have questions about QB depending on what happens with Cutler this offseason, but they also need to fix the defense. Shane Ray is a great pick for them and offers them a young stud to build around.
8) Atlanta Falcons - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Another team with pass rush issues. BPA for them right here is Vic Beasley who offers them an explosive first step. More pressure up front means less stress on the LB's and secondary, which plagued Atlanta all season.
9) New York Giants - Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
One player to keep your eye on. The Giants need a whole new LB group and Thompson offers them versatility at this position with his athleticism. A rangy player who tackles well and makes plays all over the field.
10) St Louis Rams - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
This is where it gets interesting. The Rams need to settle the future of Sam Bradford, but many expect him to be gone at the end of the season. They have seen Mariota slide to them at #10. Do they bite the bullet? I don't think they do. I think they play it safe and pick up a WR to help their stuttering offense. DeVante Parker is tall and has good hands. He needs to improve his acceleration, but he will be a solid pick for the Rams.
11) Minnesota Vikings - La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Teddy Bridgewater has settled in as the starting QB for the Vikings, and now they need to protect him. Collins is a stout pass blocker that can play guard and left tackle, the latter being an area of need for this team.
12) Cleveland Browns - Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky
The Browns need to upgrade their defensive line with the two Bryants looking stale at times in 2015. Dupree offers them variety, technique and motor. He can work on his strength, and if he can learn to disengage blocks he could be a quality player.
13) New Orleans Saints - Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
The Saints have options here, including Mariota who still remains on my board. They could also go with a WR, CB or a pass rusher which are all needs. With pass rushers flying off the board I predict the Saints get this position wrapped up with Dante Fowler. A super versatile player who can line up all over the line of scrimmage.
14) Miami Dolphins - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The Dolphins need to upgrade their secondary with average talent holding them back in 2014. Waynes could come in and compete straight away, as a tall rangy corner. His only weakness is strength which he can work on in his first couple of seasons, but if he puts on some bulk, he could serve the Dolphins well for years to come.
15) San Francisco 49ers - T. J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
The 49ers have some questions along the offensive line in 2015 with key players hitting free agency. Clemmings would be a savvy pick to give them more options in this area as well as introducing some youth.
16) Houston Texans - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Mariota finally finds a home with the Texans. Houston are desperate for a QB and will struggle to look past the Heisman Trophy winner as their franchise quarterback. A savvy front office will understand that Mariota will need developing into a pro ready QB, but Bill O'Brien should know enough about the playmaking QB to figure something out.
17) San Diego Chargers - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Chargers are looking for a nose tackle. Danny Shelton is the best in the draft. He has been compared to Vince Wilfork, so that should tell you all you need to know. Simple.
18) Kansas City Chiefs - Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
With Dwayne Bowe potentially leaving, and the team not scoring a TD all year from a WR, this position is in desperate need of an upgrade. Green-Beckham has a freakish build at 6 ft 5 inches, and will become an instant threat in their offense.
19) Cleveland Browns - Bendarick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
(Bendarick? Really?) A thumping and athletic linebacker who excels when running downhill to the stuff the run or blitz the QB. Led his team in tackles, and would immediately satisfy a need in the Browns defense. Biggest weakness is in coverage.
20) Philadelphia Eagles - Landon Collins, S, Alabama
The Eagles will have watched Landon Collins fall down to them with open arms. An impressive frame helps Collins work with efficiency around the line of scrimmage, almost as a linebacker. Would translate best as a strong safety, due to issues in coverage, but would be a solid pick at this spot for the Eagles.
21) Cincinnati Bengals - Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
The Bengals are close to nailing down their offensive line, and with a few tweaks here and there they can give Dalton some pretty solid protection. Ogbuehi has the tools to become a fine tackle in the NFL, but needs to become more aggressive and hone his craft. He can be flexed into a few positions to help him learn while the Bengals figure out their best line up.
22) Pittsburgh Steelers - Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The Steelers have two defensive ends and are just looking for that central piece in their defensive line to make it a solid force. Goldman offers a unique blend of size and athleticism, and would be a fine choice for them here as they seek to kit their defense out with a new coordinator at the helm.
23) Detroit Lions - Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
A very good prospect at CB with great ball skills. The only thing holding him back is a concern around character. Likens to Aqib Talib both on and off the field, and if the Lions can get that level of production out of him with minimal impact off the field they will be ecstatic.
24) Arizona Cardinals - Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Solid defensive lineman, perfect for the Cardinals pressure packages. Can play as both a NT in a 3-4 or as a traditional DT in a 4-3, which matches well with the varied scheme that the Cardinals have played under Bowles.
25) Carolina Panthers - Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Can play either RT or LT, and provide the Panthers with some protection for Cam Newton. Good run blocker on the edge which is what the Panthers ground attack is all about. Good fit.
26) Baltimore Ravens - Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Ravens are reliant on Steve Smith, who is not a spring chicken. Torrey Smith is still not the player they hoped he would develop into. Jaelen Strong would provide them with a tall, strong possession receiver. Strong needs to work on his route running and intricacies of the position, but given time, could become a potent weapon for the Ravens.
27) Dallas Cowboys - Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
Yes, I picked a player with a girls name for the Cowboys. Hunter is a tall, lanky defensive lineman who reminds people of Barkevious Mingo. The Cowboys need to address depth issues on the defensive side of the ball.
28) Denver Broncos - Eli Harold, DE, Virginia
The Broncos will need to look at their defense in 2015 and strengthening the line is high on the to do list. Harold would provide them with a raw talent that needs some refining. He can be a bit of a freestyler on the field, but if harnessed he has the skills and the motor to be an effective playmaker in a variety of roles.
29) Indianapolis Colts - A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
The Colts really need to solidify their guard positions, and Cann is one of the best on the board. This may be a bit of a reach, but without trading back this would be the only spot they could get him as he would most likely be gone by the time they draft again. Reliable and steady, Cann would help that offensive line protect their biggest asset in Andrew Luck.
30) Green Bay Packers - Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Very tall receiver with strong frame that has played both TE and WR. Coincidentally the Packers have holes at both positions. Could be an ideal match. Think of Kelvin Benjamin, and then think about what Rodgers could do with a threat like that. Yikes.
31) New England Patriots - Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio state
Solid defensive lineman that helps the Patriots add depth up front. Needs to work on his strength and range of moves, but given the right coaching he could be a great addition in New England.
32) Seattle Seahawks - Cameron Erving, C/OT, Florida State
Erving transitioned from DT to the offensive line in his college career and has played at left tackle and center since moving. He is a huge guy with raw skills, but excellent as a run blocker. The Seahawks could use depth at both right tackle and right guard, and despite being a bit of a project, if it pays off they have a really useful tool for years to come.
So that wraps it up for this week's mock draft. Next week it will be Justin Byram's turn to look into the crystal ball. Let us know what you think in the comments below.