The one defensive end everyone has their eyes on is Jadeveon Clowney, but there are some other top-rated players in this draft at the defensive end position as well who can contribute right away. Here is my latest mock with the most recent NFL draft order.
1. Houston Texans – Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
2. St. Louis Rams (via WSH) – Tackle Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Quarterback Derek Carr, Fresno State
4. Oakland Raiders – Defensive End Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina – Clowney is the best player coming out in this class, and the Raiders have to get better on the defensive side of the football. A perfect fit all around, picture Clowney in silver and black.
5. Cleveland Browns – Quarterback Blake Bortles, Central Florida
6. Atlanta Falcons – Defensive End Anthony Barr, University of California-Los Angeles – Barr is the best 3-4 pass rusher in this class, but the Falcons can use him as a defensive end in a 4-3 as well. Barr’s athleticism is one of the best in the draft this season, and with coaching he can be a double digit sack player for a decade.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Defensive End Vic Beasley, Clemson – Beasley is one of my favorite players in the draft as he gets off the ball in a flash, which is a great fit alongside Gerald McCoy in Tampa Bay. The Bucs defense is a piece or two away from being very good, and Beasley is one of them.
8. Minnesota Vikings – Quarterback Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
9. Tennessee Titans – Inside Linebacker C.J. Mosley, Alabama
10. Buffalo Bills – Outside Linebacker Khalil Mack, Buffalo
11. New York Giants – Tackle Greg Robinson, Auburn
12. Pittsburgh Steelers – Wide Receiver Sammy Watkins, Clemson
13. New York Jets – Wide Receiver Mike Evans, Texas A&M
14. St. Louis Rams – Safety Hasean Clinton-Dix, Alabama
15. Dallas Cowboys – Defensive Tackle Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
16. San Diego Chargers – Cornerback Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
17. Green Bay Packers – Cornerback Jason Verrett, Texas Christian
18. Detroit Lions – Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
19. Baltimore Ravens – Wide Receiver Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
20. Philadelphia Eagles – Linebacker Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
21. Chicago Bears – Defensive Tackle Dominique Easley, Florida
22. Miami Dolphins – Tackle Taylor Lewan, Michigan
23. Cincinnati Bengals – Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
24. Cleveland Browns (via IND) – Cornerback Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
25. Arizona Cardinals – Tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
26. New England Patriots – Tight End Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
27. Carolina Panthers – Wide Receiver Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
28. San Francisco 49ers – Wide Receiver Allen Robinson, Penn State
29. New Orleans Saints – Outside Linebacker Kyle Van Noy, Brigham Young
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Tight End Eric Ebron, North Carolina
31. Denver Broncos – Cornerback Bradley Roby, Ohio State
32. Seattle Seahawks – Guard Cyril Richardson, Baylor