We're going with a throwback NFL Draft in version 3.0 of the mock. Three running backs. Is it likely that three go? Eh, maybe not. Running backs just aren't worth that much. But here's an interesting twist to picking a back in the first round: You get five years thanks to the option you can apply to the rookies under the new CBA.
It actually makes a lot of economic sense to take a back in the first round, burn through them for five years and set them free on the open market to get paid by someone else.
Three teams have a clear need and below we've got at least one contender making a bold mock move up the board to chase one of the running backs.
Oh yeah, three mock trades, too. Have to get them out of my system now.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State — His pro day did nothing to change Winston's status as the No. 1 pick. Tampa is just hoping he doesn't do anything silly/stupid between now and the time the Bucs are on the clock. The Bucs don't need any real reason to pull the trigger.
2. Tennessee Titans — Leonard Williams, DT, USC — The safe choice once again, with a hypothetical Philip Rivers trade not materializing in this hypothetical draft. Williams feels like such a safe choice (even though such a thing doesn't exist), he can improve this defense immediately and it keeps Ken Whisenhunt from being under the gun with a high-profile quarterback taken at the top of the draft. You have one of those and your clock is ticking.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Dante Fowler, Jr., OLB, Florida — In this scenario, Dave Caldwell is in love with the local Florida product and wants to bring in a LEO for Gus Bradley's defense. Fowler is a dangerous pass rusher and has versatility after the way the Gators used him all over the field last season.
4. New York Jets (via MOCK TRADE Oakland Raiders) — Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon — The Jets fall for the smokescreen, get aggressive and leapfrog Washington to grab Mariota. The cost isn't prohibitive because they're only jumping two spots and they lock down their quarterback of the future who could theoretically play right away in a Chan Gailey offense. Cannot fathom a world in which Mariota falls out of the top five.
5. Washington Redskins — Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson — Washington is fine with whatever because they can still nab a guy who gives them a pass-rushing threat to pair opposite Ryan Kerrigan. Beasley isn't a perfect three-down fit but when he gets after the quarterback he gets after the quarterback.
6. Oakland Raiders (via MOCK TRADE New York Jets) — Kevin White, WR, West Virginia — Finding difficulty not projecting White as a money fit for the Raiders. Derek Carr needs weapons and White has the talent, size and speed to be a guy who can impact at the next level right away.
7. Chicago Bears — Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama — Back-to-back wideouts here, with the Bears re-loading after the trade of Brandon Marshall to New York. Cooper is a different weapon but he's a nice compliment to Alshon Jeffery and is polished enough to start and produce for Chicago early.
8. Atlanta Falcons — Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska — The failed drug test is a problem but it's not a deal breaker. Especially for a team that needs pass-rush help in the worst possible way.
9. New York Giants — Danny Shelton, DT, Washington — Best player available for the Giants plus an increased presence on the middle of their defensive line. The Giants gave up 4.9 yards per carry and 135.1 rushing yards per game last year and are in a division with three teams looking to run. Shelton is a massive space-eater who can also put pressure on the quarterback up the middle.
10. St. Louis Rams — Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa — Back-to-back seasons for Jeff Fisher taking an offensive lineman in the first round, the only two times he's done so in his career as a head coach. They've got to get bodies to run behind and protect Nick Foles if they plan on contending in the NFC West.
11. Minnesota Vikings — DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville — Not necessarily a "need" pick based on the depth chart. But Mike Wallace isn't the answer and is already 28 somehow, while Cordarrelle Patterson hasn't developed the way Minnesota hoped. Parker is another, long-term weapon for Teddy Bridgewater who, oh yeah, is his former teammate.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via MOCK TRADE with Cleveland Browns) — Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon — It would be pretty hysterical if Chip Kelly made the bold move to trade up in the first round of the draft to grab one of his former players and that player wasn't Mariota. Philly and Cleveland talked trade earlier in the year with respect to Sam Bradford. This deal wouldn't include any quarterback swapping or a first-round pick.
13. New Orleans Saints — Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford — Grabbing Peat helps Sean Patyon build out the protection for Drew Brees and establish a more physical presence in the running game. It's clear they're planning to pound Mark Ingram and then drop the home-run hammer with C.J. Spiller. Payton is only ranked top 10 in rushing attempts once as a head coach and that was the year the Saints won the Super Bowl.
14. Miami Dolphins —Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State — Love the decision by Miami to trade for Kenny Stills (even if it cost a third-round pick) and move Wallace to Minnesota. But the wideout corps is far from complete. Strong would be a huge plus here.
15. San Francisco 49ers —Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State — San Francisco has to improve its secondary (among other things) and with the top corner in the draft falling halfway down in the first round, there's a prime opportunity to get better off the bat.
16. Houston Texans — Shane Ray, DE, Missouri — This team is going to win in 2015 because of defense. Add another pass rusher to an already dangerous defensive line — Jadeveon Clowney, J.J Watt, Vince Wilfork, Whitney Mercilus — and suddenly you're just winging bodies at opposing quarterbacks and making it really difficult for offenses to spend the extra body needed to double-team Watt.
17. San Diego Chargers — Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia — When you see Gurley hit the corner and tap on the afterburners you can tell he's a special talent. Granted the running back position has lost value but when there's a worthy first-round pick at back you take him in the first round. Gurley is that guy.
18. Kansas City Chiefs — Landon Collins, SS, Alabama — Andy Reid has to beef up the secondary and grabbing the best safety in the draft class is a good way to do that, even if there hasn't been a ton of success for Nick Saban's defensive backs in the NFL in recent years.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills) — Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky — The hype has died down from Dupree's ridiculous performance at the combine, but he's still an insanely athletic pass rusher with tons of upside who could fit the bill for the Browns.
20. Cleveland Browns (via MOCK TRADE with Philadelphia Eagles) — Dorial Beckham-Green, WR, Oklahoma — The Browns lost hyper-talented, hyper-troubled wideout Josh Gordon for all of 2015 so why not replace him with someone similar?
21. Dallas Cowboys (via MOCK TRADE with Cincinnati Bengals) — Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin — With the Cardinals potentially eyeing a running back in the draft and Todd Gurley off the board, the Cowboys make a move up in order to grab their long-term replacement for DeMarco Murray. Couple Gordon with Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle and the Cowboys should have enough manpower to make up for the loss of a feature back.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers — Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest — The Steelers must add talent in the defensive backfield. Despite coming from a school that hasn't produced a ton of success at the next level (Chris Givens, Michael Campanaro, Aaron Curry and Alphonso Smith are the top picks the last decade), Johnson has the skills to succeed at the next level in Keith Butler's system.
23. Detroit Lions — Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami — The Lions need more depth and talent on the offensive line to protect
24. Arizona Cardinals — Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State — Three running backs in the first round! It's a throwback! Not sure I'm in love with anyone other than Gordon and Gurley in the first round but the need is there and even though Ajayi isn't a true "power back," he can give the Cardinals offense enough of what it needs to improve in the running game.
25. Carolina Panthers — La'El Collins, OT, LSU — Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin were nice bargain signings in free agency but let's not pretend they're long-term solutions. Slippage here for Collins, who could/should have gone much earlier.
26. Baltimore Ravens — Breshard Perriman, WR, UCF — That group of wideouts in Baltimore isn't getting any younger or more dynamic. Perriman is shooting up the board after an impressive pro day and grabbing him now gives the Ravens flexibility for grabbing defensive help in the second round.
27. Cincinnati Bengals (via MOCK TRADE with Dallas Cowboys) — T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh — Prepping for life after Andrew Whitworth, the Bengals grab a strong tackle who provides depth on the line and gives them an intimidating presence in the run game should he step in right away. In the meantime, they can groom him for the future.
28. Denver Broncos — Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota — The departure of Julius Thomas leaves a void in the Broncos offense. They've got plenty of weapons for Peyton Manning in Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas but giving Manning a tight-end weapon should be a big plus.
29. Indianapolis Colts — D.J. Humphries, OL, Florida — Indy needs to do whatever it can in order to put help around Andrew Luck. That starts with protecting a guy who's been sacked 100 times even in his first three seasons.
30. Green Bay Packers — Marcus Peters, CB, Washington — Ted Thompson has kept plenty of weapons in his secondary to help soak up the loss of Tramon Williams, but he's not about to find a situation where he runs out of cornerbacks to plug in. Peters gives him further depth in the defensive backfield without exposing the rookie.
31. New Orleans Saints (via Seattle Seahawks) — Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State — With an offensive line piece in place, the Saints can look to beef up their defense next. There's no shortage of options to add on for them on that end after last season's debacle.
32. New England Patriots — Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia — High-end athlete with tons of athleticism and upside sounds about right for the Patriots (assuming there's no trade back here, which is always a distinct possibility).
