First Annual MHSM NFL Mock Draft - Part I

It is getting to that time of the year when you will start to see many different mock drafts, and most us football nuts will look for as many as they can find to see what their favorite team will do come May. For me, this is one of my favorite times of the year. I have sat and watched every round, from pick #1 to Mr. Irrelevant. Obviously times have changed now that I have grown up and have a job ha! But this year I will be doing my own mock draft and hopefully predicting, what I hope, is a somewhat close draft. I will do this mock draft over next three weeks finishing up right before the NFL Draft in May.

#1 Houston Texans - 
Needs: QB, T, OLB/DE

Talk about starting this mock draft with a tough decision. Do you take arguably the best player in the draft in Clowney and pair him with Watt to form possibly the best defensive end combo in the league or do take a quarterback in a deep draft class? I would go with Clowney, pair him with Watt, and draft a QB in the second round.

Pick: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina


#2 St. Louis Rams - 
Needs: WR, S, T, LB

With Jared Cook being the leading receiver last year for the Rams, they need another solid outside option for Bradford. Only two players had over 500 yds receiving last year (Cook, Givens) after departure on Danny Amendola and Bradon Gibson. The Rams could also use help along the offensive line, but it hard to pass up on a solid wide receiver with this pick.

Pick: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson


#3 Jacksonville Jaguars -
Needs: QB, DE, T, WR

The Jaguars have done a lot this year to revamp their team. They signed two former Seahawks (Red Bryant/Chris Clemons), didnt resign MJD, signed Toby Gerhart, and help their offensive line with signing Broncos guard Zane Beadles. However, they still have Henne and Gabbert at the helm and Henne isnt getting any younger.

Pick: Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida


#4 Cleveland Browns - 
Needs: QB, CB, WR, OL

Here is another team that needs a quarterback and its like gold this year. Brandon Weeden is 31 years old this year and isnt getting any younger. Campbell is gone (Cincinnati). I feel really the only option is quarterback.

Pick: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M


#5 Oakland Raiders -
Needs: WR, CB, DE, OL

Oakland will definitely have a different look next year. The Raiders took the plunge and signed big names such as Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Schaub, Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley, Carlos Rogers, and James Jones. While Mike Evans would be a solid pick at this point, Greg Robinson would basically be a steal at this point depsite he was a top three pick.

Pick: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn


#6 Atlanta Falcons - 
Needs: OLB/DE, T, TE, S

The Falcons kind of fall into the same category as the Raiders. While they could take a tight end with Tony G, retiring, but with Mack falling all the way down to the sixth pick its kind of hard to pass on him. Atlanta has been in need of a top notch linebacker since the departure of Curtis Lofton

Pick: Khalil Mack, LB/DE, Buffalo


#7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers -
Needs: G, WR, OLB, DE

Tampa has been active this offseason in addressing a few big needs with adding Michael Johnson and Alterraun Verner. However, they created a small hole when they traded away Mike Williams to Buffalo. Yes they still have Vincent Jackson, but he is 31 years old and will need another wide receiver to take Williams' slot.

Pick: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M


#8 Minnesota Vikings -
Needs: QB, CB, WR, S

This slot puts the Vikings into a tough slot. I'm guessing they are hoping that Bortles/Manziel fall to them or maybe they do a trade with the Rams.However, with really no top cornerbacks or defensive ends in the top 10 they opt for other secondary help.

Pick: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama


#9 Buffalo Bills - 
Needs: T, WR, S, TE

Buffalo staffers might be happy with this thus far. They are able to draft a top tackle that is expected to be a top five pick and arguably the second overall tackle in the draft. They traded for Mike Williams from Tampa, which takes wide receiver out of the equation for now.

Pick: Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M


#10 Detroit Lions -
Needs: CB, S, DE, WR, OLB

The Lions have several places they can go with this pick. They could go secondary with Justin Gilbert or in state product Darqueze Dennard. They also could go with pass rushing linebacker in Anthony Barr or middle man C.J Mosley. However, they face Rodgers and Cutler twice a year and possibly a solid rookie quarterback (such as Bortles/Manziel). This may be a reach with this pick, but with him being the best in the class and at a position of need.

Pick: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State