November 26th Mock Draft

[Matthew Jones]

Just whipped this up for NEPatriotsDraft. Let me know what you think:

1. Kansas City Chiefs – QB Matt Barkley, Southern California

Matt Barkley makes the most sense for Kansas City until Scott Pioli is fired; no one envies this decision.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

General manager Genee Smith is likely gone; Blaine Gabbert’s hold on the starting job has slipped away.

3. Carolina Panthers – DT Star Lotulelei, Utah

Johnathan Hankins is the better run stuffer, but Star Lotulelei has elite potential inside at defensive tackle.

4. Oakland Raiders – LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia*

Defensive end is a bigger need than outside linebacker, but Jones is the best pass rusher in the draft this year.

5. Cleveland Browns – DE Bjoern Werner, Florida St.*

Werner is neck-and-neck with Texas A&M’s Damontre Moore; the former is a more natural defensive end.

6. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M*

Jason Peters is one of the best left tackles in the game, but his Achilles injury clouds his long-term future.

7. San Diego Chargers – CB Dee Milliner, Alabama*

Both of San Diego’s starting cornerbacks, Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer, are impending free agents.

8. Buffalo Bills – QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t getting the job done; general manager Buddy Nix has indicated his interest in drafting a QB.

9. Tennessee Titans – LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

Zach Brown and Akeem Ayers look like long-term starters on the outside, but Colin McCarthy has struggled.

10. Detroit Lions – DE Damontre Moore, Texas A&M*

Cliff Avril’s contract expires at the end of the season; Kyle Vanden Bosch will almost certainly be a cap casualty.

11. Arizona Cardinals – OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan*

Levi Brown’s $30 million deal paid out all of its guaranteed money in the first year; he missed this season.

12. New York Jets – DE Barkevious Mingo, Louisiana St.*

Mingo hasn’t been as productive as expected this year; however, his freakish athleticism translates to linebacker.

13. St. Louis Rams – OT Jake Matthews, Texas A&M*

The Rams have been unable to find long-term answers at the tackle spots; they must protect Sam Bradford.

14. Miami Dolphins – WR Keenan Allen, California*

Allen’s late-season knee injury hurt his stock, but he should be able to regain ground during pre-draft workouts.

15. St. Louis Rams (from Redskins) – FS Eric Reid, Louisiana St.*

Quintin Mikell will most likely start at strong safety next season; Craig Dahl could be replaced at the other spot.

16. Dallas Cowboys – OG Chance Warmack, Alabama

The 320-pound Crimson Tide guard is a nasty power blocker; he can slide into Mackenzy Bernadeau’s spot.

17. New Orleans Saints – DE Sam Montgomery, Louisiana St.*

New Orleans needs help almost everywhere on defense; improving their pass rush seems like a logical first step.

18. Cincinnati Bengals – LB C.J. Mosley, Alabama*

The Bengals historically emphasize drafting from the SEC; rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict needs some help.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi St.

Aqib Talib is in New England; Eric Wright’s recent suspension allows the Bucs to avoid any future commitment.

20. Minnesota Vikings – DT Johnathan Hankins, Ohio St.*

There’s almost no chance Hankins slides this far on draft day; he will likely go within the draft’s top ten picks.

21. Seattle Seahawks – WR Robert Woods, Southern California*

Seattle will eventually have to address the right side of their line, but Woods makes too much sense to pass on here.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers – DT John Jenkins, Georgia

Getting younger on defense will be a priority; Jenkins could replace Casey Hampton, who’s been declining for years.

23. Green Bay Packers – TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame*

Jermichael Finley has an upcoming option bonus; it may be prudent to swap him out for a tight end such as Eifert.

24. Indianapolis Colts – DE Dion Jordan, Oregon

Jordan has played all over the place at Oregon; Dwight Freeney may be in the midst of his last season in Indianapolis.

25. New York Giants – DE Ezekiel Ansah, Brigham Young

Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora may not be back; Ansah is another raw, freakish athlete in the Pierre-Paul mold.

26. Denver Broncos – DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri*

Richardson’s explosiveness would upgrade a Broncos pass rush which is too reliant on Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.

27. New England Patriots – CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida St.*

Aqib Talib’s future with New England is uncertain; Devin McCourty looks more natural back at free safety.

28. Chicago Bears – OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan

Fisher is a massive offensive tackle with surprising mobility; J’Marcus Webb has been in the starting lineup far too long.

29. San Francisco 49ers – WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia

The 49ers have the luxury of a well-rounded roster; Tavon Austin could make an early impact working in the slot.

30. Baltimore Ravens – LB Chase Thomas, Stanford

Adding to their stable of pass rushers would be a wise decision; Thomas has established himself as a first-round talent.

31. Houston Texans – WR Terrance Williams, Baylor

Houston was rumored to desire Kendall Wright last season; his former teammate would be a good choice as well.

32. Atlanta Falcons – DE Alex Okafor, Texas

Okafor alleviated concerns about his ability to rush the passer by recording eight sacks in Texas’ first eleven games.