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Cincy Jungle NFL Mock Draft 1.0

How will the first-round of the NFL play out? Here's one of many guesses we'll make.

Al Bello

The NFL Draft is one of my favorite times of the year and reading Mock Drafts is one of my favorite past times. So, with less than a month before "NFL Christmas", I give you my very own Mock Draft/Mock Guess 1.0.

Team

Pick/Analysis

1

Houston Texans

Jadeveon Clowney (DE)

While QB is tempting, there is no QB that makes sense as the #1 pick in this year's draft and imagine the problems that will be created with Clowney and Watt on the opposite side.

2

St. Louis Rams (via Wash)

Sammy Watkins (WR)

This might be a bit high for Watkins, but Braford has never had true weapons to throw to. With last year's pick of Tavon Austin and now Watkins, Bradford will finally have weapons.

3

Jacksonville Jaguars

Blake Bortles (QB)

While Manziel would sell more tickets (something the Jags desperately need), Bortles has the prototypical size for an NFL QB and with Cecil Shorts, Ace Sanders and Justin Blackmon, he would have some nice targets.

4

Cleveland Browns

Johnny Manziel (QB)

I don't think Manziel will be a great NFL QB, but I think the Browns are looking for a face of the franchise, and good or bad, Manziel would be that.

5

Oakland Raiders

Greg Robinson (OT)

Robinson is not a sexy pick, but if Robinson makes it to the Raiders, this would be a very solid pick - good pick and not sexy - very un-Raider-like.

6

Atlanta Falcons

Khalil Mack (LB)

The Falcons were 21st against the pass and 31st against the run, and Mack is the best defensive player in this draft and could give the Falcons a much needed pass rush boost.

7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans (WR)

Vincent Jackson is 31 and with the trade of Mike Williams to Buffalo makes this a pick of need and value.

8

Minnesota Vikings

Teddy Bridgewater (QB)

Since the football season ended, the reviews on Bridgewater have been mixed (to say the least), but here's what I know: when they were actually "playing football", Bridgewater was the best and most accurate QB (31 TD, 4 Int, 71.0% comp). Mike Zimmer would be very happy to get a guy like Bridgewater at this place in the draft.

9

Buffalo Bills

Jake Matthews (OT)

With the trade for Mike Williams, the Bills no longer have a glaring need for another weapon for Manuel. What wouldn't hurt is someone that can protect the young QB and Matthews can do that.

10

Detroit Lions

Justin Gilbert (CB)

The Lions ranked 23rd in pass defense in 2013, have Aaron Rodgers, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey in their division and have a weak CBs. Gilbert fills a need and is a good value pick.

11

Tennessee Titans

Taylor Lewan (OT)

Many have the Titans projected to take a QB here, but I don't see it. No QB is worthy of being picked at this spot as a replacement for Locker and though Locker may not be the answer, the Titans will never find out if they can't protect him. Lewan protects Locker and boost the run game - which also protects Locker.

12

New York Giants

Anthony Barr (OLB)

Barr has dropped on a lot of boards, but the Giants have been looking for a LB that can put pressure on the QB and Barr can do that.

13

St. Louis Rams

Eric Ebron (TE)

After not providing Bradford with any weapons of note over his first few years in the league, the Rams spoil him in an effort to figure out if he is their QB of the future. With Austin, Watkins and Ebron, Bradford now has legitimate weapons.

14

Chicago Bears

Aaron Donald (DT)

The Bears need help at a number of places on the defense, but they were abused in the run game in 2013 and must address the DL. Donald may not be the most physical of specimens, but he is the most productive - a player much like the Bengals Geno Atkins.

15

Pittsburgh Steelers

Darqueze Dennard (CB)

The Steelers are aging and have a lot of holes they could look to fill at this pick, but their secondary is perhaps the oldest and weakest unit and Dennard fits into the Steelers mold.

16

Dallas Cowboys

Timmy Jernigan (DT)

The Cowboys are one of those unpredictable teams in the draft and evaluators seem to vary greatly on Jernigan, but the Cowboys need help on the DL.

17

Baltimore Ravens

Zack Martin (OT)

The Ravens had the 30th ranked run offense in 2013, their QB was sacked 48 times and they lost their RT. They need help on the OL and Martin is a solid lineman.

18

New York Jets

Odell Beckham (WR)

Decker may be paid like a #1 WR but he is not a #1. Beckham may not be either, but the Jets needs play makers on offense and Beckham is the best play maker left on the board.

19

Miami Dolphins

Morgan Moses (OT)

Ryan Tannehill was sacked 58 times in 2013. If the Dolphins don't get help on the OL, Tannehill may be broken in half in 2014.

20

Arizona Cardinals

Calvin Pryor (S)

The Cardinals have a solid team and could go a lot of directions with this pick (including WR), but adding Pryor could boost an already solid Cardinals defense.

21

Green Bay Packers

C.J. Mosley (LB)

Mosley is a top 10 talent and the Packers would love to see him available at 21.

22

Philadelphia Eagles

Marqise Lee (WR)

With the departure of Jackson and Maclin coming back from a torn ACL, WR is a position of need for the Eagles and Lee is the more polished than Benjamin.

23

Kansas City Chiefs

Kelvin Benjamin (WR)

The Chiefs could use some help on defense as well, but their leading WR in receptions, yards and receiving TDs was a RB (Charles).

24

Cincinnati Bengals

Bradley Roby (CB)

The Bengals don't have any glaring needs and they seem to stick to the "Best Available" on their board. However, they injury and age issues at CB and Roby could develop for a year behind some good veterans.

25

San Diego Chargers

Kyle Fuller (CB)

The Chargers do have glaring needs and that is CB. While Verrett is the better CB, Fuller is the bigger CB and I see him going before Verrett.

26

Cleveland Browns (via Indy)

Jason Verrett (CB)

Having picked their QB earlier, I see the Browns going best available here and Verrett and Hayden could make up one of the top young CB duos in the league and add to an already solid Browns defense.

27

New Orleans Saints

Dee Ford (DE)

Rob Ryan likes to pressure the QB and he needs players to do so. Ford would give him the type of pass rusher he needs for his defense.

28

Carolina Panthers

Cyrus Kouandjio (OT)

Prior to some talk about his knees, Kouandjio was seen as a top 10-15 pick. It sounds as though his knee has been cleared and the Panthers could use help on the OL. If the knee is indeed healthy, the Panthers would get a steal here.

29

New England Patriots

Louis Nix III (DT)

The Pats ranked 30th against the run and Nix could help them out. Nix next to Wilfork will certainly plug up running lanes.

30

San Francisco 49ers

Ra'Shede Hageman (DT)

The 49ers may have a strong defense, but with Justin Smith turning 35 at the start of the season and Aldon Smith telling TSA workers he has bombs in his luggage, DL suddenly is a need for SF.

31

Denver Broncos

Ryan Shazier (LB)

The Broncos need help on defense and could look to a couple different players, but Shazier gives them a young play maker to play alongside Von Miller.

32

Seattle Seahawks

Stanley Jean-Baptiste (CB)

With the loss of Browner and Sherman likely to be a touch re-sign, the Seahawks could use some depth at CB and at 6'3" 220, Jean-Baptiste fits the Seahawks big CB preference.