SportDFW 1st Round Mock Draft 2.1
By Ryan Ratty
11. Tennessee Titans
Kony Ealy
Defensive End, Missouri
The Fit:
Kony Ealy has his believers and his doubters. But there is no denying of his athletic ability. During his time at Missouri, it was Michael Sam that held the spotlight. But the raw potential of Kony Ealy has him high on draft boards across the NFL. Ealy has drawn comparisons to Aldon Smith, who also graduated from Missouri. The Titans should be willing to select as a boom-or-bust type of player, as they really don’t have one of those guys. In fact, the best players on the Titans are on the offensive line. By drafting Ealy, Tennessee will get a player that has a lot of potential.
12. New York Giants
Khalil Mack
Defensive End, Buffalo
The Fit:
When I first scouted Khalil Mack against Ohio State, the small-school product was literally everywhere. Against Ohio State, Mack gained some recognition after a game with nine tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception that was returned for a touchdown. While some will worry about the competition that Mack played against, his best game was against one of the best teams in college football. At the next level, Mack will be a really interesting player. He has the ability to be a special player on an NFL team. By drafting him, the Giants will be getting a player with great value.
13. St. Louis Rams
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Free Safety, Alabama
The Fit:
With their second pick of the first round, I have the Rams addressing another need. Many know of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix because of his name. But, his game is no joke (pun intended). Clinton-Dix is the top safety in this draft class, although he is neck-and-neck with Calvin Pryor. Clinton-Dix is great at coming up and stopping the run. But his biggest weakness is one-on-one coverage against receivers. Clinton-Dix will be a free safety in the NFL because he has the “Center-fielder” ability that NFL teams love. Drafting Clinton-Dix will give some insurance to the rest of the Rams defense.
14. Chicago Bears
Louis Nix III
Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame
The Fit:
Although there are concerns over his meniscus tear, Nix III has been one of the best defensive tackle prospects for the past two years. Nix III can be used as a run-stuffer in a 3-4, or as a strong defensive tackle in a 4-3. The Bears had the worst rush defense in the NFL last season. By selecting Nix III, the Bears will be getting an instant-impact type of guy from a major college football program.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Taylor Lewan
Left Tackle, Michigan
The Fit:
Taylor Lewan saw his draft stock plummet after a tumultuous 2013 season. Many wondered why Lewan didn’t enter the 2013 draft. Clearly, his decision turned out for the worse after it was rumored that he would have been a top 10 pick. Even though he digressed, I still believe Lewan has a good future in the NFL. The Steelers’ offensive line in 2013 was god awful. By drafting Lewan, the Steelers can keep Roethlisberger upright more often.
16. Baltimore Ravens
Mike Evans
Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
The Fit:
Outside of Torrey Smith and an inconsistent Marlon Brown, the Ravens have received little production from their other receivers. Trading Anquan Boldin was a big blow to this offense, and it was very easy to see. By drafting Mike Evans, the Ravens will be a tall and physical receiver who had a productive college career. Torrey Smith is a burner as a receiver, while Evans could be your “between-the-numbers” type of guy. Evans could come in and immediately help this stagnant offense.
17. Dallas Cowboys
Ra’Shede Hageman
Defensive Tackle, Minnesota
The Fit:
The Cowboys have needs all over the defensive side of the ball. In the Tampa Two defense, the defensive line is the catalyst that makes this defense go. While many think Dallas has the worst secondary in the league, that statement is truly false. When quarterbacks have around 10 seconds to go threw their reads, it is easy to see why this secondary suffered. By drafting Hageman, the Cowboys get a defensive tackle who has the versatility to also play defensive end. At 6’6″, 315 pounds, Hageman’s frame is extremely intriguing. Drafting Hageman would fill a big need for this defense.
18. New York Jets
Eric Ebron
Tight End, North Carolina
The Fit:
After addressing the defensive side of the ball in the past few years, the Jets should elect to address the offensive side of the ball in the first few rounds. By having top tight end prospect Eric Ebron fall to #19, the Jets should take the ex-Tar Heel without a question. Ebron is a wide receiver in a tight end’s body. He has excellent hands and he has a big catch-radius. While many will knock on his disability with run-blocking, his pass-catching ability makes up for it. In today’s NFL, run-blocking out of the tight end position isn’t what it once was.
19. Miami Dolphins
Zack Martin
Left Guard/Left Tackle, Notre Dame
The Fit:
With the story on Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, the Dolphins lost the entire left side of their offensive line. Zack Martin has improved his draft stock in recent weeks. Martin’s best skill is how he can play the guard or tackle position. That is huge in the NFL today. The Dolphins were a fringe playoff team in 2013, but they still have plenty of holes to fix on their offense. One of those holes is the offensive line. By drafting Martin, the Dolphins will get a player who will protect Ryan Tannehill for years to come.
20. Arizona Cardinals
C.J. Mosley
Inside Linebacker, Alabama
The Fit:
The Cardinals were the best team in the NFL against the run in 2013. But, it is hard to believe that they will get similar production out of Calais Campbell and John Abraham. Coming from Alabama, Mosley was the middle linebacker for perhaps the best defense in college football for the past two seasons. This pick is a value pick for the Cardinals, as they should look to draft the best player available.
21. Green Bay Packers
Calvin Pryor
Free Safety, Louisville
The Fit:
Calvin Pryor has grown on me over the past few things. First off, he is the biggest hitter from the safety position. To me, that shows that he is tenacious. While he may not be the best in coverage, Clinton-Dix has his troubles in coverage as well. While the Packers have gotten decent safety play since Charles Woodson left, drafting Pryor would make this overall group simply better.