Todd McShay Mock Draft 2.0

[nctarheel0619]

31. Carolina Panthers (15-1)

Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson Tigers

Dodd notched 23.5 tackles for loss this season, second in the FBS to his fellow Clemson DE Shaq Lawson. Dodd brings a great energy to the game, and I think he's a more fluid athlete and a better natural edge rusher than Lawson. But Dodd is not as stout vs. the run or as consistent. Notre Dame WR Will Fuller also would make sense here because of his ability to stretch the field vertically.

 

NFC South Rival picks:

17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)

Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson

The Falcons had a league-low 19 sacks last season, so it's clear they need to continue to bolster their pass rush. Lawson -- a former teammate of Atlanta's 2015 first-round DE Vic Beasley Jr. -- could be the answer because of his good combination of power, quickness and relentlessness. This also would be a great spot for Notre Dame OLB Jaylon Smith, who tore his ACL and MCL in the Irish's bowl game and would be a top-five player in this draft if healthy.

12. New Orleans Saints (7-9)

A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama Crimson Tide

Yes, Robinson can play too high at times, but the tape shows a player who frequently took on two blockers, freeing up others along the front seven to make plays. Not many 315-pounders move like Robinson, who found himself in the backfield more often than not. He put up his best production in 2015 (46 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks), but he played even better than those numbers indicate. This offseason for New Orleans is all about finding defensive playmakers, and Robinson certainly fits that bill.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)

DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon Ducks

At 6-foot-7, 285 pounds, Buckner isn't a traditional edge rusher -- and some teams may view him as a 5-technique -- but playing in a four-man front, he could be a stout run defender at left defensive end and move inside to rush the QB on obvious passing downs. Buckner, who posted 12.0 tackles for loss in conference play this season, would give the Bucs a much-needed playmaker at DE.

Other interesting picks:

1. Tennessee Titans (3-13)

Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State Buckeyes

If the Titans are looking to trade this pick, they might be able to find a team hoping to jump the Browns to select a quarterback. If no deal materializes, Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil would fill the team's biggest need. But the move is to pull the trigger on Bosa, the best player in the class. You can never have too many pass-rushers. And remember: One of Bosa's best traits is that he's scheme versatile, so he'd be a fit even if the Titans decide to stick with a 3-4 alignment.

2. Cleveland Browns (3-13)

Jared Goff, QB, California Golden Bears

If Bosa is still on the board here for whatever reason, he would be a good option. But quarterback is undoubtedly Cleveland's top need, and the more tape I study, the more I believe it's a two-horse race between Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz for the No. 1 passer. As it stands now -- after studying five of Goff's games this season and four of Wentz's -- the two have identical grades. From Cleveland's perspective, Goff has a bit more velocity on his fastball to cut through the wind, while Wentz has more experience playing in the cold. Tough call, but I'll go with Goff for now.

4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12)

Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State Bison

Now that I'm deep into Wentz's tape, I feel very comfortable saying he's a legit first-round talent. He has the height, sturdy frame, natural accuracy, pocket mobility and on-field leadership you look for in a QB. He was 20-3 as a starter at NDSU and won two FCS national titles. You could certainly make a case for the Cowboys taking the best available D-line prospect, such as Oregon's DeForest Buckner. But if Dallas is sold on Wentz (or Goff, if he's available), this could prove to be a very wise long-term investment at the game's most important position.
 

[Guest Barry McCaulkinor]

Don't take this personally but I'm not sure I really care about mock drafts this week. Especially ones who have us losing the superb owl. 

[Bozarden]

1 minute ago, Barry McCaulkinor said:

Don't take this personally but I'm not sure I really care about mock drafts this week. Especially ones who have us losing the superb owl. 

There's only 31 picks in the 1st round due to NE having lost theirs

[Match.com]

Brown's get the final pick this year 

[Ivan The Awesome]

I wouldn't mind a CB, DE, or OLB to be honest. 

 

[Toker Smurf]

NFCS "All you defensive linemen belongs to us."

[joemac]

I like Will Fuller there, also like the Dodd pick. I believe that the most glaring needs for us in the first round are CB, DE and some sort of speedy offensive weapon.

[L-TownCat]

12 minutes ago, Cam El said:

NFCS "All you defensive linemen belongs to us."

ok ok ok guys, wtf are we gonna do about Cam?

draft all D-line.

BRILLIANT!!

 

--brought to you by the same folks who try to contain Cam and double Olsen.

[Mr. Scot]

I'm not a McShay fan, but I'll take that pick.

[LinvilleGorge]

I'll start thinking about the draft after the Super Bowl.  My ideal pick would be a DE, but a DT wouldn't completely shock me.  Our rotational DTs are old and it's no guarantee that we'll hang onto both Star and Short.

[Jackofalltrades]

My top choices are DE or CB, but to say I trust DG would be a huge understatement. 

[KillaCamNewton]

Lol at all the other teams in the division trying to beef up the DLine to be able to play against us. I guess the 11 safety defense didnt work