Let’s start today’s Mocks with one of the few teams that does not have a Pick in Round 1. Despite that void, and another in Round 4, the BILLS have generated a lot of off-season buzz because the new sheriff in town is named REX RYAN. Any and all help they can procure in this Draft will be a welcome addition to the NFL team currently enduring the longest Play-Off draught in the League.
BUFFALO BILLS
Round 2, Pick 50 DAMARIOUS RANDALL/FS/ARIZONA STATE/5’11/196 GBN Rank: 51
Seems like the Draft world discovered RANDALL after his work at the Senior Bowl and Combine. His combination of athleticism, solid tackling fundamentals and cover skills have made him highly coveted in Draft circles. He’s moved up from a 3rd Day PIck into the middle of the Top 100. In the past 2 years the BILLS have lost starters BYRD and SEARCY in VFA. There is a chance that RANDALL could end up starting for REX as a Rookie.
Round 3, PIck 81 LAKEN TOMLINSON/OG/DUKE/6’3/323 GBN Rank: 86
LAKEN started 51 games for the Blue Devils and got better every year. I don’t have his Wonderlic score but I can tell you it is on the high end for an OL. The BILLS have been rebuilding their OL every year, for more than a decade. On this team he will bring a solid combination of size and physicality. He is best in the run game, which is what RYAN/ROMAN want to install as the key to their offense. But he has pass-pro skills from playing in a Cutcliffe Offense. Was a star at Senior Bowl week.
Round 5, PIck 155 JAKE RYAN/LB/MICHIGAN/6’2/240 GBN Rank: 162
RYAN could be a steal here for the BILLS and would have a chance to start right away. He appears to be 100% recovered from 2013 knee injury. He’s a leader on the field, and even though not a great athlete he covers a lot of ground based on savvy and hustle. Has solid technique as a tackler. His 4.65/40 time is decent, but he plays faster on film than you might expect. He could bring impact to an area of the team that is thin after some VFA & trade deletions.
Round 6, Pick 187 BEN HEENEY/LB/KANSAS/6’0/231 GBN Rank:193
HEENEY lacks the size to excite personnel people, but once on the field in pads he flies around making play after play. His Combine numbers really surprised and impressed most talent evaluators. Especially positive was his 4.59/40. He will be a star on Special Teams right away, but once he gets on the field in a sub-package, or because of injury, he will be nigh on impossible to put back on the bench. He should have the scheme versatility to intrigue REX and his staff.
Round 6. Pick 193 RAKEEM NUNEZ-ROCHES/DT/SOUTHERN MISS/6’2/307 GBN Rank:202
Another ascending player coming off a solid junior season. Nothing fancy about him, but a productive knee bender who can leverage interior OL. Has shown solid effort and the ability to shoot gaps and penetrate. He registered 14 TFL last season. Uses his 5.02/40 speed effectively. Could make a very nice rotational player. Has very big hands (10 1/8″) which he uses well to move blockers out of his way.
Round 7, Pick 234 CASEY PIERCE/TE/KENT STATE/6’3/224 GBN Rank: NR
PIERCE got a late invite to the Senior Bowl and really took advantage of the opportunity. Grabbed 60 balls as a senior. Tracks the ball well in the air and turns his hips smoothly to get upfield. Not much of an inline blocker. More of a move-TE who could come in very handy on 3rd and long. Would add a nice weapon to a currently thin TE group in Buffalo.
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TENNESSEE TITANS
The TITANS may be the most talked about team in the League right now with their Pick at No. 2. Will they take a QB, trade out or go for other needs? I’ll roll the dice on the latter since my Mocks don’t allow for trades.
Round 1, Pick 2 LEONARD WILLIAMS/DE/SOUTHERN CAL/6’5/302 GBN Rank: 2
I list him as a DE for the TITANS 3-4 scheme, but they would move him around, which is one of the bonuses of a great athlete like WILLIAMS. He reminds me of Richard Seymour in his athleticism and scheme versatility. Tennessee needs to restock their Defensive personnel because the current staff inherited a roster geared to a 4-3 scheme. His 4.96/40 tells you much about his athleticism. He played a lot of roles for the Trojans under 3 DL Coaches in 3 seasons at USC. He is acknowledged as great already, and the upside is still a big plus for him.
Round 2, Pick 33 ELI HAROLD/OLB/VIRGINIA/6’3/247 GBN Rank: 34
Another underclassman who looks to have very large upside and a varied skill set. He should have very little issue with standing up most of the time, but watch for him to get moved around a lot as a pass rushing threat. His 33″ long arms serve him well in moving blockers around. Could use some time in the weight room working on his upper body strength. Seems to rise to the occasion in critical situations on the field.
Round 3, Pick 66 CEDRIC OGBUEHI/OT/TEXAS A&M/6’5/309 GBN Rank: 67
Had a hellish senior campaign, disappointing in his big chance to prove he had the stuff to play LT. But his size and athleticism are undeniable and Round 3 is a value pick spot for a guy thought to be a Top 10 talent 12 months ago. You have to luv his 35 7/8″ tree limb arms, and the 10″ hands that sprout from them. Very quick feet and plays light on them. Needs to gain more functional strength to combine with his athleticism. Most feel the upside is still huge and he will be a long term starter in the NFL, maybe just at RT not LT.
Round 4, Pick 100 DAVID JOHNSON/RB/NORTHERN IOWA/6’1/224 GBN Rank: 101
Many in Tennessee don’t see SHONN GREENE still being on the TITANS roster when Training Camp opens. JOHNSON would represent a faster, younger option as the big back compliment to BISHOP SANKEY. In addition to rushing for over 1,000 yards, 3 straight years in college, JOHNSON hauled in 141 passes for his career. Additionally he showed well in Mobile as a Kick Returner. Not a darting runner, but he sees the field well and takes angles to avoid some hits. I worry a bit about wear and tear, since he touched the ball over 1,000 times from scrimmage as a collegian. Tacklers will pay for taking on this big guy.
Round 5, Pick 138 STEFON DIGGS/WR/RS/MARYLAND/6’0/195 GBN Rank: 150
If it weren’t for concerns about what goes on between his ears at times, DIGGS would be knocking on the door to be a Top 100 Pick. Doesn’t time as a speed burner, but can take the top off of a secondary. Very elusive and quick in the open field. Is sure handed and won’t drop very many that he can touch. Not afraid to compete for a catch in traffic. Will produce some big plays once he gets the ball into his hands. Most likely will help out best from the slot. Not elite in he return game, but can help out in a pinch. Value pick here if your WR coach can connect with him, but will bear a bit of baby sitting attention.
Round 6, PIck 176 JACOREY SHEPHERD/CB/KANSAS/5’11/199 GBN RANK: 179
Makes his living on his flexible body and quickness reacting to the ball in the air. Leaves a bit to be desired in pure coverage ability. Lacks ideal 40-speed at around 4.55, but has a burst to recover. Grabs too much which will not fly in the NFL. He could be a major project for TITANS secondary coaches when it comes to technique work. Worth a flier on potential this late in the Draft.
Round 7, Pick 207 XAVIER WILLIAMS/DT/N. IOWA/6’2/325 GBN Rank:210
Love this guy’s long range potential based on what he showed at the Shrine venue. JOHNSON’s teammate in college. Just as you might expect he dominated his level of competition. The Nose is perfect pro spot for him. Can move a bit in the phone booth, especially hitting a gap and exploding into the pocket. In 14 games as a senior he recorder 93 tackles, including 14 TFL. Those are big numbers for an inside guy. Needs to use those big hands (10 1/4″) more violently and consistently. Has the potential to eventually start at NT, IMO. Marvelous value Pick.
Once TITANS fans got used to the idea of no WNSTON or MARIOTA, this could be a Draft Class to warm up to, bringing some solid talent and value to a 2-Win team.consistently
