Gil Brandt Mock

PICK NO.
1

LUKE JOECKEL OTTEXAS A&M
I don't know what more we can say about this guy. Of the offensive line prospects, Joeckel is probably the most ready to play in the NFL. He has the mental toughness to succeed from the get-go.
PICK NO.
2

ZIGGY ANSAH DEBYU
To be the second player drafted just a few years after he started playing football is amazing. It's really unbelievable. As I've said before, it's like someone who's never cooked becoming a master chef in two weeks, or someone who's never seen a computer sitting down in front of one and typing 200 words per minute.
PICK NO.
3

DEE MILLINER CBALABAMA
PROJECTED TRADE WITH OAKLAND: After getting an extra first-round pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13th overall) in the Darrelle Revis trade, the Jets send their original first-rounder (ninth overall) and another pick to the Raiders in exchange for the third overall pick so they can grab Milliner -- the best corner available, and someone who can eventually replace Revis.
PICK NO.
4

ERIC FISHER OTCENTRAL MICHIGAN
PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA: Motivated by their need for a left tackle, the Chargers swing a swap with the Eagles to draft Fisher, who, incidentally, would become the highest-picked player ever out of the Mid-American Conference (topping Marshall product Byron Leftwich, who went seventh overall in 2003).
PICK NO.
5

LANE JOHNSON OTOKLAHOMA
With Milliner gone, the Lions opt to shore up their offensive line by taking the last of the three top tackles. You don't see too many high school quarterbacks break into the NFL as rookie starters on the offensive line, but I think that's what Johnson can do.
PICK NO.
6

DION JORDAN DEOREGON
I think the Browns would love to trade down to a) recoup the second-round pick they lost when they added Josh Gordon through the supplemental draft last year and b) grab a quarterback. If they can't pull something off, though, they'll go with Jordan, the best pass rusher on the board. They need a pass-rushing end for their 3-4 defense, and Jordan would be good for them.
PICK NO.
7

CHANCE WARMACK OGALABAMA
The Cardinals would have liked a tackle, but with Joeckel, Fisher and Johnson gone, they make Warmack the highest-picked guard in many years. The last guard picked in the top 10 was Chris Naeole, who went 10th overall to the New Orleans Saints in 1997.
PICK NO.
8

JONATHAN COOPER OGNORTH CAROLINA
Like the Browns, the Bills would love to move down to get a quarterback, but if they can't, they'll go with the best offensive lineman -- and player -- available in Cooper. They could then try to move back into the first round by making a deal with a team picking toward the end; the perfect partner would be the San Francisco 49ers, who have the 31st and 34th overall selections.
PICK NO.
9

SHARRIF FLOYD DTFLORIDA
PROJECTED TRADE WITH JETS: In what turns out to be a coup for Oakland, the Raiders snag an extra choice from the Jets in the above-mentioned trade and still get the player they would have drafted had they kept the third overall choice.
PICK NO.
10

STAR LOTULELEI DTUTAH
The Titans would have liked Warmack or Cooper, but in this scenario, both are gone, so they pick up a run-stopping defensive lineman who can step in and start right away.
PICK NO.
11

GENO SMITH QBWEST VIRGINIA
PROJECTED TRADE WITH SAN DIEGO: Smith has been criticized, but I myself think he's a pretty good player. Moreover, with his athletic and passing ability, I think he can fill a system need for new Eagles coach Chip Kelly. There's a chance Smith might not be there at No. 11, but I think the Eagles can still afford to trade with the Chargers, because even if Smith is gone, Philly can try to move down a few more spots and get EJ Manuel.
PICK NO.
12

KENNY VACCARO SSTEXAS
If this comes to fruition, it'll be loudly booed, because fans in Miami think the Dolphins need an offensive lineman or even another receiver, but I think this is the best way for them to improve their defense. Vaccaro is a great, great competitor, someone who can be the glue for the back end of this unit; just having him on the field will make Miami tougher.
PICK NO.
13

BARKEVIOUS MINGO DELSU
By the time the first round is over, the Jets get their replacement for Revis in Milliner and the pass rusher they would have taken at No. 9 all along in Mingo.
PICK NO.
14

TAVON AUSTIN WRWEST VIRGINIA
The matchup nightmare comes in to take some of the load off of veteran Steve Smith, who's starting to slow down. With Cam Newton at QB, Austin can really prosper. The Panthers could also go with a defensive tackle here; if they do, it'll be Sheldon Richardson.
PICK NO.
15

SYLVESTER WILLIAMS DTNORTH CAROLINA
The Saints, who are switching to a 3-4, grab the player with a chance to be the best nose tackle in this class.
PICK NO.
16

ERIC REID FSLSU
I think the Rams would like a safety, and I think Reid, a three-year starter at LSU, is probably the best choice here.
PICK NO.
17

JARVIS JONES OLBGEORGIA
Jones is probably the best fit among the players remaining for the system they use in Pittsburgh. I'm sure Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will find some creative ways to utilize Jones.

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