For my last issue of SchockTalk, I figured I would talk about my favorite sport: football, and the upcoming draft. Here are my top five picks in, “Schock’s Mock Draft.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs are an easy choice on what their needs are as a franchise: a quarterback. I think Jameis Winston will be the overall No. 1 pick. He has had his moments turning the ball over, but has come through in the clutch with big plays in the second half. He is big, so he will be tough to bring down and he understands how to attack the secondary. He is also the most pro-ready quarterback in the draft with the offense Florida State ran his senior year.
Tennessee Titans: I think the Titans will end up trading their pick to the Eagles or Browns for potential future draft picks, but if they stay, I see them picking USC’s Leonard Williams. The defensive end is 6 foot 5 inches and 302 pounds. He has exceptional athleticism with a broad frame and surprising quickness. His fantastic agility and raw strength will make him a tough load in the middle as a run stopper.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags are in need of an offensive tackle and a running back. To protect their franchise and long term investment in quarterback Blake Bortles, I think they should go OT, and my top linemen in the draft is bruiser, Brandon Scherff. Scherff is an All-Big Ten lineman and brings enough power to lift a house. He is a great run blocker and rarely gets beaten on the outside in pass blocking and would be a great addition to protect Bortles blind-side.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are in need of a big-name wide receiver who can help young Derek Carr at quarterback. I think they should look no further than Alabama’s Amari Cooper. He is the best wide out in the draft and brings great speed and superior route running. He has the ability to break corners down and get them leaning the wrong way before heading the opposite direction.
Washington Redskins: The Redskins are another prospect in a possible trade-for-picks scenario, but they are in need of a pass rusher. I think that guy should be Dante Fowler Jr. from Florida. He is versatile and can basically rush from anywhere on the field. He can rush from a two-point or three-point stance and has great off-the-ball quickness. He is raw at rushing the passer, but I think he can adjust well and use his quickness to be a big threat.
It is unpredictable if the Titans and Redskins will stay in their draft spots, but I believe someone will pay them enough to move up and get Oregon’s Marcus Mariota in the top five.
My final send off.
