INDIANAPOLIS --- Last week, PhiladelphiaEagles.com asked me to participate in their NFL Beat Reporter Mock Draft podcast. I thought it was a great idea.
The exercise was simple. 31 other reporters and me made the pick in this mock draft for the respective team they cover. The results were interesting, to say the least (didn't expect Shelton or Gregory to fall as far as they did). To watch/listen to the entire Mock Draft Extravaganza podcast, click here.
Here were the results:
|
Selection | |
|
1. Tampa Bay |
QB Jameis Winston |
|
2. Tennessee |
QB Marcus Mariota |
|
3.Jacksonville |
DL Leonard Williams |
|
4. Oakland |
WR Amari Cooper |
|
5. Washington |
EDGE Dante Fowler, Jr. |
|
6. NY Jets |
WR Kevin White |
|
7. Chicago |
EDGE Vic Beasley |
|
8. Atlanta |
EDGE Bud Dupree |
|
9. NY Giants |
OL Ereck Flowers |
|
10. St. Louis |
OL Brandon Scherff |
|
11. Minnesota |
CB Trae Waynes |
|
12. Cleveland |
WR Devante Parker |
|
13. N. Orleans |
EDGE Shane Ray |
|
14. Miami |
T/G La'El Collins |
|
15. SF |
WR Dorial Green-Beckham |
|
16. Houston |
CB Jalen Collins |
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17. San Diego |
RB Todd Gurley |
|
18. KC |
WR Jaelen Strong |
|
19. Cleveland |
DL Malcolm Brown |
|
20. PHL |
OL T.J. Clemmings |
|
21. Cincinnati |
S Landon Collins |
|
22. Pittsburgh |
CB Marcus Peters |
|
23. Detroit |
DT Danny Shelton |
|
24. Arizona |
CB Byron Jones |
|
25. Carolina |
OT Cedric Ogbuehi |
|
26. Baltimore |
EDGE Randy Gregory |
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27. Dallas |
CB Kevin Johnson |
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28. Denver |
TE Maxx Williams |
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29. COLTS |
DT Eddie Goldman |
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30. Green Bay |
ILB Paul Dawson |
|
31. N. Orleans |
WR Phillip Dorsett |
|
32. NE |
DL Arik Armstead |
My Pick: DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State (6'4", 336 pounds): There were three players I considered with the 29th pick in this mock draft: Goldman, Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon, and Oregon DL Arik Armstead. I ranked them: 1. Goldman, 2. Armstead, 3. Gordon.
Choosing between Goldman and Armstead was difficult. Many mock drafts have Armstead going as high as 15th in the first round to San Francisco. Ultimately, I felt like Goldman was a good combination of the need for a run-stuffer on the D-Line and one of the best players available. Armstead is 6'7", 295 pounds, but after discussing the options with Colts.com Beat Writer Kevin Bowen, we both agreed on Goldman.
The fine gentlemen at PhiladelphiaEagles.com thought Armstead was the pick. Armstead has a high ceiling but not much consistent game tape from Oregon. Ultimately, Goldman's ability to clog up the middle in the run game just seemed too obvious to pass on for Armstead or Gordon, who I do believe is a legitimate first round RB.
The podcast also thought Stanford OT Andrus Peat would have been a better choice than Goldman. I completely disagree. If Gosder Cherilus was in danger of missing the start of training camp, perhaps I'd agree. Ryan Grigson said he'll be ready in June, at least a month before camp in Anderson. Combine that with re-signing Joe Reitz and signing Todd Herremans, and defensive line made more sense to me with this mock draft pick, considering there are now 10 offensive linemen on the roster with starting experience.
Is Goldman a lock to be a good player? No. His weakness is his pass rush, but as an interior defensive lineman, his primary duty will be to stop the run. He's a great fit for a 3-4 defense. I'm also pretty sure I've heard stopping the run is a priority for the Colts defense.
The mock drafts are complete. FINALLY, it's time for the real thing. We'll see you Thursday night from the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center for full NFL Draft coverage on Colts.com.
