11) New Orleans Saints – S Jamal Adams, LSU: Talk about a perfect match. The Saints can use some help in the secondary. Adams is from LSU. So why not keep the youngster in the same state. Fans will likely love the pick, as they will be very familiar with the name. He will certainly fill a need for the team. Appeasing the fans is just the frosting on the cake.
12) Cleveland Browns – LB Haason Reddick: The Browns started things off by helping the defense. Most will be clamoring for them to take a QB here. But with two off the board already, the Browns will pass and continue to build the defense. Defense wins championships. So the Browns will put a major focus on that side of the ball in the first round. With plenty of picks in this draft, they will avoid reaching for the wrong QB and hope the right one falls to them in the second round.
13) Arizona Cardinals – DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama: The Cardinals could go in a number of different directions. They could opt to take a new signal caller. They could try to upgrade their receiving corps. Or they could tackle any number of defensive positions. So they simply opt for the best available player. And that player is Allen, who simply shouldn’t be on the board at this point.
14) Philadelphia Eagles – WR Mike Williams, Clemson: The Eagles have added several wideouts this offseason. But remember, Alshon Jeffery is only playing on a one-year deal. So the team could very well look for someone who they could rely on in years to come. That is where Williams comes in. He can sit back this season, around fourth on the depth chart, and learn. Then moving forward, he can elevate himself into Wentz’s top target.
15) Indianapolis Colts – OL Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin: The Colts need to find a way to keep Andrew Luck on his feet and healthy. That starts by protecting him no matter the cost. That starts by using a first-round selection on an offensive lineman. Ramczyk is the best name out there this year in my eyes, so that’s where I see them going with this pick.
16) Baltimore Ravens – WR John Ross, Washington: The Ravens have not really had much luck with wide receivers as of late. They really haven’t had a true number one in I don’t know how many years. Kamar Aiken is now in Indy. So the team is in desperate need of upgrading the position. I would be shocked if they didn’t go the route of a wide receiver.
17) Washington Redskins – S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan: Way back before draft season kicked into high gear, I recall seeing Peppers name as a top five or so pick. Lately, it seems like he could fall out of the first round. So I am going to split the difference and have him fall somewhere in the middle of this round. Yes he has flaws, but he also has plenty of talent. The Redskins will take the gamble.
18) Tennessee Titans – WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan: The Titans addresses their first big concern with their first pick. Now they take care of prime need number two. That comes in the form of someone who can catch passes. Davis will be the guy the Titans hope breaks their streak of busts at the position in the early rounds.
19) Tampa Bay Bucs – DL Derek Barnett, Tennessee: At this point in the first round, the defensive lineman are starting to get a bit jumbled in terms of where they rank. The Bucs have a few needs they could focus on, but I see them looking to address the defense. Barnett happens to be my next rated player who fits their needs. So that’s where I have them going.
20) Denver Broncos – OT Cam Robinson, Alabama: The Broncos could use some upgrades along the offensive line. If they want their offensive weapons (CJ Anderson, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders) to be used properly, they need to keep who ever is under center on their feet. Robinson comes from a school that has produced plenty of NFL starters, so the Broncos will hope he is the next one in that long line of names.