NFL draft

The Cardinals' defense is deep, but it's meaningless if the offense can't stay on the field. If they believe Gordon is the type of every-down back that can extend drives and grind out opponents, he could make this team better on both sides of the ball.

Having committed to going forward with quarterback Jay Cutler, the Bears can add an athletic wide receiver at No. 7 to complement star Alshon Jeffery with Brandon Marshall gone. The Bears have plenty of holes, but this can improve an offense that should already be close.

Conversely, Oakland invested in its defense early last year, and now needs a playmaker to grow with Derek Carr. Simply put, if Carr isn't the answer, they need to find out soon. Another year of lamenting the lack of talent around him does no one good, so adding a talented receiver like Cooper or Kevin White is the move here.

When you're in salary cap trouble the way New Orleans is, a first-round lineman who can step in and play from Day One is invaluable. As I've said, all of these tackles are probably interchangeable, but I doubt New Orleans would be disappointed here.

Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith was pretty open about liking Winston this offseason, and while it could be misdirection, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback appears to be the man here — even if he doesn't want to attend the draft in Chicago.

A mini run on tackles ends the top-10 picks, with St. Louis adding a cornerstone tackle to begin the offensive turnover that appears to be underway. Nick Foles is at his best when he has time, and Collins would help give him that in the Rams' offense.

This is another trade candidate pick, with New Orleans trying to get younger and cheaper, but they can do worse than someone like Gregory here. Rob Ryan loves to blitz, and Gregory's 17.5 sacks in two seasons show he can produce.

Position-wise, this pick won't change as long as the penciled-in starting tackles in Carolina are not named Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin. Clemmings is a helium player at this point, but could still be available for Carolina.

Baldwin was injured in a training camp fight as a rookie and then caught a career-high 21 balls with one touchdown that season. He caught 20 passes for 325 yards in 2012, and after being swapped for another underachieving receiver, A.J. Jenkins, in 2013, appeared in seven uneventful games with the San Francisco 49ers before being released.

From everything Ravens officials have said over the past month, a cornerback is one of their biggest needs. Johnson, a Howard County native, could play on the inside or outside as he develops alongside Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb -- with an eye toward replacing one.

Two Patriots archetypes in the draft -- taking players who fall for character issues, and taking questionable cornerbacks with a pick in the 30s -- come together with this pick. Peters is a first-round talent, and with Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner out the door, there's a void in the Patriots' secondary.

College: Florida State. Drafted: 16th by the Bills. Skinny: Replaced last year as the starter; knee and decision-making are in question.

After piecing together a pass rush using exotic blitzes and his talented secondary in Arizona, new head coach Todd Bowles has the chance here to add a true pass rusher, a position the Jets have lacked for seemingly forever. Beasley, Shane Ray, and Randy Gregory all fit the mold.

This isn't exactly the kind of pass rusher the Giants won two Super Bowls with, but talent is talent and Shelton can help the Giants.

Gurley's health makes him almost surely a top-round talent, and a Miami team that rebuilt its offensive line in last year's draft could add another offensive weapon to take the pressure off quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Gurley could add another dimension against the stout AFC East defenses they will face.

One elite safety out, in the form of Troy Polamalu, and another potential star in. Collins is a wild card in this draft -- he could go pretty much anywhere in the first round -- but who else would get a value pick like this other than the Steelers?

If an Adrian Peterson trade doesn't come to fruition for the Cowboys, Gordon is the workhorse back that Dallas needs in the absence of star running back DeMarco Murray. This offensive line could make anyone a star, but adding a star in Murray's place will only help.

The hulking Alabama product started all 16 games for the Ravens in his second season, and recorded a career-high 34 tackles that season, but fell out of favor and was a nonfactor in 2014, the final year of his rookie deal. He was released just before that contract ended following allegations of animal cruelty.

Like Cody, Gooden had one season as a starter before he was eventually passed over on the depth chart and released. Gooden played three seasons with the Ravens, with 12 starts and 70 tackles.

With his knee injury checking out well at a recent NFL medical check, the explosive Georgia running back has moved himself firmly into the conversation for the top half of the draft. Miami is said to covet him, and he would be a great pick at No. 14.

Given the Saints' tight salary cap situation, this pick could get traded, perhaps to a team that loves Georgia running back Todd Gurley enough to give New Orleans an extra pick (which translates into another cheap player for them). If they make the selection, Dupree would be an asset to a creative blitzer like Rob Ryan.

Peters was dismissed from Washington in the fall, but he's saying all the right things this spring and could help a Dolphins secondary that was already among the league's statistical best last year. Defense will win this division, and he can help.

Dallas might be connected to offensive stars by a lot of experts, but adding Collins to play with cornerbacks Orlando Scandrick and Brandon Carr would strengthen a secondary that will be part of a much-improved defense this year.

Smith was a revelation during the Buckeyes' championship run, as unsuspecting defenses learned just how much of a downfield threat he is. A receiving corps that will be missing Josh Gordon gets a man who could be his long-term replacement.

Haloti Ngata can replace Ndamukong Suh on the defensive line for at least one year, but Brown could be a long-term replacement at a fraction of the cost. The Lions could also use offensive line help, but Brown is a climber as the draft approaches.

Last time around, we had both Cleveland and Cincinnati taking big defensive tackles to slow down their AFC North opponents. Now, the Bengals will go for value and one of the top tackles in the draft, Peat. Andre Smith is good, but he can't play forever.

Clemmings, a tackle whose draft stock seems to be rising, is one of several remaining tackles that Carolina desperately needs. They would be starting Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin if the season started today.

The Bengals need help in the front seven, and despite bringing back Michael Johnson, adding Gregory could bring a dimension to the Cincinnati pass rush that they've lacked for the last few years.

Forget short-term need — if Jimmy Smith walks next year, the Ravens have an even bigger hole at cornerback. Darby, Oxon Hill, has high-end speed and cover skills, and the Ravens have a good recent record drafting Seminoles. Video of John Meoli's look at cornerbacks

It wouldn't be the draft without a top-10 tackle, and Scherff will save this tackle class from the fate of not being represented in the top-10. St. Louis would be using a second straight top pick on an offensive lineman, but there's a need with Jake Long's retirement.

College: Kansas State. Drafted: 17th by the Buccaneers. Skinny: Lack of maturity, consistency have haunted him; journeyman now with Dolphins.

St. Louis' wide receiver depth doesn't include a star, and Parker could be one for whomever ends up at quarterback for the Rams. The defense is stocked with first-round picks -- including five on the defensive line. Parker would be the third straight top selection on the offensive side of the ball, and would help that unit catch up to what could be a dominant defense.

Gary Kubiak saw first-hand last year what a strong offensive line can do. Adding a tackle like Phillips to the mix will allow the talented linemen already in place in Denver to play their natural positions, and it would give Peyton Manning plenty of time to do his thing.

Clayton, the 22nd overall pick in 2005 and the last wide receiver selected in the first round by the Ravens, was a contributor but not a star. His best season was his second year in the league, when he caught 67 passes for 939 yards and five touchdowns. Injuries limited him after that, and he averaged just 41 receptions and 569 yards in his final three seasons with the Ravens. He then played seven games in two seasons with the St. Louis Rams.

College: USC. Drafted: Fifth by the Jets. Skinny: Infamous for the "butt fumble," turnovers, now a backup with the Eagles.

Mike Zimmer's infatuation with Waynes has been well-documented over the past month, and if he's available, it's hard to imagine Waynes falling past here.

Figurs made an instant impact as a rookie, returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. He lost primary return duties in 2008 to Jim Leonhard, and didn't make it out of training camp the following season.

Collins might be slated to go higher than this in a lot of mock drafts, but Green Bay will be happy to take him here and groom him as a replacement for starting corner Casey Hayward, a free agent a year from now.

Like the Browns, the Bengals need a space-eating defensive tackle in the middle of their defense to compete in the ground-and-pound AFC North. Brown gives them that and then some, and with his versatility, he could create headaches all over the line for opposing offenses.)

Druckenmiller made just four appearances over his NFL career, with a poor debut in place of an injured Steve Young not setting a very good tone. He played parts of three seasons in the NFL, with arena league and XFL experience as well.

In a secondary that lost safety Troy Polamalu and cornerback Ike Taylor to retirement since the season ended, a talent like Peters falling to the Steelers would be welcome in Pittsburgh.

This is a case of a picking a player at a spot, not for a team. With the Jets looming below, anyone who badly wants Mariota takes him here. Washington has other needs, too, but you still can't put it past them to go with the quarterback here. This is where the draft could go crazy.

This is going to be a defense-heavy draft for the Colts, but taking the top interior lineman in the draft is something they'll have a hard time passing up if Erving slides this far.

Height, weight: 6-0, 220 pounds. College highlights: Earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors after running for 1,489 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns as a junior for the Trojans, with 458 yards receiving. ... Assumed starting role as a sophomore, when he went over 1,000 total yards and scored 15 touchdowns. ... Was named USC's most valuable player in 2013. Personal: Miccosukee, Fla., native was raised by his grandmother, and said he grew up fighting for everything. ... Majored in sociology and wants to work with children. Analysis: Allen's 27 career touchdowns means he will be valuable in the Ravens' red zone game, and he'll compete with last year's fourth-round pick, Lorenzo Taliaferro, for short-yardage situations alongside Justin Forsett. He'll provide solid depth and could develop into a larger role going forward.

With cornerback Jimmy Smith re-signed for the next several years, the Ravens have an opportunity to add a top talent at a position the injuries of 2014 showed is among the thinnest they have on the roster. His local connections help, too.

The Eagles spent big on cornerbacks this offseason, but aren't set at safety, so having Collins fall to them with the 20th pick would be a boon for the rebuilding defense.

Gus Bradley saw in Seattle that making a strength even stronger is a good way to build a team, and adding an outside pass rusher to go along with a tenacious defensive line will get Jacksonville closer to competitiveness than it has been in years.

Height, weight: 6-4, 274 pounds. College highlights: Second on the team behind first-round pick Bud Dupree with 3.5 sacks in 2014. Started all 24 games in his Kentucky career after transferring from East Mississippi Community College, where he was a top defensive end prospect. ... MVP of East-West Shrine Game, and Senior Bowl participant. Personal: Began playing football as a senior at Greenville (Ala.) High School after initially devoting time to basketball. ... Brother of former Denver Broncos center Bob Meeks. ... Owns a 1989 Caprice Classic. Analysis: Smith said the Ravens spent most of his visit to Owings Mills talking about the role of former outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, and Smith said he's watched McPhee on film. If he can replicate any of McPhee's production, he'll be a steal in the fourth round just like McPhee was in the fifth.

Having invested in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to upgrade the defense, a weapon to pair with 2014 draft pick Jarvis Landry could be a good asset for the Dolphins.

With a potentially dominant defense in place, and plenty of talent at the offensive skill positions, the Rams will use this pick to bolster their offensive line and fill a spot they had hoped former top pick Jake Long would occupy for years to come.

College: Oklahoma. Drafted: First by the Rams. Skinny: Chronic knee problems prompted Rams to trade him to Eagles, where he gets fresh start.

While a third-round pick, Webb came from a small school and took a lot of trust for the Ravens to draft, considering the last small school cornerback—David Pittman—didn't go so well. Webb has battled injuries through his career, but has turned in three strong seasons over his career. He probably should have made a Pro Bowl by now.

Unlike last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Teddy Bridgewater, Winston's Pro Day doesn't appear to have affected his draft stock at all. It's weird for Tampa Bay to be so vocal about its affection for Winston, but let's take them at their word for now.

Frank Gore and Andre Johnson were brought in to improve the offense, but a long-term, cornerstone lineman like Erving will help this franchise and quarterback Andrew Luck long after those two are gone.

As long as the AFC North continues to be a ground-and-pound division, a space-eater and potential game-wrecker like Shelton will have a home here. Cleveland could improve the league's worst rushing defense with a single player.

Carolina desperately needs a tackle—Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin were signed this offseason to add depth and maybe start at the position—and adding a Day One tackle to protect quarterback Cam Newton should be a priority.

Steve Bisciotti's desire to add a cornerback or a pass rusher vindicated my first pick, and I still think someone like Darby here is the move for the Ravens. Other options include Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson and Miami University corner Quinten Rollins, but this is a long-term need that needs filling. Watch draft videos here.

San Diego had the worst luck in the league last year with five different starting centers necessary because of injuries. Erving is the best interior lineman in the draft and can rectify that problem long-term.

Shelton gets Haloti Ngata comparisons for his size, and some team will take him hoping he can have the impact Ngata had for the Ravens. No team needs a player like that any more than Cleveland, owners of the league's worst run defense a year ago.

There might be more talented receivers on the board here for the Browns, but after the issues with Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel, they'll take a safe pick -- and a local one -- with the Ohio State star.

You can bet that after last year's success in Baltimore, Gary Kubiak is going to try and build through his offensive line. Flowers might be one of the last tackles available at this point, but he's certainly not the worst, and will give Kubiak plenty of versatility.

New coach John Fox will focus on the defense, and he could definitely use more talent there, but given the investment already made in quarterback Jay Cutler, they might as well give him something to work with.

Even with Chris Clark and Ryan Clady manning the tackle positions for new coach Gary Kubiak, the Broncos saw a season ago what even one injury can do to their line. Adding Humphries gives them options now and going forward.

With the year the Browns have had, a nice, safe local pick like Smith would go a long way here. They have nice inside receivers, but Smith's ability to break the top off a defense could be a boon for whoever ends up as their quarterback.

With one of the most interesting rosters in the game, Minnesota can take the best available player here in the form of Waynes. Mike Zimmer's defense will just get stronger with a possible lockdown corner on one side.

The King Crab Leg himself remains at the top spot here, despite rumblings that Tampa Bay is weighing a trade or Marcus Mariota at this spot as well. What should be the deciding factor here is football. If Tampa Bay trusts its infrastructure enough to keep Winston focused and out of trouble, there's plenty to like.

New coach Dan Quinn's defenses in Seattle were built on defensive line depth, and he'll start building that with his first pick. If he can identify late-round defensive backs as well as the Seahawks did, then they can be found later. A talent like Ray cannot.

Undersized at 5 feet 11, the Northwestern State product didn't play as a rookie, and started once in nine appearances in his second season. He made two interceptions the following season, but was released shortly thereafter.

If the Jets don't end up going for Mariota, a versatile pass rusher for new coach Todd Bowles to use as he wishes is probably tops on his wish list. Ray would be an incredible complement to previous first-round picks Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson.

Police found marijuana when they pulled Ray over on Monday, an offense that might make teams reconsider taking a player who has first-round talent this early. The Bengals, whose pass rush garnered a league-low 20 sacks last year, will not mind if he can improve that figure.

A versatile athlete with limitless potential, Fowler will give some bite to an already strong front seven in Jacksonville. The Jaguars' coaching staff can turn him into a star, and after going all offense in last year's draft, they'll get one for the defense here.

College: Missouri. Drafted: 10th by the Jaguars. Skinny: Backing up Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco after washing out as the Jaguars' starter.

College: Delaware. Drafted: 18th by the Ravens. Skinny: Super Bowl XLVII MVP landed $120.6 million blockbuster deal.

Height, weight: 6-6, 238 pounds. College highlights: Started 22 of 38 games in the last three seasons, with a career-high 26 catches for 442 yards and six touchdowns as a senior. ... Tall, big-bodied receiver scored a touchdown on one out of every five catches he made in college. Personal: Born in Landover, Md., but went to high school at North Cobb (Ga.), where he also played basketball. ... Great-grandson of jazz legend Fats Waller. Analysis: Waller has the same body type as Georgia Tech stars Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas, but is much more of a developmental project than those two. He's one to dream on, but it would be a surprise for him to factor into a crowded receiver corps this year.

The Patriots' secondary won them a Super Bowl last season before it was dismantled weeks later. Now it's time to draft a building block for the future in the freakishly athletic Jones, who set records with his NFL combine performance.

Discounting the possibility of Mariota here, a top-level pass rusher to create havoc in Todd Bowles' defense is a great fit, given what they invested in their secondary in the past two months.

The Lions might be able to get a space-eater on defense to line up alongside Haloti Ngata later in the draft. One of the valuable first-round tackles here will give a second first-round tackle to protect Matthew Stafford. From what I hear, Lions fans will just be happy with not drafting a tight end.

Flowers never really made an impact with the Bills, starting briefly in his second season before being benched and released in training camp the following year. He bounced around the league for several more seasons and last played in 2004.

One of the only consensus picks in the mock draft world, Erving's versatility on the inside of the offensive line would be a blessing for a Colts team that rotated through three starting centers during the 2014 season.

Williams was the third defensive tackle selected after Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy, but hasn't had the statistical impact those two have. Williams has made 40 career starts and made 156 career tackles with just a pair of sacks, and will bolster Jack Del Rio's defensive line in Oakland in 2015.

Philadelphia's cornerback situation a year ago might have made Ravens fans feel good about themselves, and thus it needs fixing. Collins can play the man coverage Philadelphia asks of its cornerbacks, and he could probably start there right away.

The player Ozzie Newsome referenced when he was talking about redecorating the scouting wing obviously makes this list, which he inspired. Johnson was a versatile piece of the 2000s Ravens defenses, with 20 career sacks in 143 career games. He played nearly all of the positions in the front seven. It would be well-deserved if the organization signed him to a contract to allow him to retire a Raven.

Bush, a national champion at Florida State, appeared in the Super Bowl with the Falcons at the end of the 1998 season before winning a championship the following year with the St. Louis Rams. He had seven career interceptions and played until 2002.

Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo are nice pieces, but a versatile pass rusher like Dupree can improve the entire defensive front in Cleveland by lining up all over the field. They have needs on the interior of the line, but can address them on Friday or Saturday.

College: Texas A-M. Drafted: Eighth by the Dolphins. Skinny: After passing for 4,045 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2014, he's entrenched as the starter in Miami.

With so many needs, John Fox and the new regime in Chicago might be best suited just adding a top-flight talent like White without regard for positional need. So much is riding on making expensive quarterback Jay Cutler effective that adding another weapon for him makes a decent amount of sense.

Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson has a knack for finding players that fit with the Packers who might not work anywhere else. I think Green-Thompson is an incredible talent, and Thompson will find a position for him.

A walk-on at USC despite his famous lineage, Matthews was the NFC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, has made two All-Pro teams, and earned Pro Bowl selections in all but one of his six NFL seasons. He most recently moved inside and was just as effective there as he was as an outside rusher. He will appear in "Pitch Perfect 2."

It's a cliche to give the dominant wide receiver to Oakland, but these aren't the Raiders of old, and Cooper isn't a speed-only guy. They'll bank on the Alabama star to be the go-to weapon for blossoming quarterback Derek Carr.

Fowler said himself that he would be surprised if Jacksonville passed on him, and draft experts agree. He can add pass rush versatility to a front seven coach Gus Bradley has already coached into one of the most underrated in the NFL.

College: Florida. Drafted: 25th by Broncos. Skinny: Heisman Trophy winner didn't live up to college press clippings and was out of the league after brief stints with the Jets and Patriots, but reportedly will sign with the Eagles.

A defensive line that was mostly street free agents helped the Browns to one of the worst run defenses in the league last year, and a space-eater like Shelton can help fix that. Simply put, a top-level defensive lineman can change the complexion of a defense for years to come. Shelton would do that for the Browns.

Armstead could add depth to a 49ers defense that's been depleted by injuries and departures over the past 12 months. San Francisco's hopes for a turnaround likely go through Seattle, and a big tackle like him could slow anyone's run game.

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and his exotic blitz scheme call for versatile players, and Dupree can line up all over the defense. New Orleans is rebuilding on a tight salary cap, and adding a player like Gregory to the defense is a great fit.

Parker has worked his way into the top tier of wide receivers, to the point that St. Louis could get a good haul if they want to trade out for someone else to take him. The Rams have taken several receivers early in recent drafts, but Parker is the top talent they have been missing there.

McPhee, who fell in the draft because of knee issues, burst onto the scene with 7.5 sacks as a rookie. He was a true defensive end then. McPhee wasn't that productive again until this past season when he moved to outside linebacker and was used in a hybrid pass rush role that got him six sacks and a fat contract in free agency with the Chicago Bears.

With their salary cap issues, New Orleans could use a cheap starting offensive lineman who can play along the lines at a reasonable salary for the next several years. Humphries, or any of the other late-first round linemen can do that here.

After investing heavily in their secondary, an Achilles heel a year ago, the Eagles double down here to take the top safety in the draft and complete the construction of the best defensive backfield in the NFC East.

The Cowboys kept Dez Bryant, and they can be flat-out scary with the speedy Perriman beside him. A running back might be an option if one of the top two fall, but their offensive line can create a good rusher off the street. You can't find Perriman there.

After taking DeAndre Hopkins in the first round two years ago, a second receiver this high might be a stretch. But Bill O'Brien was at the helm of the Patriots when they hoarded wide receivers with great results, and a speedy receiver like Perriman could create a foundation for whomever the quarterback of the future might be.

College: Washington. Drafted: Eighth by the Titans. Skinny: Retired from NFL after struggling with accuracy, injuries.

Quarterback Andrew Luck is going to get a big contract soon, and another top lineman to keep him upright would go a long way to improving the Colts offense. They need interior line help, too, but that can come later.

Green-Thompson's lack of a true position has dropped him out of many mock drafts, but Green Bay is smart enough to recognize the talent and figure it out later. If this happens, the world will recognize it as the steal of the draft a year from now.

With Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline out of the frame, Jarvis Landry needs a complementary receiver to work with him and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Parker is somewhere between the first and second tier of receivers, but this seems a reasonable place for him.

The Cowboys fashioned Spencer, a defensive end in college, into an outside linebacker, and he started for Dallas from 2009 to 2012. He posted a career-high 11 sacks and 95 tackles in 14 games in 2012, his only Pro Bowl season. Spencer signed with New Orleans during the offseason.

San Diego might be the biggest wild card in the draft with the rumors of Philip Rivers being traded in a deal to get Marcus Mariota, but absent that move, adding another tackle to an already young, developing offensive line will be a boon to any quarterback that lines up for the Chargers.

A big wide receiver to play alongside Dez Bryant would be a nightmare for the NFC (and precisely why Chip Kelly has revamped his secondary). Three first-round offensive linemen mean replacing DeMarco Murray can happen easily. A target like Strong opposite Bryant will give them one of the game's best offenses.

College: Auburn. Drafted: First by the Panthers. Skinny: Dual-threat quarterback keeps displaying solid improvement.

Adding another tackle after using the first overall pick on Eric Fisher two years ago isn't ideal, but the Chiefs are dangerously thin on their offensive line. If they're going to play the way they did last year -- with quick passes and a lot of Jamaal Charles -- that unit needs to be steady.

Height, weight: 6-5, 330 pounds. College highlights: Two-time, second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference guard started every game in 2013 and 2014 after earning starting job as a sophomore in 2012. Personal: Didn't make varsity team at La Vergne High (Tenn.) until senior season. ... Nicknamed "Snacks" because of his appetite. Analysis: John Urschel and Ryan Jensen currently occupy the backup interior line spots, and Jah Reid could slide inside, too, but Myers is another piece for offensive line coach Juan Castillo to work with.

College: Oklahoma State. Drafted: 22nd by the Browns. Skinny: Backing up Tony Romo with Cowboys after mediocre showing in Cleveland.

The best tackle in the draft goes to a team that should be building through its offensive line. Scherff could grow opposite Justin Pugh, a 2013 first-round pick.

Height, weight: 6-5, 321 pounds. College highlights: A two-time, second-team All-Big Ten defensive tackle, Davis had 36 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and two sacks, as a senior. Also blocked a field goal against Nebraska. In 2013, he started all 13 of Iowa's games and recorded 42 tackles, with four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Personal: Detroit native was first-team all-state at Stevenson High. ... Also played basketball and lettered in track and field in high school. Analysis: The Ravens are building one of the youngest and potentially deepest defensive lines in the league. After veteran Chris Canty, fourth-year defensive end DeAngelo Tyson is the most tenured defensive lineman. Davis is another big body who can play inside next to Brandon Williams and gives the team a strong young core of linemen, including Timmy Jernigan, Brent Urban, and Kapron Lewis-Moore.

There are still other holes to fill for the Bears, but given the success of last year's first-round wide receivers, I think teams will be quick to pull the trigger on anyone who can provide that kind of production. White fits that mold for the Bears.

The Heisman Trophy winner appears to have elevated himself into the top two picks, though it might not be the Titans making this selection. In a draft with two quarterbacks at the top, the only way to ensure you get one is to have one of the top two picks. Someone will pay a premium for this spot.

An All-American in his final season at Illinois, Mercilus has been a full-time starter for Houston since 2013, and has 18 career sacks in three seasons. He forced a fumble in Week 16 against the Ravens, and has four forced fumbles in his career.

Injuries forced the Broncos' offensive line to shuffle down the stretch last year, and they paid the price. A tackle here allows Manny Ramirez and Louis Vasquez to go back inside, and will strengthen Gary Kubiak's offensive line in his first year.

The Giants don't appear to have an offseason plan, but they also don't return many starter-quality offensive linemen. Adopting a fast-paced offense will certainly be easier with a cornerstone tackle like Scheff.

If Parker goes earlier, this could be a landing spot for someone like Green-Beckham. But with one game-breaking receiver already on the sideline, the Browns' second pick in this draft would best be used bringing in another pass catcher for whoever ends up their quarterback.

Dupree may be a positional tweener, but Rob Ryan doesn't really line defenders up in traditional places anyway, so having an incredible athlete to use however he pleases will only help his exotic blitz schemes.

Smith (Maryland) was selected in the second round (58th overall) and almost immediately became one of the league's best deep threats, but never developed into a true No. 1 receiver. His best season came in 2013, when he caught 65 passes for 1,128 yards and four touchdowns. He had 10 touchdown receptions in 2014 and signed a four-year, $40 million contact with the San Francisco 49ers in March.

College: Georgia. Drafted: First by the Lions. Skinny: Strong-armed and blessed with Calvin Johnson as downfield target, but hasn't won a playoff game.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has gushed about Waynes throughout the draft process, and would upgrade one of the few positions of need on a roster that sneakily is one of the most sound in the NFL.

An injection of talent into the Giants' offensive line is just what the team needs as it enters year two under offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Scherff could shift inside, if need be, but either way would be a welcome addition to a team trying to develop a ground game.

Minnesota's defense is already very talented, and the Vikings have made moves to give Teddy Bridgewater more help this year. So, adding a top-level cornerback to join a secondary with two other first-round picks would make the Vikings pretty scary overall.

Tennessee officials have said they are content to take Mariota at the No. 2 if no one offers enough to move up. Whether the Titans take him or someone else does, the expectation is that the two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks will go first and second.

An All-Decade team selection for the 2000s, Faneca made nine straight Pro Bowls from 2001 to 2009 with the Steelers and New York Jets, and made six appearances on the First-Team All-Pro lists in that span. He's one of the most successful picks at this spot in the past 20 years.

Landry filled a desperate need for the Ravens at the time, and stepped in as a rookie as a starter. He didn't relinquish that role, save for injury, for the next five seasons before he was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Landry finished his Ravens career with nine interceptions, 279 tackles, and five sacks.

New Orleans is stockpiling draft picks to fill its roster with cheap players amid its salary cap issues, so they could trade out of this pick. If they don't, Dupree is an interesting option as a pass rusher who can line up anywhere. And trust me: Rob Ryan will line him up anywhere.

The Chiefs lost Dwayne Bowe and, even with him, they didn't have a wide receiver touchdown last year. Off-field issues notwithstanding, Green-Beckham is a top talent who will be playing with a chip on his shoulder, and that's a good combination.

Kansas City used the top pick in 2013 on Eric Fisher, but could use another tackle despite that investment. Between Collins, Andrus Peat, Ereck Flowers, and T.J. Clemmings, there are plenty of options at that position here.

Haloti Ngata, acquired from the Ravens after defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley left Detroit, is only a short-term solution. Brown, one of the top defensive tackles in the draft, could be a cornerstone to grow alongside Ngata.

With a street free agent and Michael Oher currently manning their tackle spots, expect the Panthers to focus on the offensive line here. The secondary also needs work, but adding talent to the line will make an offense with plenty of skill better.

Campanaro (River Hill) is included here because he's the only wide receiver drafted by the Ravens who is still a member of the organization. Picked in the seventh round (218th overall), he played in just four games this past season, partially due to injury, and caught seven passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. He'll get the opportunity to return kicks in 2015.

Smith made zero impact in eight games for the Eagles as a rookie, and his selection has already been panned as a bust by the media and fans. He played just 74 defensive snaps, and had one shared tackle on special teams.

Save for a stunner, Winston will stay in Florida and become the franchise quarterback for the Buccaneers. The former Florida State star has all of the skills to be a star in the NFL — if his off-field issues do from school do not follow him to Tampa Bay.

With Ryan Mathews out the door, Gurley could fill a hole in Mike McCoy's offense when he's healthy. The Chargers would get a legitimate replacement for LaDainian Tomlinson.

College: Boston College. Drafted: Third by the Falcons. Skinny: Prolific, efficient passer, but playoff success has eluded him.

Lewis (Maryland) was better known as a Pro Bowl kick and punt returner, but at times he was also an effective downfield receiving threat. Lewis (5th round, 153rd overall) caught 41 passes for 784 yards and six touchdowns in 1998, averaging 19.1 yards per reception. His opportunities diminished after that and by 2000 he was primarily a return man. The Houston Texans selected Lewis in the expansion draft in 2002 and he finished his career in 2004 after playing two unremarkable seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Again, there's little chance Washington takes Mariota here, but instead of projecting him to a team later in the draft, I'll just place him here. This is about as low as I can see him ending up at this point, and anyone who doesn't want to see Mariota playing for the Jets at No. 6 has to get here to prevent it.

The league's 31st-ranked pass rush needs top-end talent to succeed in front of a secondary that could improve this year as well. Former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, now the head coach in Atlanta, will try to build through the defense with so much of his offense already in place.

McClain was a productive fullback for the Ravens for several years, but was worth the draft pick and was probably an overachiever in the sense of this list based on his 902-yard, 10-touchdown season in 2008.

Taylor was selected in the draft before the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV season victory, but injury held the 10th overall pick out of all but nine games. Taylor's best season came in 2002, when he caught 61 passes for 869 yards and six touchdowns. He spent five seasons with the Ravens, then caught 107 passes over two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He also played one game with the St. Louis Rams in 2007.

College: Baylor. Drafted: Second by the Redskins. Skinny: ACL tear has robbed him of explosiveness; hasn't lived up to expectations after stellar college career.

Waynes to Minnesota is one of the most popular picks in mock drafts, to the point that it seems to be changing just for change's sake now. Minnesota has a lot to build on from last season, and coach Mike Zimmer seems impressed by this particular cornerback.

The 49ers have been left with holes galore due to offseason retirements and departures, and Armstead can fill a big one along the defensive line. Former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula would probably love to add Armstead to his team.

If the ghost of Beanie Wells has left the hallways at the Cardinals facility, another productive Big Ten running back could be the pick here. A star back would ease the burden on one of the unluckiest quarterback positions in the game.

Brown played some as a rookie in a rotation beside veteran Daryl Smith, but was inactive for a dozen games in 2014. He didn't play a single defensive snap or record a tackle in his second year, after 15 stops as a rookie, and has been passed on the depth chart by 2014 first-round pick C.J. Mosley.

Armstead has been slowly climbing up draft boards, it seems, and might not be here for San Francisco. But if he makes it this far, what better fit is there as former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula's first pick?

Height, weight: 6-4, 270 pounds. College highlights: First-team All-Colonial Athletic Association tight end as a senior, when he caught 37 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns, and earned a trip to the Senior Bowl. ... Caught a career-high 42 passes for 474 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. ... Excelled in a blocking role as well. Personal: Sussex, N.J., native also played defensive line at High Point Regional High, and can serve as a long-snapper. ... Economics major. Analysis: The Ravens drafted Maxx Williams and Boyle at tight end this weekend, with clear roles defined for each of them. Williams is the move tight end, while Boyle can serve in primarily a blocking role. Second-year tight end Crockett Gillmore can do both, but a second tight end in this year's draft sure is a lot of insurance for Dennis Pitta.

The workout darling of the draft, Jones would be a steal if he fell to the Super Bowl champions. With Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner gone, Jones could be another in their young stable of cornerbacks as the defense rebuilds.

Without the suspended Josh Gordon in 2015, the wide receiver corps in Cleveland lacks a big, No. 1 receiver threat. Strong, at 6-foot-4, is a receiver whomever ends up at quarterback for Cleveland can grow with.

Former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak takes over in Denver, and his first priority should be building the type of offensive line that led to so much success in Baltimore. Clemmings is a popular lineman among analysts who can help shift the Denver linemen to positions of strength.

The rumors that the Chargers might be ready to move on from Philip Rivers in a package to trade up and get Marcus Mariota is a wild-card in the entire draft. But since we don't project trades here, their need for a top running back is the one filled here.

The front seven in Atlanta was a huge weakness last year—their 22 sacks was second-worst in the league last year—and any of the pass rushers available here would vastly improve the defense for first-year head coach Dan Quinn.

Peters, who was removed from the team at Washington for off-field issues last fall, becomes the first piece of a total secondary rebuild for Pittsburgh after the retirements of stalwarts Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor.

Despite their protestations that they don't need a running back, selecting one here might be hard for the Chargers to pass up. They'll need to improve the offensive line, too, but Gurley is a strong value pick for a team that needs a horse in the backfield.

I'm sure Dallas would love Gurley or Gordon if either fall, but their offensive line can probably create a star. A downfield threat like Perriman beside Dez Bryant would be borderline unfair to opposing secondaries.

Absent a trade, which I'm not doing because they're silly in mock drafts, Mariota won't make it past the Jets here. The defense has been built up plenty. What every challenger to the Patriots in the AFC East is missing is a game-changing quarterback. They can't pass one up here.

A rare first-round miss for the Ravens, Clayton peaked in 2006 when he set career highs in receptions (67), receiving yards (939), and touchdowns (five). He played five total seasons with the Ravens, but never emerged into the No. 1 receiver his draft status would have suggested he could be.

Having signed cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond, coach Chip Kelly can complete his secondary rebuild with the top safety in the draft. Then again, Kelly has been active in the trade market this offseason, so there is no guarantee Philadelphia even picks here.

The possibility of Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin both starting at tackle for the Panthers should be enough to warrant a tackle here. They'll have their pick of a few, all of whom could probably start from Day One.

Scott was the first of many undrafted inside linebackers to flourish for the Ravens beside Ray Lewis, and probably was the best too. He earned a starting job in his fourth season and had at least 60 tackles in all four of his seasons as a starter. His 78-tackle, 9.5-sack season in 2006 earned him a Pro Bowl spot.

The Jets, for all of their defensive strength historically, have lacked a star pass rusher like Beasley can be. New coach Todd Bowles manufactured a pass rush out of scraps with his strong secondary in Arizona. Here, he gets a potential star to help him do that in New York.

Washington has said it will entertain a trade here, and could use the extra picks to fill out a thin roster, but Williams would represent another upgrade to a defensive line that new general manager Scot McCloughan has already invested heavily in this offseason.

Why not take Jimmy Graham's replacement with the pick you traded him for? It seems that the best tight ends emerge from later in the draft — Rob Gronkowski was a second-round pick, and Graham went in the third round — but Williams has the size and speed to replicate their performance.

Gus Bradley saw in Seattle that making a strength even stronger is a good way to build a team, and adding an outside pass rusher to go along with a tenacious defensive line will get Jacksonville closer to competitiveness than it has been in years.

Third-round picks are the cutoff for this list, but when one becomes a perennial Pro Bowl player and anchors one of the best offensive lines in football and you were able to get him in the third round, that qualifies as a scouting success.

Whichever of the Ravens and Steelers picks first usually gets a steal when a great player drops too far and falls in their lap. This time, it's Beasley, a top-10 talent who will join a long line of monstrous pass rushers in Pittsburgh.

Given the investments Jacksonville made on offense in last year's draft, expect Gus Bradley to get an impactful defender here. Leonard Williams might be redundant in Jacksonville, and Fowler adds a speed factor their gritty front seven needs.

Despite its dominant defense last year, Arizona struggled offensively when quarterback Carson Palmer was injured because of a lack of a stable running game. Pairing an every-down back like Gordon with the electric Andre Ellington could raise the floor of this offense.

This pick, whether Mariota is still here or not, could be dealt for the right price. New general manager Scot McCloughan plans to build through the draft, and without first-round picks recently, any top talent will help the Redskins. Save for a trade, adding someone like Williams is the move here.

After playing sporadically as a rookie, Spencer started for the better part of six seasons with the Seahawks and Chicago Bears, and most recently has appeared in 16 games in the past two years for the Tennessee Titans.

In the Saints' salary cap situation, a cost-controlled offensive lineman will allow them to keep their stars and probably upgrade the running game in the process. Flowers is the last of the first-round offensive lineman, but is hardly a bad pick here.

In the pick gained from shipping tight end Jimmy Graham to the NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks, another massive, quick tight end joins the cast of supporting players around Drew Brees.

With just 22 sacks a year ago and no internal improvement on the horizon, whichever of the top pass rushers falls here - Beasley, Ray, maybe even Fowler - will take up residence as Dan Quinn's first draft pick. His defensive rebuild will begin with what he hopes is a disruptive edge rusher.

Star tackle Andre Smith is good but could be on the downswing. Adding a lineman like Peat to play as a reserve behind Smith, and who can step in when it's time to move on from him, will keep a solid offensive line humming.

Kindle's career never truly began, as he suffered severe injuries falling down two flights of stairs right before his first training camp. Kindle never really recovered, and played in three games over two seasons, recording one tackle, before he was cut from the practice squad in the playoffs during the team's Super Bowl run.

Chicago gets its pick of whichever wide receiver -- White or Cooper -- Oakland doesn't pick. I like this scenario more for the Bears, all told. Cooper can be a more reliable player than Brandon Marshall was for them down the stretch.

Reid started seven games in 2012, and has appeared in 39 games over four seasons, but never really found a role that fit. When tackle Eugene Monroe went down last season, it was undrafted rookie James Hurst who took his place. Reid was re-signed this offseason to provide depth.

The Titans focused on their pass rush this offseason, and Williams, a versatile defensive lineman, will only bolster that. A strong defensive front could be an asset against the shaky AFC South offensive lines, and Williams would give Tennessee just that.

I considered changing this pick after the Jimmy Smith contract extension, but the cornerback position is just too important to leave to chance. The Ravens can get production at nearly every other position later in the draft. They've shown it. If this is the best way to upgrade the secondary, then they should do it with a guy like Johnson.

Given the pass rush ability in Houston, another cornerback to go with their current stable might be redundant. But to win in the AFC South, you have to go through Andrew Luck and the Colts, so any help on the back end is a plus.

New coach Jim Tomsula, the former defensive line coach, gets an athletic, powerful defender to add to a front seven decimated over the last year by injuries and retirements. Adding Armstead is a good way to rebuild.

College: Florida State. Drafted: 12th by the Vikings. Skinny: In backup role with Raiders after athleticism never translated into production with Vikings.

The first offensive lineman off the board, Scherff is the type of talent that the Giants will be happy to have fall to them here. They can figure out fit later. Improving the offensive line will give quarterback Eli Manning more time in their fast-paced offense.

Another Oklahoma product from 2005, Cody was injured on the first day of training camp as a rookie, appeared in two games during his second season, and missed all of his third season with the organization due to injury before he was released in 2008 before the season began.

Tom Brady probably wants another weapon, but the defense is what the Patriots typically win Super Bowls with, and Davis could signal a transition from a cornerback-centric defense to one dominated by a young, talented front seven.

Kickers are risky propositions in the draft, but when you find one as good as Tucker, then all credit to you. Credit goes to special teams coordinator/assistant head coach Jerry Rosburg for this one. He scouted and developed the most accurate kicker in NFL history.

College: Stanford. Drafted: First by the Colts. Skinny: Gifted athlete, playmaker, strong leader and one of the top quarterbacks in the league.

Gregory is in the top tier of pass rushers talent-wise, but could fall due to his admitted failed drug test for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine. Arizona is thin at linebacker, and generates its pass rush from its coverage scheme, but could add a top talent here.

Jones made his first three career starts for the Packers in 2014 after playing as a reserve as a rookie, and made a career-high 22 tackles. Despite his limited role, Jones has five career sacks, with 3.5 coming as a rookie.

The Packers might be reaching to take Kendricks, the top player at his position. But on a team with as few holes as Green Bay has, he would be the perfect pick no matter when they take him.

The Browns allowed a league-high 141.6 rushing yards per game in 2014, and Shelton, an athletic down lineman, would be an ideal fit to rectify that.

College: Texas A-M. Drafted: 22nd by the Browns. Skinny: At risk of being out of NFL quickly due to substance-abuse issues, immaturity, poor play.

A Newark, Del., product, Harris started at both left and right tackle for the 49ers, beginning in his second season. He was eventually replaced by Joe Staley, and spent one year with Oakland in 2008 before his NFL career ended.

White and Alabama's Amari Cooper are the two big names connected here, and White might just be a touch more explosive, so the nod could go to him. These are the Raiders, after all.

Peters might have the pedigree to go higher, but teams will probably be scared away from him. Whoever picks first between the Steelers and Ravens loves popping those guys, and Pittsburgh will do it here.

McCargo was considered a major reach when the Bills traded up for him here, and those impressions proved true. He made one career start in 52 games over six seasons, recording 2.5 sacks in 2007 and none in his other five years. He made 52 career tackles and last played in 2011.

The Texans can go with the best available player here, and Collins is that. The Alabama star will be strong in run support and can probably be hidden in coverage if Houston's pass rush is as scary as it should be.

If they can get good value for it, Tennessee should absolutely trade this pick. You can get a defensive tackle a little later in the draft, and if you can add a first-round pick or even a Philip Rivers, as is rumored, from San Diego, pull the trigger and ask questions later. If not, take Williams, who will stuff the middle, to bolster the existing pass rush.

The Cardinals have taken productive college backs before — see Wells, Beanie — and with such defensive depth on their roster, that's the move again. Andre Ellington is fun, but an every-down back would make life much easier on whoever takes over at quarterback when Carson Palmer gets hurt.

Just as it did last week, the cliché pick makes sense. If Oakland is going forward with Derek Carr, and want to run more than short curl routes with him, Cooper is the game-breaker who can help his quarterback open up a defense. They could also trade down a few spots to a Mariota-obsessed team.

Detroit needs an inexpensive tackle to keep its expensive quarterback upright and throwing. Flowers, Peat, T.J. Clemmings and D.J. Humphries are all first-round options at the position.

Despite using a first overall pick on Eric Fisher two years ago, Kansas City could still use some offensive line help. Peat represents the next best tackle on the board, and will start a run on them in the second half of the round.

A Day-One starter in Houston for then-coach Gary Kubiak, Brown has missed just six regular season games in seven seasons and has been selected for the Pro Bowl every year since 2012.

Cousins has carved out an NFL career for himself — he spent last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for whom he started seven games — but didn't make a much of an impact with the Ravens. Cousins made three starts at the end of the 2009 season, and one more in 2010, but was waived in August 2011.

With its roster bereft of much talent, Tennessee is the first of a few early teams that could get a good haul for trading their pick to a team that likes Marcus Mariota enough to move up. Absent that actually happening, a game-changing defender who will free up the outside pass rush works here.

Height, weight: 6-2, 212 pounds. College highlights: Earned first-team All-America Athletic Conference honors as a junior with 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns on 50 receptions. ... Went over 100 yards in two of his final three college games. ... Emerged as a starter as a sophomore, when he caught 39 passes for 811 yards and four touchdowns. Personal: Son of 10-year NFL wide receiver Brett Perriman. ... Ran track in high school, and was a two-star recruit out of Arabia Mountain High in Georgia. Analysis: Perriman had drop issues at the end of his time at UCF, but has the chance to develop into the same type of player Torrey Smith was -- or better. Young wide receivers have made an incredible impact in the game recently. For Perriman to be that for the Ravens would be a boon.

The Patriots have tried and failed to draft a wide receiver that can take the top off defenses for years, and this might be their next best chance. Even someone who can burst through defenses on short routes would be an upgrade for the Super Bowl champions.

Unless another team likes Cooper enough to trade up and snatch him away from Oakland, the Raiders can get one of the most polished wide receiver prospects in years to pair with second-year quarterback Derek Carr.

College: Central Florida. Drafted: Third by the Jaguars. Skinny: Flashed big arm, mobility as a rookie, but needs better supporting cast, blocking.

Even with Kareem Jackson and Johnathan Joseph in the fold, the Texans might not be able to resist selecting another young cornerback to add to their secondary. They should continue to build their defense as Bill O'Brien works his magic with the offense.

Perry was a consensus All-American after accounting for 2,041 total yards as a senior at Michigan, but never came near that production with the Bengals in an injury-hit career. He managed 1,080 total yards in four seasons.

Only one team had fewer than Atlanta's 22 sacks last year, and adding an impact rusher like Beasley to the mix would immediately boost their front seven. The offensive line could use some work, too, but they can address that later.

The Pac-12 heavy Eagles add another former Chip Kelly opponent to their ranks here, and in the process, add a top target for quarterback Sam Bradford.

After playing sporadically as a rookie, Jones got into the rotation as a second-year player, then compiled 8.5 sacks over two seasons in a larger role before signing with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Chiefs famously went all of last season without a touchdown pass to a wide receiver. Quarterback Alex Smith tends not to throw downfield, but Perriman would give him quite a target to do so.

The rumblings that Tampa Bay might be interested in Marcus Mariota as the top quarterback only seem to reaffirm that they're locked in on Winston, as this is the time of draft season when such red herrings fly around.

Goodbye, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Hello, Haloti Ngata and Malcolm Brown. The Lions could also use some offensive line help, but strengthening the defensive line will allow that unit, one of the best in football last year, to do its part as they seek a second straight playoff appearance.

With a cast of reserves rotating through the center of the Colts' lines this year, interior offensive line help will be crucial to getting them over the hump -- and developing a running game with their veteran backs.

The Oklahoma tackle would fill a huge need for the Packers, who are set on the offensive side of the ball but could use some size on the defensive line. With B.J. Raji out, Phillips is a ready-made and much more durable replacement.

The Ravens' second-round pick has big shoes to fill, whether referring to the departed Owen Daniels or Dennis Pitta, if that's what happens to the injured tight end. We won't get a great look at his blocking, but Williams has a knack for the acrobatic catch, and might make some early good impressions if he's able to snag a couple difficult balls during the minicamp.

Wagner has only done it for one season, but is already shaping up to be a classic fifth-round steal for the Ravens. This is going to be a pattern on this list. Wagner was one of the game's best right tackles in his first year as a starter in 2014, and even if they get nothing more from him than that, he's probably already overachieved his fifth-round status.

Cornerback Tray Walker The Ravens' fourth-round pick will probably look the part right away — at 6-foot-2, he's got the type of size that defensive back coaches dream about — but any kind of individual coverage drills will give a clear indication of whether Walker is a short-term contributor, more of a long-range guy, or none of the above.

Even with his reported failed drug test at the combine, Washington appeared locked in on Gregory and I don't see them changing now. What the failed test does, however, is allow them to trade down and get Gregory while letting a team interested in Marcus Mariota take him before the Jets do.

Collins has had a tumultuous draft week off the field, but his ability to play tackle or guard will probably overshadow that here. He is one of the top linemen in the draft, and could slot in anywhere on the line here.

A collegiate standout at Wisconsin, Fletcher was a career backup over nine NFL seasons with Miami, the San Diego Chargers, the Detroit Lions, the Houston Texans, and the Cincinnati Bengals. He started a dozen of his 105 career games, and intercepted seven passes.