The draft finally, thankfully, mercifully arrives tomorrow. The final PFT mock draft finally, thankfully, mercifully arrives today.
Here it is. The last PFT mock draft of the year.
Feel free to call it terrible or horrible or whatever you want to call it. The picks are based on the latest information, of which there isn’t much at all, and educated guesses.
Like every other mock draft that ever was mocked.
But we won’t be guessing at trades that may be made, since like injuries we: (1) know they will happen; and (2) have no idea when or where or how they will occur.
1. Texans: Khalil Mack, linebacker, Buffalo.
It’s gut check time for the Texans. At this point, I think they’ll have the guts to take Mack over Clowney but not the guts to trade down to someone who wants Clowney in the hopes of getting Mack later.
2. Rams: Greg Robinson, tackle, Auburn.
In a division with the 49ers and Seahawks (and Cardinals), it’s important to have competent blockers on each side of the line.
3. Jaguars: Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end, South Carolina.
Gus Bradley and Dave Caldwell bring to town a guy that, if his buttons are pressed properly, can become as good as if not better than J.J. Watt.
4. Browns: Jake Matthews, tackle, Texas A&M.
Unless G.M. Ray Farmer’s gushing for Sammy Watkins was a next-level effort to conceal interest by showing interest that everyone will believe is false, the Browns will beef up a unit where even one weak link can doom a franchise to mediocrity.
5. Raiders: Sammy Watkins, receiver, Clemson.
G.M. Reggie McKenzie need rookies who can make an immediate impact. Watkins can. Whether he will in Oakland is a different issue.
6. Falcons: Zack Martin, tackle, Notre Dame.
Martin is believed to be rising on draft boards (which means he’s been higher all along than the media realized), and Lewan has too many red flags for a team that is very sensitive to bringing guys like that to town.
7. Buccaneers: Johnny Manziel, quarterback, Texas A&M.
Amid rumors they’ll trade up to No. 2 to get Manziel, no trade is needed. Manziel slides into their laps at No. 7.
8. Vikings: Aaron Donald, defensive tackle, Pitt.
Burned by Christian Ponder three years ago and dealing with the departure of Jared Allen and Kevin Williams, Minnesota pounces on a player who could be another Warren Sapp, 17 years after the Vikings passed on the Hall of Famer.
9. Bills: Mike Evans, receiver, Texas A&M.
They’ll be tempted to take a tackle, but it will be too hard to pass on Evans in this spot.
10. Lions: Darqueze Dennard, cornerback, Michigan State.
With Aaron Donald and both elite wideouts gone, the Lions address another glaring need with a guy who played college football in Michigan.
11. Titans: Blake Bortles, quarterback, Central Florida.
The Titans have done a good job of keeping their cards close to the vest regarding the need for a quarterback. Good enough to snag Bortles, who may remind coach Ken Whisenhunt of Ben Roethlisberger, at No. 11.
12. Giants: Taylor Lewan, tackle, Michigan.
Off-field questions aside, the Giants need to inject some talent -- and maybe a little nasty -- into their offensive line.
13. Rams: Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, safety, Alabama.
Best player at a position that is becoming more and more important, and valuable, at the NFL level.
14. Bears: Jason Verrett, cornerback, TCU.
With plenty of holes on the defensive side of the ball, the Bears pass on linebacker C.J. Mosley and opt instead to bring in an undersized but overtalented corner who can provide strong run support.
15. Steelers: Odell Beckham, receiver, LSU.
Whether it’s Beckham or another receiver, the Steelers need to replace Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Jerricho Cotchery. They could be tempted by Eric Ebron in this spot.
16. Cowboys: Dee Ford, defensive end, Auburn.
Even with Anthony Spencer sticking around for a year, the Cowboys need pass rushers.
17. Ravens: Ja’Wuan James, tackle, Tennessee.
Our buddy Armando Salguero thinks the Dolphins are eyeballing James at No. 19. They may not get the chance to snag him.
18. Jets: Eric Ebron, tight end, North Carolina.
Marqise Lee and Brandin Cooks both want the Jets to take them. The Jets could, if Ebron isn’t on the board. If Ebron is still there, he’d provide a major boost to a suddenly potent offense.
19. Dolphins: Xavier Su’a-Filo, guard, UCLA.
With plenty of tackles gone, the Dolphins still address the offensive line. They could maybe trade down and still get him.
20. Cardinals: Anthony Barr, linebacker, UCLA.
If they’re are going to keep up with the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams, the Cards need pass rushers.
21. Packers: Marqise Lee, receiver, USC.
While everyone is thinking about what the Packers will do on defense, how about giving Aaron Rodgers a new weapon? Lee showed in 2012 that he can produce. With Rodgers throwing the passes, Lee will.
22. Eagles: Calvin Pryor, safety, Louisville.
The Eagles have a clear need at safety, and Pryor remains on the board for the Eagles to pluck.
23. Chiefs: Brandin Cooks, receiver, Oregon State.
With Dexter McCluster gone and coach Andy Reid not interested in DeSean Jackson when he was available, Cooks fills that void.
24. Bengals: Bradley Roby, cornerback, Ohio State.
The team in orange and black has never been scared off by a red flag or two. Roby has the potential to be special, and the Bengals are willing to take the risk that he’ll possibly be a problem.
25. Chargers: Justin Gilbert, cornerback, Oklahoma State.
It’s a clear position of need, and the Chargers take the best cover man on the board.
26. Browns (from Colts): Derek Carr, quarterback, Fresno State.
It’s a huge win for the Browns to get someone to block for a quarterback -- and a quarterback worth blocking for.
27. Saints: Kelvin Bejamin, receiver, Florida State.
The first-round run on wideouts continues, with Benjamin becoming the sixth off the board. Seven, if Eric Ebron lines up in the slot more than tight to the tackle.
28. Panthers: Kyle Fuller, cornerback, Virginia Tech.
They can get competent receivers later, in rounds where top-shelf corners aren’t likely lurking.
29. Patriots: Timmy Jernigan, defensive tackle, Florida State.
The diluted urine sample from the Scouting Combine hurts Jernigan, helps the Patriots. What would help the Pats even more is a chance to trade down with a team that wants to get quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, like the Vikings.
30. 49ers: Ryan Shazier, linebacker, Ohio State.
With NaVorro Bowman injured and Aldon Smith’s long-term status unclear, Shazier provides a versatile weapon who can do several different things for one of the best defenses in the NFL.
31. Broncos: Cyrus Kouandjio, tackle, Alabama.
All those additions on defense won’t help Peyton Manning score more than eight points if he faces the Seahawks again in the Super Bowl.
32. Seahawks: Kony Ealy, defensive end, Missouri.
With Chris Clemons and Red Bryant gone and Jared Allen picking the Bears, the Seahawks need to feed the unit that was critical to the team’s success in 2013.