The Star’s first-round NFL draft projections
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Quote:
1. Chiefs
• OT Eric Fisher, Central Michigan: Chiefs need to secure an important position.
|
2. Jacksonville
• DE Ezekiel Ansah, Brigham Young: The Jaguars get much-needed pass rush help.
3. Oakland
• DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida: Al Davis wouldn’t have approved of this pick.
4. Philadelphia
• OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M: Fisher would be the pick if Chiefs go with Joeckel.
5. Detroit
• CB Dee Milliner, Alabama: The Lions go for a fast corner to help their defense.
6. Cleveland
• LB Dion Jordan, Oregon: He needs time to develop but could become a star.
7. Arizona
• OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma: The Cardinals can’t continue to ignore their offensive line.
8. Buffalo
• QB Geno Smith, West Virginia: The draft’s best QB prospect.
9. N.Y. Jets
• LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia: A talented linebacker with pass-rush skills.
10. Tennessee
• DT Star Lotulelei, Utah: Medical concerns could cause him to drop.
11. San Diego
• CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State: The Chargers were hoping a tackle would fall.
12. Miami
• G Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina: Could become one of the all-time greats.
13. Tampa Bay
• LB Barkevious Mingo, LSU: Talented, but an underachiever in college.
14. Carolina
• WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee: A fast receiver for Cam Newton.
15. New Orleans
• DT Sheldon Richardson, Missouri: Could anchor Saints’ line for years.
16. St. Louis
• WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia: Maybe the most explosive offensive player in draft.
17. Pittsburgh
• CB Desmond Trufant, Washington: Here’s help for an aging, depleted defense.
18. Dallas
• G Chance Warmack, Alabama: Talented, but he plays an undervalued position.
19. N.Y. Giants
• LB Alec Ogletree, Georgia: Giants collapsed defensively last year.
20. Chicago
• WR Keenan Allen, California: Another WR for Jay Cutler to throw to.
21. Cincinnati
• S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas: Bengals need help at back of their defense.
22. St. Louis
• LB Bjoern Werner, Florida State: Rams need to fortify defense in NFL’s best division.
23. Minnesota
• TE Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame: Here’s help for Adrian Peterson.
24. Indianapolis
• OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama: Third Alabama player to go in first round.
25. Minnesota
• WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson: Here’s more help for Peterson.
26. Green Bay
• TE Zach Ertz, Stanford: A second tight end for Aaron Rodgers.
27. Houston
• WR Justin Hunter, Tennessee: Texans need to prepare for Andre Johnson’s decline.
28. Denver
• DT Sylvester Williams, North Carolina: Broncos can use a young body on defensive line.
29. New England
• CB Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State: Patriots’ weakness is pass defense.
30. Atlanta
• CB Logan Ryan, Rutgers: A corner to help cover for Dunta Robinson’s departure.
31. San Francisco
• DT Kawann Short, Purdue: 49ers lost two linemen in free agency.
32. Baltimore
• LB Manti Te’o, Notre Dame: The next Ray Lewis?