The NFL draft is getting close and as pro days start to build up, mock drafts will start taking firm shape and names like Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Amari Cooper, Kevin White, DeVante Parker, Todd Gurley, Melvin Ingram and Brett Hundley could be targets for teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, NY Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars over the first few rounds.
Mariota and Winston are considered to be the two best quarterbacks and ESPN.com reports that the Bucs are targeting Winston with the number one pick. Many scouts see Winston as the player with the higher ceiling and the Bucs are in desperate need of a franchise QB. Mariota has also received a great deal of attention and reports have the Titans, Jets, Browns and Redskins as potential landing spots.
Mariota was considered to be a target for the Eagles, but Chip Kelly put some water on all that after his deal for Sam Bradford. According to ESPN.com, Mariota had his pro day this week and he was solid but not spectacular as he worked out with other Oregon players. The Jets, Browns, Buccaneers and many others were in attendance and ESPN New York writer Rich Cimini called the workout "underwhelming" for Mariota.
The Jaguars and Raiders are both set at quarterback and many think that Oakland could go after Parker, Cooper or White. Oakland loves speed and they need more weapons on the outside for Derek Carr. Cooper is looking like the main target for the Raiders, as he has a great pedigree coming from Alabama and he comes in after having one of the best seasons in SEC history and he could be a great fit in Oakland.
According to 49ers.com, White is moving up draft boards and he could be a high pick after the way he performed at the NFL combine. White went for 4.35 seconds in the 40 yard dash, which is impressive and he also showed off strong ball control for his size at 6-foot-3, 215-pounds. White could also be one of the steals of the NFL draft.
The Cleveland Browns and the NY Jets have interest in trading up and if he gets past number two, expect some calls to start happening. The Jaguars and Raiders are not taking Mariota and now ESPN.com reports that the Redskins could look at taking him. John Clayton reports that Jay Gruden likes Mariota and that Scot McCloughan was at the Oregon pro day checking him out. While RG3 was named the starter, the team is going to also do their homework and they could look at moving on from Robert Griffin eventually.
Dorial Green-Beckham is another option for teams and comes in after putting up 87 catches for 1278 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career. That came at Missouri, and later he transferred to Oklahoma and did not play before declaring for the draft. Green-Beckham had to sit out the season and his waiver request was denied by the NCAA. Green-Beckham has marijuana charges in his past and he also had an alleged incident when he "pushed an 18-year-old woman" down some stairs and that could caution teams from picking him.
