NFL Mock Draft 3.0 – Round 1
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
22.) Packers – S Calvin Pryor, Louisville (5’11, 207): With holes everywhere on defense, the Packers will be looking for the best defensive player on the board. Pryor has the versatility to play either safety position is a perfect fit for Dom Capers scheme. He’s also a big hitter with good range in coverage and will be an upgrade at either safety position. His coverage technique still needs some polish, but he improved every year at Louisville and should eventually be a Pro-Bowl caliber safety.
23.) Chiefs – WR Odell Beckham, LSU (6’0, 187): Beckham is a polished receiver with exceptional quickness, hands, and route-running ability. The Chiefs need to give Alex Smith some weapons besides Charles and D-Bowe. Beckham is a well-rounded receiver who can be effective on either deep or underneath routes. He is very explosive after the catch and should thrive in KC’s short passing game. Beckham’s size is less than ideal, but he makes up for it with crisp route-running, sticky hands, and blazing speed.
24.) Bengals – DE Kony Ealy, Missouri (6’5, 275): With no glaring needs on either side of the ball (depending on how you feel about Andy Dalton), the Bengals can take the best player on the board. Ealy happens to fill a need as well with last season’s starting DE Michael Johnson gone via free agency.
25.) Chargers – CB Jason Verrett, TCU (5’10, 176): If he were two inches taller, Verrett would be a lock for the top 15 pick. He might have the best man coverage skills in the draft and is good against the run despite his small frame. The Chargers might have had the worst CB combo in the league last year, so CB is all but a lock for their first round selection.
26.) Browns – WR Marquise Lee, USC (6’0, 190): The Browns have a #1 receiver in Josh Gordon, but literally no one else at the position. Gordon needs some help and Lee has all the tools to a borderline #1. Lee struggled in 2013 due to a combination of injuries and bad QB play, but was dominant in both 2011 (73, 1143, 11) and 2012 (118!, 1721, 14). They could go with Brandon Cooks here instead, but I think Lee has more upside.