The College Player Your NFL Team Needs

By Camden Joiner on October 13, 2014

We are only about halfway through this college football season, but fans and scouts alike are already looking forward to the NFL Draft.

Many NFL teams are already out of playoff contention and their fans are searching the college ranks for a potential savior. I’m going to select a current college player that fits a dire need for every NFL team.

I won’t use any player twice and will set up this piece similar to a mock draft format. The order will be based on current NFL records. Only players eligible to enter the draft this season will be selected.

1. Oakland Raiders: Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon

The Oakland Raiders used their second round pick on a quarterback last year with Derek Carr from Fresno State. They could go defense with the top pick, but Carr isn’t working and Raiders fans haven’t had an exciting quarterback in years. It’s quite possible they won’t even win one game this season and Raiders fans deserve a QB that will at the very least be exciting.

Image via latimes.com

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DE/DT USC

The Jags have their franchise quarterback tabbed already, they just have to fill every other position. Jacksonville could use help on the offensive line or anywhere on the defense. Since they used their top pick two years ago on Luke Joeckel, I think they need to select the best defensive player available in Leonard Williams.

3. Washington Redskins: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT Texas A&M

The Redskins lost Robert Griffin III yet again for an extended period of time this season. His complete disregard for the QB slide is mostly to blame, but the poor Washington offensive line certainly isn’t helping. Ogbuehi is the best offensive tackle in the NCAA.

4. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE Nebraska

The Titans could use an upgrade at nearly every position. They still hold faith in Jake Locker and with Zach Mettenberger waiting in the wings they don’t need another quarterback. They do have a need at nearly every position on defense and Gregory will drastically improve their pass rush.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrus Peat, OT Stanford

While Josh McCown certainly doesn’t seem to be the answer for the Buccaneers, Mike Glennon has been steadily improving. I think the Bucs should play it safe here with a very talented offensive lineman instead of a taking a very risky and often inaccurate Jameis Winston.

6. New York Jets: Todd Gurley, RB Georgia

The Jets have a very talented defense set into place, but their offense continues to struggle. Some fans will be hoping for the team to chose Winston, but I think the Jets have dealt with enough train wrecks for one century. Gurley is the most talented back in college ball and could immediately take a lot of pressure off Geno Smith.

7. St. Louis Rams: Jameis Winston, QB Florida State

The Rams have nearly every position set into place except under center. Sam Bradford remains to be consistently injury prone and he isn’t that great even when he is healthy. The Rams are in a fine position to take a possible risk and Winston could turn into a big reward and finally give Rams fans something to cheer about.

8. New Orleans Saints: Trae Waynes, CB Michigan State

The Saints have been one of the most disappointing teams so far this season especially considering many predicted a possible Super Bowl run. But with an ugly 2-3 start and loss of star safety Jairus Byrd for the season, things are only going downhill from here.

New Orleans needs help on the O line and in the secondary, but since the two top offensive lineman are taken at this point, I think they settle for a star corner back.

Image via al.com

9. Minnesota Vikings: Amari Cooper, WR Alabama

The Vikings are a bit of a wild card pick as no one area in particular has a glaring hole. I think the Vikings take the best available player which at this point is certainly Amari Cooper, the best wide out in college football.

10. Cleveland Browns: Brandon Scherff, OT Iowa

Simply enough the Browns’ biggest hole is the offensive line and Scherff is the best available at offensive tackle.

11. Atlanta Falcons: Dante Fowler, DE Florida

The Falcons defense continues to be disappointing. After selecting two CBs in the 2013 Draft, I think they need some serious help on the D line and pass rush.

12. Miami Dolphins: Landon Collins, S Alabama

Both safeties on the Dolphins are in contract years and Miami will certainly need to bolster their defensive backs even if they can manage to retain both players. Landon Collins is the most talented safety in college ball.

13. Chicago Bears: Shawn Oakman, DE Baylor

The Bears have one of the most talented offenses in the NFL, but their defense still needs some work. Oakman could be primed to eventually replace Jared Allen.

14. Kansas City Chiefs: Sammie Coates, WR Auburn

Dwayne Bowe continues to struggle and the Chiefs badly need a threat at the wide receiver position.

15. New York Giants: Vic Beasley, OLB Clemson

The Giants have a gaping hole at linebacker and Vic Beasley brings an immediate aid.

Image via themajors.net

16. Houston Texas: Connor Cook, QB Michigan State

The Texans have one of the best defenses in the league and with Arian Foster bolstering the running game they’re just one piece away. Under center, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been uninspiring and tall QB Connor Cook is just what the doctor ordered.

17. Detroit Lions: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB Oregon

The Lions have continued to ignore their problems in the secondary and their DBs continue to get burnt. Ekpre-Olomu is a ball hawk and could really improve the current group of Lions corner backs.

18. Buffalo Bills: Bryce Petty, QB Baylor

I didn’t like their first round draft choice of EJ Manuel when it happened and it looks like the Bills have finally reached the same conclusion. Manuel was recently benched in favor of Kyle Orton, but Orton is certainly not a long-term option at quarterback and Bryce Petty is the best available at QB.

19. Carolina Panthers: Shane Ray, DE Missouri

With Greg Hardy’s current legal troubles, the Panthers will need to find a possible replacement. Shane Ray from Mizzou is the best available defensive end.

Image via rantsports.com

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB Florida State

The Steelers defense is certainly not what it used to be and the team from the Steel City could use a major upgrade at the corner back position.

21. Baltimore Ravens: T.J. Yeldon, RB Alabama

Ray Rice will certainly never suit up for the Ravens again which leaves a dire need in their running game. Yeldon would fit quite well with the current Baltimore offense.

22. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR Arizona State

Perhaps the most obvious selection of the day, Tom Brady desperately needs an offensive weapon. Outside of Amari Cooper, Jaelen Strong is the top ranked wide out. Standing at 6-foot-3 and well over 200 pounds, Brady might finally have the option of the goal line fade.

23. Green Bay Packers: Shilique Calhoun, DE Michigan State

The Pack doesn’t have any glaring problems that can’t be fixed, but they certainly could use some help on the defensive line.

24. Indianapolis Colts: Markus Golden, DE/OLB Missouri

Exactly like the Green Bay Packers the Colts don’t have too many flaws, but they could use some help with their pass rush.

25. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB Washington

The 49ers filled a hole at safety when they drafted Eric Reid and now it’s the corner backs turn for some new, young help.

26. Philadelphia Eagles: La’el Collins, OT/G LSU

Almost the entire Eagles’ offensive line has been in shambles due to injuries this season and with Collins they add much needed depth.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Leonard Floyd, OLB Georgia

The Cowboys could use an upgrade at nearly every defensive position and Floyd’s speed and athleticism could drastically improve their pass rush.

Image via sports.yahoo.com

28. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin

The Chargers have got off to a great start this season, even defeating Seattle, but their running back core could use an over haul. Ryan Matthews is inconsistent and Melvin Gordon’s power could add an interesting dynamic to their already fluid offense.

29. Arizona Cardinals: Brett Hundley, QB UCLA

The Cardinals have everything set in place except a franchise quarterback. Hundley has that potential and the Cardinals can afford to take the risk with an aging Carson Palmer.

30. Cincinnati Bengals: Spencer Drango, OT Baylor

Cincinnati was the final team to suffer a loss this NFL season and the Bengals are already running away with the NFC North. They are a bit thin on the offensive line however and Drango could promptly enhance Andy Dalton’s protection.

31. Denver Broncos: Eric Kendricks, ILB UCLA

The Broncos added Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware to bolster their defense after being blown out in the Super Bowl vs Seattle, but the linebackers could also use a little help as well.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, TE Michigan

The Seahawks are as close as it gets to a perfect team, but Zach Miller has failed to impress and Funchess would be an improvement at tight end.

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