Mock Draft 1.0

      The 2015 NFL Draft is still almost two fulls months away and a lot is going to change in that time period. First off, I'll be extremely sleep deprived as Baby #2 will have made his grand entrance by then. Secondly, there will probably be a trade or two that changes the first round of the dynasty draft as no one can sit still. Trying to predict what will happen is like the weather. Everyday you have a 50/50 shot at being right. However, by laying out what I think will happen can either sway other owners into drafting players they otherwise would not or it will help reaffirm drafting of said player. I know this is dangerous waters for me to embark on because it does give the rest of you a glimpse into my war room. But let's face it, I don't pick until the end of round two so guessing what will happen in round one shouldn't impact my decision making.  Before we get started, I am laying out this mock based on talent and where I think players will end up. Like I said earlier, a lot of things will change in the next two months. 

(1.1) Hawkins' TBD Team:
Todd Gurley RB

Take away that ACL injury and Gurley runs his way into the top 5 overall in the upcoming draft. Running backs are being diminished by many NFL teams but Gurley is a talent that cannot be overlooked. There are several teams that could use Gurley as a day one starter but he could also land on a team like Seattle where he could 'redshirt' and rehab that ACL further. There is a concern that he could end up like Marcus Lattimore, but Gurley's injury was far less gruesome than the one Lattimore sustained. He's the closest thing to Beastmode in this draft and Hawkins team is desperate for a bell-cow back. With only one pick in the first three rounds, this one has to count. Gurley or whichever back lands a starting role should be Hawkins' first selection.   

(1.2) Size Does Matter:
Melvin Gordon III RB
You could make a case for wide receiver at this spot, but looking at the roster, someone to tote the rock is the most glaring need. Adrian Peterson is the stalwart and there are nice pieces with Mason, Blount, and Sproles; but MGIII could very well be the first back selected in April. Regardless, Gordon will find himself on a team ready to challenge for lead-back duties. Some say he has a fumbling issue and others are concerned with the lack of success that Badger runningbacks have found in the NFL. I think they are both moot points. The Talent is undeniable and Smarty should make the 'smart' move and draft Gordon. 

(1.3) Average Joe's (from Natty Bohs):
Kevin White WR
Like a fat kid going back for seconds, he doesn't need it. That won't stop the Average Joe's from selecting the 1-year phenom out of West Virginia, Kevin White. He's got everything you want in an outside wide receiver and at the combine he flashed (literally) his wheels as well. I am very concerned that he may prove to be a developmental talent given that he only played one year at the top level of the NCAA and tended to shrink a little against top defenses, but the upside is too good to pass up. The Joe's really could go anywhere with this pick, but I see the top two running backs being gone and the Joe's will gladly gobble up the wide receiver that lands in the best spot. My guess? Mr. White takes Mr. White.

(1.4) Gold Standard (from Launchpad McQuack):
Jay Ajayi RB
Here's one that I think will catch people by surprise. It's no secret that Gold Standard is pretty much set at wide receiver for the next decade. The one gap lies at running back. There is plenty of lottery tickets but the squad lacks a true number one at this point in the game. I think Gold Standard goes after a guy that can do it all and that's the Baby Beastmode from Boise. He may not be Marshawn Lynch just yet but he possesses all the tools to do it. He reminds me a little more of Le'Veon Bell in that he's just as dangerous, powerful, and nimble when he catches the ball out of the backfield. He's hard to take down and is a very patient runner but how will he fair against good competition? Gold Standard needs a bell-cow, they hope they'll find a beast in Ajayi.

(1.5) Milk Steak:
Ameer Abdullah RB
I wrote in a previous article that running backs go fast in the dynasty drafts and I'm not backing down from that sentiment. Other than Marshawn Lynch, Milk Steak needs help in the ball carrier department. Ole has already invested in wide receiver and needs to go running back. Abdullah I imagine will fall a bit in the draft and end up on a great team that will accentuate his skill set. The team that gets this guy will have found a gem, as he's one of the most physical runners you can find for a person his size. He has no red flags other than his smaller than prototype size and a few too many fumbles. That being said, I could see him getting scooped up by one of these teams that has a hole in the backfield. Abdullah will fill it, given the opportunity.  

(1.6) Tom-A-Hank:
Amari Cooper WR
With running backs going faster than iPhones on release day, Tom-A-Hank will get probably the most polished and pro-ready receiver in this draft at six overall. The team's true need is probably running back, but at this spot Cooper is too good to pass up. Last year, Tom-A-Hank reached on running back Kadeem Carey and allowed several extremely talented players to fall much farther than they should. That won't happen again. Cooper will end up leading either a revitalized Oakland offense (Julius Thomas? Randall Cobb?) or St. Louis. He's got the goods to be Offensive ROY given the right situation.

(1.7) Luck Dynasty (from Keenan & Robs):
Jeremy Langford RB

The Wednesday night trade for Brandin Cooks almost seals the notion that Luck Dynasty will be looking at running back (so will the rest of the first round drafters apparently) with their first pick. I think Langford fits the bill for this team. He's drawing criticism right now as a one-dimensional running back, but I don't see it. He showed up in the biggest games (137yds, 3 tds on 18 carries against THE Ohio State) and performed incredibly even when facing a stacked box. He's also a good pass catcher and protector. I think taking a tight end here is a bit of a reach and grabbing Langford will be a fail-safe in case the runners behind Charles and Lacy don't pan out.  

(1.8) Tom-A-Hank (from Average Joe's):
Tevin Coleman RB
After grabbing Amari Cooper two picks earlier, Tom-A-Hank needs to go after a running back. This is just a guess, but I think Coleman will end up on a team that doesn't have a true day one starter on the roster. The Big Ten this year was loaded at running back and probably it's best player (Ezekiel Elliot) isn't draft eligible. You can't look at Coleman's stats and say that this year was a fluke. The combine was a little disappointing but the underwear olympics shouldn't be the deciding factor in drafting a talented player. Coleman has the talent. 

(1.9) Average Joe's (from Luck Dynasty):
TJ Yeldon RB
After scooping up Kevin White earlier, the Average Joe's will look to add the best available player to the roster. Tight End and Quarterback here would be a reach, leaving TJ Yeldon as the best option to bolster the Joe's already potent squad. The Joe's have familiarity with Nick Saban's Alabama boys. They picked Eddie Lacy two years ago and unfortunately cut ties too soon. This time will be different. Yeldon follows the footsteps of Ingram, Richardson, and the aforementioned Lacy as big power-running backs. Here's hoping he has a career more similar to the Latter of those gentlemen.  

(1.10) For Narnia:
Dorial Green-Beckham WR
This is where the run on running backs will start to cause problems. Do you go with need or draft the best available? My feeling is that For Narnia will pick up another talented wide receiver and break the streak of ball carrier dominance in this draft. DGB is raw but has everything you want in a wideout. Size, Hands, and Speed. He didn't have the fastest times in Indy, but he's also been out of football for a year. There are going to be plenty of pass catchers drafted in the actual NFL draft and DGB could end up in a very fantasy friendly environment making him too good to pass up For Narnia. 

(1.11) Gold Standard:
Javorius 'Buck' Allen RB
 Like I said earlier, Gold Standard is set for the next decade at wide receiver. Yes, the options will look tempting and he may try to trade back or select a guy like Devin Smith or DeVante Parker in hopes of a trade, but I think he goes after another running back and plays the numbers game at that position. Buck Allen will probably be drafted as a complementary back but in today's NFL it's almost impossible to find teams willing to give the ball to just one guy. I think even in a time-share Allen will make the most of his opportunities and his skills as a pass catcher makes him very intriguing.

(1.12) Luck Dynasty (from I Vincitori):
Jameis Winston QB
This is where fantasy meets reality as Jay Cutler is currently being shopped by both the Bears and Luck Dynasty. My thinking here is that Winston will be the first quarterback selected and he walks into a great situation in Tampa Bay. Luck Dynasty has a history of drafting rookie gunslingers and then parlaying them into lucrative trades down the road. They did it with Cam Newton and by selecting Famous Jameis, they could be setting themselves up for a great bye-week replacement or future trade bait down the road.