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Yes, it is about that time. The calendar is mid-way through November, meaning the NFL schedule has reached that point where some teams are playing to put themselves in post-season positions, while others are already starting to think about next year's NFL Draft. Well, maybe the teams themselves are not thinking about the Draft, but the fans sure are.
Obviously, the final draft order is a long way from being set, but it could still be fun to start projecting where teams could be looking when the selection process does finally roll around next spring. Dan Kadar from SB Nation's Mocking the Draft did exactly that today, posting an updated 2015 NFL Mock Draft.
The mock begins with the Oakland Raiders selecting USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams with the first overall pick. The move gives Oakland a strong defensive pairing in Williams and Khalil Mack, but does assume the Raiders do not do a Raiders-like thing and dump Derek Carr after one year.
After that, the Jacksonville Jaguars make it two-for-two on defensive players with the first two pick, grabbing Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selecting Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, the New York Jets taking Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, and the Tennessee Titans rounding out the top five with Clemson defensive end/outside linebacker Vic Beasley.
Jumping down to the Miami Dolphins, who are selecting 21st in the current order, Kadar sees them thinking offensive line again in the next draft. A year after selecting tackle Ja'Wuan James in the first round, Miami takes South Carolina guard A.J. Cann in this scenario. Kadar explains the pick:
Cann is the draft's top true guard and would fill arguably the Dolphins' biggest need. A guard will allow Miami to move Mike Pouncey back inside to center.
What do you think of the selection? Would Miami find better pay off in selecting a linebacker, cornerback, or wide receiver at that spot? Or, do you agree that continuing to build the offensive line and getting Pouncey back at center is the number one priority for Miami?