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We are into the final week of preparation for the NFL draft. With that, the experts will be coming hard with their mock drafts, and we have another one for you this afternoon. This time, it is a combined draft from two of the leading draft experts.
Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have released a combined mock draft, and they don’t do one of that nature very often, so it seemed like it was worth giving a look (Insider subscription required). They have together written a three round mock draft, with the two alternating picks, beginning with Todd McShay picking for the Bucs at number one.
As it is a premium product from ESPN, we cannot reveal the entire mock here. I will tell you that McShay began the draft by choosing Jameis Winston with the first pick, which is what we all expect to happen anyway.
The alternating means that Mel Kiper chooses the sixth pick of the draft, for our beloved New York Jets. Who did Kiper choose with the Jets first draft pick? Let’s take a look…
Next: Round One
Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive linemen
Brandon Scherffruns the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Arguably the best player available,. He can help my running game immediately, which makes my offense (and the passing game) more efficient. I looked at wide receiver here, but Scherff makes us better right now, and this roster is closer to really good than many realize.
This wouldn’t be my favorite choice here, but it is a sensible one, and would improve the Jets immediately. Vic Beasley is still on the board, he is the player I most covet in this draft, and that would be my choice at number six. But, the Jets do need an offensive lineman, and Brandon Scherff is a good one. The fans would not like this draft pick, but it is a safe one, and one that will make the Jets better quickly.
The second round choice is made by McShay. Have a look:
Next: Round Two
Jan 22, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad defensive end Hau
Hau’oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington
Kikaha is one of my favorite players in this class, he’s a good value here and fills a need at edge rusher for the Jets, who took Brandon Scherff in Round 1.
If you are not going to take the pass rusher in the first round, take him in the second round. This is a great spot in the draft for Kikaha, I agree with McShay here. Take a look at Kikaha’s dominance off the edge:
Defense & Fumbles
36 sacks is a huge number for a college player. I don’t care what level it is, 19 sacks in one season is tremendous, and more than many are able to put up in an NFL season. Kikaha is a good choice here in the second round of the draft.
Kiper makes the third round choice, and final choice of this mock draft.
Next: Round Three
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; East Carolina wide receiver
Justin Hardycatches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina
They have the O-line help as well as a pass-rusher, so I’m grabbing a ready-to-help wide receiver in Round 3.
Here are Hardy’s stats for anyone unfamiliar:
Receiving & Rushing
Justin Hardy is the NCAA all-time leader in receptions with 387. That doesn’t necessarily translate into a great WR in the pros. Ask the Jets about Jordan White if you want to discuss prolific college WR’s. But, since the Jets have addressed the offensive line and edge pass rusher in the first two rounds of the draft, Hardy is a good pick here.
What do you guys think?
Next: Mike Maccagnan Pre-Draft Press Conference