AA Writers Mock Draft: Player Preview

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the NFL shield logo and main stage before the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Addicts, as we told you on Friday, eight of your favorite AA writers got together and conducted a mock draft. We will begin posting that draft on Monday at noon, Arrowhead time. The picks will be posted at about an hour apart, with seven picks per day posted on Monday through Thursday and then the final four picks posted on Friday along with a draft recap.

In order to get you thinking about who your favorite writers drafted, I’m going to tell you who the top eight picks were (each writer’s first pick of the draft), just not where they were drafted. I’m curious to see where you would place them.

So, without further ado, here are the top eight players — in no particular order — drafted by your favorite AA writers.

Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

Bortles is a two year starter for the UCF Knights. While he doesn’t possess a huge arm, he’s able to get the job done, throwing 25 TDs in each of his starting seasons. He led the Knights to a 11-1 season this year and then a win over Baylor in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Jadevon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Claimed by many to be the best player in the draft this year, Clowney is quite the specimen. Whether it was rushing the passer or stopping the run, the young man from S. Carolina seemed able to do it all. But, where will he land in our mock draft?

Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Watkins caught 101 balls and scored 12 touchdowns for the Clemson Tigers last season and is hands down the best receiver in a draft stacked at the position. He’s got the speed to stretch the field as well as precise route running.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

The Louisville Cardinals signal caller flew to the top of the draft board and many say he’s the best QB in this year’s draft. He was a three-year starter in Louisville and continually improved, finishing with 72 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Half of those INTs came in his first year.

Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

The AA Writer who selected Barr said “I believe Barr is going to blow people away and I think his ceiling is higher than Clowney’s.” I guess time will tell. But what team did we mock him to? Come back Monday to find out!

Johnny “Football” Manziel, QB, Texas A&M University

There hasn’t been a more flamboyant, more controversial college quarterback to enter the draft than Johnny Football. He has absolutely dominated in college, winning the Heisman Trophy as a freshman, but will that success translate to the NFL? And who took him where?

Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M University

Two Aggies are going in the top eight picks of our mock draft. Matthews is clearly the best OL in the draft, but who is in need of a LT bad enough to take on in the first round? We’ll know the answer on Monday!

Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

Our writers selected four QBs with the first eight picks of the draft. Carr had over 5,000 yards passing in 2013 with a 69 percent completion rate with 50 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. This kid could be a superstar as a rookie. Who will take him?

That’s it, Addicts. Those are the first eight players selected in our mock draft. Where will they fall? Join us right here on Monday to find out! See you then!