NFL Mock Draft: Full 1st round action

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dolphins do love their headlines…
The Dolphins do love their headlines… /

13. Miami Dolphins (from PHI): Ezekiel Elliott – RB – Ohio State

Why?: The Miami front office lives to make headline stealing moves.  Almost none of these moves work out, but that doesn’t stop them from doing it.  Ezekiel Elliott is one of the biggest headline players in this draft, and if he’s still on the board here, I don’t think Miami can resist him.  Fortunately, and unlike previous big moves, Elliott would actually fill a major need on this team.

Or maybe fix that OL?: Jack Conklin (OT – Michigan State) is sitting on the board still and, realistically, that’s who the Dolphins “should” be drafting here.  Nearly all of their problems on offense can be traced back to an OL that has had every problem imaginable for the past 10 years.  Conklin is a solid and steady player who can fill a need and be a reliable fixture moving forward.

Few players come into the league looking as refined as Reggie Ragland. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Few players come into the league looking as refined as Reggie Ragland. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Oakland Raiders: Reggie Ragland – LB – Alabama

Why?: On paper the Raiders have had a tremendous offseason so far by adding some playmakers at key holes.  However, they still have some soft areas, and one of those is the middle of the defense.

There’s a stigma surrounding first-round players from Alabama, and that’s especially true in Oakland after the Rolando McClain disaster. However, Ragland looks to be a legit foundation piece, and GM Reggie McKenzie thinks with his head, not his heart.

Deep secondary: The Raiders could also use a playmaker at safety.  While Ragland would be a good pick for Oakland, the name that really scares me here is Karl Joseph (S – West Virginia).  He hasn’t gotten the hype he deserves, but this guy is a beast and has all the potential to be a superstar in the NFL.

Next: Picks 15-16