The NFL draft is looming in the distance. It's the opportunity of a lifetime for a select few college football players to live their dream and join an NFL roster. Each year, dozens of Big Ten players declare for the draft with the hopes of making it as a professional athlete.
The Gophers have had some recent success with players in the NFL draft, most recently with Ra'Shede Hageman being taken in the second round of last year's draft by the Atlanta Falcons. It's always exciting to see the players from your own school make it big and get the chance to live their dream. You cheer for these guys every Saturday; and when their name is called at the draft podium, one can't help but feel a rush of school spirit for their now former Gopher counterpart.
But what if this was expanded to every team's selection? What if only Golden Gopher football players were available in the NFL draft? How would a mock draft of Gopher players to the NFL look? Here, in order of draft position, is the first ever Golden Gopher mock draft.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mitch Leidner, RS Sophomore, Quarterback
The Bucs are clearly in need of a quarterback, as seen by their horrific passing attack last year. They would probably consider Maxx Williams here as well with his potential to be a pass-catching stud at the next level, but Mitch Leidner ultimately fits their need behind center.
2. Tennessee Titans – Maxx Williams, RS Sophomore, Tight End
Maxx Williams graciously falls to the Titans, who would eat up the opportunity to add the playmaker to their nameless offense. Tennessee needs a big name and a marketable player. As far as the Gophers go, who fit this bill, nobody is better than Williams.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Damien Wilson, Senior, Linebacker
The Jaguars need all the defensive help they can get, and with Wilson's ability to stop the run and rush the quarterback, he is the obvious choice.
4. Oakland Raiders – KJ Maye, Junior, Wide Receiver
Maye's ability to catch deep passes would help out the Raiders tremendously. They have a young quarterback in need of a weapon like Maye.
5. Washington Redskins – Theiren Cockran, RS Junior, Defensive Line
The Redskins might look into the offensive talent pool here as well, but the defensive line needs an upgrade. Theiren Cockran showed he could get to the quarterback at times last season.
6. New York Jets – De'Vondre Campbell, RS Junior, Linebacker
The Jets look to fill a need here at linebacker. Jack Lynn still being on the board would be a consideration, but De'Vondre has the size and veteran experience to fit into the Jet's defense right away.
7. Chicago Bears – Cedric Thompson, Senior, Defensive Back
The Chicago Bears fulfilled a need at corner in last year's draft; otherwise, this pick may have been Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Cedric would give the Bears an agile safety to pair with their second Gopher safety, Brock Vereen.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Michael Amaefula, Senior, Defensive End
Amaefula would help the Falcons leaky defensive line with his veteran experience and chemistry with Ra'Shede Hageman.
9. New York Giants – Briean Boddy-Calhoun, RS Junior, Cornerback
The Giants would gladly swoop in and take Brien Boddy-Calhoun here. The Big Ten star recorded five interceptions last season and would help the Giants in need of talent in the defensive backfield.
10. St. Louis Rams – Zac Epping, RS Senior, Guard
Epping would help protect the new Rams' quarterback, Nick Foles. Epping is a redshirt senior and would provide experience and a high football IQ.
11. Minnesota Vikings – David Cobb, Senior, Running Back
This is a scenario that some NFL analysts have predicted will happen come draft night. At some point the Vikings need to look to move on from Adrian Peterson. Why not with Cobb, who set the Gopher rushing record in 2014?
12. Cleveland Browns – Chris Streveler, RS Freshman, Quarterback
With Leidner off the board early, the Browns will make a very Brown-like pick and select Streveler here at 12. Streveler is athletic and can compete with Johnny Manziel, another athletic quarterback the Browns fell in love with, for the starting position.
13. New Orleans Saints – Derrick Wells, Senior, Cornerback
The Cajun defense needs some help. Drew Brees can't win a shootout with another team's quarterback every week and Wells would help ensure he wouldn't have to.
14. Miami Dolphins – Donovahn Jones, Sophomore, Wide Receiver
The Dolphins will look to give Tannehill an offensive weapon here. The athletic Jones would fit the bill at wide receiver.
15. San Francisco 49ers – Cameron Botticelli, RS Senior, Defensive Line
Cameron Botticelli is a natural fit for San Francisco; the team needs defensive help. Botticelli can learn from the veteran experience and follow Chris Borland into retirement after one year.
16. Houston Texans – Eric Murray, Junior, Cornerback
With many of the corners already off the board, the Texans would rush to the podium to select Murray at 16. The Milwaukee native would provide an upgrade in Houston. Besides, who wouldn't love to play behind JJ Watt?
17. San Diego Chargers – Donnell Kirkwood, RS Senior, Running Back
The Chargers need to provide Phillip Rivers with some help in the backfield. Donnell is a bruiser with the size to run between the tackles.
18. Kansas City Chiefs – Isaac Fruechte, RS Senior, Wide Receiver
Fruechte could be the first Chief's wide receiver to catch a touchdown pass in over a year. Why would KC want to pass that up?
19. Cleveland Browns – Steven Richardson, Freshman, Defensive Line
The Browns love to gamble in the draft (see Johnny Manziel). They would have no problem in taking the young Richardson, who has the potential to grow into a stud on the defensive line.
20. Philadelphia Eagles – Damarius Travis, Junior, Safety
The Eagles went on an offensive spending spree this offseason; they need to counter that with some defensive help. Damarius Travis could be the guy.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Josh Campion, RS Junior, Offensive Tackle
Campion could learn behind the veteran Andrew Whitworth before he's ready to take over for the 33-year-old. Andy Dalton could use the blindside help as well.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Grayson Levine, Senior, Safety
Levine would come in with his veteran experience in the hopes of replacing Troy Polamalu. The safety's physicality would fit right in with the rest of the steel curtain.
23. Detroit Lions – Tommy Olson, Senior, Center
The Lions could take a defensive tackle here, but Olson provides an upgrade at the center position. The senior Gopher could ensure the injury-prone Matthew Stafford stays upright.
24. Arizona Cardinals – Gaelin Elmore, Freshman, Defensive Line
The young defensive end would be a slight risk for the Cardinals, as Gaelin has little experience. However, the Cardinals would be making this selection for the potential that Elmore brings, as well as his impressive frame.
25. Carolina Panthers – Jonah Pirsig, RS Sophomore, Offensive Tackle
Pirsig could come in and play day one for the Panther's offensive line. Cam Newton can't do it all on his own.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Jalen Myrick, Sophomore, Cornerback
The Ravens are in need of a new corner. Myrick could push the veterans on the roster for a starting position, and provide insurance in case Ledarius Webb continues to be injury-ridden.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Jeff Jones, RS Freshman, Running back
We're cheating a little bit here, as Jeff Jones has yet to play a down for the Gophers. Jerry Jones, however, wouldn't care. Jones brings excitement and intrigue to a position of need for the 'Boys.
28. Denver Broncos – Joe Bjorklund, RS Junior, Guard
Guard isn't a position of need for the Broncos, but Denver would take the best offensive lineman with the most experience. Bjorklund would need to diversify his game and become a proficient right tackle to help out Peyton Manning; a tall order, but Bjorklund is the best man for the job.
29. Indianapolis Colts – Rodrick Williams Jr., Junior, Running back
The Colts picked up Frank Gore in the offseason, but he's been playing for over 10,000 years. The Colts draft of Rodrick Williams at 29 will develop a successor to Gore and pick up a complimentary back in the mean time.
30. Green Bay Packers – Foster Bush, RS Junior, Offensive line
The Packers would love to have the versatile Foster Bush at pick 30. He might not be around by this pick, but if he is, Green Bay doesn't hesitate. Aaron Rodgers would get some help up front, too.
31. New Orleans Saints – Drew Goodger, Senior, Tight End
The Saints got their defensive help earlier, so now they'll dip back into the offensive talent pool. Goodger would provide a replacement for Jimmy Graham.
32. New England Patriots – James Craig, Freshman, Cornerback
Craig would be another gamble; however, the inexperienced freshman fills a desperate need on the Patriots' roster. The departures of Darrelle Revis and Bradon Browner make the corner position wide open for Craig, who would make the most of his opportunity in New England.
Thoughts? Changes? Let's hear them. Of course, this is all fictitious. It will take Coach Jerry Kill a few more years before the entire first round in the NFL draft is 100% Golden Gophers.
