MOCK DRAFT
Round 1
1 BUCCANEERS JAMEIS WINSTON [INSTANT STARTER]
QUARTERBACKFLORIDA STATE
Mariota and Leonard Williams remain possibilities—but if the Bucs trust Winston the person, they'll pull the trigger on Winston the quarterback.
2 TITANS LEONARD WILLIAMS [TRADE BAIT]
DEF. TACKLEUSC
Williams would bolster the D-line, but this is arguably the NFL's least-talented roster, so a trade down for more picks could be a play.
3 JAGUARS VIC BEASLEY [NONISSUE]
OUTSIDE LBCLEMSON
O-line help can come later. This boils down to which edge defender the Jags like most. Beasley would fit Gus Bradley's "Leo" role well.
4 RAIDERS AMARI COOPER [INSTANT STARTER]
WIDE RECEIVERALABAMA
Watch for a trade; Oakland could slide back and still add receiver help. But Cooper is the go-to threat that this offense needs.
5 REDSKINS DANTE FOWLER JR. [NONISSUE]
DEF. END/OLBFLORIDA
An impact O-lineman should fall to the Skins in round 2, but they can't wait till then to find a defender to match Fowler's potential.
6 JETS MARCUS MARIOTA [SINKER]
QUARTERBACKOREGON
Todd Bowles would get the most out of Shane Ray or Randy Gregory. But the new Jets coach needs a franchise QB and has no ties to Geno Smith.
7 BEARS KEVIN WHITE [INSTANT STARTER]
WIDE RECEIVERWEST VIRGINIA
No Danny Shelton? New DC Vic Fangio thrived in San Fran without a massive DT. The dazzling White fills a Brandon Marshall--sized hole.
8 FALCONS BRANDON SCHERFF [VALUE PACK]
TACKLEIOWA
Atlanta could use Ray, but this team is built around passing, pointing the needle in the direction of a first-round O-line pick for the second year in a row.
9 GIANTS DEVANTE PARKER [INSTANT STARTER]
WIDE RECEIVERLOUISVILLE
Parker and Odell Beckham Jr. together? Eli Manning says, Thanks!, and the Giants get to avoid the temptation of rushing Victor Cruz back early.
10 RAMS LA'EL COLLINS [STRETCH]
TACKLELSU
If Winston/Mariota or any of the top three WRs are available, the Rams might jump. If not, the choice comes down to La'el or Landon Collins.
11 VIKINGS TRAE WAYNES [NONISSUE]
CORNERBACKMICHIGAN STATE
The Vikings would love to find a CB to pair with 2013 first-rounder Xavier Rhodes. A possible wild card: the multifaceted Shaq Thompson.
12 BROWNS DANNY SHELTON [VALUE PACK]
DEF. TACKLEWASHINGTON
Cleveland absolutely has to upgrade its run defense, and the Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline free-agent additions provide some leeway at WR.
13 SAINTS RANDY GREGORY [OFF-FIELD CONCERNS]
DEF. END/OLBNEBRASKA
Gregory's fall after a failed drug test will be intriguing. Having traded away Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills, the Saints could pounce on a WR here, too—or at 31.
14 DOLPHINS LANDON COLLINS [TRADE BAIT]
SAFETYALABAMA
He's a long-term answer at safety (while incumbent Louis Delmas is a short-term one). Alternates: Marcus Peters or Kevin Johnson.
15 49ERS SHANE RAY [VALUE PACK]
DEFENSIVE ENDMISSOURI
Aldon Smith could be a free agent in '16, and Ahmad Brooks's future as a Niner is up in the air, so San Fran plans for the future.
16 TEXANS SHAQ THOMPSON [NONISSUE]
LINEBACKERWASHINGTON
This Swiss Army knife is the piece the Texans need at ILB. Bud Dupree would be appealing if there's any doubt about Jadeveon Clowney's knee.
17 CHARGERS ERECK FLOWERS [NONISSUE]
TACKLEMIAMI
The Todd Gurley/Melvin Gordon watch starts with this pick—but adding Flowers would slide D.J. Fluker inside on a formidable O-line.
18 CHIEFS ERIC KENDRICKS [INSTANT STARTER]
LINEBACKERUCLA
His rangy game will fit well in K.C.'s linebacking corps, especially with 32-year-old Derrick Johnson's career turning for home.
19 BROWNS ANDRUS PEAT From Bills [NONISSUE]
TACKLESTANFORD
He'd knock Mitchell Schwartz out of the Browns' RT position immediately and be ticketed for Joe Thomas's LT job down the line.
20 EAGLES ARIK ARMSTEAD [SLEEPER]
DEFENSIVE ENDOREGON
You have to give any Oregon product a slight Chip Kelly--related bump. Armstead's game would be an intriguing fit in Philly.
21 BENGALS MALCOM BROWN [NONISSUE]
DEF. TACKLETEXAS
Domata Peko's days are few if a big body like Brown arrives. A downhill LB—Denzel Perryman, Benardrick McKinney—also fits the bill.
22 STEELERS KEVIN JOHNSON [INSTANT STARTER]
CORNERBACKWAKE FOREST
Time for the Steelers to begin their CB youth movement. Dupree makes sense here too, even with 2013 first-round pick Jarvis Jones still around.
23 LIONS D.J. HUMPHRIES [STRETCH]
TACKLEFLORIDA
GM Martin Mayhew goes best-player-available, almost to a fault. If it's not Gurley here, then Humphries is an immediate starter up front.
24 CARDINALS BUD DUPREE [NONISSUE]
DEF. END/OLBKENTUCKY
Would Arizona prefer to generate more pressure off the edge or (as in 2014) by blitzing up the middle? Dupree would aid the former.
25 PANTHERS T.J. CLEMMINGS [NONISSUE]
TACKLEPITTSBURGH
Easy call: OT or WR. If they don't think Clemmings is ready to step in on the left immediately, the Panthers could gamble on Breshad Perriman here.
26 RAVENS TODD GURLEY [INJURY WATCH]
RUNNING BACKGEORGIA
Running back is not a position of desperate need in Baltimore, making the brilliant (but still-on-the-mend) Gurley a perfect slow play.
27 COWBOYS MARCUS PETERS [OFF-FIELD CONCERNS]
CORNERBACKWASHINGTON
A steal at a spot where Dallas could use an NFL-ready option. That is, if Jerry Jones decides not to go prospecting for his next star RB here.
28 BRONCOS MAXX WILLIAMS [NONISSUE]
TIGHT ENDMINNESOTA
For $38 million less than Julius Thomas, Denver lands a TE with similar skills. But coach Gary Kubiak might want a nimble OL instead—say, Erving.
29 COLTS JORDAN PHILLIPS [NONISSUE]
DEF. TACKLEOKLAHOMA
Perryman and McKinney are options, given Indy's poor LB situation. But Phillips would help stop plays from even reaching that second level.
30 PACKERS OWAMAGBE ODIGHIZUWA [TRADE BAIT]
DEFENSIVE ENDUCLA
A little out of the box on this one, but Julius Peppers is 35 and Odighizuwa's run-stopping skills would mesh well with Peppers's style.
31 SAINTS BRESHAD PERRIMAN From Seahawks [SLEEPER]
WIDE RECEIVERCENTRAL FLORIDA
Having added Gregory at 13, the Saints focus on O. Or: The trading of OG Ben Grubbs means A.J. Cann or Laken Tomlinson would fit here.
32 PATRIOTS CAMERON ERVING [VALUE PACK]
CENTERFLORIDA STATE
The beauty in picking Erving here is that he can push his old FSU teammate Bryan Stork at center or help elsewhere along the O-line.
Round 2
33 TITANS JAKE FISHER [INSTANT STARTER]
TACKLEOREGON
Right tackle is a chasm for the Titans, and Fisher could start right away. Another issue: running back. Could Melvin Gordon hear his name here?
34 BUCCANEERS PRESTON SMITH [SLEEPER]
DEFENSIVE ENDMISSISSIPPI ST.
A year after misfiring on free agent Michael Johnson, the Bucs go back to the DE well. The guy just taken, Fisher, is another one Tampa could use.
35 RAIDERS MELVIN GORDON [INSTANT STARTER]
RUNNING BACKWISCONSIN
Whether or not anyone's noticed, Oakland has pieced together an O-line capable of mauling the opposition. Gordon gives them a legit No. 1 back.
36 JAGUARS JALEN COLLINS [NONISSUE]
CORNERBACKLSU
The Jags add a nice complement to free agent Davon House in the secondary.... Or they could wait on the defense and gain O-line depth here.
37 JETS ELI HAROLD [NONISSUE]
DEF. END/OLBVIRGINIA
The Jets get a badly needed disruptive edge defender. Should they stick to O, they could set off a RB run by finding a partner for Chris Ivory.
38 REDSKINS LAKEN TOMLINSON [INSTANT STARTER]
GUARDDUKE
Tomlinson is arguably the draft's top guard. But Eric Rowe or Derron Smith might be on the board at this pick, and the Skins are weak at safety.
39 BEARS EDDIE GOLDMAN [VALUE PACK]
DEF. TACKLEFLORIDA STATE
He would ease Chicago's move to a 3--4 D. Consider too those safeties mentioned at 38; 32-year-old FA Antrel Rolle's stay is likely to be short.
40 GIANTS ERIC ROWE [NONISSUE]
CORNERBACKUTAH
The Giants have a starting spot open for Rowe at safety—many believe the former Ute is better off there than at corner anyway.
41 RAMS A.J. CANN [INSTANT STARTER]
GUARDSOUTH CAROLINA
And just like that, with Collins and Cann, the Rams' offensive line morphs from a question mark to a position of strength.
42 FALCONS DANIELLE HUNTER [NONISSUE]
DEFENSIVE ENDLSU
Hunter's a work in progress, but the Falcons aren't in a position to be choosy. They can't go another pick in this draft without a pass rusher.
43 BROWNS DEVIN SMITH [VALUE PACK]
WIDE RECEIVEROHIO STATE
In theory, Brian Hartline or Andrew Hawkins could help stretch the field. Smith definitely can. Clive Walford, at TE, would be the less sexy choice.
44 SAINTS BYRON JONES [SLEEPER]
CORNERBACKUCONN
The Saints snag the combine star, leaving questions about who'll eventually replace Drew Brees. (How about Brett Hundley here?)
45 VIKINGS DENZEL PERRYMAN [NONISSUE]
LINEBACKERMIAMI
Behind the Vikes' front four (and beside Anthony Barr) Perryman will be a tackling machine. This team needs OT depth, but it'd be a stretch to look here.
46 49ERS PAUL DAWSON [SINKER]
LINEBACKERTCU
They'll eye P.J. Williams (whose DUI arrest is less of an issue in round 2) but, minus Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, will opt for an aggressive ILB.
47 DOLPHINS JAELEN STRONG [VALUE PACK]
WIDE RECEIVERARIZONA STATE
Strong, Kenny Stills and Jarvis Landry would form a dangerous triple threat. For RB help, Ameer Abdullah and Duke Johnson are still out there.
48 CHARGERS CARL DAVIS [NONISSUE]
DEF. TACKLEIOWA
San Diego could follow Miami's footsteps by filling a skill position—Green-Beckham?—but Davis is a safer pick for a team seeking muscle.
49 CHIEFS DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM [OFF-FIELD CONCERNS]
WIDE RECEIVERMISSOURI
In WRs Jeremy Maclin, Albert Wilson and De'Anthony Thomas, K.C. has some playmakers—but no one who can win on the outside.
50 BILLS BENARDRICK MCKINNEY [SINKER]
LINEBACKERMISSISSIPPI ST.
The Bills' first pick nets them a 246-pound fill-in for free agent Brandon Spikes. (But yes, they might also consider a QB.)
51 TEXANS RONALD DARBY [NONISSUE]
CORNERBACKFLORIDA STATE
Johnathan Joseph could be a free agent in '16 and Darby has No. 1 CB traits. Houston may also seek a WR here with Andre Johnson gone.
52 EAGLES PHILLIP DORSETT [NONISSUE]
WIDE RECEIVERMIAMI
Dorsett's home run skills give him an edge over the WR options. Or, having missed out on Mariota, Chip Kelly may eyeball Hundley here.
53 BENGALS CEDRIC OGBUEHI [SLEEPER]
TACKLETEXAS A&M
He'd be a classic Cincy pick—he could help at multiple spots, even coming off a knee injury, and should grow over the next few seasons.
54 LIONS MICHAEL BENNETT [VALUE PACK]
DEF. TACKLEOHIO STATE
While no one can replace Ndamukong Suh, Bennett's three-technique pass rushing plus Haloti Ngata's run D would ease the transition.
55 CARDINALS P.J. WILLIAMS [OFF-FIELD CONCERNS]
CORNERBACKFLORIDA STATE
Arizona cashed in by taking a chance on safety Tyrann Mathieu in '13 and can do the same here with Williams, who was once seen as a first-rounder.
56 STEELERS CLIVE WALFORD [NONISSUE]
TIGHT ENDMIAMI
Under the assumption that Heath Miller cannot play forever, the Steelers draft his future replacement, who they can use now in two-TE sets.
57 PANTHERS NELSON AGHOLOR [INSTANT STARTER]
WIDE RECEIVERUSC
Kelvin Benjamin was seen as raw entering last year's draft—and then caught 73 passes. Agholor is even better prepared for the NFL.
58 RAVENS ALEX CARTER [STRETCH]
CORNERBACKSTANFORD
Carter would add size and depth to a secondary that can only improve. Joe Flacco would also welcome WR Devin Funchess's downfield talents here.
59 BRONCOS ALI MARPET [SLEEPER]
CENTERHOBART
Marpet's fleet feet must have coach Gary Kubiak interested. A little depth on D should be on the table too—namely, help along the line.
60 COWBOYS JAY AJAYI [NONISSUE]
RUNNING BACKBOISE STATE
Ajayi racked up 397 touches last season—just 52 fewer than the now-departed DeMarco Murray had for Dallas (and in two fewer games).
61 COLTS DERRON SMITH [NONISSUE]
SAFETYFRESNO STATE
The draft's second safety finally comes off the board, to a team woefully undermanned there. (And the Colts still need a linebacker.)
62 PACKERS STEPHONE ANTHONY [VALUE PACK]
LINEBACKERCLEMSON
Unless Perryman, Dawson or McKinney falls to this spot, there's a good bargain here. Able-bodied CBs ought to be on high alert too.
63 SEAHAWKS HRONISS GRASU [INSTANT STARTER]
CENTEROREGON
An obvious—too obvious?—solution to Seattle dealing away center Max Unger this spring: Draft the guy who replaced him at Oregon.
64 PATRIOTS MARCUS HARDISON [NONISSUE]
DEF. TACKLEARIZONA STATE
The Pats upgrade in the trenches; Hardison can be a productive rotational guy right away. A WR like the underrated Tyler Lockett works too.
INJURY WATCH
INSTANT STARTER
NONISSUE
OFF-FIELD CONCERNS
SINKER
SLEEPER
STRETCH
TRADE BAIT
VALUE PICK
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BILL FRAKES FOR SI (WINSTON)
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BILL FRAKES FOR SI (FOWLER)
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JOHN W. MCDONOUGH FOR SI (WILLIAMS)
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JOSHUA S. KELLY/USA TODAY SPORTS (BEASLEY)
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AL TIELEMANS FOR SI (COOPER)
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ROBERT BECK FOR SI (MARIOTA)
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JOHN WEAST/GETTY IMAGES (WHITE)
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JEFF HAYNES FOR SI (SCHERFF)
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JEREMY MCKNIGHT/ICON SPORTSWIRE (FLOWERS)
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TONY GUTIERREZ/AP (KENDRICKS)
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BOB STANTON/USA TODAY SPORTS (PEAT)
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BRIAN MURPHY/ICON SPORTSWIRE (ARMSTEAD)
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GREG NELSON FOR SI (BROWN)
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BRIAN WESTERHOLT/FOUR SEAM IMAGES/AP (JOHNSON)
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FREDERICK BREEDON/GETTY IMAGES (HUMPHRIES)
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WADE PAYNE/AP (DUPREE)
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GARRY JONES/AP (PARKER)
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TYLER KAUFMAN/ICON SPORTSWIRE (LA'EL COLLINS)
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PAUL SANCYA/AP (WAYNES)
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JEREMY MCKNIGHT/ICON SPORTSWIRE (SHELTON)
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JEFF HAYNES FOR SI (GREGORY)
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BUTCH DILL/AP (LANDON COLLINS)
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JOHN DAVID MERCER/USA TODAY SPORTS (RAY)
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ELAINE THOMPSON/AP (THOMPSON)
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CHARLES LECLAIRE/USA TODAY SPORTS (CLEMMINGS)
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AL TIELEMANS FOR SI (GURLEY)
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JOSHUA WEISBERG/ICON SPORTSWIRE (PETERS)
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JEFF HANISCH/USA TODAY SPORTS (MAXX WILLIAMS)
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TIM WARNER/CSM (PHILLIPS)
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TONY GUTIERREZ/AP (ODIGHIZUWA)
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SCOTT HALLERAN/GETTY IMAGES (PERRIMAN)
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ROBERT BECK FOR SI (ERVING)
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MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP (FISHER)
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RICHEY MILLER/CSM/AP (PRESTON SMITH)
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BRIAN BLANCO/GETTY IMAGES (GORDON)
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DERICK E. HINGLE/USA TODAY SPORTS (COLLINS)
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LEE COLEMAN/ICON SPORTSWIRE (HAROLD)
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BRETT DAVIS/USA TODAY SPORTS (TOMLINSON)
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FRANK FRANKLIN II/AP (GOLDMAN)
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RUSSELL LANSFORD/ICON SPORTSWIRE (ROWE)
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KEVIN C. COX/GETTY IMAGES (GREEN-BECKHAM)
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SPRUCE DERDEN/USA TODAY SPORTS (MCKINNEY)
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DOUG BENC/AP (DARBY)
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JOEL AUERBACH/GETTY IMAGES (DORSETT)
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JOEL AUERBACH/GETTY IMAGES (WALFORD)
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CHARLES MITCHELL/ICON SPORTSWIRE (OGBUEHI)
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JAY LAPRETE/AP (BENNETT)
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BILL FRAKES FOR SI (WILLIAMS)
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JOHN RAOUX/AP (CANN)
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JOHN RAOUX/AP (ANTHONY)
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STACY REVERE/GETTY IMAGES (HUNTER)
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AL TIELEMANS FOR SI (DEVIN SMITH)
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MICHAEL DWYER/AP (JONES)
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TOM DIPACE (PERRYMAN)
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KEVIN JAIRAJ/USA TODAY SPORTS (DAWSON)
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VICTOR DECOLONGON/GETTY IMAGES (STRONG)
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MATTHEW PUTNEY/AP (DAVIS)
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HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES (AGHOLOR)
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MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ/AP (CARTER)
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KEVIN COLTON/HOBART COLLEGE (MARPET)
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RICK SCUTERI/AP (AJAYI)
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MARC SANCHEZ/ICON SPORTSWIRE (DERRON SMITH)
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KEVIN CASEY/GETTY IMAGES (GRASU)
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RICK SCUTERI/AP (HARDISON)