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Where do Seminoles Fall in Todd McShay’s New Mock Draft?

By Curt Weiler

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This morning, Todd McShay released the third version of his yearly NFL Mock Draft, and FSU is very well represented on the list with three ‘Noles going in the first round, the most of any single school.

Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) looks to pass in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston (#1 Overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

In all of the post-combine mock drafts I found, they all have the same person going #1 overall. McShay’s mock is no different and has Jameis Winston going #1 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McShay admits that Marcus Mariota is another option with the #1 pick but believes that Winston is the much more likely choice, saying:

"Winston has a clear advantage over Mariota based on his on-field performance. He is such a natural passer in terms of his ability to anticipate throws and deliver the ball accurately, and, to me, if you limit it to an on-field evaluation, he’s second only to Andrew Luck among QB prospects of the past 10 years."

McShay later cites the same “off-field issues” that everyone has cited but also mentions that Winston really impressed the teams who interviewed him at the combine, handling questions about his past and showing an impressive QB IQ.

Nov 22, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles center Cameron Erving (75) warms up before the start of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Erving (#23 Overall to the Detroit Lions)

McShay has Erving at #23 to the Detroit Lions but also says that the Lions could be using this pick for a variety of other positions including defensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver, or running back. However, the Lions allowed 45 sacks last season and also need help on the offensive line. Erving was projected as a second round pick before his impressive combine performance moved him into many first rounds. He was one of only 6 offensive lineman to bench press 225 pounds more than 30 times and also was a top 10 offensive lineman in the 40 yard dash at 5.15.

One of Erving’s biggest upsides is that he is versatile and able to play just about any position on the offensive line. However, McShay thinks that the Lions will draft him to play center, a position he just took up this past season after the injury to Austin Barron.

Oct 18, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) tries to avoid the sack from Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (90) during the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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Eddie Goldman (#28 to the Denver Broncos)

Despite not competing at the combine, Eddie Goldman is still projected to be a 1st round pick by Todd McShay. McShay cites the likely departure of Broncos’ nose tackle Terrance Knighton and how Goldman would be the best available rookie to replace him. Citing Goldman’s size, McShay explains:

"Goldman is a stout run defender at 6-4, 336 pounds. He gets some push as a pass rusher, although that isn’t his strength, but Knighton doesn’t provide much in that area, either."

The fact that Goldman is projected to be a 1st round pick despite missing almost all of last season with injuries shows how solid of a player he is. He chose not to compete at the combine due to injuries he sustained at the end of last season, but it has not knocked him out of the first round of most analysts’ mock drafts. He should be fine for Week 1 of preseason come August.

If you want to read McShay’s whole mock draft, it can be found here (ESPN Insiders only).

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