This draft season has been absolutely crazy! There is so much up in the air right now. I can’t wait to see what actually happens tonight when the smokescreens disappear and GM’s finally show their cards. Here is my final feeble attempt to pin down this draft.
1. Browns – Baker Mayfield
Is this really happening!? That has been the breaking news of the day and it seems to have some substance to it. I noted in one of my first mock drafts that Scot McLoughan loves Mayfield and he has a big influence over Clevelands board this year. I just can’t believe they’re going to take him at 1. Poor kid. His career ends before it even starts.
2. Giants – Saquon Barkley
There’s a little intrigue here because it was long thought that the only QB they would take would be Sam Darnold and now with recent events Darnold is on the board. The right call here though is Barkley. The NY native has a gold jacket waiting for him and GM Dave Gettleman said that’s what he was looking for all along.
3. Jets – Sam Darnold
There was thought that they had their eye on Mayfield, which could be the reason Cleveland is taking him at 1, but that’s because they didn’t think Darnold would be here. They go with Sam over Josh Rosen
*trade alert*
4. Colts – Bradley Chubb
The Colts give up one of those 2nd round picks they got from the Jets and move back up to get the guy they coveted all along. Chubb brings a feared pass rusher they’ve been missing since the days of Freeney/Mathis.
5. Broncos – Josh Allen
No they don’t trade down here. They take Allen and keep the pick. You didn’t actually think Case Keenum was their guy, did you?
6. Browns – Denzel Ward
The Browns are going to do everything possible to mess this draft up. Taking Mayfield is a good start and then passing on Chubb for an extra mid round pick should solidify it. They love Ward and if they can get an extra pick or 2 and save themselves the embarrassment of taking him over Chubb at 4 they’ll make the trade
7. Bucs – Derwin James
Bucs badly need help at the back end of their defense and have fallen in love with the physical freak from Florida St.
8. Bears – Quenton Nelson
This one is kind of a no brainer. Nelson has ties to the current Bears staff and fills a huge hole up front.
9. 49ers – Raquon Smith
The 9ers have long hoped he’d be available to them and in this mock they get their wish. With Reuben Foster’s career off to a rocky start, Smith brings a presence to the middle of the defense
*trade alert*
10. Bills – Josh Rosen
The Bills jump the Dolphins and only have to give up some mid round picks. Rosen is the last high profile QB on their board and they make sure they get the deal done.
11. Dolphins – Vita Vea
After losing Ndamakong Suh from the interior of their d-line they could use someone like Vea to clog running lanes.
12. Raiders – Tremaine Edmunds
Raiders get one of the guys they wanted at 10 and a little extra for day 2. Edmunds is a big time athlete that you can move all over the defense.
*trade alert*
13. Ravens – Lamar Jackson
The Redskins are said to want to acquire more picks and the Ravens leap the Cardinals for Jackson signaling that the franchise is headed in a new direction.
14. Packers – Minkah Fitzpatrick
The Pack are trying to move up but a top notch secondary prospect falls right into their lap and they pounce all over it
15. Cardinals – Jaire Alexander
They lose the QB musical chairs battle and settle for a corner to play opposite Patrick Peterson. They have met with Alexander several times throughout the draft process.
16. Redskins – Da’Ron Payne
Payne is one of the top targets on their board and picking him along with getting some extra picks is a win for the Skins
17. Chargers – Leighton Vander Esch
LVE fills a big hole in the middle of the defense but a neck injury could send his draft status spiraling. I’m going to bet the neck rumors are false and that he still goes in the 1st round
18. Seahawks – Marcus Davenport
Seattle is definitely in the market to move down but there’s not really a player for other teams to move up for on the board and Davenport fills a huge need so they stay put and reload their pass rush
19. Cowboys – Courtland Sutton
Dak Prescott is not throwing anyone open. This big bodied Dez clone will go up and get it. Dallas has had their eye on him.
20. Lions – Harold Landry
One of the best natural pass rushers in the draft aids and anemic Lions pass defense. He’s a rotational type of player and they better hope the 2016 version shows up.
21. Bengals – Frank Ragnow
They’ve done a lot to upgrade the tackle position by adding Cordy Glenn and now it’s time to upgrade the interior. Ragnow has been flying up boards and would beef up an improving line
22. Bills – Mike McGlinchey
How pumped do you think the Bills would be to come out of this with Rosen and McGlinchey? Because they only moved up 2 spots earlier, they get to keep pick 22 and fill their huge LT hole with the best LT in the draft.
23. Patriots – Kolton Miller
Nate Solder clone fills a big need
24. Panthers – Calvin Ridley
They need to get Cam more weapons and Ridley would be a nice complement to Funchess.
25. Titans – Rashaan Evans
New coach Mike Vrabel would love to add a stud defender like this to the middle of his defense.
26. Falcons – Taven Bryan
Bryan is a guy they seem to have targeted and it fills a big need on the interior d-line after Dontari Poe left in free agency.
27. Saints – Hayden Hurst
As great as this offense is, it’s even better when there’s a threat at TE. Hurst is mature enough to jump right in and produce as a rookie.
28. Steelers – Ronnie Harrison
With all the top linebackers gone the Steelers look to solidify the secondary. Harrison brings a physical presence that is associated with Steelers football.
29. Jaguars – DJ Moore
How could they expect Bortles to succeed with the weapons they have? Moore can line up everywhere and has a little Golden Tate to his game.
30. Vikings – Will Hernandez
Gotta protect your new franchise QB. Hernandez will also open huge running lanes for dynamic runner Dalvin Cook.
31. Patriots – Josh Jackson
Jackson is an excellent ballhawking outside corner who would fill a huge need after the departure of Malcolm Butler
32. Eagles – Justin Reid
I fully expect the Eagles to trade out of this pick but Reid makes a ton of sense as both a current and future need on this defense. His game is right in line with how the Eagles use their safeties and his experience covering the slot is a huge bonus. Other prospects who might make them stay in this spot would probably be Derrius Guice or Leighton Vander Esch.
Let’s get this show on the road!
Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
