I take full credit for the second blockbuster trade that happened this last week because no way does that trade go down if I hadn’t done a two round mock draft just days beforehand. This had to be the case because it was a fantastic move by the Browns to move down, remove the temptation to draft another QB and pick up so many picks in the next two drafts. When was the last time the Browns made a smart move? It was all because of me. Okay maybe the new Cleveland brain trust isn’t as stupid as all the previous ones they have had since they rejoined the league. I don’t normally forecast trades but I couldn’t help myself and one trade just made too much sense. I would love to forecast the trade that will take place where someone moves up for Paxton Lynch but if I were that good I would be living in Vegas winning my money instead of working for it.
- Los Angeles Rams (7-9 from Tennessee): Jared Goff QB California
Yes, I changed my choice since my last draft but not because of anything the Rams did or any change of heart I had this is strictly based on the fact that Philadelphia knows something the rest of us don’t. The Eagles didn’t spend a boatload of draft capital to move up to the second spot to take Goff, Doug Pederson loves Wentz and has the patience to wait for him to blossom. The Rams are taking Goff because he is ready to play from day one. Wentz would have won the job too but he would have had to compete with Case Keenum while Goff steps right in. Goff doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as Wentz but his bust potential is lower and he won’t be afraid to step into the intense limelight of LA. Wentz might be a star in four or five years but the Rams roster is ready to move now and that means getting a guy that can be above average next year. I do like Goff and if he went to a team with better WRs I think he could be dangerous but the Rams’ WRs are just okay and I’m not sure he will necessarily raise their level of play.
- Philadelphia Eagles (7-9 from Cleveland): Carson Wentz QB North Dakota St.
They have Sam Bradford as their starter (for now) and they signed Chase Daniel to be the backup but that didn’t stop Howie Roseman from making a major deal to move up from his previously attained #8 pick (in a trade with Miami) to get his new head coach Doug Pederson the QB he wants. I could make the argument that grabbing Ezekiel Elliott at RB is a smarter move or taking Laremy Tunsil as Jason Peters eventual replacement. Jalen Ramsey would be a huge upgrade to their secondary but you don’t make this type of trade to move up for those guys you do it for a QB and a QB only. Wentz checks a whole lot of the boxes you look for when looking for a NFL QB but he is going to need a little time. Bradford is reportedly already upset so perhaps they can trade him to recoup some of the picks they gave up, the Jets and Broncos still need viable starting QBs.
- San Diego Chargers (4-12): Jalen Ramsey DB Florida St.
The Chargers are already essentially on the clock because regardless of the order the two QBs are going #1 and #2 and that suits the Chargers just fine because they don’t need a QB and it means they get their pick of the best player in their estimation. LT Laremy Tunsil, DE DeForest Buckner and Ramsey are the obvious candidates and the Chargers will probably be debating those three all the way to draft day. I’m picking Ramsey because besides being the best player in the draft by my evaluation they need him more than Tunsil and he’s better value than Buckner. They have King Dunlop and Joe Barksdale at OT and they hope they are healthy along with the rest of the line this year and if they are then Tunsil would be a luxury. Buckner is a very good 3-4 DE prospect and while they need that they really need someone at safety to replace Eric Weddle. The depth at DE in the draft is better than it is at safety so they can still get a viable starter at DE later but they can’t get anyone on Ramsey’s level except him.
- Dallas Cowboys (4-11): DeForest Buckner DE Oregon
This could be Joey Bosa but Buckner is the better DE prospect and while he would be an excellent 3-4 end and the Cowboys run a 4-3 defense he can fit anywhere. Greg Hardy has been jettisoned, Randy Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence are both suspended for failed drug tests for the first 4 games of the year and Gregory is a substance abuse time bomb. Buckner can play end and if by some miracle the Cowboys get Lawrence and Gregory back for the long haul Buckner has the ability to slide inside to DT and pass rush from there. There is plenty of talk of Dallas looking to take RB Ezekiel Elliott here and while Jerry Jones is that crazy his son Stephen has been making the decisions lately and he’s far saner. Elliott is a fantastic talent but with Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar returning and the recent signing of Alfred Morris the Cowboys have far bigger worries the RB. They would absolutely love to get their hands on Jalen Ramsey so a trade up one spot is possible if they are willing to give the Chargers a little something.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Myles Jack LB UCLA
Myles Jack is one of the lottery tickets in this draft, he could pay off huge or he could be money down the drain. He is recovering from a knee injury and while some reports say his medical re-check didn’t go well that is most likely just a smokescreen coming from a team trying to push Jack down the draft board. He worked out at UCLA’s pro day despite only being at what he said was about 80% healthy. The Jaguars GM and head coach have met with him and I’m pretty certain they would like to add his playmaking to the free agents they signed in the off season on defense. They signed DT Malik Jackson, CB Prince Amukamara and S Tayshaun Gipson and Jack would give them a player at the LB level. His draft position comes down to his medical evaluation because as a player on the field he is a top 5 talent.
- Baltimore Ravens (5-11): Laremy Tunsil OT Mississippi
Ozzie Newsome has always been and will forever be the guy who goes with the best player available. While he would love to have DeForest Buckner for his defensive line if he makes it to #6 it is pretty much a consensus that Tunsil is one of the top 2 players in this draft with Jalen Ramsey and Newsome can’t ignore that. LT Eugene Monroe hasn’t been very good lately and can’t stay healthy and the Ravens have a $100 million QB to protect. Tunsil makes Monroe’s health less of a problem and potentially makes him a cut candidate or just a backup swing tackle. Just like last year when Leonard Williams fell to the Jets in the sixth spot Tunsil is arguably the best player in the draft and yet he is here for the Ravens.
- San Francisco 49ers (5-11): Ronnie Stanley OT Notre Dame
The 49ers are in flux at QB and still need to make a decision on what to do with Colin Kaepernick. Unfortunately for them with Goff and Wentz going off the board so early they don’t have a chance to grab his replacement unless they reach for Paxton Lynch. As long as Trent Baalke is still in charge I don’t see that happening. Baalke would love to trade down but if he can’t find a trade partner here he should address his offensive line. The offensive line was a strength not too long ago but Joe Staley is aging at LT, Anthony Davis is supposed to be returning at RT from his one year “retirement” and Alex Boone left in free agency to Minnesota. Ronnie Stanley would plug in nicely at RT if Davis isn’t up to the task of returning and he’s a nice potential replacement for Staley. Perhaps the 49ers could even explore a trade for Staley and see what they could get for him.
- Miami Dolphins (6-10 from Cleveland): Ezekiel Elliott RB Ohio St. (TRADE)
I don’t usually do this but I’m calling a trade, okay I never do this but here it goes. If Ezekiel Elliott gets past Cowboys at #4 he’s going to become a hot commodity and the Dolphins won’t have the patience to wait for him. They let Lamar Miller go in free agency and struck out trying to pry CJ Anderson away from the Broncos which leaves them with Jay Ajayi the rookie from last season. I like Ajayi but Elliott is special and they have a prospect crush on him. He would certainly help Ryan Tannehill’s development because he’s a fantastic all-around RB who can run, catch and pick up a blitz. The Dolphins are going all in with Adam Gase and trying to give him some players to coach up.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10): Joey Bosa DE Ohio St.
The Buccaneers will have a choice to make if the draft falls this way. Bosa is the type of pass rusher they need and he fits their 4-3 scheme perfectly. However, it won’t be a lock if CB Vernon Hargreaves is here too. Hargreaves is a top corner prospect and the Bucs secondary was pretty bad last year. Bosa wins out because it has been far too long since the Bucs had a decent outside pass rush and they are wasting the best years of DT Gerald McCoy’s career without giving him some help up front. If Bosa can team with McCoy to improve the pressure the defense generates it will make the signing of CB Brent Grimes more impactful and perhaps resurrect the careers of CBs Alterraun Verner and Jonathan Banks.
- New York Giants (6-10): Vernon Hargreaves CB Florida
The Giants signed Janoris Jenkins to a big free agent deal and he replaces the departed Prince Amukamara and teams with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie but they don’t have much else and Rodgers-Cromartie isn’t getting any younger. The NFL is a passing league and having three CBs is usually a good idea. Hargreaves can come in and play in the slot before he eventually takes over Rodgers-Cromartie’s job outside. The Giants are a team that doesn’t usually reach for need and while they tend to value pass rush over all else on defense I think Hargreaves is better value than DE Shaq Lawson or OLB Leonard Floyd. I would argue they should look to a LB like Reggie Ragland to improve their bad LB corps but they have never seemed to care that they aren’t very good at LB.
- Chicago Bears (6-10): Jack Conklin OT Michigan St.
Conklin isn’t flashy he’s a lunch pail type of player but that should fit right in with the Chicago Bears. The signing of Bobbie Massie was fine if they play him at RT so they can move Kyle Long back inside to guard but if they line Massie up at LT they will get Jay Cutler killed. Conklin won’t ever be confused with Orlando Pace or Walter Jones but he’ll get the job done better than anyone on the current roster. There is a lack of elite LTs in the NFL and Conklin isn’t going to change that but he’s solid if unspectacular and will be quite an upgrade over anything they currently have on the roster.
- New Orleans Saints (7-9): Shaq Lawson DE Clemson
The Saints could certainly use another CB given Brandon Browner was a complete disaster last season and has been let go. The could use a WR to replace the great Marques Colston who was Drew Brees’ favorite target for years. However, this team’s defense has been bad lately and they have virtually no pass rush outside of Cameron Jordan and Shaq Lawson is solid value at this pick. Lawson may never be a Pro Bowl DE but he can be a double digit sack guy and that would be huge for this team. The secondary would be helped mightily if the defensive line could get some pressure and Lawson is better than any CB they could get at this spot if Ramsey and Hargreaves are gone.
- Cleveland Browns (3-13 from Miami): Laquon Treadwell WR Mississippi (TRADE)
The Browns are the wildcard in the top 10 because they certainly need a new QB unless you buy the RGIII redemption story but they also need so many other positions. RT, C, WR and RB on offense are all areas of need so if the Dolphins come through with the right package they will trade down again. They could draft Ezekiel Elliott themselves if they stay at #8 but he would be wasted behind a terrible offensive line. Treadwell has been all over my mock drafts because his future outlook is hard to pinpoint. He could be a dominant physical #1 receiver or he could be just a big-bodied slow WR that never learns to get open. If the Browns really want to give RGIII a chance to succeed at QB it would be wise to give him someone other than TE Gary Barnidge to throw to. Treadwell could make a good target because he helps a QB out with his good catch radius (the QB doesn’t have to be quite as accurate when Treadwell can go up and get the ball). This would be another smart move by the new Cleveland front office, what a concept.
- Oakland Raiders (7-9): William Jackson III CB Houston
The Raiders signed Sean Smith from their rivals the Chiefs to address their CB position and last year their waiver wire pick up David Amerson played fairly well but beyond those two it’s a crapshoot. Perhaps they will replace one former first round Houston CB with another. DJ Hayden has not panned out and it may be time to cut their losses. Grabbing a corner would also allow them to use TJ Carrie at the safety position where they need some help alongside free agent signee Reggie Nelson and Nate Allen. Jackson is a very good prospect and would be a hedge against Amerson reverting to his less than stellar play from his time in Washington.
- Tennessee Titans (3-13 from Los Angeles): Taylor Decker OT Ohio St.
It is not a given that the Titans will draft an OT now that they are picking 15th instead of 1st and have a boatload of picks in the first three rounds. It just so happens that it works out in this mock draft that Taylor Decker is available so their OT situation becomes the tale of two Taylors. Taylor Lewan was all but set to get kicked to RT when the Titans were staring at Laremy Tunsil #1 overall but now it’s not a given. Lewan and Decker can fight it out in minicamp and training camp, one becomes the LT the other the RT but either way it’s better than either Byron Bell or Jeremiah Poutasi lining up at RT. The Titans traded for RB Demarco Murray and while he was terrible in Philly last year he still has some miles left on him so upgrading the line and relying on Murray a bit more would be quite helpful to the development and health of Marcus Mariota. The four other picks in the next two rounds and the extra 1st and 3rd next year should really help Mariota’s development too.
- Detroit Lions (7-9): Sheldon Rankins DT Louisville
Detroit is going to be upset if the top four OTs are off the board as they are in this mock draft and while I love OT Jason Spriggs I’m not sure the Lions feel the same. It’s a new regime in the front office so it’s tough to tell where they will go. DT Haloti Ngata was re-signed but he’s not getting any younger and Tyrunn Walker was hurt last season so some help up front on defense is needed. Perhaps the new front office will go for best available player if the four top OTs are off the board. Rankins is a disruptive force in the middle and while he’s not big he would make for a destructive pairing with emerging DE Ziggy Ansah. WR might seem like a position of need after the retirement of Calvin Johnson but the Lions signed Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley to team with Golden Tate in an effort to not rely on one WR so much. They can still draft an OT in the 2nd or 3rd round and whomever they get will still be an upgrade over current RT Michael Ola.
- Atlanta Falcons (8-8): Reggie Ragland LB Alabama
In my last mock draft, I had Darron Lee going here because Ragland was off the board and the Falcons could prefer Lee over Ragland but I have Ragland rated higher. Lee is more of the coverage LB while Ragland is seen more as the run-stuffing middle linebacker. Either one would be a huge upgrade to the Falcons LB corps and while there is a perception Ragland is just a thumper in the middle he’s pretty athletic himself. Lee has elite speed that Ragland doesn’t possess but the Falcons could really use an enforcer on defense and someone to set a new tone. Ragland would bring an attitude and might light a fire under some of the rest of the front seven in Atlanta.
- Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Leonard Floyd OLB Georgia
I’ve had the Colts taking linemen before and no one would fault them for grabbing G/T Cody Whitehair or OT Jason Spriggs to protect the franchise, Andrew Luck. However, there is a drop off after Decker at OT and while Whitehair will be a very good OG you can get one of those later. Floyd is one of the better athletes you’ll see and the Colts have to get someone to rush the passer. He has great length and can bend the edge on the pass rush which the Colts sorely lack. Robert Mathis is nearly finished, Eric Walden never was any sort of pass rusher and they just cut former 1st round pick Bjoern Werner. Floyd gives them someone they can just turn loose as a pass rusher and hope he can be the guy. They could reach for a safety like Vonn Bell but Floyd is a much higher rated prospect. Floyd is good value and a major need and for their entire team’s sake I hope they don’t waste another 1st rounder on project like Werner or a luxury like WR Phillip Dorsett last year.
- Buffalo Bills (8-8): Noah Spence DE Eastern Kentucky
I find it interesting that the two names most frequently mentioned for the Bills pick are Spence and Robert Nkemdiche, they just so happen to be the biggest off-the-field risks in the draft. No one doubts Rex Ryan’s ability to overlook the red flags. The Bills have to get someone to help out Jerry Hughes if Ryan’s defense is going to dominate the way they need it to in Buffalo. Spence has a long list of off-the-field issues but Ryan needs a new DE to replace the departed Mario Williams who was lackluster at best last season. He is a little undersized at DE but then again so is Hughes but both can get pressure and that is all Ryan will ask. The Bills need a RT, a LB or they could be a surprise place for a QB like Paxton Lynch to go but I think Ryan will go with defense first. Spence wasn’t as dynamic at the combine as many had hoped he would be but that just means he should still be available at 19th instead of going 5-10 picks earlier.
- New York Jets (10-6): Vernon Butler DT Louisiana Tech
Butler is the unknown prospect to many because he comes from Louisiana Tech and he plays nose tackle, you don’t get more obscure than that. I’ve had the Jets taking an OLB because they desperately need one but with Floyd and Spence gone there isn’t much value left at the position. One of the biggest losses no one is talking about from free agency was the Jets losing Damon Harrison to the Giants. Harrison was the unsung hero of the Jets great defensive line and while they grabbed Steve McClendon from the Steelers he’s already 30 years old. Butler is big and physical and could step right in to Harrison’s place. It’s not as flashy as getting a pass rushing OLB but it’s just as important for the Jets defense. I would rank A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed from Alabama as better DTs than Butler but Butler is better suited for the NT position the Jets need.
21. Washington Redskins (9-7): A’Shawn Robinson DL Alabama
The Redskins offense was surprisingly affective last season under the guidance of Kirk Cousins so there are no glaring needs that must be addressed that can’t be said about the defense. There are several holes and a lack of overall talent on the defensive side of the ball so grabbing the best available defender would be a good strategy. GM Scot McCloughan knows that building from the line is a good strategy which is why he signed Chargers free agent DE Kendall Reyes but they still need help. Robinson can play multiple positions on the Redskins 3-man line and if you line him up at DE with last year’s rookie LB Preston Smith on the same side you might actually generate some push and pass rush. The Redskins could certainly use a LB too but luckily for them the signing of CB Josh Norman solved one big secondary problem.
22. Houston Texans (9-7): Jarran Reed DL Alabama
Everyone has Houston taking a WR in round one to pair with DeAndre Hopkins to give Brock Osweiler more weapons but I think the value is elsewhere. There are going to be very good WRs in rounds 2 and 3 but Jarran Reed is a top DL that fits the 3-4 alignment of the Texans. Reed could line up at DE opposite JJ Watt or fill in for aging NT Vince Wilfork. He is known as the other Alabama DT in this draft but he’s just as good if not better than A’Shawn Robinson. The Texans can still get a complementary WR in Round 2 for Hopkins but they won’t find a better fit for their defense than Reed.
- Minnesota Vikings (11-5): Josh Doctson WR TCU
The Vikings need a complement to Stefon Diggs who was pretty good last season but would be better if he wasn’t the #1 guy. Doctson brings size and speed to the position that could really help in the development of QB Teddy Bridgewater. It is a bit of a pick’em between WRs Doctson, Corey Coleman and Will Fuller but Coleman and Fuller are not as big and may be too similar to Diggs. The Vikings could look to trade up a bit if Laquon Treadwell if they think he’s worth a move. The Vikings could also look to Darron Lee at LB as a replacement for Chad Greenway even though they are bringing Greenway back for another year. Lee has the speed and athleticism to take over the OLB spot and play with Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4): Corey Coleman WR Baylor
It seems a foregone conclusion that the Bengals will grab a WR here because they lost Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu in free agency and the pick-up of Brandon LaFell excites no one. It could be any one of a host of WRs at this point and I’m going with Coleman over Michael Thomas or Will Fuller because he’s the better complement to AJ Green and LaFell. Coleman brings deep speed and the ability to play inside like Fuller but he has better hands. The Bengals are a fairly deep team but if they go away from the conventional wisdom they could look to bolster their defensive line depth with a DE like Kevin Dodd or DT like Andrew Billings.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): Eli Apple CB Ohio St.
The Steelers have defied conventional wisdom for several years by passing on CBs in the first round when they clearly have needed them. I was ready to have them pass on one again until they released Cortez Allen after two lackluster years and their 3rd CB Brandon Boykin left in free agency leaving them with William Gay and Senquez Golson, who missed all of last year, as their top two CBs. They have to do something and while Apple has some issues that need to be worked on he has all the physical traits you look for and could be molded into a top CB in the NFL.
26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Germain Ifedi OT Texas A&M
I changed my mind on the Jason Spriggs pick here because while I like him better than Ifedi he is too much of a finesse LT for Seattle’s liking and Tom Cable could turn Ifedi into a very solid OT. This team can’t afford to go into the season with Garry Gilliam and J’Marcus Webb as the starting tackles and my recommendation would be to draft a OT in round 1, an OT in round 2 and then an interior lineman in round 3 and maybe another one in round 4, I’m not kidding. When this team gets to round 4 or 5 I’m going to be screaming Austin Blythe’s name if he hasn’t already been picked.
- Green Bay Packers (10-6): Darron Lee LB Ohio St.
The Packers need to get a LB to line up inside so they can move Clay Matthews back to OLB where he can wreak havoc. Lee isn’t your typical ILB for a 3-4 like the Packers run because he’s a bit undersized but he is fast and versatile and this a team that has lined up Matthews at ILB and Julius Peppers as an OLB. Dom Capers has been pretty good at finding unorthodox ways of using players’ talents and Lee would give him one more piece to use. Whether he moves Lee around so he can use his speed to blitz or assigns him the toughest coverage matchup of the day Lee will improve the Packers defense. Getting either Lee or Reggie Ragland would be a dream scenario for the Packers.
- Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Cody Whitehair OG Kansas St.
Everyone seems to have the Chiefs grabbing a CB to replace Sean Smith and that’s a reasonable assumption but I’m not sure Mackensie Alexander is what Andy Reid is looking for and Reid has a tendency to go for linemen early. While the pick-up of Mitchell Schwartz is an upgrade over losing Donald Stephenson the loss of Jeff Allen in free agency leaves the interior of the offensive line needing help. Cody Whitehair is the best guard in the draft and has the versatility to kick outside if needed. He would be an immediate starter and would really help the running game.
- Arizona Cardinals (13-3): Ryan Kelly C Alabama
The Cardinals are in a position where they don’t need much and their roster is in pretty good shape but they are lacking at the center position. Lyle Sendlein has held down the position for years but he’s a free agent and not expected to return. Kelly is the top center on the board and while the position is usually devalued a bit the Cardinals have the luxury of not caring about that. They have signed free agents and drafted players to improve the line and Kelly would be the final piece. They have to keep Carson Palmer healthy to have an offense at all so this is a good investment.
- Carolina Panthers (15-1): Jason Spriggs OT Indiana
Spriggs has some growing to do as far as his technique and overall skill because he didn’t play the offensive line until he got to Indiana. He has fantastic athleticism and I think his upside is immense. The Panthers started Michael Oher at LT and Mike Remmers at RT last season and while it worked well during the season it was a catastrophe during the Super Bowl. Taking Spriggs would allow them to swing Oher over to RT and even though he’s still not great that would be a preferable combination. I would actually advise them to take another OT in round 2 but I don’t know if they will.
- Denver Broncos (12-4): Andrew Billings DT Baylor
The Broncos need a QB, we all know that, but Paxton Lynch just doesn’t feel right here because I think John Elway will go with a veteran (calling Sam Bradford). Realistically someone is moving up somewhere to take Lynch so I really don’t expect him to be here and I don’t think the Broncos are that team either. What Elway knows for sure is that replacing Malik Jackson’s production from last season is going to be hard and free agent DE Jared Crick ain’t gettin’ it done. Billings is a beast even though he’s a bit undersized. He can play anywhere along their 3-man front and wreak havoc. Having a disruptive interior presence frees up the outside pass rushers Von Miller and Demarcus Ware and we all know how that worked out for them last season.
The New England Patriots hereby boycott the 1st Round of this draft because Roger Goodell is an asshat.
Round 2
32. Cleveland Browns: Mackensie Alexander CB Clemson
Joe Haden played 5 games last season, Tramon Williams is 33 years old and Justin Gilbert is a bigger bust than Johnny Manziel. The Browns roster is a wasteland so whomever they take is going to play…a lot. Take the best player available, that’s Alexander.
33. Tennessee Titans: Chris Jones DT Mississippi St.
The Titans addressed the OT position in round one now it’s time to get a little help on the defensive line. Jones is 6’6 310 lbs. and could help at any of the three positions on the Titans line and he adds great depth that they don’t have.
34. Dallas Cowboys: Kendall Fuller CB Virginia Tech
Orlando Scandrick is coming off knee surgery, Brandon Carr isn’t what he used to be and Byron Jones is better off at safety. Morris Claiborne was finally okay at corner but he’s on a short term contract and he needs help. Fuller is also coming off knee surgery but he’s my favorite CB in this draft when healthy. This is good value once he’s fully recovered.
35. San Diego Chargers: Kamalei Correa OLB Boise St.
This may be too low for Correa as he’s a late riser in the draft process. He brings a pass rush as an OLB which is exactly what the Chargers defense needs. If Correa can be a playmaker in the front seven it will make Jalen Ramsey that much more of a playmaker on the backend.
36. Baltimore Ravens: Emmanuel Ogbah DE/OLB Oklahoma St.
Ogbah is an interesting fit since he’s more of a 4-3 DE but the Ravens once took a DE named Terrell Suggs and moved him to OLB and that worked pretty well. Ogbah has good athleticism and he gives them some youth at OLB.
37. San Francisco 49ers: Paxton Lynch QB Memphis
If Lynch is still here the 49ers have to pull the trigger, I don’t think the 49ers would pull the trigger at 7th overall but they may trade down from there or potentially move up between 15-25 to grab Lynch. I’m not a huge fan of his but someone will take a shot. Lynch isn’t going to be the 37th pick in this draft but he wouldn’t fall any farther.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kevin Dodd DE Clemson
The Jags offense is fine and they have concentrated this off season on defense and one thing they know for sure is you can never have too many pass rushers. Malik Jackson was brought in to bring pressure inside and they hope Dante Fowler can attack off the edge but DE Jared Odrick isn’t much of a pass rusher so Dodd could be an immediate pass rushing specialist.
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vonn Bell SS Ohio St.
The Buccaneers got the pass rusher they wanted in Ohio St’s Joey Bosa in round one and now they come back around to his teammate Bell in round two. The Bucs secondary is pretty bad but Brent Grimes helps at CB while Alterraun Verner and Jonathan Banks still have hope at CB, safety on the other hand is pretty bad. Bell would walk in as a day one starter.
40. New York Giants: Derrick Henry RB Alabama
The Giants haven’t been great lately and ownership is getting a little restless. Rashad Jennings is a nice RB but Henry could be an upgrade. I’m not a big Henry fan but he checks all the boxes; big, physical, fast, etc. Eli Manning would probably benefit most here towards the end of his career having a dominant running game.
41. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Bullard DE Florida
Bullard gets lost amongst the DE/DT/OLB group in this draft because his position is unclear. He is extremely versatile and was used in so many different ways at Florida. Bullard is strong and stout and would help the Bears as a 3-4 DE but could bring pressure too.
- Miami Dolphins: Su’a Cravens LB/SS USC
Cravens is a bit of a mystery because he was at one time a dominant SS and enforcer for USC and then they moved him to LB. He could play OLB in the NFL or SS but either way his versatility would be a good thing for the Dolphins as they need help at both spots.
43. Tennessee Titans (from LA): Artie Burns CB Miami
Taking care of the offensive and defensive lines with their first two picks they can grab a nice CB prospect with one of the many picks they got in their trade from the Rams. Burns would be a welcome addition to a less than stellar CB group and that’s exactly why the Titans made this trade, time to get upgrades all around.
44. Oakland Raiders: Robert Nkemdiche DT Mississippi
A guy with a troubled past going to the Raiders is nothing new but this isn’t like old times. The Raiders are actually in a positon to be a good place for Nkemdiche. Derek Carr and Khalil Mack are the new leaders of the team and veteran coaches like Jack Del Rio and Ken Norton Jr. would be great for him. He would be a nice versatile defensive line piece to line up at DT or DE. However, I’m not sure a potential future franchise move to Las Vegas is a great idea for him.
45. Tennessee Titans (from LA): Jaylon Smith OLB Notre Dame
This is the other reason making the trade was so huge. Jaylon Smith is a top 10 talent in this draft with a major medical question due to a knee injury. He probably isn’t going to play next season at all but when you have six picks in the top 76 you can take a chance on getting greatness down the road. It’s terrible what happened to Smith and he may never be the same but if he makes a full recovery he becomes a major piece of the Titans future.
46. Detroit Lions: Shon Coleman OT Auburn
Coleman is a great story because at 18 years old he found out he had cancer and after a two year fight he beat it and went on to play college football at Auburn. He’s a bit older than your normal prospect but he’s big, physical and pretty athletic. The Lions need a new RT and Coleman could plug in from day one. Matthew Stafford would welcome him with open arms.
47. New Orleans Saints: Joshua Garnett OG Stanford
The Saints cut Jahri Evans for salary cap purposes earlier this off season after a long career with the team and it leaves them very thin up front. Garnett could step in immediately as a starter on an offensive line with little depth.
48. Indianapolis Colts: Nick Martin G/C Notre Dame
The Colts need help on the interior of their line and Martin has the ability to play both guard and center. He isn’t the player his brother Zack is for the Cowboys but he’s pretty good and gives the Colts some options inside.
49. Buffalo Bills: Deion Jones LB LSU
The Bills LB corps is nothing special and Jones would bring speed and athleticism to Rex Ryan’s unit. His youth would be nice given Manny Lawson isn’t getting any younger.
50. Atlanta Falcons: Hunter Henry TE Arkansas
TE is the weakest position in this draft which might push Henry higher up the draft board than he should be so he might not make it this far. He is the only TE I expect from this draft class to help his team next year at all (South Carolina TE Jerell Adams is a nice prospect but he’s really raw). Henry is a good all-around TE and would be a major upgrade for Atlanta and he would become a Matt Ryan favorite.
51. New York Jets: Shilique Calhoun DE/OLB Michigan St.
Calhoun was a DE for the Spartans but he has the size and athleticism to play as a pass rushing OLB for Todd Bowles defense. He will take some time to transition to LB but his natural pass rush instincts will be used immediately as the Jets have a huge need to bring pressure off the edge.
52. Houston Texans: Will Fuller WR Notre Dame
Fuller is a speed demon that will take the top off the defense and give Brock Osweiler a chance to unleash his arm. The only problem is that Fuller drops too many passes but I think the Texans can live with that if he takes some coverage away from DeAndre Hopkins. Fuller may go higher than this but he shouldn’t.
53. Washington Redskins: Keanu Neal FS Florida
Neal has been a late rising prospect and he brings some much needed talent to a position where the Redskins are lacking. They converted DeAngelo Hall to safety at the end of last season because they were so in need of players. Neal needs some experience and refinement but he’s a major upgrade to what they have. Adding Neal and Josh Norman would fix a lot of problems in the secondary.
54. Minnesota Vikings: Karl Joseph SS West Virginia
The Vikings signed Michael Griffin from Tennessee in an effort to give Harrison Smith some help at the safety position but Griffin is a 10-year veteran and his tank is on E. He could be a great mentor and a short stopgap measure to Karl Joseph who is a pretty good safety prospect that would look very good paired with Smith.
55. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenny Clark DT UCLA
Domata Peko and Pat Sims aren’t getting any younger and the Bengals need to have someone with some heft next to undersized DT Geno Atkins and Clark is a beast. He could come in and push those guys down the depth chart and maybe one of them right off the roster.
- Seattle Seahawks: Sean Davis CB Maryland
As much as I want to give the Seahawks another lineman Davis actually fits their profile pretty well. He’s a big CB prospect at 6’1 201 lbs. and he has played safety before and is a physical player. The Legion of Boom needs someone opposite Richard Sherman and re-signing Brandon Browner is not the answer.
- Green Bay Packers: Austin Johnson DT Penn St.
The Packers got their new LB in round one now what they need is some beef up front to replace the retired BJ Raji and keep their new ILB clear of blockers. Johnson is 314 lbs. of beef and he can anchor against the run extremely well. He fits the NT mold and will be a nice fill in.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Thomas WR Ohio St.
This may seem like a strange pick but with Martavis Bryant suspended for the year it leaves the Steelers with Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton as the top two WRs. Brown is fantastic but he and Wheaton are smaller players. Ben Roethlisberger likes to have one big guy and Thomas fits the bill. Bryant’s future is murky at best so Thomas is a nice alternative to have.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Kentrell Brothers ILB Missouri
The Chiefs still have Derrick Johnson inside leading the way on defense but he’s been in the league 12 years and Jason Mauga is just a guy next to him. Brothers is one of the better ILB in this draft and if the position was valued a little bit more he wouldn’t make it this far. He’s a potential immediate starter in place of Mauga and he could eventually be the rock Johnson has been for so long.
60. New England Patriots: Le’Raven Clark OT Texas Tech
The Patriots have had an interesting off season as they jettisoned young pass rusher Chandler Jones for a pick (the next one) and a OG that needs a fresh start, Jonathan Cooper. They went out and found plenty of veteran help meaning they don’t have any real glaring needs. DT Terrance Knighton, DE Chris Long and TE Martellus Bennett should all play huge roles for this team. The Patriots have Sebastian Vollmer and Marcus Cannon going into the last year of their contracts and Nate Solder coming back from an injury so Clark would be a solid investment. Considering Clark played in Texas Tech’s high volume passing offense he should fit right in with the Patriots.
61. New England Patriots (from Arizona): Tyler Boyd WR Pittsburgh
They signed Chris Hogan as a restricted free agent away from the Bills and they added veteran Nate Washington to be a deep threat but Danny Amendola could be cut at any time and Julian Edelman is the only real threat at WR. Boyd would be a welcome addition and would give the Pats a young outside receiver to take pressure off of Edelman and Gronkowski. (Ok I’ll admit it I made this pick because I love Boyd and would love for the Pats to take him but it’s also a smart move, oh and I pray Bill Belichick doesn’t take a CB or S here because he’s terrible at drafting those positions this high).
62. Carolina Panthers: Carl Nassib DE Penn St.
They lost Jared Allen to retirement and Charles Johnson is back on a one-year deal and he isn’t getting any younger. Kony Ealy played well in the playoffs but he could use a hand. Nassib played well last year and could be a strong addition to a position of need.
63. Denver Broncos: Joshua Perry LB Ohio St.
Yes, I have them passing on a QB again. They lost Danny Trevathan in free agency and could really use someone to line up at ILB next to Brandon Marshall. Perry is big and versatile and he would step right in and play well at that position.
The Hott Read 