NFL Mock Draft 3.0

Uncategorized 30 Minutes

NFL Mock Draft 3.0 (Post New League Year aka Free Agency and Trades)

Free agency and trades always change the draft needs of so many teams and while most of the world has come to a standstill NFL free agency moved forward.  There have been big name free agent moves like Tom Brady to Tampa Bay and Phillip Rivers to Indianapolis and major trades like DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona, Stefon Diggs to Buffalo and DeForest Buckner to Indianapolis.  However, it isn’t just the major free agents that change things, smaller moves can make some positions less important and other moves may make another a major need.  Free agency isn’t over and more moves will change teams’ perspectives.  For example, there are quite a few quality CBs still on the market so a team like the Cowboys, who seem to have a crying need at the position, may choose to fill it with more cost-efficient free agents instead of in the draft.  The QB market moved pretty quickly but there are still a few big names out there and few teams with holes to fill.  Here’s what I see so far after the first wave of free agency.  Oh yeah, and two teams traded their first-round picks for players; Indianapolis traded for DeForest Buckner and Buffalo traded for Stefon Diggs.

Round 1

  1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14): Joe Burrow     QB      LSU

The Bengals have made a few moves in free agency, the biggest was placing the franchise tag on WR AJ Green.  It’s a risk considering his injury history the last several years and the fact it might upset him but they are trying to hold onto him for one reason, Joe Burrow wants them to.  Burrow knows he needs playmakers and when healthy Green is a potential top five WR in the league.  Barring a Godfather-like offer from a team like the Dolphins or Chargers to move into this spot the Bengals are starting their rebuild around Ohio native Joe Burrow.  He has a lot of physical qualities similar to Tom Brady and the Bengals hope he lives up to the billing.

  1. Miami Dolphins ***(from Washington)***: Tua Tagovailoa     QB      Alabama

I still think this is the most likely trade early in the draft and free agency has only convinced me more.  The Dolphins come into the draft with three first round picks and that was good news considering the state of their roster.  However, they have spent like drunken sailors in free agency and they have far less needs.  They have signed at least seven likely starters; OG Ereck Flowers, OC Ted Karras, RB Jordan Howard, DE Shaq Lawson, LBs Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts, and CB Byron Jones.  The team has seemingly been attached to Tua since they traded Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills and their “tanking for Tua” plan was off and running.  They were too good to end up with the first pick but a confluence of events puts them in position to get Tua anyway.  If he can get healthy and stay healthy Tua will be the best QB in a Dolphins uniform since Dan Marino, it’s a bit of a gamble but when you’ve been searching or a QB for 20 years, you have to take a shot when you have it.

  1. Detroit Lions (3-12-1): Chase Young     DE      Ohio St.

The Lions were bad on defense and Matt Patricia needs to get this right or he’ll be out the door sooner rather than later.  Young is best prospect in the draft regardless of position but because QB is such an important position he falls here to #3, that’s lucky for the Lions.  The pass rush wasn’t great last year and while Trey Flowers is a good overall DE, he’s not an elite pass rusher.  Young has all the tools to be a 15 sack guy.  With the team trading CB Darius Slay and replacing him with free agent Desmond Trufant they are going to need more pass rush to make their defense better.  The team signed Jamie Collins in free agency to play LB and he’s a solid blitzer but Young is a just a different level when it comes to getting to the QB.

  1. New York Giants (4-12): Mekhi Becton     OT      Louisville

The Giants addressed a number of their pressing issues on defense in free agency.  They spent a lot of money on CB James Bradberry and signed two free agent LBs from the Packers, Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell.  Add in the franchising of DL Leonard Williams and I think GM Dave Gettleman will look to help out his young QB.  Gettleman likes big lineman and they don’t get any bigger than Becton.  He’s 6’7 364 lbs. and moves like a guy 100 lbs. lighter.  The team still has Nate Solder at LT and they signed Cameron Fleming but Solder might not be around too long and Fleming is probably better suited as a swing tackle and not a starter.  Becton could be the RT as a rookie and eventually replace Solder at LT.  He’s not my top OT but I can see him being Gettleman’s choice.

  1. Washington Redskins ***(from Miami)***: Isaiah Simmons     LB      Clemson

This is a difficult decision for the Redskins because they will almost assuredly need a new starting LT and there are some good ones left but after trading down with Miami, they pick up another 1st round pick so they go for the elite defender here.  Simmons is a star at LB and Washington is pretty thin in the middle of their defense.  Ron Rivera was spoiled in Carolina with Luke Kuechly manning the middle for him, here he gets Simmons to do the same.  CB Jeff Okudah could be a consideration here but the team signed Kendall Fuller so the position isn’t as big of an issue.  If they go offensive line either Tristan Wirfs or Jedrick Wills could be the pick.

  1. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11): Justin Herbert     QB      Oregon

The Chargers signed OT Bryan Bulaga and traded for OG Trai Turner so the offensive line is less of a priority, they also signed DT Linval Joseph and CB Chris Harris so that’s two big holes on defense they filled.  With Phillip Rivers off to the Colts the team is looking to move on at QB and when you’re moving into a new stadium it’s a good idea to have someone at QB to sell tickets.  When you don’t get a big name like Tom Brady your next best bet is selling the hope of a new top draft pick at QB.  Herbert is a lottery ticket; he might be a huge jackpot or he’s a huge bust.  He looks the part of a top QB and the franchise can only hope he takes them beyond an early playoff exit in the not too distant future.

  1. Carolina Panthers (5-11): Jeff Okudah     CB      Ohio St.

The Panthers traded for LT Russell Okung and signed QB Teddy Bridgewater to address their two big issues on offense.  They have a couple of big holes to fill on defense with the retirement of MLB Luke Kuechly and the free agent defection of CB James Bradberry. They get lucky with Okudah falling to the seventh spot as he can step in and be the #1 CB immediately.  Bradberry was a good CB who got paid by the Giants like a great CB, if the Panthers end up replacing him with Okudah they won’t even miss him.  I think Okudah has a higher ceiling than the level Bradberry plays at.

  1. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1): Tristan Wirfs     OT      Iowa

The Cardinals pulled off the heist of the year when they got WR DeAndre Hopkins from the Texans and now that they have an elite #1 WR for Kyler Murray they can focus on protecting their QB long enough for him to get Hopkins the ball. They re-signed LT DJ Humphries but the RT spot is still suspect. Wirfs is a beast and while I think he can play LT; I know he can dominate on the right side.  His athleticism would come in handy in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and would solidify the group in front of Murray quite nicely.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10): Jedrick Wills     OT      Alabama

The Jaguars have added some players on defense after trading Calais Campbell and AJ Bouye and cutting Marcel Dareus.  They picked up DL Rodney Gunter and LB Joe Schobert.  Schobert is a big addition as he can man the middle and allow Myles Jack to move back outside where he’s more comfortable.  They can certainly use more help on defense and Derrick Brown would be a solid choice but they are committing to Gardner Minshew at QB after trading Nick Foles and getting better protection up front should be all Minshew needs on offense.  Wills will have to make the transition to LT after playing RT at Alabama but he has the skills and athleticism to do it.

  1. Cleveland Browns (6-10): Andrew Thomas     OT      Georgia

The Browns have made some major free agent acquisitions.  On offense they signed TE Austin Hooper and RT Jack Conklin, the top free agents at each position.  Conklin is especially important because the Browns offensive line was a major issue.  However, Conklin is a RT and should stay there meaning they still need a LT.  Thomas is the last of the top four OTs in this draft and he just so happens to be able to play the left side.  He’s one of my favorite players in this draft and with him on the left side and Conklin on the right the offensive line should be a strength in front of Baker Mayfield.  No more excuses for Mayfield or this offense.

  1. New York Jets (7-9): CeeDee Lamb     WR      Oklahoma

The Jets will be disappointed to miss out on one of the top four OTs and they might reach for either Josh Jones or Austin Jackson here but there is better value at WR, another position of need for the team.  Personally, I prefer Jerry Jeudy but the Jets lost Robby Anderson and Lamb is a better replacement skill-wise for Anderson.  Lamb is an excellent deep ball receiver with fantastic tracking skills and a knack for getting yards after catch.  Sam Darnold got some help on the offensive line in free agency, OT George Fant and C Connor McGovern, that’s not enough but at least it’s a start.

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9): CJ Henderson     CB      Florida

The Raiders have been busy in free agency and it’s been heavily leaning towards fixing their defense but I don’t think they are done.  They have added; DT Maliek Collins, DE Carl Nassib, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, LB Cory Littleton, S Jeff Heath and CB Eli Apple.  Only Nassib is unlikely to start.  Apple was a solid addition at CB but they need more help.  This pick is a bit high and will surprise some people but Henderson looks like the clear #2 CB behind Okudah and the Raiders need help there, lots of it.  They will certainly kick the tires on Jordan Love and they may even look to move up if they really fall in love with one of the top three QBs.  WR is a major need even after the signing of Nelson Agholor but this is a deep WR class, they can wait.

  1. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis): Jerry Jeudy     WR      Alabama

The 49ers picked up this pick from Indianapolis in exchange for DL DeForest Buckner, the Colts needed DL help and San Francisco saves some money and gets a valuable pick, that’s a win-win scenario.  The 49ers found a gem in WR Deebo Samuel last year but then Emmanuel Sanders (who they traded for last year) bolted to New Orleans so Samuel needs some help.  Jeudy is a master technician who runs routes like a machine.  He also showed good speed at the combine so that shouldn’t be a concern.  Kyle Shanahan will love Jeudy’s ability to handle anything he throws at him and he will become a favorite target of Jimmy G.  He’s my favorite player in the draft that isn’t a Hawkeye.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9): Josh Jones     OT      Houston

If you’re going to invest in a 43-year old QB you have to do better than Joe Haeg at RT.  Tom Brady has weapons in Tampa Bay but he’s never been a mobile guy and this offensive line will get him killed.  Donovan Smith has been a fixture at LT for the Bucs, even if he isn’t exactly an All-Pro, but the right side is suspect.  Demar Dotson is a free agent and so far, they have only brought in Joe Haeg, he’s a solid guard and a decent backup OT but you have to do better for Brady.  Jones is a big, athletic guy who will pass block quite well and that will help Brady take advantage of his plethora of offensive weapons.

  1. Denver Broncos (7-9): Derrick Brown     DT      Auburn

This would be a surprise if Brown is still here at 15th overall.  He’s a top 10 talent but with the potential of three QBs and four OTs in the top 10 there isn’t a lot of room because Brown isn’t better than Chase Young, Jeff Okudah or Isaiah Simmons as a defensive prospect.  If Jacksonville passes on him at #9 Brown could easily fall here, d-line isn’t a major priority for the teams in between 10-14.  The Broncos lost several d-linemen off last year’s team and while they traded for Jurrell Casey they need someone to man the middle so Casey can play outside on the 3-man line.  Brown is a beast and would be well suited to play upfront for Vic Fangio’s defense.  This would be quite the coup for Denver as Brown is an excellent player and should pay immediate dividends.

  1. Atlanta Falcons (7-9): Kristian Fulton      CB     LSU

The Falcons lost TE Austin Hooper in free agency and then traded for Hayden Hurst to replace him.  They let Devonta Freeman go and then signed Todd Gurley.  Finally, they let Vic Beasley go and they replaced him with Dante Fowler, Jr.  None of those are upgrades unless Todd Gurley somehow regains his form from about three years ago.  The Falcons cut Desmond Trufant and they have yet to get someone to replace him.  Fulton is a very good prospect with a lot of experience and has played in many big games in his career.  He isn’t the flashiest guy but he can step in on day one.  So far, the Falcons are hoping healthy seasons from RT Kaleb McGary and OG Chris Lindstrom will make their offense better and I’m not sure what makes them think their defense will be better.  Right now, they look like they are treading water, when you’re 7-9 treading water isn’t a great strategy.

  1. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Trevon Diggs     CB      Alabama

As almost everyone expected the biggest casualty of the Cowboys massive number of free agents was Byron Jones.  Jones made out like a bandit moving on to Miami for the biggest CB deal in the league but it leaves the Cowboys looking for a new #1 CB.  The good news is they kept Amari Cooper (even if it is for a ridiculous $20 million a year) and Dak Prescott comes back (he may be a bit disgruntled if he’s still on the franchise tag next season without a long-term deal).  Losing Jones means Anthony Brown and Chidobe Awuzie are their top two CBs.  In an increasingly pass happy NFL that’s not great.  Diggs is a big corner who’s a little stiff at times and he’s not the elite athlete Jones is but then again Byron Jones is a special athlete.  Diggs has only been a CB exclusively for three years as he used to be a WR (like his brother Stefon Diggs).  He’s still raw at the position but as he grows, I think he can be a top corner, he may never be a lockdown #1 guy but he still has potential.

  1. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh): Austin Jackson     OT      USC

In my early trade scenario, I think the Dolphins give up the #5 pick, #26 pick and a pick next year to move up for Tua.  That means they get to keep this pick.  If they invest all that draft capital in getting Tua they have to get him some protection.  They already signed Ted Karras and Ereck Flowers to improve the interior of the offensive line, now Jackson can step in at LT.  Julie’n Davenport played there last year after coming over in the Laremy Tunsil trade but he’s just not great there, they can move him to he right side to compete for that spot.  Jackson has all the length and athleticism you look for in a LT but he’s still raw when it comes to his technique.  That’s understandable considering he was a true junior and isn’t even 21 yet.  Jackson can grow into the position alongside Tua at QB.

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago): Jordan Love     QB      Utah St.

This would be a bit strange only because if Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden actually like Jordan Love I don’t think they will have the patience to pass on him at #12 but let’s say they do.  If Love is still here, I can see Gruden liking his physical skills so much he believes he can turn him into his own version of Pat Mahomes.  Love is an intriguing player.  He was very good two years ago with a nice group of players around him at Utah St.  Then all those guys left and he struggled last year.  He looks the part of an NFL QB and while the Pat Mahomes comparisons are completely unfair to anyone, there are physical skills that resemble Mahomes.  If this happens, Derek Carr will be looking for a new home.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LA Rams): Javon Kinlaw     DL      South Carolina

The Jaguars are in the midst of a massive makeover on defense and they need some fresh bodies up front with Calais Campbell traded, Marcel Dareus not returning and Yannick Ngakoue very unhappy on the franchise tag.  They also need help at CB but Kinlaw is a better prospect than any CB still on the board and he can play inside or out and collapse the pocket from any position.  He would start inside next to free agent acquisition Rodney Gunter but could also play DE on some downs when the undersized Josh Allen plays more like an OLB.  This is a transition year for Jacksonville, of course that is their perpetual state.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7): Henry Ruggs III     WR      Alabama

The Eagles filled their biggest need with their trade for the criminally underrated CB Darius Slay from Detroit.  They also re-signed Jalen Mills whom they plan to move to FS to replace Malcolm Jenkins and while they still need some help in the secondary, they have a bigger need on offense now.  With Nelson Agholor leaving, DeSean Jackson aging and Alshon Jeffrey being his usual disgruntled self they need to get Carson Wentz some new blood at WR.  Ruggs is a speed demon who will take the top off of the defense, basically he’s what DeSean Jackson was back when he could stay healthy.  He also happens to have exceptional hands and while he’s a bit skinny he’ adept enough to get open and once he has the ball, no one is catching him.

  1. Minnesota Vikings (from Buffalo): AJ Epenesa     DE      Iowa

There are not a lot of teams having a tougher off season than the Vikings.  They lost Trae Waynes and Mackenzie Alexander in free agency and cut Xavier Rhodes, that’s their three top CBs.  They traded Stefon Diggs because he’s been extremely unhappy with the offense and QB Kirk Cousins in particular.  They cut DE Everson Griffen hoping to re-sign him to a restructured deal but he has become unhappy with their offers and is now looking to leave.  They desperately need help at CB but losing Griffen is a killer for their defense.  This is the pick they got in the Diggs trade from Buffalo and they see great value in getting the #2 DE AJ Epenesa all the way down here at #22.  They have another 1st round pick to use on a CB if they so choose and there are still quite a few free agent CBs they can sign.  Epenesa didn’t have a great combine but he’s a top-notch DE prospect overall and he would pair well with their speedy outside pass rusher Danielle Hunter.  Epenesa can set the edge and he’s a power rusher, giving the Vikings a different look than they get from Hunter.

  1. New England Patriots (12-4): Kenneth Murray     LB      Oklahoma

Everyone is asking the same question, what are the Patriots going to do at QB?  I can tell you one thing for sure; Bill Belichick isn’t drafting one here.  Belichick hasn’t ventured into the veteran QB market so far because he isn’t giving up any assets for Andy Dalton or Cam Newton when he knows they both will end up getting cut.  I think he’s waiting until the draft to see what the Raiders end up doing with Derek Carr.  If the Raiders get a QB they like in the draft than Carr becomes available, if he doesn’t than Dalton or Newton should still be available.  For now, the Patriots go with Murray because he’s the best player left on the board and they just lost Kyle Van Noy and Jaime Collins in free agency.  Murray can step right in and start on day one.

  1. New Orleans Saints (13-3): Patrick Queen     LB      LSU

The Saints filled their biggest need on offense by signing WR Emmanuel Sanders to play opposite Michael Thomas, he’s the best WR they have had opposite Thomas in his career.  They could look for more depth at WR but it’s a deep position so they can wait.  At LB they have Kiko Alonso in the middle and while he can be solid, he can never seem to stay healthy.  Queen is a tackling machine and could step into the middle pretty quickly.  He would give them a nice building block in the middle of the defense moving forward and he can be the quarterback of their defense for years to come.

  1. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): AJ Terrell     CB      Clemson

The Vikings are counting on former top draft pick Mike Hughes to step in as a starter and even if he does, they still need a couple more CBs to field a decent defense.  Terrell isn’t as flashy as Okudah or Henderson but he’s an excellent CB.  He has been the #1 guy at Clemson the last few years and he never backs down from a challenge.  He has excellent size and plenty of speed.  He will be challenged given the fact he likely steps in as the top CB on day one and I think he will rise to the occasion.

  1. Washington Redskins (from Miami/Houston): Justin Jefferson     WR      LSU

If the Redskins trade down with Miami and pick up this pick it might be wise to get QB Dwayne Haskins another weapon.  The team hasn’t done much in free agency other than pick up some depth on the offensive line and in the secondary.  They are likely to need a new LT with Trent Williams still insisting on a trade but there isn’t a great option here.  Terry McLaurin proved to be a viable deep threat last year and he works well with Haskins.  Jefferson is a master of the underneath routes and would give Haskins a nice security blanket to look to on 3rd down and in the red zone.  Jefferson doesn’t wow you with his athleticism but he has a knack for getting open and the Redskins need to give Haskins every chance to succeed.

  1. Seattle Seahawks (11-5): K’Lavon Chaisson     DE/OLB      LSU

The Seahawks have shuffled the deck on the offensive line but I’m pretty sure Brandon Shell and Cedric Ogbuehi are not upgrades over Mike Iupati and Germain Ifedi.  They re-signed Jarran Reed at DT which is good and brought back Bruce Irvin at DE, which is not.  Jadeveon Clowney is still sitting out there as a free agent who hasn’t found the market he was hoping to find.  They could still bring him back but even if they do Chaisson is a solid investment at this point.  Chaisson might be more OLB than DE but Pete Carroll has never been one to stick strictly to the definition of DE or pass rushing OLB, he’ll use whatever works.  Chaisson is raw and needs a little time to develop but he can handle being the pass rushing specialist early on and grow into whatever the Seahawks want him to be.

  1. Baltimore Ravens (14-2): Xavier McKinney     S      Alabama

The Ravens went to the trade and free agent market to remake their defensive line getting Derek Wolfe and Calais Campbell.  Their biggest loss of the year is RG Marshall Yanda who announced his retirement after a stellar career.  They could look to replace Yanda with someone like Cesar Ruiz or Lloyd Cushenberry III but I think they look to improve the back end of their defense and go with the best player still available in McKinney.  In the pass happy NFL, it pays to have safeties who can cover and McKinney would pair nicely with Earl Thomas to form quite the duo.  McKinney is an athletic guy with good coverage skills, skills that make him a potential CB if a team wants to try him there.  They absolutely should look for an ILB but with Simmons, Murray and Queen off the board the value just isn’t there.  They can pick one up later in the draft.

  1. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Ross Blacklock     DL      TCU

The Titans re-signed QB Ryan Tannehill and franchised tagged RB Derrick Henry so their offense gets back two important pieces.  They did lose RT Jack Conklin but the OT spot doesn’t have much value left here.  On defense the team signed OLB Vic Beasley hoping a change of scenery will reinvigorate his career.  One big piece that is missing now is DE Jurrell Casey who they traded to Denver.  Casey has been a star for them for years and trading him creates a huge hole.  Blacklock was fantastic at TCU and he has the skill set to be a 3-4 DE and he would be a nice bookend to Jeffrey Simmons, the Titans top pick from last year’s draft.

  1. Green Bay Packers (13-3): Laviska Shenault     WR      Colorado

The Packers have been pretty quiet in free agency.  They signed RT Ricky Wagner to replace free agent Bryan Bulaga, Wagner is cheaper but there’s a reason he’s cheaper.  They also signed Christian Kirksey at ILB and he will replace Blake Martinez who left for a big payday with the Giants.  They also lost TE Jimmy Graham, not that they will notice and backup LB Kyler Fackrell which hurts their depth.  They haven’t done anything to improve the offense around Aaron Rodgers and that has to be priority #1.  Shenault had a poor showing at the combine but that was because he was injured.  He had surgery after the combine on a core muscle injury, once he’s healthy he should be back to his old self.  Shenault is a jack-of-all trades kind of guy and he would be an excellent addition to the WR corps to help take the pressure off of Devante Adams.

  1. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Yetur Gross-Matos     DE      Penn St.

The 49ers will return their Super Bowl team largely intact after they re-signed DL Arik Armstead and S Jimmie Ward.  They had to trade DeForest Buckner so they could afford to bring back Armstead but they did a great job getting Indianapolis’ first-round pick for him.  That pick got them the WR they need which means they can pretty much go wherever they want with this pick.  S Grant Delpit is a possibility but with Ward back safety isn’t as pressing of a need.  They don’t need to replace Buckner on the defensive line because they have plenty of depth but Gross-Matos is too good of a value this deep in the first round.  He’s still raw and while he doesn’t bring quite the inside/outside versatility of Buckner he will fit nicely in the rotation at DE.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4): D’Andre Swift     RB      Georgia

The Chiefs desperately need CBs but for some reason there is a boatload of veteran free agents at the position that have found a very cold CB market.  Ronald Darby, Logan Ryan, Prince Amukamara and the Chiefs own Bashaud Breeland, just to name a few.  I think Andy Reid will sign one or two (or maybe three) of them to affordable contracts since the market is flooded right now.  That will leave him the opportunity to draft the best player available or make a luxury choice like taking a star RB for his incredible offense.  The Chiefs haven’t invested heavily in the RB position in the draft since Larry Johnson but when you just won the Super Bowl you usually don’t have a lot of needs.  Damien Williams was good at RB but Swift is another level of talent.  He would fit the Chiefs scheme quite well and he’s used to sharing the load so Williams wouldn’t be completely out of the offense.

 

Round 2

  1. Cincinnati: Zack Baun     OLB     Wisconsin

Baun may not be a perfect fit in the Bengals scheme but I think he has some versatility they could use.  He could juice up their outside pass rush which lacks a consistent force and still play some of the traditional LB position because they are pretty thin there too.

  1. Indianapolis: Tee Higgins     WR      Clemson

The Colts traded their first-round pick for DT DeForest Buckner which fills a huge need for them.  Buckner is a versatile defensive lineman and they need all the help they can get up front.  The team’s big free agent pickup was QB Phillip Rivers and now they have to get him some help at WR.  TY Hilton has been working mostly on his own for several years now and Rivers needs options.  Higgins might be a victim of circumstance since he didn’t work out at the combine and pro days are not happening at this point. He may fall here even though he has first-round talent.  Higgins is big, physical and fast.  Rivers will like his large catch radius and he will draw the defense away from Hilton.  If the team can get anything out of last year’s rookie WR Parris Campbell they might have a pretty good passing offense.

  1. Detroit: Grant Delpit     S      LSU

Like I said earlier, Detroit’s defense has been terrible and Matt Patricia has to fix it fast.  They lucked into Chase Young in round one and now they luck into a top safety in round two.  Delpit struggled a bit last season but he has plenty of talent and Patricia could deploy him the same way New England has used Patrick Chung for so many years.

  1. New York Giants: Jalen Reagor     WR      TCU

Golden Tate is on the wrong side of 30 and Sterling Shepard never seems to stay healthy so if they Giants want Daniel Jones to succeed, he needs help.  Reagor is a talented receiver who can play both inside and out.

  1. L.A. Chargers: Isaiah Wilson     OT      Georgia

The Chargers signed Bryan Bulaga and for now he’s penciled in at LT but that means they still need help on the right side.  Wilson is a beast at 340 lbs.  He’s built to be a top RT.

  1. Carolina: Neville Gallimore     DT      Oklahoma

Carolina has lost some depth on their defensive line and Gallimore has first-round ability so this is a value pick.

  1. Miami: Jonathan Taylor     RB      Wisconsin

The Dolphins signed Jordan Howard but I’m not convinced he’s enough for an offense that will be relying on either Ryan Fitzpatrick or a still recovering Tua Tagovailoa.

  1. Houston: Curtis Weaver     OLB      Boise St.

The Texans pulled off one of the worst trades in NFL history when Bill O’Brien decided to trade WR DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals for RB David Johnson and his bloated contract and a second-round pick.  He didn’t even get as good of a pick as the Vikings got for Stefon Diggs and Hopkins is the more accomplished receiver.  Now O’Brien is overpaying for a RB, not the position you want to be overpaying in the NFL today.  Apparently, he thinks Will Fuller, Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb are good enough at WR.  Here they take Weaver because the team also never adequately replace Jadeveon Clowney after trading him to Seattle.  Weaver is a solid player who should fit their scheme, which probably means O’Brien won’t be smart enough to actually take him.

  1. Cleveland: Brandon Aiyuk     WR      Arizona St.

The Browns have Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry but #3 WR Rashard Higgins is a free agent and while they have a boatload of talent at the skill positions, they are not real deep at WR.  Aiyuk is a playmaker and he’s better than anyone they can get at their position of greatest need, ILB.

  1. Jacksonville: Bryce Hall     CB      Virginia

The Jaguars have traded Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye since the trade deadline.  Hall would have been one of the top CBs in this draft if he hadn’t missed most of last season with an injury.  I think it’s worth a flyer to see if he can regain that form and be a #1 CB for a team that really needs one.

  1. Chicago: Cesar Ruiz     G/C      Michigan

The Bears have had an interesting off season.  They traded for QB Nick Foles who is supposed to put pressure on Mitch Trubisky to play better or just outright take his job.  It seems like a half measure because I’m not sure he’s a huge upgrade if he takes the job and that probably means he doesn’t put a lot of pressure on Trubisky.  They signed Robert Quinn to a huge contract even though he’s on the wrong side of 30 and while he was productive last year in Dallas, he’ll be moving to OLB when he’s really only been successful as a true DE.  He’s replacing the underwhelming Leonard Floyd but for the contract they gave him he needs to play like the DE he was for the Rams and Cowboys and not like the OLB he was for the Rams and Dolphins.  The Bears offensive line had some struggles last year and they lost OG Kyle Long to retirement so they need to replace him.  Ruiz is a solid interior lineman with versatility and he would slot in very well.  It seems like a safe pick but sometimes safe if what you need.

  1. Indianapolis: Jaylon Johnson     CB      Utah

The Colts cut Pierre Desir and they signed Xavier Rhodes.  Rhodes is only on a one-year deal and Rock Ya-Sin is the only other outside CB of note (Kenny Moore is very good in the slot).  Johnson was the top CB on a very good Utah defense and he’s a good get in the second round.

  1. Tampa Bay: JK Dobbins     RB      Ohio St.

This team has weapons in the passing game but they only have Ronald Jones at RB after Peyton Barber left in free agency.  Dobbins is short but he’s an explosive playmaker and could bring a little of the skill set of RBs Brady had in New England.

  1. Denver: Jeff Gladney     CB      TCU

The Broncos traded for AJ Bouye from the Jaguars to fill the void left by Chris Harris’ departure.  They still need help at the other outside CB spot as Bryce Callahan is best suited inside.  Gladney is a bit overlooked in this class but he’s a good player and would be a solid addition.

  1. Atlanta: Cole Kmet     TE      Notre Dame

Losing Austin Hooper was a blow to the offense, replacing him with the underwhelming Hayden Hurst isn’t making Matt Ryan feel any better.  Kmet is a big, athletic target who should actually help replace Hooper’s production.

  1. NY Jets: Ezra Cleveland     OT      Boise St.

The Jets missed out on the top tier of OTs but they get a really good developmental prospect in Cleveland.  He certainly looks the part of a LT and he has plenty of skills to build on.  They desperately need offensive line help.

  1. Pittsburgh: Julian Okwara     OLB      Notre Dame

The Steelers traded their first-round pick last year for Minkah Fitzpatrick, considering the impact he had on their defense the team doesn’t regret that trade at all.  The team isn’t necessarily looking for anything specific.  They could use some help on the interior o-line and their d-line isn’t getting any younger.  However, they really are in a position to draft the best player available and Okwara fits the bill.  He also would be a good third pass rusher behind Bud Dupree and TJ Watt and he could serve as insurance in case they can’t sign Dupree long-term.  This could be a place they look to grab a QB considering Big Ben’s age but I think for now they like Devlin Hodges upside and they won’t want to mess with that.

  1. Chicago: Marlon Davidson     DE      Auburn

Davidson was “the other” defensive lineman at Auburn this season as Derrick Brown took most of the spotlight.  He was overshadowed but he’s damn good in his own right.  The Bears could use some depth on the defensive line and Davidson would be a good DE in their 3-4 defense.  This would be a great pick.

  1. Dallas: Lloyd Cushenberry III     C      LSU

The Cowboys have had one of the most talented offensive lines for about the last five years.  One of the best players they had was C Travis Frederick and he just announced his retirement.  Cushenberry would be a nice pickup so the team wouldn’t have to rely on Joe Looney at center.

  1. LA Rams: Cam Akers      RB      Florida St.

The Rams traded their first-round pick for Jalen Ramsey and that’s a pretty solid player to have, they just have to be certain to hold on to him long-term.  One mistake they are paying for is signing RB Todd Gurley to an expensive contract two years ago and now they just released him even though it was a major financial hit.  They need more than Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson at RB if they are going to stick with Jared Goff at QB.  Akers played on some pretty bad Florida St. teams but he’s a heck of a talent and he brings a myriad of skills to the table.  The team could do way worse with a second-round pick.

  1. Philadelphia: Tyler Biadasz    C/G      Wisconsin

The Eagles could use reinforcements in the secondary but they also have to consider that both C Jason Kelce and RG Brandon Brooks are over 30 and they don’t have a lot of depth on the o-line.  Biadasz could fill in either spot if need be and he can be a starter down the line.

  1. Buffalo: Terrell Lewis     OLB/DE      Alabama

The Bills traded their first-round pick to the Vikings for WR Stefon Diggs and addressed one of the biggest needs on the team.  John Brown and Cole Beasley were good but the group needed another playmaker and Diggs is that guy.  There other need is at DE where they did sign veteran free agent Mario Addison from Carolina.  Addison is a solid addition and he will fit right in as he used to play in Carolina where his head coach Sean McDermott was the defensive coordinator.  The only problem is Addison is 32 years old which means he’s even older than Jerry Hughes and this team needs to add some youth on the edge.  Lewis is a bit of a hybrid as an OLB/DE type but he can be a designated pass rusher for now as he fills out and can potentially replace Addison or Hughes.

  1. Baltimore: Shane Lemieux     OG      Oregon

The Ravens just lost future Hall of Famer Marshall Yanda at RG and their offense is highly reliant on the run game.  They need to be sure they have a solid replacement and Lemieux is a versatile guy that looked really good at the combine.  No one can be expected to be as good as Yanda but Lemieux should be a pretty good starting guard for quite some time.

  1. Miami: Ashtyn Davis     S      California

The Dolphins have drafted three offensive players after spending the bulk of their free agent money on defense.  It’s time to invest a little in the future of the defense.  Davis would be a starter at safety pretty quickly, Eric Rowe and Adrian Colbert aren’t exactly setting the world on fire.

  1. Houston: Brycen Hopkins     TE      Purdue

The Texans are down one amazing weapon on offense after trading DeAndre Hopkins, Brycen Hopkins (no relation) isn’t going to replace him but he would add a nice receiving option at the TE position.  Darren Fells was alright at TE but they would get a more dynamic receiver in Brycen Hopkins.

  1. Minnesota: Denzel Mims     WR      Baylor

The Vikings traded Stefon Diggs and if they don’t want Adam Thielen to be double or triple teamed on every snap, they should get him some help.  Luckily this is an exceptionally deep draft at WR and Denzel Mims is a very talented player still available here in round 2.

  1. Seattle: Lucas Niang     OT      TCU

The Seahawks haven’t invested much draft capital in their offensive line over the years and while they did bring in some free agents to help out, they really need to plan for life after Duane Brown at LT, he is 34.  Niang is a guy with plenty of size and potential, give him a year to learn from Brown and he might be the future at LT.

  1. Baltimore: Justin Madubuike     DL      Texas A&M

The Ravens invested heavily this off season in their defensive line signing Derek Wolfe and trading for Calais Campbell.  They join Brandon Williams to form quite the starting trio.  The only problem is Campbell and Williams are both aging players.  They need some youth and Madubuike is a versatile guy who would give them some good depth.

  1. Tennessee: Noah Igbinoghene     CB      Auburn

The Titans lost Logan Ryan leaving them with Adoree Jackson and Malcolm Butler as their top two CBs.  Jackson is probably best suited on the inside and Butler hasn’t been great for a while.  Igbinoghene is a talent and he could start on the outside for them.

  1. Green Bay: Hunter Bryant     TE      Washington

Green Bay wasn’t very good at TE last year and that was with Jimmy Graham, and Graham has moved on.  Bryant is more pass catcher than blocker but they held on to veteran Mercedes Lewis so he can do the dirty work.

  1. Kansas City: Troy Pride Jr.     CB      Notre Dame

The Chiefs don’t have a ton of needs but CB is one.  Even if they sign a veteran (or two) they could use some youth.  Pride is a talented athlete and while he may not have elite skills, he is good enough to start on the outside in the NFL.

  1. Seattle: Jeremy Chinn     S      Southern Illinois

Chinn is a bit under the radar since he played at Southern Illinois but the Seahawks like big safeties and they might see a little Kam Chancellor in this kid.  He’s 6’3 219 lbs. and he can come up and hit.  He’s pretty good at making plays on the ball too even though he isn’t the best pass defender.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Published by Nathan Hott

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