AFC South Draft Review

The Texans won the division last year but the Colts will be nipping at their heels. The Colts had a better draft and a better off season so they may have made up the difference. Jacksonville is hoping Nick Foles can lead their offense to get them back into contention. The Titans are hoping for a big leap from Marcus Mariota and if they don’t get it, they will be a middling team again. Mariota has plenty of weapons so he’s out of excuses.

Houston Texans

(23) Tytus Howard OT
(54) Lonnie Johnson CB
(55) Max Scharping OL
(86) Kahale Warring TE
(161) Charles Omenihu DE
(195) Xavier Crawford CB
(220) Cullen Gillaspia RB/FB

Immediate Impact: CB Lonnie Johnson
Jonathan Joseph is 35 and Bradley Roby is on a one-year contract. Johnson has the size and skill to be a fantastic outside CB. The team needs the depth too because Aaron Colvin, their nickel corner, wasn’t very good last year. Johnson will be a starter at some point this season and I think it happens sooner rather than later.

Best Value: Johnson
The team got an eventual starting CB at the #54 pick overall, that’s good value.

Sleeper: DE Charles Omenihu
I wouldn’t want to compare a later round pick with a multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year like JJ Watt but Omenihu is a big DE and Watt is 30 years old. Omenihu isn’t going to be Watt but he could be his eventual replacement and for now he can give Watt a break now and again. He’s a solid player who wasn’t always used well at Texas, he should be a better pro than he was a college player.

Overall Analysis
You’ll see I didn’t include the offensive linemen in any of the above categories, that’s because I can’t figure out what the Texans were doing. They clearly got snaked by Philadelphia when the Eagles moved one spot ahead of them and stole Andre Dillard, but apparently, they lost their minds because Tytus Howard wasn’t a great choice. They need help now and Howard isn’t ready to start right now, he may be better than Julie’n Davenport at LT but not by much. With guys like Jawaan Taylor, Kaleb McGary, Greg Little, Cody Ford, and Dalton Risner still on the board, Howard was a reach. The second offensive lineman they grabbed was Max Scharping, clearly, they didn’t watch him play last season against Iowa. He was destroyed by AJ Epenesa, while that’s not unusual for many guys, it doesn’t bode well for him against NFL talent. TE Kahale Warring is an interesting prospect with some upside, he needs some work but he could pay off in the end. Omenihu is a very good 5th round pick. CB Xavier Crawford could make the roster given the state of the Texans secondary. The last player, RB/FB Cullen Gillaspia is only making this team as a special team’s player.

Indianapolis Colts

(34) Rock Ya-Sin CB
(49) Ben Banogu DE
(59) Parris Campbell WR
(89) Bobby Okereke LB
(109) Khari Willis S
(144) Marvell Tell III S
(164) EJ Speed LB
(199) Gerri Green OLB
(240) Jackson Barton OL
(246) Javon Patterson OL

Immediate Impact: CB Rock Ya-Sin, WR Parris Campbell
The Colts defense played surprisingly well last season with Pierre Desir and Kenny Moore actually holding up at CB. However, there isn’t a lot of depth and Ya-Sin can step in and play some nickel and help solidify the secondary. Campbell is a slightly larger version of TY Hilton and Andrew Luck seems to have quite the rapport with Hilton. Campbell is far better than free agent signee Devin Funchess and I think he takes the starting job away from him sooner rather than later.

Best Value: Campbell
They got Campbell at the end of round two and like I said I think he becomes a starter this season. He’s a speed demon and he and Hilton could form a deadly duo.

Sleeper: S Marvell Tell III
Tell passes the eyeball test but he’s inconsistent. If someone on the Colts defensive coaching staff can get consistent effort and heady play out of him, he could be a Pro Bowler, if not he’ll be out of the league in two years. The Colts aren’t exactly stacked at safety so he could find playing time if he gets his head on straight and does what they ask him to do.

Overall Analysis
Ya-Sin and Campbell were rock solid picks. Both will contribute immediately even if they don’t start from day one. Banogu is an undersized pass rusher who will likely be a situational pass rusher this season. The Colts have a number of young pass rushers who are still finding their way, whomever finds their way first will end up sticking around long-term. Bobby Okereke, EJ Speed, and Gerri Green are depth pieces at LB but none are ready to contribute on defense. They need to contribute on special teams if they want to stick around. Khari Willis isn’t the athlete Tell is but he’s got some range and like I said the team isn’t stacked at safety. The two late round offensive linemen, Barton and Patterson, seem like longshots on a team where the offensive line actually played well last year. However, Barton has the size and length you look for in a developmental prospect while Patterson has the college experience edge and could potentially stick around.

Jacksonville Jaguars

(7) Josh Allen DE/OLB
(35) Jawaan Taylor OT
(69) Josh Oliver TE
(98) Quincy Williams LB
(140) Ryquell Armstead RB
(178) Gardner Minshew II QB
(235) Dontavius Russell DT

Immediate Impact: DE Josh Allen, OT Jawaan Taylor
The Jaguars were the luckiest team in the draft and they didn’t overthink it. First, Josh Allen fell to 7th overall, that was insane, he’s arguably the best player in this draft. Then Jawaan Taylor falls to the second round, I had them taking Taylor in round one with the seventh pick they ended up using on Allen. That’s two starters right out of the gate.

Best Value: Taylor
Apparently, the reason Taylor fell was due to some questions about the healthy of his knees. It had to be something like that because the guy has first-round talent. He’ll be an immediate starter at RT for the Jags and while there will be some growing pains, he’s a hell of a steal in round 2.

Sleeper: RB Ryquell Armstead
The Jaguars are setting their team up to have a strong running game and a great defense, the one flaw in the plan may be counting on Leonard Fournette to carry the ground game. He hasn’t been the picture of consistency, they also signed Alfred Blue to back him up, he’s not great either. They have Thomas Rawls but he’s more injury prone than Fournette. Armstead comes from Temple but he’s a big, power back who could really surprise and if he’s the only guy left standing, he might not have a choice but to carry the load. Deep sleeper but I think there’s potential.

Overall Analysis
The team covered their biggest need in free agency with QB Nick Foles so they were able to let the draft come to them, and boy did it ever. I love Josh Allen and he may just end up being the player the Jags hoped they were drafting when they took Dante Fowler Jr. a few years ago. They traded Fowler and now Allen slides in as the chess piece of the front seven. Taylor fills the biggest need on offense at RT and he should excel there. TE Josh Oliver probably won’t dominate but he’ll play as the only other guy they have is Geoff Swaim. LB Quincy Williams was a bit of a reach but he’s just depth for now. Really like the Armstead pick and he could pay dividends. Gardner Minshew is a decent QB prospect but he’s not better than Cody Kessler was, but he is better than third-stringer Tanner Lee. DT Dontavius Russell probably won’t make the team.

Tennessee Titans

(19) Jeffery Simmons DT
(51) AJ Brown WR
(82) Nate Davis OL
(116) Amani Hooker S
(168) D’Andre Walker OLB
(188) David Long Jr. LB

Immediate Impact: WR AJ Brown
WR Tajae Sharpe should really watch out for Brown. Brown can play any of the three WR positions but with Corey Davis at one outside spot and newly signed free agent Adam Humphries in the slot it’s Sharpe’s position that Brown will be gunning for and he’s good enough to take it. He’s one of my favorite WRs in the draft and a dark horse for rookie of the year if he and Mariota connect.

Best Value: S Amani Hooker
Calling Hooker a safety is a bit of an understatement. He can play safety, he can play the slot, he can line up at LB if necessary. For now, he’ll compete with veteran Kenny Vaccaro to be the starting safety alongside Kevin Byard. Hooker could win the job and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised; he has more versatility than Vaccaro. Whether he starts or not he will play a ton and as a fourth-round pick, he will far outplay his draft slot.

Sleeper: OLB D’Andre Walker
The team lost starting OLBs Brian Orakpo (retirement) and Derrick Morgan (free agency) in the off season. Cameron Wake was signed but he’s 37. Harold Landry looks solid but he needs a running mate off the edge. Walker was DE at Georgia but he has OLB size and skills so he could make a run at being the guy opposite Landry for the long haul. I like his skill set and the opportunity he has on this defense.

Overall Analysis
The team took Jeffery Simmons with their first pick and they know he probably won’t give them anything this season as he recovers from a torn ACL. That’s okay because he’s a top 5 talent and they got him 19th overall. They also made up for their first-round pick not likely contributing but hitting on so many others. Brown is a fantastic WR and he will help Marcus Mariota become a better QB, or at least expose the fact he isn’t one if he can’t pull it off. OL Nate Davis is a bit of a reach and I likely would have taken someone who was ready to contribute sooner at OG, he’s a developmental prospect and they need more help inside now. Hooker might be the steal of the draft. His versatility makes him a great matchup player in today’s NFL. Walker was more than worth his draft slot and could be a very nice addition. David Long Jr. is an undisciplined LB who will have to make the team as a special-teamer if he wants to stick around.

NFC East Draft Review

The Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles should fight it out for this division. They have the only settled QB situations as the Giants try to stay relevant while they hold on to Eli Manning (and Daniel Jones waits in the wings) and try to compete without Odell Beckham and the Redskins move into the Dwayne Haskins era. Neither the Cowboys or Eagles did much to immediately help themselves through the draft but I think the Eagles did a better job getting some future help.

Dallas Cowboys

(58) Trysten Hill DT
(90) Connor McGovern OL
(128) Tony Pollard RB
(158) Michael Jackson CB
(165) Joe Jackson DE
(213) Donovan Wilson S
(218) Mike Weber RB
(241) Jalen Jelks DE

Immediate Impact: None
The team traded their first-round pick for WR Amari Cooper which means they didn’t pick until round 2. Cooper already had a major impact as his arrival turned around the Cowboys season last year. They expect him to be a major contributor as their #1 WR. However, this draft class isn’t going to help much this season. Maybe a little depth here and there but not much more.

Best Value: RB Mike Weber
Weber lost his job at Ohio St. to JK Dobbins but he’s a still a talented back. He has an all-around game and he showed more athleticism in workouts than people thought he had. The Cowboys don’t have a solid all-around back behind starter Ezekiel Elliott and they really should have someone to take some of the pressure off of him. Weber can be that guy and while he’s not really a threat to break out he can hold is own and getting a solid backup RB in round 7 is solid value.

Sleeper: DE Joe Jackson
He’s a not an elite pass rusher which is why he fell to the fifth round. However, Jackson is a strong edge-setter against the run and considering the Cowboys want Demarcus Lawrence to rush the passer and Robert Quinn has never been a run-stuffer Jackson can actually carve out a niche on this defensive line. He’s not flashy, he just steady and steady is in short supply on the Cowboys defensive line.

Overall Analysis
For the Cowboys sake they better hope this draft is remembered for getting them Amari Cooper because the rest of it probably won’t be. Their first pick came in round 2 and they just couldn’t help themselves and they took a defensive lineman with some off-the-field issues, sound familiar? That hasn’t really worked out in the past for them so I’m skeptical. Also, Trysten Hill is a DT and I would have preferred they take a DE where there were still some good players left on the board; Chase Winovich, Jaylon Ferguson, Anthony Nelson, to name a few. OG Connor McGovern is a depth piece and the Cowboys have made a concerted effort to make themselves one of the best offensive lines in football. They have paid heavily for it and if they can’t afford La’el Collins when he hits free agency, they may move Connor Williams to RT and McGovern can take over at LG. Tony Pollard is a gadget player, a RB/WR hybrid, maybe he makes their running game less predictable (it’s all Elliott all the time). CB Michael Jackson and S Donovan Wilson are secondary players that might fill needs but they seem a bit raw to help any time soon. Jackson and Weber are my favorite picks from this group and they are backup players at best. DE Jalen Jelks might find a spot as a situational pass rusher and perhaps a special team’s guy.

New York Giants

(6) Daniel Jones QB
(17) Dexter Lawrence DT
(30) Deandre Baker CB
(95) Oshane Ximines OLB/DE
(108) Julian Love CB
(143) Ryan Connelly LB
(171) Darius Slayton WR
(180) Corey Ballentine CB
(232) George Asafo-Adjei OL
(245) Chris Slayton DL

Immediate Impact: DT Dexter Lawrence, CB Deandre Baker
Lawrence is a mammoth human being and while he may look like a nose tackle, and he can play there, he also has the movement skills to play end on their 3-man d-line. He will pair nicely up front with Dalvin Tomlinson and make life easier for the LBs in James Bettcher’s 3-4 defense. Baker isn’t the most athletic corner but I don’t care what the stop watches and tape measures say about this guy, he’s a top-notch cover corner. Measurements never liked Darrell Revis or Marcus Peters either and that never stopped those two from excelling.

Best Value: CB Julian Love
Clearly, the Giants don’t love their CB depth chart and that’s for good reason (they drafted 3 total). Love may not play a ton this year but he should contribute and I wouldn’t be shocked if he eventually ends up starting opposite Baker in couple of years. Love is another guy the measurements don’t love but he played at high level at Notre Dame against some very good competition. He won’t win many races but he doesn’t let his man get open very easily.

Sleeper: OT George Asafo-Adjei
The Giants offensive line has seen an influx of new bodies over the past two years with LT Nate Solder and LG Will Hernandez coming in last year and this off season they traded for RG Kevin Zeitler. They still need a better RT than Chad Wheeler. Asafo-Adjei isn’t a household name and he seems like a backup OT kind of guy but in New York that could change. He could give Wheeler a challenger at RT and either Wheeler rises to the occasion or Asafo-Adjei steals his job.

Overall Analysis
Overall, I really like this draft; Lawrence, Baker, Ximines, Love and Connelly are all good pickups. I hate that they took Jones at #6 overall. Daniel Jones might be an NFL starting caliber QB but you don’t take a “might be” at #6. I don’t care that the Manning connected coach David Cutcliffe had him at Duke, Jones was not valued that high. After Jones the Giants did well. Lawrence and Baker are fantastic picks that they got good value on. OLB Oshane Ximines is raw but he will be well coached by James Bettcher and used properly he will add great value as a pass rusher this season. Julian Love was a fantastic pick for sure. LB Ryan Connelly isn’t the pretty player on the field but he’s effective. I’m never a huge fan of taking a big, fast WR who can’t catch but if you’re going to take a chance you might as well do it in round 5 when you’ve already taken six picks, welcome aboard Darius Slayton. CB Corey Ballentine made news the week after the draft by getting shot several times, it looks like he will recover just fine but it may set him back in terms of contributing to the team. He’s a small school prospect who probably needed the full off-season program to get prepared. Good news if there’s no long-term effects from the shooting but it’s a wait-and-see sort of thing. Asafo-Adjei should at least help the depth on the offensive line. Chris Slayton is a defensive tackle they hope adds depth but he may be a practice squad sort of guy.

Philadelphia Eagles

(22) Andre Dillard OT
(53) Miles Sanders RB
(57) JJ Arcega-Whiteside WR
(138) Shareef Miller DE
(167) Clayton Thorson QB

Immediate Impact: OT Andre Dillard
Unfortunately for the Eagles I’m afraid this one might be the case. In a perfect world Jason Peters stays healthy all season and the Eagles get at least one more season out of their great LT. Peters is 37 years old and has had plenty of injury issues in the past few years so in steps Dillard. It is the reason they drafted him but they are hoping he doesn’t have to fill an immediate need.

Best Value: RB Miles Sanders
The Eagles didn’t get anyone at a great value and that’s not surprising given they only had five picks. Sanders is a talented back with quite a bit of tread left on his tires since he sat behind Saquon Barkley at Penn St. before becoming the starter last season. Sanders should be a solid addition to the Eagles backfield.

Sleeper: DE Shareef Miller
Chris Long, Vinny Curry and Brandon Graham are all pass rushers on the wrong side of 30. Miller may not be anything more than an occasional pass rusher this season but he has some skill and they could use him in the future. This isn’t a big class so there aren’t a lot of guys to choose from as a sleeper.

Overall Analysis
The Eagles made a move in the round one to move ahead of the Texans to take Andre Dillard, the Texans surely would have selected him at 23 if he had been there. Clearly, they understand that 37-year-old Jason Peters is on his way out and Dillard is a very capable replacement. Peters may give them a year but Dillard allows them to leave Lane Johnson on the right side where he has proven to be one of the best in the league. Miles Sanders is a very good pickup. The team traded for Jordan Howard but he’s a one-dimensional back. They have some other backs but no one really stands out. Sanders should be pretty good for them. If Dillard was there eventual Peters replacement JJ Arcega-Whiteside is there eventual Alshon Jeffrey replacement. Jeffrey is expensive and Arcega-Whiteside is the same type of tall, powerful WR who lacks great speed but can win jump balls. Miller has a chance down the road but this season it might be tough to find snaps at DE. Thorson could be the eventual backup to Carson Wentz, that’s his ceiling, but that’s a perfectly fine ceiling for a 5th round pick.

Washington Redskins

(15) Dwayne Haskins QB
(26) Montez Sweat OLB
(76) Terry McLaurin WR
(112) Bryce Love RB
(131) Wes Martin OL
(153) Ross Pierschbacher C/G
(173) Cole Holcomb LB
(206) Kelvin Harmon WR
(227) Jimmy Moreland CB
(252) Jordan Brailford OLB

Immediate Impact: QB Dwayne Haskins, OLB Montez Sweat
I like Haskins as a prospect and he went to a team that desperately needs a starter and a face of the franchise. Enter Haskins. He’s going to need a little seasoning after only starting for one year at Ohio St. but it was a pretty impressive year. He can handle Jay Gruden’s offense and he should do just fine. Sweat was a combine star who fell in the draft due to some health issues. If those issues don’t end up affecting him, he’s a steal at #26 overall and the Redskins need pass rushing help.

Best Value: Sweat
If he’s healthy he’s a top ten player in this draft. A pass rusher with his ability is worth his weight in gold and he should excel in the Washington’s defense.

Sleeper: WR Kelvin Harmon
While Terry McLaurin is getting some notice as a possible starter and he has a connection with Haskins having already played with him at Ohio St., it’s Harmon I’m interested to watch. He’s a powerfully built slot receiver who reminds me a bit of Anquan Boldin. He’s tough in a crowd and while McLaurin can be a deep speed guy the team may need a better power receiver if Josh Doctson doesn’t make more progress.

Overall Analysis
After early indications that the Redskins might do something crazy like trade up really far to take Haskins they instead sat still and he fell to them. They proceeded to have an excellent draft overall. They made a move up to get Sweat after he fell due to his heart issues but he’s a star at a major position of need so it made sense to get him. WR Terry McLaurin played with Haskins at Ohio St. so he comes with a built-in rapport and he adds a nice deep threat element to the offense. RB Bryce Love is a bit of a gamble given his injuries this last season but he could be great if he returns to his 2017 form. Interior offensive linemen Wes Martin and Ross Pierschbacher are middle round picks but for a team that plans to start Ereck Flowers at LG and Chase Rouliler at center these two could find there way into the lineup sooner rather than later. LB Cole Holcomb, CB Jimmy Moreland, and OLB Jordan Brailford are longshots for the roster but they will bring competition to the roster for camp. WR Kelvin Harmon will make the roster and contribute.

 

AFC West Draft Review

The AFC West is still Kansas City’s to lose but with the team dropping Kareem Hunt last season and the Tyreek Hill situation now the offense has taken some hits and the defense is in flux. The Los Angeles Chargers are another playoff team so this division is going to be quite competitive at the top. The Broncos are trying to keep pace with the top two teams while Oakland is trying to find their way into contention.

Denver Broncos

(20) Noah Fant TE
(41) Dalton Risner OL
(42) Drew Lock QB
(71) Dre’Mont Jones DT
(156) Justin Hollins OLB
(187) Juwann Winfree WR

Immediate Impact: TE Noah Fant, OL Dalton Risner
The Broncos TE group is made up of a bunch of guys that have had injury issues and none of them are gamechangers even when they’re healthy. Fant is a weapon and Joe Flacco likes to use the TE. The Broncos new offensive coordinator is coming in from San Francisco where they used George Kittle quite effectively last season, Fant is going to have a big year. He’s an early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The team’s offensive line is pretty rough and Risner has versatility. He could play inside at any of the three positions, I think he may end up as the starting center at this point. No matter where he plays he makes the better up front.

Best Value: QB Drew Lock
Lock was a consideration for the Broncos when they had the #10 pick in the first round before they traded down to #20. Then they still decided to pass and take Fant. The fact they got Lock in the second round at #42 is crazy. He is definitely their QB of the future and depending on how Flacco plays that future could come sooner rather than later. Flacco lost his job last year in Baltimore when he got hurt and Lamar Jackson took over his spot, I would advise him not to get hurt again or he’ll be out of this job too.

Sleeper: DT Dre’Mont Jones
A guy out of Ohio St. who was a potential first-round pick coming into the season shouldn’t be considered a sleeper but Jones sort of fell off the map during the pre-draft process. He didn’t work out well and his combine was less than mediocre. In a draft class filled with a lot of quality DTs he was a forgotten man. Jones is a far better player on the field than he is working out in shorts. The Broncos need some interior d-line help and Jones will play early and often.

Overall Analysis
Fant, Risner and Jones will all contribute immediately but the real success of this draft will be judged by what Drew Lock eventually becomes. John Elway has struck out multiple times at QB and he needs to hit on this one. I like Lock and this is actually a pretty solid set up for him. Being a second-round pick takes some pressure to perform right away off of him and having Flacco on the team means he doesn’t have to start right away. He’ll eventually take the job but it will be on an easier timeline than some of the other QBs drafted ahead of him. OLB Justin Hollins could actually make this team. After losing Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett in the off season the team needs some depth behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, Hollins could be that guy. I wouldn’t expect much out of Winfree but you never know.

Kansas City Chiefs

(56) Mecole Hardman WR
(63) Juan Thornhill S
(84) Khalen Saunders DT
(201) Rashad Fenton CB
(214) Darwin Thompson RB
(216) Nick Allegretti OL

Immediate Impact: S Juan Thornhill
The Chiefs don’t have much opposite new safety Tyrann Mathieu when it comes to pass coverage. Thornhill has some CB skills and he’s a fantastic athlete. His versatility will match up well with Mathieu and give new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo some options in the secondary.

Best Value: Thornhill
I expect him to end up a starter and considering they got him at the end of round 2 that’s pretty good value.

Sleeper: DT Khalen Saunders
Saunders is a small school prospect who was a little shorter than teams generally like coming in at only 6’0. That’s not going to stop him from being a good player in the NFL. The Chiefs need some help on a transitioning defensive line and Saunders will be a nice addition inside at DT.

Overall Analysis
The Chiefs traded their first-round pick to Seattle for Frank Clark and they used their second-round pick on a WR. I understand they had to cover themselves at WR with the Tyreek Hill situation likely not ending well, however, I’m not sure why they picked Hardman. Hardman isn’t a bad WR but there were better WRs on the board. Even if you want a smaller, shifty speed receiver like Hill both Parris Campbell and Andy Isabella were still available. I don’t like the Clark trade either because while there were no elite pass rushers left where they were picking in round one, I don’t believe they got a great one in Clark either. I’ll take Zach Allen, Jachai Polite, Chase Winovich or Jaylon Ferguson (all third-round draft picks) at their salaries instead of Clark at $105 million. Rashad Fenton is a developmental CB at best and they need help there sooner not later. Thompson might have a chance to stick around since the team doesn’t have much beyond Damien Williams and Carlos Hyde at RB. They should really hope Alegretti isn’t on the gameday roster, practice squad at best.

Los Angeles Chargers

(28) Jerry Tillery DT
(60) Nasir Adderley S
(91) Trey Pipkins OL
(130) Drue Tranquill LB
(166) Easton Stick QB
(200) Emeke Egbule LB
(242) Cortez Broughton DL

Immediate Impact: DT Jerry Tillery
The Chargers needed to get someone to line up inside next to Brandon Mebane and someone that could be a part of the rotation because Mebane is aging and simply shouldn’t play as many snaps. Tillery fits the bill. He’s not the biggest DT in terms of weight but he’s disruptive and tough.

Best Value: S Nasir Adderley
Adderley had first-round potential and the Chargers got him at the end of the second round, that’s pretty good value. He brings big play ability and good versatility; two traits defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will love. He won’t have to play right away with Derwin James and Adrian Phillips set to start at safety but Bradley will find ways to use him.

Sleeper: LB Drue Tranquill
This team is so in need of good LBs they signed 36-year-old Thomas Davis from the Panthers. Tranquill is a very good coverage LB and Gus Bradley will find ways to use him. With Davis aging and Denzel Perryman better suited to stopping the run Tranquill can find playing time in sub packages right away and eventually become a bigger part of this defense.

Overall Analysis
With just seven picks this isn’t a huge class but the Chargers were a playoff team last season so they really only have a few places they need help. Tillery is an excellent addition on the d-line and their last pick Cortez Broughton has a chance to stick because he can play both inside and outside on the d-line. Adderley adds great depth to the secondary and his versatility will come in handy much the way Desmond King’s does. Tranquill adds a coverage element at LB and while it may be a long-shot for Emeke Egbule to make the roster as a pass rusher (they have that covered pretty well) he was worth taking a shot on. The only pick I really question is taking OT Trey Pipkins in round 3. The team probably needs more immediate competition at RT and Pipkins is a small school prospect that probably isn’t going to be ready to provide it right away. There were guys like Bobby Evans and Yodny Cajuste still on the board and they would have helped a lot sooner.

Oakland Raiders

(4) Clelin Ferrell DE
(24) Josh Jacobs RB
(27) Jonathan Abram SS
(40) Trayvon Mullen CB
(106) Maxx Crosby DE
(129) Isaiah Johnson CB
(137) Foster Moreau TE
(149) Hunter Renfrow WR
(230) Quinton Bell DE

Immediate Impact: DE Clelin Ferrell, RB Josh Jacobs
I didn’t like the Ferrell pick, he’s a good prospect but at #4 overall, he was a reach. Also, taking him instead of Josh Allen at DE was crazy, Allen might end up being the best player in this draft. Ferrell is too inconsistent, considering the d-line he played on in college he should have dominated at Clemson. Jacobs went from a RB looking at sharing at least some of the load with free agent Isaiah Crowell to rookie having to shoulder it all when Crowell tore his Achilles the week after the draft. Jacobs is a very good all-around back and the Raiders are going to need all his skills.

Best Value: Jacobs
The Raiders didn’t get anyone that really fell to them and they reached a couple of times. Jacobs is a starting RB who will likely go for between 1500-1800 all-purpose yards this season, he’s that good. He isn’t on the level of guys like Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott but getting him 24th overall is a pretty good pick.

Sleeper: TE Foster Moreau
Moreau isn’t the athletic marvel that Noah Fant is, he’s not the all-around star TJ Hockenson is and he not the pass catcher a guy like Jace Sternberger is but he does many things well. He can block and catch and at the end of the day he’s better than most of what the Raiders have on their depth chart at TE. Lee Smith is the starter for now, Moreau could end up with the job this season.

Overall Analysis
Ferrell was a reach, especially with guys like Josh Allen, Ed Oliver and Devin White on the board. Ferrell could be good but he could be a colossal bust. Josh Jacobs will be good; I actually like that pick quite a bit. Jonathan Abram isn’t a bad safety but he’s a bit one dimensional, he’s a in-the-box safety and while the team could use his help against the run, he’s not great in coverage. They obviously like Trayvon Mullen at CB but he’s inconsistent too. There were better CBs on the board at 40 too; Joejuan Williams, Greedy Williams, and Lonnie Johnson just to name a few. DE Maxx Crosby could be a nice situational pass rusher and they definitely need all the help they can get there. They obviously thought they needed help at CB since they took two, Isaiah Johnson being the second one. He’s a really good athlete but a very raw CB, he’s not going to help right now (Amari Oruwariye was still on the board there, he would have helped more). Foster Moreau could really surprise and make an impact on this team. This team did a lot of off season work on their WR corps adding Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams and JJ Nelson to last year’s rookie Marcell Ateman. All that said, no matter how deep their WR corps looks on paper I’m not betting against Hunter Renfrow making this team, that was a solid 5th round pick. While the team does need as much help as possible rushing the passer, 7th round pick Quinton Bell is probably destined for the practice squad.

NFC North Draft Review
This division should be quite competitive. The Bears really stepped up last season with a great defense and they added some good offensive pieces in the draft. The Packers are changing coaching staffs after Mike McCarthy’s long tenure but they still have Aaron Rodgers and if Matt LaFleur can update the offense, they should be pretty good. Minnesota should bounce back after a bit of a disappointing season. Detroit is in their second year under Matt Patricia so they hope to be more competitive than they were last season.

Chicago Bears

(73) David Montgomery RB
(126) Riley Ridley WR
(205) Duke Shelley CB
(222) Kerrith Whyte Jr. RB
(238) Stephen Denmark CB

Immediate Impact: RB David Montgomery
The Bears traded Jordan Howard away and they signed Mike Davis in free agency but Montgomery is good enough to take the job away from Davis. Tarik Cohen is the playmaker at RB but he isn’t built to carry the load and he needs a power back to share it with, Montgomery is a great complement to Cohen. Montgomery also brings the versatility Howard didn’t, when he’s in the game he can catch the ball so Matt Nagy will like that quite a bit.

Best Value: WR Riley Ridley
With Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Taylor Gabriel there probably isn’t a ton of snaps to go around at WR but Ridley will find a way to contribute. He’s an excellent route runner and Matt Nagy will find a way to use him because of it. The fact he fell into the 3rd round was a bit surprising but it was because he isn’t a dynamic athlete, however, he is a very good WR.

Sleeper: CB Duke Shelley
He’s an undersized CB but he’ll be a very good slot corner. It’s an important position in the NFL today and the Bears need help there. Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara are a solid starting duo but the team is counting on Buster Skrine to be the nickel back, he’s 30 and has bounced around a bit. Shelley has a chance to contribute.

Overall Analysis
This isn’t a large draft class because the Bears traded their 1st round pick for Khalil Mack and their 2nd round pick to move up last year to take Anthony Miller, two very smart moves. Montgomery and Ridley should be solid additions and the team can hope Shelley, Whyte and Denmark can become developmental players but there isn’t a lot of open roster space on the Bears so it doesn’t hurt them that the draft class is small. When you consider Mack was added in place of a 1st round pick, this is a good draft for the Bears.

Detroit Lions

(8) TJ Hockenson TE
(43) Jahlani Tavai LB
(81) Will Harris S
(117) Austin Bryant DE
(146) Amari Oruwariye CB
(184) Travis Fulgham WR
(186) Ty Johnson RB
(224) Isaac Nauta TE
(229) PJ Johnson DL

Immediate Impact: TE TJ Hockenson
Hockenson is the best TE on the roster and that includes newly signed free agent Jesse James. Hockenson can be dynamic in the passing game, a dangerous red zone threat and he’ll be tough and consistent blocker both in the run game and when necessary in pass protection. If the new offense features him Matt Stafford will have a new favorite target when the team needs a big play.

Best Value: CB Amari Oruwariye
In the fifth round the Lions somehow lucked into a tall, athletic CB who played at a very high-level last year at Penn St. Darius Slay is the top CB in Detroit but Jalen Tabor hasn’t put it all together opposite him and Oruwariye has the ability to be a starter in the NFL. Some may say he doesn’t like to be physical and doesn’t hit but he covers damn well and when teams look to avoid Slay, he will take advantage with his coverage skills.

Sleeper: S Will Harris
The Lions have Quandre Diggs, Miles Killebrew and Tavon Wilson at safety but Harris adds an element of athleticism they just don’t have in the back end. He has good size at 6’1 207 and Matt Patricia knows he needs better production from the back end of his defense. Between Harris and Oruwariye he has added that needed athleticism and Harris will find a place to play here.

Overall Analysis
Hockenson is the star of this draft class and he will make an impact on the offense in many ways. This team wants to run the ball better and he will certainly help with their run blocking and be a threat in the passing game. The team also grabbed Isaac Nauta later in the draft and add in free agent Jesse James and it’s quite clear the team wasn’t happy with their TE depth chart. Nauta should contribute as a third or fourth TE depending on what holdover Michael Roberts provides. LB Jahlani Tavai, S Will Harris and CB Amari Oruwariye bring some athleticism to the back seven this team was seriously missing. Tavai will give their LBs a run for their money for playing time. He’s a more modern LB than Devon Kennard or Christian Jones. Fulgham is a small-school guy but beyond Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola and Kenny Golladay the Lions don’t have much at WR so he could stick. Ty Johnson will have it tougher at RB unless CJ Anderson is too out of shape to be useful. Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner are basically locks for the roster. DL PJ Johnson’s size might endear him to the coaching staff but they already have big bodies so he may be looking at a year on the practice squad.

Green Bay Packers

(12) Rashan Gary DL
(21) Darnell Savage Jr. S
(44) Elgton Jenkins C/G
(75) Jace Sternberger TE
(150) Kingsley Keke DL
(185) Ka’dar Hollman CB
(194) Dexter Williams RB
(226) Ty Summers LB

Immediate Impact: TE Jace Sternberger, S Darnell Savage Jr.
The Packers still have Jimmy Graham but he isn’t the Jimmy Graham of old so they need some new blood at TE. Sternberger is a top-notch pass catcher and he will add to their offense. Rodgers knows how to use the TE so Sternberger will have an impact. I’m not a fan of the Savage pick but the team needs a deep safety. Adrian Amos and Josh Jones are better playing closer to the line of scrimmage, Savage has the speed to cover everything deep.

Best Value: C Elgton Jenkins
Jenkins should be an eventual starter for the Packers and that might happen sooner rather than later. C Corey Lindsay is a solid center but he is a bit undersized, LG Lane Taylor will be 30 this season and new RB Billy Turner may have been a big free agent signing but he hasn’t always been a consistent player. Jenkins can play anywhere on the interior of the line and that makes him a very valuable sub for now and he’ll eventually be a starter.

Sleeper: RB Dexter Williams
Williams is a well-built RB and he’s in the same mold as Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams so he should fit right in. Jones has had some injury issues in the past and Jamaal Williams has never been all that consistent. Dexter Williams hasn’t played a ton of snaps at Notre Dame so he’s still fresh and he has plenty of talent. If the team can keep his head on straight and get the most out of him, he could become a valuable piece on offense.

Overall Analysis
I didn’t love their first two picks. Rashan Gary is a fantastic athlete but simply never produced much at Michigan. The best hope they have is having Mike Daniels work ethic rub off on Gary and he starts to live up to his incredible potential. Savage is a fast safety but I think they over drafted him. He was a late riser in the draft process but there were better players available. Love the Jenkins and Sternberger picks, great value picks with long-term potential for the franchise. I don’t expect Keke or Hollman to make the roster, Keke is too undersized on the d-line and Hollman is fighting an uphill battle for a roster spot in the secondary. LB Ty Summers could make the roster as a backup LB where there isn’t much depth and he could play special teams.

Minnesota Vikings

(18) Garrett Bradbury C/G
(50) Irv Smith Jr. TE
(102) Alexander Mattison RB
(114) Dru Samia OL
(162) Cameron Smith LB
(190) Armon Watts DL
(191) Marcus Epps S
(193) Olisaemeka Udoh OL
(217) Kris Boyd CB
(239) Dillon Mitchell WR
(247) Olabisi Johnson WR
(250) Austin Cutting LS

Immediate Impact: C Garrett Bradbury, TE Irv Smith Jr.
Bradbury is going to start this season the only question is where; my guess is at center. The Vikings have Pat Elflein so they could have Bradbury start out at LG but I think they move Elflein to guard instead. That would improve two positions because I think Bradbury is a better center while Elflein improves their guard spot. Irv Smith Jr. isn’t taking Kyle Rudolph’s job just yet but the team will play more two TE sets now because of him and he’ll be a weapon for them.

Best Value: CB Kris Boyd
Boyd is definitely a better CB than a seventh-round pick. He’s a fighter and a scrapper and he might be better in the slot than Mackensie Alexander. With Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes on the outside Boyd’s best chance at playing time is beating out Alexander and Mike Hughes.

Sleeper: WR Dillon Mitchell
The Vikings have Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs but other than that the WR group is pretty devoid of talent. Laquon Treadwell is still hanging on but that is more about the lack of guys to beat him out than his abilities. Mitchell was the go-to WR at Oregon and he has good size and speed and could be a nice downfield threat for Kirk Cousins.

Overall Analysis
This is a large draft class and given the Vikings roster isn’t in bad shape a lot of these guys are headed to either the practice squad or to another team when they get cut. Bradbury is a guy that could be a future Pro Bowler at center and Irv Smith Jr. will be a nice weapon in the passing game right away. RB Alexander Mattison isn’t anything special but the team has very little behind Dalvin Cook and Cook is injury prone so as long as Mattison doesn’t fall on his face in training camp he should make the team. Dru Samia isn’t an overly athletic player but he’s experienced and the Vikings need interior help so he should be good. The defensive line and linebacking corps aren’t exactly stacked so Armon Watts and Cameron Smith might have a chance to make the roster. S Marcus Epps has some versatility but I don’t see him actually making the roster. Udoh is a small school prospect and while the team needs offensive line help, they need it now and Udoh isn’t ready right now. Johnson is a possession receiver but I don’t think he’s good enough to make the roster. It’s rare for a long snapper to get drafted but when a team has 12 picks they figure why not? The only question is whether or not he’ll have to serve his two-year commitment to the Air Force before he can play for the Vikings.

 

2019 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

This is my last mock draft before the big event coming on Thursday night.  It’s lying season in the NFL so don’t believe anything you hear.  There are a few things I think could be true.  Dwayne Haskins may fall a bit if the Giants have really decided he’s not their guy.  I still think he’s the best QB in this draft but he could end up somewhere between picks 10-15 instead of in the top 7.  I still think Kyler Murray goes number 1 overall and I still disagree with it.  Arizona only has until the draft to trade Josh Rosen or they lose all leverage and won’t get anywhere near his value for him.  They already waited too long as teams like Denver and Washington traded for veterans, that doesn’t take them out of the discussion but it means they aren’t as likely to pony up valuable assets.  If Arizona GM Steve Keim ends up with both Murray and Rosen on the Cardinals roster after the draft he should be fired on the spot, that’s dereliction of duty.  I went a little bit crazy and just kept going so this is a THREE round mock draft so if you make it to the end…congrats, that’s real dedication.

 

1. Arizona Cardinals (3-13): Kyler Murray           QB                       Oklahoma

This pairing has been beaten to death over the last several months as everyone assumes Kliff Kingsbury is enamored with Murray’s fit in his offense.  The bump in the road here is the presence of Josh Rosen.  Rosen is no slouch and he could certainly run Kingsbury’s offense.  He may not be the athlete Murray is but Rosen is a highly accurate passer and the timing and rhythm of Kingsbury’s offense needs pinpoint accuracy.  Murray is a talent but I wonder about his long-term viability given his size and penchant for scrambling.  Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury will be staking their NFL careers on whichever QB they decide to go with, I would bet on Rosen, they probably won’t.

2. San Francisco 49ers (4-12): Nick Bosa            DE                        Ohio St.

Teams that go 4-12 clearly can use help all over but the 49ers got some help offensively in free agency (RB Tevin Coleman, WR Jordan Matthews) and they are hoping to get more help with the return of QB Jimmy Garoppolo and RB Jerick McKinnon.  That means they can focus on defense in the draft.  It just so happens this draft is stacked on defense and with the Cardinals going Murray first overall the 49ers get their pick.  Taking Nick Bosa, the top overall prospect in the draft, seems like a solid strategy.  It just so happens he would fit right in opposite newly acquired Dee Ford and allow the team to slide Solomon Thomas inside and leave him there.  Bosa would complete a really good defensive front four of himself, Thomas, DeForest Buckner and Dee Ford.  That’s a front you can build on.

3. New York Jets (4-12): Quinnen Williams           DT                        Alabama

This one will truly be a pick’em between Williams and Kentucky edge rusher Josh Allen.  The difference here I think comes down to the defense new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will want to run.  He’s always been more of a 4-3 defense kind of guy and that defense would also suit their best defenders DL Leonard Williams and newly signed MLB CJ Mosley.  Quinnen Williams would pair inside with Leonard Williams at DT and provide protection of Mosley.  Also, the 4-3 alignment would probably benefit LB Darron Lee, that’s an added bonus.  Quinnen Williams is an absolute beast and he’ll make the entire defense better.

4. Oakland Raiders (4-12): Josh Allen            DE/OLB               Kentucky

Jon Gruden claims it’s hard to find good pass rushers, here’s one, don’t pass on him.  Allen returned to school last year and really improved his stock and he’s the best pass rusher not named Nick Bosa.  Allen is actually more than a pass rusher so he would be a fantastic addition to the Raiders defense that needs playmakers.  This pick should be an easy decision for Mike Mayock the new GM of the Raiders with Murray and Bosa at 1 and 2 the Raiders simply take whichever guy (Allen or Quinnen Williams) that the Jets pass on.  If for some reason the Cardinals pass on Kyler Murray it would be a very Gruden move to take Murray even though he already has Derek Carr.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Montez Sweat           OLB/DE               Mississippi St.

The Buccaneers defense is undergoing some changes with the coaching change to Bruce Arians as he brought in his former defensive coordinator from Arizona Todd Bowles.  Bowles prefers a 3-4 alignment and they need edge rushers for that defense.  Sweat will be perfect for that job as he is a bit of a tweener and has elite athleticism and can really bend the edge from the OLB spot.  While a lot of mock drafts have the team taking Devin White to replace Kwon Alexander the team signed Deone Buchanan, a guy Arians and Bowles turned into an ILB in Arizona.  The only pass rushing OLB they have is newly signed Shaquil Barrett unless they think they can turn Jason Pierre-Paul into one…btw, they can’t.  Their secondary is suspect and they could really use some new blood but getting a better pass rush is another way to improve your secondary’s performance.

6. New York Giants (5-11): Rashan Gary          DL                        Michigan

This is the first time I’m going away from the Giants drafting Dwayne Haskins.  Either Dave Gettleman is pulling off the greatest misinformation campaign ever or the Giants really don’t see Haskins as their guy.  There are rumors they prefer Daniel Jones from Duke and if that’s the case they can use the #17 pick they got in the Beckham deal from Cleveland to land him.  Gettleman likes to draft lineman and this team needs help on both lines.  Gary is a fantastic athlete that simply didn’t produce much at Michigan but teams think they can get more out of him.  He’s a bit of a tweener, not really a DT and not really a DE but defensive coordinator James Bettcher runs a 3-4 defense so he will find a place to use Gary.  This pick will be exceptionally unpopular with Giants fans but Gettleman won’t care.  The Jones pick later will be even more unpopular.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Jawaan Taylor           OT                        Florida

Jacksonville seems poised to try to ride the running game of Leonard Fournette and using the run/pass option with Nick Foles to set it up.  That offense will go a lot farther if they upgrade the front line.  They are pretty solid at the other four positions but RT is a problem.  Taylor still has some maturing to do but he can step right in at RT and be a huge upgrade over holdover Will Richardson and free agent Cedric Ogbuehi.  Taylor is a mammoth human being and while he’s a little raw his talent will overcome.  If the Jags can keep Fournette healthy and on the field and they get LT Cam Robinson back healthy the offense will be much improved with Foles running things instead of Blake Bortles messing everything up.  Foles doesn’t have to be great he just has to not be Bortles level bad.

8. Detroit Lions (6-10): Jonah Williams            OT                        Alabama

The Lions addressed a number of their major needs in free agency with DE Trey Flowers, CBs Justin Coleman and Rashaan Melvin, WR Danny Amendola and TE Jesse James.  They even recently signed RB CJ Anderson as insurance for the sometimes injured Kerryon Johnson.  One issue they didn’t address was the right side of their offensive line.  RT Ricky Wagner is nothing special and RG Kenny Wiggins is just a placeholder.  Some people think Jonah Williams will slide inside to guard in the NFL but I think he would be just fine at RT.  Either way he could be a starter and an upgrade to the Lions offensive line.  This team could go for a pass rusher if Montez Sweat or Rashan Gary slide this far but if not, I think upgrading the offensive line would be a solid move for Matt Patricia’s team.

9. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Ed Oliver           DT                        Houston

The Bills seriously upgraded the WR corps with John Brown, Cole Beasley and Andre Roberts, they also added C Mitch Morse, OG Quinton Spain and OT Ty Nsekhe to the offensive line.  While they could use some more help in the secondary the one guy they will miss the most is retired DT Kyle Williams.  He was a mainstay on their line and they are lucky that a guy as talented and disruptive as Ed Oliver is still available here at #9.  Oliver is an undersized DT but he’ll spend a lot of time in their opponent’s backfield and blowup a lot of plays for the Bills defense.  This team will have to seriously consider a TE like TJ Hockenson or Noah Fant to help out their second-year QB Josh Allen but Oliver has too much value still sitting here ninth overall.

10. Denver Broncos (6-10): Devin White            LB                         LSU

I’m still fairly certain John Elway is gun shy about taking a QB in the first round, he hasn’t been good at drafting them which is why he traded for Joe Flacco.  New head coach Vic Fangio is a defensive whiz and in Chicago last year he had rookie LB Roquan Smith, a multifaceted LB.  Denver’s 3-4 defense has two hardnosed thumpers in the middle in Todd Davis and Josey Jewell, neither of whom is great as a coverage LB.  White has elite speed and athleticism and would offer a different dimension.  There is a pretty good chance I have White going too low as he could go as high as #5 overall to Tampa Bay.  If he falls here, I think Elway gets Fangio a new ILB for his defense.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (6-10): Dwayne Haskins           QB                       Ohio St.

The Bengals haven’t been a team talked about when it comes to taking a QB but if Haskins falls, I think it makes things interesting for them.  New head coach Zac Taylor has no allegiance to Andy Dalton and it may be time for the team to move on from Dalton, Haskins gives them a reason to do so.  Haskins is a pocket passer who would look quite good in Taylor’s offense.  Taking an Ohio St. QB to take over in Cincinnati isn’t a bad thing either, it’s not like Bengals fans are enamored with Dalton at this point so with a new coach it might be time to completely turn the page.  I think Haskins is the best QB in this draft and while the Bengals may have more pressing needs, this would be a solid reboot for the franchise.

12. Green Bay Packers (6-9-1): TJ Hockenson          TE                        Iowa

The Packers passing attack has undergone some changes the last few seasons with the loss of Jordy Nelson last year and now Randall Cobb this year and the emergence of Devante Adams as the top WR.  Jimmy Graham was brought in to add some playmaking from the TE spot but he’s not the player he used to be.  New head coach Matt LaFleur was hired to update the offense and adding a TE with the all-around skills of Hockenson would be a solid start.  With Cobb gone Aaron Rodgers can use a middle of the field weapon to open things up outside for Adams and Hockenson brings the added benefit of being an outstanding blocker.  Hockenson can be the type of TE we see in the NFL with guys like Zack Ertz in Philadelphia, Travis Kelce in Kansas City and George Kittle in San Francisco.

13. Miami Dolphins (7-9): Brian Burns            DE                        Florida St.

The Dolphins signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to be their QB this season so that they will be bad enough to get a high pick next year so they can draft their QB of the future in a draft that will have better QBs than this one.  They need help on the offensive and defensive lines so this is a solid draft to address those needs.  With Cameron Wake moving on to Tennessee and then trading Robert Quinn to Dallas it leaves them with the very underwhelming Charles Harris as their best pass rusher.  Burns is a freak off the edge and while he isn’t the biggest guy, he can get to the QB.  The Dolphins are taking the long view on rebuilding so grabbing a pass rusher who may need a little time to fully develop is a sound strategy.  An offensive lineman like Cody Ford or Andre Dillard is possible but there is depth at O-line they can take later.

14. Atlanta Falcons (7-9): Cody Ford           OL                        Oklahoma

The Falcons offensive line needs some help.  They signed two offensive guards in the off season and neither one is all that great.  They also need help at RT where they have Ty Sambrailo penciled in at the moment.  Ford could fill any of those three needs.  He has the potential to be Pro Bowl caliber player at OG while he could also excel as at RT.  The Falcons need help on the defensive line as well and they could take Christian Wilkins or Dexter Lawrence to line up at DT next to Grady Jarrett.  However, I think they know they need to get better up front on offense to help Matt Ryan in the passing game and improve the running game.  Ford is a versatile piece that will help them put their five best offensive linemen on the field when they line up opening weekend.

15. Washington Redskins (7-9): Drew Lock           QB                       Missouri

The Redskins wait patiently and are rewarded with a QB falling to them.  This team traded for Case Keenum to fill the void left by Alex Smith’s gruesome leg injury last season but it’s time to get the future of the franchise now.  Lock is capable of fitting into Jay Gruden’s offense but having Keenum around means he will have to earn it.  If he’s not ready they don’t have to rush him and while this team may act like they believe Alex Smith will eventually return I would have my doubts.  Lock is a big, strong-armed guy who can make all the throws.  He hasn’t always been consistent but you can see an NFL caliber player when watching him.

16. Carolina Panthers (7-9): Clelin Ferrell           DE                        Clemson

The Panthers defense is predicated on getting pass rush from the front four and with the retirement of Julius Peppers the team is in dire need of an outside edge rusher.  Ferrell is the best one left on the board and he’s a very good choice.  He isn’t the stoutest DE and he needs some work against the run but he’ll add the pass rush the team needs with his quick first step.  The team could use some help on the offensive line but they seem to be convinced Taylor Moton can handle the LT spot.  The secondary still needs some work and a safety to pair with Eric Reid wouldn’t be a bad choice.  Ferrell is likely the last of the top pass rushers on the board so getting him is good value.

17. New York Giants (from Cleveland): Daniel Jones               QB                       Duke

The rumors are that the Giants aren’t enamored with Dwayne Haskins and actually prefer Daniel Jones at QB.  If that’s true this would work out well for them even though it’s a bit of a reach to take Jones here.  They have this luxury since this is their second 1^st round pick.  This is the pick they got from Cleveland for Odell Beckham so the pressure will be one Jones.  Not only will he be the guy replacing a two-time Super Bowl winning QB but he’s the guy they got for Odell Beckham (there’s more to the trade but this is how it will play).  Jones is a solid prospect who received excellent coaching in college from David Cutcliffe but he seems like just a guy to me.  I like Haskins and Lock better and if you made me pick, I would probably take Ryan Finley over him too.  I really don’t think Jones is that much better of a prospect than Will Grier.  The truth is teams fall in love with certain QBs and they can’t be talked out of it, something tells me this pick is going to be comparable to the Vikings when they took Christian Ponder.

18. Minnesota Vikings (8-7-1): Dalton Risner           OL                        Kansas St.

The Vikings are pretty set at the skill positions on offense and their defense is solid too.  However, the offensive line leaves a lot to be desired.  They need help at both guard positions and they could upgrade at RT.  Risner would give them options at all three spots.  Many think he will slide inside and play guard but he can be a pretty solid RT in the NFL.  Risner could legitimately play all five offensive line positions as needed, he played C for a time at Kansas St.  His versatility makes him valuable and he would upgrade any of the three positions the Vikings need and he could be Pat Elflein’s backup in the pivot too.  I think he wins the RT job and solidifies a trouble spot for the team.

19. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Noah Fant           TE                        Iowa

The Titans signed Adam Humphries to play slot receiver and Roger Saffold to solidify their offensive line.  They made these moves because they have to see if Marcus Mariota is really their franchise QB or if they need to move on after this season.  One of the things that hurt Mariota last season was Delanie Walker’s injury at TE.  Mariota has always relied on Walker and when he went down Jonnu Smith simply didn’t step up.  Drafting Fant would give the Titans offense a dynamic athlete and pass catcher over the middle and provide Mariota with the safety valve he needs.  Walker is 35 years old and coming off a major injury, they simply can’t rely on him.  If Mariota can up his game with all the talent around him; WRs Corey Davis, Tajee Sharpe and Humphries, RB Derrick Henry and TE Fant, then the Titans will likely stick with him.  If not, it’s time to move on and next year’s QB draft class could provide a new face of the franchise.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6-1): Devin Bush           ILB                       Michigan

The Steelers haven’t adequately replaced Ryan Shazier since his injury from a few years ago and the inside of their defense has suffered.  Bush has a similar profile as a smaller, athletic LB who hits like a truck and runs exceptionally well.  The team signed Mark Barron this off season but both Jon Bostic and Vince Williams could use replacing at ILB and Bush is simply too good to pass up if he falls this far.  The team could look to find help at CB with Greedy Williams or Byron Murphy but Bush just seems like a better fit.

21. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Christian Wilkins           DT                       Clemson

Wilkins isn’t the flashy penetrator Quinnen Williams is and he isn’t in the athletically gifted category like Rashan Gary but he’s a steady as they come.  He can play all over the line if needed and he will look really good lining up inside next to Jarran Reed for the foreseeable future.  The Seahawks have DE Frank Clark on a franchise tag and they need to sign Reed next year so they need some affordable bodies on the d-line.  Wilkins brings immediate help and cost certainty.  He isn’t an edge rusher but can play some end on running downs but he’ll earn his paycheck inside and be a steady force keeping MLB Bobby Wagner clean.

22. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): DK Metcalf           WR                      Ole Miss

The Ravens suffered plenty of losses in free agency over this off season; OLBs Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith, S Eric Weddle, LB CJ Mosley, and WRs Michael Crabtree and John Brown.  They could look to replace Suggs and Smith at OLB but there isn’t great value left at this point unless you like Jaylon Ferguson a lot.  No WRs have gone here and they desperately need to find at least one outside receiver for Lamar Jackson to throw to this year.  DK Metcalf is a physical freak with incredible speed and he’s built like Mr. Olympia.  He isn’t he smoothest WR but he would offer Jackson a dynamic downfield threat and a wide catch radius.  The Ravens would have their pick here so they could take Marquise Brown, AJ Brown, N’Keal Harry or any other WR they want, Metcalf is just my choice here.

23. Houston Texans (11-5): Andre Dillard           OT                       Washington St.

The Texans’ offense can be dynamic but it would help if they stop giving up over 60 sacks like they did last season.  The offensive line is pretty bad and they need help almost everywhere.  LT would be a good place to start and Dillard is the best pass blocking OT in this draft.  He can step in on day one and that would allow the team to not rely on free agent Matt Kalil to have to step in because he’s never been anyone’s answer at LT.  Julie’n Davenport can compete at RT or inside at guard and offer a better alternative there or just be depth, another thing they haven’t had on the line.

24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago): Greedy Williams           CB                        LSU

The Raiders have done a lot of their offensive upgrades this off season through free agency.  They brought in LT Trent Brown, WR Antonio Brown, WR Tyrell Williams, WR JJ Nelson and RB Isaiah Crowell while the defense only got LB Brandon Marshall, LB Vontaze Burfict and S Lamarcus Joyner.  The defense needs more help and Josh Allen was a nice start but getting the best CB in this draft at #24 overall is a pretty nice gift too.  Williams is a long, athletic corner who doesn’t tackle much but he can cover.  The team has Gareon Conley and Nick Nelson listed as starters and Williams can take Nelson’s job, he’s that good.  The Raiders are stockpiling talent at this point and if they start this draft off with Allen and Williams, they are doing things right.

25. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7): Jeffrey Simmons           DT                       Mississippi St.

The Eagles should be looking for a LT who can eventually replace Jason Peters, probably sooner rather than later but there isn’t one here.  This team also needs a LB but with Devin White and Devin Bush off the board it would be a reach here.  The Eagles could go CB but this feels like a best player available kind of pick.  Simmons injured himself during his draft prep and is unlikely to be ready to open the season but if he was, he wouldn’t still be on the board here. He’s a dynamic interior defensive lineman who can collapse the pocket as well as stuff the run.  The Eagles have Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson at DT but not much else.  Cox has had his share of injuries and Jackson hasn’t always been a model of consistency.  These two are both approaching the age of 30 within a couple of years and they make a lot of money.   All that seems to point to a good time to find their eventual replacement.

26. Indianapolis Colts (10-6): Marquise Brown           WR                      Oklahoma

I haven’t had Marquise Brown in my mock drafts because he’s been dealing with a Lisfranc injury in his foot and that can be a problem for a WR.  However, he checked out just fine at Oklahoma’s pro day and teams seem less worried about the injury than before.  Brown is an undersized WR with elite speed and cutting ability and while some teams may find his size an issue the Colts have done quite well with TY Hilton who fits the same profile.  Andrew Luck has always found ways to get Hilton the ball whether it was on the outside or in the slot and now Brown and Hilton can flip flop throughout the game and cause massive headaches for opposing defenses.  The team could go a number of ways on defense but with so many defenders going early it leaves some really good talent available here in the mid-20s and Brown is simply too valuable to pass up.

27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas): Josh Jacobs           RB                        Alabama

The Raiders went defense with their first two picks and filled two major needs, pass rusher and cornerback.  The third pick could go many ways but they should really look to go for the best value.  Jacobs is considered the best RB in this class and while they could get one later why not take the best one with your third pick.  The team signed Isaiah Crowell but drafting Jacobs would give Crowell someone to share carries with and Jacobs is a better option than Jalen Richard or DeAndre Washington who haven’t proven to be reliable full-time backs.

28. Los Angeles Chargers (12-4): Dexter Lawrence          DT                       Clemson

The Chargers re-signed 34-year-old Brandon Mebane to man the middle at NT but he’s obviously aging and has had some injury issues.  With Mebane’s issues and the loss of Corey Luiget the Chargers have an obvious need on the defensive line.  Lawrence is a mammoth human being at 6’4 and over 340 lbs. but he’s not just a run-stopping anchor.  He can fill Mebane’s NT spot or he could line up next to him in Liuget’s old DE position on the three-man line.  The Chargers need help up the middle to stop the run and Lawrence will do that quite well but he’ll also draw attention away from outside rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4): Garrett Bradbury           OC                       North Carolina St.

The Chiefs didn’t re-sign free agent center Mitch Morse leaving a pretty sizable hole in the middle of an otherwise solid line.  Leaving a hole that big in front of your franchise QB is not a great idea and Andy Reid knows the importance of a good center.  Bradbury’s name doesn’t get mentioned a lot, centers’ names rarely do at draft time, but he’s an excellent prospect and can start from day one.  Getting Patrick Mahomes a center he can trust and grow with is a smart use of a late first round pick.  The Chiefs have a number of needs on the defense as they transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 but none of the prospects they could get on defense offer the value a 10-year starting center does at this point.

30. Green Bay Packers (13-3): AJ Brown           WR                      Ole Miss

The Packers could go a number of ways with their second 1^st round pick.  After taking TJ Hockenson with the 12^th pick they could decide to address their defensive secondary and a safety like Deionte Thompson or Nasir Adderley is completely possible but I’m not sure they offer the same value as AJ Brown.  Brown has been a bit overshadowed by his Ole Miss teammate DK Metcalf but Brown is the one that actually produced in college.  He’s a guy that could fill the Randall Cobb role and line up inside or outside.  The team really only has Devante Adams as a proven commodity at WR while the younger guys are still trying to figure it out.  Brown would be a load to handle in the slot and Aaron Rodgers would appreciate having Brown and Hockenson added to his arsenal in the passing game.  My dark horse WR here is Deebo Samuel, he’s an excellent pass catcher who can lineup inside or out too.

31. Los Angeles Rams (13-3): Byron Murphy           CB                        Washington

The Rams biggest needs are at DT or LB but the value just isn’t there at this point.  They could draft Jaylon Ferguson as a pass rusher or reach for a guy like Jerry Tillery at DT but there is far better value at CB.  Both Murphy and Deandre Baker are worthy of first round picks and while the Rams have Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib and Nickell Robey-Coleman both Peters and Talib are getting older and more expensive.  Both of them could be gone in a year and giving Murphy a year to learn on the job would be smart move.  The team does need to address some holes on the offensive line as John Sullivan wasn’t re-signed at center and Andrew Whitworth will be 37 at LT.  Neither of those positions offer the value of Murphy either and for a team that just made the Super Bowl they can afford to take the best player available.

32. New England Patriots (11-5): Kaleb McGary           OT                       Washington

When everyone thinks Bill Belichick is going to zig, he zags.  The team used a first-round pick on OT Isaiah Wynn last season and then he blew out his Achilles and missed the season.  For now, Wynn is penciled in as the starting LT to replace Trent Brown but he’s really not built for the OT position and with him coming back from his injury it will likely be even tougher to play that spot.  McGary’s name hasn’t been mentioned much but he’s a 6’7 offensive tackle who’s a bit raw but he has lots of potential.  Everyone thinks the Pats are going to try to draft Gronk’s replacement but unless they move up for Hockenson or Fant the best they can do here is Irv Smith Jr., I don’t see them taking him.  They can draft McGary and let offensive line guru Dante Scarnecchia work his magic with him.  Wynn was drafted to cover for the eventual loss of Joe Thuney so for now he’s becomes the backup at about four spots on the line.  This would be a very Patriots pick, assuming they don’t trade out of round 1 (they’re going to trade out of this pick).

Round 2

33. Arizona: Deebo Samuel                WR                      South Carolina

Regardless of who the Cardinals end up going with at QB, if they want Kliff Kingsbury’s offense to work they need better receivers.   Larry Fitzgerald is a Hall of Famer but he’s not the best fit in the offense and he isn’t going to play much longer. Christian Kirk fits the profile but he missed time last year.  Samuel fits any offense and he’ll be excellent.

34. Indianapolis (from NYJ): Jaylon Ferguson        DE/OLB                             Louisiana Tech

The Colts need to generate more pass rush to make their defense more effective.  They signed Justin Houston to help out there but he’s not the player he was at his peak in Kansas City.  Ferguson is a pass rushing machine and he should bring the heat off the edge.

35. Oakland: Chase Winovich             DE                                    Michigan

Winovich is a slightly undersized DE who never quits coming.  He isn’t the athlete his teammate Rashan Gary is but Winovich was the defensive lineman at Michigan who actually produced.  With Josh Allen drafted earlier taking Winovich would be Jon Gruden’s way of doubling down on that pass rush he thinks is so hard to find.

36. San Francisco: N’Keal Harry           WR           Arizona St.

The 49ers rely pretty heavily on TE George Kittle and WR Marquise Goodwin to move the ball through the air.  While veteran Jordan Matthews may have something left the team really needs a true outside threat with good size who can be a red zone target.  Harry is a big, powerful WR who would complement Goodwin quite well.

37. New York Giants: Deandre Baker           CB           Georgia

Baker offers great value as he has first round ability.  The Giants currently have Sam Beal penciled in opposite Janoris Jenkins and that’s not great.  Also, Jenkins could be getting too expensive to keep around after next year so it’s time to get some new blood.  Baker isn’t the most physically gifted CB but he’s a great cover guy.

38. Jacksonville: Nasir Adderley           S           Delaware

The Jags defense is undergoing a few renovations and one of those renovations is at safety.  The team released Tashaun Gipson and Adderley would make a very suitable replacement to line up with Ronnie Harrison.

39. Tampa Bay: Rock Ya-Sin           CB                        Temple

New defensive coordinator Todd Bowls needs some help, he got his pass rusher in the round 1, now it’s time to get someone to cover.  Ya-Sin is a good-sized corner with coverage skills and he can pair with Carlton Davis on the outside so Vernon Hargreaves can man the slot position.

40. Buffalo: Zach Allen           DE                        Boston College

The Bills aren’t exactly stacked at defensive line and the edge needs some work.  Jerry Hughes has been solid for them but he’s on the wrong side of 30.  Trent Murphy is just a guy and is likely to be a cap casualty in the future. Allen isn’t the speediest edge rusher but he gets home with his technique and work ethic.  He can set the edge also and he’s very good value at #40 overall.

41. Denver: Elgton Jenkins           OC                       Mississippi St.

The Broncos lost Matt Paradis in free agency and for now they are planning to move Connor McGovern from OG to C and that will weaken two positions.  Jenkins can start right away at C and let McGovern stay at OG where he’ll be more effective.  Joe Flacco needs a clean pocket and that starts on the interior line.

42. Cincinnati: Mack Wilson           LB                         Alabama

The Bengals have to remake their LB corps as Preston Brown is the only above average member of the group and he’s on a short-term deal.  Wilson can play for the year next to Brown and then eventually take over in the middle.  He isn’t a great fit outside but he’s better than what they have.

43. Detroit: Oshane Ximines           DE                        Old Dominion

The Lions signed Trey Flowers to play one side of the d-line but they need another pass rusher.  Flowers is a good all-around DE but they need someone to bend the edge and Ximines is a smaller speed rusher.  Ximines is a small school prospect but he has a skill set Matt Patricia will find quite intriguing.

44. Green Bay: Deionte Thompson           S                           Alabama

The Packers went offense with their two 1^st round picks so they go defense here.  They have Adrian Amos and Josh Jones at safety but both guys are better suited playing close to the line.  Thompson can cover the deep middle and allow those guys to do what they do best.

45. Atlanta: Amari Oruwariye           CB                        Penn St.

Atlanta lost two CBs this off season in Robert Alford and Brian Poole so they need some help.  Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver are a solid duo but Oruwariye would give them three solid players and he has the size Dan Quinn looks for in a CB.

46. Washington: Parris Campbell           WR                      Ohio St.

The Redskins got there QB of the future (and probably the present) in round one, time to get him some help.  The top WRs on the roster are Paul Richardson and Josh Doctson, a playmaker who can take it the distance any time he touches it is a good place to start.  That’s Campbell.

47. Carolina: Chris Lindstrom           OG                       Boston College

Lindstrom is a technically sound guard who is light on his feet and can move.  The Panthers need some interior line help to keep Cam Newton healthy and improve the run game.  Lindstrom needs to add some strength but he will be ready to play day one, he’s not flashy he’s just rock solid.

48. Miami: Yodny Cajuste           OL                        West Virginia

Cajuste looks the part of a LT but he is missing the foot speed necessary to excel there.  However, his strength would be a huge asset at RT where the Dolphins could really use him.  At worst, he could be a very good OG and the team needs help there too, it’s a win-win for the Dolphins.

49. Cleveland: Justin Layne           CB                        Michigan St.

Cleveland has done a fantastic job of picking up players this off season to really set up a good year; WR Odell Beckham, DT Sheldon Richardson, DE Olivier Vernon, and even RB Kareem Hunt (suspended the first 8 games of the year).  However, there are a few holes left to fill, Jaime Collins’ OLB spot and the hole at CB opposite Denzel Ward are the two most noticeable ones.  Ward was fantastic as a rookie last year but he needs a partner and given Ward’s smaller stature a bigger CB might be nice.  Layne has good size at 6’2 and he can play.  At this point, anybody is better than either Terrence Mitchell or TJ Carrie.  Layne will hold up much better when teams throw away from Ward’s side of the field.

50. Minnesota: Jerry Tillery           DT                        Notre Dame

Not your typical DT at 6’6 295 lbs. but while he looks tall and a bit slight for the interior line, he’s incredible difficult to move off his spot when he anchors and he’s very disruptive.  Tiller should probably go higher than this but this is where he ends up in this mock draft.

51. Tennessee: Charles Omenihu           DE                        Texas

Omenihu is a large DE prospect at 6’5 280 lbs. and he would look good on Tennessee’s line next to Jurrell Casey.  He can rush the passer but also set the edge and allow their pass rushing OLB’s to get to the QB.

52. Pittsburgh: Juan Thornhill           S                     Virginia

The Steelers took Terrell Edmunds in the 1^st round last year but he needs a running mate.  Sean Davis is holding down the FS spot for now but he’s going into the last year of his contract and he’s not great.  Thornhill is a speed demon who can cover a whole lot of ground in deep centerfield.

53. Philadelphia (from Baltimore): Blake Cashman           LB                        Minnesota

The Eagles desperately need help at LB and Cashman showed impressive athleticism at the combine that no one was expecting.  He was a tackling machine for the Gophers and that’s exactly what the Eagles need to line up with Nigel Bradham.

54. Houston (from Seattle): Lonnie Johnson           CB                        Kentucky

The Texans will lineup 35-year-old Jonathan Joseph at one CB spot and Bradley Roby on a one-year contract at the other spot, they need CBs.  Johnson is a long, athletic CB who could give them depth for a year and then take over as a starter.

55. Houston: Irv Smith Jr.           TE                        Alabama

It seems unlikely that Irv Smith Jr. will fall this far but he does in this mock draft.  The only real knock against Smith is that he isn’t ideal size for a TE.  At 6’2 242 lbs. he’s a smaller than a lot of the TEs teams look for these days.  He’s highly productive and the Texans have been missing that component in their offense.

56. New England (from Chicago): Dawson Knox           TE                        Ole Miss

Knox is more potential than production because Ole Miss simply didn’t use him as much in the passing game.  He’s a good athlete with solid hands and while he needs some work to reach his potential, he has all the tools you look for, and New England is looking for them.

57. Philadelphia: Greg Little           OT                        Ole Miss

Little was a highly regarded recruit out of high school and has started a lot of games but he hasn’t lived up to his hype.  He looks the part of a long, athletic LT and he can become that with the right coaching.  This is the Eagles taking a shot on potential, they don’t need him this year if Jason Peters stays healthy but that’s no given.  Little is a lottery ticket and if he pays off, they get a long-term LT at #57 overall.

58. Dallas: Jonathan Abram           SS                         Mississippi St.

Dallas has needs on the defensive front and in the backfield and the value is at safety here.  Abram is an in the box safety who will come up and support the run well and bring a little attitude to the back end of the defense.  The Cowboys traded their first-round pick for WR Amari Cooper during the season so this is their first pick.  A DE is a possibility as they could take a shot on a guy like Jachai Polite who hasn’t looked good in the draft process but Abram is a good choice who can step in and help right away.  A TE is also possible so Jace Sternberger is also a name to remember here.

59. Indianapolis: Khalen Saunders           DT                        Western Illinois

Saunders is small school prospect that made a name for himself in the run up to the draft.  He’s short but stout and would give the Colts someone to play as a NT on their defensive line.  He’s only 6’0 but he weighs 324 lbs. so he’s basically a fire hydrant that is nearly impossible to move.

60. Los Angeles Chargers: Joejuan Williams           CB                        Vanderbilt

The Chargers need someone opposite Casey Heyward so they can continue to deploy Desmond King in the variety of ways they did last year to cover trouble spots.  Heyward is a good cover guy with average size while Williams is a 6’4 CB who would really help cover bigger WRs.

61. Kansas City: Amani Hooker           S                           Iowa

The Chiefs let Eric Berry go this off season and while they signed Tyrann Mathieu they still aren’t very good at the other safety spot.  Mathieu is a versatile player and so is Hooker, he lined up as a safety/linebacker hybrid at Iowa last year.  He can cover and tackle and new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will love having these two safeties.

62. New Orleans: Erik McCoy           C                          Texas A&M

The Saints traded their first-round pick this season in last year’s draft to move up to take DE Marcus Davenport.  Luckily this team isn’t in need of a lot of things although it would really help if Davenport gets healthy and actually gives them some help at DE so Cameron Jordan doesn’t have to do it all himself again.  One thing they do need is a new center with the unexpected retirement of Max Unger.  The Saints only go as far as Drew Brees takes them and keeping him healthy and upright is always the first goal on offense.  McCoy is a good-sized guy who needs a little more strength but the Saints have good guards who can help him hold up until he gets that strength.  He’s the best center left on the board and Drew Brees will welcome him with open arms.

63. Kansas City (from LA Rams): Terry McLaurin           WR                      Ohio St.

This pick is the Chiefs hedging their bets on Tyreek Hill and his off the field issues.  If Hill faces a suspension or the team has to let him go McLaurin is a very good route-runner with great speed to fill the spot.  If Hill sticks around McLaurin is a special teams star and just another weapon for Patrick Mahomes.

64. New England: Anthony Nelson           DE                       Iowa

The Patriots have never cared about having the speediest or twitchiest DEs, they care about guys who will stay disciplined and do their jobs.  They had to let Trey Flowers go because he costs too much money and while they brought in Michael Bennett, they need some young blood up front on defense.  Nelson is a solid edge rusher who can set the edge against the run and he can even slide inside on some downs, Belichick will love his versatility and consistency.

Round 3

65. Arizona: Jachai Polite           DE                        Florida

Never a bad idea to add a pass rusher who has first-round talent but has fallen to round 3.

66. Pittsburgh (from Oakland): Kelvin Harmon           WR               North Carolina St.

Harmon can play inside the slot or on the outside, good versatility to use alongside JuJu.

67. San Francisco: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson           FS               Florida

The 49ers need playmakers in their secondary, they are simply not very good at safety.

68. N.Y. Jets: David Edwards            OT                        Wisconsin

The Jets offensive line needs some reinforcements, Edwards could play a number of positions.

69. Jacksonville: Jace Sternberger                         TE                        Texas A&M

Nick Foles had guys like Zack Ertz, Dallas Goedert and Trey Burton (at one time) in Philly, here he gets a TE.

70. Tampa Bay: Taylor Rapp           S                           Washington

Todd Bowles knows a lot about secondary play and adding Ya-Sin in round 2 and Rapp here helps this team a lot.

71. Denver: Tyree Jackson           QB                       Buffalo

John Elway has a type of QB he likes, tall and strong.  No one is taller or stronger than Jackson.  He needs some time but that gives Flacco some breathing room.

72. Cincinnati: Dre’Mont Jones           DT                  Ohio St.

Geno Atkins isn’t getting any younger and Jones is really good value here.  If he had had better workouts, he would have gone a lot higher than this.

73. New England (from Detroit): Ryan Finley            QB               North Carolina St.

The Patriots need to get someone to develop behind Brady.  Finley is an older prospect who fits the Brady style, he could execute New England’s passing attack without much trouble.

74. Buffalo: Hakeem Butler           WR                        Iowa St.

The have John Brown, the deep threat, and Cole Beasley, the slot guy.  Zay Jones hasn’t been great so they need a big, powerful outside receiver who can win in the red zone, sounds like Butler.

75. Green Bay: Tre Lamar            LB                         Clemson

Lamar is a two-down, run-stuffing kind of LB.  The Packers could use a thumper like him.

76. Washington: Julian Love           CB                        Notre Dame

Josh Norman isn’t getting better with age.  Love isn’t the most impressive specimen but he can cover.

77. Carolina: Vosean Joseph           LB                         Florida

The team lost Thomas Davis, an undersized weakside LB with impressive speed.  Joseph is an undersized weakside LB with impressive speed.

78. Miami: Damian Harris           RB                        Alabama

Most teams don’t go with just one back anymore.  While Kenyan Drake is solid Harris would be a welcome addition to replace Frank Gore as his running mate.

79. Atlanta: Daylon Mack           DT                        Texas A&M

Mack is a big dude who would look good inside next to Grady Jarrett and make his life a bit easier.

80. Cleveland: Michael Dieter           OL                        Wisconsin

Dieter has some versatility to play all over the line and that’s something that could come in handy for Cleveland.

81. Minnesota: David Montgomery           RB                        Iowa St.

He has a similar profile to Dalvin Cook so they would make a nice duo.  Cook has had some injury issues; Montgomery would mitigate that concern a bit.

82. Tennessee: Devin Singletary           RB                        Florida Atlantic

Dion Lewis wasn’t as effective in Tennessee as he was in New England.  Singletary brings a similar skill set and would complement Derrick Henry well.

83. Pittsburgh: Kahale Warring           TE                        San Diego St.

He’s a sleeper TE prospect who can block well and will bring more in the passing game than you think.  They lost Jesse James and Vance McDonald needs a running mate.

84. Seattle: Darnell Savage Jr.           S                              Maryland

The Seahawks have a need in the deep middle with Earl Thomas officially gone and their safety group not being all that deep.  Savage is fast and plays centerfield quite well.

85. Baltimore: D’Andre Walker           OLB                      Georgia

Walker was more of a DE at Georgia but Baltimore is used to turning DEs into OLBs, they did it very well with Terrell Suggs.

86. Houston: Conner McGovern           OG                       Penn St.

Solid but unspectacular is exactly what you’re looking for in an OG late in round 3.  When your line is as bad as Houston’s was you take it and say thank you. (It’s weird, the Broncos have an OG named Connor McGovern too)

87. Chicago: Miles Sanders           RB                        Penn St.

This is the Bears first pick in this draft because they traded both their first and second round picks.  They have a pretty solid roster but they traded away Jordan Howard and only replaced him with Mike Davis.  Tarik Cohen will pick up some slack but he’s not an every down back.  Sanders had the unfortunate responsibility of replacing Saquon Barkley at Penn St. so he didn’t get the credit he deserved for being as good as he was.  Sanders isn’t Barkley but he’s a solid back and he would handle some of the workload in Chicago just fine.  He’s a more dynamic player than Davis so I think Bears fans would love him.

88. Detroit (from Philadelphia): Sean Bunting           CB                        Central Michigan

Solid corner from a small school with some skills to build on.  The Lions take a shot on potential.

89. Indianapolis: JJ Arcega-Whiteside           WR                      Stanford

The Colts signed Devin Funchess to be the big WR in their offense, he’s terrible, they better draft one instead.  Arcega-Whiteside is a jump ball specialist.

90. Dallas: Joe Jackson           DE                        Miami

The Cowboys are counting on Taco Charlton who hasn’t done much to this point in his career and Robert Quinn who hasn’t been good in a number of years opposite Demarcus Lawrence, reinforcements can’t hurt.

91. L.A. Chargers: Tytus Howard            OT                        Alabama St.

Howard is a small school prospect who may need some time to adjust to the NFL.  For now, he can compete to be the RT and potentially be the replacement for Russell Okung at LT down the road.

92. Kansas City: Austin Bryant            DE                        Clemson

The fourth member of Clemson’s defensive line would be a nice addition at DE where the Chiefs need help in their transition to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

93. N.Y. Jets (from New Orleans): Trayvon Mullen            CB                        Clemson

An inconsistent corner who has plus athletic ability.  He’s worth taking a flyer for a team that needs someone to push Brian Poole to his more comfortable nickel role.

94. L.A. Rams: Renell Wren           DT                        Arizona St.

The Rams need a replacement for Ndamukong Suh.  Wren is a behemoth and he would complement Aaron Donald quite well.

95. N.Y. Giants (traded twice): Riley Ridley            WR                      Georgia

The team needs an outside receiver and while it’s foolish to think Ridley can replace Odell Beckham, he is a fantastic route runner and he would easily be the third receiver behind Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate.

96. Washington: Christian Miller           OLB                                 Alabama

Washington has had some success with Alabama defenders so they go to that well one more time to get some pass rush help.  Miller isn’t in the same category as many other Tide defenders but he’s solid.

97. New England: Andy Isabella           WR                      UMass

The Patriots WR corps has looked better and while Julian Edelman is playing well, he is 32 years old and has had some injury issues.  Isabella would be fantastic addition for now and an eventual Edelman replacement.

98. Jacksonville (from LA Rams): Darrell Henderson            RB                        Memphis

A smaller, speedier back to complement Fournette.  The team lost TJ Yeldon their change-of-pace back.

99. Los Angeles Rams: Michael Jordan           OL                        Ohio St.

Jordan is 6’6 but he actually played center at Ohio St., he has some versatility and the Rams could use that right now.

100. Carolina: Jaquan Johnson           S                           Miami

Carolina signed Eric Reid but they need someone who can play centerfield behind him.  Johnson can also hit a bit too.

101. New England: Emanuel Hall           WR                      Missouri

Yep, two WRs in this round.  Hall is a outside speed receiver and that is something the Patriots are sorely lacking.

102. Baltimore: Mecole Hardman           WR                      Georgia

Hardman is a smaller receiver who will excel in the slot and as a return man.  He may be a bit redundant with Willie Snead still there but the Ravens need WRs, he’s the complement to DK Metcalf and he may actually be more productive early compared to Metcalf.