This Mock Draft is 2 full rounds, yeah, I don’t know where I found the time either. ENJOY!!!

We are two weeks away from the start of the NFL Draft with Trey Wingo leading ESPN’s coverage (Yay, I might actually watch ESPN’s coverage for the first time in a long time).  Right now is when the really silly season of smokescreens and stupidity reign.  The latest rumor this week is that the Browns are wavering on drafting Myles Garrett #1 and are thinking about drafting a QB.  HA!HA!HA!  If you believe that one I’ve got a really nice piece of oceanfront property in Arkansas to sell you.  The Browns would like to entice someone to move up but that’s not going to happen either.  There is talk Mitch Trubisky is going in the top 10, which is probably a rumor started by five teams in the top 10 that are trying to get Houston or some other team to make a move up the board so they can trade down and get more picks.  There are rumors about Marshon Lattimore’s hamstring being in a constant state of strain, all kinds of guys are immature at this point I’m sure and by the middle of next week some top prospect will be accused of hiding Jimmy Hoffa’s body.  Here’s a few things I think could happen.  If Cleveland likes a QB they could use their #12 pick and one of the four picks they have between rounds 2 and 3 to move up to say Tennessee’s spot at #5 to grab Trubisky or Watson or CJ Beathard for all we know.  I’m fairly certain Patrick Mahomes II will get drafted before DeShone Kizer and I’m projecting him before Deshaun Watson.  I think it’s possible Davis Webb leapfrogs Kizer too.  Christian McCaffrey will be the 2^nd RB off the board, I have him going 11^th to New Orleans.  There is a distinct possibility Dalvin Cook slides out of round 1 and goes after Joe Mixon and maybe Alvin Kamara but I think that would be a mistake.  I think CJ Beathard gets drafted in round 5, I think Desmond King goes in round 2 (projected in this mock draft to Carolina) and I think Jaleel Johnson and George Kittle go in rounds 3 or 4.  And for those of you wondering I’m fine with the Patriots trading draft picks away because Belichick gets guys that should be better than they were where they were and then he gets them to live up to their potential.  He made guys like Jabaal Sheard and Kyle Van Noy good players, I can’t wait to see what he does with Kony Ealy, Dwayne Allen and especially Brandin Cooks.  He’s also fairly hit-or-miss on draft picks.

Mock Draft 3.0 (I’ve got a final project due in two weeks so this is probably the last one)

1. Cleveland Browns (1-15): Myles Garrett DE   Texas A&M

There are not a lot of certainties in this draft but this is one.  It’s also a certainty that after 18 years since their return to the NFL the Browns still need a QB and there isn’t one here worth taking.  There are three types of players that get drafted #1 overall; Quarterbacks, guys who protect Quarterbacks and guys that rush Quarterbacks.  There is no one in the either of those first two categories that warrants going first overall so it comes down to the pass rushers and Garrett is head and shoulders above the rest.  He’s a freak athlete and the only thing that slowed him down last season was an ankle injury.  There had been a little bit of a question about if he competes on every play and this is where his pro day workout came up big for him.  Garrett had a fantastic workout at the combine and he could have stood on his numbers there (especially in the 40) but he did the workout at his pro day and even improved his 40.  That is not something most top prospects would consider doing and don’t think for one second teams didn’t notice, including the Browns.

2. San Francisco 49ers (2-14): Solomon Thomas DE   Stanford

The 49ers are moving to a 4-3 defense and previous 1^st rounders DeForest Bruckner and Arik Armstead are not edge bending pass rushers.  Solomon Thomas has been flying up the draft board and he’s very good off the edge.  He’s still maturing and refining his skills but he’s a potential star.  It may take him a little longer to dominate than Garrett but the 49ers have a major rebuild underway so he’s got time.  The team has holes all over so drafting for need isn’t really a strategy they can employ, take the best prospect and Thomas looks like he’s the next best one.

3. Chicago Bears (3-13): Jonathan Allen DL   Alabama

The Bears have remade their front seven over the last few years with some free agent signings and a couple of draft picks and Allen would be the last major piece.  He’s perfect fit at DE in their 3-4 scheme and he would wreak havoc up front and free up the OLBs.  I’ve had them going back and forth between Allen and SS Jamal Adams and Adams is still a viable option along with Malik Hooker the FS out of Ohio St.  If there was an offensive lineman worth this spot that would be a superior choice since the Bears starting OTs are Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie.  They are going with Mike Glennon at QB and giving him a chance to sink or swim so QB is not happening here.  They aren’t committed to Glennon for the long term (they avoided making Brock Osweiler sized mistake with Glennon’s contract) but they are hoping he’s the answer.  Getting him some offensive line help after the 1^st round should be a priority.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13): Leonard Fournette RB   LSU

If the top three defensive linemen are gone by pick number four then football czar Tom Coughlin and GM David Caldwell are going to have to make a tough decision.  The signings of CB AJ Bouye and SS Barry Church filled their two big defensive needs and they would have to reach for a guy like Derek Barnett if they want to take a defensive lineman.  There isn’t an offensive lineman worth this spot either.  Fournette is highly talented and would give them someone to take the pressure off of Blake Bortles and the passing game.  TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory just weren’t enough last year and they didn’t bring much consistency.  Fournette would add a different dimension to the offense and he actually showed more skills at his pro day when it comes to the passing game than anyone thought he had.

5. Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams 4-12): Malik Hooker FS   Ohio St.

The Titans have two picks in the first round of the draft, this one coming courtesy of the Rams trading up for Jared Goff last year so they will be able to address two major needs so expect the secondary and wide receiver to be their focus.  The free agent signing of CB Logan Ryan and the depth at the CB position could lead the Titans to taking Hooker over his Ohio St. teammate CB Marshon Lattimore.  They signed Jonathan Cyprien at safety but he’s more of a box safety and Hooker would be better covering the deep middle.  Either defensive back would be a good choice here as the Titans have multiple needs in the secondary even after signing Ryan and Cyprien.  Hooker is a still developing prospect so his best football is still ahead of him, that’s a scary thought for teams that will have to deal with him for the next decade in the NFL.

6. New York Jets (5-11): Marshon Lattimore CB   Ohio St.

The Jets desperately need a QB of the future, actually they need one for the present and the future but I don’t think it’s coming here anymore.  Lattimore is a talented prospect that doesn’t have a ton of experience as just a one-year starter but he could be special.  The Jets reunion with Derrell Revis didn’t go as well as the first time and now he’s headed out of town and they need a new CB1.  Lattimore can grow into the role as this team rebuilds.  I don’t think any of the QBs are worth this high of a pick but if one is going in the top 10 it’s probably happening here.  The Jets signed Josh McCown to be a placeholder at best and if they don’t grab a QB in this draft they may have to stage a QB battle between Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg and if they both fall flat they can hand the reigns to McCown for a year.  Any of those scenarios probably leads to a new head coach and a new GM picking a QB very high in next year’s draft, at least it looks like there will be some QBs worthy of a high pick next year.

7. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11): Jamal Adams SS   LSU

The Chargers are changing up their defense with new coordinator Gus Bradley taking over and switching to a 4-3.  This is good news for last year’s rookie standout DE Joey Bosa because he’s a great fit but it calls into question what they are doing with franchised OLB Melvin Ingram.  Ingram is best suited as a 3-4 pass rushing OLB, he’s a bit small to be a 4-3 DE and his skillset has never been as an OLB in a 4-3.  They could use another DE and Derek Barnett could certainly be the pick here.  However, the secondary is starting to come together with CBs Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett playing really well and grabbing a dynamic safety like Adams would fit right in.  Bradley was once the defensive coordinator of the Seahawks when they had Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas at safety so he’s familiar with the value a good safety brings.  There are plenty of rumors of the Chargers looking to grab Phillip Rivers heir apparent but that makes little sense to me.  If this team can’t make some strides and they finish the season picking high in next year’s draft they might be able to draft either USC’s Sam Darnold or UCLA’s Josh Rosen, what could be better for a team that just moved to LA to grab one of the two marquee QBs from the city.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Derek Barnett DE   Tennessee

The Panthers could use help on the offensive line but as I’ve discussed it’s just not the right value this high in the draft.  I’ve had them taking Leonard Fournette and if he gets past Jacksonville this is still a great landing spot for him, since that isn’t the case in this draft I’m going with Barnett.  The Panthers brought back Charles Johnson, Mario Addison and their blast from the past Julius Peppers but none of those guys are long for the NFL world.  Addison is 29, Peppers is 37 and Johnson is 30 and coming off of back surgery, reinforcements are needed.  GM David Gettleman likes to build at the line on defense and while Barnett isn’t flashy he is effective.  He’s young and he’s relentless so he could give the old guys a break and learn from them at the same time.  I do think the Panthers will go for a RB early but if Fournette is gone they would have to reach for Dalvin Cook or Christian McCaffrey, something tells me owner Jerry Richardson won’t sign off on Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9-1): Reuben Foster LB   Alabama

The dust seems to have settled on Foster’s incident at the combine where he got into some sort of argument with someone.  There hasn’t been much more info and it seems like it won’t affect his draft status.  That’s good news for the Bengals especially if the top four defensive linemen are off the board (Garrett, Thomas, Allen and Barnett).  They could use a DE opposite Carlos Dunlop or a DT to replace Domata Peko but since there isn’t a great one here they can’t pass on Foster.  They signed Kevin Minter from Arizona and he’s still young at 26 and he stays healthy, but he’s a thumper in the middle and not a guy that chases people around.  He will help their run defense but he’s limited otherwise.  Vontaze Burfict is also 26 but he’s had a hard time staying healthy and Vincent Rey is pushing 30 and his effectiveness may start to wane soon.  Foster is a fast athlete with great instincts that could move outside this year (Minter is on a one-year deal) and really help on all downs.  There has been some concern about Foster’s maturity and perhaps mixing him with Burfict is a recipe for disaster but Marvin Lewis has mostly kept Burfict under control (he’s still a knucklehead sometimes but he’s not a crazy man off the field).  So, Lewis might be just the guy to help Foster along.

10. Buffalo Bills (7-9): Mike Williams WR   Clemson

I’m sticking with this pick because if the Bills want Tyrod Taylor to succeed at QB he needs someone to throw to not named Sammy Watkins.  All of their other WRs from last year are gone so there is a huge void and Williams is just the guy to start filling it.  He’s big and physical and brings a dimension Watkins doesn’t fill.  This could very well be a place where OJ Howard sneaks into the top 10 and I can’t really argue with that as it does some of the same things Williams does in terms of helping out Taylor.  However, as big and athletic as Howard is he did not produce in college like Williams did in the passing game so I would take Williams and let him do his thing.  Watkins would be more effective (as long as he can stay healthy anyway) with someone else taking away some of the coverage.  I really like Williams potential, for his sake I hope his talent would help Taylor more than Taylor’s limitations might hurt Williams.

11. New Orleans Saints (7-9): Christian McCaffrey RB   Stanford

There’s always one team that pulls something out of their ass on draft day and I’m going with the Saints this year.  I think they will get a trade done with New England for CB Malcolm Butler but it won’t include this pick (I would love it if it would but no such luck).  The Saints sent Brandin Cooks to New England because he wasn’t the guy they thought they could make him.  Sean Payton made Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles major offensive weapons but Cooks has a different skillset so it didn’t work out.  McCaffrey is that sort of player, a RB that is really comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield, playing out of the slot and yet being enough of a threat running the ball to keep teams honest.  In Payton’s offense with Drew Brees throwing it around McCaffrey can be a star.  Getting Butler in a trade would fill their major need at CB which would allow GM Mickey Loomis to grab an offensive weapon.

12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia 7-9): Marlon Humphrey CB   Alabama

It’s possible the Browns go QB here but I don’t think they will.  They can seriously upgrade their defense with Garrett at #1 and grabbing a player for the secondary here.  Humphrey can come in and line up opposite veteran Joe Haden and he can hold his own.  He’s a good athlete with good size for the position and his time at Alabama means he won’t be intimidated going up against top competition.  Humphrey has something every good CB needs, a short memory.  If he gets beat, and he will, he’ll forget about it by the next play and line up ready to go.  He’s young but that never slowed him down at Alabama either.  Garrett and Humphrey would go well with some of the other young talent on the defense and would give new coordinator Greg Williams a start on turning them into an elite unit.

13. Arizona Cardinals (7-8-1): Jabrill Peppers SS   Michigan

I really want to give the Cardinals either a QB for the future with Carson Palmer staring retirement in the face or a WR to replace Larry Fitzgerald who is also coming to the end of his Hall of Fame career.  The only problem is that Palmer and Fitzgerald aren’t returning this year to mentor their replacements they want to win.  Head coach Bruce Arians isn’t getting any younger either so they should be looking for someone to help them out.  They lost a number of veterans on defense to free agency like safety Tony Jefferson.  The Cardinals have some experience with swiss army knife like safeties having Tyrann Mathieu at one spot and Deone Bucannon playing ILB after starting out as a safety.  Peppers would fit right in and give them the ability to continue to move pieces all over the field.  He could even play a little CB if needed.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota (8-8): Gareon Conley CB   Ohio St.

The Eagles have a pretty clear need at CB after addressing their lack of talent at WR in free agency with Alshon Jeffry and Torrey Smith joining Jordan Matthews as targets for Carson Wentz.  This could be a potential landing spot for the first offensive lineman off the board given the fact that LT Jason Peters is 35 and RT Lane Johnson has served a suspension for PEDs.  Cam Robinson, Ryan Ramczyk or Garett Bolles are all possibilities.  Conley was a top CB prospect coming into the year before his teammate Marshon Lattimore overshadowed him but he’s still a pretty good looking player.  As far as CB goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder because it’s a deep draft and guys like Conley, Humphrey, TreDavious White, Kevin King, Adoree’ Jackson and a few others have grades all over the map.  I like Conley and he’s the right fit for Philly.

15. Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Malik McDowell DL   Michigan St.

The Colts new GM Chris Ballad used to work in Kansas City with Andy Reid so he may have a penchant for going with linemen early.  They signed Jabaal Sheard and John Simon to line up at OLB but they still need help on the defensive line.  Kendall Langford is 31 and the other starter is newly signed Margus Hunt who was a disappointment in Cincinnati.  McDowell isn’t my favorite player as he was quite inconsistent in college.  He’s a bit of a tweener in the fact that he’s 6’6 and 300 lbs. so he’s a little tall to be a DT and not quite fast enough to be an edge rusher.  That would make him perfectly suited to line up at DE in the Colts 3-4 defense and help free up Sheard and Simon to rush the passer.  They could use some help on the offensive line or they could grab Dalvin Cook at RB because Frank Gore can’t play forever but I think McDowell fits a major need for them.

16. Baltimore Ravens (8-8): OJ Howard TE   Alabama

This pick could come down to three players from Ozzie Newsome’s alma mater; OT Cam Robinson, OLB Tim Williams or Howard.  If the team isn’t confident James Hurst can replace Ricky Wagner at RT than Robinson could be the pick.  If they think they need a speed rusher to replace Elvis Dumervil than Williams will be the guy.  Howard could help them clear up a crowded roster position at TE.  Veterans Dennis Pitta and Ben Watson make more money than they are worth on the field, Crockett Gillmore is injury prone and Maxx Williams has yet to make a mark, which leaves Nick Boyle who is still trying to find some consistency.  If they grab Howard he immediately becomes a playmaker for Joe Flacco and he’s a good blocker to boot.  Pitta and Watson could be jettisoned for salary cap reasons and Williams would be shown the door too.  A TE depth chart of Howard, Boyle and Gillmore would be pretty solid.

17. Washington Redskins (8-7-1): Mitchell Trubisky QB   North Carolina

The draft positioning of the QBs is the wildcard of this whole thing.  Cleveland, San Francisco and the Jets all need QBs now, the LA Chargers, New Orleans and Arizona are staring at the end of the road or their guys so anything is possible.  The Redskins have Kirk Cousins on a one-year franchise deal for the second year in a row and neither side looks like they want to make the marriage last long-term.  The Redskins have plenty of other needs but a splashy 1^st round pick like Trubisky is right up owner Daniel Snyder and team President Bruce Allen’s alley.  If GM Scot McCloughan hadn’t been fired I would have given them either LB Hassan Reddick or WR John Ross but with Snyder and Allen back calling the shots there is no place for good sense in Washington, DC…yeah, I know, they fit right in.

18. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Corey Davis WR   Western Michigan

The Titans have been building their offense for the past couple of years with QB Marcus Mariota at the helm.  The offensive line is solid especially with OTs Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin.  The running game has Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry.  Delanie Walker has been a Mariota favorite target for past few years and WRs Rishard Matthews and Tajee Sharpe are very good possession guys.  The one major piece they lack is a big downfield threat and #1 WR.  John Ross would offer them a speed demon that would take the top off the defense but Davis is a special talent.  He isn’t as fast as Ross (literally no one in the NFL is) but he’s got better size and is plenty fast and he would look great outside giving Mariota a true #1 target.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): Dalvin Cook RB   Florida St.

Doug Martin will start the season on a drug suspension and he hasn’t exactly been the picture of consistency lately.  Charles Sims has his moments but has yet to seize the starting RB spot even with Martin’s issues holding him back.  Jacquizz Rodgers is a great 3^rd down back but he can’t carry the load.  The Buccaneers once employed a former Florida St. RB named Warrick Dunn and that worked out pretty well for them.  Cook is a dynamic offensive player who looks far better on the football field than he does running around in shorts.  Despite a little bit of a reputation off the field and less than stellar workout numbers, he’s a player.

20. Denver Broncos (9-7): Ryan Ramczyk OT   Wisconsin

The Broncos offensive line was less than spectacular last season and while LT Russell Okung wasn’t good, losing him in free agency isn’t really helping matters.  The signing of OG Ronald Leary is a nominal upgrade on the interior but bringing in Menelik Watson from Oakland at OT is no solution on the outside.  If they line up Donald Stephenson at LT this year they might as well get their QBs some Kevlar suits now and save themselves the trouble.  Ramczyk is coming off of hip surgery and he was only a one-year starter at Wisconsin after transferring in from a lower division.  That said, he’s got all the things you look for in a LT.  He’s big, long and powerful and exactly what the Broncos need to get their offense back on track.  They may have to look at using more than one pick on the offensive line but Ramczyk is a good place to start.

21. Detroit Lions (9-7): Hassan Reddick LB   Temple

The Lions need another pass rusher to go opposite Ziggy Ansah, they need a CB to play opposite Darius Slay and they need help at LB after trading away Kyle Van Noy last season and finally giving up on DeAndre Levy ever being healthy again.  There’s a theme here, they need defense.  At this point they just need to take the best defender and that’s Reddick.  He’s been steadily moving up the draft boards and his versatility is key.  He can be an ILB or and OLB, he can be a pass rusher (he was one at Temple) and he can blitz like crazy.  He’s shown the right skills to be able to cover TEs or RBs too, he’s the total package.  The Lions defense needs playmakers and Reddick is just that.  It’s possible the Lions finally look to solve their RB issues here but I think the value is Reddick and they can get a solid RB later.

22. Miami Dolphins (10-6): Forrest Lamp OG   Western Kentucky

The Dolphins offense made major strides last season under first year head coach Adam Gase and it would be a shame for it to take a step back.  They traded Brandon Albert away this offseason and that means second year man Laremy Tunsil will slide from LG to LT and I think that’s a net gain for Miami.  Tunsil has elite LT ability but that means his LG spot will need to be filled.  Forrest Lamp played LT at Western Kentucky but everyone expects him to move inside to OG in the pros and he would make for an outstanding tandem with Tunsil protecting Ryan Tannehill’s blindside and opening holes up for Jay Ajayi.  It’s not a flashy pickup but it’s how you win games.  It’s a deep defensive draft so they can address their defensive needs later.

23. New York Giants (11-5): Garett Bolles OT   Utah

Ereck Flowers has been a disaster at LT because he just isn’t the type of athlete you need there and Eli Manning isn’t exactly fleet of foot at QB so there are sacks-o-plenty happening on offense.  The team brought in WR Brandon Marshall to work with Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard to create an elite passing attack but if Manning is on his back that’s not going to work very well.  Bolles would upgrade two positions because he can step in at LT which would move Flowers to his more natural RT position and that’s a two-for-one upgrade.  With the addition of DJ Fluker in free agency he can play inside at OG and now they may finally have the makings of a good offensive line.  The last few years of Eli Manning’s career shouldn’t be spent getting run over by DEs and Bolles could solve that problem.

24. Oakland Raiders (12-4): Zach Cunningham LB   Vanderbilt

While they continue to work on that clone of Derek Carr they are hoping for, the Raiders should address a different gaping need.  Their run defense wasn’t great last season and they need a tackling machine like Cunningham manning the middle of the defense.  He doesn’t look like your classic “thumper” in the middle because he’s more of a long, lean type but he’s comparable to Derrick Johnson of the Chiefs and he’s been really good for a really long time.  They are building a very good defense around Khalil Mack and Cunningham would be a fantastic piece.

25. Houston Texans (9-7): Patrick Mahomes II QB   Texas A&M

When there is no consensus as to who is the top QB and what order the QBs should go in it really comes down to team preference.  If Trubisky is the first QB off the board that really won’t shock anyone but if Mahomes goes before Deshaun Watson that’s going to get some attention.  Mahomes is a gunslinger, think Brett Favre, and while I’m sure Bill O’Brien likes Tom Savage enough he’s not going to rely on a guy that has health issues long-term.  O’Brien needs a guy with a big arm and unshakeable confidence and that is Mahomes.  Watson is a good athlete and a good QB but he doesn’t fit the skillset Houston is looking for so they go with Mahomes.

26. Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1): Cam Robinson OT   Alabama

The Seahawks signed former Jacksonville first round pick Luke Joeckel and they are apparently planning on giving him a shot at LT, that’s not a great plan but they are desperate.  Most scouts see Robinson moving either inside to OG or over to RT after playing LT at Alabama and that’s understandable.  Either way this pick works because the Seahawks need help at about three different spots on the line at least.  If Joeckel flames out like he did in Jacksonville Robinson is a nice backup option at LT, if Joeckel works out then Robinson can either play RT or move inside to LG next to Joeckel.

27. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4): Deshaun Watson QB   Clemson

The Chiefs have some needs, like help on the defensive line, getting younger at LB and finding someone to line up opposite Marcus Peters at CB but they could look to grab a guy that could be their future at QB.  Alex Smith is 32 so he’s still got time in the league but he’s not a dynamic playmaker and some believe he is holding the Chiefs offense back.  Watson isn’t dissimilar from Smith when he was coming out of Utah many moons ago.  He plays in a spread offense, didn’t play under center at all, he’s athletic and his passing is still a work in progress.  Watson is slightly shorter than Smith and a better overall athlete but he may need similar work on his game to that which Smith has already been through.  Andy Reid has penchant for drafting for his lines early but if Watson is available he may need to think of the future of the franchise now rather than later.

28. Dallas Cowboys (13-3): Obi Melifonwu SS   UConn

The Cowboys secondary wasn’t exactly teeming with talent before and free agency has taken its toll.  CB Brandon Carr, CB Morris Claiborne and SS Barry Church are all gone.  Melifonwu emerged from the combine turning heads with his freakish athleticism and size.  The Cowboys already have one former UConn freak athlete at safety in Byron Jones and adding another one would be a major piece of rebuilding the secondary.  I’ve been a big proponent of them grabbing a pass rushing DE because they have struck out many times at the position lately but the secondary is just as big of an issue now.  Melifonwu offers a bit better value than the DEs available right here but if they were to grab Taco Charlton or Takkarist McKinley I certainly couldn’t blame them.

29. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Takkarist McKinley OLB   UCLA

The Packers have lost Julius Peppers and Datone Jones in free agency and Clay Matthews isn’t getting any younger.  They re-signed Nick Perry but he’s only had one good year.  If the Packers want their defense to succeed they need a pass rush and McKinley fits their scheme well.  They could use a CB and certainly they need someone other than Ty Montgomery at RB but McKinley is too good to pass up.  It is entirely possible McKinley doesn’t make it this far and if that’s the case one of the many CBs would be a good bet or perhaps they will pull the trigger on Tim Williams from Alabama.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): Raekwon McMillan ILB   Ohio St.

The Steelers defense has always been built on its linebackers and with James Harrison aging, Lawrence Timmons heading for Miami and Jarvis Jones leaving for Arizona it’s time for them to bring in some reinforcements.  McMillan is a hardnosed, run-stuffing LB who would look very good lined up inside next to the speedier Ryan Shazier.  The two former Buckeyes would complement each other well given their skillsets.  McMillan feels like a Steelers throwback LB and he fills a hole right in the heart of their defense.  After many years of passing on CBs the Steelers finally took one last year in Artie Burns but that position is still a position of need so CB is a possibility.

31. Atlanta Falcons (11-5): Taco Charlton DE   Michigan

The Falcons have added DT Dontari Poe and DE Jack Crawford this offseason but they need someone who can really rush the passer off the edge and Charlton is a good place to start.  He’s a good all-around DE and while no one will confuse him for Myles Garrett off the edge he’s better than the guys the Falcons have at the moment.  After the stunning collapse of their defense in the second half of the Super Bowl they need some reinforcements.  Poe, Crawford and Charlton would make a nice addition up front and the return of a healthy Desmond Trufant at CB will be a welcome sight too.

32. New Orleans Saints (from New England 14-2): TreDavious White CB   LSU

I’m hoping the Patriots reacquire this pick in a trade for Malcolm Butler but even if they don’t and they settle for less the Saints could still use another CB if they get Butler.  White’s draft grade is all over the place and he could go as high as #14 overall or be a third rounder at this point.  He’s skilled and experienced and he can be an immediate starter in the NFL if necessary.  With or without Butler the Saints need CB help because their presumed starters at the moment are Delvin Breaux and PJ Williams and they both were injured last season.  If New England gets this pick back for Butler I hope Belichick doesn’t draft a CB this high because his track record at doing that isn’t very good.  I was actually okay with him giving this pick up for Brandin Cooks but if he is ready to let Butler walk then I want him to get it back, and then draft David Njoku the TE from Miami.

Round 2

33. Cleveland Browns: Budda Baker S   Washington

The Browns secondary needs a lot of help and adding Marlon Humphrey at CB and Budda Baker at safety would go a long way to fixing the problems.  With Garrett rushing the passer and those two patrolling the secondary with Joe Haden the Browns defense could get really good, really fast.

34. San Francisco 49ers: John Ross WR   Washington

I couldn’t find a place for the fastest man ever at the combine in the first round and I’m sure I’m wrong about that but if he falls it won’t be far.  The 49ers signed Pierre Garcon but he’s 30 years old so he’s not a long-term solution at WR.  The signed Marquise Goodwin too but he’s not a high volume WR.  I don’t know who will be throwing the ball in future for the Niners but Ross would be a nice weapon for someone.

35. Jacksonville Jaguars: David Njoku TE   Miami

The Jags have spent a lot of money the past two years to build their defense and they have some weapons on offense.  They traded Julius Thomas to Miami for OT Brandon Albert (a trade of guys they each needed to get rid of) but that leaves them without much at TE.  If drafting Leonard Fournette in the first round is meant to help Blake Bortles giving him a pass catching threat like Njoku down the seam would be another good step.

36. Chicago Bears: Kevin King CB   Washington

The Bears signed Prince Amukamara to fill one CB slot and they are hoping Kyle Fuller can come back from an injury and fulfill his potential at the other but those are risky propositions.  King has been overshadowed by his teammate Sidney Jones (rightfully so considering how good Jones is) but with Jones going down with an Achilles tear he’s not a factor.  King is a big CB at 6’3 and is very good prospect and fills a need for the Bears.  Offensive line help may have to wait another round, sorry Mr. Glennon.

37. Los Angeles Rams: Charles Harris OLB   Missouri

The Rams traded their 1^st round pick so this is their first pick in this draft.  New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will transition them to a 3-4 defense and he needs guys to rush the passer.  Robert Quinn is making the move from DE to OLB and they signed Connor Barwin but Phillips can never have enough pass rushers.  Harris can make the transition to OLB and really bend the edge for them and that’s a good thing since Barwin is 30-years old and has never been an elite pass rusher.

38. Los Angeles Chargers: Pat Elflein C/G   Ohio St.

The Chargers offensive line is a mess and while Russell Okung might bring a little stability at LT then interior of the line needs work.  Orlando Franklin has been a free agent bust and while Matt Slauson did an admirable job stepping in at center he really shouldn’t be a center.  Elflein has some nice versatility as he can be a C or an OG and he’ll likely take over the C job rather quickly.

39. New York Jets: DeShone Kizer QB   Notre Dame

The Jets need a QB and Kizer needs someone to stop his slide.  He’s got a lot of raw ability but he lacks consistency and needs some top-notch coaching.  This is the Jets once again buying a lottery ticket hoping to find their QB of the future (think Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, yeah they are 0-3).

40. Carolina Panthers: Desmond King DB   Iowa

King played CB in college and a lot of teams see him as a safety in the NFL, the Panthers need help at both. At safety Mike Adams is 36 and Kurt Coleman is pushing 30 and at CB their draft picks from last season haven’t been stellar.  King is versatile and he can cover for a lot of other issues in the secondary.  His instincts are incredible and he’ll be a playmaker wherever he ends up.

41. Cincinnati Bengals: Tim Williams DE/OLB   Alabama

The Bengals need a pass rusher opposite Carlos Dunlop and they go back to the Alabama well to find one here.  Williams is a quick twitch athlete with an electric first step and he may be the best pure pass rusher outside of Myles Garrett in this draft.  He falls a bit because he’s pretty one-dimensional (even if it is an elite dimension he has) and he’s not exactly a choir boy off the field.  He admitted to teams at the combine that he failed multiple drug tests while at Alabama.  It’s best to come clean about those things but it is going to cost him a bit in the draft.  The team that drafts him has to hope he goes the way of Laremy Tunsil and not the Randy Gregory route.

42. New Orleans Saints: Carl Lawson DE   Auburn

The Saints were last in the league against the pass last season and getting some help in the secondary is a good step but they need to get to the passer too.  Cameron Jordan is a bit lonesome when it gets to the opponent’s backfield and that’s what Lawson does well.  They have to hope Lawson can stay healthy though because he had trouble with that at times in college.

43. Philadelphia Eagles: Joe Mixon RB   Oklahoma

Someone is going to pull the trigger on Mixon at some point and I think Philly’s need for a RB and Jeffrey Lurie’s ability to look beyond past transgressions could make this Mixon’s landing spot.  Ryan Mathews will be 30 during this season and Darren Sproles will be 34.  Lurie once gave Michael Vick a chance after he served jail time so he may find a way to say yes to Mixon.

44. Buffalo Bills: Taylor Moton OT   Western Michigan

The Bills need someone at RT if they want Tyrod Taylor to succeed at QB.  He’s a good athlete but him running around all the time leads to injury.  Moton is flying under the radar but he had a good week at the Senior Bowl and he’s best suited for RT where the Bills would need him.

45. Arizona Cardinals: Chidobe Awuzie CB   Colorado

The Cardinals could really makeover their secondary with Peppers in the first round and Awuzie in the second.  Awuzie isn’t a guy that has gotten a lot of attention but he probably has more playing experience than just about anyone (he started games every year of his career).  The Cardinals need someone that won’t shrink from the challenge of lining up on the opposite side of Patrick Peterson.

46. Indianapolis Colts: Alvin Kamara RB   Tennessee

I’m not on the Kamara hype train like a lot of people but he would be a huge addition to the Colts offense.  He’s a good RB and they could really use some new blood, of course at this point I’m pretty sure Frank Gore is a vampire.

47. Baltimore Ravens: TJ Watt OLB   Wisconsin

The Ravens need someone to bring pressure from the OLB that’s been vacated by Elvis Dumervil.  Watt looks like a good bet to be an outside pass rusher and he’s the type of guy that will fit in well with the Ravens defense.

48. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Brantley DT Florida

The Vikings went out and signed Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers to address their OT needs.  DT Sharrif Floyd’s career is in jeopardy due to an injury and there isn’t a lot of depth past Linval Joseph so grabbing a guy like Brantley would address a big need.

49. Washington Redskins: Jarrad Davis ILB   Florida

The Redskins are looking to move Su’a Cravens to his more natural safety position and they aren’t exactly deep at ILB to begin with.  Davis has had some injury issues at Florida and that’s why he’s still available here.  He’s a talented player that could start right away if he can stay healthy enough.

50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyus Bowser LB   Houston

The Buccaneers are building a young, fast defense and they have Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David in their LB corps.  Bowser is a quick athlete with the skills to cover and blitz and he would fill out their starting LB corps very nicely.

51. Denver Broncos: Larry Ogunjobi DT   Charlotte

Over the last two off seasons the Broncos have lost Malik Jackson and Sylvester Williams at DT and the only guy they signed was Domata Peko so they could use some reinforcements.  Ogunjobi looked good at the Senior Bowl when the level of competition was stepped up a bit from his college days.  He’s a solid looking prospect they can develop behind Peko who is aging rapidly.

52. Cleveland Browns (from Tennessee): Davis Webb QB   California

The advantage to having four picks in the top 52 is that the Browns can fill a lot of needs and still grab a good looking QB prospect here in the draft.  There are 5 QBs considered 1^st tier guys and Webb is the last of them.  He’s big and has a cannon for an arm.  He will need some time to transition from his college spread offense to the NFL style but he’s got more potential than some of the guys going ahead of him.

53. Detroit Lions: Jordan Willis DE   Kansas St.

The Lions need someone to take the pressure off of Ziggy Ansah on the defensive line.  Willis has flown a bit under the radar because he’s not as flashy as many of the other pass rushers but he’s a talented kid.  He’s got speed to bend the edge and he should upgrade their pass rush.

54. Miami Dolphins: Fabian Moreau CB   UCLA

The Dolphins need another young CB to pair with Xavien Howard from last year’s draft.  Byron Maxwell is the veteran they have but he’s pushing 30, coming off an injury at the end of last season and hasn’t always been great.  Moreau is an experienced player having started for forever for the Bruins and while he’s been dealing with his own injury he’s too good to pass up.

55. New York Giants: Adam Shaheen TE   Ashland

The Giants are planning on using a three WR set quite often with the addition of Brandon Marshall to Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard but when they go to the TE it would be nice to have a guy that’s 6’6 278 lbs.  Shaheen is a small school prospect but he’s breaking through and shining amongst a deep TE group.

56. Oakland Raiders: Adoree’ Jackson CB   USC

The Raiders have two big CBs in David Amerson and Sean Smith so Jackson’s lack of size shouldn’t be a problem.  He can also take some time to learn since he’s never concentrated on football alone.  Learning from some veterans while giving the team some depth is a good combination.

57. Houston Texans: Dalvin Tomlinson DT   Alabama

The Texans lost Vince Wilfork and that leaves DJ Reader as the only NT on the roster.  Tomlinson can line up at any of the three positions on the Texans defensive line and that could be helpful giving them depth behind Reader and cover if JJ Watt’s back injury resurfaces.  Tomlinson was the unsung hero of the Alabama defense moving all over the place to fill in.

58. Seattle Seahawks: Dan Feeney OG   Indiana

If the Seahawks grab an OT like Cam Robinson in the first round they should still grab the next best offensive lineman they can.  Luke Joeckel and Germain Ifedi both have the ability to play OT or OG and so does Cam Robinson.  If they grab Feeney he would line up at OG, throw in Justin Britt at C and the other three guys could fill in wherever they fit best.

59. Kansas City Chiefs: Cordrea Tankersley CB   Clemson

Tankersley is a tall, long CB and the Chiefs need someone to line up opposite star corner Marcus Peters.  Tankersley has started for Clemson the last two years as they have gone to back-to-back National Championship games so he can handle the pressure.

60. Dallas Cowboys: Ryan Anderson DE   Alabama

The Cowboys addressed one need in their secondary with their first pick but they need to get some pass rush help.  Anderson has been billed as a DE that can move to OLB but he’s used to playing on the line and he’ll be fine despite being a little undersized.  He wasn’t as hyped as many of his Alabama teammates but he’s a player.

61. Green Bay Packers: Quincy Wilson CB   Florida

CB is a deep position in this draft and it’s a popular one in my mock draft.  We are coming to the end of the top tier of CBs and the Packers need to grab a quality one.  Wilson was less heralded than his teammate Teez Tabor until Tabor’s poor showing at the combine and pro day.  Wilson could easily go in the first round if someone loves him more than other CBs and I couldn’t argue against it.  Here, he is great value for the Packers who need some help in the secondary.

62. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tarell Basham OLB   Ohio

Basham would be a great understudy to James Harrison and he needs a little time to make the adjustment to OLB from DE.  He’s got size and speed and he showed skills at the Senior Bowl that he didn’t really use at Ohio.  He was a devastating pass rusher in the MAC where he was physically dominant but he can actually do more than just rush from the edge so I don’t think the transition to OLB would be too much for him.

63. Atlanta Falcons: Evan Engram TE   Ole Miss

When you have Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel at WR it seems silly to throw to the TE but Engram would give the Falcons’ offense another dimension.  The TE depth chart isn’t scaring anyone but Engram is basically a jacked up WR that would either draw coverage away from Jones or make teams pay for not covering him.

64. Carolina Panthers: Curtis Samuel WR/RB   Ohio St.

Samuel should just be labeled “offensive weapon”.  He played some RB at Ohio St. but the Buckeyes had other guys at the position (some dude named Ezekiel Elliott comes to mind) so he was used in the slot and at WR to get him on the field.  He can do a lot of things and the Panthers just let Ted Ginn go so there’s a place on the team for a guy like Samuel.  He’s not a pure WR and he really isn’t going to replace Jonathan Stewart at RB full-time but he could be a useful tool on offense and special teams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 NFL Mock Draft

The NFL Combine has finally finished so now we have more information on players than we had before.  Official heights and weights, 40-yard dash times, vertical and broad jump distances and even the three-cone drill times, don’t worry I’m not getting into the three-cone numbers.  Some teams place far too much value on Combine numbers (it’s known to some as the Underwear Olympics) and some teams ignore the things they just don’t want to see.  Some players really helped themselves; DE Myles Garrett (athletic freak), QB Deshaun Watson (threw better than anyone expected) and WR John Ross (broke the 40-yard record with a 4.22).  Some players hurt their stock; LB Reuben Foster (was sent home due to an altercation with medical staff, we will need to learn more about this), QB DeShone Kizer (looked really erratic throwing the football all over the place) and CB Teez Tabor pulled a Joe Haden and looked like he was running in sand.  Some guys didn’t fully participate due to injury; WRs Mike Williams and Corey Davis most notably.  In the end, not too many grades will be changed but someone will fall in love with someone freakishly athletic and draft them for that reason alone, it happens every year.  I will echo the sentiments of everyone by saying that the TE group as a whole looked really impressive.  They sort of looked like an entire race of freakishly athletic dudes ready to dominate the world.  It’s a truly impressive and slightly scary sight to watch multiple guys that are around 6’4 260 lbs. broad jump 11 feet, that’s not normal.   Also, it seemed like there are about 50 good defensive backs in this draft so take your pick, heck take two if you like.

Free agency started and decided to blow up my entire mock draft so this version has been a bit of a moving target.  The QB shuffle got very interesting.  Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley went to San Francisco, Mike Glennon headed to Chicago, Tyrod Tyler stayed put in Buffalo, the Browns traded for Brock Osweiler except they don’t really want him.  The Texans traded away Osweiler but haven’t made a trade for Tony Romo, it’s Tom Savage’s team for now.  Kirk Cousins signed his franchise tender so the Redskins will pay him about $26 million even though they don’t want him and he doesn’t want to be there.  No one wants Jay Cutler and no one wants to quarterback the Jets so that may become a marriage of convenience.  Everyone thinks they can find the next Dak Prescott so the QBs in this draft may want to brace for a fall.

Round 1

1. Cleveland Browns (1-15): Myles Garrett DE   Texas A&M

In the weirdest trade ever the Browns picked up a 2^nd round pick and swapped some other picks with the Texans and took on QB Brock Osweiler and his $16 millionAQ contract.  The Texans just did an NBA style salary dump so they can go after Tony Romo.  However, Osweiler is so bad that the Browns are trying to flip him for another pick.  If they can’t flip Osweiler they may just eat the salary and cut him anyway. This is seriously weird.  Regardless of what happens for the Browns at QB they simply can’t take one here.  Garrett was about a 90% certainty before the Combine and then he worked out and now I would say he’s about a 99.99% certainty.  You simply can’t pass up a player with his potential for any QB that isn’t a sure thing and there are no QBs in this draft that are a sure thing.  Garrett can change the entire dynamic of the Browns defense.  He would draw double teams on the outside that would aid guys like DEs Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib and his pass rushing would help take pressure off of a secondary that needs help.  Garrett is the best combination of sure thing and ridiculously high ceiling as you’re going to get in this draft and the Browns need that badly.

2. San Francisco 49ers (2-14): Jonathan Allen DL   Alabama

When the 49ers signed Brian Hoyer I still thought they would take a QB here and just use Hoyer as a bridge to a guy like Mitchell Trubisky because he needs some time to develop.  Then they signed Matt Barkley too and I can’t see them signing a starter and a solid back-up and then drafting a guy at #2 overall to be their third QB.  I’m fairly certain Kyle Shanahan is simply not impressed by the guys at the top of this draft so he’s going to pass.  The next best player after Garrett is Jonathan Allen and he’s a stud.  They have used 1^st round picks on Arik Armstead and DeForest Bruckner the past two years but Allen is special.  Putting all three of those guys up front on their defense would give them a very solid foundation to build a new defense around.  Allen can play all over the front and his versatility gives them a lot of options of where to line guys up and what defensive formation they want to use.

3. Chicago Bears (3-13): Jamal Adams SS   LSU

Jay Cutler is gone and Mike Glennon is the new QB, GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox were never going to hitch their wagon to a rookie QB.  They would love it if Jonathan Allen were to fall here as he would be a fantastic addition to their improving front seven but if he’s off the board they can address their secondary.  I’m pretty sure the last time the Bears had a great safety on their team Mike Ditka was still coaching them so it’s time to remedy that situation.  Adams is a defense defining safety in the mold of Troy Polamalu and he will change the entire dynamic of the secondary.  The Bears need a CB too and they could grab a guy like Marshon Lattimore to pair with free agent signee Prince Amukamara but Adams is the higher rated prospect.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13): Solomon Thomas DE   Stanford

The Jaguars are spending like drunken sailors picking up DL Calais Campbell and CB AJ Bouye in free agency but I think Thomas will be too good to pass up.  The Jags still need a RB but DE is a more valuable position and while there is plethora of good DEs in this draft there are also plenty of good RBs.  Thomas isn’t in Garrett’s league but he isn’t that far off and he’s only a redshirt sophomore so he’s still got some maturing to do.  The Jaguars still need a little help with their pass rush since Dante Fowler Jr. didn’t fix it for them by himself last season.  Thomas would also give them a better all-around DE than last year’s rookie Yannick Ngakoue who then could become more a pass rushing specialist which would benefit everyone.  Thomas looks the part and he worked out well at the Combine, his addition to the Jaguars improving defense might just be the piece that really puts them over the hump.  I really want to give the Jags a LT seeing how they desperately need one but there isn’t one worth the 4^th pick in the draft and they may be getting a veteran to hold down the fort for a year or two (here comes Brandon Albert’s corpse).

5. Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams 4-12): Marshon Lattimore CB   Ohio St.

The Titans have signed SS Jonathan Cyprien and CB Logan Ryan but that doesn’t mean they will ignore their secondary with this pick.  They need a lot of help in the secondary and Lattimore showed his freakish athleticism at the Combine.  He was only a one year starter for the Buckeyes but that just means he has room to get better and that’s a scary thought.  He’s ready to compete right now and in a few years, he has the potential to be one of the best CBs in the NFL.  His size, speed and explosiveness would be a welcome addition to the Titans secondary.

6. New York Jets (5-11): Deshaun Watson QB   Clemson

The coach and GM of the Jets might be making this pick for the next guys in their respective chairs but that’s what happens when a team drafts Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg at QB.  When you go 0-3 at the position you end up looking like the Jets.  It’s quite possible they settle for Jay Cutler as a bridge to the future (that’s a terrible idea by the way).  Watson is an experienced QB and a winning one at that.  He had a very good day at the Combine throwing the ball and perhaps his dynamic playmaking can save Todd Bowles job long enough to turn this thing around (although I doubt it).  The Jets seem to be going scorched earth with the rebuild so taking a shot on Watson is completely understandable.  Something tells me they didn’t cut WR Brandon Marshall just so it would be less awkward when they sign Jay Cutler.  Let the Geno Smi…err… I mean the Deshaun Watson era begin!

7. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11): Malik Hooker FS   Ohio St.

I feel like I should call them the Los Angeles Chargers of Carson or something, it’s already awkward enough why not go all the way with it?  They were desperate enough to sign Russell Okung to be their new LT so if I were them I might consider grabbing Cam Robinson, Garrett Boles or Ryan Ramczyk.  None of them warrant being picked this high but any of them might be an upgrade at this point.  I think they go for value and take Hooker who would slide very well into their young and aggressive secondary.  They did well with their 1^st round Buckeye last year in Joey Bosa, Hooker would give them a playmaker in the deep middle which they have been missing.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Leonard Fournette RB   LSU

This would be another team that could reach for an OT despite the fact that they are signing Matt Kalil, he’s an upgrade but they could still use some help.  RB Jonathan Stewart has never been the picture of health and his absences become bigger by the day.  He’s now a 30-year old RB so it unlikely he’s all of the sudden going to become more durable.  Fournette is an impressive athlete (his less than stellar vertical jump at the Combine not withstanding) and he’s a workhorse back.  If anyone can get the tough yards behind a suspect offensive line it’s Fournette.  The Adrian Peterson comparisons are unfair but understandable.  Fournette weighed 240 lbs. at the Combine and still ran 4.51 in the 40.  He’s big, powerful and fast and he could give Cam Newton and the Panthers offense what they had on those rare occasions Stewart was healthy.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9-1): Derek Barnett DE   Tennessee

I had Reuben Foster going here and that is still a possibility if the story of him getting into an argument with a medical staffer at the Combine turns out to be something different but for now I see him falling a bit.  Let’s just say getting into an altercation during the biggest job interview of your life is going to warrant special attention.  Barnett didn’t fully workout at the Combine because he came down with the flu but he went out and did some things like running his 40 and other drills and that says a lot about his makeup.  The Bengals need a pass rusher and while Barnett isn’t the speedy edge rusher like Garrett or even Solomon Thomas he gets it done with a non-stop motor.  The Bengals could use a guy that never quits and plays through pain (or works out through illness as the case may be).

10. Buffalo Bills (7-9): Mike Williams WR   Clemson

So, they worked out a deal to keep QB Tyrod Taylor but it looks like Sammy Watkins might be the only WR left on the roster so it’s time to get some help. Williams would make a nice complement to Watkins.  Or perhaps Watkins would make a nice complement to Williams.  Mike Williams has elite WR talent and he could become Taylor’s preferred #1 WR in short order.  Watkins has a tendency to get beat up and while Williams missed a year at Clemson with a scary neck injury he’s otherwise healthy.  A big, powerful wideout can be a QB’s best friend especially in the red zone and that’s exactly where Williams can excel.

11. New Orleans Saints (7-9): John Ross WR   Washington

The Saints just sent Brandin Cooks to the Patriots for a couple of draft picks, yeah, I don’t know why either.  Their rookie WR from last season, Michael Thomas, was fantastic and they have another good big receiver in Brandon Coleman but they could still use a good speed receiver to replace Cooks.  Ross is as speedy as they come, literally.  The new 40-yard dash record holder from the Combine would look pretty good catching deep balls from Drew Brees.  The Saints need a pass rusher but Tim Williams might be a bit of a gamble here with his background.  His admission at the Combine that he failed multiple drug tests while at Alabama is admirable but it will hurt him a little with teams drafting this high.  The Saints are always looking for a CB, it’s a constant issue, but now that they have the Patriots pick at #32 they can take advantage of the depth in this draft and wait to grab a CB later.

12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia 7-9): Marlon Humphrey CB   Alabama

I had Washington CB Sidney Jones here but he tore his Achilles tendon during the defensive back drills at Washington’s Pro Day.  It’s a terrible injury that likely means a major fall in the draft for arguably the best CB in the draft.  He will likely miss all of next season while rehabbing his injury.  Jones was fighting Lattimore for the top spot on the CB list without him it’s Humphrey that moves up.  He’s a big CB that showed far better speed at the Combine than anyone anticipated so he’s worthy of the spot.  The Browns need to get Joe Haden some help at CB, they could go for a safety here too but I think Humphrey is the better value.

13. Arizona Cardinals (7-8-1): Mitchell Trubisky QB   North Carolina

This might be the perfect landing spot for Trubisky because there will be no pressure to perform this season.  The Cardinals have Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald returning for what most assume will be their final year.  This is a chance for the team to finally find a replacement for Palmer and he needs at least the year to learn from him.  Trubisky has all the physical tools you look for in a QB and if something happens to Palmer he could play in a pinch.  They do still have veteran backup Drew Stanton too so they can choose to not play Trubisky at all and he can learn from two long-time veterans.

14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota 8-8): Gareon Conley CB   Ohio St.

When you end the season with Dwayne Gratz and Jalen Mills at CB you obviously have a need.  The Eagles filled their other big need at WR with free agent additions Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith so CB is priority #1.  Conley went into the season as the Ohio St. CB everyone was talking about and then Lattimore burst onto the scene.  That doesn’t make Conley any less of a prospect and he went to the Combine and showed up in a big way.  He has good size, showed good speed and looked good in the drills.  With the Jones injury and Teez Tabor having a poor showing at the Combine Conley is making a move up the board.  The Eagles could look to address their offensive line but Conley is better value.

15. Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Reuben Foster ILB   Alabama

Unless Foster offed someone at the Combine and no one told us he may fall out of the top 10 but his drop won’t be that significant.  The Colts desperately need playmakers on defense and Foster is the type of LB that can change the temperament of your entire defense.  I haven’t found the whole story on what went down at the Combine but there are two sides to every story and someone is going to buy Foster’s side at some point because he’s simply too good of a prospect to pass up.  Hopefully for him, the person he got into it with, and the team that drafts him they can all put it behind them and move on.  The Colts have signed Jabaal Sheard and John Simon at OLB but they still need an inside guy to run the defense.  Foster would make it an almost complete overhaul of their LB corps and that’s long overdue.

16. Baltimore Ravens (8-8): Cam Robinson OT   Alabama

The Ravens lost RT Ricky Wagner in free agency to the Lions and they don’t have great options on the roster for a replacement.  Robinson is a mauler and in the run game he’s a devastating blocker.  His ability to handle outside speed rushers is why teams are questioning his ability to play LT and think he might move inside to OG.  I think he can be a fantastic RT and Ozzie Newsome loves drafting guys from Alabama.  He might have to make a tough choice though if OLB Tim Williams is still available.  That would be a couple of Alabama players at positions of need for the Ravens, call it Ozzie’s Choice.

17. Washington Redskins (8-7-1): Obi Melifonwu SS   Connecticut

There’s always that one guy that comes flying up the draft board late and this kid looks like the real deal.  Melifonwu is a freakish athlete and would be a defense altering safety.  At 6’4 224 lbs. he’s got great length and speed and he’s a great matchup player for the league’s better TEs.  The Redskins need a playmaker in the middle of the defense, it could be an ILB but Melifonwu would make a great addition instead.  The Falcons made a move like this last year in the draft grabbing Keanu Neal and it worked out pretty well for them.

18. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Corey Davis WR   Western Michigan

The Titans have addressed their secondary in free agency and with the fifth pick in this mock draft, that is their biggest area of need.  Not too far behind that is a big play WR for Marcus Mariota to grow with in this offense.  Tajee Sharpe and Rishard Matthews are really solid possession guys but they lack big play ability.  Davis may be a small school product coming out of the MAC but he’s a big-time talent.  He’s exactly the type of WR you need in the NFL today, big, strong, fast and physical.  He would add a new dimension to the Titans offense.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): OJ Howard TE   Alabama

The Buccaneers need help on defense but OJ Howard might be just a little too tempting to pass up.  A dynamic TE to go along with free agent WR DeSean Jackson and holdover Mike Evans could take Jameis Winston’s game to another level.  I was very tempted to give Bucs either S Jabrill Peppers or an offensive lineman but Howard was fantastic at the Combine and teams see him as a criminally underutilized talent that could be a Pro Bowl caliber player in the NFL.  Jameis Winston could make major strides next season with these offensive weapons around him.

20. Denver Broncos (9-7): Ryan Ramczyk OT   Wisconsin

Russell Okung was not the answer at LT after the Broncos sent Ryan Clady packing.  Okung is on his way out and someone has to block on the left side of the line.  The offense struggled last season because of issues on the line as much as anything.  Ramczyk only played one year at Wisconsin and he’s coming off hip surgery so his medical checks need to check out for him to go in the first round but he would be a day one starter in Denver.  It’s time for the Broncos to get a real solution at LT.

21. Detroit Lions (9-7): Haason Reddick LB   Temple

Reddick is probably the other late rising prospect you haven’t heard of but he started his rise at the Senior Bowl and continued it by looking very impressive at the Combine.  Reddick was a pass rushing DE at Temple but he’s only 234 lbs. so he’ll be a LB in the NFL.  He has shown really impressive athleticism and ability to drop into coverage even though he didn’t do that much at Temple.  The Lions haven’t had much luck at LB with some notable draft busts and DeAndre Levy not being able to stay healthy.  Reddick would give them a top playmaker at LB.  The signing of RT Ricky Wagner addressed their biggest need on the offense.

22. Miami Dolphins (10-6): Forrest Lamp OG   Western Kentucky

This is Mike Mayock’s favorite player to talk about because when Western Kentucky played Alabama earlier last year Lamp more than held his own against the NFL caliber defensive line of the Crimson Tide.  Lamp played LT at Western Kentucky but he’ll likely move inside to guard in the pros because of his less than ideal length.  Don’t be fooled though because if he gets his hands on a guy he’ll win more than he loses.  The Dolphins have jettisoned LT Branden Albert and last year’s first round pick Laremy Tunsil will take over outside leaving his LG spot vacant.  Lamp can step in immediately and Ryan Tannehill will have nothing to fear coming on his blind side.

23. New York Giants (11-5): Dalvin Cook RB   Florida St.

Cook deserves to go higher than this but I’ve had a hard time finding a home for him.  He’s a first round talent and one of the better players in this draft so if he goes somewhere in the top 10 I won’t be the least bit shocked.  Cook is a better all-around RB than Leonard Fournette because he does everything well and is a dynamic playmaker.  Fournette has a size/speed ratio that is impressive and while Cook was fast enough at the Combine he plays faster than he times.  The Giants just cut Rashad Jennings and while Paul Perkins is a nice back he’s not Dalvin Cook.  If Cook goes to a team that knows how to use his talents correctly he might be my favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

24. Oakland Raiders (12-4): Adoree’ Jackson CB   USC

The Raiders CB duo of Sean Smith and David Amerson was fine last season but Smith is 30-years old and there is little to no depth.  Jackson is a smooth athlete with 4.4 speed and he’s just scratching the surface of his abilities.  He hasn’t fully focused on football to this point because he’s also a star track athlete at USC.  Once he goes football full-time with NFL coaching he has the talent to be a top-notch CB.  He could use the year under the tutelage of the veteran Smith to learn the nuances of the position and then really come into his own.

25. Houston Texans (9-7): Jabrill Peppers SS   Michigan

Some people have seen Peppers as a man without a position.  Smart teams see a guy that is a defensive swiss army knife.  He played LB at Michigan this last season out of necessity for the team but his true position in the NFL is strong safety.  The Texans defense was excellent last season even with JJ Watt on the shelf and their safety play wasn’t great.  They could really use a CB to replace the departed AJ Bouye but there is good depth at the position and Peppers is better value than any CB they could take in this mock draft scenario.

26. Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1): Garrett Bolles OT   Utah

If the Seahawks don’t draft at least three offensive linemen in this draft Russell Wilson should sue the team for negligence. They signed Luke Joeckel from Jacksonville but he hasn’t exactly been impressive and starting George Fant at LT is basically willfully allowing the physical abuse of Wilson to continue.  Bolles is a long, athletic OT with good feet and a mean streak.  He would seriously upgrade the offensive line and give Wilson a little peace of mind on his blind side.  Depending on where they want to line up 2^nd year lineman Germain Ifedi and the newly acquired Joeckel they can look for the best offensive lineman in the 2^nd round.  Ifedi could be a RT or OG and so could Joeckel.  Justin Britt found a home at C last season and they would be best to leave him there.

27. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4): Raekwon McMillan ILB   Ohio St.

When McMillan declared for the draft it looked like he might be a 2^nd or 3^rd round pick because while he was a very productive LB at Ohio St. he seemed to lack the athleticism of a guy like Reuben Foster.  ILBs don’t go in the first round unless they are superior athletes.  Well, then McMillan decided to go to the Combine and run a 4.61 at 240 lbs. and no one is questioning his athleticism now.  The Chiefs have put off finding a replacement for Derrick Johnson for years, seriously I’ve been talking about it for about five years now.  McMillan would be a fantastic replacement for Johnson because he has the talent and he would step in as a leader like Johnson too.  The Chiefs have other needs but CB is a deep position they can address later and so is the defensive line.

28. Dallas Cowboys (13-3): Taco Charlton DE   Michigan

The last two DEs the Cowboys drafted were Demarcus Lawrence, who can’t stay healthy and Randy Gregory, who can’t stay off drugs.  They pieced together a solid defense last year to complement their impressive offense but they need pass rushing help.  Charlton is a big man at 6’6 277 lbs. and he would make a great addition on the edge.  He can get to the QB but he plays all downs well and they could really use that in Dallas.  The Cowboys could choose to address their CB position as they have some questions there or they could look to find a replacement for the now retired Doug Free at RT or the aging Jason Witten at TE.  TE is a deep position so they should look to grab one later because Witten can’t play forever.

29. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Takkarist McKinley OLB   UCLA

Nick Perry re-signed with the Packers but Julius Peppers is returning to Carolina and Datone Jones has also departed.  The Packers are already too reliant on Clay Matthews to bring pressure.  They need to get a young pass rusher to help Matthews and eventually replace him.  McKinley is a good-looking pass rushing prospect and he fits the OLB mold they need.  He could spend a year learning from Perry and Matthews and while giving them a solid situational pass rusher.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): Tim Williams OLB   Alabama

Contrary to what the Steelers believe, James Harrison can’t play forever and with Jarvis Jones leaving in free agency OLB is a major need.  Williams is a very talented pass rusher in space and projects better to OLB in a 3-4 than DE in a 4-3 because of his size.  His admission to teams at the Combine that he failed several drug tests while at Alabama is going to cause some concern.  It’s admirable that he came clean and isn’t trying to hide it but with recent issues with prospects like Randy Gregory it will give teams pause.  Talent wise this would be an absolute steal for the Steelers because Williams is legitimately the second-best pass rusher behind Myles Garrett.  He doesn’t fit every team well because he gets swallowed up by big offensive linemen easily due to his size so he’s a better fit for 3-4 defensive teams.

31. Atlanta Falcons (11-5): Budda Baker FS   Washington

With the free agent additions of DE Jack Crawford and DT Dontari Poe the Falcons have addressed some needs up front on their defense, the secondary still needs some attention.  Keanu Neal was a good addition at SS last season and Budda Baker would make a nice partner for him.  The Falcons will get back CB Desmond Trufant from injury and adding Baker would really improve the backend of their defense.  Baker isn’t the biggest guy and that’s the only knock on him.  He’s an excellent player and he and Neal would form a dynamic playmaking duo at safety.  Dan Quinn knows what it’s like to have a great pair of safeties from his time in Seattle where he had Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas.

32. New Orleans Saints (from New England 14-2): Fabian Moreau CB   UCLA

The Saints picked up this pick in the Brandin Cooks trade and now they can use it to take advantage of the depth of the CB class.  An extra first round pick always comes in handy and in this case, they grab the underrated Fabian Moreau (okay, so Mike Mayock loves him but he’s not a household name).  Moreau has been flying under the radar but he had a really good showing in the end of the year events and he looked great at the combine.  The Saints need CBs and even if they sign Malcolm Butler to a restricted free agent offer sheet and the Patriots don’t match it (this is the most likely scenario) they still need a CB.  Moreau would give them a nice one to pair with Butler.

 

 

 

 

After 5 years the Greg Davis era has finally come to a close with Davis announcing his retirement yesterday afternoon.  I had to fight the urge to stop and buy a few bottles of champagne and spray them all over my apartment yesterday after work.  I wanted to celebrate like the Cubs after winning the World Series.  Do you think we could have a celebration rally at Carver Hawkeye Arena like we just won the National Championship?  Sorry, you’re right, we would have to hold it at Kinnick to accommodate the number of people who would likely attend.  Of course there were mixed feeling immediately after hearing the news, total elation that Davis was finally out and complete terror that Kirk Ferentz would be hiring another offensive coordinator.  The obvious move is for Kirk to promote offensive line coach and run game coordinator Brian Ferentz to the position.  He didn’t make his son the run game coordinator two years ago for no reason.  It was a calculated move to give Brian a chance to have a say in the direction of the offense.  Two years ago that move helped make the Iowa offense good enough to take the Hawkeyes to the Rose Bowl, the offense regressed badly this last year but it wasn’t the running game that was at fault.  I’ve written plenty about the sorry state of Iowa’s passing game and the inability of the coaching staff to develop WRs which is why I’m very hopeful that the retirement of Greg Davis means WR coach Bobby Kennedy is looking for a quick exit too.  Kennedy was a Davis guy and hopefully Iowa looks to make a change there too.  Let’s take a look at a few scenarios, one that will never happen and a few that could.

Two years ago when the Hawkeyes were coming off the embarrassing bowl loss to Tennessee and Kirk Ferentz held the press conference to announce CJ Beathard would be the starting QB going forward I was hoping he would make an offensive coordinator change.  He didn’t do it then, instead he made Brian Ferentz the run game coordinator and kept Greg Davis.  I wanted him to go out and hire a young, innovative offensive mind and I suggested then East Carolina offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley, Ferentz didn’t do that and Bob Stoops scooped up Riley instead.  I would love it if Kirk did something similar but that just isn’t his style and there is no way he hires some young hotshot who would come in and block Brian’s path to the offensive coordinator position.  There are a few experienced guys he might look at that would make some sense so let’s look at them.

Joe Philbin

Philbin was Ferentz’s original offensive line coach back in 1999 and was here for a few years before leaving to become an assistant with the Green Bay Packers.  He rose up the ranks with the Packers to eventually become Mike McCarthy’s offensive coordinator and finally became the Miami Dolphins head coach.  His Miami tenure was pretty brutal and was marred by the Jonathan Martin bullying incident.  This past season he worked as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts and did a pretty good job of making the best of a not so great group of linemen.  The biggest issue with Philbin returning is that it has always been believed that the reason he left college coaching was that he hated recruiting and something tells me that after nearly 15 years the way recruiting is now would not be a selling point to him.  I also think it’s a pipe dream to think a guy that was an NFL head coach two years ago would like the idea of becoming the offensive coordinator for a college program.  And don’t throw Greg Schiano serving as defensive coordinator at Ohio St. after his stint as the Tampa Bay head coach at me, that’s serving as Urban Meyer’s assistant while hoping to land a college head coaching job.  I don’t think Philbin wants to eventually get a college head coaching job I think he wants another shot in the NFL.  All that said I would be extremely happy to see Philbin return.  He has plenty of experience and has worked for a few different coaches.  He also has a relationship with Ferentz where I think he could make some changes that wouldn’t bother Kirk’s sensibilities and Kirk would trust him enough to allow it.

A couple of guys that don’t have ties to Kirk Ferentz

Tom Clements (Green Bay Packers assistant coach)

Clements name came up the last time Iowa was hiring an offensive coordinator but I’m not sure how far he got into the process.  Clements has been working in Green Bay for over a decade and Aaron Rodgers sings his praises.  He actually called plays for a short while a couple of years ago but the team’s offense struggled and head coach Mike McCarthy took the play calling duties back from him so that’s not a ringing endorsement for his experience.  I’m not sure how innovative he would be and Clements is 63 years old so he wouldn’t be a long-term solution.

Matt Limegrover

I have no earthly idea if Limegrover is in the running but he should be.  He was the offensive coordinator at Minnesota under Jerry Kill and was a very good play caller.  He was excellent at breaking tendencies and keeping defenses off-balance.  He is a run first, pro style offense kind of coach who would match up well with Kirk’s preferred style but he thinks outside of the box when it comes to game planning.  He spent this last season as offensive line coach at Penn St. after Tracy Claeys fired him at Minnesota when he replaced Kill.  That was the moment I knew Claeys was an idiot and had no idea what he was doing.  Limegrover fixed a terrible offensive line at Penn St. this last year and made them pretty good.  He might be a bit redundant with Brian Ferentz though as both of them are offensive line coaches by nature.  Limegrover’s experience in a similar style offense and as a play caller might make him a perfect choice to be a co-coordinator with Brian since Brian has never called plays.

Now for the obvious choice

Brian Ferentz

The calls of nepotism would be loud should Kirk promote his son to offensive coordinator but that would be unfortunate.  Let’s pretend his name is Brian Smith for a minute not Brian Ferentz and look at his resume.  He spent time on the New England Patriots staff under offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and coached tight ends.  This was during the years the Patriots dominated with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernadez.  He then took the offensive line coaching job with the Iowa Hawkeyes.  After a couple of years he was promoted to run game coordinator and in his first year in that position the Hawkeyes went 12-0 during the regular season, won the Big Ten West title, almost beat Michigan St. in the conference championship game and made the Rose Bowl for the first time in 25 years.  In year two as run game coordinator (and offensive line coach) his offensive line won the Joe Moore award for best offensive line in the country (and he did it having to use multiple combinations) and for the first time in Hawkeye football history Iowa had two running backs go for over 1000 yards in a season.  There’s a very good chance that if he put this resume together at another school under another name I would be calling him one of the young hotshot offensive minds we should be looking at.  Having the last name Ferentz has its disadvantage when it comes to the public perception but it I think it has a built-in advantage when it comes to actually doing the job.  Kirk Ferentz isn’t going to change his philosophy when it comes to his offense, he isn’t going to hire some spread offense guru and turn the keys over to him.  Kirk Ferentz isn’t making a call to Chip Kelly and he isn’t taking a chance on a guy like Sonnie Cumbie from TCU.  The Air Raid offense isn’t coming to Iowa City as long as Kirk Ferentz is the coach.  Brian Ferentz has an advantage in the fact that he can get Kirk to listen when it comes to making the subtle changes that need to happen.  Iowa doesn’t need to become a spread passing offense to be successful but running a few plays from the spread formation would be a nice wrinkle in the offense.  So would scheming to get some of your playmakers open and that’s about game planning and play calling.  Some people don’t believe that Brian Ferentz’s time in New England counts for much because he worked with great players so he shouldn’t get credit for coaching them.  Here’s what he should get credit for.  In New England the Patriots play to their strengths.  The Patriots, whether it was Charlie Weis, Josh McDaniels or Bill O’Brien calling plays, always plays to its strengths.  They were once successful running the ball with Corey Dillon, then they were a high-flying passing offense with Randy Moss and Wes Welker, then they were a down the seem passing offense with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, then it was Julian Edelman and this last season it has been the short passing game to RB James White and the pounding of big back LaGarrett Blount.  The one thing I truly hope Brian Ferentz picked up while working in New England is to use the talent you have and fit the offense around them.  This past season Brian Ferentz coordinated a running attack using the strength of his offensive line and a pair of complementary running backs to make a dominant running game on a team that had absolutely no threat of a passing attack.  He balanced a power running back LeShun Daniels, who has had injury issues throughout his career, with a dynamic speed back Akrum Wadley, who shouldn’t be counted on to carry the ball 25 times a game because that might slow him down.  It’s time for Kirk to sink or swim with Brian at offensive coordinator.  This is either the end of the road for Kirk if it doesn’t work out or it’s the beginning of Brian’s ascent to his head coaching future.  I would be all for Kirk bringing in a young offensive mind like David Raih to be the QB coach and potentially help coordinate the passing game, maybe we will run some routes more than seven yards down the field.  Hopefully Iowa will find a good WR coach that will actually develop more than one WR, god forbid Matt VandeBerg gets hurt again and we have no one that can get open.  I think Nathan Stanley has a lot of promise at QB and he would be excellent if we get him a QB coach that knows what he’s doing, a WR coach that can develop some talent (there is talent there to work with) and an offensive coordinator that will put him in a position to succeed.

Good Luck Coach Ferentz (both of you).

 

2017 NFL Mock Draft

Not every NFL Draft is created equal and that’s the fundamental misunderstanding for many fans and unfortunately for many fans it’s misunderstood by a lot of NFL front offices.  The NFL has become a passing league so there is a premium on QBs that can throw the ball, OTs that can protect the passer and pass rushers who can disrupt that passing game.  That makes QBs, OTs and pass rushers valuable and that means teams make mistakes when a position is weak.  That’s going to happen this year because two out of those three positions are not very good.  The QB spot is always overvalued and whether it’s Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer or Mitch Trubisky going as the first, second and third QB in the draft I’ll almost guarantee they go too high.  If I’m an NFL GM or Head Coach, you couldn’t pay me enough money to hitch my wagon to any of those three QBs for the future.  The OT position needs juniors Cam Robinson of Alabama or Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin to declare for the draft or the position might go undrafted in the first round and neither of those guys are going to be mistaken for Jonathan Ogden or Orlando Pace.  Pass rushers are where it is at in the draft at both DE and OLB.  DE Myles Garrett and DE/DT Jonathan Allen are the cream of the crop but Derek Barnett, Solomon Thomas, Taco Charlton, DeMarcus Walker, Charles Harris and Carl Lawson at DE along with Tim Williams and Takkarist McKinley at OLB could all be 1^st round picks.  Cornerback is another good position although without the dominant players up top like Garrett and Allen.  A 1^st round case can be made for CBs Marlon Humphrey, Jalen “Teez” Tabor, Desmond King, Sidney Jones, Quincy Wilson, Adoree’ Jackson, Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore and Jourdan Lewis.

If you’re looking for defense in the 2017 draft, you are in luck.  If you’re looking for offense I hope you need a RB.  QB, OT and TE are especially lacking in upper end talent while WR has some top guys but isn’t especially deep.  Mike Williams, John Ross, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Corey Davis and Dede Westbrook could help some teams out next season at WR everyone else is just a guy.  At RB, the media and pundits love Leonard Fournette, he’s good and all but NFL teams love Dalvin Cook, he could be special.  Christian McCaffrey will be a special weapon for someone but I’m not sure how much of a RB he will be or how much he’ll be used in other ways.  As has become customary at RB there are going to be guys that get drafted in the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th rounds and beyond that become very good NFL players.  D’Onta Foreman, Corey Clement, Jeremy McNichols, Samaje Perine, Wayne Gallman, Brian Hill and may I even say LeShun Daniels could become major contributors to NFL teams over the next several years.

My mock draft is always part prediction, part advice and will likely be completely wrong.  It’s a fun exercise for me and if you’re an NFL fan I hope you enjoy it.

 

1. Cleveland Browns (1-15): Myles Garrett DE/OLB   Texas A&M

The Browns need to figure out their QB situation but drafting one here would be a huge mistake.  Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer and Mitch Trubisky are not changing the fortunes of this team.  Adding a player like Garrett as a pass rusher opposite the recently acquired Jamie Collins (assuming they keep Collins long-term) would go a long way towards fixing the Browns defense.  Garrett is a pass rushing beast and he would have had better numbers this year if he hadn’t played a number of games on a gimpy ankle.  Garrett and Jonathan Allen are the best players in this draft and if the Browns go with Allen here instead you will get no argument from me.  Garrett is a better outside pass rusher while Allen can play all over the line and dominate at each spot.  Either one is a great addition that would make a major difference for the defense.

2. San Francisco 49ers (2-14): Mitch Trubisky QB   North Carolina

I’m not in favor of this choice but I think the 49ers go with an offensive head coach (like Kyle Shanahan) and they completely start over at QB.  Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder are all shown the door and unless they make a move for Mike Glennon in free agency or trade for Jimmy Garoppolo they need someone to take the snap.  Trubisky might be more Shanahan’s style of QB and I think the 49ers will spend big on offensive linemen to protect him.  If they invest in the line and get Carlos Hyde healthy I think Shanahan could build a solid offense around Trubisky and not ask him to do too much too soon.  Expectation should be low next year for whomever is the QB and the new head coach.  Jonathan Allen is the best player here but he’s a little too redundant after the team invested back-to-back 1^st round picks on Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, two very similar players even if they aren’t as good as Allen.

3. Chicago Bears (3-13): Jonathan Allen DL   Alabama

The Bears luck into arguably the best player in the draft.  They have more pressing needs at QB, OT and probably defensive back but there is no way John Fox passes on Allen if he’s still around.  The team needs to move on from Jay Cutler but this team is far from competing for anything meaningful so they could just give Matt Barkley a shot to start next season, if he’s terrible they get another high draft pick to help turn things around.  They need help at OT but this is way too high for Cam Robinson or Ryan Ramczyk and if they blow this pick on Watson or Kizer at QB they will set this franchise back 4-5 more years.  Take the best player in the draft and either go with Barkley or grab a QB later.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13): Dalvin Cook RB   Florida St.

The Jaguars defense wasn’t too bad this year and with another year for all that young talent to grow together they could be even better.  They would also benefit from Blake Bortles not throwing terrible interceptions that put them in bad situations.  Whether it’s Josh McDaniels or another offensive coach I think the team goes with someone they believe can salvage Bortles as the franchise QB.  In 2015 he had a solid year and while he regressed badly there is still something to work with there.  The o-line could use re-enforcements but most of all they need a running game.  Leonard Fournette is the big name everyone talks about, “he’s the next Adrian Peterson”, hate to break it too you but the league is going in a different direction offensively.  If McDaniels takes this job imagine what he could do with a RB like Dalvin Cook.  Cook is a multi-dimensional player and they could use him like the Patriots use James White and Dion Lewis except he’s also good enough to be the every down back.  Chris Ivory and TJ Yeldon just didn’t get it done although they both still have value as roleplaying backs.

5. Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams 4-12): Marlon Humphrey CB   Alabama

The Titans had a winning record this year at 9-7 which is quite a turnaround from last year.  This pick comes courtesy of the trade with the Rams and should really help this team take another step.  Marcus Mariota and DeMarco Murray have the offense under control and while they could use another top WR there are more pressing needs on defense.  The secondary needs a lot of help and Marlon Humphrey is a big, young and talented CB that could start from day one.  In a division where you have guys like DeAndre Hopkins, Allen Robinson and TY Hilton investing in a top-flight CB would be a wise choice.  There are other very good CBs in this draft but Humphrey probably has the highest ceiling and while it may take him a year or two to mature he’ll get there eventually.

6. New York Jets (5-11): Deshaun Watson QB   Clemson

The Ryan Fitzpatrick experiment is over and the Geno Smith era never got off the ground.  I don’t think Bryce Petty has shown enough for the Jets to think he’s the answer and they obviously don’t have a lot of faith in Christian Hackenberg given the fact they didn’t even give him a shot this year.  Watson has been a dynamic college player and won a lot of games but I’m not sure his game translates to the NFL.  To me he’s a poor man’s RGIII.  Perhaps someone can figure out a way to use him but I think defenses figure him out after a while and he struggles against better defensive schemes in the league.  It’s understandable if the Jets feel they need to take this shot but they would be better off addressing their secondary where they were really bad this year.  Teez Tabor or Marshon Lattimore or a whole host of other CBs would be a nice upgrade for them.

7. San Diego Chargers (5-11): Cam Robinson OT   Alabama

Robinson isn’t the seventh best player in the draft but right now he would be the best OT in the draft and that means something to a team like the Chargers that need help on the line.  The Chargers are a tough team to gauge because of the massive amount of injuries they have suffered the last couple of years.  They need depth for sure but they need to protect the aging and stationary Phillip Rivers and open holes for Melvin Gordon.  Robinson isn’t a great pass blocker and he has work to do there but he is a dominant run blocker so he could help Gordon tremendously.  The starting OT duo of King Dunlop and Joe Barksdale isn’t exactly imposing so Robinson would step in right away.  The Chargers have other issues like safety where a guy like Jamal Adams from LSU or Malik Hooker from Ohio St. might help but protection up front should be a priority.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Leonard Fournette RB   LSU

The Panthers need OT help badly and they could use a CB after letting Josh Norman go and no one would blame them if they grab a pass rushing DE but someone in the top ten always surprises and this is where I think it happens.  Jonathan Stewart has a lot of miles on his legs, is owed a big cap hit next season and he’s never able to stay healthy for very long, that’s a bad combination for a RB.  Fournette would be a nice replacement and they can address the o-line later in the draft.  He’s not my favorite RB in this draft but he’s a very good player.  Jonathan Stewart has always had size and speed when healthy and Fournette could step in right away and they wouldn’t miss a beat.  No one is going to see this one coming but I don’t think anyone saw this team drafting Kelvin Benjamin a couple of years ago when they needed an offensive lineman, or when they took Shaq Thompson instead of a lineman or when they drafted their two stud DTs back-to-back when they needed an offensive lineman, are you sensing the theme yet?

9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9-1): Reuben Foster ILB   Alabama

Vontaze Burfict can’t seem to stay healthy, Rey Maualuga isn’t getting faster with age and Karlos Dansby can’t play forever so the Bengals need some youth and speed at LB.  Foster is a tone setter and he could change the dynamic of the defense just by showing up.  He hits like a truck and covers plenty of ground.  The Bengals need an infusion of playmaking in the defense and Foster could provide that in spades.  Yes I am well aware that I have four guys from Alabama in the top 9, there’s a reason they are playing for the National title again.

10. Buffalo Bills (7-9): Jalen “Teez” Tabor CB   Florida

The Bills might need a QB if they don’t want to pay Tyrod Taylor a bunch of money to come back but if they keep Anthony Lynn as their head coach it doesn’t make sense to switch QBs now.  They could lose Stephon Gilmore at CB which would create a big hole in their defense.  Tabor could start immediately opposite Ronald Darby and he’s a very good player.  It’s possible they could go with WR Mike Williams from Clemson as they have a bunch of WR free agents this year and Sammy Watkins can seem to stay healthy.  Williams might fill a bigger need but Tabor is the better choice.

11. New Orleans Saints (7-9): Jabrill Peppers LB/S   Michigan

Peppers is a tough player to place simply because he’s not a natural at any one position.  That worked for him at Michigan as they moved him all over the defense playing OLB, S and CB and while he’s the size of an NFL safety that might not be the best use of his talent.  The Saints defense has been atrocious for a few years now so any playmaker on that side of the ball would be a welcome addition.  Peppers could pair with Vonn Bell to be a new safety combo replacing Jairus Byrd and Roman Harper and that might give the Saints some versatility in the secondary that allows them both to make plays.  I wouldn’t be shocked if the Saints go with a pass rusher like Derek Barnett at DE or Tim Williams at OLB because they need to generate more pressure.  A CB like Sidney Jones or Desmond King wouldn’t be out of line either.  Basically, this has to be a defensive player.

12. Cleveland Browns (from Philadelphia 7-9): Jamal Adams SS   LSU

I would advise the Browns to either trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, sign Mike Glennon or give Cody Kessler a shot for the year next year because the QBs aren’t worth it.  They could seriously upgrade their defense by taking Garrett #1 and grabbing a dynamic safety like Adams here.  They need a talent infusion all over the defense so getting a couple of no doubt starters in the top 12 here would be a good plan.  They have blown it before when they had two 1^st round picks (remember the Justin Gilbert/Johnny Manziel year?).  Garrett can pressure the passer and Adams can clean up in the secondary.

13. Arizona Cardinals (7-8-1): DeShone Kizer QB   Notre Dame

I’ve said my peace about the QBs in this draft but there are teams that need QBs and this is a team that needs to make plans for the future.  Carson Palmer just turned 37 at the end of this season and their backup is 32-year-old Drew Stanton, not exactly a long-term solution.  Kizer is a big, strong QB who can wing it and could use a year sitting behind a guy like Palmer and learning.  Head coach Bruce Arians is 64 years old and has had some health issues so I could see he and Palmer coming back for one last go and if their offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin doesn’t get a head coaching job this year he could be in line to replace Arians and have a head start with a young QB.

14. Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Ryan Ramczyk OT   Wisconsin

The Colts defense isn’t very good but this team needs to protect the franchise and that is Andrew Luck.  Ramczyk is a one year starter at Wisconsin who transferred in from a Div. III school and he may not come out but if he does he’s very likely a 1^st round pick.  He isn’t going to be confused for Joe Thomas but he’s a huge upgrade for the Colts at RT for now.  He could play LT at some point but for now he would really improve their line overall and become a very good run blocking RT.  They could go for ILB Zach Cunningham or a number of different CBs but get the o-line fixed first and then worry about the defense.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota 8-8): Mike Williams WR   Clemson

The Eagles need help on the offensive line, LT Jason Peters is closing in on the end of his career, and they could use some secondary help at CB but they invested heavily in Carson Wentz and their WR corps is underwhelming and beat up.  Williams is a true #1 type WR in the NFL and he will become Wentz’s favorite player.  He would make a fantastic complement to Jordan Matthews because Williams is an outside WR while Matthews does his best work in the slot.  Both Matthews and Nelson Agholor ended the season injured so reinforcements are certainly necessary for Wentz to continue his growth.

16. Baltimore Ravens (8-8): Solomon Thomas DE/OLB   Stanford

The Ravens may run out of pixie dust to sprinkle over Terrell Suggs to keep him going and the magic has already stopped working on Elvis Dumervil who can’t stay healthy.  Their defense relies on a good pass rush and they could take Thomas who is built a bit like Suggs and turn him from a DE to an OLB like they did once upon a time with Suggs.  Thomas is young and has some physical maturing to do but he’s a major talent that would help the Ravens keep their streak of impressive defenses going.

17. Washington Redskins (7-8-1): John Ross WR   Washington

The Redskins have to resign Kirk Cousins or they will set the franchise back several years because there is simply no good alternatives.  DeSean Jackson is a free agent and they may not want to spend the money to keep him but they need Cousins to have a deep threat if they want to keep the offense moving forward.  John Ross is almost always compared to Jackson because of his similar stature and his ability to track the deep ball.  Ross would be a wise and cost effective replacement for Jackson and could build a nice rapport with Cousins.

18. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Corey Davis WR   Western Michigan

I have the Titans addressing their CB need with Marlon Humphrey and they could certainly use more secondary help so another CB like Sidney Jones, Marshon Lattimore or Desmond King isn’t out of the question and a safety like Malik Hooker would be a wise choice too.  However, this team needs a dynamic outside threat at WR to really elevate Marcus Mariota’s game.  Rishard Matthews is a real pro and Tajae Sharpe is a solid possession guy who can move the chains but Davis is an explosive game breaker.  Don’t be fooled because he played at Western Michigan, he broke the receiving yardage record for a career because he’s dynamic.  At 6’3 213 lbs. he’s the type of fast and physical WR you have to have in the NFL today to really get your offense going.  He’s one of my favorite players in the draft class.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): Malik Hooker FS   Ohio St.

The Bucs are probably ahead of schedule with the rebuild and they were technically still alive for a playoff spot going into Week 17.  That is largely due to the maturation of QB Jameis Winston and a defense that played quite well for defensive coordinator Mike Smith.  The defense played above its talent level especially in the secondary, they need a serious upgrade at safety.  Malik Hooker came on strong this year and he third year safety is still growing up but he’s a playmaker in the pass defense and he would be a major upgrade for the Bucs.  The team could look for a little help on the offensive line or find a new running mate for Mike Evans at WR but Hooker is too good to pass up here.

20. Denver Broncos (9-7): Zach Cunningham ILB   Vanderbilt

The Broncos desperately need help on the offensive line so it’s completely possible John Elway makes a trade to move up to get Cam Robinson or Ryan Ramczyk and he really should.  If he stays here he might have to reach and this is where the over drafting of a guy like Roderick Johnson or Garrett Bolles could happen, that would be a mistake.  If they are still picking here Cunningham would be far too valuable to let slide any further.  He’s an excellent LB who could be a long-term solution inside after they let Danny Trevathan walk last year.  The Bronco defense was good but they missed Malik Jackson and Trevathan in the middle of their run defense.  Cunningham isn’t well known to most casual fans because he plays middle linebacker at Vanderbilt, not exactly a powerhouse.  However, he’s going to be a very good pro.

21. Detroit Lions (9-7): Taco Charlton DE   Michigan

The Lions need a DE opposite Ziggy Ansah even if they don’t lose Devin Taylor in free agency.  Another pass rusher is always a good idea and while I technically like Derek Barnett better he’s a bit smaller and I think Charlton fits their need for a bigger DE better.  Charlton is 6’5 272 lbs. so he has fantastic size for the position.  I did not pick him because it’s Detroit and he played at Michigan, that’s just an added bonus.

22. Miami Dolphins (10-6): Derek Barnett DE   Tennessee

The Mario Williams experiment was a total dud and the Dolphins are likely going to make him a cap casualty after the season.  Couple that with the age of Cameron Wake (he was fantastic this year but he’s 34) and the Dolphins need some new blood at DE.  Barnett is a powerfully built edge rusher who understands how to get to the QB.  He isn’t always the flashiest guy but he’s dynamic when it comes to creating havoc for opponents.  This team is probably going to need a new guard to replace Laremy Tunsil who is likely to slide out to LT to replace Brandon Albert but that can wait until later.

23. New York Giants (11-5): Dan Feeney OG   Indiana

The Giants aren’t afraid to take offensive linemen the first round of the draft and they need help for sure.  It would be great if they could get a LT so they could move Erick Flowers to RT but that isn’t happening in this scenario.  They could use an upgrade on the interior and Dan Feeney is a fantastic guard that could really help them both in the running game and the passing game.  The Giants have a history of grabbing pass rushers or defensive tackles but I think they go with Feeney, it’s not a sexy pick but it’s a productive one.

24. Oakland Raiders (12-4): Marshon Lattimore CB   Ohio St.

The Raiders season fell apart when Derek Carr broke his leg but they need to take advantage if they are picking a little higher to get a CB that will help them.  Lattimore is a late rising prospect who has only started this year but his ceiling is quite high.  He is going to pass his more heralded teammate Gareon Conley as a prospect and get picked before him.  The Raiders need help at CB and Lattimore could be a huge addition there and he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.

25. Houston Texans (9-7): Raekwon McMillan LB   Ohio St.

The Texans need help on the defensive line with JJ Watt’s wonky back and Vince Wilfork’s advancing age and declining play.  There is no top-notch nose tackle in this draft and the best DT is probably Malik McDowell but his been inconsistent and he’s banged up.  He’s not a fit for interior spot and they can find a better fit later in the draft.  What they can do here is fill in the spot that has been the ghost of Brian Cushing.  Cushing is an excellent player when he’s healthy and not suspended for PEDs but those times are becoming harder to come by lately.  McMillan is an excellent middle backer and would be a nice long-term partner for Bernardrick McKinney.  He would upgrade their run defense up the middle and he’ll play more than Cushing.

26. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Tim Williams OLB   Alabama

The Packers have a number of outside pass rushers coming up on free agency and while I’m sure they can bring Julius Peppers back again he’s almost as old as I am so the end isn’t too far away.  Williams is a pass rushing menace for the Tide and he would surely take some pressure off of Clay Matthews.  Williams is basically a specialist for Alabama and he needs to refine other parts of his game but he has one elite skill and every NFL team needs that one elite skill, even if they already have it they want more of it.  There’s a very distinct chance Williams doesn’t fall this far so if he’s gone the Packers can take advantage of the very deep pool of top pass rushers in this draft and grab a guy like Carl Lawson or Takkarist McKinney or Charles Harris or DeMarcus Walker, okay you get my point.  Good year to need a pass rusher.

27. Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1): Garrett Bolles OT   Utah

If you don’t know who Bolles is don’t feel bad.  I’ve only seen a little bit of him and I can say he’s a solid player that has no business getting drafted in the first round of the draft.  This the point where a team’s desperate need and the dearth of quality players at that position pushes a prospect up the board higher than he should go.  The Seahawks offensive line is simply offensive to offensive lines everywhere.  To say they need offensive line help is the understatement of the decade.  Bolles isn’t the next Walter Jones for the Seahawks but he’s a day one starter at LT because they have no worthy competition for the spot.  If the Seahawks first four draft picks aren’t offensive linemen then I have no idea what they are doing.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): Takkarist McKinney OLB   UCLA

Jarvis Jones has not turned out to be the pass rusher the Steelers were hoping for, Bud Dupree’s season was shortened by injury and James Harrison is literally older than I am.  For the first time in quite a while a position other than CB is the top need for the Steelers.  McKinney is a freakish athlete with electric speed off the edge.  He came to UCLA from a JUCO and got a late start last year but he’s made the most of his time on the field.  He would be huge addition for a team that generates it’s pass rush from the OLBs in its 3-4 defensive scheme.

29. Atlanta Falcons (11-5): Malik McDowell   DT   Michigan St.

McDowell didn’t have the greatest year which went right along with Michigan St.’s less than stellar season, okay they sucked.  He is a physical specimen with a high revving motor and the Falcons can afford to take a shot on a guy that’s falling a little bit.  They need better play from their interior defensive line and Dan Quinn likes guys that are versatile and can move inside or out and that fits McDowell perfectly.  The Falcons could use a CB too so it’s possible they grab Sidney Jones or Desmond King to pair with Desmond Trufant.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4): DeMarcus Walker DE   Florida St.

The Chiefs run a 3-4 defense and they need DEs and it would help if those guys could get some pressure on the QB so it doesn’t all fall on Justin Houston, Dee Ford and the aging Tamba Hali.  It would be smart to grab an ILB if one of Reuben Foster, Zach Cunningham or Raekwon McMillan falls but if those three are gone they can wait.  Walker isn’t your typical tall, lanky 3-4 DE but he’s a guy with the ability to play inside or out so he could be very good in the Chiefs defense.

31. Dallas Cowboys (13-3): Desmond King CB   Iowa

The Cowboys are going to be getting a little thin in the secondary if they don’t re-sign some guys.  King could be an excellent CB but there are plenty of people in the league that think his ultimate position will end up being safety.  The Cowboys already have Byron Jones at safety and in the pass happy NFL it wouldn’t be the worst idea to have two safeties with CB coverage skills like Jones and King.  King is also a more instinctual player who relies less on athleticism while Jones is a freakish athlete, they could make quite the pair.

32. New England Patriots (13-3): O.J. Howard TE   Alabama

I was all ready to give the Patriots a big, physical WR to complement Julian Edelman and he rest of the runts they use at WR.  Then Bill Belichick did the most Bill Belichick thing he could do and he grabbed Michael Floyd off the waiver wire after the Cardinals dropped him following his DUI arrest.  Floyd is a free agent at the end of the year but he’ll cost virtually nothing because of the DUI and his lack of production this year.  This means next year he’ll catch 75 passes for about 1000 yards from Tom Brady.  The Pats might need a pass rusher if they lose to many of their free agent ones but I think Belichick might hedge his bets on Gronk’s back.  Gronkowski is no sure thing after another injury this year and Martellus Bennett will eventually wear out his welcome, he always does.  O.J. Howard is a fantastic athlete that has been underused at Alabama and he could explode in the Patriots offense either as a complement to Gronk or as his replacement.

 

 

 

 

NFL Coaching Carousel and the Playoffs

It’s the silly season in the NFL as teams didn’t wait for Black Monday to start firing coaches (the Rams, Bills and Jaguars didn’t even wait for the season to end).  The Chargers and 49ers pulled the trigger before the last gameday of the season ended and the biggest surprise so far was Gary Kubiak announcing his retirement at 55 because of health issues, best of luck to him and his family (something tells me his good friend John Elway will keep him around the Broncos family in some capacity).  That’s six openings with more that could follow.  I bring this up because I’m working on a mock draft and who replaces these guys can have a huge effect on the draft so I’m going to make a few predictions for the sake of doing this mock draft.

The Bills keep interim coach Anthony Lynn, he’s the anti-Rex Ryan.  Lynn could build a solid staff seeing as he has been a coach in the league for quite some time and has plenty of connections.  The Broncos wait a week to interview Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph (the Dolphins will be out of the playoffs next week, no way they beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh with Matt Moore at QB) and they hire him to replace Kubiak.  The Jaguars GM David Caldwell has a relationship with Josh McDaniels (they played college football together) and I think he convinces McDaniels that he can fix Blake Bortles and the rest of the roster is pretty damn good.  The 49ers need a complete overhaul after finally booting GM Trent Baalke and letting Chip Kelly go, enter Mike Shanahan as the football czar and Kyle Shanahan as the head coach.  San Diego GM Tom Telesco was also a college teammate of David Caldwell and Josh McDaniels but Phillip Rivers is closer to the end of his career than the beginning and Telesco is likely on a shorter leash than Caldwell.  The Chargers don’t have a natural move here so I think they take a shot on a lesser known quantity, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin, a good coach that could make the most of Phillip Rivers (he’s been coaching Carson Palmer so he’s used to aging pocket passers).  Now for the quick domino effect, the LA Rams make a trade with the New Orleans Saints for head coach Sean Payton who they hope can bring the best out of Jared Goff.  That leaves the Saints looking for a new head guy and they grab their former assistant Doug Marrone (the interim fill-in for Gus Bradley in Jacksonville, former head coach in Buffalo and at Syracuse).  Marrone is a known quantity to the Saints, he knows Drew Brees and he won’t demand as much money or power as Sean Payton or some other coaches.  That’s seven openings and there are still a few that look safe but might open up.  The Bears could can John Fox but he gets another year, same with Todd Bowles with the Jets.  Marvin Lewis says he’s coming back to Cincinnati but the owner hasn’t proclaimed that just yet.  Jim Irsay might wake up on the wrong side of the bed and clean house in Indianapolis meaning GM Ryan Grigson and HC Chuck Pagano are gone but I think he waits a year and then clears the deck to go after Jim Harbaugh.  The Lions might give Jim Caldwell the boot even after making the playoffs because they team collapsed down the stretch and lost the division to the Packers.  If they do move on, either current coordinator, Jim Bob Cooter (offensive) or Teryl Austin (defensive) could get the nod, they team seems on the right path. The last possible move could be a mutual parting of the Houston Texans and head coach Bill O’Brien.  O’Brien might be smart to get out of Houston before Brock Osweiler does any more damage to his coach’s reputation (reportedly O’Brien was not in favor of giving Osweiler a huge free agent deal last summer).  If Houston loses to a severely wounded Raiders team this week O’Brien may be on the market and he becomes a top candidate for every open job.  I’m certainly going to be wrong about some of these, okay a lot of these, okay probably all of these but maybe I get one or two right.  Perhaps Nick Caserio leaves the Patriots to become the 49ers GM, takes McDaniels with him as head coach and they trade for QB Jimmy Garoppolo, that would make things interesting for sure.  The NFC playoffs look pretty tough with the Cowboys having a great year, the Falcons looking very strong and the Giants and Packers possibly playing the best football of any teams right now.  The Seahawks could beat anyone at any time too.  The Lions aren’t playing great but that still leaves 5 out of 6 teams with a legitimate shot to move forward.  The AFC playoffs don’t exactly look like murder’s row.  The Patriots are clearly the top dog with the Chiefs as the two seed and Pittsburgh at number three.  The Texans, Raiders and Dolphins are all being led by back up QBs or guys that should be back up QBs.  Brock Osweiler may have to step back into his starting role if Tom Savage isn’t cleared in the concussion protocol.  The Raiders already lost Derek Carr and now Matt McGloin has a pinched nerve, good luck Connor Cook you may be making your first career start in the playoffs (don’t worry too much though it might be against Brock Osweiler).  Career back up Matt Moore is leading the Dolphins at this point, don’t worry Dolphin fans you should have Ryan Tannehill ready to go next year, of course you may be without your defensive coordinator Vance Joseph by then.  The best news for the Patriots is that they have a bye week and then will face either the Texans or Raiders unless the Dolphins upset the Steelers, then they would get the Dolphins.  That’s called a win-win for the Pats.  The possible QBs the Patriots might face in their first playoff game this year are Brock Osweiler, Tom Savage, Matt McGloin, Connor Cook or Matt Moore…wow the AFC was crap this year.