I’m going to keep this mock short, as another one will post Thursday morning. In this iteration, I decided to include trades (you will see two). As you can tell, I don’t buy the talk of four quarterbacks being selected in round one.
We have a ton of content headed your way this week, but be sure to go back and look at my Team Needs/Mock Draft series with Evan Silva. It’s complete.
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1. Arizona Cardinals - QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
If you’re going to fire a coach after one season to shift to an offensive-minded play-caller, it makes sense to go all in on the players he wants. If Kliff wants Kyler, the Cardinals should draft Kyler.
2. San Francisco 49ers - EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
49ers fans might be upset by another first round pick spent on a front seven player. Don’t be, as Nick Bosa is eerily similar to his brother. Both are great athletes (80th percentile for Joey, 69th percentile for Nick) and both win in similar ways. Their patented move is a slap, swipe rip to flatten out around the corner and get to the quarterback.
3. New York Jets - iDL Ed Oliver, Houston
This connection has picked up in recent days. Maybe that means it won’t happen. An argument can be made that Oliver is just as impressive as Quinnen Williams.
4. Oakland Raiders - iDL Quinnen Williams, Alabama
PJ Hall and Maurice Hurst are super talented, but they don’t prevent you from drafting a talent like Williams. Maybe the Raiders have something up their sleeve. It would be stunning to leave Williams on the board. Does their secrecy remind anyone else of the Jaguars when they selected Blake Bortles at No. 3?
5. Tampa Bay Bucs - LB Devin White, LSU
The top interior defensive linemen are already off the board. Pillar player to build around. White and Lavonte David would form one of the best duos at their position… immediately?
6. New York Giants - EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky
This is difficult, as Allen presents a similar evaluation as Lorenzo Carter, who the team drafted in the third last year. Still, Allen is likely viewed as the top pass rusher remaining, and it’s time for Dave Gettleman to attack his favorite positions.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - OL Jonah Williams, Alabama
This could be a trade down spot. Through the grapevine I was told that Doug Marrone previously worked with Williams’ collegiate OL coach. A small connection. One of Nick Foles’ biggest transitions will be playing behind the Jaguars OL rather than the Eagles stud unit.
8. TRADE: Carolina Panthers - T Andre Dillard, WSU
Also through the grapevine I’ve heard the Lions might not ask for too much in a trade down. A similar move might be the Raiders-Cardinals trade from last year (swap 1sts, a 3rd and a 5th). The Panthers do not have a natural LT on their roster. This could set up their line as Dillard-Williams-Paradis-Turner-Moton.
9. Buffalo Bills - iDL Christian Wilkins, Clemson
The Bills might be another team that wants to move down. We’ve seen Sean McDermott insert his identity on this defense, namely with signing Star and drafting a fast linebacker in Edmunds. Still, they lack an interior disruptor, and Wilkins fits that.
10. Denver Broncos - iLB Devin Bush, Michigan
Vic Fangio has prioritized athletic linebackers in his past. Slow linebackers equal a slow defense. The only question is if Bush is still on the board here.
11. Cincinnati Bengals - QB Drew Lock, Missouri
The Bengals don’t make franchise altering changes very often. This is an opportunity to take that swing at quarterback. Maybe it is Lock, maybe it is Haskins.
12. Green Bay Packers - TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
I know Hockenson is widely viewed as this near perfect prospect, but so was O.J. Howard. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Hock stay on the board a bit longer than expected. This is Aaron Rodgers’ window, take advantage of it.
13. Miami Dolphins - EDGE Rashan Gary, Michigan
The Dolphins lack disruptors up front. Maybe Brian Flores sees Gary in a Trey Flowers role. And outside to inside player.
14. Atlanta Falcons - EDGE Brian Burns, FSU
The Falcons prioritize explosion up front. Burns offers that and instantly helps a Falcons front. That defense dealt with so many injuries last year.
15. TRADE: Houston Texans - T Jawaan Taylor, UF
For as much as the Texans have invested in their passing game, they have not invested in their offensive line. Last year the Bills moved up to No. 16 from No. 22 by swapping 1sts and trading a 3rd for a 5th. Taylor likely plugs in on the right side.
16. TRADE: Detroit Lions - OL Cody Ford, OU
After moving back from No. 8, the Lions shore up their offensive line with Ford, who would work into their starting lineup. Maybe Noah Fant, Montez Sweat or Clelin Ferrell are options too.
17. New York Giants - iDL Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
Yes, Gettleman follows up the Allen selection with an interior lineman. He has doubled up in positions/lines in the past. Lawrence offers disruption for such a big body.
18. Minnesota Vikings - OL Chris Lindstrom, BC
This might seem early, but the Vikings’ offense can only go so far as their offensive line will let them. Lindstrom’s evaluation is very similar to Joel Bitonio.
19. Tennessee Titans - EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
Brian Orakpo, cupcake baker. Derrick Morgan, free agent. I love Harold Landry’s future thanks to his flexibility and bend around the corner. And Cam Wake can still scoot. Pairing them with Ferrell, who understands distance, length and hands would form a great group.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Greedy Williams, LSU
The Steelers have struck out in drafting corners, and certainly have thrown us curveballs in some recent first rounds. Williams has great ball skills, presses and could allow Steven Nelson to play in the slot.
21. Seattle Seahawks - EDGE Montez Sweat, Miss St
The Seahawks dealt Frank Clark, now they have a severe need on the edge. Who knows which teams have passed Sweat’s medicals, but I bet enough to the point where he sticks in round one.
22. Baltimore Ravens - iOL Garrett Bradbury, NC State
The Ravens two tackles are locked in. Center deserves an upgrade. Bradbury tested like one of the best athletes at the position, is a fantastic reach blocker and could be fun to watch getting to the second level in the Ravens running game.
23. TRADE: Washington- S Darnell Savage, Maryland
A little bird mentioned the Redskins have interest in Savage. I don’t think they want to draft him at 15 and wouldn’t get him at 46. The Redskins stayed firm in their evaluation of Da’Ron Payne last year at 13 and it paid off in a major way.
24. Oakland Raiders (via CHI) - TE Noah Fant
A major position of need. Fant is not receiving enough credit for how comfortable he effective he is inline. Conversely, he is not Evan Engram or Jordan Reed after the catch.
25. Philadelphia Eagles - T Tytus Howard, Alabama St
Early? Maybe, but the team must plan for life after Jason Peters, as maintaining quality play across their offensive line is key to long term success. I expect Howard to be selected here or within the opening 5 to 10 picks of round two.
26. Indianapolis Colts - iDL Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
Another Ballard homerun. It is clear Ballard weighs in athletic profiles in his evaluations. Tillery, in the 84th percentile, is an outstanding athlete with great bend and flexibility along the interior. He’s fantastic.
27. Oakland Raiders (via DAL) - RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
I think there’s something to be said for easy evaluations, especially at a position of need. We know Gruden and Mayock are making these calls, and with three first rounders, this feels right.
28. Los Angeles Chargers - T Greg Little, Ole Miss
Dre’Mont Jones is possible on the interior of the defense. Little could be a plug in on the right side and help in both the running and passing game.
29. Seattle Seahawks - IDL Jeffery Simmons, Miss State
This is the pick acquired in the Frank Clark trade. Simmons is widely viewed as a first round talent, and the Seahawks’ top need might be to create more disruption up front as their front four has gone through a total makeover compared to two or three years ago.
30. Green Bay Packers (via NO) - WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Yes, Hockenson and Brown. This is the Packers time to win. Maximize it with offensive talent. Brown wins on the inside and showed he’s capable outside as well.
31. Los Angeles Rams - iOL Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
The Rams likely understand how important their offensive line is to their success. A quarterback who must win inside of structure. Creating free yards for their backs. McCoy could fill in at center or guard.
32. Patriots - S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
I believe Bill Belichick recently mentioned matching up with athletic tight ends and big receivers. CGJ can line up and win from a variety of alignments. This is certainly a spot for a team to trade up for a quarterback, obviously.
