It’s Draft SZN and that means Mock Drafts are coming out in full force. Since anyone who’s cool is doing it I decided it’s time for a Post Senior Bowl Mock Draft to get in on the trend. This isn’t based off what I think will happen, rather than what I would do if I were the GM of all 32 NFL teams. It’s essentially a Mock Draft filled with collusion.
- Cleveland Browns, Josh Rosen, QB,UCLA
There is much speculation surrounding this pick, but Rosen is the best QB in the 2018 class. He’s mechanically sound and has plenty of arm strength. People are concerned over his character, but I don’t think that holds any weight at all. Rosen is the most NFL ready QB in this draft and would be the perfect player to build around in Cleveland from the start.
- New York Giants, Sam Darnold, QB, USC
This would be the perfect landing spot for Darnold. It sounds like Eli Manning has at least another year left as the Giants starter. Sitting for a season behind Manning would be the ideal situation for Darnold. He has a lot to fix mechanically in his lower and upper half. A “redshirt” year in the NFL could help his development instead of letting him go through a baptism by fire with an inferior offensive line protecting him.
- Indianapolis Colts, Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
A guard at pick 3 you say? Yeah, it might be a reach and if the Colts truly wanted Nelson they would probably trade back. However, predicting trades are complicated and pointless as most Mock Drafts are anyway. Nelson is considered the best OL prospect in the draft and would be a definite start and plug player. The Colts have ignored the offensive line for far too long. If Andrew Luck is going to play the entire season in 2018 he needs to have more protection up front. It would be nice for a once in a generation talent to stay on the field and actually get to use all of that talent.
- Cleveland Browns, Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama
I made Michael Nuttle a happy Browns fan with this pick. Cleveland would arguably be getting the best defensive player in the draft who can play both CB and S. A Rosen-Minkah haul would be impressive for the Browns. There are a lot of people clamoring for Barkley here, but RB is such a deep position in this year’s draft they can probably get a Sony Michel or Nick Chubb at the top of 2nd round.
- Denver Broncos, Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
This pick comes with a caveat. I think the Broncos might take a QB here, but I’m assuming they sign Kirk Cousins during free agency. The offense would drastically change if they can sign Cousins and draft Barkley. The Broncos would add a more than competent passer and the most athletic player play in the draft. Barkley is an excellent runner and pass catcher. He can actually line up as a receiver making him the ultimate weapon.
- New York Jets, Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Don’t tell the other tenants of Metlife Stadium, but I think I mocked the boys in green the better QB prospect. Mayfield’s off the field concerns are bologna. He has great velocity on his passes and can add touch to his throws when needed. Mayfield can win inside the pocket, but he’s great when breaking contain and throwing on the run. If the Jets can bring back Josh McCown, Mayfield doesn’t have to start from day one and can be eased into the position later in the regular season.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Chubb is considered the best pass rusher in the draft. This would be an easy pick for the Buccaneers should the board fall this way.
- Chicago Bears, Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Ridley is scheme versatile, but he’s a perfect fit for Matt Nagy’s West Coast offensive system. He’ll be able to gain immediate separation in the quick passing game with his sudden quickness. Ridley also possesses rare route running ability and nuance for a draft prospect.
- San Francisco 49ers, Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
GM John Lynch has done an excellent job rebuilding the 49ers in the past year. He’s added a ton of talented pieces including Jimmy Garoppolo before the NFL trade deadline. Jimmy G needs a franchise left guard and Brown physically looks the part and can develop into one.
- Oakland Raiders, Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Raiders are lacking at ILB and Smith can provide the lateral quickness and explosiveness that they’re looking for.
- Miami Dolphins, Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
The Dolphins traded away Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia. They have a solid running back in Kenyan Drake, but Guice is too good to pass on. Michael Kist would say, “What if I told you rankings were stupid? And Guice is RB1 and Barkley is Weapon1?” I would say more takes please, kind sir. More takes, please.
- Cincinnati Bengals, Connor Williams, OT, Texas
The Bengals offensive line is a major need after losing some key pieces last off-season. Insert Connor Williams.
- Washington Redskins, Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Edmunds is currently getting a lot of buzz as LB2. He won’t have to go too far from campus if this plays out.
- Green Bay Packers, Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Green Bay needs all the CB help they can get even after selecting Kevin King with their first selection last draft. Ward’s size isn’t great, but he’s all kinds of talented that should help the Packers improve that unit.
- Arizona Cardinals, Vita Vea, IDL, Washington
Cardinals new head coach Steve Wilks would love having an IDL like Vea playing in his defense. Vea has incredible play strength displayed fully by his ability to throw college guards to the wayside.
- Baltimore Ravens, D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Let me first say that D.J. Moore is probably not going to be drafted in the first round. I think he’s a first round talent, but his size will likely be the reason he falls to the mid-late second. Baltimore needs a young receiver and who better than Moore who’s play resembles Steve Smith Sr.?
- San Diego Chargers, Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Chargers are in need of a OT to protect Rivers in his remaining years and as they transition to their quarterback of the future. Whoever that may be.
- Seattle Seahawks, Ronald Jones III, USC
Like Moore, Jones will probably not be taken with this pick. However, how perfect is Jones for the Seahawks offense? He has great speed and excellent burst. Jones is the RB that Seattle has been looking to add since the departure of Marshawn Lynch.
- Dallas Cowboys, Derwin James, S, Florida State
Derwin James is the perfect pick here because he helps add a quality safety and might be good enough to make Byron Jones move to CB in Kris Richard’s defense as the new passing game coordinator. Some have compared James to Kam Chancellor. Should Seattle cut Earl Thomas he may wind up in a familiar defense in Dallas. The Cowboys might seriously recreate The Legion of Boom.
- Detroit Lions, Arden Key, DE, LSU
The Lions need a pass rusher opposite of Ezekiel Ansah. Key might be the player to pair him with.
- Buffalo Bills, Maurice Hurst, IDL, Michigan
The Bills need IDL and Hurst might be the most NFL ready IDL in the draft. It’s highly unlikely they keep both of their back to back picks so take the next pick with a grain of salt.
- Buffalo Bills, Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
Davenport didn’t have the best week of practice. But if the Bills do somehow keep both picks it might be worth taking a guy with high upside like Davenport. Although, he may end up not fitting McDermott’s defense after speaking with Ryan Dukarm.
- Los Angeles Rams, Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
I would have loved to put Jackson in Seattle because he seems to fit their CB criteria. I won’t truly know until the Combine, but he looks like a Seahawks CB. Their divisional rivals, the Rams are in need of a CB and would capitalize on Seattle passing Jackson up here.
- Carolina Panthers, Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
Carolina needs an OT to keep Cam Newton protected and at 6’8”, 310 pounds, Kolton Miller could be the pick here to replace Matt Kalil.
- Tennessee Titans, Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College
Landry would be the best pass rusher available in this scenario. The Titans need some real help coming off the edge.
- Atlanta Falcons, Da’Ron Payne, IDL, Alabama
Dontari Poe might not be an Atlanta Falcon next season. Payne could be the player to replace him and has already made big time plays in Mercedes Benz Stadium. University of Georgia fans would remember well…
- New Orleans Saints, Billy Price, C, Ohio State
The Saints have Max Unger, but Price might be able to play OG until Unger is on his way out. Price fits New Orleans’ philosophy having a ton of quality linemen on the roster.
- Pittsburgh Steelers, Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Allen would actually be a good pick by the Steelers. He possesses some good traits like his arm strength and mobility. Allen has poor accuracy and can seemingly only throw the fastball. It would do him good to learn behind Ben Roethlisberger for a year or two.
- Jacksonville Jaguars, Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
Bortles has one more year to be the starter. The team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. A tight end like Andrews could help the offense improve in 2018.
- Minnesota Vikings, Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
Minnesota needs some help on the interior of their offensive line. Wynn was one of the most impressive players from the Senior Bowl and the reward should be being taken in the late first round.
- Philadelphia Eagles, Ra’Shaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Evans is the best LB available and there seems to be a drop off from LB3 to LB4. It makes sense from a need standpoint as well for the Eagles.
- New England Patriots, Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Brady needs a heir to the throne. That heir is WR Lamar Jackson. Belichick is so good at coaching he’ll take a WR to play QB and a QB to play WR (Edelman) and will still win the Super Bowl every year.
…
Who am I kidding? Brady will play another five seasons and outlast Jackson’s contract.