NFL Mock Draft 1.0
The draft is 3 weeks away, and that means it's mock draft season. I usually only do one mock draft per year, but this time I've decided to switch things up. I'm not an "insider" but last year I got more picks right than Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. This year I'll update my mock draft once per week with the final coming right before the draft on April 27th. Let's get started.
#1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett - DE/Texas A&M
No need to get too complicated here. Garrett is the clear #1 in this draft and his performance at the combine only cemented his status as the consensus first pick in the draft.
#2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas - DE/Stanford
The Niners have needs all over the team. They need a QB first, but there's none in this class that are worthy of a top 5 pick. Take the next best player on the board and that's Thomas.
#3. Chicago Bears: Malik Hooker - DB/Ohio State
The Bears have done well on bringing in defensive players so far under Ryan Pace's leadership, but they still need help in the secondary. They could take a corner like Lattimore to put on the opposite side of Kyle Fuller, or take a safety like Hooker. It all comes down to who the Bears like more.
#4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Allen - DT/Alabama
I've seen a lot of mocks that have the Jags taking Leonard Fournette, but I'm still a believer in Chris Ivory, plus there are still good running backs available in free agency as well as later in the draft. Keep improving that defense.
#5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore - DB/Ohio State
The Titans could use more weapons for Mariota on offense, so they could take a player like Mike Williams from Clemson, but Lattimore can be an impact cover corner in the NFL.
#6. New York Jets: Jamal Adams - DB/LSU
Darrelle Revis is way past his prime, and now that he's gone, they need to start rebuilding their secondary. I'm sure they'd love if Lattimore was still on the board, but since he's not, they take another guy with top 5 talent.
#7. San Diego Chargers: Mike Williams - WR/Clemson
Keenan Allen has missed most of the last 2 years with significant knee injuries and now the Chargers need to get some insurance. Williams is the clear #1 receiver in this draft, and this will make Phillip Rivers very happy going into the twilight of his career.
#8. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Fournette - RB/LSU
Jonathan Stewart already has had health issues the last few seasons, and they need to protect Cam Newton. I could see them taking Ryan Ramczyk here, but a top flight running back would be a great pick to protect Cam as well. Will be interesting to see if his ankles will be able to hold up though.
#9. Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Ramczyk - OL/Wisconsin
The Bengals could easily take a wide receiver here to go opposite of AJ Green after losing Mohammad Sanu and Marvin Jones last off-season, but they also lost 2 of their best offensive lineman in free agency this year. They have a history of bringing in Wisconsin players, and Ramczyk can be their anchor left tackle for the next decade.
#10. Buffalo Bills: Corey Davis - WR/Western Michigan
Davis burst onto the scene in the Broncos high octane offense this past year, becoming one of the most productive receivers in college football. The Bills lost their deep threat Marquise Goodwin in free agency, so they need a receiver to go alongside Sammy Watkins.
#11. New Orleans Saints: Derek Barnett - DL/Tennessee
#12. Cleveland Browns: DeShone Kizer - QB/Notre Dame
The Browns would love to be able to trade this pick to the Patriots for Jimmy Garropolo, but all signs point to New England awaiting a king's ransom for him. I think the Browns are more likely to take Kizer because of his size, big arm, and his ceiling being higher than both Deshaun Watson and Mitchell Trubisky.
#13. Arizona Cardinals: Reuben Foster - LB/Alabama
#14. Philadelphia Eagles: Taco Charlton - DL/Michigan
#15. Indianapolis Colts: Cam Robinson - OL/Alabama
The Colts need to start reinvesting in their offensive line and protect Andrew Luck. And with Ramczyk off the board, the Colts take the next best prospect.
#16. Baltimore Ravens: Jabril Peppers - LB/Michigan
Not sure if he has a set position in the NFL, but the Ravens will be able to put him in the right positions to succeed.
#17. Washington Redskins: Haason Reddick - DL/Temple
#18. Tennessee Titans: John Ross - WR/Washington
Has the speed necessary to become an impact WR on the next level.
#19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OJ Howard - TE/Alabama
More pressing needs are on the defensive side of the ball, but they get great value here at 19, and give Jameis Winston another weapon on offense. Howard also helps them in the running game with his blocking ability.
#20. Denver Broncos: Forrest Lamp - OL/Western Kentucky
#21. Detroit Lions: Malik McDowell - DL/Michigan State
#22. Miami Dolphins: Marlon Humphrey - CB/Alabama
#23. New York Giants: Christian McCaffrey - RB/Stanford
After the releasing of Rashad Jennings, the Giants are in need of a running back. I don't think they have the money left to go after Adrian Peterson, so they wait for the draft to take either McCaffrey or Dalvin Cook from Florida State. I think they take McCaffrey due to his versatility.
#24. Oakland Raiders: Caleb Brantley - DL/Florida
#25. Houston Texans: DeShaun Watson - QB/Clemson
Everyone and their mother knows that the Texans are just one quarterback away from being a true Super Bowl contender. Insiders around the team know that they like Tom Savage, but are still likely to take a QB in the first round. If Watson is still available, I think he's the one that Bill O'Brien takes due to his success in big games at the college level.
#26. Seattle Seahawks: Garett Bolles - OL/Utah
#27. Kansas City Chiefs: Takkarist McKinley - DL/UCLA
#28. Dallas Cowboys: Tre'Davious White - DB/LSU
#29. Green Bay Packers: Teez Tabor - DB/Florida
The Packers desperately need secondary help as they got torched for a majority of last season. With this pick they get a 2 time All-SEC First Team player with great coverage skills and a very high ceiling.
#30. Pittsburgh Steelers: TJ Watt - LB/Wisconsin
TJ Watt was a big time performer last year for the Badgers and has the potential to be like his brother JJ at the NFL level. Could be a steal here for Pittsburgh at the end of the first round.
#31. Atlanta Falcons: David Njoku - TE/Miami (FL)
#32. New Orleans Saints: Mitchell Trubisky - QB/North Carolina
The Saints acquired this pick from the New England Patriots for WR Brandin Cooks. At the end of the first round they take their successor to Drew Brees in Mitchell Trubisky, who many say is the #1 QB prospect in this class.
Notable Omissions:
Patrick Mahomes - QB/Texas Tech: He's been a high riser in many mock draft, but he's still too raw and comes from a college offense that hasn't been able to produce many successful pros.
Dalvin Cook - RB/Florida State: Injury concerns, and not many teams coveting a running back have Cook falling out of the first round in this mock.
Joe Mixon - RB/Oklahoma: Top ten talent, but character concerns and off the field issues prevent him from becoming a first rounder.
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