The NFL Draft is little more than a month away. As teams prepare, so do we.
With the NFL Combine and the first wave of free agency now in the rear view mirror, we are beginning to get a glimpse at what NFL rosters across the league will look like when the NFL Draft arrives.
Free agency has formed winners in the past. And it will do so again. There is never a year where a team does not benefit from its signings past the start of the new league year. And there is also never a years where disappointment does not unfurl behind the epic collapse of a highly coveted player.
Free agency is important. But it is unpredictable. Volatile. Where do you go to find the young talent? The players who are just entering the league, ripe with potential and excitement?
The NFL Draft.
With the teams of the NFL taking shape, now is as good a time as ever to start our seven-round NFL Draft mock. Who will your team pick? And how will they look, entering the 2018 season? Turn the page, and see our projected first-round picks.
The Cleveland Browns now have Tyrod Taylor at quarterback. But that changes nothing.
The Browns haven’t drafted a quarterback in the top five of the NFL Draft since 1999, when they selected Tim Couch No. 1 overall. Since then, however, they have drafted three quarterbacks in the first round. In fact, coincidentally, each quarterback was selected with the No. 22 pick. Their names?
Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden, and Johnny Manziel.
You’d think the Cleveland Browns would learn their lesson by now. No, drafting a quarterback No. 1 overall isn’t a guarantee of success. But as the Cleveland Browns know well, the odds of success drop significantly outside of the top five. That doesn’t mean you can’t find starters. The Packers found Aaron Rodgers. And the Raiders found Derek Carr.
But the Browns have stubbornly held onto this strategy, and it has gotten them nowhere. It’s time for John Dorsey to change the narrative and grab his franchise quarterback, once and for all. By most accounts, that franchise quarterback is USC’s Sam Darnold.
Darnold is far from a polished product, but he offers tantalizing potential for the Cleveland Browns. Darnold’s arm isn’t the cannon Josh Allen’s is, but it’s not far off, and as far as accuracy goes, Darnold is worlds ahead of Allen. This doesn’t mean Darnold doesn’t miss. Darnold’s passes can get away from him, and his fundamentals are a bit sloppy. But despite all that, Darnold has the arm talent and football I.Q. that teams look for. And that’s why the Browns will likely pick him here.
Darnold doesn’t have to start right away. It would be good for him to get that experience. But that’s what Tyrod Taylor, a decent bridge quarterback, is for. If Darnold isn’t ready, then the Browns can let Taylor start a few games. But if he is, then they should not hesitate to start the next era of Browns football.
A lot of people think the New York Giants will trade back with the Bills or some other quarterback-needy team. Here’s why they might not.
The New York Giants offensive line was in shambles to start the offseason. They signed former New England Patriots tackle Nate Solder to gain a bit of strength back, but still, there are holes to be addressed, primarily at offensive guard.
Some have speculated that the Giants may pick a franchise quarterback with their No. 2 overall pick, with Josh Rosen and Josh Allen being popular names to fill in the blank. But the team has said, time and time again, that they are confident in Eli Manning for the foreseeable future. On top of that, the Giants drafted Davis Webb in the third round last year. Why not give him another year to develop?
Keeping all this in mind, there is a good chance, or at least a reasonable argument, that the Giants won’t go quarterback with this pick. And they won’t trade down either. Why? Because arguably the best offensive guard to hit the NFL Draft in more than a decade will be available for them to take.
Quenton Nelson, 6-foot-5, 330, is a behemoth on the interior of the offensive line, and he plays up to his size, and more. Nelson describes himself as ‘nasty’, and that’s an assessment that most evaluators will inevitably agree with. Nelson plays with unmatched ferocity, using his technical and physical prowess to dominate opponents. He plays past the whistle, giving every play over one hundred percent.
The Giants could ultimately pick Saquon Barkley here, if they opt to avoid drafting a quarterback. But smart general managers build up from the trenches, and Dave Gettleman has a history of doing just that. By drafting Quenton Nelson, the Giants’ offensive line would immediately transition from a weakness to a strength, and Nelson himself would wreak havoc on NFC East defensive lines for years on end.
After the New York Jets’ trade up to the No. 3 spot, it is essentially locked in stone that the Jets will be picking a quarterback.
The New York Jets tried tall quarterbacks once. Those didn’t work out. So when they ultimately get on the clock at No. 3 in the NFL Draft, there’s reason to believe the team could pick Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, as a bit of a change of pace.
There’s a lot to like about Mayfield, and also a lot to be weary of. Mayfield is supremely accurate, and his arm is far from weak. He draws comparisons from Drew Brees in the sense that while he’s only a hair over 6-foot-0, he still maintains a reputation as a gunslinger. The Big 12 conference may have helped forge that image for him, but Mayfield can throw the football, and throw it well.
He also possesses great poise, confidence, and ability when going off-schedule with plays. Mayfield has the mobility to keep the play alive running to the side, but also the fundamental acuity to deliver a solid ball when on the run.
While Baker Mayfield, to some, appears to be the next Drew Brees, others have pegged him as the next Johnny Manziel. Currently, Manziel has gotten his life back together, and he’s hoping for a comeback, but that’s not part of the comparison. Rather, Manziel’s tumultuous downfall is. Many think that Mayfield is due for the same fate.
Mayfield has a fiery, competitive personality that he sometimes lets loose on the field. But the concerns about his personality are overblown. His team mates at Oklahoma loved him, and there were reports that he impressed coaches in interviews at the NFL Combine.
Simply put, Mayfield is not Drew Brees. And he is not Johnny Manziel. Baker Mayfield is Baker Mayfield. He’s a playmaker and a fierce competitor who can deliver a ball with accuracy and velocity, and when it comes down to judgement time, there’s a case to make him the best quarterback in this draft class. In this mock, the Jets come to that conclusion, and they make him the face of their franchise.
There are going to be a lot of awkward quarterback situations this summer.
Case Keenum threw for over 3,500 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions last season. But that wasn’t enough for teams to have a bidding war over the career backup.
In the end, Keenum signed a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos, worth just over $20 million annually. But the team still needs a franchise quarterback.
With Josh Rosen falling to No. 4, there are bound to be several teams calling Cleveland to initiate a trade. The Broncos, however, have the most leverage with the No. 5 pick. And so they can easily move up one spot to ensure their acquisition of the best remaining quarterback in the NFL Draft. The demand will drive the price up slightly, but they won’t have to give up multiple early-round picks.
With Case Keenum turning 31 years old in less than a year, and with Keenum only being locked up on a two-year deal, it only makes sense to get more security at the quarterback position by drafting Josh Rosen. Rosen is the most pro-ready quarterback in this NFL Draft class, with solid fundamentals and football intelligence. He can make all the throws, and with a quality NFL supporting cast, he should flourish. As long as Keenum is okay with that.
The Arizona Cardinals are perhaps the neediest team when it comes to quarterbacks. Their top two options, following the first wave of free agency, are Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon. One is historically injury prone, and the other signed an infamously invaluable contract last year.
Make no mistake: The Cardinals are in need of a quarterback, and if Josh Allen drops to No. 5 in the NFL Draft, there is at least a decent chance that they could trade up and pick him. It won’t come cheap, as other teams might be interested (I don’t expect Buffalo to like Josh Allen all too much, so the likely case is that Miami, or maybe Baltimore inquires about this pick).
Allen isn’t the most polished quarterback in this class. But there is no doubt that he has tantalizing potential. His arm is one of the biggest ever to hit the big stage, but as scouts will tell you, having a big arm isn’t even the first step toward becoming a successful quarterback.
Luckily for Allen, he has other things going for him as well. He is known to have the necessary intangibles to play the quarterback position, and he has very good athleticism for a 6-foot-5, 230 signal caller. A strong combine likely improved his stock, and the Arizona Cardinals won’t let a possible franchise quarterback slip out of their grasp. They’ll look to move on from Carson Palmer as quick as possible by picking Allen, and effectively ushering in the next era of Cardinals football.
The Indianapolis Colts are still a work in progress. The team is slowly improving, but they still have some ground to pick up again before they can be considered a contender. Luckily for them, North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb is in play at No. 6 in the NFL Draft.
The demand for quarterbacks is a primary reason for this. It’s the reason that the Colts traded back to the No. 6 pick in the first place. In the process, they got a few new picks, which is crucial for team looking to add depth. Another consolation? The same player they were likely targeting at No. 3 could very well fall to them at No. 6.
Whenever the Colts can add defensive talent, they should. It doesn’t matter what position. The Colts are needy all across the board. But because the draft is relatively deep on defense, and because the Colts now have so many picks, they can take the best player available here at No. 6, without regard to position. That happens to be Bradley Chubb.
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Chubb is an energetic edge rusher who produced on a massive scale with the Wolfpack at NC State. In his final two seasons, he logged 10.0 sacks a piece, while also accruing 21.0 and 23.0 tackles for loss, respectively.
Chubb used his incredibly active hands, his relentless drive, and his athletic prowess to dominate the competition in the ACC, and one has to believe that his conquest over the game of football will only continue in the NFL. Chubb isn’t a franchise changer like Myles Garrett was last year, but he comes fairly close to that reputation, and for the Colts, who need this kind of talent on the defensive side of the ball, he could be enough.
With a supposed quarterback run occupying most of the top five in the NFL Draft, there’s a god chance that Penn State running back Saquon Barkley could fall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers are in dire need of a running back. They recently cut veteran Doug Martin, and there are no proven options remaining on the roster. Their offensive line needs work, which ultimately had an affect on the run game last season. But regardless, when a talent like Barkley becomes available, for a team that needs exactly what he has, a decision shouldn’t be hard to make.
As for what makes Barkley great, everything has already been said and paraphrased several thousand times. For his size, Barkley has incredible speed and athleticism, and he carries impressive momentum. His balance through contact is otherworldly, and he can bend and twist to keep himself upright better than even the best running backs in the NFL today.
Consistency and decision making at the line constitute minor issues for Barkley, but only that. He has the talent to be a very good player for a very long time, and by picking him in the NFL Draft, the Buccaneers can ensure that their offense maintains top-notch talent at skill positions.
The Chicago Bears have good depth in the linebacking core, but they could do well to add a young prospect with considerable upside at the position. In this sense, Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds checks all the boxes.
Edmunds has elite size at 6-foot-5, 253. His length is rare for his position, and he has the athleticism to move very well, given his measurements. He tested very well at the NFL Combine , running an incredible 4.54 in the 40-yard dash, as well as logging 19 bench reps.
On top of all these positive traits, Edmunds won’t turn 20 years old until May, and for his entire rookie season, he will be 20 years old, when other rookies around him will be between 21 and 24 years old. Edmunds has a leg up in almost every area, from physical ability, to available time to grow. That is valuable for a young NFL team whose championship window is approaching, but hasn’t arrived yet.
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Fittingly, Edmunds’ professional player comparison, courtesy of NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, is former Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher. But on Zierlein’s scouting report of the former Hokies standout, an anonymous NFL executive even admits that there isn’t a true player comparison for such a physically dominant player like Edmunds.
There are three linebackers who all could be first off the board at their position, but if size, speed, and athleticism have anything to do with the decision, then Edmunds should be the first one to go. He offers the most upside out of the group, as well as the most time to grow. He has a floor as a raw, dynamic playmaker, and in time, he could grow into a star.
With the uncertainty surrounding Reuben Foster, as well as the relative lack of depth in the San Francisco 49ers linebacking core, the addition of Roquan Smith through the NFL Draft makes more and more sense each day.
Smith was a stout defender for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2017, using his combination of speed, strength, and instincts to make a case for himself as a possible top ten pick in the NFL Draft. In this NFL Draft mock, that’s where he goes, and per our own Jacob Camenker, it’s easy to see why.
"When watching Smith play, it’s easy to see what NFL scouts and decision makers like about him. Smith is a highly instinctive player with a quick first step who always seems to be around the ball. He always seemed to be involved in every play during Georgia’s run in the College Football Playoffs, and he was a defensive leader for them as well."
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Based on what happens with Foster, the 49ers might need a new field general on defense, and Roquan Smith is arguably the most polished linebacker in this class. He leaves some room to be desired, in terms of size. But he’s a plug-and-play starter who can help provide some insurance for a young team that needs it.
After signing Rashaan Melvin to a deal, the Oakland Raiders’ defensive makeover is one step closer to being complete. An addition that would solidify the secondary, already equipped with Gareon Conley, Obi Melifonwu, and Reggie Nelson, is the input of a solid slot cornerback.
Denzel Ward, the next NFL cornerback to emerge from the Ohio State pipeline, projects well in this role. He is somewhat undersized at 5-foot-10, but he has very good agility in tight spaces, and his foot movement is very fluid.
Ward can easily start right away, and with the Oakland Raiders, he could immediately slide in as a near-elite slot cornerback. Some may say that this is too early to pick a slot cornerback, but if he’s the missing piece, and if he can turn a mediocre secondary into a good one, then he’s very worth the pick. Hence, the NFL Draft relinquishes Denzel Ward to the Raiders.
The Miami Dolphins engineered a necessary divorce with Ndamukong Suh earlier this week, ultimately creating a looming void on the defensive interior. The rest of the line is set, with players like Robert Quinn and Cameron Wake manning the edges. All the Dolphins need to solidify their situation in the trenches is a quality defensive tackle.
In terms of quality, there is no one better in the NFL Draft than Maurice Hurst. Hurst is a bit undersized at 6-foot-2, 280, but he plays with an innate quickness that not many offensive linemen can match.
Hurst, hailing from the University of Michigan, used his quick twitch and strength to dominate the competition in Big Ten play. In three years as a full-time starter with the Wolverines, he accumulated 31.0 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles, earning consensus All-American honors after the 2017 season.
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Hurst does have a heart issue that was rediscovered during NFL Combine health testing, but he’s played with it his entire career at Michigan, with little to no consequence. If he checks out, then Hurst’s draft stock shouldn’t suffer all too much. And with a clear and present need at his position, picking Hurst makes too much sense for the Miami Dolphins.
The Buffalo Bills could trade up from this spot. They have the draft capital to do so, and their new quarterback, A.J. McCarron, is far from a proven starter. But what if the Bills stay put? In this seven-round mock, we’ll take a look at that scenario instead.
The Bills bolstered their defense through free agency, signing Star Lotulelei, Kyle Williams, and Trent Murphy on the defensive line, while also bringing in former All-Pro cornerback Vontae Davis and free safety Rafael Bush.
For a time, it was believed that by strengthening their defense, the Bills were naturally loading up to trade up. But then the A.J. McCarron signing happened. And then the Jets trade up to No. 3 happened.
One has to wonder why the Jets settled for the No. 3 pick, and not No. 2, or even No. 1. Was it because neither the Giants or Browns were willing to budge from those spots? Were they asking for a king’s ransom, and then some? Will it be possible to leapfrog the Jets at all?
Whatever the case, the Bills could decide that, with a low-tier starter like A.J. McCarron in place (and unlike most, I’m not giving up on the Nathan Peterman project), they would rather build a stellar young core around him than lose a bevy of picks to add another arm to the quarterback room.
If the Bills are in the business of helping McCarron succeed, then the logical pick here is former Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Ridley is one of the most pro-ready receiver prospects to hit the NFL Draft in recent years. He’s a little old for a rookie, set to turn 24 years old in December, but with that age, he brings a more polished game than the average rookie. He runs crisp, precise routes, and in terms of reliability, he’s about as good as you can get in the NFL Draft.
Ridley didn’t have a great combine, but his play on the field speaks for itself. With a big body in Kelvin Benjamin and a contested catch warrior in Zay Jones, Ridley, a fast, consistent receiver with elite separation capability, would effectively complete the deadly trio for the Buffalo Bills’ offense, and he could be key to helping whoever starters at quarterback be more welcome.
Before I explain this pick, let me give a quick reminder.
Derwin James is not a safety. He is a defensive back.
James doesn’t just play safety. He plays all over the field, including slot cornerback. For the Washington Redskins, Derwin James would provide a valuable chess piece in the secondary. He has the athletic ability to play anywhere, and thus, he has priceless versatility that teams will covet in the early first round of the NFL Draft. He’s a player who can give the Redskins depth at safety, while also contributing as a box safety or in the slot on occasion. He’s a swiss army knife, and he could help give the Washington Redskins more dynamic ability on defense.
Here, a quarterback run sends both James and Minkah Fitzpatrick to the No. 13 pick in the NFL Draft. Both players are very good, but with this pick, the Washington Redskins opt to go with the more athletic player, and from a certain perspective, the greater upside.
Both James and Fitzpatrick are leaders in the locker room. Both players bring winning mentalities, and both will only be benefits to the culture they join. Thus, if a team is forced to choose between them, it could come down to a small, albeit noticeable difference. The Washington Redskins will value James’ athleticism and length here, and by acquiring James, they automatically improve the quality of their secondary.
Packers fans will love this pick.
The Green Bay Packers cam into the 2018 offseason already needing defensive backs. Now, with the offshoring of former first-round pick Damarious Randall to Cleveland, the need is even greater. Thus, picking Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 14 in the NFL Draft makes perfect sense, as long at the cards play out in their favor.
Fitzpatrick, like Derwin James, is a versatile defender who flies around the field. He produced plentifully for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and he is almost sure to be the next player in a long line of successful Alabama defenders in the NFL.
Fitzpatrick is not as athletic as James, but he brings a high-pace game to whatever defense he joins, and in the Packers’ secondary, he could find that there is a suitable niche for him. One that he can thrive in.
After trading down from the No. 4 pick, the Cleveland Browns get a few picks and a chance at grabbing another talented player here. With Joe Thomas set to retire, and Spencer Drango backing him up, left tackle is a dire need for the Cleveland Browns, in order to keep their new quarterback protected.
As far as left tackles go in this NFL Draft class, Texas’ Connor Williams has a case to be the best one available. Williams has a wealth of starting experience at left tackle in college, and while he lacks the desired length for the position, he has the proper athleticism and strength to succeed in the NFL at that position.
Williams’ production dipped in his final season, but that shouldn’t scare scouts away. Williams has had success before at left tackle, both in the running game and the passing game, and he has all the tools to keep himself afloat in the NFL.
With Williams, Carlos Hyde will have a reliable blocker to run behind, and the team’s quarterback will have a sense of security. It won’t be as strong as it was with Joe Thomas, but the Williams hype is far from a mirage.
Opposite Ronnie Stanley, the Baltimore Ravens need a bookend blocker to keep the line from being folded. Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey is a suitable option in this regard.
McGlinchey, like Connor Williams, is a superb athlete, but where Williams is lacking in length, McGlincehy has it. McGlinchey, an All-American in 2017, has perfect size for the tackle position, and he moves well for being that tall. Here’s what I had to say about McGlinchey in a previous mock draft:
"McGlinchey is a behemoth on the edge, standing at 6-foot-8, 315. He’s surprisingly athletic, and right off the snap, he keeps his balance and moves his feet well. His team’s lack of offensive success in 2017 may cause McGlinchey to be overlooked in favor of other tackle prospects, but McGlinchey was solid week in and week out."
With McGlinchey, the Ravens could be flexible. McGlinchey has starting experience at both left and right tackle, and so he could fill in as the starter at left tackle when needed. He’s a solid player who will likely start right away, and the Ravens’ offensive line will benefit because of it.
The Los Angeles Chargers are in desperate need of depth in the linebacking core, and with one of the best linebackers in the NFL Draft available at No. 17, it would be egregious to pick anyone other than Alabama’s Rashaan Evans.
Evans, 6-foot-3, 234, has great size to man the middle. He has above-average height, but he’s not wiry like Tremaine Edmunds. He’s stocky, and with every hit, he brings all 234 pounds with him. Evans is incredibly explosive, and he steadily improved throughout his collegiate career.
The Chargers have a tentative starter in place in Denzel Perryman, but they could do well to add another solid playmaker in the middle. With Rashaan Evans providing both depth and eventual Pro Bowl potential, Gus Bradley can ensure that his defense remains respectable if injuries hit again, like they have in the past.
The Seattle Seahawks are just another team that needs all the help it can get on the offensive line. Injuries played a part in the demise of the unit in 2017, but the starters themselves are far from proven, and adding a blocker with an attitude could help the unit evolve.
For this purpose, Isaiah Wynn would be a perfect fit for the Seahawks. Wynn is a bit undersized at 6-foot-2, 302, but he doesn’t often let his size get the better of him. Rather, Wynn negates the negative effect of size with his tenacious, tireless play.
Wynn is always looking for work, whether it be on the first level or the second level. He has good stamina for an NFL guard, and he utilizes that to his advantage, consistently winning wars of attrition at the line of scrimmage.
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Wynn is adept at both run blocking and pass protection, and he plays with an edge, letting his physical style do the talking. Wynn could be a spark for the Seahawks’ offensive line. One player won’t solve a problem deeply rooted into the fabric of the roster, but one player can ultimately make a difference. By taking Isaiah Wynn at No. 18 in the NFL Draft, the Seahawks hope to fulfill that effect.
Once a Day 2 prospect, there is a good chance that Maryland’s D.J. Moore sinks comfortably inside the first round of the NFL Draft after his combine performance.
On Moore’s tape, his quickness is easily noticeable. But his athletic gifts were quantified at the combine, where he showcased his physical talent to NFL scouts across the board.
Moore has good speed for the wide receiver position, but he’s not just a role player. Moore has immaculate body control when pursuing 50-50 balls, and his sure hands allow him to win tense battles between he and the opposing cornerback.
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Moore is a sneaky good fit for the Cowboys, who may part ways with Dez Bryant soon, reaffirming the need for a new standout receiver to serve as a reliable target for Dak Prescott.
Moore has been slept on for much of the NFL Draft process, but now, that appears to be changing. The former Maryland Terrapin has all the traits that consummate a successful NFL wide receiver, and if the Dallas Cowboys get Moore, then the inevitable departure of Dez Bryant, whether it comes this year or later, will be lesser in impact than it could have been.
Perhaps the one thing that has held the Detroit Lions back from a steady playoff run is the lack of a true running game.
Matthew Stafford is a very good quarterback, with a very good cast of weapons. Losing Eric Ebron will hurt, but not as much as the lack of a running game will hurt, if it persists for yet another season.
At No. 20, the Lions can end the charades and pick their running back of the future in Derrius Guice. Guice would be a very good fit for the Lions’ offense, serving as a powerful complement to Theo Riddick’s speed and dynamic ability.
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To pigeonhole Guice as a mere power back, however, would be irrational. Guice can do it all. He has the burst to plow through the line, and once he’s in the clear, he can turn on the jets. He doesn’t quite have the speed to get around the edge on outside zone runs, but he rarely goes down upon first contact, and he can create for himself. The last Lions’ running back to do that was Barry Sanders.
The Lions can’t afford to waste Stafford’s career at quarterback, and they’ve already wasted half of it. The team is just as ready for a playoff bid as it has been in recent years, but the addition of a competent lead back could help push them over the hump.
This might be a bit of the reach for the Cincinnati Bengals, but let’s be honest. The Bengals need help wherever they can get it on the offensive line. And at No. 21, they could do a lot worse than James Daniels.
At 6-foot-3, 295, Daniels is a bit undersized for the NFL. But he makes up for it with his all-around reliability and consistency. His alma matter, Iowa, is known for those qualities, and Daniels exemplifies them very well.
Daniels is one piece to the confusing offensive line puzzle for the Bengals, and he doesn’t solve the problem alone. But by drafting Daniels, the Bengals take a step in the right direction. With former center Russell Bodine currently partaking in free agent visits, the Bengals have a need to fill at center, and Daniels would accomplish that.
In this mock, the first four quarterbacks went off the board in the top five, and a quarterback of equal echelon fell to No. 22. The Buffalo Bills would not let this opportunity go to waste, no matter how confident they are in A.J. McCarron.
Louisville’s Lamar Jackson is one of the most talented football players ever to step on an NCAA field. The quarterback (QUARTERBACK) won the Heisman in 2016, and he nearly won it again in 2017. In three years with the Cardinals, Jackson amassed over 13,000 total yards and 119 total touchdowns.
Jackson’s ability to run is one noteworthy quality of his, but it is far from the only one. Jackson doesn’t use his mobility to exit clean pockets. He dances, avoid pressure, always keeping the play alive, seeking out options as the situation progresses. He keeps his eyes downfield, and his passing ability is better than he gets credit for.
Jackson is a bit thin for a quarterback, but perhaps this is a good thing; it allows Jackson to play at his speed, which could be deadly for NFL defenses. With playmakers like Lesean McCoy, Calvin Ridley, and Charles Clay around him, Jackson would thrive in the Bills’ offense, providing electric ability and versatility. There’s a good chance he could start ahead of McCarron right away. With this option, the Bills avoid trading a mass amount of mid-round picks, and they still get their quarterback of the future.
Who would pass that up?
With Connor Barwin possibly heading out the door, and his only counterparts left on the roster being Samson Ebukam and Matt Longacre, it’s fair to say that the Rams could use another edge rusher this offseason. Boston College’s Harold Landry is an excellent fit here.
Just one season removed from a 16.5 sack campaign, Landry has shown before that he has the capability to be a top-tier edge rusher in the NFL. At 6-foot-3, 254, Landry is perfectly molded for Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
Landry is dangerous with his hand in the dirt. He has explosive burst off the snap, and he can use this quick jolt of momentum to beat opposing lineman early and often. While he may need to broaden his horizons at the next level, Landry’s burst alone makes him an elite prospect who can be coached into an elite player.
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With a clear gap on the edge, this pick is a solution the Rams can’t afford to let slip away. Landry is a special talent, and with a refurbished secondary keeping the ball in the quarterback’s hands, Landry could be the one to bring them to the ground, week in and week out. This pick screams 2018 Les Snead.
The Carolina Panthers are considerably bare at the cornerback position, and that didn’t change in free agency. The team tried to sign former Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland to a deal, but Breeland failed his physical, and the two sides effectively split ways.
Now, the top two cornerbacks on the Panthers’ roster are James Bradberry and Captain Munnerlyn.
So needless to say, the Panthers still have a glaring need at one of the most important defensive positions.
For a team that struggled to defend the pass in 2017, and for a team whose woes will only continue to fester unless action is taken, the only NFL Draft pick that makes sense here is Iowa’s Josh Jackson.
Jackson broke out in 2017 for the Hawkeyes, logging eight interceptions in a career year. He showcased impressive instincts, length and ball skills in that time, sending his draft stock skyrocketing. Some scouts have him going as early as the mid-first. Here, he slips to No. 24, and the Panthers waste no time pulling the trigger.
With Avery Williamson off to join the New York Jets, the Tennessee Titans ned a new inside linebacker to take his place. Options are growing thin in free agency, so it seems that the Titans will be forced to find Williamson’s replacement in the NFL Draft.
By the time the Titans pick at No. 25 in the NFL Draft, the reality is that the top three linebackers in the NFL Draft class, Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, and Rashaan Evans, will all be gone. This doesn’t mean that the Titans should wait until Round 2 to grab a linebacker, however. There is one more linebacker worthy of a first-round grade. And that is Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch.
First and foremost, Vander Esch, a team captain, fits the culture that Mike Vrabel is striving to form. But the benefits of drafting Vander Esch do not stop on the sideline. Vander Esch, in his one year as the starting linebacker for Boise State, saw outright incredible production. He logged 141 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, two interceptions, five pass deflections, and four forced fumbles.
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That’s quite a stat line.
Vander Esch, understandably, won 2017 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors. On paper, his accolades jump out of the text, and on tape, his traits follow suit.
Vänder Esch has elite size for a linebacker, standing at 6-foot-4, 256. He has a muscular frame, but he’s athletic enough to make tight movements and track the ball wherever it goes. This was a calling card of Vander Esch’s in his final season, as evidenced by his 141 tackles. Vander Esch did not let his eyes leave the football. He flew all across the field, making an impact wherever possible.
With Vanders Esch’s most prolific year also being his most recent, the only deductible conclusion that can be made is that Vander Esch will only continue to improve in the NFL. With Mike Vrabel, an established linebackers coach, heading his team, Vander Esch could thrive in Tennessee.
The Atlanta Falcons need help on the inside of the defensive line. They get some big help, both literally and figuratively, here.
At 6-foot-5, 340, Vea has mammoth size for the defensive tackle position. Much like former Falcons’ defensive tackle Dontari Poe, Vea can play both nose and defensive tackle, which is what he would primarily play in the Falcons’ 4-3 scheme.
Vea is big, but he moves well for his size. His flashes are undeniably bright on the field. He has the raw talent to steamroll opposing linemen, and he has the girth to blanket runners and effectively suffocate plays. But while his upside is enormous, Vea needs to work on his consistency, as I wrote in a previous article featuring Vea.
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"Between every good play by Vea, you’ll see at least four plays where he gets neutralized at the start of the snap. If the opposing offensive lineman gets his hands on Vea, then the play is essentially over. Vea will fight it, but he’s not quick enough to slip out and cause a problem on a consistent basis. There are some plays where Vea punches the lineman once, and gives up when he doesn’t get through."
At this pick, Vea would provide good value for the Falcons, who desperately need a big body to fill the void at the center of their line. Vea is a good player when he’s on the field, and perhaps he can improve his conditioning and his consistency with NFL coaching.
What a long way the Saints have come in such little time.
Just a couple years ago, the Saints’ defense was a laughing stock. Drew Brees was carrying dead weight week in and week out, and it was fair to wonder if the team would ever be relevant in the Brees-Payton era again.
Last year, the team quelled those concerns rather quickly.
A last-second exit in the divisional round of the playoffs left the Saints with a bad taste in their mouth, but the team will undoubtedly be the favorite to win the NFC South next year, and through the NFL Draft, they can only get stronger.
The Saints could pick a tight end here, but with how well their offense functioned without a No. 1 option, they could opt to go for defensive talent instead. On the edges, the Saints already have Cameron Jordan and Alex Okafor. But they’d do well to add another rotational playmaker. UTSA’s Marcus Davenport could fill this role early. Here’s what I said about Davenport in my NFL Mock Draft 4.0:
"Davenport, standing at 6-foot-7, 255, is an incredibly disruptive player. In his senior season, he amassed an incredible pass rushing productivity score of 21.6, per Pro Football Focus. He puts to use his abnormal length, pushing offensive linemen back right at the start of the snap. He uses his burst to build momentum, and his motor seems to speed up as the play goes along. The UTSA product is a specialist at finding his way into the backfield, whether it’s against the run or the pass. He has a bevy of moves at his disposal. He can beat you with his speed, or he can send the offensive lineman onto the ground with a ruthless bull rush."
Davenport’s level of competition at UTSA could be questioned a bit more often, but the talent Davenport possesses is hard to ignore. With Davenport in the fold, the Saints’ edge rushing unit would instantly have a valuable influx of depth, and in time, Davenport could succeed Cameron Jordan as the starter.
Ronnie Harrison is the one of only two players I’ve mocked to the exact same team three times. Why am I so fixated on Harrison becoming a Steeler?
Well, for starters, that name just seems like a Steelers name. Don’t you see it? It just fits.
But Ronnie Harrison’s connection to the Steelers is more than just his name. Harrison is exactly what the Steelers need. After releasing William Gay and Mike Mitchell, the Steelers are hurting in the secondary. The team needs a rangy safety who can provide an immediate impact, and in this sense, Harrison would be the perfect fit.
Harrison produced all over the field in three years as a starter at Alabama. Over his time on the most prestigious team in college football, he logged 174 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, seven interceptions, and 17 pass deflections. It’s safe to say that Harrison, 6-foot-2, 214, projects well as a free safety in the NFL.
For the Steelers, this is almost a no-brainer. Harrison is a surefire starter at the professional level, and he would immediately remedy a glaring need for Pittsburgh.
The AFC South may be on the verge of kicking its own irrelevancy to the curb.
The Indianapolis Colts are on the uptrend with Chris Ballard at the helm, set to have a treasure trove of picks in this year’s NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans are also improving. After a number of signings in free agency, they’ll look to take the AFC South next year.
The Titans’ bid for glory, however, will be met with equal pushes from the Texans and Jaguars, both of whom are being molded into very dangerous teams. But only one of them has a first-round pick.
The Jaguars can set themselves apart with this pick. Their team is nearly complete. The defense is one of the best in the league, and the team seems to have confidence that Blake Bortles can be a solid field general for them moving forward.
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There are very few holes on the Jaguars’ roster, but the team is not perfect just yet. The offensive line is one area that needs an influx of talent. With Patrick Omameh now joining the New York Giants, there is a gap at offensive guard, one that Will Hernandez can fill at pick No. 29 in the NFL Draft.
Hernandez is a big-bodied blocker who moves very well for his size. He had a very impressive Senior Bowl week, and his NFL Combine performance was just as noteworthy. He killed the bench press, and showed off decent agility as well. With Hernandez on the front line, the Jaguars will instantly become a better offensive team. And in time, Hernandez could develop into a dominant player at his position.
The Minnesota Vikings are a relatively complete team. By most accounts, the only position they should have any business scouting in the first round is offensive tackle.
The team recently signed Kirk Cousins (hey, he sounds familiar) to a massive three-year, $84 million deal. With a new quarterback now locked down, the team will need a reliable offensive tackle to keep him on his feet. A purple Trent Williams, if you will.
No one in this year’s NFL Draft class can come anywhere close to Trent Williams, but UCLA’s Kolton Miller has a good chance at becoming a solid tackle in his own right.
Josh Rosen’s supporting cast in UCLA often gets plenty of criticism, but Miller wasn’t a part of that disappointment. The 6-foot-8 offensive tackle did a very good job of keeping his pseudo-franchise quarterback protected.
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When Miller gets his hands on opponents, the play is essentially over for them. But his movement is a concern, and it will only be a bigger concern when he goes up against NFL-caliber players.
Ultimately, the choice here is between a relatively immobile Kolton Miller and a very immobile Orlando Brown. Both are good fundamental tackles who could struggle at the next level due to their lack of quickness. But their production in college makes them players who will, at the very least, go on Day 2. Here, Miller sneaks into Day 1. And the Vikings presumably get a new starter at left tackle.
If the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl loss showed us anything, besides the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles are absolutely stacked, it’s that the Patriots are seriously lacking on the defensive side of the ball, in terms of talent.
The team traded for Danny Shelton early last week, but they still need more raw talent on the defensive line. Besides Malcolm Brown, no other proven players reside on the roster there. The team has starters in place, but their depth is severely stunted, and that showed during the Super Bowl.
Thus, it makes sense that the New England Patriots, with this pick in the NFL Draft, would go with one of the best defensive linemen still on the board: Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne.
Payne, 6-foot-2, 306, is supremely athletic, and he has very impressive length for a defensive lineman. He brings solid effort to every play, giving any defense he plays in top-notch energy. His production doesn’t line up with his reputation, and he is a bit inconsistent, but if there’s any team that can harness his potential and help him flourish, it’s the New England Patriots.
The Philadelphia Eagles will need to prepare for the loss of All-Pro offensive tackle Jason Peters eventually. And because they essentially acquired an entire second team in free agency, they can afford to address that looming need here, in the NFL Draft.
See what I did there?
Orlando Brown looms above the crowd. He’s a massive spectacle, standing at 6-foot-8, 350. You would think his size would almost render him inert on the football field, but Brown had a very productive career at the University of Oklahoma.
Brown uses his length to tangle opponents and leave them spinning at the line. He’s not incredibly quick, but he has control over his movement. For defenders, Brown is very tough to pry away, and he has the strength to drive opposing edge rushers out of the pocket.
Kolton Miller is a bit more mobile than Brown, which is why he goes two slots earlier in the NFL Draft, but Brown has potential, and he could learn a lot sitting behind Jason Peters in a reserve role for a year before being thrust into the starting role in 2019.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 6.0: Post-NFL Combine Scenario
This concludes the first round of our NFL Mock 7.0, but there is still more to come! Be on the lookout for our NFL Mock 7.1, and stick with us here at Riggo’s Rag, as we’ll keep you in the loop with all the latest update on free agency.