NFL Mock Draft 7.1: Round 2 of the seven-round mock NFL Draft
Picks 45-48
45. Green Bay Packers: EDGE Dorance Armstrong Jr., Kansas
The Packers got a cornerback to help their ailing defense in the first round. In the second, they grab a rush linebacker to improve their pass rush. Clay Matthews is starting to regress, and the team hasn’t really had a quality option across from him for most of his career. Landing Dorance Armstrong could change that.
Armstrong played his college ball at Kansas, which is why his name isn’t as familiar as some other prospects. Armstrong was far and away the best player on the Kansas defense, and he totaled 10 sacks as a sophomore. His numbers weren’t as good as a junior, but that was due to the fact that he faced a lot of double teams because of his talent level. He looked great at the Combine in all the drills, and he should be a quality starter for the Packers.
Armstrong could end up being a really good value, as he has athletic upside and the only thing he lacks is consistent production. But again, that can be blamed on his below average supporting cast.
46. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Brian O’Neill, Pittsburgh
Even after drafting an interior lineman in the first round of the draft, the Bengals still need an upgrade on their offensive line. Cordy Glenn will be the starter at left tackle, Cedric Ogbuehi can play one of the guard spots with Clint Boling at the other, and James Daniels can start at center. Brian O’Neill would be the final, key cog at right tackle.
O’Neill was one of the most athletic tackles at the Combine, and that shouldn’t be a surprise. He used to be a tight end in his early days at Pittsburgh but made the transition to tackle. O’Neill will need to develop his strength, but his terrific movement skills and speed could make him great on plays where the right tackle pulls and block for runs. He has upside and at this point, that’s the big thing that the team needs.
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47. Cleveland Browns (via ARZ): TE Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
The Browns have yet another pick here in the second round thanks to the trade that Ian projected in the first round of the draft. They can afford to take the best available player here and that would be Hayden Hurst.
Hurst is probably the most talented tight end in this class. It may not be the strongest tight end class, but Hurst has been a good receiver (44 catches for 559 yards and two touchdowns in his final season) and he his 6-foot-5 frame should allow him to be a good blocker. The Browns did spend a first round pick on David Njoku last year, but adding Hurst as a solid second tight end would really complete the team’s receiving corps for their new quarterbacks.
48. Los Angeles Chargers: C Billy Price, Ohio State
This pick would be a steal for the Chargers. The team has long needed an upgrade at center, as Spencer Pulley is merely a backup player. And it just so happens that Billy Price has fallen to the No. 48 pick in this update.
Price was on his way to becoming a first round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft when he tore his pectoral at the NFL Combine. Price could still be an early pick, but the injury will likely downgrade him on some boards. Still, he is a quality blocker and this fills a major hole for the team. It would allow them to play the newly signed Mike Pouncey at guard and establish Dan Feeney as a primary backup. That would do a lot to help protect Philip Rivers in the latter years of his career.