NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Redskins end up with a first-round quarterback, go defense in Round 2
Picks 41-44
41. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via DEN): DE Brian Burns, Florida State
The Buccaneers picked up this pick in the trade they made with Denver in the first round. And they are getting a potential steal here. Burns could end up being a first-round pick and is coming off his most productive season at Florida State (10 sacks). The major concern with him is that he is very lean by NFL standards and will need to bulk up. That could push him to Round 2, but it’s also possible that he could go at the end of Round 1. The Bucs will grab him here in hopes of finding a dynamic player to pair with Jason Pierre-Paul in the immediate future.
42. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
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The Bengals will have both Tyler Eifert and Tyler Kroft hit free agency this offseason. Both are difficult to trust due to their recent injury history. The team needs to get a true No. 1 tight end, and Irv Smith Jr. fits the bill. Smith averaged 16.1 yards per catch and scored seven times in his final season at Alabama. He’s another gem in a loaded TE class, so we’ll see if he ends up rising with a solid performance at the Combine.
43. Detroit Lions: CB Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
Oruwariye has seven combined interceptions in the past two seasons and has demonstrated solid coverage skills on tape. The Lions need a long-term No. 2 corner to pair with Darius Slay, so this would be a good pickup. Oruwariye and Ed Oliver would certainly be big upgrades to the Detroit defense under Matt Patricia.
44. Green Bay Packers: S Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
The Packers traded Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to the Redskins, so they will need to add some more young talent at the position to replace him. Abram is a do-it-all safety that had almost 100 tackles last year at Mississippi State. Abram would be a big upgrade for the secondary and would get to play with his college teammate and Packers first-round pick Montez Sweat. This seems like a good fit.