NFL Draft Mock 5.0: Two-round mock, post-free agency
By Ian Cummings
Picks 37-40
37. New York Giants – Georgia CB Deandre Baker
The Giants are short-staffed at cornerback, and they weren’t able to add any such players in their short, strange trade saga with the Cleveland Browns. As of now, outside of Janoris Jenkins, who allowed seven touchdowns to just two interceptions in 2018, and enters his age 30 season in 2019, the Giants have only Sam Beal, Tony Lippett, and Grant Haley as prospective starters. With the opportunity to add a long, disruptive, quick processor like Georgia’s Deandre Baker, the Giants can’t submit to the pressure of the clock.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars – North Carolina State WR Kelvin Harmon
The Jacksonville Jaguars got their quarterback. They’ve tied up $50 million worth of guarantees in Nick Foles, so his starting opportunity won’t be ending anytime soon. Thus, it’s time for the Jaguars to give Foles some weapons. After going defense in Round 1, there still exists a well-rounded pass catcher for the Jaguars to grab, in the form of NC State’s Kelvin Harmon. With excellent size, strength, and fluidity as a mover, Harmon fills a need as a No. 1 receiver. He’s not the explosive prospect that Hakeem Butler and D.K. Metcalf are, but he can improve an offense right away.
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ole Miss WR A.J. Brown
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense took a hit in free agency; Speed threat DeSean Jackson defected back to his old team, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the team’s up-and-coming slot receiver Adam Humphries left to join the Tennessee Titans. With a role open in the slot, and a quarterback who needs weapons to capitalize on the generous chance Bruce Arians has given him, A.J. Brown is a good match for the Buccaneers. Using solid hands, rushing physicality, and a vast route tree as his main weapons, Brown fills a need in Tampa Bay, by terms of both talent and circumstance.
40. Buffalo Bills – Notre Dame DT Jerry Tillery
After losing Kyle Williams, the Buffalo Bills will need to strengthen their interior presence on defense. Jerry Tillery isn’t the same type of interior defensive lineman, but he can provide a similar degree of impact. At 6-foot-5, 306 pounds, Tillery has very good size and length to compliment his burst and torque as an interior lineman. Pass rushing from the inside is Tillery’s specialty, and he’ll be able to make life easier for Trent Murphy, Jerry Hughes, and Lorezno Alexander from his very first snap.