The Rams make a desperate block busting trade! With this trade, it shakes some things up. THEN, the Eagles trade up!?!?!?! Let’s contextualize this a little bit, where would either of the QBs be in the last three drafts? If Brett Hundley stayed for his senior year would he be the top QB this year? Neither one of these guys are Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck when they were coming out of school? This is just nutty if you ask me.
1. Los Angeles Rams – Will Take: QB Jared Goff, California. Should Take: QB Carson Wentz North Dakota State. There is a reason that the Rams made this trade, apparently for Goff? The price they paid is for Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck, but Goff is more in the Ryan Tannehill category. I am at a loss for words either way because this is far too steep of a price in a weak QB class.
2. Philadelphia Eagles – Will Take: QB Carson Wentz, North Dakota State. Should Take: QB Jared Goff, California. The Eagles traded up to this point for a reason and they have already indicated that it is for a QB. I am not sure what the Eagles are doing in the sense that they have invested so much in the QBs and then pay a ton to move up a few spots. Again, are either of these QBs worth giving up so much to get to this spot? In any case, Wentz is the better pick but in the “Should Take” scenario, Wentz is gone so Goff is the choice.
3. San Diego Chargers – Will Take: OT Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi. Should Take: Same. I am not sure that Tunsil is as good as everybody is making him out to be, but I think he is better than some that have been picked this high or higher, I am still stunned at the first four picks of the 2013 draft. As per previous notes, if you watch the tape on Tunsil, you notice a guy that is looking for first his assignment and then for who is next. I like a guy like that and so will his teammates. When round 2 rolls around they should have their pick of safeties. Again, the bottom line is that King Dunlap has always been inconsistent and should never have been given a second contract. Tunsil will help immediately and for the long haul.
4. Dallas Cowboys – Will Take: Myles Jack, UCLA. Should Take: CB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State. With all of the suspensions and low character players I was very tempted to switch the pick here to Joey Bosa. Bringing in Bosa is about bringing in a great player and a great leader for a team that needs stability and leadership at the position. However, I really think they are going to be enamored with Myles Jack and will draft him. As I have stated, I really hope Myles Jack proves me wrong but I just do not see the same guy on tape that everybody is talking about. I even called up our friend Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller and asked for one game that showed him taking over the game and was told it is all potential. If you ask me he looks better as a RB than a LB but maybe that is because there is more tape on him? In any case, Aubrey Beavers, Torrance Marshall, et cetera looked like beasts but could not translate it to the NFL. Ramsey should be the pick as he is the best player available and it will allow for them to move on from past mistakes.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Will Take: CB Jalen Ramsey, Florida State. Should Take: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida. With Ramsey available here the Jaguars will snatch him up without hesitation. In the “Should Take” scenario, Ramsey is gone but Hargreaves is still there and there is a massive drop off in CB talent after him. Hargreaves does not have the size or quite the power of Ramsey but he is feisty. Again, I see some Chris McCalister in him and it will be a big piece to the puzzle. The Jaguars should have some pass rush with Fowler coming back but a top CB will further help the pass defense.
6. Baltimore Ravens – Will Take: DE DeForest Buckner, Oregon. Should Take: Same. Again, the Ravens will need to think twice here because there are some great pass-rushers available. In the end though, it just seems like Buckner is an ideal fit for the Ravens. While you would like somebody that could produce more stats, Buckner will be a guy with solid stats but he sets up plays for others. Buckner has a high ceiling and has shown that he can be that rare powerful 3-4 end with length.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Will Take: DE Joey Bosa, Ohio State. Should Take: Same
With the top QBs gone, it will help Kelly as he will not be pressured to take a QB. A part of me still thinks that Kelly can get the QB he wants in round 2-4. Joey Bosa is too good to pass up on at this point and could help to pull this team out of the weird funk they were in the last two years. I know that there are a lot of thoughts out there that he is not the best pass-rusher but he is a more complete player than Noah Spence. I think Bosa will be somewhere between Aaron Kampman and JJ Watt but he is closer to Kampman in both size and production.
8. Cleveland Browns – Will Take: RB Ezekiel Elliot, Ohio State. Should Take: Same. This is interesting because I had the Eagles taking Elliot in this slot as well. They have a solid stable of RBs but no game changers and Elliot can be that. In looking through the most talented players here the only other top talent in the “Will Take” Scenario is Hargreaves but a second CB does less for you than an elite RB.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Will Take: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame. Should Take: DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky. Stanley is all potential and I like Jack Conklin better but the Buccaneers work on solidifying their O-Line to protect their investment. However, I think that strengthening the defensive line is in order. I know he has dropped a bit in a few analysts’ books but I really like him a lot. I am really going back and forth between him and Bosa and in a way the whole Shaq Lawson versus Kevin Dodd is the same thing, do you go with the pass rusher or more complete player. I think Spence will have the flashier career but is more of a pass rusher. The Buccaneers have been struggling to find a solid pass rush for a number of years. Pairing Spence with a line that features Gerald McCoy will make both players better.
10. New York Giants – Will Take: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State. Should Take: ILB Reggie Ragland, Alabama. With the upgrades that the Giants have made at pass-rusher, they should shift their focus over to LB, which they need to address as well. But they will not and instead draft yet another OT to try and replace the inadequate OL they have drafted the last few years. Instead, they should in fact go after Ragland. Ragland is not going to bring some of the things that Beason brought the last few years but he should still bring leadership and swagger to the team. I think a QB would be good here too but I am not sure if this is the right environment for a guy like Connor Cook who is next up on my list. With that said Ragland makes the most sense here and they can bring in a QB later.
11. Chicago Bears – Will Take: CB Vernon Hargreaves III. Should Take: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State. The Bears have addressed ILB through free agency so they can move on to other needs. With Hargreaves the Bears avoid making a mistake and grabbing one of the other “top” corners. With Hargreaves gone in the “Should Take” scenario, the Bears can look at building their offensive line. Conklin is not a particularly sexy pick here, but imagine the protection they will get with two nasty bookend tackles. Conklin is a starting RT and LT in a pinch for the next 10 years. He is a grinder that reminds me a lot of Bryan Bulaga.
12. New Orleans Saints – Will Take: WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss. Should Take: Same. Treadwell tested better than expected at his pro day, so I am a little higher on him now, but not that much higher. In looking through the Saint’s roster, it seems like they need to help out their aging QB more than anything. While I do not think Treadwell is the best WR in this draft, he is the best compliment to Cook and what they need at this point in the draft. For some reason, he reminds me a little bit of Malcolm Kelly so perhaps that is my red flag. Sheldon Rankins should also be a serious consideration here.
13. Miami Dolphins – Will Take: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State. Should Take: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State. For some reason OT has been a spot that the Dolphins have been struggling to fill. Branden Alberts is very good when he is playing but he has had a lot of injuries. Decker and Stanley are gone at this point so the Dolphins go with Conklin. However, Conklin is gone in the “Should Take” scenario so they go with Decker. Decker plays a little too tall at times and has some bad habits but the potential is there. Given what they need and what is here, Decker makes the most sense.
14. Oakland Raiders – Will Take: DT Sheldon Rankins, Lousiville. Should Take: WR Josh Doctson, TCU. Sheldon Rankins is very hard to argue with at this point. The Raiders run a hybrid defense and Rankins can play the five technique or the three technique (I don’t buy into the too short, Mike Daniels seems to be doing okay in the same basic role). I have never bought into Crabtree and his inconsistencies. So why not grab Doctson could turn this into a dominant passing offense and either motivate Crabtree or push him out the door. Doctson is my favorite WR in this draft but is more of the perfect complimentary than a primary target so he fits perfectly here.
15. Tennessee Titans – Will Take: DE/LB Noah Shepard, Eastern Kentucky. Should Take: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame. The Titans gamble did not pay off in the “Will Take” scenario and the OT well has dried up a bit but getting the best pure pass-rusher in the draft is not a bad consolation prize. Shepard will be a great addition to this team. However, in the Will Take Scenario, Stanley is still there and is worth the gamble at this point.
16. Detroit Lions – Will Take: DT Andrew Billings, Baylor. Should Take: DT Sheldon Rankins, Lousiville. Rankins was the one on their radar and he is gone. I think the Lions are going to be mildly surprising and go after Billing here and gamble on upside over some of the less flashy DTs here. I would also not be surprised if they really stunned everybody and grabbed Vernon Butler. Since Rankins is available in the “Should Take” scenario, he is a slam dunk.
17. Atlanta Falcons – Will Take: ILB Reggie Ragland, Alabama. Should Take: WR Corey Coleman, Baylor. The Falcons will be happy that Ragland is sitting here. They have been missing a leader with swagger in the middle for a few years now. However, with Ragland gone in the “Should Take” scenario, it would be very shrewd to take Coleman and create a very dangerous receiving core who is a solid pick here.
18. Indianapolis Colts – Will Take: OLB Leonard Floyd, Georgia. Should Take: Same. The Colts need to fix their offensive line a little bit but nobody is really here and in the past the Colts have not been afraid of guys that are a little undersized so they go with Floyd. I am not sure what to think of Floyd honestly, but he does have talent. Some are even comparing him to Jason Taylor. The Colts are a little weak and a little old at OLB so bringing in a guy that can be a part-time player as he gets bigger and stronger his first year might not be a bad move. I also think that any OT here would be too much of a reach so go with the odd ball pass-rusher here.
19. Buffalo Bills – Will Take: DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State. Should Take: DT A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama. Despite the fact that the Bills are talking QB, they will not take one here. As per my last mock draft, pass rushing is something that Rex Ryan loves. But I think Ogbah is going to be similar to former Florida State DE Jamal Reynolds. There is strong consideration for either of the Clemson DEs here but Kyle Williams is getting a little long in the tooth and why not grab a consistent DT for the next decade with Robinson. Robinson will be similar to Williams in that his value is in what he does for the players around him, not on the stat sheet.
20. New York Jets – Will Take: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis. Should Take: QB Connor Cook, Michigan State. While there is a large degree of risk with Ryan Clady, if he is not injured they have totally eliminated the need for an OT here. Instead they can roll the dice at QB with Lynch. Lynch is interesting because he is a much better athlete than you would expect and the upside is as high as anybody in this draft. However, who knows if he will ever reach it and right now he has some strange lapses in decision making. Instead, I prefer the moxie of Connor Cook.
21. Washington Redskins – Will Take: DT A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama. Should Take DT Andrew Billings, Baylor. Last year the Redskins showed that they go after the player they want, unfortunately in the “Will Take” scenario he is going, so they go with A’Shawn Robinson. However, the player they want is Billings, and he is there in the “Should Take” scenario. If a top tier WR was here I would go that route to relieve themselves of Desean Jackson. But they can find somebody later and will be happy with Billings.
22. Houston Texans – Will Take: WR Josh Doctson, TCU. Should Take: OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana. The Texans will make a super smart move here by taking Doctson who will be the perfect complement to DeAndre Hopkins. I am not buying that they are desperate for a RB here. If Billings or Robinson were here, they may think about one of them. Spriggs is a bit of a gamble and may turn out to be a better guard than tackle but he should be a solid pick either way as the Texans could use both.
23. Minnesota Vikings-Will Take: WR Corey Coleman. Should Take: S Vonn Bell, Ohio State. Much to Zimmer’s dismay, he is going to have to concede to drafting an offensive player and rightfully so. If one of the top four OT was still there, they should consider it, but they are not. It is time to give up on Cordarrelle Patterson and bring in a true deep threat that is a legit receiver. Since Coleman is gone in the “Should Take” scenario and there are no other legit options at WR at this point, the Vikings do in fact go defense and find an excellent complement to Harrison Smith with the best of the coverage safeties in Vonn Bell. Again, I think Bell is comparable but not quite as good as Earl Thomas.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Will Take: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi. Should Take: Same. While the Bengals need to replenish at WR, Nkemdiche falling this far and the Bengal’s penchant for taking chances on talented but troubled players makes perfect sense. In a way, this is almost what Nkemdiche needs. He knows he has top 10 talent but needs a swift kick to really make it come out of him. While Burfict lost his mind in that last game, taking a chance on him worked out for the Bengals.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Will Take: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State. Should Take: CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech. The “Will Take” scenario has not changed here but I still feel it is a major mistake. While I am seeing a little bit more of why Alexander is highly rated, I like Fuller a bit better. Fuller does have the injury that he is coming off of but he still seems to be a bit stickier and smarter of a CB.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Will Take: DT Jarran Reed, Alabama. Should Take: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson. In the “Will Take” scenario, Reed makes a lot of sense at a position of need. I have a strange suspicion that Jaylon Smith might be snagged here as well, but that would be a tough one to call. I am not sure that Reed is the right player here and there may also be some consideration for Vernon Butler again. Without any top OT here and a growing need for pass rushers, Lawson makes the most sense among the players available as well as the Seahawks needs (Did you ever imagine I would say that about a Clemson defender). I am not buying that Dodd is moving ahead of Lawson when it boils down to it.
27. Green Bay Packers – Will Take: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State. Should Take: Same. I went through this mock draft again; I just do not see somebody else that takes Lee until the Packers. Lee is going to be the cover LB that the Packers have been missing. Losing BJ Raji to retirement hurts, but there is no elite talent at DL at this point. If Billing was still available, I might be tempted to go that route. It is interesting to me that until I did a mock draft, I did not really see how this happens or even think of Lee on the Packers but the more I look at it, the more it makes sense.
28. Kansas City Chiefs – Will Take: OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana. Should Take:WR Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh. The Chiefs need somebody to make up for the misjudgment of Eric Fisher so they go with Spriggs. However, I am not sure that he is any different than Fisher and may be more of a guard in the NFL. The WR well is a little dry at this point, but Boyd is the guy that nobody seems to be talking about. He is not flashy but he really does not need to be. So in the “Should Take” scenario, I say go with it and now you have strengthened a major weakness with a solid possession receiver.
29. Arizona Cardinals – Will Take: CB William Jackson, Houston. Should Take: OG Cody Whitehair, Kansas State. The Cardinals need another CB and Jackson is sitting there. I have not joined the Jackson train nor do I think Mackensie Alexander is any better. On the other hand, Jonathon Cooper was a mistake that they got rid of (perhaps go back in my old blog and see who predicted that one). To remedy the mistake and strengthen the line, why not bring in Whitehair?
30. Carolina Panthers – Will Take: CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson. Should Take: OL Jerald Hawkins, LSU. The Panthers were flat out exposed in the Super Bowl with their lack of talent on the OL. Now they have let Josh Norman go? I think Norman was not worth the money of the Franchise Tag and somewhat of a product of the system but they need to replace him. Mackensie is not going to be good in the NFL but this is a desperation move. I am not the biggest fan of a lot of the OT talent at this point but the Panthers need to bring in somebody. Most of the guys that are supposed to go here seem to be reachers and waist benders so their technique is off a bit. Instead, they go with the Hawkins who needs to clean up his leverage as he plays a little tall but could turn out to be a lot better than some of the other guys in this draft. I think he is a bit of a sleeper.
31. Denver Broncos –Will Take: QB Connor Cook, Michigan State. Should Take: QB Paxton Lynch, Memphis. Hopefully for the Broncos they do not trade for Kaepernick. They made some mistakes in losing Osweiler but they can still get a solid QB here. Lynch is not there in the “Will Take” scenario so they go with Cook. However, they did bring in Mark Sanchez for next to nothing to hold down the fort. Sanchez can manage the game for the time being. With all the praise Elway received for the last few years, it looks like he really botched the Osweiler deal. I still do not believe that Lynch is better than Cook, but he is not there in the “Should Take” scenario. I also think there are QBs that have just as much potential later but by the end of the second they may not be there. Therefore, this is the pick that the Broncos must make.
32. The Patriots lost their 1st round pick due to deflategate.
Round 2
1. (32) Cleveland Browns—Will Take: C Nick Martin, Notre Dame. Should Take: Same. The Browns gambled on a QB being here in the second and lost. But I have a feeling they are okay with that decision. While Ryan Kelly has been getting a lot of press as of late, Martin is rising like crazy and is the better player. Martin can play all three inside positions, is smart, and has room to grow. The Browns lost Alex Mack, but Martin might be just as good and is obviously a lot younger.
2. (33) Tennessee Titans-- Will Take: OT Shon Coleman, Auburn. Should Take: LB Myles Jack, UCLA. With taking Shepard in the first round, the Titans will shift their focus to the OL and take Coleman in the “Will Take” Scenario. Coleman needs to improve his base to make it in the NFL but the potential is there. To me, this is a spot where you can gamble on a very talented player so in the “Should Take” scenario it makes sense to draft Myles Jack. I fully understand not one person out there agrees with me.
3. (34) Dallas Cowboys-- Will Take: CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech. Should Take: DE Kevin Dodd. In the “Will Take” scenario, the Cowboys did not get their CB and getting Fuller here is a steal. In the “Should Take” scenario the Cowboys need to bring in some pass rush. I am not sure about Dodd, but he should at the very least be able to pressure the Quarterback. I am sure the Cowboys will do a thorough investigation now that they have two DEs out for the first four games.
4. (35) San Diego Chargers-- Will Take: S Vonn Bell, Ohio State. Should Take: S Darian Thompson, Boise State. The Chargers need to replenish at Safety. Vonn Bell is a coverage type safety but he reads the offense well, is quick, and can do all the things you need him to do but may not be a dynamite tackler. In the “Should Take” Bell is not there so they should go with Thompson who is a tough intimidating safety that can help them. He is not the athlete that Bell is but he is bigger and they have a similar feel for the game. Karl Joseph should get some consideration here as well.
5. (36) Baltimore Ravens-- Will Take: OL Cody Whitehair, Kansas State. Should Take: OL Vadal Alexander, LSU. With the loss of Osemele there is a hole at guard and Whitehair has fallen to them. In the “Should Take” scenario there is a bit more of a discussion. A part of me would love to see the Ravens being patient and drafting Jaylon Smith here. Another interesting option is Leonard Floyd. In the end though, they need to stick with getting a big mauling guard and Alexander is just that.
6. (37) San Francisco 49ers-- Will Take: WR Braxton Miller, Ohio State. Should Take: CB Artie Burns, Miami. The 49ers need some help at both WR and CB now that they have addressed DE in the first round. Braxton Miller could be a very interesting prospect at WR and I think is a significantly better bet than Will Fuller. In the “Should Take” scenario though, I really think getting a solid CB is in order and I really like Burns. There are some varying opinions on Burns but I think he plays smart and has a higher upside than a lot of the other CBs in this draft.
7. (38) Jacksonville Jaguars-- Will Take: LB Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame. Should Take: Same. This is going to be a pick that makes Jaguar fans crazy, then in 2017 they are going to see the amazing foresight of their coach and GM. Smith may never return to the player he was as it sounds like there is some ligament damage. However, he has a lot of those things you cannot teach so the gamble here is going to make a very good 2017 Jags defense.
8. (39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers-- Will Take: DE Shaq Lawson, Clemson. Should Take: OT Shon Coleman, Auburn. The way things fall in both scenarios is interesting. The Buccaneers address two big needs in the first two rounds but in the “Will Take” scenario they gamble with talent in the first round and go safer in the second round. In the “Should Take” scenario the opposite happens. They should consider a CB here but the need is greater elsewhere.
9. (40) New York Giants -- Will Take: WR Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh. Should Take: TE Hunter Henry, Arkansas. The Giants are looking for a compliment to Beckham as Cruz is at the end of his career. Boyd would be a very good pick and compliment to Beckham so the pick is easy here. However, Boyd is not there in the “Should Take” scenario. Instead they realize they can also grab the best TE in the draft here to also complement their WRs so that seems to be the smarter move.
10. (41) Chicago Bears-- Will Take: DE/OLB Kevin Dodd, Clemson. Should Take: CB Eli Apple, Ohio State. The Bears need a bit more pass rush and Dodd is too talented to pass up at this point. Dodd is gone at this point in the “Should Take” scenario and they could use another CB. Apple is not my favorite player in the draft but the talent is there so taking a gamble on him here is not a bad idea.
11. (42) Miami Dolphins-- Will Take: S Darian Thompson, Boise State. Should Take: DE Chris Jones, Mississippi State. While the Dolphins could use a pass rusher here, Thompson will help them more at this point in the “Will Take” scenario. However, it might be shrewd to grab Chris Jones here since he has so much potential but needs time and two very great leaders in front of him to show him the ropes. He can move to a few different spots on the DL so they may be able to offer some really interesting schemes for him.
12. (43) Tennessee Titans -- Will Take: DL Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech. Should Take: Same. Butler has a lot of position versatility and a very high ceiling so he is too good for the Titans to pass up. In the “Should Take” scenario Jarran Reed is still available, but Butler has better size and potential so it is smart to go that route.
13. (44) Oakland Raiders-- Will Take: OT Le’Raven Clark, Texas Tech. Should Take: Same. In both scenarios, the Raiders did not get their OT in the first round so they go with Clark here. Clark is not a finished product or even a top talent exactly. But he is a grinder and a high character type of guy that you want on your team. Considering all the risk of a lot of the OT in this draft it may be prudent to go with a guy that you know gives it his all.
14. (45) Tennessee Titans -- Will Take: TE Hunter Henry, Arkansas. Should Take: DE/OLB Kamalei Correa, Boise State. In the “Will Take” scenario, Mariotta continues to get weapons to work with and now has a big receiving TE. However, Henry is not available in the “Should Take” scenario so instead go with the pass-rusher Correa who is rising fast. There is serious consideration in both scenarios for a DB but in both cases there are better players on the board.
15. (46) Detroit Lions-- Will Take: WR Will Fuller, Notre Dame. Should Take: WR Braxton Miller, Ohio State. The Lions bring in a fast WR in Fuller, however, I think he is not a complete enough player to go this high. In the Should Take Scenario, the Miller is a gamble but a worthy one because if he fails it will not be because he did not want it enough.
16. (47) New Orleans Saints-- Will Take: OG Vadal Alexander, LSU. Should Take: OT/G Germain Ifedi, Texas A & M. The offensive line needs a bit of juice so Alexander makes perfect sense here. Alexander is in the top tier of Gs here but is not available in the “Should Take” scenario and Ifedi can play Tackle or Guard. I think he will be more of a guard in the NFL.
17. (48) Indianapolis Colts-- Will Take: OT Jerald Hawkins, LSU. Should Take: CB Mackensie Alexander. In the both scenarios, the Colts got their pass rusher in round 1. That means they can move on to other needs and they need an OT. Hawkins went a lot earlier in the “Should Take” scenario and I really think he is that good. However, in the “Should Take” scenario, things are not quite as bright on the offensive line side. At this point Alexander is too good to pass up and will not be the top CB so he can be a bit more successful.
18. (49) Buffalo Bills-- Will Take: DT Austin Johnson, Penn State. Should Take: OLB Kyler Fackrell, Utah State. In the “Will Take” scenario, the Bills did not get their run stopping DL to eventually replace Kyle Williams and Johnson should be able to fill that role. In the “Should Take” scenario, the Bills can add some juice to their pass rush my grabbing Fackrell here.
19. (50) Atlanta Falcons-- Will Take: TE Austin Hooper, Stanford. Should Take: LB Joshua Perry, Ohio State. The Falcons got their LB in the first round with Ragland in the “Will Take” scenario. Now they can move onto another position that has been weak for years. Hooper has a degree of risk but this is right around where he should go and is less of a gamble than Nick Vannett who has a higher ceiling. In the “Should Take” scenario, they did not address LB so going with Perry here is a good idea. Perry is most likely going to end up in the Middle for them and should be a solid starter.
20. (51) New York Jets -- Will Take: OLB Jordan Jenkins, Georgia. Should Take: Same. The Jets picked their QB in round 1 and can continue to rebuild their defense by bringing in a young pass rusher. Jenkins won’t be great in coverage but will be a good run stopper and pass rusher and that may be enough. At this point he is too talented to pass up in both scenarios.
21. (52) Houston Texans-- Will Take: NT Kenny Clark, UCLA. Should Take: Jarran Reed, Alabama. The Texans grabbed their WR in the first round in the “Will Take” scenario, so they move towards the future now and grab their NT in Kenny Clark, who is more dynamic than most NTs. In the “Should Take” scenario, Jarran Reed is still available and should fit in well here as he is a better run stopper than rusher.
22. (53) Washington Redskins-- Will Take: WR Michael Thomas, Ohio State. Should Take: WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma. In both Scenarios, the Redskins got their DL in the first round so they go with a WR in the second for the “Will Pick” scenario. Thomas is not spectacular but can be a solid possession receiver. However, in the “Should Take” scenario he is not there. I think that Shepard might quietly be a great option here. He is a sneaky receiver a bit like first rounder Josh Doctson but not quite as savvy. I like him better than Thomas. Serious consideration for Derrick Henry should be here as well.
23. (54) Minnesota Vikings-- Will Take: S Su’a Cravens USC. Should Take: WR Michael Thomas, Ohio State. Again, this is a reverse of what happened in the “Should Take” “Will Take” scenarios from the first round. However, I do not think Cravens is going to be very good. His refusal to work out for teams rubs me the wrong way. I am also not sure that he is a good compliment to Harrison Smith, and may have a better future as a LB. In the “Should Take” scenario, the run on WRs makes the Vikings go Thomas here.
24. (55) Cincinnati Bengals-- Will Take: WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma. Should Take: WR Leonte Carroo, Rutgers. The Bengals need to replenish what they lost in the offseason at WR. In the “Will Take” Scenario Shepard is there for the taking and should be an excellent complement to AJ Green. Carroo has some flash to him but is not quite the receiver that Shepard is, however, he is the smartest pick on the board for the Bengals here.
25. (56) Seattle Seahawks-- Will Take: RB Derrick Henry, Alabama. Should Take: Same. The Seahawks need to replenish their Offensive and Defensive line still. However, they know when they see a player that has dropped far too much and will grab Henry to fill the gap for the retired Marshawn Lynch, this will ensure that they need to bring in some OT later though.
26. (57) Green Bay Packers-- Will Take: DE Chris Jones, Mississippi State. Should Take: DL Kenny Clark, UCLA. In the “Will Take” Scenario, the Packers land a DE that needs some work and discipline and is a little atypical of a pick for them. With Jones not there and the players on the board in the “Should Take” scenario, the Packers land a great player in Kenny Clark who can fill in at the nose or three technique.
27. (58) Pittsburgh Steelers-- Will Take: S Jalen Mills, LSU. Should Take: Safety Su’a Cravens, USC. The Steelers continue the rebuild of their secondary by taking Mills to fill the Safety role. In the “Should Take” scenario Mills is there but the Steelers are one of the few teams that I feel like they could figure out what to do with Cravens so he is snatched up here. Again, there is something odd about him.
28. (59) Kansas City Chiefs-- Will Take: WR Leonte Carroo, Rutgers. Should Take: S Karl Joseph, West Virginia. In the “Will Take” scenario, the Chiefs did not get their WR in the first round so they make a move before the well is too dry. In the “Should Take” scenario they did get their WR so they can move on to other needs. With the players available, Joseph makes sense here at Safety. I know Jackson III is still here but I think they have some solid CBs to fight for the vacated CB spot but need more talent at Safety.
29. (60) New England Patriots-- Will Take: OL Germain Ifedi, Texas A & M. Should Take: Devontae Booker, Utah. The Patriots need to continue to protect Brady and Ifedi could be a solid guard or possibly tackle. However, the Patriots need to bring in more talent at RB and this is really where Booker should go.
30. (61) New England Patriots-- Will Take: DL Jonathan Bullard, Florida. Should Take: DL Austin Johnson. There has been talk that Bullard could be one of the best in this draft but he is just not there yet. This seems like a Patriots pick as they like to roll the dice on players like Bullard. In the “Should Take” Scenario, Johnson is still available and is a bit safer than Bullard so they go that route.
31. (62) Carolina Panthers-- Will Take: OT Joe Haeg, North Dakota State. Should Take: CB William Jackson III, Houston. When you are exposed on a national level it really amplifies that exposure so the Panthers need to keep drafting OTs to fill the cracks. Haeg is at least a year away but he has a lot of potential so he should be brought along slowly. However, in the “Should Take” scenario, they took their OL in the first round and this is really where Jackson should go.
32. (63) Denver Broncos-- Will Take: DE Carl Nassib, Penn State. Should Take: Same. In both scenarios there is some thought to go after an ILB but the ones available in both scenarios are too slow. Nassib should fit quite well in a lower pressure situation where the action will be rolling more towards his side.
So I did not plan on having to redo the mock draft but then the two trades shifted far too many things! Keep an eye out for the live Mock Draft with Chris and Andre coming tomorrow!
