Post Free Agency Mock Draft
This mock draft represents the way
that I see things falling in the draft based on teams. It is likely that teams
will trade up in the top 10 so the picks will look different but the team that
players go to will be similar. Mock Draft 2.5 will be similar to this one but
with projected trades. For 3.0 I will go back to my standard Will Pick and Should pick.
1. Browns – Saquon Barkley RB Penn State – I am
going to maintain that this will happen here. So no change from the last mock
draft. In a year when they have the 4th overall pick and there are
some solid QBs, I say roll the dice. A good running back makes an average QB
solid. Obviously I have no insights whatsoever except my gut feeling here but I
think the Browns have two QBs on their radar and they will get one of them.
2. Giants – Bradley Chubb DE NC State – I am
maintaining this pick here as well. While a sweet deal could tempt them, I am
changing this up and saying that the Giants stand pat. Chubb is the best
defender in this draft hands down. Chubb is just too talented to pass up here.
Look for them to take the QB later in the draft or do not forget that they have
Davis Webb and he still could develop. Additionally, Gettlemen seems to do
whatever he feels like doing and will go for the player he wants. Additionally,
he has been quoted as saying he wants somebody who will get a gold jacket; I
count 2-3 that have that type of potential in this draft and Chubb tops that
list.
3. Jets – Sam
Darnold QB USC – The Jets traded up
for a reason and they are going to dip into the USC bowl again. I do not think
this is the right pick here but it is what they will likely do.
4. Browns – Josh Allen QB Wyoming – The Browns
have their choice of either one of the QBs that they want Allen or Rosen. I
think the reports that the Browns are in love with Darnold is classic Ron Wolf
misdirection. With that said, I am at about 50/50 thinking the Browns might
trade up with the Giants so they can secure the player they want. They have the
ammo but that is roughly this pick in addition to 33 and 64 which might be a
little steep. So if I was them, why not roll the dice here?
5. Broncos – Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma – Mayfield has a lot of swag and appears to
be ready to take on the NFL. He will certainly make mistakes and have moments
where he is his own worst enemy (similar to Favre moments) but that will also
make him great. I am also a big believer in guys that play with a chip on their
shoulder. My guess is that Elway will move on from “great potential” QBs and
grab Mayfield.
6. Colts – Quenton Nelson G Notre Dame– The Colts will
feel much better in this spot and grab the best OL in this draft. Who cares
that he plays guard when he is going to be a dominant guard. I keep wondering
if there is also a possibility that the team that drafts him might move him out
to RT. The Colts could do that or keep him at guard. Either way, they have
strong and nasty new OL.
7. Buccaneers – Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama – No
change here, Fitzpatrick is one of the more interesting players in this draft
and will likely play safety who moves into the slot in the nickel. The
Buccaneers could use another young player in secondary. There are even some
reports that teams are thinking of making him a straight up CB. I am not sure about
that but he will be an upgrade for the Buccaneers none the less.
8. Bears – Mike McGlinchey – With Nelson getting
picked already, the Bears do the next best thing and grab his teammate who is
also a very good football player. The Bears have brought in weapons for
Trubisky, now it is time to protect him.
9. 49ers – Derwin James S Florida State – James
could bring some leadership and swagger to this defense. He is similar to Eric
Reid but a much better player so this is a nice upgrade for the 49ers.
10. Raiders – Tremaine Edmunds LB Virginia Tech – The Raiders are going to look at their board
and needs and see a lot of potential in drafting this athletic of a linebacker
to run all over the field.
11. Dolphins – Calvin Ridley WR Alabama – I want the Dolphins to take a QB here but they
seem quite happy with Tannehill at this point. So, why not reload the WR room
with a dynamic playmaker like Ridley?
12. Bills – Lamar Jackson QB Louisville – Yes, I know that we are looking at Josh Rosen
being on the board here. But I have a suspicion that the team out there that
has Jackson as their number 2 QB in this draft is the Bills. If Charlie Weis
were reading this blog, I am sure he would say “HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW?” (sorry
Charlie if you are reading this blog, but you yelled at a listener about saying
the same thing, do not forget, this is fun for us not a business) and I don’t know.
But I think that is who the Bills targeted with moving up to this position.
13. Redskins – Josh Rosen QB UCLA – The Redskins
have greater needs but with Rosen staring them in the face here, it is just too
good to be true so they pull the trigger.
14. Packers – Denzel Ward CB Ohio State – I did
not see any way that this could happen, yet, I find myself looking right at the
scenario. With the free agent moves that were made ahead of the Packers and the
run on QBs, this is a scenario where the Packers can lick their chops and bring
in a great athlete that can learn and play the 3rd CB spot until he
is 100% ready to take over.
15. Cardinals – Mason Rudolph QB Oklahoma State –
I am maintaining that this pick will happen, although in the current scenario,
if I allowed trades, likely the Cardinals would have traded up and landed Rosen
instead of Washington grabbing him. This is where the reaching begins a bit but
that might be okay given that Rudolph is a good QB. I am not sure that he is
ever going to be great but he should be serviceable. Not what you want in a QB
but they do not have a lot of choice here and QBs are always over drafted.
16. Ravens – Courtland Sutton WR SMU – Sutton is
a bit unrefined but the talent is there. The Ravens made a mistake in
overdrafting Perrimen a few years ago so it is time to fix that mistake with a
guy who can leap up and grab those Flacco passes.
17. Chargers – Connor Williams OT Texas – The
Chargers continue to ignore OL in the first round and really really really need
to do something about that. McGlinchey is gone so they go with the next OT on
their board. I am not quite seeing it with Williams and think he is likely to
bust but the Chargers have to do something here.
18. Seahawks – Josh Jackson CB Iowa – Jackson is an excellent fit for the Seahawks
and the type of defense they run and is far too good of a football player to
pass up on at this point.
19. Cowboys – Roquan Smith LB Georgia – The Cowboys like to build their lines up and
despite two very good DT being available here, Smith is too much of a playmaker
to pass up on. Sean Lee has never been able to stay healthy and bringing in an
athletic linebacker could solidify the defense.
20. Lions – Marcus Davenport DE Texas-San Antonio –
The Lions are going to see a pass rusher that will be too good to be true at
this point. This is also a good spot for Davenport as he will be able to
develop a little bit and start out as a rotational guy on passing downs.
21. Bengals – Vita Vea DT
Washington – There are a lot of talented players sitting here that can help
the Bengals but a defensive coach is going to really want an athletic big man
and Vea would be a great help at this point.
22. Bills – James
Daniels C Iowa –The loss of Eric Wood presents a major hole in the
offensive line so from a position standpoint, this makes perfect sense.
However, this is a move to just bring in an excellent football player and
protection for their new investment. Daniels looks like he is going to be very
special.
23. Patriots – Isaiah Oliver CB Colorado – There are a few CBs that are all good that
could go around this spot so it is a pick your guy that fits your team best.
Oliver is a stronger press man with some height and skills. I know some prefer
Hughes or Alexander here but Oliver seems to be a bit more of a Patriot player.
24. Panthers – Mike Hughes CB Central Florida –
The Panthers corners have been pretty solid but Hughes would be an upgrade to a
very good defense. With trading away Worley they have an obvious need. He seems
to fit their mentality on defense pretty well.
25. Titans – Taven Bryan DL Florida – Bryan is too talented to pass up at this
point and fits well with the Titans. Bryan can really play anywhere along the
line so the Titans can be creative with him while bringing in a young talent.
26. Falcons – Maurice Hurst DT Michigan – I watched some tape on Hurst and I feel like
I am missing something. He does not seem to be a top defensive lineman based on
his tape. However, there is a sentiment out there that he is. The Falcons need
some DT help and will make a mistake here in drafting Hurst.
27. Saints – Hayden Hurst TE South Carolina – From everything I have heard and read, it
seems like Hurst is going to be the first TE off the board. His tape looks good
and he is solid overall but a little overaged. Still, he is the safest TE in
this draft and does everything fairly well. The Saints have been trying to
solidify this position since trading Graham and Hurst will bring some
consistency to it.
28. Steelers – Rashaan Evans LB Alabama – Unfortunately,
this is going to be a reactionary move. I think that the Steelers would be
better off getting another talented player here and then grabbing a guy like Josey Jewell in round 3. I think Evans
is a fine player but really may not be a 1st round talent.
29. Jaguars – DJ Moore WR Maryland – Moore is
used to poor quarterback play and Bortles is better than poor. Moore is a smart
explosive player who will do well in the NFL. Nice pick here to help a team
that needs to reload their WRs.
30. Vikings – Orlando Brown OT Oklahoma – Sometimes you
have to ignore a lack of measurables when it comes to things like the debacle
of the combine for Brown. He is a football player and he can get stronger (all
rookies do) and is a load to move. The Vikings will find use for him and
protect their new investment. They have a strong enough team so they can afford
a mild gamble here.
31. Patriots – Brian O’Neil OT Pitt – So I understand
this seems like a reach at this point. However, the Patriots target and hone in
on underappreciated OL that have loads of potential. Think about when they
drafted Sebastian Vollmers, I loved him at the time but had him as a 4th
or 5th, not a 2nd and it worked. Even Logan Matkins was
considered an odd pick for the end of the 1st round. O’Neil is still
growing and is smart, athletic, powerful for his size, and has plenty of growth
potential at a position they need.
32. Eagles – Will Hernandez OG UTEP– The Eagles can
truly take the best available player here. If a really good linebacker was
here, perhaps they would go that direction, but Hernandez would be useful for
the Eagles and has a great deal of potential. The only other consideration they
might have here is Leighton Vander Esch.
This is obviously a “no trade scenario” so some of these are not
going to happen in this order. Mock Draft 2.5 with trades and trade value coming.
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