Raiders Draft Picks via Special Request

Special request – Raider’s Draft Picks

By special request, here are the players that I think the Raiders should take in the draft. Having six picks in the sixth round was a lot of fun! If the Raiders can pull off some of these picks, they should be set down the road with a little help this year.

1^st round (10) - Tremaine Edmunds LB Virginia Tech – It may not be the Raider’s greatest need but it is a need and they will bring in an athletic player to bring even more swag to the defense.

2^nd round (42) – Martinas Rankin OT Mississippi State – Rankin is going to be really good and he can sit or fill in if need be. In fact, Rankin is probably ready now but it never hurts to ease a guy in. There is some definite thought with taking RB Derrius Guice here, but tackles last much longer and Rankin is getting underrated.

3^rd round (74) – Jaleel Scott WR New Mexico State – Only a one-year starter but he looks very natural as a receiver and typically catches the ball cleanly with his hands. He needs to fill out a little bit as he still looks like a basketball player with his peg legs but so did Plaxico Buress (who is the best comparison to him minus the trouble red flag). He should turn out to be the perfect complement to Amari Cooper and a great weapon for Carr. Scott could turn out to be one of those players that we look back on and wonder why he was not picked higher.

4^th round (112) – Nathan Shepherd DT Fort Hays State – Overaged and coming from a step down in competition but he has a lot of tools to work with. The other thing to consider is that he was double teamed and triple teamed in college, yet he still dominated. A good guy to bring in and put into the mix with some fragile DL on the Raiders.

6^th round (189, 197, 210, 212, 216, 217)

Dimitri Flowers FB/TE Oklahoma – It is not exactly clear as to where Flowers fits in but I could see him finding a niche as a 2^nd TE on running downs who is a perfect dump off on play fakes. He could also be a nice FB. Either way, not a flashy player, but a well-rounded player that can make a few plays a game.  

PJ Hall DT Sam Houston State – Do not sit on the fact that this guy is a little short and played for a smaller school, when you block 14 kicks and have 86.5 tackles for a loss, you are explosive. This would be a really nice spot for him.

JK Scott P Alabama – I know, punters are rarely worth drafting but Scott has a very strong leg, can kick off, and is very experienced. He has boomed some 70 yard punts and that is impressive. It would also be fun to watch a 6-6 punter in the NFL but that is not the only reason to take him.

Quadree Henderson WR Pitt – Henderson is fast and has good hands but he is very undersized. With that said, he could be a great returner and a niche offensive weapon. The sixth round is made for guys like this.

Frank Ginda LB San Jose State – Ginda is not going to ever be a star but he is assignment sure and has a knack for reading the play. Worst case scenario, he is a dynamite special teamer and best case he finds a way to be a decent starter.

Brett Toth OT Army – With so many picks here, the Raiders can take a flier on a really talented player with a military commitment. Clearly this is a pick that will pay dividends down the road but worth it here.

7^th round (231) – Michael Joseph CB Dubuque – Joseph is a real wild card in this draft. How does somebody go from not being recruited by literally any school to starring in college? I understand it is lower level but still, it is interesting. So the question is, flash in the pan or late bloomer? Either way, why not take a shot at him here. It is also possible that one of the other small school CBs falls so if Taron Johnson happens to be here, he is a better pick.

There you have it! One bonus team based on special request. If you have not read the Packer Bear Picks or Mock Draft 2.5, please check them out!

Draft Focus for Packers and Bears

It is time for me to strap on the GM hat and gloves and pick the entire drafts for the Packers and Bears. Unlike in the past, I am allowing for the projection of one trade here with the Bears. With that said, I am pretty sure one or both teams will move around a little bit. This represents what players I think each team should pick and some players that I clearly like in this draft.

Packers (CB, OLB, TE, S, WR, OL, LB)

The Packers need to continue to bring in help for their defense so a large defensive haul would serve them well. The good news is that they have a lot of picks so they can bring in a lot of talent. They also need to continue to bring in weapons for Aaron Rodgers, though rookie WR and TEs rarely produce for them. Finally, some help on the offensive line is needed mostly due to injuries but I am still holding out hope that a health Kyle Murphy can start at RT until Bulaga is healthy. There is also the outside chance that Jason Spriggs does not turn out to be a bust and puts it together but I will not hold my breath on that one.

1^st Round (14) – Denzel Ward CB Ohio State – I know Ward may go higher but I keep looking at the way that the boards are falling and Ward could really get pushed down very easily. Ward is the best CB in this draft. If Ward is not available, then they go CB Josh Jackson.

2^nd Round (45) – Dallas Goedert TE South Dakota State – Mike Gesicki really helped the Packers by running a fast 40 and pushing Goedert down a little bit. I was a bit overzealous with pushing him up to the middle of the first but I really like him a lot and this is where he should go. I know he went against a lower level of competition but he just looks so much like Jason Witten to me. This is an excellent pick here for the Packers.

3^rd Round (76) – I am cheating here a little bit as I would love one of two players here:

3a. Lorenzo Carter OLB Georgia – I really like what I see with Carter. He seems to really have a knack for using his long arms. I could see somebody jumping on him earlier than this but this is a good spot for him if he is available and he would be a major upgrade over the pass rushers behind Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. Give him some time and make use of him as a rotational player and this turns out to be a really good pick.

3b. Alex Cappa OT Humboldt State – I know this is a lower level of competition here, but I just love this guy’s mean streak and potential. He showed that he can take a step up in competition at the Senior Bowl. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of David Bakhtiari when he was coming out of college.

4^th Round (101) – Jessie Bates III S Wake Forest – Bates needs some seasoning and likely a little bit more bulk but he has good instincts and you cannot teach those. The good news is that he will not be pressured to start right away and can just be a contributor for the time being. He can develop into a starter and push Jones and Clinton-Dix.

4^th Round (133) – Hercules Mata’afa DL/LB – The fourth round is a great time to take a shot on a player who has a lot of skills but you project to another spot. The pass-rushing skills of Mata’afa are pretty remarkable. That first step off the snap is pretty crazy but what do you do with a not quite 6-2, 205 pound DT? The Packers have hired a creative Defensive Coordinator that can figure out where to use him but my guess is a developmental OLB. Sometimes you have to realize that a good football player is a good football player.

5^th Round (138) – Arrion Springs CB Oregon – Top end speed may be a little average but I really like the way that he plays and uses the sidelines. Opinions of him vary a little bit but I think he is a good pick at this point. At the very least they will get a feisty CB.

Backup: Parry Nickerson CB Tulane – Nickerson is skinny and needs to put on a little muscle to fill out a bit more and handle the stronger receivers. With that said, his other skills are very good and he is willing to stick his nose in. He is feisty and should be able to contribute in the slot as a rookie.

5^th Round (172) – Trey Quinn WR SMU – I am not sure where Quinn falls in this draft exactly. Some may say this is too early or right where he should go. Quinn is an X-Factor type player with good hands, routes, and sneaky quickness. One of the other WRs that is under the radar is WRs in this draft is Justin Watson from Penn. I compared both tapes, and I prefer Quinn.

5^th Round (174) – Tyler Conklin TE Central Michigan – He was one of the earlier guys who I watched tape on and I just kept thinking about how there is something about him I really like on the field. You have to go beyond stats sometimes. He is a bit short but it just feels like he could be an x-factor and he can also line up as an H-back. It is also possible that he is a guy who has yet to reach his potential. Maybe 5^th is a little high for him? I know Wisconsinites want Fumagalli (who I also like) but Conklin gets the edge for me.

6^th Round (186) – Scott Quessenberry C/G UCLA – I really like this guy a lot and his versatility just adds to his value. I think he is flying just a bit under the radar and that his issues are easily correctable. You need nasty guys like this on the interior of the line.

6^th Round (207) – Janorian Grant RS/WR Rutgers – There have been some injury concerns here but he is incredibly slippery as a returner and his cuts are a thing of beauty on returns. Medical needs to be evaluated after having some injury issues but at this spot, he is worth the risk. The Packers need a player like this.

7^th Round (232) – Troy Apke S Penn State – Apke is super raw and may never be a starting caliber safety in the NFL but he could be a great special teams player as he develops. With the loss of Jeff Janis, Apke has similar skills and could replace him. With that said, some team could go nuts over Apke’s measurable and take him much sooner; similar to Dezmen Southward getting picked in the 3^rd when he really was more like a 6^th in 2014.

7^th Round (239) – Darius Jackson OLB Jacksonville State – He is not perfect as he is a little undersized and could be a little faster but he sure does look good on the football field. I think his best position may be bouncing inside but he has shown pass-rush ability as well.

Undrafted Target: John Wolford QB Wake Forest – Okay, I guess they do not need a QB and Wolford will never be a starter, but gosh I really like the way this guy plays and the Packers can stash him on the practice squad and he can be a reliably back-up that can rally an offense in the future.

Bears (OL, WR, EDGE, ILB)

The Bears have some similar needs to the Packers but need to make a strong push to help and protect Trubiski with OL and bringing in a few weapons, though free agency helped them quite a bit with the latter. From there, bringing in some depth or players to push current starters on defense becomes important. I am projecting that the Bears will trade down with the Cardinals so I am including that trade which gives the Bears the 15^th and 47^th.

1^st Round (15 projected from Cardinals) – Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame – This is a projected trade but if the Bears stand pat, they will likely do the same thing and grab McGlinchey to strengthen their line.

2^nd Round (39) – Anthony Miller WR Memphis – Miller is not the flashiest WR in this draft but he has very good hands and will be a nice 3rd or 4th receiver in his rookie year and could push to be a nice slot option down the road.

2^nd Round (47^th projected from Cardinals) – Josey Jewell ILB Iowa – Jewell is going to be very good in the NFL. Middle Linebackers do not always need to be elite athletes but they need instincts and I really like the way Jewell plays particularly how he reads the offense; those are the types of things that make up for not being an elite athlete.

4^th Round (105) – Isaac Yiadom CB Boston College – There are varying opinions on Yiadom and while he is a bit skinny, he can bulk up a bit. He plays aggressively and would be a solid developmental guy while he plays in the nickel for the Bears.

4^th Round (115) - Colby Gossett G Appalachian State – He has solid feet and is an aware player. May not quite have the heavy hit to him but has a strong base. The Bears can be a little patient with him and need some depth based on the injury history of their line.

5^th Round (145) – Simmie Cobbs Jr. WR Indiana – It is tough to say where Cobbs will go exactly but he feels like a 5^th rounder. He has some really great moments and then some head scratching moments. With that said, he is a big strong receiver that may turn out to be a steal if some of the rough edges get polished. Indiana receivers have not fared well in the NFL minus Antwaan Randal-El (mostly a QB in college so it is hard to lump him in) so Cobbs has that working against him. Still, it is worth the risk here and the Bears need to reload the WRs through the draft instead of getting castoffs.

6^th Round (181) – Joe Ostman OLB Central Michigan – Ostman is not a flashy player and a bit blue collar. However, it is players like these that are good rotational players that will surprise opposing offenses when not accounted for. He should also be a good special teamer.

7^th Round (224) – Curtis Cothran DL Penn State – An interesting player that has some skills but not a lot of pop in his play. He should be able to play DE for the Bears and add some depth. He almost looks like he could drop a few pounds and learn to play OLB in a 3-4. Might be worth the pick on potential at this point.

Stay tuned as this weekend represents the 5^th running of the André and Chris Live Mock Draft but the first that will not be over the internet and in person (not that it changes anything but it makes me happy). We are going to add a new rule to this year’s mock draft. See you then!

Mock Draft 2.5 - Post Free Agency Mock Draft with projected trades allowed

Mock Draft 2.5

Post Free Agency Mock Draft with projected trades – This mock draft represents the way that I see things falling in the draft based on teams and some projected trades. I will only include trades that are possible and will use the standard trade value chart. For 3.0 I will go back to my standard Will Pick and Should Pick leading up to draft day. Additionally, look for Packer and Bear picks. If there are other teams that you would like me to take a look at and assess, why not send me a tweet? @draftcompass

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 4^th 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. Broncos (Broncos trade 5^th pick, 1^st round next year, QB Paxton Lynch; Giants trade 2^nd pick, 108^th pick) – Sam Darnold QB USC – Gil Brandt had a great quote on NFL radio last weekend, “They should call April the month of liars” based on all the smoke screens that come out. A report that the Giants would take Darnold if he was there is just that, a smoke screen. The Giants trust in Eli Manning for this year and a few years down the road. This trade allows them to take a look at Paxton Lynch for a year and they still have Davis Webb. If neither works out, they have a 1^st rounder in the bank to trade away next year for future years or to draft a QB. The Broncos on the other hand get the man that they want by leveraging their future and officially giving up on Paxton Lynch. The Browns look at this and smile, they did not want Darnold anyways.

3. Jets  – Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma The Jets traded up for a reason and liked two guys, their first choice is gone. So they go with their 2^nd choice and are happy to have such a competitive QB on their roster ready to learn for the first year and then take the reins. They lost the last time they rolled the dice on talent with Hackenburg so they avoid the potential of Rosen or Allen this time around.

4. Browns – Josh Allen QB Wyoming – As I have said in previous mock drafts, the Browns interest in Darnold is classic Ron Wolf misdirection. The entire time the Browns have had their eyes on Allen over everybody else. While they would take Rosen as a consolation prize if Allen were not here, Allen is here, and the Browns get two potential franchise players.

5. Giants (From Broncos) – Bradley Chubb DE NC State – Now that the Giants have traded down they are loaded up for next year and still get the player they wanted. Chubb is the best defender in this draft hands down and the Giants still have Eli Manning to run the offense. Chubb is just too talented to pass up here. Gettleman 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.

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. Cardinals (Cardinals trade 15^th and 47^th pick; Bears trade 8^th pick) – Josh Rosen UCLA QB – The Cardinals see Rosen falling and do what they can to move up to grab him at this spot. The Cardinals really should have planned for the future but did not do so, they need a QB bad and Rosen is their guy.

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 – As I said before, I have a suspicion that the team out there that has Jackson as their number 2 QB in this draft is the Bills. They figured that they would move within striking distance of where he will go so they can make another move if need be. Jackson is a guy that can be molded but needs a bit of work before he should be thrown in the fire. Bills prepared for this and their patience will pay off.

13. Redskins – Vita Vea DT Washington – Roquan Smith is tempting here but the need is greater for Vea and Vea is a great athlete for his size. Perhaps the Ngata comparison is not right, but he is solid.

14. Packers – Denzel Ward CB Ohio State – Ward falling here is a gift for the Packers and fills a need, no chance they pass him up here unless they have Josh Jackson graded higher, which I would doubt.

15. Bears (From Cardinals) – Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame – This is the area where McGlinchey should go and the Bears picked up some change from dropping down, yet, end up with the player they wanted. The Bears are putting together a solid team but need to protect Trubiski now.

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 – Da’Ron Payne DT Alabama – There are a lot of talented players at this point, a little too many for teams to go crazy to trade up. Looking down the board and with Cory Liuget being suspended and Mebane getting a bit older, the Chargers reload their line with a stout defensive lineman who is a player maker.

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. Again, there is some thoughts of trading down but Jackson is too big of a play maker to trade down from here.

19. Titans (Titans trade 29^th, 89^th, and 199^th, 47^th picks; Cowboys trade 19^th pick)  – Roquan Smith LB Georgia – The Titans make a big move to grab a player that has fallen too far and is at a position of need for them. They pay a big price but it is a worthwhile price for a player who is a great athlete and can do a lot of things for a creative defensive coordinator.

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 – Will Hernandez G UTEP – Hernandez is a brute, aggressive, and powerful player. He will need to make a slight adjustment in that UTEP did not face absolute top competition but good enough competition. The Bengals need more players like Hernandez.

22. Steelers (Steelers trade 28^th and 92^nd picks; Bills trade 22^nd pick) Mason Rudolph QB Oklahoma State – The Steelers panic and leapfrog the Patriots who may have some interest in Rudolph to groom an underrated QB behind Big Ben. The Steelers will learn from the Cardinals facing a debacle at QB after Palmer retired and take a page from the Chiefs and Packers. Rudolph takes over once Ben calls it quits in a year or two and the price they pay here looks like a deal.

23. Patriots – Harold Landry OLB Boston College – Originally, I had the Patriots taking Isaiah Oliver but typically they go with a pass rusher over a CB. Landry is a little bit of a wild card as he was better as a junior than senior and that will give some teams pause. But at this point, the Patriots improve their pass rush with Landry.

24. Panthers – Isaiah Oliver CB Colorado – The Panthers have tended to like taller tougher CBs and Oliver has a lot of solid skills. With the trading of Worley, there is a bit of a need here for the Panthers.

25. Cowboys (from Titans) – Taven Bryan DT Florida – The Cowboys could use an athletic DT and Bryan is very versatile and has a high motor. The Cowboys need a high character guy on the defense and forget about some of their past mistakes.

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 – Isaiah Wynn OT/G Georgia – I am changing things up here as the more I look at it, the more I think that no TEs will go in the first round so Hayden Hurst drops out of this spot. The Saints could use a strong OL to solidify their line and Wynn has shown versatility and is a good football player.

28. Bills (from Steelers) – James Daniels C Iowa – The Bills rolled the dice by trading down and end up with the player they wanted at 22. With Eric Woods having to retire and now losing Incognito the interior of the line needs a lot of help. Daniels can play either spot and will be great at both spots.

29. Jaguars – DJ Moore WR Maryland – Moore is used to poor quarterback play and Bortles is average for the most part. 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 – Connor Williams OT Texas – The Vikings need to strengthen their line and Williams is the top rated Offensive Lineman here. I am still not seeing it with Williams so I think he will be a bust personally but may be worth the 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 4^th or 5^th, not a 2^nd and it worked. Even Logan Matkins was considered an odd pick for the end of the 1^st 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 – Leighton Vander Esch LB Boise State– The Eagles can truly take the best available player here but LB is a need for them. They did not seem happy with what they had at LB and Vander Esch can play any of the linebacker spots.

Maybe a few too many trades but we have seen some pretty crazy 1st rounds in the past. 

If you missed the No Trades Mock Draft, please take a look at that posting as well. Keep an eye out for Mock Draft 3.0 and the Packer and Bear Picks in the near future. 

Mock Draft 2.0 - Post Free Agency Mock Draft with no trades allowed

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 4^th 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 3^rd 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 1^st 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 4^th or 5^th, not a 2^nd and it worked. Even Logan Matkins was considered an odd pick for the end of the 1^st 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.

Quarterback Quick Hits

Quarterback Quick Hits

The ranking of the quarterbacks seems to be a big topic for this draft for obvious reasons. After looking at a lot of different publications, it seems that the top guy for everybody is wildly different. To that point, I figured I would do a QB ranking quick hit. I am going to do a top six here since I think that there are six QBs that could go in the first 42 picks. I am going to do a few different categories to make this a little more fun.

Straight up rankings

1. Josh Allen – Too much talent here and I think he is only going to get better with coaching. But he should not be thrown in right away. I know

2. Baker Mayfield – One of the things that makes Aaron Rodgers great is that he had to fight to overcome doubters, that is when he is at his best. Do not confuse cockiness with confidence, Mayfield is a winner.

3. Lamar Jackson – Jackson needs to get seasoning and everybody knows and understands that. If he goes to a team that fixes some of the ugliness while still allowing him to play his game, watch out.

4. Sam Darnold – He does a lot of things well and is a winner but sometimes he just seems all over the place with his decisions. I think he has a lot of bust potential and I am having a hard time seeing it with him.

5. Josh Rosen – I watched Rosen and I am just not quite getting it. I have a hard time even putting him at 5th but he has a lot of talent. I am just not sure.

6. Mason Rudolph – I think Mason Rudolph is going to make a team happy that they drafted him. He reminds me a little bit of Andy Dalton when Dalton came out in that I do no seeing him being a top QB, but one that always plays well. If I was an NFL GM, I would risk taking a good football player in the first round and hope I get Rudolph in the second over drafting Rosen and Darnold for sure and maybe even Allen and Jackson. For example, if I were the Giants and could get Barkley or Chubb in the first round and grab Rudolph in the 2nd, that is well worth it to me.

Safest to biggest risks

1. Baker Mayfield

2. Mason Rudolph

3. Josh Allen

4. Sam Darnold

5. Lamar Jackson

6. Josh Rosen

Mid to late round guys that I like

1. Luke Falk – I am not sure that he is an NFL starter but I think his floor is a reliable back-up and his ceiling is a guy that learns for a few years and then takes over. He may even surprise as coming in for an injured starter early in his career. Kyle Orton level of player, maybe a hair better.

2. Kyle Lauletta – When you hear so many coaches praising his character and competitiveness you have to take notice. His throws tend to be a bit more touch so I would worry about him being able to truly zip the ball into tight spaces. Still, he should be a solid game manager for a team and sometimes that is fine.

3. Mike White – Not a lot was said about him after the Senior Bowl, but I saw some great passes zipped into receiver’s hands during that game. I know there have been some knocks on his awareness in the pocket but that is something that can be improved upon to a degree.



Not getting enough press: John Wolford QB Wake Forest – I know there are some concerns here with his size and how he only had a breakout senior season, but my god, watch some of that senior season! He may not be for everybody but I could see him coming off the bench one day and stunning some poor defense. Somewhere between Matt Flynn and Case Keenum. At the very least he is fun to watch and might just make it.

Post-Free Agency Mock Draft to come soon!

Pre-Combine Mock Draft

Clearly, the combine and free agency will affect this greatly. Furthermore, there is a good chance that there is a lot of movement in the top 5 to 10 picks. This mock represents the players that I think teams should take given their current needs. Additionally, the rules are that no projected trades can happen so where a team sits is where they sit. The top 10 teams that pick on draft day I believe will look very different.

1. Browns – Saquon Barkley RB Penn State – While there is always the Penn State curse that has been floating around for 30 years, Barkley will break it. With that being said, the question is, should the Browns take him first overall. Yes, of course they should, they have the 4^th overall pick too and the boy they want will still be there.

2. Giants – (I think the most likely scenario here is that the Giants trade out) Bradley Chubb DE NC State – The temptation to take a QB is here but the Giants have tended to take whomever they feel is the best player, particularly at DE. JPP is past his prime and needs to be rotational. 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.

3. Colts – Roquan Smith LB Georgia – Smith is the best player at this point that can help them. The two others they were hoping for are gone. While this sets up a scenario where teams will be willing to trade up for their QB, no trades, and this is the board.

4. Browns – Josh Allen QB Wyoming – I have a feeling that the Browns covet Allen and his gunslinger playing style. Look who is at the helm evaluating players. Allen is not the safest QB in this draft but if you give him some good coaching and have him clean up his game a little (not too much, you need to keep some gunslinger in him) he could be very exciting to watch. They better issue him #4 though.

5. Broncos – Sam Darnold QB USC – This is a dream scenario for Darnold and the Broncos as they fit together well. The Broncos need to forget that they did something silly in the past at QB and go with the safest QB pick in this draft. Darnold plays smart and will take advantage of defensive mistakes without taking too many risks. The broncos need exactly that.

6. Jets – Josh Rosen QB Cal – Rosen is going to have some trouble if this happens. The New York media is not as bad as some of the other big cities, but they are not easy on high expectation players. Rosen needs to show he can mature and he may be one of the riskier players in this draft. But the Jets cannot go another year without bringing in a good QB.

7. Buccaneers – Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama – 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. The temptation to go with Quenton Nelson is definitely here though.

8. Bears – Quenton Nelson OG Notre Dame – The Bears just let Sitton go and they need to strengthen their line. Nelson has too much talent and such a nasty streak that they would be foolish to pass him up here. I know guards are not as highly thought of but a good player is a good player.

9. 49ers – Orlando Brown OG/T Oklahoma – The top OT is a bit of a tossup and with Nelson going to the Bears one pick ahead of this, the 49ers go with a possible right tackle but likely guard to strengthen up the line. The offensive weapons available here are not good enough to be taken here.

10. Raiders – Denzel Ward CB Ohio State – There is a little debate as to who the top CB is in this draft and it is more about deciding on style of play and athleticism. Ward is likely the first CB off the board and would add some athleticism to the Raiders defense.

11. Dolphins – Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma – Even before he was hurt, it was questionable as to if Ryan Tannehill would be the starter much longer. The Dolphins have another shot at a potential franchise QB and this time, they are not reaching to take him.

12. Bengals – Connor Williams OT Texas – The Bengals have some holes and they always seem to grab somebody a little odd. In this case, they go with their needs and strengthen an offensive line that needs a bit of help.

13. Redskins – Vita Vea DT Wahsington – There is definitely reason and temptation to go after Courtland Sutton or even Calvin Ridley here as they need a WR. But Sutton is too much of a wild card, Ridley is a possibility but Alabama WR have not translated well into the NFL, and a very good player that can help the Redskins is sitting right here in Vea.

14. Packers – Dallas Goedert TE South Dakota State – Okay, this looks a bit high for him. The Packers also really need help on defense. But I truly believe that he is the best all-around TE to come out in a long time. He reminds me a lot of Jason Witten. Likely the Packers in the real world could trade down here if they had their eye on Goedert, but we are sticking to the rules here. CB and Pass-rusher come later in the draft for them.

15. Cardinals – Mason Rudolph QB Oklahoma State – This is where the reaching begins a bit. With that said, Rudolph has enough talent to play decent right away and can develop over time. 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 – Calvin Ridley WR Alabama – Ridley looks to be the best WR in this draft although Sutton could also be. Ridley is less risky and more developed at this point. When you have an athletic WR who understands how to run routes, that can be dangerous. Perfect pick here for the Ravens.

17. Chargers – Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame – The Chargers continue to ignore OL in the first round and really really really need to do something about that. McGlinchey should be a safe pick here and may never be spectacular but might be similar to Bryan Bulaga.

18. Seahawks – Derwin James S Florida State – The Seahawks need offensive line help a lot but James is too good to pass up at this time and he fits them so well. The Seahawks are getting old in the secondary and need some youth. Josh Jackson is also a strong possibility here.

19. Cowboys – Courtland Sutton WR SMU – Obviously this is going to depend heavily on deciding if Dez Bryant is worth bringing back, or this could influence that decision. Sutton is a bit raw but he is worth the gamble at his point.

20. Lions – Marcus Davenport DE Texas-San Antonio – Even if Ziggy Ansah returns, this is a plum position for Davenport as he needs some seasoning and could be used as a rotational player with Ansah and Zettle.

21 and 22. Bills – Lamar Jackson QB Louisville and Billy Price C Ohio State – I feel like this is pretty common thought at this point. The Bills need a QB as the Tyrod Taylor and sadly Nathan Petermon ships sunk last year. The loss of Eric Wood presents a major hole in the offensive line which makes taking Price a good pick here.

23. Rams – Josh Jackson Iowa – The Rams need to continue to build their secondary up and Jackson fits their team well. There are some concerns with top end speed but his speed is comparable to a lot of other corners that have been successful in the NFL. I typed this pick up a day before the Marcus Peters trade and almost switched it, but it still makes a ton of sense for them so I am staying with it.

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. He seems to fit their mentality on defense pretty well. There is some definite thought here at OL but there is nobody that is worth it at this point.

25. Titans – Da’Ron Payne DT Alabama – Payne has a quick first step and plays smart. The Titans need to continue to build up their defensive line as it is getting up in age and needs some juice.

26. Falcons – Tim Settle DT Virginia Tech – Settle is pretty athletic for a big guy, he does look to have some baby fat on him so perhaps some conditioning will improve him more. There are some bigger name players at DT here, but Settle could add some needed bulk to the defensive line for the Falcons allowing them to let either or both Rubin and Poe walk.

27. Saints – Christian Kirk WR Texas A & M – Drew Brees (I am assuming he is re-signed) needs more weapons and getting rid of Cooks last year was a little odd in that they left the cupboard a bit bare. Kirk needs to continue to refine his game but he looks pretty smooth overall. The big question is whether he was relying too much on speed and if he can build more savvy into his game.

28. Steelers – Harrison Phillips DL Stanford – The Steelers were a difficult one to figure out since they seem to be a bit unpredictable in the first round. Looking at the board though, Phillips fits a position that could use a little more juice for the Steelers. The other side of this is that Phillips has a good first step (though he looks like he may stand up a little too tall at times) but most of all, he has a lot of awareness. This is a really good fit for the Steelers. I am also wondering if they jump at CB Donte Jackson, who I am pretty sure will skyrocket post-combine.

29. Jaguars – DJ Moore WR Maryland – The Jaguars will go WR here and it is just matter of which one. Moore and James Washington are very similar players if you watch their games. Both have good awareness and sell routes but also do not run the routes quite as crisp as you would like. Moore gets the edge because he is a more explosive player and lacked the supporting cast that Washington had at Oklahoma State.

30. Vikings - Chukwuma Okorafor OL Western Michigan - Free agency is really going to tell us a lot about the Vikings and the QB situation. Regardless of who is back there, they need to bring in a little more protection in the middle to solidify the line. Okorafor played tackle in college but he has the build and setup of a guard, though he could play RT. There is a little temptation for a DL here but I think that there are some guys getting a little overrated so Okorafor is a good pick here.

31. Patriots – Kolton Miller OT UCLA - Who really knows with the Patriots? I do have a feeling that they may also go with a CB and in that case my guess is Isaiah Oliver or Donte Jackson gets taken (I like Jackson a lot so that is who I would go with). But in the end I think they are going to look at their tackle position and decide to upgrade it for the future by taking Miller here. Miller needs a bit of seasoning but all the tools are there to develop.

32. Eagles -  Rashaan Evans LB Alabama – The Eagles seem to be ready to let Kendricks go or at least give him some competition and he is in the middle age of a football player so why not bring in some energy and juice with Evans. Evans is better than many of the previous mercurial Alabama linebackers. Good pick here.

Okay, so some crazy picks here but that is what makes the draft fun right? The combine and free agency will change a lot of this. Odds are that the top 10 will be a flurry of trades but do not be surprised if 5 out of the 6 QBs listed here do go in the first round.

Hello Football Fans!

After a crazy round 1 with many surprises it is time for some analysis. I have grouped my thoughts on the picks made last night. I removed the consideration of how much they paid to move up for a player. This is strictly what I think of the player, how I feel they may contribute, and the overall risk in drafting the player for that specific team. Red players are ones that I think will be busts, Orange are likely busts but may contribute, Yellow are 50/50 players, light green I think will be contributors for their teams but never great, dark green I think will be strong contributors on their teams, Blue are players that I think will be great in the NFL and with their respective teams.

Let's leave some ambiguity here so if you have comments please leave them.

~ André