Welcome, friends, to NFL Draft week! For some of you draft nerds like me, this is one of the best weeks of the year: speculation, rumors, teams getting better, mistakes, and Mel Kiper's hair. There is nothing better! Below is my humble attempt at Round 1 of this mock draft. I did not project any trades, though I am sure there will be some. I just took the players I thought may be the best fit for the given team, or take who I thought a team would reach for based on need.
Check back later for Rounds 2-7!
And with that, the Cleveland Browns are on the clock:
Round 1
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
They can't take a QB here. They just can't. Garrett seems to be the consensus #1 pick and #1 player in the Draft. The Browns need help everywhere. He has to be the pick. Let's just hope he isn't another Courtney Brown.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
This is a defensive draft, for sure, and Solomon Thomas may be just as good as Garrett. He has risen up the ranks a bit until settling in as the potential #2 pick across most mocks, and I don't disagree. Again, the 49ers need everything, so why not start with a workhorse D-Lineman?
3. Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
An amazing safety is hard to find (I know. I am a Redskins fan. We still haven't replaced Sean Taylor). Jamal Adams may be the best overall safety in the draft. Chicago needs quality guys in the secondary to play against Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford, after all.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Back to back LSU players go. I think this may be the biggest no-brainer outside of the #1 pick. The Jaguars need to know what their offense can really do, and that means it has to have some balance. Their rushing attack isn't great, and Fournette would instantly be their top back. Doug Marrone was the coach of the Bills when they had the #1 rushing attach in the NFL. He will bring that to Jacksonville.
5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
The Titans sprint up to the podium with this pick. Their biggest need is for a true shut down corner, and Lattimore is the best in the draft. Easy pick.
6. New York Jets: Mitchell Trubisky, QB, UNC
Oh, Jets. You have no QB. That isn't to say that I like Trubisky that much. I much prefer Deshaun Watson. And I could definitely see another team that likes Mitch trading up to the Jets, which I am sure they would love. But for now, it is their biggest need, and Trubisky seems to be everyone's top guy.
7. LA Chargers: Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Another team that needs a bit of everything. Allen's value here is too much to pass up. I just won't get used to calling them the LA Chargers anytime soon.
8. Carolina Panthers: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
For some odd reason, folks seem to be saying that Dalvin Cook is falling. I have no idea why. I have said for two years that I think Cook must cover himself in non-stick spray or something, cause he is impossible to bring down. If Christian McCaffery is the pick instead, I wouldn't be surprised. The Panthers need another weapon to take some pressure off Cam.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Bill Polian hates him because he is slow. I counter with the argument that he broke Reggie White's sack record, which means he can play. The Bengals add another weapon on that defense to team with Vontaze Burfict.
10. Buffalo Bills: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
I've seen just about every position mocked to the Bills, from passer to pass rusher to receiver. But, Malik Hooker has better ball skills than Jamal Adams, and would instantly be an impact player in a depleted secondary. Plus, this draft is deep enough in WRs where the Bills can get a solid one in Round 2 (spoiler).
11. New Orleans Saints: Hassan Reddick, LB, Temple
Has anyone risen up the ranks since the season ended like Reddick? He is just the type of player that the Saints need in that defense, and one they haven't had in the middle since Jonathan Vilma retired.
12. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Why trade up and get Trubisky when you can stay put and get a national champion QB? As I said before, I am a Watson guy. I think he has that "It" factor that will make him a solid QB, if not a star. He also has the ability to keep plays alive with his legs, which he may need in that division with those pass rushers.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
Foster's talent is only overshadowed by his potential off-the-filed issues. He got in a shouting match at a hospital at the Combine. He apparently had a diluted urine sample, which may mask drug issues. However, the Cardinals have dealt with these kinds of players before in Tyrann Mathieu, and it payed off. I think it will again.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Well... I think that the Eagles biggest need is in the secondary. However, Conley may be facing rape charges off the field, so his placement in the first round is now somewhat questionable, or at least would be if the NFL actually cared about women's issues at all. They don't, so Conley stays in this spot.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
PROTECT ANDREW LUCK! That is the name of the game. The Colts are nothing without him. Lamp is the best offensive lineman in the draft. And I do not buy into the "don't take guards in the first round" nonsense. Take the guy that best suits your biggest need. That's how you get better.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
The Ravens offense hasn't really been the same since it lost Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin. True, they haven't had a solid running game either, but going with a super-productive player like Davis to help stretch the field for Joe Flacco and that offense will help immensely. I could also see another O-lineman here as well.
17. Washington Redskins: Christian McCaffery, RB, Stanford
Positions the Skins do not need to address with this pick: OLB, WR. Everything is in play. As a Skins fan, I am praying that Adams or Hooker falls to 17, but there is no way that is happening. I think McCaffery is the guy because of what he brings to every facet of the offense. However, if he is gone and Dalvin Cook is here, I still say the Skins go RB. The really interesting thing will be if all the RBs are gone.
18. Tennessee Titans: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
That light blue blur you just saw whizz by was the Titans running up to the podium again. A big, super-talented possession receiver with amazing hands is exactly what they need to pair with Marcus Mariota. Williams may be the best wideout in the draft. The Titans have an A+ first round adding him and Lattimore.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OJ Howard, TE, Alabama
That's right, an Alabama offensive player going with all these amazing defenders. Jameis Winston gets the top tight end in a draft, who by all accounts is also a high-character guy. He could instantly become a Greg Olson-level weapon.
20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Boles, OT, Utah
The Broncos need all the help they can on the O-line to protect whoever is their starting QB. Boles may have the biggest upside of any tackle in the draft.
21. Detroit Lions: Taco Charlton, DL, Michigan
Taco Time in Detroit! They need to be able to put pressure on Aaron Rodgers, so drafting the top pass-rusher available is the answer. He can play any position on the line, and imagine the built in jersey sales for a Michigan player going to Detroit.
22. Miami Dolphins: Takkarist McKinley, DE/OLB, UCLA
The Fins add a great end rusher who will be able to disrupt offenses in the AFC East. Takk has an amazing motor, and will make sure to give maximum effort. Team him outside with Wake, with Suh inside, and you'd have quite the defensive front.
23. New York Giants: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
Erick Flowers hasn't been what the Giants thought he would be yet. Ramczyk may not be spectacular, but he may be the safest and most consistent OT in the entire draft. That is what the Giants need.
24. Oakland Raiders: Kevin King, CB, Washington
The Raiders are only a few pieces away from being a top notch NFL team. They have drafted so well recently, it should be a surprise. David Amerson is solid, but King's size and skill could make him their best CB from Day 1.
25. Houston Texans: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
First round talent, second round effort. Seems like pick 25 may be a perfect spot for the Texans. I don't think they go all in on a QB yet, since they like Tom Savage enough to start him. Maybe they will learn from their past mistakes and finally draft OL to protect a young QB.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
The Seahawks get the most out of their defensive players as possible. McDowell's effort is a little touch and go. Once he gets to Pete Carroll and that locker room, he will turn into a Pro Bowl talent.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
He is Mel Kiper's top LB. He is apparently an awesome guy. I think he is a great fit for an aging defense. Their linebacking corp is getting old and oft-injured. Davis is the kind of guy to rejuvenate it.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Jabrill Peppers, S/LB, Michigan
Big name, super-talented, super-versatile player? Sounds like a fit for the Cowboys. They need help in the secondary, of course, and Peppers can cover or move up in the box and tackle. He could also find a way to work his way into some offensive sets. How about a fun single wing with Dak and Zeke on the goal line? I also don't really buy his diluted sample as being a red flag, since he stated at the time he was sick and was over-hydrating.
29. Green Bay Packers: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
The Packers cannot cover at all. Secondary is their biggest need. Wilson is the best pick right here. Furthermore, (spoiler alert) the player many have going here may find his way to Green Bay in Round 2.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: John Ross, WR, Washington
Best player on the board, perfect compliment to take pressure off Antonio Brown, and 4.22 speed? If John Ross can stay healthy, that Steelers offense will be great yet again.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Charles Harris, OLB, Missouri
The Falcons were a few stops or first downs away from being Super Bowl champions. Adding a premiere pass rusher in Harris could be that final piece to the championship puzzle.
32. New Orleans Saints: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Another Crimson Tide defender to finish out Round 1. I don't think the Saints are going to get Malcolm Butler from New England, so they need to add a playmaker in the secondary. Humphrey and Reddick instantly boost an otherwise woeful defense.
Rounds 2-7 coming tomorrow! Thanks for reading!
No comments:
Post a Comment