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I have tried to marry what I would do and what I believe the teams will do. Any questions / comments welcome. Who knows what will happen Thursday night but I have given it my best shot ! Can't wait to see how it all plays out ! I don't do trades in my mocks.
1. Cleveland Browns - Sam Darnold, QB - USC
The Browns don't mess around and take the highest rated QB with a high ceiling. Darnold is only 20 and should take a redshirt year to smooth out some wrinkles and work with the coaches before being thrown in, with the capable Tyrod Taylor starting this season.
2. New York Giants - Saquon Barkley, RB - Penn State
The Giants are all in with Eli so they give him the most dynamic and possibly best player in the draft to kick-start a lacklustre offense. They can address the OL in the next few rounds.
3. New York Jets - Josh Rosen, QB - UCLA
It is clear the Jets are going QB at this spot and I believe the best one here is Rosen. Great mechanics, smooth footwork, and a passion for the game.
4. Cleveland Browns - Bradley Chubb, OLB - North Carolina State
After getting their QB the Browns partner Chubb with Garrett to form a scary pass rush for years to come.
5. Denver Broncos - Quenton Nelson, OG - Notre Dame
With Mayfield and Allen on the board they could trade back, I don't believe they do this or take a QB. I think the Broncos would have liked Barkley or Chubb but seeing these 2 go Denver take Nelson and deliver a major boost for Keenum and the OL.
6. Indianapolis Colts - Tremaine Edmunds, OLB - Virginia Tech
The Colts have holes everywhere so take the highest ranked player which I believe is Edmunds. Goes straight into their front 7 as a talented but still developing LB who can provide a big boost on 3rd downs coming off the edge.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Denzel Ward, CB - Ohio State
Former first round pick Hargreaves was demoted to Nickel last season and there is not a lot in the cupboard going forward, Ward makes a ton of sense and is a perfect need - value pick for the Bucs.
8. Chicago Bears - Roquan Smith, ILB - Georgia
I think the Bears would have loved to reunite Nelson with his former coach on the Bears OL but he's off the board, and they need to improve their WR corps but this is too high for Ridley or Sutton. Word is that the media is too low on Smith and he is viewed as a top 10 lock, a sideline to sideline LB with a nose for the ball.
9. San Francisco 49ers - Will Hernandez, OG - UTEP
The 49'ers have made no secret of their desire to improve the OL for JG and to get tougher on the inside. Some may see this as high for Hernandez who is still developing but he brings power, toughness, and a high skill set to this young team. I think he will have some rough days as the jump up in competition is huge but his ceiling is very high.
10. Oakland Raiders - Da'Ron Payne, NT - Alabama
Oakland went hard at Suh and missed out, they are looking for someone to anchor the DL and have the choice of Payne and Vea. I have Payne ranked higher.
11. Miami Dolphins - Leighton Vander Esch, LB - Boise State
The Dolphins could be intrigued with Mayfield still on the board but I believe they are happy with Tannehill. Vander Esch has been compared to Urlacher and Miami can stick him in the middle of their D for a long time as their next great LB. A big LB with speed and coverage skills.
12. Buffalo Bills - Baker Mayfield, QB - Oklahoma
Its no secret the Bills could trade up, so getting Mayfield at 12 works out great for them. A feisty QB who has won some tough games on the road but comes with some big question marks mostly regarding his height and temperament. I don't think Mayfield is a top ten pick but he has some intriguing potential.
13. Washington Redskins - Vita Vea, NT - Washington
The skins were dead last against the run last season, Vea slots in to anchor the DL day one and should greatly help improve that stat.
14. Green Bay Packers - Mike Hughes, CB - Central Florida
After trading Randall to the Browns and failing to land Fuller from the Bears the Packers take who many consider the #2 corner in the draft. Fitz and James are options but a shutdown corner is too important to pass up.
15. Arizona Cardinals - Josh Allen, QB - Wyoming
Allen has great physical tools but his accuracy was down in college and this will scare teams off, his footwork needs cleaning up as well. I feel he is more of an end of round one talent but given his position and the Cards big need for a QB they pull the trigger here.
16. Baltimore Ravens - Calvin Ridley, WR - Alabama
Even with claiming Snead from the Saints WR is a big area of need, Ridley gives the Ravens offense a boost and a young outside talent who can get open and make plays down the field.
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Minkah Fitzpatrick, S - Alabama
The Chargers have a good secondary but grab the best player available due to the value, just as they did with Joey Bosa. I don't see Fitz as a top ten talent and think this is more his range but we will see Thursday night.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Derrius Guice, RB - USC
This is the Seahawks only pick in the first 3 rounds, my first thought was to grab OL but after doing some research Seattle's media / fans seem pretty happy with the current group. Britt is viewed as the future center and they recently exercised an option on his contract, they like Pocic and brought in Fluker, gave up a lot to bring in Duane Brown at LT and apparently want to keep faith with RT Ifedi. Their RB's are Mike Davis and Chris Carson, Guice brings some quality to the position as a true number one starting back.
19. Dallas Cowboys - Derwin James, S - Florida State
Will James be here at 19 ? Maybe not, but if he is then Dallas gets an enforcer and leader in their defensive backfield.
20. Detroit Lions - Lorenzo Carter, OLB - Georgia
Ansah was franchise tagged but there is not much else on the front 7 in the way of a pass rush. Carter is raw and they are betting on his potential to some degree but he is explosive and can get in the backfield and make plays, he blew up the combine and has tremendous physical tools and long rangy arms to get off blocks.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Billy Price, C - Ohio State
The Bengals have a terrible OL so Price at 21 makes too much sense. I am high on him and believe he could justify a higher selection. Price is tough, loves football, and is explosive off the snap.
22. Buffalo Bills - Isaiah Wynn, OG - Georgia
Next on this mini run of OL is Wynn, a good athlete with power and a sound technique.
23. New England Patriots - Mike McGlinchey, OT - Notre Dame
The Pats are desperate for OT help after losing Solder and are lucky to see McGlinchey fall into their laps. Teams are concerned he is a RT only so he could easily slide in this draft, but whatever side NE plays him he is a plug and play day one starter with potential to grow.
24. Carolina Panthers - Austin Corbett, OG - Nevada
After losing Norwell to the Jags Corbett is a good replacement, won't blow anyone away but is a solid hard working guy who should be able to step in immediately and help his team.
25. Tennessee Titans - Christian Kirk, WR - Texas A & M
Last years number 5 pick Corey Davis struggled but the team have high hopes for him, Mariota needs more weapons though and Decker leaving left another hole. Kirk is a slot receiver who knows how to get open and work the middle of the field, a chain mover for Mariota.
26. Atlanta Falcons - Josh Jackson, CB - Iowa
The Falcons have a few holes to fill and Courtland Sutton is an option, but in the end they pick the top remaining corner to put opposite Trufant. Jackson has long arms and good ball skills, corners who can turn their head and play the ball don't often make it past the first round.
27. New Orleans Saints - Tim Settle, NT - Virginia Tech
After releasing Fairley the Saints need some DL help to give Sheldon Rankins, it would be a surprise to see Settle's name called Thursday night but I am high on him, he is a disruptive lineman with quickness and strength and has a high ceiling.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers - Rashaan Evans, ILB - Alabama
With questions over Shazier's health the Steelers need a LB who can go sideline to sideline and be a force in the middle of the field, Evans gives them that.
1. Cleveland Browns - Sam Darnold, QB - USC
The Browns don't mess around and take the highest rated QB with a high ceiling. Darnold is only 20 and should take a redshirt year to smooth out some wrinkles and work with the coaches before being thrown in, with the capable Tyrod Taylor starting this season.
2. New York Giants - Saquon Barkley, RB - Penn State
The Giants are all in with Eli so they give him the most dynamic and possibly best player in the draft to kick-start a lacklustre offense. They can address the OL in the next few rounds.
3. New York Jets - Josh Rosen, QB - UCLA
It is clear the Jets are going QB at this spot and I believe the best one here is Rosen. Great mechanics, smooth footwork, and a passion for the game.
4. Cleveland Browns - Bradley Chubb, OLB - North Carolina State
After getting their QB the Browns partner Chubb with Garrett to form a scary pass rush for years to come.
5. Denver Broncos - Quenton Nelson, OG - Notre Dame
With Mayfield and Allen on the board they could trade back, I don't believe they do this or take a QB. I think the Broncos would have liked Barkley or Chubb but seeing these 2 go Denver take Nelson and deliver a major boost for Keenum and the OL.
6. Indianapolis Colts - Tremaine Edmunds, OLB - Virginia Tech
The Colts have holes everywhere so take the highest ranked player which I believe is Edmunds. Goes straight into their front 7 as a talented but still developing LB who can provide a big boost on 3rd downs coming off the edge.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Denzel Ward, CB - Ohio State
Former first round pick Hargreaves was demoted to Nickel last season and there is not a lot in the cupboard going forward, Ward makes a ton of sense and is a perfect need - value pick for the Bucs.
8. Chicago Bears - Roquan Smith, ILB - Georgia
I think the Bears would have loved to reunite Nelson with his former coach on the Bears OL but he's off the board, and they need to improve their WR corps but this is too high for Ridley or Sutton. Word is that the media is too low on Smith and he is viewed as a top 10 lock, a sideline to sideline LB with a nose for the ball.
9. San Francisco 49ers - Will Hernandez, OG - UTEP
The 49'ers have made no secret of their desire to improve the OL for JG and to get tougher on the inside. Some may see this as high for Hernandez who is still developing but he brings power, toughness, and a high skill set to this young team. I think he will have some rough days as the jump up in competition is huge but his ceiling is very high.
10. Oakland Raiders - Da'Ron Payne, NT - Alabama
Oakland went hard at Suh and missed out, they are looking for someone to anchor the DL and have the choice of Payne and Vea. I have Payne ranked higher.
11. Miami Dolphins - Leighton Vander Esch, LB - Boise State
The Dolphins could be intrigued with Mayfield still on the board but I believe they are happy with Tannehill. Vander Esch has been compared to Urlacher and Miami can stick him in the middle of their D for a long time as their next great LB. A big LB with speed and coverage skills.
12. Buffalo Bills - Baker Mayfield, QB - Oklahoma
Its no secret the Bills could trade up, so getting Mayfield at 12 works out great for them. A feisty QB who has won some tough games on the road but comes with some big question marks mostly regarding his height and temperament. I don't think Mayfield is a top ten pick but he has some intriguing potential.
13. Washington Redskins - Vita Vea, NT - Washington
The skins were dead last against the run last season, Vea slots in to anchor the DL day one and should greatly help improve that stat.
14. Green Bay Packers - Mike Hughes, CB - Central Florida
After trading Randall to the Browns and failing to land Fuller from the Bears the Packers take who many consider the #2 corner in the draft. Fitz and James are options but a shutdown corner is too important to pass up.
15. Arizona Cardinals - Josh Allen, QB - Wyoming
Allen has great physical tools but his accuracy was down in college and this will scare teams off, his footwork needs cleaning up as well. I feel he is more of an end of round one talent but given his position and the Cards big need for a QB they pull the trigger here.
16. Baltimore Ravens - Calvin Ridley, WR - Alabama
Even with claiming Snead from the Saints WR is a big area of need, Ridley gives the Ravens offense a boost and a young outside talent who can get open and make plays down the field.
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Minkah Fitzpatrick, S - Alabama
The Chargers have a good secondary but grab the best player available due to the value, just as they did with Joey Bosa. I don't see Fitz as a top ten talent and think this is more his range but we will see Thursday night.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Derrius Guice, RB - USC
This is the Seahawks only pick in the first 3 rounds, my first thought was to grab OL but after doing some research Seattle's media / fans seem pretty happy with the current group. Britt is viewed as the future center and they recently exercised an option on his contract, they like Pocic and brought in Fluker, gave up a lot to bring in Duane Brown at LT and apparently want to keep faith with RT Ifedi. Their RB's are Mike Davis and Chris Carson, Guice brings some quality to the position as a true number one starting back.
19. Dallas Cowboys - Derwin James, S - Florida State
Will James be here at 19 ? Maybe not, but if he is then Dallas gets an enforcer and leader in their defensive backfield.
20. Detroit Lions - Lorenzo Carter, OLB - Georgia
Ansah was franchise tagged but there is not much else on the front 7 in the way of a pass rush. Carter is raw and they are betting on his potential to some degree but he is explosive and can get in the backfield and make plays, he blew up the combine and has tremendous physical tools and long rangy arms to get off blocks.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Billy Price, C - Ohio State
The Bengals have a terrible OL so Price at 21 makes too much sense. I am high on him and believe he could justify a higher selection. Price is tough, loves football, and is explosive off the snap.
22. Buffalo Bills - Isaiah Wynn, OG - Georgia
Next on this mini run of OL is Wynn, a good athlete with power and a sound technique.
23. New England Patriots - Mike McGlinchey, OT - Notre Dame
The Pats are desperate for OT help after losing Solder and are lucky to see McGlinchey fall into their laps. Teams are concerned he is a RT only so he could easily slide in this draft, but whatever side NE plays him he is a plug and play day one starter with potential to grow.
24. Carolina Panthers - Austin Corbett, OG - Nevada
After losing Norwell to the Jags Corbett is a good replacement, won't blow anyone away but is a solid hard working guy who should be able to step in immediately and help his team.
25. Tennessee Titans - Christian Kirk, WR - Texas A & M
Last years number 5 pick Corey Davis struggled but the team have high hopes for him, Mariota needs more weapons though and Decker leaving left another hole. Kirk is a slot receiver who knows how to get open and work the middle of the field, a chain mover for Mariota.
26. Atlanta Falcons - Josh Jackson, CB - Iowa
The Falcons have a few holes to fill and Courtland Sutton is an option, but in the end they pick the top remaining corner to put opposite Trufant. Jackson has long arms and good ball skills, corners who can turn their head and play the ball don't often make it past the first round.
27. New Orleans Saints - Tim Settle, NT - Virginia Tech
After releasing Fairley the Saints need some DL help to give Sheldon Rankins, it would be a surprise to see Settle's name called Thursday night but I am high on him, he is a disruptive lineman with quickness and strength and has a high ceiling.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers - Rashaan Evans, ILB - Alabama
With questions over Shazier's health the Steelers need a LB who can go sideline to sideline and be a force in the middle of the field, Evans gives them that.
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