Iconic
03-06-2019, 08:00 PM
Has us taking...
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
Andy Reid has to find a way to improve the secondary, and Baker does a nice job reading routes with terrific instincts in coverage. Only the Bengals allowed more passing yards last season, and Steven Nelson will be a free agent. Once Kansas City gets a corner, it will likely consider a running back in the second or third round.
Full mock in spoiler:
1) Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
We can't deny the rumblings here, and we know new coach Kliff Kingsbury recruited Murray in college. I'm not all-in on Arizona taking him just yet, though -- the Cards could be trying generate trade interest among the QB-needy teams. Still, the just-tall-enough Murray is a perfect fit to help Kingsbury transition the Air Raid offense to the NFL, and this pick makes sense from a scheme standpoint with all Murray's athleticism. Now, what could the Cardinals get for Josh Rosen?
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The Niners will be hunting for pass-rushers this offseason, and getting the best overall player in the class at No. 2 would be a fantastic start. Bosa has length, speed and power from the edge, and it's fathomable that the Buckeye paces San Francisco's defensive line in sacks as a rookie. He's that good.
3) New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
The Jets need defensive linemen as new coordinator Gregg Williams transitions to a 4-3 scheme, and the Alabama tackle fits perfectly as an interior pass-rusher who can also stop the run. Williams was incredible at the combine, and his quick first step would be a force on the inside for Gang Green.
4) Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
When you manage just 13 sacks -- a league low, and 17 fewer than the next-worse team -- you'd best be looking for pass-rushers. Allen himself out-sacked the Raiders in 2018, recording 17 coming off the edge for Kentucky. If the Jets don't take him at No. 3, he fits a big need here.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
If you set a combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash for a defensive lineman (4.41 seconds at 260 pounds), you're going to make some money. Sweat has a ton of upside, and Tampa Bay badly needs difference-makers on defense. But there's also a very real possibility that the Bucs trade back with a team looking for a quarterback, and taking the best available offensive lineman -- perhaps Jawaan Taylor -- makes sense in that scenario.
6) New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
Another mock, another Haskins-to-the-Giants projection. It just makes sense. New York needs to secure its future at the position while it has this high pick, and Haskins has some great anticipation and feel in the pocket. Give him a year of learning from Eli Manning, not unlike what Kansas City did with Patrick Mahomes and Alex Smith, and then let him start unleashing deep balls to Odell Beckham Jr.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
With Nick Foles expected to come to Florida, the Jags need to beef up the offensive line to protect their new quarterback and create some holes for Leonard Fournette. Taylor's mobility, power and quickness would be welcomed in the trenches. He is a starting right tackle on Day 1.
8) Detroit Lions: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
The Lions need edge rushers with Ezekiel Ansah entering free agency. Gary had a good week at the combine, showing his athleticism and explosiveness. A lack of production in college might cause him to fall out of the top five, but if he is coached properly, the talent and skill set are there to be a stellar disruptor.
9) Buffalo Bills: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
He's an absolute monster at 6-foot-3 with ridiculous strength and 4.33 40 speed. Metcalf specializes in running the 9 route, and Josh Allen has the big arm to get him the ball. It's been a while since Buffalo had a real receiving talent like Metcalf, but don't sleep on the offensive line here, either. A good chunk of that unit will enter free agency.
10) Denver Broncos: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Denver has to upgrade the offensive line, and Williams is an experienced starter who would immediately provide an improvement at right tackle. New starter Joe Flacco is going to need protection, and Williams can handle speed off the edge with his quick feet.
11) Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, ILB, LSU
There are a lot of needs here, but White is a three-down 'backer who can play sideline to sideline. He's one of my top prospects in the class and really impressed at the combine. The Bengals need a quarterback of the defense, and the value for White is tremendous outside of the top 10.
12) Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Yes, the Packers re-signed Jimmy Graham, but he is 32 years old and his production has declined. Hockenson combines size, speed and strength at the position, and he would give Aaron Rodgers a real weapon in the passing game.
13) Miami Dolphins: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
If the Ryan Tannehill era is indeed coming to a close, Lock would give new offensive coordinator Chad O'Shea a quarterback to develop. Lock has great mobility and arm strength, even though he needs some work with mechanics and ball placement.
14) Atlanta Falcons: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Putting Wilkins right next to Grady Jarrett, who was franchise-tagged by the Falcons, would help fix a run defense that allowed nearly 5 yards per carry last season. Wilkins is an explosive interior player who was a four-year starter for the defending national champs.
15) Washington Redskins: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
No change from my previous mock, as the speedy Brown heads to the nation's capital. Washington will be looking for improvements in multiple areas, but adding a burner would open up this offense. Brown has good hands and can outrun just about anyone.
16) Carolina Panthers: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Carolina dropped opposing quarterbacks for a sack only 35 times in 2018. Free agency is one way to handle that, but Ferrell has very good physicality and quick hands at the point of contact. He'd be a presence on the edge for the Panthers after running up 11.5 sacks with Clemson last season.
17) Cleveland Browns: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Dillard showed off elite athleticism for the position at the combine. He is a superb pass-protector who also has the range to cut off linebackers at the second level. And the Browns will be looking for a young left tackle to help protect Baker Mayfield's blind side for years to come.
18) Minnesota Vikings: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Value, value, value. Oliver is one of the top 10 players in the class. So although offensive line is more glaring immediate need here, the Vikes could plug Oliver into the middle of that defensive line between Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter and create headaches for offensive coordinators. He's a perfect replacement for free agent Sheldon Richardson.
19) Tennessee Titans: Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
I think Bradbury is the best, most NFL-ready interior offensive lineman in the class. Ben Jones has played guard before, so the Titans could move him over and slide Bradbury in at center to drastically improve this unit. He has some athleticism and power in the middle.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan
Pittsburgh hasn't been able to replace Ryan Shazier in the middle of that linebacker group. We've seen Bush go sideline to sideline with Michigan, but his 4.43 40 time at the combine really drove home just how fast this kid is. He's an every-down talent and would fit in nicely with an already strong defense.
21) Seattle Seahawks: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
Frank Clark is coming back to Seattle on the franchise tag, but the Seahawks still need a tackle in the middle next to Jarran Reed. On talent alone, Simmons competes with the best of the class. But there are some off-the-field concerns, and now the necessary recovery from a recent torn ACL.
22) Baltimore Ravens: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
How do you make a dual-threat quarterback like Lamar Jackson even scarier? Put an explosive three-down running back like Jacobs next to him in the shotgun. Jacobs was never a full-time starter at Alabama, so he has a lot of tread left on the tires -- and a whole lot of pop out of the backfield.
23) Houston Texans: Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
The secondary is going to have some holes, and I do like the idea of Dexter Lawrence plugging the middle of Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense. But the Texans allowed 62 sacks last season, the league high by six. Full stop. Ford is a big mauler who would help keep franchise QB Deshaun Watson off his back, and he could play tackle or guard.
24) Oakland Raiders (from Chicago Bears): Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
After addressing the pass rush with Allen at No. 4, the Raiders could look for a ball hawk in the secondary here. Murphy's football intelligence and fast eyes would make him a good fit in Paul Guenther's defensive scheme.
25) Philadelphia Eagles: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
We all know the Eagles want to fix the secondary, and while the Philly faithful might be clamoring for Greedy Williams here, I like Ya-Sin's full skill toolbox. He impressed me at the combine and deserves first-round consideration.
26) Indianapolis Colts: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
With a pretty good group of safeties out there on the free-agent market, the Colts could opt to address it there. But with Matt Eberflus' 4-3 featuring under Cover 2 and Tampa 2 components, Indy will be looking for speed and versatility. Rapp checks those boxes.
27) Oakland Raiders (from Dallas Cowboys): Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
It'd be poetic for the Raiders to use the exact pick they got for Amari Cooper to add a game-changing wide receiver. Campbell displayed 4.31 speed in Indianapolis and hauled in 90 balls for 12 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards last season. He'd be an explosive receiver for Derek Carr (or whoever is playing QB for the Raiders) and has the ability to develop a really polished route tree.
28) Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
L.A. already has Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on this defensive line. Now drop in a 342-pound run-stopper with 5.05 speed and high-end athleticism. With multiple members of this unit heading toward free agency, Lawrence would be a great get.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
Andy Reid has to find a way to improve the secondary, and Baker does a nice job reading routes with terrific instincts in coverage. Only the Bengals allowed more passing yards last season, and Steven Nelson will be a free agent. Once Kansas City gets a corner, it will likely consider a running back in the second or third round.
30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans Saints): Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
With Clay Matthews and Muhammad Wilkerson looking at free agency, the Pack will want to add a pass-rusher off the edge. Burns dropped the opposition for 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss at Florida State last season.
31) Los Angeles Rams: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
The Rams scored 32.9 points per game in 2018, second to only the Chiefs. And adding a tight end with 4.51 speed could help keep the offense at that pace. Fant is essentially a big slot receiver, which would create exploitable matchups for Jared Goff and coach Sean McVay on offense. Getting the second Iowa tight end here would be a steal.
32) New England Patriots: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
I really wanted to go defensive line here with Trey Flowers, Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton all entering free agency, but there was just no value. Instead, the Alabama tight end would give the Pats an alternative to an aging Rob Gronkowski. But I'd bet that Bill Belichick trades out of the spot to stockpile extra picks.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
Andy Reid has to find a way to improve the secondary, and Baker does a nice job reading routes with terrific instincts in coverage. Only the Bengals allowed more passing yards last season, and Steven Nelson will be a free agent. Once Kansas City gets a corner, it will likely consider a running back in the second or third round.
Full mock in spoiler:
1) Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
We can't deny the rumblings here, and we know new coach Kliff Kingsbury recruited Murray in college. I'm not all-in on Arizona taking him just yet, though -- the Cards could be trying generate trade interest among the QB-needy teams. Still, the just-tall-enough Murray is a perfect fit to help Kingsbury transition the Air Raid offense to the NFL, and this pick makes sense from a scheme standpoint with all Murray's athleticism. Now, what could the Cardinals get for Josh Rosen?
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The Niners will be hunting for pass-rushers this offseason, and getting the best overall player in the class at No. 2 would be a fantastic start. Bosa has length, speed and power from the edge, and it's fathomable that the Buckeye paces San Francisco's defensive line in sacks as a rookie. He's that good.
3) New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
The Jets need defensive linemen as new coordinator Gregg Williams transitions to a 4-3 scheme, and the Alabama tackle fits perfectly as an interior pass-rusher who can also stop the run. Williams was incredible at the combine, and his quick first step would be a force on the inside for Gang Green.
4) Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
When you manage just 13 sacks -- a league low, and 17 fewer than the next-worse team -- you'd best be looking for pass-rushers. Allen himself out-sacked the Raiders in 2018, recording 17 coming off the edge for Kentucky. If the Jets don't take him at No. 3, he fits a big need here.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
If you set a combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash for a defensive lineman (4.41 seconds at 260 pounds), you're going to make some money. Sweat has a ton of upside, and Tampa Bay badly needs difference-makers on defense. But there's also a very real possibility that the Bucs trade back with a team looking for a quarterback, and taking the best available offensive lineman -- perhaps Jawaan Taylor -- makes sense in that scenario.
6) New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
Another mock, another Haskins-to-the-Giants projection. It just makes sense. New York needs to secure its future at the position while it has this high pick, and Haskins has some great anticipation and feel in the pocket. Give him a year of learning from Eli Manning, not unlike what Kansas City did with Patrick Mahomes and Alex Smith, and then let him start unleashing deep balls to Odell Beckham Jr.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
With Nick Foles expected to come to Florida, the Jags need to beef up the offensive line to protect their new quarterback and create some holes for Leonard Fournette. Taylor's mobility, power and quickness would be welcomed in the trenches. He is a starting right tackle on Day 1.
8) Detroit Lions: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
The Lions need edge rushers with Ezekiel Ansah entering free agency. Gary had a good week at the combine, showing his athleticism and explosiveness. A lack of production in college might cause him to fall out of the top five, but if he is coached properly, the talent and skill set are there to be a stellar disruptor.
9) Buffalo Bills: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
He's an absolute monster at 6-foot-3 with ridiculous strength and 4.33 40 speed. Metcalf specializes in running the 9 route, and Josh Allen has the big arm to get him the ball. It's been a while since Buffalo had a real receiving talent like Metcalf, but don't sleep on the offensive line here, either. A good chunk of that unit will enter free agency.
10) Denver Broncos: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Denver has to upgrade the offensive line, and Williams is an experienced starter who would immediately provide an improvement at right tackle. New starter Joe Flacco is going to need protection, and Williams can handle speed off the edge with his quick feet.
11) Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, ILB, LSU
There are a lot of needs here, but White is a three-down 'backer who can play sideline to sideline. He's one of my top prospects in the class and really impressed at the combine. The Bengals need a quarterback of the defense, and the value for White is tremendous outside of the top 10.
12) Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Yes, the Packers re-signed Jimmy Graham, but he is 32 years old and his production has declined. Hockenson combines size, speed and strength at the position, and he would give Aaron Rodgers a real weapon in the passing game.
13) Miami Dolphins: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
If the Ryan Tannehill era is indeed coming to a close, Lock would give new offensive coordinator Chad O'Shea a quarterback to develop. Lock has great mobility and arm strength, even though he needs some work with mechanics and ball placement.
14) Atlanta Falcons: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Putting Wilkins right next to Grady Jarrett, who was franchise-tagged by the Falcons, would help fix a run defense that allowed nearly 5 yards per carry last season. Wilkins is an explosive interior player who was a four-year starter for the defending national champs.
15) Washington Redskins: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
No change from my previous mock, as the speedy Brown heads to the nation's capital. Washington will be looking for improvements in multiple areas, but adding a burner would open up this offense. Brown has good hands and can outrun just about anyone.
16) Carolina Panthers: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Carolina dropped opposing quarterbacks for a sack only 35 times in 2018. Free agency is one way to handle that, but Ferrell has very good physicality and quick hands at the point of contact. He'd be a presence on the edge for the Panthers after running up 11.5 sacks with Clemson last season.
17) Cleveland Browns: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Dillard showed off elite athleticism for the position at the combine. He is a superb pass-protector who also has the range to cut off linebackers at the second level. And the Browns will be looking for a young left tackle to help protect Baker Mayfield's blind side for years to come.
18) Minnesota Vikings: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Value, value, value. Oliver is one of the top 10 players in the class. So although offensive line is more glaring immediate need here, the Vikes could plug Oliver into the middle of that defensive line between Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter and create headaches for offensive coordinators. He's a perfect replacement for free agent Sheldon Richardson.
19) Tennessee Titans: Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
I think Bradbury is the best, most NFL-ready interior offensive lineman in the class. Ben Jones has played guard before, so the Titans could move him over and slide Bradbury in at center to drastically improve this unit. He has some athleticism and power in the middle.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan
Pittsburgh hasn't been able to replace Ryan Shazier in the middle of that linebacker group. We've seen Bush go sideline to sideline with Michigan, but his 4.43 40 time at the combine really drove home just how fast this kid is. He's an every-down talent and would fit in nicely with an already strong defense.
21) Seattle Seahawks: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
Frank Clark is coming back to Seattle on the franchise tag, but the Seahawks still need a tackle in the middle next to Jarran Reed. On talent alone, Simmons competes with the best of the class. But there are some off-the-field concerns, and now the necessary recovery from a recent torn ACL.
22) Baltimore Ravens: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
How do you make a dual-threat quarterback like Lamar Jackson even scarier? Put an explosive three-down running back like Jacobs next to him in the shotgun. Jacobs was never a full-time starter at Alabama, so he has a lot of tread left on the tires -- and a whole lot of pop out of the backfield.
23) Houston Texans: Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
The secondary is going to have some holes, and I do like the idea of Dexter Lawrence plugging the middle of Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense. But the Texans allowed 62 sacks last season, the league high by six. Full stop. Ford is a big mauler who would help keep franchise QB Deshaun Watson off his back, and he could play tackle or guard.
24) Oakland Raiders (from Chicago Bears): Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
After addressing the pass rush with Allen at No. 4, the Raiders could look for a ball hawk in the secondary here. Murphy's football intelligence and fast eyes would make him a good fit in Paul Guenther's defensive scheme.
25) Philadelphia Eagles: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
We all know the Eagles want to fix the secondary, and while the Philly faithful might be clamoring for Greedy Williams here, I like Ya-Sin's full skill toolbox. He impressed me at the combine and deserves first-round consideration.
26) Indianapolis Colts: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
With a pretty good group of safeties out there on the free-agent market, the Colts could opt to address it there. But with Matt Eberflus' 4-3 featuring under Cover 2 and Tampa 2 components, Indy will be looking for speed and versatility. Rapp checks those boxes.
27) Oakland Raiders (from Dallas Cowboys): Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
It'd be poetic for the Raiders to use the exact pick they got for Amari Cooper to add a game-changing wide receiver. Campbell displayed 4.31 speed in Indianapolis and hauled in 90 balls for 12 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards last season. He'd be an explosive receiver for Derek Carr (or whoever is playing QB for the Raiders) and has the ability to develop a really polished route tree.
28) Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
L.A. already has Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on this defensive line. Now drop in a 342-pound run-stopper with 5.05 speed and high-end athleticism. With multiple members of this unit heading toward free agency, Lawrence would be a great get.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
Andy Reid has to find a way to improve the secondary, and Baker does a nice job reading routes with terrific instincts in coverage. Only the Bengals allowed more passing yards last season, and Steven Nelson will be a free agent. Once Kansas City gets a corner, it will likely consider a running back in the second or third round.
30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans Saints): Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
With Clay Matthews and Muhammad Wilkerson looking at free agency, the Pack will want to add a pass-rusher off the edge. Burns dropped the opposition for 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss at Florida State last season.
31) Los Angeles Rams: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
The Rams scored 32.9 points per game in 2018, second to only the Chiefs. And adding a tight end with 4.51 speed could help keep the offense at that pace. Fant is essentially a big slot receiver, which would create exploitable matchups for Jared Goff and coach Sean McVay on offense. Getting the second Iowa tight end here would be a steal.
32) New England Patriots: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
I really wanted to go defensive line here with Trey Flowers, Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton all entering free agency, but there was just no value. Instead, the Alabama tight end would give the Pats an alternative to an aging Rob Gronkowski. But I'd bet that Bill Belichick trades out of the spot to stockpile extra picks.