I’m going to keep this mock short. I did not project trades, but rather mentioned spots where they make sense. As you can tell, I don’t buy the talk of four quarterbacks being selected in round one. Be sure to go back and look at my Team Needs/Mock Draft series with Evan Silva. It’s complete. Plus, crack open my Top 200 Big Board.
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1. Arizona Cardinals - QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
There’s a bit of buzz the Cardinals pass on Murray due to ownership’s decision, but that type of fake out pops up every year. I ultimately believe Rosen ends up with the Chargers next season, possibly for only a third-round pick. Look for the Cardinals to take a receiver in the second.
2. San Francisco 49ers - EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
All of a sudden the 49ers boast an impressive front 6/7. Pair Bosa with Dee Ford, plus Buckner, Armstead and Solomon Thomas on the inside, with Fred Warner and Kwon Alexander behind them. Look for the 49ers to go receiver in round two.
3. New York Jets - iDL Quinnen Williams, Alabama
I know all the arrows point to Ed Oliver. He is deserving, but I’ll believe it when I see it. The Jets still need an edge rusher, for the 15th year. If the Jets trade out of this spot look for Jonah Williams to be their selection
4. Oakland Raiders - iDL Ed Oliver, Houston
Paul Guenther gets his Geno Atkins. PJ Hall and Mo Hurst are very solid players. Oliver offers a totally different level of disruption. Hockenson would be an out of left field selection.
5. Tampa Bay Bucs - LB Devin White, LSU
Maybe this prospect to team fit has become too common. White becomes a pillar player, lining up behind last year’s first-round pick. Slow linebackers equal a slow defense, White and Lavonte could be one of the best duos in the NFL.
6. New York Giants - EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky
Beat writer Jordan Raanan said the Giants would run to the podium if Allen is available, and it’s very realistic. If you think QB will be here, I ask what has Dave Gettleman done to show you he understands positional value?
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - OL Jonah Williams, Alabama
I keep going back and forth between Hockenson and Jonah here. The Jaguars might be doing the same thing. Foles relied on tight ends with the Eagles. He also worked behind an outstanding offensive line.
8. Detroit Lions - LB Devin Bush, Michigan
It’s easy to slot Bush to the Broncos. Too easy. The Lions want to trade out, maybe with Carolina moving up for a tackle, but if not some view Bush as one of the top overall players in this class.
9. Buffalo Bills - iDL Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Another team that likely wants to move out, with plenty of connections to Carolina. I still believe Sean McDermott wants to build his defense to mirror the one he took to the Super Bowl with the Panthers. Last year it was signing Star and drafting an athletic linebacker. This year it is adding interior disruption.
10. Denver Broncos - TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
If Bush is not here, what do the Broncos do? During our podcast, Evan pointed out the lack of talent the team has at tight end, and how much Joe Flacco relied on his during his time in Baltimore. Hock would help in the passing and running game.
11. Cincinnati Bengals - T Andre Dillard, Washington St
Listen to Joe Goodberry. If Jonah is on the board, he likely is the pick. It makes sense that Zac Taylor wants to build the offensive line, coming from the Rams where that line created a perfect situation to succeed.
12. Green Bay Packers - EDGE Brian Burns, FSU
Linebackers, gone. Hockenson, gone. I know the team invested heavily on the edge in free agency, but why stop now? Burns offers a different style than both signed Smiths.
13. Miami Dolphins - iDL Jeffery Simmons, Miss State
Crazy? Maybe. Some believe Simmons is one of the best players in the draft. And for a team that has their eyes on 2020 and not 2019, a player who might not offer much in his rookie year is not a big deal.
14. Atlanta Falcons - OL Cody Ford, Oklahoma
A connection that is growing in popularity. The Falcons will have multiple new starters along their offensive line, and Ford can play and succeed in multiple spots.
15. Washington Redskins - QB Drew Lock, Missouri
You’ve heard Haskins’ and Jones’ names in connection to Washington, but not Lock’s. Thus, the Mizzou quarterback is plugged in here. I don’t think the team moves up unless ownership forces it. If the team doesn't go quarterback, dropping down for Darnell Savage is my bet.
16. Carolina Panthers - T Jawaan Taylor, Florida
This is the group I believe the Panthers are drafting from, in no order: Jonah, Dillard, Ford, Taylor, Burns and Wilkins. As you can see here just one is left. There’s a possibility none are. Trading up is a real possibility for Marty Hurney, and he's shown a willingness to do that in a previous GM life. Taylor is likely a right tackle, meaning Moton shifts to the left side. Sigh.
17. New York Giants - iDL Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
I know many are expecting a quarterback here. I bet Gettleman can’t help himself with this front seven class. If the Giants do select a quarterback, maybe they move up front their second rounder. Gettleman has 12 picks in this draft… what is he going to do with 12 freaking picks?
18. Minnesota Vikings - OL Chris Lindstrom, BC
The Vikings Offense will only go as far as their offensive line will allow them to go. Lindstrom played multiple spots along the line, and his evaluation is very similar to Joel Bitonio in terms of his NFL projection.
19. Tennessee Titans - EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
I was so close to projecting a guard here. I love Harold Landry’s future thanks to his flexibility and bend around the corner. And Cam Wake can still scoot. Pairing them with Ferrell, who understands distance, length and hands would form a great group.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Lonnie Johnson, Kentucky
Yes, odd name in round one. The Steelers have done this in the past to us though, just look at Artie Burns and Terrell Edmunds. Long and athletic, the Steelers will hope they can develop Johnson.
21. Seattle Seahawks - EDGE Montez Sweat, Miss St
Who knows what boards Sweat is on, but I believe he’ll be on enough to remain in round one. The Seahawks just traded away their top rusher, and this would fill that need. Still, without a second or third round pick, I bet they trade out of this slot.
22. Baltimore Ravens - WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
I know, John Brown’s season plummeted when Lamar Jackson took over. But the Ravens boast basically zero outside receivers, and if their goal is to run the ball deploying Brown on the outside presents a big play threat.
23. Houston Texas - T Kaleb McGary, Washington
The Texans have invested in Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Keke Coutee, Jordan Akins…. And very little in the offensive line. McGary is a mauling right tackle who is an above average athlete.
24. Oakland Raiders - RB Joshua Jacobs, Alabama
This is either a poorly kept secret or noise the Raiders are putting out there. They lack a starting running back, and Jacobs’ power run style fits the team’s history.
25. Philadelphia Eagles - S Darnell Savage, Maryland
I bet Savage is the first safety off the board. He flies around the field and hits with aggression, and from multiple alignments. I do believe the Eagles want to trade out of this slot.
26. Indianapolis Colts - CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Maybe an interior guy like Jerry Tillery makes sense here. Chris Ballard heavily invests in the trenches, but they have a huge need on the outside. And Ya-Sin might stand out as their top corner.
27. Oakland Raiders - EDGE Rashan Gary, Michigan
This ends Gary’s fall, who I am having a very difficult time connecting to a team, and fills a major need for the Raiders.
28. LA Chargers - T Tytus Howard, Alabama State
Howard could be selected as early as the Eagles at 25, or if the Texans drop back. He visited 24 of 32 teams, and clubs likely view him as a left or right tackle.
29. Seattle Seahawks - WR Parris Campbell, OSU
A player to team connection that has picked up a ton of buzz. Campbell rarely connected on vertical routes and lived underneath, but he has great speed and can win after the catch.
30. Green Bay Packers - TE Noah Fant, Iowa
I wouldn't be shocked to see Fant be the selection at 12 or all the way down here in the later part of round one. He is much better inline than given credit for.
31. Los Angeles Rams - iOL Garrett Bradbury, NC St
The Rams interior offensive line is going through a major makeover. Bradbury is so quick out of his stance to reach blocks or get to the second level. I can totally see Elgton Jenkins or Erik McCoy as well.
32. Patriots - S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
I believe Bill Belichick recently mentioned matching up with athletic tight ends and big receivers. CGJ can line up and win from a variety of alignments. This is certainly a spot for a team to trade up for a quarterback, obviously.