Jordan Katz NFL Mock Draft 3.0- Post NFL Free Agency
The first wave of free agency has been completed. Many teams have made key additions that they feel will make them better in the upcoming season. Plenty of teams have also lost key pieces to their team, and are now left searching for answers.
With all the moves that have been made, each teams top priorities have changed. Using the New York Jets as an example, it’s safe to say that they addressed their secondary need in free agency. This is the time of year when mock draft become less about how one personally evaluates players, and more about matching one’s personal evaluation of players with team needs.
As was the case last time, I’ve included trades in this mock draft once again. The trades have changed though. This is because of the way the draft played out, as well as new teams emerging with good scenarios to trade up and trade down.
There are some surprises in this draft compared to my last few mock drafts, as well as some unexpected teams trading down. However, like I’ve said before, this is not only about the teams needs, but it’s also about what I would do if I were the general manager of the team.
Round One
1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)- Jameis Winston, QB Florida State- At this point, you all get the picture on this one.
2) Tennessee Titans (2-14)- Leonard Williams, DT Southern California- This is the same deal as the last pick. Yes, trade rumors and Marcus Mariota rumors are swirling around the Titans camp. Despite this, Leonard Williams is still too good to pass up on, in my opinion.
3) Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)- Dante Fowler Jr., DE Florida- This is one of the times in this mock draft where I went more for team need then my own evaluation of who is the best. I believe Vic Beasley is the best pass rusher in this draft. I believe that the Jaguars could use Beasley in the Leo linebacker role and have it work really well.
However, Dante Fowler is just too good of a fit. He’s a prototypical 4-3 defensive end, and Gus Bradley won’t have to change his system to fit Fowler, where as he would have to tweak it to add Vic Beasley.
4) Oakland Raiders (3-13)- Kevin White, WR West Virginia- I continue to flip flop on who is the top wide out in this draft, and this is another case where I let the team decide. Oakland has always had an infatuation with big wide receivers that run fast (Darrius Heyward-Bey). That alone will keep Kevin White here for me, but Amari Cooper is equally as good and wouldn’t be a surprise on draft day.
5) Washington Redskins (4-12)- Vic Beasley, OLB Clemson- The Redskins are talking about trading down, and it makes a lot of sense for them. However, with Beasley on the board, I can’t pull the trigger on this one.
6) New York Jets (4-12)- Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon- I still believe Marcus Mariota is the Jets week one starter, no matter what comes out in the media over the next month. I think there’s some validity to the Jets going with the best player available, but with the top three defensive players off the board, they should take Mariota.
7) Chicago Bears (5-11)- Jordan Phillips, DT/NT Oklahoma- The Bears are amazingly one nose tackle away from having completely revamped their front seven to be one that is actually good. Phillips is my top nose tackle in this draft, so this seems like a great match.
8) Cleveland Browns via Atlanta Falcons (6-10)- Amari Cooper, WR Alabama- Trade number one here, and from an unlikely team. Atlanta appears to be in prime position to take a number of defensive players that can help their team. This is the exact reason why I have the Falcons trading down.
There are so many defensive options for Atlanta that they can easily slide down, get a player at the top or near the top of their draft board, and come away with an extra draft pick.
The Browns did add Dwayne Bowe, but they still need another wide out. Cooper would be an immediate impact player for Cleveland.
9) Houston Texans via New York Giants (6-10)- Trae Waynes, CB Michigan State- Once again, another trade from another unlikely team. The Giants are another team with a number of defensive needs, and can address them while moving backward and picking up extra picks in the process.
Houston has had a really good free agency. They added Cecil Shorts as a compliment to Nuk Hopkins, and added Vince Wilfork to be a space eater in the middle of a really good front seven.
Their top need now is a corner opposite Kareem Jackson. Jonathan Joseph is most likely a cap casualty cut next year, and they need to find his replacement. The Texans jump the Vikings here to land that replacement in Trae Waynes (I still don’t have any of the corners in this draft in my personal top 15, but team needs rule all).
10) St. Louis Rams (6-10)- DeVante Parker, WR Louisville- The Rams still need a playmaker, so this is still DeVante Parker.
11) Minnesota Vikings (7-9)- Brandon Scherff, OG Iowa- I tried to find a way for Minnesota to move backward here and scoop up Marcus Peters, but I couldn’t find a way to do so.
Rather than give them Peters here, which I feel would be way too high, I gave the Vikings Brandon Scherff to bolster their offensive line.
12) Atlanta Falcons via Cleveland Browns (7-9)- Alvin “Bud” Dupree, DE/OLB Kentucky- Bud Dupree continues to impress scouts through the combine and his pro day, and as more go back to watch his tape, they’ll see a guy that has been in my top 15 players for a long time.
13) New Orleans Saints (7-9)- Eddie Goldman, DT/NT Florida State- The Saints desperately need help on defense. Eddie Goldman is a versatile nose tackle that can do it all. I think this pick speaks for itself.
14) Miami Dolphins (8-8)- Marcus Peters, CB Washington- I still think this is a little too high for Peters, if you factor in the risk that comes with drafting him.
However, if the Dolphins get his mind right, they will have a big time corner to play opposite Brent Grimes.
15) San Francisco 49ers (8-8)- Eric Kendricks, ILB UCLA- Patrick Willis and Chris Borland retiring shocked many in the football world. The 49ers went from having the best inside linebacker core in the NFL, to needing one to play along side NaVorro Bowman.
Kendricks is a do it all linebacker, and is particularly good in coverage. He would be a great compliment to Bowman’s run stopping ability.
16) New York Giants via Houston Texans (9-7)- Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE UCLA- Interestingly enough, the Giants trade down here and get the same guy I gave them at the ninth overall in the last draft. Odighizuwa is a perfect fit in a 4-3 and he will add some much needed pass rushing ability opposite Jason Pierre-Paul.
17) San Diego Chargers (9-7)- Danny Shelton, NT Washington- Many people have Shelton in their top ten, but I’ve always felt he was the third best nose tackle in this draft. San Diego would be a perfect fit for Shelton, because he can eat blockers and free up pass rushers for one-on-one matchups.
18) Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)- T.J. Clemmings, OT Pittsburgh- The Chiefs haven’t been impressed with former top pick Eric Fisher, and are considering moving him to right tackle. This means that they need a left tackle. Clemmings is the top tackle in the draft. You do the math.
19) Cleveland from Buffalo (9-7)- Malcom Brown, NT Texas- The Browns lost Ahtyba Rubin to the Seahawks in free agency, which means they need to find his replacement in this drat. Brown is far and away the next best defensive tackle, so this pick is pretty easy.
20) Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)- Jaelen Strong, WR Arizona State- Here is an out of the box pick for an out of the box coach. The Eagles are in prime position to draft Landon Collins, and they desperately need a safety.
Despite this, Jaelen Strong is just too good to pass up on. Strong fell a bit in this draft based on the Niners need for an inside linebacker and their signing of Torrey Smith, not because my opinion of him changed.
Chip Kelly and company lost Jeremy Maclin to free agency, so they need a number one wide receiver.
21) Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1)- Shaq Thompson, OLB Washington- This is a bit of a luxury pick, but I love the idea of having Thompson and Vontaze Burfict in the same linebacking core.
22) Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)- Landon Collins, SS Alabama- Easy pick here. The Steelers need safety help and Collins is the best, and arguably the only, safety in the draft.
23) Detroit Lions (11-5)- Preston Smith, DE Mississippi State- Preston Smith’s versatility makes him such an ideal fit for the Lions. He could bulk up a bit and move inside next to Haloti Ngata. He could stay at his weight and play opposite Ziggy Ansah. Most importantly, he has the technique and ability to do both.
24) New York Jets via Arizona Cardinals (11-5)- Eli Harold, OLB Virginia- Many may wonder why I have the Cardinals trading here when they do need a pass rusher. Well, the Cardinals signed Lamarr Woodley to be an immediate fix at that position, and they don’t really base their defense around the edge rushers. The Jets in this deal also give up a lot (second and third round pick), which usually help sway teams that are on the fence about trading down.
This may be an out of the box trade, but I think it makes sense based on the amount the Jets give, plus the Cardinals need for a running back, which is something they can address by moving backward.
25) Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)- Andrus Peat, OT Stanford- The Panthers are still searching for a left tackle, and Peat is my best tackle on the board.
26) Baltimore Ravens (10-6)- Arik Armstead, DE/DT Oregon- I said in the last mock draft that this pick would be Ozzie Newsome 101. Newsome drafts a big time athlete with potential to be a star.
27) Dallas Cowboys (12-4)- Todd Gurley, RB Georgia- I don’t believe in taking running backs in the first round in the modern NFL… Unless they have undeniable talent and the ability to be something special. Todd Gurley has that talent.
28) Oakland Raiders via Denver Broncos (12-4)- Nate Orchard, DE Utah- Yes, this is an inter-division trade. However, it’s a trade that fits both teams, and those kinds of deals aren’t that uncommon on draft day. Just last year, the Cowboys moved up in the draft with the Redskins to get Demarcus Lawrence.
The Raiders move up here because they need an edge rusher in their defense. Orchard is one of my personal favorites in this draft, and I think the Raiders will benefit from his all-around ability.
29) Indianapolis Colts (11-5)- Danielle Hunter, OLB LSU- The Colts signed Trent Cole to play opposite Robert Mathis, however, both are on the other side of 30 and the Colts have nothing behind them. Hunter could be a great spell to those guys during his first two years, and then become an elite pass rusher later in his career.
30) Green Bay Packers (12-4)- Carl Davis, DT/NT Iowa- The Packers need someone in the middle of their defense that can gap the run. It’s something they’ve lacked the past few seasons. Carl Davis is very good at that, and his stock continues to rise after both the Senior Bowl and the Combine.
31) New Orleans Saints from Seattle Seahawks (12-4)- Shane Ray, OLB Missouri- Unfortunately, the Saints need for an edge rusher makes me have to put Shane Ray in this first round, but I’m not happy about it.
32) New England Patriots (12-4)- Dorial Green-Beckham, WR Oklahoma- The Pats do need a cornerback, but Belichick prides himself on being able to take any player and make him fit into his defense, so he won’t be overaggressive on a weak secondary class.
DGB has the talent to be in the top ten of this draft, and Belichick has not shied away from character issues in the past.
TRADE DETAILS IN ROUND ONE
– Cleveland Browns trade the #12 and the #77 to the Atlanta Falcons for the #8.
– Houston Texans trade the #16 and the #51 to the New York Giants for the #9 and the #136.
– New York Jets trade the #37 and the #70 to the Arizona Cardinals for the #24
– Oakland Raiders trade the #35 and the #99 to the Denver Broncos for the #28.
– Buffalo gives pick to Cleveland: Sammy Watkins
– Seattle gives pick to New Orleans: Jimmy Graham
Round Two
33) Tennessee Titans (2-14)- D.J Humphries, OT Florida- The Titans need a tackle next to Taylor Lewan. Humphries is a good run blocker with good size and length.
34) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)- Trey Flowers, DE/OLB Arkansas- Flowers has some developing to do in the run game, but he’s a better system fit here than Hau’oli Kikaha.
35) Denver Broncos via Oakland Raiders (3-13)- Ty Sambrailo, OG/OT Colorado State- Sambrailo has great athleticism and I’m a fan of the balance he shows in the passing game. He should make the transition from tackle to guard nicely.
36) Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)- Duke Johnson, RB Miami Florida- Duke Johnson is the second best back in this draft on my personal board, and the Jags have what seems like nineteen below average running backs.
37) Arizona Cardinals via New York Jets (4-12)- Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin- The Cardinals moved down and picked up some picks, but they still hit on a playmaker at one of their biggest need positions.
38) Washington Redskins (4-12)- Stephone Anthony, ILB Clemson- Stephone Anthony is a beast and he only falls this far because of team needs. He’s a do it all 3-4 inside linebacker and the Redskins have bolstered their linebacking core with him and Beasley.
39) Chicago Bears (5-11)- Rashad Greene, WR Florida State- Greene is a route-running technician and would be a great compliment to Alshon Jeffery.
40) New York Giants (6-10)- Laken Tomlinson, OG Duke- The Giants need to bolster their offensive line. Tomlinson is a good one-on-one blocker and will be an immediate impact in the run game.
41) St. Louis Rams (6-10)- A.J Cann, OG South Carolina- Cann is a big time run blocker and would be an instant upgrade to Jeff Fisher’s offensive line.
42) Atlanta Falcons (6-10)- Tevin Coleman, RB Indiana- Devonta Freeman is a third down back. The Falcons need someone that can tote the rock 200 plus times for a season. Coleman is one of the four backs in this draft that I gave a top 40 grade to.
43) Cleveland Browns (7-9)- Maxx Williams, TE Minnesota- The Browns lost Jordan Cameron in free agency to the Dolphins and need a starting tight end. Maxx Williams is a terrific blocker and a red zone threat. This is a good fit.
44) New Orleans Saints (7-9)- Nelson Agholor, WR Southern California- Agholor makes big plays with the ball in his hands and is a terrific route-runner. Drew Brees would love having him opposite Brandin Cooks.
45) Minnesota Vikings (7-9)- Quinten Rollins, CB Miami (Ohio)- Rollins needs some technical work, but he has terrific ball skills and a lot of upside.
46) San Francisco 49ers (8-8)- Ronald Darby, CB Florida State- Darby is a tough nosed corner, something the 49ers typically look for. He’s overaggressive sometimes, but he’s got the talent.
47) Miami Dolphins (8-8)- Paul Dawson, OLB/ILB TCU- Dawson had an absolutely horrendous combine, but I saw a really good cover linebacker on tape with good sideline-to-sideline speed. Only time will tell which was a more accurate representation of him.
48) San Diego Chargers (9-7)- Ali Marpet, OG Hobart- Ali Marpet’s stock ballooned after the Senior Bowl and the Combine when he not only showed he could play with the big boys, but that he was one of the better guards in the draft.
49) Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)- Devin Smith, WR Ohio State- Smith can take the top off of a defense, and the Chiefs still need another playmaker, despite signing Jeremy Maclin.
50) Buffalo Bills (9-7)- Benadrick McKinney, ILB Mississippi State- This is one of the cases where I’m attempting to be right. I’m not a fan of McKinney, but the Bills traded Kiko Alonso and, call me crazy, but I don’t think Nigel Bradham is the answer.
51) New York Giants via Houston Texans (9-7)- Derron Smith, FS Fresno State- Smith has good ball skills, but has a tendency to be overaggressive when reading the quarterback. The Giants should calm that down and make him a good replacement for Antrel Rolle.
52) Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)- Gerrod Holliman, S Louisville- Holliman is a mixed bag. He’s a ball hawk, but has a tendency to be baited by quarterbacks. His hips are fluid, but his man coverage is average. He’s also not a tackler in the slightest. Either way, he’s the best safety left on my board, and the Eagles need a safety.
53) Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1)- Mario Edwards Jr., DE/DT Florida State- Edwards is probably better at a 3-4 defensive end, but I love the thought of putting his ability to rush the passer next to Geno Atkins.
54) Detroit Lions (11-5)- Byron Jones, CB Connecticut- Byron Jones set world records at the combine, but it’s his smarts and speed that has him moving up my board in this mock draft.
55) Arizona Cardinals (11-5)- Hau’oli Kikaha, OLB Washington- Because of the amount of talent on the University of Washington’s defense, Kikaha may not be the pass rusher people expect at the next level. However, he’s still an upgrade at outside linebacker for the Cardinals.
56) Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)- Kevin Johnson, CB Wake Forest- Johnson is getting a lot of first round buzz, but my personal evaluation is that he’s a second round corner. The Steelers desperately need a number two corner next to Cortez Allen.
57) Carolina Panthers (7-8-1)- Phillip Dorsett WR Miami- The Panthers are in a “best available,” situation for me, and that is Philip Dorsett. His ability to stretch the defense and make plays would be a big boost for the Panthers offense.
58) Baltimore Ravens (10-6)- Breshad Perriman, WR UCF- Perriman has blazing speed and would be an instant replacement for Torrey Smith.
59) Denver Broncos (12-4)- Xavier Cooper, DT Washington State- The Broncos need to replace Terrance Knighton in this draft. Cooper is an athletic defensive tackle and would add some versatility to the Broncos defensive line.
60) Dallas Cowboys (12-4)- Michael Bennett, DT Ohio State- This is me going for being correct again, more than abiding by my personal rankings. I’m not a huge fan of Bennett, but the Cowboys need a defensive tackle
61) Indianapolis Colts (11-5)- Anthony Harris, S Virginia- I like Harris’s toughness and upside. Even though I think this is a big high for him, I think the Colts could use his playmaking ability in the secondary.
62) Green Bay Packers (12-4)- Clive Walford, TE Miami- Walford is the only other tight end not named Maxx Williams worth taking in the first 100 picks of this draft.
63) Seattle Seahawks (12-4)- Cedric Ogbuehi, OT Texas A&M- This is a draft and stash pick. Great teams stay great by constantly bolstering their team in the trenches. While Ogbuehi is hurt, his talent is worth of a first round pick.
64) New England Patriots (12-4)- Kevin White, CB TCU- Many people think Kevin White is strictly a nickel corner, but I think his technique and ball skills are good enough to play against the other teams X and Z receivers.
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