NFL Draft

2019 NFL Combine Preview: Offense

Posted on February 27, 2019 Updated on February 27, 2019

Three Things to Know

1- The Running Back Class May be Sub-par, but the Combine is a Very Important Day: Let’s get things started with the most obvious statement this year; athletic testing will be huge for this class. I can’t recall a year where the athletic test portion of the combine was more important. This class as a whole lacks depth, and the running back position is no different.

The athletic testing is going to be huge for the running backs. Outside of Josh Jacobs, there isn’t anyone with elite home run speed, or so we think. If a running back can test well athletically, they can establish themselves as RB2 and a top 50 pick. So when watching the Combine this weekend, look for the 40 yard dash, the short shuttle and the 3-Cone Drill. The guys that show athleticism this weekend to match or exceed their tape will be the ones picked in the first few rounds.

2- Do NOT Get Trapped by Day Two of the Combine: Day two is the Quarterbacks and Pass Catchers, which typically has a lot of eyes and can generate a lot of buzz. For the life of me, I still can’t figure out why. The Quarterbacks don’t have any report with the receivers, so timing is a complete guessing game. The receivers run basic route combinations and the most ridiculous drill of the weekend; the gauntlet. The gauntlet may be the dumbest thing throughout this weekend, and that includes the Combine committee’s ridiculous stance on who deserves an invite and who doesn’t.

Now there are some things that can provide some value. If a QB noticeably struggles with the three, five and seven step drops, that is a very bad sign. If a QB is noticeably off on their timing out of the receiver’s break, even without knowing tendencies, that is still not good.

However, for the most part, this day is useless after the receivers and tight ends do their athletic testing. Stick with your opinions based on what you see on tape and in game action, don’t get trapped into gym shorts scouting.

3- You Can Learn the Most about Offensive Linemen This Weekend: NFL Draft analysts love the offensive linemen portion of the combine because you see who has the necessary NFL length, and you see who is willing to go the extra mile by working hard to improve workout numbers that largely don’t matter. Sure the ten yard split can be an indicator towards quickness and athletic ability, and you don’t want to see low bench press numbers, but for players being selected with a day one or day two selection, you rarely see blemishes in these areas.

I like the Offensive Line portion for a different reason; the drills. During the drill segment you’ll see which offensive linemen move fluidly, and which ones are stiff in the hips or the ankles. You will see who’s willing to compete and give 110%, and which one’s get tired and lose technique. One drill to keep your eye on in particular is the mirror drill. Try to watch their footwork and their hand placement. If they kick their feet together, or their hands sag, those are two indications that should make you question their abilities at the next level.

Overall, the Combine is meant to reaffirm what you see on tape, or in some cases disprove it and make you have to re-watch the film. The Offensive Linemen provide the most for a scout to work with out of the offensive players that will test this weekend.

Players With the Most to Prove

1- David Montgomery: Many love his vision on tape and elusiveness in between the tackles. He makes the first man miss a lot, and he shows the quickness to bounce a play outside and turn the corner. However, he doesn’t show elite top end speed to break off home run type plays. If Montgomery shows a good 40 time, he can raise his draft stock.

2- DK Metcalf: Okay, putting Metcalf in this category is cheating because he’s going to dominate. Here’s why this is important though; there’s four teams in the top five that need pass catchers. Metcalf is projected to come in at 6’4 and 240 pounds, essentially Tight End like measurements. If he runs a low 4.4, and all his medicals check out, this guy could easily go top five. His tape is terrific and he has an elite catch radius. Metcalf could be the biggest riser this weekend.

3- The Second Tier Offensive Tackles: Once you get past Jonah Williams (yes he’s still a tackle), Jawaan Taylor, Cody Ford and Andre Dillard, the tackle class takes a massive drop. This is a very important weekend for this position group. Someone needs to emerge with NFL length and athleticism because so many teams need offensive line, both starting caliber guys and depth players. Bobby Evans, Kaleb McGary, Tytus Howard and others will need to show up this weekend. If they do, they can find themselves going in day two rather than day three.

4- AJ Brown and N’Keal Harry: The buzz has cooled on these two players, and both can put the spotlight back on them with big weekends. Neither guy is viewed at as having elite top end speed, and for Harry, a 40 time is going to be very important to put to rest questions about his down the field playmaking. For Brown, I’m most interested in his short shuttle and 3-Cone numbers. I think he’s a dynamic playmaker out of the slot with elite quickness in and out of cuts. If those two numbers are where I think they will be, Brown will catch the eyes of many this weekend.

5- Kaden Smith: Kaden Smith is falling rapidly down draft boards because his tape is a little underwhelming. If you are a fan of Kaden Smith, you will cite his athleticism, both in terms of his explosiveness up the seam as well as his ability in jump ball situations. This is why the combine is so important for him. Assuming Smith tests the way people think he should, his draft stock should stay the same, or even rise a bit. Having said that, if Smith underwhelms in Indy, he could find himself as a late day three selection.

Sleepers of the Combine

1- Andy Isabella: Isabella is on many people’s radar because he looks like the prototypical Patriots Wide Receiver at 5’9, but this dude is a former track star and is going to wow this weekend. He’s a very crafty route runner, and when you combine that with his athletic testing, scouts and teams will be salivating over Isabella come round three.

2- Oli Udoh: Admittedly, I haven’t finished watching Udoh, but all signs point to this guy having a great weekend. He has NFL size and length and assuming he shows fluidity in the drills, Udoh could be a day three gem.

3- Miles Sanders: The buzz isn’t there on Sanders because he’s not a great runner between the tackles, but this guy has home run ability and can excel as a third down back. I think the combine is the perfect venue for him to boost his stock. He will be one of the best in the pass catching drill and he will be one of the few players at the RB position who will test well across the board athletically.

This entry was posted in NFL Draft Articles and tagged AJ Brown, Andy Isabella, David Montgomery, DK Metcalf, N'Keal Harry, NFL Combine, NFL Draft.

Jordan Katz 2019 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Post Super Bowl

Posted on February 7, 2019 Updated on February 7, 2019

#MockDraftSZN rolls on! Now that the NFL Draft order is set, and the Senior Bowl/East-West Shrine Bowl have been completed, it’s time for another Mock Draft. Plenty of changes to this one from the last one, and some interesting trades that shake up this mock draft.

A few notes to make before we get started. As always, this is my personal evaluation of what I would do if I was in charge of all 32 teams. For my prediction mock draft, aka what I think would happen if the draft was today, click the link here (https://draftstock.net/articles/https-draftstock-net-2019-01-29-jordan-katz-2019-prediction-mock-draft-1-0/).

As always, my mock drafts include trades (which are denoted by an asterisk next to the team), but trades are not exclusive to only draft picks. If I see a trade for a player that includes draft picks and makes sense for both teams involved, I’ll pull the trigger on it and make the deal. For example, Nick Foles is most likely getting traded, and I had Philadelphia use Foles to move up in this draft. Who acquired the Super Bowl MVP? Let’s find out.

ROUND ONE

1) Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State- No changes here, Bosa remains the top player in this draft in a walk.

2) San Francisco 49ers: Jonah Williams, OT Alabama- The top TACKLE in this draft is still the layup here. I think the Niners are in a prime position to trade out of this spot to a team that needs a QB. However, on my personal board, there isn’t a QB worth trading up for.

3) New York Jets: DK Metcalf, WR Ole Miss- The Jets entire draft strategy will be dependent on what they do in Free Agency. If I were in charge, I would spend money on a pass rush before a pass catcher. There’s significantly more pass rushing talent in free agency than receiving talent, and the pass catchers in this draft are very good.

DK Metcalf is more than worthy of a top 5 selection, in my opinion. He wins at the line of scrimmage as good as anyone I’ve seen in the last couple of years, he separates with long strides down the field as well as his frame, and he has elite ball skills.

4) Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama- Williams remains the best option for Oakland because he had a very high floor. Oakland cannot miss with their three first round picks if they hope to expedite this rebuilding project. Williams is an elite pass rusher along the interior, which is something the Raiders desperately need.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Byron Murphy, CB Washington: Murphy got a second round grade from the draft committee, which is an absolute abomination. His man cover skills are elite, showing fluid hips and excelling at being able to mirror from the boundary or the slot. I refuse to believe Murphy is not a first round talent, and I think he’s a game changer in the secondary.

6) New York Giants: Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State- Burns is elite as a pass rusher off the edge. He has incredible dip and bend ability, and a solid enough moveset to keep tackles honest. Some question his strength, but at 6’6, he can put weight on easily and not miss a step because he’s so athletic. Giants fans may want Dwayne Haskins, but I think a legit pass rusher makes more of an impact here.

7) *Philadelphia Eagles via Jacksonville Jaguars: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson- Here’s the Nick Foles trade I referred to earlier, but it’s a little more complex than the one that will probably get done. I still think Jacksonville makes the most sense to acquire Foles because their defense is still in a position to take them far if they have a QB that holds onto the football. That portion of the deal is fine.

Philadelphia using Foles to move up in the draft instead of trading him for straight draft equity is the stretch here, but it makes sense. The Eagles are about to lose Brandon Graham to free agency, and they need to find a quality replacement for cheap. So with a second round draft pick value on Nick Foles, the Eagles use him and other assets to trade up and land Ferrell, who is a perfect scheme fit.

8) Detroit Lions: Montez Sweat, EDGE Mississippi State- Sweat is a big riser from my most recent mock draft, but it’s more than justified. He dominated Senior Bowl week with superior technique. Sweat has all the tricks, he can long arm tackles, rip inside, club, swim move, etc. You name it, he’s got it in his move-set toolbox. He can also line up as a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB, versatility that Head Coach Matt Patricia will definitely value.

9) Buffalo Bills: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, WR Oklahoma- The Bills have to get Josh Allen some weapons in order for them to get back to the playoffs next season. Who’s a better weapon for Allen’s cannon of an arm than the best deep threat in the draft? Hollywood Brown has explosive playmaking ability down the field, as well as with the ball in his hands. He’s also a very good route runner, so he’s not a one dimensional player either.

10) Denver Broncos: Rashan Gary, DE Michigan: The more I think about the Broncos draft situation, the more confident I am that Gary is the right selection. None of the QBs in this draft are worthy of a top ten selection, and the Broncos can cut Derek Wolfe to continue to get younger up front.

Gary is better served along the interior as a three technique where he can win with his strength and quick first step, instead of having to play slightly out of position along the edge as a five technique.

11) Cincinnati Bengals: Chris Lindstrom, OG Boston College- The Bengals have invested a fair amount of picks into their offensive line over the last few years, but it still needs work. Lindstrom is a complete prospect ready to start from day one. He can play either guard spot because of how technical he is with his hands and his footwork.

12) Green Bay Packers: Josh Allen, EDGE Kentucky- I personally don’t think Allen is the cleanest athlete around the edge, but he’s still better at running the arch than most. Allen dips and bends well at the waist, but he isn’t the cleanest in terms of his ankle flexibility. What keeps him at a first round evaluation for me is that he’s a chess piece; you can move him all over the field and he’s able to create pressure. Green Bay could use a chess piece on defense.

13) Miami Dolphins: Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma- First Quarterback off the board here, and it’s more because of the fit than the evaluation. Miami is most likely going to move on from Ryan Tannehill, but according to the media, it’s in hopes of selecting a Quarterback in 2020.

However, I think a better strategy might be shooting for a Quarterback in this draft class, particularly Murray. I realize this is counterintuitive because next year’s QB class is much better than this one, but Miami finds themselves in a unique position. It’s clear a rebuild is the desired direction of this team, which is why they can take a chance on Murray and hope for lightning in a bottle. If it doesn’t work, they’re in a prime position in two years to take Trevor Lawrence when the rebuild is much further along. If it does work, they have their game changer at QB.

14) Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, DT Houston- This is becoming the easiest selection of the draft. Oliver continues to fall on my mock drafts because he’s not the pass rusher that others in this draft happen to be. It doesn’t make him a bad prospect, it just means his ceiling may not be as high as others in the draft. I still think he’s a bully in the run game and he can collapse the pocket because of his elite strength.

15) *Pittsburgh Steelers via Washington Redskins: Devin White, ILB LSU- AS much as we would all love to see Ryan Shazier return to the football field, however it’s probably best for his health that he doesn’t. Truth be told, even if he does, and could return to the level he was playing at, the Steelers still need an inside linebacker to play next to him.

White is a terrific athlete and he’s skilled in coverage, possessing the ability to line up one on one with tight ends and running backs, as well as the instincts to read and react in zone coverage.

16) Carolina Panthers: Deionte Thompson, FS Alabama- Carolina has some big needs to fill this offseason in order to get back to being a perennial playoff team. Thompson would fill one of those needs; a ball hawking free safety that creates turnovers.

17) *New England Patriots via Cleveland Browns: Noah Fant, TE Iowa- The Patriots trading up?!? Have I gone temporarily insane? Well, because this is a weak draft class, the Patriots use their draft capital to come up and take a game changer in the middle of the field, not to mention the heir to Rob Gronkowski’s throne.

18) Minnesota Vikings: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson- The Vikings need some help along the interior of their defensive line. Linval Joseph continues to age and Sheldon Richardson is most likely leaving in free agency. Wilkins has an explosive first step, which helps him win up front routinely. He’s a smart player as well, showing discipline on the backside of plays. Wilkins would be a good addition to the Vikings front four.

19) Tennessee Titans: TJ Hockenson, TE Iowa- The Titans are going to need to find Delaine Walker’s long term replacement sooner rather than later. Hockenson is an elite blocker and wins with his size at the top of the stem. He high points the ball well also. Marcus Mariota gets a shiny new red zone threat here with the former Iowa standout.

20) *Washington Redskins via Pittsburgh Steelers: Cody Ford, OT/OG Oklahoma- The Redskins interior offensive line is a debacle at the moment. Ford is a big time athlete for his size, which is why I think he can transition to guard if a team asks him to do so. He needs to work on keeping his hands high, but his footwork is solid and he gets to the second level quickly. Ford should be a quality right side of the line player in the NFL.

21) Seattle Seahawks: Greedy Williams, CB LSU- What a steal this would be on draft day. Williams is an ideal corner for Seattle’s defense, both in his measurables (Seattle likes bigger, longer cornerbacks) and his ability in man coverage. Williams opposite Shaq Griffin could be the start of LOB 2.0.

22) Baltimore Ravens: Kelvin Harmon, WR NC State- Getting Lamar Jackson some weapons is priority one for the Ravens this offseason. I think the misnomer is that the pass catcher the Ravens acquire has to be a deep threat because of Jackson’s arm talent. Baltimore needs a player that separates well, someone who can be a reliable target for Jackson on third downs and in the red zone. In a nutshell, they need a target like Kelvin Harmon.

23) Houston Texans: Andre Dillard, OT Washington State- The Texans offensive line was miserable in pass protection last year, and Dillard would be an immediate upgrade in that are. While he lacks the power at the point of attack to be impactful in the run game, Dillard is a very good athlete with excellent footwork in the 45 degree set and the vertical set. Houston can move Julie’n Davenport to the right side and let Dillard protect Deshaun Watson’s blindside.

24) Oakland Raiders via Chicago Bears: Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida- The Raiders also need offensive line help. However, unlike Houston before them, they need a power blocking right tackle instead of a pass blocking athlete on the left side of a zone blocking scheme. That’s Jawaan Taylor to a tee.

25) *Jacksonville Jaguars via Philadelphia Eagles: Dalton Risner, OT/OG Kansas State- Jacksonville is yet another team that needs offensive line help. Risner is a perfect fit for them. He provides an attitude and competitiveness up front that the Jaguars lack, especially for a team that wants to win in the trenches. Risner is a mauler in the run game and will be a quality right guard in the NFL.

26) Indianapolis Colts: Jeffery Simmons, DT Mississippi State- The Colts were a surprise playoff team in 2018. In order to stay there in 2019, they will need to continue to build up their defense. Simmons has a lightning quick get off and a bevy of pass rushing moves. I expect him to go higher than this on draft day, but with a lot of positions at a premium in this draft, players along the defensive front are bound to fall.

27) Oakland Raiders via Dallas Cowboys: Josh Jacobs, RB Alabama- This is not Jon Gruden’s prototypical running back in terms of size, but it is his prototypical running back in terms of toughness. Jacobs is a physical runner in between the tackles, and he’s a game changer in the pass game. While I don’t have him as high as others in the draft community do, there’s no doubt Jacobs is RB1 this year.

28) Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, NT Clemson- This is my layup of the draft season. The Chargers need someone in the middle of their defense to help them against the run, and that is Lawrence to a tee.

29) Kansas City Chiefs: Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple- Kansas City’s defense was dreadful last year, despite having a strong pass rush. That would lead you to believe their secondary was a big negative, and needs to be upgraded. Rock Ya-Sin excels in mirroring receivers, and it’s his ability to flip his hips and stay with players that makes me think he can be a stud at the next level.

30) Green Bay Packers via New Orleans Saints: Nasir Adderley, FS Delaware- Adderley fills a major need for the Packers at the safety position. He can play the single high safety spot, showing good range sideline to sideline. He has good ball skills as well, which would be a major boost to a team that was second to last in interceptions on defense last year.

31) *New York Giants via Los Angeles Rams: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State- First off, I’m aware there’s zero chance Dwayne Haskins makes it out of the top ten in the actual draft. However, he’s easily QB2 on my board and really not worthy of a first round selection. I think Murray shows much better anticipation than Haskins, and Murray also fits throws into NFL windows more consistently. Haskins has flashes of brilliance, and definitely has the arm talent to one day be a quality starter. Right now, there’s too many inconsistencies in his mechanics for me to justify him being highly coveted.

Having said that, teams will be willing to take a chance on him because of the position he plays. Teams will also want to take the chance in round one rather than later in the draft to ensure they have the fifth year option on him. The Giants are that team this time around, and the trade back into round one to get the fifth year option on Haskins.

32) *Cleveland Browns via New England Patriots: Yodny Cajuste, OT West Virginia- Cajuste has good footwork in the vertical set, showing quick feet in the kickslide and the ability to maintain high hands and a good pad level. He definitely has areas that need improving, particularly at the point of attack in the jump set and the run game (he’s more of a stopper than a guy who wins in the run game with power), but Cajuste is a prospect that can become a solid tackle at the next level.

TRADES IN ROUND ONE

1) Philadelphia Eagles trade the #25, #57 and Nick Foles to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the #7 and the #102.

2) Pittsburgh Steelers trade the #20, #83 and a 2020 5th round pick to the Washington Redskins for the #15 and a 2020 6th round pick.

3) New England Patriots trade the #32, #56, and #73 to the Cleveland Browns for the #17, #95 and #133

4) New York Giants trade the #37, #132, and a 2020 5th round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the #31.

ROUND TWO

33) Arizona Cardinals: David Edwards, OT Wisconsin- Edwards is incredibly advanced for someone who converted to the offensive line a few years ago. He’s a high upside pick because his technique will only get better as he becomes more comfortable with the position.

34) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss- Brown is a player who excels in the short to intermediate passing game. He would be an excellent compliment to T.Y. Hilton, who’s one of the best deep ball threats in the NFL.

35) Oakland Raiders: N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State- Harry is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. Oakland is desperate for playmakers on both sides of the ball, so this is an easy fit.

36) San Francisco 49ers: DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia- Baker could wind up much higher than this later on in the Draft Season if he an answer some questions I have about his straight-line speed and his fluidity as an athlete.

37) *Los Angeles Rams via New York Giants: Jachai Polite, EDGE Florida- The Rams have plenty of question marks this offseason, but the layup to me is to replace Dante Fowler in the draft rather than free agency. Polite is a bit undersized, but he’s excellent off the edge.

38) Jacksonville Jaguars: Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama- Smith is a skilled route runner with great hands and he should be a quality red zone threat for the Jaguars.

39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mack Wilson, ILB Alabama- Absolute steal here for the Buccaneers. Wilson replaces pending free agent Kwon Alexander as a three down starter from day one.

40) Buffalo Bills: Greg Little, OT Ole Miss- Buffalo’s offensive line needs a lot of work, it was a big reason why they regressed in 2018. Little is a bit of a project for the left side, but I think his power at the point of attack will help him start on the right side from day one.

41) *Carolina Panthers via Denver Broncos: Anthony Nelson, EDGE Iowa- Carolina trades up to land what they hope is the solution to their pass rushing problems.

42) Cincinnati Bengals: Kaden Smith, TE Stanford- The Bengals offense has struggled since losing Tyler Eifert to a number of injuries in the past few years. Smith is a unique athlete for the tight end position; he can help AJ Green see less double teams.

43) Detroit Lions: Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State- Oruwariye is a long corner with good ball skills. He would help solidify the Lions need for a cornerback opposite Darius Slay.

44) Green Bay Packers: Tytus Howard, OT Alabama State- Howard has ideal size for the position and the ability to counter pass rushers. He needs work in the jump set and being more physical up front in the run game, but Howard is a good pick for a team that has the luxury to bring him along slowly like the Packers can.

45) Atlanta Falcons: Joejuan Williams, CB Vanderbilt- Williams isn’t the Falcons prototypical corner, but he does have the length and size that Dan Quinn used to build defenses around in Seattle.

46) Washington Redskins: Jonathan Abram, SS Mississippi State- Washington needs a replacement for HaHa Clinton-Dix in the back end that can play close to the line of scrimmage and cover as well. Abram is a perfect scheme fit.

47) *Denver Broncos via Carolina Panthers: Daniel Jones, QB Duke- Well, somebody has to pick quarterbacks in this draft, and Denver is one of them. They trade back and grab another one of John Elway’s “prototypical size,” QB prospects.

48) Miami Dolphins: Deebo Samuel, WR South Carolina- Miami’s receiving core was decent last year, but they need a true playmaker at the position.

49) Cleveland Browns: Charles Omenihu, DL Texas- Omenihu is a big time pass rusher as a three technique and would establish the Browns as one of the best young defensive lines in the NFL.

50) Minnesota Vikings: Michael Dieter, OL Wisconsin- I’m willing to “ride or die,” with Dieter this year as a guy who can move inside and be a solid player. He was up and down at the Senior Bowl but I think his intelligence for the position will win out.

51) Tennessee Titans: Oshane Ximines, EDGE Old Dominion- I like the idea of the Titans taking an edge player early in this draft to play opposite Harold Landry, instead of them trying to sign a veteran player as a quick fix.

52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson- If the Steelers come out of this draft with Devin White and Trayvon Mullen, I think there would be a parade in Pittsburgh the following day.

53) *Jacksonville Jaguars from Philadelphia Eagles via Baltimore Ravens: Devin Bush, ILB Michigan- This is a bit of a weird one, but the fit makes sense. Bush would be excellent for the Jags on the strong side because he shoots gaps well and he could still drop in coverage if asked to do so.

54) Houston Texans via Seattle Seahawks: Renell Wren, DT/NT Arizona State- Wren can be a quality two gap player at the next level because of his get off and his ability to stack and shed.

55) *Kansas City Chiefs via Houston Texans: Rodney Anderson, RB Oklahoma- Trading up for a running back may seem odd, but the Chiefs have to find a starting caliber RB this offseason. Anderson would be a top 50 pick easy without the medical concerns, so this is a calculated gamble for KC.

56) *Cleveland Browns from New England Patriots via Chicago Bears: Julian Love, CB Notre Dame- Love is my last cornerback on the board with a grade worthy of a top 75 selection. While this is still a reach, Cleveland makes the reach out of necessity.

57) Philadelphia Eagles: Damien Harris, RB Alabama- Philadelphia opts to draft one of the few potential three down backs in this class instead of attempting to sign one in free agency with the limited money they have.

58) Dallas Cowboys: Dawson Knox, TE Ole Miss- Knox is a big time athlete who should help Dak Prescott as a safety valve on third down. Even though Knox’s route tree was extremely limited at OIe Miss, I think he’ll excel at it at the next level.

59) Indianapolis Colts: Khaleke Hudson, SS Michigan- Malik Hooker’s ability as a cover one, single high safety means that the Colts can select a more traditional strong safety to help their run defense.

60) Los Angeles Chargers: Damarkus Lodge, WR Ole Miss- The Chargers are going to lose Tyrell Williams in free agency, making Lodge his replacement as their deep ball threat. Lodge has some drops, but he’s a burner with the ability to get a quality release on almost every snap.

Editor’s Note: I think Lodge’s drops are more mental than anything else because he flashes some ridiculous catches and an absurd catch radius. If he stays focused, he has big time potential.

61) *Houston Texans via Kansas City Chiefs: Chase Winovich, EDGE Michigan- The Texans are most likely keeping Jadeveon Clowney, but Whitney Mercilus may be forced to walk after next year so the Texans can pay Deshaun Watson.

62) New Orleans Saints: Isaac Huata, TE Georgia- Yet another tight end off the board here. Huata is a big time run blocker and he’s improving as a pass catcher. I think New Orleans can get the most out him.

63) Kansas City Chiefs via Los Angeles Rams: Erik McCoy, C Texas A&M- The center class is weak, but McCoy’s tape against Clemson versus their interior line talent makes me think his upside could be huge.

64) New England Patriots: Jerry Tillery, DT Notre Dame- The Patriots stealing a pass rushing three technique like Tillery at the bottom of round two is an absolute joke.

TRADES IN ROUND TWO

1) Carolina Panthers trade the #47 and #108 to the Denver Broncos for the #41

2) Kansas City Chiefs trade #61, #156 and a 2020 4th round pick to the Houston Texans for the #55 and a 2020 5th round pick

This entry was posted in Mock Drafts, NFL Draft Articles and tagged 2019 NFL Draft, 2019 NFL Mock Draft, Andre Dillard, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Brian Burns, Buffalo Bills, Byron Murphy, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Clelin Ferrell, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Devin White, DK Metcalf, Dwayne Haskins, Ed Oliver, Greedy Williams, Green Bay Packers, Hollywood Brown, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jawaan Taylor, Jonah Williams, Josh Allen, Josh Jacobs, Kansas City Chiefs, Kyler Murray, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Montez Sweat, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft, Nick Bosa, Nick Foles, Noah Fant, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, TJ Hockenson, Washington Redskins.

Jordan Katz 2019 Prediction Mock Draft 1.0

Posted on January 29, 2019 Updated on January 29, 2019

This is the first installment of my prediction style Mock Draft. As many of you know by now, I believe that Mock Drafts should have two parts, what you would do personally if you had control of all 32 teams, and what you would expect to happen on draft day. The purpose behind the two is to allow for a fair representation of your player evaluations as well as your personal evaluation of team needs, and then to give an idea of who can go where based on reports and media buzz.

For this mock draft in particular, this is based on if the draft was tomorrow. With that in mind, you’ll see the Quarterbacks in this class in a more traditional spot than my personal mock drafts. There are also still trades in this Mock Draft, because obviously a prediction mock must have trades. Any trade that I made in this mock that wasn’t made prior to this is designated via an asterisk.

ROUND ONE

1) Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State- I don’t care how many rumors fly around with Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray. I don’t care how many rumors get floated around with regards to the Cardinals potentially trading Josh Rosen.

Eat. Sleep. Draft Nick Bosa. Repeat.

2) *New York Giants via San Francisco 49ers: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State- At this point, I don’t see how you refute this statement; the Giants banked on Justin Herbert. They draft Saquon Barkley ahead of Sam Darnold to take Herbert in 2019. They lost. Now the Giants are stuck with a dilemma. Do they sign a free agent quarterback, stick with Eli Manning and wait until 2020 to draft a Quarterback, or do they draft one this year?

If the Giants are going to take a QB, I think they’ll have to trade up to do so. There will be competition from the Jaguars, Broncos and Dolphins, all with the ammunition to trade ahead of them. Not to mention, there are two teams at the top that would love to trade down and acquire assets, the Niners and the Jets.

I think the Giants wind up panicking due to the pressure of finding their future starter, and trade up to get the presumed top QB in a weak draft class.

3) New York Jets: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson- The Jets are the toughest team to predict at the top of this draft because they have so much cap space, and will most assuredly fill as many needs as they can via free agency. Assuming the Jets are only able to land one edge rusher, a second one makes a ton of sense at this selection. Ferrell may not have the biggest ceiling of the edge guys in this class, but many argue he easily has the lowest floor, which will be very attractive to Mike Maccagnan and company.

Editor’s Note: Jets fans may be wondering why this isn’t Josh Allen, Jachai Polite or Brian Burns. With Leonard Williams going to 4-3 defensive tackle in Gregg Williams’ defense, the guy that makes the most sense is someone who can collapse the pocket with strength and technique instead of an edge rusher that excels at running the arch. The Jets will want as many one on one matchups for Leonard Williams as they can get, which is why someone like Ferrell who demonstrates excellent technique and gap control is more important than the elite athlete that motors around the edge.

4) Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama- Oakland needs pass rushers. It doesn’t matter if that player comes off the edge or along the interior, the Raiders must get to the passer to improve in 2019.

Quinnen Williams is a better pass rusher than Ed Oliver, which is why he has emerged as the top five talent instead of the athletic specimen that is Oliver.

5) *Miami Dolphins via Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma- If you’re going to draft Murray, you need to have a system designed for him to succeed. A west coast, up tempo philosophy makes a ton of sense to me because Murray excels at anticipation and timing throws to receivers. Of the QB needy teams near the top of this draft, I think Miami actually has the best personnel to take the gamble on the Heisman Trophy winner. If it doesn’t work, you just draft Trevor Lawrence in two years and call it a day.

6) *San Francisco 49ers via New York Giants: Greedy Williams, CB LSU- Williams’ size, length and athleticism should have him as an early pick come draft day. The Niners need secondary help, especially with Richard Sherman’s inconsistent play throughout the season. San Francisco trades down and still gets their man.

7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Williams, OT, Let Me Repeat, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, Alabama- JONAH WILLIAMS IS NOT A GUARD! Williams has terrific technique and plays with a level of intelligence that you need up front. Measurables do not matter as much as technique and intelligence do for offensive linemen in this era of football. Eventually, scouts and teams will figure this out.

Editor’s Note: I think the Jaguars will wind up with Nick Foles after signing John DeFilippo to be their Offensive Coordinator, which is why this pick isn’t a QB.

8) Detroit Lions: Josh Allen, EDGE Kentucky- Allen is a perfect fit for Detroit at eight. If the Lions want to play 4-3, Allen can either play the weak side end, or a Leo Linebacker. If Matt Patricia wants to transition to a 3-4 with the acquisition of Damon Harrison and the pending loss of Ziggy Ansah, Allen can line up at 3-4 OLB.

9) Buffalo Bills: DK Metcalf, WR Ole Miss- Josh Allen was very impressive with limited weapons in 2018, which means it’s time to see what he can do with some targets in 2019. Metcalf should be WR1 and a top 15 lock once he dominates the combine in March.

10) Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, QB Missouri- Three Quarterbacks in the top 10? In this class? Is it 2011 again where quarterbacks get overdrafted just because they are quarterbacks?

Why yes, yes it is. Denver reaches for their presumed QB of the future.

11) Cincinnati Bengals: Cody Ford, OT/OG Oklahoma- Ford possesses incredible athleticism and footwork for someone of his size and stature. Despite acquiring offensive line left and right over the last few years, the Bengals still need help at the tackle position. Ford could even transition to guard if the Bengals wish to move on from Clint Boling.

12) Green Bay Packers: Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State- This is the first time I feel like I’m taking a chance in this mock draft. Burns is an athletic monster, but the buzz around Allen and Jachai Polite could force Burns down the board come draft day.

Having said that, I think Burns will separate himself come the latter stages of the draft process when scouts and GM’s see just how athletic this guy actually is.

13) *Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Miami Dolphins: Devin White, ILB LSU- Kwon Alexander is most likely departing via free agency, which means the Bucs need to find his replacement. White is one of the few do-it-all middle linebackers in this draft class, and that’s why he’s a top 20 lock come April.

Tampa Bay uses their draft position to trade down and acquire assets, while still addressing a major need.

14) Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, DT Houston- The possibility of Oliver falling on draft day is becoming more of a reality. It doesn’t mean Oliver is a potential “bust,” it just means that the defensive line class is so good, and the other positions are so weak, players have to fall. What a steal this could be for Atlanta.

15) Washington Redskins: TJ Hockenson, TE Iowa- Jordan Reed is electric, but he’s never on the field and he’s finally in a position to be a cap cut. In the tight end class sent from the heavens, Washington can find Reed’s replacement and still emphasize the tight end position in the pass game.

16) Carolina Panthers: Chris Lindstrom, OG Boston College- It’s another typical non-sexy draft pick for the Panthers, but it also makes a lot of sense. The Panthers offensive line play is simply not what it was a few years ago. Lindstrom is a complete prospect that will go much higher on draft day than he is currently being valued at.

17) *Philadelphia Eagles via Cleveland Browns: Rashan Gary, DE Michigan- Rumors out of Philly are that the Eagles will not bring back Brandon Graham, which means they need an edge guy opposite Michael Bennett. Gary is better along the interior in my opinion, but many see him as a 4-3 defensive end at the next level because of his ability to long arm tackles and win with strength. The Eagles have assets in this draft, so they can trade up to ensure they land their guy.

18) Minnesota Vikings: Andre Dillard, OT Washington State- The Vikings offensive line was miserable in 2018, and a large reason as to why they missed the playoffs. Dillard is very strong in pass protection, showing good ability in the 45 degree set, as well as the vertical set. I personally don’t have a round one grade on him, but I would expect to see him in the top 40 picks as of now.

19) Tennessee Titans: Noah Fant, TE Iowa- Delanie Walker is getting up there in age and Jonnu Smith does not appear to be his replacement long term. Fant can stretch the middle of the field and open up one on one matchups for Corey Davis, while still being a valuable run blocker as well as a safety valve for Marcus Mariota on third down.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson- Trayvon Mullen as a Top 20 corner in a prediction mock? You bet. Mullen had a monster game in the National Championship, which has catapulted his draft stock. His smarts and ball skills in one-on-one coverage could have him rise up draft boards if he can put together a strong combine.

21) Seattle Seahawks: Deionte Thompson, FS Alabama- I don’t buy the negative buzz around Thompson based solely off one one average performance in the title game. I doubt Thompson would’ve entered the draft if he didn’t think he could go round one. The Seahawks can move on from Earl Thomas and get a single high ballhawking safety all in one go.

22) Baltimore Ravens: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, WR Oklahoma- The Ravens makeshift receiving core worked for this year, but it’s not a long term solution. Hollywood Brown is an ideal playmaker for Lamar Jackson. Not only is he a deep threat, but he’s lightning quick out of cuts, making him a threat at all three levels of the passing attack.

23) Houston Texans: Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida: Taylor has a lot of top 15 buzz, but I just don’t see it at the moment. He should be a solid right tackle at the next level because he’s physical and plays with inside hands most of the time, but I don’t know if I see the foot speed to warrant a top 10-15 selection. Having said that, he should be just fine on the right side of a NFL offensive unit.

Editor’s Note: If Houston doesn’t seek out offensive line with their first pick, they are severely misguided. That’s all, back to you Jim.

24) Oakland Raiders via Chicago Bears: N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State- Speaking of buzz, the buzz on Harry has cooled a lot since the college football season ended. I’m fairly confident that’s only because it’s been a while since he was in the spotlight. Once he shows out at the Combine, he should re-assert himself as a top 40 lock. Oakland needs playmakers desperately so the fit here makes sense as well.

25) *Cleveland Browns via Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson- The Browns will have the capability to address a lot of their needs via free agency, so their draft strategy is anyone’s best guess. Trevon Coley is a nice player along the interior, but adding Wilkins to this front four catapults it to one of the best units in the league.

26) Indianapolis Colts: Jeffrey Simmons, DT Mississippi State- Simmons is a tough guy to judge. If he can answer the questions that will come up about his off the field issues, he can go top 15. If teams don’t like his answers, he can wind up outside of round one. Either way, the team that lands Simmons is going to get an elite pass rusher along the interior.

27) Oakland Raiders via Dallas Cowboys: Jachai Polite, EDGE Florida- This would complete a phenomenal first round for Oakland. Polite may go lower on draft day than people expect because he was a situational player at Florida for the most part, but his unique ability to dip and bend around the edge should still have him off the board sooner rather than later.

28) Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, NT Clemson- I’m not sure I buy Lawrence still going round one after the mishap off the field during the end of the college football season, However, the lack of true nose tackles in this draft should help Lawrence stay near the top 40-50 players. I think this is about the peak of how high he can go because the Chargers are desperate for a nose tackle that can play multiple techniques.

29) Kansas City Chiefs: DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia- Baker is a strong man cover corner, excelling in press coverage. However, the questions regarding his athleticism could have him slip in the draft. I know many of mock drafts have him in the 10-15 range, but I think his sweet spot will be closer to the back half of round one.

30) Green Bay Packers via New Orleans Saints: David Edwards, OT Wisconsin: Edwards’ smarts will have him highly coveted in the 30-45 range of this draft. He’s not the fleetest of foot, but his technique is improving and he shows a terrific understanding of stunts and twists for someone who recently converted to an offensive linemen. The Packers still need offensive line depth, and Edwards could be a steal in the future.

31) New England Patriots: Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama- New England is about to lose a lot of weapons, most notably Rob Gronkowski. I think Super Bowl Sunday will be his final game in the NFL. Number one priority for the Patriots this offseason has to be finding weapons for TB12. In a strong pass catching draft class, and a tight end class for the ages, the Patriots can kill two birds with one stone and find Gronkowski’s replacement.

32) Los Angeles Rams: Montez Sweat, EDGE Mississippi State: Sweat has a unique ability to play with his hand in the dirt, or standing up, and still get a quick first step off the line, similar to Dante Fowler. Because Fowler won’t be back after the Super Bowl, the Rams will need someone off the edge to replace him. Enter Montez Sweat.

TRADES IN ROUND ONE

1) New York Giants trade the #6, #37, a 2020 1st round and a 2020 3rd round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the #2 and #162.

2) Miami Dolphins trade the #13, #78 and a 2020 1st Round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the #5.

3) Philadelphia Eagles trade the #25, #57 and #152 to the Cleveland Browns for the #17 and #112.

This entry was posted in Mock Drafts, NFL Draft Articles and tagged 2019 NFL Draft, 2019 NFL Mock Draft, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Clelin Ferrell, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Devin White, Drew Lock, Dwayne Haskins, Ed Oliver, Greedy Williams, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jonah Williams, Josh Allen, Kansas City Chiefs, Kyler Murray, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft, Nick Bosa, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quinnen Williams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins.

Jordan Katz 2019 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Two Rounds

Posted on December 31, 2018 Updated on December 31, 2018

With Black Monday upon us and the regular season having come to a close, it’s time for Mock Draft 2.0 for the 2019 campaign. We’ve got plenty of risers and fallers from the previous mock draft, and more importantly, we’ve got two rounds!

A few pieces of note before we get going. Obviously this draft class is loaded at defensive line, as mentioned by everyone that covers the draft process. However, there are two other positions that are growing on me in terms of its talent and depth; wide receiver and tight end. At the start of the year, many were unsure if this pass catching class had elite targets. Entering the draft season, there’s six first round receiving targets on my personal draft board, and that number could grow as we move along in the process. The long and short here is, we now have multiple positions that have actual depth! Hooray!

The second thing to note is the quarterback class, or lack thereof. With Justin Herbert returning to school, Dwayne Haskins is most assuredly the top quarterback, assuming he declares. And while he’s guaranteed to go in the top 10 come April, I can’t justify him going before the back end of round one. So that’s why you will consistently see him lower on my personal mock drafts rather than my prediction mock drafts.

Lastly, there were plenty of teams looking to trade out of selections, but only a few could actually make a deal. I think this is foreshadowing for what to expect come April. With so little quarterback talent and so little depth at most positions, you could see very little action during the first few rounds of the NFL Draft. Either that, or this take will be wildly inaccurate and everyone will move up and down this draft trying to acquire the premium talent or assets for next year.

Now that we’ve set the scene for you, it’s time to roll. #MockLyfeNeverSleeps.

ROUND ONE

1) Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State- Bosa is the no brainer first overall selection. He’s one of the top edge rushers to come out in the last five years and has all the ability in the world. Bosa can dip and bend around the edge and dictate leverage with his hands. Arizona definitely needs offensive line help, but if you’re a GM picking first overall and don’t take Nick Bosa, just accept the fact you won’t be employed by this time next year.

2) San Francisco 49ers: Jonah Williams, OT Alabama- I love Williams on tape. He excels in the jump set, 45 degree set, and the vertical set. Williams keeps his hands inside the defender’s shoulder pads, which allows him to gain leverage against both the athletic edge rushers as well as the bigger defensive ends. Williams’ foot speed isn’t world class, but he’s smart and incredibly technical. I’ll take smart offensive linemen over a straight athlete at the position any day of the week.

3) New York Jets: Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State- The Jets would love to trade this pick, but as I mentioned in the opening of this mock draft, I can’t justify any team trading up this high for a quarterback. If they can’t trade, they have to take a pass rusher or an offensive linemen, whichever they don’t address in free agency.

Burns is one of the best I’ve seen at bending around the edge. Even when tackles know it’s coming, Burns is so flexible and so athletic that he can explode past that tackle anyway. I think Burns has enough moves as well to keep tackles from constantly expecting him to run the arch. This is a dynamic pass rusher that should go higher than he will on draft day.

4) Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama- Oakland has to get to the passer in 2019 if they wish to improve as a team. Williams is slightly lower on my board compared to Ed Oliver, but he’s a much better pass rusher, which is why he gets selected here instead.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deionte Thompson, FS Alabama- Thompson has elite range in the back of the defense. He can read and react from his single high position as good as anyone in the past few years. What I think separates him from the other rangy free safeties is Thompson willingly comes into the box and wants to play physical in the run game. His all around ability should have an immediate impact on Tampa Bay’s secondary.

6) New York Giants: Byron Murphy, CB Washington- I know Giants fans are going to want a Quarterback at this selection, but that’s why you pick Sam Darnold at number two last year. With Justin Herbert going back to school, there’s no quarterback worthy of a top 10 selection, and I would argue even if Herbert entered there wasn’t one anyway.

I was blown away by Murphy on tape. His ability to turn his hips and mirror receivers are incredible. Murphy is easily the best man cover corner in this draft, but it’s not his only strength. He has terrific instincts and good ball skills too.

The Giants have a lot of needs defensively so even though Giants fans probably want Dwayne Haskins, Williams fits a need and isn’t a ridiculous overdraft.

Editor’s Note: In regards to the Darnold comment, it’s very simple Giants fans. Despite how unbelievable Saquon Barkley has been this year, the Giants are now stuck waiting until 2020 for their franchise QB. Even if they pick Haskins, he shouldn’t start before 2020, maybe even 2021. Running backs are more easy to come by, see Phillip Lindsay, James Conner, Nick Chubb, Alvin Kamara, David Johnson….

7) *Oakland Raiders via Jacksonville Jaguars: N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State- Harry leads what is becoming a very underrated wide receiver class. I love Harry’s game on tape; he’s a big body receiver with explosive ability down the field and he makes big time plays one on one. Oakland uses their two back end first rounders to trade up and get a playmaker for Derek Carr.

Editor’s Note: Shout out to Jon Gruden who traded Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper only to enter this draft needing pass rushers and weapons for Derek Carr.

Second Editor’s Note: Jacksonville passes on Dwayne Haskins as well because he doesn’t warrant a top ten selection on my board. They also pass on Harry in this scenario because a veteran WR would do them a lot of good with DeDe Westbrook and Keelan Cole starting to shine.

8) Detroit Lions: Greedy Williams, CB LSU- Greedy Williams is a long, athletic corner that loves to play physical at the line of scrimmage. He checks all the boxes in man to man coverage, showing the ability to mirror receivers as well as trail them and still make plays.

Detroit needs a corner to play opposite Darius Slay, and because front four talent in this draft is so abundant, they can wait on a pass rusher and jump on one of the top cornerbacks in the draft.

9) Buffalo Bills: DK Metcalf, WR Ole Miss- Metcalf’s neck injury concerns me, but assuming his medical checks out, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be a top 15 selection. Metcalf and N’Keal Harry are very similar prospects, big body receivers that can stretch the field and win one on ones with their size as well as their ability to high point the ball. He should compliment Josh Allen’s skill set very well.

Editor’s Note: Like the Jets, the Bills tried to trade out of this pick but were unsuccessful. After staying in the draft slot, Buffalo gets its young quarterback the top wide receiver in this draft class.

10) Denver Broncos: Ed Oliver, DT Houston- Unfortunately, this is a problem I envision for Ed Oliver on draft day. Because Quinnen Williams is a better pass rusher, Oliver could fall down draft boards, even though he’s the more complete player in my opinion. If he makes it to Denver’s pick, which is a real possibility, there’s no way the Broncos can pass on him. Oliver will translate to a 3-4 defensive end just fine.

11) Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, ILB LSU- White is a top 15 talent if he decides to come out. Cincinnati needs a game changer at the second level of their defense. This is an easy selection.

Editor’s Note: It’s finally time for Cincinnati to start a rebuild, and while they’d love trading down from this selection to get that train rolling, no one wants to come up for the pick (as is customary with this draft).

12) Green Bay Packers: Jachai Polite, EDGE Florida- Easy analysis here. Green Bay needs a 3-4 OLB that can bend and dip around the edge. The best natural edge rusher remaining on my board at the moment is Jachai Polite.

13) Miami Dolphins: Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State- Oruwariye is a long corner who has good athleticism for his size (6’1, 200). More importantly, Oruwariye’s hips flip naturally and he mirrors receivers well. I know Dolphins fans may want Dwayne Haskins here, but the Dolphins need a second corner, and could need a number one if Xavien Howard walks in free agency after 2019. Therefore, the pick makes sense, even though the Dolphins will be looking for Ryan Tannehill’s replacement as early as this offseason.

14) *Philadelphia Eagles via Atlanta Falcons: Yodny Cajuste, OT West Virginia- This is a little high for Cajuste based on my grades, but positional need and his upside make this a warranted selection. Cajuste is a big time athlete for a tackle and he possesses a strong kickslide while keeping his hands up and staying inside the edge rusher’s shoulder pads. The Eagles offensive line has not been what it was when they were at their peak, so they trade up for an athletic replacement to Jason Peters.

15) Carolina Panthers: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson- Ferrell isn’t the same athlete as some of the other edge rushers in this draft class. However, he controls his gaps, he’s stout against the run, and he is very good at long arming defensive tackles and using his power when rushing the passer. The Panthers like bigger defensive ends instead of the quick twitch athletes, so Ferrell makes perfect sense.

16) Washington Redskins: Josh Allen, EDGE Kentucky- Allen is a good talent, with the ability to play multiple positions. He could line up in a 3-4 on the edge, or as a LEO linebacker in a 4-3.

However, Allen is being viewed as a top five prospect, and I think that’s a bit too high. He isn’t the quick twitch, natural edge player that some of the other prospects that have already been picked in this mock draft thus far.

It’s not that he’s a bad pass rusher, I think he has a solid move set and a quick first step. Personally, I just feel Allen is closer to the 10-20 range, and a great fit for Washington at 16.

17) Cleveland Browns: Bryce Hall, CB Virginia- Hall is very similar to Oruwariye, a long corner with great ball skills and fluid hips in coverage. Hall leads college football in pass breakups, so he should fit perfectly into Gregg Williams’ defense in 2019 (there’s no way the incoming Head Coach in Cleveland should let Williams out the door based on what he’s done this year).

18) Minnesota Vikings: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson- Wilkins is a perfect scheme fit for Minnesota. He’s disruptive in the run game, he understands gap assignments and he’s technically sound, playing with good pad level and a high motor on almost every snap. With Sheldon Richardson presumably out the door, I’d expect the Vikings to look for a defensive tackle early in this draft.

19) *Seattle Seahawks via Pittsburgh Steelers: Noah Fant, TE Iowa- Sometimes trades happen because a team moves up to ensure they don’t miss on their guy. This is the case with this deal. Seattle still needs weapons offensively and Russell Wilson loves throwing to tight ends in the red zone.

Fant’s buzz isn’t as high as his teammate, TJ Hockenson, but I still think Fant is the superior prospect. Fant is a complete tight end in the pass game, showing the ability to high point the ball and win one-one-ones down the field, and he can block as well.

Seattle trades up a couple of spots to land Russell Wilson’s next big time red zone threat.

20) Tennessee Titans: AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss- Brown is a perfect compliment to Corey Davis and the ideal number two receiver for Marcus Mariota. He’s quick out of his cuts and he runs sharp, clean routes, creating a ton of separation at the top of the stem. The draft community is cooling on Brown a little bit, but I think that has more to do with the depth of this receiver class and the realization that the wide outs this year may be better than we originally presumed.

21) *Atlanta Falcons via Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Lindstrom, OG Boston College- Atlanta trading back and picking the same guy they would’ve selected at 14 is exactly what you want. Lindstrom is as complete a prospect as they come. He shows a rare combination of power and agility, not to mention elite level footwork. Then again, would expect anything less from an offensive linemen from Boston College?

22) *Pittsburgh Steelers via Seattle Seahawks: DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia- The Steelers secondary once again needs a massive overhaul. Baker is really good in press coverage, with the ability to jam receivers and force them to the boundary. If he tests well at the combine, he could find himself back near the top half of round one come April.

23) Indianapolis Colts: Rashan Gary, DE Michigan- I think Gary’s ideal fit is as a 3-4 defensive end. He’s more disruptive on the interior and his athleticism plays better inside because of his strong base and his quick first step. If teams look to play him on the interior, I think they’ll see a first round talent.

24) Baltimore Ravens: Kelvin Harmon, WR NC State- Baltimore’s makeshift receiving core has worked well enough this year, but they need a true playmaker to help Lamar Jackson develop. Harmon is yet another big body pass catcher at the top of this draft, but it’s his hands that have me so excited about him as a prospect. I saw almost no double catches on tape, as well as a big time catch radius. Harmon should be a big time player on third down and in the red zone at the next level.

25) Jacksonville Jaguars from Oakland Raiders via Dallas Cowboys: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State- I’m perfectly okay with a team over-drafting a quarterback in the first round to get that fifth option year of team control. I’m not okay with drafting him so ridiculously high that you mortgage your future for someone with a lot of question marks. That’s why Jacksonville trades backwards, picks up extra assets, and still selects QB1 in this draft, instead of reaching for him at nine.

Haskins has a massive arm and is only 20 years old, so there’s a ton of upside here if you can sit him for a year or two and teach him the finer points of QB play. Yet, he’s incredibly raw, and that’s why it wouldn’t be a complete shock if he chose to stay in school instead of getting thrown to the wolves in the NFL.

26) Houston Texans: Cody Ford, OT/OG Oklahoma- If the Texans don’t pick up offensive line this offseason everyone should be fired. It’s the one thing that’s separating them from being an elite team in the NFL.

Ford is an impressive athlete for someone of his size (6’3, 340). He’s very technical as well, showing a good base, quick feet and proper hand position in the 45 degree set and the jump set at the tackle position. Ford’s stature, technique and athleticism should allow him to make a seamless transition to guard at the next level, assuming his arm length is short for a tackle when he tests at the combine.

27) *Jacksonville Jaguars from Oakland Raiders via Chicago Bears: TJ Hockenson, TE Iowa- Hockenson is flying up draft boards, and rightfully so. He’s an elite blocker and he is just as good between the 20’s as his teammate Noah Fant. Jacksonville loves to run the football and play action off of it, which is a perfect scheme fit for Hockenson at the next level.

Editor’s Note: I think Iowa misuses Fant in the pass game, which is why I still have Fant above Hockenson despite Hock’s meteoric rise up draft boards. Fant’s size and catch radius should help him to be elite at the next level.

Second Editor’s Note: As I had mentioned earlier, the reason the Jaguars take a pass catcher down here instead of N’Keal Harry at seven is because they move backwards to land Haskins at an appropriate draft spot, and they need a veteran receiver to compliment their emerging young receiving core.

28) Los Angeles Chargers: Jeffery Simmons, DL Mississippi State- Simmons comes with a bit of off the field baggage, but on the field he’s a first round talent. He’s got a ton of moves on the interior, a quick counter-punch and he wins leverage at the point of attack with his strong base and physicality. The player on the field is a round one talent in a walk.

29) New England Patriots: Mack Wilson, ILB Alabama- New England would love to get one of the Iowa tight ends here at 29, but with both off the board, they go to their next biggest need.

Wilson is stout in the run game and covers a lot of ground sideline to sideline. I know there’s talk of Wilson returning to school, but with the lack of depth in this class at the off ball linebacker position, I think Wilson is a top 40 lock if he declares.

30) Los Angeles Rams: Montez Sweat, EDGE Mississippi State- Obviously the Rams have a ton of pieces still in place for next year, but they will lose Dante Fowler in free agency, making their top need a rusher off the edge.

Sweat is another one of the quick twitch edge rushers that highlights this draft class. He’s a fluid athlete and he runs the arch to the QB very well. He should dominate one on one matchups in LA.

31) Kansas City Chiefs: Nasir Adderley, FS Delaware- I know the Chiefs have Eric Berry in the back-end, but unfortunately Berry may not be the same player he once was. Ron Parker is an unrestricted free agent as well, so safety is a monster need for the Chiefs in the offseason.

Adderley is a small school prospect generating a ton of first round buzz. He’s a very good single high safety, who will become much better when he learns to trust his instincts instead of hesitating at times and overthinking.

32) Green Bay Packers via New Orleans Saints: Dalton Risner, OG Kansas State- Risner doesn’t have the footwork to play tackle at the next level, but he’s a mauler in the run game. Green Bay seems more committed to using the ground game in the future, so Risner’s nastiness along the interior should help them in their future endeavors.

Trades in Round One (star designates pick was traded by me)

1) Oakland Raiders trade the #25, #27 and #100 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the #7.

2) Philadelphia Eagles trade the #21 and #53 to the Atlanta Falcons for the #14.

3) Seattle Seahawks trade the #22, #150 and a 2020 5th round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the #19 and a 2020 7th round pick.

ROUND TWO

33) Arizona Cardinals: David Edwards, OT Wisconsin

34) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Dexter Lawrence, NT Clemson

35) Oakland Raiders: Michael Dieter, OT/OG Wisconsin

36) San Francisco 49ers: Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson

37) New York Giants: Tyler Biadasz, OG/OC Wisconsin

38) Jacksonville Jaguars: Damien Harris, RB Alabama

39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Greg Little, OT Ole Miss

40) Buffalo Bills: Elgton Jenkins, OC Mississippi State

41) Detroit Lions: Jerry Tillery, DL Notre Dame

42) Cincinnati Bengals: Kaden Smith, TE Stanford

43) Denver Broncos: Daniel Jones, QB Duke

44) Green Bay Packers: Dawson Knox, TE Ole Miss

45) Atlanta Falcons: Derrick Brown, DT Auburn

46) Carolina Panthers: Raekwon Davis, DT Alabama

47) Miami Dolphins: Anthony Nelson, EDGE Iowa

48) Washington Redskins: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, WR Oklahoma

49) Cleveland Browns: Oshane Ximines, EDGE/OLB Old Dominion

50) Minnesota Vikings: Bobby Evans, OT Oklahoma

51) Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, ILB Michigan

52) Tennessee Titans: Zach Allen, DL Boston College

53) *Atlanta Falcons via Philadelphia Eagles: Julian Love, CB Notre Dame

54) Houston Texans via Seattle Seahawks: Andre Dillard, OT Washington State

55) Philadelphia Eagles via Baltimore Ravens: Gerald Willis, DT Miami

56) Indianapolis Colts: DaMarkus Lodge, WR Ole Miss

57) Dallas Cowboys: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE Missouri

58) Houston Texans: Darrell Henderson, RB Memphis

59) Los Angeles Chargers: David Long, CB Michigan

60) New England Patriots via Chicago Bears: Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama

61) New England Patriots: Riley Ridley, WR Georgia

62) Kansas City Chiefs via Los Angeles Rams: Kristian Fulton, CB LSU

63) Kansas City Chiefs: Rodney Anderson, RB Oklahoma

64) New Orleans Saints: Taylor Rapp, SS Washington

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Jordan Katz: 2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Posted on October 28, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are back! With the NFL officially at the midway point and the College Football season hitting its stretch run, it’s time to give a quick peek into where the prospects stand right now. This is always the toughest mock draft of the year because so many things change from now until April. The tape on college players for this season is also incomplete, so it’s hard to give a complete analysis at this stage in the game.

However, y’all know the drill by now (shoutout to those who realize why I chose “y’all,” in that spot)… MOCK DRAFT LYFE NEVER SLEEPS!

This upcoming draft features a ton of defensive line talent. You could see as many as ten defensive lineman go in the first round! Despite this, the rest of the draft is a giant mystery. Is there a quarterback worthy of a top ten selection? Is there a WR1 in this draft? Does the draft have enough depth for day three steals?

While these questions will be answered in time, for now, here’s a peek at some players I expect to be talked about as first round talents in the upcoming draft.

*Editor’s Note: The standings for this mock draft are based on my individual opinion of where teams will finish at the end of the season. Once I got to the playoffs (21-32), it’s based on seeding, not who would win each matchup. There is also no trading in this Mock Draft because it’s way too early to get that crazy.

ROUND ONE

1) Oakland Raiders: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State- The Oakland Raiders and New York Giants are about to enter a good ole fashion NBA Draft style tank-off for the top pick. Regardless of who wins, I think both teams will get the players they covet.

Bosa is easily the top prospect in this draft. I have not seen an edge rusher as polished as Bosa on tape in my years of doing mock drafts. To me, his football ability at this level is better than Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, as well as his brother, Joey Bosa. Depending on how he tests athletically, he could grade as one of my top players ever.

2) New York Giants: Justin Herbert, QB Oregon- Well, the Giants get their man, but is it the right man for the job? Personally, I currently do not have a quarterback worthy of a first round pick. The closest guy is Herbert, because he has the tools to be a NFL starter. He shows intelligence in the intermediate window, good arm strength and he’s athletic.

However, Herbert has been so inconsistent this year on film. I don’t think he takes enough chances with the football, which is a major concern. If a QB is not going to take a chance in college, how can we expect him to give a receiver a one-on-one opportunity in the NFL? The QBs that don’t take chances in college are the ones that don’t see “NFL open,” at the next level.

I’m breaking my rule here by putting a player that doesn’t have a first round grade this high, but let’s face it, the Giants are taking a quarterback this time around.

3) San Francisco 49ers: DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia- I’d call Baker “Denzel Ward 2.0,” but Baker might be better. He’s a wall in man coverage and he’s just as technically sound as Ward was, showing great fluidity when changing directions as well as the ability to trail receivers stride for stride. If he tests well in Indianapolis, he should be the top corner taken in April.

4) Arizona Cardinals: Jonah Williams, OT Alabama- Williams is technical enough to be worthy of a top five selection. As long as his athletic grade checks out, he should be the easy selection for Arizona, a team desperate for offensive line talent.

5) Buffalo Bills: Greedy Williams, CB LSU- This would be a case of a luxury pick, which is rare at the fifth spot. However, there’s not really an offensive player worthy of this selection and the Bills do need a number two corner. Williams has good size and build, and he possesses strong ball skills that would compliment his Bayou brethren Tre’ White.

6) Indianapolis Colts: Ed Oliver, DL Houston- For the second straight year, the Colts get the second best player to fall into their lap at the sixth overall pick (sound familiar Jets fans?). Oliver is an athletic freak, but because he’s an interior defensive lineman, he could fall in this draft if offensive players are over-drafted.

7) Cleveland Browns: David Edwards, OT Wisconsin- “Offensive Line University,” is back at it, with an entire starting unit of NFL talent. Edwards has been up and down this year, but there’s two things I like about him; he’s smart, and he’s shown great improvement for a guy who was recruited as a Quarterback. Offensive lineman that are intelligent almost always wind up being solid pros. In my opinion, I’ll take an intelligent offensive lineman over one that exclusively tests well athletically every time.

8) Denver Broncos: Dexter Lawrence, DT/NT Clemson- The Broncos run defense has been a shell of its former self in 2018. Lawrence is a rare talent at the nose tackle position. He can occupy space, he can beat interior lineman one-on-one, and he collapses the pocket very well.

9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State- Oruwariye has emerged as CB3 on my board, which was a huge question mark for this draft class heading into the season. He has elite size, his ball skills are excellent, and he shows the smarts to excel in multiple different coverages. While this is a little high for him, but because the Bucs are desperate for secondary help, it makes sense.

10) Seattle Seahawks: Noah Fant, TE Iowa- If the Seahawks are truly committed to making this a team that wins with its offense as much as it does with its defense, then Russell Wilson needs some more weapons. Fant is the top pass catcher on my board because he has it all. He’s got the size and build, the elite athleticism to stretch the field, and he catches anything in his radius. Fant is a quality blocker as well.

Some might say the top ten is too high for a tight end, but with the emergence of guys like Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, and other star tight ends, Fant is easily worthy of this selection.

11) New York Jets: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson- Ferrell has been one of the most dynamic pass rushers in college football over the past 18 months. His ability to dip and bend around the edge is impressive.

My one concern is his motor, not because he takes plays off, but because Clemson’s defensive front has not been as consistent as you would’ve expected.

Having said that, Ferrell is still a terrific talent, and the Jets are desperate for a pass rusher of his caliber.

12) Oakland Raiders via Dallas Cowboys: N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State- Now that Jon Gruden has absolutely zero weapons for his franchise quarterback (who may also be on the move), it’s probably a good idea for the Raiders to draft some pass catchers.

Harry leads a group of wide receivers that will have a lot to prove throughout the draft process. Many question whether this group has a true WR1, but I think Harry’s combination of size and speed as well as his ability to high point the football make him the prize of this draft at the receiver position.

13) Detroit Lions: Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State- Burns is an elite pass rusher from a stand-up position. He shows a rare combination of length and athleticism, and possesses a ton of ways to get to the passer. I know the concern here is a 3-4 player going to a 4-3 scheme, but with the recent acquisition of Damon Harrison combined with Matt Patricia’s 3-4 background, Detroit can transition perfectly to accommodate their selection.

14) Miami Dolphins: Rashan Gary, DT Michigan- Many are projecting Gary as a 4-3 defensive end, but I think his skill set sets up much better as an interior lineman. He’s a terrific athlete and a big time run stuffer. There’s definitely parts of his game that need cleaning up (he’s not the most explosive pass rusher and his hands can sometimes sag), but Gary would be a plug and play on any team’s interior defensive line.

15) Atlanta Falcons: Dalton Risner, OT/OG Kansas State- Risner has been really strong in pass protection against the smaller, athletic ends that typically play in the Big 12. He has a great feel for the second level as well. I think he has room to grow technically, specifically with his pad level consistency, but Risner to me can play guard or tackle at the next level, which is a big weapon.

16) Tennessee Titans: AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss- Tennessee desperately needs pass catchers that can separate, and that’s exactly what Brown excels at. He’s incredibly quick and explosive with the football, two things the Titans really lack at wide receiver. Easy fit here.

17) Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Allen, OLB Kentucky- Allen really fell in this mock, which is upsetting because he’s one of my favorite players in this draft. He plays downhill with aggression and poise, ranges well sideline to sideline, and he’s got pass rush ability off the edge. Not to mention, he excels in off ball coverage as well. Cincinnati gets a big time steal here to play strong side linebacker.

18) Jacksonville Jaguars: Montez Sweat, EDGE/OLB Mississippi State- Obviously Jacksonville needs a quarterback, but there isn’t one worthy of a first round selection on my board.

Sweat isn’t the best athlete, but you can’t ignore production. He’s a smart pass rusher, he knows how to set up tackles with his hands and he has a solid move-set. I love the idea of Sweat playing the LEO linebacker in a 4-3, which is exactly where Jacksonville would put him.

19) Washington Redskins: Devin White, ILB LSU- White is an incredibly underrated prospect at the moment. He shows tremendous range and plays with passion and intensity. White can do it all from the middle linebacker spot and has the versatility to play outside as well. Washington’s linebacking core gets a major boost.

20) Carolina Panthers: Lukas Denis, FS Boston College- The Panthers secondary is improving, but it still needs a game changer in the backend. Denis has had a down year on the stat sheet, but he’s still been impactful in the BC secondary. On tape, he has good ball skills and shows NFL awareness from the single high position.

With current free safety Mike Adams playing his age 37 season, one would assume Carolina will be looking for his replacement this offseason.

21) Oakland Raiders via Chicago Bears: Tyler Biadasz, OG/OC Wisconsin- Oakland’s offensive line is a shell of what it once was. Biadasz is perfect at guard or center for a power blocking scheme, which is exactly what Gruden likes to run up front.

22) Pittsburgh Steelers: Byron Murphy, CB Washington- I was blown away by Murphy’s ability to mirror receivers on tape. He lines up on the outside as well as in the nickel and does a terrific job of sticking receivers in man-to-man. This is a name to remember, Murphy could slide up a lot of people’s draft boards as the year goes on.

23) Green Bay Packers: Jachai Polite, EDGE Florida- Regardless of whether Clay Matthews is re-upped or departs in free agency, the Packers pass rush needs a jolt. Polite is an elite 3-4 edge rusher with a good ability to bend around the edge. He’s currently higher on my personal board than this mock draft, but I think that’s an accurate representation of what could happen come April. Because there are so many talented front seven prospects, you could see a lot of them fall in an attempt by teams to draft the limited talent at other positions.

24) Los Angeles Chargers: Jerry Tillery, DL Notre Dame- Tillery is a mammoth on the defensive front (he stands 6’7), but oddly enough it’s his quickness and first step that make him a highly touted prospect. The Chargers pass rush would become even better by adding an interior player like Tillery.

25) Houston Texans: Yodny Cajuste, OT West Virginia- Normally I’m not a fan of spread offensive lineman, but Cajuste has had a strong season thus far. He quick on his first step into his kickslide, and he’s handled athletic pass rushers well. Cajuste needs help in the run game, his pad level is often high and he doesn’t have a great feel for the second level. However, if he continues to shine in pass protection, it would be hard for teams to ignore him in the first 40 picks.

26) Philadelphia Eagles: Greg Little, OT Ole Miss- The Eagles have to find their next starting left tackle this offseason. Jason Peters is probably retiring after this season and Hal Vatai has been very subpar since his performance in the Super Bowl.

Little is lower on my board than most because too often I see him off balance and high with his pad level. However, he’s a former five star recruit and an impressive athlete. Little would be a great fit in Philly.

27) Baltimore Ravens: Christian Wilkins, DL Clemson- Best Player Available; an Ozzie Newsome special to kick off the post Ozzie Newsome era in Baltimore. Wilkins has a quick first step and a high motor. He’s very disciplined in gap assignments as well, a big key for players in the Ravens defense.

28) Green Bay Packers via New Orleans Saints: Jeffery Simmons, DL Mississippi State- The Packers front three has underwhelmed all year. Simmons would be an infusion of youth and athleticism into a front that desperately needs it.

29) Minnesota Vikings: Chris Lindstrom, OG Boston College- Underrated prospect alert! Lindstrom is a four year starter at BC and has a polished game up front. He gets to the second level, he has a low center of gravity so he’s rarely knocked back at the point of attack, and he has great footwork. Lindstrom should wind up higher on many people’s board as the draft process go on.

30) Kansas City Chiefs: Deionte Thompson, S Alabama- Thompson is a do-it-all safety that rivals some of the top safeties we’ve seen in recent drafts. He’s strong around the line of scrimmage, and he finds the ball well in the backend of the secondary. Kansas City needs playmakers in the secondary, and Thompson is just that.

31) New England Patriots: Kaden Smith, TE Stanford- If the Patriots truly want to start the process of replacing Rob Gronkowski, this is the year to do it. There’s multiple big time pass catching tight ends, including Kaden Smith who is a freakish athlete. He’s not the most fluid route runner yet, but he high points the ball well and he’s a tough cover for linebackers because of his speed.

32) Los Angeles Rams: Mack Wilson, ILB Alabama- If the Rams have a weakness, it’s their linebacking core. Wilson is one of the better off ball linebackers in this draft, showing good range and reaction skills on tape.

Then again, the NFL might force the Rams to forfeit their pick because they’re too good.

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Jordan Katz 2018 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Final Mock Draft (Three Rounds)

Posted on April 26, 2018

The day of reckoning is upon us, the three day spectacle that is the NFL Draft. This means it is time for one final Mock Draft from yours truly. #MockDraftSZN may be coming to an end, but the #MockDraftLyfe never stops (credit to Joe Romano for that poetic tagline).

This is my final personal mock draft. As always, this is what I would do at each selection. For my prediction mock draft, aka what I think will happen on draft days one and two, click the link here: https://draftstock.net/2018/04/23/jordan-katz-2018-nfl-prediction-mock-draft-2-0-final/

Some things changed from my most recent mock draft, the biggest of which is the teams that are moving around in this draft. There’s multiple teams without the leverage to trade out of spots in this draft, including one in the top five that has traded in every draft I’ve done thus far.

There’s also slightly less analysis in this mock draft. If you’ve kept up with my mock drafts, you’re well aware of the players I like versus the players I do not.

Thank you to everyone who kept up with my content this year. Enjoy the draft!

ROUND ONE

1) Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB USC- I still believe Darnold should be selected first because he can sit the first year. Baker Mayfield is my top quarterback, but he’s ready to play now and he also has less upside. If the Browns are going to start Tyrod Taylor in 2018, they should pick Darnold.

2) New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State- I mentioned in my predictions mock draft that the Giants no longer have any trade leverage at this selection. David Gettleman didn’t do a good enough job convincing the masses that they would select a quarterback not named Sam Darnold. Therefor the Giants are stuck at this pick, but Saquon Barkley is a nice consolation prize.

3) New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts: Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma- Broadway Baker, nothing changes here.

4) *Buffalo Bills from Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans: Josh Rosen, QB UCLA- The Browns reap the benefits of the Giants inability to trade the second pick. They get multiple first and second round picks to slide down the draft.

The Bills are rewarded as well. They pay less of a price in order to land their franchise quarterback.

5) Denver Broncos: Quenton Nelson, OG Notre Dame- After much debate, I’ve decided that the Broncos have to take Quenton Nelson if they are unable to trade this pick. Not only is he the best player in the draft, but he’s a legitimate can’t miss prospect.

6) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Bradley Chubb, EDGE NC State- If Chubb and Barkley are off the board on draft day, look for the Colts to trade out. With Chubb on the board, this pick is easy.

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/FS/SS Alabama- Fitzpatrick’s versatility in the secondary makes him the selection over Derwin James, who’s a more traditional safety.

8) Chicago Bears: Roquan Smith, OLB/ILB Georgia- Smith can be the anchor in the middle of the Bears 3-4 defense from day one.

9) San Francisco 49ers: Tremaine Edmunds, EDGE/OLB Virginia Tech- Edmunds would give an immediate jolt to the Niners linebacking core, as well as their pass rush.

10) Oakland Raiders: Connor Williams, OT/OG Texas- Oakland is best served to take the best available offensive tackle with their first selection. One of the differences between their playoff team from two years ago and last year’s underachieving squad was the regression of their offensive line.

11) Miami Dolphins: Da’Ron Payne, DT Alabama- Payne’s massive rise up my draft board is largely due to their inability to trade this pick. He’s a better fit for their 4-3 defense than Vita Vea, so Miami takes Payne a little higher than expected.

12) *Cleveland Browns from Buffalo Bills via Cincinnati Bengals: Carlton Davis, CB Auburn- After trading down from the fourth pick, the Browns use their second of three first round picks on a true number one cornerback.

13) Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, DT/NT Washington- Vea still can’t find his way into the top ten where he belongs, but I doubt Washington is complaining.

14) Green Bay Packers: Derwin James, FS/SS Florida State- To compare this selection to the NBA Draft, Derwin James should not make it out of the lottery this year. He’s a perfect fit next to HaHa Clinton-Dix.

15) Arizona Cardinals: Anthony Miller, WR Memphis- Arizona needs a playmaker to alleviate pressure from the ageless wonder Larry Fitzgerald. Miller is worthy of this selection for me, he’s my only receiver with a first round grade.

16) Baltimore Ravens: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB Boise State- This remains my favorite selection of the draft. Baltimore’s defense becomes even more elite with Vander Esch and CJ Mosley commanding the middle.

17) Los Angeles Chargers: Mike McGlinchey, OT Notre Dame- McGlinchey is a reach here on my board, but the Chargers desperately need help at the offensive tackle positions.

18) *Carolina Panthers via Seattle Seahawks: Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State- With only one selection in the first 100 picks, Seattle is desperate to trade out of this selection. This allows Carolina to trade up for a number one cornerback.

19) *Minnesota Vikings via Dallas Cowboys: Braden Smith, OT/OG Auburn- Minnesota trades up to bolster its offensive line, which is exactly what I had them do in my predictions mock.

20) Detroit Lions: Rasheem Green, DE USC- Green continuously rose up my board throughout the draft process, and this is now the peak. His athleticism and length make him the second edge rusher taken.

21) Cincinnati Bengals via Buffalo Bills: Billy Price, OG/C Ohio State- I think Price is easily the best center in this draft and very worthy of the 21st selection.

22) *Cleveland Browns via Buffalo Bills: Derrius Guice, RB LSU- The Browns did sign Carlos Hyde this offseason, but I doubt that deters them from selecting a running back in this draft.

23) New England Patriots via Los Angeles Rams: Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville- This is a scary good selection for New England. Alexander’s ability in man coverage would be a big time weapon for Bill Belichick’s defense.

24) *Seattle Seahawks via Carolina Panthers: Will Hernandez, OG UTEP- Seattle has a number of needs, which is why trading down from 18 is imperative. Hernandez is a mauler in the run game and a perfect fit for the Seahawks.

25) Tennessee Titans: Isaiah Wynn, OG Georgia- The Titans also need help at guard, so the run on interior linemen concludes with Wynn to Tennessee.

Editor’s note: In case Vikings fans were curious as to why they would move up, this is why. First round offensive linemen will fly off the board late.

26) Atlanta Falcons: Taven Bryan, DT Florida- Bryan’s athleticism and effort will make him beloved by the Atlanta coaching staff very quickly.

27) New Orleans Saints: Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State- Goedert would become one of Drew Brees’ favorite targets very quickly.

Editor’s Note: New Orleans tried to trade down here to acquire an extra pick in the first three rounds, but they were unsuccessful.

28) *Oakland Raiders via Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah Oliver, CB Colorado- Oakland trades back into round one to land a starting cornerback.

29) Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M- My personal feeling is that Jacksonville’s receiving core needs a lot of work. Kirk would be a perfect fit because he would help Jacksonville as a chains mover on third down.

30) *Dallas Cowboys via Minnesota Vikings: DeShon Elliott, FS Texas- With Byron Jones moving back to corner, a hole has been created at free safety. Chidobe Awuzie played some safety last year, but I think the Cowboys are better off trying to select a ball hawk like Elliott or Justin Reid in this draft.

31) New England Patriots: Marcus Davenport, EDGE UTSA- I know the Patriots would like to trade back with one of their two first rounders, but they can’t pass on Davenport at 31.

32) *Cincinnati Bengals via Philadelphia Eagles: Ronnie Harrison, SS Alabama- Cincinnati needs to reload at safety and this is the perfect draft to do it. They trade up to land Harrison, a true throwback strong safety.

TRADES IN ROUND ONE

1) Buffalo Bills trade the #12, #22, #53 and a 2019 2nd round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the #4.

2) Carolina Panthers trade the #24 and #88 to the Seattle Seahawks for the #18.

3) Minnesota Vikings trade the #30 and #62 to the Dallas Cowboys for the #19 and #171.

4) Oakland Raiders trade the #41 and #75 to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the #28, #148 and a 2019 5th round pick.

5) Cincinnati Bengals trade the #46 and #77 to the Philadelphia Eagles for the #42 and #130.

ROUND TWO

33) Cleveland Browns: Sam Hubbard, EDGE Ohio State: Hubbard is the perfect player to go opposite Myles Garrett. He’s a disciplined edge rusher with an underrated move-set.

34) New York Giants: Joshua Jackson, CB Iowa- I know the Giants need offensive line, but they can’t pass on Jackson here. They need a true number two cornerback opposite Janoris Jenkins.

35) *Los Angeles Chargers from Cleveland Browns via Indianapolis Colts: Justin Reid, FS Stanford- Cleveland doesn’t have an immediate need at this spot, so they trade down once again for assets to use later. Los Angeles moves up to land a ball hawking free safety.

36) Indianapolis Colts: Sony Michel, RB Georgia- If the Colts aren’t sold on Marlon Mack being a “bell cow,” then a running back in the second round should be a lock.

37) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Mike Hughes, CB UCF- This is an easy pick as well. The Colts have to find a cornerback in this draft class to play opposite Quincy Wilson.

38) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerard Avery, OLB Memphis- Avery was another late riser for me. I love his move-set and motor from the strong side. Tampa Bay takes a strong side linebacker here, adding another dimension to their much improved front seven from a year ago.

39) Chicago Bears: Frank Ragnow, OG/C Arkansas- Ragnow is exactly the kind of player the Bears should target if they miss Quenton Nelson in round one. His versatility allows the Bears to judge whether he or current center Cody Whitehair is better off transitioning to guard.

40) Denver Broncos: Ronald Jones II, RB USC- Much like my predictions mock draft, Denver takes a starting running back at the top of round two.

41) *Pittsburgh Steelers via Oakland Raiders: Rashaan Evans, OLB/ILB Alabama- Pittsburgh trades down, acquires assets in this draft, and selects a guy they would’ve reached for at 28.

42) Miami Dolphins: Kerryon Johnson, RB Auburn- The signing of Frank Gore combined with the emergence of Kenyan Drake is still not deterring me from giving the Dolphins a true “bell cow,” in the backfield

43) New England Patriots via San Francisco 49ers: Mike Gesicki, TE Penn State- Gesicki to New England is still my layup of round two. He gives the Patriots insurance if they opt to deal Rob Gronkowski, or he is just another big body pass catcher that safeties will be unable to defend one-on-one.

44) Washington Redskins: Mason Cole, OL Michigan- I like the idea of Washington taking a center to replace Spencer Long, but I go with Cole instead of James Daniels. I value Cole’s intelligence and versatility over the athleticism of Daniels.

45) Green Bay Packers: Holton Hill, CB Texas- Green Bay is a team that can take someone like Hill and get the best out of him. If Hill stays out of trouble, he could be the steal of this draft.

46) *Philadelphia Eagles via Cincinnati Bengals: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT/OG Western Michigan- Philadelphia needs a tackle of the future in this draft. Okorafor is my favorite developmental pick this year.

47) Arizona Cardinals: Jessie Bates III, FS Wake Forest- Bates is not the best tackler, but he has ridiculous range and ball skills from the free safety position.

48) *Cleveland Browns via Los Angeles Chargers: Harrison Phillips, DT Stanford- The Browns need consistency at the defensive tackle position. While some feel that their roster is deep enough at that spot, I think they need a starter next to Larry Ogunjobi.

49) Indianapolis Colts from New York Jets via Seattle Seahawks: Dante Pettis, WR Washington- Pettis has the ability to be a number two wide receiver out of the gate. He would take pressure off of T.Y Hilton as well.

50) Dallas Cowboys: DJ Moore, WR Maryland- Moore’s athleticism is off the charts. He would be a perfect number one target for Dak Prescott.

51) Detroit Lions: Austin Corbett, OG/C Nevada- Corbett can start at left guard from day one for Detroit and he can kick inside to center in the future if Graham Glasgow doesn’t perform.

52) Baltimore Ravens: James Daniels, OC Iowa- Baltimore needs to replace Ryan Jensen and Daniels slid down the draft right into their lap. Easy pick.

53) *Cleveland Browns via Buffalo Bills: Michael Gallup, WR Colorado State– The run on wide receivers caps off with Gallup to Cleveland. I don’t trust Josh Gordon to stay on the field, nor do I trust Corey Coleman to stay healthy.

54) Kansas City Chiefs: Martinas Rankin, OL Mississippi State- Slight reach pick, but the Chiefs need to find offensive line depth and potential starters up front in this draft.

55) Carolina Panthers: Terrell Edmunds, SS Virginia Tech- Edmunds is a steal here for Carolina. He can be a traditional in the box strong safety and he’s also a decent safety from a cover two spot.

56) Buffalo Bills via Los Angeles Rams: Brian O’Neill, OT Pittsburgh- Buffalo is so desperate for offensive line that they have to reach, albeit slightly, for a starting tackle late in round two.

57) Tennessee Titans: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB Oklahoma- Tennessee needs to get younger and quicker on the edge. Okoronkwo plays downhill with poise and he’s got a solid move-set off the edge.

58) *New York Jets via Atlanta Falcons: Josh Sweat, EDGE Florida State- If you can’t tell by now, I’m all in on Baker Mayfield and trading up for Josh Sweat as the Jets draft strategy.

59) San Francisco 49ers via New Orleans Saints: Mark Andrews, TE Oklahoma- Getting Jimmy Garoppolo a middle of the field target is more important than selecting a wide receiver at this spot.

60) Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Allen, QB Wyoming- The most ideal fit for Josh Allen is Pittsburgh. Allen would get to sit and learn behind a hall of fame quarterback like Roethlisberger (who one could argue Allen resembles with his size and “escapability”) while he perfects the finer points of his game like footwork and clearing his hip when throwing to a target.

61) Jacksonville Jaguars: Fred Warner, OLB/ILB BYU- I think Warner would be a terrific replacement for Paul Posluszny. He’s terrific in off ball coverage, just like the rest of the Jaguars linebacking core.

62) *Dallas Cowboys via Minnesota Vikings: Breeland Speaks, DT Ole Miss- Speaks is one of the most underrated players in this draft. He may not have the strengths of the other tackles, but he’s a complete player. Speaks can start right away for any team that drafts him.

63) *Arizona Cardinals via New England Patriots: Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville- Arizona has to find a quarterback for the future in this draft. With Allen going a few picks earlier, they trade up to ensure they land Jackson.

64) Cleveland Browns via Philadelphia Eagles: Kolton Miller, OT UCLA- The tackle class is not great, but if the team picking Miller is right, they could have a starting left tackle on their hands.

TRADES IN ROUND TWO

1) Los Angeles Chargers trade the #48, #84 and #155 to the Cleveland Browns for the #35 and #114.

2) New York Jets trade the #72, #107 and #179 to the Atlanta Falcons for the #58 and #200.

3) Arizona Cardinals trade the #79 and #97 to the New England Patriots for the #62 and a 2019 4th round pick.

ROUND THREE

65) Buffalo Bills via Cleveland Browns: Wyatt Teller, OG Virginia Tech

66) New York Giants: Orlando Brown, OT Oklahoma

67) Indianapolis Colts: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB USC

68) Houston Texans: Derrick Nnadi, DT/NT Florida State

69) New York Giants via Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tegray Scales, OLB/ILB Indiana

70) San Francisco 49ers via Chicago Bears: Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE Kansas

71) Denver Broncos: MJ Stewart, CB North Carolina

72) *Atlanta Falcons via New York Jets: Colby Gossett, OG Appalachian State

73) Miami Dolphins: Harold Landry, EDGE Boston College

74) San Francisco 49ers: DaeSean Hamilton, WR Penn State

75) *Pittsburgh Steelers via Oakland Raiders: Arden Key, EDGE LSU

76) Green Bay Packers: Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama

77) *Philadelphia Eagles via Cincinnati Bengals: Rashaad Penny, RB San Diego State

78) Kansas City Chiefs via Washington Redskins: Quenton Meeks, CB Stanford

79) *New England Patriots via Arizona Cardinals: Tyrell Crosby, OT/OG Oregon

80) Houston Texans via Seattle Seahawks: Hayden Hurst, TE South Carolina

81) Dallas Cowboys: Darius Leonard, OLB South Carolina State

82) Detroit Lions: Nathan Shepard, DT Fort Hays State

83) Baltimore Ravens: Ian Thomas, TE Indiana

84) *Cleveland Browns via Los Angeles Chargers: Godwin Igwebuike, FS/SS Northwestern

85) Carolina Panthers via Buffalo Bills: Nick Chubb, RB Georgia

86) Kansas City Chiefs: BJ Hill, DT/NT NC State

87) Los Angeles Rams: Hercules Mata’Afa, EDGE Washington State

88) *Seattle Seahawks via Carolina Panthers: Duke Ejiofor, DE Wake Forest

89) Tennessee Titans: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR Notre Dame

90) Atlanta Falcons: Tre’Quan Smith, WR UCF

91) New Orleans Saints: PJ Hall, DT Sam Houston State

92) Pittsburgh Steelers: Gereon Christian, OL Louisville

93) *Green Bay Packers via Jacksonville Jaguars: Josey Jewell, ILB Iowa

94) Minnesota Vikings: JC Jackson, CB Maryland

95) New England Patriots: Foley Fatukasi, DT UCONN

96) *Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Buffalo Bills via Philadelphia Eagles: Kalen Ballage, RB Arizona State

97) *New England Patriots via Arizona Cardinals (compensatory): Kyle Lauletta, QB Richmond

98) Houston Texans (compensatory): Alex Cappa, OL Humboldt State

99) Denver Broncos (compensatory): Courtland Sutton, WR SMU

100) Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory): Shaquem Griffin, LB UCF

TRADES IN ROUND THREE

1) Green Bay Packers trade the #101 and #138 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the #93

2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade the #102 and #144 to the Buffalo Bills for the #96

This entry was posted in Mock Drafts, NFL Draft Articles and tagged 2018 NFL Draft, 2018 NFL Mock Draft, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baker Mayfield, Baltimore Ravens, Bradley Chubb, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Connor Williams, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Derrius Guice, Derwin James, Detroit Lions, DJ Moore, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Jackson, Leighton Vander Esch, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Roquan Smith, Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers, Saquon Barkley, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Tremaine Edmunds, Washington Redskins.

Jordan Katz: NFL Mock Draft 3.0- Post Free Agency and Three Rounds

Posted on April 9, 2018 Updated on April 14, 2018

We’ve hit the final stretch of #MockDraftSZN. This has been one of the most eventful offseasons that I can remember. There have been so many big trades, as well as plenty of moving parts in free agency. Now we’re less than 20 days away from the biggest spectacle of the offseason. The ultimate sense of hope and renewal for every team; the NFL Draft.

My rankings and player evaluations have changed a bit since my most recent mock draft. There are some new players that have entered round one for me, as well as some players that have dropped in value. I’ve also expanded this mock draft to three rounds, giving you, the fans, a better insight into what I think each team should do at each selection.

ROUND ONE

1) Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB USC- For the record, Darnold is not my top quarterback according to my grades. However, with the acquisition of Tyrod Taylor, the Browns no longer have to select a starting quarterback for 2018 in this draft. Darnold has the most upside of any quarterback in this draft. He also gets to sit for as long as he needs. Hopefully Darnold can finally be the quarterback to guide the Browns back to NFL notoriety.

2) Buffalo Bills via New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB UCLA- As you all know by now, I only execute trades when it’s in the best interest of both teams involved. And as you all know by now, I think the Giants should trade down with this pick.

Here’s why Buffalo should trade up though, even if it costs them three first round picks. I only have three quarterbacks with a first round grade, and the Bills have to get one of them. They still have a competitive roster and a good, young defense. Buffalo gives the farm to come up and grab their franchise quarterback.

3) New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts: Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma- Not only is Mayfield my top passer based on his collegiate tape, but he is built for the bright lights of New York City. He will embrace the challenge of playing in front of such a demanding fan base. “Broadway Baker,” is the ideal future quarterback of the Jets.

4) Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans: Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State- As I said in Mock Draft 2.0, grabbing a quarterback and Barkley at the top of this draft gives the Browns a legitimate offense for next year and beyond.

5) Denver Broncos: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/FS/SS Alabama- With the three first round quarterbacks off the board, Denver turns to its next primary need. Fitzpatrick has the ability to be a “joker,” on defense, a weapon Denver could use after losing Aqib Talib and moving Bradley Roby to the outside.

6) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Bradley Chubb, EDGE NC State– I don’t believe the “Chubb is a better prospect than Myles Garrett,” thing that’s going around in the media. What I do believe is that Chubb has been underrated for a large portion of the draft process. Yes, this isn’t a good edge rushing class, but Chubb is an excellent one and worthy of a top ten selection.

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, FS/SS Florida State- James tested off the charts at the combine, which reassured my belief that the toxic environment in Tallahassee this past fall was the reason for a diminished year on tape. Tampa needs secondary help, so the fit and value make sense.

8) Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, OG Notre Dame- For anyone in the business of predicting the draft, Nelson to the Bears makes so much sense. Chicago needs to continue to sure up their offensive line and Nelson is going to fall a little bit because he’s a guard. It’s a steal in terms of value, one the Bears should not pass on if given the chance.

9) Los Angeles Chargers via San Francisco 49ers: Connor Williams, OT Texas- The Chargers tackle situation is not good. Joe Barksdale needs to be replaced as soon as possible and Russell Okung is a cap cut option in 2019. Williams has the athleticism and technique to be worthy of a top ten selection this year. Los Angeles jumps the Raiders to snag their left tackle of the future.

10) Oakland Raiders: Carlton Davis, CB Auburn- To me, Davis is being vastly underrated by the mock draft community. He’s physical at the line, he has a great feel for his space and where to lead receivers, and his technique is being wrongfully criticized. He’s not the best at trailing, but it’s not a concern to me because he’s the best press cover corner in this draft. With some NFL coaching, Davis could be a top tier corner.

11) Miami Dolphins: Tremaine Edmunds, EDGE/OLB Virginia Tech- Miami seems to think they will be better this year than they were last year.

I think they have one of the worst teams in football and should quickly attempt a full blown rebuild.

So for this pick, I compromised. I gave them an athletic do-it-all linebacker that is only 19 years old. A pick that is both for now, and for the future.

12) New York Giants from Buffalo Bills via Cincinnati Bengals: Roquan Smith, ILB/OLB Georgia- I know, the Giants haven’t drafted a linebacker in round one in over 30 years. Fortunately for me, I run the show in this mock draft. Smith has the ability to play anywhere in a 4-3, and if the Giants go to a 3-4, he can play inside next to Alec Ogletree. Smith is a perfect scheme fit for Big Blue.

13) Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, NT Washington- Eventually I will get Vea into the top ten where he belongs. For now, the Redskins can just continue to reap the benefits of their good fortunes.

14) Green Bay Packers: Braden Smith, OG Auburn- Green Bay needs help on the interior of their offensive line. Keeping Aaron Rodgers healthy and upright is priority number one for a team looking to bounce back in 2018. Smith is a beast in the run game and more athletic than people think.

15) Arizona Cardinals: Anthony Miller, WR Memphis- Miller remains the only wideout with a first round grade on my board. Frankly, I’m confused as to how the mainstream media hasn’t picked up on his talents in a weak wide receiver class. Miller is a terrific route runner with great hands and the ability to beat defensive backs in the air despite his size.

16) Baltimore Ravens: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB Boise State- I love this pick. Vander Esch gives the Ravens two do-it-all linebackers in the middle of their 3-4 defense (CJ Mosley being the other). Vander Esch is terrific in off-ball coverage and his ability to play downhill versus the run is also very good. Baltimore addressed their wide receiver need during free agency, making them free to address whatever need they desire at the 16th selection.

17) San Francisco 49ers via Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M- Very simple analysis here; the 49ers need pass catchers. Call me crazy, but a receiving core of Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin doesn’t seem like the way to build up Jimmy Garoppolo.

18) Cleveland Browns via Seattle Seahawks: Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State- Yes. this is a heavy price to pay to trade back into round one. However, I have less than a full round of first round grades, or “NFL Starter Grades,” depending on what grading system you choose to use. In fact, if you exclude the running back class, I only have 21 first round grades this year. So for Cleveland to come out of this draft with three impact NFL starters would be terrific.

Ward gives the Browns a true number one cornerback. He does a great job finding the football in the air, his technique is strong, and he’s the best athlete at the cornerback position.

Editor’s Note: This makes sense for Seattle as well because this draft does have a lot of potential starters in rounds 2-4. Seattle needs depth, so they acquire two picks in the top 35.

19) Dallas Cowboys: Da’Ron Payne, DT Alabama- Cowboys fans would throw a party if they could sneak Payne in at 19. His athleticism and strength at the point of attack is something Dallas desperately needs in the middle of their defense.

20) Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, EDGE UTSA- Detroit must come away with a pass rusher on day one because they might not be able to on day two. Davenport followed up a terrific senior bowl week with a very impressive combine. Some question how technical he is and if he has a NFL level move set, but his athleticism alone is worthy of a first round call on draft day.

21) Cincinnati Bengals via Buffalo Bills: Billy Price, C/OG Ohio State- Price can provide immediate help to a diminished offensive line on the interior. I like his tape at center more than his tape at guard, but there’s no question that he can do both at the next level.

22) New York Giants via Buffalo Bills: Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville- I can’t imagine that any Giant fan wants to go into the season starting Eli Apple at the second cornerback slot. Alexander can play the outside or nickel spot, a versatility the Giants currently lack in their secondary. He’s the best man cover corner in the draft and he would provide an immediate impact to a defense looking to return to form in 2018.

23) New England Patriots via Los Angeles Rams (LA Rams Trade for Brandin Cooks): Isaiah Oliver, CB Colorado- When I had the rough draft of this mock draft complete last week, I had the exact trade that went down last Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, not only did I have Rob Gronkowski in instead of Cooks, and the Patriots and Rams also beat me to it. I’m not bitter, I’m fine… I’m fine…

Now to the trade itself. First off, the Patriots can survive without Cooks. The Patriot Way is to be willing to part with superstars a year early rather than a year late. Brandin Cooks was never going to re-up with New England. So to get a first round pick for someone you were never keeping is impressive.

From the Rams perspective, Los Angeles has gone all in this season. They traded for Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib to anchor their secondary. They added Ndamukong Suh on a one year deal to pair with Aaron Donald up front (good luck blocking that duo). Acquiring Brandin Cooks replaces the loss of Sammy Watkins and make them the favorite to win the championship next year. It’s a gamble, but it’s calculated.

In terms of the pick itself, Oliver is a long, athletic cover corner with the ability to excel out of multiple coverages. New England did trade for Jason McCourty, but he’s a quick fix at best. Oliver gives them a true number two cornerback for next year and beyond.

24) Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Wynn, OG Georgia- Carolina is in a very good position in this draft. They need secondary and interior offensive line play, two things that this draft class has in abundance. Wynn is a terrific scheme fit for the Panthers. He’s athletic, he’s a terrific pulling guard in the run game, and he’s got a quick and powerful first punch off the ball. This is a great pick here.

25) Tennessee Titans: Rasheem Green, DE/EDGE USC- Green was incredibly productive at USC, posting 10 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in his junior year. What made him jump up my draft board was the athleticism he showed throughout the draft process. In a year where edge rushers are in short supply, Green’s tape and versatility could get him to jump into the back end of round one.

26) Atlanta Falcons: Taven Bryan, DT Florida- Bryan’s athleticism makes him attractive to many scouts and GM’s. Putting him in a system where he can be a rotational rusher while he refines his technique, like I did here, is ideal for him.

27) New York Giants via New Orleans Saints: Derrius Guice, RB LSU- Trading down and then trading up in the first two rounds is incredibly rare for a team to do. However, the Giants draft is a home-run if they were to come out of this draft with three first round caliber players and a future first round pick.

Guice is one of the best pure runners in the draft. In terms of running between the tackles, he’s just as good as Saquon Barkley.

This draft scenario is why trading down from number two is what makes the most sense for the Giants.

Editor’s Note: New Orleans doesn’t have an immediate need at this spot and they can get a future asset or two if they trade down.

28) Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, ILB Alabama- This is a second selection that doesn’t necessarily fit with my draft grades, but team needs dictate a different direction. If Ryan Shazier cannot go next season, the Steelers would be starting Jon Bostic and Vince Williams on the interior of their 3-4 defense. Yuck.

29) Jacksonville Jaguars: Genard Avery, OLB/ILB Memphis- I watched Avery late in the draft process and I was blown away by his athleticism. He’s technical as well; he plays downhill off the edge and can drop from a more traditional off ball position. Not to mention that he’s a strong rusher off the edge, showing NFL caliber moves. Jacksonville lost Paul Posluzney this offseason, so they kick Myles Jack inside and play Avery at strong side linebacker.

30) Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez, OG UTEP- The Vikings offensive line still needs improvement on the interior. Hernandez is a mauler in the run game, and his footwork is much better than he gets credit for. Easy pick here.

31) New England Patriots: Mike McGlinchey, OT Notre Dame- “Mr. Plug and Play Right Tackle,” could start from day one if the Patriots needed him to, or he can develop his footwork under the tutelage of offensive line guru Dante Scarnecchia. This is a perfect match.

32) Philadelphia Eagles: Ronnie Harrison, SS Alabama- Philadelphia is going to have some tough cuts to make in the next few years. One of them could be Rodney McLeod, who’s in the middle of a five year, 35 million dollar deal. Harrison is more of a traditional in the box safety, but he’s incredibly talented. Taking “BPA,” in Harrison, as well as insurance for McLeod, seems like a win-win for Philly.

TRADES IN ROUND ONE

1) Buffalo Bills trade the #12, #22, #96, a 2019 1st and a 2019 2nd to the New York Giants for the #2 and a 2019 6th.

2) Los Angeles Chargers trade the #17 and the #48 to the San Francisco 49ers for the #9 and #184.

3) Cleveland Browns trade the #33 and #35 to the Seattle Seahawks for the #18, a 2019 3rd and #146

4* (*trade happened on 4/3)) New England Patriots trade Brandin Cooks and #136 to the Los Angeles Rams for the #23 and #198.

5) New York Giants trade the #34 and the #96 acquired from Buffalo to the New Orleans Saints for the #27.

ROUND TWO

33) Seattle Seahawks via Cleveland Browns: Joshua Jackson, CB Iowa- Seattle continues to revamp their defense by taking a corner that’s perfect for their cover three defense.

34) New Orleans Saints via New York Giants: Harrison Phillips, DT Stanford- The Saints are in a situation to draft the best player available whether they stay at 27 or trade down. In this scenario, Phillips gives them another run stopper on the interior.

35) Seattle Seahawks from Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans: Ronald Jones II, RB USC: Russell Wilson was the entire Seahawks offense last year. They need a “bell cow,” in the backfield to open up their offense again.

36) Indianapolis Colts: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB/ILB Oklahoma- Even though he didn’t test well at the combine, I still love Okoronkwo’s game tape. He can give the Colts a pass rusher from the LEO position.

37) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Holton Hill, CB Texas- Hill has some off the field baggage, but he’s a solid press man corner with good trail technique. If a team gets his mind focused on football, the sky is the limit.

38) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sony Michel, RB Georgia- Despite splitting carries at Georgia, Michel can be a three down back at the next level with ease. He would bring another dimension to the Buccaneers offense from day one.

39) Chicago Bears: Orlando Brown, OT Oklahoma- The Bears go back to back on offensive lineman to help create a strong unit to protect the franchise, Mitchell Trubisky.

40) Baltimore Ravens via Denver Broncos: Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State- The Ravens addressed their weak receiving core in free agency, but they still lack a tight end that can open up the middle of the field. Goedert had a massive pro day, leaving all who attended with the consensus that he is the top tight end this year. Baltimore jumps up a few spots to get a game changer in the middle of the field.

41) Oakland Raiders: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT Western Michigan- Oakland’s offensive line has gone from a strength to a weakness in a little over a year and a half. Okorafor can be a right tackle for years if his technique continues to improve.

42) Miami Dolphins: Kerryon Johnson, RB Auburn- I’m not sure Kenyan Drake is a guy that can carry the ball 250 times in a season, despite how solid he looked at the end of this past year.

I know that Kerryon Johnson can be that guy. Johnson and Drake would be a strong 1-2 punch for Miami.

43) New England Patriots via San Francisco 49ers: Mike Gesicki, WR/TE Penn State- Having dealt Brandin Cooks a short while ago, New England is in the market for a pass catcher.

However, it doesn’t have to be a traditional receiver. Gesicki can line up anywhere on the field adding a second big, athletic target to Tom Brady’s arsenal.

44) Washington Redskins: Austin Corbett, OG/C Nevada- Corbett’s versatility is something Washington’s offensive line desperately needs. I think he’s a day two guard because of how quick his power step is.

45) Green Bay Packers: Terrell Edmunds, SS Virginia Tech- Edmunds can line up in the box, as well as in double high. His versatility would compliment HaHa Clinton-Dix very well in the secondary.

46) Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Nnadi, DT/NT Florida State- Nnadi is a perfect scheme fit for the Bengals. He can play the zero tech next to Geno Atkins, and he’s also athletic enough to go to a three tech in a more traditional 4-3 look.

47) Arizona Cardinals: DeShon Elliott, FS Texas- Elliot’s single high, ball hawking nature would be a phenomenal compliment to Budda Baker, who will be playing the “joker role,” of the Cardinals defense this year.

48) San Francisco 49ers via Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Hughes, CB Central Florida- The Niners adding a traditional nickel corner might seem a bit out of the box this early in the draft, but it’s worth it. Hughes is so good in man coverage from the slot, a weapon every corner needs to have in their arsenal in the modern day NFL.

49) Indianapolis Colts from New York Jets via Seattle Seahawks: Dante Pettis, WR Washington- The Colts receiving core lacks a true number two receiver. Pettis is a home run threat with the ability to win jump balls in red zone situations. He’s also a better route runner than people think.

50) Dallas Cowboys: Fred Warner, OLB/ILB BYU- By adding Payne in round one and a do-it-all linebacker like Warner in round two, the Cowboys front seven would be one of the most underrated units in the NFL next season.

51) New England Patriots via Detroit Lions: Sam Hubbard, EDGE Ohio State- Hubbard has a solid move set and he has a great sense of gap control. That’s got Patriots edge rusher written all over it. New England trades up to land an edge rusher that they desperately need.

52) Denver Broncos via Baltimore Ravens: Josh Allen, QB Wyoming- This is a little early for Allen on my board, but because Denver is desperate for a quarterback of the future, they reach for the man who can see eye to eye with the heavens above.

53) Buffalo Bills: Mason Cole, OL Michigan- I don’t love the interior line situation of the Bills as it currently stands. Adding someone with versatility like Cole (started at every line position in college) makes a lot of sense to me.

54) Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Reid, FS Stanford- To get back to the defense they had a few years ago, the Chiefs need to revamp what was once an elite secondary. Reid is technically sound and he’s an underrated athlete. Pairing him with Eric Berry could be a fantastic duo as early as next season.

55) Carolina Panthers: Jessie Bates III, FS/SS Wake Forest- The run on safeties closes out with Bates to Carolina. Bates isn’t the best tackler, but tackling is easy to teach. Something not as easily taught is his nose for the ball and his recognition of plays from the back.

56) Buffalo Bills via Los Angeles Rams: Tegray Scales, OLB/ILB Indiana- All Scales did in college was produce, and I see no reason to expect anything less in the NFL. He plays downhill, but with poise, and he can drop in coverage as well.

57) Tennessee Titans: Michael Gallup, WR Colorado State- Tennessee is still searching for a true number two receiver to compliment Corey Davis. Gallup is a good fit, he wins 50/50 balls and he’s an underrated playmaker when he has the ball in his hands.

58) Atlanta Falcons: Wyatt Teller, OG Virginia Tech- Andy Levitre took a step backward last year, meaning he will most likely be let go at the end of the year. Teller gets to sit for a year and then learn next to Alex Mack and Jake Matthews. This is a perfect developmental fit.

59) San Francisco 49ers via New Orleans Saints: Mark Andrews, TE Oklahoma- Getting Jimmy Garoppolo a true receiving threat in the middle of the field should be priority number one for the Niners at this selection. The tight end class isn’t great, but the top guys, like Andrews and Goedert, can play.

60) Pittsburgh Steelers: Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville- Pittsburgh needs to find an heir to Ben Roethlisberger’s throne sooner rather than later. Taking a guy with the upside of being an actual starter, like Jackson, could allow them to re-sign Le’Veon Bell if they wanted to.

61) Jacksonville Jaguars: DJ Moore, WR Maryland- I doubt Jacksonville goes receiver in this draft, but they really should. Donte Moncrief has never had a year that’s matched his talent, DeDe Westbrook is a headcase, and Keelan Cole is better off as a number three target.

Moore was the standout of the draft process, showing some elite athleticism at every turn. He’s got good hands as well, and that combination has made him a favorite of many mock draft experts.

62) New York Jets via Minnesota Vikings: Josh Sweat, EDGE Florida State- Sweat is another incredibly talented FSU defender that had a down 2017 on tape. Like Derwin James, he also answered a lot of questions about him by having a strong draft process. He’s one of the few edge rushers in this class that has the ability to dip and bend past tackles on command. The Jets trade up out of desperation for a true pass rusher.

63) Detroit Lions via New England Patriots: James Daniels, C/OG Iowa- Daniels can be used at either spot because of his athleticism and quick feet. Detroit still needs a starting left guard, so they either move Daniels or current center Graham Glasnow into that position.

64) Cleveland Browns via Philadelphia Eagles: Martinas Rankin, OT Mississippi State- Having lost Joe Thomas this offseason, Cleveland is desperate for a left tackle. Rankin can start as a right tackle and transition to the left side.

TRADES IN ROUND TWO

1) Baltimore Ravens trade the #52, #83 and #154 to the Denver Broncos for the #40 and #106.

2) New England Patriots trade the #63, #95 and #198 to the Detroit Lions for the #51.

3) New York Jets trade the #72, #179 and a 2019 4th to the Minnesota Vikings for the #62 and #204.

ROUND THREE

65) Buffalo Bills via Cleveland Browns: DaeSean Hamilton, WR Penn State

66) New York Giants: Frank Ragnow, OG/C Arkansas

67) Indianapolis Colts: Brian O’Neill, OT Pittsburgh

68) Houston Texans: Hayden Hurst, TE South Carolina

69) New York Giants via Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kolton Miller, OT UCLA

70) San Francisco 49ers via Chicago Bears: Colby Gossett, OG Appalachian State

71) Denver Broncos: Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama

72) Minnesota Vikings via New York Jets: Darius Leonard, OLB South Carolina State

73) Miami Dolphins: Breeland Speaks, DT Ole Miss

74) San Francisco 49ers: Nick Chubb, RB Georgia

75) Oakland Raiders: Arden Key, EDGE LSU

76) Green Bay Packers: Harold Landry, EDGE Boston College

77) Cincinnati Bengals: Jeremy Reaves, FS/SS South Alabama

78) Kansas City Chiefs via Washington Redskins: Quenton Meeks, CB Stanford

79) Arizona Cardinals: Nathan Shepherd, DL Fort Wayne State

80) Houston Texans via Seattle Seahawks: Alex Cappa, OL Humboldt State

81) Dallas Cowboys: James Washington, WR Oklahoma State

82) Detroit Lions: MJ Stewart, CB North Carolina

83) Detroit Lions via Baltimore Ravens: Rashaad Penny, RB San Diego State

84) Los Angeles Chargers: Jack Cichy, ILB Wisconsin

85) Carolina Panthers via Buffalo Bills: Donte Jackson, CB LSU

86) Kansas City Chiefs: BJ Hill, DT/NT NC State

87) Los Angeles Rams: Lorenzo Carter, OLB/ILB Georgia

88) Carolina Panthers: Duke Ejiofor, DE Wake Forest

89) Tennessee Titans: Desmond Harrison, OL West Georgia

90) Atlanta Falcons: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR Notre Dame

91) New Orleans Saints: Kyle Lauletta, QB Richmond

92) Pittsburgh Steelers: Duke Dawson, CB Florida

93) Jacksonville Jaguars: Joseph Noteboom, OT/OG TCU

94) Minnesota Vikings: Poona Ford, DT Texas

95) Detroit Lions via New England Patriots: Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE Kansas

96) New Orleans Saints via New York Giants from Buffalo Bills via Philadelphia Eagles: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB USC

97) Arizona Cardinals (compensatory): Mikey White, QB Western Kentucky

98) Houston Texans (compensatory): Trenton Thompson, NT Georgia

99) Denver Broncos (compensatory): Kalen Ballage, RB Arizona State

100) Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory): Tyrell Crosby, OT/OG Oregon

This entry was posted in Mock Drafts, NFL Draft Articles, Uncategorized and tagged 2018 NFL Draft, 2018 NFL Mock Draft, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baker Mayfield, Baltimore Ravens, Bradley Chubb, Buffalo Bills, Calvin Ridley, Carlton Davis, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Christian Kirk, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Connor Williams, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Derwin James, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quenton Nelson, Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers, Saquon Barkley, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Tremaine Edmunds, Washington Redskins.

Jordan Katz 2018 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Pre-Combine

Posted on March 1, 2018

It’s time for round two of #MockDraftSZN! With free agency and the NFL Combine right around the corner, plenty will change from now until the draft. However, that doesn’t stop mock draft aficionados like myself from trying to see how close our value of players are from the start of the draft process to the end of the draft process.

For this draft, I made three key free agent assumptions. I assumed Kirk Cousins signed with the Jets (no this is not a homer move, this is just my observation on where things are at right now), which means the Jets do not need a quarterback. I also assumed the Vikings netted AJ McCarron, which takes them out of the running for a quarterback in 2018. Lastly, I assumed Le’Veon Bell stayed in Pittsburgh, which may appear unlikely right now, but I think it would be a mistake for Bell to go elsewhere.

As always, I made trades when it made sense for both teams, and all selections are based on my evaluation of team needs (I will put out a predictions mock draft after most major free agents have signed).

ROUND ONE

1) Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma- The first change from my original mock draft is at QB1. Mayfield tore up Senior Bowl week, excelling during each of the practices throughout the week. His leadership skills were also on full display. The culture needs to change in Cleveland and I believe Mayfield can be the franchise QB they desperately need.

2) Denver Broncos via New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB UCLA- Whichever one of the Broncos or New York Jets do not land Kirk Cousins should proceed to pay whatever the Giants ask for to move up and draft their franchise quarterback. As of right now, I believe the Jets are the favorites to land Cousins, so the Broncos move up and select Rosen, the next best QB on my board.

3) Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, EDGE NC State- The Colts need defense. That’s all the analysis needed on this selection.

Editor’s Note: Look for Chubb to impress at the combine. He’s got all the tools to shine in the drills and the athleticism to shine in the workout portion of the combine.

4) Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans: Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State- As I said in my initial mock draft, the goal for the Browns on day one should be to walk away with a franchise quarterback and the best player in the draft.

5) New York Giants via Denver Broncos: Connor Williams, OT Texas- I know this isn’t the “sexy draft,” Giants fans may want with the second overall selection, but I think it’s the best way to build this team for the present and the future. Trade down, acquire assets, and select from a loaded offensive line class.

Editor’s Note: The reason the Giants select Williams instead of Quenton Nelson is because Nelson can’t play tackle and the Giants desperately need a left tackle to protect Eli Manning’s blindside.

6) Arizona Cardinals via New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB USC- Assuming the Jets land Kirk Cousins, I feel it is in their best interest to trade down and acquire more assets in this draft class.

Arizona is desperate for a franchise quarterback. They were 8-8 last year without any semblance of an offense.

This is an ideal landing spot for Darnold because he can go through “growing pains,” in terms of turnovers and not cost Arizona wins because of its stout defense.

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/FS/SS Alabama- The Bucs need a dominant pass rusher, but they also need help in their secondary as well. Fitzpatrick’s versatility should fit nicely on a defense that has to find their identity in 2018.

8) Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, OG Notre Dame- The Bears have a number of different needs, but best player available isn’t a bad strategy when the number one thing you need is talent. Nelson would quietly give the Bears one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

9) San Francisco 49ers (currently tied with Oakland): Carlton Davis, CB Auburn- I still don’t think a receiver has established themselves as a top ten selection. Therefore the Niners go for an impact corner that can lock down receivers with an in your face style similar to Marshon Lattimore.

10) Oakland Raiders (currently tied with San Francisco): Roquan Smith, ILB Georgia- If you’re looking for my draft strategy for the Oakland Raiders, here it is; Eat. Sleep. Roquan Smith. Repeat.

11) Miami Dolphins: Braden Smith, OT/OG Auburn- Even though they suffered from injuries up front, the Dolphins need to bolster their offensive line this offseason. Smith’s nastiness in the run game would be a big asset to the Dolphins offensive attack.

12) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT Notre Dame- I still like the idea of the Bengals going with an offensive tackle early in this draft. They need to bolster the right side of their offensive line.

13) Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, NT Washington- Vea is an elite nose tackle prospect. His ability to eat blockers as well as his ability to use his hands will be an immediate asset to any team’s defense. Washington needs a stop gap in the middle, so this match works perfectly.

14) Green Bay Packers: Derwin James, FS/SS Florida State- Among the players to watch at the Combine in Indy is Derwin James. He struggled this year, but so did everyone at Florida State. He’s still a freak athlete with impressive ball skills and range. If he shows strength in the drills and tests where he should athletically, he can become a top ten pick again.

15) New York Jets via Arizona Cardinals: Tremaine Edmunds, EDGE/OLB Virginia Tech- I think the obsession over Tremaine Edmunds may be a little premature at this moment, but he’s easily a top 15 selection in this draft. He’s a do-it-all linebacker with elite athleticism.

16) Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Miller, WR Memphis- Miller does have a foot injury, but he is still my top receiver. His tape is terrific, he’s strong in every aspect of his route running and he’s got the best hands in the draft class. If his athleticism tests well at the Combine, there’s no way he should be one the board after day one.

17) Los Angeles Chargers: Orlando Brown, OT Oklahoma- After completing Brown’s tape, he’s risen very high on my personal board. This is still about the range I would expect him to go, but it wouldn’t shock me if he wound up in the top 10-15 picks.

18) Seattle Seahawks: Derrius Guice, RB LSU- Guice would be the top running back in any normal draft year, but this isn’t a normal year. He can do everything Saquon Barkley can, just on a little lesser scale. The Seahawks have missed the running game in their offense the last few years, which has resulted in them taking a step backwards in the NFC. Add Guice, and that changes.

19) Dallas Cowboys: Dante Pettis, WR Washington- I feel like the draft community has cooled on Dante Pettis, but I still like him a lot. He’s a deep threat that high points the ball well. If he runs a strong 40 time and measures well, he should rise back up the draft boards. If he doesn’t, I may have to drop him on my board.

20) Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, EDGE UTSA- Davenport really shined throughout senior week. His hands and speed were mismatches for offensive linemen all week. If he’s on the board for Detroit at 20, they should take their gift and run away.

21) Buffalo Bills: Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M- Kirk is a dynamic route runner who should shine in Indianapolis. He’s expected to run a strong 40 and he should thrive in the gauntlet drill (which I think is kind of useless, but I digress). Kirk would give the Bills a chains mover, something they haven’t had since Peerless Price and Lee Evans were balling…. well maybe not that long ago.

22) Cleveland Browns from Buffalo Bills via Kansas City Chiefs: Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State- Denzel Ward is a ridiculous athlete with big time man coverage ability. He could fly up draft boards if he measures well in Indy. Cleveland mortgages some picks to move up and add a number one cornerback.

23) Los Angeles Rams: Arden Key, EDGE LSU- This pick is a scary thought, but it might be the best possible fit for Key in the draft. Despite falling on some draft boards, he’s still a tremendous pass rushing talent. Imagine lining him up opposite Robert Quinn with Aaron Donald in the middle? #Sheeeesh.

24) Carolina Panthers: Billy Price, OG/OC Ohio State- Price has gone under the radar so far in this draft season, but don’t be fooled by that. He’s athletic, intelligent, and he dictates defenders at the point of attack. If Carolina loses Andrew Norwell to free agency, they will need to add a lineman in the first few rounds of the draft.

25) Tennessee Titans: Ogbonnio Okoronkwo, OLB Oklahoma- I know some question his size and the fact that he has a tendency to over-run the play, but I love Okoronkwo’s athleticism and range. He’s able to bend and dip around the edge very well, which makes him an ideal and complete 3-4 outside linebacker. I’ll take a guy with a motor over one that’s a step slow any day of the week.

26) Atlanta Falcons: Da’Ron Payne, DT Alabama- Payne is going to be the value pick of this draft. He’s quick off the ball, he’s got a strong lower base when engaged in blocks and his hands are lighting fast with a big punch behind them.

27) New Orleans Saints: Ronnie Harrison, SS Alabama- New Orleans doesn’t have many needs this offseason, but one of them is replacing Kenny Vaccaro. Harrison is a hard hitting safety with good range and a nose for the football. He’s got some ability as a double high safety as well, making him an ideal fit for the Saints.

28) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville- Alexander is another talented man cover corner in a ridiculously good cornerback class. Pittsburgh needs to continue to turn over their defense, particularly in the secondary. Artie Burns and Sean Davis is a good start, and adding Alexander would help complete a secondary that could thrive as early as next season.

29) Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Hernandez, OG UTEP- If you’re looking for an intense, nasty offensive lineman to maul you off the ball in the run game, Will Hernandez is for you. This guy plays with an edge and an intensity that you cannot teach. He’s a perfect fit for Jacksonville’s offensive mentality.

30) Minnesota Vikings: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB Boise State- Vander Esch’s tape is very impressive. He’s one of the best off ball linebackers in the draft. What sticks out to me is that he was used incorrectly on blitz packages, yet he was still a stand out on film. Get ready to see Vander Esch in most first rounds after the Combine.

31) New England Patriots: Joshua Jackson, CB Iowa- The Patriots lack of secondary depth was on full display at the Super Bowl a month ago. Malcolm Butler will be elsewhere in 2018, and Eric Rowe is an impending free agent next year. The Patriots must come away with a corner in their first few picks of this draft.

32) Philadelphia Eagles: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT Western Michigan- The Eagles don’t need much to return to the promised land in 2018, but one of the things to keep an eye on is their offensive line, particularly the tackle position. Jason Peters is on his way out soon, and Halapoulivaati Vaitai was only okay in his role of replacing Peters. Okorafor needs some polishing, but he has a very high upside, in my opinion.

TRADES IN ROUND ONE

1- Denver Broncos trade the #5, #40 a 2019 1st and a 2019 3rd to the New York Giants for the #2 overall pick.

2- Arizona Cardinals trade the #15, #47 and a 2019 2nd round pick to the New York Jets for the #6 overall pick

3- Cleveland Browns trade the #33 and the #65 to the Buffalo Bills for the #22 overall pick.

ROUND TWO

33) Buffalo Bills via Cleveland Browns: Taven Bryan, DT Florida- Taven Bryan is athletic and a bull in the trenches. His game needs to be polished a bit but he’s got a terrific motor.

34) New York Giants: Sony Michel, RB Georgia- Michel is the do-it-all running back the Giants are so desperate to add this offseason.

35) Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans: DeShon Elliott, FS Texas- The Browns need secondary members that will force turnovers. After grabbing Ward in round one, they take a rangy safety with single high ability in DeShon Elliott.

36) Indianapolis Colts: Martinas Rankin, OT Mississippi State- The Colts need offensive line. The Colts need offensive line. The Colts need offensive line.

37) New York Jets: Isaiah Oliver, CB Colorado- Oliver doesn’t deserve to miss out on being a first round pick, but one of these corners is going to fall. Jets get a steal in round two.

38) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sam Hubbard, DE Ohio State- Hubbard is disciplined in his gap assignments, and he has a very good moveset. The Bucs have to get to the passer in 2018 if they want to be a playoff team.

39) Chicago Bears: Michael Gallup, WR Colorado State- Gallup has the upside to be the best receiver in this draft class. He ran a solid route tree in college and catches almost everything thrown in his area code.

40) New York Giants via Denver Broncos: Isaiah Wynn, OG Georgia- Wynn is rising up draft boards, but he needs to improve in pass protection before I give him a first round grade.

41) Oakland Raiders: Holton Hill, CB Texas- The run of talented cover corners continues. Hill is a ballhawk, and the Raiders are in desperate need of turnovers from their secondary.

42) Miami Dolphins: Ronald Jones II, RB USC- I don’t think the Dolphins see Kenyan Drake as the running back of the future, so they capitalize on value at take RoJo in round two.

43) New England Patriots via San Francisco 49ers: Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State- Rob Gronkowski may be returning in 2018, but he has a history of injuries and may be walking away from the game soon. Patriots get a tight end of the future and the present.

44) Washington Redskins: Rashaan Evans, ILB Alabama- Evans has good sideline to sideline ability and he’s a strong tackler. He will be a big time run stopper in the middle of any team’s defense at the next level.

45) Green Bay Packers: Alex Cappa, OT/OG Humboldt State- The Packers are desperate for offensive line depth this offseason. Cappa’s footwork and intelligence will allow him to be successful at the next level.

46) Cincinnati Bengals: Justin Reid, FS Stanford- If Reid tests well in Indy, he could fly up draft boards. He’s a ballhawk with intelligence and range. The Bengals need a game changer at the safety position this offseason.

47) New York Jets via Arizona Cardinals: Harrison Phillips, DL Stanford- With the lack of true edge rushers in this draft, the Jets are better off signing an edge rusher and replacing Mo Wilkerson through the draft, rather than re-signing Kony Ealy and drafting an edge guy.

48) Los Angeles Chargers: Tegray Scales, OLB/ILB Indiana- Scales will be a big riser if he tests well in Indianapolis. He’s very similar to Haason Redick in terms of his athleticism, but it’s his all-around game that has him at this spot.

49) New York Jets via Seattle Seahawks: Kerryon Johnson, RB Auburn- Johnson is probably the most underrated running back in this class. He’s a beast between the tackles and he explodes through holes created by his linemen.

50) Dallas Cowboys: Derrick Nnadi, DT Florida State- Nnadi struggled this past season, but he’s still a mismatch when he goes one-on-one with interior linemen.

51) Detroit Lions: Raashan Penny, RB San Diego State- The San Diego State standout will have to test well at the combine. Assuming he does, he has the tape to go in round two.

52) Baltimore Ravens: Mark Andrews, TE Oklahoma- The Ravens need pass catchers. The Ravens need pass catchers. The Ravens need pass catchers.

53) Buffalo Bills: Frank Ragnow, OG/OC Arkansas- Ragnow can be a starter at three different spots on the line in the NFL. As I’ve stated before, I value intelligence more than athleticism for offensive linemen.

54) Kansas City Chiefs: Wyatt Teller, OG Virginia Tech- Despite trading Marcus Peters and appearing to be in need of cornerback depth, I have a feeling the Chiefs like the state of their secondary. They may choose to go elsewhere come draft day, and something that makes sense is grabbing a starting guard with their first pick.

55) Carolina Panthers: Terrell Edmunds, SS Virginia Tech- Edmunds is a multi-dimensional safety that would fit perfectly in the Panthers double high defense.

56) Buffalo Bills via Los Angeles Rams: Mike Hughes, CB Central Florida- Nickel cornerbacks are more valuable than ever, and Mike Hughes has the potential to be an exceptional nickel cornerback.

57) Tennessee Titans: Mason Cole, OL Michigan- Much like Ragnow a few picks ago, Cole has the intelligence to make it in the NFL. He played almost everywhere during his career at Michigan.

58) Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama- I’m not as high on Ridley as many, but this is a terrific fit for the former Alabama standout.

59) San Francisco 49ers via New Orleans Saints: Hercules Mata’Afa, EDGE Washington State- Mata’Afa is incredibly quick off the edge and he shows the ability to dip and bend past tackles on tape. The Niners need to get more pass rushers this offseason.

60) Pittsburgh Steelers: Fred Warner, OLB/ILB BYU- Warner had an unbelievable senior week and remains one of the best off ball linebackers in the draft. He would be a huge addition to the Steelers 3-4 defense.

61) Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike Gesicki, TE Penn State- Gesicki may not be a blocker…at all… but he goes to a team where he would only catch passes, and that’s something he does unbelievably well.

62) Minnesota Vikings: Breeland Speaks, DT Ole Miss- Speaks replaces Sharrif Floyd and adds more versatility to a ridiculously talented defensive line.

63) New England Patriots: Rasheem Green, DE USC- Green actually deserved to go higher than this. He’s disciplined and very quick off the ball, two qualities the Patriots love to have in their defensive linemen.

64) Cleveland Browns via Philadelphia Eagles: DaeSean Hamilton, WR Penn State- Hamilton is a phenomenal route runner. Assuming he shows better hands than his tape, he could be a day two selection.

This entry was posted in Mock Drafts, NFL Draft Articles and tagged 2018 NFL Mock Draft, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baker Mayfield, Baltimore Ravens, Bradley Chubb, Buffalo Bills, Carlton Davis, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Connor Williams, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Josh Rosen, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quenton Nelson, Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers, Saquon Barkley, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins.

Jordan Katz- 2018 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Two Rounds

Posted on January 4, 2018 Updated on January 12, 2018

Finally… Jordan Katz HAS COME BACK to the land of Mock Drafts! Now that the regular season has finished, it’s officially the offseason for 20 NFL teams. This year’s offseason packs more of a punch than normal years because of the amount of quarterbacks on the market. Not only will guys like Kirk Cousins and Alex Smith most likely be free agents, but there’s a ton of quarterbacks worthy of high selections. Quarterback play dictates the success of each team and this year will be full of quarterback changes.

This year’s draft has a ton of talent elsewhere too. Offensive line is loaded, the playmakers on offense and defense are better than people think, and there are some explosive edge rushers.

As always with my mock drafts, this is my personal opinion of what each team should do at each selection. Unlike other mock drafts you may see online, I like to include potential trades. Mock Drafts should be your own evaluation of the players and team needs. If that’s the case, why not throw in a trade if it makes sense?

A few notes before getting started. For the sake of the mock draft, I assumed Kirk Cousins returned to Washington. The entire offseason will change the minute Cousins signs somewhere. However, without any information as to where he could wind up, I had him re-sign.

The second note of importance is that Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are not in my first two rounds (I currently have a 3rd round grade on both). While some in the mock draft community love these two, I think they both have a lot of technical work that they need to improve on. Neither are particularly accurate either.

The best time of the year is upon us: Mock Draft season. Let’s get to it!

ROUND ONE

1) Cleveland Browns: Josh Rosen, QB UCLA- In my opinion, Rosen is the top quarterback in the draft right now. Rosen, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are very close on my personal board, but what separates Rosen from the other two is his physical attributes. He’s got NFL size and mobility, he’s the best pure passer in the draft, and he did it all with very little talent around him. If the Browns don’t grab a quarterback this year, I think Roger Goodell has to make them fold as a franchise.

2) Denver Broncos via New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB USC- The Giants are in the same position the Dallas Cowboys were in a few years ago. They’re a talented team that underachieved, and now they sit with a top five pick. Just like Dallas, that gives you two options; take the best player available or trade down. While the Cowboys wound up with their quarterback of the future in that draft, many people forget the plan was for Tony Romo to play a few more seasons, not for Dak Prescott to start day one.

That year I suggested it was in the Cowboys best interest to trade down. It’s very rare that you get a free opportunity to acquire draft assets. So, with the Giants content on playing Eli for a few more seasons, I would have the Giants trade down.

With plenty of offers to choose from, the Giants trade down to the Broncos pick. This keeps them in the top five, and gets the Broncos their franchise quarterback on a cheap contract.

Editor’s Note: Despite his down year, Darnold still translates well for the NFL. He’s got an NFL arm, good size, mobility and he can make any throw. I believe the kinks will get worked out and he will become a quality NFL quarterback.

3) New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts: Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma- Once again, the Jets enter a draft not having a franchise quarterback. Mayfield is tailor-made for a west coast system. He’s got a bigger arm than people think, he’s incredibly accurate, and most importantly for the Jets, he’s a true leader. The Heisman Trophy winner would thrive under the bright lights of the “Big Apple.”

Editor’s Note: Regardless of how much their owner wants Saquon Barkley, the Colts need so much that they have to trade down and acquire assets.

4) Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans: Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State- Let’s make this simple; Saquon Barkley is the best prospect in this draft. He’s the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. He’s a better pro prospect than Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Christian McCaffrey. If the Browns can land him at four, that could go a long way towards expediting their rebuild that’s been going on since 1999.

5) New York Giants via Denver Broncos: Quenton Nelson, OG Notre Dame- The Giants have to find an offensive line this year if they want any chance of competing next season. Nelson is the top offensive lineman in the draft. His game is complete and he’s a team captain, something the Giants organization loves.

6) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Connor Williams, OT Texas- Hey Indy, quick thought on the future of your franchise. If you want Andrew Luck to succeed, then maybe it’s time to GET HIM AN OFFENSIVE LINE!

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bradley Chubb, DE NC State- The Buccaneers need a number of things this offseason, and at the top of that list is an edge rusher. Chubb is a fluid athlete with the ability to dip and bend effortlessly around the edge. His instincts and ability to win at the point of attack make him a three down player, something the Bucs desperately need up front.

8) Chicago Bears: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/FS/SS Alabama- Jamal Adams 2.0 this year will be Minkah Fitzpatrick. He’s got the talent to go higher, but because of needs he may fall into some team’s lap. Fitzpatrick has the ball skills to play safety and the press cover ability to line up at corner. Easy pick for a team that needs a game changer in their secondary.

9) San Francisco 49ers: Arden Key, EDGE LSU- Arden Key came out of the gate slow this year. However, when he got back to his normal playing weight, scouts were able to see the athleticism and move-set that made Key a top pick preseason.

The Niners have to get Jimmy Garoppolo some targets this offseason, but in my opinion, there are no top ten caliber receivers in this class just yet. Having failed to trade down, the Niners take the best player at a position of need.

10) Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, ILB Georgia- Smith plays downhill with aggression, he’s a terrific tackler, and he’s a rangy linebacker. The Raiders need an anchor in the middle of their defense. Smith would have an immediate impact on a team that allowed the second most yards per game on the ground.

11) Miami Dolphins: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB/EDGE Virginia Tech- Edmunds is an athletic freak with the ability to play in off coverage as well as rush the passer. His tape is impressive for someone that is still developing. Edmunds could dominate as a LEO linebacker at the next level.

12) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT Notre Dame- The Bengals offensive line struggled during the 2017 season. McGlinchey is a plug and play right tackle from day one. He is great at attacking defensive lineman on running downs, getting his hands on quickly and gaining leverage to dictate where the lineman goes.

13) Green Bay Packers: Braden Smith, OT/OG Auburn- Just like the Colts, the Packers are desperate for a solid offensive line. Yes, some of the Packers issues are more about injuries than a lack of talent, but there’s still work to be done. Smith is a terrific run blocker, and his athleticism will make him a successful guard at the next level.

14) Washington Redskins: Derwin James, FS/SS Florida State- James might be the enigma of the first round. He has got a ton of talent, but his effort was nowhere to be found in 2017. If that’s a concern for GM’s, he could fall out of round one with a bad combine. If he has a good combine, it should put the effort rumors to bed, seeing as half of Florida State’s squad was injured this year.

15) Arizona Cardinals: Orlando Brown, OT Oklahoma- Brown had a really strong 2017 campaign where he showed all the traits of a pro bowl left tackle. He’s more athletic after cutting weight, which has improved his footwork drastically. The Cardinals are desperate for a quarterback of the future, but with the big three off the board (and me not being a fan of Josh Allen) it’s better to take talent at a different position than reaching for a quarterback.

16) Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Miller, WR Memphis- Allow me to introduce you to the best receiver in this draft and the one no one is talking about. Miller runs picturesque routes; he is one of the quickest receivers in the draft. He makes catches with his hands first, he can high point the ball extremely well, and he makes a ton of contested catches. The All American from Memphis would give Joe Flacco a legitimate target, something the Ravens desperately need.

17) Atlanta Falcons via Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson- It’s a crime shame that Wilkins fell this far. His hands are incredibly fast, he’s terrific at gaining leverage and controlling gaps, and in case you thought his game had weaknesses, he’s got the move-set and athleticism to dominate as an interior pass rusher. Atlanta will be in need of a defensive tackle after Dontari Poe leaves, so they trade up to land a game changer in the middle.

18) Seattle Seahawks: Derrius Guice, RB LSU- I know the Seahawks need offensive line, but one of the reasons their offense stalled at times this year was a lack of a true running game. Guice is an incredibly talented back with the ability to change the dynamic of the Seahawks offense.

19) Dallas Cowboys: Dante Pettis, WR Washington- With the rapid decline of Dez Bryant, pass catcher has become priority number one for the ‘Boys. Pettis’ deep threat ability could provide a true home run threat to the Cowboys passing game. It would also help alleviate coverage from 88, which could help him bounce back in 2018.

20) Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, EDGE UTSA- Credit to former Draftstock contributor Mike Reynolds for this call. Back in late October, Mike told me to look out for Davenport as a first rounder, and boy was he right. Davenport is long and athletic with the move-set to match. He dips and bends around the edge with ease as well. He would be an immediate upgrade to a team that has to rush the passer better in 2018.

21) Buffalo Bills: Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M- What a tremendous job Sean McDermott and his staff did this year in Buffalo. Despite an offense that doesn’t scare you on paper and a young defensive unit, McDermott has the Bills back in the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. If the Bills want to make it back to back appearances in 2018, then they will need to get more weapons for Tyrod Taylor.

Kirk is an explosive route runner with good hands and a quick release. His presence would give the Bills a chain mover on the outside.

22) Los Angeles Chargers via Atlanta Falcons- Chukwuma Okorafor, OT Western Michigan- Priority number one for the Chargers this offseason is upgrading the offensive tackle position. In a year with plenty of offensive line prospects to go around, this puts them in an excellent position to trade down, acquire assets, and still select a quality lineman.

Okorafor “checks all the boxes,” in terms of his measurements and athletic ability, but he’s still fairly raw in terms of his technique. What makes him an attractive prospect, in my opinion, is the fact that he’s already played both tackle positions despite picking up the game of football at a later age. That shows a knowledge and passion for the game that you can’t teach.

23) Tennessee Titans: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson- Tennessee needs to get younger and more athletic up front in 2018. Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo are both free agents after next season, and the Titans need to start saving money to re-sign Marcus Mariota. Ferrell has a quick first step and terrific athletic ability off the edge. I like him better in a 4-3, but he’s got the versatility to play both systems in the NFL at a high level.

24) Carolina Panthers: Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State- Do not sleep on this cornerback class. As a group, they may not have the size and athleticism of years past, but there are plenty of guys with the technique to succeed at the next level. Ward has good ball skills and he is terrific when trailing receivers. He’s one of the best athletes in the entire draft class as well. Pairing him with James Bradberry would make for an underrated secondary tandem in Carolina.

25) Buffalo Bills via Kansas City Chiefs: Vita Vea, NT Washington- The Bills were 29th in the NFL in rushing defense. They have to clean that up if they want to take the next step defensively in 2018. Vea is a space eating monster with the athleticism to rush the passer if left isolated. He would have an immediate impact on the middle of the Bills defense.

26) New Orleans Saints: Ronnie Harrison, SS Alabama- It’s hard for Alabama defenders to be “under the radar,” during draft season, yet this year they all are going unnoticed. Harrison is a hard hitting safety with freaky athleticism. He also shows enough knowledge and ball skills in coverage to be a multi-dimensional safety at the next level. Kenny Vaccaro is a free agent this year, so finding a cheap option to replace him makes sense for a team that needs to re-sign Drew Brees.

27) Jacksonville Jaguars: Billy Price, OG/OC Ohio State- Price translates well at guard and center at the next level. He’s intelligent, good at the point of attack, and he sees the second level well in the running game. Price would add more stability to an improving offensive line in Jacksonville.

28) Los Angeles Rams: Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville- Even if the Rams sign Trumaine Johnson to an extension, they still need a number two corner in the offseason. Alexander is my top cover corner in the draft, but his size (he will most likely measure in at 5’10) and his health concerns put him below Davis and Ward on my big board. Despite these concerns, if Alexander opts to enter the 2018 NFL Draft, his ball skills and technique should make him a top 40 selection with ease.

29) Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, ILB Alabama- This is a bit of a reach for me, but the Steelers are so desperate for an inside linebacker. With the uncertainty of whether Ryan Shazier will ever play in the NFL again, the Steelers need a run stopping signal caller in the middle of their defense. Evans can be just that.

30) Minnesota Vikings: Da’Ron Payne, DT Alabama- Payne’s athleticism and quickness off the ball would allow him to thrive next to a space eater like Linval Joseph. After the loss of Sharrif Floyd, the Vikings need to find someone to play next to Joseph in order to keep their defense “tip top,” in 2018.

31) Philadelphia Eagles: Martinas Rankin, OT Mississippi State- Philadelphia needs to bolster their offensive line this offseason. Jason Peters is an aging veteran coming off of an injury and Halapoulivaati Vaitai didn’t show the ability to be his replacement.

I’m a big fan of offensive lineman that possess good technique and have played multiple positions because it shows the knowledge needed to play the game at the next level. That is Martinas Rankin.

32) New England Patriots: Josh Jackson, CB Iowa- Whatever we collectively thought New England’s secondary was going to be this year, it surely was not. Now the Patriots are set to lose Malcolm Butler to free agency, with Eric Rowe and Jonathan Jones set to be free agents the year after. Jackson is a lengthy corner with great ball skills and a really good understanding of technique in tight coverage as well as off coverage. He’s a perfect fit in New England.

TRADES IN ROUND ONE

1) Denver Broncos trade the #5, #37 a 2019 1st and a 2019 3rd to the New York Giants for the #2 overall pick.

2) New York Jets trade the #6, #50 and a 2019 1st round pick to the Indianapolis Colts for the #3 and a 2019 3rd round pick.

3) Atlanta Falcons trade the #22, #86 and a 2019 3rd round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for the #17 and the #161

ROUND TWO

33) Cleveland Browns: Isaiah Oliver, CB Colorado

34) New York Giants: Brian O’Neill, OT Pittsburgh

35) Indianapolis Colts: Hercules Mata’Afa, EDGE Washington State

36) Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans: DeShon Elliott, FS Texas

37) New York Giants via Denver Broncos: Ronald Jones II, RB USC

38) New York Jets: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB Oklahoma

39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Reid, FS Stanford

40) Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama

41) New England Patriots via San Francisco 49ers: Ryan Finley, QB NC State

42) Oakland Raiders: Holton Hill, CB Texas

43) Miami Dolphins: Will Hernandez, OG UTEP

44) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Edwards, FS/SS Kentucky

45) Green Bay Packers: Frank Ragnow, OG/OC Arkansas

46) Washington Redskins: Tegray Scales, OLB/ILB Indiana

47) Arizona Cardinals: Jarrett Stidham, QB Auburn

48) Baltimore Ravens: Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State

49) Los Angeles Chargers: Malik Jefferson, ILB Texas

50) Indianapolis Colts from New York Giants via Seattle Seahawks: Kendall Joseph, ILB Clemson

51) Dallas Cowboys: Josh Allen, OLB Kentucky

52) Detroit Lions: Wyatt Teller, OG Virginia Tech

53) Buffalo Bills: Mitch Hyatt, OT Clemson

54) Atlanta Falcons: Michael Gallup, WR Colorado State

55) Tennessee Titans: Harrison Phillips, DL Stanford

56) Carolina Panthers: Sam Hubbard, EDGE Ohio State

57) Kansas City Chiefs: Mason Cole, OL Michigan

58) San Francisco 49ers via New Orleans Saints: Quenton Meeks, CB Stanford

59) Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Andrews, TE Oklahoma

60) Buffalo Bills via Los Angeles Rams: Jamarco Jones, OT Ohio State

61) Pittsburgh Steelers: Bryce Love, RB Stanford

62) Minnesota Vikings: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB USC

63) Cleveland Browns via Philadelphia Eagles: DJ Moore, WR Maryland

64) New England Patriots: Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE Kansas

This entry was posted in Mock Drafts, NFL Draft Articles and tagged 2018 NFL Mock Draft, Arden Key, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baker Mayfield, Baltimore Ravens, Bradley Chubb, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Connor Williams, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Quenton Nelson, Roquan Smith, Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers, Saquon Barkley, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins.

Jordan Katz 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Final

Posted on April 26, 2017 Updated on April 26, 2017

The Draft has finally arrived! In just a few hours we will officially begin the 2017 NFL season. Most teams started forming their rosters for 2017 during free agency, but the draft is where teams rebuild and reload. The draft is where every team, regardless of their record from the previous season, is renewed with a sense of hope. Hope that the the players added will help their team take massive strides in the upcoming season. Hope that the players they draft will help them achieve the ultimate goal; winning a championship.

This mock draft is my final one for 2017. Each pick is based on what I would do at each spot. A trade is only made if I felt it was a good deal for both sides. These selections are based on my personal rankings and my personal evaluation of team needs. I didn’t analyze every selection because, if you’ve followed my mock drafts thus far, you know the players I like as well as the players I don’t. Thanks to those who kept up with my content, I really appreciate it.

*If you’re looking for my predictions mock draft, click on the link (https://draftstock.net/2017/04/19/2017-nfl-media-mock-draft/)

ROUND ONE

1- Cleveland Browns- Myles Garrett, EDGE Texas A&M

2- San Francisco 49ers- Mitchell Trubisky, QB North Carolina

3- Chicago Bears- Marshon Lattimore, CB Ohio State

4- Jacksonville Jaguars- Solomon Thomas, DE Stanford

5- Tennessee Titans from Los Angeles Rams- Jamal Adams, FS/SS LSU

6- New York Jets- Ryan Ramczyk, OT Wisconsin

7- Los Angeles Chargers- Malik Hooker, FS Ohio State

8- Carolina Panthers- Leonard Fournette, RB LSU

9- Cincinnati Bengals- Reuben Foster, ILB Alabama

10- Buffalo Bills- Corey Davis, WR Western Michigan

11- New Orleans Saints- Taco Charlton, DE Michigan

12- Cleveland Browns via Philadelphia Eagles- Jonathan Allen, DE/DT Alabama

13- Miami Dolphins via Arizona Cardinals- Forrest Lamp, OG Western Kentucky

14- Denver Broncos from Philadelphia Eagles via Minnesota Vikings- OJ Howard, TE Alabama

15- Indianapolis Colts- Zach Cunningham, OLB/ILB Vanderbilt

16- New York Giants via Baltimore Ravens- David Njoku, TE Miami Florida

17- Washington Redskins- Montravius Adams, DE/DT Auburn

18- Tennessee Titans- Evan Engram, WR/TE Ole Miss

19- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Budda Baker, FS Washington

20- Philadelphia Eagles via Denver Broncos- Gareon Conley, CB Ohio State

21- Detroit Lions- Haason Reddick, OLB/ILB Temple

22- Arizona Cardinals via Miami Dolphins- Deshaun Watson, QB Clemson

23- Baltimore Ravens via New York Giants- TJ Watt, OLB Wisconsin

24- Oakland Raiders- Dalvin Cook, RB Florida State

25- Houston Texans- Obi Melifonwu, FS/SS UCONN

26- Seattle Seahawks- Marlon Humphrey, CB Alabama

27- Kansas City Chiefs- Jarrad Davis, OLB/ILB Florida

28- Dallas Cowboys- Adoree Jackson, CB/FS USC

29- Green Bay Packers- Derek Barnett, EDGE Tennessee

30- Pittsburgh Steelers- Tre’Davious White, CB LSU

31- Atlanta Falcons- Carl Lawson, EDGE Auburn

32- Los Angeles Rams via New England Patriots from New Orleans Saints via New England Patriots- Mike Williams, WR Clemson

TRADES IN ROUND ONE

1- Miami Dolphins trade the #22, the #54 and the #206 to the Arizona Cardinals for the #13.

2- Denver Broncos trade the #20, #82 and a 2018 3rd to the Philadelphia Eagles for the #14 and a 2018 5th.

3- New York Giants trade the #23 the #87 and a 2018 3rd to the Baltimore Ravens for the #16.

4- New England Patriots trade Malcolm Butler and a 2018 3rd to the New Orleans Saints for the #32. The Patriots then trade the #32 to the Los Angeles Rams for the #37 and the #112.

ROUND TWO

33- Cleveland Browns- Sidney Jones, CB Washington

34- San Francisco 49ers- Zay Jones, WR East Carolina

35- Houston Texans via Jacksonville Jaguars- Patrick Mahomes II, QB Texas Tech

36- Chicago Bears- Cam Robinson, OT Alabama

37- New England Patriots via Los Angeles Rams- Derek Rivers, EDGE Youngstown State

38- Los Angeles Chargers- Jordan Willis, EDGE Kansas State

39- New York Jets- Fabian Moreau, CB UCLA

40- Carolina Panthers- Tarell Basham, DE Ohio

41- Cincinnati Bengals- Alvin Kamara, RB Tennessee

42- New Orleans Saints- DeShone Kizer, QB Notre Dame

43- Philadelphia Eagles- Christian McCaffrey, RB Stanford

44- Buffalo Bills- Rasul Douglas, CB West Virginia

45- Arizona Cardinals- Ahkello Witherspoon, CB Colorado

46- Indianapolis Colts- Marcus Maye, FS Florida

47- Baltimore Ravens- Chris Godwin, WR Penn State

48- Minnesota Vikings- Pat Elflein, G/C Ohio State

49- Washington Redskins- Jabrill Peppers, SS/LB/RB Michigan

50- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Garett Bolles, OT Utah

51- Denver Broncos- Dion Dawkins, OT/OG Temple

52- Cleveland Browns via Tennessee Titans- DeShone Kizer, QB Notre Dame

53- Detroit Lions- Chidobe Awuzie, CB/FS Colorado

54- Arizona Cardinals via Miami Dolphins- John Ross III, WR Washington

55- New York Giants- D’Onta Foreman, RB Texas

56- Oakland Raiders- Jaleel Johnson, DT Iowa

57- Jacksonville Jaguars via Houston Texans- Dan Feeney, OG Indiana

58- Seattle Seahawks- Taylor Moton, OT/OG Western Michigan

59- Kansas City Chiefs- Damontae Kazee, CB San Diego State

60- Dallas Cowboys- Charles Harris, EDGE Missouri

61- Green Bay Packers- Malik McDowell, DE/DT Michigan State

62- Pittsburgh Steelers- Tim Williams, EDGE Alabama

63- San Francisco 49ers via Atlanta Falcons- Quincy Wilson, CB Florida

64- Carolina Panthers via New England Patriots- Amara Darboh, WR Michigan

TRADES IN ROUND TWO

1- Houston Texans trade #57 and a 2018 2nd to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the #35.

2- San Francisco 49ers trade the #66 and the #198 to the Atlanta Falcons for the #63.

ROUND THREE

65- Cleveland Browns- Marcus Williams, FS Utah

66- Atlanta Falcons via San Francisco 49ers- Josh Jones, FS/SS NC State

67- Chicago Bears- Alex Anzalone, OLB/ILB Florida

68- Jacksonville Jaguars- Ryan Anderson, OLB Alabama

69- Los Angeles Rams- Chris Wormley, DE/DT Michigan

70- New York Jets- Jake Butt, TE Michigan

71- Los Angeles Chargers- Chad Hansen, WR California

72- New England Patriots via Carolina Panthers- Desmond King, CB/FS Iowa

73- Cincinnati Bengals- Elijah Qualls, NT Washington

74- Philadelphia Eagles- Teez Tabor, CB/FS Florida

75- Buffalo Bills- Delano Hill, FS Michigan

76- New Orleans Saints- Raekwon McMillian, ILB Ohio State

77- Arizona Cardinals- Tyler Orlosky, G/C West Virginia

78- Baltimore Ravens- Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE Villanova

79- Minnesota Vikings- Eddie Jackson, SS Alabama

80- Indianapolis Colts- Trey Hendrickson, EDGE Florida Atlantic

81- Washington Redskins- Anthony Walker, ILB Northwestern

82- Philadelphia Eagles via Denver Broncos- Ryan Switzer, WR North Carolina

83- Tennessee Titans- Cameron Sutton, CB/FS Tennessee

84- Pittsburgh Steelers via Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jordan Leggett, TE Clemson

85- Detroit Lions- Bucky Hodges, TE Virginia Tech

86- Minnesota Vikings from Miami Dolphins- Eddie Vanderdoes, DT UCLA

87- Baltimore Ravens via New York Giants- Jourdan Lewis, CB Michigan

88- Oakland Raiders- Duke Riley, OLB LSU

89- Houston Texans- Adam Shaheen, TE Ashland

90- Seattle Seahawks- Daeshon Hall, EDGE Texas A&M

91- Kansas City Chiefs- Davis Webb, QB California

92- Dallas Cowboys- Tyus Bowser, OLB Houston

93- Green Bay Packers- Semaje Perine, RB Oklahoma

94- Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Pittsburgh Steelers- Vince Beigel, OLB Wisconsin

95- Atlanta Falcons- Dorian Johnson, OG Pittsburgh

96- New England Patriots- Larry Ogunjobi, DT Charlotte

97- Miami Dolphins (Compensatory Selection)- Bryan Cox Jr., DE Florida

98- Carolina Panthers (Compensatory Selection)- George Kittle, TE Iowa

99- Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Selection)- Will Holden, OT Vanderbilt

100- Chicago Bears via Tennessee Titans from Los Angeles Rams (Compensatory Selection)- Kenny Golladay, WR Northern Illinois

101- Denver Broncos (Compensatory Selection)- Demarcus Walker, DE Florida State

102- Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Selection)- Ar’Darius Stewart, WR Alabama

103- New England Patriots from Cleveland Browns (Compensatory Selection)- Lorenzo Jerome, SS St. Francis PA

104- Kansas City Chiefs (Compensatory Selection)- Wayne Gallman, RB Clemson

105- Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory Selection)- Nathan Peterman, QB Pittsburgh

106- Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Selection)- Jarron Jones, DT/NT Notre Dame

107- New York Jets (Compensatory Selection)- Takkarist McKinnley, EDGE UCLA

TRADES IN ROUND THREE

1- Pittsburgh Steelers trade the #94 and the #135 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the #84.

2- Chicago Bears trade the #111 and the #147 to the Tennessee Titans for the #100 and the #214.

This entry was posted in Mock Drafts, NFL Draft Articles and tagged Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Corey Davis, Dallas Cowboys, David Njoku, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Forrest Lamp, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jamal Adams, John Ross, Jonathan Allen, Kansas City Chiefs, Leonard Fournette, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Miami Dolphins, Mike Williams, Minnesota Vikings, Mitch Trubisky, Montravius Adams, Myles Garrett, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft, Oakland Raiders, OJ Howard, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Ramczyk, San Fracisco 49ers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Solomon Thomas, Taco Charlton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, Zach Cunningham.

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ROUND ONE

ROUND TWO

ROUND THREE

2- Chicago Bears trade the #111 and the #147 to the Tennessee Titans for the #100 and the #214.