Roquan Smith

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

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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

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Jordan Katz 2018 NFL Prediction Mock Draft 2.0: Final

Posted on Updated on

This is my final prediction mock draft of 2018. As stated in my previous edition, this is the more conventional mock draft where I attempt to get every selection correct. This draft is incredibly tough to predict because the number one selection is still up in the air. The draft plays out very differently if Josh Allen is selected first instead of Sam Darnold, or vice versa.

This draft is also one giant guessing game after pick six or seven because of the amount of quarterbacks that could go in round one. We could see six quarterbacks go in the first round on Thursday night. Six! So this is my best attempt at reading through the rumors that are truth and the ones that are smoke screens. Hopefully I do better than last year.

Editor’s note: An asterisk next to a team name means that the pick was traded in this draft. If there’s no asterisk, that means the pick was traded before this “draft,” got underway.

ROUND ONE

1) Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB USC- Darnold and Josh Allen are supposedly neck and neck in “Browns land.” When a decision is this close, sometimes it’s the smallest detail that can separate two players in the eyes of a front office.

Darnold showed up at 7 AM to help out his USC teammates at their pro day when he didn’t have to be there. Something as small as being there for your teammates after the season has ended could be what separates him from Josh Allen for GM John Dorsey.

2) New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State- I think teams are going to dare the Giants to pick a quarterback come draft night. I’m not sure anyone in the NFL believes that David Gettleman would take a QB not named Sam Darnold. The Giants select the best player available, and hope he can shine behind a weak offensive line.

Editor’s Note: This is where the draft could be completely different if Josh Allen goes first. Now there’s legitimate concern among the teams that need a quarterback in the middle of round one that their guy may not be there. If Josh Allen goes first, then the Giants are in the power position of the draft once again.

3) New York Jets via Indianapolis Colts: Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma- “Broadway Baker,” has been my prediction for the Jets from day one. He’s a leader in the locker room, the fans will love him, and he’s tailor-made for a west coast system.

4) *Buffalo Bills from Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans: Josh Allen, QB Wyoming- Originally I wrote that the Giants held the keys to this draft, because they could tempt teams to move up by teasing a quarterback at the second selection. However, David Gettleman has done such a poor job with his pre-draft strategy. By not at least teasing a quarterback could be their pick, they have zero leverage if Darnold is off the board.

This means that, once again, the Cleveland Browns control the draft. The Browns would love to trade down from four. Therefore, whatever team trades up could get their franchise quarterback at a discounted price because the Browns already have their QB.

Buffalo will still have to give both first rounders this year to trade up, but they should be able to hold on to any future assets. That would not be the case if they went up to where the Giants pick.

5) *Arizona Cardinals via Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen, QB UCLA- This draft is going to be wacky because of the quarterbacks. Denver seems like they’re all in on Allen and Mayfield. If they can’t get one of those two, I could see a scenario where Denver uses Rosen to trade back and acquire assets. Case Keenum has proved that he can be the game manager Denver is looking for in the immediate future.

Arizona trades up to land their franchise quarterback.

6) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Bradley Chubb, EDGE NC State- If one of the top four quarterbacks is on the board at six, Indianapolis is trading down to the highest bidder. If all the quarterbacks are gone, they take Bradley Chubb or Saquon Barkley. It’s as simple as that.

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tremaine Edmunds, EDGE/OLB Virginia Tech- This pick is a little out of the box because Tampa Bay needs safeties and the top two guys are available. However, Tampa Bay also needs a strong side linebacker, and teams love Tremaine Edmunds. The Bucs could go for a versatile front seven player in round one because the secondary depth in this class is excellent.

8) Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, OG Notre Dame- To put this simply, I can’t see the best player in the draft making it past the Bears at eight.

9) San Francisco 49ers: Roquan Smith, OLB/ILB Georgia- If I were a betting man, and most reading this article are well aware that I am, I would say the Niners scheduling a private workout with Smith shortly after finding out about Reuben Foster’s off the field issues is not a coincidence.

10) *Green Bay Packers via Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State- Oakland is a team that could surprise people by trading down a few spots. They have a ton of defensive needs, as well as needs along the offensive line.

Green Bay slides up a few spots to get a defensive game changer in the secondary.

11) Miami Dolphins: Derwin James, FS/SS Florida State- The Dolphins are in a precarious draft situation at 11. There’s plenty of guys they can use as immediate contributors, but they could also slide down and take Lamar Jackson in the middle of round one. I think the safer option is to select BPA at 11, then try to trade up for Jackson later on.

12) Cleveland Browns from Buffalo Bills via Cincinnati Bengals: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/FS/SS Alabama- This may look like a steal at the 12th pick, but I think Fitzpatrick could slide a bit on draft day. Someone at the top has to fall based on the amount of quarterbacks that will go early on. This is also part of the allure for the Browns to trade out of the fourth pick.

13) Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, DT/NT Washington- Vea is a lock to go in the first 15-20 picks, it’s just a matter of where. There are a number of teams that have interest in him and consider him a very talented prospect. Washington is the best bet to take Vea no matter what else is on the board.

14) *Oakland Raiders via Green Bay Packers: Connor Williams, OT/OG Texas- I’m completely selling the Connor Williams nose dive the NFL Draft media is preaching. I can’t imagine a world where the consensus top tackle in the draft for six months just suddenly falls out of the first round. Oakland slides down and takes an athletic offensive tackle that starred throughout his collegiate career at Texas.

15) *Denver Broncos via Arizona Cardinals: Mike McGlinchey, OT Notre Dame- Denver needs to bolster its offensive line as soon as possible. McGlinchey is considered by many to be the best tackle in the draft. Teasing a quarterback at five in order to slide down and select McGlinchey is a very plausible draft scenario for the Broncos.

16) *Minnesota Vikings via Baltimore Ravens: Will Hernandez, OG UTEP- Minnesota is in a very good spot to trade up in this draft. Most of their important pieces are locked up for the next few years, and they have the cap room to sign the ones that aren’t (Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter are the most important two). Their biggest team need is at left guard, and this is the point in the draft where offensive line will start flying off the board.

17) Los Angeles Chargers: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB Boise State- Vander Esch commands the middle of the field extremely well. He’s a sound tackler and he’s terrific in off ball coverage. I expect Vander Esch to go higher than many expect on draft day because of his smarts and his athleticism.

18) Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah Oliver, CB Colorado- The Seahawks need a number one cornerback after getting rid of almost all of their secondary depth this offseason. Oliver has the length that Seattle looks for in their cornerbacks. He also excels in cover three, a defense that Seattle uses often.

19) Dallas Cowboys: Courtland Sutton, WR SMU- It’s anyone’s guess as to who WR1 will be on draft night. Many people will argue Calvin Ridley, but Sutton has a great chance to hear his name called first. Dallas is the first team on the board that is desperate for a wide receiver, particularly a big body receiver. I think Sutton will be viewed as someone who fits better with what Dallas is looking for at this pick.

20) Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, EDGE UTSA- Initially I thought that Davenport would go in the top 15 because someone would trade up. However, because quarterbacks are going to go so high in this draft, players are bound to fall regardless of their talent. Detroit lucks out by getting the clear cut number two edge rusher in this draft (by media standards).

21) Cincinnati Bengals via Buffalo Bills: Frank Ragnow, OG/C Arkansas- Ragnow is now considered to be the top center in the draft and many feel he will hear his name called in round one. Cincinnati needs just about everything on their offensive line. At the top of that list is a starting Center. 

22) *Cleveland Browns via Buffalo Bills: Harold Landry, EDGE Boston College- I don’t have a first round grade on Landry, but he will hear his name called Thursday night. If Cleveland wants a pass rusher and would like to trade out of the fourth selection, they better be comfortable with Landry or Davenport. Passing on Bradley Chubb for one of those two is a major gamble by the front office.

23) *Miami Dolphins from New England Patriots via Los Angeles Rams: Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville- The Patriots have been teasing a quarterback for weeks. They’ve met with everyone from Mason Rudolph, to Lamar Jackson, to second tier guys like Kyle Lauletta. It is presumed that Bill Belichick is going to draft another potential successor to Tom Brady this year.

Despite all the evidence, I don’t buy it at this pick. I think this is a classic “draft con,” by Belichick, with the goal of tempting other teams to trade up. Even if they slide out of round one, New England would still haul multiple top 100 picks in this draft.

Miami trades up for the heir to Ryan Tannehill’s throne, but New England wins this move. Not only do they get more draft picks, but they’ve inadvertently familiarize themselves with a quarterback they’ll face twice a year for the near future.

24) Carolina Panthers: Justin Reid, FS Stanford- Carolina needs to address secondary with this first pick. They have needs at every spot in the defensive backfield. Reid’s instincts and ball skills will allow him to go higher on draft day than some may be projecting. His upside is why the Panthers go for a safety rather than a cornerback in round one.

25) Tennessee Titans: Isaiah Wynn, OG Georgia- Wynn is a bit of a wildcard in this draft. His athleticism as well as his ability to dominate in the run game could make him a top 20 pick. He could also fall into the 30-40 range because there is an abundance of interior offensive line talent in this draft.

If he’s on the board for Tennessee, a team that needs to sure up the middle of their o-line, I would expect him to be the selection.

26) Atlanta Falcons: Da’Ron Payne, DT Alabama- Taven Bryan may be the “sexy pick,” here because of his athleticism, but Dan Quinn likes guys that compete. Payne comes from a culture of competition at Alabama. He’s also very athletic in his own right.

27) New Orleans Saints: Mike Hughes, CB UCF- I’m not sure why everyone has New Orleans rushing to pick a pass catcher in round one. They’re in a perfect situation to take the best player available because of their limited needs. Hughes will be a nickel corner from day one, and he should excel there for a long time.

28) Pittsburgh Steelers: Sony Michel, RB Georgia- My prediction for the Steelers on draft day is simple. If the Steelers are committed to Le’Veon Bell long term, they will not draft a running back. If they’re not, then they will select Michel or Derrius Guice at 28.

29) Jacksonville Jaguars: DJ Moore, WR Maryland- For those scoring at home, Moore going here means Calvin Ridley falls out of the first round. To be honest, I’m not sure why Ridley in round one is a popular pick amongst analyst. His athleticism tests proved that he is a glorified slot receiver at the next level. To me, the NFL as a whole values slot receivers lower than most media experts.

Moore on the other hand tested through the roof during the draft process. He proved he’s a multidimensional receiver. Moore goes to Jacksonville, Ridley falls to day two.

30) *Baltimore Ravens via Minnesota Vikings: Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State- Baltimore is being linked to almost every tight end in this draft. If they’re truly serious about taking a game changer in the middle of the field, then trading back in round one and selecting Goedert makes a lot of sense.

31) New England Patriots: Kolton Miller, OT UCLA- In my previous predictions mock draft I had the Patriots going with Brian O’Neill because of his athleticism. The technique wasn’t a huge concern for me because Dante Scarnecchia is the guru when it comes to offensive line technique.

Miller is considered to be a better technical version of O’Neill, and he’s still a strong athlete in his own right. This pick would be considered a home run by many.

32) Philadelphia Eagles: Brian O’Neill, OT Pittsburgh- With just one pick in the first three rounds, Philadelphia needs to hit on this pick.

Contrary to what people may think, they don’t have to nab a day one starter here. O’Neill is an athletic freak and can sit behind Jason Peters for a year while he develops technique. If O’Neill turned into a left tackle of the future, that qualifies as hitting on this draft pick.

TRADES IN ROUND ONE

1) Buffalo Bills trade the #12, #22 and the #65 to the Cleveland Browns for the #4.

2) Arizona Cardinals trade the #15, #47 and a 2019 1st to the Denver Broncos for the #5 and the #71.

3) Green Bay Packers trade the #14 and the #76 to the Oakland Raiders for the #10 and the #212.

4) Minnesota Vikings trade the #30, #62 and a 2019 3nd round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for the #16 and a 2019 5th round pick.

5) Miami Dolphins trade the #42, #73 and a 2019 2nd round pick to the New England Patriots for the #23 and the #198.

ROUND TWO

33) Cleveland Browns: Joshua Jackson, CB Iowa- Cleveland made some nice additions in their secondary this offseason, yet they still lack a true number one cornerback. Jackson’s length and ball skills could help him be a star at the next level.

Editor’s Note: I don’t think grabbing Fitzpatrick at 12 deters the Browns from drafting multiple secondary pieces.

34) New York Giants: Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville- Both Jackson and Alexander fell to round two, but that’s the QB effect. Alexander is not only insurance for Eli Apple, but he’s also a starting nickel corner from day one.

35) Cleveland Browns via Indianapolis Colts: Ronald Jones II, RB USC- Earlier I mentioned that selecting Minkah Fitzpatrick won’t deter the Browns from taking a cornerback that falls. The same applies for their signing of Carlos Hyde. If a running back falls, Cleveland could easily take him.

36) Indianapolis Colts: Taven Bryan, DL Florida- Bryan’s athleticism and relentless pass rushing ability is something the Colts desperately need along their front four.

37) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama- If Ridley does in fact slide out of round one, I can’t see him making it past the Colts. Indianapolis needs a number two wide receiver.

38) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronnie Harrison, SS Alabama- The Bucs needs safety help in the worst way. Harrison provides an immediate jolt to the backend of the Bucs defense.

39) Chicago Bears: Gereon Christian, OT/OG Louisville- Doubling up on offensive line is a smart play by Chicago because they lack depth at the position.

40) Denver Broncos: Derrius Guice, RB LSU- Denver needs a starting running back after releasing CJ Anderson.

41) Oakland Raiders: Rashaan Evans, OLB/ILB Alabama- Evans can be a signal caller in the middle and he also allows the Raiders to play Tahir Whitehead on the weakside.

42) *New England Patriots via Miami Dolphins: Mike Gesicki, TE Penn State- Gesicki is an athletic tight end that runs terrific route runner and he catches everything thrown his way. Seems like a guy Tom Brady would love to throw to.

43) New England Patriots via San Francisco 49ers: Sam Hubbard, EDGE Ohio State- New England needs a pass rush next year if they want to be in the winner’s circle come February. Hubbard’s ability to stay disciplined is why Belichick selects him over a few more athletically gifted edge rushers.

44) Washington Redskins: Billy Price, C/OG Ohio State- One of the underrated additions/subtractions this offseason was Spencer Long joining the New York Jets and leaving Washington. Price would be an excellent choice in round two to replace Long.

45) Green Bay Packers: Braden Smith, OG Auburn- Smith is a physical run blocker with quick feet and he plays with an edge. The Packers need that physicality up front.

46) Cincinnati Bengals: Mason Rudolph, QB Oklahoma State- For the record, I have zero basis for this selection. This is strictly a gut feeling that Cincinnati will look for a future replacement for Andy Dalton in this draft. Dalton has team options in the next two years, making this is a great time to attempt to find a new quarterback.

47) *Denver Broncos via Arizona Cardinals: Donte Jackson, CB LSU- I think the Broncos draft will be centered around the idea that their window is smaller than people think. With that in mind, a nickel corner is at the top of the list in terms of team needs.

48) Los Angeles Chargers: DeShon Elliott, FS Texas- The Chargers have yet to replace the loss of Eric Weddle a few offseasons ago. Elliott would do just that.

49) Indianapolis Colts from New York Jets via Seattle Seahawks: Malik Jefferson, ILB Texas- Indianapolis continues to get immediate contributors in this draft. Jefferson will be the signal call in the middle of their 4-3 defense from day one.

50) Dallas Cowboys: Maurice “Mo” Hurst, DT Michigan- I believe someone will take a chance on Hurst during round two. So why not Dallas? They took a chance on Jaylon Smith a few drafts ago and that looks terrific right now. If they’re right on Hurst, they could have a steal.

51) Detroit Lions: Tyrell Crosby, OT/OG Oregon- The Lions need a starting left guard, but they also just need offensive line depth in general.

52) Baltimore Ravens: James Daniels, C Iowa- Daniels immediately replaces departing free agent Ryan Jensen.

53) Buffalo Bills: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB USC- The Bills could use a rusher from the strong side linebacker position. Lorenzo Alexander is aging and there isn’t a replacement in sight.

54) Kansas City Chiefs: Carlton Davis, CB Auburn- I think the Chiefs would like to trade down if possible. However, with an elite press man corner like Davis on the board, I’m not sure they can afford to do so.

55) Carolina Panthers: Terrell Edmunds, SS Virginia Tech- The Panthers double up on safeties in the first two rounds, grabbing Edmunds to be the traditional in the box strong safety.

56) Buffalo Bills via Los Angeles Rams: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT/OG Western Michigan- Okorafor is raw, but he has shown tremendous progression for someone who picked up football later in his youth.

57) *San Francisco 49ers via Tennessee Titans: Christian Kirk, WR Texas A&M- With the wide receivers falling a bit, the Niners trade up to land someone who should’ve gone higher in this draft. Kirk is the middle of the field, move the chains guy Jimmy Garoppolo needs next season.

58) Atlanta Falcons: Austin Corbett, OG Nevada- Andy Levitre will most likely be playing his final season in Atlanta this year. It would be a good idea for the Falcons to find his replacement in this draft, which has loads of interior offensive line talent.

59) San Francisco 49ers via New Orleans Saints: Duke Dawson, CB Florida- The Niners need some depth in the secondary and they need a true nickel cornerback. Dawson, along with Ahkello Witherspoon and newly acquired Richard Sherman, would be a terrific tandem in the back end.  

60) New York Jets via Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Sweat, EDGE Florida State- I think the Jets will try to trade back into round two for an edge rusher that falls. It’s a weak class, but Sweat could thrive in Todd Bowles’ defense.

61) Jacksonville Jaguars: Martinas Rankin, OL Mississippi State- Jacksonville’s offensive line took massive strides last year, but they still are looking to acquire immediate depth as well as a future starter at tackle. 

62) *Baltimore Ravens via Minnesota Vikings: Lorenzo Carter, OLB/ILB Georgia- Carter is the kind of player that Ozzie Newsome typically selects. Carter has the athleticism to play off the edge, along with the versatility to kick inside in a 3-4 defense…. supposedly.

63) New England Patriots: Kyle Lauletta, QB Richmond- I think Lauletta has been the Patriots QB of choice from day one. As mentioned earlier, there’s rumors of them selecting a number of different guys at a number of different spots in this draft. My feeling is that Lauletta has been the guy from day one.

64) Cleveland Browns via Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Nnadi, DT/NT Florida State- With all their picks in this draft, the Browns start taking the best players available. Nnadi starts immediately next to last year’s pick Larry Ogunjobi.

TRADES IN ROUND TWO

1) San Francisco trade the #70, #74 and #128 to the Tennessee Titans for the #57 and #89.

2) New York Jets trade the #72, #107 and #179 to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the #60 and #165.

ROUND THREE

65) Cleveland Browns from Buffalo Bills via Cleveland Browns: Orlando Brown, OT Oklahoma

66) New York Giants: Will Richardson, OT NC State

67) *Dallas Cowboys via Indianapolis Colts: Jessie Bates III, FS Wake Forest

68) Houston Texans: Hayden Hurst, TE South Carolina

69) New York Giants via Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rasheem Green, DE USC

70) *Tennessee Titans via San Francisco 49ers via Chicago Bears: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB/ILB Oklahoma

71) *Arizona Cardinals via Denver Broncos: Harrison Phillips, DL Stanford

72) *Pittsburgh Steelers via New York Jets: Fred Warner, LB BYU

73) *New England Patriots via Miami Dolphins: Isaac Yiadom, DB Boston College

74) *Tennessee Titans via San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Miller, WR Memphis

75) Oakland Raiders: Kerryon Johnson, RB Auburn

76) *Oakland Raiders via Green Bay Packers: Holton Hill, CB Texas

77) *Carolina Panthers via Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Chubb, RB Georgia

78) Kansas City Chiefs via Washington Redskins: Dorance Armstrong, EDGE Kansas

79) Arizona Cardinals: Michael Gallup, WR Colorado State

80) Houston Texans via Seattle Seahawks: Tim Settle, NT Virginia Tech

81) *Indianapolis Colts via Dallas Cowboys: Jamarco Jones, OL Ohio State

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

83) Baltimore Ravens: Breeland Speaks, DE/DT Ole Miss

84) Los Angeles Chargers: Joseph Noteboom, OT/OG TCU

85) *Cincinnati Bengals from Carolina Panthers via Buffalo Bills: Wyatt Teller, OG Virginia Tech

86) Kansas City Chiefs: Mason Cole, OL Michigan

87) Los Angeles Rams: Arden Key, EDGE LSU

88) Carolina Panthers: Ian Thomas, TE Indiana

89) *San Francisco 49ers via Tennessee Titans: Andrew Brown, DE/DT Virginia

90) Atlanta Falcons: Dante Pettis, WR Washington

91) New Orleans Saints: Mark Andrews, TE Oklahoma

92) Pittsburgh Steelers: MJ Stewart, CB North Carolina

93) Jacksonville Jaguars: Josey Jewell, ILB Iowa

94) Minnesota Vikings: PJ Hall, DT Sam Houston State

95) New England Patriots: Genard Avery, LB Memphis

96) Buffalo Bills via Philadelphia Eagles: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR Notre Dame

97) Arizona Cardinals (compensatory): Desmond Harrison, OL West Georgia

98) Houston Texans (compensatory): Tony Adams, OG NC State

99) Denver Broncos (compensatory): DaeSean Hamilton, WR Penn State

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

TRADES IN ROUND THREE

1) Dallas Cowboys trade the #81, #116 and a 2019 6th to the Indianapolis Colts for the #67.

2) Carolina Panthers trade the #85 and a 2019 4th to the Cincinnati Bengals for the #77.

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Jordan Katz- 2018 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Two Rounds

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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

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