So there have been some major developments since my last mock draft. The Rams gave up everything short of their firstborn to move to number one and Myles Jack’s knee evaluation didn’t go well. These have led to some interesting ripple effects.
For this mock I wanted to see what would happen if Cleveland doesn’t take a quarterback. I still think they will but I wanted to play with that variable.
Also, my standard disclaimers:
- Please comment with your thoughts on my picks. If you’re a fan of another team I really value your insider perspective and will use it to make my next mocks better.
- These are predictions of what teams WILL do and not necessarily what they SHOULD.
- I don’t get into predicting trades. It’s too much of a crapshoot to spend mental energy on.
| [get_helmet team=”la” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
1. Rams |
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St. |
| (Previous: Laremy Tunsil, OT to Titans) The Rams didn’t send all those picks to Tennessee for any other reason than to take a quarterback. Current rumors have Wentz as the guy they like most. |
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| [get_helmet team=”cle” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
2. Browns |
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Carson Wentz, QB) Cleveland decides to see what RG3 can do before putting an immediate cap on his future. They stun many by taking Elliott this high, but they’re one of the few teams who can afford to pass on Laremy Tunsil and Jalen Ramsey and have a huge need at running back. |
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| [get_helmet team=”sd” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
3. Chargers |
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss |
| (Previous: Jalen Ramsey, DB) San Diego had one of the league’s worst offensive lines last year. They should land Tunsil one way or the other. Cleveland already has Joe Thomas at tackle and will draft another position, or will trade down to someone wanting Jared Goff. |
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| [get_helmet team=”dal” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
4. Cowboys |
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida St. |
| (Previous: Myles Jack, LB) The dream scenario works out for the majority of Cowboys fans as Ramsey falls to them. The only way Dallas doesn’t take Ramsey is if they were dead set on a quarterback, which means they take Goff or maybe try and trade down for Paxton Lynch. |
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| [get_helmet team=”jax” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
5. Jaguars |
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Same) Jacksonville pairs Bosa with last year’s pick, Dante Fowler, for a hopefully dynamic duo. |
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| [get_helmet team=”bal” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
6. Ravens |
DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon |
| (Previous: Same) Buckner has the potential to be a freak as a 3-4 DE, which Baltimore just so happens to play. |
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| [get_helmet team=”sf” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
7. 49ers |
Jared Goff, QB, California |
| (Previous: Same) Colin Kaepernick is still there but the situation seems too toxic to last. The Niners will be happy to land Goff and move on. |
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| [get_helmet team=”phi” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
8. Eagles |
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA |
| (Previous: Ezekiel Elliott, RB) Not able to get Elliott or one of the top quarterbacks, Philly hopes the doubters are wrong about Jack’s knee. He immediately replaces what they lost by trading away Kiko Alonso and is the best talent on the board. |
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| [get_helmet team=”tb” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
9. Bucs |
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma St. |
| (Previous: Same) Tampa’s front office seems to like numbers and Ogbah has them where it counts; 22.5 sacks the last two years and a 4.63 40-yard dash. There’s almost always a picks in the 7-10 range that makes people scratch their heads a little and this would be it. |
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| [get_helmet team=”nyg” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
10. Giants |
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame |
| (Previous: Same) New York has an older quarterback to protect and an average group of running backs to work with. They follow the Cowboys’ example and take their third offensive lineman in four years. |
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| [get_helmet team=”chi” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
11. Bears |
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida |
| (Previous: Same) Chicago will be thrilled to have Hargreaves slide to them at this pick. He’s better than many people think and fills their biggest need. |
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| [get_helmet team=”no” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
12. Saints |
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss |
| (Previous: Same) New Orleans’ receivers have plenty of speed already but no size or redzone threat potential, which makes Treadwell a good counterbalance. |
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| [get_helmet team=”mia” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
13. Dolphins |
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson |
| (Previous: Same) Miami replaces Olivier Vernon with a kid who will probably be far more productive than Vernon ever was. |
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| [get_helmet team=”oak” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
14. Raiders |
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State |
| (Previous: Same) Liking bigger and more physical corners, Oakland takes Apple and tries to teach him how to avoid penalties. |
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| [get_helmet team=”ten” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
15. Titans |
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St. |
| (Previous: Reggie Ragland, LB to Rams) Getting all those picks from Los Angeles and still landing a top offensive tackle makes this a fantastic draft for Tennessee. |
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| [get_helmet team=”det” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
16. Lions |
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama |
| (Previous: Same) Having lost their top two defensive tackles to free agency over the last few years, Detroit gets some big help with Robinson. |
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| [get_helmet team=”atl” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
17. Falcons |
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama |
| (Previous: Darron Lee, LB) Needing help all over their defense, Atlanta takes one of the best talents available. |
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| [get_helmet team=”ind” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
18. Colts |
Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Jack Conklin, OT) After putting up a reported 4.38 40-yard time at his pro day, the 6’3″ Thomas zooms past the other receivers on the board. Andrew Luck needs more weapons but also needs offensive line help. This is a tough one to project. |
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19. Bills |
Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss |
| (Previous: Same) The Ryan boys are desperate and don’t mind taking chances on suspect characters. Nkemdiche is this year’s Randy Gregory but doesn’t have to wait as long to hear his name. |
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| [get_helmet team=”nyj” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
20. Jets |
Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia |
| (Previous: Same) They will be ecstatic in New York to land Floyd this far down the board. Some have him going in the #8-12 range. |
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| [get_helmet team=”was” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
21. Washington |
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville |
| (Previous: Same) Aaron Donald has helped lift the stigma a little on smallish defensive tackles, helping a guy like Rankins get taken this high. |
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| [get_helmet team=”hou” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
22. Texans |
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame |
| (Previous: Michael Thomas, WR) Fuller’s speed and deep threat potential make him an excellent counterpart for DeAndre Hopkins. |
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| [get_helmet team=”min” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
23. Vikings |
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU |
| (Previous: Same) Minnesota seems sure to take a receiver and will have good ones to pick from. Doctson has the best upside of the remaining options. |
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| [get_helmet team=”cin” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
24. Bengals |
Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson |
| (Previous: Same) The knock on Dodd is that he benefited from playing opposite Shaq Lawson in college. Teaming him up with Carlos Dunlap should alleviate that concern. |
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| [get_helmet team=”pit” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
25. Steelers |
William Jackson, CB, Houston |
| (Previous: Same) Cornerback is clearly their biggest need and Jackson provides good value for Pittsburgh at this spot. |
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| [get_helmet team=”sea” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
26. Seahawks |
Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State |
| (Previous: Same) Jason Spriggs may have more upside but Seattle needs someone ready to help right away. Decker is a strong run blocker and that’s the key to Seattle’s offense. |
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| [get_helmet team=”gb” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
27. Packers |
Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Kendall Fuller, CB) Lee’s athleticism and talent are too much for the Packers to pass on. He could be a major play-maker in the middle of their 3-4 scheme. |
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| [get_helmet team=”kc” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
28. Chiefs |
Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech |
| (Previous: Mackensie Alexander, CB) KC needs a corner badly and Fuller offers major steal potential if his health checks out. He would likely be in the Top 15 if not for injury issues last year. |
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| [get_helmet team=”ari” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
29. Cardinals |
Keanu Neal, S, Florida |
| (Previous: Same) There’s a steep drop off from Neal to the next best safety, so Arizona covers a big need here. |
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| [get_helmet team=”car” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
30. Panthers |
Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana |
| (Previous: Same) Good upside for the 30th pick. Michael Oher was their worst offensive lineman last year and an upgrade is needed. |
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| [get_helmet team=”den” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
31. Broncos |
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis |
| (Previous: Same) Until Denver makes some other move at quarterback this offseason you have to go with Lynch. |
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| [get_helmet team=”cle” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
32. Browns |
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor |
| (Previous: Will Fuller, WR) With Josh Gordon not being of use anytime soon, the Browns have to add some talent. Coleman has a first-round grade by many and is a good value here. |
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| [get_helmet team=”ten” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
33. Titans |
Noah Spence, DE, Eastern KY |
| (Previous: Same) After helping their own QB in the first round, Tennessee looks to attack opposing QBs with their next pick. |
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| [get_helmet team=”dal” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
34. Cowboys |
Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Maryland |
| (Previous: Carl Nassib, DE) I still like Nassib a lot but there seems to be a lot of doubt about his pro potential. I will go with Ngakoue, who was also highly productive in college with 13.5 sacks and is built more like a traditional 4-3 edge rusher. Given where they went in the last few picks, Dallas has more trade-up potential here to try and grab Lynch or Spence if they’re in range. |
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I think you can sum up this draft in three words for Cowboys fans.
This is the most likely scenario I see for the top 4 picks now that LA has traded into #1. And I'm just fine with that!
You don't think I'm nuts for picking Elliott at #2? Most of the world would say so.
A little, yeah. But I've stopped pretending to know what Cleveland is going to do a long time ago. But even if they don't go with Elliott at #2, they go with another QB and that doesn't affect the Chargers or Cowboys decisions.