We’re just a few days away from the big night. The topsy-turvy activity with the first two picks has given us more clarity for how the early part of the draft could unfoled. Los Angeles and Philadelphia are sure to take quarterbacks, which is a far more certain projection than what the Titans and Browns were offering.
And now, 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 |
Jared Goff, QB, California |
| (Previous: Carson Wentz, QB) I think Wentz has the most upside of any of this year’s quarterbacks. However, the rumor mill is putting Los Angeles and Goff together and I have no reason to go against it. Goff is considered to be the most ready to play now, and the Rams may be thinking along those lines with their strong defense and Todd Gurley running the ball. |
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| [get_helmet team=”phi” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
2. Eagles |
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St. |
| (Previous: Ezekiel Elliott to Browns) Given what I just said about Wentz I hate to see him end up with Philly. Nevertheless, he or Goff will become an Eagle on Thursday night. Hopefully all those picks that Philly gave up to acquire their future quarterback will come back to haunt them. |
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3. Chargers |
Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida St. |
| (Previous: Laremy Tunsil, OT) I hate making this pick so badly, but the more I think about it the more I can’t help it. The Chargers need secondary help and Ramsey is special. There’s seems to be a guy like Tunsil almost every year. They go with the rarer talent at a position of equal need. |
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4. Cowboys |
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Jalen Ramsey, DB) I think Dallas could trade down here if they get a great offer, and they may with Tunsil still on the board and other teams coveting Elliott or perhaps even Paxton Lynch. However, barring a trade that really blows them away, the Cowboys will take Elliott and try to rush their way to a championship. |
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5. Jaguars |
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Same) The Jags take Bosa as insurance against Dante Fowler’s return from injury and to, hopefully, give them a pair of dynamic pass rushers for the next several years. |
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| [get_helmet team=”bal” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
6. Ravens |
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss |
| (Previous: DeForest Buckner, DL) This is a huge win for the Ravens, who need offensive line help and never would’ve thought Tunsil would fall to them until recent events. |
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| [get_helmet team=”sf” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
7. 49ers |
DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon |
| (Previous: Jared Goff, QB) I am really torn between Buckner and Paxton Lynch here. I think it would be Lynch if Chip Kelly was still calling shots like he did in Philadelphia, but the Niners didn’t give him that same power. Buckner could be a monster in their 3-4 scheme. |
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8. Browns |
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA |
| (Previous: Myles Jack to Eagles) The Browns traded down to acquire more talent, and nobody left on the board has talent like Jack. The knee issue is scary but it’s a worthy gamble. Jack’s coverage ability is truly special and an ideal skill for a 3-4 inside linebacker. |
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| [get_helmet team=”tb” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
9. Bucs |
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida |
| (Previous: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE) I’ve compared Hargreaves to Ronde Barber in some of my other articles, so who better to draft him than the Bucs? He’s a better talent than any of the available pass rushers, and I think both are equally needed in Tampa. |
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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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11. Bears |
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson |
| (Previous: Vernon Hargreaves, CB) Some think Lawson is better than Bosa. That’s either great news for the Chicago or a bad sign for Jacksonville. |
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12. Saints |
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis |
| (Previous: Laquon Treadwell, WR) Drew Brees is 37-years-old and his contract expires this year. Lynch may not be on the Goff-Wentz talent tier but he’s closer to them than the next crop of talent. |
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13. Dolphins |
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Shaq Lawson, DE) Miami likes bigger, press-man corners and Apple is prototypical for that role. |
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14. Raiders |
Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville |
| (Previous: Eli Apple, CB) Combining Rankins’ interior disruption with Khalil Mack’s outside threat would make Oakland’s front seven very dangerous. |
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15. Titans |
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan St. |
| (Previous: Same) 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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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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17. Falcons |
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama |
| (Previous: Same) 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 |
Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia |
| (Previous: Michael Thomas, WR) Indy is getting linked to Noah Spence a lot but Floyd could be equally talented and with way less personal baggage. |
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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 (along with Spence) is this year’s Randy Gregory but doesn’t have to wait as long to hear his name. |
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20. Jets |
Noah Spence, DE/OLB, Eastern KY |
| (Previous: Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB) Ironically, the draft’s two problem children go in back-to-back picks. They would love to add an outside rusher who can match what Muhammad Wilkerson does inside. |
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21. Washington |
Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Sheldon Rankins, DL) This is a nice landing spot for Thomas, who has great raw material but may need a few years before he can be relied on as a number-one target. Washington can keep using their veteran receivers for now and work Thomas in slowly. |
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22. Texans |
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame |
| (Previous: Same) We have a run on receivers, folks! Fuller’s speed and deep threat potential make him an excellent counterpart for DeAndre Hopkins. |
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23. Vikings |
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss |
| (Previous: Josh Doctson, WR) It’s quite a fall for Treadwell from where he was projected before the Combine and Pro Days. Still, he gives Minnesota a go-to receiver and perhaps the missing piece to allow Teddy Bridgewater to realize his full potential. |
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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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25. Steelers |
Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech |
| (Previous: Williams Jackson, CB) Fuller’s knee got a good report at the recent Combine recheck. Some think he’d be a Top-10 talent if not for the health issue, which makes this a great upside pick for Pittsburgh. |
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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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27. Packers |
Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St. |
| (Previous: Same) 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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28. Chiefs |
William Jackson, CB, Houston |
| (Previous: Kendall Fuller, CB) Fuller’s move up the board drops Jackson back a notch, letting him fall to Kansas City. |
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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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31. Broncos |
Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama |
| (Previous: Paxton Lynch, QB) Reed falling here is a great value pick for Denver, and timely as they need to replace Malik Jackson. |
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| [get_helmet team=”cle” face=”r” align=”center” size=”sm”] |
32. Browns |
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU |
| (Previous: Corey Coleman, WR) With Josh Gordon not being of use anytime soon, the Browns have to add some talent. Doctson is a first-rounder in most mocks so this is a nice steal. |
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33. Titans |
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson |
| (Previous: Noah Spence, DE) Another guy who’s going earlier in a lot of projections, Alexander is a good get at the beginning of the second round. |
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34. Cowboys |
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma St. |
| (Previous: Yannick Ngakoue, DE) Ogbah had one of the best Combines of any pass rusher and was near the top of the nation in sacks last year. There are concerns about his technique and work ethic but the raw material is way ahead of any other available prospect. He’s also physically ready for the NFL, which the Cowboys need since their top two defensive ends will start the year on suspension. |
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