Mock Draft 2.0

4 The Record Mock Draft 2.0

Author: Michael Weitzner

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Cleveland might have won the offseason already. Traded for Jarvis Landry and Tyrod Taylor but only had to give up a 3rd and a 4th to get them. Even if Taylor starts every game this season, there isn’t a future in Cleveland. The Browns should be looking for their future star at quarterback. Darnold has the size, arm strength, and the look of a franchise QB. And even with Darnold’s accuracy issues, the Browns will fall in love with his potential and take him #1.

2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
It seems as though the Giants are riding Eli Manning to the bitter end. So a talent like Barkley is a must here. Look at what Zeke did for the Cowboys and Fournette did for the Jags. An elite running back can change an offense for the better and push a bad team into the playoffs. Running back has been the biggest issue with the Giants offense for the past few years. Barkley fixes the problem right away and gives the Giants the tools to make one last run with Eli.

3. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma 
The Jets missed out on Kirk Cousins (and probably dodged a bullet there). In free agency, the Jets spent all of their money defense with the signings of Williamson and Johnson. Even with signing Bridgewater and McCown, Jets still need a franchise quarterback and Mayfield has the potential to deliver that.

4. Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
With Cleveland’s second pick in the top 5, Browns need to go defense. Fitzpatrick has been making plays for Alabama since the first time he took the field for the Crimson Tide. He is a game changer that has the chance to completely change the perception of this Browns defense. 

5. Denver Broncos: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

The Broncos missed out on Kirk Cousins and signed Case Keenum as their bridge quarterback. Even though the Broncos whiffed on their last first round QB, it’s time to get their guy. Allen is the prototype quarterback with great size and arm strength. Seemingly like every other quarterback this year, Allen has issues with accuracy that will need to be improved. 

6. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

Saying that the Colts have been bad on defense would be an understatement; they desperately need an infusion of pass rushing talent that can take over a game. If you haven’t seen Chubb play, there wasn’t a tackle that could hold him back and faired pretty well against the run. There are concerns about Andrew Luck’s shoulder but if the Colts truly believe that Luck can play going forward, gaining talent on defense needs to happen.

 7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

This pick boils down to two things: (1) Nelson is the best offensive lineman in this draft and (2) the Bucs need to solidify their offensive line to protect Jameis Winston. Simple pick here. Protect your franchise QB.

8. Chicago Bears: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Before free agency, the Bears needed to drastically improve their offense. So what do they do? Sign Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Trey Burton. Now they need to focus on defense; Ward is the best CB in this draft and is an instant starter in Chicago.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia 

49ers have bolstered their offense with the signings of OL Richburg and RB McKinnon. Defense needs to come into focus and having a talented young linebacker like Smith helps. Smith shined in the CFB Playoffs showing his ability to cover down field. 

10. Oakland Raiders: Derwin James, S, FSU
I’m a huge fan of Derwin James. He is a game changer that can play linebacker or safety. New head coach John Gruden may want a defensive player with that kind of versatility. Don’t overthink it, take the best player available.

11. Miami Dolphins: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Ryan Tannehill is coming back from a serious knee injury and recently restructured his contract. With that said, Dolphins could be looking for a change at quarterback. This offseason, they have gotten rid of Pouncey, Suh, and Landry. The Dolphins are preaching a culture change and it probably starts at QB. Jackson is the most dynamic QB in this draft.

12. Buffalo Bills: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Bills may trade up from this spot to ensure they get a QB but they are going all in. Trading away Tyrod Taylor and moving up from #21 shows that the Bills are drafting a QB and will likely move up even higher to do it.

13. Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, Dt, Washington
Washington traded for Alex Smith, signed Paul Richardson, and bring back a very versatile backfield. This pick is about strengthening the defensive front 7. Vea is a highly skilled, relatively quick defensive tackle that could make impact plays right away.

14. Green Bay Packers: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

The Packers got their franchise TE with Jimmy Graham and improved their defensive line with Wilkerson. There is still a hole at cornerback. Jackson can come in and be a day one starter. 

15. Arizona Cardinals: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Larry Fitzgerald probably has one year left and the Cardinals are likely losing John and Jaron Brown. The Cardinals are one of the teams that could trade up into the top 5 to take a QB. However, if they stay at #15, the talented Mr. Ridley will be the next great Cards WR. 

16. Baltimore Ravens: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, VT
This may come as a shock to most people but Tremaine Edmunds is only 19 years old. I don’t  think the Ravens would pass up the chance to take a young linebacker and shape him into the next Ray Lewis (hopefully minus the murder scandal).

17. LA Chargers: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Chargers are another candidate for drafting a quarterback but they’d need to trade up. If they stay at #17, McGlinchey is a solid pick here. McGlinchey was the LT on the best offensive line in college football and can protect aging Phillip Rivers.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

The Seahawks’ super bowl defense is all but gone at this point. It’s time for Seattle to upgrade their offensive line and finally give Wilson the protect he needs. Offense should be the focus in this draft for Seattle and Williams is a good start. 



19. Dallas Cowboys: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Just another Alabama defensive player who is ready to play from day one. Though Payne isn’t the best pass rusher, he is a reliable run stopper at defensive tackle. After franchise tagging Demarcus Lawrence, there is still time and room for Payne to improve his pass rushing ability. This pick is more about the future than the right now.

20. Detroit Lions: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
The first time I saw Jefferson play, the only thing I said was “that’s an NFL player!” That happened during his sophomore year. Jefferson is only of the most underrated players in this year’s draft and the Lions need help bolstering their linebackers corps. Jefferson is the type of player you plug in next to Jarrad Davis and stop worrying about it.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

There is always one team that drafts an offensive tackle in the first round and you just scratch your head. I believe the Bengals are this year’s team. They traded down in the draft and do not have any gaping holes on defense. Brown is a talented OT who can protect Andy Dalton.

22. Buffalo Bills: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
With their first pick, the Bills took a QB. What is a better option than giving their new quarterback a young wide receiver to grow with.

23. LA Rams: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

The Rams recently traded Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins so there is a spot open at defensive end/pass rusher. Davenport is definitely more of an edge rusher than a run stuffer and will fit nicely next to Aaron Donald. 

24. Carolina Panthers: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
Mike Hughes stood out at a “small school” and hasn’t looked back since. Hughes does have elite speed. Additionally, Hughes is very aggressive when the ball is in the air. He might run into a few pass interference penalties but his playmaking will make up for it.

25. Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College
Titans improved their secondary with the signing of Malcom Butler. However, they lost LB Williamson and could improve on their pass rush. Landry could play either DE or OLB and will improve the pass rush right away.

26. Atlanta Falcons: Taven Bryan, DL, Florida 

Falcons lost their starting defensive tackle Poe this offseason. They should be looking for a replacement who has the versatility to play either DE or DT. Bryan had a productive last season at Florida and definitely has the size to play in the NFL.

 

27. New Orleans Saints: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
The Saints missed out on bringing back Jimmy Graham  so they should be looking for a dynamic TE who can catch the ball. Gesicki isn’t the most pro ready TE in the draft but definitely has the most potential.

28. Pittsburg Steelers: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
The Steelers did a good job of getting rid of most the their secondary. Ronnie Harrison isn’t the most talented player in the draft but fills a position that the Steelers desperately need. 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

The Jaguars have a collective of wide receivers that got the job done last season. However, tight end has been lacking ever since Blake Bortles arrived. Giving him a quality tight end may push the Jags over the hump. Hurst is ready to play and doesn’t have to develop a pro frame.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Adren Key, DE, LSU

There aren’t many holes on this Vikings team. With the signing of Kirk Cousins, the Vikings are ready for a Super Bowl run. So adding a young pass rusher can help with their playoff push.

31. New England Patriots: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

If the Super Bowl wasn’t a strong indication, Butler’s time in New England is up; a cornerback spot has opened. Oliver is over 6-foot and has great speed for his size. And let’s be real, any player that Bill Belichick gets his hands on is going to be maximized.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The SUPER BOWL CHAMPION Eagles have a great team on both sides of the ball. So any player drafted is just a bonus at this point. Linebacker is a good position to have depth in and Rashaan Evans gives them that. 

Sources:
https://www.drafttek.com/Top-100-NFL-Draft-Prospects-2018.asp
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/nfl-free-agency-2018-tracker-signings-trades-cuts/1gsmmd79bkzcf12e73v2pq8dkz
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000919968/article/2018-nfl-free-agency-needs-for-each-nfc-team