Mock Draft 3.0

4 The Record Mock Draft 3.0

Author: Michael Weitzner

Welcome to 4TR’s third mock draft! Let’s have some fun and make a few predictions about trades. Bills, Cardinals, and probably Broncos will be looking to take a quarterback in the first round. All of them will need to trade up to get those quarterbacks. So let’s get started!

Cleveland Browns get: #12, #22, and other picks

Buffalo Bills get: #4

NY Giants get #5 and other picks

Denver Broncos get #2

Miami Dolphins get #15 and other picks

Arizona Cardinals get #11

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. Denver Broncos: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma 

The Broncos missed out on Kirk Cousins but signed Case Keesum. The Broncos’ offseason moves indicated that the Broncos are going to a soft rebuild. They could and should be looking for their franchise quarterback. Mayfield is the fiery young QB the Broncos need right now..

3. New York Jets: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming  

Josh Allen may have the highest ceiling out of every quarterback in this draft but he is going to need at least a few seasons to develop. The Jets spent a lot of money this offseason building their defense. They also signed Teddy Bridgewater as their bridge QB so Allen will have time to mature.

4. Buffalo Bills: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

The Bills are going for broke this offseason to get a franchise quarterback. Trading up in the draft and trading away Tyrod Taylor signaled that its go time. Rosen has his issues but is considered a top tier QB. 

5. New York Giants: 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.

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: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

The Bucs have nothing but problems. So what should they do? Take the best player available. Fitzpatrick is a stud that could change the Bucs defense right away. Improving the secondary will help jump start the Bucs for a playoff run..

8. Chicago Bears: Derwin James, S, FSU

Before free agency, the Bears needed to drastically improve their offense. So what do they do? Sign Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Trey Burton. Defense should be the focus in the draft. James is a monster as safety that could be the start of the next Legion of Boom.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

49ers have bolstered their offense with the signings of OL Richburg and RB McKinnon. But even with the Richburg signing, the 49ers should solidify their O-Line so that Jimmy GQ is protected for years to come

10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Smith is an absolute stud that made plans in the run and pass game. Oakland needs some new linebackers that hopefully won’t get into as much trouble. Smith seems to be a leave headed player that won’t find himself in problematic situations. 

11. Arizona Cardinals: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Cardinals do not have the answer at quarterback yet. However you feel about Sam Bradford, he will not be the starter after next season. Taking Jackson is the perfect situation for both the team and Jackson. He can sit for a year and possibly start by the end of the season.

12. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Ward is the best player available here. Not only that, but he is an aggressive playmaker at corner who is not afraid to try to make turnovers. He is the perfect player for the new Browns plan of getting physical players. 

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. Miami Dolphins: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, VT

Linebacker is the biggest need for the Dolphins this upcoming season and has been a problem for years. Edmunds is young (only 19) and will be a starter right away. He solves a lot of problems now and in the future. 

16. Baltimore Ravens: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Is Joe Flacco elite? Not without a great offensive line… Mickey G was the left tackle for college football’s best O-Line. McGlinchey can offer protection for Flacco that he hasn’t had in a while.

17. LA Chargers: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas

I may be the only person on the planet that is high on Malik Jefferson but I’ll keep it simple: Jefferson is an NFL linebacker who should be productive even in his rookie year. May be a reach but the Chargers will be getting a starter at linebacker.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

The Seahawks traded Michael Bennett to the Eagles so there is a spot open at defensive end/pass rusher. Davenport is definitely more of an edge rusher than a run stuffer but could be the first piece to rebuilding the great Seattle defense.


19. Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

But the Cowboys don’t need a wide receiver??? Well, they might if they decide they’ve had enough of Dez Bryant. As dumb as it sounds, that’s how the NFL works: you release a star player, draft his position in the 1st round, then repeat. 

20. Detroit Lions: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Payne is the next iteration of the Bama D-Lineman. Payne is reliable against the running game and can develop into a quality pass rusher at DT. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

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. Williams is a talented OT who can protect Andy Dalton.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

Joe Thomas finally decided that he was done blocking for crappy quarterbacks. So now the Browns have a hole at left tackle. Miller has the potential to be a starting tackle on either side of the line can may be able to fill in for Thomas.

23. LA Rams: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College

Probably the most pro ready pass rusher besides Chubb, Landry will have a field day playing next to Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh. The Rams taking a pass rusher is making the rich richer. 

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: Taven Bryan, DL, Florida

The Titans did a good job improving their secondary this offseason but still need to improve the D-Line. Bryan has great size and speed for a DT but still has to find what style he will play. Definitely has the potential to start.

26. Atlanta Falcons: Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia

Protecting Matty Ice should be priority number 1. All indications say that Wynn will be a starting guard and probably right away. Besides Nelson, Wynn is the only guard that should go in the 1st round.

 

27. New Orleans Saints: Arden Key, Edge, LSU

The Saints’ defense improved drastically last season. However, to keep contending in the loaded NFC, the Saints will have to keep improving. Adding depth and talent to the defensive line helps. Key is a talented pass rusher the Saints need.

28. Pittsburg Steelers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
TJ Watt looks like a great pick from last season; however, linebacker is still the Steelers most pressing needs. Evans has good size and will fit nicely as an interior linebacker. 

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: Maurice Hurst, DL, Michigan

Hurst had a health scare that could have threatened his life. Luckily and hopefully he will be okay going forward. Hurst is tremendously talented and would fit perfectly with this Super Bowl caliber defense.

31. New England Patriots: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

Nate Solder said peace out to the Patriots for a truck load of money. Brown can take Solder’s spot at LT to protect old man Brady. Brown has so much talent but never reached his peak at Oklahoma. Maybe the “Patriots way” can push him over the edge.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
The SUPER BOWL CHAMPION Eagles have an embarrassment of riches. Anyone drafted at this spot will find it hard to start right away. Not because of lack of talent from Kirk, it’s because everyone else is so good. 

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