The NFL Draft: Another Mock
Alright, I previously did a mock end-to-end, and here's my updated version, a few days before the first round. Let's get to it!
PickTeamOriginal PickSchoolNew PickSchoolThoughts1 Los Angeles Rams At #15, Laquon Treadwell, WROle MissJared Goff, QBCaliforniaHuge trade up and I'm jealous. Goff is the right choice and will be a true franchise QB in Los Angeles.2 Philadelphia Eagles At #13, Jack Conklin, OT Michigan StateCarson Wentz, QBNorth Dakota StateI still can't believe the Eagles made this trade without knowing for sure who they're getting, but Carson is their future.3San Diego Chargers Jalen Ramsey, DBFlorida StateLaremy Tunsil, OTOle MissNot a true need, but the best player in the draft, they can't pass. Could trade, and Ramsey and Buckner are in play here, too.4Dallas Cowboys Joey Bosa, DL Ohio StateJoey Bosa, DLOhio StateRamsey fills a need, and I know Zeke Elliot is in play but Bosa makes too much sense. I keep it.5Jacksonville JaguarsVernon Hargreaves, CBFloridaMyles Jack, LBUCLAAll depends on whether he checks out with their medical, but he's a huge add to their defense.6Baltimore RavensMyles Jack, SS/LBUCLAJalen Ramsey, DBFlorida StateSteal of the draft at this point here.7San Francisco 49ersCarson Wentz, QBNorth Dakota StateDeForest Buckner, DLOregonI think Ronnie Stanley is HUGELY in play, as is a trade-down. But I think it would be hard for Baalke to pass on Buckner.8Cleveland BrownsAt #2, Carson Wentz, QBNorth Dakota StateEzekiel Elliott, RBOhio StateI think the Browns could trade down again, but if they stay, Zeke Elliott is the most elite talent here. 9Tampa Bay Buccaneers DeForest Buckner, DLOregonVernon Hargreaves, CBFloridaUnless one of the DE slips, this is the best player at a need position on defense.10New York GiantsEzekiel Elliott, RBOhio StateRonnie Stanley, OTNotre DameBack to back OT in the first round for the Giants. Not sexy, but important.11Chicago BearsRonnie Stanley, OTNotre DameLeonard Floyd, LBGeorgia Floyd is racing up the draft board and fits a need in Vic Fangio's defense.12New Orleans SaintsA'Shawn Robinson, DTAlabamaSheldon Rankins, DTLouisvilleSame need, but a better fit player. I've seen Paxton Lynch and Laquon Treadwell mocked here, but their defense is so woeful I just can't even.13Miami DolphinsAt #8, Mackensie Alexander, CBClemsonEli Apple, CBOhio StateThey trade down and don't even take Alexander but Apple instead to help find a shutdown corner.14Oakland RaidersEli Apple, CBOhio StateWilliam Jackson III, CBHoustonThey need to find a CB one way or another.15Tennessee TitansAt #1: Laremy Tunsil, OTOle MissJack Conklin, OTMichigan StateI think they trade up but if this happened, they'd be thrilled - trading down and still getting a potential 10-year starter at LT.16Detroit LionsSheldon Rankins, DTLouisvilleTaylor Decker, OTOhio StateThey could go DL here but instead work on the offensive line.17Atlanta FalconsReggie Ragland, LBAlabamaDarron Lee, LBOhio StateThe Buckeye domination of the draft continues. A bit more versatile than Ragland, so he bumps him out here.18Indianapolis ColtsTaylor Decker, OTOhio StateRyan Kelly, CAlabamaThe top tackles are all gone, so they build from the center. Get it? I'm here all night.19Buffalo BillsShaq Lawson, DEClemsonReggie Ragland, LBAlabamaCould easily go DE here but I think Ragland is a Rex Ryan type of LB and helps this defense a lot.20New York JetsDarron Lee OLBOhio StatePaxton Lynch, QBMemphisI actually think Lynch gets taken earlier, maybe by the Jets. I kind of hate the pick for them, but if it forces Fitz to resign while Lynch learns? OK.21Washington AmericansJarran Reed, DTAlabamaJarran Reed, DTAlabamaThey lost Pot Roast, and helped their secondary with Josh Norman. 22Houston TexansCorey Coleman, WRBaylorCorey Coleman, WRBaylorColeman goes as the first WR as he compliments Hopkins more than Treadwell. 23Minnesota VikingsJosh Doctson, WRTCULaquon Treadwell, WROle MissThe Vikings fall into the top-rated WR and give Teddy a legit weapon opposite Stefon Diggs.24Cincinnati BengalsWill Fuller, WRNotre DameJosh Doctson, WRTCUCincy could go anywhere, but grabbing Doctson will make the loss of Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu a lot easier.25Pittsburgh SteelersWilliam Jackson III, CBHoustonArtie Burns, CBMiamiA possible reach here with Mackensie Alexander still available. From what I hear about Alexander he doesn't sound like a Steeler to me, so I'll go with Artie, who sounds like he'd be friends with my Great Uncle.26Seattle SeahawksLeonard Floyd, OLBGeorgiaRobert Nkemdiche, DEMississippiSeattle's a likely team to maybe trade down, but if not, they can grab Nkemdiche, who seems like a potential star here. Damn.27Green Bay PackersKevin Dodd, DEClemsonShaq Lawson, DEClemsonGreen Bay can go BPA - Hunter Henry, Andrew Billings, Kevin Dodd all in play here. Instead, they go SHAQ.28Kansas City ChiefsKendall Fuller, CBVirginia TechWill Fuller, WRNotre DameCoincidentally, they switch from one Fuller to another. I think the way things fall here, KC might not have a DB they love, where Fuller adds a true speedster at WR. 29New England PatriotsRoger Goodell, COMMNFL HQRoger Goodell, COMMNFL HQI still can't believe the Patriots got fined a first round pick for this. 29Arizona Cardinals Paxton Lynch, QBMemphisNoah Spence, DEEastern KentuckyThey'll get their QB of the future later, now they can add to their pass rush.30Carolina PanthersNoah Spence, DEEastern KentuckyMackensie Alexander, CBClemsonCarolina is desperate at CB and in some ways this is more than they could have expected.31Denver BroncosAndrew Billings, DTBaylorCody Whitehair, OGKansas State Could go a lot of ways, including trading down, but Whitehair helps shore up the line for whoever is throwing the ball.
Some caveats and predictions!
I think there will be several trades (shocker) and here are some likely candidates;
Trade Down Candidates:
San Francisco
Cleveland
Seattle
Arizona
Denver
Trade Up Candidates:
Miami
Tennessee
New York Jets
Kansas City
It will be curious to see how woefully wrong I am here, but I will come back and score it as usual (1 point for player going in the 1st round, 1 point for the right pick in the draft, and 1 point for going to the right team. This year, thanks to Roger Goodell, there will be a total of 93 possible points instead of 96. Yay!)