After months of speculation the NFL Draft is finally here. If you are reading this, then I'm sure you've read the latest mock drafts from Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Now it's time to flex my NFL knowledge (or lack thereof) to provide you with another hit of the most addicting source of speculation in sports media... an NFL mock draft.
1. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Despite all of the speculation and smoke thrown out there, I think the Cardinals take Kyler Murray. Murray would bring excitement and electricity to the NFL's worst offense of 2018, as well as bolster attendance. Murray is a perfect fit to a Kliff Kingsbury offense and would be incredibly hard for the Cardinals to pass.
2. Washington Redskins (from SF)
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
With Dan Snyder reportedly taking over the first round for the Redskins, I would not be surprised if they made an incredibly bold move here and traded up to get Haskins. Case Keenum is not the future at QB for the Redskins and with Alex Smith's career in question, the Redskins can look to nab their QB of the future in Haskins. It doesn't seem like the safest move, but the Redskins are known for these kind of draft shakeups.
3. New York Jets
Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The New York Jets would absolutely love this scenario. Nick Bosa falling to the No. 3 slot is absolutely absurd, considering he is heralded as the best prospect in the draft by many. The Jets would have no hesitation with this pick and could fill their void of an edge rusher with a premier talent in Bosa.
4. Oakland Raiders
Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
In this scenario, Gruden sits at No. 4 with the options of Quinnen Williams, Josh Allen and Devin White. Gruden will gladly take any of these players on his roster. I think Williams is the overall better player of the three and will provide the Raiders with an immediate interior presence. I would not be surprised if Gruden went with Allen here to help the Raiders abysmal pass rush in the wake of trading Khalil Mack.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin White, LB, LSU
This would be a hard decision for the Buccaneers at No. 5. The Bucs are high on Devin White, but would also have the option of drafting Josh Allen here. It would be a surprise for Allen to fall to the No. 5 pick and might raise some controversy for the Bucs. I think the Bucs are sold on replacing Kwon Alexander, who departed for San Francisco in free agency, with Devin White, but I would not be surprised if they chose Allen, if faced with this predicament.
6. New York Giants
Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
With Dwayne Haskins gone, the Giants could use this pick to help bolster their defense. This position seems a little high to draft the other top QB prospects with, and the Giants have the No. 17 pick in the draft to potentially use on a QB. The Giants could use help at a myriad of positions. If Josh Allen is here, the Giants are most definitely taking him. Allen has the potential to be an elite pass rusher on a team, that struggled to get after the QB in 2018.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
The Nick Foles era is here for Jacksonville and what better way to start it off than with some added protection. I could see the Jaguars picking up T.J. Hockensen here, as well, but I think Taylor helps strengthen protection for Foles, who does not possess elite escapability at the QB position.
8. Detroit Lions
Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
The Lions have stated that they are willing to trade out of the No. 8 pick, but I have them staying put and picking up a replacement for Ezekiel Ansah in edge rusher Montez Sweat. Sweat would fill that immediate hole left by Ansah's absence and would be a great addition for defensive-minded, head coach Matt Patricia.
9. Buffalo Bills
Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Like the Lions, the Bills have also stated that they are willing to trade out of the No. 9. pick. Unlike the Lions; however, I am starting to believe they might do so. I have the Bills staying at No. 9 and selecting Ed Oliver. Once upon a time, Oliver was thought to be the best player in the draft before a disappointing 2018 season. Oliver's potential is still there to make an immediate impact for the Bills, but I would not be surprised to see the Atlanta Falcons trade up with the Bills and select Oliver here instead.
10. Denver Broncos
Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan
Drew Locke is a very enticing pick for the Broncos here at No. 10, but I believe that John Elway is all-in on recently acquired QB Joe Flacco. Devin Bush helps the Broncos immediately and is a scheme fit for Denver's 3-4 defense. Don't be surprised if you see the Broncos go QB here or trade back into the first round with a trade involving CB Chris Harris to snag a QB later on in the first round.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Ideally, the Bengals would address the defense after a horrid 2018 showing defensively, but line is also an area that needs improvement for Cincinnati. Williams could provide QB Andy Dalton with much needed protection in, what could be, a make-or-break year. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bengals trade up in this draft using WR A.J. Green, who's going into the last year of his contract, to go after Dwayne Haskins, as well.
12. Green Bay Packers
T.J. Hockensen, TE, Iowa
This is a dream scenario for the Packers. They are high on Hockensen and he would immediately fill the Packers gap at tight end. Hockensen is the most complete tight end in the 2019 draft. The better blocker of the two Iowa tight ends, Hockensen falling to the Packers would give Aaron Rogers some help in the passing game. The Packers are also high on Mississippi State DT Jeffery Simmons. Simmons would fill the Packers need of an interior defensive lineman, but because of Simmons recent torn ACL, the prospect could miss all of 2019. The No. 12 pick is a little high to draft Simmons and the Packers would love to grab Simmons with the No. 30 pick acquired from the New Orleans Saints.
13. Miami Dolphins
Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
I know I said the No. 12 pick was too early to select Jeffery Simmons. I know I have the Dolphins selecting him one pick later at No. 13, but hear me out. The Dolphins need a quarterback, but the Dolphins have their eyes set on selecting a quarterback in next year's draft class, specifically Tua Tagovailoa. If that's the case, then the Dolphins have absolutely no desire to be competitive this year. Simmons gives the Dolphins an incredible interior defensive lineman, while allowing the Dolphins to tank for Tua. It's an easy pick for me.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Christian Wilkins is a steal at this point in the draft. The Falcons roster is rich with talent for a team picking at No. 14. Injuries derailed what could have been an impressive 2018 campaign for Atlanta. Wilkins is a great locker room presence and a monster on the interior line. This would be an amazing pick for the Falcons. I could also see the Falcons trading up to get Ed Oliver. Rumors are swirling around of mutual interest from both parties. A trade with Buffalo would likely be beneficial to both teams, and would allow the Falcons a chance at Oliver.
15. San Francisco 49ers (from WAS)
DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
It is too early to select a wide receiver in this draft. It is borderline asinine to think that the Niners would trade out of the No. 2 pick and leave Nick Bosa behind, but it is possible. Draft night can be the cause of spectacle. The Niners picked up help on defense with the signings of Kwon Alexander and edge rusher Dee Ford. The Niners are still lacking a WR1 for this Kyle Shanahan offense. Metcalf, a physical beast, could give the Niners that WR1 they need. I could also see them trading back even further here and selecting Metcalf later. Maybe a trade with a potentially rebuilding Cincinnati team for A.J. Green could pull the Niners out of the No. 2 pick as well? It may seem crazy, but I think either have potential of happening.
16. Carolina Panthers
Brian Burns, OLB, Florida State
The Carolina Panthers need a pass rusher, especially after the retiring of Julius Peppers. Brian Burns is the best available pass rusher at this point in the draft. This pick makes itself, in my opinion.
17. New York Giants (from CLE)
Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
I don't like Daniel Jones here, but I believe the Giants like Daniel Jones here. The Giants do have a need for a successor to Eli Manning. Even though, I think it's too early, the Giants could get that in Daniel Jones. Jones has drawn comparisons to Peyton Manning and played under David Cutcliffe. Jones was an underrated passer at Duke and could grow under Manning for a year. Wow, the more I talk about this pick, the more it makes sense for the Giants to do it.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College
The Vikings line was a mess in 2018 and I think the Vikings will definitely take a lineman here. The only issue is, which one? Chris Lindstrom has shot up draft boards, since the combine and could be a steal at the No.18 pick. I could also see OT Andre Dillard or OT Cody Ford here as well. All appear to be fine selections that will help the Vikings offensive line woes of 2018.
19. Tennessee Titans
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
A lot of teams are looking to bolster the interior line in this draft, with the abundance of talent at the position. I think the Titans go interior here and help bolster the defensive side of the ball. This would help solidify the defensive line alongside Jurrel Casey. I could also see Noah Fant as a selection here with Delanie Walker getting older. Deandre Baker, Rashan Gary, and trading out of the No. 19 pick were also considered for the Titans here.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
This pick is almost certainly going to be a cornerback, but something tells me the Steelers want to replace Antonio Brown with "Hollywood" Brown. Brown's electric speed and separation could be a deadly one-two punch with WR Juju Smith-Schuster. I wouldn't be surprised to see Byron Murphy be selected here. Honestly, it's probably more likely that Murphy is the pick here, but the thought of replacing Brown with Brown was a fun idea to me.
21. Seattle Seahawks
Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Seahawks traded Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week, so the need at defensive end is there. I think it is a no-brainer for the Seahawks to fill that gap with Gary. Gary has shown inconsistency in college, but head coach Pete Carrol would be a great candidate to
get the best out of this talented prospect.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
There are rumors that the Ravens might trade out of this pick, if both Marquise Brown and DK Metcalf are off the board at this time. While this is likely, I think Cody Ford and the Ravens are a match made in heaven. Ford in an absolute mauler in the run game on the offensive line. The Ravens will likely continue its spread option rushing attack with Lamar Jackson, Gus Edwards and newly acquire Mark Ingram. Ford's fit could be too enticing to pass up here.
23. Houston Texans
Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Andre Dillard is a good left tackle with pass protecting experience coming out of a Mike Leach offense. The Texans had one of the league's worst offensive lines and has to protect Deshaun Watson. Dillard here would be a great pick for the Texans to improve their line. Don't rule out the possibility of trading up in the draft, with a trade involving Jadeveon Clowney.
24. Oakland Raiders (from CHI)
Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
This is a pick that I really like. Noah Fant brings versatility, basically being a bigger slot receiver. I think Fant is an easy replacement for Jared Cook, who left for the New Orleans Saints. The pick also gives Carr another weapon, in what could be a make-or-break year.
25. Cincinnati Bengals (from PHI)
Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Philadelphia needs to draft a linebacker, unfortunately, with most of the top linebackers gone at this spot, it makes sense for the Eagles to trade out. The Bengals return to nab their quarterback of the future in Drew Lock. Dalton would presumably be the starting quarterback barring a trade, but the Bengals could find Dalton's eventual successor in the underrated Lock.
26. Indianapolis Colts
Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
At No. 26, the Colts look up and see Johnathan Abram sitting there, then I believe they are picking him with an incredible value selection. Running back is also an issue, but I think Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines are adequate for the Colts. Especially, when they could potentially grab Josh Jacobs later in the draft.
27. Oakland Raiders (from DAL)
Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
You can't replace a guy like Khalil Mack, but Clelin Ferrell is still a very good edge rusher. The Raiders need all the help they can get off the edge. Pair this pick with their No. 4 selection of Quinnen Williams and the Raiders could be back in business on the defensive line.
28. Los Angeles Chargers
Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
The Los Angeles Chargers are a hard team to evaluate at the No. 28 slot. The Chargers are arguably one of the most talented rosters in the league and have no real needs outside of defensive tackle. With that being said, most of the better options are off the board at this point, while the remaining interior defensive lineman could be picked up in the second round. McGary is a tackle that the Chargers are fond of, and I believe he could help protect Phillip Rivers. I would look out for the Chargers potentially going corner back here, as well.
29. Seattle Seahawks (from KC)
Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
An absolute dream scenario for the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks could use some depth at the slot corner position and Murphy is the best player in the draft for that. After grabbing Rashan Gary to fill their pass rushing needs, the Seahawks would run, not walk, to the podium to select Murphy, if he fell to them at No. 29.
30. Green Bay Packers (from NO)
Erik McCoy, C/G, Texas A&M
Not an ideal situation for the Packers. They would have liked to have Jeffery Simmons here, but the tanking Dolphins poached him from them. The next need would be an offensive tackle. While Kansas State OT Dalton Risner would be an adequate selection here, I think McCoy would be too valuable to pass on if he slipped down to No. 30. It helps bolster a weak offensive line, and I think this would be a fine selection, it's just not the player the Packers wanted here.
31. Los Angeles Rams
Garrett Bradbury, C/G, NC State
The Rams lost guard Roger Saffold to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, and would be ecstatic to see Garrett Bradbury still on the board at No. 31. Bradbury is arguably one of the most NFL-ready guards in this draft, and could fill the hole left by Saffold's departure.
32. New England Patriots
Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
Ideally, I think the Patriots would like to see Daniel Jones available at No. 31, but Irv Smith is a fine consolation prize. With tight end Rob Gronkowski announcing his retirement, I think Irv Smith can come in and be a good replacement at tight end for the Patriots. The team signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins this offseason, but I think Smith could be a more long-term solution to the Patriots tight end gap.
