That said, I decided to do my first 3-round mock draft of the year. I initially did two rounds but said fuck it and decided to do another round because there were still some potential stars still on the board.
Just a few notes:
* As it stands now, the Raiders would have 4 picks in the first 33. I went with a DL and two EDGE guys because their pass-rush is in that much disarray. They're currently ranked last in sacks and it ain't even close. The guys I mocked to them should definitely help with that.
* I have the Cowboys selecting an RB in the third round. No, this is not saying anything about Zeke's status as a starter. This is saying they have no good backup option and they don't need to run him into the ground at such an early age. The guy I chose for them would be a significant help to the offense, especially Zeke.
* I would honestly not be surprised if the Buccaneers select a QB on the first or second day of the draft. I have them going with one in the third. May not be a starter immediately but if Jameis fucks up again, then who knows.
* I really didn't wanna put Justin Herbert or Mack Wilson in this mock since both have indicated that there is a good chance they return to school, but ultimately decided to put them in.
ROUND 1:
1. Arizona - DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Analysis: Bosa is undoubtedly the bonafide #1 pick right now. Unless a QB-needy team like Jacksonville or the Giants trade into this spot, it will likely be Bosa, regardless of who's picking (i.e. Oakland, San Francisco, etc.) Bosa is considered to be even better than his brother Joey, who has had a stellar career thus far for the Chargers. Bosa would immediately bolster the Cardinals' pass rush and help stop the run, which currently ranks 30th in that category.
2. Oakland - DL Quinnen Williams, Alabama
Analysis: The Raiders are in desperate need of a pass-rusher and someone to clog up the middle. Williams is essentially both, as he has wreaked havoc on Alabama's defensive line and has been an absolute wrecking ball with 18 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. Williams is a star in the making, and will significantly help the Raiders' defensive line.
3. NY Jets - OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
Analysis: The Jets selected Sam Darnold last year and in order for him to fully reach his potential, he will need someone to protect his blindside. Williams is the best OT in this draft and is an immediate Day 1 starter. He is basically there to keep Darnold upright, and that's what he's done at Alabama throughout his tenure at Tuscaloosa. Darnold will never succeed without a solid LT on the line, so Williams seems like the most logical pick at this point.
4. San Francisco - EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky
Analysis: I'm a big fan of Allen and have seen a lot of his games. The dude will be a star in the NFL, no doubt in my mind. He will help the 49ers' pass-rush exponentially. Their pass-rush seems almost non-existent right now, as they are currently tied for 19th in sacks. Allen is undoubtedly a Day 1 starter in a 49ers defense that already has some young, talented pieces.
5. Jacksonville - QB Justin Herbert, Oregon
Analysis: I'm honestly not a fan of any QB in this draft, but I believe Herbert to be the best of the bunch (if he does enter). The Jags desperately need a QB change. They thought Bortles would be the one but he consistently shits the bed on a weekly basis. He is not their QB of the future. The defense is elite when they're engaged in the game and they really need a QB that can keep them off the field instead of going 3-and-out on every possession. Herbert could be that guy.
6. Atlanta - DT Ed Oliver, Houston
Analysis: For a good chunk of the season, Bosa was thought of as 1A and OIiver 1B. Oliver has elite talent and getting him at #6 would be a steal. The Falcons need someone in the middle to help Grady Jarrett. Pairing Oliver with Jarrett would immediately give the Falcons one of the best DT duo's in the NFL.
7. Detroit - CB Byron Murphy, Washington
Analysis: The Lions need help in a lot of places, but the position they may need help the most in is in the secondary. Detroit really needs someone to line up opposite of Darius Slay and Murphy could be that guy. He just feels like a Matt Patricia guy. They need playmakers on defense and I think Murphy could be that player that drastically improves their secondary.
8. NY Giants - QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
Analysis: Surprise! The Giants take a QB. Unfortunately, it is time for the Eli Manning era to come to an end. Although he hasn't been terrible, he hasn't been good either. The Giants already have Odell and added Saquon Barkley in the draft last year. This is a young offense and the Giants need a QB that can mold with those two. It is time for the Giants to hit the rebuild button and it starts with the Quarterback position.
9. Tampa Bay - S Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Analysis: The Buccaneers are in dire need of some playmakers in the secondary. Thompson reminds me a lot of his predecessor, Eddie Jackson, as he just has a knack for finding the ball and making plays. The Bucs' secondary has been victimized all season long and Thompson is by far the best safety in this class. He would immediately change the secondary as a plug-and-play guy.
10. Buffalo - WR D.K.Metcalf, Ole Miss
Analysis: Zay Jones, Robert Foster, and Ray-Ray McCloud. Those are the Bills' starters at WR right now, and is likely towards the very bottom in terms of WR corps rankings. They just don't strike fear into any opposing defense. They finally severed ties with Kelvin Benjamin, who was an extreme disappointment. Metcalf is a playmaker and a great downfield threat and would immediately bolster their WR corps and give Josh Allen a much-needed weapon.
11. Green Bay - EDGE Brian Burns, Florida State
Analysis: Clay Matthews is set to be a free agent in the offseason and it does not appear the Packers will bring him back. He has been a liability on defense at times and it's time to start looking for his replacement. Many have considered Burns to be the best EDGE in this draft, so getting him at #11 is a steal. I do believe Burns is one of the bigger boom-or-bust prospects in this draft, but if he hits, the Packers get a steal.
12. Carolina - OT Greg Little, Ole Miss
Analysis: Taylor Moton has been able to hold his own at the RT spot, but they desperately need someone to help Cam Newton's blindside. Greg Little is that guy. He is the second-best OT in this draft. It is time to get some different pieces among their OL, as Chris Clark and Marshall Newhouse are not guys that can help Newton stay upright on a play-by-play basis.
13. Denver - CB Greedy Williams, LSU
Analysis: Many peg Williams to be the best cornerback in the draft and this would be a tremendous pick for Denver. The team has several needs but in a pass-heavy league, I believe their biggest need right now is at corner. Bradley Roby has been inconsistent, Chris Harris will be entering his 9th year in 2019 and Tramaine Brock is just there to occupy space. Williams would be a bargain at #13.
Analysis: Many peg Williams to be the best cornerback in the draft and this would be a tremendous pick for Denver. The team has several needs but in a pass-heavy league, I believe their biggest need right now is at corner. Bradley Roby has been inconsistent, Chris Harris will be entering his 9th year in 2019 and Tramaine Brock is just there to occupy space. Williams would be a bargain at #13.
14. Cincinnati - ILB Devin White, LSU
Analysis: I really, really, really wanted to mock a QB here and I do think it can happen. But when looking at the Bengals' LB corps, it's mediocre at best. Their current starters contain Nick Vigil, Jordan Evans and Hardy Nickerson Jr. -- that is not the best. White would immediately become a plug-and-play linebacker for Cincy. They have some other needs, but White is the best player available at this point and it would be foolish to pass him up.
15. Cleveland - WR N'Keal Harry, Arizona State
Analysis: This pick would have been Greg Little, but the Panthers snatched him up right before Cleveland. However, Harry would be a great consolation prize. The offense already contains a solid, young core with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway and David Njoku. At Arizona State, Harry has had consecutive 1,000 yard seasons with 17 touchdowns. He would become a tremendous downfield threat for Baker Mayfield.
16. Miami - DE/EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
Analysis: Cameron Wake is in the twilight of his career. Ferrell is an elite pass-rusher and could be a top-10 player when all is said and done. The Dolphins have quite a few needs but Ferrell is too good to pass up at 16th. I almost mocked a QB here as well, but I believe the Dolphins could address that need on the draft's second day because Ryan Tannehill just isn't the guy.
17. Washington - QB Will Grier, West Virginia
Analysis: It is uncertain if Alex Smith will be able to return to the field in 2019 after suffering a gruesome injury. Colt McCoy is not a starting QB in the NFL at this point, and neither is Mark Sanchez or Josh Johnson. With the selection of Grier, the Redskins get some much-needed relief at the QB position. Grier put up stellar numbers at WVU and although I am not a fan of air-raid QB's, Grier is the third-best QB in this draft.
18. Philadelphia - CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
Analysis: The Eagles have been a disappointment this year and a lot of it could be tracked back to injuries. They have suffered a great amount of losses this season, a lot of which is in the secondary, which currently fields a few guys that have no business starting in the NFL. I believe there is a good chance that Baker could be the best CB in this class (he is my #1 CB) and would give the Eagles some much-needed improvement at the CB spot.
19. Indianapolis - WR Riley Ridley, Georgia
Analysis: The Colts have been a pleasant surprise this year, but they could get better at the WR position. T.Y. Hilton is creeping up on 30 and is really their only true threat at WR. Ryan Grant and Chester Rogers have been decent, but neither are WR2 caliber guys. Ridley, the brother of Calvin, is a lot like his brother in many ways and would be a stellar pickup for the Colts at 19.
20. Tennessee - OT/OG Cody Ford, Oklahoma
Analysis: The Titans seemingly have the bookends worked out with Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin, but they really need help in the middle of the OL, as opposing defensive linemen have been wrecking them all year long. Ford is among the best offensive linemen in this class and would significantly improve the middle of that Titans' line. Marcus Mariota desperately needs it.
21. Minnesota - DL Rashan Gary, Michigan
Analysis: Sheldon Richardson is set to become a free agent and the Vikings may not resign him. Although inconsistent at Michigan, Gary is still a tremendous DT that can become an integral part of the Vikings' defense. If Gary is on the board by the time the Vikings pick, they have to take him.
22. Oakland (via DAL) - EDGE Jachai Polite, Florida
Analysis: The Raiders need help rushing the passer after trading Khalil Mack, which appears to be a giant mistake as of right now. Polite may not become the second Khalil Mack, but he is the best true pass-rusher on the board at this point. The Raiders currently rank dead last in the NFL with a measly 12 sacks.
23. Seattle - DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
Analysis: Clearly, the Seahawks like to shock people when it comes to the first round of the draft (Rashaad Penny, James Carpenter). This is more of a luxury pick than anything. Simmons is a tremendous talent that can simply get to the QB. He's registered an amazing 27.5 tackles for loss the last two years and would be a huge benefit on the Seahawks' defensive line.
24. Baltimore - EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
Analysis: Back-to-back Mississippi State picks. The Ravens could go a few different ways with this, especially WR, but I think it would be hard to pass up a player like Sweat. Terrell Suggs will not be around forever and it may be time to find his replacement.
25. Pittsburgh - ILB Mack Wilson, Alabama
Analysis: Ryan Shazier's status is still up in the air and he shouldn't play football again. The Steelers need to find his replacement and have been vulnerable at the second level of the defense. Wilson is undoubtedly the second-best ILB in the draft and he perfectly fits the Steelers' mold. Mack-to-Pitt makes too much sense.
26. New England - TE Noah Fant, Iowa
Analysis: Rob Gronkowski has been phenomenal throughout his tenure with the Patriots, but he's also considerably injury-prone. Dwayne Allen isn't a starter and is more of a run-blocker. Jacob Hollister isn't anything special. It's about that time to find someone that can help them at TE on a weekly basis. Fant is the best TE in this draft, so they might as well take a shot.
27. Oakland (via CHI) - WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Analysis: I really wanted to go with another pass-rusher here but the Raiders desperately need help at WR as well. Jordy Nelson is better off retiring, Marcell Ateman is nothing more than a benchwarmer, and the same thing applies to Seth Roberts. Brown is a bonafide starter in the NFL, although some teams might be wary of him and Metcalf because the last 1st-round Ole Miss WR hasn't exactly been that great (Laquon Treadwell). But, you never know until you try.
28. Houston - OT Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia
Analysis: The Texans traded away their longtime starter, Duane Brown, to Seattle and need his replacement immediately to protect Deshaun Watson's blindside. Julie'n Davenport might be a solid starter, but he still has some work to do. Kendall Lamm currently holds down the RT spot and he isn't exactly the answer on the OL. Cajuste is one of the better OT's in the draft.
29. L.A. Rams - DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Analysis: It's amazing to me that Wilkins has lasted this long, as he could very well become the next Aaron Donald. He is immensely talented and with the Rams needing help at DT, as Ndamukong Suh is set to enter free agency, Wilkins makes too much sense here.
30. L.A. Chargers - QB Drew Lock, Missouri
Analysis: I almost went with a DT here, but decided to go with a surprise here. With Denver, Cincinnati and Miami passing up Lock, the Chargers decide to bite the bullet. There's no doubt that Rivers has been outstanding this year, but he is towards the end of his career. The Chargers don't have many holes anyway and decide it is time to perhaps find Rivers' replacement in hopes to replicate what the Packers did with Favre/Rodgers over a decade ago.
31. Kansas City - CB Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
Analysis: The Chiefs are one of the best teams in the NFL, but they have flaws, especially on defense with the linebacking corps and the secondary. I am a fan of Oruwariye and believe he could be one of the best CB's in this class and this is just what he needs. Kendall Fuller is a serviceable corner, but has been inconsistent. Scandrick is not the same player he once was with Dallas, and Steven Nelson is just a middle-of-the-pack CB. With this pick, the Chiefs significantly bolster the secondary.
32. Green Bay (via NO) - DT Gerald Willis III, Miami (FL)
Analysis: I wanted to go with a WR here, but there are plenty more available in the second round, and Willis may be the last of the elite DT's. Kenny Clark has played spectacularly this season, but he needs some help beside him. I would also not rule out the Packers packaging up this pick and their 2nd-round pick to move up and select an even better DT in this defensive line-loaded class.
ROUND 2:
33. Oakland - DE/EDGE Zach Allen, Boston College
34. Arizona - WR Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State
35. San Francisco - CB Julian Love, Notre Dame
36. Jacksonville - WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, Oklahoma
37. Indianapolis (via NYJ) - DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
38. Detroit - ILB Devin Bush, Michigan
39. Tampa Bay - OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
40. N.Y. Giants - DT Raekwon Davis, Alabama
41. Buffalo - EDGE Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
42. Atlanta - OL Dalton Risner, Kansas State
43. Green Bay - WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford
44. Denver - OT David Edwards, Wisconsin
45. Cincinnati - WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
46. Carolina - S Taylor Rapp, Washington
47. Cleveland - DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
48. Washington - ILB Te'Von Coney, Notre Dame
49. Philadelphia - RB Damien Harris, Alabama
50. Miami - QB Daniel Jones, Duke
51. Tennessee - DE/EDGE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
52. Indianapolis - CB Bryce Hall, Virginia Tech
53. Minnesota - OG Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
54. Philadelphia (via BAL) - DT Derrick Brown, Auburn
55. Houston (via SEA) - S Juan Thornhill, Virginia
56. Pittsburgh - CB Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
57. Dallas - TE Irv Smith, Jr., Alabama
58. New England - RB David Montgomery, Iowa State
59. New England (via CHI) - DT Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State
60. Kansas City - RB Bryce Love, Stanford
61. Houston - WR Anthony Johnson, Buffalo
62. Kansas City (via LAR) - EDGE Ben Banogu, TCU
63. L.A. Chargers - DT Isaiah Buggs, Alabama
64. New Orleans - EDGE Jalen Jelks, Oregon
ROUND 3:
65. Arizona - S Jaquan Johnson, Miami (FL)
66. Oakland - CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama
67. NY Jets - EDGE D'Andre Walker, Georgia
68. San Francisco - WR Parris Campbell, Ohio State
67. NY Jets - EDGE D'Andre Walker, Georgia
68. San Francisco - WR Parris Campbell, Ohio State
69. Jacksonville - S J.R. Reed, Georgia
70. Atlanta - RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis
71. Buffalo - CB Kris Boyd, Texas
70. Atlanta - RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis
71. Buffalo - CB Kris Boyd, Texas
72. Tampa Bay - QB Ryan Finley, North Carolina State
73. New England (via DET) - WR Collin Johnson, Texas
74. Green Bay - S Nasir Adderley, Delaware
75. Cincinnati - OT Kaleb McGary, Washington
76. Carolina - DE/OLB Chase Winovich, Michigan
77. Denver - QB Clayton Thorson, Northwestern
78. Cleveland - RB Benny Snell, Jr., Kentucky
79. Detroit (via PHI) - TE Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
80. Miami - C Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
81. Washington - WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
82. Indianapolis - OG Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin
83. Tennessee - TE Kaden Smith, Stanford
84. Minnesota - OLB Vosean Joseph, Florida
85. Seattle - CB Michael Jackson, Miami (FL)
86. Baltimore - WR Antoine Wesley, Texas Tech
87. Pittsburgh - OG Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
88. Dallas - RB Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
89. Cleveland (via NE) - ILB Germaine Pratt, North Carolina State
90. Chicago - CB Blace Brown, Troy
91. Kansas City - OG/C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
92. Houston - TE Dawson Knox, Ole Miss
93. Jacksonville (via LAR) - OG/C Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
94. L.A. Chargers - OT Isaiah Prince, Ohio State
95. N.Y. Jets (via NO) - CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
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