After four days of intense combine coverage it is time to release my first mock draft. This mock will be a projection of what I think the team will do with their selection and does not represent my overall opinion on what I believe the team should do with their pick. For my first mock draft I will not include any trading of draft picks.
Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil – Left Tackle (Ole Miss)
The Titans have made it clear their number one priority is to protect Marcus Mariota. The Titans allowed a league high 54 sacks a year ago so the pick makes a lot of sense in that regard. If I were Tennessee I would really consider shopping the pick but that is a story for another day closer to the draft. My offensive line combine analysis can be seen here.
Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff – Quarterback (California)
What we know is that the Manziel era is over in Cleveland. What we don’t know is which quarterback the Browns will select with the second overall pick. My gut feeling is the Browns take Goff due to the fact that he is more NFL ready right now. With the Browns recent draft history struggles I’m not so sure they pull the trigger on a small school guy from North Dakota State.
San Diego Chargers: Jalen Ramsey – Cornerback/Safety (Florida State)
Ramsey was one of the biggest freaks at this year’s combine and figures to be a star in the making. San Diego has to go with the best player available route with this selection.
Dallas Cowboys: Joey Bosa – Defensive End (Ohio State)
Dallas has already made it known they will not select a quarterback with the fourth pick in the draft which surprisingly takes away a lot of their trade leverage. The Bosa pick figures to be the direction Dallas goes with for a number of reasons. They have defensive line guru Rod Marinelli, Greg Hardy is likely headed elsewhere, and Randy Gregory has been suspended for the first four games of next season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack – Linebacker (UCLA)
Jacksonville figures to go defense this year. A year ago the Jags baffled me by passing on Leonard Williams to take Dante Fowler. A decision I wrote to great lengths that I figured would be a huge mistake from the get go. Don’t be surprised if the Jaguars go outside the box again. If they’re smart they will take Jack who is the number one prospect on my board.
Baltimore Ravens: Vernon Hargreaves – Cornerback (Florida)
This figures to be a no brainer in my opinion. The Ravens are desperately seeking a corner opposite of Jimmy Smith to give the team a dependable one, two punch. Hargreaves is the number one cornerback on my draft board and figures to be an all pro at the next level. General Manager has been known to trade down in the past so don’t over look that possibility as well. Joe Flacco’s new contract gives the Ravens some cap flexibility for free agency that may sway the direction of this pick.
San Francisco 49ers: Carson Wentz – Quarterback (North Dakota State)
Chip Kelly and Carson Wentz? It’s possible; the question is whether San Francisco will have to trade up to land one of the top two quarterbacks. There remains the possibly the 49ers look elsewhere as they have holes at virtually every position. To check out my take on Carson Wentz and the rest of the quarterback class click here.
Miami Dolphins: DeForest Buckner Defensive End (Oregon)
Buckner gives Miami a dominant defensive line option next to Ndamukong Suh. He also comes with some bust potential as well.
Tampa Bay Bucs: Ronnie Stanley – Left Tackle (Notre Dame)
If Mariota gets a new left tackle then why not give Jameis Winston one too right? New head coach Dirk Koetter likely gives some input on giving his franchise quarterback some help.
New York Giants: Shaq Lawson – Pass Rusher (Clemson
The Giants are set to lose Jason Pierre-Paul in free agency so selecting Lawson makes a lot of sense. Lawson is my number one rated pass rusher in this year’s draft. My gut tells me Ezekiel Elliot could be in play here also. The Giants might regret passing on Elliot as they did with Todd Gurley a year ago.
Chicago Bears: Ezekiel Elliot – Half Back (Ohio State)
Matt Forte is a free agent so in slides Zeke Elliot. Elliot is my number one rated running back this year and the only one who warrants a first round grade. This pick likely depends on whether Forte returns or not.
New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins – Defensive Tackle (Louisville)
Rankins is the first defensive tackle off the board in a year that is loaded with defensive line talent. The Saints are one of the worst defenses in the NFL so Rankins figures to help immediately in that department. I was tempted to go Paxton Lynch but Garrett Grayson was taken in the third round as the developmental guy to Drew Brees a year ago.
Philadelphia Eagles: Emmanuel Ogbah – Pass rusher (Oklahoma State)
The Eagles are making the switch to the 4-3 this season. I compare Ogbah to Ziggy Ansah of the Lions making this fit perfect for Jim Schwartz’s new defense.
Oakland Raiders: Leonard Floyd – Linebacker (Georgia)
The Raiders take the twitchy linebacker who could play wonders with Khalil Mack. The Raiders who have tons of cap space to work with will likely prepare for the draft based on free agency.
Los Angeles Rams: Laquon Treadwell – Wide Receiver (Ole Miss)
The Rams have not had a dominating wide out since Torrey Holt. Let’s give them one to compliment the speedy Tavon Austin. Treadwell appears to be the only first round wide out lock.
Detroit Lions: Jack Conklin – Tackle (Michigan State)
Mathew Stafford has been sacked 89 times the past two seasons. Let’s give the guy some help.
Atlanta Falcons: Derron Lee – Linebacker (Ohio State)
Lee gives the Falcons that linebacker they have desperately needed to lead the defense. Lee also comes off a blazing 4.47 combine 40 yard dash time.
Indianapolis Colts: Taylor Decker – Tackle (Ohio State)
The Colts need to keep Andrew Luck on the field this season. Decker is the last consensus first round tackle prospect.
Buffalo Bills: A’Shawn Robinson – Defensive Tackle (Alabama)
Rex Ryan loves defense. Combine Robinson with another former Bama alum in Marcell Dareus creates a frightening duo. Buffalo has a lot of work to do this free agency period.
New York Jets: Noah Spence – pass rusher (Eastern Kentucky)
The Jets have a great defensive line. After stealing Leonard Williams a year ago, Spence figures to be a perfect pass rusher for their 3-4 defense.
Washington Redskins: Jarran Reed – Defensive Tackle (Alabama)
Reed will make a great fit in Washington’s 3-4 defense. He is a dominant run stuffer who does everything well.
Houston Texans: Josh Doctson – Wide Receiver (TCU)
Houston needs a compliment to DeAndre Hopkins. Notre Dame’s Will Fuller or Baylor’s Corey Coleman could be another option as well.
Minnesota Vikings: Vonn Bell – Safety (Ohio State)
Bell could add to Mike Zimmer’s already dynamic defense. The Vikes could really use a safety opposite of Harrison Smith. Take a look at the other safeties in this year’s class here.
Cincinnati Bengals: Reggie Ragland – Linebacker (Alabama)
Ragland is that old school throwback linebacker that will add to the Bengals gritty defense. Ragland’s play makes him perfect for the AFC North style of football.
Pittsburgh Steelers: William Jackson – Cornerback (Houston)
The Steelers desperately need a cornerback considering the team could lose William Gay and Brandon Boykin in free agency. Jackson was one of the combine stars last weekend.
Seattle Seahawks: Robert Nkemdiche – Defensive Tackle (Ole Miss)
Nkemdiche is my number one rated defensive lineman in this year’s class. The problem is his off the field concerns will drop him further down the board. This is something Seattle likely takes advantage of.
Green Bay Packers: Kevin Dodd – Defensive End (Clemson)
Dodd is a sort of one year wonder who reminds me of Carlos Dunlap. Green Bay likely takes advantage of this at the back end of round one.
Kansas City Chiefs: Andrew Billings – Defensive Tackle (Baylor)
Billings gives KC some interior line depth. Jaye Howard’s free agency fills that void.
Arizona Cardinals: Paxton Lynch – Quarterback (Memphis)
Lynch is one of my favorite qb’s this year and would serve as the developmental piece under Carson Palmer.
Carolina Panthers: Eli Apple – Cornerback (Ohio State)
Josh Norman got tagged but he needs some help. Apple gives Carolina a solid number two corner.
Denver Broncos: Jason Spriggs – Tackle (Indiana)
Spriggs gives Denver some much-needed offensive line help. Ryan Clady’s situation likely dictates this selection. Denver has a lot of work to do this offseason.
*New England does not have a first round pick due to the Deflategate Scandal.
For a more in depth analysis check out my combine notes:
