Afternoon everyone! Here is a fun little mock draft that Thomas and I are going to do together. Essentially Thomas gets all of the odd picks and I get all of the evens (spoiler alert the odds picks are easier). We didn't allow trades in THIS draft but you can see where we think trades might happen, especially early on, with our commentary below most picks. TS and KB just identify who is making the pick. Let us know if you have any feedback on this! Without further ado...
Pick 1. Cleveland Browns: QB Sam Darnold, USC (Thomas Stanhouse)
I’m going with the idea that they want their pick at their QB of the future instead of their pick of skill position. Darnold is raw but has all the intangibles teams look for, and the Browns are in the perfect situation to help him prosper (ideally, it is the Browns though). The addition of Tyrod makes this more likely in my eyes, as he’s a good serviceable bridge QB for their future star to ride in over.
Pick 2. New York Giants: QB Josh Allen, Wyoming (Kyle Bazin)
Uggghhhh I hate this. I really wanted Saquon to go at 1. Although I feel like CLE will go with Darnold there, it just makes this pick so much harder. NYG need to address the RB position but how often are you going to find a talent like this kid for cheap for 4+ years? My guess is that Eli plays a victory lap season in 2018, then retires. (If only he could beat the Pats one more time…) Allen will be the Cam Newton/Jamarcus Russell of this draft. Let’s see which one he turns out to be. Also, the reason I don’t go Rosen or Barkley here is tough. Rosen is ready now, but he has possible off-field issues and RBs can be found in round 5 if you pick well. Allen will have a year to learn under a 2-time Super Bowl Champ.
KB: Sorry about the long commentary.
TS: That’s OK. The Giants are the reactionary pick to whatever CLE’s plan is, so they need a bit of an explanation.
Pick 3. New York Jets (from IND): QB Josh Rosen, UCLA (TS)
Trading up early in the first round PRIOR to the draft usually results in a QB picked. This is all the more reason that the Browns would want to take their QB at 1, since he may not be there at 4. But back to the Jets, Teddy Bridgewater brings some value but isn’t a star by any means and McCown is so old I could date his daughter (I think…). Rosen might be the most NFL ready QB and the Browns may be eyeing him too. A lot of talent in these 3 QBs. I took awhile to try to justify picking another position, but I think QB makes too much sense.
TS: By the way, I forgot to say you’re welcome!
KB: Oh, trust me I will thank you in the commentary. I will say that if Darnold goes 1 this is how I see it happening.
Pick 4. Cleveland Browns (from HOU): RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State (KB)
RUN CLEVELAND!!! THE WHOLE CITY NEEDS TO RUN TO DALLAS TO PUT THIS PICK IN!! If Barkley falls to 4 after they get Darnold, the city will throw another parade. He is the best non-QB in the draft and everyone says he is better than Zeke or Fournette. That is saying something, but I’ll tell you the OL he will be running behind will make him look like the second coming of AP. Thank you Thomas, from Cleveland and myself, for letting him fall to here. As much as this pick makes soooo much sense… watch out for the Bills here. If one of the top QBs falls here, they may be looking to move up if he is “their guy”. Cleveland would be fine passing on Barkley and picking up a great player at 12 and maybe also 21.
Pick 5. Denver Broncos: G Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame (TS)
From what I understand, the Broncos plan to keep Paxton Lynch as their back up to Keenum, so I don’t think they want to draft a 3rd QB, even if one of the top 3 fell here. The OL has struggled and Nelson would be welcomed with a red carpet as a day one starter. He can eliminate any defender in the box in the rung game. He’s strong, fluid, and nasty enough to open a hole in the middle and is athletic enough to pull and block on the outside and in open space. You don’t wanna be in his way. He’s a natural day one pass blocker as well and is disciplined in his role. I love this guy.
Pick 6. Indianapolis Colts (from NYJ): Edge Bradley Chubb (KB)
Can I just say what a move by GM Chris Ballard? Chubb is their guy. One could argue they should be looking at Barkley, but I think this was the only consensus pick in the top 10. He is ready for the next level and will compete close to a pro bowl level immediately. He isn’t quite the athletic freak that Clowney or Myles Garrett are, but this guy blew up tackles all year long. Only one guy I saw that handled him well was another 1st rounder Mitch McKinley out of Notre Dame. Thomas I’m sure this pick makes you want to cower in a corner and cry, right?
TS: Last year we saw perhaps a more intimidating DE go #1 overall, but if Chubb falls short, I’m not sure where. He is a complete package and ready to go. Although, I will say that I saw this pick like a train… I was just tied to the tracks.
Pick 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama (TS)
BPA by a good margin that also fills a need. This is a top 4 draft talent that falls right in the lap of the Bucs. Honestly, if 3 QBs go early, the Bucs will be happy with any of the top 4 non-QBs. I think he plays safety, a position the Bucs have been mediocre at best at for way too long. Hargreaves is underrated from the slot, so primarily I think it’s optimal to keep him there. But if the Bucs feel the need, they can push him outside and Fitzpatrick can play slot. I know they like James (I do too) but Fitzpatrick is the better talent, versatile, and I think (and pray) the Bucs go with it.
TS: Speaking on trades, if one of the top 4 QBs is available, I’m not sure if you can convince the Bills or Dolphins to trade up to ensure the other doesn’t trade in front of them. This would be a spot that I think the Bucs may want to move back.
KB: I really don’t see Miami moving up into the top 10. They explored that early but quickly realized how much it would take. I think they would be happy with any of the LBs, Nelson, or Baker falling to them at 11.
Pick 8. Chicago Bears: LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech (KB)
I feel like I’m getting the early tough decisions here while you get the easy pick of Minkah. Bears could go in so many directions and the only person taken above that I feel like they’re banging the table for is Nelson. They could easily go WR-Ridley (even with the ARob signing because of Meredith likely gone) but I think it’s deep enough there that they go BPA and get the player with the best potential. Oh, and the guy won’t even be 20 years old until after the draft. He can rush the passer, go sideline-to-sideline. Plug and play with this guy.
KB: That pick was tough for me. I really don’t know if I’m happy with it.
TS: I thought you were going to go with Denzel Ward here, but I would’ve picked Edmunds too. I’m upset because Edmunds was the 49ers pick.
KB: I wasn’t thinking of Ward because of the Amukumara and Fuller extensions.
Pick 9. San Francisco 49ers: Derwin James DB, Florida State (TS)
The Bears could go a lot of different directions I agree with you, but why’d you have to pick Edmunds? Ughh… Most people are going with Ward here, and while he’d fit in AND START AS A NICKEL, (yes, the NFL is there), yet I agree with Bazin on his pick. The 49ers could pick any defender here and upgrade their eyesore of a defense. James is the guy I think. DBs were particularly hard to watch for SF, and James is not only arguably BPA, but adds a needed presence in the locker room. Great football spirit.
KB: Like this pick a lot. Especially because they’re likely losing Eric Reid and the signing of
Sherman means they got their top CB.
TS: Roquan Smith was the other guy I was thinking about for the 49ers, I think James has a bit more value though.
Pick 10. Oakland Raiders: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia (KB)
Derwin James is a perfect pick, mainly because that means Smith is available to pick here. Roquan Smith fills the void left by Navarro Bowman, which is funny because he plays exactly like a younger Bowman. He is a tackling machine and can play sideline to sideline. While he is older than Edmunds, he has the pedigree that comes with dominating SEC offenses for a couple seasons.
KB: Again, I will add that this is another trade-up spot for the Bills. I think the Bills will either go top 5 (#2,4, or 5) to get their top choice at QB (unless it is Baker), or trade to just before Miami at 10 to snag Baker. I promise you they will be picking in the top 10. The Cardinals could also move up to 10, if Baker was available, just ahead of Miami. But since we don’t do trades in this mock draft… I have faith in you Thomas.
TS: I got you.
Pick 11. Miami Dolphins: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (TS)
To comment on your pick quick, Smith is a guy that I think the Bears and 49ers will look at, and the Raiders get value with that pick. But I think that Vea would fill a bigger need for the Raiders, so look out for that. But for your Dolphins, say no more fam. You get your team’s QB if no trading happens. But more likely than not, you’re right. Bills want to trade up in front of MIA for this reason. Mayfield might’ve had the best college production coming out of this class, but height is an issue and doesn’t fit the exact mold teams are looking for in an NFL QB. It’s a mistake to sleep on him though. PFF has him #1 on their board for a reason. If the Bills trade ahead, the Dolphins may look for Vea for similar reasons as the Raiders, or maybe get a WR
.
KB: Losing Jarvis was tough, but I don’t know about a WR here now because of the Amendola and Wilson signings.
TS: I forgot you guys overpaid for Albert Wilson.
KB: I wouldn’t say we overpaid because of the structure of the contract. We can cut ties next year with both with nothing lost.
Pick 12. Buffalo Bills (from CIN): QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville (KB)
Well I hate this. They’re not taking Lamar… but they’re also not picking from the 12th spot… BUT they are taking a QB here and he is the BQBA. I loved what you said about MIA by the way. The only way they get Baker though is if the Giants take their pick at 1 and it isn’t a QB. Buffalo has the bridge QB in place with McCarron and is in full stockpile of picks to move into the top 5 or 10 to grab who I think will be Josh Allen. But since they’re taking a QB its Lamar in this mock. I’m not too sure about how he will translate to the pros. Count me a doubter in that regard but not in his raw ability. This guy is flat out fun to watch, but this isn’t college anymore.
TS: If the Bills don’t take Lamar, I think the Cardinals would.
Pick 13. Washington Redskins: WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama (TS)
You never know, and in this scenario, I think the Bills do still take a QB. Although, Lamar is unorthodox, much like Tyrod was, and they repeatedly showed their disdain for him. It’s tough. The Redskins pick is a gut feeling for me. They didn’t use Pryor properly and he’s gone. Doctson hasn’t emerged still. Ryan Grant? I don’t think they have a number 1. They need this guy. I’ll say Vea’s name yet again because he could go here too with other defenders going early, but he falls even further I think.
KB: I think Vita goes here for sure, if he isn’t picked earlier. It’s a guy feeling but even with Johnathan Allen returning for his redshirt sophomore year, they could still beef up that DL. It could also serve them well to go after Ward or Mike Hughes at CB. 😉
Pick 14. Green Bay Packers: CB Denzel Ward, Ohio St (KB)
That was foreshadowing if you didn’t get that… The Packers were more than happy for you to go WR. They may look for one to replace Nelson later in the draft, but more pressing is the lack of secondary. For some he is thought to be a top 10 pick and he still might be, but his height pushes him here to the needy Packers. They need A LOT of help here as they seem to always. This pick is BPA and best need. Perfect scenario!
Pick 15. Arizona Cardinals: OT Orlando Brown, Oklahoma (TS)
I like Ward, but not as a outside CB. I think he’ll excel against slot receivers, and that’s a good thing in today’s NFL, with many teams playing over half of their snaps with 3 WR. The Cardinals are very likely to go with a QB, but they have other important needs to address and I don’t think they can afford to trade up. If Lamar Jackson falls to here, I think they take him. If they could trade back they might, to try to go for Mason Rudolph, who’s underrated. If they stay here, OLine, particularly tackle, is a big need. Orlando Brown is the best tackle in this class, and it’s likely they pick him, regardless of QB draft situation. They have Bradford, who is solid enough to build a team around.
KB: I like the tackle pick here and Brown might be the pick, but I really think Mitch McKinley is the best tackle. I’ll tell you that I think the Bengals are happy you passed on them. If he fell to 22, they’d be over the moon. Also, I hate Bradford (especially that horrid deal) so I think they need a QB here if there is one as well.
TS: Yea he is good to. Brown had a bad combine, but I thought he was still considered the best prospect? From what I understand, his footwork, hips and hands are terrific. It’ll be interesting to see if his feet will be good enough to handle NFL game speed.
KB: Orlando has the talent to be the best and he certainly has the tape, but his athletic inability will be a question for GMs to answer. Tackles are becoming extremely athletic these days and if he is slow to set the edge and get out against these quick AND STRONG pass rushers then he will be toast.
Pick 16. Baltimore Ravens: OT Connor Williams, Texas (KB)
You made this pick harder than it needed to be Thomas. I had Ridley here all the way. With your pick of him (and the Crabtree signing), I’m not 100% sure what to do. Therefore, their next best needs are OLine and DLine with depth needed elsewhere. One of the BPA right now is Marcus Davenport who is an extremely raw edge rusher. But I’ll tell you if the Ravens pick him here, I wouldn’t be surprised if they got everything out of him. They’ve always been great with maximizing potential (besides Perriman *shot at Thomas*). Instead of the UTSA man, I’m going to go with the best RT in the class and who was thought to be the overall tackle last year. His stock actually went down this year as people started to realize he probably wouldn’t play LT at the next level. People are even saying he may go inside to OG. Regardless, he has played extremely well in his time as a Longhorn. This is a good, safe pick.
Pick 17. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Vita Vea, Washington (TS)
This pick is pretty easy. Vea is a dominant DT and could work in either a 3-4 or a 4-3, so he’ll go to any team that needs a DT that doesn’t have another guy they want. Two Round 1 offensive tackles and 2 Linebackers are gone. Vea could make this DLine arguably the scariest in the NFL, with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on the edges. Chargers were 2nd worst in the NFL against the run and have been relatively quiet in free agency. Also, the Ravens picking him makes plenty of sense last pick. At this point in the draft, there are plenty of skilled players that overlap where they can go. But this is probably the lowest Vea will go.
KB: I think this would be the perfect pick for the Chargers. He might be top 5 on their board to be honest.
TS: Even if Vea is gone, Da’ron Payne is another DT they’re looking into.
KB: To me, the next best DT available is Maurice Hurst from Michigan. His health is the question, but if he checks out, he will hear his name called on Day 1.
Pick 18. Seattle Seahawks: Edge Marcus Davenport, UTSA (KB)
Here we are. Could this kid get a more perfect situation? He will be the guy to replace Michael Bennett as one of the most feared past rushers in this division. He is extremely raw but, like BAL, the Seahawks have a great ability to maximize potential out of somebody (i.e. Sherman, Chancellor, Maxwell, etc.).
KB: Good luck on the Cowboys pick… they could go pretty much anyway.
TS: Yea… LB, OG, DL, WR… RIP
Pick 19. Dallas Cowboys: LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama (TS)
Davenport is a boom or bust pick. He could be a guy that embarrasses OTs with overwhelming athleticism, or crash and burn transitioning to the NFL. Some have him going top 10, but I think going later makes sense because he is what mock drafters call “raw”. As far as the Cowboys go, they addressed several needs in free agency, particularly WR and OL. They lost a starter at LB in free agency, and the rest of the LBs have questionable futures. Evans is shadowed by the two LBs ahead of him, but is also a complete package, with speed and three-down skills. But really, the Cowboys will either go with who they think is BPA, or trade back. I think they SHOULD go with Maurice Hurst (DT, Michigan) as a BPA, but I think it’s more likely they go LB as a bigger need.
KB: Yea, I think Maurice was the pick here too. They picked Taco from Michigan last year and he will likely hype up the face that he is a beast.
Pick 20. Detroit Lions: Edge Harold Landry, Boston College (KB)
Detroit really needs some help on the edge. Badly. They retained Ansah (for one year on the tag), but he is only one guy. Landry, early in his career, was heavily feared in the ACC. I think that he will be the same at the next level. He is more a prototype guy than others and his production has also been strong. Lastly, he will be reunited with one of his former coaches who is on the Lions staff. Coincidence? I think not.
TS: Landry is a great pick. I like him more than Davenport TBH. I wanted him for the bucs in a trade back scenario before we signed Curry and JPP.
KB: I can’t believe the Bengals are going to get the guy they probably wanted at pick 12…
TS: I assume you mean an OL… but I don’t know who you mean… The pressure is on… This is tough for me. They just traded for Cordy Glenn at LT and the best available OL is McGlinchy who is an LT. They could use some help on the inside at Guard and a Center too…
Pick 21. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Mike McGlinchy, Notre Dame (TS)
Notre Dame possibly has the two best OL coming out of the draft. The top tackles of the class are much closer and comparable/contrastable in skill than Mike’s teammate Quenton Nelson. Even with the addition of Cordy Glenn in the trade that dropped them back to pick 21. They have so many needs on the OL, including right guard, center and right tackle. Between Glenn and McGlinchy, one of the two will probably move to the other side of the line. Another option is Isaiah Wynn. His flexibility to play multiple positions on the OL is very sexy to NFL coaches.
This Just In: “Cordy Glenn has a potential out after this year. He would be owed $19M over the 2019,2020 seasons, but if cut he would have nothing against the cap.” Source: Kyle Bazin via Spotrac. I feel better about my pick and I’m locking in McGlinchy.
KB: That is 100% their guy. He is exactly what they had in Andrew Whitworth and missed last season. Cordy will start on the left side and they’ll move the rook to the right (normally what happens) and depending on Cordy’s play will tell if he will be on the team and when Mike will move over to the left.
KB: I’m really not liking this pick at all… Bills got their QB in the trade up… they could use LB help but Evans is now gone… their OLine is pretty solid… weak at WR but the WR class sucks… UGHHH
Pick 22. Buffalo Bills: CB Joshua Jackson, Iowa (KB)
This is the pick the Bills got from the Mahomes trade last year. And as a forward, they will not be taking this pick. The Colts, Browns, or Giants will be trading with the Bills, so they can get their QB in the top 6. Put that in stone right now. This pick will be in the deal and if it isn’t I’ll be shocked. But since there are no trades in this mock… I’m picking the BPA at what could be considered a position they could use some more depth. Truly you can never have enough corners… especially ones that are 6 feet or taller. Jackson had a solid, but not spectacular year at Iowa. Many were expecting better things, but he has shown enough flashes of greatness to be a round 1 guy.
TS: Isn’t there another LB that could go in the 1st round? 😉 Sutton could go in the 1st but I agree that he shouldn’t. Wynn is still there, but ultimately, you’re right that this pick doesn’t matter. And I’m glad you used it on a corner because I don’t like the corners in this year’s draft, but Jackson is my favorite of them.
Pick 23. New England Patriots (from LAR): LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State (TS)
The Patriots already won this Cooks trade in my opinion, but I won’t go into that. The Patriots can go sooo many directions here. If Landry/Davenport/any LBs or OTs that are taken above fall here, they could be taken… I really like Leighton as a solid, 3-down starter that is good in coverage, is a consistent tackler, and decent in pass rush. However, he’s not an impact player that’s going to control the game. Yet, he could quietly lead the team in tackles and lead team LBs in passes defensed. There is a good chance he wont last until the 31st pick for NE. They would go OT here, but I noticed there is a very good chance all the remaining tackles will be on the board at their next pick. I don’t think they take a chance on risky Arden Key, but DE, LB, DB, TE are all possible… They could also go QB IF they love Rudolph. They could also use both of their first-round picks to trade up for a QB (I don’t think that’s necessary for this team) or for Chubb (Belichick talked with Chubb at his pro day before the trade, acknowledging there was no chance with pick 31 but really likes his game).
KB: Vander Esch is a Steeler to me through and through. But I love that Chubb tidbit, I remember that. Wouldn’t it be so Belichick to say something like that then trade up for the guy, although I think the top 6 is reserved for the top 4 QBs, Chubb, and Barkley.
Pick 24. Carolina Panthers: CB Mike Hughes, Central Florida (KB)
Carolina’s biggest needs lie in the secondary and the wide receivers. They just signed Ross Cockrell, but they have been missing a big-time corner since Norman moved on. Mike Hughes could be that although he is only 5’10”. He transferred from UNC to UCF last year and his game dramatically improved. His stock has risen significantly since the offseason has started. If they don’t go with Hughes they could go Oliver from Colorado or Sutton at WR from SMU. Carolina is a weird time that seems to have a decent amount of needs but consistently play above their talent level. UPDATE: The Panthers failed to sign another starting corner in Free Agency, so they are looking to upgrade at the position likely early in the draft.
KB: I really don’t feel great about my pick, but I don’t know who I would change it to. I really think Sutton is a 2nd rounder. They could go guard, but you know where I stand with them.
TS: I was thinking Sutton or best WR available and I don’t really like your pick either. Maybe they go DLine or Guard.
KB: They lost Charles Johnson and Star Loutelilea (????). Maybe I should’ve gone there with DT, but it doesn’t seem like they weren’t ready for that departure. I saw that a lot of people had Hughes going in the teens, so I tried to pair the need and BPA together.
Pick 25. Tennessee Titans: Edge Arden Key, LSU (TS)
Key is probably a high first round talent, but his off-field issues make most teams why away from taking him in the 1st. Most have him going early 2nd, which would eliminate the 1st round bust potential. But at this point in the draft, the Titans’ other option is Hubbard, who is athletic but had consistency and long-term production issues that will probably push him to the 2nd round. Key had both impressive athleticism and production. They don’t have major needs elsewhere, unless they release some WRs that can’t stay healthy. Sutton would be great in this offense, but I don’t think they need him
KB: I 100% think this is the right pick. Edge is one of their only weak spots. We keep bringing up Sutton though haha.
TS: I know I can’t believe he is still on the board.
KB: Corey Davis was hurting/learning all last year. He blew up in the Wild Card game that no one watched against the Chiefs. Between him, Rishard Matthews, Delanie Walker, Dion Lewis and the other small contributors they will be fine. They are a run first team anyway and they have a guy that you may have heard of… his name is Derrick Henry and he runs like a freight train. They still could use a backup QB, depth on the OL and at LB, but Edge is their biggest concern.
Pick 26. Atlanta Falcons: DT Maurice Hurst, Michigan (KB)
This man waited way too long to hear his name called but what a team for him to play for. The Falcons have very few needs and just need depth in places. DLine is their greatest empty piece because of the big man Poe leaving. They could also use some more depth on the Edge with Adrian Clayborn leaving for NE. This kid would’ve been a top 15 pick if not for his untimely questionable heart condition news. I’ve heard that he has been checked out and is good to go. Everyone will do their due diligence on him and their respective trainers will decide if he is good. PFF has him as the best defensive player in this draft and its not close. This is a steal for the Falcons and a perfect fit for Hurst. Even if they were questionable about Hurst’s condition they also got Payne and Bryan to fall to them that would both fit the bill. What an awesome, yet tough, choice for them to make.
TS: I think the Falcons are going DT all the way, and there is so many options that I think that at least one which they want will be there for them.
Pick 27. New Orleans Saints: TE Mark Andrews, Oklahoma (TS)
The Saints could go defense, or best WR available, but the defenders they’ve been looking for are all take I believe, and I also think they don’t want to address WR this early. An impact TE in the passing game is still a need for the Saints, and Benjamin Watson is not the answer. Mark Andrews could be the most dangerous receiving tight end in this draft. He can work every level of the field, does well from the slot, and has quickness and size that will create sweet mismatches that Sean Payton misses from Graham a few years back. He isn’t the most complete tight end, as he needs to improve his consistency in run blocking, but the Saints are looking for something more of a receiver from the position. I also want to say their selection of tight end is really sweet for the Saints too. If they don’t pick Andrews, there’s Goedert, Hurst, and Gesicki, and they will get their pickings of what they really want.
KB: I’m shocked… he is the 3rd best TE in my opinion. Hurst is the most complete blocking and pass catching (not best in both categories, but good in both) but he is already 25 after a small stint in Minor League Baseball. Goedert comes from South Dakota St but man did that guy impress at his pro day. It’s a shame he got an injury at the Senior Bowl because he would’ve lit it up. If the Saints go TE, I think they go Goedert because they do have guys like Watson that can live in the trenches. I agree they do miss Jimmy’s ability to be a constant mismatch. This is definitely the draft to find their true replacement for him after all these years. And we know there is interest in a TE after they missed out on Jimmy the 2nd time around.
TS: On most boards and rankings, I see Andrews as the #2 with Hurst and Goedert switching depending on where you see it. Hayden needs to improve run blocking consistency but has the surest hands of the draft (was a pitcher ironically) and is coachable. Goedert might be closer to a true tight end than Andrews, but I think Andrews is the threat/weapon the Saints want. Most mocks I’m seeing are splitting between Goedert and Andrews if they go TE.
KB: I agree here. I don’t think they will go Hurst. I’m also kind of shocked you didn’t go Sutton with how much we have been talking about him. The Saints desperately need someone opposite Michael Thomas and Snead is not that.
TS: Truthfully, I think that this should be Sutton, but I didn’t see anyone that had them going WR in the 1st. Although, Sutton may not have fallen as far as he is in our mock.
Pick 28. Pittsburgh Steelers: S Justin Reid, Stanford (KB)
Still pretty upset you took Vander Esch… Steelers are generally pretty easy to figure out who they’re targeting, and he literally bleeds black and gold already. Since both him and Raashan are gone… (you picked both… RIP Steelers) they are in desperate need of inside linebacker help and that was before the horrific Shazier injury. Since any round 1 backers are taken… they will go with the best available safety. No Ronnie Harrison is not the pick here. The Steelers have a propensity to draft a certain type of player especially on defense. Super athletic, smart and intelligent, strong head on his shoulders and is a leader. The last 3 first round picks have been about this mold and Reid is a smart guy (I mean he went to Stanford for crying out loud) on and off the field. Even though they signed Morgan Burnett from the Packers, they cut 3 safeties this offseason and so this is still a strong need, Burnett is also getting older and they really haven’t had a strong presence in the secondary since Polamalu has retired.
Pick 29. Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota St (TS)
Yes, they just signed ASJ, but they also let Marcedes Lewis go, and could use offensive weapons, especially a second, or first (ASJ would be second) TE. He can also protect Bortles better than ASJ. The real deal comes in the passing game, as Goedert will add a big target that they’ve been searching for in a TE for a while. They want to help Bortles as much as they can (for whatever reason, they won’t move on), so they’ll either go TE, WR, or OLine. It’s kind of a toss up between these positions the way I see it. It’s a question of who they like best.
KB: I like this pick. TE is definitely on the radar and while I think they would take Hayden Hurst (everyone says he is the better blocker and has sure hands), it is possible.
Pick 30. Minnesota Vikings: OG Will Hernandez, UTEP (KB)
And the second weird Texas school to have a first round pick in this draft! Isn’t it weird that UT never has any top picks anymore but UTSA and UTEP each have 1st rounders? Minnesota needs a whole lot of OL pieces. Guard, center (Joe Berger just retired) and a tackle… so they need help. And if they want to keep their FULLY GUARANTEED quarterback upright and have some holes for their flashy RB to dash through, then they need to address it in the draft. Hernandez is a straight mauler. Thomas would probably have their pick as Isaiah Wynn, but I prefer Hernandez because his coach was the former OL coach for the Steelers years ago. He knows how to play a pro game already and will be a plug and play kid right away.
TS: You’re right that I would’ve like Wynn but only for his flexibility, which the Vikings could also use. Wynn could play tackle and may even start there with his experience. Hernandez is my second choice though, maybe the best guard after Nelson, and I love the pick still.
KB: James Daniels will also get a lot of consideration here. The center from Iowa is the undisputed best center this year.
Pick 31. New England Patriots: OT Colton Miller, UCLA (TS)
The Patriots know what it takes to win games, and they know they need to protect their QB. Miller is a true right tackle. He’s similar in size, speed, and play to Demar Dotson of the Bucs. At 6’9”, the speed the he adds on top of his length makes him a freak. Left Des will have a hard time going around or through. The Patriots will make the most out of him. Same as I said in pick 23 applies here, they could go a lot of ways.
KB: Colton instead of O’Neill? Colton has been a steady riser since his Combine. This would be perfect for the Pats too because not only did they lose their LT Solder, but also their RT Fleming so they need a lot of bodies.
TS: I actually wrote this pick for the 23rd spot but decided he would be here at 31. I have Colton higher on my board, but O’Neill and he are in similar tiers.
KB: A few teams like the Jags/Vikes could snatch him up before but I agree he likely will be here. You know the last time the Pats selected a 1st round OT from a current Pac12 team? Nate Solder… Coincidence?
TS: I read a lot of interesting facts about the Pats. The only top 10 pick they’ve had since 2001 was in 2008, Jerrod Mayo. Belichick has traded 60 times in the draft over 18 years. That’s more than 3 per year…
KB: I’ll say it now and I’ll say it again later. I hate the Patriots.
Pick 32: Philadelphia Eagles: CB Isaiah Oliver, Colorado (KB)
Super Bowl Champion Eagles. Many thought we would never say that. Most Super Bowl winning teams get picked apart by other teams from players to coaches to ball boys… everyone leaves and gets paid (unless you’re from Boston). But these Eagles not only barely lost anyone… they actually got better. They added Michael Bennett (for now), Ngata, resigned Bradham, traded away a bad Torrey Smith and replaced him with Cap space and Mike Wallace. They lost Celek and Burton but besides that they only lost one coach Mike Reich. Oh, and they’re going to get this guy named Wentz back this year. BUT they do have one GAPING HOLE in their lineup… THE PUNTER! Sadly, I’m not even crazy enough to have them take one here or at all even though if anyone would it would be me… or the Bucs. Instead I go boring BPA since no one is needed. This pick could go anywhere… Guice, Michel, best corner (Alexander/Oliver), O’Neill at OT, it’s hard to pick but because corners are always good to have a stockpile and Oliver was one of the best in the country last year, this is the pick.
KB: This could easily be RB, but they have some young kids back there like Barner, Smallwood, Pumphrey, and oh just a guy that got like 150+ yards in the Super Bowl in Clement. And they’re going to get Ajayi the ball plenty. Even with Blount gone, I feel like this isn’t as big of a need as everyone thinks it is. But regardless the rich will get richer in this draft.
Thus, concluding our TS and KB Mock Draft… 1.0 😉
Let us know which picks we are way off on so we can disrespectfully disagree with you until you shutup about your opinion! Thanks guys <3
