NFL Mock Draft: Round One
The NFL Draft smoke and mirrors are in full affect. Believe or not believe? Truth or lie? More than two months ago, George and I created a Pre-Combine Mock Draft. Considering the trades and new information, we decided to dust off the typewriter to make a brand new mock draft.
George Kritikos made the even picks and Nick Whalen made the odd picks.
- Los Angeles Rams (7-9) Jared Goff, QB, Cal
The Rams traded the farm and all the little animals to move up to get a “franchise QB.” Goff is from California, played at Cal, and is the most developed QB prospect. He shows very good pocket presence, good arm, and the ability to already read defenses and progress through reads. This pick makes Todd Gurley and his owners very happy.
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- Philadelphia Eagles (7-9) Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
The Eagles made this trade up with the intention of grabbing a quarterback. They are very high on Wentz and they get their man here. Wentz will need time to develop and with all the money already invested in the position, he should be able to sit and learn in 2016.
- San Diego Chargers (4-12) Laremy Tunsil, LT, Ole Miss
The Chargers lucked out in getting the best player in the draft at #3 overall. Tunsil will help keep Phillip Rivers upright for the rest of his career. He will also help jumpstart Melvin Gordon and the San Diego running game.
- Dallas Cowboys (4-12) Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
The Cowboys could look at the edge but Ramsey gives the team a true difference maker capable of playing any position in the secondary. Add him to Byron Jones and the team could have the shut down secondary needed in today’s NFL.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Jacksonville has been addressing the defense all off-season with Malik Jackson DL, Dante Fowler DE coming back from injury, and now add the very athletic Jack. Some teams have shied away from Jack due to his knee, but Jacksonville benefits from getting the best defender in the draft. Jack has the chance to be a special NFL player.
- Baltimore Ravens (5-11) Joey Bosa, DE/OLB, Ohio State
Ozzie selecting the best player on the board is nice, but he is also getting a great fit in the Ravens hybrid defense. Bosa can stand or slide in at defensive end depending on the formation. This should be a big help to a struggling secondary.
- San Francisco 49ers (5-11) Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
New HC Chip Kelly has placed a premium on WR since he entered the NFL as he has drafted Jordan Matthews in round two and Nelson Agholor in round one. Treadwell immediately will give the 49ers a weapon they desperately need at WR. Sorry Torrey Smith fans, he’s a better fit as a WR2 on an NFL team.
- Cleveland Browns (3-13) DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
The Browns grabbed Danny Shelton last year, but still have a need to upgrade the defensive line. Buckner is a playmaker who can rack up tackles, pressure the quarterback, and blow up the run game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10) Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
Injuries and poor play have been a huge concern of the secondary in Tampa Bay the last few seasons. The Bucs decide to grab a local CB with good skills and toughness. Hargreaves III is flexible enough to help out in the slot or start on the outside as a rookie.
- New York Giants (6-10) Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Treadwell and Jack would be nice pieces for the Giants, but they watched Ereck Flowers struggle on the blindside last year. Stanley could give the Giants a pair of good tackles who are capable of anchoring this offensive line for the next decade.
- Chicago Bears (6-10) Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
The focus of the off-season has been turning around a poor defense and it gives Chicago flexibility during the draft. Elliott is the best player available and will help fill the void left by Matt Forte going to the Jets and Jeremy Langford isn’t the answer.. He’s a very well rounded player that will create a dynamic offense in Chicago and take pressure off of Jay Cutler.
- New Orleans Saints (7-9) Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
I could see the Saints just as easily look at the offensive line, but defensive line remains an issue as well. Rankins has shown good pass rushing as an interior lineman and is capable of sliding all over the line. This gives the Saints a nice rotation and might keep the team from having to score 30+ every game.
- Miami Dolphins (6-10) Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
The Dolphins have been busy little bees this offseason with the additions of Mario Williams, Kiko Alonso, Byron Maxwell and Andre Branch. Maxwell needs a running mate at CB and they grab the athletic Alexander in round one. He will get the benefit of being able to develop without having to face the top WR on most teams early in his career.
- Oakland Raiders (7-9) A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
The Raiders were very active this offseason but look thin on the interior of the defensive line. Robinson is talented but some are questioning his commitment to football after the interview process. I’m not reading into it and think a team on the way up will keep him plenty motivated.
- Tennessee Titans (3-13) Jack Conklin, RT, Michigan State
Protecting their franchise QB is of the utmost importance. Conklin will not only provide more security for Marcus Mariota, but help the newly acquired RB, Demarco Murray, as well. Taylor Lewan at LT and Conklin at RT should make for a good duo for a while.
- Detroit Lions (7-9) Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
While I was tempted to go wide receiver or offensive line, the team needs to add talent to the interior of the defensive line. Reed can play multiple spots but would be best suited rotating inside and giving them a powerful run stuffer who could start right away.
- Atlanta Falcons (8-8) Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Wait, didn’t the Falcons just give Mohamed Sanu millions? Yes, but he can still play in the slot, which is where he excels. Doctson will take attention away from Julio Jones and help an offense that was 21st in the NFL in scoring.
- Indianapolis Colts (8-8) Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
The Colts could use a running back or offensive lineman but the value isn’t here. Instead, they get Floyd, the athletic pass rusher who could help shore up what has been a toothless attack outside of 35 year old Robert Mathis.
- Buffalo Bills (8-8) Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
The Bills only made this pick so the Jets couldn’t take him, okay not really. Buffalo doesn’t seem convinced Tyrod Taylor is the future and grab Lynch at a solid value at #19. He’s a raw QB and could use a season of development learning behind Tyrod in 2016.
- New York Jets (10-6) Shaq Lawson, DE/OLB, Clemson
Even if Lynch was still on the board, I envision the Jets getting a veteran at quarterback for 2016. Rather, the Jets need to work on the pass rush from their outside linebackers. Lawson is seen as a tweener but he has the pass rush ability to excel as an edge setter.
- Washington Redskins (9-7) Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
In one of the oddest moves of the off-season, Carolina made Josh Norman a free agent and Washington signed him to a big deal. This allows the team from Washington to address other needs in the draft and adding a space eating playmaker would go a long way on the defense.
- Houston Texans (9-7) Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
Expect DeAndre Hopkins to receive major defensive attention, so why not add a wide receiver? Will Fuller has been a popular pick here but I prefer Coleman. He is a more complete receiver who will make Brock Osweiler look “passable” with his ball tracking skills.
- Minnesota Vikings (11-5) Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
Minnesota isn’t drafting a WR? Not when they would have to reach! Brian Robison turns 34 later this month and Everson Griffin needs to get paired with another DE that can get after the QB.
- Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Not a bad spot for Fuller landing opposite A.J. Green. He has some of the best speed in this draft and will open up the entire offense. Fuller should be able to carve out a role here early, even with his limitations.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
The secondary was a mess last year in Pittsburgh. Apple will step in day one to start and slow down opposing offenses trying to keep up with the Steelers. Apple is a bigger CB that also possesses good athleticism.
- Seattle Seahawks (10-6) Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
There are questions of Decker’s ability to play left tackle in the NFL, but he is athletic and moves well, partially attributed to a basketball background. No more Russell Okung means the Seahawks need someone capable of playing early and Decker gives them that.
- Green Bay Packers (10-6) Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama
The Clay Mathews experiment at ILB is over and the Packers really don’t have many talented players to replace him. Ragland is a good value at this point in the draft. He may lack great athletic ability, but he makes up for it with good instincts.
- Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) Artie Burns, CB, Miami
The Chiefs will be looking defense here and Burns has the length and speed to help replace departed Sean Smith. Yes, the team used a first round pick on Marcus Peters last year, but Phillip Gaines is the only other cornerback on the team capable of starting and Burns will need the time to develop.
- Arizona Cardinals (13-3) Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
The Cardinals addressed a big need this offseason trading for OLB Chandler Jones. Which allows them to turn their attention to the middle of their offense with Kelly. He will have the benefit of learning between two very good guards in Mike Iupati and Evan Mathis.
- Carolina Panthers (15-1) Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
Josh Norman’s departure leaves the secondary thin but there is not a clear cornerback left worth this selection. Dodd, on the other hand, gives the team a Charles Johnson replacement and someone who can put pressure on the quarterback to help the secondary.
- Denver Broncos (12-4) Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
Oh, did this surprise you? Denver GM John Elway loves big Quarterbacks with strong arms (see Brock Osweiler) and that’s not Connor Cook. Jones can learn from Sanchez and start when he is ready. Cardale will get some help from two very good receivers that can adjust to the football in the early part of his career.
Be sure to read on with round two!
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Nick can be found on Twitter at @_NickWhalen
- Dynasty Capsule: Chicago Bears - February 1, 2017
- Dynasty 101: Trading - September 5, 2016
- Summer Sleeper: Chicago Bears - August 19, 2016
