Written by Cody Manning, @CodyTalksNFL
It’s almost time for the NFL Draft! For my last Mock Draft Monday, I wanted to put together a piece with picks I am hearing could happen and how I could see everything going down. I also took a guess on some potential trades in this one to make things interesting. Will I be right? More than likely not, but I hope you enjoy this as a potential scenario that could play out Thursday night. Enjoy!
1. Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray, QB (Oklahoma)
All signs continue to point towards the Cardinals pulling the trigger on Murray. While they could shock everyone by keeping Josh Rosen, currently it feels like they are all-in on the Heisman Trophy winner being their franchise quarterback.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Nick Bosa, DE (Ohio St.)
The 49ers go out and get Bosa to help complement Dee Ford. This selection would give San Fran one of the best defensive fronts on paper heading into the 2019 season. It just seems like this pairing is a match made in heaven come Thursday night.
3. New York Jets – Ed Oliver, DT (Houston)
This one might be a head scratcher to some. Quinnen Williams is arguably the best defensive tackle in this class, plus he makes his case as the best overall player. However, based on recent reports, the Jets may lean towards Oliver because of his versatility, which is what Gregg Williams wants in his defense. Don’t be surprised if this happens draft night should the Jets not trade out of the #3 spot.
4. Oakland Raiders – Quinnen Williams, DT (Alabama)
In this scenario, Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock waste no time sending in their selection of Williams. He would make an immediate impact on their defense and has All-Pro potential. I would imagine the Raiders are praying this happens while they wait in the war room.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Allen, EDGE (Kentucky)
Devin White is a much-connected name to the Bucs, but I just don’t see them passing on Allen if he falls out of the first four picks. Allen would help make a ferocious pass rush duo with Jason Pierre-Paul. With Allen’s ceiling, this could end up being a homerun hit for Tampa.
6. New York Giants – Daniel Jones, QB (Duke)
Like Murray’s connection to the Cardinals, all the signs are pointing to the Giants selecting Jones as their franchise quarterback. What’s interesting here in this scenario is they also have the #17 pick and could possibly wait. However, if they are in love with him, they can’t risk another team drafting him.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jawaan Taylor, OT (Florida)
This is another connection I have seen far too often to not believe it will happen. There are reports of the Jaguars doing a lot of research into Taylor and he would provide a boost to their running game while protecting Nick Foles. This selection makes sense for Jacksonville.
***Trade***
8. Cincinnati Bengals – Dwayne Haskins, QB (Ohio St.)
If there is a trade in the top 10, then all signs point to the Lions’ #8 pick. Zac Taylor goes up to grab his quarterback of the future. Andy Dalton has two years left on his contract which has no dead money left on the books, allowing Haskins to be groomed instead of being rushed to the field. I like this potential fit for Haskins as a first-round selection.
9. Buffalo Bills – T.J. Hockenson, TE (Iowa)
The Bills need to go find Josh Allen a red zone target. Hockenson not only provides a big target in the passing game but will be a beast in the running attack with his blocking skills. He would be an ideal fit for Buffalo’s playing style.
10. Denver Broncos – Devin White, LB (LSU)
White is highly considered a top five player in this class, but due to a run on the quarterbacks and positional need, he ends up falling into Denver’s lap. While Drew Lock is a connected name to the Broncos, they can’t pass up on White here.
11. Detroit Lions – Brian Burns, EDGE (Florida St.)
The Lions added Trey Flowers in free agency, but they need to find someone to compliment him on the other side. Burns offers them a different edge because of his speed and combination of pass rush moves. Detroit can move back and still grab one of the premier edge rushers of this class.
12. Green Bay Packers – Devin Bush, LB (Michigan)
The Packers have been addressing their defense this offseason, and that continues with their first pick in this draft by grabbing one of the premier linebackers in this class. Bush will make an immediate impact on their ability to shut down the run. Green Bay would feel much better about their defense after this pick.
13. Miami Dolphins – Rashan Gary, EDGE (Michigan)
Most people are under the assumption that the Dolphins aren’t exactly trying to win the Super Bowl this season and will be looking to take their quarterback of the future in 2020. Brian Flores is going to want a piece on his defense, and since he has time, he can take a swing on Gary’s potential.
14. Atlanta Falcons – Montez Sweat, EDGE (Mississippi St.)
While the Falcons have Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley on the roster, edge is still a position of need because those players have yet to tap into their potential. Also, Atlanta needs to plan for their future. The Falcons should be happy to land one of the top pass rushers in this class without having to trade up.
***Trade***
15. Houston Texans – Jonah Williams, OT (Alabama)
The Texans must walk out of this draft by getting Deshaun Watson some protection, and there are rumors that they are willing to trade up. With a potential run on the top lineman on the board coming, I could see Houston coming up here to get the best one on the board.
16. Carolina Panthers – Andre Dillard, OT (Washington St.)
Like the Texans, the Panthers must invest into protecting Cam Newton. Dillard is one of the premier tackles in this class and can help protect Newton’s blindside for a long time. This seems like the sweet spot for Dillard to come off the board.
17. New York Giants – Clelin Ferrell, EDGE (Clemson)
The Giants have a need for a pass rusher after trading Olivier Vernon. Ferrell is the best remaining edge that should have first round consideration. His talent and character should provide a boost to New York’s defense.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Cody Ford, OT/OG (Oklahoma)
There seems to be a theme going on with the past few selections: which is protecting your franchise quarterback? The Vikings must add as much talent to their offensive line they can with this class. Ford is another name I have seen far too often to a certain team, so it just seems ideal that he lands with Minnesota.
19. Tennessee Titans – Noah Fant, TE (Iowa)
The Titans are in an evaluation year with Marcus Mariota, and they need to find out if he is their future at the quarterback position. Fant offers the Titans a weapon in the passing game which can help stretch the field. Regardless what happens with Mariota, the Titans address a need and could have a reliable threat on the field for years to come.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Greedy Williams, CB (LSU)
The Steelers need help at cornerback, and they happen to be in position to get one of, if not the best, corner in this class. With a division that now features OBJ, Pittsburgh needs that long and athletic corner who has the capability of shutting down one of the better receivers in the NFL.
***Trade***
21. Kansas City Chiefs – Garrett Bradbury, OC/OG (N.C. State)
The interior of the Chiefs offensive line needs to be addressed. Kansas City can’t afford to lose Patrick Mahomes because of subpar blocking. Bradbury offers a KC a lineman that has All-Pro potential at the center position, plus he will keep their franchise quarterback upright.
22. Baltimore Ravens – D.K. Metcalf, WR (Ole Miss)
The Ravens have a screaming need for a receiver, and Metcalf would provide Lamar Jackson a big target that can take the top off the defense. He also can be someone Jackson can lean upon in the redzone for 50/50 situations. Metcalf would make the Ravens a lot more exciting heading into the 2019 season.
23. Washington Redskins – Marquise Brown, WR (Oklahoma)
If the Cardinals select Murray, then I believe the Redskins will land Josh Rosen without having to send the 1st round pick to add him to the roster. Washington needs help in their receiving corps regardless of who is lining up at quarterback. Brown offers them a deep threat that can take it to the house at any given moment.
24. Oakland Raiders – Byron Murphy, CB (Washington)
The Raiders need as much help they can get in the secondary. Murphy is one of the premier corners in this class and can make an immediate impact on their defense. Oakland must feel much better about their defense after the selection of Williams and Murphy.
25. Philadelphia Eagles – Nasir Adderley, S (Delaware)
The Eagles will be an interesting spot to watch come draft night as they could address several positions. Philly does need some help at the safety position, and Adderley offers them a player with the versatility of playing single high, in the box, or in the slot.
26. Indianapolis Colts – Jeffrey Simmons, DT (Mississippi St.)
Simmons is a player that should be going inside the top 10, if not the top five. However, he suffered a torn ACL which has caused his value to drop. The Colts have a need for interior defensive lineman, and Simmons could provide tremendous return on investment if he returns as the player we saw on the field on Saturdays.
27. Oakland Raiders – Josh Jacobs, RB (Alabama)
The Raiders current backfield doesn’t exactly scare anyone, and they need some fresh legs that can carry the load. Jacobs enters the league with not that much tread on his tires and has the potential to be a lead back at the next level.
28. Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Wilkins, DT (Clemson)
The Chargers got beat up inside the middle of their defense against the Patriots in the playoffs. They need to add some talent, and Wilkins offers them a player that can play right away. He should provide an impact on and off the field.
29. Seattle Seahawks – Jonathan Abram, S (Mississippi St.)
Abram has been a name that reports have mentioned as the first potential safety off the board. I love his fit in Seattle as they look to replace Earl Thomas. He is a hard-hitter and seems like an ideal prospect that Pete Carroll would love to have on his roster.
30. Green Bay Packers – Dalton Risner OT/OG/C (Kansas St.)
While the Packers could look to get Aaron Rodgers a weapon in the passing game, maybe they should consider addressing the poor play by their offensive line which has led to all the Rodgers injuries in the recent years. Risner can play anywhere across the board and also offers them that toughness their unit needs.
***Trade***
Broncos trade their 2nd round pick (#41), 2020 2nd round pick, and 5th round pick (#156) to the Rams for #31
31. Denver Broncos – Drew Lock, QB (Missouri)
After deciding to pass on Lock earlier, John Elway gets the quarterback he loves by trading into the back part of the 1st round. This move allows him to get his future franchise quarterback on a rookie deal with a 5th-year option so he can develop behind Joe Flacco.
32. New England Patriots – Dexter Lawrence, DT (Clemson)
The Patriots are the hardest team to project because they are typically deep, and Bill Belichick is known for not reaching for positions of need. Lawrence is a name I have seen connected in the first round repeatedly. I could see the Patriots loving his size and athletic ability.
Follow me on Twitter (@CodyTalksNFL) to see my last swing predicting how the first round plays out as I collect more information on how things may play out!!!