Deputy Nutz
04-10-2018, 09:15 AM
I don't like to factor in trades that haven't happened yet when I do my mock. Obviously I will point out teams that I think should move up or down, but I will mock the selection where teams currently have picks.
1. Cleveland Browns: The Browns want a long term solution QB after trading Deshone Kizer their 2nd round pick from 2017 to the Packers. The Browns traded for former Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor to start for 2018 but I don't think the Browns see him as their long term solution. They have the number one pick in the draft and they have 5-6 QBs with first round grades to choose from. So none of the above has changed. The Browns need a QB. I still think the best QB prospect in the draft is Josh Allen. Allen struggled in his senior year according to his numbers but his ceiling is the highest in this draft. Browns Select: Josh Allen QB Wyoming. Allen has the best arm in the draft and has the most intangibles.
2. New York Giants: They have a lot of holes. They have a short term fix at running back with Stewart, their offensive line hasn't been good in years, and Manning is pretty much washed up. The have needs on the defensive line. Taking a QB will not help them in 2018 win games, but they need to start building for the future. A trade makes a lot of sense but they need to find the value in trading away the 2nd pick in the draft. I am sure teams would like to move ahead of the Jets to position themselves with their choice of the best QBs available on the board and the Giants could have some trade partners. If the Giants want to build for the long term they take a QB with this pick. If they want to add the best player in the draft they take Chubb. Manning is no longer the answer at quarterback for the Giants, they look for a long term solution, The Giants select: Sam Darnold QB USC. Darnold looked great as a sophomore especially in the Rose Bowl against Penn St. His junior year had a lot to be desired in terms of a player considered to be a top 5 pick in the draft. USC QBs are boom or bust in the NFL.
3. New York Jets: The Jets need and want a QB. That is why they traded up in the first place Lucky for them they don't have the option on taking another USC QB. The Mark Sanchez era still probably looms large in the fandom of the Jets. The Jets select: Josh Rosen QB UCLA. Rosen hasn't done much as a college QB. His skill level is at a premium but played on a UCLA team that was never capable of getting the National attention that would allow him to showcase his talent. Some say he is the most ready to start day one.
4. Browns: They have the option of selecting Saquon Barkley the best offensive player in the draft. Personally I wasn't all that impressed with 2017 season, but he tested off the chart at the combine and he is a heck of a football player. The Browns as always have needs all over the field, so they could take a linemen, or corner. The Browns select Saquon Barkley RB Penn St. With the retirement of Joe Thomas the Browns would love to be able to get his replacement, but not at the 4th pick. Could they trade this pick? Absolutely. Teams would trade up to either get the QB they need or for Barkley
5. Denver Broncos: Is Case Keenum really the answer? I can't hold my breath that Keenum is going to be able to lead the Broncos to the playoffs. He is smart and tough, but his skills at the position are still questionable. They could go a couple of different ways though with picking up Keenum. Keenum provides options. If the QB that they want is their I think they will pick him, if not they go with the best player that fits their needs. Broncos select: Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma.
6. Colts: They traded down and they miss on Barkley. I don't think their feelings are too hurt but they need an edge player and their isn't one on the board that deserves the 6th pick in the draft. They have holes on the defense and also need help on the offensive line. The Colts go with the best player available, the Colts select: Bradley Chubb Edge NC St. Chubb offers the best pass rush in the draft and it isn't really close between him and the next edge rusher in this draft. Colts manage to hang on to the 6th pick in the draft and get the top player in the draft.
7. Tampa Bay Buc: Their defense needs help. Their best option at this point is a defensive back. They can take Fitzpatrick or James. Fitzpatrick offers more flexibility playing either corner or safety. Bucs select: Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama.
8. Bears: they got holes like the rest of these teams. The Bears really wanted to get the hands on Fitzpatrick. D. James is the next best DB on the list but they don't need a safety. They also have needs on the offensive line and although taking a guard is never a high priority it makes the most sense for the Bears. Bears select: Quentin Nelson OL ND. He is the top rated offensive lineman in the draft and he can play right tackle or either guard spots. The Bears would like to add to their defense, but Nelson just makes sense.
9. 49ers: They need sack production. The Niners need to find the best option in this draft to pressure the QB from the edge. The 49ers select Marcus Davenport Edge UTSA. Davenport is the next best pass rusher listed on the big board. He is a small school kid that played against some big Texas schools and held his own. He had a very good combine and finds himself as a top ten player. I don't think he plays as fluid as the combine numbers would say. He is far from a finished player, but he has the raw talent to develop.
10. Raiders: Holes on the defense. Easy fill at this spot is Denzel Ward. Ward is the best corner in the draft, and the Raiders are thrilled that he drops to the 10th pick in the draft. They have options as James is available, Smith is Available, and Edmunds is also available. Raiders select: Denzel Ward CB Ohio St .
11. Dolphins: They have spots that need to be filled but they get their choice of the four remaining QBs with 1st round grades. The Dolphins can take a QB or they can upgrade their defense. The Dolphins select: Vita Vea DL Washington. This kid is a monster in the middle and can take on and beat the double team block. If all goes right he is a guy in the middle that opposing offenses will have to account for.
12. Buffalo Bills: The Bills really needed to trade up again to get one of the top 4 QBs in this class. The biggest risk reward player is available in Lamar Jackson. The Bills most likely will do everything in their power to move up in this draft, but if their option is Lamar Jackson I have a feeling that the Bills go in a different direction and possibly move back. The Bills select: Calvin Riddley WR Alabama. Riddley had a poor combine, but he is the best route runner in this draft and can probably contribute as a the third wide out at the beginning of the season. This is the worst case scenario for the Bills.
13. Washington Racists: Alex Smith isn't the long time solution to the needs of the racists. The Redskins can groom a QB behind Smith for at least a year. Washington can reach on a QB, or they can fill holes on their defense. Right now they have Smith for the 2018 season with Hogan backing him up. They move in the direction of defense and the Racists select: Tremaine Edmunds LB Virgina Tech. Edmunds had a terrific combine and his film is consistent. He has good size and can play in the middle or on the outside.
14. Green Bay Packers: Packers have holes all over their defense but their defensive backfield is bad with losing Randall in a trade to the Browns and losing Morgan Burnett in free agency. The Packers lack depth at linebacker and their offensive line is incomplete at the moment. Wide receiver is now an issue with the Packers cutting Jordy Nelson. If not for Aaron Rodgers this team is not a playoff team, not even close. The roster has been mismanaged for several years and it is finally showing. The Packers have options at this spot. They could trade up and get a corner, or if Chubb is there they could really move up and give up future top picks to get the best pass rusher in the draft. They could move back in the draft and look to draft offense at wide receiver or offensive line. The Packers select: Derwin James S FSU. One of the best athletes in this draft and one of the better defenders in this draft. James can be played all over the field, he can line up in the slot, in center field or in the middle as a nickle linebacker. He might not have an exact fit but he upgrades this defense in a big way. I think his addition will pressure Clinton-Dix in turning around a terrible 2017 season, and forcing Josh Jones to either step up his game or find another seat on the bench.
1. Cleveland Browns: The Browns want a long term solution QB after trading Deshone Kizer their 2nd round pick from 2017 to the Packers. The Browns traded for former Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor to start for 2018 but I don't think the Browns see him as their long term solution. They have the number one pick in the draft and they have 5-6 QBs with first round grades to choose from. So none of the above has changed. The Browns need a QB. I still think the best QB prospect in the draft is Josh Allen. Allen struggled in his senior year according to his numbers but his ceiling is the highest in this draft. Browns Select: Josh Allen QB Wyoming. Allen has the best arm in the draft and has the most intangibles.
2. New York Giants: They have a lot of holes. They have a short term fix at running back with Stewart, their offensive line hasn't been good in years, and Manning is pretty much washed up. The have needs on the defensive line. Taking a QB will not help them in 2018 win games, but they need to start building for the future. A trade makes a lot of sense but they need to find the value in trading away the 2nd pick in the draft. I am sure teams would like to move ahead of the Jets to position themselves with their choice of the best QBs available on the board and the Giants could have some trade partners. If the Giants want to build for the long term they take a QB with this pick. If they want to add the best player in the draft they take Chubb. Manning is no longer the answer at quarterback for the Giants, they look for a long term solution, The Giants select: Sam Darnold QB USC. Darnold looked great as a sophomore especially in the Rose Bowl against Penn St. His junior year had a lot to be desired in terms of a player considered to be a top 5 pick in the draft. USC QBs are boom or bust in the NFL.
3. New York Jets: The Jets need and want a QB. That is why they traded up in the first place Lucky for them they don't have the option on taking another USC QB. The Mark Sanchez era still probably looms large in the fandom of the Jets. The Jets select: Josh Rosen QB UCLA. Rosen hasn't done much as a college QB. His skill level is at a premium but played on a UCLA team that was never capable of getting the National attention that would allow him to showcase his talent. Some say he is the most ready to start day one.
4. Browns: They have the option of selecting Saquon Barkley the best offensive player in the draft. Personally I wasn't all that impressed with 2017 season, but he tested off the chart at the combine and he is a heck of a football player. The Browns as always have needs all over the field, so they could take a linemen, or corner. The Browns select Saquon Barkley RB Penn St. With the retirement of Joe Thomas the Browns would love to be able to get his replacement, but not at the 4th pick. Could they trade this pick? Absolutely. Teams would trade up to either get the QB they need or for Barkley
5. Denver Broncos: Is Case Keenum really the answer? I can't hold my breath that Keenum is going to be able to lead the Broncos to the playoffs. He is smart and tough, but his skills at the position are still questionable. They could go a couple of different ways though with picking up Keenum. Keenum provides options. If the QB that they want is their I think they will pick him, if not they go with the best player that fits their needs. Broncos select: Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma.
6. Colts: They traded down and they miss on Barkley. I don't think their feelings are too hurt but they need an edge player and their isn't one on the board that deserves the 6th pick in the draft. They have holes on the defense and also need help on the offensive line. The Colts go with the best player available, the Colts select: Bradley Chubb Edge NC St. Chubb offers the best pass rush in the draft and it isn't really close between him and the next edge rusher in this draft. Colts manage to hang on to the 6th pick in the draft and get the top player in the draft.
7. Tampa Bay Buc: Their defense needs help. Their best option at this point is a defensive back. They can take Fitzpatrick or James. Fitzpatrick offers more flexibility playing either corner or safety. Bucs select: Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama.
8. Bears: they got holes like the rest of these teams. The Bears really wanted to get the hands on Fitzpatrick. D. James is the next best DB on the list but they don't need a safety. They also have needs on the offensive line and although taking a guard is never a high priority it makes the most sense for the Bears. Bears select: Quentin Nelson OL ND. He is the top rated offensive lineman in the draft and he can play right tackle or either guard spots. The Bears would like to add to their defense, but Nelson just makes sense.
9. 49ers: They need sack production. The Niners need to find the best option in this draft to pressure the QB from the edge. The 49ers select Marcus Davenport Edge UTSA. Davenport is the next best pass rusher listed on the big board. He is a small school kid that played against some big Texas schools and held his own. He had a very good combine and finds himself as a top ten player. I don't think he plays as fluid as the combine numbers would say. He is far from a finished player, but he has the raw talent to develop.
10. Raiders: Holes on the defense. Easy fill at this spot is Denzel Ward. Ward is the best corner in the draft, and the Raiders are thrilled that he drops to the 10th pick in the draft. They have options as James is available, Smith is Available, and Edmunds is also available. Raiders select: Denzel Ward CB Ohio St .
11. Dolphins: They have spots that need to be filled but they get their choice of the four remaining QBs with 1st round grades. The Dolphins can take a QB or they can upgrade their defense. The Dolphins select: Vita Vea DL Washington. This kid is a monster in the middle and can take on and beat the double team block. If all goes right he is a guy in the middle that opposing offenses will have to account for.
12. Buffalo Bills: The Bills really needed to trade up again to get one of the top 4 QBs in this class. The biggest risk reward player is available in Lamar Jackson. The Bills most likely will do everything in their power to move up in this draft, but if their option is Lamar Jackson I have a feeling that the Bills go in a different direction and possibly move back. The Bills select: Calvin Riddley WR Alabama. Riddley had a poor combine, but he is the best route runner in this draft and can probably contribute as a the third wide out at the beginning of the season. This is the worst case scenario for the Bills.
13. Washington Racists: Alex Smith isn't the long time solution to the needs of the racists. The Redskins can groom a QB behind Smith for at least a year. Washington can reach on a QB, or they can fill holes on their defense. Right now they have Smith for the 2018 season with Hogan backing him up. They move in the direction of defense and the Racists select: Tremaine Edmunds LB Virgina Tech. Edmunds had a terrific combine and his film is consistent. He has good size and can play in the middle or on the outside.
14. Green Bay Packers: Packers have holes all over their defense but their defensive backfield is bad with losing Randall in a trade to the Browns and losing Morgan Burnett in free agency. The Packers lack depth at linebacker and their offensive line is incomplete at the moment. Wide receiver is now an issue with the Packers cutting Jordy Nelson. If not for Aaron Rodgers this team is not a playoff team, not even close. The roster has been mismanaged for several years and it is finally showing. The Packers have options at this spot. They could trade up and get a corner, or if Chubb is there they could really move up and give up future top picks to get the best pass rusher in the draft. They could move back in the draft and look to draft offense at wide receiver or offensive line. The Packers select: Derwin James S FSU. One of the best athletes in this draft and one of the better defenders in this draft. James can be played all over the field, he can line up in the slot, in center field or in the middle as a nickle linebacker. He might not have an exact fit but he upgrades this defense in a big way. I think his addition will pressure Clinton-Dix in turning around a terrible 2017 season, and forcing Josh Jones to either step up his game or find another seat on the bench.