News
Mock Draft: Post Senior Bowl Edition
We have six Ohio State Buckeyes going in the first round. Find out where they land.
1. Tennessee Titans: 3-13
The Pick: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The best offensive tackle in this draft class goes to one of the teams that needs an offensive tackle the most. With Marcus Mariota at the helm for many years to come, Laremy Tunsil would be a great investment to protect the franchise quarterback. Tunsil is an elite tackle in pass protection with a ton of room to grow. He has the potential to become an All-Pro offensive tackle in the NFL.
2. Cleveland Browns: 3-13
The Pick: Jared Goff, QB, California
The direction that the Cleveland Browns will go in the NFL draft is a huge mystery at this point. Their coaching and front office situations are in flux; therefore, it is hard to predict what scheme they will be utilizing, let alone what type of player they would target. With Hue Jackson at the helm, quarterback should be the No. 1 priority, which is why the Browns go with the most pro-ready signal caller in Jared Goff.
3. San Diego Chargers: 4-12
The Pick: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State
The San Diego Chargers are a mess this year as they have been riddled with injuries and subpar play. They will likely let one of the best safeties in football, Eric Weddle, walk in free agency and they decide to add another versatile cog in their secondary with Jalen Ramsey. The Florida State defensive back has the ability to play in the box, center field or in the slot and he will be a key piece to the Chargers defense for the next decade.
4. Dallas Cowboys: 4-12
The Pick: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
This pick may seem like a shocker right now, but that will likely change as the draft nears. Noah Spence was unblockable at the Senior Bowl and his athleticism and technique are top notch. The best pass-rusher in this draft, Spence would be a great pick for Dallas if they don’t decide to bring back Greg Hardy. The Eastern Kentucky pass-rusher would give the Cowboys one of the best young pass rushes in the NFL.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-11
The Pick: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The Jacksonville Jaguars are lucky enough to get the best pure football player in this draft class. Joey Bosa isn’t the flashiest player, but he gets the job done play in and play out. Bosa plays with the best technique in the draft and he combines that with great power and explosiveness. Bosa could be the type of player you build around for Jacksonville.
6. Baltimore Ravens: 5-11
The Pick: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Baltimore Ravens have one of the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL. Luckily for them, the best receiver in the draft, Laquon Treadwell, is available here. Treadwell is a physical specimen at the receiver position and he uses every bit of it to dominate opposing defensive backs. He would give Joe Flacco a legitimate No. 1 receiver and allow their offense to operate at their optimum level for years to come.
7. San Francisco 49ers: 5-11
The Pick: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
Head coach Chip Kelly has a big decision about what he will do at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He could try to turn around Colin Kaepernick’s career or he could decide to bring in his own quarterback through the draft. In this scenario, Kelly gets the type of quarterback who could excel in Kelly’s scheme with his arm and legs.
8. Miami Dolphins: 6-10
The Pick: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
Even though the Miami Dolphins have Brent Grimes, they are void of any other competent cornerbacks, which makes Vernon Hargreaves, III the easy pick here. Hargreaves is one of the most talented cornerbacks to come into the draft since Patrick Peterson. The only knock on him is that he isn’t the biggest player and there are questions about whether he can cover the monster receivers like Dez Bryant in the NFL.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-10
The Pick: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of young talent on defense, but the secondary still needs an influx of talent. Mackensie Alexander is a great fit into Tampa Bay’s scheme and he could give them a young stud at all three levels of the defense. The Buccaneers are a team on the rise and Alexander could help continue that momentum.
10. New York Giants: 6-10
The Pick: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The New York Giants need a dominant pass-rusher and while Shaq Lawson may never be that, he will be a very good defensive end for years to come. Lawson may have the highest floor among the edge-rushers in this draft, but his ceiling may not be as high as others. He is a fantastic run defender who uses his hands and power to win as a pass-rusher.
11. Chicago Bears: 6-10
The Pick: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Chicago Bears haven’t had a great offensive tackle in some time. Kyle Long has done an admirable job, but his best position is at guard. Ronnie Stanley is an extremely gifted offensive tackle who tends to struggle with power. If he can improve his anchor and punch timing, he could be a Pro-Bowl caliber player for the Bears.
12. New Orleans Saints: 7-9
The Pick: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
The New Orleans Saints have been hampered by poor play on defense for quite some time. The easiest way to change that is by getting a dominant linebacker to man the middle of the defense, which is what Myles Jack can do. Furthermore, Jack is the best coverage linebacker to come out in the draft in a long time, his ability to cover tight ends and receivers is truly special and will be a valuable skill set for the Saints defense.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: 7-9
The Pick: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
With a new regime, it is uncertain as to whether Sam Bradford will return to the Philadelphia Eagles roster next season. If he doesn’t, you can bet the Eagles will be in the business for a quarterback in the draft. Luckily for them, one of the big three prospects at quarterback is available, Paxton Lynch, who would be a great player to grow with the new regime in Philadelphia.
14. Oakland Raiders: 7-9
The Pick: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
The Oakland Raiders have a great, young nucleus to build around and they will look to add to that core in this draft. There isn’t a better player to add to the fold than Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith. The young linebacker is an athletic freak that can make plays that most professionals can’t even make. He closes on the ball quicker than anyone else and he is extremely adept in coverage. Coupled with Khalil Mack, Smith would give the Raiders a fantastic young core on defense that would complement their explosive offense well.
15. Los Angeles Rams: 7-9
The Pick: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
The Rams have been plagued by poor receiver play since Torry Holt retired, and their latest attempt to rectify that will be by selecting Ohio State’s Michael Thomas. The Buckeyes wide receiver is a talented and refined receiver who does all the little things extremely well. He isn’t as flashy as other receivers, but he gets the job done as well or better than any other receiver in this class.
16. Detroit Lions: 7-9
The Pick: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
The Detroit Lions started the season abysmally, but they got their act together and finished the year strong. This season they had a tendency to be soft up the middle, which is why they decide to go with Reggie Ragland. The Alabama linebacker is a physical marvel who plays downhill well and sets the tone for the defense.
17. Atlanta Falcons: 8-8
The Pick: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
The Atlanta Falcons were the opposite of the Lions, they started strong and faded after the midway point of the year. They still have a lot of holes on defense; therefore, they decide to get an athletic linebacker who can fill the hole on the weak side. Darron Lee is an undersized linebacker who uses his speed and quickness to make plays. He is a well-rounded linebacker who can cover, blitz and stop the run at a high level.
18. Indianapolis Colts: 8-8
The Pick: Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State
Frank Gore has been very productive for the Indianapolis Colts this year, but it is impossible to expect this trend to continue with his age; therefore, they will likely be in the market for a running back in the draft. There is no other running back better in this draft than Ezekiel Elliot. He would give the Colts and explosive runner who can win in every facet of the game.
19. Buffalo Bills: 8-8
The Pick: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
DeForest Buckner is one of the best talents in this draft; therefore, it is a steal for the Bills to get him here. The Oregon defensive end improved significantly this year, especially in terms of his pass rush. Buckner would be a perfect fit in head coach Rex Ryan’s hybrid defensive scheme. Buckner has an innate ability to stop the run and he has the potential to further develop his pass-rushing ability.
20. New York Jets: 10-6
The Pick: Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State
The New York Jets surprised everyone on their way to a 10-6 record. To continue this momentum, the Jets need to solidify their offensive line. At this point, the best way to do that would be to select offensive guard Cody Whitehair. As solid as they come, Whitehair will step in from day one and play like a veteran. He isn’t as talented as some other guards who have come out in recent years, but he will be a very good starter for 10 years.
21. Washington Redskins: 9-7
The Pick: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
The Washington Redskins have made it out of the awful NFC East and even though they made the playoffs, their team is full of holes. At this point, they decide to get the best player available at one of their needs with Jarran Reed. The Alabama defensive tackle is dominant against the run as he utilizes his length, strength and deceptive quickness to disrupt opposing running plays.
22. Houston Texans: 9-7
The Pick: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
The Houston Texans have a very talented team, but they’re are missing a competent quarterback. Head coach Bill O’Brian will be tempted to pick his old protégé, Christian Hackenberg, but he will ultimately choose the more refined Connor Cook with this pick. Cook isn’t very consistent, but when he is one, he is the best quarterback in the country.
23. Minnesota Vikings: 11-5
The Pick: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
For a long time, the Minnesota Vikings have been extremely weak at the offensive tackle position. This year, Matt Khalil played better than expected, but it still wasn’t good enough for Minnesota to not look for one in the draft or free agency. Taylor Decker is a pro-ready offensive tackle who is limited athletically, but he makes up for it with length, strength and toughness.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: 12-4
The Pick: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
With Marvin Jones’ impending free agency, the Cincinnati Bengals will likely be in the market for a wide receiver. Even though he isn’t a polished product. Corey Coleman may be the best playmaker in the draft. He is great with the ball in his hands and he has a nose for the end zone unlike anyone else.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6
The Pick: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Eli Apple is a cornerback with good size and athleticism that you can develop. With his length and speed, Apple can deter receivers on the outside; however, he does need to work on his footwork at the top of routes. Apple would be a great choice to help improve the Steelers’ secondary.
26. Seattle Seahawks: 10-6
The Pick: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
The Seattle Seahawks get a lucky break here as the best one-gapping defensive tackle falls to No. 26 in this scenario. Sheldon Rankins has the potential to be a dominant three-technique defensive tackle in the NFL. He can win with quickness, power or technique, which makes him a rare commodity at this point in the draft.
27. Green Bay Packers: 10-6
The Pick: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
Kenny Clark is a physically dominant defensive tackle, who’s talent suggests that he should go much higher than this. However, he has shown to be extremely inconsistent with his effort level and hand technique; therefore, the Packers have the opportunity to get a great player here. Clark can be a Pro-Bowler or a huge bust, it will be up to the Packers to get the full potential out of him.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5
The Pick: Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
The Kansas City Chiefs’ biggest need is the same as last year, an offensive tackle. Shon Coleman is a great talent with a ton of upside if the Chiefs develop him correctly. He is a long offensive tackle who dominates in the run game, but has some trouble in pass protection. At his core, Coleman is a mauler who can make an instant impact in the run game for Kansas City.
29. Arizona Cardinals: 13-3
The Pick: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
The Arizona Cardinals have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but they don’t have many pass-rushers who can consistently get after the quarterback. Georgia’s Leonard Floyd is an extremely raw and athletic pass-rusher who can be developed into a great outside linebacker in the Cardinals scheme.
30. New England Patriots: 12-3
The Pick: Forfeited.
31. Denver Broncos: 12-4
The Pick: Jack Conklin, OL, Michigan State
The Denver Broncos need to find a way to protect their quarterback next year; therefore,the offensive line has to be a priority. Jack Conklin isn’t the most athletic player, but he has the size and strength to play right tackle or move down to guard.
32. Carolina Panthers: 14-1
The Pick: Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson
One of the fastest rising prospects in the nation after a dominant showing in the national championship game, Kevin Dodd is a great fit for the Carolina Panthers. With a ton of talent up the middle, the Panthers may want to upgrade the pass rush off the edge this season, which is what Dodd will do.
News
Buccaneers admit mistake, boot Aguayo
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico
News
Did Bucs put too much pressure on Aguayo?
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico
News
Broncos holding their breath on Derek Wolfe
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico