With the NFL Combine in the rear view mirror and athletes looking for their pro day, the mock drafts have come out with their predictions. We’ve updated our mock draft with one of the newest ones on the internet and some interesting moves made and some more trades.
#1 Arizona Cardinals- QB Kyler Murray Oklahoma
Previous Pick: EDGE Nick Bosa Ohio State
A ton of talk throughout the entire combine was height and how tall he would really be. Kyler being 5’10 was the best thing he could’ve possibly done at the Combine. Kyler fits Kingsbury’s scheme perfectly as Kliff was an assistant at Texas A&M when he was trying to recruit Kyler his Sophomore year at Allen High School.
Josh Rosen is a solid QB and in this situation, gets traded for some picks. He’s just not quite the right scheme fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s system. Now almost 7 years later, Kliff gets another chance to try and get the prized possession and someone that could be the answer in Arizona.
#2 Oakland (Trade Via SF)- DE Nick Bosa Ohio State
Previous Pick: DL Ed Oliver Houston
Oakland makes the dramatic move from #4 to #2 to go and snag the best defensive player in the draft. Ed Oliver had a bit of a underwhelming combine and Bosa showed more athletic ability and has the higher ceiling. Both should be elite players, but Oakland gets an edge rusher they badly needed.
#3 New York (AFC)- OT Jonah Williams Alabama
Previous Pick: OT Jonah Williams Alabama
This pick stays as New York’s need is glaring and unless it gets addressed in the offseason, Tackle will be a need. Getting the best one in the entire class will certainly help young Sam Darnold stay upright. Adam Gase may not be the savior, but a quality 8-10 year starter is what the Jets should be getting in Williams.
#4 San Francisco (Trade Via Oak)- DT Quinnen Williams
Previous Pick: CB DeAndre Baker Georgia
With San Francisco moving back, they’ve got another chance at another DB and a really good DT is what they need. SF has drafted really high on DE’s and are still young and progressing. With adding Williams, San Francisco has a very scary front 7 that the NFC West doesn’t want to face.
#5 Tampa Bay- OLB/EDGE Josh Allen Kentucky
Previous Pick: S Deionte Thompson Alabama
Tampa Bay addressed Defensive Back last year and it seemed to have work. Allen is the most versatile front 7 player in this draft and is the 2nd fastest player out of that unit (behind Montez Sweat). Some see him going in the Top 3, but other teams go for other needs. TB gets another key player on defense to try and improve the worst defense in the entire NFL a season ago.
#6 New York (NFC)- QB Dwayne Haskins Ohio State
Previous Pick: QB Dwayne Haskins Ohio State
Unless someone gives NY a crazy trade deal, this seems to be the biggest lock in this year’s draft. NY says that Eli seems to be their guy, but they could either be bluffing or pick Dwayne and groom him just like the Chiefs did with Patrick Mahomes. Haskins has the strongest arm and one of the more accurate passers in this class. With the playmakers around him with Odell, Saquon, Evan Engram, and Sterling Shepard, he should be a immediate impact when on the field.
#7 Jacksonville- DE Montez Sweat Mississippi State
Previous Pick: DE Clelin Ferrell Clemson
Sweat was the biggest winner along the front 7 during the combine and ran the fastest 40 from a DE in a very long time (4.41). Sweat grabbed a lot of scouts attention and made a scary D-Line class even scarier with someone like this. In Jacksonville’s scheme, he could potentially play edge and a bit of OLB with the speed he possesses. It could make up for some bad coverage and instinct skills.
#8 Detroit- CB Deandre Baker Georgia
Previous Pick: OLB/EDGE Josh Allen Kentucky
Baker didn’t perform extremely well at the combine, but still did a solid job of showing good strength and was able to move well in coverage. Greedy Williams had the better combine, but Baker’s playmaking ability and open field tackling is still a liability to me and why Detroit gets Baker before he drops out of the Top 10.
#9 Buffalo- DT Ed Oliver Houston
Previous Pick: DT Quinnen Williams Alabama
The streaking Oliver finally gets picked up right outside of the Top 10. Oliver was projected #2 in the first mock draft, but slipped down a bit due to other impressive performances and Oliver just sitting in the middle of the pack throughout the entire day. Buffalo is still getting a very good player that has the versatility to play inside and outside.
#10 Miami (Trade Via Den)- DT Rashan Gary Michigan
Previous Pick: QB Drew Lock Missouri
Usually teams go overboard and draft a QB too early. But Miami stays patient as this class isn’t nearly as good at QB as it was last year’s class. Miami doesn’t reach on Lock and instead pick up the safer pick in Rashan Gary, who had a ton of production during his time in Ann Arbor. He’ll be good for Miami.
#11 Cincinnati- ILB Devin White LSU
Previous Pick: ILB Devin White LSU
If there was a #2 in safer picks in the Top 15, it would be Devin White to Cincinnati. Cincinnati has really bad depth at LB and there defense as a whole, needs a guy that can play solid coverage and a really good open field tackler. White supplies both of that and is a safe pick to become a Bengal once draft night rolls around.
#12 Tennessee (Trade Via GB)- CB Greedy Williams LSU
Previous Pick: EDGE Montez Sweat Mississippi State
Green Bay feels like they are in a good position to move back to obtain more draft picks. While Tennessee is in a bit of desperation mode with some help on the defensive side of the ball. Greedy Williams had the best combine among all DB’s and played his way into moving up into the Top 15. With Adoree Jackson on one side, Williams makes a one-two tandem with speed and great open field tackling.
#13 Denver (Trade Via Mia)- QB Drew Lock Missouri
Previous Pick: QB Kyler Murray Oklahoma
Denver is a bit of panic and John Fox’s seat is starting to get a bit warm as they’ve whiffed on Quarterbacks ever since Peyton Manning retired. Lock might be his last chance as Lock will be a project that may take a few seasons. Lock has a ton of arm talent and a strong arm as showed in his highlights. But accuracy is a big question and that will be put to the test early, Denver takes a chance and gets the tall QB.
#14 Atlanta- DT Christian Wilkins Clemson
Previous Pick: DT Rashan Gary Michigan
With some of the more talented DT and DE’s moving up, Wilkins is one of those as the pass rush in 2018 was not very good for the Falcons to say the least. Injuries certainly didn’t help that cause, but the Falcons get a athletic freak with a high end motor. Wilkins will be able to create some havoc in the NFC South.
#15 Washington- WR N’Keal Harry Arizona State
Previous Pick: QB Will Grier West Virginia
Although he didn’t have the best Combine, im very high on Harry and think he can be a difference maker. Josh Doctson hasn’t quite panned out like Redskins had hoped for and Paul Richardson is coming off an injury. Alex Smith’s brutal season was due to limited playmakers around him. Washington gets the strongest player with one of the best hands in the draft and a deep threat.
#16 Carolina- OT Greg Little Ole Miss
Previous Pick: OT Greg Little Ole Miss
Carolina is committed to Cam and the important to Cam is getting a good Left or Right Tackle to keep him upright. Even after some trouble while in College, Greg Little seems to be one of the best in the draft and Carolina takes him at #16.
#17 Cleveland- DE Brian Burns Florida State
Previous Pick: DT Christian Wilkins Clemson
A guy that was projected near the first round jumped with a fantastic combine. He had the 2nd fastest time at 4.53 and during drills, looked a lot faster and fluid than on tape. He has Bruce Irvin potential with the way other teams use him and he’s a great pair with Myles Garrett. He’s got a bright future and the Browns defense is starting to become more and more complete.
#18 Minnesota- G/OT Cody Ford Oklahoma
Previous Pick: OC Dalton Risner Kansas State
Ford is all of 6-4, 330 lbs. and can move at that size. Kirk Cousins was pummeled all year long and needs some help. Ford is a really good run blocker and turn himself into a quality pass blocker as well.
#19 Green Bay (Trade Via TEN)- TE Noah Fant Iowa
Previous Pick: CB Byron Murphy Washington
Aaron Rodgers is still able to get a weapon, even if GB had to trade back to get a couple more picks in the process. The most athletic and fastest TE in the draft is Noah Fant and Fant is someone that (in the right system), can make a huge impact in just year 1. He has a chance to do that with gun slinging Aaron Rodgers and in Green Bay.
#20 Pittsburgh- S Deionte Thompson Alabama
Previous Pick: CB Greedy Williams LSU
Thompson is a guy that just got left behind and forgotten through the first 15 picks. The Steelers offense even without AB is still really good with a really good young core. That secondary is absolutely a question and a Top 10 talent pick taken at #20 should be a huge steal for the Steelers as they have to feel good about this one.
#21 Seattle- OT Jawaan Taylor Florida
Previous Pick: OT David Edwards Wisconsin
It seems like Wilson was always on his backside in 2018. The OL is definitely the weak point for the Seahawks and getting a First Team All-SEC O-Lineman will do the job and try and keep Wilson more in the pocket and not taking big hits from your franchise QB. Taylor has great size at 6-5 344, and with that size comes versatility to move around to do different positions along the line.
#22 Baltimore- WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown Oklahoma
Previous Pick: WR N’Keal Harry Arizona State
Baltimore may have missed out on Harry, but are able to get the fastest WR in this class that has crazy agility and amazing acceleration. Lamar Jackson was really able to come on late and even more playmakers to his disposal will be excellent and what Baltimore should go for. DK Metcalf out of Ole Miss is another good choice. But Brown will do just wonders for the Ravens.
#23 Houston- WR/TE Hakeem Butler Iowa State
Previous Pick: TE Noah Fant Iowa
Houston doesn’t need another receiver, but could be in use of a jumbo TE. Butler played WR at Iowa State, but has the height, build, and catching ability to be a really good pass catching tight end at the next level. It’s a risk, but late in the first round, it wont be a backbreaker and a pick that will stain them for years to come.
#24 San Francisco (Trade Via Oak)- CB Byron Murphy Washington
Previous Pick: S Taylor Rapp Washington
SF is able to trade back and get 2 Top 15 quality players as Murphy slips back at 24 and SF is in the right spot to take him. With 2 very young potential starters at Day 1, SF’s defense is becoming more and more complete. One playmaking player at WR away from a legitimate playoff contender.
#25 San Francisco (Trade Via PHI)- WR DK Metcalf Ole Miss
Previous Pick: HB David Montgomery Iowa State
Why would they stop there? SF becomes the big time players in the first round and make one more move to go and swipe DK Metcalf. SF trades two of their picks from Oakland, as well as their own second round pick to the Eagles. They get the playmaking, freak of athlete, that is Metcalf and bring a ton of new talent to the table in one of the best first round jobs to date.
#26 Indianapolis- S Taylor Rapp Washington
Previous Pick: WR Hakeem Butler Iowa State
All the big name Wide Receivers are off the board and Indy falls at 26. They could reach for a talent that was suppose to be picked later like David Sills or Kelvin Harmon. But instead, get one of the better instinct and open field tacklers in the class in Taylor Rapp.
#27 Oakland (Via Dal)- WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside Stanford
Previous Pick: WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown Oklahoma
One of the most dominant receivers in the Pac 12 falls to 27 after Oakland doesn’t trade their 3rd first round pick and go get a tall, athletic freak, with surprisingly good speed.
#28 Los Angeles (AFC)- DE Clelin Ferrell Clemson
Previous Pick: DE Zach Allen Boston College
One part of Clemson’s daunting D-Line gets overlooked by a ton of teams, but in the end, gets swiped up by a Super Bowl contender, Chargers team. Joey Bosa gets some help along the other side and the defense that stepped up in the latter part of the year, gets even better.
#29 Kansas City- CB Trayvon Mullen Clemson
Previous Pick: CB Trayvon Mullen Clemson
Kansas City still has a glaring weakness in the back end and Mullen should fit in that role. Mullen has a championship pedigree from Clemson and him moving to another Championship contender should be exciting for the former Clemson DB.
#30 Green Bay (Trade Via NO)- DE Jaylon Ferguson Louisiana Tech
Previous Pick: DE Jaylon Ferguson LA Tech
Green Bay traded back to get a very good pass catcher. Now they get a speed demon off the edge with amazing pass rush ability in Jaylon Ferguson. He should be ranked higher by some, but due to being at a small school, late first round should be a good spot for him.
#31 Los Angeles Rams (NFC)- LB/DE Sutton Smith NIU
Previous Pick: LB/DE Sutton Smith NIU
Sutton Smith in my opinion, is still the most slept on player coming into this draft and the LA Rams don’t make a mistake and pick up the undersized, but a one of a kind motor and speed that cannot be taught to rush the passer. He could be used in a Jadeveon Clowney type role where he could play in coverage and rush the passer, because of his size.
#32 New England- DT Jerry Tillery Notre Dame
Previous Pick: QB Daniel Jones Duke
If there’s one thing we know about NE, it’s that they don’t take QB with their first round pick. They hold off on QB and take a 3 technique Nose Tackle from Notre Dame. At 6-7, 305 lbs., he has a uncanny ability to rush the passer and at his size, can create havoc anywhere on the field.
Image Credit: https://dawgpost.com/s/410/the-hope-of-deandre-baker
