Pre-Free Agency Mock Draft
1) Arizona Cardinals select Kyler Murray QB Oklahoma
The speculation has been that Josh Rosen is on the trade block and will not be leading the Cardinal's franchise. I have the Cardinals trading Josh Rosen to the Redskins in return for a second round pick. This opens the door for Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury gets his quarterback of the future.
2) San Francisco 49ers select Nick Bosa DE Ohio State
Until this week, everyone assumed Nick Bosa was going number one overall. If Murray does go number one, John Lynch will be thrilled to have Bosa fall in to his lap. Bosa and Buckner will be a force on the line and will give the opposing quarterback nightmares. The 49ers get a big time player to help their defense take a big step this year,
3) New York Jets select Josh Allen EDGE Kentucky
I think Josh Allen is the best pass rusher in the draft and has the highest potential out of any player in this class. Allen has similar potential to Khalil Mack and the Jets need a game wrecker on their defense. Josh Allen and Leonard Williams is a scary combination and will give the Jets a chance at stopping Tom Brady.
4) Oakland Raiders select Quinnen Williams DT Alabama
Quinnen Williams is the most reliable player in this draft, and if I had to bet on one of these players becoming an all-pro; it would be him. The Raiders need a lot of help on their defense, and it all starts on the line. Williams will help stop the run and provide pressure from the interior. Williams is going to be Jon Gruden's "Warren Sapp".
5) Buffalo Bills select DK Metcalf
The Bills give the 9th pick, the 40th pick, their 2020 second round pick, and their 2020 3rd round pick in return for the Buccaneers' 5th overall pick.
After DK Metcalf's combine performance, he became an automatic first round pick. I think he has more potential than Sammy Watkins did coming out and a team will try and trade up for him. If the Bills get Metcalf, Josh Allen gets a number one target. Metcalf is the "human batman suit" and will provide a lot of stress on the defense. This is a huge pick for the Bills and they get what could be the "next Julio Jones".
6) New York Giants Dwayne Haskins QB Ohio State
Throughout this entire draft process, Dave Gettleman has been hinting at developing a quarterback under Eli Manning. Manning's tenure under the Giants is coming to end after this season and Haskins is the perfect quarterback. Haskins has a lot of potential, but isn't a "plug and play" guy. Haskins will need to be mentored by a veteran quarterback, which is why the Giants are a perfect fit. The Haskins, Barkley, Beckham trio is frightening for opposing defenses as there looks to be a bright future in New York.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars select Montez Sweat DE Mississippi State
I firmly believe that we will be seeing Nick Foles in a Jaguars uniform next season. I think the Jaguars are hoping to get DK Metcalf to help out Foles, but after the Bills trade up for him they go best player available. Sweat is a genetic freak and will take Dante Fowler's spot on that defense. Sweat will also get to learn for Campbell and this is a perfect situation for him. The Jags defense will be back next year.
8) Cleveland Browns select Jonah Williams OL Alabama
Browns give the 17th pick, 80th pick, 156th pick, and 2nd in '20, the Lions give the 8th pick, 147th pick.
The Browns just got a brand new franchise quarterback and John Dorsey knows that he must be protected. Williams could be the second coming of Joe Thomas and we all know how much the Dawg Pound loves Joe Thomas. This is a big time player for the Browns and they secured their guy.
9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Rashan Gary DE Michigan
Todd Bowles loves pass rushers and if he adds Rashan Gary imagine that defensive line. I think Gary is a little overrated and despite the potential, Gary didn't put up great numbers throughout his career at Michigan. The Buccaneers already secured a bunch of draft picks from the Bills trade and if Bowles can develop Gary, they will have a terrifying defense. Watch out Drew Brees!
10) Denver Broncos select Drew Lock QB Missouri
Every one knows that Joe Flacco is just a place holder for now, but Elway has been all over Lock since the senior bowl. Lock has a rocket for an arm and could learn a lot from Flacco. This is a perfect situation for Lock and a big win for the Broncos.
11) Houston Texans Select Jawaan Taylor OT Florida
The Texans give the 23rd pick, 54th pick, and a 2nd in '20; The Bengals give the 11th pick.
After years of struggling to find one, the Texans finally have a franchise quarterback... now they can't lose him. Last season, Deshaun Watson was the most sacked quarterback in the NFL and the Texans can't afford for this to happen again. The Texans have a great defense, an outstanding receiving core, a franchise quarterback, and a solid running back duo. They are an offensive line away from becoming contenders in the AFC. If they are able to secure Jawaan Taylor, they take a huge step in the right direction.
12) Green Bay Packers Select TJ Hockenson TE Iowa
Jimmy Graham will most likely not be returning and Aaron Rodgers is craving a tight end in that offense. Matt Lafleur's offense will run efficiently with a reliable tight end. I think Hockenson can be the next George Kittle to come out of Iowa and will help both the run and the pass game. Hockenson is the best tight end I've seen come out of college in the past 5 years and will fit perfectly in Green Bay.
13) Miami Dolphins Select Daniel Jones QB Duke
With Ryan Tannehill struggling in yet another season, the Dolphins are in need of a quarterback. I've heard that Daniel Jones has been impressive in meetings and on the chalk board. Brian Flores wants to start his tenure in Miami with the quarterback of his choice, and Daniel Jones could be that guy. Jones is an intelligent quarterback and I'm sure that's exactly what offensive coordinator, Chad O'Shea, wants coming directly off of working with Tom Brady.
14) Minnesota Vikings Select Andre Dillard OL Washington State
The Vikings give the 18th pick, 81st pick, and a 3rd in '21; the Falcons give the 14th pick.
The Vikings are in desperate need of an offensive lineman, and they can't miss out on one of the top guys. Dillard will protect their 84 million dollar man and help open up lanes for Dalvin Cook to run through. The Vikings fill a gigantic hole and get their guy.
15) Washington Redskins Select Marquise Brown WR Oklahoma
I think the Redskins are going to end up trading for Josh Rosen, so this pick will help them out big time. The 'Skins get a guy who can stretch the field and a weapon for Rosen. I have the Redskins giving up a 2nd and 6th round pick for Rosen, so they need to capitalize on this pick. Brown will provide juice for this Redskins team, and will do a lot for this franchise in his career.
16) Carolina Panthers select Devin White LB LSU
With Thomas Davis no longer being apart of the Panthers franchise anymore, they need a linebacker to pair up with Luke Kuechly. Imagine how deadly this linebacker duo can be. White is a sideline-to-sideline guy and will be dominant in the passing game. Every team in the NFC South needs a guy who can run with Alvin Kamara, and that is exactly what Devin White is. White was the fastest linebacker at the combine and it improved his stock a ton. White could be the next Thomas Davis and I can't see the Panthers passing on that.
17) Detroit Lions select Noah Fant TE Iowa
The Lions received this pick from trading with the Browns and still got what a lot of people think is the best tight end in the draft. Fant and Hockenson are two of the best tight ends I've ever seen come out of the draft. Fant is an athletic freak and will be both a safety blanket and a guy who can stretch the field. Darrell Bevell loved using Jimmy Graham in Seattle, and now he gets a guy who is even more athletic. Fant is a great pick and the Lions might have "won" the first round for the moves they just made.
18) Atlanta Falcons select Ed Oliver DL Houston
In 2018, the Falcons had one of the best offenses in all of football, but were in the bottom half of the league in terms of defense. Next season they will get a healthy Deion Jones, Keanu Neal, and Desmond Trufant, and adding Ed Oliver to the mix could be deadly. We aren't sure if Grady Jarrett will be back in a Falcons uniform next season, but if he is, that's a scary line. Ed Oliver will put a ton of pressure on Drew Brees and Cam Newton and this will help the back end of that defense. This move could put Atlanta into the playoffs.
19) Oakland Raiders select Brian Burns DE Florida State
The Raiders give the 24th pick, 66th pick, and a 7th rounder in '20; the Titans give the 19th pick.
Earlier in this draft, the Raiders picked up guy for the interior, now they get a guy off the edge. Burns has unnatural like talent coming off the edge and can straight up run! Prior to the combine Burns put on weight so he can fit in to the NFL, but this didn't slow him down. Burns and Williams is a monster duo and will help the Raiders provide pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers select Deandre Baker CB Georgia
The Steelers need help on the back end and at the receiver position. I like the receiver depth in this draft so I think they can wait on that position. With Deandre Baker, the Steelers have a guy who can play opposite of Joe Haden. Baker is a guy who is capable of locking up a team's number one receiver and will be used to guard guys like AJ Green and Jarvis Landry. Baker will be a great pick up for Pittsburgh!
21) Seattle Seahawks select Jachai Polite DE Florida
The Seahawks have a tendency of turning guys with high potential and a little bit of character issues into stars. Apparently Polite didn't interview well at the combine and the only team he said "didn't bash his game" was the Seahawks. With mystery surrounding Frank Clark and Deion Jordan set to hit free agency, it's important that the Seahawks get a guy that can come off the edge and Polite could be their guy.
22) Baltimore Ravens select Johnathan Abram S Mississippi State
Jonathan Abram is my number one rated safety in this draft. He has sideline to sideline speed and is undoubtedly the hardest hitter coming out this year. Abram reminds me a little bit of Jamaal Adams and Keanu Neal in one. With the Ravens, Abram is a good replacement for Eric Weddle and will form a nice tandem with Tony Jefferson. The Ravens are known for their defense, and Abram is a prototypical Ravens player.
23) Cincinnati Bengals select Devin Bush LB Michigan
If the Bengals get Devin Bush after trading back, they are huge winners in this draft. With all these tight ends getting faster and faster, every team is looking for the next Deion Jones. Bush was the second fastest linebacker at the combine and put up a ton of production at Michigan. Bush will help the Bengals with slowing down Lamar Jackson and is capable of running with both David Njoku and James Conner. Bush will replace Vontaze Burfict and will be a great pick up for Cincinnati.
24) Tennessee Titans select N'Keal Harry WR Arizona State
Assuming the Titans don't trade for Antonio Brown, they need an other guy on the other side of Corey Davis. Davis has number one receiver potential, but hasn't been consistent. N'Keal Harry is one of my favorite receivers in this draft and I think he can be Marcus Mariota's go to guy. Harry is a versatile receiver and didn't basically everything at Arizona State. Harry is a game changer and would make an instant impact for the Titans.
25) Philadelphia Eagles select Greedy Williams CB LSU
Despite improving later in the year, the Eagles still need help in the secondary. If Greedy Williams falls in the draft, I think the Eagles would take him in a heart beat. Williams is the best cover corner in the draft and is extremely athletic. If Darby leaves in free agency, this leaves a gigantic hole in the Eagles defense and Williams will be a guy they can just plug and play. Williams would be huge for Philly.
26) Indianapolis Colts select Clelin Ferrell DE Clemson
The Colts were probably the most well rounded team in all of football last year. They don't need a whole lot of help, and sure they may need an other running back or a bigger wide receiver, but here I think they go best player available. Ferrell is a projected top 20 pick and the Colts steal him at 26. I think Ferrell can be a huge force off the edge and could be the second coming of Robert Mathis.
27) Oakland Raiders select Josh Jacobs RB Alabama
Josh Jacobs is looked at as the top running back in this draft class and the Raiders getting him at 27 is just straight robbery. With Marshawn Lynch aging and a lack of stability at the running back position, the Raiders are in the market for an RB. Jacobs is a powerful runner and can learn a lot from Beast mode. If the Raiders acquire Antonio Brown (which I think they will), they will have a deadly trio. Carr, Jacobs, and Brown. Jon Gruden could really be forming something in Oakland.
28) Los Angeles Chargers select Byron Murphy CB Washington
With Jason Verrett hitting free agency, the Chargers need a cornerback opposite of Casey Hayward. Byron Murphy is the most technical corner in this draft and has oily hips. Murphy is very instinctive and has top 10 talent. Murphy could potentially turn the Chargers into a super bowl team.
29) Kansas City Chiefs select Nasir Adderley S Delaware
I think we can all agree that the Chiefs need to bring in an other DB. Adderley is a ball-hawk who can be developed. Eric Berry is a phenomenal veteran he can learn under and Adderley could be what takes them over the top. Adderley can be used on both defense and special teams and it will be hard to keep him off the field. Adderley could be the missing for the Chiefs.
30) Green Bay Packers select Garrett Bradbury OL NC State
Garrett Bradbury is the most athletic offensive lineman in this draft and can move all over the line. I prefer Bradbury on the inside, which is exactly what the Packers need. We know what Aaron Rodgers can do on the run, but if he has a little bit more protection; he can elevate this team into a playoff contender.
31) Los Angeles Rams select Dexter Lawrence DT Clemson
With Ndamokung Suh most likely leaving in free agency, there will be a hole on the Rams D-line. Any time there's a chance to pair up with Aaron Donald, you take it. Lawrence had monster production in his freshman year, but didn't put up quite the numbers in his years following. Wade Phillips' scheme will let Dexter Lawrence emulate what he did in his first year at Clemson. Lawrence comes into a perfect situation to help the Rams compete for the super bowl.
32) New England Patriots select Taylor Rapp S Washington
Rapp is the most well rounded safety in the draft and is always going to be the smartest player on the field. He understands what angles need to be taken and is great in coverage. Rapp is great against the run and never shys away from a tackle. With the McCourty twins getting older, the Patriots could use an other defensive back. Rapp is a player that the Patriots can use all over the field and is a prototypical Patriots player. He understands assignment football and will be willing to play all over the field (including special teams). I wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots traded up into the top half of the draft to take him.