At this time of the year, everyone has mock drafts, so why not me? WHY NOT ME. There’s an incredible amount of speculation around where these players will go, and once the draft starts, chaos will ensue, but there’s certainly value in this practice. If for nothing else, determining team needs and where teams will try to improve is information worth pursuing. A lot of these players may not be familiar names from a fantasy perspective, but difference makers along the offensive line and on defense can be valuable data points that positively or negatively effect fantasy performances. As we’re a week away from the draft, there will be some movement and some of these selections will become stale within a few days. There will probably be one or two updates before the draft begins.
NFL Mock Draft
1. ARIZONA CARDINALS — Kyler Murray QB, Oklahoma
The rumored move that makes sense if they want to move on from QB Josh Rosen. The Cardinals are in desperate need of getting their offense in order to compete with the rest of their division, and Murray could be the guy to boost them back into an era of playoff contention.
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Nick Bosa DE, Ohio State
Bosa is the best player in the draft, and there hasn’t been much debate about that idea. Even despite him struggling through injuries in his final season, Bosa is a “can’t miss” prospect that a team would be delighted to grab with the second pick. The 49ers have invested a lot of high-end draft picks in the defensive line over the last couple of seasons, but it’d be hard to pass here.
3. NEW YORK JETS — Josh Allen DE, Kentucky
Allen’s stock is all over the place, and if he doesn’t get drafted here, there could be a steep drop. However, the Jets are in dire need of another edge rusher, and with the offense shaping into form, they should be looking to fortify defensively for when the time to play/beat QB Tom Brady and New England comes.
4. OAKLAND RAIDERS — Quinnen Williams DT, Alabama
The Raiders are trying to rebuild, and it seems most likely they’ll be drafting from a best player available perspective. Williams would solve a lot of needs for them.
5. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Devin White LB, LSU
With LB Kwon Alexander headed out of town, the Buccaneers need a replacement badly. It’s as simple as that. While is an elite athlete and could be a difference maker for what was an inept defensive unit in 2018.
6. NEW YORK GIANTS — Dwayne Haskins QB, Ohio State
While it seems unlikely at this juncture that Haskins will be the selection, I can’t allow QB Daniel Jones to be the selection here. Haskins was fantastic in 2018, and a lot of the complaints about him of late have been leaked to push him down the board so a team can snag him. I’m calling the bluff. The Giants need a QB and Haskins is clearly the second best option.
7. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Jawaan Taylor T, Florida
One of the most straight forward draft slots in the top 10. The Jaguars offensive line fell apart in the second half of 2018, both from a pass and run blocking point of view. They need significant help here, specifically with the injuries they sustained. Taylor would be a player that could come in and support the offense from year one.
8. DETROIT LIONS — Montez Sweat DE, Mississippi St.
The Lions have a lot of needs here, and with DE Ezekiel Ansah struggling with shoulder issues, there’s serious concern over their front seven moving forward. Despite having a few solid weeks, their defense cratered last season and they need to find players to get pressure in the front seven.
9. BUFFALO BILLS — T.J. Hockenson TE, Iowa
Despite addressing WR in free agency, the Bills receiving options are still very unappealing compared to the rest of the NFL. Hockenson profiles not only as a special receiving down TE, but also should become a special blocker as well. If the Bills want QB Josh Allen to progress and succeed, they should continue to do due diligence in finding him special weapons.
10. DENVER BRONCOS — Drew Lock QB, Missouri
QB Joe Flacco is in Denver, but based on price of the trade and the overall play of Flacco over the last couple of seasons, it seems reasonable they could be thinking about drafting and developing a young prospect behind him. Lock Is the prototypical looking QB with erratic consistency. Lock is built in a very similar mold to the QBs GM John Elway has brought in over the last decade.
11. CINCINNATI BENGALS — Devin Bush LB, Michigan
The Bengals defense struggled with injuries once again in 2018, and linebacker became a big issue as the season went along. Specifically with LB Vontaze Burfict not being able to stay on the field and ultimately being let go, there’s a hole in the middle of Cincinnati’s defense. Bush profiles as a long term starter that can give the Bengals the support they’re looking for.
12. GREEN BAY PACKERS — Jonah Williams G, Alabama
This is a major trade down pick for the Packers, as the players that should go in this range don’t match what they need. However, if they do want to make a selection here, shoring up their offensive line is always a good idea for them. It’s no secret that QB Aaron Rodgers has struggled with injuries over the last couple of seasons, and at age 35, isn’t getting any younger. With teams like the Vikings and Bears in their division, handling pressure from opposing front sevens is essential
13. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Ed Oliver DE, Houston
Best player available. The Dolphins have spent the offseason stripping down the old, failed structure of the previous regime. DE Cameron Wake is gone and they need help in the front seven. While they really need help everywhere, Oliver is the high ceiling-type player that can really begin to turn a defense around.
14. ATLANTA FALCONS — Greedy Williams CB, LSU
This is a luxury pick for the Falcons. If not for an incredible string of injuries in 2018, the Falcons were likely a Super Bowl contender. S Keanu Neal and LB Deion Jones both suffered (relatively) major injuries last year, and CB Desmond Trufant hasn’t been a model of health in his career. The Falcons are an elite offensive team, and if they can create an elite secondary situation, it could greatly benefit them considering their division.
15. WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Brian Burnes DE, Florida State
The Redskins are in a weird place. They need a QB but have the Alex Smith potential return over their head. They traded for Case Keenum to fill the gap for 2019, but it’s tough to envision them being happy about that position. Burnes is an option for them to team with a young and emerging core in the front seven.
16. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Andre Dillard T, Washington State
The Panthers have gone to great lengths to create a positive offensive environment for QB Cam Newton. They now have a significant amount of weapons that can help the veteran QB, but do they have the protection? Dillard would go a long way in fixing what was a big issue in 2018.
17. NEW YORK GIANTS — Rashan Gary DE, Michigan
Gary’s stock is rumored to be slipping as the days go by, but he’s clearly a talented prospect with upside. The Giants need an impact defensive player, and they’d be very lucky if Gary were to slide to this pick.
18. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Garrett Bradbury C, North Carolina State
There’s no secret about what the Vikings need. They’ve struggled with offensive line play for a few years now, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them address this with multiple early selections. Bradbury projects as a player that can help from year one.
19. TENNESSEE TITANS — Clelin Ferrell DE, Clemson
Ferrell has been a player that’s seen his stock rise and fall considerably over the last couple of seasons. Playing for Clemson is certainly a great way to get recognized, but with the immense amount of talent around him, Ferrell slipped slightly under the radar at times. The Titans could use another explosive DE, which would bolster an already impressive young defense.
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Byron Murphy CB, Washington
One of the biggest issues for the Steelers last year was allowing chunk plays and defending the boundaries. Murphy can get snaps from year one, and provide help in a versatile fashion.
21. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — N’Keal Harry WR, Arizona State
QB Russell Wilson just signed an enormous extension, and it’s fair to believe the Seahawks will try to provide him with better receiving weapons moving forward. They certainly pushed the running game last year, but it’s tough to believe they’ll continue with THAT run-heavy of a game-plan moving forward. Harry is a special talent that can handle a featured workload in year one.
22. BALTIMORE RAVENS — D.K. Metcalf WR, Mississippi State
The Ravens current WR depth chart is one of the ugliest in the last decade. They desperately need playmakers and Metcalf would perfectly fit one of QB Lamar Jackson’s best throws, the deep ball. While Jackson isn’t highly accurate on shorter passes, his strong arm opens up significant opportunities deep down the field. With 4.33 forty yard dash speed and enormous size, Metcalf would be a perfect field stretcher for an offense that was too predictable in 2018.
23. HOUSTON TEXANS — Cody Ford G, Oklahoma
While it’s tough to fully blame the Texans offensive line for QB Deshaun Watson’s health struggles over the past two seasons, they certainly deserve a fair share of blame. Watson is the queen of the Texans chess pieces, and it’s absolutely essential to keep him healthy moving forward. Ford would be a great fit and would create some optimism around a unit that has lacked that type of thought for the last five seasons.
24. OAKLAND RAIDERS — Noah Fant TE, Iowa
Fant is a hyper-athletic tight end prospect that could develop into a featured weapon. While the Raiders have a lot of needs, this would be a great start to their rebuild. While it might take a few years to get Fant fully up to speed, with WR Antonio Brown in town there would be little worry about shouldering too large of a load in 2019.
25. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Rock Ya-Sin CB, Temple
The Eagles are one of the richest franchises in the NFL in terms of talent. They have a bordering on prolific offense (if everyone can stay healthy) and a defense with more than a few difference-making players. The secondary, however, is a clear need. Beyond injuries, CBs Avonte Maddox and Jalen Mills were forced into action last year and failed to impress. CB Ronald Darby is returning from injury and was inconsistent even when he did play in 2018. Ya-Sin is a local product and has most certainly caught the eye of Eagles decision-makers.
26. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — A.J. Brown WR, Mississippi
Let’s have some fun. WR T.Y. Hilton has never really had a running mate at WR, and this would be arguably a perfect fit. Brown would give QB Andrew Luck an incredible weapon to do the dirty work and make exciting plays.
27. OAKLAND RAIDERS — DeAndre Baker CB, Georgia
Another best player available situation. The Raiders should have plenty of options in this area, but secondary should be an enormous focus for them considering Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is someone they’ll have to deal with for the next decade.
28. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS — Taylor Rapp S, Washington
See pick 27. The Chargers have some really talented players on their defense, but it’s very top heavy and they’ve struggled to stay healthy as a unit. Rapp would be an incredible match with S Derwin James and give the Chargers a chance at having one of the best safety duos in the NFL.
29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Jeffery Simmons DT, Mississippi St.
It’s no secret that the Chiefs struggled mightily to stop the run in 2018. DEs Breeland Speaks and Emmanuel Ogbah certainly add some threat to rushing the passer, but Simmons would give them someone who can clog up the middle and shift opposing offensive tendencies.
30. GREEN BAY PACKERS — Daniel Jones QB, Duke
QB Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been healthy in each of the last two seasons, and while the Packers have no interest in replacing him, buying a developmental QB is an interesting proposition. It’s happened multiple times in recent seasons where teams will pay for young backup QBs, and if a QB with Jones hype falls, this could be a profitable endeavor.
31. LOS ANGELES RAMS — Dexter Lawrence DE, Clemson
DE Ndamukong Suh is gone, and the Rams should be looking to fill one of the few holes they have on their roster. There are no real needs offensively, so filling in some depth on the defensive line seems like a smart move. Lawrence’s stock has been all over the place since his freshman season (like teammate Clelin Ferrell), and his stock ultimately flowed downhill for most of draft season. Even considering that, there’s clearly an interesting skill set to be had, and the potential home run type moves the Rams have been making over the last couple of seasons.
32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Chauncey Gardner-Johnson S, Florida
There’s no real way to determine what the Patriots are going to do with their selection, but Gardner-Johnson is an interesting prospect who would seemingly fit their system. The Patriots secondary tightened up as the season went along, but their struggles early in the season certainly have to be on the minds of decision-makers.
