Today is the day. 31 draft hopefuls will hear their name and walk across the stage. The first two picks seem set in stone, but after that it’s anybody’s guess. Let’s take a look at who ends up where, in my eyes.
1. Los Angeles Rams – Jared Goff, QB California
After trading for the first pick in this year’s draft with the Tennessee Titans, it’s no secret what position the Rams are going to draft. QB! The only uncertainty is who they will select. Is it going to be Jared Goff or Carson Wentz? With reports circulating that the Rams are very smitten with Goff, the cat could be out of the bag.
2. Philadelphia Eagles – Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota State
There are a lot of theories out there saying Philadelphia traded up to take Ezekiel Elliott. After their GM came out and said they will be taking a QB, those theories should be put to rest. Close to $30million in guaranteed money was spent this offseason between Bradford and Daniel, but it’s clear Philadelphia does not see them as the future of this franchise. The pick Thursday night will be Carson Wentz.
3. San Diego Chargers – Laremy Tunsil, OT Ole Miss
The trenches on both sides of the ball need to be addressed in the draft for San Diego. With DE being so deep this year, look for the Chargers to select their future LT so Phillip Rivers will be protected for the rest of his career.
4. Dallas Cowboys – Jalen Ramsey, DB Florida State
Many are saying this pick is down to two players, Jalen Ramsey and Ezekiel Elliott. RB isn’t a dire need, but Elliott behind that offensive line would be something special. With the likes of Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr’s career coming closer and closer to an end with Big D, Ramsey will be the pick.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Deforest Buckner, DE Oregon
I’ve had Myles Jack here for a few weeks now, but after many reports came out about his knew and the possibility of needing surgery down the road, many teams have taking Jack of their big board. Jacksonville doesn’t need to hang their heads though, as Deforest Buckner can step in right away and help get pressure on opposing QBs.
6. Baltimore Ravens – Ronnie Stanley, OT Notre Dame
Point Blank, Baltimore needs to protect Joe Flacco. This team only goes as far as he takes them. DE will be looked at with this pick, but in the grand scheme of things, Stanley is a future LT that will protect Flacco and keep him on his feet.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Joey Bosa, DE Ohio State
The 49ers defensive line hasn’t been the same since Justin Smith anchored it. San Francisco may have lucked out and found his clone a few years later. Joey Bosa had a great career at Ohio State, and with his size, he will not only help this line, but the defense as a whole.
*TRADE*
8. Chicago Bears (Trade with Cleveland) – Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State
The race is on for Ezekiel Elliott. Reports are flying around that Chicago and Miami want to move up and take Elliott. The Bears have more ammo than the Dolphins do, so look for them to move up and have a two headed monster in the backfield.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Vernon Hargreaves III, CB Florida
This pick seems like the one that’s set in stone. The Buccaneers need help in their secondary tremendously, and the signing of Brent Grimes doesn’t change that. His pro day shot him up the board, and Tampa Bay seems like a match made in heaven.
10. New York Giants – Leonard Floyd. DE Georgia
Let me be clear about this selection, this is what I think they will do, not what I would do. For the past few weeks, speculation about New York and Floyd has grown tremendously. The Giants could trade down to about 15, and still land Floyd, but they would need to find a team willing to move up.
*TRADE*
11. New York Jets (Trade with Cleveland through Chicago) – Paxton Lynch, QB Memphis
My two most recent Mocks have the jets trading up two spots to get their QB of the future. Today, I think they will have to move up a little further to get their man. Many think New Orleans could draft Lynch and have him sit behind Drew Brees for a few years, while others believe the Bills will trade up and take Lynch. Look for the Jets to give up a lot, but end up with the future of this franchise.
12. New Orleans Saints – Sheldon Rankins, DT Louisville
The Saints need pressure in the middle of their defensive line. The signing of Nick Fairley is a start, but another body is needed to stop the RBs in that division along with getting pressure on opposing QBs. Pairing Rankins with Fairley will boost this defense.
13. Miami Dolphins – Myles Jack, LB UCLA
After missing out on the Ezekiel Elliott sweepstakes, Miami is still left with a nice gift. Yeah the reports are out there about his knee, but Jack is a special player that Miami will surely gamble on. If healthy, Jack will lead this defense for the next decade.
14. Oakland Raiders – Darron Lee, LB Ohio State
The rich keep getting richer, and by that I mean this nasty defense. Oakland has made strides the last couple of years in assembling a smash mouth defense. Darron Lee is the icing on the cake. Lee can step in day one and make plays not only in the run, but the pass too.
15. Tennessee Titans – Jack Conklin, OT Michigan State
Tennessee is clearly in rebuilding mode, but it seems as if things are going faster than expected. The addition of DeMarco Murray doesn’t seem to get talked about as much as it should. This franchise drafted their signal caller for the next 12 years last year. The only thing missing is protection
16. Detroit Lions – Taylor Decker, OT Ohio State
If there is something that needs to be done on this roster, it’s adding a player that can protect Matthew Stafford. The Lions only go as far as their QB takes them. With Calvin Johnson retired, a WR will be looked at hard, but in the end, the trenches will win.
17. Atlanta Falcons – Shaq Lawson, DE Clemson
Dan Quinn, Atlanta’s head coach, has said this defense needs to add more speed and big bodies to get to the QB. It only makes sense to pair second year veteran, Vic Beasley, with his college teammate Shaq Lawson. These two will wreck havoc on Cam Newtown and other opposing QBs.
18. Indianapolis Colts – Ryan Kelly, C Alabama
Like Detroit, Indianapolis has huge holes on the offensive line. Andrew luck was constantly under pressure last year, before going down with a season ending injury. Kelly may not be protecting Luck’s blind side, but he will be able to start right away, and hopefully for Indy, be another Jeff Saturday.
19. Buffalo Bills – Noah Spence, DE/OLB Eastern Kentucky
Losing Mario Williams, even on a down statistical year, is big blow for Buffalo. His spot needs to be filled quickly. Noah Spence has a motor and a knack for getting to the QB.
20. Cleveland Browns (Trade with New York Jets) – Connor Cook, QB Michigan State
Finally, after trading down a few times, Cleveland is on the clock and actually makes a pick. With two QBs going 1-2, every QB prospect behind them instantly jump up the boards, as every NFL team is always looking for that next franchise signal caller. After stock piling draft picks, Cleveland finally gets there future QB in Connor Cook.
21. Washington Redskins – Jarren Reed, DT Alabama
With the Josh Norman signing, Washington will immediately focus their attention on the defensive line. Norman found a lot of success due to the Panthers front seven, so Washington will look to duplicate that along with stopping the run. Reed is a big, physical player that can do just that.
22. Houston Texans – Corey Coleman, WR Baylor
Deandre Hopkins has been the only consistent player on the Texans offense. After adding a new franchise QB in Brock Osweiler, they will look to give him another weapon. Coleman had a great season at Baylor totaling 20 TDs last year. He and Hopkins will bring a spark to this offense that struggled last year.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Josh Doctson, WR TCU
Finally, the best WR in this class in my opinion comes off the board. Teddy Bridgewater has nobody to throw too. Mike Wallace left via free agency, and Stefon Diggs was very inconsistent last year. Adding Doctson with his size and athletic ability should improve Teddy B.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Mackenzie Alexander, CB Clemson
Going up against Antonio Brown twice a year will have you thinking about draft a CB every year. The Bengals still have Pacman Jones, but he is getting older. WR will be looked at heavy here, but CB needs to be addressed asap.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Eli Apple, CB Ohio State
This secondary, which was once great, is atrocious now. The Steelers need as much help as possible to contain the likes of AJ Greene and Steve Smith. This is a no brainer, as far as position goes. The player on the other hand is a different story. I can see Artie Burns going here, but I think Apple is a little further up on their draft board.
26. Seattle Seahawks – Germain Ifedi, OT Texas A&M
Max Unger was traded in 2015. Russell Okung left in 2016. The Seahwaks offensive line is crumbling and that is not good for Russell Wilson and this team’s success. Look for Seattle to add an OT like Ifedi to protect their franchise QB.
27. Green Bay Packers – Reggie Ragland, LB Alabama
It will shock me if he lasts this far, but if he does, Green Bay will be jumping for joy. The Packers defense hasn’t had leadership at MLB since Nick Barenett was manning the ship. That will all change with Reggie Ragland. He led this Alabama defense to great measures and accomplishments in 2015.
28. Kansas City Chiefs – Karl Joseph, S West Virginia
The Chiefs secondary took a hit this offseason. Pairing Karl Joseph, who would have gone top 15 if not for his injury last year, with Eric Berry could give Seattle a run for their money for best safety tandem in the league.
*TRADE*
29. Dallas Cowboys (Trade with Arizona) – Derrick Henry, RB Alabama
After skipping on Elliott early on in the first, Dallas jumps a few teams to get back in round one and nab a RB. Henry has always played behind high caliber lines, and that won’t be any different in Big D.
30. Carolina Panthers – Artie Burns, CB Miami
The super bowl runner ups lost a big piece to their defense in Josh Norman. This instantly makes CB a need that needs to be addressed soon. Burns has been skyrocketing up draft boards lately. Teams have fallen in love with his physical play.
31. Denver Broncos – A’Shawn Robinson, DT Alabama
The defending Super Bowl Champions have a few holes on both sides of the ball now. Losing Malik Jackson in free agency was a blow, so look for Denver to focus on the defensive line. Robinson is their man.