We’re about a month away from the draft and the internet is fully hyped with opinions and takes that would melt an ice machine. So many takes and dumb opinions that I’ve never muted so many faux draft experts in my life. My favorite person on the internet to talk football with is one Richard Fann. You know him, you follow him (or you should), and you read his incredible features right here on this here website. Rich is worth the follow because he knows his stuff and doesn’t speak in absolutes. “Player X and Player Z are bad. If you don’t agree you’re a moron” these people exist out there. Beware of these fools. Rich is not one of them, thank God. I respect and like Rich so much I forced him to do a Mock Draft with me.
Since all of you are so much smarter than myself, I was tired of you all telling me about how wrong I was when I did mock drafts that I dragged Rich along so you can yell at him too.
Rich took the odd number picks and I took the even number picks. If you want to yell about the Bills pick at 19, yell at Rich. If you want to yell about the Bills pick at 49, then yell at me. Then I’ll re-direct you back to Joe. Enjoy.
1. Tennessee – Laremy Tunsil, T, Ole Miss- Getting Marcus a line that can prevent his ACLs from tearing has to be the goal for Mularkey and company. Tunsil steps in day one to LT and you now have solid bookends at the edges.
2. Cleveland – Jalen Ramsey, S, Florida State – Signing Robert Griffin gives the Browns a lot options here. The RG3 signing tells me they aren’t exactly married to Goff or Wentz at pick 2, but would take them after more evaluation in the coming weeks. One option includes taking the best defensive player in this draft. Ramsey can play CB or safety. The Browns should still take a QB in this draft if they pass on one with this pick. Connor Cook at the top of Round 2? Works for me.
3. San Diego – Joey Bosa, DE, The Ohio State- While the Chargers recently lost Eric Weddle, getting a pass rusher at this point trumps the safety. The more help Rivers can get from his defense (particularly their rush) in 16′, the better chance they can match up with Denver and (gulp) Oakland.
4. Dallas – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St- Since drafting Troy Aikman 1st in 1989, The Cowboys haven’t selected a 1st Round QB. They’ve only drafted 4 total since 1989. Quincy Carter being the highest drafted in 2001. The Cowboys have to start thinking about life after Romo. Wentz is the perfect QB to learn and develop behind Romo.
5. Jacksonville – Myles Jack, OLB/DB/RB, UCLA- Jags get a player that can do just about anything he wants on a football field. Hopefully that’s enough to push them defensively to playoff-caliber.
6. Baltimore – Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame – Ravens need instant help upfront. They’ve improved with the additions of Mike Wallace and Eric Weddle. Now they can add a very athletic LT to keep Flacco upright.
7. San Francisco – Jared Goff, QB, Cal- While Chip Kelly has sung to the mountaintop that he wants to keep Kaepernick, I’m not convinced. The 49ers get a local guy that can be molded and Kaep gets a mid-draft trade.
8. Philadelphia – Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State – Eagles have purged Chip Kelly’s 2015 signings including DeMarco Murray. Elliott is going to be an instant star and good running game should help keep Bradford healthy.
9. Tampa Bay – DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon- After securing their QB of the future last year, the Bucs turn their attention to making sure their defense can hold up their end of the bargain.
10. New York Giants – Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson – Dodd was a one year starter and he shined. Against Alabama in the NCG, he 3 sacks and 5 TFL. Giants need to get better on the pass rush and Kevin Dodd is a good place to start.
11. Chicago – Jarran Reed, DL, BAMA- John Fox and company solidified their linebacker spot in FA, so I went away from a Darron Lee pick and instead they get a versatile lineman that can play across their 3-4.
12. New Orleans – Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville – Three down starter. Saints need the help up front.
13. Miami – Vernon Hargreaves III, DB, Florida- So long Miko, hello Vernon. The Dolphins acquire a playmaker at corner w/zero headache.
14. Oakland – Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia – Adding Floyd’s skills on the opposite side of Mack would be an ideal situation for the much improved Oakland Raiders
15. Los Angeles – Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis- Fisher can’t avoid drafting a QB again, right. RIGHT? RIGHT?! In Lynch they get a face for the newly re-relocated Rams as well as a player that’s a year away from being where he’d need to be, but PR waits for no man…
16. Detroit Lions – Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss – No pressure. Just come in and replace the greatest WR in Lions history.
17. Atlanta – Darron Lee, LB, The Ohio State- Getting an athletic linebacker that fits into Dan Quinn’s scheme is essential and Lee fits the mold perfectly.
18. Indianapolis – Mackenise Alexander, CB, Clemson – What he lacks in size, he makes up for in toughness and confidence.
19. BUFFALO – NOAH SPENCE, EDGE Eastern Kentucky- I was tempted to see how it’d look if Treadwell slid and none of the linemen were there, but having a play of Spence’s caliber off the edge with Hughes would make Rex a happy camper. The question to me is – which troubled defender does Rex pick in a few weeks – Spence or Nkemdiche?
20. New York Jets – Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson – If Buffalo passes on Lawson, he could fall out of the first round. That injury he got in the playoffs vs Oklahoma is drawing some concern. Yet, I really like Lawson and in a league where you can never have enough pass rushers, he would be an immediate upgrade on the Jets or any team.
21. Washington – Reggie Ragland, LB, BAMA- A leader at Mike backer that can excel in a 3-4? Fits Washington’s bill perfectly.
22. Houston, Eli Apple, CB, OSU – A two year starter at Ohio State. Tall, good range, and very physical. Should come right in and compete immediately for Houston
23. Minnesota – Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor- Mike Wallace was supposed to fill this role and didn’t live up to his hype or his cap hit. Coleman, despite his size is a blur at receiver that has a little “dog” in him to get the ball no matter where it is.
24. Cincinnati- Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame – Bengals are lacking a true #2 WR & I think Fuller can fit that. Extremely fast and is threat to take it to the house every time he touches it.
25. Pittsburgh – William Jackson III, DB, Houston- Jackson is one of my favorite corners in the class, and having him play in the Steelers secondary would go a long way towards helping legitimize the status of “former achilles’ heel”.
26. Seattle – Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State – Seattle lost Russell Okung in Free Agency and Conklin should come in right in as a Day 1 starter.
27. Green Bay – A’Shawn Robinson, DL, BAMA- Adding a young, developing player like Robinson to the Packer defense would be a great way to take the load off of Guion and allow (in 5 technique looks) Peppers/Matthews a freer path to the QB.
28. Kansas City – Andrew Billings – DT, Baylor – Robert Nkemdiche is a possibility here, but if KC passes, the free fall will start. Billings doesn’t bring the red flags like Nkemdiche and his much better in the run game.
29. Arizona – Ryan Kelly, C, BAMA- After acquiring their pass rusher via trade with the Patriots, the Cardinals pick up a starter to help solidify their offensive line. Kelly can come in day one and take over at pivot.
30. Carolina – Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State – He is one to keep an eye on for Buffalo at 19. Again, you can never have enough pass rushers in this league and in a division with Brees, Jameis Winston, and Matt Ryan, you’re going to need them.
31. Denver – Vernon Butler, DL, Louisiana Tech- Losing Malik Jackson in FA hurt, but getting a versatile player like Butler that can play across the front for @SonofBum will allow that sting to be lessened. Butler for a 320+ pound man moves well and can slide to 1 Tech/NT on passing downs, allowing the money men (Miller and Ware) to go to work.
2nd Round:
49. Buffalo Bills – Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss – Rich asked above ” The question to me is – which troubled defender does Rex pick in a few weeks – Spence or Nkemdiche?” Answer: Why not both? If Nkemdiche is on the board here, Buffalo needs to SPRINT that card up. Kyle Williams is on the wrong side of 30 and he makes a lot of money and is coming off injury. I know Nkemdiche has a ton of red flags, but his talent and skills is a thing you just can’t pass up. This also could be a spot for Buffalo to consider adding the best OT, WR, and QB on the board. If the reports are true and they like Kevin Hogan, the QB out of Stanford, he should be available to them in Round 3. Another QB to keep an eye on for Buffalo is Cardale Jones. Not at this pick mind you, but again, Round 3? 4? The Bills should take a serious look at him if he’s available then.
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