- This may be news to you, but I'm not an expert draft analyst. I know a decent amount about football, I love reading about the draft and the players in it, and I love watching both college football and the NFL, but this post would not possible without the people who are legit awesome at their job and do this stuff for a living. Matt Miller, Mike Mayock, Todd McShay, Chris Burke, Daniel Jeremiah, Doug Farrar, Mel Kiper, Dane Brugler, Dan Kadar, Jayson Braddock, Pro Football Focus, and just about everyone else on the Internet who wrote something about a player in this year's draft. Thanks for all your input and helping me shape my own opinions on these players.
- Like last year, I didn't mock any trades. The only trades that have been included are trades that have already been completed. There are trades that have been speculated (such as the San Francisco 49ers trading QB Colin Kaepernick to the Denver Broncos or the Tennessee Titans moving back up, or the Cleveland Browns trading back again), but unless the trade is official, it wasn't included, nor was it taken into consideration (I'm not going to say the Broncos aren't going to draft a quarterback because they might trade for Kaepernick).
- Unlike last year, I'm going to go back to more Madden style positions with the following clarifications. If a player is listed as a defensive lineman (DL), that means he will pretty much always line up with his hand in the ground. That could mean he plays any of the four man front in a 4-3 (not necessarily each position) or any of the three man front in a 3-4 (again, not necessarily each one). If he's listed as a defensive end (DE), it means he's primarily going to be an edge rusher that will probably fit a 4-3 better, but could probably also play the outside linebacker (OLB) position in a 3-4 as well. Same goes for anyone listed at OLB, but in reverse. If I have them listed there, it means they probably fit a 3-4 as an OLB better, but they could potentially line up as a 4-3 DE as well. I've combined these two in the top ten by position since, for the purposes of this mock draft, they're incredibly similar. This should make more sense as you read through (hopefully). If they're listed as a linebacker (LB), for simplicity's sake, he's gonna play inside in a 3-4 or any of the three linebacker positions in a 4-3.
- This crop of defensive linemen is arguably the best in a long time to come out (at least before we've actually seen them play). They're really good at the top and there are a lot of quality defensive lineman as we go through the rounds (I have 18 "DL" listed in my top 100 alone, by far the most at a given position) That depth could cause teams to look elsewhere early and try to grab a defensive lineman in the third or fourth round who can still step in and contribute almost immediately.
- The mock draft is what I think will happen. The big board is what I think of the player compared to the other players in the draft, taking both their talent level and the overall importance of their position into play. That's an important distinction. There will be players who I have in the mock going in places where I would not necessarily take them, and players falling that I would take earlier, but based on what I've read, that's where I think they'll go.
The Rams semi-shocked everyone and pulled the trigger on a deal to move all the way up to the first pick in the draft, presumably to pick a quarterback. All signs point to the Rams picking between either Goff or North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz. Of the two, Goff seems to be the choice (Todd McShay called it the "worst kept secret in the world"). With all due respect to QB Case Keenum and QB Nick Foles (Foles will likely be traded at some point, either during the draft or before the season starts), I don't buy for a single second that head coach Jeff Fisher wants either of them starting week one, especially given their disastrous combined performance all season last year. Of the top two choices, Goff is the more likely quarterback to start week one. There are some concerns over the fact that he comes mainly from a spread style offense at Cal, but he sees the field about as well as a quarterback coming into the NFL can and can make any throw you want. He's incredibly comfortable in the pocket and consistently makes great decisions with the football. He has a quick release and nearly flawless mechanics throwing the ball (although he needs to work on the consistency of his mechanics. Too often, he'll get a little lazy with how he throws. That's a mistake that can be easily corrected though). Goff is the safer choice between him and Wentz, while still providing the upside you want from a top-tier quarterback prospect. He'd be a fantastic addition to any quarterback needy team, especially the Rams.
The Eagles moved into the second spot in the draft last week, trading five total picks to move up six spots. GM Howie Roseman has said that the team will draft a quarterback in this position, so it's just a matter of taking whoever the Rams don't, which will, in all likelihood, be Wentz. Since the Eagles already have a set starter in QB Sam Bradford (although Bradford has reportedly demanded a trade in the fallout of this trade) and a set backup in QB Chase Daniel, Wentz would be put in the ideal situation to sit back, develop, and adjust to the NFL game, which is key for a guy coming straight from FCS North Dakota State. He didn't exactly play against Alabama and Ohio State each week there, so the jump in competition is a big concern surrounding him. He could use a little bit more work on going through progressions, but the positives about Wentz's game are very positive. He's a big quarterback straight out of the QB Ben Roethlisberger mold (I see a lot of Ben in his game, but I've also seen, and agree with, the QB Blake Bortles comparison). He can make every throw on the field and is more athletic than you realize (he ran the second fastest 40 yard dash of quarterbacks likely to be drafted at 4.77 and ran for almost 1,000 yards in his two years starting at North Dakota State). He ran a pro-style offense at North Dakota State and led his team to two consecutive national championships. He interviewed incredibly well at the combine, threw well at both the combine and his pro-day, and has all the tools to eventually be able to develop into a franchise quarterback. His mechanics are good, he puts the ball where it needs to go, and he's smart (he has a 4.00 grade point average during his time at North Dakota State and reportedly scored well on the Wonderlic). As an Eagles fan, I like this move a lot. I really like Wentz (I had him as the #1 player on my board before the trade, I promise. Reason being that I believe both Goff and Wentz have the upside to be true franchise quarterbacks with little to no red flags surrounding them, and given how important the quarterback position is in the NFL, they top my board), and I think he has the chance to be a top-tier starting quarterback in the league once he gets acclimated to the NFL. He does everything you want a quarterback to be able to do on the field, and he handles himself off the field in a way that you would want the face of your franchise to handle himself. Welcome to Philadelphia, Carson Wentz. I'm thrilled you'll be an Eagle.
The Chargers are probably the team that's the happiest as a result of the trades that moved the Rams and Eagles in front of them. They most likely were not targeting a quarterback in this spot, and, as a result of the trades, can effectively take the top player on their board. In some order, the top four players are their board are most likely Stanley, Florida State CB / S Jalen Ramsey, Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil, and Oregon DL DeForest Buckner. Given the glaring hole at offensive tackle (and given the fact that the other three teams in the AFC West are incredible at getting after the quarterback), I think the Chargers go with the best pass protector in this draft, which is Stanley. With Ronnie Stanley, he just looks like a perennial All-Pro at left tackle. He's big, has long arms, and has an athletic ability that's quite rare for a player his size. He was also a really good high school basketball player, so that helps explain the fact that he is such a fluid mover for such a big guy. Reading his player profile, he sounds like Philadelphia Eagles OT Jason Peters. His size / speed combination makes him an ideal candidate to deal with both speed and power rushers in the NFL. It's really close between all four, but Stanley will most likely be the call at #3 tonight.
This was the pick that took the longest for me to make. With Ramsey on the board, this pick is essentially a coin-flip between him and Elliott. Ohio State DE Joey Bosa fills a big need as a pass rusher, UCLA LB Myles Jack has also been speculated in this spot, many would love to see Tunsil as an addition to an already dominate offensive line, and if either Goff or Wentz fall past the top two (quite unlikely, but still), there's a really good chance the Cowboys pull the trigger on QB Tony Romo's heir-apparent, but this seems to down to the Ramsey and Elliott. Although Ramsey would be an ideal pick for a Cowboys team that wants to pick dynamic playmakers in their secondary, I believe they're going to select Elliott. I get that some people have a major issue with selecting a running back this high, but Elliott is as complete a running back prospect as we've seen recently. A true three down back with the ability to be the focal point of just about any offense, Elliott is a tremendous runner with excellent vision to seemingly always find the correct hole. He's also great catching the ball out of the backfield and is arguably the most prepared running back to come out of college in terms of blitz pickups and pass protection in recent memory. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer described Elliott as "the best player [he's] ever coached without the ball in his hands. ... He's the best as far as blocking, pass protection, and effort down the field." He fits the Cowboys offense perfectly (really, he fits any offense) and could be a great addition to a team that will have serious Super Bowl aspirations as long as the offense stays healthy this year.
Myles Jack is the perfect fit for Jacksonville, but with the concerns over his knee, they turn to the player who may be the best one in the entire draft in Jalen Ramsey. He'll be in serious consideration by each of the top six teams in this draft if he's on the board (can't see him getting by Baltimore if he does fall that far). He can legitimately play all over the field, as he lined up at cornerback, safety, and linebacker for the Seminoles during his collegiate career. He has fantastic ball skills and has the range, speed, height, and athletic ability to cover any kind of receiver or tight end. He's a dream defensive back with the skill set of a surefire future All-Pro player. He easily improves a relatively weak Jacksonville secondary from the minute he steps on the field.
Tunsil would have likely been the first overall pick had the Titans held on to the selection, but with the Rams trading into the first spot, Tunsil will likely slide down the order a bit, which would be just fine for the Baltimore Ravens. Tunsil is a beast of a tackle with great size and athleticism for the position who easily projects out as a franchise left tackle. Consider this: of the 224 times that Ole Miss dropped back to pass with Tunsil at left tackle last season, Tunsil allowed a total of zero sacks and five pressures. That's ridiculous. If he's on the board at #6, Tunsil seems to be the best choice for Baltimore given the concerns involving depth along the offensive line. He'll stabilize the left side of the line, and he could easily protect QB Joe Flacco's blindside for the rest of Flacco's career (important note: Flacco is currently rehabbing a torn ACL). If it's not Tunsil, it'll likely be Buckner as he seems to fit a major need as a 3-4 defensive end.
The Niners probably aren't happy that the Rams moved up to #1. It looked like the draft might have fallen just right for them to grab either Goff or Wentz. Instead, it seems as though both quarterbacks will be off the board by the time they're on the clock. Then, when it looked like they could grab one of the top two offensive tackles in the draft, both Stanley and Tunsil are selected within the top six. Given how the draft has gone, this comes down to Jack or Buckner, which isn't a bad consolation prize. Given the concerns over Jack's knee, I think the Niners go with Buckner, who would be a great fit along the Niners defensive line (and he went to Oregon, and did you hear new head coach Chip Kelly used to be the coach there?!?). A monster of a man, standing at 6'7", Buckner can play all over the defensive line, but will be able to play the position that he's best at in San Fran as a 3-4 defensive end. He's a beast in the run game, using his long arms and powerful frame to swallow up ball carriers at the line of scrimmage. He's still improving as a pass rusher, but he's shown consistent improvement throughout his college career, and should get even better with NFL coaching. San Fran also needs help in the secondary and along the offensive line, making Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves and Michigan State OT Jack Conklin potential targets. One name to watch here that's cooled in recent days, however, is Memphis QB Paxton Lynch. Niners GM Trent Baalke likes big, super-athletic guys, and Lynch definitely fits the bill. We've seen quarterbacks overdrafted before, and with Goff and Wentz likely off the board after the first two selections, Lynch may hear his name in the top ten.
The hottest name in the draft this past week has easily been Leonard Floyd, as he's seen a meteoric rise up draft boards in recent weeks. An absolutely outstanding athlete, Floyd is rumored to go as high as #5 to Jacksonville. In a draft that is relatively shallow on pass rushers, Floyd stands the most to gain. Floyd is the kind of pass rusher off the edge that the Browns will love. Floyd showed off his versatility throughout his time at Georgia, lining up at both inside and outside linebacker, as well as occasionally at defensive end. His athleticism provides him with better cover skills than the typical pass rusher and he has a spin move rushing the passer that is reminiscent of Cardinals OLB Dwight Freeney. He needs to bulk up a little more, and can struggle disengaging from blocks once the blocker locks on to him, but Floyd has the kind of pass rushing upside that warrants a first round selection. The Browns have holes all over their roster, most notably at quarterback, so Lynch is again an option here (apparently new head coach Hue Jackson loves Lynch, which could be the reason the Browns traded out of the second pick. If they don't take Lynch here, look for the Browns to try to move back in to the first round, especially if Lynch is still on the board after the Jets pick at #20), and if either of the top two tackles or Conklin are still available, that could be the direction they go. Cleveland could also look to move back and get even more picks (they already have twelve, which is tied for the most in the draft, but as I said, they have holes all over the place on that roster, especially after many of their free agents left), so a move back into the mid-teens to select Lynch could make a lot of sense as well, but the pass rushing upside of Floyd fits here in Cleveland.
The Bucs defense needs a serious upgrade, especially along the defensive line and in the secondary. With Bosa falling into their lap, the Bucs would probably sprint to the podium to take him. Bosa was considered the consensus best non-quarterback player in the draft during the pre-season and has pretty much stayed among the top options at the beginning of the draft throughout the season. Easily one of the best pass rushers in college football for the last two years, Bosa is an absolutely perfect fit for a Bucs team that needs to completely revamp their pass rush. He's strong at the point of attack, and uses his natural athleticism as well as any player in the draft. Of all the defense line prospects in this year's class, Bosa probably has the best combination of rushing the passer and stopping the run. He has a ceiling of Hall of Fame DE Michael Strahan and seemingly has a relatively high floor of New England Patriots DE Chris Long. He could easily be that good. In addition to a need in the secondary (making Hargreaves a possibility if Bosa and Buckner are both off the board), the Bucs could look to upgrade their offensive line, so Conklin is an option, and this could also be a spot where they could trade down (specifically to #15 with Tennessee) to try and accumulate a few more picks, but if they stay on the board, they'll likely take the best defensive player available.
I can hear every Giants fan I know say the same exact thing after reading the pick: "The Giants don't take linebackers in the first round." I understand that (the Giants haven't taken a linebacker in the first round since 1984. In fact, they haven't taken a defensive player in the first round since 2011), and I fully admit that this particular pick may not be right, but it makes so much sense, I have to do it. The most glaring hole on the Giants roster is at linebacker, and Lee can step in and fly around the field and make plays from day one. He's equally adept playing the run and rushing the passer from any of the three linebacker spots that he would play for the Giants, and would easily be the most talented linebacker the team has had in years. One of the more athletic players in the entire draft class, Lee pairs his athleticism with his natural football instincts to consistently make play after play for his defense. If Floyd is on the board, he will likely be the pick here, but with him gone, the Giants would be smart to add a player with Lee's skill set to improve their struggling defense. Or don't. Whatever. I'm an Eagles fan anyway. I'd rather they traded this pick to the Eagles for a fifth and seventh rounder. Or a bag of peanuts. Either one works. When the Giants don't select Lee, they'll probably just take another defensive lineman (I'm convinced the ideal Giants defense is an eleven man front), so Clemson DE Shaq Lawson is a possibility, or they could try to add some extra protection for QB Eli Manning and take one of the top three offensive linemen if they're still on the board. Hargreaves is also a big possibility, as is Elliott if the Cowboys don't take him. The Giants could also be looking at a wide receiver in this spot. There's also rumors that the Giants are looking to trade back with Tennessee at #15. Basically, there's a lot of different directions the Giants could go, but with linebacker being such a big need, drafting Lee in this spot makes a lot of sense.
Chicago will be looking to upgrade their defense all over the place, so any and all of the top available defensive prospects are in play, but this pick will basically come down to Lawson, Hargreaves, and Floyd if he makes it past the Giants. They could surprise and go offense, especially if Elliott is on the board, but I'd expect this pick to be on the defensive side of the ball. Lawson's stock has been all over the place recently, with most of the reason for his stock fluctuating involving his shoulder injury, but when Lawson is healthy, he'll be an immediate impact pass rusher, especially for a Bears team that could really use one. One of the quickest guys off the snap in all of college football, Lawson made a living consistently disrupting plays all game long, totaling a ridiculous (and NCAA high) 25.5 tackles for loss to go along with twelve sacks in what was easily a breakout year. He's excellent against both the run and the pass, can rush from either a DE spot with his hand in the ground or from OLB standing up, and can come in and provide a boost to Chicago's pass rush.
Rankins is the kind of player who will be able to immediately help what turned out to be a really bad Saints defense last year. With the Saints not sure whether they'll run primarily a 3-4 or a 4-3, a lineman like Rankins who can play both end in a 3-4 and tackle in a 4-3 becomes even more valuable. He's a bit undersized, which could scare some teams off, but Rankins is the kind of interior presence and pass rusher that will be able to make an immediate impact from day one for the Saints. He shows a great understanding of his role along the line and has the ability to consistently make plays against both the run and the pass. The Saints should use this pick on defense given how historically awful they were last season (if it's not Rankins along the defensive line, it could be Alabama DL A'Shawn Robinson), but they also need to improve their wide receiver group, and Lynch is again a possibility, despite the fact the Saints drafted a quarterback (QB Garrett Grayson) in the third round last year.
Miami has been looking to add a standout running back all off-season after letting RB Lamar Miller walk to the Texans, so Elliott falling to them here is a dream scenario for the Fins. If Zeke is off the board, the Dolphins also have needs along the offensive line and defensive back (trust me when I tell you that CB Byron $63M Maxwell is not a true number one corner. He could be fine if he's asked to do what Seattle asked him to do, but he's not the kind of guy that will be able to follow around and lock up a number one wide receiver), so Hargreaves becomes the obvious fit here given the way the board has fallen. In the aftermath of the college football season, Hargreaves was thought to be in play for a top five pick, but he'll likely go somewhere between #5 and #15. Hargreaves would be a great addition to a Miami secondary that has gone through a complete transformation at the cornerback position this offseason. He's a bit smaller than ideal size, but he's a natural cover man who can line up all over the formation and has experience shadowing the opposing team's number one option. Capable in both press and zone coverages, he moves smoothly, has ball skills better than some wide receivers, and has the speed necessary to keep up with just about anyone at the next level. His blend of athleticism, instincts, and competitiveness make him an easy first round selection and give him the potential to be a true number one corner in the NFL. If the Dolphins pass on Hargreaves, it would likely be for one of the trio of Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander, Houston CB William Jackson, and Ohio State CB Eli Apple, or they could go along the offensive line with Conklin, Ohio State OT Taylor Decker, or Kansas State OG Cody Whitehair.
Jack is the biggest wild card in this draft. The status of his knee has thrown the entire top fifteen into turmoil. If his knee checks out, he shouldn't last past the Jags at #5, but given the concerns and conflicting reports regarding the rehab of his torn ACL, he could very easily slide. This spot seems to be his floor though, as the Raiders desperately need a playmaking linebacker, and Jack is about as good as it gets. He's a dream linebacker prospect for today's NFL as he is great against the run, but can also cover incredibly well. Jack even played a good amount of running back at UCLA and might project to be the second best running back prospect in this draft, behind Elliott. Here's a fun fact: as a running back, Myles Jack caused three times more missed tackles than he had as a linebacker. He's already being compared to Hall of Fame LB Ray Lewis and seemingly has the skill set to back it up. Simply put, there aren't many things on the football field that Jack can't do. The Raiders need a player exactly like Jack in the middle of their defense, as he could easily improve on an already promising young defense. The Raiders also need help along their offensive line and at defensive back, so Conklin, Alexander, Jackson, and Apple are all in play as well. This is also a spot that could be used to select Ole Miss DL Robert Nkemdiche, one of the most talented players in the draft who has fallen down boards due to off-the-field concerns and concerns regarding his drive to actually try each down. He was originally thought to be a top-five pick, then was rumored to have been removed from many teams boards, and now could go back within the top 20. He's another huge wild card to watch tonight. Even so, with Jack on the board, the Raiders likely couldn't afford to pass on the overwhelming talent of Jack in this spot.
The Titans received this pick, as well as two second round picks, a third round pick, and a first and third round pick next year in exchange for the first pick in this year's draft. Pretty solid haul. Apparently part of the concern that the Titans had about staying at #1 was with current OT Taylor Lewan flipping over and playing right tackle. Since he didn't have that experience, the Titans were concerned with how he and likely first pick Laremy Tunsil would have fit together. So instead of trying to force the fit, they traded down, compiled a bevy of extra picks to build around franchise QB Marcus Mariota, and are in a position to draft a tackle that fits their needs a bit better. Conklin is that better fit. He's a big, powerful tackle who was a three year starter along Michigan State's offensive line. He uses his large hands, long arms, and wide frame to excel in both run blocking and pass blocking. The biggest concern is in regards to his movement as he's not overly athletic enough to handle pure speed rushers off the edge, but he handles bull rushes and power moves about as well as any prospect can. He's certainly pro-ready in that aspect and will be able to step in and start along Tennessee's offensive line from the start and help a line that consistently struggled to protect Mariota last year. He's probably better suited to start along the right side of the line to begin with, which is exactly what the Titans want, but definitely has the upside to eventually flip over to the left tackle spot eventually if needed. The Titans have also expressed interest in moving back up, likely to ensure they get either Conklin or Decker, but with a roster full of holes and now six picks in the first three rounds, if both of them are gone by #15 (Conklin definitely could be, but Decker should be on the board at this point), they should use those additional picks to continue to build a roster around their franchise quarterback.
The three biggest areas of need for the Lions are at offensive line, defensive line, and wide receiver. With both Conklin off the board, they could go with either Decker, Whitehair, or Alabama C Ryan Kelly as offensive linemen, or either Alabama DL A'Shawn Robinson or Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell to fill those other needs. Given just how big the hole is at offensive tackle, I think they'll go with Decker. He's an experienced tackle from either side (42 career starts, 28 at left tackle, 14 at right tackle) and will be able to start immediately for a struggling Lions offensive line. He's one of the better moving tackles in this year's class and offers the team that drafts him the right mix of upside and pro-readiness.
On talent alone, Spence is worthy of a top ten pick and may be the best pure pass rusher in this year's class. He started his college career at Ohio State before failing multiple drug tests, leading to his suspension for the 2014 season and his being banned from the Big Ten Conference. He rebounded well at Eastern Kentucky last year, compiling an impressive season without any off-field issues. If he can continue to prove that he is past the drug-related incidents that got him kicked out of Ohio State, Spence could turn into an absolute steal at the back end of the first round. Ragland and Whitehair are also in play for this pick (Darron Lee seems to be another perfect fit if he's still on the board), but Spence offers too much playmaking ability off the edge and upside here for Atlanta to pass on. Something to keep in mind is that the Falcons have only five picks in this draft, so if their ideal player isn't on the board here at #17, they could very well look to move down to try and obtain a few more draft picks.
The Colts have had consistent issues along the offensive line pretty much since they drafted QB Andrew Luck, but last year took it to another level. Luck was constantly battered, and he ended up missing nine games last year. Keeping him protected should be the one of the top priorities for the Colts this offseason, and drafting a center like Kelly is a great start. As a three year starter at Alabama, Kelly became one of the most decorated offensive linemen in the country, winning the Rimington Award as the nation's top center last season, as well as being named the top lineman (not just center. Lineman) in the SEC. He's a smart player who is rarely caught out of position and was responsible for making all of the offensive line calls for the Crimson Tide. He's the kind of NFL-ready lineman that can help the Colts protect Luck immediately. The Colts defense also needs to be improved if they want to seriously compete for an AFC crown, so they could be looking to upgrade really any defensive position, but the Colts apparently love Kelly, so if he gets past the Lions, he'll likely be the pick here.
Reed is one of the best run defenders in the draft this year and was one of the key members of Alabama's star studded defense the past two seasons. Consistently attracting double teams to free up other members of the defense, Reed's stats don't pop off the page, but if you watch any Alabama game over the past two years, his presence in the middle of the defense is apparent from the start. A strong lower body to anchor against nearly any blocker, Reed will use a great blend of size and athleticism to step in and be the perfect nose tackle for head coach Rex Ryan's attacking defense. He has some room to improve as a pass rusher, but it's his ability against the run that will be his calling card in the NFL and make him a great fit with the Bills. The Bills have needs at wide receiver, offensive line, and quarterback (rumors that the Bills are very interested in Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg, possibly even at this spot, have picked up substantially over the last week), but I would expect Rex to attempt to fortify the defensive line with a player such as Reed.
After being in play for a pick as high as #7 to San Francisco, Lynch shouldn't be available past this pick. Whether it's the Jets taking him, or a team moving up past both the Jets and Bills to take him, remains to be seen. The concerns with Lynch are clearly there, but there's a lot to like about his game. He's a big, athletic quarterback with a strong arm and good pocket presence. Apparently his Wonderlic score wasn't the best (how much that will be taken into consideration varies greatly from team to team, and how much it actually matters is also up for debate. Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino got a 16 out of 50, and he turned out alright), which has caused him to potentially be looking at a draft day slide. He'll also need to work on his ability to take a snap from under center, something he was rarely asked to do at Memphis. He needs to improve his mechanics and become overall more consistent with his throwing motion and his footwork (I know it sounds like I'm being overly negative, especially for a first round pick, but hang on a second), but the tools are there for Lynch to develop into really good starting quarterback if given enough time. He's still noticeably raw, but he hasn't been playing quarterback for that long, and he's improved after every season he's actually played quarterback, so he's projecting the right way. As I said, he has the physical tools to succeed. It's just a matter of realizing that potential and continuing to work on developing those tools and improving his basic mechanics (see! Positives!). If the Jets can re-sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and allow Lynch to sit back and develop, it'll be even better for both Lynch and the Jets. Drafting Lynch may finally put QB Geno Smith's position with the team in doubt, especially if FitzMagic is re-signed. New York also has a big need off the edge, so Spence is an option if he's still available or Lawson if his shoulder injury causes him to slide, and they also need to upgrade their secondary and find a second corner to pair with CB Darrelle Revis after cutting CB Antonio Cromartie (Batman needs a new Robin), so Alexander, Jackson, and Apple are possibilities as well.
Washington has needs along both lines and in the secondary (although the signing of CB Josh Norman could allow Washington to by-pass the top three corners left on the board), so Whitehair and Kelly (if he gets by the Colts) are possibilities as well, but the potential of Robinson may be too much to pass. Remember that massive dude on Alabama who literally jumped over the line against LSU to block an extra point? That was A'Shawn Robinson. People that big should not be able to do that, but Robinson can. That play is a perfect showcase for his raw potential. At Alabama, Robinson lined up all over the place in the Crimson Tide's 3-4 defense, ranging from over center as a nose tackle to outside as an outside linebacker. That kind of versatility will be among the most attractive parts of his draft stock. He's at his best against the run, and is still developing as an interior pass rusher. He has the ability to be a very solid three down lineman for a very long time in the NFL, something Washington need desperately. His every-down effort has been called into question, but he has the physical abilities to be a force in the middle of any defense, especially one in Washington that has been continually gashed the last few years.
With the signing of QB Brock Osweiler, quarterback does not seem to be nearly as big a need for Houston as it did when the season ended. Giving that quarterback a few new toys to play with outside of All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins, however, is very important. Enter Corey Coleman. Coleman is the latest in a long line of Baylor wide receivers to head to the NFL. An absolute blazer, Coleman is the kind of receiver who can routinely take the top off the defense, which is exactly what the Texans need to open the field up for Hopkins and newly acquired RB Lamar Miller. He needs to continue to develop his route-tree outside of simply a go-route and screens, but Coleman has the physical abilities and athleticism that should make him a first round pick. He has the ability to line up both inside and out and simply consistently made plays for Baylor's high powered offense on his way to winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver. He's an ideal complement to Hopkins and will be able to help improve what could be a very good Texans offense next season. Notre Dame WR Will Fuller is another receiver to keep in mind for this pick, since the Texans need speed out of a receiver and he's probably the fastest wide receiver in this year's class (he ran his 40 in 4.32 seconds). Important Fuller to the Texans note that could contribute to why he could be the pick here: Fuller was a Penn State recruit under then Penn State, now Texans head coach Bill O'Brien who decommitted from Penn State after the NCAA sanctions were imposed on the Nittany Lions. BOB clearly liked him then, he may still like him now, even enough to draft him at #22. That being said, Coleman is the better fit and better receiver.
Anyone who's watched five minutes of the Vikings offense knows how badly they need a wide receiver to help pull some guys out of the box to allow RB Adrian Peterson some room to run and provide a reliable target for QB Teddy Bridgewater to throw to. WR Stefon Diggs is a solid first step, but the Vikings need someone else. Treadwell is that someone else. Despite the fact that scouts seem to be all over the place on him, Treadwell is still generally considered to be a part of the top tier of receivers this year. There are concerns over his speed and his ability to separate from defenders on his routes, which have caused some to move him down the receiver rankings in favor of Coleman, TCU WR Josh Doctson, or Ohio State WR Michael Thomas. That being said, I still believe Treadwell is the best receiver in a solid receiver class. He's a big target with long arms and large hands who makes just about every catch on any ball thrown his way. He's stronger than your average receiver, is a good blocker in the run game, and, despite his 40 yard dash time not being ideal (4.63), he plays fast. He's outstanding on 50/50 jump balls and always seems to make a play on the ball when the ball's in the air to go along with the fact that he's well above-average after the catch and uses his strength to shake off tacklers. He's exactly the kind of target that Teddy Bridgewater needs and would be a perfect fit in the Vikings offense. Offensive line, secondary, and linebacker are all other areas of need for Minnesota that they should look to address in later rounds, but, even if it isn't Treadwell, they should be able to get a quality wide receiver here in the first round with this pick.
After both WRs Marvin Jones and Mohammad Sanu left Cincy in free agency, finding a number two wide receiver across from All-Pro WR A.J. Green seems to be the biggest hole on the Bengals roster. After sitting out free agency in terms of a wide receiver, the Bengals are well-positioned to add to that position via the draft here with their first pick. At least one of the top four options should be on the board here, and all of them will be able to help the Bengals from the start. In terms of Doctson, he's one of the most experienced receivers in this draft. A reliable target with great hands and excellent route running ability, Doctson is a great complement to Green and could easily step into the role left by Jones on the outside opposite Green, with the potential to be even better. He's a fantastic athlete with great ball skills and the ability to separate from defenders. It's close between Thomas and Doctson in this spot (Fuller may also be considered), and both are deserving of first round picks, but Doctson has the slight edge. Cincy also will be looking to improve their defensive line, so Baylor DL Andrew Billings or Louisiana Tech DL Vernon Butler are both options, but Doctson is too good a playmaker to pass on here.
Jackson is a player that has flown up draft boards during the offseason, thanks in part to his height and speed. Still, Jackson is not just a workout warrior, as he also has the stats to back up his first round stock. His instincts playing the ball are among the best of any defensive back in this year's class, and he has the fluid movement that any team would want from a corner. At Houston, he has experience playing all kinds of coverages (although he seems best suited for a press-man role), so he will be able to adapt to whichever style the team that drafts him has. The Steelers biggest need is clearly at defensive back (they need help at both corner and safety), and they apparently love Jackson, so if he's still on the board here, he should definitely be the pick. Pittsburgh could also use help along both lines, but with such a deep defensive line draft, the Steelers can afford to wait until the second round to address that and take Jackson here.
Apple would be the fourth corner off the board here in the first round (and fifth first round Buckeye), and he's well deserving of this spot. Despite the fact that the Seahawks recently re-signed CB Brandon Browner, Seattle needs some additional depth in the secondary. Their biggest need is clearly along the offensive line, so Texas A&M OT Germain Ifedi, Whitehair, or Kelly are all options in this spot, but Apple seems like a typical Seahawks pick given that his player description reads like the kind of corner the Seahawks would design in a lab. He's tall, aggressive, uses his hands well to battle for position, and is an above average run defender for a cornerback. He can get flagged a bit often because of his aggressive hand use, but he has the raw natural ability that could be developed into something really special in the right hands. Pair him with CB Richard Sherman, and those would seem to be the right hands. One of the youngest players in the draft at only age 20, Apple's combination of upside and talent make him a player the Seahawks would be hard-pressed to pass on. This is also a spot that could be used to select Nkemdiche, or the Seahawks could trade down, so a team like the Browns could trade their way into this spot (especially if Lynch is on the board). Teams could want to trade back into the first round to select a quarterback (whether it be Lynch, Hack, or Michigan State QB Connor Cook) for one simple reason: due to the rookie wage scale, first round picks have a team option for a fifth year that later round picks do not. Especially given the importance of the quarterback position, having an extra year of team control could be huge when thinking about selecting someone under center, and could make a quarterback that seems like they should go in the second round a first round pick. Something to consider, especially if five quarterbacks actually do come off the board tonight.
The need at linebacker is incredibly obvious for the Packers. They've needed a presence in the middle of their defense for quite some time. Despite experimenting and putting OLB Clay Matthews in the middle with a good amount of success, Matthews is better suited to come off the edge. He can absolutely play in the middle, but he's more valuable getting after the quarterback. Drafting a linebacker like Ragland allows Matthews to play more off the edge and will help solidify the middle of the Packers defense. He's excellent as a run defender and a sure tackler who can also make a bone-jarring hit if necessary. He needs some work on his coverage skills, but he will be able to play first and second down without issue at the NFL level, and definitely has shown the potential to be a three-down linebacker in the near future. Some teams will point to his lack of speed as a negative, but Ragland plays with the type of instincts that can make up for any negative that his speed may be. He has the experience as a team captain and two-year starter at a top program that has produced some very productive linebackers in recent years. If Green Bay decides to go elsewhere other than linebacker, they could take one of the five top corners if they're still on the board, or look to upgrade an aging offensive line with one of the top prospects along the line that are still available.
Butler is exactly the kind of versatile defensive lineman that Kansas City could use on their line. With the ability to play each of the three-man front positions for the Chiefs 3-4 (while also showing the ability to play off the edge if need be in a 4-3 if a team that runs that drafts him), Butler projects best as a nose tackle, but could play wherever needed. One of the biggest guys in the draft along the defensive line, tipping the scales at 323 pounds, Butler moves surprisingly well for a man his size, which confirms the notion that he can come off the edge if he has to. There are some concerns about whether he simply dominated lesser competition at Louisiana Tech, but Butler has the physical tools to eventually be a force in the middle of any defensive line. The Chiefs biggest need is at cornerback, so they could go back-to-back years with red flag corners and go with Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander, or they could go with another name to watch with Miami (FL) CB Artie Burns. He's been flying up boards due to his physical attributes, and I've seen him in a good amount of late first round positions. The Chiefs could look at Lynch if he gets by the Jets as a backup to QB Alex Smith and would probably take a long look at whichever of the top four receivers gets by the likely three team receiver run from 22 to 24, or draft an offensive lineman such as Whitehair, but Butler seems to be too good a fit for Kansas City to pass. Plus, always remember: when head coach Andy Reid is in doubt, he will draft a lineman.
You may have heard, but the Patriots were accused of deflating footballs in the AFC Championship Game of their Super Bowl XLIX run, so the NFL took away this pick. To rub it in, on Monday (of draft week!), the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous ruling and stated that QB Tom Brady must serve his four-game suspension that was handed down as a result of the Deflategate saga, so, as of now, Brady is suspended for the first four games of 2016. Brady can either ask for a re-hearing in the 2nd Circuit or appeal to the Supreme Court to try and overturn this decision. Deflategate is never going away. Sorry, Pats fans. At least you have five 6th round picks to make up for it.
The Cardinals seem to be one of the deepest teams in the league, and don't have many glaring holes, so, especially if Kelly is off the board, I'd expect them to look to add depth along their defensive backfield. Alexander / any of the above cornerbacks if they're still available all are potential options as well, as is Clemson S / CB T.J. Green, who has been one of the hottest names the last few days, but Joseph is a player well worth the Cardinals' first round pick. One of the best ball hawks in the draft, Joseph has outstanding range and fantastic ball skills. He's a hard hitter who seems to enjoy contact and looks to deliver a big hit whenever he can. He is recovering from a torn ACL that cut his senior season short, but all indications are that the knee is good to go. If he's healthy, he'd be a great addition to an already talented Cardinals secondary. If the Cards go in a direction other than the the secondary, Whitehair is a strong possibility since he also has some experience at the center position. They could also look to upgrade the pass rush, with Lawson or Dodd as the strongest options. Finally, a quarterback is also an option at this point if the Cardinals wanted to take one to sit behind starting QB Carson Palmer. Related side note: as a huge fan of Christian Hackenberg, and someone who truly, whole-heartedly believes he has the potential to be a great NFL quarterback, I would love to see him end up in Arizona somehow. I believe it's the perfect landing spot for him, and that's before you consider that his quarterback mentor to get ready for the draft is Carson Palmer's little brother, Jordan Palmer. Arizona head coach Bruce Arians' vertical passing offense is perfect for a quarterback with Hack's skill set (strong arm, moves much better than you realize, smart quarterback, experience making calls at the offensive line, great with Xs-and-Os at breaking down a defense). I went to Penn State, so I watched every single throw Hack made during his college career. I get the concerns and the red flags surrounding him (notably, his feet are too often out of position, he sometimes struggles to make basic throws, and his internal clock is simply off), but give him a year or two behind an entrenched starter like Palmer where there's no pressure to play right away so he can reset and readjust, and I truly believe Hack has the tools and the potential to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL. If he doesn't end up in Arizona, other teams that would be the best fit for him include Houston (reunion with his former coach Bill O'Brien!!!), Dallas (as an Eagles fan, please don't let this happen...), Kansas City, Baltimore, San Diego, and New England. Sorry to hijack your section, Karl Joseph. You're a really good player, and I hope your knee is recovering well and you're a first round pick tonight!
Anyone who watched the Super Bowl knows that the biggest need for the Panthers is on the offensive line, specifically at the tackle spot. Offensive line has also been the Panthers' biggest need since they drafted QB Cam Newton #1 overall in 2011, but they haven't taken an offensive lineman in the first round since. Why draft one now? If they actually do draft an offensive lineman, look for Ifedi or Indiana OT Jason Spriggs. The Panthers will also be looking to upgrade their secondary (making Alexander a possible pick, or Joseph if he's still available. Two other names to watch are Clemson S / CB T.J. Green and Florida S Keanu Neal). A wide receiver is also possible, especially if one of the top four is still available, but I would expect the Panthers to try to upgrade their pass rush with this pick, especially if Dodd is available. Dodd jumped into the first round conversation thanks in large part to his incredible two game stretch in the College Football Playoff against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and Alabama in the National Championship Game. In those two games, he had ten solo tackles and four sacks and was constantly in the backfield for both of those games. He has experience rushing for either side, and uses a good combination of speed and power to get after the quarterback. The fact that he only was productive for one year (he was behind a few NFL caliber players in his first three years and didn't record a sack at Clemson until he got twelve of them this past year) may cause some teams to pass on him, but at the end of the first round, Dodd offers the right combination of potential and production to warrant him being taken in the first round.
The biggest need for the Broncos is clearly at quarterback after QB Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler left for Houston. I've seen Cook in this spot a decent amount, as he seems to be most "NFL ready" of the bunch, but I'm not nearly as high on him as many others seem to be. The Broncos could opt to take him or Hackenberg and roll the dice with QB Mark Sanchez as their starter for now while the rookie develops. Their defense is clearly good enough to get by without a superstar quarterback, so if they're comfortable with the Sanchize, it's not a bad option. In the meantime, the defending champs should strongly consider upgrading what would be their next biggest need after quarterback: the offensive line. If they do, it comes down to Whitehair, Ifedi, or Spriggs, in which case, Whitehair really stands out for Denver. A lot of offensive linemen are speculated to be able to play multiple positions. Whitehair is one who has proven it. He started 29 games at both left and right tackle (26 left, three right) while at Kansas State, to go along with 22 starts at left guard. He also played a good amount of center at the Senior Bowl and all reports were that he did quite well. He prefers to play guard, but the versatility to play all five positions is something the Broncos will definitely be interested in. He's a high-character player who will be use his top-notch work ethic to play whichever position the team that drafts him asks him to play. He's the kind of experienced, ready to play now type of offensive lineman that the Broncos will want to draft as they set out to defend their Super Bowl title. In terms of need, after offensive line and quarterback, Denver will also be looking to fill the holes left in free agency at safety, linebacker, and along the defensive line, so Joseph, Nkemdiche, Mississippi State DL Chris Jones, or USC LB / S Su'a Cravens could all finish up the first round.
33. Cleveland Browns - Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
34. Tennessee Titans - Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
35. Dallas Cowboys - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
36. San Diego Chargers - Chris Jones, DL, Mississippi State
37. Baltimore Ravens - Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
38. San Francisco 49ers - Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
39. Jacksonville Jaguars - Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss
40. Tampa Bay Bucs - Keanu Neal, S, Florida
41. New York Giants - Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
42. Chicago Bears - Su'a Cravens, LB / S, USC
43. Miami Dolphins - Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford
44. Tennessee Titans (Via Los Angeles Rams from Philadelphia Eagles) - Artie Burns, CB, Miami (FL)
45. Oakland Raiders - Le'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech
46. Tennessee Titans (Via Los Angeles Rams) - Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
47. Detroit Lions - Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida
48. New Orleans Saints - Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
49. Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Billings, DL, Baylor
50. Buffalo Bills - Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
51. Atlanta Falcons - Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State
52. New York Jets - Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
53. Houston Texans - Austin Johnson, DL, Penn State
54. Washington Redskins - Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame
55. Minnesota Vikings - T.J. Green, S / CB, Clemson
56. Cincinnati Bengals - Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
57. Seattle Seahawks - Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
58. Green Bay Packers - Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
59. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA
60. Kansas City Chiefs - Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
61. New England Patriots - Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
62. New Engalnd Patriots (Via Arizona Cardinals) - Hassan Ridgeway, DL, Texas
63. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
64. Denver Broncos - Deion Jones, LB, LSU
65. Tennessee Titans - Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State
66. Cleveland Browns - Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina
67. San Diego Chargers - Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
68. Dallas Cowboys - Maliek Collins, DL, Nebraska
69. San Francisco 49ers - Harlan Miller, CB, SE Louisiana
70. Jacksonville Jaguars - Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia
71. Baltimore Ravens - Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
72. New York Giants - Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech
73. Chicago Bears - Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU
74. Miami Dolphins - Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
75. Tampa Bay Bucs - Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers
76. Oakland Raiders - Devontae Booker, RB, Utah
77. Tennessee Titans (Via Los Angeles Rams) - Willie Henry, DL, Michigan
78. Cleveland Browns (Via Philadelphia Eagles from Detroit Lions) - Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri
79. New Orleans Saints - Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State
80. Philadelphia Eagles - Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri
81. Buffalo Bills - Joe Dahl, OG, Washington State
82. Atlanta Falcons - Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State
83. Indianapolis Colts - Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
84. New York Jets - Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
85. Washington Redskins - Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland
86. Houston Texans - Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina
87. Minnesota Vikings - Keivarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame
88. Cincinnati Bengals - Javon Hargreave, DL, South Carolina State
89. Green Bay Packers - Jalen Mills, S / CB, LSU
90. Pittsburgh Steelers - Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU
91. Seattle Seahawks - Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
92. Kansas City Chiefs - TAMPERGATE. Pick Forfeited.
93. New England Patriots - C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
94. Arizona Cardinals - Isaac Seumalo, C, Oregon State
95. Carolina Panthers - Charone Peake, WR, Clemson
96. Denver Broncos - Jihad Ward, DL, Illinois
97. Detroit Lions (Compensatory Pick) - Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
98. New England Patriots (Compensatory Pick) - Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
99. Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Pick) - Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
100. Denver Broncos (Compensatory Pick) - Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State
101. Cleveland Browns - Sheldon Day, DL, Notre Dame
102. Cleveland Browns (Via Philadelphia Eagles from Tennessee Titans) - Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma
103. Dallas Cowboys - Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
104. San Diego Chargers - Spencer Drango, OG / T, Baylor
105. Jacksonville Jaguars - Evan Boehm, C, Missouri
106. Baltimore Ravens - Sean Davis, S, Maryland
107. San Francisco 49ers - Darrell Greene, OG, San Diego State
108. Chicago Bears - Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State
109. Miami Dolphins - Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas
110. Tampa Bay Bucs - Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota
111. New York Giants - Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
112. Los Angeles Rams - Chris Moore, WR, Cincinnati
113. Detroit Lions - Joe Schobert, LB / OLB, Wisconsin
114. New Orleans Saints - Rees Odhiambo, OG, Boise State
115. Los Angeles Rams (Via Tennessee Titans from Philadelphia Eagles) - Justin Simmons, S, Boston College
116. Oakland Raiders - Adolphus Washington, DL, Ohio State
117. Atlanta Falcons - Sebastian Tretola, OG, Arkansas
118. Indianapolis Colts - Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
119. Buffalo Bills - Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OT, TCU
120. New York Jets - Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
121. Houston Texans - Daryl Worley, CB, West Virginia
122. Washington Redskins - Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina
123. Minnesota Vikings - Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford
124. Cincinnati Bengals - B.J. Goodson, LB, Clemson
125. Pittsburgh Steelers - Joe Thuney, OG / T, North Carolina State
126. Seattle Seahawks - Max Tuerk, C, USC
127. Green Bay Packers - D.J. Reader, DL, Clemson
128. Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central
129. Chicago Bears (Via New England Patriots) - Jordan Payton, WR, UCLA
130. Arizona Cardinals - Aaron Wallace, OLB, UCLA
131. Carolina Panthers - Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State
132. Baltimore Ravens (Via Denver Broncos) - Travis Feeney, LB, Washington
133. Green Bay Packers (Compensatory Pick) - Avery Young, OG / T, Auburn
134. Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Pick) - Charles Tapper, DL, Oklahoma
135. San Francisco 49ers (Compensatory Pick) - Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
136. Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Pick) - Parker Ehinger, OG, Cincinnati
137. Dallas Cowboys (Compensatory Pick) - Devon Cajuste, WR / TE, Stanford
138. Denver Broncos (Compensatory Pick) - Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah
139. Green Bay Packers (Compensatory Pick) - Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
140. Cleveland Browns (Compensatory Pick) - Kenny Lawler, WR, California
141. Buffalo Bills (Compensatory Pick) - Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State
142. Tennessee Titans - Dominique Alexander, LB, Oklahoma
143. Cleveland Browns - Dominique Robertson, OT, West Georgia
144. San Francisco 49ers (Via San Diego Chargers) - Kenyan Drake, RB, Alabama
145. Oakland Raiders (Via Dallas Cowboys) - Jack Allen, C, Michigan State
146. Denver Broncos (Via Baltimore Ravens) - Caleb Benenoch, OT, UCLA
147. San Francisco 49ers - Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford
148. Jacksonville Jaguars - Domenick Jackson, OG, Alabama
149. Miami Dolphins - Jared Norris, LB, Utah
150. Tampa Bay Bucs - DeAndre Houston-Carson, S, William & Mary
151. New York Giants - Matt Ioannidis, DL, Temple
152. Chicago Bears - Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas
153. Detroit Lions - Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
154. New Orleans Saints - Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia
155. Philadelphia Eagles - Kelvin Taylor, RB, Florida
156. Oakland Raiders - Juston Burris, CB, North Carolina State
157. Los Angeles Rams - SUPPLEMENTAL PICK. Pick Forfeited.
158. Indianapolis Colts - Cyrus Jones, CB, Alabama
159. Buffalo Bills - Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
160. Atlanta Falcons - NOISEGATE. Pick Forfeited.
161. Denver Broncos (Via New York Jets) - Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas
162. Washington Redskins - Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple
163. Houston Texans - Brandon Shell, OT, South Carolina
164. Minnesota Vikings - Steven Daniels, LB, Boston College
165. Cincinnati Bengals - Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson
166. Kansas City Chiefs (Via Seattle Seahawks) - Bronson Kaufusi, DE, BYU
167. Green Bay Packers - James Cowser, DE, Southern Utah
168. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Pittsburgh Steelers) - John Theus, OT, Georgia
169. Kansas City Chiefs - Tyvis Powell, S, Ohio State
170. Houston Texans (Via New England Patriots) - Graham Glasgow, C, Michigan
171. Arizona Cardinals - Anthony Zettel, DL, Penn State
172. Carolina Panthers - Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Miss
173. Detroit Lions (Via Denver Broncos) - Alex Redmond, OG, UCLA
174. Arizona Cardinals (Compensatory Pick) - Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
175. Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Pick) - DeMarcus Robinson, WR, Florida
176. Cleveland Browns (Compensatory Pick) - Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky
177. Cleveland Browns (Compensatory Pick) - Deon Bush, S, Miami (FL)
178. San Francisco 49ers (Compensatory Pick) - Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU
179. San Diego Chargers (Compensatory Pick) - Thomas Duarte, TE, UCLA
180. Cleveland Browns - Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn
181. Los Angeles Rams (Via Tennessee Titans) - James Bradberry, CB, Samford
182. San Francisco 49ers (Via Dallas Cowboys) - Tyrone Holmes, DL, Montana
183. San Diego Chargers - K.J. Dillon, S, West Virginia
184. Minnesota Vikings (Via San Francisco 49ers) - Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M
185. Jacksonville Jaguars - Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee
186. Baltimore Ravens - Tavon Young, CB, Temple
187. Tampa Bay Bucs - Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan
188. New York Giants - Anthony Brown, CB, Purdue
189. Chicago Bears - Keith Marshall, RB, Georgia
190. Miami Dolphins - Alex Lewis, OT, Nebraska
191. Washington Redskins (Via New Orleans Saints) - D.J. White, CB, Georgia Tech
192. Philadelphia Eagles - Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa
193. Dallas Cowboys (Via Oakland Raiders) - Jeff Driskel, QB, Louisiana Tech
194. Los Angeles Rams - Austin Blythe, C, Iowa
195. Detroit Lions - Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois
196. Buffalo Bills - Kyle Carter, TE, Penn State
197. Tennessee Titans (Via Atlanta Falcons) - Kevon Seymour, CB, USC
198. Oakland Raiders (Via Indianapolis Colts) - Deiondre Hall, S, Northern Iowa
199. Houston Texans (Via New York Jets) - Matt Judon, DE, Grand Valley State
200. New England Patriots (Via Houston Texans) - Tyler Marz, OT, Wisconsin
201. Tampa Bay Bucs (Via Washington Redskins) - Jalin Marshall, WR, Ohio State
202. San Diego Chargers (Via Minnesota Vikings) - Blake Martinez, LB, Stanford
203. Cincinnati Bengals - Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan
204. Green Bay Packers - Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss
205. Jacksonville Jaguars (Via Pittsburgh Steelers) - Jason Fanaika, DE, Utah
206. Detroit Lions (Via Seattle Seahawks) - LeShaun Sims, CB, Southern Utah
207. Kansas City Chiefs - Jacoby Brissett, QB, North Carolina State
208. New England Patriots - Will Parks, S, Arizona
209. Arizona Cardinals - Eric Striker, LB / S, Oklahoma
210. Chicago Bears (Via Carolina Panthers) - De'Runnya Wilson, WR, Mississippi State
211. San Francisco 49ers (Via Denver Broncos) - Henry Krieger Coble, TE, Iowa
212. New England Patriots (Compensatory Pick) - Denver Kirkland, OG, Arkansas
213. Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory Pick) - Dadi Nicolas, OLB, Virginia Tech
214. Detroit Lions (Compensatory Pick) - Cole Toner, C, Harvard
215. San Francisco 49ers (Compensatory Pick) - Kavon Frazier, S, Central Michigan
216. Dallas Cowboys (Compensatory Pick) - DeAndre Elliott, CB, Colorado State
217. San Francisco 49ers (Compensatory Pick) - David Perkins, OLB, Illinois State
218. New England Patriots (Compensatory Pick) - Adam Gotsis, DL, Georgia Tech
219. Seattle Seahawks (Compensatory Pick) - Victor Ochi, DE, Stony Brook
220. Dallas Cowboys (Compensatory Pick) - Elijah Shumate, S, Notre Dame
221. Dallas Cowboys (Compensatory Pick) - Aziz Shittu, DE, Stanford
222. Buffalo Bills (Compensatory Pick) - Chase Ferris, OG, Ohio State
223. Denver Broncos (Compensatory Pick) - Vincent Valentine, DL, Nebraska
224. Pittsburgh Steelers (Compensatory Pick) - Stephen Weatherly, OLB, Vanderbilt
225. New England Patriots (Compensatory Pick) - Cleveland Wallace, CB, San Jose State
226. Tennessee Titans - Hunter Sharp, WR, Utah State
227. Cleveland Browns - Ted Karras, OG, Illinois
228. San Diego Chargers - Nate Sudfeld, QB, Indiana
229. Seattle Seahawks (Via Dallas Cowboys) - Davante Harris, OT, Appalachian State
230. Jacksonville Jaguars - Fahn Cooper, OT, Ole Miss
231. Miami Dolphins (Via Baltimore Ravens) - Dean Lowry, DE, Northwestern
232. Denver Broncos (Via San Francisco 49ers) - Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas State
233. Pittsburgh Steelers (Via New York Giants) - Beau Sandland, TE, Montana State
234. Chicago Bears - Derrick Kindred, S, TCU
235. Miami Dolphins - Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Minnesota
236. Washington Redskins (Via Tampa Bay Bucs) - Aaron Burbridge, WR, Michigan State
237. Philadelphia Eagles - Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida
238. Oakland Raiders - Josh Forrest, LB, Kentucky
239. New York Jets (Via Denver Broncos from Houston Texans) - DeAndre Washington, RB, Texas Tech
240. Detroit Lions - Brandon Doughty, QB, Western Kentucky
241. New Orleans Saints - Drew Ott, DE, Iowa
242. Atlanta Falcons - Jordan Lucas, S, Penn State
243. Indianapolis Colts - Beniquez Brown, LB, Mississippi State
244. Minnesota Vikings (Via Buffalo Bills) - Tajae Sharpe, WR, UMass
245. New York Jets - Stephane Nembot, OT, Colorado
246. Washington Redskins - Cassanova McKinzy, LB, Auburn
247. New England Patriots (Via Houston Texans) - Jatavis Brown, LB / S, Akron
248. Minnesota Vikings - Vi Teofilo, OG, Arizona State
249. Cincinnati Bengals - Kyle Friend, C, Temple
250. Pittsburgh Steelers - Tevin Carter, S, Utah
251. Seattle Seahawks - Terrance Smith, LB, Florida State
252. Green Bay Packers - Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State
253. Kansas City Chiefs - Cre'Von LeBlanc, CB, Florida Atlantic
254. New England Patriots - Michael Jordan, CB, Missouri Western
255. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Arizona Cardinals) - Morgan Burns, CB, Kansas State
256. Carolina Panthers - Trae Elston, S, Ole Miss
257. Denver Broncos - Trevor Davis, WR, California
1. Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State 2. Jared Goff, QB, California 3. Jalen Ramsey, CB / S, Florida State 4. Myles Jack, LB, UCLA 5. DeForest Buckner, DL, Oregon 6. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State 7. Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame 8. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss 9. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State 10. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida 11. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame 12. Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville 13. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson 14. Jarran Reed, DL, Alabama 15. Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State 16. Robert Nkemdiche, DL, Ole Miss 17. Noah Spence, DE / OLB, Eastern Kentucky 18. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss 19. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson 20. William Jackson, CB, Houston 21. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia 22. Josh Doctson, WR, TCU 23. Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State 24. Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor 25. Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State 26. Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama 27. A'Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama 28. Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State 29. Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia 30. Cody Whitehair, OG / C, Kansas State 31. Vernon Butler, DL, Louisiana Tech 32. Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama 33. Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson 34. Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State 35. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis 36. Andrew Billings, DL, Baylor 37. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State 38. Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M 39. Su'a Cravens, LB / S, USC 40. Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma 41. Chris Jones, DL, Mississippi State 42. Austin Johnson, DL, Penn State 43. Keanu Neal, S, Florida 44. Maliek Collins, DL, Nebraska 45. Artie Burns, CB, Miami (FL) 46. Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida 47. Kenny Clark, DL, UCLA 48. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama 49. Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State 50. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State | 51. Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor 52. Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford 53. Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State 54. Christian Westerman, OG, Arizona State 55. Hassan Ridgeway, DL, Texas 56. T.J. Green, S / CB, Clemson 57. Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State 58. Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh 59. Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana 60. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State 61. Keivarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame 62. Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas 63. Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers 64. Deion Jones, LB, LSU 65. Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame 66. Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia 67. Jalen Mills, S / CB, LSU 68. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State 69. Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State 70. C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame 71. Darian Thompson, S, Boise State 72. Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn 73. Javon Hargrave, DL, South Carolina State 74. Le'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech 75. Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame 76. Sean Davis, S, Maryland 77. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke 78. Kenneth Dixon, RB, Louisiana Tech 79. Jihad Ward, DL, Illinois 80. Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA 81. Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina 82. Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State 83. Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana 84. Sheldon Day, DL, Notre Dame 85. Harlan Miller, CB, SE Louisiana 86. Jerald Hawkins, OT, LSU 87. Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri 88. Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri 89. Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State 90. Charone Peake, WR, Clemson 91. Joe Dahl, OG, Washington State 92. Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech 93. Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State 94. Adolphus Washington, DL, Ohio State 95. Devontae Booker, RB, Utah 96. Darrell Green, OG, San Diego State 97. Matt Ioannidis, DL, Temple 98. Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State 99. Justin Simmons, S, Boston College 100. Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State |
Quarterback 1. Carson Wentz, North Dakota State 2. Jared Goff, California 3. Christian Hackenberg, Penn State 4. Paxton Lynch, Memphis 5. Connor Cook, Michigan State 6. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State 7. Cardale Jones, Ohio State 8. Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech 9. Jacoby Brissett, North Carolina State 10. Kevin Hogan, Stanford Wide Receivers 1. Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss 2. Josh Doctson, TCU 3. Michael Thomas, Ohio State 4. Corey Coleman, Baylor 5. Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma 6. Braxton Miller, Ohio State 7. Tyler Boyd, Pittsburgh 8. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers 9. Will Fuller, Notre Dame 10. Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina Offensive Tackles 1. Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame 2. Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss 3. Jack Conklin, Michigan State 4. Taylor Decker, Ohio State 5. Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M 6. Jason Spriggs, Indiana 7. Shon Coleman, Auburn 8. Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech 9. Jerald Hawkins, LSU 10. Joe Haeg, North Dakota State Centers 1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama 2. Nick Martin, Notre Dame 3. Isaac Seumalo, Oregon State 4. Evan Boehm, Missouri 5. Max Tuerk, USC 6. Jack Allen, Michigan State 7. Graham Glasgow, Michigan 8. Cole Toner, Harvard 9. Austin Blythe, Iowa 10. Kyle Friend, Temple Defensive End / Outside Linebacker 1. Joey Bosa, Ohio State 2. Shaq Lawson, Clemson 3. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky 4. Leonard Floyd, Georgia 5. Kevin Dodd, Clemson 6. Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State 7. Kamalei Correa, Boise State 8. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State 9. Jordan Jenkins, Georgia 10. Kyler Fackrell, Utah State Cornerback 1. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State 2. Vernon Hargreaves, Florida 3. Mackensie Alexander, Clemson 4. William Jackson, Houston 5. Eli Apple, Ohio State 6. Artie Burns, Miami (FL) 7. Xavien Howard, Baylor 8. Keivarae Russell, Notre Dame 9. Harlan Miller, SE Louisiana 10. Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech | Running Back 1. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State 2. Derrick Henry, Alabama 3. C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame 4. Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech 5. Paul Perkins, UCLA 6. Jordan Howard, Indiana 7. Devontae Booker, Utah 8. Alex Collins, Arkansas 9. Kenyan Drake, Alabama 10. Kelvin Taylor, Florida Tight Ends 1. Hunter Henry, Arkansas 2. Nick Vannett, Ohio State 3. Austin Hooper, Stanford 4. Jerell Adams, South Carolina 5. Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky 6. Thomas Duarte, UCLA 7. Kyle Carter, Penn State 8. Beau Sandland, Montana State 9. Henry Krieger Coble, Iowa 10. Jake McGee, Florida Offensive Guards 1. Cody Whitehair, Kansas State 2. Joshua Garnett, Stanford 3. Christian Westerman, Arizona State 4. Connor McGovern, Missouri 5. Joe Dahl, Washington State 6. Darrell Greene, San Diego State 7. Vadal Alexander, LSU 8. Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas 9. Rees Odhiambo, Boise State 10. Parker Ehinger, Cincinnati Defensive Lineman 1. DeForest Buckner, Oregon 2. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville 3. Jarran Reed, Alabama 4. Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss 5. A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama 6. Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech 7. Andrew Billings, Baylor 8. Chris Jones, Mississippi State 9. Austin Johnson, Penn State 10. Maliek Collins, Nebraska Linebacker 1. Myles Jack, UCLA 2. Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame 3. Darron Lee, Ohio State 4. Reggie Ragland, Alabama 5. Su'a Cravens, USC 6. Deion Jones, LSU 7. Kentrell Brothers, Missouri 8. Joshua Perry, Ohio State 9. Scooby Wright, Arizona 10. Joe Schobert, Wisconsin Safety 1. Karl Joseph, West Virginia 2. Keanu Neal, Florida 3. Vonn Bell, Ohio State 4. T.J. Green, Clemson 5. Jalen Mills, LSU 6. Darian Thompson, Boise State 7. Sean Davis, Maryland 8. Jeremy Cash, Duke 9. Justin Simmons, Boston College 10. DeAndre Houston-Carson, William & Mary |
Happy Draft Day!