1) Cleveland Browns, Saquon Barkley
Unfortunately the Cleveland Browns smarten up just in time to pick the best draft prospect in years in front of us.
2) *Trade* Denver Broncos, Josh Rosen
NYG trades #2 pick to Denver for #5, 2018 2nd (40) and 5th (142) round picks, and 2019 1st. John Elway will sign Case Keenum as an insurance policy, but here he makes a move up to secure the most pro-ready QB in the draft.
3) Indianapolis Colts, Bradley Chubb
The Colts are banking on Andrew Luck's improved health. They believe he will regain form and they begin the long process of building a team around him by selecting the top defensive player in the draft, along the DL where they desperately need help.
4) Cleveland Browns, Josh Allen
Early rumors out of Cleveland were that Allen is their target. Since then he has showed well at both the Senior Bowl and the Combine. He is a squeaky clean prospect with an upside that's through the roof. The Browns are thrilled to have gotten the best player in the draft AND the QB they covet.
5) New York Giants, Quenton Nelson
This is a pick that makes me giddy even as I type it up for a mock draft. He is the perfect NYG draft pick. Also, by selecting the 2nd best player in the draft at #5, this is great value. Local kid from Red Bank Catholic, unanimous All-American at Notre Dame. A leader, a bully on the field and clean as a whistle off of it. Gettleman's OL rebuild is off to a fantastic start after drafting this guy and the best part is they pick up additional draft capital in the process. NYG as an organization puts faith not only in Eli (short term) but Webb and Shurmur's ability to develop him long term.
6) New York Jets, Baker Mayfield
Broadway Baker. The Jets will try their best but Cousins will look at similar offers from them and Minnesota and opt for the chance to win right away, and play indoors 9 times a season guaranteed. I think Mayfield can play and will eventually take over for McCown in 2018. The big question will be how does he handle the lifestyle and pressures of NYC in an organization not known for nurturing young QBs.
7) Tampa Bay Bucs, Minkah Fitzpatrick
With Jameis Winston in place the Bucs don't need to do much other than stay true to the board and select the top talent remaining here which would be Fitzpatrick. A guy that can play virtually every position in the secondary who will start from day one.
8) *Trade* Buffalo Bills, Sam Darnold
After trading out of position to draft a QB last year, and watching Tyrod Taylor on the road in the playoffs this year, the Bills send Chicago a package built around their 2 1st's this year (picks 21 and 22) to take Darnold at 8. While this pick represents good value, the Bills are going to have to work and be patient with Darnold who is not as pro ready as the QBs selected above him. The potential is there but their ability to develop him will be key.
9) San Francisco, Tremaine Edmunds
Another value pick, John Lynch runs to the podium to grab an impact player and new leader of his defense.
10) Oakland, Denzel Ward
Chucky's first pick since returning to Oakland. Lucky for him, he stayed close to the game and saw what Marshon Lattimore was able to do for the Saints defense this past season. Hard to pass up on premium CB talent in this league.
How long do the remaining QBs last? Not long.
12) Cincinnati, Lamar Jackson
15) Arizona, Mason Rudolph
Full Giants mock based on scenario above.
1-5) Quenton Nelson G Notre Dame
2-34) Sony Michel RB Georgia
2-40) James Daniels C Iowa
3-66) Kyzir White S/LB West Virginia
4-102) Joe Noteboom T TCU
4-135) Kentavius Street DE NC State
5-139) Duke Dawson CB Florida
5-142) KJ Malone G LSU
*2019 1st(from Denver)
I didnt mock the Giants 6th or 7th round pick because I'm pretty sure but not positive we now lose our 6th instead of 7th rounder to Pittsburgh based on the Cockrell trade and if so, their 7th rounder will likely be someone I've never heard of.
I did my best to keep these picks as realistic as possible based on both overall and positional rankings. It is possible that combine performance may have changed that however.
BBI can be a tough crowd. That said, how would you feel about this draft?
Good place to trade down again to Jets to allow them to get their QB. Pick up another 2nd. Still get Nelson.
Round 1 Pick 6 (NYJ): Barkley, Saquon, RB, Penn State (A+)
Round 2 Pick 1 (CLE): Vander Esch, Leighton, OLB/ILB, Boise State (B+)
Round 2 Pick 2: Key, Arden, DE/OLB, LSU (B)
Round 2 Pick 3 (CLE): Smith, Braden, OG, Auburn (B-)
Round 2 Pick 5 (NYJ): Clapp, Will, C/OG, LSU (C)
Round 3 Pick 2: Ragnow, Frank, C/OG, Arkansas (B)
Round 3 Pick 8 (NYJ): Carter, Lorenzo, OLB, Georgia (B+)
Round 4 Pick 2: Hill, BJ, DT, North Carolina State (A)
Round 4 Pick 35: Lotulelei, Lowell, DT, Utah (C+)
Round 5 Pick 2: Dawson, Duke, CB, Florida (A+)
Round 6 Pick 2: Scarbrough, Bo, RB, Alabama (A+)
Sign premium FA OT, OG, and WR
Sign lesser FA at S assorted small deals
Sign Kennard, Jones, and Cockeral
Cut Marshall, Jerry, Harris
Sign OBJ and Collins with big guarantee in 2019.
Him and Collins would play the hybrid position
Jets #4 for #7 a second and a third
Not unreasonable IMO
And you know this how..?
Mr. Gettleman, is that you?
Round 1 Pick 6 (NYJ): Barkley, Saquon, RB, Penn State (A+)
Round 2 Pick 1 (CLE): Vander Esch, Leighton, OLB/ILB, Boise State (B+)
Round 2 Pick 2: Key, Arden, DE/OLB, LSU (B)
Round 2 Pick 3 (CLE): Smith, Braden, OG, Auburn (B-)
Round 2 Pick 5 (NYJ): Clapp, Will, C/OG, LSU (C)
Round 3 Pick 2: Ragnow, Frank, C/OG, Arkansas (B)
Round 3 Pick 8 (NYJ): Carter, Lorenzo, OLB, Georgia (B+)
Round 4 Pick 2: Hill, BJ, DT, North Carolina State (A)
Round 4 Pick 35: Lotulelei, Lowell, DT, Utah (C+)
Round 5 Pick 2: Dawson, Duke, CB, Florida (A+)
Round 6 Pick 2: Scarbrough, Bo, RB, Alabama (A+)
Now we're talking. As discussed Barkley is unrealistic at 6. But man, that draft would be an A+ for me.
Random user goes from posting his wishlist (Barkley/Hernandez) to now declaring something as fact like he just stumbled onto asshat access. I love when this happens.
-3 out of first 5 picks going OL, DG's history says he's not afraid to "cluster" draft if he believes the players are good.
-I'm not sure what we would call whiffing in FA but I'm not sure breaking the bank for Norwell is the answer when scenarios like above are very realistic. I can see Mewhort or possibly another veteran but it seems the draft is the better place to find OL talent this year.
-"Franchise changing" is a good phrase and I am very confident a rebuilt OL WILL change the direction of this franchise. Nelson is talked about (along with Barkley) as a HOF caliber prospect. It doesnt get much better than that. This locker room can also use a few more guys like Nelson around to kick ass and keep people in line.