YES! I SAID IT'S TIME!
IT'S TIME FOR THE FIRST MOCK DRAFT OF THE YEAR AT THE ULTIMATE SPORTS BLOG!
Are you excited? Well, you should be. Long time readers of the blog know how important the NFL Draft is to me. It's arguably my favorite sporting "event" of the year and I just absolutely gobble up every single bit of information I can. I've been doing mock drafts for over 10 years now and I hate to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty good at it.
This is the first of many NFL mock drafts I will do this year. I plan on doing a pre-combine mock. A post-combine mock. A post-NFL free agency mock and of course...the final mock draft of the year which will come right before the draft in April.
ARE YOU PUMPED YET? IF NOT, CHECK YOUR PULSE!
1. Tennessee Titans - Joey Bosa (DE), Ohio State
I feel like the Titans best option is to try and trade the pick to get more assets. With franchise QB Marcus Mariota looking like he could be the real deal, the Titans need to start giving him weapons and trying to protect him (he took way too many hits last year because of the miserable OL). Some WR's, a RB, and some new OL would certainly help this team take the next step next season. If trading the pick isn't a good option, then take the best player in the draft. Defensive end Joey Bosa will be a defensive terror in the NFL. The Denver Broncos just showed us once again that you can win a Super Bowl with an anemic offense as long as the defense is unreal. Bosa helps point the Titans in that direction.
2. Cleveland Browns - Carson Wentz (QB), North Dakota State
SHOCKER! The Cleveland Browns need a QB. Even though Jared Goff was widely predicted as the best QB in this draft for the longest time, Carson Wentz's stock has absolutely exploded the last few months. He has an NFL-type body. He has a fantastic arm. His athleticism is absolutely insane and his up-side is easily the best of any other QB in the draft. It's safe to say that if the Browns get a hold of Wentz, they may have FINALLY found their franchise QB. Could it actually happen? Stay tuned.
3. San Diego Chargers - Laremy Tunsil (OT), Ole Miss
Philip Rivers is still one of the best QB's in the league and as long as the Chargers have him, they at least have a shot at being a playoff team. The Chargers offensive line is an injury-depleted mess and it's time to make a significant upgrade to help protect Rivers for the remainder of his NFL career. Laremy Tunsil is the best offensive lineman in the draft and he's getting comparisions to another NFL player who is extremely good (Tyron Smith). Tunsil could be the safest pick in the draft and San Diego needs a safe pick.
4. Dallas Cowboys - Jalen Ramsey (CB), Florida State
Some people have the Cowboys taking a QB in the first-round, but I don't think they lean that way quite yet. Tony Romo likely still has 3-4 really good years left and you don't draft a QB in the top 5 to sit him for that long. Top 5 picks should be contributing immediately and if Dallas wants someone who can do that, the best corner in the draft is the way to go. Dallas' secondary is garbage. Morris Claiborne sucks. Brandon Carr is extremely over-paid and should be cut. Orlando Scandrick is good, but he got injured last year and there's no telling how he's going to play upon his return. Last year's first-round pick Byron Jones looks pretty good at safety and I doubt the Cowboys would move him to CB. Therefore, the best option for Dallas would likely be taking Jalen Ramsey who definitely has the talent to turn into a shut-down corner in the league for years to come.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Vernon Hargreaves (CB), Florida
Jacksonville is a team on the rise, but they still have a lot of team needs to fill before they can take that next step. The Jaguars were pretty solid on offense in 2015, and it's time for the team to start focusing on improving the defensive side of the ball. Jacksonville needs to implement some new defensive backs and some pass rushers. They would ideally love it if Ramsey fell to them here, but Hargreaves is definitely a fantastic consolation prize. Head coach Gus Bradley's specialty is on the defensive side of the ball and if Jacksonville can get it figured out, they could very well be a playoff team next year. You heard it here first.
6. Baltimore Ravens - Ronnie Stanley (OT), Notre Dame
The Ravens were one of the biggest disappointments of the 2015 season. A team that was talented enough to win the Super Bowl on paper absolutely imploded with injuries and guys not playing up to their potential. Looking at their roster now, it's pretty obvious that the Ravens need an upgrade on the offensive line. Eugene Monroe needs to go and the other offensive lineman all have something going on that could cause alarm (age concerns, contract concerns, etc.) in the future. If Baltimore wants to make a return to the playoffs next year, shoring up that offensive line would definitely help.
7. San Francisco 49ers - Jared Goff (QB), California
New head coach Chip Kelly reportedly doesn't really love any of the QB's on the 49ers roster right now. Colin Kaepernick is likely broken and can't be fixed (immaturity and the inability to read a defense can be killer for a QB's career) and Blaine Gabbert is Blaine FUCKING Gabbert! Enter Jared Goff. There are a lot of draft experts who feel that Goff is the best player in the draft (I don't). I honestly feel like if Chip Kelly is going to re-start his NFL coaching career, he needs to draft a guy he can mold into the player he wants. The addition of Goff also would give the 49ers more options at the QB position and would likely mean the end of the Colin Kaepernick era in San Francisco. We all know Chip Kelly loves his PAC-12 guys. Plus, Goff played his college ball in the Bay Area and some things just make too much sense.
8. Miami Dolphins - DeForest Buckner (DE), Oregon
Miami needs some help on the defensive line to go along with Ndamukong Suh. Olivier Vernon is an absolute beast, but can Miami afford to bring him back? He's going to likely command a FAT pay check and NFL teams that spend an unusual amount of money on defensive line players, don't usually see good results in the long-term (see the Buffalo Bills). If the Dolphins let Vernon walk (and I think they do unless they can re-structure Suh's contract), they could find a fantastic replacement player in DeForest Buckner. Buckner's draft stock is all over the place. There are some people who feel he is a top-3 talent in the draft and there are some people who feel he's a little overrated. I watched Buckner play his entire college football career and I can tell Dolphins fans this....this guy is no Dion Jordan. He's the real deal. You're welcome.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jack Conklin (OT), Michigan State
Stop me if you've heard this before. I'm a big fan of teams protecting their franchise QB's. I know, I know. It sounds like something that every team should know, but it's also something that few teams actually do. The Buccaneers have their franchise QB in Jameis Winston, now it's time to provide him with as much protection as possible. Outside of Ali Marpet, there's no one on the Buccaneers offensive line that I feel good about. LT Donovan Smith had a bad year last season, but he could improve if the Bucs decide to move him to another spot on the offensive line. That could happen if the Bucs take Jack Conklin in the first-round. Conklin would give Tampa Bay another much needed starter on the line and would also give them more flexibility to move other players around in an effort to figure out which unit flows together the best.
10. New York Giants - Sheldon Rankins (DT), Louisville
The Giants have the
11. Chicago Bears - Reggie Ragland (LB), Alabama
Ever since the retirement of Brian Urlacher, the Bears have lacked a special player at the inside linebacker position. They desperately need to fill that position with a guy who can be an NFL starter. Reggie Ragland would not only be a starter the moment he put on a Chicago Bears helmet, but the guy could potentially make Bears fans forget all about that Urlacher guy. Ya, I said it. You REALLY want this guy Chicago. Trust me.
12. New Orleans Saints - Myles Jack (LB), UCLA
New Orleans was atrocious on defense last year and they need upgrades at a number of positions on that side of the ball. Myles Jack is not only one of the top rated guys in this draft, but he's one of my favorite players this year. I love this kid. His athleticism is off the charts. During his college days, Jack was a two-way player who not only kicked ass as a linebacker for UCLA, but would also come in and run the ball down people's throats as a running back as well. Jack is coming off a knee injury and that could cause some teams some concern, but he's as safe a bet as you can get in the NFL Draft in my opinion. He's a surefire NFL star.
13. Philadelphia Eagles - Laquon Treadwell (WR), Ole Miss
A lot of people think the Eagles will target a QB in the draft, but I don't. I think new head coach Doug Pederson has his eyes on Kansas City Chiefs back-up QB Chase Daniel. Pederson has already expressed his love for Daniel and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him bring him into Philly and finally give Daniel the chance he deserves to show what he can do as a full-time starter. With that said, the Eagles would need to surround the new QB with as many weapons as possible to guarantee success. Philly really could go a number of different ways with this pick, but Treadwell could be the most immediate significant addition if it happened. He's arguably the best wide receiver in the draft and if you watched any Philadelphia Eagles games last year, it's pretty apparent that they need an upgrade at the wide receiver position.
14. Oakland Raiders - Jaylon Smith (OLB), Notre Dame
The Oakland Raiders are starting to build a beast down in the Bay Area. They look like they are just a few pieces away from potentially returning to the playoffs, but they have some glaring needs that they need to fill immediately. Those needs include the disgusting secondary, offensive line depth, an inside linebacker, and some help on the defensive line. However, I'm going to go ahead and do the Raiders a solid here. You guys get Jaylon Smith and not only return to the playoffs next year, but look like legit contenders. For those of you unfamiliar with Smith, he's a stud. If it wasn't for the knee injury he suffered this year, he would've been a surefire top 5 pick in the draft and whatever team ends up with him is going to be loving life. He's my favorite overall player in this year's draft and will be a terror in the NFL for years. With Khalil Mack and Jaylon Smith terrorizing QB's, people might quickly forget about how good this year's Denver Broncos defense was and start crowning the Raiders as the next big thing.
15. Los Angeles Rams - Paxton Lynch (QB), Memphis
It's a new era in "Rams football". With a move to a new city, it's time for the Rams to go all-in on a new QB and really usher this era in correctly with a whole new look. I'm not the biggest fan of Lynch, but there are a lot of experts who believe this kid will be a good professional QB. There almost always seems to be a team that will reach for a QB, so why not the Los Angeles Rams? Let's welcome those Los Angeles fans back the right way. By making questionable draft picks baby!
16. Detroit Lions - A'Shawn Robinson (DT), Alabama
This is a dream scenario for the Lions. Detroit is still looking for a replacement for Ndamukong Suh and with Haloti Ngata set to hit free agency, the Lions don't really have a guy signed on their roster who is capable of doing the job that Suh and Ngata did. Robinson is a tremendous pass-rusher and a guy who the Lions can move to almost any position on the defensive line. Ndaumkong Suh who? That's what Lions fans might be saying if Robinson falls to them.
17. Atlanta Falcons - Vonn Bell (S), Ohio State
Atlanta was a much improved team last season, but they are still far from being a contender. They just don't have the talent on the defensive side of the ball yet to be taken seriously by anyone. Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford have turned into pretty good NFL CB's, but the Falcons really need help at the safety position. Bell is the top safety in the draft and would give Atlanta a much needed player who has excellent coverage skills and is also a force against the run.
18. Indianapolis Colts - Hunter Henry (TE), Arkansas
Indianapolis was a dumpster fire last year. They went from playing in the AFC Championship to one of the laughing stocks in the league. It was all very very weird. I really expect the Colts to jump back into contender status next year, but that doesn't mean they don't need a lot of help in doing just that. Indianapolis's passing game is really reliant on the tight end position and with both of the Colts' tight ends (Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen) set to hit free agency, the Colts may move in a new direction altogether. If Fleener and Allen both bolt, don't be surprised to see the Colts target the best tight end in the draft in Hunter Henry. If that happens, there's a good chance I'll be taking Henry high in fantasy football next year. Just give me the trophy now.
19. Buffalo Bills - Taylor Decker (OT), Ohio State
Buffalo was a mess on the offensive line last year. Their two best offensive linemen (Richie Incognito & Cordy Glenn) are set to hit free agency and it's not a guarantee that they are back in Buffalo. If that's the case, that's a nightmare situation for Bills fans. If that happens, I also expect Buffalo to heavily target offensive linemen in the draft. Taylor Decker is the best available offensive linemen at this spot and he would not only provide the Bills with a much needed run-blocker, but he has the talent and ability to turn into the Bills best offensive lineman even if they decide to bring back both Incognito and Glenn.
20. New York Jets - Ezekiel Elliott (RB) - Ohio State
Chris Ivory is coming off a good year for the Jets, but he's widely not expected back in New York next season. That gives the Jets an immediate open roster spot and a huge need on the offensive side of the ball. Ezekiel Elliott is not only the best running back in the draft, but he could be the best offensive player in the draft. The guy just screams out "NFL running back" and is as close to a surefire thing at that position as I can remember. The Jets have a lot of questions on offense heading into next year, but the selection of Elliott would provide a much needed boost.
21. Washington Redskins - Jarran Reed (DT), Alabama
The Redskins were one of the surprise teams of 2016 and they have a lot of questions coming up in free agency. Since we don't know the answers to those questions yet, we pretty much have to guess what we think Washington will do. Let's say they re-sign Kirk Cousins, but decide to let Terrance Knighton walk. If that's the case, that would open an immediate hole at the defensive tackle position. Luckily for the Redskins though, the 2016 draft is loaded with potential first-round defensive tackles. In this instance, Alabama's Jarran Reed is sitting there looking pretty good to Redskins fans.
22. Houston Texans - Robert Nkemdiche (DT), Ole Miss
Houston really needs offensive help. That showed in their playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs where they were shut out on the offensive side of the ball. Unfortunately for them, in this spot...there's not an offensive player worth taking unless they want to reach for a QB like Connor Cook. Another solid option for the Texans would be to take Robert Nkemdiche to fill-in for the old man known as Vince Wilfork. The former #1 overall recruit coming out of high school has some questions surrounding him off-the-field, but can you imagine what the Texans would look like if Jadeveon Clowney and Nkemdiche finally reached their full potential with J.J. Watt also on the team? YIKES.
23. Minnesota Vikings - Darron Lee (LB), Ohio State
It's time to say goodbye to Chad Greenway, Minnesota. Greenway is no longer the player he once was and is now a glaring weakness on the defensive side of the ball. With Minnesota moving into "playoff team status", they need to start getting rid of their dead weight. By dropping Greenway and adding a player like Lee, that gives the Vikings a versatile player who looks like a surefire NFL stud to me. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is a defensive specialist and Lee would excel under his guidance.
24. Cincinnati Bengals - Eli Apple (CB), Ohio State
The Bengals need help in the secondary. There's no telling what's going to happen with the Bengals in free agency, but their secondary could look drastically different next season. Both of Cincinnati's safeties are free agents as are CB's Adam Jones and Leon Hall. The other two corners that the Bengals have taken in the first-round the last few years have been disappointing thus far. It's likely time for them to start looking in another direction and that direction could start to unfold in the NFL Draft. Apple has an NFL type body and is a good run defender. He has some weaknesses to work on in the cover department, but his upside is good enough to gamble on at this point.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Mackensie Alexander (CB), Clemson
The Steelers had an absolute garbage secondary in 2015 and need some help ASAP. Pittsburgh doesn't really have a number one CB on their roster at the moment and all their best players in the secondary are headed for free agency with no guarantee of a return. That could end up being a nightmare situation for a team with potential Super Bowl hopes next season. If the Steelers want to avoid another exit from the playoffs next season, they need to start adding some defensive talent that can contribute immediately. Alexander was an absolute stud this year in college football. Even though he lacks the ideal size you would want for an NFL corner, his coverage skills are definitely worth the selection here.
26. Seattle Seahawks - Andrew Billings (DT), Baylor
With both of Seattle's starting defensive tackles set to hit free agency, there's no guarantee who's going to play that position for the Seahawks next year. Like I mentioned earlier, this draft is loaded at the defensive tackle position and it may be in Seattle's best interest to let their veterans walk and take on a cheaper rookie who could even be an upgrade over the previous guys.
27. Green Bay Packers - Shaq Lawson (DE), Clemson
Shaq Lawson is the second best defensive end in the draft in my opinion and will likely be long gone by the time the Packers are ready to select. However, few teams are luckier than the Green Bay Packers are and there's a good chance Shaq will be sitting there ready to be taken when they are on the clock. Some teams just have all the luck.
28. Kansas City Chiefs - Braxton Miller (WR), Ohio State
Surprise, surprise. The former Ohio State QB is quickly moving up the charts and there are some people who think he could sneak into the first-round as the potential 2nd or 3rd WR taken. Even though the Chiefs have a lot of free agents on the defensive side of the ball, they need more playmakers on offense still. Lining up Miller in either the slot position or opposite Jeremy Maclin would make Alex Smith's life a lot easier.
29. Arizona Cardinals - Leonard Floyd (OLB), Georgia
The Cardinals have one of the best overall rosters in the NFL with only a few real holes. Their most glaring need is probably a young pass-rushing outside linebacker. Leonard Floyd might be the quickest outside linebacker in this year's draft and would give Arizona the truly dominant pass-rusher off the edge that they've been lacking.
30. Carolina Panthers - Michael Thomas (WR), Ohio State
If you watched the Super Bowl, it was pretty obvious. The Carolina Panthers desperately need help at the wide receiver position. While the return of Kelvin Benjamin will be huge next season, they still need to add a couple of more pieces to avoid the disaster that happened in their final game of the season.
31. Denver Broncos - Connor Cook (QB), Michigan State
Bye bye Brock Osweiler and Peyton Manning.
*The New England Patriots were forced to forfeit their first-round pick for the 2016 NFL Draft due to punishment from "Deflate Gate".
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