As the 2018 NFL season has come to an end and the annual Senior Bowl is behind us, it's time for our second rendition of a mock draft. A lot is still unclear at this time, but we have some risers as a result of the Senior Bowl and a more set-in-stone draft order, although a coin still needs to be flipped for a few selections. A few of my picks will remain the same from my Mock Draft 1.0, but there is a lot of change.
1. Arizona Cardinals - Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State - Not much will change a top this draft unless Bosa becomes injured or a trade is made; either a team taking over the first pick or the Cardinals shipping Josh Rosen elsewhere to land one of the quarterbacks in this draft. As I don’t project trades in my mock drafts, Bosa will remain the top dog until draft day.
Previous pick: Nick Bose, DE, Ohio State
2. San Francisco 49ers - Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky - Many people think that this pick will be Quinnen Williams out of Alabama as the best player available. As that does make sense, it does not really fill a need for the 49ers who are is desperate need of an edge rusher. It’s not like Allen is far behind Williams in most big boards, with many having him number three, right behind Williams. However, look for the 49ers to trade this pick.
Previous Pick: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky.
3. New York Jets - Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama - I am sorry that there has not been change thus far in my Mock Draft 2.0. At this point of the process there is not much of change to offer. The Jets have the chance to snag the presumed second overall talent in the draft at number three. They could very well match Quinnen Williams with Leonard Williams which would be a scary combination up front.
Previous pick: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
4. Oakland Raiders - Rashan Gary, DE/DT, Michigan - Finally some change to offer. I previously had Gary at number ten to the Broncos. After doing more research in the two week stretch between my last mock, I can see the Raiders taking the once number one high school recruit in the nation at four. The Raiders need to address its defense and the best way to do that is to go best player available. Gary is an athletic freak who, much like say an Aaron Donald (not saying he’s as talented as Donald), can play both on the edge and in the interior of the defensive line. Both of which are needs for Oakland.
Previous Pick: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Greedy Williams, CB, LSU - I am holding true to my previous mock and keeping Greedy Williams at this pick. I’ve seen some that have him as low as 20 at this point of the process. Much like a Denzel Ward of last year, where people had projected him to go anywhere from third to fifteenth, I think the same may be true for Williams. I’m big on Williams. He’s tall, athletic, fast, you name it, he has the tools to be a great corner in this league for years to come.
Previous pick: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
6. New York Giants - Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State - Until a trade is made leading up to the draft, Dwayne Haskins will always go to the Giants here, unless the Raiders’ new front office wants to surprise us and move on from Carr. Haskins will be the first quarterback off the board come draft day and in mocks where I do not project trades, it’ll be to the New York Football Giants.
Previous pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
7. Jacksonville Jaguars - Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma - It’s about time the Jaguars stop reaching on traditional looking quarterbacks and take the gamble on the talent of Kyler Murray. I still have concerns of his height and build, as he is 20-30 pounds lighter than the other “small” quarterback of the league in Drew Brees (6-foot, 210 pounds), Russell Wilson (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) and Baker Mayfield (6-foot-1, 215 pounds). I also feel that a lot rides on his official height measurement at the combine, which we are just three weeks away from! If he’s officially 5’10’’ as listed, he’ll for sure be a top 10 pick. Is he’s 5’9’’ or shorter, there could be some doubt. All in all, the talent is there as well as the wow factor. He has the ability to make it work at the next level, it’s just if his height and weight allow him to do it. I once wasn’t on the Murray train, but here I am, I’ve gotten on board and I’m ready to see where this thing takes us.
Previous pick: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
8. Detroit Lions - Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson - Ferrell may be the most pro-ready pass rusher in this draft. He lacks the athleticism of a Bosa, Allen or Gary, but has the non-measurable attribute of a constant moving motor. He has the length and size to get it done at the next level and for a Lions team that needs to fill in positions everywhere in the front 7, taking the likes of Ferrell would be a win.
Previous pick: Devin White, LB, LSU
9. Buffalo Bills - Ed Oliver, DT, Houston - The Bills need offensive line help terribly, but with Ed Oliver on the board at nine they’re not going to pass that up. Not to mention that they too need defensive line help. Oliver has the talent of a top five pick, but he being undersized for an NFL defensive tackle has him sliding down my board a bit. He’s extremely explosive and athletic, a nightmare for any offensive guard to contain. I’m not fully on board with Oliver’s skill set transferring to the next level due to the size, but wouldn’t be surprised if it does.
Previous pick: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
10. Denver Broncos - Drew Lock, QB, Missouri - Here we go again. The Broncos are going to waste yet another first round selection on a quarterback that won’t be on their roster in a few years. Okay, that may be an overstatement but Lock is not the answer. We’ll start with the hand size. Nine-inch hands. That’s not good. He also lacks the field vision and accuracy needed at the NFL level. But the Broncos still have team legend John Elway calling that shots, even though he shouldn’t be. Elway was seen at the Senior Bowl, constantly watching and talking to Lock. Reports show that he liked Lock over every quarterback there. Let’s hope someone talks the man out of it before draft day.
Previous pick: Rashan Gary, DE/DT, Michigan
11. Cincinnati Bengals - Devin White, LB, LSU - With newly appointed head coach Zac Taylor finally named following the Superbowl, we have more of an insight of what the Bengals might do here at eleven. Taylor is obviously an offensive mind. With that being said he could look to bolster the Bengals’ defense, specifically its linebacking corp. White is a freak athlete. Has great speed for a middle linebacker. He’ll plug in right away and be a sideline-to-sideline tackler. He’s also quality in coverage. He’s exactly what the Bengals need.
Previous pick: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
12. Green Bay Packers - Montez Sweat, DE/OLB, Mississippi State - Like stated in my previous mock, it feels that every off-season the Packers are looking for pass rushers. With two first round selections this year, they should look to take the best possible edge rusher at twelve. Sweat is an absolute freak. He’s 6-foot-6 and extremely lengthy, which is something coveted in today’s game. Sweat could be a name rising up boards into the top ten as the process goes on, especially after this Senior Bowl performance where he was one of the best looking players on the field.
Previous Pick: Jachai Polite, OLB, Florida
13. Miami Dolphins - Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson - With newly appointed head coach, and former Patriots’ defensive coordinator Brian Flores at the helm, the Dolphins could look to add an anchor to the center of its defense. Wilkins could be the most ready defensive lineman in this entire draft, which is heavily stacked in talent. The Dolphins seem to be love with Tua Tagovailoa, so them passing on the likes of Daniel Jones in this draft makes sense.
Previous Pick: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
14. Atlanta Falcons - Jeffery Simmons, DT/DE, Mississippi State - Simmons has all the talent in the world but recently plead no contest to a simple assault charge resulting from a video of him shoving and striking a woman after breaking up a fight involving his sister. He’ll have to work to convince NFL teams that he’s learned from his past. We’ll see how that process pans out for Simmons, but if teams are able to look past that, he’ll be a great addition to any team looking for defensive line help via the draft, such as the Atlanta Falcons.
Previous pick: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
15. Carolina Panthers - Brian Burns, DE, Florida State - Julius Peppers has officially called it quits leaving a big hole that needs to be filled. Burns is a player that has a mid-to-late first round grade. I think when it’s all said and done he’ll be a mid first round selection. He’s got the needed length being 6-foot-5. Whoever is selected here, if it is on the defensive end, will have big shoes to fill.
Previous Pick: Montez Sweat, DE/OLB, Mississippi State
16. Washington Redskins - Daniel Jones, QB, Duke - Alex Smith will miss the entirety of 2019 season, leaving the Redskins without a starting quarterback. The likes of Colt McCoy and Josh Jackson started games for the Redskins this season. Never a good sign. Who knows if Smith will ever be able to come back, and if he does, he may never get back to where he was following the gruesome leg injury he suffered. The Redskins have a chance to bring in a guy who could pan out. I like him more than Drew Lock. The accuracy is a little concerning as he threw under 60-percent at Duke but he has the tools to make it work at the next level.
Previous pick: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
17. Cleveland Browns - Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama - Cleveland finally has their quarterback in Baker Mayfield. Now, it’s time to protect the man. Joe Thomas was pretty much the only constant across the plethora of roster turnover over the years. With Thomas gone last season, Browns made due with Greg Robinson at left tackle, but he’s not the option of the future. Williams is the best offensive lineman in the draft and a steal at 17. It’s not the flash that Browns fans would like, but it’s one they need to make.
Previous pick: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
18. Minnesota Vikings - Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma - The Vikings will be upset if Williams is taken with the pick before them. However, Ford is a pretty quality consolation prize. There’s no question that the Vikings have one of the worst offensive lines in the game and they definitely need to address it. Ford can play both guard and tackle at the NFL level, which makes him even more valuable. The Vikings could use help across the entire offensive front.
Previous pick: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
19. Tennessee Titans - Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss - Marcus Mariota was sacked 11 times in one game in 2018. 11 times. The Titans needs to invest in its offensive line to protect the man. No wonder the dude can’t stay on the field and is always injured. Greg Little is a monster of a man, standing 6-foot-6 and weighting 328 pounds. He’d a great anchor on the Titans' line.
Previous pick: Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Byron Murphy, CB, Washington - I’m higher on Murphy than I am on Deandre Baker of Georgia. Murphy is the more athletic of the two. Baker may be the most NFL ready of the two but one can’t bat an eye at Murphy. Anyway you go here, the Steelers need secondary help. They got burnt over the top way too many times this season.
Previous pick: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
21. Seattle Seahawks - T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa - I previously had Hockenson's teammate Noah Fant here. Although Fant is the more athletic of the two Iowa tightends, Hockenson is the bigger, more reliable pass catcher. The Seahawks need to bring in some weapons for Russell Willson. It's obvious that Wilson misses Jimmy Graham, who had over 95 receptions in the last two of his three seasons in Seattle.
Previous pick: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
22. Baltimore Ravens - Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama - I’m too going to hold true with my Jacobs to the Ravens pick at 22. It also just makes a lot of sense. The Ravens are fully committed to this extremely run heavy offense and need to find an every down back to compliment Lamar Jackson. It’s just something that has to be done for their offense to work.
Previous pick: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
23. Houston Texans - Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia - Watch for Cajuste to start making his way up draft boards and into the first round. The Texans had one of the worst offensive lines in the game last season so going best offensive tackle available is kind of a no brainer.
Previous pick: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
24. Oakland Raiders (via Chicago Bears) - Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama - In my previous mock I had the Raiders taking Thompson as well, just at pick 27. Thompson is the top safety prospect in the draft. A true ballhawk and an absolute steal at 24. If my team were to grab a talent such as Thompson at 24, I’d be jumping for joy.
Previous pick: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
25. Philadelphia Eagles - Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia - As I previously stated, Baker is the most pro-ready defensive back in the draft. He just lacks the athleticism of a Murphy or Williams. The Eagles have had a rotating door at cornerback for a few seasons now. Adding a talent like Baker, who can become a staple of the future would be a great move.
Previous pick: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
26. Indianapolis Colts - Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma - In today’s game, every team is looking for the next Antonio Brown and Tyreke Hill. Brown has the skill set to be the next one. He’s been clocked already with at 4.33 in the 40-yard dash. The man is super fast and has the hands to match, a true game changer. The Colts need to give Andrew Luck some more weapons outside of T.Y. Hilton. When Hilton missed a three game stretch this season, Colts’ receivers recorded 19 drops.
Previous pick: Kelvin Harmon, WR, N.C. State
27. Oakland Raiders (via Dallas Cowboys) - Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama - Again, just throw a dart at a dartboard to find out which hole the Raiders will look to address next. With Gruden at the helm and an obvious offense guy, he could look to spend all three first round selections to bulk up the defense. With an edge rusher and safety already selected, Gruden could look for his defensive quarterback in Wilson. Wilson has sideline-to-sideline speed, the ability to stop the run and is fast enough to drop back into coverage, and do it well. He’ll be a great defensive general for any team that grabs him
Previous pick: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
28. Los Angeles Chargers - Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson - The third member of the National Champions taken in the first round goes to Los Angeles. Obviously, the Chargers are set on the edges for Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, however, they need help on the interior of its defensive line. They’ve had troubles stopping the run this past season, so plugging in a guy who is 6-foot-5 and 350 pounds would be a great way to address that.
Previous pick: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
29. Kansas City Chiefs - Nasir Adderley, S, Deleware - The first FCS player is off the board in the later part of the first round. The Chiefs need help at linebacker and more notably in its secondary. Adderley was one of the biggest risers as the result of the recent Senior Bowl, where he has an interception. He looks the part of an NFL safety, although a bit undersized, I think he has the talent to become a solid pro.
Previous pick: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
30. Green Bay Packers (via New Orleans Saints) - Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State - Here’s another player turning heads and rising up boards. I have the Packers taking an edge rusher at twelve so adding a defensive tackle makes sense with their second first round selection. He’s a little small for my liking but as proven in today’s game, the smaller, quicker and more athletic defensive tackles can still get the job done.
Previous pick: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
31. Los Angeles Rams - Jachai Polite, DE/OLB, Florida - The Rams are getting one heck of a player at 31 here in Polite. Some may have him as high as a near top-ten pick. I don’t like his height and length personally, but he has the explosiveness and power to hit the corner and get around. The Rams are in need of a pass rusher so grabbing Polite here would be a dream come true.
Previous pick: Oshane Ximines, OLB, Old Dominion
32. New England Patriots - Noah Fant, TE, Iowa - I’m going to roll with the narrative that Gronk is going to retire and the Patriots need to replace him. Iowa is turning into tight-end U, with two potential first round selections. Fant is the more athletic of the two between he and T.J. Hockenson. He'll be a great addition to the Patriots, who will find many ways to get him involved.
Previous pick: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama