NFL Mock Draft 2.0
We are on the heels of the NFL Draft. It’s only a few days away as teams prepare to make a decision that will completely change the outlook of their franchise. Some teams will find the next key piece for heir team, others will make an outrageous pick that you won’t agree with, and some don’t even have scouts anymore. The only thing that is certain come Thursday, anything can happen. Let’s take a dive in and see some possible landing spots for these prospects.
Arizona Cardinals
Wait, the Cardinals don’t draft Kyler Murray? This whole offseason appears to be a smokescreen. If the Cardinals can’t find a trade partner to take their bait, they will end up taking arguably the most pro-ready player in the draft in Quinnen Williams. They have a lot of needs on this team, but they might as well start on the interior line and select a very polarizing prospect.
San Francisco 49ers
If the Cardinals decide to select Williams, there’s no way they can pass on a guy like Nick Bosa. Bosa is largely regarded as the best prospect in this class, and rightfully so. He’s a game-changer on the outside. There is a lot of trade down candidates this year, and the Niners may be one of them. But if Bosa gets to the second pick, I don’t think the Niners can pass on him.
New York Jets
The Jets whiffed on Anthony Barr during free agency as he ultimately decided to head back to the Vikings. Josh Allen could very well fill a similar role the Jets expected Barr to play. Allen can rush the passer, though he’s very raw in that aspect and isn’t his best trait believe it or not. He’s very good in pass coverage and you can stand him up anywhere at the second level. This would be a very intriguing pick by the Jets.
Oakland Raiders
Kyler Murray may have expected his name to be called first, but he didn’t have to wait long after. The rumors are becoming more and more likely Murray ends up in the same city that drafted him to play baseball. There’s a great likelihood that if Murray ends up in Oakland, the Raiders trade away Carr and end up with even more first round picks this year.
Read More: Kyler Murray’s Fantasy Profile
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This fit seems too good not to land Devin White in Tampa Bay. With the departure of Kwon Alexander on what was already a poor defense, it just feels destined that White ends up in Tampa. He’s a tantalizing prospect that will make an impact year one for the Bucs.
New York Giants
The Giants ultimately pull the trigger on what is sure to wind up being a desperation pick. Despite what Dave Gettleman has been feeding to the media, we all know where Eli Manning’s career has been headed. This is Gettleman’s way of trying to save his job in New York.
Read More: Dwayne Haskins Fantasy Profile
Jacksonville Jaguars
Without cheating, can you name a current tight end on the Jaguars roster? I didn’t think so. This position is in desperate need of an upgrade, and why not upgrade it with arguably the best tight end in this class. Hockenson can block with the best of them and his pass catching is well above average as well. Definitely a plus pick for the Jaguars.
Read More: T.J. Hockenson Fantasy Profile
Detroit Lions
Early on in the offseason, it was strange enough hearing about two tight ends from the same school going in the first round, but how about back to back and in the first round?! Fant is as athletic as they come and Stafford needs a weapon over the middle of the field that can win against linebackers and safeties. Problem solved.
Read more: Noah Fant Fantasy Profile
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have done quite the job rebuilding this team and may be just a few key pieces away from making a playoff run. They need some support on their offensive line to give their strong-armed quarterback time to heave the ball downfield. Jawaan Taylor instantly upgrades this offensive line by a large amount.
Denver Broncos
Yes, Drew Lock is still on the board and no, the Broncos don’t use their tenth overall pick on a backup quarterback. Lock may end up having a promising career, but the Broncos have too many holes to fill on what has become a has-been defense. Bush has the pass coverage skills and pursuit to help bring this defense back to its shutdown self.
Cincinnati Bengals
There’s been a lot of talk of new Head Coach Zac Taylor wanting a shiny new quarterback to go with his new team. Not so fast. This offensive line class has shown a lot of promise, so let’s start by protecting the quarterback we have now, and the one we have in the future. Dillard is a raw, athletic prospect that given the time to develop his technique, will be a top tackle in the league.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have done a very good job at turning what used to be a very unsatisfying secondary, into a shutdown secondary. Why not keep adding to it and grab a guy who can patrol centerfield for you and be that guy that can ball hawk the deep balls. This will go a long way to securing this secondary for years to come.
Miami Dolphins
It would be fitting here for the Dolphins, who have talked about not taking a quarterback in the first round, to take one with the thirteenth overall pick. But all in all, when you look at their offensive line, outside of Laremy Tunsil, there’s not much there to be happy with. Jonah Williams is a guy the Dolphins can’t pass on.
Atlanta Falcons
Ed Oliver has widely been scrutinized because of how undersized he is to play on the interior of a defensive line. Ultimately, you look at his strengths and you can throw those concerns out the window. This man can play ball and will thrive as he boosts this Falcons defense to the next level.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins own a fairly decent offensive line as it is, but with Darrius Guice coming off of a torn ACL and Adrian Peterson not getting any younger, beefing up that offensive line, even more, can’t hurt. Lindstrom is the definition of a mauler on the inside. Something the running backs in Washington will love.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are licking their chops as the watch one of the more polarizing pass rushers in this draft fall to them. The Panthers were among the worst in the NFL at getting to the quarterback in 2018. That changes as soon as they announce Brian Burns as their 16th overall pick.
New York Giants
Gettleman gets one right. The Giants arguably should have addressed their offensive line with their first pick in the first round, but instead, they land a solid, versatile player in Cody Ford with their second pick in the first round. Ford can play both inside and on the exterior of the offensive line. He immediately brings options to one of the worst lines in football.
Minnesota Vikings
Wait, the Vikings didn’t draft an offensive lineman?! If this is what plays out, there could be riots all over the streets in Minnesota. But it’s not out of the question. Mike Zimmer loves himself some defensive backs that are long and rangy and can play man-to-man well. Greedy is one of those guys.
Tennessee Titans
Montez Sweat is one of those prospects that could be a top-10 pick if it wasn’t for a heart condition that has been deemed a nonrisk. The Titans were good, but not great at getting to the passer in 2018. They have a good young core on defense already and adding Sweat would make them a threat for years to come.
Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s really not like the Steelers to have this many holes to fill, but here we are. The lack of depth really showed towards the end of the season as the Steelers began to slowly unravel. They need a guy to stick to his man, and Byron does that arguably the best in this class.
Seattle Seahawks
With the trade of Frank Clark to the Chiefs, it makes sense that they draft his replacement. Ferrell, who generally isn’t getting the respect he deserves, has been a thorn in the sides of offensive linemen and quarterbacks for four years at Clemson and looks to bring his talents to a defense formerly known as the Legion of Boom.
Baltimore Ravens
21 picks before this and zero wide receivers went off the board. This may be shocking to some, but with holes to fill, this outcome is very likely. Metcalf is the most intriguing prospect in this class. He possesses all the freakish athletic traits you look for in a wideout, but with very little production in college, widely due to injury. He has the ability, however, to make even Lamar Jackson look accurate with his contested catch ability and his wide catch radius.
Read More: N’Keal Harry Fantasy Profile
Houston Texans
With the Texans being one of the most desperate teams for an offensive lineman, this may end up being a reach. Bradbury is very good on the interior of the offensive line. He’s athletic and can get to the second level with ease. However, with the early run on offensive linemen, the Texans needed to reach for a prospect that may not fit the best in their style of offense.
Oakland Raiders
Would it be any more of a Jon Gruden thing to do than to draft two offensive skilled position players with his first two picks of the draft? Especially with all the holes they need to fill on defense. Sanders was stuck behind Saquon Barkley all through college and finally got his opportunity last year and made the most of it. He tore up the combine and became the talk of the draft. Enough so that he jumps into the first round.
Read More about Miles Sanders Fantasy Profile Here
Philadelphia Eagles
Two running backs go back-to-back in the first round. Interesting, because this running back class is questionable at best. David Montgomery reminds some of Jordan Howard, who was newly acquired by the Eagles from the Bears this offseason. Howard, with just one year left on his contract, could pave the way to a starting role in the future for Montgomery.
Indianapolis Colts
Widely considered the top wide receiver prospect, Harry lands himself in one of the more favorable spots a wideout could land. He gives another lethal weapon to Andrew Luck who already has Hilton, Ebron, Mack, and Funchess. This pick would make the Colts an even more dangerous offense.
Read More about N’Keal Harry’s Fantasy Profile here
Oakland Raiders
Well, well, well, the Raiders finally address their biggest need by drafting Winovich with their final pick of the first round. The Raiders were brutal last year on defense as they got to the quarterback just 13 times. Winovich brings that hard-nosed attitude to a defense that desperately needs a culture change.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers offensive line may have been their biggest downfall in 2018. Dalton Risner immediately brings strength, power, and versatility to this line that really needs it. He can play center, guard, or tackle, which lends himself very valuable. He’s going to need to help give Rivers more time in the pocket, as well as open up holes for the running game. Both things he does very well at.
Seattle Seahawks
With a trade happening just days before the NFL Draft begins, the Seahawks sent Frank Clark to the Chiefs for their 29th overall pick and other draft capital. Since they took Clark’s replacement earlier in the draft, this paves the way for another need they will look to fill with Nasir Adderley. He’s not going to bring back the Legion of Boom, but he will be a key piece into locking up this secondary.
Green Bay Packers
Talk about a lethal combo, Rodgers to A.J. Brown. Two names Packer fans would be singing from the mountain tops for years to come. Brown would fit perfect in the Randall Cobb role, only he would do it better. His versatility and release on the line is arguably the best in this class. Pair him with Davante Adams and you have a dangerous duo.
Read More about A.J Brown’s Fantasy Profile Here.
Los Angeles Rams
It’s clear what direction the Rams need to head in this year’s draft. Talib isn’t getting any younger and Peters struggles in man-to-man. It makes perfect sense for them to take a young guy who can stick to his man in coverage. Baker immediately covers a hole the Rams need to fill badly.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are in an interesting spot this year. They could use some pass-catching threats, an edge rusher that can get to the passer, and an interior defensive lineman. Drafting Lawrence would bring back thoughts of the Vince Wilfork days. Lawrence would punish running backs inside and be a menace for interior lineman off the snap. The Patriots again get even better.
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Thanks for Reading
I have a lovely wife and three children. I have played Fantasy Football since 2006. I began writing Fantasy Football content for FFDynasty260 in 2017 and covered the weekly waiver wire column as well as other topics. I started covering the Minnesota Vikings for Last Word On Sports in 2018. I am currently the Fantasy Football Expert for The Scoop on KLGR in Minnesota. I merged with FFD260 to Gridiron Experts in 2019 covering Dynasty Fantasy Football and more. I am a co-host on The Dynasty Draft Room podcast which launched in 2019. I stopped writing Vikings content for LWOS and switched to The Vikings Age in 2019.
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