Between the end of the Super Bowl and the start of free agency, NFL Mock Draft searches soar. Pushing things like Charlie Campbell’s Walterfootball.com, Mel Kiper Jr, and Bleacher Report with many of its teenage writers to the forefront of the football galaxy. And honestly, I couldn’t be more excited! I love draft season. What’s more fun than imaging a star prospect slipping to your team (Dez Bryant!), or being nostalgic and telling yourself, “Remember that time we (Dallas) drafted Johnny Football!” Sorry Browns fans. Anyway, there’s so many stocks rising and falling, coupled with this year’s presidential caucuses, I’m surprised my head isn’t just whirling around trying to keep track of all of it. Without further ado, welcome to my first mock draft. Now let’s get this over with, before my head rolls off my neck.
1. Tennessee Titans (Team Needs – T, RB, S):
Laramey Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
I get that Joey Bosa is the most intriguing talent especially when his ceiling might be J.J. Watt, but tell that to a mangled Marcus Mariota, who missed four games due to injuries (most of them coming from lousy offensive line play). He’s too big of an investment to not protect. And unless Tunsil has an atrocious combine, I don’t see how you pass on him. Let’s pencil this in before someone talks me into someone else, and I regret not taking Tunsil like Ryan Grigson regrets Trent Richardson… on second thought, naaahhhh hardly anything comes close to that. LONG LIVE RYAN GRIGSON!!!
2. Browns (QB, WR, DE, ILB):
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota St
I hate this. It seems like Cleveland is on an inevitable collision course for drafting a quarterback – empty slot, new management needing new direction, Cleveland’s tortured draft history with quarterbacks, Johnny Manziel, Johnny Manziel’s Vegas blonde wig fake mustache and glasses outfit. I mean there’s no way Brian Drew can keep playing forever right!?
Anyway, Wentz could be this year’s Blake Bortles – best quarterback available but more likely to be a bust than a star. If I’m Cleveland I’m not making this move unless I’m certain I have the right foundation (which they don’t) – president, general manager, and coach. Matter of fact, just draft Bosa. At least you know what you’re getting. Or how bout this, draft down and steal Robert Nkemdiche! Love that kid! He’s this year’s “Stock is Dropping” prospect because of character concerns.[1] At worst he’s a super solid tackle, at best Aaron Donald. And he can be got in the teens! Toss in some draft picks and you got me set, when can we finish the paperwork?
One more tidbit. I have this year’s quarterbacks ranked like this: Wentz > Goff > Lynch. Insider tip – judge college quarterbacks like pros. Do they shuffle their feet? Do they progress through their reads? Do they look off the safety? Any pump fakes? How’s their fake hand-offs? Audibles? Etc, etc.
Wentz at least gets to his second read, the others stare their first receivers down like they’re talking to Jordana Brewster and can’t believe it. Also, Wentz has a feather touch on his throws.
3. San Diego Chargers (WR, LB, C):
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Let’s see, 6’6” and 276 pounds. Hands down a destructive force that blows up plays like he’s part of Torreto’s Fast and Furious Crew. Has been compared to J.J. Watt (which isn’t too far fetched). What’s not to like besides his so-so shoulder shrug sack celebration? Also he’s this year’s best prospect. Previous examples: Eric Berry, Ndamukong Suh, Leonard Williams, and Andrew Luck.
4. Dallas Cowboys (RB, DT, LB, CB):
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Quick Hit: You always do what teams wouldn’t want you to do.
Example #1: Pairing Clowney with J.J. Watt.
Example #2: Pairing Leonard Williams with Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson.
This year’s example: Dez Bryant AND Laquon Treadwell.
Treadwell’s too good to fall out of the Top 10. I don’t see how other mocks have him in the teens! Someone’s taking him in the Top 10 or trading up for him (if he slips by Baltimore too, which desperately needs a deep threat for Flacco). He oozes too much Julio Jones potential, and he’s more polished than Jones was coming out of Alabama. Treadwell at worst starting off should be a Top 20 receiver with potentially leaping into the Top 5 in a few years. Why wouldn’t you draft him??? I get the Myles Jack selection here from other mocks, could be next Thomas Davis, but that’s a huge gamble!
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (CB, S, C, DT):
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Here’s where it get dicey. The top four picks are somewhat guaranteed to come off the board in some way unless Goff or whatever leading quarterback’s Wonderlic comes back with a big fat zero, but everything else seems like a crapshoot. That leaves the Jags with their most pressing need, cornerback falling perfectly into their laps. Between Jalen Ramsey and Vernon Hargreaves though, who do you pick especially with cornerbacks being possibly the hardest position to nail besides quarterback. For every Patrick Peterson there’s a million Morris Claiborne’s. You’re better off buying them in free agency. Here’s how the first round cornerbacks stacked up after I Youtube-ed their highlights:
Coverage – MacKenzie (A), Hargreaves (A-), Ramsey (B)
Catching – Hargreaves (A+), MacKenzie (B+), Ramsey (C)
And after watching Ramsey’s tape, you can’t tell me he doesn’t have safety written all over him. His coverage isn’t sticky, and he doesn’t catch interceptions like Hargreaves and MacKenzie. Also if I was Jacksonville, I’m might even be intrigued at trading back and picking up an extra pick while also nabbing MacKenzie (5’11” & projected 4.45 forty time). Ramsey at best reminds me of Charles Tillman – not the best coverage corner but a playmaking one with a knack for creating turnovers.
One last thing before moving on, I like Hargreaves’ awareness. He always seems to know when receiver screens are coming, and disrupts them for losses. I’m sold on this guy! Seriously! I just pushed all my chips in and threw in my sad $2,500 pink slip, The Fast & The Furious style!
6. Baltimore Ravens (S, OLB, WR):
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
I don’t like Jalen Ramsey or Myles Jack enough for this spot, and I can’t help but think Ozzie Newsome might be sweating bullets having to choose between the both of them. But hey, here’s an idea – if you’re Baltimore do you trade back to the ninth spot knowing Ramsey and/or Jack will most likely be there? You know the 49ers are most likely drafting a quarterback, and Miami would be dumb to pass on protecting Ryan Tannehill (sacked 45 times, tied for 4th most in the League!). Which leaves Tampa on the outside looking in for the second best offensive lineman (Ronnie Stanley) for Jameis Winston, especially when there’s a drop-off from the Top 2 to the rest (next offensive lineman projected at #20). Given Newsome’s history with playmakers (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, & Terrell Suggs), I don’t see him passing on Myles. The kid is still a mystery in pass rush, but a fantastic playmaker in coverage.
7. San Francisco 49ers (QB, Coach!, T, WR, DE, DT):
Jared Goff, QB, Cal
I’m just leaving this here and moving on:
Colin Kaepernick’s contract – 6 years, $126 million. Cutting him before April 1st makes them responsible for only $7.3 million (don’t have to pay the rest of his contract), next year.
8. Miami Dolphins (G, T, CB, ILB):
Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame
Did I mention Tannehill was sacked 45 times in 2015? How about being tied for 4th among quarterbacks with most sacks? Oh and his new head coach, an offensive whiz, I’m pretty sure understands the importance of a good offensive line… cut to Adam Gase nodding.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (T, G, CB, DE):
Deforest Buckner, DE, Oregon
If you’re really grading defensive linemen, you grade in terms of disruption. Like on a Richter Scale of 1-5, J.J. Watt & Khalil Mack are 5s! Coming out of college, Leonard Williams definitely a 5! Here’s how this year’s potential 1st round prospects stack up:
A’Shawn Robinson (4.5)
Deforest Buckner (4.5)
Joey Bosa (4.5)
Jonathan Bullard (4.4)
Shaq Lawson (4.3)
Robert Nkemdiche (4.2)
Kevin Dodd (4.1)
Vernon Butler (4.0)
Emmanuel Ogbah (3.9)
Andrew Billings (3.9?)
Noah Spence (3.8)
Sheldon Rankings (3.8)
Quick notes though: Bosa’s pass rushing skills are different from A’Shawn’s and Deforest’s. Bosa is a mix between motor and strength; the other two are extremely athletic disruptions. Like how Jared Allen is a different type of pass rusher from Justin Houston. Also, are we sure Noah Spence and Sheldon Rankings are 1st round talents? They just might be this year’s fool’s gold! Or simply put, this year’s Melvin Gordon.[2]
10. New York Giants (SS, DT)
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Can Jalen Ramsey come back to bite me in the you know what… SURE! But I’m not drafting him in my Top 10. A’Shawn is too good, and has much more guarantee on his star potential than Ramsey. Also, he begins the run on Alabama prospects and mine and every other college fan’s despise for seeing that name show up every time on ESPN’s screen. Whatever, I’m a jealous Gators fan. But you know what Bama, I’m hanging Trent Richardson over your head. SO THERE! Let’s move on before something gets broken.
Part 2 Coming Soon…
[1] Dez Bryant stamps his seal of approval on this!
[2] Verdict still out on: Jarran Reed, Kenny Clark, and Leonard Floyd!
