Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft

Now that the NFL Combine has passed, and a plethora of NFL hopefuls have tested in front of scouts, it’s time to focus on the NFL Draft. Here is a post-Combine NFL mock draft with trades.

1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Right off the bat, we have some fun. The Arizona Cardinals pull the trigger and get new Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury his quarterback. This move sets the stage for a wild draft night, with Josh Rosen on the move, as will be seen later. The writing is on the wall for Kyler Murray to Arizona. The new regime in Arizona will look to turn things around after a disastrous attempt in 2018.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State

San Francisco lucked into the best prospect in the draft. Nick Bosa is an absolute stud defensive end with an immense amount of talent and potential. Although the 49ers have spent seemingly every recent first-round pick on pass rushers, they cannot afford to pass on this one. Bosa provides an immediate impact as a pass rusher, but also as a run stopper. He possesses natural bend with a speed and power combination that isn’t even fair.

3. Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

TRADE: The Broncos traded the tenth overall pick, their 2019 third-round pick (71^st overall), and a 2020 second-round pick to move up to number three. Denver trades up to get their quarterback. Drew Lock is the prototypical John Elway guy that seems too obvious to not happen on draft night. He has an incredibly strong arm and raw potential. However, he is very much a work in progress. This is a bold move by Denver, but you have to go get your guy.

4. Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

Oakland holds three first-round picks on draft night. With a ton of holes to fill, they could look to trade back, but adding young talent should be the main focus. Quinnen Williams is in the mix to be the number one pick for good reason. He is a truly dominant interior rusher that wreaked havoc on the SEC for Alabama. Oakland opts not to reach for a position of need and goes with the best player available.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky

Josh Allen is a monster, simple as that. He helped turn Kentucky into a force in the SEC with his dominance on the defense side. He can take over an entire game and wreck an offense’s game plan. As a true outside linebacker, Allen does more than just rush the passer. He can drop in coverage and fill gaps against the run with ease. Allen’s versatility makes him one of the most intriguing players in the entire draft.

6. New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Somehow, without having to trade up, the Giants get a quarterback. Not just any quarterback, but the best one in the draft. They hype around Murray’s athleticism and Lock’s arm will force Dwayne Haskins to slide to QB3. Haskins showed great composure in his first full season as the starting signal-caller at Ohio State. He continually showed growth and progressed through his reads, leading the Buckeyes on a tear to end the season. This is a dream scenario for the Giants.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Burns, DE, Florida State

With all signs pointing toward the Jags signing Nick Foles, they do not have to reach on yet another quarterback. Brian Burns is coming off an incredible showing at the NFL Combine, and teams will be interested. With the age and money invested in the defensive line, the Jags need to find a piece for the future. Burns is an athletic freak that fits nicely with the talent and speed already in place for Jacksonville.

8. Detroit Lions: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

Detroit recently signed defensive end Romeo Okwara to an extension, relieving the immediate need at the position. Instead, they can focus on the best player available. Greedy Williams is built to play the press at the NFL level. At LSU, Williams steered offenses away from him, locking down top receivers time after time. A future of Williams and Darius Slay makes for a very scary Detroit defense.

9. Buffalo Bills: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

The Combine hysterics will probably cause D.K. Metcalf to be drafted a little earlier than necessary. However, the Bills need to give Josh Allen weapons, and Metcalf is a physical specimen that is a nice starting piece.

10. New York Jets: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State

TRADE: From Denver. The Jets have an abundance of cap space and a nice young core to build upon. Montez Sweat showed out at the Combine, and his stock will skyrocket. Even the Jets decide to throw money at a proven pass rusher, expect them to take another early in the draft. Sweat has great speed off the edge and has shown his power from time to time. A true do-it-all edge rusher.

11. Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, LB, LSU

Devin White is arguably the best linebacker in the draft, an area of need for the Bengals. He is a true captain of the defense with great football instincts that will change the culture of a defense.

12. Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

TRADE: The Falcons move up a couple of spots and swap with the Packers, sending picks 14 and 117. Somehow, Ed Oliver slides out of the top ten despite being a very talented athlete. His rare combination of speed and power as an interior defensive lineman make him a treat of a prospect. Atlanta adds another young stud to the defense for the future. A can’t-miss prospect falls into their lap.

13. Miami Dolphins: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan

Miami is most likely in the market for a quarterback. However, an early run leaves them empty-handed. Instead, they take Rashan Gary to try and improve their pass rush and rebuild a struggling defense. Miami is in a rough spot in this scenario, making them a trade candidate.

14. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

TRADE: From Atlanta. The Packers moved back and added an extra draft pick but still get their guy. T.J. Hockenson is the best tight end in the draft with a skill set to dominate as a pass-catcher and as a blocker. His versatility will translate effortlessly and will give Aaron Rodgers a new toy in the offense.

15. Arizona Cardinals: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma

TRADE: This is the big move everyone is scared of. Arizona sends quarterback Josh Rosen to Washington for pick 15, pick 76, and a 2020 third-round pick. The Cardinals snag Kyler Murray’s teammate to protect him in the NFL. Cody Ford has potential as a right tackle or a guard in the NFL, and versatility is key. He can fit in multiple positions, allowing the Cardinals to play other guys where they fit best.

16. Carolina Panthers: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

In a loaded edge class, Clelin Ferrell seems to be the forgotten star. A small slide will end with the Panthers, who find a young pass rusher to replace Julius Peppers. Ferrell is a stud against the run and has shown his ability to bully left tackles.

17. Cleveland Browns: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

Byron Murphy is a smaller corner, but he has innate ball skills. Cleveland already has a small corner in Denzel Ward, but it will be hard to pass up on Murphy. The Washington product has made a strong push to be the top corner in the class, and his instincts make up for his size concerns.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Jachai Polite, DE, Florida

TRADE: The Seahawks trade pick 21 and pick 84 to Minnesota for picks 18 and 120. Jachai Polite is expected to slide, maybe even out of the first round entirely. Still, his raw talent and high upside merit a first-round selection. For Seattle, a slight move up allows them to add a talented rusher without overpaying. They could also look at offensive linemen here, but Polite provides a very, very high ceiling.

19. Tennessee Titans: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

The Titans are so close to being a dangerous team in the AFC. With the top edge rushers off the board and no sure-fire wide receivers available, they find a different weapon for the offense. Noah Fant is a vertical threat and matchup nightmare at tight end. He can come in right away and open the passing offense for Marcus Mariota, working out of the slot and attacking the middle of the field.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson

The Steelers are in a world of trouble at the moment. They seem set to lose two star offensive playmakers and have a lot of holes to fill on defense. Trayvon Mullen is a guy that brings a feistiness to the defense and can start on the outside from day one. He isn’t the most athletically gifted player in the draft, but his football IQ and ability to attack the ball are attractive.

21. Minnesota Vikings: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama

TRADE: From Seattle. The Vikings move back to acquire a better day-two pick and still get their guy. Jonah Williams is a polarizing prospect because of one game at the end of his career. Still, his Combine workout and career portfolio don’t lie. If he is still on the board at this spot, the Vikings better spring to the podium with the card.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State

Hakeem Butler is going to receive a ton of hype after his impressive Combine performance. He provides a ton of size with an unfair speed advantage to add to it. The Ravens have to get some pieces on offense to help out Lamar Jackson, and Butler is the perfect start. He can be a WR1 with a big body and a safety net for a young quarterback.

23. Houston Texans: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

It appears we have a run on offensive line. Jawaan Taylor has the tools to be a stud of a right tackle at the next level. After a minor injury prior to the Combine, Taylor may slip a little bit in the draft, but he is a powerful mover up front. The Texans need to protect Deshaun Watson first and foremost, so this is an easy choice. Taylor may have the highest upside of all offensive tackles.

24. Oakland Raiders (via Chicago Bears): Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt

Whoa, new name. Joejuan Williams is a big, physical corner with a knack for press coverage. His measurements were astounding in Indianapolis, and his name will rise. The Raiders need as much young talent as possible, and Williams just seems like a Gruden guy. He isn’t flashy, but he gets the job done.

25. Philadelphia Eagles: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama

An injury kept Thompson out of the NFL Combine. Add that to a rough end to his 2018 season and Deionte Thompson is going to slide. The Eagles are still in position to win, and adding a versatile, ball-hawking safety can only help the defense. The Alabama product is rangy with the speed to play as the single-high safety.

26. Indianapolis Colts: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

The Colts have a ton of cap space and a plethora of draft picks. They should make a few splashes in free agency, but the draft will bring in plenty of talent, too. Christian Wilkins is a large man that fills the middle of the defensive line. He will attract blockers and open the gates for the linebackers and edge rushers to get into the backfield. A top-15 guy always tends to fall, and Wilkins is one of those guys this year.

27. Oakland Raiders (via Dallas Cowboys): Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama

Oakland continues to add young talent. They walk out of round one with three starting defenders. They now have talent at all three levels of the defense, marking the beginning of a new era. Mack Wilson plays sideline to sideline and is stout against the run. He is super athletic as an interior linebacker and will impact games as a rookie.

28. Los Angeles Chargers: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State

Some expect the Chargers to take a quarterback early on. However, with the talent they have in place, they need to add as much impactful young talent as they can in order to make a run. They have dealt with injuries on the offensive line for what seems like forever. Dalton Risner hasn’t allowed a sack since 2016 and can play almost anywhere on the line. He displays great power and is effective in both the run and pass game.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

After a strong performance at the Combine, John Abram will garner first-round buzz. He is the most physical safety in the class with speed and coverage skills. The Chiefs secondary is not good, but adding a player of Abram’s caliber is the first step in turning things around. It also takes some of the pressure off of Eric Berry.

30. Green Bay Packers (via New Orleans Saints): Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

The Packers add another weapon for Aaron Rodgers rather than piecing together the defense. Marquise Brown is a blazer that did nothing but produce at Oklahoma. If the Packers want to go all in and win with offense, this is the move to make. Brown can stretch the field and bring a spark to the offense.

31. Los Angeles Rams: DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia

Los Angeles needs to plan for the future. They eventually have to move on Aqib Talib, and DeAndre Baker is that guy. Baker is a physical corner that has enough speed to hang with receivers if needed. A year behind Talib would be good for Baker, but he can contribute in the slot for a year or two as he develops.

32. Cincinnati Bengals: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

TRADE: The Bengals send picks 42 and 110 to New England for picks 32 and 134, giving them a chance to draft a quarterback and have a fifth-year option. Daniel Jones is a work in progress, but if the Bengals decide to move on from Andy Dalton, Jones is the best option available at this point. He isn’t polished, but he does have a good pocket presence and can manage the game.

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