Archive for April, 2017

Post Combine NFL mock draft (part 1)

Posted: April 3, 2017 in Football, NFL
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  1. Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett – DE, Texas A&M – Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller says Myles Garrett is far and away the number one guy in the draft.
  2. San Francisco 49ers – Solomon Thomas – DE, Stanford – John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan both went to school out west, and I think they would prefer one of the Pac 12 passers for 2018 (i.e. USC’S Sam Darnold or UW’s Jake Browning) over QB’s Trubisky, Kizer, or Watson. Thomas has been compared to Justin Smith, a 49ers pro bowler for many years before his retirement.
  3. Chicago Bears – Deshaun Watson – QB, Clemson – I don’t see how the Bears don’t draft a passer here. Mike Glennon is not a starting quarterback. It’s possible Watson may not pan out, but the Bears have to try and compete. Watson’s a top competitor who will bring a refreshing enthusiasm to the QB position in Chicago.
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette – RB, LSU – Bortles took a step backwards last season. If Jacksonville can create a strong ground presence to gel with their defense Bortles won’t feel the need to force so many passes. Fournette is a devastating runner that can move Jacksonville up in the AFC South.
  5. Tennessee Titans – Jonathan Allen – DL, Alabama – Allen lining up next to Jurrell Casey would be a glorious sight to behold in Tennessee. Tennessee looks like a team on the verge of making the playoffs with Marcus Mariota and their defense performing well last season.
  6. New York Jets – Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State – The Jets signed stopgap qb Josh McCown and want Christian Hackenberg to learn on the bench. The loss of Revis will hurt, and HC Todd Bowles will want a strong defense for his brand of football. Lattimore’s a star cornerback who can compete with Brandin cooks and the other young receivers in the AFC east.
  7. Los Angeles Chargers  – Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State – I like Garett Bolles for what Philip Rivers needs. His perceived value for San Diego will not be a top ten player. Hooker can take over for Dwight Lowery and ultimately replace the departed Eric Weddle. Hooker may not be polished and ready to start on day one but HC Anthony Lynn will want a defense like the one Hooker can help build with his size and playmaker potential.
  8. Carolina Panthers – Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin – The Panthers can only ignore their needs at tackle for so long. Michael Oher’s been passable at best and right tackle Mike Remmers is a patchwork option. Ramczyk has played top college talent and gives the Panthers the best shot at stabilizing on offense.
  9. Cincinnati Bengals – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan – The Bengals have other needs but had serious trouble closing in the red zone in 2016. If they believe they can solve their offensive woes from 2016 with the guys on their roster right now, I could see Cincinnati looking closely at Solomon Thomas, DE at Stanford if he is available.
  10. Buffalo Bills – Mike Williams, WR, Clemson – Unless the Bills fall in love with Jabrill Peppers or one of the remaining safeties, Williams looks to be a steal here at number ten. The Bills have a need at wide receiver and apparently liked Clemson WR Sammy Watkins to give up two first round picks for him. Dalvin Cook would also be a value pick at number ten.
  11. New Orleans Saints – Mitchell Trubisky, QB, UNC – Drew Brees is 38 years old.
  12. Cleveland Browns – Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama, – The Browns can go several directions here. Foster should help the Browns play the run better, allowing 143 yards a game on the ground last season. Foster was part of an Alabama defense that allowed 35 yards from the super-productive Leonard Fournette with only 2.1 yards per carry.
  13. Arizona Cardinals – Jamal Adams, FS, LSU – Signing Antoine Bethea is not a replacement for losing Tony Jefferson. Adams has been compared to Darren Woodson and could reassert the cardinals secondary as the best in the league.
  14. Philadelphia Eagles – Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama – The Eagles have plenty of help for Carson Wentz after signing Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. Philadelphia needs fresh blood at corner now that former starter Nolan Carroll is with Dallas and Leodis Mckelvin is a free agent. Humphrey has been praised for his toughness and athleticism.
  15. Indianapolis Colts – Haason Reddick, LB, Temple – The Colts have all sorts of issues on their roster. Forrest Lamp, the top graded guard could slot well here and provide a significant need for the Colts. Dalvin Cook, an excellent back from Florida State could be the top back for Indy. Reddick is a worker at linebacker and should help begin to turn around Indianapolis’s defense.
  16. Baltimore Ravens – Garett Bolles, OT, Utah – The Ravens have needs at running back, offensive guard, tackle, and maybe receiver if Brett Perriman doesn’t show up to play this season. Bolles is a little raw after playing one year of division one football, but he’s excelled at every level of football. The Ravens’ brand of football requires a physical presence on the offensive line. They lost Ricky Wagner to Detroit and don’t have a suitable replacement. Bolles has potential to be great at right tackle.