1 – DEN (TRADE from AZ) – Dwayne Haskins, OSU QB – The Cardinals are not close to being playoff ready. Nick Bosa is the pick here if they stand pat at One, but I’m willing to bet one of the QB needy teams (Miami, Jax, Denver) will try to move up for a passer. Denver is actually close to being competitive so trading away future draft capital won’t hurt as bad as their roster is relatively competitive if you ignore the QB position. Haskins’ stock is at peak levels right now
2 – SF – Nick Bosa, OSU DE – This is obviously a dream selection for San Francisco. Josh Allen or Quinnen Williams are natural fits here if Bosa is not available.
3 – NYJ – Quinnen Williams, Alabama DL – The Jets run a three man front and wont benefit from Josh Allen’s skills like other teams might. The Jets could trade down and take a franchise left tackle.
4 – OAK – Josh Allen, Kentucky Edge – The Raiders have the worst pass rush in football. This class is not QB heavy, so I believe the Raiders will take a passer in round two if at all.
5 – DET – Rashan Gary, Michigan DL – Detroit will not likely retain the services of Ziggy Ansah, at least not at full MSRP. The Lions need receiving options and help at defensive back. Bob Quinn would be foolish to allow Gary to leave the state. Gary is extremely disruptive against the pass and will be more consistent than Ansah.
6 – NYG – Justin Herbert, Oregon QB – The Giants need help on the offensive line, but I can’t imagine them not drafting a QB again.
7 – BUF – Ed Oliver, Houston DT – Oliver routinely penetrated the pocket for Houston. Brandon Beane actually already has a competitive defense in Buffalo and can put Oliver in for Trent Murphy who has an out in his contract this off-season.
8 – TB – DeAndre Baker, Georgia CB – The Buccaneers were regularly made an example of by opposing defenses this throughout the season. Baker, while not a HUGE corner, has been dominant against Alabama and other top shelf college talent.
9 – JAX – Clelin Ferrell, Clemson DE – The Jaguars obviously didn’t see value in retaining Dante Fowler’s services. Jacksonville has a booming need at QB, but unless they fall in love with Drew Lock or Daniel Jones I believe they will wait later in the draft to address the position.
10 – CAR – Jonah Williams, Alabama OT – Carolina’s decline this season was accompanied by Cam Newton’s apparently untreated shoulder injury. They could probably use some help blocking for their All-World Super QB.
11 – ATL – Greedy Williams, LSU CB – Atlanta has a structurally sound roster but got particularly dinged by injuries early in the season. Greedy is a tall-a** corner who should be better able to hang with Mike Evans and Michael Thomas who like to bully the ATL secondary.
12 – AZ (From DEN) – Greg Little, Ole Miss OT – The Cardinals offensive line really struggled to protect Josh Rosen this season. Trading with Denver will allow them to net a starter at a position of need from this round and receive an additional first rounder next season.
13 – CIN – Jeffery Simmons, Miss. State DT, – Geno Atkins needs some help on that defensive line pressuring the QB. It would be very reasonable for the Bengals to go offensive line here with Dalton Risner here as well.
14 – GB – Deionte Thompson, Alabama FS – The Packers defense allowed three air TDs to Sam Darnold who has looked awful for most of the season as a passer.
15 – MIA – Will Grier, WVU QB – The Tannehill era is over. Grier’s been consistently high performing through his college career, especially in 2018.
16 – WAS – Drew Lock, Mizzou QB – I was originally going to not mock a QB for this position, but Alex Smith is not even a lock to return next season. Drew’s not been perfectly accurate, but he checks every other box for a QB to succeed at the next level. Smith knew all along he wasn’t the long term answer anyway.
17 – CLE – Dalton Risner, Kansas State OT – The Browns don’t have an answer long term at left tackle. They could sure use some wide receiver help, but Greg Robinson starting at left tackle should be deeply concerning for a team with a young, promising QB. RIP Sam Bradford.
18 – PHI – Byron Murphy, Washington CB – The Eagles have been absolutely torched in the secondary this season. They need help in the ground game and at left tackle as well.
19 – PIT – Devin White, LSU MLB – The Steelers need help at corner. Drafting at nineteen means they won’t get their top picks. White will help the team cope with the still-felt effects of Ryan Shazier not being available.
20 – TEN – Zach Allen, BC OLB – Former teammates with current Titan Harold Landry, Allen’s shown value as an all-around disruptor with fifteen stops for a loss at Boston College. Tennessee’s GM Jon Robinson has New England Patriots history and will continue to have an east coast bias.
Gridiron Seasonal 