Today is the day, it’s finally here.
After hundreds of mock drafts, a deep and endless pool of rumors and whispers, reports about anything and everything a team and/or a prospect is doing, thinking, saying, etc. the NFL Draft officially kicks off tonight.
Thank God.
So here is my 2nd and last mock draft and I feel confident in how I see things playing out.
As always, feel free to comment, or tweet me @AnthonyDiMoro before, during or after the 1st round of the draft.
1.) Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett DE – Texas A&M
The Browns get a franchise defensive end to build around.
2.) San Francisco 49ers – Jamal Adams S – LSU
There has been a ton of talk about Soloman Thomas going to the Niners here, but I don’t see the fit. John Lynch drafting a safety just seems poetic.
3.) Chicago Bears – Marshawn Lattimore CB – Ohio State
The Bears upgrade their defense by taking the best corner in the draft.
4.) Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette RB – LSU
The Jags are giving Bortles one last shot which means he needs some offensive help. Relying on a backfield of Tj Yeldon and Chris Ivory doesn’t help his chances. Fournette is a great “get” for the Jags.
5.) Cleveland Browns (trade with Titans) – Mitchell Trubisky QB – North Carolina
I have been reporting (on DiMoro Sports) about the Browns working to trade up and while I initially reported they were targeting the Niners pick, I feel that Cleveland works it out with the Titans in the end.
6.) New York Jets – Deshaun Watson QB – Clemson
This is a great fit for the Jets. Watson plays his best under the bright lights so the spotlight of the ‘Big Apple’ will be something he can handle.
7.) Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Hooker S – Ohio State
A great scheme fit for Hooker in Gus Bradley’s defense.
8.) Carolina Panthers – Christian McCaffrey RB – Stanford
Carolina gets a versatile back in McCaffrey and Cam Newton gets a big weapon.
9.) Cincinnati Bengals – Solomon Thomas DL – Stanford
The Bengals will be ecstatic to see Thomas fall in their laps at #9.
10.) Buffalo Bills – Mike Williams WR – Clemson
Buffalo will be tempted to go LB here, with so much talent on the board, but their need for receiver is too big to pass up on. Williams cures their ails.
11.) New Orleans Saints – Jonathan Allen DE – Alabama
Easily the 2nd best d-lineman in the draft, Allen will bring nastiness to the Saints d-line.
12.) Tennessee Titans (from Browns) – O.J Howard TE – Alabama
Howard falling to Tennessee instantly elevates the Titans offense.
13.) Arizona Cardinals – Patrick Mahomes QB – Texas Tech
The Cards take Mahomes a bit early, but he’s the player they want to groom behind Carson Palmer.
14.) Philadelphia Eagles – Marlon Humphrey CB – Alabama
Philly needs a corner, bad. Humphrey needs a little development, but has Pro Bowl potential.
15.) Indianapolis Colts – Derek Barnett DE – Tennessee
The Colts get a versatile end with a ton of upside in Barnett.
16.) Baltimore Ravens – Haason Reddick LB – Temple
Baltimore will have a tough decision to make with Foster still on the board, but the off-field issues will push them toward Reddick here.
17.) Washington Redskins – Reuben Foster LB – Alabama
Foster’s free-fall doesn’t go past the Redskins who add a stud at linebacker who, if he can keep his nose clean, could be a franchise building block.
18.) Tennessee Titans – John Ross WR – Washington
A lightning fast, dynamic play-maker who ran a 4.22 is the type of explosive weapon Tennessee needs.
19.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dalvin Cook RB – Florida State
Tampa Bay gets an electric running back to build around.
20.) Denver Broncos – Ryan Ramczyk OT – Wisconsin
The Broncos desperately need to upgrade their offensive line and Ramczyk helps them do just that.
21.) Detroit Lions – Charles Harris DE – Missouri
Harris is an instant impact pass rusher who could really add to an already solid Detroit defensive front.
22.) Miami Dolphins – Forrest Lamp G – Western Kentucky
Miami will be hard pressed to go defense in the 1st round, but with Lamp on the board and a massive need at guard, Miami can invest a 1st round pick in the offensive line and then dedicate the next few rounds to the defensive side of the ball.
23.) New York Giants – Cam Robinson T – Alabama
Robinson would be a heck of a pick here for the Giants who will help big time in the run game.
24.) Oakland Raiders – David Njoku TE – Miami
Oakland adds yet another playmaker on offense, which should make Derek Carr that much more efficient and the Oakland offense downright scary.
25.) Houston Texans – Garett Boles OT – Utah
Whoever Houston lines up behind center will feel better seeing Boles adding protection to the offensive line.
26.) Seattle Seahawks – Dan Feeney G – Indiana
Feeney may be a “reach” here but Seattle needs offensive line help and Feeney isn’t a big “fall off” from the 1st round lineman already selected.
27.) Kansas City Chiefs – Jarrad Davis LB – Florida
Davis is all over the board in mock drafts but I see him sliding here to Kansas City.
28.) Dallas Cowboys – Adoree’ Jackson CB – USC
If Jackson falls here, the Cowboys would do back-flips.
29.) Green Bay Packers – Tre’Davious White CB – LSU
White’s versatility on defense and his return ability make him a great fit for Green Bay.
30.) Pittsburgh Steelers – Takkarist McKinley DE – UCLA
Although there are some questions with his shoulder, there is no questioning this kid’s motor and talent as an edge rusher make him hard to pass up here.
31.) Atlanta Falcons – T.J Watt OLB – Wisconsin
Atlanta could go a number of directions here but they need help on defense, especially after that defensive collapse in the Super Bowl. Watt is a stud who should bring an immediate upgrade to Atlanta.
32.) New Orleans Saints – Kevin King CB – Washington
The Saints need corner help and King has the ability to matchup with bigger receivers, red zone threats.