The declaration deadline has passed, and there were quite a few surprises. Especially Bryce Love and the entire Clemson defensive line.
Now is the perfect time for a new three round extended Mock Draft.
Draft order courtesy of http://www.tankathon.com
1. Cleveland Browns – QB Sam Darnold, USC. Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield. It is too early in the process to determine which quarterback is the best, but for a team that has won one game in the past two seasons, the position must be addressed here.
2. New York Giants – HB Saquon Barkley, Penn State. If the Giants do indeed sign Pat Shurmur as it’s new head coach, that makes it unlikely that he will select a quarterback here. Case Keenum could be brought in to compete with Eli Manning and Davis Webb. New York has not had a strong running game since the Thunder and Lightning days, and Saquon Barkley has the look of an offensive centerpiece. Ask the Cowboys and Jaguars if drafting a running back in the top five is overrated.
3. Indianapolis Colts – DE Bradley Chubb, NC State. The Colts are just bad. They are bad everywhere. Other than quarterback the best player available would be the way to go. Indianapolis could not get after the quarterback in 2017, and Bradley Chubb excels in that role. He was also a top-notch run defender and would be a fit in any scheme.
4. Cleveland Browns (from Texans) – FS Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama. As previously mentioned, the 1-31 Browns need help everywhere. Minkah Fitzpatrick Took home a boatload of hardware and the national championship, and would be a huge asset at either safety or corner back, two very big needs in Cleveland.
5. Denver Broncos – QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma. Despite wasting, I mean spending, a first round pick on Paxton Lynch in 2015, Denver desperately needs a quarterback of the future. Baker Mayfield does not have the pre-requisite size that scouts love in their signal callers, but he is simply a winner who makes his teammates better and can also throw the ball a little bit. He should endear himself to John Elway, who was a similar player back in the day.
6. New York Jets – QB Josh Rosen, UCLA. New York still needs to build up the rest of its roster but can not afford to pass on a quarterback here. Josh Rosen’s attitude and antics have ruffled some feathers, but I think he could actually succeed in New York because of it. As far as on the field ability, Rosen possesses all of the traits you look for in a franchise quarterback. He simply needs to keep his head on straight and stay healthy.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame. The perpetually underachieving Buccaneers do not have a ton of huge needs, but stabilization on the offensive line is important. Mike McGlinchey may never be an All Pro left tackle, but he is ready to step in right away and could push Donovan Smith to his more natural right tackle position.
8. Chicago Bears – WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama. Calvin Ridley does not have John Ross speed or Julio Jones size, but he is the most ready to contribute receiver in this class. He is a very technical route runner and has solid hands, and is exactly what a young inexperienced Bears offense needs.
9. San Francisco 49ers – OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame. A shrewd trade and five-game winning streak later, San Francisco no longer needs to draft a quarterback of the future. At least not in 2018. The Niners can focus on building an offensive line that caters to Kyle Shanahan’s strengths. True offensive guards are rarely drafted high, but Quenton Nelson may be the best prospect of that position in years.
10. Oakland Raiders – MLB Roaquan Smith, Georgia. It will be interesting to see how television superstar Jon Gruden fares after a decade away from the sidelines. We all know Gruden loves “tough” football players in that fits Roaquan Smith to a tee. Basically Reuben Foster without the off the field problems, Smith could be the centerpiece of Oakland’s defense.
11. Miami Dolphins – OT Connor Williams, Texas. There have been rumblings of Miami moving Laremy Tunsil back to Guard or releasing J’Waun James, and drafting Connor Williams would give them the freedom to do either. If it was not for a season ending injury I believe Williams would’ve been a top five pick. He has great size and is very athletic, though there is still a lot of coaching to be done for him to reach his full potential.
12. Cincinnati Bengals – QB Josh Allen, Wyoming. Cincinnati is not exactly known for out-of-the-box thinking, but this could be a good chance to potentially upgrade from the forever mediocre Andy Dalton. There is too much talent on offense for Cincinnati to struggle the way it has. There’s a high chance Josh Allen will bust, but he may have the most natural ability of any quarterback in this class.
13. Washington Redskins – FS Derwin James, Florida State. It’s took a while for Derwin James to come back from a serious injury, but he started to look like his freshman self towards the end of the season. James reminds many of former Redskin star Sean Taylor, and would be a big boon to defense lacking thumpers.
14. Green Bay Packers – CB Josh Jackson, Iowa. There are two constants in Green Bay; they will only go as far as Aaron Rodgers takes them. And they will always need to draft defensive talent. Josh Jackson is a strong press corner with a good size, and the ability to intercept passes as well. Green Bay will hope he does for them what former Iowa cornerback Desmond King is doing for Los Angeles.
15. Arizona Cardinals – WR Courtland Sutton, SMU. It was a shame Bruce Arians health failed him, because I believe he was one of the best coaches in the NFL. Whoever the next coach is may have to start from scratch on offense (other than David Johnson). Courtland Sutton is not quite the talent Larry Fitzgerald was coming out of Pittsburgh, but he does have similar qualities, including solid route running and a large catch radius.
16. Baltimore Ravens – OT Orlando Brown, Oklahoma. Baltimore really struggled to replace right tackle Ricky Wagner last season. Orlando Brown is a mammoth of a man, who may lack the athleticism to block blindside pass rushers. However, he would be an ideal fit across the line from Ronnie Stanley and to turn the position into a unit of strength.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – FS Ronnie Harrison, Alabama. The Chargers could shift Desmond King to safety To fill-in for Tre Boston, but King played very well at cornerback. Adding the rangy Ronnie Williams could elevate this secondary to another level. Alabama continues to produce well coached secondary talent, and Williams has the ability to be an all-around fantastic safety.
18. Seattle Seahawks – HB Derrius Guice, LSU. Seattle has thrown plenty of darts at the wall to try to replace Marshawn Lynch, but none of those darts have stuck. Seattle is passing more than ever, but still needs a real running game to keep the pressure off Russell Wilson. Derrius Guice is not quite on the level of Saquon Barkley, but is a legitimate bellcow 20 carry per game back in his own right.
19. Dallas Cowboys – OT Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan. The Cowboys will go as far as the elite running game will take them, and for that to happen the offense of line has to remain superb. Adding a plug and play right tackle like Chukwuma Okorafor will allow La’el Collins to return to his more natural guard position, which would kill two birds with one stone.
20. Detroit Lions – OLB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech. It would be tough for a team with as many needs as Detroit to draft a linebacker in back to back drafts, but Tremaine Edmunds is the best talent available. Even though he weighs in at about 240 pounds, he may in fact be the best pass rusher available at this point as well. With so many unknowns this off-season on the Detroit defense, drafting a player like him would fill several holes.
21. Buffalo Bills – QB Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State. I disagree with Mason Rudolph being drafted over Lamar Jackson, but front office types are still not sure what to make of Jackson. Even as a senior Rudolph is a project, but he has a size and arm strength that would hold up well in the cold Buffalo weather.
22. Buffalo Bills (from Chiefs) – DT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama. Buffalo traded Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams is nearing the end of a nice career, which makes defensive tackle the biggest need in Buffalo. Da’Ron Payne was not asked to do much at Alabama, but he has the ability to get after the quarterback as well as stop the run.
23. Los Angeles Rams – EDGE Harold Landry, Boston College. The Rams field a very strong team but could lose Robert Quinn this off season. Harold Landry may be a one trick pony, but should be an ideal 3-4 pass rusher at the next level.
24. Carolina Panthers – CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State. The Panthers usually draft best player available, and it helps that the diminutive Denzel Ward fills a need. Ward will need to overcome his size, but he has the ability and athleticism to be more than a simple nickel back.
25. Tennessee Titans – EDGE Arden Key, LSU. The Titans have two solid pass rushing starters, but both are free agents following 2018 season. It will be tough to retain both. Arden Key went from a lean pass rusher in 2016 to a bulkier run stopper this past season. If he can find a happy medium he should develop into a quality starter.
26. Atlanta Falcons – DT Vita Vea, Washington. Vita Vea reminds me of Dontari Poe coming out of college. He looks like he was built in a football lab but the effort and consistency has not always been there. With Poe expecting to move on from Atlanta, Vea could be a nice developmental replacement.
27. New Orleans Saints – QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville. Even as he nears 40 years old, Drew Brees still continues to be an MVP level quarterback. However, he could fall off at any second and drafting his eventual replacement makes sense. Especially with a dynamic but raw talent such as Lamar Jackson. He can learn how to play quarterback behind one of the greatest of all time, and step in once Brees hangs up his cleats.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers – EDGE Marcus Davenport, UTSA. The Steelers always seem to be cycling linebackers in and out, and that trend should continue with this draft. Marcus Davenport is still a bit of an unknown, but could conceivably be a top 10 pick after all is said and done.
29. Jacksonville jaguars -TE Mark Andrews, Oklahoma. This is a bit of a luxury pick for a very deep Jaguars team, but if they are not able to upgrade on Blake Bortles this off-season at least they can give him some more help. Marcedes Lewis has hung around for more than a decade thanks to his blocking ability, but the team would like to find a pass catcher at the position. Mark Andrews is the best of a pretty good crop of tight ends and is a solid receiver and blocker. He should be a long time starter in the NFL.
30. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Isaiah Oliver, Colorado. The Eagles have some intriguing young options at cornerback, but a team could never have enough talent at that position. Isaiah Oliver has the potential to be drafted much higher than this, and could form a nice long-term duo with Sidney Jones.
31. New England Patriots – DE Sam Hubbard, Ohio State. The Patriots always seem to be a great team that needs a lot of help come draft time. The best player available could be the way to go. Sam Hubbard is not a tremendous pass rusher but has the ability to be a very strong all around defensive end. He has the versatility to be successful in New England’s hybrid defense.
32. Minnesota Vikings – C Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State. Even though the Vikings have had an amazing season, offensive line is still a major weak spot. I give the edge here to Martinas Rankin, who has the experience and ability to play any position on the line.
Round 2
33. Cleveland Browns – WOR James Washington, Oklahoma State
34. New York Giants – OT Kolton Miller, UCLA
35. Cleveland Browns (from Texans) – HB Ronald Jones II, USC
36. Indianapolis Colts – EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
37. New York Jets – C Billy Price, Ohio State
38. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Carlton Davis III, Auburn
39. Chicago Bears – SS Justin Reid, Stanford
40. Denver Broncos – DT Maurice Hurst, Michigan
41. Oakland Raiders – HB Nick Chubb, Georgia
42. Miami Dolphins – CB Tarvarus mcfadden, Florida State
43. New England Patriots (from 49ers) – OLB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
44. Washington Redskins – MLB Malik Jefferson, Texas
45. Green Bay Packers – DE Rasheem Green, USC
46. Cincinnati Bengals – OT Brandon Parker, North Carolina A&T
47. Arizona Cardinals – QB Luke Falk, Washington State
48. Los Angeles Chargers – OT Brian O’Neill, Penn State
49. New York Jets ( from Seahawks) – EDGE Hercules Mata’afa, Washington State
50. Dallas Cowboys – OLB Shaun Diom Hamilton, Alabama
51. Detroit Lions – DT Taven Bryan, Florida
52. Baltimore Ravens – WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
53. Buffalo Bills – TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
54. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Darius Phillips, Western Michigan
55. Carolina Panthers – WR Auden Tate, Florida State
56. Buffalo Bills (from Rams) – OG Isaiah Wynn, Georgia
57. Tennessee Titans – CB Mike Hughes, UCF
58. Atlanta Falcons – OG Sam Jones, Arizona State
59. San Francisco 49ers (from Saints) – WR Simmie Cobbs Jr., Indiana
60. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville
61. Jacksonville Jaguars – OT Tyrell Crosby, Oregon
62. Cleveland Browns (from Eagles) – OLB Rashaan Evans, Alabama
63. New England Patriots – TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State
64. Minnesota Vikings – DT Tim Settle, Virginia Tech
Round 3
65. Cleveland Browns – CB Anthony Averett, Alabama
66. New York Giants – OG Will Hernandez, UTEP
67. Indianapolis Colts – HB Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
68. Houston Texans – OT Alex Cappa, Humboldt State
69. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – HB Akrum Wadley, Iowa
70. San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) – OLB Uchenna Nwosu, USC
71. Denver Broncos – DT Derrick Nnadi, Florida State
72. New York Jets – EDGE Josh Sweat, Florida State
73. Miami Dolphins – HB Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
74. San Francisco 49ers – TE Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
75. Oakland Raiders – WR Dante Pettis, Washington
76. Green Bay Packers – WR J’Mon Moore, Missouri
77. Cincinnati Bengals – C Will Clapp, LSU
78. Washington Redskins – WR Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame
79. Arizona Cardinals – EDGE Dorance Armstrong, Kansas
80. Houston Texans (from Seahawks) – SS Daeshon Elliott, Texas
81. Dallas Cowboys – WE Deontay Burnett, USC
82. Detroit Lions – HB Sony Michel, Georgia
83. Baltimore Ravens – OLB Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
84. Los Angeles Chargers – DT Trenton Thompson, Georgia
85. Carolina Panthers (from Bills) – DE Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
86. Kansas City Chiefs – WR Dion Cain, Clemson
87. Los Angeles Rams – CB DJ Reed, Kansas State
88. Carolina Panthers – WR DJ Chark, LSU
89. Tennessee Titans – OG Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech
90. Atlanta Falcons – TE Adam Breneman, Massachusetts
91. New Orleans Saints – MLB Darius Leonard, South Carolina State
92. Pittsburgh Steelers – TE Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
93. Jacksonville Jaguars – FS Quin Blanding, Virginia
94. Buffalo Bills (from Eagles) – DT Justin Jones, NC State
95. New England Patriots – EDGE Joseph Wicker, Arizona State
96. Minnesota Vikings – QB Riley Ferguson, Memphis
