Andrew Small Mock Draft 1.0
It is my personal favorite time of the year: it's Mock Draft time! The combine is over and Pro-Days are in full swing with Florida State's coming up on Tuesday, March 28th. Some of the bigger names will be ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year DeMarcus Walker, a trio of receivers, and, of course, the best running back in Florida State history (sorry Warrick Dunn), Dalvin Cook.
Outside of Cook, there are many, deserving players of first round picks. Most of these are on the defensive side.
This is one of the best looking defense classes the draft has seen in awhile. There are likely some players you will see getting drafted late that could still start on week one. From Florida cornerbacks Quincy Wilson and Teez Tabor to JJ Watt's little brother TJ at linebacker, this class is sure to be one that is talked about for years to come.
1. Cleveland Browns
DE Myles Garrett - OLB/DE - Texas A&M
Garrett has shown that he is the best defensive player in this class and has the most upside with a relentless motor and initial quickness.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Solomon Thomas - DE - Stanford
I would like to see the 49ers possibly trade out of this spot for more picks to fill some dyer holes on both sides. If they stay, Thomas should be the guy. Thomas' draft stock has risen highly over the past few months due to his power to bully his way past offensive linemen.
3. Chicago Bears
Jonathan Allen - DT - Alabama
The Bears may be content with Glennon and Sanchez for a year and not waste a high pick on a project quarterback. Allen was one of the best defensive linemen last year, going up against top SEC offensive lines. He will fit nicely into the Chicago front seven with Leonard Floyd and Eddie Goldman.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Leonard Fournette - RB - LSU
Once again, Jacksonville went big in free agency grabbing Calais Campbell, AJ Bouye, and Barry Church. The Jags should use this pick to give Bortles a guy that can actually run over people. Fournette does not need a great line, but give him a little space and he will make defenders regret trying to tackle him when he runs through them.
5. Tennessee Titans (Via Los Angeles Rams)
Jamal Adams - S - LSU
Tennessee is a few playmakers away from truly contending in the AFC. Mariota and Murray make a great pair on offense, but the defense is little to behold. Grabbing a big time safety like Adams will help the Titans defend against divisional threats like DeAndre Hopkins, TY Hilton, and Allen Robinson.
6. New York Jets
Marshon Lattimore - CB - Ohio State
The Jets let Revis go after a dismal season and need some new, young blood in the secondary. Lattimore is ranked as the number one corner in the draft and I see him making his was from Columbus to East Rutherford in April.
7. San Diego Chargers
Malik Hooker - S - Ohio State
Hooker was quite the ball hawk this past year, snagging seven interceptions (T-2nd) on the year. The Chargers were hurt in the secondary this past year with the departure of Eric Weddle in 2016. Hooker would be a good addition to a secondary that is in need of younger talent.
8. Carolina Panthers
Marlon Humphrey - CB - Alabama
The Panthers started two rookies at cornerback last year and they were alright. But they were no Josh Norman. Humphrey is the best value pick for the Panthers here. They can address problems on the offensive line in the second round.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Ryan Ramczyk - OT - Wisconsin
The Bengals lost two of their top tier offensive linemen in free agency and have no one to replace them. While this is a good defensive draft, they need to address the biggest problem for them here.
10. Buffalo Bills
Mike Williams - WR - Clemson
The Bills need another receiver to take some pressure off of Sammy Watkins, another Clemson Alumni. Williams showed in the National Championship that he can be a number one receiver. This gives Tyrod Taylor another big target, and a versatile one at that.
11. New Orleans Saints
Reuben Foster - LB - Alabama
Foster is one of the best linebackers in this class. Granted, he had some problems with officials at the Combine, but under leaders like Sean Payton and Drew Brees, Foster can be a difference maker on a terrible defense.
12. Cleveland Browns (Via Philadelphia Eagles)
Deshawn Watson - QB- Clemson
Time to add another name to the famous Browns Jersey Mannequin. Watson I believe will have the most initial success of any quarterback in this class. The Browns desperately need someone like Watson, who can throw and run the ball. Long term, I don't think this pick will work out.
13. Arizona Cardinals
Derek Barnett - DE - Tennessee
With the departure of Calais Campbell, Bruce Arians will be looking to add another big body up front to go after Russell Wilson. Barnett can be that replacement alongside Robert Nkimdiche.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Minnesota Vikings)
Taco Charton - DE - Michigan
The Eagles worked on fixing their problems with the receiving core by adding Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith to the fold. They need to draft a top defensive linemen to help replace Bennie Logan and Conner Barwin.
15. Indianapolis Colts
Jabrill Peppers - S/LB - Michigan
The Colts have had problems on defense for awhile and need someone young. Peppers provides versatility to a depleted Indianapolis defense. They can plug and play here wherever they need to.
16. Baltimore Ravens
Cam Robinson - OT - Alabama
The Ravens solved a lot of their problems on defense in free agency, but lost on of their key offensive linemen in Wagner. Adding Robinson would solidify the line with top talent. They can go for a running back in the second round.
17. Washington Redskins
John Ross - WR - Washington
The Redskins lost Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson to free agency, leaving their depth chart looking rather short at the wide out position. Ross has the fast 40-yard dash recorded at the combine and could be an excellent replacement for Jackson on the outside.
18. Tennessee Titans
Corey Davis - WR - Western Michigan
Tennessee does not have a number one receiver. They haven't had a true one for as long as I can remember. I thought Dorial Green-Beckham would be the answer, but they traded him. With two first round picks, the Titans can afford to spend this pick to get a receiving threat for Mariota.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dalvin Cook - RB - Florida State
Jameis Winston will convince the higher-ups to grab Cook if he is available here. Doug Martin is in rehab and has been unreliable as a running back with constant injuries. Cook's acceleration is just what the Bucs need to make a real playoff push next year.
20. Denver Broncos
Garett Bolles - OT - Utah
Most mocks are saying a good tackle should be taken here because of the departure of Russell Okung this off-season. Bolles could help protect Siemian or Lynch along with provide some run-blocking for CJ Anderson and Devontae Booker.
21. Detroit Lions
Malik McDowell - DT - Michigan State
The Lions will look to add some depth at defensive tackle to help stop the run. McDowell will be a nice addition to this contending team.
22. Miami Dolphins
Tre'Davious White - CB - LSU
The Dolphins need to fortify their secondary greatly, especially since Tom Brady can still torch them at a moment's notice. White will add speed to contend with the newly acquired Brandin Cooks and Julian Edelman.
23. New York Giants
OJ Howard - TE - Alabama
This will make the Giants a juggernaut on offense. With Beckham, Shepard, Marshall, and now Howard? Look out world, here come the G-Men.
24. Oakland Raiders
Gareon Conley - CB - Ohio State
The Raiders were thought to have a good secondary last year after snagging Sean Smith from the Chiefs and drafting Karl Joseph, but they need more help. Getting a young, shutdown cornerback will have this Raider team back in the playoffs.
25. Houston Texans
Mitchell Trubisky - QB - North Carolina
Oswieler is gone and Houston could not be happier. But now they are left with Tom Savage as their QB1. Since Houston is pretty stout at every other position, I expect to see a quarterback taken here. Trubisky may need some more time, but he has a plethora of talent around him at every position. This could be a win-win if the Texans are truly out of the Romo race.
26. Seattle Seahawks
Sidney Jones - CB - Washington
The Seahawks are pretty good all around, but it's too early to take one of the offensive linemen. Seattle should take a shot and draft Jones, who recently tore his Achilles at his Pro-Day. When he returns to health, he and Richard Sherman will get the Legion of Boom back to 2013 status.
27. Kansas City Chiefs
Christian McCaffrey - RB - Stanford
This is strictly going to be best available player. McCaffrey and Tyreek Hill would run wild as Alex Smith throws the ball. I see McCaffrey moving to more of a Darren Sproles type of running back and not a traditional guy.
28. Dallas Cowboys
Charles Harris - DE - Missouri
By some miracle, the Cowboys still made it to the playoffs despite having a less than average defense. They need a pass rusher, plain and simple. Harris is the best available guy here.
29. Green Bay Packers
Teez Tabor - CB - Florida
If anyone will be able to reel Tabor in, it will be Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers as leaders. The Packers need help in the secondary after letting Sam Shields walk. Tabor provides quickness off the snap and could easily beat the majority of receivers in the NFC North in one-on-one coverage.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
David Njoku - TE - Miami
Jesse James is not a bad option at for a starter, but he has yet to impress in a lineup that includes Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. Njoku has solid blocking ability and is a reliable pass catcher when needing to be. This would give Roethlisberger more protection and a new toy in the passing game.
31. Atlanta Falcons
Hasson Reddick - OLB - Temple
I see Reddick falling pretty far due to the lack of big competition he saw in the AAC. The pairing of Reddick with Vic Beasley on the other side would get the Falcons right back into the Super Bowl picture.
32. New Orleans Saints (Via New England Patriots)
DeShone Kizer - QB - Notre Dame
Drew Brees is not going to be around much longer. With two picks in the first round this year, the Saints can afford to use this pick on a successor to the Super Bowl MVP. Under Sean Payton's tutelage, Kizer could become a more accurate thrower, while still maintaining his running ability.
