The NFL Draft is finally here and it’s time for the final edition of my mock draft. The draft has already seen two major trades, with the Titans trading the No. 1 overall pick to the Rams and the Browns sending the No. 2 overall pick to the Eagles. Those two likely won’t be the only trades this year, and I’m going to take the risk of trying to predict at least one trade in my final edition.
I'm attempting to project where players will end up going, not who I think a team should pick. Most picks will turn out incorrect, and approaching just 10 correct picks is wildly impressive.
If you hate what I wrote (or agree, but c'mon this is the internet) or just want to talk NFL Draft, hit me up on Twitter. With all that out of the way, let's dive into the picks.
1. Los Angeles Rams (via Titans): Jared Goff, QB, Cal
The Rams gave up a lot to move up to the No. 1 overall pick, and they'll be taking a QB. Barring something truly stunning, it’s going to be Goff. There's a lot of risk involved in this deal, but the Rams have decided they had to get a franchise QB this year.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (via Browns): Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
The Eagles are moving up for a QB, and they're reportedly in love with Wentz. Even if Wentz goes No. 1, this pick will be a QB. Of course, with Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel on the roster, that QB won't play right away. The Eagles gave up a lot to move up, so they better land a franchise QB.
3. San Diego Chargers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
This is where the draft truly starts and getting this pick wrong will result in my mock going in the trash faster than usual. The Chargers have been linked to FSU DB Jalen Ramsey, Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil and, in a late push, Notre Dame OT Ronnie Stanley. Those projecting Stanley are adamant he'll be the pick. I'm not confident in the Chargers' pick at all, but it's what I'll go with.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State
The Cowboys would love to land Ramsey and this would work out perfectly for the Cowboys. Ramsey is reportedly at the top of their draft board and if he’s on the board he’s the pick. If not, I think the Cowboys take Ezekiel Elliott over Joey Bosa. The latter fills a bigger need, but the Cowboys seem to be higher on the running back.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
If the draft breaks down this way, the Jaguars would likely choose between UCLA LB Myles Jack Jack and Bosa. Jack's knee is a major concern and the Jaguars need a pass rushing boost, even with Dante Fowler getting healthy this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is Jack, or if the Jags try to trade down with a team like the Titans since Laremy Tunsil is still on the board.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
While the Ravens have bigger needs on defense, they can’t really afford to pass up Tunsil and it’d be a major surprise to see him fall any further than this. The Ravens are reportedly high on Bosa, but if Tunsil is here, he’s the pick.
7. San Francisco 49ers: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Paxton Lynch could be an option here, but it’d be a real surprise if the 49ers took him. Myles Jack could be the pick if the Jags pass on him, since Trent Baalke has no issues drafting injured players, although the need to win now might deter that pick from happening. If Buckner is here, he should be the selection. If he's gone, Stanley should be the pick since it doesn't seem like Anthony Davis will return.
8. Miami Dolphins (from Browns via Eagles): Ezekiel Elliott, RB, OSU
TRADE ALERT: Browns send No. 8 overall pick to Dolphins for No. 13 overall pick and 3rd round pick (No. 73 overall)
This pick has already been traded twice and I would not be surprised if it’s traded again on draft day. The Dolphins love Elliott and moving up allows them to jump the Bears and the Giants. The Browns’ new regime is all about adding picks and they do so here. If Cleveland stays at No. 8, Elliott, Stanley, Bosa, Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell or MSU OT Jack Conklin could be the pick.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Leonard Floyd, OLB/DE, Georgia
The Bucs need pass rushing help, and Floyd is a riser this year. He's very versatile and has great bend. He might be a better fit at OLB than DE, but will help with the pass rush. He seems like a lock for the top 11. For more NFL Draft coverage, check out the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
10. New York Giants: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, UF
The Giants could go several directions, including RB, OT and CB. I'm not confident at all in this pick, although I do think it will be Floyd if he's on the board. Hargreaves is good value here, and the Giants are thin at corner. Jack Conklin could be the pick as well, but I couldn't pull the trigger on it.
11. Chicago Bears: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
The Bears have looked into Lawson a lot, and if Floyd is gone, Lawson could very well be the selection. Lawson would arguably a better a fit in a 4-3 scheme, but should be able to switch to a 3-4 look. The Bears could also target a CB like Vernon Hargreaves. If Elliott is still on the board, he could be the pick.
12. New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
The Saints defense needs help everywhere and Rankins has the size and disruptiveness the team wants. This pick will likely be a defensive selection, and I’d be stunned if the Paxton Lynch rumors have any merit. Lawson makes sense if he’s on the board, as does Hargraves and any all of the other DTs.
13. Cleveland Browns (from Dolphins via Eagles): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
TRADE ALERT:
Remember, this pick comes from the previously mentioned Browns-Dolphins deal. If the Browns move down, they are probably targeting Treadwell, or Jack Conklin as the backup plan. Treadwell is the best WR this year, and fills a major need. If the Dolphins don't trade down, a CB could be the selection.
14. Oakland Raiders: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
The Raiders could be the team that ends Jack's slide. Oakland's LB corps would be among the best in NFL with a healthy Jack. Chris Jones from Mississippi State could be a surprise pick. Download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app for more NFL Draft coverage.
15. Tennessee Titans (via Rams): Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
The Titans could go several directions with this pick. They could add secondary help, take Reggie Ragland or upgrade their offensive line. Conklin isn't Tunsil, but he's a solid offensive tackle. If Hargreaves is on the board, he could be the pick. But, Marcus Mariota got hit a ton last season, and adding Conklin will help prevent that. If Conklin is gone, Taylor Decker makes sense
16. Detroit Lions: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
The Lions have a need at right tackle, and Riley Reiff is in a contract year. If Decker is still on the board, he makes sense as the selection.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
The Falcons need help at linebacker and Lee is a Top 20 talent. He's a similar player to Ryan Shazier and would be a strong fit for the Falcons. I've had this as the pick for quite some time, which means it's bound to not be the case.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
For the sake of Andrew Luck, the Colts must upgrade their offensive line. The Colts won't take a tackle, but they are one of several teams high on Ryan Kelly. He'll likely be a first round pick. If it's not Kelly, it's likely a pass rusher.
19. Buffalo Bills: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
The Bills are set at multiple positions, but need DT help. They are reportedly high on Reed, who could be a Top 15 selection. He's the type of run-stuffing DT that Rex Ryan loves. Adding a player like Reggie Ragland is also an option.
20. New York Jets: Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
I'm really not sure what the Jets will do. There hasn't been much info coming out about them, but it's clear they need an OLB. A trade down would not surprise me, either. Spence has talent, although off-the-field concerns could The Chat Sports Android and iPhone has more NFL Draft coverage.
21. Washington Redskins: Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech
The Redskins need to improve up on the defensive, and they'll likely target the defensive line. That's GM Scot McCloughan's MO anyway. The loss of Terrance Knighton makes this pick all the more likely, but don't rule out a trade down, with the Redskins targeting West Virginia safety Karl Joseph. Butler should be a first round selection.
22. Houston Texans: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
Josh Doctson might be higher on most team's boards, but the speedy Fuller is a better fit for the Texans than Doctson. Fuller (or Baylor's Corey Coleman) will be the deep threat the Texans lack to pair with DeAndre Hopkins. I expect this pick to be either Coleman or Fuller.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Josh Docston, WR, TCU
The Vikings are close to being a dangerous team. Stefon Diggs has emerged, but Teddy Bridgewater needs more weapons. Doctson is reportedly high on the team's board and he should be the pick if he's still here.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
It seems like the Bengals will either draft a DT to replace Domata Peko or a WR to replace Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu. With a little run on WRs already happening, the Bengals could take one of the last of the Rd. 1 prospects. Don't overlook any of the DTs or even OSU WR Michael Thomas. The team is reportedly high on him.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: William Jackson, CB, Houston
Corner is a big need for the Steelers and Jackson is a worthy of a first round pick. Expect this pick to be spent on the defensive side of the ball. Pittsburgh has neglected the CB position for too long and need young talent. Jackson could go even higher than this, and a safety like Karl Joseph could be the pick as well.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Sorry, Seattle. Offensive line is a massive need, but I have the sneaking suspicion the Seahawks could ignore it in the first round again this year. The Seahawks do need DL help, and Jones is a quality addition. He could be gone before this. Download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app for more NFL Draft coverage.
27. Green Bay Packers: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
This is HaHa Clinton-Dix all over again for the Packers. If Ragland is still on the board, and he might not be, the Packers need to run to the podium with this selection If Paxton Lynch is still on the board, the Packers are one of several teams that could trade down with the Broncos.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Alexander would be great value here for the Chiefs and he'd help replace Sean Smith. Eli Apple is another option at CB and could go before Alexander. I wouldn't rule out Paxton Lynch here either and I'm unsure what KC will actually do on draft day.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Keanu Neal, S, Florida
The Cardinals don't need a pass rusher with the addition of Chandler Jones. The team has lost Rashad Johnson, Tony Jefferson has one year left on his deal and Tyrann Mathieu is injury prone. This seems like a surprise pick, but the Cardinals did something similar with Deone Bucannon only a few years ago. Neal is a riser and could go in Round One.
30. Carolina Panthers: Eli Apple, CB Ohio State
The Panthers could go offensive line, DE or WR here, but now they need CB help with Josh Norman a free agent is the best value. Apple is a bit raw, but he's worth a late first rounder. At some point, the Panthers will need to add a CB, likely early. Don't rule out RB Derrick Henry or a WR like Michael Thomas here either.
31. Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
I have no idea where Lynch will end up going. He could go as early as No. 7 overall, and I'd be surprised to see him last this long. If he starts to slip, the Broncos could make a move up for him in a trade with the Jets, Redskins or Packers. I have a hard time seeing the Saints taking him to groom behind Drew Brees, but that's also an option. I think he'll go before this on draft day, but I had a hard time finding a spot for him.