The NFL regular season is over, and we're getting closer and closer to the NFL Draft. It's time for another mock draft, since the fans of teams that aren't in the playoffs may have already turned their focus to the Draft. This is also a wonderful opportunity to indulge the unhealthy obsession I have with the Draft. The first versions were well received, so it's time for volume nine.
The order is based on the current NFL Draft order (as of Jan. 4th). The actual order will assuredly look much slightly different come April, so don't put too much stock into where teams are drafting. This is an exercise in trying to project team needs and where prospects could end up going. I don't have a full list of team needs, but a few of the ones I've gotten to are linked where applicable.
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. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The Titans have a need in the secondary, but their No. 1 team need is at tackle. Taylor Lewan is one starter, but the team needs another to keep Marcus Mariota upright. Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley will battle to be the top tackle off the board. Either one is a strong pick. The Titans could trade down as well.
2. Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB, California
Johnny Manziel's time as the starting QB didn't go very well and QB is team need that has to be addressed. Given Manziel's inability to stay out of the headlines, it's time for the team to move on from him. Goff is far from the perfect QB prospect, but he could be the franchise QB the team is looking for.
3. San Diego Chargers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Chargers won't add a safety, TE or center this early, although those are their biggest team needs. Adding an offensive tackle does fill a major need, however. Stanley can be the long-term left tackle the team lacks.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
With Romo hurt again, the Cowboys have a rare chance to grab a franchise QB to groom behind Romo. It won't help their immediate short-term title hopes in the same way adding a stud defensive player will, but adding a QB extends their Super Bowl window another 10 years. Taking Lynch (or Goff) is the best thing for the future of the franchise.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Hargreaves didn't look too great in the team's bowl game, but the rest of his impressive tape should outweighs that one bad game. Hargreaves can be a lockdown corner and he'll fill a major need for the Jags.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, FSU
The Ravens' biggest team need is at corner, and Ramsey is one of the best CB prospects in this draft. He could also be a great safety, and he might end up there. Adding a wide receiver is also an option, although that needed is lessened by Steve Smith.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Adding a QB is an option, especially if Dallas passes on one. That's not the case here, but the 49ers can address some defensive shortcomings instead. Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith would have made perfect sense, but his knee injury could cause him to drop. Jack also suffered a knee injury, but it occurred much earlier in the season. Much like Todd Gurley this year, Jack could go in the Top 10.
8. Miami Dolphins: Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Adding Alexander fills a big need for the Dolphins. He could sneak into the Top 10. The team needs offensive line help, but there aren't any players worth grabbing. There are several defensive linemen worth taking, but the team doesn't need to spend a high pick.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joey Bosa, DT, Ohio State
The Bucs would love an offensive lineman, but the top two are gone. The Bucs could also use some d-line help, and Bosa is the best 4-3 DE in this class. He could go lower than expected because he can't play in a 3-4 scheme.
10. New York Giants: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, OSU
There's a chance Elliott won't last this long, but the Giants shouldn't let him slip further. They've been using an ineffective running back by committee all season long. Elliott can be the workhorse back the team needs.
11. Chicago Bears: Leonard Floyd, OLB, UGA
Floyd fills a major need, as the Bears must find 3-4 pass rushers this offseason. This might be a bit too high for him, but pass rushers often rise during the Draft process.
12. New Orleans Saints: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
The Saints defense needs help everywhere, Buckner is a perfect fit for the team's 3-4 defense. Taking Jaylon Smith is also an option.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
The Eagles need offensive line help, and Decker can play guard or tackle for the team. Guard is the bigger need, as the Eagles were terrible at that spot this year.
14. Oakland Raiders: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
The Raiders need corner help, but Nkemdiche is too talented to pass up. He has off-the-field issues that could
15. St. Louis Rams: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Rams need more weapons, and this is a steal for the Rams. He could very well be a top 10 pick come April. WR and QB are the two biggest team needs for the Rams.
16. Detroit Lions: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
The Lions could use help in the trenches and Conklin is solid value here. The team must do a better job of protecting Matt Stafford next year.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
The Falcons need help at linebacker and Smith is the best one in the draft. Someone will stop his fall and it could be Atlanta. When healthy, Smith reminds me of Patrick Willis.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
For the sake of Andrew Luck, the Colts must upgrade their offensive line. Unfortunately, there aren't any OL worth taking here. Fuller is (another) talented player coming off an injury and the team must help an upgrade at corner.
19. Buffalo Bills: Shaq Lawson, OLB, Clemson
The Bills are loaded at multiple positions, need pass rushing help. Mario Williams is likely a goner and the team could look to shift to a 3-4 scheme. Lawson could go even higher than this.
20. New York Jets: Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama
The Jets need MLB help, as both Demario Davis and David Harrs can be upgraded. This is the right range for Ragland.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Corner is a big need for the Steelers and White is a worthy of a first round pick. Expect this pick to be spent on the defensive side of the ball.
22. Seattle Seahawks: Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
The Seahawk offensive line has not looked good this season, although it improved as the season went on. Coleman is the best lineman left on board and he could play right away at tackle or guard.
23. Green Bay Packers: Emmanuel Ogbah, OLB, Oklahoma State
The Packers could use some pass rushing help, especially since Julius Peppers is aging. Ogbah could end up going higher than this, as pass rushers tend to rise.
24. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
Clark could be gone long before this. Defensive line isn't the biggest need for KC, but Clark can help out right away.
25. Washington Redskins: Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
The Redskins need MLB and corner help, and Wright might be the best player at either spot. There are medical concerns, but there's no doubting his ability.
26. Houston Texans: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
There aren't any QBs worth taking here, although that is the Texans' biggest need. The team could use some help on the defensive line, so taking Robinson makes sense.
27. Minnesota Vikings: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
The Vikings are close to being a dangerous team. Stefon Diggs has emerged, but Teddy Bridgewater needs more weapons. Doctson should be a first rounder. There are several very talented WRs this year, which could cause them all to drop.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Billings is the best defensive player on Baylor, and yes, that includes Shawn Oakman. Billings would be an incredible compliment to Geno Atkins.
29. Denver Broncos: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
The Broncos could use an offensive lineman, but the pickings are slim. With limited needs, the Broncos can take the best player on the board. That could be Reed, who would add depth and provide a replacement if the team losses a free agent. He's a DT for Alabama, but could shift out and be a 3-4 DE for Alabama. However, his best spot might be at nose guard. The Broncos can find a place for him.
30. Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
The Cardinals need another pass rusher and Jenkins could be a first rounder.
31. Carolina Panthers: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
The Panthers should not be starting Michael Oher. Cam Newton needs better protection. Ifedi might not be able to make it as a left tackle, but he'd help the Panthers O-line in some form. Taking a corner or WR is also an option.
32. New England Patriots: No Draft Pick
The Patriots were stripped of their first round pick as punishment for deflating footballs.
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