NFL mock draft

Commissioner+Roger+Goodell+announces+the+first+pick+April+26th.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the first pick April 26th.

Mike Smith, Managing Editor

The NFL draft brings prospects from all over the country to hopefully get the call that will change their life forever, and for fans, it is just as important to see which rookie their favorite team takes in round one. With the draft around the corner on April 25 the speculation and mock drafts are everywhere. And another mock draft can’t hurt anyone.

1.) Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Arizona already has an untested QB in Josh Rosen, and Rosen is only entering his second season in the league, but with the recent hiring of Kliff Kingsbury and his love of Kyler Murray, this becomes Cardinals very possible. Kyler;s height and throwing ability has been questioned, but he is one of the best athletes the draft has seen in a long time, and Rosen is easy trade bait for any team looking for a young QB.

2.) San Francisco 49ers – Nick Bose, DE, Ohio St.

Maybe not the most needed addition for San Francisco, but passing up on the best defensive lineman in the draft would be a mistake. Head coach Kyle Shanahan could use some help on offense, and if Jimmy Garoppolo is their franchise QB, an offensive pick would make sense. But   the 49ers defense is average at best; a recent signing of Kwame Alexander shows an emphasis on defense for San Francisco, and adding a stud like Bosa will surely help. If Nick turns out to be half as good as his older brother Joe in San Diego, the 49ers will be glad they made this pick.

3.) New York Jets – Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama

No matter the pick Jets fans will boo, but a picking Jonah Williams will be a pick well spent. Sam Darnold needs protection;being sacked 30 times is not terrible but they could use some improvement. The Jets spent big in acquiring Le’veon Bell and establishing a run game and protecting the QB is a must in order for a team to succeed.. The Jets need a deep threat as well, but it’s hard to throw deep when your QB is being sacked. Williams is 6-5, 301 pounds and can start the rebuild for one of the worst lines in the league.

4.) Oakland Raiders – Josh Allen, DE, Kentucky

The insanity of Jon Gruden with trading away Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper and acquiring three first round picks may turn out better than expected. The Raiders also went big in free agency by signing Antonio Brown. The Raiders will now focus on defense in the first round and start by revamping their line with Allen, who was a stud at Kentucky. He ismuch like Mack, being able to play on the line and having the athleticism to play linebacker. Allen will help fill the hole left by Mack, and the start to rebuilding the team.

5.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan

The Buccaneers have a lot of holes to fill, mainly the uncertainty with QB Jameis Winston. Bruce Arians was recently hired as head coach and is great with quarterbacks. Jamieis has lots of flashes of his former FSU self and the Buccaneers are betting that Arians brings it back out. But the Bucs need to focus their attention on defense. Injuries, older players, and unproven talent are all over the defense. The new defensive coordinator will have three returning rookies at defensive back, and veteran J.P.P on the line. Rashan Gary was a powerhouse at Michigan and is a great prospect, along with their first round pick last year Vita Vea, they can make a powerful defensive line. Rashan can learn lots from Jason Pierre Paul and if their defense can stay healthy, the Bucs could be a problem.

6.) New York Giants – Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama

New York is a mess –they should take Haskins at six and start the rebuilding process with him and Saquon Barkley. But the Giants are dumb. Trading their best player in Odell Beckham for nothing all in the name of a “Plan.” Eli is old and doesn’t deserve the two rings he has, but either way Williams is a solid D-lineman and can’t hurt to pick up; The giants lost a  big part of their secondary as Landon Collins left, so Greedy Williams would be another good pick, but the Giants are dumb, and they will pick Quinnen Williams

7.) Jacksonville Jaguars – Ed Oliver, DL, Houston

Jacksonville went from a Super Bowl contender, to garbage real quickly. Injuries and their non-existent defense were a big part of that. Their defense carried them to the AFC championship and it was noticeably missed the year after. Many thought a quarterback would be taken here, but after a Nick Foles signing, the focus will be rebuilding the defense. Ed Oliver would be a great addition; some injuries and attitude problems limited Oliver in his final season at Houston, but his sophomore year was outstanding and if he can stay healthy, he could drastically change the Jaguars defense.

8.) Detroit Lions – Clelin Ferrell, DL, Clemson

Detroit has a lot of holes to fill both on offense and defense;free agency has focused on the defensive side so an offensive lineman could be a justified pick with the recent release of T.J Lang, but the offense is in much better shape than the defense. The Lions have slowly built their pass rush and secondary with a huge signing of Trey Flowers at DE and Justin Coleman at CB. Bob Quinn seems to be buying in to Matt Patricia’s defensive style. Clelin Ferrell will help give the Lions get a good pass rush along with their young D-line, and with Ansah most likely leaving, a replacement is needed.

9.) Buffalo Bills – D.K Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Maybe not the best WR in terms of skill, but after a monster combine performance, he instantly shot up to every teams’ radar. The Bills need a lot, Josh Allen is inconsistent, Kelvin Benjamin was let go, and their running back was their second leading receiver. The offensive line needs some improvement, but passing up on a 6-3, 230 pound beast like Metcalf is tough to do. A comparison to Calvin Johnson might be too soon, but both have very similar build, and if drafted by the Bills, Metcalf will inherit a team similar to what Johnson joined with the Lions. Some injuries and lack of quickness are concerns, but it’s hard to pass on a talent like Metcalf whocan stretch the field and provide some help to Josh Allen.

10.) Denver Broncos – Jawaan Taylor, OL, Florida

Denver addressed their quarterback needs with a trade for Joe Flacco; now the next thing they need is to strengthen their O-line. A struggling line has contributed to the Broncos fall from Super Bowl champs along with many other things. After a trade for Joe Flacco, protecting a veteran QB coming back from injury is a necessity to have an extended season. Lots of the Broncos linemen are unrestricted free agents and a revamp is needed. Taylor was a big part of Florida emergence this past season and could help wherever he is put on the line.

11.) Cincinnati Bengals – Devin White, LB, LSU

The Bengals are looking to bust the streak of mediocrity and start to be a serious contender. Passing up on White, the defensive star out of LSU, would be a mistake if he falls to them. Speed and power are what define this player, and while the Bengals don’t need a defensive overhaul, adding White surely won’t hurt.

12.) Green Bay Packers – Greedy Williams, DB, LSU

Green Bay had a rather down year compared to the usual success expected from Rodgers and the Packers. Rodgers could use some offensive help, but he can hold his own while new head coach Matt LaFleur figures things out. Losing Clay Matthews and Ha-ha Clinton-Dix will really hurt their defense and adding Greedy will plug the gaps all over the secondary. But don’t be surprised if Green Bay makes a trade during the draft to receive another pick in the first or second to acquire some extra offensive help.

13.) Miami Dolphins – Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Miami recently lost quarterback Ryan Tannehill but signed journeymen QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick could ease the team as they enter the rebuild, but Fitzpatrick is not the answer and the Team has needed a QB since the Tannehill era. Haskins is a proven QB and could be greatif the Dolphins take him. New coach Brian Flores won multiple rings with New England and knows that winning requires a good QB to run the offense; the general manager admits they should’ve drafted a QB during Tannehill’s time, and now is the chance to make it right.

14.) Atlanta Falcons – Montez Sweat, DL, Mississippi State
Atlanta needs help in the trenches on both sides. The Falcons went all in on the offensive side during free agency; now it’s all about defense. Sweat put up crazy combine numbers for someone his size and is great for the Falcons. While there are some better prospects, Atlanta is lucky to get such a solid player this late into the draft.

15.) Washington Redskins – Drew Locke, QB, Missouri

Drew Locke or Dwayne Haskins would be a happy fit for the Redskins. After Alex Smith’s possibly career ending injury, the Redskins have to draft a quarterback to keep their offense afloat. Washington’s receiving core isn’t great, but with Adrian Peterson, and Derrius Guice returning to the backfield, Locke’s passing attack will be a lot easier with defenses focusing on a rushingattack.

16.) Carolina Panthers – Andre Dillard, OL, Washington State

Carolina needs to support Cam Newton if they want to return to the Super Bowl caliber team that they were. Greg Olsen is returning from injury to give Newton a solid offensive weapon, but Devin Funchess is leaving for the Colts. Multiple Free agents line the Panthers front and backing it with Dillard would solidify the line. Athletic and with great technique, Dillard will make Newton’s job a lot easier.

17.) Cleveland Browns – Taylor Rapp, DB, Washington

Cleveland went big on offense for free agency, but lost a big part of their defense with Jabrill Peppers going to the Giants.Taylor Rapp will plug the safety gap and the Browns will heavily invest in their defense this draft.

18.) Minnesota Vikings – Christian Wilkin, DL, Clemson

Minnesota needs some help on the defensive line; inconsistency and a lack of depth are the biggest problem on the line and adding Wilkins will make the line a powerful force.

19.) New England Patriots (Pick trade Tennessee) – T.J Hockenson, TE, Iowa

The loss of Gronk will hurt the Patriots tremendously; getting a replacement will be key to their success. Hockenson has drawn comparison to Gronk with his size and blocking ability, and getting a Gronk 2.0 is something Brady and Belichick would very much look forward to, and trading up to make sure they do is a must.

20.) Pittsburgh Steelers – Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

The loss of Ryan Switzer was a huge blow to the Steelers defense. Bush is a great linebacker and can fill the hole left by Shazer. Bush will round out the defense in stopping the run and pass coverage.

21.) Seattle Seahawks – Deandre Walker, DL, Georgia

Frank Clark seems to be on his way out of Seattle, and getting a young rookie to learn and eventually replace him is important to keep the defense strong. While the Seahawks won’t get back to the legion of boom any time soon,Walker’s speed and athletic ability will help them tremendously.

22.) Baltimore Ravens – Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

The Ravens are severely lacking in the wide receiver room. Brown is athletic and extremely fast. Pairing a wide receiver that can cut up the field and stay with Lamar Jackson’s scrambling ability will make this offensive a defensive nightmare.

23.) Houston Texans – Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma

Watson needs to be protected more; He has been sacked 60 times in just 2 seasons after an acl tear. Watson’s scrambling ability is great, but it would be better for him if he didn’t have to run so frequently. A big offensive lineman with big arms,Ford showed in his college career he could play multiple positions on the line and could fit anywhere on the Texan line.

24.) Oakland Raiders – Deandre Baker, DB, Georgia

The Raiders will continue to focus on the defensive side and get Baker to cover their need in the secondary. Baker is fast with long arms and will help the secondary immediately.

25.) Philadelphia Eagles – Byron Murphy, DB, Washington

The Eagles fixed their running back situation with the trade for Jordan Howard and their next biggest need is their lack of a solid corner. Murphy can fix this problem and at a pretty low cost.

26.) Indianapolis Colts – Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame

The Colts have addressed their biggest need at offensive line and are one of the best examples of how to rebuild. The Colts got Devin Funchess in free agency and will focus on defense. Tillery is fast, big, strong, and will make a big impact on the D-line

27.) Oakland Raiders – N’keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

Harry is a big receiver, and extremely physical off the line. Gruden likes a physical player, and Harry’s size will pair well with the recent signing of the smaller Antonio Brown.

28.) Los Angeles Chargers – Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson

Los Angeles has a very strong line with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on the edge and a solid interior lineman will make that line even scarier.

29.) Kansas City Chiefs – Deionte Thompson, DB, Alabama

Kansas lost a lot of its defense over free agency, their best linebacker in Dee Ford, and their best safety Eric Berry. Any safety out of Alabama is a great pick and Thompson is just that.

30) Green Bay Packers – A.J Brown, WR, Ole Miss.

Green Bay is known for not giving Aaron Rodgers much help; Brown played with D.K Metcalf and is just as big an fast and the Packers are lucky he is overshadowed by Metcalf because they get just a great of a player near the end of the first round.

31.) Los Angeles Rams – Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, DB, Florida

The Rams buffed up their linebackers with the signing of Clay Matthews, and with one of the best offenses in the league, all of the focus is on the secondary. The Rams only have three safeties in their depth chart and Gardner-Johnson is a perfect fit.

32.) Tennessee Titans0 – Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

Titans have a solid roster with no gaping holes in their lineup. Their biggest weakness is their offensive weapons that Mariota and now Tannehill might get to use. Swapping a pick with New England and getting another pick just to receive Hockenson’s teammate who is arguably just as good is a perfect move for the Titans

The NFL draft in Nashville is fast approaching and teams and fans look to acquire their first piece to their SuperBowl journey and give these rookies their life changing call.