First mock draft of the season is hot off the press for your pleasure, or pain. With 28 of the the 32 picks set for this upcoming draft it was finally time to take a stab at it. Under the Podcasts tab of the blogs you can listen to us discuss the picks as well.
**Chaz Picks: Odd (Including Jets), Zach Picks: Even
1. Tennessee Titans (3-13): Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss - With a New head coach on the way and a young QB that needs protection, the Titans could establish a set of book-end tackles for years to come with Tunsil.
2. Cleveland Browns (3-13): Jared Goff, QB, Cal - Sorry Jared, but the good news is that the Browns hired a competent coach that even got Andy Dalton to play like a star. Bad news is your primary targets are Brian Hartline, another overrated Browns tight end, and Joe Thomas. Yes, give Thomas the ball.
3. San Diego Chargers (4-12): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss - With a move to L.A. on the rise, the Chargers add some flash and need. Couple Treadwell with Allen and Melvin Gordon in the backfield and load Rivers with weapons.
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12): Joey Bosa, OLB, Ohio State - The Cowboys could go a million directions here, but Bosa feels like a Cowboy. Bosa really improved his run game this year to pair with his pass rushing ability. This is a positive pick to because this assumes they dump the woman beating scum that is Greg Hardy.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss - Nkemdiche is the best player in the draft, no questions asked, but his off the field issues knock him down here. It's not their biggest need, but having him and Fowler on the side of the ball this year? Scary
6. Baltimore Ravens (5-11): Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame - This has been a hotspot for a secondary player, but the Ravens line isn't getting any better. Place Stanley at whichever tackle spot you want and it will be a vast improvement for an aging and hurt Flacco.
7. San Francisco 49ers (4-11): Deforest Buckner, DE, Oregon - You know why. Qb was the favorite here but Chip was brought in for a Kap career revival. They address a pressing need on the DL
8. Miami Dolphins (6-10):. Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State - As a Dolphins fan this is a dream pick. It’s a tough choice with Ramsey and Hargreaves on the board, but Miami can play Ramsey at corner or safety. Ramsey and Reshad Jones is too tantalizing to pass up.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10): Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida - Alterraun Verner was never going to be a number one guy, and Hargreaves III is too good to pass up.
10. New York Giants (6-10): Myles Jack, LB, UCLA - Jack is a freak. Against BYU he matched up against their slot receiver and played bump and run coverage no problem. He can be the playmaker the Giants have needed on defense for years.
11. Chicago Bears (6-10): Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia - The Bears have a lot of holes, so this pick could go anywhere. One need they have to address is pass rusher. This is a bit high for Floyd, but there is an imbalance of need/value that comes into play.
12. New Orleans Saints (7-9): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU - What about Cook and Willie Snead? Stop that nonsense. The Saints want to keep rolling with Brees and Payton, so it’s time to get more options for the passing game. Doctson had a fantastic year and gives the Saints a redzone threat.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9): Jack Conklin, OT, MSU - I think they give Bradford another shot and try to handle their offensive line’s woes here. Especially now that Bosa will be on the loose.
14. Oakland Raiders (7-9): Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State - Ogbah, plus Mack, equals a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Ogbah is a long speed rusher with the ability to push double digit sacks each year.
15. Los Angeles Rams (7-9): Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis - The Foles projects is over and if Fisher wants to keep his job he needs to figure it out. Now that they're heading to LA, the flash of Todd Gurley and Paxton Lynch will sell.
16. Detroit Lions (7-9): Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor - Not a sexy pick, but Billings brings a penetrating three tech to the defense that flourished with two great tackles. To be a top player at the next level Billings needs to raise his sack numbers. He pushes the pocket well though.
17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8): Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson - The Falcons are an interesting team without many holes, but they need someone that can set the edge so Beasley can do some damage. Team mates again.
18. Indianapolis Colts (8-8): Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State - This pick took zero thought. With Decker’s ability to be either a starting tackle right away the rotation of broken quarterbacks ends. Decker is a brawler in the trenches and the Colts will welcome his presence.
19. Buffalo Bills (8-8): Vadal Alexander, OT/OG, LSU - Potentially losing Incognito and Cordy Glenn, the Bills need some OL help. Alexander can play anywhere on the line.
20. New York Jets (10-6): Carson Wentz, QB, NDSU - Fitzpatrick played well, but he's not a long term option, and Petty never even saw the #2 spot or activated roster. This speaks to how his progress went this season. Wentz is the total package, the only complete QB in the draft, and if not for his competition he would be going much higher. Jets get their guy and can sit him for a year under Fitz, or he could step right in.
21. Washington (9-7): Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson - Washington has not had a secondary for as long as I could remember, or a reliable corner. They need to make a move and get someone that can line up against OBJ, Dez, and whoever the eagles throw at them.
22. Houston Texans (9-7): Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State - This may be the only pick in our mock that never changes. If the Texans don’t trade up Cook could be the only quarterback to fall to them after miserably making the playoffs.
23. Minnesota Vikings (11-5): Jaylon Smith, OLB, Notre Dame - Realistically, he should not fall this far, but injuries happen. The Vikings need a WR but there will be plenty of playmakers left in 2. They get the best player in the draft at a bargain.
24. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4): A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama - Robinson doesn’t wow you on film, but he’s a great run defender with good pass rushing ability. Peko isn’t the answer next to Geno Atkins, and the Bengals are better off investing in their pass rush than missing on another corner.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): Eli Apple, CB, OSU - Pitt and their fascination with OLBs seems to be paying off this year with Dupree having a solid season and Shazier having some breakout games, they need to secure the back end still.
26. Seattle Seahawks (10-6): Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn - Coleman has played really solid football after taking over for Greg Robinson. He is good in both the running and passing game, but has room to improve. As a cancer survivor we know he has the ability to fight for his dreams.
27. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Su’a Cravens, OLB, USC - The Packers seem to like underwhelming USC OLB’s, and I think this is a perfect fit for what Capers likes to run up north.
28. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5): Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State - Whitehair is going to be the next All-Pro guard in the NFL. He played left tackle at Kansas State, but is better off inside. None of the Chiefs lineman are studs so they are all susceptible to replacement.
29. New England Patriots (12-4): PICK FORFEITED
30. Carolina Panthers (15-1):. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Ohio State - Jonathan Stewart had a good year in 2015, but anyone can have a good year in the Panthers offensive scheme. Elliot could be so much more than good and not cost the Panthers seven million a year.
31. Denver Broncos (12-4): Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama - Another guy that should not fall this far, but when you’re doing a mock, it happens. This would be a dream pick for Denver who is losing Trevathan to free agency and likely will be too short on cap to bring him back. Their big need is OL, but they can address that later on.
32. Arizona Cardinals (13-3): Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA - Another unsexy pick, but Clark can come in and replace the void left by Dan Williams. Clark will demand double teams, which will allow players like Deone Bucannon to flow and make plays.
