Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Mock Draft 3.0: Post CFB Season Edition


Written by Christian Lysek

What a game, eh? The National Championship was a thriller and a great conclusion to the 2017 College Football season. Now that it is finished, it seems like a good time to drop a mock draft and get a feel for where the prospects stand at this point in time. Without further ado, let’s get Mock Draft 3.0 started. Note: An OSOB prospect is a hypothetical "other side of the ball prospect." As long as a player has not been picked in the real mock draft and plays on the opposite side of the ball of the player picked, then they can be selected for the team. Note Two: I made these rankings past pick 24. Note Three: if you don't know how I do mock drafts, it's simple. I use my board and pick the players I would pick for a team. I am not shooting for a prediction, just a projection.



Round 1:

1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
We start out mock 3.0 the same way we did mock 2.0: with the Browns drafting Josh Rosen. DeShon Kizer has been the same inaccurate and mistake prone player he was in college for the Browns, so they need to take the L and move on. Rosen elevates the talent around him with his poise and playmaking ability, so he may finally be the answer they need at quarterback.
OSOB Prospect: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama


2. New York Giants: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma


I know this pick is unlikely because of Mayfield’s height and antics, but I can’t help but love it. The Giants need new leaders to spark a culture change, like the Jets did last year by drafting Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Baker Mayfield is cocky and always in the media, but his teammates love him and he has blown away my expectations on the field this season.
OSOB Prospect: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech



3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State
The Colts lack a cornerstone pass rusher, one of the essentials of football. Knowing that, the Colts select Bradley Chubb, the consensus best EDGE prospect who can stop the run and destroy quarterbacks.
OSOB Prospect: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame


4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans): Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

The general idea analysts had on Jabrill Peppers was that you could play him almost anywhere in your secondary except as a single high free safety or an outside corner. Naturally the Browns drafted and played him at single high free safety. The Browns need to move on from that disaster, and one way to do that would be to select Minkah Fitzpatrick to play free safety and moving Peppers to strong safety. That would maximize each player’s best talents. 
OSOB Prospect: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State


5. Denver Broncos: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
I can definitely see the Broncos going quarterback here, but I expect them to make a run at some of the free agent quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins first. If they do find their man in free agency, I would go best player available and take Saquon Barkley. I have never been a huge C.J. Anderson guy, and I just think Barkley offers so much more as a player. He could help reenergize this stale offense.
OSOB Prospect: DeShon Elliot, S, Texas

6. New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Josh McCown had a really good year for the Jets, but the unfortunate truth is that this franchise is stuck in the water until they find a quarterback. Sam Darnold had too many turnovers this season, but he has a clutch ability that is unteachable and plenty of good game film.
OSOB Prospect: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
The Buccaneers were a disappointment this season, mostly due to their failure to win in the trenches. The Bucs offensive line is pretty bad outside of 2015 draft pick Ali Marpet, and while left tackle might seem like a bigger priority, Quenton Nelson is the best offensive line prospect in this class and looks like a plug and play Pro Bowler. 
OSOB Prospect: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson


8. Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Bears actually have a pretty strong roster, they are just missing a couple of pieces. And by that I mean a couple of wide receivers. Calvin Ridley may be a reach at number 8, but when Kendall Wright is your leading receiver, reaching becomes justified. 
OSOB Prospect: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa


9. Oakland Raiders: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
The Raiders linebacking corps consists of Navarro Bowman and nobody else worth mentioning. Tremaine Edmunds is a freak at 6’5” and 245 pounds, and he could be one of the Raiders defensive cornerstones for the next several years.
OSOB Prospect: Connor Williams, OT, Texas


10. San Francisco 49ers: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
John Lynch has been kicking ass and taking names during his first year as the 49ers general manager, turning one of the leagues most talent devoid rosters and turning it into a winning machine down the stretch. Now that Lynch has his quarterback in Jimmy G, the next item on the shopping list a shutdown corner, which is where Joshua Jackson comes into play. He turned into a star this season thanks to his athleticism, size and ball skills, which will all serve him well in the NFL.
OSOB Prospect: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU


11. Miami Dolphins: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Dolphins have a top ten defensive line and a bottom five linebacking corps. Getting Raekwon McMillan back from injury will help, but adding Roquan Smith to the mix would give the Dolphins old linebacking corps more speed and playmaking ability.
OSOB Prospect: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU


12. Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
The Cedric Ogbuehi/Jake Fisher tackle combo was a miserable failure in 2017, so instead of waiting for chicken crap to turn into chicken salad, I would just take the best left tackle in the class, Connor Williams. Williams could secure the left tackle spot for the next decade for the Bengals.
OSOB Prospect: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama




13. Green Bay Packers: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Packers defense has been underwhelming to say the least, especially with Clay Matthews getting older. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is more explosive than any pass rusher currently on the Packers roster and would make a fearsome trio with Nick Perry and Vince Biegel for the next several years.
OSOB Prospect: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU


14. Washington Redskins: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
I love Josh Doctson, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations so far and the best Redskins receivers are solely slot guys, so I had to take James Washington. He could fill the deep threat/playmaking void DeSean Jackson left behind.
OSOB Prospect: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson


15. Arizona Cardinals: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The retirements of Carson Palmer and Bruce Arians mark the end of an era in Arizona. The new Cardinals need a quarterback to lead them in the next era, and Lamar Jackson’s playmaking ability is too good to pass up for me.
OSOB Prospect: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson


16. Baltimore Ravens: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
The Ravens are basically the Broncos of their division: elite defense, mediocre running game, and a vomit-inducing passing offense. I am not an Alex Collins believer, so I would take Derrius Guice, a blue-chip prospect built to carry an offense no matter how bad the passing game is.
OSOB Prospect: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE,
Clemson


17. Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
The Chargers are building something special on their defensive line, and while Corey Luiget and Brandon Mebane are fine players, I like the talent and upside of Christian Wilkins better. He is a really good athlete who could shine next to Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram.
OSOB Prospect: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame


18. Seattle Seahawks: Derwin James, S, Florida State
I think this is the first mock draft where I haven’t given the Seahawks an offensive lineman in the first round, but it is for good reason. The Legion of Boom is nearing it’s end, and the likely first player to go is strong safety Kam Chancellor due to his big cap hit and neck injury. Derwin James isn’t my highest ranked safety on the board at this point, but he is the highest ranked strong safety, so I would take him here.
OSOB Prospect: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame


19. Detroit Lions: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
Anthony Zettel and Ziggy Ansah are fine players, but the Lions need to add at least one more pass rusher to the mix. Clelin Ferrell hasn’t declared yet, but he had a really strong 2017 season and would bolster the Lions pass defense.
OSOB Prospect: Damien Harris, RB, Alabama


20. Dallas Cowboys: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
The Cowboys shouldn’t be looking for a number two receiver to compliment Dez Bryant, they should be looking for a number one receiver for Dez to compliment. Courtland Sutton is an impressive athlete with great hands, and he could be Dak’s number one guy for the next several years.
OSOB Prospect: Taven Bryan, DL, Florida


21. Buffalo Bills: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Preston Brown is a tackling machine for the Bills, but the linebacker spot next to him should be up for grabs. Rashaan Evans is a great athlete who would make a formidable trio with Brown and Lorenzo Alexander.
OSOB Prospect: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M


22. Buffalo Bills: Taven Bryan, DL, Florida
More front seven fixes are on the way for the Bills, but this time they are on the defensive line. The loss of Marcell Dareus was tangible in Buffalo, as the best interior defensive lineman on the roster is Kyle Williams, who is well past his prime. Taven Bryan has an enormous amount of upside and could be a Pro Bowler in the Bills defense.
OSOB Prospect: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M


23. Los Angeles Rams: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
With big contracts for Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley on the horizon, star corner Trumaine Johnson might be the odd man out. Denzel Ward is undersized at 5’10”, but his length, aggressiveness, and ball skills make him the logical successor to Johnson.
OSOB Prospect: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State




24. Carolina Panthers: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
The Panthers best receivers this season were Devin Funchess, who is still inconsistent, and Christian McCaffrey, who is a running back. The need more reliable options, and Christian Kirk has been a playmaking star ever since he stepped on campus at Texas A&M. 
OSOB Prospect: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado


25. Tennessee Titans: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
Adoree Jackson definitely showed flashes of good things to come during his rookie season, but the Titans need to keep adding talent to their secondary. Isaiah Oliver is a great man to man corner who would make an exciting duo with Jackson. 
OSOB Prospect: Mason Cole, OL, Michigan


26. Atlanta Falcons: Mason Cole, OL, Michigan
I know all the talk is about guys like Billy Price, Frank Ragnow, and Braden Smithin terms of interior offensive lineman not named Quenton Nelson, but trust me on this one. Mason Cole is a stud interior lineman who played out of position (left tackle) during the 2017 season. After a week at the Senior Bowl playing as an interior lineman, this guy is gonna shoot up boards. The Falcons need guard help, and Cole would be my first choice. 
OSOB Prospect: DeShon Elliott, S, Texas


27. Pittsburgh Steelers: DeShon Elliott, S, Texas
Mike Mitchell is a good player for the Steelers at free safety, but he is now 30 and 2018 will be the last year on his five-year deal. DeShon Elliot is the safety I mentioned earlier who I have ranked ahead of Derwin James. He is a hard hitter and a ball hawk who I would love to see play with strong safety Sean Davis over the next few years. 
OSOB Prospect: Billy Price, OL, Ohio State


28. Philadelphia Eagles: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
This offensive tackle class outside of Connor Williams is all over the map, as about 5-6 tackles are currently in consideration for my number two OT ranking. For consistencies sake, I’m going to go with Jamarco Jones for the Eagles, a player I have been high on since summer. He has an excellent build, great athletic traits, and good enough technique to start at tackle in the pros. 
OSOB Prospect: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State


29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
I just finished Mark Andrews film work, and boy did I come away impressed. Much like Evan Engram last year, Mark Andrews is a mismatch nightmare of a tight end who can play inline or in the slot. Add in that his blocking is really underrated, and Andrews is a safe prospect that the Jaguars should really consider taking. 
OSOB Prospect: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State


30. Minnesota Vikings: Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College
Danielle Hunter is already the star of the future for th Vikings defensive line, but with Brian Robinson and Everson Griffin both getting old, the Vikings need to find Hunter's future running mate. Harold Landry is really just a raw speed rusher right now, but with some coaching, he should be able to live up to his high potential. 
OSOB Prospect: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma


31. New England Patriots: Maurice Hurst, DL, Michigan
Malcolm Brown and Alan Branch are good players for the Patriots, but this defense is quietly getting old and in need of a mini overhaul. Adding Maurice Hurst, an explosive defensive tackle with a non-stop motor, is a step in the rght direction.
OSOB Prospect: Damien Harris, RB, Alabama


32. New Orleans Saints: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
We cap off this mock draft with a “who the hell is that” selection. When is saw Leighton Vander Esch, a junior who was the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, declared early for the draft, I was quite skeptical. After looking at the tape, however, this dude is legit. He is an impressive athlete with great instincts and three down ability. He should be a high end starter in the NFL thanks to those traits, and the Saints need just that sort of player in the middle of their defense.
OSOB Prospect: Dante Pettis, WR, Washington

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All statistics come from ESPN stats on ESPN.com expect for TFLs, which come from sports-reference.com