I may be under a new name but the one mock a year still lives. In the past, I've always tried to avoid trades, but I don't feel I can do that anymore with all of the movement for QBs. I also always try to think a little different, so don't be shocked to see a few surprises/different names.
1. Cleveland Browns - Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Browns actually make the smart decision this year and pick a QB that isn't Josh Allen. Darnold needs some work but has a lot of those intangibles you look for in a QB.
2. New York Giants - Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Giants are the team I'm having the most trouble figuring out. I think they'd take Darnold given the opportunity. The real goal would be a trade back, but not sure any team is willing to move to #2. For that reason, they take Barkley and call it a night.
3. New York Jets - Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Apparently, you can lock this one in. The Jets have been settled on Mayfield for awhile now and it doesn't look like there are any threats to make that not happen.
4. Cleveland Browns - Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Even if Barkley was on the board, I still think the Browns would go Chubb. He's a top notch pass rusher and would form an incredible duo with Myles Garrett.
5. TRADE: Buffalo Bills - Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Bills, seeing Allen falling, make the move to get him. The Broncos want to trade back and find a perfect match.
6. Indianapolis Colts - Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
The Colts have a need on the OL (as always), but also huge defensive needs. Enter Edmunds, who is a unique prospect and will be an instant impact player with plenty of room to grow.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
The Bucs could go a number of ways here, but opt for the do-it-all Fitzpatrick. S is a black hole for them and they get the chance to fill it with a premier prospect.
8. Chicago Bears - Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
The Bears get arguably the best player in the draft. Nelson is a mean mofo and Mitch will be happy to have that in front of him.
9. San Francisco 49ers - Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The 49ers were crossing their fingers for Edmunds, but since it didn't happen, they take the next best thing. Foster has a lot of question marks and the rest of their LBers are just guys.
10. Oakland Raiders - Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Raiders were hoping that one of the LBers would fall. Instead, they opt to fix the mess that was RT last year. Vadal Alexander and Brent Giacomini are not answers. The Raiders get their first player under the age of 73.
11. Miami Dolphins - Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Dolphins luck out and get a complete steal. Rosen shouldn't fall this far, but he does, and the Dolphins find Usain Bolt to run the card in.
12. Denver Broncos - Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
This couldn't work out any better for the Broncos. They pick up extra draft capital and a player that could easily go at pick #5.
13. Washington Redskins - Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
The Redskins are always good for a surprise, and they go with the RB this year. They've been going with RB du jour the past few years and it hasn't been working for them.
14. Green Bay Packers - Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
Davenport is incredibly raw, but if there's a team to bring out the best in him, I believe it's the Packers. The pass rush up north is questionable and they add a very talented player.
15. Arizona Cardinals - Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
I don't think the Cardinals are sold on Lamar Jackson, so they go for another Jackson here to add some talent on the other side of Patrick Peterson.
16. TRADE: Dallas Cowboys - Vita Vea, DT, Washington
The Cowboys make the slight jump up to beat out the Chargers and Seahawks, both of whom should have interest in Vea. The Ravens get the Cowboys 3rd while throwing back the 6th round comp pic.
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Chargers wanted Vea, but get a potential franchise QB instead. The Rams are running the LA market and getting a player like Jackson should help make them a little more relevant.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Derwin James, DB, Florida State
The Seahawks have lost pretty much all of the LOB, and get an opportunity to start a new one with a player that really shouldn't be available.
19. Baltimore Ravens - Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The Ravens wanted to move back a little farther, but the board didn't fall in their favor. Hurst is the selection and should be a day 1 impact player, which is a rarity at TE. He's a little on the older side but should have a nice, long career. He's probably the best two-way TE in this draft and should make an immediate impact with Joe and his love for TEs.
20. Detroit Lions - Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
The Lions get an edge rusher to put on the opposite side of Ansah. Landry is a solid, consistent player who should fit well.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - James Daniels, C, Iowa
The Bengals need all of the OL help and opt for the C here while focusing on the rest later. The Bengals have added more zone concepts and Daniels fits well
22. TRADE: Denver Broncos - Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
This draft could not have gone better for the Broncos. They reunite Hernandez with his former coach and solidify their questionable OL
23. New England Patriots - Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
I hate Kolton Miller... everywhere but NE. The NE offense is perfect to mask Miller's deficiencies and he should fit in well.
24. Carolina Panthers - Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Panthers need to give Cam some help at WR and they get the opportunity to do just that with arguably the best at the position, who takes a tumble.
25. Tennessee Titans - Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The Titans don't have many glaring holes, but ILB next to Woodyard is one and they pick up a quality guy to fit in next to him.
26. Atlanta Falcons - Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
This is a match made in heaven. Atlanta loves some interior rush and gets it with a raw and inconsistent, but insanely athletic Taven Bryan.
27. New Orleans Saints - Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
The Saints are the main reason we don't want to drop too far if we're gunning for Hurst, and they prove that by taking TE2 in Goedert. TE is a big hole in NO.
28. TRADE: Arizona Cardinals - Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
The Cardinals missed out on Mahomes last year and missed out on the top 4 this year. They trade back in with the Steelers to jump the Jags and secure a QB of the future.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The Jaguars are a team without huge needs, so they opt for a feisty CB to replace the departed Aaron Colvin, making that defense even scarier.
30. Minnesota Vikings - Connor Williams, T, Texas
The Vikings are also a team without huge needs, outside of RG. Williams should slot in at G year 1 and be a T option in the future if needed.
31. New England Patriots - Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Patriots get some really good value here and replace the sloth that is Kyle Van Noy in the starting lineup.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
What do you give a team that has virtually no needs? Another weapon on offense. I think the Eagles are in a good spot for a trade back but not sure what player, so Michel slots in.
And the rest of the Ravens picks:
Round 2:
52. Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan
Okorafor isn't getting enough love, but he's a mountain of man that moves well and shows a mean streak to his game. There might be a few hiccups as he's still learning, but I still believe he can slot in and play from day 1.
Round 3:
81 (from Dallas). Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky
I just think White is the guy we might have our sights set on at QB. He's got a big arm and would fit really well behind Joe for a year or two while he develops. I think the Ravens are serious about QB on the second day, and pull the trigger and get one.
83. Cedrick Wilson, WR, Boise State
I really don't know why, but Cedrick Wilson isn't getting enough love. So many have him in day 3 but I don't think he makes it that far. Wilson runs a pretty good route tree considering he's still somewhat new to the position. He's a hard worker and should fit in well as WR4 (assuming Snead is a thing) working all levels.
Round 4:
118. Tegray Scales, LB, Indiana
Scales might not have blown the roof of the combine with crazy numbers, but he's a smart, instinctive LBer who just knows how to play football. I think he'd be a very good addition next to Mosley.
Round 5:
154. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Colorado
Here's Danny Woodhead 2.0 without the injuries. Lindsay is a little bit frenetic when he has the ball, but he's a home run hitter who should be able to play on 3rd downs immediately.
Round 6:
190. Damon Webb, FS, Ohio State
Like Scales, Webb is another guy that won't wow you with athletic numbers or size but he's a smart player who has the potential to play a center field role.
Round 7:
238. Matt Gono, G/C, Wesley
Gono comes from a tiny D3 school, but he was a man amongst boys there. He's your typical teddy bear off the field, but absolute mad man on it. He'll be sliding inside after playing T in college. He's developmental but it could be a payoff like Jensen in 2 years.
1. Cleveland Browns - Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Browns actually make the smart decision this year and pick a QB that isn't Josh Allen. Darnold needs some work but has a lot of those intangibles you look for in a QB.
2. New York Giants - Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Giants are the team I'm having the most trouble figuring out. I think they'd take Darnold given the opportunity. The real goal would be a trade back, but not sure any team is willing to move to #2. For that reason, they take Barkley and call it a night.
3. New York Jets - Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Apparently, you can lock this one in. The Jets have been settled on Mayfield for awhile now and it doesn't look like there are any threats to make that not happen.
4. Cleveland Browns - Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Even if Barkley was on the board, I still think the Browns would go Chubb. He's a top notch pass rusher and would form an incredible duo with Myles Garrett.
5. TRADE: Buffalo Bills - Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Bills, seeing Allen falling, make the move to get him. The Broncos want to trade back and find a perfect match.
6. Indianapolis Colts - Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
The Colts have a need on the OL (as always), but also huge defensive needs. Enter Edmunds, who is a unique prospect and will be an instant impact player with plenty of room to grow.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
The Bucs could go a number of ways here, but opt for the do-it-all Fitzpatrick. S is a black hole for them and they get the chance to fill it with a premier prospect.
8. Chicago Bears - Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
The Bears get arguably the best player in the draft. Nelson is a mean mofo and Mitch will be happy to have that in front of him.
9. San Francisco 49ers - Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The 49ers were crossing their fingers for Edmunds, but since it didn't happen, they take the next best thing. Foster has a lot of question marks and the rest of their LBers are just guys.
10. Oakland Raiders - Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Raiders were hoping that one of the LBers would fall. Instead, they opt to fix the mess that was RT last year. Vadal Alexander and Brent Giacomini are not answers. The Raiders get their first player under the age of 73.
11. Miami Dolphins - Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Dolphins luck out and get a complete steal. Rosen shouldn't fall this far, but he does, and the Dolphins find Usain Bolt to run the card in.
12. Denver Broncos - Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
This couldn't work out any better for the Broncos. They pick up extra draft capital and a player that could easily go at pick #5.
13. Washington Redskins - Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
The Redskins are always good for a surprise, and they go with the RB this year. They've been going with RB du jour the past few years and it hasn't been working for them.
14. Green Bay Packers - Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
Davenport is incredibly raw, but if there's a team to bring out the best in him, I believe it's the Packers. The pass rush up north is questionable and they add a very talented player.
15. Arizona Cardinals - Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
I don't think the Cardinals are sold on Lamar Jackson, so they go for another Jackson here to add some talent on the other side of Patrick Peterson.
16. TRADE: Dallas Cowboys - Vita Vea, DT, Washington
The Cowboys make the slight jump up to beat out the Chargers and Seahawks, both of whom should have interest in Vea. The Ravens get the Cowboys 3rd while throwing back the 6th round comp pic.
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Chargers wanted Vea, but get a potential franchise QB instead. The Rams are running the LA market and getting a player like Jackson should help make them a little more relevant.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Derwin James, DB, Florida State
The Seahawks have lost pretty much all of the LOB, and get an opportunity to start a new one with a player that really shouldn't be available.
19. Baltimore Ravens - Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The Ravens wanted to move back a little farther, but the board didn't fall in their favor. Hurst is the selection and should be a day 1 impact player, which is a rarity at TE. He's a little on the older side but should have a nice, long career. He's probably the best two-way TE in this draft and should make an immediate impact with Joe and his love for TEs.
20. Detroit Lions - Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
The Lions get an edge rusher to put on the opposite side of Ansah. Landry is a solid, consistent player who should fit well.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - James Daniels, C, Iowa
The Bengals need all of the OL help and opt for the C here while focusing on the rest later. The Bengals have added more zone concepts and Daniels fits well
22. TRADE: Denver Broncos - Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
This draft could not have gone better for the Broncos. They reunite Hernandez with his former coach and solidify their questionable OL
23. New England Patriots - Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
I hate Kolton Miller... everywhere but NE. The NE offense is perfect to mask Miller's deficiencies and he should fit in well.
24. Carolina Panthers - Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Panthers need to give Cam some help at WR and they get the opportunity to do just that with arguably the best at the position, who takes a tumble.
25. Tennessee Titans - Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The Titans don't have many glaring holes, but ILB next to Woodyard is one and they pick up a quality guy to fit in next to him.
26. Atlanta Falcons - Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
This is a match made in heaven. Atlanta loves some interior rush and gets it with a raw and inconsistent, but insanely athletic Taven Bryan.
27. New Orleans Saints - Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
The Saints are the main reason we don't want to drop too far if we're gunning for Hurst, and they prove that by taking TE2 in Goedert. TE is a big hole in NO.
28. TRADE: Arizona Cardinals - Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
The Cardinals missed out on Mahomes last year and missed out on the top 4 this year. They trade back in with the Steelers to jump the Jags and secure a QB of the future.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The Jaguars are a team without huge needs, so they opt for a feisty CB to replace the departed Aaron Colvin, making that defense even scarier.
30. Minnesota Vikings - Connor Williams, T, Texas
The Vikings are also a team without huge needs, outside of RG. Williams should slot in at G year 1 and be a T option in the future if needed.
31. New England Patriots - Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Patriots get some really good value here and replace the sloth that is Kyle Van Noy in the starting lineup.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
What do you give a team that has virtually no needs? Another weapon on offense. I think the Eagles are in a good spot for a trade back but not sure what player, so Michel slots in.
And the rest of the Ravens picks:
Round 2:
52. Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan
Okorafor isn't getting enough love, but he's a mountain of man that moves well and shows a mean streak to his game. There might be a few hiccups as he's still learning, but I still believe he can slot in and play from day 1.
Round 3:
81 (from Dallas). Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky
I just think White is the guy we might have our sights set on at QB. He's got a big arm and would fit really well behind Joe for a year or two while he develops. I think the Ravens are serious about QB on the second day, and pull the trigger and get one.
83. Cedrick Wilson, WR, Boise State
I really don't know why, but Cedrick Wilson isn't getting enough love. So many have him in day 3 but I don't think he makes it that far. Wilson runs a pretty good route tree considering he's still somewhat new to the position. He's a hard worker and should fit in well as WR4 (assuming Snead is a thing) working all levels.
Round 4:
118. Tegray Scales, LB, Indiana
Scales might not have blown the roof of the combine with crazy numbers, but he's a smart, instinctive LBer who just knows how to play football. I think he'd be a very good addition next to Mosley.
Round 5:
154. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Colorado
Here's Danny Woodhead 2.0 without the injuries. Lindsay is a little bit frenetic when he has the ball, but he's a home run hitter who should be able to play on 3rd downs immediately.
Round 6:
190. Damon Webb, FS, Ohio State
Like Scales, Webb is another guy that won't wow you with athletic numbers or size but he's a smart player who has the potential to play a center field role.
Round 7:
238. Matt Gono, G/C, Wesley
Gono comes from a tiny D3 school, but he was a man amongst boys there. He's your typical teddy bear off the field, but absolute mad man on it. He'll be sliding inside after playing T in college. He's developmental but it could be a payoff like Jensen in 2 years.
