NOTE: Since the season hasn't ended, obviously I had too project the last part of the draft order.
01. BROWNS - SAQUAN BARKLEY, RB, PENN STATE
I don't see a big gap between the top four QB's in this draft, so the smart move is take their young FQB at #4 and secure him a Zeke Elliott, Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette type RB to lessen the load he needs to carry early in his career. Look how much those three have done for their young QB's.
02. GIANTS - JOSH ROSEN, QB, UCLA
Obviously Eli is slipping, but he has enough left in the tank for the Giants to take it slow while Rosen sits and learns for a year. Most agree Rosen has enormous talent, but he can use some maturing and Eli is an ideal mentor.
03. COLTS - BRADLEY CHUBB, ER, NC STATE
Another reason why it made sense for the Browns to grab Barkley at #1. If they didn't there's a very good chance the Colts take him at #3. Colts can take an OT, but IMO the value here is at edge rusher, Key or Chubb, and they need an elite pass rusher too. I give Chubb a slight edge.
04. BROWNS - JOSH ALLEN, QB, WYOMING
Don't get too carried away with the stats and actually watch his film. His team stunk and so did his WR's. Dropped passes by the bushel basket. But when you actually watch his tape, his size and skill are eye-popping.
05. BRONCOS - SAM DARNOLD, QB, USC
Darnold had a down year and appeared to have lost some confidence. I believe he even admitted as much. So I can see him sliding a little bit, but his overall talent and ceiling are still sky high.
06. NY JETS - BAKER MAYFIELD, QB, OKLAHOMA
Frankly the Jets war-room, as well as their fans, should be doing cartwheels if Mayfield slides to them here, and its very likely he will. Worse case scenario, Giants, Browns or Broncos fall in-love with him and the Jets have to settle for Rosen, Darnold or Allen. IOW's if they don't screw it up (ala the Same Old Jets), they should land a potential FQB in this spot.
07. BUCCANEERS - ARDEN KEY, ER, LSU
Bucs need an elite edge rusher who can get after the QB. If Chubb or Key fall to them here, quite likely if the QB's are as coveted as I expect, the Bucs should make this pick at record speed.
08. BEARS - MINKAH FITZPATRICK, CB, ALABAMA
Physical shutdown corner. The Bears could opt for an OT here as well, but the need at DB is just as big, if not bigger, and IMO Fitz is the clear value pick.
09. 49ERS - COURTLAND SUTTON, WR, SMU
Note: 49ers and Raiders will be decided on a coin toss. In the drafts first big surprise (though it shouldn't be), I think the 49ers will opt to secure a BIG #1 Wideout (6' 4"/220) for the young FQB they stole from the Pats for a 2nd RD Pick.
10. RAIDERS - CONNOR WILLIAMS, OT, TEXAS
Note: Raiders and 49ers will be decided on a coin toss. If not for a knee injury, IMO this kid would have been a TOP 5 Pick, likely #3 to the Colts. Could be a steal for the Raiders at #10, and at a position of real need.
11. DOLPHINS - MASON RUDOLPH, QB, OKLAHOMA STATE
Rudolph is raw, but the kid has good size and some real tools to be excited about. Little bit of a reach? Perhaps, but teams that don't already have FQB's are willing to gamble on tools and potential. Until you find one in this league, you are nothing on your way to nowhere.
12. BENGALS - ORLANDO BROWN, OT, OKLAHOMA
If the Bengals have their choice between the ND kid and Brown at #12, I'm sure they will be thrilled. I give Brown the edge for size and strength.
13. REDSKINS - MIKE MCGLINCHEY, OT, NOTRE DAME
If they keep Cousins, they need a LT to protect him and this is the obvious choice. However, if they let Cousins walk, I would change this pick to Lamar Jackson which seems like a bit of a reach, but everyone reaches for QB's if they don't already have one.
14. PACKERS - CLENLIN FERRELL, ER, CLEMSON
Winning organizations understand the two most important things you can do in pro football is throw the football and hit the other guy who throws it, or at least make him hurry his throws which causes incompletions and INT's.
15. CARDINALS - LAMAR JACKSON, QB, LOUISVILLE
As I made clear with Miami, in this league you are going nowhere until you find a dynamic young QB to build around. Jackson has his detractors, but I'm not one of them. I know he needs to improve as a passer, but I look at Jackson and I see an exciting player who loves football and loves to compete, and I think his deficiencies as a passer are overstated. I'd take him in a second in this spot.
16. RAVENS - CALVIN RIDLEY, WR, ALABAMA
They can't keep asking Flacco to make chicken salad out of chickens*t.
17. CHARGERS - DERWIN JAMES, S, FLORIDA STATE
Fills a big need and is highly rated on most boards, a lot higher than this.
18. SEAHAWKS - QUENTON NELSON, OG, NOTRE DAME
Like James, Nelson is rated a lot higher than this on most boards, but sometimes Guards and Safeties can slide. Not likely, but its possible, mostly due to the expected run on QB's (I have six in the top fifteen).
19. COWBOYS - VITA VEA, DT, WASHINGTON
Massive run stuffer and immovable object.
20. LIONS - AUSTIN BRYANT, ER, CLEMSON
Whether at 4-3 end or 3-4 OLB, this kid can be a force off the edge.
21. BILLS - CHRISTIAN WILKINS, DT, CLEMSON
Kyle Williams will be 35 when next season starts, in the meantime Wilkins will be a terrific rotational lineman.
22. BILLS - ROQUON SMITH, LB, GEORGIA
Sideline to sideline backer who blows people up when he gets there, and he rarely misses tackles too, doesn't only go for the big hit, when he gets there he's taking you down.
23. RAMS - MARK ANDREWS, TE, OKLAHOMA
A QB's best friend is a big, playmaking TE, and this would be a terrific gift for their young QB.
24. PANTHERS - JAMES WASHINGTON, WR, OKLAHOMA STATE
James Washington will give Cam the speed he needs at WR to keep defenses honest. Whether its yards per reception or YAC, this kid is scary and must be accounted for, or else.
25. TITANS - JOSHUA JACKSON, CB, IOWA
Tough call between Josh Jackson and Denzel Ward, both are worthy of this pick, but the tiebreaker for me was size. When in doubt, take the bigger corner, cause there are more big NFL Wideouts to contend with.
26. JAGUARS - DA'RON PAYNE, DT, ALABAMA
Payne will probably go higher than this, but if he doesn't, its a steal at 26
27. EAGLES - DERRIUS GUICE, RB, LSU
There are more heralded backs still on the board, but I'm not sure any of them are better than Guice. Watch for Guice to be a big riser as the draft process unfolds.
28. FALCONS - DENZEL WARD, CB, OHIO STATE
Wish he was a little bit bigger, but the kid is a tremendous cover-corner and playmaker. Could be a steal at 28.
29. STEELERS - HAROLD LANDRY, ER, BOSTON COLLEGE
Steelers can use an upgrade at edge rusher and if Landry falls to them here it would be a gift.
30. VIKINGS - CHRISTIAN KIRK, WR, TEXAS A&M
Kirk is a bruner who can take the top off a defense. Like Guice, this is a kid I expect to rise as the draft process unfolds.
31. SAINTS - BILLY PRICE, C/G, OHIO STATE
Price has a huge upside at C and Guard. He can easily win a starting job at either spot as a rookie. If not, he can wait his turn and provide outstanding depth and versatility.
32. PATRIOTS - LUKE FALK, QB, WASHINGTON STATE
In typical Belichick fashion, he drafts another high ceiling young QB to groom behind Brady. Its his way of telling Brady and Kraft that he still calls the shots, and if they don't like it, too effing bad. And don't forget, they did trade away BOTH of their young QB's to groom behind Brady, Bissett too, not just Jimmy G.
01. BROWNS - SAQUAN BARKLEY, RB, PENN STATE
I don't see a big gap between the top four QB's in this draft, so the smart move is take their young FQB at #4 and secure him a Zeke Elliott, Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette type RB to lessen the load he needs to carry early in his career. Look how much those three have done for their young QB's.
02. GIANTS - JOSH ROSEN, QB, UCLA
Obviously Eli is slipping, but he has enough left in the tank for the Giants to take it slow while Rosen sits and learns for a year. Most agree Rosen has enormous talent, but he can use some maturing and Eli is an ideal mentor.
03. COLTS - BRADLEY CHUBB, ER, NC STATE
Another reason why it made sense for the Browns to grab Barkley at #1. If they didn't there's a very good chance the Colts take him at #3. Colts can take an OT, but IMO the value here is at edge rusher, Key or Chubb, and they need an elite pass rusher too. I give Chubb a slight edge.
04. BROWNS - JOSH ALLEN, QB, WYOMING
Don't get too carried away with the stats and actually watch his film. His team stunk and so did his WR's. Dropped passes by the bushel basket. But when you actually watch his tape, his size and skill are eye-popping.
05. BRONCOS - SAM DARNOLD, QB, USC
Darnold had a down year and appeared to have lost some confidence. I believe he even admitted as much. So I can see him sliding a little bit, but his overall talent and ceiling are still sky high.
06. NY JETS - BAKER MAYFIELD, QB, OKLAHOMA
Frankly the Jets war-room, as well as their fans, should be doing cartwheels if Mayfield slides to them here, and its very likely he will. Worse case scenario, Giants, Browns or Broncos fall in-love with him and the Jets have to settle for Rosen, Darnold or Allen. IOW's if they don't screw it up (ala the Same Old Jets), they should land a potential FQB in this spot.
07. BUCCANEERS - ARDEN KEY, ER, LSU
Bucs need an elite edge rusher who can get after the QB. If Chubb or Key fall to them here, quite likely if the QB's are as coveted as I expect, the Bucs should make this pick at record speed.
08. BEARS - MINKAH FITZPATRICK, CB, ALABAMA
Physical shutdown corner. The Bears could opt for an OT here as well, but the need at DB is just as big, if not bigger, and IMO Fitz is the clear value pick.
09. 49ERS - COURTLAND SUTTON, WR, SMU
Note: 49ers and Raiders will be decided on a coin toss. In the drafts first big surprise (though it shouldn't be), I think the 49ers will opt to secure a BIG #1 Wideout (6' 4"/220) for the young FQB they stole from the Pats for a 2nd RD Pick.
10. RAIDERS - CONNOR WILLIAMS, OT, TEXAS
Note: Raiders and 49ers will be decided on a coin toss. If not for a knee injury, IMO this kid would have been a TOP 5 Pick, likely #3 to the Colts. Could be a steal for the Raiders at #10, and at a position of real need.
11. DOLPHINS - MASON RUDOLPH, QB, OKLAHOMA STATE
Rudolph is raw, but the kid has good size and some real tools to be excited about. Little bit of a reach? Perhaps, but teams that don't already have FQB's are willing to gamble on tools and potential. Until you find one in this league, you are nothing on your way to nowhere.
12. BENGALS - ORLANDO BROWN, OT, OKLAHOMA
If the Bengals have their choice between the ND kid and Brown at #12, I'm sure they will be thrilled. I give Brown the edge for size and strength.
13. REDSKINS - MIKE MCGLINCHEY, OT, NOTRE DAME
If they keep Cousins, they need a LT to protect him and this is the obvious choice. However, if they let Cousins walk, I would change this pick to Lamar Jackson which seems like a bit of a reach, but everyone reaches for QB's if they don't already have one.
14. PACKERS - CLENLIN FERRELL, ER, CLEMSON
Winning organizations understand the two most important things you can do in pro football is throw the football and hit the other guy who throws it, or at least make him hurry his throws which causes incompletions and INT's.
15. CARDINALS - LAMAR JACKSON, QB, LOUISVILLE
As I made clear with Miami, in this league you are going nowhere until you find a dynamic young QB to build around. Jackson has his detractors, but I'm not one of them. I know he needs to improve as a passer, but I look at Jackson and I see an exciting player who loves football and loves to compete, and I think his deficiencies as a passer are overstated. I'd take him in a second in this spot.
16. RAVENS - CALVIN RIDLEY, WR, ALABAMA
They can't keep asking Flacco to make chicken salad out of chickens*t.
17. CHARGERS - DERWIN JAMES, S, FLORIDA STATE
Fills a big need and is highly rated on most boards, a lot higher than this.
18. SEAHAWKS - QUENTON NELSON, OG, NOTRE DAME
Like James, Nelson is rated a lot higher than this on most boards, but sometimes Guards and Safeties can slide. Not likely, but its possible, mostly due to the expected run on QB's (I have six in the top fifteen).
19. COWBOYS - VITA VEA, DT, WASHINGTON
Massive run stuffer and immovable object.
20. LIONS - AUSTIN BRYANT, ER, CLEMSON
Whether at 4-3 end or 3-4 OLB, this kid can be a force off the edge.
21. BILLS - CHRISTIAN WILKINS, DT, CLEMSON
Kyle Williams will be 35 when next season starts, in the meantime Wilkins will be a terrific rotational lineman.
22. BILLS - ROQUON SMITH, LB, GEORGIA
Sideline to sideline backer who blows people up when he gets there, and he rarely misses tackles too, doesn't only go for the big hit, when he gets there he's taking you down.
23. RAMS - MARK ANDREWS, TE, OKLAHOMA
A QB's best friend is a big, playmaking TE, and this would be a terrific gift for their young QB.
24. PANTHERS - JAMES WASHINGTON, WR, OKLAHOMA STATE
James Washington will give Cam the speed he needs at WR to keep defenses honest. Whether its yards per reception or YAC, this kid is scary and must be accounted for, or else.
25. TITANS - JOSHUA JACKSON, CB, IOWA
Tough call between Josh Jackson and Denzel Ward, both are worthy of this pick, but the tiebreaker for me was size. When in doubt, take the bigger corner, cause there are more big NFL Wideouts to contend with.
26. JAGUARS - DA'RON PAYNE, DT, ALABAMA
Payne will probably go higher than this, but if he doesn't, its a steal at 26
27. EAGLES - DERRIUS GUICE, RB, LSU
There are more heralded backs still on the board, but I'm not sure any of them are better than Guice. Watch for Guice to be a big riser as the draft process unfolds.
28. FALCONS - DENZEL WARD, CB, OHIO STATE
Wish he was a little bit bigger, but the kid is a tremendous cover-corner and playmaker. Could be a steal at 28.
29. STEELERS - HAROLD LANDRY, ER, BOSTON COLLEGE
Steelers can use an upgrade at edge rusher and if Landry falls to them here it would be a gift.
30. VIKINGS - CHRISTIAN KIRK, WR, TEXAS A&M
Kirk is a bruner who can take the top off a defense. Like Guice, this is a kid I expect to rise as the draft process unfolds.
31. SAINTS - BILLY PRICE, C/G, OHIO STATE
Price has a huge upside at C and Guard. He can easily win a starting job at either spot as a rookie. If not, he can wait his turn and provide outstanding depth and versatility.
32. PATRIOTS - LUKE FALK, QB, WASHINGTON STATE
In typical Belichick fashion, he drafts another high ceiling young QB to groom behind Brady. Its his way of telling Brady and Kraft that he still calls the shots, and if they don't like it, too effing bad. And don't forget, they did trade away BOTH of their young QB's to groom behind Brady, Bissett too, not just Jimmy G.
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