Putting together an NFL mock draft isn’t that much different from filling out a March Madness bracket – you’re inevitably going to be wrong. And often.
But it wouldn’t be draft season without a mock, so we did our best to predict who will go where when Roger Goodell announces the picks on Thursday night (04:00 GST Friday morning).
1. Cleveland Browns – Josh Allen, quarterback, Wyoming
It’s almost a certainty that the Browns will take a quarterback with one of their top picks and indications have been it will be Allen, who has all the physical tools to succeed.
2. New York Giants – Saquon Barkley, running back, Penn State
They could go quarterback, but the Giants may believe Eli Manning has something left in the tank. The top running back on the board would give Manning even more firepower to work with.
3. New York Jets – Sam Darnold, quarterback, USC
Arguably the best quarterback prospect in the class, Darnold is a prototypical pocket passer who can make all the throws. The Jets will finally have a quarterback of the future to build around.
4. Cleveland Browns – Bradley Chubb, defensive end, N.C. State
After securing a quarterback with the first pick, why not grab the best pass rusher in the draft and pair him with last year’s top pick, Myles Garrett, to form a deadly duo on the edge?
5. Denver Broncos – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Denver could trade this pick to a team desperate to move up for a quarterback, but if they stay here then Rosen makes a lot of sense to back-up Case Keenum now before taking over.
6. Indianapolis Colts – Roquan Smith, linebacker, Georgia
Another potential trade partner, the Colts are set at quarterback with Luck, so they may move down to gather assets. Otherwise, Smith would be an ideal pick to bolster a lacklustre linebacking unit.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Denzel Ward, cornerback, Ohio State
The defensive back has speed and size to be a mainstay in Tampa Bay’s secondary for years to come. And with the quarterback and receiver talent in the NFC South, the Buccaneers will need it.
8. Chicago Bears – Quenton Nelson, offensive guard, Notre Dame
Nelson has a link to new Bears line coach Harry Hiestand, who coached him at Notre Dame. If the guard is still available when Chicago picks, it would be a surprise if his name isn’t called.
9. San Francisco 49ers – Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker, Virginia Tech
Last year’s second-round pick, Reuben Foster, may not even be on the team due to his legal woes, but even so the 49ers are in need of a linebacker and Edmunds is worth developing.
10. Oakland Raiders – Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety, Alabama
A do-it-all defensive back is just what the Raiders need. Jon Gruden can use the versatile Fitzpatrick all around the field, from safety to cornerback to the slot and even in the box.
11. Miami Dolphins – Baker Mayfield, quarterback, Oklahoma
Ryan Tannehill isn’t worth giving up on just yet, but by grabbing Mayfield, the Dolphins would be able to patiently groom a quarterback to be the eventual successor, maybe in a year or two.
12. Buffalo Bills – Mason Rudolph, quarterback, Oklahoma State
Everyone expects Buffalo to move up into top-five range to select one of the top quarterbacks, but there’s every chance they stay put and wait for a less-heralded guy to fall in their lap, like Rudolph.
13. Washington – Vita Vea, defensive tackle, Washington
This far into the draft, the interior lineman is a good value pick for Washington, who will slot him into the rotation right away and use him, at the very least, on early downs.
14. Green Bay Packers – Josh Jackson, cornerback, Iowa
Jackson didn’t jump off the page at the combine, but the rangy cornerback made plays on a consistent basis at Iowa and the Packers are in need of someone to strengthen their secondary.
15. Arizona Cardinals – Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Louisville
If they don’t trade up and Jackson is still on the board at 15, Arizona will have a hard time passing up the dynamic quarterback, whose athleticism next to David Johnson would be lethal.
16. Baltimore Ravens – D.J. Moore, wide receiver, Maryland
The Ravens have already improved their wide receiver group this offseason, but they’re still in need of more talented pass catchers and Moore gets the slight edge on Calvin Ridley here.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Mike McGlinchey, offensive tackle, Notre Dame
McGlinchey could go much sooner than this, or fall into the back of the first round. But he would fill a need for the Chargers who haven’t had the most efficient running game of late.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Marcus Davenport, defensive end, Texas-San Antonio
This isn’t the same ferocious Seahawks defence from years past, so someone like Davenport would replenish some of the edge and pass rushing that exited with Michael Bennett’s departure.
19. Dallas Cowboys – Calvin Ridley, wide receiver, Alabama
Dez Bryant is gone, leaving a sizeable hole in the passing game. In Ridley, the Cowboys would get a downfield target for Dak Prescott who can quickly turn into a number one receiver.
20. Detroit Lions – Harold Landry, defensive end, Boston College
What better type of player to fit Matt Patricia’s defence than the versatile Landry? The Boston College product can line up as both an edge rusher and at outside linebacker, giving Patricia options.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – James Daniels, centre, Iowa
It’s no secret Cincinnati will target offensive linemen as they’re in the midst of giving the position a facelift. Daniels is the top centre in the draft and should be a solid building block.
22. Buffalo Bills – Will Hernandez, offensive guard, UTEP
After losing Eric Wood, Richie Incognito and Cordy Glenn this offseason, Buffalo’s offensive line is in serious need of a tune-up. Enter Hernandez, who can be a mauler in the running game right away.
23. New England Patriots – Rashaan Evans, linebacker, Alabama
Bill Belichick could go a number of ways in the draft and none would be all that surprising. This may be the most conventional move, but a smart one nonetheless as they need young talent at linebacker.
24. Carolina Panthers – Jaire Alexander, cornerback, Louisville
They could trade up to secure one of the top wide receivers, but if that doesn’t work out, cornerback is next on the list and with Alexander, they’ll get a speedy and athletic playmaker.
25. Tennessee Titans – Leighton Vander Esch, linebacker, Boise State
If Landry or Evans don’t fall to Tennessee, Vander Esch should be an appealing option to new coach Mike Vrabel, who was a three-down linebacker himself during his heyday.
26. Atlanta Falcons – Taven Bryan, defensive tackle, Florida
Adrian Clayborn and Dontari Poe left in free agency, which opens the door for Bryan to come in, fill a positional need and contribute right away as a factor in passing situations.
27. New Orleans Saints – Mike Gesicki, tight end, Penn State
If there’s one place on the offence where the Saints need help, it’s at tight end, which has been wildly inconsistent since the days of Jimmy Graham. Gesicki can bring back some of that athleticism.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Hughes, cornerback, Central Florida
He’s not the fastest cornerback, but Hughes holds up well in coverage and continues to creep up draft boards. Pittsburgh could use another fresh face in the back end of their defence.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Courtland Sutton, wide receiver, SMU
Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns left a lot of receptions behind, which is why the Jaguars should strongly consider Sutton, who can give them a big body on the outside and in the red zone.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Isaiah Wynn, offensive guard, Georgia
The Vikings may not have any glaring weaknesses, but they can certainly improve their guard group and Wynn has all the tools to be a physical presence in the ground game.
31. New England Patriots – Kolton Miller, offensive tackle, UCLA
The Patriots would be fortunate to see Miller fall into their laps and would likely jump at the opportunity to fortify their line and provide Tom Brady with more protection.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Connor Williams, offensive tackle, Texas
The Super Bowl champions could snag Williams to pad their offensive line and provide insurance for the aging Jason Peters. Or they could easily trade this pick. Either way, it’s good to be the king.
