The NFL season is over, which means it's official NFL Draft season. It's time for another mock draft, especially now that the Combine is nearly here. We have a better idea of which players will go where come April, although much can (and likely) will change. This is also a wonderful opportunity to indulge the unhealthy obsession I have with the Draft. With the Combine almost here, this will be my first two-round mock draft edition.
With so much time before the actual NFL Draft, this remains an exercise in trying to project team needs and where prospects could end up going. I don't have a full list of team needs, but a few of the ones I've gotten to are linked where applicable.
If you hate what I wrote (or agree, but c'mon this is the internet) or just want to talk NFL Draft, hit me up on Twitter. With all that out of the way, let's dive into the picks.
Round 1:
1. Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
The Titans have a need in the secondary, but their No. 1 team need is at tackle. Taylor Lewan is one starter, but the team needs another to keep Marcus Mariota upright. Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley will battle to be the top tackle off the board. Either one is a strong pick. The Titans are likely to try and trade down as well.
2. Cleveland Browns: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
Johnny Manziel's time as the starting QB didn't go very well and QB is team need that has to be addressed. Manziel is all but officially gone and the Browns have to take a QB early. The Wentz hype train is already out of control, and there are reports the Browns prefer Wentz.
3. San Diego Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE/OLB, Ohio State
The Chargers won't add a safety, TE or center this early, although those are their biggest team needs. Adding an offensive tackle does fill a major need, but the team might prefer to add another pass rusher. I don't view Bosa as a strong fit for the 3-4 defense, but San Diego might not feel the same way.
4. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, S/CB, FSU
With Romo hurt again, the Cowboys have a rare chance to grab a franchise QB to groom behind Romo. But they might elect to address that need later in the draft of via free agency. The team is reportedly high on Ramsey, and that makes sense. He can play either corner or safety, much like Byron Jones. This would be a strong addition.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
The Jaguars would likely love to add Ramsey or Bosa, but neither are on the board here. This may seem high for Buckner, but he could easily be a Top 10 or even Top 15 pick. Don't rule out the possibility he'll go off the board before Bosa, as Buckner more versatile than Bosa. Buckner would be a strong partner for Dante Fowler.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
The Ravens' biggest team need is at corner, and Hargreaves is one of the best CB prospects in this draft. He struggled in the team's bowl game, but the rest of his tape balances that out. Adding a wide receiver is also an option, although that needed is lessened by Steve Smith returning.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Jared Goff, QB, Cal
Adding a QB is an option, especially if Dallas passes on one. If Goff is still on the board, the 49ers could easily pull the trigger. Colin Kaepernick's status remains a question mark and Goff would fit Chip Kelly's system. If QB isn't an option, the 49ers could address some defensive shortcomings instead.
8. Miami Dolphins: Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Adding Alexander fills a big need for the Dolphins. He could sneak into the Top 10. The team needs interior offensive line help, but there aren't any guards worth grabbing. There are a few defensive linemen worth taking, but the team doesn't need to spend a high pick on that spot.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Bucs would love an offensive lineman and getting Stanley here is a steal. He could easily be a top five pick in April. Adding a defensive lineman is an option if Stanley is off the board. For more NFL Draft coverage, check out the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
10. New York Giants: Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA
The Giants have historically ignored linebackers in the draft, but perhaps this is the year it changes. Jack is a top five talent who could slip a bit on draft day because of a knee injury. Much like Todd Gurley, he should be fine and he has the potential to be a great LB quickly in the NFL.
11. Chicago Bears: Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky
Spence fills a major need, as the Bears must find 3-4 pass rushers this offseason. There's no doubting his talent, but his off-the-field issues could cost him on draft day. Had he not been banned by the Big Ten and kicked out of Ohio State, Spence would have likely been a top 10 pick. This might end up being higher than Spence ends up going.
12. New Orleans Saints: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
The Saints defense needs help everywhere, Smith is a perfect fit for the team's 3-4 defense. Had he not been hurt, he likely would have been one of the top defensive players off the board. He reminds me of Patrick Willis, and has a bright NFL future.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Ideally, a corner slips to the Eagles, but that's not the case here. The Eagles need offensive line help, and Decker can play guard or tackle for the team. Guard is the bigger need, as the Eagles were terrible at that spot this year. A QB is an option if the team doesn't address that need in free agency.
14. Oakland Raiders: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
The Raiders need corner help, but Nkemdiche is too talented to pass up. He has off-the-field issues that could cause him to drop on draft day. However, he should still go in the top 20 or so picks. Download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app for more NFL Draft coverage.
15. Los Angeles Rams: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
The Rams need more weapons, but also desperately need to find a franchise QB. Perhaps Lynch will finally allow them to end that search. If the Rams pass on a QB, taking a WR like Laquon Treadwell is an option.
16. Detroit Lions: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Robinson could be a first round pick, but a deep class could cause some chaos with that. Robinson is a big force up front, and he'd be a solid replacement for Haloti Ngata. With Calvin Johnson likely to retire, the Lions need a bigger WR for the red zone. They could look at Laquon Treadwell here. Treadwell could have issues separating at the next level, but has the size the Lions need badly. Don't rule out Vernon Butler or any of the other DTs here either. The Lions could use help in the trenches and the team is reportedly very high on Butler and could take him in Round 1.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
The Falcons need help at linebacker and Lee is a Top 20 talent. He's a similar player to Ryan Shazier and would be a strong fit for the Falcons.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
For the sake of Andrew Luck, the Colts must upgrade their offensive line. Unfortunately, there aren't any OL worth taking here. Fuller is (another) talented player coming off an injury and the team must help an upgrade at corner.
19. Buffalo Bills: Shaq Lawson, OLB, Clemson
The Bills are loaded at multiple positions, need pass rushing help. Mario Williams is likely a goner and the team could look to shift to a 3-4 scheme. Lawson could go even higher than this.
20. New York Jets: Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama
The Jets need MLB help, as both Demario Davis and David Harris can be upgraded. This is the right range for Ragland, who is easily the top 3-4 ILB this year. The Chat Sports Android and iPhone has more NFL Draft coverage.
21. Washington Redskins: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
The Redskins need to beef up on the defensive, and they'll likely target the defensive line. They did something similar last year. Clark could be a first rounder, and he might be off the board before this.
22. Houston Texans: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
There aren't any QBs worth taking here, although that is the Texans' biggest need. If the team does end up cutting Arian Foster, they'll need a new RB. Elliott is easily the best one in the draft.
23. Minnesota Vikings: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The Vikings are close to being a dangerous team. Stefon Diggs has emerged, but Teddy Bridgewater needs more weapons. Treadwell should be a first rounder and there's a solid chance he's off the board before this. But it's a deep WR class at the top, with several borderline first round prospects. There have been reports Treadwell isn't as highly viewed by teams as he is in the media, and he could slip to Minnesota. But he's absolutely worth the No. 23 overall pick.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Billings could be long gone by the time the Bengals pick, making this a steal. He'd be the perfect replacement for Domata Peko. The Bengals have done a great job in recent years of finding a way to get value near the end of Round 1. Expect that to be the case again this year.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Corner is a big need for the Steelers and Apple is a worthy of a first round pick. Expect this pick to be spent on the defensive side of the ball. Pittsburgh has neglected the CB position for too long.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Cody Whitehair, OG, Kansas State
The Seahawk offensive line improved late, but more help is needed. Taking a tackle would be ideal, but there might not be any worth taking here. Whitehair is a borderline first rounder, and the best guard in the draft. Download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app for more NFL Draft coverage.
27. Green Bay Packers: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
The Packers could use some pass rushing help, especially since Julius Peppers is aging. Floyd could end up going higher than this, as pass rushers tend to rise. An ILB is also an option.
28. Kansas City Chiefs: Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville
Rankins could be gone before this, thanks to a strong Senior Bowl. Defensive line doesn't seem like the biggest need for KC, but both DEs are free agents and the Chiefs might not be able to afford both.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Emmanuel Ogbah, OLB, Clemson
The Cardinals need another pass rusher and Ogbah could be a first rounder. He had a strong National Championship game, which did wonders for his draft stock.
30. Carolina Panthers: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State
The Panthers need to get Cam Newton some more weapons. Thomas can do what Ted Ginn currently does for the Panthers, but minus the drops. Thomas might take some time to get acclimated, but he has a great size-speed combo.
31. Denver Broncos: Adolphus Washington, DE, Ohio State
The Broncos could use an offensive lineman, but the pickings are slim. The Broncos could have to choose between Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan, with Jackson the more likely of the two to leave. Washington could replace him, and his off-the-field issues shouldn't concern teams.
Round 2:
32. Browns: Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
This pick will draw plenty of trade interest, so don't be shocked if the Browns move it. Miller torched the Senior Bowl and could do the same at the Combine. He could be a first round pick and one expert has already said Miller's effort at the Senior Bowl was better than the one that launched Matt Jones into the first round a few years ago. If a few WRs go in Round 1, Miller could be taken that early. The Browns need WR help, and Miller could be an instant impact player, despite being raw.
33. Titans: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
The Titans need secondary help and Fuller is the best one on the board. He could be a first round pick, although a knee injury and a down junior year (before getting hurt) could impact his stock.
34. Cowboys: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
The Cowboys have Tyrone Crawford at the 3-technique, but need a bigger body to play next to him. Enter Reed, who could be a first round pick. It's a deep DT class, and the Cowboys could have several options to chose from here.
35. Chargers: Shon Coleman, OT, Auburn
If the Chargers go defense in round one, they could go o-line in round two. Coleman could sneak into the end of the first. His age (he's already 24) could work against him and drop him into the second.
36. Ravens: Kevin Dodd, OLB, Clemson
The Ravens need pass rushing depth and future replacements for aging starters Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. Adding a WR is a possibility as well.
37. 49ers: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
There are several WR options here, but Doctson might be the best fit. Torrey Smith is best as a depth threat, and that helps eliminate a few of the options. With Anquan Boldin a free agent, Doctson can replace him as the team's big, possession WR.
38. Jags: Keanu Neal, FS, Florida
Neal is one of several players you'll see in Round Two of this mock that could destroy the combine and boost their stock. He could make for a strong addition next to Johnathan Cyprien.
39. Bucs: Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
The Bucs could go for a pass rusher here, but the team needs corner help too. It's a thinner CB class, so they could address that need first. Howard is another player who could rise from the NFL Draft.
40. Giants: Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida
The Giants will likely overhaul their defensive line this offseason and could spend a high pick on the spot. Bullard likely won't be a first rounder, although he looks like an early second rounder. Don't rule out the Giants snagging a RB, like Derrick Henry, here either.
41. Bears: Vernon Butler, DE, Louisiana Tech
The Bears need help overhauling their 3-4 defensive line, and Butler would do just that. He's another player who could generate a ton of buzz at the Combine.
42. Dolphins: Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU
The Dolphins need to find some upgrades at guard, and Alexander is one of the best ones in the draft. This might be a bit high for him, but it's a thin guard class.
43. Rams (via Eagles): Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama
The Rams have this pick thanks to the Sam Bradford-Nick Foles trade. The Rams already snagged a QB in Lynch and now have the center they badly need. Kelly is, by far, the top center in this year's class. However, this might be a tad high for him.
44. Raiders: Darian Thompson, FS, Boise State
The Raiders need secondary help and there's a slight chance Thompson could sneak into the end of the first round. He could start right away for Oakland. The Raiders could look for a corner as well.
45. Rams: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
The Rams continue their offensive overhaul, and Coleman is dynamic enough that he could go in Round 1. This would be great value for the Rams, and they could take any number of WRs, if they slip. They wanted on a WR instead of taking one two picks earlier because the Raiders don't need WR help.
46. Lions: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana
The Lions need to find someone to pair at OT with Riley Reiff. Perhaps it's Spriggs. The offensive lineman isn't as good as the two Big Ten OTs to go before him, but the need for tackles could move him into the tail end of Round 1.
47. Saints: Austin Johnson, DL, Penn State
The Saints need defensive line help, and could use their first round pick on the spot. Johnson is the best lineman on the board, and could play a few spots on the line. Expect this pick to be spent on the defensive side of the ball.
48. Colts: Su'a Cravens, LB/S, USC
I'm not really sure where to put Cravens. He could go late first or early third. He's a 'tweener, and I'm not sure if his best fit is at linebacker or safety. But the Colts need talent on defense and they can find a spot for Cravens.
49. Bills: Nick Martin, OG, Notre Dame
The Bills might not be able to afford Richie Incognito, which means they need two new starting guards. This might be a bit high for Martin, but it fills a need. The brother of Cowboys' first rounder Zack Martin can play guard or center.
50. Falcons: Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
There's a very good chance Fuller is long gone by this pick. But if he's still on the board, the Falcons shouldn't pass him up. The team needs someone to pair with Julio Jones, since Roddy White is aging and the team lacks depth. A safety is also an option.
51. Jets: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
If the Jets lose Chris Ivory, they'll need a new power back. Enter Henry, who should be the second RB off the board. Henry might not be a three-down back, but he'll be bruiser in the mold of Brandon Jacobs.
52. Texans: Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
The Texans badly need a QB and there isn't a better place for Hackenberg than in Houston. It would reunite Hackenberg with his old college coach. Hackenberg struggled in recent seasons, but he showed promise his freshman year, when he was with Bill O'Brien and didn't have a terrible offensive line.
53. Redskins: Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
The Redskins need help at inside linebacker in the worst way. Wright's injury history could cause him to drop out of round one, but he's talented and fun to watch. He could step in and be the best Redskins MLB right away.
54. Vikings: Vonn Bell, SS, Ohio State
The Vikings are set at free safety with Harrison Smith, but need a strong safety. Bell should be one of the first safeties off the board and this is solid value for him.
55. Bengals: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
I'm high on Boyd, and this is solid value for him. The Bengals could lose both Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones and are likely to lose at least one. Boyd once again fits the need/value combo the team his done so well with in recent years.
56. Seahawks: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
The Seahawks could use some help on the inside of the defensive line, especially with Brandon Mebane a free agent. Jones doesn't have a ton of hype around him, but he's a solid player.
57. Packers: Hunter Henry, TE, Arkansas
The Packers tight end help, as Richard Rodgers might not be the answer. Sure, he caught that Hail Mary pass, but he's not fast enough for the Packers. Henry is the top TE in the draft this year.
58. Steelers: Kentrell Brothers, ILB, Missouri
The Steelers have Lawrence Timmons, but he's aging and on the decline. He has a massive cap hit and could be cut. Even if he's brought back, the Steelers need another ILB. This is the right range for Brothers.
59. Chiefs: William Jackson, CB, Houston
The Chiefs are tight on cap space and might not be able to bring back all of their impending free agents on the defensive side of the ball. That means they might lose CB Sean Smith. While Marcus Peters has a bright future, the team would need a new starter if he leaves and some depth if he doesn't.
60. New England Patriots: Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
The Patriots don't have a first round pick because the NFL took it away as punishment for "deflategate," so this is their first pick. This might Correa be too low for Correa, especially if he blows up the Combine. The Patriots need more pass rushers, and Correa can provide that.
61. Cardinals: Jalen Mills, CB, LSU
The Cardinals have Patrick Peterson, but need another corner to pair with him. This is solid value for Mills, and the Cardinals have shown an affinity for LSU DBs in the past.
62. Panthers: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
This might be too low for Ifedi, especially since tackles often rise. But the Super Bowl showed that the Panthers need some help on the offensive line and Ifedi can help provide that.
63. Broncos: Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina
Turner is a borderline second round prospect, but the Broncos badly need offensive line help. It will be an even bigger need if the team can't bring back Evan Mathis.