The NFL season is past its halfway point, and we're getting closer and closer to the NFL Draft. It's time for another mock draft, since the fans of teams that are struggling badly this season might have already turned their focus to the Draft. This is also a wonderful opportunity to indulge the unhealthy obsession I have with the Draft. The first versions were well received, so it's time for volume six.
I'm switching up the order by basing it on the current NFL Draft order (as of November 17th). The actual order will assuredly look much different come April, so don't put too much stock into where teams are drafting. This is 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 I'll get to that once the season begins to wind down.
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.
1. Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB, California
If this is how the draft order breaks down, that means Johnny Manziel's time as the starting QB didn't go very well. If that's the case, the Browns MUST spend the first overall pick on a QB. Goff is far from the perfect QB prospect, but he's the favorite to go No. 1 right now.
2. San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
I'd be surprised if the Chargers were picking this early, but adding a stud tackle makes sense. It's too early for any of the outside linebackers, and the team needs offensive line help. Tunsil will compete with Ronnie Stanley to be the first OT off the board and either would be a good pick. Joey Bosa could be an option here, too.
3. Tennessee Titans: Jalen Ramsey, CB, FSU
The Titans have major needs in the secondary. Ramsey and Vernon Hargreaves will compete to be the first corner off the board. Either one would make sense. While the Titans are 2-8, I won't update the draft order until all the teams play this week. It doesn't change their pick much anyway.
4. Baltimore Ravens: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Steve Smith is likely going to retire, while Breshad Perriman has yet to contribute. Treadwell is a very different player than Perriman, and the duo could be a good fit. A pass rusher or corner is also an option.
5. Dallas Cowboys: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
For starters, I don't expect the Cowboys to be picking this high now that Romo is back. But, that's the way the order fell. If Dallas grabbed Nkedmiche here, it would be a complete steal. He could be the top player off the board come April. He'd do wonders in Dallas' defense and would fill a need.
6. Detroit Lions: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Lions would love to get Nkemdiche, but settling for Stanley isn't too shabby. He'd be able to take over at left tackle, allowing Riley Reiff to shift to the right side.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
It's starting to look more and more like Colin Kaepernick is done with the 49ers. Blaine Gabbert certainly isn't a franchise QB, which means the 49ers need a new one. Lynch has been a big riser this season and has a ton of potential.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
The Jaguars need corner help, and getting Hargreaves here is solid value. Taking someone like Bosa makes sense too.
9. New Orleans Saints: Joey Bosa, DE, OSU
Bosa at No. 9 would be a complete steal. He could very well go in the Top 5 and has a chance to be the No. 1 pick. He'd be a welcomed addition to a Saints defense that needs help.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
The Bucs would love an offensive lineman, but the top two are gone and the other options aren't worth a Top 10 pick. The Bucs could use some interior d-line help, and Clark has a lot of talent.
11. Chicago Bears: Leonard Floyd, OLB, UGA
Floyd fills a major need, as the Bears must find 3-4 pass rushers this offseason. This might be a bit too high for him, but pass rushers often rise during the Draft process.
12. Philadelphia Eagles: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
The Eagles need offensive line help, but Buckner is a great fit for the Eagles. He already knows Chip Kelly from their time at Oregon, and could start right away.
13. Miami Dolphins: Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
This is an odd position for the Dolphins, as their needs and the players on the board don't exactly match. Fuller blew out his knee at the end of September, but I think he'll recover in time to be a mid-first rounder if he turns pro.
14. St. Louis Rams: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
The Rams need more weapons, and Doctson should be a first rounder. He's looked great this season and has really helped his stock. A wrist injury that will cost Doctson the rest of the regular season won't be a concern for NFL teams.
15. Oakland Raiders: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
The Raiders really, really need corner help, but Smith is too good of a value. He could very well be a Top 10 pick and is one of my favorite players in the draft. He reminds of Patrick Willis and would cure the Raiders' MLB issues.
16. Washington Redskins: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Jack is recovering from a blown out knee, but he should still be a first rounder. He's very talented and would fit as an ILB in the Redskins' 3-4 scheme. Perry Riley and Keenan Robinson aren't anything special and Jack would be an upgrade.
17. Houston Texans: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Cook might end up being more of a game-manager, but the Texans need a QB. Cook could go in the first round, although there's also a chance he'll be on the board for the Texans in the second round. Penn State QB and former Bill O'Brien recruit Christian Hackenberg is also an option.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Vadal Alexander, OG, LSU
The Seahawk offensive line has not look good this season. Alexander is the best OG in the draft and he'd be an upgrade right away. This might be a bit too early for him, but Seattle really needs help.
19. Kansas City Chiefs: Taylor Decker, OT, OSU
Decker could replace Eric Fisher, who is rapidly approaching bust status. Decker is a solid value here, as he could go before this.
20. New York Jets: Shaq Lawson, OLB, Clemson
Lawson can give the Jets the pass rusher they need. I strongly considered Penn State's Christian Hackenberg, but the Jets might elect to not spend a first rounder on a QB. Still, Hackenberg could go in Round One.
21. Buffalo Bills: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
The Bills are loaded at multiple positions, but could use some depth at DT. Plus, Kyle Williams can't play forever. A guard would be nice, but there aren't any worth taking here.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Corner is a big need for the Steelers and White is a worthy of a first rounder. Expect this pick to be spent on the defensive side of the ball.
23. Atlanta Falcons: Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama
The Falcons need an upgrade at MLB and that's what Ragland can provide. Adding another pass rusher could be an option.
24. Green Bay Packers: Emmanuel Ogbah, OLB, Oklahoma State
The Packers could use some pass rushing help, especially since Julius Peppers is aging. This is Ogbah's first appearance in one of my mocks, but he's been close several times before.
25. Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
For the sake of Andrew Luck, the Colts need to upgrade their offensive line. Somebody needs to protect Luck, and Conklin might be able to start right away.
26. New York Giants: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, OSU
There's a real chance Elliott won't last this long, but the Giants shouldn't let him slip further. They've been using an ineffective running back by committee all season long. Elliott can be the workhorse back the team needs.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia
The Cardinals need another pass rusher and Jenkins could be a first rounder.
28. Minnesota Vikings: Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
The Vikings are close to being a dangerous team. Stefon Diggs has emerged, but Teddy Bridgewater needs more weapons. Boyd could be one of the first WRs off the board.
29. Denver Broncos: Maliek Collins, DE, Nebraska
The Broncos could use an offensive lineman, but the pickings are slim. With limited needs, the Broncos can take the best player on the board. That could be Collins, who would add depth and provide a replacement if the team losses a free agent. He's a DT for Nebraska, but could shift out and be a 3-4 DE.
30. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Billings is the best defensive player on Baylor, and yes, that includes Shawn Oakman. Billings would be an incredible compliment to Geno Atkins.
31. Carolina Panthers: Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M
The Panthers should not be starting Michael Oher. Cam Newton needs better protection. Ifedi might not be able to make it as a left tackle, but he'd help the Panthers O-line in some form.
32. New England Patriots: No Draft Pick
The Patriots were stripped of their first round pick as punishment for deflating footballs.
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