Saquon Barkley might be the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. That is why I have the Browns taking him first overall.
The combine is over. It is time to reveal our first of four mock drafts. Here goes!
1. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: Barkley killed it at the combine and reinforced the notion that he is the best player in this draft. General manager John Dorsey will be hard pressed to pass up on that of talent.
2. New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC: The Giants would love to nab Barkley here but with him gone, they’ll value the pick and draft Eli Manning’s successor in Darnold.
3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C State: Chubb is a disruptive force that can play on the outside on first and second down and kick inside on third down. The Colts need impact players on defense. Chubb would be a good foundation piece.
4. Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming: The Browns will opt for long term potential with Allen. Darnold and Rosen might be more ready to play now but Allen has more potential down the road.
5. Denver Broncos: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama: The Broncos will address their offensive needs in free agency. That means John Elway will be looking to replace the soon to be released Aqib Talib in the draft. Fitzpatrick is the ideal scheme fit.
6. New York Jets: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA: This would be an ideal scenario for the Jets if the talented Rosen fell to them at this pick. Rosen is the most complete quarterback in this draft physically and could be a long term starter.
7. Tampa Bay Bucs: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame: Nelson is one of the best guard prospects to come out in the last twenty years. He is fundamentally sound and plays with a nasty disposition. Several teams have him as the number one player on their board but the Bucs will end up drafting him.
8. Chicago Bears: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State: The Bears are not going to tag free agent cornerback Kyle Fuller so they will be in the market for a starting corner. Ward is a smaller version of former Buckeye Marshawn Lattimore with similar ball skills.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Tremaine Edmunds, BE (Backer End), Virginia Tech: The 49ers want to add some speed on the outside to their 3-4 defense and the freakishly athletic Edmunds would be a great scheme fit in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s 3-4 defense.
10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, OLB, Georgia: The Raiders need to add toughness and physicality to their front seven. Smith brings that plus the ability to cover underneath. He is a three down plug and play prospect who starts from day one.
11. Miami Dolphins: Derwin James, FS, Florida State: The Dolphins could upset the apple cart and go quarterback here but I don’t see it happening. A three down centerfielder like James will be hard to pass up.
12. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Davenport, BE (Backer End), UTSA: Davenport followed up a terrific Senior bowl with a great combine. The athleticism and skill set are off the charts. The Bengals love athletic five technique defensive ends that can rush the passer. Davenport fits the mold.
13. Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, DT, Washington: My favorite player in this draft. A freak athlete for his size who moves well in all four directions. Vea will step in and start from day one and make an impact for the Skins.
14. Green Bay Packers: Arden Key, BE (Backer End) LSU: Key was projected as a top five pick going into last season but injuries and inconsistent production have knocked him down on some teams draft boards. The Packers need to improve their pass rush and the 6-6 238 pound LSU product is just what the doctor ordered.
15. Arizona Cardinals: Baker Mayfield QB, Oklahoma: The Cardinals will lose out on Kirk Cousins which means they need to draft a quarterback. Mayfield fits new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy’s system to a tee.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M: The Ravens have whiffed at receiver in recent drafts but the explosive Kirk is the play maker they are desperately lacking. They need to dip back into the well again.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Connor Williams, OT, Texas: The Chargers could go offensive or defensive tackle with this pick. Offensive tackle is a more pressing need right now. Williams can step in play right or left tackle from day one.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida: GM John Schneider and Pete Carroll need to revamp the Legion of Boom. Hughes has the length and experience as a press corner the Seahawks look for.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama: Ridley struggled mightily at the combine but you cannot argue with his production at Alabama. Fits the mold of what the Cowboys look for physically in their receivers.
20. Detroit Lions: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama: Payne is an explosive, quick twitch penatrator who can consistently re-create the line of scrimmage and be disruptive. New coach Matt Patricia and defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni are looking for a Malcolm Brown type at defensive tackle. Payne is a more athletic version.
21. Buffalo Bills: Billy Price, C, Ohio State: With center Eric Wood retiring due to neck issues, the Bills need to fortify their offensive line. Price has the potential to anchor Buffalo’s offensive line for a long time.
22. Buffalo Bills: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State: I think Rudolph is a first round talent. The Bills need a quarterback they can develop that can play in the future. Rudolph has the size and the arm strength new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll wants in his quarterback.
23. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa: Despite adding Marcus Peters in a trade, the Rams will still go corner and draft Jackson who has good length and athleticism. The ball skills are among the best in this draft.
24. Carolina Panthers: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State: Washington is an instinctual route runner who can stack and separate vertically. A big play target who is built similar to former Cardinals wide out Anquan Boldin.
25. Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, BE (Backer End), Boston College: Landry battled injuries last season and watched his stock drop. After a quality combine, he’s bounced back and should get drafted in the first round. Landry would be a good fit in Tennessee’s hybrid 40/30 defense as a backer end.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan: Potential heart issues will drop Hurst in the draft and the Falcons will “swoop” in and take him. Hurst would be a great fit in Dan Quinn and Marquand Manuel’s 4-3 defense as a shade tackle or three technique.
27. New Orleans Saints: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State: Sean Payton loves versatile pieces that he can create match-ups with. Gesicki is that type of player with his athleticism and size. The Saints need to upgrade at tight end and the former basketball player might just be the upgrade they need at the position.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jessie Bates, FS, Wake Forest: The Steelers want to get longer and more athletic at safety. Bates is an over the top centerfielder with quality ball skills and instincts. He is a high I.Q player who can play in Pittsburgh’s complex 3-4 defense.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU: The Jaguars need to add size to their receiving corp. Sutton fits the bill at 6-4 218. With Allen Robinson all but done in Jacksonville, Sutton can step in and start at the X receiver position.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville: I genuinely believe that Jackson is a first round talent at the quarterback position. The Vikings are in on Kirk Cousins and even if they do end up signing him, drafting Jackson still makes sense because he can be the quarterback of the future.
31. New England Patriots: Rashaan Evans, OLB, Alabama: The Patriots need to address their depth at linebacker. Evans is a great scheme fit and he has experience playing in a pro-style defense at Alabama.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville: The Eagles get consistent pressure up front but they are prone to giving up big plays. Alexander would give the Eagles a versatile secondary piece that can in the slot or outside.