NFL Mock Draft 4.0

By: Andrew Vailliencourt and Will DeWitt

Andrew Vailliencourt’s Mock Draft

 

1. Cleveland- Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
   
   
   
   • This should be an easy pick for Cleveland, but if there’s any team that can make things harder than they need to be, it’s the Browns.
   
   
   
   

2. San Francisco- Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
   
   
   
   • There’s a lot of mystery surrounding this pick, and the 49ers would like to trade down, but adding Thomas would build on a promising defensive line.
   
   
   
   

3. Chicago- Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
   
   
   
   • This pick likely is down to either Hooker or Jamal Adams, I think the Bears see Hooker as more of a playmaker that is needed in a division with Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.
   
   
   
   

4. Jacksonville- Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
   
   
   
   • If Fournette is available here, it’s hard to see how he won’t be the pick. It makes too much sense after spending money on the defense in free agency.
   
   
   
   

 

5. Tennessee- Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama
   
   
   
   • The Titans have a lot of options here, and would love to trade back, but I decided on Allen after originally slotting them Marshon Lattimore. Adams is also a possibility here, but Allen is too good to pass on as long as he’s healthy.
   
   
   
   

 

6. New York Jets- Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
   
   
   
   • The Jets secondary is a mess and Lattimore is a good start to fixing it. This pick will likely come down to Lattimore and either Hooker or Adams, whichever is still available, unless the pick is traded to Cleveland.
   
   
   
   

7. Los Angeles Chargers- Jamal Adams, S, LSU
   
   
   
   • The Chargers are just hoping either Hooker or Adams is here at seven.
   
   
   
   

 

8. Carolina- Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
   
   
   
   • This match has picked up steam over the last couple weeks, and McCaffrey would certainly be a nice weapon for Cam Newton.
   
   
   
   

 

9. Cincinnati- Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
   
   
   
   • There are several ways the Bengals could go here, as linebacker and wide receiver are certainly possibilities, but Barnett gives them a solid pass rusher.
   
   
   
   

 

10. Buffalo- O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
    
    
    
    • This pick will probably be a receiving weapon, whether it be a wide receiver or tight end. It’s either Howard or Mike Williams here.
    
    
    
    

11. New Orleans- Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
    
    
    
    • The Saints need defense and lots of it. Charlton has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect.
    
    
    
    


12. Cleveland- Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
    
    
    
    • The Browns snag what they hope will be their future quarterback. They might trade up to get him, but I’ll be surprised if Trubisky isn’t a Brown.
    
    
    
    

13. Arizona- Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
    
    
    
    • Arizona would be thrilled with the options it has to pick from here. Reuben Foster, Pat Mahommes or one of the top corners are all possible here, but with an aging Larry Fitzgerald and not much else at receiver, Williams is the easy choice.
    
    
    
    

 

14. Philadelphia- Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
    
    
    
    • Until Tuesday, I had Gareon Conley slotted here, however, his legal trouble surrounding a sexual assault will likely cause him to fall out of the first round, or at least a handful of picks. Humphrey is the next best corner in available.
    
    
    
    

 

15. Indianapolis- Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
    
    
    
    • The Colts take a chance on one of the most talented players in the draft who also happens to play a position of need. Foster could go as high as nine, but won’t fall past 21 or 24 after his combine issue, injury history and diluted drug sample.
    
    
    
    

 

16. Baltimore- Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
    
    
    
    • Cam Robinson would make a ton of sense here too after the Ravens lost tackle Ricky Wagner to Detroit in free agency. However, Davis is a stud wide receiver and would be just what Joe Flacco needs.
    
    
    
    

 

17. Washington- Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
    
    
    
    • Reddick’s stock has risen dramatically throughout the draft process, and he can carve out a role with the Redskins.
    
    
    
    

18. Tennessee- John Ross, WR, Washington
    
    
    
    • Tennessee will look to add either a receiver or cornerback with this pick. It just so happens that the speedy Ross is still available, filling a need.
    
    
    
    

 

19. Tampa Bay- Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
    
    
    
    • With Doug Martin suspended and often injured, Cook fills a need and adds another element to an offense that now looks terrifying on paper.
    
    
    
    

20. Denver- Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
    
    
    
    • Finally an offensive lineman. Robinson is the best tackle in the draft, and Denver would be pleased to see him still available at 20.
    
    
    
    

 

21. Detroit- T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin
    
    
    
    • The Lions would love for Reuben Foster to fall this far, but I just can’t see that happening. Instead they grab J.J.’s brother, who had an outstanding year at Wisconsin and provides an immediate boost to the Lions defense. Jarrad Davis is also a possibility.
    
    
    
    

 

22. Miami- Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
    
    
    
    • Lamp is seen by many as the best overall lineman in the draft.
    
    
    
    

 

23. New York Giants- Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah
    
    
    
    • Bolles is still here after Robinson was taken by Denver. Tight end is also a possibility.
    
    
    
    

24. Oakland- Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
    
    
    
    • Davis has injury concerns, but when healthy he’s a monster on the field.
    
    
    
    

25. Houston- Pat Mahommes, QB, Texas Tech
    
    
    
    • The Texans get themselves a starting quarterback.
    
    
    
    

26. Seattle- Kevin King, CB, Washington
    
    
    
    • Seattle likes tall corners, so this just seemed like a good fit. Offensive line is a possibility here as well, especially if Lamp or Ryan Ramcyzk are available.
    
    
    
    

27. Kansas City- DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson
    
    
    
    • The Chiefs are a wild card, they could go defense, trade back or take their quarterback of the future.
    
    
    
    

28. Dallas- Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
    
    
    
    • Harris has been rising as of late, and could go even higher than this. If he’s gone, Jabrill Peppers is an intriguing option.
    
    
    
    

29. Green Bay- Adorree’ Jackson, CB, USC
    
    
    
    • The Packers need secondary help, Jackson helps with that. Conley is a possibility here, depending on how teams view his legal situation.
    
    
    
    

 

30. Pittsburgh- Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
    
    
    
    • I don’t see Peppers falling very far, despite the diluted sample at the combine. Peppers is still one of the most physically gifted players in the draft and would fit in well with the Pittsburgh defense. He’s skilled not just as a defender, but as a returner and as a running back.
    
    
    
    

31. Atlanta- Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA
    
    
    
    • Atlanta could really go anywhere with this pick, or trade down with a team trying to move up for a quarterback. They have a need at edge rusher.
    
    
    
    

32. New Orleans- Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
    
    
    
    • After grabbing a defensive end at 11, the Saints come back with a tackling machine that can start from day one. Corner is a strong possibility as well.
    
    
    
    

 

 

Will DeWitt's Mock Draft 4.0

 

1. Browns - Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
   
   
   
   • Despite all of the talk about taking Mitch Trubisky here, I just don’t see how Cleveland can pass up on the amazing Garrett. Right? … Right?
   
   
   
   

2. 49ers - Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
   
   
   
   • This may come as a surprise, but the 49ers new-look offense under Kyle Shanahan needs a more prolific back than Carlos Hyde, and that player is Fournette.
   
   
   
   

3. Bears - Jamal Adams , S, LSU
   
   
   
   • The Bears have not had a pro bowl safety since 2005 and would be wise to draft the best one that has come their way while they have a chance.
   
   
   
   

4. Jaguars - Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
   
   
   
   • Jacksonville gets lucky as Thomas escapes the first three picks, and I don’t think the Jags will complain about getting one of the most intriguing players in the draft.
   
   
   
   

 

5. Titans - Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
   
   
   
   • The consensus is that Tennessee will aim to bolster their defense with the fifth pick and Allen is the best defender on the board.
   
   
   
   

 

6. Jets - Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
   
   
   
   • New York needs to upgrade its atrocious secondary. This pick does the trick.
   
   
   
   

7. Chargers - Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
   
   
   
   • Back-to-back Buckeyes off the board. The Chargers take care of the back end of their defense with Hooker.
   
   
   
   

 

8. Panthers - O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
   
   
   
   • Want to give opposing defenses nightmares? Imagine the dual tight end threat of Howard and Greg Olsen …
   
   
   
   

 

9. Bengals - Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
   
   
   
   • Cincinnati has eleven picks in this draft, so they have plenty of time to find playmakers as this is a deep class, which is why they should get the top tackle here.
   
   
   
   

10. Bills - Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
    
    
    
    • The Bills aren’t married to Tyrod Taylor and he may very well be on his way out after the season. The Bills would be wise to find his replacement here.
    
    
    
    

11. Saints - Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
    
    
    
    • . New Orleans must find another edge rusher.
    
    
    
    

12. Browns - Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
    
    
    
    • Trubisky was not available so Cleveland settles by upgrading its secondary.
    
    
    
    

13. Cardinals - Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
    
    
    
    • Getting this year’s top wideout with the 13th pick? Yes please.
    
    
    
    

14. Eagles - Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan
    
    
    
    • The Eagles have a need at edge rusher after the departure of Connor Barwin.
    
    
    
    

15. Colts - Dion Dawkins, OG, Temple
    
    
    
    • The Colts always seem to need more protection upfront for Andrew Luck.
    
    
    
    

16. Ravens - Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
    
    
    
    • Harris would be an immediate upgrade to Baltimore’s front-seven.
    
    
    
    

17. Washington - Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
    
    
    
    • Even though he had a positive drug test at the combine, I don’t think it will deter Washington away from taking the best linebacker in the draft.
    
    
    
    

 

18. Titans - John Ross, WR, Washington
    
    
    
    • After bolstering their defense at No. 5, the Titans give Marcus Mariota a new option in the passing game.
    
    
    
    

19. Buccaneers - Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
    
    
    
    • Melifonwu’s stock keeps rising as the Bucs can’t help but snag the tantalizing safety prospect.
    
    
    
    

20. Broncos - Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
    
    
    
    • I can’t stress enough how much the Broncos need quality players at tackle.
    
    
    
    

21. Lions - Hasson Reddick, LB, Temple
    
    
    
    • Detroit’s offense can put up points in bunches. With this pick, the Lions get a player to stop opposing offenses from doing the same.
    
    
    
    

22. Dolphins - Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky
    
    
    
    • Last year’s first round pick Laremy Tunsil is moving to tacke, and the Dolphins fill the fresh void at guard by drafting Lamp.
    
    
    
    

23. Giants - Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
    
    
    
    • New York missed out on their target at tackle last year and they don’t waste a second by getting their man in 2017.
    
    
    
    

 

24. Raiders - Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
    
    
    
    • Oakland needs to address the linebacker position and Davis can make an immediate impact.
    
    
    
    


25. Texans - Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
    
    
    
    • . Houston admits that Brock Osweiler was a grand mistake and retain Mahomes in the Lone Star State.
    
    
    
    

 

26. Seahawks - Kevin King, CB, Washington
    
    
    
    1. King can step in and become Seattle’s nickel corner, which is a position that they need to fill.
    
    
    
    


27. Chiefs - Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
    
    
    
    • Kansas City needs to find the eventual replacement for Alex Smith, which makes this an ideal situation for both the Chiefs and Watson as the young quarterback gets time to develop.
    
    
    
    

28. Cowboys - Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC
    
    
    
    • . Dallas gets a dynamic player who has experience in all three phases of the game, and after losing Morris Claiborne in free agency, the Cowboys must address the secondary.
    
    
    
    

 

29. Packers - Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
    
    
    
    • Eddie Lacy is now in Seattle and Green Bay would be wise to find another back besides a converted wide receiver.
    
    
    
    

 

30. Steelers - David Njoku, TE, Miami
    
    
    
    • Big Ben asked the front office to find him a prolific tight end and his wish becomes their demand as the Steelers select one of the best at the position in the draft.
    
    
    
    

 

31. Falcons - Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
    
    
    
    • Atlanta needs to find a player who can consistently apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
    
    
    
    

32. Saints - Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
    
    
    
    • Cunningham is one of the best players still up on the board and the Saints get a player who can anchor the middle of their defense.