They say time makes the heart grow fonder, right? Well, that’s definitely the case with some draft prospects, while others are sliding down my big board as I get deeper into the class. This will surely be the case for NFL teams as well, as the NFL Combine is coming up, as well as individual Pro Days.
To describe my process, it involves going through a quick round of film on each player, which is typically two condensed games. From there, I have an outline on how I feel about those players, which is then used to create mock drafts and big boards. That part is done. Now comes the fun part, where I’ve had a chance to go through another few games on each player, moving them up or down depending on the new visuals. Not only have I developed more of a concrete opinion on players, but I’ve also learned where they may excel in the NFL and which teams may benefit from their services.
Complete a mock draft in minutes with our free Draft Simulator
As time goes on, we’ll hear a lot about teams interested in certain players. Unfortunately, a lot of that is just noise. Once free agency starts, we’ll get a much better idea as to how teams plan to fill their holes. Maybe they add a free agent, or maybe they lose out when bidding on one. Either way, we’ll know some which positions they’re trying to upgrade and/or stabilize. So, while this mock draft should be more accurate than the last, there’ll be many changes in the upcoming months.
ROUND ONE
1. Arizona Cardinals – Nick Bosa (DE – Ohio State)
No, the Cardinals aren’t going to be selecting Kyler Murray with this pick, so please don’t believe that narrative. If anything, the Cardinals should be looking to trade out of this pick with all the holes they have. As I mentioned in the first mock draft… when you’re rebuilding, you need to acquire talent that lasts for a long time. Edge-rushers last a long time and just happen to be one of the most important positions on the field. While watching Bosa, it’s easy to confuse him for his brother (Joey) who we’ve seen play at a Pro Bowl level. He has excellent closing speed and putting him opposite Chandler Jones in Vance Joseph’s new 3-4 scheme should make everyone around them look better. He’d be better suited for a 4-3 defense but if you can’t make his talent work in your scheme, it’s probably time to change your scheme. They also have three of their edge rushers hitting free agency.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Quinnen Williams (DT – Alabama)
The 49ers aren’t losing much this offseason in free agency and their offense showed competence with undrafted Nick Mullens under center. They need to focus on defense in this draft and while there are bigger needs, it’s not a time to reach for a linebacker or cornerback. Instead, they snag Williams, who is a force up the middle of the field. Putting him alongside DeForest Buckner would give them one of the best defensive tackle combos in the league. They’ll need to address linebacker and cornerback later in the draft, but if they stay at No. 2, it’s hard to see them passing on Williams.
3. New York Jets – Clelin Ferrell (DE – Clemson)
Some may see this as a reach, but the Jets will be transitioning into a 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. They have a lot of talent up the middle with Leonard Williams and Mike Pennel, but lack pressure on the edge. Ferrell is built to be an every-down player, which is what you want when selecting in the top-three. They can likely get him a little bit later, so nobody should be shocked if they traded back, but Ferrell would boost the pass-rush.
4. Oakland Raiders – Rashan Gary (DE – Michigan)
This seems like an ideal spot for the Raiders to snag an offensive tackle, but they’d have to admit their mistakes by doing that. After drafting Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker last year who were both terrible in their rookie years, they have some decisions to make. Fortunately for them, they have three first-round picks. They won’t get an elite edge-rusher with picks 24 and 27, however. Some will slot Kentucky’s Josh Allen in with this pick, but I don’t believe he suits Paul Guenther’s 4-3 defense. Gary was playing out of position at Michigan and is believed to be a better edge-rusher than the defensive tackle he was listed as. They need to find someone to replace Khalil Mack and he’s likely the highest 4-3 edge-rusher on their board.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jonah Williams (OT – Alabama)
If you’ve watched the Bucs over the last few years, you know that Jameis Winston makes some bad decisions when pressured. The offensive line has been atrocious for quite some time and they now have an excuse to move on from left tackle Donovan Smith, as he’s set to be an unrestricted free agent. The Bucs have many other needs, but as many have realized, there is a shortage of solid offensive tackles in the NFL and prospects like Williams won’t last until the second-round. He shifts his feet very well, has good bend in the knees, and is known to be one of the more consistent tackles available in the draft. He is not the prospect that Mike McGlinchey was last year, but the Bucs have to attack their offensive line early this year.
6. New York Giants – Dwayne Haskins (QB – Ohio State)
The Giants continue to say they won’t rush to select a quarterback, but at this point, there’s no “generational talent” that’s a lock like Saquon Barkley was last year, so they have no excuse here. Haskins is a pocket passer, which creates the same issue as Eli Manning, as the offensive line isn’t where it needs to be. Fortunately, Haskins won’t be tripped by a shoelace, as he’s built similarly to Ben Roethlisberger (though he’s a shorter version). A quarterback who completed 70 percent of his passes throwing to Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Barkley? Yes, please. He’ll likely be the backup to start the year with his limited experience, but will take over when Manning… well, you know.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Drew Lock (QB – Missouri)
There’s no way around it, the Jaguars are selecting the top quarterback on their draft board with this pick. While Kyler Murray makes sense with the current state of their offensive line, the Jaguars front office may feel as if their offensive line will look much better with Cam Robinson, Andrew Norwell, and Brandon Linder healthy. Lock has the best arm in this draft, though there are still some rough edges to his game. He’s late to notice pressure, but he fortunately has a quick release to help with that. The Jaguars know they need a long term solution at quarterback right now, as it’s unlikely they’ll have a top-10 pick again next year with how great and young their defense still is.
8. Detroit Lions – Josh Allen (OLB/DE – Kentucky)
He falls further than most think as he’s just not a great scheme fit with the teams at the top of the draft. The Lions have lacked play-makers on the back end of their front-seven, as Ezekiel Ansah has missed a ton of time due to injury and is now an unrestricted free agent, and Jarrad Davis isn’t the difference-maker they’d hoped he’d be. They have very little depth at defensive end/outside linebacker, so they’ll almost certainly be drafting an edge-rusher here, it’s just a matter of who is highest on their board. While I don’t see Allen as a game-changer, he should give them a solid boost on the edge.
9. Buffalo Bills – Greedy Williams (CB – LSU)
I do believe the Bills may look at D.K. Metcalf here, as he’s a true No. 1 receiver, but snagging Williams to put alongside Tre’Davious White in the secondary makes a lot of sense, too. They have plenty of holes on the offensive line, but don’t love anyone enough to take them here. Their cornerback depth chart is ugly behind White, and Williams wouldn’t be asked to take on No. 1 wide receivers right away, which would help his transition to the NFL.
10. Denver Broncos – Deandre Baker (CB – Georgia)
After trading for Joe Flacco, it lowers the chance that the Broncos take a quarterback with this pick. If they were drafting a quarterback here, why give up a fourth-round pick if Flacco is essentially a one-year rent-a-player? Case Keenum could’ve filled that void and they wouldn’t have lost a pick in the process. Instead, Vic Fangio gets a cornerback to lean on, as the Broncos cornerbacks are horrid outside of Chris Harris Jr., and he’s getting up there in age (will be 30 at the start of the season). Baker plays bigger than his 5-foot-11 listed height, his hips are very fluid, and does a good job getting his hands in-between the ball and receiver to break-up passes.
11. Cincinnati Bengals – Devin White (ILB – LSU)
We don’t know what scheme the Bengals will run just yet, but one thing we do know for certain is that they need linebacker help. White is far-and-away the best inside linebacker available in this draft class. There are inconsistencies, but he flashes what could be a dominant player at times. With Vontaze Burfict getting suspended and/or hurt every other game, it’s time for the Bengals to move on from the troubled linebacker.
12. Green Bay Packers – Montez Sweat (OLB/DE – Mississippi State)
It’s not very often you see the Packers with a pick this high, so they need to make the most of it. Wide receiver is extremely appealing considering the lack of talent around Davante Adams and the likely loss of Randall Cobb, but Aaron Rodgers will make-do with the options they have. Clay Matthews is an unrestricted free agent and he’s been trending in the wrong direction for a few years, while Nick Perry took a slight step back last year. In a division that’s loaded with quarterbacks, the Packers need to get some pressure.
13. Miami Dolphins – Kyler Murray (QB – Oklahoma)
The decision to take Murray here comes down to this… the Dolphins will find out relatively quickly whether Murray is the solution because they’ll have to throw him right into the fire with the expected release of Ryan Tannehill. Some seem to believe the Dolphins are going to punt this season with their eyes on the QB class of 2020, which is certainly possible, though I doubt new head coach (and Super Bowl Champion) Brian Flores would’ve been on board for that. If they do go another position, my expectation would be edge rusher, as both Cameron Wake and William Hayes are slated to be unrestricted free agents.
14. Atlanta Falcons – Brian Burns (OLB/DE – Florida State)
A lot of stock in this pick is riding on the Falcons getting defensive tackle Grady Jarrett under contract, as he’s slated to be a free agent. If they weren’t able to retain him, it’d be Ed Oliver going to them with this pick. But we’re assuming they get him under contract. With the lack of production out of Vic Beasley, the Falcons need to bolster the edge and Burns is a versatile athlete who’s got the speed to get to the quarterback. While size seems to be a big question-mark (listed at 235 pounds), I’d expect him to put on some weight prior to the NFL Combine.
15. Washington Redskins – Nasir Adderley (S – Delaware)
Many are expecting the Redskins to take a quarterback here, and while it makes sense to a degree, are they really going to throw someone like Daniel Jones under center for Week 1? He’s considered a prospect who’ll take a little bit of time to develop, which means you may have him ready for the 2020 season, which is when they’re hoping to get Alex Smith back. It’s a touch-and-go situation, but after their release of D.J. Swearinger, they need a safety. Adderley can play anywhere on the field – in the box, deep downfield, in man-coverage, in zone-coverage. He’s a great tackler in the open field and plays sideline to sideline. On top of Swearinger being gone, Haha Clinton-Dix is also slated to be an unrestricted free agent. Adderley’s versatility will be valued very highly.
16. Carolina Panthers – Yodny Cajuste (OT – West Virginia)
The Panthers must stop neglecting their left tackle position. While some may have other tackles ahead of Cajuste on their board, I believe he’s the guy for their team. He plays quick for a guy that’s 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds, which will help with the mis-direction plays they ran quite often in 2018. He has great bend in his knees when pass-blocking and will always find someone to block when he’s run-blocking. While he may not be this high on some boards, I expect him to be come draft time.
17. Cleveland Browns – Ed Oliver (DT – Houston)
The Browns are jumping up and down in their war room when Oliver falls to them at No. 17. Him working opposite Larry Ogunjobi would be a nasty force up the middle of the field. The Browns could use another cornerback, but by adding another force to the front-four, it’ll help out the defenders in the secondary. If the Browns want to get aggressive here, they could go wide receiver, but Oliver is too good to pass-up.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Cody Ford (OT/OG – Oklahoma)
In case you haven’t heard, the Vikings have some issues on their offensive line. While Ford played right tackle on the college level, he’s going to make an even better guard in the NFL. He’s a big guy (6-foot-4, 340 pounds) who is hard to move and one who understands how to seal an edge with his body positioning. He may not test well at the NFL Combine athletically, but he’s someone who can play.
19. Tennessee Titans – Jachai Polite (OLB/DE – Florida)
He’s a good fit for a 3-4 defense due to his lack of size (6-foot-2, 242 pounds) to play on the edge in a 4-3 defense. With Polite and last year’s second-round pick Harold Landry playing as the outside linebackers, the team would hope to have the position solidified for years to come. The Titans need to replace the recently-retired Brian Orakpo, as he was the best outside linebacker they had.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Trayvon Mullen (CB – Clemson)
The Steelers had hoped to land Deandre Baker in this slot, but Mullen will work out well. He can play both man and zone coverage, and was used on both sides of the formation at Clemson. He’d pair well with Joe Haden, who was asked to shadow opposing No. 1 wide receivers at times during the 2018 season. The Steelers still need another edge rusher to pair with T.J. Watt, but it doesn’t make sense to reach for one here.
21. Seattle Seahawks – Jawaan Taylor (OT – Florida)
The Seahawks saw the impact that Duane Brown had at left tackle, so why not add another tackle to the mix to replace the inconsistent Germain Ifedi. It’d be natural for Taylor, too, as he played right tackle at Florida. He’s a better run-blocker than pass-blocker and the Seahawks averaged 32.8 rushing attempts per game in 2018, the second-most in the league. If they decide to go defense, cornerback would make a lot of sense, and Byron Murphy is still on the board.
22. Baltimore Ravens – David Montgomery (RB – Iowa State)
The Ravens are a team with limited holes, but they’re all on offense… for now. That can all change with free agency coming up, as Terrell Suggs, Za’Darius Smith, C.J. Mosley, and Brent Urban are all slated to be free agents. This means there are plenty of directions to go with this pick, though we won’t know which is the best until after the first wave of free agency. We all know the Ravens haven’t had much success drafting wide receivers in the first-round and it might not make sense to take one here considering how little they passed with Lamar Jackson under center (no more than 25 pass attempts in any one game). Because of that, we’ll give them a player who’s a no-nonsense runner who refuses to go down on first contact. It likely comes down to Montgomery or Josh Jacobs, but Montgomery is the one who plays a bit more downhill, which they seemed to like with Gus Edwards. They’re a team who will be heavily impacted by free agency.
23. Houston Texans – Greg Little (OT – Ole Miss)
Unless there are five offensive tackles off the board, it’s likely we see the Texans get the highest-graded one on their board with this pick. After not having a first- or second-round pick last year, the Texans were unable to identify any pieces to help with their shoddy offensive line. While I still believe Little has a ways to go before he is a standout player in the NFL, his body-type and ceiling are what the Texans need in order to protect Deshaun Watson, who was sacked an NFL-high 61 times in 2018.
24. Oakland Raiders (from Bears) – D.K. Metcalf (WR – Ole Miss)
After snagging a defensive piece with their first pick, the Raiders move back over to the offense and try to find a wide receiver to replace Amari Cooper. While he may not be as versatile as Cooper, Metcalf could be the No. 1 receiver on this team for a long time. He gives Derek Carr a massive 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame to throw to and has the go-up-and-get-it mentality that Michael Crabtree had in the red zone. If Metcalf goes in and dominates the Combine (like I expect him to), the Raiders may have to move up in order to land him.
25. Philadelphia Eagles – Byron Murphy (CB – Washington)
We saw the decimated secondary of the Eagles fight the entire season and did quite well when you consider they were without their three starting cornerbacks. The issue is that their starters weren’t playing very well to begin with. Jalen Mills has been a mixed bag, Sidney Jones doesn’t look the part, and Ronald Darby is set to be a free agent. Murphy is actually my favorite cornerback in the draft, especially for a team who’s as zone-heavy as the Eagles are. Eagles fans should be excited if he falls to them.
26. Indianapolis Colts – Kelvin Harmon (WR – NC State)
After watching the Colts continually pass on wide receivers early in last year’s draft, it’s tough to say they’ll take one here, but after watching the lack of options available to Andrew Luck for another full season, it’s time to get him some more help. While T.Y. Hilton is great at what he does, the Colts need to get someone who can win contested catches consistently. Harmon is a perimeter wide receiver who knows how to play the angles and is phenomenal on back-shoulder throws. While I wish he gained more separation, he’d have the benefit of Hilton getting opposing No. 1 cornerbacks. If the Colts lose either of the two defensive tackles (Margus Hunt, Al Woods) in free agency, they could go that way and look at wide receivers in the second-round.
27. Oakland Raiders (from Cowboys) Deionte Thompson (S – Alabama)
We don’t know if the Raiders plan to hang onto Marcus Gilchrist, but if they don’t, they have a clear need at safety. Coming out of the Alabama defense, it’s possible that Thompson goes before this spot in the draft, but the Raiders would be happy to snag him here. He’s not the best tackler, but he flies into the picture and takes excellent routes to the ball.
28. Los Angeles Chargers – Jeffery Simmons (DT – Mississippi State)
There’s a lot up in the air with the defensive tackle position for the Chargers, as three of the tackles in their rotation were already slated to be unrestricted free agents, and we just found out that they will not pick up Corey Liuget‘s option. A lot of analysts were expecting Simmons to go inside the top-15, but he suffered a torn ACL while training for the NFL Combine. He also has an off-the-field incident where there’s video of him hitting a woman in 2016. He’s a talented three-down player who would fill a void for the Chargers if they look past his off-the-field concerns. As for his ACL injury, that will surely knock him down the draft board a bit, though he’s not expected to last past the second-round. The alternate option would likely be Clemson’s Christian Wilkins.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Tre Lamar (ILB – Clemson)
Yes, I’m fully aware the Chiefs invested in Anthony Hitchens and then drafted Dorian O’Daniel last year, but that doesn’t mean it was right. Hitchens was horrendous against the run and was below replacement-level. With how close this team was to a Super Bowl, they need players who can help them win now, regardless of what contracts you have to live with. Lamar can cover both tight ends and running backs in the pass-game, which helps considering the Chiefs allowed the most receiving touchdowns to running backs, as well as the sixth-most receiving yards. He also has experience in big games, which certainly doesn’t hurt when it’s Super Bowl or bust.
30. Green Bay Packers (from Saints) – A.J. Brown (WR – Ole Miss)
After going with an edge rusher with their first pick in this round, they get Aaron Rodgers some help opposite Davante Adams. Ever since drafting Adams in the second-round of the 2014 draft, they’ve continually waited until Day 3 to take any wide receivers, and it shows on their depth chart. Brown is a versatile wide receiver who can play on both the perimeter and in the slot, which will help with the departure of Randall Cobb.
31. Los Angeles Rams – Devin Bush (LB – Michigan)
There’s some concern about Bush’s size at his listed 5-foot-11 and 233 pounds, but there’s no concern about the fight in him. He hits hard and has the range to cover running backs, as well as tight ends. He’s someone it’ll be interesting to see how he’s handled in the draft because the instincts and will are there, but size is the only thing that would drop him lower than this.
32. New England Patriots – T.J. Hockenson (TE – Iowa)
We’ve been hearing a lot of talk about Rob Gronkowski retiring after this season, and while Tom Brady has squashed his retirement talks, Gronkowski has not done the same. Because of that, the Patriots must fill an important spot on their roster. Hockenson is more of a traditional tight end who can play in-line and contribute in more than just the passing-game, making him the ideal target.
ROUND TWO
33. Arizona Cardinals – Andre Dillard (OT – Washington State)
After going defense in the first-round, the Cardinals need to find some protection for Josh Rosen. Dillard’s built exactly how you’d sculpt one if you were creating a left tackle from scratch. He’s got long arms and uses leverage quite well. He’s not someone you’re going to build a run-game around, but that’s not the highlight of new head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.
34. Indianapolis Colts (from Jets) – Christian Wilkins (DT – Clemson)
This comes back to them having their top two defensive tackles hitting free agency, which obviously creates a huge need in Matt Eberflus’ 4-3 defense. Wilkins is someone who may have been a first-round pick last year but slips due to a strong class at his position this year. Coming from Clemson, he was surrounded by playmakers who I believe made him look better than he is, though that doesn’t mean he can’t make an impact in the NFL.
35. Oakland Raiders – Josh Jacobs (RB – Alabama)
Most are expecting Jacobs to go in the first-round, and while that’s possible, I think running backs slip a bit more in this draft than last year’s. Jacobs is a three-down back who comes with limited tread on his tires due to playing alongside Damien Harris at Alabama. During his three seasons there, he totaled just 299 total touches on offense, so he could be the long-term answer the Raiders are looking for now that Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin are free agents.
36. San Francisco 49ers – Mack Wilson (LB – Alabama)
The 49ers decide to give it another try with an Alabama linebacker, only this time they hope everything will go smoothly. Wilson isn’t near the talent-level that Rueben Foster was, but it’s clearly a need on the roster. Wilson doesn’t appeal to me as a first-round pick and is more of a wildcard, but some team is going to pull the trigger in this range, so why not have it be the linebacker-needy 49ers.
37. New York Giants – Amani Oruwariye (CB – Penn State)
After trading away Eli Apple last year, the Giants knew they’d have to address the position this offseason. While B.W. Webb played better than expected, he’s also hitting free agency. Behind Janoris Jenkins, the Giants have nothing on their depth chart. Oruwariye has a great build to him at 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, though he’s really not much of a tackler. He’s solid in coverage and has good closing speed, but his lack of skills finishing could force him to drop down draft boards a bit further than this.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars – Irv Smith Jr. (TE – Alabama)
He’s my favorite tight end in this draft class, though it’s not a popular opinion. You didn’t get to see too much of Smith’s ability in Alabama’s run-first offense, though you saw glimpses of the insane athlete he is. The Jaguars need bigger pass-catchers on the roster and Smith can be used in a variety of different ways, including in-line or lining him up out wide.
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Johnathan Abram (S – Mississippi State)
Not only is Chris Conte not very good, but he’s now an unrestricted free agent. The Bucs need someone who can move up in the box and help against the run, which Abram’s specialty is. He’s not very good in coverage, but he’s a big-hitter and someone who’ll get under the opponent’s skin. Cornerback could be route they take, but after going with Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart in the second-round last year, they likely have to stick with them for now.
40. Buffalo Bills – Chris Lindstrom (OG – Boston College)
There’s no question about it, the Bills need to address their offensive line in this draft. Getting a new right tackle would be nice, but after watching a lot of them come off the board in the first round, they go with the top guard on their board. Lindstrom has great size and was very consistent with his technique while at Boston College. Provided he shows well at the Combine, expect him to be a second-round pick.
41. Denver Broncos – Michael Deiter (OG – Wisconsin)
It’s tempting for them to go with Daniel Jones, but if they pass on a quarterback in the first, it’s letting us know that they’re looking into the 2020 draft to find their long-term solution. So, they add another piece to the offensive line to help protect that quarterback. Deiter may not have the same strength that his teammate Beau Benzschawel does, but he’s got more awareness and more balance when trying to manipulate a defender on where he’d like them to go.
42. Cincinnati Bengals – Daniel Jones (QB – Duke)
There are plenty of holes on the Bengals roster, but they can’t pass-up Jones, who’s fallen further than most thought. Andy Dalton is the type of quarterback who is good enough to keep his job, but at some point, the Bengals must have a backup plan, and it was clear that Jeff Driskel wasn’t it. Jones made some NFL throws while at Duke but was somewhat of a checkdown machine. It’s not that he doesn’t have arm strength – he does – but the offense seemed to lack playmakers. He’s worked with the Manning’s, which will draw attention at the Combine. He’s someone whose stock can go way up with a good performance in Indianapolis.
43. Detroit Lions – Noah Fant (TE – Iowa)
The Lions offense looked horrible once Golden Tate was traded away, so the Lions are likely in the market for a pass-catcher who can play over the middle of the field. Fant is more of a wide receiver than he is a tight end, as he offers almost nothing as a blocker. He has rock-solid hands and can play the possession role if needed. He’s fast enough to give linebackers a really tough time, and with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones on the perimeter, it’s not as if you can assign a top cornerback to him. If used correctly, he could put up numbers.
44. Green Bay Packers – Beau Benzschawel (OG – Wisconsin)
The Packers haven’t invested a whole lot in their offensive line over the last five years and it really shows when they have some inevitable injuries to the starters. Many have Benzschawel as their top guard, though I’m not one of them. He does want to find someone to block and has the athleticism to do it, but he often gains too much steam, allowing defenders to sidestep him to make the tackle. He’s strong, but needs to learn to square up his targets, because once he gets his shoulders squared, not many will get past him.
45. Atlanta Falcons – Sean Bunting (CB – Central Michigan)
If there’s anything the Falcons should’ve learned in 2018, it’s the importance of depth on the defense. After releasing Robert Alford, they are moving to a starting duo of Desmond Trufant and Isaiah Oliver, but Brian Poole hasn’t been someone to rely on. At the very least, Bunting would provide some depth at the position. He’s only 181 pounds and has a thin frame, but he has experience in the slot, which is where Poole plays. Bunting is solid in man coverage, especially when he’s not covering a big, physical receiver, something you rarely see in the slot.
46. Washington Redskins – Will Grier (QB – West Virginia)
This is not quite the investment as a top-15 pick, so the Redskins attempt to grab Grier as their Alex Smith insurance. He’s not mobile but likes to think he is. Watched him continually lose yardage scrambling because he thought he was faster than he was. He makes some extremely impressive throws to his receivers when throwing in rhythm and getting the ball out quick, but he makes terrible decisions when he holds onto the ball, throwing into double- and triple-coverage. He’s a work in progress, but the Redskins options are limited.
47. Carolina Panthers – Charles Omenihu (DE – Texas)
With Julius Peppers retiring and the team moving on from Thomas Davis, they need to start rebuilding the front-seven. Omenihu is not currently expected to go in the top two rounds, but I believe that changes after the NFL Combine. He played on both the edge and on the interior, which is good for versatility. He’s a massive 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds, but has the speed to get to the edge, and has enough strength to get push in the run-game. He’s someone I’d consider a sleeper at this point, but he’d be a great addition to the Panthers defensive line.
48. Miami Dolphins – Chase Winovich (EDGE – Michigan)
With Brian Flores running the show in Miami, we should expect his defense to be somewhat of a hybrid with both 4-3 and 3-4 defensive fronts. Winovich is someone who won me over while watching his game film, as he has a non-stop motor, and always has his eyes on the play in front of him. He doesn’t have the most strength, which will force some to view him as a better OLB in a 3-4 defense, but his speed helps make up for his lack of strength. He’s seemingly always involved in the play, which is something not many edge defenders can say. He should offer the versatility Flores wants.
49. Cleveland Browns – N’Keal Harry (WR – Arizona State)
The Browns are pleased that one of the bigger wide receivers is still available here in the second round. Harry compliments the games of both Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway, who are both separators, while Harry is more of a “trust me in contested catch” situations. He uses his body to shield defenders very well and is a big target at 6-foot-4 and 213 pounds. The trio of Harry, Landry, and Callaway mixed with David Njoku will cause problems for opposing defensive coordinators.
50. Minnesota Vikings – Dexter Lawrence (DT – Clemson)
It’s hard to see Lawrence fall this far, but due to his failure of a drug test (performance enhancing), he falls into their lap. Sheldon Richardson is set to be a free agent, as is Tom Johnson, leaving the Vikings thin at the position once you get past Linval Joseph. Some believed that Lawrence had shades of Joseph to his game, so maybe it’s the best possible landing spot to learn from one of the best defensive tackles in the game.
51. Tennessee Titans – Marquise Brown (WR – Oklahoma)
The Titans went and added to the defense in the first-round, so they turn to the offensive side of the ball and give Marcus Mariota yet another weapon. Brown would compliment Corey Davis extremely well, and it’d allow them to move all three wide receivers (Davis, Brown, Taywan Taylor) all over the field, as they can all play in the slot and on the perimeter. Brown is an electric receiver who benefits from a quarterback like Mariota who can scramble and allow him time to lose his defender.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Oshane Ximines (EDGE – Old Dominion)
He’s the player they debated taking in the first-round, so they’re delighted he’s still available. He’s a solid run-defender who won’t get lost in the shuffle of bodies, as his 6-foot-4, 255-pound frame allows him to move freely. I would’ve expected more out of him as a pass-rusher against lesser competition, but T.J. Watt brings a lot of that on his own.
53. Philadelphia Eagles (from Ravens) – Darrell Henderson (RB – Memphis)
It’s the likeliest of scenarios that Darren Sproles retires and Jay Ajayi goes elsewhere in free agency. Because of that, the Eagles need to find themselves a running back, as they told us in the playoffs that they simply do not trust Josh Adams. Henderson is a three-down back who can play out of both the shotgun and the I-formation, and he seemingly gets better as the game goes on. Knowing the Eagles were high on Dalvin Cook a few years back, it’d make sense that they’d like Henderson.
54. Houston Texans (from Seahawks) – JoeJuan Williams (CB – Vanderbilt)
After signing Aaron Colvin to a bad contract last offseason, the Texans realize it’d be best to save some money on a cornerback in the draft. Williams looked fantastic in the game against Ole Miss while covering both A.J. Brown and Demarcus Lodge, showing that he doesn’t let down when challenged. He’s got great footwork in his backpedal and his break on the ball is top-notch. He moves his hips very well for someone who is 6-foot-3 as well.
55. Houston Texans – Elgton Jenkins (C – Mississippi State)
The Texans are serious about rebuilding their offensive line and they can no longer sit back and hope for the best. Nick Martin may have been drafted in the second-round in 2016, but he’s been consistently below average. Jenkins is by far the best center in this draft, so to see him fall to the end of the second-round, they can’t pass him up. He’s very athletic for a guy who’s 6-foot-4 and 304 pounds, which bodes well for Deshaun Watson, who will shift the pocket at times. Even going back to 2017, he held his own – for the most part – against DaRon Payne.
56. New England Patriots (from Bears) – Jerry Tillery (DT – Notre Dame)
With Trey Flowers, Malcom Brown, and Danny Shelton all hitting free agency, the Patriots need to add to their defensive line. Tillery has good size – though I believe he can still add weight to his frame – and can play in the Patriots hybrid scheme. He’s a better run-stopper than pass-rusher, but he’s flashed at times with enough strength to move linemen.
57. Philadelphia Eagles – Zach Allen (DE – Boston College)
The Eagles have some big names about to hit the free agent market, including both Jordan Hicks and Brandon Graham. While selecting a linebacker here would make sense, the Eagles haven’t been a team who invests a lot at the position. Allen is a big edge-rusher who was listed at a massive 285 pounds, though you couldn’t tell by his endurance on the field. He can be a three-down player at his current size, but may see a benefit in losing a few pounds to get to the edge that much quicker.
58. Dallas Cowboys – Dre’Mont Jones (DT – Ohio State)
After overlooking the tackle position last year, the Cowboys must find one in this year’s draft now that David Irving is headed to free agency. Jones is thin for a defensive tackle, but he has a good motor because of it. He’s a much better pass-rusher than run-stuffer, as his swim move to get inside the offensive linemen is rather impressive. He will need to add weight for the next level.
59. Indianapolis Colts – Rock Ya-Sin (CB – Temple)
It was rather impressive to see the Colts get by with their cornerback unit in 2018, but they need to add more talent and depth, especially now that Pierre Desir is a free agent. Ya-Sin does a great job of keeping his eyes on the quarterback while covering his man, though he does move a bit slow for a guy who’s just 190 pounds. Knowing that Malik Hooker has the back-end covered, it compliments Ya-Sin well because his biggest weakness is getting beat over the top. I’m interested to see his speed times at the Combine.
60. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Edwards (LB – Wisconsin)
There’s no way around it, the Chargers need to add linebackers in this draft. Denzel Perryman, Hayes Pullard, and Kyle Emanuel are all free agents and even with them on the roster, they could’ve used help. Edwards is an intelligent linebacker who is good in zone coverage. He’s quite slow, though, so he’s going to have to rely on positioning and instincts more than athletic ability. Another name they could look at is Florida linebacker Vosean Joseph.
61. Kansas City Chiefs – Taylor Rapp (S – Washington)
It seems pretty clear that Eric Berry‘s time in the NFL is nearing an end, leaving the Chiefs with a big void to fill at the safety position. Rapp isn’t a big-hitter, but rather someone who has a great sense of where a play is going. He fits more of the free safety mold as someone who’ll keep his eyes on the quarterback at all times, even when he comes down in coverage. The Chiefs don’t have many needs on the offensive side of the ball, so I’d expect them to continue trying to build their defense.
62. New Orleans Saints – Damien Harris (RB – Alabama)
The Saints are a team who’s built to win right now and they know Drew Brees‘ clock is ticking. They don’t have many holes and the top-tier tight ends are gone, so they lock up Mark Ingram‘s replacement in Harris. He’s a no-nonsense runner who gets every yard that’s blocked. He’s solid in pass-protection and has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, though it’s not his specialty. Oddly enough, my NFL comparison for him is Mark Ingram.
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Dru Samia (OG – Oklahoma)
This is more based on my prospect rankings right now, as Samia isn’t expected to go until Day 3 by many draft analysts. He’s a bit lanky, looks like a smaller version of Kyle Long. He’s athletic, has long arms, and plays with an attitude most covet out of offensive linemen. He’ll be asked to gain weight for his role in the NFL, but I believe the talent is there.
64. New England Patriots – Deebo Samuel (WR – South Carolina)
Depending on who the Patriots lose in free agency, this pick can go a lot of different directions, but Samuel makes tons of sense. Julian Edelman is going to be 33 years old this year, Rob Gronkowski might retire, and then Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, and Cordarrelle Patterson are all free agents. Samuel reminds me of Jarvis Landry, a slot-heavy receiver who is built to withstand hits over the middle of the field. He’s a smart receiver who knows how to help out his quarterback by coming back to the ball, something Edelman does particularly well. The Patriots should be expected to draft a quarterback in the third-round, where they hold the Lions pick at 74 overall.
Subscribe: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | RSS
Mike Tagliere is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeTagliereNFL.