The NFL Combine has passed, and the NFL Draft nears.
Here we provide our 1st Round Mock.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
1) Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
There has been growing buzz that Cliff Kinsbury and the Cardinals will select Murray with their top pick. Kinsbury recruited Murray out of high school and they have the same agents. Lots of evidence pointing towards Murray as the Cardinal’s future QB.
2) 49ers: DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Yes, the 49ers have selected defensive linemen for the past three years, but Bosa is the best player available and would greatly improve their defense.
3) Jets: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
Pairing Quinnen Williams with Leonard Williams would be scary. Quinnen Williams is one of the draft’s safer picks and would make an immediate impact.
4) Raiders: WR DK Metcalf, Ole Miss
The Raiders traded Amari Cooper, which leaves a large void at WR. Metcalf lit up the combine and would help put the Raiders, as well as John Gruden’s coaching career, back on track.
5) Buccaneers: Edge Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
This is my first surprise pick. The Buccaneers pass on Josh Allen. Sweat arguably had the best combine out of all defenders, and his stock shoots up all the way to #5.
6) Giants: QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
Scouts and team representatives were captivated by Haskins’ football IQ as well as his throwing accuracy during drills. An Eli Manning replacement has been needed for years, and Haskins is their guy.
7) Jaguars: OG/OT Cody Ford, Oklahoma
The Jaguars offensive line was abysmal last year, and a guy like Cody Ford would be an ideal pick to revamp their O-line.
8) Lions: Edge Josh Allen, Kentucky
Josh Allen falls into the Lions’ lap in this draft. There is growing belief that Ezekiel Ansah won’t be retained and Allen, in the long-term, may be the best pick in this draft.
9) Bills: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Josh Allen needs protection. He missed games last year, which is not a good sign for a team’s supposed franchise quarterback. Despite not participating in drills during the combine, Taylor is widely considered to be the top tackle in this draft.
10) Broncos: TE Noah Fant, Iowa
Another surprise! The Broncos don’t opt for a quarterback here. The current tight ends on the roster are not at all long-term solutions. Fant is easily the best TE prospect and his combine workout backed that up.
11) Bengals: LB Devin White, LSU
With Vontaze Burfict under constant suspension, the Bengals need a consistent, sideline-to-sideline linebacker, and White fits the bill.
12) Packers: DE Rashan Gary, Michigan
Another premium prospect falls in the draft. Despite Gary’s praiseworthy combine workout, he falls to the Packers who are in desperate need of a defensive playmaker along their front 7.
13) Dolphins: Edge Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
The Dolphins finally find a viable replacement for the ageless Cameron Wake. Former first round pick Charles Harris has not lived up to expectations. More help is needed and Ferrell will be a consistent force for many years.
14) Falcons: DT Ed Oliver, Houston
The next Aaron Donald or the next Rob Nkemdiche? Oliver is a boom or bust prospect, but utilizing his potential talent would help the Falcons run defense, which ranked 25thth last year.
15) Redskins: QB Drew Lock, Missouri
I don’t see Alex Smith coming back, and the Redskins have no alternatives on the roster. Unless a trade is made for Josh Rosen, I see the Redskins taking the best QB available.
16) Panthers: C Garret Bradbury, North Carolina State
The ever so reliable Ryan Kalil retired after this past season, and a replacement is needed. Bradbury had one of the best combines out of all offensive linemen and would fit with the Panthers.
17) Browns: WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Despite not participating in the combine due to foot surgery, Baker Mayfield reunites with his explosive Oklahoma teammate who reminds me of a less-built Tyreek Hill.
18) Vikings: LB Devin Bush, Michigan
If the Vikings are unable to re-sign Anthony Barr, Devin Bush, who had a phenomenal combine, would be a perfect replacement.
19) Titans: WR AJ Brown, Ole Miss
The Titans front office gets their franchise QB a needed weapon. AJ Brown had a great combine and, in my opinion, is one of the safer prospects who’ll make an immediate impact.
20) Steelers: CB Greedy Williams, LSU
Artie Burns has not performed and Joe Haden is aging and injury prone. Greedy Williams had a solid combine and should hear his name called in the top 20.
21) Seahawks: Edge Brian Burns, Florida State
The Seahawks find a sidekick for recently franchise-tagged DE Frank Clark. Burns boosted his stock after testing well at the combine and has great pass rush potential.
22) Ravens: RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
Though I firmly believe the Ravens will trade back in the 1st, in this case, Josh Jacobs would be the pick. Despite missing the combine, he is still the best back in the draft, and pairing him with Lamar Jackson would immediately boost the Ravens’ offense.
23) Texans: OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
Jonah Williams’ stock falls here. Despite this, the Texans would be more than happy to bring Williams in to start at LT. Their offensive line woes were clearly evident vs the Colts in their Wild Card game.
24) Raiders: CB Byron Murphy, Washington
The Raiders fill another need with Murphy, who arguably had the best combine in terms of on field drills out of all DBs.
25) Eagles: CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
The Eagles, if they don’t retain starter Ronald Darby, find his replacement. The team has had cornerback struggles for the past two years, and drafting Baker would start the reversal of that trend.
26) Colts: DL Christian Wilkins, Clemson
The Colts find a nice long-term solution along their defensive line and replace Margus Hunt, if he’s not retained.
27) Raiders: Edge Jaylen Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
The Raiders find pass rush help with Ferguson, who was not invited to the combine because of an alleged DV issue. Ferguson set the NCAA sack record with 17.5 last season. Despite his issues, he proves to be too enticing for the Raiders to pass on.
28) Chargers: DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
The threat of losing Corey Liuget looms, and the run stuffing Lawrence would be a good fit along the Charger defensive line.
29) Chiefs: CB Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
The Chiefs pass defense was among the NFL’s worst, and adding Trayvon Mullen would considerably improve their secondary.
30) Packers: OT/OG Andre Dillard, Washington State
Protecting Aaron Rodgers is a must and adding Andre Dillard, who had a very good combine, would do just that.
31) Rams: S Nasir Adderly, Delaware
Lamarcus Joyner is an impending free agent who will garner a large payday. The Rams have other, arguably more important free agents to retain. Nasir Adderly is a ballhawking safety who, if he adjusts to the NFL speed, should impact early on.
32) Patriots: DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
The Patriots have not spoken to their free agent DT Malcolm Brown. If they don’t re-sign him, they would look to the draft to find a replacement.
Adrian was born and raised in Baltimore and is a huge fan of both the Ravens and Orioles. He is currently a Freshman at Franklin and Marshall College looking to double major in History and Economics. He is also a member of the Men’s Varsity tennis team where he will help lead the team to a hopeful conference title.