Cavanaugh's Pre-Combine Mock Draft
By Jeff Cavanaugh | @JC1053
Like many others, I thoroughly enjoy looking at every mock draft I can find. I am pretty darn familiar with the Cowboys roster/scheme/needs but can't say the same for all 32 NFL teams.
I used NFL.com's list of team needs to put together a pre-NFL Draft Combine mock, because people love mocks.
1 - Tennessee Titans: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss. They have their franchise QB, time to protect him. Done deal.
2 - Cleveland Browns: Jared Goff, QB, California. I hope they don't do this because I'd like to have him on the Cowboys, but with a new head coach and no future QB on the roster, they take the best one in this draft.
3 - San Diego Chargers: Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State - The NFL.com needs list says DL is their biggest need, making this a pretty easy pick. Bosa's a difference maker on the edge.
4 - Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State - For me personally Myles Jack would be a strong consideration here. Between uncertainty on his knee and the versatility a Ramsey/Jones safety combo offers, I'll give them Jalen. For now.
5 - Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA - Their top listed need is CB but this is too high for Vernon Hargreaves III or Mackensie Alexander to me. Any team that needs a LB should snap up Myles Jack, he can do whatever you ask him to. Phenomenal athlete even compared to all the humans in the NFL.
6 - Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame - This is the first pick I'm making for a team that I don't love. Stanley is a very fluid athlete, great for pass pro. Strength is a little concern for me, watch the tape vs Clemson/Shaq Lawson to see what I mean.
7 - San Francisco 49ers: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss - Thought about Carson Wentz here but I don't feel comfortable playing him from day one, and that WR corps could certainly use a boost. Mini-Dez to SF.
8 - Miami Dolphins: Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky - This can change if they re-sign Olivier Vernon. If not, let's give the pass rusher in this draft class to the Dolphins.
9 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida - Find a need, pick the player. DE and CB are both listed as needs for TB, we'll give them a twitchy cover corner who isn't afraid to get physical.
10 - New York Giants: Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson - JPP is a free agent. I'll give the Giants a good pass rusher that's also powerful in the run game. Plus he has all his digits.
11 - Chicago Bears: Deforest Buckner, DE, Oregon - Buckner will offer versatility to play across the defensive line, but I love him as a 3-4 end. He can two-gap and move people. Disruptive force.
12 - New Orleans Saints: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville - The Saints need help along the defensive line and I love Rankins as a 3 technique DT who can disrupt the backfield but is also powerful enough to be a solid run defender.
13 - Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State - Rules are rules. NFL.com tells me the Eagles biggest need is QB, Carson Wentz is my second and final QB that I have graded as a first rounder. Has the arm you want, ran a pro style offense, proven winner, athlete. I'd like him to sit and watch for a year, but tons of talent.
14 - Oakland Raiders: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State - I broke the rules on this one. RB isn't listed as a need but this is far enough for Zeke to be on the board. The core of Carr/Zeke/Cooper/Crabtree is a fun idea for that offense.
15 - Los Angeles Rams: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis - This is another rules are rules pick. Need a QB, grab the next one in line. I'm not as high as some on Lynch, but he has an outstanding arm and big time athleticism. Comes from a spread and screen intensive situation in college, need him to sit and learn.
16 - Detroit Lions: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State - They need an OT and this is the next one on my board. So there ya go.
17 - Atlanta Falcons: Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama - NFL.com says they need a "captain of the defense" manning the middle. This is the guy for that job. Physically imposing, tackling machine.
18 - Indianapolis Colts: Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State - For a team that needs help on the right side of the offensive line this is the perfect player. LT at MSU, a move to the right side fits for him. He's a bully without top notch athleticism. Strong and tough.
19 - Buffalo Bills: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss - Buffalo needs help along the defensive line, I'll have them take a chance on a guy who has thrown up some red flags over the last year, but the athleticism and ability to knife through the offensive line is impressive.
20 - New York Jets: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame - If it weren't for his knee injury he'd be picked 10 or so spots higher. Excellent in coverage, great athlete sideline to sideline.
21 - Washington Redskins: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama - You need a center, you get the only first round center in this draft.
22 - Houston Texans: Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State - This pick would not surprise me at all. Hackenberg's college tape is quite ugly at times, but when Bill O'Brien was with him he was projected as a surefire future first rounder. Reunited and it feels so good.
23 - Minnesota Vikings: Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State - They also need offensive line help so Cody Whitehair (Kansas State) was a consideration. Thomas gives Teddy a weapon on the outside with size that can also run routes.
24 - Cincinnati Bengals: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama - They need a nose tackle, and Jarran Reed is a mountain in the middle. So hard to move, and a motor that never stops.
25 - Pittsburgh Steelers: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson - They need help on the outside and Alexander has the traits to be a very good cover corner. Supremely confident despite being undersized. With have to prove he has ball skills, wasn't tested that often in college and their scheme didn't showcase his man to man skills as much as I'd like.
26 - Seattle Seahawks: William Jackson III, CB, Houston - Seattle needs a CB and they like them with length. Jackson has the length they covet and has outstanding ball skills.
27 - Green Bay Packers: Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State - Might be early for some, but GB could use an OLB to let Clay Matthews stay in the middle. Love the way Fackrell uses his length to keep himself free when he's on the edge.
28 - Kansas City Chiefs: A'Shaun Robinson, DT, Alabama - For a team that needs help along the DL, Robinson offers some versatility at the DT spot. Think he's at his best as a stout run defender, but also flashes some ability to get in the backfield on pass plays.
29 - Arizona Cardinals: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State - I don't see a safety in this class that I'm comfortable taking here so I'll go to their next need and get them a run and hit linebacker. Lee could have used another year at Ohio State but his speed to the ball is great.
30 - Carolina Panthers: Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State - Their top need is listed as OT so Jason Spriggs out of Indiana could have gone here, I just wanted to find a way to express how much I love Ronald Blair as a player by putting him here. I broke the rules again just to say that Blair is outstanding and the draft world will be buzzing about him soon.
31 - Denver Broncos: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana - The Broncos need help protecting their QB, Spriggs is the next guy in line. Looked great at the Senior Bowl.
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