Ok, we got through the Top 20 in the first 2 posts.  Now, on to the last group in the 1st round.  Predicting the back end of the 1st Round is probably as hard as picking the lottery numbers, but we will go through Team Needs and the Player Profiles to see if we can make some matches.  Let me know who you think your team should pick.

Cincinnati Bengals – 21st Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Bengals have steadily lost their offensive lineman over the years.  As a result, their once strong running game has diminished, even with picking up dynamic RB Joe Mixon in last year’s Draft.  So, OL is their biggest need.  The Defensive Line is also an area of concern.  DT Geno Atkins is aging, but still productive.  To remain competitive, it is time for the Bengals to re-stock the trenches.
  • Top Players & Traits:  As discussed yesterday, the CBs are dropping at this point – Alexander and Joshua Jackson.  The Bengals could go there, but their needs should dictate their pick.  Taven Bryan would be a good fit if they wanted to go D-line.  Another real possibility is taking someone who flashed at the Senior Bowl – OG out of UTEP, Will Hernandez.  Hernandez is a mountain of a man at 6’2″ and 348 lbs.  He benched 225 lbs – 37 times and just was mauling people during the Senior Bowl practices.  So, Hernandez or another Senior Bowl star, Georgia’s Isaiah Wynn an OT who will play OG in the pros are real possibilities here.  Wynn was injured at the Senior Bowl, but at 6’3″ and 313 lbs with a tackle’s footwork and instinct at Guard, Wynn could be a star.
  • Possible Scenarios:  The Bengals should stay put where they are here and pick their highest rated player on the line.  Wynn and Hernandez are really close.  Prediction:  Bengals will pick Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP.

Buffalo Bills – 22nd Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  Again, Buffalo has a needs at QB and WR, but I am mocking that Buffalo will trade this pick along with their 12th pick to the Giants to jump up to #2 to take Josh Allen at QB.  So, I’m going to focus on the Giants needs again here.  Giants need Offensive Line help to get that run game moving and protect Eli.  They could use a QB for the future here, too, given Eli’s age.  We gave the Giants OT, Mike McGlinchey at #12, so maybe they go away from the line here.
  • Top Players & Traits:  CBs are still there with Jaire Alexander and Joshua Jackson.  Bryan is there and may be a nice piece to replace DE Jason Pierre-Paul who went to the Dolphins in Free Agency.  Wynn is another possible pick here to really solidify that remade O-Line with McGlinchey.
  • Possible Scenarios:  If Buffalo was still here, then they would probably take a CB here – I think Alexander would go, but since I see this pick being part of that trade to #2, it’s the Giants pick.  Giants have a good situation here with potential players.  Prediction:  Bills trade this pick to Giants and Giants will pick Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia.

New England Patriots – 23rd Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Patriots just missed another Super Bowl title last year, so it seems tough to think they have needs.  However, with the Jimmy Garapolo departure and QB Tom Brady in his 40s, a QB is not out of the question.  Also, WR Brandin Cooks departed in Free Agency and the Patriots releases other WR Danny Amendola.  So, a WR is definitely a need.  On the O-line, Nate Solder left in Free Agency, so OT is another need.  Finally, the Patriot defense was sub-par last year, especially rushing the passer and with the CB Malcolm Butler debacle in the Super Bowl and his release there are more holes than you would expect.
  • Top Players & Traits:  CBs Alexander and Jackson are definitely in play here.  Bryan may be a fit for the pass rush.  The Patriots have been linked to another player, OT Kolton Miller out of UCLA – Miller is a tall, athletic prospect at 6’9″ and 310 lbs. but ran a sub 5.0 40 time and was above average in the agility drills.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Patriots could go with a QB if any one of the top guys fall and even move up with 2 picks in the back part of the 1st Round.  I think they stay and take someone.  Prediction:  Patriots will pick Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA.

Carolina Panthers – 24th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  Carolina seems to always need WRs to match up with their star QB Cam Newton.  Last season, they lost Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills.  Plus, multiple Pro Bowl TE Greg Olsen is at the sunset of his career.  So, weapons on the offensive side for Cam do make sense.  The defense has been the calling card of Carolina, but they do need better CB play to compete in a loaded division.  So, the secondary is also a possibility.
  • Top Players & Traits:  The CBs that keep sliding are very possible here – Alexander and Jackson.  Bryan has slipped here and would be a solid pick.  However, I think if the Panthers want to get better, then they need another top target, Hayden Hurst, TE out of South Carolina may be just the answer.  Hurst is 6’4″ – 250 lbs. and ran a 4.67 40 at the Combine, and he is quicker than the other top TE Dallas Goedert (6’5″-255 lbs.) out of South Dakota State.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Carolina looks long and hard at Joshua Jackson at CB to bring back that coverage from when Josh Norman was there for them.  I think getting a young TE makes sense, though.  Prediction:  Panthers will pick Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina.

Tennessee Titans – 25th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  Tennessee got back to the playoffs last year, and even got a big come from behind win at Kansas City.  However, in New England, the defense was completely exposed.  That led to a change at the top with new Coach Mike Vrabel at the helm.  The Defense will improve for sure, and the Titans need CBs, which lines up with the Draft.  They also need better pass rushers, so that could be another area of need.
  • Top Players & Traits:  Finally, a team that will squarely look at the CBs – Jaire Alexander out of Louisville and Joshua Jackson from Iowa.  Bryan is still in play, too.  It will be one of these 3 players here.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Titans are locked into this draft spot, and even if the 2 CBs mentioned are gone, then there are others that they can select from.  Prediction:  Titans will select Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville.

Atlanta Falcons – 26th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  Falcons are a solid team with back to back playoff appearances.  The offense wasn’t as effective as 2016, but no major needs there.  They may look to add a luxury pick on the offensive line to get back to running the ball, again.  Defensively, with the way Coach Dan Quinn likes his team to play will always look to add speed and athleticism.  So, better CBs and defensive linemen are the likely targets.
  • Top Players & Traits:  Josh Jackson could be in play, a CB a lot like Richard Sherman, who Coach Quinn had in Seattle.  Taven Bryan seems like a very good fit here with his athleticism and versatility on the defensive line.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Atlanta will pick the best fit on their Board.  Prediction:  Falcons will pick Taven Bryan, DT, Florida.

New Orleans Saints – 27th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  Saints had a great year on both sides of the ball last year, and that was mainly from the stellar drafting they did in 2017.  Can they do it again?  Areas of need are the TE position, as they could use another weapon for QB Drew Brees.  Defensively, if they had a weakness, it was against the run a bit.  So, they could look at some DTs or Inside LBs.
  • Top Players & Traits:  Josh Jackson at CB is there, still.  Dallas Goedert at TE could be a logical fit with the Saints given his length and catching ability.  If they go Linebacker, then I think they will look at Rashaan Evans of Alabama, who can stop the run and blitz the passer.  Evans at 6’3″ and 234 lbs. is not a big backer, but he can fly to the point of attack.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Saints will take their best available player here.  Prediction:  Saints will pick Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State.

Pittsburgh Steelers – 28th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  Steelers were a bit disappointing last year with the loss at home against the Jaguars.  The Offense moved the ball at will against the top defense, but unfortunately, the Defense was terrible.  The Ryan Shazier (LB) injury really hurts the Steelers as few can compare to his athleticism.  So, the Steelers need more playmakers in the middle of the field.  CB is another need for the team that got roasted a lot late in the season.  Finally, Big Ben has flirted with retirement, so a QB is not out of the question.
  • Top Players & Traits:  Joshua Jackson would be a good addition to the maligned secondary.  Jackson’s length and ball skills should help the pass defense.  Another possibility is hyped Linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch out of Boise State.  Vander Esch was good at the Combine at 6’4″ and 256 lbs., he ran well at 4.65 40 and 4.15 short shuttle.  He is no Shazier, but he could help patrol the middle.
  • Possible Scenarios:  The Steelers will go defense most certainly with this pick.  Prediction:  Steelers will pick Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State.

Jacksonville Jaguars – 29th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Jaguars had the Patriots right where they wanted them, up 10 in the 4th quarter.  Yet, the offense needed one more play.  The Jags defense was top flight all year with so many top picks and quality free agents.  QB is the main issue there, but the management has stuck to backing Blake Bortles for another year.  The Jags will draft a QB this year, but it just depends on the round.  TE is another need for this team, but as this mock goes, they missed out on the top 2 guys.
  • Top Players & Traits:  Joshua Jackson could be added to an already loaded secondary.  QB Lamar Jackson from Louisville comes into play here, as the Jags could consider adding the explosive QB and maybe add some package plays for him even if Bortles starts.  One more consideration is TE Mike Gesicki out of Penn State.  Gesicki has great hands and runs pro routes, but I’m not sure he is a 1st round talent.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Jags could go up and grab Goedert or Hurst if one of them gets picked earlier than expected (as in this mock).  So, watch for that.  I think the Jags really could go QB here.  Prediction:  Jaguars will pick Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville.

Minnesota Vikings – 30th Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Vikings made the big decision to cut ties with their Game 1 starter, Sam Bradford, and playoff starter, Case Keenum, to sign Kirk Cousins from Washington.  So, QB fails to become a need for now.  The Vikings defense was a top unit last year, so adding more talent is always a priority.  The biggest issue last year, especially in the playoff game was protecting Keenum.  So, the Vikes could look to add a quality offensive lineman.
  • Top Players & Traits:  Joshua Jackson is still there.  He’s a 1st round talent falling.  Given the needs, I think James Daniels C from Iowa, who could play C or G, is a strong possibility.  Daniels is a little undersized at 6’3″ and 295 lbs., but his technique is well regarded.  His ability to pull and get to the 2nd level should be an asset in Minnesota.
  • Possible Scenarios:  The Vikings could pick best available player here with Jackson, but need seems to fit, too.  Prediction:  Vikings will pick James Daniels, C, Iowa.

New England Patriots – 31st Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Patriots were really one drive away from back to back titles.  However, they only have so much time with Brady at the helm.  As reviewed earlier, several departures leave holes in the roster.  At #23, I had them take Miller which if he falls may happen here, too, in reality.
  • Top Players & Traits:  Joshua Jackson was there at #23 and again here.  Hard to see them passing him up.  If Jackson was not there, then CB Mike Hughes from Central Florida is another possibility.  Hughes is smaller than Jackson at 5’10” and 189 lbs., but he has shown great cover skills on tape.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Patriots take best player available, most likely, but don’t be surprised if they take a QB here or trade out of the 1st from here and pick up 2 2nd round picks and take one there.  Prediction:  Patriots will pick Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa.

Philadelphia Eagles – 32nd Overall Pick

  • Team Needs:  The Eagles broke the curse and won it all.  They did it with stellar defense all year (except for the Super Bowl) and a varied attack on offense.  It is hard to look for improvement on this roster, but I think the biggest need is at CB.  The Eagles blew a lot of deep pass plays last year on double moves.  So, they could use a disciplined CB.  Also, the Eagles got great play at WR, but they do lack a true #1, even though they extended Alshon Jeffrey.  The could identify a WR, but this class is not that strong here.  Finally, the RB position is a committee in Philly, but with Blount departing, there is room for another RB.
  • Top Players & Traits:  Mike Hughes is the lead candidate here with his savvy cover skills.  If the Eagles went WR, then they could look at Courtland Sutton out of SMU – a rangy 6’3″ and 218 lbs who ran 4.54 in 40 and jumped 35.5 inch in vertical.  One other guy to look for is RB Derrius Guice who was mentioned yesterday for the Lions.  Guice is a versatile back that could help Philly keep that offense flying.
  • Possible Scenarios:  Eagles should pick from the best available on their board.  Prediction:  Eagles will pick Mike Hughes, CB, UCF.

That is our 1st round.  I welcome all feedback, as this is just my take on the round given all the Mock Drafts I’m tracking.  In one week, we will find out.

Until next time.

Wegs

 

 

 

 

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.