1. CLEVELAND BROWNS: MYLES GARRETT, EDGE, TEXAS A&M
Hate to be boring here at the top, but I don’t think any quarterback is going to trump the upside of Myles Garrett here. He’s going to give them a foundation piece on defense, adding to a unit that desperately needs talent.
Quarterback is a huge need — I get it, but I also get the feel that the league just isn’t too crazy about spending a pick on a quarterback this high this year. With that being said, you know someone will still do it. However, Lattimore is a true shutdown player that should be in the upper echelon of NFL cornerbacks before long. I’m a huge fan.
3. CHICAGO BEARS: MITCH TRUBISKY, QB, NORTH CAROLINA
The Bears are moving on from Jay Cutler and the answer at quarterback isn’t on the roster. I hate to force a quarterback pick here, but as I mentioned above someone is going to try it. It’s hard to designated a leader within the quarterback class at this point, but Trubisky seems to be the guy with the most momentum right now.
There’s a new coaching regime in Jacksonville. After years of underperforming under Gus Bradley, the Jaguars hired Bradley’s offensive line coach to take over — really. Maybe it works out for them. The Jags just need talent, anywhere really. Adams is the best player on the board and helps against the run and pass.
Davis is a top five player to me, so this is far from a reach. I honestly didn’t think Davis at five was possible until McShay mocked it last week. As plugged in as those guys are, that tells me that the NFL is really high on this guy. He’s going to bring a big body and outstanding athletic ability to the Titans, who desperately need play-makers.
I wrote yesterday that Kizer might just have the most upside of any quarterback in this class. I really can’t figure out why there isn’t more hype around him. I think this is about as good as the Jets can do here as they are set to move in a new direction under center.
7. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: SOLOMON THOMAS, DL, STANFORD
The Chargers need defense. They added Joey Bosa last year who looks like a homerun, but adding Thomas to that line could replace some production that Melvin Ingram is going to leave behind. Thomas and Bosa would be nasty up front.
There’s apparently some smoke to the rumors that link Christian McCaffrey to the Panthers, but that’s just too high for my taste. I think Fournette is the better option in Carolina’s power offense.
9. CINCINNATI BENGALS: DALVIN COOK, RB, FLORIDA STATE
Cincinnati just isn’t very good at running back and I feel like it gets overlooked. Gio Bernard isn’t a full time player and Jeremy Hill is limited. Let’s take Cook here and bring a dynamic threat to the offense.
10. BUFFALO BILLS: REUBEN FOSTER, LB, ALABAMA
Too easy. The Bills get a huge upgrade in the middle of their defense with the ultra athletic Foster. He should help a run defense that was consistently gashed last season.
11. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: JONATHAN ALLEN, DL, ALABAMA
I’m not buying Allen in the top five. Here he falls out of the top ten to the Saints, who would gladly add him to an ailing defense.
12. CLEVELAND BROWNS: DESHAUN WATSON, QB, CLEMSON
I feel like we are just throwing darts with this quarterback class. You can mix up the order of any of the top three and I’d believe you. I do think the Browns end up with one, however. This time it’s Watson.
13. ARIZONA CARDINALS: O.J. HOWARD, TE, ALABAMA
The Cardinals don’t have much at tight end on the roster and their window is closing quick. Howard does a little bit of everything and could open things up over the middle of the field for Carson Palmer while freeing up that talented group of receivers.
14. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: MALIK HOOKER, S, OHIO STATE
Hooker’s slide stops with Philadelphia, who gets an upgrade over Rodney Mcleod at free safety. The rangy Hooker will slide in and provide help over the top in the high flying NFC East.
15. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: DEREK BARNETT, EDGE, TENNESSEE
Robert Mathis is retiring and the Colts have to add defense. It doesn’t get any simpler that Derek Barnett, who broke Tennessee’s all time sack record held by the great Reggie White in his final game of the season.
16. BALTIMORE RAVENS: TEEZ TABOR, CB, FLORIDA
The Ravens have done an outstanding job of getting younger in the front seven, so let’s continue that trend. McKinley is a thick 265 pounds and would give them an understudy to Terrell Suggs.
17. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: BUDDA BAKER, S, WASHINGTON
Washington needs help in the secondary, especially in the back half. Baker is small in size but isn’t afraid to come downhill and play the run.
18. TENNESSEE TITANS: SIDNEY JONES, CB, WASHINGTON
Tennessee was playing rookie day three picks by the end of the year at cornerback, which ended up costing them a spot in the playoffs. They’ve got to add multiple bodies. Jones gives them a lanky option who can really press at the line of scrimmage.
Jameis needs weapons, Mike Evans can only do so much. Ross is electric and would give Winston an instant deep threat.
20. DENVER BRONCOS: FORREST LAMP, G, WESTERN KENTUCKY
Denver has to get better up front. They really couldn’t run the ball at all which put too much pressure on their young quarterbacks. Lamp can step in and make a difference right away.
21. DETROIT LIONS: TACO CHARLTON, EDGE, MICHIGAN
Outside of Ziggy Ansah, the Lions don’t have many ways to get to the passer. Charlton slips to 21 here, providing a perfect fit for Detroit.
22. MIAMI DOLPHINS: DAVID NJOKU, TE, MIAMI
This is a pick that I’m sticking with because I really like the fit. Njoku is a supreme athlete that would add a whole new dimension to the Dolphins offensive attack. Landry-Parker-Njoku-Ajayi is a really nice core of skill guys.
23. NEW YORK GIANTS: TAKK MCKINLEY, EDGE, UCLA
Pass rush is the name of the game in the NFL. The Giants are set to lose Jason Pierre-Paul to free agency, so adding to the edges is a must.
24. OAKLAND RAIDERS: QUINCY WILSON, CB, FLORIDA
The Raiders have a lot of work to do in the secondary. Their defensive front can only do so much. Wilson is a corner with great size and physicality, but must get better in man coverage down the field.
25. HOUSTON TEXANS: TRE’DAVIOUS WHITE, CB, LSU
With AJ Bouye set to hit the market, Houston will have to add a cornerback. Luckily for them, the well is super deep this year. White improved on a rocky 2015 season and should find himself off the board in this range come April.
26. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: RYAN RAMCZYK, OT, WISCONSIN
Seattle’s offensive line has deteriorated over the past two years. If they want to get back to the Super Bowl, they better get Russell Wilson some protection.
27. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: PATRICK MAHOMES, QB, TEXAS TECH
Is Alex Smith winning you a Super Bowl? The answer is no. This roster is too talented not to win playoff games.
28. DALLAS COWBOYS: CARL LAWSON, EDGE, AUBURN
Dallas has a lot going for them, but a consistent pass rush isn’t one of them. Lawson is a big boom or bust guy, but he’s one of the best in this class when he’s healthy.
29: GREEN BAY PACKERS: MARLON HUMPHREY, CB, ALABAMA
The Packers secondary is truly awful. They are too reliant on Aaron Rodgers to overcome their deficiancies. Humphrey is a physical cornerback that could give them some relief immediately.
30. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: CHARLES HARRIS, EDGE, MISSOURI
Pittsburgh’s defense is slowly getting back to where is once was, but they’ve got to add more pass rush. James Harrison isn’t going to play forever. Harris is a dynamic threat off the edge that could blossom into a nice full time guy down the road.
31. ATLANTA FALCONS: MALIK MCDOWELL, DL, MICHIGAN STATE
McDowell is a boom or bust type, but the Falcons love athletes. If they can get McDowell stronger and more consistent, they have a real find here with his athletic ability.
32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, RB, STANFORD
I’m probably too low here with McCaffrey, but I do think this is his floor. With Blount’s age and Dion Lewis’ injury history, this pick makes a lot of sense. He’s just a Patriot type player. I have no doubts he would be a star here.