Front Porch FootballFront Porch Football’s Mock Draft
by Ben Bramhall, guest writer
As someone who is a huge fan of both the NFL (FLY EAGLES FLY) and college football (WE ARE, PENN STATE), I love the NFL draft. To me, it is one of the most exciting events of the year that is so unpredictable, it makes filling out a March Madness bracket look like reading a children’s book. It is virtually impossible to predict who the thirty-two teams will select, just in the first round. This is because there is no way of knowing what’s going through the minds of thirty-two different brain trusts that are trying to do what they believe will make their teams contenders. We also have no idea how each of these teams operate during the entire draft process or what they even look for in prospects, especially if they have a new general manager, new coach, or new owner.
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Are they offensive or defensive minded? What kind of offense do they run? What kind of defense to they run? How do they determine which players are the best fit? How do they evaluate players? How do they evaluate each position? Do they value one position over another? Do they have a personality preference? Do they take risks on players with character concerns? Do they take risks on injury-prone players? Do they draft for need or take the best player available? What are their needs? Will current player contracts or situations impact their decisions? How do they value production or experience? How do they value athletic potential? Are they willing to take a flyer on a project? Do they prefer players from some schools over others? Does the school size matter? Do the even know what the hell they’re doing?
The list of variables to consider could go on and on and on, but I’m sure you’re tried of playing twenty questions and want to get to the damn mock draft already. I put a lot of work (maybe too much…) into studying the NFL draft, but even I know that I will be lucky to get just a few picks right. No matter what other articles may tell you, no pick is guaranteed. I will simulate draft trades as well because why not? With that said, the Cleveland Browns are on the clock, and their first selection is…
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1. Cleveland Browns – Josh Allen (QB, Wyoming)
Not a huge fan of Allen because of his accuracy (56.3%…yuck), but the Browns seem to love him. He does have massive upside due to his size, arm talent, and athleticism. If he is indeed the right one, he will become their first franchise quarterback since the end of the Cold War.
2. New York Giants – Sam Darnold (QB, USC)
Eli Manning isn’t getting any younger or better, and the Giants may not have another chance of having such a high draft pick to grab one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. Darnold gives them a guy who has the look and feel of a commander on the field. He can redshirt behind Eli until he’s ready.
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3. New York Jets – Josh Rosen (QB, UCLA)
The Jets traded up earlier in the offseason to secure their quarterback of the future, and they should be ecstatic about landing Rosen. Mechanically, he is the purest passer in this draft class and probably the most NFL-ready quarterback. Some question his attitude, but I see a competitor who wants to win.
4. Cleveland Browns – Bradley Chubb (DE, NC State)
Because of the big move last year by Houston to go up and get Deshaun Watson, the Browns have another top-4 draft pick. They go with Chubb, who is the best pass-rusher in this class, and team him up with pass-rusher Myles Garrett, the first overall pick from last year’s draft. That’s a potentially frightening duo of edge-rushers!
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5. Denver Broncos – Saquon Barkley (RB, Penn State)
The Broncos addressed their quarterback woes through free agency by acquiring Case Keenum. Now they give him Barkley, who is a once in a lifetime talent at running back that can help in both the running and passing games. He and Keenum should get the Bronco offense back on track.
6. Buffalo Bills (TRADE! w/Indianapolis Colts) – Baker Mayfield (QB, Oklahoma)
The Bills make a big move up to secure their franchise quarterback. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is my favorite quarterback in this draft class. Mayfield can make all the throws, he’s mobile, he’s a competitor, and he’s a hard worker. Like Rosen, I’m not concerned about his character. I believe he will bring a new, winning tradition to the championship-starved city of Buffalo.
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7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB, Alabama)
The Bucs need more youth and talent in their secondary, and the versatile Fitzpatrick offers that. I’m usually not very high on Alabama defensive backs, and history is on my side with this one. But I’ve seen enough to think that Fitzpatrick is an exception, as he was a force to reckon with in Tuscaloosa against the run and the pass. He should excel as a cornerback or safety.
8. Chicago Bears – Tremaine Edmunds (LB, Virginia Tech)
Using free agency to build around Mitchell Trubisky (Mister Biscuit), the Bears now focus on the other side of the ball by drafting their quarterback of the defense. Edmunds is a tall, rangy linebacker who is solid against the run and pass. He’s also a natural leader on the field, and should immediately lift the defensive unit.
9. San Francisco 49ers – Denzel Ward (CB, Ohio State)
They picked up Richard Sherman in free agency, but could still add talent to their secondary. Ward is the best pure cornerback in this draft class who could benefit under Sherman’s wing and perhaps become the next great lock-down cornerback.
10. Oakland Raiders – Derwin James (S, Florida State)
The Raiders desperately need help in the secondary, which got toasted last year and couldn’t force many turnovers. New head coach Jon Gruden is going to want a “grinder,” and that’s what James would give him. He is an outstanding, big-play safety who will become an immediate impact player.
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11. Miami Dolphins – Roquan Smith (LB, Georgia)
The Dolphins have some roster holes to address, so why not go for the best player available in Smith, who could become an immediate impact player for a defense that needs one. Smith made big plays all year for the Georgia defense. He has great sideline-to-sideline speed, is a sound tackler, and is a natural leader on the field.
12. Indianapolis Colts (TRADE! w/Buffalo Bills) – Quenton Nelson (OG, Notre Dame)
The Colts have the NFL’s worst roster, hence the trade back. They just need talent, so they go with Nelson, who is the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft class. Usually, offensive guards don’t go very high, but Nelson isn’t just any normal guard. This dude has all-pro written all over him. He should do wonders for the Colts while they try to rebuild the offensive line.
13. Washington Redskins – Vita Vea (DT, Washington)
The Redskins get a steal with Tevita Tuliakiono Tuipuloto Mosese Va’hae Faletau Vae…or Vita Vea for short. Vea is a rare specimen with a unique combination of size and speed at his position. Plug him in as a NT for a 3-4 defense, and he’ll be able to disrupt the pocket and rush the passer. He’ll be a nightmare for the opposing quarterbacks to deal with.
14. Dallas Cowboys (TRADE! w/Green Bay Packers) – Calvin Ridley (WR, Alabama)
The Cowboys desperately need a new #1 receiver with Dez Bryant gone. So, they trade up and get Ridley, who is the most polished all-around receiver in this draft in order to give Dak Prescott a new go-to target. Alabama receivers have done well in the NFL in recent years (i.e. Julio Jones and Amari Cooper), and the Cowboys will hope that Ridley will do the same.
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15. Arizona Cardinals – Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville)
The Cardinals make the draft’s biggest splash by selecting the most polarizing player in this class. Jackson isn’t polarizing due to character concerns, but because of the questions surrounding his ability to translate his unique skills to the NFL level. If the Cardinals can successfully build an offense that tailors to Jackson’s abilities, he will terrorize defenses for years to come.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Leighton Vander Esch (LB, Boise State)
The Ravens stick to their bread and butter by investing another high pick on their defense. Vander Esch is an intriguing prospect who only has one year of college production, but is an excellent talent that can be move around at the linebacker position. A bit of a reach, but the Ravens have never been shy about making surprise picks, and he would provide another thumper and cover guy for an already good defense.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Mike McGlinchey (OT, Notre Dame)
Unable to get their potential replacement for Phillip Rivers, the Chargers take McGlinchey instead to try and lock down the blindside. I’m a fan of any offensive lineman from Notre Dame, as they are usually well-coached and very talented. McGlinchey is no exception, and should be able to hold down the left-tackle spot for a long time.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Josh Jackson (CB, Iowa)
The Legion of Boom era seems to be coming to an end, and the Seahawks must now rebuild their secondary. They get things started with Jackson, who draws comparisons to former Seahawk Richard Sherman. He is a ball-hawk playmaker that the Seahawks now desperately need in order to replenish their defensive backfield.
19. Green Bay Packers (TRADE! w/Dallas Cowboys) – Mike Hughes (CB, UCF)
Cornerback became this team’s biggest need after they traded Damarious Randall, and their secondary wasn’t very good to begin with. Hughes should help change that. Although he is small for his position, he is a fast, rangy cornerback with good instincts that should help a pass defense that has struggled over the years.
20. Detroit Lions – Marcus Davenport (DE, UTSA)
The Lions recently placed the franchise tag on Ziggy Ansah, but it wouldn’t hurt for new head coach Matt Patricia to get his defense starting off strong by adding another disruptive defensive end to bolster the Lion’s pass rush. Davenport may have played for a small school, but he was consistently productive and impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl. He and Ansah should form a very formidable edge rushing duo.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Will Hernandez (OG, Texas-El Paso)
The Bengals swapped first-round picks with the Bills and acquired Cordy Glenn in the process, who should lock down the left tackle spot if he can stay healthy. However, the Bengals should continue to add talent and improve their offensive line in order to help Andy Dalton and the run game. Hernandez is a big and talented guard, whose physical style of play will fit in well with the Bengals.
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22. Indianapolis Colts (TRADE! w/Buffalo Bills) – Da’Ron Payne (DT, Alabama)
As I said before, the Colts need talent, which is why they traded down for more picks. The Colts focused on the offensive line with their first pick, and now they get a premier talent for their defensive line. Payne is capable of being a disruptor at nose tackle and defensive tackle, which is good because the Colt’s new 4-3 defense employs both positions.
23. New England Patriots – Rashaan Evans (LB, Alabama)
Run defense was a problem this past season, and it showed in their Super Bowl loss. It may have been the loss of Dont’a Hightower to an injury, but they just looked slow against the run. Incoming Evans, the heat-seeking missile! The Crimson Tide linebacker was a juggernaut against the run this past season and is an able pass rusher.
24. Carolina Panthers – D.J. Moore (WR, Maryland)
The Panther offense is too inconsistent and they need to start giving Cam Newton some more help. Most importantly, they need speed. Moore is not only a speedy deep-threat, but can run the entire route-tree, making him a versatile weapon. He should open things up more for Olsen, Funchess, and McCaffrey, making Newton’s life much easier.
25. Tennessee Titans – Harold Landry (EDGE, Boston College)
Mike Vrabel is the new head coach, and the former Patriot linebacker knows it takes an aggressive defense to win championships. That’s why they take Landry, who will give them a talented edge-rusher that can impose his will on the opposing quarterback. Will Marcus Mariota take the next step? I don’t know, but their defense should see some improvement.
Bryan (93); Image By: The Alligator
