“Trust the tape.”
We hear it and are reminded throughout the pre-draft process when evaluating the next crop of NFL journeymen. However, come this time every year, it’s stopwatches and bench presses that take over the scene and force us to bend the rules for the next few weeks.
Previous Round Mocks:
As we over analyze straight-line speed and broad jumps, the combine is far from useless as it has become a barometer and measuring tool to help decipher Player X from Player Z. Players can watch their stock soar in a matter of tenths of a second, literally.
Meeting with these prospects off the field and in front of the whiteboard has become just as valuable over the past decade, if not more so than ever before. With nearly every collegiate player entering the draft in close to tip-top shape, dissecting their mental sharpness, personality and passion for the game helps teams gain a better understanding into what makes a guy tick before they invest an early pick and put their jobs on the line.
With the winners and losers from Indy set in stone, here’s my newest post-combine mock draft.
Click here for the second half of Part 1, and click here for Round 2.
1) Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, Defensive End, Texas A&M
In a class lacking any slam-dunk, can’t-miss prospects, the Browns are in a unique position to grab the best player on their board and not feel pressure to overdraft a signal caller. Now, let’s just hope they don’t screw this up and miss out on one of the best defensive ends to come out of college since Julius Peppers.
2) San Francisco 49ers: DeShone Kizer, Quarterback, Notre Dame
Kizer is the top quarterback in the class simply because he has all the qualities. He has underrated accuracy, excellent arm strength and poise under pressure. His athletic ability is a nice cherry on top and should help the 49ers finally move forward. Reports from the combine say this is their man. Or, is it just smoke? Physically, Kizer is the prototypical signal caller to build your new era around if you’re Kyle Shanahan.
3) Chicago Bears: Solomon Thomas, Defensive Line, Stanford
The new cornerstone inside the middle of the Bears front-seven. Thomas will make everyone around him better and allow big talent like Jon Bullard and Leonard Floyd to start making plays behind the line of scrimmage.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jamal Adams, Safety, LSU
While the front office figures out if Blake Bortles is the answer, drafting Jamal Adams to pair with raw talent like Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack and Dante Fowler seems like a video game-type outcome. Adams explodes off the tape with his lightning speed and will make splash plays both against the run and the pass.
5) TRADE: Buffalo Bills (Via Tennessee Titans): Deshaun Watson, Quarterback, Clemson
I, for one, think Tyrod Taylor can run the show if given the proper weapons. However, the Bills don’t see it that way. Watson has been my No. 1 quarterback since the get go with a ridiculous 28-2 career record. Forget about the size, Watson has intangibles you can’t teach and an ability to find a way to win close games, thriving in the fourth quarter.
6) TRADE: Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Mahomes II, Quarterback, Texas Tech
This kid will be a hot ticket after the combine thanks to a monster set of tools to work with. Of the big four quarterbacks, no one fits a vertical Bruce Arians offense like Mahomes, as they wisely prepare for life after Carson Palmer, who can’t be trusted to play a full season much longer.
7) San Diego Chargers: Malik Hooker, Safety, Ohio State
Early word has it the Chargers love Hooker and his ability to create turnovers against the pass. With his outstanding range, Hooker soaks up center field — baiting passers to throw his way — and makes them pay thanks to his elite ball skills. Injuries and medicals will raise some flags, but when healthy, Hooker is a game-changing safety that doesn’t come around often.
8) Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Allen, Defensive Line, Alabama
Thanks to QB-needy teams, the Panthers get a top-five player to fall in their lap. Allen will enter the league with a chip on his shoulder, literally. After it was announced he has arthritis, teams could now pass on him. However, there’s no way Riverboat Ron can better help himself as a defensive line aficionado. Rivera continues to bolster the defensive trenches with a ludicrous amount of talent when healthy.
9) Cincinnati Bengals: Reuben Foster, Inside Linebacker, Alabama
I don’t know what the hell happened at the combine, but in three years people will be calling this the steal of the draft. Foster is on that Patrick Willis- and Luke Kuechly-type level, and like them he, too, falls farther than he should. A shot of youth and talent into the Bengals linebacking unit is just what the doctor ordered in a physical, beat ’em up division.
10) Tennessee Titans (Via Buffalo Bills): O.J. Howard, Tight End, Alabama
The total package from blocking, size, speed and durability. In this pass-happy league Howard will be used all over as a chess piece for Marcus Mariota, becoming a matchup nightmare against smaller cornerbacks and sluggish linebackers.
11) New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore, Cornerback, Ohio State
The Saints are looking to shop Brandin Cooks to make a serious run at rebuilding their defense. Lattimore is smooth and silky with lightning feet and fluid hips. In an ultra-deep class of cornerbacks, Lattimore is separating himself from the pack by looking like a cover corner that will compete with the league’s premier wideouts with the proper coaching. In a division with Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans and Julio Jones, we’ll find out quickly how good Lattimore can be.
12) Cleveland Browns (via Eagles): Mitchell Trubisky, Quarterback, North Carolina
The Browns have the potential to do more damage in this draft than any other team, starting with the No. 1 player of the class, followed by a new franchise quarterback. While it’s rumored they’re interested in Tyrod Taylor, it’s also important to remember that Trubisky only started 13 games in college. Having him sit and learn the nuances of the NFL for not one but two years will be a cataylst to his long term success.
13) New York Jets (via Cardinals): Leonard Fournette, Running Back, LSU
The Jets are desperate for talent at nearly every position — including signal caller — but Fournette is a guy that will take pressure off whoever is under center. At the same time, he gives the fanbase a playmaker that can keep them in the seats with instant production, while they try to rebuild their roster back up. This is exactly why trading back and stockpiling picks is a no-brainer if they can find the right partner.
14) Philadelphia Eagles (via Vikings): Corey Davis, Wide Receiver, Western Michigan
One of the most important things to do after selecting a franchise quarterback is to start surrounding him with talent. He’s not at the combine, but Davis will show off superb athleticism for a big-boy frame in the mold of Denver Bronco Demaryius Thomas. This will give Carson Wentz a sandbox buddy to play with for years to come while allowing him to continue his development in his second year.
15) Indianapolis Colts: Dalvin Cook, Running Back, Florida State
Colts were lucky enough to go from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck but have been horrible in building anything around him. Throwing away early picks on guys like Trent Richardson (via trade) and Phillip Dorsett instead of investing into defense or polished skill players. Cook is exactly that as a three-down running back who will finally take the pressure off Luck for once, with the ability to hit a home run every time he touches the ball.
16) Baltimore Ravens: Teez Tabor, Cornerback, Florida
Ozzie Newsome is still one of the better general managers in the league and recognizes special talent when he sees it. Newsome wisely takes advantage of a rich class of defensive backs and steals Tabor, who owns the best man-coverage skills of anyone here. While grabbing the best available player Tabor just happens to fill a monster need in the process.
Picks 17-32 and Second Round HERE! – Click here for the second half of Part 1, and click here for Round 2.
