Enjoy the latest draft projections from Zone Coverage’s Luke Inman and draft analyst Jordan Reid (@JReidDraftScout).
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1) Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State (Inman)
Don’t get tied up in his “Running Back” label… this guy can do it all in the mold of a David Johnson/Le’Veon Bell as an equal threat in both the run and pass game — a true three-down superstar.
2) New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA (JR)
Eli Manning’s not getting any younger, and after benching him a season ago, Dave Gettleman and Pat Shurmur find their QB of the future.
3) Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DL, NC State (Inman)
Everyone and their mother has Chubb locked into the third overall pick. But don’t get bored, Colts fans. This is the franchise-changing pick this defense has been begging over a decade for.
4) Cleveland Browns (From Houston): Sam Darnold, QB, USC (JR)
The Browns wait and gamble to select their QB, but it pays off. Darnold is considered the top QB on many draft boards. Cleveland finally has a young QB to guide them into the future.
5) Denver Broncos: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming (Inman)
The Kirk Cousins sweepstakes will have a huge domino effect starting at pick five. However, assuming Cousins does sign with Minnesota, John Elway will be enticed to grab the quarterback with the most upside and biggest arm we’ve seen in over a decade. Yeah, he could be that good.
6) New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (JR)
The Jets have one of the most fiery, electric QBs in this entire draft class fall into their laps. Mayfield is able to handle the glitz, glamour and pressure of the New York media.
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama (Inman)
IF the board falls with four QBs in the first six picks, then the Bucs will win the day with one blue chipper falling into their lap. Their search for pass rusher can wait until Day 2 with Fitzpatrick’s versatility and splash-play ability that can take over a game.
8) Chicago Bears: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State (JR)
With Kyle Fuller’s status in limbo, Ryan Pace decides to take the best player available on their board. Ward provides an immediate upgrade to their secondary.
9) San Francisco 49ers: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame (Inman)
John Lynch got his GM career off to a blazing start, beginning with a great first draft and then nabbing their new franchise quarterback for just a second-round pick in Jimmy Garoppolo. Now, Lynch keeps the home runs coming with the second-best player in the draft. Forget about his position, Nelson is a plug-and-play Pro Bowl player in Year 1.
10) Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia (JR)
Jon Gruden is in search for his next Derrick Brooks to create an identify for the Raiders. Smith provides that and much more. They now have the centerpiece of their defense for the next 10-plus seasons.
11) Miami Dolphins: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville (Inman)
The Dolphins are stuck in quarterback purgatory with Ryan Tannehill and must quickly decide if they are pushing their chips all-in or folding. No question, Jackson has some major technical and fundamental issues with his throwing mechanics.
However, underneath the flaws is one of the most exciting, explosive quarterback prospects since Michael Vick. Ignore the critics who tell you Jackson needs to move to a different position. He’s shown far and away enough promise, decision-making and development from the pocket to blend with his off-the-charts athleticism.
12) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame (JR)
The Bengals have to find protection for Andy Dalton. McGlinchey is a safe pick, who has the chance to be a day-one starter as a rookie protecting Dalton’s blindside.
13) Washington Redskins: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville (Inman)
The Redskins traded away their best young cornerback to gain Alex Smith. Luckily, Alexander won’t skip a beat as one of the most athletic and technically-gifted cover corners, both at the line of scrimmage, as well as downfield — not to mention he will add some electricity into their special teams, too.
14) Green Bay Packers: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa (JR)
Jackson is a perfect fit in new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s scheme and gives the team the desperate help that they need on the back end of their defense.
15) Arizona Cardinals: Vita Vea, NT, Washington (Inman)
The Cardinals need to find a veteran QB this free agency such as an A.J. McCarron or Sam Bradford. From there, it’s time to rejuvenate the trenches, taking a page from the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Vea is a FREAK in every sense of the word as a pure nose tackle that has the movement skills of former Raven Haloti Ngata. Vea will make everyone around him better from day one.
16) Baltimore Ravens: Tremaine Edmunds, ILB, Virginia Tech (JR)
The Ravens are thrilled that Edmunds lasted this long; a steal at this point in the first round. Pairing Edmunds alongside C.J. Mosley gives the team a dynamic duo in the middle of its defense.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, S, Florida State (Inman)
Mr. Playmaker. Safety is not the most pressing need, but James is a weapon that can line up at five different positions. The AFC North passing games just ran into a major speed bump.
18) Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia (JR)
Let’s face it, any offensive line help at this point is a positive for the Seahawks. They have to find a way to protect their franchise QB in Russell Wilson. Wynn provides tackle and guard flexibility.
19) Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama (Inman)
The Cowboys are hoping Vea is on the board, killing two birds with the move of Malik Collins back over to three tech where he once thrived. However, with no nose tackle worthy of the pick, Ridley is a no-brainer. The consensus No. 1 receiver, Ridley will continue to help the development of Dak Prescott and give the Cowboys’ passing game a new dimension of versatility.
20) Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU (JR)
The Lions haven’t had a bell cow running back or 100-yard rusher in five-plus years. Guice provides immediate help to Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense.
21) Buffalo Bills (From Chiefs): Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama (Inman)
Payne was unblockable during the playoffs and showed off superb movement skills for his raw power. While linebacker is an option here, adding premium talent into any position inside this front-seven is desperately needed. Start in the middle, and work your way out. Payne is a great start for Buffalo’s back-to-back picks.
22) Buffalo Bills: James Daniels, C, Iowa (JR)
The sudden retirement of Eric Wood leaves a huge void for the team at center. Daniels provides an immediate option as a plug-and-play starter as soon as he hears his name called on draft night.
23) Kansas City Chiefs (From L.A. Rams): Connor Williams, OL, Texas (Inman)
If there was only one thing to remember about Andy Reid, it’s that he loves his offensive linemen. The offensive wizard knows his success hinges on the talent in the trenches, and adding the former consensus top-five pick to the mix this late in Round 1 could be a dream come true. Williams will fall due to injury concerns. However, slide him into guard his rookie year where he will thrive, with the knowledge he can kick out to tackle when that time comes. Plug and play from day one, with outstanding versatility.
(Reid is sprinting to the podium.)
24) Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland (JR)
Cam Newton needs more weapons. Moore is one of the biggest risers during the pre-draft process and is a nice go-to option in the passing game.
25) Tennessee Titans: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama (Inman)
The Titans had a ton of picks last year but never addressed the linebacker position. Luckily, they have a top talent fall in their laps as Evans helped dominate for the Crimson Tide and comes into the NFL ready thanks to Nick Saban’s defense.
26) Atlanta Falcons: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP (JR)
Atlanta needs major help at guard. Arguably the most pro-ready offensive lineman in the draft falls to them and provides immediate help along the interior.
27) New Orleans Saints: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State (Inman)
The Saints arguably had the best draft class of anyone last season and look to continue the trend by getting Drew Brees the best tight end of the class. Toss this out the window if the rumors are true of a Jimmy Graham reunion in New Orleans. If not, Goedert and Brees are a match made in heaven, as Goedert is a big-bodied monster that is fluid up the seam and will exploit linebackers all day in the NFL.
28) Pittsburgh Steelers: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State (JR)
With the loss of Ryan Shazier for the 2018 season, the team has a major hole to fill at linebacker. Vander Esch is a terrific option to start right away and provide a boost to the middle of Mike Tomlin’s defense.
29) Jacksonville Jaguars: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State (Inman)
The Jaguars have two big-name free agents at receiver and will likely only retain one, at best. You can’t find a more complete package at the position from a production standpoint (1,549 yards, 13 touchdowns) and an athletic standpoint. From the tape I’ve watched, and seeing him live at the Senior Bowl, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better, more natural deep ball tracker than Washington.
30) Minnesota Vikings: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida (JR)
With the absence of Sharrif Floyd and Tom Johnson scheduled to become a UFA, the Vikings need help at three-technique. Bryan brings depth and youth.
31) New England Patriots: Marcus Davenport, Edge, UTSA (Inman)
No one better to mold players on the defensive side of the ball then genius Bill Belichick. Davenport has the size and movement skill you dream about and could be a superstar in the mold of former Patriot Chandler Jones.
32) Philadelphia Eagles: Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College (JR)
Strictly a best-player-available pick, Landry somehow slips this far and is too good to pass up, even with their needs in other positions. Howie Roseman continues to beef up his defensive line.
Stay tuned for Round 2 of Luke and J.R.’s mock draft!
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