Vikings

INMAN: Mock Draft 3.0

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee (USA Today Sports)
By Luke Inman - February 26, 2019

Did you miss Version 1.0? How about 2.0? Check them out to see the differences between the latest edition below.

1) Arizona Cardinals: Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama

With Williams and Bosa you’ve got two players with grades close to identical. So do you favor edge pressure or interior pressure more? Give me richer talent in my interior every time. The fact Bosa only played three games in 2018 may be that little nudge that pushes Steve Keim over the edge to Williams’ side of the coin.

2) San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State

Pan over to John Lynch, who is sprinting through the war room with his helmet and pads, ready to line up at safety again with this front seven. The names speak for themselves with three of their now four first-round defensive linemen being drafted in the top 10. If the game is truly won and lost up front, this team has a fighter’s chance every Sunday.

3) (TRADE WITH NEW YORK JETS) Miami Dolphins: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Gotta do it. The Tannehill project is officially closed and new blood needs to be jumpstarted into the offense no matter how you slice it. Instead of finding a mediocre veteran replacement, this front office needs to make a serious splash for both their locker room and fan base. Murray is as natural a football player as they come, looking silky smooth making plays with his arm and feet. Even after giving up this year’s second-round pick and their 2020 first-rounder, the Dolphins still easily justify the price tag by landing a playmaking signal caller they can start to build around for the future.

4) Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky

Jon Gruden is already feeling the heat in Oakland and with three first-round picks to play with, this front office can do some serious damage. There might not be a more improved player from the 2018 season than Allen, who exploded off the edge to terrorize the backfield. A putrid 13 sacks was so pathetic that Gruden may want to continue adding inside the front-seven before night one is over.

5) (TRADE WITH TAMPA BAY) Jacksonville Jaguars: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

I don’t know what everyone else is mumbling about Duke quarterback Daniel Jones, but I just don’t see it. Haskins is my number two signal caller right now with 50 passing touchdowns last year. With a viable quarterback, the Jaguars are a serious threat in the AFC just like that. Sacrificing a third-round pick to move up and solidify their quarterback of the future is well worth the price.

6) New York Giants: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma

Giants get their pick of the litter in a no-brainer position of need. If the Giants are going to roll with Eli Manning they need to protect the pure pocket passer. Ford is nasty and will add a new attitude of power and physicality, helping aid both the run and pass almost instantly.

7) (TRADE WITH JACKSONVILLE) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson

A stud edge rusher that can shock more youth to the position is desperately needed (just released Vinny Curry). Offensive line wouldn’t surprise me. However, the group they have now is serviceable as is. Bruce Arians drafting another LSU shutdown cornerback in Greedy Williams to be his own version of Patrick Peterson is almost too predictable.

8) Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

With two third-rounders the Lions have the luxury to take the best player available. Hockenson is arguably the safest player in the entire draft with polish in both the passing and blocking game. This team has missed on the position with Eric Ebron and Michael Roberts, but they can right their wrongs with the best tight end to come out in years. This bad boy will add far more potential to Matthew Stafford and Kerryon Johnson than you would ever believe if I told you, so take a leap of faith. Trust me when I say Hockensen has it all. Everything. In-line, out wide, blocking comparable to a tackle, hands like George Kittle and just an all-around tough guy.

9) Buffalo Bills: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

The Bills could go a plethora of directions from Ed Oliver to one of the many top-tier offensive tackles. At the end of the day, though, adding a player with the physical dominance of Metcalf into their offense gives the passing game a true threat anywhere on the field. When healthy, Metcalf is a true WR1, helping the front office feel confident at a vital position for Josh Allen’s development. He’s a physical freak that will give smaller cornerbacks nightmares with explosion, play strength and body control that no one else in this class can compare to.

10) Denver Broncos: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

Jonah Williams is tempting, but the more you watch Taylor the more a guy like John Elway will fall in love with his raw power and physical prowess. Whether it’s Joe Flacco or Case Keenum, giving their pure pocket passers time to scan the field will be impressive in a league thirsty for better offensive line play.

11) Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, LB, LSU

New head coach Zac Taylor comes from the McVay tree, and with an offense that’s already loaded with talent at skill positions, bolstering his protection is foolproof. With three pending free agents on their offensive line, a guy like Jonah Williams is in serious play. However, in a weak linebacker class, grabbing the number one player at the position screams best value possible. White is a playmaker that flies around the field helping everyone around him. With long time staple Vontaze Burfict out of the picture, White is too good to pass up.

12) Green Bay Packers: Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU

With no bigger need than an explosive threat of the edge, Packers fans should keep a close eye on Burns at the combine. Burns has wild upside with exceptional acceleration, bend and athleticism. So much so that Burns will likely be a show off in Indianapolis on his way to becoming a huge combine winner thanks to his freaky speed and strength traits.

13) (TRADE WITH DOLPHINS) New York Jets: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

The Jets get their second-round pick back along with a 2020 second-rounder as well by moving back 10 selections. Protecting their investment at quarterback with an offensive lineman is more than plausible. However, a game-changing inside penetrator like Oliver could be too enticing to pass up. Oliver will team up with Leonard Williams and Jamal Adams to give this young defense a core of talent to build around for the future.

14) Atlanta Falcons: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

This team was plagued with injuries. However, a healthy Atlanta squad is playoff ready right now. With Grady Jarrett set to hit free agency, Wilkins would be a smooth transition and replacement as a disruptive lineman in the middle of Dan Quinn’s high powered defense.

15) Washington Redskins: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

With Alex Smith out the entire 2019 season and possibly beyond, the front office can only hope and pray one of the big three quarterbacks fall into their lap. With over 50 TDs in the SEC, Lock has a cannon for an arm and can make all the throws, giving Jay Gruden more than enough to work with on a playoff-ready roster that can stay competitive even with a rookie signal-caller.

16) Carolina Panthers: Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida

The Panthers have two needs far greater than the rest at defensive end and offensive line. Riverboat Ron lives and dies in the trenches, so an explosive speedster like Polite would be too good to pass up. With Julius Peppers filling out his retirement papers the Panthers find a way to retain his acceleration and burst off the snap with one of the best and brightest in the country.

17) Cleveland Browns: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

The Browns hit a home run with Denzel Ward last year but are still in need for more around him in a pass-happy league. Williams has the length and skillset to become a true number one shutdown cornerback, giving the Browns arguably the best young cornerback duo in the NFL.

18) Minnesota Vikings: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama

This team won’t get over the playoff hump until they can rely and win games solely with their offense. With the best offensive line class in the past few years, someone big could fall in Rick Spielman’s lap. The Vikings could play musical chairs and move Riley Reiff inside, Brian O’Neill to left tackle and Williams at his most natural position (tackle). Or they could plug and play him in the interior from day one and watch him bully dudes around in the phone booth. Either way, Gary Kubiak and Kirk Cousins will have a lot more options and confidence in 2019.

19) Tennessee Titans: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

Former Patriot Mike Vrabel knows defenses still win championships and will continue to bolster his unit with young skill players. The front office hit big with Adoree Jackson and can do a complete overhaul with another physical presence like Murphy. With two young boundary cover men the Titans have revitalized a major position of need with fresh legs.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

The Steelers get lucky when a guy like Baker is still around while nailing a monster position of need. Baker brings the tone and downhill presence to thrive in a Steelers style of defense at and around the line of scrimmage, giving them a key component to closing out those high-scoring games.

21) Seattle Seahawks: Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan

Pete Carroll has been known to take big swings on unknown prospects in his tenure. But here, Carroll can’t get cute and let a playmaker get out of his grasps like Gary. With Frank Clark a free agent and not much else behind him, Gary’s versatility inside and outside will make a great marriage for the Seahawks defense that has quietly regain its confidence once again.

22) Baltimore Ravens: Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State

The Ravens will need help at wide receiver early and often after the release of Michael Crabtree and likely free agent departure of John Brown. Harmon is the consensus WR2 outside of D.K. Metcalf as a complete and polished weapon for Lamar Jackson.

23) Houston Texans: Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia

No question about it, the Texans need to go heavy on the offensive linemen early and often on draft weekend. Their front office grabs the last top-tier tackles in Cajuste before a big drop off. It’s scary to think how good Watson could be with a stronger unit up front protecting.

24) Oakland Raiders: Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State

No doubt Josh Allen was the dream scenario for Gruden in the top five. Now he must continue to revitalize and replenish the roster with more talented youth. In a league starving for better offensive line play, adding a top-tier tackle to the mix isn’t sexy, but will pay big dividends to the entire team (see Colts 2018 draft). Not the biggest and not the quickest, but Risner is polished and rarely makes mistakes, as demonstrated by zero sacks allowed in 2018. All of a sudden, Derek Carr is slowly starting to look like himself again.

25) Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

Eagles priority number one is on the boundary of the defense behind Sidney Jones and Jalen Mills. However, an electric talent like Jacobs will add another dimension to the offense, helping aid both Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson’s play calls.

26) Indianapolis Colts: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

Another linebacker may seem silly here. However, the Colts are still thirsty for any front-seven help they can get. Bush may be undersized, but he’s a lightning bolt that flashes all over the field and packs a powerful punch. Bush will help create an identity and physicality next to Darius Leonard with Malik Hooker behind them.

27) Oakland Raiders: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

If Harry runs a great time at the combine he’ll be long gone by this point thanks to his elite balls skills and physical body control. Harry gives Carr a safety blanket that he can trust anywhere on the field and specifically in the red zone. All of a sudden, the Raiders are at least damn fun to watch again.

28) L.A. Chargers: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware

The Chargers don’t have many needs, but despite young stud Derwin James’ versatility, the back end will need more support in 2019. Adderley destroyed lower-level competition his entire career and proved he can hang with the big boys at the Senior Bowl.

29) Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College

After seeing how far Patrick Mahomes can carry his offense, the Chiefs should be drafting defense every chance they get. However, protecting your investment with Lindstrom to shore up their interior is too good to pass up. Plug and play from day one as Lindstrom is the best pure guard in the class.

30) Green Bay Packers: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma

Having extra picks allows this front office to stay true to their board and add an explosive playmaker for Aaron Rodgers. With Randall Cobb’s departure inevitable, this offense has little to work with at the position behind Davante Adams. Hollywood Brown is a home run threat on every play, forcing defenses to stay honest, giving Rodgers multiple options in the passing game once again.

31) LA Rams: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State

Not sure any team’s draft plans will be impacted more by free agency than the Rams. As it stands now, however, the roster is still stacked top to bottom with the exception of linebacker. With no worthy linebacker in play thanks to an ultra-weak class, adding another talent off the edge is the next best option. Sweat put on a show in Mobile and should carry that momentum into the combine. If the Rams choose not to retain Dante Fowler, then stealing Sweat here would be a home run.

32) New England Patriots: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

You know, drafting last every year is supposed to have an impact on your roster’s turnaround time. Not this franchise, though, with the ability to stay true to the board and scoop up the best talent available. The league better pray Fant is long gone by now, because he would be an absolute nightmare with Tom Brady, giving the franchise a seamless transition into life after Rob Gronkowski.

33) Arizona Cardinals: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

34) Indianapolis Colts (Via Jets): Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame

35) Oakland Raiders: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia

36) San Francisco 49ers: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama

37) New York Giants: Garrett Bradbury, C, South Carolina State

38) Jacksonville Jaguars: Greg Little, OT, Mississippi

39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State

40) Buffalo Bills: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

41) Denver Broncos: Irv Smith, Jr, TE, Alabama

42) Cincinnati Bengals: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

43) Detroit Lions: Charles Omenihu, DL, Texas

44) Green Bay Packers: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State

45) Atlanta Falcons: Oshane Ximines, EDGE, Old Dominion

46) Washington Redskins: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State

47) Carolina Panthers: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin

48) (From MIA) New York Jets: Dru Samia, G, Oklahoma

49) Cleveland Browns: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

50) Minnesota Vikings: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama

51) Tennessee Titans: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina

52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Anthony Nelson, DE, Iowa

53) Philadelphia Eagles (Via Ravens): Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple

54) Houston Texans (Via Seahawks): Erik McCoy, IOL, Texas A&M

55) Houston Texans: Michael Dieter, OG, Wisconsin

56) New England Patriots (Via Bears): Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida

57) Philadelphia Eagles: Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State

58) Dallas Cowboys: Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss

59) Indianapolis Colts: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State

60) LA Chargers: Gerald Willis, DL, Miami

61) Kansas City Chiefs: Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis

62) New Orleans Saints: Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia

63) New England Patriots: JJ. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford

64) Kansas City Chiefs (Via Rams): Isaiah Buggs, DL, Alabama

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Luke Inman
Luke Inman is Zone Coverage's resident NFL Draft guru and Vikings film junky. He's an aspiring scout and appears on The Zone Coverage Football Machine. Follow Luke on Twitter @Luke_Spinman.
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