Vikings

INMAN'S MOCK 4.0: Post-NFL Combine

Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock (USA Today Sports)
By Luke Inman - March 8, 2019

Check out the previous versions:
Mock 1.0
Mock 2.0
Mock 3.0

1) Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Personally, I think it’s nuts to give up on Josh Rosen already. We wouldn’t even be having this discussion if it was anyone else but Kliff Kingsbury coaching the team, holding the No. 1 overall selection. Kingsbury ripped it up with Murray and knows exactly how to utilize and maximize his rare talents. If he wants him, he’s going to have to select him here. Let’s just hope this front office gets a fair return on Rosen to help build around their new franchise quarterback… again.

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 lineup 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) New York Jets: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

The Jets found their franchise quarterback, and now it’s time to protect their investment. Taylor’s stock is flying after a tremendous 2018 season and smooth drills at the combine (before tweaking his hamstring). While Cody Ford and Jonah Williams are safer picks, no one gives teams the high ceiling like Taylor with light feet and NFL strength from day one. Trust me, by the time the draft rolls around Taylor will be OT1 for more teams than not. The Jets find a new staple in their offensive line they can build around for the next decade. Quinnen Williams is a higher player on my board. However, Taylor fills a greater need while still bolstering the trenches.

4) Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama

Flashbacks of Leonard Williams falling on draft night still burn my retinas. 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. Starting with the number one player in the draft is a great start.  All of a sudden, with Arden Key, Maurice Hurst, P.J. Hall and Eddie Vanderdoes, Williams turns a soft group with potential into a legitimate competitive unit. A putrid 13 sacks was so pathetic that Gruden may want to continue adding inside the front-seven before night one is over.

5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky

With both a quarterback and offensive tackle drafted ahead of them, the Buccaneers are in cruise control watching one of the premier players fall into their laps. A no-brainer here as there might not be a more improved player from the 2018 season than Allen, who exploded off the edge and helped terrorize the backfield. Bruce Arians can work his magic on the offense while building back the Bucs’ powerhouse defense they were once known for. If one of the clear-cut prospects like Allen are gone, whispers around the front offices’ love for Devin White seem all too real.

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

Even with Taylor off the board, in a loaded class, the Giants still 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 plays nasty and will add a new attitude of power and physicality, helping aid both the run and pass almost instantly while possessing tremendous positional flexibility inside or out.

7) Jacksonville Jaguars: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

With a viable quarterback, the Jaguars will be a serious threat in the AFC once again, making it likely the front office will grab a big-name veteran like Nick Foles to help win games immediately. Surrounding him with more talent will be the next step, and Hockenson is as good as they get. Hockenson is arguably the safest player in the draft with polish in both the passing and blocking game. He’s as pro-ready as they come and has Pro Bowl player written all over him. 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.

8) Detroit Lions: Brian Burns, EDGE, FSU

With two third-rounders the Lions have the luxury to take the best player available. Burns has wild upside with exceptional acceleration, bend and athleticism. A huge combine winner possessing both freaky speed and strength traits, Burns will help immediately fill the recent void left by Pro Bowl end Ziggy Ansah.

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 at any given time 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. A physically imposing freak that just ran a 4.31, Metcalf will give smaller cornerbacks nightmares with speed, play strength and body control that no one else in this class can compare to.

10) Denver Broncos: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama

John Elway could go numerous directions here, including nabbing one of the top-three quarterbacks for the future. However, it’s my gut that says Elway will wait for a richer class of signal callers in 2020 while bolstering the team around him this year. If it’s Joe Flacco or someone else in 2019, giving their pure pocket passers time to scan the field will be needed. In a league thirsty for better offensive line play, plucking Williams here will pay large dividends for the future of the Broncos offense.

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. After showing off at the combine with a 4.41, White is a playmaker that flies around the field helping everyone around him. With longtime staple Vontaze Burfict out of the picture, White is just too good to pass up. In fact, after a killer combine, he may very well be long gone by this juncture.

12) Green Bay Packers: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson  

No bigger need for this organization then getting their edge pressure back to help close out games. Luckily for them, this class is loaded with freaky edge players like Burns, Ferrell and Montez Sweat. After choosing not to participate in much at the combine, Ferrell is now being leapfrogged by some of his peers. All the better for the Packers who sprint up to the podium stealing one of the best defensive ends in the country over the last two seasons.

13) Miami Dolphins: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Gotta do it. The Tannehill project is officially closed and new blood needs to be jump started 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. Haskins’ throws rarely hit the ground in 2018 while on his way to a 50-touchdown season. In this league if you don’t have one, you have to keep swinging, and the Dolphins finally have a playmaking signal caller they can start to build around for the future.

14) Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, DL, Houston

This team was plagued with injuries  last year. However, a healthy Atlanta squad is playoff-ready right now. With Grady Jarrett set to hit free agency, Oliver would be a smooth transition and replacement as a disruptive lineman in the middle of Dan Quinn’s high-powered defense. There might not be a better player fit thus far than Oliver wreaking havoc inside this front seven.

15) Washington Redskins: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

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

16) Carolina Panthers: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State

The Panthers have two needs far higher than others at both defensive end and offensive line. Riverboat Ron lives and dies in the trenches, so an explosive speedster like Sweat could 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 after a huge week in Indianapolis.

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 skill set to become a true No. 1 shutdown cornerback, giving the Browns arguably the best young cornerback duo in the NFL.

18) Minnesota Vikings: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College

This team won’t get past the playoff hump until they can rely solely on their offense to win some games. With the best offensive line class in the past few years, someone big could fall in Rick Spielman’s lap like Jonah Williams. Instead of getting cute, though, the Vikings would be wise to pull the trigger on the nation’s number one blocking guard. Lindstrom will be a plug-and-play player for any of the 32 teams, but in Gary Kubiak’s zone scheme, Lindstrom will thrive and maximize his movement skills and talents. If you’re going to roll with a pure pocket passer like Kirk Cousins, than you better give him a clean pocket. All of a sudden, this offensive line will have a lot more options while playing with much more confidence in 2019. This doesn’t need to be difficult.

19) Tennessee Titans: Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan

Former Patriot Mike Vrabel knows defenses still win championships and will continue to bolster his unit with young and talented players with position flexibility. The front office hit big with Adoree Jackson and can do a complete overhaul with another physical presence like Gary, who ripped up combine week. Now, the Titans have revitalized a major position of need with fresh legs while making everyone behind him (like Harold Landry) even better.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

The Steelers love speed and quickness at their linebacker position, and no one has both traits in spades like Bush. Another blazer from combine week, Bush ran a 4.42 at nearly 235 pounds. He may be slightly undersized, but flip on the tape and you’ll see a player who flies to the football while packing a mean punch at contact. A much-needed position of need to add youth to the equation for Mike Tomlin’s defense.

21) Seattle Seahawks: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida

Pete Carroll has been known to take big swings on unknown prospects in his tenure. After a solid week in Indianapolis, Johnson may not be so unknown. With his combination of quickness and tackling prowess, this safety-cornerback combo can give Carroll the hard-hitting versatility he craves in his secondary.

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 the likely free agent departure of John Brown. Harmon is the consensus WR2 outside of D.K. Metcalf as a complete and polished weapon for new franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. Continuing to surround Jackson with protection and talent should be priority number one for this front office.

23) Houston Texans: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

No question about it, the Texans need to go heavy on the offensive linemen early and often on draft weekend. Their front office grabs one of the last top-tier tackles in Dillard before a big drop off. Dillard woke me up down at the Senior Bowl with an impressive week and has carried that momentum throughout the pre-draft process. It’s scary to think how good Watson could be with a stronger unit up-front protecting, especially with the ultra-athletic Dillard paving the way ahead of him.

24) Oakland Raiders: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

After stealing arguably the best player in the draft with the fourth selection, Gruden can do some major damage with three more early picks on deck. Murphy has the size, speed and most importantly the polish to his game to come in right away and bolster the secondary. He may never be a true shut-down cover corner. However, Murphy’s floor is far higher than most, offering a safe player Gruden can finally count on in the back end of the defense to help close out games.

25) Philadelphia Eagles: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

Eagles’ priority number one is on the boundary of the defense behind Sidney Jones and Jalen Mills. While an electric talent like Josh Jacobs would add another dimension to the offense, helping aid both Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson’s play calls, passing on a fiesty talent like Baker is too good to pass up in a pass-happy league.

26) Indianapolis Colts: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

The minute they drafted Andrew Luck, I said, ‘Build him a defense on the other side and he’ll do the rest, he’s that good.’ The Colts are still thirsty for any front-seven help they can get and no better spot to start than smack dab in the middle. Wilkins may be the best interior defensive lineman outside of Quinnen Williams when the dust settles, and was one of the more polished players in the country once again last season. Wilkins will help create a real identity and physicality for the Colts’ defense with Darius Leonard and Malik Hooker behind him.

27) Oakland Raiders: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

No one lit up the combine quite like this stud. After a blazing 4.50 at 250 pounds, Fant could be long gone by now, thanks to his elite balls skills and physical body control. Fant 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 the back end featuring young stud Derwin James 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: Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State

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 Bradbury while helping shore up their interior is too good to pass up. Plug and play from day one as Bradbury is the best pure center of a very good class. No need to retain free agent center Mitch Morse with the addition of Bradbury, allowing the front office to spend the money elsewhere. Andy Reid’s never been able to pass up on good offensive linemen.

30) Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

Having extra picks allows this front office to stay true to their board and add an explosive playmaker for Aaron Rodgers to play with. With Randall Cobb’s departure inevitable, this offense has little to work with when it comes to explosive skill players outside of Davante Adams. Jacobs can turn from bruising back to a home run threat on any given play, forcing defenses to stay honest and giving Rodgers multiple options in the passing game once again. For the first time, the Packers now have a true three-down back that can carry the entire load on his shoulders when needed.

31) L.A. Rams: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama

Free agency will have a huge impact on the Rams’ draft. As it stands now, however, the roster is still stacked top to bottom with the exception of linebacker. After Wilson, there won’t be a worthy linebacker in play thanks to an ultra-weak class. Grab him now, or forever hold your peace.

32) New England Patriots: Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia

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. Let us pray the big two tight ends are gone by now (Fant and Hockenson), because either one would be an absolute nightmare with Tom Brady while providing a seamless transition into life after Rob Gronkowski. Cajuste is a top-tier tackle that would form a lethally young and talented duo next to last year’s first-round pick Isaiah Wynn. All while helping soften the blow of the departure of starting left tackle Trent Brown as he heads to free agency.

33) Arizona Cardinals: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State

34) Indianapolis Colts (Via Jets): Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State

35) Oakland Raiders: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia

36) San Francisco 49ers: Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia  

37) New York Giants: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

38) Jacksonville Jaguars: Dru Samia, G, Oklahoma

39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama

40) Buffalo Bills: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss

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

42) Cincinnati Bengals: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

43) Detroit Lions: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State

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

45) Atlanta Falcons: Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida

46) Washington Redskins: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

47) Carolina Panthers: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin

48) Miami Dolphins: Charles Omenihu, DL, Texas

49) Cleveland Browns: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State  

50) Minnesota Vikings: Erik McCoy, IOL, Texas A&M

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

52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Chase Winovich, DL, Michigan

53) Philadelphia Eagles (Via Ravens): David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State  

54) Houston Texans (Via Seahawks): Michael Dieter, OG, Wisconsin

55) Houston Texans: Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame

56) New England Patriots (Via Bears): Oshane Ximines, EDGE, Old Dominion

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

58) Dallas Cowboys: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

59) Indianapolis Colts: Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky  

60) L.A. Chargers: Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota

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

62) New Orleans Saints: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

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

64) Kansas City Chiefs (Via Rams): Anthony Nelson, DE, Iowa

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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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