NFL post-free agency Mock Draft
The National Football League’s free agency period has begun and, as expected, teams are flocking to all the top available players to fix their glaring needs at specific positions. With these signings, a team’s need to draft a player for that position may have changed.
Now that we have a good amount of the big name free agents under contract, we take a post-free agency look at the NFL Draft.
1.) Tennessee Titans
Selection: Laremy Tunsil – Offensive Tackle – Ole Miss
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 310 pounds
Birthday: 8/2/94
The Tennessee Titans will add another young star on the offensive line providing quarterback Marcus Mariota with much-needed protection. Laremy Tunsil and Taylor Lewan will be a great young duo for the Titans at the tackle position.
2.) Cleveland Browns
Selection: Carson Wentz – Quarterback – North Dakota State
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 237 pounds
Birthday: 12/30/92
Although the Cleveland Browns signed Robert Griffin III, they could still take a signal caller here. Wentz can sit on the bench for a year or two in order to properly develop. Unlike many years in the past, Cleveland will not mess up this decision.
3.) San Diego Chargers
Selection: Jalen Ramsey – Cornerback / Safety – Florida State
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 209 pounds
Birthday: 10/24/94
Jalen Ramsey is the best corner prospect since current Arizona Cardinals corner, Patrick Peterson. He can immediately start opposite Jason Verrett at cornerback, or replace Eric Weddle at safety. Either way, the San Diego Chargers are getting an instant starter.
4.) Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Joey Bosa – Defensive End – Ohio State
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 269 pounds
Birthday: 7/11/95
After moving on from a troubled personality in Greg Hardy, the Dallas Cowboys are going to need to address the defensive line. Joey Bosa is the best pass rusher in the draft, giving Dallas a rare specimen on the edge.
5.) Jacksonville Jaguars
Selection: Myles Jack – Outside Linebacker – UCLA
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 245 pounds
Birthday: 9/3/95
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to add a versatile linebacker that can add to the young core they already have on defense. Myles Jack, Dante Fowler Jr., and Malik Jackson will give the Jaguars a respectable front seven.
6.) Baltimore Ravens
Selection: DeForest Buckner – Defensive End – Oregon
Height: 6′ 7″
Weight: 291 pounds
Birthday: 1994
The Baltimore Ravens’ pair of Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams with another big time pass rusher. DeForest Buckner finished his final year in Oregon with 9.5 sacks, proving he can fit in a 4-3 defense or a 3-4 defense at defensive end.
7.) San Francisco 49ers
Selection: Jared Goff – Quarterback – California
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 215 pounds
Birthday: 10/14/94
Do not buy for a second anything Chip Kelly says, including wanting Colin Kaepernick on the roster. It is time for Kelly to draft a quarterback early, and groom him into his fast-paced system. Jared Goff has the arm strength and accuracy to be a great fit in his offense in San Francisco.
8.) Philadelphia Eagles (Acquired from the Miami Dolphins)
Selection: Ronnie Stanley – Offensive Tackle – Notre Dame
Height: 6′ 6″
Weight: 312 pounds
Birthday: 3/18/94
The offensive line has been ignored by the Philadelphia Eagles for two straight drafts now. With Jason Peters nearing the end of his career, Philadelphia has to land a top-tier tackle prospect. Logan Stanley is not as far off of a talent compared to Tunsil. Not to mention, Stanley can fit right in at guard until Peters moves on.
9.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Selection: Vernon Hargreaves III – Cornerback – Florida
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 204 pounds
Birthday: 6/3/95
Despite being listed at 5′ 10″, Vernon Hargreaves III has the ability to play outside corner, making him an intriguing choice for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa already has three corners coming off tough seasons in Brent Grimes, Johnathan Banks, and Alteraun Verner.
10.) New York Giants
Selection: Ezekiel Elliott – Running Back – Ohio State
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 225 pounds
Birthday: 7/22/95
The New York Giants have not had an elite running back on the team since Tiki Barber. Ezekiel Elliott can be an instant star in New York, joining Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning in what could be a very dangerous offense.
11.) Chicago BearsSelection: Paxton Lynch – Quarterback – Memphis
Height: 6′ 7″
Weight: 244 pounds
Birthday: 2/12/94
The Chicago Bears have stuck with Jay Cutler for too long, hoping he returns to his form from back in 2011. With a new general manager and head coach in place, the Bears can add a quarterback with big-time upside in Paxton Lynch. At 6′ 7″, Lynch has the ability to make any throw and has mobility similar to Cam Newton and Blake Bortles. A young trio of Lynch, Alshon Jeffery, and Kevin White could be a great start to the rebuild in Chicago.
12.) New Orleans Saints
Selection: Shaq Lawson – Outside Linebacker – Clemson
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 269 pounds
Birthday: 6/17/94
The New Orleans Saints need new starters at every position on defense. With Cameron Jordan and Nick Fairley already on the defensive line, New Orleans could add another pass rusher in the first round in Shaq Lawson, who can play at either defensive end or at outside linebacker.
13.) Miami Dolphins (Acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles)
Selection: Mackensie Alexander – Cornerback – Clemson
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 190 pounds
Birthday: 11/12/93
The trade for Byron Maxwell does not mean the Miami Dolphins will not go with a cornerback in the first round of the draft. Mackensie Alexander could allow Maxwell to be in a cornerback-two role, which suits him more. Alexander is a strong, physical corner who can thrive in press coverage. He is also a strong tackler which goes a long way considering how poorly Maxwell performed in that area in Philadelphia.
14.) Oakland Raiders
Selection: Eli Apple – Cornerback – Ohio State
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 199 pounds
Birthday: 8/9/95
This pick might be a reach, but Eli Apple could solidify the Oakland Raiders’ secondary, making its defense one of the best in the AFC. Apple, along with Sean Smith, could be a very solid tandem at corner in Oakland.
15.) Los Angeles Rams
Selection: Laquon Treadwell – Wide Receiver – Ole Miss
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 221 pounds
Birthday: 6/14/95
If the Los Angeles Rams miss out on a top-three quarterback, they will go with the top receiver in the draft in Laquon Treadwell. With Tavon Austin already in the slot, Treadwell could come in and make the passing attack formidable enough to allow running back Todd Gurley better opportunities on the ground.
16.) Detroit Lions
Selection: Jack Conklin – Offensive Tackle – Michigan State
Height: 6′ 6″
Weight: 308 pounds
Birthday: 8/17/94
The Detroit Lions will add another Big 10 tackle to its offensive line. Jack Conklin and Riley Reiff can be a great tandem up front for the Lions. This is the first step in reviving the Lions’ running game in the Motor City.
17.) Atlanta Falcons
Selection: Taylor Decker – Offensive Tackle – Ohio State
Height: 6′ 7″
Weight: 310 pounds
Birthday: 8/23/94
The Atlanta Falcons needs to continue its rebuild on the offensive line. With Jake Matthews and Alex Mack already in the fold, Taylor Decker could add to the puzzle, allowing the Falcons to prevent a collapse late in the season like they did last year.
18.) Indianapolis Colts
Selection: Darron Lee – Outside Linebacker – Ohio State
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 232 pounds
Birthday: 10/18/94
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has to improve the defense, which has been at the bottom of the league for years now. Darron Lee will give the Colts a dangerous pass rusher that they have lacked since the Robert Mathis – Dwight Freeney tandem.
19.) Buffalo Bills
Selection: Robert Nkemdiche – Defensive Tackle – Ole Miss
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 294 pounds
Birthday: 9/19/94
Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan is not afraid to take chances on players with questionable character. Robert Nkemdiche could be a star in Buffalo’s defense with Marcell Dareus and Jerry Hughes on the line.
20.) New York Jets
Selection: Leonard Floyd – Outside Linebacker – Georgia
Height: 6′ 6″
Weight: 244 pounds
Birthday: 9/8/92
With Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Leonard Williams in the interior of the defensive line, New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles will want to add an outside rusher for the defense. Leonard Floyd will be a nice addition to a formidable front-seven.
21.) Washington Redskins
Selection: Sheldon Rankins – Defensive Tackle – Louisville
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 299 pounds
Birthday: 4/2/94
The Washington Redskins needs to replace Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton in the middle of the defense. Sheldon Rankins has the ability to play nose tackle, but still make a difference in the pass rush. Rankins finished five sacks in his final year with the Louisville Cardinals.
22.) Houston Texans
Selection: Corey Coleman – Wide Receiver – Baylor
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 194 pounds
Birthday: 7/6/94
The Houston Texans add another weapon for newly acquired quarterback Brock Osweiler in wide receiver, Corey Coleman. Coleman can thrive across from Deandre Hopkins, as his speed and athleticism will take away double coverage on Hopkins.
23.) Minnesota Vikings
Selection: Will Fuller – Wide Receiver – Notre Dame
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 186 pounds
Birthday: 4/16/94
It is time for the Minnesota Vikings to build around quarterback Teddy Bridgewater instead of running back Adrian Peterson. Will Fuller and Stephon Diggs will be a great young tandem for Bridgewater to grow with for many years.
24.) Cincinnati Bengals
Selection: Josh Doctson – Wide Receiver – TCU
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 202 pounds
Birthday: 1993
Who do defenses cover in the red zone if A.J. Green, Tyler Eifert, and Josh Doctson are all on the outside? Doctson will just add to a scary group of weapons for Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals offense.
25.) Pittsburgh Steelers
Selection: Vonn Bell – Safety – Ohio State
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 199 pounds
Birthday: 12/12/94
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to get younger and more physical in the secondary. Vonn Bell can be the exact piece Pittsburgh needs. At Ohio State, Bell had nine interceptions, including six in his sophomore season. He is a risk taker, but is also incredibly strong with tackles totaling 115 in his three seasons at Ohio State.
26.) Seattle Seahawks
Selection: Noah Spence – Outside Linebacker – Eastern Kentucky
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 251 pounds
Birthday: 1994
The Seattle Seahawks is another team that loves to take chances on players with off-field issues. Noah Spence can be another version of Bruce Irvin the Seahawks if he can stay clean.
27.) Green Bay Packers
Selection: Andrew Billings – Nose Tackle – Baylor
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 311 pounds
Birthday: 3/3/96
The Green Bay Packers have to fill the void left when B.J. Raji retired. Green Bay will add another strong defensive lineman that can attempt to stop a weapon like Peterson in Minnesota, and the rest of the tough running backs in the NFC.
28.) Kansas City Chiefs
Selection: Tyler Boyd – Wide Receiver – Pittsburgh
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 197 pounds
Birthday: 11/15/93
The Kansas City Chiefs could replace Sean Smith with this pick, but adding a versatile receiver like Tyler Boyd would make the Chiefs offense dangerous. With weapons like Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce, Jamaal Charles, Boyd could make Kansas City a favorite to take the AFC title next season.
29.) Arizona Cardinals
Selection: Reggie Ragland – Inside Linebacker – Alabama
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 247 pounds
Birthday: 9/24/93
Reggie Ragland falls right into the Arizona Cardinals’ lap at the 29 spot. Arizona does not have many needs after adding Chandler Jones in a trade with the New England Patriots. Ragland, Kevin Minter, and Deone Bucannon could be a dangerous trio for the Cardinals at inside linebacker.
30.) Carolina Panthers
Selection: Darian Thompson – Safety – Boise State
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 208 pounds
Birthday: N / A
The Carolina Panthers have to get younger in the secondary, and Darian Thompson will add some youth. Thompson thrived at Boise State with the Broncos, becoming a turnover machine.
31.) Denver Broncos
Selection: Connor Cook – Quarterback – Michigan State
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 217 pounds
Birthday: 1/29/93
It may be a reach to get back to the Super Bowl after Peyton manning retired and Osweiler went to Houston, but all Denver needs is average play from a quarterback. Mark Sanchez may not be the answer in Denver, but Connor Cook can be a solid game manager that would be an upgrade over the Manning from last season.
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