Mock Draft
After an exciting and crazy 2016 College football season, it is now time for the NFL draft process to commence. Players are gauging their stock, training, and declaring for this year’s draft. The order for the top ten picks are set. Wondering who your team will or should take? No worries that are why you have ME!!! I will break down the top ten draft picks for you!!
- Cleveland Browns (1-15)—Myles Garrett, DE/OLB, Texas A&M, Jr.
The entire Brown’s fan base would love for their franchise to draft a quarterback number one overall, sorry guys!! You cannot reach here in the fashion of the LA Rams for an overrated quarterback. The Browns finished with one win out of 16 games, they need to build a team!!! Garrett is the best pure pass rusher in the draft, he can rush from the edge, as an end, and inside. With newly hired Greg Williams as their defensive coordinator, the former Aggie may see most of his snaps at DE. Cleveland DO NOT REACH!!! Top needs: QB, CB, ILB
- San Francisco 49ers (2-14)—Mike Williams, WR, Clemson, rJr.
SHOCKED? You should be, the 6’3 225 pound Clemson Tiger has the skill-set to fulfill the number one receiver role. Look at Mike’s performance in the National Championship, he finished with 8 recs 94 yards and a TD. I know everyone believes quarterback is the option here or should be, but look at San Fran’s receiving core. They ranked 31st in the league by Pro Football Focus (https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-receiving-corps-this-season/). I understand they have a gaping hole at the quarterback position and drafting a young signal-caller with one of the worst receiving corps in the league spells disaster. Torrey Smith has proven he is overpaid and is not a number one receiver. This class has more capable QBs that will be drafted in the later rounds. Go big and get you a true number one option. Top needs: QB, OT, DB
- Chicago Bears (3-13)—Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame, rSo.
The first quarterback off the board is not Deshaun Watson or Mitch Trubisky. The young signal caller from Notre Dame has the physical tools to become a franchise QB!! The 6’4 230-pound quarterback has the arm strength, accuracy, and knowledge of a pro-style system to be a star in this league. He is mobile for a player his size and can make throws on the move as well. His best attribute may be his poise and composure in the pocket even under duress. He can help Alshon Jeffery shine again and would be a great compliment to stud running back Jordan Howard!!!
- Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13) — Jamal Adams, SS, LSU, Jr.
The Jaguars have a young up and coming defense. They have some nice pieces to build around, Malik Jackson, Myles Jack, Jalen Ramsey, and Dante Fowler. With the SS Johnathan Cyprien possibly departing for free agency, this team needs to grab a stud SS. Adams has the size (6’1 211 lbs), speed and intelligence to become a playmaker for this defense. He can cover in the slot, diagnose run vs pass, and of course a heavy hitter in the run game. He is a versatile chess piece for a defensive unit on the rise. Top needs: OL, DT, S
- Tennessee Titans from L.A. Rams (4-12)—Jalen “Teez” Tabor, CB, Florida, Jr.
The Titans were one of the worst defenses vs the pass. They ranked 30th in the league giving up 270 yards passing a game. Perrish Cox is not the answer at the corner position. Teez would give them size (6’0) at corner, that can play man and zone coverage. Some argue he is the best cornerback in this draft; I sure believe he is. He may have the best ball skills in this draft. He does a good job recognizing plays and is a willing participant in run support. Top needs: CB, WR, LB
- N.Y. Jets (5-11) —Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio St., rSo.
The Jets have been known for defense over the past few years or so. Their secondary has definitely taken a few steps back with “Revis Island” being submerged by the ocean and the like of Rontez Miles starting at FS. This defense needs an impact player in the secondary. Hooker has Ed Reed like range and great ball skills. He would give the secondary a young stud safety that could play deep similar to a Earl Thomas. In a division that placed you against Tom Brady twice a year, having a nice safety tandem goes a long way. Top needs: CB, OL, QB
- L. A. Chargers (5-11)—Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee, Jr.
The Chargers have moved from San Diego to LA and just signed Gus Bradley as their defensive coordinator. The scheme will change from a base 3-4 to his 4-3 scheme. They have found a stud pass rusher in Joey Bosa, and it is time to give him a running mate. Barnett can play as a DE on running down then kick inside as an interior pass rusher. The 6’3 265-pound defender can move around to help create havoc with Bosa and Ingram. This front seven will be scary with this selection!!! Top needs: OT, WR, DB
- Carolina Panthers (6-10)—Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida St., Jr.
The Panthers possess one of the most physically gifted Quarterbacks in Cam Newton, and he is at his best with a good run game. Dalvin is a home run hitter that would give coordinators headaches to game plan against alongside Cam. Adding Cook to a backfield with Jonathan Stewart and Newton is very dangerous. The read option would be impossible to defend, and as a receiver out of the backfield, he can add another dimension to this offense. Top needs: OT, RB, CB
- Cincinnati Bengals(6-9-1)— Rueben Foster, ILB, Alabama, Sr.
The Bengals defense is getting “long in the tooth”. Father time is catching up with multiple members of this defense. Particularly in the linebacker core, Karlos Dansby is 35 and Rey Maualuga is 30 years old. Their impact LB is Vontaze Burfict has a tendency of being a KNUCKLEHEAD!! He makes mistakes the average rookie doesn’t make, you cannot trust him to stay out of trouble and on the field. Foster would give this defense a boost of athletic youth. He can blitz, rush the passer, cover, stuff the run, and play in space with his speed. He can be a versatile piece to help this defense keep up with spread offenses. Top needs: LB, S, DL
- Buffalo Bills (7-9)—Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina, rJr.
If there is one franchise still searching for their QB of the future, the bills have been for over a decade. The rumors last offseason stated Buffalo’s front office was not sold on Tyrod Taylor as their QB and they want to move on from him now. Bring in Trubisky to become the future of this franchise. The only way to compete vs Bill/Brady is to score points. The former Tar Heel QB has size, athleticism, and good arm strength. He does not have as much experience as you’d like, but he can be groomed by a coaching staff that wants him.
Damian Parson is an Analyst for Couch Rider Report. Follow him on Facebook and Follow/Like us on Facebook or twitter.
