Unlike the 2018 NFL Draft, when the Cleveland Browns kept us guessing
until practically draft night, the first overall pick seems to have been
preordained for months.
There remain whispers about whether ownership is on board, and as long
as the Arizona Cardinals still have Josh Rosen on their roster, we can’t
be absolutely certain first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury will draft his
former high school recruit, Kyler Murray, with the top pick.
But for now, there’s no reason to expect a late surprise – on that would
set off an entirely different chain of events. Even with Murray
penciled in at No. 1, it’s anybody’s guess where the other top
quarterbacks wind up.
1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
The importance of Murray’s mobility in Kingsbury’s offense is
overstated, but if you’re going to hire an offensive coach, why not let
him pick his quarterback?
2. San Francisco 49ers: DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Acquiring Dee Ford won’t change the 49ers’ approach here — Bosa is a
perfect complement, as a bigger, powerful end who can win outside and
inside as a rusher while also stopping the run.
3. New York Jets: DT Ed Oliver, Houston
The Jets desperately wish to trade down, and most have Quinnen Williams
or Josh Allen here if they stay, but don’t rule out roll the dice on
Oliver’s unique athleticism.
4. Oakland Raiders: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
Josh Allen or Devin White could be in play here, but Williams is the
best player on the board. A potential shocker cannot be ruled out: Drew
Lock.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Devin White, LSU
With Josh Allen still available, this is tricky. While the Bucs need
more edge rush, Todd Bowles’ scheme creates pressure via blitzes, and
White is a classic modern-day linebacker who can blitz, cover and play
the run.
6. New York Giants: OLB Josh Allen, Kentucky
Dave Gettleman is never shy about taking the best player available, glaring hole at quarterback be damned.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
T.J. Hockenson would be an option, but Taylor makes too much sense. He
fills the Jags’ hole at right tackle perfectly, as a mauler who excels
in a power run game.
8. Detroit Lions: TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
Rashan Gary or Montez Sweat could make sense, but Matt Patricia’s
defense doesn’t prioritize edge rushers. Instead, the Lions grab a
two-way tight end after nearly trading for Rob Gronkowski last year.
9. Buffalo Bills: DE Rashan Gary, Michigan
The Bills addressed a bunch of spots in free agency so they could take
the top player on their board. They might hope Hockenson is still there,
but with him gone, they grab one of the draft’s best athletes.
10. Denver Broncos: QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
Many believe the Broncos are targeting a second- or third-tier
quarterback to develop behind Joe Flacco. Would Haskins slipping to No.
10 change their mind?
11. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Drew Lock, Missouri
This would be bold for a notably conservative organization, but if Zac
Taylor wants to pick his QB, it’s hard to argue against him. Devin Bush
would be in play if it’s not a QB.
12. Green Bay Packers: OL Jonah Williams, Alabama
The Packers added Billy Turner in free agency, but Williams could be an
upgrade at left guard over Lane Taylor while serving as insurance and
the successor to oft-injured right tackle Bryan Bulaga.
13. Miami Dolphins: OT Andre Dillard, Washington State
Miami let Ja’Wuan James walk and hasn’t replaced him, so Dillard (or
Williams or Cody Ford) could fill the hole at right tackle. Clelin
Ferrell would also be a perfect fit in Brian Flores’ defense.
14. Atlanta Falcons: DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Wilkins would slot in next to fellow Clemson product Grady Jarrett inside as a disruptive penetrator with terrific character.
15. Washington Redskins: DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
With some concerned about his heart issue, Sweat slides a tad, and Washington nabs a dynamic rusher opposite Ryan Kerrigan.
16. Carolina Panthers: DE Brian Burns, Florida State
Julius Peppers is finally retired, and Bruce Irvin isn’t the answer.
Burns can threaten early as a situational rusher while adding power to
be a full-time starter down the line.
17. New York Giants (from Cleveland): QB Daniel Jones, Duke
If the Giants don’t love any of the top quarterbacks but — as believed —
like Jones, it would be sensible to wait and see if he reaches No. 17.
18. Minnesota Vikings: OL Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
The Vikings might prefer a left tackle — which would bump Riley Reiff to
left guard — but with Williams and Dillard gone, they take perhaps the
draft’s best interior lineman.
19. Tennessee Titans: WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
The Titans’ offense needs an injection of speed, and nobody in this
draft has more of it than Brown. Lindstrom would also be in
consideration if available.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Devin Bush, Michigan
Bush could land closer to the top 10, but if he slips this far,
Pittsburgh should pounce. The Steelers have needed speed at inside
linebacker since Ryan Shazier’s injury.
21. Seattle Seahawks: DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
The Seahawks likely hope to trade down, as is their norm in Round 1, but
more help on the edge makes sense with Frank Clark’s future unclear.
22. Baltimore Ravens: C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
A solid, scheme-versatile pivot, McCoy might fit the Ravens better than
Garrett Bradbury, who played in a predominant outside-zone scheme at NC
State.
23. Houston Texans: CB Byron Murphy, Washington
With Taylor, Dillard and Williams gone, Houston opts to wait on offensive tackle and reinforce a weakened secondary instead.
24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago): TE Noah Fant, Iowa
While the Raiders need more reinforcements on defense, Jared Cook’s
departure leaves the team with no receiving threat at tight end. Jon
Gruden can’t help himself.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: C Garrett Bradbury, NC State
If Bradbury reaches 25, I love this pick. He would provide insurance for
Brandon Brooks (torn Achilles) at right guard and eventually take over
at the pivot when Jason Kelce retires.
26. Indianapolis Colts: WR D.K. Metcalf, Mississippi
Metcalf has a wide range of possible landing spots, but his combination
of size and speed would make sense for Indy if he gets this far.
27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas): CB DeAndre Baker, Georgia
I could see Gruden gambling on Jeffery Simmons, but since the Raiders
already nabbed a defensive tackle in Quinnen Williams, they opt for a
cornerback here.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
The Chargers re-signed Brandon Mebane, but he’s 34 and got only a
two-year deal. Lawrence would immediately fortify the run defense, with
pocket-pushing potential down the line.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Greedy Williams, LSU
Don’t be shocked if they pick a wideout, but with the value not lining
up here, the Chiefs add much-needed help to the secondary.
30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans): DB Darnell Savage, Maryland
A late riser, Savage can play all over the place — single-high,
two-deep, in the box or over the slot — making him a perfect fit in Mike
Pettine’s scheme.
31. Los Angeles Rams: OL Cody Ford, Oklahoma
L.A. lost interior linemen Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan and has yet
to replace them. Ford would compete at left guard, perhaps starting from
Day 1.
32. New England Patriots: TE Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
Smith is a better blocker on the move than inline, so the offense would
require some adaptation, but he’s a dangerous receiver who thrives after
the catch, which is critical in Josh McDaniels’ horizontal passing
game.
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