H2o Mock Draft 2.0 - Major Changes Across The Board

[H2o]

So, I usually do one of these every year. Some years I have had more success than others. One year I actually got 7 out of the first 10, which included a couple surprises and 16 out of the 32 in total. Not bad for a guy who just watches football, NCAA and NFL, and talks Bills with some friends on a message board. This year I see a lot of uncertainty, but I'll give it a whirl. I usually update things a few days before the draft if I feel the need. Here is the way I see Round 1:

 

(edited: 2.0 version now shown below)

 

1. Cleveland Browns - Myles Garrett / DE / Texas A&M - This is the only lock in the entire draft. Myles Garrett is the best player and Myles Garrett is going #1 overall to the Browns. Stevie Wonder could see this one coming. Garrett reminds me a lot of Julius Peppers when he came out of UNC some years ago. Despite the reports and smokescreens being put out there I still see this as the only lock in the draft. ~ (same)

 

2. San Francisco 49ers - Leonard Fournette / RB / LSU - John Lynch said in an interview that he wants to get "stars" on his team. There are now other reports that they are not too high on Carlos Hyde anymore due to his injury history. Fournette is a player who fits the possible "star" bill and is also a replacement for the oft injured former Buckeye. ~ (previously Solomon Thomas)

 

3. Chicago Bears - Jonathan Allen / DE / Alabama - The Bears were in on trying to get Malik Jackson last offseason, but he wound up signing with the Jags. That is who Allen reminds me of. He was in the convo for being worthy of the Heisman from many this past season. That says a lot when you play on the DL. The Bears get an immediate impact player. ~ (same)

 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars - Solomon Thomas / DE / Stanford - The guy the Jags REALLY wanted was scooped up by the 49ers, but missing out on Fournette may prove to be a big boost for the defense. You can never have enough talented guys on the defensive front who can get after it and that is exactly what Thomas does. ~ (previously Leonard Fournette)

 

5. Tennessee Titans - Malik Hooker / S / Ohio St. - Hooker could very well possibly be Ed Reed reincarnate. A true ball hawk at the Safety position. His instincts are second to none in coverage. After looking over their offseason a little more I believe they will choose Hooker over Adams. Cyprien is the SS who will move up on TE's and line up in the box at times. Hooker will be the rangy ball hawk lurking down field. ~ (previously Jamal Adams)

 

6. NY Jets - Mitchell Trubisky / QB / UNC - I don't care that they signed McCown. I don't care that they have Petty. I don't care that they wasted a 2nd on and are now trying to talk up Hackenberg. There has been smoke surrounding this fire since before the end of the season last year. Tru is their guy and they were hoping the whole time he fell to them at #6. Ryan L. Billz now secretly becomes a Jets fan. I still think this pick holds Tru to form and Ryan L. Billz gets a jersey on order. ~ (same)

 

7. Cleveland Browns (via LA Chargers) - Deshaun Watson / QB / Clemson - After seeing the Jets grab Trubisky the Browns' hand is almost forced to move up here to get Watson. They can't take the chance of anyone else moving up to get him or a team like Buffalo taking him before they hit the clock @ #12. ~ (Browns trade with Chargers)

 

8. Carolina Panthers - Cam Robinson / OT / Alabama - The future of Michael Oher is up in the air, even though they say he is planning on playing. All it takes is one blow to the head and Cam is taking a beating for the rest of the year again. Robinson is taken not only because OT is a need, but also because it is an investment in their Franchise QB. ~ (previously Marshon Lattimore)

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Jamal Adams / S / LSU - Sorry Bills fans, but this is the absolute floor for Adams if you ask me. I have seen mocks that have us landing him at #10, but that is a pipe dream. Cincy needs Safety help and here you have a guy who has the potential to be a perennial All Pro. Easy call if he is on the board at #9. ~ (previously Reuben Foster)

 

10. Buffalo Bills - Marlon Humphrey / CB / Alabama - The need for CB is obvious regardless of whatever FA's we have signed. They seem to have more interest in Humphrey than they do Lattimore and I can't blame them due to Lattimore's injury history. They would love a trade down scenario, but there isn't an instance where I see us having a partner willing to pony up what it would take. The Bills stand pat and take their #1 CB. ~ (previously Jabrill Peppers)

 

11. New Orleans Saints - Reuben Foster / LB / Alabama - I know they signed Klein and Te'o in FA, but neither of those guys are in the same league as Foster talent wise. This is a very solid get for the NO defense as he can quarterback that side of the ball for years to come. ~ (previously Marlon Humphrey)

 

12. LA Chargers (via Cleveland) - Marshon Lattimore / CB / Ohio St. - The Chargers really need some OL help, but the talent on the board outweighs the needs on the OL at this point. They cut Brandon Flowers and could use an infusion of talent in the Secondary of that defense. They do that here with Lattimore. ~ (Browns trade with Chargers)

 

13. Arizona Cardinals - Malik McDowell / DL / Michigan St. - McDowell is drafted as the replacement for Calais Campbell, who left in FA. He's a very disruptive player that the numbers do not tell the whole story on. He will make a solid player for the Cards for years to come. ~ (same)

 

14. Philadelphia Eagles - Dalvin Cook / RB / Florida St. - The Eagles added play makers for Wentz in the passing game, now they get a RB who is labeled as the best all around RB in this class. Cook is a game breaker who can hurt you running the ball and in the passing game. A true every-down back at the NFL level. ~ (same)

 

15. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Ramczyk / OT / Wisconsin - The Colts continue to build the OL around Andrew Luck, which should have been their focus all along. Ramczyk will start as their RT, which is a position of need. ~ (previously Cam Robinson)

 

16. Baltimore Ravens - Mike Williams / WR / Clemson - Steve Smith just retired and they are left with Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman. Flacco needs a couple more targets in the passing game. Williams is the #1 WR on the Ravens board apparently and when he is still on the board at #16 it's not a hard call. Need meets availability here and Newsome gets a good player. ~ (previously Corey Davis)

 

17. Washington Redskins - Christian McCaffrey / RB / Stanford - The signing of Zach Brown gives them the chance to address an offensive need in the 1st versus going defense. Here they get the do-it-all RB from Stanford who could very well be the NFL's next to amass 1,000 yds rushing and 1,000 yds receiving in a single season. Gruden will have fun scheming ways to create matchup nightmares. ~ (previously Zach Cunningham)

 

18. Tennessee Titans - O.J. Howard / TE / Alabama - This is the 2nd pick of the 1st Round for the Titans. They get an elite S prospect with their 1st pick and the best TE prospect in the draft with their second 1st. It's a nice haul for a team that is on the rise. ~ (previously Mike Williams)

 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - David Njoku / TE / Miami - I know they have Cameron Brate, but they have also met with Njoku at least 3 times. They sat with him at the Combine, had a private meeting with him, and they also had a private workout. This would give Dirk Koetter and Famous Jameis some serious weaponry on the offensive side of the ball, especially after signing Desean Jackson in FA. ~ (previously Christian McCaffrey)

20. Denver Broncos - Derek Barnett / DE / Tennessee - The Vols all time sack leader will take Demarcus Ware's old spot along the defensive front. He is an athletic edge defender who can get after the QB, but still play the run well. He is also a good enough athlete to be able to drop into coverage. It is a nice get for a Denver defense that has lost a few players over the last couple of years. ~ (same)

 

21. Detroit Lions - Taco Charlton / DE / Michigan - The Lions need some serious help at LB, but the depth of the class allows them to get a bookend to Ziggy Ansah on the DL. Charlton doesn't even have to move from Ann Arbor if he doesn't want to because he is already that close. ~ (previously Hassan Reddick)

 

22. Miami Dolphins - Caleb Brantley / DT / Florida - The Dolphins could use some help beside Suh to help close that middle up on run defense. Brantley is thought of by some as the best 4-3 DT in the draft. The Dolphins get better with this selection here. ~ (same)

 

23. NY Giants - Garrett Bolles / OT / Utah - With O.J. Howard and Njoku off of the board the Giants look to help the OL. Ereck Flowers was bad at LT. Maybe he will be better served on the right side or even sliding in to a Guard spot. Either way the Giants need to keep Eli upright. ~ (peviously O.J. Howard)

 

24. Oakland Raiders - Jarrad Davis / LB / Florida - The Raiders need 3 LB's so this is just the first of two or three they take in this draft. Davis is a good player who tackles well and can cover. He loves to hit people and has a great closing burst to get to the ball carrier. I think he'll fit right in with the Raiders mentality. ~ (same)

 

25. Houston Texans - Patrick Mahomes / QB / Texas Tech - The Texans get a QB and they didn't even have to move up in the draft to do so. They surely needed one after Romo decided to take it to the booth this year with Jim Nantz. O'Brien has said it would be tough for any of these QB's to come in and start as a rookie, but Mahomes will likely do so because even as a rookie he will be the best they have on their roster. ~ (previously Ryan Ramczyk)

 

26. Seattle Seahawks - Obi Melifonwu / S / UCONN - The Seahawks have had multiple meetings with Obi. Obi blew up the combine putting up some insane numbers for a guy his size and performed well in the drills also. The Seahawks Earl Thomas was rumored to be contemplating retirement so they grab a S who could start getting his feet wet this year and eventually take over. ~ (previously Taco Charlton)

27. Kansas City Chiefs - Takkarist McKinley / LB / UCLA - This is a guy who can get after it off of the edge for an aging defense. Tamba Hali isn't getting any younger and Houston has been bitten by the injury bug at times so they use the pick here to infuse some young talent to go with Ford. ~ (same)

 

28. Dallas Cowboys - Gareon Conley / CB / Ohio St. - The Cowboys defense is the issue with this team and they lost some of the better players they had to FA. Conley is a step in the right direction by trying to sure up the CB position. ~ (same)

 

29. Green Bay Packers - Zach Cunningham / LB / Vanderbilt - The Packers have needed help at ILB for quite some time as they keep having to move Matthews into the middle. Cunningham will help to fix that need as he is a true sideline to sideline LB. I have no doubt that he will fit well into Dom Capers' scheme. ~ (previously Raekwon McMillian)

 

30. Pittsburgh Steelers - Tim Williams / OLB / Alabama - The Steelers could definitely use some help on the edge. James Harrison isn't going to be able to play forever. Williams can get after the QB and has the athletic ability to be able to drop into coverage. ~ (previously Charles Harris)

 

31. Atlanta Falcons - Forrest Lamp / OG / Western Kentucky - Regarded by some as the best overall OL prospect in the draft the Falcons get Lamp here late in the 1st. It goes to solidify an already pretty good OL. It is also a BPA situation in the minds of the Falcons' brass. ~ (same)

 

32. New Orleans Saints (via NE) - Fabian Moreau / CB / UCLA - And sneaking into the bottom of the 1st is Moreau from UCLA. The Saints have long needed help in their putrid Secondary and this is a selection in the right direction. If it weren't for the depth of the talent this year Moreau would have been off of the board earlier. The Saints continue to upgrade that defense after getting Foster @ #11. ~ (previously Obi Melifonwu)

 

Well, a ton of changes across the board. Hope you all enjoy reading and feel free to roast away if you deem necessary

Edited April 13, 2017 by H2o

[Coach Tuesday]

You do a good job with these every year. It's very impressive.

 

I could see the Peppers pick happening. It would be a disaster IMO. I'm not sure how you can say he's a "football player" when he had one - ONE - interception in his entire Michigan career (in the last month of his last regular season). He's an athlete who lacks instincts and has no true position.

 

All of that said - yes, he's the kind of player I could see the Bills squandering the #10 pick on.

[The Jokeman]

I'll start with the roasting, I don't feel comfy with Peppers at all. he's a great athlete but too small to be a LB and possibly too small to be a Safety. Being he isn't a great tackler he might be a great nickel CB and KR/PR but don't see him being all that great in the NFL except as a gadget player which is too much to risk on at pick 10 especially with Williams/Davis and Howard all left on the board.

[Kirby Jackson]

You do a good job with these every year. It's very impressive.

 

I could see the Peppers pick happening. It would be a disaster IMO. I'm not sure how you can say he's a "football player" when he had one - ONE - interception in his entire Michigan career (in the last month of his last regular season). He's an athlete who lacks instincts and has no true position.

 

All of that said - yes, he's the kind of player I could see the Bills squandering the #10 pick on.

I'm with Coach Tuesday. Peppers would be a nightmare and the absolute worst case scenario IMO. He would even be a nightmare in a trade down. Taco Charlton is the only 1st rounder from Michigan IMO.

[billspro]

Wouldn't shock me if we picked Peppers, he is very versatile. Personally I would pick Reddick over Peppers, but the Bills brought Peppers in for a visit so you know they like him.

 

I would have trouble passing on Watson though, if he becomes a star we would regret that pick for the next decade.

 

You should add your mock to the message board, predict the pick group.

 

http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/193054-predict-the-pick/

Edited April 4, 2017 by billspro

[TheElectricCompany]

Interesting draft. I'm not opposed to Peppers, but like coach said, the hype doesn't line up with the tape. He could be the "moneybacker" player that many teams are employing, but is that critical in McDs scheme?

 

I really hope one of the premier DL, S or CBs slides to us at 10!

Edited April 3, 2017 by TheElectricCompany

[H2o]

I'll start with the roasting, I don't feel comfy with Peppers at all. he's a great athlete but too small to be a LB and possibly too small to be a Safety. Being he isn't a great tackler he might be a great nickel CB and KR/PR but don't see him being all that great in the NFL except as a gadget player which is too much to risk on at pick 10 especially with Williams/Davis and Howard all left on the board.

Oh, I don't want Peppers either. But my gut tells me it will be him or a left field pick like Cam Robinson. Prepare for heads exploding on TSW.

[TheElectricCompany]

I just don't see how we can prioritize OL with a top 10 pick. We are fine there. We need to spread our draft resources on the secondary, d-line and getting additional passing weapons for TT.

[Mikie's Bills]

Peppers definitely fits McD's scheme as a hybrid SS/LB, just hope that if they end up drafting him they trade down. As a comp, here's a blurb on Carolina's 1st round pick 2 years ago, Shaq Thompson:

Pick Analysis: In 2014, Thompson was the winner of the fifth annual Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile player. Scored six touchdowns in 2014, two as a running back and four on defense (one interception return and three fumble returns). Started at tailback for Huskies at Colorado, rushing for 174 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and had two receptions for 41 yards. Played in 40 games in his three-year career, finishing with 3.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed and five fumble recoveries.

 

 

Sound familiar? Thompson was more productive in college though.

[LeGOATski]

I would hate that pick.

 

The Bills need to surround Tyrod (and the QB who replaces him) with talent. I hope the Bills will take one of Davis, Robinson, Williams, Cook, McCaffrey.

[Bill from NYC]

Great draft!!! Let's waste the #10 selection in a draft that looks decent on the 3rd ranked safety and 4th ranked defensive back.

 

I mean really, who needs a quarterback? Or a receiver. We are SO deep there. And why draft blockers and/or pass rushers? Who needs them? Not the Bills! We are just deep as a well all over the field. SO deep that we can toss this pick on a safety (in the garbage).

 

You see, if this kid is "good," we will still lose football games. History proves this. And, we will lose him after his first contract. History has proven this too.

 

I am truly sorry to be harsh and trust me, I appreciate the effort. Are you very young? Do you not know had badly this team was ruined by drafting this type of player so high?

Edited April 3, 2017 by Bill from NYC

[wppete]

If Peppers is the pick then trade back.. #10 is way too high.

[Mikie's Bills]

Great draft!!! Let's waste the #10 selection in a draft that looks decent on the 3rd ranked safety and 4th ranked defensive back.

 

I mean really, who needs a quarterback? Or a receiver. We are SO deep there. And why draft blockers and/or pass rushers? Who needs them? Not the Bills! We are just deep as a well all over the field. SO deep that we can toss this pick on a safety (in the garbage).

 

You see, if this kid is "good," we will still lose football games. History proves this. And, we will lose him after his first contract. History has proven this too.

 

I am truly sorry to be harsh and trust me, I appreciate the effort. Are you very young? Do you not know had badly this team was ruined by drafting this type of player so high?

You seem stressed.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

I don't think he will be the first pick the Bills make.

 

Plain and simple, I don't think his value matches the pick at 10, and I don't believe just because he was brought in means they take him there.

 

On the flip side, that doesn't mean they don't like him, wouldn't trade back a ways or take him in round 2.

 

I believe his value is however, not as gloomy as some see him. After all, he is a fine athlete, and with the Deonne Buchannon thing gaining steam in the league it is not impossible.

 

Who the hell knows whether with a good scheme for him, he doesn't become a great player.

Edited April 3, 2017 by horned dogs

[Kirby Jackson]

You seem stressed.

Bill hates defensive backs. The rest of us hate the player.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

You seem stressed.

Angry is the correct word I think.

[Bill from NYC]

Angry is the correct word I think.

The truth is that I should laugh it off and not care. Chances are the OP is correct and we will just continue to lose.

 

A shortcoming of mine is that I care too much about the Bills and most of all their suffering, loyal fans.

[Coach Tuesday]

Great draft!!! Let's waste the #10 selection in a draft that looks decent on the 3rd ranked safety and 4th ranked defensive back.

 

I mean really, who needs a quarterback? Or a receiver. We are SO deep there. And why draft blockers and/or pass rushers? Who needs them? Not the Bills! We are just deep as a well all over the field. SO deep that we can toss this pick on a safety (in the garbage).

 

You see, if this kid is "good," we will still lose football games. History proves this. And, we will lose him after his first contract. History has proven this too.

 

I am truly sorry to be harsh and trust me, I appreciate the effort. Are you very young? Do you not know had badly this team was ruined by drafting this type of player so high?

 

He was making a prediction Bill, he wasn't advocating. Your post wasn't nice.

[TheElectricCompany]

After all, he is a fine athlete, and with the Deonne Buchannon thing gaining steam in the league it is not impossible.

I'd much rather have a player who can play free safety & slot corner (Tyrann Mathieu) then a player who can play strong safety and inside linebacker (Deonne Buchanon)

Edited April 3, 2017 by TheElectricCompany

[YoloinOhio]

Thanks for ruining my day, Water.