Cavanaugh: Mock Draft 1.0
Jeff Cavanaugh 21 hours ago
In Cavanaugh draft 1.0 I present to you my first shot at what the first round could look like. Dig in.
1. Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold, QB, USC
By the time I finish evaluating QBs I might slide Baker Mayfield into this spot, but this is the NFL where physical gifts get you drafted higher. Cleveland has passed on enough potential franchise players in recent years and they can't do it again. Now Sam, please stop throwing interceptions.
2. New York Giants – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Giants are in an interesting spot because Eli Manning is nearing the end of his career and it's tempting to pick someone to help him win. However, the Giants aren't planning to return to this range of the draft anytime soon and can't pass on the potential of their next franchise QB.
3. Indianapolis Colts – Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
This isn't a deep pass-rushing class. Chubb is the one guy in this draft who's able to contribute right away against the run and as a pass rusher at a high level.
4. Cleveland Browns – Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
I call Fitzpatrick a DB because on tape he mostly plays the slot for Alabama, but he has the athletic traits and length to be an outside corner if a team wants to put him there. Cleveland should try that. I would pass on Saquon Barkley here because the RB class is incredibly deep and spending a top five pick isn't necessary.
5. Denver Broncos – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
I don't doubt there's an NFL team that might take Josh Allen before Baker Mayfield but it'd be a strange decision from John Elway. He's already tried Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch. Enough of the prototype measurables; pick the best football player.
6. New York Jets – Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
On a team that needs plenty of help we're going to take the best player in the draft and move along. The QB spot isn't filled but I didn't want to drop Josh Allen on them. They have enough developmental guys that won't make it (EDITOR'S NOTE: In case you hadn't noticed, Jeff is a big fan of Josh Allen and has unassailable faith in his future).
7. Tampa Bay Bucs – Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State.
Barkley is a special athletic talent with special skills. He's' incredibly dangerous not just as a runner but as a pass catcher and blocker.
8. Chicago Bears – Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Mitchell Trubisky needs someone to throw to. Ridley's explosiveness as a route runner gives him a receiver who can create separation and make throws easy for him.
9. San Francisco 49ers (I flipped a coin just as they will before the draft for picks 9/10) – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
He's a little bit undersized but Ward doesn't allow receivers to separate and is super-competitive at the catch point. He makes a ton of plays on the ball.
10. Oakland Raiders – Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
Another undersized badass finds a home. Smith's play speed and ability to play sideline-to-sideline are outstanding. He's as fluid as a defensive back and hits like a truck.
11. Miami Dolphins – Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Edmunds is a full sized, athletic three-down linebacker that's also incredibly young. He'll continue to improve taking advantage of the prototypical linebacker build that he has.
12. Cincinnati Bengals – Connor Williams, OT, Texas
They're hoping to get the 2016 version of Connor Williams that looked like a top ten pick. They're praying they don't get the 2017 version who failed to play like a first round player even before his injury.
13. Washington Redskins – Vita Vea, DT, Washington
I can't resist a pick that puts Vita Vea and Jonathan Allen next to each other on the field. Offensive lines everywhere are going to wake up sore.
14. Green Bay Packers – Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
The Packers still need help at corner and Hughes is a stout, press-happy man-coverage player. Physical, fast and fearless.
15. Arizona Cardinals – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The whole world says Allen is going in the first round so I have to put him somewhere. I'd be terrified to make this pick.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Ronald Jones, RB, USC
Jones has been underrated so far in the draft process. He's an excellent runner with a great feel for the position who can hit home runs.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Derwin James, DB, Florida State
James is a hybrid player who can play both safety spots and is an excellent blitzer. He's still a little bit raw but has the ability and athleticism of a top ten pick.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
For the first time in half a decade, Seattle is going to pretend the offensive line matters. It's part of a bold new initiative to keep Russell Wilson from running for his life on every snap.
19. Dallas Cowboys – Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
The Bulldogs' left tackle doesn't have the ideal height for the spot and moved to guard at the Senior Bowl. He was outstanding. He'll be a step-in starter and a very good one.
20. Detroit Lions – James Daniels, C, Iowa
Daniels has some of the steadiest tape in the class. Another plug and play offensive lineman that will improve Detroit up front.
21. Buffalo Bills – Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
They need help filling the void that Marcel Dareus left but they'll have to find a nose tackle later. Here they get a disruptive interior penetrator.
22. Buffalo Bills – Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
I'm ruining my own dream of Lamar in Jacksonville but Buffalo doesn't seem to a fan of Tyrod Taylor and Peterman is not the answer
23. Los Angeles Rams – Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
In coverage and as a ballhawk Jackson is as good as anyone in this class. His willingness to be physical as a tackler needs to be improved on.
24. Carolina Panthers – DJ Moore, WR, Maryland
Carolina is no stranger to the short wide receiver and when you watch Moore play, there are shades of Steve Smith in his game. He plays so much bigger than he is and is tough to deal with after the catch.
25. Tennessee Titans – Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College
Landry wasn't able to duplicate his 16.5 sack junior season because he was banged up. His natural ability to win the edge and get to QBs is more than enough to make him a first-round pick.
26. Atlanta Falcons – Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
His tape in the title game is absolutely first round-quality. Has the power to play the nose tackle and some quickness to help with pass rush.
27. New Orleans Saints – Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota St.
Goedert is an easy catcher of the football no matter where it's thrown, with the physical ability to run a variety of routes and create separation. Brees will have fun with him.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers – Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Evans just feels like a Steeler. He's a versatile piece that plays with power and aggression and can rush the passer as well.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
Hernandez is a walking refrigerator with much better feet than you'd expect from a man of his massive proportions and small school background.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Alexander makes plays on the ball in man and zone coverage. He has the twitchiness you look for and finishes plays when he has a chance. You can read that as 'he can catch.' He's a low tackler, which does make him miss some.
31. New England Patriots – Marcus Davenport, Edge, UTSA
The rich get richer. Davenport is incredibly raw but has all the physical gifts you could want in an edge player. Really good power from a guy as lean as he is.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State.
There's no need for Philly to keep Torrey Smith around when they can upgrade from their deep threat.