A lot has changed since my previous mock draft. Big free-agent signings and a few blockbuster trades changed the whole complexion of this year’s draft. Here are my final predictions for this year’s first round.
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1) Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Recent rumors indicate that the Cardinals intend to pass on Kyler Murray. For many draft pundits, Bosa is the best player in the entire draft, and the Cardinals would bolster their defensive line with this selection.
2) San Francisco 49ers: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
The 49ers, after meeting with the DT on multiple occasions during the pre-draft process, select Williams to strengthen their underwhelming defensive line.
3) New York Jets: Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky
Rumors about the Jets wanting to trade down have circulated, but in this draft, no buyers wanted the pick so the Jets settle for Josh Allen after they failed to land OLB Anthony Barr in free agency.
4) Oakland Raiders: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
The Raiders make the first surprise move in the draft and take Kyler Murray. The electrifying QB will be entertaining to watch when on the field with new receiver Antonio Brown…if he wins the starting job over Derek Carr.
5) TRADE! Atlanta Falcons (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
The Falcons reportedly have been trying to trade up to put themselves in position to take Ed Oliver, and they succeed here. With uncertainty surrounding the future current star DT Grady Jarrett, taking Oliver would be a more than viable replacement should Jarrett go elsewhere after this season.
6) TRADE! Washington Redskins (from New York Giants): Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
The Redskins get the guy they want, and build themselves a bright future. The Josh Rosen trade rumors end as they see more upside with Haskins.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
The Jaguars take the best tackle in the draft to protect their $88 million investment in Nick Foles. Taylor matches the Jaguars physical offensive style and solidifies the left side of the offensive line.
8) Detroit Lions: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Fant coming off the board before former Iowa teammate and fellow tight end T.J. Hockenson may surprise some, but the Lions have shown more interest in Fant than Hockenson, which leads them to taking the latter.
9) Buffalo Bills: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
With the retirement of DT Kyle Williams, drafting Gary would help mitigate the significance of Williams’ departure. Gary is also arguably the best player available in this spot.
10) Denver Broncos: Devin White, ILB, Louisiana State
The Broncos snag Devin White, who may end up being the best player in the entire draft, who falls to them at 10. The middle linebackers currently on the roster are not starting caliber, and adding White would pair nicely with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
11) Cincinnati Bengals: Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan
The Bengals are in the market for a middle linebacker after letting go longtime starter Vontaze Burfict. Devin Bush would slide in and start right away.
12) Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
The Packers find a long-term weapon for Aaron Rodgers in T.J. Hockenson. With Jimmy Graham aging and producing less, taking Hockenson would be very logical.
13) TRADE! New York Giants (from Miami Dolphins): Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
The Giants trade up for the guy they always wanted and the replacement for Eli Manning. The team has shown considerable interest in Jones; they were very impressed with the QB at his pro day.
14) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Atlanta Falcons): Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi State
The Buccaneers address their pass rush need and get more draft picks in the process.
15) New York Giants (from Washington Redskins): Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State
The Giants are reportedly in the market for a pass rusher. By trading Olivier Vernon, pass rush has become a pressing need in which they address by taking Burns.
16) Carolina Panthers: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Drafting Dillard allows for the oft-injured Cam Newton to be protected. Dillard is one of the better players on the board, and taking him addresses a major need.
17) Miami Dolphins: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
The Dolphins opt to take their LT of the future as they look for a QB in next year’s draft.
18) Minnesota Vikings: Cody Ford, OG, Oklahoma
The Vikings, who ranked 30th in rush yards per game, take the draft’s best run-blocker in Cody Ford to address their very weak offensive line.
19) Tennessee Titans: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Titans head coach, Mike Vrabel, is very close with Wilkins and met with him multiple times during the pre-draft process. If Wilkins is available at 19, it would be surprising if the Titans passed on him.
20) TRADE! Oakland Raiders (from Pittsburgh Steelers): DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
The Raiders pair Metcalf, the first receiver off of the board, with newly-acquired WR, Antonio Brown to give Kyler Murray multiple weapons. It will be interesting to see how successful the Raiders’ offense-heavy 1st round will be.
21) TRADE! New England Patriots (from Seattle Seahawks): Clelin Ferrell, Edge, Clemson
The Patriots have the most picks in this year’s draft, and with a player as good as Ferrell falling outside of the top 20, the Patriots pounce and find Trey Flowers’ replacement.
22) Baltimore Ravens: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
With no interested teams looking to trade up to 22, the Ravens settle with A.J. Brown and, in the process, fill a huge need at WR. Brown is the sure-handed and always open security blanket that would be perfect for Lamar Jackson.
23) Houston Texans: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
The Texans find their future LT in Little. Too often was Deshaun Watson knocked around game after game. They find a consistent yet raw player they can eventually rely on.
24) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Oakland Raiders): Greedy Williams, CB, Louisiana State
The Steelers trade back and still land the draft’s top cornerback. Joe Haden is on the decline and Artie Burns has yet to prove himself. Williams would start right away.
25) Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
The Eagles help their mediocre secondary by drafting the most technically sound CB in the draft. This need may be even more pressing after the arrest of starting CB, Jalen Mills.
26) Indianapolis Colts: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
The Colts find a plug-and-play DT in Lawrence. The interior defensive line is a major need and Lawrence would tremendously improve the team’s run defense.
27) Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Jacobs, who the Raiders reportedly covet, falls to them. Drafting both Metcalf and Jacobs would significantly improve the team’s offensive talent.
28) Los Angeles Chargers: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
The Chargers find a long-term solution in their interior defensive line. Despite Simmons tearing his ACL, he ends up sneaking into the first round.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Abram, SS, Mississippi State
The Chiefs find Eric Berry’s replacement after letting him go. Abram would sure up the back end of a weak Chiefs secondary.
30) Green Bay Packers: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
The Packers, who have interest in Lock, find Aaron Rodger’s long-term replacement. Looks a little familiar, doesn’t it? First Brett Favre groomed Rodgers, now Rodgers can groom Lock.
31) Los Angeles Rams: Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State
The Rams add to their aging offensive line. Bradbury, naturally a center, could start out at guard then slide in eventually.
32) Seattle Seahawks (from New England Patriots): Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
The Seahawks go Hollywood mode and take Marquise Brown with the last pick in the first round. They add another weapon to the recently paid Russell Wilson. Pairing them two together would be very entertaining.
Adrian was born and raised in Baltimore and is a huge fan of both the Ravens and Orioles. He is currently a Freshman at Franklin and Marshall College looking to double major in History and Economics. He is also a member of the Men’s Varsity tennis team where he will help lead the team to a hopeful conference title.