On The Clock, Mock Draft 3.0: Let The Chaos Begin

By Alex Hale, @ThatCLESportGuy

CLICK HERE FOR: On The Clock, Mock Draft 2.0, The Homestretch
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It finally has arrived, it is Draft Week and the city of Philadelphia is ready to host what looks to be the most unpredictable 1st Round we’ve ever seen. From the Cleveland Browns who hold the #1 Overall pick, to the World Champion New England Patriots who don’t have any picks at the top of the draft, but have players to trade that could get them back into the early parts of the draft, we don’t know what will happen. A lot of talk has even surfaced that multiple teams within the Top 5 picks are looking to trade down now. While most won't make trades, it just goes to show how much different this year's class is compared to previous years because of the clear lack of top QB prospects in this draft. But in a plot twist this past week, there's news that potentially 2 QBs could get drafted in the Top 10. In other words there looks to be a ton of chaos that is being set up for this Thursday and the NFL Draft.

So with that all said, it’s time to unveil Mock 3.0 which is probably the one where we have the most fun with it. Most Mock Drafts are based on getting it right, understand Mock 3.0 doesn’t do that at all. Before you continue on, I acknowledge I have no idea what is going to happen and this is all based on personal opinion and some craziness thrown in here to make it fun. Also in Mock 3.0 we’ve added a 2nd Round and Player Comparisons for each 1st Round talent. For our Browns fans we added explanations for their 2nd Round picks as well. So let’s not keep everyone waiting and let’s get into the our last Mock Draft before the big day.  EDITING NOTE:  This mock was created BEFORE the Gareon Conley allegations.

1. Cleveland Browns- EDGE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M- Were you expecting anything different by now? Since August of last year, Myles Garrett was my #1 overall player on my big board and he remains to be the #1 player in this draft. The kid is just special. Not only throughout the draft process has he proven he’s an athletic freak of nature that is built to wreck havoc in the NFL, but he shows the humility and wisdom of a veteran in the league. While some are questioning his toughness for not doing certain interviews with media, I find it hard to mark the kid down on that because he’s done everything he needs to do for the teams that are interested in him. Until he does otherwise, it’s hard to question his status as the #1 player. Garrett potentially can transform the Browns defense and under the eye of Gregg Williams will make an immediate impact as Williams has shown success with EDGE rushers like Robert Quinn on the Rams. Myles Garrett reminds me a lot of former Green Bay Packers DE Julius Peppers

2. San Francisco 49ers- SS Jamal Adams, LSU- The 49ers I would think would love to trade down and acquire more picks and potentially put themselves in a position to select a QB. If they stay at #2 the question is do they take the best player on the board, or do they target the Quarterback. I would think rookie GM John Lynch would be intrigued by Jamal Adams leading their defense and would select him. Jamal Adams honestly could play FS or SS, it really doesn’t matter, that’s how talented he is and at his recent Pro Day wowed scouted with a sub 4.4 40 time. That showed his has the elite speed that teams didn’t think he had in him. He’s physical as a tackler and has the ability to be a defensive general with a high Football IQ. To go with that, he can cover athletic TEs, which is becoming a bigger phenomenon when it comes to finding a safety. Adams can come in and become a leader of the defense that needs one desperately and make an impact right away. Jamal Adams reminds me of New York Giants S Landon Collins.

3. Chicago Bears- DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford- It’s quite amazing what the entire draft process can do for a player, in December, Solomon Thomas was considered a mid-late 1st Round pick until his bowl game performance rattling North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky. Since that day, Solomon Thomas hasn’t looked back impressing everyone with his talents as a player and even standing out show more athletic ability than people first thought. His passion and love for the game also stands out and that’s what makes me think that John Fox would much prefer Thomas over Jonathan Allen. Thomas is more of a pass rushing DE that probably can play in whatever system they put him in. His work ethic and motor will at the very least make his a solid contributor for years to come, but I think he can become something special under the right coaching. Solomon Thomas reminds me of Dolphins DE Cameron Wake.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars- RB Leonard Fournette, LSU- The Jaguars have lacked a real RB since the departure of Maurice Jones-Drew and finally the Jaguars seemingly have ended that search by adding one of the most talented RBs I’ve ever seen. In terms of speed, power, and size Leonard Fournette is one of a kind. Fournette is going to need a good O-Line to run behind because his vision to get out of the backfield leaves a lot to be desired. In the open field in contrast, his vision is outstanding and it allows him to pick up a lot of extra yards. As a receiver he is at least serviceable, but that can be developed. Fournette would give Blake Bortles an option to hand the ball off to 15-20 times a game that will relieve the pressure of throwing the ball. One should expect Tom Coughlin to build a team around Blake Bortles to give him no more excuses going forward. Leonard Fournette reminds me of former Oakland Raiders RB Bo Jackson.

5. Tennessee Titans- CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State- For the Titans, you got to be happy if this is the way the draft plays out. I can definitely see Lattimore going as high as #2 overall if San Francisco doesn’t trade out, but here the Titans find their young shutdown corner. While Marshon Lattimore didn’t have a lot of experience at Ohio State, but his measurable for a corner and the game film we do have makes one believe he has all the talents of becoming the next shutdown corner. For myself, I find it hard to find much weakness in Lattimore. He has the size, ability, technique and speed all in one, which is rare to find and to find it in this DB class really says something. For the Titans who desperately need a shutdown corner, they better hope Lattimore makes it here. Marshon Lattimore reminds me of Arizona Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson.

6. Cleveland Browns (from New York Jets)- TRADE: Cleveland acquires #6 overall from New York in exchange for #12 overall, a 4th Round pick (#108), and 2 2nd Round picks in 2018- QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina- According to the Trade Value Chart, the Browns would have to equal the value of the #6 pick which is 1,600. Not only does what the Browns offer match that, but is around 2,200 in terms of value. The Jets are clearly tanking and acquiring 2 2nd Round picks in 2018 would only help their rebuild and plan towards getting their Franchise QB in 2018. Here the Browns do not give up any of their picks in the Top 65 and start to build the Browns up to be a contender in the near future. In terms of who the Browns may like it’s really down to Trubisky and Mahomes. The Browns would probably prefer Trubisky because he’s more Pro Ready. For Trubisky this would be a childhood dream come true, but also a major challenge. The pressure to be the answer as the Browns savior at QB is unlike anything he’s ever faced. Although being the QB at Mentor High School is no small challenge knowing that program. He has all the talent to succeed at the NFL level, but the Browns will have to be patient and have to fix some minor mechanics problems he has with his lower body throwing the ball. Trubisky shows the accuracy and poise you want in your Quarterback, but has the ability from time to time whip the ball into a tight window. As long as he fixes his lower body mechanics, the sky is the limit for the kid. Mitch Trubisky reminds me of Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill.

7. Los Angeles Chargers- FS Malik Hooker, Ohio State- The Chargers would love for this to happen and that’s why I think all this Malik Hooker talk of him sliding is a play by the Chargers to get him. Should there be red flags for future injuries? Sure, but anyone can get injured the most important thing for the Chargers here is to take the best player available and hopefully fill a need in the process. This does both for them which is why this pick hasn’t changed at all. The Chargers saw the power of taking a highly talented Buckeye in Joey Bosa. Now they can get Hooker to replace the hole left by Eric Weddle. Now because of his injury nobody really could get the measurements in terms of athletic ability that we wanted, but the film speaks for itself. He’s the most talented FS I’ve seen in years who has the ability to read routes and the uncanny ability to jump routes and intercept the pass and take it to the house. This shouldn’t be a tough decision for the Chargers, take Malik Hooker if he’s here. Malik Hooker reminds me a lot of former Ravens FS Ed Reed

8. Carolina Panthers- RB Christian McCaffery, Stanford- Now this NFL Draft is getting interesting. The Panthers have been rumored to drafting a RB and it actually makes sense that they would look towards RB. So the question would be either Dalvin Cook or Christian McCaffery. I think because of the character concerns with Dalvin Cook, the Panthers will instead go to McCaffery. McCaffery has the potential to be a 3 down back, but the major concern is he needs to build up bulk to take the beating he’s going to take in the NFL. What McCaffery has going for him is he’s great as a receiving back and is extremely shifty as a runner. It’s fun to watch him run down field and juke at the very last moment and send the tackler sliding away from him as he picks up extra yards. If he can add some power to his running style, he can be a very productive back in the NFL. Christian McCaffery reminds me of Houston Texans RB Lamar Miller.

9. Cincinnati Bengals- OT Garrett Bolles, Utah- It’s official, all hell has broken loose in the NFL Draft. The Browns moved up to take Trubisky, the Panthers then selected Christian McCaffery at #8 and now the Bengals select a 25 year old rookie OT. Honestly I think if it wasn’t for his age, Bolles probably is a clear cut Top 15 pick. His athletic ability for an O-Lineman is off the charts and might be one of the most athletic O-Lineman I’ve ever seen. There are 2 concerns with his, one of which is his size, as Bolles is right around 300 lbs. and will need to add some bulk up to survive the linemen he will face going forward. The other concern is he tends to get lazy as a blocker. In a system like Cincinnati with Marvin Lewis he’s going to get the coaching necessary to become more disciplined. Bolles could easily fill the void left by Andrew Whitworth’s departure. Garrett Bolles reminds me of Philadelphia Eagles OT Lane Johnson.

10. Buffalo Bills- WR Mike Williams, Clemson- The Bills come into this draft knowing who their QB is and they need to make sure they can find Tyrod Taylor another receiving option opposite Sammy Watkins, who has shown a lot of potential, but can’t stay healthy. So the Bills look towards the same school for help. Mike Williams is sort of the anti-Sammy Watkins, he doesn’t have the nearly the same explosiveness, but he has more size. To go with that Williams has that uncanny ability to make circus catches and that will be something that can come in handy. As much buzz as there is for the Bills to take a QB here, it would be extremely foolish with Taylor in place and Cardale Jones behind him. Jones has as much upside as anyone in this draft and it would be dumb to now have wasted a draft pick on him. The Bills must address more pressing needs going forward and right now it’s finding a guy to pair with Watkins, that guy is Williams. Mike Williams reminds me of Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin.

11. New Orleans Saints- CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State- New Orleans desperately need a young CB to anchor their secondary and they luck out big time. It wouldn’t surprise me if the first 2 CBs off the board are Buckeyes. Lattimore is a bit more polished with upside, Conley on the other hand has a ton of upside, potentially more than Lattimore. Conley is great in press coverage, but at times can use his hands a bit too much, which could be a headache for his Defensive Coordinator. He has very good athletic ability to go with his length and has very good timing on the ball. Needs to get better playing off his man and will need to diagnose routes faster. Without question if the Saints can get him, Conley will be the top CB in their secondary. Gareon Conley reminds me of New York Giants CB Eli Apple.

12. New York Jets (from Cleveland)- LB Haason Reddick, Temple- The Jets after trading down now sit in a predicament. They could easily draft Jonathan Allen and maybe set the wheels in motion to trade Sheldon Richardson, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen. They could look to Corey Davis or OJ Howard, but in terms of the most talented player with upside, that would be Reddick. Reddick could go high as #4 overall to Jacksonville, but the Jets get somewhat of a value pick here. Reddick would give the Jets an extremely athletic LB that can be a defensive playmaker for years to come. The best thing about Reddick is he’s scheme versatile and can make an impact no matter where he plays. He has the speed to stay with TEs if needed and has good pass rushing ability. The Jets can continue to develop the rest of their team this year and focus on 2018 to getting their Franchise QB. Haason Reddick reminds me of Pittsburgh Steelers LB Ryan Shazier.

13. Arizona Cardinals- QB Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech- The Cardinals need to find Carson Palmer’s successor and they luck out on getting the perfect fit for them. Mahomes would give the Cardinals a bit of a project that needs a year to learn, but the upside is sky high. When you look at Mahomes you might think of arm strength, but if you study his film, you realize he can make all the throws necessary and make plays that only a handful of QBs in the league can make. His footwork is a mess, but Bruce Arians for years has been one of the best coaches with QBs and Carson Palmer will teach Mahomes a lot. For Mahomes, this is a match made in heaven. He can sit, learn and develop and when he’s ready to the job he’ll be set to break out. Pat Mahomes reminds me of Johnny Manziel (with the work ethic and passion for football).

14. Tennessee Titans (from Philadelphia)- TRADE: Tennessee acquires the #14 overall pick from Philadelphia in exchange for the #18 overall pick, 2017 5th Round pick, 2018 2nd Round pick, and 2018 6th Round pick- WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan- The Titans move up 4 spots in order to fill the other big need they have on their team at WR. This would be a dream come true for the Titans to walk out with both CB Marshon Lattimore and WR Corey Davis. Davis would provide the Titans with a physical WR who was extremely productive in college who I believe is far more explosive than most think he is with the ball in the open field. Adding Davis would allow the Titans to pair their talented running game with a true #1 WR and a dynamic TE in Delanie Walker for Marcus Mariota to work with. It wouldn’t stun me if the Titans becomes the 2017 version of the Raiders in 2016. Corey Davis reminds me of Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon.

15. New York Giants (from Indianapolis)- TE OJ Howard, Alabama- TRADE: New York acquires #15 overall from Indianapolis in exchange for the #23 overall pick, #55 overall pick and a 2018 4th Round pick- Somewhere Eli Manning will be smiling as the Giants get an athletic freak at TE with the size and speed combination that are unmatched by anyone in this class. OJ Howard didn’t show off a whole lot at Alabama, but he found a way to make a major impact whenever Alabama called on him. That small sample of what we got at Alabama could be a fraction of what he’s capable of doing in the NFL. And to think Eli Manning is going to have Odell Beckham Jr. and OJ Howard as his top two targets, that just scares the heck out of defensive coordinators. OJ Howard reminds me of Seattle Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham.

16. Baltimore Ravens- DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama- This is vintage Ozzie Newsome right here. He sits back and is able to get a player that was once considered as one of the best players in the draft and in consideration at #1 overall. Jonathan Allen is so intriguing as a prospect because of the fact he played everywhere on the D-Line at Alabama and dominated. Throughout the draft process he’s been labeled as a potential injury risk. He has the size/speed combination that makes him scheme versatile that allowed him to play all over the line at Alabama. He’s best at using his strength to overpower lineman to get into the backfield. The Ravens would be a great fit for him as the Ravens will develop him and allow him to grow into what he’s capable of focusing on exploiting his strengths. Jonathan Allen reminds me of Philadelphia Eagles DE Fletcher Cox.

17. Washington Redskins- OG Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky- Washington is at a crossroads heading into 2017. There is uncertainty of Kirk Cousins future with the team, but for now they must continue to build around him. At this point, Washington needs to help fortify their O-Line in order to protect Cousins. Forrest Lamp is the best O-Line prospect in this year’s draft without question. The thing with Lamp is he’s a Guard and nobody really takes a Guard in the Top 10 picks. He’s very technically sound as a Lineman and has athleticism that allows him to move around and stay with his defender. He rarely got beat, but that could be a matter of playing at a weaker school. The only concerns are height and arm length that leave a bit to be desired. Other than that, Lamp is a safe pick that will help anchor a line for the next decade. Forrest Lamp reminds me of Dallas Cowboys OG Zack Martin.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (from Tennessee)- RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State- A lot of rumors have pointed towards the Eagles towards a RB and specifically towards Christian McCaffery, but he’s not here. After trading down and acquiring more picks the Eagles can now take my #1 RB available in this draft in Dalvin Cook. With the character question marks aside, in terms of his overall talent, Dalvin Cook is the most talented and most pro ready RB in this class. He has the explosion and vision out of the backfield that you want in a RB who can potentially break off the big run. On top of that he has the power to bowl over defenders, plus he’s a good receiver. At this point, one has to question are evaluators overthinking it when it comes to Cook. You look for a RB who has the vision to find the hole, has the explosive home run speed, and the receiving ability out of the backfield. For the Eagles, this gives them an every down back to pair with Carson Wentz as he continues to develop as their Franchise QB. Dalvin Cook reminds me of New York Jets RB Matt Forte.

19. Tampa Bay Buccanneers- SS Obi Melinfonwu, Connecticut- The Bucs come into the 2017 year building up what looks like a promising and talented Offense. With this first pick, the Bucs should look more towards the Defense. Enter the most intriguing prospect with one of the best names in the draft in Obi Melinfonwu. Melinfonwu is a freak of nature for a Safety standing at 6’4’’, 225 lbs. who tore up the combine showing off his freakish athleticism. His game film on the other hand shows a Safety who needs some work. He struggles with some coverage and his routes to make a tackle are inconsistent. Although those are concerns early on, these can be worked on. His freakish athletic ability is going to entice someone to reach on him early on. Obi Melinfonwu reminds me of Seattle Seahawks S Kam Chancellor.

20. Denver Broncos- OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin- Unless the Broncos can trade out of this pick, I find it hard to believe that the Broncos might look anywhere else but O-Line. One would expect the Broncos after years of having trouble building a young talented O-Line, it’s time the Broncos start investing in one to protect whoever their future QB is going forward whether its Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch. He may only have started for one year at Wisconsin, but he made the most of it going against some of the best pass rushers in the nation from the Big 10 and he held his ground. There’s a lot of upside with Ramczyk because of his lack of experience and shows a great balance of strength/fundamentals to go with his athletic ability. Ramczyk can easily play at LT from his arrival in Denver and it wouldn’t stun me if he was there for the next decade. Ryan Ramczyk reminds me of San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Detroit)- TRADE: Jacksonville acquires the #21 overall pick in exchange for the #35 overall pick, 2017 4th Round pick, and 2018 2nd Round pick- TE David Njoku, Miami (FL)- The Jaguars in an extremely bold move pay up in order to get another explosive target for QB Blake Bortles. The Julius Thomas experience didn’t work out and was traded to the Dolphins. At this point the Jaguars if they were looking to upgrade at TE, they might have to move up to get one. David Njoku might be the most explosive playmaking TE in this year’s class with his outstanding receiving ability to go with the size to become an immediate impact playing. This would give Blake Bortles a group of Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, David Njoku, and Leonard Fournette. No more excuses for Bortles. David Njoku reminds me of Eric Ebron.

22. Miami Dolphins- DE Taco Charlton, Michigan- The Miami Dolphins have focused on building up their defense this offseason after surprising a lot of football fans by making the playoffs in the first year of the Adam Gase era. I would suspect that the Dolphins are going to target on the defensive side of the ball in the first round. Taco Charlton is potentially one of the most talented D-Lineman in this year’s class. He has the size/speed combination and pure pass rushing skills that you look for in a DE. If it wasn’t for concerns over his consistency during his years at Michigan, he probably is a Top 10 talent in the draft. For the Dolphins adding Charlton would bolster their line immediately and give them a successor to Cameron Wake. Fortunately for Charlton there won’t be too much pressure to contribute early and he’ll have other great talents like Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake to help him out. Taco Charlton reminds me of Jets DE Muhammed Wilkerson.

23. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Giants)- DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee- The Colts trade down and still get a high quality pass rusher to help fortify their defense. The Colts have really whiffed on some past draft picks on pass rushers, but get probably the most polished DE in this year’s draft. As we’ve come to know by now Derek Barnett isn’t going to be a freak of nature, but he’s a smart technical pass rusher who has the uncanny ability of getting into the backfield and wreck havoc. The Colts added multiple players including DT Jonathan Hankins and DE Jabaal Sheard to help the Colts defensively. Adding Barnett would give them a guy they can rely on from the first day to be a guy who can get to the QB. Derek Barnett reminds me a lot of Colts DE Jabaal Sheard.

24. Oakland Raiders- CB Kevin King, Washington- This would be a classic Raiders pick, but in ways it’s an understandable pick. The Raiders could use some length in the secondary, specifically at CB. Kevin King is interesting because he’s a 6’3’’ CB who tore up the combine. King was the top performer in the 3 Cone Drill, 20 yard shuttle, and 60 yard shuffle…not to mention he was 2nd in the vertical jump at the Combine. King has some tackling issues and could stand to add some upper body strength. King probably has the most upside, but he needs to work on his technique in coverage, especially when it comes to shifty WRs. It wouldn’t surprise me if King eventually moves to Safety. But if they can develop King, his size and athleticism could make him special. Kevin King reminds me of former Seattle Seahawks CB Brandon Browner.

25. Houston Texans- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson- If you’re a Texans fan, this is the pick you’re hoping for and quite honestly, there’s a strong possibility this could happen. For the Texans they get a strong leader who can step in right away and start at QB. Right now the Texans starting QB is Tom Savage and that’s not the most ideal situation for them. Although Watson has his inconsistencies with his accuracy that needs to be worked on, plus his arm strength isn’t the greatest, the one thing you can count on with Deshaun Watson to be a commanding presence in the huddle that will hold his teammates accountable. I think that was something that was missing in Houston’s Offense last year. With Watson’s background at Clemson and his personality, his teammates will gravitate towards him. One thing is for sure with Watson, if he flops, it won’t be for a lack of trying. Deshaun Watson reminds me of Chiefs QB Alex Smith.

26. Seattle Seahawks- OT Cam Robinson, Alabama- The Seahawks haven’t been able to build up their O-Line in recent years and it’s starting to show. If the Seahawks are going to get back to the Super Bowl they need to build up their line to help bolster their running game that clearly wasn’t the same after Marshawn Lynch. Cam Robinson has the size and strength you want from an LT. A former 5 star recruit who thrived at Alabama as the anchor to their O-Line. Robinson has okay athletic ability, but not great and his balance as a blocker could use some work. At the very least I can see Cam Robinson finding a home at RT. Cam Robinson reminds me of Cincinnati Bengals OT Andre Smith.

27. San Francisco 49ers (from Kansas City)- TRADE: San Francisco acquires #27 overall in exchange for a 2nd Round pick (#34 overall), 4th Round pick (#109 overall), and a 2018 3rd Round pick- QB Deshone Kizer, Notre Dame- San Francisco needs to find a Quarterback for the future and move up to make sure they walk out with Kizer here. After failing to get Deshaun Watson, I would expect the Chiefs to potentially trade down and maybe select a backup option for QB. There’s been a lot of smoke towards the 49ers and Deshone Kizer since the combine when John Lynch admitted they liked him a lot. With recent rumors of them wanting Trubisky at #2, I find that as a smokescreen to their real plans. Kizer has the size you want for in your Quarterback, plus he’s got a big time arm. Add to that he showed good mobility during his time at Notre Dame makes him a very intriguing prospect. What should concern people is his inconsistency as a passer. His accuracy can be extremely erratic and his sometimes tends to panic in the pocket and opts to scramble instead of letting the play develop. He’s going to need time and fortunately the 49ers have Brian Hoyer who can serve as a bridge for the future. If the 49ers can walk out with Jamal Adams and their future at QB like Kizer, I would be happy if I was a 49ers fan. Deshone Kizer reminds me of former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick.

28. Dallas Cowboys- CB Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado- The Cowboys had an unbelievable season last year and look to be a Super Bowl contender for the next few years. The key for them is going to develop a strong secondary and that would lead them to getting the fast rising Awuzie. Awuzie has been on my radar since the beginning of last year and throughout the process has built up his stock from at one point a 4th Round pick to a 1st Round pick. He showed at the combine he has the athletic ability to go with his strong film. He’s fluid with his hips that allows him to change direction easily and he’s got experience on the outside and the slot. He needs to improve in run support, but the Cowboys Defense will most likely be good enough to hide that. I would focus on developing his tackling because he could definitely improve there. Chidobe Awuzie reminds me of Green Bay Pakcers CB Davon House.

29. Green Bay Packers- CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama- For the Packers, who desperately need to improve their secondary would love for this to happen. Humphrey coming from Alabama could go much higher than here, but he slips here in this Mock. What I like about Humphrey is the fact he has the ideal size, but he’s very fluid with his hips that will help him change direction. I really like his aggressiveness and ability as a tackler that really will go a long way for him. The big question is his footwork which is sloppy. Fortunately he’s got the fluid hips thing going for him so fix the footwork and he could be a stud CB. Marlon Humprey reminds me of Houston Texans CB Kareem Jackson.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers- LB Reuben Foster, Alabama- Your annual winner of the Idiot Test is in and it is Alabama’s Reuben Foster who failed his drug test at the combine which I’m expecting will send his draft stock into a free fall. I wouldn’t expect him to make it into Round 2 as the Steelers normally take a player who is ranked in the Top 10 on most boards and take the chance with their late 1st round pick. Don’t believe me? Jarvis Jones, David DeCastro and Bud Dupree were top tier prospects who slipped who the Steelers grabbed. Foster would fill an immediate need which is the role left by Lawrence Timmons. Foster would immediately be paired next to Ryan Shazier and will take some of the pressure off of him because of how well rounded of a prospect Foster is. He’s great in getting pressure which fits the Steelers D, but he also is very good against the run. The Steelers D will be extremely tough to get points against with the duo of Shazier and Foster. Are there question marks here with Foster? Yes. Does he need a great staff to surround him with the support he will need? Yes. Do the Steelers offer that? Yes. This is a no brainer if I’m the Steelers, it’s worth the risk. Reuben Foster reminds me of former San Francisco 49ers LB Patrick Willis.

31. Atlanta Falcons- LB Jarrad Davis, Florida- The Falcons came so close to a Super Bowl victory, but unfortunately things unravelled for them in the 2nd Half. That was in large part because of the Patriots effectiveness of their short passing game to their RBs and TEs. With this pick I would expect the Falcons to add pieces to improve that for 2017. Jarrad Davis is an extremely intriguing prospect as he’s athletically gifted, but he’s highly praised for his character as a leader. He’s had a couple of injuries that has created some red flags, but as a player he’s one of the Top 20 talents in the draft. His athletic ability will allow him to keep up with TEs and his motor will allow him to run from sideline to sideline if he needs to bring down the RB. For the Falcons this is a great fit to help to continue to build this defense up so they can make another run towards their first Super Bowl Championship.

32. New Orleans Saints (from New England)- DE/OLB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA- After trading Brandin Cooks to New England, the Saints now hold the last pick in the first round. The Saints after getting Gareon Conley fall into their laps at 11 could go in 2 directions. Either they get a pass rusher or they draft their QB of the future in Deshone Kizer, but they hold a high 2nd Round pick and whether they go Kizer or not, they can get a QB there. At this point Takkarist McKinley is a great value pick and for the Saints would really boost their pass rush. McKinley has one of the best motors in the draft, he just doesn’t stop as a defender and is always working. To go with his motor he’s extremely explosive off the snap with a wicked first step to get by his blocker. It wouldn’t shock myself if McKinley goes sooner than this. For the Saints they walk out of Day One with a potential shutdown CB in Gareon Conley and an explosive hard working pass rusher in Takkarist McKinley. The Saints Defense is slowly starting to turn from a weakness into a strength. Takkarist McKinley reminds me of Kansas City Chiefs LB Tambi Hali.


2nd Round

33. Cleveland Browns- FS Budda Baker, Washington- The Browns need a center fielding FS and that’s exactly what Budda Baker is. On top of that the Browns can rely on his to help in the running game and blitz if asked. Browns needed Safety help and they immediately address that in Day 2.

34. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco)- QB Davis Webb, California
35. Detroit Lions (from Jacksonville)- DE Charles Harris, Missouri
36. Chicago Bears- WR John Ross, Washington
37. LA Rams- OT Antonio Garcia, Troy
38. LA Chargers- OG Dion Dawkins, Temple
39. NY Jets- TE Evan Engram, Ole Miss
40. Carolina Panthers- OT Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
41. Cincinnati Bengals- LB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
42. New Orleans Saints- QB Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
43. Philadelphia Eagles- SS Marcus Maye, Florida
44. Buffalo Bills- FS Marcus Williams, Utah
45. Arizona Cardinals- CB Fabrien Moreau, UCLA
46. Indianapolis Colts- RB Alvin Kamara, Tennessee
47. Baltimore Ravens- CB Teez Tabor, Florida
48. Minnesota Vikings- DE Carl Lawson, Auburn
49. Washington Redskins- S Eddie Jackson, Alabama
50. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State
51. Denver Broncos- OLB TJ Watt, Wisconsin

52. Cleveland Browns (from Tennessee)- CB Adoree Jackson, USC- The Browns add an outstanding athletic corner in Jackson who potentially can be a playmaking CB in the NFL. If Haden can rebound and Jackson can live up to his talents, the Browns secondary will immediately produce results.

53. Detroit Lions- RB D’Onta Foreman, Texas
54. Miami Dolphins- TE Gerald Everett, South Alabama
55. Indianapolis Colts- CB Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
56. Oakland Raiders- DE DeMarcus Walker, Florida St.
57. Houston Texans- OG Ethan Pocic, LSU
58. Seattle Seahawks- EDGE Tim Williams, Alabama
59. Kansas City Chiefs- CB Tre’Davious, White LSU
60. Dallas Cowboys- DE/OLB Tyus Bowser, Houston
61. Green Bay Packers- RB Kareem Hunt, Toledo
62. Pittsburgh Steelers- S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
63. Atlanta Falcons- FS Desmond King, Iowa
64. Carolina Panthers- LB Ryan Anderson, Alabama


BONUS: Ideal Browns Draft

65. WR Zay Jones, Eastern Washington
145. DE Derek Rivers, Youngstown St.
175. RB Joe Mixon, Oklahoma
185. CB Jeremy Clark, Michigan
188. WR Krishawn Hogan, Marist

This week is going to be full of crazy twists and turns with plenty of wild rumors that most likely won’t be true. Here’s a simple rule of Draft week…if it’s rumored before the last 12 hours before the Draft starts, more than likely it means the exact opposite. For a lot of fans this week is going to one of relief that the madness is over. For people like myself, we enjoy the roller coaster that is the draft process no matter how crazy it is.


Be sure to join TripleThreat CLE at the NoStaticRadio.com Draft Party at Tony K’s at 841 W. Bagley Road in Berea, OH April 27th starting at 5pm and we go until the end of the 1st Round!

On The Clock: Mock Draft 2.0 The Homestretch

By Alex Hale, @ThatCLESportGuy


For Football fans, we’re slowly starting to wind down the NFL Draft process. Pro Days have wrapped up and we’re coming down to the last of the Team Visits with NFL teams as everyone is finalizing their draft boards. This year’s process has been one of the more usual ones I can remember with the media now trying to find things wrong who might be in consideration at #1. It might be safe to say it’s because the Browns hold the #1 pick, but I’ve never seen a draft class where so many people are trying to question the top players. It’s made for a lot of fun for evaluators like myself, but caused headaches for multiple fanbases. But never fear, Mock 2.0 is here. There are some picks that have changed because of hypothetical trades, but also the Free Agency frenzy has slowed down and now we have a better idea about what teams will be looking for in the Draft. So let’s dive into Mock 2.0!


Mock Draft 2.0

1. Cleveland Browns- DE/OLB Myles Garrett, Texas A&M- This pick hasn’t changed and spoiler alert won’t change in Mock 3.0. Myles Garrett has only solidified his ranking over the past few weeks by showcasing his outstanding athletic ability. He has the explosiveness and power you want out of a pass rusher and on the film doesn’t really have much weakness. The only thing I’m starting to see is other people trying to throw stuff at a wall and see if it sticks. He’s extremely humble and loves the game. The intangibles are through the roof as well for a pass rusher. This would be an outstanding fit for Gregg Williams to work with and pair opposite side of rookie standout Emmanuel Ogbah. This would immediately make the Browns pass rush lightyears better than it has been compared to recent years.

2. San Francisco 49ers- DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford- Compared to Mock 1.0, different team, same result. It’s become clear throughout the process that the next best pass rusher in the draft is Solomon Thomas after Myles Garrett. For rookie GM John Lynch, he’s going to have to continue to rebuild what was once a dominant defense. While you could make a case for either of the Safeties in this year’s draft, it might be safer to target Solomon Thomas instead. Thomas has continued to show his passion and love for the game which has impressed teams. In ways I would look between Thomas and Derek Barnett and say that Thomas is Barnett with the athletic ability. Thomas is extremely effective and explosive that will create problems for offenses. With that said, I’m not ruling out the 49ers trading down for the right spot.

3. Chicago Bears- DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama- Jonathan Allen slipped to 18 overall in Mock 1.0, so the question probably is, what made him jump up here? Here’s the reality about Jonathan Allen, he could easily go either #2 or #3, but if he gets by #3 there’s a real good chance he could fall in the draft. The Bears would make a lot of sense who will run a defense that allows them to move Allen to different spots along the line. Allen is an explosive athlete who knows how to wreck havoc in the backfield and did it at a high level at Alabama. While he won’t blow you away with his speed, his size would make you think he’s not as fast as he is. I don’t think he’s has the same ceiling as Garrett/Thomas, but Allen is probably the most Pro ready out of all the pass rushers.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars- RB Leonard Fournette, LSU- For the Jacksonville Jaguars it would be easy to go with the best defensive player in the draft, but it seems there is some momentum towards the Jaguars going after the highly talented Leonard Fournette to be the franchise back the team has lacked since Maurice Jones Drew. Fournette without question would become the feature back that the Jaguars have been lacking. He has the size/speed/power combination that scouts crave in a RB. In his Pro Day, he actually slimmed down from 240 to 228 and showed off his receiving ability that removed a major concern teams had with him. If the Jaguars are going to take the next step with Blake Bortles, they will need to get him a legitimate running game. Fournette is their best chance of providing him one.

5. Tennessee Titans (from LA Rams)- CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State- The Titans failed to go out and get Brandin Cooks from New Orleans, so they still have a problem at the WR position. But at the same time CB Micah Hyde won’t be enough to help the anemic Titans pass defense that still needs help. With the Titans signing Jonathan Cyprien, taking a Safety here doesn’t make a lot of sense. Marshon Lattimore has only helped his draft stock the past few weeks and the sudden injury to Washington’s CB Sidney Jones only makes the gap between Lattimore and the other CBs in this year’s class wider. Lattimore is clearly the top CB in this year’s draft class and with the Titans team needs, they should think twice about this pick if Lattimore is still on the board. Putting Lattimore on the other side of Micah Hyde would give the Titans defense a big boost as they look towards contending for the playoffs in 2017.

6. New York Jets- QB Mitchell Trubisky, North Carolina- Honestly, I give up on who the Jets are going to take. The franchise is such a mess they could use a little bit of everything. So when it comes to making a pick for them, there’s no way to predict this one. We all know the Jets are desperate need for a Franchise QB and it wouldn’t stun me to see them go after one if they have their choice of a QB. Out of all of the QBs, I would suspect Trubisky would be their guy. While Trubisky hasn’t done much to separate himself from the other QBs in this year’s class, he’s the most accurate passer and probably most Pro ready. Trubisky also has more upside than Watson that might intrigue the Jets to make the investment on him. Then again, we have no idea if the Jets are serious about rebuilding or if they’re tanking for 2018, so who knows with this pick.

7. Los Angeles Chargers- FS Malik Hooker, Ohio State- This pick doesn’t change. Malik Hooker has done nothing but prove he’s worthy of a potential Top 5 selection and in my opinion he’s the 2nd best defensive player in this draft. The Chargers haven’t filled the void left by Eric Weddle, so this pick would be almost too obvious. Unless the Chargers are in love with a QB to learn behind Phillip Rivers, they have to take Malik here. His ball hawk skills are unmatched by any DB in this draft and I think he’s going to become a constant All-Pro FS. He may need some work to be a better tackler and there are some people who have potential injury concerns, but honestly he’s too good of a talent to pass on.

8. Carolina Panthers- RB Christian McCaffery, Stanford- Here comes the big shocker of the night with Carolina taking the Stanford standout RB. There has been a lot of buzz with this pick happening and I’m actually going to buy into it. McCaffery has around your ideal size for a RB at 5’11’’ 205, but he might stand to gain some more muscle if he’s really going to be counted on as an every down RB. There no question that McCaffery has the speed and agility to make defenders miss and break away in the open field. On top of that he’s a smooth receiving RB who would provide a lot out of the backfield. It’s powering through defenders that concerns me. Although I would pick Dalvin Cook over McCaffery, it wouldn’t be a bad fit for Carolina to take McCaffery as their feature back.

9. Cincinnati Bengals- T Cam Robinson, Alabama- The Bengals took a major hit in Free Agency in their O-Line losing both Kevin Zeitler and Andrew Whitworth. The Bengals have made some minor signings to fill the void, but they don’t really have much of a plan in place. While they drafted Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher in 2015, they haven’t developed as hoped. Cam Robinson is probably the safe pick for the Bengals to at least fill the LT void left by Andrew Whitworth. Robinson has started to pull away over the past few weeks as the top OT prospect on the board. He has the size you look for in an OT, but also shows the quickness to handle speed off the edge. While it would be tempting for the Bengals to go after Reuben Foster, the losses Cincinnati has had on the line might force their hand to address this in the draft.

10. Buffalo Bills- TE OJ Howard, Alabama- In the last Mock we had, there was uncertainty of whether Tyrod Taylor was going to be a part of the Bills going forward, but now it seems for the time being, he will be the Quarterback. I would suspect the Bills would love Marshon Lattimore to fall here to replace Stephon Gilmore with, but he’s gone. I could also see the Bills targeting one of the WRs on the board, but pairing OJ Howard with Charles Clay would be big for the Bills offense. OJ Howard as we’ve come to know throughout the process is a beast as a TE and is considered by a lot of scouts as a safe pick in this year’s draft. With his size, athletic ability and smooth receiving skills he’s going to make an immediate impact for whoever he plays for. Giving Tyrod Taylor a target like that would be extremely beneficial, especially if Sammy Watkins can stay healthy for a whole year. As much as I think WR will be in play here, OJ Howard is a special talent and you can’t pass on him, especially if you can pair him with Charles Clay.

11. New Orleans Saints- LB Reuben Foster, Alabama- When it comes to the Saints, it would be easy if they continued to build up their secondary, but at this point Reuben Foster is too good of a value pick here. Reuben Foster is in my opinion still a Top 5 player on the board with his high motor and uncanny ability to find the ball. On top of that he’s a guy who can thrive in whatever defense you put him in. Although there might be a question mark regarding what happened during his medical examination at the combine, I’m not thinking much of it because of the circumstances that led to it. The Saints have Craig Robertson as their leading LB coming back so they could use a guy like Foster to boost the defense back to where it needs to be to help out Drew Brees and the offense.

12. Cleveland Browns- SS Jamal Adams, LSU- The Browns would be in an amazing situation here with 2 top defensive talents on the board and outside of Trubisky their choice of Quarterback. The Browns could easily go after the QB, but the fact that Jamal Adams slipped to 12 is too good to pass on. Adams would provide the impact Safety the Browns clearly lacked in 2016 who can make an immediate impact upon his arrival in Berea. Adams projects as a SS, who some coverage ability, but is instinctive, athletic and has a nose for the ball. On top of that was a leader at LSU. The Browns adding Myles Garrett and Jamal Adams would immediately boost their defense with a lot of other young talent they’ve stocked together. Gregg Williams might be the happiest man in the world after this draft.

13. Arizona Cardinals- QB DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame- The Cardinals after a down year could go in multiple directions here, but it seems to be pointing towards the Cardinals finding Carson Palmer’s successor. The big question for the Cardinals would be if they want the big time project in Patrick Mahomes or a more polished project in DeShone Kizer. With the potential injury concerns in Palmer and not knowing how much longer his career will last, they might lean towards Kizer. Kizer has the prototypical size you look for in your QB. He also has great arm strength that Bruce Arians covets in going vertical in his offense. Compared to Mahomes, Kizer might be ready sooner and there’s no guarantee how much longer Carson Palmer can be counted on as a starter. Having Kizer sit for a year and learn the system and then give him the reigns in 2018 would be the quickest post-Palmer transition for the Cardinals. With Carson Palmer and Head Coach Bruce Arians, this is an ideal situation for Kizer to come in and develop in.

14. Philadelphia Eagles- WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan- The Eagles with Carson Wentz entrenched as their Franchise QB need to continue to start to surround him with weapons that can put points up on the board in a hurry. At 14, Corey Davis is a major steal as I have him as my #1 WR and worthy of being a Top 10 pick. Davis’ physicality as a WR and route running ability make him stand out from the rest. He does have good hands and while I probably would give the edge in hands to Clemon’s Mike Williams, the upside on Davis is too much for Philly to pass on with this pick. This would give the Eages Jordan Matthews, Corey Davis, and Zach Ertz as the primary targets for Carson Wentz. Now that’s building around your Franchise QB.

15. Indianapolis Colts- DE/OLB Takkarist McKinley, UCLA- The Colts are a team with really Andrew Luck and that’s it. It’s true they have a few talented players, but nothing that really scares a team, especially defensively. The Colts have finally started investing in getting better defensively in Free Agency by adding Jonathan Hankins. Now it’s time to improve their pass rush that has lacked a big time difference maker. Takkarist McKinley has been a Top 20 talent that I’ve personally dismissed after knowing so little about him. The more I watched him, the more impressed I became with his motor and ability to get by the O-Line whether it be by power or pure speed. He might need to bulk up a bit, but any guy who has a good motor is a guy who at least has a chance and with his athletic talents he’s got a good head start over most. This is a guy Chuck Pagano would love to get, especially now on the Hot Seat.

16. Baltimore Ravens- CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama- This pick won’t change as well here in Mock 2.0. Ozzie Newsome loves to go through the Alabama route, and will do so again to fill a need for the Ravens by taking Marlon Humphrey. Humphrey is a big physical corner who impressed me a bit at the combine. He has the ability to keep up with receivers, but does much better as a physical corner. He’s a good tackler and a big time competitor. Those are things that are going to be music to Baltimore’s ears. Put him on the other side of Jimmy Smith and the Ravens will have a strong CB duo for years to come. While I’m not really sold on him as a player, I think at least he can be a solid contributor.

17. Washington Redskins- LB Haason Reddick, Temple- Washington in my personal opinion might be one of the most balanced teams in the NFL. They have a good offense that has weapons for Kirk Cousins and a solid line, plus their Defense has the ability to be one of the best in the league. At this point, this pick becomes finding the best talent on the board and that clearly is Haason Reddick. I had my eye on him as a potential Combine Warrior and he didn’t disappoint and through the draft process has flown up draft boards. His athletic ability, pass rushing and nose for the football have some comparing him to Steelers LB Ryan Shazier. For Washington, adding him to their defense would make it extremely scary to go up against. Washington is only a few pieces away from making a real run at the NFC Championship crown, adding Reddick would definitely continue them on the right path.

18. Tennessee Titans- WR Mike Williams, Clemson- The Titans if this could happen would easily be the big winners of Round 1. After landing the best CB in this year’s draft in Marshon Lattimore, they get arguably the top WR in this year’s draft in Mike Williams, filling major needs for the team. Mike Williams improved his stock a bit by running his 40 time in the 4.5s in his Pro Day. Getting Williams to become the #1 WR that Marcus Mariota needs would be a major step forward. With already a strong running game and one of the top TEs in the game in Delanie Walker, adding Williams would potentially make the Titans one of the most lethal offenses in the league.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- DE Derek Barnett, Tennessee- The Buccaneers took another step forward in 2016, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get them back into the playoffs. The Bucs look to have a talented young offense that could really use a RB, but at this point with what is on the board, there really is only one pick. Derek Barnett was one of the most productive pass rushers in Tennessee history and the Bucs should add him to their pass rush. Barnett won’t blow anyone away athletically, but he does everything well. In a lot of ways I see a lot of Jabaal Sheard in him and for the Bucs adding someone like that would really improve their defense that was towards the bottom in the NFL. With as deep as this RB class looks to be, the Bucs can afford to pass on the more pressing need for the best player available to improve a weakness on this team.

20. Denver Broncos- OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin- This pick doesn’t change from Mock 1.0 as well. Ramczyk is my personal Top OT on the board and the Broncos are going to be looking for a Franchise LT to help solidify the line for whoever their future QB is going forward. Ramczyk does everything well and even without being able to participate at the combine due to injury. He has the size and athletic ability to handle the position. He’s also handled some of the best pass rushers in the nation coming from the Big 10. Plus Wisconsin has a good reputation of churning out successful OT in the NFL. For the Broncos, I would entertain the trade down if the trade presented itself.

21. Detroit Lions- RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State- If you’re a Lions fan, his is a dream come true. Dalvin Cook could easily go in the Top 15 and because of the way the board played out the Lions finally answer the RB position giving themselves an immediate 3 down starting RB. Cook would clearly be the most talented RB they’ve had since Barry Sanders. Cook has 2 downsides to him, legal issues and fumbling. That’s never a good combination but he has everything you are look for in a franchise RB. He has the receiving ability, he has the quickness and agility, he even has the power. With Cook in Detroit’s offense, it could be one of the most explosive and unpredictable offenses in the league.

22. Miami Dolphins- DE Taco Charlton, Michigan- The Dolphins have been relying on Cameron Wake and others for years and it’s time to find an eventual successor and more importantly an immediate impact guy at the position. Taco Charlton has solidified his stock with a good Combine and a good Pro Day that really has him all over the place in different Mock Drafts. The big concern is consistency as it took him until his Senior year at Michigan to finally become consistent as a pass rusher. He has the size/speed combination you love in a DL and I think could play anywhere in a 4-3 system, although he’s best suited off the edge. For the Dolphins who recently cut 1st Round bust Dion Jordan, Charlton has the upside Jordan had, but unlike Jordan is a great fit into Miami’s defense.

23. New York Giants- TE David Njoku, Miami FL- For the Giants, the dream scenario would be if OJ Howard is sitting on the board, but he won’t be. At this point the Giants could go a few different routes, but David Njoku has been considered by some as the best offensive playmaking TE in this draft. He’s explosive and can make a big play at any time. He definitely impressed at the combine and some have compared him now to fellow Miami (FL) alumnus Jimmy Graham. If he’s anything like Graham, the Giants are going to be an offensive juggernaut passing the ball. Eli Manning has had good weapons to throw to in the past, but now he has explosive playmakers that can score TDs at almost any time.

24. Cleveland Browns (from Oakland Raiders)- QB Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech- TRADE: Cleveland trades the 33rd overall pick, a 2018 2nd and 3rd round pick to Oakland in exchange for the 24th overall pick- The Browns finally move up and grab their Quarterback after passing on a QB twice. Mahomes is a project, but possesses more talent and upside than anyone in this year’s QB class. It’s not the fact he has a rocket arm, it’s the fact he can make all the throws and has to ability to drop the ball on a dime. Hue Jackson made a big deal about having a QB with, “arm talent” and Mahomes clearly has the most arm talent out of all the QBs. The Browns will need to be patient with Mahomes as he will be a bit of a project. But the kid has the passion for the game coaches love and in time probably will be the best QB out of this class. The Browns walk out of Round 1 with Myles Garrett, Jamal Adams, and Pat Mahomes…the future sure looks bright on the shores of Lake Erie.

25. Houston Texans- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson- The Texans desperately need a QB and here luck out by getting Deshaun Watson, a QB who some feel is the most NFL ready of all the QBs in this year’s class. Watson would provide immediate leadership to the position where it has been lacking recently. There are legit question marks with his arm strength and ability to consistently make all the throws, but the intangibles would outweigh those concerns because of his attitude and work ethic. Houston would be an outstanding fit for Watson because he will have targets to throw to immediately and a running attack he can rely on. While I don’t expect him to take the league by storm immediately, under the guidance of Bill O’Brien I can see Watson being the long term answer that Houston has been searching for.

26. Seattle Seahawks- OT Garett Bolles, Utah- The Seahawks need help desperately on the O-Line and they get probably one of the most athletic O-Lineman in the draft. Bolles biggest question mark is he’s one of the oldest players in the draft, turning 25 later this fall. What Bolles excels at is being able to move around and even to get out into the open field to make the extra block. His footwork is sound and he even plays with a mean streak. I’ve seen Bolles go as high as the Top 10 is some mocks. For a team like the Seahawks with Russell Wilson’s ability to move around, Bolles would be a great fit to protect him for years to come.

27. Kansas City Chiefs- QB Davis Webb, California- In a draft where there seems to be so much uncertainty with the QBs, 5 go in the first round. The Chiefs need to find a QB that can replace Alex Smith in the future. A few months ago nobody thought Davis Webb would go in the Top 3 rounds, now he’s a potential late 1st Round pick. The reality with Webb is he’s a project who played at 2 different colleges who played their own Air Raid style offense, which normally won’t translate in the NFL. Webb has the physical build and a strong, accurate arm you look for in a QB. He on top of that has the work ethic coaches love to have out of their QB and something Andy Reid would love to have in the building to learn from Alex Smith. For the Chiefs it would be easy to build back up the defense, but after Davis Webb there is a drastic drop from the 2nd Tier of QBs to the 3rd. It would be wise for the Chiefs to invest in finding Alex Smith’s successor while they can.

28. Dallas Cowboys- CB Chidube Awuzie, Colorado- The Cowboys pass defense was okay last year, but not great and still could use some help, especially after the loss of Morris Claiborne. That would lead them to the fast rising Awuzie who really has gotten the biggest jump after the Sidney Jones injury. Awuzie has been on my radar since he was terrorizing Michigan in Colorado’s matchup last year. The guy can do it all and it’s been a mystery why he’s been rated so low. Awuzie did extremely well in all of the combine drills that helped boost his draft stock. Awuzie should be an immediate starter who can play any type of role given as a CB. If he gets to the Cowboys, I think they would be ecstatic.

29. Green Bay Packers- CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State- This is a dream come true for Packers fans who are desperately looking for an impact player in the secondary. Next to Awuzie, Conley has gained the next most from the Sidney Jones injury and honestly he should’ve been higher to begin with. Conley has quite possibly the most upside out of all the CBs in this year’s class. He’s best in press coverage and getting physical with WRs. What concerns me is he tends to grab onto his target which will lead to holding penalties. He struggles when he’s off his target, but he’s got soft hands and has great timing to get a pick. Conley could quickly become the best CB the Packers have had in quite some time.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers- SS Jabrill Peppers, Michigan- As a Browns/Michigan fan, this is extremely painful for me to even watch. The Steelers who really have lacked an uber-talented SS since Troy Polamalu’s retirement get quite possibly one of the highest upside prospects in the draft. Peppers is definitely a, “boom or bust” pick as he played all over the field at Michigan, but seemed to thrive as a LB/S type. Peppers would fit in perfectly in Pittsburgh with their defense that loves to blitz. Peppers thrived at Michigan as the guy that comes up at the line and can quickly bring down the ball carrier. He needs work as a pass defender, but if the right coach can develop him, he could easily be the guy who everyone looks at and questions why they didn’t take him.

31. Atlanta Falcons- FS Budda Baker, Washington- The Falcons were so close to finally winning their first Super Bowl and then Tom Brady happened. The Falcons struggles against the pass have been very real and could use some help at FS. They drafted Keanu Neal to be the SS enforcer, but they need a ballhawk FS that can cover TE. Budda may be undersized at 5’10’’ and that might be a concern moving forward, but his ball skills are good, but more important knows how to finish a tackle which a lot of safeties don’t know how to do and instead just go for the big hit. He tends to play aggressive, which I think might fit the Falcons Defense perfectly. I could see Budda Baker and Keanu Neal developing into a great Safety duo moving forward.

32. New Orleans Saints- CB Sidney Jones, Washington- Yes I’m mocking a draft prospect who tore his achilles at his Pro Day in the 1st Round. Barring the scenario where the Patriots trade CB Malcolm Butler to the Saints, New Orleans has to be searching for a young CB to potentially have as their lockdown CB. I would bet the Saints would LOVE to get Gareon Conley or Chidobe Awuzie here, but they’re gone. At this point you’re looking at Tre’Davious White, Cordrea Tankersley, or Sidney Jones. Jones on tape is clearly a Top 15 talent, his ability to react to the ball and pick it off are clearly the best in this year’s class. The Saints got this pick in exchange for Brandin Cooks so in a way with it being the 32nd pick, either you trade the pick or take a flyer on one of the best talents in the draft. If Jones fully recovers he could transform New Orleans secondary into a good secondary and let’s be honest, New Orleans secondary hasn’t been good since their Super Bowl run. It’s a risky pick, but a pick the Saints can afford to take.



We’re only days away from the NFL Draft and there is a lot of buzz happening right now with players who may be slipping or even rising. My belief with all the rumors is simple, I’ll believe it when I see it. Mock 3.0 will be out in time for the NFL Draft and I would suggest to all my Clevelanders out there who are looking for a place to watch the NFL Draft to come join myself and the rest of the TripleThreatCLE crew along with NoStaticRadio.com at Tony K’s in Berea, OH on April 27th starting at 5pm for NoStaticRadio’s NFL Draft Party. It’s gonna be a lot of fun and I hope to see everyone there!