NFL Mock Draft: Part III
Today we’re gonna focus on picks 11-15. If you haven’t read the two previous posts covering picks 1-10. Here they are: part I and part II.
To remind you who we’re projected so far:
- Arizona Cardinals – QB Kyler Murray (Oklahoma)
- San Francisco 49’ers – DE Nick Bosa (Ohio State)
- New York Jets – DT/DE Quinnen Williams (Alabama)
- Oakland Raiders – EDGE Josh Allen (Kentucky)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State)
- New York Giants – DL Rashan Gary (Michigan)
- Jacksonville Jaguars – WR D.K. Metcalf (Mississippi)
- Detroit Lions – EDGE Montez Sweat (Mississippi State)
- Buffalo Bills – TE T.J. Hockenson (Iowa)
- Denver Broncos – QB Drew Lock (Missouri)
Let’s continue… there are a few quality prospects left, namely: Jawaan Taylor, Devin White, Devin Bush, Marquise Brown, Ed Oliver, etc.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (6-10)
Needs: QB, WR, TE, OL, Linebacker
Analysis: There are a few different ways the Bengals could improve a team that failed to make the playoffs last year. One could argue that the Bengals need to use this pick on a defense that allowed the 4th-most points in the NFL. A difference maker on the defensive line or in the secondary could help solidify a defense that had trouble stopping anyone last year. On the other hand, the injuries to quarterback Andy Dalton, star wide receiver A.J. Green, and tight end Tyler Eifert highlighted a lack of depth on offense. The John Ross experiment has failed in Cincinnati, and the absence of playmakers has hindered the offense. Replacing Eifert with Noah Fant could fill that hole. Adding Marquise Brown could provide Dalton with another weapon on the outside. And if the Bengals don’t believe Andy Dalton can be an effective quarterback anymore, do they draft Duke quarterback Daniel Jones?
Pick: DL Ed Oliver (Houston)
Stats: 32 games – 122 solo tackles – 192 total tackles – 53.0 tackles for loss – 13.5 sacks – 9 passes defended – 5 forced fumbles – 1 fumble recovery
Ed Oliver’s draft projection has fluctuated throughout the year. At the beginning of the year, he was thought to be the number 2 pick behind Bosa, but he had a bit of a tougher year his junior year before declaring, which might scare some teams. Despite his stature (6’3″) he has the weight and strength to play all across the line, and is athletic enough to play a bit of a hybrid linebacker role. He didn’t really perform at the Combine due to injury, but we should be able to peg his position better after his Houston Pro Day. What he brings to the table is a lot of explosiveness on the point of attack. He has a high motor, and should be a three down lineman in the pros. He has a great first step, and has the technique to start right away in the Bengals system. He should thrive as both a run stuffer and pass rusher for Cincinnati if he continues growing as a player. With an aging defensive line, Oliver could be the shot in the arm that the Bengals need.
12. Green Bay Packers (6-9-1)
Needs: WR, DL, LB, OL, Safety
Analysis: Tough year for the Packers, as a young defense and key injuries really limited the team’s ability to rally and win games late. Green Bay has a few options here. They have two first round picks in this draft, the latter one acquired from the New Orleans Saints. With this pick, they could draft a marquee receiver opposite Devante Adams, and create a monster receiving core that will give the NFC a head ache for 4-5 years. They could continue to rebuild their defense and give the offense a better shot at increasing leads, rather than play from behind. It will really depend on what the new coaching staff identifies as the big issue. Head coach Matt Lafleur, the former offensive coordinator for the Titans, might want to make a splash for his offense. But we think that the right thing to do is build on last year’s draft, and add high-end talent. After drafting two cornerbacks in last year’s draft, the only identifiable holes on defense are at linebacker, defensive end, and safety.
Pick: LB Devin White (Louisiana State)
Stats: 34 games – 114 solo tackles – 286 total tackles – 28.5 tackles for loss – 8.5 sacks – 1 INT – 4 forced fumbles – 3 fumble recoveries
This seems like a match made in heaven. There is an obvious need in Green Bay for a new linebacker. Clay Matthews is getting old and is not the player that he was when he was in discussion for best defensive player in the NFL. We haven’t seen that guy in years. Insert Devin White. He ran the fastest 40 time of all the pure linebackers, and was the best linebacker in the country last year. The Butkus award winner could easily step in and play middle linebacker for the Packers. He is fast enough to cover receivers, big enough to blanket tight ends, and is explosive when coming downhill to stop the run. On an LSU defense that suffered a lot of injuries, White’s continued presence steadied the ship, and they finished with 10 wins for the first time in 4 years. Green Bay should jump for joy if White is available at 12, because White projects as an All-Pro linebacker at the next level if he stays healthy.
13. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
Needs: QB, WR, OL, DL, LB
Analysis: With rumors of quarterback Ryan Tannehill being moved ahead of the NFL draft, its safe to assume that the Dolphins will be drafting a quarterback. The question is whether the Dolphins believe that Daniel Jones can be the next quarterback for the franchise. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Dolphins moved additional picks to move up into the top 10 to get Lock, or even the top 5 to get Haskins. Besides quarterback, the Dolphins need to revamp a terribly disappointing wide receiver core. Devante Parker, Danny Amendola, and Kenny Stills underachieved all year, failing to make any impact, especially Amendola and Parker. How would Marquise Brown look? Or A.J. Brown? How about an impact rusher to supplant Cameron Wake if he isn’t retained?
Pick: EDGE Clelin Ferrell (Clemson)
Stats: 44 games – 84 solo tackles – 166 total tackles – 50.5 tackles for loss – 27.0 sacks – 5 passes defended – 5 forced fumbles – 1 fumble recovery – 1 TD
Ferrell has been one of the best defensive lineman in college football the past two years. If you look at Ferrell’s tape, especially against Alabama in the national championship, you see a disruptive rusher who can win battles at the point of attack, as well as beat blockers on stunts and to the outside. He didn’t perform too well in Indianapolis at the Combine, so this pick will hinge on two conditions: whether he performs better at the Clemson pro day, and whether a team likes what they see on his college tape (they will). Ferrell slides in and immediately brings the explosiveness that Wake had. If the Dolphins don’t take Ferrell, look for them to draft another receiver.
14. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Needs: RB, OL, DL, LB, CB, Safety
Analysis: The Falcons had a great roster on paper. Good quarterback, strong running backs, strong receiving core, a good tight end, and strong linebackers all spelled another visit to the playoffs. Then injuries happened. The Falcons offense was pretty great, but the defense took a beating. Another linebacker, safety, or defensive lineman could really take this defense up a notch. Offensive line help could help a running game that might be losing its only healthy body in Tevin Coleman. Maybe draft his replacement? Jawaan Taylor from Florida and running back Joshua Jacobs are still on the board, which might be tempting, even if their biggest need is on the defensive line.
Pick: Jawaan Taylor (Florida)
Taylor, the consensus top offensive tackle in draft, finds his home in Atlanta. Despite needing help on the defensive line, the Falcons have struggled in pass protection and run blocking. Taylor can come in and take an average offensive line and kick it up to potentially elite. Taylor is seen as a “start immediately” lineman, and given that he’s the best player on the board at this position, the Falcons can roll out a strong offensive line and focus on improving defense later in the draft.
15. Washington Redskins (7-9)
Needs: WR, TE, DL, Safety, Cornerback
So my prediction didn’t last long, huh? With the report that the Broncos traded Case Keenum to the Redskins, Rosen is still on the block. So with the QB position filled, what do the ‘Skins do next? Rookie Derrius Guice was blowing everyone away in summer workouts going into the preseason before tearing his ACL. Wide receiver is a huge hole and will only get bigger with Jamison Crowder leaving the District. Tight end is a big question mark, given Jordan Reed’s inability to stay healthy for an entire season. Offensive line looks pretty good when healthy. Defensive line has a lot of young talent. Da’Ron Payne and Jonathan Allen, consecutive first round picks, should anchor a strong defense for the next decade. Ryan Kerrigan is the anchor of the defense and has performed well despite the lack of talent around him. The big question mark lies in the secondary, with an aging Josh Norman and the departure of Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix and D.J. Swearinger playing elsewhere. So what do the Skins do? It is tempting to add another EDGE rusher to that line, which would probably make it the best line in the NFL. But what about AJ Brown or N’Keal Harry? Washington doesn’t have a strong receiving core despite spending big last year in free agency. Maybe the Redskins pick Daniel Jones from Duke to learn under Case Keenum for this next season?
Pick: EDGE Brian Burns (Florida State)
Stats: 33 games – 71 solo tackles – 123 total tackles – 38.5 tackles for loss – 23.0 sacks – 7 passes defended – 7 forced fumbles – 1 fumble recovery
The Redskins are very hard to predict, especially given the fans’ frustration with the Washington front office. Bruce Allen is at odds with fans, and given the uncertainly of his job security, he might try to hit a home run with this pick or trade up to get an impact player. For Skins fans, that might be the scariest thought. If the Skins were run by a more competent franchise, this is the pick we would hope for. Burns is a strong rusher who is versatile enough to scoot back into coverage and patrol the flats. He is strong and won’t get manhandled at the line, and he has blazing speed that is among the best in his class. His 4.53 40 yard dash and 7.01 three-cone drill are great numbers for a rusher. The user-athletic pass rusher would be a great addition to an already loaded line. A line consisting of Payne, Kerrigan, Allen, and Burns would terrorize opponents. Burns would be a match up nightmare on a talented line like the Redskins.
But… we mentioned that the Skins aren’t predictable. We could also see Greg Little, Devin Bush, or AJ Brown here. If Montez Sweat is here, he’ll go to the Skins.
Alrighty, that’s it for this segment. I’ll post the next 5 soon! Check this page for the more news. Drop a comment! Who do you think the Redskins pick?
