Final Predictive Mock
One round draft. No trades.
Round 1
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32
Given the Lions struggles staying healthy on the O-Line last season, they could use a player who can fill in at multiple spots. Enter Spencer Fano. The former Ute is this year’s most versatile lineman who should replace LT Taylor Decker.
Skol! Regardless of whether Harrison Smith hangs it up, the Vikes now have his replacement in another rangy, instinctive safety. This will be the pick Vikings fans are hoping for and Theineman falls to them here at No. 18.
Back-to-back Ducks to here as Sadiq joins the Pounders at No. 19. Carolina hasn’t had elite Tight End play since Greg Olson left for the broadcast booth. This allows the team a chance to run it back with another weapon for Bryce.
Jerry Jones’ loves his Big 12 guys and he gets another one here. The fan-favorite Rodriguez - his wife is a Black Hawk pilot in the U.S. Army - will step in as a pro-ready linebacker with great wrap up tackling ability.
Although they did sign Michael Pittman, the Steelers could use another receiver. Roman Wilson has been disappointing and is better suited as a No. 4 option. Being perpetually stuck in Rodgers’ draft year of 2005, Pittsburgh selects large X receiver Boston to play alongside the large X they already have in DK Metcalf.
Opposite Derwin James, the Bolts could use an upgrade at safety. Tony Jefferson is getting older and not quite the player he used to be. McNeil-Warren reminds most draftniks of another Toledo Rocket DB who made a splash as a rookie.
Future gold jacket owner Lane Johnson will be returning for another season. However, Philly cannot count on him to play many snaps. They select the impressive athlete Freeling as his long-term replacement on the left side.
If you’ve followed Cleveland’s numerous O Line moves in free agency, you’ve likely noticed a pattern. Tough and nasty over finesse (see: Jenkins, Teven and Howard, Tytus). They follow that trend here with the selecting of Proctor - a left tackle in college who will at least be given a chance to start there in the pros.
Da Bears need more help up front and signing Neville Gallimore doesn’t preclude them from taking a run-stopper with their first pick. McDonald fits the bill here as he gives Chicago a disruptive under tackle who fits their physcial defensive scheme.
Things could change but it doesn’t look like A.J. Brown will be headed to Buffalo anytime soon. With Boston gone, the Bills grab another speedy wideout to play alongside D.J. Moore and Kalil Shakir in three wide receiver sets. Besides, the Bills already have a couple of Red Zone Threats in Kincaid and Knox.
Similar to the Eagles, San Francisco cannot expect Trent Williams to play a significant number of productive snaps at his age. They start preparing for the future with Lomu - a prototypical right tackle who could move over to left.
Which line do you prefer? That’s the question for this pick - as H-Town needs help on the interior of both lines. They pass on Pregnon at 28 to select former Buckeye McDonald, who gets the nod here over Banks by dint of the latter’s recent injury.
Speaking of injuries, they push McCoy all the way down the board to No. 29, where the Chiefs happily oblige by making him their replacement for departed All Pro corner Trent McDuffie. When healthy, McCoy is this draft’s top cornerback prospect.
Possessing a tremendous blend of speed and after-the-catch fluidity, Cooper Jr. fits in seamlessly as a replacement for Tyreek Hill / Jaylen Waddle. Miami begins to restock their offense as their team-wide rebuilding process continues.
Still raw and learning the positional ropes, Iheananchor will be helped greatly by the 36-year old Morgan Moses. He can study under him for a year and then take Moses’ spot opposite last year’s first rounder Will Campbell at either tackle spot.
Lose Riq Woolen in free agency. Gain another physical, starting-caliber cornerback in Colton Hood. The former Volunteer goes only a few picks after his teammate - Jermod McCoy - as he lacks the former’s extensive injury questions.
Picks 1-16
Picks 17-32