Two weeks out mock draft
We’re now just over two weeks out from the start of the NFL Draft and things are starting to heat up in regards to the rumor mill.
The latest in the past week was that Tennessee has a solid offer on the table for the top pick. That then caused the rumor to come out that Cleveland is exploring moving up from No. 2 to get the top pick. That, in fact, makes little sense, since the Browns could stay at No. 2 and be assured of getting a quarterback. But we are talking about Cleveland, so you never know.
So here’s my latest mock two weeks out from the big party.
1. Dallas, trade with Tennessee, Jared Goff, QB, California: One of the big rumors out there is that the Cowboys really want to acquire a successor to Tony Romo. If they stay at No. 4, that might not happen.
2. Cleveland, Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: The Browns are said to be torn between Goff and Wentz. I don’t believe it. Goff, to me, is a much better prospect.
3. San Diego, Laremy Tunsil, OT, Mississippi: The Chargers have messed around long enough without a decent blindside protector for Philip Rivers. Now, they get a good one.
4. Tennessee, trade with Dallas, Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida: Is he a corner or safety? Doesn’t matter. The Titans need both.
5. Jacksonville, Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA: The Jaguars just need playmakers on defense to go along with their good young offense.
6. Baltimore, Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: Bosa or DeForest Bruckner? Bosa just seems like the kind of value player the Ravens take.
7. San Francisco, Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: This is way too high for Lynch, but the 49ers, unable to move up into the top 2, reach because they have nothing on the roster Chip Kelly likes at the position.
8. Philadelphia, Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame: Many are putting Ezekiel Elliott in this spot. But running backs can be had later. A franchise left tackle cannot.
9. Tampa Bay, DeForest Bruckner, DE, Oregon: Cornerback would seem to be the biggest need, but Bruckner fills one as well.
10. N.Y. Giants, Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State: The Giants have been searching for Tiki Barber’s replacement for years.
11. Chicago, William Jackson, CB, Houston: The Bears could go a number of directions, but they go corner here.
12. New Orleans, Sheldon Rankin, DT, Louisville: The Saints need to get more stout up front.
13. Miami, Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida: The Dolphins need corner help and stay in state to get it.
14. Oakland, Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State: The Raiders brought in Sean Smith in free agency and get another rangy corner to pair with him.
15. L.A. Rams, Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi: The Rams have swung and missed a number of times at the receiver position. But Treadwell could end that.
16. Detroit, Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State: The Lions need a blindside protector for Matthew Stafford.
17. Atlanta, Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson: The Falcons grabbed Vic Beasley last season in the first round. They bring in his former backup this year.
18. Indianapolis, Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State: The Colts need offensive line help, but Lee is too goo of a value pick to pass on.
19. Buffalo, Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama: The Bills could actually upgrade at any of their linebacker positions. But Rex Ryan loves take charge inside backers.
20. N.Y. Jets, Leonard Floyd, Edge Rusher, Georgia: The Jets need to improve their outside pass rush.
21. Washington, Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor: The Redskins need to improve their run defense and pass rush. Billings could do both.
22. Houston, Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor: The Texans add a little hometown talent and much-needed offensive speed.
23. Minnesota, Josh Doctson, WR, TCU: The Vikings have to give Teddy Bridgewater more weapons.
24. Cincinnati, Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi: The Bengals haven’t shied away from talented but troubled players in the past. They don’t here, either.
25. Pittsburgh, A’Shawn Robinson, NT, Alabama: Robinson doesn’t have the pass rush skills of some of the guys ahead of him on this list, but he’s stout and just turned 22 last month. With all of the corners gone and no safeties having the value of Robinson, the Steelers go defensive line here.
26. Seattle, Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State: Whitehair is an athletic guard for an offense that needs athletes in front of Russell Wilson.
27. Green Bay, Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama: The Packers have a big hole in the middle of their defense that Reed will more than fill.
28. Kansas City, Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky: The Chiefs need somebody to replace Justin Houston this season and Tamba Hali down the road. Spence has red flags, but he can rush the passer.
29. New England, Forfeited
30. Arizona, Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State: The Cardinals have a solid defense and add another big body to the mix.
31. Carolina, Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State: The Super Bowl showed that the Panthers need to do a better job of protecting Cam Newton. Michael Oher? Please.
32. Denver, Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State: Still unable to deal for a QB, the Broncos have to take one. Mark Sanchez isn’t the future.