The NFL’s annual impossible to predict event is upon us and once again I take a shot at trying to predict it:
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, Edge, Texas A&M
Garrett is the consensus first overall pick and I expect the Browns to just pull the trigger and figure out how to grab a quarterback later.
2. (Trade) Jacksonville Jaguars: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
So much talk about the Jaguars trying to find a way to succeed with Blake Bortles. Why? If the conversation is at that point, they should just replace him and I see Tom Coughlin as liking Watson enough to leapfrog the Bears.
3. Chicago Bears: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina
There are two QBs who are worth a top pick and I think the Bears agree with me. Trubisky has a lot of traits that any QB-needy team would want.
4. San Francisco 49ers: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
People I really respect keep saying the 49ers love Fournette. It doesn’t sound right because Kyle Shannahan’s offense has worked with lesser running backs but they could see Fournette as being the first building block of their offense.
5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State.
One of the best cornerback prospects in recent years as long as his hamstring checks out.
6. New York Jets: Solomon Thomas, Edge, Stanford
A lot lower than most have him but he’d give the Jets yet another talented player in the front seven. Could lead to a Sheldon Richardson trade.
7. L.A. Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio St.
This pick just makes too much sense. Gives Gus Bradley his version of Earl Thomas.
8. Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Gives the Panthers a different kind of weapon to make Cam Newton’s life easier.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
Allen would play defensive end in the Bengals base defense then move inside next to Geno Atkins on passing downs.
10. Buffalo Bills: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Lower than most people have him, but positional value combined with a lack of elite athleticism pushes Adams down.
11. New Orleans Saints: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
The Saints have needs everywhere on defense. It seems like they’ve never had good cornerbacks.
12. Cleveland Browns: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
The best tight end to enter the league in years drops because, well, I don’t know, he just does.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan.
Mike Floyd burned out on them and they really need another weapon to make their offense work.
14. Philadelphia Eagles: Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Reddick is a freak athlete who can do a number of things for the Eagles.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennesee
Chris Ballard is trying desperately to improve this defense, Barnett is a big step toward doing that.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
Joe Flacco isn’t good. He needs a big wide receiver who can trick people into thinking he is.
17. Washington Redskins: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan St.
A very large and very talented player who could five the Skins defense a big boost.
18. Tennessee Titans: Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
Since the Senior Bowl, I’ve had a hunch that Jones is going to go significantly higher than people expect. A really good all around target.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Njoku, TE, Miami
An athletic freak who will give Jameis Winston another weapon.
20. Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles, T, Utah
Just seems to be too perfect of a pick for them.
21. Detroit Lions: Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
The Lions really need someone to rush opposite Ziggy Ansah.
22. Miami Dolphins: Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
I don’t recognize any of their cornerbacks outside of Byron Maxwell, who doesn’t seem to be any good.
23. NY Giants: Ryan Ramczyk, T, Wisconsin
They really need an offensive tackle.
24. Oakland Raiders: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
I don’t know how much the failed drug test will cost him, but I don’t see Foster slipping out of the first round.
25. Houston Texans: Adoree’ Jackson, CB, USC
A lot of talk about QB for Houston, but I don’t see the available players as being guys who fit with Bill O’Brien. Houston lost two starting DBs in free agency.
26. Seattle Seahawks: Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Seattle’s offensive line just needs to be better if they’re going to continue to contend.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
This is just a pick I want to see. I want Andy Reid to work with Mahomes and see what he can become.
28. Dallas Cowboys: T.J. Watt, Edge, Wisconsin
TJ joins JJ in Texas. The Randy Gregory pick hasn’t worked out so well for the Cowboys. They’ll probably want to grab a defensive back here, but I’m not sure the value fits.
29. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Willis, Edge, Kansas State
The Packers are revamping their front seven and Willis gives them another pass rusher, who can push Clay Matthews inside.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tim Williams, Edge, Alabama
Williams is a pass rush specialist and that’s exactly what the Steelers need. James Harrison is 78 years old and he led them in sacks last year with five.
31. Cleveland Browns: Davis Webb, QB, Cal
Hue Jackson is a Cal guy who likes big QBs who have big arms. This makes a lot of sense as they move up from 33 to grab their guy.
32. New Orleans Saints: Tak McKinley, Edge, UCLA
The Saints grabbed a cover guy with the first pick and now a pass rusher.
33. Atlanta Falcons: Forrest Lamp, OG, Western Kentucky.
Guard was a problem for one of the best offenses in the league.
34. San Francisco: Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut
The 49ers are modeling their defense after Seattle’s and this is their version of Cam Chancellor.
35. San Francisco: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Another piece to San Francisco’s defense with a pick they got from the Jaguars. The 49ers pass on QB with their first three picks because signing Kirk Cousins next year is a pretty sure thing.
36. Chicago Bears: Justin Evans, S, Texas A&M
One of my favorite safeties in the draft. Evans fits the athletic profile Ryan Pace typically looks for. He’s a big hitter with outstanding range. Would be a Day 1 starter.
67. Chicago Bears: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado
Nearly 6’3″ with 33-inch arms and a vertical of 40.5 inches. Witherspoon is considered to be an outstanding cover man who could start at one of the cornerback spots immediately. Didn’t create a lot of turnovers at Colorado with just three interceptions the last two years, but had 19 passes defensed last year.
111. Chicago Bears: Eddie Vanderdoes, DL, UCLA.
Strong and athletic enough to do everything the Bears ask their defensive linemen to do.
117. Chicago Bears: Blair Brown, LB, Ohio.
The Bears have some major questions at linebacker. Brown could contribute on special teams right away and possibly develop into a long term answer.
147. Chicago Bears: Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson
The Bears take advantage of a deep tight end class. Leggett would probably be a second or third round pick in most years.
221.Chicago Bears: Tanner Gentry, WR, Wyoming
Deep-threat wide receiver who reminds me of Chris Hogan.
