Full First Round NFL Mock 1.0

With free agency pending, players getting franchise tagged, and most importantly, key quarterbacks hitting the market, the first round of the NFL draft can take lots of twists and turns and the excitement is brewing for this upcoming April.

The Oakland Raiders can be some of the biggest beneficiaries from this chaos as desperate franchises try to land a future franchise-changing quarterback. This is one possible scenario of how the rest of Day 1 may unfold. Enjoy…..

ROUND 1

1. Cleveland Browns-RB, Saquon Barkley. With former Bengals apprentice AJ McCarron now a free agent, Hue Jackson gets his QB and also gets the best player in the draft, Saquon Barkley.
2. New York Giants-QB, Sam Darnold. The Giants are still unsure about drafting a QB in the first round per NFL.com, however, I think they’re bluffing. Darnold has time to develop under Eli Manning.
3. Indianapolis Colts-OG, Quenton Nelson. There is a growing trend that many feel it’s Bradley Chubb who will be selected by the Colts. But who will protect Andrew Luck? Enter Quenton Nelson. He’ll likely become Luck’s new BFF.
4. Cleveland Browns-DB, Minkah Fitzpatrick. The leaky defense in Cleveland needs help. Adding Fitzpatrick here allows 2017 first round pick, Jabril Peppers, to play more in the box.
5. Denver Broncos-CB, Denzel Ward. Even with the Jets trying to break the bank for Kirk Cousins, I believe John Elway lures Captain Kirk to Denver. The Broncos create some cap space by cutting Aqib Talib. If so, Talib a Raider? Therefore, Ward becomes his replacement.
6. New York Jets-QB, Josh Rosen. If Cousins spurns the Jets, Rosen gets his wish to play in a big city. ‘Chosen Rosen’ will be the headlines on all the NYC papers.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-CB, Josh Jackson. Jackson is the kind of ball hawk every team wants, though he will need to run a good 40-yard dash before the Draft in order to go this high.
8. Chicago Bears-WR, Calvin Ridley. The Bears traded up in last year’s draft to ensure they got their franchise QB in Mitchell Trubisky. They get him some help here with the Ridley.
9. Oakland Raiders-DE, Bradley Chubb. If the Raiders are on the clock and Chubb is available at this juncture, Raider Nation should be on their edge their seats. Coach Jon Gruden and general manager Reggie McKenzie don’t pass up a player with this array of pass rush moves for a man of Chubb’s size (No pun intended children). Khalil Mack finally gets a consistent threat rushing opposite of himself.
10. San Francisco 49ers-S, Derwin James. With Jimmy G in town, the Niners look to address other issues. James can come in to replace Eric Reid, who may not be re-signed.
11. Miami Dolphins-OT, Connor Williams. It appears Ryan Tannehill will be the Dolphins QB next season. If so, he’ll need all the protection he can get, Connor Williams is their man.
12. Cincinnati Bengals-DE, Marcus Davenport. Davenport is a raw but talented DE. If he can develop other pass rush moves, he may be a steal for the Bengals.
13. Washington Redskins-LB, Tremaine Edmunds. Zack Brown appears to be one and done in DC. Edmunds can step in and use his blazing speed to roam.
14. Green Bay Packers-DT/DE, Vita Vea. This defensive tackle has enough quickness to play on the edge in Green Bay’s 3-4-defense and still slide inside on running downs.
15. Arizona Cardinals-QB, Josh Allen. The Cardinals would be like Teddy KGB in the movie “Rounders”. They would not BELIEVE what fell. Allen may be the next Brett Favre but then again, he may also be the next Browning Nagle.
16. Baltimore Ravens-OT, Orlando Brown. Getting drafted by his late father’s team, would not only make great TV during the draft but actually fills a void for the Raven’s O-line.
17. Los Angeles Chargers-OT, Michael McGlinchey. With right tackle Joe Barskdale (Depression) questionable as well as Russell Okung aging, McGlinchey can be inserted at either tackle spot.
18. Seattle Seahawks-CB, Mike Hughes. The Legion of Boom’s run may be coming to an end. Hughes would give Seattle another shutdown corner and an excellent return threat.
19. Dallas Cowboys–DT, Maurice Hurst. DeMarcus Lawrence is a free agent and rumors are swirling he won’t be retained and the Cowboys drafted edge-rusher Taco Charlton last year. Hurst will help with the interior pass rush.
20. Detroit Lions–DT, Da’Ron Payne. Payne had his skills on full display in the College Football Playoffs and he has the tools to be a future pro bowler.
21. Buffalo Bills-QB, Baker Mayfield. If Doug Flutie could flourish in Buffalo, why can’t Mayfield? ‘Baker’s Dozen’ coming to your local supermarket near you Bills fans….
22. Buffalo Bills (Via Kansas City)-OLB, Arden Key. The guy with the most explosive first step in the 2018 draft has some question marks. Key’s talent?
23. Los Angeles Rams-CB, Carlton Davis. The Los Angeles Rams were a good story last year as they found their way back to the postseason. Davis helps offset possibly losing Trumaine Johnson and/or Nickell Robey-Coleman.
24. Carolina Panthers-LB, Roquan Smith. Thomas Davis has already announced that this upcoming season, will be his last. Panthers get a Davis clone to replace him with Smith.
25. Tennessee Titans-DE, Rasheem Green. Pairing him with former Trojan teammate Jurrell Casey, would make Green feel right at home, albeit in Nashville.
26. Atlanta Falcons-DT, Harrison Phillips. Phillips could be plugged in and make an impact. He recorded 98 tackles, 17.5 for loss and 7.5 Sacks.
27. New Orleans Saints-WR, Christian Kirk. Ted Ginn Jr is getting long in the tooth. Kirk could supplant him not only at receiver but as a returner too. One more weapon for Brees. Yikes!
28. Pittsburgh Steelers-RB, Sony Michel. La’Veon Bell is a free agent. The Steelers may end up franchise tagging him. Thus, drafting Michel here solves that issue as well as disappoints plenty of Raider fans, who hope he falls to round two.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars-WR, Courtland Sutton. Both Marquis Lee and Allen Robinson are free agents. Sutton is a huge 6-foot-4 target that can stretch the field.
30. Minnesota Vikings-OT, Kolton Miller. Miller played left tackle as he anchored the offensive line at UCLA but would have no problem playing on the right side for the Vikings.
31. New England Patriots-OT, Brian O’Neil. Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming are set to be free agents. In doing so, the Patriots will need to fill a void, O’Neil can help to fill that void.
32. Philadelphia Eagles-LB, Rashaan Evans. Philly may let Nigel Bradham (Raider?) walk in free agency. Evans is a great tackler and can also rush the passer.

**49ers and Raiders still awaiting coin flip for picks 9 and 10 overall.