Yes, the Super Bowl is still more than a week away. But with our Bears and Packers out of the mix, the 2018-19 NFL season is basically over.
Time to look ahead. And Jordan Goethe of SportsfanRadio 1330 is ready to shed some light on who our teams – along with the rest of the league – will be selecting come late April:
1) Ari: DE Nick Bosa Ohio State
Just like his father and older brother, Nick will follow in their footsteps in becoming a first round pick, but he will be selected higher than each of them. Arizona needs a lot of help on both sides of the ball; why not get the best player in the draft to help out Chandler Jones.
2) SF: OLB Josh Allen Kentucky
No not the QB Josh Allen, this Josh Allen might be even better at the next level. He might be my favorite player in the draft this year; he’s made so many big plays over his career at Kentucky and continues to dominant game after game. Go back and check out his plays vs Florida earlier this year; he completely turned that game around.
3) NYJ: DT Quinnen Williams Alabama
4) Oak: DT Ed Oliver Houston
5) TB: CB Greedy Williams LSU
6) NYG: QB Dwayne Haskins Ohio State
It will be interesting if Haskins even falls this far in the draft or if a team becomes desperate enough to move ahead of the Giants to grab him (cough cough Jaguars). The Giants have their franchise WR, they have their running back of the future, and they have an offensive-minded head coach. Now it’s time to finally find their QB of the future and replace Eli Manning.
7) Jax: OT Jonah Williams Alabama
Yes the Jaguars need a QB as well, but Kyler Murray doesn’t really seem like a Tom Coughlin kind of guy. I believe the Jaguars will go with the more experienced QB route (trade, free agency) rather than draft an unproven rookie. Jacksonville needs to bolster its offensive line, and give that next QB some help.
8) Det: LB Devin White LSU
The Lions could go a few different routes here. They could get Mathew Stafford more help, or find Ezekiel Ansah’s eventual replacement on the edge, or they could select a dynamic game changer at the linebacker position in LSU’s Devin White.
9) Buf: DE Clelin Ferrell Clemson
I know the Bills need to find QB Josh Allen more help on offense, but Sean McDermott is a defensive-minded coach first. He needs to find a player who can give opposing teams pressure off the edge. Why not grab the defending National Champion in Clelin Ferrell.
10) Den: S Dionte Thompson Alabama
The No. 1 position of need for the Broncos is QB. Case Keenum had some great moments in Minnesota, but he is not the QB of the future in Denver. Remember the last time someone gave Vic Fangio a safety from Alabama? That was Eddie Jackson and I would say he turned out pretty well.
11) Cin: CB Deandre Baker Georgia
12) GB: OLB Jachai Polite Florida
Green Bay has its new young head coach to help out QB Aaron Rodgers and Co. But now it’s time to find that elite pass rusher the team has been missing for years. I have the Packers selecting the best pass rusher available in Jachai Polite from Florida. Polite struggled his first two years at Florida in limited time, but he really put things together in his third year, racking up 20 tackles for loss to go along with 11 sacks in 13 games.Polite should be able to step in immediately and make an impact for the Packers.
13) Mia: QB Kyler Murray Oklahoma
Kyler Murray might be the most versatile QB we have seen since Michael Vick. There was a report a few weeks ago saying the Dolphins have begun scouting QBs in the 2020 draft. Now we’ve seen teams do this in the past, sending off a little
smoke screen to get other teams off their scent. The Dolphins need a change at QB now. Could Kyler Murray be the guy or will a team move up and grab him earlier?
14) Atl: DE Rashan Gary Michigan
When the Falcons made their Super Bowl run a few years ago they had a great front seven, but in the last two seasons, the Falcons have struggled to put pressure on opposing QBs. The Falcons need to fix their defense and draft another guy who can come off the edge and provide pressure.
15) Wash: OT Cody Ford Oklahoma
16) Car: DE Montez Sweat Mississippi State
17) Cle: OT Jawaan Taylor Florida
18) Min: OT Greg Little Ole Miss
The big problem for the Vikings last year was their offensive line. That has to change. Little has a lot of talent and was a high recruit coming out of high school, but has shown to be too inconsistent at times, causing him to slip a little bit in the draft.
19) Ten: WR DK Metcalf Ole Miss
20) Pit: LB Devin Bush Michigan
21) Sea: CB Byron Murphy Washington
I give up on Seattle drafting offensive linemen in the first round. It has been their weakest spot for the last 5 years now and they still have not addressed it. CB Byron Murphy would be a steal of a pick here if the Seahawks decide to pass on another offensive lineman.
22) Bal: WR N’Keal Harry Arizona State
23) Hou: OT David Edwards Wisconsin
24) Oak: DE Oshane Ximines Old Dominion
25) Phi: DT Dexter Lawrence Clemson
26) Ind: DE/OLB Brian Burns Florida State
27) Oak: WR Marquise Brown Oklahoma
28) LAC: DT Jeffrey Simmons Mississippi State
29) KC: S Nasir Adderley Delaware
30) GB: TE TJ Hockenson Iowa
Green Bay could go a few different directions here, but after selecting their biggest need earlier in the first round, the Packers can focus on their offense. Year one of TE Jimmy Graham did not go so well. TJ Hockenson is the best of both blocking and receiving worlds; some say he is George Kittle 2.0. Good pick by Packers if they can get him.
31) LAR: DE Jaylon Ferguson Louisiana Tech
32) NE: QB Daniel Jones Duke
Tom Brady will not play forever. It’s time to start thinking about the future. QB Daniel Jones could be a perfect fit for New England.
— Jordan Goethe, Sportsfan 1330