Our last mock NFL draft came right after the Combine, and results from the “underwear Olympics” altered our picks.
The next big influence on the draft was free agency. We saw how some teams filled their needs, which of course will now change who they might pick in late April.
Here is our fourth NFL mock draft, the post-free agency edition:
1) Ari: QB Kyler Murray Oklahoma
2) SF: Edge Josh Allen Kentucky
3) NYJ: Edge Nick Bosa Ohio State
4) OAK: DL Quinnen Williams Alabama
5) TB: LB Devin White LSU
Tampa Bay fell in love with White at the Combine. After losing LB Kwon Alexander in free agency, it leaves a big hole in the middle of that Buccaneers defense. The Bucs saw what Roquan Smith and Darius Leonard did for their teams in their rookie season; they don’t want to miss out on the next potential superstar linebacker.
6) NYG: Edge Brian Burns Florida State
The Giants biggest need is still quarterback, but this looks like a full rebuild again for New York and they are still committed to Eli Manning for some reason. After trading away Oliver Vernon, it opens up a big need on the edge and Burns will fill that role perfectly in a 3-4 scheme.
7) JAX: WR DK Metcalf Ole Miss
8) DET: Edge Rashan Gary Michigan
9) BUF: OT Jonah Williams Alabama
10) DEN: QB Dwayne Haskins Ohio State
I would be surprised if Haskins falls this far in the draft, but if he is available, you have to take him. Let’s face it: QB Joe Flacco is not the long-term answer in Denver and General Manager John Elway has to eventually hit on a young quarterback.
11) CIN: LB Devin Bush Michigan
Bush had another good performance at his pro day and he is rising up draft boards across the league. So far this offseason, the Bengals have committed money to their offensive line, which was their biggest need. Now it’s time to upgrade their defense. Bush will fit perfectly in Cincinnati.
12) GB: Edge Montez Sweat Miss State
Sweat has been in the news recently for the wrong reasons. At the combine, Sweat was diagnosed with a heart condition which is never a good thing, especially for an athlete. But at least he was still able to participate through all the drills. Last year Michigan’s Maurice Hurst was a unanimous first round draft pick until teams found out he also had a heart condition and then he slipped all the way to Day 3 of the draft. It will be interesting to see if a team still wants to commit to Sweat in the first round. Despite their free agent investments into edge rushers, the Packers could still be interested.
13) Mia: OT Jawaan Taylor Florida
14) ATL: DL Ed Oliver Houston
15) WSH: OL Cody Ford Oklahoma
16) CAR: OT Andre Dillard Washington State
17) NYG: WR N’Keal Harry Arizona State
Odell who? Who knows what the Giants were thinking when they traded away Odell Beckham Jr., but with him gone, it leaves a big need for Pat Shurmer’s offense. The Giants refuse to move on from QB Eli Manning, so why not go out and get him another playmaker.
18) MIN: OL Garrett Bradbury NC State
19) TEN: DL Christian Wilkins Clemson
20) PIT: CB Greedy Williams LSU
21) SEA: S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Florida
22) BAL: WR AJ Brown Ole Miss
The Ravens lost a lot in free agency, but after trading away QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore has committed to the future with Lamar Jackson. The Ravens add a playmaker here in Brown, who was really good in college and had a really nice pro day to put him back in first round consideration.
23) HOU: OL Chris Lindstrom Boston College
It doesn’t matter what position on the offensive line, just get QB Deshaun Watson some protection!
24) OAK: TE TJ Hockenson Iowa
25) PHI: RB Joshua Jacobs Alabama
26) IND: Edge Clelin Ferrell Clemson
The Colts had the most money heading into free agency with over $100 million in cap space, and instead of going on spending spree, the Colts decided to keep 85% of it and continue to build through the draft. Indianapolis needs more help off the edge to put pressure on opposing QBs.
27) OAK: CB Byron Murphy Washington
28) LAC: OT Dalton Risner Kansas State
29) KC: CB Deandre Baker Georgia
30) GB: S Nassir Adderley Delaware
If TE Noah Fant is still here, that could be a nice pick for the Packers. But TEs are a deep position group in this draft class, sothey could always add one later. Adderley is a playmaker and he showed that down at the Senior Bowl in January against higher level competition. He would be a nice young piece in Green Bay’s secondary, pairing him with Adrian Amos and Jaire Alexander.
31) LAR: OL Erik McCoy Texas A&M
32) NE: TE Noah Fant Iowa
— Jordan Goethe, Sportsfan 1330