Mock Draft FINAL (Roid Rage)

Check out Ginger Kings Final Mock Draft and the unofficial (but officially awesome) Big Red Sports Machine Draft Day Drinking Game Rules here.

Let’s get it on!

And now…..

Round 1 Team Pick Position
1 Cleveland Browns Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) QB
2 New York Giants Bradley Chubb (NC State) DE
3 New York Jets Sam Darnold (USC) QB
4 Cleveland Browns Denzel Ward (OSU) CB
5 Denver Broncos Josh Rosen (UCLA) QB
6 Indianapolis Colts Saquon Barkley (PSU) RB
7 Tampa Bay Bucs Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) OL
8 Chicago Bears Roquan Smith (Georgia) LB
9 San Francisco 49ers Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame) OL
10 Oakland Raiders Vita Vea (Washington) DT
11 Miami Dolphins Tremaine Edmunds (VA Tech) LB
12 Buffalo Bills Derwin James (FSU) S
13 Washington Redskins Da’Ron Payne (Alabama) DL
14 Green Bay Packers Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) CB
15 Arizona Cardinals Josh Allen (Wyoming) QB
16 Baltimore Ravens Harold Landry (BC) LB
17 Los Angeles Chargers James Daniels (Iowa) OL
18 Seattle Seahawks Josh Jackson (Iowa) CB
19 Dallas Cowboys DJ Moore (Maryland) WR
20 Detroit Lions Leighton Vander Esch (Boise St) LB
21 Cincinnati Bengals Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) OL
22 Buffalo Bills Marcus Davenport (Texas-SA) DE
23 New England Patriots Taven Bryan (Florida) DL
24 Carolina Panthers Frank Ragnow (Arkansas) OL
25 Tennessee Titans Jaire Alexander (Louisville) CB
26 Atlanta Falcons Kolton Miller (UCLA) OL
27 New Orleans Saints Mike Gesicki (PSU) TE
28 Pittsburgh Steelers Rashaan Evans (Alabama) LB
29 Jacksonville Jaguars Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma St) QB
30 Minnesota Vikings Connor Williams (Texas) OL
31 New England Patriots Lamar Jackson (Louisville) QB
32 Philadelphia Eagles Calvin Ridley (Alabama) WR

Instant Analysis: None needed! Get some!

 

 

The Machine’s Draft Day Drinking Game (2018 ed.)

Cheers!Can’t make it to The Machine’s Draft Day Party?  Well, that sucks for you.  But have no fear…we got your back.  “How can I make the Draft better?”, you ask yourself in amazement.  By playing The Big Red Sports Machine’s Draft Day Drinking Game.  It’s fun, it’s easy, guaranteed to impress the ladies, and you can play at home or at your favorite watering hole.  Here are the rules:

1.  Draft catchphrases.  There are certain phrases you only hear during the Draft.  Why?  We don’t know, but we love them.  For this reason alone, we give ESPN the slight lean over the NFL Network for your draft day coverage.  That, and, Kiper.  Duh, winning!

The following phrases are worth a shot of beer:

  • Raw talent
  • Off-the-field/character issues
  • Live arm
  • High motor
  • Straight line speed
  • Great Value/Upside
  • Dual threat
  • System quarterback
  • Pocket presence
  • Plays in the box (hey oh!)
  • Best player available
  • Intangibles or Measurables
  • War Room
  • New Regime
  • Read-Option
  • Edge Rusher
  • Gets to the Second Level
  • Quick feet
  • Plays in Space

New for 2018:

  • Fluid hips
  • Thick frame
  • Backside protector (hey oh!)

2.  Videos/references.  Each of these are beer-finishing worthy:

  • Reference to Mel’s hair
  • Player on-stage photo-op with family/entourage of 15+
  • Reference to Cleveland Browns front office ineptitude
  • First shot of Drew Rosenhaus in his newest client’s living room
  • First player to cry when their name is called
  • Reference to when Tom Brady was drafted (we’ll also accept Brady’s Combine picture)
  • Reference to Aaron Rodgers draft day slide
  • Video of Brady Quinn in the green room
  • Video of Bill Tobin’s infamous “who the hell is Mel Kiper?” interview during the ’94 Draft
  • And this:

3.  On the Clock Chug.  When your team is on the clock, you have to finish a full beer before the pick is called.  Note:  if your team trades down, they’re on the clock twice, meaning that’s two full beers.  Cowboy up, it’s the Draft!

Basically, if it doesn’t look like this, you’re doing it wrong…..

Beer Chug

Or this:

Beer Chug 2

Mock Draft FINAL (Ginger King)

Let’s get it on!

Round 1 Team Pick Position
1 Cleveland Browns Sam Darnold (USC) QB
2 New York Giants Saquon Barkley (PSU) RB
3 New York Jets Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) QB
4 Cleveland Browns Bradley Chubb (NC State) DE
5 Denver Broncos Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) OL
6 Indianapolis Colts Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) CB
7 Tampa Bay Bucs Derwin James (FSU) S
8 Chicago Bears Roquan Smith (Georgia) LB
9 San Francisco 49ers Mike McGlinchy (Notre Dame) OL
10 Oakland Raiders Vita Vea (Washington) DT
11 Miami Dolphins Tremaine Edmunds (VA Tech) LB
12 Buffalo Bills Josh Allen (Wyoming) QB
13 Washington Redskins Da’Ron Payne (Alabama) DT
14 Green Bay Packers Calvin Ridley (Alabama) WR
15 Arizona Cardinals Josh Rosen (UCLA) QB
16 Baltimore Ravens D.J. Moore (Maryland) WR
17 Los Angeles Chargers Josh Jackson (Iowa) CB
18 Seattle Seahawks Denzel Ward (OSU) CB
19 Dallas Cowboys Courtland Sutton (SMU) WR
20 Detroit Lions Harold Landry (Boston College) DE
21 Cincinnati Bengals Frank Ragnow (Arkansas) OL
22 Buffalo Bills Marcus Davenport (UTSA) DE
23 New England Patriots Leighton Vander Esch (Boise St.) LB
24 Carolina Panthers James Daniels (Iowa) OL
25 Tennessee Titans Billy Price (OSU) OL
26 Atlanta Falcons Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) OL
27 New Orleans Saints Lamar Jackson (Louisville) QB
28 Pittsburgh Steelers Rashaan Evans (Alabama) LB
29 Jacksonville Jaguars Jaire Alexander (Louisville) CB
30 Minnesota Vikings Will Hernandez (UTEP) OL
31 New England Patriots Christian Kirk (Texas A&M) WR
32 Philadelphia Eagles Mike Hughes (UCF) CB

Instant Analysis:  Alright, alright, alright.  My final mock draft.  Changes galore.  A lot of noise about Baker to Cleveland at #1, but I just don’t buy it.  This has smokescreen written all over it, trying to get the Jets to trade up for Broadway Baker.  If Cleveland stays put, this pick has to be Darnold.  He’s the most complete package of all the quarterbacks in the Draft.  Maybe Roid Rage will have the balls to go with Baker (he’s still living off his fame of DHB at 7) but my money’s on the Browns picking the surest thing.

While I think the Browns will use smart money, I don’t think the Giants will.  Smart money says take Bradley Chubb, shore up your defense, and then take a running back in the second or third round.  However, I think the Giants are going all-in.  By that, I mean give Eli Manning the last remaining offensive piece for one more run (let’s be honest, Eli’s got 2 at least two years left, he’s 37 people, that’s not old (neither is 39, btw)).  Gettleman wants a gold jacket player…that’s Saquon.  Yes, yes, I know, you can find great value at running back in later rounds.  Le’Veon Bell (2nd Round), Shady McCoy (2nd Round), Alvin Kamara (3rd Round), and last year’s leading rusher, Kareem Hunt (3rd Round).  However, there’s also Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette, all picked in the Top 10 and all of whom instantly elevated their team to the playoffs.  Yes, you could take Chubb, and then hope that Sony Michelle or Derrius Guice are there in Round 2.  But fuck it, throw caution (reason and logic) to the wind and roll them dice!

Can you imagine???

Elsewhere, both Josh Rosen and Josh Allen slip out of the Top 10, but not too far.  Bills Mafia will have no problems with Josh’s tweets, and will welcome him with open, drunken, arms.  Also, if the Bills can get Davenport at 22, that would be an ideal first round.  I think Arizona is as far as Josh Rosen will fall.  My concerns with him are less his millennial outlook on life (read: spoiled brat hated by his peers) and more about his injury history.  Two concussions in a year and shoulder surgery.  That’s what’s going to make him fall.

Wait, you mean people will hold you accountable for things you say online? I’ll be right back…

Ok folks, that’s it from me.  Time to go to my war room dive bar and get ready with some game tape chicken wings and Coors Light.  We’re hours away from the biggest (non-sporting) sporting event of the year!  We’ve been so geeked up about the actual draft, we forgot to even mention that it’s in Dallas!  You know Jerrah will spare no expense…at the very least expect a Rhinestone stage and (multiple) Elvis impersonators.

Mock Draft 4.0 (Ginger King)

Round 1 Team Pick Position
1 Cleveland Browns Josh Allen (Wyoming) QB
2 New York Giants Sam Darnold (USC) QB
3 New York Jets Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) QB
4 Cleveland Browns Saquon Barkley (PSU) RB
5 Denver Broncos Bradley Chubb (NC State) DE
6 Indianapolis Colts Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) OL
7 Tampa Bay Bucs Derwin James (FSU) S
8 Chicago Bears Trumaine Edmunds (VA Tech) LB
9 San Francisco 49ers Harold Landry (Boston College) DE
10 Oakland Raiders Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) CB
11 Miami Dolphins Josh Rosen (UCLA) QB
12 Buffalo Bills Marcus Davenport (UTSA) DE
13 Washington Redskins Vita Vea (Washington) DT
14 Green Bay Packers Calvin Ridley (Alabama) WR
15 Arizona Cardinals Lamar Jackson (Louisville) QB
16 Baltimore Ravens Mike McGlinchy (Notre Dame) OL
17 Los Angeles Chargers Josh Jackson (Iowa) CB
18 Seattle Seahawks Denzel Ward (OSU) CB
19 Dallas Cowboys Courtland Sutton (SMU) WR
20 Detroit Lions Da’Ron Payne (Alabama) DT
21 Cincinnati Bengals James Daniels (Iowa) OL
22 Buffalo Bills Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) OL
23 New England Patriots Leighton Vander Esch (Boise St.) LB
24 Carolina Panthers Roquan Smith (Georgia) LB
25 Tennessee Titans Billy Price (OSU) OL
26 Atlanta Falcons D.J. Moore (Maryland) WR
27 New Orleans Saints Dallas Goedert (South Dakota St.) TE
28 Pittsburgh Steelers Justin Reid (Stanford) S
29 Jacksonville Jaguars Rashaan Evans (Alabama) LB
30 Minnesota Vikings Kolton Miller (UCLA) OL
31 New England Patriots Christian Kirk (Texas A&M) WR
32 Philadelphia Eagles Derrius Guice (LSU) RB

Instant Analysis:  Cleveland’s first pick has to be a quarterback, but which one?  Most people have either Darnold or Allen, but now there’s word that Cleveland is seriously considering Baker Mayfield.  They’ve done a really good job of managing the message and controlling the flow of information (don’t worry, they’ll have plenty of time to get it wrong in a couple days).  If Cleveland goes with Allen (or Mayfield – although I’m not buying it) then the Giants will have to take Darnold.  Roid Rage has me sold on Baker to the Jets (I mean, Joe Namath approves), and then I think the Josh Rosen slide begins.

Slide, slide, slippidy slide.

Elsewhere, offensive lineman should dominate the latter half of the first round.  Everyone’s talking quarterbacks (ladies love the long ball) but the hog mollies could be the real story in Round 1.  We’re continuing to monitor all draft news (tough job, I know) so check back later for more mock drafts, as well as our award-winning Draft Day Drinking Game (2018 ed.).

Mock Draft 3.0 (Roid Rage)

Round 1 Team Pick Position
1 Cleveland Browns Sam Darnold (USC) QB
2 New York Giants Bradley Chubb (NC State) DE
3 New York Jets Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) QB
4 Cleveland Browns Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) OL
5 Denver Broncos Saquon Barkley (PSU) RB
6 Indianapolis Colts Josh Rosen (UCLA) QB
7 Tampa Bay Bucs Denzel Ward (OSU) CB
8 Chicago Bears Roquan Smith (Georgia) LB
9 San Francisco 49ers Derwin James (FSU) S
10 Oakland Raiders Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame) OL
11 Miami Dolphins Tremaine Edmunds (VA Tech) LB
12 Buffalo Bills Harold Landry (BC) LB
13 Washington Redskins Josh Allen (Wyoming) QB
14 Green Bay Packers Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) CB
15 Arizona Cardinals Lamar Jackson (Louisville) QB
16 Baltimore Ravens Da’Ron Payne (Alabama) DL
17 Los Angeles Chargers Vita Vea (Washington) DT
18 Seattle Seahawks James Daniels (Iowa) OL
19 Dallas Cowboys DJ Moore (Maryland) WR
20 Detroit Lions Leighton Vander Esch (Boise St) LB
21 Cincinnati Bengals Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) OL
22 Buffalo Bills Josh Jackson (Iowa) CB
23 New England Patriots Marcus Davenport (Texas-SA) DE
24 Carolina Panthers Calvin Ridley (Alabama) WR
25 Tennessee Titans Jaire Alexander (Louisville) CB
26 Atlanta Falcons Kolton Miller (UCLA) OL
27 New Orleans Saints Courtland Sutton (SMU) WR
28 Pittsburgh Steelers Rashaan Evans (Alabama) LB
29 Jacksonville Jaguars Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma St) QB
30 Minnesota Vikings Taven Bryan (Florida) DL
31 New England Patriots Connor Williams (Texas) OL
32 Philadelphia Eagles Derrius Guice (LSU) RB

LVE

Instant Analysis:  Looks like it’s down to Darnold or Mayfield for the Browns.  I’m sticking to my guns with Darnold.  It appears the Giants aren’t budging from No. 2.  Can they really trade for a punter and draft a running back second overall in the span of two weeks?  Is this 1998?  I’m giving them Chubb on principle alone.  Mayfield to the Jets seems like a done deal.  Nelson is the best (non-QB) in this draft.  The Broncos would like to move back, but when Barkley falls to them they pounce.  Need meets value.

Should the board fall like this: 2 QB’s + Barkley + Chubb + Nelson, then No. 6 seems like the ideal spot for a team to trade up to land either Rosen or Allen.

1st Round Breakdown:
QB = 6
RB = 2
WR = 3
TE = 0
OL = 6
DL = 5
LB = 5
DB = 5

 

 

 

 

 

Mock Draft 3.0 (Ginger King)

Round 1 Team Pick Position
1 Cleveland Browns Sam Darnold (USC) QB
2 New York Giants Bradley Chubb (NC State) DE
3 New York Jets Josh Rosen (UCLA) QB
4 Cleveland Browns Mike McGlinchy (Notre Dame) OL
5 Denver Broncos Saquon Barkley (PSU) RB
6 Indianapolis Colts Josh Allen (Wyoming) QB
7 Tampa Bay Bucs Derwin James (FSU) S
8 Chicago Bears Trumaine Edmunds (VA Tech) LB
9 San Francisco 49ers Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) OL
10 Oakland Raiders Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) CB
11 Miami Dolphins Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) QB
12 Buffalo Bills Calvin Ridley (Alabama) WR
13 Washington Redskins Roquan Smith (Georgia) LB
14 Green Bay Packers Christian Kirk (Texas A&M) WR
15 Arizona Cardinals Denzel Ward (OSU) CB
16 Baltimore Ravens Rashaan Evans (Alabama) LB
17 Los Angeles Chargers Josh Jackson (Iowa) CB
18 Seattle Seahawks Vita Vea (Washington) DT
19 Dallas Cowboys Courtland Sutton (SMU) WR
20 Detroit Lions Marcus Davenport (UTSA) DE
21 Cincinnati Bengals Kolton Miller (UCLA) OL
22 Buffalo Bills Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) OL
23 New England Patriots Leighton Vander Esch (Boise St.) LB
24 Carolina Panthers Harold Landry (Boston College) LB
25 Tennessee Titans Da’Ron Payne (Alabama) DT
26 Atlanta Falcons D.J. Moore (Maryland) WR
27 New Orleans Saints Lamar Jackson (Louisville) QB
28 Pittsburgh Steelers Justin Reid (Stanford) S
29 Jacksonville Jaguars Jaire Alexander (Louisville) CB
30 Minnesota Vikings Connor Williams (Texas) OL
31 New England Patriots Mason Rudolph (Ok St.) QB
32 Philadelphia Eagles Mike Hughes (UCF) CB

Instant Analysis:  We’ve opened the kimono (I know, it’s huge) and give you our full first round mock.  6 Quarterbacks in the First Round?!?!  That sounds crazy, but not impossible.  With the fifth-year team option for first round picks, both Lamar Jackson and Mason Rudolph stand a chance to sneak into the first round.  The more I think about it, the more Lamar Jackson to the Saints makes a ton of sense.  That offense fits his skill set, and there’s no expectation to come in right away.  He can sit back and learn from one of the best in Drew Brees.

Yes, he’s a quarterback.

Mike McGlinchey takes a huge jump up to Cleveland at 4.  Yes, Saquon Barkley is still there, but Cleveland just lost Joe Thomas and they need a left tackle to protect their newest franchise quarterback.  It’s tough to predict trades, but Cleveland would be in a great spot to trade to someone like Buffalo, and then grab McGlinchey at 12.  Speaking of franchise quarterbacks, the Colts surprise everyone and take Josh Allen.  Sure, the Colts have Andrew Luck, but here’s the problem:  He can’t throw a football.  That’s generally a problem if you’re a quarterback.  Sure, maybe he’ll be fine…or maybe he’ll put you through quarterback hell (again).  Drafting Josh Allen is a win-win, and a necessary insurance policy for the Colts.  If Luck returns to form, the Colts can trade Allen for a bevy of picks and/or players…and if, you know, Luck still can’t throw a football, then the Colts just drafted their next franchise quarterback.

Elsewhere, Dallas will now be looking for a receiver to replace Dez…and they can stay right in their backyard and get Courtland Sutton.

Dez who?

If Buffalo stays put, I like them to go offense with both picks.  Calvin Ridley would be hard to pass up at 12, and they need to strengthen their offense line with both Richie Incognito and Eric Wood not returning (FWIW, I’m not entirely convinced Richie’s retiring…this reeks of contract negotiation strategy).  Regardless, offensive line is still an area of need, and they’ll have plenty of options at 22 for an interior lineman.  Also, can we get a change.org petition going to get Incognito a broadcasting job?  Now that’ll boost ratings!

Are you ready for some football, motherfuckers!

Mock Draft 2.0 (Roid Rage)

Round 1 Team Pick Position
1 Cleveland Browns Sam Darnold (USC) QB
2 New York Giants Bradley Chubb (NC State) DE
3 New York Jets Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) QB
4 Cleveland Browns Denzel Ward (OSU) CB
5 Denver Broncos Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame) OL
6 Indianapolis Colts Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) OL
7 Tampa Bay Bucs Saquon Barkley (PSU) RB
8 Chicago Bears Josh Rosen (UCLA) QB
9 San Francisco 49ers Courtland Sutton (SMU) WR
10 Oakland Raiders Roquan Smith (Georgia) LB
11 Miami Dolphins Vita Vea (Washington) DT
12 Buffalo Bills Maurice Hurst (Michigan) DL
13 Washington Redskins Josh Allen (Wyoming) QB
14 Green Bay Packers Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) CB
15 Arizona Cardinals Tremaine Edmunds (VA Tech) LB
16 Baltimore Ravens Harold Landry (BC) LB
17 Los Angeles Chargers Derwin James (FSU) S
18 Seattle Seahawks Josh Jackson (Iowa) CB
19 Dallas Cowboys Calvin Ridley (Alabama) WR
20 Detroit Lions Marcus Davenport (Texas-SA) DE
21 Cincinnati Bengals Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) OL
22 Buffalo Bills Mike Hughes (Central Florida) CB
23 New England Patriots Leighton Vander Esch (Boise St) LB
24 Carolina Panthers DJ Moore (Maryland) WR
25 Tennessee Titans Josh Sweat (FSU) DE
26 Atlanta Falcons Kolton Miller (UCLA) OL
27 New Orleans Saints Lamar Jackson (Louisville) QB
28 Pittsburgh Steelers Rashaan Evans (Alabama) LB
29 Jacksonville Jaguars Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma St) QB
30 Minnesota Vikings Taven Bryan (Florida) DL
31 New England Patriots Connor Williams (Texas) OL
32 Philadelphia Eagles Mike Gesicki (PSU) TE
Instant Analysis:  Darnold still holds down the top spot, although it is getting harder and harder to ignore the Josh Allen-to-the-Browns chatter.  I already laid out the argument why the Giants should draft their next franchise quarterback here, but for this mock I’m going to give them the only other player they should consider at 2: DE Bradley Chubb.  Gettleman is old school; he’ll love the positional value of getting a pass rusher with a premium draft pick.  I think the Jets are smitten with Baker Mayfield, but really after the Christian Heckenburg disaster they’ll settle for any one of the top 4 QBs.  Cleveland adds the best corner in the draft (an area of desperate need for this team).  McGlinchey is the first real surprise (but not the last) of this mock.  Denver tried to upgrade their O-line with a nixed trade with the Dolphins for Ja’Wuan James.  Gil Brandt thinks the Notre Dame prospect is going in the Top 10, so why not to Denver?  Indy will be tempted to trade down, but when a blue-chip prospect like Nelson falls in their lap they should sprint to the podium.  Same goes for the Bucs with Barkley.  I’m not exactly projecting trades in this mock per se, but the way the board has fallen so far, the Bears are in the catbird seat to trade down (and still have a chance at landing the prospect they are eyeing).  This would be seen as a big win for Ryan Pace, whom still has a black eye after the drubbing he took for jumping one spot last year for Trubisky.

I’ll probably be dead-wrong about Sutton (my highest rated WR this year), but I totally expect John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan to invest heavily on the offensive side of the ball this draft.  Jimmy G about to get some new weapons!  Due to the QB-heavy nature of this draft, some teams that are patience and sit tight are going to have studs fall into their laps.  Smith (Georgia) and Vea (Washington) fit that description well.  Inevitably, a couple of these QBs will tumble come draft day; in this mock that is Josh Alllen and Lamar Jackson.  Washington could trade out, or take one of the quarterbacks.  Afterall, everywhere Alex Smith ends up the team immediately drafts his replacement.

Defense dominates the bottom half of this mock.  The smart play at the bottom third of the first round is to grab a QB and lock up that 5th year option.  That’s exactly what I have the Saints and Jags doing by taking Jackson and Rudolph at 27 and 29, respectfully.

 

 

 

 

 

Mock Draft 1.0 (Roid Rage)

Here. We. Go!  It’s Mock Draft season!  The first, second and third waves of free agency have come and gone.  We’re down to depth-chart fillers like Matt Cassel and Troy Niklas.  NFL front offices are working OT to finalize their draft boards, find potential trade partners and send out as many false signals as possible.  Let’s dive into the top half of the first round, shall we:

Round 1 Team Pick Position
1 Cleveland Browns Sam Darnold (USC) QB
2 New York Giants Josh Rosen (UCLA) QB
3 New York Jets Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) QB
4 Cleveland Browns Bradley Chubb (NC State) DE
5 Denver Broncos Saquon Barkley (PSU) RB
6 Indianapolis Colts Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) OL
7 Tampa Bay Bucs Josh Allen (Wyoming) QB
8 Chicago Bears Denzel Ward (OSU) CB
9 San Francisco 49ers Derwin James (FSU) S
10 Oakland Raiders Maurice Hurst (Michigan) DL
11 Miami Dolphins Roquan Smith (Georgia) LB
12 Buffalo Bills Trumaine Edmunds (VA Tech) LB
13 Washington Redskins Josh Jackson (Iowa) CB
14 Green Bay Packers Harold Landry (BC) LB
15 Arizona Cardinals Vita Vea (Washington) DT
16 Baltimore Ravens Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) CB

It’s no secret, this years crop of QB prospects have NFL talent evaluators creaming their pants.  It’s the reason the Cleveland Browns have literally been tanking for the last two years (1-31, hullo!).  It’s the reason they passed on passed on Wentz, Trubisky and Watson. They are taking a QB first overall.  They were ALWAYS going to take a QB first overall.  Darnold has the most upside; time will tell if the weight of Cleveland suck will crush this kids soul or not.

Without mentioning his name, this is the three-year average from the Giants starting QB:

372/596 (62%), 3977 yards, 27 TDs, 14 Ints, 0.333 benchings

Yikes.  If I ever die like that old dude in the DaVinci Code, and I need to pass on the message that my evil killer was in some way mediocre (a word I clearly can’t spell without spell-checker), I’m going to scrawl that stat line on my dying corpse.  I’ll most likely be in a Tebowing pose as well, just putting that out there.

Let’s remember, those state are with throwing to the best WR in football (most of the time).  Eli’s also 37.  It’s time to put him out to pasture and draft the QB of the future.  The G-Men have no intention of picking in the top 5 again any time soon, and somehow I doubt the sales pitch to convince Shurmur to coach the team was: “we’re going to NOT let you pick the QB you want to groom for the future AND trade way the best offensive weapon in the game”.  The Giants will either draft Rosen/Mayfield or trade down.  And they won’t move Beckham.  The trade talk is a weak attempt to try to gain some leverage in negotiations.  Trading Jason Pierre Lobster Claw was more about trading that contract than it was moving that 7-and-a-half fingered freak show.  OBJ ’bout to get paid!

Money!

Clearly the Jets have no problem with sloppy seconds (or thirds)!  Some things never change.  It’s not really a stretch to envision the Jets picking the one bust QB from this class, while 4 other guys go on to have HOF careers.  Can’t blame the Jets for trying, they were probably going to fuck up all those second round picks they gave to the Colts anyways.  I love Mayfield the QB prospect, but I’ll flip on that crotch-grabbing asshole as soon as he holds up that green jersey.

So Peter King said a “friend” of John Dorsey’s (Cleveland’s GM) said the Browns won’t trade out of No. 4.  Luckily (for my wife), I wasn’t reading SI during breakfast, because I would have been shooting milk and Cheerios out of my nose from laughing so hard.  Seriously Pete.  You’re citing a “friend”.  Ummm, was this friend named Keter Ping?

I have the Browns taking Chubb at 4 (mostly because I don’t bother with mocking trades).  It’s cool to think about Chubb and Myles Garrett on the same D-line.  Until you realize it’s Cleveland, and neither of those guys can cover Antonio Brown, so they’ll still get creamed by the Steelers.

Denver is the true wildcard.  Correction: John Elways ego is the true wildcard.  Horse-teeth still thinks he has an elite defense and that Case Keenum is good.  John Elway backed QBs fall into two distinct groups: Those named Peyton Manning, and those that suck at playing quarterback (see: Osweiler, Paxton Lynch, Trevor Semen (sic)).  Which category do you think Case Keenum will fall into?!?  I’ve got the Broncos taking the “just one player away from contending” guy in Barkley.  On the other hand,  Elway gets mega stiffys for QB’s over 6′-6″, so can he resists the urge to lasso in Josh Allen?

In five years from now we are going to look back and realize that the Colts were the true laughing-stock of the league, not the Browns.  Since 1998….(don’t grab your calculator, it’s 20 years ago)…the Colts have had EITHER Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck under contract.  They’ve got 1 Superbowl victory to show for it (if I had an editor he’d probably add a note here saying that Superbowl victory was against Rex Freaking Grossman.  Not sayin, just sayin.  Good point fake editor!).  The Colts weren’t able to protect Manning and he literally broke his neck [insert Peyton Manning neck and/or forehead joke here]….and they are trying their damnedest to double down and get Andrew Luck killed on the field of play.  Josh McDaniels got one peek behind the curtain and sabotaged his own career instead of joining this clownshow.  I’ve got the Colts drafting the best guard prospect I’ve ever evaluated…..which means he’ll probably be out of the league in five years.

Please be as good as Wentz.

I don’t think the Bucs take a QB at 7, but it seems like the ideal spot (in this mock) for the Bills, Dolphins or Cardinals to move up and grab Allen (the last “blue chip” QB prospect).

Denzel Ward is my highest rated corner, but whomever lands Jackson and Fitzpatrick won’t be disappointed.

Roquan Smith is my favorite player to watch in this draft.  He’s all over the place.

Stay tuned for picks 17 -32……(but not really, because I’ll probably move on to Mock 2.0 and start all over from the top).

 

 

 

 

Mock Draft 2.0 (Ginger King)

Alright, alright, alright.  Let’s get right to our Mock 2.0.  Some big changes in store.  We’ve already seen some big trades, as the Jets and the Bills are making some big moves, each in search of a franchise quarterback.  The Jets have assured themselves of one of the Big 3, but Buffalo still has some work to do if it’s gunning for a quarterback.  The Giants at #2 and Cleveland at #4 are great spots…but what will it take to get there (answer: a lot).  Also, they’re going to have some competition.  There are teams lurking outside the Top 10 besides the Bills (Miami, Arizona) looking to make a jump into the Top 5.  This will make for some exciting fireworks come draft night.

For now, let’s focus on the draft order as is (predicting trades is like a mock within a mock…and that’s just ridiculous).  We’ll reveal a little more of the curtain and unveil the top half of Round 1.

Round 1 Team Pick Position
1 Cleveland Browns Sam Darnold (USC) QB
2 New York Giants Bradley Chubb (NC State) DE
3 New York Jets Josh Rosen (UCLA) QB
4 Cleveland Browns Saquon Barkley (PSU) RB
5 Denver Broncos Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) OL
6 Indianapolis Colts Vita Vea (Washington) DT
7 Tampa Bay Bucs Calvin Ridley (Alabama) WR
8 Chicago Bears Trumaine Edmunds (VA Tech) LB
9 San Francisco 49ers Derwin James (FSU) S
10 Oakland Raiders Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) CB
11 Miami Dolphins Josh Allen (Wyoming) QB
12 Buffalo Bills Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) QB
13 Washington Redskins Roquan Smith (Georgia) LB
14 Green Bay Packers Christian Kirk (Texas A&M) WR
15 Arizona Cardinals Denzel Ward (OSU) CB
16 Baltimore Ravens Mike McGlinchy (Notre Dame) OL

Instant Analysis:  Darnold took some flak for not throwing at the Combine, but silenced all critics by impressing everyone at his pro day.  As if his performance alone wasn’t enough, he threw in the rain, letting everyone know he’s ready for some depressing mid-Western weather.

Like bad weather, Sam? You’re going to love Cleveland.

Things get wonky quick with the Giants at 2.  I think the Giants would love nothing more than to trade down a few spots.  Problem is they don’t want to drop too far.  Ideally, best case scenario is to drop to #5 or #6, get some picks in the process, and still be guaranteed a top player (Barkley, Chubb, Nelson).  However, neither Denver or the Colts are looking to move up (quite the opposite, actually).  For now, they stay put and take Chubb, who makes a ton of sense, especially with JPP and his lobster claw heading to Tampa.

Thanks for the memories!

By trading out of the third pick, the Colts are gambling that Chubb will still be there.  If not, they will try to trade down, as someone like Vita Vea would still be available in the early teens.

Rounding out the top half, the Dolphins are the big winners here…with Josh Allen falling in their lap.  If the Giants don’t draft a quarterback (they may take Allen) then teams will be clamoring to move up to get him.  It’s unthinkable that he could fall that far, but stranger things have happened.  Remember Aaron Rodgers draft day slide?  He fell all the way to 24.  It could happen (but probably not).

Speaking of the Packers, Green Bay fills the void left by Jordy Nelson with Christian Kirk, proving again that free agency shapes the draft.

Carson Wentz 2.0