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Kiper's Mock 2.0 (2/21)


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http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/insider/story/_/id/22514188/nfl-mock-draft-2018-20-mel-kiper-first-round-pick-rankings-draft-order-32-picks

I post Kiper and McShay's mock drafts because many people don't have the Insider subscription.

 

We're through the evaluation process of the Senior Bowl, and the combine (Feb. 27-March 5) is on deck. The picture for the 2018 NFL draft is becoming clearer, though we still have to get through free agency -- and the Kirk Cousinssweepstakes -- before we have a better idea of what all 32 teams need.

Since my first mock draft in mid-January, we've seen the Eagles win the Super Bowl, Alex Smith traded to Washington and all of the vacant head-coach openings filled. So, yeah, there are quite a few changes in my new projection of picks 1-32, which you can read below:

A few reminders before I get started:

  • Upcoming combine testing, medicals, pro days and individual workouts are extremely important to the process, and draft boards will change a lot based on those.

  • There are no trades allowed in this projection, and several of these picks are based on who I think is the best player available. In some cases, I have identified a few needs that could be targeted.

  • An asterisk denotes a prospect who is an underclassmen.

  • The 49ers and Raiders are tied at Nos. 9 and 10, and the picks will be decided by a coin flip at the combine. For the purposes of this projection, I'm sticking with San Francisco for the ninth pick.

My new Big Board and position rankings can be found here. Let's dig in to Mock Draft 2.0:

Quick links: First round draft order | McShay's Mock 2.0 | Kiper's Mock 1.0


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1. Cleveland Browns

*Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

I'm sticking with Allen here. The only way I see the Browns not ending up with a quarterback at No. 1 is if they sign Kirk Cousins, which is going to cost them around $100 million in guarantees. Then they could trade down with a quarterback-needy team to pick up more talent -- and remember, they have the No. 4 pick, too. Allen had a strong week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, improving every day. The NFL statistical comp I make to Allen: Matthew Stafford, who completed 57.1 percent of his passes in 39 games at Georgia and still went No. 1 overall. And Stafford had better talent around him.

 

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2. New York Giants

*Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Do the Giants take a quarterback or the best prospect available? They don't have quite as many needs as the Browns, and they won 11 games two seasons ago. New York has some talent. I went with Josh Rosen in Mock Draft 1.0, but Barkley is the top-ranked player on my Big Board. If the Giants can add Barkley to a group that includes Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram, that would be rare skill-position talent. Barkley is more than a great runner -- he is a stellar receiver (he caught 54 passes in 2017) and pass-blocker. Eli Manning should be more efficient with these weapons around him, and the Giants can use another year of evaluation to figure out if 2017 third-round pick Davis Webb is the heir apparent.

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3. Indianapolis Colts

Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

No change with the Colts, who don't need a quarterback and can grab the draft's best pass-rusher. They ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks (25) last season. Chubb had 46.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus came over from Dallas, where Rod Marinelli and the Cowboys ran a 4-3 defense. Chubb is a great fit in a 4-3 as an edge rusher.

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4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans)

*Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

With Saquon Barkley off the board, Cleveland can fill a huge need at cornerback with the pick it acquired in the Texans' trade up for Deshaun Watson last year. And yes, that's where Fitzpatrick would fit with the Browns. I said in my Mock Draft 1.0 that he is the top cornerback and safety in this draft. Fitzpatrick is a big-time playmaker as a deep safety, outside corner and in the slot -- he really has it all. He is a defensive coordinator's dream.

 

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5. Denver Broncos

*Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Darnold has a high ceiling, but ball security issues in 2017 -- his 22 turnovers were tied for most in the FBS -- raised questions. When he's on his game, he looks like the No. 1 overall pick. Can he show consistency? I expect Denver to be part of the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes, and it could look to defense here if it lands the top free-agent quarterback. The Broncos might look very different in 2018, especially if Aqib Talib and Demaryius Thomas are released. They would have needs at several positions, including corner, safety, receiver and running back.

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6. New York Jets

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

This is another team I expect to be in on Kirk Cousins, and the Jets have to add a quarterback this offseason. Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg aren't long-term answers. So why Mayfield over Josh Rosen here? It's close. Mayfield is one of the best leaders in this class, and there are still questions about Rosen's ability to galvanize a team. Rosen has a higher ceiling, but Mayfield is ready to start in the NFL right now. I like Rosen as a pure passer, but there are also concerns about his injury history -- he missed half of the 2016 season after having shoulder surgery. Mayfield, the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner, put up huge numbers for the Sooners and measured 6-0 at the Senior Bowl. If the Jets get Cousins, cornerback is their top need.

 

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7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

*Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

Nelson moved up to No. 4 on my latest Big Board, and there's no question he's the favorite to be the first offensive lineman off the board in April. He's a plug-and-play starter who dominates defenders and can get to the second level. Tampa Bay had one of the league's worst running games in 2017 -- it averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. Nelson would be an instant upgrade.

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8. Chicago Bears

*Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Edmunds is a tremendous athlete. He could play inside or outside linebacker in the Bears' 3-4, and it's that versatility and athleticism that has scouts drooling. I expect him to put up huge numbers at the combine. Edmunds had 109 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2017, and he does a good job covering pass-catchers out of the backfield. At 6-5, 250, Edmunds doesn't look like a traditional middle linebacker, but he's such a physical specimen that you can't rule it out. And the Bears just released Jerrell Freeman. Chicago could also be in the market for an offensive tackle or wide receiver here.

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9. San Francisco 49ers

*Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

No change for the 49ers here, as Ward would give them a true No. 1 cornerback on top of a super talented front seven. Ward is polished, though he's not huge (5-10, 191) like 6-2 Ahkello Witherspoon, San Francisco's third-round pick last year. Ward had two interceptions and 15 pass breakups in 2017, and he plays the ball well and has good instincts.

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10. Oakland Raiders

*Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia

This match makes too much sense, so I'm sticking with it. Smith could be the centerpiece of Jon Gruden's Raiders defense, playing inside linebacker. He had 137 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season, and he was a force in the College Football Playoff, making plays from sideline to sideline.

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11. Miami Dolphins

*Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

If Rosen drops to No. 11, Miami has to pounce. This is a pick for the best player available. Ryan Tannehill is coming off a torn ACL which caused him to miss all of the 2017 season, and the Dolphins could move on from him next year. Jay Cutler is a free agent. This quarterback situation isn't solved. Rosen is the most polished quarterback in this class when he's at his best, and he has rare arm talent. But he was inconsistent in 2017 and dealt with a serious shoulder injury in 2016. His medical reports and interviews with teams at the combine will be extremely important. Miami could also target an offensive tackle or pass-rusher.

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12. Cincinnati Bengals

*Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

This is a deep group of offensive tackles, and our first one is off the board at No. 12. Miller is a pure left tackle with a 6-8 frame and great feet. He reminds me of Patriots left tackle Nate Solder (a free agent). Last offseason, the Bengals let walk longtime left tackle Andrew Whitworth, and former first-round pick Cedric Ogbuehi took his spot. Whitworth had an All-Pro season with the Rams, but Ogbuehi struggled. He might be better with a move inside to guard. Picking Miller here gives Cincinnati an upgrade, though he needs to get stronger.

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13. Washington Redskins

*Vita Vea, DT, Washington

We could probably scratch off quarterback here after Washington traded for Alex Smith and signed him to a new deal. The next position I have on my Redskins needs list is nose tackle, and Vea and Alabama's Da'Ron Payne are the best in the class. Washington ranked last in the league in 2017 in run defense, allowing 134.1 yards per game. The 6-4, 346-pound Vea is a freakish talent who is more than a run-stopper. He has rare quickness for a player of his size and can play all three downs.

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14. Green Bay Packers

Marcus Davenport, DE, UT San Antonio

Davenport was my pick for Green Bay in Mock Draft 1.0, and I don't see a reason to change. There really aren't many top-tier edge rushers in this class for the second half of the first round, and there's a drop-off after Davenport. He had an OK week at the Senior Bowl but didn't dominate. That was expected, however, as he's a raw, quick-twitch athlete with a 6-6 frame and who lacks pass-rushing moves. Those should come in time, and he would get to learn the craft from Clay Matthews in Green Bay.

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15. Arizona Cardinals

*Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

I love this fit for both sides. Take a look at the Cardinals' depth chart from the end of the season. Larry Fitzgerald will be 35 when the 2018 season begins. John Brown and Jaron Brown are free agents. They need a No. 2 receiver. Ridley is far and away the best wideout in this draft class, and getting him at No. 15 is good value. He had 19 career touchdown catches with inconsistent quarterback play. Arizona also needs a quarterback, of course, but I think new coach Steve Wilks & Co. are more likely to go the veteran route. But watch out for the Cardinals if one of the top four QBs falls.

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16. Baltimore Ravens

*Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

I'm giving the Ravens a right tackle again, just swapping the prospect. Brown is pure mauler and plug-and-play guy over incumbent Austin Howard. At 6-8, 345, Brown will need to lose a little bit of weight, but he was stellar protecting Baker Mayfield's blind side at Oklahoma. Baltimore could be in position to snag the top center in this class -- Iowa's James Daniels is No. 1 on my board -- if it loses Ryan Jensen in free agency.

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17. Los Angeles Chargers

*Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

As I wrote in my Mock Draft 1.0, stopping the run has to be a priority for the Chargers in 2018. Their 4.9 yards per rushing attempt allowed ranked last in the league. Los Angeles has two young star edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but it has to improve on the interior. Payne popped in the College Football Playoff and even had an interception and touchdown catch in the semifinal win over Clemson. The 6-2, 319-pound Payne had only three career sacks, but he consistently beat his man, even if it didn't show up on the stat sheet.

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18. Seattle Seahawks

*Derwin James, S, Florida State

There are questions all over the Seattle defense -- will Kam Chancellor, Cliff Avril, Sheldon Richardson and Richard Sherman be back? -- and the future of the aging Legion of Boom is up in the air. James could be a new member. He looked like a top-five pick as a freshman at Florida State in 2015, missed the entire 2016 season with a knee injury, then didn't return as the same player in 2017. But he's still extremely talented. Medical reports and testing at the combine will be important for James. Scouts are keeping an eye on how he runs and what he shows in the agility drills.

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19. Dallas Cowboys

Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama

I almost went with a tight end here, as South Carolina's Hayden Hurst reminds me of a young Jason Witten, who can't play forever. But middle linebacker is another need, especially if Dallas can't retain free agent Anthony Hitchens, and Evans could play there or be insurance for Sean Lee, who will be 32 when the 2018 season begins and has struggled with injuries in his career. Evans had 15 sacks at Alabama and is a threat as a pass-rusher on third down. He's smart and battle-tested after playing under Nick Saban. I really like this pick for the Cowboys.

 

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20. Detroit Lions

*Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

This is a spot to watch for a rising pass-rusher, but Detroit would be thrilled with the No. 2 running back on the board. Guice is a true every-down back, which Matthew Stafford has never had in his career. Ameer Abdullah averaged only 3.3 yards per carry in 2017, while Theo Riddick is more of a versatile pass-catcher. Guice had 26 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he looked every bit as good for the Tigers as Leonard Fournette did in 2016. I also like the fit for USC running back Ronald Jones II and Detroit, so he's another option as the second back to be drafted.

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21. Buffalo Bills

*Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida

With back-to-back picks here, could the Bills try to package these and move up for a quarterback? It would take both picks -- and more -- to get into the top 10. Hughes fills a big need opposite 2017 first-round pick Tre'Davious White, and he's a great punt and kick returner, too. He had three touchdown returns last season. After playing at North Carolina in 2015 and a junior college in 2016, Hughes doesn't have a ton of experience, but he emerged as a shutdown corner and important player for the Knights in 2017.

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22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs)

*James Daniels, C/G, Iowa

Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst is a perfect fit in the Bills' 4-3 -- and my top-ranked 4-3 tackle -- but the retirement of Eric Wood opens up a void at center in Buffalo, and the Bills could get the top prospect at a real position of need. Daniels is No. 1 on my board there. At 6-4, 296, he can move his feet and get to the second level as a true athlete. He is perfect as an anchor for today's NFL. I wouldn't be shocked if two centers went in the first round. Ohio State's Billy Price is the other one.

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23. Los Angeles Rams

*Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Los Angeles has decisions to make on free-agent cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Nickell Robey-Coleman and safety/corner Lamarcus Joyner, and it isn't likely to keep them all. Cornerback is a clear need for the Rams. Jackson burst onto the scene with eight interceptions in 2017, including three in an upset win over Ohio State. The big question about Jackson is true speed -- he needs to run well at the combine to stay in the first-round discussion. He could also help out on punt returns.

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24. Carolina Panthers

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

When Cam Newton was league MVP in 2015, he had a deep threat in Ted Ginn Jr. who could take the top off defenses. Ginn had 10 touchdowns and averaged almost 17 yards per catch. Washington could be that guy for the Panthers. He averaged 19.8 yards per catch and had 39 touchdowns at Oklahoma State. He is great after the catch. At 5-11, 210, Washington is undersized, but he was one of the best receivers at the Senior Bowl. He consistently beat defenders in one-on-ones, just like I saw on his college tape.

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25. Tennessee Titans

*Ronald Jones II, RB, USC

Tennessee is expected to part ways with DeMarco Murray, which means Derrick Henry becomes the primary back. New offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur spent time with the Falcons (2015-16) and Rams (2017), who both used their backs a lot in the passing game, and Jones could be a complementary back who helps there. He caught only 14 passes last season, but he has a lot of tools with which to work and has a lot of talent after the catch. I also thought about center or guard here, as the Titans need to upgrade the interior of their line.

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26. Atlanta Falcons

Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia

Wynn is another prospect who helped himself at the Senior Bowl. He was one of the best offensive linemen there, and he neutralized pass-rushers on almost every one-on-one rep. Wynn played guard and tackle for the Bulldogs, but at 6-2, 308, scouts see him as a guard at the next level. By picking Wynn, Atlanta could upgrade on Wes Schweitzer on the right side or move on from Andy Levitre on the left side. Defensive tackle and receiver are other positions to watch with this pick, depending on what happens in free agency.

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27. New Orleans Saints

*Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

I mentioned Hurst at pick No. 19, and he's trending toward being a Day 1 pick and the first tight end off the board. He's a well-rounded tight end who didn't get a ton of targets in the South Carolina offense. One thing to note: Because Hurst spent a couple of years playing minor league baseball, he will be 25 when he plays his first NFL game. That shouldn't be a demerit, however, as he has the tools to be a premier tight end in the league. New Orleans brought in Coby Fleener in 2016 to try to replace the production of Jimmy Graham, but that didn't work out and the Saints could release him this offseason. Drew Breesneeds a No. 1 tight end.

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28. Pittsburgh Steelers

*Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

Vander Esch is a name I continue to hear for the end of the first round. I expect him to put up strong numbers at the combine. At 6-4, 240, he has the versatility to play outside linebacker, but I think his best fit is as an inside 'backer in a 3-4. He's a physical run-stopper who can defend tight ends and running backs -- he had three interceptions in 2017. Inside linebacker is an obvious need for the Steelers, who will have to replace Ryan Shazier. This is also a spot where I could see a team trading up to grab Louisville quarterback and 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, who I think will be the fifth QB off the board.

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29. Jacksonville Jaguars

Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

I'm giving the Jags a different tight end here after going with Oklahoma's Mark Andrews in my Mock Draft 1.0. Former first-round pick Marcedes Lewis has had a great career, but he's turning 34 this year and isn't much of a receiving threat. I have compared Goedert to Todd Heap and Zach Ertz, two guys who can catch passes and also block. Goedert has a tremendous catch radius at 6-4, 260. He suffered a hamstring injury at the first Senior Bowl practice but should be fine to work out at the combine.

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30. Minnesota Vikings

*Geron Christian, OT, Louisville

This tackle class is fluid. I could see five or six be picked on Day 1. I'm anticipating Christian to get a lot of buzz at the combine. He's going to be a riser after he shows his athleticism in drills. Christian started 39 straight games for the Cardinals, including every game as a freshman. He has great feet and a big 6-6 frame. With Mike Remmers likely staying at guard in 2018 and beyond, the Vikings have a hole at right tackle. Notre Dame's Mike McGlinchey and Texas' Connor Williams are other tackles to keep an eye on.

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31. New England Patriots

*Donte Jackson, CB, LSU

Jackson is another prospect I expect to rise at the combine. He might be the fastest player in this class. He has elite speed and physical talent, and he could help out as a returner. Jackson is only 5-11, 180, but he's a similar build to 2017 first-round pick Adoree' Jackson. We know the Patriots love to trade down, so this is a spot to watch for a team trying to get Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Patriots also need a pass-rusher, and Boston College's Harold Landry or Georgia's Lorenzo Carter could be in consideration.

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32. Philadelphia Eagles

*Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

The Super Bowl champs are built to contend for years to come, and they don't have many immediate needs. I thought about tackle here, as veteran left tackle Jason Peters is coming off a torn ACL and MCL. But former fifth-round pick Halapoulivaati Vaitai showed promise down the stretch, and the offensive line as a whole played really well in the playoffs. The Eagles might part ways with Torrey Smith this offseason, which means a receiver at the end of the first round makes sense. At 5-11, Kirk isn't a big target, but he can be a weapon in the slot and in the return game. UCLA's Jordan Lasley is a receiver who could rise into the Day 1 discussion, too.

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The Giants really hold the key to how the first 10-12 picks in the draft go.  Assuming Cleveland takes a QB, if the Giants also take a QB or trade to a team looking for a QB, you're going to have an ungodly run of QBs in the top 10.    If the Giants take Barkley, that means the Jets can probably stay at #6 and get a QB (as in this mock by Kiper)

Obviously the Kirk Cousins saga has to play out before any mock drafts make sense

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This is from the current Sports Illustrated,  five other talking football heads with their current top mock top five....

If they are even close to forecasting reality it suggests that one or more of the top four qbs will be there at 6.

Charles Davis, NFL Network (Feb. 20)
1. BROWNS: Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC
2. GIANTS: Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State
3. COLTS: Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State
4. BROWNS: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Defensive Back, Alabama
5. BRONCOS: Josh Rosen, Quarterback, UCLA

Will Brinson, CBS Sports (Feb. 20)
1. BROWNS: Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC
2. GIANTS: Josh Allen, Quarterback, Wyoming
3. COLTS: Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State
4. BROWNS: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Defensive Back, Alabama
5. BRONCOS: (TRADE!) BILLS: Josh Rosen, Quarterback, UCLA

Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report (Feb. 19)
1. BROWNS: Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State
2. GIANTS: Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC
3. COLTS: Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State
4. BROWNS: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Defensive Back, Alabama
5. BRONCOS: Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame

John Harris, The Washington Post (Feb. 14)
1. BROWNS: Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC
2. GIANTS: Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame
3. COLTS: Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State
4. BROWNS: Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State
5. BRONCOS: Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Oklahoma

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If we don't pay for Cousins, you would almost hope that Allen OR Mayfield where there at #6.  If they are both available, the suffering Jet part of me will automatically believe the one we don't pick is the one we should  have drafted.

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7 minutes ago, ChuckkieB said:

 


There is no way that Rosen will be picked outside of the top 5. Too many QB needy teams out there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

It has him as 4th QB off the board.  I don't think it is particularly likely that 4 QBs are off the board at 5.  @Gangrene just posted 4 mocks from SI.  3 had 2 QBs off the board at 6, the 4th had 1 and Rosen was still on the board in half. Rosen has some off-field/injury concerns and the interviews will probably be particularly important.  Too bad Chuckie is back in the NFL.  I was hoping Rosen would give him some sh*t in his QB camp. 

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4 minutes ago, prime21 said:

If we don't pay for Cousins, you would almost hope that Allen OR Mayfield where there at #6.  If they are both available, the suffering Jet part of me will automatically believe the one we don't pick is the one we should  have drafted.

the more i read these mocks, i wouldn't be surprised if mayfield goes 3 or 4 and rosen is the guy who drops.  i think allen will drop as teams dissect his game and realize he's a much bigger risk than is perceived right now.

if the jets don't get cousins, i am wondering if the jets would consider trading up for mayfield, if they really don't like allen, and rosen's off the field issues are real enough to scare a lot of teams off.

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2 minutes ago, prime21 said:

Rosen's issues off the field aren't crime related.  He speaks his mind which will make headlines but if he plays up to his potential;, who care's?  Speak all you want as long as you produce wins.

Isn't there also some worry that he is a coach-killer?

We had a post here questioning Cousins fit because he is a Christian that said that he would support anybody in his locker-room (gays). I think Rosen spouting off can be a bit problematic, especially when our owner is the Ambassador to the UK.  Not necessarily, but it certainly should be vetted.

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We don't know if the Jets like or don't like Allen (or any of them really).  We do know the much of the board dislikes Allen with the heat of a thousand suns. 

If we don't have Cousins, I am assuming we are taking a QB whether we trade up or stand pat.  Any other path is madness.  I expect one or two of the big four to be available at 6 but there is a chance it goes bad.  If three go in the top 4 picks (IND or CLE would have to have traded) that would be shocking and also frightening.  As Sarge said, the NYG pick is really critical.  Whether CLE takes a QB or not, if NYG takes a QB, we have to be ready to trade with IND because if we don't and someone else does, then we are in trouble.  And if CLE goes Barkley at 1, we have to assume they go QB at 4 so that pick wouldn't be available either.  

TLDR: We need to have a solid deal in place to trade with IND at 3 and have to consider triggering it if a QB is drafted at 2 regardless of what happens at 1.

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1 minute ago, nycdan said:

We don't know if the Jets like or don't like Allen (or any of them really).  We do know the much of the board dislikes Allen with the heat of a thousand suns. 

If we don't have Cousins, I am assuming we are taking a QB whether we trade up or stand pat.  Any other path is madness.  I expect one or two of the big four to be available at 6 but there is a chance it goes bad.  If three go in the top 4 picks (IND or CLE would have to have traded) that would be shocking and also frightening.  As Sarge said, the NYG pick is really critical.  Whether CLE takes a QB or not, if NYG takes a QB, we have to be ready to trade with IND because if we don't and someone else does, then we are in trouble.  And if CLE goes Barkley at 1, we have to assume they go QB at 4 so that pick wouldn't be available either.  

TLDR: We need to have a solid deal in place to trade with IND at 3 and have to consider triggering it if a QB is drafted at 2 regardless of what happens at 1.

i wonder how much this is going through mccagnan's head right now:  we love darnold but he won't be there even at 3.  we're lukewarm on rosen, his injury issues + potential to leave the game b/c of concussions is a big concern.  that leaves mayfield and allen as candidates at 6.  allen would be a nice developmental qb but not in the first round, that would cost me my job.  so that leaves mayfield, and do i want to pin my gm career on a 6 foot qb with some (albeit minor) character issues who may not even be there at 6 and may require us to trade up?

or, i could overpay for cousins and keep my job for a while.

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Hate Kipers comments re if we get Cousins, then CB is our biggest need. The reason CB is perennially our biggest need is because our pass rush SUCKS BALLS...a good rush can make a good CB great...without a pass rush a great CB can look mediocre. Do we need a CB? Yup...but we need an edge rusher more IMO

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8 minutes ago, nycdan said:

We don't know if the Jets like or don't like Allen (or any of them really).  We do know the much of the board dislikes Allen with the heat of a thousand suns. 

Allen missed the entire net on 1 throw in a short passing drill at the Senior Bowl.  Unfortunately, it was caught on camera.  His fate is sealed.  He's horrible.

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18 minutes ago, prime21 said:

Rosen's issues off the field aren't crime related.  He speaks his mind which will make headlines but if he plays up to his potential;, who care's?  Speak all you want as long as you produce wins.

If speaking his mind was his biggest negative, I think teams wouldn't be that turned off. It's the shoulder surgery and multiple concussions that scare teams off.

The hits in the NFL are harder and if he is already prone to concussions from hits in college teams will be concerned about more concussions in the NF. And how many more concussions before a kid like Rosen, an independent thinker, decides to retire since his family has money and he will make millions in the first few years of his career. 

I won't be upset if we end up with Rosen, but he is not a clean prospect. 

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17 minutes ago, nycdan said:

We don't know if the Jets like or don't like Allen (or any of them really).  We do know the much of the board dislikes Allen with the heat of a thousand suns. 

If we don't have Cousins, I am assuming we are taking a QB whether we trade up or stand pat.  Any other path is madness.  I expect one or two of the big four to be available at 6 but there is a chance it goes bad.  If three go in the top 4 picks (IND or CLE would have to have traded) that would be shocking and also frightening.  As Sarge said, the NYG pick is really critical.  Whether CLE takes a QB or not, if NYG takes a QB, we have to be ready to trade with IND because if we don't and someone else does, then we are in trouble.  And if CLE goes Barkley at 1, we have to assume they go QB at 4 so that pick wouldn't be available either.  

TLDR: We need to have a solid deal in place to trade with IND at 3 and have to consider triggering it if a QB is drafted at 2 regardless of what happens at 1.

Agree!

If we don't get Cousins and are not signing a Keenum or some of the other QB's not named McCown, we can't stay pat and hope someone falls to #6.  We would have to move up.

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5 minutes ago, JoJoTownsell1 said:

If speaking his mind was his biggest negative, I think teams wouldn't be that turned off. It's the shoulder surgery and multiple concussions that scare teams off.

The hits in the NFL are harder and if he is already prone to concussions from hits in college teams will be concerned about more concussions in the NF. And how many more concussions before a kid like Rosen, an independent thinker, decides to retire since his family has money and he will make millions in the first few years of his career. 

I won't be upset if we end up with Rosen, but he is not a clean prospect. 

How many truly 'clean' prospects have we ever seen?  Just thinking back, I would say Luck and before that, Peyton were considered close to 'sure things'.  Pretty much everyone else has had some material risk factors associated with them - whether stature, accuracy, personality, health or any number of other things.  

What I find unusual about this year is that all four of the top guys are #1 in somebody's list.  There is really no strong consensus on any of them.

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5 minutes ago, prime21 said:

Agree!

If we don't get Cousins and are not signing a Keenum or some of the other QB's not named McCown, we can't stay pat and hope someone falls to #6.  We would have to move up.

Another interesting consideration is that a few of the FAs including all the Vikings guys may not get signed before the draft.  Teams like DEN, NYJ, CIN, ARI and BUF may wait to see what happens in the draft before committing to one of those guys who will be 'plan B' moves for some of those teams.

There are 4, maybe 5 legitimate 1st round QBs who teams could arguably draft to start.  There are as many as 8 QB-needy teams (CLE, NYG, DEN, NYJ, ARI, CIN, BUF, MIN) and a few others that might consider a high pick or better backup (MIA, JAX).  I can't see any way the top teams (CLE thru NYJ) would sign anyone but Cousins to be their starter before the draft.  But for the other four, plan A may be a trade up and plan B may be Keenum or Bridgewater, but that means they wait until after the draft to sign one.  That may apply to the Jets as well given their cap room to outbid anyone else for one of those guys.  

TLDR:  If plan A is Cousins, we should just blow him away and get him.  But if plan A is to draft one of the big four, then we have to pass on Cousins (he will almost certainly sign before the draft) and plan B is one of those other guys - which would be sad.

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1 hour ago, JetFaninMI said:

If it comes to Mayfield VS Rosen and the Jets take Mayfield this board will explode. Hell I expect a few aneurysms.

Safe to say that no matter what happens, in free agency, in the draft, this Board will "explode".

There is no combination of events that could ever please this fan base.

I have to laugh at Allen at #1 overall, and Rosen falling like a stone (at least per Kiper), given this board's views on the two.  As many of us have said, we can fully expect the ratings and likely spots for QB's to continue to change throughout the lead-up to the draft, and almost assuredly one of the "big 4" will fall out of the top 10 completely, while one of the lesser prospects (a Falk, a Rudolph, etc.) will rise up into at least the bottom of the 1st round or higher.

Alot of time still left before draft day.

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29 minutes ago, greenwave81 said:

Hate Kipers comments re if we get Cousins, then CB is our biggest need. The reason CB is perennially our biggest need is because our pass rush SUCKS BALLS...a good rush can make a good CB great...without a pass rush a great CB can look mediocre. Do we need a CB? Yup...but we need an edge rusher more IMO

It's not a great pass rusher class. Can't force it if no one is there to take. 

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4 minutes ago, Warfish said:

Safe to say that no matter what happens, in free agency, in the draft, this Board will "explode".

There is no combination of events that could ever please this fan base.

Truer words never spoken.  If Rosen, Mayfield and Allen are taken, and Darnold falls to us at 6 and we take him, someone will bash Macc for it (without giving an explanation of what he should have done instead).  It's going to be such fun up until the draft and even more fun just after.  

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2 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

I’d dig it. I could also see Rosen’s concussions and shoulder injuries causing him to drop. I think Mayfield is Bowles- and Mehta- resistant, so he’d have that going for him.

i'm beginning to think part of the reason the jets will be all in on cousins is b/c they know allen is another hack and rosen has a few major concerns.  factor in that they likely don't have a shot at darnold, and then mayfield becomes the main reasonable target at 6.  mccags and bowles no doubt prefer cousins to mayfield.

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2 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

I’d dig it. I could also see Rosen’s concussions and shoulder injuries causing him to drop. I think Mayfield is Bowles- and Mehta- resistant, so he’d have that going for him.

My secret hope...we take Mayfield, Mehta has some negative sh-t to say about the pick, and Mayfield gets asked about it in a PC and says something like "what is a 'Mehta' and why do I care what it thinks?".  He will become an instant hero to me.

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4 minutes ago, nycdan said:

Truer words never spoken.  If Rosen, Mayfield and Allen are taken, and Darnold falls to us at 6 and we take him, someone will bash Macc for it (without giving an explanation of what he should have done instead).  It's going to be such fun up until the draft and even more fun just after.  

I don't want Darnold. 

But if he is available at #6, and the other prospects are gone, and Cousins is signed elsewhere, it would be very hard to "bash" the pick.

I don't think it will work out, I should be clear. 

Darnold is IMO a almost sure-thing bust to be a la Sanchez and every other USC QB not named Carson Palmer.  

But I'm in a tiny minority holding that view, so it's hard to bash the pick especially at pick #6.

At least it would finally silence all the silly "derp, Jets didn't tank hard enough, suck for Sam" posters, that alone would be worth it.

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