Draft season has taken its latest turn as the NFL Combine is now in the rearview mirror and pro days are soon to be upon us. Each step is another piece of the evaluation puzzle, though the on-field product will always be the ultimate trump card. With that said, we expect a certain level of performance when it comes to combine drills, and anything that doesn’t match up with on-field production is room for more investigation. Our evaluation process is ever-evolving, and this is just the next step before free agency throws yet another twist on draft season.
As always, this mock is based around what I would do for each team, not necessarily the buzz and hype we are hearing around the NFL.
- Tennessee Titans – Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
There is change at the top as Ramsey takes over the No. 1 spot for a number of reasons. While Ohio State’s Joey Bosa is still a favorite of ours, he’s not a perfect fit for Tennessee’s scheme, and when given the opportunity to draft a playmaker like Ramsey it’s difficult to pass that up. He’s an excellent all-around football player as he can cover, tackle and play the run. For the Titans, he will excel as a zone corner where his length and athleticism allow him to compress passing lanes as he develops his skills as a press man coverage cornerback. He has the size and length to become one of the league’s best, and given his domination at the combine, the physical attributes are there as well.
- Cleveland Browns – Jared Goff, QB, Cal
There is plenty of reason to believe that the Browns are hot on the trail of North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, but Goff’s advantage in essential quarterback traits is difficult to ignore. He reads the field quickly, moves around the pocket like a veteran, and gets the ball out of his hand with a quick release. He’s not a perfect prospect, as velocity can become an issue when forced to reset his base, but Goff’s body of work as PFF’s No. 8 quarterback in 2014 and top-rated signal caller in 2015 makes him the right choice for the Browns.
- San Diego Chargers – DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Buckner remains the choice at No. 3 for the Chargers as he’s a great fit for their 3-4 scheme. He reminds of Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals, not only in size, but also in future projection from a production standpoint. Buckner was a workhorse for Oregon, leading all interior defensive linemen with 951 snaps and playing over 100 snaps in two different games. Even with the heavy workload, he used his length to lead the nation with a +42.8 pass rush grade while ranking eighth against the run at +29.1.
- Dallas Cowboys – Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Bosa falls from No. 1 to No. 4 and the Cowboys are the beneficiaries as they get the top-graded edge defender in college football over the last two years. Bosa projects as a top-notch run defender on the edge while providing a punch as a pass rusher, whether going up against tackles on the outside or kicking in to rush against guards. His +44.1 pass rush grade ranked second in the nation among edge defenders in 2015 after leading the way at +56.6 in 2014.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
The linebacker position is more valuable than ever in today’s NFL, particularly 3-down options that can cover and play the run. Jack can be just that after he led the nation’s linebackers with a coverage grade of +14.7 in 2014 before coming out in 2015 and attacking blocks in the run game better than ever. While he was limited to only 207 snaps last season, Jack’s coverage ability and potential against the run give him the required versatility of a top NFL linebacker.
- Baltimore Ravens – Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
Tunsil is an option for a number of teams slotted above, but they made the right choices in going with defensive playmakers. He’ll slot in nicely for Baltimore who is expected to release starting left tackle, Eugene Monroe, shortly. Tunsil was limited to only six games, but he handled a great slate of pass rushers (only five pressures on 235 pass blocking attempts) while showing his explosiveness in the run game at +12.1.
- San Francisco 49ers – Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State
He may be the option at No 2 overall, but Wentz is a wild card in my draft. An ideal scenario has him sitting and learning initially, perhaps with a team that has an established quarterback later in the first round, but the 49ers could also be a good situation under new head coach Chip Kelly. Wentz has the arm to thrive in a vertical passing offense, but he needs to work on his timing and decision making. The risk may be high, but Wentz’s potential is through the roof and too difficult to pass up.
- Miami Dolphins – Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida
We’ve started to warm up to a number of cornerbacks in the class, but Hargreaves remains the pick for the Dolphins in part because of his skillset that should match up well with the shifty receivers of the division rival New England Patriots. Hargreaves’ 2015 was a step back from his 2014 season that saw him post the top coverage grade in the nation, but his movement skills and scheme versatility make him a good fit for the Miami defense.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
A different twist on Tampa Bay’s pick as we’ve looked to the defensive side of the ball in previous mocks, but with a lot of question marks surrounding the next best edge rushers behind Bosa, the Bucs grab perhaps the top wide receiver in the draft. QB Jameis Winston already has his big targets in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, but Coleman adds another dimension to the passing game with his ability to create quick separation and pick up yards after the catch.
- New York Giants – Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
It’s a similar situation for the Giants who would like to grab an edge rusher here, but Rankins is a great fit on the inside to pair with nose tackle Johnathan Hankins. Rankins’ two-year production is spectacular as he graded at +55.4 in 2014 to rank second among all interior defensive linemen before a +42.3 effort placed him 16th overall in 2015. He’s just as comfortable lining head up on a blocker as he is shooting gaps, and that versatile disruptive presence will be a much-needed upgrade for the Giants’ defense.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/bl...4-0-jalen-ramsey-surges-to-no-1-overall-pick/
Very interesting take. I'm not a fan of PFF, but this one will have you thinking.
And no, I would not like the option of Bosa at 4.
